CN114827908B

CN114827908B - VN group communication method, device, equipment and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN114827908B
Application number: CN202210356775.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈婉珺; 任驰; 马泽芳; 马瑞涛
Original assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Current assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-06
Filing date: 2022-04-06
Publication date: 2023-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2042-04-06
Also published as: CN114827908A

Abstract

The application provides a VN group communication method, device, equipment and storage medium, and relates to the field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: the first SMF network element sends subscription data acquisition information to the UDM network element; the subscription data information comprises user identifiers of VN group users corresponding to the first UE; the first SMF network element receives opposite-end network information sent by the UDM network element; the opposite-end network information is determined by the UDM network element according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element; the first SMF network element selects a first UPF network element for the first UE, wherein the first UPF network element is used for forwarding the PDU data packet of the first UE; the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal network information; the first SMF network element sends a group level N4 session rule to the first UPF network element, and a group level N4 session is established for the first UPF network element. The method is suitable for the VN group communication process and is used for solving the problem that the inter-regional VN group communication cannot be realized.

Description

VN group communication method, device, equipment and storage medium

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a VN group communication method, device, apparatus, and storage medium.

Background

The fifth generation communication technology (5th generation mobile communication technology,5G) system may include a session management function (session management function, SMF) network element and a user plane function (user plane function, UPF) network element.

The third generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project,3GPP) specifies that operators can provide 5G local area network (5G local area network,5GLAN) services in the form of Virtual Network (VN) groups through SMF network elements and UPF network elements. One VN group may include a plurality of User Equipments (UEs). The 5G LAN service such as point-to-point communication, broadcast communication, multicast communication and the like can be realized among different UEs in the same VN group.

For example, if UPF network element 1 is a PDU session anchor (PDU session anchor, PSA) UPF network element shared by protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) sessions of UE1 and UE2 within the same VN group, then messages sent between UE1 and UE2 may be forwarded directly by UPF network element 1; if UPF element 1 is an anchor UPF element of a PDU session of UE1, UPF element 2 is an anchor UPF element of a PDU session of UE2, and UE1 and UE2 are UEs of different users of the same VN group, UPF element 1 and UPF element 2 are respectively different UPF elements controlled by SMF element 1, SMF element 1 may establish a group level N4 session for UPF element 1, so that UPF element 1 and UPF element 2 may forward messages of UE1 and UE 2.

Currently, one SMF network element is only responsible for a fixed piece of area (e.g., a fixed province), and a 5G network employs a non-full mesh (full mesh) networking. In a 5G network that is not a full mesh network, one UPF element is connected to only the SMF element responsible for a fixed piece of area.

However, when UE belonging to different areas needs to establish a VN group to implement 5G LAN service, different SMF network elements responsible for different areas cannot establish a group level N4 session between different UPF network elements, and thus, inter-area VN group communication cannot be implemented.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a VN group communication method, a device, equipment and a storage medium, which can establish a group-level N4 session between cross-regional UPF network elements so as to realize cross-regional VU group communication.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a VN group communication method, where the method is applied to a first SMF network element, where the first SMF network element is configured to manage a protocol data unit PDU session of a first user equipment UE. The method comprises the following steps: the first SMF network element sends subscription data acquisition information to the UDM network element; the subscription data information comprises user identifiers of VN group users corresponding to the first UE; the VN group user corresponding to the first UE is the VN group user using the first UE; the first SMF network element receives opposite-end network information sent by the UDM network element; the opposite-end network information is determined by the UDM network element according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element; the opposite terminal network information comprises the ID of an opposite terminal SMF network element and/or opposite terminal routing information; the opposite terminal routing information comprises an ID of an opposite terminal user plane function UPF network element, address information of opposite terminal UE and a tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite terminal UPF network element for the opposite terminal UE; the address information of the opposite terminal UE comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the opposite terminal UE; the opposite terminal UE is any UE except the first UE in the VN group where the first UE is located; the opposite end UPF network element is used for forwarding PDU data packets of the opposite end UE; the opposite terminal SMF network element is used for managing PDU conversation of the opposite terminal UE; the first SMF network element selects a first UPF network element for the first UE, wherein the first UPF network element is used for forwarding the PDU data packet of the first UE; the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal network information; the first SMF network element sends a group level N4 session rule to the first UPF network element, and a group level N4 session is established for the first UPF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the first SMF network element includes a first interface, where the first interface is used to connect the first SMF network element and the opposite SMF network element; the peer network information includes an ID of the peer SMF network element. The first SMF network element determines, according to peer network information, a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element, including: the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite-end SMF network element through a first interface according to the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element in the opposite-end network information; the PDU session association request information comprises a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and is used for requesting to acquire opposite-end routing information; the first SMF network element receives opposite-end route information sent by an opposite-end SMF network element through a first interface; the opposite-end routing information is determined by an opposite-end SMF network element according to a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the PDU session association request information; the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal routing information.

In another possible implementation manner, the peer network information further includes a peer network state; the peer network state includes online or offline. The first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite terminal SMF network element through a first interface according to an ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information, including: when the opposite terminal network state in the opposite terminal network information is online, the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite terminal SMF network element through a first interface according to the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the peer routing information includes an ID of the peer UPF network element, address information of the peer UE, and a tunnel endpoint identifier allocated by the peer UPF network element for the peer UE. After the first SMF network element receives, through the first interface, the peer routing information sent by the peer SMF network element, the method further includes: the first SMF network element marks a first label on a user identification of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE according to opposite-end routing information; the first label includes an ID of the opposite end UPF network element, address information of the opposite end UE, and a tunnel endpoint identifier allocated by the opposite end UPF network element to the opposite end UE.

In yet another possible implementation, the peer network information includes peer routing information. The first SMF network element determines, according to peer network information, a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element, including: the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to opposite terminal routing information in opposite terminal network information.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the first SMF network element includes a first interface, where the first interface is configured to connect the first SMF network element and the opposite SMF network element; the opposite terminal network information also comprises an opposite terminal network state; network status includes online or offline; the opposite end network information received by the first SMF network element is sent by the UDM network element when the opposite end network state in the opposite end network information is online.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the peer network information includes an ID of a peer SMF network element and peer routing information; the opposite-end routing information includes one or more of an ID of an opposite-end UPF network element, address information of an opposite-end UE, and a tunnel endpoint identifier allocated by the opposite-end UPF network element to the opposite-end UE. The first SMF network element determines, according to peer network information, a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element, including: when the ID of the opposite end UPF network element is missing in the opposite end routing information, and/or the address information of the opposite end UE, and/or the tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite end UPF network element for the opposite end UE, the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite end SMF network element through a first interface according to the ID of the opposite end SMF network element in the opposite end network information; the PDU session association request information comprises a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and is used for requesting to acquire opposite-end routing information; the first SMF network element receives opposite-end route information sent by an opposite-end SMF network element through a first interface; the opposite-end routing information is determined by an opposite-end SMF network element according to a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the PDU session association request information; the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal routing information.

In the VN group communication method provided by the present application, after receiving the SM context creation request information corresponding to the first UE, the first SMF network element may send subscription data acquisition information to the UDM network element, and the UDM network element may query network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element according to a user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data acquisition information, determine opposite terminal network information, and send the opposite terminal network information to the first SMF network element. The first SMF network element may determine a group level N4 session rule according to the peer network information, send the group level N4 session rule to a first UPF network element forwarding a message for the first UE, and establish a group level N4 session, so that the first UPF network element may forward the message of the first UE to the peer UPF network element, so that the peer UPF network element may forward the message of the first UE to the peer UE, and connect the UPF network elements in two areas by using UDM network elements that are not limited by the area, so as to implement communications of VN group users of the cross-area.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a VN group communication device comprising respective modules for use in the method described above in the first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a VN group communication method, the method being applied to a UDM network element, the method comprising: the UDM network element receives subscription data acquisition information sent by a first SMF network element; the first SMF network element is used for managing PDU session of the first UE; the subscription data information comprises user identifiers of VN group users corresponding to the first UE; the VN group user corresponding to the first UE is the VN group user using the first UE; the UDM network element determines opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element; the opposite terminal network information comprises the ID of an opposite terminal SMF network element and/or opposite terminal routing information; the opposite terminal routing information comprises an ID of an opposite terminal user plane function UPF network element, address information of opposite terminal UE and a tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite terminal UPF network element for the opposite terminal UE; the address information of the opposite terminal UE comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the opposite terminal UE; the opposite terminal UE is any UE except the first UE in the VN group where the first UE is located; the opposite end UPF network element is used for forwarding PDU data packets of the opposite end UE; the opposite terminal SMF network element is used for managing PDU conversation of the opposite terminal UE; the UDM network element sends opposite-end network information to the first SMF network element, so that the first SMF network element determines a group-level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite-end network information, and establishes a group-level N4 session for the first UPF network element; the first UPF network element user forwards PDU data packets of the first UE.

In a possible implementation manner, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element includes a VN group ID, a user identification, and an ID of an SMF network element corresponding to the VN group user. The UDM network element determines opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element, and the method comprises the following steps: the UDM network element searches and obtains the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element as opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element.

In another possible implementation, the network information of the VN group users stored in the UDM network element further includes a network state of the VN group users, which may include online or offline. The UDM network element determines opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element, and the method comprises the following steps: and the UDM network element searches and obtains the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element and the opposite-end network state as opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element. The UDM network element sends peer network information to the first SMF network element, including: when the opposite terminal network state in the opposite terminal network information is online, the UDM network element sends the opposite terminal network information to the first SMF network element.

In yet another possible implementation, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element further includes routing information of the UE of the VN group user. The UDM network element determines opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element, and the method comprises the following steps: and the UDM network element searches and obtains opposite-end routing information as opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element.

In yet another possible implementation, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element further includes a network state of the VN group user, and the network state of the VN group user may include online or offline. The UDM network element determines opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element, and the method comprises the following steps: and the UDM network element searches and obtains opposite-end routing information and opposite-end network state as opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element. The UDM network element sends peer network information to the first SMF network element, including: when the opposite terminal network state in the opposite terminal network information is online, the UDM network element sends the opposite terminal network information to the first SMF network element.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a VN group communication device comprising respective modules for the method according to any one of the possible implementations of the above or third aspect.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a network device comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory stores instructions executable by the processor; the processor is configured to execute instructions to cause the network device to perform the steps of the related method of the first aspect or the third aspect described above, to implement the method of the first aspect or the third aspect described above.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising: computer software instructions; the computer software instructions, when executed in a network device, cause the network device to perform the steps of the related method described in the first aspect or the third aspect, to implement the method described in the first aspect or the third aspect.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product for, when run on a network device, causing the network device to perform the steps of the related method of the first or third aspect described above, to implement the method of the first or third aspect described above.

Advantageous effects of the second aspect to the seventh aspect described above may be referred to in the first aspect, and will not be described again.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings that are required in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly described below, it being obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and that other drawings may be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G system architecture;

fig. 2 is a schematic flow diagram of a UPF network element forwarding a UE message in a VN group;

fig. 3 is another flow chart of a UPF network element forwarding a UE message in a VN group;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the VN groups of different regions;

fig. 5 is a flow chart of a VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic composition diagram of a UDM network element provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is another flow chart of a VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic composition diagram of a first SMF network element according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic flowchart of another VN group communication method according to the embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart of another VN group communication method according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic flowchart of another VN group communication method according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic flowchart of another VN group communication method according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic flowchart of another VN group communication method according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a schematic flowchart of another VN group communication method according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a schematic flowchart of another VN group communication method according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of the components of the VN group communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 17 is another schematic diagram of a VN group communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The following description of the embodiments of the present application will be made clearly and fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which it is evident that the embodiments described are only some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments, which can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue burden from the present disclosure, are within the scope of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "such as" are used to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete fashion.

In order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used to distinguish the same item or similar items having substantially the same function and effect, and those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first", "second", and the like are not limited in number and execution order.

For a 5G system, the 5G system may include a plurality of network element functional entities (hereinafter collectively referred to as network elements).

Illustratively, fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a 5G system. As illustrated in fig. 1, the 5G system may include: AN Access Network (AN)/radio access network (radio access network, RAN) device (i.e., AN/RAN in fig. 1), and core network elements such as UPF network elements, data Network (DN), access and mobility management function (access and mobility management function, AMF) network elements, SMF network elements, control policy function (policy control function, PCF) network elements, application function (application function, AF) network elements, network slice selection function (network slice selection function, NSSF) network elements, authentication service function (authentication server function, AUSF) network elements, unified data management (unified data management, UDM) network elements, and the like. The UE can access the core network through the AN/RAN equipment or directly connect with the AMF network element through AN N1 interface.

AN/RAN device and AN AMF network element may be connected through AN N2 interface, AN/RAN device and a UPF network element may be connected through AN N3 interface, a UPF network element and AN SMF network element may be connected through AN N4 interface, a PCF network element and AN AF network element may be connected through AN N5 interface, a UPF network element and a DN may be connected through AN N6 interface, AN SMF network element and a PCF network element may be connected through AN N7 interface, AN AMF network element and a UDM network element may be connected through AN N8 interface, a UPF network element may be connected through AN N9 interface, AN SMF network element and a UDM network element may be connected through AN N10 interface, AN AMF network element and AN SMF network element may be connected through AN N11 interface, AN AMF network element and AN AUSSF network element may be connected through AN N12 interface, AN AMF network element and a PCF network element may be connected through AN N15 interface, and AN AMF network element and AN NSSF network element may be connected through AN N22 interface.

In 3GPP, it is specified that an operator may provide a 5G LAN service in the form of a VN group through a UDM network element, an SMF network element, and a UPF network element. One VN group may include a plurality of UEs. The 5G LAN service such as point-to-point communication, broadcast communication, multicast communication and the like can be realized among different UEs in the same VN group.

Illustratively, fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart of a UPF network element forwarding a UE message in a VN group. As shown in fig. 2, taking UE1 and UE2 as an example of a UE of the same VN group, assuming that UPF network element 1 is a PSA UPF network element shared by PDU sessions of UE1 and UE2, a message sent between UE1 and UE2 may be directly forwarded by UPF network element 1.

Illustratively, fig. 3 is another flow chart of a UPF network element forwarding a UE message in a VN group. As shown in fig. 3, taking UE1 and UE2 as the UEs of the same VN group as an example, assuming that UPF element 1 is an anchor UPF element of the PDU session of UE1, UPF element 2 is an anchor UPF element of the PDU session of UE2, and UPF element 1 and UPF element 2 are respectively different UPF elements controlled by SMF element 1, UPF element 1 and UPF element 2 may respectively allocate internet protocol (internetwork protocol, IP) addresses to UE1 and UE2, and respectively send the IP addresses allocated to UE1 and UE2 to SMF element 1. The SMF network element 1 may establish a group level N4 session for the UPF network element 1 and the UPF network element 2 according to the IP addresses of the UE1 and the UE2, so that the UPF network element 1 and the UPF network element 2 may forward the messages of the UE1 and the UE2 through an N19 interface or an N6 interface.

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of VN groups of different regions. As shown in fig. 4, taking UE1 and UE2 as the UEs of the same VN group as an example, assume that UE1 and UE2 respectively belong to SMF network element 1 and SMF network element 2 responsible for different areas, the UPF network element allocated by SMF network element 1 to UE1 is UPF network element 1, the UPF network element allocated by SMF network element 2 to UE2 is UPF network element 2, and then UPF network element 1 and UPF network element 2 can respectively allocate respective IP addresses to UE1 and UE2, and respectively send the IP addresses allocated to UE1 and UE2 to SMF network element 1 and SMF network element 2. However, the SMF network element 1 can only obtain the IP address allocated by the UPF network element 1 to the UE1, and cannot obtain the IP address allocated by the UPF network element 2 to the UE2, so the SMF network element 1 cannot establish a group level N4 session for the UPF network element 1 and the UPF network element 2. The SMF network element 2 cannot establish a group level N4 session for the UPF network element 1 and the UPF network element 2. That is, UE1 and UE2 cannot realize inter-regional VN group communication.

In this background, an embodiment of the present application provides a VN group communication method, in which after a certain SMF network element establishes a PDU session for a certain UE, a UDM network element may receive network information (for example, an IP address of the UE) of a VN group user corresponding to the UE and store the network information, where when other UEs in the same VN group with the UE need to perform inter-regional VN group communication with the UE, other SMF network elements corresponding to the other UEs may acquire network information of the VN group user corresponding to the UE from the UDM network element, so that other SMFs establish group level N4 sessions for UPF network elements in different areas according to the network information of the VN group user corresponding to the UE, thereby implementing inter-regional VN group communication.

The VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart of a VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 5, the method may include S101 to S109.

S101, the first UE sends PDU session establishment request information to an AMF network element. Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives PDU session establishment request information.

The PDU session establishment request information may include a PDU session ID (PDU session ID), a type of PDU session, and the like. The type of PDU session may include an IP type or an ethernet type, etc.

S102, the AMF network element responds to the PDU session establishment request information, and a first SMF network element is selected for the first UE.

The first SMF network element may be an SMF network element that manages a PDU session of the first UE. The first SMF network element may have a correspondence with the first UE.

For example, the PDU session establishment request information sent by the first UE may include geographical location information of the first UE, and the AMF network element may determine, as the first SMF network element, an SMF network element having a smallest distance to the first UE according to the geographical location information of the first UE in the PDU session establishment request information.

S103, the AMF network element sends a create session management (session management, SM) context request message to the first SMF network element. Correspondingly, the first SMF network element receives the SM context creation request information sent by the AMF network element.

Wherein the create SM context request information may include a PDU session ID. The creation SM context request information may have a correspondence relationship with the PDU session ID of the first UE. For example, the SM context request information is created in one-to-one correspondence with the PDU session ID of the first UE.

And S104, the first SMF network element sends subscription data acquisition information to the UDM network element. Correspondingly, the UDM network element receives the subscription data fetching information sent by the first SMF network element.

Wherein, the network information of the VN group user can be stored in the UDM network element. The network information of the VN group user may include a VN group identity (identity, ID), a user identity (e.g. a general public subscription identifier (generic public subscription identifier, GPSI)), a PDI session ID, and an ID of the SMF network element to which the VN group user corresponds, etc. The subscription data information may include a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, a PDU session ID corresponding to the first UE, and an ID of the first SMF network element. The subscription data information may be used to obtain subscription data of a user corresponding to the first UE. For example, taking a first UE as a mobile phone, assuming that a subscriber identification module (subscribe identity module, SIM) card of the user 1 is inserted into the mobile phone, the subscription data of the user corresponding to the mobile phone may be the subscription data of the user 1. That is, the VN group user corresponding to the first UE is the VN group user using the first UE.

In some possible implementations, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may only include the VN group ID, the user identification, the PDU session ID, and the ID of the SMF network element to which the VN group user corresponds.

Illustratively, the network information of VN group users stored in the UDM network element may be as shown in table 1 below.

TABLE 1

Taking VN group 1 and VN group 2 as examples, assuming that VN group 1 includes user 1 and user 2, and VN group 2 includes user 3 and user 4, SMF1 corresponding to PDU1 corresponding to user 1 in VN group 1 may be stored in the UDM network element, respectively, as shown in table 1; SMF2 corresponding to PDU2 corresponding to user 2 in VN group 1; SMF3 corresponding to PDU3 corresponding to user 3 in VN group 2; SMF4 corresponding to PDU4 corresponding to user 4 in VN group 2; SMF5 corresponding to PDU5 corresponding to user 4 in VN group 2. The meaning of table 1 is: SMF1 manages PDU1 of user 1 of VN group 1, SMF2 manages PDU2 of user 2 of VN group 1, SMF3 manages PDU3 of user 3 of VN group 2, SMF4 manages PDU4 of user 4 of VN group 2, SMF5 manages PDU5 of user 4 of VN group 2.

Optionally, after receiving the subscription data information sent by the first SMF network element, the UDM network element may record, in the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element, a user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information, a PDU session ID, an ID of the first SMF network element, and a correspondence.

In other possible embodiments, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may further include the network status of the VN group user, in addition to the VN group ID, the user identification, the PDU session ID and the ID of the SMF network element corresponding to the VN group user. The network status of VN group users may include online or offline.

For example, when the UDM network element receives the subscription data fetch information sent by the SMF network element, the UDM network element may record, as online, a network state of a VN group user corresponding to the subscription data fetch information; when the UDM network element does not receive the subscription data information sent by the SMF network element, the UDM network element may record the network state of the VN group user as offline.

The network information of the VN group users stored in the UDM network element can in turn be shown in table 2 below, for example.

TABLE 2

As shown in table 2, similarly, taking the above-mentioned example that the SMF1 manages PDU1 of the user 1 of the VN group 1, the SMF2 manages PDU2 of the user 2 of the VN group 1, the SMF3 manages PDU3 of the user 3 of the VN group 2, the SMF4 manages PDU4 of the user 4 of the VN group 2, and the SMF5 manages PDU5 of the user 4 of the VN group 2, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may also record that the network state of the PDU1 corresponding to the user 1 is online, the network state of the PDU2 corresponding to the user 2 is online, the network state of the PDU3 corresponding to the user 3 is online, the network state of the PDU4 corresponding to the user 4 is offline, and the network state of the PDU5 corresponding to the user 4 is online.

In still other possible embodiments, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may further include routing information of the UE of the VN group user, in addition to the VN group ID, the user identification, the PDU session ID and the ID of the SMF network element corresponding to the VN group user. The routing information corresponding to the VN group user may include an ID of a UPF network element corresponding to the UE of the VN group user, address information of the UE of the VN group user (the address information of the UE includes an IP address or a media access control (media access control, MAC) address of the UE), and a tunnel endpoint identifier (tunnel endpoint identifier, TEID) assigned by the UPF network element for the UE of the VN group user. For example, the UPF network element assigns the TEID of the N19 tunnel for the UE of the VN group user.

The network information of the VN group users stored in the UDM network element can in turn be shown in table 3 below, for example.

TABLE 3 Table 3

As shown in table 3, similarly, taking PDU1 of user 1 of VN group 1, PDU2 of user 2 of VN group 1, PDU3 of user 3 of VN group 2, PDU4 of user 4 of VN group 2, PDU5 of user 4 of VN group 2, and SMF5 as shown in table 1, for example, SMF1, UPF1, address 1, and tunnel endpoint 1 corresponding to PDU1 corresponding to user 1 of VN group 1 may be stored in the UDM network element, respectively; SMF2, UPF2, address 2 and tunnel endpoint 2 corresponding to PDU2 corresponding to user 2 in VN group 1; SMF3, UPF3, address 3 and tunnel endpoint 3 corresponding to PDU3 corresponding to user 3 in VN group 2; SMF4, UPF4, address 4 and tunnel endpoint 4 corresponding to PDU4 corresponding to user 4 in VN group 2; SMF5, UPF5, address 5, and tunnel endpoint 5 corresponding to PDU5 corresponding to user 4 in VN group 2.

In still other possible embodiments, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may further include a network state of the VN group user on the basis of the VN group ID, the user identification, the ID of the SMF network element corresponding to the VN group user, the ID of the UPF network element corresponding to the VN group user, the IP address or MAC address of the UE of the VN group user, and the TEID allocated by the UPF network element to the UE of the VN group user. The network status of VN group users may include online or offline.

Illustratively, the network information of VN group users stored in the UDM network element may also be as shown in table 4 below.

TABLE 4 Table 4

As shown in table 4, taking PDU1 corresponding to user 1 of VN group 1, SMF1, UPF1, address 1, and tunnel endpoint 1 in table 3 above, PDU2 corresponding to user 2 of VN group 1, SMF2, UPF2, address 2, and tunnel endpoint 2, PDU3 corresponding to user 3 of VN group 2, SMF3, UPF3, address 3, and tunnel endpoint 3, PDU4 corresponding to user 4 of VN group 2, UPF4, address 4, and tunnel endpoint 4, PDU5 corresponding to user 4 of VN group 2, SMF5, UPF5, and tunnel endpoint 5 as an example, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may also record the network state of PDU1 corresponding to user 1 as online, the network state of PDU2 corresponding to user 2 as online, the network state of PDU3 corresponding to user 3 as offline, the network state of PDU4 corresponding to user 4 as offline, and the network state of PDU4 corresponding to user 4 as offline 5, respectively.

Optionally, the first SMF network element may send subscription data fetching information to the UDM network element, and may subscribe to a subscription data change notification to the UDM network element.

S105, the UDM network element determines opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element.

The opposite-end network information may include an ID of an opposite-end SMF network element, and/or opposite-end routing information, etc. The opposite-end routing information may include an ID of the opposite-end UPF network element, address information of the opposite-end UE (IP address or MAC address of the opposite-end UE), TEID allocated to the opposite-end UE by the opposite-end UPF network element, and the like. The opposite UE may be any UE other than the first UE in the VN group where the first UE is located. The opposite terminal SMF network element and the opposite terminal UPF network element may be an SMF network element and a UPF network element respectively corresponding to the opposite terminal UE. For example, the peer SMF network element may be used to manage PDU sessions for the peer UE, and the peer UPF network element may be used to forward PDU packets for the peer UE.

Illustratively, taking the UE1 and the UE2 in the architecture diagram of the VN group shown in fig. 4 as an example, if the UE1 is the first UE, the UE2 may be referred to as a peer UE, the SMF network element 2 may be referred to as a peer SMF network element, and the UPF network element 2 may be referred to as a peer UPF network element.

Optionally, as described above, the subscription data acquisition information sent by the first SMF network element to the UDM network element may include a PDU session ID corresponding to the first UE. The step S105 may specifically include: the UDM network element determines opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information, the PDU session ID corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element.

For example, the UDM network element may search for network information corresponding to all PDU session IDs corresponding to the user identifier in the network information stored in the UDM network element by taking the user identifier in the subscription data information as an index, and then search for network information corresponding to all PDU session IDs corresponding to the user identifier by taking the PDU session IDs in the subscription data information as an index, so as to determine the network information of the opposite terminal.

In some possible embodiments, as described above, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may only include the VN group ID, the user identifier, and the ID of the SMF network element corresponding to the VN group user (for example, as shown in table 1 above), and the determining, by the UDM network element, the peer network information according to the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may include: the UDM network element searches and obtains the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element as opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element.

For example, the UDM network element may use the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE as an index, find the opposite-end VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and further use the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element in the network information of the opposite-end VN group user as the opposite-end network information.

In other possible embodiments, as described above, in addition to the VN group ID, the user identifier, and the ID of the SMF network element corresponding to the VN group user, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may further include a network state of the VN group user (for example, as shown in table 2 above), and the determining, by the UDM network element, the peer network information according to the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may include: and the UDM network element searches and obtains the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element and the opposite-end network state as opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element.

For example, the UDM network element may use the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE as an index, find the opposite-end VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and further use the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element and the opposite-end network state in the network information of the opposite-end VN group user as the opposite-end network information.

In still other possible embodiments, as described above, in addition to the VN group ID, the user identifier, and the ID of the SMF network element corresponding to the VN group user, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may further include routing information (for example, as shown in table 3 above) such as the ID of the UPF network element corresponding to the VN group user, address information of the UE of the VN group user, and TEID allocated by the UPF network element to the UE of the VN group user, and the determination of the peer network information by the UDM network element may include: and the UDM network element searches and obtains opposite-end routing information as opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element.

For example, the UDM network element may use the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE as an index, find the opposite-end VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and further use the opposite-end routing information in the network information of the opposite-end VN group user as the opposite-end network information.

In still other possible embodiments, as described above, on the basis of the VN group ID, the user identifier, the ID of the SMF network element corresponding to the VN group user, the ID of the UPF network element corresponding to the VN group user, the UE address information of the VN group user, and the TEID allocated by the UPF network element to the UE of the VN group user, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may further include a network state of the VN group user (for example, as shown in table 4 above), and the determining, by the UDM network element, the peer network information according to the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element may include: and the UDM network element searches and obtains opposite-end routing information and opposite-end network state as opposite-end network information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element.

For example, the UDM network element may use the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE as an index, find the opposite-end VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and further use the opposite-end routing information and the opposite-end network state in the network information of the opposite-end VN group user as the opposite-end network information.

In still other possible embodiments, the peer network information sent by the UDM network element to the first SMF network element may further include both an ID of the peer SMF network element and peer routing information, where the peer routing information may include one or more of an ID of the peer UPF network element, address information of the peer UE, and TEID allocated by the peer UPF network element to the peer UE.

S106, the UDM network element sends opposite terminal network information to the first SMF network element. Correspondingly, the first SMF network element receives opposite-end network information sent by the UDM network element.

In some possible embodiments, as described above, the peer network information determined by the UDM network element may include a peer network state (for example, an embodiment corresponding to table 2 or table 4 in S105 above), where the peer network state may include online or offline, and after determining the peer network information, the UDM may determine whether the peer network state in the peer network information is online, and if so, send the peer network information to the first SMF network element; if not, no operation is executed or information for indicating the peer VN group user to be offline is sent to the first SMF network element. The embodiments of the present application are not limited in this regard. That is, the UDM network element in S106 sends peer network information to the first SMF network element, which may include: when the opposite terminal network state in the opposite terminal network information is online, the UDM network element sends the opposite terminal network information to the first SMF network element.

Optionally, the UDM network element may subscribe to a network information change notification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE to the first SMF network element.

For example, the UDM network element may configure subscription conditions, which are specifically: when the network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE is changed, the changed network information is sent to the UDM network element. The UDM network element sends the subscription condition to the first SMF network element while sending the peer network information to the first SMF network element. When the network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE changes, the first SMF network element may send, in response to the subscription condition, the changed network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE to the UDM network element. The specific content of the network information of the corresponding VN group user of the first UE may be described with reference to the above peer network information, which is not described herein again.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a UDM network element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 6, the UDM network element may include an input unit, a storage unit, an output unit, and a subscription condition configuration unit.

The input unit may be configured to receive subscription data information sent by the first SMF network element. And the storage unit can be used for storing network information of the VN group users. And the subscription condition configuration unit can be used for configuring subscription conditions. And the output unit can be used for sending the routing information of the UE to the first SMF network element and can also be used for sending the subscription condition to the first SMF network element.

S107, the first SMF network element selects a first UPF network element for the first UE.

The first UPF network element is used for forwarding PDU data packets of the first UE.

Optionally, before S107, the first SMF network element may further send create SM context response information to the AMF network element.

S108, the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal network information.

The group level N4 session rules may include packet detection rules (packet detection rule, PDR), forwarding behavior rules (forwarding action rule, FAR), and the like, among others.

In some possible embodiments, the first SMF network element may include a first interface, where the first interface is configured to connect the first SMF network element and the peer SMF network element. For example, the first SMF network element may send and receive information to the peer SMF network element via the first interface. As described above, the peer network information sent by the UDM network element to the first SMF network element may only include the ID of the peer SMF network element, and in this case, the first SMF network element may query the peer SMF network element for peer routing information according to the ID of the peer SMF network element, and perfect the group level N4 session rules such as PDR and FAR by using the peer routing information, so as to establish a group level N4 session for the first UPF network element. Fig. 7 is another flow chart of the VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 7, S108 may specifically include S201 to S204.

S201, the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite terminal SMF network element through a first interface according to the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information. Correspondingly, the opposite-end SMF network element receives PDU session association request information sent by the first SMF network element.

The PDU session association request information comprises a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE. The PDU session association request information is used for requesting to acquire the opposite terminal routing information. The peer SMF network element may also comprise an interface for connecting the first SMF network element and the peer SMF network element, which interface may be referred to as a second interface, for example. The first interface and the second interface can be connected through a wired network or a wireless network and are used for cooperatively realizing information interaction between the first SMF network element and the opposite SMF network element.

S202, the SMF network element of the opposite terminal determines the routing information of the opposite terminal according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the PDU session association request information.

Optionally, before S202, the opposite SMF network element may acquire and store the routing information of the UE corresponding to the opposite SMF network element. For example, after the opposite-end SMF network element allocates a UPF network element to a UE, the UPF network element may allocate an IP address and a TEID to the UE, and the opposite-end SMF network element may receive and store the ID of the UPF network element, the IP address of the UE, and the TEID allocated by the UPF network element to the UE. The specific storage content may be shown by referring to the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element in the above table 3, which is not described herein. The determining, by the opposite-end SMF network element in S202, the opposite-end routing information according to the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the PDU session association request information may include: and the opposite-end SMF network element determines opposite-end routing information according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the PDU session association request information and the routing information of the UE corresponding to the opposite-end SMF network element stored in the opposite-end SMF network element.

S203, the opposite terminal SMF network element sends opposite terminal route information to the first SMF network element. Correspondingly, the first SMF network element receives opposite-end route information sent by the opposite-end SMF network element. For example, the first SMF network element may receive, through the first interface, peer routing information sent by the peer SMF network element.

Optionally, the opposite-end SMF network element may send PDU session association response information to the first SMF network element, where the PDU session association response information may include an ID of the opposite-end UPF network element, address information of the opposite-end UE, and opposite-end routing information such as TEID allocated by the opposite-end UPF network element to the opposite-end UE.

Optionally, the opposite-end routing information is sent to the first SMF network element, and at the same time, the opposite-end SMF network element may subscribe the first SMF network element to a network information change notification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE.

S204, the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal routing information sent by the opposite terminal SMF network element.

Optionally, after the first SMF network element receives the opposite terminal network information sent by the UDM network element, it may further first determine whether the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information is the ID of the first SMF network element, and if not, may send PDU session association request information to the opposite terminal SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element; if yes, the first UPF network element can be controlled to forward the message of the first UE to the opposite terminal UE. The specific forwarding process may refer to the process shown in fig. 3, which is not described herein. That is, the sending, by the first SMF network element in S201, the PDU session association request information to the opposite SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the opposite SMF network element in the opposite network information may include: when the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element in the opposite-end network information is different from the ID of the first SMF network element, the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite-end SMF network element through a first interface according to the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element in the opposite-end network information.

Optionally, after receiving the peer routing information sent by the peer SMF network element, the first SMF network element may further tag, according to the peer routing information, a first tag for a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, where the first tag may include a user identifier corresponding to the peer UE, an ID of the peer SMF network element, an ID of the peer UPF network element, address information of the peer UE, a TEID allocated by the peer UPF network element to the peer UE, and so on.

For example, taking a case that the VN group 1 includes UE1, UE2, and UE3, the UE1 and UE2 belong to the SMF network element 1, the UE3 belongs to the SMF network element 2, the UE1 corresponds to the UPF network element 1, the UE2 corresponds to the UPF network element 2, the UE3 corresponds to the UPF network element 3, assuming that the UE1 needs to perform inter-regional VN group communication with the UE3, the SMF network element 1 sends PDU session association request information to the SMF network element 2, the SMF network element 2 sends PDU session association response information to the SMF network element 1, the SMF network element 1 may tag a first label for a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the UE1 after receiving the PDU session association response information sent by the SMF network element 2, and the first label may include a user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the UE3, the SMF network element 2, the UPF network element 3, an IP address or a MAC address of the UE3, and a TEID allocated to the UPF network element 3 for the UE 3. When the UE2 needs to perform inter-regional VN group communication with the UE3, the SMF network element 1 may establish a group level N4 session for the UPF network element 2 according to the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the UE3 in the first label of the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the UE1, the SMF network element 2, the UPF network element 3, the IP address or the MAC address of the UE3, and the TEID allocated by the UPF network element 3 to the UE3, so as to implement inter-regional VN group communication of the UE2 and the UE 3.

In a possible implementation manner, the steps performed by the first SMF network element may be performed by a functional unit in the first SMF network element. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a first SMF network element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 8, the first SMF network element may include an information input unit, a network information analysis unit, a session association unit, an action processing unit, and a marking unit.

The information input unit can be used for receiving SM (subscriber identity module) context creation request information sent by the AMF network element; receiving opposite-end network information sent by a UDM network element; and receiving opposite-end route information sent by the opposite-end SMF network element through the first interface. The network information analysis unit may be configured to determine a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the peer network information. And the session association unit can be used for sending PDU session association request information to the opposite-end SMF network element through the first interface. The action processing unit can be used for sending subscription data acquisition information to the UDM network element; a first UPF network element is selected for a first UE. The marking unit may be configured to mark a first label for a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE according to the opposite terminal routing information after receiving the opposite terminal routing information sent by the opposite terminal SMF network element.

In other possible embodiments, as described above, in addition to the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element, the opposite-end network information sent by the UDM network element to the first SMF network element may further include an opposite-end network state, and after the first SMF network element receives the opposite-end network information sent by the UDM network element, it may first determine whether the opposite-end network state in the opposite-end network information is online, and if the opposite-end network state is online, query the opposite-end SMF network element for the routing information of the opposite-end UE through the first interface; if the network state of the opposite terminal is offline, no step is executed. That is, the sending, by the first SMF network element in S201, the PDU session association request information to the opposite SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the opposite SMF network element in the opposite network information may include: when the opposite terminal network state in the opposite terminal network information is online, the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite terminal SMF network element through a first interface according to the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information.

In still other possible embodiments, as described above, the UDM network element may send the peer routing information to the first SMF network element as peer network information, and then the first SMF network element may directly obtain the group level N4 session rule according to the ID of the peer UPF network element, the address information of the peer UE, and the TEID allocated by the peer UPF network element to the peer UE in the peer network information. That is, the determining, by the first SMF network element in S108, a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the peer network information may include: and the first SMF network element obtains a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal routing information in the opposite terminal network information.

For example, the first SMF network element fills the ID of the opposite end UPF network element in the opposite end routing information, the address information of the opposite end UE, and the TEID allocated by the opposite end UPF network element to the opposite end UE into the PDR and FAR corresponding to the first UPF network element, to obtain the group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element.

Optionally, as described above, the peer network information sent by the UDM network element to the first SMF network element may further include both an ID of the peer SMF network element and peer routing information, where the peer routing information may include one or more of an ID of the peer UPF network element, address information of the peer UE, and TEID allocated by the peer UPF network element to the peer UE. After receiving the opposite terminal network information sent by the UDM network element, the first SMF network element may further determine whether the opposite terminal network information is complete, and when the opposite terminal routing information does not include (lack) address information of the opposite terminal UE, and/or the opposite terminal UPF network element assigns a TEID to the opposite terminal UE, and/or an ID of the opposite terminal UPF network element, the first SMF network element may query the opposite terminal SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element, and determine a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal routing information. Specific query and determination processes may be described with reference to S201 to S204, which are not described herein.

S109, the first SMF network element sends a group level N4 session rule to the first UPF network element, and a group level N4 session is established for the first UPF network element. Correspondingly, the first UPF network element may receive the group level N4 session rule sent by the first SMF network element.

For example, the first SMF network element may send group level N4 session establishment request information to the first UPF network element, where the group level N4 session establishment request information may include a group level N4 session rule.

It should be noted that, after the first SMF network element establishes the group level N4 session for the first UPF network element, the first UPF network element may forward the message of the first UE to the opposite end UPF network element, and the opposite end UPF network element may forward the message of the first UE to the opposite end UE. That is, the first SMF network element may send a group level N4 session rule to the first UPF network element, and establish a group level N4 session, so that the first UPF network element forwards the message of the first UE to the peer UPF network element.

In the VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present invention, after receiving the SM context creation request information having a correspondence with the first UE, the first SMF network element may send subscription data acquisition information to the UDM network element, and the UDM network element may query network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element according to a user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data acquisition information, determine opposite network information, and send the opposite network information to the first SMF network element. The first SMF network element may determine a group level N4 session rule according to the peer network information, send the group level N4 session rule to a first UPF network element forwarding a message for the first UE, and establish a group level N4 session, so that the first UPF network element may forward the message of the first UE to the peer UPF network element, so that the peer UPF network element may forward the message of the first UE to the peer UE, and connect the UPF network elements in two areas by using UDM network elements that are not limited by the area, so as to implement communications of VN group users of the cross-area.

In some possible embodiments, after the first SMF network element establishes the group level N4 session for the first UPF network element, the first UPF network element may further allocate an IP address (or port) and a TEID for the first UE. For example, when the type of the PDU session is an IP type, the first UPF network element may assign an IP address to the first UE; when the type of the PDU session is an ethernet type, the first UPF network element may allocate a port for the first UE.

Where a port refers to a physical port of a network (switching) device. The port and the MAC address of the first UE have a mapping relationship. For example, the ethernet switch may include a plurality of ports, each of which may be connected to one UE, each of which corresponds to a respective MAC address, and the ethernet switch may acquire the MAC address of the UE connected to each of the ports, establish a mapping relationship between the ports and the MAC addresses, and store the mapping relationship in a cache of the ethernet switch. This process of establishing and storing a mapping relationship between ports and MAC addresses may also be referred to as learning.

Alternatively, the step of allocating an IP address (or port) to the first UE may also be performed by the first SMF network element. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to this, and the following description will be given with the first UPF network element as the execution body.

Optionally, after the IP address and TEID are allocated to the first UE, the first UPF network element may also send to the first SMF network element. That is, the VN group communication method may further include: the first SMF network element receives an IP address and a TEID which are distributed for the first UE by the first UPF network element and are sent by the first UPF network element. For example, the first UPF network element may send group level N4 session establishment response information to the first SMF network element, where the group level N4 session establishment response information may include routing information of the first UE, and the routing information of the first UE may include an ID of the first UPF network element, and an IP address and TEID allocated by the first UPF network element for the first UE.

Optionally, as described above, when the type of PDU session of the first UE is an ethernet type, the first UPF network element allocates a port to the first UE, and the port and the MAC address of the UE have a mapping relationship. The first UPF network element may determine the MAC address of the first UE according to the port allocated to the first UE and the mapping relationship between the port and the MAC address of the UE, and replace the IP address allocated to the first UE by the first UPF network element sent to the first SMF network element.

It should be noted that, after the first UPF element allocates the IP address and the TEID to the first UE, the first UPF element, the first SMF element, the AMF element, the UDM element, and other elements may further continue to execute related steps of establishing the PDU session, so as to establish the PDU session for the first UE. Specific subsequent steps may refer to the prior art and are not described here.

In some embodiments, as described above, the UDM network element may subscribe to the first SMF network element for the network information change notification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE. After receiving the routing information of the first UE sent by the first UPF network element, the first SMF network element may use the ID of the first SMF network element and the routing information of the first UE as network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE and send the network information to the UDM network element, so that the UDM network element and the opposite SMF network element may establish a group level N4 session for the opposite UPF network element according to the network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE. Fig. 9 is a schematic flowchart of another VN group communication method according to the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 9, the method may further include S301 to S304.

S301, a first SMF network element sends network information of a VN group user corresponding to a first UE to a UDM network element.

The network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE may include a user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE, an ID of the first SMF network element, and routing information of the first UE.

Correspondingly, the UDM network element may receive network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE, which is sent by the first SMF network element.

S302, the UDM network element stores network information of VN group users corresponding to the first UE.

The specific content of the UDM network element for storing the network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE may refer to table 1, table 2, table 3, or table 4, which is not described herein again.

S303, the UDM network element transmits network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE to the opposite-end SMF network element.

Correspondingly, the opposite-end SMF network element can receive the network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE and sent by the UDM network element

S303 may refer to S105 described above, and will not be described here again.

S304, the SMF network element at the opposite end establishes a group level N4 session for the UPF network element at the opposite end according to the network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE.

S304 may refer to S108 to S109 described above, and will not be described here again.

In other embodiments, as described above, the opposite SMF network element may subscribe to the network information change notification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE from the first SMF network element. After receiving the IP address and TEID allocated to the first UE by the first UPF network element and sent by the first UPF network element, the first SMF network element may also directly send network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE to the opposite terminal SMF network element, so that the opposite terminal SMF network element establishes a group level N4 session for the opposite terminal UPF network element according to the network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE. Fig. 10 is a schematic flow chart of another VN group communication method according to the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 10, the method may further include S401 to S403.

S401, the first SMF network element sends network information of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE to the opposite-end SMF network element through a first interface.

Correspondingly, the opposite-end SMF network element may receive network information of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, which is sent by the first SMF network element through the first interface.

S402, the opposite-end SMF network element inquires and determines an opposite-end UPF network element according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE.

For example, the SMF network element may store a correspondence table between the IDs of the VN group users and the UPF network element, and the opposite-end SMF network element may query the correspondence table between the IDs of the VN group users and the UPF network element stored in the opposite-end SMF network element according to the user identifier of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and determine the opposite-end UPF network element corresponding to the opposite-end UE.

Illustratively, the correspondence table of the IDs of the VN group users and the UPF network element stored in the SMF network element may be as shown in the following table 5.

TABLE 5

Taking VN group 1 and VN group 2 as an example, as shown in table 5, assuming that VN group 1 includes user 1 and user 2, and VN group 2 includes user 3 and user 4, UPF1 corresponding to user 1 in VN group 1 may be stored in the SMF network element, respectively; UPF2 corresponding to user 2 in VN group 1; UPF3 corresponding to user 3 in VN group 2; user 4 in VN group 2 corresponds to UPF4.

S403, the SMF network element at the opposite end establishes a group level N4 session for the UPF network element at the opposite end according to the network information of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE.

The step of establishing the group level N4 session for the peer UPF network element in S403 may be described with reference to S108, and will not be described herein.

It should be noted that, the VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in the manner that a plurality of network elements interact, and the VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below by using the first SMF network element as an execution body.

Fig. 11 is a schematic flowchart of another VN group communication method according to the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 11, when the execution subject of the method is a first SMF network element, the method may include S501 to S505.

S501, the first SMF network element sends subscription data acquisition information to the UDM network element.

S501 may be described with reference to S104 above, and will not be described here again.

S502, the first SMF network element receives opposite terminal network information sent by the UDM network element.

S502 may be described with reference to S105 to S106, and will not be described here.

S503, the first SMF network element selects a first UPF network element for the first UE.

S503 may be described with reference to S107, and will not be described herein.

S504, the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal network information.

S504 may be described with reference to S108 above, and will not be described here again.

S505, the first SMF network element sends a group level N4 session rule to the first UPF network element, and establishes a group level N4 session for the first UPF network element.

S505 may be described with reference to S109 above, and will not be described here again.

In some possible embodiments, the peer network information sent by the UDM network element to the first SMF network element may include an ID of the peer SMF network element, where the first SMF network element includes a first interface, and the first interface is configured to connect the first SMF network element and the peer SMF network element. In this case, fig. 12 is a schematic flowchart of still another VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 12, S504 may specifically include S601 to S603.

S601, the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite terminal SMF network element through a first interface according to the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information.

S601 may be described with reference to S201 above, and will not be described here again.

S602, the first SMF network element receives opposite-end route information sent by an opposite-end SMF network element through a first interface.

S602 may be described with reference to S202 and S203, and will not be described herein.

S603, the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal routing information.

S603 may be described with reference to S204 above, and will not be described here again.

In other possible embodiments, the peer network information sent by the UDM network element to the first SMF network element may include an ID of the peer SMF network element and a peer network state. In this case, fig. 13 is a schematic flowchart of still another VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 13, S601 may specifically include S701.

And S701, when the opposite terminal network state in the opposite terminal network information is online, the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite terminal SMF network element through a first interface according to the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information.

Optionally, the opposite route information in S602 may include an ID of the opposite UPF network element, address information of the opposite UE, and a tunnel endpoint identifier allocated by the opposite UPF network element to the opposite UE. In this case, fig. 14 is a schematic flow chart of still another VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 14, after S602, the method may further include S801.

S801, a first SMF network element marks a first label on a user identification of a VN group user corresponding to a first UE according to opposite terminal routing information.

The first label comprises an ID of the opposite terminal UPF network element, address information of the opposite terminal UE and a tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite terminal UPF network element for the opposite terminal UE.

Optionally, the peer network information further includes a peer network state; the opposite network state includes online or offline; the opposite end network information received by the first SMF network element is sent by the UDM network element when the opposite end network state in the opposite end network information is online.

In some possible embodiments, the first SMF network element includes a first interface, where the first interface is configured to connect the first SMF network element and the peer SMF network element. The opposite-end network information comprises an ID of an opposite-end SMF network element and opposite-end routing information, and the opposite-end routing information comprises one or more of an ID of an opposite-end UPF network element, address information of opposite-end UE and a tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite-end UPF network element for the opposite-end UE. In this case, fig. 15 is a schematic flowchart of still another VN group communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 15, S504 described above may specifically include S901 to S903.

S901, when the opposite end route information does not comprise the ID of the opposite end UPF network element, and/or the address information of the opposite end UE, and/or the tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite end UPF network element for the opposite end UE, the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite end SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the opposite end SMF network element in the opposite end network information.

S902, the first SMF network element receives opposite-end route information sent by an opposite-end SMF network element through a first interface.

S902 may be described with reference to S202 to S203, which are not described herein.

S903, the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal routing information.

S903 may be described with reference to S204 above, and will not be described here again.

It can be seen that the foregoing description of the solution provided by the embodiments of the present application has been presented mainly from a method perspective. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative modules and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented as hardware or computer software driven hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

According to the embodiment of the application, the functional modules of the network elements such as the first SMF network element and the UDM network element may be divided according to the above method example, for example, each functional module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functional units may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules may be implemented in hardware or in software functional modules. Optionally, the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematic, which is merely a logic function division, and other division manners may be actually implemented.

In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiment of the present application further provides a VN group communication device, where the device is applied to a first SMF network element, and the first SMF network element is configured to manage a PDU session of a first UE. Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram of the components of the VN group communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 16, the apparatus may include: a transmitting module 1601, a receiving module 1602, and a processing module 1603. A sending module 1601, configured to send subscription data information to a UDM network element; the subscription data information comprises user identification of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, wherein the VN group user corresponding to the first UE is the VN group user using the first UE. A receiving module 1602, configured to receive peer network information sent by a UDM network element; the opposite-end network information is determined by the UDM network element according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element, and comprises the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element and/or the opposite-end routing information; the opposite terminal routing information comprises an ID of an opposite terminal user plane function UPF network element, address information of opposite terminal UE and a tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite terminal UPF network element for the opposite terminal UE; the address information of the opposite terminal UE comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the opposite terminal UE; the opposite terminal UE is any UE except the first UE in the VN group where the first UE is located; the opposite end UPF network element is used for forwarding PDU data packets of the opposite end UE; the opposite terminal SMF network element is used for managing PDU session of the opposite terminal UE. A processing module 1603, configured to select a first UPF network element for a first UE, where the first UPF network element is configured to forward a PDU packet of the first UE; and determining a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite-end network information. The sending module 1601 is further configured to send a group level N4 session rule to the first UPF network element, and establish a group level N4 session for the first UPF network element.

In some possible embodiments, the first SMF network element includes a first interface, where the first interface is configured to connect the first SMF network element and the peer SMF network element, and the peer network information includes an ID of the peer SMF network element. A sending module 1601, configured to send PDU session association request information to an opposite terminal SMF network element through a first interface according to an ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information; the PDU session association request information includes a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and is used for requesting to acquire opposite-end routing information. The receiving module 1602 is specifically configured to receive, through a first interface, peer routing information sent by a peer SMF network element; the opposite-end routing information is determined by the opposite-end SMF network element according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the PDU session association request information. The processing module 1603 is specifically configured to determine a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the peer routing information.

In other possible embodiments, the peer network information further includes a peer network state; the peer network state includes online or offline. The sending module 1601 is specifically configured to send, when the peer network state in the peer network information is online, PDU session association request information to the peer SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the peer SMF network element in the peer network information.

In still other possible embodiments, the peer routing information includes an ID of the peer UPF network element, address information of the peer UE, and a tunnel endpoint identifier assigned by the peer UPF network element for the peer UE. The processing module 1603 is further configured to mark a first label for a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE; the first label includes an ID of the opposite end UPF network element, address information of the opposite end UE, and a tunnel endpoint identifier allocated by the opposite end UPF network element to the opposite end UE.

In still other possible embodiments, the peer network information includes peer routing information. The processing module 1603 is specifically configured to determine a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the peer routing information in the peer network information.

In still other possible embodiments, the peer network information further includes a peer network state; the opposite network state includes online or offline; the opposite end network information received by the receiving module 1602 is sent by the UDM network element when the opposite end network state in the opposite end network information is online.

In still other possible embodiments, the first SMF network element includes a first interface, where the first interface is configured to connect the first SMF network element and an opposite SMF network element, and the opposite network information includes an ID of the opposite SMF network element and opposite routing information; the opposite-end routing information includes one or more of an ID of an opposite-end UPF network element, address information of an opposite-end UE, and a tunnel endpoint identifier allocated by the opposite-end UPF network element to the opposite-end UE. The sending module 1601 is specifically configured to send PDU session association request information to the opposite terminal SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information when the opposite terminal routing information lacks the ID of the opposite terminal UPF network element, and/or the address information of the opposite terminal UE, and/or the tunnel endpoint identifier allocated to the opposite terminal UE by the opposite terminal UPF network element; the PDU session association request information includes a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and is used for requesting to acquire opposite-end routing information. The receiving module 1602 is specifically configured to receive, through a first interface, peer routing information sent by a peer SMF network element; the opposite-end routing information is determined by the opposite-end SMF network element according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the PDU session association request information. The processing module 1603 is specifically configured to determine a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the peer routing information.

In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiment of the application also provides a VN group communication device, which is applied to the UDM network element. Fig. 17 is another schematic diagram of the VN group communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 17, the apparatus includes: a receiving module 1701, a processing module 1702, and a transmitting module 1703. A receiving module 1701, configured to receive subscription data information sent by a first SMF network element; the first SMF network element is used for managing PDU session of the first UE; the subscription data information comprises user identification of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, wherein the VN group user corresponding to the first UE is the VN group user using the first UE. A processing module 1702 configured to determine peer network information according to a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element, where the peer network information includes an ID of a peer SMF network element, and/or peer routing information; the opposite terminal routing information comprises an ID of an opposite terminal user plane function UPF network element, address information of opposite terminal UE and a tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite terminal UPF network element for the opposite terminal UE; the address information of the opposite terminal UE comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the opposite terminal UE; the opposite terminal UE is any UE except the first UE in the VN group where the first UE is located; the opposite end UPF network element is used for forwarding PDU data packets of the opposite end UE; the opposite terminal SMF network element is used for managing PDU session of the opposite terminal UE. A sending module 1703, configured to send peer network information to a first SMF network element, so that the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the peer network information, and establishes a group level N4 session for the first UPF network element; the first UPF network element user forwards PDU data packets of the first UE.

In some possible embodiments, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element includes a VN group ID, a user identification, and an ID of an SMF network element corresponding to the VN group user. The processing module 1702 is specifically configured to search for an ID of an opposite terminal SMF network element as opposite terminal network information according to a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element.

In other possible embodiments, the network information of the VN group users stored in the UDM network element further comprises a network state of the VN group users, which may comprise online or offline. The processing module 1702 is specifically configured to search for an ID of an opposite-end SMF network element and an opposite-end network state as opposite-end network information according to a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element. The sending module 1703 is specifically configured to send the peer network information to the first SMF network element when the peer network state in the peer network information is online.

In still other possible embodiments, the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element further comprises routing information of the UE of the VN group user. The processing module 1702 is specifically configured to search for peer routing information as peer network information according to a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element.

In still other possible embodiments, the network information of the VN group users stored in the UDM network element further comprises a network state of the VN group users, which may comprise online or offline. The processing module 1702 is specifically configured to search for peer routing information and peer network state as peer network information according to a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data information and network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element. The sending module 1703 is specifically configured to send the peer network information to the first SMF network element when the peer network state in the peer network information is online.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present application further provides a network device, which may be the first SMF network element or the UDM network element in the foregoing method embodiment. Fig. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 18, the network device may include: a processor 1801 and a memory 1802; memory 1802 stores instructions executable by processor 1801; the processor 1801 is configured to execute instructions that, when executed, cause the network device to implement the method as described in the foregoing method embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions; the computer program instructions, when executed by a network device, cause the network device to implement the method as described in the previous embodiments. The computer readable storage medium may be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, which may be, for example, ROM, random Access Memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, etc.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present application also provides a computer program product, which, when run on a network device, causes the network device to perform the above-described related method steps to implement the method in the foregoing method embodiments.

The foregoing is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present disclosure should be covered in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of virtual network VN group communication, characterized in that the method is applied to a first session management function SMF network element; the first SMF network element is used for managing a protocol data unit PDU session of the first user equipment UE; the method comprises the following steps:

The first SMF network element sends subscription data acquisition information to a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element; the subscription data information comprises user identifiers of VN group users corresponding to the first UE; the VN group user corresponding to the first UE is the VN group user using the first UE;

the first SMF network element receives opposite-end network information sent by the UDM network element; the opposite-end network information is determined by the UDM network element according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data acquisition information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element; the opposite terminal network information comprises an ID of an opposite terminal SMF network element and/or opposite terminal routing information; the opposite terminal routing information comprises an ID of an opposite terminal user plane function UPF network element, address information of opposite terminal UE and a tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite terminal UPF network element for the opposite terminal UE; the address information of the opposite terminal UE comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the opposite terminal UE; the opposite-end UE is any UE except the first UE in the VN group where the first UE is located; the opposite end UPF network element is used for forwarding the PDU data packet of the opposite end UE; the opposite terminal SMF network element is used for managing PDU session of the opposite terminal UE;

The first SMF network element selects a first UPF network element for the first UE, wherein the first UPF network element is used for forwarding PDU data packets of the first UE;

the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal network information;

and the first SMF network element sends the group-level N4 session rule to the first UPF network element, and establishes a group-level N4 session for the first UPF network element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first SMF network element comprises a first interface, the first interface being configured to connect the first SMF network element and a peer SMF network element; the opposite terminal network information comprises an ID of an opposite terminal SMF network element; the first SMF network element determining, according to the peer network information, a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element, including:

the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite-end SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the opposite-end SMF network element in the opposite-end network information; the PDU session association request information comprises a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and is used for requesting to acquire opposite-end routing information;

the first SMF network element receives the opposite-end route information sent by the opposite-end SMF network element through the first interface; the opposite-end routing information is determined by the opposite-end SMF network element according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the PDU session association request information;

And the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal routing information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the peer network information further comprises a peer network state; the opposite end network state comprises online or offline;

the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite terminal SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information, including:

and when the opposite terminal network state in the opposite terminal network information is online, the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite terminal SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the opposite terminal SMF network element in the opposite terminal network information.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the peer routing information includes an ID of a peer UPF network element, address information of a peer UE, and a tunnel endpoint identifier assigned to the peer UE by the peer UPF network element; after the first SMF network element receives, through the first interface, the peer routing information sent by the peer SMF network element, the method further includes:

The first SMF network element marks a first label on a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE according to the opposite-end routing information; the first label comprises an ID of the opposite terminal UPF network element, address information of the opposite terminal UE and a tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite terminal UPF network element for the opposite terminal UE.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the peer network information comprises peer routing information;

the first SMF network element determining, according to the peer network information, a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element, including:

and the first SMF network element determines a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite terminal routing information in the opposite terminal network information.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the peer network information further comprises a peer network state; the opposite end network state comprises online or offline; the opposite end network information received by the first SMF network element is sent by the UDM network element when the opposite end network state in the opposite end network information is online.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first SMF network element comprises a first interface, the first interface being configured to connect the first SMF network element and a peer SMF network element; the opposite terminal network information comprises an ID of an opposite terminal SMF network element and opposite terminal routing information; the opposite terminal routing information comprises one or more of an ID of an opposite terminal UPF network element, address information of opposite terminal UE and a tunnel endpoint identifier distributed to the opposite terminal UE by the opposite terminal UPF network element;

when the opposite end routing information does not include the ID of the opposite end UPF network element, and/or the address information of the opposite end UE, and/or the tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite end UPF network element for the opposite end UE, the first SMF network element sends PDU session association request information to the opposite end SMF network element through the first interface according to the ID of the opposite end SMF network element in the opposite end network information; the PDU session association request information comprises a user identifier of a VN group user corresponding to the first UE, and is used for requesting to acquire the opposite-end routing information;

8. A communication device of a virtual network VN group, characterized in that said device is applied to a first session management function SMF network element; the first SMF network element is used for managing a protocol data unit PDU session of the first user equipment UE; the device comprises: the device comprises a sending module, a receiving module and a processing module;

The sending module is used for sending subscription data information to the UDM network element; the subscription data information comprises user identifiers of VN group users corresponding to the first UE; the VN group user corresponding to the first UE is the VN group user using the first UE;

the receiving module is used for receiving opposite-end network information sent by the UDM network element; the opposite-end network information is determined by the UDM network element according to the user identification of the VN group user corresponding to the first UE in the subscription data acquisition information and the network information of the VN group user stored in the UDM network element; the opposite terminal network information comprises an ID of an opposite terminal SMF network element and/or opposite terminal routing information; the opposite terminal routing information comprises an ID of an opposite terminal user plane function UPF network element, address information of opposite terminal UE and a tunnel endpoint identifier distributed by the opposite terminal UPF network element for the opposite terminal UE; the address information of the opposite terminal UE comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the opposite terminal UE; the opposite-end UE is any UE except the first UE in the VN group where the first UE is located; the opposite end UPF network element is used for forwarding the PDU data packet of the opposite end UE; the opposite terminal SMF network element is used for managing PDU session of the opposite terminal UE;

The processing module is configured to select a first UPF network element for the first UE, where the first UPF network element is configured to forward a PDU packet of the first UE; determining a group level N4 session rule of the first UPF network element according to the opposite-end network information;

the sending module is further configured to send the group level N4 session rule to the first UPF network element, and establish a group level N4 session for the first UPF network element.

9. A network device, the network device comprising: a processor and a memory;

the memory stores instructions executable by the processor;

the processor is configured to, when executing the instructions, cause the network device to implement the method of any of claims 1-7.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium comprising: computer software instructions;

the computer software instructions, when run in a network device, cause the network device to implement the method of any one of claims 1-7.