5G Core Essentials: Building Blocks for Beginners
Gain hands-on expertise in 5G core networks through practical exercises exploring core architectures, protocols, network functions, and signaling workflows.
About The Lab
Prerequisites
Lab Architecture
This Lab offers an immersive environment focused on the 5G core network, featuring a fully implemented 5G core with Swagger for API exploration and Wireshark for in-depth signaling analysis. This lab builds upon entry-level proficiency in telecommunications and TCP/IP networking concepts, providing a solid foundation for delving into the intricate workings of the 5G core network ecosystem and fundamental protocols.
Why this Lab ?
This beginner-friendly hands-on Lab offers a comprehensive introduction to 5G core networks. Through step-by-step guided practice, you'll explore key concepts like the 5G core architecture, network functions (AMF, SMF, UPF, AUSF), protocols, and core processes. The Lab provides practical opportunities to analyze 5G signaling and data flows, and inspect protocols and messages to build valuable network analysis skills for 5G. Participants will acquire real-world skills through interactive exercises focused on analyzing Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) procedures, and inspecting related protocols and messages to cultivate an understanding of ensuring 5G security. Upon completing this Lab, you will have developed a solid grasp of 5G core network fundamentals, empowering you to navigate challenges and opportunities in the evolving 5G ecosystem.
Lab Objectives
- Understand the evolution of mobile networks from 1G to 5G and explore the key features and advancements introduced in each generation.
- Identify the objectives of 5G technology, including low latency, high data rates, massive connectivity, and ultra-reliability, and understand the use cases and applications enabled by these goals.
- Familiarize with the different 3GPP releases of 5G and their corresponding features and enhancements, and explore the timeline and roadmap of 5G deployment.
- Learn about the various deployment options for 5G core networks by Highlighting the differences between Non-Standalone (NSA) deployment options 3 and 7, and Standalone (SA) deployment option 2.
- Understand the concepts of public, private, and hybrid 5G networks and explore the advantages, use cases, and challenges associated with each deployment model.
- Identify the challenges and considerations involved in deploying 5G core networks, including interoperability, security, and scalability.
- Learn how to use Wireshark to capture, filter, and inspect packets in a network environment, and analyze important protocols such as DNS, HTTP2, NGAP, and SCTP using Wireshark.
- Familiarize with the different network elements in a 5G architecture, including the NRF, UDM, AMF, SMF, etc. And understand the roles and functions of each network element in the 5G core network.
- Learn about the various identifiers used in 5G networks and how they are used during the registration process, authentication, tracking, and management purposes.
- Discover the authentication and key agreement process in 5G, including the generation of the authentication vector and its associated steps. Highlight the disparities between authentication and key agreement (AKA) processes in 4G and 5G networks.
- Understand the role and operation of the NGAP and SCTP protocols within the signaling layer of the 5G network, to facilitate the effective deployment and management of 5G services.
- Explore 5G API exposure for seamless device communication & innovative app development.