Dear Osmocom developers,
In our project we have been using the gsmtap pseudo-header to store UMTS and LTE
signalling traces in pcapng format. This is very efficient compared to our previous
implementation based on DLT_USER, and thanks to the gsmtap dissector, it allows any *shark
app to read our output file.
When looking for the proper type and sub_type for NR signalling traces, I discovered they
are not yet part of the standard. I found several threads of discussion about this, from
about 2017 onwards, and I understand it is a matter of time and resources if the version 3
of GSMTAP has not been released.
The most interesting feature I have read about is the ability to extend the header with a
TLV approach. EARFCN, eNodeB-ID, PCI, are useful metadata we would like to add to our
traces.
In an ideal world, I would like things to be put in motion so that a new version of GSMTAP
could see the light. More humbly, I ask you what kind of help is needed. Are you waiting
for a draft specification? Are all requirements well known?
I suppose that LTE and NR are not the main focus today for liboscmocore development, but
there are many projects out there waiting for the GSMTAP format to be updated.
Thanks!
Mauro