CloudCO - intent-based management of access networks and orchestration of SDN and disaggregated access equipment (m/f)
Background
The AGORA platform is Altice Labs' solution that allows the management of Altice Labs' access network equipment. With the growing trend towards adoption of the SDN/NFV paradigm there has been a growing adoption of technologies that enable automation and agility in the development of new features and services. These technologies include YANG and RESTCONF that are suitable for the implementation of a Northbound API for integration with third party systems.
Furthermore, in a Softwared Defined Networking (SDN) architecture, the traditional Network Management System (NMS) evolves to an SDN Controller that allows to disaggregate some network functions traditionally running in the equipments with the purpose of making the network more programmable and at the same time making easier the implementation of new functionalities.
At the PON network level, the OB-BAA (Open Broadband: Broadband Access Abstraction) software assumes a central role in the unbundling of functions and in the implementation of an abstraction layer that provides a unified interface for several equipments. At the switching level, the ONOS controller is the reference controller for the operators.
Project objectives
To contribute to the integration of the abstraction layer of the BBF (OB-BAA) and the SDN controller (ONOS) in the AGORA supporting the unbundled OLT (Optical Line Termination) functions.
Collaborate on the implementation of an orchestration layer bridging the PON sub-domain and the switching sub-domain. This layer will follow an Intent-based paradigm (the operator defines the end goal, and the SDN controller orchestrates the network whenever necessary to guarantee that goal).
Innovative Aspects
Docker
SDN/NFV
RESTCONF/YANG
Intent based
Tools to be used
Docker, Java, RESTCONF/YANG
Bibliographic References
TR-411 - Definition of interfaces between CloudCo Functional Modules https://www.broadband-forum.org/technical/download/TR-411.pdf
The YANG 1.1 Data Modeling Language (https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7950)
RESTCONF Protocol (https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc8040)
Activities
Study of the current architecture of access networks, including technologies and equipment types
Study of the new generation architecture based on SDN/NFV principles and intent based configuration
Study of tools for code generation from YANG models
Contribute to the integration of OB-BAA and ONOS software in the AGORA platform
Implementation of a prototype orchestrator with RESTCONF API that exemplifies intent based scenarios
Solution presentation/demonstration
Key Skills Required
Use of Linux and Shell scripting
Java programming,
Telecommunication networks and protocols
Software engineering
Willingness to learn