Broadband Forum releases Broadband Access Abstraction code and documentation

The Broadband Forumhas released the first code release and documentation for its Open Broadband project – Broadband Access Abstraction (OB-BAA). The reference implementation aims to enable deployment of cloud-based access infrastructure and services.

The open source OB-BAA specifies northbound interfaces, core components, and southbound interfaces for virtualized access device functions. It offers a standardized, layered architecture designed for software-defined networking (SDN) automation, the Broadband Forum says.

“OB-BAA enables operators to optimize their decision-making process for introducing new infrastructure based on user demand and acceptance instead of being forced into a total replacement strategy,” said Robin Mersh, Broadband Forum CEO. “By reducing planning, risks, and execution time, investment in new systems and services can be incremental.”

Among other uses, the OB-BAA serves as an integrated layer in the Broadband Forum’s CloudCO project, as described in the published "CloudCO Architectural Framework (TR-384)." The organization asserts OB-BAA also complements other industry initiatives and is being coordinated with related industry activities such as those within the ONF (likely including the ONF’s SEBA project). Broadcom, BT, Calix, CenturyLink, China Telecom, Huawei, Nokia, Telecom Italia, Tibit Communications, the University of New Hampshire InterOperability Lab (UNH-IOL), and ZTE contributed to the project.

“The first release of OB-BAA marks a major milestone for the industry,” said Tim Carey, lead technology strategist at Nokia and chair of the Broadband Forum’s BAA project. “It delivers an open reference implementation based on standards-compliant interfaces, that operators and vendors worldwide can use to develop and deploy interoperable cloud-based access networks more easily and quickly.”

This first release is available at obbaa.broadband-forum.org/. Companies interested in participating in the ongoing work should contact: [email protected]. The organization also offers an OB-BAA system overview paper and will host a webinar describing the project on Wednesday, August 29. Registration information is available at https://www.broadband-forum.org/baa.

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