Understanding 3GPP’s Network Management (NM) and Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Frameworks and ETSI’s ONAP

Understanding 3GPP’s Network Management (NM) and Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Frameworks and ETSI’s ONAP

The telecommunications landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by the need for more dynamic, flexible, and efficient network architectures. At the heart of this transformation are the 3GPP frameworks for Network Management (NM) and Service Management and Orchestration (SMO), along with ETSI’s Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP). These components are essential for managing and orchestrating network functions and services within modern 5G architectures. This blog will explore these frameworks, their components, and why they are critical for contemporary telecommunications networks.

What are NM, SMO, and ONAP Frameworks?

The NM and SMO frameworks are integral parts of the 3GPP’s approach to network management and orchestration in 5G networks, while ONAP is an open-source platform developed under ETSI to provide similar functionalities. They ensure that network services are delivered efficiently, reliably, and with the flexibility required in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Network Management (NM):

1. Element Management System (EMS): The EMS is responsible for the management of individual network elements. It handles configuration, fault, performance, and security management for each element, ensuring that they operate correctly and efficiently.
2. Network Management System (NMS): The NMS manages the entire network by interfacing with multiple EMSs. It provides a holistic view of the network’s status, performance, and configuration, enabling operators to manage and optimize the network as a whole.

Service Management and Orchestration (SMO):

1. Service Management Function (SMF): The SMF is responsible for the management of network services. It oversees the lifecycle of services, including their creation, modification, and termination. The SMF ensures that services are delivered according to predefined policies and performance criteria.
2. Orchestration Function: This function manages the lifecycle of network services and resources, similar to the NFV Orchestrator (NFVO) in the ETSI MANO framework. It handles tasks such as the deployment, scaling, and optimization of services, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that services meet their performance targets.

Why Do We Need NM and SMO Frameworks?

The NM and SMO frameworks are critical for several reasons:

1. Efficiency and Automation: These frameworks automate the deployment and management of network services, reducing the need for manual intervention and accelerating service delivery. Automation also helps in reducing operational costs and minimizing human errors.
2. Scalability: Modern networks must handle a growing number of devices and services. NM and SMO provide the scalability required to manage these increasing demands effectively, enabling the network to adapt and grow without significant overhauls.
3. Flexibility: With NM and SMO, network operators can quickly introduce new services and adapt existing ones to meet changing customer demands. This flexibility is vital in a competitive market where the ability to rapidly innovate can be a significant differentiator.
4. Resource Optimization: These frameworks optimize the use of network resources by dynamically allocating them based on current demand. This ensures that resources are used efficiently, reducing waste and improving the overall performance of the network.
5. Improved Quality of Service (QoS): By providing better control over the network infrastructure and services, NM and SMO help maintain and improve QoS. This is particularly important for critical applications that require high reliability and low latency.

Why Do Different Models Exist?

The existence of different models such as ONAP and the 3GPP NM/SMO frameworks is due to the different focus areas and origins of these models:

1. ONAP (Open Network Automation Platform): Originating from the open-source community, ONAP focuses on providing a comprehensive platform for automating the lifecycle of network services. It emphasizes interoperability and open standards, making it suitable for diverse network environments.
2. 3GPP NM and SMO Frameworks: Developed by the 3GPP, these frameworks are specifically tailored for 5G networks, focusing on standardization and integration within the 3GPP-defined architecture. They ensure that the network management and orchestration functions are aligned with the 5G standards and requirements.

 

 

The NM and SMO frameworks within the 3GPP architecture are essential for the efficient, flexible, and scalable management of modern telecommunications networks. They provide the tools and capabilities necessary to meet the demands of 5G and beyond, ensuring that network services are delivered reliably and efficiently. The existence of different models like ONAP and the 3GPP frameworks highlights the diverse approaches to network management and orchestration, each suited to different operational environments and requirements.

For further details and insights, you can refer to the 3GPP specifications and technical reports that provide comprehensive information on these frameworks and their implementation in 5G networks.

For more information on ETSI’s ONAP and the latest updates, you can refer to the ETSI Open Source MANO (OSM) Release Fifteen announcement.

References:

1. 3GPP Specifications and Technical Reports. Available at: 3GPP Specifications
2. ETSI Open Source MANO (OSM) Release Fifteen Announcement. Available at: ETSI OSM Release Fifteen