Unified Monitoring for E2 in Multiplatforms Open RAN Systems
Monitoring; O-RAN; E2 Interface; E2 Service Model; xApp.
This work developed a solution for the discovery and monitoring of E2 Service Models (E2SMs) deployed in fifth-generation (5G) mobile network base stations (gNBs) based on the Open RAN architecture. The identified information is forwarded to a monitoring server, where it is collected, organized, and stored in a structured and periodic manner, enabling its availability through a customized visualization dashboard. The monitoring targets the E2 nodes of the Open RAN architecture, which communicate via the standardized E2 interface. Although this interface is specified by the O-RAN Alliance, its implementation presents a high degree of flexibility and allows for different levels of customization by gNB vendors, particularly regarding E2SMs, their styles, and associated indicators. This flexibility, while fundamental to accommodate distinct RAN architectures and operation strategies, imposes significant challenges for xApp (eXtended Application) developers, since the structure, parameters, and mapping of indicators made available by the E2SMs can vary significantly among different vendors. Consequently, the visualization, interpretation, and correct configuration of E2SMs become complex tasks, increasing development effort, compromising application portability, and amplifying the risk of incompatibilities and integration failures within the Near-Real-Time RAN Intelligent Controller (near-RT RIC) environment. The proposed solution consists of an integrated platform composed of a monitoring server, Key Performance Indicator (KPI) collection modules, a visualization dashboard, and a set of scripts developed in Python. The system was validated in the LANCE (Leading Advanced Technologies Center of Excellence) telco-cloud, using E2 nodes with different protocol stacks—OpenAirInterface (OAI) and srsRAN—as well as in the O-RAN Software Community and OAI near-RT RIC environments. As a main result, the solution enables the automation of the discovery of E2SMs, their styles, and available KPIs, providing xApp developers with a detailed and systematized view of the capabilities of each monitored E2 node and the indicators available for utilization.