Satisfied with 5×9 Networks
It’s not just about better connectivity or faster workflows. It’s about putting your user first.
In the autumn of ’19, HT took on a new direction. Their new software-defined telco strategy propelled the cloudification of wireless core and wireline access network functions on all levels. But how could HT reapply this innovative, disruptive approach to legacy-fixed hardware? Easy – with a fresh, cloud-native BNG solution.
“More operational cost savings. Boosted investment efficiency. Higher Internet speeds and flexibility.”
T-HTAgile and Cost-Efficient Cloud BNG
Highlights
HT was looking for an edge to meet their flexibility goals and adjust their capacity for increased traffic demands. The solution? Horizontal application cloud scaling. It allowed HT to meet the ever-increasing dynamic of their performance and throughput improvements on a whole other cost-efficiency model.
The key was to see if COTS hardware, advanced by modern server design and software-designed approach, makes way for substantial savings per Gbit on broadband traffic. But HT couldn’t do it while taking a CapEx-intensive approach, like they did while depending on hardware. So they went for an innovative software scale-out model. We’ve tailored the Virtual BBRAS Forwarder (vBF), Virtual BBRAS Controller (vBC) and Virtual Dashboard (vDB) to their needs.
Project overview
The implementation was designed across three regional Data Centers (Zagreb, Rijeka, Split) and a fourth is on its way. Reaching the finishing line of their business goals, HT partnered with us to work out a new cloud BNG solution approach.
To meet their vision, we based the BNG design on Intel DPDK open source SDK that works wonders with packet processing workloads. A solid foundation, which allowed us to develop a turnkey broadband edge solution. HT was even able to start testing during the second quarter of development, and within just one year we came out with a highly optimized solution. HT was able to move to a uniform cloud-native infrastructure, shedding the need for excessive and expensive hardware.
5×9 Lightweight Monitoring System
For Combis, the experience of the end-user is what makes it all worthwhile. Ensuring a strong and smooth connection is a key factor for that satisfaction. With 5×9 Lightweight MS, automated processes keep WiFi connectivity to the highest standards. Combis now has more control with less workload. It’s a smart system that takes care of itself.
“There’s nothing like it out there. Others focus on a few network elements. 5×9 Lightweight covers them all.”
CombisUser satisfaction, above all
Highlights
Combis is a high-tech company that always puts its users first. Providing seamless user experience is their top priority, keeping them one step ahead of the competition.
Today, outstanding user experience is synonymous with a smooth WiFi connection. But there’s a whole range of factors that impact the way users connect and use the Internet. Combis was looking for a solution that could check the end-to-end experience of their users, from dial-up to browsing.
Most solutions focused only on a handful of network elements, and that wasn’t enough. So Combis decided to have them all firmly under control with 5×9 Lightweight Monitoring System.
Project overview
5×9 Lightweight Monitoring System checks all network elements involved while a user connects and navigates the Internet. It simulates real-life customer behavior, from choosing a WiFi and logging into a Captive Portal, all the way to clicking through the Internet.
5×9 Lightweight updates Combis on their system, making sure they’re the first to know if anything needs their attention. Whenever an issue in the system appears, 5×9 Lightweight zones in on it, alerting Combis with a clear report and giving them a head start to intervene before their users even notice. This proactive approach to monitoring and fault repair supports Combis to reach the highest standards of user satisfaction.
Deploying an Agile, Cost-Efficient Cloud BNG
Hrvatski Telekom (HT) as market leader in Croatia chose the route of cloudification by implementing a virtualized BNG solution. By adopting the Cloud BNG approach, HT took the primary step required to become a software-defined telco on cloud-based principles. Cloud BNG enables HT to introduce new services and meet capacity and flexibility requirements for increasing traffic while simultaneously reducing their capital outlay and reducing operational costs.
Highlights
Telecom operators face increased load on BNGs due to video internet services, prompting the need for cost-efficient network expansion solutions. Hrvatski Telekom implemented a virtualized BNG solution through cloudification, successfully achieving scalability and flexibility goals. This cloud BNG approach led to a substantial 35% reduction in capital outlay and operational costs. Leveraging Intel’s latest server technologies, the solution enabled zero-touch automated installations, improved scalability, and higher throughput speeds.
HT seamlessly migrated 450,000 customers to their Cloud BNG infrastructure, embracing a software-defined telco strategy. Future plans include focusing on enabling a more efficient solution to cater to higher access bandwidth and accommodate increased FTTX speeds. Ultimately, Cloud BNG represents a significant step towards converged Core, providing better control of both Fixed and Mobile Access.
Project overview
HT implemented an Agile, Cost-Efficient Cloud BNG across three regional data centers in Zagreb, Rijeka, and Split. Partnering with 5×9 Networks and Intel, they deployed a virtual broadband network gateway (vBNG) solution based on DPDK and HPE servers. The vBNG, with Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS), allows independent scaling of user and control plane functions.
The 5×9 solution, including Virtual BNG Forwarder (vBF), Virtual BNG Controller (vBC), and Virtual Dashboard (vDB), provided a fully automated, scalable, and flexible system. The ongoing data center migration has 450,000 live customers, with the solution achieving 80 Gbps throughput on a single server, hosting 80,000 users. 5×9 sees the potential to exceed 200 Gbps on existing hardware through continuous innovation in the user plane. The project resulted in significant savings of 35% on investment.