# Reliable Slicing of 5G Transport Networks with Dedicated Protection

## TL;DR

This paper proposes a method for establishing reliable 5G transport network slices using elastic optical networks, focusing on resource-efficient dedicated protection through spectrum optimization and multi-path strategies.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining bandwidth squeezing and survivable multi-path provisioning to enhance spectrum efficiency in 5G transport slices over EONs.

## Key findings

- EONs provide significant spectrum savings over fixed-grid networks.
- Bandwidth squeezing reduces backup resource requirements.
- Multi-path provisioning improves spectrum utilization.

## Abstract

In 5G networks, slicing allows partitioning of network resources to meet stringent end-to-end service requirements across multiple network segments, from access to transport. These requirements are shaping technical evolution in each of these segments. In particular, the transport segment is currently evolving in the direction of the so-called elastic optical networks (EONs), a new generation of optical networks supporting a flexible optical-spectrum grid and novel elastic transponder capabilities. In this paper, we focus on the reliability of 5G transport-network slices in EON. Specifically, we consider the problem of slicing 5G transport networks, i.e., establishing virtual networks on 5G transport, while providing dedicated protection. As dedicated protection requires large amount of backup resources, our proposed solution incorporates two techniques to reduce backup resources: (i) bandwidth squeezing, i.e., providing a reduced protection bandwidth with respect to the original request; and (ii) survivable multi-path provisioning. We leverage the capability of EONs to fine tune spectrum allocation and adapt modulation format and Forward Error Correction (FEC) for allocating rightsize spectrum resources to network slices. Our numerical evaluation over realistic case-study network topologies quantifies the spectrum savings achieved by employing EON over traditional fixed-grid optical networks, and provides new insights on the impact of bandwidth squeezing and multi-path provisioning on spectrum utilization.