Nokia Siemens Networks reports progress in its efforts to bring virtualization and cloud management to the core of mobile networks.
A recent proof of concept project conducted with a leading global operator demonstrated that core virtualization and cloud management are viable technologies.
Nokia Siemens Networks said the goal is to allow the core network, comprising the packet-switched, circuit-switched and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) domains, to run on a common resource pool of generic multipurpose hardware.
The cloud prototype developed by Nokia Siemens Networks incorporates network elements such as an MSC Server (MSS), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Call Session Control Function (CSCF) and Telecom Application Server (TAS) into a virtualized infrastructure running on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware based on Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) or any other commercially available IT server platforms depending on the operator’s preference. The virtualized network elements and cloud framework are integrated into NetAct, which provides an end-to-end view of the status of the virtualized network, as well as managing all Nokia Siemens Networks core network products.
“With the explosion of data traffic created by the popularity of smart devices and new high-definition (HD) voice and video, core networks must deliver virtually unlimited scalability, flexibility and efficiency with superior customer experience”, said Michael Clever, head of Voice and IP transformation at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Identifying concepts for adapting telco network capacity and service management in the cloud will help operators understand the advantages of telco cloud technologies and the power of virtualization.”
