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amdocs NEO:service & networkautomation platformDriving automation in the era ofhybrid and open cloud networks
executive summaryis taking hold, requiring different service and networkmanagement capabilities. The advent of 5G and thetelco cloud is ushering in new network architectures and The transformation of network automation technologynew operational and business models, and many of theand operations support systems (OSS) is being drivennetwork automation and OSS transformation decisionsby the following key developments: the advent of 5Gwill be driven by changes in these areas. Additionally,and the telco cloud; the need for effective managementservice providers are under significant pressure to reduceof hybrid networks composed of physical, virtual andopex, so automation will be key in the era of 5G and telcocloud network functions; and the increased importancecloud networks, starting with network andof digital-enabled cloud-native deployments of networkservice operations.automation and operations systems to reduce operatorTCO and improve agility. While the journey to network modernization will vary A top priority for service providers is to haveflexible systems that enable efficient and effectivemanagement of hybrid networks - spanning multiplefrom operator to operator, network automation anddimensions: covering physical virtual cloud functions;OSS transformation is a necessary pre-requisite fordeployed on-premises cloud; and supporting legacya process that will change the relationship betweenconnectivity new value-added services. The move tonetwork and IT as operators embark on the road tothe future-state network architecture will not happenopen cloud networks.instantly and a wide range of hybrid and cross-domain Amdocs’ transformation vision recognizes theimportance of managing hybrid networks on thisjourney and automating end-to-end service anddeployment scenarios will need to be supported througha step-wise journey. Cloud-native deployments of network automationnetwork orchestration spanning separate networkand management systems – across all flavors ofdomains, distributed infrastructure and heterogeneouspublic, private and hybrid clouds – are becomingenvironments. A key Amdocs objective is to help serviceincreasingly important to reduce TCO and improveproviders modernize, consolidate and transform theiragility. Additionally, digital network self-care/self-operations systems to realize a modular, cloud-nativeservice capabilities are becoming more relevant to helpmanagement solution approach.streamline and simplify operations. A key underpinning ofmodernized network automation and OSS architectureswhat is drivingnetwork automationand OSStransformation?Several factors are driving service providers to invest intransforming their network and operationsis the flexibility and agility to enable different operationaland business models. Microservices architecture(distributed sub-functions of an application), containerorchestration (e.g. w/ Kubernetes), dynamic/elasticresource management, DevOps methodologies andmore play a vital role here.The journey of network modernization and the associatedtransformation of network automation technology andOSS will vary from operator to operator. It’s a process ofevolution that needs to be well thought through and mustinclude both existing systems and the introduction of newmanagement systems.processes and agile operational structures that will change As service providers look ahead to the disaggregated,challenges on the road to the open cloud networks ofdistributed, modularized and ecosystem-powerednetworks of the future (such as 5G, IoT, SDN/NFV,cloud-based, AI/ML-driven), a new operations paradigmthe relationship between network and IT. Whatever thethe future, and whichever approach a service providerchooses, network automation and OSS transformation isrecognized as a necessary pre-requisite for success.2
amdocs’ vision and approachA key objective for Amdocs is to help service providers modernize, consolidate and transform their service and networkmanagement systems to realize a modular, cloud-native management solution approach. Amdocs has evolved its provencapabilities into Amdocs NEO, a unified yet modular service & network automation platform designed to manage andorchestrate hybrid networks, combining traditional service fulfillment functionality with cloud and NFV orchestration andautomation capabilities.Driving automation for theera of hybrid and open cloudnetworks with digital, open,cloud-native, ecosystemsolutions and services5 G a nd I o TAmdocs Service & NetworkAutomation PlatformSolutionSlice and EdgeAutomationFiber DeploymentAutomationProductsOpen NetworkInventoryMicroservicesOpen NetworkDesignerOpen NetworkAssuranceOpen APIsE2E Serviceand ationsAutomationOrder and ServiceOrchestratorTechnologypterEnDigiOpen dDynamic InventoryAutomationbrHy360 DevOpsAI / MLNetwork-as-aService (NaaS)3
Supporting key business imperatives andmultiple automation journeysComprehensive business functionality tomanage and orchestrate hybrid networksAmdocs is enabling service providers to realize and operateAmdocs NEO capabilities cover the full networkopen programmable networks that help accelerate serviceservice lifecycle: service design environment (seededinnovation and drive business growth. Amdocs empowerswith base definitions and service modeling templatesservice providers to modernize and innovate with servicefor fast-start), end-to-end orchestration, includingand network automation solutions that support keyintegration/interoperability with relevant domain-business needs and multiple automation journeys.specific orchestrators/controllers, inventory functionalitythat serves as a logical centralized reference point Digital-to-network automation with zero-touch, self-for instantiated services and network resources, andservice for ordering, fulfillment and on-going serviceassurance and autonomous operations capabilities.management and operations, evolving existing systemsin a manageable and stepwise manner, achieving value Modular approach that encompasses traditional OSSwithout full transformation and reducing time-to-functions along with advanced network automationmarket and cost to ‘first value’capabilities, including federation layer for hybridmanagement, NFV orchestration, CNF orchestration, 5G network management and slice & edge automationand edge and network-slicing managementcovering cross-domain network slice managementand smart edge and VNF/CNF placement, with New network-ready capabilities covering, amongstcomprehensive capabilities to manage the serviceothers, 5G non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA),lifecycle from slice design, through to creation andedge and IoT, and including multi-domain orchestration,dynamic modification in real time, and all the way tomaster catalog, policy management and analyticsclosed-loop assurance and operations Pre-integrated with Amdocs BSS components, End-to-end service and network orchestration coveringall aspects of design and orchestration for servicesleveraging our unique position in the market with end-toend business-to-network service management coveragespanning multiple domains and vendor technologies,providing a single view of data and processes, unified Incrementally expanded business software packagesmanagement of policies/SLAs/KPIs, automated(e.g. SD-WAN, vCPE, etc.) via accelerated developmentclosed-loop configuration and fulfillment processes, andaligned with customer projects (e.g. Comcast, Globe,simplification of service lifecycle managementSES and Vodafone Ziggo) Network-as-a-service (NaaS) / virtual network services Digital business enablers such as marketplace(VNS) automation empowering service providersfoundations, self-service portal and an open ecosystemto rapidly define, launch, fulfil, operate and assureof pre-integrated third party VNFs/CNFsnew offerings that combine organic capabilities (e.g.connectivity) with ecosystem elements, including SD- Continually enriched partner ecosystemWAN, WAN acceleration/optimization, vCPE/VNFs,(extensive partner ecosystem), and an increasing arrayUCaaS, enterprise perimeter services, unified threatof ecosystem services such as VNFs/CNFs certificationmanagement (UTM), vertical IoT packages, and otherand testingNaaS/VNS offerings4
Built with open, digital, cloud technologiesAmdocs provides a pragmatic and seamless path forservice providers moving from physical through hybridto open cloud networks. Existing OSS and fulfilmentsystems can be incorporated in both ‘side-by-side’ and‘over-the-top’ implementations through federation andloosely-coupled integration based on advanced andflexible technology underpinnings. Cloud-native, public-cloud/private-cloud deployable,micro-services based, with shared foundations,including discovery and service mesh, and observability Open and declarative APIs, and alignment withstandards to simplify integration with the ecosystem(e.g. MEF APIs, TMF APIs, ONAP APIs, TOSCA models) AI/ML infused into key functions for intelligent, datadriven automation DevOps methodologies and tool-sets to drivecontinuous enhancements into deployed solutions5
why partner withamdocsUniquely enabling and accelerating networkmonetization end-to-endAmdocs provides a hybrid, cloud-native, service-awaremanagement solution that connects customer-facingservices domains, for example commerce and carefunctions, to the network domain (or multiple networkdomains and/or network clouds). The solution seamlesslysupports end-to-end service lifecycle management(design, orchestrate/fulfill, operate) for a wide arrayof innovative services, including intelligent connectivity,value-added services (VAS), cloud applications, edgecapabilities, IoT, QoS private/isolated networks (e.g. slicebased) and more.Amdocs is uniquely positioned to provide networkoperations and management solutions that ensure aservice provider’s network is a true ‘agile monetizationplatform’ rather than a static infrastructure. 5G willaccelerate this imperative even further. As serviceproviders introduce a large variety of offerings, all ofwhich will require end-to-end management acrossbusiness and operational systems and the network,Amdocs will continue to drive differentiation by deliveringcapabilities that allow service providers to: Manage and operate a fully programmable networkbased on high-performing, resilient, modular andheterogenous network capabilities, using softwarecontrol to orchestrate the entire service lifecycle andoperate it with policy-driven automation Evolve to a dynamic and agile service and networkmanagement approach on a distributed, virtualized andcloud architecture Adopt network and service management systemsbased on microservices architectures, DevOps,toolchains, and public/private/hybrid clouds Ensure seamless co-existing and synchronizedoperations support for the network evolution journey,leveraging existing investments for pragmatic step-wisetransformation Implement design and fulfillment capabilities for allaspects of the service across hybrid network andsystem environments, modeling, fulfillment andrepair processes, policies and SLAs, including businessdefinitionsDriving the adoption of open cloud networksIn a bid to meet the needs of the connected digitalsociety, service providers are looking to create an open,distributed, automated network leveraging the hybridcloud to enable flexibility and agility as well as reduceopex. Amdocs is providing operators the managementsystems and tools to adopt open, modular networkcapabilities which remove the burden of vendor lock-in,and avoid the high costs and inflexibility associated withmonolithic, proprietary network infrastructures.To support this transition, Amdocs is committed to anopen, standards-based approach in providing serviceand network automation capabilities. Service providersare looking to change the current model of single-vendornetworks, and 5G and telco cloud provide a compellingevent for the move to a more open, flexible approachto building and managing future networks. Amdocs iscontinuing to drive our differentiation as the championfor open cloud networks by: Leveraging ONAP as a vendor-neutral, open communityto support management and orchestration of any typeof service over any type of network using any type ofnetwork or cloud function Supporting customers who want to take ownership oftheir network orchestration and leverage the benefitsof open systems by joining the customer’s internaldevelopment and integration teams as a joint scrumteam (for example, as performed at Bell Canada) Accelerating engagement in related open/standardsforums such as MEF, TMF APIs, ETSI / MANO, LFAcumos, LF Edge, RH VCO, GSMA 3GPP, GSMA NEST,ORAN / OCS and TIP6
Amdocs active in various communities/standardsOrganizationAreas of InterestAmdocs Involvement Life-cycle Service Orchestration (LSO) Research on assurance Service Assurance Drafting LSO Open API’s Multi-domain e2e Orchestration: OSS, NFV Drafting Open API’s Open API’s Participating in TM Forum NaaS Catalysts VNF onboarding, packaging, certification Leading standardization of VNF on-boarding Multi-domain e2e Orchestration: NFV, WAN Contributing to e2e orchestration topic Experiential Network Intelligence (ENI) Promoting ONAP and PBO architecture VNF/NS modeling NFV descriptors mapping to TOSCA/YAML VNF packaging OSS/BSS 5G architecture, incl. network slicing 5G and Network Slicing 3GPP BSS standards VNF modeling, onboarding, certification SDC, AA&I LCM and closed loop Involvement in development of additional modules perdefined use cases Edge automation Co-creation modules Collaboration with service provider partners (e.g. Bell) 5G use-cases Open tech. / interfaces for access, transport, core RAN optimization e2e 5G network automationNew domain experts for service managementand automation in the hybrid eraThe new era of hybrid networks and systems spanningmultiple dimensions - covering physical virtual cloud functions; deployed on-premises cloud; andsupporting legacy connectivity new services - is creatingunprecedented complexity in the management of servicelifecycles and automation of operational processes. Disaggregated Cell Site Gateway (DCSG) integration Participate in developing OAM and A1 Participating in building an open source stack for 5G RAN ONAP, MEC and ZSM interworking Enabling scalable operations with real-time datacollection and analysis, low manual touch andguided resolution Driving autonomous, closed-loop operations withproactive remediation actions, self-healing and intentdriven assurance Infusing skills, capabilities and experience from the newAmdocs’ solution encompasses the technology, peoplenetwork domain into our service provider customers,and knowledge to scale operations and address themoving them to the new paradigm of ‘network complexities of this new world. We are continuingautomation-coding’ rather than just monitoring/differentiate ourselves by enabling step-wise andadministrationpragmatic evolution from current to future managementand automation systems by: Incorporating service, customer and business insights(the data to which we have access in Amdocssystems) to drive service-aware assurance andnetwork operations automation – a natural extensionto Amdocs’ proven BSS, OSS and NFV capabilities,utilizing our extensive experience and expertise ineach domain7
conclusionNetwork technologies such as 5G, IoT, SDN/NFV andothers, will drive new service and network architectures,new operational models and new business models. Itfollows that managing the open cloud networks of thefuture will require investment, not just in the core networkinfrastructure, but in the transformation of associatednetwork automation technology and operations supportsystems. This transformation cannot be “once and done,”but will be a step-wise automation journey that mustenable efficient and effective management ofhybrid networks.Amdocs’ vision and approach for transformation ofnetwork automation and OSS and managementof hybrid networks is powered by Amdocs NEO, aunified, modular and cloud-based service and networkautomation platform that combines traditional servicefulfillment functionality with cloud and NFV orchestrationand management capabilities.With the combination of Amdocs’ unique experience andexpertise, and our hybrid-ready solutions, we can helpensure successful transformation for service providers,whatever stage they are at on the journey and atwhatever pace they choose to take to realize the new eraof open cloud networks.For more information visitwww.amdocs.com/amdocsone/open-cloud-networks8
aboutamdocsAmdocs’ purpose is to enrich lives and progress society,using creativity and technology to build a betterconnected world. Amdocs and its 25,000 employeespartner with the leading players in the communicationsand media industry, enabling next-generation experiencesin 85 countries. Our cloud-native, open and dynamicportfolio of digital solutions, platforms and servicesbrings greater choice, faster time to market and flexibility,to better meet the evolving needs of our customers asthey drive growth, transform and take their business tothe cloud. Listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market,Amdocs had revenue of 4.1 billion in fiscal 2019.For more information, visit Amdocs at www.amdocs.com.www.amdocs.com 2020 Amdocs. All rights reserved.
master catalog, policy management and analytics Pre-inegrt ated with Amdocs BSS components, leveraging our unique position in the market with end-to-end business-to-network service management coverage Incrementally expanded business software packages (e.g. SD-WAN, vCPE, etc.) via accelerated development
