Telco Cloud Platform RAN supports CPU C6 state, a power optimization feature. By virtualizing the CPU’s C-state parameter, Telco Cloud Platform RAN provides direct control to RAN workloads (vCU/vDU) to adjust the CPU sleep states based on the actual traffic load. This capability optimizes power consumption at cell sites.

Prerequisites

  1. ESXi 8.0 U3 or later.

  2. Enable Monitor/Mwait in the system BIOS settings.

    Example: On Dell servers, enable Monitor/Mwait under Configuration > BIOS Settings > System Profile Settings.

Procedure

  1. Create a nodepool VM by using the Photon BYOI template for VMware Tanzu Kubernetes Grid in Telco Cloud Automation 3.2.
  2. Instantiate the network function (example: TestNF) using the NF CSAR:
    1. Navigate to Telco Cloud Automation > Catalog > Network Function.
    2. Select a network function.
    3. Edit the network function in Infrastructure Requirements > Kernel Arguments as follows:

      1. Remove idle=halt.

      2. Set intel_idle.max_cstate to 6.

      3. Add cpuidle.off=0.


      Kernel arguments

      Kernel arguments
    4. Create a text file (example: testnf-c6-tuned.conf) with the following content. 
      #Enable C6 State
[cpu]
force_latency=-1

      Create a text file
    5. Upload the text file to the Artifacts/scripts directory, save the file as /usr/lib/tuned/c6/tuned.conf, and set Tuned Profiles to realtime,c6.

      Upload the text file
    6. Save the CSAR by clicking UPDATE PACKAGE or SAVE AS NEW.
    7. Instantiate the network function with the updated CSAR.

Results

The following attribute appears under the VM Advanced Parameters:

cpuid.5.0.edx

CPUID attribute

What to do next

Run the turbostat command in the VM and verify that the CPU C6 state is enabled.


Verify that CPU C6 state is enabled