Some operators may question whether flexible MAC architecture (FMA) is ready for prime time, but Charter Communications-backed software company Falcon V Systems told Fierce a recent interoperability test with Vecima proves the technology is the real deal. Tadeusz Ciesielski, Falcon V’s CTIO, said it expects to ramp lab trials with Charter and vendor partners in the next three to six months, and urged others who may want to deploy the technology to begin integration testing now.
"The MSOs if they want to have FMA next year, they should start working in their labs, working with their operational teams because there is a huge learning curve,” he explained. “Even if all the RMDs [Remote MAC devices] are not ready, even if there are some features missing, the labs, field trials should start now.”
Ciesielski added constant, iterative testing of small upgrades and new features as they roll out “actually will speed up deployment” when the time comes.
Similar to Open RAN in the wireless world, FMA is designed to enable disaggregation of the converged cable access platform (CCAP) through the use of distributed access architecture (DAA), software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV). Among other things, this will give operators the flexibility to deploy both Remote-PHY and Remote-MAC PHY in their networks. It will also enable a multi-vendor environment, meaning interoperability is key for its success. That’s why Falcon V’s test of its MAC Manager with Vecima’s Remote-MAC PHY technology is notable.
“This interoperability event was significant for us in demonstrating our RMD enabled node is compliant with an emerging MAC Manager and as a proof point as we consider development of our own MAC Manager product,” Vecima’s SVP and GM of Video and Broadband Solutions Ryan Nicometo said in a statement.
In addition to supporting Remote-PHY and Remote-MAC PHY, Ciesielski said Falcon V wants to ensure its MAC Manager can support PON technology as well to provide operators with “one big chassis” to orchestrate service across their diverse networks. It’s also working on a Multi-Vendor Pipeline application which can help operators validate RMD and MAC Manager compliance with CableLabs specifications.
While development work is still underway, Ciesielski said its demonstrations to date show it is possible for MSOs to work with vendors to go from “proprietary solutions to open standards communication interfaces in a matter of months rather than years.”