Osmocom OpenBSC

This is a project aiming to create a Free Software, (A)GPL-licensed software implementations for the GSM/3GPP protocol stacks and elements.

We have started with an A-bis (plus BSC/MSC/HLR) implementation for experimentation and research purpose, but have since moved way beyond that.

What this means: OpenBSC is not just a standard BSC, but a GSM network in a boxsoftware, implementing the minimal necessary parts to build a small, self-contained GSM network.

OpenBSC includes functionality normally performed by the following components of a GSM network: BSC (Base Station Controller), MSC (Mobile Switching Center), HLR (Home Location Register), AuC (Authentication Center), VLR (Visitor Location Register), EIR (Equipment Identity Register).

In addition, the Osmocom project also develops and maintains the osmo-sgsn and OpenGGSN programs for adding GPRS/EDGE capabilities.

We have started with the Siemens BS11 microBTS, mainly targetted the ip.access nanoBTS for some years, but we are also working on a variety of other BTS equipment like the Ericsson RBS 2000 family or the upcoming sysmoBTS.

We are always looking for HardwareDonations of any kind of GSM / 3G related carrier equipment.

There is also continued work on creating a Free Software / Open Source software SS7 (M3UA, SUA, SCCP, TCAP, MAP) protocol stack in Erlang, as well as a number of other side projects like the SIMtrace protocol tracer/sniffer for (U)SIM APDUs.

OpenBSC Software

• Software for running a full minimal GSM Network in a Box:
  • OpenBSC -- The Free Software project implementing various parts of the GSM network
    • osmo-nitb -- A stand-alone gsm-network-in-a-box program implementing minimal subset of BSC, MSC, HLR, AuC and EIR.
      • osmo-nitb_VTY -- Reference for the interactive command line and config file
• Software utilities for BTS configuration, provisioning and the like
  • bs11_config -- A small tool for configuring the BS-11 using RS232
  • ipaccess-find -- A small tool to find nanoBTS in your network
  • ipaccess-config -- A small tool to set NVRAM configuration of the nanoBTS
  • isdnsync -- A small tool to use the PSTN as frequency standard
• Software for running in pure BSC only mode, attaching via A/SCCP to a MSC
  • osmo-bsc -- OpenBSC in BSC-only mode
  • bsc_msc_ip -- A previous utility to connect to a MSC via A over IP
    • OpenBSCWithSCCP -- Howto use OpenBSC with a separate/real MSC
  • bsc_mgcp? -- A stupid MediaGatewayControlProtocol?(MGCP) gateway
    • bsc_mgcp_VTY -- Reference for the interactive command line and config file
• Special purpose software for aggregating multiple A or Gb links
  • bsc_nat -- a BSC NAT/Multiplexer
    • bsc_nat_VTY -- Reference for the interactive command line and config file
    • bsc_nat_release -- Release testing for the BSC NAT.
  • osmo-gbproxy -- A proxy/gateway for aggregating multiple Gb links betwen BSS and SGSN
    • osmo-gbproxy_VTY -- Reference for the interactive command line and config file
  • Testing -- Comments and what makes sense to test for releases
• GPRS related software
  • osmo-sgsn -- A work-in-progress SGSN
    • osmo-sgsn_VTY -- Reference for the interactive command line and config file
    • OpenBSC_GPRS -- Howto add data support to your OpenBSC setup
• OpenBSC related
  • cellmgr_ng -- The cellmgr_ng project to bring old equipment to the world of IP
  • simplehlr -- A web interface for the OpenBSC HLR database

• Important legal information on SoftwareLicensing

Information related to a specific BTS model

• BS11 -- The Siemens BS-11 microBTS
  • BS11/Sales -- BS-11 units are sold out by now, sorry.
  • BS11/Package_List -- Make sure everything is in the package
  • BS11/Configuration -- How to use / setup the hardware
  • BS11/LMT -- The local maintenance Terminal
  • BS11/Getting_Started -- Getting started with your BS-11
  • BS11/Troubleshooting -- When something doesn't work
  • BS11/Internals -- Details like PCB photographs
  • E1-to-RJ45 -- Howto build your E1<>RJ45 cable
  • BS11/RJ45mod -- How to add RJ45 connectors to your BS-11
  • Isdnsync -- Howto use the PSTN as frequency standard
• nanoBTS -- the ip.access nanoBTS
  • nanoBTS/Getting_Started -- How to get started with a nanoBTS
  • nanoBTS/Models -- Known models
  • nanoBTS/Internals -- Details like PCB photographs and debug port
  • nanoBTS/multiTRX -- Creating a nanoBTS multi-TRX setup
• HSL_Femto -- the HSL 2.75G Femtocell
• Ericsson_RBS -- Ericsson BTSs (RBS2308, RBS2401)
• Motorola_Horizon_macro -- Motorola Horizon macro BTS

Miscellaneous Information

• HFC-E1 Evaluation Board -- The E1 card we use for attaching classic E1 based A-bis links
• GSMStandards -- The specifications for GSM
• A5_GSM_AT_tricks -- A5: Authentication & Ciphering
• mISDN -- The Linux ISDN stack
• HandsetBugs -- Things we have observed during development
• GSM_Security -- The GSM security issues that we find

• LegalNotes -- Important Legal notes on operating GSM base stations
• FieldTests -- The OpenBSC field tests and their reports

Howtos

• Standard configuration:
  • Building_OpenBSC -- Getting started with OpenBSC under Debian
• Advanced topics:
  • OpenBSC_LCR -- OpenBSC+LCR with Asterisk
  • OpenBSC_Crypto -- Howto add A5/x cryptography support to your OpenBSC setup

• RF Topics:
  • cable_antenna -- Build new antennas for your BTS
  • ethernet_dummyload -- Use an old ethernet terminator as dummyload
  • 10db_attenuator -- Turn 30mW into 3 mW

Developers

• git checkout is available via git clone git://git.osmocom.org/openbsc.git
  • you now also need libosmocore to build openbsc: git clone git://git.osmocom.org/libosmocore.git
• Mailinglist is at  http://lists.gnumonks.org/mailman/listinfo/openbsc
• Tarballs of libosmocore and OpenBSC
• Continuous Integration efforts
• Wiki is right here ;)
• OsmoDevCon2012 -- Osmocom Developer Conference

Tools for developers

• WandelGoltermannMA10 -- a GSM protocol analyzer ISA card
• TektronixK1103 -- GSM protocol tester and analyzer
• PacketDump -- Using wireshark on PCAP files
• MagicSIM -- SIM cards where you can program the Ki

News

• OpenBSC was running an experimental GSM network at  CCC Camp in the Summer of 2011
• OpenBSC was running an experimental GSM network at  27c3 in December 2010
• The slides of the  25C3 presentation ''Running your own GSM network''  are available.
• The slides of the  26C3 presentation ''Fuzzing GSM handsets using OpenBSC''  are available

Related projects

•  http://bb.osmocom.org/ -- OsmocomBB - Free Software GSM protocol stack for mobile phones
•  OpenBTS
•  The THC GSM project
•  airprobe.org
•  Homepage of Dr.-Ing. Joachim Goeller

Thanks

• to  http://netzing.de for funding part of the OpenBSC development
• to  http://junghanns.net for supporting us with discounted E1 boards
• to  http://www.on-waves.com for funding part of the OpenBSC development
• to Kevin Redon for the osmocom logo

Starting Points about trac

• About WikiFormatting
• TracGuide -- Built-in Documentation
•  The Trac project -- Trac Open Source Project
•  Trac FAQ -- Frequently Asked Questions
• TracSupport -- Trac Support

For a complete list of local wiki pages, see TitleIndex.