CN114945015B

CN114945015B - Information acquisition method, device and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN114945015B
Application number: CN202210582610.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 邢天齐; 任驰; 马瑞涛
Original assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Current assignee: China United Network Communications Group Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-05-26
Filing date: 2022-05-26
Publication date: 2023-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2042-05-26
Also published as: CN114945015A

Abstract

The application provides an information acquisition method, an information acquisition device and a storage medium, and relates to the field of communication, wherein the method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that a session management function SMF network element receives deployment information ED I of a first edge application server sent by a unified data storage library UDR network element; the first ED I comprises a data network name DNN, single network slice selection auxiliary information S-NSSA I and a fully-called domain name FQDN of an edge application server EAS; and when the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the SMF network element receives the updated first ED I sent by the UDR network element, wherein the first time period comprises the following steps: the SMF network element receives a time period after the first ED I and/or the UDR network element transmits a time period after the first ED I. The method is suitable for the process that the SMF network element configures DNS message processing rules for the EASDF network element, and is used for solving the problem of ED I failure in the configuration process.

Description

Information acquisition method, device and storage medium

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to an information acquisition method, apparatus, and storage medium.

Background

Currently, the third generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project,3GPP) edge computing standard (3 gpp SA2 r 17) defines that the session management function (session management function, SMF) network element can obtain deployment information (edge application server deployment information, EDI) of the edge application server from the unified data repository (unified data repository, UDR) network element and store the information to generate domain name system (domain name system, DNS) message processing rules. The SMF network element may allocate edge application servers (edge application server, EAS) in the edge environment using DNS message handling rules.

However, EDI stored in the SMF network element may have a failed EDI, which may cause the SMF network element to fail to properly allocate EAS.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides an information acquisition method, an information acquisition device and a storage medium, which can continuously update the EDI stored in an SMF network element, so that the effectiveness of the EDI stored in the SMF network element is improved.

In a first aspect, the present application provides an information acquisition method, including: the method comprises the steps that a session management function SMF network element receives domain name system DNS query information sent by an edge application server discovery function EASDF network element; the DNS inquiry information comprises address information of the first User Equipment (UE) and a fully-called domain name (FQDN) of an Edge Application Server (EAS); the SMF network element determines DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification corresponding to the first UE respectively according to the address information of the first UE and the FQDN of the EAS; the SMF network element sends subscription information to a unified data storage library UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE in the DNS query information; the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE; the SMF network element receives a first EDI sent by the UDR network element, wherein the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identifier and FQDN of EAS; the SMF network element determines a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI; the SMF network element sends a first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element, so that the EASDF network element inquires an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an EAS corresponding to the FQDN for the first UE according to the first DNS message processing rule; and when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, where the first time period includes: the SMF network element receives the time period after the first EDI, and/or the UDR network element sends the time period after the first EDI.

In a possible implementation manner, in a case that a first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the SMF network element receives an updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, where the first period of time includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI, including: when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time length, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element; the SMF network element receives update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, the updated first EDI is obtained by the UDR network element and sent to the SMF network element when a time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration.

In another possible implementation manner, in a case that the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, where the first period of time includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI includes: when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period and the SMF network element does not receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element; the SMF network element receives update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, after the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, if the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the method further includes: the SMF network element cleans up the buffer of the first EDI. In the information acquisition method provided by the application, when the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element and/or when the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to the preset time, the SMF network element can receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, compared with the edge calculation project in 3GPP SA2R 17, the first EDI in the SMF network element can be updated in real time by using the information acquisition method provided by the application, the failure probability of the first EDI is lower as a whole, and the effectiveness of the EDI stored in the SMF network element is improved, so that the guarantee is provided for distributing the EAS to the SMF network element.

In a second aspect, the present application provides an information acquisition device, which may be applied to a session management function SMF network element. The apparatus may include: a transceiver module and a processing module. The receiving and transmitting module is connected with the processing module. The receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving DNS query information sent by the EASDF network element, wherein the DNS query information comprises address information of the first UE and FQDN of the EAS; the processing module is used for determining DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifier corresponding to the first UE respectively according to the address information of the first UE in the DNS query information and the FQDN of the EAS; the receiving and transmitting module is further used for sending subscription information to the UDR network element of the unified data storage library according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE, wherein the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE; receiving a first EDI sent by a UDR network element, wherein the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to first UE in subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identifier and FQDN of EAS; the processing module is further used for determining a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI; the transceiver module is further configured to send a first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element, so that the EASDF network element queries, for the first UE, an internet protocol IP address of EAS corresponding to the FQDN according to the first DNS message processing rule; the transceiver module is further configured to receive an updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element when the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, where the first period of time includes: the transceiver module receives a time period after the first EDI and/or a time period after the UDR network element transmits the first EDI.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically configured to send update request information to the UDR network element when a time period after receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration; receiving update response information sent by a UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, the updated first EDI is obtained by the UDR network element and sent to the transceiver module when a time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the transceiver module is greater than or equal to a preset duration.

In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically configured to send update request information to the UDR network element when a time period after receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration and the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element is not received; receiving update response information sent by a UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, the processing module is further configured to clear the buffer of the first EDI after the transceiver module receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element when the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration.

In a third aspect, the present application provides an information acquisition method, including: the unified data repository UDR network element receives subscription information sent by a session management function SMF network element, wherein the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE; the UDR network element determines a first EDI according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identifier and full name domain name FQDN of the edge application server EAS; the UDR network element sends a first EDI to the SMF network element; under the condition that the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the UDR network element acquires the updated first EDI, wherein the first time period comprises: the SMF network element receives a time period after the first EDI and/or the UDR network element transmits the time period after the first EDI. The UDR network element sends the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, when the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI, where the first period of time includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI includes: the UDR network element receives update request information sent by the SMF network element; the update request information is sent by the SMF network element when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is more than or equal to the preset duration; the UDR network element responds to the update request information to acquire the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, when the first period of time is greater than or equal to the preset duration, the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI, where the first period of time includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI includes: when the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is more than or equal to the preset time period, the UDR network element sends query request information to the application function AF network element, wherein the query request information is used for requesting to query the latest first EDI; the UDR network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an information obtaining device, where the device is applied to a UDR network element of a unified data repository, and the device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, where the transceiver module is connected to the processing module. And the receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving subscription information sent by the SMF network element, wherein the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE. The processing module is used for determining a first EDI according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identification, and the fully qualified domain name FQDN of the edge application server EAS. And the receiving and transmitting module is also used for transmitting the first EDI to the SMF network element. The processing module is further configured to obtain, when the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, an updated first EDI, where the first period of time includes: the SMF network element receives a time period after the first EDI and/or the transceiver module sends the time period after the first EDI. And the receiving and transmitting module is also used for transmitting the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically configured to receive update request information sent by the SMF network element; the update request information is sent by the SMF network element when a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration. The processing module is specifically configured to obtain the updated first EDI in response to the update request information.

In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically configured to send, when a time period after sending the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period, query request information to the AF network element, where the query request information is used to request to query the latest first EDI; and receiving the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication 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 communication device to implement the method according to the first or 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 run in a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of the first or third aspect described above.

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

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, comprising: a processor and interface circuit; interface circuit for receiving computer program or instruction and transmitting to processor; the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions to cause the chip system to perform the method as described in the first or third aspect above.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication system comprising an SMF network element for performing the method of the first aspect described above, and a UDR network element for performing the method of the third aspect described above.

Advantageous effects of the second aspect to the ninth 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 architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a flow chart of an information obtaining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is another flow chart of the information obtaining method provided in the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of another information obtaining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic flow chart of another information obtaining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of another information obtaining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of another information obtaining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic flow chart of another information obtaining method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the composition of an information acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of another composition of an information acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a communication 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.

Furthermore, references to the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof in the description of the present application are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those listed but may optionally include other steps or elements not listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Currently, in a 5G system supporting edge computing, a terminal device (UE) may obtain an edge application service through EAS. Before obtaining edge application services, the UE needs to discover the IP address of the appropriate EAS. For example, the UE may send a DNS query of EAS to an edge application server discovery function (edgeapplication server discovery function, EASDF) network element; the EASDF network element can send the DNS inquiry of the EAS sent by the UE to a DNS server according to the DNS message processing rule configured by the SMF network element; the EASDF network element may also feed back DNS query results for EAS to the UE.

Wherein, DNS message processing rules can be obtained according to EDI. For example, the UDR network element may interact with the AF network element, obtain EDI, and store it; the SMF network element may obtain EDI from the UDR network element and store the EDI, and determine a DNS message processing rule according to the EDI.

However, EDI stored in the SMF network element may have invalid EDI. The disabled EDI may cause the SMF network element to fail to properly assign EAS.

Under the background technology, the embodiment of the application provides an information acquisition method, and the SMF network element using the method can regularly receive the updated EDI sent by the UDR network element, so that the effectiveness of the EDI stored in the SMF network element is improved, and the guarantee is provided for distributing the EAS to the SMF network element. This process will be described in the embodiments shown in fig. 2 to 8 below, and will not be described in detail here.

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 1, a communication system 100 may include an SMF network element 101 and a UDR network element 102. The UDR network element 102 may have a plurality of EDIs stored therein. The SMF network element 101 may be configured to receive a first EDI sent by the UDR network element 102. The first EDI is one of a plurality of EDIs stored in the UDR network element 102. A timer may be provided in the SMF network element 101 and/or the UDR network element 102 for updating the first EDI in a timed manner.

Optionally, the SMF network element 101 may also be used to be responsible for tunnel maintenance, IP to allocation and management, UP function selection, policy enforcement, charging data collection, roaming, etc.

Alternatively, the UDR network element 102 may also be used to provide services such as data storage and retrieval for other network elements in the 5G network.

Optionally, the communication system 100 may further comprise at least one of the following network elements: an AF network element, a NEF network element or an EASDF network element (not shown in fig. 1).

The AF network element can be used for interacting with other network elements in the 5G network and providing business services. The NEF network element may be configured to open and provide a standard interface to the outside for the 5G core network element. The EASDF network element may be configured to send a DNS query of EAS sent by the UE to the DNS server according to the instruction of the SMF network element, and feed back a DNS query result to the UE.

Firstly, an information acquisition method provided by an embodiment of the application is introduced by taking an SMF network element as an execution main body. Fig. 2 is a flow chart of an information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 2, the method may include S101 to S107.

S101, the SMF network element receives DNS query information sent by the EASDF network element.

The DNS query information may include address information of the first UE (e.g., IP address of the first UE or media access control (media access control, MAC) address of the first UE, etc.) and a full name domain name (fully qualified domain name, FQDN) of the EAS.

S102, the SMF network element determines a data network name (data network name, DNN), single network slice selection auxiliary information (single network slice selection assistance information, S-NSSAI) and an application identification (application ID) corresponding to the first UE respectively according to the address information of the first UE in the DNS query information and the FQDN of the EAS.

For example, the address information of the first UE may have a correspondence with a protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session, the configuration information of the PDU session may include DNN and S-nsai, and the SMF network element may query, according to the address information of the first UE, the PDU session corresponding to the address information, and obtain the DNN and S-nsai in the configuration information of the PDU session as the DNN and S-nsai corresponding to the first UE.

For another example, an EAS may correspond to application identifiers of a plurality of edge applications, and the SMF network element may query the application identifiers of the edge applications corresponding to the EAS according to the FQDN of the EAS.

S103, the SMF network element sends subscription information to the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE.

The subscription information may include DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifier corresponding to the first UE respectively.

S104, the SMF network element receives a first EDI sent by the UDR network element.

Wherein, the UDR network element can store a plurality of EDIs. The first EDI is one of a plurality of EDIs stored in the UDR network element. The first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information. The first EDI may include DNN, S-NSSAI, application identification, and FQDN of the EAS.

Optionally, the first EDI may further include any one or more of domain name system (domain name system, DNS) server information (DNS server information), EAS internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) address range information (EAS IP address range information), and the like.

Optionally, after S104, the SMF network element may further store the first EDI.

In one possible implementation, as described above, the SMF network element may receive the first EDI sent by the UDR network element through the NEF network element.

S105, the SMF network element determines a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI.

The first DNS message processing rule may include DNN, S-nsai, an application identifier, and a first correspondence corresponding to the first UE, where the first correspondence refers to a correspondence between FQDN and DNS server information.

Optionally, the first DNS message handling rule may further comprise a first identifier for indicating relevant information of the first DNS message handling rule. For example, the first identifier may indicate at least one of:

1. and the DNS message processing rule priority is used for selecting the DNS message processing rule when a plurality of DNS message processing rules are simultaneously applicable to the DNS query of a certain UE.

2. DNS message types, including DNS queries (messages) and DNS feedback (messages).

3. DNS message handling actions, including reporting actions (EASDF network elements reporting DNS feedback to SMF network elements), forwarding actions (EASDF network elements forwarding DNS queries sent by UEs to DNS servers specified by DNS message handling rules), or control actions (EASDF network elements caching or deleting DNS feedback).

S106, the SMF network element sends a first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element, so that the EASDF network element inquires the IP address of the EAS corresponding to the FQDN for the first UE according to the first DNS message processing rule.

The first period may include a period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or a period after the UDR network element transmits the first EDI. It should be noted that, a plurality of EDIs may be stored in the UDR network element and/or the SMF network element, and the first EDI may be one of the plurality of EDIs. The preset durations corresponding to the different first EDIs may be the same or different, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

For example, after the EASDF element receives the first DNS message processing rule sent by the SMF element, the EASDF may determine DNS server address information corresponding to the FQDN in the DNS query (message) sent by the first UE according to the first correspondence in the first DNS message processing rule, and send the DNS query (message) of the first UE to the DNS server corresponding to the DNS server address information corresponding to the FQDN. The DNS server may store a mapping between FQDNs and IP addresses of EAS. The first UE may determine an appropriate IP address of EAS according to a mapping relationship between the FQDN stored in the DNS server and the IP address of EAS, to obtain an edge service application.

And S107, under the condition that the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element.

In one possible implementation, the preset duration may be preset in the SMF network element. For example, after receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element, the SMF network element may set a timer for the first EDI. In this case, fig. 3 is another flow chart of the information acquisition method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 3, S107 may specifically include S201 and S202.

S201, when a time period after the SMF network element receives a first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element.

The preset time period may be preset by a manager. For example, the preset time period may be 1 day, 7 days, 15 days, or the like. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific duration of the preset duration. The update request information may be used to request updating of the first EDI. Illustratively, the update request information may include DNN, S-NSSAI, and application identification in the first EDI.

S202, the SMF network element receives update response information sent by the UDR network element.

The updated response information may include the updated first EDI. Taking the example that the first EDI includes DNN, S-nsai, application identification, FQDN, DNS server information, and EAS internet protocol address range information, the updated first EDI may include at least one of: updated FQDN, updated DNS server information, and updated EAS internet protocol address range information. Optionally, the updated first EDI further includes: DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification.

In another possible implementation, the preset duration may also be preset in the UDR network element. For example, the first EDI may be stored in the UDR network element, and the UDR network element may set a timer for the first EDI. When the timer reaches a preset value, the UDR network element may acquire the updated first EDI and send the updated first EDI to the SMF network element. In this case, the updated first EDI received by the SMF network element is obtained by the UDR network element and sent to the SMF network element when the time period after the first EDI is sent to the SMF network element by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset duration.

In yet another possible implementation, the preset duration may be preset in both the SMF network element and the UDR network element. For example, the UDR network element is configured to update the first EDI to the SMF network element according to a preset time period. The SMF network element judges whether the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element is received or not at intervals of preset time. In this case, fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart of another information obtaining method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 4, S107 may specifically include S301 to S302.

S301, when a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period, and the SMF network element does not receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element.

The update request information in S301 may be described with reference to S201, and will not be described here again.

S302, the SMF network element receives update response information sent by the UDR network element.

S302 may be described with reference to S202 above, and will not be described here again.

Optionally, after S302, S201, or S107, the SMF network element may further clear the buffer of the first EDI.

Optionally, after S107, the SMF network element may further determine an updated DNS message processing rule according to the updated first EDI, and send the updated DNS message processing rule to the esaf network element. The updated DNS message processing rules may be described with reference to the DNS message processing rules described above, and will not be described herein.

In the information acquisition method provided by the embodiment of the present application, after the duration of receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element reaches the preset first duration, the SMF network element may also receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, and compared with the edge calculation item in 3gpp SA2 r17, the first EDI in the SMF network element using the information acquisition method provided by the embodiment of the present application may be automatically updated at a timing when the DNS query (message) sent by the first UE for querying the edge service application is not received, so that the probability of failure of the first EDI is lower as a whole, thereby improving the validity of the EDI stored in the SMF network element, and providing a guarantee for distributing EAS to the SMF network element.

The above description has been made taking the SMF network element as an execution body of the information acquisition method as an example. Alternatively, the execution body of the method may also be a UDR network element. Fig. 5 is a schematic flow chart of another information obtaining method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 5, the method may include S401 to S405.

S401, the UDR network element receives subscription information sent by the SMF network element.

S401 may be described with reference to S103, and will not be described herein.

S402, the UDR network element determines a first EDI according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information.

For example, the UDR network element may store a plurality of EDIs, and the UDR network element may search and determine a first EDI including the DNN, the S-nsai, and the application identifier corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information, with the DNN, the S-nsai, and the application identifier corresponding to the first UE respectively as indexes.

S403, the UDR network element sends a first EDI to the SMF network element.

S404, under the condition that the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the UDR network element acquires the updated first EDI.

The first period may be described with reference to S107, which is not described herein.

In one possible implementation, the preset duration may be preset in the SMF network element. In this case, fig. 6 is a schematic flow chart of another information obtaining method according to the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 6, S404 may specifically include S501 and S502.

S501, the UDR network element receives update request information sent by the SMF network element.

The update request information is sent by the SMF network element when a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration. The update request information may include DNN, S-NSSAI, and application ID in the first EDI.

S502, the UDR network element responds to the update request information to acquire updated first EDI.

For example, the UDR network element may send query request information to the AF network element in response to the update request information, which may be used to request a query for the latest first EDI. Illustratively, the query request information includes DNN, S-NSSAI, and application ID in the first EDI. The AF network element can collect the updated first EDI and send the updated first EDI to the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application ID in the first EDI. That is, the S502 may specifically include: the UDR network element responds to the update request information and interacts with the AF network element to acquire the updated first EDI.

For another example, the UDR network element may receive and store the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element; the updated first EDI is collected by the AF network element and sent to the UDR network element after the AF network element determines that the first EDI fails.

In another possible implementation, the preset duration may be preset in the UDR network element. In this case, fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of another information obtaining method provided in the embodiment of the present application, and as shown in fig. 7, S404 may specifically include S601 and S602.

S601, when a time period after the UDR network element sends a first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the UDR network element sends query request information to the AF network element.

S602, the UDR network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element.

S601 and S602 may be described with reference to the UDR network element and the AF network element in S502 to interactively obtain the updated first EDI, which is not described herein.

S405, the UDR network element sends the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

The above description has been made taking a single SMF network element or UDR network element as an execution body of the information acquisition method as an example. The information acquisition method provided by the embodiment of the application is described in a manner of interaction of a plurality of network elements. Fig. 8 is a schematic flow chart of another information obtaining method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 8, the method may include S701 to S710.

S701, the EASDF network element sends DNS query information to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives DNS query information from the EASDF network element.

The DNS query information may include address information of the first UE and FQDN of EAS, among others. For example, the IP address of the first UE or the MAC address of the first UE, etc. The first UE may be any one of a plurality of UEs served by the EASDF network element.

S702, the SMF network element determines DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification corresponding to the first UE respectively according to the address information of the first UE and the FQDN of the EAS.

S702 may be described with reference to the point where the first EDI and the first UE have the correspondence in S101, which is not described herein.

S703, the SMF network element sends subscription information to the UDR network element through the NEF network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE. Correspondingly, the UDR network element receives subscription information from the SMF network element via the NEF network element.

Optionally, after determining the DNN, the S-nsai, and the application identifier corresponding to the first UE respectively according to the address information of the first UE, the SMF network element may further determine whether the first EDI corresponding to the first UE is stored in the SMF network element according to the DNN, the S-nsai, and the application identifier corresponding to the first UE respectively. The S702 may specifically include: when the first EDI corresponding to the first UE is not stored in the SMF network element, the first SMF sends subscription information to the UDR network element through the NEF network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE.

S704, the UDR network element determines a first EDI according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information.

S704 may be described with reference to S404, and will not be described herein.

S705, the UDR network element sends a first EDI to the SMF network element through the NEF network element. Correspondingly, the SMF network element receives the first EDI from the UDR network element via the NEF network element.

S706, the SMF network element determines a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI.

S706 may be described with reference to S105 above, and will not be described here again.

S707, the SMF network element sends a first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element.

Correspondingly, the EASDF network element may receive a first DNS message handling rule sent by the SMF network element.

S707 may be described with reference to S106, and will not be described herein.

S708, when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time length, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element through the NEF network element.

For example, the SMF network element may set a timer for the first EDI when receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element through the NEF network element. When the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time length, the timer of the first EDI triggers the SMF network element to send update request information to the UDR network element.

S709, the UDR network element interacts with the AF network element to acquire the updated first EDI.

S709 may be described with reference to S502 above, and is not described herein.

S710, the UDR network element sends the updated first EDI to the SMF network element through the NEF network element.

Correspondingly, the SMF network element may receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element through the NEF network element.

For example, the UDR network element may send update response information to the SMF network element via the NEF network element. The update response information may include the updated first EDI.

Optionally, after the SMF network element receives the update response information sent by the UDR network element through the NEF network element, it may further determine whether the update response information includes the updated first EDI. If included, the SMF network element may delete the cache of the first EDI.

Optionally, after S710, the SMF network element may further reset a timer for the updated first EDI.

Optionally, after S710, the SMF network element may further determine an updated first DNS message handling rule according to the updated first EDI and send the updated first DNS message handling rule to the EASDF network element.

The foregoing description of the solution provided in the embodiments of the present application has been mainly presented in terms of a method. To achieve the above functions, it includes corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules that perform the respective functions. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the elements and algorithm steps of the various examples 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. The technical aim may be to use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

In an exemplary embodiment, an embodiment of the present application provides an information obtaining apparatus, which may be applied to the foregoing SMF network element. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of the composition of the information acquisition device according to the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 9, the apparatus may include: a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 902. The transceiver module 901 is connected to the processing module 902. A transceiver module 901, configured to receive DNS query information sent by an EASDF element, where the DNS query information includes address information of a first UE and an FQDN of EAS;

a processing module 902, configured to determine DNN, S-nsai and an application identifier corresponding to the first UE respectively according to address information of the first UE in the DNS query information and a FQDN of the EAS;

the transceiver module 901 is further configured to send subscription information to a UDR network element of the unified data repository according to DNN, S-nsai and an application identifier corresponding to the first UE, where the subscription information includes the DNN, S-nsai and the application identifier corresponding to the first UE; receiving a first EDI sent by a UDR network element, wherein the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to first UE in subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identifier and FQDN of EAS;

The processing module 902 is further configured to determine a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI;

the transceiver module 901 is further configured to send a first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF element, so that the EASDF element queries, for the first UE, an internet protocol IP address of EAS corresponding to the FQDN according to the first DNS message processing rule;

the transceiver module 901 is further configured to receive an updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element when the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, where the first period of time includes: the transceiver module 901 receives a period of time after the first EDI and/or a period of time after the UDR network element transmits the first EDI.

In some possible embodiments, the transceiver module 901 is specifically configured to send update request information to the UDR network element when a time period after receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration; receiving update response information sent by a UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In other possible embodiments, the updated first EDI is obtained by the UDR network element and sent to the transceiver module 901 when a time period after the first EDI is sent to the transceiver module 901 is greater than or equal to a preset duration.

In still other possible embodiments, the transceiver module 901 is specifically configured to send update request information to the UDR network element when a time period after receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration and the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element is not received; receiving update response information sent by a UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In still other possible embodiments, the processing module 902 is further configured to clear the buffer of the first EDI after the transceiver module 901 receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element if the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration.

In an exemplary embodiment, another information acquisition device is provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the device may be applied to the above-mentioned UDR network element. Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of another composition of an information acquisition device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 10, the apparatus may include a transceiver module 1001 and a processing module 1002, and the transceiver module 1001 and the processing module 1002 are connected. The transceiver module 1001 is configured to receive subscription information sent by a session management function SMF network element, where the subscription information includes DNN, S-nsai and an application identifier corresponding to a first UE respectively. A processing module 1002, configured to determine a first EDI according to DNN, S-NSSAI and an application identifier corresponding to a first UE in subscription information, respectively; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identification, and the fully qualified domain name FQDN of the edge application server EAS. The transceiver module 1001 is further configured to send the first EDI to the SMF network element. The processing module 1002 is further configured to obtain, when the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, an updated first EDI, where the first period of time includes: the SMF network element receives a period of time after the first EDI, and/or the transceiver module 1001 sends the period of time after the first EDI; and sending the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

In some possible embodiments, the transceiver module 1001 is specifically configured to receive update request information sent by an SMF network element; the update request information is sent by the SMF network element when a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration. The processing module 1002 is specifically configured to obtain the updated first EDI in response to the update request information.

In other possible embodiments, the transceiver module 1001 is specifically configured to send, when a time period after sending the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period, query request information to the AF network element, where the query request information is used to request to query the latest first EDI; and receiving the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element.

Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the elements and algorithm steps of the examples 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 application.

It should be noted that the division of the modules in fig. 9 and 10 is illustrative, and is merely a logic function division, and other division manners may be implemented in practice. For example, two or more functions may also be integrated in one processing module. The integrated modules may be implemented in hardware or in software functional modules.

In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be applied to the SMF network element or the UDR network element described above. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 11, the communication device may include a processor 10, a memory 20, a communication line 30, and a communication interface 40. The processor 10, the memory 20 and the communication interface 40 may be connected by a communication line 30.

The processor 10 may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), a general purpose processor network processor (network processor, NP), a digital signal processor (digital signal processing, DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (programmable logic device, PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 201 may also be any other apparatus having a processing function, such as a circuit, a device, or a software module, which is not limited in this embodiment. In one example, processor 10 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in fig. 11. As an alternative implementation, the communication device includes a plurality of processors, for example, as shown in fig. 11, a processor 50 may be included in addition to the processor 10.

The memory 20 is used for storing program instructions or data to be accessed by an application process, and the processor 10 may implement the information acquisition method provided in the embodiment of the present application by executing the program instructions in the memory 20. For example, the instructions stored in the memory 20 may be computer programs. The memory 20 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that may store static information and/or instructions, an access memory (random access memory, RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that may store information and/or instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (compact disc read-only memory) or other optical storage, an optical disk storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, etc. The embodiment of the present application is not limited to the specific form of the memory 20. The memory 20 may exist separately from the processor 10 or may be integrated with the processor 10. Nor are embodiments of the present application limited thereto.

A communication line 30 for transmitting information between the components comprised by the communication device.

A communication interface 40 for communicating with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication network may be an ethernet, a radio access network (radio access network, RAN), a wireless local area network (wireless local area networks, WLAN), etc. The communication interface 40 may be a module, a circuit, a transceiver, or any device capable of enabling communication.

It should be noted that the components shown in fig. 11 do not limit the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application, and the communication device may include more or less components than those shown in fig. 11, or may combine some components, or may be different in arrangement of components.

In a simple embodiment, the processor 10 of fig. 11 may cause the communication device to perform the method described in the method embodiments above by invoking computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 20.

Illustratively, the functions/implementations of the transceiver module 901 in fig. 9 may be implemented by the processor 10 in fig. 11 invoking computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 20. Alternatively, the functions/implementation of the transceiver module 901 in fig. 9 may be implemented by the communication interface 40 in fig. 11.

Illustratively, the functions/implementations of the transceiver module 1001 and the processing module 1002 in fig. 10 may be implemented by the processor 10 in fig. 11 invoking computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 20. Alternatively, the functions/implementation of the processing module 1002 in fig. 10 may be implemented by the processor 10 in fig. 11 calling computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 20, and the functions/implementation of the transceiver module 1001 in fig. 10 may be implemented by the communication interface 40 in fig. 11.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present application also provides a computer program product which, when run on a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the above-described related method steps to implement the method 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 communication device, cause the communication 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, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including: a processor and interface circuit; interface circuit for receiving computer program or instruction and transmitting to processor; the processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions to cause the chip system to implement the method as described in the previous embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present application embodiment further provides a communication system including an SMF network element for performing the method provided by the present application embodiment, and a UDR network element for performing the method provided by the present application embodiment.

Although the present application has been described in connection with specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that various modifications and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined in the appended claims and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents that fall within the scope of the present application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present application without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalents thereof, the present application is intended to cover such modifications and variations.

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. An information acquisition method, the method comprising:

the method comprises the steps that a session management function SMF network element receives domain name system DNS query information sent by an edge application server discovery function EASDF network element; the DNS query information includes address information of the first user equipment UE and a fully-called domain name FQDN of the edge application server EAS;

the SMF network element determines DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE according to the address information of the first UE and the FQDN of the EAS in the DNS query information;

the SMF network element sends subscription information to a unified data storage library UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE; the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers corresponding to the first UE respectively;

the SMF network element receives a first EDI sent by the UDR network element, wherein the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identifier and full name domain name FQDN of an Edge Application Server (EAS); the SMF network element determines a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI;

The SMF network element sends the first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element, so that the EASDF network element inquires the first UE of an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an EAS corresponding to the FQDN according to the first DNS message processing rule;

and when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, where the first time period includes: the SMF network element receives the time period after the first EDI, and/or the UDR network element sends the time period after the first EDI.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element if the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the first period of time comprising: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI, including:

when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element;

The SMF network element receives update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the updated first EDI is obtained by the UDR network element and sent to the SMF network element when a time period after the sending of the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset duration.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element if the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the first period of time comprising: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI, including:

when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period and the SMF network element does not receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element;

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, after the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, if the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the method further comprises:

and the SMF network element cleans up the cache of the first EDI.

6. An information acquisition method, the method comprising:

the method comprises the steps that a Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element receives subscription information sent by a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, wherein the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to first UE;

the UDR network element determines a first EDI according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identifier and full name domain name FQDN of an Edge Application Server (EAS);

the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element;

when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI, where the first time period includes: the SMF network element receives the time period after the first EDI, and/or the UDR network element sends the time period after the first EDI;

And the UDR network element sends the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI if the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the first period of time comprising: the SMF network element receives a time period after the first EDI, and/or the UDR network element sends the time period after the first EDI, including:

the UDR network element receives update request information sent by the SMF network element; the update request information is sent by the SMF network element when a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is more than or equal to a preset time period;

and the UDR network element responds to the update request information to acquire the updated first EDI.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI if the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, the first period of time comprising: the SMF network element receives a time period after the first EDI, and/or the UDR network element sends the time period after the first EDI, including:

When the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the UDR network element sends query request information to an application function AF network element; the query request information is used for requesting to query the latest first EDI;

and the UDR network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element.

9. An information acquisition apparatus, characterized in that the apparatus is applied to a session management function SMF network element, the apparatus comprising: a transceiver module and a processing module;

the receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving Domain Name System (DNS) query information sent by an EASDF network element; the DNS query information includes address information of the first user equipment UE and a fully-called domain name FQDN of the edge application server EAS;

the processing module is configured to determine DNN, S-nsai and an application identifier corresponding to the first UE respectively according to address information of the first UE and FQDN of EAS in the DNS query information;

the receiving and transmitting module is further configured to send subscription information to a unified data block UDR network element, where the subscription information includes DNN, S-nsai and an application identifier corresponding to the first UE respectively; receiving a first EDI sent by the UDR network element, wherein the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identifier and FQDN of EAS;

The processing module is further configured to determine a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI;

the transceiver module is further configured to send the first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element, so that the EASDF network element queries, for the first UE, an internet protocol IP address of an EAS corresponding to the FQDN according to the first DNS message processing rule; receiving updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element when the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset period of time, where the first period of time includes: the transceiver module receives the time period after the first EDI, and/or the UDR network element sends the time period after the first EDI.

10. An information acquisition device, characterized in that it is applied to a unified data repository, UDR, network element, the device comprising: a transceiver module and a processing module;

the receiving and transmitting module is used for receiving subscription information sent by a session management function SMF network element, wherein the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE;

the processing module is used for determining a first EDI according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identifier and full name domain name FQDN of an Edge Application Server (EAS);

The transceiver module is further configured to send the first EDI to the SMF network element;

the processing module is further configured to obtain, when the first period of time is greater than or equal to a preset duration, an updated first EDI, where the first period of time includes: the SMF network element receives the time period after the first EDI, and/or the receiving and transmitting module sends the time period after the first EDI; and sending the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

11. A communication device, the communication 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 communication device to implement the method of any of claims 1-5 or 6-8.

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

when the computer software instructions are run in a computer, the computer is caused to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1-5 or 6-8.