Huawei unveils SDN-based mobile backhaul solution

Huawei has announced LTEHaul, a SDN based mobile backhaul solution.

The SDN-based mobile backhaul solution is based on existing network hardware, and new SDN features can be enabled through software upgrades, both leveraging and protecting existing customer investments by maximizing existing resources. This solution supports both star and ring topologies, further protecting investments in existing deployment topologies and offering flexibility for new deployments.

Software Defined Networking (SDN) capabilities are now supported in the newest release of the CX600 series aggregation router, ATN910 series cell site router (CSR), and U2000 Network Management System (NMS). These new product releases mark an important milestone for the development of mobile backhaul solutions, and a landmark for SDN innovation in carrier IP networks.

Current mobile backhaul networks face many challenges as a result of the exponential growth of mobile broadband. These challenges include complex O&M for the massive scale of cell sites, time-consuming service provisioning, and inefficient network utilization.

The SDN-based mobile backhaul solution is well positioned to address these challenges, and it is the outcome of a joint innovation project between Huawei and the China Telecom Guangzhou Institute.

The newly added SDN features include the capability to support a massive number of cell site routers (ATN910 series) managed as a virtual cluster by centralized SDN controllers embedded in the aggregation routers (CX600 series). The SDN controller provides a centralized control plane for the cell site routers, performing centralized path calculation, service provisioning, and traffic control.

The addition of the U2000 system provides a graphical user interfaced (GUI) based unified NMS for the cell site and aggregation routers. Based on these products, the SDN-based mobile backhaul solution effectively provides plug-and-play, auto service provisioning, smart traffic steering, and auto trouble shooting capabilities for a large number of cell site routers.

Early tests have shown promising results with service provisioning efficiency improvements of 85 percent and over 50 percent reduction in network alarms.

"Huawei is committed to helping our customers achieve business success through innovative technology solutions. Our progress with SDN technology demonstrates Huawei's practical and effective leadership within the Carrier SDN industry," said Gai Gang, president of Huawei Carrier IP product line.