Distributed unit architecture for performing handover between distributed units in a vran

In a 5G telecommunications network including a centralized unit and a plurality of distributed units in communication with a radio unit, a method performed by the centralized unit for implementing a planned handover event in a virtual radio access network, the method comprising:

• preparing for an inter-distributed unit handover involving a switch from network traffic being communicated between a radio unit and a first distribute unit to network traffic being communicated between the radio unit and a second distributed unit;
• issuing a handover command, the handover command being associated with switching routing of network traffic using a first distributed unit to a second distributed unit;
• causing performance of the inter-distributed unit handover between the first distributed unit and the second distributed unit, wherein performing the inter-distributed unit handover includes:
• deactivating a first connection between the radio unit and the first distributed unit;
• and
• activating, after deactivating the first connection, a second connection between the radio unit and the second distributed unit, wherein activating the second connection includes causing fronthaul traffic to be routed to the second distributed unit;
• and
• causing a planned update operation to be initiated on the first distributed unit after performing the inter-distributed unit handover between the first distributed unit and the second distributed unit.

A system, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• memory in electronic communication with the at least one processor;
• and
• instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the at least one processor to:
• preparing for an inter-distributed unit handover involving a switch from network traffic being communicated between a radio unit and a first distribute unit to network traffic being communicated between the radio unit and a second distributed unit;
• causing a handover command to be issued, the handover command being associated with switching routing of network traffic using a first distributed unit to a second distributed unit;
• cause, in response to the handover command, performance of the inter-distributed unit handover between the first distributed unit and the second distributed unit, wherein performing the inter-distributed unit handover includes:
• deactivating a first connection between the radio unit and the first distributed unit;
• and
• activating, after deactivating the first connection, a second connection between the radio unit and the second distributed unit, wherein activating the second connection includes causing fronthaul traffic to be routed to the second distributed unit;
• and
• cause a planned update operation to be initiated on the first distributed unit after performing the inter-distributed unit handover between the first distributed unit and the second distributed unit.