Samsung, Juniper Networks and Wind River Collaborate to Drive Greater vRAN and Open RAN Efficiencies
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Insights
The collaboration between Samsung Electronics, Juniper Networks and Wind River to develop a virtual cell site router (vCSR) represents a significant step in the evolution of 5G network infrastructure. The move towards end-to-end virtualization is a transformative shift that aligns with the broader industry trend towards network function virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN). By enabling service providers to deploy virtualized network functions across mobile core, radio access and transport elements, the vCSR facilitates a more flexible and agile network management approach.
From a business perspective, this innovation is likely to have a pronounced impact on the operational and capital expenditure of telecommunications companies. The reduction in the need for physical router hardware not only translates to direct cost savings but also to indirect benefits such as energy efficiency and reduced space requirements. These factors contribute to a lower total cost of ownership (TCO), which is a critical consideration for service providers looking to scale their 5G networks while managing costs effectively. Additionally, the ability of vCSR to support diverse applications and security features such as firewalls offers a competitive edge in delivering value-added services.
The strategic partnership and technological advancement announced by Samsung, Juniper and Wind River have the potential to influence the stock performance of these companies. Investors typically view innovations that promise operational efficiency and cost savings positively, as they can lead to improved margins and profitability in the long term. The capability to reduce capital expenditures (CapEx) through less hardware investment and operational expenditures (OpEx) through energy savings can be particularly attractive in the capital-intensive telecommunications sector.
Moreover, the development of vCSR technology may enhance the market positioning of the involved companies, potentially leading to increased market share and revenue growth. This could be reflected in the stock valuation of these companies as investors anticipate the capture of future market opportunities enabled by this collaboration. The ability to deploy 5G services faster and more efficiently with vCSR technology also suggests a more favorable time-to-market (TTM), which is an important factor in the highly competitive telecommunications industry.
The environmental implications of a move towards a virtualized network infrastructure are noteworthy. By consolidating multiple software network elements on the same server and eliminating the need for physical cell site routers, there is a significant opportunity for energy savings. The claim of a 30% reduction in energy use is substantial, considering the vast energy demands of global telecommunications networks. This shift not only supports the sustainability goals of the companies involved but also aligns with broader societal objectives to reduce carbon footprints and combat climate change.
Furthermore, the adoption of virtualized network components can contribute to the circular economy by reducing electronic waste associated with physical network hardware. This is particularly relevant as the telecommunications industry faces increasing regulatory and consumer pressure to demonstrate environmental responsibility. The sustainability benefits of the vCSR technology could serve as a differentiator for service providers, potentially influencing consumer preferences and regulatory compliance.
Companies successfully create a new path toward an end-to-end virtualized network, spanning the mobile core, radio access and transport elements
vCSR is part of a new architecture in which the distributed unit and CSR functions coexist as virtualized network elements on one server. In this joint effort, the companies integrated the Juniper Cloud-Native Router, a fully containerized network element, with the Samsung virtualized DU (vDU) on Wind River Studio Cloud Platform. By running multiple network elements on a single virtualized RAN (vRAN) server, the companies are essentially eliminating the need for physical router hardware typically deployed at a cell site and reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO) for network deployments of 5G and beyond.
Compared to traditional networks, this software-based infrastructure offers a more resilient and intelligent mobile network. This development plays a pivotal role in realizing the potential of vRAN by fostering flexibility and interoperability among different components. By consolidating multiple software network elements on the same server, operators can benefit from the following:
- End-to-end automation with Samsung’s CognitiV Network Operations Suite: The solution supports plug-and-play deployment, management visibility, and massive software upgrades, delivering a more streamlined and efficient deployment and operation process.
- Greater agility and flexibility: Built on Software-Defined Networking principles, the virtualized architecture enables the greater scalability and flexibility needed to meet operators’ various network configurations and service demands.
- Ability to support diverse applications: With software-centric architecture, vCSR can support security applications such as firewalls and intelligently steer data flows.
- Reduced CapEx thanks to simplified deployment with less hardware: There is no need to purchase legacy hardware since it can be combined within the existing server with the vDU and other software platforms. It also frees up additional rack space.
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Reduced OpEx with energy savings: By eliminating the physical CSR hardware through server consolidation, approximately
30% of energy use can be saved.
“Leveraging our expertise in real-world vRAN deployments, Samsung, along with Juniper and Wind River, are paving the way for end-to-end virtualized networks across the world,” said Ji-Yun Seol, Vice President, Head of Product Strategy, Networks Business at Samsung Electronics. “With this revolutionary approach, we are giving operators the confidence to transform their networks and embrace virtual and open approaches.”
“The compelling objective of vRAN is the flexibility and agility it can bring to operators. Our Cloud-Native Router enables operational simplicity and economic flexibility, while delivering excellent performance. Today’s operators must focus obsessively on the user experiences they are delivering while managing costs, and Juniper’s collaboration with Samsung and Wind River is creating a solution that helps them to amortize 5G investments, build a sustainable infrastructure and create more attractive service offerings,” said Raj Yavatkar, SVP and CTO, Juniper Networks.
“As a leader in the 5G landscape that powers the majority of 5G vRAN/O-RAN deployments with global operators, our Wind River Studio is a purpose-built distributed cloud being used in production, at scale, for vRAN and Open RAN,” said Paul Miller, Chief Technology Officer, Wind River. “In collaboration with Samsung and Juniper, Wind River delivers on the promise of Open RAN, creating a path for substantial TCO reduction and new revenue opportunities for mobile operators."
This innovative vCSR technology will be demonstrated at Mobile World Congress 2024 at the companies’ respective booths: Samsung (Hall 2, 2M20), Juniper Networks (Hall 2, 2D12) and Wind River (Hall 2, 2F25).
Samsung’s vRAN and Open RAN offer a
The Juniper Cloud-Native Router takes full advantage of container economics and operational efficiencies, giving service providers the flexibility they need to deploy 5G. The performant, software-based router delivers Juniper’s proven routing technology within the Kubernetes Container Network Interface (CNI) framework. This allows seamless integration with the Samsung vDU on the Wind River Studio platform.
Based on the open source StarlingX project, Wind River Studio provides a fully cloud-native, Kubernetes- and container-based architecture for the development, deployment, operations, and servicing of distributed edge networks at scale. It delivers a foundation to manage a geographically distributed network and simplifies day 1 and day 2 operations by providing a single-pane-of-glass, zero-touch automated solution. Studio addresses service providers’ complex challenge of deploying and managing cloud-native infrastructure for core-to-edge distributed cloud networks to provide traditional RAN performance in a vRAN/Open RAN deployment.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.
About Juniper Networks
Juniper Networks believes that connectivity is not the same as experiencing a great connection. Juniper's AI-Native Networking Platform is built from the ground up across the AIOps layer and our systems to fully harness the power of AI. From real-time fault isolation to proactive anomaly detection and self-driving corrective actions, it provides campus, branch, data center, and WAN operations with next-level predictability, reliability, and security. Additional information can be found at Juniper Networks (www.juniper.net) or connect with Juniper on X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook.
About Wind River
Wind River is a global leader in delivering software for mission-critical intelligent systems. For more than four decades, the company has been an innovator and pioneer, powering billions of devices and systems that require the highest levels of security, safety, and reliability. Wind River software and expertise are accelerating digital transformation across industries, including automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial, medical, and telecommunications. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio supported by world-class global professional services and support and a broad partner ecosystem. To learn more, visit Wind River at www.windriver.com.
Wind River is a trademark or registered trademark of Wind River Systems, Inc., and its affiliates. Other names may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Juniper Networks, the Juniper Networks logo, Juniper, Junos, and other trademarks listed here are registered trademarks of Juniper Networks, Inc. and/or its affiliates in
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240222954532/en/
Jenny Suh
Wind River
510-749-2972
jenny.suh@windriver.com
Penny Still
Juniper Networks
+44 (0) 1372 385 692
pstill@juniper.net
Source: Juniper Networks
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