Optimizing Open RAN Sites Using

Juniper Networks Cloud-Native Router and

PowerEdge XR Servers
February 2023

H19514

White Paper

Abstract
By adopting Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architectures and PowerEdge XR
servers, service providers are reducing power consumption and hardware complexity
by combining cloud-native based network services. This white paper briefly explains
the key technology components of a solution with Dell Technologies and Juniper
Networks, and highlights where network operators benefit by incorporating cloud-
native and industry compliant systems throughout the network infrastructure
landscape.

Dell Technologies Solutions

 Copyright

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of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Published in the USA February 2023, H19514 White Paper.
Dell Inc. believes the information in this document is accurate as of its publication date. The information is subject to change
without notice.

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 Contents

Contents
Introduction ...................................................................................................................................4

Radio access networks are now open .........................................................................................4

What is Cloud-Native Router from Juniper Networks?...............................................................5

Benefits of Open RAN and convergence .....................................................................................6

Dell PowerEdge XR series servers are the ideal platform for Open RAN..................................7

Advance Service Provider Networks with Cloud Economics.....................................................7

Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................7

References .....................................................................................................................................8

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 Introduction

Introduction
By adopting open radio access network (O-RAN) architectures, mobile network operators
are reducing power consumption and hardware complexity for critical cell site network
services, using PowerEdge XR servers from Dell Technologies. In collaboration with the
routing and security experts at Juniper Networks®, Dell has certified a simple, yet effective
cloud-enabled cell site router option for operators who need network coverage and
security services for distributed RAN sites.

Radio access networks are now open

Thanks to open standard consortiums such as the O-RAN Alliance, an open ecosystem of
disaggregated and interchangeable components is now available. Network equipment
providers are now able to commoditize hardware and software in a market, historically
dominated by closed and proprietary systems. The standards are now in place to change
select components based on technical feasibility and/or financial benefit. Before diving
into the financial implications, let us look at the basic routing needs of an O-RAN cell site.

Modern RAN systems are generally characterized as centralized or distributed, depending

on the wireless coverage and capacity requirements for a given market. In a centralized
RAN model, bandwidth is aggregated and requires a physical network device capable of
routing enormous amounts of data between the Radio Unit (RU) and the Distributed Unit
(DU) PowerEdge XR series server. The example below briefly describes the key
hardware components for centralized RAN (C-RAN).

Figure 1. Key hardware components of centralized RAN

In a distributed RAN model, the bandwidth needs are less, but there are substantially
more locations. Distributed RAN (D-RAN) designs can also have tight space, power, and
cooling constraints to keep the operating costs lower because of the number of locations.
To lower costs even further, service providers will often lease IP access links using
ethernet.

Leased lines require operator specific routing to connect to the next layer of the network.
Since all RAN sites require DU software to process wireless signals, deploying a
lightweight Juniper Cloud-Native Router on the DU server is the ideal option to serve
routing needs at the cell site. The figure below briefly illustrates a PowerEdge server
configured to run DU software and Juniper Cloud-Native Router in a distributed RAN
model.

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 What is Cloud-Native Router from Juniper Networks?

Figure 2. PowerEdge server configured to run D-RAN DU software and Juniper Cloud-
Native Router

What is Cloud-Native Router from Juniper Networks?

The Cloud-Native Router is a software-based product powered by Juniper’s proven
routing technology, Junos® containerized routing protocol daemon (cRPD), and Juniper’s
Contrail® Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) forwarding. It is implemented in
Kubernetes and interacts seamlessly with a container network interface (CNI) framework.
Juniper Cloud-Native Router is comprised of a control plane and a modular forwarding
plane. The following figure highlights the key attributes.

Figure 3. Juniper Cloud-Native Router key attributes

Cloud-Native Router provides key routing features typically found in a physical router such
as:

• Multi-protocol label switching (MPLS)

• Segment Routing
• Layer 2 Bridging
• Layer 3 Virtual Private Networks (VPN)
• Border Gateway Protocol (BGP)
• IPv4/IPv6 Underlay
• Access Control Lists
Adding 5G requires significant network expansion by service providers, as the distance
requirements between radio tower and users are much shorter than previous-generational
technologies. This smaller span has made it necessary for services providers to redefine
their network designs to meet the expansion requirements for 5G rollouts. These changes
require a hybrid routing infrastructure with physical and cloud native routers. The certified

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 Benefits of Open RAN and convergence

solution from Dell with Juniper® Cloud-Native Router gives service providers the flexibility
required to roll out 5G.

Benefits of Open RAN and convergence

Combining network services, such as cloud-native router, using Dell PowerEdge XR
servers has several benefits not typically found when comparing to a stand-alone physical
cell-site router, such as:
• Capital and Operating Expenses (CapEx and OpEx) Advantage – The solution
fits perfectly within a D-RAN/5G cloud RAN strategy, as Juniper Cloud-Native
Router is run on the Dell physical servers running the DU and other RAN
components. It reduces the CapEx compared to physical appliances while saving
on real estate, power and more by consolidating multiple boxes into one.
• Scalability – As in the case with a software product, adding or decommissioning of
a network function is quick with relatively less operational overhead and small lead
times.
• Agility – Installations are very quick using Dell PowerEdge XR servers, integrated
next to the optical channel data unit (ODU) as a cloud-native system, reducing the
deployment times when compared to a physical router deployment.
• Continuous Configuration – Cloud-Native Router can be configured and spawned
using tools like K8S manifest, NetConf, Terraform, and Junos Command Line
Interface, and Helm.
• Consolidation – Since the same server hardware can now be used for multiple
functions (routing as well as other functions), it eliminates the need for separate
hardware for specific functions. This approach significantly reduces the power,
space, and cooling needed to meet the needs of the service provider
• Minimal footprint – The number of physical CPU cores ranges between 2 and 4
cores, which can be shared with the Host Operating System of choice.

Figure 4. Juniper Cloud-Native Router overview

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Dell PowerEdge XR series servers are the ideal platform for Open RAN

Dell PowerEdge XR series servers are the ideal

platform for Open RAN
Built by engineers who know openness and Service Provider Networks, optimally
powered and thermally efficient PowerEdge XR servers are designed for the next wave of
network infrastructure. The latest servers from Dell Technologies have modularity and I/O
choice for running RAN software, equipped with adapter options like accelerators or
enhanced network adapters for RAN environments. Reduce cost and procurement
complexity with Dell Technologies’ global distribution channels and deep global supply
chain. Incorporating Dell PowerEdge XR servers, integrated with Juniper Cloud-Native
Router, provides operators with options to address power efficiencies and sustainability in
the access network. The following diagram briefly describes a few ideal platforms for RAN
and Network Edge.

Figure 5. Ideal platforms for RAN and network edge

Advance Service Provider Networks with Cloud Economics

Dell’s certified solution with Juniper Cloud-Native Router brings the full spectrum of world-
class Junos OS routing capabilities along with Dell’s reliability and support to compute
platforms that host containerized network functions. This promotes multi-tenancy and
network slicing in the operator’s platform. The solution would act as a standalone in D-
RAN (Distributed RAN) sites and can be used with the physical routers in a hybrid
network in other use cases. Network operators gain the transformational benefits of a
cloud-native networking model with Dell’s latest PowerEdge servers optimized for telecom
without any extra hardware. The combination yields lower OpEx, faster speed of
business, and carrier-grade reliability.

Conclusion
Dell Technologies is curating hardware and software ecosystems to deliver differentiated
solutions using a multi-vendor approach across servers, networking, storage, and cloud
stacks from the core network in the data center to the edge to the radio access networks.

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 References

Since all D-RAN locations require network software to process wireless signals, deploying
a lightweight Juniper Cloud-Native Router, on power efficient and highly configurable
PowerEdge XR8000 as a DU server, is the ideal option for supplying the critical routing
needs at the cell site.

References
• Juniper Cloud-Native Router Datasheet | Juniper Networks US
• Juniper Cloud-Native Router for 5G Deployments
• Dell Technologies Accelerates Adoption of Open Telecom Network Architectures |
Dell USA

We value your Dell Technologies and the authors of this document welcome your feedback on the
feedback solution and the solution documentation. Contact the Dell Technologies Solutions team by
email.

Authors: Sweta Bhardwaj and Joe Barzycki

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