We are happy to announce the release of the research Deliverable D6.5, focused on the “Final Design of the 6G Smart Network Management Framework” of the Hexa-X-II project.
This document is the final public deliverable of the “Smart Network Management” Work Package (WP6), documenting the evolution in the design and implementation of the envisioned 6G Smart Network Management Framework, and a set of evaluation results. The primary goal of this framework is to serve as a reference structure for other Work Packages in the project (mainly WP2, to support the design and implementation of the final end-to-end system blueprint). However, the ambition is of course that this framework can be useful as a reference beyond the Hexa-X-II project itself, becoming a benchmark for future research projects and for designing and implementing the management and orchestration (M&O) systems of future 6G networks.
The deliverable provides a well-structured and comprehensive description of the smart management framework, which includes Overall Architectural M&O Solutions (targeting the management and orchestration of resources and services across the entire network continuum relying on multi-agent and decentralised approaches), Specific Systems (to be deployed in the domain of the specific stakeholders part of that continuum, and including systems for service provisioning, resource control separation, digital twins creation mechanisms, MLOps, network programmability, intent-based management, and privacy protection), Overall Functionalities (including monitoring and telemetry, real-time zero touch control automation, capabilities exposure, SLA-driven federated orchestration, and trust management), and finally, a set of specific AI/ML related algorithms (targeting aspects such as configuration recommendations for energy savings, efficient network and service function allocation, multi-domain federated learning, adaptive scaling, and explainability for AI/ML systems).
The document also provides practical implementation details describing the proof-of-concepts developed during the project lifetime, demonstrating the functionality of some of the individual components of the smart management framework itself, but also, implementations involving the integration of different components working together.
For a more detailed exploration, please read the full deliverable. You can also check out the accompanying presentation.