Release H - CAPIF

CAPIF stands for common API framework and it was developed by 3GPP to enable a unified Northbound API framework across 3GPP network functions, and to ensure that there is a single and harmonized approach for API development.

Among its key features  are:

• Onboarding/offboarding API invoker

• Discovery APIs

• Register/deregister APIs

• CAPIF events subscription/notification

• Entity authentication/authorization

• Support for 3rd party domains i.e., allow 3rd party API providers to leverage the CAPIF framework

• Support interconnection between two CAPIF providers

Open

CAPIF Functional Model

The CAPIF core function consists of the following capabilities:

-  Authenticating the API invoker based on the identity and other information required for authentication of the API invoker;

-  Supporting mutual authentication with the API invoker;

-  Providing authorization for the API invoker prior to accessing the service API;

-  Publishing, storing and supporting the discovery of service APIs information;

-  Monitoring the service API invocations;

-  Onboarding a new API invoker and offboarding an API invoker;

-  Supports publishing, discovery of service APIs information with another CAPIF core function in CAPIF interconnection.

The API invoker is the entity which invokes the CAPIF or service APIs, typically provided by a 3rd party application provider who has service agreement with PLMN operator.

The API invoker supports the following capabilities:

-  Triggering API invoker onboarding/offboarding;

-  Supporting the authentication by providing the API invoker identity and other information required for authentication of the API invoker;

-  Supporting mutual authentication with CAPIF;

-  Obtaining the authorization prior to accessing the service API;

-  Discovering service APIs information; and

-  Invoking the service APIs.

The entity which provides the service communication entry point for the service APIs. Provides access control, logging, charging, provides authentication and authorization support.

The entity that enables the API provider to publish the Service APIs information in order to enable the discovery of APIs by the API invoker.

The entity which registers and maintains registration information of the API provider domain functions on the CAPIF core function

The table below lists the CAPIF Core Function APIs that are currently implemented: