WO2018059043A1

WO2018059043A1 - Method and device, network element and device for implementing user plane function management

Info

Publication number: WO2018059043A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/091194
Authority: WO
Inventors: 陈琳; 曹中益; 羊苏; 郑芳庭; 涂小勇
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2016-09-29
Filing date: 2017-06-30
Publication date: 2018-04-05
Also published as: CN107888498A

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a method and a device as well as a network element and a device for implementing user plane function management, comprising: a user plane transfer function (UTF) determining, according to a preset strategy, that a user path of a terminal needs to be transferred, wherein the terminal is an access network and said terminal has a data forwarding path established on a user plane function (UPF); the UTF controlling the user path of the terminal to transfer from said UPF having the established data forwarding path to a target UPF. By means of the technical solution provided by the present invention, dynamic transferring of user plane functions is made possible, while ensuring the continuity of user services, and enhancing user experience.

Description

Method and device for realizing user plane function management, network element and device

Technical field

The embodiments of the present invention relate to, but are not limited to, mobile communication technologies, and in particular, to a method and device for implementing user plane function management, and a network element and device.

Background technique

1 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3GPP Evolved Packet System in the related art. As shown in FIG. 1 , an EGPP (Evolved Packet System) includes an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (E-UTRAN). Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Serving Gateway (S-GW), Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW or P-GW, Packet Data Network Gateway), home subscribers Server (HSS, Home Subscriber Server), 3GPP Authentication and Authorization and Accounting (AAA), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) and other supporting nodes.

The MME is used for control plane related operations such as mobility management, non-access stratum signaling processing, and user mobility management context management; the S-GW is an access gateway device connected to the E-UTRAN, in the E-UTRAN and The P-GW forwards data and buffers the paging waiting data. The P-GW is a border gateway between the EPS and the PDN, and is used for PDN access and forwarding data between the EPS and the PDN. The PCRF is responsible for the formulation of policy decisions and charging rules, providing gating based on service data flow, quality of service control and charging rules to the GW, and executing the policies and charging rules formulated by the PCRF on the bearer plane. When the bearer is established, the GW performs quality of service (QoS) authorization and gating control according to the rules sent by the PCRF.

In 3GPP, the UE can find a corresponding packet data network (PDN, Packet Data Network) by using an Access Point Name (APN). In order to access the PDN, the UE establishes an IP connection access network (IP-CAN, IP). Connectivity Access Network) The PDN connection for the session.

As demand grows, EPS gateways gradually create some constraints. The user data stream processing is concentrated on the PDN egress gateway, which causes the gateway device to have complicated functions and poor scalability. The control surface of the gateway The forwarding plane is highly coupled, which is not conducive to the smooth evolution of the core network. The frequency of the forwarding surface expansion is higher than that of the control plane. The tight coupling leads to the synchronous expansion of the control plane forwarding plane, and the short device update period leads to an increase in the composite cost. Network layer data forwarding is difficult to identify users and service features. It can only be forwarded according to the QoS delivered by the upper layer, resulting in inefficient use of network resources. It is difficult to finely control the data flow based on user and service characteristics. In addition, a large number of strategies require manual configuration, resulting in increased management complexity and high operating costs. Therefore, the control functions and forwarding functions in the packet domain gateway need to be further separated to meet the needs of network development and market applications.

2 is a schematic structural diagram of a separation of a GW control plane and a user plane in an EPC based on a non-roaming scenario in the related art. As shown in FIG. 2, the architecture includes an S-GW, a P-GW, and a flow detection function in the original EPS architecture. TDF (Traffic Detection Function) is divided into two types of functional network elements: control plane function (CPF, Controller plane function) and user plane function (UPF, User plane function). Figure 2 is an example. S-GW corresponds to SGW. UPF and SGW CPF, PGW correspond to PGW UPF and PGW CPF. Here, different types of CPF or UPF can be deployed in a single deployment, or can be deployed independently. As shown in FIG. 2, the SGW CPF and the PGW CPF are collectively set to GwC. The CPF is responsible for control plane functions, including load sharing, UPF selection, UE IP address allocation, policy and charging control, etc. Optionally, the CPF also includes the allocation of the user plane address and the tunnel identifier of the UPF. The UPF is responsible for user plane related functions, including data flow identification and deep packet parsing, QoS processing and bearer binding, and buffering of downlink paging data. The user plane and the control plane interface of the docking correspond to the corresponding CPF and UPF respectively, and the other corresponding interface functions are compared with the original EPS architecture.

On the basis of the current 4G network architecture, when the user accesses the network, the CPF selects an UPF as the IP anchor for the terminal, and the UPF as the IP anchor does not change regardless of whether the UE switches or roams. Thus, when the user moves to a geographic location that is farther away from the UPF of the accessed IP anchor, the user's data forwarding path becomes very long, reducing the user experience.

Summary of the invention

The following is an overview of the topics detailed in this document. This Summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for implementing user plane function management, including:

User plane migration function UTF determines the user path required to the terminal according to the preset policy. The path is migrated; wherein the terminal is a terminal that accesses the network and has established a data forwarding path on the user plane function UPF;

The UTF controls the user path of the terminal to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF.

Optionally, the UTF controlling the user path of the terminal to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF includes:

The UTF delivers the target UPF identifier to the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path, so that the UPF sends the user data path information to the target UPF according to the target UPF identifier, and the target UPF saves the user data. Path information and publish user host routes to migrate user data to the target UPF.

Optionally, when the UTF delivers the target UPF identifier to the UPF of the data forwarding path that is currently established by the terminal, the UTF further includes:

The UTF will be used to indicate whether the migration type of the IP address is re-assigned to the UE during the migration process, and the UPF is sent to the terminal, and the UPF sends the migration type to the target UPF, and the migration is performed. The type is displayed as needing to re-assign an IP address to the UE, such that the target UPF reassigns the IP address to the terminal and passes it to the terminal via the UPF.

Optionally, the UTF controlling the current end user path to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF includes:

After receiving the migration confirmation from the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path, the UTF initiates a migration request to the target UPF, so that the target UPF obtains the user data path information of the terminal from the shared database and issues the information. User host routing to migrate user data to the target UPF.

Optionally, when the UTF initiates a migration request to the target UPF, the method further includes:

The UTF will be used to indicate whether the migration type for re-assigning the IP address to the UE during the migration is delivered to the target UPF, and the migration type is displayed as needing to re-assign the IP address to the UE, so that the target UPF is re-established for the terminal. An IP address is assigned and delivered to the terminal via the CPF.

Optionally, before the obtaining, by the target UPF, the user data path information of the terminal from the shared database, the method further includes:

When the UPF that has established the data forwarding path by the terminal currently receives the migration request from the UTF, the user data path information is sent to the shared database.

Optionally, the method further includes: causing the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path to delete the user-related host route.

Optionally, after the target UPF issues the user host route, the method further includes:

The target UPF is caused to reallocate a new data tunnel identity for the data connection of the terminal.

Optionally, the method further includes: causing the target UPF to notify the CPF to modify the data tunnel information of the terminal by using the data tunnel identifier.

Optionally, the terminal accesses the network, and after the UTF establishes the data forwarding path on the UPF, the UTF, before determining, according to the preset policy, that the user path of the terminal needs to be migrated, the method further includes:

The UTF obtains the current service model of the terminal from the UPF or the third-party shared database in which the terminal has established the data forwarding path, and determines, according to the service model, that the UPF of the data forwarding path currently established by the terminal is not the most excellent.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides an apparatus for implementing user plane function management, including a decision module and a processing module, where

a decision module, configured to determine, according to a preset policy, that the user path of the terminal needs to be migrated, where the terminal is a terminal that has accessed the network and has established a data forwarding path on a certain UPF;

And a processing module, configured to control a user path obtained by the terminal to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF.

Optionally, the device is a separate entity in the network or a function set in an existing network element.

Optionally, the processing module is specifically configured to: deliver the target UPF identifier to the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path.

Optionally, the processing module is specifically configured to: after receiving the migration confirmation from the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path, initiate a migration request to the target UPF.

Optionally, the processing module is further configured to: pass the migration type used to indicate whether the UE is re-assigned an IP address in the migration process to the UPF or the target UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path.

Optionally, the determining module is further configured to: obtain a current service model of the terminal from a UPF or a third-party shared database in which the terminal has established a data forwarding path, and determine, according to the service model, that the terminal has established data currently. The UPF of the forwarding path is non-optimal.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a network element, as a user plane function, including a forwarding module and a migration response module;

a forwarding module, configured to establish a data forwarding path with the terminal, and perform transmission of user data;

The migration response module is configured to migrate the user path of the terminal with which the data forwarding path is established to the target UPF under the control of the UTF.

Optionally, the migration response module is specifically configured to: receive a target UPF identifier from the UTF, and send the user data path information to the target UPF according to the target UPF identifier.

Optionally, the migration response module is further configured to: receive a migration type from the UTF, and send the migration type to the target UPF.

Optionally, the migration response module is specifically configured to: when receiving the migration request from the UTF, send the migration confirmation to the UTF.

Optionally, the migration response module is further configured to: when receiving the migration request from the UTF, send the user data path information to the shared database.

The migration response module is configured to migrate the user path of the terminal from the UPF with the data forwarding path established by the terminal to the network element where the user is located under the control of the UTF.

Optionally, the migration response module is specifically configured to: save the received user data path information and advertise the user host route, so that the user data is migrated to the user plane function network element where the user is located.

Optionally, the migration response module is further configured to: receive a migration type that is displayed as needing to re-assign an IP address to the UE, re-allocate the IP address to the terminal, and deliver the IP address to the terminal via the CPF.

Optionally, the migration response module is specifically configured to:

After receiving the migration request from the UTF, the user data path information of the terminal is obtained from the shared database, and the user host route is advertised, so that the user data is migrated to the user network element of the user plane.

Optionally, the migration response module is further configured to: after the user host route is advertised, redistribute a new data tunnel identifier for the data connection of the terminal; and request the RAN to modify the data tunnel identifier by using the CPF.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a network element, including the network element described in any one of the foregoing two.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a network element, as a control plane function, including a first update module, configured to receive a data tunnel identifier, and request the RAN to modify the data tunnel identifier.

Optionally, the first update module is further configured to: receive an IP address of the terminal, and transmit the IP of the terminal to the corresponding terminal.

The embodiment of the invention further provides a terminal, comprising a second update module, configured to receive an IP address, update an IP address of the original session, and access the data service by using the updated IP address.

The embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions for performing the method for implementing user plane function management according to any one of the above

Compared with the prior art, the present application includes: a terminal access network, a data forwarding path is established on a certain UPF, and a UTF migration function (UTF) determines that a user path of the terminal needs to be migrated according to a preset policy; The UTF controls the current end user path to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF. Through the embodiments of the present application, the dynamic migration of the user plane function is implemented, and the continuity of the user service is ensured, and the user experience is improved.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the structure particularly pointed in the appended claims.

Other aspects will be apparent upon reading and understanding the drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF abstract

The drawings described herein are provided to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are in the Improperly qualified. In the drawing:

1 is a schematic structural diagram of a 3GPP evolved packet system in the related art;

2 is a schematic structural diagram of a separation of a GW control plane and a user plane in an EPC based on a non-roaming scenario in the related art;

3 is a flowchart of a method for implementing user plane function management in an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a schematic diagram of management of a UTF according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart diagram of a first embodiment of a method for implementing user plane function management according to the present invention; FIG.

6 is a schematic flowchart of a second embodiment of a method for implementing user plane function management according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart diagram of a third embodiment of a method for implementing user plane function management according to the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart diagram of a fourth embodiment of a method for implementing user plane function management according to the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart diagram of a fifth embodiment of a method for implementing user plane function management according to the present invention; FIG.

10 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for implementing user plane function management according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a user plane function network element in an embodiment of the present invention.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

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.

The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, in the case of no conflict, the features in the embodiments and the embodiments in the present application may be arbitrarily combined with each other.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for implementing user plane function management according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the method includes:

Step 300: The user plane migration function (UTF) determines that the user path of the terminal needs to be migrated according to a preset policy. The terminal is a terminal that accesses the network and has established a data forwarding path on the user plane function (UPF). .

In the embodiment of the present invention, the UTF is a network function entity that determines a dynamically migrated UPF.

The UTF is used to manage the UPF in a certain area. As shown in Figure 4, UTF manages UPF1, UPF2, UPF3, and UPFn. When the terminal accesses the network and establishes a data forwarding path on a UPF. After that, UTF migrates the data path of the terminal from one UPF to another better UPF according to a preset policy.

The preset policy may include, but is not limited to, detecting that the current service path of the user is not optimal, or that the operator upgrades or goes offline to establish a data forwarding path for the UPF, or the operator is out of service. The power saving considers that the UPF of the currently established data forwarding path is closed or partially closed, or the UPF load of the currently established data forwarding path is too high, and the partial load needs to be unloaded.

The UTF may be a separate entity in the network, or may be a function set in an existing network element, such as GwC as shown in FIG. 2, or set in a CPF as shown in FIG. .

Step 301: The user path of the UTF control terminal is migrated from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF.

In this step, the UTF determines that the target UPF method may include, but is not limited to, for example, reselecting a nearby target UPF according to the current location of the UE; for example, determining that the currently accessed UPF is overloaded, and reselecting a lighter load for the UE. The target UPF.

If the target UPF and the terminal are currently in direct communication with the UPF of the data forwarding path, the step 301 may specifically include:

The UTF passes the target UPF identifier to the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path.

The UPF of the data forwarding path that the terminal has established currently sends the user data path information to the target UPF according to the target UPF identifier.

The target UPF saves the user data path information and publishes the user host route to migrate the user data to the target UPF.

Optionally,

When the UTF transmits the target UPF identifier to the UPF of the data forwarding path that is currently established by the terminal, if the migration type used to indicate whether the IP address is re-assigned to the UE during the migration is also delivered to the UPF of the data forwarding path that the terminal has established, The inventive method also includes:

The UPF that has established the data forwarding path by the terminal sends the migration type to the target UPF.

If the migration type is displayed as needing to re-assign an IP address to the UE, the target UPF is the terminal. The IP address is newly assigned and delivered to the terminal via the CPF.

It should be noted here that the migration type itself may also be an identifier indicating that the UE needs to be re-assigned an IP address.

Alternatively, if the target UPF and the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path have a third-party shared database, the step 301 may specifically include:

After receiving the migration confirmation of the UPF from the terminal that has established the data forwarding path, the UTF initiates a migration request to the target UPF.

The target UPF obtains the user data path information of the terminal from the shared database and issues the user host route to migrate the user data to the target UPF.

Optionally,

When the UTF initiates a migration request to the target UPF, if the migration type used to indicate whether the IP address is re-assigned to the UE during the migration is also delivered to the target UPF, the method further includes:

If the migration type is displayed as needing to re-allocate the IP address to the UE, the target UPF reassigns the IP address to the terminal and transmits it to the terminal via the CPF.

Optionally, if the UPF of the data forwarding path of the terminal is currently accessed by the terminal, the user data path information is not sent to the shared database, and the method further includes:

The UPF that has established the data forwarding path by the terminal sends the user data path information to the shared database when receiving the migration request from the UTF.

Optionally, the method of the present invention further includes:

The UPF of the data forwarding path that the terminal has established currently deletes the user-related host route.

Optionally, the method of the present invention further includes: after the target UPF issues the user host route, reallocating the new data tunnel identifier for the data connection of the terminal. Specifically include:

The target UPF reassigns the new data tunnel identity to the data connection of the terminal; requests the RAN to modify the data tunnel identity via the CPF.

Optionally, after the terminal in the step 300 accesses the network and the data forwarding path is established on the UPF, the UTF further determines, before the user path needs to be migrated according to the preset policy, the following:

The UTF supports obtaining the current service model of the UE from the UPF or the third-party shared database in which the data forwarding path is currently established, and determines that the UPF of the data forwarding path that the terminal has established is non-optimal according to the service model. The business model includes but is not limited to: the type of data service currently accessed by the user (application type such as Facebook, Sina Weibo or IP quintuple of service flow), access duration, access traffic, access location, and the like.

Through the technical solution provided by the present invention, the 4G architecture is realized, and even in the future 5G software architecture, when the user is online, the user's IP anchor is dynamically migrated from one UPF to another according to the user service and other policies. The scenario implements the dynamic migration of user plane functions and ensures the continuity of user services and improves the user experience.

The method of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a first embodiment of a method for implementing user plane function management in the present invention. In this embodiment, a UTF is initiated to initiate a user UPF migration, and the IP address of the UE is unchanged, and the target UPF and the outbound UPF are moved to the UPF. The terminal has established UPF direct communication of the data forwarding path, as shown in Figure 5, including the following steps:

Step 500: The terminal has accessed the network and establishes a data path on the UPF1, and the user data is forwarded through the UPF1.

Step 501: UTP triggers user data migration from UPF1 to UPF2. The UTF determines that the user path needs to be migrated from UPF1 (ie, moving out of the UPF) to UPF2 (ie, the target UPF) according to a preset policy.

Step 502: The UTF sends a migration request to the UPF1, where the migration request carries at least the terminal identifier to be migrated and the target UPF identifier.

Step 503: UPF1 returns an eviction response to the UTF, where the terminal identifier is carried.

Step 504: UPF1 extracts user data path information, and deletes the UE related host route. At this time, the UE downlink data will not be sent to UPF1 again.

Step 505: The UPF1 sends an inbound request to the UPF2, and at least the user data path information, including the UE IP address, is carried in the migration request. At this time, the uplink data received by UPF1 can be forwarded to UPF2.

Step 506: The UPF2 saves the user data path information, and issues a host route related to the UE. At this time, the UE downlink data can be sent to UPF2.

Step 507: UPF2 returns the migration response to UPF1, and UPF1 can delete the locally saved user data path information at this time.

Step 508: If UPF2 allocates a new data tunnel identifier to the data connection of the UE, the UPF2 sends an update user information request to the CPF, and the update user information request carries the UPF information, such as the UPF2 IP address, currently allocated by the user, and newly allocated data for the user. The tunnel ID is the TEID of the GTP protocol.

Step 509: The CPF initiates a modify data tunnel request to the RAN, where the modified data tunnel request carries the current UPF IP address, that is, the UPF2 IP address, the current data tunnel identifier of the UE, and the like.

Step 510: The RAN returns a modified data tunnel response to the CPF. Thereafter, the UE uplink data will be directly sent to the UPF2 via the RAN, and the uplink and downlink data forwarding paths of the UE are all migrated to the UPF2.

Step 511: The CPF returns an update user information response to the UPF2.

It should be noted that, if the data tunnel identifier is allocated by the CPF, the data tunnel identifier may remain unchanged during the foregoing UPF migration process, that is, steps 508 to 511 may be omitted.

According to the embodiments provided by the present invention, those skilled in the art can easily understand that, based on the technical solution of the present invention, the UTF can also decide to migrate a group of users or all users, and indicate to the UPF all the migrations that need to be migrated once or in batches. User ID or group ID. The group identifier may be, for example, an APN, a priority, a UE IP segment, a UE service type, a network slice identifier accessed by the UE, and the like. One-time or batch user data path information migration between UPF1 and UPF2.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a second embodiment of a method for implementing user plane function management in the present invention. In this embodiment, a UTF is initiated to initiate a user UPF migration, and the IP address of the UE is unchanged, and the target UPF and the outbound UPF are moved to the UPF. The UPF that the terminal currently has established the data forwarding path has a shared database, which is indicated by the UTF scheduling. As shown in Figure 6, the following steps are included:

Step 600: The terminal has accessed the network and establishes a data path on the UPF1, and the user data is forwarded through the UPF1.

Step 601: UTP triggers user data migration from UPF1 to UPF2. The UTF determines that the user path needs to be migrated from UPF1 (ie, moving out of the UPF) to UPF2 (ie, the target UPF) according to a preset policy.

Step 602: The UTF sends a migration request to the UPF1, and at least the terminal identifier to be migrated is carried in the migration request.

Step 603: UPF1 extracts user data path information and saves it to the shared database.

It should be noted that if the user data path information has been saved to the shared database when the terminal accesses the UPF1, this step may be omitted during the migration process.

Step 604: UPF1 returns a migration response to the UTF, where the terminal identifier is carried.

Step 605: The UTF sends an migrating request to the UPF2, where the migrating request carries the terminal identifier to be migrated.

Step 606: UPF2 acquires user data path information from the shared database.

Step 607: UPF2 returns an immigration response to the UTF.

Step 608: The UTF sends an eviction indication to the UPF1, where the migrating indication carries the terminal identifier to be migrated.

Step 609: The UPF1 deletes the locally saved user data path information, and deletes the UE related host route. At this time, the downlink data of the UE is not sent to the UPF1, and the uplink data received by the UPF1 can be forwarded to the UPF2.

Step 610: The UTF sends an inbound indication to the UPF2, where the mobility indication carries the terminal identifier to be migrated.

Step 611: UTF2 issues a UE-related host route. At this time, the UE downlink data can be sent to UTF2.

Step 612: If UPF2 allocates a new data tunnel identifier to the data connection of the UE, the UPF2 sends an update user information request to the CPF, and the update user information request carries the UPF information, such as the UPF2 IP address, currently allocated by the user, and newly allocated data for the user. Tunnel ID (such as the corresponding GTP protocol) TEID) and so on.

Step 613: The CPF initiates a modify data tunnel request to the RAN, where the modified data tunnel request carries the current UPF IP address, that is, the UPF2 IP address, the current data tunnel identifier of the UE, and the like.

Step 614: The RAN returns a modified data tunnel response to the CPF. Thereafter, the UE uplink data will be directly sent to the UPF2 via the RAN, and the uplink and downlink data forwarding paths of the UE are all migrated to the UPF2.

Step 615: The CPF returns an update user information response to the UPF2.

It should be noted that, if the data tunnel identifier is allocated by the CPF, the data tunnel identifier may remain unchanged during the foregoing UPF migration process, that is, steps 612 to 615 may be omitted.

According to the embodiments provided by the present invention, those skilled in the art can easily understand that, based on the technical solution of the present invention, the UTF can also decide to migrate a group of users or all users, and indicate to the UPF all the migrations that need to be migrated once or in batches. User ID or group ID. The group identifier may be, for example, an APN, a priority, a UE IP segment, a UE service type, a network slice identifier accessed by the UE, or other identifiers assigned to the UE at the time of access.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a method for implementing user plane function management according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, assuming that a user service model is reported by the UPF, the user's UPF migration is triggered, and the IP address of the UE remains unchanged. The target UPF and the outgoing UPF, that is, the UPF direct communication of the data forwarding path currently established by the terminal, as shown in FIG. 7, includes the following steps:

Step 700: The terminal has accessed the network and establishes a data path on the UPF1, and the user data is forwarded through the UPF1.

Step 701: The UPF1 reports the current service model of the terminal to the UTF, such as the currently accessed service type, such as video, browsing, or instant messaging.

Step 702: UTF determines that the current user's UPF1 is not optimal, and needs to migrate it to a better UPF.

In this step, for example, if the current user's UPF1 accesses more video access terminals, the current UPF1 may be determined to be non-optimal, and the UPF is deployed to another backend to deploy a video buffer. The UTF determines that the current access geographical position of the UE is far from the geographical position of the initially accessed UPF1, and determines that the UE is migrated to a UPF that is closer to the geographical location of the current access of the UE.

Step 703: The UTF sends a migration request to the UPF1, where the migration request carries the terminal identifier to be migrated and the target UPF identifier.

Step 704: The UPF1 returns a migration response to the UTF, where the terminal identifier is carried.

Step 705: The UPF1 extracts the user data path information, and deletes the host route related to the UE. At this time, the UE downlink data will not be sent to UPF1 again.

Step 706: The UPF1 sends an migrating request to the UPF2, where the migrating request carries the user data path information, including the UE IP address. At this time, the uplink data received by UPF1 can be forwarded to UPF2.

Step 707: The UPF2 saves the user data path information, and issues a host route related to the UE. At this time, the UE downlink data can be sent to UPF2.

Step 708: UPF2 returns the migration response to UPF1, and UPF1 can delete the locally saved user data path information at this time.

Step 709: If UPF2 allocates a new data tunnel identifier to the data connection of the UE, the UPF2 sends an update user information request to the CPF, and the update user information request carries the UPF information currently in the user (such as the UPF2 IP address, which is newly allocated for the user. The data tunnel identifier is corresponding to the TEID of the GTP protocol.

Step 710: The CPF initiates a modify data tunnel request to the RAN, where the modified data tunnel request carries the current UPF IP address, that is, the UPF2 IP address, the current data tunnel identifier of the UE, and the like.

Step 711: The RAN returns a modified data tunnel response to the CPF. Thereafter, the UE uplink data will be directly sent to the UPF2 via the RAN, and the uplink and downlink data forwarding paths of the UE are all migrated to the UPF2.

Step 712: The CPF returns an update user information response to the UPF 2.

It should be noted that if the data tunnel identifier is allocated by the CPF, the data tunnel identifier may remain unchanged during the UPF migration process, that is, steps 709 to 712 may be omitted.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the manner in which the UTF obtains the service model is not limited to the manner described in step 701, and may be: the outbound UPF reports the UE's service model to the third-party entity, and the UTF obtains the third-party entity. Business model to UPF.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a fourth embodiment of a method for implementing user plane function management in the present invention. In this embodiment, it is assumed that an IP address needs to be re-allocated for the UE in the migration process, as shown in FIG. 8 , including the following steps:

Re-allocating the IP address for the UE will result in a short-term service interruption. The UE needs to re-establish the service with the new IP address. However, the UE, the RAN, and the core network will not reestablish the session established for the UE, and only update the IP address of the UE.

Step 800: The terminal has accessed the network and establishes a data path on the UPF1, and the user data is forwarded through the UPF1.

Step 801: UTP triggers user data migration from UPF1 to UPF2. The UTF determines that the user path needs to be migrated from UPF1 (ie, moving out of the UPF) to UPF2 (ie, the target UPF) according to a preset policy.

Step 802: The UTF sends a migration request to the UPF1, where the migration request carries at least the terminal identifier to be migrated and the target UPF identifier, and a migration type used to indicate whether the IP address is re-assigned to the UE during the migration.

It should be noted that, for the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 that the target UPF and the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path have a third-party shared database, when the UTF in step 605 initiates the migration request to the target UPF, the UTF can be further carried. Whether to re-assign the migration type of the IP address to the UE during the migration process. In this way, the target UPF will then reassign the IP address to the terminal and pass it to the terminal via CPF.

Step 803: The UPF1 returns a migration response to the UTF, where the terminal identifier is carried.

Step 804: The UPF1 extracts the user data path information, and determines, according to the migration type, that the UE re-allocates the IP.

Step 805: The UPF1 sends an inbound request to the UPF2, and at least the user data path information, including the UE IP address, is carried in the migration request.

Step 806: The UPF2 saves the user data path information, and determines that the need is The UE reassigns the IP address and reassigns the IP address to the UE.

Step 807: The UPF2 returns the migration response carrying the terminal identifier to the UPF1, and the UPF1 can delete the locally saved user data path information at this time.

Step 808: The UPF2 allocates a new UE IP address to the data connection of the UE. Therefore, the UPF2 needs to send an update user information request to the CPF. The update user information request carries the UPF information of the current user, such as the UPF2 IP address and the user's new IP address. Address, etc.

Further, in this embodiment, if the UPF2 allocates a new data tunnel identifier to the data connection of the UE, the user information request further includes a newly allocated data tunnel identifier, such as a TEID corresponding to the GTP protocol.

Step 809: The CPF determines that the IP address of the user changes, sends a modify session request to the UE, and carries the new IP address of the user in the modify session request.

Step 810: The CPF initiates a modify data tunnel request to the RAN, where the modified data tunnel request carries the current UPF IP address, the current data tunnel identifier of the UE, and the like.

Step 811: The RAN returns a modified data tunnel response to the CPF. Thereafter, the UE uplink data will be directly sent to the UPF2 via the RAN, and the uplink and downlink data forwarding paths of the UE are all migrated to the UPF2.

Step 812: The UE returns a modification session response to the CPF. At this point, the UE can access the data service using the new IP address.

Step 813: The CPF returns an update user information response to the UPF2.

It should be noted that, if the data tunnel identifier and the UE IP are allocated by the CPF, the data tunnel identifier and the UE IP may remain unchanged during the foregoing UPF migration process, and then steps 810 to 811 may be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart of a fifth embodiment of a method for implementing user plane function management according to the present invention. In this embodiment, under the existing EPC architecture, the UE IP is updated during the UPF migration process, and/or After the newly assigned data tunnel identifier is corresponding to the TEID of the GTP protocol, the message exchange between the CPF, the UE, and the RAN is described as an example. As shown in FIG. 9, the following steps are included:

Step 900: The MME receives the update bearer request through the SGW, where the update bearer request carries the user's new IP address, the new SGW UPF user plane transport address, and the newly allocated SGW TEID-U.

Step 901: The MME initiates a modify EPS bearer context request to the UE, where the modified EPS bearer context request carries the new IP address of the UE.

Step 902: The MME initiates an eRAB modification request to the eNodeB, where the eRAB modification request carries a new SGW UPF user plane transport address and a newly allocated SGW TEID-U.

Step 903: The eNodeB returns a modified eRAB modification response to the MME.

Step 904: The session management module of the UE returns a modified EPS bearer context accept message to the CPF. At this point, the UE can access the data service using the new IP address.

Step 905: The MME returns an update bearer response to the SGW.

10 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for implementing user plane function management according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, at least a decision module and a processing module are included, where

And a processing module, configured to control a current end user path to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF.

The device for implementing the user plane function management of the present invention may be an independent entity in the network, such as the UTF mentioned above, or a function set in the existing network element, for example, set in the GwC as shown in FIG. 2, Or it is set in a certain CPF as shown in FIG.

Optionally,

The processing module is specifically configured to: deliver the target UPF identifier to the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path.

Further, the processing module is further configured to: pass the migration type used to indicate whether the UE is re-assigned an IP address in the migration process to the UPF or the target UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path.

Alternatively, the processing module is specifically configured to: after receiving the migration confirmation of the UPF from the terminal that has established the data forwarding path, initiate a migration request to the target UPF; receive the migration response from the target UPF, and directly establish a data forwarding path to the terminal. The UPF returns the moveout indication.

Optionally,

The decision module is further configured to: obtain the current service model of the terminal from the UPF or the third-party shared database in which the terminal has established the data forwarding path, and determine, according to the service model, that the UPF of the data forwarding path that the terminal has established is non-optimal.

11 is a schematic structural diagram of a network element according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the network element functions as a user plane, and at least includes a forwarding module and a migration response module.

When the network element of the user plane function is used as the outbound UPF, where

Optionally, the migration response module is specifically configured to:

The target UPF identifier from the UTF is received, and the user data path information is sent to the target UPF according to the target UPF identifier.

Further, the migration response module is further configured to: receive the migration type from the UTF, and send the migration type to the target UPF.

Alternatively, the migration response module is specifically used to:

When a migration request from UTF is received, the migration confirmation is sent to UTF. Further, the method is further configured to: send the user data path information to the sharing when receiving the migration request from the UTF database.

and / or,

When the network element functioning as the user plane function is moved to the UPF, that is, the target UPF, where

among them,

The migration response module is configured to save the received user data path information and advertise the user host route, so that the user data is migrated to the user plane function network element where the user is located.

further,

The migration response module is further configured to: receive the migration type, reassign the IP address to the terminal, and deliver the same to the terminal via the CPF.

Alternatively, the migration response module is specifically used to:

further,

The migration response module is further configured to: after the user host route is advertised, redistribute a new data tunnel identifier for the data connection of the terminal; and request the RAN to modify the data tunnel identifier via the CPF.

The present invention further provides a network element, as a control plane function, comprising at least a first update module, configured to receive a data tunnel identifier, and request the RAN to modify the data tunnel identifier.

Optionally, the first update module is further configured to: receive the IP address of the terminal, and deliver the IP of the terminal to the corresponding terminal.

The present invention further provides a terminal, comprising at least a second update module, configured to update an IP address of an original session by using an received IP address, and access the data service by using the updated IP address.

The embodiment of the invention further provides a computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions for performing any of the above methods for implementing user plane function management.

Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above modules or steps of the present invention may be Implemented in a general-purpose computing device, which may be centralized on a single computing device or distributed across a network of computing devices, optionally, they may be implemented by program code executable by the computing device, such that They may be stored in a storage device by a computing device, and in some cases, the steps shown or described may be performed in an order different than that herein, or separately fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules. Alternatively, multiple modules or steps of them can be implemented as a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 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 method and device for implementing user plane function management, and the network element and device, which are provided by the embodiment of the present invention, include: a user plane migration function (UTF) determines that a user path of the terminal needs to be migrated according to a preset policy, where the terminal is A terminal that accesses the network and has established a data forwarding path on the user plane function (UPF); the UTF controls the user path of the terminal to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF. Through the technical solution provided by the invention, the dynamic migration of the user plane function is realized, and the continuity of the user service is ensured, and the user experience is improved.

Claims

A method for implementing user plane function management, including:

The user plane migration function UTF determines that the user path of the terminal needs to be migrated according to a preset policy; wherein the terminal is a terminal that accesses the network and has established a data forwarding path on the user plane function UPF;

The UTF controls the user path of the terminal to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF.
The method of claim 1, wherein the UTF controlling the user path of the terminal to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF comprises:

The UTF delivers the target UPF identifier to the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path, so that the UPF sends the user data path information to the target UPF according to the target UPF identifier, and the target UPF saves the user data. Path information and publish user host routes to migrate user data to the target UPF.
The method of claim 2, when the UTF delivers the target UPF identifier to the UPF of the data forwarding path that is currently established by the terminal, the UTF further includes:

The UTF will be used to indicate whether the migration type of the IP address is re-assigned to the UE during the migration process, and the UPF is sent to the terminal, and the UPF sends the migration type to the target UPF, and the migration is performed. The type is displayed as needing to re-assign an IP address to the UE, such that the target UPF reassigns the IP address to the terminal and passes it to the terminal via the UPF.
The method of claim 1, wherein the UTF controlling the current end user path to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF comprises:

After receiving the migration confirmation from the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path, the UTF initiates a migration request to the target UPF, so that the target UPF obtains the user data path information of the terminal from the shared database and issues the information. User host routing to migrate user data to the target UPF.
The method according to claim 4, when the UTF initiates a migration request to the target UPF, the method further includes:

The UTF will be used to indicate whether the migration type for re-assigning the IP address to the UE during the migration is delivered to the target UPF, and the migration type is displayed as needing to re-allocate the IP address for the UE. The target UPF is caused to reassign the IP address to the terminal and is delivered to the terminal via the CPF.
The method according to claim 4, before the obtaining, by the target UPF, the user data path information of the terminal from the shared database, the method further includes:

When the UPF that has established the data forwarding path by the terminal currently receives the migration request from the UTF, the user data path information is sent to the shared database.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: causing the UPF of the data forwarding path that the terminal has established to delete the user-related host route.
The method according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein after the target UPF issues the user host route, the method further includes:

The target UPF is caused to reallocate a new data tunnel identity for the data connection of the terminal.
The method of claim 8, further comprising causing the target UPF to notify the CPF to modify the data tunnel information of the terminal by using the data tunnel identifier.
The method according to claim 1, 2 or 4, wherein the terminal accesses the network, and after the data forwarding path is established on the UPF, the UTF determines that the user path of the terminal needs to be migrated according to a preset policy. ,Also includes:

The UTF obtains the current service model of the terminal from the UPF or the third-party shared database in which the terminal has established the data forwarding path, and determines, according to the service model, that the UPF of the data forwarding path currently established by the terminal is not the most excellent.
An apparatus for implementing user plane function management, comprising a decision module and a processing module, wherein

a decision module, configured to determine, according to a preset policy, that the user path of the terminal needs to be migrated, where the terminal is a terminal that has accessed the network and has established a data forwarding path on the UPF;

And a processing module, configured to control a user path of the terminal to migrate from the UPF of the established data forwarding path to the target UPF.
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to: deliver the target UPF identifier to the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path.
The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to: after receiving a migration confirmation from the UPF of the terminal that has established the data forwarding path, initiate a migration request to the target UPF.
The apparatus according to claim 11, the processing module is further configured to: pass a migration type for indicating whether to re-assign an IP address to the UE during the migration process, to the terminal that is currently established. UPF or target UPF of the data forwarding path.
The device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the decision module is further configured to: obtain a current service model of the terminal from a UPF or a third-party shared database in which the terminal has established a data forwarding path, and according to the service The model determines that the UPF of the data forwarding path that the terminal has established currently is non-optimal.
A network element, as a user plane function, includes a forwarding module, a migration response module, where

a forwarding module, configured to establish a data forwarding path with the terminal, and perform transmission of user data;

The migration response module is configured to migrate the user path of the terminal with which the data forwarding path is established to the target UPF under the control of the UTF.
The network element according to claim 16, wherein the migration response module is specifically configured to: receive a target UPF identifier from the UTF, and send the user data path information to the target UPF according to the target UPF identifier.
The network element according to claim 16 or 17, the migration response module is further configured to: receive a migration type from the UTF, and send the migration type to the target UPF.
The network element according to claim 16, wherein the migration response module is specifically configured to: when receiving the migration request from the UTF, send the migration confirmation to the UTF.
The network element according to claim 19, wherein the migration response module is further configured to: when receiving the migration request from the UTF, send the user data path information to the shared database.
A network element, as a user plane function, includes a forwarding module, a migration response module, where

a forwarding module, configured to establish a data forwarding path with the terminal, and perform transmission of user data;

The migration response module is configured to migrate the user path of the terminal from the UPF with the data forwarding path established by the terminal to the network element where the user is located under the control of the UTF.
The network element according to claim 21, wherein the migration response module is specifically configured to: save the received user data path information and issue a user host route, so that the user data is migrated to the user plane function network element where the user is located.
The network element of claim 22, the migration response module is further configured to: receive a migration type that is displayed as needing to re-assign an IP address to the UE, re-allocate the IP address to the terminal, and deliver the terminal.
The network element according to claim 21, wherein the migration response module is specifically configured to:

Receive a migration request from UTF, and obtain the user data path of the terminal from the shared database. The information is also published to the user host route, so that the user data is migrated to the user network element of the user.
The network element according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the migration response module is further configured to: after the user host route is advertised, redistribute a new data tunnel identifier for the data connection of the terminal; and request the RAN via the CPF. Modify the data tunnel ID.
A network element comprising the network element according to any one of claims 16 to 20, and the network element according to any one of claims 21 to 25.
A network element, as a control plane function, includes a first update module, configured to receive a data tunnel identifier, and request the RAN to modify the data tunnel identifier.
The network element according to claim 27, wherein the first update module is further configured to: receive an IP address of the terminal, and transmit the IP of the terminal to the corresponding terminal.
A terminal includes a second update module for receiving an IP address, updating an IP address of an original session, and accessing a data service using the updated IP address.
A computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions for performing the method of implementing user plane function management according to any one of claims 1 to 10.