Systems and methods for user plane path selection, reselection, and notification of user plane changes

A network node for notifying network functions of User Plane (UP) changes in a communications network, the network node comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• machine readable memory storing machine executable instructions which when executed by the processor configure the network node to:
• receive UP change notification information, the UP change notification information indicative of UP changes initiated by a 3rd party entity;
• and
• transmit a UP change notification configuration request to a control plane function that maintains configuration data, the UP change notification configuration request generated in accordance with the UP change notification information.

A network node for notifying network functions of User Plane (UP) changes in a communications network, the network node comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• machine readable memory storing machine executable instructions which when executed by the processor configure the network node to:
• receive a UP change notification configuration request, the UP change notification configuration request indicative of UP changes initiated by a 3rd party entity;
• and
• enforce the UP change notification for UP changes in the communications network.

A method for notifying network functions of User Plane (UP) changes in a communications network, the method comprising:

• applying, by a session management function (SMF), a UP change configuration;
• performing, by the SMF, UP path selection or reselection;
• determining, by the SMF, UP changes required based on the UP path selection or reselection;
• and
• transmitting, by the SMF, a UP change notification when UP changes are required.

A network node for notifying network functions of User Plane (UP) changes in a communications network, the network node comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• machine readable memory storing machine executable instructions which when executed by the processor configure the network node to:
• apply a UP change configuration;
• perform UP path selection or reselection;
• determining if UP changes are required based on the UP path selection or reselection;
• and
• transmit a UP change notification when UP changes are required.

A network node for notifying network functions of User Plane (UP) changes in a communications network, the network node comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• machine readable memory storing machine executable instructions which when executed by the processor configure the network node to:
• receive a UP change notification indicative of UP changes;
• and
• transmit a notification indicating the UP changes.