As operators deploy their 5G networks and work on private 5G networks to fuel Industry 4.0, the temptation of Open RAN is growing for them. Still, this set of technologies – which is based on new virtualized and interoperable architectures – is not easy to implement. To help operators make the connection, US giant Dell is rolling out a series of new tools and services that will be showcased this week at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.
“Global carriers want to find a way to take advantage of cloud-based architectures to be more agile, deliver more services, and increase revenue,” said Dennis Hoffman, SVP and GM for Dell Technologies Telecom Systems Business. , interviewed by ZDNet. The task is daunting: “Modern networks are made up of a large number of different providers – not just one or two – and it is very difficult to assemble and operate a network,” notes the latter.
To meet the challenge of building an end-to-end open ecosystem, Dell created its telecommunications systems business a few years ago. This new activity went without saying for Dell, accustomed to assembling components, but also to delivering complete systems to its customers. The American giant presented new offers on this market on Thursday, starting with Dell Telecom Multi-Cloud, an integrated solution that offers customers a choice of virtual infrastructure management software, such as software from VMware, Red Hat or Wind River, above a Dell server with stand.
Make life easier for operators
Dell’s bare metal orchestration software will allow the customer to centrally manage a distributed network of computers in a single assembly, which can serve as the bottom layer of the network. “What we’re aiming for is speed, simplicity, and ultimately reliability in acquiring the entire infrastructure from a single vendor, while keeping it open,” says argue Dennis Hoffman.
That’s not all: Dell to launch – in collaboration with foundry Marvell – a new Dell Open RAN accelerator card, which will offload Layer 1 processing for open radio access networks (RANs) and 5G vRAN. Open technology on radio access networks is not as cost effective as existing technology, so Dell is banking on central processor task delegation to solve this problem.
The American giant also intends to offer operators new Dell Validated Designs models. It is actually a certified network core design in partnership with Oracle and VMware, as well as a network edge design largely based on Intel’s Smart Edge. Finally, Dell will offer a new integration platform for Dell Open Telecom Ecosystem Lab solutions. It will allow carriers and partners to securely connect their lab resources to Dell’s lab and infrastructure, enabling them to more quickly develop and bring 5G and peripheral services to market.