CN103686609B

CN103686609B - Multi-case data processing method and equipment

Info

Publication number: CN103686609B
Application number: CN201210358396.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 高晨亮; 金辉; 段小嫣; 衣强
Original assignee: Huawei Device Co Ltd
Current assignee: Global Innovation Polymerization LLC; Tanous Co
Priority date: 2012-09-24
Filing date: 2012-09-24
Publication date: 2017-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-24
Also published as: CN103686609A

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention provides a kind of multi-case data processing method and equipment, and method includes：Receive the first multi-case data that PGW sends；The first IP address associated using the APN with the first multi-case data as the first multi-case data source address；The first multi-case data is sent to user equipment (UE), so that UE distinguishes first multi-case data and the second multi-case data according to source address, second multi-case data is the multi-case data that the grouped data network PDN that the UE has been accessed sends.Multi-case data processing method provided in an embodiment of the present invention and equipment, the first IP address associated by using the APN with the first multi-case data as the first multi-case data source address, in the case where the multicast group number of the first multi-case data is repeated with existing multicast group number, multicast group number identical multi-case data is distinguished according to the first IP address, and then can be by the first multi-case data mapping correspondence to correct IP address.

Description

Multicast data processing method and device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and a device for processing multicast data.

Background

A User Equipment (UE) may Access an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in an Evolved Packet Core (Evolved Packet Core) System (EPS) through a trusted wireless Local Area Network Access Network (TWAN).

In the prior art, when a UE accesses an EPC through a TWAN, multiple Packet Data Network (PDN) connections may be established, and after the connections are established with the PDNs, each PDN may allocate a corresponding IP address to the UE. The UE may receive multicast data sent by multicast servers from different PDNs, where the multicast data includes an address of the multicast server and a multicast group number, where the address of the multicast server is a source address of the multicast data, and the multicast group number is a destination address of the multicast data. The UE can correspond the multicast data to the IP address distributed by the PDN where the multicast server is located through the multicast group number, and then upload the multicast data to a UDP layer for subsequent processing.

However, in the course of studying the prior art and implementing the embodiments of the present invention, the inventors found that if the multicast group numbers of the multicast data transmitted by the multicast servers of different PDNs received by the UE are the same, the UE cannot map the multicast data to the correct IP address.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a multicast data processing method and device.

The multicast data processing method provided by the embodiment of the invention comprises the following steps:

receiving first multicast Data sent by a Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW); using a first IP address associated with a first access point name, APN, of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data; and sending the first multicast data to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE distinguishes the first multicast data from second multicast data according to the source address, wherein the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a Packet Data Network (PDN) accessed by the UE.

Further, the using a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data comprises: and after judging that the multicast group number in the first multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number, using a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data.

Further, the sending the first multicast data to the UE so that the UE distinguishes the multicast data according to the source address specifically includes: and sending the first multicast data to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE can obtain the first APN, and corresponding the first multicast data to an IP address allocated by a Packet Data Network (PDN) corresponding to the first APN.

Further, before the receiving the first multicast data sent by the PGW, the method further includes: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address.

Further, the sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE includes: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) flow.

Further, the sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an EAP procedure includes: sending an EAP authentication completion message to the UE, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises the first APN and the first IP address; or sending an EAP challenge message to the UE, where the EAP challenge message includes the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE includes: and sending a Beacon message to the UE, wherein the Beacon message contains the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE includes: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) flow.

Further, the sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) process includes: receiving an ANQP request message which is sent by the UE and contains indication information, wherein the indication information is used for indicating that the first APN and the first IP address are requested; and sending an ANQP response message to the UE, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, before the receiving the first multicast data sent by the PGW, the method further includes: receiving an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) report message sent by the UE, where the IGMP report message includes the existing multicast Group number, and determining an APN corresponding to the existing multicast Group number according to a source address of the IGMP report message.

Another multicast data processing method provided by the embodiment of the present invention includes:

receiving first multicast data sent by a trusted wireless local area network access network TWAN, wherein a source address of the first multicast data is a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data; and distinguishing the first multicast information from second multicast data according to the source address, wherein the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a Packet Data Network (PDN) accessed by the UE.

Further, the distinguishing the first multicast information from the second multicast data according to the source address specifically includes: and acquiring the first APN according to the source address, corresponding the first multicast data to an IP address allocated by a PDN corresponding to the first APN, and uploading the first multicast data to a UDP layer.

Further, before the receiving the first multicast data sent by the TWAN, the method further includes: receiving a first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address.

Further, the receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN includes: and receiving the first APN and the first IP address which are sent by the TWAN through an EAP process.

Further, the receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN through an EAP procedure includes: receiving an EAP authentication completion message sent by the TWAN, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises the first APN and the first IP address; or receiving an EAP challenge message sent by the TWAN, where the EAP challenge message includes the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN includes: and receiving a Beacon message sent by the TWAN, wherein the Beacon message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN includes: and receiving the first APN and the first IP address through an ANQP flow.

Further, the receiving the first APN and the first IP address through an ANQP procedure includes: sending an ANQP request message containing indication information to the TWAN, wherein the indication information is used for indicating that the first APN and the first IP address are requested; and receiving an ANQP response message sent by the TWAN, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, before the receiving the first multicast data sent by the TWAN, the method further includes: and sending an IGMP report message to the TWAN, wherein the IGMP report message contains the existing multicast group number, so that the TWAN judges the APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number according to the source address of the IGMP report message.

The trusted wireless local area network access network equipment provided by the embodiment of the invention comprises:

a first receiving module, configured to receive first multicast data sent by a PGW; a first processing module, configured to use a first IP address associated with a first access point name APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data; a first sending module, configured to send the first multicast data to a UE, so that the UE distinguishes the first multicast data from second multicast data according to the source address, where the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a packet data network PDN to which the UE has access.

Further, the first processing module is specifically configured to: and after judging that the multicast group number in the first multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number, using a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data.

Further, the first sending module is specifically configured to: and sending the first multicast data to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE can obtain the first APN, and corresponding the first multicast data to an IP address allocated by a Packet Data Network (PDN) corresponding to the first APN.

Further, the first sending module is further configured to: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address.

Further, the first sending module is further configured to: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an EAP flow.

Further, the first sending module is further configured to: sending an EAP authentication completion message to the UE, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises the first APN and the first IP address; or sending an EAP challenge message to the UE, where the EAP challenge message includes the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the first sending module is further configured to: and sending a Beacon message to the UE, wherein the Beacon message contains the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the first receiving module and the first sending module are further configured to: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an ANQP flow.

Further, the first receiving module is further configured to: receiving an ANQP request message which is sent by the UE and contains indication information, wherein the indication information is used for indicating that the first APN and the first IP address are requested; the first sending module is further configured to: and sending an ANQP response message to the UE, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the first receiving module is further configured to: and receiving an IGMP report message sent by the UE, wherein the IGMP report message comprises the existing multicast group number, and judging the APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number according to the source address of the IGMP report message.

The user equipment provided by the embodiment of the invention comprises:

a second receiving module, configured to receive first multicast data sent by a TWAN, where a source address of the first multicast data is a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data; and the second processing module is configured to distinguish the first multicast information from second multicast data according to the source address, where the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a packet data network PDN to which the UE has access.

Further, the second processing module is specifically configured to: and acquiring the first APN according to the source address, corresponding the first multicast data to an IP address allocated by a PDN corresponding to the first APN, and uploading the first multicast data to a UDP layer.

Further, the second receiving module is further configured to: receiving a first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address.

Further, the second receiving module is further configured to: and receiving the first APN and the first IP address which are sent by the TWAN through an EAP process.

Further, the second receiving module is further configured to: receiving an EAP authentication completion message sent by the TWAN, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises the first APN and the first IP address; or receiving an EAP challenge message sent by the TWAN, where the EAP challenge message includes the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the second receiving module is further configured to: and receiving a Beacon message sent by the TWAN, wherein the Beacon message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, still include: a second sending module, configured to receive, with the second receiving module, the first APN and the first IP address through an ANQP flow.

Further, the second sending module is further configured to: sending an ANQP request message containing indication information to the TWAN, wherein the indication information is used for indicating that the first APN and the first IP address are requested; the second receiving module is further configured to: and receiving an ANQP response message sent by the TWAN, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, still include: a third sending module, configured to send an IGMP report message to the TWAN, where the IGMP report message includes the existing multicast group number, so that the TWAN determines, according to a source address of the IGMP report message, an APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number.

According to the multicast data processing method and device provided by the embodiment of the invention, the first IP address associated with the first APN of the first multicast data is used as the source address of the first multicast data, and under the condition that the multicast group number of the first multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number, the multicast data with the same multicast group number is distinguished according to the first IP address, so that the first multicast data can be mapped and corresponding to the correct IP address.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to these drawings without creative efforts.

Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a multicast data processing method according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of a multicast data processing method provided in the present invention;

fig. 3 is a signaling flowchart of a multicast data processing method according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a first embodiment of a trusted wlan access network device provided in the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a first embodiment of a ue provided in the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a second embodiment of a ue provided in the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a third embodiment of a user equipment provided in the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a second embodiment of a trusted wlan access network device according to the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a fourth embodiment of the user equipment provided in the present invention.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some, but not all, embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a multicast data processing method provided by the present invention, and as shown in fig. 1, an initial access method provided in this embodiment is described with a trusted wlan access network TWAN as an execution subject, where the initial access method provided in this embodiment may include:

step S110, receiving the first multicast data sent by the PGW.

In particular, a UE may connect with multiple different PGWs through a TWAN to access corresponding multiple different PDNs. The UE is connected to a plurality of different local area networks at the same time, and the local area networks are independent of each other. After the UE accesses a plurality of PDNs, each PDN allocates a corresponding IP address for the UE through the PGW, and multicast data is sent to the UE through the PGW and the TWAN.

In this step, the TWAN receives first multicast data sent by a PGW corresponding to a PDN accessed by the UE.

Step S120, using a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data.

After receiving the first multicast data sent by the PGW, the TWAN may use the first IP address as a source address of the first multicast data, where the first IP address is associated with a first APN, and the first APN is an APN corresponding to a PDN through which the first multicast data is sent.

Step S130, sending the first multicast data to the UE so that the UE distinguishes the first multicast data from the second multicast data according to the source address, wherein the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a Packet Data Network (PDN) which the UE has access to.

In detail, for a TWAN or a UE, the multicast group number of the received multicast data may be defined as an existing multicast group number. After the TWAN sends the first multicast data with the source address being the first IP address to the UE, the UE can usually distinguish the first multicast data by the multicast group number of the first multicast data, and distinguish which PDN connection the first multicast data comes from. If the first IP address corresponding to the first APN is used as the source address of the first multicast data, the UE may obtain the first APN associated with the first IP address according to the source address of the first multicast data, that is, the first IP address, when finding that the multicast group number of the first multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number, thereby obtaining the PDN connection corresponding to the first multicast data, and further corresponding the first multicast data to the IP address allocated to the PDN, and then uploading the first multicast data to the UDP layer.

In the multicast data processing method provided in this embodiment, the first IP address associated with the first APN of the first multicast data is used as the source address of the first multicast data, and when the multicast group number of the first multicast data is identical to an existing multicast group number, the multicast data with the same multicast group number is distinguished according to the first IP address, so that the first multicast data can be mapped and corresponded to the correct IP address.

The foregoing embodiment, wherein using the first IP address associated with the first APN of the first multicast data as the source address of the first multicast data, includes: and after judging that the multicast group number in the first multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number, using a first IP address associated with the first APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data. In detail, before the TWAN uses the first IP address as the source address of the first multicast data sent to the UE, it may first determine whether the multicast group number of the first multicast data is repeated with an existing multicast group number, and if not, the TWAN may leave the original source address for the first multicast data; if the multicast group number of the first multicast data is judged to be repeated with the existing multicast group number, the source address of the first multicast data is modified into the first IP address. After discovering that the multicast group number of the received first multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number, the UE can distinguish the first multicast data according to the source address of the first multicast data, i.e. the first IP address. The method for judging whether the multicast group number of the multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number and then processing the multicast data according to the judgment result saves resources to a certain extent compared with the implementation mode of processing the source address of all the multicast data.

In the above embodiment, sending the first multicast data to the UE so that the UE distinguishes the multicast data according to the source address specifically includes: and sending first multicast data to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE can obtain the first APN, and corresponding the first multicast data to an IP address allocated by a Packet Data Network (PDN) corresponding to the first APN.

In the above embodiment, before receiving the first multicast data sent by the PGW, the method further includes: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address. Specifically, the first IP address may be associated by the TWAN for the first APN, and the way in which the TWAN associates the first IP address for the first APN may be to pre-assign the first IP address to the first APN, and then associate the first APN with the first IP address; or randomly allocating a first IP address for the first APN and associating the first IP address for the first APN. The embodiment of the present invention does not limit the generation manner of the first IP address. The first IP address is associated with the first APN in a one-to-one manner.

In the above embodiment, sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE includes: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an EAP flow. Sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an EAP procedure, including: sending an EAP authentication completion message to the UE, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises a first APN and a first IP address; or sending an EAP challenge message to the UE, where the EAP challenge message includes the first APN and the first IP address. Sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE, including: and sending a Beacon message to the UE, wherein the Beacon message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

In other words, the TWAN may actively send the first APN and the first IP address to the UE, and the message for carrying the first APN and the first IP address may include an EAP authentication completion message, an EAP challenge message, and a Beacon message. The embodiment of the invention does not limit the message for transmitting the first APN and the first IP address.

In the above embodiment, sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE includes: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) flow. Sending a first APN and a first IP address to the UE through an ANQP flow, comprising: receiving an ANQP request message which is sent by UE and contains indication information, wherein the indication information is used for indicating a first APN and a first IP address; and sending an ANQP response message to the UE, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

In other words, the TWAN may send an ANQP response message including the first APN and the first IP address to the UE after receiving the ANQP request message sent by the UE to request to acquire the first APN and the first IP address. The embodiment of the invention does not limit the process of transmitting the first APN and the first IP address.

In the above embodiment, before receiving the first multicast data sent by the PGW, the method further includes: and receiving an IGMP report message sent by the UE, wherein the IGMP report message contains the existing multicast group number, and judging the APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number according to the source address of the IGMP report message. That is, the UE may actively or passively send the existing multicast group number information to the TWAN, and may send the existing multicast group number by using the IGMP report message. The source address of the IGMP report message uses the identifier that can identify the APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number, so that the TWAN distinguishes the existing multicast group number according to the source address. The embodiment of the invention does not limit the form, the period and the like of the multicast group number sent by the UE to the TWAN.

In the multicast data processing method provided in the foregoing embodiment, the first IP address associated with the first APN of the first multicast data is used as the source address of the first multicast data, and when the multicast group number of the first multicast data is identical to an existing multicast group number, the multicast data having the same multicast group number is distinguished according to the first IP address, so that the first multicast data can be mapped and corresponded to the correct IP address.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of a multicast data processing method provided by the present invention, and as shown in fig. 2, an initial access method provided in this embodiment is described with user equipment UE as an execution subject, where the initial access method provided in this embodiment may include:

step S210, receiving first multicast data sent by the TWAN, where a source address of the first multicast data is a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data.

In particular, a UE may connect with multiple different PGWs through a TWAN to access corresponding multiple different PDNs. The UE is connected to a plurality of different local area networks at the same time, and the local area networks are independent of each other. After the UE accesses a plurality of PDNs, each PDN allocates a corresponding IP address for the UE through a PGW, and first multicast data is sent to the UE through the PGW and the TWAN. The source address of the UE receiving the first multicast data from the TWAN is a first IP address, the first IP address is associated with a first APN, and the first APN is an APN corresponding to a PDN for sending the first multicast data.

And step S220, distinguishing the first multicast information from second multicast data according to the source address, wherein the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a Packet Data Network (PDN) accessed by the UE.

For a TWAN or UE, the multicast group number of the received multicast data may be defined as an existing multicast group number. After the UE receives the first multicast data, if the multicast group number of the first multicast data is found to be repeated with an existing multicast group number, the UE checks the source address of the first multicast data, and after knowing that the source address of the first multicast data is the first IP address, can learn the first APN associated with the first IP address, thereby learning the PDN connection corresponding to the first APN, and further, corresponding the first multicast data to the IP address allocated by the PDN, and then, uploading the first multicast data to a UDP layer.

Distinguishing the first multicast information from the second multicast data according to the source address specifically includes: and acquiring a first APN according to the source address, corresponding the first multicast data to the IP address allocated by the PDN corresponding to the first APN, and uploading the first multicast data to a UDP layer.

In the above embodiment, before receiving the first multicast data sent by the TWAN, the method further includes: and receiving a first APN and a first IP address sent by the TWAN, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address. Specifically, the first IP address may be associated by the TWAN for the first APN, and the way in which the TWAN associates the first IP address for the first APN may be to pre-assign the first IP address to the first APN, and then associate the first APN with the first IP address; the first IP address may also be randomly associated for the first APN. The embodiment of the present invention does not limit the generation manner of the first IP address. The first IP address is associated with the first APN in a one-to-one manner.

In the above embodiment, receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN may include: and receiving a first APN and a first IP address which are sent by the TWAN through an EAP flow. Receiving a first APN and a first IP address sent by a TWAN through an EAP procedure, including: receiving an EAP authentication completion message sent by the TWAN, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises a first APN and a first IP address; or receiving an EAP challenge message sent by the TWAN, where the EAP challenge message includes the first APN and the first IP address. Receiving a first APN and a first IP address sent by a TWAN, comprising: and receiving a Beacon message sent by the TWAN, wherein the Beacon message comprises a first APN and a first IP address.

In other words, the UE may receive the first APN and the first IP address actively sent by the TWAN, and the message for carrying the first APN and the first IP address may include an EAP authentication completion message, an EAP challenge message, and a Beacon message. The embodiment of the invention does not limit the message for transmitting the first APN and the first IP address.

In the above embodiment, receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN may include: and receiving the first APN and the first IP address through an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) flow. Receiving a first APN and a first IP address through an ANQP procedure, comprising: sending an ANQP request message containing indication information to the TWAN, wherein the indication information is used for indicating that a first APN and a first IP address are requested; and receiving an ANQP response message sent by the TWAN, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

In other words, the UE may first send an ANQP request message for requesting to acquire the first APN and the first IP address to the TWAN, and the TWAN sends an ANQP response message including the first APN and the first IP address to the UE after receiving the ANQP request message. The embodiment of the invention does not limit the process of transmitting the first APN and the first IP address.

In the above embodiment, before receiving the first multicast data sent by the TWAN, the method may further include: and sending an IGMP report message to the TWAN, wherein the IGMP report message contains the existing multicast group number, so that the TWAN judges the APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number according to the source address of the IGMP report message. That is, the UE may actively or passively send the existing multicast group number information to the TWAN, and may send the existing multicast group number by using the IGMP report message. The source address of the IGMP report message uses an identifier that can identify the APN corresponding to the existing multicast data, so that the TWAN distinguishes the existing multicast group number according to the source address. The embodiment of the invention does not limit the form, the period and the like of the multicast group number sent by the UE to the TWAN.

Fig. 3 is a signaling flowchart of a third embodiment of the multicast data processing method provided in the present invention, and as shown in fig. 3, the initial access method provided in this embodiment is described in detail through a signaling interaction process of each network element, where the initial access method provided in this embodiment may include:

step S302, the UE and the TWAN perform a non-3 GPP access procedure interactively, and related procedures belong to the prior art and are not described herein again.

Step S304, the UE can interactively execute an EAP authentication process with the network side through the TWAN to complete mutual authentication of the UE and the EPC, the TWAN can receive subscription data of the UE, and the subscription data carries APN information when the UE is attached.

Step S306, after obtaining the APN information of the UE, the TWAN associates a first IP address with a first APN signed by the UE.

Step S308, the TWAN sends an EAP authentication completion message to the UE, and in the EAP authentication completion message, the TWAN sends the first APN and the first IP address to the UE.

Step S310, after receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN, the UE learns the association relationship between the first APN and the first IP address, and stores the first APN and the first IP address from the TWAN.

Step S312, when the UE initiates a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) request to the TWAN, according to the first APN to be accessed, using the first IP address associated with the first APN as a destination IP address in a message header of the DHCP request message or a server address in a message body of the DHCP request message.

Step S314, after the TWAN receives the DHCP request message, the TWAN acquires the first APN associated with the first IP address and indicated by the UE according to the first IP address in the DHCP message.

Step S316, the TWAN selects a corresponding PGW according to the determined first APN, and sends a session creation request to the PGW.

Step S318, the PGW initiates an IP-CAN session establishment procedure with a home Policy and charging rules Function (hPCRF for short), and executes an IP-CAN session establishment procedure.

Step S320, the PGW and the HSS/AAA execute a PGW address update procedure, and notify the 3GPP AAA server of the PGW identifier of the self and the first APN corresponding to the PDN connection of the UE.

Step S322, the PGW sends a session creation response to the TWAN, where the session creation response includes the second IP address allocated by the PGW to the UE.

And step S324, finishing building the GTP tunnel.

Step S326, after receiving the second IP address allocated by the PGW for the UE, the TWAN determines whether the second IP address is duplicated with an existing IP address allocated by the PGW to which the UE has access, and if the second IP address is duplicated with the existing IP address, may associate a third IP address with the second IP address. The third IP address is only used between the UE and the TWAN, and when the UE needs to send uplink data to the TWAN, the third IP address may be used as a source address of the uplink data, so that the TWAN area can send the uplink data to different PGWs.

Step S328, the TWAN sends the second IP address and the third IP address to the UE through the DHCP offer message.

Step S330, the TWAN sends an IGMP query message to the UE to obtain the existing multicast group number. For a TWAN or UE, the multicast group number of the received multicast data may be defined as an existing multicast group number.

Step S332, the UE sends an IGMP report message to the TWAN, the IGMP report message carries an existing multicast group number, and if the TWAN associates a third IP address for the second IP address of the PDN connection in step S328, the IP header source address of the IGMP report message can be the third IP address; if the TWAN does not associate a third IP address for the second IP address of the PDN connection in step S328, then the IGMP report message may directly use the second IP address as the IP header source address.

In step S334, after receiving the IGMP report message sent by the UE, the TWAN distinguishes the APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number included in the IGMP report message according to the source address, and records the existing multicast group number reported by the UE.

Step S336, the TWAN receives the first multicast data from the PGW.

Step S338, the TWAN modifies the source address of the received first multicast data into the first IP address. Certainly, the TWAN may also modify the source address of the first multicast data to the first IP address after determining that the multicast group number of the received first multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number.

Step S340, sending the first multicast data with the source address being the first IP address to the UE.

Step S342, after receiving the first multicast data, if the multicast group number of the first multicast data is found to be repeated with an existing multicast group number, the UE checks the source address of the first multicast data, learns that the source address of the first multicast data is the first IP address, and learns the first APN associated with the first IP address. And further corresponding the first multicast data to a second IP address allocated by a PDN corresponding to the first APN, and then handing over the first multicast data to a UDP layer.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a first embodiment of the trusted wireless local area network access network device provided in the present invention, and as shown in fig. 4, the trusted wireless local area network access network device 400 provided in this embodiment may include:

a first receiving module 410, configured to receive first multicast data sent by a PGW;

a first processing module 420, configured to use a first IP address associated with a first access point name APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data;

the first sending module 430 is configured to send the first multicast data to the UE, so that the UE distinguishes the first multicast data from second multicast data according to a source address, where the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a packet data network PDN to which the UE has access.

The trusted wlan access network device 400 provided in this embodiment may be used to execute the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in fig. 1, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, which are not described herein again.

Further, the first processing module 420 may be further specifically configured to: and after judging that the multicast group number in the first multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number, using a first IP address associated with the first APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data.

Further, the first sending module 430 may be further specifically configured to: and sending first multicast data to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE can obtain the first APN, and corresponding the first multicast data to an IP address allocated by a Packet Data Network (PDN) corresponding to the first APN.

Further, the first sending module 430 may be further configured to: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address.

Further, the first sending module 430 may be further configured to: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an EAP flow.

Further, the first sending module 430 may be further configured to: sending an EAP authentication completion message to the UE, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises a first APN and a first IP address; or sending an EAP challenge message to the UE, where the EAP challenge message includes the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the first sending module 430 may be further configured to: and sending a Beacon message to the UE, wherein the Beacon message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the first receiving module 410 and the first sending module 430 may further be configured to: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an ANQP flow.

Further, the first receiving module 410 is further configured to: receiving an ANQP request message which is sent by UE and contains indication information, wherein the indication information is used for indicating a first APN and a first IP address; the first sending module 430 may also be configured to: and sending an ANQP response message to the UE, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the first receiving module 410 may be further configured to: and receiving an IGMP report message sent by the UE, wherein the IGMP report message contains the existing multicast group number, and judging the APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number according to the source address of the IGMP report message.

The trusted wlan access network device 400 provided in the foregoing embodiment may be used to execute a portion corresponding to TWAN in the technical solution implemented by the method shown in fig. 3, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, and are not described herein again.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a first embodiment of a user equipment provided in the present invention, and as shown in fig. 5, the user equipment 500 provided in this embodiment may include:

a second receiving module 510, configured to receive first multicast data sent by a TWAN, where a source address of the first multicast data is a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data;

the second processing module 520 is configured to distinguish the first multicast information from second multicast data according to a source address, where the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a packet data network PDN to which the UE has access.

The user equipment 500 provided in this embodiment may be configured to execute the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in fig. 2, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, which are not described herein again.

Further, the second processing module 520 may be further specifically configured to: and acquiring a first APN according to the source address, corresponding the first multicast data to the IP address allocated by the PDN corresponding to the first APN, and uploading the first multicast data to a UDP layer.

Further, the second receiving module 510 may be further configured to: and receiving a first APN and a first IP address sent by the TWAN, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address.

Further, the second receiving module 510 may be further configured to: and receiving a first APN and a first IP address which are sent by the TWAN through an EAP flow.

Further, the second receiving module 510 may be further configured to: receiving an EAP authentication completion message sent by the TWAN, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises a first APN and a first IP address; or receiving an EAP challenge message sent by the TWAN, where the EAP challenge message includes the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the second receiving module 510 may be further configured to: and receiving a Beacon message sent by the TWAN, wherein the Beacon message comprises a first APN and a first IP address.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a second embodiment of the user equipment provided in the present invention, and as shown in fig. 6, the user equipment 600 provided in this embodiment may further include, on the basis of the second receiving module 510 and the second processing module 520 included in the user equipment 500:

a second sending module 630, configured to receive the first APN and the first IP address through an ANQP procedure with the second receiving module.

Further, the second sending module 630 may be further configured to: sending an ANQP request message containing indication information to the TWAN, wherein the indication information is used for indicating that a first APN and a first IP address are requested; the second receiving module 510 is further configured to: and receiving an ANQP response message sent by the TWAN, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

The user equipment 600 provided in the foregoing embodiment may be used to execute a portion that is executed by the UE correspondingly in the technical solution implemented by the method shown in fig. 3, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, which are not described herein again.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a third embodiment of the user equipment provided in the present invention, and as shown in fig. 7, the user equipment 700 provided in this embodiment may further include, on the basis of the embodiment shown in fig. 6:

a third sending module 740, configured to send an IGMP report message to the TWAN, where the IGMP report message includes an existing multicast group number, so that the TWAN determines, according to a source address of the IGMP report message, an APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number.

The user equipment 700 provided in the foregoing embodiment may be used to execute a portion that is executed by the UE correspondingly in the technical solution implemented by the method shown in fig. 3, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, which are not described herein again.

It should be noted that, in a case where steps correspondingly executed by the second sending module 630 and the third sending module 740 exist in the same embodiment, one of the second sending module 630 and the third sending module 740 may be selected to implement all sending steps.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a second embodiment of the trusted wireless lan access network device 800, as shown in fig. 8, the trusted wireless lan access network device 800 includes at least one processor 801, for example, a CPU, at least one network interface 802 and other user interfaces 803, a memory 804, at least one communication bus 805 and an operating system 806. The communication bus 805 is used to realize connection communication between these devices. The memory 804 may comprise high-speed Random Access Memory (RAM) memory, and may also include volatile or flash memory (e.g., at least one disk memory). The memory 804 may optionally include at least one memory device located remotely from the processor 801 as previously described. Operating system 706, which contains various programs for implementing various basic services and for processing hardware-based tasks.

A network interface 802, which may be configured to receive first multicast data sent by a PGW;

a processor 801, which may be configured to use a first IP address associated with a first access point name, APN, of a first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data;

the network interface 802 may be configured to send the first multicast data to the UE, so that the UE distinguishes the first multicast data from second multicast data according to a source address, where the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a packet data network PDN to which the UE has access.

The trusted wlan access network device 800 provided in this embodiment may be configured to execute the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in fig. 1, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, which are not described herein again.

Further, the processor 801 may be specifically configured to: and after judging that the multicast group number in the first multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number, using a first IP address associated with the first APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data.

Further, the network interface 802 may be further specifically configured to: and sending first multicast data to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE can obtain the first APN, and corresponding the first multicast data to an IP address allocated by a Packet Data Network (PDN) corresponding to the first APN.

Further, the network interface 802 may also be used to: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address.

Further, the network interface 802 may also be used to: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an EAP flow.

Further, the network interface 802 may also be used to: sending an EAP authentication completion message to the UE, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises a first APN and a first IP address; or sending an EAP challenge message to the UE, where the EAP challenge message includes the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the network interface 802 may also be used to: and sending a Beacon message to the UE, wherein the Beacon message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the network interface 802 may also be used to: and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an ANQP flow.

Further, the network interface 802 may also be used to: receiving an ANQP request message which is sent by UE and contains indication information, wherein the indication information is used for indicating a first APN and a first IP address; and sending an ANQP response message to the UE, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the network interface 802 may also be used to: and receiving an IGMP report message sent by the UE, wherein the IGMP report message contains the existing multicast group number, and judging the APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number according to the source address of the IGMP report message.

The trusted wlan access network device 800 provided in the foregoing embodiment may be used to execute a portion corresponding to TWAN in the technical solution implemented by the method shown in fig. 3, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, and are not described herein again.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a fourth embodiment of a user equipment provided in the present invention, and as shown in fig. 9, the user equipment 900 provided in this embodiment includes: memory 901, RF circuitry 910, and processor 920. Optionally, the method may further include: chip 902, input/output (I/O) subsystem 903, audio circuitry 904, external interface 905, and an operating system, among others.

The aforementioned components communicate via one or more communication buses or signal lines, and the user device 900 may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone or a tablet computer, etc. The components shown in fig. 9 may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software, including one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits. Memory 901 may include high speed random access memory, non-volatile solid state memory devices, and the like. The memory controller may control access to the memory 901 by other components of the user device 900, such as a CPU and peripheral interfaces, to invoke respective modules in the memory 901 to perform corresponding functions.

RF circuit 910 may be configured to receive first multicast data sent by a TWAN, where a source address of the first multicast data is a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data;

the processor 920 may be configured to distinguish the first multicast information from second multicast data according to a source address, where the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a packet data network PDN to which the UE has access.

The user equipment 900 provided in this embodiment may be configured to execute the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in fig. 2, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, which are not described herein again.

Further, the processor 920 may be further specifically configured to: and acquiring a first APN according to the source address, corresponding the first multicast data to the IP address allocated by the PDN corresponding to the first APN, and uploading the first multicast data to a UDP layer.

Further, the RF circuit 910 may also be configured to: and receiving a first APN and a first IP address sent by the TWAN, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address.

Further, the RF circuit 910 may also be configured to: and receiving a first APN and a first IP address which are sent by the TWAN through an EAP flow.

Further, the RF circuit 910 may also be configured to: receiving an EAP authentication completion message sent by the TWAN, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises a first APN and a first IP address; or receiving an EAP challenge message sent by the TWAN, where the EAP challenge message includes the first APN and the first IP address.

Further, the RF circuit 910 may also be configured to: and receiving a Beacon message sent by the TWAN, wherein the Beacon message comprises a first APN and a first IP address.

Further, the RF circuit 910 is further configured to receive the first APN and the first IP address through an ANQP procedure.

Further, the RF circuit 910 may also be configured to: sending an ANQP request message containing indication information to the TWAN, wherein the indication information is used for indicating that a first APN and a first IP address are requested; and receiving an ANQP response message sent by the TWAN, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

The user equipment 900 provided in the foregoing embodiment may be configured to execute a portion that is executed by the UE correspondingly in the technical solution implemented by the method shown in fig. 3, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, which are not described herein again.

In summary, according to the multicast data processing method and device provided in the embodiments of the present invention, by using the first IP address associated with the first APN of the first multicast data as the source address of the first multicast data, when the multicast group number of the first multicast data is identical to the existing multicast group number, the multicast data with the same multicast group number is distinguished according to the first IP address, so that the first multicast data can be mapped and corresponded to the correct IP address. And meanwhile, uplink data sent to different PGWs by the UE can be distinguished.

From the above description of the embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented by hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the functions described above may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. Taking this as an example but not limiting: computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Furthermore, the method is simple. Any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, a server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, a fiber optic cable, a twisted pair, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or a wireless technology such as infrared, radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, the fiber optic cable, the twisted pair, the DSL, or the wireless technology such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the fixation of the medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes Compact Disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), floppy Disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and not to limit the same; while the invention has been described in detail and with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced; and the modifications or the substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for processing multicast data, comprising:

receiving first multicast data sent by a packet data network gateway (PGW);

using a first IP address associated with a first access point name, APN, of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data;

sending the first multicast data to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE distinguishes the first multicast data from second multicast data according to the source address, wherein the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a Packet Data Network (PDN) accessed by the UE;

the using a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data comprises:

and after judging that the multicast group number in the first multicast data is repeated with the existing multicast group number, using a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the sending the first multicast data to the UE so that the UE distinguishes the first multicast data from the second multicast data according to the source address specifically comprises:

and sending the first multicast data to UE (user equipment) so that the UE can obtain the first APN, and corresponding the first multicast data to an IP address allocated by a Packet Data Network (PDN) corresponding to the first APN.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein before the receiving the first multicast data sent by the PGW, the method further comprises:

and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE comprises:

and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) flow.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an EAP procedure comprises:

sending an EAP authentication completion message to the UE, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises the first APN and the first IP address; or,

sending an EAP challenge message to the UE, wherein the EAP challenge message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE comprises:

and sending a Beacon message to the UE, wherein the Beacon message contains the first APN and the first IP address.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE comprises:

and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an Access Network Query Protocol (ANQP) flow.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE via an ANQP procedure comprises:

receiving an ANQP request message which is sent by the UE and contains indication information, wherein the indication information is used for indicating that the first APN and the first IP address are requested;

and sending an ANQP response message to the UE, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

9. The method according to any of claims 1-2 and 4-8, wherein before receiving the first multicast data sent by the PGW, the method further comprises:

and receiving an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) report message sent by the UE, wherein the IGMP report message comprises the existing multicast group number, and judging the APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number according to the source address of the IGMP report message.

10. A method for processing multicast data, comprising:

receiving first multicast data sent by a trusted wireless local area network access network TWAN, wherein a source address of the first multicast data is a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data;

distinguishing the first multicast information from second multicast data according to the source address, wherein the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a Packet Data Network (PDN) accessed by User Equipment (UE);

the distinguishing the first multicast information from the second multicast data according to the source address specifically includes:

and acquiring the first APN according to the source address, corresponding the first multicast data to an IP address allocated by a PDN corresponding to the first APN, and uploading the first multicast data to a UDP layer.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein before receiving the first multicast data sent by the TWAN, further comprising:

receiving a first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN, wherein the first APN is associated with the first IP address.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN comprises:

and receiving the first APN and the first IP address which are sent by the TWAN through an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) flow.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN through an EAP procedure comprises:

receiving an EAP authentication completion message sent by the TWAN, wherein the EAP authentication completion message comprises the first APN and the first IP address; or,

and receiving an EAP challenge message sent by the TWAN, wherein the EAP challenge message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN comprises:

and receiving a Beacon message sent by the TWAN, wherein the Beacon message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the receiving the first APN and the first IP address sent by the TWAN comprises:

and receiving the first APN and the first IP address through an ANQP flow.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein receiving the first APN and the first IP address via an ANQP procedure comprises:

sending an ANQP request message containing indication information to the TWAN, wherein the indication information is used for indicating that the first APN and the first IP address are requested;

and receiving an ANQP response message sent by the TWAN, wherein the ANQP response message comprises the first APN and the first IP address.

17. The method according to any of claims 10-16, wherein before receiving the first multicast data sent by TWAN, further comprising:

and sending an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) report message to the TWAN, wherein the IGMP report message contains an existing multicast group number, so that the TWAN judges the APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number according to the source address of the IGMP report message.

18. A trusted wireless local area network access network device, comprising:

a first receiving module, configured to receive first multicast data sent by a PGW;

a first processing module, configured to use a first IP address associated with a first access point name APN of the first multicast data as a source address of the first multicast data;

a first sending module, configured to send the first multicast data to a UE, so that the UE distinguishes the first multicast data from second multicast data according to the source address, where the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a packet data network PDN to which the UE has access;

the first processing module is specifically configured to:

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the first sending module is specifically configured to:

and sending the first multicast data to User Equipment (UE) so that the UE can obtain the first APN, and corresponding the first multicast data to an IP address allocated by a Packet Data Network (PDN) corresponding to the first APN.

20. The apparatus of claim 18 or 19, wherein the first sending module is further configured to:

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the first sending module is further configured to:

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the first sending module is further configured to:

23. The device of claim 20, wherein the first sending module is further configured to:

24. The device of claim 20, wherein the first receiving module and the first sending module are further configured to:

and sending the first APN and the first IP address to the UE through an ANQP flow.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the first receiving module is further configured to:

the first sending module is further configured to:

26. The apparatus of any of claims 18-19, 21-25, wherein the first receiving module is further configured to:

27. A user device, comprising:

a second receiving module, configured to receive first multicast data sent by a TWAN, where a source address of the first multicast data is a first IP address associated with a first APN of the first multicast data;

the second processing module is configured to distinguish the first multicast information from second multicast data according to the source address, where the second multicast data is multicast data sent by a packet data network PDN to which the user equipment UE has access;

the second processing module is specifically configured to:

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the second receiving module is further configured to:

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second receiving module is further configured to:

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the second receiving module is further configured to:

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second receiving module is further configured to:

32. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

a second sending module, configured to receive, with the second receiving module, the first APN and the first IP address through an ANQP flow.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the second sending module is further configured to:

the second receiving module is further configured to:

34. The apparatus of any one of claims 27 to 33, further comprising:

a third sending module, configured to send an internet group management protocol IGMP report message to the TWAN, where the IGMP report message includes an existing multicast group number, so that the TWAN determines, according to a source address of the IGMP report message, an APN corresponding to the existing multicast group number.