Systems and methods for next generation mobile network optimized media path selection

A network device, comprising:

• a communication interface configured to receive a first message that includes an identifier (ID) of a first User Plane Function (UPF) serving a first device in a wireless network, wherein the first message invites a second device to engage in a session with the first device and wherein the first UPF supports packet routing and forwarding within the wireless network;
• and
• one or more processors configured to:
• extract the ID of the first UPF from the first message;
• determine a closest media resource function (MRF) to the first UPF, wherein the MRF processes and routes media streams between devices, and wherein, when determining the closest MRF to the first UPF, the one or more processors are configured to:
• perform, using the ID of the first UPF, a lookup into a MRF database that maps UPF IDs to corresponding MRFs that are closest to particular UPFs, and
• retrieve an ID of the MRF;
• and
• assign the determined MRF as an anchor, in a network path between the first device and the second device, for processing and routing of media streamed between the first device and the second device.

A non-transitory storage medium storing instructions executable by a network device, wherein the instructions comprise instructions to cause the network device to:

• receive a first message that includes an identifier (ID) of a first User Plane Function (UPF), serving a first device, in a wireless network, wherein the first message invites a second device to engage in a session with the first device and wherein the first UPF supports packet routing and forwarding within the wireless network;
• extract the ID of the first UPF from the first message;
• determine a closest media resource function (MRF) to the first UPF, wherein the MRF processes and routes media streams between devices, and wherein the instructions to cause the network device to determine the closest MRF to the first UPF further comprise instructions to cause the network device to:
• perform, using the ID of the first UPF, a lookup into a MRF database that maps UPF IDs to corresponding MRFs that are closest to particular UPFs, and
• retrieve an ID of the MRF;
• and
• assign the determined MRF as an anchor, in a network path between the first device and the second device, for processing and routing of media streamed between the first device and the second device.