-to-End Architecture Components, Concepts, Security, and Transport NNSSF NNWDAF NWDAF R(AN) Figure 2.14 - The NWDAF The objective is to provide an analytical capability in the network that can be leveraged for network automation, monitoring, identifying challenges in the network, and SO on. The NWDAF can be securely exposed by the NEF for consumption by external entities. The following use cases are supported by the NWDAF: Load-level computation and prediction for a network slice instance Service experience computation and prediction for an application/UE group Load analytics information and prediction for a specific NF Network load performance computation and future load prediction Expected behavior predictions for UE Abnormal behavior or anomaly detection for UE Mobility-related information and predictions for UE Communication pattern predictions for UE Congestion information - current and predicted for a specific location QoS sustainability, which involves reporting and predicting QoS changes The SCP The SCP is an optional NF that helps with indirect communication between a producer and a consumer. It serves the additional role of load-balancing service requests among various producers. Hence, when a consumer sends a request, the SCP selects the appropriate producer based on the load and availability criteria: 5G network concepts DISCOVERY NF PROFILE SERVICE REQUEST SERVICE REQUEST SERVICE RESPONSE SERVICE RESPONSE Figure 2.15 - The SCP The NFs can have direct communication, such as in the example in the preceding figure in which the consumer and NRF directly communicate. However, communication can also happen via the SCP, as in the example shown at the bottom of the diagram. In this case, the discovery of the NF can also be delegated to the SCP, which, in turn, contacts the NRF to find the appropriate consumer and relay the information to the consumer. Among the other responsibilities of the SCP is communication security. It authorizes the NF consumer to access the NF producer. It monitors the NFs and balance