CN109842906A

CN109842906A - A kind of method, apparatus and system of communication

Info

Publication number: CN109842906A
Application number: CN201711213566.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马景旺; 周彧; 张智; 帅扬来
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-11-28
Filing date: 2017-11-28
Publication date: 2019-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2037-11-28
Also published as: CN109842906B; CN113891430A

Abstract

This application involves wireless communication technology fields, provide a kind of method of communication, including: first network function store function network element receives the first information from first network functional network element, wherein, the first information includes the NF type of target network functional network element, and target network functional network element is the network function network element of first network functional network element request discovery.First network function store function network element sends the first information to the second network function store function network element, receives the second information from the second network function store function network element, sends the second information to first network functional network element.Wherein, the second information includes the mark of target network functional network element.The scheme provided through this embodiment, the network function network element of core net can be found that the target network functional network element of access net, and establishes and communicate to connect with target network functional network element.Signaling in interaction is distributed in each network element and handles by the mode of this service access, to improve business efficiency.

Description

A kind of method, apparatus and system of communication

Technical field

The present invention relates to field of communication technology, in particular to the method, apparatus and system of a kind of communication.

Background technique

Evolution block core net network (Evolved Packet Core, EPC) uses network element (Network Element, NE) Framework mode.For example, the NE that the framework includes include: mobility management entity (Mobility Management Entity, MME), gateway (Serving Gateway, S-GW) and grouped data network gateway (Packet Data Network Gateway, P-GW) etc..Based on this framework, EPC be user provide network function (Network Function, NF) (for example, Mobile management, bearer management and location management etc.) it is by between service characteristic cured in NE and processing logic and NE Process messages realize.

However, in the 5th generation (the 5th generation, 5G) communication network, with the continuous expansion of business model And the continuous development of technology, customer service can propose more demands (for example, the demand and high reliability of ultralow time delay communication The demand etc. of communication), therefore core net needs support more new NF.To meet this demand, NE in EPC (such as MME or S-GW different NF network elements) is split as according to the classification of function.For example, certification and security function, conversation management functional, movement Each function such as management function and access control function is split.The service interface and other NF nets that each NF network element passes through definition Member interacts and provides service.

In addition, the function in 5G access net is also decoupled as central location control plane (Central Unit-Control Plane, CU-C), central location user face (Central Unit-User plane, CU-U) and distribution unit (Distributed Unit, DU) function.

When current core net and access net mutually carry out service access, access net is needed through MME network element and core net NE carries out Signalling exchange.That is, core net and access net between from begin setting up be communicatively connected to communication connection establish after, All signalings interacted will be handled by MME network element.It will increase the load of MME network element processing signaling in this way, and And the service of access is more, the load of the network element is bigger, and the processed time delay of signaling is longer, to cause the reduction of business efficiency.

Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a kind of method, apparatus of communication and systems.

On the one hand, embodiments herein provides a kind of method of communication, this method comprises: first network function stores Functional network element (for example, the first NRF network element) receives the first information from first network functional network element (for example, the first NF network element), In, the first information includes the NF type of target network functional network element (for example, indicating NF class with the title of network function network element Type), target network functional network element is the network function network element of first network functional network element request discovery；The storage of first network function Functional network element sends the first information to the second network function store function network element (for example, the 2nd NRF network element)；First network function Store function network element receives the second information from the second network function store function network element, wherein the second information includes target network The mark of functional network element；First network function store function network element sends the second information to first network functional network element.

According to the above method, the network function network element of core net can find the target NF net of the access net of specific NF type Member, access net network function network element can also find specific NF type core net target network functional network element.Later, core The network function network element of heart net directly can be established to communicate to connect and access mutually with the network function network element of access net and be serviced.This Signaling in interaction has been distributed in each network element by the mode of kind service access to be handled, before saving signaling processing etc. To the time, to improve business efficiency.

In a kind of possible design, in first network function store function network element to the second network function store function net Before member sends the first information, first network function store function network element determines first network functional network element according to third information Allow to find target network functional network element, wherein third information is used to indicate the network that first network functional network element allows to find The NF type of functional network element, for example, third information can also be called discovery strategy information.As a result, by configuring first network function The NF type for the network function network element that energy network element allows to find can limit the visit of the network function network element of core net and access net It asks permission, improves the safety communicated between core net and access net.

In a kind of possible design, first network function store function network element is the network function store function of core net Network element, the second network function store function network element are the network function store function network element of access net, are deposited in first network function Before storage functional network element sends the first information to the second network function store function network element, first network function store function network element Determine the second network function store function network element.The network function store function network element of core net can determine and core as a result, The network function store function network element of the corresponding access net of the network function store function network element of net.

In a kind of possible design, the network function of access net is determined in the network function store function network element of core net Before store function network element, the network function store function network element of core net from Network Management System or accesses the network function netted Store function network element receives the area identification of the network function store function network element of access net, wherein area identification is used to indicate The region of the network function store function network element service of net is accessed, for example, area identification can identify for tracing area (Tracking AreaIdentity,TAI).As a result, when the network function store function network element of core net corresponds to multiple access nets Network function store function network element when, core net can according to access net network function store function network element area identification The network function store function network element of one or more access net of service can be provided in the designated area by finding.

In a kind of possible design, the first information further includes identification information, wherein identification information includes target network function Area identification, service identifiers or the network slice mark of energy network element.Wherein, area identification is used to indicate target network functional network element The region of service, service identifiers are used to indicate the service of target network functional network element offer, and network slice mark is used to indicate mesh Mark the network slice type that network function network element is supported.The network function network element of net or the network function of core net are accessed as a result, Energy network element can request to belong to the target network functional network element of specific NF type in specified region, or can request to belong to specific NF type and the target network functional network element of a variety of special services can be provided, or can request to belong to specific NF type and can prop up Hold the target network functional network element of particular network slice type.

In a kind of possible design, the second information further includes between identification information and the mark of target network functional network element Association.The network function network element of the network function network element or core net that access net as a result, can receive target network function The area identification of energy network element, perhaps can receive the service identifiers or can receive that target network functional network element can provide The particular network slice type that can be supported to target network functional network element.

Another aspect, disclosed herein as well is a kind of communication means, comprising: accesses the network function network element of net (for example, connecing The NF network element of networking) believe to network function store function network element (for example, NRF network element of the access net) transmission first for accessing net Breath, wherein the first information includes the NF class of the target network functional network element (for example, target NF network element of core net) of core net Type；The network function network element for accessing net receives the second information from the network function store function network element of access net, wherein the second letter Breath includes the mark of the target network functional network element.Wherein, the target network functional network element of core net is the network of access net The network function network element of the core net of functional network element request discovery.

According to the above method, the network function network element for accessing net can connect from the network function store function network element of access net Receive the target network functional network element of the core net of specific NF type.Later, access net network function network element can directly with The target network functional network element of core net, which is established, to be communicated to connect and accesses service mutually.The mode of this service access will be in interaction Signaling be distributed in each network element and handled, the waiting time before saving signaling processing, to improve business effect Rate.

In another aspect, disclosed herein as well is a kind of communication means, this method comprises: the second network function store function net First (for example, the 2nd NRF network element) receives the first information from first network function store function network element (for example, the first NRF network element), The first information includes the NF type of target network functional network element (for example, target NF network element)；Second network function store function net Member sends the second information to first network function store function network element, and the second information includes the mark of target network functional network element.

According to the above method, the network function store function network element of core net can store function from the network function of access net Energy network element receives the mark of the target network functional network element of the access net of specific NF type, and the network function for accessing net is deposited Storage functional network element can receive the target network of the core net of specific NF type from the network function store function network element of core net The mark of network functional network element.Later, the network function network element of core net can pass through the target network functional network element of access net Mark is directly communicated to connect with the target network functional network element foundation of access net and access services mutually, accesses the network function of net Network element can also directly be built with the target network functional network element of core net by the mark of the target network functional network element of core net It is vertical to communicate to connect and access service mutually.The mode of this service access by the signaling in interaction be distributed in each network element into Row processing, the waiting time before saving signaling processing, to improve business efficiency.

In a kind of possible design, the first information further includes first network functional network element (for example, the first NF network element) NF type, above-mentioned target network functional network element are the network function network element of first network functional network element request discovery.In the second net Before network function store function network element sends the second information to first network function store function network element, method further include: second Network function store function network element determines that target network functional network element allows by first network according to the 4th information and the first information Functional network element discovery, the 4th information is used to indicate the NF type for allowing to find target network functional network element, for example, the 4th information It can be called and be found policy information.Which allowed as a result, by configuring the network function network element of each access net by type The network function NE Discovery of core net and the network function network element of each core net allow by the access net of which type Network function NE Discovery, can further limit core net network function network element and access net network function network element accesses mutually Permission, to further improve the safety that communicates between core net and access net.

In a kind of possible design, the second network function store function network element is the network function store function of access net Network element, first network function store function network element are the network function store function network element of core net, are deposited in the second network function Before storage functional network element sends the second information to first network function store function network element, the second network function store function network element The NF description information with the network function network element of access net determines target network functional network element according to the first information, wherein NF is retouched State the NF type that information includes the network function network element of access net.The network function store function network element for accessing net as a result, can be with Determine the target network functional network element of access net.

In a kind of possible design, access the network function store function network element of net according to the first information with access net The NF description information of network function network element can be determined as follows target network functional network element: the first information further includes mesh The area identification of network function network element is marked, NF description information further includes the area identification of the network function network element of access net, access The network function store function network element of net according to the first information in target network functional network element NF type and area identification, and The NF type and area identification that the network function network element of net is accessed in NF description information, determine target network functional network element；

Alternatively, the first information further includes the service identifiers of target network functional network element, NF description information further includes access net Network function network element service identifiers, access the network function store function network element of net according to the first information in target network function The NF type and service mark of the network function network element of net are accessed in the NF type and service identifiers and NF description information of energy network element Know, determines target network functional network element；

Alternatively, the first information further includes the network slice mark of target network functional network element, NF description information further includes connecing The network of the network function network element of networking is sliced mark, access the network function store function network element of net according to the first information in mesh Mark the NF that the network function network element of net is accessed in the NF type and network slice mark and NF description information of network function network element Type and network slice mark, determine target network functional network element.

The network function store function network element for accessing net as a result, which can determine, belongs to connecing for specific NF type in specified region The target network functional network element of networking, alternatively, the network function store function network element of access net can also determine and belong to specific NF The target network functional network element that type and the access that can provide a variety of special services are netted, alternatively, the network function storage of access net Functional network element can also determine the target network function for belonging to specific NF type and the access of particular network slice type capable of being supported to net It can network element.

In a kind of possible design, the network function store function network element for accessing net is received from target network functional network element NF description information；Alternatively, the second network function store function network element is from Network Management System (for example, operational administrative and maintenance (Operation Administration and Maintenance, OAM) system or network are sliced subnet management function (Network Slice Subnet Management Function, NSSMF) system) receive NF description information.It accesses as a result, The network function store function network element of net can obtain the NF description information of target network functional network element, and then determination can provide spy Surely the target network functional network element serviced.

In a kind of possible design, the network function store function network element of net is accessed from Network Management System or target network Network functional network element receives solicited message, and solicited message is used for the network function store function network element request to access net for target network Network functional network element goes to register；The status information of target network functional network element is arranged the network function store function network element for accessing net For down state.Target network functional network element goes to infuse by the network function store function network element request to access net as a result, Volume, the network function store function network element that access can be made to net know that target network functional network element is temporarily unavailable.

Another aspect, disclosed herein as well is a kind of communication means, comprising: accesses the network function network element of net (for example, connecing The NF network element of networking) it sends to the network function store function network element (for example, NRF network element of access net) for accessing net and accesses net The NF description information of network function network element, wherein NF description information includes the NF type of the network function network element of access net；Access The network function network element of net receives the first response message from the network function store function network element of access net, and the first response message is used It is completed in the network function network element registration of instruction access net.

According to the above method, the network function store function network element for accessing net can obtain the network function network element of access net NF description information.After receiving the first information, the network function store function network element of net is accessed by inquiring above-mentioned NF Description information, can find can provide the target network functional network element of special services.

In a kind of possible design, the network function network element of net is accessed to the network function store function network element of access net Solicited message is sent, solicited message is used for the network function store function network element request to access net: by the network function of access net Energy network element goes to register；The network function network element for accessing net receives the second response from the network function store function network element of access net and disappears Breath, the network function network element that the second response message is used to indicate access net go registration to complete.Some appearance is different in access net as a result, Often and the network function network element of cisco unity malfunction by access net network function store function network element request go to register, can So that access net network function store function network element know which access net network function network element be it is temporarily unavailable, into And do not have to compare above-mentioned not available net when the network function store function network element of access net searches target network functional network element Network functional network element improves business efficiency to alleviate the workload of the network function store function network element of access net.

In a kind of possible design, NF description information further includes the network address (example of the network function network element of access net Such as IP address), service identifiers, area identification or network slice mark at least one of.Wherein, network address, which is used to indicate, connects The position of the network function network element of networking.Service identifiers are used to indicate the service that the network function network element of access net provides.Region Mark is used to indicate the region of the network function network element service of access net.Network slice mark is used to indicate the network function of access net The network slice type that energy network element is supported.Access as a result, net network function store function network element can according to the first information and The NF description information of net network function network element is accessed, determines the target network for belonging to the access net of specific NF type in specified region Functional network element, or belong to specific NF type and the target network functional network element of the access net of a variety of special services can be provided, or Person belongs to specific NF type and can support the target network functional network element of the access net of particular network slice type.

Another aspect, the embodiment of the present application provide a kind of communication device, which, which has, realizes in the above method The function of first network function store function network element (for example, the first NRF network element) behavior.The function can pass through hardware reality It is existing, corresponding software realization can also be executed by hardware.The hardware or software include one or more and above-mentioned function phase Corresponding module.It include processor and transceiver, the processing in the structure of above-mentioned communication device in a possible design Device is configured as processing communication device and executes corresponding function in the above method.The transceiver is for realizing above-mentioned communication device With the communication between first network functional network element/second network function store function network element.The communication device can also include Memory, the memory save the necessary program instruction of the communication device and data for coupling with processor.

Another aspect, the embodiment of the present application provide a kind of communication device, which, which has, realizes in the above method Access the function of network function network element (for example, NF network element of access net) behavior of net.The function can by hardware realization, Corresponding software realization can also be executed by hardware.The hardware or software include one or more corresponding with above-mentioned function Module.It include processor and transceiver in the structure of communication device in a possible design, the processor is configured Corresponding function in the above method is executed for communication device.The network function that the transceiver is netted for realizing communication device and access Communication between energy store function network element.The communication device can also include memory, and the memory is used for and processor Coupling, saves the necessary program instruction of the communication device and data.

Another aspect, the embodiment of the present application provide a kind of communication device, which, which has, realizes in the above method The function of second network function store function network element (for example, the 2nd NRF network element) behavior.The function can pass through hardware reality It is existing, corresponding software realization can also be executed by hardware.The hardware or software include one or more and above-mentioned function phase Corresponding module.It include processor and transceiver, the processing in the structure of above-mentioned communication device in a possible design Device is configured as processing communication device and executes corresponding function in the above method.The transceiver is for realizing communication device and Communication between one network function store function network element/target network functional network element/Network Management System.The communication device is also It may include memory, the memory saves the necessary program instruction sum number of the communication device for coupling with processor According to.

Another aspect, the embodiment of the present application provide a kind of computer readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage Instruction is stored in medium, when run on a computer, so that computer executes method described in above-mentioned various aspects.

Another aspect, the embodiment of the present application provide a kind of computer program product comprising instruction, when it is in computer When upper operation, so that computer executes method described in above-mentioned various aspects.

Another aspect, this application provides a kind of chip system, which includes processor, above-mentioned logical for supporting T unit realizes function involved in above-mentioned aspect, for example, generating or handling information involved in the above method.In one kind In possible design, the chip system further includes memory, the memory, for saving necessary program when data are sent Instruction and data.The chip system, can be made of chip, also may include chip and other discrete devices.

Detailed description of the invention

It to describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention more clearly, below will be to required in the embodiment of the present invention The attached drawing used is illustrated.

Fig. 1 is according to 5G communication system schematic diagram provided by the embodiments of the present application；

Fig. 2 is according to a kind of method of the NF network element of the NF NE Discovery access net of core net provided by the embodiments of the present application Flow chart；

Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B are the NRF network element registration netted according to the NF network element of access net provided by the embodiments of the present application to access Signaling interaction diagram；

Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B are to go to infuse to the NRF network element of access net according to the NF network element of access net provided by the embodiments of the present application The signaling interaction diagram of volume；

Fig. 5 is according to a kind of method of the NF network element of the NF NE Discovery core net of access net provided by the embodiments of the present application Flow chart；

Fig. 6 is according to a kind of flow chart of the method for communication provided by the embodiments of the present application；

Fig. 7 A, 7B are the structural schematic diagram according to a kind of communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application.

Specific embodiment

Below in conjunction with the attached drawing in the embodiment of the present application, technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application is clearly retouched It states.

In the application, " multiple " refer to two or more."and/or" describes the incidence relation of affiliated partner, indicates There may be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B, can indicate: individualism A, exist simultaneously A and B, individualism B these three Situation.Character "/" typicallys represent the relationship that forward-backward correlation object is a kind of "or".

Fig. 1 is a kind of 5G communication system schematic diagram provided by the embodiments of the present application.In the core net framework of 5G mobile network In, the control plane function and forwarding surface function of mobile gateway decouple, and the control plane function and MME separated are merged into unification Control plane (control plane, CP).User plane functions (User plane function, UPF) network element be able to achieve SGW and The user plane functions (SGW-U and PGW-U) of PGW.Further, unified control plane network element can resolve into access and mobility Management function (access and mobility management function, AMF) network element and conversation management functional (session management function, SMF) network element.

As shown in Figure 1, the embodiment of the present application provides a kind of communication system, which includes the network function of core net The NRF network element of energy store function (Network Function Repository Function, NRF) 101 network elements, access net 112, the NF network element of the NF network element of core net and access net.For example, the NF network element of core net can be sliced selection function for network (Network Slice Selection Function, NSSF) network element 102, network opening function (Network Exposure Function, NEF) 103 network elements, policy control functions (Policy Control Function, PCF) network element 104, unified number According to management (Unified Data Management, UDM) network element 105, application function (Application Function, AF) Network element 106, authentication service function (Authentication Server Function, AUSF) network element 107, AMF network element 108, In network data analysis function (Network Data Analytics Function NWDAF) network element 109 and SMF network element 110 Any network element.In the access planar network architecture of 5G mobile network, in order to support the flexible deployment of different business demand and function, Function decoupling in access net is CU-C, CU-U and DU function.Access net NF network element can be NWDAF network element 111, DU network element Appointing in 113 or CU network element 114 (or, CU-U network element 1142 in CU-C network element 1141 or CU network element 114 in CU network element 114) One network element.

In core-network side, the network function that the NRF network element 101 of above-mentioned core net is capable of providing include: service discovery function, Safeguard the effectively service of NF network element support in the function of the NF description information of effective NF network element in core net, and maintenance core net Function.Wherein, above-mentioned service discovery function, which refers to receive from the NF network element of any of the above-described core net, finds request message, and to The NF network element provides the information of the target NF network element of request discovery.

The network function that the NSSF network element 102 of above-mentioned core net is capable of providing includes: for selecting network by user equipment slice (Network Slice)。

The network function that the NEF network element 103 of above-mentioned core net is capable of providing include the external service that network element is provided, ability with And application function and edge calculations.Optionally, NEF network element 103, which additionally provides, a kind of provides information to 3GPP network security Application function, for example, Move Mode and communication pattern.In this case, NEF network element 103 can also provide certification, authorization and Limit the network function of above-mentioned application function.

The network function that the PCF network element 104 of above-mentioned core net is capable of providing includes: to provide unified policy framework to manage Network.Optionally, PCF network element 104 can provide the strategy for control plane function to execute network management.Alternatively, PCF network element 104 can also provide front end to access the decision plan with uniform data repository (Unified Data Repository, UDR) Slightly relevant subscription information.

The network function that the UDM network element 105 of above-mentioned core net is capable of providing includes: the subscription data for storing user.For example, The subscription data of user includes the relevant subscription data of mobile management and the relevant subscription data of session management.

The network function that the AF network element 106 of above-mentioned core net is capable of providing includes: to carry out tactful control to transport plane resource System and charging control.

The network function that the AUSF network element 107 of above-mentioned core net is capable of providing includes: the authentication control to user equipment.

The network function that the AMF network element 108 of above-mentioned core net is capable of providing includes: the registration of responsible terminal device, movement Property management, tracing section updating etc..

The network function that the NWDAF network element 109 of above-mentioned core net is capable of providing includes: management network analysis logic function. Optionally, NWDAF network element 109 can also be sliced dimension according to network and provide the network data analysis of particular slice to PCF network element Information.

The network function that the SMF network element 110 of above-mentioned core net is capable of providing includes: the session management of responsible terminal device. For example, session management includes the selection of user face equipment, the gravity treatment of user face equipment, network protocol (internet Protocol, IP) address distribution, the foundation of service quality (quality of service, QoS) control and session, modification Or release etc..

In access net side, the NRF network element 112 of above-mentioned access net is a kind of new net proposed according to the embodiment of the present application Member, the network function that it is capable of providing include: service discovery function, i.e., from the NF network element reception request message of access net, and to The NF network element provides the information of the target NF network element of the access net of discovery.What the NRF network element 112 of above-mentioned access net can also provide Network function includes: effective NF network element branch in the NF description information of effective NF network element during maintenance access is netted, and maintenance access net The service held.

The network function that the NWDAF network element 111 of above-mentioned access net provides includes: management network analysis logic function.It is optional , NWDAF network element 111 can also be to the NWDAF network element 109 of core net or the network element (for example, CU-C network element 1141) of access net Network data analysis information is provided.

The DU network element 113 of above-mentioned access net realizes that wireless spread-spectrum technology (Radio Link Control, RLC), media connect Enter the function of control (Media Access Control, MAC) and physical layer (physical layer, PHY) agreement.

The network function that the CU network element 114 of above-mentioned access net provides includes: radio resource control (Radio Resource Control, RRC), service data adapting protocol (Service Data Adaptation Protocol, SDAP) With the function of Packet Data Convergence Protocol (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, PDCP).Optionally, CU network element The network function of 114 offers further includes the control function to DU.Optionally, the network function that CU network element 114 provides further includes branch Hold the interface function with core net.CU network element 114 can also be decoupled as CU-C network element 1141 and CU-U network element 1142.

The network function that the CU-C network element 1141 of above-mentioned access net is capable of providing includes: the control for supporting PDCP and RRC agreement Face function processed.Optionally, the network function that CU-C network element 1141 provides further includes the control to DU network element 113 and CU-U network element 1142 System.

The network function that the CU-U network element 1142 of above-mentioned access net is capable of providing includes: the user face for supporting PDCP and SDAP Function.

Above each NF network element is either the network element realized on specialized hardware, is also possible to transport on specialized hardware Capable software instances, or on appropriate platform virtualization example, for example, above-mentioned virtual platform can be Yun Ping Platform.

It should be noted that the NF network element of the NF network element of above-mentioned core net and access net is not limited to the above-mentioned net enumerated Member can also be the network element that needs to carry out service interaction in core net in future communication systems and access net.

The embodiment of the present application applies also for supporting the network architecture of network slice.Based on the technologies such as virtualization, core network A common network infrastructure be split out N number of network slice.Network slice is for realizing some or certain business need The network service wanted.Network slice type can include: enhancing mobile broadband (enhanced Mobile Broadband, EMBB), super reliable low latency communication (Ultra-reliable and low latency communications, URLLC), Extensive Internet of Things (Massive Internet of Things, mIoT) etc..The type of slice can be sliced by single network and be selected Select auxiliary information (SingleNetwork Slice Selection Assistance information, S-NSSAI) mark. Identical network, which may also be chosen, by different S-NSSAI is sliced example.

In addition, the embodiment of the present application can be applicable to other communication technologys to face the future.The embodiment of the present application description System architecture and business scenario be technical solution in order to more clearly illustrate the embodiment of the present application, do not constitute for The restriction of technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, those of ordinary skill in the art it is found that with the network architecture differentiation and The appearance of new business scene, technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application are equally applicable for similar technical problem.

Below by taking 5G communication system shown in FIG. 1 as an example, carried out by technical solution of some embodiments to the application detailed It describes in detail bright.These embodiments can be combined with each other below, may be in certain implementations for the same or similar concept or process Example repeats no more.

Fig. 2 is a kind of method flow of the NF network element of the NF NE Discovery access net of core net provided by the embodiments of the present application Figure.This method can be used for the NF network element of core net because of business demand, need to find specific NF type access net NF network element from And obtain the scene of corresponding network function.It is above-mentioned to which access can also be called by the access net NF network element of core net NF NE Discovery The target NF network element of net.For example, the NF network element of core net can be NSSF 102, NEF 103, PCF 104, UDM in Fig. 1 105, AF 106, AUSF 107, AMF 108, NWDAF 109 or any network element of SMF 110.The target NF network element for accessing net can be with It is NWDAF 111, DU 113 in Fig. 1 or CU 114 (or, the CU-U in CU-C 1141 or CU 114 in CU 114 1142) any network element.For example, when the NEF of core net 103 needs the CU-C 1141 from access net to obtain in some region The service of interior terminal device quantity statistics, the NEF 103 of core net can first have found the CU-C of access net by following mechanism 1141, and then above-mentioned service is obtained by the CU-C 1141 of access access net.Wherein, the CU-C 1141 for accessing net has realization Network function needed for above-mentioned service.

As shown in Fig. 2, this method may include:

S201: the NF network element of core net sends the first information to the NRF network element of core net.Correspondingly, the NRF net of core net Member receives the first information from the NF network element of core net.Wherein, the first information includes the NF type of the target NF network element of access net.

For example, the NRF network element of above-mentioned core net can be the NRF network element 101 in Fig. 1.

The NF type of the target NF network element of above-mentioned access net can by the title for the target NF network element that above-mentioned access is netted come It indicates.For example, the NF type of the target NF network element of above-mentioned access net can be NWDAF, DU, CU-C or CU-U.

S203: the NRF network element of core net determines the NRF network element of access net.

For example, the NRF network element of above-mentioned access net can be the NRF network element 112 in Fig. 1.

For example, when the NRF network element of the NRF network element of core net and access net corresponds, the NRF network element of core net can be with Determine the NRF network element of access net corresponding with the NRF network element of core net.

Above step S203 is optional step.The NRF network element of core net can also determine the NRF of access net by other means Network element, the present invention do not limit herein.

S204: the NRF network element of core net sends the above-mentioned first information to the NRF network element of access net.Correspondingly, access net NRF network element receives the above-mentioned first information from the NRF network element of core net.

S205: the NRF network element for accessing net determines the target NF network element of access net.

For example, the NRF network element of access net nets the NF description information of NF network element with access according to the first information, access net is determined Target NF network element.Wherein, the NF description information of above-mentioned access net NF network element includes the NF type of the NF network element of access net.Than Such as, the NF description information of the NF network element of above-mentioned access net is as shown in table 1: the NF description information for accessing 1 network element of CU-C of net is CU-C；The NF description information for accessing 2 network element of CU-U of net is CU-U.

Table 1

Access the NF network element of net	NF description information
		CU-C 1	CU-C
CU-U 2	CU-U

For example, the NRF network element of access net according to the first information in NF type inquire above-mentioned NF description information, find and With the NF description information of identical NF type in the first information, then the corresponding NF network element of the NF description information is the mesh for accessing net Mark NF network element.For example, it accesses in the first information that the NRF network element of net receives, accesses the NF class of the target NF network element of net Type is CU-C, and the NRF network element for accessing net inquires the NF network element for the access net that NF type in NF description information is CU-C according to table 1 For 1 network element of CU-C, so that it is determined that the target NF network element of access net is 1 network element of CU-C.

Above step S205 is optional step, and the NRF network element for accessing net can also determine the mesh of access net by other means NF network element is marked, the present invention does not limit herein.

Optionally, the NRF network element for accessing net can obtain above-mentioned NF description by the registration process of the NF network element of access net Information.Above-mentioned registration process will be further described in conjunction with Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B.

S207: the NRF network element for accessing net sends the second information to the NRF network element of core net.Correspondingly, the NRF of core net Network element receives the second information from the NRF network element of access net.Above-mentioned second information includes the mark of the target NF network element of access net.

For example, can be obtained and connect after the NRF network element of access net determines the target NF network element of access net according to the first information The mark of the target NF network element of networking returns to the target NF network element for accessing net by step S207 to the NRF network element of core net Mark.

S208: the NF network element of core net of the NRF network element of core net into step S201 sends above-mentioned second information.Accordingly , the NF network element of above-mentioned core net receives above-mentioned second information from the NRF network element of core net.

So far, the NF network element of core net obtains the mark of the target NF network element of access net.Pass through above-mentioned mark, core net NF network element can with target NF network element establish communicate to connect, and access target NF network element provide service.For example, core net Between NF network element and target NF network element can by using transmission control protocol (Transmission Control Protocol, TCP) and hypertext transfer protocol (HyperText Transfer Protocol, HTTP) establishes communication connection.

In the prior art, since the internal structure of core net is externally invisible, the NE access access net of core network internal When service, it is necessary to could be interacted with access net by MME network element.Also, MME network element needs to interactive signaling The access of service is just able to achieve after reason.It is this that a network element is depended on to will increase the network element to handle the mode of all interactive signalings The load of signaling being handled, and the service accessed is more, the load of the network element is bigger, and the processed time delay of signaling is longer, thus Cause the reduction of business efficiency.However, according to the solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the NF network element of core net can find specific NF type Access net target NF network element.Later, the NF network element of core net can be established directly with the target NF network element of above-mentioned access net Communication connection, and realize the access for the network function that docking networks.After connection is established, the NF network element of core net and the mesh of access net Mark NF network element can directly transmit and handle interactive signaling, not have to rely on other network elements.The mode of this service access will interact In signaling be distributed in each network element and handled, the waiting time before saving signaling processing, to improve business Efficiency.

Optionally, before step S204, following steps S202 is can be performed in the NRF network element of core net.It should be noted that this Application does not limit the sequencing between step S202 and step S203.That is, being held after step S202 can be first carried out Row step S203 executes step S202 after can also first carrying out step S203, alternatively, being performed simultaneously step S202 and S203.

S202: the NRF network element of core net determines that the NF network element of core net allows to find the mesh of access net according to third information Mark NF network element.Wherein, the NF type of the NF network element for the access net that the NF network element that third information is used to indicate core net allows to find. For example, third information can also be called discovery strategy information.That is, only allowing to find to access in the NF network element of core net In the case where the target NF network element of net, the first information that the NRF network element of core net can just receive step S201 is sent to access The NRF network element of net.

For example, the third information in the NRF network element of core net can be as shown in table 2.In the example of table 2, core net SMF network element allows to find the NF network element that NF type is CU-C in access net；The PCF network element of core net allows to find NF in access net Type is the NF network element of CU-U or NWDAF.

Table 2

The NF network element of core net	Access the NF type of the NF network element of net
		SMF	CU-C
PCF	CU-U, NWDAF

It should be noted that above-mentioned table 2 is only a kind of example, in the NRF network element of core net involved in the application the Three information are not limited with above-mentioned table 2, as long as the access net NF network element that the NF network element of core net allows to find can be indicated The information of NF type, within the scope of protection of this application.

Optionally, if the NRF network element of core net is according to third information, determine that the NF network element of core net does not allow to find to connect The target NF network element of networking, then the NRF network element of core net sends the first termination message to the NF network element of above-mentioned core net.Wherein, The NF network element that first termination message is used to indicate core net does not allow to find the target NF network element of access net.For example, first terminates Information is cause value: the NF network element of core net does not allow to find the target NF network element of access net.

According to above-mentioned steps S202, the NF network element for the access net that the NF network element by configuring each core net allows to find Type can limit the access authority of the NF network element of core net, improve the safety communicated between core net and access net.

Optionally, before step S207, following steps S206 is can be performed in the NRF network element for accessing net.

S206: the NRF network element of net is accessed according to the 4th information, determines that the target NF network element of access net allows by core net NF NE Discovery.Wherein, the 4th information is used to indicate the NF class for allowing to find the NF network element of core net of above-mentioned target NF network element Type.For example, the 4th information, which can also be called, is found policy information.That is, only permitting in the target NF network element of access net Perhaps in the case where by the NF NE Discovery of core net, the NRF network element for accessing net can just send the second letter to the NRF network element of core net Breath.

For example, the 4th information in the NRF network element of access net can be as shown in table 3.In the example of table 3, net is accessed The NE Discovery that it is SMF or PCF by NF type in core net that CU-C1 network element, which allows,；1 network element of NWDAF of access net allows by core NF type is the NE Discovery of NEF in heart net.

Table 3

Access the NF network element of net	The NF type of the NF network element of core net
		CU-C 1	SMF, PCF
NWDAF 1	NEF

It should be noted that above-mentioned table 3 is only a kind of example, in the NRF network element of access net involved in the application the Four information are not limited with above-mentioned table 3, as long as the NF for allowing to find the NF network element of the core net of target NF network element can be indicated The information of type, within the scope of protection of this application.

Optionally, if the NRF network element of access net is according to the 4th information, determine that the target NF network element of access net does not allow quilt The NF NE Discovery of core net, then the NRF network element for accessing net send the second termination message to the NRF network element of core net.Wherein, Two termination messages, which are used to indicate the target NF network element, not to be allowed by the NF NE Discovery of core net.For example, the second termination message Do not allow for cause value: the target NF network element by the NF NE Discovery of core net.

According to above-mentioned steps S206, the NF network element by configuring each access net allows by the NF of the core net of which type NE Discovery can further limit the permission of core net NF network element access access net NF network element, to further improve core The safety communicated between heart net and access net.

It should be noted that above-mentioned steps S206 and step S202 can be individually performed, also may be performed simultaneously.Step When S206 is individually performed, limited by the permission for docking networking NF network element in access net side, to improve communication system Security performance.When step S202 is individually performed, by being limited in permission of the core-network side to core net NF network element, also mention The high security performance of communication system.When step S206 and step S202 are performed simultaneously, by access net and core-network side The permission of NF network element is limited simultaneously, duplicate protection has been carried out safely to system, further improves core net and access The safety communicated between net.

Optionally, in above-mentioned steps S207, the mark of the target NF network element of above-mentioned access net can be the mesh of access net Mark the network address of NF network element, Fully Qualified Domain Name (Fully Qualified Domain Name, FQDN), in agent identification extremely One item missing.

For example, above-mentioned network address can be the IP address of the target NF network element of access net.

Optionally, above-mentioned network address can be stored in the NF description information of the target NF network element of access net.

Above-mentioned agent identification is to access net to hide the unification for accessing the internal topology netted and being provided out Mark.The function that above-mentioned access net hides internal topology is agent functionality.For example, above-mentioned agent identification can be generation Manage the network address of function or the FQDN of agent functionality.

Optionally, what the agent identification for the target NF network element that the NRF network element for accessing net saves above-mentioned access net was netted with access The corresponding relationship of target NF network element.Wherein, above-mentioned corresponding relationship save can by following two mode it is any come It realizes.

In one possible implementation, the NRF network element for accessing net saves above-mentioned correspondence using agent identification as granularity Relationship, such as:

Agent identification 1:NF 1, NF 3 ...

Agent identification 2:NF 2, NF 4 ...

Above-mentioned example indicates: the network element with agent identification 1 includes at least 3 network element of 1 network element of NF and NF, has agency's mark The network element for knowing 2 includes at least 4 network element of 2 network element of NF and NF.So if the target NF network element of access net is 2 network element of NF, The mark that the target NF network element of net is accessed in second information can be agent identification 2.

In alternatively possible implementation, the NRF network element for accessing net saves above-mentioned correspondence using NF network element as granularity Relationship.In this implementation, agent identification can be stored in the NF description information of the target NF network element of access net, example Such as:

The description information of 1 network element of NF: agent identification 1, NF type 1 ...

The description information of 2 network element of NF: agent identification 2, NF type 2 ...

Above-mentioned example indicates: the agent identification of 1 network element of NF is agent identification 1, and NF type is NF type 1, agent identification 1 and NF type 1 is stored in the description information of 1 network element of NF；The agent identification of 2 network element of NF is agent identification 2, NF type For NF type 2, agent identification 2 and NF type 2 are stored in the description information of 2 network element of NF.

Alternatively, agent identification can also be kept separately example independently of the NF description information for accessing the target NF network element netted Such as:

1 network element of NF: agent identification 1, the first NF description information ...

2 network element of NF: agent identification 2, the 2nd NF description information ...

Above-mentioned example indicates: the agent identification of 1 network element of NF is agent identification 1, and the of 1 network element of agent identification 1 and NF One NF description information independently saves；The agent identification of 2 network element of NF is agent identification 2, and the of 2 network element of agent identification 2 and NF Two NF description informations independently save.

By the above method, the NRF network element for accessing net mentions the agent address of the corresponding access net of NF network element of access net The NRF network element of core net has been supplied, can be directly accessed to avoid the NF network element of access net by outside in this way, to externally hide Topological structure in access net.And access net agent address the network securitys such as firewall can be provided in terms of function, Safety inspection can be carried out to the access outside access net and handle illegal network attack, to improve the peace of access net Full performance.

In above-mentioned steps S208, when the NRF network element of core net is connect by step S207 from the NRF network element of multiple access nets When receiving the mark of multiple target NF network elements, optionally, the NRF network element of core net is by the mark one of above-mentioned multiple target NF network elements With the NF network element for the core net being sent in step S201.

For example, 1 network element of NRF of core net receives access net from 2 network element of NRF of access net by step S207 1 network element of NF mark, from access net 3 network element of NRF receive access net 2 network element of NF mark.Then core net The mark of the mark of 2 network element of NF and 3 network element of NF is sent to the NF network element of core net by 1 network element of NRF together.

Therefore, the mark of multiple target NF network elements is received by the NRF network element of multiple access nets when the NRF network element of core net When knowledge, the NRF network element of core net sends jointly to the NF network element of core net by the mark by multiple target NF network elements, can reduce The business processing load of core net, to improve business efficiency.

Based on embodiment shown in Fig. 2, core net NF network element because of business demand, need to obtain in specified region and access It, can be with further reference to being described below under the scene of the service of net:

In above-mentioned steps S201, optionally, the first information further includes the identification information of the target NF network element of access net, In, identification information includes the area identification of the target NF network element of access net.

Wherein, the area identification for accessing the target NF network element of net is used to indicate the region of target NF network element service.The region Mark can be network area mark；Alternatively, being also possible to geographic area mark.For example, network area mark can be tracking Area identification (Tracking Area Identity, TAI).Geographic area mark can be indicated with GPS coordinate and/or distance.It lifts For example, geographic area mark can be combined with a GPS coordinate and 500 meters of distance to be indicated, to indicate with above-mentioned GPS coordinate is origin, is a determining border circular areas of radius with 500 meters.Alternatively, geographic area mark can also use 4 GPS Coordinate points combine mark, to the rectangular area for indicating to determine using above-mentioned 4 GPS coordinates point as vertex.

Optionally, if the area identification in the above-mentioned first information is geographic area mark, this method further include: core net NRF network element by above-mentioned geographic area mark be converted to network area mark.For example, the area identification in the above-mentioned first information is The combination of one GPS coordinate and 500 meters of distances, to indicate being what radius determined as origin, with 500 meters using above-mentioned GPS coordinate One border circular areas, then above-mentioned geographic area mark is converted to TAI belonging to above-mentioned border circular areas by the NRF network element of core net.

In above-mentioned steps S203, optionally, the NRF that the NRF network element of core net is netted according to the above-mentioned first information and access The area identification of network element determines the NRF network element of access net.

For example, the NRF network element of core net can determine the NRF network element of access net in the following way.The NRF of core net Network element knows the area identification of the NRF network element of access net first, then searches the access net comprising area identification in the first information NRF network element, so that it is determined that access net NRF network element.For example, the corresponding coverage of area identification in the first information is 1~TAI6 of TAI.If the NRF network element of core net is known, the area identification for accessing 1 network element of NRF of net is 1~TAI of TAI 6, then the NRF network element of core net determines that the NRF network element of access net is 1 network element of NRF.If the NRF network element of core net obtains Know, the area identification for accessing 1 network element of NRF of net is 1~TAI of TAI 4, and the area identification for accessing 2 network element of NRF of net is TAI 5 and TAI 6, then the NRF network element of core net determines that the NRF network element of access net is 2 network element of 1 network element of NRF and NRF.

By the above method, when the NRF network element of core net corresponds to the NRF network element of multiple access nets, core net can root According to the area identification in the first information, one or more that service can be provided in the region specified by the area identification is found Access net NRF network element, thus in step S204 by the above-mentioned first information be sent to said one or it is multiple access net NRF network element.

Optionally, any one of following two implementation can be used in the NRF network element of core net, to know access net The area identification of NRF network element.

In one possible implementation, Network Management System is in the NRF network element of deployment access net, by above-mentioned access The NRF net element information of the corresponding core net of NRF network element of net is sent to the NRF network element of the access net.Then by above-mentioned access net NRF network element to the NRF network element of above-mentioned core net send access net NRF network element area identification.The NRF of core net as a result, Network element knows the area identification of the NRF network element of access net.

In alternatively possible implementation, Network Management System is in the NRF network element of deployment access net, directly to core The NRF network element of heart net sends the area identification of the NRF network element of access net.The NRF network element of core net knows access net as a result, The area identification of NRF network element.

In above two implementation, Network Management System can be operational administrative and maintenance (Operation Administration and Maintenance, OAM) system, alternatively, network is sliced subnet management function (Network Slice Subnet Management Function, NSSMF) system.

In above-mentioned steps S205, optionally, the NF description information of access net NF network element further includes access net NF network element Area identification, access the NRF network element of net according to the first information in target NF network element NF type and area identification, and access net NF type and area identification in the NF description information of NF network element determine the target NF network element of access net.

Wherein, the area identification of access net NF network element is used to indicate the region of the NF network element service of access net.For example, above-mentioned The NF description information of access net NF network element is as shown in table 4.In the example of table 4, the NF description of 1 network element of CU-U of net is accessed Information includes NF Type C U-U and area identification TAI 1；The NF description information for accessing 2 network element of CU-U of net includes NF Type C U- U and area identification TAI 1, TAI 2；The NF description information for accessing 1 network element of NWDAF of net includes NF type NWDAF and region mark Know TAI 1.

Table 4

For example, the NRF network element of access net according to the first information in NF type and area identification inquire above-mentioned NF description Information, finding has identical NF type and NF description information comprising at least one area identification in the first information with the first information, Then the corresponding NF network element of the NF description information is the target NF network element for accessing net.For example, the NRF network element for accessing net receives To the first information in, access the target NF network element of net NF type be CU-U, area identification be TAI 2.Then access the NRF of net Network element inquires in NF description information according to table 4, and NF type is CU-U, and area identification is the NF network element of the access net of TAI 2 For 2 network element of CU-U, so that it is determined that the target NF network element of access net is 2 network element of CU-U.If the NRF network element of access net receives The first information in, access the target NF network element of net NF type be CU-U, area identification be TAI 1.Then access the NRF net of net Member inquires in NF description information according to table 4, and NF type is CU-U, and area identification is the NF network element packet of the access net of TAI 1 2 two network elements of CU-U 1 and CU-U are included, then the NRF network element for accessing net determines that the target NF network element of access net is CU-U 1 and CU- 2 two network elements of U.If accessing the NF type of the target NF network element of net in the first information that the NRF network element of access net receives For CU-U, area identification is TAI 2 and TAI 3.The NRF network element for then accessing net inquires in NF description information according to table 4, NF class Type is CU-U, and the NF network element of the access net of at least one of inclusion region mark TAI 2 and TAI 3 includes 2 network element of CU-U, The NRF network element for then accessing net determines that the target NF network element of access net is 2 network element of CU-U.

In above-mentioned steps S207, optionally, the second information further include access net target NF network element area identification and Association between the mark of target NF network element.

Since the NF description information of target network element can be identified only comprising the partial region in area identification in the first information, The quantity for accessing the target NF network element of net can be one or more.For example, being connect when the target NF network element of access net is multiple Association between the area identification of target NF network element and the mark of target NF network element is passed through the second letter by the target NF network element of networking Breath is sent to the NRF network element of core net.For example, it if the area identification in the first information is 1~TAI of TAI 4, and connects The target NF network element for the access net that the NRF network element of networking determines is 2 network element of 1 network element of CU-U and CU-U.Wherein, 1 network element of CU-U Area identification be the area identification of 2 network element of TAI 1 and TAI 2, CU-U be TAI 3 and TAI 4.Then above-mentioned second information can With as shown in table 5, comprising: 1 network element of CU-U is identified as mark 1, and 1 corresponding area identification of mark is TAI 1 and TAI 2； 2 network element of CU-U is identified as mark 2, and 2 corresponding area identifications of mark are TAI 3 and TAI 4.The NRF network element of core net is connecing After receiving above-mentioned second information, it can be communicated to connect in the follow-up process by being established with 1 network element of CU-U, and then CU- is accessed The service that 1 network element of U provides in the region that area identification is TAI 1 and TAI 2, is communicated to connect by establishing with 2 network element of CU-U, The accessible service provided to 2 network element of CU-U in the region that area identification is TAI 3 and TAI 4.The NRF of core net as a result, The service that the accessible target NF network element to access net of network element provides in the region that area identification is 1~TAI of TAI 4.

Table 5

According to the above method, the NF network element of core net can find the access net for belonging to specific NF type in specified region Target NF network element.In the follow-up process, the NF network element of above-mentioned core net passes through and the target NF network element of above-mentioned access net is established and led to Letter connection, and then the service that the target NF network element that access net is accessed provides in specified region.

Based on embodiment shown in Fig. 2, in access net, the NF network element of same NF type can provide a variety of services, tool There is each NF network element of identical NF type that can provide one or more of above-mentioned a variety of services.For example, NF type 3 kinds of services: service 1, service 2 and service 3 can be provided for the NF network element of CU-U.NF has been laid out in access net Type be CU-U two NF network element CU-U 1 and CU-U 2, they can provide respectively it is above-mentioned 3 kinds service one of or It is a variety of.For example, CU-U 1 can provide the service of service 1, CU-U 2 can provide service 2 and service 3 and service. Core net NF network element because of business demand, can be under the scene for needing to obtain a variety of services that the NF network element of access net provides The reference of one step is described below:

In above-mentioned steps S201, optionally, the first information further includes the identification information of the target NF network element of access net, In, identification information includes the service identifiers of the target NF network element of access net.Wherein, the service of the target NF network element of above-mentioned access net Mark is used to indicate the service that the target NF network element of access net provides.For example, obtaining the service mark of the service of number of user equipment Knowledge can be expressed as get_UE_count service.

In above-mentioned steps S205, optionally, the NF description information of access net NF network element further includes access net NF network element Service identifiers, access the NRF network element of net according to the first information in target NF network element NF type and service identifiers, and access net NF type and service identifiers in the NF description information of NF network element determine the target NF network element of access net.

Wherein, the service identifiers of above-mentioned access net NF network element are used to indicate the service that the NF network element of access net provides.For example, Above-mentioned NF description information is as shown in table 6.In the example of table 6, the NF description information for accessing 1 network element of CU-U of net includes NF Type C U-U and service identifiers service 1 and service 2；The NF description information for accessing 2 network element of CU-U of net includes NF class Type CU-U and service identifiers service 2 and service 3；The NF description information for accessing 1 network element of NWDAF of net includes NF class Type NWDAF and service identifiers service 4.

Table 6

For example, when the NF network element of core net needs to obtain a variety of clothes that the NF network element that the access that NF type is CU-U is netted provides When business, access the NRF network element of net according to the first information in NF type and service identifiers inquire NF description information, find and One information has identical NF type, and includes the NF description information of all service identifiers in the first information, then NF description letter Ceasing corresponding NF network element is the target NF network element for accessing net.For example, the first information that the NRF network element of net receives is accessed In, the NF type for accessing the target NF network element of net is CU-U, and service identifiers are service 1 and service 2, then accesses net root Inquire that NF type in NF description information is CU-U and service identifiers include the access net of service 1 and service 2 according to table 6 NF network element be 1 network element of CU-U.Due in 2 network element of CU-U not comprising service identifiers service 1, so access net NRF network element determines that the target NF network element of access net only has 1 network element of CU-U.In above-mentioned steps S207, the NRF network element of net is accessed The second information is sent to the NRF network element of core net.Wherein, the second information includes the mark of the target NF network element of access net.

When access net target NF network element only one when, the second information includes the mark of a target NF network element.For example, In above-mentioned table 6, the NRF network element for accessing net determines that the target NF network element of access net is 1 network element of CU-U, the mark of 1 network element of CU-U Know for mark 1, then accessing the second information that the NRF network element of net is sent to the NRF network element of core net includes identifying 1.Mark 1 can be with For the network address of 1 network element of CU-U, FQDN or agent identification.

When the target NF network element of access net is multiple, the second information includes the mark of multiple target NF network elements.For example, connecing The description information of networking NF network element is as shown in table 7.In the example of table 7, the NF description information of 1 network element of CU-U of net is accessed Including NF Type C U-U and service identifiers service 1 and service 2；Access the NF description information packet of 2 network element of CU-U of net Include NF Type C U-U and service identifiers service 1 and service 2；Access the NF description information packet of 1 network element of NWDAF of net Include NF type NWDAF and service identifiers service 3.In the first information that the NRF network element of access net receives, the mesh of net is accessed The NF type for marking NF network element is CU-U, and service identifiers are service 1 and service 2, and access net inquires NF according to table 7 and retouches State NF type in information be CU-U and service identifiers include service 1 and service 2 access net NF network element be CU-U 2 network element of 1 network element and CU-U.So the NRF network element of access net determines that the target NF network element of access net is 1 network element of CU-U and CU-U 2 network elements.Again because 1 network element of CU-U is identified as mark 1,2 network element of CU-U is identified as mark 2, then accesses the NRF network element of net The second information sent to the NRF network element of core net includes mark 1 and mark 2.Wherein, mark 1 can be 1 network element of CU-U Network address, FQDN or agent identification；Mark 2 can be network address, FQDN or the agent identification of 2 network element of CU-U.

Table 7

According to the above method, the NF network element of core net, which can be found, to be belonged to specific NF type and can provide a variety of special services Access net target NF network element.Later, the NF network element of above-mentioned core net passes through and the target NF network element of above-mentioned access net is established Communication connection, and then a variety of special services that the target NF network element that access net is accessed provides.

Optionally, the second information further include access net target NF network element service identifiers and target NF network element mark it Between association.

For example, when the service identifiers of the target NF network element of access net further include different from the service identifiers in the first information When other service identifiers, the target NF network element for accessing net will be between the service identifiers of target NF network element and the mark of target NF network element Association the NRF network element of core net is sent to by the second information.For example, if the service identifiers in the first information are Service 1 and service 2, and access net NRF network element determine access net target NF network element be 1 network element of CU-U and 2 network element of CU-U, wherein the service identifiers of 1 network element of CU-U are service 1, service 2 and 2 net of service 3, CU-U The service identifiers of member are service 1 and service 2.Due to the service identifiers of 1 network element of CU-U further include in the first information Different other service identifiers of service identifiers, such as service 3, then above-mentioned second information can be as shown in table 8, comprising: 1 network element of CU-U is identified as mark 1, and 1 corresponding service identifiers of mark are service 1, service 2 and service 3； 2 network element of CU-U is identified as mark 2, and 2 corresponding service identifiers of mark are service 1 and service 2.Wherein, 1 is identified It can be network address, FQDN or the agent identification of 1 network element of CU-U；Mark 2 can for 2 network element of CU-U network address, FQDN or agent identification.

Table 8

According to the above method, the NF network element of core net obtains the service identifiers and target NF net of the target NF network element of access net After association between the mark of member, request discovery with target NF network element with identical NF type again in the NF network element of core net and When the access net NF network element of other services can be provided, whether target NF network element is judged by the service identifiers in above-mentioned association first The service of above-mentioned new demand can be provided.If target NF network element can provide the service of above-mentioned new demand, the NF of core net Network element can direct access target NF network element；If target NF network element cannot provide the service of above-mentioned new demand, core net NF network element sends to the NRF network element of core net request again.Thus, it is possible to reduce the NF network element request discovery access net of core net Signalling exchange during target NF network element, to improve the efficiency of core net access access net.

Based on embodiment shown in Fig. 2, core net NF network element because of business demand, need to obtain and particular network supported to cut It, can be with further reference to being described below under the scene of the access net service of piece:

In above-mentioned steps S201, optionally, the first information further includes the identification information of the target NF network element of access net, In, identification information includes the corresponding network slice mark of target NF network element of access net, and network slice mark, which is used to indicate, to be connect The network slice type that the target NF network element of networking is supported.For example, network slice mark can be S-NSSAI.For example, it connects Entering net side is respectively the access net NF network element that different types of network slice has been laid out CU-U type, for example, 1 network element of CU-U and 2 network element of CU-U.Wherein, 1 network element of CU-U supports the network slice of mobile broadband type, the network slice pair of mobile broadband type S-NSSAI 1 is answered, then the network slice of 1 network element of CU-U is identified as S-NSSAI 1；2 network element of CU-C supports ultralow time delay type Network slice, the network of ultralow time delay type is sliced corresponding S-NSSAI2, then the network slice of 2 network element of CU-U is identified as S- NSSAI 2.When the NF network element of core net wishes to obtain the access net service for the network slice for supporting mobile broadband type, first Information further includes S-NSSAI 1.

In above-mentioned steps S205, optionally, the NF description information of access net NF network element further includes access net NF network element Network slice mark, access the NRF network element of net according to the first information in target NF network element NF type and network slice mark, with And NF type and network slice mark in the NF description information of access net NF network element, determine the target NF network element of access net.

Wherein, the network slice mark of above-mentioned access net NF network element is used to indicate the network that the NF network element of access net can provide Slice type.For example, the description information of above-mentioned access net NF network element is as shown in table 9.In the example of table 9, the CU- of net is accessed The NF description information of 1 network element of U includes NF Type C U-U and network slice mark S-NSSAI 1；Access 2 network element of CU-U of net NF description information includes NF Type C U-U and network slice mark S-NSSAI 2；The NF for accessing 1 network element of NWDAF of net describes letter Breath includes NF type NWDAF and network slice mark S-NSSAI 1.

Table 9

For example, access net NRF network element according to the first information in NF type and network slice mark come inquire NF description Information finds the NF description letter for having identical NF type with the first information and identifying comprising all-network slice in the first information Breath, then the corresponding NF network element of the NF description information is the target NF network element for accessing net.For example, the NRF network element of net is accessed In the first information received, the NF type for accessing the target NF network element of net is CU-U, and network slice is identified as S-NSSAI 2. It then accesses net to be inquired in NF description information according to table 9, NF type is CU-U, and network slice is identified as connecing for S-NSSAI 2 The NF network element of networking is 2 network element of CU-U, so that it is determined that the target NF network element of access net is 2 network element of CU-C.

In above-mentioned steps S207, the NRF network element for accessing net sends the second information to the NRF network element of core net.Wherein, Two information include the mark of the target NF network element of access net.

When access net target NF network element only one when, the second information includes the mark of a target NF network element.For example, In above-mentioned table 9, the NRF network element for accessing net determines that the target NF network element of access net is 2 network element of CU-U, the mark of 2 network element of CU-U Know for mark 2, then accessing the second information that the NRF network element of net is sent to the NRF network element of core net includes identifying 2.Mark 2 can be with For the network address of 2 network element of CU-U, FQDN or agent identification.

When the target NF network element of access net is multiple, the second information includes the mark of multiple target NF network elements.For example, connecing The description information of networking NF network element is as shown in table 10.In the example of table 10, the NF description letter of 1 network element of CU-U of net is accessed Breath includes NF Type C U-U and network slice mark S-NSSAI 1 and S-NSSAI 2；Access the NF description of 2 network element of CU-U of net Information includes NF Type C U-U and network slice mark S-NSSAI 1 and S-NSSAI 2；Access the NF of 1 network element of NWDAF of net Description information includes NF type NWDAF and network slice mark S-NSSAI 3.The first letter that the NRF network element of access net receives In breath, the NF type for accessing the target NF network element of net is CU-U, and network slice is identified as S-NSSAI 1 and S-NSSAI2, accesses Net inquires in NF description information that NF type is CU-U and network slice mark includes S-NSSAI 1 and S-NSSAI according to table 10 The NF network element of 2 access net is 2 network element of 1 network element of CU-U and CU-U.So the NRF network element of access net determines the target of access net NF network element is 2 network element of 1 network element of CU-U and CU-U.Again because 1 network element of CU-U is identified as mark 1, the mark of 2 network element of CU-U For mark 2, then accesses the second information that the NRF network element of net is sent to the NRF network element of core net and include mark 1 and identify 2.Its In, mark 1 can be network address, FQDN or the agent identification of 1 network element of CU-U；Mark 2 can be the net of 2 network element of CU-U Network address, FQDN or agent identification.

Table 10

According to the above method, the NF network element of core net, which can be found, to be belonged to specific NF type and particular network can be supported to be sliced The target NF network element of the access net of type.Later, the NF network element of above-mentioned core net passes through the target NF network element with above-mentioned access net Communication connection is established, and then the service that particular network slice is supported is accessed.

Optionally, the second information further includes the mark of network the slice mark and target NF network element of the target NF network element of access net Association between knowledge.For example, when the network slice mark of the target NF network element of access net further includes and the network in the first information When slice identifies different other networks slice marks, network slice mark of the target NF network element by target NF network element of net is accessed Association between the mark of target NF network element is sent to the NRF network element of core net by the second information.For example, if The access net that the NRF network element that network slice in one information is identified as S-NSSAI 1 and S-NSSAI 2, and accesses net determines Target NF network element is 2 network element of 1 network element of CU-U and CU-U, wherein the network slice of 1 network element of CU-U is identified as 1 He of S-NSSAI The network slice of 2 network element of S-NSSAI 2, CU-U is identified as S-NSSAI 1, S-NSSAI 2 and S-NSSAI 3.Due to CU-U 2 The network slice mark of network element further includes other networks slice mark different from the network slice mark in the first information, such as S-NSSAI 3, then above-mentioned second information can be as shown in table 11, comprising: 1 network element of CU-U is identified as mark 1, and mark 1 is corresponding Network slice mark S-NSSAI 1 and S-NSSAI 2；2 network element of CU-U is identified as mark 2, and 2 corresponding networks of mark are cut Piece identifies S-NSSAI 1, S-NSSAI 2 and S-NSSAI 3.

Table 11

According to the above method, the NF network element of core net obtains the network slice mark and target of the target NF network element of access net After association between the mark of NF network element, request discovery that there is identical NF class with target NF network element again in the NF network element of core net When type and the access net NF network element for supporting other networks to be sliced, target is judged by the network slice mark in above-mentioned association first Whether NF network element can support the network of above-mentioned new demand to be sliced.If target NF network element can support the network of above-mentioned new demand Slice, then the NF network element of core net can direct access target NF network element；If target NF network element cannot support above-mentioned new demand Service, then the NF network element of core net again to the NRF network element of core net send request.Thus, it is possible to reduce the NF net of core net Signalling exchange during the target NF network element of member request discovery access net, to improve the effect of core net access access net Rate.

Based on embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the first information can also include identification information, wherein identification information may include Two or more any marks in area identification, service identifiers or network slice mark, and the NF for accessing net NF network element is retouched Stating in information also includes two or more marks corresponding with the first information.For in the first information include different identification information Scene, embodiment shown in Fig. 2 can be combined with the method in above-mentioned three kinds of scenes to realize, the present invention is simultaneously not subject to the limits System.

The method of NRF network element registration disclosed herein as well is from a kind of NF network element of access net to access net.Fig. 3 A and figure 3B is respectively two kinds of implementation methods for accessing the NF network element of net to the NRF network element registration for accessing net.

Fig. 3 A is according to a kind of NRF network element registration that the NF network element of access net is netted to access provided by the embodiments of the present application Signaling interaction diagram.This method may include:

S301: the NRF network element for accessing net receives the NF description information of above-mentioned NF network element from the NF network element of access net.Accordingly , the NF network element for accessing net sends above-mentioned NF description information to the NRF network element of access net.

For example, the NF description information of above-mentioned access net can be in the NF network element deployment of access net, by Network Management System (such as OAM or NSSMF) configuration is in the NF network element of access net.Specifically, Network Management System (such as OAM or NSSMF) in the NF network element (applying for resource under virtual environment, realize the installation and operation of NF network element) for disposing above-mentioned access net During, the NRF net element information of the NF description information of NF network element access net corresponding with the NF network element is sent to the NF Network element.The NF network element for accessing net as a result, obtains NF description information, and is sent out above-mentioned NF description information by login request message Give the NRF network element of above-mentioned access net.

Optionally, the NF network element of net is accessed by calling first service to send NF description information to the NRF network element of access net. For example, above-mentioned first service can be the registration service of NF network element.

Optionally, after step S301, following steps S302 is can be performed in the NRF network element for accessing net.

S302: the NRF network element for accessing net saves the NF description information of access net.

For example, after NF description information of the NRF network element of access net according to step S301 acquisition 1 network element of CU-C, by above-mentioned NF Description information saves.Similar, the NRF network element for accessing net can obtain the NF description information of 2 network element of CU-U by similar mode And it saves.The NRF network element of net is accessed as a result, by the NF description information of above-mentioned 1 network element of CU-C and 2 network element of CU-U with above-mentioned table 1 Format save.

Optionally, after step S302, following steps S303 is can be performed in the NRF network element for accessing net.

S303: the NRF network element for accessing net sends the first response message to the NF network element of access net.Correspondingly, access net NF network element receives the first response message from the NRF network element of access net.Above-mentioned first response message is used to indicate above-mentioned access net NF network element registration is completed.

According to above scheme, the NRF network element for accessing net can obtain the NF description information for the NF network element that access is netted.It is receiving To after the above-mentioned first information, the NRF network element of net is accessed by inquiring above-mentioned NF description information, can find can provide specific clothes The target NF network element of business.

Fig. 3 B is the NRF network element registration according to another NF network element for accessing net provided by the embodiments of the present application to access net Signaling interaction diagram.This method may include:

S311: the NRF network element for accessing net receives the NF description information of above-mentioned NF network element from Network Management System.Correspondingly, The NF network element for accessing net sends above-mentioned NF description information to Network Management System.

Network Management System (such as OAM or NSSMF) is in the NF network element of deployment access net, the above-mentioned NF disposed The NF description information of network element is sent to the NRF network element of access net, thus accesses NF network element of the NRF network element in each access net of net It can get the NF description information of the NF network element of above-mentioned access net when being disposed.Optionally, Network Management System can also will be each The NRF net element information of the corresponding access net of NF network element is sent to the NRF network element of access net.

Optionally, after step S311, following steps S312 is can be performed in the NRF network element for accessing net.

S312: the NRF network element for accessing net saves the NF description information of access net.

Step S312 can refer to the description of step S302 in Fig. 3 A, and details are not described herein again.

Optionally, after step S311, following steps S313 is can be performed in the NRF network element for accessing net.

S313: the NRF network element for accessing net sends the first response message to Network Management System.Correspondingly, Network Management Department It unites and receives the first response message from the NRF network element of access net.Above-mentioned first response message is used to indicate the NF network element note of access net Volume is completed.

According to above scheme, the NRF network element for accessing net can be obtained when Network Management System disposes the NF network element of access net The NF description information obtained.It, can be by concurrently deployed multiple NF since Network Management System is in the NF network element of deployment access net The NF description information of network element sends jointly to the NRF network element of access net, and the NRF network element for improving access net obtains NF description information Efficiency, save the time.

Fig. 4 A is that a kind of NF network element of access net provided by the embodiments of the present application removes the letter of registration to the NRF network element of access net Enable interaction figure.As shown in Figure 4 A, this method may include:

S401: the NF network element for accessing net sends solicited message to the NRF network element of access net.Correspondingly, the NRF net of access net Member receives solicited message from the NF network element of access net.Above-mentioned solicited message is used for the NRF network element request to access net: connecing above-mentioned The NF network element of networking goes to register.

For example, accessing the NF network element of net just to access net in the case where exception occurs in some NF network element of access net NRF network element send solicited message.For example, above-mentioned solicited message can be a marker, asked alternatively, being also possible to registration Seek message.

Optionally, the NF network element of net is accessed by calling NRF network element request of the second service to access net to go to register.Than Such as, above-mentioned second service can be registration service.

S402: the status information of access net NF network element is set down state by the NRF network element for accessing net.

Wherein, the down state of access net NF network element indicates the NF network element due to off-mode or with network connection The reasons such as disconnection cannot provide service for other network elements.And the available mode for accessing net NF network element indicates the NF network element in a network Service can be normally provided.For example, in the NRF network element of access net, the status information such as table of the NF network element of above-mentioned access net Shown in 12.In the example of table 12, status information is that " 0 " indicates that the state of the NF network element of access net is unavailable, status information Indicate that the state of the NF network element of access net is available for " 1 ".In table 12, the state of 1 network element of CU-C is available, 1 net of CU-U The state of member is unavailable.

Table 12

Access the NF network element of net	The state of NF network element
		CU-C 1	1
CU-U 1	0

For example, if 1 network element of CU-C sends solicited message or 1 network element tune of CU-C to the NRF network element of access net With second service, then the state of CU-C 1 is set " 0 " by the NF network element for accessing net, as shown in table 13.

Table 13

Access the NF network element of net	The state of NF network element
		CU-C 1	0
CU-U 1	0

Optionally, the NRF network element for accessing net can delete the NF description information of the access net NF network element, for example, CU-C 1 NF description information.

Optionally, after step S402, following steps S403 is can be performed in the NRF network element for accessing net.

S403: the NRF network element for accessing net sends the second response message to the NF network element of access net.Correspondingly, access net NF network element receives the second response message from the NRF network element of access net.Above-mentioned second response message is used to indicate above-mentioned access net NF network element goes registration to complete.

According to above scheme, there is the abnormal and NF network element of cisco unity malfunction by access net in some in access net NRF network element request go to register, can make access net NRF network element know which access net NF network element be it is temporarily unavailable, And then do not have to compare above-mentioned not available NF network element when the NRF network element of access net searches target NF network element, it is connect to alleviate The workload of the NRF network element of networking, improves business efficiency.

Fig. 4 B is to go to infuse to the NRF network element of access net according to the NF network element of another access net provided by the embodiments of the present application The signaling interaction diagram of volume.This method may include:

S411: Network Management System sends solicited message to the NRF network element of access net.Correspondingly, the NRF network element of access net Solicited message is received from Network Management System.Above-mentioned solicited message includes being removed the NF network element of at least one access net of registration Mark, for the NRF network element request to access net: the NF network element that above-mentioned access is netted is gone to register.

For example, when Network Management System does not need the NF network element using certain access nets temporarily, Network Management System handle The mark of above-mentioned multiple unwanted access net NF network elements sends jointly to the NRF network element of access net by solicited message.It is above-mentioned Solicited message is used for the NRF network element request to access net: the NF network element of above-mentioned multiple access nets is gone to register.For example, above-mentioned ask Information is asked to can be a marker, alternatively, being also possible to login request message.

S412: the status information of above-mentioned access net NF network element is set down state by the NRF network element for accessing net.

It optionally, include multiple access nets in the solicited message that the NRF network element netted is received by step S411 when accessing When the mark of NF network element, access net NRF network element can by it is above-mentioned it is multiple access net NF network elements status informations and meanwhile be set as Down state；Alternatively, the NRF network element of access net can delete the NF description information of above-mentioned multiple access net NF network elements simultaneously.

Step S412 can refer to the description of step S402 in Fig. 4 A, and details are not described herein again.

Optionally, after step S412, following steps S413 is can be performed in the NRF network element for accessing net.

S413: the NRF network element for accessing net sends the second response message to Network Management System.Correspondingly, the NF of access net Network element receives the second response message from Network Management System.Above-mentioned second response message is used to indicate the NF network element of above-mentioned access net Registration is gone to complete.

According to above scheme, when Network Management System does not need the NF network element using certain access net temporarily, network management System goes to register by the NRF network element request to access net, and the NRF network element that access can be made to net knows the NF net of which access net Member is temporarily unavailable, and then does not have to compare above-mentioned not available NF when the NRF network element of access net searches target NF network element Network element improves business efficiency to alleviate the workload of the NRF network element of access net.Further, since Network Management System The NF network element of multiple access nets can be gone to register simultaneously, the NF network element of access net is gone to infuse by the NRF network element for improving access net The efficiency of volume, saves the time.

Fig. 5 is a kind of method flow of the NF network element of the NF NE Discovery core net of access net provided by the embodiments of the present application Figure.This method can be used for accessing the NF network element of net because of business demand, need to find the NF network element of the core net of specific NF type Scene.The above-mentioned core net NF network element to accessed network NF NE Discovery can also be called the target NF network element of core net.For example, The NF network element of access net can be NWDAF 111, DU 113 in Fig. 1 or CU 114 (or, CU-C 1141 in CU 114 or CU-U 1142 in CU 114) in any network element.The target NF network element of core net can be NSSF 102, NEF in Fig. 1 103, any network element in PCF 104, UDM 105, AF 106, AUSF 107, AMF 108, NWDAF 109 or SMF 110.It lifts For example, when the NWDAF 111 of access net needs to obtain the service of number of sessions sometime from the PCF 104 of core net, The NWDAF 111 of access net can first have found the PCF 104 of core net by following mechanism, and then pass through the PCF 104 of core net Obtain above-mentioned service.

As shown in figure 5, this method may include:

S501: the NF network element for accessing net sends the first information to the NRF network element of access net.Correspondingly, the NRF net of access net Member receives the first information from the NF network element of access net.Wherein, the first information includes the NF type of the target NF network element of core net.

The NF type of the target NF network element of above-mentioned core net can by the title of the target NF network element of above-mentioned core net come It indicates.For example, the NF type of the target NF network element of above-mentioned core net can be NSSF, NEF, PCF etc..

S503: the NRF network element for accessing net sends the above-mentioned first information to the NRF network element of core net.Correspondingly, core net NRF network element receives the above-mentioned first information from the NRF network element of access net.

For example, the NRF network element pair that when disposing the NRF network element of above-mentioned access net, above-mentioned access is netted for Network Management System The information of the NRF network element for the core net answered is sent to the NRF network element of above-mentioned access net.The NRF network element for accessing net as a result, is known The NRF network element of the corresponding core net of NRF network element of above-mentioned access net, and the first information is sent to the NRF network element of above-mentioned core net.

S504: the NRF network element of core net determines the target NF network element of core net.

For example, the NRF network element of the core net NF description information with core net NF network element according to the first information, determines core net Target NF network element.Wherein, the NF description information of above-mentioned core net NF network element includes the NF type of the NF network element of core net.Citing For, the NRF network element of core net according to the first information in NF type inquire above-mentioned NF description information, find and the first information In with identical NF type NF description information, then the corresponding NF network element of the NF description information is the target NF net of core net Member.

The NRF network element of above-mentioned core net determines that the mode of the target NF network element of core net and the NRF network element of access net determine The mode for accessing the target NF network element of net is similar, can refer to the description of step S205 in Fig. 2.

Above step S504 is optional step.The NRF network element of core net can also determine the NF of core net by other means Network element, the present invention do not limit herein.

S506: the NRF network element of core net sends the second information to the NRF network element of access net.Correspondingly, the NRF of access net Network element receives the second information from the NRF network element of core net.Above-mentioned second information includes the mark of the target NF network element of core net.

The mark of the target NF network element of above-mentioned core net is for selecting that the NF network element of special services can be provided.On for example, Stating mark can be the example of IP address perhaps FQDN or the service identifiers and/or NF network element of NF network element.Alternatively, above-mentioned The second information that the NRF network element of core net is sent is also possible to the agent identification of core net.Above-mentioned agent identification is that core net is The internal topology of hiding core net and a unified mark being provided out.Above-mentioned core net hides inner topology knot The function of structure is agent functionality.For example, above-mentioned agent identification can be the network address or agent functionality of agent functionality FQDN。

S507: the NF network element for accessing access net of the NRF network element of net into step S501 sends above-mentioned second information.Accordingly , the NF network element of above-mentioned access net receives above-mentioned second information from the NRF network element of access net.

In the prior art, since the internal structure of core net is externally invisible, NE of the access net in access core network internal When the service of offer, it is necessary to could be interacted with other NE by the MME network element of core net.Also, MME network element is needed to friendship Mutual signaling is just able to achieve the access of service after being handled.It is this to depend on a network element to handle the side of all interactive signalings Formula will increase the load of network element processing signaling, and the service accessed is more, and the load of the network element is bigger, and signaling is processed Time delay is longer, to cause the reduction of business efficiency.However, according to the solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the NF network element for accessing net can be with Find the target NF network element of the core net of specific NF type.Later, access net NF network element can directly with above-mentioned core net Target NF network element establishes communication connection, and realizes the access to the network function of core net.After connection is established, the NF net of net is accessed The target NF network element of member and core net can directly transmit and handle interactive signaling, not have to rely on other network elements.This service is visited Signaling in interaction has been distributed in each network element and has handled by the mode asked, the waiting time before saving signaling processing, To improve business efficiency.

Optionally, before step S503, following steps S502 is can be performed in the NRF network element of core net.It should be noted that this Application does not limit the sequencing between step S502 and step S503.That is, being held after step S502 can be first carried out Row step S503 executes step S502 after can also first carrying out step S503, alternatively, being performed simultaneously step S502 and S503.

S502: the NRF network element of net is accessed according to third information, determines that the NF network element of access net allows to find the mesh of core net Mark NF network element.Wherein, the NF type of the NF network element for the core net that the NF network element that third information is used to indicate access net allows to find. For example, third information can also be called discovery strategy information.

For example, the third information in the NRF network element of core net can be as shown in table 14.In the example of table 14, net is accessed 1 network element of CU-C allow find core net in NF type be SMF NF network element；1 network element of CU-U of access net allows to find core NF type is the NF network element of NSSF or PCF in heart net.

Table 14

It should be noted that above-mentioned table 14 is only a kind of example, in the NRF network element of access net involved in the application the Three information are not limited with above-mentioned table 14, as long as the core net NF network element that the NF network element of access net allows to find can be indicated The information of NF type, within the scope of protection of this application.

Optionally, if the NRF network element of access net is according to third information, determine that the NF network element of access net does not allow to find core The target NF network element of heart net, then the NRF network element for accessing net send the first termination message to the NF network element of above-mentioned access net.Wherein, The NF network element that first termination message is used to indicate access net does not allow to find the target NF network element of core net.For example, first terminates Information is cause value: the NF network element for accessing net does not allow to find the target NF network element of core net.

According to above-mentioned steps S502, the NF network element for the core net that the NF network element by configuring each access net allows to find Type can limit the access authority of the NF network element of access net, improve the safety communicated between access net and core net.

Optionally, before step S506, following steps S505 is can be performed in the NRF network element of core net.

S505: the NRF network element of core net determines that the target NF network element of core net allows accessed network according to the 4th information NF NE Discovery.Wherein, the 4th information is used to indicate the NF class for allowing to find the NF network element of access net of above-mentioned target NF network element Type.For example, the 4th information, which can also be called, is found policy information.

For example, the 4th information in the NRF network element of core net can be as shown in Table 15.In the example of table 15, core net SMF network element allow accessed network in NF type be CU-C or CU-U NE Discovery；The NWDAF network element permission of core net is connect NF type is the NE Discovery of CU-C in networking.

Table 15

The NF network element of core net	Access the NF type of the NF network element of net
		SMF	CU-C, CU-U
NWDAF	CU-C

It should be noted that above-mentioned table 15 is only a kind of example, in the NRF network element of core net involved in the application the Four information are not limited with above-mentioned table 15, as long as the NF of the NF network element for the access net for allowing to find target NF network element can be indicated The information of type, within the scope of protection of this application.

Optionally, if the NRF network element of core net is according to the 4th information, determine that the target NF network element of core net does not allow quilt The NF NE Discovery of net is accessed, then the NRF network element of core net sends the second termination message to the NRF network element of access net.Wherein, Two termination messages, which are used to indicate the target NF network element, does not allow the NF NE Discovery of accessed network.For example, the second termination message The NF NE Discovery of accessed network is not allowed for cause value: the target NF network element.

According to above-mentioned steps S505, the NF network element by configuring each core net allows by the NF of the access net of which type NE Discovery can further limit the permission of access net NF network element access core net NF network element, connect to further improve Network the safety communicated between core net.

It should be noted that above-mentioned steps S505 and step S502 can be individually performed, also may be performed simultaneously.Step When S505 is individually performed, by being limited in permission of the core-network side to core net NF network element, to improve communication system Security performance.When step S502 is individually performed, is limited by the permission for docking networking NF network element in access net side, also mentioned The high security performance of communication system.When step S505 and step S502 are performed simultaneously, by core net and access net side The permission of NF network element is limited simultaneously, duplicate protection has been carried out safely to system, further improves core net and access The safety communicated between net.

Need to obtain specified region inner core in the NF network element that access is netted because of business demand based on embodiment shown in fig. 5 It, can be with further reference to being described below under the scene of the service of net:

In above-mentioned steps S501, optionally, the first information further includes the identification information of core net, wherein identification information The area identification of the target NF network element of target NF network element including core net.

For example, above-mentioned zone mark can be TAI.

In above-mentioned steps S504, optionally, the NF description information of core net NF network element further includes core net NF network element Area identification, the NRF network element of core net according to the first information in target NF network element NF type and area identification and core net NF type and area identification in the NF description information of NF network element determine the target NF network element of core net.

The NRF network element of above-mentioned core net determines that the mode of the target NF network element of core net and the NRF network element of access net determine The mode for accessing the target NF network element of net is similar, can refer to step S205 in Fig. 2 embodiment and refers in the NF network element acquisition of core net Determine the description under the scene of the inscribed service to network in region.

In above-mentioned steps S506, optionally, the second information further include the target NF network element of core net area identification and Association between the mark of target NF network element.

The NRF network element of above-mentioned core net sends the mode of the second information and the NRF net of access net to the NRF network element of access net The mode that member sends the second information to the NRF network element of core net is similar, can refer in Fig. 2 embodiment step S207 in core net NF network element obtains the description under the scene of the inscribed service to network in specified region.

According to the above method, the NF network element for accessing net can find the core net for belonging to specific NF type in specified region Target NF network element.In the follow-up process, the NF network element of above-mentioned access net passes through and the target NF network element of above-mentioned core net is established and led to Letter connection, and then the service that the target NF network element that core net is accessed provides in specified region.

Based on embodiment shown in fig. 5, in the core network, the NF network element of same NF type can provide a variety of services, tool There is each NF network element of identical NF type that can provide one or more of above-mentioned a variety of services.For example, NF type 3 kinds of services can be provided for the NF network element of SMF: service is deleted in session establishment service, session updates service and session.In access net Two NF network element SMF 1 and SMF 2 that NF type is SMF are laid out, they can provide one of above-mentioned 3 kinds of services respectively Or it is a variety of.For example, SMF 1 can provide session establishment service, SMF 2 can provide session establishment, session updates and session Delete 3 kinds of services.In the NF network element that access is netted because of business demand, need to obtain a variety of services of the NF network element offer of core net It, can be with further reference to being described below under scene:

In above-mentioned steps S501, optionally, the first information further includes the identification information of the target NF network element of core net, In, identification information includes the service identifiers of the target NF network element of core net.Wherein, the service of the target NF network element of above-mentioned core net Mark is used to indicate the service that the target NF network element of core net provides.

In above-mentioned steps S504, optionally, the NF description information of core net NF network element further includes core net NF network element Service identifiers, the NRF network element of core net according to the first information in target NF network element NF type and service identifiers and core net NF type and service identifiers in the NF description information of NF network element determine the target NF network element of core net.

The NRF network element of above-mentioned core net determines that the mode of the target NF network element of core net and the NRF network element of access net determine The mode for accessing the target NF network element of net is similar, can refer to step S205 in Fig. 2 embodiment and connects in the NF network element acquisition of core net Description under the scene for a variety of services that the NF network element of networking provides.

In above-mentioned steps 506, the NRF network element of core net sends the second information to the NRF network element of access net.Wherein, Two information include the mark of the target NF network element of core net.

According to the above method, the NF network element for accessing net, which can be found, to be belonged to specific NF type and can provide a variety of special services Core net target NF network element.Later, the NF network element of above-mentioned access net passes through and the target NF network element of above-mentioned core net is established Communication connection, and then a variety of special services that the target NF network element that core net is accessed provides.

Optionally, the second information further include the target NF network element of core net service identifiers and target NF network element mark it Between association.

The NRF network element of above-mentioned core net sends the mode of the second information and the NRF net of access net to the NRF network element of access net The mode that member sends the second information to the NRF network element of core net is similar, can refer in Fig. 2 embodiment step S207 in core net Description under the scene for a variety of services that the NF network element that NF network element obtains access net provides.

According to the above method, the service identifiers and target NF net of the target NF network element of the NF network element acquisition core net of net are accessed After association between the mark of member, request discovery with target NF network element with identical NF type again in the NF network element of access net and When the core net NF network element of other services can be provided, whether target NF network element is judged by the service identifiers in above-mentioned association first The service of above-mentioned new demand can be provided.If target NF network element can provide the service of above-mentioned new demand, the NF of net is accessed Network element can direct access target NF network element；If target NF network element cannot provide the service of above-mentioned new demand, net is accessed NF network element sends request to the NRF network element of access net again.Thus, it is possible to reduce the NF network element request discovery core net of access net Signalling exchange during target NF network element, to improve the efficiency of access net access core net.

Based on embodiment shown in fig. 5, in the NF network element that access is netted because of business demand, needs to obtain and particular network is supported to cut It, can be with further reference to being described below under the scene of the Core Network Service of piece:

In above-mentioned steps S501, optionally, the first information further includes the identification information of the target NF network element of core net, In, identification information includes the corresponding network slice mark of target NF network element of core net, and network slice mark is used to indicate core The network slice type that the target NF network element of heart net is supported.For example, network slice mark can be S-NSSAI.

In above-mentioned steps S504, optionally, the NF description information of core net NF network element further includes core net NF network element Network slice mark, the NF type of middle target NF network element and network slice identify the NRF network element of core net according to the first information, with And NF type and network slice mark in the NF description information of core net NF network element, determine the target NF network element of core net.

The NRF network element of above-mentioned core net determines that the mode of the target NF network element of core net and the NRF network element of access net determine The mode for accessing the target NF network element of net is similar, can refer to step S205 in Fig. 2 embodiment and props up in the NF network element acquisition of core net Hold the description under the scene of the access net service of particular network slice.

According to the above method, the NF network element for accessing net, which can be found, to be belonged to specific NF type and particular network can be supported to be sliced The target NF network element of the core net of type.Later, the NF network element of above-mentioned access net passes through the target NF network element with above-mentioned core net Communication connection is established, and then the service that particular network slice is supported is accessed.

In above-mentioned steps S506, optionally, the second information further includes the network slice mark of the target NF network element of core net Know the association between the mark of target NF network element.

The NRF network element of above-mentioned core net sends the mode of the second information and the NRF net of access net to the NRF network element of access net The mode that member sends the second information to the NRF network element of core net is similar, can refer in Fig. 2 embodiment step S207 in core net NF network element obtains the description under the scene for the access net service for supporting particular network slice.

The network slice for the target NF network element for obtaining core net according to the above method, the NF network element for accessing net identifies and target After association between the mark of NF network element, request discovery that there is identical NF class with target NF network element again in the NF network element of access net When type and the core net NF network element for supporting other networks to be sliced, target is judged by the network slice mark in above-mentioned association first Whether NF network element can support the network of above-mentioned new demand to be sliced.If target NF network element can support the network of above-mentioned new demand Slice, then the NF network element for accessing net can direct access target NF network element；If target NF network element cannot support above-mentioned new demand Service, then access the NF network element of net and send request to the NRF network element of access net again.Thus, it is possible to reduce the NF net of access net Signalling exchange during the target NF network element of member request discovery core net, to improve the effect of access net access core net Rate.

Based on embodiment shown in fig. 5, the first information may include identification information, wherein identification information may include area Two or more any marks in domain identifier, service identifiers or network slice mark, and the NF description of core net NF network element It also include two or more marks corresponding with the first information in information.For including different identification information in the first information Scene, embodiment shown in fig. 5 can be combined with the method in above-mentioned three kinds of scenes to realize, the present invention does not limit herein.

Fig. 6 is a kind of method flow diagram of communication provided by the embodiments of the present application.This method can be not only used for the NF of core net Network element needs to find the scene of the access net NF network element of specific NF type because of business demand；It can also be used for the NF network element of access net Because of business demand, need to find the scene of the core net NF network element of specific NF type.

For example, when the NF network element of core net is because of business demand, when needing to find the access net NF network element of specific NF type, the One NF network element, the first NRF network element and the 2nd NRF network element are respectively used to execute the NRF of the NF network element of core net in Fig. 2, core net The various functions of the NRF network element of network element and access net.That is, the first NF network element can be NSSF 102, NEF in Fig. 1 103, any network element in PCF 104, UDM 105, AF 106, AUSF 107, AMF 108, NWDAF 109 or SMF 110.The One NRF network element can be the NRF network element 101 of core net in Fig. 1.Target NF network element can be NWDAF 111, DU in Fig. 1 Any network element in 113 or CU 114 (or, CU-U network element 1142 in CU-C 1141 or CU 114 in CU 114)；Second NRF network element can be the NRF network element 112 that net is accessed in Fig. 1.

Alternatively, when the NF network element of access net is because of business demand, when needing to find the core net NF network element of specific NF type, the One NF network element, the first NRF network element and the 2nd NRF network element are respectively used to execute the NRF of the NF network element for accessing net in Fig. 5, access net The various functions of network element and the NRF network element of core net.That is, the first NF network element can be NWDAF 111, DU in Fig. 1 Any network element in 113 or CU 114 (or, CU-U network element 1142 in CU-C 1141 or CU 114 in CU 114)；First NRF network element can be the NRF network element 112 that net is accessed in Fig. 1；Target NF network element can be NSSF 102 in Fig. 1, NEF 103, Any network element in PCF 104, UDM 105, AF 106, AUSF 107, AMF 108, NWDAF 109 or SMF 110；Second NRF network element can be the NRF network element 101 of core net in Fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 6, this method may include:

S601: the one NF network element sends the first information to the first NRF network element.Correspondingly, the first NRF network element is from the first NF net Member receives the first information.Wherein, the first information includes the NF type of target NF network element.

Specifically, step S601 can refer to the description of step S501 in step S201 or Fig. 5 in Fig. 2, details are not described herein again.

S603: when the NRF network element that the first NRF network element is core net, and the 2nd NRF network element is the NRF network element of access net When, the first NRF network element determines the 2nd NRF network element.

Specifically, step S603 can refer to the description of step S203 in Fig. 2, details are not described herein again.

Above step S603 is optional step.First NRF network element can also determine the 2nd NRF network element by other means, this Invention does not limit herein.

S604: the one NRF network element sends the above-mentioned first information to the 2nd NRF network element.Correspondingly, the 2nd NRF network element is from One NRF network element receives the above-mentioned first information.

Specifically, step S604 can refer to the description of step S503 in step S204 or Fig. 5 in Fig. 2, details are not described herein again.

S605: the two NRF network element determines target NF network element.

Specifically, step S605 can refer to the description of step S504 in step S205 or Fig. 5 in Fig. 2, details are not described herein again.

S607: the two NRF network element sends the second information to the first NRF network element.Correspondingly, the first NRF network element is from the 2nd NRF Network element receives the second information.Above-mentioned second information includes the mark of target NF network element.

Specifically, step S607 can refer to the description of step S506 in step S207 or Fig. 5 in Fig. 2, details are not described herein again.

First NF network element of S608: the one NRF network element into step S601 sends above-mentioned second information.Correspondingly, first NF network element receives above-mentioned second information from the first NRF network element.

Specifically, step S608 can refer to the description of step S507 in step S208 or Fig. 5 in Fig. 2, details are not described herein again.

In the prior art, since the internal structure of core net is externally invisible, the NE of core network internal must pass through MME net Member could be interacted with access net.Also, MME network element needs just to be able to achieve the visit of service after handling interactive signaling It asks.It is this to depend on a network element to handle the mode of all interactive signalings and will increase the load of network element processing signaling, and The service of access is more, and the load of the network element is bigger, and the processed time delay of signaling is longer, to cause the reduction of business efficiency.So And according to the solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the NF network element of core net can find the target NF net of the access net of specific NF type Member, and the NF network element for accessing net can find the target NF network element of the core net of specific NF type.Later, the NF network element of core net It can directly establish and communicate to connect with the target NF network element of access net, and realize the mutual access of network function.After connection is established, The NF network element of core net and the target NF network element of access net can directly transmit and handle interactive signaling, not have to rely on other nets Member.Signaling in interaction has been distributed in each network element and has handled by the mode of this service access, saves signaling processing The preceding waiting time, to improve business efficiency.

Optionally, before step S604, following steps S602 is can be performed in the first NRF network element.

S602: the one NRF network element determines that the first NF network element allows to find target NF network element according to third information.Wherein, on State the NF type that third information is used to indicate the NF network element that the first NF network element allows to find.

Specifically, step S602 can refer to the description of step S502 in step S202 or Fig. 5 in Fig. 2, details are not described herein again.

According to above-mentioned steps S602, the access authority of the NF network element of the NF network element docking networking of core net can be limited, together When can also limit access authority of the NF network element to the NF network element of core net of access net, to improve core net and access net Between the safety that communicates.

Optionally, before step S607, following steps S606 is can be performed in the 2nd NRF network element.

S606: the two NRF network element determines that above-mentioned target NF network element allows by the first NF NE Discovery according to the 4th information, Wherein, the 4th information is used to indicate the NF type for allowing to find the NF network element of above-mentioned target NF network element.

Specifically, step S606 can refer to the description of step S505 in step S206 or Fig. 5 in Fig. 2, details are not described herein again.

According to above-mentioned steps S606, by further limit core net NF network element access access net NF network element permission and The permission of access net NF network element access core net NF network element, to further improve the peace communicated between core net and access net Quan Xing.

It should be noted that above-mentioned steps S606 and step S602 can be individually performed, also may be performed simultaneously.Step By in core net or the unilateral permission to NF network element of access net when perhaps step S602 is individually performed when S606 is individually performed It is limited, improves the security performance of communication system.It, can be in core net when step S606 and step S602 are performed simultaneously The permission of NF network element is limited simultaneously with access net two sides, duplicate protection has been carried out safely to system, has been further improved The safety communicated between core net and access net.

In above-mentioned embodiment provided by the present application, respectively from each network element itself and between each network element interaction Angle is described each scheme of communication means provided by the embodiments of the present application.It is understood that each network element, such as In order to realize the above functions, it comprises execute each function for above-mentioned first NRF network element, the 2nd NRF network element and the first NF network element Corresponding hardware configuration and/or software module.Those skilled in the art should be readily appreciated that, in conjunction with disclosed herein Each exemplary unit and algorithm steps of embodiment description, the application can be with the combination shape of hardware or hardware and computer software Formula is realized.Some functions is executed in a manner of hardware or computer software driving hardware actually, depends on technical solution Specific application and design constraint.Professional technician can realize each specific application using distinct methods Described function, but this realization is it is not considered that exceed scope of the present application.

For example, when said network element realizes corresponding function by software module.Communication device may include receiving module 701 With sending module 703, as shown in Figure 7 A.Optionally, which further includes processing module 702.

In one embodiment, which can be used for executing the operation of the first NRF network element in above-mentioned Fig. 6.Such as:

Receiving module 701 is used to receive the first information from the first NF network element, wherein the first information includes target NF network element NF type, target NF network element are the NF network element of the first NF network element request discovery.Sending module 703 is used to send the to NRF network element One information.Receiving module 701 is also used to receive the second information from NRF network element, wherein the second information includes the mark of target NF network element Know.Sending module 703 is also used to send the second information to the first NF network element.

The NF network element of core net can find the target NF network element of the access net of specific NF type as a result, and access net NF network element can also find specific NF type core net target NF network element.Later, the NF network element of core net can be direct It establishes to communicate to connect and access mutually with the NF network element of access net and service.The mode of this service access divides the signaling in interaction Cloth is handled in each network element, the waiting time before saving signaling processing, to improve business efficiency.

Optionally, processing module 702 is used for before sending module sends the first information to NRF network element, is believed according to third It ceases and determines that the first NF network element allows to find target NF network element, wherein third information is used to indicate what the first NF network element allowed to find The NF type of NF network element.

Optionally, when the NRF network element that communication device is core net, when NRF network element is the NRF network element of access net, mould is handled Block 702 is also used to before sending module 703 sends the first information to above-mentioned NRF network element, determines the NRF network element of access net.

Optionally, receiving module 701 is also used to before the NRF network element that processing module 702 determines access net from network pipe The NRF network element of reason system or access net receives the area identification of the NRF network element of access net, wherein above-mentioned zone is identified for referring to Show the region of the NRF network element service of access net.

In addition, the receiving module 701, processing module 702 and sending module 703 in communication device can also be achieved the above method In the first NRF network element other operation or function, details are not described herein again.

In another embodiment, communication device shown in Fig. 7 A can also be used to execute the 2nd NRF network element in above-mentioned Fig. 6 Operation.Such as:

Receiving module 701 is used to receive the first information from network function store function NRF network element, wherein first information packet Include the NF type of target network function NF network element.Sending module 703 is used to send the second information to NRF network element, wherein the second letter Breath includes the mark of target NF network element.

The NRF network element of core net can receive the mesh of the access net of specific NF type from the NRF network element of access net as a result, The mark for marking NF network element, the NRF network element for accessing net can receive the core net of specific NF type from the NRF network element of core net The mark of target NF network element.Later, the NF network element of core net can by access net target NF network element mark directly with connect The target NF network element of networking, which is established, to be communicated to connect and accesses service mutually, and the NF network element for accessing net can also be by the mesh of core net The mark for marking NF network element, which is directly established to communicate to connect and access mutually with the target NF network element of core net, to be serviced.This service access Mode the signaling in interaction be distributed in each network element handled, the waiting time before saving signaling processing, from And improve business efficiency.

Optionally, the first information further includes the NF type of the first NF network element, and processing module 702 is used in sending module 703 Before sending the second information to NRF network element, determine that target NF network element allows by the first NF net according to the 4th information and the first information Member discovery.Wherein, the 4th information is used to indicate the NF type for allowing to find target NF network element.

Optionally, when the NRF network element that above-mentioned communication device is access net, above-mentioned NRF network element is the NRF network element of core net When, processing module 702 is also used to before sending module 703 sends the second information to the NRF network element of core net, according to the first letter The NF description information of the NF network element of breath and access net determines target NF network element.Wherein, NF description information includes the NF net of access net The NF type of member.

Optionally, the first information further includes the area identification of target NF network element, and NF description information further includes the NF of access net The area identification of network element, NF type and area identification of the processing module 702 for middle target NF network element according to the first information, and The NF type and area identification that the NF network element of net is accessed in NF description information, determine target NF network element.Alternatively, the first information also wraps The service identifiers of target NF network element are included, NF description information further includes the service identifiers of the NF network element of access net, and processing module 802 is used The NF network element of net is accessed in the NF type and service identifiers and NF description information of middle target NF network element according to the first information NF type and service identifiers determine target NF network element.Alternatively, the first information further includes the network slice mark of target NF network element, NF description information further includes the network slice mark of the NF network element of access net, and processing module 702 is used for mesh according to the first information It marks the NF type for accessing the NF network element of net in the NF type and network slice mark and NF description information of NF network element and network is cut Piece mark, determines target NF network element.

Optionally, receiving module 701 is also used to receive NF description information from target NF network element.Alternatively, receiving module 701 is also For receiving NF description information from Network Management System.

Optionally, receiving module 701 is also used to receive solicited message from Network Management System or target NF network element.Wherein, Solicited message is used to request to above-mentioned NRF network element: target NF network element is gone to register.Processing module 702 is also used to target NF net The status information of member is set as down state.

In addition, the receiving module 701, processing module 702 and sending module 703 in above-mentioned communication device can also be achieved it is above-mentioned Other operations or function of 2nd NRF network element in method, details are not described herein again.

In yet another embodiment, communication device shown in Fig. 7 A can also be used to execute the first NF network element in above-mentioned Fig. 6 Operation.Such as:

Sending module 703 is used to send the NF description information of communication device to the NRF network element of access net, wherein NF description Information includes the NF type of communication device.Receiving module 701 is used to receive the first response message from the NRF network element of access net, In, the first response message is used to indicate communication device registration and completes.

The NRF network element for accessing net as a result, can obtain the NF description information for the NF network element that access is netted.Receiving the first letter After breath, the NRF network element of net is accessed by inquiring above-mentioned NF description information, can find can provide the target NF net of special services Member.

Optionally, sending module 703 is also used to send solicited message to the NRF network element of access net.Wherein, solicited message is used In the NRF network element request to the access net: communication device is gone to register.Receiving module 701 is also used to the NRF net from access net Member receives the second response message, wherein the second response message is used to indicate communication device and registration is gone to complete.

As shown in Figure 7 A, the sending module 703 of communication device can also be used to send the first letter to the NRF network element of access net Breath, wherein the first information includes the NF type of the target NF network element of core net.Receiving module 701 can also be used in from access net NRF network element receives the second information, wherein the second information includes the mark of target NF network element.

Access as a result, net NF network element can from access net NRF network element receive specific NF type core net mesh Mark NF network element.Later, the NF network element for accessing net, which can be established directly with the target NF network element of access net, to communicate to connect and visits mutually The service of asking.Signaling in interaction has been distributed in each network element and has handled by the mode of this service access, saves signaling Waiting time before processing, to improve business efficiency.

In addition, the receiving module 701, processing module 702 and sending module 703 in communication device can also be achieved the above method Other operations or function of the NF network element of middle access net, details are not described herein again.

Fig. 7 B shows the alternatively possible structural schematic diagram of communication device involved in above-described embodiment.Communication dress It sets including transceiver 704 and processor 705, as shown in Figure 7 B.For example, processor 705 can be for general purpose microprocessor, at data Reason circuit, specific integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC) or scene can compile Journey gate array (field-programmable gate arrays, FPGA) circuit.The communication device can also include storage Device 706, for example, memory is random access memory (random access memory, RAM).The memory be used for Processor 705 couples, and saves the necessary computer program 7061 of the communication device.Optionally, involved in above-described embodiment Communication means additionally provide a kind of carrier 707, the computer program 7071 of the communication device is preserved in the carrier, can be with Computer program 7071 is loaded into processor 705.Above-mentioned carrier can be optical signal, electric signal, electromagnetic signal or meter Calculation machine readable storage medium storing program for executing (for example, hard disk).When above-mentioned computer program 7061 or 7071 in computer (for example, processor 705) when running on, computer may make to execute above-mentioned method.

For example, in one embodiment, processor 705 is configured as other operations or function of the first NRF network element.Transmitting-receiving Device 704 is for realizing the communication between communication device and the first NF network element/the 2nd NRF network element.

In another embodiment, processor 705 is configured as other operations or function of the 2nd NRF network element.Transceiver 704 for realizing the communication between communication device and the first NRF network element/target NF network element/Network Management System.

For example, the first NRF network element can be the NRF network element of core net and the 2nd NRF network element can be the NRF net of access net Member, alternatively, the first NRF network element can be the NRF network element of access net and the 2nd NRF network element can be the NRF network element of core net.? That is in one possible implementation, processor 705 is configured as other operations or the function of the NRF network element of core net Energy.Transceiver 704 is for realizing logical between the NRF network element of core net and NF network element/access net NRF network element of core net Letter.In alternatively possible implementation, processor 705 is configured as other operations or function of the NRF network element of access net. Transceiver 704 is for realizing the communication between the NRF network element of access net and NF network element/core net NRF network element of access net.

In another embodiment, processor 705 is configured as communication device and executes the first NF network element phase in the above method The function of answering.Transceiver 704 is for realizing the communication between communication device and the first NRF network element.

For example, processor 705, which is configured as communication device, executes the corresponding function of NF network element of accessing net in the above method. Transceiver 704 is for realizing the communication between communication device and the NRF network element of access net.

Alternatively, processor 705 is configured as the corresponding function of NF network element that communication device executes core net in the above method. Transceiver 704 is for realizing the communication between communication device and the NRF network element of core net.

Controller/processor for executing the above-mentioned wireless access network equipment of the application can be central processing unit (CPU), General processor, digital signal processor (DSP), specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA) or Other programmable logic device, transistor logic, hardware component or any combination thereof.It may be implemented or execute combination Various illustrative logic blocks, module and circuit described in present disclosure.The processor is also possible to realize The combination of computing function, such as combined comprising one or more microprocessors, DSP and the combination of microprocessor etc..

The step of method in conjunction with described in present disclosure or algorithm can realize in a manner of hardware, can also It is realized in a manner of being to execute software instruction by processor.Software instruction can be made of corresponding software module, software mould Block can be stored on RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, eprom memory, eeprom memory, register, hard disk, In the storage medium of mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form well known in the art.A kind of illustrative storage medium It is coupled to processor, to enable a processor to from the read information, and information can be written to the storage medium.When So, storage medium is also possible to the component part of processor.Pocessor and storage media can be located in ASIC.In addition, should ASIC can be located in wireless access network equipment.Certainly, pocessor and storage media can also be used as discrete assembly and be present in nothing In line access equipment.

In the above-described embodiments, can come wholly or partly by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof real It is existing.When implemented in software, it can entirely or partly realize in the form of a computer program product.The computer program Product includes one or more computer instructions.When loading on computers and executing the computer program instructions, all or It partly generates according to process or function described in the embodiment of the present invention.The computer can be general purpose computer, dedicated meter Calculation machine, computer network or other programmable devices.The computer instruction can store in computer readable storage medium In, or from a computer readable storage medium to the transmission of another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer Instruction can pass through wired (such as coaxial cable, optical fiber, number from a web-site, computer, server or data center User's line (DSL)) or wireless (such as infrared, wireless, microwave etc.) mode to another web-site, computer, server or Data center is transmitted.The computer readable storage medium can be any usable medium that computer can access or It is comprising data storage devices such as one or more usable mediums integrated server, data centers.The usable medium can be with It is magnetic medium, (for example, floppy disk, hard disk, tape), optical medium (for example, DVD) or semiconductor medium (such as solid state hard disk Solid StateDisk (SSD)) etc..

Above-described specific embodiment has carried out further the purpose of the present invention, technical scheme and beneficial effects It is described in detail, it should be understood that being not intended to limit the present invention the foregoing is merely a specific embodiment of the invention Protection scope, all any modification, equivalent substitution, improvement and etc. on the basis of technical solution of the present invention, done should all Including within protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. a kind of method of communication characterized by comprising

First network function store function network element receives the first information from first network functional network element, and the first information includes mesh The network function NF type of network function network element is marked, the target network functional network element is first network functional network element request It was found that network function network element；

The first network function store function network element sends the first information to the second network function store function network element；

The first network function store function network element receives the second information, institute from the second network function store function network element State the mark that the second information includes the target network functional network element；

The first network function store function network element sends second information to the first network functional network element.

2. the method according to claim 1, wherein in the first network function store function network element to described Before second network function store function network element sends the first information, the method also includes:

The first network function store function network element determines that the first network functional network element allows to find according to third information The target network functional network element, wherein the third information is used to indicate what the first network functional network element allowed to find The NF type of network function network element.

3. method according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized in that the first network function store function network element is core The network function store function network element of heart net, the second network function store function network element are the network function storage of access net Functional network element,

Described first is sent to the second network function store function network element in the first network function store function network element Before information, the method also includes:

The first network function store function network element determines the second network function store function network element.

4. according to the method described in claim 3, it is characterized in that, determining institute in the first network function store function network element Before stating the second network function store function network element, the method also includes:

The first network function store function network element is from Network Management System or the second network function store function network element Receive the area identification of the second network function store function network element, wherein the area identification is used to indicate described second The region of network function store function network element service.

5. a kind of method of communication characterized by comprising

The network function network element for accessing net sends the first information, first letter to the network function store function network element of access net Breath includes the network function NF type of the target network functional network element of core net, and the target network functional network element is the access The network function network element of the core net of the network function network element request discovery of net；

The network function network element of the access net receives the second information, institute from the network function store function network element of the access net State the mark that the second information includes the target network functional network element.

6. a kind of method of communication characterized by comprising

Second network function store function network element receives the first information, first letter from first network function store function network element Breath includes the network function NF type of target network functional network element；

The second network function store function network element sends the second information, institute to the first network function store function network element State the mark that the second information includes the target network functional network element.

7. according to the method described in claim 6, it is characterized in that, the first information further includes first network functional network element NF type, the target network functional network element are the network function network element of first network functional network element request discovery；

Described second is sent to the first network function store function network element in the second network function store function network element Before information, the method also includes:

The second network function store function network element determines the target network function according to the 4th information and the first information Energy network element allows to find that the 4th information, which is used to indicate, allows to find the target network by the first network functional network element The NF type of functional network element.

8. method according to claim 6 or 7, which is characterized in that the second network function store function network element is to connect The network function store function network element of networking, the first network function store function network element are that the network function of core net stores Functional network element,

The second information is sent to the first network function store function network element in the second network function store function network element Before, the method further include:

The second network function store function network element is retouched according to the NF of the first information and the network function network element of access net It states information and determines the target network functional network element, wherein the NF description information includes the network function net of the access net The NF type of member.

9. according to the method described in claim 8, it is characterized in that, the second network function store function network element is according to The NF description information of the network function network element of the first information and access net determines the target network functional network element, comprising:

The first information further includes the area identification of the target network functional network element, and the NF description information further includes described The area identification of the network function network element of net is accessed, the second network function store function network element is according in the first information The network function of net is accessed described in the NF type and area identification and the NF description information of the target network functional network element The NF type and area identification of energy network element, determine the target network functional network element；

Alternatively, the first information further includes the service identifiers of the target network functional network element, the NF description information is also wrapped The service identifiers of the network function network element of the access net are included, the second network function store function network element is according to described first Access net described in the NF type and service identifiers of target network functional network element described in information and the NF description information The NF type and service identifiers of network function network element determine the target network functional network element；

Alternatively, the first information further includes the network slice mark of the target network functional network element, the NF description information Further include it is described access net network function network element network slice mark, the second network function store function network element according to In NF type and network the slice mark of target network functional network element described in the first information and the NF description information The NF type and network slice mark of the network function network element of the access net, determine the target network functional network element.

10. method according to claim 8 or claim 9, which is characterized in that the method also includes:

The second network function store function network element receives the NF description information from the target network functional network element；

Alternatively,

The second network function store function network element receives the NF description information from Network Management System.

11. the method according to any one of claim 8 to 10, which is characterized in that further include:

The second network function store function network element is received from the Network Management System or the target network functional network element Solicited message, the solicited message are used to request to the second network function store function network element: by the target network function Energy network element goes to register；

The second network function store function network element sets unavailable for the status information of the target network functional network element State.

12. method according to any one of claim 1 to 8, which is characterized in that

The first information further includes identification information, and the identification information includes the region mark of the target network functional network element Know, service identifiers or network slice identify, wherein the area identification is used to indicate the target network functional network element service Region, the service identifiers are used to indicate the service that the target network functional network element provides, and the network slice mark is used for Indicate the network slice type that the target network functional network element is supported.

13. according to the method for claim 12, which is characterized in that

Second information further includes the association between the identification information and the mark of the target network functional network element.

14. a kind of communication device characterized by comprising

Receiving module, for receiving the first information from first network functional network element, the first information includes target network function The NF type of network element, the target network functional network element are the network function net of first network functional network element request discovery Member；

Sending module, for sending the first information to network function store function network element；

The receiving module is also used to receive the second information from the network function store function network element, and second information includes The mark of the target network functional network element；

The sending module is also used to send second information to the first network functional network element.

15. communication device according to claim 14, which is characterized in that the communication device further include:

Processing module, for the sending module to the network function store function network element send the first information it Before, determine that the first network functional network element allows to find the target network functional network element according to third information, wherein described Third information is used to indicate the NF type for the network function network element that the first network functional network element allows to find.

16. communication device according to claim 14 or 15, which is characterized in that the communication device is the network of core net Function store function network element, the network function store function network element are the network function store function network element of access net,

Before the sending module sends the first information to the network function store function network element, the processing module It is also used to determine the network function store function network element.

17. communication device according to claim 16, which is characterized in that

Before the processing module determines the network function store function network element, the receiving module is also used to from network pipe Reason system or the network function store function network element receive the area identification of the network function store function network element, wherein The area identification is used to indicate the region of the network function store function network element service.

18. a kind of communication device characterized by comprising

Sending module, for sending the first information to the network function store function network element of access net, the first information includes The network function NF type of the target network functional network element of core net, the target network functional network element are that the communication device is asked Seek the network function network element of discovery；

Receiving module, for receiving the second information, second information from the network function store function network element of the access net Mark including the target network functional network element.

19. a kind of communication device characterized by comprising

Receiving module, for receiving the first information from network function store function network element, the first information includes target network The NF type of functional network element；

Sending module, for sending the second information to the network function store function network element, second information includes described The mark of target network functional network element.

20. communication device according to claim 19, which is characterized in that the first information further includes first network function The NF type of network element, the target network functional network element are the network function net of first network functional network element request discovery Member, the communication device further include:

Processing module, for the sending module to the network function store function network element send second information it Before, determine that the target network functional network element allows by the first network function network according to the 4th information and the first information Member discovery, the 4th information are used to indicate the NF type for allowing to find the target network functional network element.

21. communication device described in any one of 9 or 20 according to claim 1, which is characterized in that the communication device is access The network function store function network element of net, the network function store function network element are the network function store function net of core net Member, the processing module be also used to the sending module to the network function store function network element send the second information it Before, the target network function network is determined according to the NF description information of the first information and the network function network element of access net Member, wherein the NF description information includes the NF type of the network function network element of the access net.

22. communication device according to claim 21, which is characterized in that

The first information further includes the area identification of the target network functional network element, and the NF description information further includes described The area identification of the network function network element of net is accessed, the processing module is used for the target network according to the first information The NF class of the network function network element of net is accessed described in the NF type and area identification of functional network element and the NF description information Type and area identification determine the target network functional network element；

Alternatively, the first information further includes the service identifiers of the target network functional network element, the NF description information is also wrapped The service identifiers of the network function network element of the access net are included, the processing module is used for the mesh according to the first information The network function network element of net is accessed described in the NF type and service identifiers and the NF description information for marking network function network element NF type and service identifiers, determine the target network functional network element；

Alternatively, the first information further includes the network slice mark of the target network functional network element, the NF description information It further include the network slice mark of the network function network element of the access net, the processing module is used for according to the first information Described in target network functional network element NF type and network slice mark and the NF description information described in access net The NF type and network of network function network element are sliced mark, determine the target network functional network element.

23. the communication device according to claim 21 or 22, which is characterized in that

The receiving module is also used to receive the NF description information from the target network functional network element；

Alternatively,

The receiving module is also used to receive the NF description information from Network Management System.

24. the communication device according to any one of claim 21 to 23, which is characterized in that

The receiving module is also used to receive solicited message, institute from the Network Management System or the target network functional network element Solicited message is stated for requesting to the network function store function network element: the target network functional network element is gone to register；

The processing module is also used to set down state for the status information of the target network functional network element.

25. communication device described in any one of 4 to 21 according to claim 1, which is characterized in that

26. communication device according to claim 25, which is characterized in that

27. a kind of computer readable storage medium, including instruction, when run on a computer, so that computer executes such as Method described in claim 1 to 13 any one.

28. a kind of computer program product comprising instruction, when run on a computer, so that computer executes such as right It is required that method described in 1 to 13 any one.

29. a kind of communication system characterized by comprising

First network functional network element, for sending the first information, the first information includes the network of target network functional network element Function NF type, the target network functional network element are the network function network element of first network functional network element request discovery；

First network function store function network element is sent for receiving the first information from the first network functional network element The first information；And

Second network function store function network element, for receiving first letter from the first network function store function network element Breath, Xiang Suoshu first network function store function network element send the second information, and second information includes the target network function The mark of energy network element, second information are forwarded to the first network functional network element.