You can configure a PCRF nodal to respond to messages received from PCRF SUTs or AGW/AF/BBREF nodes. This topic will guide you through configuring a PCRF Nodal test case (Landslide emulates the AGW to provide the Ty interface to the PCRF, and emulates the AF to provide the Tx interface to the PCRF).
After you have a functioning PCRF node, you can add the PCC Rules.
You should have a basic understanding of the test system:
Open a PCRF Nodal Capacity test session and add a PCRF Node test case from the Basic library.
The goal for the first test is to establish one subscriber with the PCRF to confirm the test case definition, then to successfully execute the test with increased rates and multiple sessions, and finally, to customize the more advanced protocol, MS, and test case behaviors.
Create a new test session... and add a PCRF Nodal test case... from the Basic library. The Test Case Settings window... opens to the Test Configuration tab.
Depending on the Test Options selected, interface and Nodes display as shown in the table below.
|
Test Options |
Protocol |
Interface, Nodes |
|---|---|---|
| AGW I/F | Ty, Tx, AGW Node, AF Node | |
| Gx, Tx, AGW Node, AF Node | ||
| R3, AGW Node | ||
| AF I/F | Rx/Tx, AF Node (Not available when BBERF is selected) | |
| BBERF I/F | Gxc, BBERF Node |
Select the LTE Spec Version. For AF/IF, select Session Control settings.
Enter the Number of Mobile Subscribers that will be requested by the PCRF, activate/deactivation Rates, and Subscriber ID.
Network Devices — Identify the AGW, AF SUT and define the AGW, AF emulator
In the AF Node/AGW Node sub-tab, select an Ethernet Physical Interface and enter a Starting IP Address that is unique to the test session. Configure the Host and Realm depending on whether node emulates originating or destination point.
GX/RX Parameters
In the SCTP tab, define the SCTP/TCP connection management settings for transport over IP configured when either (SCTP/TCP) protocol is used in the bearer plane or the control plane.
PCC — The Gx and Ty (and R3) protocol tabs contain the PCC tab parameters that define the Ty and Gx (and R3) interfaces to the PCRF.
For the diameter protocols, enter the parameters as shown in Diameter Tab.
You are now ready to test your configuration. The parameters that have not been addressed control optional behaviors that do not affect the success of this test. Click OK to accept the test case. If any parameters fail validation, you will receive an error indicating the problem parameter. Correct the problem and when the definition is accepted, the test case is listed in the Test Session window.
When you run the test session, the PCRF Nodal test case should start first and should not stop until after the PCRF Node test case is finished and the final messages have been received from the PCRF. Use Automation Control to define the test case execution sequencing. Make sure that the stop step for the node includes as a predecessor that the node test case has reached the STOPPED state, and add a delay time of at least 60 seconds to ensure that the PCRF has time to transmit all of the data records to the node. (See Adding Automation Control for instructions.)
Run the test session, and a validation check is performed on the test session. This validation ensures that the IP addresses used by the test case do not conflict with any other test sessions that may be running on the test server, and that the test definition does not violate rate and volume limits. You will also receive an error if you attempt to run the test session on a test server that is already running at capacity or is otherwise unable to accept a test session. See Running a Test Session for more information on handling these types of errors.
Select the Reports tab when it becomes available and then select the PCRF sub-tab. Depending on the Initiate Mode setting, you should see that 1 Node Alive request was either sent (Active) or received (Passive) and that 1 Node Alive response was either received or sent. Select the PCRF Node test case from the Report View drop-down list and explore the measurements displayed on the tabs. The measurement definitions are located in the Measurement Reference. Stop the test session when you are ready to continue, and you should see that PCRF Data Records were received for each PDP context.
|
TROUBLESHOOT: If a Node Alive request or response was not received, confirm that there is connectivity between the PCRF node and the AF/AGW interface. If you selected Active initiate mode, ensure that you selected the SUT definition for the PCRF interface. |