WO2009092306A1

WO2009092306A1 - Network selection method, network element equipment and network system

Info

Publication number: WO2009092306A1
Application number: PCT/CN2009/070053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wenliang Liang
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2008-01-10
Filing date: 2009-01-07
Publication date: 2009-07-30
Also published as: CN101483904B; CN101483904A

Abstract

A network selection method includes: obtaining a list of service networks which could provide services for the hosts; obtaining a list of service networks to which a self-accessible Access Service Network (ASN) can be linked; according to the list of service networks which could provide services for the hosts and the list of service networks to which the accessible ASN can be linked, selecting ASN to be accessed. A network element equipment includes a host information obtaining unit for obtaining a list of service networks which could provide services for the hosts; an ASN information obtaining unit for obtaining a list of self-service networks to which the accessible ASN can be linked; an ASN selection unit for selecting ASN according to the list of service networks which could provide services for the hosts and the list of service networks to which the accessible ASN can be linked; a message receiving and transmitting unit for performing information interaction with the selected ASN to access the selected ASN.

Description

Network selection method, network element device and network system

This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200810000355.5, entitled "Network Selection Method, Network Element Device and Network System", filed on January 10, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference. In this application.

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a network selection method, a network element device, and a network system.

Background technique

With the widespread use of wireless networks, multi-host scenarios are a very common form of networking. For example, it is possible to use multiple hosts for layout at airports, coffee bars, and trains. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a networking structure provided by the prior art. A Gateway Mobile Station (G-MS) selects an Access Service Network (ASN) and a connection before a host (HOST) accesses. The Connective Service Network (CSN) is connected.

The disadvantages of the prior art are:

If the network selected by the G-MS cannot meet the requirements of the HOST for subsequent access, such as not being able to roam, or not enjoying a certain service, then it is impossible to provide quality services to the widest possible range of users.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a network selection method, a network element device, and a network system, which enable the G-MS to select an ASN access according to the requirements of the host.

In view of this, the embodiments of the present invention provide:

A method of network selection, including:

Get a list of business networks that can serve the host;

Obtaining a list of service networks that the ASN can connect to; accessing the ASN access according to a list of service networks that can provide services for the host and a list of service networks that the accessible ASN can connect to.

A network element device, including:

a host information obtaining unit, configured to obtain a list of service networks that can provide services for the host; and an ASN information acquiring unit, configured to obtain a list of service networks that the ASNs that are accessible to the host are connectable; An ASN selection unit, configured to select an ASN according to the service network list that can serve the host and the list of service networks that the accessible ASN can connect to;

The messaging unit is configured to perform information interaction with the selected ASN to access the selected ASN.

A network system, including a G-MS, an ASN, and a host, wherein

The G-MS is configured to receive a list of service networks that are sent by the host and provide services for the host; obtain a list of service networks that the ASN can connect to; and select a service network that can provide services for the host Selecting an ASN access with a list of service networks connectable to the accessible ASN;

The host is configured to send, to the G-MS, the list of service networks that can provide services for the host.

One of the above technical solutions has the following beneficial effects:

The network element device in the embodiment of the present invention selects ASN access according to the service network list that can provide services for the host and the service network list that the ASN can connect to, and enables the accessed ASN and the host to provide services. The business network connection can meet the business requirements of the host and provide high-quality services for the host.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-host networking provided by the prior art;

2 is a structural diagram of a WiMAX network according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart of a network selection method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a network element device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

detailed description

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for network selection, where the method includes: receiving subscription information sent by one or more hosts, where the subscription information carries a list of service networks that can provide services for the corresponding host; Access service network ASN A list of service networks that can be connected; ASN access is selected based on a list of service networks that can serve the host and a list of service networks to which the ASN can connect. For example, the World Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network is used as an example. The list of service networks that can provide services for the corresponding host is a network service provider that can provide services for the corresponding host (Network Service). Provider, NSP) list, the list of ASN connectable service networks is an ASN-connectable NSP list. The following describes the WiMAX network as an example in the embodiment of the present invention, but the technical solution provided by the present invention is not limited to the application in WiMAX. The internet.

In order to make the embodiment of the present invention more clear, the WiMAX network is taken as an example, and the network structure is briefly introduced. However, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the network. Referring to FIG. 2, a WiMAX network includes a Network Access Provider (NAP) and a Network Service Provider (NSP). One NAP may include multiple ASNs, and one NSP may include multiple CSNs. The connection between the ASN and the CSN may be a mesh connection, one ASN may be connected to multiple CSNs, and one CSN may also be connected to multiple ASNs. The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below.

Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the present invention provides a network selection method, including:

Step 301: The G-MS obtains an NSP list that each ASN can connect to.

Each ASN in the network broadcasts a NSP list that can be connected to it. After receiving the broadcast message sent by the ASN that can be accessed by the GSN, the G-MS obtains an NSP list that can be accessed by each ASN according to the corresponding broadcast message.

This step may also be performed after the G-MS receives the local authentication request in the subsequent step 302-step 303 and performs local authentication on the host, without affecting the implementation of the embodiment of the present invention.

Step 302: One or more HOSTs initiate a local authentication request to the G-MS, where the request carries the respective subscription information, and the subscription information may include an NSP list that can provide services for the corresponding HOST, where the NSP list that can provide services for the HOST The method may include: at least one of the HSP signed by the HOST, the roamable NSP, the subscription service, or the NSP corresponding to the provider of the subscription service.

The NSP corresponding to the contract service and the contract service provider is the NSP providing the service. Step 303: The G-MS performs local authentication on each host, and sends a local authentication response message to the corresponding host.

Step 304: The G-MS compares each NSP list that can be served by the host with the NSP list that can be connected to the same ASN, and the NSP list that can serve the host has the same NSP as the NSP list that can be connected to the ASN. The host matches the ASN, and obtains the number of hosts that match the ASN; and selects the ASN with the largest number of hosts that can match.

The following example shows how G-MS chooses ASN: Assume that three HOSTs want to access the network, which can be The NSP list provided by the HOST1 service includes: a contracted NSP1, a roamable NSP2, and an NSP3 corresponding to the subscription service; the NSP list that can provide services for HOST2 includes: a contracted NSP3, a roamable NSP4, and a subscription service corresponding to the NSP3. NSP5; The list of NSPs that can provide services for HOST3 includes: NSP6 for subscription, NSP7 for roaming, NSP8 for subscription service; G-MS can access two ASNs, and the list of NSPs that can be connected to the first ASN includes: NSP1, NSP2, NSP3; The list of NSPs that the second ASN can connect to include: NSP1, NSP3, NSP6;

First, the list of NSPs that can provide services for HOST1, the list of NSPs that can serve HOST2, and the list of NSPs that can serve HOST3 are compared with the list of NSPs that can be connected to the first ASN, respectively, when the list of NSPs that can provide services for HOST When there is the same NSP in the NSP list that can be connected to the first ASN, the HOST is considered to match the first ASN. Therefore, HOST1 and HOST2 match the first ASN; and the NSP list that can serve HOST1 is added. The NSP list that can provide services for HOST2 and the NSP list that can provide services for HOST3 are respectively compared with the NSP list that can be connected to the second ASN, and HOST1, HOST2, and HOST3 are matched with the second ASN. Therefore, the second ASN is selected as the ASN to be accessed.

Of course, there may be a case where a certain HOST cannot be accessed. For example, assuming that four HOSTs want to access the network, the NSP list that can provide services for HOST1 includes: NSP1 that is subscribed, NSP that can roam, and NSP3 that corresponds to the subscription service. The list of NSPs that can provide services for HOST2 includes: NSP3 for signing, NSP4 for roaming, NSP5 for signing service; NSP list for HOST3 service: NSP6 for signing, NSP7 for roaming, signing service The corresponding NSP8; NSP list that can provide services for HOST4 includes: NSP7 subscribed, NSP8 roamable, NSP9 corresponding to the subscription service; G-MS can access two ASNs, NSPs connectable by the first ASN The list includes: NSPK NSP2, NSP3; The list of NSPs that the second ASN can connect to include: NSP1, NSP3, NSP6;

According to the above analysis, HOST1, HOST2 and HOST3 are matched with the second ASN, but HOST4 does not match the two ASNs, so HOST4 cannot be accessed, and G-MS selects the second ASN access.

At this point, the purpose of the present invention has been achieved. The G-MS in the embodiment of the present invention selects ASN access according to the service network list that can provide services for the host and the list of service networks that the ASN can connect to, and selects the ASN access. The incoming ASN is connected to a service network that can serve multiple hosts, which can satisfy many The business requirements of each host provide quality services for multiple hosts.

Step 305: The G-MS sends an access authentication request to the selected ASN, and receives an access authentication response that is sent by the ASN and indicates that the G-MS authentication succeeds.

Step 306: After the authentication is passed, the G-MS sends the ASN selection information to the one or more hosts, where the ASN selection information carries the NSP list that the ASN can access.

Step 307: The one or more hosts HOST select an NSP that can provide services for itself in the received NSN list that can be connected, and send a HOST access authentication request to the G-MS, where the request carries the selected NSP logo.

Following the example in step 304, since the NSP list that the second ASN can connect to includes: NSP1, NSP3, NSP6, HOST1 can select NSP1 or NSP3, HOST2 selects NSP3, and HOST3 selects NSP6.

Step 308: The G-MS sends an access authentication request of the one or more host HOSTs to the ASN, where the access authentication request carries the identifier of the NSP selected by each host.

Step 309: The ASN obtains the CSN to be accessed by the HOST according to the NSP identifier, and sends an access authentication request to the CSN.

Step 310: The CSN sends an access authentication response to the ASN.

Step 311: The ASN sends an access authentication response to the G-MS.

Step 312: The G-MS sends an access authentication response to the one or more hosts.

The method for selecting the access ASN by the G-MS provided by the embodiment of the present invention is as follows: After the step 304, the ASN establishes an air interface resource with the G-MS, and after the G-MS accesses the ASN, further, If the G-MS detects that the connected HOST has been retired, it releases the air interface resource with the ASN, and sends a deregistration request message (DREG-REQ) to the ASN. After receiving the message, the ASN releases the G-MS. Air resource between. Optionally, the ASN can detect whether multiple hosts connected to the G-MS are backed out. If multiple hosts that have been accessed by the G-MS are detected to be retired, the G-MS is retired. , release the air interface resources with the G-MS, avoid waste of air interface resources, and reduce the cost of G-MS operators.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the ASN connection is selected when the HOST is accessed. After detecting that the accessed HOST is removed, the air interface resource between the G-MS and the ASN is released, and the G-MS and the ASN are not required to be maintained. The connection saves air interface resources while reducing the billing cost of G-MS operators. A person skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of implementing the foregoing embodiments may be performed by a program to instruct related hardware, and the program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as a read only memory. Disk or disc, etc.

Referring to FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the present invention provides a network element device, where the network element device is a G-MS, and the network element device includes:

The host information obtaining unit 401 is configured to obtain a list of service networks that can provide services for the host, and specifically configured to receive subscription information from the host, where the subscription information carries a list of service networks that can provide services for the corresponding host, where The list of service networks that can provide services for the corresponding host is an NSP list that can provide services for the corresponding host;

The ASN information obtaining unit 402 is configured to obtain a list of service networks that each ASN can connect to, and the list of service networks that the ASN can connect to may be an NSP list that the ASN can connect to;

The ASN selecting unit 403 is configured to select an ASN according to a service network list that can serve the host and a list of service networks that the accessible ASN can connect to;

The messaging unit 404 is configured to perform information interaction with the selected ASN to access the selected ASN.

The ASN information obtaining unit 402 includes:

The broadcast message receiving unit is configured to receive the broadcast message sent by the accessible ASN, and the NSP list obtaining unit is configured to obtain the NSP list that the ASN can connect according to the corresponding broadcast message.

The ASN selection unit 403 includes:

a matching unit, configured to compare each NSP list that can serve the host with an NSP list that can be connected to the same ASN, where the NSP list that can serve the host is the same as the NSP list that can be connected to the ASN At the NSP, the host matches the ASN, and obtains the number of hosts that match the ASN;

The selection unit is used to select the ASN with the largest number of hosts that can be matched.

The ASN selection unit 403 in the second embodiment of the present invention selects the ASN according to the service network list that can serve the host and the service network list that the ASN can connect to, and the ASN access unit 404 accesses the selected ASN. Enable the connected ASN with services that can serve multiple hosts Network connection, can meet the business requirements of multiple hosts, and provide quality services for multiple hosts. The network element device further includes:

The NSP list sending unit 405 is configured to send the selected ASN connectable NSP list to the host.

The network element device may further include:

a detecting unit, configured to detect whether the host has been retired;

The de-logging request sending unit is configured to send a de-log-out request message to the accessed ASN to release the air interface resource with the ASN after detecting that the host has retired.

Or the device also includes:

The host retiring notification receiving unit is configured to receive, after detecting that the host accessed by the network element device exits the network, the notification message that the host has been retired;

And a resource release unit, configured to release the air resource between the ASN and the ASN after receiving the notification message.

The network element device provided by the second embodiment of the present invention selects an ASN connection when the HOST is accessed. After detecting that the accessed HOST is removed, the air interface resource between the G-MS and the ASN is released. Maintain the connection between G-MS and ASN, save air interface resources, and reduce the billing cost of G-MS operators.

A third embodiment of the present invention provides a network system, including a G-MS, an ASN, and a host, where

The G-MS is configured to receive the subscription information from the host, where the subscription information carries a list of service networks that can provide services for the corresponding host, and obtains a list of service networks that the ASN can connect to; A list of service networks providing services and a list of service networks that the ASN can connect to, and selecting ASN access;

The host is configured to send the foregoing subscription information to the G-MS, select an NSP that can provide services for itself in the NSP list that can be connected to the received ASN, and send, by using the G-MS, the access that carries the identifier of the selected NSP to the ASN. Authentication request;

The ASN is configured to select a CSN according to the NSP identifier in the access authentication request, and send an access authentication request of the host to the CSN.

The G-MS in the network system provided by Embodiment 3 of the present invention selects ASN access according to a service network list that can provide services for the host and a service network list that can be connected to the ASN that can be accessed by itself. The connected ASN is connected to a service network that can serve multiple hosts, which can meet the service requirements of multiple hosts and provide high-quality services for multiple hosts.

The G-MS is further configured to send a logout request message to the ASN after detecting that the host is disconnected from the network. The ASN is further configured to release the air interface resource between the G-MS and the G-MS after receiving the logout request message. Or, the ASN is further configured to: after detecting that the host accessed by the G-MS is disconnected from the network, release the air interface resource with the G-MS.

The network system provided by the third embodiment of the present invention selects the ASN connection when the HOST is accessed, and releases the air interface resource between the G-MS and the ASN after detecting that the accessed HOST is left, and does not need to be maintained. The connection between the G-MS and the ASN saves air interface resources while reducing the billing cost of G-MS operators.

The network selection method, the network element device, and the network system provided by the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above. For those skilled in the art, according to the idea of the embodiment of the present invention, there will be a specific implementation manner and application scope. The details of the description are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

Claims

Rights request

A method for network selection, comprising: obtaining a list of service networks that can provide services for a host; obtaining a list of service networks to which the access service network ASN that can access itself can connect; A list of service networks providing services and a list of service networks that the accessible ASN can connect to select ASN access.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the list of connectable ASN connectable service networks is an accessible ASN connectable network service provider NSP list;

The list of the ASN-connectable service network that is accessible to the user is specifically: the gateway mobile station G-MS receives the broadcast message sent by the accessible ASN, and obtains the accessible ASN according to the broadcast message. A list of NSPs that can be connected.

The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining a list of service networks that can provide services for the host is: acquiring an NSP list that is sent by multiple hosts and providing services for the corresponding host;

According to the service network list that can provide services for the host and the list of service networks that the accessible ASN can connect to, the ASN is specifically selected as follows:

The G-MS compares each NSP list that can serve the host with the NSP list that can be connected to the same ASN in the accessible ASN, and the NSP list that can serve the host can be connected to the ASN. When there is an identical NSP in the NSP list, the host matches the ASN, and the number of hosts matching the ASN is obtained;

Selecting the ASN with the largest number of hosts that can be matched among the accessible ASNs.

The method according to claim 3, wherein the NSP list that can provide services for the host comprises: an NSP corresponding to a provider of the subscription service or the contract service, an NSP signed by the host, and an NSP roamable by the host At least one of them.

The method according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprises: the G-MS sending the selected ASN connectable NSP list to the host.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the method further comprises:

The NSP sends an access authentication request carrying the identifier of the selected NSP to the ASN by using the G-MS, and the ASN selects a CSN according to the NSP identifier, and sends the access authentication request to the CSN.

The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the method further comprises: after the G-MS detects that the host has been retired, sending, to the accessed ASN, the logout Requesting a message requesting release of an air interface resource with the ASN;

Or, after the ASN detects that the host accessed by the G-MS is disconnected from the network, the ASN releases the air interface resource with the G-MS.

A network element device, comprising: a host information obtaining unit, configured to obtain a list of service networks that can provide services for the host; and an ASN information acquiring unit, configured to acquire an ASN connectable by the ASN a list of business networks;

An ASN selection unit, configured to select an ASN according to the service network list that can serve the host and the accessible ASN connectable service network list, and the messaging unit is configured to perform information interaction with the selected ASN. To access the selected ASN.

The device according to claim 8, wherein the list of accessible ASN connectable service networks is an accessible ASN connectable NSP list, and the ASN information obtaining unit comprises: broadcasting a message receiving unit, configured to receive a broadcast message sent by the accessible ASN, and an NSP list obtaining unit, configured to obtain, according to the broadcast message, the accessible ASN connectable The list of NSPs received.

The device according to claim 8, wherein the acquiring unit is configured to obtain an NSP list that is sent by multiple hosts and can provide services for the corresponding host.

The ASN selection unit includes: a matching unit, configured to compare each NSP list that can serve the host with an NSP list connectable by the same ASN in the accessible ASN, where the host can provide services When the NSP list has the same NSP as the NSN list that can be connected to the ASN, the host matches the ASN, and obtains the number of hosts that match the ASN;

a selecting unit, configured to select, among the accessible ASNs, the number of hosts that can match the most

ASN.

The device according to claim 10, further comprising:

The NSP list sending unit is configured to send the selected ASN connectable NSP list to the host.

The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising: a detecting unit, configured to detect whether the host has been retired;

The device according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising: a host back-off notification receiving unit, configured to receive, by the ASN, a host that is accessed by the network element device A notification message sent by the network indicating that the host has been logged out; a resource release unit, configured to release the air interface resource with the ASN after receiving the notification message.

A network system, comprising: a G-MS, an ASN, and a host, where the G-MS is configured to receive a list of service networks that are sent by the host and provide services for the host; a list of service networks that the connected ASN can connect to; Selecting an ASN access by selecting a service network list and a list of service networks that the accessible ASN can connect to;

The system according to claim 14, wherein the system further includes a CSN, where the G-MS is further configured to send, to the host, a list of NSPs that can be connected to the selected ASN; Selecting, by the G-MS, an NSP that can provide a service for the selected NSP, by using the G-MS to send an access authentication request that carries the identifier of the selected NSP; the ASN, And configured to select a CSN according to the NSP identifier in the access authentication request, and send the access authentication request to the CSN.

The system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the G-MS is further configured to send a deregistration request message to the ASN after detecting that the host is disconnected from the network;

The ASN is further configured to release the air interface resource with the G-MS after receiving the de-logout request message.

The system according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the ASN is further configured to detect that after the host that is accessed by the G-MS is disconnected from the network, release between the G-MS and the G-MS. Air interface resources.