Methods, systems, and computer readable media for resource cleanup in communications networks

A system for resource cleanup in a communications network, the system comprising:

• at least one processor;
• a memory;
• and
• a policy control function (PCF) implemented using the at least one processor and the memory, the PCF configured for:
• receiving, from a binding support function (BSF), a first notification indicating a potentially stale or inactive first binding record, wherein the first notification includes context data associated with the first binding record;
• determining that resource cleanup associated with the first binding record should be performed;
• and
• initiating, using the context data, resource cleanup associated with the first binding record at one or more network entities, wherein initiating the resource cleanup comprises:
• using the context data to identify a first network entity of the one or more network entities;
• and sending, to the first network entity, a message for triggering resource cleanup at the first network entity.

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 policy control function (PCF):
• receiving, from a binding support function (BSF), a first notification indicating a potentially stale or inactive first binding record, wherein the first notification includes context data associated with the first binding record;
• determining that resource cleanup associated with the first binding record should be performed;
• and
• initiating, using the context data, resource cleanup associated with the first binding record at one or more network entities, wherein initiating the resource cleanup comprises:
• using the context data to identify a first network entity of the one or more network entities;
• and sending, to the first network entity, a message for triggering resource cleanup at the first network entity.