CN109996268B

CN109996268B - Communication link connection method, apparatus, device and medium

Info

Publication number: CN109996268B
Application number: CN201711487017.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 姚芋伶
Original assignee: China Mobile Communications Group Co Ltd; China Mobile Group Sichuan Co Ltd
Current assignee: China Mobile Communications Group Co Ltd; China Mobile Group Sichuan Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-29
Filing date: 2017-12-29
Publication date: 2022-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-29
Also published as: CN109996268A

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication link connection method, a communication link connection device, communication link connection equipment and a communication link connection medium. The method comprises the following steps: when a terminal moves from a source MME of a first MME pool to a target MME of a second MME pool, inquiring a first backup MME in the first MME pool; querying a second backup MME of the source MME through the first backup MME; and connecting the source MME through the second backup MME. The technical scheme of the invention can solve the problem that TAU can not be realized when the source MME fails in the prior art.

Description

Communication link connection method, apparatus, device and medium

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, a device, and a medium for connecting a communication link

Background

The VoLTE (voice over Long Term evolution) solution is the final solution for voice services, and as the VoLTE technology is mature, users put higher demands on network availability and reliability. The VoLTE voice communication relates to an EPC (evolved Packet core) core network and an IMS (ip Multimedia subsystem) core network, the EPC serves as an access side of an IMS service, and a fault of each network element affects call quality and continuity of the VoLTE service. In order to provide effective network quality assurance, a more strict requirement must be made on the disaster tolerance of the EPC side link.

The MME, which is entirely called a Mobility Management Entity (Mobility Management Entity), is a pure signaling plane network element in the EPC networking architecture, and is connected to the radio side eNB through an S1-MME interface to establish an RRC connection, thereby completing establishment of a 4G data service link signaling plane. The VoLTE service is established on the basis of the establishment of an EPC side link, and if an MME fails in a call process, an EPC signaling plane link is disconnected, which may cause failure of signaling flows such as attach (attach), TAU (Tracking Area Update), PAGING, and the like, thereby causing interruption of an internet access and VoLTE service.

In the existing service process, a terminal reports an attachment request to an eNB, a base station side selects an MME based on load balancing according to its TAI (Tracking Area Identity) and MME configuration data, the MME acquires user data from an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) for bidirectional authentication, selects an SGW according to current location information TAI, selects a PGW according to an APN, the MME assists in completing establishment of a user plane link between the terminal and the SAEGW, and the MME allocates a GUTI value to the terminal UE for uniquely identifying a user in a network. And the MME and the terminal save MM context and EPC bearing context.

The GUTI value allocated by the MME consists of five parts of MCC, MNC, MMEGI, MMEC and M-TMSI, wherein MMEGI is used for identifying one MME POOL, MMEC is used for identifying the only MME in one POOL (POOL), and numbering is carried out from 01.

In order to improve the reliability of the MME link, the guarantee scheme adopted by the existing network is called as MME chain backup: the method comprises the following steps that a plurality of MME form POOLs, the MME in one POOL are arranged according to the MMEC size sequence, the MME is connected with the MME with the largest size and the smallest size, so that an MME backup ring is formed, each MME stores two pieces of data, one piece of data is service data born by the MME, the other piece of data is user data of the MME which is adjacent to the MME and is larger than the MMEC, the MMEC with the largest size backups the data of the MMEC with the smallest size, and each MME records the main-standby corresponding relation between the MMECs of other MMEs in the POOL and the MME through an internal processing mechanism. And sending detection messages between the MMEs at regular intervals, judging that the MMEs have faults when the response messages reach abnormal network element judgment conditions, and updating the corresponding relation between the networking structures of the MMEs in the POOL and the main backup MMEs. Fig. 1 is a data backup diagram of MME chained networking in the prior art.

When the VoLTE user has a main MME fault in the conversation process, and the terminal moving range does not exceed the MME POOL. At the moment, the eNB selects another available MME in the same POOL, the new MME reads the MMEC in the S-TMSI value to obtain the old MME and a corresponding backup MME, context data of the user is obtained from the backup MME, and a faulty MME service is continued, so that a large amount of signaling impact on the core network side caused by the fact that a large number of users get down/up again due to MME fault is avoided, meanwhile, the influence on VoLTE users is avoided, and the service perception of the users is guaranteed. Fig. 2 is a flowchart of MME chain protection in the prior art.

In the prior art, when a VoLTE terminal moves beyond an MME POOL during service usage, a TAU procedure is triggered, and a new eNB selects a new MME. Under normal conditions, the new MME constructs DNS query according to the GUTI value, finds the old MME and completes the TAU process; under abnormal conditions, the old MME fails, the new MME still sends request information to the old MME, and the request response is overtime, resulting in a TAU failure, thereby directly causing the interruption of the VoLTE service. Fig. 3 is a TAU signaling flow across POOL in the prior art.

In summary, there is also a need to improve reliability of VoLTE calls.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication link connection method, a communication link connection device, equipment and a medium, which can improve the reliability of VoLTE communication.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication link connection method, where the method includes: when a terminal moves from a source MME of a first MME pool to a target MME of a second MME pool, inquiring a first backup MME in the first MME pool; querying, by the first backup MME, a second backup MME of the source MME; connecting the source MME through the second backup MME.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication link connection apparatus, where the apparatus includes: the terminal comprises an initiating module, a judging module and a judging module, wherein the initiating module is used for inquiring a first backup MME in a first MME pool when the terminal moves from a source MME of the first MME pool to a target MME of a second MME pool; a query module configured to query a second backup MME of the source MME through the first backup MME; a connection module, configured to connect the source MME through the second backup MME.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication link connection device, including: at least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory, which when executed by the processor, implement the method of the first aspect of the embodiments described above.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which computer program instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method of the first aspect in the foregoing embodiments.

According to the communication link connection method, device, equipment and medium provided by the embodiment of the invention, the backup MME of the MME pool is added, so that the application range of MME chain backup is expanded, the value of backup data is increased, the problem that TAU cannot be realized when the source MME fails in the prior art is solved, the existing resources are utilized, the influence of MME link failure on VoLTE service is reduced, the success rate of TAU is improved, the network reliability of EPC is improved, and powerful guarantee is provided for the VoLTE service.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required to be used in the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly described below, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a data backup diagram of MME chain networking in the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process for MME chain protection in the prior art;

fig. 3 is a TAU signaling flow across POOLs in the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of communication link connection according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a TAU process flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a communication link connection apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a communication link connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Features and exemplary embodiments of various aspects of the present invention will be described in detail below, and in order to make objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more apparent, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. The following description of the embodiments is merely intended to provide a better understanding of the present invention by illustrating examples of the present invention.

It is noted that, herein, relational terms such as first and second, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. Also, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising … …" does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a communication link connection method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method including:

s402, when a terminal moves from a source MME of a first MME pool to a target MME of a second MME pool, inquiring a first backup MME in the first MME pool;

s404, inquiring a second backup MME of the source MME through the first backup MME;

and S406, connecting the source MME through the second backup MME.

Optionally, the number of the first backup MMEs is at least two, and the first backup MMEs include: the MME comprises a main MME and a standby MME, wherein the standby MME is a standby node of the main MME.

Optionally, querying, by the first backup MME, the second backup MME of the source MME includes: and querying a second backup MME of the source MME through the main MME. After querying the second backup MM of the source MME by the active MME, the method further comprises: and when the main MME does not respond, querying a second backup MM of the source MME through the standby MME.

Optionally, connecting the source MME through the second backup MME includes: establishing wireless connection between a source MME and a target MME through a second backup MME; and the target MME acquires the context information of the VoLTE service of the terminal on the source MME.

Optionally, after the target MME acquires context information of the VoLTE service of the terminal on the target MME, the method further includes: the target MME informs a serving gateway SGW (service gateway) to modify the load, requests to reallocate a global Unique Temporary UE identity (GUTI) (Global Unique temporal UE identity) value, and replies to the terminal to complete a tracking area update TAU flow.

Optionally, before querying the first backup MME in the first MME pool, the method further includes: configuring an interface address of the first backup MME on a Domain Name System (DNS) server of the first MME pool.

Optionally, querying the first backup MME in the first MME pool includes: constructing a DNS query request of a predetermined MME Code MMEC (MME Code, for example, MMEC 00, or other agreed Code) according to an MME Group identity mmegi (MME Group identity); and querying a first backup MME in the first MME pool through a DNS query request.

The present application is described in full and in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

The embodiment of the invention aims to solve the problem that the fault of the main MME does not influence the normal use of the service even if the cross-POOL condition occurs in the moving process of the VoLTE user. By adding the configurations of true value of MMECGI and 00 of MMEC to DNS, two active and standby MMEs are assigned to each MME POOL (MME POOL) as interfaces for MME contact in other POOLs. And the main and standby MME configured on the DNS are used for bearing that the MME outside the POOL finds the context data of the backup MME in the original POOL through the main and standby MME, and playing a role in continuing forwarding. The reliability is increased by one main MME and one standby MME, and the signaling load of the MME is increased by the process, so that the selection can be carried out based on the capacity of equipment when the main MME and the standby MME are configured on the DNS. Because the backup MME in the original POOL records the data of the bearing service of the original faulty MME, the new MME initiates a query REQUEST with MMEC 00 to the DNS through the MMEGI in the GUTI and sends an ECHO REQUEST message to the DNS according to the DNS return result to confirm that the opposite-end MME link is normal. At this time, two cases are divided:

if the main MME configured by the DNS operates normally, the new MME sends subsequent messages through the MME;

and if the main MME configured by the DNS fails, the new MME sends an ECHO message without response and sends a subsequent message to the standby MME.

Fig. 5 is a process flow diagram of a service provisioning method when an MME fails in case of TAU according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method comprises the following steps:

s51, initiating a DNS query request according to the GUTI structure;

s52, sending CONTEXT REQUEST to the old MME without response;

s53, constructing an MMEC (multimedia Messaging service) 00 query and initiating a DNS request;

s54.DNS returns to main/standby MME S10IP ADDRESS;

s55, judging the state of the main MME; when the judgment is normal, executing S561, and when the judgment is abnormal, executing S562;

s561, the NEW-MME sends a CONTEXT request to the main MME;

s562.NEW-MME sends CONTEXT request to standby MME;

s57, judging whether the MME is a backup MME or not; when the judgment is yes, S60 is executed, otherwise S58 and S59 are executed;

s58, forwarding the CONTEXT request to a backup MME;

s59, replying CONTEXT RESPONSE (and modifying the address of MME S10);

s60, replying CONTEXT RESPONSE (containing user information required by TAU);

s61, completing the TAU.

The new MME sends CONTEXT REQUEST information to the available MME returned by the DNS, with the GUTI value in the REQUEST used to find the standby MME, thus achieving TAU success.

The following describes the communication link connection processing flow according to the embodiment of the present invention by taking an example. FIG. 6 is a TAU processing flow diagram of one embodiment of the invention. Assuming that the MME02 fails, the backup MME thereof is MME03, and the capacities of the MME01 and the MME02 in the POOL are maximum, and the IP addresses of the active and standby MMEs configured on the DNS are MME01 and MME02 interface addresses, respectively. An example process flow of the embodiment of the present invention when the UE moves to POOL2 is described below in conjunction with the steps in fig. 6. Step 01.TAU REQUEST (TAU REQUEST): when a user moves to the POOL2, a TAU request is initiated to a NEW e-NB (NEW-eNB), the eNB receives the request and then sends a capacity factor according to each MME in the POOL2, an MME in the POOL2 is selected according to a load balancing principle, and the TAU request is forwarded;

step 02.DNS REQUEST/RESPONSE (DNS REQUEST/RESPONSE): after receiving the TAU request, the new MME finds the MMEGI and MMEC corresponding to the old MME according to the GUTI value in the request, constructs DNS query, and the DNS returns the IP address of the S10 interface of the MME 02;

step 03.CONTEXT REQUEST: the new MME initiates a request to obtain user context data to the failed MME 02;

step 04. TIMEOUT: due to MME02 failure, the new MME fails to receive a response within the configuration time limit. In this case, the current network flow directly replies the terminal TAU failure to the new MME, and the TAU flow is ended; in the embodiment of the present invention, the subsequent flow from the fifth step is added.

Step 05.DNS REQUEST: the new MME constructs a DNS query request with MMEGI consistent with the value in GUTI and MMEC equal to 0;

step 06.DNS RESPONSE: the DNS returns IP addresses (PRIMARY/SECONDARY IP ADDRESS) of the active MME01 and the standby MME02 of the original POOL according to self configuration;

step 07.ECHO REQUEST/RESPONSE: judging whether the link state of the new MME and the MME01 is normal or not;

step 08.CONTEXT REQUEST (old GUTI): the new MME initiates the user context data request again to MME 01;

step 09.CONTEXT REQUEST/RESPONSE (CONTEXT REQUEST/RESPONSE): according to the existing POOL MME fault processing flow, the MME01 finds the backup MME03 corresponding to the MME02 according to the GUTI value in the request to obtain the context data of the user;

step 10, CONTEXT RESPONSE, the main MME01 replies the obtained user data to the new MME;

and step 11, TAU ACCEPT (TAU acceptance) (new GUTI), wherein after the new MME receives the user data, the SGW is informed to modify the load, the GUTI value is redistributed, and the terminal is replied to complete the TAU flow.

The embodiment of the invention provides a service guarantee method when an MME fails under the condition of TAU, and solves the problem of how to guarantee the service when a main MME fails. The implementation scheme is that a new MME constructs DNS inquiry with MMEC of 00 according to MMEGI, finds out the POOL where the original MME is located, obtains the address of the MME available in the original POOL according to DNS data configuration, and finds out backup MME information through an MME fault handling mechanism in the POOL, so as to obtain the context information of a user and realize normal switching of VoLTE service under the condition of crossing POOLs.

According to the technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention, the existing resources are utilized, the influence of MME link failure on the VoLTE service is reduced, the success rate of TAU is improved, the application range of MME chain backup is expanded, the value of backup data is increased, the network reliability of EPC is improved, and powerful guarantee is provided for the VoLTE service.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a communication link connection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus including: an initiating module 70, configured to query a first backup MME in a first MME pool when a terminal moves from a source MME of the first mobility management entity MME pool to a target MME of a second MME pool; an inquiring module 72, configured to inquire, through the first backup MME, a second backup MME of the source MME; a connecting module 74, configured to connect the source MME through the second backup MME.

Optionally, the query module 72 includes: the first query unit is used for querying a second backup MME of the source MME through the main MME; and the second query unit is used for querying a second backup MM of the source MME through the standby MME when the main MME does not respond.

Optionally, the connection module 74 is disposed on the target MME, and configured to establish a wireless connection between the source MME and the target MME through the backup MME; and acquiring context information of VoLTE service of the terminal on the source MME.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises: and the processing module is used for notifying the SGW to carry out bearer modification after the target MME acquires the context information of the VoLTE service of the terminal on the source MME, requesting to reallocate a globally unique temporary UE identity (GUTI) value and replying the terminal to complete a Tracking Area Update (TAU) process.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises: and the configuration module is used for configuring the interface address of the first backup MME on a domain name system DNS server of the first MME pool.

Optionally, the initiating module 70 includes: a constructing unit, configured to construct, according to an MME group identity (MMEGI), a DNS query request with an MME encoding MMEC of 00; and the sending unit is used for inquiring the first backup MME in the first MME pool through the DNS inquiry request.

In addition, the communication link connection method of the embodiment of the present invention described in conjunction with fig. 4 may be implemented by a communication link connection apparatus. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hardware structure of a communication link connection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The communication link connection device may include a processor 401 and a memory 402 storing computer program instructions.

Specifically, the processor 401 may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or may be configured as one or more Integrated circuits implementing embodiments of the present invention.

Memory 402 may include mass storage for data or instructions. By way of example, and not limitation, memory 402 may include a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), floppy Disk Drive, flash memory, optical Disk, magneto-optical Disk, tape, or Universal Serial Bus (USB) Drive or a combination of two or more of these. Memory 402 may include removable or non-removable (or fixed) media, where appropriate. The memory 402 may be internal or external to the data processing apparatus, where appropriate. In a particular embodiment, the memory 402 is a non-volatile solid-state memory. In a particular embodiment, the memory 402 includes Read Only Memory (ROM). Where appropriate, the ROM may be mask-programmed ROM, Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable PROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM), electrically rewritable ROM (EAROM), or flash memory or a combination of two or more of these.

The processor 401 may implement any of the communication link connection methods in the above embodiments by reading and executing computer program instructions stored in the memory 402.

In one example, the communication link connection device may also include a communication interface 403 and a bus 410. As shown in fig. 8, the processor 401, the memory 402, and the communication interface 403 are connected via a bus 410 to complete communication therebetween.

The communication interface 403 is mainly used for implementing communication between modules, apparatuses, units and/or devices in the embodiments of the present invention.

Bus 410 may include hardware, software, or both to couple the components of the communication link connection device to each other. By way of example, and not limitation, a bus may include an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) or other graphics bus, an Enhanced Industrial Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a Front Side Bus (FSB), a Hyper Transport (HT) interconnect, an Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, an infiniband interconnect, a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, a memory bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express (PCI-X) bus, a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) bus, a video electronics standards association local (VLB) bus, or other suitable bus or a combination of two or more of these. Bus 410 may include one or more buses, where appropriate. Although specific buses have been described and shown in the embodiments of the invention, any suitable buses or interconnects are contemplated by the invention.

The communication link connection apparatus may perform the communication link connection method in any of the above embodiments of the present invention.

In addition, in combination with the communication link connection method in the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by providing a computer-readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions; the computer program instructions, when executed by a processor, implement any of the communication link connection methods of the above embodiments.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. A detailed description of known methods is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. In the above embodiments, several specific steps are described and shown as examples. However, the method processes of the present invention are not limited to the specific steps described and illustrated, and those skilled in the art can make various changes, modifications and additions or change the order between the steps after comprehending the spirit of the present invention.

The functional blocks shown in the above-described structural block diagrams may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in hardware, it may be, for example, an electronic circuit, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), suitable firmware, plug-in, function card, or the like. When implemented in software, the elements of the invention are the programs or code segments used to perform the required tasks. The program or code segments may be stored in a machine-readable medium or transmitted by a data signal carried in a carrier wave over a transmission medium or a communication link. A "machine-readable medium" may include any medium that can store or transfer information. Examples of a machine-readable medium include electronic circuits, semiconductor memory devices, ROM, flash memory, Erasable ROM (EROM), floppy disks, CD-ROMs, optical disks, hard disks, fiber optic media, Radio Frequency (RF) links, and so forth. The code segments may be downloaded via computer networks such as the internet, intranet, etc.

It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments mentioned in this patent describe some methods or systems based on a series of steps or devices. However, the present invention is not limited to the order of the above-described steps, that is, the steps may be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiments, may be performed in an order different from the order in the embodiments, or may be performed simultaneously.

As described above, only the specific embodiments of the present invention are provided, and it can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the system, the module and the unit described above may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again. It should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention, and these modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of communication link connection, the method comprising:

when a terminal moves from a source MME of a first MME pool to a target MME of a second MME pool, inquiring a first backup MME in the first MME pool;

querying, by the first backup MME, a second backup MME of the source MME;

when the source MME does not respond, the target MME acquires context information of the UE from the second backup MME and sends a TAU response to the UE to complete the TAU;

the first backup MME comprising: the MME comprises a main MME and a standby MME, wherein the standby MME is a standby node of the main MME.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein querying, by the first backup MME, a second backup MME of the source MME comprises:

and querying a second backup MME of the source MME through the main MME.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein after querying, by the active MME, the second backup MME of the source MME, the method further comprises:

and when the main MME does not respond, inquiring a second backup MME of the source MME through the standby MME.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein after the target MME obtaining context information of the UE from the second backup MME and sending a TAU response to the UE to complete TAU when the source MME is unresponsive, the method further comprises:

and the target MME informs the SGW of carrying modification, requests to redistribute the globally unique temporary UE identity GUTI value and replies to the terminal to finish the tracking area update TAU flow.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to querying the first backup MME within the first MME pool, the method further comprises:

and configuring an interface address of the first backup MME on a domain name system DNS server of the first MME pool.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein querying a first backup MME within the first MME pool comprises:

constructing a DNS query request with MME code MMEC of 00 according to the MME group identification MMEGI;

and querying a first backup MME in the first MME pool through the DNS query request.

7. An apparatus for communication link connection, the apparatus comprising:

the terminal comprises an initiating module, a judging module and a judging module, wherein the initiating module is used for inquiring a first backup MME in a first MME pool when the terminal moves from a source MME of the first MME pool to a target MME of a second MME pool;

a query module configured to query a second backup MME of the source MME through the first backup MME;

a sending module, configured to, when the source MME has no response, the target MME obtaining context information of the UE from the second backup MME, and sending a TAU response to the UE to complete TAU;

8. A communication link connection apparatus, comprising: at least one processor, at least one memory, and computer program instructions stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, implement the method of any of claims 1-6.

9. A computer-readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a processor implement the method of any one of claims 1-6.