Cloud-Native Networks
A transition to a cloud-native network means network functions are based upon the adoption of cloud-native architecture principles AND the adoption of cloud-native operations principles. Only with both will the transition to cloud-native functions (CNFs) meet the high expectations being set by service providers
For Ribbon network functions, the adoption of cloud-native architecture principles begins with the design based on container-based microservices. By doing this our customers can leverage:
- Common cloud platform services from a growing ecosystem of open-source software.
- Automation for workload lifecycle management such as provided by Kubernetes
- Similarly, Ribbon is providing solutions for our cloud native functions enable service provider automation platforms to:
- Hide the complexity of CNF management
- Reduce Operations Expense
- Quickly define and deliver features for network functions
Ribbon’s Role In Enabling SP Automation Platforms
Service providers who are moving workloads to a cloud-native environment are going to be deploying automation platforms and adopting IT operations techniques and tools. Some examples of these are:
- Service Orchestrators
- Domain Orchestrators
- CI/CD Pipelines
- GitOps
- End User Portals
Ribbon’s role is to provide the automation enabling technology for each cloud-native function that hides the CNF complexity with a simple declarative API.
Cloud-Native SBCs for CSPs Whitepaper
Network Functions Virtualization
Prior to the introduction, and now adoption, of cloud-native architecture and operations, many fixed and mobile service providers have been deploying network services on a network functions virtualization (NFV) infrastructure in their private cloud. Most took this path with the goals of eliminating dependencies on proprietary hardware, driving greater efficiency of scale, improving service agility and fundamentally enhancing the way they do business.
Ribbon has been focused on delivering multiple software products as virtual network functions (VNFs) as well as our VNF Manager for orchestration and lifecycle management of our Ribbon VNF portfolio. Ribbon supports VNF deployment on OpenStack-based private clouds as well as on the three leading public clouds: AWS, Azure, and GCP.
Ribbon currently provides the following products as a virtual network function: