CN114945002B

CN114945002B - AMF selection method, device, network equipment and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN114945002B
Application number: CN202110176457.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 王晓峰
Original assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-02-09
Filing date: 2021-02-09
Publication date: 2023-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2041-02-09
Also published as: CN114945002A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides an AMF selection method, an AMF selection device, network equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of communication. Wherein the AMF selection method is performed by a network device, the method comprising: receiving an AMF related message, wherein the AMF related message at least comprises an NG establishment response message, an AMF configuration update message, an AMF state indication message and an NG link fault message; updating a globally unique AMF identifier GUAMI record table according to the AMF related message, wherein the GUAMI record table comprises at least one GUAMI record, and the GUAMI record is used for indicating the name and the state of the primary AMF and the name and the state of the standby AMF; and selecting a corresponding AMF for the user equipment based on the updated GUAMI record table. The embodiment of the application solves the problem that the complexity of selecting the AMF for the user equipment by the network equipment in the related technology is higher.

Description

AMF selection method, device, network equipment and storage medium

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to an AMF selection method, an AMF selection device, a network device, and a storage medium.

Background

In the related art, in order to cope with planned removal or other failures of the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function, access and mobility management functions), for example, the AMF fails, the AMF optionally provides a standby AMF. As a backup AMF, the AMF indicated GUAMI (Global Unique AMF Identifier, globally unique AMF identifier) is not available with the associated GUAMI. That is, a GUAMI associates an AMF, and optionally provides a backup AMF for planned removal and/or for other failed backup AMFs.

However, the above information makes the network device insufficient to cope with the planned removal or other failure of the AMF, which makes it difficult for the network device to select a corresponding AMF for the user device when the AMF is planned to be removed or otherwise failed.

Therefore, how to reduce the complexity of the network device to select AMF for the user device is still needed to be solved, so as to improve the network performance and the user perception.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiments of the present application provide a method, an apparatus, a network device, and a storage medium for selecting an AMF, which can solve the problem in the related art that the network device has high complexity in selecting the AMF for the user device. The technical scheme is as follows:

according to an aspect of embodiments of the present application, an access and mobility management function AMF selection method is performed by a network device, the method comprising: receiving AMF related information, wherein the AMF related information at least comprises NG establishment response information, AMF configuration update information, AMF state indication information and NG link fault information; updating a globally unique AMF identifier GUAMI record table according to the AMF-related message, wherein the GUAMI record table comprises at least one GUAMI record, and the GUAMI record is used for indicating the name and the state of the primary AMF and the name and the state of the standby AMF; and selecting a corresponding AMF for the user equipment based on the updated GUAMI record table.

According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a network device includes: a memory, a transceiver, and a processor; wherein the memory is used for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transceiving data under the control of the processor; a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the steps of: receiving AMF related information, wherein the AMF related information at least comprises NG establishment response information, AMF configuration update information, AMF state indication information and NG link fault information; updating a globally unique AMF identifier GUAMI record table according to the AMF-related message, wherein the GUAMI record table comprises at least one GUAMI record, and the GUAMI record is used for indicating the name and the state of the primary AMF and the name and the state of the standby AMF; and selecting a corresponding AMF for the user equipment based on the updated GUAMI record table.

In one possible implementation, when the AMF related message is an NG setup response message and an AMF configuration update message; the processor also performs the steps of: determining whether the AMF related message contains a first AMF name; if the AMF related message contains a first AMF name, searching a GUAMI record table for a first GUAMI record indicating the first AMF name and the state; if the first GUAMI record is not searched, adding a GUAMI record to the GUAMI record table according to the name and the state of the first AMF.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: and detecting whether the first AMF establishes an NG link with the network equipment, and determining the state of the first AMF.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: if the first GUAMI record is searched, the first GUAMI record is modified according to the first AMF name and state.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: if the AMF-related message does not contain the first AMF name, determining a second AMF name based on the AMF-related message; searching a second GUAMI record table for a second GUAMI record indicating a second AMF name and status; if the second GUAMI record is not searched, adding a GUAMI record to the GUAMI record table according to the name and the state of the second AMF.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: if a second GUAMI record is searched, the second GUAMI record is modified according to the second AMF name and status.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: when the AMF related message is an AMF configuration update message, determining the type of the AMF configuration update message; if the type of the AMF configuration update message is GUAMI deletion, determining that the deleted GUAMI is associated with a third AMF name based on the AMF configuration update message; searching a third GUAMI record table for a third GUAMI record indicating a third AMF name and status; determining whether the third AMF is a standby AMF based on the third AMF state indicated by the searched third GUAMI record; and if the third AMF is the standby AMF, deleting the third AMF name and state in the third GUAMI record.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: if the third AMF is the main AMF, determining whether the third GUAMI record contains a standby AMF name and a state; if so, the primary AMF name and state is replaced with the alternate AMF name and state in the third GUAMI record.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: if the spare AMF name and status are not contained in the third GUAMI record, the third GUAMI record is deleted.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: and selecting a corresponding AMF for the user equipment served by the third AMF based on the updated GUAMI record table.

In one possible implementation, when the AMF related message is an AMF status indication message; the processor also performs the steps of: determining an unavailable AMF based on the AMF status indication message, and searching a fourth GUAMI record in the GUAMI record table for a name and a status of the unavailable AMF; determining whether the unavailable AMF is the primary AMF or not based on the state of the unavailable AMF indicated by the searched fourth GUAMI record; if the unavailable AMF is the primary AMF, determining whether the AMF status indication message contains a fourth AMF name; if the AMF status indication message does not contain the fourth AMF name, determining whether the fourth GUAMI record contains the spare AMF name and the status; if not, deleting the fourth GUAMI record.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: if the fourth GUAMI record contains the spare AMF name and the spare AMF state, determining the spare AMF state according to the spare AMF name and the spare AMF state; when the state of the standby AMF is configured and the NG link is not established, deleting the fourth GUAMI record; when the state of the standby AMF is normal, the primary AMF name and state are replaced with the standby AMF name and state in the fourth GUAMI record.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: if the AMF status indication message contains a fourth AMF name, determining the status of the fourth AMF; deleting the fourth GUAMI record when the state of the fourth AMF is configured and the NG link is not established; when the state of the fourth AMF is normal, the primary AMF name and state are replaced with the fourth AMF name and state in the fourth GUAMI record.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: if the unavailable AMF is a standby AMF, deleting the unavailable AMF name and state in the fourth GUAMI record.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: if the unavailable AMF is the active AMF, determining whether the state of the active AMF is normal; when the state of the main AMF is normal and the timer is not overtime, the state of the main AMF is modified from normal to removed; when the state of the master AMF is not normal or the timer times out, determining whether the fourth AMF name is contained in the AMF state indication message.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: a corresponding AMF is selected for the user equipment for which no AMF service is available based on the updated guim record table.

In one possible implementation, when the AMF related message is an NG link failure message; the processor also performs the steps of: determining a fault AMF based on the NG link fault message, and searching a fifth GUAMI record indicating the name and the state of the fault AMF in the GUAMI record table; determining whether the fault AMF is a main AMF or not based on the fault AMF state indicated by the searched fifth GUAMI record; and if the fault AMF is the main AMF, modifying the state of the main AMF into NG link fault.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: determining whether the fifth GUAMI record contains a spare AMF name and a status; if so, when the state of the standby AMF is normal, the standby AMF is selected for the user equipment of the fault AMF service.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: if the failed AMF is a standby AMF, the state of the standby AMF is modified to NG link failure.

In one possible implementation, the processor further performs the steps of: determining whether the fifth GUAMI record contains a primary AMF name and a state; if so, when the state of the main AMF is not normal, selecting a corresponding AMF for the user equipment served by the main AMF based on the updated GUAMI record table.

In one possible implementation, the primary and standby AMF states include at least: unconfigured, configured and not establishing NG links, NG link failure, removing, normal.

According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present application, an AMF selecting apparatus, applied to a network device, comprises: the message receiving module is used for receiving an AMF related message, wherein the AMF related message at least comprises an NG establishment response message, an AMF configuration update message, an AMF state indication message and an NG link fault message; the record table updating module is used for updating a globally unique AMF identifier GUAMI record table according to the AMF related information, wherein the GUAMI record table comprises at least one GUAMI record, and the GUAMI record is used for indicating the name and the state of the primary AMF and the name and the state of the standby AMF; and the AMF selection module is used for selecting the corresponding AMF for the user equipment based on the updated GUAMI record table.

According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a storage medium has stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements an AMF selection method as described above.

The beneficial effects that this application provided technical scheme brought are:

in the above technical solution, a related message of the AMF is received, so that the network device can update the GUAMI record table according to the received message, so that the network device can select a corresponding AMF for the user device based on the updated GUAMI record table, where the message at least includes an NG establishment response message, an AMF configuration update message, an AMF status indication message, and an NG link failure message.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that are required to be used in the description of the embodiments of the present application will be briefly described below.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G core network architecture according to the present application.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an implementation environment according to the present application.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of AMF selection according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating another AMF selection method according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another AMF selection method according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating another AMF selection method according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another AMF selection method according to an example embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an AMF selecting unit according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of a network device, according to an example embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present application are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals identify like or similar elements or elements having like or similar functionality throughout. The embodiments described below by referring to the drawings are exemplary only for the purpose of illustrating the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", "the" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, and the plural forms "the two or more, and the other adjectives are similar, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. Further, "connected" or "coupled" as used herein may include wirelessly connected or wirelessly coupled. The phrase "and/or", as used herein, describes an association of associated objects, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, which may represent: a exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the context-dependent object is an "or" relationship.

The following is an introduction and explanation of several terms involved in this application:

RAN, english is Radio Access Network and chinese means radio access network. For example, the method is applied to a wireless access network of a 5G New Radio (NR) system.

AMF, english is Access and Mobility Management Function, chinese meaning is access and mobility management function, responsible for terminal equipment access core network and mobility management. Wherein, the message related to the AMF at least comprises: NG SETUP RESPONSE message, AMF configuration update CONFIGURATION UPDATE message, AMF status indication STATUS INDICATION message, NG link failure message.

SMF, english spelling is Session Management Function, chinese meaning is session management function.

The UDM is Unified Data Management, the Chinese meaning is unified data management function, and is responsible for management of user identification, subscription data and authentication data and registration management of service network elements of the user. For example, assuming an AMF, SMF, etc. currently providing services to a terminal device, when a user switches an AMF currently accessed, the UDM may initiate a logoff message to an old AMF, requiring the old AMF to delete user related information.

NEF, english full spelling Network Exposure Function, is responsible for the collection, analysis and reorganization of network capabilities, and the opening of network capabilities.

NRF, english full spelling NF Repository Function, is responsible for service discovery, receives NF discovery request from NF instance, and provides NF instance information of discovered NF instance to NF instance.

UPF, english spelling User Plane Function and Chinese meaning user plane function.

AUSF, english is Authentication Server Function, chinese meaning is authentication service function, which is used to receive the request of AMF to identify the terminal device, and send the key issued by UDM to AMF to authenticate by requesting the key to UDM.

PCF, english spelling Policy Control function, chinese meaning policy control function, which is used to support unified policy framework to manage network behavior, provide policy rules to network entity to implement execution, access subscription information of unified data warehouse (UDR).

The UDR is Unified Data Repository, the Chinese meaning is a unified data warehouse function, and the UDR is used for storing subscription data or reading subscription data, and the PCF is used for storing policy data or reading policy data.

NG interface refers to the interface between the radio access network and the core network. The N1 interface refers to a signaling interface between the terminal device and the AMF. The N2 interface refers to a signaling plane interface between the RAN and the AMF. The N3 interface refers to the signaling plane interface between the RAN and the UPF. The N4 interface refers to a signaling plane interface between the SMF and the UPF.

GUTI, english full spelling Global Unique Temporary Identifier, chinese meaning globally unique temporary identifier, is the temporary identifier assigned by AMF to the terminal device.

GUAMI, english spelling Global Unique AMF Identifier, chinese meaning global unique AMF identifier for unique identification of AMF.

As previously described, the network device may not adequately cope with the planned removal of the AMF or other failure, e.g., the AMF may fail, which may make it difficult for the network device to select the corresponding AMF for the user device when the AMF is planned to be removed or otherwise failed.

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a 5G core network architecture. In fig. 1, AMF1 and AMF2 are connected to the network device at the same time, i.e. the network device establishes an NG link with AMF1 and also establishes an NG link with AMF 2. The AMF1 is used as a main AMF and serves the user equipment; AMF2 is used as a standby AMF for AMF 1.

During the period, the AMF dynamically updates the association relation between the GUAMI and the AMF to the NRF, so that after the NRF successfully updates the association relation between the GUAMI and the AMF, the network equipment can find the AMF based on the updated association relation, and then the corresponding AMF is selected for the user equipment. In fig. 1, AMF1 and AMF2 may interact with a network device through an N2 interface.

For the network device, some GUAMI are carried in the NG SETUP RESPONSE message with AMF1, and AMF2 is pointed out as the standby AMF; as a standby AMF, in the NG SETUP RESPONSE message with AMF2, these GUAMI may or may not be carried.

Then, in the case of the NG setup response message, although the guim may be carried, it is not indicated whether the guim is associated with the primary AMF or the backup AMF, nor whether AMF2 is the backup AMF of AMF 1. Similarly, in the AMF configuration UPDATE message that AMF1 and AMF2 may send, AMF1 may indicate that AMF1 has a standby AMF, but not AMF2 is the standby AMF of AMF 1.

Because of the lack of indication, the network device is insufficient to cope with planned removal or other failures of the AMF, so that maintenance of the association relationship between the AMF and the guiami cannot be effectively performed, and further, the network device becomes complicated to select a corresponding AMF for the user device when the AMF is planned to be removed or other failures occur.

As can be seen from the above, the related art still has the defect of high complexity of selecting AMF for the ue by the network device.

In view of this, the present application provides an AMF selection method, apparatus, network device and storage medium, which aim to solve the above technical problems of the related art.

For the purposes of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only some embodiments, but not all 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.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an implementation environment involved in an AMF selection method. The implementation environment includes a wireless communication system 100, where the wireless communication system 100 may be a global system for mobile communications (global system of mobile communication, GSM) system, a code division multiple access (code division multiple access, CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA) system, a general packet Radio service (general packet Radio service, GPRS) system, a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (frequency division duplex, FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (time division duplex, TDD) system, an LTE-advanced long term evolution (long term evolution advanced, LTE-a) system, a universal mobile system (universal mobile telecommunication system, UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (worldwide interoperability for microwave access, wiMAX) system, a New air interface (New Radio, NR) system, and the like, without limitation herein.

The wireless communication system 100 includes a user equipment 110 and a network device, which may be a base station 130, and may also include a core network portion, such as an evolved packet system (Evolved Packet System, EPS), etc.

Specifically, the user device 110 is an electronic device that provides voice and/or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connection capability, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, etc., and for example, the user device 110 may be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone), or a computer with a mobile terminal device, such as a portable, pocket, hand-held, computer-built-in, or vehicle-mounted mobile device. The user equipment 110 may also be named differently in different systems, and may be personal communication services (Personal Communication Service, PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (Session Initiated Protocol, SIP) phones, wireless local loop (Wireless Local Loop, WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (Personal Digital Assistant, PDAs), etc. The user equipment 110 may also be referred to as a system, subscriber unit (subscriber unit), subscriber station (subscriber station), mobile station (mobile station), remote station (remote station), access point (access point), remote terminal device (remote terminal), access terminal device (access terminal), user terminal device (user terminal), user agent (user agent), user equipment (user device), and is not limited herein.

Base station 130 may be referred to as an access network device, depending on the particular application, or may be an electronic device in the access network that communicates with user device 110 over the air-interface through one or more sectors, or other names. The base station 130 may be configured to exchange received air frames with internet protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) packets as a router between the user equipment 110 and the rest of the access network, which may include an internet protocol network. The base station 130 may also coordinate attribute management for the air interface. For example, the base station 130 may be a base transceiver station (Base Transceiver Station, BTS) in a global system for mobile communications (Global System for Mobile communications, GSM) or code division multiple access (Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA), a base station (NodeB) in a wideband code division multiple access (Wide-band Code Division Multiple Access, WCDMA), an evolved network device (evolutional Node B, eNB or e-NodeB) in a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, a 5G base station (gNB) in a 5G network architecture (next generation system), a home evolved base station (Home evolved Node B, heNB), a relay node (relay node), a home base station (femto), a pico base station (pico), and the like, which are not limited herein.

Referring to fig. 3, an embodiment of the present application provides an AMF selection method, which is performed by a network device, for example, the network device may be the base station 130 in the implementation environment shown in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 3, the method may include the steps of:

in step 301, an AMF related message is received.

The AMF related messages at least comprise an NG establishment response message, an AMF configuration update message, an AMF state indication message and an NG link fault message.

For example, as the network device establishes an NG link with the AMF, the network device receives an NG setup response message; or when the GUAMI field associated with the AMF is deleted or modified, the network device receives an AMF configuration update message; or, when the NG interface corresponding to the AMF has an NG link failure, the network device receives an NG link failure message.

Step 302, updating the GUAMI record table according to the received message.

The GUAMI record table comprises at least one GUAMI record, and the GUAMI record is used for indicating the name and the state of the primary AMF and the name and the state of the standby AMF.

AMF name, also known as AMF identifier, is used to uniquely identify the AMF, represented by GUAMI.

AMF status, which may also be considered AMF connection status, includes not configured, configured and not establishing NG links, NG link failure, normal, removed.

In one possible implementation, the AMF state is represented by a set bit length. The set bit length can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual requirement of the application scene, which is not limited herein.

For example, the bit length is set to 4 bits. Then 0x0 indicates unconfigured, 0x1 indicates configured and no NG link is established, 0x2 indicates NG link failure, 0x3 indicates normal, and 0x4 indicates in-process removal.

In one possible implementation, the state of the primary and backup AMFs is represented by a state field that sets the bit length in the GUAMI record. The set bit length can be flexibly adjusted according to the actual requirement of the application scene, which is not limited herein.

For example, the bit length is set to 8 bits. Then, in the status field, the upper 4 bits indicate the status of the primary AMF and the lower 4 bits indicate the status of the backup AMF.

Then 0x30 indicates that the primary AMF is normal and the backup AMF is not configured. Alternatively, 0x31 indicates that the primary AMF is normal, the backup AMF is configured and no NG link is established.

After receiving the message, the network device updates the GUAMI record table according to various conditions indicated by the message. For example, various conditions include, but are not limited to, AMF establishing NG links, AMF failing, AMF planned removal, AMF associated GUAMI changes (delete/add/modify), and so forth.

For example, if an AMF fails, assuming that the AMF is the primary AMF in a certain GUAMI record in the GUAMI record table, the state of the primary AMF is modified from normal to NG link failure based on the GUAMI record.

Step 303, selecting a corresponding AMF for the user equipment based on the updated GUAMI record table.

When the GUAMI record table is updated, the network device can select a corresponding AMF for the user device based on the latest main and standby AMFs and the state thereof.

Still further to the foregoing example, when the network device finds that the state of the primary AMF changes to NG link failure, on the one hand, if the backup AMF exists in the GUAMI record, the network device may select the backup AMF for the user device; on the other hand, if there is no alternate AMF in the GUAMI record, the network device may select other suitable AMFs for the user device, e.g., alternate AMFs in the other GUAMI records that are not configured.

Through the process, along with the dynamic updating of the GUAMI record table, because the GUAMI record table comprises at least one GUAMI record for indicating the name and the state of the main AMF and the name and the state of the standby AMF, the network equipment can timely know the main AMF and the standby AMF and the state thereof, and the main AMF and the standby AMF serve as the basis for the user equipment to select the AMF, the situation that the AMF is planned to be removed or fails is effectively dealt with, and the problem that the complexity of selecting the AMF for the user equipment by the network equipment in the related art is high is solved.

Referring to fig. 4, an embodiment of the present application provides an AMF selection method, which is performed by a network device, for example, the network device may be the base station 130 in the implementation environment shown in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 4, the method may include the steps of:

step 401, receiving an NG setup response message.

Step 402, it is determined whether the NG setup response message includes a first AMF Name, i.e. "Backup AMF Name".

On the one hand, if the first AMF Name "Backup AMF Name" is not included in the NG establishment response message, the following steps are performed:

step 403, determining the second AMF name based on the NG setup response message, and searching the guim record table for a second guim record indicating the second AMF name and status.

Wherein the second AMF name is determined by the GUAMI contained in the NG setup response message. That is, the GUAMI uniquely identifies the second AMF.

And step 404, if the second GUAMI record is not searched, adding a GUAMI record to the GUAMI record table according to the information related to the second AMF. The second AMF related information refers to the name and the status of the second AMF.

Specifically: and creating a GUAMI record, wherein the name of the primary AMF is the name of the second AMF, the name of the standby AMF is NULL, and the state of the primary AMF and the standby AMF is 'the primary AMF is normal and the standby AMF is not configured'.

If the second GUAMI record is searched, the second GUAMI record is modified according to the information related to the second AMF.

Specifically: in step 405, in the second gui record, if the second AMF is the primary AMF, the primary and standby AMFs are modified to be "the primary AMF is normal and the standby AMF is not configured".

In step 406, in the second GUAMI record, if the second AMF is the alternate AMF, the alternate AMF state is modified to "alternate AMF normal".

Step 407, in other cases, sending an ERROR INDICATION message to the AMF to inform the AMF of the configuration ERROR.

It is described herein that the ERROR INDICATION message may carry a cause value to indicate the cause of the AMF configuration ERROR, and is not updated for the GUAMI record table.

On the other hand, if the NG establishment response message includes the first AMF Name "Backup AMF Name", the following steps are performed:

step 408, search the GUAMI record table for a first GUAMI record indicating the first AMF name and status.

And 409, if the first GUAMI record is not searched, adding a GUAMI record to the GUAMI record table according to the information related to the first AMF.

Specifically: and creating a GUAMI record, taking the second AMF as a main AMF and taking the first AMF as a standby AMF. Correspondingly, the second AMF name is used as the primary AMF name, and the first AMF name is used as the standby AMF name.

Further, it is detected whether a standby AMF (i.e., the first AMF) establishes an NG link with the network device to determine a first AMF state.

In step 410, if the standby AMF does not establish an NG link with the network device, the primary and standby AMF status is "primary AMF normal, standby AMF configured and NG link not established".

In step 411, if the standby AMF NG link fails, the primary and standby AMF status is "primary AMF normal, standby AMF NG link fails".

In step 412, if the standby AMF establishes an NG link with the network device, the primary and standby AMF states are "primary AMF normal, standby AMF normal".

If the first GUAMI record is searched, the first GUAMI record is modified according to the information related to the first AMF.

Specifically: and confirming whether the primary AMF name/the standby AMF name indicated by the first GUAMI record is consistent with the second AMF name/the first AMF name.

In step 413, if the primary AMF name is identical to the second AMF name and the standby AMF name is identical to the first AMF name, the primary AMF status is modified to "primary AMF normal".

In step 414, in the first gui record, if the primary AMF name is consistent with the second AMF name and there is no backup AMF, the primary AMF status is modified to "primary AMF normal", the backup AMF name is the first AMF name, and the status is "backup AMF configured and NG link is not established".

In step 415, in the first gui record, if the primary AMF name is consistent with the first AMF name and there is no standby AMF, the primary AMF name is modified to the second AMF name, the status is modified to "primary AMF normal", the standby AMF name is modified to the first AMF name, and the status is modified to the status of the primary AMF.

Furthermore, if the user equipment of the original active AMF presence service, it is necessary to reselect the AMF for the user equipment.

Step 416, in other cases, an ERROR INDICATION message is sent to the AMF to inform the AMF of the configuration ERROR.

Here, the ERROR INDICATION message may carry a cause value, so as to prompt the cause of the AMF configuration ERROR, and not update the gui record table.

Under the action of the embodiment, the dynamic update of the GUAMI record table in response to the NG establishment response message is realized, so that the network equipment can effectively cope with the maintenance of the association relationship between the AMF and the GUAMI in the scene of establishing the NG link by the AMF, thereby reducing the complexity of selecting the AMF for the user equipment by the network equipment.

Referring to fig. 5, an embodiment of the present application provides an AMF selection method, which is performed by a network device, for example, the network device may be the base station 130 in the implementation environment shown in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 5, the method may include the steps of:

step 501, an AMF configuration update message is received.

Step 502, determining the type of AMF configuration update message.

Wherein, the types comprise deleting GUAMI, adding GUAMI and modifying GUAMI.

In one aspect, if the type of AMF configuration update message is a delete GUAMI, the deleted GUAMI is determined based on the AMF configuration update message. Wherein the deleted guim is associated with a third AMF, it is also understood that the deleted guim uniquely identifies the third AMF.

Then the following steps are performed:

step 503, searching the GUAMI record table for a third GUAMI record indicating the name and the state of the third AMF, and determining whether the third AMF is a standby AMF based on the searched name and state of the main and standby AMFs indicated by the third GUAMI record.

And step 504, based on the searched third GUAMI record, if the third AMF is a standby AMF, deleting the information related to the third AMF in the third GUAMI record.

Meanwhile, in the third GUAMI record, the information related to the standby AMF is updated, namely, the name of the standby AMF is modified to be NULL, the state is "the standby AMF is not configured", and the AMF is replied AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE.

Step 505, based on the third GUAMI record, if the third AMF is the primary AMF, determining whether the third GUAMI record contains information related to the backup AMF.

Specifically: in one aspect, if the third gui record includes information related to the standby AMF, the information related to the primary AMF is replaced with the information related to the standby AMF in the third gui record.

Meanwhile, in the third GUAMI record, the information related to the standby AMF is updated, namely the name of the standby AMF is modified to be NULL, and the state is "the standby AMF is not configured".

On the other hand, if the third GUAMI record does not contain information related to the standby AMF, the third GUAMI record is deleted.

Meanwhile, if the third AMF exists the served ue, it is necessary to reselect the AMF for the ue and reply AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE to the AMF.

On the other hand, if the type of the AMF configuration update message is newly added GUAMI or modified GUAMI, the following steps are performed:

step 506, determining whether the AMF configuration update message includes a first AMF Name, i.e. "Backup AMF Name".

On the one hand, if the first AMF Name "Backup AMF Name" is not included in the AMF configuration update message, the following steps are performed:

Step 507, determining a second AMF name based on the AMF configuration update message and searching the GUAMI record table for a second GUAMI record indicating the second AMF name and status.

The second AMF name is determined by the GUAMI contained in the AMF configuration update message. That is, the GUAMI uniquely identifies the second AMF.

And step 508, if the second GUAMI record is not searched, adding a GUAMI record to the GUAMI record table according to the information related to the second AMF. The second AMF related information refers to the name and the status of the second AMF.

If the second GUAMI record is searched, the second GUAMI record is modified according to the information related to the second AMF. At the same time, the AMF is replied to AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE.

Specifically: in step 509, in the second gui record, if the second AMF is the primary AMF, the primary and standby AMFs are modified to be "the primary AMF is normal, the standby AMF is not configured", and the AMF is replied AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE.

In step 510, in the second GUAMI record, if the second AMF is a standby AMF, the standby AMF state is modified to "standby AMF normal", and the AMF is replied AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE.

In step 511, the AMF is replied AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE FAILURE in the rest of the cases.

On the other hand, if the AMF configuration update message contains the first AMF Name "Backup AMF Name", the following steps are performed:

step 512, search the GUAMI record table for a first GUAMI record indicating the first AMF name and status.

In step 513, if the first GUAMI record is not searched, adding a GUAMI record to the GUAMI record table according to the information related to the first AMF.

In step 514, if the standby AMF does not establish an NG link with the network device, the primary and standby AMF status is "the primary AMF is normal, the standby AMF configures and does not establish an NG link", and replies AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE to the AMF.

In step 515, if the alternate AMF NG link fails, the primary and alternate AMF status is "primary AMF normal, alternate AMF NG link fails" and returns AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE to the AMF.

In step 516, if the standby AMF establishes an NG link with the network device, the primary and standby AMF status is "primary AMF normal", and the standby AMF is normal ", and replies AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE to the AMF.

In step 517, if the primary AMF name is identical to the second AMF name and the standby AMF name is identical to the first AMF name, the primary AMF status is modified to "primary AMF normal" and the AMF is replied AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE.

In step 518, in the first gui record, if the primary AMF name is consistent with the second AMF name and there is no backup AMF, the primary AMF status is modified to "primary AMF normal", the backup AMF name is the first AMF name, the status is "backup AMF configured and NG link is not established", and the AMF is replied AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE.

In step 519, in the first gui record, if the primary AMF name is consistent with the first AMF name and there is no backup AMF, the primary AMF name is modified to the second AMF name, the status is modified to "primary AMF normal", the backup AMF name is modified to the first AMF name, the status is modified to the status of the primary AMF, and the AMF is replied AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE ACKNOWLEDGE.

Step 520, and in the rest of the cases, give an AMF reply AMF CONFIGURATION UPDATE FAILURE.

Under the action of the embodiment, the dynamic update of the GUAMI record table in response to the AMF configuration update message is realized, so that the network equipment can effectively cope with the maintenance of the association relationship between the AMF and the GUAMI in the AMF associated GUAMI update (deletion/addition/modification) scene, thereby reducing the complexity of the network equipment for selecting the AMF for the user equipment.

Referring to fig. 6, an embodiment of the present application provides an AMF selection method, which is performed by a network device, for example, the network device may be the base station 130 in the implementation environment shown in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 6, the method may include the steps of:

Step 601, an AMF status indication message is received.

Upon receipt of the AMF status indication message, an unavailable AMF may be determined based on the AMF status indication message and a fourth GUAMI record may be searched in the GUAMI record table indicating the name and status of the unavailable AMF.

Wherein the unavailable AMF is associated with a GUAMI contained in an AMF status indication message. That is, the GUAMI uniquely identifies an unavailable AMF, which may be uniquely determined by the GUAMI contained in the AMF status indication message.

Based on the primary and backup AMF names and status indicated by the searched fourth guim record, it may be determined whether the unavailable AMF is a primary AMF.

In one aspect, when the unavailable AMF is a standby AMF, the following steps are performed:

and deleting the information related to the unavailable AMF in the fourth GUAMI record.

Specifically, if the fourth gui record includes information related to the active AMF, the state of the active AMF is determined based on the information related to the active AMF.

Step 602, if the status of the primary AMF is an NG link failure, selecting a corresponding AMF for the user equipment served by the primary AMF based on the updated guim record table.

Meanwhile, deleting the information related to the unavailable AMF in the fourth GUAMI record, and updating the information related to the standby AMF in the fourth GUAMI record, namely modifying the name of the standby AMF to be NULL and enabling the state to be "the standby AMF is not configured".

And step 603, if the state of the primary AMF is not NG link failure, deleting the information related to the unavailable AMF in the fourth GUAMI record.

Meanwhile, in the fourth GUAMI record, the information related to the spare AMF is updated, that is, the spare AMF name is modified to NULL, and the status is "the spare AMF is not configured".

That is, in this case, the user equipment of the active AMF service continues to use the active AMF for service.

On the other hand, when the unavailable AMF is the primary AMF, the following steps are performed:

in step 604, when the unavailable AMF is the primary AMF, it is determined whether the status of the primary AMF is normal based on the primary and backup AMF names and the status indicated by the fourth guiami record.

If the status of the active AMF is normal, then step 605 is performed.

Otherwise, if the status of the active AMF is abnormal, step 607 is performed.

Step 605, when the status of the master AMF is normal, it is determined whether or not a timer is present.

If a timer is present, step 606 is performed.

Otherwise, if there is no timer, step 607 is performed.

In step 606, when the status of the active AMF is normal and the timer has not expired, the status of the active AMF is modified from normal to removed, i.e. "active AMF is removed".

In step 607, it is determined whether the fourth AMF name is included in the AMF status indication message.

In one aspect, if the fourth AMF name is not included in the AMF status indication message, the following steps are performed:

at step 608, it is determined whether the fourth GUAMI record contains information about the alternate AMF.

If the fourth GUAMI record does not include information related to the standby AMF, the fourth GUAMI record is deleted, and a corresponding AMF is selected for the user equipment for which no AMF service is available based on the updated GUAMI record table, step 609.

In step 610, if the fourth gui record includes information related to the alternate AMF, a status of the alternate AMF is determined based on the information related to the alternate AMF.

In step 611, when the status of the standby AMF is configured and no NG link is established, the fourth guim record is deleted, and a corresponding AMF is selected for the user equipment that is not available for AMF services based on the updated guim record table.

In step 612, when the status of the standby AMF is normal, in the fourth gui record, the information related to the primary AMF is replaced with the information related to the standby AMF.

And meanwhile, deleting information related to the primary AMF and the standby AMF in the fourth GUAMI record.

It is described that, after the information related to the original standby AMF is deleted, in the fourth gui record, the information related to the standby AMF is updated accordingly, that is, the standby AMF name is modified to NULL, and the state is "standby AMF is not configured".

Furthermore, a corresponding AMF is selected for the user equipment for which no AMF service is available based on the updated GUAMI record table.

On the other hand, if the fourth AMF name is included in the AMF status indication message, the following steps are performed:

a status of the fourth AMF is determined.

Specifically: step 613, determining whether the fourth guiami record contains information related to a standby AMF.

If the fourth GUAMI record does not contain information about the alternate AMF, then a determination is made as to whether the fourth AMF status is normal, i.e., step 614 is performed.

In step 615, if the fourth guim record includes information related to the alternate AMF, it is determined whether the alternate AMF name is consistent with the fourth AMF name.

If the alternate AMF name matches the fourth AMF name, then a determination is made as to whether the fourth AMF status is normal, i.e., step 614 is performed.

In step 616, when the state of the fourth AMF is normal, in the fourth gui record, the information related to the main AMF is replaced by the information related to the fourth AMF.

Meanwhile, in the fourth GUAMI record, the information related to the standby AMF is updated, namely the name of the standby AMF is modified to be NULL, and the state is modified to be 'standby AMF is not configured'.

In step 617, when the state of the fourth AMF is an NG link failure, in the fourth guiami record, the information related to the primary AMF is replaced with the information related to the fourth AMF.

In step 618, when the status of the fourth AMF is configured and no NG link is established, the fourth guim record is deleted, and a corresponding AMF is selected for the user equipment that is not available for AMF services based on the updated guim record table.

If the alternate AMF name does not match the fourth AMF name, then a determination is made as to whether the fourth AMF state is configured and the NG link is not established, i.e., step 619 is performed.

In step 620, when the state of the fourth AMF is configured and no NG link is established, the fourth gui record is deleted, and a corresponding AMF is selected for the user equipment that is not available for AMF services based on the updated gui record table.

In step 621, when the state of the fourth AMF is normal, the information related to the primary AMF is modified to the information related to the fourth AMF, and the information related to the primary AMF and the secondary AMF in the fourth guiami record is deleted.

Under the action of the embodiment, the dynamic update of the GUAMI record table in response to the AMF state indication message is realized, so that the network equipment can effectively cope with the maintenance of the association relationship between the AMF and the GUAMI in the planned removal scene of the AMF, and the complexity of the network equipment for selecting the AMF for the user equipment is reduced.

Referring to fig. 7, an embodiment of the present application provides an AMF selection method, which is performed by a network device, for example, the network device may be the base station 130 in the implementation environment shown in fig. 2.

As shown in fig. 7, the method may include the steps of:

step 701, receiving an NG link failure message.

When an NG link failure message is received, a failed AMF may be determined based on the NG link failure message. Wherein the failed AMF is associated with a GUAMI contained in the NG link failure message. That is, the GUAMI uniquely identifies the failed AMF, which can be uniquely determined by the GUAMI contained in the NG link failure message.

At the same time, a fifth GUAMI record is searched in the GUAMI record table, which indicates the name and status of the failed AMF.

Then, based on the primary and backup AMF names and status indicated by the searched fifth GUAMI record, it may be determined whether the failed AMF is a primary AMF.

Step 702, based on the searched fifth GUAMI record, if the failed AMF is the primary AMF, modifying the status of the primary AMF to be an NG link failure, i.e. "primary AMF NG link failure".

If the state of the primary AMF is modified to be NG link failure, further determining whether the fifth GUAMI record contains information related to the standby AMF.

In step 703, if the fifth gui record includes information related to the backup AMF, when the status of the backup AMF is normal, the backup AMF is selected for the ue served by the failed AMF.

If the fifth GUAMI record does not contain information related to the standby AMF or the status of the standby AMF is not normal, a corresponding AMF is selected for the user equipment served by the failed AMF based on the updated GUAMI record table, step 704.

Step 705, based on the fifth GUAMI record, if the failed AMF is a backup AMF, modifying the status of the backup AMF to an NG link failure, i.e. "backup AMF NG link failure".

If the state of the standby AMF is modified to be NG link failure, further determining whether the fifth GUAMI record contains information related to the active AMF.

In step 706, if the fifth guim record includes information related to the primary AMF, when the status of the primary AMF is not normal, a corresponding AMF is selected for the user equipment served by the primary AMF based on the updated guim record table.

Step 707, and in other cases, completing the update of the GUAMI record table.

Under the action of the embodiment, the dynamic update of the GUAMI record table in response to the NG link fault message is realized, so that the network equipment can effectively cope with the maintenance of the association relationship between the AMF and the GUAMI in the fault scene of the AMF, and the complexity of the network equipment for selecting the AMF for the user equipment is reduced.

The following is an embodiment of the apparatus of the present application, which may be used to perform the AMF selection method related to the present application. For details not disclosed in the device embodiments of the present application, please refer to a method embodiment of the AMF selection method related to the present application.

Referring to fig. 8, an AMF selecting device 900 is provided in an embodiment of the present application, and is applied to a network device.

The AMF selection unit 900 includes, but is not limited to: a message receiving module 901, a record table updating module 902, and an AMF selecting module 903.

The message receiving module 901 is configured to receive an AMF related message, where the message at least includes an NG establishment response message, an AMF configuration update message, an AMF status indication message, and an NG link failure message.

A record table updating module 902, configured to update a globally unique AMF identifier, GUAMI record table according to a received message, where the GUAMI record table includes at least one GUAMI record, and the GUAMI record is used to indicate a primary AMF name and status, and a backup AMF name and status.

The AMF selecting module 903 is configured to select a corresponding AMF for the user device based on the updated guim record table.

It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, the division of units and/or modules is schematic, which is merely a logic function division, and other division manners may be implemented in actual practice. In addition, each functional unit and/or module in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit and/or module, or each unit and/or module may exist alone physically, or two or more units and/or modules may be integrated in one unit and/or module. The integrated units and/or modules described above may be implemented either in hardware or in software functional units and/or modules.

The integrated units and/or modules, if implemented in the form of software functional units and/or modules, and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or a portion or all or part of the technical solution contributing to the related art, may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, including several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

In addition, the data transmission device and the data transmission method provided in the foregoing embodiments are based on the same application conception, and since the principles of the method and the device for solving the problem are similar, the implementation of the device and the method can be referred to each other, and the repetition is omitted.

Therefore, with the dynamic update of the GUAMI record table, because the GUAMI record table comprises at least one GUAMI record for indicating the name and the state of the primary AMF and the name and the state of the standby AMF, the network equipment can timely know the primary AMF and the standby AMF and the state thereof, and the primary AMF and the standby AMF serve as the basis for the user equipment to select the AMF, the situation that the AMF fails or is removed in a planned manner is effectively treated, and the problem that the complexity of selecting the AMF for the user equipment by the network equipment in the related art is high is solved.

Fig. 9 shows a block diagram of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the network device may be base station 130 in the implementation environment shown in fig. 1.

As shown in fig. 9, the network device 1100 at least includes: a processor 1110, a memory 1120, and a transceiver 1130.

Wherein the transceiver 1130 is configured to receive and transmit data under the control of the processor 1110.

In fig. 9, a bus architecture may comprise any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, with various circuits of the one or more processors, in particular represented by processor 1110, and the memory, in particular represented by memory 1120. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, power management circuits, etc., which are well known in the art and, therefore, will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1130 may be a number of elements, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing units and/or modules for communicating with various other apparatus over transmission media, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical cables, etc.

The processor 1110 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1120 may store data used by the processor 1110 in performing operations.

Alternatively, the processor 1110 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), a field programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (Complex Programmable Logic Device, CPLD), and the processor 1110 may also employ a multi-core architecture. The processor 1110 and the memory 1120 may also be physically separate.

The processor 1110 is configured to execute any one of the AMF selection methods provided in the embodiments of the present application according to the obtained executable instructions by calling a computer program stored in the memory 1120.

It should be noted that, the above device provided in the embodiment of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented in the method embodiment and achieve the same technical effects, and detailed descriptions of the same parts and beneficial effects as those in the method embodiment in this embodiment are omitted.

Further, in the embodiments of the present application, there is provided a storage medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements the data transmission method in the above embodiments. The storage medium may be any available medium or data storage device that can be accessed by the processor including, but not limited to, magnetic storage (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disks (MOs), etc.), optical storage (e.g., CD, DVD, BD, HVD, etc.), and semiconductor storage (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, nonvolatile storage (NAND FLASH), solid State Disk (SSD)), etc.

In an embodiment of the present application, a program product is provided, for example, an FPGA chip or a DSP chip, and the program product includes executable instructions, where the executable instructions are stored in a storage medium. The processor reads the executable instructions from the storage medium such that the executable instructions, when executed by the processor, implement the AMF selection method in the above embodiments.

Compared with the related art, along with the dynamic update of the GUAMI record table, because the GUAMI record table comprises at least one GUAMI record for indicating the name and the state of the main AMF and the name and the state of the standby AMF, the network equipment can timely know the main AMF and the standby AMF and the state thereof, and the main AMF and the standby AMF serve as the basis for the user equipment to select the AMF, the situation that the AMF is failed or is removed in a planned manner is effectively treated, and the problem that the complexity of selecting the AMF for the user equipment by the network equipment in the related art is high is solved.

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

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

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

These processor-executable instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

It should be understood that, although the steps in the flowcharts of the figures are shown in order as indicated by the arrows, these steps are not necessarily performed in order as indicated by the arrows. The steps are not strictly limited in order and may be performed in other orders, unless explicitly stated herein. Moreover, at least some of the steps in the flowcharts of the figures may include a plurality of sub-steps or stages that are not necessarily performed at the same time, but may be performed at different times, the order of their execution not necessarily being sequential, but may be performed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least a portion of the other steps or stages.

The foregoing is only a partial embodiment of the present invention, and it should be noted that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention, and such modifications and adaptations are intended to be comprehended within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An access and mobility management function, AMF, selection method, performed by a network device, the method comprising:

receiving an AMF-related message, wherein the AMF-related message comprises at least one of an NG establishment response message, an AMF configuration update message, an AMF status indication message and an NG link failure message;

updating a globally unique AMF identifier GUAMI record table according to an AMF identifier contained in the AMF-related message and a GUAMI-related AMF identifier, wherein the GUAMI record table comprises at least one GUAMI record, and the GUAMI record is used for indicating the identifier and the connection state of the primary AMF and the identifier and the connection state of the standby AMF;

and selecting a corresponding AMF for the user equipment based on the updated GUAMI record table.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the AMF related message is the NG setup response message and the AMF configuration update message, the updating the globally unique AMF identifier gui record table based on the AMF related message comprises:

Determining whether the AMF related message contains an identifier of a first AMF;

searching the GUAMI record table for a first GUAMI record indicating the identifier and the connection status of the first AMF if the AMF-related message contains the identifier of the first AMF;

and if the first GUAMI record is not searched, adding a GUAMI record to the GUAMI record table according to the identifier and the connection state of the first AMF.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the globally unique AMF identifier guim record table based on the AMF-related message further comprises:

if the first GUAMI record is searched, modifying the first GUAMI record according to the identifier and the connection state of the first AMF.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the globally unique AMF identifier guim record table based on the AMF-related message further comprises:

determining an identifier of a second AMF based on the AMF-related message if the AMF-related message does not include the identifier of the first AMF;

searching the GUAMI record table for a second GUAMI record indicating an identifier and a connection status of the second AMF;

and if the second GUAMI record is not searched, adding a GUAMI record to the GUAMI record table according to the identifier and the connection state of the second AMF.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein updating the globally unique AMF identifier guim record table based on the AMF-related message further comprises:

and if the second GUAMI record is searched, modifying the second GUAMI record according to the identifier and the connection state of the second AMF.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the updating the globally unique AMF identifier guim record table based on the AMF-related message further comprises:

when the AMF related message is the AMF configuration update message, determining the type of the AMF configuration update message;

if the type of the AMF configuration update message is GUAMI deletion, determining a deleted GUAMI based on the AMF configuration update message, the deleted GUAMI being associated with a third AMF;

searching the GUAMI record table for a third GUAMI record indicating an identifier and a connection status of the third AMF;

determining whether the third AMF is a standby AMF or not based on the connection state of the third AMF indicated by the searched third GUAMI record;

and if the third AMF is the standby AMF, deleting the identifier and the connection state of the third AMF in the third GUAMI record.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein updating the globally unique AMF identifier guim record table based on the AMF-related message further comprises:

If the third AMF is the main AMF, determining whether the third GUAMI record contains an identifier and a connection state of the standby AMF; if yes, in the third GUAMI record, the identifier and the connection state of the main AMF are replaced by the identifier and the connection state of the standby AMF.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein updating the globally unique AMF identifier guim record table based on the AMF-related message further comprises:

deleting the third GUAMI record if the identifier and the connection state of the standby AMF are not contained in the third GUAMI record;

the step of selecting the corresponding AMF for the user equipment based on the updated GUAMI record table comprises the following steps:

and selecting a corresponding AMF for the user equipment of the third AMF service based on the updated GUAMI record table.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein when the AMF related message is the AMF status indication message, the updating the globally unique AMF identifier gui record table based on the AMF related message comprises:

determining an unavailable AMF based on the AMF status indication message, and searching the GUAMI record table for a fourth GUAMI record indicating an identifier and a connection status of the unavailable AMF;

Determining whether the unavailable AMF is a main AMF or not based on the searched unavailable AMF state indicated by the fourth GUAMI record;

if the unavailable AMF is the primary AMF, determining whether the AMF state indication message contains an identifier of a fourth AMF;

if the AMF state indication message does not contain the identifier of the fourth AMF, determining whether the fourth GUAMI record contains the identifier and the connection state of the standby AMF; and if not, deleting the fourth GUAMI record.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein updating the globally unique AMF identifier guim record table based on the AMF-related message further comprises:

if the fourth GUAMI record contains an identifier and a connection state of the standby AMF, determining the connection state of the standby AMF based on the identifier and the connection state of the standby AMF;

deleting the fourth GUAMI record when the connection state of the standby AMF is configured and the NG link is not established;

and when the connection state of the standby AMF is normal, replacing the identifier and the connection state of the main AMF with the identifier and the connection state of the standby AMF in the fourth GUAMI record.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein updating the globally unique AMF identifier guim record table based on the AMF-related message further comprises:

If the AMF state indication message contains an identifier of a fourth AMF, determining a connection state of the fourth AMF;

deleting the fourth GUAMI record when the connection state of the fourth AMF is configured and the NG link is not established;

and when the connection state of the fourth AMF is normal, replacing the identifier and the connection state of the main AMF with the identifier and the connection state of the fourth AMF in the fourth GUAMI record.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the selecting a respective AMF for a user equipment based on the updated GUAMI record table comprises:

a corresponding AMF is selected for the user equipment for which no AMF service is available based on the updated guim record table.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein updating the globally unique AMF identifier guim record table based on the AMF-related message further comprises:

and if the unavailable AMF is the standby AMF, deleting the identifier and the connection state of the unavailable AMF in the fourth GUAMI record.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the determining whether the AMF status indication message includes an identifier of a fourth AMF if an unavailable AMF is a primary AMF comprises:

If the unavailable AMF is the main AMF, determining whether the connection state of the main AMF is normal;

when the connection state of the main AMF is normal and the timer is not overtime, the connection state of the main AMF is modified from normal to removed;

and when the connection state of the main AMF is not normal or the timer is overtime, determining whether the AMF connection state indication message contains the identifier of the fourth AMF.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein when the AMF related message is the NG link failure message, the updating the globally unique AMF identifier guimi record table based on the AMF related message comprises:

determining a fault AMF based on the NG link fault message, and searching a fifth GUAMI record in the GUAMI record table, wherein the fifth GUAMI record indicates an identifier and a connection state of the fault AMF;

determining whether the fault AMF is a main AMF or not based on the searched fault AMF state indicated by the fifth GUAMI record;

if the fault AMF is the main AMF, the connection state of the main AMF is modified into NG link fault;

determining whether the fifth GUAMI record contains an identifier and a connection state of the standby AMF; if so, when the connection state of the standby AMF is normal, the standby AMF is selected for the user equipment of the fault AMF service.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the updating the globally unique AMF identifier guim record table based on the AMF-related message further comprises:

if the fault AMF is the standby AMF, the connection state of the standby AMF is modified to be NG link fault;

determining whether the fifth GUAMI record contains an identifier and a connection state of the active AMF; if so, when the connection state of the main AMF is not normal, selecting a corresponding AMF for the user equipment served by the main AMF based on the updated GUAMI record table.

17. A network device, comprising: a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

wherein the memory is used for storing a computer program; the transceiver is used for receiving and transmitting data under the control of the processor; the processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following steps:

18. An AMF selection apparatus, characterized by being applied to a network device, the apparatus comprising:

a message receiving module, configured to receive an AMF related message, where the AMF related message includes at least one of an NG setup response message, an AMF configuration update message, an AMF status indication message, and an NG link failure message;

a record table updating module, configured to update a globally unique AMF identifier GUAMI record table according to an identifier of an AMF included in the AMF-related message and an identifier of an AMF associated with a GUAMI, where the GUAMI record table includes at least one GUAMI record, and the GUAMI record is used to indicate an identifier and a connection state of a primary AMF and an identifier and a connection state of a backup AMF;

and the AMF selection module is used for selecting the corresponding AMF for the user equipment based on the updated GUAMI record table.

19. A storage medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements the AMF selection method of any one of claims 1 to 16.