Message Generator and Traffic Simulator (MGTS)

Message Generator and Traffic Simulator (MGTS) Next-generation wireless networks are evolving into "all-ip" architectures, and SS7 over Internet Protocol (IP) is becoming more prevalent as intelligent gateways become the de facto technology used to interconnect wireline and wireless networks. Ixia s Message Generator and Traffic Simulator (MGTS) is the leading product for testing wireline and wireless network convergence. The MGTS offers a multi-user, multi-protocol programmable test system that emulates any SS7/PSTN entity or SS7 application database, and measures the functionality and performance of signaling and media gateways. The MGTS uses powerful underlying platforms, a diverse line of network interface cards, and an extensive library of protocol test modules to significantly reduce product development time, lower production costs, and ensure conformance to telecom industry standards. MGTS reduces product development time by allowing multiple users to perform tests concurrently. Early in the product lifecycle, the MGTS can emulate prohibitively expensive or difficult-to-locate network equipment. Farther along in the process, the MGTS can support load testing to measure how much traffic the equipment can handle. Highlights Supports hundreds of wireless protocols used to test 3G-UMTS, IMS, VoIP, SS7/SIGTRAN networks Unmatched flexibility in customizing protocol messages and protocol state machines for functional, performance, and negative testing Vast library of pre-built test scenarios that can be fully customized to specific test applications Emulation of multiple nodes/interfaces simultaneously to fully isolate a device or system under test Test control using a graphical user interface or command line interface Flexible scaling with choice of platforms ranging from application-only (base IxCatapult software on a Linux-compatible platform) to ultra-high performance appliances Multi-user, multi-protocol, multi-technology environment MGTS also supports traffic flow monitoring between nodes in live networks. This flexible platform can be customized to provide the test scripts, software protocols, and hardware needed to solve each new challenge. Testers can create complex, multi-protocol test sequences using the Protocol Adaptable State Machine (PASM). PASM is a complete development system that constructs common test cases by defining protocol message formats, sequencing, and operations. PASM can create any type of protocol message for use in test case sequences against a device under test (DUT). With PASM, users can easily and simultaneously test circuit and packet switches over multiple interfaces. The test cases created can be executed in either simulation or load mode for functional and system integration testing. PASM helps significantly reduce the time needed to develop comprehensive 3G, VoIP and SS7 load tests. 26601 Agoura Road Calabasas, CA 91302 USA Tel + 1-818-871-1800 www.ixiacom.com Document No.: 915-2742-01 Rev A July 2014 - Page 1

Key Features Easy-to-use GUI driven test development platform Support for hundreds of wireless protocols for testing 3G-UMTS, IMS, VoIP and SS7/SIGTRAN devices and networks Unmatched flexibility in customizing protocol messages and protocol state machines for functional, performance and negative testing Vast library of pre-built test scenarios that can be fully customized to specific test applications Emulation of multiple nodes/interfaces simultaneously to fully isolate a device or system under test Test control using a graphical user interface or command line interface Multi-user, multi-protocol, multi-technology environment Supports creation of erroneous messages and/or erroneous call flows for negative testing Supports customization of messages and call flows Supports regression and automation Supports various levels of logging for debugging with full message capture and decoding with time stamps Supported Technologies 3G UMTS Core Network IMS VoIP SS7/SIGTRAN Test Measurements and Statistics Calls per second Successful calls Failed calls Calls in progress Call duration Transmitted and Received messages Transactions per second Busy Hour Call Attempt (BHCA) Test Development Flow Message Editor to build and/or edit protocol messages Database Editor to build subscriber and/or network element databases State Machine Editor to build the test cases Define the load paramters Network Map Editor to build the Test Network topolgy Hardware configuration Assignment of Simulated nodes to the hardware Running the test Results Page 2

Message Editor The Message Editor enables the user to build or edit User Defined Messages of the required protocols. The Message Editor GUI has the following features: Add/Modify/Delete parameters Saving UDM layers and default layers for use in other UDMs Encapsulating (including) layers within other layers specifying parameters for message trapping Specifying import and export flags in message templates Importing and exporting messages and message layers Decoding messages Using optional parameters and pointer parameters in messages Creating and editing message layers using the Free Format Bit Creating UDM groups Page 3

Database Editor A database is one source for data imported into the message templates that a state machine transmits. A PASM database is associated with an entire state machine, not an instance of a state machine. For example, if you have 1000 instances of a state machine, only one copy of the state machine is used. Also, if you have ten state machines in a sequence group that are all assigned the same database, they use a single copy of the database. If you update the database, all ten state machines will use the same updated information. Each database supports up to 1 million subscribers. Page 4

State Machine Editor State Machine Editor GUI is used to write the test cases for various test cases. Please refer to its User Manual for more details. Defining Sequence and Load Parameter Sequence Group Editor The Sequence Group Editor provides a listing of pre-configured state machines (for example, Level 3 SFM or AIN SFM), or custom-configured state machines built with the State Machine Editor. The selected state machines can be saved as a test set to create a library of test groups. The Sequence Group Editor allows the test cases to define load in 3 ways Load Graph, Constant BHCA and Random Traffic. The Load is generated based on these parameters. Page 5

Results The runtime results in Load mode provide the following statistics for each Test Case (State Machine). The Load parameters are defined in the Sequence Group Editor. Tx Start and Rx Start: The total number the Rx and Tx Test Case Passed: The number of Test Cases (or State Machines) that passed Failed: The number of Test Cases (or State Machines) that Failed Inconcl. The number of Test Cases (or State Machines) that Inconclusive In Prog. The number of active Test Cases (or State Machines) The Results and Statistics are displayed depending on the load defined and generated in the Sequence Group Editor. The three ways of defined and generating load are: Load Graph, Constant BHCA, and Random Traffic. Page 6

3G UMTS Core Network Test IuCS-IP MSC MAP-D Ixia HLR Ixia RNC IuPS-IP SGSN 3G Core Network Gn Ixia GGSN Simulates RNC on IuCS/PS over SIGTRAN Simulates HLR on MAP over E1/T1 and SIGTRAN on D and Gr interface Simulates GGSN on Gn interface Supports IP Pass-through for User Plane traffic over GTP-U tunnel Supports CS Voice Traffic with various codecs AMR-NB, AMR-WB, G.711, G.726 and more Supports Direct Tunneling and Non-Direct Tunneling Supports Mobile Originating Call, Mobile Terminating Call, Location Update, Authentication, and many other procedures Type of SGSN Tests: Determine the Max DT PDP contexts Determine the Max Total PDP contexts (DT and Non-DT) Determine the Max Number of Subscribers handled by SGSN Determine SGSN stability behavior when the Attach rate is increased from 1 to 2000 per sec Determine SGSN stability behavior when the PDP activation rate is increased from 1 to 1000 per sec Determine SGSN behavior when its CPU utilization reaches 100% Determine SGSN software BUGs and Memory leaks Page 7

Supported Protocols IuCS and IuPS Interface Standard Specification NAS (MM, GMM, SM, CM, SMS) 3GPP 24.008 (R7, R8, R9) RANAP 3GPP 25.413 (R7) SCCP ITU-T Q.713 M3UA RFC 4666 SCTP RFC 4960 MAP-D and Gr Interface Standard Specification MAP 3GPP 29.002 (R7, R8, R9) TCAP ITU-T Q.771-775, ANSI T1.114 SCCP ITU-T Q.713 MTP3, MTP2 and MTP1 ITU-T M3UA RFC 4666 SCTP RFC 4960 Gn Interface Standard Specification GTP 3GPP 29.060 (R7, R8, R9) IMS (IP Multimedia Sub-system) Test AS I-CSCF HSS SLF P-CSCF S-CSCF MRFC PDF MGCF BGCF SGW IM- MGW MRFP Page 8

Supported Simulated Interfaces Cx, Dx, Sh, Dh Go, Gm, Gq Mg, Mn, Mw, Mj, Mb, Mp, Mk, Mr, Mi Supported Protocols IuCS and IuPS Interface Standard Specification SIP-I/T RFC 3261 and many of its extensions DIAMETER RFC 3588 and many of its extensions MAP 3GPP 29.002 (R7, R8, R9) CAP 3GPP 29.078 (R7, R8, R9) TCAP ITU-T Q.771-775, ANSI T1.114 SCCP ITU-T Q.713 M3UA RFC 4666 SCTP RFC 4960 MEGACO (H.248) ITU-T H.248 BICC ITU-T Q.1901 and Q.1902 RTP/RTCP RFC 3550, RFC3605 Codecs AMR-NB, AMR-WB, G.711 (a & u), G.726 and more The IMS testing can be categorized inro four groups as below for user convenience based on typical user configurations. Each group will provide the necessary protocols required for testing all the elements within the logical grouping. Access Network Testing Core Network Testing Interworking Testing Application Server Testing Page 9

3G HLR Test Ixia Simulated MSC MAP-D MAP-Gr HLR (DUT) Ixia Simulated SGSN Simulates MSC on MAP-D and SGSN on MAP-Gr (over E1/T1 and SIGTRAN) Supports many MAP services/operations including o Location Update o Roaming o ISD (Insert Subscriber Data) o PRN (Provide Roaming Number) o SMS (Short Message Service) o USSD o Location Based Services o Authentication o Other MAP interfaces supported are: E (MSC and G/S MSC): For Handover functions between MSCs F, H, Gc, Gf, Gd Supports up to 72 million BHCA (20,000 MAP transactions per sec) Page 10

Type of HLR Tests Determine the Max rate of Location Updates Determine the Max rate of Roaming transactions Determine the Max Number of Subscribers that a HLR can handle Determine the Max Authentication rate Determine HLR stability when various MAP transaction rates are increased from 1 to 20,000 per sec Determine HLR behavior when its CPU utilization reaches 100% Determine HLR software BUGs and Memory leaks Supported Protocols MAP-D and Gr Interface Standard Specification MAP 3GPP 29.002 (R7, R8, R9) TCAP ITU-T Q.771-775, ANSI T1.114 SCCP ITU-T Q.713 MTP3, MTP2 and MTP1 ITU-T M3UA RFC 4666 SCTP RFC 4960 Page 11

Charging Test CGF DIAMETER CSCF CAP Ga (GTP ) Ga (GTP ) MSC(with gsmssf, gsmsrf) MAP CAP SGSN(with gsmssf, gsmsrf) GGSN HLR MAP SCP (gsmscf) Simulates any network elements in the above diagram Supports all CAP, MAP, GTP and DIAMETER protocols The CAMEL Application Part (CAP) is a signaling protocol used in the Intelligent Network (IN) architecture. CAP is layered on top of the Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) of the SS#7 protocol suite. CAP is based on a subset of the ETSI Core and allows for the implementation of carrier-grade, value-added services such as unified messaging, prepaid, fraud control, and Freephone in both the GSM voice and GPRS data networks. CAMEL is a means of adding intelligent applications to mobile (rather than fixed) networks. It builds upon established practices in the fixed line telephony business that are generally classed under the heading of (Intelligent Network Application Part) or INAP CS-2 protocol The CAMEL Application Part (CAP) protocol provides mechanisms to enable operator services beyond the standard GSM services for subscribers roaming within or outside the Home PLMN (HPLMN). The CAP protocol extends the IN framework to GSM/3G networks for implementing IN-based services within GSM/3G networks. Supports the following Services o o o Basic Call State procedures (BCSM) Originating Call Terminating Call Page 12

Apply Charging o Establish Temporary Connection Applicability of CAP protocol o Applicable in Supplementary Services Invocation Call Forwarding Call Redirecting Homing of pre-paid calls to HPLMN Announcements o Applicable to GPRS sessions and PDP contexts o Applicable to MO and MT SMS Any Time interrogation. The Charging Function (CGF) can query the HLR to provide Subscriber Status and/or location information at any time Charging Operations o Pre-Paid (MO, MT, CF) o Free-Phone o Premium Rate o Personal Discount o Location Dependent Charging o Reverse Charging USSD o USSD call back for pre-paid roaming o Control & Inquiry of IN services Subscriber Dialed services Serving Network Dialed Services MO SMS CS Mobility Management Notifications Page 13

Supported Protocols MAP, CAP, DIAMETER, GTP Standard Specification MAP 3GPP 29.002 (R7, R8, R9) CAP 3GPP 29.078 (R7, R8, R9) TCAP ITU-T Q.771-775, ANSI T1.114 SCCP ITU-T Q.713 MTP3, MTP2 and MTP1 ITU-T M3UA RFC 4666 SCTP RFC 4960 DIAMETER RFC 3588 and its extensions GTP 3GPP 29.060 and 32.295 MGTS SS7 Protocol Adaptable State Machine (PASM ) The MGTS utilizes PASM to enable the user to construct custom test cases graphically in a nonprogrammable environment. PASM is protocol-independent, supporting standard and proprietary protocols as well as variations from different countries. STP Emulation Package The package simulates STPs, including high-speed link STPs, which may be an integral step in test bed setup. Users can configure flexible test beds, reducing the cost of deploying actual STPs in a lab environment. STP emulation includes high-speed link STPs and can be configured as stand-alone or mated pair. Automatic Level 2 procedures Automatic Level 3 network management procedures Configurable point codes, alias point codes, route set tales via a graphical network map Adjacent and mated pair simulation Support for multi-link configuration including combined link sets Up to 20 digits for Global Title Translation (GTT) Extensive traffic statistics reports Maximum link capacity of 1.0 Erlang Load generation at full bandwidth on HSL links. User-definable MSU traffic mix and traffic rate Background test traffic generation with random MSU length Correlation of traffic transmitted and received for: o Cross STP delay measurement o Cross STP packet lost count o STP misroute detection Extensive traffic reporting capabilities: o Delay distribution reports o MSU transmit and receive counts o MSU type transmit and receive counts Page 14

SCP Simulation Package With the use of the protocol adaptable state machine (PASM ), the MGTS creates SS7 message structures, contents and sequences, and signaling test cases against an SCP under test. The SCP may be advanced intelligent network (AIN), local number portability (LNP), interim standard 41 (IS41), or global system for mobile communications (GSM)/home locator register (HLR). Local Number Portability (LNP) Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) IS-41 GSM/HLR Network Performance Load Simulation Package (NPLT) The package generates and validates heavy traffic load across STPs under test to assess STP performance. The MGTS running NPLT can generate loads from one to 31 links, per simulated device. NPLT Traffic Reports NPLT traffic reports indicate the number of message signal units (MSUs) transmitted and received. NPLT Traffic Reports includes delay analysis. The delay analysis report segments the cross-stp delay into delay buckets, providing distribution based on the MSU generated and received during a test run. Level 2/3 conformance Level 2 conformance test package supports Q.781 MTP Level 2 and TA-1004 Level 3 conformance test package supports Q.782 MTP Level 3 and NOF 905 Intuitive and easy to use: Graphically observe the execution steps in real-time Log events for later viewing Configure timers Decode messages in real-time COT/DTMF (generation and detection) SSP - simulation and load Level 2 test scenarios & verification Test message scenarios Sequence verification Cross STP delay analysis MTP & SCCP routing/switching analysis User-defined Message (UDM) test utilities N00 & LIDB testing & verification GTT test scenarios GTT cross STP delay analysis Command line driven test utilities ISDN User Part (ISUP) report Automatic call gapping & termination request LNP Simulation and Load ISUP, TCAP, TUP, BT167 Page 15

MGTS LAPD Full Layer 2 LAP-D Support Layer 3 State Machine Driven to support simulation / test sequences: o Q.931 o National ISDN 1 / 2 Support Switch Emulation / TE emulation Call Simulation with all services - Bulk Call load Automatic call test procedures Test extended supplementary services Real-time layer decode LAP-D Editor Timer Controller Supported Hardware X800: 960-0333 or 960-0444 (for IP-Only) X100: 960-0555: Supports 1-GbE and JET (J1/E1/T1) interfaces Please refer to the X800 and X100 datasheet Ordering Information Please Contact your local Sales Representative Page 16