PDU Session

Technical Explanation

A PDU Session represents the foundational data connection in 5G, replacing 4G EPS Bearers. It supports three PDU Session Types: IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6, Unstructured (for IoT data without IP headers), and Ethernet (for industrial LANs). Each PDU Session is established over an S-NSSAI (Network Slice) and DNN (Data Network Name). Inside a single PDU Session, multiple QoS Flows can be multiplexed with varying 5QIs without creating separate tunnels.

Key Functions

• Support for IPv4, IPv6, Ethernet, and Unstructured payload types
• Multiplexing of multiple 5G QoS Flows within a single session tunnel
• Binding to a specific Network Slice (S-NSSAI) and Data Network (DNN)
• Dynamic insertion of intermediate UPFs or Branching Points for local traffic offload