Development of Performance Evaluation Tools for 5G Core Networks = Desarrollo de Herramientas de Evaluación de Prestaciones para el núcleo de la red 5G

The objective of this Master’s Thesis is to design and implement a tool that is able to test 5G Core Network’s capabilities by using virtual networks and software tools as main innovator elements. Currently, there are not examples of real 5G Core Networks deployed. Therefore, this tool will be able to perform test benches on 5G networks related with Control Plane using NAS (Non-Access Stratum) protocol, defined in different use cases. Such tool will evaluate and validate different open-source software solutions of 5G Cores. Such core is critical within 5G networks, and it will unlock 5G’s full potential as described by 3GPP. To achieve such goal, the work proposed is divided into different milestones that need to be accomplished: 1. State of Art on 5G technologies, centered in protocols that intervene in Control Plane. 2. Evaluation of open-source platforms currently developing 5G cores, selecting one as the starting point, that suits better to develop the evaluation tool. 3. Study and generation of basic messages related with 5G Control Plane. 4. Software performance evaluation tool development, based on test benches used to test any 5G core and its interaction with different simulated 5G UEs. 5. Tool validation through the chosen open-source platform testing. 6. Elaboration of the Master’s Thesis document