Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for implementing a software-defined private mobile network (SD-PMN) for an entity. At a physical location of the entity, the method deploys a first set of control plane components for the SD-PMN, the first set of control plane components including a security gateway, a user-plane function (UPF), an AMF (access and mobility management function), and an SMF (session management function). At an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) PoP (point of presence) belonging to a provider of the SD-PMN, the method deploys a second set of control plane components for the SD-PMN that includes a subscriber database that stores data associated with users of the SD-PMN. The method uses an SD-WAN edge router located at the physical location of the entity and a SD-WAN gateway located at the SD-WAN PoP to establish a connection from the physical location of the entity to the SD-WAN PoP.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for forwarding control and data plane messages in an SD-PMN that includes a split control plane architecture. A first set of control plane components including a UPF, security gateway, AMF, and SMF is deployed to each of multiple branch sites connected by the SD-PMN and a second set of control plane components including a UDM is deployed to each of multiple SD-WAN PoPs connected by the SD-PMN. The method is performed at a security gateway at a branch site. The method receives first and second data messages from first and second user devices at the branch site. The method determines the first and second data messages are a control plane first message and a data plane second message. Based on the determinations, the method forwards the control plane first message to the AMF at the branch site and the data plane second message to the UPF at the branch site.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for link optimization in an SD-PMN defined over at least a first site of a first entity and a second site of a PMN-provider. The method configures a first portion of the SD-PMN deployed at the first entity's first site, the first portion of the SD-PMN including at least one or more physical access points for connecting user devices at the first entity's first site to the SD-PMN and one or more control plane components of the SD-PMN. The method configures a first edge router deployed at the first entity's first site to use multiple links including at least one commercial Internet network link between the first edge router and a gateway router deployed in the PMN-provider second site to reach the PMN-provider second site and to perform a multi-link optimization process on the multiple links to establish a secure tunnel for use in communicating with the gateway router.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for implementing a software-defined private mobile network (SD-PMN) for an entity. At a physical location of the entity, the method deploys a first set of control plane components for the SD-PMN, the first set of control plane components including a security gateway, a user-plane function (UPF), an AMF (access and mobility management function), and an SMF (session management function). At an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) PoP (point of presence) belonging to a provider of the SD-PMN, the method deploys a second set of control plane components for the SD-PMN that includes a subscriber database that stores data associated with users of the SD-PMN. The method uses an SD-WAN edge router located at the physical location of the entity and a SD-WAN gateway located at the SD-WAN PoP to establish a connection from the physical location of the entity to the SD-WAN PoP.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for implementing a software-defined private mobile network (SD-PMN) for an entity. At a physical location of the entity, the method deploys a first set of control plane components for the SD-PMN, the first set of control plane components including a security gateway, a user-plane function (UPF), an AMF (access and mobility management function), and an SMF (session management function). At an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) PoP (point of presence) belonging to a provider of the SD-PMN, the method deploys a second set of control plane components for the SD-PMN that includes a subscriber database that stores data associated with users of the SD-PMN. The method uses an SD-WAN edge router located at the physical location of the entity and a SD-WAN gateway located at the SD-WAN PoP to establish a connection from the physical location of the entity to the SD-WAN PoP.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for forwarding control and data plane messages in an SD-PMN that includes a split control plane architecture. A first set of control plane components including a UPF is deployed to each of multiple branch sites connected by the SD-PMN and a second set of control plane components including a security gateway, an AMF, an SMF, and a UDM is deployed to each of multiple SD-WAN PoPs connected by the SD-PMN. The method is performed at a UPF at a branch site. The method establishes GTP tunnels with a set of physical access points at the branch site. The method receives a first data message encapsulated with a GTP header from one of the physical access points. The method removes the GTP header from the first data message, converts the first data message to IP traffic, and forwards the first data message as IP traffic toward its destination.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for implementing a software-defined private mobile network (SD-PMN) for an entity. At a physical location of the entity, the method deploys a first set of control plane components for the SD-PMN, the first set of control plane components including a security gateway, a user-plane function (UPF), an AMF (access and mobility management function), and an SMF (session management function). At an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) PoP (point of presence) belonging to a provider of the SD-PMN, the method deploys a second set of control plane components for the SD-PMN that includes a subscriber database that stores data associated with users of the SD-PMN. The method uses an SD-WAN edge router located at the physical location of the entity and a SD-WAN gateway located at the SD-WAN PoP to establish a connection from the physical location of the entity to the SD-WAN PoP.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for implementing a software-defined private mobile network (SD-PMN) for an entity. At a physical location of the entity, the method deploys a first set of control plane components for the SD-PMN, the first set of control plane components including a security gateway, a user-plane function (UPF), an AMF (access and mobility management function), and an SMF (session management function). At an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) PoP (point of presence) belonging to a provider of the SD-PMN, the method deploys a second set of control plane components for the SD-PMN that includes a subscriber database that stores data associated with users of the SD-PMN. The method uses an SD-WAN edge router located at the physical location of the entity and a SD-WAN gateway located at the SD-WAN PoP to establish a connection from the physical location of the entity to the SD-WAN PoP.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for implementing a software-defined private mobile network (SD-PMN) for an entity. At a physical location of the entity, the method deploys a first set of control plane components for the SD-PMN, the first set of control plane components including a security gateway, a user-plane function (UPF), an AMF (access and mobility management function), and an SMF (session management function). At an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) PoP (point of presence) belonging to a provider of the SD-PMN, the method deploys a second set of control plane components for the SD-PMN that includes a subscriber database that stores data associated with users of the SD-PMN. The method uses an SD-WAN edge router located at the physical location of the entity and a SD-WAN gateway located at the SD-WAN PoP to establish a connection from the physical location of the entity to the SD-WAN PoP.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for implementing a software-defined private mobile network (SD-PMN) for an entity. At a physical location of the entity, the method deploys a first set of control plane components for the SD-PMN, the first set of control plane components including a security gateway, a user-plane function (UPF), an AMF (access and mobility management function), and an SMF (session management function). At an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) PoP (point of presence) belonging to a provider of the SD-PMN, the method deploys a second set of control plane components for the SD-PMN that includes a subscriber database that stores data associated with users of the SD-PMN. The method uses an SD-WAN edge router located at the physical location of the entity and a SD-WAN gateway located at the SD-WAN PoP to establish a connection from the physical location of the entity to the SD-WAN PoP.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for implementing a software-defined private mobile network (SD-PMN) for an entity. At a physical location of the entity, the method deploys a first set of control plane components for the SD-PMN, the first set of control plane components including a security gateway, a user-plane function (UPF), an AMF (access and mobility management function), and an SMF (session management function). At an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) PoP (point of presence) belonging to a provider of the SD-PMN, the method deploys a second set of control plane components for the SD-PMN that includes a subscriber database that stores data associated with users of the SD-PMN. The method uses an SD-WAN edge router located at the physical location of the entity and a SD-WAN gateway located at the SD-WAN PoP to establish a connection from the physical location of the entity to the SD-WAN PoP.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for implementing a software-defined private mobile network (SD-PMN) for an entity. At a physical location of the entity, the method deploys a first set of control plane components for the SD-PMN, the first set of control plane components including a security gateway, a user-plane function (UPF), an AMF (access and mobility management function), and an SMF (session management function). At an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) PoP (point of presence) belonging to a provider of the SD-PMN, the method deploys a second set of control plane components for the SD-PMN that includes a subscriber database that stores data associated with users of the SD-PMN. The method uses an SD-WAN edge router located at the physical location of the entity and a SD-WAN gateway located at the SD-WAN PoP to establish a connection from the physical location of the entity to the SD-WAN PoP.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for implementing a software-defined private mobile network (SD-PMN) for an entity. At a physical location of the entity, the method deploys a first set of control plane components for the SD-PMN, the first set of control plane components including a security gateway, a user-plane function (UPF), an AMF (access and mobility management function), and an SMF (session management function). At an SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) PoP (point of presence) belonging to a provider of the SD-PMN, the method deploys a second set of control plane components for the SD-PMN that includes a subscriber database that stores data associated with users of the SD-PMN. The method uses an SD-WAN edge router located at the physical location of the entity and a SD-WAN gateway located at the SD-WAN PoP to establish a connection from the physical location of the entity to the SD-WAN PoP.

Abstract: A dispenser (10) for easily dispensing a plurality of products (12) contained therewithin is provided. The dispenser includes a cover (14) having a pressing opening (32) and a dispenser volume, a base (16) having an dispensing opening (36) and an engaging member (46), a blister tray (18) having at least a portion of the blister tray disposed within the dispenser volume and having a tab (56) extending from an edge of the blister tray for manually rotating the blister tray with respect to the cover and base while being retained within the dispenser volume, and a label (20) configured to be applied and adhered to the cover and the engaging member of the base to hold the dispenser together.