10 interview questions and answers on Open RAN

Here’s a list of questions and answers about the Open RAN. This guide can help you prepare for job interviews for O-RAN skill requirements.

List of 10 O-RAN Questions and Answers

Question 1: What is O-RAN?

Answer 1: Open RAN (Radio Access Network) is a disaggregated RAN architecture that uses open and interoperable interfaces between different vendors’ hardware and software components.

Question 2: What are the main components of an O-RAN architecture?

Answer 2: RU (Radio Unit), DU (Distributed Unit), CU (Centralized Unit), and RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller).

Question 3: What is the role of the RIC in O-RAN?

Answer 3: RIC manages and optimizes RAN functions using AI/ML through near-RT and non-RT platforms, enabling dynamic control.

Question 4: What is the difference between O-RAN and traditional RAN?

Answer 4: Traditional RAN is vendor-locked with proprietary interfaces, while O-RAN uses standardized, open interfaces allowing multi-vendor integration.

Question 5: What interfaces are specified in O-RAN?

Answer 5: Open interfaces like E2 (RIC to DU/CU), A1 (RIC to SMO), and fronthaul (Open FH) between RU and DU.

Question 6: What are the benefits of O-RAN?

Answer 6: Vendor diversity, lower CAPEX/OPEX, network innovation, scalability, and faster deployment.

Question 7: What are some challenges with O-RAN adoption?

Answer 7: Integration complexity, performance parity with legacy systems, interoperability testing, and security concerns.

Question 8: Name major companies involved in O-RAN development.

Answer 8: Rakuten, Telefonica, Vodafone, Jio, Mavenir, Parallel Wireless, and Altiostar.

Question 9: What is SMO in O-RAN?

Answer 9: Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) handles lifecycle management, orchestration, and configuration of O-RAN components.

Question 10: What is the function of O-Cloud in O-RAN?

Answer 10: O-Cloud provides the cloud infrastructure for hosting CU/DU workloads and RIC components in a virtualized manner.