With the development of Internet services, especially cloud computing, big data, high-definition video and other services, higher requirements have been put forward for network infrastructure. The Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) is a computer communication network established within a city; it is the closest broadband IP network to users. At present, MAN mainly uses dedicated equipment to provide services; this, however, presents a series of challenges such as long development cycle, lack of flexibility in deployment and difficulty in function expansion. Based on the development of Software Defined Network (SDN)/Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and new network technology, the industry puts forward a new development direction for MAN cloud.

At present, domestic and foreign operators are actively exploring MAN cloud deployment schemes. From the perspective of network evolution, MAN cloud should aim at meeting the convergence load of broadband, mobile and government-enterprise services, and thus at becoming a new type of MAN that is agile, intelligent, efficient and secure thanks to its improved flexibility. In order to provide guidance to the research and development of equipment, and to accelerate the deployment of MAN cloud-based solutions, the China Communications Standards Association (CCSA) organizes and promotes the development of relevant sector standards.

In January 2021, the WG1 (General Network and AI Application Working Group) of TC3 (Network and Business Capabilities) organized the draft of the sector standard “Reference Architecture and Technical Requirements for Cloud Metropolitan Area Network”. The standard, which was jointly led by China Telecom, ZTE and Huawei, provides a universal reference framework for the realization of MAN cloud, standardizes the key technical requirements, and guides the research and development of related technologies and products; therefore, it has an important reference value for promoting the integrated development of cloud and network.

The Chinese original news is available at:

http://www.ccsa.org.cn/detail/3981?title=TC3WG1%E9%80%9A%E8%BF%87%E2%80%9C%E4%BA%91%E5%8C%96%E5%9F%8E%E5%9F%9F%E7%BD%91%E5%8F%82%E8%80%83%E6%9E%B6%E6%9E%84%E5%8F%8A%E6%8A%80%E6%9C%AF%E8%A6%81%E6%B1%82%E2%80%9D%E6%8E%A8%E5%8A%A8%E7%BD%91%E7%BB%9C%E4%BA%91%E5%8C%96%E5%8F%8A%E4%BA%91%E7%BD%91%E4%B8%80%E4%BD%93%E5%8C%96%E5%8F%91%E5%B1%95