Session Aims & Scope
The session on Digital Twin Network aims to exchange ideas on research and application of digital twin technology in networking and communication fields. With the fast growing of the network scale, accommodating and adapting dynamically to customer needs becomes a big challenge to network operators. Digital twin technology can help build a virtual and real-time representation of physical network, so as to help the network designers to achieve more simplification, automatic, resilient, and full life-cycle operation and maintenance. Moreover, Artificial Intelligence techniques and their innovative application in network infrastructure will become essential tools and enablers for supporting the deployment of digital twin network systems in toward various network applications.
The session will focus on the following points
- Requirements and use cases on network life-cycle management based on digital twin technology
- Closed loop control and network automation based on digital twin
- Data storage and service on building network digital twin
- Network modeling of network elements, topology and various network functionality
- Introducing AI/ML algorithms on data modeling based on digital twin network
- Network management and optimization based on concepts of digital twin network
Session Chair(s)
Chair
Tao Sun
Chief Expert of China Mobile, China Mobile Research Institute (China)
suntao@chinamobile.com
Co-Chair
Diego Lopez
Senior expert, Telefonica I+D, Spain (Spain)
diego.r.lopez@telefonica.com
Co-Chair
Stephen Terrill
Senior expert, Ericsson, Swed (Australia)
stephen.terrill@ericsson.com
Session Presentation
1.
Jörg Niemöller
Expert of Analytics and Customer Experience
Ericsson (Sweden)
Title: The Role of Network Digital Twins in Achieving Autonomous Networks
Abstract
A network digital twin is a digital representation of a real-world object synchronized at a specified periodicity and fidelity, and is a powerful concept which can be applied to telecommunication networks in many ways. One such application is in supporting the common challenge that the telecommunication community is pursuing – that of achieving an autonomous network. The Telecom Management Forum (TMF) has being progressing the evolution of a number of concepts in the support of an autonomous network. An autonomous network has to work through a number of scenarios in order to decide on the best course of action, where a digital twin can be of a great support. This presentation will explore how a digital twin can support in achieving an autonomous network in telecommunications.
2.
Chen Tian
Professor
Nanjing University (China)
Title: Digital Twin of Digital Networks
Abstract
The digital twin of a network digitally reproduces the physical network by collecting data from the physical network, including data packets, configuration information, node status, etc., in real-time or non-real-time manners and storing it in a data warehouse. This supports the use of artificial intelligence, expert experience, big data analysis, and other technologies to analyze, diagnose, simulate, and make decisions for the entire lifecycle of the physical network. This report will present the preliminary progress made by the NASA research group at Nanjing University in the area of digital twins for networks.
3.
Jose Manuel Manjon
Telefónica ID (Spain)
Title: Telefónica’s Approaches to NDT descriptors
Abstract
Network Digital Twin (NDT) as a technology for real network emulation requires frequent updates to their topologies. Telefónica proposes not only the use of data models to describe and change those topologies, but also additional formats compatible with Intent-Based interfaces so the NDT can run specific experiments and provide feedback helping to take decisions on the real network.
4.
Mario Sanz Rodrigo
Professor
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (Spain)
Title: Open Source for NDT infrastructures
Abstract
The concept of the digital twin of a network is based on the digital representation of real network elements or environments and enables the exchange and feedback of data between the twins. In recent years, the application of this concept in areas such as cyber security, intelligent management or network optimization has aroused the interest of science and industry. This presentation explores the challenges associated with the implementation of NDT environments and proposes a set of platforms and technologies that enable the creation of these virtual environments where DTs can be hosted
5.
Blanca Lopez
PhD Candidate
Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain)
Title: Exploring and Building Digital Twins for Quantum Key Distribution Networks
Abstract
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks, which use the principles of Quantum Mechanics to securely distribute cryptographic keys to remote entities, stand out as one of the most attractive and significant applications of quantum communication technologies. Still, quantum devices and equipment are in a developmental stage, making their availability low and their price high, and hindering the settlement of these new technologies. In this talk, we explore the benefits of using digital twin technology to advance QKD network research. We introduce Quditto, a software solution designed to deploy and configure emulated QKD networks, enabling researchers to conduct experiments and simulations without requiring physical quantum equipment or risking the integrity of existing QKD networks. Quditto is a first major step towards the creation of a quantum digital twin, that will enable hybrid deployments and communication in real-time with the physical infrastructure, a line we are currently working on.
6.
Cheng Zhou
Project Manager
China Mobile Research Institute (China)
Title: Exploration of key technologies and standardization of network digital twin
Abstract
Network digital twin has become a research hotspot in academia and industry. With the development of technology, the key technology and application value of network digital twin are gradually recognized and agreed. This report discusses the core technologies of network digital twin, including real-time data acquisition and processing, modeling of complex network environment, and network verification. And the report also analyzes the current standardization progress and challenges in the field of network digital twin, and puts forward some possible standardization paths and suggestions to promote the wide application of network digital twin technology in various network domains.