Journey to the Dark NOC: Transforming Network Operations at MWC 2024
As the telecommunications industry converges at Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2024, one of the major themes at the show is the concept of a “Dark NOC” with AI and ML-enabled intelligent systems. The evolution towards the Dark NOC is driven in part by the growing demands for network performance and reliability – automated operations and predictive maintenance ensure reliable, consistent and high-performing connectivity crucial for tomorrow’s complex network environments.
With comprehensive, multi-vendor, multi-domain end-to-end visibility, VIAVI NITRO AIOps is already empowering service providers to take the first steps in evolving their legacy NOC to Dark NOC. Our vision with NITRO AIOps is clear – to provide a solution that not only addresses today’s challenges but also paves the way for future advancements in network technology.
Ensuring Multi-Vendor, Multi-Domain Visibility
Because modern networks consist of diverse technologies and service providers, a holistic view of the entire network ecosystem from the core network to the RAN and edge devices is needed. By providing data and actionable insights, this end-to-end visibility helps network operators make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.
Today, VIAVI is already breaking down the traditional silos that have long been a barrier to efficient network management with NITRO AIOps. It seamlessly integrates with various network components, regardless of the manufacturer, fostering an environment of interoperability that is essential for the smooth operation of contemporary networks. This adaptability not only optimizes network performance but also significantly reduces operational complexities and costs. The result is a more agile, responsive and robust network capable of meeting the ever-growing demands of users.
Addressing Network Challenges with AI and ML
One area where AI is already making a significant impact in the journey to the Dark NOC is the management of network traffic and congestion. For instance, NITRO AIOps utilize AI and ML algorithms to analyze traffic patterns, identifying potential anomalies before they lead to service disruptions. This proactive approach enables network operators to manage predicted anomalies and scale the network, reroute traffic or, if permitted in the local jurisdiction, throttle certain traffic to ensure optimal performance during peak load.
As we look to the future, AI has the potential to detect and mitigate security threats in real-time, a critical need in today’s landscape of threat actors. By continuously learning and adapting to new network behaviors and threats, AI will help enhance network security and performance and pave the way for more autonomous network operations, aligning with the vision of a Dark NOC where human intervention is minimized. This is particularly important for critical communication infrastructure such as railway and public safety.
Accelerating the Digital OSS Transformation Journey
NITRO AIOps marks an important milestone in the digital OSS transformation journey. Powered by topology, assurance and AI / ML-driven analytics, NITRO AIOps offers intelligence that monitors, detects and heals by leveraging local orchestrators, driving digital transformation initiatives towards automated network management.
As networks evolve to embrace emerging technologies like 5G / 6G, IoT and low-latency applications ranging from real-time TV production broadcast to robotic control, the capabilities of NITRO AIOps will expand correspondingly, offering increasingly sophisticated tools for real-time analytics, predictive maintenance and security management. The role of NITRO AIOps is not limited to maintaining current network efficiency; it’s about setting the stage for future innovations, ensuring that network operations can seamlessly adapt to and leverage the possibilities of next-generation network technologies.
VIAVI at MWC 2024
At MWC 2024, VIAVI will be showcasing NITRO AIOps and highlighting its advanced cloud-native inventory management, AI and ML-driven assurance, automation capabilities and more. Visit our booth 5A18 (Hall 5) in Barcelona from February 26-29 to learn more. For more information about the event, click here.
Read our other MWC 2024 blogs on AI-driven network optimization and RANtoCore solutions.
