Application server assisted content management in cellular network

An application server for content management in a cellular network, the application server comprising:

• a memory;
• a processor;
• and
• a content management module, operably connected to the memory and the processor, configured to:
• receive a content request comprising a file identity from a User Equipment (UE),
• perform, upon receiving the content request, at least one action associated with content caching, content retrieval, and content deletion,
• assign one or more assisting parameters in a header of an Internet Protocol (IP) packet, based on the at least one performed action, and
• assist at least one of a User Plane Function (UPF) device, and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) device of the cellular network to manage content, based on the one or more assigned assisting parameters.

A User Plane Function (UPF) device for content management in a cellular network, the UPF device comprising:

• a memory;
• a processor;
• and
• a content management module, operably connected to the memory and the processor, configured to:
• receive at least one of a header information associated with an Internet Protocol (IP) packet and a content packet data associated with the content from an application server, with one or more assigned assisting parameters,
• determine whether a cache bit is enabled or disabled and whether a retrieve bit is enabled or disabled upon receiving the one or more assigned assisting parameters from the application server,
• perform one of:
• caching, to a Radio Access Network (RAN) core database, the received content packet data based on a file identity, and a part identity in response to determining that the cache bit is enabled, and the retrieve bit is disabled,
• retrieving, from the RAN core database, the cached content packet data based on the file identity, and the part identity in response to determining that the cache bit is disabled, and the retrieve bit is enabled, and adding the header information in the cached content packet data, or
• deleting, from the RAN core database, the cached content packet data based on the file identity, and the part identity in response to determining that the cache bit is enabled, and the retrieve bit is enabled, and
• send the content to a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) device when the content associated with the file identity is available at the cellular network.