METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR DISCOVERING NETWORK FUNCTION SERVICE PRODUCERS IN A HIERARCHICAL NETWORK

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for discovering network function (NF) service producers in a hierarchical network are disclosed. One method includes receiving, by a regional NF repository function (NRF) operating in a first region of a hierarchical network, a NF registration request message from a NF service producer operating in the first region and detecting, by the regional NRF, an absence of lnfo and/or lnfoList attribute data in the received NF registration request message. The method further includes creating, by the regional NRF, an entry in Nrflnfo structure information directed toward a root NRF operating in the hierarchical network, wherein the entry includes an nfinstance identifier that identifies the NF service producer and is mapped to an empty structure field indicative of absent lnfo and/or lnfoList attribute data and sending, by the regional NRF to the root NRF, the Nrflnfo structure information via a registration message or update registration message.