CN115776665B

CN115776665B - VN group configuration method, device, equipment and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN115776665B
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: 2024-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-06
Also published as: CN115776665A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a VN group configuration method, a device, 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: 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 method comprises the steps that a first network element receives first response information sent by a UDM network element of a target operator according to first request information, wherein the first response information comprises subscription data of UE; the first network element inserts the VN group information in the first response information and sends the first response information inserted with the VN group information to the AMF network element. The method can be suitable for 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 (5th generation mobile communication technology,5G) system includes a unified data management (unified DATA MANAGEMENT, UDM) network element. The UDM network element may be used for storing subscriber subscription data. The third generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project,3GPP) specifies that an operator can provide 5G local area network (local area network, LAN) services to subscribers in the form of Virtual Network (VN) groups through UDM network elements. For example, an operator may join different User Equipments (UEs) into the same VN group through a UDM network element, so that a 5G LAN service such as point-to-point 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 stored in respective UDM network elements, and the standard VN group scheme requires the UDM network elements to authenticate authentication information by querying the user subscription data. The premise of the operator configuring the 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, the UEs which are inevitably required to belong to different operators join the same VN group, but the current scheme cannot configure the same VN group for the UEs which belong to different operators. For example, assuming that the network environment in the factory is deployed by the operator a, most of the devices also use the internet of things network card of the operator a, but there are some devices in the factory that use the internet of things network card of the operator B, at this time, the operator a cannot query the user subscription data of the device that uses the internet of things network card of the operator B, the operator B cannot query the user subscription data of the device that uses the internet of things network card of the operator a, and the current solution cannot configure the same VN group for the device that uses the internet of things network card of the operator B and the device that uses the internet of things network card of the operator a.

Disclosure of Invention

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

In a first aspect, the present application provides a VN group configuration method, where the method is applied to a first network element, and the method includes:

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

In a possible implementation, the first request information 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, and the method comprises the following steps: the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to a first parameter included in the first request information and a corresponding relation between the preset first parameter and the operator.

In another possible implementation manner, the first network element is connected with the VN group configuration platform; 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 a VN group configuration platform; the VN group configuration platform is used for an administrator to configure VN group information to the first network element.

In yet 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 the 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; the first network element sends second response information to the AMF network element.

In yet another possible implementation, the first network element includes a user status register, where the user status register is configured 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 information comprises the registration success response information or the deregistration success response information, the first network element changes the state of the UE in the user state register and sends the second response information to the AMF network element; when the second response information does not include the registration success response information and the deregistration success response information, the first network element directly sends the second response information to the AMF network element.

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

In yet another possible implementation manner, the first network element is a newly added 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 from 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 a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first parameter of the UE corresponding to the first request information in the first request information, 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 the subscription data of the UE, and send the first response information in which the VN group information is inserted to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element receives the first response information in which the VN group information is inserted, so that VN group information and the subscription data of the UE are obtained, thereby configuring the VN group.

Because the first network element can respectively receive the subscription data of the UEs sent by the UDM network elements of different operators, the UEs in the VN group configured by the VN group configuration method provided by the embodiment of the application can belong to different operators, that is, the same VN group can be configured for the UEs belonging to different operators by using the VN group configuration method provided by the embodiment of the application. 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 apparatus, which is applied to the first network element described in the first aspect, and the apparatus includes: the receiving unit, the processing unit, and the transmitting unit are connected.

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 the 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. And the sending unit is used for sending the first request information to the 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 into the first response information. And the sending unit is also used for sending the first response information inserted with 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, according to the first parameter included in the first request information and a first relationship between the preset first parameter and the operator, a target operator corresponding to the UE.

In another possible implementation manner, the VN group configuring device is connected to a VN group configuring platform, and the receiving unit is further configured to receive 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 to configure the VN group information to the first network element by an administrator.

In yet 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 also used for determining a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the second request information. And the sending unit is also used for sending the second request information to the UDM network element of the target operator. 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 also used for sending the second response information to the AMF network element.

In a further 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, wherein 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 transmitting unit to transmit the second response information to the AMF network element when the second response information does not include the registration/deregistration response success information.

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

In a third aspect, the present application provides a network device comprising: the device 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 each other.

The interface module is used for receiving first request information sent by the AMF network element, wherein the first request information is used for requesting to acquire the subscription data of the UE. The home operator message forwarding module is used for determining a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information and sending the first request information 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; and the VN group configuration module is used for inserting the VN group configuration information into the first response information. And the interface module is also used for sending first response information inserted with the VN group information to the AMF network element.

In a possible implementation, 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 information, a target operator corresponding to the UE, and includes: the home operator message forwarding module determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first parameter included in the first request information and a preset corresponding relation between the first parameter and the operator.

In another possible implementation manner, the VN group configuration module in the network device is connected to the VN group configuration platform; the VN group configuration module is used for receiving the VN group information sent by the VN group configuration platform before the VN group configuration information is inserted into the first response information; the VN group configuration platform is used for an administrator to configure VN group information to the VN group configuration module.

In yet another possible implementation manner, the interface module is further configured to receive second request information sent by the AMF network element, where the second request information is related to the UE. The home operator message forwarding module is further configured to determine a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the second request information, and send the second request information 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 also 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, where the user status register is connected to the interface module, the home operator message forwarding module, and the VN set configuration module. And the user state register is used for storing the state of the UE, wherein the state 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 deregistration success response information, change a state of the UE in the user state register by the first network element, and send the second response information to the AMF network element; when the second response information does not include the registration success response information and the deregistration 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 a state of the UE stored in the user state register; when the state of the UE is online, 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 implement the method of the first aspect 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 an electronic device, cause the electronic device to implement the method of the first aspect described above.

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

Drawings

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

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

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

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

fig. 4 is a flow chart 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 application;

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

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

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

fig. 9 is another schematic diagram of a VN set configuration 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 following description of the embodiments of the present application will be made clearly and completely with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which it is apparent that the embodiments described are only some embodiments of the present application, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the application without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the application.

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

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

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

Illustratively, fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a 5G system. As shown in fig. 1, the 5G system may include: AN Access Network (AN) device/radio access network (radio access network, RAN) device (i.e., AN/RAN in fig. 1), and core network elements such as user plane function (user plane function, UPF) network elements, data Network (DN), access and mobility management function (ACCESS AND mobility management function, AMF) network elements, session management function (session management function, SMF) network elements, control policy function (policy control function, PCF) network elements, application function (application function, AF) network elements, network slice selection function (network slice selection function, NSSF) network elements, authentication service function (authentication server function, AUSF) network elements, unified data management (unified DATA MANAGEMENT, UDM) network elements, and the like. A User Equipment (UE), such as a mobile phone, may access the core network through AN/RAN device or directly connect to AN AMF network element through AN N1 interface.

The AUSF network element is used for authenticating the UE, and the UDM network element is used for storing subscription data of the UE, for example, the subscription data may be a service, package, basic bandwidth, etc. subscribed by the user. In actual deployment, AUSF network elements and UDM network elements are typically deployed in a co-located manner. The DN may be a corresponding data network for operator services, internet access, third party services, etc.

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

The third generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project,3GPP) specifies that an operator can provide 5G local area network (local area network, LAN) services to subscribers in the form of Virtual Network (VN) groups through UDM network elements. For example, an operator may join different User Equipments (UEs) into the same VN group through a UDM network element, so that a 5G LAN service such as point-to-point communication, broadcast communication, and multicast communication may be implemented between different UEs in the same VN group.

Under the background, the embodiment of the application provides a VN group configuration method, which can 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, AUSF network elements, or 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 the UDM network element of the 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 after the VN group information is inserted into the first response information, forward the first response information inserted with the VN group information to the AMF network element.

The first request information is used for requesting to acquire the 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 to enable the first network element to have the function of the first network element. For example, an AMF network element or an SMF network element, etc. It should be appreciated that when the first network element is an existing network element in the 5G core network, the connection relationship between the first network element and the other network elements may be as described above with reference to fig. 1. The embodiment of the application does not limit the arrangement mode of the first network element.

It is understood that the first network element may be a complete network device, such as a server or a computer, etc.; but may also be part of a network device; and may be a distributed system of multiple network devices, such as a server cluster, etc. The embodiment of the application does not limit the specific implementation mode of the first network element.

The following describes the VN group configuration method provided by the embodiment of the present application by uniformly using the first network element as a newly added network element in the 5G core network.

Fig. 2 is a schematic 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, where 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, and AN UDM network element of AN operator, etc. The UE and the AMF network element can be connected through AN N1 interface, the UE can be connected with AN AN device/RAN device, the AN device/RAN device and the AMF network element can be connected through AN N2 interface, the AN device/RAN device 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 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 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 AN 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 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 and the message filter 312, the home operator message forwarding module 313, and the VN group configuration module 314 are connected to each other.

The interface module 311 of the first network element may be configured to receive 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 the UDM network element of the 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 a UDM network element of the target operator corresponding to the first request information according to the first request information. The VN group configuration module 314 stores therein VN group configuration information. The first network element may insert VN group configuration information in the first response information, e.g. the interface module 311 or the VN group configuration module 314 may be configured to insert 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 flow chart of a VN group configuration 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 first request information to the first network element 310, where the first request information 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 obtain 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, and 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: the first network element determines a target operator corresponding to the UE according to a first parameter of the UE included in the first request information and a corresponding relation between the preset first parameter and the operator.

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

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

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

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

For example, assuming that the mobile phone with the mobile phone number 186 xxxxxxx sends N1 interface request information 1 to the AMF network element, where the N1 interface information 1 includes the mobile phone number 186 xxxxxxxxx, the AMF network element generates first request information 1 according to the N1 interface request information 1, where the first request information 1 also includes the mobile phone number 186 xxxxxxxxx, and the AMF network element sends the first request information 1 to the first network element, 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 186 xxxxxxxxx is a chinese UNICOM, and the first network element 310 can determine that an IP address of a UDM network element of the chinese UNICOM is 10.100 xxx.

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

In some possible embodiments, the target operator UDM network element sends the first response information to the first network element according to the first request information, including: the target operator UDM network element determines UE corresponding to the first parameter according to the first parameter in the first request information, inquires subscription data corresponding to the UE corresponding to the first parameter in stored subscription data, generates 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 the 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 VN group information in 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: UE Identification (ID) corresponding to a UE that can configure a VN group, VN group ID of a VN group that can configure a VN group made up of UEs of the VN group, secondary authentication information, and the like. For example, the ue id may be a universal public user identity (generic public subscription identification, GPSI), or the like.

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

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

It may be appreciated that the first response information into which the VN group information is inserted may include VN group information and subscription data of the UE, and after the AMF network element acquires the VN group information and the subscription data of the UE, the AMF network element may configure the VN group according to the VN group information.

Illustratively, taking the example that the above-mentioned VN group information includes a UE ID and a VN group ID, assuming that the UE ID includes a UE ID1, a UE ID2, a UE ID3, and a UE ID 4, the VN group ID includes a VN group ID1 and a VN group ID2, the VN group ID1 corresponds to the UE ID1 and the UE ID2, the VN group ID2 corresponds to the UE ID3 and the UE ID 4, the AMF network element may configure UEs corresponding to the UE ID1 and the UE ID2 as one VN group according to the VN group ID1 corresponds to the UE ID1 and the UE ID2, and the VN group ID of the group is the VN group ID1; according to the corresponding UEID 3 and UEID 4 of the VN group ID2, configuring the UE corresponding to the UEID 3 and the UEID 4 as one VN group, wherein the VN group ID of the group is the VN group ID 2.

In the VN group configuration method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the first network element may receive the first request information sent from 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 a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the number segment information of the UE corresponding to the first request information in the first request information, 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 the subscription data of the UE, and send the first response information in which the VN group information is inserted to the AMF network element, and the AMF network element receives the first response information in which the VN group information is inserted, so that VN group information and the subscription data of the UE are obtained, thereby configuring the VN group.

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

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

It may be appreciated that the VN group configuration platform 320 may be a device independent of the first network element 310, or the VN group configuration platform 320 may also be a functional module integrated on the first network element 310, which is not limited by the specific implementation of the VN group configuration platform 320 in the embodiment of the present application.

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 still other possible embodiments, the request information sent by the AMF network element received by the first network element may 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 session request information of a protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) which does not involve subscription data, such as NF registration/deregistration, user location update, etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not limit a specific type of the second request information.

With continued reference to fig. 3, when the request information sent by the AMF network element and received by the first network element is the second request information, the interface module 311 of the first network element may be further 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 be further 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 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 AN device/RAN device.

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

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

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

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

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

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

It may be understood that the specific step of determining, by the first network element, the target operator corresponding to the UE according to the second request information may be described in the target operator corresponding to the UE according to the first request information by referring to the first network element, which is not described herein.

And S605, the first network element sends second request information to AUSF network elements corresponding to the target operators.

Correspondingly, AUSF network elements corresponding to the target operators can receive the second request information sent by the first network element.

S606, the AUSF network element corresponding to the target operator sends 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 transmits 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.

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 AUSF network elements corresponding to the target operators.

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

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

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

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

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

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

That is, in the embodiment of the present application, the first network element may receive the 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. 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 S603 to S605, S609, and S610 described above.

In some possible embodiments, please continue to refer to fig. 3, the first network element may determine that the response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator is the first response information or the second response information, which 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 information received by the first network element is the first response information or the second response information.

Fig. 7 is another schematic diagram of the 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 comprise a user status register 315, and the interface module 311, the message filter 312, the home operator message forwarding module 313, and the VN group configuration module 314, and the user status register 315 are connected to each other.

Alternatively, if the message filter 312 determines whether the first response message is the subscription data acquisition response message, the message filter 312 may further determine whether the first response message is a registration/deregistration success response message; if yes, 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.

Alternatively, 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 deregistration success response message, the message filter 312 sets the user status in the user status register 315 offline.

In one possible design, after receiving the VN group information sent by the VN group configuration platform 320, the VN group configuration module 314 may also query the user status in the user status register 315; if online, triggering an update flow.

The updating flow is used for updating the information of the VN group members in the VN group information. Such as UE ID, etc.

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

It is understood that some functions of 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 and the message filter 312, the home operator message forwarding module 313, and the VN group configuration module 314 are connected to each other by way of example, and description will be given of implementation of the functional units:

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

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

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a VN group configuration 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, as shown in fig. 8, and the VN group configuring device 80 may include: receiving section 81, processing section 82, and transmitting section 83, and receiving section 81, processing section 82, and transmitting section 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 obtain subscription data of the UE. The processing unit 82 may be configured to determine, according to the first request information, a target operator corresponding to the UE. 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 first response information inserted into VN group information to the AMF network element.

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

Optionally, the VN group configuring means is connected to a VN group configuring platform, and the receiving unit 81 may be further configured to receive 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 configured by an 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 a 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 diagram of a VN set configuration device according to an embodiment of the present application.

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

The storage unit 84 may be configured to store a state of the UE, where the state 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 the registration/deregistration response success information.

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

In one possible design, the first network element is a newly added network element in 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 store 102 stores instructions executable by processor 101; the processor 101 is configured to execute instructions to cause the electronic device to implement the method as described in the previous embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, embodiments of the application also provide 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 the method as described in the previous embodiments.

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

The foregoing is merely illustrative of specific embodiments of the present application, and the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, but any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application should be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a VN group of a virtual network, the method being 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;

The first network element inserts VN group information in the first response information and sends the first response information inserted with the VN group information to the AMF network element;

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 the 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; the first network element comprises a user state register, wherein the user state register is used for storing the state of the UE, and the state of the UE comprises online or offline;

When the second response information comprises registration success response information or deregistration success response information, the first network element changes the state of the UE in the user state register and sends 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 deregistration success response information, the first network element directly sends the second response information to the AMF network element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first request information comprises 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 information and a corresponding relation between the preset first parameter and the operator.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first network element is connected to a VN group configuration platform; the first network element inserts VN group information in the first response information, and the method further includes:

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

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

The first network element queries 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.

5. The method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the first network element is a newly added network element in the core network or an existing network element in the core network.

6. A virtual network VN group configuring apparatus, characterized in that the virtual network VN group configuring apparatus is applied to a first network element, the virtual network VN group configuring apparatus comprising:

The receiving unit is used for receiving first request information sent by an AMF network element, wherein the first request information is used for requesting to acquire subscription data of User Equipment (UE);

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 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 into the first response information;

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

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;

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

the sending unit is further configured to send the second request information to a UDM network element of the target operator;

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;

The virtual network VN group configuring apparatus further includes: a storage unit; 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 further configured to change a state of the UE in the storage unit when the second response information includes registration success response information or deregistration success response information, and control the sending unit to 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 deregistration success response information, directly controlling the sending unit to send the second response information to the AMF network element.

7. A network device, the network device comprising: 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 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 information, a target operator corresponding to the UE, and send the first request information 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 used for inserting VN group configuration information into the first response information;

the interface module is further configured to send the first response information inserted with VN group information to the AMF network element;

the interface module is further configured to receive second request information sent by the AMF network element, where the second request information is related to the UE;

the home operator message forwarding module is further configured to determine a target operator corresponding to the UE according to the second request information, and send the second request information to a UDM network element of the target operator; receiving second response information sent by the UDM network element of the target operator according to the second request information; the network device further comprises a user status register for storing a status of the UE, the status of the UE including online or offline;

The interface module is further configured to change a state of the UE in the user state register and send the second response information to the AMF network element when the second response information includes registration success response information or deregistration success response information; and when the second response information does not comprise the registration success response information and the deregistration success response information, directly sending the second response information to the AMF network element.

8. An electronic device, the electronic device comprising: a processor and a memory;

The memory stores instructions executable by the processor;

The processor is configured to, when executing the instructions, cause the electronic device to implement the method of any one of claims 1-5.

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

When executed in an electronic device, causes the electronic device to implement the method of any one of claims 1-5.