Security Level:

NSA Networking Troubleshooting and

Maintenance
March, 2018

www.huawei.com
Contents
1

2 Key Functions of NSA Maintenance

3 O&M Impact Analysis

4 Typical Cases

5 FAQ
 Overview
Overview:
In NSA networking, the LTE eNodeB is the master eNodeB (MeNB), and the NR gNodeB is the secondary gNodeB (SgNB). S1-MME is still
terminated at LTE eNB, U-plane is split in the eNB (MCG split bearer) or in the gNB (SCG split bearer).
5G RAN1.0 supports Option 3 and Option 3X in NSA networking.
EPC NGC
EPC NGC S1-U
S1-C
S1
LTE NR
LTE NR
X2 X2

Option 3 Option 3X

Benefits:
 LTE-NR DC fully utilizes the advantages of wide LTE coverage and sufficient NR spectrum resources and allows operators to quickly
deploy NR networks on the existing LTE networks without deploying the NR core network.
 LTE-NR DC can improved peak UE throughput and improve cell-edge user experience
 LTE-NR DC avoids frequent UE handovers and service interruptions caused by UE movement in NR networks and improves service
continuity.

Protocols:
Architecture (3GPP 38.801) ， Signaling procedure (3GPP 37.340)

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HISILICON SEMICONDUCTOR
NSA Option3x Minimizes Impact on Legacy LTE with Best Performance

Option 3 Option3a Option 3x

EPC EPC EPC

S1-C S1-U S1-C S1-U S1-U S1-C S1-U S1-U

LTE NR LTE NR LTE NR

RAB level @ CN
LTE 5G NR LTE 5G NR LTE 5G NR
PDCP PDCP PDCP PDCP PDCP PDCP
RLC RLC RLC RLC RLC RLC
MAC MAC MAC MAC MAC MAC
PHY PHY PHY PHY PHY PHY

• Limited data peak rate
• Necessary LTE expansion
for UP data split
• Static UP data split without
RAN status awareness
• Avoid impact to Legacy LTE for
UP data split
• Dynamic UP data split in RAN at
packet level provide better
performance

Option3x becomes a common preference for NSA operators.

5
NSA O&M - Site Deployment and Upgrade
Site deployment:
1. No special processing is performed during gNB deployment, separately download the gNB configuration data and the incremental data for
the interconnecting eNB
2. In CI interconnection scenarios, if transmission for gNB is not ready, you can use the MBTS emergency OM channel from eNB side to
download the gNB configuration data.
X2 self-setup:
1. LTE-NR X2 self-setup is triggered when the eNodeB generates a DC service for the UE, based on the UE sends the eNodeB a
measurement report with information on 5G neighboring cells.
2. X2 cannot be automatically setup if LTE eNB and NR gNB are managed by different U2000s, because X2 self-setup can not over OSS,
nor can it over S1 due to gNB lack of S1-C.
3. X2 specifications are shared between NR and LTE.
X2 Specifications UMPTa/UMPTb UMPTe UMPTg (19B)
4G Total X2 256 384
LNR X2 96 96 96
5G Total X2 N/A 96 384
LNR X2 N/A 96 384

Upgrade:
Both LTE and NR base stations must be upgraded to SRAN13.1.

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NSA O&M - Comparison Between eNB and gNB Co-U2000 and Separate-U2000
LTE and NR Co-U2000 in NSA Networking
Solution 1
gNB is connected to the U2000 for
eNB.
1. No new eNB northbound
interface is required.
2. LTE-NR X2 self-setup is
supported
3. NSA problem is more efficiency
Advantage
to locate. The following
functions are available:
LTE&NR joint tracing/monitoring,
switching to the peer base
station of the X2 interface, etc.
1. If the U2000 is overloaded, the
risk is high and capacity
Restrictions expansion is required.
and 2. gNB tests may affect the eNB
Limitations O&M.
3. The U2000 need to upgrade to
SRAN13.1 version
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LTE and NR Separate-U2000 in NSA Networking
Solution 2 (preferred)
Solution 3 (backup)
A new U2000 is deployed for
A new U2000 is deployed for gNB only
eNB and gNB.
1. LTE-NR X2 self-setup is supported,
2. NSA problem is more efficiency to
locate. The following functions are
available: 1. No new eNB northbound interface is required.
LTE&NR joint tracing/monitoring,
switching to the peer base station of
the X2 interface, etc.
1. LTE-NR X2 self-setup is not supported. The X2
interface needs to be manually configured
2. The U2000 for eNB need to upgrade to SRAN13.1
1. The new U2000 needs to
version.
interconnect with the eNB
3. NSA problem locating efficiency is affected, the
northbound interface.
following functions are unavailable:
LTE&NR joint tracing/monitoring, switching to the
peer base station of the X2 interface,etc.
Page 7
Documents for troubleshooting and maintenance in NSA Networking
http://3ms.huawei.com/hi/group/3402967/thread_6982679.html?mapId=8716071

Document Name

NSA Networking Troubleshooting and Maintenance

5G eMBB Problem Troubleshooting Guide

5G Access Problem Troubleshooting Guide

5G Dropped call Problem Troubleshooting Guide

5G Handover Problem Troubleshooting Guide

5G MM & interference Problem Troubleshooting Guide

5G Transmission Problem Troubleshooting Guide

5G Clock Problem Troubleshooting Guide

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Contents
1 Basic Knowledge of NSA

3 O&M Impact Analysis

4 Typical Cases

5 FAQ

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Overview: Functions for troubleshooting
Background:
5G RAN1.0 supports Option 3 and Option 3X in NSA networking. When a problem occurs, you need to quickly determine whether the problem
occurs on LTE or NR.
LTE carries control
plane to ensure mobility.

NR carries the user eNodeB

gNodeB
plane to achieve high
throughput and large UE
4G data split 5G data split
capacity.

Key Measures:
1. Association analysis function 2. Impact on LTE KPIs 3. Batch delivery Docs & Tools
Category Solution LTE Counter Option 3 Option 3X
1. Documentation:
Board CPU load Increased Back-pressure
4G&5G Topology  Recommended networking policies
NE-level Throughput Increased ●
Association and Redirection
● ●
for the NSA
Specifications UE quantity
4G&5G X2 transport layer
Interface-level Signaling specifications ● ●  NSA performance impact analysis
QoS detection
X2 connection ● ●  NSA troubleshooting guides
4G&5G associated traffic
Cell-level Accessibility E-RAB setup success rate Slightly decreased Slightly decreased 2. Tools:
statistics
Service drop rate Slightly increased Slightly increased  Network planning/design
Retainability
Single-user 4G&5G Handover success rate Slightly decreased Slightly decreased
UE-level  Online FMA and offline FMA
integrated tracing
Services UE/Cell throughput ● ●

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LTE&NR Association - NE-level: Topology Association and Redirection
When a fault occurs, you need to quickly associate the NSA X2 relationship for the eNB and gNB

1 In the Main Topology of the U2000, right-click the desired NE 2 The list of peer eNBs in NSA networking is displayed.
and choose Query Available Peer NR Base Stations

3 In the eNBs list, select the eNB and click Locate. The locating eNB
is displayed in the topology view.

Note:
1. You also can search gNBs from eNB side.
2. If eNBs and gNBs are managed by different U2000s, execute the MML DSP
X2INTERFACE to query the relationship information.

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 LTE&NR Association - Interface-Level: X2 Fault Alarms
When an NSA X2 interface is faulty, alarms can be quickly detected on the gNB side and the faulty peer eNB can be identified.

NSA X2 is more important than LTE X2, and the X2 alarm in gNB
LTE historical defects
side changes (compared with LTE) are as follows:
 Operater A: a large number of X2 alarms are generated, exceeding the
processing capability of the U2000. Alarm Name NR X2 Alarm Change
 Operater B: After LTE is deployed, a large number of X2 alarms are ALM-29204 X2 Interface Fault 1. The alarm severity of X2
generated, some important alarms may be missing. interface fault is improved
ALM-25888 SCTP Link Fault
(from Warning to Major)
Optimization solutions for LTE ALM-25954 User Plane Fault 2. “X2 interface fault”alarms
(reported when the total number are not combined----will be
Alarm Name Solution exceeds 16) combined in RAN2.0
ALM-29204 X2 Solution 1: Combine the “X2 interface Fault”
X2 fault locating in NSA networking
Interface Fault alarms when the causes are the same (eRAN11.1).
 The gNB side obtains the local interface ID and peer eNodeB ID through “X2
ALM-25888 SCTP interface fault”alarms , to quickly locate the faulty NEs at NR and LTE ends.
Link Fault Solution 2: When both the SCTP link and the User  5G online FMA supports topology management and fault diagnosis for X2
Plane Path are faulty, the” SCTP Link Fault” alarm interfaces.
is suppressed (controlled by a switch) (eRAN8.1).
ALM-25952 User
Plane Path Fault Solution 3: If the total number of “User Plane gNodeB
ALM-25886 IP Path Fault”is more than 16, only one alarm will be
Path Fault reported (eRAN8.1). NR: The faulty X2 interface is clear.
ALM-29204 X2 Interface Fault
eNB ID=XXXX eNodeB
eNodeB

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 LTE&NR Association - Interface-Level: X2 Self-Setup Failure
When NSA X2 self-setup fails, we can use X2 interface Signaling trace and SON logs to identify the problem.
1. X2 interface Signaling trace : Check the failure process.

gNB side

eNB side

2. SON logs
1. On the U2000 client, choose SON > SON Log, click Synchronize, select gNBs, and click OK.
2. On the Query SON Log tab page, select gNB X2 Link Log.

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 LTE&NR Association - Interface-Level: X2 Link Traffic Monitoring
Start traffic monitoring for the X2 user plane on the U2000 client, to confirm whether the traffic on the NSA X2 interface
is too high.
1 Transport Performance Monitoring-> Transport Auto Setup User 2 Select cabinet No., subrack No., slot No., and select “Include IPPM” for
Plane Monitoring. Select the gNBs. IPPM flag, enter the source and destination IP addresses of the X2 link.

3 Select the created task to view the traffic monitoring for X2 user plane

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LTE&NR Association-Interface-Level: X2 Delay and Packet Loss Rate
If packet loss occurs on the NSA X2 interface or the delay is too much (< 5 ms is recommended), the X2 traffic split rate is affected.
IP PM VS. TWAMP: IP PM activation methods:
Item IP PM TWAMP Activation Type Activation Method
The peer end must be a Standard protocol, the peer end can Manual(recommended) Run the ADD IPPMSESSION command.
Connection
HW device be different vendors
Automatic DC services trigger IP PM automatic setup.
Based on online service Does not depend on service packets,
Detection Activation of IP PM on the gNodeB side:
packets. only test packets are inserted.
ADD IPPMSESSION: IPPMSN=0, IPPMTYPE=FOUR_TUPLE, BINDPATH=NO,
For NSA X2 interface，IP PM detection is recommended, as its high LOCALIP="gNB IP", PEERIP="eNB IP", IPPMDSCP=0;
detection accuracy. Enable IP PM passive activation on the eNodeB side:
SET TRANSFUNCTIONSW: IPPMPASSIVEACTIVATIONSW=ENABLE;22222
Check the results of manual IP PM activation.
Method 1: Run the DSP IPPMSESSION command. Method 2: Real-time performance monitoring Method 3: Counters
Counter Name
VS.IPPM.Forword.DropMeans
VS.IPPM.Forword.Peak.DropRates
VS.IPPM.Forward.JitterStandardDeviation
VS.IPPM.Back.JitterStandardDeviation
VS.IPPM.Rtt.Means
VS.IPPM.MaxRttDelay
VS.IPPM.MinRttDelay
VS.IPPM.Local.TxPkts
VS.IPPM.Peer.RxPkts
VS.IPPM.HighLevel.Rtt.Means
VS.IPPM.HighLevel.MaxRttDelay
VS.IPPM.HighLevel.MinRttDelay
VS.IPPM.Owd.Means
VS.IPPM.MaxOwdDelay
VS.IPPM.MinOwdDelay

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 LTE&NR Association - Interface-Level: Query X2 IP PM counter result
Query the IP PM performance measurement results of the NSA X2:
1. Performance>Measurement Management, activate IP PM counters. 2. Performance>Query Result>New Query

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 LTE&NR Association - Cell-Level: Counters
If NSA KPI problems occur, for example, the secondary base station fails to be added or the PDCP traffic split data is insufficient, you
can view the corresponding traffic statistics or CHR data.
 Counters (eNB)

1. Performance>Measurement Management, activate NSA counters. 2. Performance>Query Result>New Query

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 LTE&NR Association - Cell-Level: Counters
 Counters (gNB)
Check the status, the NSA counters are default counter 1. Performance>Query Result>New Query
1

2. Query result:

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 LTE&NR Association - User-Level: LTE-NR Union User Detail Trace
LTE-NR Union User Detail Trace can help to avoid repeated operations in eNBs/gNBs.
Monitor > Signaling Trace > Signaling Trace Management. 3 LTE/EPC > LTE/EPC End-to-End User Trace, get the User trace ID:
1

4 Enter the user trace ID (generated after tracing starts on the CN side), and set the LTE and NR NEs

2 NSA > LTE-NR Union User Detail Trace.

5
In the tracing task list, view the tracing task and download tracing results.

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 LTE&NR Association - User-Level: LTE-NR Union User Performance Monitoring
LTE-NR Union User Performance Monitoring can help to monitor the user traffic in eNBs/gNB at the same time.
Monitor > Signaling Trace > Signaling Trace Management. 4 In the task list, select the created task to view results in real time.
1

2
NSA > User Performance Monitoring

3 LTE-NR Union User Common Monitoring, enter User trace ID, and select
the LTE and NR NEs.

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Contents
1 Basic Knowledge of NSA

2 Key Functions of NSA Maintenance

4 Typical Cases

5 FAQ

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 Impact of NSA Networking on Performance - Overview
Option 3X
Option 3 and Option 3X:
1. The control plane and user plane are separated.
2. On the control plane, only the LTE eNodeB is connected to the MME, and the gNodeB
signaling is routed to the MME through the LTE eNodeB.
3. On the user plane, data is split at the eNodeB PDCP layer in Option 3, and data is split
at the gNodeB PDCP layer in Option 3X.

Impacts on KPIs
LTE Counter Option 3 Option 3x
Back-pressure is
Board CPU load Increased
supported.
Throughput Increased ●
Option 3 Specificati
ons UE quantity ● ●

Signaling specifications (BHCA) ● ●

X2 connection ● ●
Accessibil Slightly Slightly
E-RAB setup success rate
ity decreased decreased
Service drop rate Slightly increased Slightly increased
Retainabili
ty Handover success rate (intra- Slightly Slightly
frequency/inter-frequency/X2/S1) decreased decreased
UE/Cell uplink and downlink
Services ● ●
throughput (kbit/s)

In NSA networking, as signaling interaction and traffic sharing are added on the eNB side, the CPU load is Increased, and network KPIs are
slightly affected.
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Impact of NSA Networking on Performance - Detailed Analysis
LTE Counter Option 3 Option 3X

5G traffic split is added on the LTE side, and board load

Board CPU load increases (main control boards/baseband processing boards; LTE boards receive gNB split traffic and LTE load
UMPTa/UMPTa performs baseband data split).

Traffic is distributed to gNB at the eNB PDCP layer. eNB traffic

Throughput Traffic statistics at the RLC layer. Throughput is not affected.
Specifica increases.
tions Similar to common LTE users, NSA users consume UE number licenses. The impact is small if the number of NSA users is
User numbers
small.
NSA related signaling is added to the eNB side, occupying product signaling specifications. (If the number of NSA users is
Signaling specifications (BHCA)
small, the impact is small.)

X2 connection The number of X2 connections increases

Accessibi Possible impacts: an SCG bearer is set up through the X2 interface, which increases the X2 signaling interaction and E-RAB
E-RAB setup success rate
lity failure rate.
Possible impacts: RRC reconfiguration messages for 5G cell additions and 5G handovers are added. The probability of call
Service drop rate
drops increases in weak coverage scenarios.
Retainabi 1. With secondary carriers, the handover message length increases, and the handover preparation time increases (the
lity Handover success rate (intra-
target LTE network interacts with the target 5G network), increasing the failure probability.
frequency/inter-
2. Without secondary carriers, there is no impact because handovers with non-secondary carriers are similar to LTE
frequency/X2/S1)
handovers.
UE/Cell uplink and downlink
throughput (kbit/s) The statistics on the eNB side are at the RLC layer, and there is The statistics on the eNB side are at the RLC layer, and
Services
Uplink/downlink throughput at no impact. there is no impact.
the PDCP layer in a cell (bit)

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Impact of NSA Networking on Performance - Impact on LTE Cell Throughput
Cell Downlink Average Throughput = L.Thrp.bits.DL/L.Thrp.Time.Cell.DL.HighPrecision
Cell Uplink Average Throughput = L.Thrp.bits.UL/L.Thrp.Time.Cell.UL.HighPrecision

MCG bearer MCG split bearer MCG bearer SCG split bearer

PDCP PDCP PDCP PDCP

RLC RLC RLC RLC RLC RLC

MAC MAC MAC MAC

eNodeB gNodeB eNodeB gNodeB
Option3 Option 3X

L.Thrp.bits.DL: measures the RLC SDU throughput on the LTE side. L.Thrp.Time.Cell.UL.HighPrecision: measures uplink scheduling time at the RLC layer.

L.Thrp.bits.UL: measures the RLC SDU throughput on the LTE side. L.Thrp.Time.Cell.DL.HighPrecision: measures downlink scheduling time at the RLC layer.

The cell throughput KPIs on the LTE side are not affected. (The LTE cell throughput is measured at the RLC layer.)

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