As discussed in our second blog, the 5G Core is the brain of the 5G network. It is responsible for managing a wide range of functions within the mobile network, including mobility management, authentication, authorization, data management, policy management, and Quality of Service (QoS) for end users. We also discussed how solutions like Dell Telecom Infrastructure Blocks for Red Hat play an essential role in supporting these network functions. In our fifth and final blog in this series, we take a deeper look into how Dell Technologies helps Communication Service Providers (CSPs) meet their Service Level Agreements (SLAs), performance, and automation needs for their 5G Core.
Increasing revenue and decreasing costs are at the top of every CSP’s priorities, and the 5G Core plays an important role in achieving these outcomes. Its service-based architecture activates new revenue streams for CSPs by enabling mobile edge computing, network slicing, slicing orchestration, and service assurance. Its future-proof design also allows for improved efficiencies such as fixed mobile convergence, collapsing all 3GPP and non-3GPP wireless and fixed accesses into a single core network.
However, embracing a 5G Core network means also embracing a cloud transformation strategy to achieve these outcomes. Cloud-native network functions with microservices architecture require a container-based cloud native architecture built around a common automation and operational framework to achieve the desired service agility that would allow CSPs to introduce new features and service improvements faster. Moreover, this should be a multi-tenant cloud platform to maximize infrastructure utilization and reuse.
Cloud transformation is also vital in ensuring that the SLAs are met by CSPs transitioning from legacy purpose-built physical appliances to modernized network infrastructure with open disaggregated cloud-native architecture to run their 5G Core. Moreover, cloud transformation allows CSPs to support multiple customized SLAs for different services and customer segments, and offer the following benefits:
- Performance Assurance: SLAs provide a clear benchmark for service performance, giving customers peace of mind that they will receive the expected quality of service.
- Accountability: By defining responsibilities and performance metrics, SLAs establish clear lines of accountability and provide a basis for addressing service failures.
- Dispute Resolution: In the event of disputes or service failures, SLAs serve as a reference point for resolving conflicts, helping to avoid lengthy legal battles.
- Continuous Improvement: Monitoring and reporting SLA metrics encourage CSPs to continuously improve their services, ensuring reliability and efficiency.
Building a container-based, cloud platform for network workloads is certainly doable. Several CSPs have successfully done this while leveraging Dell PowerEdge servers. For example, Dell Technologies offers telecom optimized PowerEdge XR Edge servers to ensure that CSPs have the right form factor for every location from core sites to the network edge.
Nevertheless, many CSPs do not want to build this telecom cloud infrastructure themselves for a variety of reasons such as time constraints, integration complexity, lack of cloud competencies and experience, and limited budgets. Building and maintaining cloud platforms is not a CSP’s core competence after all.
This is where the Dell Technologies’ engineered systems for 5G telecom cloud networks come in. The Dell Telecom Infrastructure Blocks for Red Hat were developed in close partnership with Red Hat, a leader for container management with Red Hat® OpenShift®, according the 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Container Management1. The Infrastructure Blocks are built around automation for these reasons and are in line with Dell’s philosophy of making cloud transformation not only open, but also consumable.
These engineered systems introduce a horizontal cloud architecture that effectively dismantles technology silos, offering CSPs a streamlined approach to deployment while substantially lowering their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)2.
Some of the key advantages of Dell's pre-validated, factory integrated, solution is that it comes with automated workflows and single call support model for the entire cloud platform. They can help accelerate the time-to-market for new services, enabling CSPs to maintain a competitive edge in the fast-paced 5G landscape.
The robust Dell and Red Hat cloud foundation stack, that utilizes performant, telecom optimized servers and Red Hat OpenShift software, means CSPs can confidently make the leap from legacy systems to a modern, cloud-native telecom cloud for their 5G Core workloads. The platform ensures strict adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and delivers superior performance, giving CSPs peace of mind as they navigate this transition.
Dell Technologies also works closely with a wide range of Network Equipment Providers (NEPs) and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to certify their workloads on Dell Telecom Infrastructure Blocks. This is made possible by the Open Telecom Ecosystem Labs where CSPs, hardware, CaaS, and application vendors come together to accelerate cloud transformation.
Dell Telecom Infrastructure Blocks for Red Hat stand out as a unique solution for CSPs. By leveraging this jointly engineered telecom cloud solution, providers can swiftly respond to market demands and stay ahead of their competition in the 5G race.
Below are links to the first four blogs in our five-part blog series on moving to a cloud-native architecture for deploying 5G Core with Red Hat OpenShift.
- Cloud-native or Bust: Telco Cloud Platforms and 5G Core Migration
- The 5G Core Network Demystified
- Simplifying 5G Network Deployment with Dell Telecom Infrastructure Blocks for Red Hat
- Distribution of 5G Core to Network Edge
Learn more about Dell Telecom Infrastructure Blocks for Red Hat here.
Footnotes
