‘Bye bye’ API- and catalogue-based reconfigurations and optimisation, ‘Hello’ better network interoperability?
Bell Labs, part of Nokia, is hoping to replicate the pervasive success it had with UNIX, which the Labs created 50 years ago. The Labs claim their new AI and machine learning technology will enable telcos and their customers to reconfigure networks immediately, using verbal instructions.
The Natural-Language Networking technology apparently can act on simple text or spoken requests to allocate network resources to suit end users’ particular needs.
Csaba Vulkan, Network Systems Automation Research Leader at Nokia Bell Labs, said, “Operators won’t need to explore technical catalogues or complex API descriptions when they configure networks. Instead, a simple statement like ‘Optimise the network at X location for Y service’ will work.
“Those requests could be used to configure a wireless network in a factory for robot automation or optimise networks at a concert for a barrage of social media uploads.”
Learning by doing
The Natural-Language Network will learn from the instructions it receives about how best to best optimise the network. The goal is that the technology will eventually anticipate users’ needs and automatically make adjustments.
The development is part of Nokia’s UNEXT programme designed to build a self-regulating, interactive operating system, “aiming to replicate the success of their seminal UNIX system,” which is celebrating its fiftieth birthday this year.
Nokia says UNEXT will handle networks’ increasing complexity by treating each element, – whether a device, application, microservice or access node – as a self-contained entity which has the capacity to work autonomously as well as with other elements.
Breaking down barriers
Azimeh Sefidcon, Head of Network Systems and Security Research at Nokia Bell Labs, added, “Natural-Language Networks offer a sneak peek into one of the many capabilities of UNEXT. Reducing the complexity of network management fits squarely with UNEXT’s goal of extending the reach of networked systems by breaking down barriers that prevent those systems from interoperating.”
How will telcos make sure the network listens to the right people and that the requests are reasonable? Which languages will it ‘understand’? We’ve asked Nokia for comment and will report back.