Systems and methods for service and session continuity in software defined topology management

A device for migration of a session from a first user plane function (UPF) to a second UPF, the device comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• machine readable memory storing machine executable instructions which when executed by the processor configure the device to:
• select the second UPF for communication with a User Equipment (UE);
• send instructions for instantiation of a network path from the UE to the second UPF;
• send instructions to an access node communicative with the UE, to use the second UPF for one or more new sessions;
• evaluate a migration criteria;
• and
• upon satisfying the migration criteria, send instructions to the access node communicative with the UE, to migrate one or more previously existing sessions from the first UPF to the second UPF.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable statements and instructions thereon that, when executed by a computer, perform operations for migration of a session from a first user plane function (UPF) to a second UPF, the operations comprising:

• selecting, by the session management component, the second UPF for communication with a User Equipment (UE);
• sending, by the session management component, instructions for instantiation of a network path from the UE to the second UPF;
• sending, by the session management component, instructions to an access node communicative with the UE, to use the second UPF for one or more new sessions;
• evaluating, by the session management component, a migration criteria;
• and
• upon satisfying the migration criteria, sending, by the session management component, instructions to the access node communicative with the UE, to migrate one or more previously existing sessions from the first UPF to the second UPF.