CiscoNetNumberIntelGlobal Service ProviderService Provider Mobility (4G/5G)Edge ComputingMobilityData Center
Briefing•2 hours

Software-Defined Mobile Network Solution Briefing

Mobile operators face an increasingly competitive and demanding business environment in which technology is changing more rapidly than ever, which makes it imperative to implement future proof, end-to-end open network solutions to innovate and compete. The Software-Defined Mobile Network (SDMN) solution is a multi-vendor, software-based end-to-end 4G/5G mobile network that includes Virtualized RAN (Open vRAN), telco cloud infrastructure, transport and mobile core solutions — each virtualized and residing on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware. This briefing — available for both the Option 2 and Option 7-2x Split RAN architectures— provides a blueprint for a disaggregated, virtualized, best-of-breed and fully open 4G/5G mobile network. A Cisco transport network is placed in between these data centers to connect these applications together to achieve end-to-end voice and data connectivity for subscribers.

Details

Moving to a software-based, disaggregated multi-vendor solution that is built on open modular solutions with standards-based interoperability enables service provider agility and innovation. Network solutions also need to natively incorporate automation, machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI).

This briefing is intended to be used for architecture validation, proofs of concepts (POCs), demonstrations and functional/interoperability testing.

The objectives of the briefing include, but are not limited to: 

  • Develop integrated solution/vision for the Software-Defined Mobile Network (SDMN).
  • Highlight the benefits of an Open virtualized Radio Access Network (Open vRAN).
  • Incorporate OEM partner solutions where required/desired for end-to-end system.
  • Evaluate and verify the SDMN solution features and performance.
  • Develop an understanding of SDMN operational aspects.
  • Conduct customer demos.
  • Enable SDMN POCs.
  • Understand risk profiles.

In both solution blueprints, the vCU is provided by Altiostar. Altiostar also provides the vDU for the Option 7-2x split. For the Option 2 split, the indoor small cell (RU+DU) is provided by Sercomm. Cisco provides their Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS) based virtualized Evolved Packet Core (vEPC), the converged SDN transport network, the Cisco Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (CVIM) for infrastructure and cloud lifecycle management and UCS-C servers for the NFV infrastructure.

The blueprint uses two HSS solutions that can be used alternatively: NetNumber's on-premise HSS and WG2 cloud-hosted HSS. This blueprint also includes WG2's cloud-based IMS solution. 

Option 2 split

The 3GPP Option 2 split enables centralization of the PDCP layer and a centralized RRC/RRM. This split is very latency tolerant enabling distances of tens of kilometers between the vCU and vDU and can be implemented using non-fiber transport.

Software-Defined Mobile Network Option 2 split
Software-Defined Mobile Network Option 2 split

The Option 2 Split blueprint consists of the following major components:

  • CVIM Full POD – Central DC: The Full POD is mainly used to host mobile core, automation and orchestration, and auxiliary components:
    • SAEGW-C
    • SAEGW-U
    • PCRF
    • HSS
    • DHCP
    • DNS
    • High and low-level orchestrators
    • vRAN EMS
    • VNFM
  • CVIM Micro POD – Regional DC: The Micro POD is mainly used to host vCU, but other workloads such as SAEGW-U and mobile edge computing (MEC) apps may also be tested.
  • Radio and UE: Band-3 LTE Sercomm radio is used for over-the-air testing using Samsung Galaxy S20 User Equipment (UE). The test UE is accessible via a remote desktop application.

Option 7-2x split

This configuration is ideal for mobile networks that have fiber transport to the sites and can meet the latency requirements to centralize the vDU. Altiostar's vRAN solution for macro cell can tolerate up to 250 microseconds of latency plus jitter from the vDU to the radio. The maximum allowed latency for the Midhaul is 50ms. This centralized vDU configuration provides the best pooling gain and inter-site coordination capabilities for an operator. It allows cloud management and automation capabilities for ensuring cloud-scale deployments for customers.

Two types of RUs provided by MTI and Gigatera are used in this lab. The MTI radio has 2 Transmit and 2 receive ports (2T2R) with a total transmit power of 40W (20W/path), and it supports 20MHz of bandwidth. The Gigatera radio has 4 Transmit and 4 receive ports (4T4R) with a total transmit power of 160W (40W/path) and it supports 70MHz of bandwidth.

Software-Defined Mobile Network Option 7-2 split
Software-Defined Mobile Network Option 7-2 split

The Option 7-2x split blueprint consists of the following major components: 

  • CVIM Full POD – Central DC: The Full POD is mainly used to host mobile core, automation and orchestration, and auxiliary components:
    • SAEGW-C
    • SAEGW-U
    • PCRF
    • HSS
    • DHCP
    • DNS
    • High and low-level orchestrators
    • vRAN EMS
    • VNFM
  • CVIM Micro POD – Regional DC: The Micro POD is mainly used to host vCU, but other workloads such as SAEGW-U and mobile edge computing (MEC) apps may also be tested.
  • CVIM Edge POD – Edge DC: The Edge POD is mainly used to host vDU.
  • Radio and UE: Band-20 MTI and Band-7 Gigatera radios along with Samsung Galaxy S20 User Equipment (UE) placed in an RF shield boxes are used for the air interface testing. The test UE is accessible via a remote desktop application.

The Cisco NCS Series Routers, combined with Nexus 9000 series switches and fabrics, cater xHaul requirements for a 4G/5G mobility solution. Cisco NCS routers play multiple architectural roles as cell site aggregation, cell site and data center edge routers.

Nexus 9000 series switches deployed as both top-of-rack switches for vRAN cloud host connectivity at "edge" and "micro" sites, but also as spines and leafs deployed for a "full" data center for the hosting of 4G/5G control services, commonly shared services, etc.

What is a briefing?

A scheduled event with a WWT subject matter expert — typically via a live Webex — where we present an overview of specific topics, technologies, capabilities or adoption trends. Your attendees are allotted time for Q&A to pose questions specific to your organization. This is a complimentary service.

Who should attend?

This briefing is designed for, but not limited to, the following personas within Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 service providers:

  • Solution/principal architects
  • Portfolio managers
  • Technical engineers
  • Advisors and consultants

How WWT can help

Service providers need help accelerating the integration and adoption of innovative technology solutions that make up a Software-Defined Mobile Network to fully realize their benefits and maximize ROI.

WWT can help service providers more rapidly deploy SDMN within their network by providing fully-integrated cloud-based, virtualized solution blueprints that operators can leverage to accelerate 4G and forge a clear path toward broader 5G adoption.

Our Next-Generation Factory Model allows operators to move from innovation to validation and deployment more rapidly than in the past. It accelerates time to revenue by validating complex, multi-vendor solutions with speed in our ATC, integrating them at scale in one of our global integration facilities.

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