Executive Summary
For mobile network operators, the Radio Access Network (RAN) is a crucial
connection point that represents significant overall network expense, performs
intensive and complex processing, and now faces rapidly increasing demand as
more edge and 5G use cases emerge for telco customers.
Just as the virtualization of network functions enabled operators to modernize
their networks, similar principles also apply to the RAN. This is especially
important as the industry focuses on the transition to 5G. The ongoing 5G network
transformation is cloud-native and container-based and increasingly depends on
the virtualization of the RAN running commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) servers.
The telecommunications industry is in the process of revolutionizing radio access
networks (RANs) by shifting to containers and capitalizing on virtualized RAN
(vRAN). According to a report published by Analysys Mason[1], operator spending
on products in the RAN market will grow to reach $41.3 billion in 2025 as service
providers deploy 5G networks, improve their non-5G network capacity, and
coverage and implement vRAN. Supermicro 5G Core and RAN optimized COTS
servers are in global deployment by mobile network operators.
Red Hat, with its OpenShift container platform, is building a bridge for customers
to embrace the Open RAN movement, connecting business needs with the
underlying technologies through Red Hat’s open source expertise.
SUPERMICRO
Supermicro (Nasdaq: SMCI), the leading
innovator in high-performance, high-
efficiency server and storage technology is a
premier provider of advanced server
Building Block Solutions® for Enterprise
Data Center, Cloud Computing, Artificial
Intelligence, and Edge Computing Systems
worldwide. Supermicro is committed to
protecting the environment through its “We
Keep IT Green®” initiative and provides
customers with the most energy-efficient,
environmentally-friendly solutions
available on the market.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary ..................................... 1
Overview ....................................................... 2
Supermicro RAN Server Portfolio ................ 2
5G Cloudification .......................................... 4
Radio Access Network Reference
Architecture Overview.................................. 5
Benefits of Cloud-Native RAN Software
Implementations .......................................... 6
Red Hat Cloud Infrastructure for RAN ......... 8
Deployment Automation for RAN at Scale . 10
Supermicro and Redfish .............................. 12
Conclusion .................................................... 13
2
Supermicro 5G RAN Reference Architecture with Red Hat OpenShift © Supermicro October 2021
Overview
This white paper highlights the Supermicro RAN Server offering and reviews the 5G Network architecture that enables adoption
of COTS Servers. Unlike a traditional appliance model where hardware is preloaded with the operating software at
manufacturing, a virtualized system based on COTS servers is much more dynamic and agile, one that will only be provisioned
during Day 1 deployment and then updated frequently as services are developed. Moreover, the RAN has an extra complication
because sites are remote, and technician skills are at a premium.
To reduce operating costs, Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) is the ultimate goal of automation for many organizations. Reducing
manual interaction with the installation and configuration of RAN deployments saves time and creates consistency across
deployments at scale.
The paper then explores how Red Hat and Supermicro have collaborated to enable a GitOps model of ZTP for Red Hat's
OpenShift Container Platform for RAN edge deployment scenarios running on Supermicro Servers.
Supermicro RAN Server Portfolio
Supermicro designed its 5G/Edge family of servers for the unique requirements of 5G, such as high performance, flexibility, and
small physical footprint, with short cabinet depth, front I/O, and options for either AC or DC redundant power supplies. The
company optimizes its 5G virtual and container hybrid services platforms from low-latency customer premises platforms to Al
training, storage, and network platforms in the data center.
These platforms enable heavier workloads, distributed across the network, with a focus on power savings, reduction of network
gear, and high availability in harsh conditions
•
Open hardware and virtualization allow rapid, flexible network deployment
•
Local Al inferencing for real-time, real-life services
•
Streaming video content localized and optimized at the Edge
•
Heterogeneous processing powers these applications right where they are needed
Supermicro, in partnership with Red Hat, provides a performance-based platform that is ideal for 5G RAN workloads. The
Supermicro SYS-210P-DRDN6T ultra short-depth rackmount edge server supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.0 and Red Hat
OpenShift 4.7. In addition, Supermicro optimized the SYS-210P-FRDN6T system for edge computing applications through
support for FPGAs, SmartNICs, and CPU NUMA support. System image and front view are below:
Supermicro SYS-210P-FRDN6T