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title: ORCA Introduction
tags: [Documentation, Templates]

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title: 'Project documentation template'
disqus: hackmd
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Introduction for ORCA
===

## Table of Contents

[TOC]

## ORCA Introduction

### What is ORCA?

![Asset 10](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/r19TuTqVR.png)

ORCA (Open RAN Configuration Application) is an advanced simulation dashboard-based training platform specifically designed to elevate users' understanding and expertise in configuring 5G Radio Access Networks (RAN). This innovative platform provides a comprehensive, interactive environment where users can explore, simulate, and master the intricate configurations and operations of 5G RAN, facilitating hands-on learning and skill development. ORCA integrates sophisticated tools and features, including topology graph visualization, real-time monitoring, and detailed packet analysis with Wireshark, making it an indispensable resource for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge and proficiency in 5G RAN configuration.

### Who We Are

We are a dedicated team of final-year students on the cusp of graduation, united by our passion for innovation and excellence in telecommunications. Our capstone project, ORCA (Open RAN Configuration Application), is a testament to our commitment to advancing the field. Developed with the invaluable support of the Telecom Infra Project (TIP) lab, ORCA represents our collective vision and effort to create a transformative training platform. 

![TIP_horizontal_rgb_color](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BynkUT94C.png)

TIP is a global community dedicated to accelerating the development and deployment of open, standards-based technology solutions for high-quality connectivity. By leveraging TIP's extensive resources, expertise, and collaborative spirit, we aim to address the current and future needs of the telecom industry. Our partnership with TIP empowers us to design and develop a cutting-edge platform that not only meets the industry's demands but also prepares the next generation of telecom professionals for the challenges ahead.

### What we're building

ORCA transcends the traditional boundaries of training platforms by incorporating a suite of advanced features designed to elevate the 5G RAN configuration experience:

1. **Topology Graph Visualization:** Provides a dynamic and interactive interface for visualizing and managing network topologies, enabling users to intuitively understand and configure complex network layouts.

2. **Wireshark for Packet Analysis:** Integrates the powerful capabilities of Wireshark, allowing users to perform in-depth packet analysis. This feature is essential for troubleshooting, optimizing network performance, and ensuring efficient data flow.

3. **Real-Time Monitoring:** Delivers comprehensive real-time monitoring of network performance and health. Users can track key performance indicators, detect anomalies, and respond proactively to maintain optimal network operations.

### Our Mission

Our mission is to develop a state-of-the-art training platform that empowers telecom professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to excel in 5G RAN configuration. By combining advanced visualization, analysis, and monitoring capabilities, ORCA aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, fostering a new generation of skilled telecom engineers.

### Team Members

* Ari Erginta Ginting: Infrastructure Engineer
* Bagus Dwi Prasetyo: Backend Engineer
* Ima Dewi Arofani: Frontend Engineer
* Mochamad Rafli Hadiana: System Integrator Engineer

Together, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in telecom training and configuration. Thank you for your interest in ORCA.


5G Overview
---

![Picture1](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/r1L7QiCI0.png)



### 5G Core Network

The 5G Core Network is the backbone of modern mobile communications, enabling a new era of connectivity and data transmission. It supports a wide range of services and ensures seamless communication across various devices and applications. Here, we explore the essential components of the 5G Core Network and their vital functions:

**Components and Their Functions**

1. Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)
    * Function: Manages user equipment (UE) access and mobility.
    * Role: Ensures efficient handling of user registrations, authentication, and mobility management, providing continuous connectivity as users move across different network areas.

2. Session Management Function (SMF)
    * Function: Handles session management and IP address allocation.
    * Role: Manages the establishment, modification, and release of user sessions, ensuring optimal use of network resources and consistent IP address allocation for seamless data services.

3. User Plane Function (UPF)
    * Function: Manages user plane traffic and routing.
    * Role: Directs the data traffic between user devices and external data networks, optimizing the data flow and minimizing latency for an enhanced user experience.

4. Network Repository Function (NRF)
    * Function: Maintains a repository of network functions and their profiles.
    * Role: Acts as a centralized registry for all network functions, facilitating efficient discovery and communication between different components within the 5G Core Network.

5. Policy Control Function (PCF)
    * Function: Enforces network policies.
    * Role: Implements dynamic policy rules to manage network behavior, ensuring quality of service (QoS), resource allocation, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

6. Unified Data Management (UDM)
    * Function: Manages user data and profiles.
    * Role: Stores and handles subscriber information, authentication credentials, and user profiles, enabling personalized services and secure access to the network.

By integrating these components, the 5G Core Network delivers robust and flexible connectivity solutions, meeting the diverse demands of modern mobile communications.


### Open Radio Access Network

Open RAN revolutionizes traditional RAN architecture by promoting interoperability and flexibility through open interfaces and standards. This transformative approach enhances the efficiency and adaptability of radio access networks, providing numerous benefits to operators and end-users alike.

**Components and Their Functions**

1. Central Unit (CU)
    * Function: Controls the radio network, manages signaling, and processes data.
    * Role: The CU acts as the brain of the Open RAN architecture, handling non-real-time functions such as data packet processing, signaling, and mobility management. It ensures efficient coordination across the network, facilitating seamless data flow and robust connectivity.

2. Distributed Unit (DU)
    * Function: Handles real-time processing and radio signal management.
    * Role: Positioned closer to the end-user, the DU is responsible for real-time operations, including baseband processing and resource allocation. It manages the immediate radio environment, ensuring low latency and high-performance communication for end-user devices.

3. Radio Unit (RU)
    * Function: Converts digital signals to radio waves and vice versa, interfacing with the antennas.
    * Role: The RU operates at the network's edge, interfacing directly with the antennas to transmit and receive radio signals. It converts digital signals from the DU into radio frequencies and vice versa, ensuring accurate and efficient communication between the network and user devices.

**Benefit of Open RAN**

1. Interoperability: By adhering to open standards, Open RAN allows equipment from different vendors to work together seamlessly, reducing reliance on proprietary solutions and fostering a competitive market.
1. Flexibility: Open interfaces enable operators to mix and match components from various suppliers, optimizing their networks to meet specific needs and deploying new services more quickly.
1. Cost Efficiency: By breaking the vendor lock-in, Open RAN can significantly lower capital and operational expenditures, allowing operators to allocate resources more effectively.
1. Innovation: Open RAN encourages innovation by creating a more dynamic ecosystem where new technologies and solutions can be rapidly developed and integrated into the network.

By integrating these components and leveraging the benefits of open interfaces and standards, Open RAN creates a more adaptable, cost-effective, and innovative radio access network, paving the way for the future of mobile communications.

Lab Guidance
---

This lab focuses on setting up a basic 5G RAN configuration with a single User Equipment (UE), Central Unit (CU), Distributed Unit (DU), and Radio Unit (RU).


**Parameters to Config in CU**

| **Parameter**     | **Description**                                                                                                                 | **Function**                                                                                                                        |
| ----------------- |:------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **CU ID**         | Unique identifier for the Central Unit.                                                                                         | Differentiates this specific CU from others in the network.                                                                         |
| **Cell ID**       | Identifies a specific cell managed by the CU.                                                                                   | Distinguishes different cells within the CU's coverage area.                                                                        |
| **F1 IP Address** | Network address used for communication between the CU and the Distributed Unit (DU).                                            | Part of the F1 interface handling control and user plane data exchange.                                                             |
| **F1 CU Port**    | Port number used by the CU for the F1 interface to communicate with the DU.                                                     | Ensures correct routing of data within the network.                                                                                 |
| **F1 DU Port**    | Port number on the DU used for communication over the F1 interface with the CU.                                                 | Ensures correct routing of data within the network.                                                                                 |
| **N2 IP Address** | Network address used for communication between the CU and the core network's Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).     | Part of the N2 interface managing signaling and control.                                                                            |
| **N3 IP Address** | Network address used for user plane communication between the CU and the core network's User Plane Function (UPF).              | Part of the N3 interface handling data transfer.                                                                                    |
| **MCC**           | Mobile Country Code, a three-digit code uniquely identifying the country of the mobile network.                                 | Part of the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier for global and regional network identification.                            |
| **MNC**           | Mobile Network Code, a two or three-digit code uniquely identifying the mobile network within the country specified by the MCC. | Part of the PLMN identifier for network identification and interoperability.                                                        |
| **TAC**           | Tracking Area Code used to identify a tracking area within the network.                                                         | Groups cells into larger tracking areas for efficient mobility and paging management.                                               |
| **SST**           | Slice/Service Type indicating the type of network slice or service.                                                             | Used in network slicing to provide different services (e.g., enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low latency communications). |
| **AMF Host**      | Hostname or IP address of the Access and Mobility Management Function within the core network.                  | Part of the N2 interface, crucial for signaling and control processes.                                                              |

**Parameters to Config in DU**

| **Parameter**      | **Description**                                                                                              | **Function**                                                                                                                |
|--------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **GNB ID**         | Unique identifier for the gNB (Next Generation NodeB).                                                       | Differentiates this specific gNB from others in the network.                                                                |
| **DU ID**          | Unique identifier for the Distributed Unit.                                                                  | Differentiates this specific DU from others within the gNB.                                                                 |
| **F1 IP Address**  | Network address used for communication between the DU and the Central Unit (CU).                             | Part of the F1 interface handling control and user plane data exchange.                                                     |                        |
| **USRP**           | Universal Software Radio Peripheral Simulation used for radio communication.                                            | Provides flexible and configurable radio frequency simmulation communication capabilities.                                                        |
| **CU Host**        | Hostname or IP address of the Central Unit within the network.                                               | Part of the F1 interface, crucial for establishing communication between the DU and CU.                                      |


**Parameters to Config in UE**

| **Parameter**        | **Description**                                                                                              | **Function**                                                                                                                |
|----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **IP Address**       | Network address assigned to the User Equipment (UE).                                                         | Used for network communication with the core network and other entities.                                                    |
| **RF Sim Server**    | Radio Frequency Simulation Server address.                                                                   | Used for simulating RF conditions and interactions in DU pod.                                                                         |
| **Full Imsi**        | International Mobile Subscriber Identity.                                                                    | Uniquely identifies a user within the mobile network.                                                                       |
| **Full Key**         | Encryption key for securing communications.                                                                  | Ensures data security and integrity during transmission.                                                                    |
| **OPC**              | Operator Code used in the authentication and key agreement process.                                          | Enhances security by working in conjunction with the Full Key.                                                              |
| **DNN**              | Data Network Name.                                                                                           | Identifies the data network to which the UE should connect.                                                                 |
| **SST**              | Slice/Service Type indicating the type of network slice or service.                                          | Used in network slicing to provide different services (e.g., enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low latency communications). |
| **SD**               | Slice Differentiator used along with SST.                                                                    | Further differentiates the network slice for more granular service provision.                                               |
| **USRP**             | Universal Software Radio Peripheral used for radio communication.                                            | Provides flexible and configurable radio communication capabilities and need to be same with connected DU/RU.                                                        |


**Task Details:**

1. Login to orca.tiplab.id with the right creds from admin

    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Sy3NX50LA.png)

1. Set up the CU to manage the network and signal processing.
    
    **Dashboard state awal**
![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/H1_JXcRIA.png)

    **Make sure to configure CU/DU port first**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Hys1N5AUA.png)
    
    **Configure CU/DU F1 port to 2152**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BkJFHqRLR.png)
    
    **CU State will be running**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rkuvLq0IC.png)

    **Configure the rest of parameters**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Hk1hvqAIR.png)
    
    **The logs is already fine**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rk60YqA80.png)


    The backend still need a time to fetch the logs and protocol stack. After this the progress will reach 36%. 

3. Integrate the DU for real-time processing and signal management and RU for radio signal transmission.

    **After configure the port, the state will be running like this**
    
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HJ4Xt9C8C.png)
    
    **Configure the rest of parameters**
    
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HJu2K9RLC.png)

    **The logs is fine, until UE connect to DU/RU**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ByhZ95R8C.png)

4. Configure the UE with the necessary parameters and connect it to the DU/RU
    
    **The UE state at first is stopped, you need to start to config it**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/rkbc99AIC.png)
    
    **Config the UE identity parameter**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HJF_i9R8R.png)

**Test & Validation:**
   
1. Analyze logs for any errors or performance issues.
    
    **CU Logs after all integration**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/ryj7p90IA.png)

    **CU Protocol after 30 seconds and a few try**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HkR365CIA.png)
    
    **DU Logs after connect to UE**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HyNmAqRL0.png)
    
    **The UE & DU logs is still not ideal**
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/BJk9A9ALR.png)
    
    Registrasi Core berhasil, interface oaitun UE belum ada. Protocol stack UE dan DU belum ada. Log UE juga belum dari dahsboard.

1. Ensure seamless data flow from UE through CU, DU/RU, UE using Wireshark.

    **Protocol to filter:**
    * nas-5gs: Handles Non-Access Stratum signaling in 5G.
    * f1ap: Manages signaling between CU and DU.
    * ngap: Handles signaling between AMF and gNB.
    * sctp: Ensures reliable, ordered delivery of data.
    * pfcp: Manages packet forwarding control.
    * gtp: Handles GPRS Tunneling Protocol for user data transport.

    **Start to sniff CU** 
    
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/r1PXxjAUR.png)
    
    **Files pcap to download CU**
    
    ![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/B1LvxiAIA.png)
    
    Downloaded pcap file still corrupted.

1. Verify connectivity and signal strength between UE and CU using monitoring feature.

## Behind the Technology

### Kubeview 
    
![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/B1Khs95aT.png)

http://kubeview.orca.edu/

All of this website lab is an emulation and simmulation of 5g and open ran.

### PhpMyAdmin


![image](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/Syx8WFkYa.png)

http://pma.orca.edu/

PhpMyAdmin offers a user-friendly interface for managing MySQL databases. It allows for easy data manipulation, query execution, and database management, crucial for maintaining accurate and efficient data operations.