Existing contracts often require the implementation of specific network applications – usually associated with high costs for router operating system modifications or a severely limited hardware selection. Learn how container virtualization offers a flexible and cost-effective solution to both challenges.
What you can expect:
- Flexible container virtualization for modern train Wi-Fi
- Challenge: Technically demanding WLAN integration
- Innovative solution: Use of container virtualization
- Success through collaboration and technological innovation
- Advantages of container virtualization: Security and efficiency
- Fast onboarding and efficient network management
- A successful partnership with potential
Flexible container virtualization for modern train Wi-Fi
Challenge: Technically demanding WLAN integration
Implementing reliable passenger Wi-Fi on 14 Alstom Lint54 trains operated by AKN proved to be a technically demanding challenge. Due to existing contracts, the Wi-Fi had to be provided via Deutsche Telekom’s “Hotspot as a Service” offering . Kontron Transportation , responsible for project implementation and ensuring compliance with the Service Level Agreements (SLAs), faced the task of developing a solution that met these requirements while simultaneously enabling efficient network management.
Innovative solution: Use of container virtualization
Instead of undertaking a costly integration of the Telekom hotspot into the router’s operating system, Kontron opted for an innovative strategy: the use of container virtualization . Unwired Networks, an experienced specialist in edge computing, joined the project, offering a flexible solution with its hardware-agnostic operating system, the Unwired Edge Cloud OS . This software allowed Kontron to choose from a wide range of hardware vendors. To stay within the project’s budget, a cost-effective yet powerful Kontron/ Unwired Networks router was selected as the vehicle router. With an integrated SSD and ample RAM, the 5G router provides the perfect foundation for the Unwired Edge Cloud’s container runtime. This streamlined runtime makes it possible to leverage the numerous advantages of container virtualization on standard vehicle routers, thus eliminating the common practice of requiring dedicated hardware or complex firmware integration for each new in-vehicle application.
Success through collaboration and technological innovation
A key milestone in the project was the integration of the Telekom hotspot solution into an Open Container Initiative (OCI) container, which was successfully achieved through close and effective collaboration with Kontron and Deutsche Telekom. This paved the way for the full implementation of the solution.
Advantages of container virtualization: Security and efficiency
Container virtualization offers numerous advantages: In addition to increased security, it enables simple and rapid deployment as well as straightforward container management. The user-friendly interface of the Unwired Edge Cloud allows for effortless control of all vehicle network components. This enabled the Telekom container to be added to a network and put into operation immediately in just a few steps.
Fast onboarding and efficient network management
Following a brief onboarding session, Kontron was able to independently deploy the remaining containers and comprehensively orchestrate the networks in a very short time. Michael Lorenz, Sales CEE & PM at Kontron Transportation, was impressed by the efficient management of the vehicle routers: “Thanks to Unwired Networks’ solution, we can now handle complex network tasks much more easily and quickly. Integrating the Telekom hotspot as a container was a crucial advantage for us and our customers.”
Michael LorenzSales CEE & PM | Kontron
Raoul Bhatia, Head of Engineering at Unwired Networks, is also enthusiastic about the successful collaboration: “The cooperation with Kontron and Deutsche Telekom has shown how diverse the application possibilities of container virtualization are. Thanks to it, we were able to offer a tailor-made solution that is not only technically convincing, but also makes economic sense.”
Raoul BhatiaHead of Engineering | Unwired Networks
A successful partnership with potential
The result is a satisfied customer: AKN benefits from a robust, secure, and flexible WLAN solution that is optimally tailored to the requirements of modern rail transport. The successful collaboration between Kontron and Unwired Networks underscores that complex technical challenges can be efficiently overcome through the use of advanced technologies and the right partnerships. Furthermore, the flexibility of container virtualization opens up numerous new possibilities, and we look forward to expanding these in future joint projects with Kontron.
Participating companies
