An apparatus on a network comprising: a non-transitory memory (44, 46) having instructions stored thereon for processing a discovery request message for a resource on the network; and a processor, operably coupled to the non-transitory memory, configured to perform the instructions of: receiving the discovery request message from an originator including filter criteria and a matching limit k, the matching limit k defining a maximum number of resources matching the filter criteria to be included in a discovery response sent in response to the discovery request message; confirming that L resources match the filter criteria in the discovery request message where L is less than k; preparing a pending discovery response including the L resources matching the filter criteria; updating and forwarding the discovery request message to a common service entity where the updated discovery request message indicates k-L unmatched resources; receiving a discovery response from the common service entity; appending the received discovery response to the pending discovery response; and sending a final discovery response, including the received discovery response from the common service entity and the pending discovery response message to the originator. a non-transitory memory (44, 46) having instructions stored thereon for processing a discovery request message for a resource on the network; and a processor, operably coupled to the non-transitory memory, configured to perform the instructions of: receiving the discovery request message from an originator including filter criteria and a matching limit k, the matching limit k defining a maximum number of resources matching the filter criteria to be included in a discovery response sent in response to the discovery request message; confirming that L resources match the filter criteria in the discovery request message where L is less than k; preparing a pending discovery response including the L resources matching the filter criteria; updating and forwarding the discovery request message to a common service entity where the updated discovery request message indicates k-L unmatched resources; receiving a discovery response from the common service entity; appending the received discovery response to the pending discovery response; and sending a final discovery response, including the received discovery response from the common service entity and the pending discovery response message to the originator. receiving the discovery request message from an originator including filter criteria and a matching limit k, the matching limit k defining a maximum number of resources matching the filter criteria to be included in a discovery response sent in response to the discovery request message; confirming that L resources match the filter criteria in the discovery request message where L is less than k; preparing a pending discovery response including the L resources matching the filter criteria; updating and forwarding the discovery request message to a common service entity where the updated discovery request message indicates k-L unmatched resources; receiving a discovery response from the common service entity; appending the received discovery response to the pending discovery response; and sending a final discovery response, including the received discovery response from the common service entity and the pending discovery response message to the originator.