ADVA Optical Networking will host a joint demonstration with BT to showcase end-to-end, multi-layer transport network slicing and assurance.
The demonstration, which takes place at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, will show how edge computing and network slicing techniques can help enable emerging 5G applications. It marks the beginning of a long-term research collaboration between the two companies, focused on network slicing implementations. Other technology partners involved in the demonstration include 6WIND, Accelleran, Athonet, Lumina Networks, Mavenir and Spirent.
Anthony Magee, director, business development, ADVA said: ‘Our demo shows that true end-to-end network slicing is ready for deployment. That means multiple network allocations using the same physical infrastructure can be delivered in parallel, not only in the radio access network (RAN) and mobile core network but also across transport and infrastructure resources. This technology will be vital for generating the flexibility and agility needed to bring incredible 5G applications to life.’
The showcase reveals how virtual network functions, such as evolved packet core components and virtual RANs, can be hosted at the network edge. It also demonstrates how network slices can span across multiple operators’ domains. This enables third-party transport network providers to offer fronthaul, backhaul and core connectivity services as well as edge compute capabilities supporting the same slicing techniques as the overall transport architecture. To achieve this, the demo underscores how orchestration technologies are required to compose end-to-end slices.
Maria Cuevas, head, mobile core network research, BT, commented: ‘By showcasing an architecture for wholesale services that can be efficiently reconfigured across all network layers through SDN control, we’re taking a big step forward. But this demonstration is really just the start of an intense period of research into network slicing. Our close collaboration with ADVA and other partners in this space will help us optimise our network for 5G and harness the technology’s potential to shape the future.’
ADVA also recently announced a partnership with Telehouse America, providing its data centre interconnect (DCI) platform to boost capacity between New York service locations and colocation facilities (see ADVA Optical boosts DCI capacity for Telehouse America).