Abstract: A cloud radio access network has a radio access network to run all base band functions on commercial of the shelf hardware with virtualization. Virtualized network functions run on virtual machines and on software containers. Some network functions have very strict data transmission latency, throughput, bit error rate, security, block error rate, service quality, experience quality, traffic, requirements that these virtualized network functions satisfy. A method employs container and virtual machine technologies with selecting the right technology with a container virtual machine (CVM) scheduler and a software instance (SI) scheduler.

Abstract: A method of communicating between a cloud base band unit and a plurality of remote radio heads including Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) link, Ethernet/Enhanced/Evolved Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI), CPRI repeater, eCPRI repeater, CPRI router, eCPRI router, CPRI layer bridge, and eCPRI layer bridge. The communication method involves changing the CPRI and eCPRI layer split based on the CPRI and eCPRI link capacity, changing layer split based on remote radio head (RRH) layer split capability, and changing the CPRI signal and the eCPRI data packet route based on the RRH load.