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Zero-touch network and Service Management: Networks that can do it all

Companies are investing in end-to-end automation to enable networks that provide faster connectivity.

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Quantumrun Foresight
December 1, 2022

Insight summary

Next-Generation Networks (NGNs) are anticipated for a wide range of services, technologies, verticals, and devices. This diversity contributes to the need for increasingly complex network infrastructure management. To address this, companies are implementing the zero-touch functionality, which allows end-to-end network automation without human intervention.

Zero-touch context

A large number of mobile applications and services have stressed existing network infrastructure. Because of the stress, enterprises have developed multiple network solutions to optimize traffic and maintenance to cope. However, this suite of solutions is quite complex and challenging to manage; therefore, the Zero-touch Network and Service Management (ZSM) concept was formulated to automate and govern network resources while guaranteeing a high user experience. Many ZSM frameworks employ machine learning (ML) as one of the critical technologies to enable smart decision-making in network management.

As of 2021, ZSM and Network Slicing (NS) methods are being tested to enable automated network management across different domains. Network Slicing creates multiple virtual networks on top of a shared environment (a set of shared networks and computing resources). This consolidation makes it possible to more efficiently utilize available resources and improve service quality for different types of traffic.

Network Slicing builds a series of functions that would support virtual private networks designed to satisfy specific user requirements, vertical industry conventions, or service expectations. In contrast, ZSM promises to do all these things without any supervision. The ZSM method departs from the conventional static, fixed, and human-controlled physical networks approach.

Disruptive impact

Next-Generation Networks must satisfy always-on service demands to contend with competitors. As a result, the roles individuals play in traditional firms—how they allocate resources, react to consumer needs, and defend against threats—may change. Humans may primarily oversee as networks diagnose and troubleshoot autonomously.

For instance, in 2021, the Norwegian communications service provider (CSP) Telenor simplified NS with zero-touch digital orchestration. This system includes a one-click deployment of a slice made up of two network services in two different tenants and security zones, virtual network functions, and software-defined networking and firewall rules. The Norwegian CSP is part of the 5G-VINNI (Verticals Innovation Infrastructure) consortium with a project plan worth $23 million USD and comprising 23 members.

Meanwhile, Internet service provider Comcast Business launched an AI offering to detect and respond to service degradation without operator intervention. Traffic is automatically prioritized and rerouted around network failures. In addition, the company credits artificial intelligence (AI) for its successful network traffic management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, a significant reason that Comcast could withstand the influx of residential internet traffic from individuals working at home was not solely due to fiber-optic network investment. The firm has relied on a collection of AI/ML software that provides insight into its network, adds capacity instantly when required, and solves issues before humans detect them. In particular, the company uses Comcast Octave software to manage traffic, power levels, and other technical problems.