Components

The HPE Aruba Networking Private 5G turnkey deployment model masks the complexity inherent in private cellular network deployments. Typically, enterprises work with up to 7 vendors for dashboard customization, mobile core, underlying server, indoor or outdoor radios, and SIM or eSIM cards, plus assistance from communication services providers knowledgeable in 3GPP to configure and manage the solution.

To facilitate the purchase, deployment, and management of private cellular networks, private 5G turnkey option includes everything needed for an enterprise to deploy a private cellular network, eliminating the complex and time-consuming process of dealing with multiple vendors. In addition, configuration automation enables network administrators to set up and manage a private cellular network without expertise or extensive training related to cellular concepts.

The turnkey option includes components and offerings that are all pre-integrated and supported:

• Cloud-based management dashboard

• HPE server(s) as core appliance

• Combo 4G/5G mobile core software

• Small cell Radios (4G/5G Indoor and outdoor)

• Spectrum Access System (required for U.S. deployments)

• Physical SIM or eSIM

Cloud-based management dashboard

The cloud dashboard is a federated, multi-tenant management layer, designed with a similar look and feel as HPE Aruba Networking Central for ease of use. It includes zero touch provisioning and multiple easy to follow wizards such as creating a network, adding subscribers, and more for ease of automation. The dashboard also provides user-specific access and roles to enhance security and allows network administrators to setup and manage the network without extensive training.

Hardware appliance

An HPE ProLiant server is used for the solution which is a scalable platform that delivers exceptional compute performance, memory density, and scalability along with the high-speed data transfer rate needed to run mobile core technology. The HPE ProLiant server is engineered to optimize IT services with a cloud operating experience, built-in security, and optimized performance for workloads to drive business forward. The appliance is pre-loaded and pre-configured with required core software. The appliance can be used either in redundant (HA) or non-redundant (non-HA) setups.

Private 5G core

The private 5G core consists of combo 4G/5G software that is pre-loaded and pre-configured on the core appliance. The core functions as the central control unit of the private cellular network, performing tasks such as mobility control, subscriber management, and policy enforcement. The software includes all 4G and 5G services so organizations can begin with 4G (often to support existing device types) and then migrate to 5G without needing to upgrade the software version or altogether start with 5G. This provides much flexibility for organizations switching between 4G and 5G without the need to change hardware or the software.

The necessary software and network functions are pre-loaded and pre-configured as virtual machines (e.g., control plane, user plane, etc.) along with an Operation and Maintenance (OAM) VM that is responsible for connectivity to the cloud dashboard.

Small cell radios (4G and 5G)

Small cell radios (4G and 5G) make up the cellular RAN (Radio Access Network). The private 5G Small Cells are offered in both indoor and outdoor options that operate on b48 (LTE) and n48 (5G) frequency bands in the U.S. With these options, a variety of enterprise user endpoints and use cases can be supported. For analogy purposes, small cell radios can be compared to Wi-Fi access points that connect end-user devices.

The small cell radios are designed to enhance coverage and capacity in dense indoor and outdoor environments, making them ideal for applications in smart factories, campuses, and other enterprise settings. Data privacy and control are ensured by confining the private 5G network within enterprise premises, while also providing scalability to adapt to evolving connectivity needs. Advanced features such as network slicing, edge computing, and enhanced mobility further optimize network performance, empowering organizations to harness the full potential of 5G technology for their digital transformation initiatives.

Early deployments will configure the radios with the necessary information to connect to the core and communicate with the SAS server, future versions will leverage the radio management software to control the radios.

Spectrum Access System (SAS)

For U.S. markets, the private 5G turnkey option also includes integration with a Spectrum Access System (SAS) provider to enable use of shared spectrum, in the 3.55 – 3.70 GHz band know as Citizen’s Broadband Radio Service (CBRS), thereby eliminating the need to acquire spectrum from mobile operators. SAS dynamically allocates spectrum access to different users based on the location of small cell radios and prioritizes usage to prevent interference with existing incumbents, ensuring efficient and fair use of the available frequencies.

The private 5G turnkey option is integrated with Federated Wireless SAS to protect incumbents, eliminating the need for customers to interact with the SAS user interface. This ensures a seamless experience without any direct customer involvement with the SAS interface.

SIM/eSIM

A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) is a small card used in end user mobile devices to store information that uniquely identifies a user to a mobile network. SIM can be either in a physical form factor that typically need to be inserted in a SIM slot on the end user device or as an eSIM (Embedded SIM) that is embedded directly into a device and can be programmed with profiles without need for a physical card. The key functions of a SIM/eSIM include:

• Identification: The SIM card stores the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), a unique number that identifies the user within the mobile network.

• Authentication: When a device connects to a network, the SIM card is used to authenticate the user’s access to the network. This involves verifying the IMSI and a unique authentication key stored on the SIM.

• Storage: SIM cards can store limited amounts of data, such as contacts and text messages. However, modern smartphones often use internal memory or cloud storage for these functions.

• Network Access: The SIM card contains information about the network, including the Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC), which help the device connect to the appropriate cellular network.

With private 5G, organizations can purchase physical SIMs or eSIMs in packs of 10 to simplify the purchasing process. Provisioning of SIMs/eSIMs can be performed via CSV files or manual updates using the cloud-based management dashboard interface.

User equipment

User Equipment (UE) is any device connecting to the cellular network. The SIM/eSIM can be used on UE such as smartphones, tablets, 5G bridges, IoT devices, etc.

The UE and RAN must support the same generation of cellular:

• All 4G UE will connect to a 4G small cell radio

• 4G UE will not connect to a 5G small cell radio

• Most 5G UE will connect to 4G small cell radio

• All 5G UE will connect to 5G small cell radio

The bottom line is that backward compatibility depends on the UE and not the RAN.

Combining the private 5G key components, a high-level workflow of the solution is as follows: end-user SIM-enabled devices connect to the private 5G network through small cell radios, which securely interface with a 4G/5G combo core. The core then manages network access based on configured authentication, network slicing, and policy enforcement to redirect user traffic to private apps or to internet.