5G is a Complex Journey & Requires Automation to Be Successful

5G promises higher bandwidth and advanced, low-latency network capabilities that enable a wide range of advanced business and consumer applications. 5G has become a catalyst for virtualization and automation, as Communications Service Providers (CSPs) and enterprises push to deploy more sophisticated network functionality across the network, with an increased focus on the network edge. The shift from a relatively centralized mobile core network to a far more distributed core provides new opportunities to mobile network operators, but it adds a significant amount of complexity at multiple layers. First, the shift from physical network functions to virtualized/containerized functions adds a new layer of Network Functions Virtualization infrastructure (NVFi). Next, the disaggregation of network functions such as the introduction of the 5G UPF/SMF, and the split of the 5G radio functions into CU/DU/RU, drives up the number of functions on the network significantly. All of these changes require a higher level of activity and sophistication at the network layer to ensure the 5G network is functioning optimally.

To get the full benefits of 5G, mobile service providers will need to move to a distributed edge cloud that employs virtualization and automation technology to support 5G-based applications and services. This so-called “edge compute” or MEC strategy varies among the leading mobile operators and vendors, but one thing is certain: Cloud virtualization technologies will be adopted to support the scale of infrastructure that is needed.

As we move to the new world of the automated edge, the only way to roll out 5G services in a cost-effective way is through automation. Operators will have to make major strides in changing legacy workflows and processes. In many cases today, management of networks and connections are still managed by using manual spreadsheets. But the scale and magnitude of the 5G deployment will render this impossible.

In order to address complex networks, automation is required. Because networking teams do not have a thorough automation strategy in place as they transition to the 5G world, supporting such a network will become untenable. 5G networks will require automation that can support multi-domain and multi-vendor technologies as services such as Network Slicing will traverse across multiple network segments such as radio, access, core and edge which may contain a mix of virtual and physical network functions in addition to programmable and non-programmable technologies.

Itential is purpose-built for today’s complex, multi-domain and multi-vendor networks. From cloud-based networks to branch and data center networks and from NFV to distributed WANs – Itential’s network automation platform is powerful enough to manage the most difficult, large enterprise and service provider class network automation projects.

Itential Provides Rapid End-to-End Network Automation for 5G Use Cases

Itential provides a number of Pre-Built Automations that customers can leverage to rapidly adopt automation for specific use cases.

Itential Benefits for 5G Deployments & Management