EVOLVED-5G builds the first 3GPP NEF Emulator to support SMEs on 5G programmability

EVOLVED-5G envisages the openness and network programmability of the 5G Core through standard 3GPP exposed APIs, such as the ones provided from Network Exposure Function (NEF), a border function of the 5G core network.

Towards this, NCSR “DEMOKRITOS” partner is developing the NEF Emulator, an open source project, that implements the standardized NEF APIs in a configurable emulated environment, where the user can define specific simulation environments (e.g. number and type of UEs, position of gNBs etc.) and then the respective NetApp to be tested by interacting with the emulated exposed NEF APIs.

Dr. Harilaos Koumaras, principal investigator from NCSR Demokritos and Technical Manager of the EVOLVED-5G project stated: “EVOLVED-5G and NEF Emulator democratizes the 5G openness to every third party that is interested in developing 5G-aware services and applications, the so-called NetApps. NEF emulator is an easy-to-use tool that provides access to the 3GPP NEF APIs, even if a real 5G Core network is not available”.