Systems and methods for virtualized session management

A device comprising:

• a processor configured to:
• maintain a plurality of session management entities (SMEs) for a core network associated with a radio access network (RAN);
• establish a communication session using a first SME, of the plurality of SMEs;
• store session data for the communication session in a communication session database accessible by each of the plurality of SMEs;
• receive, using a second SME of the plurality of SMEs, a message associated with the communication session;
• retrieve, using the second SME, session data for the communication session from the communication session database, based on receiving the message;
• and
• process, using the second SME, the message using the retrieved session data.

A non-transitory computer-readable memory device storing instructions executable one a processor, the non-transitory computer-readable memory device comprising:

• one or more instructions to maintain a plurality of session management entities (SMEs) for a core network associated with a radio access network (RAN);
• one or more instructions to establish a communication session using a first SME, of the plurality of SMEs;
• one or more instructions to store session data for the communication session in a communication session database accessible by each of the plurality of SMEs;
• one or more instructions to receive, using a second SME of the plurality of SMEs, a message associated with the communication session;
• one or more instructions to retrieve, using the second SME, session data for the communication session from the communication session database, based on receiving the message;
• and
• one or more instructions to process, using the second SME, the message using the retrieved session data.