The Changing Face of Telco Infrastructure
Telecommunication providers are rapidly embracing technologies like 5G, edge computing, Open RAN, and AI-driven automation. Yet, as innovation accelerates, data protection remains a crucial concern. The adoption of cloud-native architectures—especially Kubernetes—demands modern solutions that ensure data resilience, scalability, and operational continuity.
In this context, Trilio delivers purpose-built data protection for Kubernetes environments, enabling telcos to manage the complexities of cloud-native workloads. While OpenStack has been widely used for running Virtual Network Functions (VNFs), many telcos are now shifting towards Container Network Functions (CNFs) in Kubernetes ecosystems, both on-premises and in the cloud.
This article explores the best practices, operational challenges, and benefits of cloud-native data protection within modern telco architectures.
Telco Infrastructure Modernization with SUSE
Kubernetes has become the go-to platform for orchestrating Cloud-native Network Functions (CNFs). SUSE Rancher Prime leads this transformation, while KubeVirt enables the seamless operation of Virtual Machines (VMs) within Kubernetes, supporting VNFs.
SUSE Edge for Telco integrates these open-source solutions into a unified platform, providing a centralized management interface. This approach streamlines operations for both containerized and virtualized workloads, empowering telcos with a versatile and cohesive infrastructure for CNFs and VNFs alike.
Trilio: Next-Generation Data Protection for Kubernetes
Trilio’s data protection platform is designed specifically for Kubernetes. Fully integrated with the SUSE ecosystem, Trilio ensures data consistency, reduces downtime, and simplifies operational management through a cloud-native lens.
Managing CNF Lifecycle with Trilio and SUSE
The lifecycle of a Cloud-Native Network Function (CNF) involves three critical stages:
Day-0: Planning and Design
At this stage, telcos focus on:
Architecting CNF components
Choosing container and orchestration technologies
Preparing deployment manifests and Helm charts
Planning resources and Kubernetes compatibility
Day-1: Deployment and Setup
Key activities include:
Deploying CNFs with Helm and Kubernetes operators
Configuring integrations with other systems
Setting up observability tools for proactive monitoring
Establishing initial backup and recovery plans
Day-2: Ongoing Operations
This phase covers:
Continuous CNF monitoring and scaling
Rolling out updates and patches
Implementing robust backup and recovery mechanisms
Managing incident response and disaster recovery
Optimizing performance and resource utilization
Through these stages, SUSE and Trilio apply cloud-native principles, ensuring agility, resilience, and visibility in CNF management.
Trilio and SUSE: Integration Across CNF Lifecycle
Day-0: Preparation
Compatibility checks with SUSE Rancher-managed Kubernetes clusters (RKE2, K3s)
Resource planning for backup operations without altering CNF architecture
Easy deployment from SUSE Rancher UI
Agentless, software-only model for multi-cluster environments
Strategy planning for scheduling and retention policies
Day-1: Deployment
Deploying Trilio via Helm charts with Kubernetes operators
Defining backup policies, schedules, and encryption (LUKS 256-bit)
Application-consistent backups for CNF workloads
Storage integration with NFS, S3, or Container Blob storage
Developing initial disaster recovery plans and testing
Day-2: Operations
Continuous data protection with incremental backups
Disaster recovery with near-zero RTO using Continuous Restore
Automation through Ansible, Prometheus, Dynatrace, and more
Regulatory compliance with evidence-based reporting
Performance insights and synthetic full backups for efficiency
By embedding Trilio early, telcos ensure that data protection is foundational, not an afterthought.
Data Protection for Helm-Deployed CNFs
For CNFs deployed via Helm, Trilio offers seamless integration, delivering:
Consistent backup and disaster recovery
Simplified management workflows
Flexible storage options and encryption for security
Trilio’s Role in SUSE Virtualization
Beyond Kubernetes, Trilio integrates with SUSE Virtualization, an open, interoperable HCI solution built on KubeVirt and SUSE Rancher Prime. Key features include:
Native integration for VNFs and CNFs
Multi-tenancy with self-service backup/recovery
Vendor-neutral backup formats
Advanced security and ransomware protection
Zero-touch provisioning (ZTP)
Portability across hybrid and multi-cloud environments
Benefits for Telco Operators
The SUSE-Trilio stack brings significant advantages:
Freedom from vendor lock-in via open standards
Strong security for sensitive data
Unified management of CNFs, VNFs, and applications
Flexibility to support SUSE Rancher and Virtualization environments
Real-World Use Cases
Telcos leverage this joint solution for:
Protecting critical CNFs and VNFs
Enabling multi-cloud, multi-tenant data protection
Achieving regulatory compliance with secure backups
Ensuring business continuity through disaster recovery
Streamlining DevOps with declarative backup management
Conclusion
As telcos push towards 5G, edge computing, and Open RAN, the synergy between SUSE and Trilio offers a future-proof solution for cloud-native data protection. Together, they enable telcos to ensure data integrity, minimize downtime, and accelerate innovation, supporting initiatives like Project Sylva, where SUSE plays a pivotal role.
