Demand for multi-vendor networks built on open principles is rising, driven by sustained investment and growth forecasts. Open RAN—based on interoperable interfaces and the separation of hardware and software—has emerged as a key approach to meet that demand.
Ericsson, working with Dell Technologies and Red Hat, has developed O2 interface definitions and capabilities to support communication between the Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) Framework and the O-Cloud Infrastructure Management Framework.
Anders Vestergren, Head of Solution Area Network Management at Ericsson, said: “The future of telecom networks lies in openness and interoperability. The O2 interface, as defined by the O-RAN Alliance, is essential to give communication service providers (CSPs) the flexibility they need to deliver multi-vendor, open, programmable networks.”
“With multiple vendors across all parts of the network, consistency and standardisation are critical. The industry must collaborate to deliver components aligned with Open RAN so interfaces like O2 can demonstrate their value. Ericsson already collaborates closely with Red Hat and Dell on this area and looks forward to working with others to accelerate industry adoption.”
The partners conducted proofs of concept to validate practical O2 interface implementations. These efforts show their ability to integrate cloud RAN management in accordance with Open RAN specifications.
Their collaboration uses Dell Telecom Infrastructure Blocks and Automation Suite together with Red Hat OpenShift, enabling northbound integration with Ericsson’s Intelligent Automation Platform (EIAP) via the O2-IMS interface. This setup supports seamless interoperability between management platforms and underlying infrastructure.
The O2 interface provides two primary services:
- O2 Infrastructure Management Service (IMS): Manages and monitors hardware and software resources at distributed sites and supports lifecycle management of O-Cloud resources through workflow automation.
- O2 Deployment Management Service (DMS): Oversees the lifecycle of Open RAN network functions (applications) hosted on the O-Cloud. A single O2 IMS can manage multiple DMS instances within an O-Cloud environment.
This architecture enables CSPs to deploy cloud RAN solutions across diverse O-Cloud platforms and vendors. By ensuring alignment and consistency across domains, the O2 interface improves interoperability and advances the goal of truly open telecom networks.
Addressing historic challenges of multi-vendor networks
Ericsson has made the O2 interface central to its portfolio strategy. Native support for O2 exists in the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform and in Ericsson’s cloud-native network functions within its Cloud RAN offering.
Ericsson’s Cloud Native Infrastructure Solution (CNIS), together with its Operations Manager Cloud Infrastructure (OMC), forms the foundation for Ericsson’s O-Cloud. This pre-integrated solution includes a northbound O2 IMS interface connected to the Ericsson Orchestrator Lifecycle Manager (EO-LM) as part of EIAP. That alignment with Open RAN standards enables consistent management of infrastructure-related resources and supports predictable, reliable multi-vendor deployments.
Advances with the O2 interface are one of several recent milestones for Ericsson. Recently, Ericsson and partners demonstrated multiple RAN system vendors integrating with EIAP via the O1 interface. The O1 interface unifies network management across vendors’ RAN platforms, illustrating how standardisation can bring cohesion to a fragmented ecosystem.
Honoré LaBourdette, VP of the Global Telco Ecosystem at Red Hat, said: “Aligning proactively to O-Cloud standards enables CSPs to make the strongest strategic choices for the platforms that power their networks. Alignment with the O2 interface and Red Hat OpenShift delivers a harmonised approach to infrastructure management across vendors on a common platform—leading to more efficient, adaptable, and reliable networks and better experiences for CSPs and their customers.”
The O2 interface is a critical component for tackling the challenges of multi-vendor telecom systems. As networks grow more complex, CSPs need robust tools to ensure seamless integration, scalability, and lifecycle management for their infrastructure.
(Image by Shelley Evans)
See also: Ericsson, Telstra, and Qualcomm shatter 5G uplink speed record
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