Separation of Network Function and Its Realization

A method, implemented by a node in a communications network, for managing cloud-native services associated with a Radio Access Network (RAN), the method comprising:

• receiving a service notification for a Network Function (NF), implemented by one or more cloud-native services;
• modifying an association between the NF and the one or more cloud-native services based on the service notification;
• and
• managing the one or more cloud-native services responsive to the modifying.

A node in a communications network configured to manage cloud-native services associated with a Radio Access Network (RAN), the node comprising:

• communications interface circuitry configured to receive a service notification for a Network Function (NF), implemented by one or more cloud-native services;
• processing circuitry communicatively connected to the communications interface circuitry;
• and
• memory comprising instructions executable by the processing circuitry such that the node is configured to:
• modify an association between the NF and the one or more cloud-native services based on the service notification;
• and
• manage the one or more cloud-native services responsive to the modifying.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising a computer program stored thereon, the computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by processing circuitry in a node configured to manage cloud-native services associated with a Radio Access Network (RAN), causes the node to:

• receive a service notification for a Network Function (NF), implemented by one or more cloud-native services;
• modify an association between the NF and the one or more cloud-native services based on the service notification;
• and
• manage the one or more cloud-native services responsive to the modifying.