Evaluating the Cloud-RAN architecture: functional splitting and switched Ethernet Xhaul
Andrés F. Ocampo, Mah-Rukh Fida, Ahmed Mustafa Elmokashfi, Haakon Bryhni · 2020
The Cloud-RAN architecture is a key enabler to building future mobile networks in a flexible and cost-efficient way. For instance, switched Ethernet is a prime candidate for mobile transport networks (Xhaul), due to its flexibility, ubiquity, and cost-effectiveness. Understanding its performance under different network configurations would allow concluding about its appeal for Cloud-RAN. On the other hand, evaluating resource sharing mechanisms is relevant to put in place best solutions to host multiple virtual Base Band Units (vBBUs) into the same compute infrastructure. This paper assesses the feasibility of using a switched Ethernet Xhaul, by instantiating two vBBUs using different functional splits. Moreover, this paper evaluates two mechanisms for sharing network interface cards (NIC) in a general purpose server (GPS) hosting vBBUs. Our results point to a marginal performance degradation caused by the switched Ethernet Xhaul and the NIC sharing mechanisms. Such deviations could be seen from the increase in average and maximum Jitter and RTT results.