In one embodiment, a method comprises: first determining, by a controller, a target load for each of at least first and second wireless data networks rooted by respective first and second root network devices; second determining, by the controller, that at least a prescribed minimum number of network devices attached within the first wireless data network need to migrate from the first wireless data network to the second wireless data network based on the respective target loads; and causing, by the controller, the prescribed minimum number of network devices to migrate from the first wireless data network to the second wireless data network, based on the controller sending to the first and second root network devices enrollment priorities to be advertised by the first and second root network devices, respectively.

Disclosed is a method performed by a network node (130, 140, 160) of a wireless communication network (100) comprising a first (130) and a second (140) core network node and a first (150) and a second (160) base station (150). A session of a wireless device (170) comprises data packets routed via a plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120) from a data network (110). In connection with the wireless device (170) handing over from the first base station (150) and the first core network node (130) to the second base station (160) and the second core network node (140), the method comprises receiving information of the number of the plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120) via which data packets of the session are routed, receiving data packets from the plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120), receiving an end marker of each of the plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120), each end marker indicating a last data packet of one of the plurality of anchor network nodes routed via the first core network node (130), and when the number of received end markers equals the number of the plurality of anchor network nodes, triggering to send to the wireless device (170) any data packets related to the session not routed via the first base station stored in a buffer of the second base station.

Disclosed is a method performed by a network node (130, 140, 160) of a wireless communication network (100) comprising a first (130) and a second (140) core network node and a first (150) and a second (160) base station (150). A session of a wireless device (170) comprises data packets routed via a plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120) from a data network (110). In connection with the wireless device (170) handing over from the first base station (150) and the first core network node (130) to the second base station (160) and the second core network node (140), the method comprises receiving information of the number of the plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120) via which data packets of the session are routed, receiving data packets from the plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120), receiving an end marker of each of the plurality of anchor network nodes (115, 120), each end marker indicating a last data packet of one of the plurality of anchor network nodes routed via the first core network node (130), and when the number of received end markers equals the number of the plurality of anchor network nodes, triggering to send to the wireless device (170) any data packets related to the session not routed via the first base station stored in a buffer of the second base station.

The present disclosure relates to session establishment methods, systems, and devices. One example method includes obtaining, by a first mobility management entity, information about a packet data network (PDN) connection that has been established when a terminal accesses an evolved packet core (EPC) network, and obtaining, by the first mobility management entity, single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) of a network slice corresponding to the PDN connection.

Disclosed herein is a method performed by a first network node (e.g., SMF/PGW-C #1) for interworking between a 4G Evolved Packet Network (EPC) and a 5G core (5GC). The method comprises: receiving, at a first network node, a request to create a session for a User Equipment (UE) for a particular Access Point Name/Data Network Name (APN/DNN); determining that the first network node is not configured to support a subscribed network slice of the UE that contains the particular APN/DNN; identifying a second network node (e.g., PGW2 or second SMF/PGW-C) that is configured to support the subscribed network slice of the UE that contains the particular APN/DNN; and transferring, to the second network node, the request to create a session for the UE for the particular APN/DNN.

Disclosed herein is a method performed by a first network node (e.g., SMF/PGW-C #1) for interworking between a 4G Evolved Packet Network (EPC) and a 5G core (5GC). The method comprises: receiving, at a first network node, a request to create a session for a User Equipment (UE) for a particular Access Point Name/Data Network Name (APN/DNN); determining that the first network node is not configured to support a subscribed network slice of the UE that contains the particular APN/DNN; identifying a second network node (e.g., PGW2 or second SMF/PGW-C) that is configured to support the subscribed network slice of the UE that contains the particular APN/DNN; and transferring, to the second network node, the request to create a session for the UE for the particular APN/DNN.

Disclosed is a method and access management entity for selecting a session management (SM) entity for serving a wireless communication device (WCD) in a core network that comprises an access management entity serving the WCD and an anchor SM entity that controls a first user plane entity that handles a data session associated with the WCD in a first domain, and a second SM entity for controlling a second user plane entity in a second domain of the core network. The method is performed by the access management entity and comprises selecting—based on WCD information and SM domain information—the second SM entity as an additional intermediate SM entity to control a user plane entity in the second domain for handling the data session in the second domain; requesting the second SM entity to act as the additional intermediate SM; and receiving a session response message.

Disclosed is a method and access management entity for selecting a session management (SM) entity for serving a wireless communication device (WCD) in a core network that comprises an access management entity serving the WCD and an anchor SM entity that controls a first user plane entity that handles a data session associated with the WCD in a first domain, and a second SM entity for controlling a second user plane entity in a second domain of the core network. The method is performed by the access management entity and comprises selecting—based on WCD information and SM domain information—the second SM entity as an additional intermediate SM entity to control a user plane entity in the second domain for handling the data session in the second domain; requesting the second SM entity to act as the additional intermediate SM; and receiving a session response message.

Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are disclosed for network slice selection and/or reselection. A WTRU may receive updated assistance information for network slice selection and/or reselection. The WTRU may apply local policies to determine when to use the updated assistance information to access a network slice. The WTRU may determine whether to contact an existing network slice function or a new network slice function to establish a connection to a network slice. Based on the determination, the WTRU may transmit different information to the network. The network slice selection and/or reselection may be initiated by a WTRU or by a network.

Systems, methods and computer software are disclosed for supporting idle mode signaling reduction (ISR) core offload. In one embodiment a method includes providing an eNodeB co-located with a NodeB, and a User Equipment (UE) with ISR enabled; activating ISR when the UE goes idle and is switching between different Radio Access Technologies (RATs), and wherein UE connections are maintained with a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and a Mobility Management Entity (MME).