Networking slicing on Windows 11 laptop
Ericsson, Intel and Microsoft have shown how to service end-to-end slices of bandwidth, using a Windows laptop and a 5G standalone network. With Intel chips processing Windows 11’s operating system commands, the Ericsson Lab in Sweden created multiple network slices on cellular-connected laptop devices. The exercise in the interoperability development testing (IoDT) ran some of the most demanding applications known to the WAN, from mobile gaming to enterprise collaboration applications. The demo proves the 5G can create a formidable Private Network for enterprises that can be apportioned with endless dexterity.
The network slicing trial adopted the User Equipment Route Selection Policy (URSP), by which devices can automatically choose the right slice for their particular application. The exercise also used Ericsson’s Dynamic Network Slicing Selection, Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core, and Ericsson’s RAN Slicing to ‘secure end-user service differentiation’. This combination delivers the required network capabilities for this solution.
The market for network slicing alone in the enterprise segment is projected at €275 billion ($300 billion) by 2025, says the GSMA. Using a single Windows 11 device to use of multiple slices pre-defined by the telco according to usage profiles and network policies, shows the flexibility and range of potential use cases for 5G’s grandstand feature.
This trial shows that smartphones aren’t the only money-making device in town and opens the door to more creativity from mobile network operators and comms service providers who are willing to expand their horizons. Laptops are the engines of enterprise productivity and the inclusion of Windows 11 makes network slices a mass market to address. Finally, Service Level Agreements might actually mean something.
All Windows apps and use cases from real-time enterprise applications like Microsoft Teams and Office365, through game/media streaming and tomorrow’s AI and augmented reality/extended reality (AR/XR) applications can be served, from each according to their ability to each according to their service level agreements, said Sibel Tombaz, Head of Product Line 5G RAN at Ericsson. “Expanding the range of devices for network slicing to include laptops will allow new business segments to create a variety of use cases for consumer and enterprises.”
Ericsson’s network slicing work with Intel and Microsoft puts more applications on more devices, spreads the benefits of 5G to consumers and convinces the enterprises that they can rely on Private G networks, according to Ian LeGrow, Microsoft Corporate Vice-President of Core OS Innovation. “We are thrilled to showcase 5G connectivity on Windows 11 [as it shows] our commitment to innovation and openness.”
You can see it at the Ericsson Hall during MWC Barcelona 2023 from February 27 to March 2.