Cellular Network Infrastructure

h1. Intro: Osmocom Cellular Network Infrastructure

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This is a project aiming to create a [[Free / Open Source Software]], (A)GPL-licensed software implementations for the GSM/3GPP protocol stacks and network elements, preferably as pure software implementations running on general-purpose computers.  All our software is available in source code form, to anyone.

This is very contrary to classic telecom vendors, where every network element is implemented as proprietary hardware and software, without the ability to understand or modify then, and where each and every feature is subject to license fees.

We had originally started with an A-bis (plus BSC/MSC/HLR) implementation for experimentation and research purpose (now called [[OpenBSC:]], but have since moved way beyond that and implemented many other interfaces and network elements of GSM, GPRS, EDGE and UMTS/HSPA networks.

At the heart of most installations is the OpenBSC project with its two flavors

* [[OsmoNITB:]] - a _GSM network in a box_ software, implementing the minimal necessary parts to build a small, self-contained GSM network.

* [[OsmoBSC:]] - a pure _GSM Base Station Controller_ with support for many different BTS vendors and models attached via Abis (over E1 and IP).

The actual radio interface of such a network can be provided by classic GSM BTS equipment from classic Vendors like Siemens, Nokia, Ericsson, ip.access.  However, a variety of more modern BTS options are avalable, based on our [[OsmoBTS:]] software using hardware from sysmocom ([[openbsc:sysmoBTS]]), Fairwaves ([[UmTRX:]]) or Ettus (USRP)

In addition, the Osmocom project also develops and maintains the [[OsmoPCU:]], [[OsmoSGSN:]] and [[OpenGGSN:OsmoGGSN]] programs for adding GPRS and EDGE capabilities.

Most recently, there is a project for adding 3G (UMTS, HSPA) support.  Specifically, this is adding Iu-CS and Iu-PS support to [[OsmoNITB:]], as well as a new [[OsmoHNBGW:]] to offer an Iuh interface towards hNodeBs (femtocells, small cells)

_We are always looking for [[HardwareDonations]] of any kind of 2G / 3G / LTE related carrier equipment._

There is also work on creating SS7 / SIGTRAN / TCAP / MAP protocol stacks, both in the [[erlang-core-network-signalling-projects:Erlang]] programming language as well as in Smalltalk.

There are many other side projects like the "SIMtrace":http://simtrace.osmocom.org/ protocol tracer/sniffer for (U)SIM APDUs.

h1. Overview Diagram

Please see the below overview diagram about common possible configurations of the Osmocom software.

!osmocom-gsm.png!

h2. Getting started

The recommended way of installing Osmocom software is by [[Binary Packages]] (for Debian and Ubuntu based systems).

The alternative is to [[Build from Source]].

To pick which Osmocom components you need and where to go from there, take a look at the [[Configuration Guide]].

If you have an OsmoNITB installation and would like to move to separate OsmoMSC and OsmoBSC with the new M3UA SIGTRAN, see the [[OsmoNITB Migration Guide]].

h2. Software

h3.  Software for a Base Transceiver Station

* [[OsmoBTS:]] -- A BTS implementation

** [[OsmoTRX:]] -- A transceiver for [[OsmoBTS:]] to use with SDR hardware

* [[OsmoPCU:]] -- A packet control unit for GPRS/EDGE enabling the BTS.

h3. Software for running a full minimal GSM Network in a Box

These circuit-switched (voice) related core network components can all run on the same box:

* [[OsmoHLR:]]

* [[OsmoMSC:]]

* [[OsmoMGW:]]

* [[OsmoSTP:]]

* [[OsmoBSC:]]

They replace the old

* [[OsmoNITB:]] -- A stand-alone gsm-network-in-a-box program implementing minimal subset of BSC, MSC, HLR, AuC and EIR.

h3. Software for running in pure _BSC only_ mode, attaching via A/SCCP to a MSC

* [[OsmoBSC:]] -- [[OpenBSC:]] in BSC-only mode (with external MSC)

* [[bsc_mgcp|osmo-bsc_mgcp]] -- A stupid [[MediaGatewayControlProtocol]] (MGCP) gateway for OsmoBSC

h3.  Software for UMA/GAN (Unified Mobile Access)

* [[OpenBSC:osmo-ganc]] -- [[OpenBSC:]] in GANC mode

h3.  Special purpose software for aggregating multiple A or Gb links

** [[bsc_nat]] -- a BSC NAT/Multiplexer

** [[osmo-gbproxy]] -- A proxy/gateway for aggregating multiple Gb links betwen BSS and SGSN

** [[release-testing|Testing]] -- Comments and what makes sense to test for releases

h3. GPRS/EDGE related software

* [[OsmoPCU:]] -- A GPRS + EDGE RLC/MAC and PCU implementation to be used with [[OsmoBTS:]]

* [[OsmoSGSN:]] -- A Serving GPRS Support Node

* [[OpenGGSN:OsmoGGSN]] -- A Gateway GPRS Support Node

There's also a tutorial at [[OpenBSC_GPRS]] explaining how to add data support to your [[OsmoNITB:]] setup

* Important legal information on [[SoftwareLicensing]]

* [[meas_web]] -- Web based measurement utility for [[OpenBSC:]]

h2. Developers

* Browse the repositories at http://git.osmocom.org/

* Mailinglists at http://lists.osmocom.org/mailman/listinfo/

* Jenkins (continuous integration at http://jenkins.osmocom.org/jenkins/

* Wiki is right here ;)

* Developer conferences: [[OpenBSC:OsmoDevCon]]

* [[OpenBSC:Tasks]] -- Tasks/Internships/Junior Jobs for [[OpenBSC:]] and Osmocom

* [[Devtools]] -- Various tools to find/fix errors, send patches, etc

* [[Coding_standards]] -- Coding standards

* [[Make a new release]]

h2. Related projects

* [[OsmocomBB:]] - Free Software GSM protocol stack for mobile phones

* OpenBTS:http://gnuradio.org/redmine/projects/gnuradio/wiki/OpenBTS

* "The THC GSM project":http://wiki.thc.org/gsm/

* "airprobe.org":http://airprobe.org/

* "Homepage of Dr.-Ing. Joachim Goeller":http://www2.informatik.hu-berlin.de/~goeller/

h2. Thanks

* to "On-Waves ehf":http://on-waves.com/ and "sysmocom GmbH":http://sysmocom.de/ for funding part of the development and maintenance

* to http://junghanns.net for supporting us with discounted E1 boards

* to "Netzing AG":http://netzing.de/ for funding part of the earlier [[OpenBSC:]] development

* to Kevin Redon for the Osmocom logo

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Please check the project/wiki pages of the respecitve sub-projects.

h2. This Wiki

This wiki contains information that is shared by the various sub-projects.  

A full list of wiki pages is listed below:

{{child_pages}}