CN110650026A

CN110650026A - Communication method, system, PGW and computer readable storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN110650026A
Application number: CN201810666896.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 许盛宏; 宫云平; 李力卡; 张慧嫦; 方泽伟; 马泽雄; 严宇; 谭志远; 刘阳; 陈喜洲; 余育青; 李涛; 陈园光
Original assignee: China Telecom Corp Ltd
Current assignee: China Telecom Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2018-06-26
Filing date: 2018-06-26
Publication date: 2020-01-03

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a communication method, a communication system, a PGW and a computer readable storage medium, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method of the present disclosure comprises: a packet data network gateway (PGW) receives a service request message related to a terminal within a responsible range; the PGW responds to the fault of the main policy and charging rule functional unit PCRF, and sends an initial credit control request message to the standby PCRF, wherein the initial credit control request message carries authentication information of the terminal, and the authentication information is stored when the terminal authenticates at the main PCRF; and the PGW responds to the received initial credit control response message returned by the standby PCRF, and forwards the service request message to corresponding equipment under the condition that the terminal passes the authentication so as to complete the related service of the terminal. The scheme disclosed by the invention does not need the terminal to be re-attached, reduces the re-attached signaling flow, does not interrupt the current service, improves the real-time performance of service recovery, and avoids the signaling storm generated by re-attachment of a large number of users.

Description

Communication method, system, PGW and computer readable storage medium

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a communication method, a communication system, a PGW, and a computer-readable storage medium.

Background

In the Service deployment of Voice over LTE (Voice over LTE, Voice Service based on LTE), PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) is a key Network element and is mainly responsible for QoS (quality of Service) Policy and Charging Control, PGW (Packet Data Gateway) is responsible for bearer establishment and Packet forwarding, and P-CSCF (Proxy-Call Session Control Function) is responsible for Voice bearer application and Service signaling processing. When a user initiates a VoLTE service, the PGW and the P-CSCF need to acquire a service control policy of the current user from the PCRF to implement subsequent processing of the VoLTE voice service.

The PCRF device is deployed in a centralized manner, has a large capacity and a wide coverage area, and if the PCRF fails, a large amount of services are interrupted, which causes serious consequences. In the existing PCRF disaster recovery technology, after detecting a PCRF failure of a current service through a PGW, all users are triggered to be simultaneously reattached to a standby PCRF, and normal communication services can be restored after the users are reattached.

Disclosure of Invention

The inventor finds that: after the primary PCRF fails, the PGW triggers all users to re-attach at the same time, which may generate a large amount of signaling interaction, possibly cause a sudden blowout signaling storm, and easily cause an avalanche effect of network equipment, thereby failing to recover services and seriously affecting customer perception.

One technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is: how to effectively recover services after the primary PCRF equipment fails.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication method including: a packet data network gateway (PGW) receives a service request message related to a terminal within a responsible range; the PGW responds to the fault of the main policy and charging rule functional unit PCRF, and sends an initial credit control request message to the standby PCRF, wherein the initial credit control request message carries authentication information of the terminal, and the authentication information is stored when the terminal authenticates at the main PCRF; and the PGW responds to the received initial credit control response message returned by the standby PCRF, and forwards the service request message to corresponding equipment under the condition that the terminal passes the authentication so as to complete the related service of the terminal.

In some embodiments, the receiving, by the PGW, the service request message related to the terminal within the responsibility range includes: the PGW receives an originating service request message sent by a calling terminal within the responsible range; forwarding the service request message to the corresponding device so as to complete the related service of the terminal, including: the PGW forwards the originating service request message to the proxy call session control function P-CSCF in order to complete the service requested by the calling terminal.

In some embodiments, the receiving, by the PGW, the service request message related to the terminal within the responsibility range includes: a PGW receives a terminal call service request message which is sent by a proxy call session control function P-CSCF and aims at a called terminal within a responsible range; forwarding the service request message to the corresponding device so as to complete the related service of the terminal, including: the PGW forwards the terminating call service request message to the called terminal, so as to complete the service of calling the called terminal.

In some embodiments, the PGW forwarding the originating service request message to the P-CSCF so as to complete the service requested by the calling terminal includes: PGW transmits the request message of the original service to P-CSCF, in order to P-CSCF continues the business to the called terminal station through the core network, and receive the response message of the original service that the core network returns; the PGW establishes service bearing according to re-authentication request information sent by the standby PCRF, wherein the re-authentication request information is generated after the standby PCRF receives application authorization request information sent by the P-CSCF; the PGW receives the originating service response message and forwards it to the calling terminal.

In some embodiments, the forwarding, by the PGW, the terminating service request message to the called terminal, so as to complete the service of making a call to the called terminal includes: the PGW forwards a terminal call service request message to the called terminal and receives a terminal call service response message returned by the called terminal; the PGW sends a terminal call service response message to the P-CSCF; the PGW establishes service bearing according to re-authentication response messages sent by the standby PCRF, wherein the re-authentication request messages are generated after the standby PCRF receives application authorization request messages sent by the P-CSCF; and the PGW sends an application authorization response message to the P-CSCF through the standby PCRF, so that the P-CSCF sends a calling-for-service response message to the core network so as to send the calling terminal.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: the method comprises the steps that a PGW receives a session creating request sent by a mobile management entity MME, wherein the session creating request comprises authentication information of a terminal; PGW initiates credit control request message to main PCRF, and saves authentication information of terminal, the authentication information of terminal is carried in the initial credit control request message; and the PGW receives the initial credit control response message returned by the main PCRF, and returns a session establishment response message to the MME under the condition that the authentication of the terminal is passed so as to complete the attachment of the terminal.

In some embodiments, the PGW and the P-CSCF select the same standby PCRF based on the same preset rules.

According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, a packet data network gateway PGW is provided, including: the information receiving module is used for receiving the service request information related to the terminal within the responsible range; the disaster recovery control module is used for responding to the fault of the main policy and charging rule functional unit PCRF, and sending an initial credit control request message to the standby PCRF, wherein the initial credit control request message carries authentication information of the terminal, and the authentication information is stored by the PGW when the terminal authenticates the main PCRF; and the service processing module is used for responding to the initial credit control response message returned by the receiving standby PCRF, and forwarding the service request message to corresponding equipment under the condition that the terminal passes the authentication so as to complete the related service of the terminal.

In some embodiments, the information receiving module is used for receiving an originating service request message sent by a calling terminal within the responsible range; the service processing module is used for forwarding the original service request message to the proxy call session control function P-CSCF so as to complete the service requested by the calling terminal.

In some embodiments, the information receiving module is configured to receive a terminating service request message sent by a proxy call session control function P-CSCF for a called terminal within charge; the service processing module is used for forwarding the terminal call service request message to the called terminal so as to complete the service of calling the called terminal.

In some embodiments, the service processing module is configured to forward an originating service request message to the P-CSCF, so that the P-CSCF connects a service to the called terminal through the core network, and receive an originating service response message returned by the core network; establishing service bearing according to a re-authentication request message sent by a standby PCRF, wherein the re-authentication request message is generated after the standby PCRF receives an application authorization request message sent by a P-CSCF; and receiving the initial service response message and forwarding the initial service response message to the calling terminal.

In some embodiments, the service processing module is configured to forward a terminating service request message to the called terminal, and receive a terminating service response message returned by the called terminal; sending the call terminating service response message to the P-CSCF; establishing service bearing according to a re-authentication response message sent by the standby PCRF, wherein the re-authentication request message is generated after the standby PCRF receives an application authorization request message sent by the P-CSCF; and sending an authorization response message back to the P-CSCF through the standby PCRF so that the P-CSCF sends a calling terminating service response message to the core network so as to send the calling terminal.

In some embodiments, the PGW further comprises: an attachment processing module and a storage module; the information receiving module is also used for receiving a session establishing request sent by the MME, and the session establishing request comprises authentication information of the terminal; the attachment processing module is used for initiating a credit control request message to the main PCRF, wherein the initial credit control request message carries authentication information of the terminal, receiving an initial credit control response message returned by the main PCRF, and returning a session establishment response message to the MME under the condition that the authentication of the terminal is passed so as to complete the attachment of the terminal; the storage module is used for storing the authentication information of the terminal.

According to still other embodiments of the present disclosure, a packet data network gateway PGW is provided, including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to perform the communication method of any of the preceding embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory device.

According to still further embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, wherein the program, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the communication method of any of the preceding embodiments.

According to still further embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system including: the packet data network gateway PGW and the standby PCRF of any of the foregoing embodiments are configured to receive an initial credit control request message sent by the PGW, authenticate the terminal, and return an initial credit control response message.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises: the P-CSCF is used for receiving an initial service request message sent by the PGW, connecting the service to the called terminal through the core network, receiving an initial service response message returned by the core network, sending an application authorization request message to the standby PCRF, and receiving an application authorization response message returned by the PCRF; or, sending a terminating service request message to the PGW, receiving a terminating service response message sent by the PGW, sending an application authorization request message to the standby PCRF, receiving an application authorization response message returned by the standby PCRF, and sending a terminating service response message to the core network, so as to send the terminating service request message to the calling terminal.

In the disclosure, the PGW stores authentication information of the terminal when the primary PCRF authenticates, and when the primary PCRF fails and the backup PCRF is enabled, the PGW directly uses the stored authentication information to authenticate the backup PCRF to obtain a session control policy of the terminal after receiving a service request message related to the terminal within a charge range, so as to implement subsequent processing of the service. The scheme disclosed by the invention does not need the terminal to be re-attached, reduces the re-attached signaling flow, does not interrupt the current service, improves the real-time performance of service recovery, and avoids the signaling storm generated by re-attachment of a large number of users. And when receiving a service request related to the terminal, the PGW obtains the session control policy of the terminal from the standby PCRF by using the stored authentication information of the terminal, and further, the terminal does not initiate a service request at the same time, so that the possibility that the standby PCRF processes a large amount of signaling at the same time is reduced, the service recovery can be effectively realized, and the user experience is improved.

Other features of the present disclosure and advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

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

Fig. 1 illustrates a flow diagram of a communication method of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 shows a flow diagram of a communication method of further embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a communication method of further embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram of a communication method of yet further embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figure 5 shows a block schematic of a packet data gateway of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a packet data gateway of further embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of a packet data gateway according to further embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 illustrates a structural schematic diagram of a communication system of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and not all of the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments disclosed herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

The scheme is provided for solving the problem that when the PGW detects that the main PCRF fails and triggers all the terminals to re-attach, a signaling storm is possibly caused. Some embodiments of the disclosed communication method are described below in conjunction with fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is a flow chart of some embodiments of the disclosed communication method. As shown in fig. 1, the method of this embodiment includes: step S102 to step S106.

Step S102, the PGW receives a service request message related to a terminal within the responsibility range.

The PGW may receive an originating service request message sent by a calling terminal in charge of the range. The originating service request message is, for example, an INVITE message, and is a message that the calling terminal initiates a call request service.

The PGW may receive a terminating service request message for a called terminal within charge of the range sent by the P-CSCF. The terminating service request message may be an INVITE message sent by the P-CSCF after the core network receives an INVITE message of a calling terminal in charge of another PGW. The terminating call service request message is used for calling the called terminal in the area in charge of the PGW.

Step S104, the PGW sends an initial credit control request message to the standby PCRF in response to the failure of the primary PCRF.

The PGW can detect and find the PCRF equipment fault of the current service of the user in time through the heartbeat detection of the Diameter link between the PGW and the PCRF. The PGW may store the fault identifier after detecting that the primary PCRF is faulty, select the backup PCRF, and directly send the initial credit control request message to the backup PCRF when receiving the service request related to the terminal.

The initial Credit Control Request message may be a CCR-I (Credit Control Request-initial) message. The CCR-I message carries authentication information of the terminal, where the authentication information includes, for example: IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber identity Number), APN (Access Point Name), service type, terminal subscription QoS, and the like. The authentication information is stored by the PGW when the terminal performs authentication at the primary PCRF.

Step S106, in response to receiving the initial credit control response message returned by the standby PCRF, the PGW forwards the service request message to the corresponding device when the terminal passes the authentication, so as to complete the related service of the terminal.

Under the condition that the PGW receives an initial service request message of a calling terminal, the PGW responds to an initial credit control response message returned by a receiving standby PCRF, and under the condition that the terminal passes authentication, the initial service request message is forwarded to the P-CSCF, the P-CSCF can continue to forward the message to a core network, the core network sends an INVITE message to the called terminal according to the message, the service is connected to the called terminal, and the calling service requested by the calling terminal is completed.

Under the condition that the PGW receives a terminal call service request message aiming at the called terminal, the PGW responds to the received initial credit control response message returned by the standby PCRF, and under the condition that the terminal authentication is passed, the PGW forwards the terminal call service request message to the called terminal so as to complete the service of calling the called terminal.

After receiving the CCR-I message, the standby PCRF can obtain information such as a session control policy of the terminal according to the authentication information of the terminal carried in the CCR-I message, register the terminal, and complete the authentication process of the terminal. For example, a session control policy of the terminal is generated according to the subscription information of the terminal in combination with the local policy configuration information.

The standby PCRF may return an initial credit control answer message to the PGW. The initial Credit Control Answer message may be a CCA-I (Credit Control Answer-intra) message. The CCA-I message may carry session Control Policy information of the terminal, and may include information on an authorized QoS parameter, a default QoS parameter, a PCC (Policy Control and charging) dynamic Control rule, event trigger, charging Control, and the like. After receiving the initial credit control response message returned by the standby PCRF, the PGW may modify the identity of the currently serving PCRF into the identity of the standby PCRF.

In the subsequent signaling flow, the call service of the terminal can be completed only when the standby PCRF has information such as the session control policy of the terminal. Therefore, after discovering that the primary PCRF fails, the PGW first performs an authentication process of the terminal on the standby PCRF.

The method of the embodiment can be applied to the situation that after the primary PCRF fails, the calling terminal in charge of the PGW initiates a service request to the standby PCRF for the first time, or the PGW receives the service request to the called terminal in charge of the calling terminal for the first time after the standby PCRF is activated. The PGW stores the authentication information of the terminal when the primary PCRF performs authentication, and when the primary PCRF fails and the standby PCRF is started, the PGW directly utilizes the stored authentication information to perform authentication to the standby PCRF after receiving a service request message related to the terminal within the charge range to acquire a session control policy of the terminal so as to realize subsequent processing of the service. The scheme of the embodiment does not need the terminal to be reattached, reduces the reattached signaling flow, does not interrupt the current service, improves the real-time property of service recovery, and avoids the signaling storm generated by reattaching a large number of users. And when receiving a service request related to the terminal, the PGW obtains the session control policy of the terminal from the standby PCRF by using the stored authentication information of the terminal, and further, the terminal does not initiate a service request at the same time, so that the possibility that the standby PCRF processes a large amount of signaling at the same time is reduced, the service recovery can be effectively realized, and the user experience is improved.

How to effectively realize the service recovery of the calling terminal under the condition that the primary PCRF fails is described below with reference to fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of further embodiments of the communication method of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 2, the method of this embodiment includes: step S202 to step S222.

In step S202, the PGW receives an originating service request message sent by a calling terminal within the responsibility range.

Step S204, the PGW sends an initial credit control request message to the standby PCRF in response to the failure of the primary PCRF.

The initial credit control request message may be a CCR-I message. The CCR-I message carries the authentication information of the calling terminal.

Step S206, the standby PCRF returns an initial credit control response message to the PGW.

After receiving the CCR-I message, the PCRF can obtain information such as a session control policy of the calling terminal according to the authentication information of the calling terminal carried in the CCR-I message, register the calling terminal, and complete the authentication process of the calling terminal. The initial credit control answer message may be a CCA-I message. The CCA-I message may carry session control policy information of the calling terminal.

Step S208, the PGW forwards the originating service request message to the P-CSCF under the condition that the calling terminal passes the authentication.

Step S210, the P-CSCF connects the service to the called terminal through the core network.

The specific signaling flow may refer to an existing signaling flow, and is not described herein again.

Step S212, the P-CSCF receives the response message of the original service returned by the core network.

The originating service response message is, for example, a 183Session Progress message.

Step S214, the P-CSCF sends an application authorization request message to the standby PCRF.

The APPLICATION authorization REQUEST message is, for example, AAR (AUTH _ APPLICATION _ REQUEST), and is used to trigger establishment of a dedicated bearer, and forward bearer channel information to the PGW through the PCRF, where the bearer channel information mainly includes information such as user IP, media information, coding information, and an identifier of the PCRF.

And the PGW and the P-CSCF select the same standby PCRF based on the same preset rule. For example, both the PGW and the PCSCF configure only one standby device under one active PCRF through static data, the active device is preferred in a normal case, and the same standby device is selected when the active device fails. For another example, when there are multiple backup PCRFs, priorities of the multiple PCRFs are set, and both the PGW and the pcsccf select the backup PCRFs according to the same priority order. For another example, a DRA (Diameter Routing Agent) device selects a PCRF for dynamic binding with a Gx (interface between PGW and PCRF) and an Rx (interface between pcsccf and PCRF) interface, that is, a Gx side may first select a PCRF, and then the DRA device ensures that the same user at the Rx side also selects the same PCRF according to information such as an IP address, IMSI, hostname, and the like.

Step S216, the standby PCRF sends a re-authentication request message to the PGW.

The Re-Authentication Request message is, for example, an RAR (Re-Authentication Request), and may carry parameters such as QCI (QoS Class Identifier) ARP (Allocation retention priority), GBR (Guaranteed bit rate), MBR (maximum bit rate), and the like, and is used for the PGW to indicate that the air interface creates the dedicated bearer channel. The PCRF encapsulates, according to the service parameters such as audio and video in the media information of the AAR message, and the information such as the media channel IP address and the media channel port, into a QCI (for example, the audio is 1, the video is 3, etc.), a QoS (corresponding to the information such as the media channel IP address and the media channel port), and radio control parameters GBR and MBR used for the air interface bearer.

Step S218, the PGW returns a re-authentication response message to the standby PCRF.

The Re-Authentication response message is, for example, RAA (Re-Authentication Answer). After receiving the RAR message, the PGW sends a Create Bearer Request (Create Bearer Request) message carrying information such as EPS (Evolved Packet System) Bearer QoS, TFT (Traffic Flow Template), S1-TEID (S1-TunnelEndpoint Identifier, S1 tunnel endpoint Identifier), LBI (Linked EPS Bearer Identifier), and Protocol Configuration Options (optional) to an MME (Mobility Management Entity). The QoS information received by the RAR message is encapsulated in the EPS Bearer QoS, and is used to indicate that the radio side also establishes an air interface dedicated Bearer, and then the MME sends a create Bearer response (create dedicated Bearer response) to the PGW, which may refer to the existing signaling flow and is not described herein again.

Step S220, the standby PCRF sends an application authorization response message to the P-CSCF.

The APPLICATION authorization response message is, for example, AAR (AUTH _ authorization _ AMSWER).

In step S222, the PGW receives the originating service response message and forwards the originating service response message to the calling terminal.

The method of the embodiment is based on the calling terminal calling for the first time after the main PCRF is in failure, the PGW automatically triggers the standby PCRF to authenticate, the reattachment process is reduced, the service method can be recovered in real time, the current calling is not interrupted, and the signaling process is not required to be added or changed. The avalanche effect of network equipment is avoided, and the disaster tolerance takeover reliability of the VoLTE service is improved.

How to effectively realize the service recovery of the called terminal under the condition that the primary PCRF fails is described below with reference to fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart of further embodiments of the communication method of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 3, the method of this embodiment includes: step S302 to step S322.

Step S302, the PGW receives a call terminating service request message which is sent by the P-CSCF and aims at the called terminal within the responsible range.

The terminating call service request message may be an INVITE message forwarded to a P-CSCF to which the called terminal belongs after the INVITE message of the calling terminal on the other side is received by the IMS core network. The terminating call service request message is used for calling the called terminal in the area in charge of the PGW.

Step S304, the PGW sends an initial credit control request message to the standby PCRF in response to the failure of the primary PCRF.

The initial credit control request message may be a CCR-I message. The CCR-I message carries the authentication information of the called terminal.

Step S306, the standby PCRF returns an initial credit control response message to the PGW.

Step S308, the PGW forwards the terminating call service request message to the called terminal when the called terminal passes the authentication.

Step S310, the called terminal sends a terminating service response message to the PGW.

The terminating service response message is, for example, a 183Session Progress message.

In step S312, the PGW sends the terminating service response message to the P-CSCF.

Step S314, the P-CSCF sends an application authorization request message to the standby PCRF.

The application authorization request message is, for example, AAR, and is used to trigger establishment of a dedicated bearer, and forward bearer channel information to the PGW through the PCRF, where the bearer channel information mainly includes information such as a user IP, media information, coding information, and an identifier of the PCRF.

And the PGW and the P-CSCF select the same standby PCRF based on the same preset rule.

Step S316, the standby PCRF sends a re-authentication request message to the PGW.

The re-authentication request message is, for example, RAR.

Step S318, the PGW returns a re-authentication response message to the standby PCRF.

The re-authentication response message is, for example, RAA.

Step S320, the standby PCRF sends an application authorization response message to the P-CSCF.

The application authorization response message is, for example, AAR.

Step S322, P-CSCF sends the response message of calling-for-all service to the core network, in order to send to the calling terminal.

The method of the embodiment is based on that the calling called terminal is called for the first time after the main PCRF is in failure, the PGW automatically triggers the standby PCRF for authentication, the reattachment process is reduced, the service method can be recovered in real time, the current call is not interrupted, and the signaling process is not required to be added. The avalanche effect of network equipment is avoided, and the disaster tolerance takeover reliability of the VoLTE service is improved.

The flow of terminal attachment is described below in conjunction with fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart of still further embodiments of the communication method of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 4, the method of this embodiment includes: step S402 to step S412.

Step S402, the terminal initiates an attach request to the MME.

In step S404, the MME initiates a create session request to the PGW.

Including authentication information of a terminal in a Create Session Request (Create Session Request)

Step S406, the PGW sends an initial credit control request message to the primary PCRF, and stores the authentication information of the terminal.

The PGW selects a primary PCRF according to data configuration (e.g., a PCRF corresponding to an MSISDN number, an IMSI number, or an IP address of the terminal), sends an initial credit control request signaling to the primary PCRF, and stores information (e.g., IMSI, APN, service type, UE subscription QoS, etc.) authenticated by the terminal to the PCRF at this time.

Step S408, the primary PCRF sends an initial credit control response message to the PGW.

Step S410, if the terminal authentication passes, the PGW sends back a Create Session Response (Create Session Response) Response message to the MME.

Step S412, the MME sends an attachment response to the terminal, and the terminal attachment network function is completed.

As can be seen by combining the terminal attachment process and the service flow in the foregoing embodiment, a PCRF failure does not cause a session change between the terminal and the MME, so that a reattachment flow can be omitted, and service recovery is achieved in the case of a PCRF failure.

In the method of the above embodiment, the PGW stores the authentication information of the terminal in the terminal attachment process, and uses the authentication information for the subsequent disaster recovery process. The signaling flow does not need to be increased or changed, and the realization is simple.

In the present disclosure, the PGW may be an S/PGW network element, that is, a network element in which the SGW and the PGW are combined, or the like based on different network architectures or network element functions

The present disclosure also provides a packet data gateway, described below in conjunction with fig. 5.

Figure 5 is a block diagram of some embodiments of the packet data gateway of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 5, the PGW50 of this embodiment includes: an information receiving module 502, a disaster recovery control module 504 and a service processing module 506.

An information receiving module 502, configured to receive a service request message related to a terminal within the responsible range.

And the disaster recovery control module 504 is configured to send an initial credit control request message to the standby PCRF in response to a failure of the primary policy and charging rule functional unit PCRF, where the initial credit control request message carries authentication information of the terminal, and the authentication information is stored by the PGW when the terminal performs authentication in the primary PCRF.

And the service processing module 506 is configured to, in response to receiving the initial credit control response message returned by the standby PCRF, forward the service request message to the corresponding device in the case that the terminal passes the authentication, so as to complete the related service of the terminal.

In some embodiments, the information receiving module 502 is configured to receive an originating service request message sent by a calling terminal within the responsibility range; the service processing module 506 is configured to forward the originating service request message to the proxy call session control function P-CSCF to complete the service requested by the calling terminal.

In some embodiments, the information receiving module 502 is configured to receive a terminating service request message sent by a proxy call session control function P-CSCF for a called terminal within charge; the service processing module 506 is configured to forward the terminating service request message to the called terminal so as to complete a service of making a call to the called terminal.

In some embodiments, the service processing module 506 is configured to forward an originating service request message to the P-CSCF, so that the P-CSCF connects the service to the called terminal through the core network, and receive an originating service response message returned by the core network; establishing service bearing according to a re-authentication request message sent by a standby PCRF, wherein the re-authentication request message is generated after the standby PCRF receives an application authorization request message sent by a P-CSCF; and receiving the initial service response message and forwarding the initial service response message to the calling terminal.

In some embodiments, the service processing module 506 is configured to forward the terminating service request message to the called terminal, and receive a terminating service response message returned by the called terminal; sending the call terminating service response message to the P-CSCF; establishing service bearing according to a re-authentication response message sent by the standby PCRF, wherein the re-authentication request message is generated after the standby PCRF receives an application authorization request message sent by the P-CSCF; and sending an authorization response message back to the P-CSCF through the standby PCRF so that the P-CSCF sends a calling terminating service response message to the core network so as to send the calling terminal.

In some embodiments, as shown in fig. 5, PGW50 further includes: an attachment processing module 508 and a storage module 510.

The information receiving module 502 is further configured to receive a session creation request sent by the mobility management entity MME, where the session creation request includes authentication information of the terminal.

The attach processing module 508 is configured to initiate a credit control request message to the primary PCRF, where the initial credit control request message carries authentication information of the terminal, receive an initial credit control response message returned by the primary PCRF, and return a session creation response message to the MME when the authentication of the terminal passes, so as to complete the attachment of the terminal.

The storage module 510 is used for storing the authentication information of the terminal.

The packet data gateways in embodiments of the present disclosure may each be implemented by a variety of computing devices or computer systems, as described below in conjunction with fig. 6 and 7.

Figure 6 is a block diagram of some embodiments of the packet data gateway of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 6, the PGW60 of this embodiment includes: a memory 610 and a processor 620 coupled to the memory 610, the processor 620 configured to perform a communication method in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure based on instructions stored in the memory 610.

Memory 610 may include, for example, system memory, fixed non-volatile storage media, and the like. The system memory stores, for example, an operating system, an application program, a Boot Loader (Boot Loader), a database, and other programs.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of further embodiments of the packet data gateway of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 7, the PGW70 of this embodiment includes: memory 710 and processor 720 are similar to memory 610 and processor 620, respectively. An input output interface 730, a network interface 740, a storage interface 750, and the like may also be included. These

interfaces

730, 740, 750, as well as the memory 710 and the processor 720, may be connected, for example, by a bus 760. The input/output interface 730 provides a connection interface for input/output devices such as a display, a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch screen. The network interface 740 provides a connection interface for various networking devices, such as a database server or a cloud storage server. The storage interface 750 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as an SD card and a usb disk.

The present disclosure also provides a communication system, described below in conjunction with fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram of some embodiments of the communication system of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 8, the system 8 of this embodiment includes: the PGW50/60/70 and the standby PCRF82 in any of the foregoing embodiments are configured to receive the initial credit control request message sent by the PGW, authenticate the terminal, and return an initial credit control response message.

In some embodiments, the system 8 may further comprise: the P-CSCF84, configured to receive an originating service request message sent by the PGW, connect a service to a called terminal through the core network, receive an originating service response message returned by the core network, send an application authorization request message to the standby PCRF, and receive an application authorization response message returned by the PCRF; or, sending a terminating service request message to the PGW, receiving a terminating service response message sent by the PGW, sending an application authorization request message to the standby PCRF, receiving an application authorization response message returned by the standby PCRF, and sending a terminating service response message to the core network, so as to send the terminating service request message to the calling terminal.

In some embodiments, the system 9 may further comprise: the system comprises a main PCRF, an MME and a terminal.

The primary PCRF is configured to receive an initial credit control request message sent by the PGW and send an initial credit control response message to the PGW, when the terminal initiates an attach request.

The MME is configured to send a session creation request to the PGW, where the session creation request includes authentication information of the terminal, and receive a session creation response message returned by the PGW.

The terminal is used for initiating an originating service request message or receiving a terminating service request message.

The PGW, the active PCRF, the standby PCRF, the P-CSCF, the MME, and the terminal in the foregoing embodiments may implement corresponding steps and functions in any of the foregoing communication method embodiments.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable non-transitory storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present disclosure is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The above description is only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and is not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure, but rather as the subject matter of the claims to which the present disclosure pertains.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

a packet data network gateway (PGW) receives a service request message related to a terminal within a responsible range;

the PGW responds to the fault of the main policy and charging rule functional unit PCRF, and sends an initial credit control request message to a standby PCRF, wherein the initial credit control request message carries authentication information of the terminal, and the authentication information is stored when the PGW authenticates the main PCRF at the terminal;

and the PGW responds to the received initial credit control response message returned by the standby PCRF, and forwards the service request message to corresponding equipment under the condition that the terminal passes authentication so as to complete the related service of the terminal.

2. The communication method according to claim 1,

the receiving, by the PGW, a service request message related to a terminal within a charge range includes:

the PGW receives an originating service request message sent by a calling terminal within the responsible range;

the forwarding the service request message to the corresponding device so as to complete the related service of the terminal includes:

and the PGW forwards the originating service request message to a proxy call session control function (P-CSCF) so as to complete the service requested by the calling terminal.

3. The communication method according to claim 1,

the PGW receives a terminal call service request message which is sent by a proxy call session control function P-CSCF and aims at a called terminal within a responsible range;

and the PGW forwards the terminal call service request message to the called terminal so as to complete the service of calling the called terminal.

4. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein the PGW forwards the originating service request message to a P-CSCF so as to complete the service requested by the calling terminal, comprising:

the PGW forwards the request message of the originating service to a P-CSCF, so that the P-CSCF connects the service to a called terminal through a core network, and receives a response message of the originating service returned by the core network;

the PGW establishes service bearing according to a re-authentication request message sent by the standby PCRF, wherein the re-authentication request message is generated after the standby PCRF receives an application authorization request message sent by the P-CSCF;

and the PGW receives the originating service response message and forwards the originating service response message to the calling terminal.

5. The communication method according to claim 3, wherein the PGW forwards the terminating service request message to the called terminal so as to complete the service of calling the called terminal, comprising:

the PGW forwards the terminal call service request message to the called terminal and receives a terminal call service response message returned by the called terminal;

the PGW sends the call terminating service response message to the P-CSCF;

the PGW establishes service bearing according to a re-authentication response message sent by the standby PCRF, wherein the re-authentication request message is generated after the standby PCRF receives an application authorization request message sent by the P-CSCF;

and the PGW sends an application authorization response message to the P-CSCF through the standby PCRF so that the P-CSCF sends a calling terminating service response message to a core network so as to send the calling terminating service response message to a calling terminal.

6. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

the PGW receives a session creating request sent by a mobile management entity MME, wherein the session creating request comprises authentication information of a terminal;

the PGW initiates a credit control request message to the primary PCRF, and stores authentication information of the terminal, wherein the initial credit control request message carries the authentication information of the terminal;

and the PGW receives an initial credit control response message returned by the main PCRF, and returns a session establishment response message to the MME under the condition that the terminal passes the authentication so as to complete the attachment of the terminal.

7. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

8. A packet data network gateway, PGW, comprising:

the information receiving module is used for receiving the service request information related to the terminal within the responsible range;

the disaster recovery control module is used for responding to the fault of the main policy and charging rule functional unit PCRF, and sending an initial credit control request message to the standby PCRF, wherein the initial credit control request message carries authentication information of the terminal, and the authentication information is stored by the PGW when the terminal authenticates the main PCRF;

and the service processing module is used for responding to the received initial credit control response message returned by the standby PCRF, and forwarding the service request message to corresponding equipment under the condition that the terminal passes the authentication so as to complete the related service of the terminal.

9. The PGW of claim 8,

the information receiving module is used for receiving an originating service request message sent by a calling terminal within the responsible range;

the service processing module is used for forwarding the originating service request message to a proxy call session control function P-CSCF so as to complete the service requested by the calling terminal.

10. The PGW of claim 8,

the information receiving module is used for receiving a terminal call service request message which is sent by a proxy call session control function P-CSCF and aims at a called terminal within a responsible range;

the service processing module is used for forwarding the call terminating service request message to the called terminal so as to complete the service of calling the called terminal.

11. The PGW of claim 9,

the service processing module is used for forwarding the originating service request message to a P-CSCF, so that the P-CSCF connects the service to a called terminal through a core network, and receives an originating service response message returned by the core network; establishing service bearing according to a re-authentication request message sent by the standby PCRF, wherein the re-authentication request message is generated after the standby PCRF receives an application authorization request message sent by the P-CSCF; and receiving the originating service response message and forwarding the originating service response message to the calling terminal.

12. The PGW of claim 10,

the service processing module is used for forwarding the terminal call service request message to the called terminal and receiving a terminal call service response message returned by the called terminal; sending the call terminating service response message to the P-CSCF; establishing service bearing according to a re-authentication response message sent by the standby PCRF, wherein the re-authentication request message is generated after the standby PCRF receives an application authorization request message sent by the P-CSCF; and sending an authorization response message back to the P-CSCF through the standby PCRF so that the P-CSCF sends a calling-terminating service response message to a core network so as to send the calling-terminating service response message to a calling terminal.

13. The PGW of any of claims 9-12, further comprising: an attachment processing module and a storage module;

the information receiving module is further configured to receive a session creation request sent by a mobility management entity MME, where the session creation request includes authentication information of a terminal;

the attachment processing module is configured to initiate a credit control request message to the primary PCRF, where the initial credit control request message carries authentication information of the terminal, receive an initial credit control response message returned by the primary PCRF, and return a session creation response message to the MME when the terminal passes authentication, so as to complete attachment of the terminal;

the storage module is used for storing the authentication information of the terminal.

14. The PGW of any one of claims 9-12,

15. A packet data network gateway, PGW, comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to perform the communication method of any of claims 1-7 based on instructions stored in the memory device.

16. A computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored which, when being executed by a processor, carries out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

17. A communication system, comprising: a packet data network gateway, PGW, according to any of claims 8 to 15; and

and the standby PCRF is used for receiving the initial credit control request message sent by the PGW, authenticating the terminal and returning an initial credit control response message.

18. The communication system of claim 17, further comprising:

the P-CSCF is configured to receive an originating service request message sent by the PGW, connect a service to a called terminal through a core network, receive an originating service response message returned by the core network, send an application authorization request message to the standby PCRF, and receive an application authorization response message returned by the PCRF; or, sending a terminating service request message to the PGW, receiving a terminating service response message sent by the PGW, sending an application authorization request message to the standby PCRF, receiving an application authorization response message returned by the standby PCRF, and sending a terminating service response message to a core network, so as to send the terminating service request message to the calling terminal.