Spectra2 for EPC Testing

Spectra2 for EPC Testing Robust implementation of Evolved Packet Core is key to a successful LTE deployment EPC OVERVIEW As the demand for mobile experience increases, both in-terms of bandwidth and applications, mobile network operators are turning to 4G LTE networks. Evolved packet core is the critical component of the LTE deployment as it introduces new elements such as policy servers, mobility servers, gateways, session controllers and charging systems all interconnected. These elements interwork via the Diameter protocol to exchange critical network, subscriber and service information. The volume and complexity of Diameter traffic places a very high demand on the EPC network elements raising reliability concerns of the network. To alleviate this problem, DSC and DRA elements are introduced, adding more complexity to the Diameter network. As you are getting ready to test your EPC, this specification helps you understand the various EPC network nodes, typical configuration challenges and Spectra2 features & capabilities to address your test needs. SUPPORTED TEST DOMAINS Spectra2 is powered by advanced signaling and media generation capabilities that enable high performance testing of protocols like SIP, Diameter, TCAP and RTP. This broad coverage of protocols helps you test and tune the following network nodes in Evolved Packet Core: Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC) Diameter Routing Agent (DRA) Mobility Management Entity (MME) Home Subscriber Server (HSS) Equipment Identify Register (EIR) Policy Charging Rules Function (PCRF) Policy Enforcement Function (PCEF) Online Charging Systems (OCS) Offline Charging Systems (OFCS) Authentication Authorization and Accounting (AAA) Spectra2 for EPC Testing www.tekcomms.com Page 1 of 8

EPC ARCHITECTURE The EPC network architecture includes four main functional areas: Diameter Routing, Policy Management, Mobility Management/ Roaming and WiFi-Offload. These functional areas span across three possible locations of the network that a subscriber could access their services HPMN (Home Public Mobile Network), VPMN (Visited Public Mobile Network) and Non-3GPP (Wifi or CDMA). Diameter Routing Nodes DSC (Diameter Signaling Controller): This element integrates all Diameter-based control elements by relaying messages among them. It handles traffic management, routing and load balancing across the Diameter elements to ensure scalability and manage congestion. DRA (Diameter Routing Agent): This element functionality is embedded into the DSC and is primarily responsible for the Diameter proxy function among the nodes to address network scalability and PCRF static binding with dynamic load sharing. DEA (Diameter Edge Agent): This element provides security and interoperability support to hide the operator s network architecture from the rest of the world. The DEA helps to gracefully control the flow of Diameter traffic by limiting the impact from internal signaling issues or malicious outside assaults. IWF (Diameter Interworking Function): This element provides protocol mediation and interworking functions that allow you to seamlessly manage 2G/3G-to-LTE and LTE-to-LTE roaming. Test Challenges Connectivity and Routing Testing Peer Connectivity Topology Hiding Admission Control PCRF Binding Route Management Load-Balancing Performance Attribute Testing Response Time Testing Open Transaction Testing Per port TPS Engineering Message Manipulation Testing AVP Add/Modify/Delete Signaling Adaptions Spectra2 Features Functional Testing Diameter Functional Tester Diameter Conformance Suites Full state machine control SCTP Link Control AVP Customization Diameter Interworking IP address randomization Traffic correlation capabilities Multi-node simulation Mixed interface scenarios SLF Simulation Simulate IMS functions Millions of Subscribers Million MPS traffic generation Less than 2ms loopback RTD Performance Cores Flexible Traffic Modelling Long Test Runs Spectra2 for EPC Testing www.tekcomms.com Page 2 of 8

Policy Management Nodes PCRF (Policy Charging and Rules Function): This element receives session and media-related information from the Application Function, such as the P-CSCF and controls policy decisions regarding the service data flow detection, gating, Quality of Service (QoS), and flow-based charging. This element is looked at as a bandwidth/resource optimization function as well a key node for new revenue generation. PCEF (Policy Charging and Enforcement Function): This element enforces policy, handles flow-based charging, controls QoS and the handles user plane traffic. It provides service data flow detection and counting as well as online and offline charging interactions. This function can be embedded into the P-GW (Gx), the S-GW (Gxc) in VPMN or the HSGW (Gxa) in trusted a non-3gpp network or the epdg (Gxb) in a WiFi-Offload network. P-CSCF (Proxy CSCF): This element is the first contact point for the users of the IMS Core. It proxies UE SIP signalling traffic into the IMS network and is usually embedded in a Session Border Controller or IMS Call Server. It is also responsible for charging triggers into charging/accounting systems based on the user s activity. Test Challenges Policy Rules Testing IPCAN Session Management Bill Shock Prevention Tiered Plans Fair Usage Smart Charging Boost Button Subscriber Policy Charging Systems Testing Event Charging Session Charging Unit Reservation Message Type Testing User Subscription Data User Behaviour Data User Status Data User Content OCS (Online Charging System): This element provides real-time charging capability based on user initiated events and sessions. It controls user sessions and services based on the available credits. Some OCS implementations also work closely with the PCRF in the policy decision making process. OFCS (Offline Charging System): This element collects charging information for network resource usage which is then passed on to billing systems in the format of a CDR. This element does not control user service/session usage in real-time as they are rendered. Spectra2 Features Functional Testing PCRF Bracket Testing CSCF Model for PCRF Testing PCRF Model for OCS Testing AVP Customization Rx Conformance Suite Rf/Ro Conformance Suite Full state machine control Flexible Nodes & Interfaces IP address randomization Traffic correlation capabilities Millions of Subscribers Million MPS traffic generation Less than 2ms loopback RTD Performance Cores Flexible Traffic Modelling Long Test Runs Spectra2 for EPC Testing www.tekcomms.com Page 3 of 8

Mobility Management Nodes MME (Mobility Management Entity): This element is critical to the network function of the EPC, managing session states, authentication, paging, mobility and other bearer management functions. HSS (Home Subscriber Server): This element manages user subscription related information such as identity, security, access and service profiles in real time, for multi-access and multi-domain offerings. SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node): This element handles subscriber mobility management, authentication and data network functions of 2G/3G networks. V-PCRF (Visiting PCRF): This element is responsible for policy management in a visited network working with enforcement (S/P-GW) as well as application (CSCF) functions to support roaming with local breakout deployments. DEA (Diameter Edge Agent): This element provides enables operators to connect securely with third-party partners when needed and share resources, such as in roaming and billing use cases. Hiding home network configuration and protecting against DoS attacks are the primary functions of this node. Test Challenges Session Management UE Attaches User Activations Hand-offs Paging Subscriber Authentication MME Pooling Fault Recovery Notification Mobility Testing Location Management Subscriber Data Handling Equipment Identity Checks Congestion Management Load Sharing Authentication Rates Location Update Rates Traffic Overload Scenarios EIR (Equipment Identity Register): This element allows operators to control access to mobile networks, protecting against device theft and fraud. The EIR enables provisioning of optimized services by device type. Spectra2 Features Functional Testing HSS bracket Testing IMS Core Modelling TCAP and Diameter UE Profiles IP address randomization Traffic correlation capabilities AVP Customization Full state machine control Multi-VLAN Testing Millions of Subscribers Million MPS traffic generation Less than 2ms loopback RTD Performance Cores Flexible Traffic Modelling Long Test Runs Spectra2 for EPC Testing www.tekcomms.com Page 4 of 8

WiFi-Offload Nodes AAA (Authentication Authorization and Accounting): This element provides AAA services helping operators converge their subscriber data management across all network technologies supporting multiple protocols and access methods. P-AAA (Proxy AAA Server): This element is responsible for AAA functions in the visited network to support roaming architectures. HSGW (HRPD Serving Gateway): This element is part of evolved HRPD (ehrpd), an evolution option for CDMA operators that helps ensure converged mobility and management between HRPD and LTE networks. Test Challenges Functional Enablement Authentication Services Addressing and Bearers Inter/intra-AP Hand-offs DoS attacks Network Interoperability Traffic Priorities Quality of Service APs and UEs Concurrent Sessions epdg (enhanced Packet Data Gateway): This is the primary element responsible for interworking between the EPC and untrusted non-3gpp networks, such as a wireless LAN. It manages QoS, flow-based charging data generation, gating, deep packet inspection, and other functions for UE data flows over WiFi. Spectra2 Features Functional Testing UE Profiles IP address randomization Traffic correlation capabilities Voice/Video QoS Millions of Subscribers Numerous Nodes/APs Million MPS traffic generation Less than 2ms loopback RTD Traffic Modelling Spectra2 for EPC Testing www.tekcomms.com Page 5 of 8

Spectra2 for EPC Testing Spectra2 s support for Diameter network is designed to address unique EPC test challenges in each of the four domains addressed in this spec. Diameter Functional Testing Model Simulations: Spectra2 s Advanced Signalling and Media Generator (ASMG) can support up to 10 inter-working call legs in a single test scenario. It can support up to 100 scenarios in a single test model empowering users to script complex diameter signalling interactions that make up the functionality of several nodes in the Diameter network. Broad Protocol Coverage: Spectra2 supports signalling and media protocols in EPC, IMS and PSTN domains making it ideal for testing multidomain scenarios. Conditional Branching: This Spectra2 feature enables users to handle conditional scripting options such as If/Then/Else to simulate complex transaction flows. These constructs use regular expression capabilities to extract the portion of an AVP as required. Message Libraries: Spectra2 contains message PDU libraries of all supported Diameter interface requests and responses. Customers can also import PDUs from the production Wireshark capture files. Interface Correlation: Spectra2 s capture analyzer application can apply pre-defined protocol correlation rules to produce ladder diagrams for call flows from captured traffic. Transport Protocols: Spectra2 supports both TCP and SCTP transports for Diameter transactions. These per call-leg configurable options enable creating a multi-vendor, multi-transport environment. Scheduler: Spectra2 s Scheduler allows users to launch tests from folders on a specific date and time or designated hourly interval. Scheduler folders contain test suites that include traffic models and scripts. base conformance suite covers all basic Diameter agent configuration scenarios as per RFC3588. Diameter Performance Testing Subscriber Profiles: Spectra2 allows grouping of subscribers in several ValueSets to simulate regions and customer value for testing policy and mobility scenarios. Performance Cores: Spectra2 s Performance Cores increase the TPS/MPS capacities of the Spectra2 application by leveraging the HW processor architecture. These Performance cores are available on Spectra2 Hardware options as well as Software Edition. Interoperability Testing Base Protocol Profiles: Spectra2 allows Diameter base protocol message contents and message sequence to be configured on a per call-leg basis enabling multi-vendor interoperability testing. AVP Customization: Spectra2 provides bit (micro) level access to 100% of the Diameter message content for testing negative scenarios. It also provides the ability to add/remove AVPs as well as change the characteristics of standard AVPs for testing custom Diameter implementations. Test Harness Integration API Support: Spectra2 API gives run-time control of the test workspace over network socket with the ability to get event log messages and return codes for response analysis. Export Statistics: Spectra2 collects Diameter interface level statistics by command code and response code. It also collects TPS and open transaction counts on active tests by network interface. These statistics can be exported periodically into external database environment for test harness integration. Conformance Testing Diameter Tester: Spectra2 includes a Diameter Test environment that gives state machine control to the user. This enables testing of custom state models and negative test scenarios. Conformance Test Suites: Spectra2 Diameter interfaces are equipped with Conformance test suites defined by IETF and IMS Forum. Diameter Spectra2 for EPC Testing www.tekcomms.com Page 6 of 8

Spectra2 Standard Compliance Diameter Interface Compliance Diameter Base Protocol IETF RFC 3588 Diameter Cx/Dx Interface ETSI TS 129.228/3GPP TS 29.228 v.10.3.0 Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); IP Multimedia (IM) Subsystem Cx and Dx Interfaces; Signaling flows and message contents ETSI TS 129.229/3GPP TS 29.229 v.10.3.0 Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS);Cx and Dx interfaces based on the Diameter protocol; Protocol details Diameter Sh/Dh Interface ETSI TS 129.328/3GPP TS 29.328 v.10.3.0 Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS);IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Sh interface; Signaling flows and message contents Diameter Rx Interface Diameter Gx Interface Diameter S9 Interface Diameter Gxx Interface Diameter S6a/S6d Interface Diameter S13/S13 Interface Diameter Rf/Gz Interface ETSI TS 129.329/3GPP TS 29.329 v.10.3.0 Digital cellular telecommunications system (Phase 2+); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS);Sh interface based on the Diameter protocol; Protocol details ETSI TS 129.214/3GPP TS 29.214 v10.3.0 Policy and charging control over Rx interface ETSI TS 129.212/3GPP TS 29.212 v10.3.0 Charging rule provisioning over Gx interface ETSI TS 123.203, 129.215/3GPP TS 23.203,29.215 10.3.0 Policy and Charging Control interface between home and visited network. 3GPP TS 29.212 v10.3.0, 3GPP TS 29.213 v10.3.0 ETSI TS 129.272/3GPP TS 29.272 v10.3.0 Communication interface between MME in Evolved Packet Core and HSS in IMS ETSI TS 129.272/3GPP TS 29.272 v10.3.0 Communication interface between MME in Evolved Packet Core and HSS in IMS ETSI TS 132.299/3GPP TS 32.299 v 10.3.0 Telecommunication management; Charging management; Diameter charging applications Diameter Ro/Gy Interface Diameter S6b/H2 Interface Diameter STa/SWa Interface Diameter Gq/Gq Interface ETSI TS 132.240/3GPP TS 32.240 v 10.1.0 Telecommunication management; Charging management; Charging architecture and Principles 3GPP TS 32.299 v.10.3.0 0 Telecommunication management; Charging management; Diameter charging applications 3GPP TS 29.273 v10.3.0 3GPP TS 29.273 v10.3.0 ETSI 129.209/3GPP TS 29.209 v6.5.0 Policy control over Gq interface Diameter Rq Interface TISPAN ETSI TS 183 017 v 1.4.0 Telecommunications and Internet converged Services and Protocols for Advanced Networking (TISPAN); Resource and Admission Control: DIAMETER protocol for session based policy set-up information exchange between the Application Function (AF) and the Service Policy Decision Function (SPDF);Protocol specification Diameter Conformance Test Suites TISPAN ETSI ES 283 026 v 1.4.0 Diameter Rq Interface Protocol Details and Signaling Flows Diameter Base IMS Forum Diameter Base Protocol Test Suite v1.0 Diameter Cx Interface IMS Forum Protocol Compliance Test Specification Cx interface v1.0 Diameter Sh Interface IMS Forum Protocol Compliance Test Specification Sh interface v1.0 Diameter Rx Interface ETSI TS 101 580-1 v1.1.1 ETSI TS 101 580-2 v1.1.1 ETSI TS 101 580-3 v1.1.1 Diameter Rf/Ro Interface IMS Forum Protocol Compliance Test Specification Rf/Ro interface v1.0 TCAP M2PA M3UA IETF RFC 4165 (Sept 2005, PS) IETF RFC 3332 (MTP3-User Adaptation Layer) CAMEL 3GPP TS 29.078 version 10.1.0 (2012-01) Phase4 3GPP TS 29.078 version 5.9.0 (2004-09) Phase3 3GPP TS 29.078 version 4.8.0 (2003-03) Phase3 MAP/PCS3 UMTS MAP 3GPP TS 29.002 v10.4.0 Rel. 10, 20011 GSM MAP ETSI TS 100 974 v7.1.0 / GSM 09.02 v7.1.0 Rel. 98, August 1999 PCS3 (GSM3 over ANSI) ETSI TS 100 974 v7.1.0 / GSM 09.02 v7.1.0 Rel. 98, August 1999 Spectra2 for EPC Testing www.tekcomms.com Page 7 of 8

Spectra2 Solution Specification Solution Highlights Test Domains Form Factors Line Speeds User Interface Traffic Generation Built-In Features Troubleshooting Test Automation Programmability Protocol Interworking Conformance Test Suites LTE EPC Testing, Core Network Testing, Policy Testing, IMS/VoIP Testing, TDM Testing Chassis (3U and PCIe-1), Software-Only (SE2) 1G and 10G Ethernet Intuitive Point and Click GUI to simplify the scripting of complex scenarios Traffic Mix/Shaping w/ Multiple Protocols, Call-legs, Scripts and Scenarios Subscriber Profiles and Protocol Message Libraries w/ options to edit, save and reuse SIP Auto scripting, SIP InjectRAW API for Test Harness, Batch Execution, Scheduler Procedures, If/Then/Else Programming, Run-time Parameter Get/Put Management Diameter Interfaces, SIP, TCAP Diameter, SIP, H.323, MGCP, Megaco Diameter Network Policy Interfaces Charging Interfaces HSS Interfaces EIR Interfaces AAA Interfaces NGN Interfaces Model Simulations Rx, Gx, S9, Gxa/Gxb/Gxc Ro/Gy, Rf/Gz Cx/Dx, Sh/Dh, S6a/S6d S13/S13 S6b, STa Rq, Gq/Gq, E2/E4 PCRF, HSS/HLR, AAA, CSCF, IMS-AS, MSS, OCS, PCEF, SLF, CTF, CGF, UE Core Network VoIP Signaling Protocols Media Control Protocols CODECs Media QoS Testing PSTN Protocols TCAP Node Simulations IP Versions IP Transports PSTN Transports SIP, SIP-I/T, SIP TLS, H.323, HTTP, RTSP, XCAP Megaco Text, Megaco Binary, MGCP Voice: G.711, G.723, G.726, G.729, AMR WB/NB, EVRC Tones: RFC 2833, DTMF, SF Video: H.263, H.263+, H.264, MPEG4 Fax : T.38 RTP, RTCP and SRTP Audio/Video, Active/Passive, PESQ, MOS, R-Factor ISUP, TCAP, BICC AIN, MAP, CAMEL, GSM, INAP, IS-41, IS-634A, IS-826, INCS2 CSCF, SBC, MGC, SGW, MGW, IMS-AS, MSS, SSP, STP IPv4, IPv6 TCP, UDP, SCTP and SIGTRAN (M2PA, M3UA) TDM (T1/E1, OC3) About Tektronix Communications: Tektronix Communications provides service providers and equipment manufacturers around the world an unparalleled suite of network diagnostics and service assurance solutions for fixed, mobile, IP and converged multi-service networks. This comprehensive set of solutions support a range of architectures and applications such as LTE, fixed mobile convergence, IMS,broadband wireless access, WiMAX, VoIP and triple play. Tektronix Communications is headquartered in Plano, Texas. Learn more about the company s test, measurement and service assurance solutions by visiting www.tekcomms.com Contact Tektronix Communications: Please visit www.tekcomms.com/spectra2 Phone: 1-800-833-9200 option 1 +1-469-330-4000 Document Reference: 992-5045-08-001-130811 Spectra2 for EPC Testing www.tekcomms.com Page 8 of 8

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