Devices and methods for UE-specific RAN-CN associations

Devices, methods, user equipment (UE), base stations, storage media, and other embodiments are provided for managing associations in a communication network. In one example embodiment, a Next Generation (NG) core network device is configured for an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) with an NG-Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) node. The network device may be configured to access a plurality of Transport Network Link (TNL) associations and generate an AMF configuration update using the TNL associations, the AMF configuration update comprising AMF transport layer address information for the plurality of TNL associations. The network device may then initiate transmission of the AMF configuration update comprising the AMF transport layer address information to the NG-RAN node. Additional embodiments may involve binding updates or setup response messaging for managing associations, along with additional operations.