Deutsche Telekom and Ericsson announced the first implementation of an integrated solution to customize and manage end-to-end network slices for enterprise cloud-based applications. In a proof-of-concept (PoC), the partners successfully instantiated a secure network slice that automatically connects to private cloud services.
The solution addresses an enterprise’s need to ensure employees get the network performance required for the smooth and secure operation of their cloud-based workplace applications. Designed for enterprise usability, it provides for automated configuration, provisioning, and end-to-end orchestration of the enterprise slicing service order. It is enabled without the need for any additional configuration by the user on their enterprise devices.
Within this integrated solution, a slice design tool enables an enterprise’s IT administrators to flexibly manage, monitor and analyze slice performance. Via a single management interface, the administrator can customize, order, configure, and manage an end-to-end network consisting of enterprise smartphone devices, a 5G network slice, and private cloud services. Enterprise employees can then access private cloud-based applications on their enterprise smartphone device via a secure network slice over the public network. The enterprise administrator can also make use of a variety of analytics services in the integrated solution to monitor and analyze the use of the customized network slice.
The advanced features and capabilities of the integrated solution which were tested and validated include an app-level configuration of the device using Mobile Device Management (MDM) and User Equipment Route Selection Policy (URSP). In addition, the Business Support System (BSS) exposes TM Forum APIs for integration into third-party management interfaces. That way, external management systems can incorporate slice ordering and management.
The proof-of-concept was implemented on a 5G Standalone (SA) testbed in a Deutsche Telekom lab with the enterprise smartphones connecting to a predefined set of private cloud applications. Ericsson provided the 5G Core network, Radio Access Network (RAN), and end-to-end orchestration including URSP.
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