5G Network Emulation and Monitoring Solutions

Welcome to another edition of GL’s newsletter! Here, we discuss our 5G Core Network Test Solutions, designed to help network operators, equipment manufacturers, and service providers ensure seamless 5G performance and reliability. These solutions offer emulation of complex network environments, comprehensive testing of 5G core components, and real-time performance monitoring. These solutions optimize functionality, identify potential issues, and support the delivery of high-quality services to end users.

5G Core Network Test Solutions

Overview

GL’s Message Automation and Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) suite offers 5G emulation capabilities for Windows® and Linux® platforms enabling rigorous testing and troubleshooting of network infrastructure, software applications, and User Equipment (UE) for compliance. MAPS™ 5G Emulators test 5G NR Base Stations (gNBs) and 5G Core Network Functions (NFs) according to 3GPP standards.

Using mobile phones and emulated components, the 5G Lab setup operates in real-time to make VoNR calls and interwork with 4G and VoIP networks. It also provides pre-configured scripts, covering general messaging and call flow scenarios for multimedia call session setup and control over IP networks.

MAPS™ 5G: Multi-User, Browser-Based Platform for 5G Functional and Load Testing

MAPS™ is enhanced to support Linux® environments, offering users expanded deployment options. With MAPS™ web interface, the 5G emulation and testing tools are accessible on Linux® web servers, making it more adaptable to varied network infrastructure and development needs. The platform includes a user-friendly, multi-user interface that supports multi-location access, enabling easy configuration of test parameters from anywhere and on any device.

This all-in-one solution enables emulation, testing and validation of 5G network components across a wide range of interfaces, including N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12, N13, N17, N21, N22, N29, and N51. By supporting both functional and load testing for signaling and traffic, this test suite is essential for developing and deploying 5G systems. It can also generate high volumes of signaling and user traffic to evaluate the scalability and stability of network components, ensuring they can handle heavy loads and meet performance expectations.

Advanced 5G Network Emulation and Testing Solution

The 5G Network's End-to-End architecture connects the 5G Access Network (gNB), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Session Management Function (SMF), Equipment Identity Register (EIR), Short Message Service Function (SMSF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and User Plane Function (UPF) to data servers, Application Functions (AF), and the EPC/IMS core, enabling seamless interoperability.

The MAPS™ framework thoroughly tests the functionality and performance of the core network and its entities, supporting multiple base stations and tens of thousands of UEs along with 5G core elements. This approach uniquely allows for replacing any network element with the device under test, facilitating wrap-around testing.

GL’s End-to-End Wireless Network Emulation Test Suite offers an advanced, fully functional live network environment at your company premises, customizable to meet specific testing requirements. This test suite provides vendors and service providers with reliable, integrated solutions for emulating, monitoring, and troubleshooting any wireless network, including 5G, 4G, and 3G. All functionalities conform to industry standards.

Remote Operation and Automation

MAPS™ 5G emulators support remote operation, automation, and multi-site connectivity through Python APIs. Users can control the MAPS™ server to configure tests, emulate calls, and precisely manage each call to perform actions like playing pre-recorded voice files, record incoming traffic, and transmit or detect digits and tones. Users can also use commands to generate and receive calls. The MAPS™ server application includes this client application.

Sample Python Script

Sample Python Script

Efficient 5G Network Monitoring

In addition, GL’s 5G Protocol Analyzer monitors 5G networks effectively, capturing, decoding, and gathering statistics across the N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12, and N13 interfaces. This provides valuable insights to support efficient 5G network operation.


Key Features

  • Generate Control Plane signaling and User Plane traffic in 5G networks
  • Emulates all 5G interfaces including N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12, N13, N14, N17, N20, N21, N22, N29, and N51
  • Supports HTTP2/TLS and Rest APIs emulation in 5G Core
  • User-friendly web-based interface supports multi-user and multi-location access, allowing users to configure test parameters
  • Supports a Command Line Interface through a client-server model, enabling users to control all features via Python APIs
  • Each MAPS™ server can receive multiple Python client connections and offer independent execution to each Python client. A single Python client can connect to multiple MAPS™ servers
  • MAPS™ 5G Lab enables end-to-end testing using real and simulated UE's
  • MAPS™ 5G Interworking Lab can test interworking calls between 5G, IMS, 4G, 3G, and 2G networks
  • 5G Analyzer captures, segregates, monitors, and collects statistics on all calls over N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12, and N13 interfaces of the 5G network
  • Traffic generation and verification over 5G, including VoNR (Voice), Web (HTTP), and more with additional licenses - Mobile traffic core – GTP and Mobile Traffic Core – Gateway
  • Generate tens of thousands of UE Signaling sessions for load testing
  • Generates and processes NGAP/NAS (valid and invalid) messages
  • Insert impairments to create invalid messages
  • Customization of call flow and message templates using Script and Message Editor
  • Scripted call generation and automated call reception
  • Provides Call Statistics and Events Status, Automation, Remote access, and Schedulers to run tests 24/7

Back to Newsletter Index Page Back to Newsletter Index Page