Comprehensive 5G Network Testing, Emulation and Analysis

GL Communications Inc. is pleased to announce the latest edition of our newsletter, which provides insights into our 5G Core Network Test solutions. This solution helps network operators, equipment manufacturers, and service providers thoroughly test and analyze their 5G core networks, ensuring optimal functionality.

5G Network Testing

Overview

GL’s Message Automation and Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) suite offers powerful 5G emulation capabilities and the ability to emulate other protocols in the 4G, 3G, 2G, SIGTRAN, Time-Domain Multiplexing (CAS, SS7, ISDN, etc.) and Voice over IP (SIP, RTP etc.) domains. The MAPS™ software suite enables rigorous testing and troubleshooting of network infrastructure, software applications, and User Equipment (UE) for compliance.

GL’s 5G Emulators are designed to test 5G NR Base Stations (gNBs) and 5G Core Network Functions (NF) according to 3GPP standards. With the help of mobile phones and other emulated wireless networks, the 5G Lab setup can be operated in real-time for making VoNR calls and for interworking with 4G, 3G, 2G, PSTN, and VoIP networks. It includes ready-to-use scripts as per IETF specifications. Test scripts encompass general messaging and call flow scenarios for multimedia call session setup and control over IP networks.

End-to-End Connectivity in 5G Networks

The 5G network's End-to-End architecture connects the 5G Access Network (gNodeB), 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 or application functions and the EPC/IMS core, allowing seamless interoperability.

The MAPS™ framework accurately tests the functionalities and performance of the core network and its underlying entities with multiple base stations and tens of thousands of UEs, along with 5G core elements. This unique approach enables the replacement of any element in the network with the device under test, facilitating wrap-around testing.

GL’s End-to-End Wireless Network Emulation Test Suite offers an advanced, full-fledged live network at your company premises in any customized package to suit test requirements. The test suite provides reliable integrated solutions to vendors and service providers for emulating, monitoring, and troubleshooting any wireless network, including 5G, 4G and 3G. All functionalities conform to industry standards.

Optimizing 5G Testing with Remote Operation and Automation

MAPS™ 5G emulators have been enhanced to support remote operation, automation, and multi-site connectivity through Python Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Users can seamlessly control the MAPS™ server to configure tests, emulate calls, and exercise fine control over each call to perform various traffic actions, such as playback of a pre-recorded voice file, recording incoming traffic to a file, and transmitting and detecting digits or tones. Users can also generate and receive calls through commands. This client application is distributed along with the MAPS™ server application.

Efficient Monitoring and Analysis with 5G Protocol Analyzer

In addition, GL’s 5G Protocol Analyzer effectively monitors 5G networks, capturing, decoding, and collecting statistics over the N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12, and N13 interfaces, thereby providing valuable insights for efficient 5G network operation.


Key Features

  • Supports both Control Plane signaling and User Plane traffic in 5G networks
  • Emulates all 5G interfaces including N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12, N13, N17, N20, N21, N22, N29, and N51
  • Supports HTTP2/TLS and Rest APIs emulation in 5G Core
  • Supports 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
  • Supports wrap-around testing to completely test any 5G node functionality
  • 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
  • Capable of generating tens of thousands of UE Signaling (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

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