CN112584548A - Tunnel multiplexing method and core network equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a tunnel multiplexing method and core network equipment. The method comprises the following steps: the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the obtained specific message, wherein the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for the use of related terminal equipment which is on line after the tunnel establishment is finished; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices.

Description

Tunnel multiplexing method and core network equipment

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of wireless communication, in particular to a tunnel multiplexing method and core network equipment.

Background

Compared with 4G networks, 5G networks introduce a service function design to realize flexible customization and combination of network functions. For a 5G network, a core network reduces and simplifies a user plane through a control and forwarding concept so as to realize efficient forwarding; the access network is separated by a Centralized Unit (CU)/Distributed Unit (DU) to realize Centralized control and cooperation of radio resources. It is worth mentioning that the 4G user will remain online after attaching to the online, and the multiplexing tunnel is unlikely to be implemented, thereby causing a certain waste of resources.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the existing technical problem, embodiments of the present invention provide a tunnel multiplexing method and a core network device.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention is realized as follows:

the embodiment of the invention provides a tunnel multiplexing method, which comprises the following steps:

the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the obtained specific message, wherein the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for the use of related terminal equipment which is on line after the tunnel establishment is finished; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices.

In the foregoing solution, the initiating, by the first core network device, establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the obtained specific message includes:

the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode through a first equipment level message between the core network equipment; or,

the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode through a first user message corresponding to the terminal equipment.

In the foregoing solution, the first core network device is a Session Management Function (SMF); the first core network device initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode through a first device level message between core network devices, and the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode includes:

when the SMF detects that the conditions for establishing the public tunnel are met, initiating the establishment of the public tunnel based on a reserved mode through a first device level message between core network devices; or,

the method comprises the steps that an SMF receives a first device level message sent by an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the first device level message; the first equipment level message comprises indication information used for establishing a public tunnel based on a reservation mode; the first device-level message is sent when the AMF detects that a condition for establishing a common tunnel is satisfied.

In the above scheme, the first user message is a message corresponding to any terminal device and transmitted between core network devices.

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode through a first user message corresponding to the terminal equipment, and the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reserved mode comprises the following steps:

and in the information interaction process corresponding to any terminal equipment, the SMF initiates the establishment of a public tunnel through a first user message in the information interaction process.

In the above scheme, the initiating, by the SMF, establishment of a public tunnel through the first user message in the information interaction process includes:

the SMF initiates the establishment of a public tunnel through a first user message corresponding to any terminal equipment under the condition of detecting that the establishment condition of the public tunnel is met; or,

the SMF receives a first user message corresponding to any terminal device, and initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode under the condition that the first user message comprises a public tunnel establishment request;

the first user message is sent by other core network devices, or sent by any terminal device, or sent by a radio access network device.

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating and establishing of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode comprises the following steps:

the SMF initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on first policy information stored locally; or,

the SMF receives second strategy information sent by a strategy Control Function (PCF), and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the second strategy information; or,

the SMF receives subscription information sent by a Unified Data Management function (UDM), and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the subscription information.

In the foregoing solution, before the SMF receives the second policy information sent by the PCF, the method further includes:

the SMF selects PCF based on a pre-configured mode; or the SMF receives indication information sent by the AMF and selects the PCF based on the indication information;

correspondingly, the receiving, by the SMF, the second policy information sent by the PCF includes: and the SMF performs first information interaction with the selected PCF, and acquires the second strategy information sent by the PCF based on the first information interaction.

In the foregoing solution, the receiving, by the SMF, the subscription information sent by the UDM includes:

the SMF and the UDM perform second information interaction; and acquiring subscription information sent by the UDM based on the second information interaction.

In the foregoing solution, the initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner includes:

the SMF selects the UPF and carries out third information interaction with the selected UPF; the third information interaction is used for sending the first strategy information, the second strategy information or the subscription information to the selected UPF; the first policy information, the second policy information, or the subscription information is used for the UPF to establish the common tunnel with the radio access network device.

In the above scheme, the method further comprises: the first core network equipment initiates the release of the public tunnel through a second equipment level message between the core network equipment; or,

and the first core network equipment initiates the release of the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal equipment.

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the first core network device initiates the release of the common tunnel through a second device-level message between core network devices, including:

when the SMF detects that the common tunnel release condition is met, the UPF and the wireless access network equipment which are associated with the common tunnel are respectively indicated to release the common tunnel through a second equipment level message; the second device-level message includes indication information for releasing the common tunnel.

In the foregoing solution, the respectively instructing, by the second device-level message, a UPF associated with a common tunnel and a radio access network device to release the common tunnel includes:

the SMF respectively indicates the UPF and the wireless access network equipment to release the resources of the common tunnel through a second equipment level message;

and the SMF and the AMF perform fourth information interaction, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for a session management context released by the SMF and the AMF synchronous PDU session.

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the first core network device initiates the release of the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to a terminal device, including:

the SMF receives a second user message corresponding to any terminal equipment, and initiates to release the public tunnel under the condition that the second message comprises a public tunnel release request; or,

and the SMF initiates the release of the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to the any terminal equipment under the condition that the SMF detects that a public tunnel release condition is met or pre-stored configuration information is met.

In the foregoing scheme, the receiving, by the SMF, the second user message corresponding to the terminal device includes:

the SMF receives a second user message from any terminal equipment; the second user message is sent by any terminal equipment and reaches the SMF through the AMF; or,

the SMF receives a second user message sent by the PCF; or,

the SMF receives a second user message sent by the AMF; or,

the SMF receives a second user message sent by the wireless access network equipment; the second user message is sent by the radio access network device to the SMF via the AMF.

In the foregoing solution, the initiating release of the common tunnel includes:

and the SMF respectively indicates the UPF and the wireless access network equipment associated with the public tunnel to release the public tunnel through user information in the information interaction process corresponding to any terminal equipment.

In the above solution, in a case that the second user message is sent by a terminal device, a PCF, or a radio access network device, the method further includes:

and the SMF and the AMF perform fifth information interaction, wherein the fifth information interaction is used for a session management context released by the SMF and the AMF synchronous PDU session.

In the foregoing solution, the SMF detecting that a common tunnel release condition is satisfied includes:

when the SMF detects that all terminal equipment associated with the public tunnel is in an offline state, starting a timer;

and before the timing time of the timer is overtime, under the condition that no terminal equipment uses the public tunnel, the public tunnel release condition is met.

In the above scheme, the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to a service, a user group, a Network slice, or a Data Network Name (DNN).

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a core network device, where the core network device is a first core network device, and the core network device includes: an acquisition unit and an initiation unit; wherein,

the acquiring unit is used for acquiring a specific message;

the initiating unit is used for initiating and establishing a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the specific information obtained by the obtaining unit, and the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for related terminal equipment which is on line after the tunnel is established; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices.

In the above scheme, the obtaining unit is configured to obtain a first device-level message between core network devices; or for obtaining a first user message corresponding to the terminal device;

the initiating unit is configured to initiate establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode through the first device-level message obtained by the obtaining unit; or the first user message obtained by the obtaining unit is used for initiating the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode.

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating unit is used for initiating the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reserved mode through a first device level message between the core network devices when the condition of establishing the public tunnel is detected to be met; or, receiving a first device level message sent by the AMF, and initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the first device level message; the first equipment level message comprises indication information used for establishing a public tunnel based on a reservation mode; the first device-level message is sent when the AMF detects that a condition for establishing a common tunnel is satisfied.

In the above scheme, the first user message is a message corresponding to any terminal device and transmitted between core network devices.

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating unit is used for initiating the establishment of the public tunnel through the first user message in the information interaction process corresponding to any terminal equipment.

In the above solution, the initiating unit is configured to initiate establishment of a common tunnel through a first user message corresponding to any terminal device when detecting that a common tunnel establishment condition is satisfied; or,

the device also comprises a communication unit for receiving a first user message corresponding to any terminal device;

the initiating unit is configured to initiate establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner under the condition that the first user message received by the communication unit includes a public tunnel establishment request; the first user message is sent by other core network devices, or sent by any terminal device, or sent by a radio access network device.

In the above scheme, the device further comprises a storage unit or a communication unit;

the storage unit is used for storing first strategy information;

the communication unit is used for receiving second strategy information sent by the PCF; or receiving subscription information sent by the UDM;

the initiating unit is used for initiating and establishing a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the first strategy information stored by the storage unit; or, based on the second strategy information received by the communication unit, initiating to establish a public tunnel based on a reserved mode; or, based on the subscription information received by the communication unit, initiating the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode.

In the above solution, the device further includes a first selecting unit, configured to select the PCF based on a pre-configured manner before the communication unit receives the second policy information sent by the PCF; or,

the communication unit is also used for receiving the indication information sent by the AMF;

the selection unit is used for selecting PCF based on the indication information received by the communication unit;

the communication unit is further configured to perform first information interaction with the PCF selected by the first selection unit, and obtain the second policy information sent by the PCF based on the first information interaction.

In the above scheme, the communication unit is configured to perform second information interaction with the UDM; and acquiring subscription information sent by the UDM based on the second information interaction.

In the above solution, the device further includes a second selecting unit, configured to select a UPF;

the initiating unit is used for performing third information interaction with the UPF selected by the second selecting unit through the communication unit; the third information interaction is used for sending the first strategy information, the second strategy information or the subscription information to the selected UPF; the first policy information, the second policy information, or the subscription information is used for the UPF to establish the common tunnel with the radio access network device.

In the above solution, the device further includes a releasing unit, configured to initiate release of the common tunnel through a second device-level message between core network devices; or, initiating to release the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal device.

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the release unit is configured to respectively instruct, through a second device-level message, a UPF and a radio access network device associated with a common tunnel to release the common tunnel when detecting that a common tunnel release condition is satisfied; the second device-level message includes indication information for releasing the common tunnel.

In the foregoing solution, the releasing unit is configured to instruct, through a second device-level message, the UPF and the radio access network device to release the resource of the common tunnel respectively; and the SMF is further used for carrying out fourth information interaction with the AMF, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for a session management context of the session release of the SMF and the AMF synchronization PDU.

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the device further comprises a communication unit for receiving a second user message corresponding to any terminal device;

the releasing unit is configured to initiate release of the public tunnel under the condition that the second message received by the communication unit includes a public tunnel release request; or, in case of detecting that a common tunnel release condition is satisfied or pre-stored configuration information is satisfied, initiating release of the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to the arbitrary terminal device.

In the above scheme, the communication unit is configured to receive a second user message from any terminal device; the second user message is sent by any terminal equipment and reaches the SMF through the AMF; or receiving a second user message sent by the PCF; or receiving a second user message sent by the AMF; or receiving a second user message sent by the wireless access network equipment; the second user message is sent by the radio access network device to the SMF via the AMF.

In the foregoing solution, the releasing unit is configured to respectively instruct, through a user message, the UPF and the radio access network device associated with the common tunnel to release the common tunnel in an information interaction process corresponding to any terminal device.

In the above scheme, the communication unit is further configured to perform fifth information interaction with the AMF under the condition that the second user message is sent by the terminal device, the PCF, or the radio access network device, where the fifth information interaction is used for a session management context released by the SMF and the AMF synchronization PDU session.

In the above scheme, the release unit is configured to start a timer when detecting that all terminal devices associated with the common tunnel are in an offline state; and initiating to release the common tunnel under the condition that no terminal equipment uses the common tunnel is determined before the timing time of the timer is overtime.

In the above scheme, the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to a service, a user group, a network slice, or a DNN.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a core network device, which includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and capable of running on the processor, and when the processor executes the computer program, the steps of the method according to the embodiment of the present invention are implemented.

The embodiment of the invention provides a tunnel multiplexing method and communication equipment, wherein the method comprises the following steps: the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the obtained specific message, wherein the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for the use of related terminal equipment which is on line after the tunnel establishment is finished; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices. By adopting the technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention, the multiplexing of the tunnel is realized by initiating the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, and the signaling resource consumption caused by the repeated establishment and deletion of the tunnel is avoided, thereby improving the resource utilization rate and reducing the idle and waste of resources.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of a 5G network;

fig. 2 is a flow chart of session establishment in the related art;

fig. 3 is a first flowchart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a second tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a third flowchart illustrating a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a fourth flowchart illustrating a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a fifth flowchart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a first schematic structural diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a third schematic structural diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration structure of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

For the convenience of those skilled in the art, a part of the background information related to the embodiments of the present invention will be described first.

Fig. 1 is an architecture diagram of a 5G Network, and as shown in fig. 1, a 5G Network architecture mainly includes functional Network elements such as an Authentication service Function (AUSF) entity, a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) entity, a Policy Control Function (PCF) entity, a Network element Data Repository Function (NRF) entity, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity, an Access and Mobility Management Function (SMF) entity, a Session Management Function (SMF, Session Management Function) entity, a Unified Data Management Function (UDM) entity, and a User Plane Function (UPF, User Plane Function) entity; among them, the initial requirements for servicing are: AMF, SMF, PCF, AUSF, UDM, NSSF, etc., those that do not require servicing are NEF, UDR, UPF.

The SMF may correspond to part of functions of a control plane service Gateway (SGW-C) and a control plane Packet data network Gateway (PGW-C) in a 4G network, and is responsible for functions of session lifecycle management, IP address allocation, data routing, service continuity management, policy rule matching, traffic charging processing, and the like of a 5G user.

The session management related functions that the SMF should support may include:

1. the method supports the establishment of Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session according to the requests of User Equipment (UE) and a service server based on different services, and modifies and releases the PDU session according to the requests of the UE or a network based on different services;

2. supporting the establishment of an Internet Protocol version four (IPv4, Internet Protocol version 4), an Internet Protocol version six (IPv6), an ethernet and an unstructured PDU session type;

3. supporting session control of single UE and multiple sessions;

4. the method comprises the steps that whether a request of the UE is reasonable or not is judged by acquiring subscription information of a Session level in the UDM, and the subscription type can comprise an allowed and default PDU Session type, an allowed and default Session and Service Continuity (SSC) mode, Quality of Service (QoS) information and an IP address or prefix;

5. a Digital Data Network (DDN) supporting downstream Data when the session connection is in an idle state;

6. in the interoperation process, functions of Evolved Packet System (EPS) QoS mapping, Traffic Flow Template (TFT) allocation, EPS bearer identifier application, and the like are supported, and information such as PDU Session identifier (PDU Session ID) sent by UE through Control Observation Point (PCO) parameters is supported to be received;

7. secondary authentication is supported;

8. supporting the establishment of an emergency PDU session;

9. and the method supports that a locally pre-configured Proxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) address list is returned to the UE in the PDU Session establishment process.

For the IP address allocation function, the SMF shall support the allocation of IP addresses according to the PDU session type; the allocation mode may be local allocation, or may be a mode of acquiring a user IP address from an external network by using a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) v4/DHCPv6, or the like. For a non-multihoming (multi-homing) IPv4 or IPv6 session, the SMF allocates only one IPv4 or IPv6 address to the UE; for multi-hosting sessions, the SMF may assign multiple IPv6 addresses.

For the Data routing Function, the SMF should support selection of the UPF according to information such as a local policy, a Data Network Name (DNN), an Application Function (AF) policy, and the like. To support the uplink traffic offload function of PDU session, the SMF should support:

1. inserting or deleting one or more UPFs supporting the uplink flow shunting in the data routing path;

2. based on the uplink flow of different destination addresses, a shunting strategy is formulated and issued to a UPF supporting uplink flow shunting;

in addition, in order to support IPv6 session connection to the local service and the central service at the same time and also ensure service continuity of the SSC mode three, the SMF should support the following:

3. insert or delete a UPF that supports a target Point (which may also be referred to as a Branching Point);

4. based on IPv6 source address prefixes of different PDU sessions, making a shunting strategy and issuing the shunting strategy to a UPF supporting the Branching Point;

in addition, the SMF should also support other data routing functions, which mainly include the following six items:

5. when the AF subscribes to the SMF notification, the SMF supports to directly send the notification to the AF;

6. reporting the current support area to the AMF, and when a session is newly established or modified or the UE leaves the service area of the SMF, the SMF determines whether to reselect the UPF according to the latest position notified by the AMF;

7. support allocation and release of core network tunnels (CN tunnels, CoreNetwork tunnels);

8. supporting the overload control function by rejecting a Non-access stratum (NAS) request;

9. the method supports the related functional requirements of a Local Area Data Network (LADN), namely the SMF supports the available LADN information of a user provided by the AMF, and when the user enters or leaves the service Area of the LADN, the establishment or deletion of a session is triggered;

10. and supporting the service chain function, namely locally configuring a policy related to the service chain policy ID, and transmitting the information to the UPF for execution when the PCC rule is received and if the PCC rule contains service chain control information.

For the service continuity management function, in order to support the session and service continuity under mobility, the SMF should support selecting the SSC pattern of the session according to the SSC pattern in the UE session establishment request and in the UE subscription information, and rejecting the session establishment request if the SMF does not support the SSC pattern.

For SSC mode two, the SMF should support the following functions:

1. SMF triggers the release of the current session first, and then informs UE to establish a new session accessing the same Data Network (DN, Data Network);

2. if the current session has a plurality of IP anchors, the SMF needs to release or reallocate all the IP anchors;

for SSC mode three, SMF should support the following functions:

3. SMF informs UE to establish a new session accessing the same DN and indicates the holding time of the current session of the UE; after the current session holding time is overtime, the SMF triggers the release of the session again (the session release can also be triggered by the UE in advance);

4. if the scene is a multi-timing scene, the SMF can also create an anchor point;

for the policy control function, the SMF should support local configuration and receive the policy control related function issued by the PCF, and mainly includes the following five items:

1. supporting and configuring a message detection rule and sending the message detection rule to the UPF;

2. supporting a service flow detection function, and identifying uplink and downlink service flows according to a data service flow template in a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule;

3. supporting the usage detection function, and accumulating and reporting the usage of the specified service of the rule according to the PCC rule requirement;

4. supporting QoS control function, summarizing all PCC rules, and counting Guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR) and Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) aiming at one QoS Flow; and determines a Session-aggregation Maximum Bit Rate (Session-AMBR) for one PDU Session.

5. The method supports the ADC function, realizes the service detection and control function, and supports the reporting of service data start and end events by installing, modifying and deleting the PCC rule containing the TDF-Application-Identifier (TDF-Application-Identifier), and acts defined according to the policy rule.

For the charging flow processing function, the SMF should support issuing the charging policy to the UPF, and simultaneously support sending the charging information received from the UPF to the charging gateway, and simultaneously, the SMF supports the charging suspension function.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart of session establishment in the related art. It should be noted that fig. 2 is directed to a scenario in which the UE is already registered in the AMF, and the AMF has retrieved the user subscription data from the UDM unless it is an emergency registered UE. As shown in fig. 2, the procedure of establishing a PDU session in the related art includes:

step 101: the UE sends a NAS message (S-nssai (S), DNN, PDU session ID, request type, old PDU session ID, N1SM container) to the AMF. Wherein the N1SM container has a PDU session setup request.

Step 102: AMF selects SMF, stores S-NSSAI (S), DNN, PDU session ID, SMF ID and access type association of PDU session.

Step 103: the AMF sends a context Request (also referred to as Nsmf _ PDU _ creation _ mcontext Request) message for creating PDU session management by the SMF to the SMF, where the message carries User-related Information, such as User Location Information (ULI), subscription of PDU session state notification, DNN selection mode, and the like.

Step 104: the SMF interacts session management subscription data with the UDM for subscription retrieval/subscription updates.

Step 105: the SMF sends a context Response (also called Nsmf _ PDU _ create _ SMs context Response) message for creating PDU session management by the SMF to the AMF, where the message carries a cause value, an SM context, and the like.

Step 106: PDU session authentication/authorization during initial setup of a PDU session.

Step 107a to step 107 b: the SMF makes PCF selection. If dynamic PCC is to be used for the PDU session, the SMF may select a PCF based on the AMF's indication or local configuration; otherwise, the SMF may apply a local policy; SMF may perform Session Management (SM) policy association establishment procedure to establish SM policy association with PCF and obtain default PCC rules for PDU sessions; alternatively, the SMF may initiate SM policy association modification.

Step 108: the SMF selects a UPF based on its location, DNN, weight information, etc., and step 107 may be performed after step 108 if PCC rules are not needed as input for UPF selection.

Step 109: the SMF may perform an SMF-initiated SM policy association modification procedure to provide information on the policy control request trigger condition that has been met; if the request type is "initial request", dynamic PCC is deployed, and the PDU session type is IPv4, IPv6, or IPv4v6, then the SMF will inform the PCF (if the policy control request trigger condition is met) with the allocated UE IP address/prefix.

Step 110a to step 110 b: the SMF sends an N4session setup/modify request to the UPF, which sends an N4session setup/modify response to the SMF and distributes core network channel information (i.e., CN Tunnel Info) in cooperation with the UPF.

Step 111: the SMF sends a Transfer Message (which may also be referred to as a Namf _ Communication _ N1N2Message Transfer Message) for N1N2 Communication to the AMF and informs the AMF of CN Tunnel Info related information.

Step 112: the AMF sends NAS information (NAS msg) to a Radio Access Network (RAN), wherein the NAS information contains an N2PDU session request and carries CN Tunnel Info obtained from the SMF.

Step 113: initiating an access special resource flow between RAN and UE, and carrying a PDU session establishment receiving message; the RAN allocates Access Network channel information (AN) Tunnel Info to the UE, and the PDU session is successfully established.

Step 114: and the RAN responds to the N2PDU session response message to the AMF, and carries a reason value, AN Tunnel Info and the like.

Step 115: the AMF sends a context request (which may also be referred to as AN Nsmf _ PDU usage _ update smcontext request, and carries AN SM context ID, N2SM information, and a request type) for SMF to update PDU session management to the SMF, and forwards the N2SM information (carrying AN N Tunnel Info, etc.) received from the RAN to the SMF.

Step 116a to step 116 c: the SMF sends an N4session modification request to the UPF; UPF sends N4session modification response to SMF; the SMF provides the UPF with the tunnel information and the corresponding forwarding rules. And the SMF and the UDM perform information interaction to finish registration.

Step 117: the SMF sends an SMF update PDU session management context Response (which may also be denoted as Nsmf _ PDU _ update smcontext Response) message to the AMF, carrying the cause value.

Step 118: the SMF sends an SMF PDU session management context state notification to the AMF.

Step 119: the SMF performs IPv6 address configuration.

Step 120: and the SMF and the UDM carry out information interaction and cancel subscription.

It should be noted that, in the 4G core network, session establishment is usually completed when the user attaches; in 5G core networks, the current mechanism is also the user requesting the establishment of a PDU session. However, as the services develop, many low-frequency packet services similar to the internet of things are presented, and the connection density of the internet of things in the 5G vision is 1 mega (M) of equipment per square kilometer, so that the huge connection scale is a huge challenge for core network equipment. If each user of such services is allocated with a corresponding tunnel and is based on the principle of 4G "always on", a great waste of network resources is caused, because the performance index of the SAE GW is usually measured as the number of PDU sessions; also the establishment and tear down of tunnels generates signalling consumption, so that a certain type of tunnel can always be maintained in the core network for a certain type of traffic to reduce such consumption. Of course, the application scenario of the embodiment of the present invention includes, but is not limited to, an internet of things low frequency packet service scenario.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

The embodiment of the invention provides a tunnel multiplexing method. Fig. 3 is a first flowchart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention; as shown in fig. 3, the method includes:

step 201: the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the obtained specific message, wherein the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for the use of related terminal equipment which is on line after the tunnel establishment is finished; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices.

In this embodiment, the common tunnel may be understood as a tunnel that can support multiplexing of multiple terminal devices in a shared manner, and is not a tunnel that is specifically established for a certain PDU session.

Wherein the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to a service, a user group (UE group), a network slice, or a Data Network Name (DNN). It is to be understood that the common tunnel may be a common tunnel dedicated to a certain service, or a common tunnel used for users within a certain group of users, or a common tunnel dedicated to a certain network slice, or a common tunnel for a certain Data Network Name (DNN). Of course, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the common tunnel may also be a common tunnel corresponding to a specific area or a common tunnel corresponding to a specific number of segments. It can be understood that different tunnels may be used for transmitting PDU sessions according to different user groups, different services, different network slices, different DNNs, and even different number segments and different locations,

in this embodiment, the first core network may be an SMF, that is, the SMF initiates establishment of a common tunnel based on a reservation mode. The SMF initiates the establishment of a common tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the obtained specific message. The specific message may be sent by other core network devices, or may be sent by any terminal device.

In this embodiment, a public tunnel is established based on a reservation mode before a service requirement, and it can be understood that the establishment of the public tunnel in this embodiment is unrelated to a user behavior. The common tunnel is established in a reserved mode, multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices is achieved, signaling resource consumption caused by repeated establishment and deletion of the tunnel is avoided, effective tunnel management is provided, and resource utilization rate is improved.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the initiating, by the first core network device, establishment of a common tunnel based on a reserved manner based on the obtained specific message includes: the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode through a first equipment level message between the core network equipment; or, the first core network device initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode through a first user message corresponding to the terminal device. The first user message is a message which is transmitted between core network devices and corresponds to any terminal device.

In this embodiment, as a first implementation manner, the first core network device may initiate establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner in a manner of a device level message. The device level message initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode through message interaction between core network devices. It can be understood that, when the condition of establishing the common tunnel is satisfied, the establishment of the common tunnel is initiated through a certain core network device (the core network device may be the first core network device itself, or may be another core network device), and the first core network device establishes the common tunnel based on the reservation mode through information interaction between the core network devices.

As a second implementation manner, the first core network device may further initiate establishment of a common tunnel based on a reserved manner in a manner of a user message corresponding to any terminal device. The user message corresponding to any terminal device is a message for information interaction between any terminal device and network side equipment. For example, if a terminal device initiates session establishment, any user message in a session establishment procedure corresponding to the terminal device may carry a request for establishing the common tunnel, where the any user message may be a user message sent by the terminal device in the session establishment procedure, or a user message sent by another network device (such as a radio access network device or a core network device) in the session establishment procedure, that is, on the basis of an existing user message of any terminal device, information for requesting establishment of a common tunnel based on a reserved manner is added in the existing user message in a "pick-up" manner; and after obtaining the information, the first core network equipment establishes a public tunnel based on a reserved mode.

In a case that the common tunnel is initiated by a first user message, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the initiating, by the first core network device, establishment of the common tunnel based on a reserved manner through the first user message corresponding to the terminal device includes: and in the information interaction process corresponding to any terminal equipment, the SMF initiates the establishment of a public tunnel through a first user message in the information interaction process.

Wherein, the SMF initiates the establishment of a public tunnel through the first user message in the information interaction process, including: the SMF initiates the establishment of a public tunnel through a first user message corresponding to any terminal equipment under the condition of detecting that the establishment condition of the public tunnel is met; or, the SMF receives a first user message corresponding to any terminal device, and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner when the first user message includes a public tunnel establishment request; the first user message is sent by other core network devices, or sent by any terminal device, or sent by a radio access network device.

In this embodiment, the SMF may initiate establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner through a first user message corresponding to any terminal device, when detecting that a public tunnel establishment condition is satisfied; or other core network equipment or any terminal equipment or wireless access network equipment can initiate the establishment of the common tunnel based on the reservation mode through the first user message. It can be understood that, in this embodiment, the initiator of the common tunnel based on the reservation mode may be an SMF, or a core network device (e.g., an AMF) other than the SMF, or any terminal device, or a radio access network device, and the like.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the initiating establishment of a common tunnel based on a reservation mode includes: the SMF initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on first policy information stored locally; or, the SMF receives second strategy information sent by the PCF, and initiates to establish a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the second strategy information; or the SMF receives subscription information sent by the UDM, and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the subscription information.

In this embodiment, the SMF establishes a public tunnel based on a reserved mode, and specifically determines a tunnel multiplexing policy through three modes, namely (a) SMF local configuration, (B) PCF policy issuing, and (C) UDM subscription information issuing. As a first implementation manner, first policy information may be locally configured in advance in the SMF, so that the SMF stores the first policy information this time. As a second implementation, a common tunnel based on a reservation mode is established in the SMF, and the second policy information may be obtained from the PCF or the subscription information may be obtained from the UDM. The SMF may establish a common tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the first policy information, the second policy information, or the subscription information. The content in the first policy information, the second policy information, or the subscription information may include whether the terminal device may use a common tunnel for data transmission.

It is understood that the SMF transmits the information related to the establishment of the common tunnel to the selected UPF on the one hand, and transmits the information related to the establishment of the common tunnel to the radio access network device on the other hand, so as to establish the common tunnel based on the reservation mode between the UPF and the radio access network device. The information related to the establishment of the common tunnel may include a tunnel identifier (tunnel ID), a peer IP address, and the like.

It is to be understood that, before the SMF receives the second policy information sent by the PCF, the method further includes: the SMF selects PCF based on a pre-configured mode; or the SMF receives indication information sent by the AMF and selects the PCF based on the indication information; correspondingly, the receiving, by the SMF, the second policy information sent by the PCF includes: and the SMF performs first information interaction with the selected PCF, and acquires the second strategy information sent by the PCF based on the first information interaction.

It can be understood that the SMF receives subscription information sent by the UDM, and includes: the SMF and the UDM perform second information interaction; and acquiring subscription information sent by the UDM based on the second information interaction.

Compared with the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode in the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present invention also discloses a technical scheme for initiating the release of the public tunnel, and the release of the public tunnel can be initiated through a device level message or a user message in the embodiment corresponding to the establishment mode of the public tunnel. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises: the first core network equipment initiates the release of the public tunnel through a second equipment level message between the core network equipment; or, the first core network device initiates to release the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal device. The second user message is a user message which is transmitted between core network devices and corresponds to any terminal device.

Similar to the above manner of initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner, in this embodiment, the public tunnel may also be released by initiating a device-level message or a user message. As a first implementation, the first core network device may initiate the release of the common tunnel through a second device-level message. It can be understood that, when a condition for releasing a common tunnel is satisfied, a certain core network device (the core network device may be the first core network device itself or another core network device) initiates to release the common tunnel, and the first core network device releases the common tunnel through information interaction between the core network devices.

As a second implementation manner, the first core network device may further initiate to release the common tunnel by means of a second user message corresponding to any terminal device. Namely, on the basis of the existing user information of any terminal equipment, information for requesting to release the public tunnel is added in the existing user information in a mode of taking a free car.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the initiating, by the first core network device through a second device-level message between core network devices, release of the common tunnel includes: when the SMF detects that the common tunnel release condition is met, the UPF and the wireless access network equipment which are associated with the common tunnel are respectively indicated to release the common tunnel through a second equipment level message; the second device-level message includes indication information for releasing the common tunnel.

Wherein the instructing, by the second device-level message, the UPF and the radio access network device associated with the common tunnel to release the common tunnel respectively includes: the SMF respectively indicates the UPF and the wireless access network equipment to release the resources of the common tunnel through a second equipment level message; and the SMF and the AMF perform fourth information interaction, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for a session management context released by the SMF and the AMF synchronous PDU session.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the initiating, by the first core network device, release of the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to a terminal device includes: the SMF receives a second user message corresponding to any terminal equipment, and initiates to release the public tunnel under the condition that the second message comprises a public tunnel release request; or, the SMF initiates to release the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to the arbitrary terminal device, when detecting that a common tunnel release condition is satisfied or configuration information stored in advance is satisfied.

Wherein, the receiving, by the SMF, a second user message corresponding to the terminal device includes: the SMF receives a second user message from any terminal equipment; the second user message is sent by any terminal equipment and reaches the SMF through the AMF; or, the SMF receives a second user message sent by the PCF; or, the SMF receives a second user message sent by the AMF; or, the SMF receives a second user message sent by the wireless access network equipment; the second user message is sent by the radio access network device to the SMF via the AMF.

Wherein the initiating to release the common tunnel comprises: and the SMF respectively indicates the UPF and the wireless access network equipment associated with the public tunnel to release the public tunnel through user information in the information interaction process corresponding to any terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the detection by the SMF that the common tunnel release condition is satisfied includes: when the SMF detects that all terminal equipment associated with the public tunnel is in an offline state, starting a timer; and before the timing time of the timer is overtime, under the condition that no terminal equipment uses the public tunnel, the public tunnel release condition is met.

In this embodiment, the timing duration of the timer may be determined in a predetermined manner, or determined in a manual configuration manner, or configured by other network devices. The timing duration of the timer may be a specific duration, or may be infinite, that is, the corresponding public tunnel is never deleted. When the SMF detects that all the terminal devices on the public tunnel are offline (namely, no terminal device uses the public tunnel), starting the timer; if terminal equipment is on-line before the timing time of the timer is up, resetting the timer and closing the timer; if no other terminal device is on-line before the timing time of the timer is overtime, determining that the public tunnel release condition is met, and releasing the public tunnel by adopting the device level message or the user message.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, in a case that the second user message is sent by a terminal device, a PCF, or a radio access network device, the method further includes: and the SMF and the AMF perform fifth information interaction, wherein the fifth information interaction is used for a session management context released by the SMF and the AMF synchronous PDU session.

By adopting the technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention, the multiplexing of the tunnel is realized by initiating the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, and the signaling resource consumption caused by the repeated establishment and deletion of the tunnel is avoided, thereby improving the resource utilization rate and reducing the idle and waste of resources.

The tunnel multiplexing method according to the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to specific application scenarios and examples.

For the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, the embodiment of the invention includes the following two examples:

example of Tunnel establishment

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reserved mode is initiated by using a user message corresponding to any terminal device, and the user message in this embodiment is a user message used by any terminal device in an interactive process of initiating the establishment of the PDU session. As shown in fig. 4, the method includes:

step 301: UE sends PDU conversation to AMF to establish the request;

step 302: AMF carries out SMF selection;

step 303: the AMF sends a context Request (which can also be called as Nsmf _ PDUSESION _ CreatesMContext Request) message for SMF to create PDU session management to the SMF;

step 304: SMF and UDM interact session management subscription data for subscribing retrieval/subscription update;

step 305: SMF sends SMF creates PDU conversation management context Response (also called Nsmf _ PDUSES _ CreateSSCONponse) message to AMF;

step 306: PDU session authentication/authorization during initial setup of a PDU session.

Step 307a to step 307 b: the SMF performs PCF selection; the SMF may perform an SM policy association establishment procedure, or the SMF may initiate an SM policy association modification;

step 308: SMF selects UPF; the SMF can select the UPF according to the position, DNN, weight information and the like of the UPF;

step 309: the SMF may perform an SMF-initiated SM policy association modification procedure;

step 310a to step 310 b: the SMF sends an N4session establishment/modification request to the UPF, and the UPF sends an N4session establishment/modification response to the SMF;

step 311: the SMF sends a Transfer Message (also referred to as a Namf _ Communication _ N1N2Message Transfer Message) for N1N2 Communication to the AMF;

step 312: the AMF sends an N2PDU session request to the RAN, and carries NAS information (NAS msg);

step 313: initiating an access special resource flow between RAN and UE, and carrying a PDU session establishment receiving message; RAN allocates AN Tunnel Info to UE, and PDU session establishment is successful;

step 314: RAN responds to the N2PDU session response message to AMF, and carries a reason value, AN Tunnel Info and the like;

step 315: the AMF sends a context request (which can also be called as AN Nsmf _ PDUSESION _ UpdateSMContext request carrying SM context ID, N2SM information and request type) for SMF to update PDU session management to the SMF, and the AMF forwards the N2SM information (carrying AN Tunnel Info and the like) received from the RAN to the SMF;

step 316a to step 316 c: the SMF sends an N4session modification request to the UPF; UPF sends N4session modification response to SMF; the SMF provides the UPF with the tunnel information and the corresponding forwarding rules. The SMF and the UDM perform information interaction to complete registration;

step 317: the SMF sends an SMF update PDU session management context Response (which can also be recorded as Nsmf _ PDUSESSion _ UpdateSMContext Response) message to the AMF;

step 318: SMF sends SMF PDU conversation management context state notice to AMF;

step 319: SMF carries out IPv6 address configuration;

step 320: and the SMF and the UDM carry out information interaction and cancel subscription.

For the detailed description of each step in this embodiment, reference may be made to the detailed description of steps 101 to 120 in fig. 2, which is not repeated herein.

The difference is that in this embodiment, if the establishment of the common tunnel based on the reserved manner is initiated by any terminal device, in step 301 of this embodiment, when the UE initiates the PDU session establishment request, the PDU session establishment request carries the relevant information for requesting to establish the common tunnel based on the reserved manner, for example, the PDU session establishment request may carry tunnel multiplexing information. In the case that the establishment of the common tunnel based on the reserved manner is initiated by another core network device (e.g., AMF), in step 303 in this embodiment, relevant information, such as tunnel multiplexing information, requesting to establish the common tunnel based on the reserved manner is carried in a message sent by the AMF to the SMF.

In this embodiment, the SMF may determine the tunnel multiplexing policy according to (a) SMF local configuration, (B) PCF policy issue, and (C) UDM subscription issue.

In step 304 of this embodiment, the SMF and the UDM interact to obtain subscription information, where the subscription information may include a user group identifier, information about using a common tunnel, and a mode of issuing a UDM subscription corresponding to the condition C. The SMF may configure the relevant information locally to perform tunnel multiplexing, corresponding to the SMF local configuration based mode of the condition a.

In step 307, the SMF selects a PCF according to the AMF indication or the local configuration, and at this time, the PCF may issue a relevant policy, including a user group message, whether to use a shared tunnel, and a PCF policy issuing mode corresponding to condition B.

In step 311, the SMF interacts the relevant information of the public tunnel with the AMF, and decides whether to establish the public tunnel based on the reservation mode based on the three granularities of the conditions a \ B \ C.

In step 313, the RAN allocates AN Tunnel info and brings it to the UE.

In step 314, the RAN sends AN Tunnel info to the AMF.

In steps 315 and 316a, the AMF forwards the AN Tunnel info to the SMF, which forwards it to the UPF.

Through the steps, the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is established.

Example two Tunnel establishment

Fig. 5 is a third flowchart illustrating a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present example is to initiate establishment of a reservation-based common tunnel in a manner corresponding to a device-level message. As shown in fig. 5, the method includes:

step 401: AMF carries out SMF selection;

step 402: the AMF sends a context Request (which can also be called as Nsmf _ PDUSESION _ CreatesMContext Request) message for SMF to create PDU session management to the SMF;

step 403: SMF sends SMF creates PDU conversation management context Response (also called Nsmf _ PDUSES _ CreateSSCONponse) message to AMF;

step 404a to step 404 b: the SMF performs PCF selection; the SMF may initiate SM policy association modification;

step 405: SMF selects UPF;

step 406: the SMF may perform an SMF-initiated SM policy association modification procedure;

step 407a to step 407 b: the SMF sends an N4session establishment/modification request to the UPF, and the UPF sends an N4session establishment/modification response to the SMF;

step 408: the SMF sends a Transfer Message (also referred to as a Namf _ Communication _ N1N2Message Transfer Message) for N1N2 Communication to the AMF;

step 409: the AMF sends an N2PDU session request to the RAN, and carries NAS information (NAS msg);

step 410: RAN sends an N2PDU session response to AMF;

step 411: the AMF sends a context request (which can also be called an Nsmf _ PDUSESION _ UpdateSMContext request) for SMF to update PDU session management to the SMF;

step 412a to step 412 b: the SMF sends an N4session modification request to the UPF; UPF sends N4session modification response to SMF;

step 413: the SMF sends an SMF update PDU session management context Response (which can also be recorded as Nsmf _ PDUSESSion _ UpdateSMContext Response) message to the AMF;

step 414: the SMF sends an SMF PDU session management context state notification to the AMF.

The embodiment can initiate the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode through the core network equipment. In the case that the AMF initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner, in step 401, the AMF detects that a public tunnel establishment condition is satisfied, actively initiates establishment of the public tunnel based on the reserved manner, and selects an SMF, and in step 402, a message sent by the AMF to the SMF carries related information for establishing the public tunnel based on the reserved manner. Under the condition that the SMF initiates the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, the SMF may also detect that the public tunnel establishment condition is satisfied, actively initiate the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, and select the UPF, that is, step 401 to step 404 are skipped, and step 405 is directly performed.

In this embodiment, the SMF may determine the tunnel multiplexing policy according to (a) SMF local configuration, (B) PCF policy issue, and (C) UDM subscription issue.

In steps 402 to 403 of this embodiment, the SMF may determine a corresponding relationship between a user (i.e., a terminal device to use a common tunnel) and the common tunnel according to a local configuration mode (corresponding condition a), and transmit the corresponding relationship to the RAN and the UPF in a subsequent message.

In step 404 of this embodiment, the SMF selects a PCF according to the indication of the AMF or local configuration, and at this time, the PCF may issue a relevant policy, including a user group message, and what shared tunnel to use (for example, the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to what service, or a common tunnel corresponding to what user group when the common tunnel is used), and a way of issuing the PCF policy corresponding to the condition B.

In step 407, the SMF and the UPF interact with each other for the related information established by the public tunnel, and perform interaction for the subscription information.

In step 410, the RAN sends AN Tunnel info to the AMF.

In steps 411 and 412a, AMF forwards AN Tunnel info to SMF, which forwards it to UPF.

For the release of the common tunnel, the following two examples are included in the embodiment of the present invention:

example of Tunnel Release

Fig. 6 is a fourth flowchart illustrating a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. This example is the initiation of the release of the common tunnel in a manner corresponding to the device-level message. As shown in fig. 6, the method includes:

step 501a to step 501 b: the SMF sends an N4Session Release Request (N4Session Release Request) to the UPF; UPF sends N4Session Release Response (N4Session Release Response) to SMF;

step 502: an N1N2 Communication Message Transfer (Nsmf Communication N1N2Message Transfer) Message is carried out between the SMF and the AMF;

step 503: the AMF sends an N2 resource Release Request (N2 resource Release Request) to the RAN;

step 504: RAN performs access specific resource modification (AN specific resource modification) to UE, wherein the modification comprises a PDU Session Release Command (PDU Session Release Command);

step 505: the RAN sends an N2 resource Release acknowledgement (N2 resource Release ACK) to the AMF;

step 506a to step 506 b: AMF sends Session management message (Nsmf PDU Session update SMContext N2SM info) of PDU Session management context update N2 to SMF, and obtains SMF Response PDU Session management context message (Nsmf PDU Session update SMContext Response);

step 507: the UE sends PDU Session Release acknowledgement (PDU Session Release ACK) to the RAN;

step 508: the RAN sends an N2 resource Release acknowledgement (N2 resource Release ACK) to the AMF;

step 509a to step 509 b: AMF sends Session management message (Nsmf PDU Session update SMContext N1SM info) of PDU Session management context update N1 to SMF, and obtains SMF Response PDU Session management context message (Nsmf PDU Session update SMContext Response);

step 510: the AMF and the SMF interact PDU session management context state notification (release state) (Nsmf _ PDUSESION _ SMContextStatusNotify (Release)); wherein, the notification message needs to carry SMF identification (SMF ID), PDU session identification, DNN and S-NSSAI;

step 511: the SMF performs information interaction with the PCF and terminates session management Policy Association (SM Policy Association Termination).

The embodiment may initiate release of the public tunnel established based on the reservation mode through the core network device. In this example, the SMF initiates releasing the public tunnel established based on the reservation method is taken as an example, but the embodiment is not limited to this, and the releasing of the public tunnel established based on the reservation method may also be initiated by other core network devices (for example, AMF).

Example two Tunnel Release

Fig. 7 is a fifth flowchart illustrating a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a manner corresponding to a user message of any terminal device is adopted to initiate release of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner, and the user message in this embodiment is a user message used by any terminal device in an interactive flow for initiating release of a PDU session. As shown in fig. 7, the method includes:

steps 601a to 601e are respectively that UE, PCF, AMF, RAN and SMF initiate the release of the public tunnel; step 601a shows that a PDU session release request message sent by UE carries public tunnel release information, the PDU session release request message is sent to AMF, the AMF sends a PDU session update management context message to SMF, and the PDU session update management context message comprises the PDU session release request; step 601b represents that the SM strategy association termination message sent by PCF carries the public tunnel release information; step 601c represents that the PDU session management context message for releasing sent by AMF to SMF carries the release information of the public tunnel; step 601d shows that the message N2 sent by RAN carries the release information of the public tunnel, the message N2 is sent to AMF, and the AMF sends the message for updating PDU session management context to SMF and carries the release information of the public tunnel; step 601e represents the execution of a PDU session release trigger by the SMF, i.e. triggering the common tunnel release.

Step 601 f: the AMF sends an update PDU session management context to the SMF.

Step 602a to step 602 b: the SMF sends an N4Session Release Request (N4Session Release Request) to the UPF; UPF sends N4Session Release Response (N4Session Release Response) to SMF;

step 603a to step 603 d: SMF sends PDU session management context updating response message to AMF; AMF and SMF carry out N1N2 Communication Message transmission (Nsmf Communication N1N2Message Transfer) Message; SMF sends PDU conversation management context release response message to AMF; SMF sends PDU session management context updating response message to AMF;

step 604: the AMF sends an N2 resource Release Request (N2 resource Release Request) to the RAN;

step 605: RAN performs access specific resource modification (AN specific resource modification) to UE, wherein the modification comprises a PDU Session Release Command (PDU Session Release Command);

step 606: the RAN sends an N2 resource Release acknowledgement (N2 resource Release ACK) to the AMF;

step 607a to step 607 b: AMF sends Session management message (Nsmf PDU Session update SMContext N2SM info) of PDU Session management context update N2 to SMF, and obtains SMF Response PDU Session management context message (Nsmf PDU Session update SMContext Response);

step 608: the UE sends PDU Session Release acknowledgement (PDU Session Release ACK) to the RAN;

step 609: the RAN sends an N2Uplink NAS transport (N2Uplink NAS transport) message to the AMF;

step 610a to step 610 b: the AMF sends a context request (which can also be called an Nsmf _ PDUSESION _ UpdateSMContext request) for SMF to update PDU session management to the SMF; the SMF sends an SMF update PDU session management context Response (which can also be recorded as Nsmf _ PDUSESSion _ UpdateSMContext Response) message to the AMF;

step 611: the AMF and the SMF interact PDU session management context state notification (release state) (Nsmf _ PDUSESION _ SMContextStatusNotify (Release));

step 612: the SMF performs information interaction with the PCF and terminates session management Policy Association (SM Policy Association Termination).

The detailed description of each step in this embodiment may specifically refer to the specific description of the existing PDU session release procedure, and is not repeated here. The difference is that in this embodiment, when it is determined to release the public tunnel based on the reserved method, information for releasing the public tunnel may be added to any user message in the flow in a manner corresponding to the user message of any terminal device (i.e., "pick-up for cars"), thereby implementing the release of the public tunnel based on the reserved method.

Based on this, in this embodiment, as shown in steps 601a to 601e, it may be respectively shown that UE, PCF, AMF, RAN, and SMF initiate release of a common tunnel based on a reserved manner, and tunnel deletion information may be added to an existing user message; the tunnel deletion information may include a tunnel identification (tunnel ID) and a corresponding deletion indication.

In step 611 of this embodiment, if the tunnel release procedure is initiated by the UE, PCF, or RAN, the SMF needs to notify the AMF of the session management context for PDU session release, where the notified message carries an SMF identifier (SMF ID), a PDU session identifier (PDU session ID), a DNN, and an S-NSSAI.

In step 612, if the PCC rule is deployed, the SMF further notifies the PCF that the policy control function for the session is terminated.

The embodiment of the invention also provides core network equipment, which is the first core network equipment. Fig. 8 is a first schematic structural diagram of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present invention; as shown in fig. 8, the apparatus includes: an acquisition unit 71 and an initiation unit 72; wherein,

the obtaining unit 71 is configured to obtain a specific message;

the initiating unit 72 is configured to initiate establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the specific message obtained by the obtaining unit 71, where the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used by a related terminal device that comes online after the tunnel establishment is completed; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices.

The acquiring unit 71 is configured to acquire a first device-level message between core network devices; or for obtaining a first user message corresponding to the terminal device;

the initiating unit 72 is configured to initiate establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner through the first device-level message obtained by the obtaining unit 71; or the first user message obtained by the obtaining unit 71 is used to initiate the establishment of a common tunnel based on a reservation mode. The first user message is a message which is transmitted between core network devices and corresponds to any terminal device.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating unit 72 is configured to initiate establishment of a reserved mode-based common tunnel through a first device-level message between core network devices when detecting that a condition for establishing the common tunnel is satisfied; or, receiving a first device level message sent by the AMF, and initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the first device level message; the first equipment level message comprises indication information used for establishing a public tunnel based on a reservation mode; the first device-level message is sent when the AMF detects that a condition for establishing a common tunnel is satisfied.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating unit 72 is configured to initiate, in an information interaction process corresponding to any terminal device, establishment of a common tunnel through a first user message in the information interaction process.

As an embodiment, the initiating unit 72 is configured to, in a case that it is detected that a common tunnel establishment condition is satisfied, initiate establishment of a common tunnel through a first user message corresponding to any terminal device; or,

the apparatus further comprises a communication unit 73 for receiving a first user message corresponding to any terminal device;

the initiating unit 72 is configured to initiate establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner when the first user message received by the communicating unit 73 includes a public tunnel establishment request; the first user message is sent by other core network devices, or sent by any terminal device, or sent by a radio access network device.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 9, the apparatus further comprises a storage unit 74 or a communication unit 73;

the storage unit 74 is configured to store first policy information;

the communication unit 73 is configured to receive second policy information sent by the PCF; or receiving subscription information sent by the UDM;

the initiating unit 72 is configured to initiate establishment of a common tunnel based on a reserved manner based on the first policy information stored in the storing unit 74; or, based on the second policy information received by the communication unit 73, initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode; or, initiate to establish a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the subscription information received by the communication unit 73.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 10, the apparatus further includes a first selecting unit 75, configured to select a PCF based on a preconfigured manner before the communicating unit 73 receives the second policy information sent by the PCF; or,

the communication unit 73 is further configured to receive indication information sent by the AMF;

the first selecting unit 75 is configured to select a PCF based on the indication information received by the communicating unit 73;

the communication unit 73 is further configured to perform first information interaction with the PCF selected by the first selecting unit 75, and obtain the second policy information sent by the PCF based on the first information interaction.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 73 is configured to perform a second information interaction with the UDM; and acquiring subscription information sent by the UDM based on the second information interaction.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 11, the device further comprises a second selection unit 76 for selecting a UPF;

the initiating unit 72 is configured to perform third information interaction with the UPF selected by the second selecting unit 76 through the communication unit 73; the third information interaction is used for sending the first strategy information, the second strategy information or the subscription information to the selected UPF; the first policy information, the second policy information, or the subscription information is used for the UPF to establish the common tunnel with the radio access network device.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 12, the apparatus further includes a releasing unit 77, configured to initiate releasing the common tunnel through a second device-level message between core network devices; or, initiating to release the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal device.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first core network device is an SMF; the releasing unit 77 is configured to, when detecting that a common tunnel release condition is met, respectively instruct, through a second device-level message, the UPF and the radio access network device associated with the common tunnel to release the common tunnel; the second device-level message includes indication information for releasing the common tunnel.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the releasing unit 77 is configured to instruct, through a second device-level message, the UPF and the radio access network device to release the resource of the common tunnel respectively; and the SMF is further used for carrying out fourth information interaction with the AMF, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for a session management context of the session release of the SMF and the AMF synchronization PDU.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first core network device is an SMF; the apparatus further comprises a communication unit 73 for receiving a second user message corresponding to any terminal device;

the releasing unit 77 is configured to initiate releasing the public tunnel under the condition that the second message received by the communicating unit 73 includes a public tunnel release request; or, in case of detecting that a common tunnel release condition is satisfied or pre-stored configuration information is satisfied, initiating release of the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to the arbitrary terminal device.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 73 is configured to receive a second user message from any terminal device; the second user message is sent by any terminal equipment and reaches the SMF through the AMF; or receiving a second user message sent by the PCF; or receiving a second user message sent by the AMF; or receiving a second user message sent by the wireless access network equipment; the second user message is sent by the radio access network device to the SMF via the AMF.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the releasing unit 77 is configured to instruct, through a user message, the UPF and the radio access network device associated with the common tunnel to release the common tunnel in an information interaction process corresponding to any terminal device.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, in a case that the second user message is sent by a terminal device, a PCF, or a radio access network device, the communication unit 73 is further configured to perform fifth information interaction with an AMF, where the fifth information interaction is used for a session management context for session release of the SMF and the AMF synchronization PDU.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the releasing unit 77 is configured to start a timer when detecting that all terminal devices associated with the common tunnel are in a down status; and initiating to release the common tunnel under the condition that no terminal equipment uses the common tunnel is determined before the timing time of the timer is overtime.

In this embodiment, the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to a service, a user group, a network slice, or a DNN.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first selecting Unit 75 and the second selecting Unit 76 in the device may be implemented by a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Micro Control Unit (MCU), or a Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in the device in practical application; the communication unit 73 in the device can be realized by a communication module (including a basic communication suite, an operating system, a communication module, a standardized interface, a protocol and the like) and a transceiving antenna in practical application; the storage unit 74 in the device, which may be implemented by a memory in practical applications; the acquiring unit 71, the initiating unit 72 and the releasing unit 77 in the device can be realized by a CPU, a DSP, an MCU or an FPGA in combination with a communication module (including a basic communication suite, an operating system, a communication module, a standardized interface, a protocol, etc.) and a transceiving antenna in practical application.

It should be noted that: in the core network device provided in the foregoing embodiment, when performing tunnel multiplexing, only the division of each program module is illustrated, and in practical applications, the processing distribution may be completed by different program modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the core network device is divided into different program modules to complete all or part of the processing described above. In addition, the core network device and the tunnel multiplexing method provided by the above embodiments belong to the same concept, and the specific implementation process thereof is detailed in the method embodiments and will not be described herein again.

The embodiment of the invention also provides core network equipment. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration of a core network device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 13, the core network device 80 includes a memory 82, a processor 81, and a computer program stored in the memory 82 and operable on the processor 81, and when the processor 81 executes the computer program, the steps of the method according to the embodiment of the present invention are implemented.

It is understood that the core network device further includes a communication interface 83. The various components in the core network device may be coupled together by a bus system 84. It will be appreciated that the bus system 84 is used to enable communications among the components. The bus system 84 includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus in addition to a data bus. For clarity of illustration, however, the various buses are labeled as bus system 84 in FIG. 13.

It will be appreciated that the memory 82 can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, and can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. Among them, the nonvolatile Memory may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a magnetic random access Memory (FRAM), a Flash Memory (Flash Memory), a magnetic surface Memory, an optical disk, or a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM); the magnetic surface storage may be disk storage or tape storage. Volatile Memory can be Random Access Memory (RAM), which acts as external cache Memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Synchronous Static Random Access Memory (SSRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDRSDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (Enhanced DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SLDRAM), Direct Memory (DRmb Access), and Random Access Memory (DRAM). The memory 82 described in connection with the embodiments of the invention is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

The method disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention may be applied to the processor 81, or implemented by the processor 81. The processor 81 may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware or instructions in the form of software in the processor 81. The processor 81 described above may be a general purpose processor, a DSP, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware components, or the like. Processor 81 may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed by the embodiment of the invention can be directly implemented by a hardware decoding processor, or can be implemented by combining hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may be located in a storage medium located in the memory 82, and the processor 81 reads the information in the memory 82 and performs the steps of the aforementioned methods in conjunction with its hardware.

In an exemplary embodiment, the core network Device may be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), DSPs, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), FPGAs, general purpose processors, controllers, MCUs, microprocessors (microprocessors), or other electronic components for performing the aforementioned methods.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium, such as a memory 82, including a computer program, which is executable by the processor 81 of the core network device 80 to perform the steps of the foregoing method. The computer readable storage medium may be Memory such as FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface Memory, optical disk, or CD-ROM.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. The above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, for example, the division of the unit is only a logical functional division, and there may be other division ways in actual implementation, such as: multiple units or components may be combined, or may be integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not implemented. In addition, the coupling, direct coupling or communication connection between the components shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection between the devices or units may be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units; some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, all the functional units in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may be separately regarded as one unit, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit; the integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, or in a form of hardware plus a software functional unit.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that: all or part of the steps for implementing the method embodiments may be implemented by hardware related to program instructions, and the program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, and when executed, the program performs the steps including the method embodiments; and the aforementioned storage medium includes: a mobile storage device, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and other various media capable of storing program codes.

Alternatively, the integrated unit of the present invention may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium if it is implemented in the form of a software functional module and sold or used as a separate product. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention may be essentially implemented or a part contributing to the prior art may be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the methods described in the embodiments of the present invention. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a removable storage device, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic or optical disk, or various other media that can store program code.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention, and all the changes or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims (40)

1. A method for tunnel multiplexing, the method comprising:

the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the obtained specific message, wherein the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for the use of related terminal equipment which is on line after the tunnel establishment is finished; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first core network device initiates establishment of a common tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the obtained specific message, and the method comprises:

the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode through a first equipment level message between the core network equipment; or,

the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode through a first user message corresponding to the terminal equipment.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first core network device is a Session Management Function (SMF); the first core network device initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode through a first device level message between core network devices, and the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode includes:

when the SMF detects that the conditions for establishing the public tunnel are met, initiating the establishment of the public tunnel based on a reserved mode through a first device level message between core network devices; or,

the SMF receives a first device level message sent by an access and mobility management function (AMF), and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the first device level message; the first equipment level message comprises indication information used for establishing a public tunnel based on a reservation mode; the first device-level message is sent when the AMF detects that a condition for establishing a common tunnel is satisfied.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first user message is a message corresponding to any terminal device transmitted between core network devices.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the first core network equipment initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode through a first user message corresponding to the terminal equipment, and the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reserved mode comprises the following steps:

and in the information interaction process corresponding to any terminal equipment, the SMF initiates the establishment of a public tunnel through a first user message in the information interaction process.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the SMF initiates establishment of a common tunnel through a first user message in the information interaction process, comprising:

the SMF initiates the establishment of a public tunnel through a first user message corresponding to any terminal equipment under the condition of detecting that the establishment condition of the public tunnel is met; or,

the SMF receives a first user message corresponding to any terminal device, and initiates the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode under the condition that the first user message comprises a public tunnel establishment request;

the first user message is sent by other core network devices, or sent by any terminal device, or sent by a radio access network device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating and establishing of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode comprises the following steps:

the SMF initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on first policy information stored locally; or,

the SMF receives second strategy information sent by a strategy control function PCF, and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the second strategy information; or,

and the SMF receives subscription information sent by a unified data management function (UDM), and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the subscription information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein before the SMF receives the second policy information sent by the PCF, the method further comprises:

the SMF selects PCF based on a pre-configured mode; or the SMF receives indication information sent by the AMF and selects the PCF based on the indication information;

correspondingly, the receiving, by the SMF, the second policy information sent by the PCF includes: and the SMF performs first information interaction with the selected PCF, and acquires the second strategy information sent by the PCF based on the first information interaction.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the SMF receives subscription information sent by the UDM, and wherein the receiving comprises:

the SMF and the UDM perform second information interaction; and acquiring subscription information sent by the UDM based on the second information interaction.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the initiating establishment of a common reservation-based tunnel comprises:

the SMF selects the UPF and carries out third information interaction with the selected UPF; the third information interaction is used for sending the first strategy information, the second strategy information or the subscription information to the selected UPF; the first policy information, the second policy information, or the subscription information is used for the UPF to establish the common tunnel with the radio access network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising:

the first core network equipment initiates the release of the public tunnel through a second equipment level message between the core network equipment; or,

and the first core network equipment initiates the release of the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal equipment.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the first core network device initiates the release of the common tunnel through a second device-level message between core network devices, including:

when the SMF detects that the common tunnel release condition is met, the UPF and the wireless access network equipment which are associated with the common tunnel are respectively indicated to release the common tunnel through a second equipment level message; the second device-level message includes indication information for releasing the common tunnel.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the instructing, via the second device-level message, a UPF and a radio access network device associated with a common tunnel to release the common tunnel respectively comprises:

the SMF respectively indicates the UPF and the wireless access network equipment to release the resources of the common tunnel through a second equipment level message;

and the SMF and the AMF perform fourth information interaction, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for a session management context released by the SMF and the AMF synchronous PDU session.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the first core network device initiates the release of the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to a terminal device, including:

the SMF receives a second user message corresponding to any terminal equipment, and initiates to release the public tunnel under the condition that the second message comprises a public tunnel release request; or,

and the SMF initiates the release of the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to the any terminal equipment under the condition that the SMF detects that a public tunnel release condition is met or pre-stored configuration information is met.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the SMF receiving a second user message corresponding to a terminal device comprises:

the SMF receives a second user message from any terminal equipment; the second user message is sent by any terminal equipment and reaches the SMF through the AMF; or,

the SMF receives a second user message sent by the PCF; or,

the SMF receives a second user message sent by the AMF; or,

the SMF receives a second user message sent by the wireless access network equipment; the second user message is sent by the radio access network device to the SMF via the AMF.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the initiating release of the common tunnel comprises:

and the SMF respectively indicates the UPF and the wireless access network equipment associated with the public tunnel to release the public tunnel through user information in the information interaction process corresponding to any terminal equipment.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein in the case that the second user message is originated by a terminal device, PCF, or radio access network device, the method further comprises:

and the SMF and the AMF perform fifth information interaction, wherein the fifth information interaction is used for a session management context released by the SMF and the AMF synchronous PDU session.

18. The method of claim 12 or 14, wherein the SMF detecting that a common tunnel release condition is met comprises:

when the SMF detects that all terminal equipment associated with the public tunnel is in an offline state, starting a timer;

and before the timing time of the timer is overtime, under the condition that no terminal equipment uses the public tunnel, the public tunnel release condition is met.

19. The method according to any of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to a service, a user group, a network slice or a data network name, DNN.

20. A core network device, the core network device being a first core network device, the device comprising: an acquisition unit and an initiation unit; wherein,

the acquiring unit is used for acquiring a specific message;

the initiating unit is used for initiating and establishing a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the specific information obtained by the obtaining unit, and the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for related terminal equipment which is on line after the tunnel is established; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the obtaining unit is configured to obtain a first device-level message between core network devices; or for obtaining a first user message corresponding to the terminal device;

the initiating unit is configured to initiate establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode through the first device-level message obtained by the obtaining unit; or the first user message obtained by the obtaining unit is used for initiating the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating unit is used for initiating the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reserved mode through a first device level message between the core network devices when the condition of establishing the public tunnel is detected to be met; or, receiving a first device level message sent by the AMF, and initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the first device level message; the first equipment level message comprises indication information used for establishing a public tunnel based on a reservation mode; the first device-level message is sent when the AMF detects that a condition for establishing a common tunnel is satisfied.

23. The device according to claim 21, wherein the first user message is a message corresponding to any terminal device transmitted between core network devices.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating unit is used for initiating the establishment of the public tunnel through the first user message in the information interaction process corresponding to any terminal equipment.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the initiating unit is configured to, in a case that it is detected that a common tunnel establishment condition is satisfied, initiate establishment of a common tunnel through a first user message corresponding to any terminal apparatus; or,

the device also comprises a communication unit for receiving a first user message corresponding to any terminal device;

the initiating unit is configured to initiate establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved manner under the condition that the first user message received by the communication unit includes a public tunnel establishment request; the first user message is sent by other core network devices, or sent by any terminal device, or sent by a radio access network device.

26. The apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising a storage unit or a communication unit;

the storage unit is used for storing first strategy information;

the communication unit is used for receiving second strategy information sent by the PCF; or receiving subscription information sent by the UDM;

the initiating unit is used for initiating and establishing a public tunnel based on a reserved mode based on the first strategy information stored by the storage unit; or, based on the second strategy information received by the communication unit, initiating to establish a public tunnel based on a reserved mode; or, based on the subscription information received by the communication unit, initiating the establishment of a public tunnel based on a reserved mode.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus further comprises a first selecting unit, configured to select the PCF based on a pre-configured manner before the communication unit receives the second policy information sent by the PCF; or,

the communication unit is also used for receiving the indication information sent by the AMF;

the selection unit is used for selecting PCF based on the indication information received by the communication unit;

the communication unit is further configured to perform first information interaction with the PCF selected by the first selection unit, and obtain the second policy information sent by the PCF based on the first information interaction.

28. The device of claim 26, wherein the communication unit is configured to perform a second information interaction with the UDM; and acquiring subscription information sent by the UDM based on the second information interaction.

29. The apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising a second selection unit for selecting a UPF;

the initiating unit is used for performing third information interaction with the UPF selected by the second selecting unit through the communication unit; the third information interaction is used for sending the first strategy information, the second strategy information or the subscription information to the selected UPF; the first policy information, the second policy information, or the subscription information is used for the UPF to establish the common tunnel with the radio access network device.

30. The apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 29, wherein the apparatus further comprises a release unit configured to initiate release of the common tunnel by a second device-level message between core network devices; or, initiating to release the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal device.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the release unit is configured to respectively instruct, through a second device-level message, a UPF and a radio access network device associated with a common tunnel to release the common tunnel when detecting that a common tunnel release condition is satisfied; the second device-level message includes indication information for releasing the common tunnel.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the releasing unit is configured to instruct, through a second device-level message, the UPF and the radio access network device to release the resources of the common tunnel respectively; and the SMF is further used for carrying out fourth information interaction with the AMF, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for a session management context of the session release of the SMF and the AMF synchronization PDU.

33. The device of claim 30, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the device further comprises a communication unit for receiving a second user message corresponding to any terminal device;

the releasing unit is configured to initiate release of the public tunnel under the condition that the second message received by the communication unit includes a public tunnel release request; or, in case of detecting that a common tunnel release condition is satisfied or pre-stored configuration information is satisfied, initiating release of the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to the arbitrary terminal device.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive a second user message from any terminal device; the second user message is sent by any terminal equipment and reaches the SMF through the AMF; or receiving a second user message sent by the PCF; or receiving a second user message sent by the AMF; or receiving a second user message sent by the wireless access network equipment; the second user message is sent by the radio access network device to the SMF via the AMF.

35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the releasing unit is configured to instruct, through a user message, the UPF and the radio access network device associated with the common tunnel to release the common tunnel in an information interaction procedure corresponding to any terminal device, respectively.

36. The device of claim 34, wherein in case that the second user message is sent by a terminal device, a PCF, or a radio access network device, the communication unit is further configured to perform a fifth information interaction with the AMF, where the fifth information interaction is used for a session management context for the SMF and the AMF to synchronize PDU session release.

37. The device according to claim 31 or 33, wherein the releasing unit is configured to start a timer when detecting that all terminal devices associated with the common tunnel are in a down status; and initiating to release the common tunnel under the condition that no terminal equipment uses the common tunnel is determined before the timing time of the timer is overtime.

38. The apparatus of any of claims 20 to 37, wherein the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to traffic, user groups, network slices, or DNNs.

39. 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 19.

40. A core network device comprising a memory, a processor and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 19 are implemented when the program is executed by the processor.

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