WO2018010583A1

WO2018010583A1 - Network system

Info

Publication number: WO2018010583A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/091835
Authority: WO
Inventors: 涂小勇; 叶敏雅
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2016-07-13
Filing date: 2017-07-05
Publication date: 2018-01-18
Also published as: CN107623906A

Abstract

Provided in the invention is a network system. The network system comprises: a connection management functional entity, which is connected to both a RAN and a mobility management entity, and is configured to maintain the connection state of user equipment (UE). The mobility management entity comprises at least one of a logical entity of mobility management function (MMF) and a logical entity of session management function (SMF). The present invention solves the problem in the related art that the connection management function is configured in a logical entity of mobility management function or a logical entity of session management function, which influences the coupling of the two logical entities.

Description

Network Systems

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a network system.

Background technique

Mobile communications have now evolved to the 4G phase. Compared with previous generations, the 4G network architecture is based on full IP transmission. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 4G network architecture in the related art. As shown in FIG. 1 , the functions of each network element in the network architecture are as follows:

The terminal (User Equipment, UE for short) accesses the 4G network through the wireless air interface and obtains the service. The terminal exchanges information through the air interface and the base station, and passes the non-access stratum (NAS) and the core network. Mobility management entity interaction information;

A radio access point (Radio Access Network, RAN), which is responsible for air interface resource scheduling and air interface connection management of the terminal accessing the network;

Mobility management entity: The core network control plane entity is mainly responsible for authentication, authorization and subscription checking of users to ensure that users are legitimate users; complete integrity protection and encryption of NAS messages; user mobility management, including user registration , location update and temporary identity assignment; connection management, maintenance of IDLE and CONNECT status and state transition; handover in CONNECT state; session management, including public data network (Punlic Data Network, PDN) connection and bearer maintenance, including creation , modification and deletion, etc.; triggering paging and other functions in the IDLE state;

Service Gateway (Serving GateWay): The core network user plane function entity, which is mainly responsible for the interaction with the PDN GW in the roaming situation; the downlink ID packet is received in the IDLE state for buffering and the MME is notified to the paging user; Points and functions such as user plane anchors across 2G/3G/4G mobility;

Packet data gateway (PDN GateWay): The core network user plane function entity is the access point of the terminal accessing the PDN network, responsible for allocating the user IP address, and the network triggered bearer establishment. Modification and deletion, also has the function of quality of service (QoS) control charging, is the anchor point for users to switch between 3GPP system and non-3GPP system, so as to ensure the IP address unchanged and ensure business continuity. .

Because 4G mainly serves people and people, in the 5G era, with the support of communication between things and things, the demand for mobile networks is more diverse. Especially with the application of virtualization technology, a network function can be conveniently deployed to a virtual machine, and the original network functions are re-split and then combined into a new logical entity, so that various functions can be more convenient. Independent deployment is a direction of network evolution. Mobility Management (Mobile Management, MM for short) and Session Management (SM) are split into two separate logical entities.

However, the connection management function is independent of the mobility management function and independent of the session management function. Therefore, regardless of whether the connection management function is set to the logical entity of the mobility management function or the logical entity of the session management function, the mobility management is affected. The coupling of logical entities of functions and logical entities of session management functions.

For the related art, the connection management function is set in the logical entity of the mobility management function or the logical entity of the session management function, which affects the coupling of the two logical entities, and no effective solution has been proposed yet.

Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a network system to solve at least the problem that the connection management function is set in the logical entity of the mobility management function or the logical entity of the session management function in the related art, which affects the coupling of the two logical entities.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a network system is provided, including: a connection management function entity, which is respectively connected to a RAN and a mobility management entity, and configured to maintain a connection state of a user equipment UE, where the mobility management entity includes the following At least one of the logical entities: a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF.

Optionally, the connection status includes at least one of the following: an idle IDLE state; and a connection CONNECT state.

Optionally, in the case that the connection state is the IDLE state, the connection management function entity does not save the related information of the UE; and/or in the case that the connection state is the CONNECT state, the connection management function entity is set to create and save the connection of the UE. Management context.

Optionally, the connection management context includes at least one of the following information: an ID of the RAN; an identifier of the UE when the connection between the connection management function entity and the RAN performs signaling interaction; an ID of the logical entity of the MMF; a logic of the connection management function entity and the MMF The identifier of the UE when the signaling interaction is performed between the entities; the ID of the logical entity of the SMF; the identifier of the UE when the signaling interaction between the connection management function entity and the logical entity of the SMF.

Optionally, the connection management function entity is further configured to determine a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and deliver the NAS message sent by the UE to the logical entity of the MMF.

Optionally, the connection management function entity is further configured to save location information of the wireless node, find a wireless node corresponding to the paging location range according to the paging location range, and send the paging message to the wireless node corresponding to the paging location range.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for registering a user equipment, comprising: a connection management function entity receiving a NAS message sent by a RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, mobility The management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, and the NAS message carries a registration request of the UE. The connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the registration request to the logical entity of the MMF.

Optionally, before the sending the registration request to the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes: the connection management function entity creates a connection management context of the UE according to the NAS message.

Optionally, after the registration request is sent to the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes: the connection management function entity receiving the registration accept message sent by the logical entity of the MMF, and sending the registration accept message to the UE by using the RAN.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a service request method for a user equipment is provided, comprising: a connection management function entity receiving a NAS message sent by a RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and moves Sexual management entity including mobility The logical entity of the management function MMF and the logical entity of the session management function SMF, the NAS message carries the service request of the UE; the connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the service request to the logical entity of the MMF to The logical entity of the SMF.

Optionally, before the sending the service request to the logical entity of the session management function SMF by using the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes: the connection management function entity creates a connection management context of the UE according to the NAS message.

Optionally, after the service request is sent to the logical entity of the session management function SMF by the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes: the connection management function entity receives the radio bearer resource setup request message sent by the logical entity of the SMF, and the radio bearer resource is received. The establishment request message is sent to the RAN; the connection management function entity receives the radio bearer resource setup response message sent by the RAN, and sends the radio bearer resource setup response message to the logical entity of the SMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a connection release method is provided, comprising: a connection management function entity receiving a connection release request message sent by a RAN for requesting release of a RAN-related radio bearer resource, wherein the connection management function entity Connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity respectively, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF; the connection management function entity sends a connection release request message to the logical entity of the MMF.

Optionally, after the connection management function entity sends the connection release request message to the logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, the method further includes: the connection management function entity receives the connection release command message sent by the logical entity of the MMF; and the connection management function entity is configured according to The connection release command message deletes the connection management context of the UE.

Optionally, after the connection management function entity deletes the connection management context of the UE according to the connection release command message, the method further includes: the connection management function entity sending a connection release complete message to the logical entity of the MMF to indicate session management by the logical entity of the MMF The logical entity of the functional SMF releases the radio bearer resources associated with the RAN.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for updating a location of a user equipment is provided, including: a connection management function entity receiving a NAS message sent by a RAN, where The capability entity is connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity respectively. The mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, and the NAS message carries the location update request information of the UE. The connection management function entity determines the logic of the MMF according to the identity of the UE. Entity and send location update request information to the logical entity of the MMF.

Optionally, before the location update request information is sent to the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes: the connection management function entity creates a connection management context of the UE according to the NAS message.

Optionally, after the location update request information is sent to the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes: the connection management function entity receiving the location update accept message sent by the logical entity of the MMF, and sending the location update accept message to the UE via the RAN.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for deregistering a user equipment, comprising: a connection management function entity receiving a NAS message sent by a RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected with the RAN and the mobility management entity, mobility The management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF, and the NAS message carries the logout request of the UE; the connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and is implemented by the logical entity of the MMF. A logout request is sent to the logical entity of the SMF.

Optionally, after the logout request is sent to the logical entity of the session management function SMF by the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes: the connection management function entity receives the logout acceptance message sent by the logical entity of the SMF and forwarded by the logical entity of the MMF, and The logout acceptance message is sent to the UE via the RAN.

Optionally, the method further includes: the connection management function entity receives the connection release command message sent by the logical entity of the MMF, and sends a connection release command message to the RAN; the connection management function entity receives the connection release complete message returned by the RAN; the connection management function entity The connection context of the UE is deleted, and a connection release complete message is sent to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a paging method comprising: a connection management function entity receiving a paging message set to page a user equipment UE, wherein the connection management function entity and the RAN and mobility management entity respectively Connection, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; connection management function The capable entity sends a paging message to the RAN to instruct the RAN to page the user equipment UE.

Further, the paging message is sent by the logical entity of the MMF to the connection management function entity, or sent by the logical entity of the SMF and forwarded by the logical entity of the MMF to the connection management function entity.

Further, the connection management function entity sends the paging message to the RAN, where the connection management function entity saves the location information of the wireless node, and the connection management function entity determines the paging location range according to the paging message, and the location information of the saved wireless node The wireless node corresponding to the paging location range is searched; the connection management function entity sends the paging message to the wireless node corresponding to the paging location range.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for switching a user equipment is provided, including: a source side connection management function entity receiving a handover requirement message sent by a source side RAN for requesting to perform handover to a user equipment UE, where the source The side connection management function entity is respectively connected with the source side RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; the source side connection management function entity is a logical entity via the MMF A handover requirement message is sent to the logical entity of the SMF.

Optionally, after the source side connection management function entity sends the handover requirement message to the logical entity of the session management function SMF via the logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, the method further includes: the target side connection management function entity receives the logical entity of the SMF and sends the a handover request message forwarded by a logical entity of the MMF, wherein the target side connection management function entity is respectively connected to the target side RAN and the mobility management entity; the target side connection management function entity creates a connection context of the UE according to the handover request message, and switches The request message is sent to the target side RAN; the target side connection management function entity receives the handover request acknowledgement message sent by the target side RAN, and sends the handover request acknowledgement message to the logical entity of the MMF; the source side connection management function entity receives the logical entity of the MMF to send The handover command message is sent to the source side RAN to instruct the UE to switch to the target side RAN through the source side RAN.

Optionally, after the sending the handover command message to the source RAN, the method further includes: the target side connection management function entity receiving the handover notification message sent by the target side RAN, and passing the MMF The logical entity sends a handover notification message to the logical entity of the SMF.

Optionally, after the switching notification message is sent to the logical entity of the SMF by the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes: the source side connection management function entity receives the connection release command message sent by the logical entity of the MMF, and sends the connection release command message To the source side RAN; the source side connection management function entity receives the connection release complete message returned by the source side RAN; the source side connection management function entity deletes the connection context of the UE, and sends a connection release complete message to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for establishing a session is provided, comprising: a connection management function entity receiving a session establishment request message sent by a RAN for requesting establishment of a session connection for a user equipment UE, wherein the connection management function entity Connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity respectively, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; the connection management function entity sends a session establishment request message to the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF Logical entity.

Optionally, after the connection management function entity sends the session establishment request message to the logical entity of the session management function SMF via the logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, the method further includes: the connection management function entity receives the logical entity sent by the SMF and is sent by the MMF The radio bearer resource setup request message is forwarded by the logical entity; the connection management function entity sends a radio bearer resource setup request message to the RAN to instruct the RAN to establish a radio bearer resource for the UE.

Optionally, the radio bearer resource setup request message carries the activated default bearer request information, and the connection management function entity sends the radio bearer resource setup request message to the RAN, and the method further includes: the connection management function entity receiving the active default bearer accept message sent by the RAN; The connection management function entity sends an activation default bearer accept message to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a device for registering a user equipment, comprising: a first receiving unit, configured to instruct a connection management function entity to receive a NAS message sent by a RAN, wherein the connection management function entity and the RAN respectively The mobility management entity is connected, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, and the NAS message carries the UE. a registration request, the first determining unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to determine a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and send the registration request to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a service requesting apparatus for a user equipment is provided, comprising: a second receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive a NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity and the RAN respectively Connected with the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF, the NAS message carries the service request of the UE, and the second determining unit is set to indicate the connection management function. The entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identity of the UE, and sends the service request to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a connection releasing apparatus, comprising: a third receiving unit, configured to instruct a connection management function entity to receive a connection release request sent by a RAN for requesting release of a RAN-related radio bearer resource a message, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF; and the first sending unit is configured to instruct the connection management function entity to send the connection release request message The logical entity to the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a location update apparatus for a user equipment, comprising: a fourth receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive a NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity and the RAN respectively Connected with the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, and the NAS message carries the location update request information of the UE. The third determining unit is configured to indicate that the connection management function entity determines according to the identifier of the UE. The logical entity of the MMF and sends the location update request information to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a deregistration device for a user equipment, comprising: a fifth receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive a NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity and the RAN respectively The mobility management entity is connected, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF, where the NAS message carries the cancellation request of the UE; and the fourth determining unit is set to indicate The connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identity of the UE, and sends the logout request to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a paging apparatus, comprising: a sixth receiving unit, configured to instruct a connection management function entity to receive a paging message for paging a user equipment UE, wherein the connection management function entity Connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity respectively, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; and a second sending unit is configured to instruct the connection management function entity to send a paging message to RAN to indicate to the RAN to page the user equipment UE.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a switching device for a user equipment, comprising: a seventh receiving unit, configured to instruct the source side connection management function entity to receive, by the source side RAN, request to perform handover on the user equipment UE The handover request message, wherein the source side connection management function entity is respectively connected to the source side RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; And a unit, configured to instruct the source side connection management function entity to send a handover requirement message to the logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a session establishing apparatus, comprising: an eighth receiving unit, configured to receive, by a connection management function entity, a session establishment request message sent by the RAN for requesting to establish a session connection for the user equipment UE The connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; and the fourth sending unit is configured to indicate the connection management function. The entity sends a session establishment request message to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is also provided. The storage medium is arranged to store program code for performing the steps of: the connection management function entity receiving a NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity comprises mobility management The logical entity of the function MMF, the NAS message carries the registration request of the UE; the connection management function entity determines the MMF according to the identifier of the UE Logical entity and send a registration request to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is also provided. The storage medium is arranged to store program code for performing the steps of: the connection management function entity receiving a NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity comprises mobility management The logical entity of the functional MMF and the logical entity of the session management function SMF, the NAS message carries the service request of the UE; the connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identity of the UE, and sends the service request to the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF Logical entity.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is also provided. The storage medium is configured to store program code for performing the following steps: the connection management function entity receives a connection release request message sent by the RAN for requesting release of the radio bearer resource associated with the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity respectively interacts with the RAN and The mobility management entity connects, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF; and the connection management function entity sends a connection release request message to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is also provided. The storage medium is arranged to store program code for performing the steps of: the connection management function entity receiving a NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity comprises mobility management The logical entity of the function MMF, the NAS message carries the location update request information of the UE; the connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the location update request information to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is also provided. The storage medium is arranged to store program code for performing the steps of: the connection management function entity receiving a NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity comprises mobility management The logical entity of the functional MMF and the logical entity of the session management function SMF, the NAS message carries the deregistration request of the UE; the connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identity of the UE, and sends the logout request to the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF Logical entity.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is also provided. The storage medium is arranged to store program code for performing the step of: the connection management function entity receiving a page for paging the user equipment UE forwarded by the logical entity of the session management function SMF and forwarded via the logical entity of the mobility management function MMF a message, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the MMF and a logical entity of the SMF; the connection management function entity sends a paging message to the RAN to indicate the RAN paging User equipment UE.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is also provided. The storage medium is configured to store program code for performing the following steps: the source side connection management function entity receives a handover requirement message sent by the source side RAN for requesting to perform handover to the user equipment UE, where the source side connection management function entity respectively Connected with the source side RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; the source side connection management function entity sends to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF Switch the demand message.

According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a storage medium is also provided. The storage medium is arranged to store program code for performing the steps of: the connection management function entity receiving a session establishment request message sent by the RAN for requesting establishment of a session connection for the user equipment UE, wherein the connection management function entity respectively interacts with the RAN and the mobile The mobility management entity connects, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; the connection management function entity sends a session establishment request message to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the connection management function is the same as the mobility management function entity and the session management function entity, and is independent into different logical entities, the logical entity that sets the connection management function to the mobility management function in the related art or The logical entity of the session management function affects the coupling of the two logical entities, thereby further decoupling the connection management function, the mobility management function and the session management function, thereby effectively improving the flexibility of the system deployment under the virtualization technology. .

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are intended to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are intended to be a part of the invention. In the drawing:

1 is a schematic diagram of a 4G network architecture in the related art;

2 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a schematic diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart of a method for registering a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a service request method of a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

6 is a flow chart of a connection release method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a flowchart of a method for updating a location of a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for deregistering a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

9 is a flowchart of a paging method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for switching a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

11 is a flowchart of a method for establishing a session according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a registration method of a UE according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a service request method of a user equipment according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a connection release method of a user equipment according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

15 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating a location of a user equipment according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

16 is a schematic diagram of a method for deregistering a user equipment according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

17 is a schematic diagram of a paging method in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a handover method of a user equipment according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

19 is a schematic diagram of a method of establishing a session connection in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings in conjunction with the embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

It is to be understood that the terms "first", "second" and the like in the specification and claims of the present invention are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a particular order or order.

The embodiment of the present application can be run on the network architecture shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 2, the network architecture includes: a user equipment UE, a radio access network RAN, and a connection management function (referred to as CMF for maintaining user equipment). The connection state) entity, the logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, the logical entity of the session management function SWF, and the authentication data and the contract data management function entity.

In this embodiment, the connection management function is independent into a logical entity (connection management function entity), and the connection management function entity is used to maintain the connection state of the UE between the RAN and the core network, the connection state including IDLE, CONNECT state, state migrate.

When the UE is in the IDLE state, the connection management function entity does not have any information of the UE; when the UE is in the CONNECT state, the connection management function saves the connection management context of the UE, and the connection management context includes: the RAN currently served by the UE ID; a user-related identifier when the connection management function entity and the RAN side perform signaling interaction for the UE; an ID of a mobility management function logical entity currently served by the UE; a logical entity pair of the connection management function entity and the mobility management function The user-related identifier when the UE performs the signaling interaction; the ID of the session management function logical entity that the UE currently serves; the user-related identification information when the connection management function entity and the session management function logic entity perform signaling interaction for the UE.

In addition, for the NAS message sent by the UE, the connection management function entity can uniformly deliver the logical entity to the mobility management function. The connection management function entity selects the logical entity of the mobility management function according to the user identification. For the paging message, a logical entity of the mobility management function selects a connection management function entity, and the connection management function entity searches for a corresponding wireless node according to the paging range, and sends a paging message thereto.

It should be noted that the connection management function entity is an independent logical entity, which can be deployed in combination with other entities, or can be deployed independently.

It should be noted that the network architecture at least includes a logical entity of the mobility management function and/or a logical entity of the session management function. The logical entity of the mobility management function is used to perform functions such as UE registration, location update, temporary identity assignment, and security. The logical entity of the session management function is used to perform management of the UE session, including creating, modifying, and deleting sessions, etc., where the session refers to a point-to-point path between the UE and the PDN GW.

It should be noted that the network system based on the present application includes but is not limited to the above functional units or entities.

According to the network architecture of the embodiment, the connection management function and the mobility management function entity and the session management function entity are independently formed into different logical entities, thereby further decoupling the connection management function, the mobility management function, and the session management function. This effectively increases the flexibility of the system to deploy under virtualization technology.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a network system is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the system includes:

The connection management function entity 34 is respectively connected to the RAN 32 and the mobility management entity 36 for maintaining the connection status of the user equipment UE, wherein the mobility management entity comprises at least one of the following logical entities: a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF And the logical entity of the session management function SMF.

Optionally, the foregoing connection state includes at least one of the following: an idle IDLE state; and a connection CONNECT state. The connection management function entity is mainly used to manage state transitions (that is, a state indicating switching between idle and connected). Wherein, in the case that the connection state is the IDLE state, the connection management function entity does not save the related information of the UE; in the case that the connection state is the CONNECT state, the connection management function entity is used to create and save the connection management context of the UE.

Optionally, the connection management context includes at least one of the following information: an ID of the RAN; an identifier of the UE when the connection between the connection management function entity and the RAN performs signaling interaction; an ID of the logical entity of the MMF; a logic of the connection management function entity and the MMF UE signaling between entities ID; the ID of the logical entity of the SMF; the identity of the UE when the signaling interaction between the connection management function entity and the logical entity of the SMF.

It should be noted that the connection management context includes but is not limited to the above information.

Optionally, the connection management function entity is further configured to save the location information of the wireless node, search for the wireless node corresponding to the paging location range according to the paging location range, and send the paging message to the wireless node corresponding to the paging location range.

In addition, the function of the logical entity of the foregoing MMF may include at least one of: registration of the UE; location update of the UE; allocation of the temporary identifier; security management; and/or function of the logical entity of the SMF may include: Management, where the session is a point-to-point path between the UE and the packet data network gateway PDN GW.

It should be noted that the functions of the logical entity of the MMF and the logical entity of the SMF include, but are not limited to, the above functions.

According to the network system of the embodiment, since the connection management function is the same as the mobility management function entity and the session management function entity, and is independent into different logical entities, the logic of setting the connection management function to the mobility management function in the related art is solved. The logical entity of the entity or session management function affects the coupling of the two logical entities, thereby further decoupling the connection management function, the mobility management function and the session management function, thereby effectively improving the deployment of the system under the virtualization technology. flexibility.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a registration method of a user equipment is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the method includes:

Step S402, the connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected with the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, and the NAS message carries the UE. Registration request;

Step S404, the connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE. And send a registration request to the logical entity of the MMF.

The connection management function entity can be used to maintain the connection status of the UE.

According to the registration method of the user equipment according to this embodiment, since the connection management function and the mobility management function entity are independent, they are independent into different logical entities, and then through the logical entity of the connection management function entity and the mobility management function and other network elements. Information interaction, realizing the registration of user equipment, solving the problem that the connection management function is set in the logical entity of the mobility management function or the logical entity of the session management function in the related art, affecting the coupling of the two logical entities, thereby During the registration process, the connection management function, the mobility management function, and the session management function are further decoupled, thereby effectively improving the flexibility of system deployment during the registration process of the user equipment.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a registration device for a user equipment corresponding to the above method, the apparatus comprising: a first receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive a NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection The management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, and the NAS message carries the registration request of the UE; the first determining unit is configured to indicate the connection management function entity according to The identity of the UE determines the logical entity of the MMF and sends a registration request to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a service request method for a user equipment is provided. As shown in FIG. 5, the method includes:

Step S502, the connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected with the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes the logic entity of the mobility management function MMF and the logic of the session management function SMF. Entity, The NAS message carries the service request of the UE.

Step S504, the connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the service request to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a service requesting apparatus for a user equipment corresponding to the foregoing method is provided, the apparatus comprising: a second receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive a NAS message sent by the RAN, where The connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF, and the NAS message carries the service request of the UE; the second determining unit And setting to indicate that the connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the service request to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

According to the service request method of the user equipment according to the embodiment, since the logical entity of the connection management function and the mobility management function and the logical entity of the session management function are independently formed into different logical entities, the management function entity and mobility are connected through the connection. The logical entity of the management function, the logical entity of the session management function, and other network elements exchange information to implement the service request of the user equipment, and solve the logic entity or session management function of the related technology that sets the connection management function to the mobility management function. In the logical entity, the problem of affecting the coupling of the two logical entities, so that the connection management function, the mobility management function, and the session are made in the service request process of the user equipment The management function is further decoupled, thereby effectively improving the flexibility of system deployment in the service request process of the user equipment.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a connection release method is provided, as shown in FIG. 6, the method includes:

Step S602, the connection management function entity receives a connection release request message sent by the RAN for requesting release of the radio bearer resource related to the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected with the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes the mobile The logical entity of the sexual management function MMF;

Step S604, the connection management function entity sends a connection release request message to the logical entity of the MMF.

The connection management function entity may be configured to maintain the connection status of the UE.

According to the connection release method of the embodiment, since the logical entity of the connection management function and the mobility management function and the logical entity of the session management function are independently formed into different logical entities, the management function entity and the mobility management function are connected through the connection. The logical entity and other network elements exchange information and realize connection release, which solves the problem that the connection management function is set in the logical entity of the mobility management function or the logical entity of the session management function in the related art, which affects the coupling of the two logical entities. Therefore, the connection management function, the mobility management function, and the session management function are further decoupled during the connection release process, thereby effectively improving the flexibility of system deployment during the connection release process.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a connection release apparatus corresponding to the above method, the apparatus comprising: a third receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive, by the RAN, a request for release of the RAN related to request release a connection release request message of the radio bearer resource, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF; and the first sending unit is configured to indicate the connection management function The entity sends a connection release request message to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a location update method for a user equipment is provided. As shown in FIG. 7, the method includes:

Step S702, the connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected with the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, and the NAS message carries the UE. Location update request information;

Step S704, the connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the location update request information to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to the location update method of the user equipment according to the embodiment, since the logical entity of the connection management function and the mobility management function and the logical entity of the session management function are independently formed into different logical entities, the connection management function entity and mobility are further The logical entity of the management function and other network elements exchange information to realize the location update of the user equipment, and solve the related art that the connection management function is set in the logical entity of the mobility management function or the logical entity of the session management function, affecting the two logics. The problem of the coupling of the entity, thereby further decoupling the connection management function, the mobility management function and the session management function during the location update method of the user equipment, In addition, the flexibility of system deployment during the location update process of the user equipment is effectively improved.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a location update device for a user equipment corresponding to the foregoing method, the device comprising: a fourth receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive a NAS message sent by the RAN, where The connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, the NAS message carries the location update request information of the UE, and the third determining unit is configured to indicate the connection management. The functional entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identity of the UE, and sends the location update request information to the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for deregistering a user equipment is provided. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includes:

Step S802, the connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected with the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes the logic entity of the mobility management function MMF and the logic of the session management function SMF. The entity, the NAS message carries the cancellation request of the UE;

Step S804, the connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the logout request to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

According to the deregistration method of the user equipment according to this embodiment, since the logical entity of the connection management function and the mobility management function and the logical entity of the session management function are independent, different logics are formed. The entity, through the connection management function entity, interacts with the logical entity of the mobility management function, the logical entity of the session management function, and other network elements to realize the logout of the user equipment, and solves the related technology to set the connection management function to the mobility. The logical entity of the management function or the logical entity of the session management function affects the coupling of the two logical entities, thereby further decoupling the connection management function, the mobility management function, and the session management function during the logout process of the user equipment, and further It effectively improves the flexibility of system deployment during the logout process of user equipment.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a logout device for a user equipment corresponding to the above method, the device comprising: a fifth receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive a NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection The management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF, and the NAS message carries the cancellation request of the UE; the fourth determining unit, It is set to instruct the connection management function entity to determine the logical entity of the MMF according to the identity of the UE, and send the logout request to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a paging method is provided, as shown in FIG. 9, the method includes:

Step S902, the connection management function entity receives a paging message for paging the user equipment UE, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected with the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the MMF and a logical entity of the SMF. ;

Step S904, the connection management function entity sends a paging message to the RAN to instruct the RAN to page the user equipment UE.

Optionally, the paging message is sent by the logical entity of the MMF to the connection management function entity, or sent by the logical entity of the SMF and forwarded by the logical entity of the MMF to the connection management function entity.

Optionally, the connection management function entity sends the paging message to the RAN, where the connection management function entity saves location information of the wireless node, and the connection management function entity determines, according to the paging message. Paging the location range, and searching for the wireless node corresponding to the paging location range in the saved location information of the wireless node; the connection management function entity sends the paging message to the wireless node corresponding to the paging location range.

According to the paging method of the embodiment, since the logical entity of the connection management function and the mobility management function and the logical entity of the session management function are independently formed into different logical entities, the management function entity and the mobility management function are connected through the connection. The logical entity, the logical entity of the session management function, and other network elements exchange information to implement paging, and solve the related art that the connection management function is set in the logical entity of the mobility management function or the logical entity of the session management function, affecting two The problem of the coupling of the logical entities, so that the connection management function, the mobility management function and the session management function are further decoupled in the paging process, thereby effectively improving the flexibility of system deployment in the paging process.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a paging apparatus corresponding to the above method, the apparatus comprising: a sixth receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive a paging message for paging the user equipment UE The connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; and the second sending unit is configured to indicate the connection management function. The entity sends a paging message to the RAN to instruct the RAN to page the user equipment UE.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for switching a user equipment is provided. As shown in FIG. 10, the method includes:

In step S1002, the source-side connection management function entity receives a handover request message sent by the source-side RAN for requesting handover to the user equipment UE, where the source-side connection management function entity is connected to the source-side RAN and the mobility management entity, respectively. The sexual management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF;

In step S1004, the source side connection management function entity sends a handover requirement message to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

Optionally, the logic of the connection management function entity on the source side via the mobility management function MMF After the entity sends the handover request message to the logical entity of the session management function SMF, the method further includes: the target side connection management function entity receives a handover request message sent by the logical entity of the SMF and forwarded by the logical entity of the MMF, where the target side connection management function entity Connected to the target side RAN and the mobility management entity respectively; the target side connection management function entity creates a connection context of the UE according to the handover request message, and sends a handover request message to the target side RAN; the target side connection management function entity receives the target side RAN transmission The handover request acknowledgement message and the handover request acknowledgement message is sent to the logical entity of the MMF; the source side connection management function entity receives the handover command message sent by the logical entity of the MMF, and sends the handover command message to the source side RAN to pass the source The side RAN instructs the UE to switch to the target side RAN.

Optionally, after the sending the handover command message to the source RAN, the method further includes: the target side connection management function entity receiving the handover notification message sent by the target side RAN, and sending the handover notification message to the SMF logic via the logical entity of the MMF entity.

According to the handover method of the user equipment according to this embodiment, since the logical entity of the connection management function and the mobility management function and the logical entity of the session management function are independently formed into different logical entities, the connection management function entity and mobility management are performed. The logical entity of the function, the logical entity of the session management function, and other network elements exchange information to realize the switching of the user equipment, and solve the logical entity of the related art that sets the connection management function to the logical entity or the session management function of the mobility management function. The problem of affecting the coupling of the two logical entities, so that the connection management function, the mobility management function, and the session management function are further decoupled during the switching process of the user equipment, thereby effectively improving the system deployment during the switching process of the user equipment. flexibility.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a user equipment corresponding to the above method is provided The switching device, the device includes: a seventh receiving unit, configured to instruct the source side connection management function entity to receive a handover request message sent by the source side RAN for requesting to perform handover to the user equipment UE, where the source side connection management function entity Connected to the source side RAN and the mobility management entity respectively, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; and a third sending unit is configured to indicate that the source side connection management function entity is via the MMF The logical entity sends a handover requirement message to the logical entity of the SMF.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method for establishing a session is provided. As shown in FIG. 11, the method includes:

Step S1102: The connection management function entity receives a session establishment request message sent by the RAN for requesting to establish a session connection for the user equipment UE, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected with the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes mobility. The logical entity of the management function MMF and the logical entity of the session management function SMF;

Step S1104, the connection management function entity sends a session establishment request message to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

According to the method for establishing a session according to this embodiment, since the logical entity of the connection management function and the mobility management function and the logical entity of the session management function are independently formed into different logical entities, Then, the connection management function entity interacts with the logical entity of the mobility management function, the logical entity of the session management function, and other network elements to realize the establishment of the session, and solves the related technology that the connection management function is set to the mobility management function. The logical entity of the logical entity or the session management function affects the coupling of the two logical entities, thereby further decoupling the connection management function, the mobility management function, and the session management function during the establishment of the session, thereby effectively improving the session. The flexibility of system deployment during the establishment process.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a session establishing apparatus corresponding to the foregoing method, the apparatus comprising: an eighth receiving unit, configured to receive, by the connection management function entity, a request sent by the RAN for requesting establishment for the user equipment UE a session connection request message of a session connection, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF; the fourth sending unit Set to indicate that the connection management function entity sends a session establishment request message to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

The following describes the multiple information interaction processes in the network system framework of the present application through specific embodiments. It should be noted that, in the framework of the network system of the present application, but not limited to the following processes.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a registration method of a UE according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the method includes the following steps:

Step 1201: The user equipment UE sends an RRC setup request message to the RAN, where the request message carries a registration request.

Step 1202: The RAN sends a NAS transmission message to the connection management function entity, and carries a registration request in the message.

Step 1203: The connection management function entity creates a connection management context of the UE.

Step 1204: The connection management function entity selects a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the user equipment, and sends a registration request in the NAS message to the logical entity of the MMF.

Step 1205, the logical entity of the MMF sends the NAS message carrying the registration accept message. To the connection management function entity.

In step 1206, the connection management function entity sends a NAS message carrying the registration accept message to the RAN.

In step 1207, the RAN forwards the registration accept message to the UE.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a service request method of a user equipment according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the method includes the following steps:

In step 1301, the user equipment UE sends an RRC setup request message to the RAN, where the request message carries a service request.

Step 1302: The RAN sends a NAS transport message to the connection management function entity, where the message carries a service request.

Step 1303: The connection management function entity creates a connection management context of the UE.

Step 1304: The connection management function entity selects a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the user equipment, and sends a NAS message carrying the service request message to the logical entity of the MMF.

Step 1305: The logical entity of the MMF sends a NAS message carrying the service request to the logical entity of the session management function SMF.

Step 1306: The logical entity of the SMF sends a radio bearer resource setup request message to the connection management function entity.

Step 1307: The connection management function entity sends a radio bearer resource setup request to the RAN.

Step 1308, the radio bearer resource of the air interface is established between the RAN and the UE.

Step 1309: The RAN sends a radio bearer resource setup response message to the connection management function entity.

Step 1310: The connection management function entity sends a radio bearer resource to the logical entity of the SMF. Establish a response message.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a connection release method of a user equipment according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the method includes the following steps:

Step 1401: In case the RAN triggers the connection release, the RAN sends a connection release request message to the connection management function entity.

In step 1402, the connection management function entity sends a connection release request message to the logical entity of the MMF.

In step 1403, the logical entity of the MMF sends a connection release command message to the connection management function entity.

Step 1404, the connection management function entity deletes the connection management context of the UE.

Step 1405, the connection management function entity sends a connection release complete message to the logical entity of the MMF.

Step 1406, the logical entity of the MMF sends a connection release request message to the logical entity of the SMF.

Step 1407, the logical entity of the SMF releases the radio bearer resources associated with the RAN.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a method for updating a location of a user equipment according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 15, the method includes the following steps:

Step 1501: The user equipment UE sends an RRC setup request message to the RAN, where the request message carries a location update request.

Step 1502: The RAN sends a NAS transmission message to the connection management function entity, where the message carries a location update request.

Step 1503: The connection management function entity creates a connection management context of the UE.

Step 1504: The connection management function entity selects a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the user equipment, and sends a NAS message carrying the location update request to the logical entity of the MMF.

In step 1505, the logical entity of the MMF sends a NAS message carrying the location update accept message to the connection management function entity.

Step 1506, the connection management function entity sends a NAS message carrying the location update accept message to the RAN.

In step 1507, the RAN forwards the location update accept message to the UE.

Embodiment 5

16 is a schematic diagram of a method of deregistering a user equipment according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 16, the method includes the following steps:

Step 1601: The UE sends an RRC setup request message to the RAN, where the request message carries a logout request.

In step 1602, the RAN sends a NAS transport message to the connection management function entity, where the message carries a logout request.

Step 1603: The connection management function entity selects a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the user equipment, and sends a NAS message carrying the logout request to the logical entity of the MMF.

Step 1604, the logical entity of the MMF sends the logout request to the logical entity of the SMF.

In step 1605, the logical entity of the SMF deletes the session resource.

Step 1606, the logical entity of the SMF sends a logout accept message to the logical entity of the MMF.

Step 1607: The logical entity of the MMF sends a NAS message carrying the logout accept message to the connection management function entity.

Step 1608, the connection management function entity sends a NAS message carrying the logout acceptance message. To the RAN.

Step 1609, the RAN forwards the logout acceptance message to the UE.

In step 1610, the logical entity of the MMF sends a connection release command message to the connection management function entity.

In step 1611, the connection management function entity sends a connection release command message to the RAN.

In step 1612, the RAN returns a connection release complete message to the connection management function entity.

In step 1613, the connection management function entity deletes the connection context of the UE.

In step 1614, the connection management function entity sends a connection release complete message to the logical entity of the MMF.

Embodiment 6

17 is a schematic diagram of a paging method in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 17, the method includes the following steps:

In step 1701, the logical entity of the SMF triggers paging when receiving downlink data.

Step 1702, the logical entity of the SMF sends a paging message to the logical entity of the MMF.

Step 1703: The logical entity of the MMF sends a paging message to the connection management function entity corresponding to the location where the UE is located.

Step 1704, the connection management function entity sends a paging message to the RAN.

In step 1705, the RAN pages the UE.

Step 1706, the UE initiates a service request process.

Example 7

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a handover method of a user equipment according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18, the method includes the following steps:

Step 1801: When the source RAN detects that the handover process needs to be initiated, the source side The connection management function entity sends a handover request message.

Step 1802: The source side connection management function entity sends a handover requirement message to the logical entity of the MMF.

In step 1803, the logical entity of the MMF sends a handover requirement message to the logical entity of the SMF.

Step 1804, the logical entity of the SMF sends a handover request message to the logical entity of the MMF.

Step 1805, the logical entity of the MMF sends a handover request message to the target side connection management function entity.

Step 1806, the target side connection management function entity creates a connection context of the UE.

Step 1807, the target side connection management function entity sends a handover request message to the target side RAN.

Step 1808, the target side RAN sends a handover request acknowledgement message to the target side connection management function entity.

Step 1809, the target side connection management function entity sends a handover request acknowledgement message to the logical entity of the MMF.

In step 1810, the logical entity of the MMF sends a handover request acknowledgement message to the logical entity of the SMF.

In step 1811, the logical entity of the MMF sends a handover command message to the source side connection management function entity.

In step 1812, the source side connection management function entity sends a handover command message to the source side RAN.

In step 1813, the source side RAN sends a handover command message to the UE.

In step 1814, the UE switches to the target side RAN.

In step 1815, the target side RAN sends a handover notification message to the target side connection management function entity.

In step 1816, the target side connection management function entity sends a handover notification message to the logical entity of the MMF.

In step 1817, the logical entity of the MMF sends a handover notification message to the logical entity of the SMF.

In step 1818, the logical entity of the MMF sends a connection release command message to the source side connection management function entity.

In step 1819, the source side connection management function entity sends a connection release command message to the source side RAN.

In step 1820, the source side RAN returns a connection release complete message to the source side connection management function entity.

In step 1821, the source side connection management function entity deletes the connection context of the UE.

In step 1822, the source side connection management function entity sends a connection release complete message to the mobility management node.

Example eight

19 is a schematic diagram of a method of establishing a session connection in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 19, the method includes the following steps:

Step 1901: The UE sends a session establishment request message to the RAN.

In step 1902, the RAN sends a session establishment request message to the connection management function entity.

Step 1903: The connection management function entity sends the NAS message carrying the session establishment request to the logical entity of the MMF.

Step 1904, the logical entity of the MMF sends a logical entity carrying the NAS message of the session establishment request to the SMF.

Step 1905: The logical entity of the SMF sends a radio bearer resource setup request message to the logical entity of the MMF, where the radio bearer resource setup request message is a NAS message carrying the active default bearer request.

Step 1906, the logical entity of the MMF encrypts the NAS message.

Step 1907, the logical entity of the MMF sends a radio bearer resource setup request message to the connection. The management function entity, wherein the radio bearer resource setup request message is a NAS message carrying an active default bearer request.

Step 1908: The connection management function entity sends a radio bearer resource setup request message to the RAN, where the radio bearer resource setup request message is a NAS message carrying an active default bearer request.

Step 1909, radio bearer resource establishment and NAS message delivery.

Step 1910: The RAN sends a radio bearer resource setup response message to the connection management function entity.

Step 1911: The connection management function entity sends a radio bearer resource setup response message to the logical entity of the SMF.

Step 1912: The UE sends an Activate Default Bearer Accept message to the RAN.

In step 1913, the RAN sends an activation default bearer accept message to the connection management function entity.

Step 1914, the connection management function entity sends an activation default bearer acceptance message to the logical entity of the MMF.

In step 1915, the logical entity of the MMF sends a logical entity that activates the default bearer accept message to the SMF.

Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the method according to the above embodiment can be implemented by means of software plus a necessary general hardware platform, and of course, by hardware, but in many cases, the former is A better implementation. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, which is essential or contributes to the prior art, may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium (such as ROM/RAM, disk, The optical disc includes a number of instructions for causing a terminal device (which may be a cell phone, a computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to perform the methods described in various embodiments of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide a storage medium. Optionally, in the embodiment, the foregoing storage medium may be configured to store program code for performing the following steps:

S1. The connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the connection management function entity is set to maintain the connection state of the user equipment UE, and the mobility management entity includes mobility. A logical entity that manages the function MMF, and the NAS message carries a registration request of the UE;

S2. The connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the registration request to the logical entity of the MMF.

S3. The connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the connection management function entity is set to maintain the connection state of the user equipment UE, and the mobility management entity includes mobility. The logical entity of the management function MMF and the logical entity of the session management function SMF, the NAS message carries the service request of the UE;

S4. The connection management function entity determines the logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the service request to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

S5. The connection management function entity receives a connection release request message sent by the RAN for requesting release of the RAN-related radio bearer resource, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the connection management function entity is set to maintain a connection state of the user equipment UE, the mobility management entity including a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF;

S6. The connection management function entity sends a connection release request message to the logical entity of the MMF.

S7. The connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the connection management function entity is set to maintain the connection state of the user equipment UE, and the mobility management entity includes mobility. Management function MMF Logical entity, the NAS message carries the location update request information of the UE;

S8. The connection management function entity determines a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the location update request information to the logical entity of the MMF.

S9. The connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the connection management function entity is set to maintain the connection state of the user equipment UE, and the mobility management entity includes mobility. The logical entity of the management function MMF and the logical entity of the session management function SMF, the NAS message carries the cancellation request of the UE;

S10. The connection management function entity determines a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the logout request to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

S11. The connection management function entity receives a paging message for paging the user equipment UE, which is sent by the logical entity of the session management function SMF and is forwarded by the logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, where the connection management function entity is respectively associated with the RAN and the mobile a management entity connection, the connection management function entity is set to maintain the connection state of the UE, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the MMF and a logical entity of the SMF;

S12. The connection management function entity sends a paging message to the RAN to instruct the RAN to page the user equipment UE.

S13. The source side connection management function entity receives a handover requirement message sent by the source side RAN for requesting to perform handover on the user equipment UE, where the source side connection management function entity is respectively connected to the source side RAN and the mobility management entity, and the connection management is performed. The functional entity is set to maintain the connection state of the UE, and the mobility management entity includes the logical entity and the session management of the mobility management function MMF The logical entity of the function SMF;

S14. The source side connection management function entity sends a handover requirement message to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

S15. The connection management function entity receives a session establishment request message sent by the RAN for requesting to establish a session connection for the user equipment UE, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the connection management function entity is set to maintain the UE. Connection state, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF;

S16. The connection management function entity sends a session establishment request message to the logical entity of the SMF via the logical entity of the MMF.

Optionally, in this embodiment, the foregoing storage medium may include, but not limited to, a USB flash drive, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a mobile hard disk, and a magnetic memory. A variety of media that can store program code, such as a disc or a disc.

For example, the specific examples in this embodiment may refer to the examples described in the foregoing embodiments and the optional embodiments, and details are not described herein again.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the various modules or steps of the present invention described above can be implemented by a general-purpose computing device that can be centralized on a single computing device or distributed across a network of multiple computing devices. Alternatively, they may be implemented by program code executable by the computing device such that they may be stored in the storage device by the computing device and, in some cases, may be different from the order herein. The steps shown or described are performed, or they are separately fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or a plurality of modules or steps thereof are fabricated as a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications and changes of the present invention are possible in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

The foregoing technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention solves the problem that the connection management function is set to the mobility management function in the related art, because the connection management function is the same as the mobility management function entity and the session management function entity, and is independent into different logical entities. The logical entity or the logical entity of the session management function affects the coupling of the two logical entities, thereby further decoupling the connection management function, the mobility management function and the session management function, thereby effectively improving the system under the virtualization technology. The flexibility of deployment.

Claims

A network system comprising:

The connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and is configured to maintain a connection state of the user equipment UE, where the mobility management entity includes at least one of the following logical entities: a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and The logical entity of the session management function SMF.
The network system according to claim 1, wherein said connection status comprises at least one of the following:

Idle IDLE state; connect CONNECT state.
The network system according to claim 2, wherein

In the case that the connection state is the IDLE state, the connection management function entity does not save related information of the UE; and/or

In the case where the connection state is the CONNECT state, the connection management function entity is set to create and save a connection management context of the UE.
The network system according to claim 3, wherein said connection management context comprises at least one of the following information:

The ID of the RAN;

The identifier of the UE when the connection between the connection management function entity and the RAN performs signaling interaction;

The ID of the logical entity of the MMF;

An identifier of the UE when signaling interaction between the connection management function entity and the logical entity of the MMF;

The ID of the logical entity of the SMF;

The identifier of the UE when signaling interaction between the connection management function entity and the logical entity of the SMF.
The network system according to claim 1, wherein the connection management function entity is further configured to determine a logical entity of the MMF according to an identifier of the UE, and deliver a NAS message sent by the UE to the MMF. Logical entity.
The network system according to claim 1, wherein the connection management function entity is further configured to save location information of the wireless node, search for a wireless node corresponding to the paging location range according to the paging location range, and send a paging message Send to the wireless node corresponding to the paging location range.
A method for registering user equipment, including:

The connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, the NAS The message carries a registration request of the UE;

The connection management function entity determines a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the registration request to a logical entity of the MMF.
The method of claim 7, wherein before the sending the registration request to the logical entity of the MMF, the method further comprises:

The connection management function entity creates a connection management context of the UE according to the NAS message.
The method of claim 7, wherein after the registering request is sent to the logical entity of the MMF, the method further comprises:

The connection management function entity receives a registration accept message sent by the logical entity of the MMF, and sends the registration accept message to the UE by using the RAN.
A service request method for a user equipment, including:

The connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility The management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF, where the NAS message carries a service request of the UE;

The connection management function entity determines a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the service request to a logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.
The method of claim 10, wherein before the sending the service request to the logical entity of the session management function SMF by the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes:

The connection management function entity creates a connection management context of the UE according to the NAS message.
The method of claim 10, after the sending the service request to the logical entity of the session management function SMF by the logical entity of the MMF, further comprising:

The connection management function entity receives a radio bearer resource setup request message sent by the logical entity of the SMF, and sends the radio bearer resource setup request message to the RAN;

The connection management function entity receives a radio bearer resource setup response message sent by the RAN, and sends the radio bearer resource setup response message to a logical entity of the SMF.
A connection release method includes:

The connection management function entity receives a connection release request message sent by the RAN for requesting release of radio bearer resources related to the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobile The sexual management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF;

The connection management function entity sends the connection release request message to a logical entity of the MMF.
The method of claim 13, wherein after the connection management function entity sends the connection release request message to the logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, the method further includes:

The connection management function entity receives a connection release command message sent by a logical entity of the MMF;

The connection management function entity deletes the connection management context of the UE according to the connection release command message.
The method of claim 14, wherein after the connection management function entity deletes the connection management context of the UE according to the connection release command message, the method further includes:

The connection management function entity sends a connection release complete message to the logical entity of the MMF to indicate, by the logical entity of the MMF, the logical entity of the session management function SMF to release the radio bearer resource associated with the RAN.
A method for updating a location of a user equipment, including:

The connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, the NAS The message carries the location update request information of the UE;

The connection management function entity determines a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the location update request information to a logical entity of the MMF.
The method of claim 16 wherein the location is updated Before requesting information to be sent to the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes:

The connection management function entity creates a connection management context of the UE according to the NAS message.
The method of claim 16, wherein after the location update request information is sent to the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes:

The connection management function entity receives a location update accept message sent by a logical entity of the MMF, and sends the location update accept message to the UE via the RAN.
A method for deregistering user equipment, including:

The connection management function entity receives the NAS message sent by the RAN, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, and the mobility management entity includes a logical entity and a session management function of the mobility management function MMF a logical entity of the SMF, where the NAS message carries a logout request of the UE;

The connection management function entity determines a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and sends the logout request to a logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.
The method of claim 19, wherein after the log request is sent to the logical entity of the session management function SMF by the logical entity of the MMF, the method further includes:

The connection management function entity receives a logout acceptance message sent by a logical entity of the SMF and forwarded via a logical entity of the MMF, and sends the logout acceptance message to the UE via the RAN.
The method of claim 20, further comprising:

The connection management function entity receives a connection release command message sent by the logical entity of the MMF, and sends the connection release command message to the RAN;

The connection management function entity receives a connection release complete message returned by the RAN;

The connection management function entity deletes the connection context of the UE and sends a connection release complete message to the logical entity of the MMF.
A paging method comprising:

The connection management function entity receives a paging message for paging the user equipment UE, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity comprising a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF And the logical entity of the session management function SMF;

The connection management function entity sends the paging message to the RAN to instruct the RAN to page the user equipment UE.
The method of claim 22, wherein the paging message is sent by the logical entity of the MMF to the connection management function entity or by a logical entity of the SMF and forwarded by a logical entity of the MMF To the connection management function entity.
The method of claim 22, wherein the transmitting the management function entity to send the paging message to the RAN comprises:

The connection management function entity saves location information of the wireless node;

The connection management function entity determines a paging location range according to the paging message, and searches for the wireless node corresponding to the paging location range in the saved location information of the wireless node;

The connection management function entity sends the paging message to the paging location The corresponding wireless node.
A method for switching user equipment, including:

The source side connection management function entity receives a handover requirement message sent by the source side RAN for requesting to perform handover on the user equipment UE, where the source side connection management function entity is respectively connected to the source side RAN and the mobility management entity, The mobility management entity includes a logical entity of a mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of a session management function SMF;

The source side connection management function entity sends the handover requirement message to a logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.
The method of claim 25, wherein after the source side connection management function entity sends the handover requirement message to the logical entity of the session management function SMF via the logical entity of the mobility management function MMF, the method further includes:

a target side connection management function entity receives a handover request message sent by a logical entity of the SMF and forwarded by a logical entity of the MMF, wherein the target side connection management function entity is respectively associated with a target side RAN and the mobility management entity connection;

The target side connection management function entity creates a connection context of the UE according to the handover request message, and sends the handover request message to the target side RAN;

The target side connection management function entity receives a handover request acknowledgement message sent by the target side RAN, and sends the handover request acknowledgement message to a logical entity of the MMF;

The source side connection management function entity receives a handover command message sent by the logical entity of the MMF, and sends the handover command message to the source side RAN to instruct the UE to switch to the target by using the source side RAN Side RAN.
The method of claim 26, after the sending the handover command message to the source side RAN, further comprising:

The target side connection management function entity receives a handover notification message sent by the target side RAN, and sends the handover notification message to a logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.
The method of claim 27, wherein after the switching notification message is sent to the logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF, the method further comprises:

The source side connection management function entity receives a connection release command message sent by the logical entity of the MMF, and sends the connection release command message to the source side RAN;

The source side connection management function entity receives a connection release complete message returned by the source side RAN;

The source side connection management function entity deletes a connection context of the UE, and sends the connection release complete message to a logical entity of the MMF.
A method for establishing a session, including:

The connection management function entity receives a session establishment request message sent by the RAN for requesting to establish a session connection for the user equipment UE, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, the mobility management entity a logical entity including a mobility management function MMF and a session management function SMF;

The connection management function entity sends the session establishment request message to a logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.
The method of claim 29, wherein said session establishment request message is sent by said connection management function entity via a logical entity of a mobility management function MMF After being sent to the logical entity of the session management function SMF, it also includes:

The connection management function entity receives a radio bearer resource setup request message sent by a logical entity of the SMF and forwarded by a logical entity of the MMF;

The connection management function entity sends the radio bearer resource setup request message to the RAN to instruct the RAN to establish a radio bearer resource for the UE.
The method according to claim 30, wherein the radio bearer resource setup request message carries the activated default bearer request information, and after the connection management function entity sends the radio bearer resource setup request message to the RAN, include:

Receiving, by the connection management function entity, an activated default bearer accept message sent by the RAN;

The connection management function entity sends the activation default bearer accept message to a logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.
A registration device for a user equipment, comprising:

a first receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, where the mobility management entity includes a mobility management function a logical entity of the MMF, where the NAS message carries a registration request of the UE;

And a first determining unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to determine a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and send the registration request to a logical entity of the MMF.
A service request device for a user equipment, comprising:

a second receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively associated with the RAN and mobility a management entity connection, where the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of a mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of a session management function SMF, where the NAS message carries a service request of the UE;

And a second determining unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to determine a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and send the service request to a logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.
A connection release device comprising:

a third receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive a connection release request message sent by the RAN for requesting release of radio bearer resources related to the RAN, where the connection management function entity respectively performs the RAN and the mobile a management entity connection, the mobility management entity comprising a logical entity of a mobility management function MMF;

And a first sending unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to send the connection release request message to a logical entity of the MMF.
A location update device for a user equipment, comprising:

a fourth receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive the NAS message sent by the RAN, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, where the mobility management entity includes a mobility management function a logical entity of the MMF, where the NAS message carries location update request information of the UE;

And a third determining unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to determine a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and send the location update request information to a logical entity of the MMF.
A logout device for a user equipment, comprising:

a fifth receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive the RAN transmission a NAS message, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and mobility management entity, the mobility management entity includes a logical entity of a mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of a session management function SMF, the NAS The message carries the cancellation request of the UE;

And a fourth determining unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to determine a logical entity of the MMF according to the identifier of the UE, and send the logout request to a logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.
A paging device comprising:

a sixth receiving unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to receive a paging message for paging the user equipment UE, wherein the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity, where the mobility management entity includes The logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and the logical entity of the session management function SMF;

And a second sending unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to send the paging message to the RAN to instruct the RAN to page the user equipment UE.
A switching device for a user equipment, comprising:

a seventh receiving unit, configured to instruct the source side connection management function entity to receive a handover requirement message sent by the source side RAN for requesting to perform handover on the user equipment UE, where the source side connection management function entity and the source side respectively The RAN is connected to a mobility management entity, which includes a logical entity of the mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of the session management function SMF;

And a third sending unit, configured to instruct the source side connection management function entity to send the handover requirement message to a logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.
A session establishment device includes:

And an eighth receiving unit, configured to receive, by the connection management function entity, a session establishment request message sent by the RAN for requesting to establish a session connection for the user equipment UE, where the connection management function entity is respectively connected to the RAN and the mobility management entity The mobility management entity includes a logical entity of a mobility management function MMF and a logical entity of a session management function SMF;

And a fourth sending unit, configured to instruct the connection management function entity to send the session establishment request message to the logical entity of the SMF via a logical entity of the MMF.