Conformance Testing for 5G O-RAN Entities through MEC
Yuxiang Lin, Bing-Kai Hong, Shin‐Ming Cheng · 2022
The 3GPP alliance has published an identity verification and key agreement for the Fifth Generation (5G) mobile communications system. One of the most widespread applications of 5G networks are in commercial and industiral industries. Therefore, more IoT devices and factory equipment will apply 5G communication, which will put more RF equipment and services from different manufacurers in demand. In response to this environment, the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) will be built with next-generation RANs based on Artificial Intelligence (AI) control. As the number of devices increases, more challenges will be faced. Therefore, we insert a Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) component between the core network and the RAN, which can perform security analysis and conformance testing on newly connected RAN devices to avoid concerns of incomplete design and threats to the core network. Our proposed experimental environment can be in conjunction to commercial O-CU (O-RAN Central Unit), O-DU (O-RAN Distribution Units) or SA gNB to enable mandatory testing and security testing to facilitate the development of O-RAN entities and to focus on the information security threats they pose.