Evaluating Time-Sensitive Networking Features on Open Testbeds

Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) is vital to enable time-critical deterministic communication, especially for applications with industrial-grade requirements. IEEE TSN standards are key enablers to provide deterministic and reliable operation on top of Ethernet networks. Much of the research is still done in simulated environments or using commercial TSN switches lacking flexibility in terms of hardware and software support. In this demonstration, we use an open Cloud testbed for TSN experimentation, leveraging the hardware features that support precise time synchronization, and fine-grained scheduling according to TSN standards. We demonstrate the setup and operation of a Linux-based TSN network in the testbed using our modular Centralized Network Configuration (CNC) controller prototype. With our CNC we are able to quickly initialize the TSN bridges and end nodes, as well as manage their configurations, modify schedules, and visualize overall network operation in real-time. The results show how the TSN features can be effectively used for traffic management and resource isolation.