The OpenEPC

Fraunhofer FOKUS OpenEPC is a prototype implementation of the 3GPP Evolved Packet Core (EPC) that will allow for testing functionality and foster research around the architecture and the new techniques associated with Next Generation Mobile Networks. It is made from a set of software components which conform to 3GPP specifications of interfaces and functionality.

With the conformance to standards in mind, OpenEPC components have been designed to be

• Configurable – allowing easy modification of the behavior of components and the inclusion of optional features
• Customizable and extensible – permitting the set-up of different environments and adapting to new requirements that may appear within the standardization
• Reliable – based on the know-how gained in previous component development like the Open IMS Core project

The OpenEPC includes the main functionalities offered by EPC related to mobility, QoS and interconnection to different applications domains in IP wireless environments. In the area of mobility, the OpenEPC handles the connection to heterogeneous IP networks through standard interfaces providing the features necessary for an Always-Best-Connected scenario.

Support for QoS is a challenge in an all-IP network, OpenEPC includes the relevant entities of the Policy and Charging Control (PCC) architecture which permits policy based QoS control.

In this sense, interconnection with the application layer, the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), any other Service Delivery Platform (SDP) or the Internet, allows to share information from network level to applications as well as services and back, by this allowing the adaptation of service to the limitations of a changing wireless environment.

The OpenEPC, in its current version, implements 3GPP Release 8 and is made from six different components and a demonstrative Application Function and Client. Being a mobile core network it allows connecting various IP Connectivity Access Networks (IP-CAN) to it. With such a set-up the OpenEPC can be used for both, research and development purposes in the academia and within industry trials.