Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for identifying roaming messages at network functions in a home public land mobile network (PLMN). A method includes receiving, at a home security edge protection proxy (SEPP) for the home PLMN, a request message from a consumer network function in a visitor PLMN and adding, at the home SEPP, a header to the request message indicating that the request message originated in the visitor PLMN. The method includes receiving, at a producer network function in the home PLMN, the request message and determining, at the producer network function, that the request message originated in the visitor PLMN by finding the header indicating that the request message originated in the visitor PLMN. The method includes applying, at the producer network function, a roaming-specific policy while processing the request message in response to determining that the request message originated in the visitor PLMN.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for network slice selection function (NSSF) recovery. A method includes creating, at an NSSF, subscriptions for a number of access and mobility management functions (AMFs) and storing availability information for each AMF. The method includes determining, at the NSSF, that the NSSF failed to process at least one service update message from at least one of the AMFs, and in response, sending a notification request message to each of the AMFs, the notification request message requesting each AMF to update availability information for the AMF. The method includes receiving, at the NSSF, updated availability information from each of the AMFs. The method includes distributing, at the NSSF, the updated availability information to each of the AMFs.

Abstract: A method for reducing inter-PLMN forwarding of messages relating to Nnrf service operations includes receiving, at a first NRF, a first request for an Nnrf service operation, determining that the first request identifies a PLMN different from a PLMN of the first NRF, determining that the first request cannot be processed locally at the first NRF, and, in response, forwarding the first request to a second NRF in the PLMN identified in the first request. The method further includes receiving , from the second NRF, a response to the first request, caching information from the response, receiving a second request for an Nnrf service operation, determining that the second request identifies a PLMN different from the PLMN of the first NRF, determining that the second request can be processed locally at the first NRF, and processing the second request locally at the first NRF using the cached information from the first response.

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: A method for resolving priorities among network function (NF) instances includes, at a priority resolver implemented using at least one processor, providing a priority resolution application programming interface (API) that allows NF instances to request priority resolution. The method further includes receiving, via the API and from a plurality of NF instances, requests for priority resolution. The method further includes using a priority resolution algorithm to determine a relative priority for each of the NF instances. The method further includes generating and transmitting to each of the NF instances a priority resolution response including the relative priority determined for the NF instance.

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: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for rank processing in network function selection. A method includes periodically receiving, at a network function discovery node, and from each producer network function of a number of producer network functions, a current load value specifying a computing load carried by the producer network function. The network function discovery node is configured for performing service discovery between network functions of a telecommunications core network. The method includes determining, for each producer network function, an available capacity for the producer network function based on the current load value and a published capacity of the producer network function. The method includes responding to a network function discovery request from a consumer network function using the available capacity of each producer network function.

Abstract: A method for autonomously generating network function test cases includes detecting a failure case in a network function of a core network of a telecommunications network. The method includes, in response to detecting the failure case, autonomously generating a network function test case based on the failure case. The network function test case includes one or more network status parameters detected when detecting the failure case. The method includes supplying the network function test case to a network testing system configured for executing the network function test case by repeating the one or more network status parameters and determining whether or not the network function repeats the failure case.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for determining time related parameter values for a communications network are disclosed. One method for determining time related parameter values for a communications network occurs at network function (NF) repository function (NRF) comprising at least one processor. The method comprises: receiving, from a first network function (NF), a service request message; determining, using network information and/or NF information, a time related parameter value associated with the service request message; and generating and sending, to the first NF, a service response message indicating the time related parameter value.

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 autonomously generating network function test cases includes detecting a failure case in a network function of a core network of a telecommunications network. The method includes, in response to detecting the failure case, autonomously generating a network function test case based on the failure case. The network function test case includes one or more network status parameters detected when detecting the failure case. The method includes supplying the network function test case to a network testing system configured for executing the network function test case by repeating the one or more network status parameters and determining whether or not the network function repeats the failure case.

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 providing network function (NF) discovery service enhancements includes receiving, by an NF repository function (NRF) from a consumer NF, a NF discovery request message that requests discovery of a network service hosted by producer NFs and includes at least one of a maximum payload size parameter and a profile count limit parameter and obtaining, by the NRF, NF profile objects corresponding to producer NFs that host the network service. The method further includes in response to determining that the consumer NF supports conditional limit features based on the at least one of the maximum payload size parameter and the profile count limit parameter, providing by the NRF to the consumer NF, a number of the NF profile objects that adheres to the at least one of the maximum payload size parameter and the profile count limit parameter indicated in the NF discovery request message.

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: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for rank processing in network function selection. A method includes periodically receiving, at a network function discovery node, and from each producer network function of a number of producer network functions, a current load value specifying a computing load carried by the producer network function. The network function discovery node is configured for performing service discovery between network functions of a telecommunications core network. The method includes determining, for each producer network function, an available capacity for the producer network function based on the current load value and a published capacity of the producer network function. The method includes responding to a network function discovery request from a consumer network function using the available capacity of each producer network function.

Abstract: A method for providing network function (NF) discovery service enhancements includes receiving, by an NF repository function (NRF) from a consumer NF, a NF discovery request message that requests discovery of a network service hosted by producer NFs and includes at least one of a maximum payload size parameter and a profile count limit parameter and obtaining, by the NRF, NF profile objects corresponding to producer NFs that host the network service. The method further includes in response to determining that the consumer NF supports conditional limit features based on the at least one of the maximum payload size parameter and the profile count limit parameter, providing by the NRF to the consumer NF, a number of the NF profile objects that adheres to the at least one of the maximum payload size parameter and the profile count limit parameter indicated in the NF discovery request message.

Abstract: A method for providing network function (NF) discovery service enhancements includes receiving, by an NF repository function (NRF) from a consumer NF, a NF discovery request message that requests discovery of a network service hosted by producer NFs and includes at least one of a maximum payload size parameter and a profile count limit parameter and obtaining, by the NRF, NF profile objects corresponding to producer NFs that host the network service. The method further includes in response to determining that the consumer NF supports conditional limit features based on the at least one of the maximum payload size parameter and the profile count limit parameter, providing by the NRF to the consumer NF, a number of the NF profile objects that adheres to the at least one of the maximum payload size parameter and the profile count limit parameter indicated in the NF discovery request message.

Abstract: A method for providing reduced signaling Internet of things (IoT) device monitoring includes steps performed in a combined and service capability exposure function (SCEF) and Diameter signaling router (DSR) including at least one processor. The method includes receiving Diameter signaling containing IoT device information. The method further includes using the IoT device information to automatically provision an IoT device information database. The method further includes receiving a monitoring subscription request. The method further includes extracting the IoT device information from the IoT device information database. The method further includes using the IoT device information to respond to the monitoring subscription request.

Abstract: A method for providing reduced signaling Internet of things (IoT) device monitoring includes steps performed in a combined and service capability exposure function (SCEF) and Diameter signaling router (DSR) including at least one processor. The method includes receiving Diameter signaling containing IoT device information. The method further includes using the IoT device information to automatically provision an IoT device information database. The method further includes receiving a monitoring subscription request. The method further includes extracting the IoT device information from the IoT device information database. The method further includes using the IoT device information to respond to the monitoring subscription request.