CN116963186A

CN116963186A - Multipath processing method for edge flow splitting flow and related equipment

Info

Publication number: CN116963186A
Application number: CN202210418114.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 刘洁; 林奕琳; 何宇锋; 朱红梅; 刘玉芹; 唐凌
Original assignee: China Telecom Corp Ltd
Current assignee: China Telecom Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-20
Filing date: 2022-04-20
Publication date: 2023-10-27

Abstract

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a multipath processing method for edge flow splitting and related equipment. The method performed by the session management function SMF network element comprises: determining access flow guide exchange split ATSSS information of the target multi-connection proxy MPP and the edge split flow; sending ATSSS information of the edge flow distribution flow to User Equipment (UE) and a target MPP so as to establish a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow between the UE and the target MPP; and determining a split user plane function UPF network element and an edge protocol data unit session anchor point PSA, and sending a target split rule to the split UPF network element to enable the split UPF network element to have a multi-access sub-path classifier MASPC function, wherein the target split rule is used for carrying out edge service split according to sub-path interface information of a multi-connection path of the edge split flow.

Description

Multipath processing method for edge flow splitting flow and related equipment

Technical Field

The disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular relates to a multipath processing method of edge split traffic, an SMF network element, a UE, a target MPP, an electronic device and a computer readable storage medium.

Background

The multi-connection communication protocol, such as MPTCP (MultiPath Transmission Control Protocol, multiplex control protocol), makes the service balanced among multiple connections, improves the service bandwidth, and enhances the reliability and service continuity guarantee capability, but requires that both communication ends support the multi-connection communication protocol, and has a higher threshold for application. The mobile network can support the terminal to access in a plurality of access modes, and if a multi-connection communication protocol can be utilized, concurrent multi-channel can be established through different accesses, so that service experience can be further optimized.

The 3GPP (3 rd Generation Partnership Project, third generation partnership project) starts research of ats ss (Access Traffic Steering Switching Splitting, access traffic steering, switching, splitting) at R16, introduces a multi-connection proxy with ats ss functions, establishes a multi-connection session between a UE (User Equipment) and a UPF (User Plane Function ) network element, and avoids the influence on the application side while taking advantage of the multi-connection.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a related art network architecture, as shown in fig. 1, in which a multi-connection proxy is set at an anchor point UPF0 network element according to the current 3GPP method, and all traffic is required to anchor the same node. For the traffic of edge calculation, the anchor point is a UPF1 network element, which is different from the anchor point UPF0 network element, so the existing method does not support the situation of edge shunting.

It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background section is only for enhancing understanding of the background of the present disclosure and thus may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the disclosure provides a multipath processing method for edge flow splitting traffic, an SMF network element, UE, a target MPP, electronic equipment and a computer readable storage medium, which can utilize a plurality of connection paths of the established edge flow splitting traffic to perform edge flow splitting.

Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part by the practice of the disclosure.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a multipath processing method of edge split traffic, the method being performed by an SMF network element, comprising: determining target MPP and ATSSS information of edge split flow, wherein the target MPP is positioned at an edge DN corresponding to the edge PSA; the ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow comprises application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends; sending ATSSS information of the edge flow distribution flow to the UE and the target MPP so that the UE and the target MPP establish a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends; and determining a splitting UPF network element and an edge PSA, and sending a target splitting rule to the splitting UPF network element to enable the splitting UPF network element to have a MASPC function, wherein the target splitting rule is used for carrying out edge service splitting according to sub-path interface information of multiple connection paths of edge splitting flow.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the determining the access traffic guidance exchange splitting ats information of the target multi-connection proxy MPP and the edge split traffic includes: determining the target MPP according to the current position information of the UE, the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE, the service area of each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element and the ATSSS supporting capability of each MPP; and determining application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, the uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at the two ends according to the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE and the configuration information of the target MPP, wherein the uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes comprise an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration information of the target MPP is preconfigured for the SMF network element, or the configuration information of the target MPP is provided to the SMF network element in a manner that the target MPP is opened in a capability.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the configuration information of the target MPP includes: the method comprises the steps of calculating application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, a service area of the target MPP, edge shunt anchor point information corresponding to the target MPP and ATSSS supporting capability of the target MPP.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends is selected by the SMF network element from a reserved interface address pool; the configuration information of the target MPP includes the reserved interface address pool, or the SMF network element configures the reserved interface address pool.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sending, to the user equipment UE and the target MPP, the ats ss information of the edge-split traffic includes: transmitting application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends to the UE; and sending the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends to the target MPP.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sending, to the target MPP, the downlink ats ss scheduling manner and interface information of the multiple connection sub-paths of the two ends includes: and providing the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends for the target MPP in a capability opening mode.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the ats ss information of the edge drop traffic further includes an additional IP address, where the additional IP address is an IP address allocated by the SMF network element for the UE.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the target MPP is disposed at an access portal of an edge computing platform; the target MPP is deployed independently or on an edge computing platform.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the multiple connection paths for edge traffic splitting are configured to perform traffic control according to the uplink and downlink ats ss scheduling manner in the case of edge traffic, where the traffic control includes at least one of selecting one path for traffic, switching the traffic from one path to another path, and performing traffic balancing in a plurality of paths according to a set rule.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a multipath processing method of edge-split traffic, the method being performed by a UE, including: the method comprises the steps of obtaining ATSSS information of edge shunt flow sent by an SMF network element, wherein the ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow comprises application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends; establishing a multi-connection path of the edge shunt flow between the multi-connection sub-paths and the target MPP according to the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends; under the condition that the edge service occurs, sending an uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP through a multi-connection path of the edge split flow according to the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode; and under the condition that the edge service occurs, receiving the downlink data packet of the edge service sent by the target MPP of the multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow, and combining the downlink data packet of the edge service into a downlink complete data packet of the UE.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in the case of an edge service, sending, according to the uplink ats ss scheduling manner, an uplink packet of the edge service to the target MPP through the multiple connection paths of the edge split traffic, where the uplink packet includes: and under the condition that the edge service occurs, sending the uplink data packet of the edge service to a shunt UPF network element through the multi-connection path according to the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode, so that the shunt UPF network element sends the uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the sending, by the splitting UPF network element, the upstream packet of the edge service to the target MPP includes: the split UPF network element starts a MASPC function, splits the uplink data packet of the edge service according to a target split rule, and then sends the split uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP through an edge PSA; the target diversion rule is used for carrying out edge service diversion according to sub-path interface information of multiple connection paths of edge diversion flow; and the SMF network element sends the target distribution rule to the distribution UPF network element, so that the distribution UPF network element has a MASPC function.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the ats ss information of the edge-split traffic further includes an additional IP address, where the additional IP address is an IP address allocated by the SMF network element for the UE; wherein, before sending the upstream data packet of the edge service to the target MPP, the method further comprises: and encapsulating the uplink data packet of the edge service through the additional IP address.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a multi-path processing method of edge-split traffic, the method being performed by a target MPP, comprising: the method comprises the steps of obtaining ATSSS information of edge shunt flow sent by an SMF network element, wherein the ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow comprises a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends; establishing a multi-connection path for edge flow distribution with the UE according to the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends; under the condition that edge service occurs, an uplink data packet of the edge service sent by the UE of the multi-connection path of the edge flow diversion flow is received, the uplink data packet of the edge service is combined to be a target access data packet, the target access data packet is sent to an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, and therefore the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP distributes the target access data packet to an edge application server according to a target IP address of the data packet; and when the edge service occurs, sending downlink data packets of the edge service to the UE through the multi-connection path of the edge split flow according to the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode for the downlink flow.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an SMF network element, comprising: the determining unit is used for determining target MPP and ATSSS information of the edge split flow, wherein the target MPP is positioned at an edge DN corresponding to the edge PSA; the ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow comprises application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends; an ats information sending unit, configured to send ats information of the edge-split traffic to a user equipment UE and the target MPP, so that the UE and the target MPP establish a multi-connection path of the edge-split traffic according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends; and a splitting rule sending unit, configured to determine a splitting UPF network element and the edge PSA, and send a target splitting rule to the splitting UPF network element, so that the splitting UPF network element has a MASPC function, where the target splitting rule performs edge service splitting according to sub-path interface information of multiple connection paths of an edge splitting flow.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the determining unit is further configured to: determining the target MPP according to the current position information of the UE, the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE, the service area of each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element and the ATSSS supporting capability of each MPP; and determining application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, the uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at the two ends according to the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE and the configuration information of the target MPP, wherein the uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes comprise an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the ats ss information sending unit is further configured to: transmitting application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends to the UE; and sending the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends to the target MPP.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the ats ss information sending unit is further configured to: and providing the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends for the target MPP in a capability opening mode.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a UE including: a first ats s information obtaining unit, configured to obtain ats s information of an edge split flow sent by an SMF network element, where the ats s information of the edge split flow includes application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, an uplink ats s scheduling manner, and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends; a first multi-connection path establishing unit, configured to establish a multi-connection path of the edge split flow with the target MPP according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends; the first execution unit is used for sending an uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP through the multi-connection path of the edge shunt flow according to the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode under the condition that the edge service occurs; and under the condition that the edge service occurs, receiving the downlink data packet of the edge service sent by the target MPP of the multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow, and combining the downlink data packet of the edge service into a downlink complete data packet of the UE.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, the first execution unit is further configured to: and under the condition that the edge service occurs, sending the uplink data packet of the edge service to a shunt UPF network element through the multi-connection path according to the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode, so that the shunt UPF network element sends the uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP. And the splitting UPF network element sending an uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP, including: the split UPF network element starts a MASPC function, splits the uplink data packet of the edge service according to a target split rule, and then sends the split uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP through an edge PSA; the target diversion rule is used for carrying out edge service diversion according to sub-path interface information of multiple connection paths of edge diversion flow; and the SMF network element sends the target distribution rule to the distribution UPF network element, so that the distribution UPF network element has a MASPC function.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the ats ss information of the edge-split traffic further includes an additional IP address, where the additional IP address is an IP address allocated by the SMF network element for the UE; wherein the first execution unit is further configured to: and encapsulating the uplink data packet of the edge service through the additional IP address.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a target MPP, comprising: a second ats information obtaining unit, configured to obtain ats information of an edge split flow sent by an SMF network element, where the ats information of the edge split flow includes a downlink ats scheduling manner and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends; a second multi-connection path establishing unit, configured to establish a multi-connection path for edge traffic splitting with the UE according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends; and the second execution unit is used for receiving an uplink data packet of the edge service sent by the UE from the multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow under the condition of edge service; merging the uplink data packet of the edge service into a target access data packet, and sending the target access data packet to an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, so that the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP distributes the target access data packet to an edge application server according to a target IP address of the data packet; and when the edge service occurs, sending downlink data packets of the edge service to the UE through the multi-connection path of the edge split flow according to the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode for the downlink flow.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic apparatus including: one or more processors; and a storage device configured to store one or more programs that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the multi-path processing method for edge-split traffic as described in the above embodiments.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements a multipath processing method of edge-split traffic as described in the above embodiments.

In the multipath processing method for the edge split flow, when judging that a multiple connection path of the edge split flow needs to be established, an SMF network element determines target MPP and ATSSS information of the edge split flow, informs the ATSSS information to UE and the target MPP, and further can establish the multiple connection path of the edge split flow between the UE and the target MPP; and the SMF network element determines a split UPF network element and an edge PSA, and sends a target split rule to the split UPF network element, so that the split UPF network element has a MASPC function, and edge service splitting can be performed according to the target split rule. On one hand, the problem that ATSSS is not suitable for edge flow distribution in the related technology is solved, on the other hand, the target MPP bears the multi-connection proxy function of the service side, the edge computing force is fully utilized, the user plane realization of the network is simplified, and the perception of the edge computing platform on multi-access can be realized.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure and do not constitute an undue limitation on the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a related art network architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a network architecture diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a flowchart of a multipath processing method applied to edge split traffic of an SMF network element in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of a multipath processing method applied to edge-split traffic of a UE in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a multi-path processing method applied to edge-split traffic of a target MPP in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for configuring ats information of an edge-split flow in an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of implementing multi-connection scheduling of edge split traffic in an embodiment of the disclosure;

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an SMF network element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of a UE in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of a target MPP in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 shows a block diagram of an electronic device in an embodiment of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the exemplary embodiments may be embodied in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Furthermore, the drawings are merely schematic illustrations of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted. Some of the block diagrams shown in the figures are functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically separate entities. These functional entities may be implemented in software or in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits or in different networks and/or processor devices and/or microcontroller devices.

The following detailed description of embodiments of the present disclosure refers to the accompanying drawings.

The UE may establish a PDU (Protocol Data Unit ) session with a DN (Data Network) through a UPF Network element, the PDU session providing a Data transfer service between the UE and the DN. In order to be able to further optimize the service experience, 3GPP introduced a multi-connection proxy with ats functionality, establishing a multi-connection session between the UE and the UPF network element, avoiding the impact on the application side while taking advantage of the multi-connection advantage.

The architecture shown in fig. 1 supports a radio technology defined by a 3GPP standard group to access a core network, and the gNB is a node of the radio access network; the architecture also supports non-3GPP access technologies to access the core network through an N3IWF (non-3GPP Interworking Function). As shown in fig. 1, the related art network architecture includes: UE, ul cl (Uplink Classifier), BP (Branching Point), PSA0 (Protocol Data Unit Session Anchor ), PSA1, applications and edge applications. The ULCL/BP refers to a offloading function of the UPF network element, that is, the UPF network element may support the ULCL/BP offloading function to differentiate uplink data packets and send the uplink data packets to the local data network (via the local PDU session anchor point) or to the PDU session initial anchor point, respectively. PSA refers to a UPF network element with DN egress, as shown in fig. 1, PSA0 may also be referred to as a UPF0 network element, and PSA1 may also be referred to as a UPF1 network element.

Referring to fig. 1, according to the current 3GPP method, a multi-connection proxy is set at anchor point PSA0, and all application traffic is anchored at the same node. A multi-connection is established between the UE and the anchor PSA0 by establishing a connection between interfaces A1 and B1 of the multi-connection sub-path and between interfaces A2 and B2 of the multi-connection sub-path. When a session is initially established, a first IP address may be allocated to the UE, through which an ats function of an application service is implemented, and in fig. 1, address A0 is the first IP address. However, for edge calculated flows, the anchor point is PSA1, unlike PSA0, so the existing methods do not support edge splitting. There are studies that set multi-connection agents at splitting points, such as ULCL/BP, in the edge splitting scenario, but the ULCL/BP logically does not have PDU session anchor function, and cannot implement network end-to-end multi-connection.

Based on the above analysis, the related art multi-connection agent having the ats function does not support the edge forking case. The embodiment of the disclosure provides a multipath processing method for edge flow diversion, which solves the problem that ATSSS is not suitable for the edge flow diversion in the related art, and can realize end-to-end multi-connection scheduling and flow convergence under an edge flow diversion scene.

Fig. 2 shows a network architecture schematic of an embodiment of the present disclosure. The multipath processing method for edge flow splitting traffic provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to, but is not limited to, the network architecture shown in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 2, the network architecture includes: UE, AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function ) network element, SMF (Session Management function, session management function) network element, PCF (Policy Control function ) network element, NEF (Network Exposure Function, network opening function) network element, split UPF network element, PSA0, PSA1, edge computing platform, large network application, and edge application. The UE may access and register to the core network through 3GPP and non-3GPP, which have been described in detail above and are not described here again.

The AMF network element is mainly responsible for services such as mobility management, access management and the like; the SMF network element is mainly responsible for session management, dynamic host configuration protocol function, selection and control of user plane function, and the like; the PCF network element is mainly responsible for providing a unified strategy framework for network behavior management, providing strategy rules of control plane functions, acquiring subscription information related to strategy decisions and the like; the NEF network element is mainly responsible for the capability of externally opening the network; the UPF network element is mainly responsible for routing and forwarding data packets, filtering messages, executing service quality control related functions and the like which are externally connected to the DN and the user plane. The MASPC (Multi-Access Sub-Path Classifier) is implemented for splitting the splitting function of the splitting UPF network element, and can implement splitting logic in the edge computing splitting scene; PSA0 and PSA1 are session anchor functions of the UPF network element of the DN outlet. As can be seen from fig. 2, PSA0 is applied to the web application traffic and PSA1 is applied to the edge application traffic, so PSA1 may be referred to as an edge PSA. It should be noted that these functional units may work independently, or may be combined to implement some control functions, such as access control and mobility management functions for access authentication, security encryption, location registration, etc. of the terminal device, and session management functions for setting up, releasing, changing, etc. of the user plane transmission path.

The functional units can communicate with each other through standard interfaces. As shown in fig. 2, the UE may perform transmission of a control plane message with an AMF network element through an interface N1; the gNB can establish control plane signaling connection with the AMF network element through an interface N2, and it should be noted that, the N3IWF can also establish control plane signaling connection with the AMF network element through the interface N2 (not shown in FIG. 2); the split UPF network element can interact information with the SMF network element through an interface N4; the NEF network element can interact information with the PCF network element through an interface N5; PSA0 can interact user plane data with the large network application through interface N6, and PSA1 can interact user plane data with the MPP (or edge application) through interface N6; the SMF network element can exchange information with the PCF network element through an interface N7; the split UPF network element can interact user plane data with the PSA0 and the PSA1 through an interface N9; the AMF network element may interact with the SMF network element through an interface N11. In addition, the gNB may perform information interaction with the split UPF network element through the interface N3, and the N3IWF network element may perform information interaction with the split UPF network element through the interface N3 (not shown in fig. 2).

As can be seen from fig. 2, a target MPP (Multi-Path Proxy) is set at the access portal of the edge computing platform, and the target MPP is located at the edge DN corresponding to the PSA1, which can support the Multi-connection protocol and implement the Multi-access flow control by the Proxy edge application server. In fig. 2, the target MPP may be deployed on an edge computing platform, and it should be noted that the target MPP may also be deployed independently. The target MPP is an MPP of a multi-connection path for establishing edge split traffic with the UE. The service area of the SMF network element includes a plurality of MPPs, and the SMF network element may select a target MPP from the plurality of MPPs so as to establish a multi-connection path of the edge split traffic between the UE and the target MPP.

When the UE establishes a multi-access PDU session or the UE moves, the SMF network element judges that a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow needs to be established, the SMF network element can determine the target MPP and ATSSS information of the edge flow distribution flow, inform the UE and the target MPP of the ATSSS information, and then establish the multi-connection path between the UE and the target MPP according to the determined ATSSS information of the edge flow distribution flow. In fig. 2, a multi-connection path is established between the UE and the MPP by establishing a connection between interfaces C1 and D1 of the multi-connection sub-path and a connection between interfaces C2 and D2 of the multi-connection sub-path.

The network architecture shown in fig. 2 can independently implement the ats functions of the large-network application service and the edge application service. Specifically, the ats function of the large network application service is realized through the existing address A0, and the ats function of the edge application service is realized through the established multi-connection path between the UE and the MPP.

In the network architecture provided by the embodiment of the disclosure, when judging that a multi-connection path of the edge split flow needs to be established, determining, by the SMF network element, the target MPP and the ats information of the edge split flow, and informing the UEs and the target MPP of the ats information, so that the multi-connection path of the edge split flow between the UEs and the target MPP can be established. Therefore, under the condition that edge service occurs, the flow of the edge service is controlled through the established multi-connection path, on one hand, the problem that ATSSS is not suitable for edge flow distribution in the related technology is solved, on the other hand, the edge computing platform bears the multi-connection proxy function of the service side, the edge computing force is fully utilized, the user plane realization of the network is simplified, and the perception of the edge computing platform on multi-access can be realized.

Under the network architecture shown in fig. 2, the embodiment of the disclosure provides a multi-path processing method for edge-split traffic, which can be applied to, but is not limited to, the SMF network element shown in fig. 2, and in principle, the method can be executed by any electronic device with computing processing capability.

Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of a multipath processing method applied to edge split traffic of an SMF network element in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and as shown in fig. 3, the method may include the following steps.

In step S310, the target MPP and ats information of the edge-split flow are determined.

When the UE establishes a multi-access PDU session or the UE moves, the SMF network element judges whether a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow is required to be established. If multiple connection paths of the edge split traffic need to be established, the SMF network element may determine target MPP and ats information of the edge split traffic. The ats ss information of the edge split flow includes: application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends. The target MPP is an MPP of a multi-connection path which is selected by the SMF network element and establishes edge shunt traffic with the UE. How to select the target MPP will be described below.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the target MPP is set at an access entrance of an edge computing platform of a local DN (i.e., an edge DN), and the target MPP can support a multi-connection protocol and proxy an edge application server to implement multi-access flow control. And, the target MPP may be deployed independently, and the target MPP may also be deployed on an edge computing platform. The application information of the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP may be a unique identifier of the application provided by the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP.

The uplink and downlink ats scheduling methods include an uplink ats scheduling method and a downlink ats scheduling method, where the uplink ats scheduling method may be used for the UE to send an uplink data packet to the MPP, and the downlink ats scheduling method may be used for the MPP to send a downlink data packet to the UE. The specific allocation rule of the traffic can be determined by the uplink ats scheduling method and the downlink ats scheduling method. For example, for the edge application APP1, the corresponding uplink ats scheduling manner is 80% for sub-path 1 and 20% for sub-path 2, and the corresponding downlink ats scheduling manner is 50% for sub-path 1 and 50% for sub-path 2. That is, for edge application APP1, 80% of the upstream data packet is sent from the UE to the MPP through sub-path 1, 20% of the upstream data packet is sent from the UE to the MPP through sub-path 2, 50% of the downstream data packet is sent from the MPP to the UE through sub-path 1, and 50% of the downstream data packet is sent from the MPP to the UE through sub-path 2. For another example, for the edge application APP2, the corresponding uplink ats scheduling mode is 30% for the gNB, 70% for the N3IWF, 40% for the gNB, and 60% for the N3 IWF. That is, for edge application APP2, 30% of the upstream data packet is sent from the UE to the MPP through the gNB, 70% of the upstream data packet is sent from the UE to the MPP through the N3IWF network element, 40% of the downstream data packet is sent from the MPP to the UE through the gNB, and 60% of the downstream data packet is sent from the MPP to the UE through the N3IWF network element.

The interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at both ends may be unique identifications of the multi-connection sub-path interfaces at both sides of the UE and the target MPP. As shown in fig. 2, the UE-side multi-connection sub-path interfaces C1 and C2, and the target MPP-side multi-connection sub-path interfaces D1 and D2.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, determining the ats ss information for the target MPP and the edge-split traffic may include: determining a target MPP according to the current position information of the UE, the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE, the service area of each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element and the ATSSS supporting capability of each MPP; and determining application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, an uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends according to the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE and the configuration information of the target MPP. The uplink and downlink ats scheduling methods include an uplink ats scheduling method and a downlink ats scheduling method.

Among them, ats support capabilities include, but are not limited to, supporting MPTCP functions and supporting ats-LL (ats Low-Layer) functions. The function in a 5G network that is ats-capable UE that can direct, handover and split MA (Multi-Access) PDU session traffic between a 3GPP Access and a non-3GPP Access network is referred to as an ats function. An ats-capable UE may support one or more of the following types of steering functions: (1) A higher layer control function running above the IP layer, i.e. a defined higher layer steering function, which applies the MPTCP protocol, called MPTCP function, which may be used to steer, switch and split TCP traffic of applications that allow use of MPTCP, the MPTCP function supported by the UE may communicate with the relevant MPTCP proxy function in the UPF network element by using the MPTCP protocol on the 3GPP and/or non-3GPP user plane; (2) A lower layer steering function, defined as a lower layer steering function, under the IP layer is referred to as an ats lower layer function or an ats-LL function, which can be used to steer, switch and split all types of traffic, including TCP traffic, UDP traffic, ethernet traffic, etc., an ats-LL function is necessary for an MA PDU session of the ethernet type, in which there should be one UPF network element supporting the ats-LL function in the datapath. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the MPTCP function supported by the UE may communicate with the related MPTCP proxy function in the MPP by using the MPTCP protocol; and, the ats ss-LL function supported by the UE is necessary for an ethernet type MA PDU session, in which there should be an MPP in the data path supporting the ats ss-LL function.

In the process of determining the ats information of the edge splitting flow, the SMF network element may select a target MPP that establishes a multiple connection path with the UE from the multiple MPPs according to the current location information of the UE, the ats support capability of the UE, the service area of each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element, and the ats support capability of each MPP.

Specifically, the optional MPP may be selected from the multiple MPPs according to the current location information of the UE and the service area of each MPP included in the service area of the SMF network element. Wherein the current location information of the UE is within the service area of the optional MPP. The ats function supported by the UE (i.e., MPTCP function and/or ats-LL function) may then be determined by the ats support capability of the UE, so that the target MPP, which establishes a multiple connection path with the UE, may be selected from the selectable MPPs in combination with the ats support capability of the selectable MPP according to the determination of the ats function supported by the UE. Of course, the ats support capability of the target MPP that the SMF network element determines to establish multiple connection paths with the UE is matched with the ats support capability of the UE, so that the subsequent SMF network element can determine the ats information of the edge split. After the SMF network element selects a target MPP for establishing multiple connections with the UE from the multiple MPPs, according to the ats support capability of the UE and the configuration information of the target MPP, the application information of the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, the uplink and downlink ats scheduling mode, and the interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at both ends may be determined.

The configuration information of the target MPP may include: the method comprises the steps of calculating application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, a service area of the target MPP, edge shunt anchor point information corresponding to the target MPP and ATSSS supporting capability of the target MPP.

The application information of the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP may be a unique identifier of an application provided by the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, and the supported edge application service may be determined through the application information of the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP. The SMF network element may extract application information of the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP from the configuration information of the target MPP. The service area of the target MPP may be understood as the service range of the target MPP. The edge shunt anchor information corresponding to the target MPP may be DNAI (Data Network Access Identifier ) corresponding to the location of the target MPP, and the edge PSA may be determined according to the edge shunt anchor information corresponding to the target MPP, which will be described in detail below. The steering function supported by the target MPP, i.e., the MPP supporting MPTCP function and/or the ats-LL function, may be determined by the ats-s supporting capability of the target MPP. It should be noted that, the target MPP is set in the access portal of the edge computing platform, which may be understood as a multi-connection proxy pre-established in the edge computing platform, and in general, the target MPP may be configured to support the MPTCP function and the ats ss-LL function.

The configuration information of the target MPP may further include a reserved path interface address pool, which may be used to store interface addresses reserved by the target MPP for multiple connections. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends may be selected from a reserved path interface address pool of the target MPP. Referring to fig. 2, interfaces C1, C2, D1 and D2 are each selected from a reserved path interface address pool. In addition, the reserved path interface address pool can also be configured by the SMF network element, so that the SMF network element can directly determine the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at two ends.

Further, the configuration information of the target MPP may be preconfigured for the SMF network element, i.e. the SMF network element may preconfigured the configuration information of the target MPP. Alternatively, the configuration information of the target MPP may be provided to the SMF network element in a capability open manner for the target MPP, that is, the configuration information of the target MPP may be configured on the target MPP in advance for the edge computing platform network manager, and then the target MPP may provide its configuration information to the SMF network element in a capability open manner. It should be noted that, the SMF network element may obtain the configuration information of each MPP in its service area, that is, the SMF network element may configure the configuration information of all MPPs in its service area, or, each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element may provide its configuration information to the SMF network element in a manner of capability openness.

Step S320, the ats S information of the edge split traffic is sent to the UE and the target MPP, so that the UE and the target MPP establish a multi-connection path of the edge split traffic according to the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at both ends.

After determining the ats information of the edge shunt, the SMF network element may send the ats information of the edge shunt to the UE and the target MPP, respectively, so that the UE and the target MPP may establish a multi-connection path of the edge shunt traffic. The multi-connection path of the edge flow dividing flow can be used for controlling the flow according to the uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling mode under the condition that the edge service occurs, and the flow control comprises at least one of selecting one path for the flow, switching the flow from one path to another path and implementing flow balancing in a plurality of paths according to a set rule. Taking fig. 2 as an example for illustration, the established multi-connection path includes sub-path 1 from interface C1 to interface D1 and sub-path 2 from interface C2 to interface D2, and the flow control may include selecting sub-path 1 and/or sub-path 2 for the flow, switching the flow from sub-path 1 to sub-path 2, switching the flow from sub-path 2 to sub-path 1, and implementing flow equalization in sub-path 1 and sub-path 2, such as 30% of the flow selecting sub-path 1 and 70% of the flow selecting sub-path 2.

Further, sending the ats ss information of the edge-split traffic to the UE and the target MPP may include: transmitting application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends to UE; and sending the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends to the target MPP. The above details have been described about the application information of the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP included in the edge split ats information, the uplink ats scheduling manner, the downlink ats scheduling manner, and the interface information of the multiple connection sub-paths at both ends, which are not described herein again.

Further, the sending, to the target MPP, the downlink ats ss scheduling manner and the interface information of the multiple connection sub-paths at the two ends may include: and providing a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends to the target MPP in a capability opening mode. That is, the SMF network element may inform the target MPP downlink ats ss scheduling manner and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at both ends in a capability open manner.

Step S330, determining a split UPF network element and edge PSA, and sending a target split rule to the split UPF network element, so that the split UPF network element has a MASPC function. And the target distribution rule is to distribute the edge business according to the sub-path interface information of the multi-connection path of the edge distribution flow.

The split UPF network element is a UPF network element supporting split function. In the embodiment of the disclosure, the SMF network element may select a UPF network element adjacent to the user access location as a split UPF network element. The SMF network element may determine the edge PSA, and in particular, the SMF network element may determine the edge PSA according to the edge shunt anchor information corresponding to the target MPP in the configuration information of the target MPP or the user access location. As shown in fig. 2, PSA1 is an edge PSA.

After the SMF network element determines the split UPF network element and the edge PSA, if the SMF network element judges that a multi-connection path of the edge split flow needs to be established, the target split rule related to the multipath is sent to the split UPF network element. The target distribution rule is to distribute the edge business according to the sub-path interface information of the edge business multi-connection path. It should be noted that, the SMF network element sends the target splitting rule to the splitting UPF network element, so that the UPF network element has a MASPC function, and thus the UPF network element can split according to the target splitting rule. Namely, the split UPF network element performs edge service splitting through the MASPC function.

If the SMF network element determines that multiple connection paths of the edge drop traffic need to be established, the SMP network element may allocate an additional IP address to the UE. The extra IP address can be used for packaging the flow data packet, and can be added to the packet header of the flow data packet, so that the flow data packet can be directly determined to be the flow data packet corresponding to the edge service, and further, the flow can be transmitted through the established multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution. It should be noted that the additional IP address may be referred to as a second IP address, and the first IP address is an IP address allocated to the UE at the time of initial session establishment has been described above. In fig. 2, address A0 is a first IP address, address A1 is a second IP address, the ats function of the large-network application service is implemented by address A0, and the ats function of the edge application service is implemented by address A1.

In the multipath processing method applied to the edge split flow of the SMF network element provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, when judging that a multiple connection path of the edge split flow needs to be established, the SMF network element determines the target MPP and the ats information of the edge split flow, and informs the ats information to the UE and the target MPP, so that the multiple connection path of the edge split flow between the UE and the target MPP can be established; and the SMF network element determines a split UPF network element and an edge PSA, and sends a target split rule to the split UPF network element, so that the split UPF network element has a MASPC function, and edge service splitting can be performed according to the target split rule. On one hand, the problem that ATSSS is not suitable for edge flow distribution in the related technology is solved, on the other hand, MPP bears the multi-connection proxy function of the service side, edge calculation force is fully utilized, the user plane realization of a network is simplified, and the perception of the edge calculation platform on multi-access can be realized.

Further, the SMF network element may determine, according to the current location information of the UE, the ats support capability of the UE, service areas of all MPPs in the service areas thereof, and the ats support capability, a target MPP of a multi-connection path for establishing an edge splitting flow with the UE, and further may determine, in combination with configuration information of the target MPP, ats information of the edge splitting flow, and may select an appropriate MPP in combination with an actual situation, so as to enhance a coordination mechanism of an edge computing platform corresponding to the core network and the MPP, and further may ensure that the UE and the target MPP may cooperatively execute according to the generated ats information of the edge splitting flow. The SMF network element may provide the ats information of the edge split flow to the target MPP in a capability open manner, so that the target MPP may timely obtain the ats information of the edge split flow, and further may establish a multiple connection path of the edge split flow with the UE. And each MPP can provide configuration information for the SMF network element in a capability opening mode, so that the SMF network element can select a target MPP of a multi-connection path for establishing the edge flow distribution flow with the UE, and the SMF network element can determine ATSSS information of the edge flow distribution flow according to the configuration information of the target MPP and can generate a distribution strategy by utilizing the ATSSS information of the edge flow distribution flow.

Based on the same inventive concept, under the network architecture shown in fig. 2, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a multi-path processing method for edge traffic splitting, which can be applied to, but not limited to, the UE shown in fig. 2, and in principle, the method can be executed by any electronic device with computing processing capability.

Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a multipath processing method applied to edge-split traffic of a UE in an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the method includes the following steps as shown in fig. 4.

Step S410, obtain the ats ss information of the edge-split traffic sent by the SMF network element.

When the UE establishes a multi-access PDU session or the UE moves, the SMF network element judges whether a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow is required to be established. If a multi-connection path of the edge split flow needs to be established, the SMF network element may determine the target MPP and the ats information of the edge split flow, and then the SMF network element may send the ats information of the edge split flow to the UE. That is, the UE may acquire ats ss information of the edge split traffic sent by the SMF network element.

Specifically, the ats information of the edge-split traffic acquired by the UE includes: application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends. In addition, the ats information of the edge flow obtained by the UE further includes an additional IP address, where the additional IP address is an IP address allocated by the SMF network element to the UE. The target MPP is located at an edge DN of the edge PSA, and ats ss information of the edge split traffic is determined by the SMF network element according to ats ss supporting capability of the UE and configuration information of the target MPP. The above details of the ats information of the edge split traffic and how the SMF network element determines the ats information of the edge split traffic are not described here again.

Step S420, establishing a multi-connection path of the edge split flow with the target MPP according to the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends.

After the UE obtains the ats information of the edge split flow, a multi-connection path of the edge split flow with the target MPP may be established according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at both ends in the ats information of the edge split flow. The target MPP is determined by the SMF network element according to the current position information of the UE, the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE, the service area of each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element and the ATSSS supporting capability of each MPP; the ats ss information of the edge split traffic is determined by the SMF network element according to the ats ss support capability of the UE and the configuration information of the target MPP. How the SMF network element determines the target MPP has been described in detail above, and will not be described in detail here.

In step S430, when the edge service occurs, the uplink packet of the edge service is sent to the target MPP through the multiple connection paths of the edge split traffic according to the uplink ats scheduling method.

Specifically, the UE may perform flow control on the uplink data packet of the edge service through the established multiple connection paths for edge traffic splitting, and may further send the uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP. Wherein the flow control includes at least one of selecting one path for the flow, switching the flow from one path to another, and performing flow equalization in the plurality of paths according to a set rule.

Taking fig. 2 as an example for illustration, the established multi-connection path for edge-split traffic includes sub-path 1 from interface C1 to interface D1, and sub-path 2 from interface C2 to interface D2. For the edge application APP1 of the edge computing platform, the corresponding uplink ats scheduling manner is 80% for sub-path 1 and 20% for sub-path 2. When the edge application APP1 service is provided, 80% of the generated uplink data packet is sent from the UE to the target MPP through the sub-path 1, and 20% of the uplink data packet is sent from the UE to the target MPP through the sub-path 2.

Further, when the edge service occurs, according to the uplink ats ss scheduling manner, an uplink packet of the edge service is sent to the target MPP through a multi-connection path of the edge split traffic, including: and under the condition that the edge service occurs, sending the uplink data packet of the edge service to the shunt UPF network element through a multi-connection path according to an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode so as to send the uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP by the shunt UPF network element.

The UE sends the uplink data packet to the splitting UPF network element, and the splitting UPF network element determines that the uplink data packet is a data packet of the edge application, so that the splitting UPF network element can perform local splitting, and sends the uplink data packet related to the edge application to the target MPP.

Still further, the offloading UPF network element sends an upstream packet of the edge service to the target MPP, including: and the splitting UPF network element starts a MASPC function, splits the uplink data packet of the edge service according to a target splitting rule, and then sends the split uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP through the edge PSA.

As described above, the SMF network element sends the target splitting rule to the splitting UPF network element, so that the splitting UPF network element has a MASPC function, where the target splitting rule performs edge traffic splitting according to sub-path interface information of multiple connection paths of the edge splitting traffic. After the UE sends the uplink data packet of the edge service to the splitting UPF network element, the splitting UPF network element may start the MASPC function, perform edge service splitting according to sub-path interface information of the multiple connection paths of the edge splitting traffic, and then forward the uplink data packet of the edge service through the edge PSA, so that the uplink data packet of the edge service may be sent to the target MPP.

In addition, before sending the uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP, the multipath processing method applied to the edge split traffic of the UE may further include: and encapsulating the uplink flow data packet of the edge service through the additional IP address. In the embodiment of the disclosure, the encapsulating of the uplink traffic packet corresponding to the edge service by the additional IP address may use the additional IP address as the source address of the uplink traffic packet.

Specifically, the UE may add an additional IP address to the header of the upstream packet, and then send the upstream packet of the edge service to the split UPF network element through the multi-connection path; then the upstream data packet of the edge service is shunted by the shunt UPF network element according to the target shunting rule through the MASPC function of the shunt UPF network element; the split UPF network element may then send the upstream packets of the split edge traffic to the target MPP via the edge PSA.

Taking fig. 2 as an example for illustration, when accessing the edge application APP1, the UE may add the second IP address C0 to the header of the upstream traffic packet, and then may send the upstream traffic packet of the edge traffic to the splitting UPF network element through the sub-path 1 (i.e. the sub-path from the interface C1 to the interface D1) and the sub-path 2 (i.e. the sub-path from the interface C2 to the interface D2); then the diversion UPF network element carries out diversion on the data packet of the uplink flow of the edge service according to the target diversion rule by the MASPC function of the diversion UPF network element; the split UPF network element may then send the upstream traffic packets of the split edge traffic to the target MPP via PSA 1.

Step S440, under the condition of edge service, receiving the downstream data packet of the edge service sent by the target MPP of the multiple connection paths of the edge flow distribution flow, and combining the downstream data packet of the edge service into the downstream complete data packet of the UE.

That is, the UE may receive the downstream packet of the edge traffic sent by the target MPP, where the downstream packet of the edge traffic is sent through the multiple connection paths of the edge drop traffic. And then, the UE combines the received downlink data packets of the edge service to obtain a complete downlink data packet.

In the multipath processing method applied to the edge split flow of the UE, when the SMF network element determines that a multiple connection path of the edge split flow needs to be established, the UE may acquire ats information of the edge split flow sent by the SMF network element, and further the UE may establish a multiple connection path of the edge split flow with the target MPP according to interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends in the ats information, so that edge split can be performed by using the multiple connection path, and the problem that ats is not applicable to the edge split flow in the related art is solved.

Further, under the condition that the edge service occurs, the UE may perform flow control on the uplink data packet of the edge service through the established multiple connection paths according to the uplink ats scheduling manner in the ats information; after the UE sends the uplink data packet of the edge service to the splitting UPF network element, the splitting UPF network element may start the MASPC function, and perform edge service splitting according to sub-path interface information of the multiple connection paths of the edge splitting traffic; the UE can acquire an additional IP address distributed by the SMF network element, and further can package the streaming data packet by utilizing the additional IP address, so that the streaming data packet can be transmitted by dividing the established edge flow into multiple connection paths; and the UE can receive the downlink data packet of the edge service sent by the target MPP and combine the received downlink data packet of the edge service, thereby realizing the downlink flow processing of the edge flow distribution flow.

Based on the same inventive concept, under the network architecture shown in fig. 2, the embodiment of the disclosure further provides a multi-path processing method of edge flow splitting, which can be applied to, but is not limited to, the target MPP shown in fig. 2, and in principle, the method can be executed by any electronic device with computing processing capability.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flowchart of a multi-path processing method applied to edge-split traffic of a target MPP in an embodiment of the disclosure. It should be noted that, the target MPP is determined by the SMF network element according to the current location information of the UE, the ats support capability of the UE, the service area of each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element, and the ats support capability of each MPP. How the SMF network element determines the target MPP has been described in detail above, and will not be described in detail here.

As shown in fig. 5, the method includes the following steps.

Step S510, obtain the ats ss information of the edge-split traffic sent by the SMF network element.

When the UE establishes a multi-access PDU session or the UE moves, the SMF network element judges whether a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow is required to be established. If a multi-connection path of the edge split flow needs to be established, the SMF network element may determine a target MPP for establishing the multi-connection path with the UE, and the SMF network element may determine ats information of the edge split flow, and then the SMF network element may send the ats information of the edge split flow to the target MPP. That is, the target MPP may obtain ats ss information of the edge split traffic sent by the SMF network element.

Specifically, the ats ss information of the edge split flow obtained by the target MPP includes: downlink ats ss scheduling and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at both ends. The above details of the ats information of the edge split traffic and how the SMF network element determines the ats information of the edge split traffic are not described here again.

Step S520, establishing a multi-connection path for edge flow distribution with the UE according to the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends.

After the target MPP obtains the ats information of the edge split flow, a multi-connection path of the edge split flow with the UE may be established according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at both ends in the ats information of the edge split flow.

In step S530, in the case of edge traffic, an uplink data packet of the edge traffic sent by the UE with multiple connection paths for edge traffic is received, the uplink data packet of the edge traffic is combined as a target access data packet, and the target access data packet is sent to an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, so that the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP distributes the target access data packet to the edge application server according to the target IP address of the data packet.

In this embodiment, in the case of edge traffic, the target MPP may receive an uplink traffic packet of the edge traffic sent by the UE, where the uplink traffic packet is sent by the UE through a multiple connection path of the edge traffic. The destination MPP may then combine the received upstream traffic packets from the multiple connection paths to obtain the destination access traffic packets. Then, the edge computing platform distributes the target access traffic data packet to the edge application server according to the target IP address of the target access traffic data packet. The target IP address is the IP address of the edge application server.

Taking fig. 2 as an example, when accessing the edge application APP1, the UE may send an upstream traffic packet generated by the access edge application APP1 to the target MPP through the sub-path 1 (i.e., the sub-path from the interface C1 to the interface D1) and the sub-path 2 (i.e., the sub-path from the interface C2 to the interface D2). Therefore, the destination MPP may receive the upstream traffic packet from the sub-path 1 and the upstream traffic packet from the sub-path 2, and then the destination MPP combines the upstream traffic packet from the sub-path 1 and the upstream traffic packet from the sub-path 2 to obtain the destination access traffic packet. And then, the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP sends the target access flow data packet to the edge application server corresponding to the edge application APP 1.

It should be noted that, if the uplink traffic data packet received by the target MPP is a traffic data packet corresponding to a plurality of edge applications, the edge computing platform may distribute the traffic data packet after the target MPP is merged to the corresponding edge application server according to the IP address of the edge application server corresponding to each edge application. For example, the upstream traffic data packet received by the target MPP is an upstream traffic data packet generated by the edge application APP1 and the edge application APP2, and the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP may distribute the upstream traffic data packet corresponding to the edge application APP1 in the upstream traffic data packet to the edge application server corresponding to the edge application APP1, and distribute the upstream traffic data packet corresponding to the edge application APP2 in the upstream traffic data packet to the edge application server corresponding to the edge application APP 2.

In step S540, when the edge traffic occurs, the downlink data packet of the edge traffic is sent to the UE through the multiple connection paths of the edge split traffic according to the downlink ats ss scheduling method.

Specifically, the target MPP may perform flow control on the downlink data packet of the edge service through the established multiple connection paths for edge traffic splitting, so as to send the downlink data packet of the edge service to the UE. Wherein the flow control includes at least one of selecting one path for the flow, switching the flow from one path to another, and performing flow equalization in the plurality of paths according to a set rule.

In this embodiment, when the target MPP receives the downstream packet of the edge service, the downstream packet of the edge service may be controlled by multiple connection paths of the edge split flow according to the downstream ats scheduling manner, for example, a certain sub-path in the multiple connection paths is selected to send the downstream packet of the edge service, the downstream packet of the edge service is switched from one sub-path to another sub-path to send, and the multiple sub-paths are used to send the downstream packet of the edge service according to a set rule.

In the multipath processing method applied to the edge split flow of the target MPP, the target MPP is determined by the SMF network element according to the current location information of the UE, the ats support capability of the UE, the service area of each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element, and the ats support capability of each MPP, and is set at the access entrance of the edge computing platform, and may be deployed independently or on the edge computing platform; when the SMF network element judges that a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow needs to be established, the target MPP can acquire ATSSS information of the edge flow distribution flow sent by the SMF network element, and then the target MPP can establish the multi-connection path with the UE according to interface information of multi-connection sub-paths at two ends in the ATSSS information, and further the ATSSS of the edge service can be carried out by utilizing the multi-connection path, so that the problem that related ATSSS technology is not suitable for an edge flow distribution scene is solved, the edge computing platform bears a multi-connection proxy function of a service side, edge computing force is fully utilized, and user plane realization of a network is simplified.

Further, in the case of edge service, the target MPP may receive an uplink data packet of the edge service sent by the UE with multiple connection paths, and combine the received uplink data packets to obtain a target access data packet, so that the edge computing platform distributes the target access data packet according to a target IP address of the target access data packet. And when the target MPP receives the downlink data packet of the edge service, the target MPP can carry out multi-connection control on the downlink data packet of the edge service through a multi-connection path of the edge split flow according to a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode. Therefore, the method realizes multi-stream concurrency and convergence in the edge shunting scene.

Two specific embodiments are listed below to describe the multipath processing method for edge-split traffic provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In a first embodiment, a method for configuring ats information of an edge-split traffic is provided. Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for configuring ats s information of an edge-split traffic in an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in fig. 6, the configuration method of the ats ss information may include the following steps.

As a preset condition, each MPP in the SMF network element service area may also provide its own configuration information to the SMF network element through the PCF network element by means of capability development. Alternatively, the SMF network element pre-configures configuration information of each MPP in its service area. As already described above, the configuration information of the MPP includes: the application information of the edge computing platform corresponding to the MPP, the service area of the MPP, the edge shunt anchor information corresponding to the MPP, the ATSSS supporting capability of the MPP and the path interface address pool reserved for multiple connections are not described herein.

In step S610, the SMF network element determines the target MPP, and the SMF network element determines the ats information of the edge-split traffic in combination with the current location information of the UE and the ats support capability of the UE. The ats information of the edge-split flow includes: application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes, interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends and additional IP addresses distributed for the UE.

For example, the additional IP address is the second IP address C0; the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode is a multi-connection scheduling mode MPTCP (NG-RAN is 80% and N3IWF is 20%); the downlink ats s scheduling mode is a multi-connection scheduling mode MPTCP (50% for sub-path 1 and 50% for sub-path 2); interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at two ends is (C1, D1), (C2, D2); the application information of the edge computing platform is an edge application APP IDS.

In step S620, the SMF network element may send the additional IP address, the uplink ats ss scheduling manner, and the interface information of the multiple connection sub-paths at both ends to the UE through a policy update related signaling or RA (Router Advertisement ) message.

For example, the SMF network element issues the second IP address C0, the uplink ats s scheduling mode MPTCP (NG-RAN is 80% and N3IWF is 20%), interface information (C1, D1) of the multi-connection sub-paths at both ends (C2, D2), and the edge application APP IDs of the edge computing platform to the UE.

In step S630, the SMF network element may issue the target splitting rule to the splitting UPF network element, so that the splitting UPF network element has a MASPC function. The target distribution rule is to distribute the edge service according to the sub-path interface information of the edge service multi-connection path. For example, the target offload rule is (1) PDR (Packet Detection Rule, message detection rule): the destination address is D1 or D2, (2) FAR (Forwarding Action Rules, forwarding behavior rules): forwarding to PSA1 (i.e., edge PSA).

In step S640, the SMF network element may notify the target MPP of the downlink ats ss scheduling manner and the interface information of the multiple connection sub-paths at both ends in a capability open manner.

For example, the SMF network element informs MPP of the downlink ats scheduling method MPTCP (50% for sub-path 1 and 50% for sub-path 2) and interface information (C1, D1) of the multi-connection sub-paths at both ends (C2, D2).

After the above procedure is completed, a multi-connection path of the edge split traffic is already configured between the UE and the target MPP, specifically, sub-path 1: (C1, D1) and sub-path are: (C2, D2), and uplink ats s scheduling method MPTCP (NG-RAN 80% and N3IWF 20%) and downlink ats s scheduling method MPTCP (sub-path 1 50% and sub-path 2 50%) are respectively configured at the UE and the MPP.

In a second embodiment, a method for implementing multi-connection scheduling of edge traffic splitting is provided. Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for implementing multi-connection scheduling of edge-split traffic in an embodiment of the disclosure. As a preset condition, the UE may access and register to the core network through 3GPP and non-3GPP, and the target MPP/edge computing platform already provides the SMF network element with configuration information of the target MPP in a capability open manner. As shown in fig. 7, the implementation method of the multi-connection scheduling may include the following steps.

In step S701, the UE initiates a request for establishing a multi-connection session to the network, the session is initially anchored in a central UPF network element (i.e. PAS 0), and the UE obtains a first IP address allocated by the SMF network element.

In step S702, the SMF network element determines, according to the subscription relationship of the UE and the current location information to which the UE moves, a multiple connection path for the edge split traffic needs to be established.

In step S703, the SMF network element determines a target MPP of a multiple connection path for establishing an edge split flow with the UE according to the current location information of the UE, the ats support capability of the UE, the service area of each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element, and the ats support capability of each MPP, and determines ats information of the edge split flow. The ats ss information of the edge split flow includes: the method comprises the steps of applying information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, an uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling mode, interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends and a second IP address allocated for UE.

In step S704, the SMF network element selects a suitable split UPF network element and an edge anchor PSA1, establishes a local split path, and sends a target split rule to the split UPF network element, so that the split UPF network element has a MASPC function, and thus the split UPF network element can start the MASPC function to implement edge service splitting according to the target split rule. The target distribution rule is to distribute the edge service according to the sub-path interface information of the edge service multi-connection path.

Step S705, the SMF network element initiates an ats policy update message to the UE, where the message includes a second IP address allocated to the UE, application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, an uplink ats scheduling manner, and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at both ends.

In step S706, the SMF network element sends an ats notification message to the target MPP, where the message includes a downlink ats scheduling manner and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at both ends.

In step S707, the UE and the target MPP establish multiple sub-paths according to the interface information of the multiple connection sub-paths at the two ends obtained from the SMF network element, that is, the UE and the target MPP establish the multiple connection paths of the edge split traffic.

In step S708, when the edge service is initiated, the UE encapsulates the uplink data packet with the second IP address, and equalizes the uplink data packet into the established sub-path according to the uplink ats scheduling manner. That is, when the edge service is initiated, the UE transmits an uplink packet of the edge service through the multiple connection paths according to the uplink ats ss scheduling manner.

In step S709, when the uplink data packet passes through the splitting UPF network element, the splitting UPF network element starts the MASPC function to implement local splitting of the edge service according to the target splitting rule.

In step S710, the locally split uplink packet is sent to the edge computing platform through multiple connection paths.

In step S711, the target MPP of the access portal of the edge computing platform performs the multi-connection proxy function, and merges the uplink packets from the multi-connection path to obtain the target access packet. Wherein the target access packet is an initial single connection access flow.

Step S712, the edge computing platform distributes the target access data packet to the edge application server according to the target IP address of the data packet, thereby realizing the normal access to the edge service. The target IP address is the IP address of the edge application server.

Setting a target MPP at an access entrance of an edge computing platform of a local DN, determining target MPP and ATSSS information of the edge split flow by an SMF network element when judging that a multi-connection path of the edge split flow is required to be established, informing the ATSSS information to UE and the target MPP, and further establishing the multi-connection path between the UE and the target MPP, so that flow control can be performed on the flow of the edge service through the established multi-connection path under the condition that the edge service occurs. On one hand, the problem that ATSSS is not suitable for edge flow distribution in the related technology is solved, on the other hand, the target MPP bears the multi-connection proxy function of the service side, the edge computing force is fully utilized, the user plane realization of the network is simplified, and the perception of the edge computing platform on multi-access can be realized.

Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an SMF network element, as described in the following embodiments. Since the principle of the SMF network element embodiment for solving the problem is similar to that of the method embodiment, the real-time implementation of the SMF network element embodiment can be referred to the implementation of the method embodiment, and the repetition is not repeated.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic structural diagram of an SMF network element in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 8, the SMF network element 800 may include: a determination unit 810, an ats ss information transmission unit 820, and a branching rule transmission unit 830.

The determining unit 810 may be configured to: and determining target MPP and ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow. The ats information of the edge-split flow includes: application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends. The ats ss information of the edge drop traffic also includes an additional IP address, which is an IP address allocated by the SMF network element for the UE. And, the target MPP is located at an edge DN corresponding to the edge PSA; the target MPP is arranged at an access entrance of the edge computing platform; the target MPPs are deployed independently, or alternatively, the target MPPs are deployed on an edge computing platform.

The ats ss information transmitting unit 820 may be configured to: and sending ATSSS information of the edge flow distribution flow to the UE and the target MPP so that the UE and the target MPP establish a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow according to interface information of multi-connection sub-paths at two ends. The multi-connection path of the edge flow diversion flow can be used for controlling the flow according to an uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling mode under the condition that the edge service occurs, and the flow control comprises at least one of selecting one path for the flow, switching the flow from one path to another path and implementing flow balancing in a plurality of paths according to a set rule.

The branching rule transmitting unit 830 may be configured to: and determining a split UPF network element and an edge PSA, and sending a target split rule to the split UPF network element to enable the split UPF network element to have the function of a multi-access sub-path classifier MASPC. And the target distribution rule is to distribute the edge business according to the sub-path interface information of the multi-connection path of the edge distribution flow. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the determining unit 810 may further be configured to: determining a target MPP according to the current position information of the UE, the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE, the service area of each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element and the ATSSS supporting capability of each MPP; and determining application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, an uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends according to the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE and the configuration information of the target MPP.

The uplink and downlink ats scheduling methods include an uplink ats scheduling method and a downlink ats scheduling method. The configuration information of the target MPP is preconfigured for the SMF network element, or the configuration information of the target MPP is provided for the SMF network element in a capability open manner. The configuration information of the target MPP includes: the method comprises the steps of calculating application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, a service area of the target MPP, edge shunt anchor point information corresponding to the target MPP and ATSSS supporting capability of the target MPP. And the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends is selected from the reserved interface address pool by the SMF network element. The configuration information of the target MPP includes a reserved interface address pool, or the SMF network element configures the reserved interface address pool.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the ats ss information transmitting unit 820 may further be configured to: transmitting application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends to UE; and sending the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends to the target MPP.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the ats ss information transmitting unit 820 may further be configured to: and providing a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends to the target MPP in a capability opening mode.

Based on the same inventive concept, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, a UE is provided, as described in the following embodiments. Since the principle of the UE embodiment for solving the problem is similar to that of the method embodiment, the real-time implementation of the UE embodiment can be referred to the implementation of the method embodiment, and the repetition is not repeated.

Fig. 9 shows a schematic structural diagram of a UE in an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in fig. 9, the UE900 may include: a first ats ss information acquisition unit 910, a first multi-connection path establishment unit 920, and a first execution unit 930.

The first ats ss information acquisition unit 910 may be configured to: and acquiring ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow sent by the SMF network element. The ats information of the edge split flow includes application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, an uplink ats scheduling mode, and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends. The ats ss information of the edge drop traffic also includes an additional IP address, which is an IP address allocated by the SMF network element for the UE.

The first multi-connection path establishment unit 920 may be configured to: and establishing a multi-connection path of the edge shunt flow between the multi-connection sub-paths and the target MPP according to the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends.

The first execution unit 930 may be configured to: under the condition that edge service occurs, sending an uplink data packet of the edge service to a target MPP through a multi-connection path of edge flow distribution flow according to an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode; and under the condition that the edge service occurs, receiving the downlink data packet of the edge service sent by the target MPP of the multiple connection paths of the edge flow distribution flow, and combining the downlink data packet of the edge service into a downlink complete data packet of the UE.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first execution unit 930 may be further configured to: and under the condition that the edge service occurs, sending the uplink data packet of the edge service to the shunt UPF network element through a multi-connection path according to an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode so as to send the uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP by the shunt UPF network element. The method for sending the uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP by the split UPF network element can be specifically implemented as follows: and the splitting UPF network element starts a MASPC function, splits the uplink data packet of the edge service according to a target splitting rule, and then sends the split uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP through the edge PSA. The target diversion rule is to conduct edge service diversion according to sub-path interface information of multiple connection paths of edge diversion flow; and the SMF network element sends the target distribution rule to the distribution UPF network element, so that the distribution UPF network element has a MASPC function.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first execution unit 930 may be further configured to: and encapsulating the uplink data packet of the edge service through the additional IP address.

Based on the same inventive concept, this provides a target MPP in embodiments of the present disclosure, as described in the following embodiments. Since the principle of solving the problem of the target MPP embodiment is similar to that of the above-mentioned method embodiment, the real-time of the target MPP embodiment can be referred to the implementation of the above-mentioned method embodiment, and the repetition is not repeated.

Fig. 10 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of a target MPP in an embodiment of the disclosure. As shown in fig. 10, the target MPP1000 may include: a second ats ss information acquisition unit 1010, a second multiple connection path establishment unit 1020, and a second execution unit 1030.

The second ats ss information acquisition unit 1010 may be configured to: and acquiring ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow sent by the SMF network element. The ats information of the edge split traffic includes a downlink ats scheduling manner and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at both ends.

The second multiple connection path establishment unit 1020 may be configured to: and establishing a multi-connection path for the edge flow distribution flow between the multi-connection sub-paths and the UE according to the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends.

The second execution unit 1030 may be configured to: receiving an uplink data packet of the edge service sent by the UE of the multi-connection path of the edge traffic distribution flow under the condition of the edge service; the uplink data packets of the edge service are merged as target access data packets, and the target access data packets are sent to an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, so that the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP distributes the target access data packets to an edge application server according to the target IP address of the data packets; and when the edge service occurs, sending downlink data packets of the edge service to the UE through multiple connection paths of the edge split flow according to a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode for the downlink flow.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various aspects of the invention may be implemented as a system, method, or program product. Accordingly, aspects of the invention may be embodied in the following forms, namely: an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining hardware and software aspects may be referred to herein as a "circuit," module "or" system.

Fig. 11 shows a block diagram of an electronic device in an embodiment of the disclosure. An electronic device 1100 according to this embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to fig. 11. The electronic device 1100 shown in fig. 11 is merely an example, and should not be construed as limiting the functionality and scope of use of embodiments of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 11, the electronic device 1100 is embodied in the form of a general purpose computing device. Components of electronic device 1100 may include, but are not limited to: the at least one processing unit 1110, the at least one memory unit 1120, a bus 1130 connecting the different system components (including the memory unit 1120 and the processing unit 1110), and a display unit 1140.

Wherein the storage unit stores program code that is executable by the processing unit 1110 such that the processing unit 1110 performs steps according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention described in the above-described "exemplary methods" section of the present specification.

When the electronic device 1100 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure is an SMF network element, the processing unit 1110 may perform the following steps in the foregoing embodiments: determining target MPP and ATSSS information of edge split flow, wherein the target MPP is positioned at an edge DN corresponding to the edge PSA, and the ATSSS information of the edge split flow comprises application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends; sending ATSSS information of the edge flow distribution flow to the UE and the target MPP so that the UE and the target MPP establish a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow according to interface information of multi-connection sub-paths at two ends; and determining a splitting UPF network element and an edge PSA, and sending a target splitting rule to the splitting UPF network element to enable the splitting UPF network element to have a MASPC function, wherein the target splitting rule is used for splitting edge traffic according to sub-path interface information of multiple connection paths of the edge splitting traffic.

When the electronic device 1100 provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure is a UE, the processing unit 1110 may perform the following steps in the embodiments described above: the method comprises the steps of obtaining ATSSS information of edge shunt flow sent by an SMF network element, wherein the ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow comprises application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends; establishing a multi-connection path of the edge shunt flow between the multi-connection sub-paths and the target MPP according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at two ends; and under the condition of the edge service, sending an uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP through a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow according to an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode; and under the condition that the edge service occurs, receiving the downlink data packet of the edge service sent by the target MPP of the multiple connection paths of the edge flow distribution flow, and combining the downlink data packet of the edge service into a downlink complete data packet of the UE.

When the electronic device 1100 provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure is the target MPP, the processing unit 1110 may perform the following steps in the above embodiment: the method comprises the steps of obtaining ATSSS information of edge shunt flow sent by an SMF network element, wherein the ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow comprises a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends; establishing a multi-connection path for edge flow distribution with the UE according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at two ends; and receiving an uplink data packet of the edge service sent by the UE of the multiple connection paths of the edge traffic distribution flow under the condition of the edge service; the uplink data packets of the edge service are merged as target access data packets, and the target access data packets are sent to an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, so that the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP distributes the target access data packets to an edge application server according to the target IP address of the data packets; and when the edge service occurs, sending downlink data packets of the edge service to the UE through multiple connection paths of the edge split flow according to a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode for the downlink flow.

The storage unit 1120 may include a readable medium in the form of a volatile storage unit, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) 11201 and/or a cache memory 11202, and may further include a Read Only Memory (ROM) 11203.

The storage unit 1120 may also include a program/utility 11204 having a set (at least one) of program modules 11205, such program modules 11205 including, but not limited to: an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data, each or some combination of which may include an implementation of a network environment.

The bus 1130 may be a local bus representing one or more of several types of bus structures, including a memory unit bus or memory unit controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, a processing unit, or a bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.

The electronic device 1100 may also communicate with one or more external devices 1170 (e.g., keyboard, pointing device, bluetooth device, etc.), one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the electronic device 1100, and/or any device (e.g., router, modem, etc.) that enables the electronic device 1100 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication may occur through an input/output (I/O) interface 1150. Also, electronic device 1100 can communicate with one or more networks such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), and/or a public network, such as the Internet, through network adapter 1160. As shown, network adapter 1160 communicates with other modules of electronic device 1100 via bus 1130. It should be appreciated that although not shown, other hardware and/or software modules may be used in connection with electronic device 1100, including, but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, data backup storage systems, and the like.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a program product capable of implementing the method described above in the present specification is also provided. In some possible embodiments, the various aspects of the invention may also be implemented in the form of a program product comprising program code for causing a terminal device to carry out the steps according to the various exemplary embodiments of the invention as described in the "exemplary methods" section of this specification, when said program product is run on the terminal device.

A program product for implementing the above-described method according to an embodiment of the present invention may employ a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and include program code, and may be run on a terminal device such as a personal computer. However, the program product of the present invention is not limited thereto, and in this document, a readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The program product may employ any combination of one or more readable media. The readable medium may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. The readable storage medium can be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or a combination of any of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable disk, a hard disk, random Access Memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

The computer readable signal medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave with readable program code embodied therein. Such a propagated data signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A readable signal medium may also be any readable medium that is not a readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computing device, partly on the user's device, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computing device, partly on a remote computing device, or entirely on the remote computing device or server. In the case of remote computing devices, the remote computing device may be connected to the user computing device through any kind of network, including a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computing device (e.g., connected via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

It should be noted that although in the above detailed description several modules or units of a device for action execution are mentioned, such a division is not mandatory. Indeed, the features and functionality of two or more modules or units described above may be embodied in one module or unit in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Conversely, the features and functions of one module or unit described above may be further divided into a plurality of modules or units to be embodied.

Furthermore, although the steps of the methods in the present disclosure are depicted in a particular order in the drawings, this does not require or imply that the steps must be performed in that particular order or that all illustrated steps be performed in order to achieve desirable results. Additionally or alternatively, certain steps may be omitted, multiple steps combined into one step to perform, and/or one step decomposed into multiple steps to perform, etc.

From the above description of embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the example embodiments described herein may be implemented in software, or may be implemented in software in combination with the necessary hardware. Thus, the technical solution according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in the form of a software product, which may be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (may be a CD-ROM, a U-disk, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or on a network, including several instructions to cause a computing device (may be a personal computer, a server, a mobile terminal, or a network device, etc.) to perform the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any adaptations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure following, in general, the principles of the disclosure and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the disclosure pertains. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be effected without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for multipath processing of edge split traffic, the method being performed by a session management function SMF network element, comprising:

determining access flow guiding exchange splitting ATSSS information of a target multi-connection proxy MPP and edge flow splitting flow, wherein the target MPP is positioned in an edge data network DN corresponding to an edge protocol data unit session anchor PSA; the ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow comprises application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends;

Sending ATSSS information of the edge flow distribution flow to User Equipment (UE) and the target MPP so that the UE and the target MPP establish a multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends; and

and determining a split user plane function UPF network element and the edge PSA, and sending a target split rule to the split UPF network element to enable the split UPF network element to have a multi-access sub-path classifier MASPC function, wherein the target split rule is used for carrying out edge service split according to sub-path interface information of a multi-connection path of edge split flow.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the access traffic steering exchange split ats information for the target multi-connection proxy MPP and the edge split traffic comprises:

determining the target MPP according to the current position information of the UE, the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE, the service area of each MPP in the service area of the SMF network element and the ATSSS supporting capability of each MPP;

and determining application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, the uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at the two ends according to the ATSSS supporting capability of the UE and the configuration information of the target MPP, wherein the uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes comprise an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the configuration information of the target MPP is preconfigured for the SMF network element, or the configuration information of the target MPP is provided to the SMF network element in a capability open manner.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the configuration information of the target MPP includes: the method comprises the steps of calculating application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, a service area of the target MPP, edge shunt anchor point information corresponding to the target MPP and ATSSS supporting capability of the target MPP.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends is selected by the SMF network element from a reserved interface address pool; the configuration information of the target MPP includes the reserved interface address pool, or the SMF network element configures the reserved interface address pool.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the sending the ats ss information of the edge split traffic to the user equipment UE and the target MPP includes:

transmitting application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends to the UE;

And sending the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends to the target MPP.

7. The method as in claim 6, wherein the sending the interface information of the downlink ats ss scheduling manner and the multi-connection sub-paths of the two ends to the target MPP includes:

and providing the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends for the target MPP in a capability opening mode.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the ats ss information of the edge split traffic further includes an additional IP address, the additional IP address being an IP address allocated by the SMF network element for the UE.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the target MPP is provided at an access portal of an edge computing platform; the target MPP is deployed independently or on an edge computing platform.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the multiple connection paths of the edge split traffic are used for performing traffic control according to the uplink and downlink ats ss scheduling manner in the event of edge traffic, and the traffic control includes at least one of selecting one path for traffic, switching traffic from one path to another path, and performing traffic balancing in a plurality of paths according to a set rule.

11. A method for multipath processing of edge-split traffic, the method performed by a UE, comprising:

the method comprises the steps of obtaining ATSSS information of edge shunt flow sent by an SMF network element, wherein the ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow comprises application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, an uplink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends;

establishing a multi-connection path of the edge shunt flow between the multi-connection sub-paths and the target MPP according to the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends;

under the condition that the edge service occurs, sending an uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP through a multi-connection path of the edge split flow according to the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode;

and under the condition that the edge service occurs, receiving the downlink data packet of the edge service sent by the target MPP of the multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow, and combining the downlink data packet of the edge service into a downlink complete data packet of the UE.

12. The method as set forth in claim 11, wherein the sending, in the case of the occurrence of the edge traffic, the upstream packet of the edge traffic to the target MPP through the multiple connection paths of the edge split traffic according to the upstream ats ss scheduling manner includes:

And under the condition that the edge service occurs, sending the uplink data packet of the edge service to a shunt UPF network element through the multi-connection path according to the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode, so that the shunt UPF network element sends the uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the forking UPF network element sending the upstream data packets of the edge traffic to the target MPP comprises:

the split UPF network element starts a MASPC function, splits the uplink data packet of the edge service according to a target split rule, and then sends the split uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP through an edge PSA;

the target diversion rule is used for carrying out edge service diversion according to sub-path interface information of multiple connection paths of edge diversion flow; and the SMF network element sends the target distribution rule to the distribution UPF network element, so that the distribution UPF network element has a MASPC function.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the ats ss information of the edge split traffic further includes an additional IP address, the additional IP address being an IP address allocated by the SMF network element for the UE;

Wherein, before sending the upstream data packet of the edge service to the target MPP, the method further comprises: and encapsulating the uplink data packet of the edge service through the additional IP address.

15. A method of multipath processing of edge split traffic, the method performed by a target MPP, comprising:

the method comprises the steps of obtaining ATSSS information of edge shunt flow sent by an SMF network element, wherein the ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow comprises a downlink ATSSS scheduling mode and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends;

establishing a multi-connection path for edge flow distribution with the UE according to the interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends;

under the condition that edge service occurs, an uplink data packet of the edge service sent by the UE of the multi-connection path of the edge flow diversion flow is received, the uplink data packet of the edge service is combined to be a target access data packet, the target access data packet is sent to an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP, and therefore the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP distributes the target access data packet to an edge application server according to a target IP address of the data packet;

And when the edge service occurs, sending downlink data packets of the edge service to the UE through the multi-connection path of the edge split flow according to the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode for the downlink flow.

16. An SMF network element, comprising:

the determining unit is used for determining target MPP and ATSSS information of the edge split flow, wherein the target MPP is positioned at an edge DN corresponding to the edge PSA; the ATSSS information of the edge shunt flow comprises application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, uplink and downlink ATSSS scheduling modes and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends;

an ats information sending unit, configured to send ats information of the edge-split traffic to a user equipment UE and the target MPP, so that the UE and the target MPP establish a multi-connection path of the edge-split traffic according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends; and

and the distribution rule sending unit is used for determining a distribution UPF network element and the edge PSA, and sending a target distribution rule to the distribution UPF network element so that the distribution UPF network element has a MASPC function, wherein the target distribution rule is used for carrying out edge service distribution according to sub-path interface information of a multi-connection path of the edge distribution flow.

17. A UE, comprising:

a first ats s information obtaining unit, configured to obtain ats s information of an edge split flow sent by an SMF network element, where the ats s information of the edge split flow includes application information of an edge computing platform corresponding to a target MPP, an uplink ats s scheduling manner, and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends;

a first multi-connection path establishing unit, configured to establish a multi-connection path of the edge split flow with the target MPP according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends; and

the first execution unit is used for sending an uplink data packet of the edge service to the target MPP through the multi-connection path of the edge shunt flow according to the uplink ATSSS scheduling mode under the condition that the edge service occurs; and under the condition that the edge service occurs, receiving the downlink data packet of the edge service sent by the target MPP of the multi-connection path of the edge flow distribution flow, and combining the downlink data packet of the edge service into a downlink complete data packet of the UE.

18. A target MPP, comprising:

a second ats information obtaining unit, configured to obtain ats information of an edge split flow sent by an SMF network element, where the ats information of the edge split flow includes a downlink ats scheduling manner and interface information of multiple connection sub-paths at two ends;

A second multi-connection path establishing unit, configured to establish a multi-connection path for edge traffic splitting with the UE according to interface information of the multi-connection sub-paths at the two ends; and

the second execution unit is used for receiving an uplink data packet of the edge service sent by the UE of the multi-connection path of the edge flow diversion flow under the condition of occurrence of the edge service, combining the uplink data packet of the edge service into a target access data packet, and sending the target access data packet to an edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP so that the edge computing platform corresponding to the target MPP distributes the target access data packet to an edge application server according to a target IP address of the data packet; and when the edge service occurs, sending downlink data packets of the edge service to the UE through the multi-connection path of the edge split flow according to the downlink ATSSS scheduling mode for the downlink flow.

19. An electronic device, comprising:

one or more processors;

storage configured to store one or more programs that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to implement the method of any of claims 1-15.

20. A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that the computer program when executed by a processor implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 15.