# US 2022/0046484 A1 · Method and Functions for Handling a UE's Access to a DN > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0046484 A1 - Document ID: US20220046484A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/276,183 - Filed: 2018-09-26 - Published: 2022-02-10 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-26 - Assignees: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) - Applicants: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) - Inventors: Helen Örtenblad; Jan Backman; Göran Hall - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220046484A1 ## CPC - H04W 36/0007: {for multicast or broadcast services, e.g. MBMS (multicast or broadcast application services H04W4/06; resource management for broadcast services H04W72/30; connection management for selective distribution or broadcast H04W76/40)} - H04L 45/64: using an overlay routing layer - H04L 67/147: Signalling methods or messages providing extensions to protocols defined by standardisation - H04L 67/568: Storing data temporarily at an intermediate stage, e.g. caching - H04L 67/63: Routing a service request depending on the request content or context - H04W 8/26: Network addressing or numbering for mobility support - H04W 40/34: Modification of an existing route - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a SMF (110) for handling a UEs (101) access to a DN (130) in a 5G communications system. The SMF (110) obtains at least one anycast address supported at a DN/I (130/I) which is accessible by the UE (101) from its location. The SMF (110) sends instructions to a UPF/c (105/c) to report usage of the at least one anycast address. The SMF (110) receives, from the UPF/c (105/c), information that usage of the anycast address has been detected. When usage of the anycast address has been detected, the SMF (110) determines that future usage of the anycast address should be routed to the DN/I (130/I) via the UPF/I (105/I). ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-36. (canceled) ### Claim 37 A method, performed by a Session Management Function (SMF), for handling a User Equipment's (UE) access to a Data Network (DN) in a Fifth Generation (5G) communications system, the method comprising: obtaining at least one anycast address supported at a local Data Network (DN/l) which is accessible by the UE from its location; sending instructions to a central User Plane Function (UPF/c) to report usage of the at least one anycast address; receiving, from the UPF/c, information that usage of the anycast address has been detected; and determining, in response to usage of the anycast address being detected, that future usage of the anycast address should be routed to the DN/l via a local UPF (UPF/l). ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, where the at least one anycast address is obtained by sending a request for the anycast address to a database (DB), and receiving a response with the requested at least one anycast address from the DB. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the anycast address is obtained internally in the SMF. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, further comprising selecting, when there is a plurality of obtained anycast addresses, at least one anycast address from the plurality which are applicable for the UE's subscription. ### Claim 41 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, further comprising sending, in response to usage of the anycast address being detected, instructions to the UE to use a second routing indicator instead of a first routing indicator for routing of data packets. ### Claim 42 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, further comprising sending instructions to the UPF/c to drop data packets with the at least one anycast address. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The method of claim 42, further comprising sending instructions to the UPF/c to send an error message to the UE when the data packet has been dropped. ### Claim 44 A method, performed by a central User Plane Function (UPF/c), for handling a User Equipment's (UE) access to a Data Network (DN) in a Fifth Generation (5G) communications system, the method comprising: receiving instructions from a Session Management Function (SMF) to report usage of at least one anycast address, wherein the at least one anycast address is supported at a local Data Network (DN/l) which is accessible by the UE from its location; detecting usage of the at least one anycast address, wherein the anycast address has been used to access a central Data Network (DN/c) via the UPF/c; and sending, to the SMF, information that usage of the anycast address has been detected. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The method of claim 44, further comprising forwarding, in response to the usage of the at least one anycast address being detected, a data packet with the detected used at least one anycast address to the DN/c. ### Claim 46 (depends on 44) The method of claim 44, further comprising dropping a data packet with the detected used at least one anycast address. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The method of claim 46, further comprising receiving instructions from the SMF to drop data packets with the least one anycast address. ### Claim 48 (depends on 46) The method of claim 46, further comprising: receiving instructions from the SMF to send an error message to the UE when the data packet has been dropped; and sending the error message to the UE when the data packet has been dropped. ### Claim 49 A Session Management Function (SMF) in a Fifth Generation (5G) communications system, the SMF comprising: processing circuitry; memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the SMF is operative to: obtain at least one anycast address supported at a local Data Network (DN/l), which is accessible by a User Equipment (UE) from its location; send instructions to a central User Plane Function (UPF/c) to report usage of the at least one anycast address; receive, from the UPF/c, information that usage of the anycast address has been detected; and determine, in response to usage of the anycast address being detected, that future usage of the anycast address should be routed to the DN/l via a local User Plane Function (UPF/l). ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The SMF of claim 49, wherein the instructions are such that the SMF is operative to obtain the at least one anycast address by sending a request for the anycast address to a database (DB), and receiving a response with the requested at least one anycast address from the DB. ### Claim 51 (depends on 49) The SMF of claim 49, wherein the instructions are such that the SMF is operative to obtain the anycast address internally in the SMF. ### Claim 52 A central User Plane Function (UPF/c) in a Fifth Generation (5G) communications system, the UPF/c comprising: processing circuitry; memory containing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the UPF/c is operative to: receive instructions from a Session Management Function (SMF) to report usage of at least one anycast address, wherein the at least one anycast address is supported at a local Data Network (DN/l) which is accessible by a User Equipment (UE) from its location; detect usage of the at least one anycast address, wherein the anycast address has been used to access a central Data Network (DN/c) via the UPF/c; and send, to the SMF, information that usage of the anycast address has been detected. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The UPF/c of claim 52, wherein the instructions are such that the UPF/c is operative to forward, when the usage of the anycast address has been detected, a data packet with the detected used at least one anycast address to the DN/c. ### Claim 54 (depends on 52) The UPF/c of claim 52, wherein the instructions are such that the UPF/c is operative to drop a data packet with the detected used at least one anycast address. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The UPF/c of claim 54, wherein the instructions are such that the UPF/c is operative to receive instructions from the SMF to drop data packets with the least one anycast address. ### Claim 56 (depends on 54) The UPF/c of claim 54, wherein the instructions are such that the UPF/c is operative to: receive instructions from the SMF to send an error message to the UE when the data packet has been dropped; and send the error message to the UE when the data packet has been dropped.