Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method, for a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) that handles (i) traffic for a 5G network and (ii) traffic outside of the 5G network. The SD-WAN is established by a set of edge nodes and a set of gateways. At a particular edge node of the SD-WAN, the method identifies whether a received data message is a 5G message that includes a tunnel header of a particular type associated with the 5G network. When the data message is a 5G message, the method examines a set of header fields within the tunnel header to identify a specified traffic priority applicable to the 5G message. The method applies the identified traffic priority within the SD-WAN.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in a network that includes a plurality of user plane functions that perform processing of user plane traffic sessions from one or more mobile wireless user devices. The method includes periodically monitoring resource utilization of the plurality of user plane functions to estimate a resource utilization level of respective user plane functions. Based on the periodically monitoring, the method further includes storing for the respective user plane functions a resource utilization level indicator for each of the respective user plane functions according a resource utilization level of the respective user plane functions. User plane traffic sessions for a given tracking area are re-assigned (moved) among the plurality of user plane functions based on the resource utilization level indicators for the respective user plane functions to achieve a desired quality of experience for the user plane traffic sessions.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method, for a software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) that handles (i) traffic for a 5G network and (ii) traffic outside of the 5G network. The SD-WAN is established by a set of edge nodes and a set of gateways. At a particular edge node of the SD-WAN, the method identifies whether a received data message is a 5G message that includes a tunnel header of a particular type associated with the 5G network. When the data message is a 5G message, the method examines a set of header fields within the tunnel header to identify a specified traffic priority applicable to the 5G message. The method applies the identified traffic priority within the SD-WAN.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in a network that includes a plurality of user plane functions that perform processing of user plane traffic sessions from one or more mobile wireless user devices. The method includes periodically monitoring resource utilization of the plurality of user plane functions to estimate a resource utilization level of respective user plane functions. Based on the periodically monitoring, the method further includes storing for the respective user plane functions a resource utilization level indicator for each of the respective user plane functions according a resource utilization level of the respective user plane functions. User plane traffic sessions for a given tracking area are re-assigned (moved) among the plurality of user plane functions based on the resource utilization level indicators for the respective user plane functions to achieve a desired quality of experience for the user plane traffic sessions.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in a network that includes a plurality of user plane functions that perform processing of user plane traffic sessions from one or more mobile wireless user devices. The method includes periodically monitoring resource utilization of the plurality of user plane functions to estimate a resource utilization level of respective user plane functions. Based on the periodically monitoring, the method further includes storing for the respective user plane functions a resource utilization level indicator for each of the respective user plane functions according a resource utilization level of the respective user plane functions. User plane traffic sessions for a given tracking area are re-assigned (moved) among the plurality of user plane functions based on the resource utilization level indicators for the respective user plane functions to achieve a desired quality of experience for the user plane traffic sessions.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in a network that includes a plurality of user plane functions that perform processing of user plane traffic sessions from one or more mobile wireless user devices. The method includes periodically monitoring resource utilization of the plurality of user plane functions to estimate a resource utilization level of respective user plane functions. Based on the periodically monitoring, the method further includes storing for the respective user plane functions a resource utilization level indicator for each of the respective user plane functions according a resource utilization level of the respective user plane functions. User plane traffic sessions for a given tracking area are re-assigned (moved) among the plurality of user plane functions based on the resource utilization level indicators for the respective user plane functions to achieve a desired quality of experience for the user plane traffic sessions.