Industry Specification Group (ISG) Non-IP Networking (NIN) Activity Report 2023
Chair: John Grant, BSI
Focusing on candidate network protocol technologies that could present alternatives to TCP/IP for tomorrow’s private and public mobile networks.
As long ago as 2015, mobile operators identified problems with the TCP/IP-based technology used in 4G. These included the complex and inefficient use of spectrum resulting from adding mobility, multihoming, security, quality-of-service, and other features to a protocol that was never designed to support them. In today’s 5G, fibre-optic, and satellite networks and beyond, network owners and service providers are therefore exploring new technologies that can serve their needs for advanced services better than the ageing TCP/IP stack.
ETSI’s Industry Specification Group on Non-IP Networking (ISG NIN) is standardizing protocols that will provide better support for 21st century use cases than that provided by the TCP/IP‑based networking used in current systems. The title ‘Non-IP Networking’ emphasizes that this new technology is not dependent on IP packet formats or protocols; however, it supports the TCP/IP suite as well as other systems such as Information Centric Networking and RINA (Recursive InterNetwork Architecture, ISO 4396).
ISG NIN is dedicated to the specification of alternative networking protocols to support today’s demanding applications, as well as being more energy efficient and easier to manage, hence driving a reduction in network operation costs. The group thus develops standards that define technologies that make more efficient use of capacity, are secure by design, and easily provide lower latency for live media.
The outputs of ISG NIN are initially applicable to private networks for applications such as factory automation, and to local area networks (wired and wireless) supporting time-sensitive applications such as sound reinforcement. It is anticipated this will expand to embrace public systems, both in access networks and eventually in radio elements.
In 2023 progress was made on development of a Group Specification, due to be published as GS NIN 004. This specifies procedures and packet formats for the carriage of Flexilink flows (both basic service and guaranteed service) over the DECT 2020 New Radio interface.
Work was meanwhile launched in February on a new Group Report – due to be published as GS NIN 0010 – that offers guidance on implementing non-IP networking over satellite access. It outlines options for replacing IP in the satellite access network stack with non‑IP networking, using Flexilink as an example. The report also compares KPIs against TCP/IP satellite networking, and details test methods, including suggestions for client/server/baseband/hardware modules. During the year a Liaison Statement was sent to TC SES requesting advice on implementing non-IP networking over satellite.
The ISG NIN Chair is also co-leader of the group developing IEC63448 (Low and Ultra-low Latency Communication and Control System) and Chair of Audio Engineering Society SC‑02-02 in which audio over Ultra-WideBand radio is being standardised.
A paper by the Chair and ISG NIN member Jeremy Foss titled “Flexilink: A Low Latency Solution for Packet Based Media” was presented to the 4th EAI International Conference on Technology, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Education in September.
See the full list of ISG NIN Work Items currently in development here.