JP2020194990A - Node group and migration method - Google Patents

Abstract

To make a mobile device accessible to a corresponding slice in a different network.SOLUTION: A system includes UDM with a subscriber information transmission unit that returns NSSAI compatible with UE3 to 5GS in response to a request from the UE3 and a subscriber information storage unit that stores NSSAI for identifying a slice that can be used for each UE3 from among a plurality of slices included in the 5GS, which is a group of 5GS nodes including the plurality of slices that are virtual networks, NSSAI that identifies a slice included in the 5GS, and NSSF including a specific information transmission unit that obtains a DCN ID associated with the NSSAI on the basis of a correspondence information storage unit that stores the correspondence information associated with the DCN ID for identifying the slice included in 4G eDecor and the NSSAI returned from the UDM, and sends the DCN ID to the UE3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a node group and a migration method for enabling a mobile terminal that accesses a slice included in a network (a virtual network generated on a network infrastructure) to access a slice included in another network.

In Non-Patent Document 1 below, a UE (User Equipment) is connected to a slice specified by NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance information) in a 5G (5th Generation, 5th generation mobile communication system) network system (5GS) including a plurality of slices. It is disclosed to let you.

Non-Patent Document 2 below discloses that a UE is connected to a slice specified by a DCN ID (Dedicated Core Network ID) in a 4G (4th Generation, 4th generation mobile communication system) network (4G eDecor) including a plurality of slices. Has been done.

3GPP TS 23.501 V0.3.1 (2017-03) 3GPP TS 23.401 V14.3.0 (2017-03)

However, compatibility is not guaranteed between 5GS and eDecor. Therefore, for example, a UE accessing a slice contained in 5GS cannot access the corresponding slice contained in eDecor. That is, the UE cannot access the corresponding slices in different networks.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a node group and a migration method capable of making a mobile terminal accessible to a corresponding slice even in different networks.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the node group according to one aspect of the present invention is a node group of the first network including a plurality of slices which are virtual networks generated on the network infrastructure, and is included in the first network. A first storage unit for storing a first specific information for specifying one slice that can be used for each mobile terminal among a plurality of slices, and a request from the mobile terminal via the first network. , A first node having a first transmitting unit that returns the first specific information corresponding to the mobile terminal stored in the storage unit to the first network, and one of a plurality of slices included in the first network. A second storage unit that stores correspondence information in which the second specific information for specifying a slice and the third specific information for specifying a slice included in a second network different from the first network are associated with each other. Then, based on the first specific information returned from the first transmission unit, the third specific information associated with the second specific information corresponding to the first specific information is acquired from the second storage unit. It includes a second node having a second transmission unit that transmits the third specific information to the mobile terminal via the first network.

Alternatively, the migration method according to another aspect of the present invention is a node group of the first network including a plurality of slices which are virtual networks generated on the network infrastructure, and among the plurality of slices included in the first network. One of a first node having a first storage unit for storing a first specific information for specifying one slice that can be used for each mobile terminal, and a plurality of slices included in the first network. A second storage unit that stores correspondence information in which the second specific information for specifying the slice and the third specific information for specifying the slice included in the second network different from the first network are associated with each other. It is a migration method by a network system including a node group including a second node having a second node and a mobile terminal, and a first access step in which the mobile terminal accesses the first network and a first access by the first node. When the mobile terminal accesses in the step and receives a request from the mobile terminal via the first network, the first specific information corresponding to the mobile terminal stored in the storage unit is returned to the first network. The first transmission step and the second node are associated with the second specific information corresponding to the first specific information from the second storage unit based on the first specific information returned from the first node. The second transmission step of acquiring the third specific information and transmitting the third specific information to the mobile terminal via the first network, and the third specific transmission of the mobile terminal in the second transmission step. Includes a second access step to access a slice of the second network identified by the information.

According to the one aspect or the other aspect, when the first network is accessed from the mobile terminal, the first specific information regarding the slices that can be used by the mobile terminal is returned from the first node to the first network. On the other hand, the third specific information about the slice included in the second network associated with the second specific information about the slice corresponding to the first specific information is transmitted from the second node to the mobile terminal. As a result, for example, the mobile terminal that accesses the first network is the third specific information transmitted from the second node, and the slice of the second network corresponding to the slice of the first network that the own terminal can use. You can get the third specific information about. As a result, the slice of the second network can be accessed by using the third specific information in the mobile terminal. That is, the mobile terminal accessing the slice included in the first network can access the corresponding slice included in the second network. That is, according to this aspect, the mobile terminal can be made accessible to the corresponding slice even in different networks.

According to the present invention, the mobile terminal can be made accessible to the corresponding slices even in different networks.

It is a system block diagram of the network system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the system configuration example of the 5G network system. It is a figure which shows the system configuration example of a 4G network. It is a functional block diagram of UDM which concerns on this embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of NSSF which concerns on this embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram of UDM and NSSF which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the table example of the subscriber information. It is a figure which shows the table example of correspondence information. It is a sequence diagram which shows the 1st example of the process at the time of location registration among the migration processes executed by the network system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the 2nd example of the process at the time of location registration among the migration processes executed by the network system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the table example of the correspondence information held by 5G UE after the location registration. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process at the time of access to a 4G network among the migration processes executed by the network system which concerns on this embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. When possible, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals and duplicate description is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the network system 4 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 4 (network system) includes 5GS1 (first network), 4G eDecor2 (second network), and 5G UE3 (mobile terminal).

5GS1 is a 5G network system including a plurality of slices. That is, 5GS1 is a mobile communication network. A slice (or network slice) is a virtual network or service network that is logically generated on a network infrastructure by virtually separating the resources of a link and a node of a network device and combining the separated resources. The slices separate the resources and do not interfere with each other. A service is a service that uses network resources such as a communication service (dedicated line service, etc.) and an application service (service using a sensor device such as a video distribution or an embedded device). As shown in FIG. 1, 5GS1 includes a plurality of slices NS-1, NS-2, ..., NS-x.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of 5GS1. The 5GS1 shown in FIG. 2 includes a 5G UE3, an eNB (evolved Node B) which is a radio base station device, an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) which is a mobility management function, and a UDM (Unified Data Management) which is a subscriber information management function. It is configured to include a first node), an NSSF (Network Slice Selection Function, a second node) which is a slice management function, and a plurality of SMFs (Session Management Functions) which are session management functions. For details of the components of 5GS1 such as eNB, AMF and SMF, refer to the above-mentioned non-patent documents 1 and various documents related to 5G. In 5GS1, one SMF manages the corresponding slices (Network Slice, NS). In 5GS1, NSSAI (first and second specific information) is used as a parameter at the time of slice selection. NSSAI is composed of a plurality of S-NSSAI. That is, NSSAI is a set of a plurality of S-NSSAI. Examples of each S-NSSAI include "service type", "slice type" and "slice differentiator". S-NSSAI includes SD (Slice Differentiator) and SST (Slice / Service type). In FIG. 2, the 5G UE3 can receive the S-NSSAI from the network side at the time of the registration request. The eNB selects a Common CP (Control Plane) according to the NSSAI. For example, S-NSSAI # 1 (included in NSSAI) selects Common CP # 1. Further, the AMF receives the NSSAI from the 5G UE3 via the eNB, and selects an SMF (or a slice managed by the SMF) based on the received NSSAI. In this embodiment, NSSAI and S-NSSAI are appropriately treated (identified) in the same line. That is, in the present embodiment, NSSAI and S-NSSAI may be appropriately read.

UDM is a function that manages subscriber information including contract information, authentication information, communication service information, terminal type information, and territory information of communication terminals such as 5G UE3 in a database. NSSF is a function that manages information such as the topology of each slice, the nodes constituting each slice, and the management range of AMF in a database. The node group of the present embodiment is configured to include at least UDM and NSSF. Details of the configurations of UDM and NSSF will be described later.

Returning to FIG. 1, 4G eDecor2 is a 4G network including a plurality of slices. That is, 4G eDecor2 is a mobile communication network. As shown in FIG. 1, the 4G eDecor 2 includes a plurality of slices NS-A, NS-B, ..., NS-y.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a system configuration example of 4G eDecor 2. The 4G eDecor 2 shown in FIG. 3 includes a UE and an eNB which are user terminals, an MME (Mobility Management Entity) which is a movement control device, an HSS (Home Subscriber Serve) which is a user information database, an SGW (Serving Gateway) which is a gateway device, and the like. It is configured to include SGW / PGW (Packet data network Gateway). For details of the components of 4G eDecor2 such as UE, eNB, MME, HSS, SGW, and PGW, refer to the above-mentioned non-patent documents 2 and various documents related to 4G. In 4G eDecor2, the combination of MME and SGW or SGW / PGW corresponds to a slice (or a dedicated core network). In 4G eDecor2, DCN ID (third specific information) is used as a parameter at the time of slice selection. In 4G eDecor2, slice selection is performed in the eNB based on the DCN ID. For example, in FIG. 3, the eNB that receives the DCN ID indicating DCN ID # 1 from the UE selects the slice 1 specified by DCN ID # 1.

Returning to FIG. 1, the 5G UE 3 is a user terminal in 5G. Specifically, the 5G UE 3 is a computer device such as a mobile communication terminal, a smartphone, or a notebook computer that performs 5G and 4G mobile communication.

Here, the preconditions assumed in the present embodiment will be described. First, the 5G UE3 accesses the slice corresponding to the NSSAI transmitted by the 5G UE3 to the 5GS1 among the plurality of slices included in the 5GS1. The 5G UE3 then physically moves to an area where 5GS1 is not provided and 4G eDecor2 is provided. Next, the 5G UE3 accesses the 4G eDecor2. The above are the prerequisites.

According to the network system 4 of the present embodiment, when accessing the 4G eDecor2, the 5G UE3 is a slice corresponding to the slice accessed by the 5GS1 and can access the slice included in the 4G eDecor2. it can. In other words, the 5G UE3 is a slice corresponding to the slice of the 5GS1 selected based on the NSSAI transmitted by the 5G UE3 to the 5GS1 when accessing the 4G eDecor2, and is included in the 4G eDecor2. You can access the slices that are In order to realize this, in the network system 4, the UDM manages the NSSAI regarding the slices that can be used for each 5G UE3, and the NSSF or AMF manages the DCN ID corresponding to the NSSAI. Then, when the 5G UE3 registers the location with the 5GS1, the 5GS1 notifies the 5G UE3 of the DCN ID corresponding to the NSSAI. Then, the 5G UE3 uses the received DCN ID when accessing the 4G eDecor2. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of UDM10 (first node) included in 5GS1 (which is a component of 5GS1). As shown in FIG. 4, the UDM 10 includes a subscriber information storage unit 100 (first storage unit) and a subscriber information transmission unit 101 (first transmission unit).

Further, FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of NSSF20 (second node) included in 5GS1 (which is a component of 5GS1). As shown in FIG. 5, the NSSF 20 includes a corresponding information storage unit 200 (second storage unit) and a specific information transmission unit 201 (second transmission unit).

The functional block diagrams shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 show blocks for functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Further, the means for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized by one physically and / or logically coupled device, or directly and / or indirectly by two or more physically and / or logically separated devices. (For example, wired and / or wireless) may be connected and realized by these a plurality of devices.

For example, UDM10 and NSSF20 may function as computers. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the UDM 10 and the NSSF 20. The above-mentioned UDM10 and NSSF20 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like.

In the following description, the word "device" can be read as a circuit, device, unit, or the like. The hardware configuration of the UDM 10 and the NSSF 20 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in FIG. 6, or may be configured not to include some of the devices.

For each function in the UDM10 and NSSF20, by loading predetermined software (program) on hardware such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, the processor 1001 performs an operation, and communication by the communication device 1004, memory 1002, and storage 1003 It is realized by controlling the reading and / or writing of the data in.

Processor 1001 operates, for example, an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 1001 may be composed of a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with a peripheral device, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, and the like. For example, the subscriber information transmission unit 101, the specific information transmission unit 201, and the like described above may be realized by the processor 1001.

Further, the processor 1001 reads a program (program code), a software module, and data from the storage 1003 and / or the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes according to these. As the program, a program that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the present embodiment is used. For example, the subscriber information transmission unit 101, the specific information transmission unit 201, and the like described above may be realized by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and operated by the processor 1001, and are similarly realized for other functional blocks. May be good. Although it has been described that the various processes described above are executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. Processor 1001 may be mounted on one or more chips. The program may be transmitted from the network via a telecommunication line.

The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium, and is composed of at least one such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). May be done. The memory 1002 may be referred to as a register, a cache, a main memory (main storage device), or the like. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), a software module, or the like that can be executed to carry out the paging method according to the present embodiment.

The storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (for example, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray). It may consist of at least one (registered trademark) disk), smart card, flash memory (eg, card, stick, key drive), floppy (registered trademark) disk, magnetic strip, and the like. The storage 1003 may be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The storage medium described above may be, for example, a database, server or other suitable medium containing memory 1002 and / or storage 1003. For example, the subscriber information storage unit 100, the corresponding information storage unit 200, and the like described above may be realized by the storage 1003.

The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via a wired and / or wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, or the like. For example, the subscriber information transmission unit 101, the specific information transmission unit 201, and the like described above may be realized by the communication device 1004.

The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives an input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may have an integrated configuration (for example, a touch panel).

Further, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. Bus 1007 may be composed of a single bus, or may be composed of different buses between devices.

The UDM10 and NSSF20 also include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). It may be configured, and the hardware may realize a part or all of each functional block. For example, processor 1001 may be implemented on at least one of these hardware.

Hereinafter, each functional block of the UDM 10 shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

The subscriber information storage unit 100 stores information for managing subscribers who use the service provided by 5GS1. That is, the subscriber information storage unit 100 identifies the terminal identification information (UE-ID) that identifies the 5G UE3 and the first slice that can be used by the 5G UE3 among the plurality of slices included in the 5GS1. 1 Stores subscriber information associated with S-NSSAI (or NSSAI), which is specific information. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a table of subscriber information stored by the subscriber information storage unit 100. In the table example of the correspondence information shown in FIG. 7, the UE-ID and the Subscribed NSSAI which is the first specific information are associated with each other. This Subscribed NSSAI is composed of SD (Slice Differentiator) and SST (Slice / Service type), which are S-NSSAI. A plurality of sets of S-NSSAI may be associated with one UE-ID. In such subscriber information, first specific information (Subscribed NSSAI) regarding slices that can be used for each of a plurality of 5G UEs 3 is managed.

Returning to FIG. 4, the subscriber information transmission unit 101 corresponds to the subscriber information stored by the subscriber information storage unit 100 in response to a request for location registration from the 5G UE3 via another node or the like in the 5GS1. Extracts the first specific information (Subscribed NSSAI) associated with the terminal identification information (UE-ID) of the 5G UE3, and returns the extracted first specific information to other nodes of the request source in 5GS1. To do. Here, the subscriber information transmission unit 101 is not limited to returning the first specific information in response to the location registration request, but the first specific information in response to another request from the 5G UE3 such as a connection request. May be replied.

Next, each functional block of the NSSF 20 shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

The correspondence information storage unit 200 is included in S-NSSAI (or NSSAI), which is the second specific information for specifying one of the plurality of slices included in the 5GS1, and in 4G eDecor2, which is a network different from the 5GS1. Corresponding information associated with the DCN ID, which is the third specific information for specifying the slice to be used, is stored. In the correspondence information, permission information (Allowed NSSAI) indicating that the slice specified by the second specific information can be used in 5GS1 may be further associated with the second specific information. When the same NSSAI as the second specific information is stored as the permission information, it is indicated that the slice specified by the second specific information can be used. Further, in the corresponding information, the information (AMF) that identifies the AMF that manages the communication connection in the slice specified by the second specific information may be further associated with the second specific information. Further, the correspondence information may be managed for each location registration area (Location) of the 5G UE3.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a table of correspondence information stored by the correspondence information storage unit 200. In the table example of the correspondence information shown in FIG. 8, for the Subscribed NSSAI which is the second specific information, the Allowed NSSAI which is the permission information, the DCN ID which is the third specific information, and the information (AMF) which specifies the AMF , Information (Location) indicating the location registration area is associated with the information. Since the information represented by both S-NSSAI and DCN ID is the same and 4G / 5G is not conscious, the parameters may be duplicated. Further, the expression method such as the bit length may be different.

Returning to FIG. 5, when the specific information transmitting unit 201 receives the first specific information (Subscribed NSSAI) from the UDM 10 via another node in the 5GS1, the specific information transmitting unit 201 starts from the corresponding information stored by the corresponding information storage unit 200. , The third specific information (DCN ID) and the permission information (Allowed NSSAI) associated with the second specific information corresponding to the received first specific information (Subscribed NSSAI) are extracted, and the extracted DCN ID and Allowed NSSAI are extracted. Is transmitted to the 5G UE3 (via another node or the like in the 5GS1). The specific information transmission unit 201 may transmit the DCN ID to the 5G UE3 when the 5G UE3 registers the location in the 5GS1. More specifically, the specific information transmission unit 201 responds when the 5G UE3 receives NSSAI (via another node or the like) from the 5G UE3 (along with the location registration request) when the 5G UE3 registers the location with the 5GS1. The DCN ID associated with the received NSSAI in the corresponding information stored by the information storage unit 200 may be extracted, and the extracted DCN ID may be transmitted to the 5G UE3 (via another node or the like).

Further, the specific information transmission unit 201 corresponds to a slice indicated to be usable by the permission information when extracting the third specific information (DCN ID) from the correspondence information stored by the correspondence information storage unit 200. The DCN ID and Allowed NSSAI to be used may be extracted. Specifically, the specific information transmitting unit 201 acquires only the DCN ID associated with the Subscribed NSSAI and the same Allowed NSSAI associated with the Subscribed NSSAI, and transmits only the DCN ID. You may do so.

Hereinafter, the processing of the network system 4, including the processing of the UDM 10 and the NSSF 20, will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a first example of a process at the time of location registration in 5GS1 among the migration processes (migration methods) executed by the network system 4. As shown in FIG. 9, 5GS1 includes 5G UE3, 5G RAN (Radio Access Network), Default AMF, Defined AMF, UDM10, and SMF (Session Management Function) and UPF (User Plane Function). To do. The Defaut AMF is an AMF in which the location registration request is transferred from the RAN at the time of the first connection by the 5G UE3, and the Distributed AMF is the AMF in which the location registration request is transferred based on the NSSAI included in the location registration request after the first connection. It is AMF to be done. Further, it is assumed that the terminal identification information (UE-ID) of the 5G UE 3 is also transferred in the whole process (or a part) of the process.

In FIG. 9, first, the 5GS1 is accessed by transmitting the registration request, which is a location registration request, from the 5G UE3 to the 5G RAN (step S1). The request includes a Requested NSSAI, which is an NSSAI (Configured NSSAI) wishing to connect. The NSSAI includes S-NSSAI-1 and S-NSSAI-2.

Next, in the 5G RAN, it is determined that the transfer is made to the Defeat AMF for the first connection from the 5G UE3 (step S2). Next, a Registration Request is transmitted from the 5G RAN to the Defeat AMF (step S3). The request includes the Requested NSSAI transmitted in S1.

Next, the Default AMF transmits a Subscription Request to the UDM 10 in response to receiving the Registration Request (step S4). The request includes a UE-ID for the 5G UE3 from which the Registration Request is sent. On the other hand, the subscriber information transmission unit 101 of the UDM 10 extracts the Subscribed NSSAI corresponding to the UE-ID of the 5G UE3 transmitted in S4 from the subscriber information stored by the subscriber information storage unit 100. (Search). Then, the extracted Subscribed NSSAI is transmitted from the UDM 10 to the Default AMF (step S5). The NSSAI includes Subscribed S-NSSAIs, which is a set of S-NSSAI corresponding to the same slice.

Next, the Defeat AMF determines whether or not the corresponding information regarding the Requested NSSAI received in step S3 is already retained, and if it is retained, the processing of steps S7a, S7b, S8a, and S8b described later is skipped. Then, the Allowed NSSAI and DCN ID corresponding to the Requested NSSAI are transmitted to the 5G UE3. On the other hand, if the correspondence information is not retained, the procedure proceeds to the following procedure (step S6). That is, a slice selection request (Slice Selection Request) including the Subscribed NSSAI acquired from the UDM10 and the Requested NSSAI included in the location registration request is transmitted from the Default AMF to the NSSF20 (step S7a). On the other hand, the specific information transmission unit 201 of the NSSF 20 extracts the permission information (Allowed NSSAI) and the DCN ID associated with the Subscribed NSSAI from the correspondence information stored by the correspondence information storage unit 200, and extracts the extracted information. A slice selection response including the Extracted NSSAI and DCN ID is transmitted to the Defaut AMF (step S7b). This slice selection response may include AMF information corresponding to Allowed NSSAI in the correspondence information stored in the NSSF 20.

Next, the Default AMF (and 5G RAN) executes S8a or S8b, which will be described later. That is, a Reroute NAS message is transmitted from the Default AMF to the 5G RAN and subsequently from the 5G RAN to the Distributed AMF (the message includes the NASSAI and DCN ID received in S7b). (Step S8a) or, a Reroute NAS message is transmitted from the Defaut AMF to the Distributed AMF (the message includes the NASSAI and DCN ID received in S7b) (step S8b).

Next, UP Establishment Req / Resp is transmitted / received between the Established AMF and the SMF and UPF (step S9). Next, the Registered AMF transmits a Registration Response to the 5G UE3 (step S10). The response includes the NSSAI and DCN ID transmitted in S8a or S8b.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a second example (different from the first example) of the process at the time of location registration to 5GS1 among the migration processes (migration methods) executed by the network system 4. Hereinafter, the difference from the sequence diagram described with reference to FIG. 9 will be mainly described.

In FIG. 10, S20 to S22 are the same as S1 to S3 in FIG. 9, respectively. Further, S23a and S23b are the same as S8a and S8b in FIG. 9, respectively. S24 to S27 are the same as S4 to S5 and S7a to S7b in FIG. 9, respectively, and the difference is that the source of S4 and S7a and the destination of S5 and S7b are changed from Default AMF to Distributed AMF. .. S28 and S29 are the same as S9 and S10 in FIG. 7, respectively. That is, the processing procedures of FIGS. 9 and 10 differ only in that the redirect processing is before and after.

As described above, the DCN ID corresponding to S-NSSAI is notified to the 5G UE3. The 5G UE3 that received the DCN ID from 5GS1 (NSSF20) after S10 in FIG. 9 (after location registration) or after S29 in FIG. 10 (after location registration) transmits the DCN ID in S1 or S20. The transmitted S-NSSAI and the slice specified by the S-NSSAI are stored in the own terminal in association with the information that identifies the application to be used. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a table of correspondence information held by the 5G UE after location registration. In the correspondence information table example shown in FIG. 11, the information identifying the application, the S-NSSAI, and the DCN ID are associated with each other.

Subsequently, the procedure for accessing the 4G eDecor 2 by the 5G UE3 that has received the DCN ID from the 5GS1 (NSSF20) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing a process at the time of access to 4G eDecor 2 among the migration processes executed by the network system 4 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, 4G eDecor2 includes 5G UE3, 4G RAN, Default MME, Deditated MME, HSS, and Deditated S / PGW.

In FIG. 12, first, the Attach Request, which is an attach request, is transmitted from the 5G UE3 to the 4G RAN (step S30). The request includes a DCN ID (Accepted DCN ID) and an APN (Access Point Name) received from 5GS1 (NSSF20). Next, in 4G RAN, it is determined that the transfer is performed to the Defeat MME for the first connection from the 5G UE3 (step S31). Next, an Attach Request is transmitted from the 4G RAN to the Defeat MME (step S32). The request includes the DCN ID and APN transmitted in S30. Next, a UE subscription Request is transmitted from the Default MME to the HSS (step S33). The request includes the DCN ID transmitted in S32. Next, a UE subscription Response is transmitted from the HSS to the Defeat MME (step S34). The request includes one or more DCN IDs (Subscribed DCN IDs (s)) corresponding to the DCN IDs transmitted in S33.

Next, a Re-route Request is transmitted from the Default MME to the 4G RAN, and subsequently from the 4G RAN to the Distributed MME (step S35). The message includes a GUIMEI (Globally Unique MME Identifier), a DCN ID sent in S34, and an APN sent in S32. Next, Create Session Req / Resp is transmitted / received between the Designated MME and the Designated S / PGW (step S36). Next, the Attach Accept is transmitted from the Distributed MME to the 5G UE 3 (step S37). The accept includes a DCN ID transmitted in S35 and a policy for mapping the DCN ID to an application in 5G UE3.

Next, the operation and effect of the network system 4 configured as in the present embodiment will be described.

Here, conventionally, it has not been considered that the 5G UE accesses the slice included in the 5GS, then moves to the area where the 4G eDecor is provided, and accesses the slice included in the corresponding 4G eDecor. .. That is, backward compatibility from 5GS to 4G eDecor was not guaranteed. From the viewpoint of backward compatibility, it is necessary to associate NSSAI with DCN ID.

According to the network system 4 (node group including UDM10 and NSSF20 included in the network system 4) configured as in the present embodiment, the 5G UE3 can be used when a location registration request (access) is made from the 5G UE3 to the 5GS1. The Subscribed NSSAI regarding the slice is returned from the UDM 10 to the 5GS1, and the DCN ID regarding the slice contained in the 4G eDecor 2 associated with the NSSA corresponding to the Subscribed NSSAI is transmitted from the NSSF 20 to the 5G UE3. Thereby, for example, the 5G UE3 accessing the 5GS1 can acquire the DCN ID related to the slice of the 4G eDecor2 corresponding to the slice of the 5GS1 that can be used by the own terminal, which is the DCN ID transmitted from the NSSF20. As a result, the slice of 4G eDecor2 can be accessed by using the DCN ID in the 5G UE3. That is, the 5G UE3 accessing the slice included in the 5GS1 can access the corresponding slice included in the 4G eDecor2. That is, according to such a network system 4 (a group of nodes included in), it is possible to make the 5G UE 3 accessible to the corresponding slice even in different networks.

Further, according to the network system 4 (node group included in the node group) configured as in the present embodiment, the NSSF 20 is associated with the NSSAI corresponding to the Subscribed NSSAI, and is associated with the Allowed NSSAI. The DCN ID is transmitted to the 5G UE3. Thereby, only the information about the slice of 4G eDecor2 corresponding to the slice made available in 5GS1 can be transmitted to the 5G UE3. Therefore, the services provided to the 5G UE 3 by the 5GS1 and the 4G eDecor2 can be unified.

Further, according to the network system 4 (node group included in) configured as in the present embodiment, the 5GS1 is a mobile communication network, and when the 5G UE3 registers the location with the 5GS1, the DCN ID is the 5G UE3. Will be sent to. As a result, the 5G UE3 can acquire the DCN ID only by performing the existing location registration process and without performing any other special process. That is, when constructing the network system 4, the existing nodes and processes can be used almost as they are, which is cost-effective, and since no special process is required, it is possible to acquire the DCN ID at a higher speed. it can.

Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to the embodiment described in the present specification. This embodiment can be implemented as an amended or modified mode without departing from the gist and scope of the present invention determined by the description of the claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for the purpose of illustration and does not have any limiting meaning to the present embodiment.

The notification of information is not limited to the embodiments / embodiments described herein, and may be made by other methods. For example, information notification includes physical layer signaling (for example, DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (for example, RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling, etc. It may be carried out by notification information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block)), other signals, or a combination thereof. Further, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

Each aspect / embodiment described herein includes LTE, LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G, 5G, FRA (Future Radio Access), W-CDMA®, GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth (registered trademark) , And other systems that utilize suitable systems and / or next-generation systems that are extended based on them.

The order of the processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, and the like of each aspect / embodiment described in the present specification may be changed as long as there is no contradiction. For example, the methods described herein present elements of various steps in an exemplary order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

In some cases, the specific operation performed by the specific device in the present specification may be performed by its upper node. For example, when a specific device is a base station, various operations performed for communication with a terminal in a network consisting of one or more network nodes having the base station may be performed. It is clear that it can be done by a base station and / or other network nodes other than the base station, such as, but not limited to, MME or S-GW. Although the case where there is one network node other than the base station is illustrated above, it may be a combination of a plurality of other network nodes (for example, MME and S-GW).

Information and the like can be output from the upper layer (or lower layer) to the lower layer (or upper layer). Input / output may be performed via a plurality of network nodes.

The input / output information and the like may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory) or may be managed by a management table. Input / output information and the like can be overwritten, updated, or added. The output information and the like may be deleted. The input information or the like may be transmitted to another device.

The determination may be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (Boolean: true or false), or by comparing numerical values (for example, a predetermined value). It may be done by comparison with the value).

Each aspect / embodiment described in the present specification may be used alone, in combination, or may be switched and used according to the execution. Further, the notification of predetermined information (for example, the notification of "being X") is not limited to the explicit one, but is performed implicitly (for example, the notification of the predetermined information is not performed). May be good.

Software is an instruction, instruction set, code, code segment, program code, program, subprogram, software module, whether called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or another name. , Applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, execution threads, procedures, features, etc. should be broadly interpreted.

Further, software, instructions, and the like may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, the software uses wired technology such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twist pair and digital subscriber line (DSL) and / or wireless technology such as infrared, wireless and microwave to websites, servers, or other When transmitted from a remote source, these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission medium.

The information, signals, etc. described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description are voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or photons, or any of these. It may be represented by a combination of.

The terms described herein and / or the terms necessary for understanding the present specification may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, the channel and / or symbol may be a signal. Also, the signal may be a message. Further, the component carrier (CC) may be referred to as a carrier frequency, a cell, or the like.

The terms "system" and "network" as used herein are used interchangeably.
Further, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present specification may be represented by an absolute value, a relative value from a predetermined value, or another corresponding information. .. For example, the radio resource may be indexed.

The names used for the above parameters are not limited in any way. Further, mathematical formulas and the like using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed herein. Since the various channels (eg, PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements (eg, TPC, etc.) can be identified by any suitable name, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are in any respect. However, it is not limited.

A base station can accommodate one or more (eg, three) cells (also called sectors). When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, each smaller area being a base station subsystem (eg, small indoor base station RRH: Remote). Communication services can also be provided by Radio Head). The term "cell" or "sector" refers to a part or all of the coverage area of a base station and / or base station subsystem that provides communication services in this coverage. In addition, the terms "base station," "eNB," "cell," and "sector" may be used interchangeably herein. Base stations are sometimes referred to by terms such as fixed station, NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), access point, femtocell, and small cell.

Mobile communication terminals may be subscriber stations, mobile units, subscriber units, wireless units, remote units, mobile devices, wireless devices, wireless communication devices, remote devices, mobile subscriber stations, access terminals, mobile terminals, etc. It may also be referred to as a wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term.

The terms "determining" and "determining" as used herein may include a wide variety of actions. "Judgment", "decision" is, for example, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (eg, table, database or another). It can include searching in the data structure), confirming (ascertaining) as "judgment" and "decision". In addition, "judgment" and "decision" are receiving (for example, receiving information), transmitting (for example, transmitting information), input (input), output (output), and access. (Accessing) (for example, accessing data in memory) may be regarded as "judgment" or "decision". In addition, "judgment" and "decision" mean that "resolving", "selecting", "choosing", "establishing", "comparing", etc. are regarded as "judgment" and "decision". Can include. That is, "judgment" and "decision" may include that some action is regarded as "judgment" and "decision".

The terms "connected", "coupled", or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or connection between two or more elements, and each other. It can include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two "connected" or "combined" elements. The connection or connection between the elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As used herein, the two elements are by using one or more wires, cables and / or printed electrical connections, and, as some non-limiting and non-comprehensive examples, radio frequencies. It can be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other by using electromagnetic energies such as electromagnetic energies having wavelengths in the region, microwave region and light (both visible and invisible) regions.

The phrase "based on" as used herein does not mean "based on" unless otherwise stated. In other words, the statement "based on" means both "based only" and "at least based on".

When the terms "first", "second", etc. are used herein, any reference to the elements does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations can be used herein as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Thus, references to the first and second elements do not mean that only two elements can be adopted there, or that the first element must somehow precede the second element.

The "means" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with a "part", a "circuit", a "device" and the like.

As long as "include", "including", and variations thereof are used within the scope of this specification or claims, these terms are similar to the term "comprising". Is intended to be inclusive. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein or in the claims is intended not to be an exclusive OR. In the present specification, a plurality of devices shall be included unless the device has only one device apparently in the context or technically.

In the whole of the present disclosure, the plural shall be included unless the context clearly indicates the singular.

1 ... 5GS (first network), 2 ... 4G eDecor (second network), 3 ... 5G UE (mobile terminal), 4 ... network system (node group), 10 ... UDM (first node), 20 ... NSSF (second node), 100 ... subscriber information storage unit (first storage unit), 101 ... subscriber information transmission unit (first transmission unit), 200 ... correspondence information storage unit (second storage unit) Unit), 201 ... Specific information transmission unit (second transmission unit).

Claims (4)

A group of nodes in the first network that includes multiple slices, which are virtual networks generated on the network infrastructure.
A first storage unit for storing a first specific information for specifying one slice that can be used for each mobile terminal among the plurality of slices included in the first network, and the first storage unit from the mobile terminal. A first node having a first transmission unit that returns the first specific information corresponding to the mobile terminal stored in the storage unit to the first network in response to a request via the network.
Second specific information for identifying one slice among the plurality of slices included in the first network, and third specific information for specifying a slice included in a second network different from the first network. Corresponds to the first specific information from the second storage unit based on the second storage unit that stores the corresponding information associated with and the first specific information returned from the first transmission unit. A second having a second transmission unit that acquires the third specific information associated with the second specific information and transmits the third specific information to the mobile terminal via the first network. Node and
A group of nodes with. The second storage unit corresponds to the second specific information in the corresponding information, which indicates that the slice specified by the second specific information can be used in the first network. Attach and store more,
The second transmission unit stores the third specific information that is associated with the second specific information corresponding to the first specific information and is associated with the permission information. Acquire from the unit and transmit the third specific information to the mobile terminal.
The node group according to claim 1. The first network is a mobile communication network.
The second transmission unit transmits the third specific information to the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal registers its location in the first network.
The node group according to claim 1 or 2. A node group of the first network including a plurality of slices that are virtual networks generated on the network infrastructure, and one slice that can be used for each mobile terminal among the plurality of slices included in the first network. A first node having a first storage unit for storing the first specific information for identification, and a second specific information for specifying one of the plurality of slices included in the first network. A node group including a second node having a second storage unit for storing correspondence information associated with the third specific information for specifying a slice included in a second network different from the first network. It is a migration method by a network system including a mobile terminal.
The first access step in which the mobile terminal accesses the first network,
The storage unit stores the first node when the mobile terminal accesses the mobile terminal in the first access step and receives a request from the mobile terminal via the first network. The first transmission step of returning the first specific information corresponding to the mobile terminal to the first network, and
The second node is associated with the second specific information corresponding to the first specific information from the second storage unit based on the first specific information returned from the first node. A second transmission step of acquiring the third specific information and transmitting the third specific information to the mobile terminal via the first network.
A second access step in which the mobile terminal accesses a slice of the second network specified by the third specific information transmitted in the second transmission step.
Migration method including.

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