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5G adoption is inflicting cell networks to develop at unprecedented charges. This brings with it important new enterprise alternatives however may also improve the complexity and value of deployment and operations. An clever, programmable community permits communication service suppliers to make the most of the expansion that 5G presents whereas streamlining their operations to maximise return on funding.
Cisco is addressing these challenges head-on with our industry-leading NCS 500 portfolio. New enhancements allow simultaneous assist of each conventional architectures RAN and open, virtualized RAN, with full interoperability.
Challenges for Brownfield Operators
Utilizing an open structure offers many value advantages to service suppliers, leveraging a Industrial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) primarily based infrastructure, automation options, and an open ecosystem to advertise a aggressive market.
Whereas it’s comparatively straightforward for greenfield service suppliers to undertake 5G open RAN interfaces and architectures, this can be very troublesome for brownfield operators who’ve already extensively deployed 4G.
One of many major challenges for brownfield operators is the dearth of interoperability out there when utilizing legacy RAN interfaces with an open RAN resolution. Changing all current 4G CPRI radios within the community with eCPRI primarily based radios will not be possible, which makes adoption of an open RAN and DU virtualization very troublesome.
When 4G and 5G are being deployed in the identical cell web site however working on two completely different architectures (proprietary 4G eNB and virtualized open 5G DU), it’s cost-prohibitive for the supplier.
Brownfield Interoperability
Cisco has been working with varied Normal Growth Organizations (SDO) to outline an open and absolutely interoperable 5G RAN structure.
By way of collaboration, we had been capable of create an answer that would seamlessly combine legacy radios on Cisco’s Converged SDN Transport structure, whereas additionally standardizing the specs to make it absolutely interoperable.
As a contribution to the O-RAN ALLIANCE, we drove the creation of an open Fronthaul gateway specification (O-RAN.WG7.FHGW-HRD.0-v02.00) to handle deployment challenges for brownfield suppliers. This specification permits legacy CPRI primarily based radios to speak with open RAN 7.2x eCPRI primarily based DU.
Cisco NCS 540 Fronthaul Routers, a key aspect to the Converged SDN Transport structure, present an open and programmable resolution to host RAN community features like Fronthaul Gateway (FHGW) and RAN useful resource configuration.
O-RAN PlugFest in India
We had been capable of reveal this profitable integration in the course of the O-RAN International PlugFest 2021 hosted by Bharti Airtel in India. By way of our multivendor demo, Cisco NCS 540 platform hosted the FHGW community perform supplied by VVDN applied sciences and verified the answer utilizing Keysight Open RAN Studio and Sign Analyzer.
Cisco’s resolution strategy is vendor agnostic, serving to service suppliers to consolidate features, optimize community stock, and scale back the price of deployment.
FHGW permits seamless integration of legacy radios to ORAN 7.2x DU enabling operators to undertake ORAN structure for current 4G networks. Though the FHGW is deployed on the cell web site, it may possibly present roughly 9 instances the optimization to move bandwidth in a centralized RAN structure.
Open {hardware} and API definition helps overcome proprietary dependencies of RAN features and permits seamless integration in a multi-vendor setting.
A programmable platform promotes innovation and protects funding. The identical platform may be programmed to perform as a Fronthaul MUX / De-MUX for shared cell deployment.
Joint European O-RAN and TIP PlugFest
Cisco additionally participated within the O-RAN European PlugFest 2021 hosted by TIM OTIC laboratory in Torino, Italy. We had been challenged to construct two end-to-end, interoperability options leveraging multi-vendor O-DU / O-CU radio software program parts and O-RU parts for each 4G (LTE B7) and 5G (n3, n78).
In each instances, the NCS 540 Sequence Router was used to supply packet-based fronthaul to attach O-RU to O-DU and to distribute timing and synchronization taken from the TIM community to O-RU utilizing PTP and SyncE protocols in keeping with the O-RAN LLS-C3 mannequin.
We efficiently demonstrated compliance to O-RAN transport traits in multivendor environments together with time synchronization, packet fronthaul, latency and jitter, telemetry, and packet-based fronthaul community automation.
Powering Open, Virtualized RAN in Brownfield Deployments Right now
As service suppliers proceed to deploy 5G, the advantages of adopting a virtualized RAN have gotten more and more evident. By offering safe and zero-touch infrastructure over a resilient transport structure, we will simplify the deployment of virtualized DU servers at cell websites.
Virtualized infrastructure requires the next interfaces for administration and zero-touch operations:
- Out of Band (OOB) interface for server administration and infrastructure onboarding
- The administration interface for server, radio, and digital DU OAM
- Administration interfaces for Kubernetes or digital machine infrastructure and container administration.
Safe infrastructure utilizing well-defined high quality of service (QoS) is essential to making sure visitors safety and traceability in a multivendor setting. Cisco NCS 540 Sequence Routers are primarily based on confirmed {hardware} and software program, which is important to supply a safe setting for cell web site virtualization.
A mature QoS structure offers visitors separation and outlined service safety. Safe and encrypted algorithms assist SSH, AAA, DHCP, ZTP, SNMP, IPv4/IPv6, MACsec, IPsec, gRPC, MPP, and wealthy entry management checklist options.
Cisco safe zero-touch provisioning permits a safe automation framework not just for the router but in addition for virtualized DU and open Radio deployment on the cell web site.
Programmability and Automation
Cisco presents a versatile and programmable structure that service suppliers can start to make the most of as we speak. With wealthy streaming telemetry assist, networks may be monitored with streamed configuration and operational telemetry knowledge on a centralized knowledge virtualization device. The platform offers in depth assist for YANG and IETF Fashions, and OpenConfig.
With open administration interfaces and APIs, we will allow end-to-end community administration features by way of the operational lifecycle of the brownfield cell web site. Cisco presents off-the-shelf and customised Cisco Community Companies Orchestrator (NSO) perform packs to automate the provisioning of every cell community area together with radio, virtualized features, and transport.
Dedicated to Continued Innovation
Cisco continues to deal with technological enhancements that may assist brownfield service suppliers scale back deployment prices. By offering a transport infrastructure that’s open, programmable, safe, and verified towards requirements, we’re empowering suppliers to seamlessly undertake virtualization and open, disaggregated RAN options in multivendor environments.
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