Methods, systems, and computer readable media for lockless communications network resource quota sharing

A system for lockless communications network resource quota sharing, the system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• a memory;
• and
• at a first charging node of a distributed charging system comprising multiple charging nodes, wherein the first charging node is implemented using the at least one processor and memory, wherein the first charging node is for handling communications network resource quota requests associated with a first member of a shared resources plan, wherein a second charging node of the distributed charging system manages resource reservations associated with the shared resources plan, wherein the first charging node is configured for:
• receiving, from a requesting entity, a first communications network resource quota request for requesting a first resource amount from the shared resources plan;
• without locking the shared resources plan and without confirming with the second charging node that the shared resources plan has enough available resources to allot the first resource amount, providing, to the requesting entity, a first communications network resource quota for the first member, wherein the first communications network resource quota indicates a second resource amount less than the first resource amount and/or wherein the first communications network resource quota is associated with a validity time indicating when the first communications network resource quota expires;
• and
• sending, to the second charging node, a first resource reservation request for reserving resources of the shared resources plan.

A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon executable instructions that when executed by at least one processor of a computer cause the computer to perform steps comprising:

• at a first charging node of a distributed charging system comprising multiple charging nodes, wherein the first charging node is for handling communications network resource quota requests associated with a first member of a shared resources plan, wherein a second charging node of the distributed charging system manages resource reservations associated with the shared resources plan:
• receiving, from a requesting entity, a first communications network resource quota request for requesting a first resource amount from the shared resources plan;
• without locking the shared resources plan and without confirming with the second charging node that the shared resources plan has enough available resources to allot the first resource amount, providing, to the requesting entity, a first communications network resource quota for the first member, wherein the first communications network resource quota indicates a second resource amount less than the first resource amount and/or wherein the first communications network resource quota is associated with a validity time indicating when the first communications network resource quota expires;
• and
• sending, to the second charging node, a first resource reservation request for reserving resources of the shared resources plan.