NAS Node

The NAS node is used to simulate one or more Network Access Servers (NAS) that service the mobile user and interact with a AAA server. You can specify multiple nodes with the Number of Nodes setting1.

The primary node is defined on the NAS Node. When you use the Inter-PDSN test, you can define a Target NAS node to receive the handoffs.

When you select Test Activity as Inter-HSGW, the Target NAS Node holds information for the handoff target HSGW.

Configure the following:

Multi-Homed: Select to indicate that SCTP endpoint is multi-homed, where more than one destination transport address is used to reach the endpoint.

Tcl Parameter: DiaClnSctpMultiHomedMultiSrcEn

Host: Depending on whether the node emulates originating or destination point, Host identifies the endpoint that originated the Diameter message or the Diameter Identity of the destination host.
Realm: Depending on whether the node emulates originating or destination point, Realm identifies the realm of the originator of any Diameter message or the realm the message is to be routed to.

You may select Apply Test Data File to Origin HostApply Test Data File to Origin Host when you select more than 1 Node.

See Test Data Files for further explanation and sample files. If a sample is not found for the specific TDF, you can obtain a sample file from your Technical Support representative. You may also use the following options to select an existing TDF or create/edit TDF-CSV files (TDF-CSV Editor).

For most TDF Parameters used for Applying Parameters, each row in the file is the overridden value for a different “Session”, aka a different UE. But some TDFs are done in other dimensions, like Bearers, eNodeBs, Subscribers (2 per UE sometimes) or even Hosts, etc. Tooltips on the TDF Parameter:

Note that the “ID” is a unique ID. Please Provide the ID when reporting issues with a TDF. For TDFs that do not apply / override Parameters, but instead are just their own configuration or data or media files you won’t see TDF ID row details.

TIP: When including large files, please be aware of memory limitations, since the TDF Editor shares memory with the Client.

NOTE: The available TDF options vary. on the L3-7 | IPSec tab > IKE with RSA Settings you may only select the Certificate TDF from TAS (these are non-CSV TDFs).

In addition, where applicable, any rules for defining TDFs are included in specific Test Cases. (For example, In MME Node test case, see MME Node - Provisioning TDF.)

From the DMF Window, press Shift+Alt+A to display the Save DMF as Tcl window. Click the Save to File button to save as Tcl file. See additional details on Using the Tcl API.

Select/Create a new TDF-CSV

Allows you to create a new TDF by entering a file name that doesn’t already exist or select an existing file by entering a file name that already exists.

Click to open the Select Existing or Create window.

Navigate to the relevant library/folder,
Enter the name of the file:
If the file name already exists, the file is selected and applied in the test case.
If the file name does not exist, a message displays that says you are creating a new TDF and the embedded TDF-CSV will be launched.
- Click Yes to launch the TDF-CSV Editor and create/save the new TDF-CSV.
- Click No to select a different file

NOTE: If you do not have permission to save in the selected library, an error displays when you try to create a new file.

TIP: You may also navigate to the relevant library/folder and select file, and click OK.

Upload a New TDF to TAS

Click to import a new TDF file from your local folder and select in the test Case (instead of having to go to TDF Admin).

Navigate to the file on your local folder and select.
Then navigate to the location (library) where you want to save it on the TAS. You may rename the file, if required.

View Edit Selected TDF in TDF-CSV Editor

Available only when you have selected a TDF on TAS. Click to open the selected file in TDF-CSV Editor (in place, that is, within the Test Case).

Edit the file and save. You may also click Save As to save the edited TDF-CSV to a different library and also rename the file, if required.

NOTE: You may also select a TDF from a library to which you do not have write permissions, edit the file as required, and save (Save As) only to a different library with the same file name or a different name.

The only options available are Save As and Cancel.

Open Selected TDF in Standalone TDF-CSV Editor

Available only when you have selected a TDF on TAS. Select to retrieve the CSV file and open it in the stand alone TDF-CSV Editor.

Generate Stub TDF-CSV

TIP: Available only when a CSV specification has been defined for in the Test Case for the TDF widget ( View TDF Actions/Options Menu)

Opens an example context specific test data parametersexample context specific test data parameters, which you may save as a .CSV file or open in the TDF-CSV Editor.

Launch Standalone TDF-CSV Editor

Click to open a blank TDF-CSV Editor.

The Launch Standalone TDF-CSV editor options handles very large TDFs that may use too much Client memory if opened within the Test Case/in the embedded editor. You may set the standalone TDF-CSV Editor memory high to edit large TDFs.

NOTE: For CSN Nodal testing, the Number of Nodes parameter does not display.

RADIUS Testing

When you enable Alternate Node authentication, you can define the node on the Alternate Node sub-tab. The node IP addresses provision the NAS-IP-Address attribute in the Access Requests sent to the SUT, and can be included in the Accounting Request messages.

IP Application Node Test Case - Allow up to 4000 # of Nodes for Radius Testing only.

Diameter Testing

The node IP address provisions the Host-IP-Address AVP in CER messages sent to the SUT.

Ethernet Configuration

With an Ethernet node, you can define:

The IP address and routing options... The Starting IP will increment for each node.
Custom port selection... and error injection with the Advanced... button.

Related Measurements

The NAS Node report tab displays processing measurements for the NAS emulator in a RADIUS test. The Diameter NAS Node and IP Instance report tabs display the processing measurements in a Diameter test.

1 Maximum rates, number of sessions, and number of emulated nodes vary depending on the test application and the test system's licensed capacity.