This is the second blog in a series of weekly posts that focuses on highlights from the “Open Source Near-RT RIC Comparison v1.0” report by Rimedo Labs.
Introduction
The Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture is built on the principles of openness, interoperability, and vendor neutrality. Compliance with O-RAN specifications is essential to ensuring that different network components seamlessly integrate within multi-vendor environments. The Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (Near-RT RIC) plays a crucial role in this ecosystem, facilitating intelligent control over RAN operations within a latency range of 10 milliseconds to one second.
One of the leading open-source implementations of Near-RT RIC is Aether SD-RAN, a cloud-native and modular framework originally developed by the Open Networking Foundation (ONF) and now part of the Linux Foundation. Aether SD-RAN is designed to adhere closely to O-RAN standards, enabling smooth integration with standardized interfaces, compliance with E2 Service Models (E2SMs), and robust security features. This blog post highlights Aether SD-RAN’s approach to O-RAN compliance and how it ensures seamless interoperability, security, and standardization.
O-RAN Compliance in Aether SD-RAN
Aether SD-RAN is built with compliance at its core, ensuring that all essential O-RAN interfaces and functions are properly implemented. Below, we explore its adherence to key O-RAN specifications.
Standardized Interface Support
O-RAN defines a set of critical interfaces that enable interoperability between Near-RT RIC and other network components. Aether SD-RAN provides robust support for these interfaces:
- E2 Interface – Enables direct communication between the Near-RT RIC and O-RAN CUs/DUs, facilitating real-time network control.
- A1 Interface – Allows integration with the Non-RT RIC for policy-driven network management and AI-based optimizations.
- O1 Interface – Provides Operations, Administration, and Management (OAM) capabilities for configuring and monitoring network performance.
- Y1 Interface – Supports data exchange for advanced network analytics, enhancing AI-driven insights and predictive optimizations.
Aether SD-RAN’s modular architecture ensures that these interfaces are scalable and adaptable, allowing for future enhancements and seamless integration within multi-vendor O-RAN environments.
E2 Service Model (E2SM) Compliance
O-RAN compliance requires adherence to E2 Service Models (E2SMs), which define the interactions between Near-RT RIC and E2 nodes. Aether SD-RAN implements a flexible and scalable approach to E2SM integration, ensuring:
- Support for Key Performance Measurement (KPM) E2SM, enabling real-time monitoring of RAN performance.
- Implementation of RAN Control (RC) E2SM, allowing dynamic adjustments to network parameters.
- Efficient handling of E2 Subscription and Indication messages, ensuring real-time control and analytics data collection.
Aether SD-RAN’s architecture ensures that E2SM support evolves alongside O-RAN specifications, making it a future-proof solution for RAN intelligence.
Security and Compliance
Security is a fundamental component of O-RAN compliance, ensuring that networks remain protected from unauthorized access and cyber threats. Aether SD-RAN implements:
- TLS-based encryption for secure communication over E2 and A1 interfaces.
- Role-based access control (RBAC) to enforce strict authorization policies for xApps and RIC components.
- Secure xApp sandboxing, preventing unauthorized applications from accessing sensitive network data.
These features ensure that Aether SD-RAN aligns with O-RAN’s best practices for security and access management, providing a reliable and compliant framework for Near-RT RIC deployments.
Interoperability with O-RAN Components
One of the key goals of O-RAN is to enable multi-vendor interoperability, allowing different network elements to function together seamlessly. Aether SD-RAN is designed for high interoperability, ensuring compatibility with:
- O-RAN-compliant CUs and DUs, allowing smooth E2 interface integration.
- xApps from third-party developers, supporting a dynamic and extensible ecosystem.
- Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) platforms, facilitating centralized network management.
By focusing on cloud-native, vendor-agnostic design, Aether SD-RAN ensures that operators can deploy and integrate it flexibly across different network environments.
OnRamp: Simplifying Aether SD-RAN Deployment
Deploying Aether SD-RAN can be streamlined using OnRamp, a tool designed to help users set up and customize Aether’s 5G platform efficiently. OnRamp provides a structured approach for learning, experimenting, and deploying Aether SD-RAN in different environments. Users can start with a Quick Start deployment on a single virtual machine and gradually progress toward more complex configurations, including emulated and physical Radio Access Networks (RANs). By leveraging OnRamp, organizations can accelerate the adoption of Aether SD-RAN, ensuring a smooth integration of Near-RT RIC functionalities into their O-RAN deployments.
Conclusion: Aether SD-RAN is a Compliant and Future-Ready Near-RT RIC
Aether SD-RAN is a mature, scalable, and compliant Near-RT RIC implementation that aligns closely with O-RAN’s open and intelligent RAN vision. With strong adherence to standardized interfaces, security best practices, and interoperability requirements, it provides a robust foundation for operators, researchers, and enterprises deploying O-RAN networks.
As O-RAN adoption accelerates, compliance with evolving standards will remain a priority. Aether SD-RAN’s modular, cloud-native approach ensures that it can continuously adapt to new specifications, making it a reliable and future-ready choice for intelligent RAN deployments.
For More Information
- For a comparative analysis of open-source Near-RT RIC implementations, Section 5.5.6 of the ‘Open Source Near-RT RIC Comparison v1.0’ report by Rimedo Labs provides insights into multiple frameworks. “Open Source Near-RT RIC Comparison v1.0” by Rimedo Labs.
- Register to join us for a webinar on May 27th where we will be discussing the benefits of Open RAN and results of third party testing of Aether’s O-RAN compliant Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller by Rimedo Labs.
- Sign-up for the Aether Newsletter to stay up-to-date about news and events across the Aether community.
