Unlocking the Secrets of Network Element Virtualization

As we continue to witness the relentless advance of 5G technology, the importance of network element virtualization in the RAN and core domain is impossible to deny. This trend, although pre-existing, has gained significant momentum now that 5G has enabled practical implementation of the concept.

The role of open network architecture in NFV

In simple terms, network function virtualization (NFV) means moving all network services, security, and other elements to virtual machines, allowing service providers to use regular servers instead of dedicated hardware. This solution promises practically unlimited network infrastructure management automation while also enabling greater flexibility and scalability than ever before. The implementation of the Open Virtual RAN architecture plays a pivotal role in this process. Virtual network functions are increasingly utilized for both the instantiation of network elements and enhancing the scalability of the entire system in response to dynamically changing requirements.

Virtualization drives the evolution of network slicing. The introduction of virtual elements allows flexible and dynamic provision of resources, allowing the delivery of end-to-end service in a specified area with a defined quality level. However, it is worth mentioning that the implementation of the 5G SA network as the basis for slicing is significantly slower than market expectations. The reason is the massive presence of legacy architecture in the chain of systems used to provide 5G services. Unfortunately, this makes fully automated provisioning, orchestration, and system maintenance practically impossible for the time being.

Striving for full network autonomy

Regardless of how fast 5G technology and the Open RAN architecture are adopted, the main observable trend in the industry is to progressively virtualize as many network elements as possible. The telecommunications ecosystem will strive to create autonomous networks, increasing automation and leveraging the potential of AI/ML for network optimization.

Finally, it is anticipated that telecommunications radio access networks will strive for full autonomy, becoming self-configured, self-optimized, and self-healing. This will require breaking mental barriers and accepting partial loss of control in favor of decisions made autonomously by the network.

Security of virtualized networks

Until recently, there have been major concerns about the security of public cloud environments and the ability to achieve 99.999% availability. However, leading public cloud providers such as AWS and Azure now provide telecoms with all the necessary resources to meet even the most stringent requirements. Telecommunications operators can also harness the synergy effect in the edge components of the telco network.

Cloud providers collaborate on edge solutions, including off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom edge components. A cluster of edge servers in a single location can serve as access network components (including RAN and Open RAN), teletransmission components (white boxes), or 5G SA UPF functions, all while leveraging resource virtualization.

Benefits of network functions virtualization

It is crucial to take service providers' financial interests into account while evaluating the role of virtualization in the core sector of telecom networks. Traditionally, operators’ profits and losses have a strong impact on strategic decisions. Legacy systems, still prevalent in telecommunications networks, generate substantial costs related to power supply, air conditioning, and system diversity. Managing multiple legacy systems on a large scale becomes an arduous task.

Operators have long explored the possibility of migrating core network functions to the cloud to reduce expenses. This idea extends to private cloud, public cloud, and hybrid solutions. Regardless of the chosen architecture, the foundation lies in virtualization, which inherently reduces costs. Virtualization simplifies operations by employing common IT orchestration technologies to deliver the same services with less (common) resources.

Reducing network management costs will be a direct outcome of effective virtualization strategies. The traditional approach of lengthy testing periods for new functionalities can now give way to a more agile "run or delete" methodology. Moreover, the advent of network slicing enables the implementation of services tailored to specific groups of subscribers without necessitating modifications to the entire network infrastructure.

The telecommunications market strives to increase the use of virtualization technologies and AI/ML, aiming for full network autonomy. Self-governing networks are just around the corner—brace yourself for their arrival.