WO2018108012A1

WO2018108012A1 - Method and device for network functional entity to perform stateless process

Info

Publication number: WO2018108012A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/114837
Authority: WO
Inventors: 侯利昌; 涂小勇; 蔡黄兵; 郑芳庭
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2016-12-14
Filing date: 2017-12-06
Publication date: 2018-06-21
Also published as: CN108616978A; CN108616978B

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and a device for a network functional entity to perform a stateless process. The method comprises: a first network functional entity selecting a process instance for a user process procedure, and acquiring user data and state information by means of the process instance; when the first network functional entity uses the process instance to send a request message to a second network functional entity, the request message carrying route information of the process instance; the first network functional entity, when receiving a response message sent by the second network functional entity, extracting from the response message the route information of the process instance; and according to the route information of the process instance, forwarding the response message to the process instance.

Description

Method and device for performing stateless processing by network function entity

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to the field of mobile communications, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for performing stateless processing by a network function entity.

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. 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, and the mobile network will be more complicated. Functional componentization and network function (NF, Network Function) stateless processing can simplify 5G networks and flexibly meet the diverse needs of mobile networks. Network function stateless processing, requiring business processing and data separation, and using a distributed architecture, multiple components of the same component.

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.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and apparatus for performing stateless processing by a network function entity.

A method for performing stateless processing by a network function entity provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

The first network function entity selects a processing instance for the user processing process, and obtains user data and status information by using the processing instance;

When the first network function entity sends the request message to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, the routing information of the processing instance is carried in the request message;

The first network function entity, when receiving the response message sent by the second network function entity, extracts routing information of the processing instance from the response message; and according to the routing information of the processing instance, the response is The message is forwarded to the processing instance.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first network function entity utilizes the processing instance to the first When the network function entity sends the request message, the routing information of the processing instance is carried in the request message, including:

When the first network function entity sends the request message to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, if the request message has an associated response message, the route of the processing instance is carried in the request message. information.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network function entity is a user processing process selection processing instance, and the user data and status information are obtained by using the processing instance, including:

When the first network function entity receives the request message, selecting a processing instance for the request message;

The first network function sends a read user data request message to the public user database CUDB entity by using the processing instance, and receives a read user data response message sent by the CUDB entity, where the read user data response message carries the user. Data and status information.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network function entity includes at least: a mobility management function entity and a session management function entity.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processing instance is an instance of a component that processes user signaling in any one of the mobility management function entities, or a component that processes user signaling for any one of the session management function entities. Example.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network function entity includes at least: a terminal, a base station, and a user plane entity.

An apparatus for performing stateless processing by a network function entity provided by another embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

Selecting a unit configured to select a processing instance for the user process flow;

An obtaining unit configured to acquire user data and status information by using the processing instance;

The encapsulating unit is configured to: when the requesting message is sent to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, carrying the routing information of the processing instance in the request message;

The extracting unit is configured to: when receiving the response message sent by the second network function entity, extract routing information of the processing instance from the response message;

a forwarding unit, configured to forward the response message according to routing information of the processing instance Give the processing example.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the encapsulating unit is configured to: when the requesting message is sent to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, if the request message has an associated response message, carry the The routing information of the processing instance.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the selecting unit is configured to: when receiving the request message, select a processing instance for the request message;

The acquiring unit is configured to: send a read user data request message to the CUDB entity by using the processing instance, and receive a read user data response message sent by the CUDB entity, where the read user data response message carries user data and status information.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the methods described above.

In the solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network function entity is a user processing flow selection processing instance, and the user data and the state information are obtained by using the processing instance; when the first network function entity uses the processing instance to the second network When the function entity sends the request message, the routing information of the processing instance is carried in the request message; when the first network function entity receives the response message sent by the second network function entity, the response message is sent from the response message. Extracting the routing information of the processing instance; and forwarding the response message to the processing instance according to the routing information of the processing instance. By adopting the solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the network load can be reduced, the delay of the process completion can be shortened, and the user service experience can be improved.

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

DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a diagram of an EPC network architecture;

2 is a 5G network architecture diagram of service processing and data separation;

3 is a flowchart of establishing a PDU session of a 5G network architecture based on service processing and data separation;

4 is a flow chart of an attaching process of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

5 is a flowchart of a service request process of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

6 is a flowchart of a PDU session establishment process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart diagram of a method for performing stateless processing by a network function entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for performing stateless processing by a network function entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

detailed description

The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a 4G network architecture. The functions of each network element in the 4G network architecture are as follows:

The terminal (UE, User Equipment) 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 signaling (NAS, Non-AccessStratum) and the mobility management entity of the core network. (MME, Mobility Management Entity) interaction information.

The base station (RAN, Radio Access Network) is responsible for the air interface resource scheduling of the terminal accessing the network and the connection management of the air interface.

Mobile management entity: The core network control plane entity is mainly responsible for authentication, authorization and contract checking of users to ensure that users are legitimate users; user mobility management, including location registration and temporary identity allocation; maintenance idle (IDLE) and connection (CONNECT) state and state transition; Switching in the CONNECT state; packet data network (PDN) connection and bearer maintenance, including session management functions such as creation, modification, and deletion; and paging in the IDLE state.

Service Gateway (SGW, Serving GW): The core network user plane function entity, which is mainly responsible for the interaction with the PDN GW in the case of roaming; receiving the downlink data packet for buffering in the IDLE state and notifying the MME to page the user; Anchor points and user plane anchors across 2G/3G/4G mobility.

Packet Data Network (PDN GW): The core network user plane function entity is the access point of the terminal accessing the PDN network. It is responsible for allocating user IP addresses, network-triggered bearer establishment, modification and deletion, and service quality. (QoS, Quality of Service) control charging function, etc., is an anchor point for users to switch between the 3GPP system and the non-3GPP system, thereby ensuring the IP address unchanged and ensuring business continuity.

Figure 2 is a 5G network architecture. The functions of each network element in the 5G network architecture are as follows:

Public User Database (CUDB): Stores at least user dynamic data, such as mobile line management context, session context, user status, and so on.

Control Plane (CP): including mobility management function (MM) and session management function (SM), etc., mainly responsible for authentication, authorization, and subscription checking of users to ensure that users are legitimate users; user mobility Management, including location registration and temporary identity assignment; maintaining IDLE and CONNECT states and state transitions; switching in the CONNECT state; maintenance of protocol data unit (PDU, ProtocolDataUnit) sessions, including session management functions such as creation, modification, and deletion; A function such as paging is triggered in the IDLE state of the user.

User Plane (UP, User Plane): The core network user plane function entity, which is responsible for assigning user IP addresses and having QoS control and accounting functions.

After the function is componentized, the components are arranged by blueprints and the like to form a network function. The components in the network function can adopt a distributed architecture and multiple instances of the same component. When the component processing user-related signaling implements stateless processing, the component that handles the signaling of the user is multi-instance, the service processing is completely separated from the data, the user-related signaling is received, the network function selects a component instance for processing, and the component instance processes After the user signaling message, the user data is released.

3 is a schematic diagram of stateless processing for processing user signaling, where the CP may be composed of multiple network functions, each network function may be composed of multiple components, and each component may be multiple instances.

Step 301: The UE sends user-related signaling to the CP, and the forwarding module in the CP selects instance 1 (CP1) to process the message.

Step 302: The CP1 sends a read user data request message to the CUDB requesting all data of the user.

In step 303, the CUDB returns a read user data response message to the CP1, carrying the user's data and status information.

In step 304, CP1 completes processing of user signaling and the like.

In step 305, the CP1 sends a write user data request message to the CUDB, and writes the user data.

In step 306, the CUDB returns a write user data response message to the CP1.

In step 307, the CP1 deletes the local user context information.

In a user process, an NF will interact with other NFs multiple times. If each interaction, it must read and write user data to the CUDB, which increases the network load on the one hand and increases the process completion on the other hand. Delay.

Stateless processing of network functions, in one process, may read and write user data and status information to the CUDB multiple times, increasing network load and process processing delay.

Based on this, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for performing stateless processing by a network function entity, and a network function for stateless processing. For each user process, a component instance that processes user signaling is anchored only in one processing instance, and is processed. The instance keeps the user data and status information required by the process before the process ends. When the processing instance sends a request message to the neighboring NF, if the request message has a corresponding response message, the processing instance carries the processing instance in the request message. Temporary routing information, the network function of receiving the temporary routing information of the processing instance carried in the request message, and subsequently carrying the temporary routing information of the processing instance carried in the request message when the response message is returned, and the forwarding module according to the temporary route of the processing instance The information is forwarded to the processing instance of the request message transmission, so that one process only reads and writes data to the CUDB once, which reduces the network load and shortens the delay of the process completion.

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart 1 of a method for performing stateless processing by a network function entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the method includes:

Step 701: The first network function entity selects a processing instance for the user process flow, and obtains user data and status information by using the process instance.

For example, the first network function entity selects a processing instance for the user process, and obtains user data and status information by using the processing instance, including:

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network function entity includes at least: a mobility management function entity and a session management function entity. In addition, other network functional entities that can handle user signaling can also be included.

Accordingly, the processing instance is an instance of a component that processes user signaling for any of the mobility management functional entities, or an instance of a component that handles user signaling for any of the session management functional entities. In addition, instances of other components of the network functional entity that can handle user signaling, which handle user signaling, may also be included.

Step 702: When the first network function entity sends the request message to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, the routing information of the processing instance is carried in the request message.

For example, when the first network function entity sends the request message to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, if the request message has an associated response message, the processing instance is carried in the request message. Routing information.

Step 703: The first network function entity, when receiving the response message sent by the second network function entity, extracts routing information of the processing instance from the response message; according to the routing information of the processing instance, The response message is forwarded to the processing instance.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network function entity includes at least: a terminal, a base station, and a user plane entity. In addition, it may include other temporary routing letters that receive processing instances in the request message. Network function entity.

The solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below in conjunction with specific application scenarios.

Example 1: As shown in Figure 4, an embodiment of the attachment process.

Step 401: The UE initiates an attach request message to the CP, and carries the IMSI. The forwarding module in the CP selects instance 1 (CP1) to process the message.

Step 402: The CP1 sends a read user data request message to the CUDB requesting all data of the user.

In step 403, the CUDB returns a read user data response message to the CP1, carrying the user's data and status information.

In step 404, CP1 creates an MM context and the like.

In step 405, the CP1 completes the security function and the like for the user.

Step 406: The CP1 sends an attach accept message to the UE, where the message carries information such as the temporary identifier of the user and the temporary routing information of the processing instance.

Step 407: The UE returns an attach complete message to the CP, where the message carries the temporary routing information of the processing instance in the request message, and the forwarding module in the CP selects the CP1 to process the message according to the temporary routing information of the processing instance.

In step 408, the CP1 sends a write user data request message to the CUDB to write the user data.

In step 409, the CUDB returns a write user data response message to the CP1.

In step 410, the CP1 deletes the local user context information.

Example 2: An embodiment of a service request process is shown in FIG.

Step 501: The UE sends a service request message to the CP, and the forwarding module in the CP selects instance 1 (CP1) to process the message.

Step 502: The CP1 sends a read user data request message to the CUDB requesting all data of the user.

In step 503, the CUDB returns a read user data response message to the CP1, carrying the user's data and status information.

Step 504: The CP1 sends a wireless tunnel establishment request message to the RAN, where the message carries temporary routing information of the processing instance.

Step 505: The RAN returns a wireless tunnel establishment response message to the CP, where the message carries the temporary routing information of the processing instance in the request message, and the forwarding module in the CP selects the CP1 to process the message according to the temporary routing information of the processing instance.

In step 506, CP1 updates the RAN information in the session context.

In step 507, the CP1 sends an update user plane request message to the UP, where the message carries the temporary routing information of the processing instance.

Step 508: The UP returns an update user plane response message to the CP, where the message carries the temporary routing information of the processing instance in the request message, and the forwarding module in the CP selects the CP1 to process the message according to the temporary routing information of the processing instance.

In step 509, CP1 updates the UP information in the session context.

In step 510, the CP1 sends a write user data request message to the CUDB to write the user data.

In step 511, the CUDB returns a write user data response message to the CP1.

In step 512, the CP1 deletes the local user context information.

Example 3: As shown in FIG. 6, it is an embodiment of a PDU session establishment process.

Step 601: The UE initiates a session establishment request message to the CP, and the forwarding module in the CP selects instance 1 (CP1) to process the message.

Step 602: The CP1 sends a read user data request message to the CUDB requesting all data of the user.

In step 603, the CUDB returns a read user data response message to the CP1, carrying the user's data and status information.

In step 604, CP1 creates a session context, selects UP, and the like.

Step 605: The CP1 sends a user plane request message to the UP, where the message carries the processing instance. Temporary routing information.

Step 606: The UP returns a user plane response message to the CP, where the message carries the temporary routing information of the processing instance in the request message, and the forwarding module in the CP selects the CP1 to process the message according to the temporary routing information of the processing instance.

In step 607, the CP1 updates the UP information in the session context.

Step 608: The CP1 sends a wireless tunnel establishment request message to the RAN, where the message carries temporary routing information of the processing instance.

Step 609: The RAN returns a wireless tunnel establishment response message to the CP, where the message carries the temporary routing information of the processing instance in the request message, and the forwarding module in the CP selects the CP1 to process the message according to the temporary routing information of the processing instance.

In step 610, CP1 updates the RAN information in the session context.

In step 611, the CP1 sends an update user plane request message to the UP, where the message carries the temporary routing information of the processing instance.

Step 612: The UP returns an update user plane response message to the CP, where the message carries the temporary routing information of the processing instance in the request message, and the forwarding module in the CP selects the CP1 to process the message according to the temporary routing information of the processing instance.

In step 613, the CP1 returns a PDU session establishment response message to the UE.

In step 614, the CP1 sends a write user data request message to the CUDB to write the user data.

In step 615, the CUDB returns a write user data response message to the CP1.

In step 616, CP1 deletes local user context information.

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for performing stateless processing by a network function entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus includes:

The selecting unit 81 is configured to select a processing instance for the user processing flow;

The obtaining unit 82 is configured to acquire user data and status information by using the processing instance;

The encapsulating unit 83 is configured to: when the requesting message is sent to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, carrying the routing information of the processing instance in the request message;

The extracting unit 84 is configured to: when receiving the response message sent by the second network function entity, extract routing information of the processing instance from the response message;

The forwarding unit 85 is configured to forward the response message to the processing instance according to the routing information of the processing instance.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the encapsulating unit 83 is configured to: when the request message is sent to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, if the request message has an associated response message, carry the request message The routing information of the processing instance.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the selecting unit 81 is configured to: when receiving the request message, select a processing instance for the request message;

The obtaining unit 82 is configured to: send a read user data request message to the CUDB entity by using the processing instance, and receive a read user data response message sent by the CUDB entity, where the read user data response message carries user data. And status information.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that all or some of the steps, systems, and functional blocks/units of the methods disclosed above may be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, and suitable combinations thereof. In a hardware implementation, the division between functional modules/units mentioned in the above description does not necessarily correspond to the division of physical components; for example, one physical component may have multiple functions, or one function or step may be composed of several physical The components work together. Some or all of the components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a digital signal processor or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application specific integrated circuit. Such software can be distributed On a computer readable medium, a computer readable medium can comprise a computer storage medium (or non-transitory medium) and a communication medium (or transitory medium). As is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the term computer storage medium includes volatile and nonvolatile, implemented in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Sex, removable and non-removable media. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical disc storage, magnetic cartridge, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device, or may Any other medium used to store the desired information and that can be accessed by the computer. Moreover, it is well known to those skilled in the art that communication media typically includes computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and can include any information delivery media. .

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

Industrial applicability

According to the solution in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network function entity selects a processing instance for the user processing flow, and obtains user data and status information by using the processing instance; and when the first network function entity utilizes the processing instance to the second When the network function entity sends the request message, the routing information of the processing instance is carried in the request message; when the first network function entity receives the response message sent by the second network function entity, the response message is received from the response message. And extracting the routing information of the processing instance; and forwarding the response message to the processing instance according to the routing information of the processing instance. By adopting the solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the network load can be reduced, the delay of the process completion can be shortened, and the user service experience can be improved. The present disclosure therefore has industrial applicability.

Claims

A method for stateless processing by a network function entity, comprising:

The first network function entity selects a processing instance for the user process flow, and obtains user data and status information by using the process instance (701);

When the first network function entity sends the request message to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, the routing information of the processing instance is carried in the request message (702);

The first network function entity, when receiving the response message sent by the second network function entity, extracts routing information of the processing instance from the response message; and according to the routing information of the processing instance, the response is The message is forwarded to the processing instance (703).
The method for performing stateless processing by a network function entity according to claim 1, wherein said request message is sent when said first network function entity sends a request message to said second network function entity by said processing instance Carrying routing information (702) of the processing instance, including:

When the first network function entity sends the request message to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, if the request message has an associated response message, the route of the processing instance is carried in the request message. information.
The method for performing stateless processing by the network function entity according to claim 1, wherein the first network function entity selects a processing instance for a user process flow, and obtains user data and status information (701) through the processing instance, including :

When the first network function entity receives the request message, selecting a processing instance for the request message;

The first network function sends a read user data request message to the public user database CUDB entity by using the processing instance, and receives a read user data response message sent by the CUDB entity, where the read user data response message carries the user. Data and status information.
The method for performing stateless processing by a network function entity according to claim 1, wherein the first network function entity comprises: a mobility management function entity and a session management function entity.
The method for performing stateless processing by a network function entity according to claim 4, wherein The processing instance is an instance of a component of the mobility management functional entity that processes user signaling, or an instance of a component that handles user signaling for any of the session management functional entities.
The method for performing stateless processing by a network function entity according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second network function entity comprises: a terminal, a base station, and a user plane entity.
A device for performing stateless processing by a network function entity, comprising:

a selection unit (81) configured to select a processing instance for the user processing flow;

An obtaining unit (82) configured to acquire user data and status information by using the processing instance;

The encapsulating unit (83) is configured to: when the requesting message is sent to the second network function entity by using the processing instance, carrying the routing information of the processing instance in the request message;

The extracting unit (84) is configured to: when receiving the response message sent by the second network function entity, extract routing information of the processing instance from the response message;

The forwarding unit (85) is configured to forward the response message to the processing instance according to the routing information of the processing instance.
The apparatus for performing stateless processing by the network function entity according to claim 7, wherein the encapsulation unit (83) is configured to: when the processing instance sends a request message to the second network function entity, if the request message With the associated response message, the routing information of the processing instance is carried in the request message.
The apparatus for performing stateless processing by the network function entity according to claim 7, wherein the selecting unit (81) is configured to: when receiving the request message, select a processing instance for the request message;

The obtaining unit (82) is configured to: send a read user data request message to the CUDB entity by using the processing instance, and receive a read user data response message sent by the CUDB entity, where the read user data response message carries User data and status information.
The apparatus for performing stateless processing by the network function entity according to claim 7, wherein the first network function entity comprises: a mobility management function entity, a session management function entity.
The apparatus for performing stateless processing by the network function entity according to claim 10, The processing instance is an instance of a component that processes user signaling for any of the mobility management functional entities, or an instance of a component that processes user signaling for any of the session management functional entities.
The apparatus for performing stateless processing by a network function entity according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the second network function entity comprises: a terminal, a base station, and a user plane entity.
A computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the method of any of claims 1-6.