Method and apparatus for a network function

An apparatus for a first network function (NF) in a network system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said apparatus is operative to:
• receive a service discovery request from a second NF, wherein the service discovery request comprises intimacy information of the second NF, wherein the intimacy information comprises at least one of:
• data center information;
• network topology information;
• and
• geography location information;
• and
• send a service discovery response to the second NF, wherein the service discovery response comprises information of at least one third NF or at least one sub-instance of the third NF, wherein intimacy information of the at least one third NF or the at least one sub-instance of the third NF corresponding to the intimacy information of the second NF is stored in the first NF.

An apparatus for a second network-function (NF) in a network system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said apparatus is operative to:
• send a service discovery request to a first NF, wherein the service discovery request comprises intimacy information of the second NF, wherein the intimacy information comprises at least one of:
• data center information;
• network topology information;
• and
• geography location information;
• and
• receive a service discovery response from the first NF, wherein the service discovery response comprises information of at least one third NF or at least one sub-instance of the third NF, wherein intimacy information of the at least one third NF or the at least one sub-instance of the third NF corresponding to the intimacy information of the second NF is stored in the first NF.

An apparatus for a third network function (NF) in a network system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said apparatus is operative to:
• send intimacy information of the third NF or a sub-instance of the third NF to a first NF;
• and
• receive, from the first NF, a response of acknowledgement for storing of the intimacy information in the first NF;
• wherein the intimacy information comprises at least one of:
• data center information;
• network topology information;
• and
• geography location information.

An apparatus for a first network-function (NF) in a network system, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor, whereby said apparatus is operative to:
• receive intimacy information of a third NF from the third NF, or receiving intimacy information of a sub-instance of the third NF from the sub-instance of the third NF;
• and
• store the intimacy information in the first NF;
• wherein the intimacy information comprises at least one of:
• data center information;
• and
• geography location information.