- Open vs Traditional RAN
- Open vs Traditional RAN
- O-RAN Alliance
- Key Components
- Benefits & Challenges
- NETSCOUT's Role
Jennifer Steele
Content Marketing Manager
What is Open RAN (Radio Access Network)?
Open RAN or ORAN is a set of standards for collaboration in telecom radio access networks (RAN) equipment design that allows interoperability between devices and interfaces, regardless of the manufacturer.
This standardization opens the RAN segment of mobile telecom networks to increased scalability and flexibility because communication service providers (CSPs) can build out their networks with any open RAN-compliant equipment. It also allows telecom equipment designers and manufacturers to segment or specialize without having to provide a complete suite of network elements.
How is Open RAN Different from Traditional RAN?
While traditional RAN architectures rely on unified hardware and software across an entire mobile site, Open RAN allows for a disaggregation of hardware and software when all components are built in accordance with industry-wide specifications. This “openness” is intended to facilitate better interoperability.
As a cloud based and software defined architecture, Open RAN enables more flexibility and more simplified network management and maintenance tasks. With Open RAN, operators can take full advantage of complex tasks such as dynamic resource control, automation, and orchestration. In addition, Open RAN offers carrier service providers a path for improving operational efficiencies, accelerating network deployments, and assuring problem-free upgrades.
Open RAN also plays a critical role in advancing optimization and new service introductions when paired with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
What is the O-RAN Alliance?
Founded in 2018, the O-RAN alliance is comprised of a global community of network operators, telecommunication equipment vendors, technology research labs, and academic institutions who participate in focused working groups to drive innovation and explore the various components and systems of the Open RAN architecture.
What are the Key Components of the O-RAN Network?
To achieve this virtualized disaggregation, COTS servers running multiple systems are deployed and connected by open networking interfaces. These systems include the Radio Unit (RU), the Distributed Unit (DU), and the Centralized Unit (CU).
The RU is responsible for transmitting, receiving, amplifying, and digitizing RF signals. It is located at the cell site near the antenna. The RU communicates with the DU, which handles the processing of lower-level networking layers before radio signals are digitalized for the network. Multiple DUs are connected to a CU which then forwards the radio signal into the network.
In addition to these systems, a software-defined RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) is used to control and optimize RAN functions. In Open RAN, two RICs are often used to handle events and resources for hosted third-party non-RT applications (rApps) and near-RT applications (xApps).
What are some of the key benefits and challenges introduced by the Open RAN movement?
There are several key opportunities and challenges with open RAN that can influence the future of telecom. Below are a few examples of these:
Open RAN offers more agility and customization in addition to facilitating more efficient deployments. For operators, this means there is an opportunity to enhance the end customers’ perceived value with improvements to service reliability and faster connectivity at a reduced cost.
With Open RAN, operators are no longer tied to a single vendor, empowering them to design and deploy infrastructure with great flexibility—encouraging industry-wide innovation.
One of the biggest challenges facing operators is how they will protect customer data as multi-vendor, multi-cloud deployments become more prevalent. Open RAN networks introduce new mobile network security risks that will need to be addressed as the attack surface expands.
How Does NETSCOUT Play a Role in Open RAN?
NETSCOUT offers CSPs end-through-end visibility and unparalleled insights into RAN network performance. Leveraging decades of experience and a scalable cloud-based platform, our a best-in-class solutions support the open cloud-based and hybrid networks needed for CSPs to achieve Open RAN success.