RCNN- Reproducible Cloud Native 5G Node

Why does this exist?

We needed a real RAN to test for the CNF Test Suite. We couldn’t find an example that ‘just works’ in Kubernetes so we made one.

What is this, exactly?

This is Radio Access Networking software (RAN) combined with 5g core software, which together with the proper hardware creates a 5g node (base station) that can generate a 5g signal for a commerical off the shelf (COTS) phone.

All of this is installable in Kubernetes, with helm charts, making it (somewhat) cloud native.

RCNN Installation steps

git clone https://github.com/cnf-testsuite/RCNN.git

Create KIND Cluster with USB Access to B200/Mini

kind create cluster --config=./k8s/kind.conf

Install Open5GS

helm pull oci://registry-1.docker.io/gradiant/open5gs --version 2.0.8

helm install open5gs oci://registry-1.docker.io/gradiant/open5gs --version 2.0.8 --values ./k8s/5gSA-values.yaml

Install SRS Ran

kubectl create -f srsran.yml

Start SRSRan

kubectl exec -ti srsran -- /srsran/build/apps/gnb/gnb -c /srsran/build/apps/gnb/gnb_band71.conf

What equipment is required for this to work?

• A faraday cage (e.g. a DVTest faraday cage)
• A COTS phone (e.g. a oneplus 10t)
• A software defined radio (e.g. an Ettus b200 SDR)
• A programmable sim card (e.g. a sysmocom sim card)
• A sim card reader/writer (e.g. an HID Omnikey)
• A computer to act as the GNB (e.g. Dell XPS 13 9320)

Where can I see this in action

Slidedeck