Evaluation of EAP Usage for Authenticating Wi-Fi Enterprise Users in 5G Networks
Leonardo Azalim de Oliveira, André Luiz De Oliveira, Edelberto Franco Silva · 2025
The fifth generation of cellular networks (5G) established a service-oriented paradigm in mobile networks. In this context, the 5G Core (5GC) and Network Functions (NFs) have become extremely flexible. In addition to serving mobile networks, the 5GC may also support connecting devices from non-3GPP networks (e.g., Wi-Fi). Given these characteristics and the potential for 5G and Wi-Fi convergence, carefully selecting the authentication methods used by non-3GPP user equipment is necessary to ensure secure authentication. This paper presents free5GC Auto Deploy (FAD), a Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) tool that automates the deployment of 5G simulation projects such as free5GC and UERANSIM. It also contains an architectural study focused on 5G and Wi-Fi convergence. In light of the above, it highlights key findings from an analysis conducted in a simulated testing environment deployed via FAD, which includes Wi-Fi non-3GPP access that could be utilized within the Eduroam federation.