Using Simu5G as a Realtime Network Emulator to Test MEC Apps in an End-To-End 5G Testbed

Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) allows users to run appli-cations on demand near their mobile access points. MEC applica-tions will exploit 5G infrastructure, and they will have to be de-signed by taking into account the characteristics of 5G mobile networks. This work describes how to use a system-level simula-tor of 5G networks – namely Simu5G, which evolves the popular 4G network simulator SimuLTE – as a real-time 5G network em-ulator. This allows designers of networked applications – and MEC ones in particular – to use it as a testbed during the de-ployment. We describe the system setup of Simu5G as an emula-tor, and its emulation capabilities and scale. Moreover, we present a case study of a MEC testbed using Intel’s Open Network Edge Services Software (OpenNESS) toolkit, based on a recent demon-stration in 5GAA (5G Automotive Association).