CN114143903A

CN114143903A - Method, device, equipment and medium for configuring network slice PDU session

Info

Publication number: CN114143903A
Application number: CN202111618380.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈开仁
Original assignee: China Telecom Corp Ltd
Current assignee: China Telecom Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-27
Filing date: 2021-12-27
Publication date: 2022-03-04

Abstract

The application relates to a method, a device, equipment and a medium for configuring a network slice PDU session, wherein the method is applied to an NRF entity and comprises the following steps: acquiring PDU session state information which is reported periodically by a plurality of SMFs and is currently served and associated with a network slice; calculating the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice according to the PDU session state information associated with the network slice; sending the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to an AMF associated with the network slice. The method and the device for managing the network slice PDU session realize more effective management of the network slice PDU session, thereby improving user experience and guaranteeing service quality of users.

Description

Method, device, equipment and medium for configuring network slice PDU session

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of mobile communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, a device, and a medium for configuring a network slice PDU session.

Background

In The period of rapid development of The 5G (The 5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology, fifth Generation Mobile Communication Technology), The 5G network scale is continuously increased, The number of users is rapidly increased, The service is developed by The 5G network, and The service differentiation brings completely different service requirements. For example, smart homes, smart grids, smart meters, etc. require a large number of small data packets that are connected and frequently transmitted; intelligent automobile, industrial control, telemedicine, live sports and the like need millisecond-level low time delay and 100% reliability; AR/VR (Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality), high speed internet, multimedia applications, etc. require very large bandwidths.

Along with the building idea of the traditional mobile communication network, a plurality of different networks need to be created to meet the application requirements of different users with large differences, which brings huge economic expenses. Therefore, based on the requirement of differentiation, a network slicing technology is developed, and through network slicing, a plurality of mutually isolated, virtual and special logic networks can be created on a common hardware platform so as to meet different requirements of different users on network capacity.

The network slice is a logic network scheme designed based on application scenes and service requirements, is characterized by end-to-end customization and isolation as required, and aims to flexibly match different services and scenes and fully share physical network resources and meet user requirements to the maximum extent. The system network can logically divide and encapsulate end-to-end system resources (network capacity, physical hardware, interface pipeline resources and the like) according to the free characteristics and requirements of the bearing Service, thereby meeting the QoS (Quality of Service) requirements of different applications on the network performance such as system bandwidth, time delay, reliability and the like, and ensuring that the problem of an individual slicing system and the influence on other slicing services can not be caused when the individual slicing system is repaired. The efficient, dynamic and flexible networking under various different service scenes can be realized through network slicing.

With the further development of user services, the number of users accessing a network is increasing, and in order to better ensure the service quality of the user services, research on a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session in a network slice is required.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a method, a device, equipment and a medium for configuring a PDU session of a network slice, which can more reasonably configure the PDU session and ensure the service quality of a user by limiting the maximum number of PDU sessions in the network slice.

According to a first aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a method for configuring a network slice PDU session is provided, where the method is applied to a network storage function NRF entity, and the method includes:

acquiring PDU session state information which is reported periodically by a plurality of session management functions SMF and is currently served and associated with a network slice;

calculating the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice according to the PDU session state information associated with the network slice;

sending the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to an access and mobility management function (AMF) associated with the network slice.

In one possible implementation, before sending the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to the AMF associated with the network slice, the method includes:

receiving a subscription request sent by an AMF associated with a currently-served network slice, wherein the AMF is an AMF configured for subscription;

sending the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice to an AMF associated with the network slice, including:

sending the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to an AMF of a subscription configuration associated with the network slice.

According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present application, there is provided a method for configuring a network slice PDU session, which is applied to an access and mobility management function, AMF, entity, and includes:

receiving a total number of established PDU sessions in a current serving network slice periodically transmitted by the NRF;

receiving a PDU session establishment request message sent by a terminal UE;

if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice does not reach a set threshold value, determining that the PDU sessions are allowed to be established;

and establishing the PDU session in the network slice according to the PDU session establishment request message.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice reaches a set threshold value, determining that the PDU session establishment fails;

and sending a PDU session establishment failure response message to the UE, wherein the PDU session establishment failure response message comprises a PDU session establishment failure reason and a backoff timer, so that the UE sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF again after the backoff timer is overtime.

In one possible implementation manner, the establishing a PDU session in the network slice according to the PDU session establishment request message includes:

determining SMF through discovery and selection processes according to the PDU session establishment request message;

executing a session management process according to the determined SMF, and establishing a PDU session in the network slice;

and sending a PDU session establishment success response message to the UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the PDU session establishment request message includes the following information:

single network slice selection assistance information S-NSSAI, UE requested data network name DNN, PDU session ID, UE requested PDU session type, UE requested session and service continuity mode.

In a possible implementation, the receiving the total number of established PDU sessions in the currently serving network slice periodically transmitted by the NRF includes:

sending a subscription request to the NRF to request a subscription to a function that transmits the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice.

According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present application, there is provided an apparatus for configuring a network slice PDU session, the apparatus including:

a state information reporting module, configured to obtain, through an NRF entity, PDU session state information associated with a network slice of a current service periodically reported by multiple SMFs;

a total number calculating module, configured to calculate, by an NRF entity, a total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice according to the PDU session state information associated with the network slice;

a total number sending module, configured to send, by an NRF entity, a total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to an AMF associated with the network slice.

According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present application, there is provided an apparatus for configuring a network slice PDU session, the apparatus including:

a total number receiving module, configured to receive, by an AMF entity, a total number of PDU sessions established in a current serving network slice periodically transmitted by an NRF;

a request message receiving module, configured to receive, through an AMF entity, a PDU session establishment request message sent by a UE;

the determining and establishing module is used for determining that the PDU session is allowed to be established if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice does not reach a set threshold value through the AMF entity;

and the PDU session establishment module is used for establishing the PDU session in the network slice through the AMF entity according to the PDU session establishment request message.

According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present application, there is provided an electronic apparatus including: a processor; a memory for storing processor-executable instructions; and the processor executes the executable instructions to realize the steps of the configuration method of the network slice PDU session.

According to a sixth aspect of embodiments herein, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above method for configuring a network slice PDU session.

In addition, for technical effects brought by any one implementation manner of the third aspect to the sixth aspect, reference may be made to the technical effects brought by the first aspect or the different implementation manners of the second aspect, and details are not described here.

The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the application at least has the following beneficial effects:

the method and the device can effectively manage the establishment of the PDU session in the network slice, when the UE applies for establishing a new PDU session in the network slice, an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) entity can reasonably judge whether to receive the PDU session request according to the PDU quantity limit of the network slice and the currently established PDU session quantity, thereby effectively avoiding exceeding the limit of the maximum PDU session quantity, realizing more effective Management of the network slice PDU session, improving user experience and ensuring the service quality of a terminal user.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious for those skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on these drawings without inventive exercise.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an application scenario in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of configuration of a network slice PDU session applied to NRF in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a configuration method applied to a network slice PDU session of the AMF in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a successful establishment of a PDU session according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a failure to establish a PDU session according to an example embodiment;

fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration apparatus for network slicing PDU sessions according to an exemplary embodiment;

fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating another apparatus for configuring a network slice PDU session according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device illustrating a method of configuration of a network slice PDU session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of an electronic device illustrating another method of configuration of a network slice PDU session in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

fig. 10 is a program product diagram illustrating a method of configuration of a network slice PDU session in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Some of the words that appear in the text are explained below:

1. in the embodiment of the present application, the term "and/or" describes an association relationship of associated objects, and means that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, which may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the former and latter associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

2. The terms "first," "second," and the like in the description and in the claims of the present application and in the above-described drawings are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the data so used is interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the application described herein are capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein.

The application scenario described in the embodiment of the present application is for more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, and does not form a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, and it can be known by a person skilled in the art that with the occurrence of a new application scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems. In the description of the present application, the term "plurality" means two or more unless otherwise specified.

The problems in the prior art are as follows:

in a network slice, as the number of users accessing the network increases, if the PDU session establishment is not managed effectively, the number of PDU sessions served in the slice may exceed the allowed upper limit, thereby affecting the service experience of the users.

In order to solve the above problems, the present application provides a method, an apparatus, a device, and a medium for configuring a network slice PDU session, which more reasonably configures the PDU session by limiting the maximum PDU session number in the network slice, thereby ensuring the service quality of a user.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario according to an exemplary embodiment, and the application is applied to a process of establishing a PDU session in a network slice. The method and the device extend the Function of an NRF (Network storage Function) entity, so that the NRF entity can obtain PDU (Protocol Data Unit) Session state information which is periodically reported by a plurality of SMFs (Session Management Function) and is associated with a Network slice of the current service, and send the calculated total number of the PDU sessions established in the Network slice to the AMF, so that the AMF can judge whether to establish the PDU Session or not after receiving a PDU Session establishment request message sent by UE (User Equipment) according to the total number of the PDU sessions established in the Network slice and a set threshold.

In the embodiment of the application, the NRF obtains PDU session state information which is reported periodically by a plurality of SMFs and is currently served and associated with the network slice; then NRF calculates the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice according to the PDU session state information associated with the network slice; and sending the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice to an AMF associated with the network slice; the AMF receives the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current service network slice periodically transmitted by the NRF; then AMF receives PDU conversation establishment request message sent by UE; if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice does not reach a set threshold value, determining that the PDU sessions are allowed to be established; and establishing the PDU session in the network slice according to the PDU session establishment request message.

The embodiment of the application provides a configuration method of a network slicing PDU session, and based on the same conception, also provides a configuration device of the network slicing PDU session, an electronic device and a computer readable storage medium.

Example 1

The following describes a configuration method for a network slice PDU session provided in the present application by using a specific embodiment, where the method is applied to an NRF entity, as shown in fig. 2, and includes:

step 201, obtaining PDU session state information associated with network slices of current service periodically reported by a plurality of SMFs;

the PDU session status Information associated with the Network Slice includes a PDU session number and a Network Slice identification S-NSSAI (Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), which is composed of an SST (Slice Service Type) and an SD (Slice differentiation identification). And the reporting period of the SMF depends on network configuration.

Step 202, calculating the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice according to the PDU session state information associated with the network slice;

step 203, sending the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice to the AMF associated with the network slice.

The method and the device collect PDU session state information related to a specific network slice through the NRF, determine the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice, and send the total number to the AMF related to the network slice, so that the AMF reasonably judges whether to receive the PDU session request according to the PDU number limit of the network slice and the current established PDU session number, further effectively avoids exceeding the limit of the maximum number of PDU sessions, realizes more effective management of the PDU sessions of the network slice, improves user experience, and guarantees the service quality of a terminal user.

The current NRF is able to collect PDU session status information in SMF without distinguishing the network slice to which these PDU status information belong. The method and the device can obtain the PDU session state information which is reported by a plurality of SMFs and is associated with the current service network slice, the PDU session state information which is associated with the network slice comprises the PDU session number and the S-NSSAI, and the reporting period of the SMFs depends on the network configuration.

After obtaining the PDU session status information associated with the network slice, the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice may be calculated based on these obtained information.

To control the number of PDU sessions per network slice, the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice needs to be sent to the AMF associated with the network slice.

If the AMF has the capability of transmitting the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice, the AMF is directly sent to the AMF associated with the network slice.

Otherwise, in order to enable the NRF to send the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to the AMF, a subscription request sent by the AMF associated with the currently serving network slice is received, where the AMF is a subscription configured AMF. Accordingly, the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice is sent to the AMF of the subscription configuration associated with the network slice.

The following describes, by way of specific embodiments, a method for configuring a network slice PDU session, where the method is applied to an access and mobility management function AMF entity, as shown in fig. 3, and includes:

step 301, receiving a total number of established PDU sessions in a current serving network slice periodically transmitted by an NRF;

sending a subscription request to the NRF requesting a subscription to transmit a function of the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice, before receiving the total number of PDU sessions established in the currently serving network slice periodically transmitted by the NRF.

Step 302, receiving a PDU session establishment request message sent by UE;

the PDU session establishment request message includes the following information:

S-NSSAI, DNN (Data Network Name) requested by the UE, PDU Session ID, PDU Session type requested by the UE, Session and Service Continuity Mode (SSC Mode) requested by the UE.

Step 303, if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice does not reach a set threshold, determining that the PDU sessions are allowed to be established;

and if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice reaches a set threshold value, determining that the PDU session establishment fails.

And step 304, establishing the PDU session in the network slice according to the PDU session establishment request message.

And after the PDU session is established in the network slice, sending a PDU session establishment success response message to the UE.

And if the PDU session is failed to be established, sending a PDU session establishment failure response message to the UE, wherein the PDU session establishment failure response message comprises a PDU session establishment failure reason and a backoff timer, so that the UE sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF again after the backoff timer is overtime.

The method and the device can effectively manage the establishment of the PDU session in the network slice, when the UE applies for establishing a new PDU session in the network slice, the AMF entity can reasonably judge whether to receive the PDU session request according to the PDU quantity limit of the network slice and the currently established PDU session quantity, thereby effectively avoiding exceeding the limit of the maximum PDU session quantity, realizing more effective management of the PDU session of the network slice, improving the user experience and ensuring the service quality of a terminal user.

In order to control the number of PDU sessions of each network slice, the total number of established PDU sessions in the currently serving network slice periodically transmitted by the NRF needs to be received;

wherein, in order to enable the NRF to send the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to the AMF, a subscription request is required to be sent to the NRF in advance to request a subscription to transmit the function of the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice.

And receiving a PDU session establishment request message sent by the UE after receiving the total number of the established PDU sessions in the network slice.

When the UE has a service requirement, for example, the UE opens a game interface, a PDU session setup request message is sent to the AMF.

The PDU session establishment request message includes, but is not limited to, the following information:

S-NSSAI, UE requested DNN, PDU session ID, UE requested PDU session type, UE requested SSC mode.

The PDU session type requested by the UE includes, but is not limited to, IPv4(Internet Protocol version 4), IPv6(Internet Protocol version 6, Internet Protocol version 6), IPv4v6, Ethernet, and Unstructured.

The SSC pattern requested by the UE includes the following three types:

first, in the SSC mode, the PDU session anchor point UPF selected at the time of PDU session establishment does not change due to the movement of the end user, i.e., the IP address of the user remains unchanged.

Secondly, when the UE user adopts SSC mode two, the user leaves the original UPF area, the network triggers and releases the original PDU session and the anchor UPF, and instructs the terminal user to select a new UPF and establish a new PDU session with the same DN.

Thirdly, in the SSC mode three, the network allows the PDU session between the user and the original PDU session anchor to be maintained until the new PDU session (the new PDU session anchor is connected to the same DN) is established, at this time, the user has two UPF session anchors and a PDU session at the same time, and finally the original PDU session is released.

After receiving a PDU session establishment request message sent by a user equipment UE, it needs to determine whether a PDU session can be established according to the total number of established PDU sessions in the current network slice and a set threshold, which is divided into the following two cases:

in the first case, if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice reaches a set threshold value, the PDU session establishment is determined to be failed;

in the second case, if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice does not reach the set threshold, it is determined that the PDU sessions are allowed to be established.

The above-mentioned set threshold is the maximum number of PDU sessions supported by the network slice, which is determined based on the network slice configuration (referred to as quota).

And when the first condition is met, sending a PDU session establishment failure response message to the UE, wherein the PDU session establishment failure response message comprises a PDU session establishment failure reason and a backoff timer, so that the UE sends the PDU session establishment request message to the AMF again after the backoff timer is overtime, and the UE is prevented from frequently sending the PDU session establishment request message.

And when the second condition is the second condition, establishing the PDU session in the network slice according to the PDU session establishment request message.

A PDU session may be established in the network slice according to the following:

determining the SMF through discovery and selection processes according to the PDU session establishment request message, if determining that no appropriate SMF exists currently, rejecting the PDU session establishment request, and sending a PDU session establishment failure message to the UE, which is the prior art and is not described herein again;

executing an SM (Session Management) process according to the determined SMF, and establishing a PDU Session in the network slice;

and sending a PDU session establishment success response message to the UE.

Wherein the SM process comprises the steps of:

firstly, the AMF sends a PDU Session establishment SM Context request message to the SMF according to the PDU Session establishment request message, wherein the PDU Session establishment SM Context request message comprises N1 SMF container (PDU Session establishment request message), SUPI (User Permanent Identifier), DNN, PDU Session ID, AMF ID, User current position Information (User Location Information) and the like;

then, the SMF establishes an SM Context request message according to the PDU session sent by the AMF, establishes a corresponding SM Context for the PDU session, and informs the SM Context ID to the AMF;

then, the SMF selects an SSC mode for the established PDU session, and selects a UPF (User Plane Function);

further, the SMF sends a PDU session establishment SM Context establishment success response message to the AMF, wherein the message comprises an SM Context ID;

finally, the SMF and the UPF complete the signaling interaction of the N4 interface, informing the UPF about the rules of this PDU session packet monitoring/execution/reporting.

The above-mentioned establishment of PDU sessions through the SM procedure is prior art and is not described in detail herein. In the SM process, if PDU session setup fails due to various reasons, a PDU session setup failure response message is sent to the UE.

According to the relation between the total number of established PDU sessions in the current network slice and a set threshold value, the following two operation processes of AMF are discussed:

example 1

As shown in fig. 4, a procedure that when the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice does not reach the set threshold and it is determined that the PDU sessions are allowed to be established, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request and successfully establishes the PDU sessions is described. The specific process is as follows:

step 1, NRF obtains PDU session state information which is reported periodically by a plurality of SMFs and is currently served and associated with a network slice;

step 2, NRF calculates the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice based on the PDU session state information associated with the network slice;

step 3, NRF sends the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to AMF associated with the network slice based on the subscription configuration of AMF;

step 4, the AMF receives the PDU session establishment request message;

step 5, if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice does not reach a set threshold value, the AMF determines that the PDU sessions are allowed to be established;

step 6, the AMF establishes the PDU session in the network slice according to the PDU session establishment request message;

and 7, the AMF sends a PDU session establishment success response to the UE.

Example 2

As shown in fig. 5, the operation procedure of the AMF is described when the total number of PDU sessions established in the current network slice reaches the set threshold and it is determined that the PDU session establishment fails. The specific process is as follows:

step 4, the AMF receives the PDU session establishment request message;

step 5, if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice reaches a set threshold value, the AMF determines that the PDU session establishment fails;

and 6, the AMF sends a PDU session establishment failure response message to the UE, wherein the PDU session establishment failure response message comprises a PDU session establishment failure reason and a backoff timer.

Example 2

Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides a device for configuring a network slice PDU session, and since the device is a device in the method in the embodiment of the present application, and the principle of the device for solving the problem is similar to that of the method, the implementation of the device may refer to the implementation of the method, and repeated details are omitted.

As shown in fig. 6, the above apparatus includes the following modules:

a status information reporting module 601, configured to obtain, through an NRF entity, PDU session status information associated with a network slice and periodically reported by multiple SMFs and currently served;

a total number calculating module 602, configured to calculate, by an NRF entity, a total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice according to the PDU session status information associated with the network slice;

a total number sending module 603, configured to send, by the NRF entity, the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to the AMF associated with the network slice.

As an optional implementation, before the total number sending module is configured to send, by the NRF entity, the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to the AMF associated with the network slice, the method includes:

the total number sending module is configured to send, by an NRF entity, the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to an AMF associated with the network slice, and includes:

An embodiment of the present application further provides a device for configuring a network slice PDU session, and provides a device for configuring a network slice PDU session, as shown in fig. 7, the device includes:

a total number receiving module 701, configured to receive, by an AMF entity, a total number of PDU sessions established in a current serving network slice periodically transmitted by an NRF;

a request message receiving module 702, configured to receive, through the AMF entity, a PDU session establishment request message sent by the UE;

a determining and establishing module 703, configured to determine, by the AMF entity, that the PDU session is allowed to be established if the total number of PDU sessions established in the current network slice does not reach the set threshold;

a PDU session establishing module 704, configured to establish a PDU session in the network slice according to the PDU session establishment request message through the AMF entity.

As an optional implementation, the apparatus further comprises:

the failure establishing module is used for determining that the PDU session is failed to be established if the total number of the established PDU sessions in the current network slice reaches a set threshold value through the AMF entity;

and the establishment failure response message sending module is used for sending a PDU session establishment failure response message to the UE through the AMF entity, wherein the PDU session establishment failure response message comprises a PDU session establishment failure reason and a backoff timer, so that the UE sends the PDU session establishment request message to the AMF again after the backoff timer is overtime.

As an optional implementation manner, the PDU session establishment module is configured to establish, by the AMF entity, a PDU session in the network slice according to the PDU session establishment request message, and includes:

and sending a PDU session establishment success response message to the UE.

As an optional implementation manner, the PDU session establishment request message includes the following information:

As an optional implementation manner, before the total number receiving module is configured to receive, by the AMF entity, a total number of PDU sessions established in a network slice periodically transmitted by the NRF and currently served, the total number receiving module includes:

Example 3

Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides an electronic device for configuring a network slice PDU session, and as the electronic device is the electronic device in the method in the embodiment of the present application, and the principle of the electronic device for solving the problem is similar to that of the method, the implementation of the electronic device may refer to the implementation of the method, and repeated details are not repeated.

An electronic device 80 according to this embodiment of the present application is described below with reference to fig. 8. The electronic device 80 shown in fig. 8 is only an example, and should not bring any limitation to the functions and the scope of use of the embodiments of the present application.

As shown in fig. 8, the electronic device 80 may be embodied in the form of a general purpose computing device, which may be a terminal device, for example. The components of the electronic device 80 may include, but are not limited to: the at least one processor 81, the at least one memory 82 storing processor-executable instructions, and a bus 83 connecting the various system components including the memory 82 and the processor 81.

The processor executes the executable instructions to implement the steps of:

acquiring PDU session state information which is reported periodically by a plurality of SMFs and is currently served and associated with a network slice;

sending the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to an AMF associated with the network slice.

As an optional implementation, before sending the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to the AMF associated with the network slice, the processor performs:

Bus 83 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, a processor, or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.

The memory 82 may include readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as Random Access Memory (RAM)821 and/or cache memory 822, and may further include Read Only Memory (ROM) 823.

Memory 82 may also include a program/utility 825 having a set (at least one) of program modules 824, such program modules 824 including, but not limited to: an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data, each of which, or some combination thereof, may comprise an implementation of a network environment.

The electronic device 80 may also communicate with one or more external devices 84 (e.g., keyboard, pointing device, etc.), may also communicate with one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the electronic device 80, and/or may communicate with any devices (e.g., router, modem, etc.) that enable the electronic device 80 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication may be through input/output (I/O) interfaces 85. Also, the electronic device 80 may communicate with one or more networks (e.g., a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), and/or a public network, such as the Internet) via the network adapter 86. As shown, the network adapter 86 communicates with the other modules of the electronic device 80 via the bus 83. It should be understood that although not shown in the figures, other hardware and/or software modules may be used in conjunction with the electronic device 80, including but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems, among others.

An electronic device 90 according to this embodiment of the present application is described below with reference to fig. 9. The electronic device 90 shown in fig. 9 is only an example, and should not bring any limitation to the functions and the scope of use of the embodiments of the present application.

As shown in fig. 9, the electronic device 90 may be embodied in the form of a general purpose computing device, which may be a terminal device, for example. The components of the electronic device 90 may include, but are not limited to: the at least one processor 91, the at least one memory 92 storing processor-executable instructions, and a bus 93 connecting the various system components (including the memory 92 and the processor 91).

The processor executes the executable instructions to implement the steps of:

receiving a PDU session establishment request message sent by UE;

As an optional implementation, the processor further performs:

As an optional implementation manner, the establishing a PDU session in the network slice according to the PDU session establishment request message includes:

and sending a PDU session establishment success response message to the UE.

As an optional implementation, before receiving the total number of established PDU sessions in the currently serving network slice periodically transmitted by the NRF, the processor performs:

Bus 93 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, a processor, or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.

Memory 92 may include readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as Random Access Memory (RAM)921 and/or cache memory 922, and may further include Read Only Memory (ROM) 923.

Memory 92 may also include a program/utility 925 having a set (at least one) of program modules 924, such program modules 924 including, but not limited to: an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data, each of which, or some combination thereof, may comprise an implementation of a network environment.

The electronic device 90 may also communicate with one or more external devices 94 (e.g., keyboard, pointing device, etc.), with one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the electronic device 90, and/or with any devices (e.g., router, modem, etc.) that enable the electronic device 90 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication may be through an input/output (I/O) interface 95. Also, the electronic device 90 may communicate with one or more networks (e.g., a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), and/or a public network, such as the Internet) via a network adapter 96. As shown, the network adapter 96 communicates with the other modules of the electronic device 90 via the bus 93. It should be appreciated that although not shown in the figures, other hardware and/or software modules may be used in conjunction with the electronic device 90, including but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems, among others.

Example 4

In some possible embodiments, various aspects of the present application may also be implemented as a program product, which includes program code for causing a terminal device to perform the steps of the modules in the multi-hop relay connection establishment apparatus according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application described in the above section of "exemplary method" of this specification when the program product runs on the terminal device, for example, the terminal device may be configured to obtain PDU session status information associated with a network slice of a current service periodically reported by a plurality of SMFs; calculating the total number of established PDU sessions in the network slice according to the PDU session state information associated with the network slice; and sending the total number of the established PDU sessions in the network slice to an AMF (advanced resource Format) and other operations associated with the network slice.

The program product may employ any combination of one or more readable media. The readable medium may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. A readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the readable storage medium include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable disk, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

As shown in fig. 10, a program product 100 for multi-hop relay connection establishment according to an embodiment of the present application is described, which may employ a portable compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and include program code, and may be run on a terminal device, such as a personal computer. However, the program product of the present application is not limited thereto, and in this document, a readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated data signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A readable signal medium may also be any readable medium that is not a readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Program code for carrying out operations of the present application may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, C + + or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computing device, partly on the user's device, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computing device and partly on a remote computing device, or entirely on the remote computing device or server. In the case of a remote computing device, the remote computing device may be connected to the user computing device over any kind of network, including a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area Network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computing device (e.g., over the internet using an internet service provider).

It should be noted that although several modules or sub-modules of the system are mentioned in the above detailed description, such partitioning is merely exemplary and not mandatory. Indeed, the features and functionality of two or more of the modules described above may be embodied in one module according to embodiments of the application. Conversely, the features and functions of one module described above may be further divided into embodiments by a plurality of modules.

Moreover, although the operations of the modules of the subject systems are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this does not require or imply that these operations must be performed in this particular order, or that all of the illustrated operations must be performed, to achieve desirable results. Additionally or alternatively, certain operations may be omitted, operations combined into one operation execution, and/or operations broken down into multiple operation executions.

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

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

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

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks. Other embodiments of the present application will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the application and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the application being indicated by the following claims.

It will be understood that the present application is not limited to the precise arrangements described above and shown in the drawings and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A configuration method of network slice PDU session is applied to a network storage function (NRF) entity, and the method comprises the following steps:

acquiring Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session state information which is reported periodically by a plurality of Session Management Functions (SMFs) and is currently served and associated with a network slice;

2. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to sending the total number of PDU sessions established in the network slice to the AMF associated with the network slice, comprising:

3. A configuration method of network slice PDU session is applied to an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, and the method comprises the following steps:

receiving the total number of established Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions in a current service network slice periodically transmitted by a network storage function (NRF);

receiving a PDU session establishment request message sent by a terminal UE;

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the establishing PDU sessions in the network slice according to the PDU session establishment request message comprises:

determining a Session Management Function (SMF) through a discovery and selection process according to the PDU session establishment request message;

and sending a PDU session establishment success response message to the UE.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the PDU session establishment request message includes the following information:

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the receiving the total number of established PDU sessions in the current serving network slice periodically transmitted by the NRF comprises:

8. An apparatus for configuring a network slice PDU session, the apparatus comprising:

9. An apparatus for configuring a network slice PDU session, the apparatus comprising:

10. An electronic device, comprising: a processor; a memory for storing processor-executable instructions; wherein the processor implements the method steps of any one of claims 1 to 2 or implements the method steps of any one of claims 3 to 7 by executing the executable instructions.

11. A computer readable and writable storage medium, on which computer instructions are stored, characterized in that the instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the method steps of any one of claims 1 to 2 or implement the method steps of any one of claims 3 to 7.