VIAVI TM500 Cloud for O-RAN testing

VIAVI has launched the TM500 Cloud, developed for testing cloud-deployed O-RAN components. As operators increasingly deploy core network services in the cloud through hyperscalers and other cloud providers, the tool is designed to measure and mitigate any risks associated with the quality of service (QoS) for end users.

The product is applicable to typical O-RAN cloud deployment models, where the O-DU, O-CU and core are all deployed in the cloud. It allows network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) and operators to overcome risks associated with this deployment model and means they can deliver the same key performance indicators (KPIs) and QoS for end users as they would see with traditional gNB and core network architectures.

The product can be used in alternative deployment scenarios: for example, private or public cloud. Also, in architectures where the 5G User Plane Function (UPF) is deployed close to the edge of the ‘Cloud RAN’ to meet strict latency requirements, the tester could likewise be deployed to measure performance in those architectures.

The solution evaluates critical KPIs such as throughput, latency and round-trip time, with no compromise in performance per user as more users are added. Quality measures for applications, such as voice, remain uncompromised.

The TM500 Cloud is expected to be a natural extension for users of the TM500, as many NEMs look to deploy O-RAN network components in the cloud. As operators increasingly engage with cloud providers, the product is designed to assure them that the scale and cost advantages they experience through cloud deployment of network elements will not come with the risk of a negative experience for their users.