Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for selecting a software defined wide area network (SD-WAN) link using network slice information are disclosed. One method occurs at an SD-WAN controller implemented using at least one processor, the method comprises: receiving a packet containing packet header information including at least one internet protocol (IP) address; determining, using the packet header information, a link selection rule for selecting an SD-WAN link for transmission, wherein the link selection rule uses transmission characteristics associated with the packet, wherein the transmission characteristics are discerned using network slice information associated with the packet; selecting, using the link selection rule, the SD-WAN link; and transmitting the packet via the SD-WAN link.

Abstract: A method for establishing message priority in network slices based on quality of service (QoS) parameters includes receiving, by a network slice configuration service provider entity and from a network slice management service provider entity, a network slice creation notification message containing at least a QoS profile corresponding to a created network slice, utilizing the QoS profile to derive a service based interface (SBI) message priority (SMP) associated with the network slice, and providing the SMP to a requesting access and mobility management function (AMF) entity in response to receiving a network slice selection request message from the AMF entity, wherein the AMF entity assigns the SMP level value to network traffic directed to the network slice.

Abstract: A method for establishing message priority in network slices based on quality of service (QoS) parameters includes receiving, by a network slice configuration service provider entity and from a network slice management service provider entity, a network slice creation notification message containing at least a QoS profile corresponding to a created network slice, utilizing the QoS profile to derive a service based interface (SBI) message priority (SMP) associated with the network slice, and providing the SMP to a requesting access and mobility management function (AMF) entity in response to receiving a network slice selection request message from the AMF entity, wherein the AMF entity assigns the SMP level value to network traffic directed to the network slice.

Abstract: A method for supporting multiple locations in a preferred-locality attribute NF discovery and selection includes receiving, from producer NFs, NF registration messages including NF profiles with locality attributes and registering the producer NFs by storing the NF profiles including the locality attributes in an NF registration database local to an NRF. The method further includes receiving, from a requesting NF, an NF discovery request having query parameters for discovering producer NFs, the query parameters including a preferred-locality attribute identifying a plurality of different preferred producer NF locations. The method further includes retrieving NF profiles from the NF registration database having locality attributes that match any of the preferred producer NF locations. The method further includes generating an NF discovery response including the NF profiles retrieved from the NF registration database. The method further includes forwarding the NF discovery response to the requesting NF.

Abstract: A method for supporting multiple locations in a preferred-locality attribute NF discovery and selection includes receiving, from producer NFs, NF registration messages including NF profiles with locality attributes and registering the producer NFs by storing the NF profiles including the locality attributes in an NF registration database local to an NRF. The method further includes receiving, from a requesting NF, an NF discovery request having query parameters for discovering producer NFs, the query parameters including a preferred-locality attribute identifying a plurality of different preferred producer NF locations. The method further includes retrieving NF profiles from the NF registration database having locality attributes that match any of the preferred producer NF locations. The method further includes generating an NF discovery response including the NF profiles retrieved from the NF registration database. The method further includes forwarding the NF discovery response to the requesting NF.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for selecting a software defined wide area network (SD-WAN) link using network slice information are disclosed. One method occurs at an SD-WAN controller implemented using at least one processor, the method comprises: receiving a packet containing packet header information including at least one internet protocol (IP) address; determining, using the packet header information, a link selection rule for selecting an SD-WAN link for transmission, wherein the link selection rule uses transmission characteristics associated with the packet, wherein the transmission characteristics are discerned using network slice information associated with the packet; selecting, using the link selection rule, the SD-WAN link; and transmitting the packet via the SD-WAN link.

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 optimized BSF PDU session binding discovery response includes maintain a PDU session binding database, subscribing with an NRF to receive notification of changes to NF profiles of PCF instances or NF sets identified in the PDU session binding records, and obtaining, from the NRF, lists of NF profiles for the PCF instances in the NF sets identified in the PDU session binding records. The method further includes receiving, from the NRF and in response to the subscription, at least one notification of changes in at least some of the NF profiles in the NF sets identified in the PDU session binding records. The method further includes receiving a PDU session binding discovery request from a consumer NF and responding to the PDU session binding discovery request using the PDU session binding records, the lists of NF profiles obtained from the NRF, and the notifications of changes in at least some of the NF profiles.

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 detecting and mitigating effects of abnormal MTC device behavior includes, at a telecommunications network node comprising one of an MME, DRA, or SCEF, receiving CP information from which core network (CN) assistance information for tuning an evolved node B (eNB) to minimize MTC device state transitions is derivable, forwarding the CP information or CN assistance information derived from the CP information to another network node, deriving, from the CP information, a rule for policing behavior of the MTC device, storing the rule in memory of the telecommunications network node, monitoring uplink communications from the MTC device, determining, using the stored rule derived from the CP information, that the MTC device is not behaving in accordance with an expected behavior; and, in response performing a network security action that mitigates an effect of traffic from the MTC device on the network.

Abstract: A method for extending new radio (NR) usage indications to an application function (AF) includes, at a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) including at least one processor, receiving an indication of NR usage by a user equipment (UE). The steps further include determining that an AF is subscribed to receive indications of NR usage for the UE. The steps further include, in response to determining that an AF is subscribed to receive indications of NR usage for the UE, communicating the indication of NR usage to the AF. The steps further include receiving a message from the AF to effect a change in service provided to the UE based on the indication of NR usage. The steps further include effecting the change in service provided to the UE based on the indication of NR usage.

Abstract: A method for dynamically provisioning and using PLMN location mappings includes, in an SCEF or NEF, receiving, from a PLMN network node, a message containing a PLMN location identifier and a non-PLMN location identifier, extracting the PLMN location identifier and the non-PLMN location identifier from the message and storing, in a PLMN location mapping database in the SCEF or NEF, a mapping between the PLMN location identifier and the non-PLMN location identifier. The method further includes receiving, via a monitoring interface of the SCEF or NEF, a monitoring request message requesting IoT device information and including a non-PLMN location identifier.

Abstract: A method for extending new radio (NR) usage indications to an application function (AF) includes, at a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) including at least one processor, receiving an indication of NR usage by a user equipment (UE). The steps further include determining that an AF is subscribed to receive indications of NR usage for the UE. The steps further include, in response to determining that an AF is subscribed to receive indications of NR usage for the UE communicating the indication of NR usage to the AF. The steps further include receiving a message from the AF to effect a change in service provided to the UE based on the indication of NR usage. The steps further include effecting the change in service provided to the UE based on the indication of NR usage.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for machine type communications/Internet of things (MTC/IoT) device updating are described. One method for machine type communications (MTC) device software updating includes receiving, by a control plane network node including at least one processor and via non-Internet protocol data delivery (NIDD) or non-access stratum (NAS) messaging, hardware and software version information regarding an MTC device. The method includes identifying, by the control plane network node, that a software update is available for the MTC device. The method further includes, in response determining that a software update is available for the MTC device, transmitting, by the control plane network node and via NIDD or NAS messaging, the software update to the MTC device.

Abstract: A method for dynamically provisioning and using PLMN location mappings includes, in an SCEF or NEF, receiving, from a PLMN network node, a message containing a PLMN location identifier and a non-PLMN location identifier, extracting the PLMN location identifier and the non-PLMN location identifier from the message and storing, in a PLMN location mapping database in the SCEF or NEF, a mapping between the PLMN location identifier and the non-PLMN location identifier. The method further includes receiving, via a monitoring interface of the SCEF or NEF, a monitoring request message requesting IoT device information and including a non-PLMN location identifier.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for MTC/IoT device updating are described. One method for MTC device software updating includes receiving, by a control plane network node including at least one processor and via non-IP data delivery (NIDD) or non-access stratum (NAS) messaging, hardware and software version information regarding an MTC device. The method includes identifying, by the control plane network node, that a software update is available for the MTC device. The method further includes, in response determining that a software update is available for the MTC device, transmitting, by the control plane network node and via NIDD or NAS messaging, the software update to the MTC device. The method further includes receiving, at the control plane network node and via NIDD or NAS messaging, status information regarding delivery of the software update to the MTC device or installation of the software update by the MTC device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for sharing identification information of network nodes in an IMS network are disclosed. One method includes determining, by a packet data network gateway (PGW), policy and charging rules function (PCRF) identification information corresponding to a PCRF node designated to support an IMS-based subscriber session requested by a user equipment device and establishing, by the PGW, a subscriber Gx session with the PCRF node corresponding to the determined PCRF identification information. The method further includes determining, by the PGW, application function (AF) identification information corresponding to an AF server designated to support the IMS-based subscriber session and generating, by the PGW, a create session response message including at least the PCRF identification information and the AF identification information. The method also includes sending, by the PGW, the create session response message containing the at least the PCRF identification inform.

Abstract: A method for detecting and mitigating effects of abnormal MTC device behavior includes, at a telecommunications network node comprising one of an MME, DRA, or SCEF, receiving CP information from which core network (CN) assistance information for tuning an evolved node B (eNB) to minimize MTC device state transitions is derivable, forwarding the CP information or CN assistance information derived from the CP information to another network node, deriving, from the CP information, a rule for policing behavior of the MTC device, storing the rule in memory of the telecommunications network node, monitoring uplink communications from the MTC device, determining, using the stored rule derived from the CP information, that the MTC device is not behaving in accordance with an expected behavior; and, in response performing a network security action that mitigates an effect of traffic from the MTC device on the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for dynamically provisioning subscriber based session timeout information are disclosed. One method includes method includes receiving, from a packet data network gateway (PGW), a request message containing session information parameters corresponding to a session requested by a user equipment device and deriving an absolute timeout period value and an idle timeout period value based on input comprising one or more of the session information parameters. The method further includes generating a response message containing the determined absolute timeout period value and the determined idle timeout period value and sending the generated response message to the PGW, wherein the PGW is configured to apply the absolute timeout period value and the idle timeout period value to the session requested by the user equipment device.