🔧 Huawei iMaster MAE (Mobile Automation Engine)
Purpose:
MAE is designed specifically for mobile networks, such as 5G RAN (Radio Access Network) and core networks.
Key Functions:
- Automates parameter optimization using AI and machine learning.
- Continuously analyzes things like cell coverage, interference, and traffic to automatically fine-tune network settings.
- Helps operators improve user experience by optimizing the mobile network without human intervention.
- Also includes MAE-CN, which applies similar automation to core networks, handling network slicing, MEC, and cloud-network synergy.
Use Case:
Mobile network operators use MAE to enable autonomous mobile network operations — like a „self-driving“ network.
🧠 Huawei iMaster NCE (Network Cloud Engine)
Purpose:
NCE is a broader and more powerful platform for full-network automation and intelligence.
Key Functions:
- Converts business intent into network policies (intent-driven networking).
- Manages and automates multi-domain, multi-vendor networks — including data centers, enterprise campuses, WAN, and IP+Optical networks.
- Includes tools for real-time monitoring, AI-based prediction, automated provisioning, and closed-loop optimization.
- Comes in variants like NCE-Campus (for enterprise networks), NCE-WAN, NCE-DC (data centers), and more.
Use Case:
Telecoms and enterprises use NCE as the central brain for managing entire complex networks, often across multiple technologies and vendors.
✅ Summary Comparison
| Feature | Huawei MAE | Huawei NCE |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Mobile networks (5G RAN, Core) | Full network (IP, optical, data center, enterprise, WAN) |
| Focus | AI-driven parameter optimization for mobile networks | Intent-based networking and full automation |
| Use Case | Operators optimizing wireless/cellular networks | Enterprises and carriers managing entire network infrastructure |
| Automation Type | Mobile domain-specific (RAN & Core) | Cross-domain, multi-vendor, E2E automation |
| Examples | MAE for RAN, MAE-CN for core | NCE-Campus, NCE-WAN, NCE-Super |
The one that handles RAN (Radio Access Network) is:
✅ Huawei iMaster MAE (Mobile Automation Engine)
Why?
- iMaster MAE is specifically designed for mobile networks, including:
- RAN (Radio Access Network) — e.g., base stations, antennas, coverage, interference.
- Core network — through the MAE-CN module.
What it does in RAN:
- Uses AI and big data to optimize network parameters (like power, tilt, handover thresholds).
- Enables automatic detection and correction of issues like poor coverage or interference.
- Helps build a „self-optimizing network“ (SON) for 4G/5G.
Recap:
| Platform | RAN Involvement |
|---|---|
| iMaster MAE | ✅ Yes — Directly handles RAN optimization and automation |
| iMaster NCE | ❌ No — Focuses on transport, data center, and enterprise networks |
