1. A processor-implemented method of homing user nodes to network nodes in a communication system, comprising the steps of: determining a function hierarchy for functions provided by the network nodes; starting with a function at an initial level of the function hierarchy, applying at least one predetermined criterion to assign a given user node to a particular network node providing that function; proceeding through one or more additional levels of the function hierarchy to assign the given user node to at least one additional network node providing at least one other function identified in the one or more additional levels; and repeating the applying and proceeding steps for one or more additional user nodes until each of the user nodes is homed to one or more of the network nodes providing all of its required functions.