Methods providing dynamic nef tunnel allocation and related network nodes/functions

Abstract

Methods are provided to operate an SMF node. A request to create a session for a wireless device is received. A communication establishment request is transmitted to an NEF node responsive to receiving the request to create the session for the wireless device, wherein the communication establishment request includes UPF node information for a tunnel between a UPF node and the NEF node to be used for the session for the wireless device. A communication establishment response is received from the NEF node, wherein the communication establishment response includes NEF node information for the tunnel between the UPF node and the NEF node to be used for the session for the wireless device. A tunnel information update is transmitted to the UPF node after receiving the communication establishment response, wherein the tunnel information update includes the NEF node information for the tunnel between the UPF node and the NEF node.

1 . A User Plane Function (UPF) node for a communication network, the UPF node comprising:
 a processor; and   memory coupled with the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
 receive a tunnel information update from a Session Management Function (SMF) node, wherein the tunnel information update includes Network Exposure Function (NEF) node information for a tunnel between the UPF node and a NEF node to be used for a session for a wireless device; 
 establish the tunnel between the NEF node and the UPF node for the session for the wireless device using the NEF node information for the tunnel; and 
 provide communication of data for the session for the wireless device through the tunnel.