Core network functions

1. A method of establishing and controlling a Packet Data Unit (PDU) session in a data communications network, comprising:

receiving a create session request from a legacy Mobility Management Entity (MME) comprising a plurality of parameters that are incompatible with the data communications network;

translating the create session request using an Interworking Function (IWF) to generate a create session management context request comprising a plurality of parameters that are compatible with the data communications network;

transmitting the generated create session management context request to a Session Management Function (SMF);

receiving a create session management context request response from the SMF;

translating the create session management context request response using the IWF to generate a create session request response;

transmitting the create session request response to the legacy MME;

receiving a modify bearer request from the legacy MME;

translating the modify bearer request using the IWF to generate an update session management context request transmitting the generated update session management context request to the SMF;

receiving an update session management context request response from the SMF;

translating the update session management context request response using the IWF to generate a modify bearer request response; and

transmitting the modify bearer request response to the legacy MME.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the generated create session management context request comprises determining a network slice, selecting an SMF from a plurality of SMFs based on the determined network slice, and transmitting the create session management context request to the selected SMF.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the network slice is determined at least in part on the basis of a subscriber identifier contained within the create session request.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said subscriber identifier comprises an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the network slice is determined at least in part on the basis of a tracking area identifier contained within the create session request.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein the network slice is determined at least in part based on policy data configured to control selection of a network slice.

7. The method of claim 2 , comprising allocating a network slice identifier based on the determined network slice, and inserting the allocated network slice identifier into the create session management context request.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the network slice identifier comprises Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI).

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the create session request is received from a Mobile Management Entity (MME) and wherein the create session request response is transmitted to the MME.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the create session request is received from a Serving Gateway (SGW) and wherein the create session request response is transmitted to the SGW.

11. A system comprising:

one or more processing units; and

computer-readable media having encoded thereon instructions that when executed by the one or more processing units cause the system to:

receive a create session request for a data communications network, the create session request received from a legacy Mobility Management Entity (MME), the request comprising a plurality of parameters that are incompatible with the data communications network;

translate the create session request using an Interworking Function (IWF) to generate a create session management context request comprising a plurality of parameters that are compatible with the data communications network;

transmit the generated create session management context request to a Session Management Function (SMF);

receive a create session management context request response from the SMF;

translate the create session management context request using the IWF to generate a create session request response;

transmit the create session request response to the legacy MME;

receive a modify bearer request from the legacy MME;

translate the modify bearer request using the IWF to generate an update session management context request;

transmit the generated update session management context request to the SMF;

receive an update session management context request response from the SMF;

translate the update session management context request response using the IWF to generate a modify bearer request response; and

transmit the modify bearer request response to the legacy MME.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein transmitting the generated create session management context request comprises determining a network slice, selecting an SMF from a plurality of SMF s based on the determined network slice, and transmitting the create session management context request to the selected SMF.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processing units to allocate a network slice identifier based on the determined network slice, and insert the allocated network slice identifier into the create session management context request.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the network slice is determined at least in part on the basis of a subscriber identifier contained within the create session request.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the subscriber identifier comprises an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable instructions encoded thereon, that, when executed by a processor of a computing system, cause a computing system to:

receive a create session request for a data communications network, the create session request received from a legacy Mobility Management Entity (MME) and comprising a plurality of parameters that are incompatible with the data communications network;

translate the create session request using an Interworking Function (IWF) to generate a create session management context request comprising a plurality of parameters that are compatible with the data communications network;

transmit the generated create session management context request to a Session Management Function (SMF);

receive a create session management context request response from the SMF;

generate a create session request response; and

transmit the create session request response to the legacy MME;

receive a modify bearer request from the legacy MME;

translate the modify bearer request using the IWF to generate an update session management context request;

transmit the generated update session management context request to the SMF;

receive an update session management context request response from the SMF;

translate the update session management context request response using the IWF to generate a modify bearer request response; and

transmit the modify bearer request response to the legacy MME.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16 , wherein transmitting the generated create session management context request comprises determining a network slice, selecting an SMF from a plurality of SMFs based on the determined network slice, and transmitting the create session management context request to the selected SMF.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the network slice is determined at least in part on the basis of a subscriber identifier contained within the create session request.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the network slice is determined at least in part on the basis of a subscriber identifier contained within the create session request.