Support of protocol data unit session types in the network

A method, comprising:

• receiving at a new protocol data unit session anchor of a protocol data unit session with a user equipment, from a session management function via an interface, N4, used for transmitting communications between the session management function and the new protocol data unit session anchor, an N4 message, wherein the N4 message comprises a media access control address of the user equipment and wherein the N4 message comprises a trigger for transmission of a gratuitous address resolution protocol packet indicating the media access control address;
• sending, in response to the N4 message, from the new protocol data unit session anchor a gratuitous address resolution protocol packet comprising the media access control address of the user equipment and announcing to a data network of the new protocol data unit session anchor;
• and
• receiving at least one of uplink data at the new protocol data unit session anchor from the user equipment or downlink data via the data network.

A system, comprising:

• a determining function configured to determine a new protocol data unit session anchor of a protocol data unit session with a user equipment;
• a first transmitting function configured to transmit, to the new protocol data unit session anchor, via an interface, N4, used for transmitting communications between the session management function and the new protocol data unit session anchor, a request to establish the new protocol data unit session anchor;
• a second transmitting function configured to transmit an indication to a radio access network, wherein the indication notifies the radio access network to switch paths to the new protocol data unit session anchor;
• a first sending function configured to send, via the N4 interface, an N4 message to the determined new packet data unit session anchor after the transmitting of the request and the indication, wherein the N4 message comprises a media access control address of the user equipment in the protocol data unit session and wherein the N4 message comprises a trigger for transmission of a gratuitous address resolution protocol packet indicating the media access control address;
• and
• a second sending function configured to send, in response to the N4 message, from the new packet data unit session anchor, a gratuitous address resolution protocol packet comprising the media access control address for the user equipment.

An apparatus, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one memory comprising computer program code;
• wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to:
• receive, from a session management function via an interface, N4, used for transmitting communications between the session management function and the apparatus, an N4 message, wherein the N4 message comprises a media access control address of a user equipment and wherein the N4 message comprises a trigger for transmission of a gratuitous address resolution protocol packet indicating the media access control address;
• send, in response to the N4 message, a gratuitous address resolution protocol packet comprising the media access control address of the user equipment and announcing to a data network of the apparatus;
• and
• receive at least one of uplink data from the user equipment or downlink data via the data network.