Abstract: An example method is provided in one example embodiment and may include receiving traffic associated with at least one of a mobile network and a Gi-Local Area Network (Gi-LAN), wherein the traffic comprises one or more packets; determining a classification of the traffic to a service chain, wherein the service chain comprises one or more service functions associated at least one of one or more mobile network services and one or more Gi-LAN services; routing the traffic through the service chain; and routing the traffic to a network using one of a plurality of egress interfaces, wherein each egress interface of the plurality of egress interfaces is associated with at least one of the one or more mobile network services and the one or more Gi-LAN services.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein enable blockchain programming in NB-IoT devices. In various implementations, a method of blockchain authentication is performed by a computing device including one or more processors, and a non-transitory memory. In various implementations, the method includes maintaining a blockchain for a machine-to-machine network, wherein the machine-to-machine network is a narrowband internet of things network. In some implementations, the method includes receiving a request for a first set of data from the blockchain by a second device. In some implementations, the method includes determining based on the request, the first set of data from the blockchain by traversing a series of blocks from the blockchain. In some implementations, the method includes packaging the first set of data from the blockchain according to a protocol into a packaged data unit and transmitting the packaged data unit to the second device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for network association to virtualize network devices using device passthrough. In some examples, a system can determine one or more respective configuration parameters associated with one or more network interfaces on the system. Based on the networking information, the system can map the one or more respective configuration parameters to each corresponding network interface from the one or more network interfaces, to yield mapped interfaces-parameters. Next, the system can record the mapped interfaces-parameters to a data object accessible by a virtual machine on the system. The system can then configure the virtual machine to process the mapped interfaces-parameters as boot time parameters while spawning and launch the virtual machine based on the mapped interfaces-parameters.

Abstract: In accordance with various implementations, a method is performed at a data plane node with one or more processors, non-transitory memory, and a control interface between a network function module associated with the data plane node and a switch associated with the data plane node. The method includes determining whether an offload capability is available for a data flow received at an ingress network interface of the data plane node. The method also includes determining whether the data flow satisfies offload criteria in response to determining that the offload capability is available. The method includes bypassing the network function module associated with the data plane node and providing the data flow to at least one of the switch associated with the data plane node or an egress network interface associated with the data plane node in response to determining the offload capability is available and the offload criteria is satisfied.

Abstract: A network device such as a network function (NF) entity or an application function (AF) entity in a communication network monitors network traffic for a plurality of peer-to-peer transactions associated with an application, where each peer-to-peer transaction includes communications between a user and a peer in the communication network. The network device also determines a set of geographic locations corresponding to one or more peer endpoints for the plurality of peer-to-peer transactions based on the network traffic, and determines an optimal midpoint between the set of geographic locations. The network device further deploys an edge node in the communication network to serve a subsequent peer-to-peer transaction for the application based on the optimal midpoint.

Abstract: Methods are provided to preemptively reconfigure a mobile network to respond to external emergencies. The method is performed at a network device of a service provider which provides access to a mobile network for wireless device. The method includes obtaining a message indicating an occurrence of a disaster. The message includes at least an emergency type and location information. The method further includes determining, based on the emergency type, a reconfiguration policy for reconfiguring the mobile network in an area indicated by the location information and reconfiguring the mobile network based on the reconfiguration policy. The method further includes authenticating a disaster application function and a notification message informing about an occurrence of a disaster.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein enable programming user plane gateway controllers over enhanced N9 interfaces. In various implementations, a method of gateway controlling is performed by a computing device including one or more processors, and a non-transitory memory. In various implementations the method includes determining, by a first packet gateway controller connected to a first session manager device, that a user equipment moved to a geographical area that is served by a second session manager device. In some implementations, the method includes receiving, by the first packet gateway device, a set of information for a second packet gateway device. In some implementations, the method includes transmitting, by the first packet gateway device, a session establishment request via a first network interface to the second packet gateway controller using segment routing via a second network interface.

Abstract: A control plane of a network, including radios of a radio access network controlled by the control plane and user plane functions controlled by the control plane, establishes first and second protocol data unit (PDU) connections each to handle the same flows of traffic for ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) from user equipment to a data network through first and second source radios, respectively. Due to mobility of the user equipment, the control plane relocates the flows from the first and second source radios to first and second target radios, respectively. To relocate the flows, the control plane receives from the first target radio a notification that identifies flows that cannot be activated on the first target radio. In response to the notification, the control plane commands the first target radio to prioritize the flows that cannot be activated above remaining ones of the flows.

Abstract: Techniques that provide enterprise slice management are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes providing an enterprise service template to an enterprise, the enterprise service template comprising parameter input fields for indicating enterprise devices associated with the enterprise, services to be provided to the enterprise devices using a mobile network, and service options associated with the services; determining one or more mobile network services to be provided to a plurality of enterprise devices and one or more service options associated with the one or more mobile network services; identifying, based on the one or more mobile network services, an enterprise slice to provide the one or more mobile network services; and provisioning the enterprise slice based on the one or more mobile network services, the plurality of enterprise devices, and the one or more service options associated with the one or more mobile network services.

Abstract: A network function (NF) entity in a communication network receives User Plane Function (UPF) registration information for a plurality of UPFs, the registration information including a respective network attribute for each UPF. The NF entity associates each UPF with a corresponding network based on the respective network attribute, and map one or more User Equipment (UE) to the corresponding network based on a security policy to create a UE-to-network table. The NF further receives a request to establish a session for a subsequent UE, the request including a subsequent UE identifier, and determine an access permission for the subsequent UE to access the corresponding network based on the subsequent UE identifier and the UE-to-network table. The NF selects one UPF from the plurality of UPF to service the session for the subsequent UE based on the access permission, and an association between the one UPF and the corresponding network.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for network slice support of respective transport protocols. In one example, a session management function obtains, from a user equipment, a request for a network slice identifier in a network that includes a plurality of network slices each configured to support a respective transport protocol. In response to the request, the session management function identifies a first transport protocol of the respective transport protocols by which the user equipment is to communicate. Based on the first transport protocol, the session management function identifies a first network slice of the plurality of network slices by which the user equipment is to communicate. The first network slice is configured to support the first transport protocol. The session management function provides the network slice identifier to the user equipment. The network slice identifier corresponds to the first network slice.

Abstract: An example method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving, by a user equipment device, a list including at least one location identifier associated with an area for location reporting and an area identifier identifying the area for location reporting. The method further includes receiving a location identifier broadcast by a wireless network element, and determining whether the broadcast location identifier matches the at least one location identifier associated with the area for location reporting. The method further includes sending a location reporting message by the user equipment device to a first network node when it is determined that the broadcast location identifier matches the at least one location identifier associated with the area for location reporting. The location reporting message is indicative of the user equipment device either entering or exiting the area for location reporting.

Abstract: A Centralized Self Organizing Network (C-SON) automation platform for managing a backhaul infrastructure in a telecommunication network. The C-SON automation platform monitors one or more backhaul utilization performance indicators corresponding to a backhaul infrastructure, which infrastructure transports data between one or more User Equipment (UE) connected to a small cell and a data network. The C-SON further receives subscriber data for at least one User Equipment (UE) and location data for the at least one UE from at least one Network Function (NF), and maps the at least one UE to a backhaul service flow and the small cell based on the subscriber data and the location data. The C-SON automation platform determines the backhaul utilization performance indicator exceeds a backhaul threshold limit for the backhaul service flow, and adjusts a bandwidth utilization of the backhaul infrastructure based on the backhaul utilization parameter exceeding the backhaul threshold limit.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a method is performed including establishing a first communication session between an application function and a user equipment assigned a first IP address. The method includes determining, by the application function, that the user equipment has changed location. The method includes, in response to determining that the user equipment has changed location, sending, by the application function, a request that the user equipment be assigned a second IP address. The method includes establishing a second communication session between the application function and the user equipment assigned the second IP address.

Abstract: A network function (NF) entity in a communication network receives User Plane Function (UPF) registration information for a plurality of UPFs, the registration information including a respective network attribute for each UPF. The NF entity associates each UPF with a corresponding network based on the respective network attribute, and map one or more User Equipment (UE) to the corresponding network based on a security policy to create a UE-to-network table. The NF further receives a request to establish a session for a subsequent UE, the request including a subsequent UE identifier, and determine an access permission for the subsequent UE to access the corresponding network based on the subsequent UE identifier and the UE-to-network table. The NF selects one UPF from the plurality of UPF to service the session for the subsequent UE based on the access permission, and an association between the one UPF and the corresponding network.

Abstract: Techniques that provide enterprise slice management are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes providing an enterprise service template to an enterprise, the enterprise service template comprising parameter input fields for indicating enterprise devices associated with the enterprise, services to be provided to the enterprise devices using a mobile network, and service options associated with the services; determining one or more mobile network services to be provided to a plurality of enterprise devices and one or more service options associated with the one or more mobile network services; identifying, based on the one or more mobile network services, an enterprise slice to provide the one or more mobile network services; and provisioning the enterprise slice based on the one or more mobile network services, the plurality of enterprise devices, and the one or more service options associated with the one or more mobile network services.

Abstract: A network device such as a network function (NF) entity or an application function (AF) entity in a communication network monitors network traffic for a plurality of peer-to-peer transactions associated with an application, where each peer-to-peer transaction includes communications between a user and a peer in the communication network. The network device also determines a set of geographic locations corresponding to one or more peer endpoints for the plurality of peer-to-peer transactions based on the network traffic, and determines an optimal midpoint between the set of geographic locations. The network device further deploys an edge node in the communication network to serve a subsequent peer-to-peer transaction for the application based on the optimal midpoint.

Abstract: Methods for selecting network slice, session management, and user plane functions for user equipment (UE) are described. In one example, a control plane (CP) entity for mobility management may select a CP entity for session management for a session of a UE based on a first set of data items. The CP entity for mobility management may further select a user plane (UP) entity for the session of the UE based on a second set of data items, where second set of data items include at least some of the same data items of the first set. The CP entity for mobility management may send, to the selected CP entity, a message including an identity or indication of the selected UP entity for the session of the UE. The selected CP entity may select the identified or indicated UP entity for use in the session of the UE.

Abstract: Methods for selecting network slice, session management, and user plane functions for for user equipment (UE) are described. In one example, a control plane (CP) entity for mobility management may select a CP entity for session management for a session of a UE based on a first set of data items. The CP entity for mobility management may further select a user plane (UP) entity for the session of the UE based on a second set of data items, where second set of data items include at least some of the same data items of the first set. The CP entity for mobility management may send, to the selected CP entity, a message including an identity or indication of the selected UP entity for the session of the UE. The selected CP entity may select the identified or indicated UP entity for use in the session of the UE.

Abstract: Techniques are presented in which a new information element signaling priority of a management entity is included in a setup (e.g., S1-Setup) response or configuration update message sent by a management entity to a base station entity. The base station entity interprets this priority information along with the relative capacity information in an appropriate way to load-distribute the traffic/calls to highly preferable management entity instances (at a local site) when they are available, and switchover/failover to lower preference management entity instances (at a remote site) when there is a local site outage/failure or insufficient capacity in a geo-resilient pooled network.