Implementation and Configuration of Open-Source 5G Core Network Using free5GC and UERANSIM: A Practical Deployment Guide with Troubleshooting

This technical report documents practical implementation experience with free5GC open-source 5G core network as part of doctoral research in 5G networking at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology. The deployment of 5G networks has become a critical area of research and development in telecommunications, and open-source implementations provide accessible platforms for experimentation. This guide presents a comprehensive methodology for deploying free5GC along with UERANSIM simulator on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS, including system configuration, network setup, and component integration. The report emphasizes practical challenges encountered during deployment - such as dependency conflicts, network configuration issues, and integration problems - and provides tested solutions. Successful establishment of PDU sessions and internet connectivity validates the deployment approach. This work serves as both a practical reference for establishing 5G testbeds and a contribution of hands-on implementation knowledge to the research community.