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This test tool enables wrap-around-testing of the core network elements in LTE—MME, S-GW and PDN-GW.

KEY FEATURESEffective functional and load testing of signaling and bearer of LTE evolved packet core network elements (MME, S-GW, PDN-GW) via the core interfaces

High-performance EAST hardware based on ATCA and Network Processor Units

Intuitive graphical test case and message editing tools

Highly scalable

Admin Traffi c Runner functionality to control and monitor heavy load that is distributed across multiple blades, from one central point of control

Real-time protocol monitoring with NetHawk M5 formonitoring option

NetHawk EAST EPC for Evolved Packet-Core TestingPacket-Core Testing

NetHawk EAST EPC

INTRODUCTIONThe 3GPP organization defined the next-generation mobile architecture as long-term evolution (LTE) to provide better end-user services and advanced radio features combined with an efficient network architecture.

LTE testing brings new challenges since all-IP LTE architectures require sophisticated testing tools to verify the quality of service (QoS) of VoIP services, data applications and video broadcasting.

WRAP-AROUND TESTER FOR EVOLVED PACKET-CORE NETWORK ELEMENTSNetHawk EAST EPC enables wrap-around testing of the core network elements in LTE—MME, S-GW and PDN-GW, either individually or in combination. All the necessary elements/interfaces surrounding the system under test (SUT) can be simulated. NetHawk EAST EPC wraps the SUT by using S1-MME, S1-U, S11, S5, S10, S6a, Ga, Gx, Gxc and other interfaces as needed. Interworking between LTE and legacy 3G/CDMA networks can also be tested over S3, S4, Gn, SGs and S101 interfaces.

NetHawk EAST EPC can efficiently perform functional and load testing of LTE core network elements. NetHawk EAST EPC can send, receive, manipulate and validate any protocol messages of the supported interfaces. It also generates and receives IP user-plane data. On the receiving side, NetHawk EAST EPC can calculate the bit error rate (BER) from the received pseudo-random bit sequence (PRBS). BER testing is an efficient way to optimize the network element implementation. Moreover, stateful application data can be generated and verified. In load testing, The EAST EPC simulates heavy load of the control-plane and user-plane traffic. In functional testing, EAST EPC provides the ability to batch execute thousands of test cases with advanced reporting capabilities. Negative testing is also possible by providing a lot of control to define those negative tests. NetHawk EAST EPC also offers support for IPsec, authentication algorithms, NAS ciphering/integrity and other advanced features that are required to test under real-life conditions.

PRODUCT PLATFORMNetHawk EAST EPC product consists of high-performance Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture (ATCA) or TravelHawk hardware and scalable software.

The EAST EPC’s ATCA hardware platform is a high-performance, scalable, future-proof solution. A standard in the telecom industry, it provides high packing density and reliability. Network processor units (NPU) offer accelerated performance for user-plane functionality and other IP features such as IPSec, tunneling, etc. Used with TravelHawk, NetHawk EAST EPC becomes a compact, portable testing tool.

MESSAGE LIBRARIES AND TEST CASE PACKAGESNetHawk EAST EPC includes message libraries and test packages for S1, S10, S11, S6a, S5, S3, S4, SGs, Ga, Gx, Gxc, S101 and other GTP-U interfaces. Support for 3GPP R8 specs up to Dec 09 baseline and R9 March 10 baseline releases is available. User plane with GTP and GRE tunneling is also supported and test cases are defined with a graphical telecom oriented language.

The NetHawk EAST EPC servers provide SCTP, GTP/PMIP, UDP and TCP services to test cases. The GTP/PMIP server provides PRBS and UDP packet generation, while the GTP server can be configured to pass through data from an external source. Real-world application data (FTP, HTTP, VoIP, etc.) can be generated and GTP loopback functionality is available. QoS can also be controlled and verified via DSCP and VLAN tags.

USER INTERFACEThe NetHawk EAST EPC has both a graphical user interface (GUI) and a command line interface (CLI). Its desktop includes launch menus for different tools such as test case editing, message library editing, configuration, test case execution, logging, reporting etc. The server status and connectivity to the SUT can also be monitored from the EAST desktop GUI.

Test case editingTest cases for NetHawk EAST EPC are defined with the graphical EAST test case language, which is very much like SDL, the well-known language used for defining state machines in telecommunication.

Message editingNetHawk EAST EPC provides message libraries based on 3GPP specifications. However, there is a graphical message library editing tool should those libraries need to be updated or customized, or if a specific protocol must to be created, e.g., controlling the SUT or another test instrument. With this editing tool, users can add, delete and modify message structures and information element fields as well as use the modified message templates straight from the test cases.

Test executionFor the execution of test cases, NetHawk EAST EPC has test case runner, load runner and test suite runner, which all have the same basic framework. The load runner adds capabilities for profiling, enabling users to simulate real-life traffic patterns. Also, the statistical tables and graphs can be used for monitoring the test progress. Finally, the test suite runner enables the scheduling of test case groups into execution at any given time. The Admin Traffic Runner functionality allows users to launch, control and monitor load tests as well as span multiple blades. In all test runners, the simulation can be monitored in forms of message sequence charts, textual traces and state machine execution path follow-up.

NetHawk EAST EPC

Test packages in detailsWe currently support up to Dec 09 R8 baseline and March 10 R9 of 3GPP specs. eNB simulation package can trigger high traffic toward the MME and SGW. Users can control the bearer QoS. IPSec (automatic and manual keying), authentication and NAS ciphering/integrity (SNOW 3G, AES, NULL) are also supported.

S1 Test PackageThis package simulates eNB toward MME and/or S-GW over S1. The following procedures are supported:

› S1 Setup

› Attach

› Detach—Normal, Power Off

› Service Request

› Session Release

› Dedicated Bearer—UE Initiated, Network Initiated

› Network Triggered Service Request

› TAU—Normal, Periodic

› Intra/Inter MME/SGW

› Handovers—S1, X2

› Intra/Inter MME/SGW

› NAS Transport Procedure

› Paging Procedure

› Initial Context Setup

› UE Temporary Identity during NAS Node Selection

› UE Context Release - eNB triggered - EPC triggered

› Bearer Modification

› Reset Procedure - eNB triggered - EPC triggered

› Error Indication Procedure - eNB triggered - EPC triggered

› Trace

› Configuration Update

› LPPa Transport

› Warning Message Delivery

› CS Fallback Procedures

S6a Test PackageThis package simulates HSS with Diameter based S6a over SCTP and TCP toward MME. The following procedures are supported:

› Location Management Procedures - Update location, cancel location, purge UE

› Subscriber Data Handling Procedures - Insert/delete subscriber data

› Authentication

› Notification

› Capability Exchange

› Device Watchdog

› HSS Initiated Subscribed QOS Modification

› HSS Initiated Detach Procedure

› Fault Recovery Procedures

S11 Test PackageThe following procedures are supported over S11 from simulated SGW or MME toward MME or SGW:

› Attach

› Detach

› TAU—Intra/Inter SGW

› Network Initiated Service Request

› Dedicated Bearer Activation

› UE and Network Initiated

› UE Triggered Service Request

› S1 Release

› Dedicated Bearer Deactivation

› UE and Network Initiated Multiple Dedicated Bearer Activation and Deactivation

› Bearer Modification with Bearer QoS Update

› Bearer Modification without Bearer QoS Update

› Handovers

S10 Test PackageThe following procedures are supported from simulated MME over S10:

› Attach

› TAU Procedure with MME and SGW Change

› Inter-MME HO

› Intra and Inter SGW

S-GW & P-GW Testing S5 (GTP) PackagesThese packages are used to simulate S-GW for testing P-GW and vice-versa on S5 interface. GTP is used as a transport mechanism for message flows. The following procedures are supported over GTP based S5 from simulated PDN-GW or SGW toward SGW or PDN-GW:

› Attach

› Detach

› Dedicated Bearer Activation

› Dedicated Bearer Deactivation

› Service Request

› TAU

› Handovers

› Data Generation

- PRBS

- HTTP/FTP/VoIP

SPECIFICATIONS

NetHawk EAST EPC

SPECIFICATIONS (CONTINUED)

S-GW and P-GW Testing S5 (PMIP) PackagesThese packages are used to simulate S-GW for testing P-GW and vice-versa on S5 interface. PMIP is used as a transport mechanism for message flows. The following procedures are supported over PMIP based S5 from simulated PDN-GW or SGW toward SGW or PDN-GW:

› Connection Creation

› Connection Lifetime Extension

› Connection Deletion - MAG and LMA initiated - Data generation procedure

S-GW Testing Gxc PackageThis package simulates PCRF for testing S-GW over Gxc Interface. It is placed between the S-GW (BBERF) and the PCRF (hPCRF or vPCRF). The following procedures are supported on Gxc package from simulated PCRF toward SGW:

› IP-CAN Session Establishment

› IP-CAN Session Modification

› IP-CAN Session Termination

› Gateway Control Session Establishment

› Gateway Control Session Modification

› Transport Failure Detection Procedure

› Capability Exchange Procedure

› Device Watchdog

P-GW Testing Gx PackageThis package simulates PCRF for testing P-GW over Gx interface. Diameter protocol is used for message flows. It is placed between the P-GW (PCEF) and the PCRF. The following procedures are supported on Gx package from simulated PCRF toward PDN-GW:

› Capability Exchange (Initiated from PCRF)

› Device Watchdog Thread (Initiated from PCRF)

› IP-CAN Session Establishment

› IP-CAN Session Modification - Initiated from PCRF - Initiated from P-GW

› IP-CAN Session Termination - Initiated from PCRF - Initiated from UE/P-GW

› Transport Failure Detection Procedure

S-GW Testing eNB+ MME PackageThis package simulates eNB/MME and SGi to test SGW. TCP/UDP is used as transport for message flows. MME communicates with SGW over the S11 interface. GTPv2 protocol messages are exchanged over the S11 interface. The following procedures are supported:

› Attach with Default Bearer

› UE Initiated Service Request

› UE Initiated Multiple Dedicated Bearer Activation Deactivation

› S1 Release

› Detach

› Multiple Default Bearer Activation

› TAU Inter MME Intra SGW

› TAU Inter MME Inter SGW

› HO Inter MME Inter SGW

› HO Intra MME Intra SGW

› HO Intra MME Inter SGW

› Network Initiated Multiple Dedicated Bearer Activation

› Network Initiated Service Request

CDF Testing Ga PackageThis package simulates CGF for testing CDF over Ga interface. GTP protocol is used for message flows. This package is based on 3GPP September 2009 baseline release. Ga interface is based on Rel-8 GTP Protocol. It is placed between the CDF and the CGF. This interface is intended for charging data records (CDRs) transportation. Ga is solely related to offline charging. The following procedure is supported:

› Normal CDR Packet Transfer

MME Testing Gn PackageThis package simulates SGSN for testing MME over Gn interface. GTPv1 protocol messages are exchanged using UDP as transport. The following procedures are supported:

› RAU (LTE UE selects GERAN/UTRAN cell served by a SGSN)

› 3G SGSN to MME Combined Hard Handover and SRNS Relocation

› MME to 3G SGSN Combined Hard Handover and SRNS Relocation

› TAU (GERAN/UTRAN UE served by SGSN selects MME)

SGW Testing S4 PackageThis package simulates SGSN for testing SGW over S4 interface, both for signaling (GTP-C over UDP as transport) and user plane (GTP-U over UDP as transport). The following procedures are supported:

› Routing Area Update with MME Interaction and without S-GW Change

› Routing Area Update with MME Interaction and with S-GW change

› Network Triggered Service Request

› UE-Initiated Detach Procedure for E-UTRAN

› UE-Initiated Detach Procedure for GERAN/UTRAN with ISR Activated

› MME-Initiated Detach Procedure

› SGSN-Initiated Detach Procedure with ISR Activated

› HSS-Initiated Detach Procedure.

› PDN GW Initiated Bearer Deactivation

› E-UTRAN to UTRAN Iu Mode Inter RAT Handover

› UTRAN Iu Mode to E-UTRAN Inter RAT Handover

› E-UTRAN to GERAN A/Gb Mode Inter RAT Handover

› GERAN A/Gb Mode to E-UTRAN Inter RAT Handover

EXFO is certified ISO 9001 and attests to the quality of these products. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. EXFO has made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this specification sheet is accurate. However, we accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions, and we reserve the right to modify design, characteristics and products at any time without obligation. Units of measurement in this document conform to SI standards and practices. In addition, all of EXFO’s manufactured products are compliant with the European Union’s WEEE directive. For more information, please visit www.EXFO.com/recycle. Contact EXFO for prices and availability or to obtain the phone number of your local EXFO distributor.

For the most recent version of this spec sheet, please go to the EXFO website at www.EXFO.com/specs. In case of discrepancy, the Web version takes precedence over any printed literature. sales contact sales@NetHawk.EXFO.com, customer support support@NetHawk.EXFO.com

EXFO Corporate Headquarters > 400 Godin Avenue, Quebec City (Quebec) G1M 2K2 CANADA | Tel.: +1 418 683-0211 | Fax: +1 418 683-2170 | info@EXFO.com

Toll-free: +1 800 663-3936 (USA and Canada) | www.EXFO.com

EXFO America 3701 Plano Parkway, Suite 160 Plano, TX 75075 USA Tel.: +1 800 663-3936 Fax: +1 972 836-0164 EXFO Asia 151 Chin Swee Road, #03-29 Manhattan House SINGAPORE 169876 Tel.: +65 6333 8241 Fax: +65 6333 8242EXFO China Tower C, Beijing Global Trade Center, Room 1207 Beijing 100013 P. R. CHINA Tel.: + 86 10 5825 7755 Fax: +86 10 5825 7722 36 North Third Ring Road East, Dongcheng DistrictEXFO Europe Omega Enterprise Park, Electron Way Chandlers Ford, Hampshire S053 4SE ENGLAND Tel.: +44 2380 246810 Fax: +44 2380 246801EXFO NetHawk Elektroniikkatie 2 FI-90590 Oulu, FINLAND Tel.: +358 (0)403 010 300 Fax: +358 (0)8 564 5203EXFO Service Assurance 270 Billerica Road Chelmsford, MA 01824 USA Tel.: +1 978 367-5600 Fax: +1 978 367-5700

NetHawk EAST EPC

SPEAST-EPC.1AN © 2011 EXFO Inc. All rights reserved. 2008

Printed in Canada 11/02

SPECIFICATIONS (CONTINUED)

MME Testing SGs PackageThis package simulates MSC or VLR for testing MME over SGs interface to available CS domain services. SGsAP protocol messages are exchanged over SCTP transport. The following procedures are supported:

› Combined EPS-IMSI Attach

› Combined EPS-IMSI Detach

› IMSI Detach

› Combined TAU Update with IMSI Attach

› Combined TAU Update

› Mobile Originated SMS with UE in ECM CONNECTED Mode

› Mobile Originated SMS with UE in ECM IDLE Mode

› Mobile Terminated CS Fallback Call with UE in ECM Connected Mode

› Mobile Terminated CS Fallback Call with UE in ECM Idle Mode

› Mobile Terminated SMS with UE in ECM Connected Mode

› Mobile Terminated SMS with UE in ECM Idle Mode

MME Testing S101 Package (Dec09 R8 Baseline)This package simulates HRPD(cdma 2000 access network) to test MME over S101 interface. S101-AP protocol messages are exchanged over UDP transport. The following HSS initiated procedure is supported:

› Optimized Active Handover: E-UTRAN Access CDMA2000 HRPD Access