CN112584548B

CN112584548B - Tunnel multiplexing method and core network equipment

Info

Publication number: CN112584548B
Application number: CN201910935943.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李爱华; 谷群; 张彦
Original assignee: China Mobile Communications Group Co Ltd; China Mobile Communications Ltd Research Institute
Current assignee: China Mobile Communications Group Co Ltd; China Mobile Communications Ltd Research Institute
Priority date: 2019-09-29
Filing date: 2019-09-29
Publication date: 2023-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-29
Also published as: WO2021058035A1; CN112584548A

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a tunnel multiplexing method and core network equipment. The method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that a first core network device initiates to establish a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on obtained specific information, wherein the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for being connected with related terminal devices after the establishment of the tunnel is completed; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices.

Description

Tunnel multiplexing method and core network equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a tunnel multiplexing method and a core network device.

Background

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

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the existing technical problems, the embodiment of the invention provides a tunnel multiplexing method and core network equipment.

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

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

the method comprises the steps that a first core network device initiates to establish a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on obtained specific information, wherein the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for being connected with related terminal devices after the establishment of the tunnel is completed; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices.

In the above scheme, the first core network device initiates establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode based on the obtained specific message, including:

the first core network equipment initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode through a first equipment-level message between the core network equipment; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

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

In the above solution, the first core network device is a session management function (SMF, session Management Function); the first core network device initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode through a first device-level message between the core network devices, and the method comprises the following steps:

When the SMF detects that the condition of establishing the public tunnel is met, initiating establishment of the public tunnel based on a reservation mode through a first device-level message between core network devices; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the SMF receives a first equipment-level message sent by an access and mobility management function (AMF, access and Mobility Management Function), and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the first equipment-level message; the first device-level message comprises indication information 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 met.

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

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the first core network device initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode through a first user message corresponding to the terminal device, and the method 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 SMF initiates establishment of a public tunnel through a first user message in the information interaction process, including:

Under the condition that the SMF detects that the public tunnel establishment condition is met, initiating establishment of a public tunnel through a first user message corresponding to any terminal equipment; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

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

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

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating establishes a public tunnel based on a reservation mode, comprising:

the SMF initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on first strategy information stored locally; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the SMF receives second strategy information sent by a strategy control function (PCF, policy Control Function), and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the second strategy information; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

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

In the above 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 PCF based on the indication information;

correspondingly, the SMF receives second policy information sent by the PCF, including: and the SMF performs first information interaction with the selected PCF, and obtains the second strategy information sent by the PCF based on the first information interaction.

In the above solution, the SMF receives subscription information sent by the UDM, including:

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

In the above scheme, the initiating of the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode includes:

the SMF selects a UPF and performs 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 a 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 alternatively, the process may be performed,

the first core network device initiates the release of the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal device.

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

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

In the above solution, 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 includes:

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

and the SMF performs fourth information interaction with the AMF, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for 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 release of the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to the terminal device, and the method comprises the following steps:

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 alternatively, the process may be performed,

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

In the above solution, the SMF receives a second user message corresponding to a terminal device, including:

the SMF receives a second user message from any terminal equipment; the second user message is sent by the arbitrary terminal equipment and reaches the SMF through the AMF; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the SMF receives a second user message sent by the PCF; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the SMF receives a second user message sent by the AMF; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

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 an AMF.

In the above solution, the initiating to release the common tunnel includes:

the SMF respectively instructs 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 the case where the second user message is sent by the terminal device, sent by the PCF, or sent by the radio access network device, the method further includes:

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

In the above scheme, the SMF detecting that the common tunnel release condition is satisfied includes:

when the SMF detects that all terminal devices associated with the public tunnel are in a offline state, starting a timer;

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

In the above solution, the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to a service, a user group, a network slice or a data network name (DNN, data Network Name).

The embodiment of the invention also provides a core network device, which is a first core network device, and the device comprises: an acquisition unit and an initiation unit; wherein, the liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal display device,

The acquisition unit is used for acquiring the specific message;

the initiating unit is used for initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the specific message obtained by the obtaining unit, and the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for relevant terminal equipment on line after the establishment of the tunnel is completed; the common tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices.

In the above solution, the acquiring unit 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 is used for initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode through the first equipment-level message obtained by the obtaining unit; or the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is initiated to be established through the first user message obtained by the obtaining unit.

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

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

In the above scheme, the initiating unit is configured to initiate establishment of the public tunnel through a first user message corresponding to any terminal device when it is detected that the public tunnel establishment condition is satisfied; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

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

the initiating unit is used for initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode under the condition that the first user message received by the communication unit comprises a public tunnel establishment request; wherein the first user message is sent by other core network devices, or by any terminal device, or by radio access network devices.

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 the second strategy information sent by the PCF; or receiving subscription information sent by the UDM;

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

In the above scheme, the device further includes a first selecting unit, configured to select the PCF based on a preconfigured manner before the communication unit receives the second policy information sent by the PCF; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

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

the selecting 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 scheme, the device further comprises 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 a radio access network device.

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

In the above scheme, the first core network device is an SMF; the release unit is used for respectively indicating UPF and wireless access network equipment associated with the public tunnel to release the public tunnel through a second equipment-level message when the public tunnel release condition is detected to be met; the second device-level message includes indication information for releasing the common tunnel.

In the above 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 resources of the common tunnel respectively; and the method is also used for carrying out fourth information interaction with the AMF, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for the session management context released by the session of the SMF and the AMF synchronous 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 releasing the public tunnel when the second message received by the communication unit includes a public tunnel releasing request; or under the condition that the public tunnel release condition is met or the pre-stored configuration information is met, initiating to release the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal equipment.

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 the arbitrary 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 an AMF.

In the above scheme, 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 during the information interaction corresponding to any terminal device.

In the above solution, in the case where the second user message is sent by a terminal device, sent by a PCF, or sent by a radio access network device, the communication unit is further configured to perform a 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 the above scheme, the releasing unit is configured to start a timer when detecting that all terminal devices associated with the common tunnel are in a offline state; and initiating to release the public tunnel under the condition that no terminal equipment uses the public tunnel is determined before the timing time of the timer is overtime.

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

The embodiment of the invention also provides a computer readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, which when being executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method according to the embodiment of the invention.

The embodiment of the invention also provides core network equipment, which comprises a memory, a processor and a computer program stored on the memory and capable of running on the processor, wherein the processor realizes the steps of the method of the embodiment of the invention when executing the program.

The tunnel multiplexing method and the communication equipment provided by the embodiment of the invention comprise the following steps: the method comprises the steps that a first core network device initiates to establish a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on obtained specific information, wherein the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for being connected with related terminal devices after the establishment of the tunnel is completed; 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 mode of establishing the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, and the signaling resource consumption caused by 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 a schematic diagram of a 5G network;

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

fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 4 is a second flow chart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a flow chart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a flow chart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Detailed Description

For the convenience of understanding by those skilled in the art, a portion of the background knowledge referred to in the embodiments of the present invention will be described first.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network, and as shown in fig. 1, the 5G network architecture mainly includes functional network elements such as an authentication service function (AUSF, authentication Server Function) entity, a network slice selection function (NSSF, network Slice Selection Function) entity, a policy control function (PCF, policy Control Function) entity, a network element data warehouse function (NRF, NF Repository Function) entity, an access and mobility management function (AMF, access and Mobility Management Function) entity, a session management function (SMF, session Management Function) entity, a unified data management function (UDM, unified Data Management) entity, and a user plane function (UPF, user Plane Function) entity; among these, the initial demands for service are: AMF, SMF, PCF, AUSF, UDM, NSSF, etc., which is NEF, UDR, UPF for service.

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

Among them, session management related functions that the SMF should support may include:

1. supporting establishment of a protocol data unit (PDU, protocol Data Unit) session based on requests of different services according to a User terminal (UE) and a service server, and modifying and releasing the PDU session based on the requests of different services according to the UE or a network;

2. support for establishing internet protocol version four (IPv 4, internet Protocol version 4), internet protocol version six (IPv 6), ethernet and unstructured PDU session types;

3. supporting session control of single-UE multi-session;

4. support for determining if a UE's request is legitimate by obtaining session-level subscription information in the UDM, which may include allowed and default PDU session types, allowed and default session and service continuity (SSC, session and Service Continuity) patterns, quality of service (QoS, quality of Service) information, and IP addresses or prefixes;

5. A digital data network (DDN, digital Data Network) supporting downstream data when the session connection is in an idle state;

6. in the process of interoperation, the functions of evolved packet system (EPS, evolved Packet System) QoS mapping, traffic flow template (TFT, traffic Flow Template) allocation, EPS bearing identification application and the like are supported, and the information of PDU Session identification (PDU Session ID) and the like sent by UE through control observation point (PCO, point of Control and Observation) parameters is supported to be received;

7. support the second authentication;

8. supporting the establishment of an emergency PDU session;

9. a locally pre-configured Proxy call session control function (P-CSCF, proxy-Call Session Control Function) address list is supported back to the UE during PDU session establishment.

For the IP address allocation function, the SMF should support allocation of IP addresses according to PDU session types; the allocation mode is that the user IP address can be obtained from an external network through local allocation, dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP, dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) v4/DHCPv6 and other modes. For non-multi-homed (multi-homed) IPv4 or IPv6 sessions, the SMF allocates only one IPv4 or IPv6 address for the UE; for multi-home sessions, the SMF may assign multiple IPv6 addresses.

For the data routing function, the SMF should support selecting UPF based on information of local policy, data network name (DNN, data Network Name), application layer function (AF, application Function) policy, etc. To support the upstream traffic offload function of the PDU session, the SMF should support:

1. inserting or deleting one or more UPFs supporting upstream traffic splitting in the data routing path;

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

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

3. insert or delete UPFs supporting aiming points (which may also be referred to as Branching points);

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

in addition, the SMF should also support other data routing functions, mainly including 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. supporting reporting the current supporting area to the AMF, and when a session is newly established and modified or the UE leaves a service area of the SMF, the SMF decides 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 Tunnel);

8. support implementation of overload control functions by rejecting Non-access stratum (NAS) requests;

9. supporting local data network (LADN, local Area Data Network) related functional requirements, namely, SMF should support available LADN information for users provided by AMF, and when users enter or leave service areas of the LADN, session establishment or deletion is triggered;

10. the service chain function is supported, i.e. the policies related to the service chain policy ID are configured locally, and when the PCC rule is received, e.g. the service chain control information is included, the information is transferred to the UPF for execution.

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

Wherein, for SSC mode two, the SMF should support the following functions:

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

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

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

3. the SMF firstly informs the UE to establish a new session accessed to 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 release of the session can be triggered in advance by the UE);

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

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

1. supporting configuration message detection rules and issuing the configuration message detection rules to 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 rule (PCC, policy and Charging Control) rule;

3. supporting a usage detection function, and carrying out usage accumulation and reporting of rule-specified services according to PCC rule requirements;

4. supporting a QoS control function, summarizing all PCC rules, and counting guaranteed Bit Rate (GBR, guaranteed Bit Rate) and Maximum Bit Rate (MBR) for one QoS Flow; and determines a Session aggregation maximum bit rate (Session-AMBR, session-Aggregate Maximum Bit Rate) for one PDU Session.

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

For the charging flow handling function, the SMF should support the sending of charging policies to the UPF, while supporting the sending of charging information received from the UPF to the charging gateway, while the SMF supports the charging suspension function.

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

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

Step 102: AMF performs SMF selection, storing the S-NSSAI (S), DNN, PDU session ID, SMF ID, and association of access type of PDU session.

Step 103: the AMF sends a context request (also referred to as nsmf_pduse_ CreateSMContext Request) message to the SMF that creates PDU session management, where the message carries user related information, such as user location information (ULI, user Location Information), subscription for PDU session status notification, DNN selection mode, etc.

Step 104: the SMF and UDM interaction session manages subscription data for subscription retrieval/subscription updates.

Step 105: the SMF sends a context response (also called nsmf_pduse_ CreateSMContext Response) message of SMF creation PDU session management to the AMF, where the message carries a cause value and SM context, etc.

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

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

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

Step 109: the SMF may perform an SMF initiated SM policy association modification procedure to provide information about the satisfied policy control request trigger condition; 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 notify the PCF (if policy control request trigger conditions are met) using the assigned UE IP address/prefix.

Step 110a to step 110b: the SMF sends an N4 session setup/modification request to the UPF, and the UPF sends an N4 session setup/modification response to the SMF and allocates core network channel information (i.e., CN Tunnel Info) in cooperation with the UPF.

Step 111: the SMF sends a transport Message (also 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 a NAS message (NAS msg) to the radio access network (RAN, radio Access Network) containing an N2PDU session request carrying CN Tunnel Info derived from the SMF.

Step 113: the RAN initiates an access special resource flow between the UE and carries PDU session establishment acceptance message; the RAN allocates Access Network channel information (AN) to the UE and the PDU session establishment is successful.

Step 114: the RAN responds to the N2PDU session response message to the AMF, carrying the cause value and the AN Tunnel Info, etc.

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

Step 116a to step 116c: the SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the UPF; the UPF sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF; the SMF provides tunnel information to the UPF and 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_pduse_ UpdateSMContext 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 perform information interaction and unsubscribe.

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

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

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

step 201: the method comprises the steps that a first core network device initiates to establish a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on obtained specific information, wherein the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for being connected with related terminal devices after the establishment of the tunnel is completed; 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 a plurality of terminal devices in a shared manner, and is not a tunnel specifically established for a certain PDU session.

Wherein the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to traffic, a user group (UE group), a network slice, or a Data Network Name (DNN). It will be appreciated 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 be a common tunnel corresponding to a specific area or a common tunnel corresponding to a specific number segment. It will be appreciated that different tunnels may be employed for transmission of PDU sessions depending on different user groups, different services, different network slices, different DNNs, even different number segments, different locations,

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

In this embodiment, the public tunnel is established based on the reservation mode before the service requirement, and it can be understood that the establishment of the public tunnel in this embodiment is irrelevant to the user behavior. The public 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, and therefore effective tunnel management is provided and the resource utilization rate is improved.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first core network device initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the obtained specific message, including: the first core network equipment initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode through a first equipment-level message between the core network equipment; or the first core network equipment initiates to establish the public tunnel based on the reservation mode through the first user message corresponding to the terminal equipment. 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 the public tunnel based on the reservation manner by using 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 public tunnel establishment condition is satisfied, the public tunnel is initiated by a certain core network device (the core network device may be the first core network device itself or other core network devices), and the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is established by the first core network device through information interaction between the core network devices.

As a second embodiment, the first core network device may also initiate establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode by means of a user message corresponding to any terminal device. The user message corresponding to any terminal equipment is a message for information interaction between any terminal equipment and network side equipment. For example, if a certain terminal device initiates session establishment, a request for establishing the public tunnel may be carried in any user message in a session establishment procedure corresponding to the terminal device, where the any user message may be a user message sent by the terminal device in the session establishment procedure, or may be a user message sent by other network devices (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 to establish a public tunnel based on a reservation mode is added in the existing user message in a "pick-up" manner; after the first core network device obtains the information, a public tunnel based on a reservation mode is established.

In the case that the public tunnel is initiated by the first user message, in an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first core network device initiates establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode through the first user message corresponding to the terminal device, including: 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.

The SMF initiates a public tunnel establishment through a first user message in the information interaction process, including: under the condition that the SMF detects that the public tunnel establishment condition is met, initiating establishment of a public tunnel through a first user message corresponding to any terminal equipment; or the SMF receives a first user message corresponding to any terminal equipment, and initiates to establish a public tunnel based on a reservation mode under the condition that the first user message comprises a public tunnel establishment request; wherein the first user message is sent by other core network devices, or by any terminal device, or by radio access network devices.

In this embodiment, when the SMF detects that the public tunnel establishment condition is satisfied, the public tunnel based on the reservation mode may be initiated to be established through the first user message corresponding to any terminal device; or the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode can be initiated by other core network equipment or any terminal equipment or radio access network equipment through the first user message. It may be appreciated that in this embodiment, the initiator of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode may be an SMF, or another core network device (for example, AMF) other than the SMF, or any terminal device, or a radio access network device, or the like.

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

In this embodiment, the SMF establishes a public tunnel based on a reservation mode, and specifically may determine a tunnel multiplexing policy by three modes including (a) SMF local configuration, (B) PCF policy issuing, and (C) UDM subscription information issuing. In this embodiment, as a first implementation manner, the first policy information may be configured locally in the SMF in advance, so that the SMF stores the first policy information this time. As a second embodiment, a public tunnel based on a reservation mode is established in the SMF, and the second policy information may be obtained from the PCF or subscription information may be obtained from the UDM. The SMF may establish a public 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 will be appreciated that the SMF sends information related to the establishment of a common tunnel to the selected UPF on the one hand, and sends information related to the establishment of a common tunnel to the radio access network device on the other hand, so as to establish a common tunnel between the UPF and the radio access network device based on a reservation mode. The public tunnel setup related information may include a tunnel identification (tunnel ID), a peer IP address, and the like, among others.

It may be appreciated 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 PCF based on the indication information; correspondingly, the SMF receives second policy information sent by the PCF, including: and the SMF performs first information interaction with the selected PCF, and obtains the second strategy information sent by the PCF based on the first information interaction.

It may be understood that the SMF receives subscription information sent by the UDM, including: the SMF performs second information interaction with the UDM; and acquiring subscription information sent by the UDM based on the second information interaction.

Compared with the method for initiating the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode in the above embodiment, the embodiment of the invention also discloses a technical scheme for initiating the release of the public tunnel, which corresponds to the establishment mode of the public tunnel, and in the embodiment, the release of the public tunnel can be initiated through a device-level message or a user message. 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 public 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-mentioned manner of initiating establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation manner, the release of the public tunnel may also be initiated by a device-level message or a user message in this embodiment. As a first embodiment, the first core network device may initiate release of the common tunnel via a second device level message. It may be appreciated that, in case the common tunnel release condition is satisfied, releasing the common tunnel is initiated by a certain core network device (the core network device may be the first core network device itself or another core network device), and the common tunnel is released by the first core network device through information interaction between the core network devices.

As a second embodiment, the first core network device may also initiate releasing the common tunnel by means of a second user message corresponding to any terminal device. That is, on the basis of the existing user message of any terminal device, the information for requesting to release the public tunnel is added to the existing user message in a "pick-up" manner.

In an optional embodiment of the invention, the first core network device initiates the releasing of the common tunnel through a second device-level message between core network devices, including: when the SMF detects that the public tunnel release condition is met, respectively indicating UPF and wireless access network equipment associated with the public tunnel to release the public 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 includes: the SMF instructs UPF and wireless access network equipment to release the resources of the public tunnel through a second equipment-level message respectively; and the SMF performs fourth information interaction with the AMF, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for session management context released by the SMF and the AMF synchronous PDU session.

In an optional embodiment of the invention, the first core network device initiates release of the common tunnel through a second user message corresponding to a terminal device, and 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 when the SMF detects that the public tunnel release condition is met or the pre-stored configuration information is met, initiating to release the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to the optional terminal equipment.

Wherein the SMF receives a second user message corresponding to a terminal device, including: the SMF receives a second user message from any terminal equipment; the second user message is sent by the arbitrary 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 an AMF.

Wherein the initiating releases the common tunnel comprises: the SMF respectively instructs 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 SMF detecting that the public tunnel release condition is satisfied includes: when the SMF detects that all terminal devices associated with the public tunnel are in a offline state, starting a timer; before the timing time of the timer is overtime, under the condition that no terminal equipment is determined to use the public tunnel, the public tunnel release condition is met.

The timing duration of the timer in this embodiment may be determined by a predetermined manner, or may be determined by a manual configuration manner, or may be configured by other network devices. The timing duration of the timer may be a specific duration, or may be infinity, that is, it means that the corresponding public tunnel is never deleted. When the SMF detects that all the terminal devices on the public tunnel are off line (i.e. no terminal device uses the public tunnel), starting the timer; if the terminal equipment is on line before the timing time of the timer is up, the timer is cleared and the timer is closed; if other terminal equipment is not on line before the timing time of the timer is overtime, the public tunnel release condition is determined to be met, and the public tunnel can be released in the mode of the equipment-level message or the user message.

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

By adopting the technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention, the multiplexing of the tunnel is realized by initiating the mode of establishing the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, and the signaling resource consumption caused by 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 a public tunnel based on a reservation mode, the embodiment of the invention comprises the following two examples:

tunnel establishment example one

Fig. 4 is a second flow chart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the invention. The method initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode by adopting a mode corresponding to a user message of any terminal equipment, wherein the user message in the embodiment is a user message used by any terminal equipment in an interaction flow for initiating establishment of a PDU session. As shown in fig. 4, the method includes:

Step 301: the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF;

step 302: AMF performs SMF selection;

step 303: the AMF sends a context request (also referred to as nsmf_pduse_ CreateSMContext Request) message for SMF creation PDU session management to the SMF;

step 304: SMF and UDM interaction session management subscription data used for subscription retrieval/subscription update;

step 305: the SMF sends a context response (also referred to as nsmf_pduse_ CreateSMContext Response) message for SMF create PDU session management to the AMF;

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

Steps 307a to 307b: SMF selects PCF; the SMF may perform an SM policy association setup procedure, or the SMF may initiate an SM policy association modification;

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

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

step 310a to step 310b: the SMF sends an N4 session establishment/modification request to the UPF, and the UPF sends an N4 session establishment/modification response to the SMF;

step 311: the SMF sends a transport 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, carrying NAS message (NAS msg);

step 313: the RAN initiates an access special resource flow between the UE and carries PDU session establishment acceptance message; RAN distributes AN Tunnel Info for UE, and PDU session establishment is successful;

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

step 315: the AMF sends a context request (which may also be referred to as nsmf_pduse_updatsmcontext request, which carries SM context ID, N2SM information, request type) for SMF update PDU session management to the SMF, and forwards the N2SM information (carrying AN Tunnel Info, etc.) received from the RAN to the SMF;

step 316a to step 316c: the SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the UPF; the UPF sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF; the SMF provides tunnel information to the UPF and corresponding forwarding rules. The SMF and the UDM perform information interaction to finish registration;

step 317: the SMF sends an SMF update PDU session management context response (which may also be denoted as nsmf_pduse_ UpdateSMContext Response) message to the AMF;

step 318: the SMF sends SMF PDU session management context state notification to the AMF;

step 319: SMF carries out IPv6 address configuration;

Step 320: and the SMF and the UDM perform information interaction and unsubscribe.

The detailed descriptions of the steps in this embodiment can refer to the detailed descriptions of the steps 101 to 120 in fig. 2, and are not repeated here.

In this embodiment, when a public tunnel based on a reservation mode is established and initiated by any terminal device, in step 301 of this embodiment, when a PDU session establishment request is initiated by a UE, the PDU session establishment request carries information related to the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, for example, the PDU session establishment request may carry tunnel multiplexing information. In the case that the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is initiated by another core network device (for example, AMF), in step 303 of this embodiment, the message sent by the AMF to the SMF carries information about the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, for example, the information about the tunnel multiplexing may be carried.

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

In step 304 of this embodiment, the SMF interacts with the UDM to obtain subscription information, where the subscription information may include a user group identifier and information of using a public tunnel, and corresponds to a manner of issuing a UDM subscription under condition C. The SMF may locally configure related information to perform tunneling multiplexing, corresponding to the SMF local configuration-based manner of condition a.

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

In step 311, the SMF interacts the related information of the public tunnel with the AMF, and decides whether to establish the public tunnel based on the reservation mode based on the above three granularity 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 step 315 and step 316a, the AMF forwards the AN Tunnel info to the SMF, which forwards to the UPF.

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

Tunnel establishment example two

Fig. 5 is a flow chart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the invention. The present example initiates establishment of a reservation-based public tunnel in a manner corresponding to a device-level message. As shown in fig. 5, the method includes:

step 401: AMF performs SMF selection;

step 402: the AMF sends a context request (also referred to as nsmf_pduse_ CreateSMContext Request) message for SMF creation PDU session management to the SMF;

Step 403: the SMF sends a context response (also referred to as nsmf_pduse_ CreateSMContext Response) message for SMF create PDU session management to the AMF;

step 404a to step 404b: SMF selects PCF; 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;

steps 407a to 407b: the SMF sends an N4 session establishment/modification request to the UPF, and the UPF sends an N4 session establishment/modification response to the SMF;

step 408: the SMF sends a transport 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, carrying NAS message (NAS msg);

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

step 411: the AMF sends a context request (which may also be referred to as nsmf_pduse_updatecfcontext request) for SMF update PDU session management to the SMF;

steps 412a to 412b: the SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the UPF; the UPF sends an N4 session modification response to the SMF;

step 413: the SMF sends an SMF update PDU session management context response (which may also be denoted as nsmf_pduse_ 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 establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is initiated by the AMF, in step 401, the AMF detects that the public tunnel establishment condition is satisfied, actively initiates the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, and selects the SMF, and in step 402, the message sent by the AMF to the SMF carries the related information for establishing the public tunnel based on the reservation mode. In the case 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, i.e. skip steps 401 to 404, and directly execute step 405.

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

In step 404 of this embodiment, the SMF selects the PCF according to the AMF indication or the local configuration, where the PCF may issue related policies including the user group message and what shared tunnel is used (e.g. the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to what service, or what user group common tunnel corresponds to the common tunnel, etc.), and the PCF policy issue method corresponding to the condition B.

In step 407, the SMF and the UPF interact related information established by the public tunnel, and perform interaction of subscription information.

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

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

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

tunnel release example one

Fig. 6 is a flow chart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the invention. The present example initiates release of the common tunnel in a manner corresponding to a device level message. As shown in fig. 6, the method includes:

step 501a to step 501b: the SMF sends an N4session release request to the UPF (N4 Session Release Request); the UPF sends an N4session release response (N4 Session Release Response) to the SMF;

Step 502: N1N2 communication Message Transfer (Nsmf Communication N N2Message Transfer) messages are carried out between the SMF and the AMF;

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

step 504: the RAN makes access specific resource modifications (AN specific resource modification) to the UE, including PDU session release commands (PDU Session Release Command);

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

step 506a to step 506b: the AMF sends an update PDU session management context N2 session management message (Nsmf PDU Session UpdateSMContext N SM info) to the SMF to obtain an SMF response PDU session management context message (Nsmf PDU Session UpdateSMContext Response);

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

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

steps 509a to 509b: the AMF sends an update PDU session management context N1 session management message (Nsmf PDU Session UpdateSMContext N1SM info) to the SMF to obtain an SMF response PDU session management context message (Nsmf PDU Session UpdateSMContext Response);

step 510: AMF and SMF interaction PDU session management context state Notification (Release State) (Nsmf_PDUSation_ SMContextStatusNotify (Release)); the notification message needs to carry an SMF identifier (SMF ID), a PDU session identifier, DNN and S-NSSAI;

Step 511: the SMF interacts with the PCF to terminate session management policy association (SM Policy Association Termination).

The embodiment can initiate release of the public tunnel established based on the reservation mode through the core network equipment. In this example, the SMF initiates the release of the public tunnel established based on the reservation mode, which is not limited to this, but may be initiated by other core network devices (such as AMFs).

Tunnel release example two

Fig. 7 is a flow chart of a tunnel multiplexing method according to an embodiment of the invention. The present example initiates release of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode by adopting a mode corresponding to the user message of any terminal device, and the user message in the present embodiment is a user message used by any terminal device in the interactive process of initiating release of the PDU session. As shown in fig. 7, the method includes:

steps 601a to 601e are respectively initiating a common tunnel release by UE, PCF, AMF, RAN and SMF; step 601a indicates that a PDU session release request message sent by a UE carries common tunnel release information, the PDU session release request message is sent to an AMF, the AMF sends an update PDU session management context message to the SMF, and the update PDU session management context message includes the PDU session release request; step 601b represents that the SM policy association termination message sent to the SMF by the PCF carries common tunnel release information; step 601c represents that the release PDU session management context message sent by the AMF to the SMF carries common tunnel release information; step 601d represents that the N2 message sent by the RAN carries common tunnel release information, the N2 message is sent to the AMF, and the AMF sends an update PDU session management context message to the SMF carrying common tunnel release information; step 601e represents performing a PDU session release trigger by the SMF, i.e. triggering a common tunnel release.

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

Step 602a to step 602b: the SMF sends an N4session release request to the UPF (N4 Session Release Request); the UPF sends an N4session release response (N4 Session Release Response) to the SMF;

step 603a to step 603d: the SMF sends an update PDU session management context response message to the AMF; the AMF and the SMF perform N1N2 communication Message transmission (Nsmf Communication N N2Message Transfer) Message; the SMF sends PDU session management context release response message to the AMF; the SMF sends an update PDU session management context response message to the AMF;

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

step 605: the RAN makes access specific resource modifications (AN specific resource modification) to the UE, including PDU session release commands (PDU Session Release Command);

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

step 607a to step 607b: the AMF sends an update PDU session management context N2 session management message (Nsmf PDU Session UpdateSMContext N SM info) to the SMF to obtain an SMF response PDU session management context message (Nsmf PDU Session UpdateSMContext Response);

Step 608: the UE sends a PDU session release acknowledgement to the RAN (PDU Session Release ACK);

step 609: the RAN sends an N2uplink NAS transport (N2 Uplink NAS transport) message to the AMF;

step 610a to step 610b: the AMF sends a context request (which may also be referred to as nsmf_pduse_updatecfcontext request) for SMF update PDU session management to the SMF; the SMF sends an SMF update PDU session management context response (which may also be denoted as nsmf_pduse_ UpdateSMContext Response) message to the AMF;

step 611: AMF and SMF interaction PDU session management context state Notification (Release State) (Nsmf_PDUSation_ SMContextStatusNotify (Release));

step 612: the SMF interacts with the PCF to terminate session management policy association (SM Policy Association Termination).

The detailed explanation of each step in this embodiment may refer to the detailed description of the existing PDU session release procedure, and will not be repeated here. In this embodiment, when deciding to release the public tunnel based on the reservation mode, the information for releasing the public tunnel may be added to any user message in the existing flow by a mode corresponding to the user message of any terminal device (i.e. a "pick-up" mode), so as to release the public tunnel based on the reservation mode.

Based on this, in this embodiment, referring to steps 601a to 601e, it is indicated that the release of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is initiated by UE, PCF, AMF, RAN and SMF, respectively, and the tunnel deletion information can be added in the 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 of the PDU session release, where the notified message carries an SMF identifier (SMF ID), a PDU session identifier (PDU session ID), DNN and S-nsai.

In step 612 of this embodiment, if dynamic PCC rules are deployed, the SMF also needs to notify 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 schematic diagram of a composition structure 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 liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal display device,

the acquiring unit 71 is configured to acquire 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 relevant terminal device that goes online after the establishment of the tunnel 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 reservation mode through the first device-level message obtained by the obtaining unit 71; or for initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation means via the first user message obtained by the obtaining unit 71. 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 public tunnel based on a reservation mode through a first device-level message between core network devices when it is detected that a condition for establishing the public tunnel is satisfied; or, receiving a first equipment-level message sent by an AMF, and initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the first equipment-level message; the first device-level message comprises indication information 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 met.

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 public tunnel through a first user message in the information interaction process.

As an embodiment, the initiating unit 72 is configured to initiate, when it is detected that the common tunnel establishment condition is satisfied, establishment of the common tunnel through the first user message corresponding to any terminal device; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the device 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 reservation mode when the first user message received by the communication unit 73 includes a public tunnel establishment request; wherein the first user message is sent by other core network devices, or by any terminal device, or by radio access network devices.

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

wherein 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 public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the first policy information stored in the storage unit 74; or, initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the second policy information received by the communication unit 73; or, the establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is initiated based on the subscription information received by the communication unit 73.

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

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 communication unit 73;

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

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the communication unit 73 is configured to interact with the UDM in a second information manner; 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 apparatus 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 a radio access network device.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, as shown in fig. 12, the device further comprises a release unit 77 for initiating the release of the common tunnel via a second device-level message between core network devices; or, initiating to release the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal equipment.

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

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the releasing unit 77 is configured to instruct, by means of a second device-level message, the UPF and the radio access network device to release the resources of the common tunnel, respectively; and the method is also used for carrying out fourth information interaction with the AMF, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for the session management context released by the session of the SMF and the AMF synchronous PDU.

In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the first core network device is an SMF; the device 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 common tunnel if the second message received by the communication unit 73 includes a common tunnel release request; or under the condition that the public tunnel release condition is met or the pre-stored configuration information is met, initiating to release the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal equipment.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the communication unit 73 is configured to receive a second user message from any terminal device; the second user message is sent by the arbitrary 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 an AMF.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the releasing unit 77 is configured to instruct, by means of a user message, to release the common tunnel during the information interaction corresponding to any terminal device, respectively, the UPF and the radio access network device associated with the common tunnel.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, in the case that the second user message is sent by a terminal device, sent by a PCF, or sent by a radio access network device, the communication unit 73 is further configured to perform a 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 offline state; and initiating to release the public tunnel under the condition that no terminal equipment uses the public 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 apparatus may be implemented by a central processing unit (CPU, central Processing Unit), a digital signal processor (DSP, digital Signal Processor), a micro control unit (MCU, microcontroller Unit) or a programmable gate array (FPGA, field-Programmable Gate Array) in the apparatus 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 receiving and transmitting antenna in practical application; the storage unit 74 in the device 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 CPU, DSP, MCU or FPGA combined with a communication module (including a basic communication suite, an operating system, a communication module, a standardized interface, a protocol and the like) and a receiving and transmitting antenna in practical application.

It should be noted that: in the core network device provided in the foregoing embodiment, only the division of each program module is used for illustration when tunnel multiplexing is performed, and in practical application, the processing allocation may be performed by different program modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the core network device is divided into different program modules, so as to complete all or part of the processing described above. In addition, the core network device and the tunnel multiplexing method embodiment provided in the foregoing embodiments belong to the same concept, and specific implementation processes of the core network device and the tunnel multiplexing method embodiment are detailed in the method embodiment, which is not described herein again.

The embodiment of the invention also provides core network equipment. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of a hardware composition structure 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 capable of running on the processor 81, where the processor 81 executes the computer program to implement steps of the method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

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

It is to be appreciated that the memory 82 can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, and can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. Wherein the nonvolatile Memory may be Read Only Memory (ROM), programmable Read Only Memory (PROM, programmable Read-Only Memory), erasable programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM, erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), electrically erasable programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM, electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic random access Memory (FRAM, ferromagnetic random access Memory), flash Memory (Flash Memory), magnetic surface Memory, optical disk, or compact disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM, compact Disc Read-Only Memory); the magnetic surface memory may be a disk memory or a tape memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM, random Access Memory), which acts as external cache memory. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM, static Random Access Memory), synchronous static random access memory (SSRAM, synchronous Static Random Access Memory), dynamic random access memory (DRAM, dynamic Random Access Memory), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM, synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (ddr SDRAM, double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM, enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM, syncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory), direct memory bus random access memory (DRRAM, direct Rambus Random Access Memory). The memory 82 described in embodiments of the present invention is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

The method disclosed in the above embodiment 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 with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in the processor 81 or by instructions in the form of software. The processor 81 may be a general purpose processor, 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. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the invention can be directly embodied in the hardware of the 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 in the memory 82 and the processor 81 reads information in the memory 82 to perform the steps of the method described above in connection with its hardware.

In an exemplary embodiment, the core network device may be implemented by one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASIC, application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSPs, programmable logic devices (PLD, programmable Logic Device), complex programmable logic devices (CPLD, complex Programmable Logic Device), FPGAs, general purpose processors, controllers, MCUs, microprocessors, or other electronic elements for performing the aforementioned methods.

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

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. The above described device embodiments are only illustrative, e.g. the division of the units is only one logical function division, and there may be other divisions in practice, such as: multiple units or components may be combined or may be integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not performed. In addition, the various components shown or discussed may be coupled or directly coupled or communicatively coupled to each other via some interface, whether indirectly coupled or communicatively coupled to devices or units, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise.

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

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present invention may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may be separately used as one unit, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit; the integrated units may be implemented in hardware or in hardware plus software functional units.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that: all or part of the steps for implementing the above method embodiments may be implemented by hardware associated with program instructions, where the foregoing program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, and when executed, the program performs steps including the above method embodiments; and the aforementioned storage medium includes: a mobile storage device, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a random access Memory (RAM, random Access Memory), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, or the like, which can store program codes.

Alternatively, the above-described integrated units of the present invention may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium if implemented in the form of software functional modules and sold or used as separate products. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in essence or a part contributing to the prior art in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) 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, ROM, RAM, magnetic or optical disk, or other medium capable of storing program code.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art will readily recognize that variations or substitutions are within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of tunneling, the method comprising:

the method comprises the steps that a first core network device initiates to establish a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on obtained specific information, wherein the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for being connected with related terminal devices after the establishment of the tunnel is completed; the public tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices;

the first core network device initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the obtained specific message, and the method comprises the following steps:

2. The method according to claim 1, 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 the core network devices, and the method comprises the following steps:

The SMF receives a first equipment-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 equipment-level message; the first device-level message comprises indication information 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 met.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first user message is a message transmitted between core network devices corresponding to any terminal device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the first core network device initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode through a first user message corresponding to the terminal device, and the method comprises the following steps:

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the SMF initiates establishment of a common tunnel via a first user message in the information interaction process, comprising:

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating establishes a public tunnel based on a reservation mode, comprising:

the SMF receives second policy information sent by a policy control function PCF, and initiates establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the second policy information; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

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

7. The method of claim 6 wherein before the SMF receives the second policy information sent by the PCF, the method further comprises:

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the SMF receiving the subscription information sent by the UDM comprises:

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the initiating the establishment of the reservation-based common tunnel comprises:

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, 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 alternatively, the process may be performed,

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the first core network device initiates release of the common tunnel through a second device-level message between core network devices, comprising:

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the instructing, via the second device-level message, the common tunnel associated UPF and radio access network device, respectively, to release the common tunnel comprises:

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the first core network device initiates release of the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to the terminal device, and the method comprises the following steps:

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 user message comprises a public tunnel release request; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the SMF receiving a second user message corresponding to a terminal device comprises:

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the initiating releases the common tunnel comprises:

16. The method of claim 14, wherein in the case where the second user message is sent by a terminal device, by a PCF, or by a radio access network device, the method further comprises:

17. The method of claim 11 or 13, wherein the SMF detecting that a common tunnel release condition is met comprises:

18. The method according to any of claims 1 to 17, wherein the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to traffic, user group, network slice or data network name DNN.

19. 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 liquid crystal display device comprises a liquid crystal display device,

the acquisition unit is used for acquiring the specific message;

the initiating unit is used for initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the specific message obtained by the obtaining unit, and the public tunnel based on the reservation mode is used for relevant terminal equipment on line after the establishment of the tunnel is completed; the public tunnel supports multiplexing of a plurality of terminal devices;

the acquisition unit is used for acquiring a first device-level message between core network devices; or for obtaining a first user message corresponding to the terminal device;

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the initiation unit is used for initiating establishment of the public tunnel based on the reservation mode through a first device-level message between core network devices when the condition of establishing the public tunnel is detected to be met; or, receiving a first equipment-level message sent by an AMF, and initiating establishment of a public tunnel based on a reservation mode based on the first equipment-level message; the first device-level message comprises indication information 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 met.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first user message is a message transmitted between core network devices corresponding to any terminal device.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the initiating unit is used for initiating establishment of a public tunnel through a first user message in the information interaction process corresponding to any terminal equipment.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the initiating unit is configured to initiate establishment of the common tunnel through a first user message corresponding to any terminal apparatus in case that it is detected that the common tunnel establishment condition is satisfied; or alternatively, the process may be performed,

24. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a storage unit or a communication unit;

the storage unit is used for storing first strategy information;

25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a first selection 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 alternatively, the process may be performed,

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the communication unit is configured to interact with the UDM for a second information interaction; and acquiring subscription information sent by the UDM based on the second information interaction.

27. The device of claim 24, further comprising a second selection unit for selecting a UPF;

28. The device according to any of claims 19 to 27, further comprising a release unit for initiating release of the common tunnel via a second device level message between core network devices; or, initiating to release the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal equipment.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the first core network device is an SMF; the release unit is used for respectively indicating UPF and wireless access network equipment associated with the public tunnel to release the public tunnel through a second equipment-level message when the public tunnel release condition is detected to be met; the second device-level message includes indication information for releasing the common tunnel.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein the release unit is configured to instruct the UPF and the radio access network device, respectively, to release the resources of the common tunnel via a second device level message; and the method is also used for carrying out fourth information interaction with the AMF, wherein the fourth information interaction is used for the session management context released by the session of the SMF and the AMF synchronous PDU.

31. The device of claim 28, 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 releasing the public tunnel when the second user message received by the communication unit includes a public tunnel releasing request; or under the condition that the public tunnel release condition is met or the pre-stored configuration information is met, initiating to release the public tunnel through a second user message corresponding to any terminal equipment.

32. The device according to claim 31, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive a second user message from any terminal device; the second user message is sent by the arbitrary 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 an AMF.

33. The device according to claim 31, wherein the releasing unit is configured to instruct, during the information interaction corresponding to any terminal device, the UPF and the radio access network device associated with the common tunnel to release the common tunnel, respectively, through a user message.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the communication unit is further configured to interact with an AMF in a case where the second user message is sent by a terminal device, sent by a PCF, or sent by a radio access network device, the fifth information interaction being for a session management context for session release of the SMF and the AMF sync PDU.

35. The device according to claim 29 or 31, wherein the releasing 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 public tunnel under the condition that no terminal equipment uses the public tunnel is determined before the timing time of the timer is overtime.

36. The apparatus according to any of claims 19 to 35, wherein the common tunnel is a common tunnel corresponding to traffic, user groups, network slices or DNNs.

37. A computer readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, characterized in that the program, when being executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

38. A core network device comprising a memory, a processor and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that the processor implements the steps of the method of any of claims 1 to 18 when the program is executed by the processor.