Feature Description
The Non-3GPP Interworking Function (N3IWF) interface in the 5G SBA (Service Based Architecture) is responsible for interworking between untrusted non-3GPP networks and the 5G core. As such, the N3IWF supports both N2 and N3 based connectivity to the core, whilst supporting IPSec connectivity towards the device. The N3IWF interface provides the access and authentication protocols from the non-3GPP Wi-Fi network to seamlessly interface with the 5G Core Network by enabling the N2 and N3 interfaces.
This interface establishes an end-to-end security association between the User Equipment (UE) and N3IWF, irrespective of the security measures implemented at the layer 2 access level (WPA2).
SMF supports only the following procedures:
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PDU session establishment over N3IWF
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PDU session release over N3IWF
Architecture
The following figure represents the non-roaming architecture of 5G core network with untrusted non-3GPP access network.