• Accenture builds on its work with the open source LF Networking
• Supports evolution toward programmable network architecture
• Offering an ONAP-as-a-Service (ONAPaaS perhaps?) solution
• Deployment of VNFs as cloud native applications

The arguments around NFV orchestration continue unabated. The two main technology solutions (or “frameworks” is probably more accurate) being developed are the Linux Foundation (LFN) supported Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) and ETSI’s Open Source MANO (OSM), both of which have plenty of dedicated contributors and CSP supporters. 

If you’re still unclear as to what’s what in this complex tussle for commercial acceptance, there’s an excellent video at the OpenStack site from VMware’s Vanessa Little, comparing OSM with ONAP. Trust us, it’s 35 minutes well spent.

Meanwhile, in the LFN camp, Accenture has upgraded its membership to Gold level status as part of its strategy to build an “as-a-service” solution for the software-defined ecosystem. It has announced that it is bringing an “ONAP as a Service” solution to market to enable CSPs and vendors to leverage and commercialise ONAP. I guess we will have to add ONAPaaS to the lexicon. Accenture promises the solution will include:

• a hardened ONAP community release
• digital customer portal
• multi-vendor VNF test and certification portal and platform
• CI/CD automation cartridges for ONAP components
• service assurance and resource-management solution for NFVi and VNFs
• ONAP integration packs for leading SD-WAN vendors
• vendor-neutral platform framework for faster build and deployment of VNFs as cloud-native applications.

It’s a promising approach and we’ll follow progress during the course of the year. Accenture has long worked with CSPs on transformation projects and its support of ONAP is a natural extension of this.

Original Press Release: 

Accenture Extends Collaboration with ONAP to Help Communications Industry Accelerate Transformation to Software-Based Networks

Project supports evolution toward programmable network platform architecture

SAN FRANCISCO; Jan. 21, 2019 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has extended its collaboration with LF Networking (LFN) — which facilitates collaboration and operational excellence across open networking projects, including the Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) — upgrading its membership to Gold level status as part of its strategy to build a comprehensive “as-a-service” solution for the software-defined ecosystem.

As part of the LFN family of projects, ONAP provides a comprehensive platform for real-time, policy-driven orchestration and automation of physical and virtual network functions that will enable software, network, information technology and cloud providers and developers to rapidly automate new services and support complete lifecycle management.

Accenture is bringing a comprehensive ONAP-as-a-service solution to market to enable communications service providers (CSPs) and network equipment providers to fully leverage and operationalize the industry-leading open source platform. Providing integration, customization and managed services to support companies’ digital transformations, the as-a-service solution will include a hardened ONAP community release based on Accenture assets:

• A digital customer portal;
• A multi-vendor virtual network function (VNF) test and certification portal and platform;
• Continuous integration and delivery automation cartridges for ONAP components;
• A service assurance and resource-management solution for network function virtualization infrastructure and VNFs;
• ONAP integration packs for leading software-defined wide area network vendors; and
• A flexible cross-industry and vendor-neutral platform framework that enables faster build and deployment of VNFs as cloud-native applications.

“While progress is being made in the shift from a hardware- to a software-based network, there is still a need to accelerate the transformation, and as a Gold member of LF Networking, we can provide a solution that will benefit the ONAP community,” said Amol Phadke, a managing director at Accenture who leads its Network Strategy and Network portfolio of services. “ONAP enables the industry to evolve more rapidly toward programmable network platform architecture.”

Accenture’s participation in ONAP reaffirms its commitment to carrier network transformation and innovation, helping CSPs build next-generation platforms to move from legacy to new business models, develop and launch new services rapidly and at scale, and create and manage real-time operations.

“We are excited that Accenture has chosen to invest further in LFN and ONAP,” said Arpit Joshipura, general manager of networking at The Linux Foundation. “Their support adds to our strong roster of organizations across the globe, and their experience co-innovating across large, diverse ecosystems will help drive open-source networking efforts forward.”