WO2021052601A1

WO2021052601A1 - Method, apparatus and computer program for edge computing application discovery

Info

Publication number: WO2021052601A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/075373
Authority: WO
Inventors: Konstantinos Samdanis; Michael JARSCHEL; Hannu Hietalahti; Hannu Flinck
Original assignee: Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy
Priority date: 2019-09-20
Filing date: 2019-09-20
Publication date: 2021-03-25

Abstract

An apparatus comprising means for: causing a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; determining a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and causing communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources

Description

METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR EDGE COMPUTING APPLICATION DISCOVERY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program and in particular but not exclusively for an apparatus, methods and computer programs for providing edge computing application discovery in a wireless network.

BACKGROUND

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as communication devices, base stations/access points and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communications devices.

Access to the communication system may be via an appropriate communications device or terminal. A communications device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other communications device. The communications device may access a carrier provided by a station or access point, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier.

The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect, there is provided a method comprising causing a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; determining a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and causing communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

The method may comprise acquiring local user plane function information and/or local data network information; and the determining the local data network may comprise selecting the local data network and a local user plane function based on the acquired local user plane function information and/or local data network information.

The method may comprise selecting the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on user subscription information.

The method may comprise selecting the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on a route selection information.

The route selection information may comprise at least one of: identity information of the requested application at the local data network; relative priority information with respect to an availability of the requested application at the local data network; waiting time information with respect to an availability of the requested application at the local data network; geographic area of interest information for the requested application; available CPU power information associated with the local data network; and storage capacity information associated with the local data network.

Acquiring of local user plane function information and local data network information may comprise causing a search request to be transmitted to a network repository function; and receiving the local user plane function information and the local data network information from the network repository function.

The local user plane function information and the local data network information may comprise a list of available local data networks and local user plane functions.

The method may comprise causing a network function status subscription to be transmitted to the network repository function, wherein the status subscription is configured to cause the network repository function to update the session management function in response to a change in profile of the application and/or service associated with the network function; and receiving, from the network repository function, updated network function profile information.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device; and causing the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method comprising: causing a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources; and causing communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network. According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method comprising: installing an application at a local data network; and causing a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation.

Causing the network repository function to be configured may be based on a locally deployed user plane function profile, and wherein the locally deployed user plane function profile comprises an application identifier and platform capabilities.

The platform capabilities may comprise at least one of an available CPU power and an available storage capacity.

Causing the user data management function to be configured may comprise causing information relating to one or more communication devices’ eligibility for accessing the installed application to be provided to the user data management function.

Causing the application to be installed may be performed in response to a request received from at least one of an application function and a user equipment.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method comprising: causing an application to be installed at a local data node; and causing an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.

Causing the application to be installed at a local data node may be based on a received instruction from the operation administration and maintenance function.

The received instruction may be received via a corresponding multi-access edge computing/network function virtualization orchestrator.

The locally deployed user plane function profile may comprise an application identifier and platform capabilities.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for causing a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; means for determining a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and means for causing communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources. The apparatus may comprise means for acquiring local user plane function information and/or local data network information; and wherein the means for determining the local data network may comprise means for selecting the local data network and a local user plane function based on the acquired local user plane function information and/or local data network information.

The apparatus may comprise means for selecting the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on user subscription information.

The apparatus may comprise means for selecting the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on a route selection information.

The means for acquiring of local user plane function information and local data network information may comprise means for causing a search request to be transmitted to a network repository function; and means for receiving the local user plane function information and the local data network information from the network repository function.

The apparatus may comprise means for causing a network function status subscription to be transmitted to the network repository function, wherein the status subscription is configured to cause the network repository function to update the session management function in response to a change in profile of the application and/or service associated with the network function; and means for receiving, from the network repository function, updated network function profile information.

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device; and means for causing the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to an eighth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for causing a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources; and means for causing communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to a ninth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for installing an application at a local data network; and means for causing a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation.

The means for causing the user data management function to be configured may comprise means for causing information relating to one or more communication devices’ eligibility for accessing the installed application to be provided to the user data management function.

According to a tenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for causing an application to be installed at a local data node; and means for causing an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.

The means for causing the application to be installed at a local data node may comprise means for receiving an instruction from the operation administration and maintenance function.

According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer code which, when run by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: cause a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; determine a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and cause communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

The at least one processor may cause the apparatus to acquire local user plane function information and/or local data network information; and select the local data network and a local user plane function based on the acquired local user plane function information and/or local data network information.

The at least one processor may cause the apparatus to select the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on user subscription information.

The at least one processor may cause the apparatus to select the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on a route selection information.

The at least one processor may cause the apparatus to acquire the local user plane function information and local data network information based on causing a search request to be transmitted to a network repository function; and receive the local user plane function information and the local data network information from the network repository function.

The at least one processor may cause the apparatus to transmit a network function status subscription to the network repository function, wherein the status subscription is configured to cause the network repository function to update the session management function in response to a change in profile of the application and/or service associated with the network function; and receive, from the network repository function, updated network function profile information.

According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer code which, when run by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: receive information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device; and cause the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer code which, when run by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: cause a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources; and cause communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer code which, when run by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: install an application at a local data network; and cause a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation.

According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer code which, when run by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: cause an application to be installed at a local data node; and cause an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.

The received instruction may be received via a corresponding multi-access edge computing/network function virtualization orchestrator. The locally deployed user plane function profile may comprise an application identifier and platform capabilities.

According to an sixteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions, which when run by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to: cause a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; determine a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and cause communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

The apparatus may be caused to acquire local user plane function information and/or local data network information; and select the local data network and a local user plane function based on the acquired local user plane function information and/or local data network information.

The apparatus may be caused to select the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on user subscription information.

The apparatus may be caused to select the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on a route selection information.

The apparatus may be caused to acquire the local user plane function information and local data network information based on causing a search request to be transmitted to a network repository function; and receive the local user plane function information and the local data network information from the network repository function.

The apparatus may be caused to transmit a network function status subscription to the network repository function, wherein the status subscription is configured to cause the network repository function to update the session management function in response to a change in profile of the application and/or service associated with the network function; and receive, from the network repository function, updated network function profile information.

According to a seventeenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions, which when run by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to: receive information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device; and cause the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to a eighteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions, which when run by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to: cause a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources; and cause communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to a nineteenth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions, which when run by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to: install an application at a local data network; and cause a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation.

According to a twentieth aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions, which when run by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to: cause an application to be installed at a local data node; and cause an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.

According to a twenty-first aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: causing a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; determining a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and causing communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

The apparatus may be caused to perform: acquiring local user plane function information and/or local data network information; and the determining the local data network may comprise selecting the local data network and a local user plane function based on the acquired local user plane function information and/or local data network information.

The apparatus may be caused to perform selecting the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on user subscription information.

The apparatus may be caused to perform selecting the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on a route selection information.

The apparatus may be caused to perform acquiring of local user plane function information and local data network information by causing a search request to be transmitted to a network repository function; and receiving the local user plane function information and the local data network information from the network repository function.

The apparatus may be caused to perform causing a network function status subscription to be transmitted to the network repository function, wherein the status subscription is configured to cause the network repository function to update the session management function in response to a change in profile of the application and/or service associated with the network function; and receiving, from the network repository function, updated network function profile information.

According to a twenty-second aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: receiving information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device; and causing the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to a twenty-third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: causing a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources; and causing communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to a twenty-fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: installing an application at a local data network; and causing a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation.

The apparatus may be caused to perform causing the network repository function to be configured based on a locally deployed user plane function profile, and wherein the locally deployed user plane function profile comprises an application identifier and platform capabilities.

The apparatus may be caused to perform causing the user data management function to be configured by causing information relating to one or more communication devices’ eligibility for accessing the installed application to be provided to the user data management function. The apparatus may be caused to perform causing the application to be installed in response to a request received from at least one of an application function and a user equipment.

According to a twenty-fifth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: causing an application to be installed at a local data node; and causing an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.

The apparatus may be caused to perform causing the application to be installed at the local data node based on a received instruction from the operation administration and maintenance function.

According to a twenty-sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry for causing a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; determining circuitry for determining a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and circuitry for causing communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

The apparatus may comprise acquiring circuitry for acquiring local user plane function information and/or local data network information; and the determining circuitry for determining the local data network may comprise selecting circuitry for selecting the local data network and a local user plane function based on the acquired local user plane function information and/or local data network information.

The apparatus may comprise selecting circuitry for selecting the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on user subscription information.

The apparatus may comprise selecting circuitry for selecting the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on a route selection information. The route selection information may comprise at least one of: identity information of the requested application at the local data network; relative priority information with respect to an availability of the requested application at the local data network; waiting time information with respect to an availability of the requested application at the local data network; geographic area of interest information for the requested application; available CPU power information associated with the local data network; and storage capacity information associated with the local data network.

The apparatus may comprise acquiring circuitry for acquiring local user plane function information and local data network information by causing a search request to be transmitted to a network repository function; and receiving circuitry for receiving the local user plane function information and the local data network information from the network repository function.

The apparatus may comprise circuitry for causing a network function status subscription to be transmitted to the network repository function, wherein the status subscription is configured to cause the network repository function to update the session management function in response to a change in profile of the application and/or service associated with the network function; and receiving circuitry for receiving, from the network repository function, updated network function profile information.

According to a twenty-seventh aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: receiving circuitry for receiving information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device; and circuitry for causing the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to a twenty-eighth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry for causing a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources; and circuitry causing communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network.

According to a twenty-ninth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: installing circuitry for installing an application at a local data network; and circuitry for causing a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation. The apparatus may comprise circuitry for causing the network repository function to be configured based on a locally deployed user plane function profile, and wherein the locally deployed user plane function profile comprises an application identifier and platform capabilities.

The apparatus may comprise circuitry for causing the user data management function to be configured by causing information relating to one or more communication devices’ eligibility for accessing the installed application to be provided to the user data management function.

The apparatus may comprise circuitry for causing the application to be installed in response to a request received from at least one of an application function and a user equipment.

According to a thirtieth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: circuitry for causing an application to be installed at a local data node; and circuitry for causing an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.

The apparatus may comprise circuitry for causing the application to be installed at the local data node based on a received instruction from the operation administration and maintenance function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a method according to some example embodiments;

Figure 2 shows a method according to some example embodiments;

Figure 3 shows a representation of a system according to some example embodiments; Figure 4 shows a representation of a control apparatus according to some example embodiments;

Figure 5 shows a representation of a terminal according to some example embodiments;

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media according to some example embodiments; and

Figures 7 to 11 show various methods according to some example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following certain embodiments are explained with reference to mobile communication devices capable of communication via a wireless cellular system and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices. Before explaining in detail the exemplifying embodiments, certain general principles of a wireless communication system, access systems thereof, and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figures 3, 4 and 5 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS). The 5GS may be comprised by a terminal or user equipment (UE), a 5G radio access network (5GRAN), a 5G core network (5GC), one or more application function (AF) and one or more data networks (DN).

The 5GRAN may comprise one or more gNodeB (GNB) or one or more gNodeB (GNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (GNB) centralized unit functions.

The 5GC may comprise the following entities: Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF); Network Exposure Function; Network Repository Function (NRF); Policy Control Function (PCF); Unified Data Management (UDM); Application Function (AF); Authentication Server Function (AUSF); an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); and Session Management Function (SMF).

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a control apparatus 400 for controlling a function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC as illustrated on Figure 3. The control apparatus may comprise at least one random access memory (RAM) 411a, at least on read only memory (ROM) 411b, at least one processor 412, 413 and an input/output interface 414. The at least one processor 412, 413 may be coupled to the RAM 411a and the ROM 411b. The at least one processor 412, 413 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 415. The software code 415 may for example allow to perform one or more steps to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 415 may be stored in the ROM 411b. The control apparatus 400 may be interconnected with another control apparatus 400 controlling another function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC. In some embodiments, each function of the 5GRAN or the 5GC comprises a control apparatus 400. In alternative embodiments, two or more functions of the 5GRAN or the 5GC may share a control apparatus.

Figure 5 illustrates an example of a terminal 500, such as the terminal illustrated on Figure 3. The terminal 500 may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples comprise a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, an Internet of things (loT) type communication device or any combinations of these or the like. The terminal 500 may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, data, machine data and so on.

The terminal 500 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 507 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 5 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 506. The transceiver apparatus 506 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

The terminal 500 may be provided with at least one processor 501 , at least one memory ROM 502a, at least one RAM 502b and other possible components 503 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The at least one processor 501 is coupled to the RAM 511a and the ROM 511b. The at least one processor 501 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 508. The software code 508 may for example allow to perform one or more of the present aspects. The software code 508 may be stored in the ROM 511b.

The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 504. The device may optionally have a user interface such as key pad 505, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device.

An aim of edge computing is to move computation away from data centers in the core network towards the edge of the network, exploiting devices such as smart objects, mobile phones or network gateways to perform tasks and provide services on behalf of the cloud. By moving services to the edge, it may be possible to provide services such as content caching, service delivery, storage and internet of things (loT) management. This may result in better response times and transfer rates. The integration of edge computing has recently been introduced into the 3GPP architecture. The edge computing platform may reside within a data network (DN) that is accessible via a locally deployed user plane function (UPF), i.e. a co-located UPF or a UPF that is local to DN, in close proximity via a N6 connection. The 5G core network selects a UPF close to the user equipment (UE) and executes the traffic forwarding from the UPF to the local DN via a N6 interface. This may be based on the UE's subscription data, UE location, information from application function (AF) (for example as defined in TS 23.501 clause 5.6.7), policy, or other related traffic rules.

A UE may discover a desired application hosted at an edge cloud platform via the Domain Name System (DNS). This may be by asking for the IP address of a certain application identified by a DNS name through a DNS request.

A DNS response may be useful depending on:

• the connectivity state of the UE, i.e. if the UE is initially establishing a connectivity to the network or performs a handover

• the timing when a certain application is consumed, i.e. upon establishing a PDU connection or at a later state

• the update state of the DNS server that reflects how accurate DNS entries are against potential application relocations.

When a UE initially establishes a PDU connection and at the same time requests to execute an application, the obtained IP address following a DNS query indicates the data network. This indicates where the desired application resides, and hence it can be used by the UE when it asks the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) for connectivity. However, this approach relies on the premise that the DNS can provide accurate information and this may not always be the case. For example, an application may be relocated during or shortly before the time of the query.

In another case, which may be more common, the Session Management Function (SMF) may already have set up the PDU session and has selected the UPF already related to a corresponding DN. This DN may be different from the DN that would conform to the performance requirements of a newly established application. The UPF selection may consider the application to be executed or use the route selection descriptor parameters using the APP-ID (application identity) before establishing the PDU session to direct the application flow to the appropriate DN location.

Applications that reside at the edge may have more stringent service requirements. These may only be met when network and/or radio conditions are considered. By considering the radio and/or network conditions, a user equipment (UE) can discover the desired application and be connected to the appropriate data network. Hence, the application availability at data networks residing close to locally deployed user plane functions (UPFs) may need to be visible to the network.

However, for optimal application performance the capabilities of the edge computing platforms may need to be taken into account. By also considering their performance parameters, for example storage capacity and/or CPU load, the data network that offers the best performance for the application can be selected. This may not be the closest in terms of proximity. This may be a particular advantage in a highly-populated urban environment where radio coverage is overlapping, and popular applications/content are available from multiple edge locations in the vicinity, i.e., local data networks.

Evolving radio and network conditions or user mobility patterns may prove that the current application location is suboptimal. This may trigger a relocation to or instantiation at another edge computing platform. The process of updating the domain name server (DNS) to reflect such a change may not be not timely with respect to the desired performance targets. Updates on the user registration or AF may be complex and can take long. The DNS may not be able to reflect all necessary performance parameters that would help to perform a comprehensive decision.

There are considerations on exposing network information on the edge computing AF via the means of Network Exposure Function (NEF). This may allow the AF to influence the UPF (re)selection via PCF or directly via NEF. However, such functionality is not yet defined. The AF may request to get notified about events related to PDU sessions. However, it may be difficult to react in a timely manner influencing the selection of the locally deployed UPF effectively. The notion of AF traffic influence has been proposed where the AF can be notified and influence the path management for specific services, slices, UEs, etc. This may require the re-location of the application to be provided already by other means.

A conventional method of discovery and selection is performed for network functions (NFs) via the means of the network repository function (NRF). NFs are registered first to the NRF, allowing other consumer NFs to discover and use them. This process uses networking and computing conditions. This does not reflect application specifics related to the data network that resides behind a locally deployed UPF. According to some example embodiments, user plane function information stored in the NRF may be enhanced with information relating to the application and/or cloud resources (for example computational resources) relating to the local data network behind the UPF.

5G systems use the so-called UE route selection policy (URSP) to pre-configure route selection descriptor(s) matching with a particular operating system, application and other parameters that determine the required access.

The URSP architecture requirements and data contents are specified in TS 23.503. Since a URSP update from the PCF to UE is triggered during registration time, it is expected that the UE has got an up to date URSP at the time of PDU Session establishment.

According to TS 23.503, when new application is launched, and the UE needs network connectivity, the UE uses the application ID and other parameters to index the corresponding route selection policy in order to determine the single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), DNN and other parameters that correspond with the application.

Some example embodiments may use a URSP which comprises one or more of the following: information defining the order that the URSP rule is enforced in the UE, information defining the traffic, information defining the application; information defining an IP address, information defining a domain descriptor, information defining non-IP descriptors; information defining a data network name, information defining connection capabilities, and information defining a list of route selection descriptors.

An example structure of the URSP is shown in the table below, which is from TS 23.503 clause 6.6.2.1, table 6.6.2.1-2 UE route selection policy.

The route selection descriptor selected in the URSP determines the PDU session parameters that the UE uses when requesting for PDU session establishment.

Some example embodiments may use a route selection descriptor which comprises one or more of the following: information defining a route selection descriptor precedence, information defining route selection components, information defining a SSC mode selection, information defining a network slice selection, information defining a data network name, information defining a PDU session type selection, information defining a non-seamless offload indication, and information defining an access type preference. The detailed structure of route selection descriptor(s) is specified in TS 23.503 Table .6.2.1-3 as follows:

TS 23.503 clause 6.6.2.3 specifies that the UE evaluates all available URSP rules in the order of priority and determines the highest priority rule that matches the route selection descriptor, which contains the parameters that the UE needs to establish the PDU session for the application.

These PDU session parameters include session and service continuity (SSC) mode, network slice (S-NSSAI), data network name (DNN), PDU session type, non-seamless offload indication and access type preference between 3GPP and non-3GPP. By selecting the highest priority route selection descriptor matching with the application ID and other communication parameters of the application in the URSP, the UE can derive the PDU session parameters from the corresponding route selection descriptor.

In some example embodiments, a method is provided for allowing a UE to discover a target application providing an application ID (APP-ID), or to discover the cloud resources or computational resources that can meet the UE’s performance requirements.

Reference is made to Figure 7, which shows a method according to some example embodiments. At step 700, the method comprises causing a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device. The connectivity request may indicate one or more of an application and/or cloud resources.

At step 702, the method comprises determining a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

At step 704, the method comprises causing communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

Reference is made to Figure 8, which shows a method according to some example embodiments.

At step 800, the method comprises receiving information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device.

At step 802, the method comprises causing the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

Reference is made to Figure 9, which shows a method according to some example embodiments.

At step 900, the method comprises causing a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources.

At step 902, the method comprises causing communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network.

Reference is made to Figure 1 , which shows a method according to some example embodiments. At step 100, a UE may transmit a connectivity request towards an AMF. The connectivity request may comprise an indication of a target application (APP-ID) and/or desired cloud/computational resource parameters as illustrated in Fig.1.

At step 102, the AMF may select the appropriate SMF and at step 104 the AMF may transmit the connectivity request to the selected SMF.

At step 106, the SMF may check the user subscription before acquiring locally deployed UPF information. The SMF may transmit a request to a UDM and receive a response from the UDM indicating the user subscription.

At step 108, the SMF may issue a search request to the NRF. The NRF may reply with a list comprising locally deployed UPFs that connect to local data networks, which hold the desired application, from which the SMF may select a local data network and locally deployed UPF.

At step 110, the selected local data network and locally deployed UPF may establish a PDU session with the UE.

In some example embodiments, the SMF may subscribe to the NRF via a NF status subscription to get a notification if the NF profile changes, e.g. upon an application relocation. This way the SMF may get rapidly informed of the application and resources supported at locally deployed UPFs.

In some other example embodiments, the route selection descriptor specified in TS 23.503 Table 6.6.2.1-3 described previously may be amended to comprise one or more of an application ID, a relative priority and waiting time, a locality, and cloud/computational resources.

The application ID may indicate the identity of the application.

The relative priority and waiting time may indicate a relative priority and waiting time with respect to the availability of the application, taking in to consideration the platform resources.

The locality may provide an indication relating to the geographical area of interest of the application.

The cloud/computational resources may provide means of describing and acquiring CPU and storage resources.

An example user equipment route selection policy descriptor according to some example embodiments is shown below.

It should be understood that, in some example embodiments, not all of the above information elements are included in the user equipment route selection policy descriptor. That is to say, in some example embodiments, the user equipment route selection policy descriptor may comprise one or more of: information defining a route selection descriptor precedence, information defining route selection components, information defining a SSC mode selection, information defining a network slice selection, information defining a data network name, information defining a PDU session type selection, information defining a non-seamless offload indication, and information defining an access type preference, information indicating an identity of an application, information indicating a relative priority and/or waiting time with respect to an availability of an application, information indicating a geographic area of interest for an application, and information indicating a required CPU power and/or storage capacity requirement.

In some example embodiments, the example user equipment route selection policy descriptor shown above may be used to pre-configure the user equipment during PDU session establishment.

To allow such locally deployed UPF discovery processes, there may be a need to provide the locally deployed UPF profile description with:

• an indication of APPs supported in the Data Network behind the locally deployed UPF; and

• an indication of Edge platform computing capabilities in terms of current available CPU power and/or current available storage.

An example UPF profile description is shown below:

It should be understood that, in some example embodiments, not all of the above attributes are included in the UPF profile description. That is to say, in some example embodiments, the UPF profile description may comprise one or more of: information about parameters supported by the user plane function per S-NSSAI, information about a SMF service area the user plane function can serve, information about user plane interfaces configured on the user plane function, information about whether interworking with EPS, information about what PDU session type(s) are supported by the user plane function, information about what applications are supported at the local data network, information about an available CPU capability at the local data network, and information about an available storage capacity at the local data network. The UPF profile description may be used to complement the conventional capacity, load and locality information related with the locally deployed UPF (Table 6.1.6.2.2-1 in TS 29.510).

Reference is made to Figure 10, which shows a method according to some example embodiments.

At step 1000, the method comprises installing an application at a local data network.

At step 1002, the method comprises causing a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation.

Reference is made to figure 11, which shows a method according to some example embodiments.

At step 1100, the method comprises causing an application to be installed at a local data node.

At step 1102, the method comprises causing an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.

Reference is made to Figure 2, which shows a method according to some example embodiments.

The OAM may enable a dynamic locally deployed UPF profile update considering the applications that are made available or are relocated at local data networks as well as the cloud/computational resource capabilities.

At step 200, the AF may request the OAM to install the desired APP at the Local DN indicating also the UEs eligible for the subscription.

At step 202, the OAM can carry out the requested installation via the means of the corresponding MEC/NFV orchestrator.

At step 204, the installation may be completed locally at the local data network. At step 206, once the installation is completed, the OAM may be notified.

At step 208, the OAM may then configure the corresponding NRF with the locally deployed UPF profile including the APP-ID and platform capabilities, i.e. CPU power and storage capabilities.

At step 210, the OAM may configure the UDM subscription indicating the UEs that are eligible to obtain such a service.

At step 212, the OAM may receive, from the NRF and the UDM, an acknowledgement to the configuring of the NRF and the updating of the UDM respectively.

At step 214, upon receiving the acknowledgement, the OAM may notify the AF of the APP installation at the local data network via an acknowledgement. In some example embodiments, the OAM may be responsible for the instantiation of virtual machines that host applications. The OAM may perform this task via the means of MEC/NFV orchestrator. The OAM may also monitor the edge platform computational resources and hence perform the appropriate updates at the locally deployed UPF profile registered at the NRF.

The same procedure can also be performed based on the parameters received from the UE. That is to say, in some example embodiments, the UE may trigger the AF to request the OAM at step 200. This may occur, for example, when the UE performs relocation based procedures.

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of non-volatile memory media 600a (e.g. computer disc (CD) or digital versatile disc (DVD)) and 600b (e.g. universal serial bus (USB) memory stick) storing instructions and/or parameters 602 which when executed by a processor allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of Figures 1 and 2.

It is to be noted that embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as circuitry, in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer or smart phone, or user equipment.

As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following: (a) hardware- only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device. The described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages can be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising means for: causing a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; determining a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and causing communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising means for: acquiring local user plane function information and/or local data network information; and wherein the means for determining the local data network comprises means for selecting the local data network and a local user plane function based on the acquired local user plane function information and/or local data network information.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising means for selecting the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on user subscription information.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 2 and 3, comprising means for selecting the local data network and the local user plane function based, at least in part, on a route selection information.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the route selection information comprises at least one of: identity information of the requested application at the local data network; relative priority information with respect to an availability of the requested application at the local data network; waiting time information with respect to an availability of the requested application at the local data network; geographic area of interest information for the requested application; available CPU power information associated with the local data network; and storage capacity information associated with the local data network.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the means for acquiring of local user plane function information and local data network information comprises means for: causing a search request to be transmitted to a network repository function; and receiving the local user plane function information and the local data network information from the network repository function.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the local user plane function information and the local data network information comprises a list of available local data networks and local user plane functions.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 6 and 7, comprising means for: causing a network function status subscription to be transmitted to the network repository function, wherein the status subscription is configured to cause the network repository function to update the session management function in response to a change in profile of the application and/or service associated with the network function; and receiving, from the network repository function, updated network function profile information.

9. An apparatus comprising means for: receiving information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device; and causing the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

10. An apparatus comprising means for: causing a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources; and causing communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network.

11. An apparatus comprising means for: installing an application at a local data network; and causing a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for causing the network repository function to be configured is based on a locally deployed user plane function profile, and wherein the locally deployed user plane function profile comprises an application identifier and platform capabilities.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the platform capabilities comprise at least one of an available CPU power and an available storage capacity.

14. The apparatus of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the means for causing the user data management function to be configured comprises means for causing information relating to one or more communication devices’ eligibility for accessing the installed application to be provided to the user data management function.

15. The apparatus of any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the means for causing the application to be installed comprises means for receiving a request received from at least one of an application function and a user equipment.

16. An apparatus comprising means for: causing an application to be installed at a local data node; and causing an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for causing the application to be installed at a local data node comprises means for receiving an instruction from the operation administration and maintenance function.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the received instruction is received via a corresponding multi-access edge computing/network function virtualization orchestrator.

19. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the locally deployed user plane function profile comprises an application identifier and platform capabilities.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the platform capabilities comprise at least one of an available CPU power and an available storage capacity.

21. A method comprising: causing a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; determining a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and causing communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

22. A method comprising: receiving information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device; and causing the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

23. A method comprising: causing a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources; and causing communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network.

24. A method comprising: installing an application at a local data network; and causing a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation.

25. A method comprising: causing an application to be installed at a local data node; and causing an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.

26. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: causing a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; determining a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and causing communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

27. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: receiving information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device; and causing the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

28. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: causing a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources; and causing communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network.

29. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: installing an application at a local data network; and causing a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation.

30. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least: causing an application to be installed at a local data node; and causing an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.

31 . An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer code which, when run by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: causing a connectivity request to be received at a session management function from a communications device, the connectivity request indicating one or more of an application and/or cloud resources; determining a local data network at a session management function, the local data network providing the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources; and causing communication between the determined local data network and the communications device to be established to provide the user equipment access to the indicated one or more of the application and/or cloud resources.

32. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer code which, when run by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: receiving information at a local data network from a session management function, the received information comprising information to establish a connection between the local data network to a communications device; and causing the connection between the local data network and the user equipment to be established to provide the user equipment with access to at least one of an application and cloud resources from the local data network.

33. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer code which, when run by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: causing a connectivity request to be transmitted from a communications device to a network, the connectivity request indicating at least one of an application and cloud resources; and causing communication with a local data network of the network to be established to access the at least one of the requested application and cloud resources from the local data network.

34. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer code which, when run by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: installing an application at a local data network; and causing a network repository function and a user data management function to be configured based on the installation.

35. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory storing computer code which, when run by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to: causing an application to be installed at a local data node; and causing an acknowledgement of the installation to be transmitted to an operation administration and maintenance function, wherein the acknowledgement is configured to cause the operation administration and maintenance function to configure a network repository function and a user data management function based on a locally deployed user plane function profile.