5G: Open5GS: Quick Start
1. Introduction to Open5GS
Welcome! If you want to set up your first Open5GS core you have come to the right place. Before we get started, we’ll spend a moment to understand the basic architecture of the software.
TL;DR: Open5GS contains a series of software components and network functions that implement the 4G/ 5G NSA and 5G SA core functions. If you know what each of these do already and how they interface with each other, skip to section 2.
Open5GS Diagram
[Higher quality PDF diagram available HERE]
4G/ 5G NSA Core The Open5GS 4G/ 5G NSA Core contains the following components:
MME - Mobility Management Entity HSS - Home Subscriber Server PCRF - Policy and Charging Rules Function SGWC - Serving Gateway Control Plane SGWU - Serving Gateway User Plane PGWC/SMF - Packet Gateway Control Plane / (component contained in Open5GS SMF) PGWU/UPF - Packet Gateway User Plane / (component contained in Open5GS UPF)
The core has two main planes: the control plane and the user plane. These are physically separated in Open5GS as CUPS (control/ user plane separation) is implemented.
The MME is the main control plane hub of the core. It primarily manages sessions, mobility, paging and bearers. It links to the HSS, which generates SIM authentication vectors and holds the subscriber profile; and also to the SGWC and PGWC/SMF, which are the control planes of the gateway servers. All the eNBs in the mobile network (4G basestations) connect to the MME. The final element of the control plane is the PCRF, which sits in-between the PGWC/SMF and the HSS, and handles charging and enforces subscriber policies.
The user plane carries user data packets between the eNB/ NSA gNB (5G NSA basestations) and the external WAN. The two user plane core components are the SGWU and PGWU/UPF. Each of these connect back to their control plane counterparts. eNBs/ NSA gNBs connect to the SGWU, which connects to the PGWU/UPF, and on to the WAN. By having the control and user planes physically separated like this, it means you can deploy multiple user plane servers in the field (eg somewhere with a high speed Internet connection), whilst keeping control functionality centralised. This enables support of MEC use cases, for example.
All of these Open5GS components have config files. Each config file contains the component’s IP bind addresses/ local Interface names and the IP addresses/ DNS names of the other components it needs to connect to. We’ll come back to this in Section 3.
5G SA Core The Open5GS 5G SA Core contains the following functions:
AMF - Access and Mobility Management Function SMF - Session Management Function UPF - User Plane Function AUSF - Authentication Server Function NRF - NF Repository Function UDM - Unified Data Management UDR - Unified Data Repository PCF - Policy and Charging Function NSSF - Network Slice Selection Function BSF - Binding Support Function
The 5G SA core works in a different way to the 4G core - it uses a Service Based Architecture (SBI). Control plane functions are configured to register with the NRF, and the NRF then helps them discover the other core functions. Running through the other functions: The AMF handles connection and mobility management; a subset of what the 4G MME is tasked with. gNBs (5G basestations) connect to the AMF. The UDM, AUSF and UDR carry out similar operations as the 4G HSS, generating SIM authentication vectors and holding the subscriber profile. Session management is all handled by the SMF (previously the responsibility of the 4G MME/ SGWC/ PGWC). The NSSF provides a way to select the network slice. Finally there is the PCF, used for charging and enforcing subscriber policies.
The 5G SA core user plane is much simpler, as it only contains a single function. The UPF carries user data packets between the gNB and the external WAN. It connects back to the SMF too.
With the exception of the SMF and UPF, all config files for the 5G SA core functions only contain the function’s IP bind addresses/ local Interface names and the IP address/ DNS name of the NRF.
2. Install Open5GS with a Package Manager Note: Package managers can be used to install Open5GS in Debian/Ubuntu and openSUSE environments (for major and minor builds). CentOS, Fedora, and Mac OSX require you to build with source code.
Note: Nighly builds are offered by Osmocom on OBS. Scroll down to use a nightly build package.
Ubuntu Ubuntu makes it easy to install Open5GS as shown below.
$ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install software-properties-common $ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:open5gs/latest $ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install open5gs
Debian The Open5GS packages for Debian are available on OBS. If you want to use the latest Debian version like Debian 10(Buster), you need to install MongoDB first.
$ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install wget gnupg $ wget -qO - https://www.mongodb.org/static/pgp/server-4.2.asc | sudo apt-key add - $ echo "deb http://repo.mongodb.org/apt/debian buster/mongodb-org/4.2 main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mongodb-org.list $ wget -qO - https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/Debian_10/Release.key | sudo apt-key add - $ sudo sh -c "echo 'deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/Debian_10/ ./' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/open5gs.list" $ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install mongodb-org $ sudo apt install open5gs
Other distributions can be installed by changing the path.
https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/Debian_10/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/Debian_Testing/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/Debian_Unstable/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/Raspbian_10/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/xUbuntu_18.04/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/xUbuntu_20.04/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/xUbuntu_20.10/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/xUbuntu_21.04/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/home:/acetcom:/open5gs:/latest/xUbuntu_21.10/
openSUSE Martin Hauke packaged Open5GS for openSUSE on OBS.
$ sudo zypper addrepo -f obs://home:mnhauke:open5gs home:mnhauke:open5gs $ sudo zypper install mongodb-server mongodb-shell $ sudo zypper install open5gs
Nightly Builds Nightly bulit package are provided by Osmocom on OBS. On Ubuntu 20.04 you can install it like this:
$ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install wget gnupg $ wget -qO - https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/xUbuntu_20.04/Release.key | sudo apt-key add - $ sudo sh -c "echo 'deb http://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/xUbuntu_20.04/ ./' > /etc/apt/sources.list.d/open5gs.list" $ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install open5gs
Other distributions can be installed by changing the path.
https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/Debian_10/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/Debian_Testing/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/Debian_Unstable/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/Raspbian_10/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/xUbuntu_18.04/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/xUbuntu_20.04/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/xUbuntu_20.10/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/xUbuntu_21.04/ https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/network:/osmocom:/nightly/xUbuntu_21.10/
3. Install the WebUI of Open5GS The WebUI allows you to interactively edit subscriber data. While it is not essential to use this, it makes things easier when you are just starting out on your Open5GS adventure. (A command line tool is available for advanced users).
Node.js is required to install the WebUI of Open5GS
Debian and Ubuntu based Linux distributions can install Node.js as follows:
$ sudo apt update $ sudo apt install curl $ curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_14.x | sudo -E bash - $ sudo apt install nodejs
To install Node.js on openSUSE, run the following:
$ sudo zypper install nodejs8
You can now install WebUI of Open5GS.
$ curl -fsSL https://open5gs.org/open5gs/assets/webui/install | sudo -E bash -
4. Configure Open5GS
Okay - you have installed the software, now what to do with it? Well, there are some tweaks you will need to make to the config files, and you will need to enter subscriber data into your HSS/ UDR. You will also need to set some IP Table rules to bridge the PGWU/UPF to the WAN.
Out of the box, the default configurations see all of the Open5GS components fully configured for use on a single computer. They are set to communicate with each other using the local loopback address space (127.0.0.X). The default addresses for each of the bind interfaces for these components and functions are as follows:
MongoDB = 127.0.0.1 (subscriber data) - http://localhost:3000 MME-s1ap = 127.0.0.2 :36412 for S1-MME MME-gtpc = 127.0.0.2 :2123 for S11 MME-frDi = 127.0.0.2 :3868 for S6a SGWC-gtpc = 127.0.0.3 :2123 for S11 SGWC-pfcp = 127.0.0.3 :8805 for Sxa SMF-gtpc = 127.0.0.4 :2123 for S5c, N11 SMF-gtpu = 127.0.0.4 :2152 for N4u (Sxu) SMF-pfcp = 127.0.0.4 :8805 for N4 (Sxb) SMF-frDi = 127.0.0.4 :3868 for Gx auth SMF-sbi = 127.0.0.4 :7777 for 5G SBI (N7,N10,N11) AMF-ngap = 127.0.0.5 :38412 for N2 AMF-sbi = 127.0.0.5 :7777 for 5G SBI (N8,N12,N11) SGWU-pfcp = 127.0.0.6 :8805 for Sxa SGWU-gtpu = 127.0.0.6 :2152 for S1-U, S5u UPF-pfcp = 127.0.0.7 :8805 for N4 (Sxb) UPF-gtpu = 127.0.0.7 :2152 for S5u, N3, N4u (Sxu) HSS-frDi = 127.0.0.8 :3868 for S6a, Cx
PCRF-frDi = 127.0.0.9 :3868 for Gx NRF-sbi = 127.0.0.10:7777 for 5G SBI AUSF-sbi = 127.0.0.11:7777 for 5G SBI UDM-sbi = 127.0.0.12:7777 for 5G SBI PCF-sbi = 127.0.0.13:7777 for 5G SBI NSSF-sbi = 127.0.0.14:7777 for 5G SBI BSF-sbi = 127.0.0.15:7777 for 5G SBI UDR-sbi = 127.0.0.20:7777 for 5G SBI
Setup a 4G/ 5G NSA Core
You will need to modify your 4G MME config to support your PLMN and TAC. The international test PLMN is 001/01, and the international private network PLMN is 999/99. You should stick to using either of these PLMNs unless you have been issued a PLMN by your national regulator. (This PLMN will need to be configured in your eNB).
If you are aiming to connect an external eNB to your core, you will also need to change the S1AP bind address of the MME and the GTP-U bind address of the SGWU. If you are running an eNB stack locally, you will not need to make these changes.
Modify /etc/open5gs/mme.yaml to set the S1AP IP address, PLMN ID, and TAC.
$ diff -u /etc/open5gs/mme.yaml.old /etc/open5gs/mme.yaml
mme:
freeDiameter: /etc/freeDiameter/mme.conf
s1ap:
- addr: 127.0.0.2
+ addr: 10.10.0.2 # for external eNB - a local address that can be reached by the eNB
gtpc:
addr: 127.0.0.2
gummei:
plmn_id:
- mcc: 901
- mnc: 70
+ mcc: 001 # set your PLMN-MCC
+ mnc: 01 # set your PLMN-MNC
mme_gid: 2
mme_code: 1
tai:
plmn_id:
- mcc: 901
- mnc: 70
- tac: 1
+ mcc: 001 # set your PLMN-MCC
+ mnc: 01 # set your PLMN-MNC
+ tac: 2 # should match the TAC used by your eNB
security:
Modify /etc/open5gs/sgwu.yaml to set the GTP-U IP address.
$ diff -u /etc/open5gs/sgwu.yaml.old /etc/open5gs/sgwu.yaml
sgwu:
gtpu:
- addr: 127.0.0.6
+ addr: 10.11.0.6 # for external eNB - a local address that can be reached by the eNB
pfcp:
addr: 127.0.0.6
After changing config files, please restart Open5GS daemons.
$ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-mmed $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-sgwud
Setup a 5G Core
You will need to modify your 5G AMF config to support your PLMN and TAC. The international test PLMN is 001/01, and the international private network PLMN is 999/99. You should stick to using either of these PLMNs unless you have been issued a PLMN by your national regulator. (This PLMN will need to be configured in your gNB).
If you are aiming to connect an external gNB to your core, you will also need to change the NGAP bind address of the AMF and the GTPU bind address of the UPF. If you are running an gNB stack locally, you will not need to make these changes.
Modify /etc/open5gs/amf.yaml to set the NGAP IP address, PLMN ID, TAC and NSSAI.
$ diff -u /etc/open5gs/amf.yaml.old /etc/open5gs/amf.yaml
amf:
sbi:
- addr: 127.0.0.5
port: 7777
ngap:
- - addr: 127.0.0.5
+ - addr: 10.10.0.5 # for external gNB - a local address that can be reached by the gNB
guami:
- plmn_id:
- mcc: 901
- mnc: 70
+ mcc: 001 # set your PLMN-MCC
+ mnc: 01 # set your PLMN-MNC
amf_id:
region: 2
set: 1
tai:
- plmn_id:
- mcc: 901
- mnc: 70
- tac: 1
+ mcc: 001 # set your PLMN-MCC
+ mnc: 01 # set your PLMN-MNC
+ tac: 2 # should match the TAC used by your gNB
plmn_support:
- plmn_id:
- mcc: 901
- mnc: 70
+ mcc: 001 # set your PLMN-MCC
+ mnc: 01 # set your PLMN-MNC
s_nssai:
- sst: 1
security:
Modify /etc/open5gs/upf.yaml to set the GTP-U address.
$ diff -u /etc/open5gs/upf.yaml.old /etc/open5gs/upf.yaml
upf:
pfcp:
- addr: 127.0.0.7
gtpu:
- - addr: 127.0.0.7
+ - addr: 10.11.0.7 # for external gNB - a local address that can be reached by the gNB
subnet:
- addr: 10.45.0.1/16
- addr: 2001:db8:cafe::1/48
After changing config files, please restart Open5GS daemons.
$ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-amfd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-upfd
Register Subscriber Information
Connect to http://localhost:3000 and login with admin account.
Username : admin Password : 1423
Tip: You can change the password in Account Menu.
To add subscriber information, you can do WebUI operations in the following order:
- Go to Subscriber Menu.
- Click + Button to add a new subscriber.
- Fill the IMSI, security context(K, OPc, AMF), and APN of the subscriber.
- Click SAVE Button
Enter the subscriber details of your SIM cards using this tool, to save the subscriber profile in the HSS and UDR MongoDB database backend. If you are using test SIMs, the details are normally printed on the card.
Tip: Subscribers added with this tool immediately register in the Open5GS HSS/ UDR without the need to restart any daemon.
Adding a route for the UE to have WAN connectivity In order to bridge between the PGWU/UPF and WAN (Internet), you must enable IP forwarding and add a NAT rule to your IP Tables.
Note: For the first run, it makes things simpler if you do not have any rules in the IP/NAT tables. If a program such as docker has already set up a rule, you will need to add rules differently.
You can check your current IP Table rules with the following commands (these tables are empty):
### Check IP Tables $ sudo iptables -L Chain INPUT (policy ACCEPT) target prot opt source destination Chain FORWARD (policy ACCEPT) target prot opt source destination Chain OUTPUT (policy ACCEPT) target prot opt source destination ### Check NAT Tables
$ sudo iptables -L -t nat Chain PREROUTING (policy ACCEPT) target prot opt source destination Chain INPUT (policy ACCEPT) target prot opt source destination Chain OUTPUT (policy ACCEPT) target prot opt source destination Chain POSTROUTING (policy ACCEPT) target prot opt source destination
To enable forwarding and add the NAT rule, enter
### Enable IPv4/IPv6 Forwarding $ sudo sysctl -w net.ipv4.ip_forward=1 $ sudo sysctl -w net.ipv6.conf.all.forwarding=1 ### Add NAT Rule $ sudo iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -s 10.45.0.0/16 ! -o ogstun -j MASQUERADE $ sudo ip6tables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -s 2001:db8:cafe::/48 ! -o ogstun -j MASQUERADE
5. Turn on your eNB/gNB and UE
First, connect your eNB/gNB to the Open5GS core:
Make sure the PLMN and TAC of the eNB/gNB matches the settings in your MME/AMF Connect your eNB/gNB to the IP of your server via the standard S1AP/NGAP SCTP port 36412/38412 (for MME/AMF) Your eNB/gNB should report a successful S1/NG connection - congrats, your core is fully working! You can see actual traffic through wireshark – [srsenb.pcapng]. You can view the log at /var/log/open5gs/*.log, eg:
### Watch the live MME log tail -f /var/log/open5gs/mme.log
Next, try to attach a UE to the basestation:
Insert your SIM card to the UE Set the UE’s APN to match the APN you configured in the Open5GS WebUI Toggle the UE in and out of flight mode If it doesn’t automatically connect, try manually searching for a network If the PLMN set on the SIM card does not match the PLMN being used by the radio, you will need to ensure ‘data roaming’ on the UE is switched on
6. Starting and Stopping Open5GS
When you install the software using the package manager, it is setup to run as a systemd service. You can stop and restart the components and network functions as follows:
$ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-mmed $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-sgwcd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-smfd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-amfd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-sgwud $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-upfd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-hssd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-pcrfd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-nrfd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-ausfd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-udmd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-pcfd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-nssfd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-bsfd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-udrd $ sudo systemctl stop open5gs-webui $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-mmed $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-sgwcd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-smfd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-amfd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-sgwud $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-upfd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-hssd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-pcrfd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-nrfd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-ausfd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-udmd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-pcfd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-nssfd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-bsfd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-udrd $ sudo systemctl restart open5gs-webui
7. Uninstall Open5GS and WebUI
To remove the Open5GS packages:
On Ubuntu/Debian:
$ sudo apt purge open5gs $ sudo apt autoremove
On openSUSE:
$ sudo zypper rm open5gs
You may need to remove manually /var/log/open5gs unless it is empty.
$ sudo rm -Rf /var/log/open5gs
The WebUI of Open5GS can be removed as follows:
curl -fsSL https://open5gs.org/open5gs/assets/webui/uninstall | sudo -E bash -