The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation has launched a facility called the ‘ComNet Lab’ for testing 5G networks and providing a one-stop solution for network security testing labs for the domestic and global markets. Its mission is to accelerate indigenous 5G secure solution development that would be suitable for the Indian environment and become the foremost security compliance testing lab for 5G networks.

Located at the IIT Madras Research Park, the ComNet Lab has been designed and set up for testing 5G core network functions and 5G radio access network (RAN) functionality, adhering to 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) security and functional requirements and open RAN standards. It has advanced equipment sourced from global and domestic vendors. It will provide testing for 5G core, 5G RAN and open RAN functionality testing besides security testing, compliance testing and interoperability testing. IITM Pravartak’s focus areas include sensors, networks, actuators, and control systems (SNACS). It is deeply connected with the IIT Madras research ecosystem and has incubated more than 25 deep-tech startups.

The ComNet Lab will provide lab-as-a-service and has the following facilities:

  • 5G core lab:
    • 5G core essential requirement
    • Open network function virtualisation (NFV)
  • 5G security lab:
    • 5G core security verification
    • 5G RAN security compliance verification
  • Open testing and integration centres (OTIC)
    • Interoperable testing
    • Compliance testing
    • E2E testing

The unique aspects of the ComNet lab include having been established as a vendor neutral lab powered by industry-academia collaboration. It is a single point for security solutions for 5G core, RAN and open RAN.

The ComNet Lab was inaugurated by Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee of National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), in the presence of Prof. V. Kamakoti, director, IIT Madras; Dr. MJ Shankar Raman, chief executive officer, IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation, researchers and staff of Pravartak. This infrastructure is owned by IIT Madras Pravartak and operated by Vaan Megam Networks, which has vast industry experience and expertise in network routing and switching, wireless, security, 2G/3G/4G and 5G area.

Commenting on the development, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, chairman, NM-ICPS, said, “This is an important development in the Indian network security testing space. As India embraces the latest internet of things (IoT) and communication technology platforms, security is going to become a major bottleneck. This initiative by IIT Madras is timely and will help accelerate testing and deployment of 5G networks.”

Meanwhile, Prof. V. Kamakoti, director, IIT Madras, said, “The ComNet Lab will become a 5G core and open NFV-certified assessment body for India and also provide telecom security testing for 5G core security areas in the country. It will also play a role in expanding services to the 4G core area.”

According to IIT Madras Pravartak, it is further working with various government agencies in networking and security areas ranging from standard development, use case development, solution development, and vulnerability besides penetration testing, among other areas.