Huawei releases X-Ethernet tech for 5G

Huawei has proposed a new X-Ethernet technology for 5G bearer networks at the ITU-T 2020 FG Workshop and Demo Day Wireline Technology Enablers for 5G conference in Swizerland.

The company has also proposed X-Ethernet for integrated fronthaul and backhaul networks to introduce likely 5G requirements including deterministic low latency and end-to-end network slicing.

Huawei’s Network 5.0 team has developed X-Ethernet to address the problems presented by the high bandwidth, determinacy, low-latency, hard isolation and low-cost requirements of 5G.

The technology includes innovations including a Layer 1.5 switch based on the native Ethernet kernel and compatible with traditional Ethernet, as well as hybrid multiplex with TDM-like characteristics and a flexible hard pipe based on an SLA-based path optimization algorithm.

Rival vendor Nokia Networks has meanwhile announced it teamed up with Vodafone to trial cloud-based radio access technology for macro networks as part of a project to evaluate methods to enable a smooth transition from 4G to 5G.

The trial at Vodafone’s testing facility in Italy used the Nokia Cloud RAN platform to evaluate the performance of centralized 5G-ready architecture.

“Working with Nokia on this trial we have seen how the application of Cloud RAN architecture can help the network react to changing demands quickly. It speeds up the delivery of services and will help with the transition to 5G,” Vodafone Group head of networks Santiago Tenorio said.