Why Open RAN Needs a Smarter Site Controller
Enabling vendor-neutral integration and edge control with the SiteBoss® Site Controller
As Open RAN architectures gain momentum, telecom operators are redesigning their networks to be more modular, interoperable, and vendor-flexible. But behind the excitement of decoupling software from hardware lies a fundamental question:
Who – or what – controls the rest of the site?
Power systems, HVACs, batteries, rectifiers, and legacy transport gear remain mission-critical. Without unified visibility and automation at the physical layer, even the most open RAN sites can become operationally siloed. This is where Asentria’s SiteBoss® Site Controller delivers unmatched value.
1. The Missing Layer in Open RAN: Infrastructure Integration
Open RAN promises openness in the radio access network – but it does not solve the deeper infrastructure challenge. Most sites are still populated with mixed-generation equipment:
- Grid + battery + diesel + solar hybrid power systems
- HVAC units from multiple vendors
- Old serial-based rectifiers coexisting with IP-based routers
- A mix of old door open/closed sensors with modern motion detectors and IP cameras
Operators cannot modernize effectively without a site-level control layer capable of interfacing across all this diversity.
2. SiteBoss®: The Edge Controller Built for Multi-Vendor Networks
The SiteBoss® Site Controller was designed from day one to operate in multi-vendor telecom environments. It provides a unified control layer between your NOC, OSS, or automation platform and the physical assets in the field.
Open Protocol Support
SiteBoss supports a wide range of protocols out of the box:
- SNMP v1/2c/3 for legacy and modern equipment
- Modbus RTU and TCP for generators, rectifiers, HVACs
- Dry contact and analog I/O for passive sensors
- Serial for integration for older serial based systems
- Managed Ethernet ports for modern IP based controllers
- REST API for custom integration with cloud platforms and analytics tools
- Kafka and other new protocols for event-streaming ecosystems
3. Local Logic Execution: Real Control, Not Just Visibility
Open RAN emphasizes cloud-native orchestration – but not every decision should wait for the cloud.
SiteBoss includes a real-time execution engine that can run Lua scripts locally. This enables:
- Relay control logic for hybrid energy systems
- Safe generator starts when voltage thresholds are crossed
- HVAC shutdowns triggered by temperature, fuel state, or unauthorized access
- Load prioritization during energy shortages or SLA violations
With on-device logic, the SiteBoss ensures continuous operation even when backhaul is lost – critical in disaster scenarios or rural deployments.
4. Used in the World’s Largest Open RAN Network
Asentria’s SiteBoss® units are currently deployed in the world’s largest Open RAN commercial network – serving thousands of sites with a mix of urban, rural, and suburban topologies. This Tier 1 deployment confirms the product’s ability to scale in real-world, cloud-native, vendor-neutral environments.
5. Seamless NOC & OSS Integration
Open RAN environments demand integration flexibility – and SiteBoss delivers.
The system supports:
- Syslog, SNMP traps, and remote CLI for traditional OSS systems
- REST API for polling or pushing edge data into modern NOC dashboards
- Programmable alarms, event logs, and multi-variable condition tracking
- Support for backhaul-independent operation with secure out-of-band management
6. Why SiteBoss® Completes the Open RAN Stack
Open RAN gives you freedom at the radio and software layer. SiteBoss gives you freedom at the edge – where power, security, and resilience still determine uptime.
| Without SiteBoss® | With SiteBoss® |
|---|---|
| Siloed power & environment data | Unified control plane for all subsystems |
| Manual truck rolls for resets | Remote script execution and relay control |
| Fragmented vendor tools | Vendor-agnostic interface layer |
| Visibility without autonomy | Edge logic & automation scripting |
Conclusion: Real Openness Demands Real Control
As networks become more disaggregated, site-level integration is no longer optional — it’s strategic. The SiteBoss® delivers the reliability, openness, and field-tested control layer required to support next-generation Open RAN rollouts.
From energy resilience to multi-vendor orchestration, SiteBoss is the proven site controller trusted by Tier 1 operators deploying Open RAN at scale.
📍 Want to integrate SiteBoss® SiteBoss® as the enabler of Open RAN operations at scale? Contact our sales team to plan a DEMO
