CN115243400B

CN115243400B - Service session reconstruction method, device and network element

Info

Publication number: CN115243400B
Application number: CN202210932236.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马宗健; 吕东
Original assignee: Guangzhou Aipu Road Network Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Guangzhou Aipu Road Network Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-08-04
Filing date: 2022-08-04
Publication date: 2023-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2042-08-04
Also published as: CN115243400A

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a service session reestablishment method, a device and a network element, which relate to the technical field of communication and are applied to an AMF network element, wherein the method comprises the following steps: if a first SMF network element corresponding to a terminal device managed by an AMF network element fails, sending a session information query request to a plurality of second SMF network elements, where the session information query request includes: the identification of the terminal equipment, the session information inquiry request is used for enabling each second SMF network element to inquire partial session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identification of the terminal equipment; wherein the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing service session; receiving part of session information of the service session returned by each second SMF network element; and re-determining the plurality of second SMF network elements as SMF network elements for managing the service session according to the session information of the plurality of parts of the service session so as to re-establish the service session. By adopting the invention, the reliability of communication can be increased, and the normal operation of the communication process can be ensured.

Description

Service session reconstruction method, device and network element

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a service session reestablishing method, device and network element.

Background

In computer terminology, session refers to state information during communication between an end user and an interactive system, typically from a registration entry system to a de-registration exit system. Meanwhile, because the webpage is a stateless connection program, the application server needs to know the browsing state of the user through the session, and therefore some information related to the user is also saved in the session.

In the related art, if a Network Function (NF) element fails, especially if a session management function (session management function, SMF) element fails, a session of a corresponding protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) will be directly disabled, and uplink and downlink data of a terminal device (UE) will not be normally delivered.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a service session reconstruction method, a service session reconstruction device and a network element, which can increase the reliability of communication and ensure the normal operation of the communication process.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a service session reestablishment method, which is applied to an AMF network element with access and mobility management functions, where the method includes:

If the first session management function SMF network element corresponding to the terminal device managed by the AMF network element fails, sending a session information query request to a plurality of second SMF network elements, where the session information query request includes: the identifier of the terminal equipment, the session information inquiry request is used for enabling each second SMF network element to inquire partial session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identifier of the terminal equipment; wherein, the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing the service session;

receiving part of session information of the service session returned by each second SMF network element;

and re-determining the plurality of second SMF network elements as SMF network elements for managing the service session according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session so as to re-establish the service session.

Optionally, before sending the session information query request to the plurality of second SMF network elements corresponding to the first terminal device of the AMF network element, if the first session management function SMF network element corresponding to the first terminal device of the AMF network element fails, the method includes:

receiving a service session establishment request sent by the terminal equipment;

selecting the first SMF network element from a plurality of connected SMF network elements according to the service session establishment request;

Sending a service session management context request to the first SMF network element, so that the first SMF network element obtains the information of the service session;

and receiving a session interface message transmission request sent by the first SMF network element, wherein the session interface message transmission request comprises the information of the service session so as to establish the service session.

Optionally, the selecting the first SMF network element from the plurality of connected SMF network elements according to the service session establishment request includes:

and selecting the first SMF network element from the SMF network elements according to the request record sequence number of the service session establishment request and the addresses of the SMF network elements.

Optionally, the selecting the first SMF network element from the plurality of SMF network elements according to the request record sequence number of the service session establishment request and the addresses of the plurality of SMF network elements includes:

and calculating the remainder of dividing the request record sequence number by the number of the SMF network elements, and selecting the first SMF network element from the SMF network elements by using the remainder and the addresses of the SMF network elements.

Optionally, after receiving the session interface message transmission request sent by the first SMF network element, the method further includes:

And sending the partial session information of the service session to each second SMF network element so that each second SMF network element stores the partial session information of the service session.

Optionally, the sending the partial session information of the service session to each second SMF network element includes:

transmitting session information when the session number in the service session information is even number to a third SMF network element in the second SMF network elements;

transmitting session information when the session number in the service session information is odd number to a fourth SMF network element in the second SMF network elements;

wherein the plurality of second SMFs comprises at least one of the third SMF network element and at least one of the fourth SMF network element.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a service session reestablishing method, applied to any second SMF network element of a plurality of second session management function SMF network elements, where the method includes:

receiving a session information inquiry request sent by an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, wherein the session information inquiry request comprises: the identification of the terminal equipment, wherein the session information inquiry request is a request sent by the AMF network element under the condition that a first SMF network element corresponding to the terminal equipment fails; wherein, the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing the service session;

Inquiring part of session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identification of the terminal equipment;

and sending the partial session information of the service session to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element re-determines the plurality of second SMF network elements as SMF network elements for managing the service session according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session to re-establish the service session.

Optionally, before receiving the session information query request sent by the AMF network element, the method further includes:

receiving part of session information of the service session sent by the AMF network element, wherein the part of session information of the service session is information sent after the AMF and the first SMF network element establish the service session;

and storing part of session information of the service session.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a service session reestablishment device, applied to an AMF network element, where the device includes:

a first sending module, configured to send a session information query request to a plurality of second SMF network elements if a first session management function SMF network element corresponding to a terminal device managed by the AMF network element fails; the session information query request includes: the identifier of the terminal equipment, the session information inquiry request is used for enabling each second SMF network element to inquire partial session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identifier of the terminal equipment; wherein, the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing the service session;

A first receiving module, configured to receive part of session information of the service session returned by each second SMF network element;

and the first processing module is used for re-determining the plurality of second SMF network elements as SMF network elements for managing the service session according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session so as to re-establish the service session.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a service session reestablishment device, applied to any second SMF network element of a plurality of second session management functions SMF network elements, where the device includes:

the second receiving module is configured to receive a session information query request sent by an AMF network element, where the session information query request includes: the identification of the terminal equipment, wherein the session information inquiry request is a request sent by the AMF network element under the condition that a first SMF network element corresponding to the terminal equipment fails; wherein, the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing the service session;

the second processing module is used for inquiring part of session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identification of the terminal equipment;

and the second sending module is used for sending the partial session information of the service session to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element can re-determine the plurality of second SMF network elements as SMF network elements for managing the service session according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session so as to re-establish the service session.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides an AMF network element, including: a first transmitter, a first receiver, a first processor; the first transmitter, the first receiver, the first processor are communicatively coupled;

the first transmitter is configured to send a session information query request to a plurality of second SMF network elements if a first session management function SMF network element corresponding to a terminal device managed by the AMF network element fails; the session information query request includes: the identifier of the terminal equipment, the session information inquiry request is used for enabling each second SMF network element to inquire partial session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identifier of the terminal equipment; wherein, the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing the service session;

the first receiver is configured to receive part of session information of the service session returned by each second SMF network element;

the first processor is configured to re-determine, according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session, that the plurality of second SMF network elements are SMF network elements that manage the service session, so as to re-establish the service session.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a session management function SMF network element, including: a second receiver, a second processor, a second transmitter; the second receiver, the second processor, the second transmitter are communicatively coupled;

the second receiver is configured to receive a session information query request sent by an AMF network element, where the session information query request includes: identification of the terminal equipment; the session information query request is a request sent by the AMF network element under the condition that a first SMF network element corresponding to the terminal equipment fails; wherein, the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing the service session;

the second processor is used for inquiring part of session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identification of the terminal equipment;

the second transmitter is configured to send the partial session information of the service session to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element re-determines, according to the multiple partial session information of the service session, that the multiple second SMF network elements are SMF network elements that manage the service session, to re-establish the service session. The service session reestablishment method, the device and the network element are applied to an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, and when a first SMF network element corresponding to terminal equipment managed by the AMF network element fails, session information inquiry requests can be sent to a plurality of second SMF network elements; and through the partial service session information returned to the AMF by each second SMF network element, the AMF can reestablish the service session and complete the recovery of the service session. By using the method, even if the SMF network element corresponding to the terminal equipment fails, the session can be quickly re-established without disturbing the terminal equipment, avoiding communication interruption caused by the failure of the single SMF network element, increasing the reliability of communication and ensuring the normal operation of the communication process.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings that are needed in the embodiments will be briefly described below, it being understood that the following drawings only illustrate some embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope, and other related drawings may be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a service session reconstruction architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is an interaction flow chart of a service session reconstruction method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a flowchart of a service session establishment method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is an interaction flow chart of a service session backup method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is an interaction flow chart of another service session reconstruction method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a service session reconstruction device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of another service session reconstruction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

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

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an SMF network element according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

For the purpose of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more apparent, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is apparent that the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments of the present invention. The components of the embodiments of the present invention generally described and illustrated in the figures herein may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.

Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, as presented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the invention without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

It should be noted that: like reference numerals and letters denote like items in the following figures, and thus once an item is defined in one figure, no further definition or explanation thereof is necessary in the following figures.

In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, if the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", and the like indicate an azimuth or a positional relationship based on the azimuth or the positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the azimuth or the positional relationship in which the inventive product is conventionally put in use, it is merely for convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and it is not indicated or implied that the apparatus or element referred to must have a specific azimuth, be configured and operated in a specific azimuth, and thus it should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, if any, are used merely for distinguishing between descriptions and not for indicating or implying a relative importance.

It should be noted that the features of the embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other without conflict.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, an application scenario of the present invention will be described.

In a communication system, after a control plane NF network element fails, a series of problems may occur if a service (e.g., an uplink service or a downlink service) arrives. For example, a user establishes a session on an SMF network element, when the SMF network element fails, a downlink service arrives first, and a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) network element that establishes a session with the failed SMF network element cannot transmit the downlink service to the SMF network element; or when the SMF network element fails, the uplink service first arrives, and the access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF) network element that establishes a session with the failed SMF network element cannot transmit uplink data to the SMF network element. From the above, when the SMF network element fails, the transmission of uplink traffic and downlink traffic is affected.

However, the existing 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project,3GPP) standard requires that the same virtual network group can only belong to one SMF network element, so as to realize that the same virtual network group user can select the same SMF network element when the PDU session is established. However, such limitation may cause a decrease in communication reliability, and if the attributed SMF network element fails, the user in the virtual network group may not be able to communicate, which may increase delay in the communication process and increase network load.

Based on the above, the present application provides a service session reestablishment method, device and network element, which are applied to an access and mobility management function AMF network element, and when a first SMF network element corresponding to a terminal device managed by the AMF network element fails, a session information inquiry request can be sent to a plurality of second SMF network elements; and through the partial service session information returned to the AMF by each second SMF network element, the AMF can reestablish the service session and complete the recovery of the service session. By using the method, even if the SMF network element corresponding to the terminal equipment fails, the session can be quickly re-established without disturbing the terminal equipment, avoiding communication interruption caused by the failure of the single SMF network element, increasing the reliability of communication and ensuring the normal operation of the communication process.

It should be noted that, the usage scenario of the present application is a core network: including but not limited to a core network in a communication system such as a third generation mobile communication technology (3rd Generation,3G) core network, a fourth generation mobile communication technology (4th Generation,4G) core network, a fifth generation mobile communication technology (5th generation,5G) core network, a sixth generation mobile communication technology (6th Generation,6G) core network, and possibly a core network in another mobile communication network, for example, a core network in a cellular mobile communication network, and possibly a core network in another network other than the cellular mobile communication network defined by the 3GPP specifications, for example, a Wi-Fi network or a core network in an ethernet network, and so on.

For example, the core network may be a 5G core network (5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology Core Network,5GC). The 5G core network is responsible for managing and controlling the 5G network, an open service architecture (Service Based Architecture, SBA) is adopted, NF is defined as a plurality of relatively independent service modules which can be flexibly called, any other NF or business application can access the service provided by the NF through an interface of standard specification, the SBA architecture adopts a hypertext transfer protocol (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, HTTP) protocol to complete signaling interaction, the same or similar information is extracted, and the information is encapsulated in the form of calling the capability of an application programming interface (Application Programming Interface, API) for other network elements to access.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a service session reconstruction architecture according to an embodiment of the present application. As described in fig. 1, it includes 1 AMF network element and a plurality of SMF network elements.

The AMF is a network element used for mobility management and access management functions in any core network, and may be used to implement functions other than session management in the mobility management entity (mobility management entity, MME) functions, for example, legal interception, or access authorization (or authentication), etc. In the embodiment of the application, the AMF may be used to implement access and mobility management functions.

SMF is a network element in any core network mainly used for session management, internet protocol (Internet Protocol, IP) address allocation and management of UEs, selecting a termination point for a manageable user plane function, policy control, or charging function interface, and downlink data notification, etc. In the embodiment of the application, the SMF may be used to implement a session management function.

In this embodiment, a plurality of SMF network elements are provided to implement a session management function, and the AMF network element interacts with the plurality of SMF network elements through an N11 interface.

It should be noted that each SMF has corresponding SMF information at the time of setting. The SMF information includes, but is not limited to: SMF ID and fully qualified domain name (Fully Qualified Domain Name, FQDN), SMF network element address, port number, etc.

In the above architecture for service session reconstruction, the present application further provides a possible implementation manner of the service session reconstruction method. Fig. 2 is an interaction flow chart of a service session reconstruction method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 2, the service session reestablishment method includes:

s101, if a first SMF network element corresponding to a terminal device managed by an AMF network element fails, a session information inquiry request is sent to a plurality of second SMF network elements.

Wherein the session information query request includes: the identification of the terminal equipment, the session information inquiry request is used for enabling each second SMF network element to inquire partial session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identification of the terminal equipment; wherein the first SMF network element is an SMF network element that manages a service session.

In this embodiment, the AMF network element may perform access and mobility management for a plurality of terminal devices (UEs). Alternatively, the terminal device may be a user device, a terminal, an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user apparatus, which is not limited in this application.

In this embodiment, the first SMF is an SMF network element that manages a service session.

In the process of using the first SMF network element to perform a service session, optionally, the first SMF network element may actively send a heartbeat packet to the AMF network element. The method comprises the steps that a first SMF network element periodically informs an AMF network element of a data packet of a self state, the heartbeat packet is sent according to a certain period, and if the AMF network element periodically receives the heartbeat packet of the first SMF network element, the first SMF network element can be determined that no fault occurs; if the AMF network element does not receive the heartbeat packet of the first SMF network element within the appointed time length, the heartbeat packet is considered to be lost, and the first SMF network element can be determined to be faulty. Wherein the specified time length is greater than the transmission period of the heartbeat packet.

In this embodiment, the AMF network element acquires a link state with the first SMF network element by detecting a heartbeat packet response condition with the first SMF network element, so as to determine whether the first SMF network element fails.

And after the AMF network element determines that the first SMF network element fails, sending session information query requests to a plurality of second SMF network elements. The session information query request at least comprises the following steps: and (5) identification of the terminal equipment. Alternatively, the identity of the terminal device may be a user permanent identifier (SUbs cription Permanent Identifier, SUPI). In one possible case, the session information query request may further include: identification of the first SMF. Wherein, the first SMF network element and the second SMF network element both belong to SMF network elements in the service session reconstruction architecture.

S102, receiving a session information inquiry request sent by an AMF network element.

After the AMF sends the session information query request, each second SMF network element receives the session information query request sent by the AMF network element. In this embodiment, the session information query request is further used to instruct the plurality of second SMF network elements to trigger release and reactivation of the PDU session.

S103, according to the identification of the terminal equipment, inquiring the partial session information of the service session of the terminal equipment.

Based on the session information query request, each second SMF network element may query, according to the identifier of the terminal device, part of session information of the service session of the terminal device, and in this embodiment, each second SMF network element stores part of session information of the service session of the terminal device, and all the part of session information stored by all the second SMF network elements is combined to be all the session information included in the service session of the terminal device.

The Session information corresponding to the service Session includes a protocol data unit Session identifier (PDU Session ID), N2 SM information (N2 SM information), an N1 SM container (N1 SM container), and the like.

Wherein the PDU Session ID is assigned by the terminal device and has uniqueness within the terminal device.

Wherein the N2 SM information carries information that the AMF network element has to provide to the base station. It may include QoS (Quality of Service ) profiles and corresponding QFI to inform the base station that one or more QoS flows have been added or modified.

Wherein the SM container carries PDU session modification commands that the AMF network element has to provide to the terminal device. It may include QoS rules, qoS flow level QoS parameters required for QoS flows associated with QoS rules, and corresponding QoS rule operations and QoS flow level QoS parameter operations to inform the terminal device that one or more QoS rules are added, deleted or modified.

S104, sending part of session information of the service session to the AMF network element.

After each second SMF network element queries and obtains the partial session information of the corresponding stored service session, the partial session information of the service session can be sent to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element can re-determine that the plurality of second SMF network elements are SMF network elements for managing the service session according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session so as to re-establish the service session.

S105, receiving the partial session information of the service session returned by each second SMF network element.

The AMF network element receives part of session information of the service session returned by each SMF network element.

S106, according to the multiple part session information of the service session, re-determining multiple second SMF network elements as SMF network elements for managing the service session, so as to re-establish the service session.

After the AMF network element receives the multiple part session information of the service session, the multiple second SMF network elements can be used as SMF network elements for managing the service session to reestablish the service session.

Optionally, first, the AMF network element sends an N2 interface PDU session request (N2 PDU Session Request) message to the base station, where the message carries a Non-access stratum (NAS) message to be sent to the terminal device by the AMF network element, and the NAS message includes part of the PDU session context information that needs to be sent to the terminal device.

The newly established QoS flows are then configured between the base station and the terminal device via RRC connection reconfiguration (RRC Connection Reconfiguration), including determining that network coding is enabled at the radio link control (Radio Link Control, RLC) layer.

Finally, the base station sends PDU conversation request confirmation (PDU session request ACK) to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element receives the PDU conversation request confirmation from the base station, and the service conversation is rebuilt.

In this embodiment, even if the SMF network element corresponding to the terminal device fails, the session can be quickly re-established, and the terminal device is not interfered, so that communication interruption caused by the failure of a single SMF network element is avoided, the reliability of communication is increased, and the normal operation of the communication process is ensured.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a service session establishment method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 3, in S101, if a first SMF network element corresponding to a terminal device managed by an AMF network element fails, before sending a session information query request to a plurality of second SMF network elements, the method includes:

s201, receiving a service session establishment request sent by a terminal device.

When the terminal device wants to establish a service session, a session establishment request needs to be sent to the AMF network element.

After any terminal equipment sends a session establishment request to the AMF network element, the AMF network element can receive the service session establishment request sent by the terminal equipment, and select an appropriate SMF network element as a network element for managing the service session of the terminal equipment according to the session establishment request, so that the service session is established together with the AMF.

S202, selecting a first SMF network element from a plurality of connected SMF network elements according to a service session establishment request.

In the present application, the first SMF network element may be selected from the plurality of connected SMF network elements according to the identification information in the service session establishment request. In this embodiment, the first SMF is an SMF network element that manages a service session.

S203, sending a service session management context request to the first SMF network element so that the first SMF network element obtains the information of the service session.

The AMF network element sends a service session management context request (nsmf_pdustion_createsmcontext) to the selected first SMF network element, where the message includes SUPI, pdustion ID, AMF ID (AMF network element identifier), request type, N1 SM container, user location information, SMF ID (SMF network element identifier), and so on.

S204, receiving a session interface message transmission request sent by the first SMF network element, wherein the session interface message transmission request comprises information of a service session so as to establish the service session.

Optionally, after the AMF determines the first SMF network element, the first SMF network element may first obtain registration information of the terminal device from the unified data management network element (unified data management, UDM), and verify the terminal device; if the authentication is not passed, the service session establishment is terminated. After the first SMF network element verifies the user to the UDM, the response of Nsmf_PDUSion_CreateSMContext is responded to the AMF network element.

Next, the first SMF network element performs a policy control function (Policy Control Function, PCF) network element selection and obtains policy and charging control (Policy and Charging Control, PCC) rules from the PCF network element.

The first SMF network element may then select a user plane function (User Plane Function, UPF) network element according to Session and service continuity (Session and ServiceContinuity, SSC) mode.

Next, the first SMF network element sends a session management policy request to the PCF network element (SMF initiated SM Policy Association Modification).

Then, the first SMF network element sends an N4 session establishment/Modification request (N4 Session Establishment/Modification) to the UPF, and provides packet detection, enforcement and reporting rules for the service session at the installed UPF network element; the UPF network element acknowledges the sending of an N4 session establishment modification response.

Next, the first SMF network element sends a session interface message transfer request (namf_communication_n1n2message transfer) to the AMF, wherein the session interface message transfer request carries context information of the PDU session. When the first SMF network element sends a session interface message transmission request to the AMF, the establishment of the service session is started, and the first SMF network element stores the information of the service session.

Optionally, the information of the service session includes a communication phase and a communication state of the first SMF network element and the AMF network element.

In S202, according to the service session establishment request, selecting a first SMF network element from a plurality of connected SMF network elements, including:

and selecting a first SMF network element from the plurality of SMF network elements according to the request record sequence number of the service session establishment request and the addresses of the plurality of SMF network elements.

Optionally, selecting the first SMF network element from the plurality of SMF network elements according to the request record sequence number of the service session establishment request and the addresses of the plurality of SMF network elements, including:

and calculating a remainder of dividing the request record sequence number by the number of the plurality of SMF network elements, and selecting a first SMF network element from the plurality of SMF network elements by using the remainder and the addresses of the plurality of SMF network elements.

For example, the UE requests to record the sequence number 3X, and the communication architecture includes 3 SMF network elements (No. 1 SMF network element, no. 2 SMF network element, no. 3 SMF network element), where the address of the No. 1 SMF network element is 3X, the address of the No. 2 SMF network element is 3x+1, and the address of the No. 3 SMF network element is 3x+2.

Then dividing the request record sequence number by 3, if the obtained remainder is 0, selecting the No. 1 SMF as a first SMF network element; if the obtained remainder is 1, selecting No. 2 SMF as a first SMF network element; if the obtained remainder is 2, selecting No. 3 SMF as the first SMF network element.

In this embodiment, the SMFs for service session creation are selected according to the addresses of different SMF network elements, and the remaining SMFs are used as standby SMF network elements in case of failure.

Fig. 4 is an interaction flow chart of a service session backup method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 4, includes:

and S301, sending part of session information of the service session to each second SMF network element.

After the AMF network element receives the session interface message transmission request sent by the first SMF network element, part of session information of the service session may be sent to each second SMF network element. In this embodiment, each second SMF network element stores part of session information of a service session of the terminal device, and the combination of the part of session information stored in all the second SMF network elements is all session information included in the service session of the terminal device.

S302, receiving partial session information of the service session sent by the AMF network element.

S303, storing part of session information of the service session.

For a plurality of second SMF network elements, each second SMF network element respectively receives and stores part of session information of the service session sent by the AMF network element.

Optionally, sending part of session information of the service session to each second SMF network element includes:

transmitting session information when the session number in the information of the service session is even number to a third SMF network element in the second SMF network elements; and transmitting session information when the session number in the information of the service session is odd number to a fourth SMF network element in the second SMF network elements.

Wherein the plurality of second SMFs includes at least one third SMF network element and at least one fourth SMF network element.

When the first SMF network element receives the first information from the AMF network element, the session number is counted starting from 1. Optionally, after determining the first SMF network element, the addresses of the plurality of second SMF network elements may be determined. For example, if the session number is even, storing the session information to a third SMF network element, wherein the third SMF network element is predefined to store the session information when the session number is even; if the session number is odd, the session information is stored in a fourth SMF network element, wherein the fourth SMF network element is predefined to store the session information when the session number is even.

In this embodiment, by storing the information of the service session to different SMF network elements respectively, the decentralized storage manner can accelerate the recovery time of the service session in the event of failure.

Fig. 5 is an interaction flow chart of another service session reconstruction method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 5. Comprising the following steps:

s1001, the UE sends a session establishment request message to the AMF.

S1002, the AMF selects a first SMF network element from a plurality of connected SMF network elements.

S1003, AMF sends request of service session management context to first SMF network element.

The AMF network element sends a service Session management context request (nsmf_pduse_createsmcontext) to the selected first SMF network element, where the message includes SUPI, PDU Session ID, AMF ID (AMF network element identifier), request type, N1 SM container, user location information, SMF ID (SMF network element identifier), and so on.

S1004, the first SMF network element acquires user registration information from the UDM network element and verifies the user.

S1005, after the verification is passed, the first SMF network element replies to the AMF network element with a create session management context response message.

After the AMF determines the first SMF network element, the first SMF network element may first obtain registration information of the terminal device from the unified data management network element (unified data management, UDM), and verify the terminal device; if the authentication is not passed, the service session establishment is terminated. After the first SMF network element verifies the user to the UDM, the response of Nsmf_PDUSion_CreateSMContext is responded to the AMF network element.

S1006, PDU session verification.

Optionally, if the request type of the traffic session management context request indicates "existing PDU session", the first SMF network element does not perform auxiliary authorization/authentication. If the request type of the service session management context request indicates "emergency request" or "existing emergency PDU session", the first SMF network element does not perform auxiliary authorization/authentication. If the request type of the traffic session management context request requires that a secondary authorization/authentication be performed during the server's establishment of the PDU session, the first SMF network element will trigger the PDU session establishment authentication/authorization.

S1007, the first SMF network element selects PCF.

The first SMF network element selects PCF network element, and obtains policy and charging control PCC rule from PCF network element.

S1008, the first SMF network element requests the PCF to establish an SM policy for the PDU session.

The first SMF network element requests the PCF to establish an SM policy for the PDU session.

S1009, the first SMF network element selects a UPF network element.

The first SMF network element may select a UPF network element according to the session and service continuity SSC modes.

S1010, the first SMF network element sends a session management policy request/PCF response to the PCF.

The first SMF network element sends a session management policy request (SMF initiated SM Policy Association Modification) to the PCF network element, possibly carrying network coding configuration parameters and QoS identification.

S1011, the first SMF network element sends an N4 session setup/modification request to the UPF.

The SMF network element sends an N4 session setup/modification request to the UPF and provides packet detection, enforcement and reporting rules for this PDU session at the installed UPF.

S1012, the UPF network element confirms and sends an N4 session establishment modification response to the first SMF network element.

The UPF acknowledges the sending of an N4 session establishment modification response.

S1013, the first SMF network element transmits a session interface message transmission request to the AMF network element.

The first SMF network element sends a session interface message transfer request (namf_communication_n1n2message transfer) to the AMF network element, carrying context information of the PDU session.

S1014, the AMF network element sends AN N2PDU session request to the base station (R) AN.

The AMF network element sends an N2 interface PDU session request (N2 PDU Session Request) message to the base station, wherein the message carries a Non-access stratum (NAS) message to be sent to the terminal equipment by the AMF network element, and the NAS message comprises partial information of PDU session context to be sent to the terminal equipment.

S1015, establishing access network specific resources between the base station (R) AN and the UE.

The newly established QoS flows are configured between the base station and the terminal device by RRC connection reconfiguration (RRC Connection Reconfiguration), including determining that network coding is enabled at the radio link control (Radio Link Control, RLC) layer.

S1016, the base station (R) AN sends PDU session request acknowledgement to the AMF.

The base station sends PDU conversation request confirmation (PDU session request ACK) to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element receives PDU conversation request confirmation from the base station, and then the service conversation is rebuilt.

S1017, the SMF network element is recovered from faults.

If the first SMF fails, the AMF network element cannot receive the heartbeat packet of the first SMF network element. The AMF network element inquires the UE PDU session information managed by the failed SMF network element from the plurality of second SMF network elements, and re-executes S1014-S1016 according to the inquired UE PDU session information to complete recovery.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a service session reestablishing device according to an embodiment of the present application, where the device may be applied to an AMF network element, and the basic principle and the technical effects of the device are the same as those of the foregoing corresponding method embodiments, and for brevity, no part is mentioned in this embodiment, and reference may be made to corresponding contents in the method embodiments. As shown in fig. 6, the service session reestablishment device 100 may include:

A first sending module 1000, configured to send a session information query request to a plurality of second SMF network elements if a first SMF network element corresponding to a terminal device managed by the AMF network element fails; the session information query request includes: the identification of the terminal equipment, the session information inquiry request is used for enabling each second SMF network element to inquire partial session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identification of the terminal equipment; wherein the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing service session;

a first receiving module 2000, configured to receive part of session information of a service session returned by each second SMF network element;

the first processing module 3000 is configured to re-determine, according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session, that the plurality of second SMF network elements are SMF network elements for managing the service session, so as to re-establish the service session.

Optionally, the first receiving module 2000 is specifically further configured to receive a service session establishment request sent by the terminal device.

Optionally, the first processing module 3000 is specifically further configured to select a first SMF network element from the plurality of connected SMF network elements according to a service session establishment request.

Optionally, the first sending module 1000 is specifically further configured to send a service session management context request to the first SMF network element, so that the first SMF network element obtains information of a service session; and receiving a session interface message transmission request sent by the first SMF network element, wherein the session interface message transmission request comprises information of a service session so as to establish the service session.

Optionally, the first processing module 3000 is specifically further configured to record a sequence number according to a request of the service session establishment request and addresses of the plurality of SMF network elements, and select a first SMF network element from the plurality of SMF network elements.

Optionally, the first processing module 3000 is specifically further configured to calculate a remainder of dividing the request record sequence number by the number of the plurality of SMF network elements, and select the first SMF network element from the plurality of SMF network elements by using the remainder and the addresses of the plurality of SMF network elements.

Optionally, the first sending module 1000 is specifically further configured to send the partial session information of the service session to each second SMF network element, so that each second SMF network element stores the partial session information of the service session.

Optionally, the first sending module 1000 is specifically further configured to send session information when the session number in the information of the service session is even, to a third SMF network element of the plurality of second SMF network elements; transmitting session information when the session number in the information of the service session is odd number to a fourth SMF network element in the second SMF network elements; wherein the plurality of second SMFs includes at least one third SMF network element and at least one fourth SMF network element.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a satellite communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, where the device may be applied to any one of a plurality of second SMF network elements, and the basic principle and the technical effects of the device are the same as those of the foregoing corresponding method embodiments, and for brevity, no parts are mentioned in this embodiment, and reference may be made to corresponding contents in the method embodiments. As shown in fig. 7, the satellite communication device 200 may include:

The second receiving module 4000 is configured to receive a session information query request sent by an AMF network element, where the session information query request includes: identification of the terminal equipment; the session information inquiry request is a request sent by the AMF network element under the condition that a first SMF network element corresponding to the terminal equipment fails; wherein the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing service session;

a second processing module 5000, configured to query, according to the identifier of the terminal device, part of session information of the service session of the terminal device;

and a second sending module 6000, configured to send the partial session information of the service session to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element re-determines, according to the multiple partial session information of the service session, that the multiple second SMF network elements are SMF network elements for managing the service session, so as to re-establish the service session.

Optionally, the second receiving module 4000 is specifically further configured to receive and store part of session information of a service session sent by the AMF network element, where the part of session information of the service session is information sent after the AMF network element and the first SMF network element establish the service session.

The foregoing apparatus is used for executing the method provided in the foregoing embodiment, and its implementation principle and technical effects are similar, and are not described herein again.

The above modules may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, for example: one or more application specific integrated circuits (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, abbreviated as ASICs), or one or more microprocessors, or one or more field programmable gate arrays (Field Programmable Gate Array, abbreviated as FPGAs), etc. For another example, when a module above is implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler code, the processing element may be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU) or other processor that may invoke the program code. For another example, the modules may be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of an AMF network element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 8, the AMF network element includes: a first transmitter 21, a first processor 22, a first receiver 23; the first transmitter 21, the first processor 22, and the first receiver 23 are communicatively connected.

The first transmitter 21 is configured to send a session information query request to a plurality of second SMF network elements if a first SMF network element corresponding to a terminal device managed by the AMF network element fails; the session information query request includes: the identification of the terminal equipment, the session information inquiry request is used for enabling each second SMF network element to inquire partial session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identification of the terminal equipment; wherein the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing service session;

a first receiver 23, configured to receive part of session information of a service session returned by each second SMF network element;

the first processor 22 is configured to re-determine, according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session, that the plurality of second SMF network elements are SMF network elements that manage the service session, so as to re-establish the service session.

Optionally, the first processor 22 is further specifically configured to select the first SMF network element from the plurality of connected SMF network elements according to a service session establishment request.

Optionally, the first sender 21 is specifically further configured to send a service session management context request to the first SMF network element, so that the first SMF network element obtains information of a service session; and receiving a session interface message transmission request sent by the first SMF network element, wherein the session interface message transmission request comprises information of a service session so as to establish the service session.

Optionally, the first processor 22 is further specifically configured to select the first SMF network element from the plurality of SMF network elements according to the request record sequence number of the service session establishment request and the addresses of the plurality of SMF network elements.

Optionally, the first processor 22 is specifically further configured to calculate a remainder of dividing the request record sequence number by the number of the plurality of SMF network elements, and select the first SMF network element from the plurality of SMF network elements by using the remainder and the addresses of the plurality of SMF network elements.

Optionally, the first sender 21 is specifically further configured to send part of the session information of the service session to each second SMF network element, so that each second SMF network element stores part of the session information of the service session.

Optionally, the first sender 21 is specifically further configured to send session information when the session number in the information of the service session is even, to a third SMF network element of the plurality of second SMF network elements; transmitting session information when the session number in the information of the service session is odd number to a fourth SMF network element in the second SMF network elements; wherein the plurality of second SMFs includes at least one third SMF network element and at least one fourth SMF network element.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an SMF network element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 9, the AMF network element includes: a second transmitter 31, a second processor 32, a second receiver 33; the second transmitter 31, the second processor 32, and the second transmitter 33 are communicatively connected.

The second receiver 33 is configured to receive a session information query request sent by the AMF network element, where the session information query request includes: identification of the terminal equipment; the session information inquiry request is a request sent by the AMF network element under the condition that a first SMF network element corresponding to the terminal equipment fails; wherein the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing service session;

a second processor 32, configured to query, according to the identifier of the terminal device, part of session information of the service session of the terminal device;

and a second transmitter 31, configured to send partial session information of the service session to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element re-determines, according to the multiple partial session information of the service session, that the multiple second SMF network elements are SMF network elements that manage the service session, so as to re-establish the service session.

Optionally, the second receiver 33 is specifically further configured to receive and store part of session information of a service session sent by the AMF network element, where the part of session information of the service session is information sent after the AMF network element and the first SMF network element establish the service session.

Optionally, the present application further provides a storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, which when being executed by a processor performs the steps of the above-mentioned method embodiments. The specific implementation manner and the technical effect are similar, and are not repeated here.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The integrated units may be implemented in hardware or in hardware plus software functional units.

The integrated units implemented in the form of software functional units described above may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The software functional unit is stored in a storage medium, and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (english: processor) to perform part of the steps of the methods of the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: u disk, mobile hard disk, read-Only Memory (ROM), random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk, etc.

It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one … …" does not exclude the presence of other like elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises an element.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions easily contemplated by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention should be included in the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for reestablishing a service session, which is applied to an AMF network element, the method comprising:

and re-determining the second SMF network elements as SMF network elements for managing the service session according to the partial session information of the service session so as to re-establish the service session, wherein the partial session information of the service session is combined into all session information contained in the service session of the terminal equipment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the first session management function SMF network element corresponding to the first terminal device of the AMF network element fails, before sending the session information query request to the plurality of second SMF network elements corresponding to the first terminal device, the method comprises:

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selecting the first SMF network element from the plurality of connected SMF network elements in accordance with the service session establishment request comprises:

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the selecting the first SMF network element from the plurality of SMF network elements according to the request record sequence number of the service session establishment request and the addresses of the plurality of SMF network elements comprises:

5. The method of claim 2, wherein after receiving the session interface message transmission request sent by the first SMF network element, the method further comprises:

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said sending the partial session information of the service session to each of the second SMF network elements comprises:

7. A service session reestablishment method, applied to any one of a plurality of second session management function SMF network elements, the method comprising:

and sending the partial session information of the service session to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element redetermines the second SMF network elements as SMF network elements for managing the service session according to the partial session information of the service session to reestablish the service session, and the partial session information of the service session is combined into all session information contained in the service session of the terminal equipment.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein before receiving the session information query request sent by the AMF network element, the method further comprises:

and storing part of session information of the service session.

9. A service session reestablishment device, applied to an AMF network element, comprising:

and the first processing module is used for redefining the plurality of second SMF network elements as SMF network elements for managing the service session according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session so as to reestablish the service session, and the plurality of partial session information of the service session are combined into all session information contained in the service session of the terminal equipment.

10. A traffic session reestablishment device, applied to any one of a plurality of second session management function, SMF, network elements, said device comprising:

And the second sending module is used for sending the partial session information of the service session to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element redetermines the plurality of second SMF network elements to be SMF network elements for managing the service session according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session so as to reestablish the service session, and the plurality of partial session information of the service session are combined to form all session information contained in the service session of the terminal equipment.

11. An AMF network element for access and mobility management, comprising: a first transmitter, a first receiver, and a first processor; the first transmitter, the first receiver, and the first processor are communicatively coupled;

the first transmitter is configured to send a session information query request to a plurality of second SMF network elements if a first session management function SMF network element corresponding to a terminal device managed by the AMF network element fails; the session information query request includes: the identifier of the terminal equipment, the session information inquiry request is used for enabling each second SMF network element to inquire partial session information of the service session of the terminal equipment according to the identifier of the terminal equipment; wherein, the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing service session;

the first processor is configured to re-determine, according to the plurality of partial session information of the service session, that the plurality of second SMF network elements are SMF network elements that manage the service session, so as to re-establish the service session, where the plurality of partial session information of the service session is combined into all session information included in the service session of the terminal device.

12. A session management function, SMF, network element, comprising: a second receiver, a second processor, and a second transmitter; the second receiver, the second processor, and the second transmitter are communicatively coupled;

the second receiver is configured to receive a session information query request sent by an AMF network element, where the session information query request includes: identification of the terminal equipment; the session information query request is a request sent by the AMF network element under the condition that a first SMF network element corresponding to the terminal equipment fails; wherein, the first SMF network element is an SMF network element for managing service session;

The second transmitter is configured to send the partial session information of the service session to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element redetermines, according to the multiple partial session information of the service session, multiple second SMF network elements to be SMF network elements that manage the service session to reestablish the service session, where the multiple partial session information of the service session is combined to all session information included in the service session of the terminal device.