F5G OpenLab: Enabling Twin Transition through Ubiquitous Fiber Connectivity

The paper introduces a new open laboratory, the F5G OpenLab, which aims at fostering the advancement of fiber-based solutions for everything. F5G OpenLab intends to aid in creating a sustainable and eco-friendly ICT industry and accelerate the digital transformation through autonomous networking solutions that are secure and trustworthy. In particular, the purpose of the F5G OpenLab is to establish an ecosystem for the validation of optical networking solutions that facilitate twin transition, provide a vendor-neutral platform for the assessment of vertical use cases, and enable the development of fiber-based solutions. It provides a platform to verify and unify next-gen networking solutions, access to early hardware and software releases, and unique testing and measurement facilities. Finally, the F5G OpenLab supports the development of blueprints for a green and digital transformation, capitalizing on the benefits of fiber technology for all industry sectors. We present its architecture as well as key features and capabilities. Moreover, we report several proof-of-concept demonstrations focused on industry 4.0 vertical use-cases.