Verizon Communications Inc.
Mechanisms for enabling negotiation of API versions and supported features

Abstract:

A system includes one or more devices that include a memory to store instructions and one or more processors to execute the instructions. The devices include an updated network function (NF) service producer that includes a recent update, wherein the NF service producer is configured to register at a Network Repository Function (NRF) using a Network Function profile (NF profile), wherein the NF profile indicates a Network Function type (NF type) and Application Programming Interface versions. The devices further include a network function (NF) service consumer configured to: receive a message from a network component; determine to engage a service of a NF service producer of the NF type based on the message; and send a discovery request to the NRF in response to the message, wherein the message includes search criteria that specify a version field extended with an operator dependent version field.