Since the emergence of the first computer networks, one of the biggest challenges faced by companies was the lack of standardization in the interconnection of machines from different manufacturers. In the beginning, each manufacturer developed its own communication mechanisms, seeking to keep customers loyal to its brand—a practice known as vendor lock-in. This limited users' choices by forcing them to purchase products from the same vendor. Notable examples include DEC computers, which used the DECnet protocol, and Novell systems, which used the IPX/SPX protocols. Experienced users may recall configuring NetBIOS in older versions of Windows.
As network technology evolved, new versions of protocols quickly emerged, often without compatibility with previous versions, exacerbating the problem of interoperability. Standardization of communication between networks was only achieved with the adoption of TCP/IP, an open protocol initially developed by DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) and later popularized by the University of California at Berkeley when it was integrated into BSD Unix. This advancement allowed the creation of the Internet as we know it today, ensuring communication between devices from different manufacturers in a unified manner.
Creating open standards that are accessible to any company or user is essential to the success of any systems architecture. Over time, companies realized that the standardization process could benefit everyone and began to define new standards. This led to the emergence of the first organizations responsible for defining and maintaining open communication protocols. The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) was one of the pioneers, maintaining and evolving TCP/IP and many other application protocols used on the Internet, such as those used for email, routing, and DNS. In this process, manufacturers also began to join these organizations, contributing and opening their own protocols.
Currently, several organizations are responsible for defining not only protocols, but also communication interfaces between systems, the famous APIs. In the area of mobile networks, the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) develops many of the technical standards for technologies such as 5G and 6G, while the GSMA (GSM Association) promotes the adoption and coordination of these standards with operators, in addition to initiatives such as OpenGateway. The WBA (Wireless Broadband Alliance) and the Wi-Fi Alliance are responsible for defining Wi-Fi standards, such as EasyMesh and OpenRoaming. There are also many other entities, such as ITU-T and W3C, with a large overlap in responsibilities. Typically, more than one organization works together to define the same standards, ensuring the evolution and interoperability of communication technologies.
For access providers, two organizations stand out: the TM Forum and the Broadband Forum. The TM Forum is responsible for defining communication interfaces between the various systems of a provider and for the Open Digital Framework (ODF) initiative, which brings together architectures and APIs (such as the Open Digital Architecture – ODA) for the integration of Telecom systems, enabling services such as Network as a Service (NaaS) and Connectivity as a Service (CaaS). The Broadband Forum deals with communication standards that range from the customer's home to the network core. Its authors include the famous TR-069 (CWMP) and TR-069 (CWMP) router management protocols. TR-369 (USP). Both organizations have the participation of the largest operators in the world, ensuring the interoperability of network devices and systems.
In Brazil, it is important to highlight the OpenRAN@Brazil program, an initiative of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) and the National Education and Research Network (RNP). By encouraging the adoption of standardized and open interfaces, the program seeks to reduce dependence on single suppliers and promote competitiveness, especially in the current scenario of disaggregated mobile networks and convergence between fixed and mobile networks. Through test platforms and experimental environments, OpenRAN@Brasil encourages startups and companies to integrate connectivity solutions, giving Brazil a greater role, including in international forums.
The evolution of computer networks has only been possible due to the adoption of open standards and protocols, which promote interoperability and innovation. These are fundamental concepts for Open Networking. The various organizations mentioned above play an essential role in this process, ensuring collaboration between manufacturers, operators and developers. In this way, end users benefit from an increasingly robust, flexible and unified communications infrastructure, driving continuous technological advances across the sector.
For Anlix, standards have always been a priority in the development of its products, as it is by following this standardization that the vendor lock-in. The company is a member of the Broadband Forum and a user of the OpenRAN@Brasil testbed. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of TR-069 standard, Anlix stands out in Latin America as a reference in router management, regardless of the manufacturer.
To ensure this compliance, each device that is compatible with the Flashman undergoes rigorous testing to verify that the router strictly follows the standard. Our Flashify router homologation system ensures that the thousands of parameters and management features work perfectly with the TR-069 protocol, ensuring that providers can manage their equipment in a standardized, robust and interoperable way.
Per Gaspare Bruno
CINO Anlix
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