White Paper on Combined Technology for Containerization and Virtualization of 5G Core Networks Jointly Released with Red Hat
―Developing a reliable system to expand telecommunication operators' use of virtualization technologies―
KDDI Corporation
On May 15, 2024, KDDI Corporation ("KDDI") released a joint white paper (1.3MB) with Red Hat, Inc. ("Red Hat") outlining combined containerization [
1] and virtualization [2] technology ("this technology") that can achieve a highly reliable 5G core network. The aim is to share technological expertise on solving challenges facing telecommunication operators' software operations regarding 5G core networks.
The technology's advantages include the roll out of a new version of the software quickly through containerization, the provision of virtualization functions and tooling that can apply the required settings for different software as well as automated upgrades of the container platform. This makes it a lot easier to maintain 5G core networks and enable their systems to operate reliably.
■Overview
Requiring high throughput, multiple connections and low latencies, container technologies allow 5G core networks to flexibly expand resources and quickly utilize releases of new features. While Kubernetes is a widely used container orchestration system, 5G core network deployments require additional specific network configurations for the containers themselves. Frequent upgrades of the management system can also create an operational issue.
KDDI and Red Hat have collaborated and solved these challenges faced by telecommunication operators with Red Hat OpenShift ("OpenShift"), a Kubernetes-based containerization software by Red Hat, and Red Hat OpenStack Platform ("OpenStack"), a private cloud computing software that leverages virtualization technology.
Deploying containers and virtualized servers will simplify complex requirements such as interface settings that need to be considered when using physical servers. At the same time, this method makes it possible to easily upgrade the management systems using automation, contributing to fewer processes and solving problems concerning 5G core network operations.
■What this white paper covers
Together, KDDI and Red Hat will roll out the use of this reliable and flexible technology to telecommunication operators around the world for stable and effective 5G network services.
- [1]The technology isolates applications and services from the environment and enables independent execution of them. Management software such as Kubernetes and Docker are used for containerization.
- [2]The technology creates virtual environments on hardware.
- [3]The technology designs, develops and operates applications and services for cloud environments. They are generally able to provide scalability, reliability and efficiency.
- *Red Hat and OpenShift are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red Hat, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and other countries. The OpenStack Word Mark is either a registered trademark/service mark or trademark/service mark of the OpenStack Foundation, in the United States and other countries, and is used with the OpenStack Foundation's permission. Red Hat is not affiliated with, endorsed or sponsored by the OpenStack Foundation, or the OpenStack community.
- *The information contained in the articles is current at the time of publication.
Products, service fees, service content and specifications, contact information, and other details are subject to change without notice.
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