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Connectivity

Ella Core uses 4 different interfaces by default:

  • API: The HTTP API and UI (HTTPS:5002)
  • N2: The control plane interface between Ella Core and the 5G Radio (SCTP:38412)
  • N3: The user plane interface between Ella Core and the 5G Radio (SCTP:2152)
  • N6: The user plane interface between Ella Core and the internet
Connectivity
Connectivity in Ella Core

Combining interfaces

It is possible to combine interfaces in the following manners.

Combined N2 and N3

Many gNodeBs can use a single network link towards the core. In this case, N2 and N3 can be combined by using the same interface name for both of them in the configuration file.

Combined N2/N3
Combined N2 and N3

Combined API and N6

The API interface is often the management interface with internet access, and the N6 interface also requires internet access. They can be combined by using the same interface name for both in the configuration file.

Combined API/N6
Combined API and N6

Combined API/N6 and combined N2/N3

It is possible to use both combination together to reduce the requirements to 2 interfaces.

Combined All
Combined All

One or both of these interfaces can be virtual interfaces, with veth. Refer to your distribution's documentation on how to set this up.

Combined on one interface

Ella Core can also be run with a single network interface. It can be achieved by using the same interface name in the configuration file, or by using VLANs.

Using VLANs

It is possible to use VLAN interfaces, with or without combining interfaces as described previously. In this case, the configuration file should contain the name of the VLAN interface, not the parent interface.