The new software simplifies and reduces the risks of multi-vendor 5G network management.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) has announced a 5G software solution that augments its existing 5G portfolio, with fully integrated automated management. The new software, which is set for release in October 2021, provides simplified 5G network management tools and reduces deployment risks of multi-vendor networks through a hands-off, closed-loop system via HPE 5G Automated Assurance and the expansion of 5G capability for HPE Service Director.
The new automated software solution monitors and organizes network functions, slices, infrastructure and services. It goes as far as to automatically act on detected issues to ensure secure service continuity and prevent outages. The software will also be embracing open cloud native principles that are a part of 5G industry standards and will include HPE’s open 5G solutions, such as the HPE 5G Core Stack as well as a variety of open-source technologies. It will also be open to application programming interfaces (APIs) for integration with multi-vendor deployments.
While 5G has the capacity to bring huge network enhancements in terms of latency, bandwidth and the number of devices and services supported, it also comes with logistical concerns. Among them, the massive complexity of modern 5G networks, as well as operational risks and security concerns for network managers and operators. From its inception, 5G architecture standards were designed to incorporate the use of open, cloud native platforms that use software and hardware components from a variety of specialized vendors.
As such, the management of 5G networks and their deployment have become far more complex than previous generations of telecommunications networks. Telecommunication companies running 5G networks must manage and maintain a variety of network slices, thousands of virtual machines (VMs) and hundreds of virtual/containerized network functions (VNFs/CNFs) across thousands of sites. This level of complexity and number of touch points to manage network management now requires automated solutions to ensure across-the-board function and compliance.
HPE’s 5G network automation software suite reduces the risk of managing a multi-vendor system with automated workflow processes and artificial intelligence (AI). This ensures a smooth network signal and avoids any human-input or user errors.
“To fully seize the opportunity presented by 5G and network slicing, network operators need to embrace the open, cloud-native principles built into the industry standards. In line with this approach, HPE has developed fully integrated automation capabilities that de-risk 5G deployments and maximize business return for network operators,” said HPE Communication Technology Group’s VP of Product Management Domenico Covertino. The deployment of machine learning, or at the very least a few degrees of automation, are a necessity for a successful 5G operation. HPE’s 5G tools will help network operators perform more efficiently while also setting them up for 6G networks (which will most likely end up being fully machine operated).
The expansion of 5G capabilities to HPE Service Director will allow for a simple codeless way to optimize service processes across various network functions such as automated profile-driven network slicing and lifecycle management of the slices. Thanks to intent-based modeling used to design models and associated policies, the full-fledged HPE Service Director will enable network operators to take full advantage of DevOps opportunities.
Intent-based orchestration allows network operators to describe the behavior of a service within a model. These models are automatically deployed by Service Director to provide network slicing and lifecycle management across all domains. Using machine learning removes the need to hardcode workflows and business processes, or provide detailed cases for both physical and virtual parts of the service.
By incorporating models that are generated within the software suite, HPE’s software can eliminate structural breakdowns and allow for complex machine-readable modeling. The Service Director framework uses standardized data models to rationalize various network elements and automate their management of various industry standardized APIs.
This full-service model captures and network operation allows the system to address more ad hoc cases without major disruptions or the need to hardcode large workflows and all associated cases (while ensuring that all associated cases that require coding have been captured). Putting together intent-based orchestration with a rich machine learning will allow HPE’s telecom clients to achieve a continuous end-to-end automation of their entire 5G service lifecycle while freeing up their resources for future needs.
HPE’s 5G network automation suite includes capabilities ranging from network slice management to infrastructure management while also utilizing open and secure software components interchangeably and simultaneously with full automation and integration. One example is the deployment of network slices, functions and services–whenever there’s a new infrastructure improvement, the software automatically monitors the full network, detecting any service degradations, repairs and optimizations within prescribed frameworks.
Not only does the HPE’s 5G network automation software help improve the management and operation of 5G mobile networks, it also does so in compliance with the European Telecommunication Standard Institute’s (ETSI’s) and the Third Generation Partnership Project’s (3GPP’s) 5G New Radio (NR) prescriptions and industry standards for the operation, security and network deployment of 5G.
This combination of automated no-touch network operation instrumentation along with automated assurance not only eases the physical workload burden for network operators when it comes to person hours, their management, and general network oversight; it also eases the mental load on top-level network management by taking some of the more tedious tasks of assurance out of the equation. Thus, it frees up time that can be devoted to other currently nonautomated tasks.
The integrated 5G automation suite is designed for a variety of 5G use cases. With intent-based orchestration, AI-/ML-based assurance, automated slice management, infrastructure flexibility, and cloud-native network function (CNF), onboarding HPE’s 5G network automation software robustly adds to the already solid HPE 5G software portfolio. HPE’s edge solutions, such as HPE Edge Orchestrator, as well as the HPE 5G Core Stack, and the HPE Open RAN Solution Stack, will greatly benefit from the addition of automation software. These solutions will help further optimize clients’ networks and provide artificial intelligence-based assurance and simplified implementation.
HPE’s 5G network automation software continues to build on HPE’s reputation as a service, assurance, orchestrations and infrastructure solution vendor for mobile and local networks. By allowing companies to deploy and operate networks with a nearly hands-off approach, HPE is lowering the barriers to entry within certain markets, and thus providing the resources for a wider proliferation of 5G networks.
The automation software includes the HPE 5G Core Stack and has been designed to integrate multi-vendor network functions (NFs) from HPE as well as external partners (thus embracing the 5G open-source mandate). HPE is currently conducting testing of deployment and NF integration at the HPE 5G Lab in Fort Collins Colo., with HPE 5G Automated Assurance (and 5G capability for HPE Service Director) set for global release in October 2021.
