End-to-End 5G Lab Testing Suite for Network Validation

As 5G Core networks expands worldwide, telecom operators and vendors face a critical challenge: how can we ensure seamless performance, reliability, and interoperability before deployment? In this newsletter, we introduce GL Communications’ End-to-End 5G Lab Testing Suite — a complete, scalable platform for emulating, testing, and analyzing every 5G Core component in a controlled lab environment. This next-generation solution helps ensure your 5G rollout is smooth, stable, and future-ready.

End-to-End 5G Lab Testing Suite for Network Validation

Comprehensive 5G Emulation and Testing

GL’s 5G Lab is built on the Message Automation and Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) platform, engineered to emulate both gNB (Next-Generation NodeB) base stations and 5G Core Network Functions (NFs) in full alignment with 3GPP standards.

This enables:

  • Functional testing and troubleshooting of 5G infrastructure, software, and UE devices
  • Realistic end-to-end scenarios using real devices and emulated elements to test VoNR calls, 4G/5G interworking, and IMS integration
  • Pre-configured and customizable scripts for 5G registration, PDU sessions, and IMS multimedia calls — accelerating validation cycles

The suite emulates, monitors, and troubleshoots multi-generation networks (5G, 4G/LTE, 3G, and 2G) with standards-based interfaces, ensuring new 5G services are validated under diverse conditions and legacy interworking scenarios.


Scalable, Collaborative Testing Platform

The MAPS™ 5G Lab is a multi-user, web-accessible environment that allows engineers to collaboratively configure and execute tests from anywhere. It supports emulation of all major 3GPP-defined interfaces — N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12, N13, N17, N20, N21, N22, N29, and N51 — as well as 3GPP Open RAN interfaces (F1, E1) and user-plane GTP over N3/N6.

Key capabilities:

  • Massive load testing — emulating up to 500 real devices and thousands of virtual UEs (depending on hardware configuration) to assess scalability and Quality of Service (QoS)
  • Functional and stress testing — evaluate CPU, memory, and throughput margins under peak loads
  • Collaborative test execution — multiple users can access shared resources via a web interface

5G Architecture and Wrap-Around Testing

In a 5G Standalone (SA) network, the gNB splits into a Central Unit (CU) and Distributed Unit (DU), while the 5G Core (5GC) includes functions such as Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Equipment Identity Register (EIR), Short Message Service Function (SMSF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and User Plane Function (UPF).

Using this emulated architecture, MAPS™ 5G enables:

  • Wrap-around testing — isolate any core function (e.g., AMF or SMF) as the DUT while emulating all surrounding NFs
  • Scalable test scenarios with multiple gNBs and thousands of virtual UEs
  • Controlled fault and load conditions for repeatable performance and resilience validation

Interoperability Across Generations

GL’s 5G Lab validates end-to-end interworking between 5G, 4G/LTE, IMS, 3G, and 2G networks. This ensures:

  • End-to-end voice and data interoperability between VoNR, VoLTE, and legacy PSTN systems
  • SMS service validation via the N20 interface in the 5G Core

Fault Insertion and Resilience Testing

To ensure core stability under real-world stress, engineers can emulate:

  • Malformed messages (e.g., NGAP/NAS errors)
  • Network impairments like delay, jitter, and packet loss
  • Node failures or resets to test fault recovery and error handling

This enables validation of core resilience and failover mechanisms before live deployment.


Automation and CI/CD Integration

With Python APIs and a client–server architecture, MAPS™ 5G supports fully automated 5G test execution. Engineers can:

  • Script UE registration, PDU sessions, and VoNR calls
  • Capture media, DTMF, and QoS metrics
  • Integrate continuous testing with Continuous Integration (CI) / Continuous Delivery (CD) pipelines for regression and soak testing

Automation delivers repeatable results, faster turnaround, and reduced human error, driving rapid 5G validation cycles.


Real-Time Monitoring and Analysis

GL’s 5G Protocol Analyzer provides deep visibility into every layer:

  • Capture and decode NAS, NGAP, and HTTP/2 REST messages
  • Monitor KPIs across N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12, N13 interfaces
  • Troubleshoot in real time with detailed call flow visualization and performance benchmarking

High-Performance User Plane Traffic Emulation

To complement control-plane testing, GL’s PacketForge™ IP Traffic Generator (IPTG) provides high-speed, large-scale user-plane traffic generation for realistic 5G Core validation. It emulates diverse IP and application flows to evaluate end-to-end performance, latency, and QoS under varying load conditions.

Product Highlights:

  • Generates IP traffic up to 40 Gbps line rate, supporting Ethernet, IPv4/IPv6, TCP, UDP, RTP, HTTP, VoIP, and video streams
  • Emulate hundreds of thousands of concurrent sessions for scalability and performance benchmarking
  • Web-based user interface allowing easy remote access and multi-user control
  • Supports custom profiles and PCAP replay for repeatable traffic scenarios
  • Customize traffic generation by adjusting transmission rate, Inter Frame Gap, and frame size to create precise and realistic network load patterns
  • Provides real-time statistics on throughput, jitter, delay, and packet loss

By combining MAPS™ control-plane emulation with IPTG user-plane data generation, GL’s 5G Lab offers a complete environment for validating 5G Core performance, reliability, and QoS.


Key Features

  • End-to-End 5G Standalone Testing: Real and emulated UEs for complete 5G-IMS-4G-3G-2G interoperability
  • Comprehensive Interface Coverage: Full core (N1N2, N4, N8, N10, N11, N12, N13, N17, N20, N21, N22, N29, and N51) and 3GPP Open RAN (F1, E1) support with HTTP/2-TLS security
  • Control and User Plane Emulation: NAS, NGAP, HTTP/2, and GTP-U traffic generation
  • High-Load Emulation: Up to 500 real devices plus thousands of virtual UEs for scalability and QoS validation
  • Fault Injection and Recovery: Delay, packet loss, or malformed message emulation
  • Flexible Customization: Script, message, and profile editors for advanced call flow creation
  • Remote Automation: Multi-client control, Python APIs, and CI/CD integration
  • Protocol Monitoring: Real-time decoding and analysis for performance insight

Experience the Future of 5G Testing

Whether you are validating a new 5G Core deployment, testing interoperability, or integrating legacy networks, GL’s End-to-End 5G Lab Testing Suite offers the flexibility, depth, and automation needed to deliver confidence in your network.

To explore technical details, real-world use cases, or integration options, feel free to reach out-or visit our website to learn more.


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