Toward Real-Time RAN Observability in Open-Source 5G Systems
Yassir Amami, Ziyad Mabrouk, Chadi Barakat, Thierry Turletti · 2026
Diagnosing performance issues in 5G and future disaggregated networks remains challenging due to the complexity of the protocol stack and the multitude of interdependent metrics. This is especially true in experimental environments using open-source 5 G software, where logs are often verbose, fragmented, and difficult to interpret. Real-time visual observability, especially at the Radio Access Network (RAN) level, is therefore essential for effective troubleshooting. However, tools like 5GC-Observer and Monarch provide only partial support, focusing mainly on the core network and lacking visibility into the RAN, where many performance bottlenecks originate. To tackle this, we present a Prometheus-compatible telemetry pipeline for the OpenAirInterface (OAI) gNB that extracts RAN metrics, adjusts acquisition intervals via a custom FlexRIC model, and visualizes the data in real time with Grafana. The pipeline is also compatible with SRSRAN through a lightweight Telegraf-Prometheus integration, extending its use to multiple open-source stacks. We integrate our solution into the Monarch monitoring architecture for cloud-native 5G, enabling end-to-end observability. An Ansible-based automation simplifies testbed setup and ensures reproducible experimentation. Validation on a realistic testbed shows real-time RAN metrics exposure with negligible overhead.