Enterprise Connectivity: The Power of 5G Private Networks and Edge Computing

Private networks are dedicated cellular networks that lie outside of public networks and mainly address the need for greater security and bandwidth for business use. Consequently, only devices that are authorized and part of a private network are permitted to establish a connection to the network. Private networks deliver superior performance across various aspects, for example higher performance in data management capacity, quality of service, reliability, security, latency, and flexibility of coverage.

Private networks are strongly recommended to segregate end-user devices from public networks, minimizing risks associated with sensitive data exposure. This security measure is crucial when handling personal data, intellectual property, or sensitive information. Applications like video analytics and critical communications thrive in this secure environment, capitalizing on enhanced protection and controlled access offered by private networks for optimal performance and data integrity.

Deploying a private network involves several goals related to infrastructure, security, regulatory compliance, and operational aspects.

Challenges to be faced

1. 01InteroperabilityIntegrating 5G networks with existing 4G and other legacy networks is crucial for a smooth transition. Combining various hardware and software components from various vendors while ensuring seamless interoperability and compatibility must be faced using different protocols.
2. 02Security5G networks introduce new security challenges due to the increased attack surface, virtualization, and the use of network functions in the cloud. Ensuring the security and privacy of 5G networks is a critical concern.
3. 03BandwidthSome use cases, such as video analytics, need to ensure seamless data transmission and real-time analysis for video feeds without compromising other network services’ performance or security. Network slicing is crucial here.
4. 04Network infrastructure5G introduces a cloud-native and software-defined network architecture, which requires significant changes to the existing core network infrastructure. Transitioning to a virtualized and containerized network environment can be complex and costly.
5. 05The scalability challengeSeamlessly managing up to thousands of instances of the same application that will be running in cloudlets globally, as easily as managing one single instance in the cloud, with similar OPEX.

The joint solution

As the requirement for private networks grows, the complexity of these solutions requires specific tools to manage and automate the various infrastructures, network functions and applications. To make a viable solution, a robust and easy-to-use private cloud-native core needs to be paired with a flexible and scalable solution that can orchestrate everything from a single site all the way to a widely distributed network, preferably from a single interface. This document illustrates how to implement a private network for mission-critical use such as Video Analytics and Mission-Critical Push-to-Talk, with Raemis™, Druid’s 5G core, and the NearbyOne automation platform.

The automation platform, NearbyOne

NearbyOne can deploy Druid’s core in different environments, from any hyperscaler infrastructure to private clouds and even on-premises, ensuring a fully streamlined Day-0 deployment and automated lifecycle management, saving up to 90% of operation time and minimizing operation costs. In addition, NearbyOne can orchestrate Druid’s core slicing allowing multiple network slices to be created on top of a common physical infrastructure. Each slice can be allocated based on the specific needs of the applications, use case, or customer. Thanks to the automation, services on the MPN can be exposed, or not, to specific slices automatically. Finally, Druid’s core, UPF, and slices can all be managed from the same dashboard used to manage services and infrastructure, providing a single pane of glass to manage the entire MPN.

Druid’s Raemis™ 5G core network platform

Raemis™ is a set of cellular software assets optimised for business-critical use cases. The platform harnesses 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G and Wifi radios from any vendor to implement standalone cellular core network solutions. It also integrates with mobile network operators using standard interfaces giving access to all of the radio resources of these operators. The Raemis™ platform adheres to 3GPP standards and stands out for its flexibility, slicing capabilities, interoperability, and simplified deployment and testing options, making it a compelling choice for private network deployments.

Value proposition

The joint solution provides the most complete, flexible, cost-effective and reliable 5G private connectivity, giving access in minutes to edge computing app management. By deploying Druid’s 5G Core with NearbyOne, costs can be slashed by a significant percentage. Automation done by NearbyOne allows tasks to be completed within minutes, cutting the required manpower in half. Druid’s highly streamlined Day-0 deployment, coupled with automated lifecycle management facilitated by the joint solutions, results in up to a 90% reduction in operation time.

This efficient partnership not only reduces costs but also ensures swift and automated processes for deploying and managing the 5G Core. Enterprises willing to deploy private connectivity and services at their production sites will have access to the most powerful and reliable yet compact Private 5G solution, deployed in minutes instead of weeks, and will gain immediate access to managed Edge Computing applications.

Solution architecture

Features description

NearbyOne: multi-cloud, multi-site, multi-platform management across all tiers of the network

The solution can be deployed with Red Hat or any other Container Platform Management.

• ✓Manage the infrastructure, the network functions, and services from a single pane of glass.
• ✓Rich marketplace with a pre-existing catalog of integrated applications and Druid’s solutions available out of the box.
• ✓Possibility to “bring your own vendor” and onboard them using the open onboarding framework.
• ✓Service Applications intent driven orchestration, to automate overall solution deployment independently from the specific service applications KPIs and needs.
• ✓Distributed telemetry, log, and tracing collection from multiple sites.
• ✓Vendor agnostic and integrated support for hyperscalers, VMware vSphere and vCD, Red Hat Advanced Cluster Management for Kubernetes, SUSE Rancher, Sylva, Wind River Studio Cloud Platform and more.

Druid’s Raemis™ 5G core network

• ✓Intuitive Management Interface which makes installing and maintaining a private cellular network as easy as setting up Wifi, enabling an IT manager to perform complex tasks in a few clicks.
• ✓REST API integration enabling a myriad of value added applications to enhance the private cellular network.
• ✓The Raemis 5GC is implemented in line with the 3GPP standards, supporting all features necessary to create private 5G networks, including its business process oriented APIs, management interface and enterprise slicing concept.
• ✓Brings the slicing concept directly to Enterprise and Edge Private Networks, with an intuitive web interface that can be operated by any qualified IT technician.
• ✓Can scale down to a single eNodeB device and a handful of users, all in a single VM with a small computing and memory footprint.
• ✓Supports distributed architectures deployed in cloud native environments with central management of multiple edge sites, benefiting from the Raemis™ MEC and redundancy capabilities.

Benefits

1. 01Immediate access to managed Edge Computing applicationsThe joint solution can be deployed in minutes instead of weeks.
2. 02High flexibilityThe solution can be deployed in different environments and architectures, from any hyperscaler infrastructure to private clouds and even on-premises, centralized or distributed.
3. 03ScalabilityCustomers can start with a light solution that can progressively grow up to thousands of connected devices in one or multiple locations.
4. 04Complete observability stackReal-time monitoring, analysis, and management of data, applications, and infrastructure components, supporting efficient decision-making, proactive issue resolution, and optimization of resources.
5. 05Tailored usage of the network by the applicationsEach app can secure connectivity and quality of service through slicing and other policies directly configured on Raemis.
6. 06Cost-effectiveA fully streamlined Day-0 deployment and automated lifecycle management saves up to 90% of operation time and minimizes costs.