Credit to Comcast and OpenSync
RDK Management (RDK) has created a better system of network management and telemetry for the entire stack of telco service providers, from systems integrators to mobile network operators. It achieved this by forging a single software management component that unifies Wi-Fi for residential gateways, access points and mesh extenders. The new open-source software library (see pic) was created in a collaboration with Comcast, Plume Design and the OpenSync community.
The system, RDK for Broadband (RDK-B), comprises open-source software components that standardise the core functions used in broadband customer premises equipment (CPE) across network access technologies including DOCSIS, GPON, DSL and Fixed Wireless. It makes life easier for network systems integrators by giving them a consistent technical approach for a range of jobs that need to be configured. Now routing, device management, diagnostics and DNS settings and Internet of things (IoT) interfaces, such as Bluetooth, Thread and Zigbee, will be a lot simpler and more timely to code. Standardising these functions liberates service providers to develop a consistent set of applications and services that works with across any chipset or hardware supplier.
One of the key components of RDK-B is Wi-Fi management software. The new RDK-B Wi-Fi management software standardises core functions used in Wi-Fi gateways, access points and Mesh extenders for any operator running OpenSync or Wi-Fi EasyMesh. It provides common methods to manage features like band steering, device telemetry and interoperability with cloud-based Wi-Fi management systems via the common RDK message bus (RBus). Since Comcast and the OpenSync crowd both worked jointly on the contributed component, it will become the default for RDK-B and RDK Management will maintain it.
“Wi-Fi connectivity, monitoring and optimisation are foundationally important to operators throughout the RDK community,” said Jason Briggs, President and General Manager of RDK. “The new Wi-Fi management software is designed to address these critical needs.”
A powerful set of tools is the easter egg that the RDK crowd desperately wanted as it brings everyone together with a common desire, according to Labeeb Ismail, Senior Vice President of Global Devices Software for Comcast and Sky. It’s everyone’s cup of tea too, since it supports cloud-based Wi-Fi connectivity services for the broadband devices used by Sky, Comcast and its syndication partners. “The collective efforts of Comcast, Plume, OpenSync, RDK and the rest of the gang have chipped in vital contributions to the key underlying software charged with delivering an exceptional home Wi-Fi experience to our customers,” said Ismail.
Liem Vo, Chief OpenSync Officer at Plume said standardising certain core functions created access to over 50 OpenSync-certified devices. “This is a great time saver for mobile network operators as they can concentrate on differentiating services across the board and instantly roll them out across the entire diaspora of their network,” said Vo. “This gives them license to deploying the kind of advanced cloud platforms that are really needed to bolster the customer experience.”
RDK’s new Wi-Fi management software component is interoperable with various cloud Wi-Fi management platforms from leading third-party providers. These kinds of SaaS platforms generally deliver a wide set of key performance indicators. These ‘real time’ and historical KPIs use sophisticated cloud data analysis to help the Support, Operations and Engineering teams to measure and manage the connectivity and performance given to the subscribers. Ultimately this could help telcos provide better customer experiences.