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 dynamic optimized NF discovery includes querying an NF repository function (NRF), receiving at least one response to the querying, and building, from the at least one response, an NF discovery data digest of NF profile attributes and corresponding attribute values usable as query parameters in NF discovery requests. The method further includes determining that a consumer NF has a need for a service, and, in response, formulating, using the NF discovery data digest, an NF discovery request message including at least one of the NF profile attribute values as a query parameter. The method further includes transmitting the NF discovery request message to the NRF. The method further includes receiving an NF discovery response from the NRF including at least one NF profile. The method further includes using the at least one NF to facilitate providing of the service to the consumer NF.

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 resolving priorities among network function (NF) instances includes, at a priority resolver implemented using at least one processor, providing a priority resolution application programming interface (API) that allows NF instances to request priority resolution. The method further includes receiving, via the API and from a plurality of NF instances, requests for priority resolution. The method further includes using a priority resolution algorithm to determine a relative priority for each of the NF instances. The method further includes generating and transmitting to each of the NF instances a priority resolution response including the relative priority determined for the NF instance.

Abstract: A method for selecting multiple network function (NF) types using a single discovery request includes receiving, by a NF repository function (NRF) from a consumer NF, a single discovery request message that requests discovery of a plurality of producer NF types in a fifth generation (5G) core network and includes an indication of multiple NF discovery requests, obtaining, by the NRF, NF profile objects corresponding to each of the plurality of producer NF types included in the single discovery request message, and providing, to the consumer NF via a single discovery response message generated by the NRF, NF profile objects that correspond to one or more of the plurality of producer NF types.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for rank processing in network function selection. A method includes periodically receiving, at a network function discovery node, and from each producer network function of a number of producer network functions, a current load value specifying a computing load carried by the producer network function. The network function discovery node is configured for performing service discovery between network functions of a telecommunications core network. The method includes determining, for each producer network function, an available capacity for the producer network function based on the current load value and a published capacity of the producer network function. The method includes responding to a network function discovery request from a consumer network function using the available capacity of each producer network function.

Abstract: A method for optimizing network traffic distribution using timeslot-based tracked producer network function (NF) performance during producer NF selection is performed at a service communications proxy (SCP) including at least one processor. The method includes tracking a performance characteristic of producer NFs across different timeslots. The method further includes receiving, from a consumer NF, a service based interface (SBI) service request. The method further includes identifying eligible producer NFs capable of handling the SBI service request. The method further includes selecting, from the eligible producer NFs, in a manner that at least partially overrides priorities of the eligible producer NFs, and based on the tracked performance characteristic across the different timeslots, a producer NF to handle the SBI service request. The method further includes forwarding the SBI service request to the producer NF.

Abstract: A method for autonomously generating network function test cases includes detecting a failure case in a network function of a core network of a telecommunications network. The method includes, in response to detecting the failure case, autonomously generating a network function test case based on the failure case. The network function test case includes one or more network status parameters detected when detecting the failure case. The method includes supplying the network function test case to a network testing system configured for executing the network function test case by repeating the one or more network status parameters and determining whether or not the network function repeats the failure case.

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: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for determining time related parameter values for a communications network are disclosed. One method for determining time related parameter values for a communications network occurs at network function (NF) repository function (NRF) comprising at least one processor. The method comprises: receiving, from a first network function (NF), a service request message; determining, using network information and/or NF information, a time related parameter value associated with the service request message; and generating and sending, to the first NF, a service response message indicating the time related parameter value.

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 providing service based interface (SBI) support for network elements (NEs) not supporting SBI service operations includes receiving SBI configuration parameters for an NE not supporting SBI service operations. The method further includes establishing a connection with the NE not supporting SBI service operations. The method further includes registering, with a network function (NF) repository function (NRF) and using the SBI configuration parameters, the NE not supporting SBI service operations. The method further includes monitoring, over the connection, status of the NE not supporting SBI service operations. The method further includes updating, with the NRF, the status of the NE not supporting SBI service operations.

Abstract: A method for autonomously generating network function test cases includes detecting a failure case in a network function of a core network of a telecommunications network. The method includes, in response to detecting the failure case, autonomously generating a network function test case based on the failure case. The network function test case includes one or more network status parameters detected when detecting the failure case. The method includes supplying the network function test case to a network testing system configured for executing the network function test case by repeating the one or more network status parameters and determining whether or not the network function repeats the failure case.

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 selecting multiple network function (NF) types using a single discovery request includes receiving, by a NF repository function (NRF) from a consumer NF, a single discovery request message that requests discovery of a plurality of producer NF types in a fifth generation (5G) core network and includes an indication of multiple NF discovery requests, obtaining, by the NRF, NF profile objects corresponding to each of the plurality of producer NF types included in the single discovery request message, and providing, to the consumer NF via a single discovery response message generated by the NRF, NF profile objects that correspond to one or more of the plurality of producer NF types.

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 feedback-based network slice management includes steps performed at a network slice management function (NSMF) including at least one processor. The steps include subscribing, via a network data analytics function (NWDAF) subscription interface of the NSMF, directly with the NWDAF to create a subscription to be notified of network slice load information and specifying, as part of the subscription, network slice load information report generation criteria defined by the NSMF. The steps further include receiving, directly from the NWDAF, via the NWDAF subscription interface of the NSMF and in response to the NSMF-defined network slice load information report triggering criteria being met, network slice load information. The steps further include determining, based on the network slice load information, that a network slice resource allocation change is needed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for rank processing in network function selection. A method includes periodically receiving, at a network function discovery node, and from each producer network function of a number of producer network functions, a current load value specifying a computing load carried by the producer network function. The network function discovery node is configured for performing service discovery between network functions of a telecommunications core network. The method includes determining, for each producer network function, an available capacity for the producer network function based on the current load value and a published capacity of the producer network function. The method includes responding to a network function discovery request from a consumer network function using the available capacity of each producer network function.

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.