# US 2021/0243587 A1 · Session management function selection in home mobile communications network > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0243587 A1 - Document ID: US20210243587A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/768,850 - Filed: 2017-12-04 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-04 - Assignees: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy - Applicants: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy - Inventors: Klaus HOFFMANN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210243587A1 ## CPC - H04W 8/00: Network data management - H04W 8/06: Registration at serving network Location Register, VLR or user mobility server - H04W 76/10: Connection setup - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract Upon receiving (S10) a request in a visited network in which a UE is roaming, an SMF selection function (10) of the visited network selects an H-SMF located in a home network of the UE by transmitting (S20) information indicating requirements towards an H-NRF (20) located in the home network, receiving (S40), based on the transmission of the information, at least one candidate H-SMF complying with the requirements, and selecting (S50) the H-SMF from the at least one candidate H-SMF. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method, comprising: upon receiving a request in a visited network in which a user equipment is roaming, performing selection of a home session management function, H-SMF, located in a home network of the user equipment, wherein the selection comprises: transmitting information indicating requirements towards a home network repository function, H-NRF, located in the home network; based on the transmission of the information, receiving at least one candidate H-SMF complying with the requirements; and selecting the H-SMF from the at least one candidate H-SMF. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the selection is performed by a function located in the visited network. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the selection is performed by a visited access and mobility management function, V-AMF, located in the visited network. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the request comprises a request for a new packet data unit session. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises service information. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the information is transmitted towards the H-NRF via a visited network repository function, V-NRF, located in the visited network. ### Claim 7 A method, comprising: upon receiving information indicating requirements from a visited network in which a user equipment is roaming, evaluating the requirements by a home network repository function, H-NRF, located in a home network of the user equipment; and returning at least one candidate home session management function, H-SMF, complying with the requirements. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program comprising software code portions which cause a processing device to perform the method of claim 1 when the program is run on the processing device. ### Claim 9 An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: upon receiving a request in a visited network in which a user equipment is roaming, performing selection of a home session management function, H-SMF, located in a home network of the user equipment, wherein the selection comprises: transmitting information indicating requirements towards a home network repository function, H-NRF, located in the home network; based on the transmission of the information, receiving at least one candidate H-SMF complying with the requirements; and selecting the H-SMF from the at least one candidate H-SMF. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the selection by a function located in the visited network. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the selection by a visited access and mobility management function, V-AMF, located in the visited network. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the request comprises a request for a new packet data unit session. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the information comprises service information. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to transmit the information towards the H-NRF via a visited network repository function, V-NRF, located in the visited network. ### Claim 15 An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: upon receiving information indicating requirements from a visited network in which a user equipment is roaming, evaluating the requirements by a home network repository function, H-NRF, located in a home network of the user equipment; and returning at least one candidate home session management function, H-SMF, complying with the requirements.