WO2017005208A1

WO2017005208A1 - Network slice management and selection method, system, base station and router

Info

Publication number: WO2017005208A1
Application number: PCT/CN2016/089138
Authority: WO
Inventors: 陈炜; 孙滔; 陆璐; 韩小勇
Original assignee: 中国移动通信集团公司
Priority date: 2015-07-07
Filing date: 2016-07-07
Publication date: 2017-01-12
Also published as: CN106341832A; CN106341832B

Abstract

Disclosed are a network slice management and selection method, a system, a base station and a router . The method comprises: according to a correlation between a slice identifier and an entry identifier and slice identifier information sent by a terminal, a base station determining an entry identifier of a network to which the terminal will access; and according to the determined entry identifier, the base station sending signalling and data which are sent by the terminal to a selected network slice entry.

Description

Network slice management and selection method, system, base station, routing switching device

Cross-reference to related applications

The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 20151039479, filed on Jan. 7, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to a network slice technology of a mobile network, and in particular, to a method and system for managing and selecting a network slice, a base station, and a route switching device.

Background technique

With the rapid development of mobile Internet and mobile networks, mobile networks need to meet more diverse business scenarios, such as low-power large connections, hotspots, high-capacity, continuous wide-area coverage, low latency, high reliability, virtual operators, and enterprise networks. , etc. Scenes. Different scenarios have different requirements for mobile networks (especially mobile packet core networks), such as different requirements of functional characteristics, requirements for signaling and data traffic, and so on. The traditional mobile network design idea is based on a set of logical architecture to serve a variety of application scenarios. Although the Mobility Management Entity (MME) has certain intelligence capabilities, the MME can perform gateway selection based on the code number; the base station has a weight that can be selected based on the weight of the MME, and selects an MME; a Dedicated Core Network (DCN) mechanism The base station initially selects an MME, and selects the MME in the target Dedicated core network by redirection. However, these mechanisms cannot isolate the mobile core network serving different scenarios, and it is difficult to adapt to multiple service scenarios (such as the Internet of Things, high density, low latency, etc.) in the future network. The architecture is single, inflexible, and difficult to be lower. The cost of the network adapts to the diversified network requirements; the failure of one network element may affect the operation of other services; the complete isolation of different mobile core networks facilitates different customization of the functions of the mobile core network to serve different The scenario, different mobile core network functions can be extended independently.

Summary of the invention

To solve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method and system for managing and selecting a network slice, a base station, and a route switching device.

The management and selection method of the network slice provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: the base station according to the correspondence between the slice identifier (slice ID) and the entry identifier (NF ID), and the terminal (UE) The sent slice identifier slice ID information determines an entry identifier of a network to which the terminal is to access; according to the determined entry identifier, the base station sends the signaling and data sent by the terminal to the selected network slice entry.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further includes: receiving, by the base station, the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module; and receiving the slice identifier information sent by the terminal.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the receiving the slice ID information sent by the UE includes: receiving a slice sent by the UE when the base station establishes a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the UE or the UE attaches or selects by using a slice ID. ID information; saves the slice ID information sent by the UE.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, after the base station receives the correspondence between the slice identifier slice ID and the entry identifier NF ID sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module, the method further includes: according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID Relationship, add, or delete, or update a data forwarding table, the data forwarding table including a correspondence between one or more slice IDs and NF IDs.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station sends the signaling and data sent by the terminal to the selected network slice entry according to the determined entry identifier, including: determining an IP address of the network slice entry according to the determined NF ID; The signaling and the data are sent to the network element device corresponding to the IP address, and the network element device forwards the signaling and data sent by the UE to the corresponding network slice entry according to the forwarding rule.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the network slice includes a core network serving one or more application scenarios, or a network composed of a core network and an access network.

A method for managing and selecting a network slice slice according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: the route switching device receives a correspondence between a slice ID and an NF ID sent by the control orchestration module; and according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, the base station The sent UE signaling and data are routed to a corresponding network slice entry; wherein the UE signaling and data encapsulation have slice ID information, and the NF ID is used to indicate a network slice entry.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE signaling and data sent by the base station are routed to the corresponding network slice entry according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, including: UE signaling and data sent by the base station. Performing parsing to obtain slice ID information corresponding to the UE signaling and data; and searching, in the routing table, an NF ID corresponding to the slice ID information according to the slice ID information, where the path is The table includes a correspondence between one or more slice IDs and NF IDs; according to the found NF IDs, the UE signaling and data are sent to the corresponding network slice entry.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, after the routing switching device receives the correspondence between the slice identifier slice ID and the entry identifier NF ID sent by the control orchestration module, the method further includes: adding, according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, Or deleting or updating the data forwarding table, where the data forwarding table includes a correspondence between one or more slice IDs and NF IDs.

The base station provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a determining unit, configured to determine, according to a correspondence between a slice identifier and an entry identifier, and a slice identifier information sent by the terminal, an entry identifier of a network to which the terminal is to be accessed; and a sending unit, configured to determine, according to the identifier The entry identifier, the base station sends the signaling and data sent by the terminal to the selected network slice entry.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station further includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive a correspondence between a slice identifier and an entry identifier sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module; and a routing unit, configured to receive the slice identifier information sent by the terminal .

The embodiment of the present disclosure is further configured to: when the base station establishes an RRC connection with the UE, or the UE performs attachment or selects by using a slice ID, receiving the slice ID information sent by the UE; the base station further includes: a storage unit, configured to save the UE The slice ID information sent. The encapsulating unit encapsulates the slice ID information into signaling and data of the UE.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the routing unit is further configured to add, delete, or update a data forwarding table according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, where the data forwarding table includes one or more slice IDs and NF IDs. Correspondence.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the sending unit is further configured to determine an IP address of a network slice entry according to the determined NF ID, and send the signaling and data to the network element device corresponding to the IP address, where The network element device forwards the signaling and data sent by the UE to the corresponding network slice entry according to the forwarding rule.

The routing switching device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive control scheduling Corresponding relationship between the slice identifier slice ID and the entry identifier NF ID sent by the module; the routing unit is configured to route the UE signaling and data sent by the base station to the corresponding network slice entry according to the correspondence between the lice ID and the NF ID Wherein the UE signaling and data encapsulation have slice ID information, and the NF ID is used to indicate a network slice entry.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the routing unit includes: a parsing subunit, configured to parse UE signaling and data sent by the base station, and obtain slice ID information corresponding to the UE signaling and data; And searching, according to the slice ID information, an NF ID corresponding to the slice ID information in the routing table, where the routing table includes a correspondence between one or more slice IDs and an NF ID; and the sending subunit is configured to be used according to the found The NF ID sends the UE signaling and data to the corresponding network slice entry.

The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a terminal, including: a transceiver, configured to send and receive slice identification information to a base station, and a storage module, configured to store and update the slice identification information.

The system for managing and selecting a network slice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the foregoing base station, a routing switching device, a UE, a control orchestration module, and a network slice; wherein the UE is configured to send slice ID information to a base station; Corresponding relationship between the slice ID and the NF ID sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module; receiving the slice ID information sent by the UE, and determining the slice sent by the UE according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID The NF ID corresponding to the ID information, and the signaling and data sent by the UE are directed to the corresponding network slice entry according to the determined NF ID; the routing switching device is configured to receive the slice ID and the NF ID sent by the control orchestration module. Corresponding relationship; according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, the UE signaling and data sent by the base station are routed to the corresponding network slice entry.

In the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the corresponding relationship between the slice ID and the NF ID is sent by the control orchestration module, where the following two modes are respectively sent to the base station and delivered to the route switch. device. For the first mode, the base station receives the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module; receives the slice ID information sent by the UE, and determines the location according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID. The NF ID corresponding to the slice ID information sent by the UE; and the data sent by the UE is directed to the corresponding network slice entry according to the determined NF ID. For the second mode, the routing switching device receives the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID sent by the control orchestration module; and according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, routes the UE signaling and data sent by the base station to the corresponding a network slice entry; wherein the UE signaling and data encapsulation have slice ID information, and the NF ID is used to indicate a network slice entry. The technical solution of the embodiments of the present disclosure may configure different network slices (a set of some network functions) based on different service scenarios, and may flexibly add, update, and delete network slices to meet future diverse mobile network requirements; the UE may be based on services. The requirements are flexible to select different network slices; the base station or the routing switching device (in the IP network) implements UE signaling and data guidance, and directs UE signaling and data in different scenarios to different network slices; different network functions are located differently The slices are isolated from each other and have higher stability.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a method for managing and selecting a network slice slice according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for managing and selecting a network slice slice according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

3 is a schematic diagram of a network slice selection mechanism based on base station forwarding according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

4 is a schematic diagram of a network slice selection mechanism forwarded by a routing switching device in an IP network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a route switching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for managing and selecting a network slice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a slice selection mechanism for a base station to access network slice management according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

detailed description

In order to understand the features and technical contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the implementation of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is used to define embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the network slice or slice network is a core network serving one or more application scenarios, or a network composed of a core network and an access network. The application scenarios may be different from application scenarios such as the enterprise network and the Internet of Things, or different types of terminals, or different services. Each network slice has a network entry function. A network slice is a service network provided to users for different application scenarios.

FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a method for managing and selecting a network slice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method for managing and selecting a network slice in this example is applied to a base station, where management refers to the addition and existing of a new network slice. Update and delete network segments. Selection refers to distinguishing data from different scenes and directing data from different scenes to different network slices.

As shown in FIG. 1, the management and selection method of the network slice includes the following steps:

Step 100: The base station receives a correspondence between a slice ID and an NF ID sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the base station establishes a radio resource control RRC connection with the UE or the UE attaches or selects by using the slice ID, the system receives the slice ID information sent by the UE, and saves the slice ID information sent by the UE.

Specifically, the UE first selects a network slice and determines a corresponding slice ID. There are three ways for a UE to deliver a slice ID to a base station:

Method 1: Passed when establishing RRC establishment.

When the UE performs RRC establishment with the base station, the UE may use the slice ID (slice ID may use the original Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) field, or may be newly defined in the RRC field: the UE obtains the slice when the base station broadcasts. The list of IDs UE selects a slice ID, which is communicated to the base station when transmitting the RRC request) to the base station. The base station saves the slice ID of the UE to complete the slice selection process, and the base station performs an authentication process. After the authentication succeeds, the base station sends an RRC setup confirmation message to the UE to complete the establishment of the RRC. Finally, the UE completes the attachment of the UE between the base station and the network function. )process. During the attach process, the base station selects the corresponding network slice according to the network slice selection function.

Method 2: Pass at the same time as the attach request.

First, the RRC connection establishment process is completed between the UE and the base station. UE when the UE performs attach In the RRC data packet, the attach request information and the slice ID information are notified to the base station; after receiving the RRC data packet of the UE, the base station saves the obtained slice ID information; selects a corresponding network entry function according to the slice ID, and then performs the authentication process. After the authentication is passed, the base station forwards the attached information to the corresponding network entry function to continue the attach process; the network function sends the attach confirmation information to the UE to complete the attach process.

Method 3: Add a proprietary slice ID selection process.

Add a new slice selection process. After the UE completes the RRC connection with the base station, the UE and the base station start a process of selecting a unique slice ID, and the UE initiates a request for accessing the corresponding slice, the base station sends a request to the network portal function, and the network portal function accesses the HSS to view the access. Whether it is legal. If it is legal, the network ingress function informs the base station to allow access. After the base station saves the corresponding information, it sends a response to the successful access of the slice to the UE. Finally, the attachment of the UE is performed.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station adds, deletes, or updates a data forwarding table according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, where the data forwarding table includes a correspondence between one or more slice IDs and NF IDs.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the control orchestration module is responsible for the addition, update, and maintenance of the network slice where the entry (NF) is located; and the corresponding information of the slice ID and the NF ID can be sent to the base station or the routing switching device. The slice ID refers to the identifier of different network slices. The user can select a network slice corresponding to different scenes by selecting different slice IDs. The NF ID refers to the slice entry identifier, which can be represented by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or an IP address. According to the NF ID, it is possible to reach a specific network slice entry.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the entry point implements an entry function for a particular network slice. The entry point identifier is an NF ID, which can be implemented by using a URL, an IP address, or the like. The ingress function may be an MME function in an existing Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network, or a network portal function designed for a new service scenario.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the network slice management server records the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID.

Step 101: Receive the slice ID information sent by the terminal UE, and determine the NF ID corresponding to the slice ID information sent by the UE according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE may carry different slice IDs according to the scenario requirements and send to the base station. The base station receives the slice ID information sent by the terminal UE, and determines the NF ID corresponding to the slice ID information sent by the UE according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID.

Here, the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) stores a list of slice IDs that the UE can access. The HSS authenticates the access of the UE. When the UE carries the slice ID that is not allowed to access the network, the UE accesses. The request will be rejected. The UE's access request is accepted only when the UE carries the slice ID that is allowed to access the network. Then, according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, the NF ID corresponding to the slice ID information sent by the UE is determined.

Step 102: Direct data sent by the UE to a corresponding network slice entry according to the determined NF ID.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the IP address of the network slice entry is determined according to the determined NF ID; the IP address is sent to the IP network, and the data sent by the UE is forwarded by the IP network to the corresponding network slice according to the forwarding rule. Entrance.

2 is a schematic flowchart of a method for managing and selecting a network slice slice according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. The method for managing and selecting a network slice in this example is applied to a route switching device, where management refers to a new network slice. Add, update and delete existing network slices. Selection refers to distinguishing data from different scenes and directing data from different scenes to different network slices.

As shown in FIG. 2, the method for managing and selecting the network slice slice includes the following steps:

Step 201: The routing switching device receives the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID sent by the control orchestration module.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the data forwarding table is added, deleted, or updated according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, and the data forwarding table includes a correspondence between one or more slice IDs and NF IDs.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the base station establishes a radio resource control RRC connection with the UE or the UE attaches or selects through the slice ID, the base station receives the slice ID information sent by the UE, and encapsulates the slice ID information into the signaling of the UE. And the data, and then send the data to the routing switch device.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the scheduling module is responsible for adding, updating, and maintaining the network slice where the entry point (NF) is located; and the corresponding information of the slice ID and the NF ID can be sent to the base station or the routing switching device. The slice ID refers to the identifier of different network slices. The user can select a network slice corresponding to different scenes by selecting different slice IDs. NF ID refers to the slice entry identifier, which can be used by the uniform resource locator (URL, Uniform Resource Locator) or IP address representation. According to the NF ID, it is possible to reach a specific network slice entry.

Step 202: Route the UE signaling and data sent by the base station to the corresponding network slice entry according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID.

The UE signaling and data encapsulation have slice ID information, and the NF ID is used to indicate a network slice entry.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE signaling and data sent by the base station are parsed to obtain the slice ID information corresponding to the UE signaling and the data, and the slice ID is searched for in the routing table according to the slice ID information. The NF ID corresponding to the information, the routing table includes a correspondence between more than one slice ID and the NF ID; and according to the found NF ID, the UE signaling and data are sent to the corresponding network slice entry.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, according to the relationship between who maintains the slice ID to the NF ID, it can be divided into three working modes. The mode 1 is based on the network slice selection mechanism forwarded by the base station, the mode 2 is a network slice selection mechanism based on the route switching device in the IP network, and the mode 3 is a slice selection mechanism in which the base station accesses the network slice management. The three working methods are described in further detail below.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a slice selection mechanism based on base station lookup table forwarding according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 3,

(1) The UE transmits the slice ID to the base station.

(2) The base station maintains a forwarding selection table of a slice ID to the NF ID. The NF ID points to the corresponding slice entry identifier. When receiving the signaling and data of the subsequent UE, the base station queries the forwarding table according to the slice ID of the UE, sets the destination address as the IP address of the ingress function, and then sends the IP address to the IP network.

(3) The IP routing network can forward data to the entry of the specified slice according to the original forwarding rules.

(4) The control orchestration module maintains the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID.

(5) The control orchestration module sends the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID to the access network control.

(6) The access network control sends the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID to the base station. The base station gets the latest data and updates its own forwarding table.

4 is a schematic diagram of a slice selection mechanism based on a routing table lookup table in an IP network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 4,

(1) The UE transmits the slice ID to the base station.

(2) The base station encapsulates the slice ID of the UE into a subsequent data packet of the UE and sends it to the IP network.

(3) The route in the IP network maintains a routing table of slice ID to NF ID. The NF ID points to the corresponding slice entry identifier. After the route obtains the data with the slice ID, it queries the routing table and forwards it to the corresponding slice entry.

(5) The control orchestration module sends the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID to the slice control.

(6) The slice control sends the corresponding relationship between the slice ID and the NF ID to the route in the IP network. The route gets the latest data and updates its own routing table.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a slice selection mechanism for a base station to access network slice management according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includes the following steps:

(1) The UE transmits the slice ID to the base station.

(2) The base station queries the network slice management for the NF ID corresponding to the slice ID of the UE. The network slice management records the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID. The network slice management can be implemented by the DNS, and the slice ID is a URL. The base station maintains a forwarding table of the correspondence between the UE and the NF ID, and the base station updates the forwarding table after obtaining the NF ID of the UE.

(3) (4) After receiving the data sent by the subsequent UE, the base station queries the forwarding table and forwards the data to the corresponding slice network portal function.

(5) The control orchestration module maintains the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID.

(6) The control orchestration module sends the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID to the network slice management.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, after the UE informs the base station of the slice ID, the UE needs to perform access authentication on the slice ID used by the UE. The network entry function obtains the slice ID and verifies to the HSS whether the UE has the right to access the network corresponding to the slice ID. The following are two ways to access authentication for network function entry points:

Manner 1: First, the base station receives the slice ID sent by the UE, and the base station sends an authentication request to the network function entry point, where the identifier of the UE and the selected slice ID are included in the authentication request. The network function entry point then sends an authentication request to the HSS. The HSS query records the list of slice IDs admitted by the UE, determines whether access is allowed, and sends back an authentication response. The network function entry point sends an authentication response to the base station to complete the authentication process.

Method 2: Expand the attach mode (only applicable to the delivery method of the second slice ID), the UE is The slice ID and the attach request are sent to the base station. After receiving the slice ID, the base station saves the slice ID, and then sends the slice ID and the attach request to the network function entry point. The network function entry point first performs the slice ID authentication and the attach security authentication process. At this point, the authentication of the slice ID is completed. Then, the network function entry point continues the subsequent attach process, and finally sends an attach to complete the response, and the base station informs the UE to complete the attach process.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when a new service needs to be deployed, the control orchestration module performs a slice addition. The deletion of the slice is also performed when a business is revoked.

When the slice is added: First, the orchestration module is controlled to send a network slice adding instruction to the network element management system (EMS), and the instruction includes the NF ID of the network entry used by the newly added network slice. The EMS adds a new network slice and configures the network entry to use the specified NF ID. After the addition is completed, the adding confirmation information is sent to the control orchestration module to complete the process of adding the network slice. (Or not specify the NF ID in the network slice add command, EMS adds the network slice, and configures the NF ID by itself, and then informs the control orchestration module of the NF ID in the network slice add confirmation message.)

When the network slice is deleted: first, the orchestration module is controlled to send a network slice deletion instruction to the EMS, and the EMS deletes the specified network slice and deactivates the NF ID of the network slice. After the deletion is completed, the deletion confirmation message is sent to the control orchestration module to complete the deletion process of the network slice.

In the process of adding/deleting the network slice, the information can be sent to the network portal directly through the EMS (as shown above) or by the control orchestration module.

After the network slice addition/deletion is completed, the control orchestration module sends the new correspondence to the access network control/network slice control, and then sends it to the base station/IP network. The base station/IP network returns the update confirmation information, and the control orchestration module completes the update process after receiving the update confirmation information.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the network slice fails or the network slice is deleted, or the correspondence between the network slice ID and the NF ID is changed by other reasons, the control orchestration module needs to send the update information to each The network element is controlled by the access network and sent to the base station or controlled by the network slice to be sent to the routing switching device in the IP network.

The following describes an implementation of a network slice update in the case where the NF ID can be changed.

The base station/IP network has a correspondence between the network slice ID and the NF ID, and the network slice IDx corresponds to the NF ID1 before the update.

The EMS of the network function entry point initiates an entry point update event, and informs the control orchestration module of the new NF ID; the control orchestration module changes the NF ID1 corresponding to the network slice IDx to the NF ID2, and sends the update confirmation information.

The control orchestration module sends the new correspondence to the access network control/network slice control, and sends it to the base station/IP network; the base station/IP network updates the correspondence, and the network slice IDx changes to the network slice IDx corresponding to the NF ID1. Corresponding to NF ID2; finally, the base station/IP network replies with the update confirmation information, and completes the information update process.

After the update is completed, the data sent by the UE to the base station/IP network is forwarded to the network function entry point corresponding to the updated NF ID2.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, before the network establishes a bearer for the UE, the UE first attaches to the network and selects a slice. The following describes an implementation manner in which the UE selects a network slice. There are three ways for the UE to select a network slice.

The first one is: when the UE performs RRC establishment with the base station, the UE notifies the base station of the network slice ID (the network slice ID may be a newly defined field in the RRC). The base station saves the network slice ID of the UE to complete the selection process of the network slice; then the base station sends the RRC setup confirmation information to the UE to complete the establishment of the RRC; finally, the UE attach procedure is completed between the UE and the base station and the network function. During the attaching process, the base station selects the corresponding network slice according to the network slice selection function.

The second way is: first, the RRC connection establishment is performed between the UE and the base station; between the UE and the base station, the attached data is encapsulated in the RRC data packet. When the UE performs the attach, the UE notifies the base station of the attach request information and the network slice ID information in the RRC data packet; the base station performs decapsulation after receiving the RRC data packet of the UE, and saves the obtained network slice ID information, and then completes Obtaining the network slice; selecting the corresponding network entry function according to the network slice ID, the base station forwards the attached information to the corresponding network entry function to continue the attach process; and the network function sends the attach confirmation information to the UE to complete the attach process.

The third way is to add a proprietary slice ID selection process. Add a new slice selection process. After the UE completes the RRC connection with the base station, the UE and the base station start a process of selecting a unique slice ID, and the UE initiates a request for accessing the corresponding slice, the base station sends a request to the network portal function, and the network portal function accesses the HSS to view the access. Whether it is legal. If it is legal, the network ingress function informs the base station to allow access. After the base station saves the corresponding information, it sends a response to the successful access of the slice to the UE. Finally, the attachment of the UE is performed.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the slice management using the network slice management entity to perform slice selection is specifically, where the network slice management may be implemented by a Domain Name System (DNS):

(1) Add and delete slices:

First, the orchestration module is controlled to send a slice addition instruction to the EMS, which contains the NF ID of the network entry used by the newly added network slice. The EMS adds a new network slice and configures the network function entry point to use the specified NF ID. After the addition is completed, the confirmation confirmation information is sent to the control orchestration module to complete the process of adding the slice. (Or the NF ID is not specified in the slice add command, the EMS adds the network slice, and configures the NF ID by itself, and then informs the control orchestration module of the NF ID in the slice add confirmation message.)

(2) When the slice is deleted: First, the orchestration module is controlled to send a slice deletion instruction to the EMS, and the EMS deletes the specified network slice and deactivates the NF ID of the slice. After the deletion is completed, the deletion confirmation information is sent to the control orchestration module to complete the deletion process of the slice.

(3) In the process of adding/deleting slices, the information can be sent to the network function entry point through the EMS, or the control orchestration module can directly send the information to the network function entry point without transiting through the EMS.

(4) After the slice addition/deletion is completed, the control orchestration module sends the new correspondence to the network slice management. The network slice manages the return update confirmation information, and the control orchestration module completes the update process after receiving the update confirmation information.

(5) Slice update: When the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID changes, the control orchestration module needs to send the update information to each network slice for management. First, the EMS of the network function entry point initiates an entry point update event, and informs the control orchestration module of the new NF ID; the control orchestration module changes the NF ID1 corresponding to the slice IDx to the NF ID2, and sends the update confirmation information. Then, the control orchestration module sends the new correspondence to the network slice management, and the network slice manages the reply update confirmation information to complete the information update process.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the base station includes:

The receiving unit 51 is configured to receive a correspondence between a slice identifier slice ID and an entry identifier NF ID sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module;

The routing unit 52 is configured to receive the slice ID information sent by the UE, and determine, according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, an NF ID corresponding to the slice ID information sent by the UE;

The sending unit 53 is configured to direct data sent by the UE to the corresponding network slice entry according to the determined NF ID.

The receiving unit 51 is further configured to: when the base station establishes an RRC connection with the UE or the UE attaches or selects by using a slice ID, receiving the slice ID information sent by the UE;

The base station further includes: a storage unit 54 configured to save slice ID information sent by the UE.

The routing unit 52 is further configured to add, delete, or update a data forwarding table according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, where the data forwarding table includes a correspondence between one or more slice IDs and an NF ID.

The sending unit 53 is further configured to: determine an IP address of a network slice entry according to the determined NF ID; send the IP address to an IP network, and forward, by the IP network, data sent by the UE to the corresponding according to a forwarding rule. Network slice entrance.

Those skilled in the art should understand that the implementation functions of the above units can be understood by referring to the related description of the management and selection methods of the previous network slice. The functions of each of the above units may be implemented by a program running on a processor, or may be implemented by a specific logic circuit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a routing switching device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the device includes:

The receiving unit 61 is configured to receive a correspondence between the slice identifier slice ID and the entry identifier NF ID sent by the control orchestration module;

The routing unit 62 is configured to route the UE signaling and data sent by the base station to the corresponding network slice entry according to the correspondence between the lice ID and the NF ID;

The routing unit 62 includes:

The parsing sub-unit 621 is configured to parse the UE signaling and data sent by the base station to obtain the slice ID information corresponding to the UE signaling and the data;

The naming unit 622 is configured to search, in the routing table, the NF ID corresponding to the slice ID information according to the slice ID information, where the routing table includes a correspondence between one or more slice IDs and NF IDs;

a sending subunit 623, configured to send UE signaling and data to the phase according to the found NF ID Should be the network slice entry.

The routing unit 62 is further configured to add, delete, or update a data forwarding table according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, where the data forwarding table includes a correspondence between one or more slice IDs and an NF ID.

The embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a terminal, including: a transceiver, configured to send and receive slice identification information to a base station, and a storage module, configured to store and update the slice identification information. The slice identifier information may be carried in signaling or data sent by the terminal to the base station. The network side may also allocate the slice identification information to the terminal, and notify the base station, and then the base station forwards the signaling to the slice identification information of the terminal. At this time, the terminal may update the stored slice identification information accordingly.

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for managing and selecting a network slice according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the system includes any of the foregoing base stations 71, a routing switching device 72, a UE 73, a control orchestration module 74, and a network slice 75. ;among them,

The UE 73 is configured to send the slice ID information to the base station 71;

The base station 71 is configured to receive a correspondence between a slice ID and an NF ID sent by the control orchestration module 74 or the network slice management module, and receive the slice ID information sent by the UE 73, and determine, according to the correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID, The NF ID corresponding to the slice ID information sent by the UE 73; and the data sent by the UE 73 is directed to the corresponding network slice 75 entry according to the determined NF ID;

The routing switching device 72 is configured to receive a correspondence between the slice ID and the NF ID sent by the control orchestration module 74. The UE 73 data sent by the base station 71 is routed to the corresponding network according to the correspondence between the lice ID and the NF ID. Slice75 entry.

The above description is only for the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

A method for managing and selecting network slices, including:

Determining, by the base station, the entry identifier of the network to be accessed by the terminal according to the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier and the slice identifier information sent by the terminal;

Based on the determined entry identifier, the base station transmits signaling and data sent by the terminal to the selected network slice entry.
The method for managing and selecting a network slice according to claim 1, further comprising:

Receiving, by the base station, the corresponding relationship between the slice identifier sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module and the entry identifier;

Receiving the slice identification information sent by the terminal.
The method for managing and selecting a network slice according to claim 2, wherein the slice identification information sent by the receiving terminal includes:

When the base station establishes a radio resource control connection with the terminal or the terminal attaches or selects a message through the slice identifier, the slice identifier information sent by the terminal is received;

The slice identification information sent by the terminal is saved.
The method for managing and selecting a network slice according to claim 2, wherein after the base station receives the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module, the method further includes:

Adding, deleting, or updating a data forwarding table according to the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier, where the data forwarding table includes a correspondence between one or more slice identifiers and an entry identifier.
The method for managing and selecting a network slice according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, according to the determined entry identifier, the base station sends signaling and data sent by the terminal to the selected network slice entry, including :

Determining an IP address of the network slice entry function according to the determined entry identifier;

The signaling and the data are sent to the network element device corresponding to the IP address, and the network element device forwards the signaling and data sent by the terminal to the corresponding network slice entry according to the forwarding rule.
The method for managing and selecting a network slice according to claim 5, wherein the network slice comprises a core network serving one or more application scenarios, or is composed of a core network and an access network. network of.
A method for managing and selecting network slices, including:

The routing switching device receives the correspondence between the slice identifier sent by the control orchestration module and the entry identifier;

And routing, according to the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier, terminal signaling and data sent by the base station to a corresponding network slice entry;

The terminal signaling and data encapsulation have slice identification information, and the entry identifier is used to indicate a network slice entry.
The method for managing and selecting a network slice according to claim 7, wherein the terminal signaling and data sent by the base station are routed to the corresponding network slice entry according to the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier, including :

Parsing the terminal signaling and data sent by the base station, and obtaining the slice identification information corresponding to the terminal signaling and the data;

And searching, according to the slice identification information, an entry identifier corresponding to the slice identifier information in a routing table, where the routing table includes a correspondence between one or more slice identifiers and an entry identifier;

The terminal signaling and data are sent to the corresponding network slice entry based on the found entry identifier.
The method for managing and selecting a network slice according to claim 7 or 8, wherein after the routing switching device receives the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier sent by the control orchestration module, the method further includes:

Adding, deleting, or updating a data forwarding table according to the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier, where the data forwarding table includes a correspondence between one or more slice identifiers and an entry identifier.
The method for managing and selecting a network slice according to claim 9, wherein the network slice comprises a core network serving one or more application scenarios, or a network composed of a core network and an access network.
A base station comprising:

a determining unit, configured to determine, according to a correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier, and the slice identifier information sent by the terminal, an entry identifier of the network to which the terminal is to be accessed;

And a sending unit, configured to send the signaling and data sent by the terminal to the selected network slice entry according to the determined entry identifier.
The base station according to claim 11, further comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a correspondence between a slice identifier sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module and the entry identifier;

The routing unit is configured to receive the slice identification information sent by the terminal.
The base station according to claim 12, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to: when the base station establishes an RRC connection with the terminal or the terminal attaches or selects by using a slice identifier, receiving the slice identification information sent by the terminal;

The base station further includes: a storage unit, configured to save slice identification information sent by the terminal.
The base station according to claim 12, wherein the routing unit is further configured to add, delete, or update a data forwarding table according to a correspondence between the slice identifier and an entry identifier, where the data forwarding table includes more than one Correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier.
The base station according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the sending unit is further configured to determine an IP address of a network slice entry according to the determined entry identifier; and send the signaling and data to the The network element device corresponding to the IP address forwards the signaling and data sent by the terminal to the corresponding network slice entry according to the forwarding rule by the network element device network.
The base station according to claim 15, wherein the network slice comprises a core network serving one or more application scenarios, or a network composed of a core network and an access network.
A routing switching device includes:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a correspondence between a slice identifier sent by the control orchestration module and an entry identifier;

a routing unit, configured to route, according to the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier, terminal signaling and data sent by the base station to a corresponding network slice entry;

The terminal signaling and data encapsulation have slice identification information, and the entry identifier is used to indicate a network slice entry.
The routing switching device of claim 17, wherein the routing unit comprises:

a parsing sub-unit, configured to parse terminal signaling and data sent by the base station, to obtain slice identifier information corresponding to the terminal signaling and the data;

a locating unit, configured to search, in the routing table, an entry identifier corresponding to the slice identifier information according to the slice identifier information, where the routing table includes a correspondence between one or more slice identifiers and an entry identifier;

The sending subunit is configured to send terminal signaling and data to the corresponding network slice entry according to the found entry identifier.
The routing and switching device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the routing unit is further configured to add, delete, or update a data forwarding table according to the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier, where the data is transferred. The publication includes a correspondence between one or more slice identifiers and an entry identifier.
A terminal comprising:

a transceiver for transmitting to and receiving slice identification information from a base station, and

a storage module, configured to store and update the slice identification information.
A network slice management and selection system, comprising: the base station according to any one of claims 11 to 16, the routing switching device, the terminal, the control orchestration module, and the network slice according to any one of 17 to 19;

The terminal is configured to send the slice identification information to the base station;

The base station is configured to receive a correspondence between a slice identifier and an entry identifier sent by the control orchestration module or the network slice management module, and the slice identifier information sent by the terminal is determined according to the corresponding relationship between the slice identifier and the entry identifier. An identifier corresponding to the slice identifier information sent by the terminal; according to the determined entry identifier, directing signaling and data sent by the terminal to the corresponding network slice entry;

The routing switching device is configured to receive a correspondence between a slice identifier sent by the control orchestration module and an entry identifier, and route the terminal signaling and data sent by the base station to the corresponding network according to the correspondence between the slice identifier and the entry identifier. Slice the entrance.