KR20190136317A - Network apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention proposes a network device which realizes a differentiated technology for controlling a data session of a terminal according to information of a third party (external service provider) side based on an information sharing function of a network exposure function (NEF), and a method of operating the network device. According to the present invention, the network device comprises: an information acquisition unit for obtaining service information on a specific terminal using a data service provided by an external service network based on a specific message defined between a communication network to which the network device belongs and the external service network; and a session control unit configured to control a specific session set up on the communication network so that the specific terminal can use the data service based on the obtained service information.

Description

NETWORK APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The technique of the present invention relates to a technology for transmitting and receiving information between the heterogeneous network, so can more specifically, controls the information of the terminal data session in accordance with the 3 ^rd Party (external operator) based on the transmitting and receiving side information between heterogeneous networks It is about.

As the types of communication services and transmission request rates vary in the LTE communication system, the LTE frequency expansion and the evolution to the 5G communication system are actively progressing.

This rapidly evolving 5G communication system accommodates as many terminals as possible based on limited radio resources, while enabling enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) / massive machine type communications (mMTC) / It supports scenarios of ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC).

In particular, in 5G, a network structure for supporting terminals, base stations (access), cores, and servers from end to end is defined, and a single node (eg, S-GW, P-GW, etc.) in LTE (4G) is defined. Separates the functions of control signaling and data transmission / reception, which are performed in a complex manner, to define a network structure in which a control plane of a control signaling function and a user plane of a data transmission / reception function are divided.

At this time, the control node of the control plane in 5G, AMF (Access and Mobility Function) for controlling access to the wireless section of the terminal, PCF (Policy Control Function) for managing / control policies such as terminal information and subscription service information for each terminal, billing, etc. ), SMF (Session Management Function) that manages / controls a session for data service use for each terminal, and a Network Exposure Function (NEF) that is responsible for sharing information with an external network.

In 5G, a data node of a user plane is defined as a UPF (User Plane Function) for transmitting and receiving data between a terminal and a server on an external service network (eg, DN) through a session with a terminal based on control (interlocking) of the SMF. can do.

On the other hand, NEF of 5G is in charge of the information sharing capabilities based on the information transmitted and received between the internal network of the service provider (hereinafter referred to as network) and an external service network (hereinafter referred to as 3 ^rd Party), information transmission and reception for the information sharing capabilities As a form, there is PFD (Packet Flow Description) information.

Thus, in future, it is expected through the use of PFD information of NEF information sharing, by sharing information could be shared between the network and the 3 ^rd Party, assuming to be diverse and differentiated services are developed / promoted.

Boil, in at 5G standard definition and PFD level of information that is being discussed, to take advantage of the NEF of information sharing and differentiated services to apply / develop anywhere from network service providers and 3 ^rd Party side external provider that operates the network is a difficult situation to be.

Accordingly, the present invention, based on the information transmission and reception function between the heterogeneous networks, that is, the information sharing function using the PFD information of the NEF, to realize a technology that can be developed / applied substantially differentiated services on the network operator or external operator side do.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to achieve information communication between heterogeneous networks, that is, on the basis of an information sharing function using PFD information of NEF, which is substantially performed by a network operator or an external operator. To provide a network device and an operation method of the network device to enable the development / application of differentiated services.

The network device according to the first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, using a data service provided by the external service network based on a specific message defined between the communication network and the external service network to which the network device belongs; An information acquisition unit for obtaining service information on a specific terminal; And a session controller configured to control a specific session set up on the communication network so that the specific terminal can use the data service based on the obtained service information.

Specifically, the specific message may be a message defined to transmit and receive packet flow description (PFD) information from a control node in charge of information sharing function between the communication network and the external service network.

Specifically, the service information may include a terminal identifier for identifying the specific terminal, a flow identifier for identifying the flow of the data service, charging information for specifying a charge for the data service, and charging information for the data service. And at least one of time information indicating a period of application, area information indicating a region where the billing information is applied to the data service, and performance information required while applying the billing information to the data service.

Specifically, the session controller is a data node in charge of the specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier and the flow identifier in the service information, wherein the billing information for a period according to the time information in the service information. By providing a policy (Rule) to apply the billing specified in the, it is possible for the data node to control the specific session in accordance with the policy.

Specifically, the session controller is a data node in charge of the specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier and the flow identifier in the service information, wherein the region information during the period according to the time information in the service information. It is possible to control the specific session in accordance with the policy by providing a rule (Rule) to apply the performance according to the performance information and the billing specified in the billing information for a period located in the region according to the .

In detail, the session controller provides the obtained service information to a control node that manages / controls a session for using a data service for each terminal so that the control node controls the specific session based on the service information. Can be.

A method of operating a network device according to a second aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a data service provided by the external service network based on a specific message defined between a communication network to which the network device belongs and an external service network. An information acquisition step of acquiring service information on a specific terminal using a; And a session control step of controlling a specific session set up on the communication network so that the specific terminal can use the data service based on the obtained service information.

Specifically, the specific message may be a message defined to transmit and receive packet flow description (PFD) information from a control node in charge of information sharing function between the communication network and the external service network.

Specifically, the service information may include a terminal identifier for identifying the specific terminal, a flow identifier for identifying the flow of the data service, charging information for specifying a charge for the data service, and charging information for the data service. And at least one of time information indicating a period of application, area information indicating a region where the billing information is applied to the data service, and performance information required while applying the billing information to the data service.

Specifically, the session control step is a data node in charge of the specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier and the flow identifier in the service information, the billing for a period according to the time information in the service information A policy may be provided to apply the charge specified in the information, so that the data node controls the specific session according to the policy.

Specifically, the session control step is a data node in charge of the specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier and the flow identifier in the service information, wherein the area of the period according to the time information in the service information The specific session may be controlled by providing a rule to apply the performance according to the performance information and the charge specified in the charging information during a period in which the location is located according to the information.

Specifically, the session control step, by providing the obtained service information to the control node for managing / controlling the session for the data service for each terminal, so that the control node to control the specific session based on the service information. can do.

Specifically, the service providing apparatus for providing a data service in the external service network, the service information specified in the specific data service for the specific terminal when the connected specific terminal starts using the specific data service designated service information provision; May be provided through the specific message.

A computer-readable recording medium recording a PFD structure according to a third aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a field for displaying a terminal identifier for identifying a terminal; A field for indicating a flow identifier for identifying a flow of a data service; A field for displaying charging information for specifying a charge for the data service; And a field for displaying time information indicating a time period during which the charging information is applied to the data service.

Specifically, a field for displaying area information indicating an area to which the billing information is applied to a data service; The PFD structure may further include a field for displaying performance information required while applying the charging information to the data service.

According to the method of operation of network devices and network devices of the present invention, for realizing a distinct technique that is based on the NEF information sharing, 3 ^rd Party (external operator) to control the data session of a terminal according to the side information Derive the effect.

1 is an exemplary view showing the structure of a communication system to which the present invention is applied.
2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an exemplary view showing a field structure of PFD information defined according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of the control of the terminal data sessions based on the information from the 3 ^rd Party (external operators) in a communication system to which the present invention is applied.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a technology for transmitting and receiving information between heterogeneous networks, specifically, an information sharing function of a network exposure function (NEF) defined in 5G.

The 5G communication system accommodates as many terminals as possible based on limited radio resources, while enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) / massive machine type communications (mMTC) / ultra-reliable and It supports scenarios of low latency communications.

In particular, in 5G, a network structure for supporting terminals, base stations (access), cores, and servers from end to end is defined, and a single node (eg, S-GW, P-GW, etc.) in LTE (4G) is defined. Separates the functions of control signaling and data transmission / reception, which are performed in a complex manner, to define a network structure in which a control plane of a control signaling function and a user plane of a data transmission / reception function are divided.

At this time, the control node of the control plane in 5G, AMF (Access and Mobility Function) for controlling access to the wireless section of the terminal, PCF (Policy Control Function) for managing / control policies such as terminal information and subscription service information for each terminal, billing, etc. ), SMF (Session Management Function) that manages / controls a session for data service use for each terminal, and a Network Exposure Function (NEF) that is responsible for sharing information with an external network.

In 5G, a data node of a user plane is defined as a UPF (User Plane Function) for transmitting and receiving data between a terminal and a server on an external service network (eg, DN) through a session with a terminal based on control (interlocking) of the SMF. can do.

On the other hand, NEF of 5G is in charge of the information sharing capabilities based on the information transmitted and received between the internal network of the service provider (hereinafter referred to as network) and an external service network (hereinafter referred to as 3 ^rd Party), information transmission and reception for the information sharing capabilities As a form, PFD (Packet Flow Description) information is defined.

For reference, the difference between the internal network (or communication network) and the external network (or external service network) can be divided into UPF (internal) <-> DN (external) defined in the 5G standard.

Thus, in future, it is expected through the use of PFD information of NEF information sharing, by sharing information could be shared between the network and the 3 ^rd Party, assuming to be diverse and differentiated services are developed / promoted.

Boil, in at 5G standard definition and PFD level of information that is being discussed, 3 ^rd information can be obtained from the PFD information received from a Party 3-tuple flow (server IP, server port, protocol number), URL and information associated with domain Level.

Therefore, you should not take advantage of the current level of PFD information, anywhere network of service providers and 3 ^rd Party side external providers to operate their networks with differentiated services to take advantage of the NEF development of information sharing / application is a difficult situation.

Accordingly, the present invention, based on the information transmission and reception function between the heterogeneous networks, that is, the information sharing function using the PFD information of the NEF, to realize a technology that can be developed / applied substantially differentiated services on the network operator or external operator side do.

More specifically, to realize techniques for utilizing the NEF information sharing, 3 ^rd Party (external operator) to control the data session of a terminal according to the side information.

Hereinafter, the structure of the communication system to which the present invention is applied will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 1 before the detailed description of the present invention.

Although there exist AMF, PCF, SMF, NEF, and the like as a control node in a communication network for a 5G communication system, in FIG. 1, only SMF and NEF related to the present invention are shown for simplicity of the drawings.

The SMF 200 is responsible for managing / controlling sessions for data service use for each terminal.

When the data session creation_Create event or the data session modification_Modify event occurs, the SMF 200 generates a rule including data session information and service requirements, and the like. At least one UPF (shown as one UPF 300 in FIG. 2 for convenience) involved in the data session of the control panel, and the UPF 300 controls the data session of the terminal 10 according to a policy. To do it.

There is a UPF as a data node in a communication network for a 5G communication system.

The UPF 300 controls the data session of the terminal based on the control (interlocking) of the SMF 200, and is responsible for transmitting and receiving data between the terminal and the server on the external service network (eg, DN) through the session of the terminal. do.

Customer terminal 10, the external service network that is 3 ^rd Party server side: assuming a case of using a data service provided by (for service providing apparatus 1), UPF (300) is received from SMF (200) policy, According to (Rule), data session control (eg, create_create, modify_modify, etc.) between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 based on the data session information and the service requirement information is performed.

In addition, the UPF 300 transmits and receives data between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 through a session of the terminal 10 according to a policy received from the SMF 200.

Accordingly, the terminal 10 may use the data service provided by the service providing apparatus 1 by transmitting and receiving data with the service providing apparatus 1 through a session serviced by the UPF 300.

NEF (100), the use of PFD information an information format, in which communication network and is responsible for information sharing functionality that is based on the information transmitted and received between (internal network) and an external service network (hereinafter, 3 ^rd Party), transmission and reception for the information sharing capabilities do.

5G defined in the current standard and PFD information being discussed, if received from 3 ^rd Party, 3-tuple flow only one (server IP, server port, protocol number) level which includes information associated with the URL and domain.

In the present invention, a 3 by specific to refine the PFD information received from ^rd Party, by taking advantage of standardized NEF information sharing, which allows to control the data session of a terminal in accordance with the 3 ^rd Party (external operator) side information, The present invention seeks to realize a technology, and specifically, a network device capable of realizing the same is proposed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the network apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an information acquisition unit 110 and a session controller 120.

The network device 100 of the present invention may correspond to an NEF among the control nodes shown in FIG. 1.

Alternatively, the network device 100 of the present invention may be configured to include NEF and SMF among the control nodes shown in FIG. 1, and in this case, the information acquisition unit 110 corresponds to the NEF and the session control unit 120. May correspond to SMF.

Information acquisition unit 110, based on a particular message, defined between the network device 100, the network (internal network) and an external service network (3 ^rd Party) belongs, and using the data service provided by the 3 ^rd Party Obtain service information for a specific terminal.

Here, the specific message is a communication network (internal network) and an external service network (3 ^rd Party) between information sharing a message control node that is defined to transmit and receive PFD information from NEF responsible for, in other words, the NEF information sharing message days will be.

Therefore, the service information obtained based on the specific message may be understood as PFD information included in the information sharing function message of the NEF.

Thus, in the information obtaining unit 110, the external service network (hereinafter, 3 ^rd Party) service provider or device 1,2, ... NEF of information sharing messages from N, respectively providing a data service in a specific The service information (PFD information) for the terminal can be obtained.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the service providing apparatuses 1, 2,... N corresponds to service information designated to a specific data service for a specific terminal when the connected specific terminal initiates use of a specific data service designated to provide service information. May provide an information sharing function message including the PFD information to the network device 100.

For example, referring to the service providing apparatus 1, the service providing apparatus 1 stores / manages information (hereinafter, white list customer information) about a customer for providing an information sharing function message including service information in the form of PFD information. Can be.

In addition, the service providing device 1 stores data for classifying data services according to various criteria such as each content / movie / service category, and provides information for providing specified service information for each classified data service (hereinafter, referred to as an information providing list for each data service). Can be managed

Thus, the service providing device 1, when the connected terminal is a terminal (hereinafter, terminal 10) of the customer stored in the white list customer information, the terminal 10 starts to use based on the information providing list for each data service. An information sharing function message including the service information specified in the data service in the form of PFD information may be generated and provided to the network device 100.

Accordingly, when the information acquisition unit 110 receives the NEF information sharing function message from the service providing apparatus 1 in an external service network (hereinafter referred to as 3 ^rd party), the information acquisition unit 110 analyzes the PFD information included in the message to determine a specific terminal such as a terminal. It is possible to obtain service information for (10).

Here, the service information includes a terminal identifier for identifying a specific terminal, a flow identifier for identifying a flow of a data service, charging information for specifying a charge for a data service, and a time period for applying the charging information to a data service. Information, area information indicating an area where the billing information is applied to a data service, and performance information required while applying the billing information to a data service.

Specifically, the service information (PFD information) defined in the present invention necessarily includes at least one of the terminal identifier and the flow identifier.

At this time, the terminal identifier is agnostic to the format, it will be possible if the network identifier shared with the terminal unit or the terminal unit in the group pre-cross (internal network) and an external service network (3 ^rd Party).

At this time, the flow identifier is preferably 5-tuple flow (Source IP terminal IP, Source Port terminal port, Destination IP server IP, Destination Port server port, Protocol ID) that can distinguish the flow of the data service.

If, for security reasons, the scenario in which only the terminal identifier is included in the first service information (PFD information) provided for the terminal 10 from the service providing apparatus 1, the NEF provided from the network apparatus 100 to the service providing apparatus 1 is provided. Source IP_ terminal IP, Source Port_ terminal port of the terminal 10 through the information sharing function of the flow, and then the service identifier (PFD information) provided to the terminal 10 from the service providing device 1 to the flow identifier is Scenarios that could be included would be possible.

In addition, the service information (PFD information) defined in the present invention may further include at least one of billing information, time information, area information, and performance information.

3 shows a field structure of PFD information according to an embodiment defined in the present invention.

The PFD structure defined in the present invention includes a field for displaying a terminal identifier for identifying a terminal, a field for displaying a flow identifier for identifying a flow of a data service, and displaying charging information for specifying a charge for the data service. And a field for displaying time information indicating a time period during which the billing information is applied to the data service.

Furthermore, the PFD structure defined in the present invention includes a field for displaying area information indicating an area where the billing information is applied to the data service, and a performance information required while applying the billing information to the data service. It may have a structure configured to further include a field for doing.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the PFD structure defined in the present invention includes a field ID for recording a terminal identifier, a field for recording a flow identifier (N-Flow tuple), and time information. Field (Start time, End time), field where local information is recorded (Location (Zone / GPS)), field where charging information is recorded (Charging Method), field where performance information is recorded (QoS), and other information is recorded It may be composed of other fields.

The session control unit 120 may obtain a specific session set up on a communication network so that a specific terminal, for example, the terminal 10 may use a specific data service from which data information, for example, service information from the service providing apparatus 1, is obtained. PFD information).

In detail, according to an embodiment in which the network device 100 of the present invention is an NEF, the session controller 120 is a service obtained by a control node that manages / controls a session for using a data service for each terminal, that is, the SMF 200. By providing the information, the SMF 200 may control the specific session based on the service information.

In this case, the SMF 200, which has received the service information from the network device 100, that is, the NEF 100, according to the present invention, has a terminal identifier (ID field value) and a flow identifier (N-Flow tuple field value) in the received service information. Check the data node in charge of the particular session identified according to at least one of the UPF 300, the billing information (Charging Method field value), time information (Start time and End time field value), local information in the service information (Rule) according to at least one of (Location (Zone / GPS) field value) and performance information (QoS field value) is provided to the UPF 300.

In this case, the UPF 300 performs a control (eg, modification_Modify, etc.) for a specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 according to a policy received from the SMF 200. Will perform the action.

For example, according to the first embodiment, the SMF 200 provided with the service information from the network device 100, that is, the NEF 100 of the present invention, time information in the service information (start time and end time field values). Policy to apply the charge (e.g. Free) specified in the Charging Method (Charging Method field value) for the period of time (e.g. 20180428-XX: XX: XX, 20180430-XX: XX: XX). It may be provided to the UPF (300).

In this case, the UPF 300 controls, for example, to apply the billing free for a specific period for a specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 according to a policy received from the SMF 200. Modify_Modify, etc.), and transfer the charging data accordingly to the charging system 20.

For another example, according to the second embodiment, the SMF 200 provided with the service information from the network apparatus 100 of the present invention, that is, the NEF 100, may include time information (Start time and End time fields in the service information). Value in the region (e.g., XXland) according to the geolocation (Location (Zone / GPS) field value) during the time period (e.g. 20180428-XX: XX: XX, 20180528-XX: XX: XX). During this time period, a policy (Rule) may be applied to apply the charge (eg, Bypass) specified in the performance (eg, 5G QoS 2) and the charging information (Charging Method field) according to the performance information (QoS field value). .

In this case, the UPF 300, according to the policy received from the SMF 200, the specified billing bypass and performance when located in the designated region within the specified period for the specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 The control to apply 5G QoS 2 (eg, modify_Modify, etc.) is performed to transmit the charging data according to the charging system 20.

In addition, according to the third embodiment, the network device 100 of the present invention, that is, the SMF 200 provided with the service information from the NEF 100, has a performance (eg, a value according to the performance information (QoS field value) in the service information). 5G QoS 10) and charging (for example, charging A) may be provided to apply a policy (Rule) to the charging information (Charging Method field value).

In this case, the UPF 300 controls to apply the charging A and the performance 5G QoS 10 to a specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 according to a policy received from the SMF 200. : Modify_Modify, etc.), and transmit the charging data accordingly to the charging system 20.

Meanwhile, according to the embodiment in which the network device 100 of the present invention includes the NEF and the SMF, the session controller 120 corresponding to the SMF 200 is obtained by the information acquisition unit 110 and the NEF 100. Check the UPF 300 in charge of a specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier (ID field value) and the flow identifier (N-Flow tuple field value) in the service information, and the charging information field (Charging Method field) in the service information. Value), time information (Start time and End time field values), location information (Location (Zone / GPS) field value), performance information (QoS field value) policy (Rule) according to at least one of the UPF (300) to provide.

That is, the session controller 120 corresponding to the SMF 200 will perform the above-described first, second, and third embodiments.

In this case, the UPF 300 is the terminal 10 and the service providing apparatus 1 based on a policy received from the session controller 120 and the SMF 200 according to the first, second, and third embodiments described above. You will perform the usual actions, such as control over specific sessions (e.g. modify_Modify, etc.).

According to the current 5G standard, the SMF 200 as a control node can provide / use only a policy based on information (value) provided from the PCF to the UPF 300 to control / manage a data session of the terminal.

However, as described above, according to the present invention, embodies / identify the PFD information, as defined in the standard, and to the SMF (200) utilizing the NEF information sharing capabilities of the 3 ^rd Party side is received by PFD information form By providing a policy (Rule) according to the service information to the UPF 300, a new technology for controlling / managing the data session of the terminal is realized.

Of course, the network (internal network) and an external service provider network (3 ^rd Party) between, each independently entered into a special contract prior arrangement (function matching) by implementing the technical features, each independently of the non-standard method in the data session control of the terminal through the Could be realized.

However, in the present invention, since the realized by utilizing the NEF information sharing, as defined in 5G standard data session control of a terminal according to the service information of the 3 ^rd Party side, the communication network (internal network) and an external service provider network (3 ^rd It will have a much higher efficiency in terms of reduction of data session control, application time and cost, which can be realized through pre-negotiation (function matching) in an independent / non-standard manner between parties.

As it described above, according to the network device of the present invention, based on the NEF information sharing, 3 ^rd Party (external operator) the differentiated technology that enables to control the data session of a terminal effect according to the side information To derive.

Hereinafter, a method of operating a network device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

First of all, see Fig. 4, according to the service information from the 3 ^rd Party (external operators) in a communication system to which the present invention is applied will be described a flow of the control data of the terminal session.

For ease of illustration, will be described with the outside of the provider network means that 3 ^rd Party side of the multiple service providing apparatus, referring to the service-providing apparatus 1.

When the connected terminal 10 is a terminal of a customer stored in the white list customer information, the service providing apparatus 1 may use a data service (hereinafter, referred to as content A) that the terminal 10 starts to use based on the information providing list for each data service. Service A ") to generate the information sharing function message including the service information specified in the form of the PFD information and provide the same to the network device 100 (S10 and S20).

When the network device 100 of the present invention, that is, the NEF 100, receives an NEF information sharing function message from the service providing device 1 in an external service network (hereinafter referred to as 3 ^rd party) (S20), the message is shown in FIG. PFD information as shown may be included.

The NEF 100 may obtain service information for the terminal 10 by analyzing each field value in the PFD information (S30).

Although not shown in FIG. 4, between the NEF 100 of the present invention and each of the service providing apparatuses 1, 2,... N, a procedure for determining a field to be used effectively among the fields in the PFD information may be performed. Can be.

For example, initially, the service providing apparatus 1 provides PFD information to the NEF 100 with each field value empty in the field structure as shown in FIG. 3, thereby providing a data session of the terminal utilizing the NEF information sharing function. Query the field values needed for control.

Accordingly, the NEF 100 writes "OK" only to field values necessary for realizing data session control of the terminal by utilizing the NEF information sharing function with the service providing device 1, and writes "NOK" to the unnecessary field values. You can reply.

In this case, the service providing apparatus 1 then generates an information sharing function message including the PFD information that records the service information specified in the "Service A which the terminal 10 starts to use" in the field value to which the "OK" response is returned. It may be provided to the network device 100 (S10, S20).

The NEF 100 provides service information on the terminal 10 obtained by analyzing each field value in the PFD information to the SMF 200 (S40).

The SMF 200 checks the data node, that is, the UPF 300 that is responsible for the specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier (ID field value) and the flow identifier (N-Flow tuple field value) in the received service information. (S50).

In addition, the SMF 200 includes charging information (charging method field value), time information (start time and end time field value), location information (location (Zone / GPS) field value), and performance information (QoS field) in the service information. Value) provides a policy (Rule) according to at least one of the above) to the UPF 300 (S60).

In this case, the UPF 300 performs a control (eg, modification_Modify, etc.) for a specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 according to a policy received from the SMF 200. Will perform the action.

For example, it is assumed that under the control of the UPF 300, a specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing apparatus 1 is applied with charging A, performance 5G QoS 10, and capacity 10Gbps.

At this time, the SMF 200 provided with the service information from the NEF 100, charges specified in the performance (eg 5G QoS 2, unlimited capacity) and charging information (Charging Method field value) according to the performance information (QoS field value) (Eg, Free) may provide a policy (Rule) to apply to the UPF 300 (S60).

In this case, the UPF 300 controls to apply billing free, 5G QoS 2, and unlimited capacity to a specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 according to a policy received from the SMF 200. (E.g., modify_Modify, etc.), the charging data will be transmitted to the charging system 20 (S70).

Under the control of the UPF 300, the billing free, 5G QoS 2, and unlimited capacity may be applied to a specific session of “Service A” which plays content A between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1.

Hereinafter, a method of operating a network device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5.

In a method of operating a network device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the network device 100 receives an NEF information sharing function message from a service providing device such as a service providing device 1 in an external service network (hereinafter, 3 ^rd party). (S100).

In response, the network apparatus 100 may analyze the PFD information included in the message to obtain service information of a specific terminal, for example, the terminal 10 (S110).

In the method of operation of a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the network apparatus 100, when obtaining the service information for the terminal 10, terminal 10, the policy reflected in accordance with the service information in a 3 ^rd Party It is possible to check whether or not it is possible (S120).

For example, network device 100, a 3 ^rd Party of information about a customer to prohibit the policy reflected in accordance with the service information (hereinafter, referred to as a blacklist customer information) may be stored / managed.

Thus, if the network device 100 obtains the service information for the terminal 10, it may be confirmed that the policy is not reflected when the terminal 10 is included in the blacklist customer information (S120 No).

If the network device 100 confirms that the policy can be reflected (S120 Yes), it provides the service information to the SMF 200 (S130).

The SMF 200 checks the data node, that is, the UPF 300 that is responsible for the specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier (ID field value) and the flow identifier (N-Flow tuple field value) in the received service information. (S140).

In the method of operating a network device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the SMF 200 may check whether the UPF 300 checked in step S140 is capable of executing a policy according to service information (S150).

For example, the SMF 200 cannot apply the performance (eg, 5G QoS 2, unlimited capacity) according to the performance information (QoS field value) in the service information based on the load situation of the UPF 300. If it is impossible to determine whether it is possible, it can be confirmed that the UPF 300 can not perform the policy according to the service information this time (S150 No).

In this case (S150 No), the SMF 200 may select / change another UPF capable of executing a policy according to service information for a specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 according to a predefined response policy. And (S170), or may be dropping (Drop) policy execution according to the service information this time.

On the other hand, if the SMF 200 confirms that the policy can be performed (S150 Yes), the billing information (Charging Method field value) in the service information, the time information (Start time and End time field values), local information (Location (Zone) (GPS) field value) and performance information (QoS field value) provide a policy (Rule) according to at least one of the UPF 300 (S160).

In this case, the UPF 300 performs a control (eg, modification_Modify, etc.) for a specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 according to a policy received from the SMF 200. The operation will be performed (S160).

For example, it is assumed that under the control of the UPF 300, a specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing apparatus 1 is applied with charging A, performance 5G QoS 10, and capacity 10Gbps.

At this time, the SMF 200 provided with the service information from the NEF 100, charges specified in the performance (eg 5G QoS 2, unlimited capacity) and charging information (Charging Method field value) according to the performance information (QoS field value) (Eg, Free) may provide a policy to the UPF 300 to apply a rule.

In this case, the UPF 300 controls to apply billing free, 5G QoS 2, and unlimited capacity to a specific session between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1 according to a policy received from the SMF 200. (E.g., modify_Modify, etc.), and transfer the charging data accordingly to the charging system 20.

Under the control of the UPF 300, the billing free, 5G QoS 2, and unlimited capacity may be applied to a specific session of “Service A” which plays content A between the terminal 10 and the service providing device 1.

As it described above, according to the method of operation of a network device of the present invention, based on the NEF information sharing, 3 ^rd Party (external operator) differentiated technology that enables to control the data session of a terminal according to the side information To derive the effect of realizing.

The method of operating a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means and recorded in a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. Program instructions recorded on the media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and magnetic disks, such as floppy disks. Magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine code generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the following claims. Anyone skilled in the art will have the technical idea of the present invention to the extent that various modifications or changes are possible.

In that according to the method of operation of a network device and a network device according to the invention, based on the NEF information sharing, 3 ^rd Party (external operator) to control the data session of a terminal according to the side information, the existing technology It is an invention that has industrial applicability because the possibility of marketing or operating the applied device is not only sufficient for the use of the related technology as well as the practical use, but also the degree to which it can be clearly implemented in practice.

10: terminal
20: billing system
100: NEF
110: information acquisition unit 120: session control unit
200: SMF
300: UPF

Claims (15)

In the network device,
An information acquisition unit for obtaining service information on a specific terminal using a data service provided by the external service network based on a specific message defined between a communication network to which the network device belongs and an external service network; And
And a session controller configured to control a specific session set up on the communication network so that the specific terminal can use the data service based on the obtained service information. The method of claim 1,
The specific message is,
And a message defined to transmit and receive packet flow description (PFD) information from a control node in charge of sharing information between the communication network and an external service network. The method of claim 1,
The service information,
A terminal identifier for identifying the specific terminal, a flow identifier for identifying the flow of the data service, charging information for specifying a charge for the data service, time information indicating a period during which the charging information is applied to the data service, And at least one of region information indicating a region where the charging information is applied to the data service, and performance information required while applying the charging information to the data service. The method of claim 3, wherein
The session control unit,
The data node responsible for the specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier and the flow identifier in the service information, the policy to apply the charge specified in the charging information during the period according to the time information in the service information By providing a Rule,
And the data node controls the specific session according to the policy. The method of claim 3, wherein
The session control unit,
A data node that is in charge of the specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier and the flow identifier in the service information, during a period of time in the region according to the area information of the period according to the time information in the service information. Providing a policy (Rule) to apply the charge specified in the performance and the charging information according to the performance information,
And the data node controls the specific session according to the policy. The method of claim 1,
The session control unit,
And providing the obtained service information to a control node that manages / controls a session for using a data service for each terminal, so that the control node controls the specific session based on the service information. In the operation method of the network device,
An information obtaining step of obtaining service information on a specific terminal using a data service provided by the external service network based on a specific message defined between a communication network to which the network device belongs and an external service network; And
And a session control step of controlling a specific session set up on the communication network so that the specific terminal can use the data service based on the obtained service information. The method of claim 7, wherein
The specific message is,
And a message defined to transmit and receive packet flow description (PFD) information from a control node in charge of sharing information between the communication network and an external service network. The method of claim 7, wherein
The service information,
A terminal identifier for identifying the specific terminal, a flow identifier for identifying the flow of the data service, charging information for specifying a charge for the data service, time information indicating a period during which the charging information is applied to the data service, And at least one of region information indicating a region where the charging information is applied to the data service and performance information required while applying the charging information to the data service. The method of claim 9,
The session control step,
The data node responsible for the specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier and the flow identifier in the service information, the policy to apply the charge specified in the charging information during the period according to the time information in the service information By providing a Rule,
And the data node controls the specific session according to the policy. The method of claim 9,
The session control step,
A data node that is in charge of the specific session identified according to at least one of the terminal identifier and the flow identifier in the service information, during a period of time in the region according to the area information of the period according to the time information in the service information. And controlling a specific session by providing a rule to apply the charge according to the performance information and the charge information according to the performance information. The method of claim 7, wherein
The session control step,
Providing the obtained service information to a control node that manages / controls a session for using a data service for each terminal so that the control node controls the specific session based on the service information; Way. The method of claim 7, wherein
The service providing apparatus for providing a data service in the external service network,
And when the connected specific terminal initiates the use of a specific data service for which service information provision is designated, providing the service information designated to the specific data service to the specific terminal through the specific message. A field for displaying a terminal identifier for identifying a terminal;
A field for indicating a flow identifier for identifying a flow of a data service;
A field for displaying charging information for specifying a charge for the data service; And
And a field for displaying time information indicating a time period during which the billing information is applied to the data service. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a packet flow description (PFD) structure. The method of claim 14,
A field for displaying region information indicating a region where the billing information is applied to the data service;
And a field for indicating performance information required while applying the charging information to the data service.

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