Broadband Forum, ONF pair OB-BAA, SEBA/VOLTHA for automated, open virtualized broadband access networks

Oct. 14, 2019
BBF and ONF position OB-BAA and SEBA/VOLTHA as complementary because they solve different carrier problems within the evolution toward open source, software-defined access networks.
I Stock 000012168411 Medium 5da4cf9d21fc9

Broadband Forum (BBF) and the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) are pairing some of their projects as complementary tools toward the creation of broadband access networks that leverage virtualization and open source principles. The groups say use of BBF’s Open Broadband-Broadband Access Abstraction (OB-BAA) and ONF’s SDN Enabled Broadband Access (SEBA) platform and Virtual OLT Hardware Abstraction (VOLTHA) open source software can help operators meet emerging needs for rapid service instantiation, often across disparate, software-defined networks and leveraging third-party applications.

OB-BAA is a BBF open source project that enables software-defined networking (SDN) based management and control of multi-vendor, multi-technology access networks via a standard abstraction northbound interface. BBF says it facilitates coexistence and seamless migration, bringing the agility to adapt to a wide variety of software-defined access models. This abstraction simplifies and reduces development upstream in management and control software for Physical and Virtual Network Functions (PNFs and VNFs). Inherent in the OB-BAA project is the ability to pull differing access device types, including legacy implementations, together under a single standardized network and service management & control umbrella to be exposed to management elements such as the SDN management and control and element management systems.

ONF’s SEBA platform takes a disaggregated white-box approach to building next-generation access networks leveraging open source. Functions traditionally run on chassis-based optical line terminals (OLTs) and broadband network gateway (BNG) routers are instead run in the cloud and paired with white-box OLTs, switches, and servers. SEBA creates a platform that exposes northbound FCAPS interfaces, making it straightforward to integrate a SEBA POD with an operator’s OSS/BSS system.

VOLTHA, meanwhile, abstracts a PON network to make it manageable as if it were a standard OpenFlow switch. Functions such as DHCP and user authentication are run as open source in the cloud. VOLTHA is used as a component of the SEBA platform and can also be used standalone.

BBF and ONF now position OB-BAA and SEBA/VOLTHA as complementary because they solve different carrier problems within the evolution toward open source, software-defined access networks. The agreement between the two groups provides a path for operators to leverage their respective innovations and benefits while ensuring interoperability, high performance, scalability, and maximum reliability. The organizations have produced a whitepaper that describes the relationship between the OB-BAA and SEBA/VOLTHA open source projects toward this end.

For related articles, visit the Network Automation Topic Center.

For more information on FTTx technology and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyers’ Guide.

To stay abreast of FTTx advances, subscribe to Lightwave’s Service Providers Newsletter.

About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.

Sponsored Recommendations

Next-Gen DSP advancements

Nov. 13, 2024
Join our webinar to explore how next-gen Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) are revolutionizing connectivity, from 400G/800G networks to the future of 1.6 Tbps, with insights on...

Understanding BABA and the BEAD waiver

Oct. 29, 2024
Unlock the essentials of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and discover how to navigate the Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements for network...

How AI is driving new thinking in the optical industry

Sept. 30, 2024
Join us for an interactive roundtable webinar highlighting the results of an Endeavor Business Media survey to identify how optical technologies can support AI workflows by balancing...

The Pluggable Transceiver Revolution

May 30, 2024
Discover the revolution of pluggable transceivers in our upcoming webinar, where we delve into the advancements propelling 400G and 800G coherent optics. Learn how these innovations...