In the 5G era, the Internet of Everything brings a wide range of scenarios and diverse needs, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and challenges for 5G bearer networks. The need for disruptive changes in network architecture and technologies has become inevitable. Let’s explore this with Network Communication Xiaobian.
For the 5G bearer network, it's not just about large bandwidth; other critical telecom requirements such as end-to-end service delivery, traffic isolation, low latency, and network protection must also be addressed. To meet these demands, ZTE has introduced the Flexhaul solution—a next-generation, end-to-end network solution for 5G bearers. Based on SDN technology from L3 to L0, Flexhaul provides a comprehensive technical system. As shown in Figure 1, the architecture supports L2/L3VPN services using SR/MPLS at the L2 layer, FlexE at the L1 layer, and extends standard FlexE technology. It offers end-to-end FlexE tunnels, enabling L1 switching, OAM, and protection. At the L0 layer, DWDM technology ensures good scalability and supports smooth future evolution.
Figure 1: ZTE's 5G Flexhaul Bearer Architecture
Flexhaul supports a flat network architecture and uses FlexE technology to enable multi-wavelength and multi-link bandwidth binding. This allows flexible expansion of network capacity and significantly enhances bandwidth scalability. To support ultra-low-latency uRLLC services, ZTE's FlexE Tunnel technology extends FlexE from the interface level to the network level, offering network segmentation based on FlexE Tunnels. As shown in Figure 2, Flexhaul can divide network resources (including bandwidth, delay processing, CPU, and VPN) into multiple virtual end-to-end networks. Each slice is logically isolated on the control and management planes, adapting to various service types and meeting user-specific needs. Additionally, protection switching based on FlexE tunnel technology can be achieved within 1ms, upgrading carrier-class protection to an industrial control level.
Figure 2: Network Slice Based on FlexE Tunnel
Now, let's focus on one of the key innovations in the 5G Flexhaul solution—FlexE Tunnel.
First, the origin of FlexE—decoupling service rate and physical port.
In January 2011, the OIF established the Flexible Ethernet research group. In July 2015, they released a draft, and in March 2016, they published the FlexE 1.0 standard (OIF-FLEXE-01.0). They also began drafting version 2.0. FlexE technology decouples the service rate from the physical channel rate. The customer service rate doesn't have to match the physical channel rate. For example, if the service rate is 400GE, the physical channel can be 100GE or another rate. The service can be transmitted across multiple physical channels, forming a virtual logical channel. This decoupling enables diverse service rates and multiple physical channel rates. Large-bandwidth services can use standard 25GE/100GE interfaces, and through port bundling and time slot cross-over technology, they can evolve smoothly from 25G to 400G and beyond, solving the problem of high-cost high-speed physical channels.
Figure 3: FlexE Technology Achieves Flexible Speed
Second, FlexE Tunnel technology—expanding FlexE to the network level.
Initially, FlexE was designed for point-to-point applications, focusing on large-bandwidth transmission. However, current standards are limited to physical interface technology, lacking consideration for end-to-end bearer and service protection. ZTE has expanded and improved upon existing FlexE standards, introducing the revolutionary FlexE Tunnel. This is the first industry innovation based on FlexE, providing an ultra-low latency, physically isolated, highly reliable end-to-end pipeline built at the FlexE channel level. It adapts flexibly to dynamic customer bandwidth needs. Technologies like FlexE time slot switching, OAM expansion, and ultra-fast protection switching extend FlexE from point-to-point interface technology to end-to-end networking technology, supporting 5G bearer solutions effectively.
The FlexE Tunnel solution from ZTE offers operators several advantages:
**Device-Level Ultra-Low Latency Forwarding**
FlexE uses time slot cross-over to forward user service flows based on the physical layer. User packets don’t need to be parsed in intermediate nodes, allowing real-time service flow forwarding. Single-hop device forwarding delay is less than 0.5μs, laying the foundation for low-latency services.
Figure 4: FlexE Switching for Ultra Low Latency Forwarding
**L1 End-to-End OAM and Fast Protection**
FlexE Tunnel expands overhead for end-to-end error detection and performance monitoring. OAM information includes CC/CV, LM, DM, RDI, LB, LT, LCK, TST, APS, etc. It also provides protection in the FlexE Tunnel to enhance customer service reliability. When a service fails in a tunnel, it quickly switches to another tunnel. Protection methods include 1+1 and 1:1. Since protection switching happens at the physical layer, it takes less than 1ms.
**Any Subrate Fragmentation, Physical Isolation, and End-to-End Hard Pipeline**
By integrating FlexE sub-pipeline features and physical layer slot-crossing, an end-to-end FlexE Tunnel rigid pipe can be built across the network. Intermediate nodes do not need to parse service packets, ensuring strict physical layer isolation. For example, a service between NE1 and NE4 establishes an end-to-end FlexE Tunnel 1, with intermediate nodes directly using physical layer cross-forwarding for a direct hop.
Figure 5: FlexE Tunnel with Physical Layer Isolation
Third, FlexE Tunnel Practice and Collaboration.
At the World Mobile Congress in Shanghai in June 2017, ZTE demonstrated FlexE Tunnel for the first time. The demo included service isolation, ultra-low latency forwarding, end-to-end OAM, and fast protection switching. The 3D Flexhaul pre-commercial device ZXCTN 609 was connected to a test instrument (data tester IXIA XM2), linked via 100GE links.
Figure 6: Shanghai Exhibition Demo Network Topology
This demonstration showcased ZTE’s FlexE technology, providing:
- End-to-end isolation scheme for FlexE Tunnel services
- Service protection switching technology under 1ms
- Single-hop device delay technology under 0.5μs
Based on verification data, ZTE believes FlexE has a natural advantage in implementing ultra-low latency and secure isolation for network slices, making it the best choice for 5G bearer forwarding technology.
In August 2017, ZTE and Telefonica completed the first phase of 5G bearer testing in Madrid, Spain, perfectly verifying the excellent performance of the 5G Flexhaul solution based on FlexE Tunnel in CPRI/eCPRI unified bearing, ultra-low latency, and fast switching.
In September 2017, ZTE successfully passed the first phase of China Mobile's 5G bearer SPN prototype equipment test. All test indicators met technical specifications, especially with single-node forwarding delay below 0.5μs. This laid a solid foundation and strong technical support for accelerating 5G commercialization.
As 5G wireless standards research deepens, 5G bearer standard research is expanding. ZTE actively participates in standard organizations, promoting 5G bearer standards. In ITU-T, ZTE submitted three proposals for 5G bearer requirements architecture and standard gap analysis in collaboration with China Mobile and others, and independently contributed three proposals for 5G bearer requirements and solutions. Among them, "FlexE Layer Network Model" is the first in the industry to propose a layered network model based on FlexE, innovatively extending current link-only FlexE technology to network technology, laying the foundation for 5G bearer standard research.
ZTE is the first in the industry to provide a complete 5G end-to-end product solution. It continues to promote the implementation of 5G bearer solutions, cooperating with benchmark operators in countries like China, Spain, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Australia.
The development of 5G is a continuous process of technological renewal. As a leader in the 5G era, ZTE will continue to innovate in the development of 5G-hosted technologies, solutions, and equipment, providing operators with competitive and cost-effective solutions. With 5G construction, ZTE is ready for new development opportunities in the 5G era!
This concludes our introduction to the 5G transformation of network communication—Ethernet: FlexE Tunnel. For more detailed and updated information, please follow eeworld. eeworld Electronic Engineering will provide you with more comprehensive and up-to-date content.
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