Overview

5G System as a service-based architecture, includes a set of Network Functions (NFs) providing services as defined in 3GPP TS 23.501. The service-based interfaces use HTTP/2 protocol with JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) as the application layer serialization protocol.

Supports error tracking, regression testing, load testing. It can run pre-defined test scenarios against 5G interface test objects in a controlled and deterministic manner. Easy to use script syntax allows users to create conformance test cases based on their test plan.

The MAPS™ 5G SBI test suite is an all-in-one solution for emulating, testing, and validating 5G core network functions in compliance with 3GPP. It supports key network functions including the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Short Message Service Function (SMSF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Equipment Identity Register (EIR), Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), and User Plane Function (UPF). This support enables comprehensive validation of control and user plane procedures, ensuring network reliability, performance, and interoperability.

The test suite enables both functional and load testing by generating high volumes of control-plane traffic to evaluate network performance, scalability, and reliability. It also facilitates wrap-around testing by replacing any network function with the device under test and supports large-scale emulations involving multiple base stations and tens of thousands of UEs for comprehensive end-to-end validation.

Simplified JSON Setup in MAPS™ 5G SBI

The latest MAPS™ 5G SBI release includes a YAML editor that simplifies the creation of JSON-structured messages for REST-based HTTP APIs. With its easy-to-read format, the editor allows users to design and manage JSON templates without the usual complexity. This feature speeds up test configuration and improves the overall testing workflow.

Supported Interfaces and Procedures

This test suite supports critical 5G core network procedures in full compliance with 3GPP, including registration, authentication, session setup/release, policy control, subscriber data management, slice selection, and secure communication.

Interface	Nodes Involved	Procedure Description
N8	AMF ↔ UDM	Accesses subscriber data, context management, and location services.
N10	UDM ↔ SMF	Retrieves subscription data and manages session context.
N12	AUSF ↔ AMF	Exchanges authentication vectors and establishes security contexts.
N13	AUSF ↔ UDM	Provides authentication data and subscriber policy-related information.
N17	EIR ↔ AMF	Verifies equipment identity and supports session control.
N20	AMF ↔ SMSF	Registers SMS services and manages SMS delivery.
N21	UDM ↔ SMSF	Manages SMS subscriptions, message forwarding, and control.
N22	AMF ↔ NSSF	Selects an appropriate network slice based on subscription and service.
N29	NEF ↔ SMF	Enables service exposure, policy control, and charging triggers.
N51	AMF ↔ NEF	Handles event reporting, data forwarding, and traffic steering.

Key Features

• YAML editor simplifies the creation of JSON messages for REST APIs, streamlining test configuration and improving overall testing efficiency
• Supports HTTP2/TLS and Rest APIs emulation in 5G Core
• Supports a command-line interface allowing users to control all features through Python APIs for automation
• Each MAPS™ server can receive multiple Python client connections and offer independent execution to each Python client. A single Python client can connect to multiple MAPS™ servers
• Services use REST APIs based on HTTP and JSON data format
• Supports TLS and TCP transports
• Supports scripted call generation and automated call reception
• Supports customization of call flow and message templates using Script Editor
• Ready-to-use scripts for quick testing
• Provides Call Statistics and Events Status
• Emulates Multiple Subscribers using CSV Profiles
• Automation, Remote access, and Schedulers to run tests 24/7

GL's MAPS™ supports emulation of the following 5G service-based network interfaces -

• MAPS™ N8 Interface Emulator - Unified Data Management (UDM) and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)
• MAPS™ N10 Interface Emulator - Unified Data Management (UDM) and Session Management Function (SMF)
• MAPS™ N11 Interface Emulator - Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and Session Management Function (SMF)
• MAPS™ N12 Interface Emulator - Authentication Server Function (AUSF) and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)
• MAPS™ N13 Interface Emulator - Authentication Server Function (AUSF) and User Data Management (UDM)
• MAPS™ N17 Interface Emulator - Equipment Identity Register (EIR) and Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)
• MAPS™ N20 Interface Emulator - Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and Short Message Service Function (SMSF)
• MAPS™ N21 Interface Emulator - Unified Data Management (UDM) and Short Message Service Function (SMSF)
• MAPS™ N22 Interface Emulator - Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF)
• MAPS™ N29 Interface Emulator - Network Exposure Function (NEF) and Session Management Function (SMF)
• MAPS™ N51 Interface Emulator - Mobility Management Function (AMF) and Network Exposure Function (NEF)