VIEWPOINT
Shanthi Ravindran, Principal Analyst at Appledore Analysis, introduced and launched the white paper An Structure Evolution: Pondering in a different way to attain success on the Autonomous Networks Business Summit in Dubai, which TM Discussion board hosted in the course of the Extremely-Broadband Discussion board (UBBF) 2023. The paper focuses on the structure evolution of Autonomous Networks (AN), outlines the newest traits in AN, and affords a number of AN case research and recommendations for the business.
Shanthi Ravindran, Principal Analyst at Appledore Analysis
The telecom business is present process vital transformation, as outlined within the white paper. With new applied sciences equivalent to 5G and cloud computing, main communications service suppliers (CSPs) have quite a few alternatives. Nonetheless, in addition they face stiff competitors from rising CSPs. To handle new networks successfully, CSPs should undertake an progressive mindset and make elementary adjustments. Within the new digital ecosystem, CSPs should additionally deploy agile AN to capitalize on the alternatives for income development. Surveys point out that the enterprise WAN market alone has the potential for income development exceeding USD 100 billion. To benefit from these alternatives, CSPs should implement computerized and clever community operations.
AN implements self-management via a closed management loop, considerably bettering agility and operational effectivity. A hierarchical and loosely-coupled structure is critical for AN. This structure includes completely different technical domains forming unbiased, autonomous domains (AD) that work together with the cross-domain service orchestration layer via intent-driven APIs. Every AD should carry out closed-loop management for full-lifecycle service administration. This structure allows the seamless integration of recent applied sciences sooner or later. Famend gadget distributors in several domains have began creating AN controller primarily based on their experience. Many CSPs, together with China Cellular and AIS Thailand, are actively deploying AN in varied key situations.
The AN structure contains two layers: a technical-domain autonomous controller on the backside layer and a cross-domain service orchestrator on the higher layer. The underside layer contains gadgets offered by distributors from completely different domains, whereas the higher layer is collectively deployed by system integrators and CSPs. Sooner or later, networks will evolve into an ecosystem the place companies are chosen from a website service library and assembled. This method is vital to bettering reusability and agility whereas additionally decreasing prices.
Rules for AN deployment embrace:
- Whereas AN is a long-term technique, it is very important obtain fast wins to result in mindset adjustments throughout the group and ship speedy worth.
- The community consists of assorted ADs and is domain-specific. Community software program and O&M software program have to be layered and loosely coupled. Self-management of particular person technical domains have to be realized with out affecting the service layer.
- Knowledge and logic have to be distributed as a substitute of being remoted in separate info silos.
- All interactions have to be applied primarily based on intents (declarative APIs) relatively than crucial particulars.
- Intent translation have to be achieved via varied algorithms, equivalent to a rule engine and AI.
- Analytics and AI are vital in guiding the management loop to heal, scale, and finally optimize.
To realize AN, CSPs must redefine their processes, organizational buildings, and worker capabilities. Typical OSSs are carefully tied to those buildings and have to be reconstructed. Workers should additionally undertake a mindset that embraces the dynamic adjustments in enterprise and expertise.
Regardless of the challenges, the telecom business is steadily working towards community intelligence. CSPs can start deploying ADs in key technical domains after which progressively increase towards cross-domain automation on the service layer. This transformation requires collaborative improvements in software program, {hardware}, and organizational processes. In the end, it would unlock the super potential of CSPs, enabling them to take part within the digital ecosystem and uncover new sources of development.
Learn the white paper at https://appledoreresearch.com/report/autonomous-networks-thinking-differently/.
Appledore Analysis is a world analysis and consulting agency specializing within the telecommunication and software program market. We offer market share, forecast, enterprise fashions, business development studies, and customized analysis within the areas of community automation, 5G, Edge compute, SD-WAN, SDN, AI, and analytics, within the telecommunication and media market segments.
