dsTest® supports both server emulation and client simulation capabilities with the Rx Diameter application. Test Call Session Control Function (CSCF) Application Function (AF) Rx interfaces in the IMS subsystem with our Policy Control and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) Emulator. Use the CSCF simulation in the Rx Interface application to test the capacity and performance of a PCRF. Use the PCRF Emulator and Rx Interface application in tandem to test Diameter Proxies, Relay Agents, and Redirect Agents.
A rich set of operational measurements is collected at specified intervals and stored in a SQLite database on the dsTest server. Real-time measurements may be retrieved through our dsClient™ CLI interface or graphed via our dsClient GUI interface.
Read more about Testing Policy Management.
Implementation
The Rx application implements the following procedures:
- Initial provisioning of session information
- Modification of session information
- AF session termination
- Subscription to notification of signalling path status
- IP-CAN session termination
- Service data flow deactivation
- IP-CAN type change notification
- Access network charging information notification
Server Emulation
The PCRF Emulator executes procedures based on configurable subscriber profiles and PCC rules, responding to requests from CSCFs and eliminating the need to dedicate a production server to lab activities. You can execute a test event chain with a run-time command or during an automated test to simulate subscriber 
session termination, service flow deactivation, loss of signaling, or other bearer events for which the CSCF subscribed.
When the Gx interface is also present, the PCRF emulator supports session binding and IMS-initiated dedicated bearer activation, and provides end-to-end policy control between the core network and the IMS, incorporating the Media Content Descriptions received from the CSCF into PCC rule formulation.
The PCRF Emulator provides policy and charging control services for the Rx interface—all of the functionality required by an AF, and you can reconfigure your subscriber database in seconds rather than hours by simply loading a new configuration file.You can also use the control interface to change the emulator’s behavior. Simulate a n
on-responsive server by pausing the emulator or simulate intermittent issues by pausing and resuming. You can modify subscriber profiles during run time, simulating administrative policy or subscription changes in active sessions.
Multiple PCRF Emulators can be instantiated on a single server. In this mode each emulator can support multiple interfaces, up to an aggregate of 1000 client connections across all emulators. The emulators are fully independent and their subscriber databases may also be independent, overlap, or be duplicated.
Read more about our PCRF Emulator.
Client Simulation
The Rx Interface application can be used to simulate CSCFs to test the PCRF. The Rx Interface application, in conjunction with the Gx and Gxc Interface applications, allow users to fully validate PCRF performance and capacity in a realistic network environment, replicating the deployment configuration.
Execute timed chains of test events with a run-time command or during an automated test to trigger client-initiated procedures.
- Start and stop specified subscriber sessions, simulating subscriber IMS activity
- Subscribe to notification of loss of signal path status events from the PCRF and cancel previous subscriptions
- Notify the PCRF that CSCF session information has changed
Multiple CSCF nodes can be instantiated on a single server, each with scalable subscriber loads and transaction rates. In this mode, up to 1000 independent nodes may be simultaneously simulated. The nodes are fully independent and their subscriber configurations may also be independent, overlap, or be duplicated. In this manner, roaming scenarios can be simulated, and the capacity and performance of Diameter agents can be tested.
Read more about Testing Policy Management.
Read more about our Capacity and Performance.
Advanced Testing Features
Enhance your testing with Developing Solutions™ advanced testing features:
- Insert, delete, or replace AVPs in your messages with our SmartAVP™ solution. SmartAVP enables you to define proprietary signaling or to corrupt AVPs to facilitate negative testing.
- Configure commands to define the series of actions and rates that each subscriber takes. Advanced profiles can be created using SmartEvents™ to define a mix of traffic based on probability assignments. With SmartEvents, you can specify when your SmartAVPs are used.
- Define a set of message templates against which all messages will be validated with our complete Diameter Dictionary. Every Diameter message is validated, even under load conditions.
Read more about our SmartEvents feature.
Read more about our Advanced Diameter Testing Features.
Supporting Standards
- Rx – 3GPP TS 23.203 and 29.214
- Diameter – RFCs 6733, 3588 and 5516
- SCTP – RFC 2960 (RFC 3309 checksum)
- TCP – RFC 793