CHARISMA implements an open access platform which enables an Infrastructure Provider (InfP) to host Virtual Network Operators (VNOs) on the same network infrastructure but on different virtual slices, enabled through network slicing. while considering the converged wireless/wireline advanced 5G networks.
Converged open access & Inter-operability
CHARISMA proposes a converged system to deliver 5G services, offering a common infrastructure to all 5G VNOs in order to optimize deployment costs.
CHARISMA offers an interoperable system that can be shared among different operators for the delivery of connectivity and applications using a common and shared radio/fixed access infrastructure.
Simplified operation, administration and management
CHARISMA simplifies OAM and allows VNOs to control OAM parameters offering a centralised control, management and service orchestration platform that enables service synchronization, together with provision and monitoring management that is able to control and manage all the different slices and devices of the network.
Modular structure for multi-vendor support
The implementation of the management and control plane is open sources in order to support equipment from different vendors. Interoperability in the access network is nowadays one of the major barriers that the infrastructure owners face when deploying new networks. The software implementation of CHARISMA is modular in order to guarantee that the addition of a new device from a new vendor will only require the development of specific hardware driver for that piece of equipment. The SDN/NFV techniques implemented by CHARISMA control, management and orchestration plane facilitates the integration of new modules and new vendor devices into the architecture.
CHARISMA Open Access Solution
The CHARISMA CMO platform enables InfP to offer network slices to VNOs for required service deployments. CHARISMA’s open access solution is part of the CHARISMA’s CMO platform. The core component at the heart of CHARISMA’s open access solution is the Open Access Manager. Open Access Manager, not only implements the network slicing mechanisms but also interacts with the NVFO (for service deployment), Security Policy Manager (for policy enforcement), Monitoring & Analytics module, and the infrastructure devices. It also implements authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure slice isolation in terms of resource access and operational aspects. The figure below presents the Open Access Manager software architecture.
