SoftBank Corp. and Nokia Achieve AI and vRAN
Coexistence with Automated Optimal Resource
Allocation on a Single Server

SoftBank Corp. (“SoftBank”), in collaboration with Nokia Corporation (“Nokia”), integrated a new function into the orchestrator^*1 (“AITRAS Orchestrator”) of “AITRAS”^*2, a converged AI-RAN solution developing by SoftBank. This new functionality allows AI and vRAN (virtualized Radio Access Network) to coexist on a single server with GPU (“Graphics Processing Unit”), while dynamically optimizing resource allocation. This implementation embodies “AI and RAN,” one of the key aspects of the AI-RAN concept.

AI and RAN is an aspect within AI-RAN that enables the efficient utilization of server resources by running AI and vRAN - two different types of workloads - on a single virtualized infrastructure. Examples of AI and RAN implementation include:

• Assigning either AI or vRAN roles to each server and operating them accordingly.
• Running AI and vRAN applications simultaneously on a single server.

In this initiative, SoftBank and Nokia implemented the functionality of running AI and vRAN applications simultaneously on a single server, demonstrating benefits such as increased server resource utilization and the ability to significantly reduce server downtime when switching roles.

Nokia's vRAN offloads part of the processing from vDU (virtualized Distributed Unit), a vRAN component, to SmartNIC^*3. Additionally, vRAN status will be monitored using MantaRay NM (Network Management), Nokia's EMS (Element Management System), and PM (Performance Management) counter data, such as the number of connected users, will be collected, stored, and managed.

AITRAS Orchestrator developed by SoftBank can optimize resource allocation by running AI and vRAN workloads on the same virtualized infrastructure. Through the integration of AITRAS Orchestrator with Nokia's MantaRay NM, a new function has been added which utilizes vRAN's PM counters to predict future vRAN traffic demand.

Through these advancements, AITRAS Orchestrator demonstrated the ability to:

• Run AI applications and vRAN applications utilizing SmartNIC simultaneously on a single server with GPU, with automated start and stop operations managed by the AITRAS Orchestrator.
• Predict future vRAN traffic demand by utilizing the PM counters collected from the EMS.
• Optimize AI and vRAN resource allocation based on demand predictions.

A demonstration of this technology will be showcased at Nokia's booth at MWC Barcelona 2025.

SoftBank will continue its joint research and development with Nokia to expand AI and RAN implementation use cases and accelerate the advancement of AI-RAN.

Hideyuki Tsukuda, Executive Vice President & CTO at SoftBank Corp. said: “By combining Nokia's vRAN with SoftBank's AITRAS Orchestrator, we successfully enabled the coexistence of AI and RAN on a single server with GPU. AITRAS Orchestrator monitors available CPU and GPU resources, optimizing the placement of RAN and AI workloads to maximize infrastructure efficiency. This achievement demonstrates a future with enhanced resource utilization. Moving forward, we will continue our joint development efforts toward realizing AI-RAN.”

Aji Ed, Head of Cloud RAN at Nokia said: “Our partnership with SoftBank has focused on the powerful integration of multi-purpose, optimized AI workloads within the AI and RAN platform using Nokia's MantaRay network management and SoftBank's AITRAS Orchestrator. Our collaboration demonstrates how both RAN and non-RAN AI workloads can efficiently share the compute resources, significantly enhancing compute utilization, improving operational efficiency, and accelerating a return on investment for network operators. Together, we continue to explore the transformative power of AI-RAN, delivering cutting-edge technologies that drive the future of telecommunications.”

[Notes]

1. *1
   For more details, please refer to the press release dated November 13, 2024: “SoftBank Corp. Develops Orchestrator to Operate AI and vRAN on the Same Virtualized Infrastructure”
2. *2
   For more details on AITRAS, please refer to the press release dated November 13, 2024: “SoftBank Corp. Announces Development of “AITRAS,” a Converged AI-RAN Solution”
3. *3
   SmartNIC (Smart Network Interface Card) is a type of NIC that, in addition to traditional network communication functions, is capable of performing specialized processing tasks such as data offloading.

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