Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ACROSS (Automated zero-touch cross-layer provisioning framework for 5G and beyond vertical services)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-01-01 bis 2024-06-30
The ACROSS project addresses the critical challenges of automating service deployment and management in next-generation networks. With the rise of 5G and the increasing complexity of network infrastructure, traditional manual management methods are no longer feasible. This project responds to the urgent need for a highly scalable, performance-driven, and energy-efficient framework capable of supporting diverse vertical industries.
ACROSS introduces a unique end-to-end service management platform that leverages AI-driven intelligence, deep telemetry, and zero-touch automation to enhance network operations across distributed and heterogeneous environments. The platform is designed to support cross-domain orchestration by utilizing a federated framework of domain orchestrators, combined with cloud-managed multi-domain orchestration. It complies with the latest industry standards, promoting integration with existing infrastructure while advancing future 6G ecosystems.
The project’s expected impact includes revolutionizing network automation, contributing to 5G scalability, improving energy efficiency, and fostering innovation by offering a robust testing environment with scalable use cases. ACROSS also plays a significant role in advancing European technological leadership in the telecommunications sector.
ACROSS introduces a unique end-to-end service management platform that leverages AI-driven intelligence, deep telemetry, and zero-touch automation to enhance network operations across distributed and heterogeneous environments. The platform is designed to support cross-domain orchestration by utilizing a federated framework of domain orchestrators, combined with cloud-managed multi-domain orchestration. It complies with the latest industry standards, promoting integration with existing infrastructure while advancing future 6G ecosystems.
The project’s expected impact includes revolutionizing network automation, contributing to 5G scalability, improving energy efficiency, and fostering innovation by offering a robust testing environment with scalable use cases. ACROSS also plays a significant role in advancing European technological leadership in the telecommunications sector.
The ACROSS project has made substantial progress in developing an advanced, automated orchestration platform for 5G and beyond vertical services. The technical and scientific efforts have focused on building a highly distributed, scalable, and secure platform for network management:
The project successfully established a comprehensive reference architecture for the ACROSS framework. This includes multi-domain orchestration, zero-touch provisioning, and deep telemetry integration, allowing seamless operations across geo-dispersed and heterogeneous edge environments. ACROSS developed and implemented the End-to-End Service Orchestration Layer (ESO-L) and Domain Orchestrator Layer (DO-L). These components ensure cross-layer coordination, intelligent resource management, and secure orchestration across various domains.
Traffic classification, DDoS detection, and SLA management is through the use of AI models. The platform integrates these AI services with deep telemetry to provide real-time insights and proactive orchestration actions. A Network Digital Twin (NDT) was deployed, generating synthetic traffic data for AI model training, which allows for predictive network management and traffic optimization.
ACROSS designed telemetry services to support intelligent orchestration, enabling real-time monitoring of network and compute resources. This data is used to optimize network performance, security, and energy efficiency. The platform integrates trusted computing technologies, such as TPM-based attestation services, and includes software-defined security components like DDoS mitigation and secure container migration. These advancements ensure robust security in large-scale, distributed networks.
The project successfully established a comprehensive reference architecture for the ACROSS framework. This includes multi-domain orchestration, zero-touch provisioning, and deep telemetry integration, allowing seamless operations across geo-dispersed and heterogeneous edge environments. ACROSS developed and implemented the End-to-End Service Orchestration Layer (ESO-L) and Domain Orchestrator Layer (DO-L). These components ensure cross-layer coordination, intelligent resource management, and secure orchestration across various domains.
Traffic classification, DDoS detection, and SLA management is through the use of AI models. The platform integrates these AI services with deep telemetry to provide real-time insights and proactive orchestration actions. A Network Digital Twin (NDT) was deployed, generating synthetic traffic data for AI model training, which allows for predictive network management and traffic optimization.
ACROSS designed telemetry services to support intelligent orchestration, enabling real-time monitoring of network and compute resources. This data is used to optimize network performance, security, and energy efficiency. The platform integrates trusted computing technologies, such as TPM-based attestation services, and includes software-defined security components like DDoS mitigation and secure container migration. These advancements ensure robust security in large-scale, distributed networks.
The ACROSS project has achieved key results that demonstrate the potential for substantial impact on the telecommunications sector, specifically in 5G and beyond. The project developed a fully-functional, AI-driven multi-domain orchestration platform that enables zero-touch provisioning and automated network management. The platform’s integration of deep telemetry and secure orchestration mechanisms supports robust and scalable operations across heterogeneous cloud-edge environments.
Key results include the deployment of the Network Digital Twin (NDT) for real-time network simulation, the development of AI-based traffic classification and DDoS detection systems, and the implementation of trusted computing technologies like TPM-based attestation for security and compliance.
For further uptake and success, several factors are crucial, such as continued research in AI model optimization and advanced telemetry that is needed to enhance predictive accuracy and real-time automation. Support for standardization efforts, particularly within ETSI and other global bodies, will drive broader adoption. Finally, regulatory and standardization alignment with emerging 6G technologies is needed to ensure future-proofing and smooth market integration.
Key results include the deployment of the Network Digital Twin (NDT) for real-time network simulation, the development of AI-based traffic classification and DDoS detection systems, and the implementation of trusted computing technologies like TPM-based attestation for security and compliance.
For further uptake and success, several factors are crucial, such as continued research in AI model optimization and advanced telemetry that is needed to enhance predictive accuracy and real-time automation. Support for standardization efforts, particularly within ETSI and other global bodies, will drive broader adoption. Finally, regulatory and standardization alignment with emerging 6G technologies is needed to ensure future-proofing and smooth market integration.