CN115776665A

CN115776665A - VN group configuration method, device, equipment and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN115776665A
Application number: CN202111040423.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈婉珺; 马泽芳; 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: 2021-09-06
Filing date: 2021-09-06
Publication date: 2023-03-10
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-06
Also published as: CN115776665B

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a VN group configuration method, a VN group configuration device, VN group configuration equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the field of communication. The method may configure the same VN group for UEs belonging to different operators. The method comprises the following steps: a first network element receives first request information sent by an AMF network element, wherein the first request information is used for requesting to acquire subscription data of UE; the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information; the first network element sends first request information to a UDM network element of a target operator; the first network element receives first response information sent by a UDM network element of a target operator according to the first request information, wherein the first response information comprises subscription data of the UE; the first network element inserts the VN group information in the first response information and sends the first response information with the VN group information inserted to the AMF network element. The method can be applied to the process of establishing the VN group, and is used for solving the problem that the same VN group cannot be configured for the UE belonging to different operators.

Description

VN group configuration method, device, equipment and storage medium

Technical Field

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

Background

The fifth generation mobile communication technology (5 g) system includes a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element. The UDM network element may be operable to store user subscription data. In the third generation partnership project (3 gpp), an operator may provide 5G Local Area Network (LAN) services to users in the form of Virtual Network (VN) groups through UDM network elements. For example, an operator may join different User Equipments (UEs) in the same VN group through the UDM network element, so that 5G LAN services such as peer-to-peer communication, broadcast communication, and multicast communication may be implemented between different UEs in the same VN group.

Currently, user subscription data of different operators are generally stored in respective UDM network elements, and a standard VN group scheme requires the UDM network elements to authenticate authentication information by querying the user subscription data. The premise for an operator to configure a VN group is that the UEs within the VN group all belong to the same operator.

However, in the actual application process of the VN group, it is inevitable that UEs belonging to different operators join the same VN group, and the current scheme cannot configure the same VN group for UEs belonging to different operators. For example, assuming that a network environment in a factory is deployed by an operator a, most devices also use an internet of things card of the operator a, but there are some devices using the internet of things card of the operator B in the factory, at this time, the operator a cannot query user subscription data of the device using the internet of things card of the operator B, the operator B cannot query user subscription data of the device using the internet of things card of the operator a, and the current scheme cannot configure the same VN group for the device using the internet of things card of the operator B and the device using the internet of things card of the operator a.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a VN group configuration method, a VN group configuration device, VN group configuration equipment and a VN group configuration storage medium, wherein the same VN group can be configured for UE belonging to different operators.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a VN group configuring method, applied to a first network element, the method including:

the method comprises the steps that a first network element receives first request information sent by an AMF network element, wherein the first request information is used for requesting to acquire subscription data of UE; the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information; the first network element sends first request information to a UDM network element of a target operator; the first network element receives first response information sent by a UDM network element of a target operator according to the first request information, wherein the first response information comprises subscription data of the UE; the first network element inserts the VN group information in the first response information and sends the first response information with the VN group information inserted to the AMF network element.

In one possible implementation, the first request message includes a first parameter of the UE; the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information, including: and the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first parameter included in the first request message and a preset corresponding relationship between the first parameter and the operator.

In another possible implementation manner, the first network element is connected with a VN group configuration platform; before the first network element inserts the VN group information in the first response information, the method further includes: a first network element receives VN group information sent by a VN group configuration platform; and the VN group configuration platform is used for configuring the VN group information to the first network element by an administrator.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first network element receives second request information sent by the AMF network element, wherein the second request information is related to the UE; the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the second request information; the first network element sends second request information to a UDM network element of a target operator; the first network element receives second response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the second request information; and the first network element sends the second response information to the AMF network element.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the first network element includes a user status register, where the user status register is used to store a status of the UE, and the status of the UE includes online or offline; the first network element sends second response information to the AMF network element, including: when the second response message comprises a registration success response message or a de-registration success response message, the first network element changes the state of the UE in the user state register and sends the second response message to the AMF network element; and when the second response information does not comprise the registration success response information and the de-registration success response information, the first network element directly sends the second response information to the AMF network element.

In another possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first network element inquires the state of the UE stored in the user state register; and when the state of the UE is online, the first network element updates the VN group information.

In another possible implementation manner, the first network element is an additional network element in the core network, or an existing network element in the core network.

In the VN group configuration method provided by the present application, the first network element may receive the first request information sent by the AMF network element. The first request information includes a first parameter of the UE corresponding to the first request information, and the first network element may determine, according to the first parameter of the UE corresponding to the first request information in the first request information, a target operator corresponding to the UE, and send the first request information to a UDM network element of the target operator. Then, the first network element may receive first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information, where the first response information includes subscription data of the UE. The first network element may insert VN group information in the first response information including subscription data of the UE, and send the first response information into which the VN group information is inserted to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element receives the first response information into which the VN group information is inserted, that is, obtains the VN group information and subscription data of the UE, thereby configuring the VN group.

And because the first network element may respectively receive subscription data of the UE sent by the UDM network element of different operators, the UE in the VN group configured by using the VN group configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application may belong to different operators, that is, the VN group configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application may configure the same VN group for the UE belonging to different operators. The first network element may also be referred to as a proxy UDM network element.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a VN group configuring device, which is applied to the first network element described in the first aspect, and includes: the device comprises a receiving unit, a processing unit and a transmitting unit, wherein the receiving unit, the processing unit and the transmitting unit are connected.

And the receiving unit is used for receiving first request information sent by the AMF network element, wherein the first request information is used for requesting to acquire subscription data of the UE. And the processing unit is used for determining a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information. A sending unit, configured to send the first request information to a UDM network element of the target operator. And the receiving unit is further configured to receive first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information, where the first response information includes subscription data of the UE. And the processing unit is further used for inserting the VN group information into the first response information. And the sending unit is further configured to send the first response message inserting the VN group information to the AMF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the first request information includes a first parameter of the UE, and the processing unit is specifically configured to determine a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first parameter included in the first request information and a preset first relationship between the first parameter and the operator.

In another possible implementation, the VN group configuring device is connected to a VN group configuring platform, and the receiving unit is further configured to receive the VN group information sent by the VN group configuring platform before the processing unit inserts the VN group information in the first response information, where the VN group configuring platform is configured by the administrator to configure the VN group information to the first network element.

In another possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive second request information sent by the AMF network element, where the second request information is related to the UE. And the processing unit is further configured to determine a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the second request information. And the sending unit is further configured to send the second request information to the UDM network element of the target operator. And the receiving unit is further configured to receive second response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the second request information. And the sending unit is further configured to send the second response information to the AMF network element.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the VN group configuring device further includes a storage unit, and the storage unit is connected to the receiving unit, the processing unit, and the transmitting unit. And the storage unit is used for storing the state of the UE, and the state of the UE comprises online or offline. The processing unit is specifically configured to change the state of the UE in the storage unit when the second response information includes registration/deregistration response success information, and control the sending unit to send the second response information to the AMF network element; and directly controlling the sending unit to send the second response information to the AMF network element when the second response information does not include the registration/deregistration response success information.

In another possible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to query the status of the UE stored in the storage unit, and update the VN group information when the status of the UE is online.

In another possible implementation manner, the first network element is a network element newly added in the core network, or an existing network element in the core network.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a network device, including: the system comprises an interface module, a message filter, a home operator message forwarding module and a VN group configuration module, wherein the interface module, the home operator message forwarding module and the VN group configuration module are connected with one another.

The interface module is used for receiving first request information sent by an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, wherein the first request information is used for requesting to acquire subscription data of User Equipment (UE). The home operator message forwarding module is used for determining a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request message and sending the first request message to a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element of the target operator; and the home operator message forwarding module is further configured to receive first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information, where the first response information includes subscription data of the UE. The VN group configuration module stores VN group configuration information; a VN group configuration module to insert VN group configuration information in the first response information. And the interface module is further used for sending first response information inserted into the VN group information to the AMF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the first request information includes a first parameter of the UE; the home operator message forwarding module is configured to determine, according to the first request message, a target operator corresponding to the UE, and includes: and the home operator message forwarding module determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first parameter included in the first request message and a preset corresponding relationship between the first parameter and the operator.

In another possible implementation manner, a VN group configuration module in the network device is connected to a VN group configuration platform; before the VN group configuration module inserts the VN group configuration information into the first response information, the VN group configuration module is further configured to receive VN group information sent by the VN group configuration platform; the VN group configuration platform is used for configuring VN group information to the VN group configuration module by an administrator.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the interface module is further configured to receive second request information sent by the access and mobility management function AMF network element, where the second request information is related to the UE. The home operator message forwarding module is further configured to determine, according to the second request message, a target operator corresponding to the UE, and send the second request message to a unified data management UDM network element of the target operator; and receiving second response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the second request information. And the interface module is further used for sending the second response information to the AMF network element.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the network device further includes a user status register, and the user status register is connected to the interface module, the home operator message forwarding module, and the VN group configuration module. And the user status register is used for storing the status of the UE, and the status of the UE comprises online or offline. The interface module is specifically configured to, when the second response information includes registration success response information or de-registration success response information, change the state of the UE in the user status register by the first network element, and send the second response information to the AMF network element; and when the second response information does not comprise the registration success response information and the de-registration success response information, the first network element directly sends the second response information to the AMF network element.

In another possible implementation manner, the VN group configuration module is further configured to query the state of the UE stored in the user state register; when the state of the UE is online, the VN group information is updated.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an electronic device comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory stores instructions executable by the processor; the processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the electronic device to carry out the method of the first aspect as described above.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising: computer software instructions; the computer software instructions, when executed in the electronic device, cause the electronic device to implement the method of the first aspect.

The beneficial effects of the second to fifth aspects may refer to the description of the first aspect, and are not repeated.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments or the prior art descriptions will be briefly described below, it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative efforts.

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

fig. 2 is a schematic architecture diagram of a 5G system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first network element according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a VN group configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of another architecture of a 5G system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 is another schematic flow chart of a VN group configuring method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is another schematic composition diagram of a first network element according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a VN group configuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is another schematic diagram of a VN group configuring device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without making any creative effort belong to the protection scope of the present application.

It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or explanations. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "such as" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present relevant concepts in a concrete fashion.

For the convenience of clearly describing 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 for distinguishing the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and actions, and those skilled in the art can understand that the terms "first", "second", and the like are not limited in number or execution order.

For a fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) system, the 5G system may include a plurality of network element functional entities (hereinafter, referred to as network elements).

Exemplarily, fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a 5G system. As shown in fig. 1, the 5G system may include: AN Access Network (AN) device/Radio Access Network (RAN) device (i.e., AN/RAN in fig. 1), and core network elements such as a User Plane Function (UPF) network element, a Data Network (DN), AN access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, a control policy function (policy control function) network element, AN Application Function (AF) network element, a network slice selection function (network slice selection, NSSF) network element, AN authentication service function (authentication server function, AUSF) network element, a unified data management (unified UDM) network element, and the like. A User Equipment (UE), such as a mobile phone, may access a core network through AN/RAN device, or may be directly connected to AN AMF network element through AN N1 interface.

The AUSF network element is configured to authenticate and authenticate the UE, and the UDM network element is configured to store subscription data of the UE, where the subscription data may be, for example, a service, a package, a basic bandwidth, and the like subscribed by a user. In actual deployment, the AUSF network element and the UDM network element are generally deployed in a combined manner. The DN may be a data network corresponding to operator services, internet access, third party services, and the like.

The AN/RAN network element and the AMF network element can be connected through AN N2 interface, the AN/RAN network element and the UPF network element can be connected through AN N3 interface, the UPF network element and the SMF network element can be connected through AN N4 interface, the PCF network element and the AF network element can be connected through AN N5 interface, the UPF network element and the DN can be connected through AN N6 interface, the SMF network element and the PCF network element can be connected through AN N7 interface, the AMF network element and the UDM network element can be connected through AN N8 interface, the UPF network element can be connected through AN N9 interface, the SMF network element and the UDM network element can be connected through AN N10 interface, the AMF network element and the SMF network element can be connected through AN N11 interface, the AMF network element and the AUSSF network element can be connected through AN N12 interface, the AUSSF network element and the UDM network element can be connected through AN N13 interface, the AMF network element can be connected through AN N14 interface, the AMF network element and the PCF network element can be connected through AN N15 interface, and the AMF network element and the NSSF network element can be connected through AN N22 interface.

The third generation partnership project (3 rd generation partnership project,3 gpp) specifies that an operator may provide 5G Local Area Network (LAN) services to users in the form of a Virtual Network (VN) group through a UDM network element. For example, an operator may join different User Equipments (UEs) in the same VN group through the UDM network element, so that 5G LAN services such as peer-to-peer communication, broadcast communication, and multicast communication may be implemented between different UEs in the same VN group.

Currently, user subscription data of different operators are generally stored in respective UDM network elements, and a standard VN group scheme requires the UDM network elements to authenticate authentication information by querying the user subscription data. A premise for operator configuration of a VN group is that the UEs within the VN group all belong to the same operator.

In this background, embodiments of the present application provide a VN group configuration method, which may configure the same VN group for UEs belonging to different operators. The method may be applied to a first network element. The first network element may be connected to an AMF network element, an SMF network element, an AUSF network element, and a UDM network element. The first network element may receive the first request information sent by the AMF network element, and forward the first request information to a UDM network element of a target operator corresponding to the first request information. The first network element may receive first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information, and forward the first response information with the VN group information inserted to the AMF network element after the VN group information is inserted into the first response information.

The first request message is used for requesting to acquire subscription data of the UE. The first response information includes subscription data of the UE.

Optionally, the first network element may be a newly added network element in the 5G core network, or a corresponding code may be written in an existing network element in the 5G core network, so that the first network element has the function of the first network element. Such as an AMF network element or an SMF network element, etc. It should be understood that, when the first network element is an existing network element in a 5G core network, the connection relationship between the first network element and other network elements may be as described in reference to fig. 1 above. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the arrangement manner of the first network element.

It is to be understood that the first network element may be a complete network device, such as a server or a computer; but also may be part of a network device; or may be a distributed system formed by a plurality of network devices, such as a server cluster. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation manner of the first network element.

The VN group configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described below by using a first network element as a new network element in a 5G core network.

Fig. 2 is a schematic architecture diagram of a 5G system according to an embodiment of the present application.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in fig. 2, the UE may be connected to a 5G system, and the 5G system may include AN device/RAN device, a UPF network element, a DN, AN AMF network element, AN SMF network element, a PCF network element, AN AF network element, a first network element, AN UDM network element of AN operator, and the like. The UE and the AMF network element can be connected through AN N1 interface, the UE can be connected with AN equipment/RAN equipment, the AN equipment/RAN equipment and the AMF network element can be connected with the AN equipment/RAN equipment and the UPF network element through AN N3 interface through AN N2 interface, the UPF network element and the SMF network element can be connected through AN N4 interface, the PCF network element and the AF network element can be connected through AN N5 interface, the UPF network element and the DN can be connected through AN N6 interface, the SMF network element and the PCF network element can be connected through AN N7 interface, the UPF network element can be connected through AN N9 interface, the AMF network element and the SMF network element can be connected through AN N11 interface, the AMF network element can be connected through AN N14 interface, the AMF network element and the PCF network element can be connected through AN N15 interface, and the first network element can be connected with the AMF network element, the SMF network element and the UDM network element of a network element operator. For example, the UDM network element of operator a may be UDM a, the UDM network element of operator B may be UDM B, etc.

Fig. 3 is a schematic composition diagram of a first network element according to an embodiment of the present application.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in fig. 3, the first network element 310 may include an interface module 311, a message filter 312, a home operator message forwarding module 313, and a VN group configuration module 314. The interface module 311 interfaces with the message filter 312, the home operator message forwarding module 313, and the VN group configuration module 314.

The interface module 311 of the first network element may be configured to receive the first request information sent by the AMF network element. When the interface module 311 of the first network element receives the first request information, the home operator message forwarding module 313 may be configured to send the first request information to a UDM network element of a target operator corresponding to the first request information. The home operator message forwarding module 313 may be further configured to receive first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information, where the first request information corresponds to the UDM network element of the target operator. The VN group configuration module 314 stores therein VN group configuration information. The first network element may insert the VN group configuration information in the first response information, such as by inserting the VN group configuration information in the first response information, for example, the interface module 311 or the VN group configuration module 314 may be configured to insert the VN group configuration information in the first response information. After the VN group configuration information is inserted into the first response information, the interface module 311 may be further configured to send the first response information into which the VN group configuration information is inserted to the AMF network element.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a VN group configuring method according to an embodiment of the present application.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in fig. 4, the method may include S401 to S406.

S401, the AMF network element sends a first request message to the first network element 310, where the first request message is used to request to obtain subscription data of the UE.

Correspondingly, the first network element may receive first request information sent by the AMF network element, where the first request information is used to request to acquire subscription data of the UE.

S402, the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information.

Wherein the target operator may be one of a plurality of operators.

In a possible design, before S402, in the method, the AMF network element may further obtain N1 interface request information of the UE, where the N1 interface request information may include a first parameter of the UE, and the first parameter is used to identify identity information of the UE. The AMF network element may generate first request information according to the N1 interface request information of the UE, where the first request information may include a first parameter of the UE.

Optionally, the determining, by the first network element, the target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information may include: and the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first parameter of the UE included in the first request message and a preset corresponding relation between the first parameter and the operator.

Wherein, the first parameter may be number segment information of the UE. Taking UE as a mobile phone as an example, the first parameter may be a mobile phone number of the mobile phone.

S403, the first network element sends the first request information to a UDM network element of the target operator.

Accordingly, the UDM network element of the target operator may receive the first request information.

In a possible design, network protocol (IP) addresses of the UDM network elements of multiple operators may be preset in the first network element, and before S403, in the method, the first network element may further determine, according to the IP addresses of the UDM network elements of the target operator and the multiple operators, an IP address of the UDM network element of the target operator, so that the first network element forwards the first request information sent by the AMF network element to the UDM network element of the target operator.

Exemplarily, it is assumed that a mobile phone with a mobile phone number of 186XXXX transmits N1 interface request information 1 to an AMF network element, where N1 interface information 1 includes a mobile phone number 186XXXX XXXX, the AMF network element generates first request information 1 according to N1 interface request information 1, the first request information 1 also includes a mobile phone number 186XXXX xxxxxxxx, and the AMF network element transmits first request information 1 to a first network element, so that the first network element determines, according to the first request information 1, that a target operator corresponding to the mobile phone with the mobile phone number of 186XXXX is china unicom, and thus the first network element 310 may determine that an IP address of a UDM network element of the china unicom is 10.100.xxx.xx and transmit the first request information 1 to the IP address.

S404, the UDM network element of the target operator sends, according to the first request information, first response information to the first network element, where the first response information includes subscription data of the UE.

In some possible embodiments, the sending, by the target operator UDM network element to the first network element according to the first request information, the first response information includes: and the target operator UDM network element determines UE corresponding to the first parameter according to the first parameter in the first request message, inquires the subscription data corresponding to the UE corresponding to the first parameter in the stored subscription data, produces first response information according to the subscription data corresponding to the UE corresponding to the first parameter, and sends the first response information to the first network element.

Accordingly, the first network element may receive first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information.

S405, the first network element inserts the VN group information into the first response information.

As described above, the VN group information may be preset in the first network element. In some possible embodiments, the VN group information may include: the UE Identifier (ID) corresponding to the UE that can configure the VN group, the VN group ID of the VN group that can configure the UE that forms the VN group, the secondary authentication information, and the like. For example, the UEID may be a general public user identity (GPSI) or the like.

S406, the first network element sends the first response message inserted with the VN group information to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element may receive the first response information inserted into the VN group information sent by the first network element.

It is to be understood that the first response message inserted with the VN group information may include the VN group information and subscription data of the UE, and after obtaining the VN group information and subscription data of the UE, the AMF network element may configure the VN group according to the VN group information.

Exemplarily, taking the VN group information including the UE ID and the VN group ID as an example, assuming that the UE ID includes UE ID 1, UE ID 2, UE ID 3, and UE ID 4, the VN group ID includes VN group ID 1 and VN group ID 2, VN group ID 1 corresponds to UE ID 1 and VN group ID 2, VN group ID 2 corresponds to UE ID 3 and UE ID 4, the AMF network element may configure the UE corresponding to UE ID 1 and UE ID 2 as a VN group according to VN group ID 1 corresponding to UE ID 1 and UE ID 2, and the VN group ID of the group is VN group ID 1; and configuring the UEs corresponding to the UE ID 3 and the UE ID 4 into a VN group according to the correspondence between the VN group ID 2 and the UE ID 3 and the UE ID 4, wherein the VN group ID of the group is VN group ID 2.

In the VN group configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first network element may receive the first request information sent by the AMF network element. The first request information includes number segment information of the UE corresponding to the first request information, and the first network element may determine, according to the number segment information of the UE corresponding to the first request information in the first request information, a target operator corresponding to the UE, and send the first request information to a UDM network element of the target operator. Then, the first network element may receive first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information, where the first response information includes subscription data of the UE. The first network element may insert VN group information in the first response information including subscription data of the UE, and send the first response information into which the VN group information is inserted to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element receives the first response information into which the VN group information is inserted, that is, obtains the VN group information and subscription data of the UE, thereby configuring the VN group.

Because the first network element may receive subscription data of the UE sent by the UDM network elements of different operators, the UEs in the VN group configured by using the VN group configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application may belong to different operators, that is, the VN group configuration method provided in the embodiment of the present application may configure the same VN group for the UEs belonging to different operators. The first network element may also be referred to as a proxy UDM network element.

Fig. 5 is another schematic architecture diagram of a 5G system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in fig. 5, the 5G system may further include a VN group configuring platform 320, and a VN group configuring module 314 in the first network element 310. The VN group configuring platform 320 is used for an administrator to configure the VN group information to the first network element 310.

It can be understood that the VN group configuring platform 320 may be a device independent from the first network element 310, or the VN group configuring platform 320 may also be a functional module integrated on the first network element 310, and this embodiment of the present application does not limit a specific implementation manner of the VN group configuring platform 320.

In one possible design, the first network element may further receive VN group information sent by the VN group configuration platform before inserting the VN group information in the first response information.

The above describes the case where the request information sent by the AMF network element and received by the first network element is the first request information. In some possible embodiments, the request information sent by the AMF network element received by the first network element may also be second request information, where the second request information is different from the first request information, and the second request information is related to the UE. For example, the second request information may be Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session request information that does not relate to subscription data, such as NF registration/de-registration, user location update, and the like, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit a specific type of the second request information.

As shown in fig. 3, when the request information sent by the AMF network element received by the first network element is the second request information, the interface module 311 of the first network element may also be configured to receive the second request information sent by the AMF network element. When the interface module 311 of the first network element receives the second request information, the home operator message forwarding module 313 may be configured to forward the second request information to the UDM network element of the target operator corresponding to the second request information. The home operator message forwarding module 313 may also be configured to receive second response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator corresponding to the second request information according to the second request information. The interface module 311 may be further configured to send the second response information to the AMF network element.

Fig. 6 is another schematic flow chart of a VN group configuration method according to an embodiment of the present application.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in fig. 6, the method may include S601 to S612.

S601, the UE sends interaction request information to AN equipment/RAN equipment.

Correspondingly, the AN device/RAN device may receive the interworking request information sent by the UE.

And S602, the AN equipment/RAN equipment sends interaction request information to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element may receive the interworking request information sent by the AN device/RAN device.

S603, the AMF network element sends second request information generated according to the interactive request information to the first network element.

Correspondingly, the first network element may receive second request information, which is sent by the AMF network element and generated according to the interactive request information.

S604, the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the second request information.

It can be understood that, the specific step of the first network element determining the target operator corresponding to the UE according to the second request information may refer to the step of the first network element determining the target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information, and details are not described here again.

S605, the first network element sends the second request information to the AUSF network element corresponding to the target operator.

Correspondingly, the AUSF network element corresponding to the target operator may receive the second request information sent by the first network element.

S606, the AUSF network element corresponding to the target operator sends the second request information to the UDM network element of the target operator.

Correspondingly, the UDM network element of the target operator receives the second request information sent by the AUSF network element corresponding to the target operator.

S607, the UDM network element of the target operator generates second response information according to the second request information.

Wherein the second response information is used for responding to the second request information.

And S608, the UDM network element of the target operator sends second response information to the AUSF network element corresponding to the target operator.

Correspondingly, the AUSF network element corresponding to the target operator receives the second response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator.

And S609, the AUSF network element corresponding to the target operator sends second response information to the first network element.

Correspondingly, the first network element receives second response information sent by an AUSF network element corresponding to the target operator.

S610, the first network element sends the second response information to the AMF network element.

Correspondingly, the AMF network element receives the second response information sent by the second network element.

S611, the AMF network element sends second response information to the AN equipment/RAN equipment.

Correspondingly, the AN equipment/RAN equipment receives the second response information sent by the AMF network element.

And S612, the AN equipment/RAN equipment sends second response information to the UE.

Correspondingly, the UE receives second response information sent by the AN equipment/RAN equipment.

That is, in this embodiment of the present application, the first network element may receive response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator, and determine that the response information is the first response information or the second response information. When the first network element receives that the response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator is the first response information, the first network element performs the steps described in S402 to S406 above. When the first network element receives that the response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator is the second response information, the first network element performs the steps described in S603 to S605, S609, and S610.

In some possible embodiments, please refer to fig. 3 above, where the determining, by the first network element, that the response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator is the first response information or the second response information includes: the message filter 312 in the first network element determines that the response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator is the first response information or the second response information.

That is, the message filter 312 may be configured to determine that the response message received by the first network element is the first response message or the second response message.

Fig. 7 is another schematic composition diagram of a first network element according to an embodiment of the present application.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in fig. 7, the first network element 310 may further include a user status register 315, an interface module 311, a message filter 312, a home operator message forwarding module 313, and a VN group configuration module 314, and the user status register 315 are connected to each other.

Optionally, if the message filter 312 determines that the result of determining whether the first response information is the subscription data acquisition response information is negative, the message filter 312 may further determine whether the first response information is a registration/deregistration success response information; if so, change the user state in the user state register 315; if not, the first response information from the home operator message forwarding module 313 is directly forwarded to the interface module 311, and the interface module 311 forwards the first response information to the AMF network element.

Optionally, if the first response message is a registration success response message, the message filter 312 sets the user status in the user status register 315 to be online; if the first response message is a response message indicating successful deregistration, the message filter 312 sets the user status in the user status register 315 to offline.

In one possible design, after the VN group configuration module 314 receives the VN group information sent by the VN group configuration platform 320, the user status in the user status register 315 may also be queried; and if the mobile terminal is online, triggering an updating process.

Wherein the update procedure is used for updating information of the VN group members in the VN group information. Such as UE ID, etc.

Exemplarily, the user divides the UE1 into members in the VN group 1 on the VN group configuration platform 320, the VN group configuration platform 320 updates the VN group information of the VN group 1 to the VN group configuration module 314 in response to the operation of the user, the VN group configuration platform 314 updates the VN group information of the VN group 1 in response to the VN group configuration module 320, queries the user status of the UE1 in the user status register 315, and assuming that the user status of the UE1 is online, the VN group configuration module 314 adds the UE1 to the VN group information of the VN group 1 and transmits to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element adds the UE1 to the VN group 1.

It is to be understood that some functions in different functional modules in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one functional unit.

Illustratively, the first network element 310, also shown in fig. 3 above, may include an interface module 311, a message filter 312, a home operator message forwarding module 313, and a VN group configuration module 314. The interface module 311 is connected to the message filter 312, the home operator message forwarding module 313, and the VN group configuration module 314, and is described in an implementation manner of functional units:

the function of the interface module 311 receiving the first request information sent by the AMF network element, the function of the interface module 311 receiving the second request information sent by the AMF network element, the function of the home operator message forwarding module 313 receiving the first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator, the function of the home operator message forwarding module 313 receiving the second response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator, and the like may be integrated as a receiving unit.

A function of the home operator message forwarding module 313 sending the first request information to the UDM network element of the target operator, a function of the home operator message forwarding module 313 sending the second request information to the UDM network element of the target operator, a function of the interface module 311 sending the first response information to the AMF network element, a function of the interface module 311 sending the second response information to the AMF network element, and the like may be integrated as a sending unit. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific dividing manner of the functional units.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a VN group configuring device according to an embodiment of the present application.

In some possible embodiments, the VN group configuring device may be applied to the first network element, and as shown in fig. 8, the VN group configuring device 80 may include: the receiving unit 81, the processing unit 82, and the transmitting unit 83 are connected, and the receiving unit 81, the processing unit 82, and the transmitting unit 83 are connected.

The receiving unit 81 may be configured to receive first request information sent by an AMF network element, where the first request information is used to request to acquire subscription data of a UE. The processing unit 82 may be configured to determine a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information. The sending unit 83 may be configured to send the first request information to a UDM network element of the target operator. The receiving unit 81 may be further configured to receive first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information, where the first response information includes subscription data of the UE. The processing unit 82 may be further configured to insert VN group information in the first response information. The sending unit 83 may be further configured to send, to the AMF network element, the first response message inserted into the VN group information.

Optionally, the first request information includes a first parameter of the UE, and the processing unit 82 is specifically configured to determine a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first parameter included in the first request information and a preset first relationship between the first parameter and the operator.

Optionally, the VN group configuring device is connected to a VN group configuring platform, and the receiving unit 81 may be further configured to receive the VN group information sent by the VN group configuring platform before the processing unit 82 inserts the VN group information in the first response information, where the VN group configuring platform is used by the administrator to configure the VN group information to the first network element.

Optionally, the receiving unit 81 may be further configured to receive second request information sent by the AMF network element, where the second request information is related to the UE. The processing unit 82 may be further configured to determine, according to the second request information, a target operator corresponding to the UE. The sending unit 83 may be further configured to send the second request information to the UDM network element of the target operator. The receiving unit 81 may be further configured to receive second response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the second request information. The sending unit 83 may be further configured to send the second response information to the AMF network element.

Fig. 9 is another schematic composition diagram of a VN group configuring device according to an embodiment of the present application.

In some possible embodiments, as shown in fig. 9, the VN group configuring device 80 may further include a storage unit 84, and the storage unit 84 is connected with the receiving unit 81, the processing unit 82, and the transmitting unit 83.

The storage unit 84 may be configured to store a status of the UE, where the status of the UE includes online or offline.

The processing unit 82 may be specifically configured to change the state of the UE in the storage unit 84 when the second response information includes registration/deregistration response success information, and control the sending unit 83 to send the second response information to the AMF network element.

The processing unit 82 may be specifically configured to directly control the sending unit 83 to send the second response information to the AMF network element when the second response information does not include registration/deregistration response success information.

Optionally, the processing unit 82 may be further configured to query the status of the UE stored in the storage unit 84, and update the VN group information when the status of the UE is online.

In one possible design, the first network element is a network element newly added to the core network, or an existing network element in the core network.

As shown in fig. 10, the electronic device may include: a processor 101 and a memory 102; memory storage 102 stores instructions executable by processor 101; the processor 101 is configured to execute the instructions, which when executed, cause the electronic device to implement the method as described in the previous embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions; the computer program instructions, when executed by an electronic device, cause the electronic device to implement a method as described in the preceding embodiments.

The computer readable storage medium may be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, which may be, for example, a ROM, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present application, but the 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 by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A virtual network VN group configuration method applied to a first network element, the method comprising:

the first network element receives first request information sent by an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, wherein the first request information is used for requesting to acquire subscription data of User Equipment (UE);

the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information;

the first network element sends the first request information to a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element of the target operator;

the first network element receives first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information, wherein the first response information comprises subscription data of the UE;

and the first network element inserts VN group information into the first response information, and sends the first response information with the VN group information inserted into the AMF network element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request information comprises a first parameter of the UE;

the determining, by the first network element, the target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information includes:

and the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first parameter included in the first request message and a preset correspondence between the first parameter and the operator.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first network element connects with a VN group configuration platform; before the first network element inserts VN group information in the first response information, the method further includes:

the first network element receives VN group information sent by the VN group configuration platform; and the VN group configuration platform is used for configuring VN group information to the first network element by an administrator.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the first network element receives second request information sent by the AMF network element, wherein the second request information is related to the UE;

the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the second request information;

the first network element sends the second request information to a UDM network element of the target operator;

the first network element receives second response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the second request information;

and the first network element sends the second response information to the AMF network element.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first network element comprises a user status register, and wherein the user status register is configured to store a status of the UE, and wherein the status of the UE comprises online or offline;

the sending, by the first network element, the second response information to the AMF network element includes:

when the second response information includes registration success response information or de-registration success response information, the first network element changes the state of the UE in the user status register and sends the second response information to the AMF network element;

and when the second response message does not comprise the registration success response message and the de-registration success response message, the first network element directly sends the second response message to the AMF network element.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

the first network element inquires the state of the UE stored in the user state register;

and when the state of the UE is online, the first network element updates the VN group information.

7. The method according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the first network element is a newly added network element in a core network or an existing network element in the core network.

8. A virtual network VN group configuration device applied to a first network element, the VN group configuration device comprising:

the mobile management function AMF network element is used for receiving first request information sent by an access and mobile management function AMF network element, wherein the first request information is used for requesting to acquire subscription data of user equipment UE;

a processing unit, configured to determine, according to the first request information, a target operator corresponding to the UE;

a sending unit, configured to send the first request information to a unified data management UDM network element of the target operator;

the receiving unit is further configured to receive first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information, where the first response information includes subscription data of the UE;

the processing unit is further configured to insert VN group information in the first response information;

the sending unit is further configured to send the first response message inserted with the VN group information to the AMF network element.

9. A network device, characterized in that the network device comprises: the system comprises an interface module, a message filter, a home operator message forwarding module and a VN group configuration module; the interface module, the home operator message forwarding module, and the VN group configuration module are connected to each other;

the interface module is used for receiving first request information sent by an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, wherein the first request information is used for requesting to acquire subscription data of User Equipment (UE);

the home operator message forwarding module is configured to determine, according to the first request message, a target operator corresponding to the UE, and send the first request message to a unified data management UDM network element of the target operator;

the home operator message forwarding module is further configured to receive first response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the first request information, where the first response information includes subscription data of the UE;

the VN group configuration module stores VN group configuration information;

the VN group configuration module is configured to insert VN group configuration information in the first response information;

the interface module is further configured to send the first response message indicating that the VN group information is inserted to the AMF network element.

10. An electronic device, characterized in that the electronic device comprises: a processor and a memory;

the memory stores instructions executable by the processor;

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

11. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium comprises: computer software instructions;

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