FROM THE INDUSTRY
agnostic network management with service-oriented, end-to-end provisioning.
underlying need for greater interoperability across our networks.
Network Terminals (ONTs) and the Broadband Network Gateways (BNGs). All of these elements are orchestrated and automated via an end-to-end SDA controller. Ultimately, SDA removes the need to perform routine tasks, such as onboarding every individual device and managing network configurations. Human intervention is replaced with an intelligent network that completes these tasks automatically. Most importantly, providing the foundations for industry collaboration, an SDA approach enables disaggregation. By decoupling software and hardware components – switches, OLTs, CPE and other traditionally monolithic hardware – that carry out the main functions of a network, software disaggregation eliminates the complexity of introducing new equipment, vendors, technology, users and services. This provides operators with the flexibility to ‘mix and match’ hardware from multiple vendors within the same network and avoid the risks of vendor lock-in and shortages in the supply chain. This means that if a vendor cannot supply certain equipment, the operator can turn to another vendor in their supply chain and seamlessly integrate their hardware with the rest of the network. At the same time, SDA enables the industry to shift from silo-based management to an interoperability ecosystem of vendor- and technology-
The implementation of SDA enables operators to transition their traditional, vendor-locked fibre solutions to an open, software-defined broadband architecture. Relying on a unified and centralised FTTH management, SDA introduces standard interfaces that deliver multi-vendor interoperability and eliminates otherwise repeated effort for OSS/BSS integration. As a result, the investments in fibre become predictable in the long run.
The open, cloud-native capabilities of SDA allow operators to flexibly integrate multi-technology, multi-vendor environments and enable faster software and equipment upgrades. However, ensuring interoperability across multi- vendor environments can be challenging. Achieving interoperability requires rigorous testing and analysis of different equipment to confirm if it is interoperable or not. If the equipment fails the compatibility tests, software adjustments will need to be made, which can be time consuming and impact CAPEX. Operators need to evaluate and carefully select new vendors to integrate into their networks with standardisation being a fundamental consideration. In general, there are four elements of an SDA solution that are needed to make it effective and ultimately, profitable: n Open and standardised end-to-end orchestrator that is technology- and vendor-independent, and that enables one-time integration with existing OSS/BSS systems via its standardised Northbound Interface (NBI); n Dual-nature OLTs that support disaggregation as well as conventional, monolithic operation on the same hardware platform;
Adopting the right SDA model
Despite its clear benefits, operators may still be concerned. Such questions remain: how can the path to SDA be achieved, and why should such a seemingly complex initiative be implemented? The switch from traditional network management to one that is managed by software may seem daunting to an operator. They may be conscious of finding themselves or have previously found themselves in a position where, for example, OLTs and ONTs purchased from various vendors do not work seamlessly together. These situations are not uncommon. For example, when an operator switches over to, or adds the equipment of another vendor to cut costs, meet sustainability goals or navigate supply-chain issues. There is clearly an
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Volume 46 No.3 September 2024
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