Abstract: A method for managing traffic processed by a target network function of a communication network is disclosed. The target network function transmits and receives traffic over a communication channel that carries traffic between network functions and application functions. The method, performed by a Data Analytics Function (DAF) of a communication network, comprises receiving information about traffic flows over the communication channel, establishing a priority amongst traffic flows over the communication channel, based on the received information, generating a recommendation for traffic processing on the basis of the established priority, and sending the generated recommendation to a function in the network that has a management responsibility for the target network function.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for network slice configuration. In one example aspect, a method in a network function in a network is disclosed. The network is a visited network for at least one User Equipment, UE. The network provides a network slice for the at least one UE, and the network function is a gateway for data communications for the at least one UE. The method includes obtaining an IP address for at least one service for the at least one UE, and providing the at least one service to the at least one UE according to a gateway configuration from a home network of the at least one UE.

Abstract: A communication network (10) provides communicative coupling between potentially large populations of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices (12) and/or other types of communication devices (12) and one or more Application Servers (ASs) (14) that are affiliated with respective ones of the communication devices (12). One or more network functions (30, 58) in the communication network (10) are operative to determine that any given one of the communication devices (12) is compromised, or that multiple such devices (12) are compromised, and provide for management of such devices (12) within the network (10) as “compromised” devices (12). Aspects of compromised-device management include forcing re-registration of such devices (12), for quarantining them in one or more quarantine network slices (54), and recovering quarantined devices (12) after remediation of the compromise.

Abstract: A first network node in a communication network can evaluate whether to scale a first resource of a network slice of the communication network. The first network node can receive, from a second network node of the communication network, a first message indicating a request for approval to scale the first resource of the network slice. Responsive to receiving the first message, the first network node can determine whether to scale the first resource of the network slice based on information regarding a second resource. The first and second resources may be of different types. The first network node can transmit, to the second network node, a second message indicating whether to scale the first resource of the network slice based on determining whether to scale the first resource of the network slice. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: A method for managing traffic processed by a target network function of a communication network is disclosed. The target network function transmits and receives traffic over a communication channel that carries traffic between network functions and application functions. The method, performed by a Data Analytics Function (DAF) of a communication network, comprises receiving information about traffic flows over the communication channel, establishing a priority amongst traffic flows over the communication channel, based on the received information, generating a recommendation for traffic processing on the basis of the established priority, and sending the generated recommendation to a function in the network that has a management responsibility for the target network function.

Abstract: A method, performed by a first node (111). The method is for handling scaling of a network slice in a communications network (100). The first node (111) operates in the communications network (100). The first node (111) obtains (203), from a second node (112) operating in the communications network (100), a request to scale a network slice. The first node (111) then determines (204) whether or not to scale the network slice. The determining (204) is based on a cost effectiveness of the network slice.

Abstract: A method performed by first User Equipment (UE) for applying policy enforcement for data traffic in an UL data session is provided. The UL data session is from the first UE to a data network via a Radio Access Network (RAN) a Core Network (CN) and a first Network Slice (NS) in a radio communications network. The UE obtains first information from a CN node in the CN. Upon establishing the UL data session, the UE measures data traffic performance and radio conditions in the RAN. The UE predicts available resources for transmitting data from the first UE towards the data network via the RAN, the CN, and the first NS. The prediction is based on the obtained first information, the measured data traffic performance and radio conditions in the RAN. The UE then applies policy enforcement for the data traffic in the UL data session based on the prediction.

Abstract: A first network node in a communication network can evaluate whether to scale a first resource of a network slice of the communication network. The first network node can receive, from a second network node of the communication network, a first message indicating a request for approval to scale the first resource of the network slice. Responsive to receiving the first message, the first network node can determine whether to scale the first resource of the network slice based on information regarding a second resource. The first and second resources may be of different types. The first network node can transmit, to the second network node, a second message indicating whether to scale the first resource of the network slice based on determining whether to scale the first resource of the network slice. Related methods are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods performed in a core network (110) for dynamically handling access and mobility service areas with different capabilities in a communication system (100) are disclosed. The methods are carried out in an AMF node (111), a UDM node (112), a PCF node (113) and a SMF node (115). The UDM node (112) configures Service Area Restriction (SAR) data in a subscription data for a UE (120). The SAR data includes a number of service areas allowed or restricted for the UE and, for each service area, a service area identifier, a service area type and a service area definition. The PCF node configures a Service Area Definition (SAD) rule for a UE. The SAD rule comprises a service area definition and an indication of a set of service area characteristics enabled in the service area. During a registration procedure, the SAR data and SAD rule may be provided to the AMF node upon request for a UE communication.

Abstract: A communication network (10) provides communicative coupling between potentially large populations of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices (12) and/or other types of communication devices (12) and one or more Application Servers (ASs) (14) that are affiliated with respective ones of the communication devices (12). One or more network functions (30, 58) in the communication network (10) are operative to determine that any given one of the communication devices (12) is compromised, or that multiple such devices (12) are compromised, and provide for management of such devices (12) within the network (10) as “compromised” devices (12). Aspects of compromised-device management include forcing re-registration of such devices (12), for quarantining them in one or more quarantine network slices (54), and recovering quarantined devices (12) after remediation of the compromise.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a method for use in a network node comprises receiving a request to connect a session of a wireless device. The wireless device is located in a service area of a Local Area Data Network (LADN) and a subscription associated with the wireless device permits access to the LADN. The method further comprises determining whether to select the LADN for the session. The determining is based on one or more factors associated with the LADN. The one or more factors comprise at least one of the following: loading conditions, service quality, historic data, and subscriber priority. The method further comprises sending, to another network node, a message indicating whether the LADN has been selected for the session.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for network slice configuration. In one example aspect, a method in a network function in a network is disclosed. The network is a visited network for at least one User Equipment, UE. The network provides a network slice for the at least one UE, and the network function is a gateway for data communications for the at least one UE. The method includes obtaining an IP address for at least one service for the at least one UE, and providing the at least one service to the at least one UE according to a gateway configuration from a home network of the at least one UE.