CN116321115A

CN116321115A - Method, device and system for distributing IP addresses for 5G network

Info

Publication number: CN116321115A
Application number: CN202111574063.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 张雪; 李华楠; 曹亚平; 郑洁莹; 徐洪磊
Original assignee: China Telecom Corp Ltd
Current assignee: China Telecom Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-21
Filing date: 2021-12-21
Publication date: 2023-06-23

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method, a device and a system for allocating IP addresses for a 5G network, and a computer storage medium, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method for allocating an internet protocol, IP, address for a 5G network includes: constructing a static IP address pool, wherein the static IP address pool comprises the corresponding relation between different User Equipment (UE) and static IP addresses; receiving a request for establishing a protocol data unit PDU session from a current UE; and distributing a static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the request for establishing the PDU session and the static IP address pool, wherein the static IP address distributed to the current UE is used for the interaction between a Radio Access Network (RAN) network element and the current UE to establish the PDU session. According to the method and the device, the application scene of the 5G network service can be expanded.

Description

Method, device and system for distributing IP addresses for 5G network

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, a system, and a computer-readable medium for allocating IP addresses for a 5G network.

Background

The user downlink rate of the 5G network can reach 1Gbps (Gigabit Per Second ), the air interface delay can reach ms (Millisecond) level, and the mobile is very good. The 5G wireless network has great market space in important industries such as media, medical treatment, finance, industry and the like, and the 5G private line business is used as a main product and service of 5G in the government enterprises market, so that the enterprises can quickly acquire bandwidth resources, and the working efficiency is improved.

In the related art, compared with the traditional government and enterprise private line, in the process of establishing different PDU (Protocol Data Unit ) sessions, the 5G private line allocates different IP (Internet Protocol ) addresses to the same UE (User Equipment), that is, allocates a dynamic IP address to the same UE.

Disclosure of Invention

In the related art, a user of a UE for a 5G dedicated line cannot know an IP address allocated thereto in advance before being on line, thereby limiting some application scenarios of a 5G network service that needs to use a static IP address (also referred to as a fixed IP address).

Aiming at the technical problems, the present disclosure provides a solution, which can expand the application scenario of the 5G network service.

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method of assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network, comprising: constructing a static IP address pool, wherein the static IP address pool comprises the corresponding relation between different User Equipment (UE) and static IP addresses; receiving a request for establishing a protocol data unit PDU session from a current UE; and distributing a static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the request for establishing the PDU session and the static IP address pool, wherein the static IP address distributed to the current UE is used for the interaction between a Radio Access Network (RAN) network element and the current UE to establish the PDU session.

In some embodiments, the request to establish a PDU session includes a current 5G globally unique temporary UE identity, 5G-GUTI, of the current UE, the current 5G-GUTI including an identification bit for indicating a type of IP address corresponding to the current UE, the type of IP address including a static IP address and a dynamic IP address, the method of assigning an IP address further comprising: and responding to the received request for establishing the PDU session, acquiring the value of the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI, wherein under the condition that the value of the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI is a first value, a static IP address corresponding to the current UE is allocated to the current UE according to the current 5G-GUTI and the static IP address pool.

In some embodiments, the current 5G-GUTI is determined by an AMF network element during registration of the current UE based on subscription information of the current UE, the identification bit of the current 5G-GUTI is a first value if the subscription information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has subscribed to a static IP address, and the identification bit of the current 5G-GUTI is a second value if the subscription information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has not subscribed to the static IP address.

In some embodiments, building the static IP address pool includes: receiving a static IP address comparison table from at least one access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, wherein the static IP address comparison table of each AMF network element comprises a corresponding relation between 5G-GUTI and a static IP address, wherein the corresponding relation is allocated to UE (user equipment) which accesses the AMF network element and has signed a static IP address, and the identification bit of the 5G-GUTI in the corresponding relation is a first value; and constructing the static IP address pool according to the static IP address comparison table of the at least one AMF network element.

In some embodiments, the static IP address pool includes a correspondence between a 5G-GUTI and a static IP address, and assigning a static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the current 5G-GUTI and the static IP address pool includes: according to the corresponding relation between the 5G-GUTI and the static IP address, determining the static IP address corresponding to the current 5G-GUTI as a target static IP address; and distributing the target static IP address to the current UE.

In some embodiments, the method of assigning an IP address further comprises: constructing a dynamic IP address pool, wherein the dynamic IP address pool is configured with at least one IP address range; and under the condition that the value of the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI is a second value, distributing a dynamic IP address to the current UE according to the dynamic IP address pool or distributing a dynamic IP address to the current UE according to the dynamic IP address pool under the condition that the static IP address corresponding to the current UE does not exist in the static IP address pool, and using the dynamic IP address distributed to the current UE for the RAN network element to interactively establish PDU session with the current UE.

In some embodiments, the dynamic IP address and the static IP address are IPv4 or IPv6.

In some embodiments, the method of assigning an IP address further comprises: and transmitting the static IP address or the dynamic IP address allocated for the current UE to a user plane function UPF network element and the RAN network element.

In some embodiments, receiving a request from a user equipment, current UE, to establish a protocol data unit, PDU, session includes: and receiving a request for establishing PDU session from the current UE through an access and mobility management function AMF network element which is accessed by the current UE.

In some embodiments, the method of assigning IP addresses is performed by a service management function, SMF, network element.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an apparatus for assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network, comprising: the construction module is configured to construct a static IP address pool, wherein the static IP address pool comprises the corresponding relations between different User Equipment (UE) and static IP addresses; a receiving module configured to receive a request from a current UE to establish a protocol data unit, PDU, session; and the allocation module is configured to allocate a static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the request for establishing the PDU session and the static IP address pool, wherein the static IP address allocated to the current UE is used for the interaction between a Radio Access Network (RAN) network element and the current UE to establish the PDU session.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an apparatus for assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to perform the method of assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network of any of the embodiments described above based on instructions stored in the memory.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a system for assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network, comprising: session management function, SMF, network element configured to perform a method of allocating internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network according to any of claims 1-10.

In some embodiments, the system for assigning IP addresses further comprises: the access and mobility management function AMF network element of the latest access of the current UE is configured to: in response to receiving a registration request from the current UE, acquiring subscription information of the current UE from a UDM network element, the subscription information of the current UE including information indicating whether the current UE subscribes to a static IP address; setting an identification bit of the current 5G-GUTI as a first value under the condition that the subscription information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has subscribed to a static IP address; distributing a corresponding static IP address for the current UE; writing the current 5G-GUTI and the static IP address corresponding to the current UE into a static IP address comparison table of an AMF network element accessed by the current UE; and transmitting a static IP address comparison table of the AMF network element accessed by the current UE to the SMF network element, and constructing a static IP address pool by the SMF network element.

In some embodiments, in a case that the current UE has subscribed to a static IP address, the subscription information of the current UE further includes an IP address version of the static IP address to which the current UE has subscribed, the IP address version including IPv4 and IPv6, and the AMF network element that the current UE has newly accessed is further configured to: and distributing a static IP address corresponding to the IP address version in the subscription information of the current UE for the current UE.

In some embodiments, in a case where the current UE has an AMF network element with a history of access, the system for allocating an IP address further includes: the AMF network element accessed by the current UE in the last history is configured to: and deleting the context information of the current UE and the information related to the current UE in a static IP comparison table corresponding to the AMF network element which is accessed by the current UE in the last history after the current UE is mutually de-registered and de-subscribed with the UDM network element.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer program instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement a method of assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network according to any of the embodiments described above.

In the above embodiment, the application scenario of the 5G network service may be expanded.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

The disclosure may be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of assigning IP addresses according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a format of a current 5G-GUTI according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for assigning IP addresses according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for assigning IP addresses according to further embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system for assigning IP addresses according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 is a signaling diagram illustrating a method of assigning IP addresses according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is a signaling diagram illustrating building a static IP address pool according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a computer system for implementing some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that: the relative arrangement of the components and steps, numerical expressions and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure unless it is specifically stated otherwise.

Meanwhile, it should be understood that the sizes of the respective parts shown in the drawings are not drawn in actual scale for convenience of description.

The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses.

Techniques, methods, and apparatus known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but are intended to be part of the specification where appropriate.

In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be construed as merely illustrative, and not a limitation. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

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

Fig. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of assigning IP addresses according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 1, the method for allocating an IP address for a 5G network includes steps S11 to S13. In some embodiments, the method of assigning IP addresses is performed by an SMF (Service Management Function, traffic management function) network element.

In step S11, a static IP address pool is constructed. The static IP address pool comprises the corresponding relation between different User Equipment (UE) and the static IP addresses.

In step S12, a request from the current UE to establish a PDU session is received.

In some embodiments, the request from the current UE to establish the PDU session may be received by an AMF network element that the current UE has recently accessed.

In some embodiments, the request to establish the PDU session includes the current 5G-GUTI (5G Globally Unique Temporary UE Identity) of the current UE. The current 5G-GUTI includes an identification bit for indicating a type of IP address corresponding to the current UE, the type of IP address including a static IP address and a dynamic IP address. By introducing the identification bit indicating the type of the IP address corresponding to the current UE into the 5G-GUTI, the type of the allocated IP address can be quickly and efficiently selected in the process of allocating the IP address, and the allocation is performed under the corresponding type of the IP address, so that the allocation efficiency of the IP address is improved. In addition, the method for setting the fixed identification bit in the 5G-GUTI is not only suitable for fixed IP identification, but also suitable for the scenes of government enterprises/personal business distinction, special slicing user distinction and the like.

In some embodiments, the current UE corresponds to a static IP address if the identification bit is a first value and corresponds to a dynamic IP address if the identification bit is a second value. For example, the first and second values are 1 and 0, or 0 and 1. For another example, the first and second values are T and F, or F and T.

In some embodiments, an identification bit indicating the type of IP address to which the current UE corresponds may be introduced in the 5G-TMSI field in the 5G-GUTI. For example, the first bit in the 5G-TMSI field may be used as an identification bit indicating the type of IP address to which the current UE corresponds. It should be appreciated that the identification bit indicating the type of IP address to which the current UE corresponds may also be introduced in other fields or other bits of the 5G-TMSI field.

Taking the first bit of the 5G-TMSI field in the 5G-GUTI as an identification bit indicating the type of IP address to which the current UE corresponds as an example, fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the format of the current 5G-GUTI according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 2, the current 5G-GUTI of the current UE includes a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network ) ID (Identity document, identity) field, an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function ) identity field, and a 5G-TMSI (5G Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity,5G temporary mobile subscriber identity) field.

The PLMN ID field includes an MCC (Mobile Country Code ) field (12 bits, i.e., 12 bits), and an MNC (Mobile Network Code ) field (12 bits). The AMF identification field includes an AMF region ID field (16 bits), an AMF set ID field (4 bits), and an AMF pointer field (4 bits). The 5G-TMSI field is 32 bits in total, and the first bit is used as an identification bit for indicating the type of IP address corresponding to the current UE. As shown in fig. 2, the first bit of the 5G-TMSI field has a value of T. For example, the type of IP address denoted by T is a static IP address.

The PLMN ID field and AMF identification field together constitute a GUAMI (Globally Unique Authentication Management Identity ). The AMF set ID field, AMF pointer field and 5G-TMSI field together constitute a 5G-S-TMIS (5G Shorten Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity,5G short temporary mobile subscriber identity).

In some embodiments, the current 5G-GUTI is determined based on subscription information of the current UE during registration of the current UE. And under the condition that the subscription information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has subscribed to the static IP address, the identification bit of the current 5G-GUTI is a first value. And under the condition that the subscription information of the current UE indicates that the current UE does not sign the static IP address, the identification bit of the current 5G-GUTI is a second value. By allocating the static IP address to the UE by the AMF network element based on the subscription information of the UE during the registration of the UE, it is possible to achieve that the static IP address corresponding to the UE may still keep the static IP address unchanged when the UE switches the UPF ((User Plane Function, user plane function) network element or roams without switching the AMF network element.

Returning to fig. 1, in step S13, according to the request for establishing the PDU session and the static IP address pool, the static IP address corresponding to the current UE is allocated to the current UE. The static IP address assigned for the current UE is used for the RAN (Radio Access Network ) network element to interactively establish the PDU session with the current UE.

In some embodiments, taking the example of including the current 5G-GUTI in the request to establish the PDU session, the value of the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI is obtained in response to receiving the request to establish the PDU session. And under the condition that the value of the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI is a first value, distributing a static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the current 5G-GUTI and the static IP address pool.

In the 5G network service, not all application scenes need to use the static IP address, and by introducing an identification bit indicating the type of the IP address into the 5G-GUTI, the UE needing to be allocated with the static IP address and the UE not needing to be allocated with the static IP address can be distinguished, so that the overall IP address allocation efficiency of all the UEs in the 5G network can be improved. If IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version, internet protocol version 6) is introduced subsequently, more industry users sign up for the fixed IP service, the number of static IP address pools increases due to the increase of the fixed IP users, each user queries the static IP address pools and then redistributes the dynamic/static IP addresses, which results in the problems of high system load and large delay, the query amount is greatly reduced after the 5G-GUTI fixed IP address identification bit is set, and the dynamic IP users can directly distribute the dynamic IP according to the identification bit.

In some embodiments, the SMF network element also builds a dynamic IP address pool. The dynamic IP address pool is configured with at least one IP address range. For example, the dynamic IP address pool has an address range of IPd to IPdx.

Under the condition that the value of the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI is a second value, a dynamic IP address is allocated to the current UE according to the dynamic IP address pool, or under the condition that the static IP address corresponding to the current UE does not exist in the static IP address pool, a dynamic IP address is allocated to the current UE according to the dynamic IP address pool, and the dynamic IP address allocated to the current UE is used for the RAN network element to interactively establish PDU session with the current UE.

In the above embodiment, by constructing the static IP address pool, the user equipment is preferentially allocated with the static IP address in the process of establishing the PDU session by the user equipment, so that the user equipment can enjoy the network service which can only be enjoyed by using the static IP address in the 5G network, and the application scenario and the service range of the 5G network service, especially the application scenario and the related service of the government and enterprise are enlarged. The method can be oriented to a 5G private network, provides an IP realization scheme for wide area networking scenes of government and enterprise customers, can realize flexible mutual access between a 5G side intranet and a fixed access side intranet and among a plurality of 5G side intranets in fixed-shift fusion networking, meets the requirement of diversified networking services of the government and enterprise industry, can also be oriented to a 5G public network, provides fixed IP configuration for broadband or government and enterprise customers 5G access Internet scenes, can provide public network IP allocation, and provides an entrance for open access oriented to the public network based on 5G access.

In some embodiments, the above step S11 may be implemented to construct a static IP address pool as follows.

First, a static IP address lookup table is received from at least one AMF network element. The static IP address comparison table of each AMF network element comprises the corresponding relation between the static IP address and the 5G-GUTI allocated by each AMF network element for the UE which accesses the AMF network element and has signed the static IP address. The identification bit of the 5G-GUTI in the corresponding relation is a first value. It should be appreciated that one SMF network element controls one or more AMF network elements, and that different UEs may access different AMF network elements, such that the SMF network element receives a static IP address lookup table for the one or more AMF network elements it controls.

The at least one AMF network element may comprise an AMF network element to which the current UE is connected, in which case the current UE is assigned a static IP address. Similarly, the at least one AMF network element may not include the AMF network element to which the current UE is connected, in which case, if the identification bit is included in the current 5G-GUTI of the current UE, the dynamic IP address is allocated to the current UE directly according to the dynamic IP address pool. If the current 5G-GUTI of the current UE does not comprise the identification bit, the static IP address pool does not have the static IP address corresponding to the current UE, and the dynamic IP address is allocated for the current UE.

And then, constructing a static IP address pool according to the static IP address comparison table of at least one AMF network element. For example, a static IP address mapping table of at least one AMF network element is fused to obtain a static IP address pool.

For example, table 1 shows a static IP address pool.

TABLE 1

Sequence number	5G-GUTI	Static IP address
			1	5G-GUTI1	IPf1
2	5G-GUTI2	IPf2
			3	5G-GUTI3	IPf3
…	…	…
			n	5G-GUTIn	IPfn

In some embodiments, the static IP address pool includes a correspondence between a 5G-GUTI and a static IP address, and assigning the static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the current 5G-GUTI and the static IP address pool includes: according to the corresponding relation between the 5G-GUTI and the static IP address, determining the static IP address corresponding to the current 5G-GUTI as a target static IP address; and allocating the target static IP address to the current UE.

In some embodiments, the dynamic IP address and the static IP address are IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version, internet protocol version 4) or IPv6.

In some embodiments, after the static IP address or the dynamic IP address is allocated to the current UE, the static IP address or the dynamic IP address allocated to the current UE is sent to the UPF network element and the RAN network element.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for assigning IP addresses according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 3, the apparatus 31 for allocating an IP address for a 5G network includes a construction module 311, a reception module 312, and an allocation module 313.

The construction module 311 is configured to construct a static IP address pool comprising correspondence between different user equipments UE and static IP addresses, for example performing step S11 as shown in fig. 1.

The receiving module 312 is configured to receive a request from the current UE to establish a protocol data unit PDU session, e.g. to perform step S12 as shown in fig. 1.

The allocation module 313 is configured to allocate a static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the request for establishing a PDU session and the static IP address pool, where the static IP address allocated to the current UE is used for the RAN network element of the radio access network to interactively establish the PDU session with the current UE, for example, performing step S13 shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus for assigning IP addresses according to further embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 4, the apparatus 41 for allocating an IP address for a 5G network includes a memory 411; and a processor 421 coupled to the memory 411. The memory 41 is used for storing instructions for performing a corresponding embodiment of the method for assigning IP addresses for 5G networks. Processor 412 is configured to perform the method of assigning IP addresses for a 5G network in any of the embodiments of the present disclosure based on instructions stored in memory 411.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a system for assigning IP addresses according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 5, the system 5 for assigning IP addresses for 5G networks includes an SMF network element 51. The SMF network element 51 is configured to perform the method of allocating IP addresses for a 5G network in any of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the system 5 for assigning an IP address further includes a first AMF network element 52 that is recently accessed by the current UE. It should be understood that the UE is moving continuously, so the AMF network element it accesses is also changing in a handover, the latest here referring to the current moment.

The first AMF network element 52 is configured to:

in response to receiving a registration request from a current UE, acquiring subscription information of the current UE from a UDM network element, the subscription information of the current UE including information indicating whether the current UE subscribes to a static IP address;

setting an identification bit of the current 5G-GUTI as a first value under the condition that the subscription information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has subscribed to the static IP address;

distributing a corresponding static IP address for the current UE;

writing the current 5G-GUTI and the static IP address corresponding to the current UE into a static IP address comparison table of an AMF network element accessed by the current UE;

and transmitting a static IP address comparison table of the AMF network element accessed by the current UE to the SMF network element, and constructing a static IP address pool by the SMF network element.

In some embodiments, during the registration process of the UE, the AMF network element allocates a static IP address to the UE based on subscription information of the UE and synchronizes the static IP address to the SMF network element, and during the PDU session establishment process of the UE, the SMF network element allocates the allocated fixed IP address to the UE, so that the static IP address corresponding to the UE can still keep the static IP address unchanged under the condition that the UE does not switch the AMF network element, the UPF ((User Plane Function, user plane function) network element, or roaming.

In some embodiments, in the case where the current UE has subscribed to a static IP address, the subscription information of the current UE further includes an IP address version of the static IP address to which the current UE has subscribed. The IP address version includes IPv4 and IPv6. The first AMF network element 52 is further configured to: and distributing a static IP address corresponding to the IP address version in the subscription information of the current UE for the current UE.

In some embodiments, the system 5 for assigning an IP address further includes a second AMF network element 53 that was last historically accessed by the current UE, in the case where the current UE has a historically accessed AMF network element.

The second AMF network element 53 is configured to delete the context information of the current UE and the information related to the current UE (i.e. the correspondence between the 5G-GUTI of the current UE and the static IP address) in the static IP lookup table corresponding to the second AMF network element 52 after the interaction with the UDM network element to cancel the registration and cancel the subscription.

Fig. 6 is a signaling diagram illustrating a method of assigning IP addresses according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 6, the method of assigning an IP address includes steps S600 to S608.

In step S600, the SMF network element builds a static IP address pool and a dynamic IP address pool. In some embodiments, the static IP address pool includes a correspondence between 5G-GUTI and static IP addresses.

In step S601, the first AMF network element receives a request from a current UE to establish a PDU session. In some embodiments, the request to establish a PDU session includes the current 5G-GUTI of the current UE. For example, the current 5G-GUTI includes an identification bit indicating the type of IP address to which the current UE corresponds, where the type of IP address includes a static IP address and a dynamic IP address. In some embodiments, the current UE corresponds to a static IP address if the identification bit is a first value and corresponds to a dynamic IP address if the identification bit is a second value.

In step S602, the first AMF network element sends a request to establish a PDU session to the SMF network element.

In step S603, the SMF network element transmits a response to establish the PDU session to the first AMF network element.

In step S604, the SMF network element allocates a static IP address or a dynamic IP address to the current UE according to the constructed static IP address pool and dynamic IP address pool. For example, the static IP address is preferentially allocated to the current UE according to the static IP address pool, and in the case that the static IP address cannot be allocated to the current UE from the static IP address pool, the SMF network element allocates the dynamic IP address to the current UE according to the constructed dynamic IP address pool.

In some embodiments, in the case that the value of the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI is the second value, a dynamic IP address is allocated to the current UE according to the dynamic IP address pool or, in the case that the static IP address corresponding to the current UE does not exist in the static IP address pool, a dynamic IP address is allocated to the current UE according to the dynamic IP address pool, and the dynamic IP address allocated to the current UE is used by the RAN network element to interactively establish the PDU session with the current UE.

In step S605, the SMF network element transmits the dynamic IP address or the static IP address allocated for the current UE to the UPF network element, so that the UPF network element performs a user plane control operation according to the dynamic IP address or the static IP address allocated for the current UE.

In step S606, the SMF network element sends a request to the first AMF network element to establish an N1N2 message carrying the dynamic IP address or the static IP address allocated for the current UE.

In step S607, the first AMF network element sends a request to establish an N1N2 message to the RAN network element.

In step S608, the RAN network element interacts with the current UE to establish a PDU session, carrying the dynamic IP address or the static IP address allocated for the current UE.

For example, a static IP address pool may be constructed by the steps shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 7 is a signaling diagram illustrating building a static IP address pool according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

As shown in fig. 7, taking the registration procedure of the current UE as an example, constructing the static IP address pool includes steps S700-S706.

In step S700, the current UE sends a registration request to the RAN network element.

In step S701, the RAN network element sends a registration request to the first AMF network element. The first AMF network element is the AMF network element which is accessed by the current UE recently.

In step S702, the first AMF network element sends a registration request to the UDM network element.

In step S703, the UDM network element sends subscription authentication information of the current UE to the first AMF network element.

In some embodiments, the subscription authentication information of the current UE is shown in table 2.

As shown in table 2, the subscription authentication information of the current UE includes four fields, which are a field indicating whether to provide an IPv4 address, a field for defining a data type and a parameter range for the terminal IPv4 address, a field indicating whether to provide an IPv6 address, and a field for defining a data type and a parameter range for the terminal IPv6 address, respectively. The field code is similar to the identification of the field, facilitating the computer to identify the different fields. The data type is a definition of the data type of the field. For example, the data type of the field indicating whether the IPv4 address is provided is a boolean type whose parameter range is TRUE or FALSE. String in table 2 is a String type, and the parameter range of the String type is the maximum length of the String. The specific meaning of the different fields is as described in table 2.

As can be seen from table 2, it can be determined whether the current UE signs up for the static IP address based on the sign-up authentication information, and also the IP type (IPv 4 or IPv 6) of the static IP address to which the current UE signs up.

TABLE 2

In step S704, the first AMF network element subscribes to the subscription authentication information of the current UE to the UDM network element, so as to reassign the current 5G-GUTI and/or IP address according to the change of the subscription authentication information of the current UE.

In step S705, the first AMF network element allocates a 5G-GUTI to the current UE according to subscription authentication information from the UDM network element.

In some embodiments, the subscription authentication information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has subscribed to a static IP address, and in step S705, the first AMF network element sets an identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI of the current UE to a first value, assigns a static IP address to the current UE, and writes the current 5G-GUTI of the current UE and the corresponding static IP address into a static IP lookup table corresponding to the first AMF network element. The other UEs than the UE operate similarly, so that the static IP lookup table of the first AMF network element includes the correspondence between the 5G-GUTI and the static IP address of the plurality of UEs connected to the first AMF network element.

In some embodiments, the subscription authentication information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has not subscribed to the static IP address, and in step S705, the first AMF network element sets the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI of the current UE to a second value.

In case that the subscription authentication information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has subscribed to the static IP address, step S706 is performed. In step S706, the first AMF network element sends the static IP lookup table of the first AMF network element to the SMF network element, so that the SMF network element stores or updates the corresponding correspondence in the static IP address pool of the SMF network element.

In step S707, the first AMF network element sends an authentication accept message to the current UE to complete the registration procedure of the current UE.

In some embodiments, in case there is an AMF network element for the current UE with a history of access, steps S708-S710 are performed. For example, the last time the UE has historically accessed the AMF network element is the second AMF network element.

In step S708, the UDM network element sends a cancel/deregister message to the second AMF network element after receiving the subscription authentication message subscription from the first AMF network element.

In step S709, the second AMF network element sends a message to cancel subscription authentication information subscription to the UDM network element in response to receiving the cancel/deregister message.

In step S710, the second AMF network element deletes the context information of the current UE and information related to the current UE in the static IP lookup table corresponding to the second AMF network element.

Fig. 7 is merely an exemplary illustration of a current UE, and other UEs register in a similar manner to collectively complete the construction of a static IP address pool for an SMF network element.

As shown in FIG. 8, computer system 80 may be in the form of a general purpose computing device. Computer system 80 includes a memory 810, a processor 820, and a bus 800 that connects the various system components.

Memory 810 may include, for example, system memory, non-volatile storage media, and the like. The system memory stores, for example, an operating system, application programs, boot Loader (Boot Loader), and other programs. The system memory may include volatile storage media, such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or cache memory. The non-volatile storage medium stores, for example, instructions for performing a corresponding embodiment of at least one of the methods of assigning IP addresses. Non-volatile storage media include, but are not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, flash memory, and the like.

Processor 820 may be implemented as discrete hardware components such as a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gates or transistors, and the like. Accordingly, each of the modules, such as the judgment module and the determination module, may be implemented by a Central Processing Unit (CPU) executing instructions of the corresponding steps in the memory, or may be implemented by a dedicated circuit that performs the corresponding steps.

Bus 800 may employ any of a variety of bus architectures. For example, bus structures include, but are not limited to, an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, a Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, and a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.

Computer system 80 may also include an input-output interface 830, a network interface 840, a storage interface 850, and the like. These

interfaces

830, 840, 850 and the memory 810 and the processor 820 may be connected by a bus 800. The input output interface 830 may provide a connection interface for input output devices such as a display, mouse, keyboard, etc. The network interface 840 provides a connection interface for various networking devices. The storage interface 850 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as a floppy disk, a USB flash disk, an SD card, and the like.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions.

These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects.

By the method, the device, the system and the computer storage medium for allocating the IP address for the 5G network in the embodiment, the application scene of the 5G network service can be enlarged.

Thus far, the method, apparatus and system for assigning IP addresses for 5G networks, computer-readable storage medium according to the present disclosure have been described in detail. In order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the present disclosure, some details known in the art are not described. How to implement the solutions disclosed herein will be fully apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description.

Claims

1. A method of assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network, comprising:

constructing a static IP address pool, wherein the static IP address pool comprises the corresponding relation between different User Equipment (UE) and static IP addresses;

receiving a request for establishing a protocol data unit PDU session from a current UE;

and distributing a static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the request for establishing the PDU session and the static IP address pool, wherein the static IP address distributed to the current UE is used for the interaction between a Radio Access Network (RAN) network element and the current UE to establish the PDU session.

2. The method of assigning an IP address of claim 1, wherein the request to establish a PDU session includes a current 5G globally unique temporary UE identity, 5G-GUTI, of the current UE, the current 5G-GUTI including an identification bit for indicating a type of IP address corresponding to the current UE, the type of IP address including a static IP address and a dynamic IP address, the method of assigning an IP address further comprising:

in response to receiving the request to establish a PDU session, obtaining a value of the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI, wherein,

and under the condition that the value of the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI is a first value, distributing a static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the current 5G-GUTI and the static IP address pool.

3. The method for allocating an IP address of claim 2, wherein the current 5G-GUTI is determined by an AMF network element during registration of the current UE based on subscription information of the current UE, an identification bit of the current 5G-GUTI is a first value if the subscription information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has subscribed to a static IP address, and an identification bit of the current 5G-GUTI is a second value if the subscription information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has not subscribed to a static IP address.

4. The method of assigning IP addresses of claim 2 wherein constructing the static pool of IP addresses comprises:

receiving a static IP address comparison table from at least one access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, wherein the static IP address comparison table of each AMF network element comprises a corresponding relation between 5G-GUTI and a static IP address, wherein the corresponding relation is allocated to UE (user equipment) which accesses the AMF network element and has signed a static IP address, and the identification bit of the 5G-GUTI in the corresponding relation is a first value;

and constructing the static IP address pool according to the static IP address comparison table of the at least one AMF network element.

5. The method for allocating an IP address according to claim 2, wherein the static IP address pool includes a correspondence between 5G-GUTI and static IP addresses, and allocating a static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the current 5G-GUTI and the static IP address pool includes:

according to the corresponding relation between the 5G-GUTI and the static IP address, determining the static IP address corresponding to the current 5G-GUTI as a target static IP address;

and distributing the target static IP address to the current UE.

6. The method of assigning IP addresses of claim 2 further comprising:

constructing a dynamic IP address pool, wherein the dynamic IP address pool is configured with at least one IP address range;

and under the condition that the value of the identification bit in the current 5G-GUTI is a second value, distributing a dynamic IP address to the current UE according to the dynamic IP address pool or distributing a dynamic IP address to the current UE according to the dynamic IP address pool under the condition that the static IP address corresponding to the current UE does not exist in the static IP address pool, and using the dynamic IP address distributed to the current UE for the RAN network element to interactively establish PDU session with the current UE.

7. The method of assigning IP addresses of claim 6 wherein said dynamic IP address and said static IP address are IPv4 or IPv6.

8. The method of assigning an IP address of claim 6 wherein said method of assigning an IP address further comprises:

and transmitting the static IP address or the dynamic IP address allocated for the current UE to a user plane function UPF network element and the RAN network element.

9. The method of assigning an IP address of claim 1 wherein receiving a request from a user equipment, current UE, to establish a protocol data unit, PDU, session comprises:

and receiving a request for establishing PDU session from the current UE through an access and mobility management function AMF network element which is accessed by the current UE.

10. The method of assigning an IP address of claim 1 wherein the method of assigning an IP address is performed by a service management function, SMF, network element.

11. An apparatus for assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network, comprising:

the construction module is configured to construct a static IP address pool, wherein the static IP address pool comprises the corresponding relations between different User Equipment (UE) and static IP addresses;

a receiving module configured to receive a request from a current UE to establish a protocol data unit, PDU, session;

and the allocation module is configured to allocate a static IP address corresponding to the current UE according to the request for establishing the PDU session and the static IP address pool, wherein the static IP address allocated to the current UE is used for the interaction between a Radio Access Network (RAN) network element and the current UE to establish the PDU session.

12. An apparatus for assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network, comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, the processor configured to perform the method of assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 based on instructions stored in the memory.

13. A system for assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network, comprising: session management function, SMF, network element configured to perform a method of allocating internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network according to any of claims 1-10.

14. The system for assigning IP addresses of claim 13 further comprising: the access and mobility management function AMF network element of the latest access of the current UE is configured to:

in response to receiving a registration request from the current UE, acquiring subscription information of the current UE from a UDM network element, the subscription information of the current UE including information indicating whether the current UE subscribes to a static IP address;

setting an identification bit of the current 5G-GUTI as a first value under the condition that the subscription information of the current UE indicates that the current UE has subscribed to a static IP address;

distributing a corresponding static IP address for the current UE;

15. The system for assigning an IP address according to claim 14, wherein in case the current UE has subscribed to a static IP address, the subscription information of the current UE further comprises an IP address version of the static IP address to which the current UE has subscribed, the IP address version comprising IPv4 and IPv6, the AMF network element to which the current UE has newly accessed being further configured to:

and distributing a static IP address corresponding to the IP address version in the subscription information of the current UE for the current UE.

16. The system for assigning an IP address of claim 14 wherein said system for assigning an IP address further comprises, in the presence of an AMF network element for which said current UE has historical access: the AMF network element accessed by the current UE in the last history is configured to:

and deleting the context information of the current UE and the information related to the current UE in a static IP comparison table corresponding to the AMF network element which is accessed by the current UE in the last history after the current UE is mutually de-registered and de-subscribed with the UDM network element.

17. A computer storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the method of assigning internet protocol, IP, addresses for a 5G network as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10.