The demand for multi-vendor networks built on open principles is surging, fuelled by ongoing investment and predictions of surging growth. Open RAN – which hinges on interoperable interfaces and the disaggregation of hardware and software – has become a crucial avenue for meeting this demand.

Ericsson, in collaboration with Dell Technologies and Red Hat, has been developing O2 interface definitions and capabilities. This interface facilitates communication between the Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Framework and the O-Cloud Infrastructure Management Framework.

Anders Vestergren, Head of Solution Area Network Management at Ericsson, said: “The future of telecom networks lies in openness and interoperability. The O2 interface, as set out by the O-RAN Alliance, is a vital element for empowering CSPs with the flexibility that they need to deliver the multi-vendor, open, innovative and programmable networks they have planned.

“With numerous vendors in the mix in all areas of the network, consistency and standardisation becomes crucial. It’s essential that the industry works together to deliver components aligned with Open RAN so interfaces like O2 can prove their value. Ericsson already has a strong collaboration with Red Hat and Dell in this particular area and looks forward to working with others to further drive industry adoption.”

The partners embarked on proofs of concept aimed at validating the practical implementation of the O2 interface. These efforts demonstrate their collective ability to integrate cloud RAN management in line with Open RAN specifications.

The collaboration relies on Dell Telecom Infrastructure Blocks and Automation Suite alongside Red Hat OpenShift, enabling northbound integration with Ericsson’s Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP) via the O2-IMS interface. This integration ensures seamless interoperability between management platforms and hardware infrastructure. 

The O2 interface comprises two key services:

• O2 Infrastructure Management Service (IMS): This component focuses on hardware and software resource management and monitoring at distributed site locations. It also enables efficient lifecycle management of O-Cloud resources via workflow automation.  
• O2 Deployment Management Service (DMS): Responsible for managing the lifecycle of Open RAN network functions (applications) hosted by the O-Cloud. A single O2 IMS oversees multiple DMS components in an O-Cloud infrastructure.  

This architecture empowers CSPs to deploy cloud RAN solutions across diverse O-Cloud environments and from multiple vendors. By ensuring alignment and consistency between domains, the O2 interface enhances interoperability and paves the way for truly open telecom networks.  

Addressing historic challenges of multi-vendor networks

Ericsson has placed the O2 interface at the centre of its portfolio strategy. Native support for the interface exists in both the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform and its cloud-native network functions within Ericsson’s Cloud RAN.  

The company’s Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution (CNIS) works in tandem with its Operations Manager Cloud Infrastructure (OMC) to form a foundation for Ericsson’s O-Cloud. This pre-integrated solution features a northbound O2 IMS interface linked to the Ericsson Orchestrator Lifecycle Manager (EO-LM), as part of EIAP. This alignment with Open RAN standards ensures seamless management of infrastructure-related resources, creating a framework for predictable and reliable multi-vendor deployments.  

The advance of the O2 interface is just one of several successes Ericsson has achieved recently. A few weeks ago, the company and its collaborators showcased the first instance of several RAN system vendors integrating with EIAP through the O1 interface. The O1 interface unifies network management across vendors’ RAN platforms, demonstrating how standardisation can foster harmonisation across a fragmented ecosystem.  

Honoré LaBourdette, VP of the Global Telco Ecosystem at Red Hat, commented: “By proactively aligning to O-Cloud standards, this collaboration empowers CSPs to make the strongest possible strategic choices when it comes to the platforms they deploy to power their networks.

“The alignment with the O2 interface, and Red Hat OpenShift, offers a harmonised approach to infrastructure management across all vendors in a network on a common platform—ultimately leading to a more efficient, adaptable, and reliable system for enhanced performance and improved experiences for the CSP and its customers.”

The O2 interface represents a critical building block in addressing the challenges of multi-vendor telecom systems. With the increasing complexity of modern networks, CSPs require robust tools to ensure seamless integration, scalability, and lifecycle management of their infrastructure. 

(Image by Shelley Evans)

See also: Ericsson, Telstra, and Qualcomm shatter 5G uplink speed record

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