me:
do we have 5G full solutions just like free5G.org? I am looking for some solution like free5G.org to deploy it on my homelab.
Grok:
Yes, there are several open-source 5G core network solutions similar to Free5GC (which I assume you meant by "free5G.org," as it's a popular project at free5gc.org). Free5GC itself is a solid option—it's an Apache 2.0-licensed implementation of the 3GPP Release 15+ 5G core, using a service-based architecture with containerized deployment via Docker and Kubernetes, making it straightforward for homelab setups by cloning the GitHub repo and following their guides. Below, I'll outline some strong alternatives that provide full or near-full 5G core functionality, focusing on those suitable for personal or homelab deployment (e.g., on standard hardware with Docker/Kubernetes). These are based on community-recommended projects and can often be paired with simulators like UERANSIM for end-to-end testing without real radio hardware.
1. Open5GS
- Overview: An open-source implementation supporting both 5G NR (New Radio) and LTE/EPC networks, aligned with 3GPP Release 17. It's designed for private networks, research, and testing, with features like Voice over New Radio (VoNR) via Kamailio IMS, DPDK for high-performance UPF, and integrated monitoring with Prometheus/Grafana. It includes a WebUI for easy configuration, making it one of the most user-friendly options.
- Deployment for Homelab: Highly suitable—install via Docker containers on a single machine or small cluster. Clone from GitHub (github.com/open5gs/open5gs), build with provided Dockerfiles, and configure via the WebUI. Tutorials cover setup for 5G SA/NSA modes on COTS hardware like a Raspberry Pi or PC. It's ranked as easy to install and configure compared to others.
- Pros for Homelab: Low resource needs, active community, and support for monitoring dashboards.
- Website/GitHub: open5gs.org or github.com/open5gs/open5gs.
2. Magma
- Overview: A flexible, 3GPP-agnostic platform (supports 2G through 5G, including SA modes) for building access networks. It includes an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) for LTE/5G, policy enforcement, and federation for integrating with existing carriers. Key components are the Access Gateway (AGW) for network services, Orchestrator for cloud-based management with a web UI, and Federation Gateway for proxying to MNO cores. It's BSD-licensed and works with unmodified commercial radios.
- Deployment for Homelab: Good for small-scale setups—deploy the AGW on edge hardware and Orchestrator on a cloud VM or local server. Use Docker/Kubernetes for containerization; clone from GitHub (github.com/magma/magma) and follow quickstart guides. It's modular, so you can start with basic 5G core functions without full federation.
- Pros for Homelab: Automation reduces downtime, supports Wi-Fi/CBRS integration for hybrid networks, and provides analytics via the UI.
- Website/GitHub: magmacore.org or github.com/magma/magma.
3. OpenAirInterface (OAI)
- Overview: A comprehensive open-source 5G platform supporting 3GPP Release 16, with features like Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and high-throughput UPF via DPDK or Vector Packet Processing (VPP). It's focused on end-to-end 5G systems, including RAN elements, and plans for dashboards and location services.
- Deployment for Homelab: Viable on low-cost COTS hardware with Docker containers. Clone from GitHub (github.com/OPENAIRINTERFACE/openairinterface5g), use the oai-cn5g-fed sub-repo for core tutorials, and configure via files/databases. It's more challenging (higher difficulty rating) without a built-in WebUI, so expect some manual tweaks.
- Pros for Homelab: Full-stack potential (core + RAN), but pair it with software-defined radios for real testing.
- Website/GitHub: openairinterface.org or github.com/OPENAIRINTERFACE.
4. SD-Core
- Overview: A dual-mode (4G/5G SA/NSA) core from the Aether project, aligned with 3GPP Release 16. It features DPDK and P4 for customizable UPF packet handling, Edge cloud support, and dashboards via the Aether Management Platform (AMP) for monitoring.
- Deployment for Homelab: Uses Kubernetes pods/VMs, so it's better for slightly more robust setups. Clone from GitHub (github.com/onosproject/sd-core), modify host interfaces as needed, and follow entrypoint tutorials. Installation is harder, potentially requiring more resources than pure Docker options.
- Pros for Homelab: Strong for hybrid 4G/5G and edge deployments, with good visibility tools.
- Website/GitHub: onosproject.org/projects/aether or github.com/onosproject/sd-core.
Complementary Tool: UERANSIM (for Testing)
- If you need to simulate user equipment (UE) and base stations (gNodeB) without physical hardware, UERANSIM is a GPL-3.0-licensed simulator that pairs well with any of the above cores. It handles 5G-SA UE/gNodeB over UDP, with partial NR radio interface implementation. Deploy via GitHub (github.com/aligungr/UERANSIM), build from source, and connect to your core for homelab testing—ideal for studying or validating setups.
For homelab deployment tips across these: Start with Docker on Ubuntu or similar, ensure you have at least 8GB RAM and a multi-core CPU for smooth operation. Many require a USRP or software-defined radio for full RAN, but simulators like UERANSIM can bypass that. Check community forums (e.g., Reddit's r/networking) for real-user setups, and always review the latest GitHub docs as projects evolve. If you provide more details on your hardware or specific needs (e.g., SA vs. NSA mode), I can refine recommendations.
me:
in my lab, i have 1 Dell PowerEdge T430 with 64 core CPU and 256 GB RAM and 10 TB storage and 6 NICs. along with these resources, i have L3 router and OPNsense firewall. and all of these would host 3 master and 1 work nodes and some VMs to manage the lab such as RootCA, monitoring system and so on. for this lab, which one or two of the mentioned solutions is/are more suggested?
Grok:
Based on your homelab setup—a powerful Dell PowerEdge T430 (64 cores, 256 GB RAM, 10 TB storage, 6 NICs) running a Kubernetes cluster with 3 master nodes and 1 worker node, plus VMs for ancillary services like RootCA and monitoring, alongside an L3 router and OPNsense firewall—the hardware far exceeds the minimum requirements for any of these open-source 5G core solutions (typically 8 GB RAM, 1-2 CPUs, and 10-160 GB storage per instance). This means resource constraints aren't a concern; focus instead on ease of deployment (especially with Kubernetes), stability, community support, and homelab-friendly features like WebUIs for configuration/monitoring.
From recent comparisons (as of 2025), I recommend Free5GC and Open5GS as the top one or two options for your setup. They're the most straightforward for homelab use, integrate well with Docker/Kubernetes, and align with private network testing without overcomplicating things. Here's why, with a quick comparison to the others:
Recommended: Free5GC (Top Pick for Simplicity)
- Why Suggested: It's the easiest to deploy in a Kubernetes homelab, with Helm charts for quick orchestration across your cluster—ideal for distributing network functions (e.g., AMF, SMF, UPF) as pods on your worker node while keeping masters for control. Lowest resource footprint overall, making it efficient even with your other VMs running. Great for research/prototyping 5G SA modes, supports non-3GPP access (e.g., Wi-Fi integration via your router/firewall), and has a basic WebUI for monitoring. Active community and good docs reduce setup hurdles.
- Deployment Fit: Use the free5gc-compose repo for a simple Docker start, then scale to Helm/K8s. Tutorials cover single-node to clustered setups; expect <1 hour for basic install on Ubuntu. Pair with UERANSIM on a VM for simulation.
- Pros for Your Lab: Minimal CPU/RAM use (e.g., ~2-2.8% per function under load), modular for testing network slicing, and flexible with your 6 NICs for traffic routing.
- Cons: Limited advanced features like MEC or VoNR; may need tweaks for high-scale testing.
- Get Started: Clone from github.com/free5gc/free5gc, follow Helm guides.
Recommended: Open5GS (Strong Second for Performance/Features)
- Why Suggested: Slightly more involved than Free5GC but still easy, with excellent performance (best control-plane latencies, stable throughput up to 900+ simulated UEs). Docker-based but Kubernetes-compatible (via custom YAMLs or Helm); deploy core functions as services on your cluster. Includes a full WebUI for config/monitoring, VoNR support, and Prometheus/Grafana integration—perfect for tying into your monitoring VMs. Optimized for private networks and low-resource scenarios, though your beefy server will handle it effortlessly.
- Deployment Fit: Install via Dockerfiles on Ubuntu, then containerize for K8s. Multi-node support aligns with your 3-master setup; use your NICs for DPDK-accelerated UPF. Community tutorials for homelab are plentiful, with setup in 1-2 hours.
- Pros for Your Lab: Resource-efficient (e.g., ~4-6.5% CPU under load), scalable for real-world sims, and supports 4G/5G hybrid modes. Active development ensures 3GPP Release 17 compliance.
- Cons: Higher RAM use than Free5GC in some tests; docs can occasionally be outdated.
- Get Started: Clone from github.com/open5gs/open5gs, use WebUI for post-deploy tweaks.
Why Not the Others (Quick Rationale)
- Magma: More production-oriented with strong K8s/Orchestrator support, but overkill for homelab—complex federation and higher setup difficulty without clear gains over the recommendations. Better if you expand to carrier integration later.
- OpenAirInterface (OAI): Full-stack (core + RAN) is appealing for end-to-end testing, but medium-high install difficulty, highest CPU demands, and no WebUI make it less ideal for your K8s homelab unless you need MEC/NEF features.
- SD-Core: Native Kubernetes with advanced tools (e.g., P4 for custom UPF, MEC), but ranked hardest to install/configure—requires file mods and more expertise, risking frustration in a homelab.
Start with Free5GC for a quick win, then try Open5GS if you want richer features. Both pair well with your firewall/router for secure traffic and UERANSIM for no-hardware testing. If you hit issues (e.g., NIC binding), check Reddit r/homelab or project forums. Let me know more about your goals (e.g., VoNR focus) for finer tuning!