OAI OAM
The OAI Operations and Maintenance (OAM) project is dedicated to enhancing the monitoring and control of Radio Access Networks (RAN). The project is responsible for developing and maintaining management interfaces defined by the O-RAN Alliance, including the E2 interface (O-RAN WG3), the Open Fronthaul M-Plane interface (O-RAN WG4), and the O1 interface (O-RAN WG10).
FlexRIC
FlexRIC (Flexible RAN Intelligent Controller) provides an O-RAN–compliant near–real-time RIC with an xApp SDK framework and E2 Agent emulators, following O-RAN WG3 specifications. Designed for adaptability and efficiency, it supports diverse use cases while maintaining a zero-overhead design for ultra-lean performance:
- RAT-agnostic, vendor-neutral architecture for flexible deployment and integration
- Extensive validation using profiling, code coverage, ThreadSanitizer, and AddressSanitizer
- Built-in O-RAN service models: E2SM-KPM and E2SM-RC
- Custom service models: E2SM-MAC, RLC, PDCP, GTP, TC, SC
- Supports ML experimentation in 5G networks through integration with OAI 5G stack, Keysight RICtest, and ns-O-RAN simulator
FlexRIC enables research, prototyping, and deployment of advanced RAN use cases in real-world and simulated environments.
How does FlexRIC differ from the O-RAN SC nearRT-RIC?
While both solutions share similar objectives and core functionalities, FlexRIC offers a lightweight, compact, and easily deployable design. It is optimized for flexibility and rapid experimentation, making it particularly well-suited for research, prototyping, and testing environments.
Open Fronthaul M-plane
OAI implements the 7.2 split interface based on the xRAN (O-RAN SC FHI) library, following O-RAN WG4 specifications and enhanced with Management Plane (M-plane) functionality. This integration provides robust management and monitoring capabilities between the OAI DU and commercial RUs:
- Automated NETCONF connection to each RU for capability discovery (RF parameters, compression, interface configuration)
- Subscription to PTP synchronization updates for precise timing alignment.
- CU plane configuration based on DU configuration files
- Validation across multiple bandwidths and MIMO setups, including multi-RU deployments with 8×8 distributed antenna arrays
- Performance management to monitor RU fronthaul counters and ensure reliable operation
The M-plane extension supports hierarchical or hybrid network architectures, offering a flexible, standards-aligned enhancement to the OAI 7.2 interface.
O1 Adapter
The O1 interface allows SMO-based control of gNB components (DU, CU, …) through OAI’s O1 adapter:
- Provides a NETCONF server with YANG models
- Forwards control and monitoring information
- Sends alarms when the RAN is offline
It delivers a flexible, standards-compliant interface for managing OAI RAN deployments.
OAI Graphic User Interface
OAI is working on a single Kubernetes operator, which can deploy all the different OAI network functions. Thanks to this, the operator will have the capability to recover from some failures and explain to the user the host-related configuration issues.
Helms Charts
The Helm Repository for OAI Network Functions provides Helm charts for deploying OpenAirInterface (OAI) 5G components, including Core Network Functions, RAN Network Functions, the RIC platform, xApps, and the raytracing channel emulator. These charts simplify deployment, configuration, and lifecycle management of OAI network functions in Kubernetes or OpenShift environments.
FlexRIC use cases
FlexRIC & OAI RAN
This video demonstrates the OAI 5G gNB deployed with an O1 adapter, exposing the O1 interface to the SMO. Using ONAP, the SMO monitors and manages the RAN, dynamically adjusting the gNB bandwidth to optimize service based on traffic load.
FlexRIC & Keysight
This demo highlights dynamic QoS management for two UEs in emergency situations. The RIC monitors cell congestion and UE throughput, adjusting QoS parameters in real time to ensure critical users maintain service quality without heavily impacting other traffic.
FlexRIC & ns-O-RAN
Orange Innovation Egypt integrated FlexRIC with ns-O-RAN, the first open-source simulation platform combining a 4G/5G protocol stack in ns-3 with an O-RAN–compliant E2 interface. The demo illustrates how the system monitors PRB usage, manages handovers, and deactivates underutilized cells, all while maintaining QoS observability throughout the scenario.
OAI OAM Roadmap
– October 2025
The following chart gives the roadmap of future implementations.
