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 communicating delegated NF discovery results between SCPs and using the delegated NF discovery results for alternate SBI service request routing includes receiving, at a first SCP and from a consumer NF instance, an SBI service request. The method further includes determining that delegated NF discovery is required, and, in response, performing delegated NF discovery on behalf of the consumer NF instance. The method further includes receiving an NF discovery response including delegated NF discovery results. The method further includes sending the SBI service request including the delegated NF discovery results to a second SCP.

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: A method for communicating delegated NF discovery results between SCPs and using the delegated NF discovery results for alternate SBI service request routing includes receiving, at a first SCP and from a consumer NF instance, an SBI service request. The method further includes determining that delegated NF discovery is required, and, in response, performing delegated NF discovery on behalf of the consumer NF instance. The method further includes receiving an NF discovery response including delegated NF discovery results. The method further includes sending the SBI service request including the delegated NF discovery results to a second SCP.

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: 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 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 enabling 5G transport quality of service (QoS) includes receiving a service discovery request from a consumer network function (NF) or service communications proxy (SCP). The method further includes accessing a 5G transport QoS policy database and determining that a 5G transport QoS policy applies to the service discovery request. The method further includes, in response to determining that a 5G transport QoS policy applies to the discovery request, generating a service discovery response message and inserting a network layer QoS value for implementing the policy in the service discovery response message. The method further includes transmitting the service discovery response message to the consumer NF or SCP.

Abstract: A method for enabling 5G transport quality of service (QoS) includes receiving a service discovery request from a consumer network function (NF) or service communications proxy (SCP). The method further includes accessing a 5G transport QoS policy database and determining that a 5G transport QoS policy applies to the service discovery request. The method further includes, in response to determining that a 5G transport QoS policy applies to the discovery request, generating a service discovery response message and inserting a network layer QoS value for implementing the policy in the service discovery response message. The method further includes transmitting the service discovery response message to the consumer NF or SCP.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an ingress Diameter message related to a mobile subscriber from a MME located in a non-home network, sending a RIR message containing a mobile subscriber identifier to a HSS in a home network of the mobile subscriber, receiving identification information identifying a MME in the home network that conducted a most recent attachment of the mobile subscriber, utilizing the identification information to send an IDR message containing the mobile subscriber identifier to the identified MME, receiving an IDA message containing attachment timestamp data corresponding to the most recent attachment of the mobile subscriber in the home network, determining a transit time using the UE attachment timestamp data and timestamp information corresponding to the ingress Diameter message, and analyzing the transit time to determine if the ingress Diameter message is to be designated as a suspicious ingress message.

Abstract: An example system includes a service proxy controller and a number of service proxy workers. The service proxy controller is configured for providing routing policies for a telecommunications network core. The telecommunications network core includes network functions communicating using a service-based architecture. Each service proxy worker is configured for routing telecommunications network core messages between a respective subset of the network functions by consuming the routing policies from the service proxy controller and enforcing the routing policies from the service proxy controller. Each service proxy worker is configured for providing network status reports to the service proxy controller based on the telecommunications network core messages.

Abstract: An example system includes a service proxy controller and a number of service proxy workers. The service proxy controller is configured for providing routing policies for a telecommunications network core. The telecommunications network core includes network functions communicating using a service-based architecture. Each service proxy worker is configured for routing telecommunications network core messages between a respective subset of the network functions by consuming the routing policies from the service proxy controller and enforcing the routing policies from the service proxy controller. Each service proxy worker is configured for providing network status reports to the service proxy controller based on the telecommunications network core messages.

Abstract: A method for Diameter signaling message external identifier address resolution and routing includes receiving a Diameter signaling message, decoding the Diameter signaling message and determining that an external identifier attribute value pair (AVP) is present in the Diameter signaling message.

Abstract: A method for Diameter signaling message external identifier address resolution and routing includes receiving a Diameter signaling message, decoding the Diameter signaling message and determining that an external identifier attribute value pair (AVP) is present in the Diameter signaling message.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an ingress Diameter message related to a mobile subscriber from a MME located in a non-home network, sending a RIR message containing a mobile subscriber identifier to a HSS in a home network of the mobile subscriber, receiving identification information identifying a MME in the home network that conducted a most recent attachment of the mobile subscriber, utilizing the identification information to send an IDR message containing the mobile subscriber identifier to the identified MME, receiving an IDA message containing attachment timestamp data corresponding to the most recent attachment of the mobile subscriber in the home network, determining a transit time using the UE attachment timestamp data and timestamp information corresponding to the ingress Diameter message, and analyzing the transit time to determine if the ingress Diameter message is to be designated as a suspicious ingress message.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for managing suspect subscriber bindings. In some examples, a method is performed by a Diameter signaling router (DSR) for a telecommunications network. The method includes binding a subscriber to a first policy and charging rules function (PCRF) server selected from a plurality of PCRF servers for the telecommunications network. The method includes determining that one or more messages destined to the first PCRF server have failed according to one or more user-configurable rules defining failure. The method includes tearing down the binding between the subscriber and the first PCRF server.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for managing suspect subscriber bindings. In some examples, a method is performed by a Diameter signaling router (DSR) for a telecommunications network. The method includes binding a subscriber to a first policy and charging rules function (PCRF) server selected from a plurality of PCRF servers for the telecommunications network. The method includes determining that one or more messages destined to the first PCRF server have failed according to one or more user-configurable rules defining failure. The method includes tearing down the binding between the subscriber and the first PCRF server.