How does Cloud RAN support legacy systems?

Cloud RAN supports legacy systems primarily by providing interfaces to integrate with existing network infrastructures. This integration is crucial because many operators have invested heavily in legacy systems that are already in place. The ability to connect new cloud-based solutions with these older components allows operators to leverage existing resources while gradually transitioning to newer technologies.

By facilitating this integration, Cloud RAN enables seamless communication between modern and legacy systems, ensuring that operators can continue to provide service without the need for immediate, extensive overhaul of their existing infrastructure. This approach not only helps in preserving capital investments already made in legacy systems but also allows for incremental upgrades, minimizing disruption to service.

The other choices, while relevant to various aspects of network technology, do not directly address how Cloud RAN interacts with legacy systems. Replacing older hardware is not the primary role of Cloud RAN; rather, it focuses on compatibility and integration. Managing data storage solutions is an important function in many network architectures but does not specifically pertain to supporting legacy systems. Lastly, minimizing communication errors is a general objective of network design but does not specifically highlight the integration aspect that is central to Cloud RAN's relationship with legacy systems.