Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes providing, by a processing system including a processor, a controller function for a user plane function (UPF) of a communication network; the controller function facilitates automated procedures for authentication, deployment, configuration, testing, and/or controlling availability of the UPF, independent of a source of the UPF. The method also includes providing, by the processing system, an interface to facilitate communication between the controller function and the UPF; the controller function uses the interface to facilitate the procedures. Other embodiments are disclosed.