CN117560651A

CN117560651A - A communication method and device, communication equipment

Info

Publication number: CN117560651A
Application number: CN202210938389.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 胡玉双
Original assignee: China Mobile Communications Group Co Ltd; Research Institute of China Mobile Communication Co Ltd
Current assignee: China Mobile Communications Group Co Ltd; Research Institute of China Mobile Communication Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-08-05
Filing date: 2022-08-05
Publication date: 2024-02-13

Abstract

The present application discloses a communication method, device, and communication equipment. The method includes: the first network function receives the first information sent by the third network function, and the first information is used to indicate one or more of the corresponding virtual network VN groups. Multiple second network functions.

Description

Communication method and device and communication equipment

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus, and a communication device.

Background

The 5G extension covers a number of sub-division scenarios in residential, office, enterprise and factory areas etc., so the 5G needs to provide services for private network scenarios that function similar to local area networks (Local Area Network, LAN) and virtual private networks (Virtual Private Network, VPN) and provide enhanced capabilities through the 5G.

In related researches on a Vertical local area Network (Vertical LAN), a networking solution is defined, that is, a local area Network type service (5G LAN-type Services) constructed based on a 5G Network, through which a specific terminal group, that is, a Virtual Network group, can be provided with an IP type or ethernet type communication service. Currently, the communication scheme of the VN group needs to be perfected.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method, a communication device, a chip and a computer readable storage medium.

The communication method provided by the embodiment of the application comprises the following steps:

the first network function receives first information sent by the third network function, wherein the first information is used for indicating one or more second network functions corresponding to the VN group.

the first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function configures a local area network type service configuration, the local area network type service configuration comprising at least one of the following information: an association of a VN group identity with a session management function (Session Management Function, SMF) that can support the VN group identity, a VN group identity that can be supported by the SMF;

the first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function performs a selection of SMF and/or user plane functions (User Plane Function, UPF) according to the lan type service configuration.

The communication device provided by the embodiment of the application is applied to a first network function, and the device comprises:

and the communication unit is used for receiving the first information sent by the third network function, wherein the first information is used for indicating one or more second network functions corresponding to the VN group.

The communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is applied to a first network function or a third network function or a fourth network function, and the device includes:

a configuration unit, configured to configure a lan type service configuration, where the lan type service configuration includes at least one of the following information: an association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF which can support the VN group identifier, and the VN group identifier which can be supported by the SMF;

and the selection unit is used for selecting SMF and/or UPF according to the local area network type service configuration.

The communication device provided by the embodiment of the application comprises: the system comprises a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor is used for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory to execute any one of the communication methods.

The chip provided by the embodiment of the application comprises: and a processor for calling and running the computer program from the memory, so that the device on which the chip is mounted performs any one of the methods described above.

The core computer readable storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present application is configured to store a computer program, where the computer program causes a computer to execute any one of the methods described above.

In the technical scheme of the embodiment of the application, on one hand, the business process of using the LAN type service is defined, the communication scheme of the VN group is perfected, and the blank of the standard technology is made up. On the other hand, the scheme of the local area network type service configuration is clarified, so that the network function can select SMF and/or UPF according to the local area network type service configuration, and a foundation is provided for perfecting the communication scheme of the VN group.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3-1 is a second flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3-2 is a flow chart diagram III of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application

Fig. 5 is a flowchart fifth of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram II of the structural composition of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present application

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip of an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The following description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be made with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is apparent that the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present application, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue burden from the present disclosure, are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 1, communication system 100 may include a terminal 110 and a network device 120. Network device 120 may communicate with terminal 110 over the air. Multi-service transmission is supported between the terminal 110 and the network device 120.

It should be understood that the present embodiments are illustrated by way of example only with respect to communication system 100, but the present embodiments are not limited thereto. That is, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application may be applied to various communication systems, for example: a 5G communication system (also referred to as a New Radio (NR) communication system), or a future communication system, etc.

In the communication system 100 shown in fig. 1, the network device 120 may be an access network device in communication with the terminal 110. The access network device may provide communication coverage for a particular geographic area and may communicate with terminals 110 (e.g., UEs) located within the coverage area. The network device 120 may be a base station (gNB) or the like in an NR system. The terminal 110 may be any terminal, for example, the terminal 110 may refer to a User Equipment (UE), or the like.

The wireless communication system 100 may further include a core network device 130 in communication with the base station, the core network device 130 may be a 5G core,5gc device, e.g., an access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF), an authentication server function (Authentication Server Function, AUSF), a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF), a session management function (Session Management Function, SMF), etc. In the network evolution process, the core network device may also call other names, or form a new network entity by dividing the functions of the core network, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 1 illustrates one base station and two terminals by way of example, and the wireless communication system 100 may alternatively include multiple base station devices and may include other numbers of terminals within the coverage area of each base station, as embodiments of the present application are not limited in this regard.

It should be noted that fig. 1 illustrates, by way of example, a system to which the present application is applicable, and of course, the method shown in the embodiment of the present application may be applicable to other systems. Furthermore, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably herein. The term "and/or" is herein merely an association relationship describing an associated object, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, may represent: a exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, the character "/" herein generally indicates that the front and rear associated objects are an "or" relationship. It should also be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, the "indication" may be a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication that there is an association relationship. For example, a indicates B, which may mean that a indicates B directly, e.g., B may be obtained by a; it may also indicate that a indicates B indirectly, e.g. a indicates C, B may be obtained by C; it may also be indicated that there is an association between a and B. It should also be understood that, in the embodiments of the present application, reference to "corresponding" may mean that there is a direct correspondence or an indirect correspondence between the two, or may mean that there is an association between the two, or may be a relationship between an instruction and an indicated, configured, or the like. It should also be understood that "predefined" or "predefined rules" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables or other manners in which related information may be indicated in devices (e.g., including terminals and network devices), and the present application is not limited to a specific implementation thereof. Such as predefined may refer to what is defined in the protocol. It should also be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, and may include, for example, an NR protocol and a related protocol applied in a future communication system, which is not limited in this application.

In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following description is given of related technologies of the embodiments of the present application, and the following related technologies may be optionally combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as an alternative, which all belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.

In related research of a vertical local area Network, 3GPP defines a networking solution, that is, a local area Network type service (5G LAN-type Services) constructed based on a 5G Network, and IP type or ethernet type communication Services can be provided for a specific terminal group through the 5G LAN-type Services, where the terminal group is a Virtual Network (Virtual Network) group. Terminals subscribed to the same VN group communicate with each other in the same 5G LAN by means of local area network communication.

The management of the 5G VN group mainly has the following two aspects: addition/deletion/modification of VN group members, configuration of VN group data. The management modes of the 5G VN group are as follows: management is performed through an internal operation maintenance management (Operation Administration and Maintenance, OAM) platform, management capability is opened to external application functions (Application Function, AF) through network opening functions (Network Exposure Function, NEF), and management is performed through external AF, where opening management capability to a private network to an industry client is also desirable for 5G implementation of network capability opening. Among other things, the manner in which administration is performed through an internal OAM platform currently lacks standards and solutions.

5G VN communications allow the use of the following three types of traffic forwarding policies: 1) And forwarding the traffic based on N6, wherein the uplink/downlink traffic of the 5G VN communication is forwarded to a Data Network (DN) or forwarded out of the DN, so that the requirement of accessing an external Data Network in the local area Network can be met. 2) And forwarding the traffic based on N19, wherein the uplink/downlink traffic of the 5G VN communication is forwarded between PSA UPFs of different PDU sessions through N19, and the PDU session anchor point (PDU Session Anchor, PSA) UPFs are UPFs with routing judgment and forwarding capabilities, and the traffic forwarding based on N19 generally occurs in a scene of the cross-region 5G LAN VN communication, and receives and transmits UPFs of different regions to which users belong. 3) Based on the flow forwarding of the local switch, if different PDU sessions of the same 5G VN group correspond to the same PSA UPF, the flow is forwarded locally by the PSA UPF, and based on the flow forwarding of the local switch, the flow forwarding generally occurs in a scene that an enterprise needs a special UPF sinking park and hopes that data does not leave the park, and under other scenes, the SMF selects the same PSA UPF for both communication parties as much as possible so as to realize local switching.

The 5G VN communication supports the above three types of traffic forwarding policies, which are PDU session policies, which are enforced by the SMF, which receives PDU session policies associated with the UEs of the VN group from the PCF, including user routing policies (UE Route Selection Policy, urs). The current PDU session policy is generated by PCF according to AF request conversion, and is applicable to the policy of 5G VN group. The AF request may be considered as a traffic identification and routing forwarding policy requirement for the 5G LAN VN, as set forth by the client according to the actual traffic model, and may open the ability to dynamically update policies to the AF through the NEF. How to issue this configuration policy by the network manager, and then let all PDU sessions of one 5G VN group communication be session managed by a dedicated SMF, the current standard only illustrates feasibility but no specific solution. Solutions and formulation of solutions are needed.

In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions of the present application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above related technologies may be optionally combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, which all belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. Embodiments of the present application include at least some of the following.

It should be noted that the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application may be, but is not limited to, applied to 5G.

It should be noted that, the "network function" described in the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as NF, a network element, a network device, a core network element, a communication device, and so on.

It should be noted that, the "association relationship" described in the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application may also be referred to as a correspondence (corresponding relationship), a mapping relationship, a table, a corrspondance, and the like.

Fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 2, the communication method includes the following steps:

step 201: the first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function configures a local area network type service configuration, the local area network type service configuration comprising at least one of the following information: the association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF which can support the VN group identifier, and the VN group identifier which can be supported by the SMF.

Here, the first network function may be a first SMF.

Here, the third network function may be a unified data management function (Unified Data Management, UDM), a unified data storage function (Unified Data Repository, UDR), a network open function (Network Exposure Function, NRF), a Group SMF (GSMF), a super SMF, a network function where UDM and UDR are combined, or the like.

Here, the fourth network function may be an AMF.

Here, the first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function is configured with a lan-type service configuration including at least one of the following information: the association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF which can support the VN group identifier, and the VN group identifier which can be supported by the SMF.

In some embodiments, the lan-type service configuration is stored in a network manager. The lan type service configuration may be issued by a network manager to the first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function.

Here, the network management may be a combination of a plurality of network functions, or may be an independent entity. In some embodiments, the network management may be a network slice subnet management function (Network Slice Subnet Management Function, NSSMF) or a network slice management function (Network Slice Management Function, NSMF).

Step 202: the first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function performs the selection of SMF and/or UPF according to the local area network type service configuration.

Here, the first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function may select an SMF, or a UPF, or both of the SMF and the UPF according to the lan type service configuration. Alternatively, the first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function may also select an SMF according to the lan type service configuration, and further select a UPF after selecting the SMF.

In some embodiments, the first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function may also be based on other information, such as a service area of DNN, SNSSAI, UE, etc., in addition to the lan type service configuration when performing the selection of SMF and/or UPF.

The following description is provided by way of example with reference to specific application examples, and it should be noted that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the following application examples, which are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Application example 1

In this application example, the management function (Management Function) is integrated with the network function, which can be understood as having the management function embedded therein, where the network function includes at least one of the following: a first network function, a third network function, a fourth network function. Here, specific implementations of the first, third, and fourth network functions may refer to the foregoing description.

Fig. 3-1 is a second flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 3-1, where the communication method includes the following steps:

step 3011: the network manager sends an Allocate LAN-type service request request to the management function in the network function, which carries the LAN-type service configuration.

Step 3012: the management function in the network function configures the lan type service configuration into the network function.

Step 3013: the management function in the network function transmits an Allocate LAN-type service response to the network manager.

Application instance two

In this application example, the management function and the network function are separate, where the network function includes at least one of the following: a first network function, a third network function, a fourth network function. Here, specific implementations of the first, third, and fourth network functions may refer to the foregoing description.

Fig. 3-2 is a flow chart III of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 3-2, where the communication method includes the following steps:

step 3021: the network manager sends an Allocate LAN-type service request request to the management function, which carries the LAN-type service configuration.

Step 3022: the management function configures the lan-type service configuration into the network function.

Step 3023: the network function sends a configuration response to the management function.

Step 3024: the management function sends an Allocate LAN-type service response service response to the network manager.

Through the application example, in order to provide the lan type service, the network manager may issue the lan type service configuration to the network function, where the network function stores the lan type service configuration, and further the network function may perform SMF and/or UPF selection according to the PDU session of the VN group communication configured by the lan type service.

Application example three

In this application example, the lan-type service configuration is stored in the network function and/or in the network management. Wherein the network function comprises at least one of: a first network function, a third network function, a fourth network function. Here, specific implementations of the first network function, the third network function, the fourth network function, and the network management may refer to the foregoing descriptions.

For the network function, the network function is newly added with the following configuration (profile): local area network type service configuration. For example: the profile added by AMF and NRF comprises the association relation between the VN group identifier and SMF capable of supporting the VN group identifier. For example: the profile added by the SMF includes VN group identifications supportable by the SMF.

For the network manager, the association relation between the VN group identifier and the SMF capable of supporting the VN group identifier and/or the VN group identifier capable of being supported by the SMF are/is added in a network resource model (Network Resource Model, NRM) of the network manager.

Taking AMF as an example, the content of the profile added by AMF is shown in the following tables 1 and 2, where 5 gvngluumaplist represents the association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF that can support the VN group identifier.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

Taking the SMF as an example, the content of the profile added by the SMF is shown in the following table 3, where 5GVNGroupIDList represents VN group identifiers supportable by the SMF.

TABLE 3 Table 3

After the network function configuration local area network type service configuration is realized through the scheme, the following scheme can be further realized based on the local area network type service configuration.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 4, where the communication method includes the following steps:

step 401: the first network function receives first information sent by the third network function, wherein the first information is used for indicating one or more second network functions corresponding to the VN group.

Here, the one or more second network functions corresponding to the VN group indicated by the first information refer to: one or more second network functions where the UE supporting the VN group and having established the PDU session is located.

In some embodiments, the first information is determined by the third network function based on at least one of: VN group identification information, VN group member information, VN group data information, UE information in the VN group that a PDU session connection has been established.

Here, the VN group identification information may include an external group identification (External Group ID) and an internal group identification (Internal Group ID).

Here, the first information may directly represent one or more second network functions corresponding to one or more VN groups; alternatively, the first information may also indirectly represent one or more second network functions corresponding to one or more VN groups; alternatively, the first information may directly or indirectly represent other information corresponding to one or more VN groups, and the other information may have a certain correspondence/mapping/association relationship with the second network function, that is, the one or more second network functions corresponding to one or more VN groups may be determined through the other information.

Here, the third network function may send the first information to the first network function: the third network function may send the first information directly to the first network function or the third network function may send the first information indirectly to the first network function (e.g., the third network function may forward the first information to the first network function via one or more other network functions or other devices).

Here, the first network function may be a first SMF.

Here, the second network function may be a second SMF, or may be another network function.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of:

step 402: the first network function selects a target second network function from the one or more second network functions according to the first information, and establishes a tunnel between the first UPF and the second UPF, wherein the tunnel is used for data transmission between the first UE and the second UE.

Here, the first UPF is a UPF associated with a first network function, such as a first UPF selected for a first network function (e.g., a first SMF).

Here, the second UPF is a UPF associated with a second network function, such as a second UPF selected for a second network function (e.g., a second SMF).

Here, the first UE is a UE associated with a first UPF, e.g., user plane data of the first UE is processed by the first UPF.

Here, the second UE is a UE associated with a second UPF, e.g., user plane data of the second UE is processed by the second UPF.

In some embodiments, the first network function selects a target second network function from the one or more second network functions according to the first information, and establishes a tunnel between the first UPF and the second UPF, which may be implemented by the following procedures:

the first network function sends a tunnel establishment request message to the second network function, wherein the tunnel establishment request message carries at least one of the following information: tunnel resource information, an IP address of a PDU session, prefix information of the PDU session, and MAC information of the PDU session; causing the second network function to send the tunnel resource information to the second UPF to request the second UPF to allocate tunnel resources, and the second network function configures a PDR and/or FAR to the second UPF based on at least one of an IP address of the PDU session, prefix information of the PDU session, MAC information of the PDU session;

The first network function receives a tunnel establishment response message sent by the second network function, wherein the tunnel establishment response message carries at least one of the following information: the tunnel resource distributed by the second UPF, the IP address of the PDU session, the prefix information of the PDU session and the MAC information of the PDU session;

the second network function informs the first UPF of information carried in the tunnel establishment response message, and configures packet detection rules (Packet Detection Rule, PDR) and/or forwarding behavior rules (Fowwarding Action Rule, FAR) to the first UPF based on at least one of an IP address of the PDU session, prefix information of the PDU session, MAC information of the PDU session.

In some embodiments, before the first network function receives the first information sent by the third network function, the method further includes the steps of:

step 400-1: the first network function receives a PDU (protocol data unit) session establishment request message sent by a first UE (user equipment) through a fourth network function, wherein the PDU session establishment request message carries a VN group identifier corresponding to a VN group; the first network function establishes a PDU session for a VN group.

Here, the first network function (e.g., the first SMF) may establish a PDU session for the VN group based on the information carried in the PDU session establishment request message.

Here, the fourth network function may be an AMF.

In some embodiments, the first network function is a first network function selected by the fourth network function according to the PDU session establishment request message and an association relationship between a VN group identifier and an SMF that can support the VN group identifier.

Here, the number of the first network functions selected by the fourth network function may be one or more, for example, the AMF may select one first SMF or a plurality of first SMFs (i.e., first SMF set).

In the existing PDU session establishment procedure, after receiving a PDU session establishment request, the AMF selects an SMF to establish the PDU session. However, the existing mechanism does not consider that whether the SMF or SMF set selected by the AMF can support the communication of the VN group is not solved. In the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, the AMF stores an association relationship between a VN group identifier and an SMF capable of supporting the VN group identifier, where the association relationship may be obtained through network management configuration (allocate the configuration to NRM of the AMF). After receiving the PDU session establishment request message, the AMF selects a target first network function (e.g., a first SMF or a first SMF set) capable of supporting the VN group communication according to the PDU session establishment request message and the association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF capable of supporting the VN group identifier. The method is simple and easy to realize, does not need to add extra interaction flow, and is easy to deploy.

When the fourth network function selects the first SMF set (i.e. may select a plurality of first SMFs, where the plurality of first SMFs support the VN group), a plurality of PDU sessions may be simultaneously established, thereby effectively increasing the efficiency of PDU session establishment.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

step 400-2: the first network function obtains subscription information corresponding to the VN group from the third network function.

Here, the first network function obtains subscription information corresponding to the VN group from the third network function, which may be: the first network function actively acquires subscription information from the third network function, or the first network function passively receives the subscription information pushed by the third network function. The subscription information here is for example: qoS information, DNAI information, and the like of the VN group.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of:

step 400-3: the first network function determines to support the VN group and selects a first UPF; the first network function makes N4 session establishment requests and responses with the first UPF and configures PDR and/or FAR to the first UPF.

Here, the first network function determines to support the VN group according to the association relationship between the VN group identifier configured by the first network function and the SMF capable of supporting the VN group identifier and/or the second information returned by the third network function.

Here, the first network function (hereinafter, referred to as a first SMF) is selected by the AMF according to a currently existing procedure. When the first SMF receives the PDU session establishment request message, it needs to determine whether the first SMF supports the VN group according to the VN group identifier corresponding to the VN group carried in the request message. There are several ways of judging, for example:

(1) The association between the VN group identifier and the SMF that can support the VN group identifier is configured on the first SMF, and the configuration may be performed in a plurality of ways, for example, network management configuration (allocate the configuration to NRM of the SMF). After receiving a PDU session establishment request message sent by a first UE, the first SMF judges whether the first SMF supports a VN group corresponding to the VN group identifier according to the association relationship configured by the first SMF and the VN group identifier carried in the request message. If the VN group is supported, continuing to select UPF; if the VN group is not supported, a third network function (hereinafter, referred to as UDM as an example) may be requested to query the SMF or SMF set supported by the VN group, and further may forward the PDU session establishment request message to one or more of the SMFs.

(2) The association between the VN group identifier and the SMF capable of supporting the VN group identifier is configured on a third network function, and the association on the third network function may be (allocate the configuration to NRM of the UDM/UDR/NRF/GSMF etc) configured by a network management (hereinafter, UDM is taken as an example), and the first SMF may not configure the association itself. After the first SMF receives the PDU session establishment request message sent by the first UE, the first SMF requests to the UDM to query the SMF or the SMF set supporting the VN group according to the VN group identifier carried by the request message, and the UDM returns second information to the first AMF, where the second information may include only the SMF or the SMF set supported by the VN group, or may include other contents, and the first SMF determines whether the first SMF supports the VN group according to the second information. If the VN group is supported, continuing to select UPF; if the VN group is not supported, the PDU session establishment request may be forwarded to one or more SMFs supporting the VN group as indicated by the second information.

(3) The association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF capable of supporting the VN group identifier is that the configuration can be carried out on the first SMF, and after the first SMF receives a PDU session establishment request message sent by the first UE, the association relationship of the local configuration is inquired according to the VN group identifier carried by the request message. If the association relationship configured locally does not contain the information corresponding to the VN group, the first SMF requests to query the second network function (hereinafter, referred to as UDM as an example) for the SMF or the SMF set supported by the VN group according to the VN group identifier, and the UDM returns second information, where the second information may include only the SMF or the SMF set supported by the VN group, or may include other contents, and the first SMF determines whether the first SMF supports the VN group according to the second information. If the VN group is supported, continuing to select UPF; if the VN group is not supported, the PDU session establishment request may be forwarded to one or more SMFs supporting the VN group as indicated by the second information.

Application example four

In this application example, the first network function is SMF2, the second network function is SMF1, the first UE is UE2, the second UE is UE1, the first UPF is UPF2, the second UPF is UPF1, the third network function is UDM, and the fourth network function is AMF for example.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart fifth of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 5, where the communication method includes the following steps:

step 501: the UE1 sends PDU session establishment request message to the SMF1 through the AMF, wherein the request message carries VN group identification corresponding to the VN group.

Here, the AMF stores an association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF that can support the VN group identifier, and the association relationship may be obtained through network management configuration. After receiving the PDU session establishment request message, the AMF selects a target SMF (e.g. SMF 1) capable of supporting the VN group communication according to the PDU session establishment request message and the association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF capable of supporting the VN group identifier.

Step 502: SMF1 interacts with UDM to obtain subscription information corresponding to VN group.

In addition, SMF1 may register/update/release information about VN groups in its profile with UDM.

Here, the SMF1 obtains subscription information corresponding to the VN group from the UDM, which may be: the SMF1 actively acquires the subscription information from the UDM, or the SMF1 passively receives the subscription information pushed by the UDM. The subscription information here is for example: qoS information, DNAI information, and the like of the VN group.

Step 503: SMF1 determines that it supports VN groups and selects UPF1.

Here, the SMF1 determines the self-supported VN group according to the association relationship between the self-configured VN group identifier and the SMF that can support the VN group identifier and/or the second information returned by the UDM, where the second information is used to indicate the SMF or the SMF set supported by the VN group. The manner in which the SMF1 determines whether or not it supports the VN group may refer to the foregoing related scheme.

Step 504: SMF1 makes N4 session establishment requests and responses with UPF1 and configures PDRs and/or FARs to UPF1.

Step 505: the UE2 sends PDU session establishment request message to the SMF2 through the AMF, wherein the request message carries VN group identification corresponding to the VN group.

Here, the AMF stores an association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF that can support the VN group identifier, and the association relationship may be obtained through network management configuration. After receiving the PDU session establishment request message, the AMF selects a target SMF (e.g. SMF 2) capable of supporting the VN group communication according to the PDU session establishment request message and the association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF capable of supporting the VN group identifier.

Step 506: SMF2 interacts with UDM to obtain subscription information corresponding to VN group.

In addition, SMF2 may register/update/release information about VN groups in its profile with UDM.

Here, the SMF2 obtains subscription information corresponding to the VN group from the UDM, which may be: the SMF2 actively acquires the subscription information from the UDM, or the SMF2 passively receives the subscription information pushed by the UDM. The subscription information here is for example: qoS information, DNAI information, and the like of the VN group.

Step 507: the UDM queries one or more SMFs corresponding to the VN group.

Here, the UDM queries (or filters) one or more SMFs corresponding to the VN group according to at least one of the following information: VN group identification information, VN group member information, VN group data information, UE information in the VN group that a PDU session connection has been established.

Step 508: the UDM sends first information to the SMF2, where the first information is used to indicate one or more SMFs corresponding to the VN group.

Here, the one or more SMFs corresponding to the VN group indicated by the first information means: and one or more SMFs supporting the VN group and in which the UE having established the PDU session is located.

Step 509: SMF2 determines that it supports VN groups and selects UPF2.

Here, the SMF2 determines the self-supported VN group according to the association relationship between the self-configured VN group identifier and the SMF that can support the VN group identifier and/or the second information returned by the UDM, where the second information is used to indicate the SMF or the SMF set supported by the VN group. The manner in which SMF2 determines whether or not it supports VN groups may refer to the foregoing related scheme.

Step 510: SMF2 makes N4 session establishment requests and responses with UPF2 and configures PDRs and/or FARs to UPF 2.

Step 511: SMF2 selects a target SMF (e.g. SMF 1) from the one or more SMFs indicated by the first information, and sends a tunnel establishment request message to SMF1, where the tunnel establishment request message carries at least one of the following information: tunnel resource information, an IP address of a PDU session, prefix information of the PDU session, and MAC information of the PDU session;

step 512: the SMF1 transmits tunnel resource information to the UPF1 to request the UPF1 to allocate tunnel resources, and the SMF1 configures a PDR and/or FAR to the UPF1 based on at least one of an IP address of the PDU session, prefix information of the PDU session, MAC information of the PDU session.

Step 513: the SMF1 sends a tunnel establishment response message to the SMF2, wherein the tunnel establishment response message carries at least one of the following information: tunnel resources allocated by SMF1, IP address of PDU session, prefix information of PDU session, MAC information of PDU session.

Step 514: the SMF2 informs the UPF2 of the information carried in the tunnel establishment response message, and configures the PDR and/or FAR to the UPF2 based on at least one of the IP address of the PDU session, the prefix information of the PDU session, and the MAC information of the PDU session.

Step 515: and after the tunnel is established, carrying out data transmission on UPF1 and UPF 2.

The application example can be applied to a scenario that a plurality of SMFs exist in a network and can provide local area network service for the same VN group, and for the scenario, when the UE of the same VN group under different SMFs needs to communicate, the SMF can acquire the SMF where the UE of the VN group which has established PDU session connection is located through the UDM, and establish a tunnel (namely an N19 tunnel) between the UPFs which are respectively associated, so that the local area network service can be provided for the VN group.

According to the technical scheme, the management configuration of the network manager on the VN group is clarified, the service flow using the local area network service is clarified in the core network, the capacity of each network element function for supporting the local area network service is increased, and the blank of the standard technology is made up.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a first network function, as shown in fig. 6, and the communication device includes:

a communication unit 601, configured to receive first information sent by a third network function, where the first information is used to indicate one or more second network functions corresponding to a VN group.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a selection unit 602, configured to select a target second network function from the one or more second network functions according to the first information;

The communication unit 601 is configured to establish a tunnel between a first user plane function UPF and a second UPF, where the tunnel is used for data transmission between a first user equipment UE and a second UE.

In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is configured to receive, through a fourth network function, a PDU session establishment request message sent by a first UE, before receiving first information sent by a third network function, where the PDU session establishment request message carries a VN group identifier corresponding to a VN group; a PDU session is established for the VN group.

In some embodiments, the first network function is a first network function selected by the fourth network function according to the PDU session establishment request message and an association relationship between a VN group identifier and a session management function SMF that can support the VN group identifier.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises: a determining unit configured to determine that the VN group is supported; the selecting unit 602 is configured to select a first UPF;

the communication unit 601 is configured to perform an N4 session establishment request and response with the first UPF, and configure a packet detection rule PDR and/or a forwarding behavior rule FAR to the first UPF.

In some embodiments, the determining unit is configured to determine that the VN group is supported according to the association relationship between the VN group identifier configured by itself and the SMF that can support the VN group identifier and/or the second information returned by the third network function.

In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is configured to obtain subscription information corresponding to the VN group from the third network function.

In some embodiments, the one or more second network functions corresponding to the VN group indicated by the first information refer to: one or more second network functions where the UE supporting the VN group and having established the PDU session is located.

In some embodiments, the communication unit 601 is configured to send a tunnel establishment request message to the second network function, where the tunnel establishment request message carries at least one of the following information: tunnel resource information, an IP address of a PDU session, prefix information of the PDU session, and MAC information of the PDU session; causing the second network function to send the tunnel resource information to the second UPF to request the second UPF to allocate tunnel resources, and the second network function configures a PDR and/or FAR to the second UPF based on at least one of an IP address of the PDU session, prefix information of the PDU session, MAC information of the PDU session; receiving a tunnel establishment response message sent by the second network function, wherein the tunnel establishment response message carries at least one of the following information: the tunnel resource distributed by the second UPF, the IP address of the PDU session, the prefix information of the PDU session and the MAC information of the PDU session; and notifying the information carried in the tunnel establishment response message to the first UPF, and configuring PDR and/or FAR to the first UPF based on at least one of the IP address of the PDU session, the prefix information of the PDU session and the MAC information of the PDU session.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the implementation functions of the units in the communication device shown in fig. 6 can be understood with reference to the relevant description of the foregoing method. The functions of the respective units in the communication apparatus shown in fig. 6 may be realized by a program running on a processor or by a specific logic circuit.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram ii of the structural composition of the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application, which is applied to the first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function, as shown in fig. 7, and the communication device includes:

a configuration unit 701, configured to configure a lan type service configuration, where the lan type service configuration includes at least one of the following information: an association relationship between the VN group identifier and the SMF which can support the VN group identifier, and the VN group identifier which can be supported by the SMF;

a selection unit 702, configured to perform SMF and/or UPF selection according to the lan type service configuration.

In some embodiments, the lan-type service configuration is stored in a network manager.

In some embodiments, the network management is NSSMF or NSMF.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the implementation functions of the units in the communication device shown in fig. 7 can be understood with reference to the relevant description of the foregoing method. The functions of the respective units in the communication apparatus shown in fig. 7 may be realized by a program running on a processor or by a specific logic circuit.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be any of the network functions described above, and the communication device 800 shown in fig. 8 includes a processor 810, and the processor 810 may call and execute a computer program from a memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of the present application.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 8, the communication device 800 may also include a memory 820. Wherein the processor 810 may call and run a computer program from the memory 820 to implement the methods in embodiments of the present application.

Wherein the memory 820 may be a separate device from the processor 810 or may be integrated into the processor 810.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 8, the communication device 800 may further include a transceiver 830, and the processor 810 may control the transceiver 830 to communicate with other devices, and in particular, may send information or data to other devices, or receive information or data sent by other devices.

Among other things, transceiver 830 may include a transmitter and a receiver. Transceiver 830 may further include antennas, the number of which may be one or more.

The communication device 800 may implement the respective flows of the methods in the embodiments of the present application, which are not described herein for brevity.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip of an embodiment of the present application. The chip 900 shown in fig. 9 includes a processor 910, and the processor 910 may call and execute a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 9, the chip 900 may further include a memory 920. Wherein the processor 910 may invoke and run a computer program from the memory 920 to implement the methods in the embodiments of the present application.

Wherein the memory 920 may be a separate device from the processor 910 or may be integrated in the processor 910.

Optionally, the chip 900 may also include an input interface 930. The processor 910 may control the input interface 930 to communicate with other devices or chips, and in particular, may acquire information or data sent by the other devices or chips.

Optionally, the chip 900 may also include an output interface 940. Wherein the processor 910 may control the output interface 940 to communicate with other devices or chips, and in particular, may output information or data to the other devices or chips.

The chip may implement the corresponding flow of each method in the embodiments of the present application, which is not described herein for brevity.

It should be understood that the chips referred to in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as system-on-chip chips, or the like.

It should be appreciated that the processor of an embodiment of the present application may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments may be implemented by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or instructions in software form. The processor may be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), an off-the-shelf programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware components. The disclosed methods, steps, and logic blocks in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented or performed. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be embodied directly in hardware, in a decoded processor, or in a combination of hardware and software modules in a decoded processor. The software modules may be located in a random access memory, flash memory, read only memory, programmable read only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. as well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in combination with its hardware, performs the steps of the above method.

It will be appreciated that the memory in embodiments of the present application may be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile Memory may be a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an Erasable PROM (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash Memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM) which acts as an external cache. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double Data Rate SDRAM (Double Data Rate SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

It should be understood that the above memory is exemplary but not limiting, and for example, the memory in the embodiments of the present application may be Static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous Link DRAM (SLDRAM), direct RAM (DR RAM), and the like. That is, the memory in embodiments of the present application is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program. The computer program makes the computer execute the corresponding flow of each method of the embodiments of the present application, which is not described herein for brevity.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product comprising computer program instructions. The computer program instructions cause the computer to execute the respective flows of the methods of the embodiments of the present application, and for brevity, will not be described in detail herein.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer program. When the computer program runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the corresponding flow of each method of the embodiments of the present application, and for brevity, a detailed description is omitted here.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, e.g., the division of the units is merely a logical function division, and there may be additional divisions when actually implemented, e.g., multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices or units, which may be in electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application may be embodied essentially or in a part contributing to the prior art or in a part of the technical solution, in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

The foregoing is merely specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think about changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and the changes and substitutions are intended to be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that the method includes:

The first network function receives the first information sent by the third network function, where the first information is used to indicate one or more second network functions corresponding to the virtual network VN group.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the method further comprises:

The first network function selects a target second network function from the one or more second network functions according to the first information, and establishes a tunnel between the first user plane function UPF and the second UPF. The tunnel Used for data transmission between the first user equipment UE and the second UE.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein before the first network function receives the first information sent by the third network function, the method further includes:

The first network function receives the protocol data unit PDU session establishment request message sent by the first UE through the fourth network function, and the PDU session establishment request message carries the VN group identifier corresponding to the VN group;

The first network function establishes a PDU session for the VN group.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that,

The first network function is a first network function selected by the fourth network function according to the PDU session establishment request message and the association between the VN group identifier and the session management function SMF that can support the VN group identifier.

5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the method further comprises:

The first network function determines that the VN group is supported and selects the first UPF;

The first network function performs an N4 session establishment request and response with the first UPF, and configures a packet detection rule PDR and/or a forwarding behavior rule FAR to the first UPF.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the first network function determines to support the VN group, including:

The first network function determines to support the VN group based on the association between its own configured VN group identifier and the SMF that can support the VN group identifier and/or the second information returned by the third network function.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that the method further includes:

The first network function obtains the subscription information corresponding to the VN group from the third network function.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more second network functions corresponding to the VN group indicated by the first information refer to:

One or more second network functions where the UE that supports the VN group and has established a PDU session is located.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first information is determined by the third network function based on at least one of the following information: VN group identification information, VN group member information, and VN group data information. , UE information that has established PDU session connections in the VN group.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the first network function selects a target second network function from the one or more second network functions according to the first information, and establishes a first UPF Tunnel to and from the second UPF, including:

The first network function sends a tunnel establishment request message to the second network function. The tunnel establishment request message carries at least one of the following information: tunnel resource information, PDU session IP address, PDU session prefix information, PDU session MAC information; so that the second network function sends the tunnel resource information to the second UPF to request the second UPF to allocate tunnel resources, and the second network function is based on the IP of the PDU session At least one of the address, the prefix information of the PDU session, and the MAC information of the PDU session configures PDR and/or FAR to the second UPF;

The first network function receives a tunnel establishment response message sent by the second network function. The tunnel establishment response message carries at least one of the following information: tunnel resources allocated by the second UPF, IP address of the PDU session, PDU session The prefix information and the MAC information of the PDU session;

The second network function notifies the first UPF of the information carried in the tunnel establishment response message, and based on at least one of the IP address of the PDU session, the prefix information of the PDU session, and the MAC information of the PDU session The first UPF is configured with PDR and/or FAR.

11. A communication method, characterized in that the method includes:

The first network function or the third network function or the fourth network function configures a LAN type service configuration, and the LAN type service configuration includes at least one of the following information: an association between a VN group identifier and an SMF that can support the VN group identifier, an SMF Supported VN group identifiers;

The first network function, the third network function, or the fourth network function selects SMF and/or UPF according to the local area network type service configuration.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the local area network type service configuration is stored in the network management.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the network management is NSSMF or NSMF.

14. A communication device, characterized in that it is applied to the first network function, and the device includes:

A communication unit configured to receive first information sent by a third network function, where the first information is used to indicate one or more second network functions corresponding to the VN group.

15. A communication device, characterized in that it is applied to the first network function, the third network function, or the fourth network function, and the device includes:

A configuration unit configured to configure a local area network type service configuration, where the local area network type service configuration includes at least one of the following information: an association between a VN group identifier and an SMF that can support the VN group identifier, and a VN group identifier that the SMF can support;

A selection unit configured to select SMF and/or UPF according to the local area network type service configuration.

16. A communication device, characterized in that it includes: a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, and execute claims 1 to 10 The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

17. A chip, characterized in that it includes: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, so that the device equipped with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, Or the method of any one of claims 11 to 13.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that it is used to store a computer program, the computer program causing the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or any one of claims 11 to 13. The method described in one item.