Building a 5G Core Network Testbed: Open-Source Solutions, Lessons Learned, and Research Directions

Building a 5G Core Network (5GC) testbed is a useful exercise to gain a comprehensive understanding of 5G technology and is an important part of 5GC research. However, this task requires significant engineering effort, making it challenging, especially for novice researchers. In this paper, we share insights from constructing an end-to-end software-based 5G testbed, aiming to assist other researchers in overcoming technical challenges in this endeavour. We begin by providing an overview of popular open-source software designed for 5G testbeds, with a focus on the mobile core network. We then present two distinct 5GC testbed designs: one employing two desktop PCs and the other utilising a single high-performance server. Lessons learned during the testbed installation process are noted. Furthermore, we discuss several research opportunities that can be explored with the testbed, ranging from service development to automation in 5G deployments. We believe this work will foster further exploration and experimentation within the 5GC area.