Distributed data store-equipped evolved packet core apparatus and method

A method, comprising:

• storing, by a distributed data store, user equipment information received from a mobility management entity;
• storing, by the distributed data store, gateway information received from a plurality of gateway user plane services and computing resources;
• receiving, at one or more gateway controllers, a message from the mobility management entity associated with a service request for a user equipment;
• in response to the message, querying, by the one or more gateway controllers, the distributed data store for at least a portion of the user equipment information and at least a portion of the gateway information;
• and
• identifying, by the one or more gateway controllers, at least one gateway in connection with the gateway user plane services, based on the at least portion of the user equipment information and the at least portion of the gateway information, for use in servicing the service request for the user equipment.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a non-transitory memory storage comprising instructions;
• and
• one or more processors in communication with the memory storage, wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:
• store user equipment information received from a mobility management entity;
• store gateway information received from a plurality of gateway user plane services and computing resources;
• receive a message from the mobility management entity associated with a service request for a user equipment;
• in response to the message, query the distributed data store for at least a portion of the user equipment information and at least a portion of the gateway information;
• and
• identify at least one gateway in connection with the gateway user plane services, based on the at least portion of the user equipment information and the at least portion of the gateway information, for use in servicing the service request for the user equipment.