A method for obtaining and maintaining Internet protocol (IP) address pools and using the IP address pools to respond to IP address allocation requests from service management functions (SMFs) includes, at an IP address provider microservice implemented using at least one processor, obtaining from dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) servers, a plurality of IP addresses and corresponding IP address leases and storing the IP addresses in IP address pools. The steps further include maintaining the IP address leases. The method further includes receiving, from an SMF, a request for allocation of an IP address. The method further includes allocating one of the IP addresses from one of the pools to the SMF. The method further includes communicating the IP address to the SMF.