KR102651239B1 - Method for communicating using virtualization scheme and electric device for performing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication method using virtualization technology and an electronic device that performs the same are disclosed. The disclosed NRF communication method receives a discovery request containing information about a target network function instance to be linked from a source network function instance, and based on the discovery request, sets the address of the target network function instance to a lookup mapping table for the network function instance. It searches and transmits information about the address of the target network function instance to the source network function instance as a discovery response. Each of the source network function instance and the target network function instance is included in one of a plurality of network slice instances included in the core network.

Description

Communication method using virtualization technology and electronic device performing the same {METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING USING VIRTUALIZATION SCHEME AND ELECTRIC DEVICE FOR PERFORMING THE SAME}

The description below relates to a communication method using virtualization technology and an electronic device that performs the same. More specifically, it relates to a communication method and electronic device that manages the address of the target network function instance by mapping it to the address of the source network function instance. .

NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) technology is being introduced as a technology that supports network openness and virtualization to build a future-oriented network and service infrastructure. This implements a network service by virtually installing, combining, and executing network functions required according to traffic. By virtualizing network functions, network services can be configured in a timely manner and actively controlled depending on the situation.

The present invention can provide flexibility in the 5G core network structure following the introduction of network virtualization technology by enabling the network system to change and operate adaptively even if network functions are dynamically changed or installed.

In the present invention, CNG and NRF, which will be described below, are configured in an overlay form that does not affect the structure of the 5G network system and perform only a message delivery function, thereby minimizing changes when applying the actual network structure.

The present invention virtualizes and automates LCM (Lifecycle Management) of all network functions, allowing network operators to expect maximum efficiency and cost reduction in network system and resource management.

A communication method of a Network Function (NF) Routing Function (NRF) according to an embodiment includes a discovery method that includes information about a target network function instance to be linked from a source network function instance. Receiving a discovery request; retrieving the address of the target network function instance in a lookup mapping table for network function instances based on the discovery request; And transmitting information about the address of the target network function instance to the source network function instance as a discovery response, wherein each of the source network function instance and the target network function instance is included in the core network. Included in one of a plurality of Network Slice Instances (NSIs).

In the communication method according to one embodiment, the target search step may search for an address mapped to the target network function instance in a lookup mapping table using information about the target network function instance.

In the communication method according to one embodiment, the NRF may relay an interface between network function instances included in the network slice instances.

In the communication method according to an embodiment, the information about the target network function instance may include information about the type and grouped category of the target network function instance.

In the communication method according to one embodiment, the address of the target network function instance is grouped based on at least one category of network slice instance, service, UE (User Equipment), and session corresponding to the target network function instance. It can be.

In the communication method according to one embodiment, the source network function instance may transmit a message to the target network function instance using the address of the target network function instance according to the discovery response.

The NRF communication method according to an embodiment includes receiving a message transfer request including information about a target network function instance to be interconnected from a source network function instance and a message to be transmitted to the target network function instance. step; retrieving the address of the target network function instance in a lookup mapping table based on the message delivery request; and transmitting the message to the target network function instance using the address of the target network function instance.

In the communication method according to one embodiment, information about the target network function instance may include information about the type and grouped category of the target network function instance.

In the communication method according to one embodiment, the step of transmitting the message may transmit information about the type of the source network function instance to the target network function instance along with the message.

A communication method of a CNF (Core Network Gateway) according to an embodiment includes receiving a NAS message (Non-Access Signaling message) from the RAN; and forwarding the NAS message to the NRF based on the network function type corresponding to the NAS message.

According to one embodiment, flexibility of the 5G core network structure according to the introduction of network virtualization technology can be provided by allowing the network system to change and operate adaptively even if network functions are dynamically changed or installed.

According to one embodiment, by virtualizing and automating LCM (Lifecycle Management) of all network functions, network operators can expect to maximize efficiency and reduce costs due to network system and resource management.

According to one embodiment, the CNG and NRF, which will be described below, are configured in an overlay form that does not affect the structure of the 5G network system and perform only a message delivery function, thereby minimizing changes when applying the actual network structure.

Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining network slicing according to an embodiment.
Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining a core network according to an embodiment.
Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an NRF communication method according to an embodiment.
Figure 5 is a diagram showing a CNG communication method according to an embodiment.
Figure 6 is a diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only and may be modified and implemented in various forms. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited to the specific disclosed form, and the scope of the present specification includes changes, equivalents, or substitutes included in the technical spirit.

Terms such as first or second may be used to describe various components, but these terms should be interpreted only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. For example, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be named a first component.

When a component is referred to as being “connected” to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but that other components may exist in between.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of the described features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, and are intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features or numbers, It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with the meanings they have in the context of the related technology, and unless clearly defined in this specification, should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense. No.

Embodiments described below can be used to perform communications. Hereinafter, the operation of performing communication may include the operation of relaying an interface between network function instances (NFI), which will be described in detail below, and the operation of relaying and/or routing a message. Embodiments may be implemented in various types of computing devices and/or systems, such as servers constituting a core network. Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals in each drawing indicate the same members.

Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining network slicing according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, an operator's network 110 and a user equipment (UE) 120 are shown to illustrate network slicing according to an embodiment.

NFV (Network Function Virtualization) is a technology that virtualizes network functions (NF) by separating various functions within network equipment used by telecommunication operators so that they can be controlled and managed through software. In other words, NFV separates the roles of network equipment into high-capacity servers, high-capacity storage devices, and high-capacity switches located within the data center, and automatically installs network functions that can be installed and/or controlled through software through standard interfaces. It is a network technology that allows operation, control, and management. Through NFV, CAPEX (capital expenditure) and OPEX (operating expenses) are reduced by reducing network equipment costs and power loss, shortening the time required for new network services to enter the market, increasing investment cost recovery, flexible service evolution, and easy scale management. , the opening of virtual device and pure software participation markets, and increased opportunities for developing new innovative services can be expected.

5G (5th Generation) network technology is a successor technology to 4G (4th Generation) LTE mobile communication technology, and is a technology that connects network objects (e.g., technology, domain, layer, equipment/device, user interaction, etc.) connected in various ways, including wired. ) is expected to become a highly converged end-to-end (E2E) system. In particular, by defining network slicing in 5G network technology, network resources and network functions are bundled and provided into one independent slice according to the service, and network isolation and customization are provided. The properties can be applied to the mobile communications core network structure.

Network slicing is a new concept for the core network among 5G network technologies, and is a technology that provides network resources and network functions required for a service requested by the UE 120 (e.g., a mobile terminal) by bundling them into one independent slice. Through network slicing, network operators can independently allocate network resources specialized for each service and user, and by securing network flexibility through resource virtualization based on SDN (Software Defined Networking)/NFV technology, service and network resources Scalability and reliability of operation can be secured.

Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining a core network according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the core network 200 according to one embodiment may include a Core Network Gateway (CNG) 210 and a Network Function (NF) Routing Function (NRF) 220.

The present invention according to one embodiment virtualizes the network functions (e.g., mobility management, session management, etc.) of the core network 200 in 5G network technology with technology such as NFV. This relates to a structure for mapping addresses of dynamically changing network function instances. This virtualization structure may be essentially required to support the network slicing structure in the core network 200.

In NFV, in order to configure network services, one or more network functions and their installation and connection methods are logically defined in the service specification, and based on this, the NFV platform automatically creates the physical/virtual network resources for NFV required to run each network service. Can be assigned.

When the network functions of the 5G core network 200 are implemented and installed through this NFV platform, the life cycle of the network functions can be dynamically managed (in other words, Lifecycle Management; LCM). Through this, network functions are automatically installed, moved, and installed according to various factors such as network service requirements and policies, maximum performance and capacity of network resources, network operator's resource management policy, and real-time situation changes in network services and network resources. Extension, deletion, etc. can be performed.

In the present invention according to one embodiment, an NRF 220 capable of relaying an interface between network function instances is introduced to deliver NAS (Non-Access Signaling) messages and messages between network function instances or network slice instances. can be implemented. Through this, the network system operates by adaptively changing even when network functions are dynamically changed and/or installed, thereby providing flexibility in the structure of the 5G core network 200 following the introduction of network virtualization technology.

The present invention according to one embodiment can map addresses of network function instances that change as network function instances of the 5G core network 200 are dynamically created, changed, or deleted according to virtualization technology. For this purpose, the present invention can use the CNG 210, which relays NAS messages with the RAN, and the NRF 220, which relays the interface between network function instances.

In Figure 2, the interconnection and signaling structure of network function instances for each network slice instance for the CNG 210 and NRF 220 to provide the service requested by the UE is shown.

CNG 210 can perform interworking with UE/RAN. CNG 210 may relay signaling between RAN and core network 200.

The CNG 210 can route NAS messages delivered from the RAN and deliver them to the appropriate network function instance. At this time, the CNG 210 may specify the type of network function instance (eg, Mobility Management (MM), Session Management (SM), etc.) corresponding to the message according to a predetermined protocol standard. Delivery to a specific network function instance (eg, Mobility Management Network Function Instance (MM NFI), etc.) may be performed by the NRF 220.

Additionally, the CNG 210 may relay a response or message from a network function instance of the core network 200 and deliver it to the RAN, UE, etc.

The NRF 220 provides interconnection between network function instances included in different network slice instances, interconnection between network function instances included in the same network slice instance, and slice common NF group (in other words, Common Control Network Functions (CCNF)). Linkage can be performed with .

NRF 220 may manage and update addresses of network function instances. For example, the network function instance address storage of NRF 220 may manage the addresses of network function instances. The address of the network function instance can be grouped into categories such as network slice instance, service, UE, and session. The network function instance to be linked can be determined through these grouped categories.

The MANO (Management and Orchestration) block, which manages LCM (Lifecycle Management) of network slice instances and network function instances, detects creation and changes to the address of the instance and can update the address of the instance. The NRF 220 stores the addresses of instances detected and updated in the MANO block and can be used to map addresses of network function instances.

NRF 220 may map addresses of network function instances. Here, the operation of mapping the address of the network function instance can be understood as the operation of discovering the address of the network function instance. The NRF 220 searches for the address of the target network function instance using the type and grouped category of the target network function instance with which the source network function instance wishes to interface. Can respond to requests from source network function instances. NRF 220 may perform a search through a network function instance address repository.

As described above, the NRF 220 may perform direct interconnection to receive a discovery request for the address of the target network function instance from the source network function instance. Additionally, the NRF 220 may perform indirect interworking as described below.

NRF 220 may redirect messages between network function instances. Here, the operation of relaying a message between network function instances can be understood as an operation of transmitting a message delivered from a source network function instance to a target network function instance. The NRF 220 may receive a message requested from the source network function instance from the source network function instance and transmit it to the target network function instance.

At this time, the NRF 220 may map the address of the target network function instance based on the request received from the source network function instance and then transmit the corresponding message.

Figures 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an NRF communication method according to an embodiment.

NRF can relay interfaces between network function instances included in network slice instances.

Referring to FIG. 3, an NRF communication method that performs direct interworking according to one embodiment is shown.

In step 310, the NRF receives a discovery request containing information about the target network function instance to be interconnected from the source network function instance. Here, each of the source network function instance and the target network function instance may be included in one of a plurality of network slice instances (NSIs) included in the core network. For example, the source network function instance and the target network function instance may be included in the same network slice instance, or may be included in different network slice instances.

Information about the target network function instance may include information about the type and grouped category of the target network function instance. For example, the type of target network function instance may include Mobility Management (MM), Session Management (SM), etc.

The address of the target network function instance may be grouped based on at least one category of network slice instance, service, UE, and session corresponding to the target network function instance.

At step 320, the NRF retrieves the address of the target network function instance in a lookup mapping table for the network function instance based on the discovery request. For example, the NRF can use information about the target network function instance to retrieve the address mapped to the target network function instance in the lookup mapping table. In the lookup mapping table, the addresses of a plurality of network slice instances included in the core network may be mapped to the type and grouped category of the target network function instance.

In step 330, the NRF transmits information about the address of the target network function instance to the source network function instance as a discovery response.

Additionally, the source network function instance may transmit a message to the target network function instance using the address of the target network function instance.

Since the details described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are applied to each step shown in FIG. 3, a more detailed description will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, an NRF communication method that performs indirect interworking according to an embodiment is shown.

In step 410, the NRF receives a message delivery request including information about the target network function instance to be interoperated with from the source network function instance and a message to be transmitted to the target network function instance.

At step 420, the NRF retrieves the address of the target network function instance from the lookup mapping table based on the message delivery request. For example, the NRF can use information about the target network function instance to retrieve the address mapped to the target network function instance in the lookup mapping table. In the lookup mapping table, the addresses of a plurality of network slice instances included in the core network may be mapped to the type and grouped category of the target network function instance.

Through this, even if the address of a previously linked network function instance changes through load balancing or scaling, the 5G core network system can be adaptively changed and operate continuously.

In step 430, the NRF transmits a message to the target network function instance using the address of the target network function instance. Through this, even if the address of an already linked network function instance changes through load balancing or scaling, the 5G core network system can be adaptively changed and operate continuously.

Since the details described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 are applied to each step shown in FIG. 4, detailed description will be omitted.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing a CNG communication method according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, a CNG communication method according to an embodiment is shown.

In step 510, the CNG receives a NAS message (Non-Access Signaling message) from the RAN. Here, the NAS message may be transmitted to the CNG through the RAN in accordance with the UE's service request.

At step 520, the CNG forwards the NAS message to the NRF based on the network function type corresponding to the NAS message. The CNG may specify the type of network function instance (eg, Mobility Management (MM), Session Management (SM), etc.) corresponding to the message according to a predetermined protocol standard. Delivery to a specific network function instance (eg, Mobility Management Network Function Instance (MM NFI), etc.) may be performed by the NRF.

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the electronic device 600 includes a memory 610, a processor 620, and a transmitter 630. The memory 610, processor 620, and transmitter 630 may communicate with each other through a bus 640. The NRF and CNF described above may be implemented as at least part of an electronic device.

Memory 610 may include instructions that can be read by a computer. The memory 610 may perform the above-mentioned operations as instructions stored in the memory 610 are executed in the processor 620. Memory 610 may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory.

The processor 620 may include at least one device described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 or may perform at least one method described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 . For example, the processor 620 performing the NRF communication method may include: receiving a discovery request containing information about a target network function instance to be linked from a source network function instance; retrieving the address of the target network function instance from a lookup mapping table for network function instances based on the discovery request; And information about the address of the target network function instance is transmitted to the source network function instance as a discovery response.

In addition, the processor 620 performing the NRF communication method receives a message delivery request including information about a target network function instance to be interconnected from a source network function instance and a message to be transmitted to the target network function instance. ; retrieving the address of the target network function instance from a lookup mapping table based on the message delivery request; And transmitting the message to the target network function instance using the address of the target network function instance.

Additionally, the processor 620, which performs the CNF communication method, receives the NAS message from the RAN and delivers the NAS message to the NRF based on the network function type corresponding to the NAS message.

The transmitter 630 is linked to the processor 620 and can communicate with other entities on the network system. The transmitter 630 may transmit the results processed by the processor 620 to another entity and may receive data from the other entity and transmit it to the processor 620.

The embodiments described above may be implemented with hardware components, software components, and/or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, the devices, methods, and components described in the embodiments may include, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, and a field programmable gate (FPGA). It may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as an array, programmable logic unit (PLU), microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. A processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run on the operating system. Additionally, a processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of software. For ease of understanding, a single processing device may be described as being used; however, those skilled in the art will understand that a processing device includes multiple processing elements and/or multiple types of processing elements. It can be seen that it may include. For example, a processing device may include a plurality of processors or one processor and one controller. Additionally, other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are possible.

Software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, which may configure a processing unit to operate as desired, or may be processed independently or collectively. You can command the device. Software and/or data may be used on any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device to be interpreted by or to provide instructions or data to a processing device. , or may be permanently or temporarily embodied in a transmitted signal wave. Software may be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored on one or more computer-readable recording media.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., singly or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiment or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magnetic media such as floptical disks. -Includes optical media (magneto-optical media) and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. Examples of program instructions include machine language code, such as that produced by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

Components described in the embodiments include programmable logic elements such as one or more DSP (Digital Signal Processor), processor, controller, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). It may be implemented by hardware components including one or more of a logic element, other electronic devices, and combinations thereof. At least some of the functions or processes described in the embodiments may be implemented by software, and the software may be recorded on a recording medium. Components, functions and processes described in embodiments may be implemented by a combination of hardware and software.

Although the embodiments have been described with limited drawings as described above, those skilled in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and/or components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components are used. Alternatively, appropriate results may be achieved even if substituted or substituted by an equivalent.

200: Core network
210: CNG (Core Network Gateway)
220: NRF (Network Function Routing Function)

Claims (9)

In the communication method of NRF (Network Function) Routing Function,
Receiving a discovery request containing information about a target network function instance to be linked from a source network function instance;
retrieving the address of the target network function instance in a lookup mapping table for network function instances based on the discovery request; and
Transmitting information about the address of the target network function instance to the source network function instance as a discovery response.
Including,
Each of the source network function instance and target network function instance,
Included in one of a plurality of Network Slice Instances (NSIs) included in the core network,
The lookup mapping table for the network function instance is:
A communication method wherein addresses of the plurality of network slice instances are mapped with information about the target network function instance. According to paragraph 1,
The step of searching for the target network function instance is,
Searching for an address mapped to the target network function instance in a lookup mapping table using information about the target network function instance.
Including, communication method.
According to paragraph 1,
The NRF is,
A communication method for relaying interfaces and messages between network function instances included in the network slice instances.
According to paragraph 1,
Information about the target network function instance is:
A communication method including information about the type and grouped category of the target network function instance.
According to paragraph 1,
The address of the target network function instance is,
A communication method grouped based on at least one category of network slice instance, service, UE (User Equipment), and session corresponding to the target network function instance.
According to paragraph 1,
The source network function instance is:
A communication method for transmitting a message to the target network function instance using the address of the target network function instance according to the discovery response.
In the communication method of NRF (Network Function) Routing Function,
Receiving a message transfer request including information about a target network function instance to be interconnected from a source network function instance and a message to be transmitted to the target network function instance;
retrieving the address of the target network function instance in a lookup mapping table based on the message delivery request; and
Transmitting the message to the target network function instance using the address of the target network function instance
Including,
The lookup mapping table is,
A communication method in which the addresses of a plurality of Network Slice Instances (NSIs) included in the core network are mapped with information about the target network function instance.
In clause 7,
Information about the target network function instance is:
A communication method including information about the type and grouped category of the target network function instance.
In clause 7,
The step of transmitting the message is,
Transmitting information about the type of the source network function instance to the target network function instance along with the message.
Including, communication method.

Images