GL Enhances 5G Core Network Emulator Suite

GL Communications Inc., a global leader in telecom test and measurement solutions, addressed the press regarding their 5G Core Network Emulator Suite, which is enhanced to support N4 interface simulation.

“The 5G Emulator Suite comprises of the MAPS™ application, which is a multi-protocol, multi-interface simulation test tool. The N4 interface between SMF (Session Management Function) and UPF (User Plane Function) in the Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS) architecture simulation is as per 3GPP Release 15 standards,” said Vijay Kulkarni CEO of GL communications.

He further added, “MAPS™ simulates the 5G N4 interface between the SMF and UPF, implements CUPS in 5G core networks, providing control plane tunnel management and user plane Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions. The CP function controls the packet processing in the UP function by establishing, modifying or deleting PFCP Session contexts and by provisioning rules in UPF regarding packet handling, forwarding, and usage reporting.”

In addition, “At the N4 node level procedures SMF and a UPF interfaces are used to manage and establish the items that are not related to specific N4 sessions.”

Supported Procedures:

• PFCP Heartbeat
• PFCP Association Setup
• PFCP Association Update
• PFCP Association Release
• PFCP Version Not Supported
• PFCP Node Report
• PFCP Session related messages:

• PFCP Session Establishment
• PFCP Session Modification
• PFCP Session Deletion
• PFCP Session Report

Main Features

• Simulates 5G Core network functions - SMF (Session Management Function) and UPF (User Plane Function)
• Establishment, modification, and release of PDU sessions
• Supports control plane signaling and user plane traffic
• Generate and verify traffic over 5G, including FTP, HTTP, and more with additional licenses (Mobile traffic core – GTP) and Mobile Traffic Core – Gateway, and PacketLoad appliance.
• Generate ten thousand of UE signaling (Load Testing)
• Generate and process PFCP (valid and invalid) messages
• Automate with scripting and command line interface with APIs support
• Customize call flow and message templates using scripts and message editor
• Ready-to-use scripts for quick testing
• Automation, remote access, and schedulers to run tests 24/7

GL has already possessed N1 N2 interface in the 5G Core Network Emulator Suite, for more information please click MAPS™ 5G N1 N2 Interface Simulator.

Source: GL media announcement