diff --git a/openair2/RRC/LTE/rrc_eNB.c b/openair2/RRC/LTE/rrc_eNB.c
index d93510ac5d0794941f64507d87cfd17aa1dae99e..025e4820e77639fea3ceecb6cfeab869a1c322dd 100644
--- a/openair2/RRC/LTE/rrc_eNB.c
+++ b/openair2/RRC/LTE/rrc_eNB.c
@@ -4803,7 +4803,8 @@ void rrc_eNB_process_handoverPreparationInformation(int mod_id, x2ap_handover_re
       ho->criticalExtensions.present != LTE_HandoverPreparationInformation__criticalExtensions_PR_c1 ||
       ho->criticalExtensions.choice.c1.present != LTE_HandoverPreparationInformation__criticalExtensions__c1_PR_handoverPreparationInformation_r8) {
     LOG_E(RRC, "could not decode Handover Preparation\n");
-    abort();
+    //abort();
+    return ;
   }
 
   ho_info = &ho->criticalExtensions.choice.c1.choice.handoverPreparationInformation_r8;
@@ -4878,15 +4879,18 @@ void rrc_eNB_process_handoverCommand(
       ho->criticalExtensions.present != LTE_HandoverCommand__criticalExtensions_PR_c1 ||
       ho->criticalExtensions.choice.c1.present != LTE_HandoverCommand__criticalExtensions__c1_PR_handoverCommand_r8) {
     LOG_E(RRC, "could not decode Handover Command\n");
-    abort();
+    //abort();
+    return ;
   }
 
   unsigned char *buf = ho->criticalExtensions.choice.c1.choice.handoverCommand_r8.handoverCommandMessage.buf;
   int size = ho->criticalExtensions.choice.c1.choice.handoverCommand_r8.handoverCommandMessage.size;
 
   if (size > RRC_BUF_SIZE) {
-    printf("%s:%d: fatal\n", __FILE__, __LINE__);
-    abort();
+    //printf("%s:%d: fatal\n", __FILE__, __LINE__);
+    //abort();
+    LOG_E(RRC, "%s:%d: fatal size: %d\n", __FILE__, __LINE__,size);
+    return ;
   }
 
   memcpy(ue_context->ue_context.handover_info->buf, buf, size);
@@ -5153,7 +5157,9 @@ check_handovers(
 
             // Message buffer has been processed, free it now.
 	    result = itti_free (ITTI_MSG_ORIGIN_ID(msg_p), GTPV1U_ENB_DATA_FORWARDING_IND (msg_p).sdu_p);
-	    AssertFatal (result == EXIT_SUCCESS, "Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+            if(result != EXIT_SUCCESS) {
+              LOG_E(RRC,"Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+            }
             break;
   
 	default:
@@ -5162,7 +5168,9 @@ check_handovers(
 	}
   
 	result = itti_free (ITTI_MSG_ORIGIN_ID(msg_p), msg_p);
-	AssertFatal (result == EXIT_SUCCESS, "Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+        if(result != EXIT_SUCCESS) {
+          LOG_E(RRC,"Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+        }
       }
     } while(msg_p != NULL);
     ue_context_p->ue_context.handover_info->forwarding_state = FORWARDING_EMPTY;
@@ -5224,7 +5232,9 @@ check_handovers(
 
 	    // Message buffer has been processed, free it now.
 	    result = itti_free (ITTI_MSG_ORIGIN_ID(msg_p), GTPV1U_ENB_END_MARKER_IND (msg_p).sdu_p);
-	    AssertFatal (result == EXIT_SUCCESS, "Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+            if(result != EXIT_SUCCESS) {
+              LOG_E(RRC,"Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+            }
 	    break;
 
 	    default:
@@ -5233,7 +5243,9 @@ check_handovers(
           }
 
           result = itti_free (ITTI_MSG_ORIGIN_ID(msg_p), msg_p);
-          AssertFatal (result == EXIT_SUCCESS, "Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+          if(result != EXIT_SUCCESS) {
+            LOG_E(RRC,"Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+          }
         }
       } while(msg_p != NULL);
 
@@ -6293,8 +6305,10 @@ rrc_eNB_generate_HO_RRCConnectionReconfiguration(const protocol_ctxt_t *const ct
                                             );
 
   if (rrc_size <= 0) {
-    printf("%s:%d: fatal\n", __FILE__, __LINE__);
-    abort();
+    //printf("%s:%d: fatal\n", __FILE__, __LINE__);
+    //abort();
+    LOG_E(RRC, "%s:%d: fatal size: %d\n", __FILE__, __LINE__,size);
+    return ;
   }
 
   char *ho_buf = (char *)buffer;
@@ -8974,12 +8988,20 @@ void *rrc_enb_process_itti_msg(void *notUsed) {
         /* is it possible? */
         LOG_E(RRC, "could not find UE (rnti %x) while processing X2AP_HANDOVER_REQ_ACK\n",
               X2AP_HANDOVER_REQ_ACK(msg_p).rnti);
-        exit(1);
+        //exit(1);
+        return ;
       }
       LOG_I(RRC, "[eNB %d] source eNB receives the X2 HO ACK %s\n", instance, msg_name_p);
-      DevAssert(ue_context_p != NULL);
+      if(ue_context_p == NULL) {
+        LOG_E(RRC,"%s %d: ue_context_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+        return ;
+      }
 
-      if (ue_context_p->ue_context.handover_info->state != HO_REQUEST) abort();
+      if (ue_context_p->ue_context.handover_info->state != HO_REQUEST) {
+          //abort();
+          LOG_E(RRC, "%s:%d: the handover state is not HO_REQUEST: %d\n",__FILE__, __LINE__,ue_context_p->ue_context.handover_info->state);
+          return ;
+      }
 	  
       hash_rc = hashtable_get(RC.gtpv1u_data_g->ue_mapping, ue_context_p->ue_context.rnti, (void**)&gtpv1u_ue_data_p);
       /* set target enb gtp teid */
@@ -9027,9 +9049,16 @@ void *rrc_enb_process_itti_msg(void *notUsed) {
       struct rrc_eNB_ue_context_s        *ue_context_p = NULL;
       ue_context_p = rrc_eNB_get_ue_context(RC.rrc[instance], X2AP_UE_CONTEXT_RELEASE(msg_p).rnti);
       LOG_I(RRC, "[eNB %d] source eNB receives the X2 UE CONTEXT RELEASE %s\n", instance, msg_name_p);
-      DevAssert(ue_context_p != NULL);
+      if(ue_context_p == NULL) {
+        LOG_E(RRC,"%s %d: ue_context_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+        return ;
+      }
 
-      if (ue_context_p->ue_context.handover_info->state != HO_COMPLETE) abort();
+      if (ue_context_p->ue_context.handover_info->state != HO_COMPLETE) {
+          //abort();
+          LOG_E(RRC, "%s:%d: the handover state is not HO_COMPLETE: %d\n",__FILE__, __LINE__,ue_context_p->ue_context.handover_info->state);
+          return ;
+      }
 
       ue_context_p->ue_context.handover_info->state = HO_RELEASE;
       break;
diff --git a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB.c b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB.c
index 8b11e469b2d03f1e86b74c8a94bf55778ab9a1d6..160dd2fbbdff87f37a6395f20534142f94d54808 100644
--- a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB.c
+++ b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB.c
@@ -89,22 +89,33 @@ void x2ap_eNB_ue_context_release(instance_t instance,
 static
 void x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_data_ind(instance_t instance, sctp_data_ind_t *sctp_data_ind) {
   int result;
-  DevAssert(sctp_data_ind != NULL);
+  if(sctp_data_ind == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: sctp_data_ind is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return ;
+  }
   x2ap_eNB_handle_message(instance, sctp_data_ind->assoc_id, sctp_data_ind->stream,
                           sctp_data_ind->buffer, sctp_data_ind->buffer_length);
   result = itti_free(TASK_UNKNOWN, sctp_data_ind->buffer);
-  AssertFatal (result == EXIT_SUCCESS, "Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+  if(result != EXIT_SUCCESS) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+  }
 }
 
 static
 void x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_association_resp(instance_t instance, sctp_new_association_resp_t *sctp_new_association_resp) {
   x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p;
   x2ap_eNB_data_t *x2ap_enb_data_p;
-  DevAssert(sctp_new_association_resp != NULL);
+  if(sctp_new_association_resp == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: sctp_new_association_resp is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return ;
+  }
   printf("x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_association_resp at 1\n");
   dump_trees();
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return ;
+  }
 
   /* if the assoc_id is already known, it is certainly because an IND was received
    * before. In this case, just update streams and return
@@ -116,8 +127,8 @@ void x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_association_resp(instance_t instance, sctp_new_associa
     if (x2ap_enb_data_p != NULL) {
       /* some sanity check - to be refined at some point */
       if (sctp_new_association_resp->sctp_state != SCTP_STATE_ESTABLISHED) {
-        X2AP_ERROR("x2ap_enb_data_p not NULL and sctp state not SCTP_STATE_ESTABLISHED, what to do?\n");
-        abort();
+        X2AP_ERROR("x2ap_enb_data_p not NULL and sctp state not SCTP_STATE_ESTABLISHED, remove x2ap instance\n");
+        x2ap_remove_eNB(instance_p,x2ap_enb_data_p);
       }
 
       x2ap_enb_data_p->in_streams  = sctp_new_association_resp->in_streams;
@@ -128,7 +139,10 @@ void x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_association_resp(instance_t instance, sctp_new_associa
 
   x2ap_enb_data_p = x2ap_get_eNB(instance_p, -1,
                                  sctp_new_association_resp->ulp_cnx_id);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_enb_data_p != NULL);
+  if(x2ap_enb_data_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_enb_data_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return ;
+  }
   printf("x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_association_resp at 2\n");
   dump_trees();
 
@@ -160,20 +174,35 @@ void x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_association_ind(instance_t instance, sctp_new_associat
   x2ap_eNB_data_t *x2ap_enb_data_p;
   printf("x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_association_ind at 1 (called for instance %d)\n", instance);
   dump_trees();
-  DevAssert(sctp_new_association_ind != NULL);
+
+  if(sctp_new_association_ind == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: sctp_new_association_ind is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return ;
+  }
+
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
-  x2ap_enb_data_p = x2ap_get_eNB(instance_p, sctp_new_association_ind->assoc_id, -1);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return ;
+  }
 
-  if (x2ap_enb_data_p != NULL) abort();
+  x2ap_enb_data_p = x2ap_get_eNB(instance_p, sctp_new_association_ind->assoc_id, -1);
+  if (x2ap_enb_data_p != NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_enb_data_p is not a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
 
-  //  DevAssert(x2ap_enb_data_p != NULL);
   if (x2ap_enb_data_p == NULL) {
     /* Create new eNB descriptor */
     x2ap_enb_data_p = calloc(1, sizeof(*x2ap_enb_data_p));
-    DevAssert(x2ap_enb_data_p != NULL);
+    if (x2ap_enb_data_p == NULL) {
+  	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_enb_data_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+  	  return ;
+    }
+
     x2ap_enb_data_p->cnx_id                = x2ap_eNB_fetch_add_global_cnx_id();
     x2ap_enb_data_p->x2ap_eNB_instance = instance_p;
+    x2ap_enb_data_p->assoc_id    = sctp_new_association_ind->assoc_id; 
     /* Insert the new descriptor in list of known eNB
      * but not yet associated.
      */
@@ -191,7 +220,7 @@ void x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_association_ind(instance_t instance, sctp_new_associat
   printf("x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_association_ind at 2\n");
   dump_trees();
   /* Update parameters */
-  x2ap_enb_data_p->assoc_id    = sctp_new_association_ind->assoc_id;
+  //x2ap_enb_data_p->assoc_id    = sctp_new_association_ind->assoc_id;
   x2ap_enb_data_p->in_streams  = sctp_new_association_ind->in_streams;
   x2ap_enb_data_p->out_streams = sctp_new_association_ind->out_streams;
   printf("x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_association_ind at 3\n");
@@ -204,8 +233,17 @@ int x2ap_eNB_init_sctp (x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p,
   // Create and alloc new message
   MessageDef                             *message;
   sctp_init_t                            *sctp_init  = NULL;
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
-  DevAssert(local_ip_addr != NULL);
+
+  if (instance_p == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return -1;
+  }
+
+  if (local_ip_addr == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: local_ip_addr is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return -1;
+  }
+
   message = itti_alloc_new_message (TASK_X2AP, SCTP_INIT_MSG_MULTI_REQ);
   sctp_init = &message->ittiMsg.sctp_init_multi;
   sctp_init->port = enb_port_for_X2C;
@@ -238,8 +276,17 @@ static void x2ap_eNB_register_eNB(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p,
   MessageDef                       *message                   = NULL;
   sctp_new_association_req_multi_t *sctp_new_association_req  = NULL;
   x2ap_eNB_data_t                  *x2ap_enb_data             = NULL;
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
-  DevAssert(target_eNB_ip_address != NULL);
+
+  if (instance_p == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
+
+  if (target_eNB_ip_address == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: target_eNB_ip_address is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
+
   message = itti_alloc_new_message(TASK_X2AP, SCTP_NEW_ASSOCIATION_REQ_MULTI);
   sctp_new_association_req = &message->ittiMsg.sctp_new_association_req_multi;
   sctp_new_association_req->port = enb_port_for_X2C;
@@ -255,7 +302,11 @@ static void x2ap_eNB_register_eNB(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p,
          sizeof(*local_ip_addr));
   /* Create new eNB descriptor */
   x2ap_enb_data = calloc(1, sizeof(*x2ap_enb_data));
-  DevAssert(x2ap_enb_data != NULL);
+  if (x2ap_enb_data == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_enb_data is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
+
   x2ap_enb_data->cnx_id                = x2ap_eNB_fetch_add_global_cnx_id();
   sctp_new_association_req->ulp_cnx_id = x2ap_enb_data->cnx_id;
   x2ap_enb_data->assoc_id          = -1;
@@ -274,7 +325,11 @@ static
 void x2ap_eNB_handle_register_eNB(instance_t instance,
                                   x2ap_register_enb_req_t *x2ap_register_eNB) {
   x2ap_eNB_instance_t *new_instance;
-  DevAssert(x2ap_register_eNB != NULL);
+  if (x2ap_register_eNB == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_register_eNB is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
+
   /* Look if the provided instance already exists */
   new_instance = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
 
@@ -288,7 +343,11 @@ void x2ap_eNB_handle_register_eNB(instance_t instance,
     X2AP_WARN("eNB[%d] already registered\n", instance);
   } else {
     new_instance = calloc(1, sizeof(x2ap_eNB_instance_t));
-    DevAssert(new_instance != NULL);
+    if (new_instance == NULL) {
+  	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: new_instance is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+  	  return ;
+    }
+
     RB_INIT(&new_instance->x2ap_enb_head);
     /* Copy usefull parameters */
     new_instance->instance         = instance;
@@ -351,9 +410,18 @@ void x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_init_msg_multi_cnf(
   sctp_init_msg_multi_cnf_t *m) {
   x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance;
   int index;
-  DevAssert(m != NULL);
+
+  if (m == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: m is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
+
   instance = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance_id);
-  DevAssert(instance != NULL);
+  if (instance == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
+
   instance->multi_sd = m->multi_sd;
 
   /* Exit if CNF message reports failure.
@@ -361,7 +429,7 @@ void x2ap_eNB_handle_sctp_init_msg_multi_cnf(
    */
   if (instance->multi_sd < 0) {
     X2AP_ERROR("Error: be sure to properly configure X2 in your configuration file.\n");
-    DevAssert(instance->multi_sd >= 0);
+    return ;
   }
 
   /* Trying to connect to the provided list of eNB ip address */
@@ -391,10 +459,16 @@ void x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_req(instance_t instance,
   int target_pci = x2ap_handover_req->target_physCellId;
 
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if (instance_p == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
 
   target = x2ap_is_eNB_pci_in_list(target_pci);
-  DevAssert(target != NULL);
+  if (target == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: target is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
 
   /* allocate x2ap ID */
   id_manager = &instance_p->id_manager;
@@ -402,7 +476,8 @@ void x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_req(instance_t instance,
   if (ue_id == -1) {
     X2AP_ERROR("could not allocate a new X2AP UE ID\n");
     /* TODO: cancel handover: send (to be defined) message to RRC */
-    exit(1);
+    //exit(1);
+    return ;
   }
   /* id_source is ue_id, id_target is unknown yet */
   x2ap_set_ids(id_manager, ue_id, x2ap_handover_req->rnti, ue_id, -1);
@@ -433,10 +508,16 @@ void x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_req_ack(instance_t instance,
   int                 id_target;
 
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if (instance_p == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
 
   target = x2ap_get_eNB(NULL, source_assoc_id, 0);
-  DevAssert(target != NULL);
+  if (target == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: target is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
 
   /* rnti is a new information, save it */
   ue_id     = x2ap_handover_req_ack->x2_id_target;
@@ -456,10 +537,16 @@ void x2ap_eNB_ue_context_release(instance_t instance,
   int source_assoc_id = x2ap_ue_context_release->source_assoc_id;
   int ue_id;
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if (instance_p == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
 
   target = x2ap_get_eNB(NULL, source_assoc_id, 0);
-  DevAssert(target != NULL);
+  if (target == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: target is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
 
   x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_ue_context_release(instance_p, target, x2ap_ue_context_release);
 
@@ -467,7 +554,8 @@ void x2ap_eNB_ue_context_release(instance_t instance,
   ue_id = x2ap_find_id_from_rnti(&instance_p->id_manager, x2ap_ue_context_release->rnti);
   if (ue_id == -1) {
     X2AP_ERROR("could not find UE %x\n", x2ap_ue_context_release->rnti);
-    exit(1);
+    //exit(1);
+    return ;
   }
   x2ap_release_id(&instance_p->id_manager, ue_id);
 }
@@ -539,7 +627,10 @@ void *x2ap_task(void *arg) {
     }
 
     result = itti_free (ITTI_MSG_ORIGIN_ID(received_msg), received_msg);
-    AssertFatal (result == EXIT_SUCCESS, "Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+    if(result != EXIT_SUCCESS) {
+      X2AP_ERROR("Failed to free memory (%d)!\n", result);
+    }
+
     received_msg = NULL;
   }
 
diff --git a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_decoder.c b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_decoder.c
index 3604aa03c8a75420b4638dd70967ddba52745e00..6a638bc0c26e7bd815b8802628c44f646a05c387 100644
--- a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_decoder.c
+++ b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_decoder.c
@@ -35,7 +35,10 @@
 
 static int x2ap_eNB_decode_initiating_message(X2AP_X2AP_PDU_t *pdu)
 {
-  DevAssert(pdu != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   switch(pdu->choice.initiatingMessage.procedureCode) {
 
@@ -62,8 +65,6 @@ static int x2ap_eNB_decode_initiating_message(X2AP_X2AP_PDU_t *pdu)
     default:
       X2AP_ERROR("Unknown procedure ID (%d) for initiating message\n",
                   (int)pdu->choice.initiatingMessage.procedureCode);
-      AssertFatal( 0, "Unknown procedure ID (%d) for initiating message\n",
-                   (int)pdu->choice.initiatingMessage.procedureCode);
       return -1;
   }
 
@@ -72,7 +73,10 @@ static int x2ap_eNB_decode_initiating_message(X2AP_X2AP_PDU_t *pdu)
 
 static int x2ap_eNB_decode_successful_outcome(X2AP_X2AP_PDU_t *pdu)
 {
-  DevAssert(pdu != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   switch(pdu->choice.successfulOutcome.procedureCode) {
     case X2AP_ProcedureCode_id_x2Setup:
@@ -96,7 +100,10 @@ static int x2ap_eNB_decode_successful_outcome(X2AP_X2AP_PDU_t *pdu)
 
 static int x2ap_eNB_decode_unsuccessful_outcome(X2AP_X2AP_PDU_t *pdu)
 {
-  DevAssert(pdu != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   switch(pdu->choice.unsuccessfulOutcome.procedureCode) {
     case X2AP_ProcedureCode_id_x2Setup:
@@ -117,7 +124,10 @@ int x2ap_eNB_decode_pdu(X2AP_X2AP_PDU_t *pdu, const uint8_t *const buffer, uint3
 {
   asn_dec_rval_t dec_ret;
 
-  DevAssert(buffer != NULL);
+  if(buffer == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: buffer is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   dec_ret = aper_decode(NULL,
                         &asn_DEF_X2AP_X2AP_PDU,
diff --git a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_encoder.c b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_encoder.c
index 8b1c030d35d0b14d588475cf317d450f2fa3e686..c1c2580a13015660e6b65631153083a23dd75c98 100644
--- a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_encoder.c
+++ b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_encoder.c
@@ -40,9 +40,20 @@ int x2ap_eNB_encode_pdu(X2AP_X2AP_PDU_t *pdu, uint8_t **buffer, uint32_t *len)
 {
   ssize_t    encoded;
 
-  DevAssert(pdu != NULL);
-  DevAssert(buffer != NULL);
-  DevAssert(len != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
+  if(buffer == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: buffer is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
+  if(len == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: len is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   if (asn1_xer_print) {
     xer_fprint(stdout, &asn_DEF_X2AP_X2AP_PDU, (void *)pdu);
diff --git a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_generate_messages.c b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_generate_messages.c
index 38ebd732ac390c02832b9f9645c67b96e63fd84e..3dc0c5989f924f3021f76029cc8a6e55ac13deaf 100644
--- a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_generate_messages.c
+++ b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_generate_messages.c
@@ -56,9 +56,17 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_request(
   uint8_t  *buffer;
   uint32_t  len;
   int       ret = 0;
+  int       flag = 0;
 
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_eNB_data_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
+  if(x2ap_eNB_data_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_eNB_data_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   x2ap_eNB_data_p->state = X2AP_ENB_STATE_WAITING;
 
@@ -139,7 +147,8 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_request(
               servedCellMember->servedCellInfo.eUTRA_Mode_Info.choice.fDD.dL_Transmission_Bandwidth = X2AP_Transmission_Bandwidth_bw100;
               break;
             default:
-              AssertFatal(0,"Failed: Check value for N_RB_DL/N_RB_UL");
+              X2AP_ERROR("Failed: Check value for N_RB_DL/N_RB_UL,N_RB_DL: %d\n",instance_p->N_RB_DL[i]);
+              flag = -1;
               break;
           }
         }
@@ -169,7 +178,8 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_request(
               servedCellMember->servedCellInfo.eUTRA_Mode_Info.choice.tDD.subframeAssignment = X2AP_SubframeAssignment_sa6;
               break;
             default:
-              AssertFatal(0,"Failed: Check value for subframeAssignment");
+              X2AP_ERROR("Failed: Check value for subframeAssignment,subframeAssignment: %d\n",instance_p->subframeAssignment[i]);
+              flag = -1;
               break;
           }
           switch (instance_p->specialSubframe[i]) {
@@ -201,7 +211,8 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_request(
               servedCellMember->servedCellInfo.eUTRA_Mode_Info.choice.tDD.specialSubframe_Info.specialSubframePatterns = X2AP_SpecialSubframePatterns_ssp8;
               break;
             default:
-              AssertFatal(0,"Failed: Check value for subframeAssignment");
+              X2AP_ERROR("Failed: Check value for subframeAssignment,specialSubframe: %d\n",instance_p->specialSubframe[i]);
+              flag = -1;
               break;
           }
           servedCellMember->servedCellInfo.eUTRA_Mode_Info.choice.tDD.specialSubframe_Info.cyclicPrefixDL=X2AP_CyclicPrefixDL_normal;
@@ -227,7 +238,8 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_request(
               servedCellMember->servedCellInfo.eUTRA_Mode_Info.choice.tDD.transmission_Bandwidth = X2AP_Transmission_Bandwidth_bw100;
               break;
             default:
-              AssertFatal(0,"Failed: Check value for N_RB_DL/N_RB_UL");
+              X2AP_ERROR("Failed: Check value for N_RB_DL/N_RB_UL,N_RB_DL: %d\n",instance_p->N_RB_DL[i]);
+              flag = -1;
               break;
           }
         }
@@ -254,8 +266,15 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_request(
   }
   ASN_SEQUENCE_ADD(&out->protocolIEs.list, ie);
 
+  if(flag == -1) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("Failed to create X2 setup request\n");
+    asn_sequence_empty(&out->protocolIEs.list);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
   if (x2ap_eNB_encode_pdu(&pdu, &buffer, &len) < 0) {
     X2AP_ERROR("Failed to encode X2 setup request\n");
+    asn_sequence_empty(&out->protocolIEs.list);
     return -1;
   }
 
@@ -278,9 +297,17 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_response(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2ap_eN
   uint8_t  *buffer;
   uint32_t  len;
   int       ret = 0;
+  int       flag = 0;
+
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_eNB_data_p != NULL);
+  if(x2ap_eNB_data_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_eNB_data_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   /* Prepare the X2AP message to encode */
   memset(&pdu, 0, sizeof(pdu));
@@ -359,7 +386,8 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_response(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2ap_eN
               servedCellMember->servedCellInfo.eUTRA_Mode_Info.choice.fDD.dL_Transmission_Bandwidth = X2AP_Transmission_Bandwidth_bw100;
               break;
             default:
-              AssertFatal(0,"Failed: Check value for N_RB_DL/N_RB_UL");
+              X2AP_ERROR("Failed: Check value for N_RB_DL/N_RB_UL,N_RB_DL: %d\n",instance_p->N_RB_DL[i]);
+              flag = -1;
               break;
           }
         }
@@ -389,7 +417,8 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_response(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2ap_eN
               servedCellMember->servedCellInfo.eUTRA_Mode_Info.choice.tDD.subframeAssignment = X2AP_SubframeAssignment_sa6;
               break;
             default:
-              AssertFatal(0,"Failed: Check value for subframeAssignment");
+              X2AP_ERROR("Failed: Check value for subframeAssignment,subframeAssignment: %d\n",instance_p->subframeAssignment[i]);
+              flag = -1;
               break;
           }
           switch (instance_p->specialSubframe[i]) {
@@ -421,7 +450,8 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_response(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2ap_eN
               servedCellMember->servedCellInfo.eUTRA_Mode_Info.choice.tDD.specialSubframe_Info.specialSubframePatterns = X2AP_SpecialSubframePatterns_ssp8;
               break;
             default:
-              AssertFatal(0,"Failed: Check value for subframeAssignment");
+              X2AP_ERROR("Failed: Check value for specialSubframe,specialSubframe: %d\n",instance_p->specialSubframe[i]);
+              flag = -1;
               break;
           }
           servedCellMember->servedCellInfo.eUTRA_Mode_Info.choice.tDD.specialSubframe_Info.cyclicPrefixDL=X2AP_CyclicPrefixDL_normal;
@@ -447,7 +477,8 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_response(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2ap_eN
               servedCellMember->servedCellInfo.eUTRA_Mode_Info.choice.tDD.transmission_Bandwidth = X2AP_Transmission_Bandwidth_bw100;
               break;
             default:
-              AssertFatal(0,"Failed: Check value for N_RB_DL/N_RB_UL");
+              X2AP_ERROR("Failed: Check value for N_RB_DL/N_RB_UL,N_RB_DL: %d\n",instance_p->N_RB_DL[i]);
+              flag = -1;
               break;
           }
         }
@@ -474,8 +505,15 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_setup_response(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2ap_eN
   }
   ASN_SEQUENCE_ADD(&out->protocolIEs.list, ie);
 
+  if(flag == -1) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("Failed to create X2 setup response\n");
+    asn_sequence_empty(&out->protocolIEs.list);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
   if (x2ap_eNB_encode_pdu(&pdu, &buffer, &len) < 0) {
     X2AP_ERROR("Failed to encode X2 setup response\n");
+    asn_sequence_empty(&out->protocolIEs.list);
     return -1;
   }
 
@@ -552,7 +590,10 @@ int x2ap_eNB_set_cause (X2AP_Cause_t * cause_p,
                         long cause_value)
 {
 
-  DevAssert (cause_p != NULL);
+  if(cause_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: cause_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
   cause_p->present = cause_type;
 
   switch (cause_type) {
@@ -594,8 +635,15 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_handover_request (x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2ap
   uint32_t  len;
   int       ret = 0;
 
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_eNB_data_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
+  if(x2ap_eNB_data_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_eNB_data_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   /* Prepare the X2AP handover message to encode */
   memset(&pdu, 0, sizeof(pdu));
@@ -723,7 +771,7 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_handover_request (x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2ap
 
   if (x2ap_eNB_encode_pdu(&pdu, &buffer, &len) < 0) {
     X2AP_ERROR("Failed to encode X2 handover request\n");
-    abort();
+    asn_sequence_empty(&out->protocolIEs.list);
     return -1;
   }
 
@@ -751,8 +799,15 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_handover_request_ack (x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p,
   uint32_t  len;
   int       ret = 0;
 
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_eNB_data_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
+  if(x2ap_eNB_data_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_eNB_data_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   ue_id     = x2ap_handover_req_ack->x2_id_target;
   id_source = x2ap_id_get_id_source(&instance_p->id_manager, ue_id);
@@ -837,7 +892,7 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_handover_request_ack (x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p,
 
   if (x2ap_eNB_encode_pdu(&pdu, &buffer, &len) < 0) {
     X2AP_ERROR("Failed to encode X2 handover response\n");
-    abort();
+    asn_sequence_empty(&out->protocolIEs.list);
     return -1;
   }
 
@@ -862,13 +917,21 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_ue_context_release (x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2
   uint32_t  len;
   int       ret = 0;
 
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_eNB_data_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
+  if(x2ap_eNB_data_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_eNB_data_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   ue_id = x2ap_find_id_from_rnti(&instance_p->id_manager, x2ap_ue_context_release->rnti);
   if (ue_id == -1) {
     X2AP_ERROR("could not find UE %x\n", x2ap_ue_context_release->rnti);
-    exit(1);
+    //exit(1);
+    return -1;
   }
   id_source = x2ap_id_get_id_source(&instance_p->id_manager, ue_id);
   id_target = ue_id;
@@ -899,7 +962,7 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_ue_context_release (x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2
 
   if (x2ap_eNB_encode_pdu(&pdu, &buffer, &len) < 0) {
     X2AP_ERROR("Failed to encode X2 UE Context Release\n");
-    abort();
+    asn_sequence_empty(&out->protocolIEs.list);
     return -1;
   }
 
@@ -925,8 +988,15 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_handover_cancel (x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2ap_
   uint32_t  len;
   int       ret = 0;
 
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_eNB_data_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
+  if(x2ap_eNB_data_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_eNB_data_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   ue_id = x2_ue_id;
   id_source = ue_id;
@@ -983,7 +1053,7 @@ int x2ap_eNB_generate_x2_handover_cancel (x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p, x2ap_
 
   if (x2ap_eNB_encode_pdu(&pdu, &buffer, &len) < 0) {
     X2AP_ERROR("Failed to encode X2 Handover Cancel\n");
-    abort();
+    asn_sequence_empty(&out->protocolIEs.list);
     return -1;
   }
 
diff --git a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_handler.c b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_handler.c
index 33fd9c5295fb8ad890f297a4de96bb564f1f4b00..dd225f899de39032d0c1866e55e71ed786a527b0 100644
--- a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_handler.c
+++ b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_handler.c
@@ -177,7 +177,10 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_message(instance_t instance, uint32_t assoc_id, int32_t stre
   X2AP_X2AP_PDU_t pdu;
   int ret = 0;
 
-  DevAssert(data != NULL);
+  if(data == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: data is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   memset(&pdu, 0, sizeof(pdu));
 
@@ -294,7 +297,11 @@ x2ap_eNB_handle_x2_setup_request(instance_t instance,
   MessageDef                         *msg;
   uint32_t                           eNB_id = 0;
 
-  DevAssert (pdu != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
   x2SetupRequest = &pdu->choice.initiatingMessage.value.choice.X2SetupRequest;
 
   /*
@@ -407,7 +414,10 @@ x2ap_eNB_handle_x2_setup_request(instance_t instance,
   }
 
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   itti_send_msg_to_task(TASK_RRC_ENB, instance_p->instance, msg);
 
@@ -430,7 +440,11 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_x2_setup_response(instance_t instance,
   MessageDef                          *msg;
   uint32_t                            eNB_id = 0;
 
-  DevAssert (pdu != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
   x2SetupResponse = &pdu->choice.successfulOutcome.value.choice.X2SetupResponse;
 
   /*
@@ -531,7 +545,10 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_x2_setup_response(instance_t instance,
   x2ap_eNB_data->state = X2AP_ENB_STATE_READY;
 
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   instance_p->x2_target_enb_associated_nb ++;
   x2ap_handle_x2_setup_message(instance_p, x2ap_eNB_data, 0);
@@ -554,7 +571,10 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_x2_setup_failure(instance_t instance,
   x2ap_eNB_instance_t                *instance_p;
   x2ap_eNB_data_t                    *x2ap_eNB_data;
 
-  DevAssert(pdu != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   x2SetupFailure = &pdu->choice.unsuccessfulOutcome.value.choice.X2SetupFailure;
 
@@ -594,7 +614,10 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_x2_setup_failure(instance_t instance,
   x2ap_eNB_data->state = X2AP_ENB_STATE_WAITING;
 
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   x2ap_handle_x2_setup_message(instance_p, x2ap_eNB_data, 0);
 
@@ -619,7 +642,11 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_preparation (instance_t instance,
   MessageDef                         *msg;
   int                                ue_id;
 
-  DevAssert (pdu != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
+
   x2HandoverRequest = &pdu->choice.initiatingMessage.value.choice.HandoverRequest;
 
   if (stream == 0) {
@@ -631,10 +658,16 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_preparation (instance_t instance,
   X2AP_DEBUG ("Received a new X2 handover request\n");
 
   x2ap_eNB_data = x2ap_get_eNB(NULL, assoc_id, 0);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_eNB_data != NULL);
+  if(x2ap_eNB_data == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_eNB_data is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   msg = itti_alloc_new_message(TASK_X2AP, X2AP_HANDOVER_REQ);
 
@@ -650,7 +683,8 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_preparation (instance_t instance,
   if (ue_id == -1) {
     X2AP_ERROR("could not allocate a new X2AP UE ID\n");
     /* TODO: cancel handover: send HO preparation failure to source eNB */
-    exit(1);
+    //exit(1);
+    return -1;
   }
   /* rnti is unknown yet, must not be set to -1, 0 is fine */
   x2ap_set_ids(&instance_p->id_manager, ue_id, 0, ie->value.choice.UE_X2AP_ID, ue_id);
@@ -730,10 +764,6 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_preparation (instance_t instance,
 
   X2AP_RRC_Context_t *c = &ie->value.choice.UE_ContextInformation.rRC_Context;
 
-  if (c->size > 8192 /* TODO: this is the size of rrc_buffer in struct x2ap_handover_req_s */)
-    { printf("%s:%d: fatal: buffer too big\n", __FILE__, __LINE__); abort(); }
-
-  memcpy(X2AP_HANDOVER_REQ(msg).rrc_buffer, c->buf, c->size);
   X2AP_HANDOVER_REQ(msg).rrc_buffer_size = c->size;
 
   itti_send_msg_to_task(TASK_RRC_ENB, instance_p->instance, msg);
@@ -760,7 +790,10 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_response (instance_t instance,
   int                                           id_target;
   int                                           rnti;
 
-  DevAssert (pdu != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
   x2HandoverRequestAck = &pdu->choice.successfulOutcome.value.choice.HandoverRequestAcknowledge;
 
   if (stream == 0) {
@@ -772,10 +805,16 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_response (instance_t instance,
   X2AP_DEBUG ("Received a new X2 handover response\n");
 
   x2ap_eNB_data = x2ap_get_eNB(NULL, assoc_id, 0);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_eNB_data != NULL);
+  if(x2ap_eNB_data == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_eNB_data is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   msg = itti_alloc_new_message(TASK_X2AP, X2AP_HANDOVER_REQ_ACK);
 
@@ -873,9 +912,6 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_response (instance_t instance,
 
   X2AP_TargeteNBtoSource_eNBTransparentContainer_t *c = &ie->value.choice.TargeteNBtoSource_eNBTransparentContainer;
 
-  if (c->size > 1024 /* TODO: this is the size of rrc_buffer in struct x2ap_handover_req_ack_s */)
-    { printf("%s:%d: fatal: buffer too big\n", __FILE__, __LINE__); abort(); }
-
   memcpy(X2AP_HANDOVER_REQ_ACK(msg).rrc_buffer, c->buf, c->size);
   X2AP_HANDOVER_REQ_ACK(msg).rrc_buffer_size = c->size;
 
@@ -900,7 +936,10 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_ue_context_release (instance_t instance,
   int                                 id_source;
   int                                 id_target;
 
-  DevAssert (pdu != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
   x2UEContextRelease = &pdu->choice.initiatingMessage.value.choice.UEContextRelease;
 
   if (stream == 0) {
@@ -912,10 +951,16 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_ue_context_release (instance_t instance,
   X2AP_DEBUG ("Received a new X2 ue context release\n");
 
   x2ap_eNB_data = x2ap_get_eNB(NULL, assoc_id, 0);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_eNB_data != NULL);
+  if(x2ap_eNB_data == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_eNB_data is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   msg = itti_alloc_new_message(TASK_X2AP, X2AP_UE_CONTEXT_RELEASE);
 
@@ -983,7 +1028,10 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_cancel (instance_t instance,
   int                               id_target;
   x2ap_handover_cancel_cause_t      cause;
 
-  DevAssert (pdu != NULL);
+  if(pdu == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: pdu is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
   x2HandoverCancel = &pdu->choice.initiatingMessage.value.choice.HandoverCancel;
 
   if (stream == 0) {
@@ -994,10 +1042,16 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_cancel (instance_t instance,
   X2AP_DEBUG ("Received a new X2 handover cancel\n");
 
   x2ap_eNB_data = x2ap_get_eNB(NULL, assoc_id, 0);
-  DevAssert(x2ap_eNB_data != NULL);
+  if(x2ap_eNB_data == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: x2ap_eNB_data is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if(instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return -1;
+  }
 
   X2AP_FIND_PROTOCOLIE_BY_ID(X2AP_HandoverCancel_IEs_t, ie, x2HandoverCancel,
                              X2AP_ProtocolIE_ID_id_Old_eNB_UE_X2AP_ID, true);
@@ -1059,7 +1113,8 @@ int x2ap_eNB_handle_handover_cancel (instance_t instance,
                id_source,
                x2ap_id_get_id_target(&instance_p->id_manager, ue_id),
                id_target);
-    exit(1);
+    //exit(1);
+    return -1;
   }
 
   msg = itti_alloc_new_message(TASK_X2AP, X2AP_HANDOVER_CANCEL);
diff --git a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_management_procedures.c b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_management_procedures.c
index 986ca10902ba678c30a1578c95a1aa0881dfd309..456fed482b5d4be5cecb2fed0c5ddff1573016f1 100644
--- a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_management_procedures.c
+++ b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_management_procedures.c
@@ -92,7 +92,10 @@ void x2ap_eNB_prepare_internal_data(void)
 
 void x2ap_eNB_insert_new_instance(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *new_instance_p)
 {
-  DevAssert(new_instance_p != NULL);
+  if (new_instance_p == NULL) {
+    X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: new_instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+    return;
+  }
 
   STAILQ_INSERT_TAIL(&x2ap_eNB_internal_data.x2ap_eNB_instances_head,
                      new_instance_p, x2ap_eNB_entries);
@@ -255,3 +258,17 @@ x2ap_eNB_data_t  * x2ap_is_eNB_assoc_id_in_list (const uint32_t sctp_assoc_id)
   }
   return NULL;
 }
+
+void x2ap_remove_eNB(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p,x2ap_eNB_data_t *x2ap_enb_data_p) {
+  printf("x2ap_remove_eNB  (removing)\n");
+  if (instance_p == NULL) {
+    STAILQ_FOREACH(instance_p, &x2ap_eNB_internal_data.x2ap_eNB_instances_head,
+                   x2ap_eNB_entries) {
+      RB_REMOVE(x2ap_enb_map, &instance_p->x2ap_enb_head, x2ap_enb_data_p);
+    }
+  } else {
+    RB_REMOVE(x2ap_enb_map, &instance_p->x2ap_enb_head, x2ap_enb_data_p);
+  }
+  free(x2ap_enb_data_p);
+
+}
diff --git a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_management_procedures.h b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_management_procedures.h
index c5217341c514818f8abe81231cfd9b9600e03821..d42a0cf850d66ebb2b22db095df37133e2959ea7 100644
--- a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_management_procedures.h
+++ b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_eNB_management_procedures.h
@@ -51,4 +51,5 @@ struct x2ap_eNB_data_s *x2ap_get_eNB(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p,
                                      int32_t assoc_id,
                                      uint16_t cnx_id);
 
+void x2ap_remove_eNB(x2ap_eNB_instance_t *instance_p,x2ap_eNB_data_t *x2ap_enb_data_p);
 #endif /* X2AP_ENB_MANAGEMENT_PROCEDURES_H_ */
diff --git a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_timers.c b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_timers.c
index a0a7b61ad7023259436f3e408dfd8da4591a22b3..a717f0dfb7ed1715c8d32584a36b4a6c05965bb4 100644
--- a/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_timers.c
+++ b/openair2/X2AP/x2ap_timers.c
@@ -47,7 +47,10 @@ void x2ap_check_timers(instance_t instance)
   int                          x2_ongoing;
 
   instance_p = x2ap_eNB_get_instance(instance);
-  DevAssert(instance_p != NULL);
+  if (instance_p == NULL) {
+	  X2AP_ERROR("%s %d: instance_p is a NULL pointer \n",__FILE__,__LINE__);
+	  return ;
+  }
 
   t = &instance_p->timers;
   m = &instance_p->id_manager;
diff --git a/openair3/SCTP/sctp_eNB_task.c b/openair3/SCTP/sctp_eNB_task.c
index 3cb64254fccbcc4a9378f68f4b9cc523eb101c27..a9d098f104a49e0c8e0ca15eca8eecbdb90767bb 100644
--- a/openair3/SCTP/sctp_eNB_task.c
+++ b/openair3/SCTP/sctp_eNB_task.c
@@ -805,7 +805,7 @@ static int sctp_create_new_listener(
         return -1;
     }
 
-    if (listen(sd, 5) < 0) {
+    if (listen(sd, 6) < 0) {
         SCTP_ERROR("listen: %s:%d\n", strerror(errno), errno);
         free(sctp_cnx);
         sctp_cnx = NULL;