Nokia Services Architecture study plan
Nokia Services Architecture · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Core networks & IP networks
Map the end-to-end Nokia core architecture (AMF/SMF/UPF roles, CUPS split, SBA interfaces) and draw it from memory
Explain how IP/MPLS transport underlays the core by tracing a subscriber packet from gNB to DN through SR-MPLS or segment routing
Compare SR-MPLS and SRv6 for underlay encapsulation, label stacks, and traffic-engineering use cases
Configure and verify basic OSPF/IS-IS adjacencies and BGP peering in a lab topology to cement routing fundamentals
Your checkpoint
A one-page hand-drawn packet-walk diagram (gNB to data network) with every node, interface, and encapsulation labeled, plus lab screenshots of working IGP and BGP sessions
Core networks & IP networks
Describe 5G core network slicing mechanics: NSSAI, S-NSSAI selection, and how slices map to transport VPNs
Differentiate QoS handling across core (5QI, QoS flows) and IP transport (DSCP, DiffServ, MPLS TE)
Explain Nokia core deployment options: standalone vs non-standalone, cloud-native CNF packaging, and redundancy models
Trace a handover and PDU session modification through core signaling to identify failure points
Your checkpoint
A comparison table of at least 10 QoS/slicing parameters mapped across RAN, core, and transport layers, with a written walkthrough of one slice creation from NSSAI request to transport VPN instantiation
Transport & Data center networks
Map transport layers: access, aggregation, metro, and backbone, and the Nokia platforms and roles at each tier
Explain data center network design: leaf-spine topology, EVPN-VXLAN overlay, and east-west vs north-south traffic
Describe how data center fabrics interconnect with WAN transport (DCI) and where service chaining fits
Compare underlay routing options in the DC (eBGP leaf-spine) with traditional L2/L3 designs
Your checkpoint
A two-diagram set: one metro/backbone transport topology and one leaf-spine DC fabric with EVPN-VXLAN overlay, each annotated with protocols, redundancy, and traffic flows
Fixed access & Mobile access
Explain fixed access architectures: PON (GPON/XGS-PON) splits, OLT/ONT roles, and how fixed access terminates into BNG
Describe mobile access: gNB/DU/CU split, fronthaul/midhaul/backhaul, and RAN transport requirements
Compare fixed and mobile access from a service-delivery and QoS standpoint to see where they converge
Identify Nokia access portfolio segments and the service edge functions each performs
Your checkpoint
A side-by-side fixed vs mobile access reference sheet covering topology, protocols, bandwidth/QoS assumptions, and the handoff point into the transport and core domains
Network security & Network APIs
Enumerate the security threat surface per domain (access, transport, core, DC) and the standard mitigations for each
Explain network API exposure: CAMARA-style APIs, API gateway role, authentication (OAuth2), and monetization models
Describe how APIs are exposed securely from core/OSS/BSS toward developers and partners
Map security controls (segmentation, zero trust, DDoS mitigation, encryption) to the API exposure path
Your checkpoint
A threat-model table with at least 12 entries (threat, affected domain, control) plus an API exposure architecture sketch showing gateway, auth, and policy enforcement points
Autonomous networks & Microwave transport
Define autonomous network levels (intent-based, closed-loop automation) and the data/telemetry needed to reach them
Explain how AI/ML-driven closed loops operate across RAN, transport, and core for optimization and self-healing
Describe microwave transport fundamentals: link budget, modulation/adaptive coding, capacity vs distance trade-offs
Identify where microwave fits in backhaul and how it integrates with IP/MPLS transport
Your checkpoint
A closed-loop automation design for one use case (e.g., microwave link degradation) showing telemetry sources, decision logic, and remediation actions, plus a worked microwave link-budget calculation
Fixed access & Mobile access & Core networks & Transport & Network security & Autonomous networks & Network APIs & Data center networks & IP networks & Microwave transport
Synthesize cross-domain dependencies by tracing one end-to-end service (fixed + mobile subscriber) across all 10 domains
Revisit weak domains identified in prior weeks and close knowledge gaps with targeted review
Practice explaining each domain's role in 2-3 sentences without notes
Build a personal glossary of at least 40 acronyms spanning all domains
Your checkpoint
An end-to-end service blueprint spanning all 10 domains, plus a completed glossary and a ranked list of your three weakest domains with a review action for each
Core networks & Network security & Autonomous networks & Network APIs & IP networks
Consolidate the highest-weight domains (core, IP, security, autonomous, APIs) through scenario-based reasoning
Answer practice scenario questions and justify each answer by domain principle, not memorization
Simulate exam pacing with timed domain-weighted question sets
Finalize a one-page cheat sheet of cross-domain decision rules
Your checkpoint
A timed 60-question self-assessment across all domains, scored by domain, with a written gap-closing plan for any domain scoring below 70%
Milestones
Week 2: Can draw the core-to-transport packet walk from memory and correctly map at least 8 QoS/slicing parameters across layers without notes
Week 4: Can explain fixed and mobile access topologies and their handoff into transport/core in under 5 minutes each, with no reference material
Week 6: Can describe closed-loop automation and microwave link-budget trade-offs, and articulate the security and API exposure path for a partner integration
Week 8: Scores at least 70% in every domain on the timed self-assessment, with an average of 80% or higher overall