Nokia has deployed a next-generation 5G Lab as a Service (LaaS) as part of their Oulu-based infrastructure testing labs. This allows accelerated development and automation of virtual network functions and physical infrastructure, both of which are intended to contribute to advances in 5G deployment.
Nokia has partnered with Spirent Communications in order to develop the LaaS. In order to support 5G testing, the system must include both Layer 1 optical and RF switches, Layer 2 and virtual switches, power control units, and test management software. Designed over a two-year partnership between Spirent and Nokia, the system includes Spirent Velocity, a test coordinator which can automate resource sharing and other housekeeping items in virtual-physical lab environments.
“Our goals for the 5G Lab as a Service include automation of 5G lifecycle testing and more efficient sharing of physical and virtual test resources across teams,” said Rauno Jokelainen, Vice President of Radio and Advanced Antennas at Nokia. “Spirent’s automation expertise and Lab as a Service platform, Spirent Velocity, have been critical to our successful deployment in Oulu. We expect to achieve significant acceleration of 5G lifecycle tests along with a substantial reduction in test infrastructure costs as we deploy the 5G Lab as a Service throughout Nokia.”
Deployment to Nokia test facilities are currently underway. The LaaS will be able to host tens of thousands of connections, allowing rapid testing from labs across the world.