5G LAN and Traditional Ethernet: The "Wireless Revolution" and "Classic Choice" for Industrial Networks

In enterprise network construction, "Ethernet" is almost synonymous with wired local area networks. For decades, it has become a standard feature in factories, offices and campuses, thanks to its advantages of stability, maturity and low cost. However, with the development of 5G technology, a brand-new networking method - 5G LAN - is quietly emerging and beginning to challenge the dominant position of traditional Ethernet. Under the wave of digital transformation, enterprise networks are confronted with unprecedented challenges such as the need for flexible connection of industrial equipment, real-time data transmission, and rapid adjustment of production lines. 5G LAN and traditional Ethernet may seem to be both network technologies, but in fact, each has its own "unique skills". This article will conduct an in-depth comparison between the two, clarify the choice ideas, and help you make a wise decision.

Basic principle

Traditional Ethernet is a local area network technology based on wired connections. Devices are connected to switches via network cables to form a fixed topology. It operates at the first layer (physical layer) and the second layer (data link layer) of the OSI model, relying on MAC addresses to achieve communication between devices, just like a "railway network". Once the wiring is completed, it is difficult to modify, and devices need to be rewired when moved.

Core advantage

• High stability: Wired connections are not affected by external interference, with stable bandwidth and extremely low latency (microsecond to millisecond level), enabling deterministic communication and performing exceptionally well in precise control scenarios.

• Mature and reliable: High degree of technical standardization, strong equipment compatibility, rich operation and maintenance experience. Industrial-grade products also support ring network redundancy, vibration protection, and wide-temperature operation, which can adapt to harsh environments such as electromagnetic interference and vibration in factories.

• Low cost: In the short term, the prices of hardware equipment (switches, network cables) are low, and the deployment threshold is low, making it suitable for scenarios with limited budgets.

• Efficient communication: Natively supports Layer 2 (data link layer, MAC sublayer) communication. Devices can achieve Layer 2 communication based on MAC addresses through switch forwarding, without the need for Layer 3 routing forwarding. For instance, PLCS (Programmable Logic Controllers) within a factory can directly exchange data without going through cloud relays. Advantage

Obvious weakness

• Complex wiring: In scenarios such as factories and warehouses, the cost of wiring is high, the construction difficulty is great, and the cables are prone to damage, with subsequent maintenance costs not being low.

• Poor mobility: The device position is fixed and cannot be flexibly adjusted, making it difficult to meet the networking requirements of mobile devices.

• Limited scalability: New devices require rewiring, the expansion cycle is long, and it is restricted by physical ports and wiring length. In the long run, flexibility is insufficient.

• Limited coverage: The distance is restricted by the type and rate of the cable. For instance, the upper limit of the transmission distance for unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cables at rates of 100Mbps and 1000Mbps is 100 meters.

  
  

5G LAN is a new type of 5G local area network (LAN) function defined by 3GPP in Release 16. It can be implemented based on 5G private networks or public network slicing, supporting the wireless establishment of local area networks by terminals. Through the coordination of wireless access networks (gNodeB base stations) and core networks (such as UPF network elements), By leveraging the wireless access capabilities of 5G to achieve the Layer 2 networking capabilities of traditional Ethernet, terminal devices can communicate in local area networks without wired connections, much like an "aerial highway", allowing devices to freely "shuttle" without being restricted by physical lines.

Core advantage

1. Wireless flexibility: No wiring required, supports mobile device access, and the network topology can be dynamically adjusted to meet the flexible networking needs of mobile devices such as AGV carts and robots.

2. Low latency and high reliability: Relying on the 5G URLLC (Ultra-reliable Low Latency Communication) feature, the air interface latency can be as low as 1 millisecond, which can meet the strict requirements for latency and reliability in scenarios such as industrial control.

   
   

3. Wide coverage capability: Through 5G base stations, it achieves extensive coverage, ranging from hundreds of meters to kilometers, making it suitable for large-scale factory areas, industrial parks, ports and other scenarios that require extensive networking.

   
   

4. Network slicing function: Supports dual resource isolation based on business requirements, namely "hard isolation (independent physical base stations, independent core network elements, independent spectrum, etc.) + soft isolation (logical tunnels)", to ensure the bandwidth and latency of critical services while enhancing network security.

5. Breaking through communication limitations: Early 5G networks were mainly based on IP (Layer 3) communication. However, 5G Lans achieve Layer 2 networking capabilities through technological innovations (such as UPF Layer 2 transparent transmission, Ethernet PDU sessions, and VN group management), simplifying network architecture, reducing latency, and supporting broadcast/multicast, enabling industrial equipment to "seamlessly go online".

6. Strong scalability: Supports dynamic terminal access, capable of connecting thousands of devices, adapting to future business expansion needs, and offers high long-term benefits.

Potential challenges

1. High cost: The initial deployment involves 5G core networks, base stations, terminal modules, etc., with significant investment. Moreover, it may require dedicated spectrum (which needs to be applied for independently or in cooperation with operators), or rely on dedicated slices on the operator's public network spectrum, resulting in considerable deployment costs.

2. High technical threshold: Professional teams are required for network planning, optimization and maintenance, and there are certain requirements for the technical reserves of enterprises.

3. The ecosystem is still being improved: The support for 5G LAN in some industry terminal devices is still being popularized, and the maturity of the industrial chain needs to be further enhanced.

   
   

Scenarios where traditional Ethernet is more suitable

• Fixed office environments: such as office buildings, meeting rooms, etc., have fixed equipment locations, high requirements for network stability, and limited budgets.

• Small factories and laboratories: Simple wiring, few devices, no need to frequently adjust the network layout, and sensitive to cost.

• Precision industrial control scenarios: such as the precise control of PLCS and robots in traditional factories, have extremely high requirements for latency (microsecond level) and determinism.

• Data centers: There is a strong demand for high bandwidth (up to 10Gbps or even higher) and low latency in communication between servers.

• The networking of fixed equipment in the park: Office computers, fixed video surveillance and other devices within enterprises and campuses place more emphasis on cost and maturity.

Scenarios where 5G LAN is more suitable

• Large-scale coverage scenarios: large factories, smart parks, ports, mines, etc., which require cross-regional and large-scale networking, and the wiring is difficult.

• Mobile device scenarios: AGV carts, mobile robots, forklifts and other devices that need to move flexibly, traditional wired networks cannot meet their mobile networking requirements.

• High-demand industrial control: For industrial scenarios such as flexible production lines with high requirements for network latency (millisecond level), reliability, and flexible networking, as well as remote control, both flexibility and performance need to be balanced.

• Temporary networking projects: Exhibitions, construction sites and other scenarios that require rapid deployment and flexible network adjustment, without the need for long-term wiring.

• Complex terrain scenarios: In the uninhabited areas of smart ports/mines, traditional cabling is difficult to cover, and 5G LAN is needed to achieve device networking and high-definition video transmission back.

Industrial routers are key devices for the implementation of 5G LAN. They are not only 5G access nodes for traditional industrial equipment but also the convergence bridge connecting non-5G terminals with 5G networks.

The core advantages of industrial routers

• 5G access capability: Supports 5G LAN function, providing stable and reliable wireless access to ensure efficient connection between devices and the network.

• Multi-interface compatibility: It simultaneously supports multiple interfaces such as Ethernet and serial ports (RS232/RS485), which can be adapted to various industrial devices and lower the threshold for device access.

• Edge computing support: Some high-end industrial routers are equipped with edge computing capabilities, which can process data locally, reducing the pressure of data transmission to the cloud and helping to lower end-to-end latency.

• Industrial-grade design: It adopts a wide-temperature, dust-proof, water-proof and vibration-resistant design, which can adapt to harsh industrial environments such as factories, mines and ports.

Typical application scenarios

• Intelligent manufacturing: Connecting PLCS, sensors, robots and other devices, promoting the wireless transformation of production lines, and enhancing production flexibility.

• Smart logistics: Provide stable network connections for mobile devices such as AGVs and forklifts to ensure the efficient operation of the logistics process.

  
  

• Smart energy: In scenarios such as substations and wind farms, it enables remote monitoring and control of equipment, reducing the cost of manual inspection.

• Smart park: It provides wireless access for security cameras, environmental monitoring equipment, etc., significantly reducing wiring costs and simplifying network layout.

• The evolutionary direction of industrial Ethernet

  Upgrade to "Industry 4.0", integrate with Time-sensitive networking (TSN), further enhance real-time performance, and meet more stringent industrial control requirements; Meanwhile, IT integrates with protocols such as OPC UA, breaks down IT/OT barriers, and realizes efficient data flow.

• The development trend of 5G LAN

  Become an "accelerator" for industrial wireless technology, deeply integrate with edge computing, achieve rapid local data processing, and reduce the pressure on the cloud. Reduce terminal costs through 5G-Advanced (such as RedCap) technologies and promote their large-scale application in more industries.

• Integrated deployment has become mainstream

  In the future construction of enterprise networks, fixed areas (such as data centers and core control areas) will still mainly rely on traditional Ethernet to ensure stability and cost-effectiveness. Mobile and wide-coverage scenarios (such as flexible production lines and the periphery of smart parks) are dominated by 5G Lans, providing flexible and efficient wireless access. The integration of the two will drive enterprise networks to evolve in a more flexible, intelligent and efficient direction.

5G LAN and traditional Ethernet each have their own merits and there is no absolute "optimal solution". When making a choice, it is necessary to consider your actual needs: If you pursue flexibility, mobility, and wide coverage, and can afford the initial investment, 5G LAN is a choice that conforms to the future. If stability, low cost, fixed connection are of greater importance and there is an extreme demand for latency, traditional Ethernet remains a reliable choice.

The future of enterprise networks is bound to develop in a more flexible, intelligent and efficient direction, and the collaboration between 5G LAN and traditional Ethernet is precisely an important driving force for this transformation. Only by understanding the essential differences between the two and treating the symptoms according to the scenarios can a truly efficient and reliable digital network be built.