Solution Brief

Private 5G Networks
for Industrial IoT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming businesses across industries becoming one of the
main drivers of the fourth industrial revolution. Corporations are looking forward to Industry 4.0
and are increasingly integrating intelligence into their operations for a competitive edge. Factories,
warehouses, ports, airports, hospitals, grids, stadiums and cities are adopting the “smart” prefix
leveraging latest advances in big data, edge computing, cybersecurity, robotics, Augmented and
Virtual Reality (AR/VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). At the core of the smart organization, the so-
called Industrial IoT (IIoT) creates an autonomous network of smart sensors and machines that
collaborate to improve productivity and services without the need of human intervention.

The realization of IIoT relies by definition on the underlying network. This has traditionally been
implemented through a combination of wired and wireless technologies but the increasing number
of connected devices, their mobile nature and rising security concerns are replacing these with
private mobile networks. Latest 5G New Radio (5G NR) technology reinforces this alternative, as it
has been specified to support reliable, low latency and broadband communications. The
Advantech Private 5G Network solution combines industrial-grade hardware with full-stack radio
access and core software in a fully integrated AI-enabled platform that provides enhanced data
security, broadband speeds, deterministic behavior, real time response and cost efficiencies to
enterprises deploying on-premises mission and business critical applications, building the
backbone for the smart enterprise of the future.
Solution Brief: 5G Edge Servers for the Open RAN

INDUSTRIAL IOT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Since first information technology (IT) systems entered the enterprise and where interconnected,
corporations are going through a continuous digital transformation that accelerates business,
improves flexibility and optimizes operations. In the past few years, the cloud has led this digital
transformation enabling software-as-a-service models that have democratized enterprise
applications. However, Industry 4.0 and the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) are pushing the
network to its limits. Increasing security, responsiveness and reliability concerns open the door to
hybrid architectures where business and mission critical applications can be deployed on premises.

Some Industrial IoT applications that can benefit from onsite secure, low latency and high
bandwidth wireless communications include:

 Industry 4.0: visual inspection, predictive maintenance and fully autonomous or remote
controlled machines are leading the fourth industrial revolution heavily relying on real-time
data and ultra-high definition (UHD) video-based AR/VR and AI to build smart factories
 Smart warehousing: asset location and tracking combined with the use of unmanned
vehicles enables warehouse goods to be received, organized and shipped automatically
minimizing turnaround times and improving capacity
 Oil and gas: from production to consumption, real-time decision making based on vast
data gathering and analysis is essential to minimize security risks and optimize production
in an industry driven by accuracy and efficiency
Solution Brief: 5G Edge Servers for the Open RAN

 iHealthcare: real-time management of critical medical resources, flexible equipment

mobility and enhanced patient services are some of the highlights of future smart hospitals
 Smart stadiums: live viewers able to upgrade their experience with enhanced 4K/8K video
streaming to each individual seat of the venue, which can also leverage 5G connectivity to
improve stadium security, broadcasting services and onsite purchases
 Smart city: local authorities around the world are working towards greener metropolitan
areas being smart mobility the focus of their efforts to address urban transportation
challenges

Private 5G Networks can replace wired local area networks in industrial deployments where a fixed
communication infrastructure is not feasible due to physical constrains or increasing number and
mobility nature of connected users or devices. 5G New Radio offers a combination of essential
security, reliability and performance enhancements over other wireless technologies as it has been
designed from the ground up to meet business and mission critical applications needs in three
main categories: Ultra-reliable and Low-latency Communications (uRLLC), Enhanced Mobile
Broadband (eMBB) and Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC). In addition, network
functions virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN) technologies are
democratizing mobile technology enabling stand-alone, low-footprint solutions that are viable
for enterprise use.

Private 5G Networks can meet IIoT communication needs including:

 Data security: private network end-to-end security based on strict access control through
advanced user and device authentication and network isolation protecting sensitive data
and devices
 High availability: full network ownership, carefully selected industrial-grade components,
custom network planning and self-managed maintenance are some of the factors that help
achieve virtually zero downtime ensuring service continuity
 Low latency: latest 3GPP Release 16 focuses on 5G NR uRLCC and IIoT use cases providing
up to 99.999% reliability with millisecond-level latency
 High throughput: heavy-duty intelligent AI and video-based applications including 4K/8K
UHD live streaming can leverage private 5G greater and dedicated bandwidth for higher
upload and download speeds over 1 gigabit per second
 Cost efficiency: private network solutions based on NFV, SDN and open standards allow
for lighter, flexible and future proven communication infrastructure solutions that can be
managed as another enterprise IT system
Solution Brief: 5G Edge Servers for the Open RAN

PRIVATE 5G NETWORKS FOR INDUSTRIAL IOT

The Advantech Private 5G Network solution provides enterprises with an integrated connectivity
platform tailored for IIoT. It creates a wireless network delivering onsite secure, reliable and
performant communication services to smart devices. Advantech private 5G solution uses
virtualized and open standard networking software that can scale performance for indoor and
outdoor deployments, from small to macro cells. In addition, the platform can be leveraged to
deploy cloud-based private mobile networks that provide 5G connectivity to remote sites and is
centrally managed from headquarters.

Advantech private network solution is based on SKY-8000 Series of 5G Edge Servers. These are
highly configurable ruggedized platforms designed to balance Intel® Xeon® processor
performance across high density PCI Express card payloads in a compact form factor. The systems
are cost effective, highly available and have been workload-optimized for the network functions
virtualization infrastructure (NFVI).

The solution integrates software from leading ecosystem partners to provide all functions
required to build private 5G IIoT networks. On the radio side, the virtual Radio Access Network
(vRAN) provides 5G NR air connectivity to smart sensors, devices and machines. Its virtualized and
open nature allows for additional Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) and software defined WAN (SD-
WAN) applications enabling enhanced IoT and enterprise communication services. The solution
can be deployed stand-alone (SA) or non-stand-alone (NSA) through different packet core
software options including a 4G virtual Evolved Packet Core (vEPC) or a low-footprint 5G Core
(5GC) supporting network slicing.

Advantech Private 5G Network Solution Tailored for Industrial IoT

Solution Brief: 5G Edge Servers for the Open RAN

Advantech streamlines solution evaluation and deployment by providing enterprises with a fully
integrated small cell demonstrator that can be easily deployed on premises delivering all required
elements to run private 5G IIoT networks in a ruggedized rack. The demonstrator can be
configured to meet different performance and functionality needs in indoor or outdoor scenarios.

Advantech Private 5G Network Demonstrator

based on Intel® Select Solutions for NFVI

Advantech Private 5G Networks can be deployed in collaboration with system integrator and
service provider partners for additional wide area, roaming, spectrum, planning, installation,
operation, and management services. Enterprises can also apply for 5G spectrum in countries
where authorities have allocated parts of it for industrial use.

As an active 5G and IIoT ecosystem player, Advantech is continuously working with hardware,
software, system integrator and service provider partners to deliver advanced private network
solutions integrating state-of-the-art computing and networking technologies. For more
information on our latest developments, please contact us at cloud.iot@advantech.com.
Solution Brief: 5G Edge Servers for the Open RAN

THE CARRIER-GRADE ADVANTAGE

Advantech has been providing mission critical hardware to the world’s leading service providers
and telecom equipment manufacturers for over 20 years. Whether it is wired or wireless, virtual or
physical nodes at the core or the edge of the network, Advantech’s products are embedded in the
telecommunications infrastructure that the world depends upon.

ADVANTECH SKY-8000 5G EDGE SERVERS

Deployed Globally in Telecom and Industrial

Business and Mission Critical Applications
Solution Brief: 5G Edge Servers for the Open RAN

Platform Differentiation: DESIGN

More than CPU Performance Robustness

Unlike IT servers, SKY servers are designed SKY servers have been designed to withstand
from the ground up to optimize throughput high shock and vibration levels and provide
and offload required by communication unique thermal properties. They can operate
workloads. The systems not only combine at high temperatures in both clean and dusty
powerful CPUs with support for high thermal environments. With short depth models
design power (TDP) PCIe cards but also starting at 11” (280 mm), SKY-8000 servers can
carefully balance I/O between multiple easily be deployed in telecom racks and
processor sockets (NUMA balanced). These outdoor cabinets. Their service friendly design
performance and density advantages and its front to rear airflow combined with our
maximize system throughput in energy integration service ease product development
efficient, smaller footprint deployments which reducing technical and schedule risks.
reduces total cost of ownership (TCO).

Base Design Optimized for five 9's availability & carrier grade use cases

PCI Express Balanced between sockets and PCIe slots (Gen3, Gen4, and coming Gen5)

Thermal design No shading between CPU sockets, memories and IO cards

Thermal Spec NEBS performance at max. configuration

Platform Differentiation: RELIABILITY

High Availability Advantech`s IPMI which reduces MTTR and

costly on-site services.
In business and mission critical applications,
service interruptions result in the loss of Secure & Serviceable
valuable data, revenue and customers. To
All SKY-8000 Series serviceable items are Field
minimize system downtime, our servers do
Replaceable Units (FRUs) accessible from the
more than just use the reliability features of
front or rear of the chassis. While optimizing
the processor platform: Advantech's advanced
MTTR, this also enables advanced physical
design yields higher margins and lower
security via intrusion detection sensors.
component stress for improved platform
Security-optimized BIOS and IPMI firmware,
reliability. The servers support single failures of
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) support, and
critical components such as power supply
the option to leverage internal SSDs as boot
modules and fans. In addition, redundant BIOS
and application drives allow for a clear
and FW images not only provide a safe way to
separation between user and manufacturer
recover from component failures but also
privileges.
offer remote fail-safe update capabilities via
Solution Brief: 5G Edge Servers for the Open RAN

Thermal design Optimized design yields lower component stress / better MTBF

Redundant BIOS Yes

Redundant firmware Yes

Remote update BIOS and firmware

Failsafe upgrade Yes

Serviceability All FRU-able components are front/rear swappable

Platform Differentiation: LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT

Integration, Customization & Design Full Life Cycle Support & Global Services

Advantech takes a complete platform Advantech operates a totally integrated value

approach with the SKY server line to help chain starting from in-house R&D and self-
solution providers offload the complex system owned factories to global logistics and
integration and validation services of PCIe integration centers as well as local field
cards from Advantech and third parties. We support engineers. That allows us to apply
integrate, test and deliver fully integrated strict Bill-of-Materials (BOM) control and to
systems. Solution providers can also leverage provide a “No Surprises” policy to our
our Customized COTS framework for semi- customers across the full product life span.
custom electronic or mechanical design as Our products are supported by a global
well as full product branding including service network that enables worldwide
artwork, packaging and BIOS firmware strings operations. Our Regional Service Centers help
or IDs. As we design and manufacture all our give quick responses to changing business
sub-assemblies we are able to modify and needs with ready to go packages including
optimize any element in the system to suit a extended warranty, advance replacement,
specific market or customer need. pick-up, fast repair and on-site services.

Design IP Full Ownership

Manufacturing Self-owned factories (designed, developed, and built in Taiwan)

Life cycle & warranty 5 + 2 years life cycle. Extended warranty up to 5 years

Design freeze Full BOM freeze including (customized) BIOS and FW

Product Change Notice Advance notice for all proposed changes

BIOS/Firmware/Software Clear release policy with advance notice; tailored SLA available

Global Services 4 logistic hubs, 14 service centers and branch offices in 26 countries
Solution Brief: 5G Edge Servers for the Open RAN

Platform Differentiation: ECOSYSTEM COLLABORATION

Advantech works closely with leading silicon, virtualization, software, system integration, service
provider and enterprise partners to jointly address the challenges of open and disaggregated
networks bringing to market optimized solutions that have been verified to perform well together.
Selected SKY-8000 server configurations verified as Intel Select Solutions for NFVI can be used by
communication service providers to build a coherent virtual infrastructure for seamless access,
central office and core network transformation toward cloud native 5G architectures. Verified
platforms are capable of sustained optimized data and control plane processing for workloads
spanning the 4G and 5G wireless functions found in vRAN, vEPC, 5GC and UPF, as well as in the
wireline network gateway functions vBRAS, vBNG and vCMTS. This pre-validated, pre-optimized
solutions accelerate deployment and time to revenue, while reducing integration risk for
communication service providers.
Advantech Contact Information

Hotline Europe: 00-800-248-080 | Hotline USA: 1-800-866-6008

Email: cloud.iot@advantech.com

Regional phone numbers can be found on our website at http://www.advantech.com/contact/

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