TR-069 to NETCONF Adapter for RAN Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
3G and 4G base station equipment typically implement the TR-069 Protocol, which is not natively compatible with Management and Orchestration (MANO) environments that use the Network Configuration Protocol (NETCONF), creating a communication barrier in managing network equipment.
Innovation Solution
An adapter entity with a TR-069 protocol automatic configuration server, a NETCONF server, and a TR-069-to-NETCONF mapper module is introduced to dynamically map TR-069 and NETCONF requests and responses, enabling communication between TR-069-based equipment and NETCONF-managed entities within a radio access network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If TR-069 protocol is used for managing 3G and 4G base station equipment, then compatibility with existing equipment is improved, but integration with NETCONF-based MANO environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter entity that acts as an intermediary between TR-069-based managed equipment and NETCONF-based management entities. This adapter includes a TR-069 protocol ACS module for communicating with equipment, a NETCONF server for communicating with management entities, and a mapper module that dynamically translates between the two protocols, thereby resolving the incompatibility issue without requiring changes to existing equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter entity provides multi-functionality by simultaneously supporting both TR-069 and NETCONF protocols within a single system component. It can receive TR-069 requests from managed equipment, translate them to NETCONF requests, forward them to the management entity, and reverse the process for responses, making the system universally compatible with both protocol types
2Adaptability or versatility
If protocol translation is implemented to enable communication between TR-069 equipment and NETCONF managers, then interoperability is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mapper module dynamically translates between TR-069 and NETCONF protocols based on the specific requests and responses being processed. This dynamic translation approach allows the system to adapt to different protocol messages in real-time, improving interoperability while managing processing complexity through on-demand translation rather than static pre-configured mappings
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter implements feedback mechanisms where responses from the managed equipment via TR-069 are captured, translated back to NETCONF format, and sent to the management entity. This feedback loop ensures accurate bidirectional communication and allows the system to learn and adapt to protocol nuances, reducing translation errors over time
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to an adapter entity comprising a Technical Report 069 (TR-069) protocol automatic configuration server (ACS) module configured to communicate with managed equipment included in a radio access network (RAN) using the TR-069 protocol. The adapter entity further comprises a Network Configuration Protocol (NETCONF) server configured to communicate with an Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) Software Defined Network Radio instance (SDN-R) of an ONAP management and orchestration (MANO) environment using NETCONF. The adapter entity further comprises a TR-069-to-NETCONF mapper module, communicatively coupled to the TR-069 protocol ACS module and the NETCONF server, configured to dynamically map NETCONF requests and responses to and from TR-069 Protocol requests and responses. The adapter entity is configured to dynamically map NETCONF requests and responses to and from TR-069 Protocol requests and responses. Other embodiments and examples are disclosed.