Methods and apparatuses for discovery and selection of a local NEF
Methods and apparatuses for discovery and selection of a Local Network Exposure Function (L-NEF) are described herein. A method of for registering with a Network Repository Function (NRF) performed by a L-NEF may include sending, to the NRF, a register registration message that includes a new NF network function (NF) profile, the new NF profile further including an identification of a Local Area Data Network (LADN), Service area information associated with the L-NEF, and a User Plane Function (UPF) Identifier (ID). The method may include receiving a registration response message from the NRF.
1 . A method implemented by a network repository function (NRF), the method comprising:
receiving a plurality of registration messages from a plurality of local network exposure function (L-NEFs), wherein each of the registration messages comprises a respective network function (NF) profile associated with a respective L-NEF, and wherein the respective NF profile comprises an identification of one or more of information indicating a data network served by the respective L-NEF, an identification of a tracking area associated with the respective L-NEF and geographical information associated with the respective L-NEF;
receiving, from a local application function (L-AF) through an NEF, a request to identify an available L-NEF, the request indicating L-NEF selection criteria, wherein the L-NEF selection criteria comprise information associated with a desired data network, a desired tracking area, and desired geographical information;
selecting an L-NEF out of the plurality of L-NEFs that is associated with a respective NF profile that comprises information indicating a data network that matches the desired data network of the request, a tracking area that matches the desired tracking area of the request, and geographical information that matches the desired geographical information of the request; and
sending a response to the request, the response identifying the selected L-NEF.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the request to identify an available L-NEF is received from a NEF.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the response comprises a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or internet protocol (IP) address of the available L-NEF.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the request to identify the available L-NEF further indicates one or more of a local area data network (LADN) name, an LADN service area, or user plane function (UPF) information, and wherein the method further comprises selecting an L-NEF out of the plurality of L-NEFs that is associated with a respective NF profile based on one or more of the LADN, the LADN service area, or UPF information.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein an edge application server (EAS) or edge enabler server (EES) subscribes to the NRF for updates related to L-NEF registration.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
deploying the L-NEF over a service area associated with a local area data network (LADN).
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
configuring the L-NEF to discover a UPF if the UPF acts as a local information source.
8 . A network repository function (NRF) comprising:
a processor configured to:
receive a plurality of registration messages from a plurality of local network exposure function (L-NEFs), wherein each of the registration messages comprises a respective network function (NF) profile associated with a respective L-NEF, and wherein the respective NF profile comprises an identification of one or more of information indicating a data network served by the respective L-NEF, an identification of a tracking area, and geographical information associated with the respective L-NEF;
receive, from a local application function (L-AF) through an NEF, a request to identify an available L-NEF, the request indicating L-NEF selection criteria, wherein the L-NEF selection criteria comprise information associated with a desired data network, a desired tracking area, and desired geographical information;
select an L-NEF out of the plurality of L-NEFs that is associated with a respective NF profile that comprises information indicating a data network that matches the desired data network of the request, a tracking area that matches the desired tracking area of the request, and geographical information that matches the desired geographical information of the request; and
send a response to the request, the response identifying the selected L-NEF.
9 . The NRF of claim 8 , wherein the request to identify an available L-NEF is received from a NEF.
10 . The NRF of claim 8 , wherein the response comprises a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or internet protocol (IP) address of the available L-NEF.
11 . The NRF of claim 8 , wherein the request to identify the available L-NEF further indicates one or more of a local area data network (LADN) name, an LADN service area, or user plane function (UPF) information, and the processor is further configured to select an L-NEF out of the plurality of L-NEFs that is associated with a respective NF profile based on one or more of the LADN, the LADN service area, or UPF information.
12 . The NRF of claim 8 , wherein an edge application server (EAS) or edge enabler server (EES) subscribes to the NRF for updates related to L-NEF registration.
13 . The NRF of claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to:
deploy the L-NEF over a service area associated with a local area data network (LADN).
14 . The NRF of claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to:
configure the L-NEF to discover a UPF if the UPF acts as a local information source.