Service record tracker network function

A communication network service record tracker, comprising:

• an at least one processor;
• a data store comprising a plurality of service record blockchains;
• a non-transitory memory;
• and
• a service record tracker application stored in the non-transitory memory that, when executed by the at least one processor, provides a service record tracker network function that extends an application programing interface (API) to network functions instantiated in a communication network and
• receives notices of network events from network function instances via the API,
• in response to receiving a notice of a network event from a network function, invokes an API of the network function to request information about the network event,
• receives information about the network event, where the information comprises at least one of a PDU session identity, a network edge application instance identity, a network edge application software version identity, a session anchor identity, a network function instance identity, a network slice identity, and a user equipment identity,
• builds a block comprising the information about the network event, and
• adds the block to one of the plurality of service record blockchains in the data store,
• whereby the service record tracker application establishes and maintains an immutable service record of network communication events accessible by authorized communication network applications.

A method of monitoring communication events in a 5G communication network, comprising:

• receiving a first event message identifying a packet data unit (PDU) session from a session management function (SMF) by a service record tracker network function (SRT) executing on a computer;
• sending a request for information about the PDU session by the SRT to the SMF;
• receiving an information response by the SRT from the SMF comprising information about the PDU session that is at least one of a PDU session identity, a network edge application instance identity, a network edge application software version identity, a session anchor identity, an SMF instance identity, a network slice identity, and a user equipment identity;
• building a first block that comprises the information about the PDU session received from the SMF by the SRT;
• adding the first block to a blockchain associated with the PDU session by the SRT;
• receiving a second event message identifying the PDU session from an access and mobility management function (AMF) by the SRT;
• sending a second request for information about the PDU session by the SRT to the AMF;
• receiving a second information response by the SRT from the AMF comprising information about the PDU session that is at least one of a PDU session identity, a network edge application instance identity, a network edge application software version identity, a session anchor identity, an SMF instance identity, a network slice identity, and a user equipment identity;
• building a second block that comprises the information about the PDU session received from the AMF by the SRT;
• adding the second block to the blockchain associated with the PDU session by the SRT;
• reading blocks of a plurality of blockchains including the blockchain associated with the PDU session;
• and
• analyzing the information stored in the blocks read from the plurality of blockchains.