The move to Industry 4.0 is driving the digitalization of enterprise processes and creating a need for new services to effectively manage applications within their supporting IT networks In this article, we explore how enterprise networks need slicing to create secure and reliable application connectivity and where 5G can enable digital transformation. What is network slicing and why is 5G beneficial? Network slicing is the ability to logically partition a network, in that a piece of the network is separated and dedicated to a specific purpose. A network slice, once configured, is only available to the consuming user or application, however, a slice is not a point-to-point pipe but is a virtual network layer that might include multiple endpoints using multiple technologies and domains spanning geographically separated sites. For example, an application using a 5G endpoint might need to send data to endpoints hosted in Wi-Fi and fixed network domains that in turn may span different sites. A network slice ensures the integrity, availability, and quality of the data connection. In 4G and many Wi-Fi and IP domains, the data transport mechanism is often shared by many users or applications. In these earlier networks, data traffic is aggregated and transported on the shared connection which can result in transport delays when network traffic is high. One, well documented, objective of 5G is to support three generic service slices with heterogeneous requirements these being enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (MMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). This can be achieved by the public network operator slicing their network and selling access to these preconfigured slice types to enterprises. This will meet the requirement to deliver performance guarantees and isolation from other services, however, the enterprise has little control over how its applications consume such a slice. In 5G the slicing functionality enables different data connections to be separated and transported independently. Inside these individual connections, enterprise application end-to-end network slices can be configured. This means each enterprise application can have a dedicated slice within that enterprise's mobile private network. This creates a need for new slice management service solutions. Enterprise applications may or may not need to transport application content outside their private network. Only when needed are enterprise application slices transported using a slice managed by the public network operator. Being able to logically slice the end-to-end network creates new opportunities to manage industrial processes as the data transport service, quality and availability can be controlled. Enterprise application led network slicing opens the way to new services to meet on-demand access to end-to-end network slices. For example, an application can request the service it needs and no longer rely on IT network over-provisioning to deliver that service. This, in turn, saves and avoids the enterprise operational cost to purchase and maintain excess equipment. How will 5G transform industrial processes and connectivity during Industry 4.0? In Industry 4.0 digital technology is added to the physical industrial processes of a business or enterprise. Digitalisation includes adding the innovative technology needed to make these processes more efficient. These technologies might include:

• Using the internet of things to collect and control data
• Cloud computing to process data
• And artificial intelligence to make decisions that improve the physical process

5G is an enabler to Industry 4.0 It extends the capability for data transport from legacy wired and wireless solutions into a fully cellular system. There are benefits to using 5G when compared to 4G, of increased capacity and reduced latency as well as new functionality to slice the data transport layer. Whilst the consumer benefits from greater network capacity and faster transport speeds, enterprises benefit from being able to separate their applications and data connections increasing security within their IT networks and reducing application data resource contention. Where are the new slicing services emerging and what are they? Network slicing unlocks a new era of application-led network control requirements. Solutions for enterprises to create and manage end-to-end enterprise network slicing are needed. This in turn enables enterprise DevOps teams responsible for applications to interact with the network and dynamically manage the network from their applications. For example, an application that needs network capacity for a specific period each day will be able to configure its network slice to meet that capacity when the period starts and then release it at the end of the period. Currently, this capability is not available in most networks. Network slice management solutions need to be accessible to enterprises with the capability to control different network elements from different vendors, using different technologies and in different network domains. Once control capabilities are established, solutions are needed to assure that slice resources requested are delivered consistently by all the technologies and domains included in the slice. When performance deviates or does not meet expectations, solutions are needed to identify the underperforming subsystem for troubleshooting, maintenance, or upgrade. Additional capabilities are needed to manage performance issues in situations where software reconfiguration can be used to adaptively manage a network slice. In conclusion, new opportunities to create efficiency and effective control within enterprise private networks are emerging. The introduction of 5G cellular enables a new level of connectivity to enterprises. Enterprises need greater autonomy to manage their IT networks and public network connections to introduce new applications that enable the digitalisation of their operations.

By Paul Cooper | 2022-09-11