WO2021115429A1

WO2021115429A1 - Communication method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2021115429A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/135711
Authority: WO
Inventors: 银宇
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2019-12-11
Filing date: 2020-12-11
Publication date: 2021-06-17
Also published as: CN112953748A; CN112953748B

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and apparatus. A user function network element determines information of a second network slice according to information of a first network slice, wherein the first network slice corresponds to the second network slice; and a first session is established according to a first network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice, wherein the first session can be used for transmitting data of a target application, and the target application corresponds to the first network slice. Compared with the prior art, a first session does not need to be configured according to a network configuration parameter of a first network slice, and therefore, the network configuration parameter does not need to be configured for the first network slice, and it is only necessary to associate the first network slice with a second network slice that has been configured with the first network configuration parameter. Therefore, a configuration process of the first network slice can be simplified. Moreover, since the configuration of the correlation between the first network slice and the second network slice can be automatically completed, the automation degree of a session configuration process is increased.

Description

Communication method and device

Cross-references to related applications

This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application filed with the Chinese Patent Office, the application number is 201911267045.4, and the application name is "a communication method and device" on December 11, 2019, the entire content of which is incorporated into this application by reference.

Technical field

This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device.

Background technique

Currently in mobile communication networks, the network can configure corresponding network connection sessions (or sessions for short) according to the service requirements of different applications (Application, APP), so that the network quality of service (QoS) of the session meets the corresponding service demand. After the terminal determines that the data of the application needs to be transmitted in a session associated with a certain network slice according to the mapping relationship between the identification of the application and the network slice (or slice for short), the terminal can request the network to establish the network slice according to the information of the network slice. For a session associated with a network slice, the network can establish a session according to the network configuration parameters of the network slice, so that data can be subsequently directed to the session for transmission.

In the above process, the network side creates sessions associated with different network slices for the data streams of different applications, which can easily direct the data streams of the application to the sessions configured with different QoS parameters, so that users can get a differentiated experience when using the application. .

However, this solution needs to configure network configuration parameters for the newly added network slice in the network each time a new network slice is added. The network configuration parameters are used to establish a session associated with the network slice. For example, the network configuration parameters include services for the network slice. The network element information of the network slice, the configuration parameters of the data network connected to the network slice, and parameters such as internet protocol (IP) addresses that can be assigned to the terminal. Because the configuration process of these network configuration parameters usually involves manual planning and configuration, it is still difficult to fully automate, resulting in a lengthy process of adding network slicing, slow implementation speed, and high cost, which affects customer experience and business success.

Summary of the invention

The present application provides a communication method and device for optimizing the configuration process of network slicing and reducing the complexity and configuration cost of network slicing configuration.

In the first aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a user function network element or a chip in a user function network element. In this application, the user function network element may be a user plane function (UPF) in a 5G communication system.

According to this method, the user function network element can receive the information of the first network slice from the session management network element (for example, the session management function (SMF)). Wherein, the information of the first network slice can be sent by the terminal to the mobility management network element (for example, access and mobility management function (AMF)), and sent by the mobility management network element to the session management network yuan. The user function network element may also determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence (or first association), and the first correspondence may include the information of the first network slice. The correspondence between the information and the information of the second network slice. The user function network element may also obtain network configuration parameters associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice, where the network configuration parameters may be used to establish a session. Thereafter, the user function network element may configure the first session according to the first network configuration parameter, and the first session is used to transmit data of the target application, and the target application may correspond to the first network slice.

With this method, the user function network element can determine the information of the second network slice according to the information of the first network slice, and establish a first session according to the first network configuration parameters associated with the second network slice, and the first session can be used to transmit the target Application data, the target application corresponds to the first network slice. Compared with the prior art, the communication method provided by this application does not need to configure the session according to the network configuration parameters of the first network slice during the process of establishing the first session, so there is no need to configure the network configuration parameters for the first network slice. The first network slice needs to be associated with the second network slice for which the first network configuration parameters have been configured, so the configuration process of the first network slice can be simplified. At the same time, since the configuration of the corresponding relationship between the first network slice and the second network slice can be completed automatically, the above process improves the degree of automation of the session configuration process.

It should be understood that in this application, the information of the first network slice may be used to identify the first network slice, and the information of the first network slice may specifically be the slice ID of the first network slice and the data connected to the first network slice. The data network name (DNN) of the network, or a combination of the slice identifier of the first network slice and the data network name. The information of the second network slice may specifically be the slice identifier of the second network slice, the data network name of the data network connected to the second network slice, or a combination of the slice identifier of the second network slice and the data network name.

Exemplarily, the user function network element may receive the first correspondence from the management network element. Therefore, the user function network element can obtain the first corresponding relationship according to the configuration of the management network element, realize the unified management of the association relationship between the network slices by the management network element, and improve the management efficiency.

Exemplarily, the user function network element may serve the second network slice. In other words, the network slice served by the user function network element includes the second network slice.

In the second aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a mobility management network element or a chip in the mobility management network element. In this application, the mobility management network element may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) in the 5G communication system.

According to this method, the mobility management network element can receive the information of the first network slice from the terminal. The mobility management network element can also obtain the session management network element from the data management device (such as the network repository function (NRF) or the domain name server (DNS)) according to the information of the first network slice Information (for example, SMF) (for example, an identifier of a session management network element), the session management network element serves a second network slice, and the second network slice corresponds to the first network slice. The mobility management network element may also send the information of the first network slice to the session management network element according to the information of the session management network element. The session management network element can therefore send the information of the first network slice to the user function network element, and the user function network element establishes a session.

With this method, after obtaining the information of the first network slice from the terminal, the mobility management network element can send the information of the first network slice to the session management network element serving the second network slice to request the establishment of the first network slice association Therefore, there is no need to set a session management network element serving the first network slice for the first network slice, so as to simplify the configuration process of the first network slice.

In a possible example, the mobility management network element may send the information of the first network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the session management network element from the data management device. The data management device may query the first correspondence, determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice, and determine the information of the session management network element serving the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice. Wherein, the first correspondence and/or the information of the session management network element serving the second network slice may be configured by the management network element in the data management device.

In another possible example, if the management network element configures the first correspondence to the mobility management network element, the mobility management network element may determine the second network corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence. After that, the mobility management network element may send the information of the second network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the session management network element from the data management device.

In the third aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a session management network element or a chip in the session management network element. In this application, the session management network element may be a session management function (session management function, SMF) in a 5G communication system.

According to this method, the session management network element can receive the information of the first network slice from the mobility management network element. The session management network element may obtain the user function network element information (for example, the identifier of the user function network element) from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice, and the user function network element serves the second network slice. The session management network element sends the information of the first network slice to the user function network element according to the information of the user function network element.

With this method, after obtaining the information of the first network slice from the mobility management network element, the session management network element can send the information of the first network slice to the user function network element serving the second network slice for establishing the first network slice. The session associated with the network slice, therefore, there is no need to set the user function network element serving the first network slice for the first network slice, so as to simplify the configuration process of the first network slice.

In addition, the session management network element may also determine the second network configuration parameter of the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice, and send the second network configuration parameter to the mobility management network element. Thereafter, the mobility management network element may send the second network configuration parameter to the access network device accessed by the terminal for use in the access network device configuration session. When determining the information of the second network slice, the session management network element may determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence; or, the session management network element may send the first network slice to the data management network element. One network slice information, and the second network slice information is received from the data management device.

The session management network element may also send the contracted QoS parameters corresponding to the first network slice to the access network device accessed by the terminal and the user function network element, so that the newly established session provides data transmission services according to the QoS parameters.

In a possible example, the session management network element may send the information of the first network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the user function network element from the data management device. The data management device may query the first correspondence, determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice, and determine the information of the user function network element serving the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice. Wherein, the first correspondence and/or the information of the user function network element serving the second network slice may be configured in the data management device by the management network element.

In another possible example, if the management network element configures the first correspondence relationship with the session management network element, the session management network element may determine the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence relationship. After that, the session management network element may send the information of the second network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the user function network element from the data management device.

In a fourth aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by the management network element or a chip in the management network element. In this application, the management network element can be used for network element configuration in 5G or other wireless communication systems.

According to this method, the first corresponding relationship can be determined by the management network element, and the first corresponding relationship includes the corresponding relationship between the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice, and the management network element can also report to the user function network element. Send the first correspondence.

Exemplarily, the management network element may also send the first correspondence to at least one of the data management device, the mobility management network element, or the session management network element.

It should be understood that the foregoing fourth aspect and the beneficial effects of the possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect can be referred to the description of the beneficial effects of the communication method provided by the present application in the foregoing first, second, and third aspects, which will not be omitted here. Go into details.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be used to perform the functions or steps or operations provided in the foregoing first aspect and/or any possible design of the first aspect. The communication device can be realized in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. For example, a communication device may be provided with functional modules corresponding to the functions or steps or operations in the above-mentioned methods to support the communication device to execute the above-mentioned methods. Exemplarily, the communication device may be a user function network element, such as UPF.

When the communication device shown in the fifth aspect is implemented by a software module, the communication device may include a communication module and a processing module that are coupled to each other. Among them, the communication module can be used to support the communication device to communicate, and the processing module can be used for the communication device to perform processing operations, such as generating information or messages that need to be sent through the communication module, or processing signals received by the communication module to obtain information or messages.

The communication module can be used to receive the information of the first network slice from the session management network element. The processing module may be configured to determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence, and the first correspondence includes the difference between the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. Correspondence between. The processing module may also be used to obtain the first network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice. And, the processing module may be further configured to configure a first session according to the first network configuration parameter, the first session is used to transmit data of a target application, and the target application corresponds to the first network slice.

Exemplarily, the communication module may also receive the first correspondence from the management network element.

When the communication device shown in the fifth aspect is implemented by hardware components, the communication device may include a processor for executing the functions or steps or operations provided in the foregoing first aspect and/or any possible design of the first aspect. The communication device may also include a memory. The memory may be used to store instructions, and the processor may be used to call and run the instructions from the memory to execute the functions or steps or operations provided in the first aspect and/or any possible design of the first aspect. The communication device may also include a communication interface for the communication device to communicate through a wired method such as a power line. Alternatively, the communication device may further include a communication interface for the communication device to communicate in a wired manner.

The communication interface may be used to receive the information of the first network slice from the session management network element. The processor may be configured to determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence, and the first correspondence includes the difference between the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. Correspondence between. The processor may also be configured to obtain the first network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice. And, the processor may also be configured to configure a first session according to network configuration parameters associated with the second network slice, where the first session is used to transmit data of a target application, and the target application corresponds to the first network slice.

Exemplarily, the communication interface may also receive the first correspondence from the management network element.

Exemplarily, the communication device may be a user function network element serving the second network slice. In other words, the network slice served by the user function network element includes the second network slice.

In the sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be used to perform the functions or steps or operations provided in the foregoing second aspect and/or any possible design of the second aspect. The communication device can be realized in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. For example, a communication device may be provided with functional modules corresponding to the functions or steps or operations in the above-mentioned methods to support the communication device to execute the above-mentioned methods. Exemplarily, the communication device may be a mobility management network element, such as AMF.

When the communication device shown in the sixth aspect is implemented by a software module, the communication device may include a communication module and a processing module that are coupled to each other. Among them, the communication module can be used to support the communication device to communicate, and the processing module can be used for the communication device to perform processing operations, such as generating information or messages that need to be sent through the communication module, or processing signals received by the communication module to obtain information or messages.

The communication module can be used to receive the information of the first network slice from the terminal. The communication module may also obtain information of the session management network element from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice. The session management network element serves a second network slice, and the second network slice corresponds to the first network slice. The communication module may also send the information of the first network slice to the session management network element according to the information of the session management network element.

In a possible example, the communication module may send the information of the first network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the session management network element from the data management device.

In another possible example, if the management network element configures the first correspondence to the mobility management network element, the processing module may determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence Then, the communication module sends the information of the second network slice to the data management device, and the communication module receives the information of the session management network element from the data management device.

When the communication device shown in the sixth aspect is implemented by hardware components, the communication device may include a processor for executing the functions or steps or operations provided in the foregoing second aspect and/or any possible design of the second aspect. The communication device may also include a memory. The memory can be used to store instructions, and the processor can be used to call and run the instructions from the memory to execute the functions or steps or operations provided in the second aspect and/or any possible design of the second aspect. The communication device may also include a communication interface for the communication device to communicate through a wired method such as a power line. Alternatively, the communication device may further include a communication interface for the communication device to communicate in a wired manner.

The communication interface can be used to receive the information of the first network slice from the terminal. The communication interface may also obtain information of the session management network element from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice. The session management network element serves a second network slice, and the second network slice corresponds to the first network slice. The communication interface may also send the information of the first network slice to the session management network element according to the information of the session management network element.

In a possible example, the communication interface may send the information of the first network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the session management network element from the data management device.

In another possible example, if the management network element configures the first correspondence to the mobility management network element, the processor may determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence Then, the communication interface sends the information of the second network slice to the data management device, and the communication interface receives the information of the session management network element from the data management device.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device that can be used to perform the functions or steps or operations provided in the foregoing third aspect and/or any possible design of the third aspect. The communication device can be realized in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. For example, a communication device may be provided with functional modules corresponding to the functions or steps or operations in the above-mentioned methods to support the communication device to execute the above-mentioned methods. Exemplarily, the communication device may be a session management network element, such as an SMF.

When the communication device shown in the seventh aspect is implemented by a software module, the communication device may include a communication module and a processing module that are coupled to each other. Among them, the communication module can be used to support the communication device to communicate, and the processing module can be used for the communication device to perform processing operations, such as generating information or messages that need to be sent through the communication module, or processing signals received by the communication module to obtain information or messages.

The communication module may be used to receive the information of the first network slice from the mobility management network element. The communication module may also obtain the information of the user function network element from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice, and the user function network element serves the second network slice. The communication module may also send the information of the first network slice to the user function network element according to the information of the user function network element.

In addition, the communication module may also send the information of the first network slice to the data management device to obtain the information of the second network slice. Alternatively, the communication module may also receive the first correspondence from the management network element, and the processing module may determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence. The processing module may also determine the second network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice. The communication module may send the second network configuration parameter to the mobility management network element.

The communication module may also send the contracted QoS parameters corresponding to the first network slice to the access network device accessed by the terminal and the user function network element, so that the newly established session provides data transmission services according to the QoS parameters.

In a possible example, the communication module may send the information of the first network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the user function network element from the data management device.

In another possible example, the communication module may receive the first correspondence from the management network element, and the processing module may determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence. After that, the communication module may send the information of the second network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the user function network element from the data management device.

When the communication device shown in the seventh aspect is implemented by hardware components, the communication device may include a processor for executing the functions or steps or operations provided in the foregoing third aspect and/or any possible design of the third aspect. The communication device may also include a memory. Wherein, the memory can be used to store instructions, and the processor can be used to call and run the instructions from the memory to execute the functions or steps or operations provided in the third aspect and/or any possible design of the third aspect. The communication device may also include a communication interface for the communication device to communicate through a wired method such as a power line. Alternatively, the communication device may further include a communication interface for the communication device to communicate in a wired manner.

The communication interface may be used to receive the information of the first network slice from the mobility management network element. The communication interface may also obtain the information of the user function network element from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice, and the user function network element serves the second network slice. The communication interface may also send the information of the first network slice to the user function network element according to the information of the user function network element.

In addition, the communication interface may also send the information of the first network slice to the data management device to obtain the information of the second network slice. Alternatively, the communication interface may also receive the first correspondence from the management network element, and the processor may determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence. The processor may also determine a second network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice. The communication interface may send the second network configuration parameter to the mobility management network element.

The communication interface may also send the contracted QoS parameters corresponding to the first network slice to the access network device accessed by the terminal and the user function network element, so that the newly established session provides data transmission services according to the QoS parameters.

In a possible example, the communication interface may send the information of the first network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the user function network element from the data management device.

In another possible example, the communication interface may receive the first correspondence from the management network element, and the processor may determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence. After that, the communication interface may send the information of the second network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the user function network element from the data management device.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which can be used to perform the functions or steps or operations provided in the foregoing fourth aspect and/or any possible design of the fourth aspect. The communication device can be realized in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. For example, a communication device may be provided with functional modules corresponding to the functions or steps or operations in the above-mentioned methods to support the communication device to execute the above-mentioned methods. Exemplarily, the communication device may be a management network element (or called a management device), and the management network element may be used for network element configuration in 5G or other wireless communication systems.

When the communication device shown in the eighth aspect is implemented by a software module, the communication device may include a communication module and a processing module coupled with each other. Among them, the communication module can be used to support the communication device to communicate, and the processing module can be used for the communication device to perform processing operations, such as generating information or messages that need to be sent through the communication module, or processing signals received by the communication module to obtain information or messages.

The processing module may be used to determine a first correspondence, and the first correspondence includes a correspondence between the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. The communication module may be used to send the first correspondence to the user function network element.

Exemplarily, the communication module may also send the first correspondence to at least one network element of the data management device, the mobility management network element, or the session management network element.

When the communication device shown in the eighth aspect is implemented by hardware components, the communication device may include a processor for executing the functions or steps or operations provided in the foregoing fourth aspect and/or any possible design of the fourth aspect. The communication device may also include a memory. The memory can be used to store instructions, and the processor can be used to call and run the instructions from the memory to execute the functions or steps or operations provided in the fourth aspect and/or any possible design of the fourth aspect. The communication device may also include a communication interface for the communication device to communicate through a wired method such as a power line. Alternatively, the communication device may further include a communication interface for the communication device to communicate in a wired manner.

The processor may be configured to determine a first correspondence relationship, and the first correspondence relationship includes a correspondence relationship between the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. The communication interface may be used to send the first correspondence to the user function network element.

Exemplarily, the communication interface may also send the first correspondence to at least one network element of the data management device, the mobility management network element, or the session management network element.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication system. The communication system may include the communication devices shown in the fifth aspect, the sixth aspect, the seventh aspect, and/or the eighth aspect.

In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions (or programs) that, when invoked and executed on a computer, cause the computer to execute the first aspect or the first aspect described above. Any possible design of the first aspect, any possible design of the second or second aspect, any possible design of the third or third aspect, or any possible design of the fourth or fourth aspect The method shown in the design.

In an eleventh aspect, this application provides a computer program product. The basic computing product may contain instructions that, when the computer program product runs on a computer, cause the computer to execute the first aspect or any one of the first aspects described above. Design, any possible design of the second or second aspect, any possible design of the third or third aspect, or the method shown in any possible design of the fourth or fourth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a chip or a chip system including the chip, and the chip may include a processor. The chip may also include a memory (or storage module) and/or a transceiver (or communication module). The chip can be used to implement any possible design of the first aspect or the first aspect, any possible design of the second or second aspect, any possible design of the third aspect or the third aspect, or The method shown in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect. The chip system may be composed of the above-mentioned chips, or may include the above-mentioned chips and other discrete devices, such as a memory (or storage module) and/or a transceiver (or communication module).

The beneficial effects of the above fifth aspect to the twelfth aspect and its possible designs may refer to the beneficial effects of the method shown in the first aspect and any of its possible designs, or the second aspect and its possible designs. Or description of the beneficial effects of the method shown in the third aspect and any of its possible designs, or description of the beneficial effects of the method shown in the fourth aspect and any of its possible designs.

Description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a network access method for terminal equipment according to an embodiment of the application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the prior art, in order to meet the differentiated requirements of different types of data, data with different requirements can be transmitted through different sessions. Taking the 5G network as an example, a large number of network slicing network configuration parameters will be pre-configured in the 5G core network. These network slicing network configuration parameters can be used to establish a session between the terminal and the data network (DN), and the established session is with Network slice association, or in other words, network slice serves the session.

Among them, the network configuration parameters of the network slicing may include terminal IP address allocation parameters, such as terminal IP address pool, dynamic host configuration protocol (dynamic host configuration protocol, DHCP) server (server) address, radius (radius), and so on. The network configuration parameters of the network slicing may also include routing parameters between the terminal and the DN, such as whether it is an ordinary route, IPSec tunnel parameters, L2TP tunnel parameters, GRE tunnel parameters, and so on. The network configuration parameters of the network slicing may also include DN network parameters, such as the IP address of the domain name server (DNS) in the DN, the maximum transfer unit (MTU), and so on. Taking the 5G network as an example, these network configuration parameters can be configured on SMF and UPF respectively in the 5G core network.

In addition, the network can allocate one or more IP addresses that can access the data network for each session. For example, each session can be set with an IPv4 IP address and an IPv6 IP address. Different network slices can also be contracted with different quality of service (QoS) parameters, and service data can be transmitted through the sessions served by different network slices, which can provide users with differentiated QoS services. Among them, QoS parameters may include 5G QoS identifier (5G QoS identifier, 5QI), allocation retention priority (allocation retention priority, ARP), guaranteed bit rate (guaranteed bit rate, GBR), maximum bit rate (maximum bit rate, MBR) ) Or reliability and other parameters.

Taking the 5G system as an example, the terminal can know the session associated with which network slice the data to be transmitted needs to be transmitted according to its own configuration. In addition, in the prior art, the mobile network can also send a routing selection policy (UE routing selection policy, URSP) to the terminal. URSP can be used by the terminal to determine which network slice-associated session should be selected for different applications (or mobile network services) when transmitting service data, or in other words, URSP can be used to indicate which network slice to associate with the data to be transmitted Session transfer. When the terminal needs to transmit data of a certain application, it can query the network slice through the URSP, thereby establishing the session based on the network slice. Since the network configuration parameters corresponding to the network slice and the QoS parameters of the network slice contract have been configured on the network side, when the session is established, the terminal can obtain the IP address of the session, and through the IP address, according to the QoS parameters of the session contract Perform the transmission of the data.

The following uses an example to illustrate the session establishment process in the prior art. For example, application developers have developed the application "BattleGame1" and need to obtain higher QoS services when the network is busy, such as higher bandwidth, lower delay and/or lower packet loss and error rate, etc. . Developers can order a network slice from the network to obtain the above-mentioned higher QoS services. Accordingly, the network can configure the corresponding network slice information, such as "SliceID2" and/or DNN "internet", through which network slices are sliced. The information indicates the network slice signed by the application "BattleGame1". The network also needs to configure the network configuration parameters of the network slice. In addition, the network also needs to configure the contracted QoS parameters and network configuration parameters corresponding to the network slicing. When the terminal user subscribes to the network acceleration package of the application "BattleGame1", the terminal will learn from the received URSP that the network slice corresponding to the application "BattleGame1" is "SliceID2" and the data network is "internet". When the application is started, the terminal will establish a session according to the "SliceID2" and "internet" requests as examples. The network can query the contracted QoS parameters and network configuration parameters according to "SliceID2" and "internet" to establish a session. When the new connection session is successfully established, the terminal obtains a new IP address that can access the internet, and obtains the network service provided by the network according to the contracted QoS parameters.

However, the applicant found through research that this solution requires a large number of slice IDs, namely S-NSSAI, DNN, or a combination thereof, to be configured in the network. The configuration of the slice ID involves network planning and data configuration, for example: 1) Configure the network element selection strategy in the network repository function (NRF) or domain name server, and select the SMF and UPF serving the slice according to the slice ID , PDN-GW and other network elements. 2) The network configuration of the data network (DN) connected by the slice, such as the IP address pool assigned to the terminal to access the data network, the IP address of the domain name server serving the data network, etc., as the new slice ID is required The configuration of network data usually involves manual planning and configuration, which is still difficult to fully automate. As a result, the process of adding slice ID is lengthy, slow in implementation, and high in cost, which affects customer experience and business success. In order to simplify the configuration process of the newly added network slice on the network side, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method to optimize the current network slice configuration process.

Exemplarily, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to the 5G network architecture as shown in FIG. 1, where:

Access network equipment (radio access network, (R)AN) is used for terminals to access wireless networks.

User plane function (UPF), its main functions include: data packet routing and transmission, packet inspection, service usage reporting, QoS processing, lawful monitoring, upstream packet inspection, downstream data packet storage and other user-related functions.

Access and mobility management function (AMF), the main functions include: connection management, mobility management, registration management, access authentication and authorization, reachability management, security context management, etc. Access and mobility Related functions.

Session management function (session management function, SMF), its main functions include: session management (such as session establishment, modification and release, including tunnel maintenance between UPF and AN), UPF selection and control, service and session continuity ( service and session continuity (SSC) mode selection, roaming and other session-related functions.

Policy control function (PCF), its main functions include: unified policy formulation, provision of policy control, and policy-related functions such as obtaining contract information related to policy decisions from user data records (UDR) .

The authentication server function (authentication server function, AUSF), its main function includes: authenticating whether the user equipment is legal.

Application function (application function, AF), which resides in the main function and provides services. Specifically, it includes the opening of service routing and access network capabilities, and interaction with the policy architecture.

Unified data management (UDM), whose main functions are credential, location and contract management, and storage of user subscription data.

NRF (or domain name server) (NRF and domain name server can be referred to as data management equipment in the future), due to the storage network element selection strategy, the network element (such as SMF, UPF) that serves the network slice can be served according to the information of the network slice select.

DN, its main function is to provide specific data services, such as operator services, Internet access or third-party services.

The 5G network structure shown in FIG. 1 may also include a management network element (not shown in FIG. 1) for implementing network configuration. For example, the management network element can be used to implement network parameter configuration for network slicing. The management network element can also send configuration information such as network parameter configuration of the network slice to each network element and entity shown in FIG. 1 through an operation and maintenance (O&M) system.

It should be understood that the application scenario shown in FIG. 1 is only an example of the application scenario of the embodiment of the present application, and does not limit the application scenario of the embodiment of the present application. It is applicable to the system architecture of the embodiment of the present application, and may include More or fewer network elements, or different system architectures. For example, the session establishment method provided in this application can also be applied to the 4G evolved packet system (EPC) architecture.

As shown in Figure 2, the EPC system can include:

The base station, or the main network element in the evolved node B (evolved node B, eNB) E-UTRAN (over the air), can include radio resource management, uplink and downlink data classification, and QoS execution.

A mobility management entity (mobility management entity, MME) can include mobility management of the control plane, allocation of temporary user identities, and so on.

The home subscriber server (home subscriber server, HSS) is used to store service-related subscription data in the LTE network, and provide user subscription information management and user location management.

Serving gateway (SGW) is the user anchor point between the terminals using different access technologies in 3GPP. When the terminal sends handover between the networks using different access technologies in 4GPP, the serving gateway Can be used for terminal data exchange. In addition, the serving gateway can route and forward data packets under the control of the MME.

A packet data network (PDN) gateway (P-GW) is a user anchor point between a terminal that uses 3GPP access technology and a network that does not use 3GPP access technology. When the terminal is using 3GPP access P-GW can be used for data exchange of terminals when sending handover between a technical network and a network that does not use 3GPP access technology. Exemplarily, a terminal can pass through multiple P-GWs at the same time, and access multiple PDNs through multiple P-GWs. The above S-GW and P-GW can also be deployed in a centralized manner, collectively referred to as a system architecture evolution (SAE-GW).

Policy and charging rules function (PCRF) can be used to implement dynamic QoS policy control, and can be used to implement dynamic flow-based charging control, and provide authorization control functions based on user subscription information.

When executing the QoS policy, the P-GW can identify the service flow, and obtain the routing rules of the service flow from the PCRF, and provide corresponding QoS services to the service flow according to the routing rules.

The EPC system shown in FIG. 2 may also include a management network element (not shown in FIG. 2) for implementing network configuration. For example, the management network element can be used to implement APN network parameter configuration. The management network element can also send configuration information such as the network parameter configuration of the APN to each network element and entity shown in FIG. 2 through the O&M system.

Hereinafter, taking the 5G communication system shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is introduced. The method may include the steps shown in Figure 3:

S101: The management network element configures the network configuration parameters of the second network slice to the data management device, the SMF, and the UPF.

Among them, the data management device may be an NRF and/or a domain name server. The network configuration parameters of the second network slice may include network element selection policy information (for example, a list of network elements) serving the second network slice, and the network element selection policy information may be configured on the data management device for use based on the second network The ID of the slice selects a network element serving the second network slice. The network element selection strategy information may specifically include identifiers of network elements such as SMF and UPF serving the second network slice.

In addition, the network configuration parameters of the second network slice may also include the configuration parameters of the data network connected to the second network slice, such as the domain name server IP address of the data network connected to the second network slice, the terminal IP address allocation type, and the DHCP server Parameters such as addresses, the route configuration from the UPF to the DN of the second network slice, and the IP address pool allocated to the UE that can be routed to the data network. Exemplarily, parameters such as the route configuration from the UPF to the DN of the second network slice, the IP address pool assigned to the UE that can be routed to the data network, etc. can be configured in the UPF; the IP address of the domain name server of the data network connected to the second network slice , Terminal IP address allocation type, DHCP server address and other parameters can be configured in SMF.

S102: The management network element configures the corresponding relationship between the first network slice and the second network slice (in this application, it may be referred to as a first corresponding relationship, or a partnership) to the UPF.

Among them, the first network slice is the network slice ordered by the application developer for the application (to distinguish other applications, the service associated with the first network slice is referred to as the target application below), so the first network slice has a second correspondence with the target application relationship. The management network element may configure the subscription parameters (including the subscription QoS parameters) of the first network slice in the subscription information management network element. The contract information management network element may include UDM and/or PCF.

For example, a mobile phone battle game developer may order a network slice (ie, the first network slice) from the network (for example, a management network element), and the network slice is used to provide connection acceleration for the game application developed by the developer. For example, if the identification of the application is "BattleGame1", and the information of the first network slice is "SliceId101", the second correspondence may be embodied as the correspondence between "BattleGame1" and "SliceId101".

The foregoing correspondence between the first network slice and the second network slice may be embodied as the correspondence between the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. The information of the network slice may include the session identifier corresponding to the network slice, such as the S-NSSAI of the network slice, or the DNN of the data network connected to the session of the network slice. The network slice information can also be a combination of S-NSSAI and DNN.

Exemplarily, the first network slice and the second network slice are connected to the same DN. In addition, the SMF and/or UPF serving the first network slice and the second network slice are the same. In addition, the first network slice and the second network slice may use the same DN network parameters, such as the IP address pool allocated to the UE, the domain name server address serving the DN, and so on.

It should be understood that the second network slice may also be referred to as a default slice, and the first network slice may be referred to as a partner slice of the default slice.

S103: The terminal determines the information of the first network slice according to the identifier of the target application.

Among them, the target application may be an application developed by an application developer, and the identification of the target application may be used to distinguish the target application from other applications.

Exemplarily, the target application corresponds to the first network slice. Therefore, the terminal may determine the first network slice corresponding to the application identifier according to the corresponding relationship between the target application and the first network slice, where the corresponding relationship It can be embodied as a second correspondence between the identifier of the target application and the information of the first network slice. Or in other words, the terminal may determine the first network slice corresponding to the application identifier according to the second correspondence, where the second correspondence is the correspondence between the identifier of the target application and the information of the first network slice.

In a possible design, the second correspondence can be carried by the URSP. For example, if a terminal user subscribes an acceleration package for the game "BattleGame1", the package contract information can be sent to the contract information management network element through the business operation support system (BOSS), and the contract information can include applications Identifies the correspondence between “BattleGame1” and the information “SliceId101” of the first network slice (ie, the second correspondence). Thereafter, the contract information management network element may carry the aforementioned second correspondence in the URSP of the terminal according to the contract information. After the consumer's terminal is registered on the network, the subscription information management network element can deliver the updated URSP to the terminal through the AMF signaling channel.

It should be understood that, before determining the information of the first network slice according to the identifier of the target application, the terminal may determine that the data of the target application needs to be transmitted. For example, the user launches the target application through the terminal.

Exemplarily, after the consumer starts the target application of "BattleGame1" on the terminal, the target application can apply to the network protocol stack on the terminal operating system to create a socket, and the operating system on the terminal will check The terminal's URSP strategy learns that the target application "BattleGame1" requires transmission in a session belonging to "SliceId101" (or called a session served by "SliceId101"), and accordingly determines that the information of the first network slice is "SliceId101".

S104: The terminal sends the information of the first network slice to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives the information of the first network slice from the terminal.

The information of the first network slice may be carried in a PDU session establishment request message (for example, PDU session establishment request), and the PDU session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a PDU session between the terminal and the DN. In addition, the information of the first network slice may also be carried in other messages in the session establishment process.

Exemplarily, before S104, the terminal may determine that a session has not been established according to the information of the first network slice before, in other words, the terminal determines that there is currently no session established according to the information of the first network slice in an available state. At this time, the steps shown in S104 may be executed to initiate a process of establishing a session based on the information of the first network slice.

For example, if the terminal has not established a session belonging to "SliceId101", the network protocol stack of the terminal will notify the bottom communication layer of the terminal to initiate a new session establishment process to request the establishment of a session belonging to "SliceId101", that is, perform the steps shown in S104 . If the terminal has established a session belonging to "SliceId101", the terminal can use the session to perform data transmission of the target application "BattleGame1".

S105: The AMF obtains SMF information from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice. Wherein, the SMF serves the second network slice.

It should be understood that the information of the SMF serving the second network slice (or called the SMF supporting the second network slice) may be stored in the data management device. In addition, the SMF serving the second network slice can also serve the first network slice.

Exemplarily, the data management device may select the SMF of the second network slice according to the network element selection policy information.

S106: The AMF sends the information of the first network slice to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the information of the first network slice from the AMF.

Exemplarily, the AMF may send a PDU session context creation request message (such as Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext request) to the SMF, and carry the information of the first network slice in the message, such as "SliceId101". In addition, the information of the first network slice may also be carried in other messages in the session establishment process.

S107: The SMF obtains UPF information (for example, the identifier of the UPF) from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice. Among them, UPF serves the second network slice.

It should be understood that the information of the UPF serving the second network slice (or called the UPF supporting the second network slice) may be stored in the data management device. In addition, the UPF serving the second network slice can also serve the first network slice.

Exemplarily, the data management device may select the UPF of the second network slice according to the network element selection policy information.

S108: The SMF sends the information of the first network slice to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the information of the first network slice from the SMF.

Exemplarily, the SMF may send an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF, (for example, N4 session establishment request), which is used to establish an N4 session between the SMF and the UPF, and the session establishment request message carries the information of the first network slice , Such as "SliceId101". In addition, the information of the first network slice may also be carried in other messages in the session establishment process.

S109: The UPF determines the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence, and obtains the first network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice.

Exemplarily, UPF can query the first correspondence relationship according to “SliceId101” to obtain “SliceId1”. Therefore, UPF can learn the correspondence relationship between the network slice “SliceId101” and the network slice “SliceId1” (in other words, learn the network slice “SliceId1”. "SliceId101" is the partner slice of the default slice "SliceId1"), so that the UPF can subsequently establish a new session according to the network configuration parameters of "SliceId1".

The above-mentioned first network configuration parameters associated with the second network slice may include the UPF to DN route configuration configured for the second network slice, the IP address pool that can be allocated to the terminal, and other parameters. The first network configuration parameter may be configured by the management network element in the UPF, or may be determined by the UPF according to the information of the second network slice.

S110: The UPF configures the first session according to the first network configuration parameter. The first session is used to transmit the data.

S111: The UPF sends a response message to the terminal through the SMF-AMF signaling path. The response message may be used to indicate that the session establishment of the first network slice is completed. For example, the session message is a session establishment acceptance message. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the response message.

Using the above method, before the terminal transmits the data of the target application, the terminal can send the information of the first network slice corresponding to the target application to the network, and the network determines the second network slice corresponding to the first network slice according to the information of the first network slice. , And establish a first session according to the first network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice, and the first session can be used to transmit data of the target application. Compared with the prior art, since the session establishment method provided by this application does not need to establish a session based on the network configuration parameters of the first network slice, it is not necessary to configure the network configuration parameters for the first network slice, and only needs to associate the first network slice with The second network slice of the network configuration parameters has been configured, so the configuration process of the first network slice can be simplified. At the same time, since the configuration of the corresponding relationship between the first network slice and the second network slice can be completed automatically, the above process improves the degree of automation of the session configuration process.

It should be understood that for multiple different applications, multiple network slices respectively corresponding to the multiple applications may correspond to the same second network slice. In this way, multiple sessions can be established through the network configuration parameters of the same second network slice, and different sessions can be used to transmit data of different applications, thereby further simplifying the configuration process of the network slice.

In the implementation of S105, after the information of the first network slice is sent to the AMF, according to the protocol procedure, the AMF will query the data management device for the SMF serving the first network slice according to the information of the first network slice, and then send the SMF to the SMF. Send a session establishment request. In this application, since the first network slice corresponds to the second network slice, when establishing a session, the AMF can send a session establishment request to the SMF serving the second network slice, so that the SMF is divided by the first network slice and the second network slice. Shared by network slicing.

In a specific example of S105, if the management network element also sends the first correspondence to the AMF, after receiving the information of the first network slice, the AMF can query the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence Information about the corresponding second network slice. Thereafter, the AMF may send a query request to the data management device, which carries the information of the second network slice, and then the data management device queries the information of the SMF serving the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice, and the data management The device sends the SMF information to the AMF.

Specifically, before the AMF sends the query request to the data management device, the AMF can query the second correspondence and know the correspondence between the network slice "SliceId101" and the network slice "SliceId1" (or in other words, know that the network slice "SliceId101" is The default slice "SliceId1" is the partner slice), so that the AMF can carry "SliceId1" in the query request. Since the SMF serving "SliceId1" has been configured to the data management device, AMF uses "SliceId1" to query the data management device to obtain a list of SMFs serving "SliceId1", and AMF can obtain a list of SMFs serving "SliceId1" Select an SMF in the field to use for the establishment of a new session.

In addition, in another specific example of S105, if the management network element also sends the first correspondence to the data management device, the AMF may send the information of the first network slice to the data management device, and the data management device According to the first correspondence from the management network element, query the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice. Thereafter, the data management device may query the information of the SMF serving the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice, and the data management device sends the SMF information to the AMF.

For example, the management network element can configure the corresponding relationship between the network slice "SliceId101" and the network slice "SliceId1" to the data management device, and then the AMF can send the "SliceId101" to the data management device, and the data management device will use the network slice " Correspondence between SliceId101" and network slice "SliceId1", query the SMF list serving "SliceId1", and send the SMF list serving "SliceId1" to AMF.

In the implementation of S107, after the information of the first network slice is sent to the SMF, according to the protocol procedure, the SMF will query the data management device for the UPF serving the first network slice according to the information of the first network slice, and then send the UPF to the UPF. Send a session establishment request, such as an N4 session establishment request. In this application, since the first network slice corresponds to the second network slice, when establishing a session, the AMF can send a session establishment request to the UPF serving the second network slice, so that the UPF is divided by the first network slice and the second network slice. Shared by network slicing.

In a specific example of S107, if the management network element also sends the first correspondence to the SMF, after receiving the information of the first network slice, the SMF can query the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence Information about the corresponding second network slice. After that, the SMF may send a query request to the data management device, which carries the information of the second network slice, and then the data management device queries the information of the UPF serving the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice, and the data is managed by the data management device. The device sends the UPF information to the SMF.

Specifically, before the SMF sends the query request to the data management device, the SMF can query the second correspondence and know the correspondence between the network slice "SliceId101" and the network slice "SliceId1" (or in other words, know that the network slice "SliceId101" is The default slice "SliceId1" is the partner slice), so the SMF can carry "SliceId1" in the query request. Since the UPF serving "SliceId1" has already been registered with the data management device, SMF uses "SliceId1" to query the data management device to obtain the list of UPF serving "SliceId1", and SMF can obtain the list of UPF serving "SliceId1" from the list of UPF serving "SliceId1" Select a UPF in the list to use for the establishment of a new session.

In addition, in another specific example of S107, if the management network element also sends the first correspondence to the data management device, the SMF may send the information of the first network slice to the data management device, and the data management device According to the first correspondence from the management network element, query the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice. Thereafter, the data management device may query the information of the UPF serving the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice, and the data management device sends the UPF information to the SMF. In this example, the data management device may also send the information of the second network slice to the SMF.

For example, the management network element can configure the corresponding relationship between the network slice "SliceId101" and the network slice "SliceId1" to the data management device, then the SMF can send the "SliceId101" to the data management device, and the data management device can use the network slice according to the network slice. Correspondence between SliceId101" and network slice "SliceId1", query the UPF list serving "SliceId1", and send the UPF list serving "SliceId1" to SMF. SMF can select a UPF from the UPF list.

In this application, the SMF may also determine the second network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice, and send the second network configuration parameter to the AMF. Wherein, the second network configuration parameter is a parameter required for data transmission through a newly established session. The second network configuration parameters are, for example, the domain name server address of the DN and the proxy-call session control function (proxy-call session control funtion, P-CSCF) address and other parameters. Specifically, when forwarding the response message in the step shown in S111, the SMF may encapsulate the parameter information element according to the second network configuration parameter, and send the encapsulated message to the AMF. For example, the SMF may use the second network configuration parameter as the encapsulation In response to the protocol configuration options (protocol configuration options, PCO) parameters. Subsequently, the AMF may forward the second network configuration parameter to the access network device.

In a specific implementation of S111, the UPF may send an N4 session establishment response message (for example, N4 session establishment response) to the SMF. After receiving the N4 session establishment response message, the SMF may determine to pass the new establishment according to the information of the second network slice. The parameters required by the session for data transmission, and the response message is encapsulated. These parameters are the second network configuration parameters.

In addition, the response message may also carry the IP address assigned to the terminal. Therefore, the terminal can obtain a new IP address according to the response message to access the data network. Wherein, the IP address may be allocated by the SMF according to the parameters of the IP address allocation mode of the second network slice.

In a possible example, after the SMF receives the information of the first network slice from the AMF, the SMF may also query the subscription information management network element for the subscription QoS parameters of the first network slice according to the information of the first network slice (or It is called the contracted QoS parameter of the target application) to obtain the contracted QoS parameter of the first network slice. Thereafter, the SMF may send the contracted QoS parameters of the first network slice to the access network device accessed by the terminal, for the access network device to transmit data of the target application according to the QoS parameters. For example, the subscription QoS parameters may be carried in the response message shown in S111 (for example, the subscription QoS parameters are included in the N2 interface session management information), or the subscription QoS parameters may be sent to the access network device through a separate message.

In addition, the SMF may send the subscribed QoS parameters of the first network slice to the UPF for the UPF to transmit data of the target application according to the QoS parameters. Exemplarily, in the implementation of S108, the SMF may send the subscribed QoS parameters of the first network slice and the information of the first network slice to the UPF through the same message (such as an N4 session establishment request message) to save signaling.

For example, after receiving the subscription information from the BOSS, the subscription information management network element can also modify the subscription QoS parameters corresponding to the "SliceId101" stored in itself according to the subscription information, for example, configure the 5QI in the subscription QoS parameters to 8. , According to the subscription information, provide a higher priority QoS service than the terminal that has not subscribed to the acceleration package. After receiving the "SliceId101" from the AMF, the SMF can send the "SliceId101" to the subscription information management network element to request the subscription information related to the session to obtain the subscription QoS parameters corresponding to the "SliceId101". After receiving the "SliceId101" sent by the SMF, the PCF may send the subscription QoS parameters corresponding to the "SliceId101" to the SMF, for example, sending information indicating that the 5QI is 8.

Specifically, after S111, the terminal can complete the creation of the socket according to the new IP address, so that the uplink data of the target application in the terminal and the downlink data of the service server in the DN can be offloaded to the first session. The session uses the subscribed QoS parameters of the first network slice, so that a differentiated QoS service from other data can be obtained based on the first session. Among them, the service server generally refers to the peer node for data communication with the terminal, which may be a server, other terminals or other types of equipment.

Through the above method, the network establishes the association relationship between the first network slice and the second network slice when the first network slice is added, or in other words, the newly added first network slice is configured as a "partner slice" of the second network slice. By introducing the association relationship of partner slices, when establishing a session in response to the information of the first network slice, the second network slice will be used in the process of network element selection that supports network slice, terminal IP address allocation, and PCO parameter configuration. Network configuration parameters avoid the need to plan and configure complex parameters for each newly added network slice to simplify the configuration of network slices.

Finance, when the communication method is applied to the architecture shown in Figure 2, you can refer to the process shown in Figure 3. The management network element configures the second access point name (access point) to the network elements such as MME, SGW, P-GW, and PCRF. name, APN) network configuration parameters, these network configuration parameters are used to establish a PDN session corresponding to the second APN, and the PDN session is used for data transmission.

The management network element may also configure the correspondence between the second APN and the first APN. Wherein, the first APN corresponds to the target application, which may be an APN signed by the application developer of the target application. Therefore, the terminal can obtain the corresponding relationship between the target application and the first APN for establishing a PDN session according to the first APN request. At the same time, the network side can configure the subscription information of the first APN, such as QoS parameters, charging policies, and other information to determine the charging policy of the session corresponding to the first APN. The P-GW and/or PCRF serving the first APN and the second APN are the same. In addition, the first APN and the second APN can use the same DN network parameters, such as the IP address pool allocated to the UE, the domain name server address of the serving DN, and so on.

When the terminal starts the target application, the terminal can determine that the PDN session corresponding to the first APN needs to be established according to the corresponding relationship between the target application and the first APN, so it can send the information of the first APN (such as the APN identifier) to the MME for use To request to establish a PDN session.

Thereafter, in a possible example, if the management network element configures the corresponding relationship between the second APN and the first APN to the MME, the MME can determine the second APN according to the corresponding relationship, and set the second APN The information (such as the APN identifier) is sent to the SGW for requesting to establish a session according to the second APN.

In another example, the MME may send the information of the first APN to the SGW. If the management network element configures the corresponding relationship between the second APN and the first APN to the SGW, the SGW can determine the information of the second APN according to the corresponding relationship, and then the session can be established according to the network configuration parameters of the second APN.

In addition, the MME may query the HSS according to the information of the first APN to obtain the subscription information of the first APN, such as QoS parameters. The MME may also send the subscription information of the first APN to the SGW, so that the establishment of a session according to the second APN satisfies the subscription information of the first APN.

Based on the same inventive concept as the above method embodiment, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which may be equipped with the mobility management network element (such as AMF) and session management network element (such as AMF) in the above method embodiment. SMF), a user function network element (such as UPF), or a management network element can be used to perform the steps provided in the above method embodiments. This function can be realized by hardware, or by software or hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions.

In a possible implementation manner, the communication device 400 shown in FIG. 4 can be used as the mobility management network element (such as AMF) involved in the foregoing method embodiment, and executes the mobility management network element in the foregoing method embodiment. (Such as AMF) steps performed. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device 400 may include a communication module 401 and a processing module 402, and the communication module 401 and the processing module 402 are coupled with each other. The communication module 401 may be used to support the communication device 400 to communicate, and the communication module 401 may have a wired communication function. Exemplarily, the communication device 400 may communicate with other access network equipment, management equipment, or core network equipment through the wired communication function of the communication module 401. The processing module 402 can be used to support the communication device 400 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments, including but not limited to: generating information and messages sent by the communication module 401, and/or analyzing the signals received by the communication module 401, etc. Wait.

When the above method embodiment is executed, the communication module 401 may be used to receive the information of the first network slice from the terminal. The communication module 401 may also obtain the information of the session management network element from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice. The session management network element serves a second network slice, and the second network slice corresponds to the first network slice. . The communication module 401 may also send the information of the first network slice to the session management network element according to the information of the session management network element.

In a possible example, the communication module 401 may send the information of the first network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the session management network element from the data management device.

In another possible example, if the management network element configures the first correspondence relationship with the mobility management network element, the processing module 402 may determine the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence relationship. After that, the communication module 401 sends the information of the second network slice to the data management device, and the communication module 401 receives the information of the session management network element from the data management device.

In another implementation of the communication device, it may also be composed of hardware components, such as a processor, a memory, or a communication interface. Exemplarily, the structure of the communication device may also be as shown in FIG. 5, where the communication device 500 may include a processor 501, a memory 502 and a communication interface 503.

The above processor 501 can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the communication device. The memory 502 may be used to store programs and data, and the processor 501 may execute the method executed by the mobility management network element (such as AMF) in the embodiment of the present application based on the program.

The communication interface 503 may be used for the communication device 500 to perform wired communication, for example, it may be a service-oriented communication interface.

It should be understood that the above communication module 401 may include a communication interface 503. The above processing module 402 may include a processor 501, or include a processor 501 and a memory 502.

The above memory 502 may also be externally connected to the communication device 500. In this case, the communication device 500 may include a communication interface 503 and a processor 501.

The above communication interface 503 may also be externally connected to the communication device 500. In this case, the communication device 500 may include a memory 502 and a processor 501. When the communication interface 503 and the memory 502 are both externally connected to the communication device 500, the communication device 500 may include the processor 501.

When the method shown in the embodiment of the present application is executed, the communication interface 503 can be used to execute the above-mentioned steps executed by the communication module 401. And, the processor 501 calls the program stored in the memory 502 to execute the steps executed by the above processing module 402.

In another possible implementation of the communication device, the communication device 600 shown in FIG. 6 can be used as the session management network element (such as SMF) involved in the foregoing method embodiment, and executes the session management in the foregoing method embodiment. The steps performed by the network element (such as SMF). As shown in FIG. 6, the communication device 600 may include a communication module 601 and a processing module 602, and the communication module 601 and the processing module 602 are coupled with each other. The communication module 601 can be used to support the communication device 600 to communicate, and the communication module 601 can have a wired communication function. Exemplarily, the communication device 600 may communicate with other access network equipment, management equipment, or core network equipment through the wired communication function of the communication module 601. The processing module 602 can be used to support the communication device 600 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments, including but not limited to: generating information and messages sent by the communication module 601, and/or analyzing the signals received by the communication module 601, etc. Wait.

When performing the foregoing method embodiment, the communication module 601 may be used to receive the information of the first network slice from the mobility management network element. The communication module 601 may also obtain the information of the user function network element from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice, and the user function network element serves the second network slice. The communication module 601 may also send the information of the first network slice to the user function network element according to the information of the user function network element.

In addition, the communication module 601 may also send the information of the first network slice to the data management device to obtain the information of the second network slice. Alternatively, the communication module 601 may also receive the first correspondence from the management network element, and the processing module 602 may determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence. The processing module 602 may also determine the second network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice. The communication module 601 may send the second network configuration parameter to the mobility management network element. Subsequently, the mobility management network element may send the second network configuration parameter to the access network device for use in the access network device configuration session, where the terminal accesses the access network device.

The communication module 601 may also send the contracted QoS parameters corresponding to the first network slice to the access network device accessed by the terminal and the user function network element, so that the newly established session provides data transmission services according to the QoS parameters.

In a possible example, the communication module 601 may send the information of the first network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the user function network element from the data management device.

In another possible example, the communication module 601 may receive the first correspondence from the management network element, and the processing module 602 may determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence. After that, the communication module may send the information of the second network slice to the data management device, and receive the information of the user function network element from the data management device.

In another implementation of the communication device, the communication device may also be composed of hardware components, such as a processor, a memory, or a communication interface. Exemplarily, the structure of the communication device may also be as shown in FIG. 7, where the communication device 700 may include a processor 701, a memory 702 and a communication interface 703.

The above processor 701 may be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the communication device. The memory 702 may be used to store programs and data, and the processor 701 may execute the method executed by the session management network element (such as SMF) in the embodiment of the present application based on the program.

The communication interface 703 may be used for the communication device 700 to perform wired communication, for example, it may be a service-oriented communication interface.

It should be understood that the above communication module 601 may include a communication interface 703. The above processing module 602 may include a processor 701, or include a processor 701 and a memory 702.

The above memory 702 may be externally connected to the communication device 700. In this case, the communication device 700 may include a communication interface 703 and a processor 701.

The above communication interface 703 may be externally connected to the communication device 700. In this case, the communication device 700 may include a memory 702 and a processor 701. When the communication interface 703 and the memory 702 are both externally connected to the communication device 700, the communication device 700 may include the processor 701.

When the method shown in the embodiment of the present application is executed, the communication interface 703 can be used to execute the above-mentioned steps executed by the communication module 601. And, the processor 701 calls the program stored in the memory 702 to execute the steps executed by the above processing module 602.

In another possible implementation of the communication device, the communication device 800 shown in FIG. 8 can be used as the user function network element (such as UPF) involved in the above method embodiment, and executes the user function in the above method embodiment. The steps performed by the network element (such as UPF). As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 800 may include a communication module 801 and a processing module 802, and the communication module 801 and the processing module 802 are coupled with each other. The communication module 801 can be used to support the communication device 800 to communicate, and the communication module 801 can have a wired communication function. Exemplarily, the communication device 800 may communicate with other access network equipment, management equipment, or core network equipment through the wired communication function of the communication module 801. The processing module 802 can be used to support the communication device 800 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments, including but not limited to: generating information and messages sent by the communication module 801, and/or analyzing the signals received by the communication module 801, etc. Wait.

When performing the foregoing method embodiment, the communication module 801 may be used to receive the information of the first network slice from the session management network element. The processing module 802 may be configured to determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence, and the first correspondence includes the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. Correspondence between. The processing module 802 may also be configured to obtain the first network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice. And, the processing module 802 may also be configured to configure a first session according to the first network configuration parameter, where the first session is used to transmit data of a target application, and the target application corresponds to the first network slice.

Exemplarily, the communication module 801 may also receive the first correspondence from the management network element.

In another implementation of the communication device, the communication device may also be composed of hardware components, such as a processor, a memory, or a communication interface. Exemplarily, the structure of the communication device may also be as shown in FIG. 9, where the communication device 900 may include a processor 901, a memory 902 and a communication interface 903.

The above processor 901 can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the communication device. The memory 902 may be used to store programs and data, and the processor 901 may execute the method executed by the user function network element (such as UPF) in the embodiment of the present application based on the program.

The communication interface 903 may be used for the communication device 900 to perform wired communication, for example, it may be a service-oriented communication interface.

It should be understood that the above communication module 801 may include a communication interface 903. The above processing module 802 may include a processor 901, or include a processor 901 and a memory 902.

The above memory 902 may be externally connected to the communication device 900. In this case, the communication device 900 may include a communication interface 903 and a processor 901.

The above communication interface 903 may be externally connected to the communication device 900. In this case, the communication device 900 may include a memory 902 and a processor 901. When the communication interface 903 and the memory 902 are both externally connected to the communication device 900, the communication device 900 may include the processor 901.

When the method shown in the embodiment of the present application is executed, the communication interface 903 can be used to execute the above-mentioned steps executed by the communication module 801. And, the processor 901 calls the program stored in the memory 902 to execute the steps executed by the above processing module 802.

In another possible implementation of the communication device, the communication device 1000 shown in FIG. 10 can be used as the management network element involved in the foregoing method embodiment, and perform the steps performed by the management network element in the foregoing method embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication device 1000 may include a communication module 1001 and a processing module 1002, and the communication module 1001 and the processing module 1002 are coupled with each other. The communication module 1001 can be used to support the communication device 1000 to communicate, and the communication module 1001 can have a wired communication function. Exemplarily, the communication device 1000 may communicate with other access network equipment, management equipment, or core network equipment through the wired communication function of the communication module 1001. The processing module 1002 can be used to support the communication device 1000 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments, including but not limited to: generating information and messages sent by the communication module 1001, and/or analyzing the signals received by the communication module 1001, etc. Wait.

When performing the foregoing method embodiment, the processing module 1002 may be used to determine a first correspondence relationship, and the first correspondence relationship includes a correspondence relationship between the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. The communication module 1001 may be used to send the first correspondence to the user function network element.

Exemplarily, the communication module 1001 may also send the first correspondence to at least one network element of the data management device, the mobility management network element, or the session management network element.

In another implementation of the communication device, the communication device may also be composed of hardware components, such as a processor, a memory, or a communication interface. Exemplarily, the structure of the communication device may also be as shown in FIG. 11, where the communication device 1100 may include a processor 1101, a memory 1102 and a communication interface 1103.

The above processor 1101 can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and to control the communication device. The memory 1102 may be used to store programs and data, and the processor 1101 may execute the method executed by the management network element in the embodiment of the present application based on the program.

The communication interface 1103 may be used for the communication device 1100 to perform wired communication, for example, it may be a service-oriented communication interface.

It should be understood that the above communication module 1001 may include a communication interface 1103. The above processing module 1002 may include a processor 1101, or include a processor 1101 and a memory 1102.

The above memory 1102 may be externally connected to the communication device 1100. In this case, the communication device 1100 may include a communication interface 1103 and a processor 1101.

The above communication interface 1103 may be externally connected to the communication device 1100. In this case, the communication device 1100 may include a memory 1102 and a processor 1101. When the communication interface 1103 and the memory 1102 are both externally connected to the communication device 1100, the communication device 1100 may include the processor 1101.

When the method shown in the embodiment of the present application is executed, the communication interface 1103 can be used to execute the above-mentioned steps executed by the communication module 1001. And, the processor 1101 calls the program stored in the memory 1102 to execute the steps executed by the above processing module 1002.

Based on the same concept as the above method embodiment, the embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored. When the program is executed by a processor, the computer executes the above method embodiment and method implementation. An operation performed by a mobility management network element, a session management network element, a user function network element, or a management network element in any one of the possible implementation manners of the example.

Based on the same idea as the above method embodiment, this application also provides a computer program product, which when invoked and executed by a computer, enables the computer to implement the above method embodiment and any possible implementation of the method embodiment Operations performed by mobility management network elements, session management network elements, user function network elements, or management network elements.

Based on the same concept as the above method embodiment, the present application also provides a chip or chip system, and the chip may include a processor. The chip may also include a memory (or storage module) and/or a transceiver (or communication module), or the chip may be coupled with a memory (or storage module) and/or a transceiver (or communication module), wherein the transceiver ( (Or communication module) can be used to support the chip for wired and/or wireless communication, the memory (or storage module) can be used to store a program, and the processor can call the program to implement any one of the above method embodiments and method embodiments. The operations performed by the mobility management network element, the session management network element, the user function network element, or the management network element in the implementation manner. The chip system may include the above chips, or may include the above chips and other discrete devices, such as a memory (or storage module) and/or a transceiver (or communication module).

Based on the same concept as the above method embodiment, this application also provides a communication system that can be used to implement the above method embodiment and any possible implementation of the method embodiment. The mobility management network element and session management Operations performed by network elements, user function network elements, and/or management network elements. Exemplarily, the communication system has a structure as shown in FIG. 4.

The embodiments of the present application are described with reference to the flowcharts and/or block diagrams of the methods, devices, and computer program products involved in the embodiments. It should be understood that each process and/or block in the flowchart and/or block diagram, and the combination of processes and/or blocks in the flowchart and/or block diagram can be realized by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processors of general-purpose computers, special computers, embedded processors, or other programmable data processing equipment to generate a machine, so that instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing equipment are generated A device used to implement the functions specified in one process or multiple processes in the flowchart and/or one block or multiple blocks in the block diagram.

These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can guide a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including the instruction device. The device implements the functions specified in one process or multiple processes in the flowchart and/or one block or multiple blocks in the block diagram.

These computer program instructions can also be loaded on a computer or other programmable data processing equipment, so that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce computer-implemented processing, so as to execute on the computer or other programmable equipment. The instructions provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one process or multiple processes in the flowchart and/or one block or multiple blocks in the block diagram.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that it comprises:

The user function network element receives the information of the first network slice from the session management network element;

The user function network element determines the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence, and the first correspondence includes the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. Correspondence between the information of network slicing;

Acquiring, by the user function network element, the first network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice;

The user function network element configures a first session according to the first network configuration parameter, where the first session is used to transmit data of a target application, and the target application corresponds to the first network slice.
The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

The user function network element receives the first correspondence from the management network element.
A communication method, characterized in that it comprises:

The mobility management network element receives the information of the first network slice from the terminal;

The mobility management network element obtains the information of the session management network element from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice, the session management network element serves a second network slice, and the second network slice is connected to the data management device. The first network slice corresponds;

The mobility management network element sends the information of the first network slice to the session management network element according to the information of the session management network element.
The method according to claim 3, wherein the mobility management network element acquiring the session management network element information from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice comprises:

Sending, by the mobility management network element, the information of the first network slice to the data management device;

The mobility management network element receives the information of the session management network element from the data management device.
The method according to claim 3, wherein the mobility management network element acquiring the session management network element information from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice comprises:

The mobility management network element determines the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence, and the first correspondence includes the information of the first network slice and the information of the first network slice. 2. Correspondence between the information of network slicing;

Sending, by the mobility management network element, the information of the second network slice to the data management device;

The mobility management network element receives the information of the session management network element from the data management device.
The method of claim 5, wherein the method further comprises:

The mobility management network element receives the first correspondence from the management network element.
A communication method, characterized in that it comprises:

The session management network element receives the information of the first network slice from the mobility management network element;

The session management network element obtains the information of the user function network element from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice, and the user function network element serves the second network slice;

The session management network element sends the information of the first network slice to the user function network element according to the information of the user function network element.
The method according to claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:

Determining, by the session management network element, a second network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the first network slice;

The session management network element sends the second network configuration parameter to the mobility management network element.
The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the session management network element obtains the user function network element information from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice, comprising:

Sending, by the session management network element, the information of the first network slice to the data management device;

The session management network element receives the information of the user function network element from the data management device.
The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the session management network element obtains the user function network element information from the data management device according to the information of the first network slice, comprising:

The session management network element determines the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to the first correspondence, and the first correspondence includes the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. Correspondence between the information of network slicing;

Sending, by the session management network element, the information of the second network slice to the data management device;

The session management network element receives the information of the user function network element from the data management device.
The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises:

The session management network element receives the first correspondence from the management network element.
A communication method, characterized in that it comprises:

The management network element determines a first correspondence relationship, where the first correspondence relationship includes a correspondence relationship between the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice;

The management network element sends the first correspondence to the user function network element.
The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

The management network element sends the first correspondence to at least one network element of a data management device, a mobility management network element, or a session management network element.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises a communication module and a processing module:

The communication module is configured to receive the identifier of the first network slice from the session management network element;

The processing module is configured to determine information of a second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice according to a first correspondence, and the first correspondence includes the information of the first network slice and the information of the first network slice. 2. Correspondence between the information of network slicing;

The processing module is further configured to obtain a first network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice according to the information of the second network slice;

The processing module is further configured to configure a first session according to the first network configuration parameter, where the first session is used to transmit data of a target application, and the target application corresponds to the first network slice.
The communication device according to claim 14, wherein the communication module is further used for:

Receiving the first correspondence from the management network element.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises a communication module:

The communication module is configured to receive the information of the first network slice from the terminal;

The communication module is further configured to obtain information of a session management network element from a data management device according to the information of the first network slice, where the session management network element serves a second network slice, and the second network slice is connected to Corresponding to the first network slice;

The communication module is configured to send the information of the first network slice to the session management network element according to the information of the session management network element.
The communication device according to claim 16, wherein the communication module is specifically configured to:

Sending the information of the first network slice to the data management device;

Receiving the information of the session management network element from the data management device.
The communication device according to claim 16, wherein the communication device further comprises a processing module, and the processing module is configured to:

According to the first correspondence, determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice, and the first correspondence includes the relationship between the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. Correspondence;

The communication module is specifically used for:

Sending the information of the second network slice to the data management device;

Receiving the information of the session management network element from the data management device.
The communication device according to claim 18, wherein the communication module is further used for:

Receiving the first correspondence from the management network element.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises a communication module:

The communication module is configured to receive information about the first network slice from a mobility management network element;

The communication module is further configured to obtain information of a user function network element from a data management device according to the information of the first network slice, and the user function network element serves the second network slice;

The communication module is further configured to send the information of the first network slice to the user function network element according to the information of the user function network element.
The communication device according to claim 20, wherein the processing module is further configured to:

Determine, according to the information of the first network slice, a second network configuration parameter associated with the second network slice;

The communication module is also used for:

Sending the second network configuration parameter of the second network slice to the mobility management network element.
The communication device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the communication module is specifically configured to:

Sending the information of the first network slice to the data management device;

Receiving the information of the user function network element from the data management device.
The communication device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the communication device further comprises a processing module, and the processing module is configured to:

According to the first correspondence, determine the information of the second network slice corresponding to the information of the first network slice, and the first correspondence includes the relationship between the information of the first network slice and the information of the second network slice. Correspondence;

The communication module is specifically used for:

Sending the information of the second network slice to the data management device;

Receiving the information of the user function network element from the data management device.
The communication device according to claim 23, wherein the communication module is further configured to:

Receiving the first correspondence from the management network element.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises a communication module and a processing module:

The processing module is configured to determine a first correspondence relationship, where the first correspondence relationship includes a correspondence relationship between information of a first network slice and information of a second network slice;

The communication module is configured to send the first correspondence to a user function network element.
The communication device according to claim 25, wherein the communication module is further used for:

Send the first correspondence to at least one network element of a data management device, a mobility management network element, or a session management network element.
A communication device, characterized by comprising a memory and a processor, the memory stores a computer program or instruction, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer program or instruction to implement the computer program or instruction according to claim 1 or 2. Communication method.
A communication device, characterized by comprising a memory and a processor, the memory stores a computer program or instruction, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer program or instruction to implement any one of claims 3-6 The communication method described.
A communication device, characterized by comprising a memory and a processor, the memory stores a computer program or instruction, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer program or instruction to implement any one of claims 7-11 The communication method described.
A communication device, characterized by comprising a memory and a processor, the memory stores a computer program or instruction, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer program or instruction to implement the computer program or instruction according to claim 12 or 13. Communication method.
A communication device, characterized in that it is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 or 2.
A communication device, characterized in that it is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 3-6.
A communication device, characterized in that it is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 7-11.
A communication device, characterized in that it is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 12 or 13.
A communication system, characterized by comprising the communication device according to claim 14 or 15 and the communication device according to any one of claims 20-24.
The communication system according to claim 35, further comprising the communication device according to any one of claims 16-19.
The communication system according to claim 35 or 36, further comprising the communication device according to any one of claims 25-26.
A communication system, characterized by comprising the communication device according to claim 27 and the communication device according to claim 29.
The communication system according to claim 35, further comprising the communication device according to claim 28.
The communication system according to claim 35 or 36, further comprising the communication device according to claim 30.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is run on a computer, the computer can realize the implementation of claims 1 to 13 when executed by the computer. The communication method described in any one of.
A computer program product containing instructions, characterized in that it comprises a computer program or instruction, when the computer program or instruction runs on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 .
A circuit, characterized in that the circuit is coupled with a memory, the memory stores a computer program or instruction, and the processor is used to call and execute the computer program or instruction to implement any of claims 1 to 13 The communication method described in one item.