CN110557265B

CN110557265B - Multicast method and device

Info

Publication number: CN110557265B
Application number: CN201810562280.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 诸华林; 靳维生; 李欢
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-04
Filing date: 2018-06-04
Publication date: 2021-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2038-06-04
Also published as: CN110557265A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a multicast method and a multicast device, relates to the field of communication, and can avoid redundant multicast data generated in the process that terminal equipment accesses multicast data through a mobile network. The method comprises the following steps: and the multicast management network element determines the first session connection and informs the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection.

Description

Multicast method and device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a multicast method and apparatus.

Background

In the backbone fixed network, in order to save the transmission bandwidth of a backbone network, a multicast technology is adopted to transmit a part of data in the backbone network, the data is copied at a position close to a host, and then the data is respectively distributed to each host joining a multicast group.

With the rapid development of intelligent terminals and mobile applications, the demand for terminal devices to access a multicast Data Network (DN) through a mobile network is increasing. The mobile network may transmit multicast data to the end devices over the session connections of the end devices. In the prior art, for a terminal device, multiple copies of the same multicast data may be received, resulting in redundant multicast data transmission.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a multicast method, a device and a system, which can avoid redundant multicast data generated in the process of accessing multicast data by terminal equipment through a mobile network.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiment of the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

in a first aspect, the present application provides a multicast method and apparatus.

In one possible design, the method may include: the multicast management network element determines a first session connection and informs the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection; wherein the first session connection is used for transmitting multicast traffic. In the method, a multicast management network element determines a first session connection from session connections corresponding to a multicast service, for transmitting the multicast service. After receiving the multicast data, the user plane network element may send the multicast data to the access network device through the first session connection. Therefore, each terminal device only receives one piece of multicast data of the multicast service, and redundant multicast data generated in the process of accessing the multicast data by the terminal device can be avoided.

In a possible design, a multicast management network element receives a multicast adding request message of a multicast service sent by a terminal device; and determining whether the joining multicast message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element. If the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service is determined not to be sent to the user plane network element, the multicast management network element determines the session connection corresponding to the multicast adding request message of the multicast service as a first session connection; the multicast management network element sends a multicast adding message to the user plane network element through the first session connection, or sends the multicast adding message and the indication information of the first session connection to the user plane network element through the control plane, so as to inform the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection. And if the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service is determined to be sent to the user plane network element, the multicast management network element determines the session connection which has sent the multicast adding message as the first session connection and stops sending the multicast adding message to the user plane network element. In this implementation, the session connection corresponding to the first message for sending the join multicast request is determined as the first session connection, and is used to transmit multicast data of the multicast service. Only one corresponding multicast adding message of one multicast service is sent to the user plane network element, and the user plane network element sends multicast data to the access network equipment through the first session connection. Therefore, each terminal device only receives one piece of multicast data of the multicast service, and redundant multicast data generated in the process of accessing the multicast data by the terminal device can be avoided.

In one possible design, a multicast management network element receives indication information of a first session connection sent by a core network control plane network element; and the multicast management network element determines the first session connection according to the indication information of the first session connection. In this implementation, the core network control plane network element selects one session connection from the multiple session connections corresponding to the multicast service as the first session connection, and the multicast management network element determines the first session connection according to the indication of the core network control plane network element.

In a possible design, before receiving indication information of a first session connection sent by a core network control plane network element, a multicast management network element sends a request message to the core network control plane network element, where the request message is used to request the core network control plane network element to determine a session connection for transmitting a multicast service; the request message includes indication information of the multicast service and a session connection set capable of transmitting the multicast service. In this implementation, the multicast management network element sends the session connection set for transmitting the multicast service to the core network control plane network element, and requests the core network control plane network element to determine the first session connection.

In one possible design, the multicast management network element determines that the first session connection is unavailable, and re-determines the second session connection for transmitting the multicast service; and the multicast management network element informs the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the second session connection. In this implementation, if a session connection for transmitting the multicast service is unavailable, the multicast management network element re-determines a session connection for transmitting the multicast service.

In a possible design, the multicast management network element receives indication information of the second session connection sent by the core network control plane network element, and determines the second session connection according to the indication information of the second session connection. In this implementation, if a session connection for transmitting the multicast service is unavailable, the core network control plane network element selects one session connection from the plurality of session connections corresponding to the multicast service as a second session connection, and the multicast management network element determines the second session connection according to the indication of the core network control plane network element.

In one possible design, before the multicast management network element receives the indication information of the second session connection sent by the core network control plane network element, a request message is sent to the core network control plane network element to request the core network control plane network element to determine the session connection for transmitting the multicast service; the request message includes indication information of the multicast service and a session connection set capable of transmitting the multicast service. In this implementation, if the session connection for transmitting the multicast service is unavailable, the multicast management network element sends the set of session connections for optionally transmitting the multicast service to the core network control plane network element, and requests the core network control plane network element to determine the second session connection.

In a possible design, the multicast management network element determines the first session connection according to the QoS information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service, or the multicast management network element determines the second session connection according to the QoS information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service.

Correspondingly, the present application also provides a multicast apparatus, which can implement the multicast method described in the first aspect. For example, the apparatus may be a multicast management network element, and may also be other apparatuses capable of implementing the multicast method, where the method may be implemented by software, hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

In one possible design, the apparatus may include a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to enable the apparatus to perform the corresponding functions in the method of the first aspect. The memory is for coupling to the processor and holds the necessary program instructions and data for the device. In addition, the device can also comprise a communication interface for supporting the communication between the device and other devices. The communication interface may be a transceiver or a transceiver circuit.

In one possible design, the apparatus may include: a determining unit and a transmitting unit. The determining unit is used for determining a first session connection, and the first session connection is used for transmitting the multicast service; the sending unit is used for informing the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection.

In one possible design, the apparatus further includes: and a receiving unit. The receiving unit is used for receiving a multicast adding request message of the multicast service sent by the terminal equipment; the determining unit is further configured to determine whether a multicast joining message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to a user plane network element; and a sending unit, configured to send the multicast joining message to the user plane network element through the first session connection or send the multicast joining message and the indication information of the first session connection to the user plane network element through the control plane if the determining unit determines that the multicast joining message corresponding to the multicast service is not sent to the user plane network element.

In one possible design, the apparatus further includes: and a receiving unit. The receiving unit is used for receiving a multicast adding request message of the multicast service sent by the terminal equipment; the determining unit is further configured to determine whether a multicast joining message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to a user plane network element; the determining unit is further configured to determine, if it is determined that the multicast joining message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element, the session connection that has sent the multicast joining message as the first session connection.

In one possible design, the apparatus further includes: and a receiving unit. The receiving unit is used for receiving indication information of the first session connection sent by the core network control plane network element; the determining unit is further configured to determine the first session connection according to the indication information of the first session connection.

In a possible design, the sending unit is further configured to send a request message to the core network control plane network element before the receiving unit receives the indication information of the first session connection sent by the core network control plane network element, and request the core network control plane network element to determine a session connection for transmitting the multicast service; the request message includes indication information of the multicast service and a session connection set capable of transmitting the multicast service.

In one possible design, the determining unit is further configured to determine whether the first session connection is available; if the first session connection is determined to be unavailable, determining that the second session connection is used for transmitting the multicast service; the sending unit is further configured to notify the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the second session connection.

In one possible design, the apparatus further includes: and a receiving unit. The receiving unit is used for receiving indication information of the second session connection sent by the core network control plane network element; the determining unit is further configured to determine the second session connection according to the indication information of the second session connection.

In a possible design, the sending unit is further configured to send a request message to the core network control plane network element before the receiving unit receives the indication information of the second session connection sent by the core network control plane network element, and request the core network control plane network element to determine a session connection for transmitting the multicast service; the request message includes indication information of the multicast service and a session connection set capable of transmitting the multicast service.

In a possible design, the determining unit determines the first session connection according to quality of service, QoS, information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a multicast method and apparatus.

In one possible design, the method may include: a multicast management network element receives a multicast adding request message of a multicast service sent by a terminal device; and the multicast management network element determines the multicast mode according to whether the join multicast message corresponding to the multicast service is sent to the user plane network element. In the method, a multicast management network element determines a multicast mode according to whether a join multicast message corresponding to a multicast service is already sent to a user plane network element, and only informs the user plane network element to send multicast data to access network equipment through one session. Therefore, each terminal device only receives one piece of multicast data of the multicast service, and redundant multicast data generated in the process of accessing the multicast data by the terminal device can be avoided.

In one possible design, the multicast management network element determines that a join multicast message corresponding to the multicast service is not sent to the user plane network element, and notifies the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection; in one example, a multicast management network element sends a join multicast message to a user plane network element over a first session connection; in another example, the multicast management network element sends a join multicast message and indication information of the first session connection to the user plane network element through the control plane. If the multicast management network element determines that the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element; the multicast management network element determines the session connection which has sent the join multicast message as the first session connection for transmitting the multicast service. In this implementation, the session connection corresponding to the first message for sending the join multicast request is determined as the first session connection, and is used to transmit multicast data of the multicast service. Only one corresponding multicast adding message of one multicast service is sent to the user plane network element, and the user plane network element sends multicast data to the access network equipment through the first session connection. Therefore, each terminal device only receives one piece of multicast data of the multicast service, and redundant multicast data generated in the process of accessing the multicast data by the terminal device can be avoided.

In one possible design, the multicast management network element determines the second session connection; and informing the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the second session connection. In this implementation, the multicast management network element re-determines a session connection for transmitting the multicast service.

In one possible design, the multicast management network element receives indication information of a second session connection sent by a core network control plane network element; and the multicast management network element determines the second session connection according to the indication information of the second session connection. In this implementation, the core network control plane network element re-determines a session connection for transmitting the multicast service.

In one possible design, before the multicast management network element receives the indication information of the second session connection sent by the core network control plane network element, the multicast management network element sends a request message to the core network control plane network element to request the core network control plane network element to determine the session connection for transmitting the multicast service; the request message includes indication information of the multicast service and a session connection set capable of transmitting the multicast service. In this implementation, the multicast management network element sends the session connection set for optionally transmitting the multicast service to the core network control plane network element, and requests the core network control plane network element to re-determine a session connection for transmitting the multicast service.

In one possible design, the multicast management network element determines that the first session connection is unavailable. In this implementation, if the session connection for transmitting the multicast service is not available, the session connection for transmitting the multicast service is determined again.

In one possible design, the multicast management network element determines the second session connection according to the QoS information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service.

Correspondingly, the present application also provides a multicast apparatus, which can implement the multicast method described in the second aspect. For example, the apparatus may be a multicast management network element, and may also be other apparatuses capable of implementing the multicast method, where the method may be implemented by software, hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

In one possible design, the apparatus may include a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to enable the apparatus to perform the corresponding functions of the method of the second aspect. The memory is for coupling to the processor and holds the necessary program instructions and data for the device. In addition, the device can also comprise a communication interface for supporting the communication between the device and other devices. The communication interface may be a transceiver or a transceiver circuit.

In one possible design, the apparatus may include: a receiving unit and a determining unit. The receiving unit is used for receiving a multicast adding request message of the multicast service sent by the terminal equipment; the determining unit is used for determining the multicast mode according to whether the joining multicast message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element.

In one possible design, the apparatus further includes: and a sending unit. The sending unit is used for informing the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection if the determining unit determines that the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service is not sent to the user plane network element.

In one possible design, the sending unit sends a join multicast message to a user plane network element through a first session connection; or, the multicast joining message and the indication information of the first session connection are sent to the user plane network element through the control plane.

In a possible design, the determining unit is further configured to determine, if it is determined that a join multicast message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element, the session connection that has sent the join multicast message as the first session connection for transmitting the multicast service.

In one possible design, the determining unit is further configured to determine a second session connection; the sending unit is further configured to notify the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the second session connection.

In a possible design, the receiving unit is further configured to receive indication information of a second session connection sent by the core network control plane network element; the determining unit is specifically configured to determine the second session connection according to the indication information of the second session connection.

In a possible design, the sending unit is further configured to send a request message to the core network control plane network element before the receiving unit receives the indication information of the second session connection sent by the core network control plane network element, and request the core network control plane network element to determine a session connection for transmitting the multicast service; including indication information of the multicast service and a session connection set that can transmit the multicast service.

In a possible design, the determining unit is further configured to determine whether the first session connection is available.

In a possible design, the determining unit is specifically configured to determine the second session connection according to quality of service QoS information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service.

The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions, which when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any of the above aspects.

The present application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any of the above aspects.

The present application provides a communication system comprising the above-mentioned apparatus for implementing the method of the first aspect, or the above-mentioned apparatus for implementing the method of the second aspect.

Any one of the above-provided apparatuses, computer storage media, computer program products, or communication systems is configured to execute the above-provided corresponding methods, and therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved by the apparatuses, the computer storage media, the computer program products, or the communication systems can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding schemes in the above-provided corresponding methods, and are not described herein again.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture to which the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present application is applied;

fig. 2 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a first schematic diagram illustrating a multicast method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a second schematic diagram of a multicast method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a third schematic diagram of a multicast method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a fourth schematic diagram of a multicast method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a first schematic structural diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 is a fourth schematic structural diagram of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

A multicast method, device and system provided by the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The technical scheme provided by the application can be applied to various mobile communication systems, such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, a fifth generation mobile communication (5G) system, a future 6G network, a MulteFire network and a home base station network; or a mobile network with non-third generation partnership project (3 GPP), such as wireless-fidelity (WIFI) access; a future evolution system or a plurality of communication convergence systems, etc. A variety of application scenarios may be included, for example, scenarios such as machine-to-machine (M2M), D2M, macro-micro communication, enhanced mobile internet (eMBB), ultra high reliability and low latency communication (URLLC), and mass internet of things communication (mtc), which may include but are not limited to: a communication scenario between a User Equipment (UE) and the UE, a communication scenario between a network device and the network device, a communication scenario between the network device and the UE, and the like.

The technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application may be applied to a system architecture as shown in fig. 1, where the communication system may include a terminal device 101, an access network 102, a core network 103, and a Data Network (DN) 104. In a communication network, terminal device 101 may access DN104 through access network 102 and core network 103.

DN104 may be used to provide a data source.

The core network 103 mainly functions to provide user connection, user management, and service completion bearer, and provides an interface to an external network as a bearer network. Including mobility management, call management, route management, security management, etc. for the user. The core network 103 may include an access management network element 1031, a session management network element 1032, and a user plane network element 1033. The access management network element 1031 and the session management network element 1032 are control plane network elements, the access management network element 1031 is configured to provide mobility management, access authentication, security anchor function and security context management function for the terminal device 101, and the session management network element 1032 is configured to perform session management, user plane selection and control, downlink data notification, and the like; the user plane network element 1033 is used for transmitting user plane data. Taking the New Radio (NR) system as an example, the access management network element 1031 may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, the session management network element 1032 may be a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, and the user plane network element 1033 may be a User Plane Function (UPF) network element. Of course, the core network 103 may also include other network elements and functional entities, or other network elements may be used to replace the above network elements to provide the above functions, and meanwhile, the number of each network element may also be configured according to specific needs, and the core network 103 may also be a device and a system that provide the above functions in a future evolution system or a multiple communication convergence system, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The access network 102 includes access network equipment 1021. The access network device 1021 is used to provide access services for the terminal device 101. The access network device 1021 may be a Radio Access Network (RAN) device, such as a base station (nodeB, NB), AN evolved base station (eNB), or a 5G-AN/5G-RAN node, where the 5G-AN/5G-RAN node may be: an access node, a next generation base station (gNB), a Transmission Receive Point (TRP), a Transmission Point (TP), or some other access node. The access network device 1021 may also be an Access Gateway Function (AGF) network element or a Broadband Network Gateway (BNG) for fixed network access, may also be a wired broadband access network wired, a multi-fire network, or a device for private network access, and may also be an untrusted access (N3 GPP interworking function, N3IWF) or a trusted access gateway.

The terminal device 101 may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a netbook, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), an electronic book, a mobile television, a wearable device, a Personal Computer (PC), and the like. In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device 101 may further include a home gateway (RG) and a Set Top Box (STB). In communication systems of different standards, terminal devices may be referred to differently, but all of them may be understood as terminal devices described in this application. The embodiment of the present application also does not specifically limit the type of the terminal device.

Each network element included in the communication network is connected and communicated through a predefined interface, which is not limited nor described in detail in the present application.

In this embodiment of the present application, a network element a in a communication network sends a content C to a network element B, where the content C may be sent directly to the network B by the network element a, or the content C may be forwarded step by the network element a through a network element between the network element a and the network element B, and this process is not limited nor described in detail in the embodiment, and is configured according to an actual network architecture in actual application.

It should be noted that the system architecture shown in fig. 1 is only for example and is not used to limit the technical solution of the present application. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that other devices may be included in the system architecture during the implementation process, and the number of network devices and terminals may also be configured according to specific needs.

Optionally, a network element in the terminal device 101, the access network device 1021, or the core network 103 in fig. 1 may be implemented by one entity device, or may be implemented by multiple entity devices together, or may be a logic function module in one entity device, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

For example, the network elements in the terminal device 101, the access network device 1021, or the core network 103 in fig. 1 may be implemented by the communication device in fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 200 includes at least one processor 201, communication lines 202, memory 203, and at least one communication interface 204.

The processor 201 may be a general processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more ics for controlling the execution of programs in accordance with the present invention.

The communication link 202 may include a path for transmitting information between the aforementioned components.

The communication interface 204 may be any device, such as a transceiver, for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as an ethernet, a Radio Access Network (RAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), etc.

The memory 203 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to these. The memory 203 may be separate and coupled to the processor 201 via the communication line 202. The memory 203 may also be integrated with the processor 201.

The memory 203 is used for storing computer execution instructions for executing the scheme of the application, and is controlled by the processor 201 to execute. The processor 201 is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 203, so as to implement the multicast method provided by the following embodiments of the present application.

Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application program codes, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

In particular implementations, processor 201 may include one or more CPUs such as CPU0 and CPU1 in fig. 2, for example, as one embodiment.

For one embodiment, the communication device 200 may include multiple processors, such as the processor 201 and the processor 207 of FIG. 2. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. A processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

In particular implementations, communication device 200 may also include an output device 205 and an input device 206, as one embodiment. The output device 205 is in communication with the processor 201 and may display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 205 may be a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display device, a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display device, a projector (projector), or the like. The input device 206 is in communication with the processor 201 and may receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 206 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensing device, among others.

The communication device 200 described above may be a general purpose device or a special purpose device. In a specific implementation, the communication device 200 may be a desktop, a laptop, a web server, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet, a wireless terminal device, an embedded device, or a device with a similar structure as in fig. 2. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the communication device 200.

Some of the terms referred to in this application are explained below for the convenience of the reader:

1. indication information of multicast service

The indication information of the multicast service is used to indicate a multicast service, for example, the indication information of the multicast service may be a multicast address, where one multicast address identifies one multicast group, and one multicast group is a set of a plurality of terminal devices that request to acquire the same data content. Requesting to join a multicast group is the request for multicast service corresponding to a multicast address. A multicast source, such as a server in DN104 in fig. 1, sends multicast data to the terminal device joining a multicast group indicated by a multicast address through the core network 103 and the access network 102.

2. Multicast management network element

The multicast management network element may be configured to manage transmission of multicast data, e.g., to select a session connection for transmitting the multicast data. Illustratively, two end devices join the multicast group 1, and the end device 1 and the end device 2 establish a session connection 1 and a session connection 2, respectively. After the DN104 sends the multicast data of the multicast group 1 to the user plane network element 1033, the multicast management network element may select the user plane network element 1033 to send the multicast data to the access network device 1021 through the session connection 1 or the session connection 2; after copying the multicast data, the access network device 1021 sends a copy of the multicast data to the terminal device 1 and the terminal device 2 through the session connection 1 and the session connection 2, respectively.

In this application, the multicast management network element may be an access network device 1021 or a core network control plane network element, such as an access management network element 1031 or a session management network element 1032.

3. The term "plurality" herein means two or more. The terms "first" and "second" herein are used to distinguish between different objects, and are not used to describe a particular order of objects. For example, the first session connection and the second session connection are only used for distinguishing different session connections, and the sequence order thereof is not limited. The term "and/or" herein is merely an association describing an associated object, meaning that three relationships may exist, e.g., a and/or B, may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "e.g.," is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present concepts related in a concrete fashion.

In the present embodiment, the following description will be given taking an example in which the terminal apparatus 1 and the terminal apparatus 2 join the multicast group 1. For example, the terminal device 1 and the terminal device 2 may be the terminal 101 in fig. 1. The terminal device 1 establishes a session connection 1 in the communication network and the terminal device 2 establishes a session connection 2 in the communication network.

The embodiment of the present application provides a multicast method, which can be applied to the communication system shown in fig. 1. As shown in fig. 3, the method may include S101-S104:

s101, the multicast management network element determines the first session connection.

Illustratively, the multicast management network element may be access network device 1021 in fig. 1, and the multicast management network element may also be access management network element 1031 or session management network element 1032 in fig. 1.

Specifically, a plurality of terminal devices in the multicast group establish respective session connections, and the multicast management network element may determine one of the session connections as a first session connection for transmitting the multicast service of the multicast group.

S102, the multicast management network element informs the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection.

Illustratively, the user plane network element may be the user plane network element 1033 in fig. 1.

Specifically, the multicast management network element sends a join multicast message to the user plane network element, where the join multicast message may include indication information of the multicast service, such as a multicast address, for indicating the requested multicast service.

For example, the join multicast message may be an existing Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) message, such as a join message; of course, the join multicast message may also be a newly deployed message; this is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

In a possible implementation manner, the multicast management network element is an access network device, and the multicast management network element sends a join multicast message to the user plane network element through the first session connection to notify the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection. In one possible implementation, the multicast management network element is an access network device or an AMF network element or an SMF network element. The multicast management network element informs the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection by controlling the user plane network element to send the multicast adding message and the indication information of the first session connection. The session connection indication information is used to indicate a session connection, and for example, the session connection indication information may be N3 tunnel information, a session connection identifier, a terminal device Internet Protocol (IP) address identifier, or a terminal device identifier.

And after receiving the multicast adding message, the user plane network element binds the indication information of the multicast service and is connected with the first session.

S103, the user plane network element receives the multicast data sent by the data source.

Illustratively, the data source may be a server in DN104 in fig. 1.

After receiving the multicast data sent by the data source, the user plane network element acquires a first session connection bound by the multicast address according to the multicast address corresponding to the multicast data.

And S104, the user plane network element sends the multicast data to the access network equipment through the first session connection.

The user plane network element can send the multicast data to the access network device through the first session connection, the access network device copies the multicast data according to the number of session connections requesting the multicast service, and sends each copy of the copied multicast data to a terminal device corresponding to one session connection.

In a possible implementation manner of the present application, the access network device may cache a multicast service sent by a user plane network element. Therefore, the cached multicast service can be sent to the terminal equipment, and the playback function of the multicast service can be realized.

In the multicast method provided by the embodiment of the present application, a plurality of terminal devices joining a multicast group respectively establish session connections, and a multicast management network element determines a first session connection from the session connections corresponding to a multicast service, for transmitting the multicast service. After receiving the multicast data, the user plane network element sends the multicast data to the access network equipment through the first session connection, the access network equipment copies the multicast data according to the number of session connections requesting the multicast service, and sends each copy of the copied multicast data to the terminal equipment corresponding to one session connection. Compared with the prior art, the user plane network element sends the multicast data to the access network equipment through each session connection corresponding to the multicast service, the access network equipment copies the multicast data received on each session connection according to the number of the session connections requesting the multicast service, and sends each copy of the copied multicast data to the terminal equipment corresponding to one session connection. According to the multicast method provided by the embodiment of the application, each terminal device only receives one piece of multicast data of the multicast service, and redundant multicast data generated in the process of accessing the multicast data by the terminal device can be avoided.

In an example, as shown in fig. 4, the multicast method provided by the foregoing embodiment may include S201 to S208:

s201, the first terminal sends a multicast joining request message to a multicast management network element.

It should be noted that, in fig. 4, the multicast management network element and the access network device are described separately on two sides, in a specific implementation, the multicast management network element may also be an access network device, and when the multicast management network element is an access network device, the access network device in fig. 4 may perform a function of the multicast management network element in fig. 4.

For example, the multicast management network element may be access network device 1021 in fig. 1, or may be access management network element 1031 or session management network element 1032 in fig. 1; the access network device may be access network device 1021 in fig. 1; the first terminal may be the terminal 101 in fig. 1.

The first terminal sends a multicast adding request message to a multicast management network element, wherein the multicast adding request message is used for indicating the multicast service which the terminal equipment requests to subscribe, and the multicast adding request message comprises the indication information of the multicast service. Illustratively, the first terminal is a terminal device 1. The indication information of the multicast service added in the multicast request message sent by the terminal device 1 is the multicast address 1, that is, the terminal device 1 requests to subscribe to the multicast service corresponding to the multicast address 1.

Illustratively, the join multicast request message may be an existing IGMP message, such as a join message (join message); of course, the join multicast request message may also be a newly deployed message; this is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

In a possible implementation manner, the multicast management network element may be an access network device, and the terminal device 1 sends a join multicast request message to the access network device through the session connection 1. In a possible implementation manner, the multicast management network element may be a core network control plane network element, such as an AMF or an SMF, and the join multicast request message sent by the terminal device 1 may be forwarded through the access network device.

S202, the multicast management network element receives a multicast joining request message sent by the first terminal.

Specifically, after receiving a multicast adding request message sent by a first terminal, a multicast management network element determines a multicast mode according to whether a multicast adding message corresponding to a multicast service has been sent to a user plane network element.

And the multicast management network element judges whether the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service is sent to the user plane network element or not, and if the multicast adding message is not sent, the session connection corresponding to the first terminal is determined as the first session connection. Illustratively, the multicast management network element does not send a join multicast message corresponding to the multicast service to the user plane network element, which may include that no terminal device requests to subscribe to the multicast service; the method may also include that the terminal device requests to subscribe to the multicast service, and then the terminal device requests to unsubscribe from the multicast service; and determining that the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service is not sent to the user plane network element by the multicast management network element as long as the terminal equipment does not request to subscribe the multicast service currently.

Illustratively, the terminal device 1 is a first terminal device that requests to join the multicast group 1, and the multicast management network element determines that a multicast joining message corresponding to the multicast group 1 is not sent to the user plane network element, and then determines the session connection 1 corresponding to the terminal device 1 as a first session connection.

S203, the multicast management network element sends a multicast adding message to the user plane network element.

Specifically, the multicast management network element sends a join multicast message to the user plane network element to notify the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection. The specific notification step is as described in S102, and is not described herein again.

In a possible implementation manner, after the multicast management network element sends the join multicast message to the user plane network element, information of the join multicast message sent, such as a multicast address, may be recorded. When judging whether the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service is sent to the user plane network element, the multicast management network element can judge by inquiring whether the multicast address of the multicast service exists.

And S204, the user plane network element receives the multicast adding message sent by the multicast management network element.

And after receiving the multicast adding message, the user plane network element binds the indication information of the multicast service added in the multicast adding message to be connected with the first session.

S205, the user plane network element receives the multicast data sent by the data source.

Specifically, the step described in S103 is executed, and details are not described here.

And S206, the user plane network element sends the multicast data to the access network equipment through the first session connection.

Specifically, the step described in S104 is executed, and details are not described here.

And S207, the second terminal sends a multicast joining request message to the multicast management network element.

Illustratively, the second terminal may be the terminal 101 in fig. 1, and the second terminal is the terminal device 2. The indication information of the multicast service added in the multicast request message sent by the terminal device 2 to the multicast management network element is the multicast address 1, that is, the terminal device 2 requests to subscribe the multicast service corresponding to the multicast address 1.

And S208, the multicast management network element receives the multicast adding request message sent by the second terminal.

Specifically, after receiving the multicast adding request message sent by the second terminal, the multicast management network element determines the multicast mode according to whether the multicast adding request message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element.

The multicast management network element judges whether the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service is sent to the user plane network element, and if the multicast adding message is sent, the session connection which has sent the multicast adding message is determined as the first session connection.

Illustratively, when the terminal device 1 requests to subscribe to the multicast service corresponding to the multicast address 1, the multicast management network element sends a join multicast message corresponding to the multicast service to the user plane network element to notify the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection. When the terminal device 2 requests to subscribe the multicast service corresponding to the multicast address 1, the multicast management network element determines that the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element, determines that the session connection 1 of the terminal device 1 is the first session connection, and the user plane network element can send the multicast data to the access network device through the session connection 1.

And after receiving the multicast adding request message sent by the second terminal, the multicast management network element does not send the multicast adding message to the user plane network element.

It should be noted that, the sequence of S205-S206 and S207-S208 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. When the multicast management network element receives the multicast joining request message sent by the second terminal, the data source may already start transmitting the multicast data, or the data source may not yet start transmitting the multicast data.

In the multicast method provided by the embodiment of the present application, after receiving a multicast adding request message sent by a terminal device, a multicast management network element determines different multicast modes according to whether a multicast adding message corresponding to a multicast service has been sent to a user plane network element. If the join multicast message is not sent, sending the join multicast message to a user plane network element; and if the join multicast message is already sent, the join multicast message is not sent to the user plane network element. In this way, the session connection corresponding to the first sending join multicast request message is determined as the first session connection for transmitting multicast data of the multicast service. And the user plane network element sends the multicast data to the access network equipment through the first session connection. Compared with the prior art, the user plane network element sends the multicast data to the access network equipment through each session connection corresponding to the multicast service, the access network equipment copies the multicast data received on each session connection according to the number of the session connections requesting the multicast service, and sends each copy of the copied multicast data to the terminal equipment corresponding to one session connection. According to the multicast method provided by the embodiment of the application, each terminal device only receives one piece of multicast data of the multicast service, and redundant multicast data generated in the process of accessing the multicast data by the terminal device can be avoided.

In one example, as shown in fig. 5, the multicast method provided by the embodiment shown in fig. 3 may include S301 to S303:

s301, the multicast management network element determines the second session connection.

Specifically, the multicast management network element determines a second session connection for transmitting the multicast service.

Illustratively, the user plane network element transmits multicast data of the multicast service through the first session connection before the multicast management network element determines the second session connection. The first session connection is session connection 1.

For example, if the first session connection is unavailable, for example, the first session connection is released, the first session connection is deactivated, the terminal device corresponding to the first session connection is unregistered, or the access network resource corresponding to the first session connection is released, the multicast management network element re-determines that the second session connection is used for transmitting the multicast service. Illustratively, the session connection 1 is released, and the multicast management network element re-determines that the session connection 2 is used for transmitting the multicast service.

Illustratively, the multicast management network element determines the second session connection according to quality of service (QoS) information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service. For example, if the second session connection has the capability of transmitting the multicast service according to the QoS information of the first session connection and the second session connection, it is determined that the second session connection is used for transmitting the multicast service. Of course, the second session connection may also be determined according to other principles, which is not limited in this embodiment.

The above is only described by taking an example that the multicast management network element determines that the second session connection is used for transmitting the multicast service, and those skilled in the art can understand that the multicast management network element may select any session connection user to transmit the multicast service according to a predetermined principle. For example, before the multicast management network element determines the first session connection in S101, the user plane network element transmits multicast data of the multicast service through the third session connection, and the multicast management network element determines, according to QoS information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service, that the first session connection is used for transmitting the multicast service. Illustratively, the first session connection is session connection 1 and the third session connection is session connection 2. And releasing the session connection 2, and the multicast management network element re-determines that the session connection 1 is used for transmitting the multicast service.

S302, the multicast management network element informs the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the second session connection.

Specifically, the multicast management network element sends a multicast joining message to the user plane network element, where the multicast joining message includes indication information of the multicast service.

In a possible implementation manner, the multicast management network element is an access network device, and the multicast management network element sends a join multicast message to the user plane network element through the second session connection to notify the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the second session connection. In a possible implementation manner, the multicast management network element is an access network device, an AMF network element, or an SMF network element, and the multicast management network element notifies the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the second session connection by controlling the user plane network element to send the multicast adding message and the indication information of the second session connection.

And after receiving the multicast adding message sent by the multicast management network element, the user plane network element binds the indication information of the multicast service and is connected with the second session. After receiving the multicast data sent by the data source, the user plane network element acquires a second session connection bound with the multicast address according to the multicast address corresponding to the multicast data, and can send the multicast data to the access network device through the second session connection.

If the user plane network element transmits the multicast service to the access network device through other session connections before the multicast management network element determines the second session connection, for example, the user plane network element transmits the multicast service through the first session connection; the method may further include S303:

s303, the multicast management network element sends a multicast canceling message to the user plane network element.

Specifically, the multicast management network element sends a multicast cancellation message to the user plane network element, so as to notify the user plane network element to cancel the transmission of the multicast service through the original session connection. For example, the multicast management network element sends a multicast cancellation message to the user plane network element, where the multicast cancellation message includes indication information of the first session connection; and the user plane network element cancels the transmission of the multicast service through the first session connection.

For example, the multicast cancellation message may be an existing IGMP message, such as a leave message (leave message); of course, the join multicast message may also be a newly deployed message; this is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

In the multicast method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the multicast management network element determines that the second session connection is used for transmitting multicast data of a multicast service, and the user plane network element sends the multicast data to the access network device through the second session connection. Compared with the prior art, the user plane network element sends the multicast data to the access network equipment through each session connection corresponding to the multicast service, the access network equipment copies the multicast data received on each session connection according to the number of the session connections requesting the multicast service, and sends each copy of the copied multicast data to the terminal equipment corresponding to one session connection. According to the multicast method provided by the embodiment of the application, each terminal device only receives one piece of multicast data of the multicast service, and redundant multicast data generated in the process of accessing the multicast data by the terminal device can be avoided. And the second session connection is selected by the multicast management network element from a plurality of session connections corresponding to the multicast service according to a predetermined principle, so that the transmission quality of the multicast data can be improved to a certain extent.

In one example, as shown in fig. 6, the multicast method provided by the embodiment shown in fig. 3 may include S401-S406:

s401, the core network control plane network element determines a second session connection.

It should be noted that, in this example, the multicast management network element is an access network device, such as the access network device 1021 in fig. 1. The core network control plane network element may be an AMF network element or an SMF network element.

Specifically, the core network control plane network element determines a second session connection for transmitting the multicast service.

Illustratively, before the core network control plane network element determines the second session connection, the user plane network element transmits the multicast data of the multicast service through the first session connection.

For example, if the first session connection is unavailable, for example, the first session connection is released, the first session connection is deactivated, the terminal device corresponding to the first session connection deregisters, or the access network resource corresponding to the first session connection is released, the access network device notifies the core network control plane network element to re-determine the session connection for transmitting the multicast service. For example, the access network device sends a request message to the core network control plane network element, where the request message is used to request the core network control plane network element to determine a session connection used for transmitting the multicast service, where the session connection includes indication information of the multicast service, indication information of a session connection currently transmitting the multicast service, and a session connection set that can transmit the multicast service. For example, the request message may be a multicast on-going indication message (multicast on-indication message) sent by the access network device to the AMF network element. The multicast in-progress indication message includes the multicast address of the multicast group 1, the indication information of the first session connection, and the session connection set that can transmit the multicast service, for example, the session connection set that can transmit the multicast service includes the second session connection and the third session connection. And the core network control plane network element determines a second session connection for transmitting the multicast service from the session connection set capable of transmitting the multicast service.

In one possible implementation, the user plane network element transmits multicast data of the multicast service through a session connection, and the access network device determines to reselect a session connection for transmitting the multicast service. The access network equipment informs the core network control plane network element to re-determine the session connection for transmitting the multicast service. For example, the access network device sends a request message to the core network control plane network element, where the request message is used to request the core network control plane network element to determine a session connection used for transmitting the multicast service, where the session connection includes indication information of the multicast service, indication information of a session connection currently transmitting the multicast service, and a session connection set that can transmit the multicast service. Illustratively, the request message may be a session reselection indication message (PDU reselection indication message) sent by the access network device to the AMF network element or the SMF network element. The session reselection indication message includes the multicast address of the multicast group 1, the indication information of the first session connection, and the session connection set that can transmit the multicast service, for example, the session connection set that can transmit the multicast service includes the second session connection and the third session connection. And the core network control plane network element determines a second session connection for transmitting the multicast service from the session connection set capable of transmitting the multicast service.

In a possible implementation manner, the core network control plane network element determines the second session connection according to the QoS information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service. For example, if the core network control plane network element determines that the second session connection has the capability of transmitting the multicast service according to the QoS information of the first session connection and the second session connection, it determines that the second session connection is used for transmitting the multicast service. Of course, the second session connection may also be determined according to other principles, which is not limited in this embodiment.

S402, the core network control plane network element sends the indication information of the second session connection to the multicast management network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the core network control plane network element sends a first message to the multicast management network element, where the first message includes indication information of the second session connection. The first message may be an existing protocol message, such as a resource release request message or a session request message, or may be a newly defined message, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

S403, the multicast management network element receives the indication information of the second session connection sent by the core network control plane network element.

S404, the multicast management network element determines the second session connection.

Specifically, the multicast management network element determines the second session connection according to the received indication information of the second session connection sent by the core network control plane network element.

S405, the multicast management network element informs the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the second session connection.

S302 may be referred to for specific steps, and details are not repeated here.

If the user plane network element transmits the multicast service to the access network device through other session connections before the core network control plane network element determines the second session connection, for example, the user plane network element transmits the multicast service through the first session connection; the method may further include S406:

s406, the multicast management network element sends a multicast canceling message to the user plane network element.

S303 may be referred to for specific steps, which are not described herein again.

The above is only described by taking an example that the core network control plane network element determines that the second session connection is used for transmitting the multicast service, and those skilled in the art can understand that the core network control plane network element may select any one session connection for transmitting the multicast service according to a predetermined principle. For example, the determination method of the second session connection in S401 to S406 may be used in the determination method of the first session connection in S101 to S104, and details are not described here.

In the multicast method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the core network control plane element determines that the second session connection is used for transmitting multicast data of a multicast service, and the user plane element sends the multicast data to the access network device through the second session connection. Compared with the prior art, the user plane network element sends the multicast data to the access network equipment through each session connection corresponding to the multicast service, the access network equipment copies the multicast data received on each session connection according to the number of the session connections requesting the multicast service, and sends each copy of the copied multicast data to the terminal equipment corresponding to one session connection. According to the multicast method provided by the embodiment of the application, each terminal device only receives one piece of multicast data of the multicast service, and redundant multicast data generated in the process of accessing the multicast data by the terminal device can be avoided. And the second session connection is selected from a plurality of session connections corresponding to the multicast service by the core network control plane network element according to a predetermined principle, so that the transmission quality of the multicast data can be improved to a certain extent.

The foregoing mainly introduces aspects provided by embodiments of the present application. It is understood that the multicast management network element, in order to implement the above functions, includes a corresponding hardware structure and/or software module for performing each function. Those of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware 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.

In the embodiment of the present application, according to the above method example, functional modules may be divided for a multicast management network element, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the module is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation. The following description will be given taking the example of dividing each functional module corresponding to each function.

Fig. 7 is a schematic logical structure diagram of a multicast apparatus 700 provided in this embodiment of the present application, where the apparatus 700 may be a multicast management network element, and is capable of implementing a function of the multicast management network element in the method provided in this embodiment of the present application; the apparatus 700 may also be an apparatus capable of supporting a multicast management network element to implement the function of the multicast management network element in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 700 may be a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. As shown in fig. 7, the apparatus 700 includes a determining unit 701 and a transmitting unit 702. The determining unit 701 may be configured to perform S101 in fig. 3, or perform S301 in fig. 5, or perform S404 in fig. 6, and/or perform other steps described in this application. The sending unit 702 may be configured to execute S102 in fig. 3, or execute S203 in fig. 4, or execute S302 and/or S303 in fig. 5, or execute S405 and/or S406 in fig. 6, and/or execute other steps described in this application.

In one possible implementation manner, as shown in fig. 8 in combination with fig. 7, the apparatus 700 further includes a receiving unit 703. The receiving unit 703 may be configured to perform S202 and/or S208 in fig. 4, or perform S403 in fig. 6, and/or perform other steps described in this application.

Fig. 9 is a schematic logical structure diagram of a multicast apparatus 800 according to an embodiment of the present application, where the apparatus 800 may be a multicast management network element, and is capable of implementing a function of the multicast management network element in the method according to the embodiment of the present application; the apparatus 800 may also be an apparatus capable of supporting a multicast management network element to implement the function of the multicast management network element in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 800 may be a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. As shown in fig. 9, the apparatus 800 includes a receiving unit 801 and a determining unit 802. The receiving unit 801 may be configured to perform S202 and/or S208 in fig. 4, or perform S403 in fig. 6, and/or perform other steps described in this application. The determining unit 802 may be configured to perform S101 in fig. 3, or perform S301 in fig. 5, or perform S404 in fig. 6, and/or perform other steps described in this application.

In one possible implementation manner, as shown in fig. 10 in conjunction with fig. 9, the apparatus 800 further includes a sending unit 803. The sending unit 803 may be configured to execute S102 in fig. 3, or execute S203 in fig. 4, or execute S302 and/or S303 in fig. 5, or execute S405 and/or S406 in fig. 6, and/or execute other steps described in this application.

All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the apparatus 700 or the apparatus 800 may be presented in a form of dividing each functional module in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may refer to a particular ASIC, a circuit, a processor and a memory device executing one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and/or other components that can provide the described functionality.

In a simple embodiment, one skilled in the art will appreciate that either device 700 or device 800 may take the form shown in FIG. 2.

For example, the processor 201 in fig. 2 may execute the instructions by calling a computer stored in the memory 203, so that the apparatus 700 or the apparatus 800 executes the multicast method in the above method embodiment.

Specifically, the functions/implementation processes of the determining unit 701 and the sending unit 702 in fig. 7, the determining unit 701, the sending unit 702, and the receiving unit 703 in fig. 8, the receiving unit 801 and the determining unit 802 in fig. 9, or the receiving unit 801, the determining unit 802, and the sending unit 803 in fig. 10 may be implemented by the processor 201 in fig. 2 calling a computer executing instruction stored in the memory 203. Alternatively, the function/implementation process of the determining unit 701 in fig. 7 and 8 or the determining unit 802 in fig. 9 and 10 may be implemented by the processor 201 in fig. 2 calling a computer executing instruction stored in the memory 203, and the function/implementation process of the transmitting unit 702 in fig. 7, the transmitting unit 702 and the receiving unit 703 in fig. 8, the receiving unit 801 in fig. 9, or the receiving unit 801 and the transmitting unit 803 in fig. 10 may be implemented by the communication interface 204 in fig. 2.

In one possible implementation, the determining unit may be the processor in fig. 2, and the receiving unit and the sending unit may be the communication interfaces in fig. 2.

Since the apparatus provided in the embodiment of the present application may be configured to execute the multicast method, the technical effect obtained by the apparatus may refer to the method embodiment, and will not be described herein again.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that all or part of the steps of the above method may be performed by hardware associated with program instructions, and the program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium such as ROM, RAM, optical disk, etc.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a storage medium, which may include a memory 203.

For the explanation and beneficial effects of the related content in any one of the above-mentioned apparatuses, reference may be made to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and details are not repeated here.

In the above embodiments, the implementation may be wholly or partially realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. The procedures or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the present application are all or partially generated upon loading and execution of computer program instructions on a computer. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network appliance, a user device, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wire (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or can comprise one or more data storage devices, such as a server, a data center, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., Digital Video Disk (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

While the present application has been described in connection with various embodiments, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from a review of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the word "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be evident that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Accordingly, the specification and figures are merely exemplary of the present application as defined in the appended claims and are intended to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of the present application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as well.

Claims

1. A method of multicasting, comprising:

the multicast management network element determines a first session connection, wherein the first session connection is used for transmitting a multicast service;

the multicast management network element informs a user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection;

the multicast management network element receives a multicast adding request message of the multicast service sent by terminal equipment;

the multicast management network element informs a user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection, including:

the multicast management network element sends a multicast adding message to the user plane network element through the first session connection; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

and the multicast management network element sends a multicast adding message and the indication information of the first session connection to the user plane network element through a control plane.

2. The multicast method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

the multicast management network element determines that a multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element;

the multicast management network element determining a first session connection, including:

and the multicast management network element determines the session connection which has sent the join multicast message as the first session connection.

3. The multicast method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

the multicast management network element receives indication information of first session connection sent by a core network control plane network element;

and the multicast management network element determines the first session connection according to the indication information of the first session connection.

4. The multicast method according to claim 3, wherein before the multicast management network element receives the indication information of the first session connection sent by the core network control plane network element, the method further comprises:

the multicast management network element sends a request message to the core network control plane network element, where the request message is used to request the core network control plane network element to determine a session connection for transmitting the multicast service; the request message comprises indication information of the multicast service and a session connection set capable of transmitting the multicast service.

5. The multicast method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

the multicast management network element determines that the first session connection is unavailable;

the multicast management network element determines a second session connection, wherein the second session connection is used for transmitting multicast service;

and the multicast management network element informs the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the second session connection.

6. The multicast method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the determining of the first session connection by the multicast management network element comprises:

and the multicast management network element determines the first session connection according to the QoS information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service.

7. A method of multicasting, comprising:

a multicast management network element receives a multicast adding request message of a multicast service sent by a terminal device;

the multicast management network element determines that the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service is not sent to a user plane network element;

the multicast management network element informs a user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through a first session connection;

the multicast management network element determines a multicast mode according to whether the join multicast message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to a user plane network element, including:

the multicast management network element determines the session connection which has sent the join multicast message as a first session connection; the first session connection is used for transmitting multicast traffic.

8. The multicasting method according to claim 7,

the multicast management network element sends the multicast adding message to the user plane network element through the first session connection; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

9. The multicast method according to claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:

the multicast management network element determines a second session connection;

10. The multicast method according to claim 9, wherein the method further comprises:

the multicast management network element receives indication information of second session connection sent by a core network control plane network element;

the multicast management network element determining a second session connection, including:

and the multicast management network element determines the second session connection according to the indication information of the second session connection.

11. The multicast method according to claim 10, wherein before the multicast management network element receives the indication information of the second session connection sent by the core network control plane network element, the method further comprises:

12. The multicast method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

the multicast management network element determines that the first session connection is unavailable.

13. The multicast method according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the method further comprises:

and the multicast management network element determines the second session connection according to the QoS information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service.

14. A multicast apparatus, comprising:

a determining unit, configured to determine a first session connection, where the first session connection is used for transmitting a multicast service;

a sending unit, configured to notify a user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the first session connection;

a receiving unit, configured to receive a multicast adding request message of the multicast service sent by a terminal device;

the sending unit is specifically configured to send the multicast joining message to the user plane network element through the first session connection if the determining unit determines that the multicast joining message corresponding to the multicast service is not sent to the user plane network element, or send the multicast joining message and the indication information of the first session connection to the user plane network element through a control plane.

15. The multicast apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a receiving unit for receiving the received data,

the receiving unit is configured to receive a multicast adding request message of the multicast service sent by a terminal device;

the determining unit is further configured to determine whether a join multicast message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element;

the determining unit is further configured to determine, if it is determined that the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element, the session connection that has sent the multicast adding message as the first session connection.

16. The multicast apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a receiving unit for receiving the received data,

the receiving unit is configured to receive indication information of the first session connection sent by the core network control plane network element;

the determining unit is further configured to determine the first session connection according to the indication information of the first session connection.

17. The multicasting apparatus of claim 16,

the sending unit is further configured to send a request message to a core network control plane network element before the receiving unit receives indication information of a first session connection sent by the core network control plane network element, where the request message is used to request the core network control plane network element to determine a session connection for transmitting the multicast service; the request message comprises indication information of the multicast service and a session connection set capable of transmitting the multicast service.

18. The multicast apparatus according to claim 14,

the determining unit is further configured to determine whether the first session connection is available;

the determining unit is further configured to determine a second session connection if it is determined that the first session connection is unavailable, where the second session connection is used for transmitting a multicast service;

the sending unit is further configured to notify the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through the second session connection.

19. The multicast apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the determining unit determines the first session connection, specifically comprising:

and the determining unit determines the first session connection according to the QoS information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service.

20. A multicast apparatus, comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a multicast adding request message of a multicast service sent by a terminal device;

a determining unit, configured to determine a multicast mode according to whether a join multicast message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to a user plane network element;

the device further comprises: a sending unit for sending the data to the receiving unit,

the sending unit is configured to notify the user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through a first session connection if the determining unit determines that the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service is not sent to the user plane network element;

the determining unit is further configured to determine, if it is determined that the multicast adding message corresponding to the multicast service has been sent to the user plane network element, a session connection that has sent the multicast adding message as a first session connection; the first session connection is used for transmitting multicast traffic.

21. The multicast apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the sending unit notifies a user plane network element to transmit the multicast service through a first session connection, and comprises:

the sending unit sends the multicast joining message to the user plane network element through the first session connection; alternatively, the first and second electrodes may be,

and the sending unit sends a multicast adding message and the indication information of the first session connection to the user plane network element through a control plane.

22. The multicast apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 21,

the determining unit is further configured to determine a second session connection;

23. The multicasting apparatus of claim 22,

the receiving unit is further configured to receive indication information of a second session connection sent by a core network control plane network element;

the determining unit is specifically configured to determine the second session connection according to the indication information of the second session connection.

24. The multicast apparatus according to claim 23,

the determining unit is specifically configured to determine the second session connection according to the QoS information of the session connection corresponding to the multicast service.