The integration of diverse network solutions in 5G architecture presents a complex challenge akin to the biblical Tower of Babel, where disparate technologies and protocols hinder seamless collaboration. This article explores a choreography-driven approach to network integration, leveraging declarative configuration, standardized infrastructure templates, and AI-driven automation to address the fragmentation and inefficiencies inherent in modern network management. By focusing on collaboration, standardization, and sustainability, this framework aims to simplify the orchestration of 5G networks and reduce operational overhead.
Network functions (NFs) and infrastructure components are abstracted into modular 'building blocks' with explicit dependencies and cross-domain relationships (access, transport, core). Declarative languages define requirements such as BGP protocols, kernel drivers, and sustainability metrics (e.g., 8% solar energy usage). This abstraction enables automated configuration extraction, infrastructure optimization, and deployment through manifest files, reducing manual intervention and ensuring consistency across environments.
A unified template framework is proposed to standardize infrastructure requirements. Suppliers are required to populate standardized templates, which are then automatically generated into infrastructure configurations. By leveraging GitOps workflows and AI-driven analysis of operator-specific templates, 80% of infrastructure needs (e.g., network interfaces, drivers) are standardized, minimizing redundant work and enabling rapid deployment.
Collaboration is streamlined through standardized CI/CD pipelines, defining roles (operators, suppliers, integrators) and workflows for resource acquisition, configuration management, and deployment. Helm charts, Secrets, and version-controlled manifests form the foundation of shared configuration frameworks. Lifecycle management decomposes network solutions into components and relationships, ensuring state transitions and relationship maintenance during upgrades, while observability guarantees Five Nines service availability.
Sustainability metrics are embedded into configuration stages, ensuring compliance with green standards from the source. AI algorithms analyze multi-operator infrastructure demands to generate reusable templates, reducing manual effort and accelerating convergence toward common standards.
Suppliers face challenges adapting to new standards due to legacy systems and fragmented Q&A processes. Operators must unify requirements to minimize fragmentation and reduce adaptation costs. Existing initiatives like NGM and Cloudity lack sufficient consensus, necessitating deeper standardization of data structures and workflows.
Operators must lead in establishing unified declarative processes and templates. Open-source projects like Nephio can validate feasibility, fostering industry-wide consensus. Emphasis is placed on collaboration mechanisms over tool selection to avoid language/tool fragmentation.
Operators (e.g., Vodafone, Orange, Telecom Italia) are urged to collaborate on standardized declarative workflows and templates. By focusing on 80% common requirements, a foundation for future technological evolution can be established.
AI plays a critical role in converging disparate infrastructure templates through prompt engineering and data aggregation. Tools like Kubernetes, CNCF, and 3GPP frameworks provide a common base, avoiding redundant development.
This approach emphasizes declarative configuration, standardized workflows, and collaborative choreography to simplify 5G network integration. By prioritizing data structure standardization and AI-driven automation, operators can reduce operational complexity and enhance sustainability. The future lies in fostering cross-operator collaboration, leveraging open-source initiatives, and aligning with industry-wide standards to achieve scalable, efficient, and sustainable 5G architectures.