Workload clouds provide the containers as a service (CaaS) layer for the 5G core network and radio access network (RAN) workloads.
Workload clouds can run 5G core and RAN workloads, such as management and orchestration applications, service orchestration with telemetry, analytic applications, and operations and business support systems. Workload clouds can be scaled out to accommodate increased workload demands.
Workload cloud servers
The workload cloud size is customizable. Dell Telecom Infrastructure Blocks for Red Hat was tested and validated with nine physical servers in the workload cloud. For cloud-specific sizing guidelines, see Resource sizing and Hardware dimensions. The servers were assigned the following roles:
- One optional Dell PowerEdge R660 provisioner node
- Three PowerEdge R660 control plane nodes
- Two Dell PowerEdge R760 compute nodes
- Three PowerEdge R760 compute and storage nodes
Alternately, the workload cloud can be deployed in three other configurations:
- A three-node cluster where all three nodes act as controller and compute and are configured to run Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform.
- A six or more-node cluster with segregated control planes and three compute nodes that are configured to run Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform.
- A single node OpenShift (SNO) cluster on the Dell PowerEdge XR5610, Dell PowerEdge XR8610t, or Dell PowerEdge XR8620t
The workload cloud provisioner node serves the same functions and uses the same operating system as the management cloud provisioner node described in Management cloud servers. The workload cloud provisioner node is optional. The management cloud provisioner node can be used for the workload clouds provided that there is sufficient bandwidth between the provisioner node and workload clouds and the provisioner node DNS can recognize the FQDN of server nodes in workload clouds.
Workload cloud control plane nodes are shipped without an operating system. As part of workload cloud installation, Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS is loaded with Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform core components such as API server, etcd, controller manager, and scheduler. The workload cloud requires three control plane nodes to meet HA standards.
Workload cloud compute nodes are shipped without an operating system. As part of workload cloud installation, Red Hat Enterprise Linux CoreOS is loaded with Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform components such as router, network, ingress, and so on. Dell Technologies recommends a minimum of two compute nodes.
Three compute and storage nodes are used in the workload cloud to meet Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation requirements. Red Hat OpenShift Data Foundation is the default storage for applications running in Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform.
The following diagram shows the server roles in a workload cloud: