From boxes to bits: The evolution of the virtualized network

By: Samsung and RCR Wireless News (Sponsored) June 4, 2024

Collected at : https://www.rcrwireless.com/20240604/5g/from-boxes-to-bits-the-evolution-of-the-virtualized-network

Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed a seismic shift in the landscape of mobile networks: we’ve moved away from the days of bulky, dedicated hardware that dominated the scene and in its place, a new era of virtualization has blossomed. Traditional mobile networks relied on proprietary hardware and software, making them inflexible and resource-intensive. Virtualization, on the other hand, decouples network functions from dedicated hardware, allowing them to run on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) servers. This approach brings several advantages to how mobile networks are built, managed and operated, including:

• Flexible resource allocation and agile service deployment
• Optimal deployment options for different demands
• Reduced vendor lock-in and increased multi-vendor collaboration, embracing an Open RAN approach

As a pioneer in virtualization technology, Samsung recognized the potential early and sought to develop innovative solutions to provide operators with new options. Samsung’s cloud-native virtualized RAN (vRAN) is already widely deployed in commercial networks across the globe, bringing greater benefits to operators. Today, Samsung is the market share leader in vRAN and Open RAN as awarded by Dell’Oro in 2023.

The birth of vCore: the virtualized core takes center stage

The journey from boxes to bits for mobile networks began with the virtualization of the network core (vCore). In 2015, Samsung emerged as a pioneer in this space, launching its vCore solution. The vCore represents the virtualized core network functions, including the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in 4G networks and the Core in 5G networks. The vCore’s success paved the way for Samsung’s Non-Standalone (NSA) vCore for 5G, which was commercially launched in 2019, making Samsung the first to offer a virtualized 5G core network solution, and its 5G Standalone (SA) vCore in 2021. The 5G SA vCore supports multi-level redundancy, multi-vendor interoperability, and session continuity with geo-redundancy.

Samsung was also a forerunner in the CUPS (Control and User Plane Separation) architecture, integrating it into its commercial vCore solution. This innovative approach laid the groundwork for a seamless and streamlined software upgrade migration pathway from 4G to 5G.

vCU and vDU: infusing enhanced flexibility into the network

Following the vCore revolution, the focus shifted towards virtualizing the radio access network (RAN). This critical component, responsible for connecting user devices to the core network, was traditionally comprised of dedicated hardware. Samsung set its sights on revolutionizing the RAN with its vRAN solutions.

Samsung’s vRAN journey began with the introduction of its vRAN 1.0 solution in 2017, which featured a virtualized Central Unit (vCU). Next came the groundbreaking vRAN 2.0 in 2020, which added a virtualized Distributed Unit (vDU), making Samsung a unique vendor to offer a fully virtualized, cloud-native, disaggregated DU and CU. The vCU takes care of the centralized processing tasks within the RAN, while the vDU handles signal processing closer to the user equipment. This disaggregation allows for a more flexible network architecture, enabling operators to tailor their networks to meet specific needs. The O-RAN compliant solution was quickly deployed by leading mobile network operators in large-scale commercial networks across North America, Europe and Asia.

The latest vRAN 3.0, launched in February 2023, takes virtualization to new heights by enabling more software-driven, flexible, scalable and intelligent networks. With enhanced software capabilities, vRAN 3.0 delivers outstanding network performance and higher energy efficiency.

Samsung’s advanced vRAN solution offers a plethora of advantages, including:

• Enhanced agility & scalability: Operators can easily deploy and update network functions as well as scale up and down their networks based on the specific needs.
• Openness: Samsung’s vRAN embraces openness by incorporating components from various vendors, fostering a more competitive and dynamic ecosystem.
Powerful performance: Samsung’s vRAN, combined with its advanced 64T64R Massive MIMO radios, provides greater performance by supporting 3 Cell configuration with wider bandwidth of 200MHz.
• Increased efficiency: Samsung’s vRAN allows operators to automate a variety of network functions as well as introduces intelligent energy saving capabilities like CPU Core Sleep Mode and Adaptive Core Allocation which dynamically manage network resources based on data traffic demands to save energy consumption.

Samsung has been at the forefront of vRAN advancements, collaborating with other industry partners to push the boundaries of performance and efficiency. Samsung was the first major vendor to deploy wide-scale commercial vRAN, capable of supporting multiple radio access technology (Multi-RAT) across 2G, 4G, and 5G. In addition, Samsung has created a robust ecosystem of partners, which is critical for success as vRAN and Open RAN approach incorporates various technologies and open interfaces beyond RAN and radios – such as Cloud-as-a-Service (CaaS) and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) servers. Samsung’s commitment to large-scale deployments of vRAN is evident, with over 38,000 O-RAN compliant vRAN commercial sites successfully deployed across North America, Europe and Asia.

The vCSR: a new path toward end-to-end virtualization

Samsung’s dedication to network virtualization extends beyond the core and RAN with the recent introduction of the virtual Cell Site Router (vCSR). Samsung collaborated with key partners on the vCSR, which will allow service providers to operate networks with end-to-end virtualization, increasing flexibility, agility as well as accelerating the time-to-market (TTM).

The vCSR is part of a new architecture where vDU and CSR functions coexist as virtualized network elements on one server. By consolidating multiple software network elements on a single vRAN server, the vCSR eliminates the need for physical router hardware usually deployed at each cell sites. This approach opens the door for additional optimizations, such as reduced CapEx and OpEx and end-to-end automation with Samsung’s intelligent network automation solutions.

Looking ahead: embracing the future of virtualized networks

Virtualization has ushered in a new era of flexibility and scalability for mobile networks. By decoupling network functions from dedicated hardware, virtualization has empowered operators to rapidly adapt to evolving demands and deliver innovative services with greater agility.

Samsung remains at the forefront, driving innovation and shaping the future of virtualized networks. With its successful wide-scale vRAN deployments and its collaboration with other industry-leading partners, Samsung is continuing its trailblazing journey for end-to-end virtualized networks.

Author: Shamik Shah, Sr. Director of RAN Systems Engineering, Networks Business,
Samsung Electronics America