Introduction to the Nokia multi-access broadband CUPS solution

The Nokia cloud-based converged broadband CUPS architecture enhances the triple play service delivery architecture (TPSDA). The MAG-c implements both the fixed access and fixed wireless access (FWA) CP functions. The SR OS-based BNG implements both the fixed access and FWA UP functions.

Evolution of the BNG

The Nokia SR OS TPSDA originated as a BNG providing traditional broadband services such as high speed Internet (HSI), voice over IP (VoIP), IPTV, wholesale/retail, and network address translation (NAT).

Over the years, the broadband access demand evolved beyond traditional wireline access and into wireless access. The Nokia BNG evolved to support the Wi-Fi gateway function, the FWA function, and the hybrid access gateway (HAG) function.

Driven by the market, the BNG technology evolved further into a CUPS architecture. The Nokia multi-access broadband CUPS solution disaggregates the Nokia BNG and all its functions. The MAG-c implements the CP element. The Nokia BNG implements the UP function to handle datapath forwarding of the broadband wireline and the FWA functions. Operators can select the best UP type that fits the targeted applications:
  • Virtualized Service Routers (VSRs)
  • physical Service Routers (SRs)
  • a combination of both

Cloud-based MAG-c architecture

The following figure shows the overall Nokia multi-access CUPS architecture, with the following virtualized network functions (VNFs) of the MAG-c:

  • operation and maintenance virtual machine (OAM-VM) – management interface for the MAG-c configuration
  • database virtual machine (DB-VM) – common storage for all subscriber session state
  • session management virtual machine (SM-VM) – subscriber management function and processing
  • load balancing virtual machine (LB-VM) – load distribution to various SM-VMs
Figure 1. The cloud-based MAG-c architecture

See the MAG-c Installation Guide for more information about the MAG-c architecture and installation.

UP overview

The Nokia SR OS based BNG can act as a UP for the MAG-c. The VSR and the SR platforms support the UP functions. The Nokia BNG supports the following UP functions when acting as a UP:

  • BNG UP function (BNG-UP)
  • 5G UP function for 5G FWA (FWA-UP)
  • 4G combined SGW UP function (SGW-U) and PGW UP function (PGW-U) for 4G FWA
All SR OS platforms can simultaneously act as a UP and as a standalone BNG. In standalone BNG mode, all SR OS TPSDA features are supported, the following are some key enhanced subscriber management (ESM) features deployed today:
  • broadband subscriber management services, IP over Ethernet (IPoE), point-to-point protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE), LAC, and LNS
  • FWA
  • NAT
  • multicast
  • public Wi-Fi
  • HAG