CN114727361A

CN114727361A - Processing method and device for network function selection and network equipment

Info

Publication number: CN114727361A
Application number: CN202110001643.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 姜怡; 黄震宁
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: 2021-01-04
Filing date: 2021-01-04
Publication date: 2022-07-08

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a processing method and device for network function selection and network equipment. The method comprises the following steps: in the process of a terminal initiating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment flow, after a first type of Session Management Function (SMF) is selected by an access and mobile management function (AMF), the SMF interacts with a second type of SMF, and first information sent by the second type of SMF is received, wherein the first information is access information related to the PDU session; the first type of SMF selects a first type of User Plane Function (UPF) based on the first information.

Description

Processing method and device for network function selection and network equipment

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a processing method and apparatus for network function selection, and a network device.

Background

In the process of establishing a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session, because there is a limitation on a User Plane Function (UPF) that can be managed by a Session Management Function (SMF), when a location where a User is located needs a UPF but the location exceeds a Management area of a PDU Session Anchor (PSA), an SMF and a UPF that can manage the area where the User is located need to be inserted into the PDU Session.

Currently, the Access and Mobile Management Function (AMF) first selects to Access SMF (V-SMF, Visited-SMF) or Intermediate SMF (I-SMF, Intermediate-SMF), then selects to Access UPF (V-UPF) or Intermediate UPF (I-UPF), and after completing the selection of the Visited network, the V-SMF/I-SMF contacts PSA SMF, and PSA SMF selects PSA UPF.

This approach may be problematic for some vertical industry application scenarios, where some vertical industry users require that branch offices in different provinces or in the same province be connected to the headquarters, but at the same time meet the requirement that part of the traffic is not going out, and therefore require that the PSA UPF be inserted in a specific location (campus) of the user in order to visit the network.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the existing technical problem, embodiments of the present invention provide a processing method and apparatus for network function selection, and a network device.

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

in a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a processing method for network function selection, where the method includes:

in the process of initiating a PDU session establishment flow by a terminal, after being selected by an AMF, a first type of SMF interacts with a second type of SMF, and receives first information sent by the second type of SMF, wherein the first information is access information related to the PDU session;

the first type SMF selects a first type UPF based on the first information.

In the above scheme, the first information includes a Data Network Access Identifier (DNAI, DN Access Identifier) and/or a Data Network Name (DNN, Data Network Name);

the first type SMF selects a first type of user plane function based on the first information, and comprises the following steps:

the first type of SMF selection region ranges satisfies the DNAI and/or the first type of UPF of the DNN.

In the above scheme, the DNAI corresponds to a specific region range.

In the above scheme, the method further comprises: and the first type SMF sends downlink tunnel information to the second type SMF.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a processing method for network function selection, where the method includes:

in the process that a terminal initiates a PDU session establishment flow, a second type SMF interacts with a first type SMF to determine first information; the first information is the access information related to the PDU session; the first type of SMF is selected by the AMF and then interacts with the second type of SMF;

and the second type SMF sends the first information to the first type SMF.

In the foregoing solution, the determining the first information includes:

the second type of SMF determines data DNAI based on Policy Control and Charging (PCC) Policy of the user and the user position, and/or determines DNN corresponding to the PDU session.

In the above scheme, the DNAI corresponds to a specific region range.

In the foregoing solution, after the second type of SMF interacts with the first type of SMF, the method further includes: the second type SMF selects a second type UPF.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a processing method for network function selection, where the method includes: in the process that a terminal initiates a PDU session establishment procedure, an AMF selects a first type of SMF based on a DNN corresponding to the PDU session, and the first type of SMF is used for selecting a second type of SMF and delaying selection of UPF.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a processing apparatus for network function selection, where the apparatus includes: a first receiving unit and a first selecting unit; wherein, the first and the second end of the pipe are connected with each other,

the first receiving unit is configured to interact with a second type of SMF after being selected by the AMF in a process of initiating a PDU session establishment procedure by a terminal, and receive first information sent by the second type of SMF, where the first information is access information related to the PDU session;

the first selection unit is used for selecting the first type UPF based on the first information.

In the above scheme, the first information includes DNAI and/or DNN;

the first selection unit is used for selecting a first type UPF with a region range meeting the DNAI and/or the DNN.

In the above scheme, the DNAI corresponds to a specific region range.

In the foregoing solution, the apparatus further includes a first sending unit, configured to send the downlink tunnel information to the second type SMF.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a processing apparatus for network function selection, where the apparatus includes: a determining unit and a second sending unit; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the determining unit is used for interacting with the first type SMF in the process of initiating the PDU session establishment flow by the terminal to determine first information; the first information is the access information related to the PDU conversation; the first type of SMF is selected by the AMF and then interacts with the second type of SMF;

the second sending unit is configured to send the first information to the first class SMF.

In the foregoing scheme, the determining unit is configured to determine the DNAI based on the PCC policy of the user and the user location, and/or determine the DNN corresponding to the PDU session.

In the above scheme, the DNAI corresponds to a specific region range.

In the foregoing scheme, the apparatus further includes a second selecting unit, configured to select a second UPF after interacting with the first SMF.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a processing apparatus for network function selection, where the apparatus includes: and a third selecting unit, configured to select, in a process in which a terminal initiates a PDU session establishment procedure, a first type of SMF based on a DNN corresponding to the PDU session, where the first type of SMF is used to select a second type of SMF and delay selection of a UPF.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, where the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method according to the foregoing first aspect; or, the program is executed by a processor to implement the steps of the method according to the foregoing second aspect of the embodiment of the present invention; alternatively, the program is executed by a processor to implement the steps of the method according to the aforementioned third aspect of the embodiment of the present invention.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a network device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, where the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method according to the foregoing first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention; or, the processor implements the steps of the method according to the foregoing second aspect of the embodiment of the present invention when executing the program; alternatively, the processor, when executing the program, implements the steps of the method according to the foregoing third aspect of the embodiment of the present invention.

On one hand, in a process of initiating a PDU session establishment procedure at a terminal, a first type of SMF is selected by an AMF and then interacts with a second type of SMF, the second type of SMF determines first information and sends the first information to the first type of SMF, and the first information is access information related to the PDU session; the first type of SMF selects a UPF based on the first information. According to the embodiment of the invention, through a new UPF selection mode, after the AMF selects the first type of SMF, the UPF is not selected temporarily, namely the UPF is selected in a delayed mode, the second type of SMF sends the access information related to the PDU session to the first type of SMF, and the first type of SMF selects the proper UPF according to the access information, so that the requirement that the flow cannot leave the field under the application scene of the vertical industry is met, namely, the user of the vertical industry requires that branch mechanisms in different provinces or in the same province are accessed to the headquarters, but the requirement that part of the flow cannot leave the field is met, and the actual requirement of the customer of the vertical industry can be better met.

On the other hand, in the process of initiating the PDU session establishment procedure by the terminal, the AMF selects a first type of SMF based on the DNN corresponding to the PDU session, and the first type of SMF is used for selecting a second type of SMF and delaying selection of the UPF. The AMF of the embodiment of the invention can select the corresponding first-class SMF according to the DNN, thereby realizing that the network resources with end-to-end isolation can be provided for users through the DNN.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a PDU session establishment procedure in a related art scheme;

fig. 2 is a first flowchart illustrating a processing method for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a second flowchart illustrating a processing method for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a third flowchart illustrating a processing method for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is an application diagram of a processing method for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a first diagram of a processing device for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a second schematic diagram of a processing apparatus for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a third schematic diagram of a processing device for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention;

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

Detailed Description

Before the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention is elaborated, a PDU session establishment procedure in the related art is briefly described first. As shown in fig. 1, the PDU session establishment procedure includes:

1. the UE initiates a PDU Session Establishment Request (PDU Session Establishment Request) to the AMF.

2. AMF carries out SMF Selection (SMF Selection); in this example, Visited SMF (V-SMF, Visited-SMF) is selected.

3a-3b, AMF sends session management context creating request (Nsmf _ PDUSESION _ CreatesMConxtRequest) to V-SMF, and V-SMF sends session management context creating response (Nsmf _ PDUSESION _ CreatesMConxtResponse) to AMF.

4. V-SMF performs UPF Selection (UPF Selection). In this example, a Visited place UPF (V-UPF, Visited-UPF) is selected.

5a-5b, the V-SMF sends a N4 Session Establishment Request (N4 Session Establishment Request) to the V-UPF, and the V-UPF sends a N4 Session Establishment Response (N4 Session Establishment Response) to the V-SMF.

6. The V-SMF sends a PDU session creation Request (Nsmf _ PDScess _ Create Request) to a Home SMF (H-SMF).

7. H-SMF subscribes data retrieval/Subscription (Subscription data retrieva/Subscription) from UDM

8. PDU Session Authentication/Authorization (PDU Session Authentication/Authorization) is performed between the UE and the UDM.

9a.H-SMF performs PCF Selection (PCF Selection). In this example, a Home PCF (H-PCF, Home-PCF) is selected.

9b, establishing session management strategy Association between H-SMF and H-PCF or modifying session management strategy Association initiated by SMF (SM Policy Association Establishment or SMF interjated SM Policy Association Modification).

10. H-SMF performs UPF Selection (UPF Selection). In this example, a Home UPF (H-UPF, Home-UPF) is selected.

11. SMF-initiated session management Policy Association Modification (SMF initiated SM Policy Association Modification) is performed between the H-SMF and the H-UPF.

12a, H-SMF sends N4 Session Establishment Request (N4 Session Establishment Request) to H-UPF, H-UPF sends N4 Session Establishment Response (N4 Session Establishment Response) to H-SMF. The H-UPF sends the First downstream Data (First Downlink Data) to the V-UPF.

12c, the H-SMF initiates Registration (Registration) with the UDM.

13. The H-SMF sends a PDU session creation Response (Nsmf _ PDSResponse _ Create) to the V-SMF.

In a PDU session establishment process, because there is a limitation on the UPF area that the SMF can manage, when a location of a user needs a UPF, but the location exceeds the management area of the PSA SMF of the PDN session, it is necessary to insert an SMF and a UPF that can manage the area of the user in the PDU session.

Note that, the above-described example of fig. 1 uses a Home routing (Home Routed) method. When the user is in the international roaming state, besides the functions of selecting PSA SMF and PSA UPF of the home operator network for PDU session, the functions of charging by inserting UPF into the visiting network are also needed. Since the home operator network cannot manage the UPF of the visited operator network, it is necessary to insert V-SMF/V-UPF in the visited operator network. When the user is in a non-international roaming state, when the AMF of the user position cannot select the PSA SMF which can cover the position (such as the user moves in a large area in China), the I-SMF/I-UPF is required to be inserted.

As can be seen from the example shown in fig. 1, in the related scheme, the AMF first selects V-SMF or I-SMF, then selects V-UPF or I-UPF from V-SMF or I-SMF, and after completing the selection of the visited network, then contacts PSA SMF from V-SMF/I-SMF, and selects PSA UPF from PSA SMF.

This approach may not meet the demand of no traffic in the vertical industry application scenario, and based on this, the following embodiments of the present invention are proposed.

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

The embodiment of the invention provides a processing method for network function selection, which is applied to SMF of a first type. Fig. 2 is a first flowchart illustrating a processing method for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention; as shown in fig. 2, the method includes:

step 101: in the process of initiating a PDU session establishment flow by a terminal, after being selected by an AMF, a first type of SMF interacts with a second type of SMF, and receives first information sent by the second type of SMF, wherein the first information is access information related to the PDU session;

step 102: the first type SMF selects a first type UPF based on the first information.

In this embodiment, the terminal initiates a PDU session establishment procedure, which may be specifically shown in fig. 1, that is, the terminal sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF, the AMF performs SMF selection with reference to a related technology, and the selected SMF is marked as a first type SMF. Illustratively, the first type of SMF is V-SMF or I-SMF; the second type of SMF is PSA SMF; correspondingly, the first type of UPF is V-UPF or I-UPF, and the second type of UPF is PSAUPF. That is, in this embodiment, after the first type SMF is selected by the AMF, the first type UPF is not selected, but the second type SMF (i.e., PSA SMF) is contacted, and the second type SMF (i.e., PSA SMF) sends the PDU session related access information to the first type SMF (i.e., V-SMF or I-SMF). Further, the SMF of the first type (namely V-SMF or I-SMF) selects the UPF of the first type (namely V-UPF or I-UPF) according to the access information related to the PDU session.

In some optional embodiments of the invention, the first information comprises DNAI and/or DNN; the first type SMF selects a first type of user plane function based on the first information, and comprises the following steps: the first type of SMF selection region range satisfies a first type of UPF of the DNAI and/or the DNN.

In this embodiment, the DNAI represents an identifier of user plane access to one or more DNs where the application flow is deployed, and the DNAI is exemplary to correspond to a range of regions, for example, different regions may correspond to different DNAIs. The first type of SMF may select the first type of UPF (i.e., V-UPF or I-UPF) based on the DNAI and/or DNN.

Optionally, the DNAI corresponds to a specific regional scope. For example, in order to meet the demand that traffic is not going out in the vertical industry application scenario, the DNAI corresponds to a specified campus area, i.e., the first type SMF (i.e., V-SMF or I-SMF) selects the first type UPF (i.e., V-UPF or I-UPF) in the campus area corresponding to the DNAI.

In some optional embodiments of the invention, the method further comprises: and the first type SMF sends downlink tunnel information to the second type SMF.

In this embodiment, the downlink tunnel information may represent routing information of downlink data in a core network. Due to the new UPF selection mode provided by the embodiment of the invention, after the first type SMF is selected by the AMF, the first type UPF is not selected immediately, but is selected in a delayed manner; therefore, after the first type SMF selects a proper first type UPF according to the first information, the first type SMF sends the downlink tunnel information to the second type SMF (namely PSA SMF); because the second type SMF (i.e., PSA SMF) does not currently know the first type UPF selected by the first type SMF, the second type SMF (i.e., PSA SMF) is convenient to know the routing information of the downlink data according to the downlink tunnel information, or the second type SMF (i.e., PSA SMF) may also send the downlink tunnel information to the selected second type UPF, so that the second type UPF may send the downlink data to the first type UPF according to the downlink tunnel information.

Based on the foregoing embodiment, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a processing method for network function selection, which is applied to the second type SMF. Fig. 3 is a second flowchart illustrating a processing method for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention; as shown in fig. 3, the method includes:

step 201: in the process that a terminal initiates a PDU session establishment flow, a second type SMF interacts with a first type SMF to determine first information; the first information is the access information related to the PDU session; the first type of SMF is selected by the AMF and then interacts with the second type of SMF;

step 202: and the second type SMF sends the first information to the first type SMF.

In some optional embodiments of the invention, the determining the first information comprises: and the second type SMF determines DNAI based on the PCC policy of the user and the user position, and/or determines DNN corresponding to the PDU session.

Optionally, the DNAI corresponds to a specific regional scope. For example, to meet the demand of no traffic leaving in the vertical industry application scenario, the DNAI correspond to the designated campus area, i.e., the first type SMF (i.e., V-SMF or I-SMF) selects the first type UPF (i.e., V-UPF or I-UPF) in the campus area corresponding to the DNAI.

In some optional embodiments of the invention, after the second type of SMF interacts with the first type of SMF, the method further comprises: the second type SMF selects a second type UPF.

According to the embodiment of the invention, through a new UPF selection mode, after the AMF selects the first type of SMF, the UPF is not selected temporarily, namely the UPF is selected in a delayed mode, the second type of SMF sends the access information related to the PDU session to the first type of SMF, and the first type of SMF selects the proper UPF according to the access information, so that the requirement that the flow cannot leave the field under the application scene of the vertical industry is met, namely, the user of the vertical industry requires that branch mechanisms in different provinces or in the same province are accessed to the headquarters, but the requirement that part of the flow cannot leave the field is met, and the actual requirement of the customer of the vertical industry can be better met.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a processing method for network function selection, which is applied to the AMF. Fig. 4 is a third flowchart illustrating a processing method for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention; as shown in fig. 4, the method includes:

step 301: in the process that a terminal initiates a PDU session establishment procedure, an AMF selects a first type of SMF based on a DNN corresponding to the PDU session, and the first type of SMF is used for selecting a second type of SMF and delaying selection of UPF.

By adopting the technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention, in the process of initiating the PDU session establishment flow by the terminal, the AMF selects the first type of SMF based on the Data Network Name (DNN) corresponding to the PDU session, and the first type of SMF is used for selecting the second type of SMF and delaying the selection of UPF. The AMF of the embodiment of the invention can select the corresponding first-class SMF according to the DNN, thereby realizing that the network resources with end-to-end isolation can be provided for users through the DNN.

The processing method for network function selection in the embodiment of the invention is suitable for the scene shown in fig. 5, and in order to meet the requirements of data non-leaving in the vertical industry and the like, after inserting the V-SMF/V-UPF and the I-SMF/I-UPF, a shunting UPF can be further inserted, and partial data stream in the PDU session is shunted locally. Such as the PSA UPF inserted in the figure (UPF PDU session anchor point 2 in figure 5).

Based on the foregoing embodiment, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a processing apparatus for network function selection, which is applied to the SMF of the first type. FIG. 6 is a first diagram of a processing device for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention; as shown in fig. 6, the apparatus includes: a first receiving unit 32 and a first selecting unit 31; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the first receiving unit 32 is configured to interact with a second type SMF after being selected by the AMF in a process of initiating a PDU session establishment procedure by a terminal, and receive first information sent by the second type SMF, where the first information is access information related to the PDU session;

the first selecting unit 31 is configured to select a first type UPF based on the first information.

In some optional embodiments of the invention, the first information comprises DNAI and/or DNN;

the first selection unit 31 is configured to select a first type UPF having a region range satisfying the DNAI and/or the DNN.

In some alternative embodiments of the invention, the DNAI corresponds to a specific regional scope.

In some optional embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a first sending unit 33, configured to send the downlink tunnel information to the second type SMF.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the first selecting Unit 31 in the apparatus may be implemented by a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Micro Control Unit (MCU), or a Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) in practical application; the first receiving unit 32 and the first sending unit 33 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 standardized protocol and the like) and a transceiving antenna in practical application.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a processing device for network function selection, which is applied to the SMF of the second type. FIG. 7 is a second schematic diagram of a processing device for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention; as shown in fig. 7, the apparatus includes: a determination unit 41 and a second transmission unit 42; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the determining unit 41 is configured to interact with the first type SMF in a process of initiating a PDU session establishment procedure by the terminal, and determine first information; the first information is the access information related to the PDU session; the first type of SMF is selected by the AMF and then interacts with the second type of SMF;

the second sending unit 42 is configured to send the first information to the SMF of the first type.

In some optional embodiments of the present invention, the determining unit 41 is configured to determine a DNAI based on a PCC policy of a user and a user location, and/or determine a DNN corresponding to the PDU session.

In some alternative embodiments of the invention, the DNAI correspond to a specific regional scope.

In some optional embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a second selecting unit, configured to select a second UPF after interacting with the first SMF.

In the embodiment of the invention, the determining unit 41 and the second selecting unit in the device can be realized by a CPU, a DSP, an MCU or an FPGA in practical application; the second sending unit 42 in the device can be realized by a communication module (including a basic communication suite, an operating system, a communication module, a standardized interface, a protocol and the like) and a transceiving antenna in practical application.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a processing device for network function selection, which is applied to the AMF. FIG. 8 is a third schematic diagram of a processing device for network function selection according to an embodiment of the present invention; as shown in fig. 8, the apparatus includes: a third selecting unit 51, configured to select, in a process of initiating a PDU session establishment procedure by a terminal, a first type of SMF based on a DNN corresponding to the PDU session, where the first type of SMF is used to select a second type of SMF and delay selection of a UPF.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the third selecting unit 51 in the apparatus can be implemented by a CPU, a DSP, an MCU, or an FPGA in practical application.

It should be noted that: in the processing apparatus for selecting a network function provided in the above embodiment, when performing the processing for selecting a network function, only the division of the above program modules is exemplified, and in practical applications, the processing may be distributed to different program modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the apparatus may be divided into different program modules to complete all or part of the processing described above. In addition, the processing apparatus for network function selection and the processing method for network function selection provided in the foregoing embodiments belong to the same concept, and specific implementation processes thereof are detailed in the method embodiments and are not described herein again.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a network device, where the network device may specifically be the first type SMF, the second type SMF, or the AMF in the foregoing embodiment. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of a hardware component structure of a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 9, the network device includes a memory 62, a processor 61, and a computer program stored in the memory 62 and executable on the processor 61, and when the processor 61 executes the computer program, the processor implements the steps of the processing method for selecting a network function applied to the SMF of the first type according to the embodiment of the present invention; or, when the processor 61 executes the program, implementing the steps of the processing method for network function selection applied to the second type SMF in the foregoing embodiment of the present invention; alternatively, the processor 61 implements the steps of the processing method for network function selection applied to the AMF in the foregoing embodiment of the present invention when executing the program.

The network device may further include a network interface 63. The various components in the network device are coupled together by a bus system 64. It will be appreciated that the bus system 64 is used to enable communications among the components. The bus system 64 includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus in addition to the data bus. For clarity of illustration, however, the various buses are labeled as bus system 64 in fig. 9.

It will be appreciated that the memory 62 can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, and can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. Among them, the nonvolatile Memory may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a magnetic random access Memory (FRAM), a Flash Memory (Flash Memory), a magnetic surface Memory, an optical disk, or a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM); the magnetic surface storage may be disk storage or tape storage. Volatile Memory can be Random Access Memory (RAM), which acts as external cache Memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Synchronous Static Random Access Memory (SSRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDRSDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (Enhanced DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SLDRAM), Direct Memory (DRmb Access), and Random Access Memory (DRAM). The memory 62 described in connection with the embodiments of the invention is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

The method disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention may be applied to the processor 61, or implemented by the processor 61. The processor 61 may be an integrated circuit chip having signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware or instructions in the form of software in the processor 61. The processor 61 described above may be a general purpose processor, a DSP, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware components, or the like. Processor 61 may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic blocks disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor or the like. The steps of the method disclosed by the embodiment of the invention can be directly implemented by a hardware decoding processor, or can be implemented by combining hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may be located in a storage medium located in the memory 62, and the processor 61 reads the information in the memory 62 and performs the steps of the aforementioned method in conjunction with its hardware.

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

In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium, such as a memory 62 comprising a computer program, which is executable by a processor 61 of a network device to perform the steps of the aforementioned method. The computer readable storage medium can be Memory such as FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface Memory, optical disk, or CD-ROM; or may be various devices including one or any combination of the above memories.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, where the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the foregoing steps of the processing method for network function selection applied to the first type SMF in the embodiment of the present invention; or, when being executed by a processor, the program implements the steps of the processing method for network function selection applied in the second type SMF in the foregoing embodiment of the present invention; alternatively, the program is executed by a processor to implement the steps of the processing method for network function selection applied to the AMF according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The methods disclosed in the several method embodiments provided in the present application may be combined arbitrarily without conflict to obtain new method embodiments.

Features disclosed in several of the product embodiments provided in the present application may be combined in any combination to yield new product embodiments without conflict.

The features disclosed in the several method or apparatus embodiments provided herein may be combined in any combination to arrive at a new method or apparatus embodiment without conflict.

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

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

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

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that: all or part of the steps for implementing the method embodiments may be implemented by hardware related to program instructions, and the program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, and when executed, the program performs the steps including the method embodiments; and the aforementioned storage medium includes: a removable storage device, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic or optical disk, or various other media that can store program code.

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

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

Claims

1. A processing method for network function selection, the method comprising:

in the process of a terminal initiating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment flow, after a first-class Session Management Function (SMF) is accessed and selected by a mobile management function (AMF), the SMF interacts with a second-class SMF and receives first information sent by the second-class SMF, wherein the first information is access information related to the PDU session;

the first type SMF selects a first type user plane function UPF based on the first information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the first information comprises a data network access identification, DNAI, and/or a data network name, DNN;

the first type of SMF selects a first type of UPF based on the first information, and the method comprises the following steps:

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the DNAI corresponds to a specific regional scope.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

and the first type SMF sends downlink tunnel information to the second type SMF.

5. A processing method for network function selection, the method comprising:

in the process of a terminal initiating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment flow, a second-type Session Management Function (SMF) interacts with a first-type SMF to determine first information; the first information is the access information related to the PDU session; the first type of SMF is accessed and interacts with the second type of SMF after being selected by a mobile management function (AMF);

and the second type SMF sends the first information to the first type SMF.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining the first information comprises:

and the second type SMF determines a data network access identification DNAI based on the policy control and charging PCC policy of the user and the user position, and/or determines a data network name DNN corresponding to the PDU session.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the DNAI corresponds to a specific regional scope.

8. The method according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein after the interaction between the second type of SMF and the first type of SMF, the method further comprises:

and the second type SMF selects a second type user plane function UPF.

9. A processing method for network function selection, the method comprising:

in the process of a terminal initiating a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment process, an access and mobile management function (AMF) selects a first type of Session Management Function (SMF) based on a Data Network Name (DNN) corresponding to the PDU session, and the first type of SMF is used for selecting a second type of SMF and delaying selection of a User Plane Function (UPF).

10. A processing apparatus for network function selection, the apparatus comprising: a first receiving unit and a first selecting unit; wherein, the first and the second end of the pipe are connected with each other,

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first information comprises DNAI and/or DNN;

the first selection unit is used for selecting a first type UPF of which the region range meets the DNAI and/or the DNN.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the DNAI corresponds to a specific regional scope.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises a first sending unit, configured to send downlink tunnel information to the second type SMF.

14. A processing apparatus for network function selection, the apparatus comprising: a determining unit and a second transmitting unit; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the determining unit is used for interacting with the first type SMF in the process of initiating the PDU session establishment flow by the terminal to determine first information; the first information is the access information related to the PDU session; the first type SMF is accessed and interacted with the second type SMF after being selected by a mobile management function AMF;

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the determining unit is configured to determine a DNAI based on a PCC policy of a user and a user location, and/or determine a DNN corresponding to the PDU session.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the DNAI corresponds to a specific regional scope.

17. The arrangement according to any of the claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the arrangement further comprises a second selection unit for selecting a second type of user plane function, UPF, after interacting with the first type of SMF.

18. A processing apparatus for network function selection, the apparatus comprising: and a third selecting unit, configured to select, in a process in which a terminal initiates a PDU session establishment procedure, a first type of SMF based on a DNN corresponding to the PDU session, where the first type of SMF is used to select a second type of SMF and delay selection of a UPF.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored which, when being executed by a processor, carries out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4; or the program, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method of any one of claims 5 to 8; alternatively, the program when executed by a processor implements the steps of the method of claim 9.

20. A network device comprising a memory, a processor and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor when executing the program implements the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 4; or the processor, when executing the program, performs the steps of the method of any one of claims 5 to 8; alternatively, the processor implements the steps of the method of claim 9 when executing the program.