4G Core Essentials: Building Blocks for Beginners

Why this Lab ?

This hands-on Lab provides a comprehensive overview of 4G networks with a focus on the evolved Packet Core, covering key concepts such as LTE architecture, protocols, and main LTE core processes through a step-by-step, beginner-friendly approach. The 4G Core beginner Lab provides a hands-on introduction to essential elements such as S1AP, GTPv2-C, DIAMETER, bearers, QoS and beyond, ensuring a straightforward yet comprehensive learning experience.

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Lab Objectives

• Examine the progression of LTE releases, focusing on the 4G Core's evolution and the successive enhancements introduced in each release.
• Gain insights into the IP-based architecture and services within the 4G Core environment to grasp the underlying framework supporting modern telecommunications.
• Explore the components of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), including the Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (SGW), Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW), HSS (Home Subscriber Server), and PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function), elucidating their respective roles and interactions within the 4G Core network.
• Enhance proficiency in analyzing network traffic within 4G Core networks using Wireshark, with a specific focus on DNS and SCTP protocols, crucial for effective monitoring and issue resolution.
• Understand how the EPC components handle functionalities such as Mobility Management, User Data Handling, Charging and Billing by learning concepts such as paging, default and dedicated bearers and PCC rules.
• Understand the concept of QoS and parameters as GBR, Non-GBR and QCI while identifying their relationship with the different bearers.
• Get introduced and examine fundamental protocols such as S1AP, GTPv2-C, DIAMETER.
• Gain knowledge and visualize the process of authentication, authorization and encryption between the core network and the UE.