scope:

The present document provides a Framework of an Autonomicity-enabled IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Architecture. It focuses on the standardized IP Multimedia Subsystem reference architecture.

The present document describes:

• A high level GANA Autonomicity-enabled 3GPP IMS architecture, based on the instantiation of GANA Functional Blocks (FBs) for autonomics and their Reference Points (Rfps) that serve as enablers for autonomic management and control operations in IMS architecture and its associated management and control architecture. The GANA FBs include Decision-making Elements (DEs) and other types of GANA functional entities described in the present document.

• Autonomicity-enabled IMS functions like Media Gateway Control Function (MGCF), Media Gateway Function (MGF), Application Server (AS) and end to end Network Management, thanks to the instantiation of the GANA autonomics enablers onto the IMS functions and the overall IMS architecture.

• An analysis of significant GANA Decision-making Elements (DEs) for implementing Hierarchical Control-Loops for closed-loop management and control of network resources, parameters and services, and Reference Points associated with GANA Functional Blocks (FBs) that should be considered in introducing autonomics in IMS service orchestration, management and control, based on deployment scenarios.

• How to achieve E2E Closed-Loop (Autonomic) IMS Services Assurance and Security Assurance by Federated GANA Knowledge Plane (KP) Platforms.

The present document provides the recommendations that innovators and implementers of autonomics algorithms (including Artificial Intelligence algorithms) for the GANA DEs instantiated into the IMS architecture and its associated management and control architecture should follow in implementing the prescribed DEs and other GANA enablers for autonomics in IMS. Such prescribed GANA autonomics is meant to enable IMS functions to self-manage and at the same time be dynamically and adaptively policy-controlled by upper Artificial Intelligence-Driven Platform called GANA Knowledge Plane Platform - thanks to the introduction of Decision Elements (DEs) and associated control loops at the Network, Node and Function-level of the GANA reference model into the IMS network architecture and associated management and control architecture.