MWC 2018: Cisco and Vodafone Demonstrate Network Slicing

At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ​​network provider Cisco and mobile operator Vodafone demonstrated network cutting techniques using segment routing.


Cisco and Vodafone came together at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona to demonstrate new network segmentation techniques through segment routing, which is expected to be a vital component of future mobile network operators' 5G mobile networks (MNO)

It is expected that network traffic from mobile and wireless devices represents more than 60% of the total Internet Protocol (IP) traffic and that the number of devices in operation exceeds three times the world population by 2021, according to the most visual version of Cisco. Forecast of the network index: the growth in the demand for bandwidth and capacity will far exceed the demands that are currently made on the networks.

Network cutting through segment routing will come into play as a technique to help reduce and control latency for high-bandwidth applications such as video, games or augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR), which runs on networks mobile, improving customer service experience, hence the interest of Vodafone.

The operator has already started using segment routing technology to simplify its transport network operations by automating core functions to address congestion problems in its current 4G networks.

"Vodafone is very advanced in its network transformation journey," said Yvette Kanouff, senior vice president and general manager of Cisco's service provider business.

"Segment routing marks another example of how Vodafone is transforming its network operations with more software and technology in the cloud to offer innovative services more quickly and efficiently.

"Demonstrating this technology in front of the live audience here this week gives us the opportunity to share the surprise factor of how together, we are changing the face of the network."

Basically, segment routing is an IP traffic routing protocol that allows the transport layer to differentiate the way it delivers different applications, eliminating or bypassing legacy protocols, to facilitate network operations.

By deploying software-defined network (SDN) technology within the transport network, network administrators can create a low-latency "segment" (a virtual route through the transport layer) that guarantees the chosen types of traffic. , like video in consumer networks. perhaps automatic vehicle data or critical healthcare applications: they will always have an unhindered journey with the shortest end-to-end latency.

Cisco said segment routing should also bring improvements to the resilience of the network, using self-healing techniques to intuitively restore connectivity in less than 50 milliseconds if a problem occurs automatically redirecting traffic. This will provide better network uptime and allow faster updates.