Hybrid SDN-Based Data-Centric Mobile Core Network with Content-Based Routing

The evolution of 6 G core network architecture is a critical research area requiring comprehensive investigation and collaborative efforts. While multiple divergent visions exist, there is a consensus that 6 G should be built on 5 G achievements, such as softwarization, Service-Based Architecture (SBA), or network slicing, to ensure economic sustainability and foster innovation. Yet, most of the 6 G architectural visions are revolutionary, raising questions about their feasibility in terms of financial sustainability and practical deployment. This paper introduces a Hybrid SDN-based Data-Centric Core Network (HSDCN) architecture combining multi-controller Software-Defined Networking (SDN), data-centric principles, and content-based routing to enable an optimized core network in cloud-native environments and facilitate the evolution of 5 G networks towards 6 G. HSDCN is a hybrid mobile network architecture, supporting low-latency Control Plane (CP) operations and facilitating AI-driven network operations while maintaining compatibility with 3GPP standards and avoiding disruptive design shifts.