EAST EPC enables wrap-around testing of the core network elements in LTE—MME, S-GW and PDN-GW—either individually or in combination. All the necessary elements and interfaces surrounding the system under test (SUT) can be simulated. NetHawk EAST EPC wraps the SUT by using S1-MME, S1-U, S11, S5, S10, S6a, Gx, Gxc and other interfaces as needed.

EAST EPC can effectively be used in functional and load testing of LTE core network elements. In functional testing, EAST EPC can send or receive any protocol messages of the supported interfaces. It also generates and receives IP user plane. In the receiving side, EAST EPC can calculate bit-error rate (BER) from the received PRBS sequence. BER testing allows efficient way to optimize network elements' implementation. Stateful application data can also be generated and verified. In load testing, EAST EPC simulates heavy load of control plane and user plane traffic. EAST EPC also provides support for IPSec, authentication algorithm, NAS ciphering/integrity and other advanced features