Abstract: A Session Management Function (SMF) provides session and service continuity for a User Equipment (UE) transitioning between User Plane Functions (UPFs). The SMF establishes a first session between the first UPF and the UE using a first network address. The SMF determines that the UE transitions to the second UPF and establishes a second session between the second UPF and the UE using a second network address for new flows on the second session. The SMF queries the first UPF to determine any ongoing flows in the first session. The first UPF forwards packets in the ongoing flow(s) to the UE via the second UPF. The second UPF forwards packets in the ongoing flow(s) to the first UPF with the first network address. The SMF directs the second UPF to replace the first network address with the second network address in packets of a new flow for the UE.

Abstract: A method is performed by a mobility management entity (MME) in a network. Responsive to a session request from user equipment (UE), the MME initiates a session request procedure that includes: selecting a control plane serving gateway (SGW) and a user plane packet data network gateway (PGW) to establish a session for the UE; and receiving from the control plane SGW a session response to the session request, the session response including an identifier of the user plane PGW. After the session is established, responsive to a relocation request from the UE, the MME initiates a relocation procedure that includes: selecting a new control plane SGW; and sending to the new control plane SGW a new session request with the identifier of the user plane PGW, to cause the new control plane SGW to perform selecting the user plane PGW for the session in the relocation procedure.

Abstract: A method is performed by a mobility management entity (MME) in a network. Responsive to a session request from user equipment (UE), the MME initiates a session request procedure that includes: selecting a control plane serving gateway (SGW) and a user plane packet data network gateway (PGW) to establish a session for the UE; and receiving from the control plane SGW a session response to the session request, the session response including an identifier of the user plane PGW. After the session is established, responsive to a relocation request from the UE, the MME initiates a relocation procedure that includes: selecting a new control plane SGW; and sending to the new control plane SGW a new session request with the identifier of the user plane PGW, to cause the new control plane SGW to perform selecting the user plane PGW for the session in the relocation procedure.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide a method for grouping user planes in 4G/5G packet cores to simplify user plane discovery and registration. In some embodiments the method includes detecting a plurality of User Planes (UPs), grouping a first subset of the UPs into a first UP group, in which each UP in the first UP group is associated with a first set of features, and allocating the first UP group to a first network service based on the first set of features associated with the first UP group and a first set of requirements of the first network service. The method further includes grouping a second subset of the plurality of UPs into a second UP group, in which each of the second UP group is associated with a second set of features and allocating the second UP group to a second network service of a plurality of network services.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is performed. A first user plane entity may be associated with a user plane group comprising a plurality of user plane entities. The first user plane entity may be associated with a second user plane entity. A failure of the second user plane entity may be detected. In response to detecting the failure of the second user plane entity, the first user plane entity may be activated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is performed. A first user plane entity may be associated with a user plane group comprising a plurality of user plane entities. The first user plane entity may be associated with a second user plane entity. A failure of the second user plane entity may be detected. In response to detecting the failure of the second user plane entity, the first user plane entity may be activated.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein provide a method for grouping user planes in 4G/5G packet cores to simplify user plane discovery and registration. In some embodiments the method includes detecting a plurality of User Planes (UPs), grouping a first subset of the UPs into a first UP group, in which each UP in the first UP group is associated with a first set of features, and allocating the first UP group to a first network service based on the first set of features associated with the first UP group and a first set of requirements of the first network service. The method further includes grouping a second subset of the plurality of UPs into a second UP group, in which each of the second UP group is associated with a second set of features and allocating the second UP group to a second network service of a plurality of network services.