5G Core and RAN Network Emulator
Emulate 5G core (5GC) SA network nodes and generate realistic HTTP/2 traffic between network devices on all interfaces including N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6, N7, N8, N10, N11, N12, N13, N22, N26, N27, Nnssf, Nausf, Nudm, Nnef, Nnrf, Namf, Nsmf, Npcf, Naf
Emulate 5G core (5GC) SA network nodes and generate realistic HTTP/2 traffic between network devices on all interfaces including N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6, N7, N8, N10, N11, N12, N13, N22, N26, N27, Nnssf, Nausf, Nudm, Nnef, Nnrf, Namf, Nsmf, Npcf, Naf
Overview
The Valid8 5G SA Core and RAN Network Emulator provides an all-in-one, cost-effective and ultra-portable 5GC network for development, demonstration, testing and training purposes.
What It Can Do For You
The 5G Network Emulator solution is capable of simulating network nodes and and testing devices individually or in parallel. There are options available to include a real base station. if you need to use real UEs or IoT devices with traffic generation, or our simulated RAN if you don’t need the RF interface. Subsystems can be switched on or off depending on how much of the network you need simulated.
Example: A network equipment vendor or service provider would want to test how their network would function in a real deployment.
- Will it properly handle Control plane and User plane traffic?
- Will it conform to 3GPP standards?
- How will it perform under load?
Why It’s Different
- Scalable software-based architecture can run on a range of hardware from COTS and high-end customer provided hardware to Virtual Machines and the Cloud (e.g. Amazon AWS) for maximum versatility and performance
- Web-based UI makes the emulator easy to learn and customize
- HTTP API enable integration with automation test systems and other equipment
- Stateful modeling provides accurate emulation of network elements
Features
- Emulates some or all of core network, exposing all internal interfaces
- Can run alongside 4G and 3G core network emulators
- Conformance tests available for each interface
- Emulators available per subsystem
- OTA connection available for UEs and IoT devices
- True stateful simulation
- Signaling request/response messages for call handling, mobility management, authentication, QoS
- Report on media received, call connect time, call duration, jitter, packet loss
- Generate valid and invalid/negative messages and call-scenarios (fully editable scenarios)
- Supports sending invalid messages including malformed, dropped, and misordered packets
- Check parameters in messages from SUT and flag errors
- 3GPP-compliant interfaces
5G NR gNodeB:
- Release 15 compliant
- FDD/TDD FR1 (< 6 GHz)
- Up to 50 MHz
- Up to MIMO 4x4 in DL
- All SSB/data subcarrier spacing combinations
- EN-DC modes
- Modulation schemes Up to 256QAM in DL and 64QAM in UL
- NR Split Bearer 3, 3a and 3x
- eMBB use case
Subsystems
The Valid8 5G Network Emulator is compromised of multiple subsystems that are available individually or in parallel, and are scalable to fit your needs. The individual emulators are controllable through their call controllers, and the traffic can be captured through use of a remote capture tool such as Wireshark.
- Base station (femto or emulated)
- AMF
- SMF
- PCF
- AUSF
- UDM
- UDR
- N3IWF
- EIR
- MME
- SGW
- PGW
- OCS
- HSS
- PCRF
- ePDG
KPIs
- UE Context Transfer Request-Response time
- UE Authentication Request-Response time
- UE Reg Status Update Request Response time
- Attach Requests/Successes/Fails
- Detach Requests/Successes/Fails
- Dedicated Bearer Requests/Successes/Fails
- Current Active Sessions/ Bearers
- Number of Sessions/ Bearers Created
- Attach Request Response Time
- Dedicated Bearer Setup Request Response Time
- Detach Request Response Time
- Authentication Request Response Time
- Tracking Area Update Request Response Time
Configurable Parameters
- Mobile Country Code
- Mobile Network Code
- eNodeB Type
- IP Address eNodeB
- Primary DNS Address
- Secondary DNS Adress
- MAC Address Public Gateway
- Integrity Algorithm
- IP Address to assign UEs on LAN
Automation API
User commands can be fully automated using REST API. This includes performing all test control functions as well as collecting results and metrics. It can be integrated into virtually any CI system via the HTTP API, including Jenkins, CircleCI, Gitlab and others.
Scripting
The application’s subsystems can be edited directly in the browser using TDL or by using the graphical tools. The Message Workshop allows for creating of test scenarios directly from the hex stream of a remote capture, while the Graphical Editor (on the feature roadmap for 2019) will allow for creating customized call scenarios by dragging and dropping the call flow to meet your test needs.
Use Cases
eNodeB Under Test
In the scenario where the eNodeB is to be tested, it can be tested by the Valid8 4G Network Emulator emulating the core network. Additionally, load and conformance tests are available for interfaces S1-MME and S1-U. In the case where the eNodeB needs to be tested on the RF side, it can be tested by the Valid8 4G UE Emulator.
Supported Scenarios:
- Power on / Start up
- Attach
- TAU
- Attach
- eRAB Setup
- Detach
- X2 handover
- Emulates MME (for S1-MME) and SGW (for S1-U) along with all other needed core network elements, exposing all internal interfaces
- Conformance tests available for S1-MME, S1-U, and X2
UE Under Test
For testing UE or IoT devices, the 5G, 4G or 3G Network Emulators can provide the entire core network as well as an emulated or real base station depending on your test needs.
Supported Scenarios:
- Power on
- Attach
- Detach
- TAU
- Data Connection
- VoLTE Call
- End to end VoLTE test capability
- Includes real femto, pico, or microcell eNodeB
- Emulates all core network nodes and allows for data connection to external networks
AMF Under Test
For testing the AMF, the 5G Network Emulator can wrap around the node using the N1, N2, N8, N11, N12 & N22 interfaces. Traffic can be originated from real or emulated UE and IoT devices
Supported Scenarios:
• General Registration
• Registration with AMFre-allocation
• UE-initiated Deregistration
• Network-initiated Deregistration
• UE Triggered Service Request
• Network Triggered Service Request
• UE Configuration Update procedure for access and mobility management related parameters
• UE Configuration Update procedure for transparent UE Policy delivery
• UE Reachability Notification Request procedure
• UE Activity Notification procedure
• AN Release
gNodeB Under Test
In the scenario where the gNodeB is to be tested, it can be tested by the Valid8 5G Network Emulator emulating the core network. Additionally, load and conformance tests are available for interfaces N1/N2/N3. In the case where the gNodeB needs to be tested on the RF side, it can be tested by the Valid8 5G UE Emulator.
Supported Scenarios:
- Power on / Start up
- Attach/Registration
- Detach/Deregistration
- Session management
- Emulates AMF along with all other needed core network elements, exposing all internal interfaces
- Conformance & registration tests available for N1, N2, N3
SMF Under Test
For testing the SMF, the 5G Network Emulator can wrap around the node using the N4, N6, N10 & N11 interfaces. Traffic can be originated from real or emulated UE and IoT devices
Supported Scenarios:
• General Registration
• Registration with AMFre-allocation
• UE-initiated Deregistration
• Network-initiated Deregistration
• UE Triggered Service Request
• Network Triggered Service Request
• UE Configuration Update procedure for access and mobility management related parameters
• UE Configuration Update procedure for transparent UE Policy delivery
• UE Reachability Notification Request procedure
• UE Activity Notification procedure
• AN Release
NSSF Under Test
For testing the NSSF, the 5G Network Emulator can wrap around the node using the N22 interface. Traffic can be originated from real or emulated UE and IoT devices
Supported Scenarios:
- Selection of network slice using NSSAI
- Update information on S-NSSAIs
- Notification or removal of restricted S-NSSAIs
PCF Under Test
For testing the PCF, the 5G Network Emulator can wrap around the node using the N7 & N15 interfaces. Traffic can be originated from real or emulated UE and IoT devices
Supported Scenarios:
- Policy information provisioning at AMF
- Trigger information provisioning at AMF
- Policy information provisioning at SMF
- UE deregistration
UDM/EIR/AUSF Under Test
For testing the UDM/EIR/AUSF, the 5G Network Emulator can wrap around the nodes using the N8, N10, N12, N17 interfaces. Traffic can be originated from real or emulated UE and IoT devices
Supported Scenarios:
- General Registration
- Registration with AMFre-allocation
- UE-initiated Deregistration
- Network-initiated Deregistration
- UE Triggered Service Request
- Network Triggered Service Request
- UE Configuration Update procedure for access and mobility management related parameters
- UE Configuration Update procedure for transparent UE Policy delivery
- UE Reachability Notification Request procedure
- UE Activity Notification procedure
- AN Release
Summary of Specifications
The Valid8 5G Network Emulator is capable of simulating and testing several devices individually or in parallel and is scalable to fit your needs.
Specifications
3GPP TS 23.501 / ETSI TS 123 501 V15
3GPP TS 23.502 / ETSI TS 123 502 V15
IP
- 10,000 Mbps total throughput
Test Scenarios
- General Registration
- Attach and Default EPS Bearer Context Activation
- Attach / Reject
- Detach
- Tracking Area Update
- E-UTRA Handover
- PDN Connectivity Request
- HTTP Browsing
Network Emulation
- Simulated network delays and packet loss
Quality Testing
- VoLTE Voice Quality Analysis
- QoE
Product Details
Hardware
- Intel-based; scalable to meet performance needs
Options
- Conformance tests available for each interface
Operating System
- Protocol Engine (Linux-based)
User Interface
- Browser-based, touch-optimized graphical user interface
Automation
- HTTP API
Hardware dimensions
- M5: 19” x 15.75” x 3.5”; appx. 16.7lb
Power supply
- M5: 520W AC to DC, 100 - 240v
Note
- Actual throughput levels over radio may vary based on the 3rd party device manufacturer and software versions. Valid8 product specifications are subject to change at any time without notice.
Valid8 exports its products strictly in accordance with all US Export Control laws and regulations which shall apply to any purchase or order. Specifications are subject to change without notice.
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f: +1-781-996-3708
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