Abstract: A method for processing NF discovery requests using prioritized lists of preferred locations includes maintaining an NF profiles database including NF profiles of producer NFs registered to provide service to other NFs and a preferred locality attribute mappings database including mappings between preferred locality attributes and prioritized lists of preferred locations. The method includes receiving, from an NF, an NF discovery request including query parameters and a preferred locality attribute. The method further includes accessing the preferred locality attribute mappings database using the preferred locality attribute and obtaining a prioritized list of preferred locations corresponding to the preferred locality attribute, accessing the NF profiles database using the query parameters and identifying NF profiles of producer NFs capable of providing a service indicated by the query parameters, and prioritizing the NF profiles according to the prioritized list of preferred locations.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for enabling forwarding of subsequent network function subscription updates. A method includes forwarding, from a bootstrapped network function repository function (NRF) in a first region, a subscription creation request from a consumer network function to a target NRF in a second region. The method includes creating, at the target NRF, a subscription for the consumer network function. The method includes generating, at the target NRF, a hint comprising data indicating one or more alternate NRFs each sharing subscription state data with the target NRF. The method includes sending, from the target NRF to the consumer network function, a subscription response message including the hint.

Abstract: A method for facilitating processing of inter-public land mobile network (PLMN) messages relating to existing subscriptions includes receiving, at a first network function (NF) repository function (NRF), an inter-PLMN subscription creation request message for creating a subscription. The method further includes determining, by the first NRF, that the first NRF includes a resource for which the subscription is requested. The method further includes, in response to determining that the first NRF includes a resource for which the subscription is requested, generating, by the first NRF, a subscription creation response message indicating creation of the subscription. The first NRF includes, in the subscription creation response message, a hint indicating that the subscription is located on the first NRF and forwards the first NRF, the subscription creation response message towards a consumer NF.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for limiting network function (NF) repository function (NRF) forwarding are disclosed. One example method for limiting NRF forwarding comprises: at a first NF comprising at least one processor: receiving a request message associated with a consumer NF; determining that the request message cannot be serviced by the first NF; inserting or modifying a forwarding limit value in the request message, wherein the forwarding limit value indicates a number of times that the request message can be forwarded; and forwarding the request message including the forwarding limit value toward a second NF.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for discovering network function (NF) service producers in a hierarchical network are disclosed. One method includes receiving, by a regional NF repository function (NRF) operating in a first region of a hierarchical network, a NF registration request message from a NF service producer operating in the first region and detecting, by the regional NRF, an absence of <NF-Type>Info and/or <NF-Type>InfoList attribute data in the received NF registration request message.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for mitigating effects of access token misuse are disclosed. One example method for mitigating effects of access token misuse comprises: at a network function (NF) comprising at least one processor: receiving, from a sender, a service request comprising an access token, wherein the access token includes an access token identifier and usage attributes indicating a message rate limit and/or a message count limit; determining, using the usage attributes associated with the access token, that the service request should be rejected; and rejecting the service request.

Abstract: A method for sharing key identification (key ID) and public certificate data for access token verification comprises, at a network function (NF) repository function (NRF) including at least one processor, receiving, from a producer NF, an NF registration message including key ID version information. In response to detecting the key ID version information, sending, to the producer NF, an NF registration response message including a current key ID version value, at least one digital certificate, and at least one corresponding public key to the producer NF.

Abstract: A method for dynamic optimized NF discovery includes querying an NF repository function (NRF), receiving at least one response to the querying, and building, from the at least one response, an NF discovery data digest of NF profile attributes and corresponding attribute values usable as query parameters in NF discovery requests. The method further includes determining that a consumer NF has a need for a service, and, in response, formulating, using the NF discovery data digest, an NF discovery request message including at least one of the NF profile attribute values as a query parameter. The method further includes transmitting the NF discovery request message to the NRF. The method further includes receiving an NF discovery response from the NRF including at least one NF profile. The method further includes using the at least one NF to facilitate providing of the service to the consumer NF.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for limiting network function (NF) repository function (NRF) forwarding are disclosed. One example method for limiting NRF forwarding comprises: at a first NF comprising at least one processor: receiving a request message associated with a consumer NF; determining that the request message cannot be serviced by the first NF; inserting or modifying a forwarding limit value in the request message, wherein the forwarding limit value indicates a number of times that the request message can be forwarded; and forwarding the request message including the forwarding limit value toward a second NF.

Abstract: A method for selecting multiple network function (NF) types using a single discovery request includes receiving, by a NF repository function (NRF) from a consumer NF, a single discovery request message that requests discovery of a plurality of producer NF types in a fifth generation (5G) core network and includes an indication of multiple NF discovery requests, obtaining, by the NRF, NF profile objects corresponding to each of the plurality of producer NF types included in the single discovery request message, and providing, to the consumer NF via a single discovery response message generated by the NRF, NF profile objects that correspond to one or more of the plurality of producer NF types.

Abstract: A method for processing NF discovery requests using prioritized lists of preferred locations includes maintaining an NF profiles database including NF profiles of producer NFs registered to provide service to other NFs and a preferred locality attribute mappings database including mappings between preferred locality attributes and prioritized lists of preferred locations. The method includes receiving, from an NF, an NF discovery request including query parameters and a preferred locality attribute. The method further includes accessing the preferred locality attribute mappings database using the preferred locality attribute and obtaining a prioritized list of preferred locations corresponding to the preferred locality attribute, accessing the NF profiles database using the query parameters and identifying NF profiles of producer NFs capable of providing a service indicated by the query parameters, and prioritizing the NF profiles according to the prioritized list of preferred locations.

Abstract: A method for routing messages relating to existing NF subscriptions includes receiving, at a first NRF, a request from a consumer NF instance creating a first NF subscription, determining that the first NRF does not have the requested NF profile, and forwarding the request to a second NRF. The method further includes receiving a response from the second NRF indicating that the second NRF has created the first NF subscription, modifying the response so that subsequent messages associated with the first subscription will be sent to the first NRF, and forwarding the response to the consumer NF instance. The method further includes receiving, by the first NRF, a message from the consumer NF instance relating to the first subscription, determining, that the second NRF is unavailable, and forwarding the message relating to the first subscription to a third NRF that functions as a mate of the second NRF.

Abstract: A method for selecting multiple network function (NF) types using a single discovery request includes receiving, by a NF repository function (NRF) from a consumer NF, a single discovery request message that requests discovery of a plurality of producer NF types in a fifth generation (5G) core network and includes an indication of multiple NF discovery requests, obtaining, by the NRF, NF profile objects corresponding to each of the plurality of producer NF types included in the single discovery request message, and providing, to the consumer NF via a single discovery response message generated by the NRF, NF profile objects that correspond to one or more of the plurality of producer NF types.

Abstract: A method for routing messages relating to existing NF subscriptions includes receiving, at a first NRF, a request from a consumer NF instance creating a first NF subscription, determining that the first NRF does not have the requested NF profile, and forwarding the request to a second NRF. The method further includes receiving a response from the second NRF indicating that the second NRF has created the first NF subscription, modifying the response so that subsequent messages associated with the first subscription will be sent to the first NRF, and forwarding the response to the consumer NF instance. The method further includes receiving, by the first NRF, a message from the consumer NF instance relating to the first subscription, determining, that the second NRF is unavailable, and forwarding the message relating to the first subscription to a third NRF that functions as a mate of the second NRF.