Multi Access Edge Compute Integrated With LTE Networks

March 10, 2023

Multi Access Edge Compute Integrated With LTE Networks

      Multi Access Edge Compute Integrated With LTE Networks

Project Demo :-

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1xdqw0mj03XZ9jCgzzrrEgOzMe8ywxdM6?usp=share_link

List of repositories which we have used for the project Deployment:-

For Ran:-
   https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/mosaic5g/mosaic5g/-/wikis/tutorials/oai-ran

For LL-MEC:-
   https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/mosaic5g/mosaic5g/-/wikis/tutorials/llmec

For OVS:-
   https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/mosaic5g/ll-mec/-/wikis/home

For CoreNetwork:-
   https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/mosaic5g/mosaic5g/-/wikis/tutorials/oai-cn-v2

For Sim Programming:-
   https://open-cells.com/index.php/uiccsim-programing/

Software Requirements:-

Ubuntu OS 16.04 with 4.4.0-210-lowlatency.
Docker with version 20.10.14
Wireshark tool with version 2.6.10
Open-cells repository with version uicc V2.6

Hardware Requirements:-

Intel-based CPU with 6 core @4.5 GHz, 16G RAM, USB3. (Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-10500 CPU @ 3.10GHz)
USRP B210 as the SDR with UHD Version 3.15.0.0
U-Sim cards: Open-cells customizable U-sim cards Version 2.6.
UE: Google Pixel 5

To deploy the MEC environment for LTE network I have used mosaic5g open source project.Here I have given the url of the gitlab where the project is available:-

Gitlab Project URL:- https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/mosaic5g/ll-mec

Architecture:-

Project Setup Instruction:-

1.OVS-GTP Installation:-

Repository:-

https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/mosaic5g/ll-mec/-/wikis/home

Prerequisite: kernel version 4.9 (Ubuntu 16.04)

Clone the repository first:-

   git clone https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/mosaic5g/ll-mec-ovs.git

All you need to do is to run the install.sh.

   cd ll-mec-ovs/ovs_kernel_gtp
   ./install.sh

For configuration:- Run this commands:

        cd ll-mec-ovs

Filling the required information in config file:-

   EXT_INTERFACE=enp3s0     # the interface name with Internet access
   EXT_IP=172.16.1.1                 # the ip address of the interface with the Internet access
   CTRL_IP=192.168.12.240                # controller IP, i.e. LL-MEC IP
   CTRL_PORT=6653                    # controller port, default to 6653
   OF_VERSION=OpenFlow10,OpenFlow13         # supported version

To start the OVS and stop the OVS run these following commands:-

            ./0-start-ovs.sh

# Setup OVS server. Required only once after booting.

   ./1-setup-switch.sh         # Bring up switch
   ./2-remove-switch.sh         # Tear down switch

2. LL-MEC Installation:-
   This setup is installed on another PC with Core Network and RAN.

Repository:-

https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/mosaic5g/mosaic5g/-/wikis/tutorials/llmec

Use the build_m5g script to install LL-MEC:-

   $ ./build_m5g -L
   $ sudo ll-mec

Update the LL-MEC config file:-

Only update the MAC Address of gateway.
{
"llmec": {
"address": "0.0.0.0",
"port": 6653,
"number_of_workers": 4,
"secure_connection": false
},
"northbound_api": {
"port": 9999
},
"gateway": {
"mac": "00:24:9b:23:33:a6"     // Change the MAC Address
},
"ovs_switch": {
"s1u_port": 2,
"external_port": 1
}
}

3.Core Network:-

Repository:-

https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/mosaic5g/mosaic5g/-/wikis/tutorials/oai-cn-v2

Preliminaries:-
=> OAI-HSS is based on Cassandra DB. To facilitate the installation and deployment procedure, we make use of docker.Install Ubuntu-based Docker and Cassandra as follows and configure for the HSS (oai_db.cql).

   $ sudo snap install docker             //install docker
   $ docker ps                                   # Check Docker status, see comment below
   $ docker run --name cassandra-docker -d -e CASSANDRA_CLUSTER_NAME="OAI
HSS Cluster" \
-e CASSANDRA_ENDPOINT_SNITCH=GossipingPropertyFileSnitch \
mosaic5gecosys/cassandra-m5g:1.0               # Create a cassandra container for the HSS
$ docker exec -it cassandra-docker bash               # Start an interactive session
$ nodetool status                                                      # Check the Cassandra status
$ cqlsh --file ./oai_db.cql 172.17.0.2                         # Install the oai_db database

=> The cassandra status and IP address (172.17.0.2) should be as follows:
   # nodetool status

Datacenter: DC1
===============
Status=Up/Down
|/ State=Normal/Leaving/Joining/Moving
-- Address        Load     Tokens     Owns (effective)     Host ID     Rack
UN 172.17.0.2     Y KB     256         100.0%
XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX RAC1"

Install the snaps:-
Install the OAI CN snaps:-

   $ ./build_m5g -C v2
   $ snap list

HSS configuration:-

Before being able to run the oai-hss snap, we need to grant permissions:-

   $ sudo snap connect oai-hss:log-observe
   $ sudo snap connect oai-hss:process-control
   $ sudo snap connect oai-hss:network-control

First, create new configuration files for the HSS:

   $ sudo oai-hss.init              // to init the HSS
   $ sudo oai-hss.conf-get         // to get the config file
   $ sudo oai-hss                        // to run the HSS

The HSS can be run as a systemd service:-

   $ sudo oai-hss.start                 # run the HSS as a service
   $ sudo oai-hss.status         # verify the service's status
   $ sudo oai-hss.journal             # see the service's journal
   $ sudo oai-hss.stop               # stop the service

MME configuration:-

Before being able to run the oai-mme snap, we need to grant permissions:-
   $ sudo snap connect oai-mme:log-observe
   $ sudo snap connect oai-mme:process-control
   $ sudo snap connect oai-mme:network-control

Create certificates and the configuration files:-

Change HSS_HOSTNAME to match your computer's hostname.
Change GUMMEI_LIST and TAI_LIST to match your desired PLMN configuration.
   $ sudo oai-mme.init
   $ sudo oai-mme.conf-get
   $ sudo oai-mme

In the HSS window, there should be output related to the connecting MME. In the last line there should be:
   'STATE_CLOSED' -> 'STATE_OPEN' '<hostname>.openair5G.eur'

SPGWC and SPGWU configuration:-

Before being able to run the oai-spgwc & oai-spgwu snap, we need to grant permissions:-
   $ sudo snap connect oai-spgwc:log-observe
   $ sudo snap connect oai-spgwc:process-control
   $ sudo snap connect oai-spgwu:process-control
   $ sudo snap connect oai-spgwu:network-control
   $ sudo snap connect oai-spgwu:firewall-control
   $ sudo snap connect oai-spgwu:log-observe

Create and list the configuration files:-
   $ sudo oai-spgwc.init
   $ sudo oai-spgwc.conf-get
   $ sudo oai-spgwu.init
   $ sudo oai-spgwu.conf-get

The remote controller sections will be important for the scenario with LL-MEC controllers. For this deployment scenario (with LL-MEC controller), the LL-MEC controller should be enabled by setting REMOTE_CONTROLLER_ENABLED to Yes.

If you want to use a different APN, set it in the APN_LIST section of P-GW.

Run SPGWC and SPGWU in separate terminals and make sure to see the HEARTBEATS are sent and received in the SPGWC and SPGWU apps.

   $ sudo oai-spgwc
   $ sudo oai-spgwu

4.Installing the RAN:-

Repository:-

https://gitlab.eurecom.fr/mosaic5g/mosaic5g/-/wikis/tutorials/oai-ran

Use the build_m5g script to install the OAI RAN snaps:;

        $ ./build_m5g -R

Before being able to run OAI-RAN, you have to grant some permissions (see oai-ran.info):

   $ sudo snap connect oai-ran:log-observe
   $ sudo snap connect oai-ran:network-control
   $ sudo snap connect oai-ran:netlink-connector
   $ sudo snap connect oai-ran:process-control
   $ sudo snap connect oai-ran:cpu-control
   $ sudo snap connect oai-ran:raw-usb

To configure the RAN, get the configuration file using the -conf-get command, then use an editor with sudo rights:-

   $ sudo oai-ran.enb-conf-get

#gets a file path, e.g var/snap/oai-ran/17/enb.band7.tm1.50PRB.usrpb210.conf

   $ sudo vim /var/snap/oai-ran/17/enb.band7.tm1.50PRB.usrpb210.conf
   $ sudo oai-ran.enb-conf-show         # to check the configuration

Once the RAN is configured, it can be started in the two following ways:-

   $ sudo oai-ran.enb

# run manually, recommended, stop with Ctrl-C

   $ sudo oai-ran.enb-start             # as a daemon

Configuration:-

First configure the network information:-
   plmn_list = ( { mcc = 208; mnc = 95; mnc_length = 2; } )
Second, configure the core network information matching the MME's configuration (as in the MME's MME_INTERFACE_NAME_FOR_S1_MME):-
   mme_ip_address = (
   {
   ipv4
   = "127.0.1.10";
   ipv6
   = "192:168:30::17";
   active = "yes";
   preference = "ipv4";
   }
   );

5.SIM Programming:-

   Link:- https://open-cells.com/index.php/uiccsim-programing/

Download the UICC-v2.6,source code link also given in official documentation of U-SIM programming.

For Compilation:-
   make
Insert the card in the reader and the reader in a USB socket.
Reads basic data in the card:-
   sudo ./program_uicc
Run this command (with IMSI, OPC and Ki used in our example configuration files):-

sudo ./program_uicc --adm 1oc45678 --imsi 208950100001101 --isdn 00000001 --acc
0001 --key 6874736969202073796d4b2079650a73 --opc
504f20634f6320504f50206363500a4f -spn "OpenCells01" --authenticate
--noreadafter

● adm:- You can find it on your sim card.
● key:- Go to the HSS database log file and copy the key from here.
● opc:- HSS generates the New OP key while running it.Check the HSS database log file to
get this.
● imsi :- Change the value of imsi according to your MNC and MCC value.
● spn :- Set the SIM name.

=> Install all the components which are required for the setup.

Start the OVS-GTP and establish the connection with LL-MEC.
Connect the USRP with RAN.
Run the Core Network Components and RAN.
Turn On the mobile network in UE.
Check the MME log and LL-MEC API log

============================================
Our Setup :

Here, we have internet connection only in PC3 so from PC3 we do a NAT operations to get an internet in PC2 & PC1.
1. Do a NAT Operation in PC3.

   #sudo iptables -P FORWARD ACCEPT
   #sudo sysctl net.ipv4.ip_forward
   #sudo iptables --table nat --append POSTROUTING --out-interface <interfacename> -j     MASQUERADE    // {give networkaccess interface }
   #sudo iptables --append FORWARD --in-interface <interfacename> -j ACCEPT // {give     other connected interface which is not getting internet}

2. Add gateway in PC2 and Do NAT operation in PC2.

   # sudo route add default gw 172.16.1.1
   #sudo iptables -P FORWARD ACCEPT
   #sudo sysctl net.ipv4.ip_forward
   #sudo iptables --table nat --append POSTROUTING --out-interface <interfacename> -j     MASQUERADE }    // {give networkaccess interface }
   #sudo iptables --append FORWARD --in-interface <interfacename> -j ACCEPT // {give     other connected interface which is not getting internet}

3. Add gateway in PC1.

       # sudo route add default gw 192.168.150.119

4. Check all the PCs are getting Internet.

5. Now in PC1 :

   Start the docker
       # sudo docker start cassandra-docker
       # sudo docker ps

Run OAI-HSS, OAI-SPGWC, OAI-SPGWU, OAI-MME, OAI-RAN.ENB in diiferent tabs
       # sudo oai-hss
       # sudo oai-spgwc
       # sudo oai-spgwu
       # sudo oai-mme
       # sudo oai-ran.enb
Connect UE

6.Then, Start OVS-GTP in PC2

        # cd mosaic5g/ovs-gtp

        # ./0-start-ovs.sh

# 1-setup-switch.sh

7.Run ll-mec in PC1 (if flows are not getting then do interface down and up)

# sudo ll-mec
(if flows are not getting then do interface down and up)

8. Now, only stop RAN.ENB and re-run RAN.ENB

        # sudo oai-ran.enb

Connect to UE

9. After connected if you are not getting internet on UE then add gateway in PC2

        # sudo route add default gw 172.16.1.1

   add route in PC3.

        # sudo ip route add 12.1.1.0/24 via 172.16.1.253 // here 12.1.1.0/24 is UE ip network

Wireshark Outputs:

GW pc to UE: