Mapping a user plane function to a user equipment
A network function in a telecommunications network is configured for storing information identifying a User Plane Function associated with a communication session. The communication session may be indicated by information identifying the relevant user. A network analytic function can use this stored information to identify the User Plane Function associated with a communication session, and can then subscribe to an event exposure service of the User Plane Function to receive notification about events associated with that communication session. In addition, the network analytic function can subscribe to the network node, in order to be informed about any change to the User Plane Function that is associated with the communication session.
1. A method of operation of a network function in a telecommunications network, the method comprising:
for a communication session, storing information identifying a User Plane Function (UPF), storing information identifying a User, and storing information indicating an Event-ID that is specific to the User and is supported by an event exposure service for the UPF, wherein the information identifying the UPF, information indicating the Event-ID that is specific to the User, and the information identifying the User are stored with an association to said communication session;
receiving a request from a requesting network function that includes information identifying the Event-ID; and
responsive to receiving the request, sending to the requesting network function information identifying a UPF allocated to the User for the Event-ID.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein storing information identifying a User Plane Function associated with said communication session comprises storing information identifying a User Plane Function and information identifying the communication session.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the information identifying the User is a subscription Permanent Identifier, SUPI.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the information identifying the communication session is a Session ID.
5. The method according to claim 1 , comprising storing said information identifying the User Plane Function associated with said communication session in response to a registration message from a Session Management Function, SMF.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the information identifying the UPF comprises an IP address of the UPF.
7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
updating the stored information identifying the User Plane Function associated with said communication session, in response to an update message from a SMF.
8. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising:
receiving an update subscription from another network function; and
following the update message from the SMF, informing the another network function of the updated stored information identifying the User Plane Function associated with said communication session.
9. A network node comprising a processor configured for performing operations comprising:
for a communication session, storing information identifying a User Plane Function (UPF), storing information identifying a User, and storing information indicating at least one Event-ID that is specific to the User and is supported by an event exposure service for the UPF, wherein the information identifying the UPF, information indicating the at least one Event-ID that is specific to the User, and the information identifying the User are stored with an association to said communication session;
receiving a request from a requesting network function that includes information identifying the Event-ID; and
responsive to receiving the request, sending to the requesting network function information identifying a UPF allocated to the User for the Event-ID.
10. The network node according to claim 9 , the processor configured for performing further operations comprising:
wherein storing information identifying a User Plane Function associated with said communication session comprises storing information identifying a User Plane Function and information identifying the communication session.
11. The network node according to claim 9 , wherein the information identifying the User is a subscription Permanent Identifier, SUPI.
12. The network node according to claim 9 , wherein the information identifying the communication session is a Session ID.
13. The network node according to claim 9 , wherein the information identifying the UPF comprises an IP address of the UPF.
14. A method of operation of a network function in a telecommunications network, the method comprising:
in response to initiation of a data session, sending a User Plane Function discovery request to a Network Repository Function, NRF;
receiving a response from the NRF, said response containing information identifying at least one User Plane Function, UPF, allocated to a User and information indicating that at least one identified UPF supports an event exposure service, wherein the information identifying the at least one UPF includes a UPF-ID and a UPF IP address;
selecting an identified UPF; and
registering the selected UPF in a network function, with information identifying a User, information identifying the selected UPF, and information indicating at least one Event-ID that is specific to the User and is supported by the event exposure service for the selected UPF.
15. A computer program product, comprising code configured for causing a suitably programmed processor to perform operations comprising:
for a communication session, store information identifying a User Plane Function (UPF), storing information identifying a User, and storing information indicating at least one Event-ID that is specific to the User and is supported by an event exposure service for the UPF, wherein the information identifying the UPF, information indicating the at least one Event-ID that is specific to the User, and the information identifying the User are stored with an association to said communication session;
receiving a request from a requesting network function that includes information identifying the Event-ID; and
responsive to receiving the request, sending to the requesting network function information identifying a UPF allocated to the User for the Event-ID.