Nokia has launched Nokia Edge Automation, a new solution that removes the complexity of managing multiple cloud-based data centres by automating the process from a single platform.
Nokia’s fully automated edge cloud solution drives operational efficiencies by enabling Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to simultaneously control infrastructure across numerous geographic locations. This includes remote site deployment, software updates, and maintenance. Automation is expected to save on CSP operating costs by approximately 30 percent.
As operators move to cloud-based solutions they face operational issues such as having to manage hundreds of independent cloud solutions deployed across multiple sites.
Nokia Edge Automation tool simplifies the management of this process by enabling edge data planning integration, automated deployment, and mass software upgrades for any edge cloud infrastructure. It also manages the life cycle of edge site infrastructures and supports on-premises deployments for enterprise customers.
The solution supports site deployments by remotely detecting, configuring and updating site hardware, switches and servers, based on the site plan. It can also upload, install and configure on-site cloud stacks, verify site deployments and configurations, as well as trigger application deployments.
Together with the Nokia AirFrame Data Center Manager, a management system for optimizing and automating data center operations and resource utilization, the Nokia Edge Automation tool manages the life cycle of edge site infrastructures. Automation tools can be applied to multiple hardware and cloud stacks and provide open APIs for integration with existing operational tools.
Nokia edge automation offers CSPs a complete cloud computing edge infrastructure, making it possible to utilize Cloud RAN (vRAN), Open RAN, Multi-access edge computing, and RAN Intelligent Controller, as well as other virtualized software installations. As an automation solution, it also enables CSPs to provide application platforms for on-premises deployments for enterprise customers.
Automation is mandatory enabler for managing thousands of edge sites and enabling 5G cloud-based offerings and future evolution to new business services at the edge. Automation and central management provide higher OPEX savings compare to manual operations which are still used today.
Nokia workload agnostic edge automation is designed to help edge planning, deployment and simplification of operations.
Nokia Edge Automation provides a real-time information about server health and system configuration on a ‘single-pane-of-glass’ dashboard and supports simultaneous upgrade of multiple systems in simple steps, significantly reducing system service and maintenance time.
Pasi Toivanen, Head of Edge Cloud at Nokia, commented:
“As CSPs move into cloud-based operations the management of a large portfolio of cloud data centers becomes critical but without a strong solution in place it can quickly become unmanageable.
That’s why we have launched Nokia Edge Automation which takes the complexity out of managing this infrastructure and simplifies the process.”
Nokia Edge Automation Features
Intuitive management console
Dashboards showing status of the DC sites, cloud instances and HW.
System management
System configuration, monitoring, deployments, version control/upgrades and troubleshooting. Manage across cloud, computing and networking resources
Edge data centre management
Site, cloud, HW and workflow views with tools to operate on all levels. Extended support for remote edge sites
Status & utilization monitoring
Site, cloud, HW and workflow monitoring with status and key KPIs. Resource utilization monitoring
Event monitoring
Fault monitoring and combination of cloud and HW event views
Access management
Supports internal and external user authentication repositories. Access can also be authorized on a resource basis.
Troubleshooting
Quickly retrieve troubleshooting data and topology from the faulty resource and link that with application information
RESTful application programming interface (API) access
Integration with external systems such as operations support system (OSS) and network orchestrators
Centralized deployment
Common deployment with Nokia AirFrame Data Center Manager (NADCM)
Nokia is already engaging with major global CSPs with Nokia Edge Automation proof-of-concepts and trials to enable automation capabilities on the edge of the network.
Stéphane Teral, Chief Analyst at LightCounting Market Research, said:
“With 5G, operators are increasingly having to deploy thousands of edge cloud sites to process the high volumes of data required to support the millions of 5G enabled devices and systems running over the network. This can create significant network complexity that can be challenging for operators to manage.
Nokia’s edge automation solution eliminates this complexity and provides simultaneous, controlled life-cycle management across the hardware and cloud stack, helping operators to ultimately manage and lower network OPEX.”
