Aarna Networks today is announcing the release of Aarna Networks Multi Cluster Orchestration Platform (AMCOP) version 3.4, a pivotal milestone in advancing zero-touch edge orchestration. This release introduces a myriad of enhanced features, improvements, and additions, solidifying AMCOP's capabilities in managing complexity at scale.
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Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

RBAC emerges as a linchpin in security, regulating network access based on organizational roles within Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) in the O-RAN architecture. RBAC not only adds an extra layer of security but also efficiently distributes superuser capabilities across administrators through meticulous privilege management.
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O1 Functions and NACM

In O-RAN deployments, the sensitivity of O1 functions necessitates adherence to zero-trust principles. The O1 interface, enforcing confidentiality, integrity, authenticity, and least privilege access control through encrypted transport and the Network Configuration Access Control Model (NACM), thus ensur secure network operations. This standards-based mechanism restricts user access to predefined NETCONF operations and content, integrating authentication and authorization seamlessly.
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OAuth 2.0 for Access Management

OAuth takes the reins in generating authorization tokens, managing access for distinct roles within the system. This introduction of an authorization layer, separating the client's role from the resource owner's, ensures secure access to protected resources. Utilizing Access Tokens issued by an authorization server, OAuth adheres to industry standards, providing a robust mechanism for secure resource access.
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Keycloak for Authentication and Authorization

Keycloak, a robust open-source identity and access management solution, stands as the AAA provider for Aarna SMO. Within Keycloak's administrative realms, the roles, such as 'system-admin,' 'fault-admin,' and 'performance-admin,' define permissions, ensuring secure authentication and authorization for contemporary web applications.
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NETCONF Access Control Model (NACM)

NACM, a standardized approach, ensures robust access control mechanisms within the NETCONF Server. Adhering to industry standards outlined in RFC8341, NACM introduces predefined access control groups aligning with distinct NETCONF client roles, prioritizing compatibility, reliability, and adherence to established industry practices.
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In this release of AMCOP, ORAN Specified RBAC/Security Requirements as per O-RAN.WG11.Security-Requirements-Specification.O-R003-v06.00 and MPlane O-RU Device Requirements as per specification - O-RAN.WG4.MP.0-R003-v12.00 are met. The solution architecture, as depicted in Figure 1, showcases the implementation of RBAC with users, roles, domains, and policies.

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In conclusion, AMCOP v3.4 not only addresses security requirements but also enhances orchestration capabilities. The adoption of industry standards and the meticulous integration of access control mechanisms underscore Aarna Networks' commitment to providing users with a secure, interoperable, and globally accepted platform for network orchestration. For more details on device-level access requirements, refer to the O-RAN specifications - O-RAN.WG4.MP.0-R003-v12.00.
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This release reaffirms Aarna Networks' dedication to innovation, security, and the seamless orchestration of multiple network elements, further solidifying its position as a leader in the evolving landscape of network management and orchestration.

Learn more about ACMOP and request a free trial.

I was asked to speak at the recent IEEE Future Networks World Forum 2023 event, Nov 13 -15 in Baltimore, MD and hosted virtually on the topic of “Full Stack Automation in 5G & Beyond”. I‘d like to thank IEEE for their invitation and congratulate them on hosting another successful conference. 

My talk was focused on orchestrating and automating Private 5G networks built on a foundation of open source projects. Private 5G is a core solution area for Aarna Networks and we've been building the underly architecture and orchestration and management elements for several years. Because no one vendor can do it all, we've been building partnerships across the open networking stack and ensuring that our assets are built on open source, integrated through APIs, and ready to deploy in production environments.

This blog represents a brief recap of my talk; you can also view the slides here. 

Understanding Private 5G Networks

Private 5G represents a significant step forward in wireless technology, tailored specifically for business needs. Unlike public networks, it offers enhanced control, superior security, and the ability to be customized. Its strengths lie in its low latency, high bandwidth, and capacity to support numerous devices, making it well-suited for applications with demanding network requirements. Private 5G is a tool for businesses to elevate their operational capabilities, particularly in areas of data management and communication.

Key Requirements for Private 5G Success

In order for Private 5G to achieve mass adoption, I believe it requires 3 things:

• Zero Touch: Private 5G needs to be extremely easy to use
• Cost Effective: Over time, private 5G needs to be in the <$0.50/sq. ft. CAPEX and <$0.20/sq. ft. OPEX range
• Application Centric: Instead of network connectivity, Private 5G’s role is connectivity to edge apps

Open Source

We’ve found that many of the components required to build Private 5G Networks can be found in open source communities. Here is a sample of the communities we work with:

• Linux Foundation Networking (LFN) Nephio with OpenTofu and Ansible for orchestration
• CNCF style monitoring (logs, metrics, alarms, tracing etc.)
• Kafka & CNCF OPA for closed loop automation
• LF AI&Data Janusgraph for inventory

Private 5G Orchestration

Private 5G is not without its challenges. Orchestrating various components like RAN, 5G core, and edge applications requires a comprehensive management strategy. Balancing performance with cost, and integrating multiple technologies into a unified system, are also key concerns. To address these challenges, Aarna Networks offers AMCOP and AES.

AMCOP simplifies the orchestration of 5G network components and enhances lifecycle management and automation, aligning with the need for simplicity and reduced manual input. AES, a streamlined SaaS platform, reduces operational complexities and integrates with public cloud services, contributing to cost-effectiveness and supporting an application-focused approach. Together, AMCOP and AES offer robust solutions to make Private 5G networks manageable and financially viable.

Get In Touch

Are you experiencing challenges pulling together a Private 5G Network? Aarna Networks expert team is here to help. Request a free consultation to discuss how to create value with Private 5G for your specific requirements and use cases or request a Free Trial of AMCOP today.

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Fault Management is an integral component of the O-RAN Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) framework, empowering network operators with sophisticated tools to detect, diagnose, and rectify network faults in RAN networks. O-RAN SMO's fault management suite is a critical enabler of network resilience and efficiency and is increasing in importance for network operators as they virtualize the RAN and adopt O-RAN standards. 

With an emphasis on the O-RAN Alliance's open and standardized interfaces, fault management functions assure interoperability across diverse vendor equipment, which is vital for the integrity and consistency of O-RAN networks. O-RAN SMO enhances fault management through automation, which expedites the detection and diagnosis process, thereby diminishing network outages and optimizing operational expenditures. This level of automation in fault management workflows is a game-changer for network operators, fostering enhanced network availability.

Furthermore, fault management functions within the O-RAN SMO are vital for the reliability, availability, and security of O-RAN networks. It extends its capabilities to include root cause analysis and resolution, allowing network operators to delve into the origins of network issues and implement preventative measures. This provides a robust foundation for operators to swiftly manage and resolve network faults, ensuring an optimized network experience, and is crucial for the advancement and stability of O-RAN networks.

Aarna Networks offers the number one open source and vendor neutral O-RAN SMO as part of Aarna Networks Multi Cluster Orchestration Platform (AMCOP).

We encourage you to discover the full capabilities of O-RAN SMO's fault management and how it can transform your network operations. Learn more about O-RAN SMO and contact us for a free consultation. 

The LF Networking Developer & Testing Forum is a critical gathering of software architects, engineers, developers, project managers, and more that make up the open source networking community. Aarna Networks has attended many of these events over the years, and for this most recent event in Budapest, November 13-16, 2023, we were honored to be represented by Vikas Kumar, Member of Technical Staff. 

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Vikas led discussions in the following three areas:

• Nephio: E2E Nephio R1 workload orchestration
• Nephio: Nephio for Enterprise: Possibilities & Use Cases
• 5G SBP: Orchestration of OAI Core and Amarisoft gNB with EMCO 

The slides and video recordings of each session are now available on the LFN wiki topics page.
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The extensive capabilities and potential applications of Nephio for Enterprise garnered positive reception during the event. Numerous proposals were articulated, outlining strategic integrations of Nephio with existing Linux Foundation Networking (LFN) projects like ONAP. Particularly noteworthy was the exploration of Nephio's use cases beyond the telecommunications sector, which resonated strongly with community members, fostering considerable interest. Consequently, this reception paved the way for diverse collaboration opportunities to unfold.

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The session on E2E Nephio R1 workload orchestration was also very well received. The presentation delivered a comprehensive examination of the features encompassed in the R1 release of Nephio, highlighting its robust capabilities.

There was a lot of interest around the session of the 5G Super Blueprint where we orchestrated OAI core and Amarisoft gNB. Notably, the community members displayed heightened interest in our proposal for a gNB controller tailored for Amarisoft, envisaged to intricately manage the backend configuration of the gNB.

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The event showcased various LFN projects, each contributing to the evolution of networking technologies. From ONAP (Open Network Automation Platform) to Nephio, the breadth and depth of the projects underscored the foundation's commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration.

Beyond the scheduled sessions, the event offered ample opportunities for networking. From casual conversations over coffee to structured networking sessions, we had the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, including developers, industry professionals, and fellow enthusiasts. The diversity of backgrounds and perspectives showcased the broad impact of open source networking initiatives.

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Aarna Networks would like to extend our sincere congratulations to the Linux Foundation and the open source networking community on another successful event. We look forward to the next one this coming spring as part of the ONE Summit, April 29 - May 1 in San Jose, CA.

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If you missed the chance to connect with us at the show, and would like to discuss these or other topics, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact us to arrange a meeting – we're here to connect and collaborate.
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Visit the Aarna Networks website to better understand how we are leveraging open source for solutions in Private 5G, Edge Multicloud Networking, Cloud Adjacent Storage, Edge Cloud Machine Learning, O-RAN SMO, and Telco Cloud.

Aarna Networks has recently joined the ONUG Collaborative and took the opportunity to meet the community in-person in New York City, Oct 24-25 at the ONUG Fall 2023 event.

ONUG hosted a showcase of essential cloud solutions, covering connectivity, security, automation, and control; as well as highlighted the latest in Network as a Service (NaaS) and enterprise 5G solutions, exploring new approaches to these new marketing opportunities. We were please to learn that Stephen Collins, who shared the speaking stage with Brandon Wick last spring at the Big 5G Event in Austin, has come on as CTO of the ONUG Collaborative. Stephen brings decades of industry experience, a deep knowledge of tech and 5G, and an uncanny ability to bring people together to collaborate and get things done. Aarna Networks is excited to dig in and explore the Private 5G and Hyperautomation workstreams to produce thought leadership, market enablement, and technology projects to move industry forward.

Amar Kapadia and Brandon Wick were at the show and enjoyed conversations with our friends at Rysun Labs and 5G Open Innovation Labs, as well as initial conversations with large enterprise end users like Ernst & Young, FedEx, Citi, Cigna, and others. For us, it's imperative to get feedback on our positioning, offerings, and features from the enterprise end users themselves who leverage our technology to manage, orchestrate and automate their networks. We look forward to digging deeper with ONUG members and collaborating to overcome the challenges and pain points underlying digital transformation.

Aarna Networks is proud to be members of the 5G Open Innovation Lab (5G OIL) and were in their first batch of startups. We're working with the 5G OIL on a new Private 5G initiative... stay tuned!

Lastly, we enjoyed a very insightful Keynote "Exploring Generative AI & Large Language Models: Maturity, Policy, and Enterprise Implementation" by Andy Brown, CEO, Sand Hill East, LLC; and Phil Tee, CEO of Moogsoft (recently acquired by Dell), exploring maturity models in AI & LLMs-Enterprise Implementation; and the challenges, opportunities, and strategies for Supporting and Protecting AI & LLMs within Enterprise. Some interesting takeaways were the ideas that every pre-2015 company is "disruptable" and that K->Phd educational journeys will be shortened by 10 years. Stay tuned for this exciting keynote and others to be posted on the ONUG YouTube channel.

Aarna Networks is diving into the world of GenAI for Enterprises with a packaged offering through a secure, private, tunable, fully managed Large Language Model (LLM). Learn more here.

For those companies active in ONUG who we did not have a chance to meet, please contact us and we would love to get acquainted.

On October 19th, 2023, Aarna Networks hosted an enlightening webinar that brought forward the transformative potential of Generative AI (GenAI) for Communications Service Providers (CSPs) We feel that the industry is now  poised to achieve significant breakthroughs in network insights, leading to both operational savings and the creation of innovative revenue streams.
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The event's clarion call emphasized the pressing need for A key takeaway from the event was for CSPs to start exploring GenAI today and not wait for the perfect use case.. Echoing this sentiment was a recent statement from Bain & Company: “Speedy action trumps perfect planning here. It’s more important for telcos to quickly launch an initial set of generative AI applications that fit the company’s strategy, and do so in a responsible way—or risk missing a window of opportunity in this fast-evolving sector.” 
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Participating in the webinar were Roy Chua of AvidThink, Vamshi Ambati representing PredEra, Srinivasa Addepalli from Aryaka, and Amar Kapadia, Aarna Networks' own Co-Founder & CEO.
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Here’s a sample of key questions addressed during the webinar:

Q: Will tier 1 telcos develop their own LLMs or adapt pre-trained models?

A: The inclination leans towards harnessing pre-trained models, refining them for specific enterprise needs.

Q: How do smaller companies compare against the industry titans in this sphere?

A: Smaller entities offer niche solutions, agility, and bespoke services, giving them a unique edge against the larger players.

Q: If everyone is leveraging standard LLMs, where lies the differentiation?

A: Distinctiveness emerges from model customization, varied applications, and the unique data inputs each company integrates.

Q: Does GenAI's capability extend beyond offline tasks to real-time enterprise edge applications?

A: While its prowess in offline tasks is evident, there's an increasing interest in GenAI's potential for real-time applications.
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To delve into the insights shared during the session, watch the full webinar on Aarna Networks' YouTube Channel.
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Getting Started

Aarna Networks and Predera have partnered to offer a secure, private, fully managed large language model to help you explore the world of generative AI. Choose from a variety of foundational models that you can fine tune with your corporate data to discover new insights and revenue generating opportunities. Learn more.