On-Demand Private 5G with Open vRAN and OpenNebula

In collaboration with the MORSE team of the Institute for Software Technology and Software Engineering of University of Málaga (ITIS), we’ve released a new SRS-based Open vRAN Appliance to demonstrate the automation and real-time integration of open source 5G, cloud, and edge components for building private 5G networks. This appliance showcases how OpenNebula can serve as the foundation for fully programmable, secure, and flexible telecom infrastructures, enabling operators and enterprises to deploy private 5G services at the edge with cloud-like efficiency. By publishing the appliance in the OpenNebula Marketplace, we aim to accelerate adoption, foster ecosystem collaboration, and highlight the role of European open source innovation in advancing digital sovereignty and next-generation industrial connectivity.

Building a Virtualized 5G Infrastructure

At the heart of this initiative was the collaborative effort to deploy a fully virtualized O-RAN 5G infrastructure, leveraging the advanced 5G laboratory of ITIS. OpenNebula orchestrates this complex system, enabling end-to-end connectivity, performance optimization, and seamless integration with commercial 5G devices. Key components include:

• srsRAN: Central and Distributed Units for O-RAN Split 7.2 architecture
• Open5GS: Complete 5G Core Network with all necessary network functions
• LiteON FlexFi RU: Sub6 O-RU integration for Band 78 operations.

The deployment successfully achieves full 5G connectivity, validating OpenNebula’s ability to manage demanding telecommunications workloads and distributed edge computing environments.

Hardware Integration and High-Precision Timing

The deployment relies on a robust hardware foundation, including Dell PowerEdge servers, Intel Xeon processors, high-performance NVMe storage, and specialized network interfaces with GNSS timing, providing the performance and precision required for virtualized 5G workloads. Sub-microsecond timing precision, compliant with ITU-T standards, ensures the O-RAN Split 7.2 fronthaul operations. OpenNebula’s orchestration layer coordinates both hardware and software resources, enabling real-time synchronization and predictable performance.

Automation and OpenNebula Appliances

A key highlight is the development of automated deployment solutions:

• Ready-to-use Virtual Machines: Pre-configured appliances for srsRAN and Open5GS
• One-Click Deployment: Simplified installation and setup across environments
• Performance Optimization: RT-PREEMPT kernel, DPDK integration, and system-level tuning for microsecond-level latency.

These automation tools reduce deployment time by up to 90% compared to manual configuration, making it easier to replicate and scale 5G infrastructures.

Virtualization Meets Performance

This work demonstrates that demanding 5G network functions can be virtualized without sacrificing performance. OpenNebula enables:

• Efficient allocation of CPU and memory resources for 5G radio functions
• Direct access to specialized hardware while leveraging virtualization benefits
• Comprehensive service management with automated monitoring and startup.

By integrating open source components like srsRAN, Open5GS, and LinuxPTP, the initiative showcases a fully open, enterprise-grade solution for 5G and edge computing workloads, highlighting how OpenNebula enables efficient orchestration and management of distributed network functions.

Preparing for 6G and Beyond

These outcomes lay the groundwork for future 6G networks:

• Proven virtualization approaches for next-generation network functions
• Ultra-precise timing and synchronization for demanding applications
• Seamless integration of cloud and edge computing paradigms
• Automation frameworks to simplify deployment and operation.

Applications span private 5G networks, industrial IoT, smart cities, and autonomous systems, demonstrating the broad impact of combining OpenNebula orchestration with advanced 5G infrastructure.

Pioneering 5G and Edge Orchestration with OpenNebula

The achievements outlined here demonstrate how OpenNebula enables automation, orchestration, and performance optimization for distributed 5G networks. By combining hardware acceleration, virtualization, and open source software, OpenNebula provides a blueprint for scalable, intelligent, and high-performance networks, laying the foundation for future 6G deployments.

Watch the Full Demo: End-to-End Private 5G Deployment with OpenNebula

We’ve prepared a detailed screencast that walks you through the deployment of a fully virtualized private 5G network, showcasing how OpenNebula automates and orchestrates complex cloud-edge infrastructures. You’ll see the complete end-to-end setup, from the OpenNebula frontend to virtualized 5G core and radio functions, including integration with physical radio hardware.

In this demo, you’ll explore how to:

• Deploy and configure pre-built OpenNebula appliances for srsRAN and Open5GS
• Automate network and virtual machine setup for low-latency, high-performance 5G workloads
• Validate synchronization and connectivity between virtualized RAN and physical radio units
• Test end-to-end 5G network performance with commercial devices
• Leverage OpenNebula’s orchestration and contextualization features for repeatable, scalable deployments.

This screencast demonstrates OpenNebula’s capabilities in simplifying and accelerating distributed 5G network deployments, providing a hands-on view of intelligent cloud-edge orchestration in action.

See OpenNebula in Action: Join Our Live Webinar

Want to see these benefits in real time? Join our live webinar to explore how OpenNebula orchestrates virtualized 5G infrastructures and accelerates edge deployments. This is your chance to see end-to-end automation, high-performance networking, and scalable orchestration in action. Sign up here.

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