1 About Network Repository Function

This section includes information about the role of Network Repository Function (NRF) in 5G Service Based Architecture.

The NRF is a key component of the 5G Service Based Architecture. The NRF maintains an updated repository of all the 5G elements available in the operator's network along with the services provided by each of the elements in the 5G core that are expected to be instantiated, scaled and terminated without or minimal manual intervention. In addition to serving as a repository of the services, the NRF also supports discovery mechanisms that allows 5G elements to discover each other and get updated status of the desired elements.

The NRF supports the following functions:

• Maintains the profiles of the available NF instances and their supported services in the 5G core network
• Allows consumer NF instances to discover other providers NF instances in the 5G core network
• Allows NF instances to track the status of other NF instances

The NRF interacts with every other element in the 5G core network and it supports the above functions through the following services:

• Management Services

• Discovery Services