Global Lords: I Have Information System-Chapter 440 - 333: Pluck the Goose and Run [Anti-Theft - ]

It is worth mentioning that Ericsson Cloud RAN uses the Bluefield deployment approach, which can achieve complete interoperability between Cloud RAN and the existing network through the Ericsson Cloud Link solution. Cloud RAN can be introduced into the operator’s existing RAN network just like refurbishing a house, without having to dismantle and rebuild the original house (network), helping operators smoothly and seamlessly evolve to cloud-native technology and open network architecture. Ericsson states that based on the Bluefield deployment approach, about 7 million Ericsson wireless systems supporting 5G currently deployed worldwide can be used with new Cloud RAN products. Clearly, this not only helps Ericsson protect its existing RAN Market share but also accelerates the scaled deployment of Cloud RAN.

Redefining the Boundaries of 5G Technology, Samsung Launches vRAN+Massive MIMO Solutions

On June 22, Samsung held an online technical conference themed "Samsung Networks: Redefined," sharing the vision of 5G network transformation and showcasing a series of the latest software-driven 5G technologies and solutions.

At this conference, Samsung released a series of brand new chipsets and wireless unit products, including the second-generation 5G modem, the third-generation millimeter-wave RFIC chip, digital front-end (DFE)-RFIC integrated chips, wireless units that support 400MHz mid-band bandwidth, and multi-band active-passive single-antenna wireless units, aiming to achieve more efficient and higher-performance 5G solutions.

In terms of network virtualization, Samsung believes that the virtualization of the entire network from the Radio Access Network (RAN) to the core network can help operators achieve easier network upgrades through software, enhancing network flexibility, scalability, and Management efficiency. Samsung also announced its latest progress in end-to-end network virtualization.

In the wireless access Domain, Samsung vRAN has achieved full virtualization of the baseband unit, deploying the industry’s first fully virtualized end-to-end commercial 5G RAN. Recently, the company also demonstrated its ability to implement Massive MIMO technology on COTS servers, supporting rates of several gigabytes, showing vRAN technology’s performance approaching dedicated custom hardware solutions. In the core network Domain, Samsung vCore uses a cloud-native containerized architecture, enabling operational automation while ensuring optimized performance, helping operators quickly upgrade and launch new services according to business Requirements. In terms of network Management, Samsung Cloud Orchestrator supports full automation of the network deployment and optimization process. Samsung Network Slicing Manager supports simplified Management of slicing resources and supports AI-based intelligent analysis of network performance.

Image Source: Samsung

For the wireless access network, under traditional RAN solutions, the baseband unit is delivered in the form of dedicated hardware, whereas, based on the vRAN solution, the baseband unit will be provided as software like an application on a smartphone and run on COTS servers. vRAN can flexibly allocate network resources according to traffic conditions, enabling more effective network Management. At the same Time, based on cloud-native and containerized architecture, vRAN makes automated operations and maintenance easier to implement.

However, many industry insiders have always doubted that vRAN can quickly reach the same performance level as traditional RAN, especially difficult to support 5G Massive MIMO technology that requires higher processing power. But Samsung stated in its official blog that Samsung has realized the combination of vRAN + 64T64R Massive MIMO and has demonstrated achieving over 1.5Gbps 5G vRAN rate on the C band, proving that the vRAN solution has the capability to handle massive data traffic and has redefined the boundaries of 5G technology.

Intel Releases Multiple New Software and Hardware Products to Accelerate Network Transformation

"Intel’s Xeon processors and other technologies have driven large-scale cloud growth and are now playing a critical role in the Development momentum of vRAN." Ericsson mentioned in the press release announcing the expansion of its Cloud RAN product portfolio. Currently, almost all commercial vRAN deployments globally have adopted Intel technology, and recently, industry-focused Deutsche Telekom (deploying the O-RAN town in New Brandenburg, Germany) and Dish Wireless (planning to deploy an end-to-end fully virtualized cloud-native 5G network), are using Intel technology to promote network transformation. Therefore, when talking about network cloud transformation, one must pay attention to the recent dynamics of this network chipset supplier. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

At the recently held MWC 2021 Barcelona trade fair, Intel showcased multiple new products aimed at further strengthening virtual wireless access network (vRAN) technology. The Agilex FPGA series added an FPGA integrated with encryption acceleration, supporting MACSec in 5G applications, providing an additional layer of security for vRAN fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul. The Ethernet 800 series added an Ethernet adapter supporting SyncE, designed for high-bandwidth 4G and 5G RAN, as well as Time and latency-sensitive applications in industrial, financial, energy, and other vertical markets.

Intel also released several software products, among them, the Intel Network Platform provides a shortcut for developing and optimizing network software, including system-Level reference architectures, drivers, and software building blocks, helping customers and partners fully utilize Intel hardware functions from core to access and edge, allowing developers to quickly develop and deliver network solutions based on Intel technology. Intel Smart Edge is a new combination of two software products aimed at multi-access edge computing Layers, now with a unified architecture and code base, simplifying customers’ Loading and Management of edge applications and network functions.

Image Source: Intel

Intel states that as more and more devices are connected to the network, increasing pressure is placed on networks. Operators hope to build more Agile and flexible infrastructure to fully leverage the potential of 5G and edge. Intel provides a complete underlying network solution portfolio for the entire industry, including a full set of processors, accelerators, Ethernet adapters, memory, software toolkits, and solution blueprints, and is continuously expanding the leading product portfolio to help customers achieve proper total ownership cost, accelerate product Market entry, and realize commercial vision.

Entering 2021, from accelerated commercialization of global 5G SA networks to more leading operators announcing or planning to deploy vRAN or ORAN, we see the wave of mobile network transformation towards end-to-end virtualization and cloudization becoming increasingly strong, and with the push from Ericsson, Intel, and Samsung, it is estimated that this wave of network transformation momentum will further accelerate.

Recently focused Deutsche Telekom (deploying the O-RAN town in New Brandenburg, Germany) and Dish Wireless (planning to deploy a fully virtualized cloud-native end-to-end 5G network), are using Intel technology to promote network transformation. Therefore, when talking about network cloud transformation, it is important to pay close attention to the recent dynamics of this network chipset supplier.

At the recently held MWC 2021 Barcelona trade fair, Intel showcased multiple new products aimed at further strengthening virtual wireless access network (vRAN) technology. The Agilex FPGA series added an FPGA integrated with encryption acceleration, supporting MACSec in 5G applications, providing an additional security layer for vRAN fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul. The Ethernet 800 series added an Ethernet adapter supporting SyncE, designed for high-bandwidth 4G and 5G RAN, as well as Time and latency-sensitive applications in industrial, financial, energy, and other vertical markets.

Intel also released several software products, among them, the Intel Network Platform offers a shortcut for developing and optimizing network software, including system-Level reference architectures, drivers, and software building blocks, helping customers and partners fully utilize Intel hardware functions from core to access and edge, enabling developers to rapidly develop and deliver network solutions based on Intel technology. Intel Smart Edge is a new combination of two software products targeting multi-access edge computing Layers, now with a unified architecture and code base, simplifying customers’ Loading and Management of edge applications and network functions.

Image Source: Intel

Intel