(ChinaIT.com News) Fixed wireless access (FWA) is one of the key technologies for realizing 5G services through remote access in the 5G era. Its features are enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-high reliability and ultra-low latency communication (uRLLC) Communicate with a large number of machines (mMTC). Compared with traditional fixed broadband that requires a lot of infrastructure, FWA technology saves the cost and operating expenses of communication service providers (CSPs) to a large extent.
As more and more communication service providers launch their 5G services, the competition becomes more fierce. Communication service providers must find new innovative features beyond high speed and high reliability in order to win the favor of customers. This is where network slicing comes into play. Different companies in the same industry can set different attributes for data transmission. Network slicing provides each company with a customized solution under a single physical IT framework. It needs to use multiple virtual network layers, divide traffic into several groups, and retain different attributes for each group. (figure 1).
Figure 1. 5G Networking Slicing for Diversified Services.
The color spectrum in Figure 1 shows the combination of four logical networks under a shared physical infrastructure, where each color represents a virtual independent layer (horizontally sliced in the network topology) to meet specific service level requirements related to application scenarios (SLR). Low latency is the primary task of traffic telematics, and high availability of services is the key to maintaining operations. For example, email and web browsing can be managed in a “best effort” domain, because a delay of a few seconds is unlikely to cause unbearable inconvenience to users. Here, network slicing becomes a very effective way to utilize network resources and create innovation.
Desktop uCPE already has many basic functions, such as virtualization and SD-WAN, support for wireless connections, multiple ports, such as copper ports and fiber ports that combine different link speeds.
These uCPEs can be deployed in 5G infrastructure, where network slicing services are provided by 5G-NR base stations, but in this case, the number of uCPEs should be equal to the number of IoT devices, as shown in Figure 2.
The dynamics of 5G services in each application scenario increase the complexity of the optimization solution, which further increases the challenge. For example, considering many aspects such as platform selection switch function, 5G connectivity, processor computing power, etc., equipment combination decision-making is not easy. In addition, there are software considerations that need to support slicing and easy deployment.
Figure 2. Networking Slicing with for diversified Services.
Understanding the importance of FWA advantages and in order to maximize 5G performance, Xinghan launched the nexCPE™ product line. The product line is designed to meet the requirements of future networks, including network infrastructure and multi-core computing to support more NVF. The nexCPE™ product line consists of 3 types of equipment: entry-level desktop platforms for SMB applications, mid-range 1U rack-mount platforms for branch offices, and high-end 1U rack-mount platforms for enterprise use.
The first series in the DFA 1163 series has 3 SKUs, all powered by Intel Atom®The C3000R processor is powered and tailored for wireless broadband applications, including wireless gateways, security gateways and edge computing uCPE. Compared with traditional uCPE, DFA1163 meets the requirements of the 5G era. The series provides two CPUs with different core counts, multiple I/O port types, port counts, and link speeds. Optional features include Wi-Fi 5/6, 4G LTE and 5G support, and optional PoE+ functions. The SDN/NFV software stack can run on this white box to realize network virtualization and optimization. Most importantly, 8 ports support the Ethernet switch function for network slicing.
In the test, the DFA 1163A SKU was selected as the nexCPE™ product line model, which is based on FWA’s remote access to 5G services. In order to implement network slicing technology, DFA 1163A has a powerful 8-core processor and 8 LAN ports, supporting Ethernet switches. It was tested in a 5G independent networking (SA) environment created by O’Prueba in the laboratory. The 5G SA environmental conditions are generated by AMARI Callbox, which acts as 3GPP compatible gNodeB, EPC and 5GC, and allows functional testing of NR, LTE, LTE-a, LTE-M and NB IoT devices. The detailed test configuration is described in Table 1.
Table 1. NETWORK SLICING TEST SETUP
Items | Description | Items | Description |
---|---|---|---|
System | DFA 1163A | 5G Sub 6G module | Thales MV31-W |
CPU | C3758R, 8 cores | Test Equipment | AMARI Callbox |
Memory | 64 GB | Test Tool | Scapy 2.3.2 |
OS | Ubuntu 18.04.5 LTS 5.4.53 | Test Server | NSA 7150 |
The test topology is shown in Figure 3. Four IoT devices are connected to DFA 1163A uCPE via wireless broadband. DFA1163A is forwarding data traffic to AMARI Callbox, using UPF as gNodeB for packet forwarding (IP, TCP UDP) and backhaul.
Figure 3. Network Slicing Test Topology in 5G SA Network Infrastructure with Professional uCPE.
For the test, four different types of IoT devices were selected, each with a corresponding priority. Please refer to Table 2 for details.
Table 2. IOT DEVICES CONNECTED TO DFA 1163A FOR NETWORK SLICING TEST
Device | IP address | VLAN | Characteristics | Application examples |
---|---|---|---|---|
IoT device 1 | 192.168.1.1 | VLAN 200 | Mid priority, latency sensitive device | -IP camera -IIoT sensor |
IoT device 2 | 192.168.2.2 | VLAN 300 | High priority, critical operations | -Robotic arm -Autonomous vehicle |
IoT device 3 | 192.168.3.3 | VLAN 400 | Low priority, other services | -IP gateway -Gaming |
IoT device 4 | 192.168.4.4 | VLAN 500 | Lowe priority, high availability services | -Mobile phone -IoT sensor |
Each device has its own unique IP address, bypasses the Amari Callbox (covering RU, DU and CU stages) through DFA 1163A, and then enters the data center. When the server receives the data, it will capture the same IP address to confirm that the network slicing function is enabled. The test results confirmed that DFA1163A is ready to provide network slicing services in 5G non-independent networking (NSA).
Network slicing is a relatively new technology for experiencing 5G end-to-end services. The nexCPE™ product line is equipped with a series of rich functions, providing 5G advantages for applications widely deployed in 5G NSA and SA networks.
The test results prove that DFA1163A not only provides a variety of connection flexibility and high scalability, but also can establish a stable connection, and has the ability to set priorities. As a professional uCPE device, a single device can cover several IoT devices at the same time, while each mainstream uCPE can only cover one IoT device. The nexCPE™ series provides a comprehensive solution, with each model addressing specific challenges in the 5G transformation. The nexCPE™ product line can be used together in a network infrastructure, but at different levels. DFA 1163 is designed for internal deployment applications of small and medium enterprises, FTA 1170 is a multi-purpose device, and FTA 5180 is designed for access to the central controller. This combination is superior to other single-scale solutions in terms of functionality and service quality, and is an important choice for the expansion and maintenance of 5G enterprise networks.
nexCPE™ series is equipped with Intel processor, FTA 5180 is equipped with next generation Intel®Xeon® D processor, while the FTA 1170 and DFA 1163 series are powered by Intel Atom®The processor provides support to adapt to various application scenarios. At the same time, nexCPE™ can maximize the resource pool of virtual network deployment, and is widely used by IT professionals in various scenarios and use cases, covering public and private 5G networks.
About Xinghan
TEL: 86-10-57042680
Email:marketing@nexsec.cn
http://www.nexsec.cn
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