WO2021244622A1

WO2021244622A1 - Communication method and apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium

Info

Publication number: WO2021244622A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/098195
Authority: WO
Inventors: 姚琦
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2020-06-05
Filing date: 2021-06-03
Publication date: 2021-12-09
Also published as: CN113766040B; CN113766040A

Abstract

Disclosed are a communication method and apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium. The method comprises: receiving first request information from a first terminal device, wherein the first request information comprises an identifier of an application; and when there is a data network in which an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application is deployed in a data network list, sending domain name system (DNS) request information to a session management function network element, wherein the data network list comprises an identifier of a data network that supports and serves the first terminal device located at the current position, and the DNS request information comprises the identifier of the application. By means of the embodiments of the present invention, when there is a data network in which an application server corresponding to an identifier of an application is deployed in a data network list, a user plane function network element sends domain name system DNS request information to a session management function network element, so that the quantity of transmitted information can be reduced, and communication resources can be saved on.

Description

Communication method, device and computer readable storage medium

This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application filed with the Chinese Patent Office, the application number is 202010508119.5, and the application name is "a communication method, device and computer-readable storage medium" on June 5, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference Incorporated in this application.

Technical field

The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method, device, and computer-readable storage medium.

Background technique

In the 5th generation (5G) communication system, after the user plane function network element receives the request information including the identification of the application from the terminal device, it sends the domain name system ( domain name system, DNS) request information. In the above process, once the user plane function network element receives the request information including the identification of the application from the terminal device, it needs to send DNS request information to the session management function network element. The amount of information that needs to be transmitted is large, resulting in communication Waste of resources.

Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the invention discloses a communication method, a device and a computer-readable storage medium, which are used to save communication resources.

The first aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to a user-plane functional network element, and can also be applied to a module (for example, a chip) in a user-plane functional network element. The following takes the application to a user-plane functional network element as an example. describe. The method may include: receiving the first request information including the identification of the application from the first terminal device, and when there is an application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, sending DNS to the session management function network element Request information, the data network list includes the identification of the data network supporting the first terminal device at the current location, and the DNS request information includes the identification of the application.

In the embodiment of the present invention, after the user plane function network element receives the request information from the terminal device that includes the identification of the application, only when there is an application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, the session management The functional network element sends the DNS request information including the identification of the application, and when there is no application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, it does not send the information that includes the identification of the application to the session management functional network element. The DNS request information can reduce the amount of information transmitted between the user plane function network element and the session management function network element, thereby saving communication resources.

As a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: receiving indication information from the session management function network element, the indication information is used to indicate the user plane function network element when there is an identifier of the data network deployed with the application in the data network list The corresponding application server sends the DNS request information to the session management function network element.

In the embodiment of the present invention, after the user plane function network element receives the request information from the terminal device that includes the identification of the application, it can follow the instructions sent by the session management function network element. The DNS request information including the identification of the application is sent to the session management function network element only when the corresponding application server. When the data network does not have the application server corresponding to the application identification deployed on the data network, the session management function is not sent The network element sending the DNS request information including the identifier of the application can reduce the amount of information transmitted between the user plane function network element and the session management function network element, thereby saving communication resources.

As a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: receiving a data network list from a session management function network element; or determining a data network list.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the data network list may be sent by the session management function network element to the user plane function network element, or it may be determined by the user plane function network element, so that the user plane function network element can determine the data network according to the data network list Whether there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the list, so that it can be determined whether to send the DNS request information including the identifier of the application to the session management function network element.

As a possible implementation manner, before receiving the data network list from the session management function network element, the method may further include: sending second request information to the session management function network element, where the second request information includes the identification of the first terminal device , The second request information enables the determination of the data network list.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the data network list may be sent by the session management function network element to the user plane function network element based on the request of the user plane function network element. The management function network element requests the data network list, which can prevent the session management function network element from sending the data network list to the user plane function network element when the user plane function network element does not need it, which can reduce unnecessary information transmission.

As a possible implementation, the method may further include: determining that there is a data network deployed with the application in the data network list according to the application identifier, the data network list, and the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list. Identifies the corresponding application server.

As a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: receiving an identifier of an application server deployed on a data network in a data network list of a session management function network element; or determining an identifier of an application server deployed on a data network in the data network list.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list may be sent by the session management function network element to the user plane function network element, or may be determined by the user plane function network element so that the user plane function network The element can determine whether there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list according to the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list, so as to determine whether to send the application including the application to the session management function network element ID of the DNS request information.

As a possible implementation manner, before receiving the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list of the session management function network element, the method may further include: sending third request information to the session management function network element, and third The request information enables the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to be determined.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the identification of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list may be that the session management function network element sends to the user plane function network element based on the request of the user plane function network element. It can be seen that the user plane function network element is in If necessary, the ID of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list can be requested from the session management function network element. This can avoid the need for the session management function network element to list the data network when the user plane function network element does not need it. The identification of the application server deployed in the data network is sent to the user plane function network element, which can reduce the transmission of unnecessary information.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information may enable the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server, the first application server being the application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed in the first data network , The data network list includes the identification of the first data network.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the DNS request information can be enabled, or used, or so as to determine the address information of the application server for the terminal device, so that the terminal device can access the application server according to the address information.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information enabling the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server may include: the DNS request information may enable the first terminal device to be selected from the data network list according to the identification of the application. The identification of the data network determines the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identification of the first data network.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when determining the address information of the application server for the terminal device, the identification of a data network that the terminal device can currently use can be determined first, and then the address information of the application server can be determined for the terminal device according to the identification of the data network , Can reduce the number of data networks, reduce the scope of determination, reduce the number of DNS requests sent, thereby improving the efficiency of determining the address information of the application server.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information enabling the determination of the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network may include: the DNS request information may enable the session management function network element to forward The DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network sends the DNS request information, and receives the address information of the first application server from the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

In the embodiment of the present invention, after the DNS server corresponding to the determined data network identifier has resolved the DNS request information, the resolution result may be returned to the session management function network element.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information enabling the determination of the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network may include: the DNS request information may enable the session management function network element to forward The DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network sends the DNS request information, and the DNS request information enables the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to send to the first terminal device through the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network Address information of the first application server.

In the embodiment of the present invention, after the DNS server corresponding to the determined data network identifier has resolved the DNS request information, the resolution result can be directly sent to the terminal device through the user plane function network element corresponding to the determined data network identifier, instead of Return to the session management function network element.

As a possible implementation manner, the session management function network element sending the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network may include: the session management function network element may use the user plane function corresponding to the identifier of the first data network The network element sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when there is no direct interface between the session management function network element and the DNS server, the session management function network element can send information to the DNS server through the local user plane function network element, thereby realizing DNS request information Analysis.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information enabling the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server may include: the DNS request information may enable the session management function network element to obtain the identification of the application from the DNS server The address information of the corresponding application server selects the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when determining the address information of the application server for the terminal device, the DNS request information may be parsed by the DNS server first, and then the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier returned by the DNS server is the terminal device Determining the address information of the application server can ensure that the determined application server can be used by the terminal device.

As a possible implementation manner, the session management function network element acquiring the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server may include: the session management function network element may send the DNS request information and the first terminal device to the DNS server The address information of the application server receives the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the DNS request information can be resolved by a centralized DNS server.

As a possible implementation manner, the session management function network element acquiring the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server may include: the session management function network element may send to the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device The DNS request information receives the address information of the application server corresponding to the identifier of the application from the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the DNS request information may be resolved by the DNS server (ie, the local DNS server) corresponding to the address information of the terminal device. As a possible implementation manner, the session management function network element determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information may include: when the number of acquired address information is greater than 1, the session management The functional network element may select the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information according to one or more of the priority, time delay, and load condition of the application server or the data network.

In the embodiment of the present invention, it can be ensured that the address information of the application server determined for the terminal device is the address information of the optimal application server currently available to the terminal device.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information may enable the establishment of a data path between the offload node and the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the terminal device has service requirements, for example, some applications deploy corresponding application servers in the local data network, and the session management function network element can establish the user plane function corresponding to the offload node and the data network. The data path between network elements, instead of using the data path determined during the initial establishment of the session. Or after the terminal device is moved, when the user plane path for accessing the application server corresponding to a certain application is no longer optimal, the session management function network element establishes a data path between the shunt node and the user plane function network element corresponding to the data network. Therefore, the communication path between the terminal device and the data network can be optimized.

As a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: selecting the identifier of the first data network from the data network list according to the identifier of the application, and sending the identifier of the first data network to the session management function network element. The DNS request information enabling the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server may include: the DNS request information and the identification of the first data network may enable the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the user plane function network element may determine a data network currently available to the terminal device and then send the identification of the data network to the session management function network element, and the session management function network element may request information based on the DNS and the data The identification of the network is for the terminal device to determine the address information of the application server, which can reduce the number of data networks and the determination range, thereby improving the efficiency of determining the address information of the application server.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information and the identification of the first data network enable the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server may include: the DNS request information and the identification of the first data network may enable The network element capable of session management sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, and receives address information of the first application server from the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

In the embodiment of the present invention, after the DNS server corresponding to this data network has resolved the DNS request information, it may return the resolution result to the session management function network element.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information and the identification of the first data network enable the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server may include: the DNS request information and the identification of the first data network may enable The network element capable of the session management function sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, and the DNS request information can enable the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to pass the user plane function corresponding to the first data network The network element sends the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present invention, after the DNS server corresponding to this data network has resolved the DNS request information, the analysis result can be directly sent to the terminal device through the user plane function network element corresponding to the determined data network, without returning to the session management function Network element.

As a possible implementation manner, the identification of the first data network may enable the establishment of a data path between the offload node and the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the terminal device has service requirements, for example, some applications deploy corresponding application servers in the local data network, and the session management function network element can establish the user plane function corresponding to the offload node and the data network. The data path between network elements, instead of using the data path determined during the initial establishment of the session. Or after the terminal device moves, when the user plane path for accessing the application server corresponding to an application is no longer optimal, the user plane function network element can notify the session management function network element to establish the user plane function network element corresponding to the shunt node and the data network Data path between. Therefore, the communication path between the terminal device and the data network can be optimized.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information may enable the session management network element to send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the address information of the application server can be sent to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can access the application server according to the address information.

The second aspect discloses a communication method, which can be applied to a network element with a session management function, and can also be applied to a module (for example, a chip) in a network element with a session management function. The following uses a network element with a session management function as an example. describe. The method may include: receiving DNS request information, and determining address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information, and the DNS request information is a user plane function network element. Sent when the corresponding application server is identified, the data network list includes the identification of the data network that supports the service of the first terminal device at the current location, the DNS request information may include the identification of the application, and the identification of the application is from the first terminal device The request information includes the identification of the application, the first application server is an application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed in the first data network, and the data network list may include the identification of the first data network.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, the session management function network element can receive the DNS request information sent by the user plane function network element, and when the data network list is When there is no application server corresponding to the application identifier deployed on the data network, the session management function network element will not receive the DNS request information sent by the user plane function network element, which can reduce the communication between the user plane function network element and the session management function network element. The amount of information transmitted, which can save communication resources. In addition, the address information of the application server can be determined for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information, so that the terminal device can access the application server according to the address information.

As a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: sending instruction information to the user plane function network element, and the instruction information may be used to indicate the user plane function network element when the data network list has the identifier of the data network deployed with the application The corresponding application server sends the DNS request information to the session management function network element.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the session management function network element may send instruction information to the user plane function network element, so that after the user plane function network element receives the request information including the identification of the application from the terminal device, it can manage the function network element according to the session management function. Sending instructions: When there is an application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, the DNS request information including the identification of the application is sent to the session management function network element. When there is no data network in the data network list When the application server corresponding to the identification of the application is deployed, the DNS request information including the identification of the application is not sent to the session management function network element, which can reduce the amount of information transmitted between the user plane function network element and the session management function network element , Which can save communication resources.

As a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: sending a data network list to the user plane function network element, and the data network list enable determines that there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the data network deployed with the application in the data network list.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the session management function network element may send the data network list to the user plane function network element, so that after the user plane function network element receives the request information including the application identifier from the terminal device, it can be based on the data network list It is determined whether there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, so that it can be determined whether to send the DNS request information including the identifier of the application to the session management function network element.

As a possible implementation manner, before sending the data network list to the user plane function network element, the method may further include: receiving second request information from the user plane function network element that includes the identifier of the first terminal device, and according to the first The identification of the terminal device and the identification of the data network corresponding to the location of the terminal device determine the data network list.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the session management function network element may send the data network list to the user plane function network element after receiving the request information from the user plane function network element. It can be seen that the session management function network element can send the data network list to the user plane function network element according to the needs of the user plane function network element, which can avoid sending the data network list to the user plane function when the user plane function network element does not need it. Network elements can reduce the transmission of unnecessary information.

As a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: sending the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element, and the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list may be enabled to determine There is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the session management function network element may send the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element, so that the user plane function network element receives the information including the identification of the application from the terminal device After requesting the information, you can determine whether there is an application server corresponding to the application identifier deployed on the data network in the data network list according to the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list, so as to determine whether to send to the session management function network element DNS request information including the identification of the application.

As a possible implementation manner, before sending the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element, the method may further include: receiving third request information from the user plane function network element, and according to the first The third request information determines the identification of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the session management network element may send the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element after receiving the request information from the user plane function network element. It can be seen that the session management function network element can send the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element according to the needs of the user plane function network element, which can avoid the situation where the user plane function network element does not need it. Sending the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element can reduce the transmission of unnecessary information.

As a possible implementation manner, determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information may include: selecting the identity of the first data network from the data network list according to the identity of the application, and according to the first The identification of the data network determines the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present invention, when determining the address information of the application server for the terminal device, the session management function network element may first determine the identification of a data network that the terminal device can currently use, and then may determine for the terminal device according to the identification of the data network The address information of the application server can reduce the number of data networks, reduce the determination range, and reduce the number of DNS requests sent, thereby improving the efficiency of determining the address information of the application server.

As a possible implementation manner, determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network may include: sending the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, and receiving information from Address information of the first application server of the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network may include: sending the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, and the DNS The request information may enable the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device through the user plane function network element corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, sending the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network includes: sending the DNS corresponding to the identifier of the first data network from the user plane function network element corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to the DNS corresponding to the identifier of the first data network. The server sends the DNS request information.

As a possible implementation manner, determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information includes: obtaining the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server according to the DNS request information, and The acquired address information determines the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device.

As a possible implementation manner, obtaining the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server according to the DNS request information may include: sending the DNS request information and the address information of the first terminal device to the DNS server, and receiving information from Address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier of the DNS server.

As a possible implementation manner, obtaining the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server according to the DNS request information may include: sending the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device, and receiving Address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the DNS request information may be resolved by the DNS server (ie, the local DNS server) corresponding to the address information of the terminal device.

As a possible implementation manner, determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information may include: in the case where the number of acquired address information is greater than 1, according to the application server or data network One or more of priority, time delay, and load condition, select the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information.

In the embodiment of the present invention, it can be guaranteed that the application server determined for the terminal device is the optimal application server currently available to the terminal device.

As a possible implementation manner, determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information may include: receiving an identifier of the first data network from the user plane function network element, and according to the DNS request information and The identifier of the first data network determines the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the session management function network element may receive the identification of a data network determined and sent by the user plane function network element, and then may determine the address information of the application server for the terminal device according to the DNS request information and the identification of the data network , Can reduce the number of data networks, reduce the scope of determination, which can improve the efficiency of determining the address information of the application server.

As a possible implementation manner, determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information and the identifier of the first data network may include: sending the DNS to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network The request information is received from the address information of the first application server of the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information and the identifier of the first data network may include: sending the DNS to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network Request information. The DNS request information may enable the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device through the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: establishing a data path between the offload node and the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the method may further include: sending address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the session management function network element may send the address information of the application server to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can access the application server according to the address information.

A third aspect discloses a communication device, which may be a user plane function network element, or a module (for example, a chip) in a user plane function network element. The apparatus may include: a receiving unit, configured to receive first request information from a first terminal device, where the first request information includes an identification of the application; and a sending unit, configured to: When the application server corresponds to the application identifier, the DNS request information of the domain name system is sent to the session management function network element, the data network list includes the identifier of the data network that supports the service of the first terminal device at the current position, and the DNS request The information includes the identification of the application.

As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive indication information from the session management function network element, where the indication information is used to indicate the user plane function network element when data exists in the data network list. When the application server corresponding to the identifier of the application is deployed on the network, the DNS request information is sent to the session management function network element.

As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive the data network list from the session management function network element; or the communication device may further include: a first determining unit, configured to determine the Data network list.

As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send second request information to the session management function network element before the receiving unit receives the data network list from the session management function network element The second request information includes the identifier of the first terminal device, and the second request information enables the data network list to be determined.

As a possible implementation manner, the device further includes: a second determining unit, configured to determine according to the identification of the application, the list of data networks, and the identification of the application server deployed by the data network in the list of data networks , Determining that there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list.

As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive the identifier of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list of the session management function network element.

As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send the receiving unit to the data network deployment application server before the receiving unit receives the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list of the session management function network element. The session management function network element sends third request information, and the third request information enables the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to be determined.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information enables the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server, and the first application server is the application server deployed in the first data network. Identify the corresponding application server, and the data network list includes the identifier of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the enabling of the DNS request information to determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device includes: the enabling of the DNS request information from the data network according to the identification of the application The identification of the first data network is selected from the list, and the address information of the first application server is determined for the first terminal device according to the identification of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the enabling of the DNS request information to determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network includes: the DNS request information enabling the The session management function network element sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, and receives address information of the first application server from the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the enabling of the DNS request information to determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network includes: the DNS request information enabling the The session management function network element sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, and the DNS request information enables the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to pass the first data The user plane function network element corresponding to the network sends the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.

As a possible implementation manner, the sending of the DNS request information by the session management function network element to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network includes: the session management function network element passes through the first data network The user plane function network element corresponding to the identifier of the first data network sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information enabling the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server includes: the DNS request information enabling the session management function network element to obtain from a DNS server The address information of the application server corresponding to the identifier of the application determines the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information.

As a possible implementation manner, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server includes: the session management function network element sending the DNS request information to the DNS server and The address information of the first terminal device receives the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server.

As a possible implementation manner, the acquisition of the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier by the session management function network element from the DNS server includes: address information of the session management function network element to the first terminal device The corresponding DNS server sends the DNS request information, and receives the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier of the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device.

As a possible implementation manner, the determination by the session management function network element of the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information includes: when the number of acquired address information is greater than one , The session management function network element selects the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information according to one or more of the priority, delay, and load of the application server or the data network Address information.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information enables the establishment of a data path between a shunt node and a user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the device further includes: a selecting unit, configured to select the identifier of the first data network from the data network list according to the identifier of the application; the sending unit is further configured to The identification of the first data network is sent to the session management function network element; the DNS request information enables the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server including: the DNS request information and the The identification of the first data network enables the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information and the identification of the first data network enable the first terminal device to determine that the address information of the first application server includes: the DNS request information and the first application server. The identity of a data network enables the session management function network element to send the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network, and to receive the first data from the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network Address information of an application server.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information and the identification of the first data network enable the first terminal device to determine that the address information of the first application server includes: the DNS request information and the first application server. The identity of a data network enables the session management function network element to send the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network, and the DNS request information enables the identity of the first data network to correspond to The DNS server sends the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device through the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the identification of the first data network enables the establishment of a data path between a shunt node and a user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the DNS request information enables the session management network element to send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.

A fourth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be a session management function network element, or a module (for example, a chip) in a session management function network element. The device may include: a receiving unit for receiving DNS request information, the DNS request information being sent by the user plane function network element when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, the data The network list includes the identification of the data network that supports the service of the first terminal device at the current location, the DNS request information includes the identification of the application, and the identification of the application is the application included in the request information from the first terminal device The identification; the determining unit is configured to determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information, the first application server being the identification of the application deployed in the first data network For the corresponding application server, the data network list includes the identification of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the device further includes: a sending unit, configured to send instruction information to the user plane function network element, where the instruction information is used to instruct the user plane function network element to act as the data network element When there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the list, the DNS request information is sent to the session management function network element.

As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send the data network list to the user plane function network element, and the data network list is enabled to determine that there are data networks deployed in the data network list. The application server corresponding to the identifier of the application.

As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive the second request information from the user plane function network element before the sending unit sends the data network list to the user plane function network element , The second request information includes the identity of the first terminal device; the determining unit is further configured to determine the data network according to the identity of the first terminal device and the identity of the data network corresponding to the location of the terminal device List.

As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send the identifier of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element, and the data network list The identification of the application server deployed on the data network enables it to be determined that there is an application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list.

As a possible implementation manner, the receiving unit is further configured to receive the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element. For the third request information of the user plane function network element, the determining unit is further configured to determine the identifier of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list according to the third request information.

As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information includes: selecting the address information of the first application server from the data network list according to the identifier of the application. The identifier of the first data network; the address information of the first application server is determined for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network includes: reporting the DNS corresponding to the identifier of the first data network The server sends the DNS request information; receives the address information of the first application server from the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network includes: reporting the DNS corresponding to the identifier of the first data network The server sends the DNS request information, and the DNS request information enables the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to send the user plane function network element corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to the first terminal device. Send the address information of the first application server.

As a possible implementation manner, the sending of the DNS request information by the determining unit to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network includes: sending the user plane function network element corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to the The DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network sends the DNS request information.

As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information includes: obtaining the identification of the application from a DNS server according to the DNS request information The address information of the corresponding application server; the address information of the first application server is determined for the first terminal device from the acquired address information.

As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit obtaining the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server according to the DNS request information includes: sending the DNS request information and the first address information to the DNS server. Address information of the terminal device; receiving the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server.

As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit acquiring the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server according to the DNS request information includes: sending the address information to the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device Sending the DNS request information; receiving the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier of the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device.

As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information includes: when the number of acquired address information is greater than 1, according to the application One or more of the priority, delay, and load of the server or the data network, select the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information.

As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information includes: receiving the first data from the user plane function network element The identifier of the network; according to the DNS request information and the identifier of the first data network, the address information of the first application server is determined for the first terminal device.

As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information and the identifier of the first data network includes: The DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the network sends the DNS request information; and receives the address information of the first application server from the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information and the identifier of the first data network includes: The DNS server corresponding to the identity of the network sends the DNS request information, and the DNS request information enables the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network to send the DNS server to the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network. The first terminal device sends the address information of the first application server.

As a possible implementation manner, the device further includes: an establishment unit configured to establish a data path between the offload node and the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

As a possible implementation manner, the sending unit is further configured to send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.

A fifth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be a user plane function network element or a module (for example, a chip) in the user plane function network element. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices other than the communication device, and the output interface is used to send information to outside the communication device. When the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, the processor executes the communication method disclosed in the first aspect or any embodiment of the first aspect.

A sixth aspect discloses a communication device, which may be a session management function network element or a module (for example, a chip) in a session management function network element. The communication device may include a processor, a memory, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices other than the communication device, and the output interface is used to send information to outside the communication device. The other communication device outputs information, and when the processor executes the computer program stored in the memory, the processor is caused to execute the communication method disclosed in the second aspect or any embodiment of the second aspect.

A seventh aspect discloses a communication system including the communication device of the fifth aspect and the communication device of the sixth aspect.

An eighth aspect discloses a computer-readable storage medium with a computer program or computer instruction stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program or computer instruction runs, the communication method disclosed in the above aspects is implemented.

Description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a schematic diagram of a UPF sending DNS request information to SMF according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

The embodiment of the invention discloses a communication method, a device and a computer-readable storage medium, which are used to save communication resources. Detailed descriptions are given below.

In order to better understand the communication method, device, and computer-readable storage medium disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, the following describes the network architecture used in the embodiments of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the 5G network architecture may include user equipment (UE), (radio access network, (R)AN) equipment, and user plane function (UPF). ), data network (DN), access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy control function (policy) control function, PCF), application function network element (application function, AF), unified data management network element (unified data management, UDM), authentication server function network element (authentication server function, AUSF), and network slice selection network element ( network slice selection function, NSSF). Different network elements or devices can communicate through interfaces. The interface name shown in FIG. 1 is only an example for illustration, and the embodiment of the present invention does not specifically limit this.

The UE, which may also be called a terminal device, a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device that provides voice and/or data connectivity to users. The terminal equipment can be a handheld terminal, a notebook computer, a subscriber unit, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer , Wireless modem (modem), handheld device (handheld), laptop computer (laptop computer), cordless phone (wireless local loop, WLL), machine type communication, MTC) terminal or other devices that can access the network. The terminal device in FIG. 1 is shown as a UE, which is only used as an example and does not limit the terminal device. The UE can access the DN by establishing a session between the UE-(R)AN device-UPF-DN, that is, a protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session.

The (R) AN device is a device that provides wireless access for the UE, and is mainly responsible for functions such as radio resource management on the air interface side, quality of service (QoS) flow management, data compression, and encryption. (R)AN equipment may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, and so on. The (R) AN device may also include a wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point (AP). (R) AN equipment may also include a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax) base station (BS).

UPF is mainly responsible for processing user messages, such as forwarding and charging. User messages can be received from the DN and transmitted to the UE through the RAN equipment; user messages can also be received from the UE through the RAN equipment and forwarded to the DN. The transmission resources and scheduling functions provided by UPF for UE are managed and controlled by SMF.

DN can be the Internet, Internet protocol (IP) multimedia service (IP multi-media service, IMS) network, regional network, that is, local network, such as multi-access edge computing (MEC) Network, etc. The DN is the destination of the UE's PDU session access. An application server is included or deployed in the DN, and the application server can perform data transmission with the UE and provide business services for the UE.

AMF can access the UE's non-access stratum (NAS) signaling (including session management (SM) signaling) and N2 interface access RAN signaling through the N1 interface to complete the UE registration process And SM signaling forwarding and mobility management.

SMF is mainly responsible for session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, release, and update processes. Specific functions such as assigning IP addresses to users, selecting UPF that provides message forwarding functions, and so on.

The PCF can be responsible for terminal equipment policy management, including both mobility-related policies and PDU session-related policies, such as QoS policies, charging policies, and so on.

AF mainly supports interaction with the 3rd generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project, 3GPP) core network to provide services to influence service flow routing, access network capability opening, policy control, etc.

UDM is responsible for user key management, user identification processing, access authorization of subscription data, UE network function entity management, session and business continuity management, short message push, legal monitoring, contract management, short message management, used to control user data , Such as the management of contract information.

The AUSF can be responsible for authenticating and authorizing the access of the UE.

The above network elements in the core network can also be called functional entities. They can be network elements implemented on dedicated hardware, software instances running on dedicated hardware, or instances of virtualized functions on an appropriate platform. For example, the aforementioned virtualization platform may be a cloud platform.

It should be noted that the system architecture shown in FIG. 1 is not limited to only including the network elements shown in the figure, and may also include other devices not shown in the figure. The specific present invention will not be listed here.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the present invention does not limit the distribution form of each network element in the core network. The distribution form shown in FIG. 1 is only exemplary, and the present invention does not limit it.

It should be understood that the names of all network elements in the present invention are merely examples. In future communications, such as 6G, they can also be referred to as other names, or in future communications, such as 6G, the network elements involved in the present invention can also be Other entities or devices with the same function are substituted, and the present invention does not limit this. Here is a unified explanation, and I won’t repeat it in the follow-up.

It should be noted that the 5G network architecture shown in Figure 1 does not constitute a limitation on the 5G network. Optionally, the method in the embodiment of the present invention is also applicable to various future communication systems, such as 6G or other communication networks.

The 5G network architecture shown in Figure 1 has only one UPF. On the basis of the above basic network architecture, 5G can also support the insertion of multiple session anchor UPFs on the user plane path (ie data path) of a PDU session to support The connection to the local DN, so that the UE can access the application server in the local DN nearby. Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, multiple UPFs are introduced into the network architecture of the communication system. These multiple UPFs can be respectively uplink classifier (ULCL)/branching point (BP), and UPFPDU session anchor (PDU). session anchor, PSA)1 and UPF PSA2. Among them, ULCL/BP can distribute uplink data packets from the UE to PSA1 or PSA2 according to the distribution rules, and can also send downlink data packets from PSA1 or PSA2 to the UE. There is an N6 interface between the PSA1 and the DN. For example, the DN may be a DN located in a central data center (DC). There is an N6 interface between PSA2 and the local DN. For example, the local DN may be located in the local DC or MEC node. Among them, the local DN can also be understood as the DN in which the application server is deployed in an edge hosting environment (EHE) closer to the UE, and can also be referred to as an edge data network (EDN). When the UE has service requirements, the SMF can insert the UPF (ie, local (local, L)-PSA) corresponding to the local DN, so that the UE can access the application server in the local DN nearby. For example, PAS2 in Figure 2 is an L-PSA. It should be noted that the number of UPFs in FIG. 2 is only an example, and more or fewer UPFs may also be included, which is not limited in the present invention.

It should be noted that only one L-PSA is shown in FIG. 2, and it should be understood that multiple L-PSAs may also be included, which is not limited in the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a schematic diagram of another network architecture disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, there may be multiple L-PSAs in the network architecture, such as L-PSA1 and L-PSA2 in Figure 3. In this network architecture, ULCL/BP can connect multiple L-PSAs. In this example, ULCL/BP can be combined with L-PSA1 and connected to MEC1; L-PSA2 can be connected to MEC2, and PSA can be connected to the central DC. It should be understood that ULCL/BP and L-PSA1 may also be two independent network elements or devices.

In order to better understand the embodiments of the present invention, the following describes the application scenarios of the embodiments of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of a UPF sending DNS request information to an SMF according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the UE may send request information to the UPF, and the request information may carry or include the identification of the application. After the UPF receives the request information from the UE, it can send DNS request information to the SMF. The DNS request information includes the identification of the application. After the SMF receives the DNS request information from the UPF, it can send the DNS request information to the centralized DNS server or the local DNS server. After receiving the DNS request information from the SMF, the DNS server or the local DNS server can determine the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier, and send the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier to the SMF. After the SMF receives the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server or the local DNS server, it may send the address information of the application server to the UE.

In the above process, after UPF receives the request information from the terminal device that includes the identification of the application, regardless of whether it can obtain the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application, it needs to send a DNS request including the identification of the application to the SMF. information. However, in the case that the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application cannot be obtained, there is no need to send DNS request information to the SMF, which causes a waste of resources. Moreover, due to the large amount of DNS request information, it may impact the interface between UPF and SMF and SMF network elements. In addition, since there may not be a direct interface between the SMF and the DNS server, the SMF cannot send the DNS request information to the DNS server.

In addition, in the 5G communication system, terminal devices can be connected to the DN through UPF. Which UPF and which DN the terminal device uses to communicate is determined during the session establishment process. After the session is established, the location of the terminal device is not fixed. Therefore, when the location of the terminal device changes, if the terminal device also uses the UPF and DN during the session establishment process, it may cause the terminal device to communicate with each other. The communication path between DNs is long.

Based on the foregoing network architecture, please refer to FIG. 5, which is a schematic flowchart of a communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Among them, the functions performed by the terminal device in the present invention can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the terminal device, and the functions performed by a UPF in the present invention can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the UPF. The function performed by the SMF in the present invention can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the SMF, and the function performed by the DNS server in the present invention can also be performed by a module (for example, a chip) in the DNS server. As shown in Fig. 5, the communication method may include the following steps.

501. The first terminal device sends the first request information including the identifier of the application to the UPF.

Correspondingly, the UPF may receive the first request information including or carrying the identification of the application from the first terminal device.

In the case that the first terminal device has a service requirement, the first terminal device may send the first request information including the identifier of the application to the UPF. The identification of the application may be a fully qualified domain name (FQDN), an identification number (identity document, ID) of the application, or other information that can uniquely identify the application. The first request information may be DNS request information or DNS query (query) message, or other request information, which is not limited here.

502. When there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, the UPF sends DNS request information including the identifier of the application to the SMF.

Correspondingly, the SMF receives the DNS request information including the identification of the application from the UPF. In the case where the first request information is DNS request information, the DNS request information sent by UPF to SMF may be the first request information, that is, the DNS request information sent by UPF to SMF and the first request information are the same DNS request information, UPF The DNS request information sent to the SMF may also be DNS request information generated by UPF according to the first request information. The application server corresponding to the identifier of the application is the application server of the application identified by the identifier.

After the UPF receives the first request information from the first terminal device, when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, it may send the DNS request information including the identifier of the application to the SMF. The data network list includes the identification of the data network that supports the service of the first terminal device at the current location. Specifically, UPF can first determine whether there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list. When there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, it indicates that there is the first The application server corresponding to the identification of the application that can be accessed by the terminal device may send DNS request information including the identification of the application to the SMF. When there is no application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, it indicates that there is no application server corresponding to the identification of the application that can be accessed by the first terminal device, and UPF does not send the identification of the application to the SMF. DNS request information, the first request information can be discarded.

It should be noted that the data network list in the present invention may include the identities of all the data networks that support the service of the first terminal device at the current location, and may also include the identities of some data networks that support the service of the first terminal device at the current location. . The number of data network identities included in the data network list is greater than or equal to 1, which can be the identities of one data network, or the identities of two or more data networks.

In one implementation, all data networks are deployed with the same application server. When determining whether there is an application server corresponding to the application identifier deployed on the data network in the data network list, only one data in the data network list needs to be determined Whether the application server corresponding to the identification of the application is deployed on the network. In another implementation manner, the application servers deployed in different data networks may be different. When determining whether there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, it is necessary to check the data network in the data network list. One is determined, and it is not stopped until it is determined that a data network is deployed with an application server corresponding to the identification of the application, or until all data networks in the data network list are determined.

In an implementation manner, the SMF may send instruction information to the UPF. The instruction information is used to instruct the UPF to send DNS request information to the SMF when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list. After the UPF receives the first request information from the first terminal device, it can determine whether there is an application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list according to the instruction information, and when there is a data network deployed on the data network list When the application server corresponds to the identification of the application, the DNS request information including the identification of the application may be sent to the SMF. In another implementation manner, a rule is configured in the UPF, and the rule may be: when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, the DNS request information is sent to the SMF. After the UPF receives the first request information from the first terminal device, it can determine whether there is an application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list according to the rule. When the application server data corresponds to the identifier of the application, the DNS request information including the identifier of the application can be sent to the SMF.

SMF can send a list of data networks to UPF, and accordingly, UPF can receive a list of data networks from SMF. It can be seen that the data network list can be sent by SMF to UPF. The UPF may send the second request information including the identification of the first terminal device to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the second request information from the UPF, and corresponds to the identification of the first terminal device and the location of the terminal device included in the second request information. The identification of the data network determines the data network list. It can be seen that the data network list can be sent to the UPF by the SMF based on the UPF request. The data network list can also be determined by UPF. The identification of the data network may be the identification of the data network itself. For example, the identification of the data network may be a data network name (data network name, DNN), or an identification number (identity document, ID) of other data networks. The identification of the data network may also be an access identification of the data network. For example, a data network access identifier (DN access identifier, DNAI) can be used to identify the user plane path from the UPF to the data network, and can also be regarded as a data network identifier. The identifier of the data network may also be the identifier of the MEC node or DC, which may be used to indicate the location of the MEC node or DC. The identification of the data network may also be the subnet information of the data network, and the corresponding data network may be determined according to the subnet information. The identification of the data network may also be the address information of the application server included in the data network, and the corresponding data network may be determined according to the address information. The identity of the data network corresponding to the location can be expressed as the correspondence between the location information and the identity of the data network that supports the location corresponding to the location information. It can be stored in a data table, key-value pair, context, or other forms. Make a limit. For example, the identification of the data network corresponding to the location may be as shown in Table 1 or Table 2.

数据网络的标识Identification of the data network	位置信息 location information

DN 1DN 1	位置2、…、位置X Position 2,..., Position X

DN 2DN 2	位置1，位置3、…、位置Y Position 1, position 3, ..., position Y
……	……
DN KDN K	位置3、…、位置ZPosition 3,..., position Z

Table 1

位置信息location information	数据网络的标识Identification of the data network

位置1Position 1	DN 1、…、DN X DN 1,..., DN X

位置2Position 2	DN 2、…、DN Y DN 2,..., DN Y
……	……
位置K Location K		DN 1、…、DN ZDN 1,..., DN Z

Table 2

In one implementation, the SMF can configure or obtain the service range of the data network. The service range of the data network can be a specific collection of locations. For example, a collection of one or more of tracking area (tracking area, TA) 1, TA2, ..., RAN_1, RAN_2, or cell (Cell)_1, Cell_2, etc. The service range of the data network can also be a collection of geographic location information, such as latitude and longitude or administrative area. The service range of the data network may also be a collection of one or more UPF service ranges corresponding to the data network. Among them, the one or more UPFs can serve the data network. The service scope of UPF can be a specific location collection or a collection of geographic location information. The service scope of the data network can also be identified by the service scope of the application server (AS) and/or the enabler server (ES) deployed in the data network. Among them, the performance of the service scope of the AS or ES The format is the same as that described above, and will not be repeated here. During the establishment of the PDU session of the first terminal device, or when the location of the first terminal device changes, or when a related service or event is detected, for example, the SMF receives a second request from the UPF that includes the identification of the application Information, SMF can obtain the current location of the first terminal device, such as TA1 or Cell_1. SMF can obtain the current location of the first terminal device from AMF. SMF can also subscribe to AMF the location information of the first terminal device or events related to location changes. SMF can also subscribe to AMF for the service of the first terminal device moving into or out of the data network. For events such as range, after the AMF detects the movement of the first terminal device, it can notify the SMF of the current location of the first terminal device in real time. After the SMF obtains the current location of the first terminal device, SMF can first determine whether the current location of the first terminal device is within the service range of the data network, and if the current location of the first terminal device is within the service range of the data network, then determine The data network supports the service of the first terminal device at the current location. Assuming that the SMF is configured or acquired the service range of M data networks, after the SMF acquires the current location of the first terminal device, it may be determined that N data networks of the M data networks support the service of the first terminal device in the current location. Among them, other network elements or functional entities may also determine the data network list and then send it to the SMF. The process of determining the data network is similar to that of the SMF and will not be repeated here. SMF can then send a list of data networks to UPF. Among them, M is an integer greater than 1, and N is an integer less than or equal to M.

In another implementation manner, the SMF may determine that a data network adjacent to the current location of the first terminal device is a data network supporting and serving the first terminal device in the current location. For example, the distance between the current location of the first terminal device and the location of the data network does not exceed X kilometers. Wherein, the SMF or other network elements may calculate the distance between the current location of the first terminal device and the location of the data network and notify the SMF. SMF can then send a list of data networks to UPF.

In yet another implementation manner, the SMF may configure a supported data network, and the SMF may determine all or part of the supported data network as a data network supporting and serving the first terminal device at the current location. SMF can also obtain the data network of the first terminal device that supports the service at the current location from other network elements or devices. SMF can determine all the data networks that support the first terminal device at the current location of the service as the data network in the data network list. , Or determine a subset of all data networks supporting the first terminal device at the current location as the data network in the data network list according to the configuration or policy. SMF can then send a list of data networks to UPF.

In yet another implementation manner, in the case that the first terminal device has inserted ULCL/BP during the session establishment process, the data network in the data network list may be a data network that supports L-PSA connected to ULCL/BP. , As shown in Figure 3 shows the data network corresponding to L-PSA1 and L-PSA2. Among them, assuming that ULCL/BP can be connected with M L-PSAs, SMF can determine the data network corresponding to M L-PSA as the data network in the data network list, or SMF can also combine M L-PSA according to configuration or strategy. The N data networks in the data network corresponding to the PSA are determined to be the data networks in the data network list. SMF can then send a list of data networks to UPF.

The way the UPF determines the data network list is similar to the above, and will not be repeated here.

The UPF may receive the data network list from the SMF before, after, or at the same time when the UPF receives the first request information from the first terminal device.

The UPF can determine that there is an application server corresponding to the application ID deployed on the data network in the data network list according to the ID of the application, the data network list, and the ID of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list. The identification of the application server deployed in the data network can be stored in a data table, key-value pair, context, or other forms, and the storage form is not limited. For example, the identification of the application server deployed in the data network may be as shown in Table 3 or Table 4.

数据网络的标识Identification of the data network	应用服务器的标识ID of the application server

DN 1DN 1	应用服务器2、…、应用服务器X Application Server 2,..., Application Server X

DN 2DN 2	应用服务器1，应用服务器3、…、应用服务器Y Application server 1, application server 3,..., application server Y
……	……
DN KDN K	应用服务器3、…、应用服务器ZApplication server 3,..., application server Z

table 3

应用服务器的标识ID of the application server	数据网络的标识Identification of the data network

应用服务器1Application Server 1	DN 1、…、DN X DN 1,..., DN X

应用服务器2Application server 2	DN 2、…、DN Y DN 2,..., DN Y
……	……
应用服务器KApplication Server K		DN 1、…、DN ZDN 1,..., DN Z

Table 4

In an implementation manner, the SMF may send the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the UPF. The UPF may receive the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list of the SMF before, after, or at the same time when receiving the first request information from the first terminal device. It can be seen that the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list can be sent to the UPF by the SMF. The SMF may be configured with the identification of the application server deployed on the data network, or it may obtain the identification of the application server deployed on the data network from other devices or network elements. In the case where the data network list is sent to the UPF by SMF, the SMF may determine the identification of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list after determining or obtaining the data network list. The SMF can send the data network list and the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the UPF at the same time or sequentially. When the SMF sends the data network list and the identification of the application server deployed in the data network list to the UPF at the same time, it can be sent through the same message, instruction or signaling, or through two different There are no restrictions on what is sent by messages, instructions, or signaling. The UPF may send third request information to the SMF. After receiving the third request information from the UPF, the SMF may determine the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list according to the third request information. It can be seen that the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list may be sent by the SMF to the UPF based on the UPF request. The third request information may include the identification of the first terminal device. In this case, the SMF may determine the data network list according to the identification of the first terminal device, the identification of the data network corresponding to the location of the terminal device, and the identification of the application server deployed by the data network The ID of the application server deployed on the data network. In the case where the data network list is determined by the UPF, the third request information may include or carry the identification of the data network in the data network list. In this case, the SMF may be based on the identification of the data network in the data network list and the status of the application server deployed by the data network. The identifier determines the identifier of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list.

In another implementation manner, the UPF may be configured with the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network, or it may obtain the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network from other devices or network elements. After the UPF receives the data network list from the SMF, or determines the data network list, it can determine the identification of the data network deployed application server in the data network list according to the data network list and the identification of the application server deployed on the data network.

503. The SMF determines the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information.

The first application server is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed in the first data network, and the data network list includes the identifier of the first data network.

In an implementation manner, the SMF may first select the identification of the first data network from the data network list according to the identification of the application. Specifically, the identification of the data network where the application server corresponding to the identification of the application is deployed may be selected first from the list of data networks. In one case, the identification of the first data network may be selected from the identifications of the selected data network according to one or more of the priority, delay, and load of the application server or the data network. In another case, when the number of selected data network identifiers is greater than 1, any data network can be selected as the identifier of the first data network from the selected data network identifiers. The SMF may then determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network. In one case, the SMF can send the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network; after receiving the DNS request information from the SMF, the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network can send the DNS request information according to the application’s The identifier determines the address information of the first application server, that is, determines the address information of the application server corresponding to the identifier of the application, and sends the address information of the first application server to the SMF; the SMF receives the first data network identifier from the DNS server corresponding to the first data network. Address information of an application server. In another case, the SMF can send the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network; after receiving the DNS request information from the SMF, the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network can send the DNS request information according to the application The identifier determines the address information of the first application server, that is, determines the address information of the application server corresponding to the identifier of the application, and sends the address information of the first application server to the UPF corresponding to the identifier of the first data network; the identifier of the first data network After receiving the address information of the first application server from the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, the corresponding UPF may send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device. Since there may not be a direct interface between the SMF and the DNS server, the SMF can send the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network through the UPF corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, that is, the SMF first sends the first data to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network. The UPF corresponding to the network identifier sends the DNS request information, and the UPF corresponding to the first data network identifier receives the DNS request information from the SMF, and sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the first data network identifier.

In another implementation manner, the SMF may obtain the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server according to the DNS request information, and determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the obtained address information . In one case, the SMF may send the DNS request information and the address information of the first terminal device to the DNS server. After the DNS server receives the DNS request information from the SMF and the address information of the first terminal device, it can determine the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier according to the DNS request information and the address information of the first terminal device, and then Send the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier to the SMF. The SMF may receive the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server. In the case that the number of address information of the first terminal device is greater than 1, the SMF can carry the address information of the first terminal device in the DNS request information at one time and send it to the DNS server, and the SMF can also send multiple DNSs to the DSN. Request information, each of the DNS request information may carry one piece of address information in the address information of the first terminal device. Among them, the DNS server here is a centralized DNS server, also called a central DSN server. The address information of the first terminal device may be the address information corresponding to the data network in the data network list, for example, one DNAI may correspond to one subnet information. The address information of the first terminal device may also be the identification of the data network supporting the current location of the first terminal device in the service range, or the IP address of the data network supporting the current location of the first terminal device in the service range, or the service The range supports the subnet information of the data network serving the current location of the first terminal device. The IP address of the data network or the subnet information of the data network can be converted from the identification of the data network. For one piece of address information in the address information of the first terminal device, the DNS server may return the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application, or may not return the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application.

In another case, the SMF may send the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device, that is, send the DNS request information to the local DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device. The local DSN server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device can also be understood as a local DNS server corresponding to the data network supporting the current location of the first terminal device. If there are multiple address information of the first terminal device, for example, there are multiple data networks that support the current location of the first terminal device, and multiple data networks correspond to different subnet information, you can send the corresponding local DNS server to the data network. Send the DNS request information. After the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device receives the DNS request from the SMF, it can determine the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier, and then can send the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier to the SMF . The SMF receives the address information of the application server corresponding to the identifier of the application from the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device. Among them, the address information of the first terminal device may be the subnet information corresponding to the data network, and the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device can understand the DNS server corresponding to the data network, for example, the local DNS resolution for the local data network DNS server. Wherein, for the DSN server corresponding to one piece of address information in the address information of the first terminal device, the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application may be returned, or the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application may not be returned. The non-return may be because there is no application server corresponding to the identifier of the deployed application, or it may be because the load of the application server corresponding to the identifier of the deployed application is relatively large, or it may be due to other reasons, which is not limited here.

After the SMF obtains the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server, if the number of the obtained address information is 1, the address information can be determined as the address information of the first application server. In the case that the number of acquired address information is greater than 1, the address information of the first application server can be selected from the acquired address information according to one or more of the priority, delay and load of the application server or DN , So that you can select a suitable application server.

In yet another implementation manner, the UPF may select the identification of the first data network from the data network list according to the identification of the application, and then send the identification of the first data network to the SMF. The SMF receives the identifier of the first data network from the UPF, and can determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information and the identifier of the first data network. In one case, the SMF may send the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network. After receiving the DNS request information from the SMF, the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network may determine the address information of the first application server according to the identifier of the application, and send the address information of the first application server to the SMF. The SMF receives the address information of the first application server from the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network. In another case, the SMF can send the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network; after receiving the DNS request information from the SMF, the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network can send the DNS request information according to the application The identifier determines the address information of the first application server, and sends the address information of the first application server to the UPF corresponding to the identifier of the first data network; the UPF corresponding to the identifier of the first data network receives the identifier corresponding to the first data network After the address information of the first application server of the DNS server, the address information of the first application server may be sent to the first terminal device.

The address information of the first terminal device may be determined by SMF, or sent by UPF to SMF. It may be sent by the UPF on its own initiative, or it may be sent after the UPF receives the fourth request information from the SMF. Before the UPF sends the address information of the first terminal device to the SMF, it may also determine the address information of the first terminal device according to the identifier of the data network corresponding to the location of the terminal device. It can be seen that the address information of the first terminal device may be actively sent by UPF to SMF, or it may be sent by UPF based on SMF's request.

In addition, the SMF can establish a data path between the shunt node and the UPF corresponding to the first data network. After the SMF receives the identifier of the first data network from the UPF, or after the SMF determines the identifier of the first data network, the data path between the offload node and the UPF corresponding to the first data network can be established, as shown in ULCL in Figure 3 The data path between /BP and L-PSA1, or the data path of the session of the first terminal device can be reconfigured, including: adding or inserting the UPF and shunt node corresponding to the first data network. The data path may be established by the SMF according to the identity of the first data network sent by the UPF network element, or may be established by the SMF according to the DNS request information sent by the UPF network element. The shunt node can be ULCL, BP, or other network elements or devices with equivalent functions. The data path can also be referred to as the user plane path. In the case where no offload node is inserted in the data path of the session of the first terminal, that is, there is no offload node, the offload node may be inserted first, and then the data path between the offload node and the UPF corresponding to the first data network is established. In the case where the offload node already exists, that is, the offload node has been inserted, a path between the offload node and the UPF corresponding to the identifier of the first data network can be established. Wherein, the split node and the UPF corresponding to the first data network may be co-located or independent.

After the SMF establishes the data path between the offload node and the UPF corresponding to the first data network, it can be determined whether the data network between the offload node and the UPF corresponding to the first data network is established successfully. If the data path between UPFs is successfully established, the address information of the first application server may be sent to the first terminal device. After receiving the address information of the first application server, the first terminal device can communicate with the first application server according to the address information of the first application server, that is, can access the first application server according to the address information of the first application server. In one case, the SMF may send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device through a NAS message. In another case, the SMF may send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device through the user plane path. The user plane path can be SMF→distribution node→first terminal device. The address information of the first application server may be carried in a DNS response message and sent to the first terminal device.

Based on the foregoing network architecture, please refer to FIG. 6, which is a schematic flowchart of another communication method disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication method may include the following steps.

601. The first terminal device establishes a session.

602. The first terminal device sends the first request information including the identifier of the application to the UPF.

Correspondingly, the UPF receives the first request information including the identification of the application from the first terminal device.

603. When there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, the UPF sends the DNS request information including the identifier of the application to the SMF.

In one case, the SMF can configure the identification of the application server corresponding to the data network. In another case, UPF can configure the identity of the application server corresponding to the data network. In addition, the SMF or UPF may also be configured with subnet information corresponding to the identifier of the data network.

In addition, the SMF can determine the network segment information of the MEC or the network segment information of the data network according to the identifier of the network segment corresponding to the data network. The SMF can be configured with the identifier of the network segment corresponding to the data network. The identification of the network segment corresponding to the data network can also be configured in UPF.

In one case, the SMF can configure the identification of the data network corresponding to the location of the terminal device. In another case, the UPF can configure the identification of the data network corresponding to the location of the terminal device.

In another case, the SMF or UPF can configure the service range corresponding to the data network, and the SMF or UPF can determine the data network that the current location of the terminal device can access according to the corresponding relationship.

Step 603 may be executed by the UPF based on the instruction information of the SMF, or executed by the UPF based on the configured rules.

604. The SMF determines the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information.

There are three ways for the SMF to determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information. For detailed description, please refer to the relevant description above.

605. The SMF reconfigures the data path of the first terminal device session.

606. The SMF sends the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.

607. The first terminal device accesses the first application server according to the address information.

For detailed descriptions of steps 601 to 607, reference may be made to the above related descriptions, and details are not repeated here.

Based on the foregoing network architecture, please refer to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 7, the communication device may include:

The receiving unit 701 is configured to receive first request information from a first terminal device, where the first request information includes an application identifier;

The sending unit 702 is configured to send DNS request information to the session management function network element when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, and the data network list includes the first terminal supporting the service at the current position The identification of the data network of the device, and the DNS request information includes the identification of the application.

In one embodiment, the receiving unit 701 is further configured to receive indication information from the session management function network element, where the indication information is used to indicate the user plane function network element when there is a data network deployed in the data network list that corresponds to the identification of the application. The DNS request information is sent to the session management function network element.

In an embodiment, the receiving unit 701 is further configured to receive a data network list from a network element with a session management function; or

The communication device may also include:

The determining unit 703 is configured to determine the data network list.

In one embodiment, the sending unit 702 is further configured to send the second request information to the session management function network element before the receiving unit 701 receives the data network list from the session management function network element, where the second request information includes the first terminal device The identification of the second request information enables the determination of the data network list.

In one embodiment, the determining unit 703 is further configured to determine that there is an identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list according to the identifier of the application, the data network list, and the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list. Corresponding application server.

In one embodiment, the receiving unit 701 is further configured to receive the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list of the session management function network element.

In one embodiment, the sending unit 702 is further configured to send the third request information to the session management function network element before the receiving unit 701 receives the identifier of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list of the session management function network element, The third request information enables the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to be determined.

In one embodiment, the DNS request information enables the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server. The first application server is the application server corresponding to the identification of the application deployed in the first data network. The list includes the identification of the first data network.

In an embodiment, enabling the DNS request information to determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device includes:

The DNS request information enables the identification of the first data network to be selected from the data network list according to the identification of the application, and the address information of the first application server is determined for the first terminal device according to the identification of the first data network.

In an embodiment, the DNS request information enabling to determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network includes:

The DNS request information enabling session management function network element sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, and receives address information of the first application server from the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

The DNS request information enabling session management function network element sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the first data network identifier, and the DNS request information enables the DNS server corresponding to the device of the first data network to pass the device of the first data network. The corresponding user plane function network element sends the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.

In an embodiment, the session management function network element sending the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network includes:

The session management function network element sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network through the user plane function network element corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

The DNS request information enabling session management function network element obtains the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server, and determines the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the obtained address information.

In an embodiment, the session management function network element acquiring the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server includes:

The session management function network element sends the DNS request information and the address information of the first terminal device to the DNS server, and receives the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server.

The session management function network element sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device, and receives the address information of the application server corresponding to the identifier of the application from the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device.

In an embodiment, the session management function network element determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information includes:

In the case that the number of acquired address information is greater than 1, the session management function network element is the first one from the acquired address information according to one or more of the priority, delay, and load of the application server or data network The terminal device selects the address information of the first application server.

In an embodiment, the DNS request information enables the establishment of a data path between the shunt node and the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

In an embodiment, the communication device may further include:

The selecting unit 704 is configured to select the identifier of the first data network from the data network list according to the identifier of the application;

The sending unit 702 is further configured to send the identity of the first data network to the session management function network element;

The DNS request information enabling to determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device includes:

The DNS request information and the identification of the first data network enable the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server.

In an embodiment, the DNS request information and the identification of the first data network to enable the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server includes:

The DNS request information and the identity of the first data network enable the session management function network element to send DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network, and receive the first application from the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network The address information of the server.

The DNS request information and the identity of the first data network enable the session management function network element to send the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identity of the first data network, and the DNS request information enables the DNS corresponding to the identity of the first data network The server sends the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device through the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

In one embodiment, the identification of the first data network enables the establishment of a data path between the offload node and the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

In an embodiment, the DNS request information enables the session management network element to send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.

More detailed descriptions of the receiving unit 701, the sending unit 702, the determining unit 703, and the selecting unit 704 can be obtained directly by referring to the relevant description of the UPF in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, and will not be repeated here.

Based on the foregoing network architecture, please refer to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8, the communication device may include:

The receiving unit 801 is configured to receive DNS request information. The DNS request information is sent by the user plane function network element when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, and the data network list includes the current support service The identification of the data network of the first terminal device at the location, the DNS request information includes the identification of the application, and the identification of the application is the identification of the application included in the request information from the first terminal device;

The determining unit 802 is configured to determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information. The first application server is the application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed in the first data network, and the data network list Including the identification of the first data network.

In an embodiment, the communication device may further include:

The sending unit 803 is configured to send instruction information to the user plane function network element, and the instruction information is used to instruct the user plane function network element to report to the session management when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list The functional network element sends the DNS request information.

In one embodiment, the sending unit 803 is further configured to send a data network list to the user plane function network element, and the data network list enable determines that there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the data network deployed with the application in the data network list.

In one embodiment, the receiving unit 801 is further configured to receive the second request information from the user plane function network element before the sending unit 803 sends the data network list to the user plane function network element, where the second request information includes the first terminal device The logo;

The determining unit 802 is further configured to determine the data network list according to the identifier of the first terminal device and the identifier of the data network corresponding to the location of the terminal device.

In one embodiment, the sending unit 803 is further configured to send the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element, and the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list enables the determination of the data network There is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the list.

In one embodiment, the receiving unit 801 is further configured to receive the third request information from the user plane function network element before the sending unit 803 sends the identification of the application server deployed on the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element;

The determining unit 802 is further configured to determine the identifier of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list according to the third request information.

In an embodiment, the determining unit 802 determines the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information, including:

Selecting the identifier of the first data network from the data network list according to the identifier of the application;

Determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network.

In an embodiment, the determining unit 802 determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network includes:

Sending the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network;

Receive the address information of the first application server from the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

The DNS request information is sent to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, and the DNS request information enables the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to send the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to the first The terminal device sends the address information of the first application server.

In an embodiment, the determining unit 802 sending the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network includes:

The user plane function network element corresponding to the identifier of the first data network sends the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network.

In an embodiment, the determining unit 802 determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information includes:

Obtain the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server according to the DNS request information;

Determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information.

In one embodiment, the determining unit 802 obtains the address information of the application server corresponding to the application identifier from the DNS server according to the DNS request information, including:

Sending the DNS request information and the address information of the first terminal device to the DNS server;

Receive the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server.

Sending the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device;

Receive the address information of the application server corresponding to the identifier of the application from the DNS server corresponding to the address information of the first terminal device.

In an embodiment, the determining unit 802 determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information includes:

In the case that the number of acquired address information is greater than 1, according to one or more of the priority, delay and load of the application server or data network, select the first terminal device from the acquired address information. Address information of the application server.

Receiving the identifier of the first data network from the user plane function network element;

Determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information and the identifier of the first data network.

In an embodiment, the determining unit 802 determines the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information and the identifier of the first data network, including:

Send the DNS request information to the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network, and the DNS request information enables the DNS server corresponding to the identifier of the first data network to send the DNS server corresponding to the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network to the first terminal device. Send the address information of the first application server.

In an embodiment, the communication device may further include:

The establishing unit 804 is configured to establish a data path between the shunt node and the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.

In an embodiment, the sending unit 803 is further configured to send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.

More detailed descriptions about the receiving unit 801, the determining unit 802, the sending unit 803, and the establishing unit 804 can be obtained directly by referring to the relevant description of the SMF in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, and will not be repeated here.

Based on the foregoing network architecture, please refer to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the communication device may include a processor 901, a memory 902, an input interface 903, an output interface 904, and a bus 905. The memory 902 may exist independently, and may be connected to the processor 901 through the bus 905. The memory 902 may also be integrated with the processor 901. Among them, the bus 905 is used to realize the connection between these components.

In an embodiment, the communication device may be a UPF or a module (for example, a chip) in the UPF. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 902 are executed, the processor 901 is used to control the receiving unit 701 and the sending unit 702 to execute For the operations performed in the foregoing embodiment, the processor 901 is also used to perform the operations performed by the determining unit 703 and the selecting unit 704 in the foregoing embodiments, the input interface 903 is used to perform the operations performed by the receiving unit 701 in the foregoing embodiment, and the output interface 904 is used to perform operations performed by the sending unit 702 in the foregoing embodiment. The foregoing UPF or the modules in the UPF may also be used to execute various methods executed by the UPF in the foregoing method embodiments in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, and details are not described herein again.

In one embodiment, the communication device may be an SMF or a module (for example, a chip) in the SMF. When the computer program instructions stored in the memory 902 are executed, the processor 901 is used to control the receiving unit 801 and the sending unit 803 to execute For the operations performed in the foregoing embodiment, the processor 901 is also used to perform the operations performed by the determining unit 802 and the establishing unit 804 in the foregoing embodiment, the input interface 903 is used to perform the operations performed by the receiving unit 801 in the foregoing embodiment, and the output interface 904 is used to perform operations performed by the sending unit 803 in the foregoing embodiment. The foregoing SMF or the modules in the SMF can also be used to execute various methods executed by the SMF in the foregoing method embodiments of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, and details are not described herein again.

Based on the foregoing network architecture, please refer to FIG. 10, which is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the communication device may include an input interface 1001, a logic circuit 1002, and an output interface 1003. The input interface 1001 and the output interface 1003 are connected through a logic circuit 1002. The input interface 1001 is used to receive information from other communication devices, and the output interface 1003 is used to output, schedule, or send information to other communication devices. The logic circuit 1002 is used to perform operations other than the operations of the input interface 1001 and the output interface 1003, for example, to implement the functions implemented by the processor 901 in the foregoing embodiment. Wherein, the communication device may be a UPF or UPF module, or may be an SMF or a module within the SMF. Among them, more detailed descriptions of the input interface 1001, the logic circuit 1002, and the output interface 1003 can be obtained directly by referring to the relevant description of the SMF or UPF in the foregoing method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

The embodiment of the present invention also discloses a computer-readable storage medium on which an instruction is stored, and the method in the foregoing method embodiment is executed when the instruction is executed.

The embodiment of the present invention also discloses a computer program product including instructions, which execute the method in the foregoing method embodiment when the instruction is executed.

The embodiment of the present invention also discloses a communication system. The communication system includes UPF and SMF. For specific description, reference may be made to the communication methods shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

The specific implementations described above further describe the purpose, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of the application. It should be understood that the foregoing are only specific implementations of the application and are not intended to limit the scope of the application. The scope of protection, any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made on the basis of the technical solution of this application shall be included in the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

A communication method, characterized in that it comprises:

Receiving first request information from a first terminal device, where the first request information includes an application identifier;

When there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, the domain name system DNS request information is sent to the session management function network element, and the data network list includes the first supporting service at the current location. The identification of the data network of the terminal device, and the DNS request information includes the identification of the application.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

Receive instruction information from the session management function network element, where the instruction information is used to instruct the user plane function network element to send to the user plane function network element when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list The session management function network element sends the DNS request information.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises:

Receive the data network list from the session management function network element; or

Determine the data network list.
The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the method further comprises:

According to the identification of the application, the data network list, and the identification of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list, it is determined that there is an application corresponding to the identification of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list server.
The method according to claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

Receiving the identifier of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list from the session management function network element.
The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the DNS request information enables the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server, and the first application server is deployed in The application server corresponding to the identifier of the application in the first data network, and the data network list includes the identifier of the first data network.
The method according to claim 6, wherein the DNS request information enables the establishment of a data path between a shunt node and a user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.
The method according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:

Selecting the identifier of the first data network from the data network list according to the identifier of the application;

Sending the identifier of the first data network to the session management function network element, where the identifier of the first data network enables the address information of the first application server to be determined.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the identification of the first data network enables the establishment of a data path between a shunt node and a user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.
The method according to any one of claims 6-9, wherein the DNS request information enables sending the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.
A communication method, characterized in that it comprises:

Receive domain name system DNS request information, the DNS request information is sent by the user plane function network element when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, and the data network list includes the current location of the support service The identifier of the data network of the first terminal device, the DNS request information includes the identifier of the application, and the identifier of the application is the identifier of the application included in the request information from the first terminal device;

Determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information, where the first application server is the application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed in the first data network, and the data The network list includes the identification of the first data network.
The method according to claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

Send instruction information to the user plane function network element, where the instruction information is used to instruct the user plane function network element to send to the user plane function network element when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list The session management function network element sends the DNS request information.
The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the method further comprises:

The data network list is sent to the user plane function network element, and the data network list enables to determine that there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the data network deployed with the application in the data network list.
The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising:

Sending the identification of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element, and the identification of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list enables the determination of the data network list There is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network.
The method according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information comprises:

Selecting the identifier of the first data network from the data network list according to the identifier of the application;

Determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network.
The method according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information comprises:

Obtaining the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server according to the DNS request information;

Determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information.
The method according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information comprises:

Receiving the identifier of the first data network from the user plane function network element;

Determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information and the identifier of the first data network.
The method according to any one of claims 11-17, wherein the method further comprises:

Establish a data path between the shunt node and the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.
The method according to any one of claims 11-18, wherein the method further comprises:

Sending the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises:

A receiving unit, configured to receive first request information from a first terminal device, where the first request information includes an application identifier;

The sending unit is configured to send domain name system DNS request information to the session management function network element when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, where the data network list includes the current location of the support service The identification of the data network of the first terminal device, and the DNS request information includes the identification of the application.
The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to receive instruction information from the session management function network element, and the instruction information is used to instruct the user plane function network element as the data When there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the network list, the DNS request information is sent to the session management function network element.
The device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to receive the data network list from the session management function network element; or

The device also includes:

The first determining unit is used to determine the data network list.
The device according to any one of claims 20-22, wherein the device further comprises:

The second determining unit is configured to determine, according to the identification of the application, the data network list, and the identification of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list, that there are data network deployments in the data network list. The application server corresponding to the application identifier.
The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to receive an identification of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list of the session management function network element.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 20-24, wherein the DNS request information enables the first terminal device to determine the address information of the first application server, and the first application server is deployed in The application server corresponding to the identifier of the application in the first data network, and the data network list includes the identifier of the first data network.
The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the DNS request information enables the establishment of a data path between a shunt node and a user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.
The device according to claim 25, wherein the device further comprises:

A selecting unit, configured to select the identifier of the first data network from the data network list according to the identifier of the application;

The sending unit is further configured to send the identification of the first data network to the session management function network element, and the identification of the first data network enables the determination of the address information of the first application server.
The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the identification of the first data network enables the establishment of a data path between a shunt node and a user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 25-28, wherein the DNS request information enables the session management network element to send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.
A communication device, characterized in that it comprises:

The receiving unit is configured to receive domain name system DNS request information, which is sent by the user plane function network element when there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list, and the data network list includes The identification of the data network supporting the first terminal device at the current location, the DNS request information includes the identification of the application, and the identification of the application is the identification of the application included in the request information from the first terminal device;

The determining unit is configured to determine address information of a first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information, where the first application server is an application corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed in the first data network Server, the data network list includes the identification of the first data network.
The device according to claim 30, wherein the device further comprises:

The sending unit is configured to send instruction information to the user plane function network element, where the instruction information is used to instruct the user plane function network element when there is an identifier corresponding to the data network deployed with the application in the data network list When the server is applied, the DNS request information is sent to the session management function network element.
The device according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the sending unit is further configured to send the data network list to the user plane function network element, and the data network list enables the determination of the data network There is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the list.
The device according to claim 30 or 31, the sending unit is further configured to send the identification of the application server deployed by the data network in the data network list to the user plane function network element, and the data network list The identifier of the application server deployed by the data network enables it to be determined that there is an application server corresponding to the identifier of the application deployed on the data network in the data network list.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 30-33, wherein the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information comprises:

Selecting the identifier of the first data network from the data network list according to the identifier of the application;

Determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the identifier of the first data network.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 30-33, wherein the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information comprises:

Obtaining the address information of the application server corresponding to the identification of the application from the DNS server according to the DNS request information;

Determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device from the acquired address information.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 30-33, wherein the determining unit determining the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information comprises:

Receiving the identifier of the first data network from the user plane function network element;

Determine the address information of the first application server for the first terminal device according to the DNS request information and the identifier of the first data network.
The device according to any one of claims 30-36, wherein the device further comprises:

The establishment unit is configured to establish a data path between the shunt node and the user plane function network element corresponding to the first data network.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 30-37, wherein the sending unit is further configured to send the address information of the first application server to the first terminal device.
A communication device, which is characterized by comprising a processor, a memory, an input interface and an output interface, the input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices other than the communication device, and the output interface is used to send When other communication devices other than the communication device output information, the processor invokes the computer program stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-10.
A communication device, characterized by comprising a processor, a memory, an input interface and an output interface, the input interface is used to receive information from other communication devices other than the communication device, and the output interface is used to send When other communication devices other than the communication device output information, the processor invokes the computer program stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 11-19.
A communication system, characterized by comprising the device according to claim 39 and the device according to claim 40.
A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, a computer program or computer instruction is stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program or computer instruction is executed, it realizes any one of claims 1-19 The method described.