8 Software-Based Network Trends for 2019

As networks become increasingly software-based, leading communications service providers are seeing significant changes in their network deployments, including deployment of new applications, improved operations and management, and reduced equipment costs. Below is an introduction to the key trends for 2019, including MEC, vRAN, uCPE, SD-WAN, and the impact of standards.

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1. MEC struggles to find a business case

Multi-access edge computing is a network architecture that supports computing and storage capacity at the edge of the network. Mobile edge computing (MEC) offers significant performance advantages for applications that require low latency, such as healthcare, virtual reality, video, industrial control, and autonomous vehicles.

While leading CSPs have the capability to deploy MEC at the edge of their networks, they are still struggling with the business case for widespread deployment. For CSPs, the cost of MEC and the lack of standards are clearly factors that constrain deployment. During 2019, some CSPs will trial MEC deployments to test their technical and business feasibility.

2. SD-WAN managed services: Adding complexity, more options

SD-WAN is a software-based network overlay technology that enables CSPs to quickly deploy new hybrid WAN services, including Internet and MPLS, with significant improvements in management, application prioritization and Internet security. As more and more enterprises such as managed service providers (MSPs), mobile operators and cable TV providers pay attention to SD-WAN, intensifying competition for Internet and wireless data products, CSPs are increasing the breadth and depth of managed SD-WAN products.

During 2019, CSPs will offer more sophisticated SD-WAN products, primarily based on leading SD-WAN technology vendors such as Cisco, VMware, Versa Networks, and Riverbed. CSPs can deploy multiple products based on different underlying technologies to meet the needs of small businesses and large enterprises.

3. MANO frustration continues

CSPs rely heavily on OSS/BSS systems to continuously operate their network services. Their migration to software networks requires new automated management and network operations (MANO) architectures.

It is challenging for CSPs to move from hardware-centric networks to software-based networks due to the lack of mature MANO standards, limited blueprints and poor interoperability. CSPs and their partners must also integrate new MANO systems with traditional back-end systems, which is time-consuming and expensive.

4. Open RAN deployment is slow

5G is an emerging standard for the next generation of cellular wireless networks, with initial deployments in selected cities and countries in 2019 and 2020. 5G uses a new RAN architecture with significant local computing capabilities to power intelligent traffic routing, video and application prioritization. Early 5G deployments (essentially pre-standard) rely primarily on specific architectures from leading network equipment providers such as Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia.

Over time, 5G standards should enable changes in the taxonomy of mobile network suppliers, including the deployment of open RAN solutions with third-party applications.

5. Standards Problem

CSPs must sort through an alphabet soup of standard options as they look to build software-based networks. On the platform side, they typically deploy OpenStack with an SDN controller such as the one in Open Daylight, but will increasingly migrate to container-based Kubernetes solutions.

Another platform option is CORD, which stands for Central Office Reimaged. CORD aims to bring data center economics and cloud agility to telecom central offices by combining open hardware from open source organizations such as Facebook's Open Compute Project (OCP) and software.

ONAP is the leading open source option for NFV MANO, while OPNFV is another broad NFV platform and management standard option.

6. Widespread use of SDN

SDN has become a key component of virtualized software-driven infrastructure in many leading CSPs. SDN is not a solution, but an indispensable component in the software architecture.

SDN is used for a variety of applications, including video, network monitoring/management, and security. SDN is being deployed with OpenStack as a compute platform for NFV applications at the core and edge of the network. Over time, SDN will become an essential component of 5G wireless deployments.

7. From single-function to multi-function VNF

Initial NFV deployments typically replaced specialized hardware appliances with software virtual network functions (VNFs) running on standard x86 servers. While beneficial, these deployments were far from the NFV vision of a variety of VNFs running on standardized computing resources.

The challenge facing the industry is how to improve interoperability between VNFs, as each VNF vendor provides its own unique management interfaces that are not easily re-architected to interoperate seamlessly with other VNFs. During 2019, CSPs will begin to deploy more complex NFV systems and select VNFs with improved interoperability.

8. uCPE business challenges continue

This year, some leading CSPs plan to deploy Universal CPE (UCPE) as a more flexible way to deliver virtualized managed services to business customers. UCPE functions include SD-WAN, routing, WAN optimization, NAT, VPN and firewall functions, all of which can run on low-cost Intel or ARM platforms.

Challenges facing CSPs include sorting through multiple vendor or open source options for each function, integrating the various functions into a common centralized management platform, and deploying a cost-effective platform that can run these functions with good performance.

Original link:

https://www.fiercetelecom.com/telecom/industry-voices-doyle-eight-key-software-based-networking-trends-for-2019