diff --git a/nfapi/oai_integration/nfapi_vnf.c b/nfapi/oai_integration/nfapi_vnf.c
index f7b5575084..32c0e61ee7 100644
--- a/nfapi/oai_integration/nfapi_vnf.c
+++ b/nfapi/oai_integration/nfapi_vnf.c
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@
 #include "nfapi_nr_interface_scf.h"
 #include "nfapi_vnf_interface.h"
 #include "nfapi_vnf.h"
+#include <vnf.h>
+#include <vnf_p7.h>
 #include "nfapi.h"
 #include "vendor_ext.h"
 
@@ -1448,6 +1450,7 @@ void *vnf_nr_p7_thread_start(void *ptr)
   p7_vnf->config->unpack_func = &nfapi_nr_p7_message_unpack;
   p7_vnf->config->hdr_unpack_func = &nfapi_nr_p7_message_header_unpack;
   p7_vnf->config->pack_func = &nfapi_nr_p7_message_pack;
+  p7_vnf->config->send_p7_msg = &vnf_nr_send_p7_msg;
   NFAPI_TRACE(NFAPI_TRACE_INFO, "[VNF] Creating VNF NFAPI P7 start thread %s\n", __FUNCTION__);
   pthread_create(&vnf_p7_start_pthread, NULL, &vnf_nr_p7_start_thread, p7_vnf->config);
   return 0;
@@ -1868,6 +1871,7 @@ void configure_nr_nfapi_vnf(char *vnf_addr, int vnf_p5_port, char *pnf_ip_addr,
   config->unpack_func = &nfapi_nr_p5_message_unpack;
   config->hdr_unpack_func = &nfapi_nr_p5_message_header_unpack;
   config->pack_func = &nfapi_nr_p5_message_pack;
+  config->send_p5_msg = &vnf_nr_send_p5_message;
   NFAPI_TRACE(NFAPI_TRACE_INFO, "[VNF] Creating VNF NFAPI start thread %s\n", __FUNCTION__);
   pthread_create(&vnf_start_pthread, NULL, (void *)&vnf_nr_start_thread, config);
   NFAPI_TRACE(NFAPI_TRACE_INFO, "[VNF] Created VNF NFAPI start thread %s\n", __FUNCTION__);
@@ -1963,13 +1967,13 @@ int oai_nfapi_dl_tti_req(nfapi_nr_dl_tti_request_t *dl_config_req)
   dl_config_req->header.message_id= NFAPI_NR_PHY_MSG_TYPE_DL_TTI_REQUEST;
   dl_config_req->header.phy_id = 1; // HACK TODO FIXME - need to pass this around!!!!
 
-  int retval = nfapi_vnf_p7_nr_dl_config_req(p7_config, dl_config_req);
+  bool retval = nfapi_vnf_p7_nr_dl_config_req(p7_config, dl_config_req);
 
   dl_config_req->dl_tti_request_body.nPDUs                        = 0;
   dl_config_req->dl_tti_request_body.nGroup                       = 0;
 
 
-  if (retval!=0) {
+  if (!retval) {
     LOG_E(PHY, "%s() Problem sending retval:%d\n", __FUNCTION__, retval);
   }
   return retval;
@@ -1982,9 +1986,9 @@ int oai_nfapi_tx_data_req(nfapi_nr_tx_data_request_t *tx_data_req)
   tx_data_req->header.phy_id = 1; // HACK TODO FIXME - need to pass this around!!!!
   tx_data_req->header.message_id = NFAPI_NR_PHY_MSG_TYPE_TX_DATA_REQUEST;
   //LOG_D(PHY, "[VNF] %s() TX_REQ sfn_sf:%d number_of_pdus:%d\n", __FUNCTION__, NFAPI_SFNSF2DEC(tx_req->sfn_sf), tx_req->tx_request_body.number_of_pdus);
-  int retval = nfapi_vnf_p7_tx_data_req(p7_config, tx_data_req);
+  bool retval = nfapi_vnf_p7_tx_data_req(p7_config, tx_data_req);
 
-  if (retval!=0) {
+  if (!retval) {
     LOG_E(PHY, "%s() Problem sending retval:%d\n", __FUNCTION__, retval);
   } else {
     tx_data_req->Number_of_PDUs = 0;
@@ -2015,9 +2019,9 @@ int oai_nfapi_ul_dci_req(nfapi_nr_ul_dci_request_t *ul_dci_req) {
   ul_dci_req->header.phy_id = 1; // HACK TODO FIXME - need to pass this around!!!!
   ul_dci_req->header.message_id = NFAPI_NR_PHY_MSG_TYPE_UL_DCI_REQUEST;
   //LOG_D(PHY, "[VNF] %s() HI_DCI0_REQ sfn_sf:%d dci:%d hi:%d\n", __FUNCTION__, NFAPI_SFNSF2DEC(hi_dci0_req->sfn_sf), hi_dci0_req->hi_dci0_request_body.number_of_dci, hi_dci0_req->hi_dci0_request_body.number_of_hi);
-  int retval = nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_dci_req(p7_config, ul_dci_req);
+  bool retval = nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_dci_req(p7_config, ul_dci_req);
 
-  if (retval!=0) {
+  if (!retval) {
     LOG_E(PHY, "%s() Problem sending retval:%d\n", __FUNCTION__, retval);
   } else {
     ul_dci_req->numPdus = 0;
@@ -2068,9 +2072,9 @@ int oai_nfapi_ul_tti_req(nfapi_nr_ul_tti_request_t *ul_tti_req) {
   ul_tti_req->header.phy_id = 1; // HACK TODO FIXME - need to pass this around!!!!
   ul_tti_req->header.message_id = NFAPI_NR_PHY_MSG_TYPE_UL_TTI_REQUEST;
 
-  int retval = nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_tti_req(p7_config, ul_tti_req);
+  bool retval = nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_tti_req(p7_config, ul_tti_req);
 
-  if (retval!=0) {
+  if (!retval) {
     LOG_E(PHY, "%s() Problem sending retval:%d\n", __FUNCTION__, retval);
   } else {
     // Reset number of PDUs so that it is not resent
diff --git a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/inc/vnf.h b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/inc/vnf.h
index 26870f5523..006bb2014c 100644
--- a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/inc/vnf.h
+++ b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/inc/vnf.h
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 #include "nfapi_vnf_interface.h"
 
-typedef struct 
+struct vnf_t
 {
 
 	nfapi_vnf_config_t _public;
@@ -31,11 +31,11 @@ typedef struct
 	uint8_t tx_message_buffer[NFAPI_MAX_PACKED_MESSAGE_SIZE];
 	uint16_t next_phy_id;
 	
-} vnf_t;
+};
 
 
 int vnf_pack_and_send_p5_message(vnf_t* vnf, uint16_t p5_idx, nfapi_p4_p5_message_header_t* msg, uint16_t msg_len);
-int vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(vnf_t* vnf, uint16_t p5_idx, nfapi_nr_p4_p5_message_header_t* msg, uint16_t msg_len);
+bool vnf_nr_send_p5_message(vnf_t* vnf, uint16_t p5_idx, nfapi_nr_p4_p5_message_header_t* msg, uint32_t msg_len);
 
 int vnf_pack_and_send_p4_message(vnf_t* vnf, uint16_t p5_idx, nfapi_p4_p5_message_header_t* msg, uint16_t msg_len);
 
diff --git a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/inc/vnf_p7.h b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/inc/vnf_p7.h
index 92623b41b8..d368c0fa83 100644
--- a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/inc/vnf_p7.h
+++ b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/inc/vnf_p7.h
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ typedef struct nfapi_vnf_p7_connection_info {
 
 } nfapi_vnf_p7_connection_info_t;
 
-typedef struct {
+struct vnf_p7_t{
 
 	nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t _public;
 	
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ typedef struct {
 	uint8_t* rx_message_buffer; // would this be better put in the p7 conenction info?
 	uint16_t rx_message_buffer_size;
 	
-} vnf_p7_t;
+};
 
 uint32_t vnf_get_current_time_hr(void);
 
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ nfapi_vnf_p7_connection_info_t* vnf_p7_connection_info_list_find(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p
 nfapi_vnf_p7_connection_info_t* vnf_p7_connection_info_list_delete(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, uint16_t phy_id);
 
 int vnf_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_p7_message_header_t* header);
-int vnf_nr_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_nr_p7_message_header_t* header);
+bool vnf_nr_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_nr_p7_message_header_t* header);
 
 void vnf_p7_release_msg(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_p7_message_header_t* header);
 void vnf_p7_release_pdu(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, void* pdu);
diff --git a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/public_inc/nfapi_vnf_interface.h b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/public_inc/nfapi_vnf_interface.h
index ba01329b2d..c791ff7028 100644
--- a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/public_inc/nfapi_vnf_interface.h
+++ b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/public_inc/nfapi_vnf_interface.h
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@
 extern "C" {
 #endif
 
+typedef struct vnf_t vnf_t;
+typedef struct vnf_p7_t vnf_p7_t;
+
 #define NFAPI_MAX_PACKED_MESSAGE_SIZE 32768
 
 /*! The nfapi VNF phy configuration information
@@ -491,9 +494,19 @@ typedef struct nfapi_vnf_config
                           uint32_t unpackedBufLen,
                           nfapi_p4_p5_codec_config_t* config);
 
+  /*! \brief Sends a (n)FAPI P5 message
+   *
+   *  This function internally packs the given message into a buffer by calling the previously defined pack_func() function pointer
+   *  Then, having the message buffer populated, sends it to the PNF
+   *  \param vnf A pointer to a vnf_t*
+   *  \param p5_idx The index of the P5 PNF intended to receive the message
+   *  \param msg A pointer to the P5 message
+   *  \param msg_len The size of the encoded P5 message header
+   *  \return true on success, false on failure
+   */
+  bool (*send_p5_msg)(vnf_t* vnf, uint16_t p5_idx, nfapi_nr_p4_p5_message_header_t* msg, uint32_t msg_len);
 
 	
-	
 } nfapi_vnf_config_t;
 
 /*! Creates and initialise the vnf config structure before use
@@ -954,6 +967,16 @@ typedef struct nfapi_vnf_p7_config
 						   void* pUnpackedBuf,
 						   uint32_t unpackedBufLen,
 						   nfapi_p7_codec_config_t* config);
+
+  /*! \brief Sends a (n)FAPI P7 message
+   *
+   *  This function internally packs the given message into a buffer by calling the previously defined pack_func() function pointer
+   *  Then, having the message buffer populated, sends it to the PNF
+   *  \param vnf_p7 A pointer to a vnf_p7_t struct
+   *  \param header A pointer to the P7 message to pack & send
+   *  \return true on success, false on failure
+   */
+  bool (*send_p7_msg)(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_nr_p7_message_header_t* header);
 } nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t;
 
 /*! Creates and initializes the nfapi_vnf_p7_config structure before use
@@ -1034,7 +1057,7 @@ int nfapi_vnf_p7_del_pnf(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, int phy_id);
  *  may be released after this function call has returned or at a later pointer
  */
 int nfapi_vnf_p7_dl_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_dl_config_request_t* req);
-int nfapi_vnf_p7_nr_dl_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_dl_tti_request_t* req);
+bool nfapi_vnf_p7_nr_dl_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_dl_tti_request_t* req);
 
 /*! Send the UL_CONFIG.request
  *  \param config A pointer to the vnf p7 configuration
@@ -1045,7 +1068,7 @@ int nfapi_vnf_p7_nr_dl_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_dl_tti
  *  may be released after this function call has returned or at a later pointer
  */
 int nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_ul_config_request_t* req);
-int nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_tti_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_ul_tti_request_t* req);
+bool nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_tti_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_ul_tti_request_t* req);
 /*! Send the HI_DCI0.request
  *  \param config A pointer to the vnf p7 configuration
  *  \param req A data structure for the decoded HI_DCI0.request.
@@ -1055,7 +1078,7 @@ int nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_tti_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_ul_tti_reque
  *  may be released after this function call has returned or at a later pointer
  */
 int nfapi_vnf_p7_hi_dci0_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_hi_dci0_request_t* req);
-int nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_dci_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_ul_dci_request_t* req);
+bool nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_dci_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_ul_dci_request_t* req);
 /*! Send the TX.req
  *  \param config A pointer to the vnf p7 configuration
  *  \param req A data structure for the decoded HI_DCI0.request.
@@ -1065,7 +1088,7 @@ int nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_dci_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_ul_dci_reque
  *  may be released after this function call has returned or at a later pointer
  */
 int nfapi_vnf_p7_tx_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_tx_request_t* req);
-int nfapi_vnf_p7_tx_data_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_tx_data_request_t* req);
+bool nfapi_vnf_p7_tx_data_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_tx_data_request_t* req);
 /*! Send the LBT_DL_CONFIG.requst
  *  \param config A pointer to the vnf p7 configuration
  *  \param req A data structure for the decoded LBT_DL_CONFIG.request.
diff --git a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf.c b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf.c
index 900521f85d..baac137512 100644
--- a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf.c
+++ b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf.c
@@ -1537,7 +1537,7 @@ static int vnf_send_p5_msg(nfapi_vnf_pnf_info_t* pnf, const void *msg, int len,
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(vnf_t* vnf, uint16_t p5_idx, nfapi_nr_p4_p5_message_header_t* msg, uint16_t msg_len)
+bool vnf_nr_send_p5_message(vnf_t* vnf, uint16_t p5_idx, nfapi_nr_p4_p5_message_header_t* msg, uint32_t msg_len)
 {
 	nfapi_vnf_pnf_info_t* pnf = nfapi_vnf_pnf_list_find(&(vnf->_public), p5_idx);
 	
@@ -1554,9 +1554,9 @@ int vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(vnf_t* vnf, uint16_t p5_idx, nfapi_nr_p4_p5_
       int packedMessageLengthFAPI = -1;
       packedMessageLengthFAPI =
           fapi_nr_p5_message_pack(msg, msg_len, tx_messagebufferFAPI, sizeof(tx_messagebufferFAPI), &vnf->_public.codec_config);
-      return aerial_send_P5_msg(tx_messagebufferFAPI, packedMessageLengthFAPI, msg);
+      return aerial_send_P5_msg(tx_messagebufferFAPI, packedMessageLengthFAPI, msg) == 0;
 #else
-      return 0;
+      return true;
 #endif
     } else {
       packedMessageLength = nfapi_nr_p5_message_pack(msg,
@@ -1567,7 +1567,7 @@ int vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(vnf_t* vnf, uint16_t p5_idx, nfapi_nr_p4_p5_
 
       if (packedMessageLength < 0) {
         NFAPI_TRACE(NFAPI_TRACE_ERROR, "nfapi_nr_p5_message_pack failed with return %d\n", packedMessageLength);
-        return -1;
+        return false;
       }
       // printf("msg id = 0x%02x, entire message length: %d\n", msg->message_id, packedMessageLength);
       // for (int i = 0; i < packedMessageLength; i++) {
@@ -1578,7 +1578,7 @@ int vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(vnf_t* vnf, uint16_t p5_idx, nfapi_nr_p4_p5_
     }
   } else {
     NFAPI_TRACE(NFAPI_TRACE_INFO, "%s() cannot find pnf info for p5_idx:%d\n", __FUNCTION__, p5_idx);
-    return -1;
+    return false;
   }
 
 }
diff --git a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_interface.c b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_interface.c
index 633dd18f24..d964e5b9dc 100644
--- a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_interface.c
+++ b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_interface.c
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 /*
  * Copyright 2017 Cisco Systems, Inc.
- * 
+ *
  * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
  * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
  * You may obtain a copy of the License at
- * 
+ *
  * http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
- * 
+ *
  * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
  * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
  * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
+#include "assertions.h"
 
 #include <sys/socket.h>
 #include <sys/types.h>
@@ -894,8 +895,8 @@ int nfapi_nr_vnf_pnf_param_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_nr_
 		return -1;
 
 	vnf_t* _this = (vnf_t*)(config);
-
-	return vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_pnf_param_request_t));
+  AssertFatal(config->send_p5_msg, "Function pointer must be configured\n");
+	return config->send_p5_msg(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_pnf_param_request_t));
 }
 
 int nfapi_vnf_pnf_param_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_pnf_param_request_t* req)
@@ -914,8 +915,8 @@ int nfapi_nr_vnf_pnf_config_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_nr
 		return -1;
 
 	vnf_t* _this = (vnf_t*)(config);
-
-	return vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_pnf_config_request_t));
+  AssertFatal(config->send_p5_msg, "Function pointer must be configured\n");
+	return config->send_p5_msg(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_pnf_config_request_t));
 }
 
 
@@ -945,8 +946,8 @@ int nfapi_nr_vnf_pnf_start_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_nr_
 		return -1;
 
 	vnf_t* _this = (vnf_t*)(config);
-
-	return vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_pnf_start_request_t));
+  AssertFatal(config->send_p5_msg, "Function pointer must be configured\n");
+	return config->send_p5_msg(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_pnf_start_request_t));
 }
 
 int nfapi_vnf_pnf_stop_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_pnf_stop_request_t* req)
@@ -965,8 +966,8 @@ int nfapi_nr_vnf_param_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_nr_para
 		return -1;
 
 	vnf_t* _this = (vnf_t*)(config);
-
-	return vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_param_request_scf_t));
+  AssertFatal(config->send_p5_msg, "Function pointer must be configured\n");
+	return config->send_p5_msg(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_param_request_scf_t));
 }
 
 int nfapi_vnf_param_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_param_request_t* req)
@@ -983,7 +984,7 @@ int nfapi_nr_vnf_config_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_nr_con
 {
 	if(config == 0 || req == 0)
 		return -1;
-
+  AssertFatal(config->send_p5_msg, "Function pointer must be configured\n");
 	vnf_t* _this = (vnf_t*)(config);
 
 	nfapi_vnf_phy_info_t* phy = nfapi_vnf_phy_info_list_find(config, req->header.phy_id);
@@ -1007,7 +1008,7 @@ int nfapi_nr_vnf_config_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_nr_con
 	req->nfapi_config.timing_info_period.value = phy->timing_info_period;
 	req->num_tlv++;
 
-	return vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_config_request_scf_t));
+	return config->send_p5_msg(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_config_request_scf_t));
 }
 
 int nfapi_vnf_config_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_config_request_t* req)
@@ -1057,8 +1058,8 @@ int nfapi_nr_vnf_start_req(nfapi_vnf_config_t* config, int p5_idx, nfapi_nr_star
 		return -1;
 
 	vnf_t* _this = (vnf_t*)(config);
-
-	return vnf_nr_pack_and_send_p5_message(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_start_request_scf_t));
+  AssertFatal(config->send_p5_msg, "Function pointer must be configured\n");
+	return config->send_p5_msg(_this, p5_idx, &req->header, sizeof(nfapi_nr_start_request_scf_t));
 }
 
 
diff --git a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_p7.c b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_p7.c
index 6c37339d7d..d1c4105997 100644
--- a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_p7.c
+++ b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_p7.c
@@ -473,9 +473,8 @@ int vnf_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_vnf_p7_connection_info_t* p7_info, u
 	return 0;
 }
 
-int vnf_nr_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_nr_p7_message_header_t* header)
+bool vnf_nr_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_nr_p7_message_header_t* header)
 {
-
 	nfapi_vnf_p7_connection_info_t* p7_connection = vnf_p7_connection_info_list_find(vnf_p7, header->phy_id);
 	if(p7_connection)
 	{
@@ -491,7 +490,7 @@ int vnf_nr_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_nr_p7_message_header_
 		if(len < 0) 
 		{
 			NFAPI_TRACE(NFAPI_TRACE_INFO, "%s() failed to pack p7 message phy_id:%d\n", __FUNCTION__, header->phy_id);
-			return -1;
+			return false;
 		}
 
 		if(len > vnf_p7->_public.segment_size)
@@ -560,12 +559,12 @@ int vnf_nr_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_nr_p7_message_header_
 		}
 
 		p7_connection->sequence_number++;
-		return send_result;
+		return send_result == 0;
 	}
 	else
 	{
 		NFAPI_TRACE(NFAPI_TRACE_INFO, "%s() cannot find p7 connection info for phy_id:%d\n", __FUNCTION__, header->phy_id);
-		return -1;
+		return false;
 	}
 }
 
@@ -676,7 +675,8 @@ int vnf_build_send_dl_node_sync(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_vnf_p7_connection_info_t
 }
 
 int vnf_nr_build_send_dl_node_sync(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_vnf_p7_connection_info_t* p7_info)
-{	
+{
+  nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config = (nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t*)vnf_p7;
 	nfapi_nr_dl_node_sync_t dl_node_sync;
 	memset(&dl_node_sync, 0, sizeof(dl_node_sync));
 
@@ -686,7 +686,7 @@ int vnf_nr_build_send_dl_node_sync(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_vnf_p7_connection_inf
 	dl_node_sync.t1 = calculate_nr_t1(p7_info->mu, p7_info->sfn,p7_info->slot, vnf_p7->slot_start_time_hr);
 	dl_node_sync.delta_sfn_slot = 0;
 
-	return vnf_nr_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &dl_node_sync.header);	
+	return config->send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &dl_node_sync.header);
 }
 
 int vnf_nr_sync(vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7, nfapi_vnf_p7_connection_info_t* p7_info)
diff --git a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_p7_interface.c b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_p7_interface.c
index d3160f4e30..c536995e91 100644
--- a/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_p7_interface.c
+++ b/nfapi/open-nFAPI/vnf/src/vnf_p7_interface.c
@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ int nfapi_vnf_p7_dl_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_dl_config_re
 	return vnf_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
 }
 
-int nfapi_vnf_p7_nr_dl_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_dl_tti_request_t* req)
+bool nfapi_vnf_p7_nr_dl_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_dl_tti_request_t* req)
 {
 	//NFAPI_TRACE(NFAPI_TRACE_INFO, "%s(config:%p req:%p)\n", __FUNCTION__, config, req);
 
@@ -608,15 +608,17 @@ int nfapi_vnf_p7_nr_dl_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_dl_tti
 		return -1;
 
 	vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7 = (vnf_p7_t*)config;
-	return vnf_nr_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
+  AssertFatal(config->send_p7_msg, "Function pointer must be configured|");
+	return config->send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
 }
 
-int nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_tti_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_ul_tti_request_t* req)
+bool nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_tti_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_ul_tti_request_t* req)
 {
 	if(config == 0 || req == 0)
 		return -1;
 	vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7 = (vnf_p7_t*)config;
-	return vnf_nr_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
+  AssertFatal(config->send_p7_msg, "Function pointer must be configured|");
+	return config->send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
 }
 
 int nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_ul_config_request_t* req)
@@ -627,13 +629,14 @@ int nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_config_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_ul_config_re
 	vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7 = (vnf_p7_t*)config;
 	return vnf_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
 }
-int nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_dci_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_ul_dci_request_t* req)
+bool nfapi_vnf_p7_ul_dci_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_ul_dci_request_t* req)
 {
 	if(config == 0 || req == 0)
 		return -1;
 
 	vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7 = (vnf_p7_t*)config;
-	return vnf_nr_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
+  AssertFatal(config->send_p7_msg, "Function pointer must be configured|");
+	return config->send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
 }
 int nfapi_vnf_p7_hi_dci0_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_hi_dci0_request_t* req)
 {
@@ -643,13 +646,14 @@ int nfapi_vnf_p7_hi_dci0_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_hi_dci0_reques
 	vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7 = (vnf_p7_t*)config;
 	return vnf_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
 }
-int nfapi_vnf_p7_tx_data_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_tx_data_request_t* req)
+bool nfapi_vnf_p7_tx_data_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_nr_tx_data_request_t* req)
 {
 	if(config == 0 || req == 0)
 		return -1;
 
 	vnf_p7_t* vnf_p7 = (vnf_p7_t*)config;
-	return vnf_nr_p7_pack_and_send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
+  AssertFatal(config->send_p7_msg, "Function pointer must be configured|");
+	return config->send_p7_msg(vnf_p7, &req->header);
 }
 int nfapi_vnf_p7_tx_req(nfapi_vnf_p7_config_t* config, nfapi_tx_request_t* req)
 {