TALKING

Many CSPs are upgrading their networks by replacing older , powerhungry equipment in fixed and mobile networks with the latest generation of network hardware that provides greater performance but uses less power . networks , including enhanced traffic engineering capabilities like bandwidth-on-demand . Open APIs also enable greater visibility of network elements and other resources , ensuring CSPs can build and operate multi-layer , multi-vendor networks . This leads to much greater efficiency from a bandwidth utilization perspective .

Meanwhile , virtualized services such as 5G enable operators to take advantage of virtual applications known as Cloud-based Network Functions ( CNFs ), which replace physical network devices and run on servers deployed in data centers .

CSPs can leverage other software-based intelligence and automation capabilities to solve it , in many instances upgrading their network with virtualized equivalents that may be more energy efficient .

In particular , three key software innovations are helping CSPs further reduce power consumption across the network .

Defined Networking ( SDN ) leverages open application programming interfaces ( APIs ) to give CSPs better and more intelligent control of their

Finally , the implementation of intelligent automation is enabling CSPs to abandon siloed , legacy Operations Support Systems that are burdened by redundant systems and processes , manual labor and human error . With networks becoming increasingly complex , CSPs are taking advantage of orchestration , analytics and ML to automate their network and service operations .

With a more virtualized , intelligent and automated approach to network operations wherever possible , CSPs can greatly reduce their reliance on legacy hardware and , in turn , reduce their carbon footprint substantially . p

38 INTELLIGENTCIO NORTH AMERICA www . intelligentcio . com