WO2023104070A1 - 选择边缘应用服务器的方法和装置 - Google Patents

选择边缘应用服务器的方法和装置 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023104070A1
WO2023104070A1 PCT/CN2022/137146 CN2022137146W WO2023104070A1 WO 2023104070 A1 WO2023104070 A1 WO 2023104070A1 CN 2022137146 W CN2022137146 W CN 2022137146W WO 2023104070 A1 WO2023104070 A1 WO 2023104070A1
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Prior art keywords
network element
user plane
session management
management network
application server
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PCT/CN2022/137146
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
赵鹏涛
李岩
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华为技术有限公司
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Publication of WO2023104070A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023104070A1/zh

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/10—Architectures or entities
    • H04L65/1063—Application servers providing network services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L45/00—Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks
    • H04L45/02—Topology update or discovery
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/1066—Session management
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W36/00—Hand-off or reselection arrangements
    • H04W36/12—Reselecting a serving backbone network switching or routing node
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00—Network data management
    • H04W8/02—Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
    • H04W8/08—Mobility data transfer
    • H04W8/14—Mobility data transfer between corresponding nodes

Definitions

  • the present application relates to the technical field of communications, and in particular to a method and device for selecting an edge application server.
  • edge computing edge computing
  • EAS edge application server
  • UE user equipment
  • This application provides a method and device for selecting an edge application server, which can provide user plane path information for selecting an edge application server for multiple terminal devices in a terminal set, and/or provide user plane path information for multiple terminal devices in the same terminal set
  • a terminal device selects an edge application server.
  • a method for selecting an edge application server is provided, and the method may be performed by an application function network element, or may also be performed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) of an application function network element, which is not limited.
  • an application function network element such as a chip or a circuit
  • the following uses an application function network element as an example for description.
  • the method may include: the application function network element receives a message from the first session management network element, the message is used to indicate that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be reselected, and the first session management network element is for the first terminal A network element that provides services for the session of the device, the first terminal device belongs to the terminal set; the application function network element obtains the first user plane path information of the first terminal device and the second user plane path information of the second terminal device, the The second terminal device is a terminal device other than the first terminal device in the terminal set; the application function network element selects a first edge for the terminal set according to the first user plane path information and the second user plane path information application server.
  • the application function network element receives a message indicating that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be reselected, thereby triggering the application function network element to obtain the user plane path information of each terminal device in the terminal set, and can according to the The user plane information selects the first edge application server for the terminal set.
  • the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be reselected, it can also be said that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be switched.
  • the application function network element comprehensively considers the user plane path information of multiple terminal devices in the terminal set to select the first edge for the terminal set application server, so as to ensure the service experience of the terminal devices in the terminal set after switching the edge application server.
  • the first user plane path information includes a first data network access identifier DNAI
  • the second user plane path information includes a second DNAI
  • the first DNAI and The second DNAI includes the DNAI corresponding to the first edge application server.
  • the application function network element obtains the first user plane path information and the second user plane path information, in the edge application server corresponding to the DNAI shared by the first user plane path information and the second user plane path information , select the first edge application server for the terminal set, so the first edge server can guarantee the service experience of multiple terminal devices in the terminal set at the same time.
  • the first user plane path information further includes a transmission delay corresponding to the first DNAI
  • the second user plane path information further includes the second DNAI The corresponding transmission delay, the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI corresponding to the first edge application server is less than or equal to the threshold.
  • the first user plane path information and the second user plane path information include not only the DNAI of the user plane path, but also the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI, so the application function network element can choose to satisfy the user plane time delay according to the transmission delay.
  • the user plane path that meets the delay requirement that is, the user plane path whose transmission delay is less than or equal to the threshold value
  • selects the first terminal set for the terminal set in one or more edge application servers corresponding to the user plane path that meets the user plane delay requirement An edge application server, so that the user experience after switching the edge application server can be guaranteed.
  • the method further includes: the application function network element sending an edge application server handover message to the first session management network element and the second session management network element, the The edge application server switching message includes the information of the first edge application server, and the edge application server switching message is used to indicate switching to the first edge application server.
  • the application function network element may instruct the first session management network element and the second session management network element to reselect to the first edge application server after determining the first edge application server serving the set of terminals, thereby
  • the terminal devices in the terminal set may be provided with services by the first edge application server.
  • obtaining the second user plane path information of the second terminal device by the application function network element includes: sending the second user plane path information by the application function network element to the second The session management network element sends a user plane path information request message, where the user plane path information request message includes the identifier of the second terminal device, and the second session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the second terminal device; The application function network element receives the second user plane path information from the second session management network element.
  • the application function network element may request the second user plane path information of the second terminal device from the second session management network element through a user plane path information request message.
  • the method further includes: the application function network element determines the DNAI to be selected according to the first user plane path information, and the user plane path information request message further includes the DNAI to be selected.
  • the second user plane path information includes a second DNAI, and the DNAI to be selected is used to determine the second DNAI.
  • the application function network element after the application function network element receives the first user plane path information, it can first determine the DNAI to be selected according to the first user plane path information, and send the user plane path information request to the second session management network element The message carries the DNAI to be selected.
  • the second session management network element can select among the user plane paths corresponding to the DNAI to be selected (that is, determine the second user plane path information), without needing to select among all the optional user plane paths Choose to save resources and improve efficiency.
  • a method for selecting an edge application server is provided.
  • the method may be executed by a core network element, or may also be executed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) of the core network element, which is not limited.
  • a component such as a chip or a circuit
  • the implementation by the session management network element is taken as an example for description below.
  • the method may include: the session management network element sends the user plane path information of the terminal device to the application function network element, the session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the terminal device, and the terminal device belongs to the terminal set; the session The management network element receives the edge application server switching message from the application function network element, the edge application server switching message includes the information of the edge application server of the terminal set, and the edge application server switching message is used to indicate reselection to the edge application server server.
  • the session management network element can report the user plane path information of the terminal devices belonging to the terminal set to the application function network element, so that the application function network element can determine the edge application server for the terminal set according to the user plane path information.
  • the session management network element may determine the edge application server that the terminal device needs to switch to according to the edge application server switching message of the application function network element.
  • the session management network element is a network element that provides services for sessions of terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the session management network element may also be called an anchor session management network element.
  • the user plane path information may be information at the terminal aggregate granularity.
  • the session management network element may be a network element that provides services for a session of a certain terminal device in the terminal set.
  • the user plane path information may be terminal equipment granularity information.
  • the method further includes: the session management network element acquires user plane path information of the terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the method further includes: the session management network element sends a message to the application function network element, and the message is used to indicate that the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected, or the terminal The edge application servers of the terminal devices in the set are to be reselected.
  • the user plane path information is carried in the message; in another implementation, after the session management network element sends the message to the application function network element, it sends the user plane path information to the application function network element. path information.
  • the user plane path information is used to determine an edge application server for the terminal set.
  • the session management network element provides the application function network element with the user plane path information used to determine the edge application server for the terminal set, so that the application function network element can determine the edge application server for the terminal set according to the user plane path information .
  • the method further includes: the session management network element determines that the edge application server of the terminal device is to be reselected.
  • the session management network element can send the user plane path information of the terminal device to the application function network element when the edge application server of the terminal device is to be reselected, so that the application function network element can Reselect the edge application server for this terminal set.
  • the method further includes: the session management network element receiving a user plane path information request message from the application function network element, the user plane path information request message including the The identification of the end device.
  • the session management network element may send the user plane path information of the terminal device to the application function network element according to the request of the application function network element.
  • the user plane path information includes DNAI.
  • the session management network element may carry the DNAI in the user plane path information, so as to indicate different user plane paths to the application function network element.
  • the user plane path information further includes a transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI, and the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI is less than or equal to a threshold.
  • the session management network element can carry the DNAI and the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI in the user plane path information, so that the application function network element can select the edge application server for the terminal set according to the transmission delay.
  • the method further includes: the session management network element determines that the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI is less than or equal to a threshold.
  • the method further includes: the session management network element sending a message to the data management network element or the application function network element, where the message is used to instruct the terminal device or the The edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected.
  • the session management network element may send a message to the data management network element or the application function network element to indicate that the terminal device or the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected.
  • the user plane path information is carried in the message; in another implementation, after the session management network element sends the message to the application function network element, it sends the user plane path information to the application function network element. path information.
  • the method further includes: the session management network element receiving a subscription message from the data management network element, where the subscription message is used to subscribe to the terminal device or the terminal set Re-election notification for edge application server.
  • the subscription message is used for subscribing the edge server switching notification of the terminal device or the terminal set, or in other words, the subscription message is used for subscribing the reselection notification of the edge application server of the terminal device or the terminal set.
  • the data management network element may subscribe to the session management network element for the reselection notification of the terminal device or the edge application server of the terminal set, so when the terminal device or the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected,
  • the session management network element may send a message to the data management network element for indication.
  • the method further includes: the session management network element sends a subscription message to the data management network element, and the subscription message is used to subscribe to the edge application server of the terminal set. Choose Notifications.
  • the session management network element can subscribe to the data management network element for the reselection notification of the edge application server of the terminal set. Therefore, when the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected, the data management network element can notify the session management network element network element.
  • the user plane path information is information at the aggregate granularity of the terminal.
  • the session management network element can provide the user plane path information at the granularity of the terminal set to the application function network element, that is, the user plane path information can be the user plane path information of multiple terminal devices in the terminal set, so that the application function
  • the network element can determine the edge application server for the terminal set according to the user plane path information.
  • a method for selecting an edge application server is provided.
  • the method may be executed by a core network element, or may also be executed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) of the core network element, which is not limited.
  • a component such as a chip or a circuit
  • the implementation by the data management network element is taken as an example for description below.
  • the method may include: the data management network element receives an edge application server reselection indication message from the first session management network element, and the edge application server reselection indication message is used to indicate that the edge application server of the first terminal device or terminal set is waiting Reselection, the first session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the first terminal device, and the first terminal device belongs to the terminal set; the data management network element sends the edge application to the second session management network element A server reselection notification message, the edge application server reselection notification message includes the identifier of the terminal set, the edge application server reselection notification message is used to indicate that the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected, and the second session management network element It is a network element that provides services for sessions of a second terminal device, where the second terminal device is a terminal device in the terminal set other than the first terminal device.
  • the data management network element when the data management network element determines that the first terminal device or the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected according to the message from the first session management network element, it can send a message to other terminals in the terminal set except the first terminal device
  • the session management network element corresponding to the device that is, the second session management network element
  • the session management network element of the terminal device in the terminal set can receive the notification message, so that the application function network can be sent to the application function network according to the notification message.
  • the network element reports the user plane path information of the terminal equipment, so that the application function network element can select an edge application server for the terminal set.
  • the data management network element here may be a unified data management network element, or a unified data storage network element.
  • the method before receiving the message from the first session management network element, the method further includes: the data management network element sends a subscription to the first session management network element message, where the subscription message is used to subscribe to the reselection notification of the first terminal device or the edge application server of the terminal set.
  • the data management network element may subscribe to the first session management network element for the reselection notification of the first terminal device or the edge application server of the terminal set. Therefore, when the first terminal device or the edge application server of the terminal set is waiting During reselection, the first session management network element may send a message to the data management network element to indicate.
  • the method before sending the edge application server reselection notification message, the method further includes: the data management network element receives a subscription message from the second session management network element , the subscription message is used to subscribe to the reselection notification of the edge application server of the terminal set.
  • the second session management network element can subscribe to the data management network element for the reselection notification of the edge application server of the terminal set, so when the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected, the data management network element can notify the second Two session management network elements.
  • the method further includes: the data management network element determining the second session management network element according to the information of the terminal set.
  • the data management network element after the data management network element receives the message from the first session management network element, it can determine, according to the information of the terminal set, that the terminal devices other than the first terminal device in the terminal set are the second terminal devices, and the second The session management network element corresponding to the terminal device is the second session management network element.
  • the information about the terminal set includes an identifier of the terminal set and identifiers of all terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the information of the terminal set includes the identifier of the terminal set and the identifiers of all terminal devices in the terminal set, so the data management network element can determine the second session management network element according to the information of the terminal set.
  • a method for selecting an edge application server is provided.
  • the method may be performed by an application function network element, or may also be performed by a component (such as a chip or a circuit) of an application function network element, which is not limited.
  • a component such as a chip or a circuit
  • the following uses an application function network element as an example for description.
  • the method may include: the application function network element receives a message from the session management network element, the message is used to indicate that the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected, and the session management network element provides for the session of the terminal equipment in the terminal set A serving network element: the application function network element selects the first edge application server for the terminal set according to the user plane path information of the terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the application function network element determines that the edge application server of the terminal set is to be re-selected according to the information from the session management network element, the application function network element can, according to the user plane path information of the terminal equipment in the terminal set, The terminal combines to select the edge application server. Therefore, the application function network element comprehensively considers the user plane path information of multiple terminal devices in the terminal set to select an edge application server for the terminal set, so as to ensure the service experience of the terminal devices in the terminal set after switching the edge application server.
  • the message includes: user plane path information of the terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the application function network element can obtain the user plane path information of the terminal devices in the terminal set from the message sent by the session management network element, so that the user plane path information of the terminal devices in the terminal set can be used for the terminal
  • the collection selects the edge application server.
  • the method further includes: the application function network element obtaining the user plane path information of the terminal devices in the terminal set from the session management network element.
  • the application function network element can obtain the user plane path information of the terminal equipment in the terminal set through the session management network element, so that the terminal equipment in the terminal set can The user plane path information of the device selects an edge application server for the terminal set.
  • the user plane path information includes DNAI
  • the DNAI includes the DNAI of the edge application server.
  • the user plane path information includes DNAI.
  • the application function network element selects an edge application server for the terminal set from the edge application servers corresponding to the DNAI, so the edge application server can meet the service requirements of the terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the user plane path information further includes a transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI, and the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI corresponding to the first edge application server is less than or equal to a threshold .
  • the user plane path information includes the DNAI and the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI.
  • the application function network element selects an edge application server for the terminal set from the edge application servers corresponding to the DNAI, and the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI corresponding to the selected edge application server is less than or equal to the set threshold.
  • the method before the application function network element receives the message from the session management network element, the method further includes: the application function network element receives the edge application service from the terminal device Obtaining a request message, the terminal device belongs to the terminal set; the application function network element sends a session management network element reselection request message to the session management network element according to the information of the terminal set, and the session management network element reselection request message includes An identifier of the terminal set and an identifier of a terminal device in the terminal set, and the session management network element reselection request message is used to request that the terminal device be reselected to the session management network element.
  • the application function network element can instruct the session management network element corresponding to the terminal device in the terminal set The device switches to the session management NE.
  • the method further includes: the application function network element sending the identifier of the terminal set and the identifiers of the terminal devices in the terminal set to the session management network element.
  • the application function network element can send the information of the terminal set to the session management network element, so that the session management network element can determine user plane path information for the terminal set according to the information of the terminal set.
  • a method for selecting an edge application server includes: a network storage function network element receives a first query request message from a first session management network element, and the first session management network element is for the first A network element that provides a service for a session of a terminal device, the first terminal device belongs to a terminal set, the first search request message includes an identifier of the terminal set and/or an identifier of a terminal device in the terminal set, and the search request message is used for Request to query the session management network element serving the terminal equipment in the terminal set; the network storage function network element determines the session management network element; the network storage function network element sends a first query response message to the first session management network element , the first query response message includes the identifier of the session management network element.
  • the network storage function network element can select a session management network element for the terminal set according to the request of the first session management network element, and indicate the selected session management network element to the first session management network element, so that the second A session management network element can switch the first terminal device to the session management network element, so as to facilitate the session management network element to uniformly manage the terminal devices in the terminal set and improve work efficiency.
  • the method further includes: the network storage functional network element storing the corresponding relationship between the session management network element and the terminal set.
  • the network storage function network element selects the session management network element for the terminal set, it can save the identifier of the selected session management network element locally for subsequent use, avoiding that other terminal devices in the subsequent terminal set need to obtain When the session manages network elements, it does not need to be re-determined to save resources.
  • the method further includes: the network storage function network element determining the session management network element according to the identifiers of the terminal set and the corresponding relationship.
  • the method further includes: the network storage function network element receives the second query request message from the second session management network element, and the second session management network element is A network element that provides services for a session of a second terminal device, where the second terminal device belongs to the terminal set, the second query request message includes an identifier of the terminal set, and the second query request message is used to request to find a network element that can serve the terminal set A session management network element of a terminal device in the terminal set; the network storage functional network element sends a second query response message to the second session management network element, where the second query response message includes an identifier of the session management network element.
  • the network storage function network element when the network storage function network element receives the session management network element lookup request message of the session management network element corresponding to other terminal devices in the terminal set except the first terminal device, the network storage function network element can use the previous The session management network element determined for the terminal set is indicated to these session management network elements, so that all terminal devices in the terminal set can be switched to the session management network element, so that the session management network element can uniformly manage the terminal set terminal equipment in order to improve work efficiency.
  • a method for selecting an edge application server includes: a session management network element sends a query request message to a network storage function network element, and the session management network element is a network that provides services for sessions of terminal devices.
  • the terminal device belongs to a terminal set, the query request message includes the identifier of the terminal set and the identifiers of the terminal devices in the terminal set, and the query request message is used to request to search for services in the terminal set
  • the session management network element of the terminal equipment receives the query response message from the network storage function network element, and the query response message includes the identification of the session management network element; the session management sends the query response message to the The terminal device sends a session reestablishment request message, where the session reestablishment request message includes the identifier of the session management network element.
  • the first session management network element corresponding to the first terminal device in the terminal set can obtain the information of the session management network element through the network storage function network element, and access the session management network element through the session reestablishment process , so that the terminal devices in the terminal set can be uniformly managed by one session management network element, thereby improving work efficiency.
  • the method further includes: the session management network element receiving a session management network element switching request message from an application function network element, and the session management network element switching The request message includes the identity of the terminal set and the identity of the terminal equipment in the terminal set, and the session management network element switching request message is used to instruct the session management network element to switch the terminal equipment to the The session management network element of the terminal equipment in the above-mentioned terminal set.
  • the first session management network element can obtain the information of the session management network element from the storage function network element according to the instruction of the application function network element, and access the session management network element through the session reestablishment process, so that the The terminal devices in the terminal set can be managed by one session management network element to improve work efficiency.
  • an apparatus for selecting an edge application server is provided, and the apparatus is used to execute any one of the methods provided in the first aspect to the sixth aspect above.
  • the apparatus may include units and/or modules for executing the methods provided in the first aspect to the sixth aspect, such as a processing module and/or a communication module.
  • the device is a network device, for example, the device is an application function network element, or a session management management network element, or a data management network element, or a network storage function network element.
  • the communication module may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface; the processing module may be a processor.
  • the apparatus is a chip, a chip system or a circuit used in a network device.
  • the communication module may be an input/output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin or related circuit on the chip, chip system or circuit etc.
  • the processing module may be a processor, a processing circuit or a logic circuit and the like.
  • the device is a chip, a chip system or a circuit in an application function network element.
  • the device may include a unit and/or module for executing the method provided in the first aspect or the fourth aspect, such as a processing unit and/or a communication unit.
  • the device is a chip, a chip system or a circuit in a session management network element.
  • the device may include units and/or modules for executing the method provided by the second aspect or the sixth aspect, such as a processing module and/or a communication module.
  • the device is a chip, a chip system or a circuit in a data management network element.
  • the device may include units and/or modules for executing the method provided by the third aspect, such as a processing module and/or a communication module.
  • the device is a chip, a chip system or a circuit in a network element with a network storage function.
  • the device may include units and/or modules for executing the method provided by the third aspect, such as a processing module and/or a communication module.
  • the above-mentioned transceiver may be a transceiver circuit.
  • the above input/output interface may be an input/output circuit.
  • a device for selecting an edge application server comprising: a memory for storing a program; a processor for executing the program stored in the memory, and when the program stored in the memory is executed, the processor is used for executing the above-mentioned Any method provided by the first aspect to the sixth aspect.
  • the present application provides a processor configured to execute the methods provided in the foregoing aspects.
  • the process of sending the above information and obtaining/receiving the above information in the above method can be understood as the process of outputting the above information by the processor and the process of receiving the input of the above information by the processor.
  • the processor When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver for transmission by the transceiver. After the above information is output by the processor, other processing may be required before reaching the transceiver.
  • the transceiver acquires/receives the above-mentioned information and inputs it to the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to be processed before being input to the processor.
  • the receiving request message mentioned in the foregoing method may be understood as the processor receiving input information.
  • processor For the operations of transmitting, sending, and acquiring/receiving involved in the processor, if there is no special description, or if it does not conflict with its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, it can be understood more generally as the processor Output and receive, input and other operations, rather than the transmission, transmission and reception operations performed directly by radio frequency circuits and antennas.
  • the above-mentioned processor may be a processor dedicated to performing these methods, or may be a processor that executes computer instructions in a memory to perform these methods, such as a general-purpose processor.
  • the above-mentioned memory can be a non-transitory (non-transitory) memory, such as a read-only memory (read only memory, ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip, or can be respectively arranged on different chips.
  • ROM read-only memory
  • a computer-readable storage medium stores program code for execution by a device, and the program code includes a method for executing any one of the methods provided in the first aspect to the sixth aspect above.
  • a computer program product including instructions is provided, and when the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer is made to execute any one of the methods provided in the first aspect to the sixth aspect.
  • a twelfth aspect provides a chip, the chip includes a processor and a communication interface, the processor reads instructions stored in the memory through the communication interface, and executes any one of the methods provided in the first aspect to the sixth aspect above.
  • the chip may further include a memory, the memory stores instructions, the processor is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory, and when the instructions are executed, the processor is configured to execute the above-mentioned first Any method provided by the first aspect to the sixth aspect.
  • a communication system including one or more of the foregoing application function network element, session management network element, first session management network element, second session management network element, and data management network element.
  • Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture.
  • Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an edge computing scenario.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a method 300 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a path before and after switching of an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a method 500 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of another method 600 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of another method 700 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of another method 800 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 9 shows a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 10 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 10 shows a schematic block diagram of another apparatus 20 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: a fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) system or a new radio (new radio, NR) or long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, etc.
  • the technical solution provided by this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication system.
  • the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to device to device (device to device, D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine to machine (machine to machine, M2M) communication, machine Type communication (machine type communication, MTC), and Internet of things (internet of things, IoT) communication system or other communication systems.
  • D2D device to device
  • V2X vehicle-to-everything
  • M2M machine to machine
  • MTC machine Type communication
  • IoT Internet of things
  • FIG. 1 a communication system applicable to the embodiment of the present application is briefly introduced first with reference to FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic architecture diagram of a 5G system 100a to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable.
  • the network architecture may include but not limited to the following network elements (or called functional network elements, functional entities, nodes, devices, etc.):
  • User equipment user equipment, UE
  • wireless access network equipment
  • R radio access network
  • UPF user plane function
  • edge application server edge application server
  • EAS access and mobility management function
  • AMF network exposure function
  • SMF session management function
  • NEF network exposure function
  • NEF network exposure function
  • EASDF network exposure function
  • NRF Network storage function
  • policy control function policy control function
  • PCF policy control function
  • application function application function, AF
  • UDM unified data management
  • User equipment can be called terminal equipment, terminal device, access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station (mobile station, MS), mobile terminal (mobile terminal, MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device.
  • a terminal device may be a device that provides voice/data connectivity to users, for example, a handheld device with a wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, and the like.
  • examples of some terminals can be: mobile phone (mobile phone), tablet computer (pad), computer with wireless transceiver function (such as notebook computer, palmtop computer, etc.), mobile internet device (mobile internet device, MID), virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) equipment, augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) equipment, wireless terminals in industrial control (industrial control), wireless terminals in self driving (self driving), wireless in remote medical (remote medical) Terminals, wireless terminals in smart grid, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart city, wireless terminals in smart home, cellular phones, cordless Telephones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices, or connected Other processing devices to wireless modems, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in the 5G network or terminal devices in the future evolution of the public land mobile network (PLMN), etc.
  • PLMN public land mobile network
  • the terminal device may also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (internet of things, IoT) system.
  • IoT Internet of Things
  • Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, so as to realize the intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object interconnection.
  • IoT technology can achieve massive connections, deep coverage, and terminal power saving through, for example, narrow band (NB) technology.
  • NB narrow band
  • terminal equipment can also include smart printers, train detectors, etc., and its main functions include collecting data (part of terminal equipment), receiving control information and downlink data from network equipment, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit uplink data to network equipment.
  • the user equipment may be any equipment that can access the network.
  • a certain air interface technology may be used to communicate with each other between the terminal device and the access network device.
  • the user equipment can be used as a base station.
  • a user equipment may act as a scheduling entity, which provides sidelink signals between user equipments in V2X or D2D, etc.
  • a cell phone and an automobile communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Communication between cellular phones and smart home devices without relaying communication signals through base stations.
  • (Wireless) access network equipment used to provide network access functions for authorized user equipment in a specific area, and can use transmission tunnels with different service qualities according to the level of user equipment and business requirements.
  • (R)AN can manage wireless resources, provide access services for user equipment, and then complete the forwarding of control signals and user equipment data between user equipment and the core network.
  • (R)AN can also be understood as a base station in a traditional network.
  • the access network device in the embodiment of the present application may be any communication device with a wireless transceiver function for communicating with the user equipment.
  • the access network equipment includes but is not limited to evolved Node B (evolved Node B, eNB) or 5G, such as NR, gNB in the system, or transmission point (TRP or TP), one of the base stations in the 5G system Or a group (including multiple antenna panels) of antenna panels, or it may also be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU), or a distributed unit (distributed unit, DU).
  • eNB evolved Node B
  • 5G such as NR, gNB in the system, or transmission point (TRP or TP)
  • TRP or TP transmission point
  • BBU baseband unit
  • DU distributed unit
  • a gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a DU.
  • the gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU).
  • the CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB.
  • the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, and realizing the functions of radio resource control (radio resource control, RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (packet data convergence protocol, PDCP) layer.
  • the DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, realizing the functions of the radio link control (radio link control, RLC) layer, media access control (media access control, MAC) layer and physical (physical, PHY) layer.
  • the AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing and related functions of active antennas. Since the information of the RRC layer will eventually become the information of the PHY layer, or be transformed from the information of the PHY layer, under this architecture, high-level signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can also be considered to be sent by the DU , or, sent by DU+AAU.
  • the access network device may be a device including one or more of a CU node, a DU node, and an AAU node.
  • the CU can be divided into access network devices in the access network (radio access network, RAN), and the CU can also be divided into access network devices in the core network (core network, CN). Do limited.
  • the user plane functional network element mainly includes the following functions: data packet routing and transmission, packet detection, service usage reporting, service quality (quality of service, QoS) processing, legal interception, uplink packet detection, downlink Functions related to the user plane such as packet storage.
  • the UPF can be divided into a protocol data unit session anchor UPF (protocoldata unit session anchor UPF, PSA UPF) and an uplink classifier function UPF (uplink classifier functionality UPF, UL CL UPF).
  • protocol data unit session anchor UPF protocol data unit session anchor UPF
  • PSA UPF protocol data unit session anchor UPF
  • uplink classifier function UPF uplink classifier functionality UPF, UL CL UPF
  • the UPF shown in (a) in Figure 1 is a PSA UPF, and the PSA UPF is a UPF that supports the PDU session anchor function.
  • the UE is connected to the AMF through the N1 interface; the AN is connected to the AMF through the N2 interface, and connected to the PSA UPF through the N3 interface ;
  • the PSA UPF is connected to the SMF through the N4 interface; the PSA UPF is connected to the EAS through the N6 interface.
  • PSA UPF may be referred to as PSA;
  • UL CL UPF may be referred to as UL CL.
  • the user plane functional network element In the 5G architecture, it is called the user plane functional network element.
  • the user plane functional network element may still be a UPF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.
  • Edge application server is an application server deployed in EDN to provide edge computing (edge computing, EC) services.
  • the edge application can also be referred to as an "application instance", which specifically refers to a server application (for example, social media software, augmented reality (augmented reality, AR), virtual reality (virtual reality, VR)) deployed to run on edge data
  • An application (or also called a service) can deploy one or more EASs in one or more EDNs.
  • EASs deployed and running in different EDNs can be regarded as different EASs of an application, and they can share a domain name. It is also possible to use a different domain name from the application deployed on the cloud, where the domain name can be a fully qualified domain name (fully qualified domain name, FQDN), an anycast IP address can be used, or a different IP address can be used.
  • EAS can also be called edge application (server), application instance, edge application instance, multi-access edge computing (multi-access edge computing, MEC) application (server), EAS function, etc.
  • EDN can be a local data center (local part of DN).
  • EDN includes an edge enabler server (EES) and multiple EASs. Each EDN has a specific service scope.
  • EES edge enabler server
  • mobility management network elements mainly include the following functions: connection management, mobility management, registration management, access authentication and authorization, reachability management, security context management, etc. Mobility-related functions.
  • the access and mobility management function network element In the 5G architecture, it is called the access and mobility management function network element. In the future communication system, the access and mobility management function network element can still be the AMF network element, or it can also have other names. This Applications are not limited.
  • Session function management network element mainly used for session management, Internet Protocol (IP) address allocation and management of terminal equipment, selection of manageable user plane functions, policy control and charging function interface endpoints and downlink For data notification, etc.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • the session management network element may be a network element that provides services for the session of the UE.
  • the network element with the session management function may still be an SMF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.
  • Network open function network element It can be understood as the name of the capability open network element in the 5G architecture.
  • the capability opening network element mainly includes the following functions: securely open the services and capabilities provided by the 3GPP network functions, open internally, or open to third parties, etc.; transform or translate the information interacted with AF and the information interacted with internal network functions, Such as AF service identification and internal 5G core network information such as data network name (data network name, DNN), single network slice selection assistance information (single network slice selection assistance information, S-NSSAI), etc.
  • EAS discovery function network element mainly responsible for discovering EAS, including functions such as registering with NRF for discovery and selection, processing DNS messages according to SMF instructions (for example, receiving DNS message processing rules sent by SMF, sending DNS messages to Local DNS server or central DNS server, adding ECS option to DNS query message, exchanging DNS messages sent by UE, notifying SMF of EASDF related information, etc.), terminating DNS security, etc.
  • Network storage function network element It can be understood as the name of the network storage function network element in the 5G architecture. Among them, the network storage function network element mainly includes the following functions: service discovery function, maintaining the NF text of available network function (network function, NF) instances and the services they support.
  • Policy control function network element a unified policy framework for guiding network behavior, providing policy rule information, etc. for control plane function network elements (such as AMF, SMF network elements, etc.).
  • the policy control function network element may still be a PCF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.
  • Application function network element The data routing used to influence the application provides application layer information, which can open the function network element through the access network, interact with the policy framework or directly interact with the policy framework for policy decision request control, etc.
  • the application function network element may still be an AF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.
  • Unified data management network element It can be understood as the name of the unified data management network element in the 5G architecture. Among them, the unified data management network element mainly includes the following functions: unified data management, support for authentication credential processing in the 3GPP authentication and key agreement mechanism, user identity processing, access authorization, registration and mobility management, subscription management, short message management etc.
  • the unified data management network element may still be a UDM network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.
  • (b) in FIG. 1 shows a schematic architecture diagram of another 5G system 100b to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable.
  • the difference between the system 100b shown in (b) in FIG. 1 and the system 100a shown in (a) in FIG. 1 is that the 5G system in the system 100a shown in (a) in FIG. 1 is not provided through UL CL/BP Access to the EAS, the 5G system in the system 100b shown in (b) of FIG. 1 provides access to the EAS through the UL CL/BP.
  • the network architecture may include but not limited to the following network elements (or called functional network elements, functional entities, nodes, devices, etc.):
  • UE UE, (R)AN, UPF, EAS, central DN, AMF network element, SMF network element, NEF network element, EASDF network element, NRF network element, PCF network element, AF network element, UDM network element, etc.
  • the UPF shown in (b) in Figure 1 includes UL CL UPF (or called branch point UPF (branching point UPF, BPUPF)), local PSA UPF (localPSA UPF, L-PSA UPF) and central PSA UPF ( centralPSA UPF, C-PSA UPF).
  • UL CL UPF or called branch point UPF (branching point UPF, BPUPF)
  • local PSA UPF localPSA UPF, L-PSA UPF
  • central PSA UPF centralPSA UPF, C-PSA UPF
  • the UL CL UPF is a UPF with an uplink classifier function.
  • UE connects to AMF through N1 interface;
  • AN connects to AMF through N2 interface, connects to UL CL UPF through N3 interface;
  • UL CL UPF connects to SMF through N4 interface, connects to PSA UPF through N9 interface;
  • SMF connects to PSA respectively through N4 interface UPF connection;
  • C-PSA UPF connects with central DN through N6 interface;
  • L-PSA UPF connects with EAS through N6 interface.
  • the architecture shown in (b) in FIG. 1 also includes the central DN in addition to the EAS.
  • the above-mentioned network element or functional network element may be a network element in a hardware device, or a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualization function instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform).
  • network elements can communicate with each other through the interfaces shown in the figure, and some interfaces can be implemented in the form of non-service interfaces.
  • the UE and the AMF can interact through the N1 interface, and the interaction message can be called an N1 message (N1 Message), for example.
  • the RAN and the AMF can interact through the N2 interface, and the N2 interface can be used for sending non-access stratum (non-access stratum, NAS) messages, etc.
  • the RAN and UPF can interact through the N3 interface, and the N3 interface can be used to transmit user plane data, etc.
  • the SMF and UPF can interact through the N4 interface, and the N4 interface can be used to transmit information such as the tunnel identification information of the N3 connection, data buffer indication information, and downlink data notification messages.
  • the UPF and DN can interact through the N6 interface, and the N6 interface can be used to transmit data on the user plane.
  • each network element of the control plane function in Figure 1 can also communicate through the service interface.
  • AMF accesses the service architecture through the Namf interface to provide corresponding services;
  • NRF, PCF, and AF access the service architecture through their corresponding interfaces to provide corresponding services, which will not be repeated here.
  • the relationship between other interfaces and each network element is shown in FIG. 1 , and for the sake of brevity, details are not described here one by one.
  • the AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, etc. shown in FIG. 1 can be understood as network elements for implementing different functions, for example, they can be combined into network slices as required. These network elements can be independent devices, or can be integrated into the same device to achieve different functions, or can be network elements in hardware devices, or software functions running on dedicated hardware, or platforms (for example, The virtualization function instantiated on the cloud platform), this application does not limit the specific form of the above-mentioned network elements.
  • the name of the interface between network elements in FIG. 1 is just an example, and the name of the interface in a specific implementation may be another name, which is not specifically limited in this application.
  • the name of the message (or signaling) transmitted between the above network elements is only an example, and does not constitute any limitation on the function of the message itself.
  • multiple UEs in the same UE set may require the same EAS to provide services to maintain service synchronization and improve user experience. If one or more UEs in the UE set need to reselect EAS (or need to perform EAS switching), in this case, how to make the reselected EAS still provide services for multiple UEs in the UE set, is the problem that needs to be solved at present.
  • the evolved packet system (EPS) defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) includes the 5G network architecture based on the service interface or the 5G network architecture based on the point-to-point interface.
  • the 5G network can It is divided into three parts, namely UE, DN and operator network.
  • the operator's network may include one or more of the network elements shown in Figure 1 except UE and DN, or may also include other network elements.
  • This application does not limit the structure of the 5G network. Introduction in related technologies.
  • the traditional centralized anchor point deployment method in LTE is becoming more and more difficult to support the fast-growing mobile service traffic model.
  • the increased traffic is finally concentrated at the gateway and the core computer room, which puts forward higher and higher requirements for the backhaul network bandwidth, the throughput of the computer room, and the specifications of the gateway;
  • the long-distance backhaul network and complex transmission environment from the access network to the anchor gateway lead to large delay and jitter in the transmission of user packets.
  • edge computing By moving the user plane network elements and business processing capabilities down to the edge of the network, edge computing realizes distributed local processing of business traffic and avoids excessive concentration of traffic, thereby greatly reducing the specification requirements for core computer rooms and centralized gateways. At the same time, edge computing also shortens the distance of the backhaul network, reduces the end-to-end transmission delay and jitter of user packets, and makes the deployment of ultra-low-latency services possible.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an edge computing scenario.
  • the edge computing platform is deployed at the sinking UPF (that is, the local UPF); the DN network is deployed at the remote UPF.
  • the path (shown by the solid line) for the UE to access the DN the path (shown by the dotted line) for the UE to access the edge computing platform is greatly shortened. Therefore, edge computing technology can provide users with low-latency, high-bandwidth services.
  • the embodiments shown below do not specifically limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided by the embodiment of the present application, as long as the program that records the code of the method provided by the embodiment of the present application can be run to provide the method according to the embodiment of the present application.
  • the execution subject of the method provided by the embodiment of the present application may be a core network device, or a functional module in the core network device that can call a program and execute the program.
  • for indicating can be understood as “enabling”, and “enabling” can include direct enabling and indirect enabling.
  • enabling can include direct enabling and indirect enabling.
  • information for enabling A it may include that the information directly enables A or indirectly enables A, but it does not mean that A must be carried in the information.
  • the information enabled by the information is called the information to be enabled.
  • the information to be enabled can be directly enabled.
  • the to-be-enabled information may also be indirectly enabled by enabling other information, where there is an association relationship between the other information and the to-be-enabled information.
  • specific information can also be enabled by means of a pre-agreed (for example, protocol-specified) arrangement order of each information, thereby reducing the enabling overhead to a certain extent.
  • common parts of each information can be identified and enabled uniformly, so as to reduce the enabling overhead caused by enabling the same information separately.
  • pre-configuration may include pre-definition, for example, protocol definition.
  • predefinition for example, protocol definition.
  • “predefine” can be realized by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other methods that can be used to indicate related information in the device (for example, including each network element), and this application does not limit its specific implementation.
  • the "storage" mentioned in the embodiment of the present application may refer to saving in one or more memories.
  • the one or more memories may be provided independently, or may be integrated in an encoder or decoder, a processor, or a communication device.
  • a part of the one or more memories may also be provided separately, and a part may be integrated in a decoder, a processor, or a communication device.
  • the type of the storage may be any form of storage medium, which is not limited in this application.
  • the "protocol” involved in the embodiment of this application may refer to a standard protocol in the communication field, for example, it may include 5G protocol, new radio (new radio, NR) protocol and related protocols applied in future communication systems. Applications are not limited to this.
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a method for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 3 shows an exemplary flow of a possible method for selecting an edge application server, and the flow shown in FIG. 3 includes the following steps:
  • An application function network element receives a message from a first session management network element.
  • the first session management network element sends a message to the application function network element.
  • the first session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the first terminal device, or in other words, the first session management network element is a session management network element accessed by the first terminal device.
  • the first terminal device belongs to a terminal set.
  • the terminal set may include multiple terminal devices.
  • the first session management network element may send the message to the application function network element when the trigger condition is met.
  • the trigger condition may be, for example: the data transmission delay of the first terminal device does not meet the user plane delay requirement, where the user plane delay requirement is used to indicate the maximum delay allowed for user plane transmission, or the user plane delay It is required to indicate the threshold of user plane transmission delay, so the trigger condition here can also be expressed as the data transmission delay of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the threshold.
  • the user plane delay requirement (or threshold value) here may be configured in advance by the application function network element to the first session management network element before S301, or in other words, the user plane delay requirement (or threshold value) here is ) may be configured in advance by the application function network element to the session management network element corresponding to all terminal devices in the terminal set before S301.
  • the first session management network element may also send a message to the application function network element under other trigger conditions (for example, when the server fails), which is not limited in this application.
  • the application function network element receives the message from the first session management network element.
  • This message is used to indicate that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be reselected, or in other words, the message is used to indicate that the edge application server is to be reselected for the first terminal device.
  • the edge application server provides services for the first terminal device. It should be understood that the edge application server to be reselected here can also be said to be the edge application server to be switched, that is, the message may indicate that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be switched.
  • the message indicates that the edge application server is to be reselected, and may also specifically indicate that the user plane path of the first terminal device is to be reselected, or that the message indicates that the data transmission delay of the first terminal device does not meet the requirements of the user plane path. Delay requirement, or the message indicates that the data transmission delay of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the threshold, or the message indicates that the load of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the threshold, and so on.
  • the application function network element obtains first user plane path information of the first terminal device and second user plane path information of the second terminal device.
  • the application function network element may obtain the first user plane path information of the first terminal device and the second user plane path information of the second terminal device in a certain way
  • the second terminal device is a terminal device in the terminal set except the first terminal device.
  • the second terminal device is all terminal devices in the terminal set except the first terminal device.
  • the second terminal device may include one or more terminal devices, which is not limited in this application.
  • the user plane path information in this application may be user plane information used to determine the EAS. Specifically, it may be the information of the application-side end point of the user plane path, such as the potential location of the application (which may be represented by DNAI); the user plane path information may also include the delay corresponding to the DNAI, and the like.
  • the user plane path information includes DNAI as an example for description, but it should be understood that the user plane path information itself may be DNAI.
  • the first user plane path information and the second user plane path information may be used to determine an edge application server for the terminal set.
  • the first session management network element sends a message to the application function network element, and the message carries the first user plane path information. That is to say, the first session management network element may send the first user plane path information to the application function network element through the message of S301.
  • the application function network element may obtain the first user plane path information from the message. It should be understood that when the first user plane path information has the function of indicating that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be reselected, the application function network element may also determine the edge of the first terminal device according to the first user plane path information.
  • the application server is to be reselected, or it is determined according to the first user plane path information that the user plane delay of the first terminal device cannot meet the user plane delay requirement, or it is determined according to the first user plane path information that the load of the first terminal device is greater than Or equal to the threshold and so on.
  • the first session management network element sends a message to the application function network element, where the message carries indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be reselected.
  • the application function network element sends a user plane path information request message to the first session management network element, the user plane path information request message includes the identifier of the first terminal device, and the first session management network element The information request message sends the first user plane path information to the application function network element.
  • the application function network element receives the first user plane path information from the first session management network element.
  • the first user plane path information may include one or more user plane path information, for example, the first user plane path information may include a first DNAI, and the first DNAI is related to the one or more user plane path information.
  • the DNAI corresponding to the plane path in other words, the first DNAI is associated with one or more user plane paths.
  • the first user plane path information may also include a transmission delay corresponding to the first DNAI. It should be understood that the transmission delay here refers to the transmission delay of the user plane path corresponding to the first DNAI, and the first DNAI here corresponds to the transmission delay, which means that the first DNAI is associated with the transmission delay , or in other words, the first DNAI and the transmission delay correspond to the same user plane path.
  • the manner in which the first session management network element acquires the first user plane path information is exemplarily described below.
  • the embodiment of the present application uses an example in which the first session management network element determines the first user plane path information according to the user plane transmission delay of the first terminal device on different user plane paths.
  • the second A session management network element may also determine the first user plane path information according to other information (such as the load of the first terminal device), which is not limited in this application.
  • the first session management network element estimates the data transmission delay of the first terminal device on different user plane paths according to the location of the first terminal device, network topology, edge application server deployment information, etc., or the first session management network element
  • the network element uses the measurement data packet to measure the data transmission delay of the first terminal device on different user plane paths, and finally obtains one or more user plane paths of the first terminal device that meet the user plane delay requirement.
  • the first session management network element includes information about the user plane path of the first terminal device meeting the user plane delay requirement in the first user plane path information, that is, the first user plane
  • the path information may only include information about user plane paths that meet the user plane delay requirement; in another implementation manner, the first session management network element may include information about all available user plane paths of the first terminal device in the In the first user plane path information, the transmission delays corresponding to these user plane paths are carried in the first user plane path information.
  • the application function network element requests the second session management network element to obtain the second user plane path information of the second terminal device, and the second session management network element is the second terminal The network element that provides services for the session of the device.
  • the application function network element determines the terminal set according to the information of the terminal set (for example, the application function network element locally stores the terminal set information). Information about other terminal devices except the first terminal device.
  • the information of the terminal set includes one or more of the following: an identifier of the terminal set, an identifier of a terminal device in the terminal set, and an identifier of a session management network element corresponding to the terminal device in the terminal set.
  • the terminal set may include identifiers of all terminal devices in the terminal set and identifiers of session management network elements corresponding to all terminal devices.
  • the application function network element can The information determines that the second terminal device is a terminal device other than the first terminal device in the terminal set, and that the second session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the second terminal device. Then, the application function network element sends a user plane path information request message to the second session management network element, where the user plane path information request message includes the identifier of the second terminal device.
  • the application function network element can determine according to the information of the terminal set that the second terminal equipment is not the first terminal equipment in the terminal set terminal equipment. Then the application function network element may send a user plane path information request message to the second session management network element through the network capability opening function network element.
  • the network element of the application function provides the identifier of the second terminal device and the identifier of the service flow to the network element of the network capability opening function, so that the network element of the network capability opening function can determine the second terminal device according to the identifier of the second terminal device and the identifier of the service flow
  • the second session management network element corresponding to the two terminal devices, and then the network capability opening function network element may forward the user plane path information request message from the application function network element to the second session management network element.
  • the user plane path information request message is used to request the second session management network element for information on the user plane path of the second terminal device that meets the user plane delay requirement, or the user plane path information request message is used
  • the information is used to request the user plane paths available to the second terminal device and the delays corresponding to these user plane paths.
  • the application function network element may determine the information of the user plane path to be selected according to the first user plane path information, and carry the information of the user plane path to be selected in the user plane path information request message .
  • the first user plane path information includes the first DNAI, and the user plane paths corresponding to the first DNAI meet the user plane delay requirement, then the application function network element can carry the first DNAI as the DNAI to be selected on the user plane In the path request message; for another example, the first user plane path information includes the first DNAI and the transmission delay corresponding to the first DNAI, then the application function network element determines the DNAI to be selected according to the transmission delay corresponding to the first DNAI, the The DNAI to be selected may include the DNAI whose corresponding transmission delay meets the delay requirement of the user plane among the first DNAI.
  • the application function network element locally saves the information of the terminal set, or in other words, the application function network element pre-stores the information of the terminal set before the above solution, or in other words, the application function network element maintains the information of the terminal set .
  • the session management network element serving the terminal device uses the identifier of the terminal device, the identifier of the terminal set (optionally also includes the The identifier of the session management network element) is sent to the application function network element, and the application function network element receives and saves the identifier of the terminal device and the identifier of the terminal set.
  • the application function network element also saves the session management network element , and these information are associated.
  • the second session management network element receives the user plane path information request message from the application function network element. According to the user plane path information request message, the second session management network element sends the second user plane path information to the application function network element.
  • the second user plane path information may include one or more user plane path information, for example, the first user plane path information may include a second DNAI, and the second DNAI is related to the one or more user plane path information.
  • the second user plane path information may also include a transmission delay corresponding to the second DNAI.
  • the second session management network element receives the user plane path information request message, according to the second terminal device's location, network topology, edge application server deployment information, user plane delay requirements, etc.
  • the data transmission delay on the path is estimated, or the second session management network element uses the measurement data packet to measure the data transmission delay of the second terminal device on different user plane paths, and finally obtains one or more user plane time
  • the required user plane path of the second terminal device is extended, and then the second session management network element sends the second user plane path information to the application function network element.
  • the second session management network element includes information about the user plane path of the second terminal device meeting the user plane delay requirement in the second user plane path information, that is, the second user plane
  • the path information may only include information about user plane paths that meet the user plane delay requirement; in another implementation manner, the second session management network element may include information about all available user plane paths of the second terminal device in the In the two user plane path information, the transmission delays corresponding to these user plane paths are carried in the second user plane path information at the same time.
  • the second session management network element may Among the user plane paths corresponding to the DNAI, select the user plane path that meets the user plane delay requirement of the second terminal device, that is, the second DNAI is included in the first DNAI. Therefore, in this case, the user plane path corresponding to the second DNAI satisfies both the user plane delay requirement of the first terminal device and the user plane delay requirement of the second terminal device.
  • the data management network element may also trigger the second session management network element to send the second user plane path information of the second terminal device to the application function network element.
  • the first session management network element sends an edge application server reselection indication message to the data management network element, where the edge application server reselection indication information is used to indicate that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be reselected, Or it is used to indicate that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be switched, or it is used to indicate that the data transmission delay of the first terminal device cannot meet the user plane delay requirement, or it is used to indicate that the transmission delay of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the threshold, or used to indicate that the load of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the threshold.
  • the edge application server reselection indication information is used to indicate that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be reselected, Or it is used to indicate that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be switched, or it is used to indicate that the data transmission delay of the first terminal device cannot meet the user plane delay requirement, or it is used to indicate that the transmission delay of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the threshold,
  • the data management network element may be, for example, UDM or UDR in the 5G system. It should be understood that in future communication systems, such as 6G systems, the data management network element may have other names, which are not limited here.
  • the first session management network element may send the edge application server handover instruction message to the data management network element when the trigger condition is met.
  • the trigger condition refer to the description of S301, and details will not be repeated here.
  • S303 may be performed after S301, or may be performed before S301, which is not limited in this application.
  • the data management network element may send a subscription message to the first session management network element, and the subscription message is used to subscribe to the reselection notification of the edge application server of the first terminal device or terminal set, which can also be said to be :
  • the subscription message is used to subscribe to the notification that the data transmission delay of the first terminal device does not meet the user plane delay requirement, or the subscription message is used to subscribe to the notification that the data transmission delay of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the threshold, Alternatively, the subscription message is used for subscribing to a notification that the load of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a threshold and so on.
  • the data management network element needs to be notified.
  • the data management network element sends a subscription message to the first session management network element, and the message carries the identifier of the first terminal device or the identifier of the terminal set.
  • the first session management network element receives a subscription message from the data management network element, and according to the subscription message, when the above trigger condition is met, the first session management network element needs to notify the data management network element (for example, to the data management network element at S303 The network element sends an edge application server reselection indication message).
  • the data management network element may also send a subscription message to the second session management network element.
  • the subscription message is used to subscribe to the reselection notification of the second terminal device or the edge application server of the terminal set.
  • the data management network element can send the subscription message to the session management network element corresponding to all terminal devices in the terminal set. In this case, when the edge application server of any terminal device in the terminal set is to be reselected, All corresponding session management network elements need to notify the data management network element.
  • the data management network element sends an edge application server reselection notification message to the second session management network element.
  • the data management network element after receiving the edge application server reselection instruction message from the first session management network element, the data management network element sends an edge application server reselection notification message to the second session management network element, and the edge application server reselection notification message Including the identifier of the terminal set, the edge application server reselection notification information is used to indicate that the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected, and it can also be said that the edge application server reselection notification message is used to instruct the second session management network element to send
  • the second user plane path information of the second terminal device, or the edge application server reselection notification message is used to indicate the user plane path information of the terminal device in the sending terminal set, or the edge application server reselection notification message is used to indicate the second
  • the session management network element sends the second user plane path information of the second terminal device to the application function network element, or the edge application server reselection notification message is used to instruct to send the user plane path information of the terminal device
  • the edge application server reselection notification message is used to indicate that the transmission delay of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to a threshold
  • the edge application server reselection notification message is used to indicate that there is a terminal device in the terminal set whose transmission delay is greater than or equal to equal to the threshold
  • the edge application server reselection notification message is used to indicate that the load of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the threshold value
  • the edge application server reselection notification message is used to indicate that there is a terminal device in the terminal set whose load is greater than or equal to equal to the threshold.
  • the data management network element receives the edge application server reselection indication information, it determines that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be reselected, and the data management network element determines that the first terminal device belongs to the terminal set, and it is determined that the second terminal device is a terminal device other than the first terminal device in the terminal set, and the second session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the second terminal device, then the data management network The element sends the edge server reselection notification message to the second session management network element.
  • the data management network element locally saves the information of the terminal set, or in other words, the data management network element pre-stores the information of the terminal set before the above solution. For example, after the first terminal device establishes the session, the first session management network element reports the identifier of the first terminal device to the data management network element, and at the same time carries the identifier of the terminal set. Correspondingly, the data management network element receives and saves the identifier of the first terminal device, the identifier of the terminal set, and the identifier of the first session management network element, and the identifier of the first terminal device, the identifier of the terminal set, and the first session The identifiers of the management network elements are associated.
  • the second session management network element reports the identifier of the second terminal device to the data management network element, and at the same time carries the identifier of the terminal set.
  • the data management network element receives and saves the information reported by the first session management network element and the second session management network element.
  • the data management network element receives and saves the identifier of the second terminal device, the identifier of the terminal set, and the identifier of the second session management network element, and the identifier of the second terminal device, the identifier of the terminal set, and the second session
  • the identifiers of the management network elements are associated.
  • the second session management network element may send a subscription message to the data management network element.
  • the subscription message is used to subscribe to the reselection notification of the edge application server of the terminal set. It can also be said that the subscription message It is used to notify the information change of the terminal devices subscribed to the terminal set, or the subscription message is used to notify that the edge application server of the terminal devices subscribed to the terminal set cannot meet the requirements, for example, there is a transmission delay of the terminal devices in the terminal set is greater than or equal to the threshold, or the transmission delay of the terminal device in the terminal set is greater than or equal to the threshold.
  • the data management network element notifies the second session management network element.
  • the second session management network element sends a subscription message to the data management network element, and the message carries the identifier of the terminal set.
  • the data management network element receives the subscription message from the first session management network element, and according to the subscription message, when the data management network element determines that the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected (for example, the data management network element receives the message from edge application server reselection instruction message of the first session management network element), the data management network element needs to notify the second session management network element (for example, send an edge application server reselection notification message to the second session management network element at S304).
  • the first session management network element may also send a subscription message to the data management network element, where the subscription message is used to subscribe to the reselection notification of the edge application server of the terminal set.
  • the session management network elements corresponding to all terminal devices in the terminal set send the subscription message to the data management.
  • the data management network element needs to notify the The session management network element corresponding to all terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the second session management network element receives the edge application server reselection notification message from the data management network element, and according to the edge application server reselection notification message, the second session management network element sends the second terminal device to the application function network element The path information of the second user plane.
  • the application function network element obtains the second user plane path information from the second session management network element.
  • the edge application server reselection process is triggered by the first session management network element when the trigger condition (such as the transmission delay of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the threshold) is met (or in other words A process of reporting user plane path information of terminal devices in the terminal set is triggered).
  • the above process may also be triggered by an application function network element.
  • the application function network element can send the information to the first session management network element and the second session management network respectively according to the information of the terminal set stored locally. The element requests the first user plane path information of the first terminal device and the second user plane path information of the second terminal device.
  • the application function network element selects the first edge application server for the terminal set according to the first user plane path information and the second user plane path information.
  • the application function network element obtains the first user plane path information of the first terminal device and the second user plane path information of the second terminal device, it selects an edge application server (referred to as the first edge application server here) Serves this collection of endpoints.
  • an edge application server referred to as the first edge application server here
  • the first user plane path information includes the first DNAI
  • the second user plane path information includes the second DNAI
  • the application function network element determines the first edge application server according to the first DNAI and the second DNAI, wherein the first DNAI and the second The two DNAIs both include the DNAI corresponding to the first edge application server.
  • the first application function network element selects one of the edge application servers corresponding to the intersection of the first DNAI and the second DNAI as the first edge application server.
  • the application function network element can select the first edge application server among the edge application servers corresponding to the multiple DNAIs according to the index measurement selection algorithm, etc. No limit.
  • the first user plane path information includes the first DNAI and the transmission delay corresponding to the first DNAI
  • the second user plane path information includes the second DNAI and the transmission delay corresponding to the second DNAI
  • the application function network element according to the first DNAI A DNAI and its corresponding transmission delay and a second DNAI and its corresponding transmission delay determine the first edge application server, wherein both the first DNAI and the second DNAI include the DNAI corresponding to the first edge application server, and the first The transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI corresponding to the edge application server is less than or equal to the threshold (or meets the user plane delay requirement).
  • the first application function network element selects an edge application server whose transmission delay meets the user plane delay requirement as the first edge application server among the edge application servers corresponding to the intersection of the first DNAI and the second DNAI. If there are multiple edge application servers that meet the requirements, the application function network element may select the first edge application server among the multiple edge application servers according to an index measurement selection algorithm, which is not limited in this application.
  • the application function network element sends an edge application server switching message to the first session management network element and the second session management network element.
  • the application function network element selects the first edge application server for the terminal set, it sends an edge application server switching message to the first session management network element and the second session management network element respectively, and the edge application server switching message includes the first Information about an edge application server.
  • the edge application server switching message may also be called an edge application server reselection message or the like.
  • the edge application server switching message is used to indicate reselection to the first edge application server, which can be understood that the edge application server switching message is used to indicate switching to the first edge application server.
  • the first session management network element or the second session management network element switches the edge application server, and the specific method is not limited in this application.
  • FIG. 3 shows an exemplary flow of another possible method for selecting an edge application server, and the flow shown in (b) of FIG. 3 includes the following steps:
  • the session management network element sends user plane path information to the application function network element.
  • the session management network element is a network element that provides services for the sessions of the terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the session management network element is a network element that provides services for sessions of all terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the session management network element may be called an anchor session management network element.
  • the session management network element may send the user plane path information to the application function network element when the trigger condition is met, where the user plane path information is information at the granularity of a set of terminals, or in other words, the user plane path The information is user plane path information of the terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the user plane path information may be a set of user plane path information corresponding to different terminal devices in the terminal set, that is, in this implementation manner, the user plane path information includes multiple user plane path information, The plurality of user plane path information corresponds to a plurality of terminal devices in the terminal set; in another implementation manner, the user plane path information may be the user plane path information corresponding to different terminal devices in the terminal set Intersection, that is, in this implementation, the user plane path information includes one or more user plane path information, and the one or more user plane path information is shared by the user plane path information of multiple terminal devices in the terminal set User plane path information.
  • the trigger condition may be, for example: the transmission delay of any one or more terminal devices in the terminal set does not meet the user plane delay requirement, or in other words, the transmission delay of any one or more terminal devices in the terminal set is greater than or is equal to the threshold, or in other words, the load of any one or multiple terminal devices in the terminal set is greater than or equal to the threshold.
  • the user plane path information may include information about one or more user plane paths, for example, the user plane path information may include DNAI corresponding to the one or more user plane paths.
  • the user plane path information may also include a transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI.
  • the session management network element determines the data transmission delay of the terminal device on different user plane paths according to the location of the terminal device in the terminal set, network topology, edge application server deployment information, etc. or the session management network element uses the measurement data packet to measure the data transmission delay of the terminal equipment on different user plane paths, and finally obtains one or more user plane delay requirements that meet the user plane delay requirements of the terminal equipment in the terminal set.
  • User plane path the session management network element includes information about user plane paths that meet the user plane delay requirements in the user plane path information, that is, the user plane path information may only include information that meets the user plane delay requirements. required user plane path information; in another implementation manner, the session management network element may include all available user plane path information in the user plane path information, and carry these user plane path information in the user plane path information The transmission delay corresponding to the path.
  • the session management network element is a network element that provides services for the sessions of the terminal devices in the terminal set. It may be that the terminal devices in the terminal set select the same session management network element for the terminal devices in the terminal set during the process of accessing the network or establishing a session, or it may be that the terminal devices in the terminal set send the application function network When the element requests the edge computing service, the terminal device in the terminal set is switched to the session management network element.
  • the second case will be exemplarily described below in conjunction with steps S320 to S370.
  • the first session management network element sends a first query request message to the network storage function network element.
  • the first session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the first terminal device, and the first terminal device belongs to the terminal set, or in other words, the first terminal device is any one of the terminal set Terminal Equipment.
  • the first query request message may include an identifier of the terminal set and identifiers of all terminal devices in the terminal set, and the first query request message is used to request to query the session management network element serving the terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the first session management network element may initiate the first query request message according to an instruction of the application function network element.
  • a terminal device in the terminal set sends an edge application server acquisition request message to the application function network element, and according to the edge application server acquisition request message, the application function network element provides a session service for the session of the terminal device in the terminal set
  • the management network element (including the first session management network element) sends a session management network element reselection request message, where the session management network element reselection request message includes the identifier of the terminal set and the identifier of the terminal equipment in the terminal set,
  • the session management network element reselection request message is used to request to switch the terminal equipment in the terminal set to the session management network element.
  • the first session management network element After receiving the session management network element request message, the first session management network element sends the first query request message to the network storage function network element.
  • the network element with the network storage function determines the session management network element.
  • the first session management network element first requests the network storage function network element to query the session management network element as an example for description. That is to say, the network storage function network element first receives the first query request message from the first session management network element. According to the first query request message, the network storage functional network element determines a session management network element for the terminal set, and the session management network element can provide services for the terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • This application does not limit the specific method for the network storage function network element to determine the session management network element for the terminal set.
  • the network storage functional network element stores the identifier of the session management network element, and the identifier of the session management network element is associated with the identifier of the terminal set.
  • the network storage function network element sends a first query response message to the first session management network element.
  • the network storage functional network element determines the session management network element for the terminal set, it sends a first query response message to the first session management network element, where the first query response message includes the identifier of the session management network element.
  • the second session management network element sends a second query request message to the network storage function network element.
  • the second session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the second terminal device
  • the second terminal device is a terminal device in the terminal set except the first terminal device.
  • the second query request message includes an identifier of the terminal set and an identifier of a terminal device in the terminal set. The second query request message is used to request to query the session management network elements serving the terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the network storage function network element sends a second query response message to the second session management network element.
  • the network storage functional network element after receiving the second query request message from the second session management network element, obtains the information of the session management network element from the local storage according to the identifier of the terminal set, and then sends the information to the second session management network element.
  • the second session management network element sends a second query response message, and the second query response message carries the identifier of the session management network element.
  • the network storage function network element may determine the session management network element for the terminal set after receiving the first query request message and the second query request message, which is not limited in this application .
  • the first session management network element after the first session management network element receives the first query response message from the network storage function network element, it triggers the first terminal device to perform session reestablishment, and instructs the session management network element to provide the session service for the first terminal device , to switch the first terminal device to the session management network element
  • the second session management network element triggers session re-establishment of the second terminal device, and instructs the session management network element to provide session services for the second terminal device, so that the second terminal device Switch to this session to manage the NE.
  • the application function network element selects the first edge application server for the terminal set according to the user plane path information.
  • the application function network element selects an edge application server (referred to as the first edge application server here) to provide services for the set of terminals.
  • an edge application server referred to as the first edge application server here
  • the user plane path information includes a DNAI
  • the application function network element determines the first edge application server according to the DNAI, where the DNAI includes a DNAI corresponding to the first edge application server.
  • the application function network element selects one of the edge application servers corresponding to the DNAI as the first edge application server.
  • the application function network element may select the first edge application server among the multiple edge application servers according to an index measurement selection algorithm, which is not limited in this application.
  • the first user plane path information includes DNAI and the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI
  • the application function network element determines the first edge application server according to the DNAI and the corresponding transmission delay, wherein the DNAI includes the first edge
  • the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI corresponding to the first edge application server is less than or equal to the threshold (or meets the user plane delay requirement).
  • the application function network element selects an edge application server whose transmission delay meets the delay requirement of the user plane among the edge application servers corresponding to the DNAI as the first edge application server. If there are multiple edge application servers that meet the requirements, the application function network element may select the first edge application server among the multiple edge application servers according to an index measurement selection algorithm, which is not limited in this application.
  • the application function network element sends an edge application server handover message to the session management network element.
  • the application function network element selects the first edge application server for the terminal set, it sends an edge application server switching message to the session management network element, and the edge application server switching message includes information about the first edge application server.
  • the server switching message is used to indicate that the terminal devices in the terminal set are switched to the first edge application server, or in other words, the edge application server switching message is used to indicate that the terminal devices in the terminal set are reselected to the first edge application server .
  • the session management network element switches the edge application server, and the specific method is not limited in this application.
  • the application function network element comprehensively considers the user plane path information of all terminal devices in the terminal set, and selects a suitable edge application server as the edge application server.
  • the terminal set provides services to ensure the service experience of the terminal set after switching the edge application server.
  • the reselection process of the edge application server in the embodiment of the present application is briefly introduced below with reference to FIG. 4 .
  • a certain set of UEs includes UE1 and UE2, and the set of UEs requires the same EAS to provide services.
  • UE1 and UE2 are served by EAS1.
  • UE2 continues to be served by EAS1 due to location movement (such as moving from the coverage of RAN2 to the coverage of RAN1), its user plane transmission delay may not meet the user plane delay requirements, as shown in Figure 4 (b) shown.
  • the AF may comprehensively consider the user plane path information of UE1 and UE2, and reselect an EAS (for example, EAS2 in the figure) for UE1 and UE2.
  • EAS for example, EAS2 in the figure
  • AF in the following method 500 to method 800 may correspond to the application function network element in method 300 (including method 300(a) and method 300(b)), and UE2 may correspond to the first terminal in method 300 equipment, SMF2 may correspond to the first session management network element in method 300, UE1 may correspond to the second terminal device in method 300, SMF1 may correspond to the second session management network element in method 300, and UDR may correspond to the method A data management network element in 300 .
  • FIG. 5 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method 500 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the session management function network element is the SMF in the 5G network
  • the application function network element is the AF in the 5G network
  • the terminal device is the UE
  • the access network device is the RAN in the 5G network
  • the user plane function network element is The UPF in the 5G network is used as an example for illustration.
  • method 500 includes:
  • UE1 and UE2 belong to the same UE set, and the UEs in the UE set need to access the same EAS, or in other words, the UEs in the UE set need to be served by the same EAS.
  • the UE1 may include one or more UEs, that is, the UE set may include two or more UEs.
  • the UEs in the UE set may be multiple user equipments in a multiplayer interactive game.
  • the multiple user equipments can play games simultaneously or together through matching.
  • the service architecture of such games is usually composed of login servers and business
  • the server is composed of the login server, which manages the user's registration information, personal information, etc. in a unified manner, and realizes the grouping function when the game is matched.
  • the business server provides actual game services for the user after the user accesses it.
  • MEC technology can be used to move the user plane network elements and service processing capabilities down to the edge of the network, realize distributed local processing of service traffic, avoid excessive concentration of traffic, and shorten the distance of the backhaul network , thereby reducing the delay and jitter of end-to-end transmission.
  • the same edge application server EAS can be selected for different game users to ensure business synchronization and improve user experience.
  • Multiple users of the matching game can be divided into a UE set, so UEs in the UE set need to be served by the same EAS.
  • the UE set here can also be applied to various other scenarios, for example, the same vehicle formation can also form a UE set, which is not limited in this application. Any scenario in the prior art where the transmission delay is reduced by selecting the same EAS for multiple UEs is applicable to the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application.
  • the UE set may include two or more UEs, or may include 3 or more UEs, and the solutions in this case shall also fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application.
  • the AF needs to select the same EAS for UE1 and UE2.
  • UE1 and UE2 respectively send edge computing service request messages to AF (the AF may be a centralized AF, for example), and AF selects an EAS to provide edge computing services for UE1 and UE2 according to the edge computing service request messages of UE1 and UE2 .
  • the AF may select an EAS to serve UE1 and UE2 in combination with network topology and user plane path information, which is not specifically limited in this application.
  • EAS1 the EAS selected by the AF for UE1 and UE2 is denoted as EAS1 here.
  • EAS1 the EAS selected by the AF for UE1 and UE2
  • various numbers such as “1", “2", etc. or “first” and “second” before or after various nouns in this application document are only for distinguishing similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe A particular order or sequence. It is to be understood that the terms and terms so used may refer to the same or different objects and are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein can be used in a manner other than what is illustrated or described herein. implemented in sequence.
  • the AF sends user plane delay requirements to SMF 1 and SMF 2 respectively.
  • the AF sends user plane delay requirements to SMF 1 and SMF 2 respectively, wherein SMF 1 is an SMF providing services to UE 1, or in other words, SMF 1 is a network element providing services for UE1's PDU session.
  • SMF 2 is an SMF that provides services to UE 2, or in other words, SMF 2 is a network element that provides services for the PDU session of UE2.
  • the user plane delay requirement is used to indicate the maximum delay allowed for user plane transmission, or in other words, the user plane delay requirement indicates a threshold of user plane transmission delay. To ensure user experience, the user plane transmission delay should not exceed this threshold.
  • the present application does not limit the specific form in which the AF indicates the delay requirement of the user plane.
  • the user plane delay requirement is a value (value), occupying a field, and the value is carried in the existing bit used to indicate the transmission delay;
  • the user plane delay requirement includes an indication field (description) and a value (value), occupying two fields, and the description is used to indicate that the value is a user plane transmission delay threshold.
  • S502 may be performed after S501.
  • EAS1 can notify AF that the UEs in the UE set have accessed, and after receiving the notification message from EAS1, AF sends a message to SMF1 and SMF2
  • S502 can also be performed during the execution of S501 or before S501, and AF can decide to send the user plane delay request to UE1 and UE2 at any time after UE1 and UE2 establish a session with the network. No limit.
  • the AF may pre-store the information of the UE set before S502. For example, after all UEs in the UE set register with the network, or after all UEs in the UE set establish a session, the network side can send the information of the UE set to the AF, and the AF receives and saves the information of the UE set.
  • the information of the UE set includes the identity of the UE set, the identity of the UEs in the UE set, and the identity of the network equipment (especially SMF) accessed by the UEs in the UE set.
  • SMF1 and SMF2 send the identities of UE1 and UE2 (and carry the identities of UE sets) to AF respectively, and AF receives and saves the association relationship between UE1, SMF1 and UE sets, and the association relationship between UE2, SMF2 and UE sets.
  • EAS1 may also send the information of the UE set to the AF when notifying the AF that the UEs in the UE set have accessed.
  • the AF may also acquire and save the information of the UE set by itself after the UEs in the UE set access the network service.
  • EAS is similar to a game server, and AF is similar to a login server. After game players log in and match players, AF can obtain information about UE sets composed of multiple game players.
  • the several schemes described above are only examples, and the present application does not limit them.
  • SMF 2 selects a user plane transmission path for UE2.
  • the SMF corresponding to the UE in the UE set (that is, the SMF 1 and SMF 2) respectively measure the data transmission delay of the corresponding UE. If the data transmission delay of a certain UE cannot meet the user plane delay requirement (or the data transmission delay of a certain UE is greater than or equal to the threshold indicated by the user plane delay requirement), the user plane path needs to be adjusted. In other words, EAS reselection is required.
  • SMF 2 due to UE2 moving, the data transmission delay becomes larger.
  • SMF 2 finds that the data transmission delay of UE2 cannot meet the user plane delay requirement, SMF 2 reselects the user plane transmission path for UE 2.
  • SMF 2 estimates the transmission delay of UE2 on different user plane transmission paths according to the location of UE 2, network topology, EAS deployment information, user plane delay requirements, etc., and obtains all user plane delay requirements that meet the user plane delay requirements. path.
  • SMF2 may measure user plane transmission delays of different user plane paths through measurement data packets, and obtain all user plane paths that meet the delay requirements. The specific method is not limited in this application.
  • the above embodiment is described by taking UE2's location movement causing the data transmission delay to fail to meet the user plane delay requirement, thus requiring reselection of the user plane transmission path as an example, but the present application is not limited thereto.
  • the movement of other UEs in the UE set may cause the need to reselect the user plane transmission path; or, it may also be due to excessive load or Unbalanced load, server failure, and other reasons lead to the need to reselect the user plane transmission path, which is not limited in this application.
  • the AF may send a service failure notification to UE1 and UE2 with a cause value. If there is a user plane path that meets the user plane delay requirement, then:
  • SMF2 sends user plane path information #1 to AF.
  • the user plane path information #1 may include information on one or more user plane paths, and the information on the one or more user plane paths may include information such as DNAI and delay of the one or more user plane paths , the delay represents the estimated value of the user plane path delay when UE2 obtains the edge computing service through the DNAI.
  • the path information #1 may only include information about user plane paths that meet the user plane delay requirements, or may include information about all user plane paths available to UE2 (that is, may include information that meets user plane delay requirements).
  • the required user plane path information may also include the user plane path information that does not meet the user plane delay requirement).
  • the user plane path information #1 may not include delay, or in other words, the user plane path information #1 may only include DNAI, which is the user plane path that satisfies the user plane delay requirement DNAI, or in other words, the path information #1 at this time may indicate that when UE2 obtains the edge service through the DNAI, its estimated user plane delay meets the user plane delay requirement.
  • the path information #1 only includes user plane path information that meets the user plane delay requirement.
  • the user plane path information #1 may include information on all user plane paths that meet the user plane delay requirements, or only partially meet the user plane delay requirements.
  • User plane path information for latency requirements For example, when there are many user plane paths meeting the user plane delay requirement, SMF2 may only include information about several preferred user plane paths in user plane path information #1.
  • SMF2 may sort the information on the multiple user plane paths. For example, SMF2 sorts the multiple user plane paths according to the estimated user plane delay values from small to large, so that the AF can select the user plane paths according to the order. This application is not limited to this.
  • the user plane path information #1 in S504 may correspond to the first user plane path information in method 300 .
  • the AF determines a list of user plane paths to be selected.
  • the AF receives user plane path information #1 from SMF2, and then determines a list of user plane paths to be selected according to the user plane path information #1.
  • the user plane path information #1 includes the DNAI of one or more user plane paths, and the estimated delay on the one or more user plane paths.
  • the AF determines the user plane path list to be selected according to the estimated delay on the one or more user plane paths, and the user plane path list to be selected includes that the delay in the one or more user plane paths meets the user plane delay requirement The DNAI of the user plane path.
  • the AF saves the list of user plane paths to be selected.
  • the AF may determine the EAS list to be selected according to the user plane path list to be selected, and the EAS list to be selected includes information of one or more EASs, that is, the AF may determine the EAS list according to the DNAI Determine its corresponding one or more EAS.
  • the AF may save the list of EASs to be selected.
  • the user plane path information #1 only includes the DNAI of one or more user plane paths
  • the user plane path list to be selected at this time includes the DNAI of the one or more user plane paths, that is, in this In this case, the AF may directly compose the user plane paths in the user plane path information #1 into the list of user plane paths to be selected.
  • the AF sends a user plane path information acquisition request message to SMF1.
  • the AF determines the information of other UEs in the UE set except UE2 according to the locally saved information of the UE set, that is, UE1 and the SMF1 corresponding to UE1.
  • the AF sends a user plane path information acquisition request message to SMF1, the user plane path information acquisition request message includes the identifier of UE1, and the user plane path information acquisition request message is used to request to obtain the user plane path information of UE1, or The user plane path information acquisition request message is used to request to acquire the user plane path information of UE1 that meets the user plane delay requirement. It should be understood that if UE1 includes multiple UEs, the AF sends user plane path information acquisition request messages to multiple SMFs corresponding to the multiple UEs.
  • the AF may also carry the user plane path list to be selected obtained in S505 in the user plane path request message.
  • SMF1 selects a user plane transmission path for UE1.
  • SMF1 sends user plane path information #2 to AF.
  • SMF1 receives a user plane path information request message from AF, selects a user plane transmission path for UE1 according to the user plane path information request message, and stores the information of the selected user plane path (denoted as user plane path information #2 ) to AF.
  • the user plane path information request message includes the identity of UE1, and then SMF1 sends information to UE1 according to UE1's location, network topology, EAS deployment information, user plane delay requirements, etc.
  • the transmission delay of different user plane transmission paths is estimated, and all user plane paths that meet the user plane delay requirements are obtained.
  • SMF1 measures the user plane transmission delays of different user plane paths by measuring data packets, and obtains all user plane paths that meet the delay requirements.
  • SMF2 sends indication information to the AF indicating that the user plane path selection fails, and carries a cause value, which is used to indicate that the reason for the failure is that there is no user plane delay requirement user plane path. If there is a user plane path that meets the user plane delay requirement, SMF1 sends user plane path information #2 to the AF.
  • the user plane path information #2 may include one or more user plane path information, and the one or more user plane path information may include one or more user plane path information DNAI, delay and other information, the delay indicates the estimated value of user plane path delay when UE1 obtains the edge computing service through the DNAI.
  • the path information #1 may only include information on user plane paths that meet the user plane delay requirement, or may include information on all user plane paths available to UE1.
  • the user plane path information #2 may not include delay, or in other words, the user plane path information #2 may only include DNAI, and the DNAI is the user plane path that satisfies the user plane delay requirement.
  • the path information #2 at this time may indicate that when UE1 obtains the edge service through the DNAI, its estimated user plane delay meets the user plane delay requirement.
  • the path information #2 only includes user plane path information that meets the user plane delay requirement.
  • the user plane path information request message includes the identity of UE1 and the list of user plane paths to be selected, and then SMF1 according to the location of UE1, network topology, etc., in the path to be selected Determine the user plane path that meets the delay requirement among the user plane paths corresponding to the user plane path list. If there is no user plane path that satisfies the user plane delay requirement among the user plane paths in the user plane path list to be selected, SMF2 sends an indication message indicating that the user plane path selection failed to AF, and carries a cause value, the cause value The reason for indicating failure is that there is no user plane path meeting the user plane delay requirement in the user plane path list to be selected. If there is a user plane path meeting the user plane delay requirement in the user plane path list to be selected, SMF1 sends user plane path information #2 to the AF.
  • the user plane path information #2 may include information about one or more user plane paths, where the one or more user plane paths belong to the user plane list to be selected, and the one or more user plane paths belong to the user plane list to be selected, and the one or more The information on the multiple user plane paths may include the DNAI of the one or more user plane paths.
  • the user plane path information #2 may also include the delay of the one or more user plane paths, which is not limited in this application.
  • the AF determines that the EAS2 serves the set of UEs.
  • the AF receives the user plane path information #2 from SMF2, and determines the UE set (or UE set EAS served by the UE).
  • AF determines that the user plane Extend the required user plane path of UE1, and then determine the EAS serving the set of UEs in combination with the list of user plane paths to be selected. It should be understood that, in this implementation manner, S505 may be performed after S508, which is not limited in this application.
  • the AF determines that UE1 meets the user plane delay requirement on the two user plane paths corresponding to DNAI 1 and DNAI 2. If the list of user plane paths to be selected determined by the AF in S505 includes DNAI 1, DNAI 2, and DNAI 3, that is, the user plane paths determined by the AF to meet the user plane delay requirements of UE2 are DNAI 1, DNAI 2, and DNAI 3, then The AF can select one of the EASs corresponding to DNAI 1 or DNAI 2 to provide services for the set of UEs. It should be understood that AF can choose among the EASs corresponding to DNAI 1 and DNAI 2 according to the index measurement selection algorithm and other methods, and this application does not limit this.
  • the user plane path information #2 includes the DNAI of one or more user plane paths, but does not include the delay of the user plane path, it means that the user plane path information #2 in the user plane
  • the path is the user plane transmission path determined by SMF1 in the list of user plane paths to be selected for UE1 to meet the user plane delay requirement, and the AF determines the EAS serving the set of UEs according to the user plane path information #2.
  • user plane path information #2 includes DNAI 1 and DNAI 2, and the AF selects one of the EASs corresponding to DNAI 1 or DNAI 2 to provide services for the set of UEs, and the specific method is not limited in this application.
  • the EAS serving the set of UEs before reselecting the user plane path is marked as EAS1
  • EAS2 the EAS serving the set of UEs re-determined by the AF in S509
  • S509 may correspond to S305 in method 300(a).
  • EAS2 here may correspond to the first edge application server in method 300(a).
  • the runtime context migration is performed between EAS1 and EAS2.
  • the AF sends EAS switching instruction information to SMF1 and SMF2 respectively.
  • the EAS handover indication information includes EAS 2 information, for example, information such as DNAI and IP address corresponding to EAS 2.
  • SMF1 and SMF2 respectively receive the EAS handover indication information from AF, and then SMF1 and SMF2 combine the information of EAS 2 to configure and activate new user plane paths of UE1 and UE2 respectively. After the new user plane path is activated, SMF1 and SMF2 respectively send a configuration complete message to the AF.
  • SMF1 and SMF2 respectively provide the information of EAS 2 to UE, for example, SMF 1 and SMF 2 send the information of EAS 2 to UE 1 and UE2 respectively through the NAS message of the control plane.
  • the AF may also provide the information of EAS2 to UE1 and UE2 through the application layer.
  • SMF1 and SMF2 release the original user plane resources, that is, release the resources of EAS 1 serving UE 1 and the resources of EAS 1 serving UE 2 respectively.
  • the AF maintains the information of the UE set.
  • the SMF corresponding to the UE sends the user plane path information of the UE to the AF, and the AF can obtain the user information of other UEs through the SMFs corresponding to other UEs in the UE set.
  • Surface path information the AF comprehensively considers the user plane path information of all UEs in the UE set, selects an appropriate EAS to provide services for the UE set, and ensures the service experience of the UE set after EAS reselection.
  • Fig. 6 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method 600 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application. As can be seen from FIG. 6, method 600 includes:
  • S601, UE1 and UE2 obtain the service of EAS 1.
  • UE1 and UE2 belong to the same UE set, and the UEs in the UE set need to access the same EAS, or in other words, the UEs in the UE set need to be served by the same EAS.
  • S601 is similar to S501 in method 500, and will not be described in detail for brevity.
  • the AF sends the user plane delay requirement and the UE set identifier to SMF1 and SMF2 respectively.
  • the AF sends the user plane delay requirement and the identification of the UE set to SMF 1 and SMF 2 respectively, wherein the SMF 1 is the SMF providing service to UE 1, and the SMF 2 is the SMF providing service to UE 2 , the user plane delay requirement and the identity of the UE set can be carried in the same message.
  • the identifier of the UE set refers to the identifier of the set where UE1 and UE2 are located.
  • the user plane delay requirement can be used to indicate the maximum delay allowed for user plane transmission. For details, refer to the relevant description in S502 of method 500. Here The description will not be repeated.
  • S603, SMF1 and SMF2 respectively subscribe to the UE set change notification to the UDR.
  • SMF1 may request UDR to subscribe to UE set change notification after receiving the user plane delay requirement and UE set identifier from AF, for example, SMF1 sends UE set change subscription request message to UDR, the UE set change subscription request
  • the message includes the identifier of the UE set, and the UE set change subscription request message is used to request the UDR to notify SMF1 when there is a UE in the UE set that needs to perform EAS reselection.
  • the subscription request message may also include the identifier of the service flow.
  • UDR here may also be other network elements, such as UDM, which is not limited in this application.
  • SMF2 The scheme implemented by SMF2 is similar to that of SMF1 and will not be described repeatedly.
  • the UDR subscribes to the EAS reselection notification from SMF1 and SMF2 respectively.
  • the UDR after the UDR receives the subscription request from SMF1 and SMF2, it subscribes to the EAS reselection notification to SMF1 and SMF2 respectively, for example, the UDR sends an EAS reselection subscription request message to SMF1, and the EAS reselection subscription request message includes the identity of UE1, The EAS reselection subscription request message is used to request the SMF to notify the UDR when UE1 needs to perform EAS reselection.
  • the EAS reselection subscription request message may also include the identifier of the service flow.
  • SMF2 sends an EAS reselection notification to the UDR.
  • SMF2 sends an EAS reselection notification message to UDR, the
  • the EAS reselection notification message includes the identity of UE2, and/or the identity of the set of UEs.
  • the EAS reselection notification message is used to indicate that UE2 needs to perform EAS reselection, or the EAS reselection notification message is used to indicate that the transmission delay of UE2 cannot meet the user plane delay requirement.
  • the EAS reselection notification message may include the identifier of the service flow.
  • the UDR sends a UE set change notification to SMF1.
  • the UDR receives the EAS reselection notification message from SMF2, according to the identifier carried in the EAS reselection notification message (that is, the identifier of UE2 and/or the identifier of the UE set), and the information of the locally stored UE set, If it is determined that the UE except UE2 in the UE set is UE1, and the SMF corresponding to UE1 is SMF1, then the UDR sends a UE set change notification message to SMF1.
  • the identifier carried in the EAS reselection notification message that is, the identifier of UE2 and/or the identifier of the UE set
  • the UDR sends a UE set change notification message to SMF1.
  • the UE set change notification message may carry the identity of the UE set and EAS reselection indication information, and the EAS reselection indication information is used to indicate that the UE set needs to perform EAS reselection; or, the UE set change notification message carries the identity of UE1 and EAS reselection indication information, at this time, the EAS reselection indication information is used to indicate that UE1 needs to perform EAS reselection.
  • the information of the UE set includes the identity of the UE set, the identities of all UEs (ie UE1 and UE2) in the UE set, and the identity of the SMF providing services for these UEs.
  • the UDR stores the information of the UE set in advance. For example, after UE1 completes the establishment of the PDU session, SMF1 reports the identity of UE1 to the UDR, and at the same time carries the identity of the UE set.
  • the UDR receives and stores the identity of UE1, the identity of the UE set, and the identity of SMF1, and the identity of UE1, the identity of the set of UEs, and the identity of SMF1 are associated.
  • SMF2 reports the identity of UE2 to the UDR, and at the same time carries the identity of the UE set.
  • UDR receives and saves the information reported by SMF1 and SMF2.
  • the UDR receives and stores the identity of UE2, the identity of the UE set, and the identity of SMF2, and the identity of UE2, the identity of the UE set, and the identity of SMF2 are associated.
  • the UDR After the UDR receives the EAS reselection notification message from SMF2, if the EAS reselection notification message includes the identity of UE2, the UDR will And the association relationship between the identity of UE1, the identity of the UE set, and the identity of SMF1, if it is determined that the SMF that provides services for other UEs (ie UE1) in the UE set except UE2 (ie UE1) is SMF1, then the UDR sends the UE to the SMF1 Collection change notification.
  • SMF2 sends user plane path information #1 to AF.
  • SMF2 selects an available user plane transmission path for UE2. For example, after UE2 establishes a user plane path and performs data transmission with EAS1, SMF2 measures the data transmission delay of UE2. When the data transmission delay of UE2 cannot meet the user plane delay requirement, SMF2 reselects the user plane transmission path for UE2.
  • SMF2 estimates the transmission delay of UE2 on different user plane transmission paths according to UE2's location, network topology, EAS deployment information, and user plane delay requirements, and obtains all user plane paths that meet the user plane delay requirements.
  • SMF2 can measure user plane transmission delays of different user plane paths through measurement packets, and obtain all user plane paths that meet the delay requirements.
  • the user plane transmission path information #1 includes information about one or more user plane paths, and the information about one or more user plane paths may include the one or more Information such as DNAI and delay of each user plane path, the delay indicates the estimated value of user plane path delay when UE1 obtains the edge computing service through the DNAI.
  • the path information #1 may only include information about user plane paths of UE1 that meet user plane delay requirements, or may include information about all user plane paths available to UE1.
  • the user plane path information #1 may not include delay.
  • the DNAI in the user plane path information #1 is the DNAI of the user plane path that meets the user plane delay requirement.
  • the user plane path information #1 may include information on all user plane paths that meet the user plane delay requirements, or only partially meet the user plane delay requirements.
  • User plane path information for latency requirements This application is not limited.
  • S607 may be performed before S605, may be performed after S605, or may be performed simultaneously with S605, which is not limited in this application.
  • SMF1 sends user plane path information #2 to AF.
  • SMF1 selects an available user plane transmission path for UE1 according to the EAS reselection indication information in the UE set change notification message.
  • SMF1 selects user plane path information for UE1 is similar to the manner in which SMF2 selects user plane path information for UE2. For details, refer to the introduction in S607, which will not be repeated here.
  • SMF1 sends user plane transmission path information #2 to the AF, where the user plane transmission path information #2 includes information about one or more user plane paths.
  • the user plane path information #2 is similar to the user plane path information #1, the only difference is that the user plane path information #1 includes the information of the user plane path selected by SMF2 for UE2, while the user plane path information #2 includes the information of SMF1 Information about the user plane path selected for UE1.
  • SMF1 Service Management Function
  • the AF determines that the EAS2 serves the set of UEs.
  • the AF determines the EAS serving the set of UEs.
  • user plane path information #1 includes DNAI 1, DNAI 2, and DNAI 3
  • user plane path information #2 includes DNAI 1 and DNAI 2
  • the AF can select one of the EASs corresponding to DNAI 1 or DNAI 2 to provide for the UE set Serve. It should be understood that AF can choose among the EASs corresponding to DNAI 1 and DNAI 2 according to the index measurement selection algorithm and other methods, and this application does not limit this.
  • the AF performs runtime context migration on EAS1 and EAS2.
  • the AF sends EAS switching instruction information to SMF1 and SMF2 respectively.
  • S610 and S611 are similar to S510 and S511 in the method 500, and for the sake of brevity, repeated description is omitted.
  • the UDR maintains the information of the UE set.
  • the SMF corresponding to the UE notifies the UDR, and the UDR further notifies the SMFs corresponding to other UEs in the UE set.
  • the SMFs corresponding to the UEs in the UE set report the user plane path information of the UEs to the AF respectively.
  • the AF comprehensively considers the user plane path information of all UEs in the UE set, selects an appropriate EAS to provide services for the UE set, and ensures the service experience of the UE set after EAS reselection.
  • FIG. 7 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method 700 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application. As can be seen from FIG. 7, method 700 includes:
  • S701, UE1 and UE2 acquire services of EAS1.
  • UE1 and UE1 belong to the same UE set, and the UEs in the UE set need to access the same EAS, or in other words, the UEs in the UE set need to be served by the same EAS.
  • the UE set For the introduction of the UE set, refer to S501 in the method 500, and the description will not be repeated here.
  • the AF needs to select the same EAS for UE1 and UE2 (here, EAS1 is used as an example for illustration).
  • EAS1 is used as an example for illustration.
  • the AF triggers the network to select an anchor point SMF to provide services for UE1 and UE2, and the specific process is not limited in this embodiment.
  • the anchor SMF here refers to a network element that provides services for the session between UE1 and UE2.
  • the anchor SMF may have other names, which are not limited in this application.
  • the AF sends the user plane delay requirement, the UE set identifier, and the identifiers of UE1 and UE2 to the anchor SMF.
  • the AF sends the user plane delay to the anchor SMF Requirements, and the identity of the UE set, the identity of UE1 and UE2.
  • the user plane delay requirement here is similar to the user plane delay requirement introduced in S502 of the method 500, and will not be repeated here. For details, refer to related descriptions in S502.
  • the anchor SMF selects a user plane path for UE1 and UE2.
  • the anchor SMF measures the data transmission delay of UE1 and UE2. If the data transmission delay of any one of UE1 and UE2 cannot meet the user plane delay requirement, EAS reselection needs to be performed, or in other words, user plane path adjustment needs to be performed. For example, the data transmission delay of UE2 increases due to location movement.
  • SMF2 finds that the data transmission delay of UE2 cannot meet the user plane delay requirement, SMF2 reselects the user plane delay requirement for UE1 and UE2 to meet the user plane delay requirement. path. For a specific manner, reference may be made to the manner in which SMF2 acquires a user plane path that meets the user plane delay requirement introduced in S503 of method 500, which will not be described in detail here.
  • the anchor SMF sends to the AF the indication information that the user plane path selection fails, and carries the cause value.
  • the anchor SMF sends user plane path information #3 to the AF.
  • the anchor SMF selects user plane paths that meet the user plane delay requirements for UE1 and UE2 respectively, and then carries the user plane paths that can meet the user plane delay requirements of UE1 and UE2 in user plane path information #3 Information.
  • the anchor SMF determines that the user plane paths that meet UE1's user plane delay requirements include DNAI 1, DNAI 2, and DNAI 3, and the anchor SMF determines that the user plane paths that meet UE2's user plane delay requirements include DNAI 2 and DNAI 3 , DNAI4, then the anchor SMF can carry DNAI 2 and DNAI 3 in the user plane path information #3, and carry the identity of the UE set at the same time, and send the user plane path information #3 to the AF.
  • S704 may correspond to S310 in method 300(b).
  • the AF determines that the EAS2 serves the set of UEs.
  • the AF receives the user plane path information #3 from the anchor SMF, and determines the EAS serving the UE set (or UEs in the UE set) according to the user plane path information #3.
  • the AF determines that the EAS (denoted as EAS2) corresponding to the DNAI serves the set of UEs; if the user plane path information #3 includes the DNAI of multiple paths, then The AF may select one of the multiple EASs corresponding to the multiple DNAIs to provide services for the set of UEs. It should be understood that the AF may select among the multiple EASs corresponding to the multiple DNAIs according to an index measurement selection algorithm, etc., which is not limited in this application.
  • the AF sends EAS switching indication information to SMF1 and SMF2 respectively.
  • S706 and S707 are similar to S510 and S511 in the method 500, and for the sake of brevity, repeated description is omitted.
  • one anchor SMF provides services for the UEs in the UE set.
  • the anchor SMF sends the user plane path information of the UE in the UE set to the AF.
  • the AF comprehensively considers the user plane path information of the UEs in the UE set, selects an appropriate EAS to provide services for the UE set, and ensures the service experience of the UE set after EAS reselection.
  • FIG. 8 shows an exemplary flowchart of a method 800 for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application. As can be seen from FIG. 8, method 800 includes:
  • UE1 and UE2 request to obtain edge computing services.
  • UE1 and UE2 belong to the same UE set, and UE1 and UE1 respectively request edge computing services from the network.
  • the AF sends indication information of selecting an anchor point SMF to SMF1 and SMF2 respectively.
  • the AF determines that the same EAS needs to be selected to provide services for the set of UEs, and at this time the AF sends information to the core network to instruct SMF1 and SMF2 to select the anchor SMF.
  • the AF sends SMF selection anchor point indication information to SMF1, and carries the ID of the UE set and the IDs of all UEs in the UE set (denoted as UE IDs, the UE IDs are the IDs of UE1 and UE2).
  • the selected anchor SMF indication information is used to indicate to select an anchor SMF for the UE in the UE set.
  • the AF sends the SMF selection anchor point indication information to SMF2, and carries the identifier of the UE set and the UE identifier at the same time.
  • S803, SMF1 and SMF2 respectively send a search anchor SMF request message to the NRF.
  • the NRF sends an anchor search SMF response message to SMF1 and SMF2 respectively.
  • the NRF receives an anchor point SMF search request message from SMF1, the anchor point SMF search request message includes the identity of the UE set and the identity of UE1, and the NRF determines an anchor point SMF for all UEs in the UE set , and send an anchor SMF search response message to SMF1, where the anchor SMF search response message carries the anchor SMF identifier.
  • the NRF stores the identity of the anchor SMF locally, and the identity of the anchor SMF is associated with the identity of the UE set.
  • the NRF can The identity of the anchor SMF associated with the identity of the UE set is obtained locally, and then the NRF sends a search anchor SMF response message to SMF2, and the anchor SMF search response message carries the anchor SMF identity.
  • the NRF receives an anchor point search SMF request message from SMF1, where the anchor point search SMF request message includes an identifier of a UE set and identifiers of all UEs in the UE set. Then, after NRF receives the search anchor SMF request message from SMF2, NRF determines an anchor SMF for the UE in the UE set, and then sends a search anchor SMF response message to SMF1 and SMF2 respectively, and the search anchor SMF responds The message carries the identifier of the anchor SMF.
  • the AF may instruct the SMF corresponding to the UE first requesting the EAS service to go to the NRF to register as the anchor SMF of the UE set, or the AF may instruct the SMF corresponding to any one of UE1 and UE2 to go to the NRF to register as the anchor SMF of the UE set Anchor SMF.
  • SMF1 registers with NRF as the anchor SMF of the UE set according to the instructions of AF.
  • NRF indicates SMF1 as the anchor SMF to SMF2;
  • the SMF that first requests to query the anchor SMF is used as the anchor SMF.
  • the NRF receives the anchor search request message from SMF1, but has not received the anchor search request message sent by the SMFs corresponding to other UEs in the UE set, the NRF takes SMF1 as the anchor SMF.
  • the subsequent NRF indicates SMF1 as the anchor SMF to SMF2.
  • S805 SMF1 and SMF2 trigger the PDU session reestablishment process of UE1 and UE2.
  • SMF1 after receiving the anchor SMF search response message from the NRF, SMF1 triggers UE1 to perform PDU session re-establishment, and instructs the anchor SMF to provide session management services. After UE1 completes the establishment of the PDU session on the anchor SMF, UE1 requests the edge computing service again.
  • the AF sends the user plane delay request to the anchor SMF at S806 , and the identity of the UE set, the identity of UE1 and UE2.
  • the user plane delay requirement here is similar to the user plane delay requirement introduced in S502 of the method 500, and will not be repeated here. For details, refer to the relevant description in S502.
  • the AF stores the edge computing service requests of UE1 and UE2 received in S801. After the PDU session re-establishment between UE1 and UE2 is completed, the anchor SMF indicates to the AF that the UEs in the UE set have successfully established the session, then:
  • the AF sends the user plane delay requirement, the identifier of the UE set, and the identifiers of UE1 and UE2 to the anchor SMF.
  • the anchor SMF sends user plane path information #3 to the AF.
  • the anchor SMF selects user plane paths for UE1 and UE2, and provides user plane path information #3 to AF, and the user plane path information #3 includes a or information about multiple user plane paths.
  • the AF selects EAS1 to serve the set of UEs.
  • the AF receives user plane path information #3 from the anchor SMF, and according to the user plane path information #3, selects an EAS (such as EAS1) to provide services for a set of UEs.
  • EAS such as EAS1
  • all the UEs in the UE set select an anchor SMF to provide services for the UE set.
  • the anchor SMF sends the user plane path information of the UEs in the UE set to the AF.
  • the AF comprehensively considers the user plane path information of the UEs in the UE set, selects an appropriate EAS to provide services for the UE set, and ensures the service experience of the UE set after EAS reselection.
  • the embodiments of the present application further provide corresponding devices, and the device includes corresponding modules for executing the foregoing method embodiments.
  • the module can be software, or hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It can be understood that the technical features described in the above method embodiments are also applicable to the following device embodiments.
  • Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for selecting an edge application server provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the device 10 includes a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12 .
  • the transceiver module 11 can be used to realize corresponding communication functions.
  • the transceiver module 11 can also be called a communication interface or a communication unit.
  • the processing module 12 may be configured to implement corresponding processing functions, such as selecting a first edge application server for a set of terminals according to the first user plane path information and the second user plane path information.
  • the device 10 can also include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and/or data, and the processing module 12 can read instructions and/or data in the storage module, so that the device implements the implementation of the aforementioned methods.
  • a storage module which can be used to store instructions and/or data
  • the processing module 12 can read instructions and/or data in the storage module, so that the device implements the implementation of the aforementioned methods.
  • the device 10 may be the application function network element in the foregoing embodiments, or may be a component (such as a chip) of the application function network element.
  • the device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the execution of the application functions in the above method embodiments, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform operations related to sending and receiving of the application function network elements in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 12 can be used Operations related to the processing of the application function network element in the above method embodiments are executed.
  • the transceiver module 11 is configured to receive a message from the first session management network element, the message is used to indicate that the edge application server of the first terminal device is to be reselected, and the first session management network element
  • the element is a network element that provides services for the session of the first terminal device, and the first terminal device belongs to a terminal set;
  • the processing module 12 is configured to obtain the first user plane path information of the first terminal device and the second user plane path information of the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is the set of terminals except the first user plane path information.
  • the first user plane path information includes a first data network access identifier DNAI
  • the second user plane path information includes a second DNAI
  • both the first DNAI and the second DNAI include the The DNAI corresponding to the first edge application server.
  • the first user plane path information further includes a transmission delay corresponding to the first DNAI
  • the second user plane path information further includes a transmission delay corresponding to the second DNAI, so The transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI corresponding to the first edge application server is less than or equal to the threshold.
  • the transceiver module 11 is further configured to: send an edge application server switching message to the first session management network element and the second session management network element, where the edge application server switching message includes the first Information about the edge application server, the edge application server switching message is used to indicate switching to the first edge application server.
  • the processing module 12 may be specifically configured to: send a user plane path information request message to a second session management network element according to the information of the terminal set, where the user plane path information request message includes the information of the second terminal device
  • the second session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the second terminal device; the transceiver module 11 can be specifically configured to: receive the second session management network element from the second session management network element Two user plane path information.
  • the processing module 12 is further configured to: determine the DNAI to be selected according to the first user plane path information, and the user plane path information request message further includes the DNAI to be selected.
  • the transceiver module 11 is configured to receive a message from a session management network element, the message is used to indicate that the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected, and the session management network element is for the terminal A network element that provides services for sessions of terminal devices in the set; a processing module 12 configured to select a first edge application server for the set of terminals according to user plane path information of the terminal devices in the set of terminals.
  • the message includes: user plane path information of the terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the processing module 12 is further configured to: obtain the user plane path information of the terminal devices in the terminal set from the session management network element.
  • the user plane path information includes DNAI
  • the DNAI includes the DNAI of the edge application server.
  • the user plane path information further includes a transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI, and the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI corresponding to the first edge application server is less than or equal to a threshold.
  • the transceiving module 11 is further configured to: receive an edge application service acquisition request message from a terminal device, the terminal device belonging to the terminal set; the processing module 12 is further configured to: according to the terminal set information, sending a session management network element reselection request message to the first session management network element of the terminal device, where the session management network element reselection request message includes the identifier of the terminal set and the terminal devices in the terminal set , the session management network element reselection request message is used to request reselection of the terminal device to the session management network element.
  • the transceiver module 11 is further configured to: send the identifier of the terminal set and the identifiers of the terminal devices in the terminal set to the session management network element.
  • the device 10 may be the session management network element (such as the first session management network element or the second session management network element) in the foregoing embodiments, or may be a component of the session management network element (such as chips).
  • the device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the execution of the session management network element in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 is used to perform the operations related to the transmission and reception of the session management network element in the above method embodiment, and the processing module Step 12 is used to perform operations related to the processing of the session management network element in the above method embodiments.
  • the transceiver module 11 is configured to send user plane path information of the terminal device to an application function network element
  • the session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the terminal device, and the terminal The device belongs to a terminal set, and the user plane path information is used to determine an edge application server for the terminal set; and, receiving an edge application server switching message from the application function network element, the edge application server switching message including the Information about the edge application server of the terminal set, and the edge application server switching message is used to indicate switching to the edge application server.
  • the processing module 12 is configured to determine that the edge application server of the terminal device is to be reselected.
  • the transceiver module 11 is further configured to receive a user plane path information request message from the application function network element, where the user plane path information request message includes the identifier of the terminal device.
  • the user plane path information includes DNAI.
  • the user plane path information further includes a transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI, and the transmission delay corresponding to the DNAI is less than or equal to a threshold.
  • the transceiver module 11 is further configured to send a message to the data management network element or the application function network element, where the message is used to indicate that the terminal device or the edge application server of the terminal set is to be reselected.
  • the transceiver module 11 is further configured to receive a subscription message from a data management network element, where the subscription message is used to subscribe to the reselection notification of the edge application server of the terminal device or the terminal set.
  • the transceiver module 11 is also used for the session management network element to send a subscription message to the data management network element, where the subscription message is used to subscribe to the reselection notification of the edge application server of the terminal set.
  • the user plane path information is information at the terminal set granularity.
  • the device 10 may be the data management network element in the foregoing embodiments, or may be a component (such as a chip) of the data management network element.
  • the device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the execution of the data management network element in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 is used to perform operations related to the transmission and reception of the data management network element in the above method embodiment, and the processing module Step 12 is used to perform operations related to the processing of the data management network element in the above method embodiments.
  • the transceiver module 11 is configured to receive an edge application server reselection indication message from the first session management network element, and the edge application server reselection indication message is used to indicate that the first terminal device or terminal
  • the edge application server of the set is to be reselected
  • the first session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the first terminal device, and the first terminal device belongs to the set of terminals;
  • the management network element sends an edge application server reselection notification message, the edge application server reselection notification message includes the identifier of the terminal set, and the edge application server reselection notification message is used to indicate that the edge application server of the terminal set is to be
  • the second session management network element is a network element that provides services for the session of the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device in the terminal set other than the first terminal device.
  • the transceiver module 11 is further configured to: send a subscription message to the first session management network element, where the subscription message is used to subscribe to the reselection notification of the first terminal device or the edge application server of the terminal set .
  • the transceiver module 11 is further configured to: the data management network element receives a subscription message from the second session management network element, the subscription message is used to subscribe to the reselection notification of the edge application server of the terminal set .
  • the processing module 12 is configured to: the data management network element determines the second session management network element according to the information of the terminal set.
  • the information of the terminal set includes an identifier of the terminal set and identifiers of all terminal devices in the terminal set.
  • the device 10 here is embodied in the form of functional modules.
  • the term "module” here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory, incorporated logic, and/or other suitable components to support the described functionality.
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • the device 10 may specifically be the first session management network element in the foregoing embodiments, and may be used to perform the tasks corresponding to the first session management network element in the foregoing method embodiments.
  • the device 10 may specifically be the second session management network element in the foregoing embodiments, and may be used to execute various processes and/or corresponding to the second session management network element in the foregoing method embodiments steps; or, the device 10 may be specifically the application function network element in the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be used to execute each process and/or step corresponding to the application network element in the above-mentioned method embodiments; or, the device 10 may be specifically the above-mentioned
  • the data management network element in the embodiments may be used to execute the processes and/or steps corresponding to the data management network elements in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not repeated here to avoid repetition.
  • the apparatus 10 in each of the above solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the network equipment (such as the application function network element, or the session management network element, or the data management network element) in the above method.
  • the functions described above may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding software on the hardware.
  • the hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-mentioned functions; for example, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a receiver computer), and other units, such as processing modules, can be replaced by processors to respectively perform the sending and receiving operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.
  • transceiver module 11 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, may include a receiving circuit and a sending circuit), and the processing module may be a processing circuit.
  • the apparatus in FIG. 9 may be the network element or device in the foregoing embodiments, or may be a chip or a chip system, such as a system on chip (system on chip, SoC).
  • the transceiver module may be an input-output circuit or a communication interface;
  • the processing module is a processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. It is not limited here.
  • this embodiment of the present application provides another device 20 for selecting an edge application server.
  • the device 20 includes a processor 21, and the processor 21 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 22, or read data/signaling stored in the memory 22, so as to execute the methods in the above method embodiments.
  • the processor 21 is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 22, or read data/signaling stored in the memory 22, so as to execute the methods in the above method embodiments.
  • the device 20 further includes a memory 22 for storing computer programs or instructions and/or data.
  • the memory 22 may be integrated with the processor 21, or may be separately provided.
  • the device 20 further includes a transceiver 23 for receiving and/or sending signals.
  • the processor 21 is used to control the transceiver 23 to receive and/or send signals.
  • the apparatus 20 is configured to implement the operations performed by each network element or device in each method embodiment above.
  • the processor 21 is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 22, so as to implement related operations of the application function network element in each method embodiment above. For example, the method executed by the application function network element in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , or the method executed by the AF in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 .
  • the processor 21 is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 22, so as to implement related operations of the session management network element in the above method embodiments.
  • the processor 21 is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 22, so as to implement related operations of the data management network element in each method embodiment above. For example, the method executed by the data management network element in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , or the method executed by the UDR in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 8 .
  • processors mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), and may also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (digital signal processors, DSP), application specific integrated circuits ( application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), off-the-shelf programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc.
  • a general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, or the like.
  • the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory and/or a nonvolatile memory.
  • the non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (read-only memory, ROM), programmable read-only memory (programmable ROM, PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (erasable PROM, EPROM), electrically programmable Erases programmable read-only memory (electrically EPROM, EEPROM) or flash memory.
  • the volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM).
  • RAM random access memory
  • RAM can be used as an external cache.
  • RAM includes the following multiple forms: static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), Double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous connection dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct Memory bus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM).
  • the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components
  • the memory storage module may be integrated in the processor.
  • memories described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.
  • the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which computer instructions for implementing the methods performed by the network elements of the core network in the foregoing method embodiments are stored.
  • the computer program when executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods performed by the application function network element in the above method embodiments.
  • the computer when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods performed by the first session management network element in the above method embodiments.
  • the computer when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods performed by the second session management network element in the above method embodiments.
  • the computer when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods performed by the session management network element in the above method embodiments.
  • the computer when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods performed by the data management network element in the above method embodiments.
  • the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, including instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a computer, the methods performed by the network elements of the core network in the foregoing method embodiments are implemented.
  • the embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned application function network element, session management network element (including the session management network element, and the first session management network element and the second session management network element), a data management network One or more of the elements.
  • the disclosed devices and methods may be implemented in other ways.
  • the device embodiments described above are only illustrative.
  • the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.
  • multiple units or components can be combined or May be integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored, or not implemented.
  • the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units may be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.
  • the computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices.
  • the computer may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device.
  • the computer instructions may be stored in or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server or data center Transmission to another website site, computer, server, or data center by wired (eg, coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (eg, infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.).
  • the computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or a data center integrated with one or more available media.
  • the available medium may be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, DVD), or a semiconductor medium (for example, a solid state disk (SSD), etc.
  • the aforementioned available medium includes but Not limited to: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (read-only memory, ROM), random access memory (random access memory, RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes.

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Abstract

本申请提供了一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法和装置，该方法可以包括：应用功能网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息，该消息用于指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选。其中，第一会话管理网元是为第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，第一终端设备属于一个终端集合；应用功能网元获得第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息和第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，其中，第二终端设备是终端集合中除了第一终端设备以外的终端设备；应用功能网元根据第一用户面路径信息和第二用户面路径信息，为终端集合选择边缘应用服务器。通过本申请的方案，可以为终端集合中的终端设备重新选择边缘应用服务器，并保证切换到重选的边缘应用服务器之后的业务体验。

Description

选择边缘应用服务器的方法和装置
本申请要求于2021年12月10日提交中国专利局、申请号为202111509231.1、申请名称为“选择边缘应用服务器的方法和装置”的中国专利申请的优先权，其全部内容通过引用结合在本申请中。
技术领域
本申请涉及通信技术领域，尤其涉及一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法和装置。
背景技术
在边缘计算(edge computing，EC)部署场景中，某些业务可能会由一个或多个部署于网络边缘的边缘应用服务器(edge application server，EAS)提供服务。而在一些场景下，多个用户设备(user equipment，UE)可能需要同一个EAS提供服务，以保持业务同步，提升用户体验。例如，目前移动端的热门游戏多以互动为主，经常需要多人匹配进行游戏，而同一局游戏中的多个用户在请求获取移动边缘计算服务时，网络侧便需要为该多个用户选择用一个EAS。
然而，在为多个UE提供服务的EAS不能满足用户需求的情况下，为该多个UE重新选择EAS，是值得研究的。
发明内容
本申请提供了一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法和装置，可以提供用于为一个终端集合中的多个终端设备选择边缘应用服务器的用户面路径信息，和/或为同一个终端集合中的多个终端设备选择边缘应用服务器。
第一方面，提供了一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，该方法可以由应用功能网元，或者，也可以由应用功能网元的组成部分(例如芯片或者电路)执行，对此不做限定，为了方便描述，下面以应用功能网元为例进行说明。
该方法可以包括：应用功能网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息，该消息用于指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，该第一会话管理网元是为该第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，该第一终端设备属于终端集合；该应用功能网元获得该第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息和第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，该第二终端设备为该终端集合中除了该第一终端设备以外的终端设备；该应用功能网元根据该第一用户面路径信息和该第二用户面路径信息，为该终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
基于上述方案，应用功能网元接收到用于指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选的消息，从而触发应用功能网元获得终端集合中各终端设备的用户面路径信息，并可以根据该用户面信息为终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，也可以说是第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器 待切换。
也就是说，当终端集合中的任意一个终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，则应用功能网元综合考虑该终端集合中的多个终端设备的用户面路径信息为该终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器，从而保证该终端集合中的终端设备在切换边缘应用服务器之后的业务体验。
结合第一方面，在第一方面的某些实现方式中，该第一用户面路径信息包括第一数据网络接入标识DNAI，该第二用户面路径信息包括第二DNAI，该第一DNAI和该第二DNAI都包括该第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI。
基于上述方案，应用功能网元获取了第一用户面路径信息和第二用户面路径信息之后，在该第一用户面路径信息和该第二用户面路径信息共有的DNAI对应的边缘应用服务器中，为终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器，因此该第一边缘服务器可以同时保证终端集合中的多个终端设备的服务体验。
结合第一方面，在第一方面的某些实现方式中，该第一用户面路径信息还包括与该第一DNAI所对应的传输时延，该第二用户面路径信息还包括该第二DNAI所对应的传输时延，该第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
基于上述方案，第一用户面路径信息和第二用户面路径信息既包括用户面路径的DNAI，又包括DNAI对应的传输时延，因此应用功能网元可以根据该传输时延选择满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径(即传输时延小于或等于阈值的用户面路径)，然后在该满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径对应的一个或多个边缘应用服务器中为该终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器，从而可以保证边缘应用服务器切换之后的用户体验。
结合第一方面，在第一方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该应用功能网元向该第一会话管理网元和该第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器切换消息，该边缘应用服务器切换消息包括该第一边缘应用服务器的信息，该边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示切换到该第一边缘应用服务器。
基于上述方案，应用功能网元可以在确定了为该终端集合服务的第一边缘应用服务器之后，指示第一会话管理网元和第二会话管理网元重选到第一边缘应用服务器上，从而可以由第一边缘应用服务器为该终端集合中的终端设备提供服务。
结合第一方面，在第一方面的某些实现方式中，该应用功能网元获得第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，包括：该应用功能网元根据该终端集合的信息向第二会话管理网元发送用户面路径信息请求消息，该用户面路径信息请求消息包括该第二终端设备的标识，该第二会话管理网元是为该第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元；该应用功能网元接收来自该第二会话管理网元的该第二用户面路径信息。
基于上述方案，应用功能网元可以通过用户面路径信息请求消息，向第二会话管理网元请求第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息。
结合第一方面，在第一方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该应用功能网元根据该第一用户面路径信息确定待选择的DNAI，该用户面路径信息请求消息还包括该待选择的DNAI。
可选地，第二用户面路径信息包括第二DNAI，该待选择的DNAI用于确定该第二DNAI。
基于上述方案，在应用功能网元接收到第一用户面路径信息之后，可以先根据该第一用户面路径信息确定待选择DNAI，并在发送给第二会话管理网元的用户面路径信息请求 消息中携带该待选择DNAI。在这种情况下，第二会话管理网元可以在该待选择的DNAI对应的用户面路径中进行选择(即确定第二用户面路径信息)，而不需要在所有可选的用户面路径中进行选择，从而可以节省资源，提升效率。
第二方面，提供了一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，该方法可以由核心网网元执行，或者，也可以由核心网网元的组成部件(例如芯片或者电路)执行，对此不作限定，为了便于描述，下面以由会话管理网元执行为例进行说明。
该方法可以包括：会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送终端设备的用户面路径信息，该会话管理网元是为该终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，该终端设备属于终端集合；该会话管理网元接收来自该应用功能网元的边缘应用服务器切换消息，该边缘应用服务器切换消息包括该终端集合的该边缘应用服务器的信息，该边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示重选到该边缘应用服务器。
基于上述方案，会话管理网元可以向应用功能网元上报属于终端集合的终端设备的用户面路径信息，以便应用功能网元可以根据该用户面路径信息为该终端集合确定边缘应用服务器。并且，该会话管理网元可以根据应用功能网元的边缘应用服务器切换消息确定该终端设备需要切换到的边缘应用服务器。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某种实现方式中，该会话管理网元是为终端集合中的终端设备的会话提供服务的网元。
此时该会话管理网元也可以称为锚点会话管理网元。
在这种情况下，该用户面路径信息可以是终端集合粒度的信息。
或者，该会话管理网元可以是为终端集合中的某一个终端设备的会话提供服务的网元。在这种情况下，该用户面路径信息可以是终端设备粒度的信息。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某种实现方式中，该方法还包括：会话管理网元获取该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送消息，该消息用于指示终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，或者终端集合中的终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选。
在一种实现方式中，该用户面路径信息承载于该消息中；在另一种实现方式中，会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送该消息之后，在向应用功能网元发送该用户面路径信息。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该用户面路径信息用于为该终端集合确定边缘应用服务器。
基于上述方案，会话管理网元向应用功能网元提供用于为终端集合确定边缘应用服务器的用户面路径信息，从而使得应用功能网元可以根据该用户面路径信息为该终端集合确定边缘应用服务器。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该会话管理网元确定该终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选。
基于上述方案，会话管理网元可以在终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选的情况下，向应用功能网元发送该终端设备的用户面路径信息，以便应用功能网元可以根据该用户面路径信息为该终端集合重新选择边缘应用服务器。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该会话管理网元接收来自该应用功能网元的用户面路径信息请求消息，该用户面路径信息请求消息包括该终端 设备的标识。
基于上述方案，会话管理网元可以根据应用功能网元的请求，向该应用功能网元发送该终端设备的用户面路径信息。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该用户面路径信息包括DNAI。
基于上述方案，会话管理网元可以在用户面路径信息中携带DNAI，以便向应用功能网元指示不同的用户面路径。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该用户面路径信息还包括该DNAI对应的传输时延，该DNAI对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
基于上述方案，会话管理网元可以在用户面路径信息中携带DNAI以及DNAI对应的传输时延，以便应用功能网元可以根据传输时延为该终端集合选择边缘应用服务器。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：会话管理网元确定该DNAI对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该会话管理网元向数据管理网元或该应用功能网元发送消息，该消息用于指示该终端设备或该终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选。
基于上述方案，会话管理网元可以向数据管理网元或者应用功能网元发送消息，以指示该终端设备或者该终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选。
在一种实现方式中，该用户面路径信息承载于该消息中；在另一种实现方式中，会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送该消息之后，在向应用功能网元发送该用户面路径信息。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该会话管理网元接收来自数据管理网元的订阅消息，该订阅消息用于订阅该终端设备或该终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
或者说，该订阅消息用于订阅该终端设备或该终端集合的边缘服务器切换通知，或者说，该订阅消息用于订阅该终端设备或该终端集合的边缘应用服务器的待重选通知。
基于上述方案，数据管理网元可以向会话管理网元订阅该终端设备或该终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知，因此，当该终端设备或者该终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选时，会话管理网元可以向数据管理网元发送消息进行指示。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该会话管理网元向数据管理网元发送订阅消息，该订阅消息用于订阅该终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
基于上述方案，会话管理网元可以向数据管理网元订阅该终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知，因此，当该终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选时，数据管理网元可以通知会话管理网元。
结合第二方面，在第二方面的某些实现方式中，该用户面路径信息为该终端集合粒度的信息。
基于上述方案，会话管理网元可以向应用功能网元提供终端集合粒度的用户面路径信息，即该用户面路径信息可以是该终端集合中的多个终端设备的用户面路径信息，以便应用功能网元可以根据该用户面路径信息用于为该终端集合确定边缘应用服务器。
第三方面，提供了一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，该方法可以由核心网网元执行，或者，也可以由核心网网元的组成部件(例如芯片或者电路)执行，对此不作限定，为了便于描述，下面以由数据管理网元执行为例进行说明。
该方法可以包括：数据管理网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的边缘应用服务器重选指示消息，该边缘应用服务器重选指示消息用于指示该第一终端设备或终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，该第一会话管理网元是为该第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，该第一终端设备属于该终端集合；该数据管理网元向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息，该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息包括该终端集合的标识，该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示该终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，该第二会话管理网元是为第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，该第二终端设备为该终端集合中除了该第一终端设备以外的终端设备。
基于上述方案，当数据管理网元根据来自第一会话管理网元的消息确定第一终端设备或者终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选时，可以向终端集合中除了第一终端设备以外的其他终端设备对应的会话管理网元(即第二会话管理网元)通知终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选。
通过上述方案，当终端集合中的任一个终端设备需要重选边缘应用服务器，则该终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元都可以收到通知消息，从而可以根据该通知消息向应用功能网元上报终端设备的用户面路径信息，以便应用功能网元可以为该终端集合选择边缘应用服务器。
这里的数据管理网元可以是统一数据管理网元，或者统一数据存储网元等。
结合第三方面，在第三方面的某些实现方式中，在该接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息之前，该方法还包括：该数据管理网元向该第一会话管理网元发送订阅消息，该订阅消息用于订阅该第一终端设备或该终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
基于上述方案，数据管理网元可以向第一会话管理网元订阅第一终端设备或终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知，因此，当该第一终端设备或者该终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选时，第一会话管理网元可以向数据管理网元发送消息进行指示。
结合第三方面，在第三方面的某些实现方式中，在发送该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息之前，该方法还包括：该数据管理网元接收来自该第二会话管理网元的订阅消息，该订阅消息用于订阅该终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
基于上述方案，第二会话管理网元可以向数据管理网元订阅终端集合的边缘应用服务器重选通知，因此，当该终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选时，该数据管理网元可以通知第二会话管理网元。
结合第三方面，在第三方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该数据管理网元根据该终端集合的信息确定该第二会话管理网元。
基于上述方案，数据管理网元接收到第一会话管理网元的消息之后，可以根据终端集合的信息确定该终端集合中，除第一终端设备以外的终端设备为第二终端设备，且第二终端设备对应的会话管理网元为第二会话管理网元。
结合第三方面，在第三方面的某些实现方式中，该终端集合的信息包括该终端集合的标识，以及该终端集合中所有终端设备的标识。
基于上述方案，该终端集合的信息包括该终端集合的标识，以及该终端集合中所有终端设备的标识，因此数据管理网元可以根据该终端集合的信息确定第二会话管理网元。
第四方面，提供了一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，该方法可以由应用功能网元，或者，也可以由应用功能网元的组成部分(例如芯片或者电路)执行，对此不做限定，为了 方便描述，下面以应用功能网元为例进行说明。
该方法可以包括：应用功能网元接收来自会话管理网元的消息，该消息用于指示终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，该会话管理网元是为该终端集合中的终端设备的会话提供服务的网元；该应用功能网元根据该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息，为该终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
基于上述方案，当应用功能网元根据来自会话管理网元的信息确定终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，则应用功能网元可以根据该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息，为该终端结合选择边缘应用服务器。因此，应用功能网元综合考虑该终端集合中的多个终端设备的用户面路径信息为该终端集合选择边缘应用服务器，从而保证该终端集合中的终端设备在切换边缘应用服务器之后的业务体验。
结合第四方面，在第四方面的某些实现方式中，该消息包括：该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息。
基于上述方案，应用功能网元可以从会话管理网元发送的消息中获取该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息，从而可以根据该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息为该终端集合选择边缘应用服务器。
结合第四方面，在第四方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该应用功能网元从该会话管理网元获得该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息。
基于上述方案，应用功能网元可以在接收到来自会话管理网元的消息之后，通过该会话管理网元获得该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息，从而可以根据该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息为该终端集合选择边缘应用服务器。
结合第四方面，在第四方面的某些实现方式中，该用户面路径信息包括DNAI，该DNAI包括该边缘应用服务器的DNAI。
基于上述方案，该用户面路径信息包括DNAI。应用功能网元在该DNAI对应的边缘应用服务器中为该终端集合选择一个边缘应用服务器，因此该边缘应用服务器能够满足终端集合中的终端设备的业务需求。
结合第四方面，在第四方面的某些实现方式中，该用户面路径信息还包括该DNAI对应的传输时延，该第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
基于上述方案，该用户面路径信息包括DNAI以及DNAI对应的传输时延。应用功能网元根据该传输时延，在该DNAI对应的边缘应用服务器中为该终端集合选择一个边缘应用服务器，所选择的边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于设定的阈值。
结合第四方面，在第四方面的某些实现方式中，在该应用功能网元接收来自会话管理网元的消息之前，该方法还包括：该应用功能网元接收来自终端设备的边缘应用服务获取请求消息，该终端设备属于该终端集合；该应用功能网元根据该终端集合的信息，向该会话管理网元发送会话管理网元重选请求消息，该会话管理网元重选请求消息包括该终端集合的标识以及该终端集合中的终端设备的标识，该会话管理网元重选请求消息用于请求将该终端设备重选到该会话管理网元。
基于上述方案，当终端集合中的终端设备向应用功能网元请求获取边缘应用服务的话，应用功能网元可以向该终端集合中的终端设备对应的会话管理网元指示将该终端集合中的终端设备切换到该会话管理网元。
结合第四方面，在第四方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该应用功能网元向该会话管理网元发送该终端集合的标识，以及该终端集合中的终端设备的标识。
基于上述方案，应用功能网元可以将该终端集合的信息发送给该会话管理网元，以便该会话管理网元可以根据该终端集合的信息为该终端集合确定用户面路径信息。
第五方面，提供了一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，该方法包括：网络存储功能网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的第一查询请求消息，该第一会话管理网元是为第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，该第一终端设备属于终端集合，该第一查找请求消息包括该终端集合的标识和/或该终端集合中的终端设备的标识，该查找请求消息用于请求查询服务于该终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元；该网络存储功能网元确定该会话管理网元；该网络存储功能网元向该第一会话管理网元发送第一查询响应消息，该第一查询响应消息包括该会话管理网元的标识。
基于上述方案，网络存储功能网元可以根据第一会话管理网元的请求，为终端集合选取一个会话管理网元，并将选取的会话管理网元指示给第一会话管理网元，从而使得第一会话管理网元可以将第一终端设备切换到该会话管理网元，从而方便会话管理网元对该终端集合中的终端设备进行统一管理，提升工作效率。
结合第五方面，在第五方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该网络存储功能网元存储该会话管理网元和该终端集合的对应关系。
基于上述方案，网络存储功能网元为终端集合选取了会话管理网元之后，可以将选取的会话管理网元的标识在本地保存，以备后续使用，避免后续终端集合中的其他终端设备需要获取会话管理网元的时候，不需要再重新确定，以节省资源。
结合第五方面，在第五方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该网络存储功能网元根据该终端集合的标识和该对应关系确定该会话管理网元。
结合第五方面，在第五方面的某些实现方式中，该方法还包括：该网络存储功能网元接收来自第二会话管理网元的第二查询请求消息，该第二会话管理网元是为第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，该第二终端设备属于该终端集合，该第二查询请求消息包括该终端集合的标识，该第二查询请求消息用于请求查找能够服务于该终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元；该网络存储功能网元向该第二会话管理网元发送第二查询响应消息，该第二查询响应消息包括该会话管理网元的标识。
基于上述方案，当网络存储功能网元又接收到了终端集合中除了第一终端设备以外的其他终端设备对应的会话管理网元的会话管理网元查找请求消息时，网络存储功能网元可以将之前为终端集合确定的会话管理网元指示给这些会话管理网元，从而可以使得终端集合中的终端设备都可以切换到该会话管理网元上，从而使得该会话管理网元可以统一管理该终端集合中的终端设备，以提升工作效率。
第六方面，提供了一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，该方法包括：会话管理网元向网络存储功能网元发送查询请求消息，所述会话管理网元是为终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述终端设备属于终端集合，所述查询请求消息包括所述终端集合的标识以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识，所述查询请求消息用于请求查找服务于所述终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元；所述会话管理网元接收来自所述网络存储功能网元的查询响应消息，所述查询响应消息包括所述会话管理网元的标识；所述会话管理向所述终端设备发送会话重建请求消息，所述会话重建请求消息包括所述会话管理网元的标识。
基于上述方案，终端集合中的第一终端设备所对应的第一会话管理网元可以通过网络存储功能网元获取会话管理网元的信息，并通过会话重建流程接入到该会话管理网元上，从而可以使得终端集合中终端设备可以由一个会话管理网元统一管理，提升工作效率。
结合第六方面，在第六方面的某些实现方式中，所述方法还包括：所述会话管理网元接收来自应用功能网元的会话管理网元切换请求消息，所述会话管理网元切换请求消息包括所述终端集合的标识以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识，所述会话管理网元切换请求消息用于指示所述会话管理网元将所述终端设备切换到能够服务于所述终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元。
基于上述方案，第一会话管理网元可以根据应用功能网元的指示，向存储功能网元获取会话管理网元的信息，并通过会话重建流程接入到该会话管理网元上，从而可以使得终端集合中终端设备可以由一个会话管理网元统一管理，提升工作效率。
第七方面，提供一种选择边缘应用服务器的装置，该装置用于执行上述第一方面至第六方面提供的任一方法。具体地，该装置可以包括用于执行第一方面至第六方面提供的方法的单元和/或模块，如处理模块和/或通信模块。在一种实现方式中，该装置为网络设备，例如该装置为应用功能网元，或会话管理管理网元，或数据管理网元，或网络存储功能网元。当该装置为网络设备时，通信模块可以是收发器，或，输入/输出接口；处理模块可以是处理器。
在另一种实现方式中，该装置为用于网络设备中的芯片、芯片系统或电路。当该装置为用于通信设备中的芯片、芯片系统或电路时，通信模块可以是该芯片、芯片系统或电路上的输入/输出接口、接口电路、输出电路、输入电路、管脚或相关电路等；处理模块可以是处理器、处理电路或逻辑电路等。
一种可能情况，该装置为应用功能网元中的芯片、芯片系统或电路。在该情况下，该装置可以包括用于执行第一方面或第四方面提供的方法的单元和/或模块，如处理单元和/或通信单元。
又一种可能情况，该装置为会话管理网元中的芯片、芯片系统或电路。在该情况下，该装置可以包括用于执行第二方面或第六方面提供的方法的单元和/或模块，如处理模块和/或通信模块。
又一种可能情况，该装置为数据管理网元中的芯片、芯片系统或电路。在该情况下，该装置可以包括用于执行第三方面提供的方法的单元和/或模块，如处理模块和/或通信模块。
又一种可能情况，该装置为网络存储功能网元中的芯片、芯片系统或电路。在该情况下，该装置可以包括用于执行第三方面提供的方法的单元和/或模块，如处理模块和/或通信模块。
可选地，上述收发器可以为收发电路。可选地，上述输入/输出接口可以为输入/输出电路。
第八方面，提供一种选择边缘应用服务器的装置，该装置包括：存储器，用于存储程序；处理器，用于执行存储器存储的程序，当存储器存储的程序被执行时，处理器用于执行上述第一方面至第六方面提供的任一方法。
第九方面，本申请提供一种处理器，用于执行上述各方面提供的方法。在执行这些方法的过程中，上述方法中有关发送上述信息和获取/接收上述信息的过程，可以理解为由 处理器输出上述信息的过程，以及处理器接收输入的上述信息的过程。在输出上述信息时，处理器将该上述信息输出给收发器，以便由收发器进行发射。该上述信息在由处理器输出之后，还可能需要进行其他的处理，然后再到达收发器。类似的，处理器接收输入的上述信息时，收发器获取/接收该上述信息，并将其输入处理器。更进一步的，在收发器收到该上述信息之后，该上述信息可能需要进行其他的处理，然后再输入处理器。
基于上述原理，举例来说，前述方法中提及的接收请求消息可以理解为处理器接收输入的信息。
对于处理器所涉及的发射、发送和获取/接收等操作，如果没有特殊说明，或者，如果未与其在相关描述中的实际作用或者内在逻辑相抵触，则均可以更加一般性的理解为处理器输出和接收、输入等操作，而不是直接由射频电路和天线所进行的发射、发送和接收操作。
在实现过程中，上述处理器可以是专门用于执行这些方法的处理器，也可以是执行存储器中的计算机指令来执行这些方法的处理器，例如通用处理器。上述存储器可以为非瞬时性(non-transitory)存储器，例如只读存储器(read only memory，ROM)，其可以与处理器集成在同一块芯片上，也可以分别设置在不同的芯片上，本申请实施例对存储器的类型以及存储器与处理器的设置方式不做限定。
第十方面，提供一种计算机可读存储介质，该计算机可读介质存储用于设备执行的程序代码，该程序代码包括用于执行上述第一方面至第六方面提供的任一方法。
第十一方面，提供一种包含指令的计算机程序产品，当该计算机程序产品在计算机上运行时，使得计算机执行上述第一方面至第六方面提供的任一方法。
第十二方面，提供一种芯片，该芯片包括处理器与通信接口，该处理器通过该通信接口读取存储器上存储的指令，执行上述第一方面至第六方面提供的任一方法。
可选地，作为一种实现方式，该芯片还可以包括存储器，该存储器中存储有指令，该处理器用于执行该存储器上存储的指令，当该指令被执行时，该处理器用于执行上述第一方面至第六方面提供的任一方法。
第十三方面，提供一种通信系统，包括前述的应用功能网元、会话管理网元、第一会话管理网元、第二会话管理网元、数据管理网元中的一个或多个。
附图说明
图1示出了一种网络架构的示意图。
图2示出了一种边缘计算场景示意图。
图3是本申请实施例提供的一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法300的示意图。
图4是本申请实施例提供的一种边缘应用服务器切换前后的路径示意图。
图5是本申请实施例提供的一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法500的示意性流程图。
图6是本申请实施例提供的另一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法600的示意性流程图。
图7是本申请实施例提供的另一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法700的示意性流程图。
图8是本申请实施例提供的另一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法800的示意性流程图。
图9示出了本申请实施例提供的一种选择边缘应用服务器的装置10的示意性框图。
图10示出了本申请实施例提供的另一种选择边缘应用服务器的装置20的示意性框图。
具体实施方式
为了使本申请的目的、技术方案和优点更加清楚，下面将结合附图，对本申请中的技术方案进行描述。方法实施例中的具体操作方法也可以应用于装置实施例或系统实施例中。其中，在本申请的描述中，除非另有说明，“多个”的含义是两个或两个以上。
在本申请的各个实施例中，如果没有特殊说明以及逻辑冲突，不同的实施例之间的术语和/或描述具有一致性、且可以相互引用，不同的实施例中的技术特征根据其内在的逻辑关系可以组合形成新的实施例。
本申请实施例的技术方案可以应用于各种通信系统，例如：第五代(5th generation，5G)系统或新无线(new radio，NR)或长期演进(long term evolution，LTE)系统等。本申请提供的技术方案还可以应用于未来的通信系统，如第六代移动通信系统。本申请实施例的技术方案还可以应用于设备到设备(device to device，D2D)通信，车辆外联(vehicle-to-everything，V2X)通信，机器到机器(machine to machine，M2M)通信，机器类型通信(machine type communication，MTC)，以及物联网(internet of things，IoT)通信系统或者其他通信系统。
为便于理解本申请实施例，首先结合图1简单介绍本申请实施例适用的通信系统。
作为示例性说明，图1中的(a)示出了本申请实施例适用的一种5G系统100a的架构示意图。如图1中的(a)所示，该网络架构可以包括但不限于以下网元(或者称为功能网元、功能实体、节点、设备等)：
用户设备(user equipment，UE)、(无线)接入网设备(radio access network，(R)AN)、用户面功能(user plane function，UPF)网元、边缘应用服务器(edge application server，EAS)、接入和移动性管理功能(access and mobility management function，AMF)网元、会话管理功能(session management function，SMF)网元、网络开放功能(network exposure function，NEF)网元、EASDF网元、网络存储功能(NF repository function，NRF)网元、策略控制功能(policy control function，PCF)网元、应用功能(application function，AF)网元、统一数据管理(unified data management，UDM)网元等。
下面对图1中的(a)中示出的各网元进行简单介绍：
1、用户设备：可以称为终端设备(terminal equipment)、终端装置、接入终端、用户单元、用户站、移动站、移动台(mobile station，MS)、移动终端(mobile terminal，MT)、远方站、远程终端、移动设备、用户终端、终端、无线通信设备、用户代理或用户装置。终端设备可以是一种向用户提供语音/数据连通性的设备，例如，具有无线连接功能的手持式设备、车载设备等。目前，一些终端的举例可以为：手机(mobile phone)、平板电脑(pad)、带无线收发功能的电脑(如笔记本电脑、掌上电脑等)、移动互联网设备(mobile internet device，MID)、虚拟现实(virtual reality，VR)设备、增强现实(augmented reality，AR)设备、工业控制(industrial control)中的无线终端、无人驾驶(self driving)中的无线终端、远程医疗(remote medical)中的无线终端、智能电网(smart grid)中的无线终端、运输安全(transportation safety)中的无线终端、智慧城市(smart city)中的无线终端、智慧家庭(smart home)中的无线终端、蜂窝电话、无绳电话、会话启动协议(session initiation protocol，SIP)电话、无线本地环路(wireless local loop，WLL)站、个人数字助理(personal digital assistant，PDA)、具有无线通信功能的手持设备、计算设备或连接到无线调制解调器的其它处理设备、车载设备、可穿戴设备，5G网络中的终端设备或者 未来演进的公用陆地移动通信网络(public land mobile network，PLMN)中的终端设备等。
此外，终端设备还可以是物联网(internet of things，IoT)系统中的终端设备。IoT是未来信息技术发展的重要组成部分，其主要技术特点是将物品通过通信技术与网络连接，从而实现人机互连，物物互连的智能化网络。IoT技术可以通过例如窄带(narrow band，NB)技术，做到海量连接，深度覆盖，终端省电。
此外，终端设备还可以包括智能打印机、火车探测器等，主要功能包括收集数据(部分终端设备)、接收网络设备的控制信息与下行数据，并发送电磁波，向网络设备传输上行数据。
应理解，用户设备可以是任何可以接入网络的设备。终端设备与接入网设备之间可以采用某种空口技术相互通信。
可选地，用户设备可以用于充当基站。例如，用户设备可以充当调度实体，其在V2X或D2D等中的用户设备之间提供侧行链路信号。比如，蜂窝电话和汽车利用侧行链路信号彼此通信。蜂窝电话和智能家居设备之间通信，而无需通过基站中继通信信号。
2、(无线)接入网设备：用于为特定区域的授权用户设备提供入网功能，并能够根据用户设备的级别，业务的需求等使用不同服务质量的传输隧道。
(R)AN能够管理无线资源，为用户设备提供接入服务，进而完成控制信号和用户设备数据在用户设备和核心网之间的转发，(R)AN也可以理解为传统网络中的基站。
示例性地，本申请实施例中的接入网设备可以是用于与用户设备通信的任意一种具有无线收发功能的通信设备。该接入网设备包括但不限为演进型节点B(evolved Node B，eNB)或5G，如，NR，系统中的gNB，或，传输点(TRP或TP)，5G系统中的基站的一个或一组(包括多个天线面板)天线面板，或者，还可以为构成gNB或传输点的网络节点，如基带单元(BBU)，或，分布式单元(distributed unit，DU)等。
在一些部署中，gNB可以包括集中式单元(centralized unit，CU)和DU。gNB还可以包括有源天线单元(active antenna unit，AAU)。CU实现gNB的部分功能，DU实现gNB的部分功能。比如，CU负责处理非实时协议和服务，实现无线资源控制(radio resource control，RRC)，分组数据汇聚层协议(packet data convergence protocol，PDCP)层的功能。DU负责处理物理层协议和实时服务，实现无线链路控制(radio link control，RLC)层、媒体接入控制(media access control，MAC)层和物理(physical，PHY)层的功能。AAU实现部分物理层处理功能、射频处理及有源天线的相关功能。由于RRC层的信息最终会变成PHY层的信息，或者，由PHY层的信息转变而来，因而，在这种架构下，高层信令，如RRC层信令，也可以认为是由DU发送的，或者，由DU+AAU发送的。可以理解的是，接入网设备可以为包括CU节点、DU节点、AAU节点中一项或多项的设备。此外，可以将CU划分为接入网(radio access network，RAN)中的接入网设备，也可以将CU划分为核心网(core network，CN)中的接入网设备，本申请对此不做限定。
3、用户面功能网元：用户面功能网元主要包括以下功能：数据包路由和传输、包检测、业务用量上报、服务质量(quality of service，QoS)处理、合法监听、上行包检测、下行数据包存储等用户面相关的功能。
示例性地，UPF可以分为协议数据单元会话锚点UPF(protocoldata unit session anchor UPF，PSA UPF)和上行分类器功能UPF(uplink classifier functionality UPF，UL CL UPF)。
图1中的(a)所示的UPF为PSA UPF，PSA UPF为支持PDU会话锚点功能的UPF， UE通过N1接口与AMF连接；AN通过N2接口与AMF连接，通过N3接口与PSA UPF连接；PSA UPF通过N4接口与SMF连接；PSA UPF通过N6接口与EAS连接。
下文中，为了描述简洁，PSA UPF可以简称为PSA；UL CL UPF可以简称为UL CL。
在5G架构中称之为的用户面功能网元，在未来通信系统中，用户面功能网元仍可以是UPF网元，或者，还可以有其它的名称，本申请不做限定。
4、边缘应用服务器：EAS是部署在EDN中的应用服务器，用于提供边缘计算(edge computing，EC)业务。
该边缘应用还可以称为“应用实例”，具体可以是指一个服务器应用程序(例如，社交媒体软件、增强现实(augmented reality，AR)、虚拟现实(virtual reality，VR))部署运行在边缘数据网络(edge data network，EDN)的实例(instance)。一个应用(或者也可以称为业务)可在一个或多个EDN中部署一个或多个EAS，部署运行在不同的EDN中的EAS可以认为是一个应用的不同的EAS，它们可以共享一个域名，也可以与部署在云上的应用使用不同的域名，其中域名可以是全限定域名(fully qualified domain name，FQDN)，可以使用一个任播IP地址，也可以使用不同的IP地址。
可以理解的是，EAS也可以称为边缘应用(服务器)、应用实例、边缘应用实例、多接入边缘计算(multi-access edge computing，MEC)应用(服务器)、EAS功能等。
EDN可以是本地数据中心(local part of DN)，EDN包含边缘使能服务器(edge enabler server，EES)和多个EAS，每个EDN有特定的服务范围。
5、接入和移动性管理功能网元：移动性管理网元主要包括以下功能：连接管理、移动性管理、注册管理、接入认证和授权、可达性管理、安全上下文管理等接入和移动性相关的功能。
在5G架构中称之为的接入和移动性管理功能网元，在未来通信系统中，接入和移动性管理功能网元仍可以是AMF网元，或者，还可以有其它的名称，本申请不做限定。
6、会话功能管理网元：主要用于会话管理、终端设备的网络互连协议(internet protocol，IP)地址分配和管理、选择可管理用户平面功能、策略控制和收费功能接口的终结点以及下行数据通知等，会话管理网元可以是为UE的会话提供服务的网元。
在未来通信系统中，会话管理功能网元仍可以是SMF网元，或者，还可以有其它的名称，本申请不做限定。
7、网络开放功能网元：可以理解为能力开放网元在5G架构中的命名。其中，能力开放网元主要包括以下功能：安全的开放3GPP网络功能提供的业务和能力，有内部开放，或者开放给第三方等；转化或翻译与AF交互的信息和内部网络功能交互的信息，如AF服务标识和内部5G核心网信息如数据网络名(data network name，DNN)，单网络切片选择辅助信息(single network slice selection assistance information，S-NSSAI)等。
8、EAS发现功能网元：主要负责发现EAS，包含的功能有注册到NRF以供发现和选择、根据SMF的指示处理DNS消息(例如，接收SMF发送的DNS消息处理规则、将DNS消息发送至本地DNS server或中心DNS server、为DNS query message添加ECS option、交换UE发送的DNS消息、向SMF通知EASDF相关信息等)、终止DNS安全等。
9、网络存储功能网元：可以理解为网络存储功能网元在5G架构中的命名。其中，网络存储功能网元主要包括以下功能：服务发现功能，维护可用的网络功能(network function，NF)实例的NF文本以及他们支持的服务。
10、策略控制功能网元：用于指导网络行为的统一策略框架，为控制面功能网元(例如AMF，SMF网元等)提供策略规则信息等。
在未来通信系统中，策略控制功能网元仍可以是PCF网元，或者，还可以有其它的名称，本申请不做限定。
11、应用功能网元：用于进行应用影响的数据路由提供应用层信息，可以通过接入网络开放功能网元，与策略框架交互或直接与策略框架交互进行策略决策请求控制等。
在未来通信系统中，应用功能网元仍可以是AF网元，或者，还可以有其它的名称，本申请不做限定。
12、统一数据管理网元：可以理解为统一数据管理网元在5G架构中的命名。其中，统一数据管理网元主要包括以下功能：统一数据管理，支持3GPP认证和密钥协商机制中的认证信任状处理，用户身份处理，接入授权，注册和移动性管理，签约管理，短消息管理等。
在未来通信系统中，统一数据管理网元仍可以是UDM网元，或者，还可以有其它的名称，本申请不做限定。
作为示例性说明，图1中的(b)示出了本申请实施例适用的另一种5G系统100b的架构示意图。图1中的(b)示出的系统100b和图1中的(a)示出的系统100a不同在于：图1中的(a)示出的系统100a中5G系统不通过UL CL/BP提供到EAS的接入，图1中的(b)示出的系统100b中5G系统通过UL CL/BP提供到EAS的接入。如图1中的(b)所示，该网络架构可以包括但不限于以下网元(或者称为功能网元、功能实体、节点、设备等)：
UE、(R)AN、UPF、EAS、中心DN、AMF网元、SMF网元、NEF网元、EASDF网元、NRF网元、PCF网元、AF网元、UDM网元等。
图1中的(b)包括的网元以及各个网元之间的连接与图1中的(a)类似，与图1中的(a)类似的不再赘述，不同点在于：
1、图1中的(b)所示的UPF包括UL CL UPF(或者称为分支点UPF(branching point UPF，BPUPF))、本地PSA UPF(localPSA UPF，L-PSA UPF)以及中心PSA UPF(centralPSA UPF，C-PSA UPF)。
其中，UL CL UPF为具有上行分类器功能的UPF。UE通过N1接口与AMF连接；AN通过N2接口与AMF连接，通过N3接口与UL CL UPF连接；UL CL UPF通过N4接口与SMF连接，通过N9接口与PSA UPF连接；SMF通过N4接口分别与PSA UPF连接；C-PSA UPF通过N6接口与中心DN连接；L-PSA UPF通过N6接口与EAS连接。
2、图1中的(b)所示架构中除了包括EAS之外还包括中心DN。
可以理解的是，上述网元或者功能网元既可以是硬件设备中的网络元件，也可以是在专用硬件上运行软件功能，或者是平台(例如，云平台)上实例化的虚拟化功能。
在图1所示的网络架构中，各网元之间可以通过图中所示的接口通信，部分接口可以采用非服务化接口的方式实现。如图1所示，UE和AMF之间可以通过N1接口进行交互，交互消息例如可以称为N1消息(N1 Message)。RAN和AMF之间可以通过N2接口进行交互，N2接口可以用于非接入层(non-access stratum，NAS)消息的发送等。RAN和UPF之间可以通过N3接口进行交互，N3接口可以用于传输用户面的数据等。SMF和UPF之间可以通过N4接口进行交互，N4接口可以用于传输例如N3连接的隧道标识信息，数 据缓存指示信息，以及下行数据通知消息等信息。UPF和DN之间可以通过N6接口进行交互，N6接口可以于传输用户面的数据等。
另外，图1中控制面功能的各个网元也可以通过服务化接口进行通信，比如，AMF经过Namf接口接入服务化架构，提供相应的服务；SMF经过Nsmf接口接入服务化架构，提供相应的服务；同理，NRF、PCF以及AF经过各自对应的接口接入服务化架构，提供相应的服务，这里不再赘述。其他接口与各网元之间的关系如图1中所示，为了简洁，这里不一一详述。
应理解，上述本申请实施例能够应用的网络架构仅是示例性说明，本申请实施例适用的网络架构并不局限于此，任何包括能够实现上述各个网元的功能的网络架构都适用于本申请实施例。
还应理解，图1中所示的AMF、SMF、UPF、PCF等可以理解为用于实现不同功能的网元，例如可以按需组合成网络切片。这些网元可以是各自独立的设备，也可以集成于同一设备中实现不同的功能，或者可以是硬件设备中的网络元件，也可以是在专用硬件上运行的软件功能，或者是平台(例如，云平台)上实例化的虚拟化功能，本申请对于上述网元的具体形态不作限定。
还应理解，上述命名仅为便于区分不同的功能而定义，不应对本申请构成任何限定。本申请并不排除在5G网络以及未来其它的网络中采用其他命名的可能。例如，在6G网络中，上述各个网元中的部分或全部可以沿用5G中的术语，也可能采用其他名称等。
还应理解，图1中的各个网元之间的接口名称只是一个示例，具体实现中接口的名称可能为其他的名称，本申请对此不作具体限定。此外，上述各个网元之间的所传输的消息(或信令)的名称也仅仅是一个示例，对消息本身的功能不构成任何限定。
在边缘计算部署场景中，同一个UE集合中的多个UE可能需要同一个EAS提供服务，以保持业务同步，提升用户体验。如果该UE集合中的一个或多个UE需要重新选择EAS(或者说需要进行EAS切换)，在这种情况下，如何使得重新选择的EAS仍然可以为该UE集合中的多个UE提供服务，是当前需要解决的问题。
为了便于理解本申请实施例的技术方案，在以5G架构为基础介绍本申请实施例的方案之前，首先对本申请实施例可能涉及到的5G中的一些术语或概念进行简单描述。
1、5G架构。
第三代合作伙伴计划(3rd generation partnership project，3GPP)中定义的演进分组系统(evolved packet system，EPS)包括基于服务化接口的5G网络架构中或基于点对点接口的5G网络架构中，5G网络可分为三部分，分别是UE、DN和运营商网络。
其中，运营商网络可以包括图1中除UE和DN之外所示的网元中的一个或者多个，或者还可以包括其他的网元，本申请对于5G网络结构不做限定，可以参考目前相关技术中的介绍。
2、边缘计算
移动通信的飞速发展促进了各种新型业务的不断涌现，除了传统的移动宽带、物联网之外，移动通信催生了许多新的应用领域如增强现实(augmented reality，AR)技术、虚拟现实(virtual reality，VR)技术、车联网技术、工业控制、IOT等，同时对网络带宽、时延等性能也提出了更高的需求，网络负荷进一步加重。
LTE中传统的集中式锚点部署方式越来越难以支撑快速增长的移动业务流量模型。一 方面，在锚点网关集中式部署的网络中，增长的流量最终集中在网关及核心机房处，对回程网络带宽、机房吞吐量和网关规格提出了越来越高的要求；另一方面，从接入网到锚点网关长距离的回程网络和复杂的传输环境，导致用户报文传输的较大时延和抖动。
基于上述情况，业界提出了边缘计算(edge computing，EC)。边缘计算通过将用户面网元及业务处理能力下移到网络边缘，实现了分布式的业务流量本地处理，避免了流量的过度集中，从而大大降低了对核心机房和集中网关的规格要求。同时边缘计算也缩短了回程网络的距离，降低了用户报文的端到端传输时延和抖动，使得超低时延业务的部署称为可能。
图2是一种边缘计算场景示意图。相比于DN网络而言，边缘计算平台部署在下沉的UPF(即本地UPF)处；DN网络部署在远端UPF处。与UE访问DN的路径(如实线所示)相比，UE访问边缘计算平台的路径(如点划线所示)大大缩短。因此，边缘计算技术可以为用户提供低时延、高带宽服务。
上文结合图1介绍了本申请实施例能够应用的场景，还简单介绍了本申请中涉及的基本概念，下文中将结合附图详细介绍本申请提供的选择边缘应用服务器的方法。
下文示出的实施例并未对本申请实施例提供的方法的执行主体的具体结构特别限定，只要能够通过运行记录有本申请实施例的提供的方法的代码的程序，以根据本申请实施例提供的方法进行通信即可，例如，本申请实施例提供的方法的执行主体可以是核心网设备，或者是核心网设备中能够调用程序并执行程序的功能模块。
为了便于理解本申请实施例，做出以下几点说明。
第一，在本申请中，“用于指示”可以理解为“使能”，“使能”可以包括直接使能和间接使能。当描述某一信息用于使能A时，可以包括该信息直接使能A或间接使能A，而并不代表该信息中一定携带有A。
将信息所使能的信息称为待使能信息，则具体实现过程中，对待使能信息进行使能的方式有很多种，例如但不限于，可以直接使能待使能信息，如待使能信息本身或者该待使能信息的索引等。也可以通过使能其他信息来间接使能待使能信息，其中该其他信息与待使能信息之间存在关联关系。还可以仅仅使能待使能信息的一部分，而待使能信息的其他部分则是已知的或者提前约定的。例如，还可以借助预先约定(例如协议规定)的各个信息的排列顺序来实现对特定信息的使能，从而在一定程度上降低使能开销。同时，还可以识别各个信息的通用部分并统一使能，以降低单独使能同样的信息而带来的使能开销。
第二，在本申请中示出的第一、第二以及各种数字编号(例如，“#1”、“#2”等)仅为描述方便，用于区分的对象，并不用来限制本申请实施例的范围。例如，区分不同消息等。而不是用于描述特定的顺序或先后次序。应该理解这样描述的对象在适当情况下可以互换，以便能够描述本申请的实施例以外的方案。
第三，术语“包括”和“具有”以及他们的任何变形，意图在于覆盖不排他的包含，例如，包含了一系列步骤或单元的过程、方法、系统、产品或设备不必限于清楚地列出的那些步骤或单元，而是可包括没有清楚地列出的或对于这些过程、方法、产品或设备固有的其它步骤或单元。
第四，在本申请中，“预配置”可包括预先定义，例如，协议定义。其中，“预先定义”可以通过在设备(例如，包括各个网元)中预先保存相应的代码、表格或其他可用于指示相关信息的方式来实现，本申请对于其具体的实现方式不做限定。
第五，本申请实施例中涉及的“保存”，可以是指的保存在一个或者多个存储器中。所述一个或者多个存储器，可以是单独的设置，也可以是集成在编码器或者译码器，处理器、或通信装置中。所述一个或者多个存储器，也可以是一部分单独设置，一部分集成在译码器、处理器、或通信装置中。存储器的类型可以是任意形式的存储介质，本申请并不对此限定。
第六，本申请实施例中涉及的“协议”可以是指通信领域的标准协议，例如可以包括5G协议、新空口(new radio，NR)协议以及应用于未来的通信系统中的相关协议，本申请对此不做限定。
以下，以网元之间的交互为例详细说明本申请实施例提供的发现边缘应用服务器的方法。应理解，本申请中的各实施例中术语和步骤可以互相参考。
图3是本申请实施例提供的一种用于选择边缘应用服务器的方法的示意性流程图。
图3的(a)示出了一种可能的用于选择边缘应用服务器的方法的示例性流程，图3所示的流程包括以下步骤：
S301，应用功能网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息。
示例性地，第一会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送消息。该第一会话管理网元是为第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，或者说，该第一会话管理网元是第一终端设备所接入的会话管理网元。该第一终端设备属于一个终端集合。该终端集合可以包括多个终端设备。
可选地，第一会话管理网元可以是在满足触发条件的情况下，向应用功能网元发送该消息。
该触发条件例如可以是：第一终端设备的数据传输时延不满足用户面时延要求，这里的用户面时延要求用于指示用户面传输所允许的最大时延，或者说用户面时延要求指示用户面传输时延的阈值，因此这里的触发条件也可以表达为第一终端设备的数据传输时延大于或等于该阈值。应理解，这里的用户面时延要求(或者说阈值)，可以是由应用功能网元在S301之前提前配置给第一会话管理网元的，或者说，这里的用户面时延要求(或阈值)可以是由应用功能网元在S301之前提前配置给终端集合内所有终端设备对应的会话管理网元的。应理解，第一会话管理网元还可能在其他触发条件下(例如还可以是服务器发生故障时)向应用功能网元发送消息，本申请对此不做限定。
对应地，应用功能网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的该消息。该消息用于指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，或者说，该消息用于指示为第一终端设备重选边缘应用服务器，这里的边缘应用服务器待重选指的是重新选择一个边缘应用服务器为第一终端设备提供服务。应理解，这里的边缘应用服务器待重选，也可以说是边缘应用服务器待切换等等，即该消息可以指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待切换。应理解，该消息指示边缘应用服务器待重选，还可以具体为该消息指示第一终端设备的用户面路径待重选，或者，该消息指示第一终端设备的数据传输时延不满足用户面时延要求，或者，该消息指示第一终端设备的数据传输时延大于或等于阈值，或者，该消息指示第一终端设备的负载大于或等于阈值等等。
S302，应用功能网元获得第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息和第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息。
示例性地，应用功能网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息之后，可以通过一定的方式获得第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息和第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，其中， 第二终端设备是该终端集合中除了第一终端设备以外的终端设备。具体地，该第二终端设备是该终端集合中除了第一终端设备以外的所有终端设备。第二终端设备可以包括一个或多个终端设备，本申请不做限定。
本申请中的用户面路径信息，可以是用于确定EAS的用户面信息。具体可以是用户面路径应用侧端点的信息，例如应用的潜在位置(可以用DNAI来表示)；用户面路径信息中还可以包括DNAI对应的时延等。
为了方便说明，在本申请实施例中，以用户面路径信息包括DNAI为例进行说明，但应理解，该用户面路径信息本身可以是DNAI。
在某种实现方式中，该第一用户面路径信息和该第二用户面路径信息可以用于为该终端集合确定边缘应用服务器。
首先对应用功能网元获得第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息的实现方式作示例性说明。
一种示例，在S301，第一会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送消息，并在该消息中携带第一用户面路径信息。也就是说，第一会话管理网元可以通过S301的消息向应用功能网元发送第一用户面路径信息。应用功能网元可以从该消息中获得该第一用户面路径信息。应理解，当该第一用户面路径信息具有上述指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选的作用时，应用功能网元还可以根据该第一用户面路径信息确定第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，或者根据该第一用户面路径信息确定第一终端设备的用户面时延不能满足用户面时延要求，或者根据该第一用户面路径信息确定第一终端设备的负载大于或等于阈值等等。
另一种示例，在S301，第一会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送消息，该消息中携带指示信息，该指示信息用于指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选。根据该指示信息，应用功能网元向第一会话管理网元发送用户面路径信息请求消息，该用户面路径信息请求消息包括第一终端设备的标识，第一会话管理网元根据该用户面路径信息请求消息向应用功能网元发送第一用户面路径信息。应用功能网元从第一会话管理网元接收该第一用户面路径信息。
可选地，该第一用户面路径信息可以包括一条或多条用户面路径的信息，例如，该第一用户面路径信息可以包括第一DNAI，该第一DNAI是与该一条或多条用户面路径对应的DNAI，或者说，该第一DNAI与一条或多条用户面路径相关联。可选地，该第一用户面路径信息还可以包括该第一DNAI对应的传输时延。应理解，这里的传输时延指的是第一DNAI对应的用户面路径的传输时延，这里的第一DNAI与传输时延对应，指的是该第一DNAI与该传输时延存在关联关系，或者说，该第一DNAI与该传输时延对应于相同的用户面路径。
下面对第一会话管理网元获取第一用户面路径信息的方式作示例性说明。
为了方便说明，本申请实施例以第一会话管理网元根据第一终端设备在不同用户面路径上的用户面传输时延来确定第一用户面路径信息为例进行说明，但应理解，第一会话管理网元还可能根据其他信息(例如第一终端设备的负载)来确定第一用户面路径信息，本申请对此不做限定。具体例如，第一会话管理网元根据第一终端设备的位置、网络拓扑、边缘应用服务器部署信息等对第一终端设备在不同用户面路径上的数据传输时延进行估计，或者第一会话管理网元利用测量数据包对第一终端设备在不同用户面路径上的数据传 输时延进行测量，最终得到一个或多个满足用户面时延要求的第一终端设备的用户面路径。在一种实现方式中，第一会话管理网元将满足用户面时延要求的第一终端设备的用户面路径的信息包括在第一用户面路径信息中，也就是说，该第一用户面路径信息中可以仅包括满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息；在另一种实现方式中，第一会话管理网元可以将第一终端设备所有可用的用户面路径的信息包括在第一用户面路径信息中，同时在该第一用户面路径信息中携带这些用户面路径所对应的传输时延。
下面对应用功能网元获得第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息的实现方式作示例性说明。
在一种实现方式中(记为方式1)，应用功能网元向第二会话管理网元请求获取第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，该第二会话管理网元是为第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元。
示例性地，应用功能网元在S301接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息之后，应用功能网元根据终端集合的信息(例如应用功能网元本地存储了终端集合的信息)，确定该终端集合中除了第一终端设备之外的其他终端设备的信息。该终端集合的信息包括以下一项或多项：该终端集合的标识，该终端集合中的终端设备的标识，该终端集合中的终端设备对应的会话管理网元的标识。具体地，该终端集合中可以包括该终端集合中所有终端设备的标识以及所有终端设备对应的会话管理网元的标识。
如果终端集合的信息中包括该终端集合的标识、该终端集合中的终端设备的标识、以及该终端集合中的终端设备对应的会话管理网元的标识，则应用功能网元可以根据该终端集合的信息确定第二终端设备是该终端集合中除了第一终端设备以外的终端设备，以及第二会话管理网元是为第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元。然后，应用功能网元向第二会话管理网元发送用户面路径信息请求消息，该用户面路径信息请求消息包括第二终端设备的标识。
如果终端集合的信息中包括该终端集合的标识，该终端集合中的终端设备标识，则应用功能网元可以根据该终端集合的信息确定第二终端设备是该终端集合中除了第一终端设备以外的终端设备。然后应用功能网元可以通过网络能力开放功能网元向第二会话管理网元发送用户面路径信息请求消息。例如，应用功能网元向网络能力开放功能网元提供第二终端设备的标识，以及业务流的标识，以便网络能力开放功能网元可以根据该第二终端设备的标识以及业务流的标识确定第二终端设备对应的第二会话管理网元，然后网络能力开放功能网元可以将来自应用功能网元的用户面路径信息请求消息转发给第二会话管理网元。
示例性地，该用户面路径信息请求消息用于向该第二会话管理网元请求第二终端设备的满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息，或者，该用户面路径信息请求消息用于请求该第二终端设备可用的用户面路径的信息以及这些用户面路径对应的时延。
可选地，如果应用功能网元在向第二会话管理网元发送用户面路径信息请求消息之前，已经获得了第一用户面路径信息了的话(例如应用功能网元从S301的消息中获得第一用户面路径信息)，则应用功能网元可以根据第一用户面路径信息确定待选择的用户面路径的信息，并在该用户面路径信息请求消息中携带该待选择的用户面路径的信息。例如，第一用户面路径信息包括第一DNAI，该第一DNAI对应的用户面路径均满足用户面时延要求，则应用功能网元可以将该第一DNAI作为待选择的DNAI携带在用户面路径请求消息 中；又例如，第一用户面路径信息包括第一DNAI以及第一DNAI对应的传输时延，则应用功能网元根据第一DNAI对应的传输时延，确定待选择的DNAI，该待选择的DNAI可以包括第一DNAI中，对应的传输时延满足用户面时延要求的DNAI。
应理解，应用功能网元本地保存了该终端集合的信息，或者说，应用功能网元在上述方案之前，预先保存了该终端集合的信息，或者说，应用功能网元维护该终端集合的信息。例如，该终端集合中的一个终端设备注册到网络之后，或者建立了会话之后，为该终端设备服务的会话管理网元将该终端设备的标识、该终端集合的标识(可选地还包括该会话管理网元的标识)发送给应用功能网元，该应用功能网元接收并保存该终端设备的标识以及该终端集合的标识，可选地，应用功能网元还保存了该会话管理网元的标识，且这些信息存在关联关系。
对应地，第二会话管理网元接收来自应用功能网元的用户面路径信息请求消息。根据该用户面路径信息请求消息，第二会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送第二用户面路径信息。
可选地，该第二用户面路径信息可以包括一条或多条用户面路径的信息，例如，该第一用户面路径信息可以包括第二DNAI，该第二DNAI是与该一条或多条用户面路径对应的DNAI。可选地，该第二用户面路径信息还可以包括该第二DNAI对应的传输时延。
具体例如，第二会话管理网元接收到用户面路径信息请求消息之后，根据第二终端设备的位置、网络拓扑、边缘应用服务器部署信息用户面时延要求等对第二终端设备在不同用户面路径上的数据传输时延进行估计，或者第二会话管理网元利用测量数据包对第二终端设备在不同用户面路径上的数据传输时延进行测量，最终得到一个或多个满足用户面时延要求的第二终端设备的用户面路径，然后第二会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送第二用户面路径信息。在一种实现方式中，第二会话管理网元将满足用户面时延要求的第二终端设备的用户面路径的信息包括在第二用户面路径信息中，也就是说，该第二用户面路径信息中可以仅包括满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息；在另一种实现方式中，第二会话管理网元可以将第二终端设备所有可用的用户面路径的信息包括在第二用户面路径信息中，同时在该第二用户面路径信息中携带这些用户面路径所对应的传输时延。
可选地，如果用户面路径信息请求消息中携带了待选择的用户面路径的信息，例如用户面路径信息请求消息中携带了待选择的DNAI，则第二会话管理网元可以在该待选择的DNAI对应的用户面路径中，选择满足第二终端设备的用户面时延要求的用户面路径，也就是说，第二DNAI包括在第一DNAI中。因此，在这种情况下，第二DNAI对应的用户面路径既满足第一终端设备的用户面时延要求，又满足第二终端设备的用户面时延要求。
在另一种实现方式中(记为方式2)，还可以由数据管理网元触发第二会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息。
示例性地，在S303，第一会话管理网元向数据管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选指示消息，该边缘应用服务器重选指示信息用于指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，或者用于指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待切换，或者用于指示第一终端设备的数据传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求，或者用于指示第一终端设备的传输时延大于或等于阈值，或者用于指示第一终端设备的负载大于或等于阈值。
该数据管理网元例如可以5G系统中的UDM或者UDR。应理解，在未来通信系统，例如6G系统中，该数据管理网元还可能是其他名称，这里不做限定。
可选地，该第一会话管理网元可以是在满足触发条件的情况下，向数据管理网元发送 该边缘应用服务器切换指示消息。这里的触发条件可参考S301部分的说明，不再赘述。
应理解，S303可以在S301之后执行，也可以在S301之前执行，本申请对此不做限定。
可选地，在S303之前，数据管理网元可以向第一会话管理网元发送订阅消息，该订阅消息用于订阅第一终端设备或者终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知，又可以说是：该订阅消息用于订阅第一终端设备的数据传输时延不满足用户面时延要求的通知，或者该订阅消息用于订阅该第一终端设备的数据传输时延大于或等于阈值的通知，或者，该订阅消息用于订阅第一终端设备的负载大于或等于阈值的通知等等。也就是说，当第一终端设备或者终端集合需要重选边缘应用服务器(具体如当第一终端设备的数据传输时延不满足用户面时延要求，或者当第一终端设备的数据传输时延大于或等于阈值，或者当第一终端设备的负载大于或等于阈值时)，则需要通知数据管理网元。例如，数据管理网元向第一会话管理网元发送订阅消息，该消息中携带第一终端设备的标识或终端集合的标识。对应地，第一会话管理网元接收来自数据管理网元的订阅消息，根据该订阅消息，当满足上述触发条件时，第一会话管理网元需要通知数据管理网元(例如在S303向数据管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选指示消息)。
应理解，数据管理网元还可以向第二会话管理网元发送订阅消息，该订阅消息用于订阅第二终端设备或者终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知，具体可以参见上文对于向第一会话管理网元发送的订阅消息的描述。换句话说，数据管理网元可以向终端集合中所有终端设备对应的会话管理网元发送该订阅消息，在这种情况下，当终端集合中的任意一个终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，其对应的会话管理网元都需要通知数据管理网元。
S304，数据管理网元向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息。
示例性地，数据管理网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的边缘应用服务器重选指示消息后，向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息，该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息包括该终端集合的标识，该边缘应用服务器重选通知信息用于指示终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，又可以说是该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示第二会话管理网元发送第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，或者该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示发送终端集合中终端设备的用户面路径信息，或者该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示第二会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，或者该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示向应用功能网元发送终端集合中终端设备的用户面路径信息，或者该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示第二终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选。又或者，该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示第一终端设备的传输时延大于或等于阈值，该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示终端集合中存在终端设备的传输时延大于或等于阈值，或者，该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示第一终端设备的负载大于或等于阈值，或者，该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示终端集合中存在终端设备的负载大于或等于阈值。应理解，终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，也可以说是终端集合的边缘服务器待切换。
具体例如，数据管理网元接收边缘应用服务器重选指示信息之后，确定第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，并且数据管理网元根据本地保存的终端集合的信息，确定该第一终端设备属于该终端集合，并且确定第二终端设备是该终端集合中除了第一终端设备以外的终端设备，第二会话管理网元是为第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，则数据管理 网元向第二会话管理网元发送该边缘服务器重选通知消息。
应理解，数据管理网元本地保存了该终端集合的信息，或者说，数据管理网元在上述方案之前，预先保存了该终端集合的信息。例如，在第一终端设备建立完会话之后，第一会话管理网元向数据管理网元上报第一终端设备的标识，同时携带终端集合的标识。对应地，数据管理网元接收并保存第一终端设备的标识、终端集合的标识以及第一会话管理网元的标识，且该第一终端设备的标识、该终端集合的标识以及该第一会话管理网元的标识存在关联关系。类似地，在第二终端设备建立完会话之后，第二会话管理网元向数据管理网元上报第二终端设备的标识，同时携带终端集合的标识。数据管理网元接收并保存第一会话管理网元和第二会话管理网元上报的信息。对应地，数据管理网元接收并保存第二终端设备的标识、终端集合的标识和第二会话管理网元的标识，且该第二终端设备的标识、该终端集合的标识和该第二会话管理网元的标识存在关联关系。
可选地，在S303之前，第二会话管理网元可以向数据管理网元发送订阅消息，该订阅消息用于订阅该终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知，又可以说是，该订阅消息用于订阅该终端集合的终端设备的信息的变化通知，或者该订阅消息用于订阅该终端集合的终端设备的边缘应用服务器无法满足要求的通知等，例如终端集合中存在终端设备的传输时延大于或等于阈值、或者终端集合中存在终端设备的传输时延大于或等于阈值。
也就是说，当终端集合需要重选边缘应用服务器，则数据管理网元通知第二会话管理网元。例如，第二会话管理网元向数据管理网元发送订阅消息，该消息中携带终端集合的标识。对应地，数据管理网元接收来自第会话管理网元的订阅消息，根据该订阅消息，当数据管理网元确定终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选时(例如数据管理网元在S303接收到来自第一会话管理网元的边缘应用服务器重选指示消息)，数据管理网元需要通知第二会话管理网元(例如在S304向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息)。
应理解，第一会话管理网元也可以向数据管理网元发送订阅消息，该订阅消息用于订阅终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。换句话说，终端集合中所有终端设备对应的会话管理网元都向数据管理发送该订阅消息，在这种情况下，当终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，则数据管理网元需要通知该终端集合中的所有终端设备对应的会话管理网元。对应地，第二会话管理网元接收来自数据管理网元的边缘应用服务器重选通知消息，根据该边缘应用服务器重选通知消息，第二会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息。对应地，应用功能网元从第二会话管理网元获得该第二用户面路径信息。
应理解，在上述方案中，是由第一会话管理网元在满足触发条件(如第一终端设备的传输时延大于或等于阈值)的情况下，触发边缘应用服务器重选流程的(或者说触发终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息上报流程)。然而在某些可能的实现方式中，还可能由应用功能网元触发上述流程。例如，当为终端集合服务的边缘应用服务器的负载大于或等于设定的阈值时，应用功能网元可以根据本地保存的终端集合的信息，分别向第一会话管理网元和第二会话管理网元请求第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息和第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息。
S305，应用功能网元根据第一用户面路径信息和第二用户面路径信息，为终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
示例性地，应用功能网元获得第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息，以及第二终端设 备的第二用户面路径信息后，选择一个边缘应用服务器(这里记为第一边缘应用服务器)为该终端集合提供服务。
例如，第一用户面路径信息包括第一DNAI，第二用户面路径信息包括第二DNAI，则应用功能网元根据第一DNAI和第二DNAI确定第一边缘应用服务器，其中第一DNAI和第二DNAI均包括该第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI。换句话说，第一应用功能网元在第一DNAI和第二DNAI的交集对应的边缘应用服务器中，选择一个作为第一边缘应用服务器。当第一DNAI和第二DNAI的交集包括多个DNAI时，应用功能网元可以根据指标衡量选择算法等方式在该多个DNAI对应的边缘应用服务器中选择第一边缘应用服务器，本申请对此不做限定。
又例如，第一用户面路径信息包括第一DNAI以及第一DNAI对应的传输时延，第二用户面路径信息包括第二DNAI以及第二DNAI对应的传输时延，则应用功能网元根据第一DNAI及其对应的传输时延和第二DNAI及其对应的传输时延确定第一边缘应用服务器，其中第一DNAI和第二DNAI均包括该第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI，且第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值(或者说满足用户面时延要求)。换句话说，第一应用功能网元在第一DNAI和第二DNAI的交集对应的边缘应用服务器中，选择一个传输时延满足用户面时延要求的边缘应用服务器作为第一边缘应用服务器。如果存在多个满足要求的边缘应用服务器，则应用功能网元可以根据指标衡量选择算法等方式在该多个边缘应用服务器中选择第一边缘应用服务器，本申请对此不做限定。
S306，应用功能网元向第一会话管理网元和第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器切换消息。
示例性地，应用功能网元为终端集合选择了第一边缘应用服务器之后，分别向第一会话管理网元和第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器切换消息，该边缘应用服务器切换消息包括第一边缘应用服务器的信息。该边缘应用服务器切换消息又可以叫做边缘应用服务器重选消息等。具体地，该边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示重选到第一边缘应用服务器，这又可以理解为，该边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示切换到第一边缘应用服务器。
对应地，第一会话管理网元或第二会话管理网元接收到来自应用功能网元的边缘应用服务器切换消息之后，进行边缘应用服务器的切换，具体方式本申请不做限定。
图3的(b)示出了另一种可能的用于选择边缘应用服务器的方法的示例性流程，图3的(b)所示的流程包括以下步骤：
S310，会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送用户面路径信息。
示例性地，该会话管理网元是为终端集合中的终端设备的会话提供服务的网元。具体地，该会话管理网元是为终端集合中所有终端设备的会话提供服务的网元。在一些场景中，该会话管理网元可以称为锚点会话管理网元。
可选地，该会话管理网元可以是在满足触发条件的情况下，向应用功能网元发送该用户面路径信息，该用户面路径信息为终端集合粒度的信息，或者说，该用户面路径信息为该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息。在一种实现方式中，该用户面路径信息可以是终端集合中不同终端设备对应的用户面路径信息的集合，即在这种实现方式中，该用户面路径信息包括多个用户面路径信息，该多个用户面路径信息与该终端集合中的多个终端设备一一对应；在另一种实现方式中，该用户面路径信息可以是该终端集合中不同终端设备对应的用户面路径信息的交集，即在这种实现方式中，该用户面路径信息包括一个或多 个用户面路径信息，该一个或多个用户面路径信息是终端集合中的多个终端设备的用户面路径信息所共有的用户面路径信息。
该触发条件例如可以是：该终端集合中任意一个或多个终端设备的传输时延不满足用户面时延要求，或者说，该终端集合中任意一个或多个终端设备的传输时延大于或等于阈值，或者说，该终端集合中的任意一个或任意多个终端设备的负载大于或等于阈值。
可选地，该用户面路径信息可以包括一条或多条用户面路径的信息，例如，该用户面路径信息可以包括该一条或多条用户面路径对应的DNAI。可选地，该用户面路径信息还可以包括该DNAI对应的传输时延。
具体例如，在满足触发条件的情况下，该会话管理网元根据该终端集合中的终端设备的位置、网络拓扑、边缘应用服务器部署信息等对终端设备在不同用户面路径上的数据传输时延进行估计，或者会话管理网元利用测量数据包对终端设备在不同用户面路径上的数据传输时延进行测量，最终得到一个或多个满足该终端集合中的终端设备的用户面时延要求的用户面路径。在一种实现方式中，会话管理网元将满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息包括在用户面路径信息中，也就是说，该用户面路径信息中可以仅包括满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息；在另一种实现方式中，会话管理网元可以将所有可用的用户面路径的信息包括在用户面路径信息中，同时在该用户面路径信息中携带这些用户面路径所对应的传输时延。
应理解，该会话管理网元是为终端集合中的终端设备的会话提供服务的网元。可以是在该终端集合中的终端设备在接入网络或建立会话的过程中为该终端集合中的终端设备选择同一个会话管理网元，也可以是在终端集合中的终端设备向应用功能网元请求边缘计算服务的时候，将该终端集合中的终端设备切换到该会话管理网元上。下面结合步骤S320至S370对第二种情况作示例性说明。
S320，第一会话管理网元向网络存储功能网元发送第一查询请求消息。
示例性地，第一会话管理网元是为第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，该第一终端设备属于该终端集合，或者说，该第一终端设备是该终端集合中的任意一个终端设备。该第一查询请求消息可以包括终端集合的标识以及该终端集合中所有终端设备的标识，该第一查询请求消息用于请求查询服务于该终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元。
可选地，第一会话管理网元可以是根据应用功能网元的指示，发起该第一查询请求消息。例如，该终端集合中的终端设备向应用功能网元发送边缘应用服务器获取请求消息，根据该边缘应用服务器获取请求消息，应用功能网元向为该终端集合中的终端设备的会话提供服务的会话管理网元(其中包括第一会话管理网元)发送会话管理网元重选请求消息，该会话管理网元重选请求消息包括该终端集合的标识，以及该终端集合中的终端设备的标识，该会话管理网元重选请求消息用于请求将该终端集合中的终端设备切换到该会话管理网元。第一会话管理网元接收到该会话管理网元请求消息之后，向网络存储功能网元发送该第一查询请求消息。
S330，网络存储功能网元确定会话管理网元。
为了方便说明，这里以第一会话管理网元首先向网络存储功能网元请求查询会话管理网元为例进行说明。也就是说，网络存储功能网元首先接收到了来自第一会话管理网元的第一查询请求消息。根据该第一查询请求消息，该网络存储功能网元为该终端集合确定会话管理网元，该会话管理网元可以为该终端集合中的终端设备提供服务。本申请对网络存 储功能网元为该终端集合确定会话管理网元的具体方式不做限定。
可选地，网络存储功能网元存储该会话管理网元的标识，该会话管理网元的标识与该终端集合的标识相关联。
S340，网络存储功能网元向第一会话管理网元发送第一查询响应消息。
示例性地，该网络存储功能网元为该终端集合确定会话管理网元之后，向第一会话管理网元发送第一查询响应消息，该第一查询响应消息包括该会话管理网元的标识。
S350，第二会话管理网元向网络存储功能网元发送第二查询请求消息。
示例性地，该第二会话管理网元是为第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，该第二终端设备是该终端集合中除了第一终端设备以外的终端设备。该第二查询请求消息包括该终端集合的标识，以及该终端集合中的终端设备的标识。该第二查询请求消息用于请求查询服务于该终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元。
S360，网络存储功能网元向第二会话管理网元发送第二查询响应消息。
示例性地，网络存储功能网元接收到来自第二会话管理网元的第二查询请求消息之后，根据该终端集合的标识，在本地存储中获取该会话管理网元的信息，然后向该第二会话管理网元发送第二查询响应消息，并在该第二查询响应消息携带该会话管理网元的标识。
或者在另一种实现方式中，网络存储功能网元可以在接收到来第一查询请求消息和第二查询请求消息之后，再为该终端集合确定该会话管理网元，本申请对此不做限定。
S370，会话管理网元的切换。
示例性地，第一会话管理网元接收到来自网络存储功能网元的第一查询响应消息之后，触发第一终端设备进行会话重建，并指示该会话管理网元为第一终端设备提供会话服务，以将第一终端设备切换到该会话管理网元
类似地，第二会话管理网元接收到第二会话查询响应消息之后，触发第二终端设备的会话重建，并指示该会话管理网元为第二终端设备提供会话服务，以将第二终端设备切换到该会话管理网元。
S380，应用功能网元根据用户面路径信息，为终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
示例性地，应用功能网元接收来自会话管理网元的用户面路径信息之后，选择一个边缘应用服务器(这里记为第一边缘应用服务器)为该终端集合提供服务。
例如，用户面路径信息包括DNAI，则应用功能网元根据该DNAI确定第一边缘应用服务器，其中该DNAI包括该第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI。换句话说，应用功能网元在该DNAI对应的边缘应用服务器中，选择一个作为第一边缘应用服务器。当该DNAI对应多个边缘应用服务器时，应用功能网元可以根据指标衡量选择算法等方式在该多个边缘应用服务器中选择第一边缘应用服务器，本申请对此不做限定。
又例如，第一用户面路径信息包括DNAI以该DNAI对应的传输时延，则应用功能网元根据该DNAI及其对应的传输时延确定第一边缘应用服务器，其中该DNAI包括该第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI，且第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值(或者说满足用户面时延要求)。换句话说，应用功能网元在该DNAI对应的边缘应用服务器中，选择一个传输时延满足用户面时延要求的边缘应用服务器作为第一边缘应用服务器。如果存在多个满足要求的边缘应用服务器，则应用功能网元可以根据指标衡量选择算法等方式在该多个边缘应用服务器中选择第一边缘应用服务器，本申请对此不做限定。
S390，应用功能网元向会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器切换消息。
示例性地，应用功能网元为终端集合选择了第一边缘应用服务器之后，向会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器切换消息，该边缘应用服务器切换消息包括第一边缘应用服务器的信息，该边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示将该终端集合中的终端设备切换到第一边缘应用服务器，或者说，该边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示将该终端集合中的终端设备重选到第一边缘应用服务器。
对应地，会话管理网元接收到来自应用功能网元的边缘应用服务器切换消息之后，进行边缘应用服务器的切换，具体方式本申请不做限定。
综上，在上述方案中，当终端集合需要切换(或者说重新选择)边缘应用服务器，应用功能网元综合考虑终端集合中所有终端设备的用户面路径信息，选择一个合适的边缘应用服务器为该终端集合提供服务，从而保证终端集合在切换边缘应用服务器之后的业务体验。
为了便于理解本申请实施例提供的方案，下面结合图4简单介绍本申请实施例的边缘应用服务器的重选过程。假设某个UE集合包括UE1和UE2，该UE集合需要同一EAS提供服务。如图4的(a)所示，UE1和UE2由EAS1提供服务。然而，当UE2由于位置移动(例如从RAN2的覆盖范围移动到了RAN1的覆盖范围)，继续由EAS1为其提供服务，其用户面传输时延可能不能满足用户面时延要求了，如图4的(b)所示。这个时候，AF可以综合考虑UE1和UE2的用户面路径信息，为UE1和UE2重新选择一个EAS(例如图中的EAS2)。
为了便于理解，下文将结合具体实施例，对图4所示的EAS重选过程进行详细说明。应理解，下述方法500至方法800中的AF可对应于方法300(包括方法300(a)和方法300(b))中的应用功能网元，UE2可对应于方法300中的第一终端设备，SMF2可对应于方法300中的第一会话管理网元，UE1可对应于方法300中的第二终端设备，SMF1可对应于方法300中的第二会话管理网元，UDR可对应于方法300中的数据管理网元。
图5示出了本申请实施例提供的选择边缘应用服务器的方法500的示例性流程图。
为了便于描述，以会话管理功能网元为5G网络中的SMF、应用功能网元为5G网络中的AF、终端装置为UE、接入网设备为5G网络中的RAN、用户面功能网元为5G网络中的UPF为例进行说明，本申请实施例中对于网元或装置的名称不做限定，其他能够实现相应功能的网元也在本申请的保护范围之内。
从图5中可以看出，方法500包括：
S501，UE1和UE2获取EAS1的服务。
示例性地，UE1和UE2属于同一个UE集合，该UE集合中的UE需要接入同一个EAS，或者说，该UE集合中的UE需要由同一个EAS提供服务。该UE1可以包括一个或多个UE，也就是说，该UE集合可以包括两个或两个以上的UE。
作为一种示例，该UE集合中的UE可以是多人交互游戏中的多个用户设备，该多个用户设备通过匹配可以同时或一起进行游戏，这种游戏的服务架构往往由登录服务器和业务服务器组成，其中登录服务器统一管理用户的注册信息、个人信息等，并在游戏进行匹配时实现分组功能。而业务服务器则在用户接入后，为用户提供实际的游戏服务。为了降低游戏过程的时延和抖动，可以采用MEC技术将用户面网元和业务处理能力下移到网络边缘，实现分布式的业务流量本地处理，避免流量的过度集中，同时缩短回程网络的距离， 从而降低端到端传输的时延和抖动。在利用MEC进行多人游戏的场景中，可以为不同游戏用户选择同一个边缘应用服务器EAS，以保证业务同步，提升用户体验。可以将匹配游戏的多个用户划分为一个UE集合，因此对该UE集合中的UE需要由同一个EAS提供服务。应理解，这里的UE集合还可以应用于其他各种场景，例如，同一个车辆编队也可以组成一个UE集合，本申请对此不做限定。现有技术中通过为多个UE选择同一个EAS来减少传输时延的任何场景都适用于本申请实施例所提供的方案。
应理解，该UE集合可以包括两个或两个以上的UE，也可以包括3个或3个以上的UE，这种情况下的方案也应在本申请实施例的保护范围内。
因此，基于上述场景，UE1和UE2在请求获取边缘计算服务的时候，AF需要为UE1和UE2选择同一个EAS。
具体例如，UE1和UE2分别向AF(该AF例如可以是集中式的AF)发送边缘计算服务请求消息，AF根据UE1和UE2的边缘计算服务请求消息，选择一个EAS为UE1和UE2提供边缘计算服务。AF可以结合网络拓扑和用户面路径信息等内容选择为UE1和UE2提供服务的EAS，本申请对此不作具体限定。
同时，为了方便说明，这里将AF为UE1和UE2选择的EAS记为EAS1。但应理解，本申请文件中各种名词前或名词后的“1”、“2”等或者“第一”、“第二”等各种编号只是为了区别类似的对象，而不必用于描述特定的顺序或者先后次序。应该理解，这样使用的名词或术语可以指示相同的对象，也可以指示不同的对象，在适当的情况下还可以互换，以便这里描述的实施例能够以除了在这里图示或描述的内容以外的顺序实施。
S502，AF分别向SMF 1和SMF 2发送用户面时延要求。
示例性地，AF分别向SMF 1和SMF 2发送用户面时延要求，其中，该SMF 1是向UE 1提供服务的SMF，或者说，SMF1是为UE1的PDU会话提供服务的网元。该SMF 2为向UE 2提供服务的SMF，或者说，SMF2是为UE2的PDU会话提供服务的网元。
该用户面时延要求用于指示用户面传输所允许的最大时延，或者说，该用户面时延要求指示用户面传输时延的阈值。为了保障用户体验，用户面传输时延不应超过该阈值。
本申请对AF指示该用户面时延要求的具体形式不做限定。这里仅给出几种可能的方式：一种示例，该用户面时延要求为1个值(value)，占用一个字段，该value承载于现有的用于指示传输时延的比特位中；另一种示例，该用户面时延要求包括指示字段(description)和一个值(value)，占用两个字段，该description用于指示该value值为用户面传输时延阈值。
应理解，S502可以在S501之后执行。例如，当AF为UE1和UE2选择了EAS1，且UE1和UE2接入到EAS1之后，EAS1可以通知AF该UE集合中的UE已经接入，AF接收到EAS1的通知消息之后，向SMF1和SMF2发送该用户面时延要求。或者，S502也可以在S501执行的过程中或者在S501之前执行，AF可以在UE1和UE2与网络建立了会话之后的任何时机，决定向UE1和UE2发送该用户面时延要求，本申请对此不做限定。
还应理解，AF可以是在S502之前，预先保存了该UE集合的信息。例如，在UE集合中的所有UE注册到网络之后，或者UE集合中的所有UE建立了会话之后，网络侧可以将该UE集合的信息发送给AF，AF接收并保存该UE集合的信息。该UE集合的信息包括该UE集合的标识、该UE集合中的UE的标识、以及该UE集合中的UE所接入的网络设备(尤其是SMF)的标识。例如SMF1和SMF2分别将该UE1和UE2的标识(并携 带UE集合的标识)发送给AF，AF接收并保存UE1、SMF1和UE集合的关联关系，以及UE2、SMF2和UE集合的关联关系。或者，EAS1也可以在通知AF该UE集合中的UE已经接入的时候，将该UE集合的信息一起发送给该AF。又例如，AF也可以在UE集合中的UE接入网络服务之后自行获取并保存该UE集合的信息。例如，在多人交互游戏场景中，EAS类似游戏服务器，AF类似登录服务器，游戏玩家登录，进行玩家匹配后，AF便可以获取到由多名游戏玩家组成的UE集合的信息。上述描述的几种方案仅作示例，本申请对此不做限定。
S503，当UE2的传输时延不满足用户面时延要求，则SMF 2为UE 2选择用户面传输路径。
示例性地，当UE集合中的UE(即UE1和UE2)获取了边缘计算服务，并通过建立好的用户面路径与EAS 1进行数据传输后，UE集合中的UE所对应的SMF(即SMF 1和SMF 2)分别对其所对应的UE的数据传输时延进行测量。如果某个UE的数据传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求(或者说某个UE的数据传输时延大于或等于用户面时延要求所指示的阈值)，则需要进行用户面路径的调整，或者说，需要进行EAS重选。
例如，UE2由于位置移动，导致数据传输时延变大，此时当SMF 2发现UE2的数据传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求时，则SMF 2为UE 2重新选择用户面传输路径。例如，SMF 2根据UE 2的位置、网络拓扑、EAS部署信息、用户面时延要求等，对UE2在不同用户面传输路径的传输时延进行估算，得到满足用户面时延要求的所有用户面路径。又例如，SMF2可以通过测量数据包对不同用户面路径的用户面传输时延进行测量，得到满足时延要求的所有用户面路径，具体方式本申请不做限定。
应理解，上述实施例以UE2的位置移动导致数据传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求，从而需要重新选择用户面传输路径为例进行说明的，但本申请并不限于此。在不同的实现方式中，还可以是UE集合中的其他UE(或UE集合中的多个UE或所有UE)的移动导致需要重新选择用户面传输路径；或者，还可能是由于负载过大或负载不均衡、服务器故障等原因导致需要重新选择用户面传输路径，本申请对此不做限定。
如果没有满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径，则AF可以向UE1和UE2发送服务失败通知，并携带原因值。如果存在满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径，则：
在S504，SMF2向AF发送用户面路径信息#1。
示例性地，该用户面路径信息#1可以包括一条或多条用户面路径的信息，该一条或多条用户面路径的信息可以包括该一条或多条用户面路径的DNAI、时延等信息，该时延表示UE2通过该DNAI获取边缘计算服务时的用户面路径时延估计值。在这种实现方式中，该路径信息#1可以仅包括满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息，也可以包括UE2可用的所有的用户面路径的信息(即可以包括满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息，也可以包括不满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息)。
可选地，该用户面路径信息#1中也可以不包括时延，或者说，该用户面路径信息#1中也可以仅包括DNAI，该DNAI为满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的DNAI，或者说，此时该路径信息#1可以表示UE2通过该DNAI获取边缘服务的时候，其用户面时延估计值满足用户面时延要求。在这种实现方式中，该路径信息#1仅包括满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径信息。
应理解，当存在多条满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径时，该用户面路径信息#1可 以包括所有满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息，也可以仅包括部分满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径信息。例如，当满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径比较多的时候，SMF2可以仅在用户面路径信息#1中包括优选的几条用户面路径的信息。
还应理解，当用户面路径信息#1包括多条用户面路径的信息时，SMF2可以对该多条用户面路径的信息进行排序。例如，SMF2按照用户面时延估计值从小到大对该多条用户面路径进行排序，以便AF可以根据该顺序来选择用户面路径。本申请对此均不作限定。
应理解，在一种实现方式中，S504中的用户面路径信息#1可对应于方法300中的第一用户面路径信息。
S505，AF确定待选择的用户面路径列表。
示例性地，AF从SMF2接收用户面路径信息#1，然后根据该用户面路径信息#1确定待选择的用户面路径列表。
例如，该用户面路径信息#1包括一条或多条用户面路径的DNAI，以及该一条或多条用户面路径上估计的时延。AF根据该一条或多条用户面路径上估计的时延确定待选择的用户面路径列表，该待选择的用户面路径列表包括该一条或多条用户面路径中时延满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的DNAI。AF保存该待选择的用户面路径列表。可选地，AF可以根据待选择的用户面路径列表确定待选择的EAS列表，该待选择的EAS列表包括一个或多个EAS的信息，即AF可以根据待选择的用户面路径列表中的DNAI确定其对应的一个或多个EAS。AF可以保存该待选择的EAS列表。
又例如，该用户面路径信息#1仅包括一条或多条用户面路径的DNAI，则此时待选择的用户面路径列表包括该一条或多条用户面路径的DNAI，也就是说，在这种情况下，AF可以直接将用户面路径信息#1中的用户面路径组成该待选择的用户面路径列表。
S506，AF向SMF1发送用户面路径信息获取请求消息。
示例性地，AF根据本地保存的UE集合的信息，确定UE集合中除UE2以外的其他UE的信息，即UE1及UE1对应的SMF1。
然后，AF向SMF1发送用户面路径信息获取请求消息，该用户面路径信息获取请求消息包括UE1的标识，该用户面路径信息获取请求消息用于请求获取该UE1的用户面路径的信息，或者说该用户面路径信息获取请求消息用于请求获取满足用户面时延要求的UE1的用户面路径信息。应理解，如果UE1包括多个UE，则AF向该多个UE对应的多个SMF分别发送用户面路径信息获取请求消息。
可选地，如果S506是在S505执行完成之后再执行的，则AF还可以在该用户面路径请求消息中携带在S505获取的待选择的用户面路径列表。
S507，SMF1为UE1选择用户面传输路径。
S508，SMF1向AF发送用户面路径信息#2。
示例性地，SMF1接收来自AF的用户面路径信息请求消息，根据该用户面路径信息请求消息为UE1选择用户面传输路径，并将选择的用户面路径的信息(记为用户面路径信息#2)发送给AF。
在一种实现方式中(记为方式a)，该用户面路径信息请求消息中包括UE1的标识，则SMF1根据UE1的位置、网络拓扑、EAS部署信息、用户面时延要求等，对UE1在不同用户面传输路径的传输时延进行估算，得到满足用户面时延要求的所有用户面路径。或者，SMF1通过测量数据包对不同用户面路径的用户面传输时延进行测量，得到满足时延 要求的所有用户面路径。如果没有满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径，则SMF2向AF发送用户面路径选择失败的指示信息，并携带原因值，该原因值用于指示失败的原因为不存在满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径。如果存在满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径，则SMF1向AF发送用户面路径信息#2。
示例性地，在这种实现方式中，该用户面路径信息#2可以包括一条或多条用户面路径的信息，该一条或多条用户面路径的信息可以包括一条或多条用户面路径的DNAI、时延等信息，该时延表示UE1通过该DNAI获取边缘计算服务时的用户面路径时延估计值。在这种实现方式中，该路径信息#1可以仅包括满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息，也可以包括UE1可用的所有的用户面路径的信息。可选地，该用户面路径信息#2中也可以不包括时延，或者说，该用户面路径信息#2中也可以仅包括DNAI，该DNAI为满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的DNAI，或者说，此时该路径信息#2可以表示UE1通过该DNAI获取边缘服务的时候，其用户面时延估计值满足用户面时延要求。在这种实现方式中，该路径信息#2仅包括满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径信息。
在另一种实现方式中(记为方式b)，该用户面路径信息请求消息中包括UE1的标识和待选择的用户面路径列表，则SMF1根据UE1的位置、网络拓扑等，在该待选择的用户面路径列表所对应的用户面路径中确定满足时延要求的用户面路径。如果该待选择的用户面路径列表中的用户面路径里，没有满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径，则SMF2向AF发送用户面路径选择失败的指示信息，并携带原因值，该原因值用于指示失败的原因为该待选择的用户面路径列表中不存在满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径。如果该待选择的用户面路径列表中存在满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径，则SMF1向AF发送用户面路径信息#2。
示例性地，在这种实现方式中，该用户面路径信息#2可以包括一条或多条用户面路径的信息，该一条或多条用户面路径属于该待选择的用户面列表，该一条或多条用户面路径的信息可以包括该一条或多条用户面路径的DNAI。可选地，该用户面路径信息#2还可以包括该一条或多条用户面路径的时延，本申请对此不做限定。
S509，AF确定EAS2为UE集合服务。
AF接收来自SMF2的用户面路径信息#2，根据该用户面路径信息#2(可选地还可以包括AF在S505确定的待选择的用户面路径列表)确定为UE集合(或者说UE集合中的UE)服务的EAS。
示例性地，在方式a中，如果该用户面路径信息#2包括一条或多条用户面路径的DNAI、时延等信息，则AF在该一条或多条用户面路径中确定满足用户面时延要求的UE1的用户面路径，然后结合待选择的用户面路径列表确定为UE集合服务的EAS。应理解，在这种实现方式中，S505可以在S508之后执行，本申请不做限定。
例如，AF确定UE1在DNAI 1、DNAI 2对应的两条用户面路径上满足用户面时延要求。如果AF在S505确定的待选择的用户面路径列表包括DNAI 1、DNAI 2、DNAI 3，即AF确定的满足UE2的用户面时延要求的用户面路径为DNAI 1、DNAI 2、DNAI 3，则AF可以选择DNAI 1或DNAI 2对应的EAS中的一个为UE集合提供服务。应理解，AF可以根据指标衡量选择算法等方式在DNAI 1和DNAI 2对应的EAS中做选择，本申请对此不做限定。
示例性地，在方式b中，如果用户面路径信息#2包括一条或多条用户面路径的DNAI， 而不包括用户面路径的时延，则表示该用户面路径信息#2中的用户面路径为SMF1在待选择用户面路径列表中确定的UE1满足用户面时延要求的用户面传输路径，则AF根据该用户面路径信息#2确定为UE集合服务的EAS。例如，用户面路径信息#2包括DNAI 1和DNAI 2，则AF选择DNAI 1或DNAI 2对应的EAS中的一个为UE集合提供服务，具体方式本申请不做限定。
为了方便说明，本申请实施例将重选用户面路径之前，为UE集合服务的EAS记为EAS1，将AF在S509重新确定的为UE集合服务的EAS记为EAS2。
应理解，在一种实现方式中，S509可对应于方法300(a)中的S305。这里的EAS2可对应于方法300(a)中的第一边缘应用服务器。
S510，AF对EAS1和EAS2进行运行时上下文迁移。
示例性地，AF确定选择EAS 2为UE集合服务之后，在EAS1和EAS2间进行运行时上下文迁移。
S511，AF分别向SMF1和SMF2发送EAS切换指示信息。
示例性地，该EAS切换指示信息中包括EAS 2的信息，例如，EAS 2对应的DNAI、IP地址等信息。
对应地，SMF1和SMF2分别接收来自AF的EAS切换指示信息，然后SMF1和SMF2结合EAS 2的信息分别配置并激活UE 1和UE2的新的用户面路径。新的用户面路径激活之后，SMF1和SMF2分别向AF发送配置完成消息。另一方面，SMF1和SMF2分别向UE提供EAS 2的信息，例如，SMF 1和SMF 2分别通过控制面的NAS消息向UE 1和UE2发送EAS 2的信息。或者，也可以由AF通过应用层的方式，向UE1和UE2提供EAS2的信息。
SMF1和SMF2释放原用户面资源，即分别释放EAS 1服务UE 1的资源和EAS 1服务UE 2的资源。
综上，在上述实施例中，AF维护UE集合的信息。当UE集合中的任意一个UE需要进行EAS重选时，该UE对应的SMF向AF发送该UE的用户面路径信息，AF可通过该UE集合中的其他UE对应的SMF，获取其他UE的用户面路径信息。最后，AF综合考虑UE集合中所有UE的用户面路径信息，选择一个合适的EAS为该UE集合提供服务，保证了UE集合在EAS重选之后的业务体验。
图6示出了本申请实施例提供的选择边缘应用服务器的方法600的示例性流程图。从图6中可以看出，方法600包括：
S601，UE1和UE2获取EAS 1的服务。
示例性地，UE1和UE2属于同一个UE集合，该UE集合中的UE需要接入同一个EAS，或者说，该UE集合中的UE需要由同一个EAS提供服务。应理解，S601与方法500中的S501类似，为了简洁，不再详细说明。
S602，AF分别向SMF1和SMF2发送用户面时延要求和UE集合标识。
示例性地，AF分别向SMF 1和SMF 2发送用户面时延要求和该UE集合的标识，其中，该SMF 1为向UE 1提供服务的SMF，该SMF 2为向UE 2提供服务的SMF，该用户面时延要求和该UE集合的标识可以承载于同一条消息中。该UE集合的标识指的是UE1和UE2所在的集合的标识，该用户面时延要求可以用于指示用户面传输所允许的最大时延，具体可参考方法500的S502中的相关描述，这里不再重复说明。
S603，SMF1和SMF2分别向UDR订阅UE集合变化通知。
示例性地，SMF1可以在接收到来自AF的用户面时延要求和UE集合标识之后，向UDR请求订阅UE集合变化通知，例如SMF1向UDR发送UE集合变化订阅请求消息，该UE集合变化订阅请求消息包括UE集合的标识，该UE集合变化订阅请求消息用于请求UDR在UE集合中存在UE需要进行EAS重选时，通知SMF1。该订阅请求消息还可以包括业务流的标识。
应理解，这里的UDR还可以是其他网元，例如UDM，本申请对此不做限定。
SMF2与SMF1执行的方案类似，不再重复说明。
S604，UDR分别向SMF1和SMF2订阅EAS重选通知。
示例性地，UDR接收到来自SMF1和SMF2订阅请求之后，分别向SMF1和SMF2订阅EAS重选通知，例如UDR向SMF1发送EAS重选订阅请求消息，该EAS重选订阅请求消息包括UE1的标识，该EAS重选订阅请求消息用于请求SMF在UE1需要进行EAS重选时，通知UDR。该EAS重选订阅请求消息还可以包括业务流的标识。
S605，SMF2向UDR发送EAS重选通知。
示例性地，当需要对UE2进行EAS重选时(例如，在UE2的数据传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求时，具体原因不做限定)，SMF2向UDR发送EAS重选通知消息，该EAS重选通知消息包括UE2的标识，和/或该UE集合的标识。该EAS重选通知消息用于指示UE2需要进行EAS重选，或者，该EAS重选通知消息用于指示UE2的传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求。该EAS重选通知消息可以包括业务流的标识。
S606，UDR向SMF1发送UE集合变化通知。
示例性地，UDR接收来自SMF2的EAS重选通知消息之后，根据该EAS重选通知消息中携带的标识(即UE2的标识和/或UE集合的标识)，以及本地保存的UE集合的信息，确定UE集合中除UE2以外的UE为UE1，且UE1对应的SMF为SMF1，则UDR向SMF1发送UE集合变化通知消息。该UE集合变化通知消息可以携带UE集合的标识和EAS重选指示信息，该EAS重选指示信息用于指示该UE集合需要进行EAS重选；或者，该UE集合变化通知消息携带UE1的标识和EAS重选指示信息，此时该EAS重选指示信息用于指示UE1需要进行EAS重选。
该UE集合的信息包括该UE集合的标识，以及该UE集合中所有UE(即UE1和UE2)的标识，以及为这些UE提供服务的SMF的标识。应理解，UDR预先保存了该UE集合的信息。例如，在UE1建立完PDU会话之后，SMF1向UDR上报UE1的标识，同时携带UE集合的标识。对应地，UDR接收并保存UE1的标识、UE集合的标识以及SMF1的标识，且该UE1的标识、该UE集合的标识以及该SMF1的标识存在关联关系。类似地，在UE2建立完PDU会话之后，SMF2向UDR上报UE2的标识，同时携带UE集合的标识。UDR接收并保存SMF1和SMF2上报的信息。对应地，UDR接收并保存UE2的标识、UE集合的标识和SMF2的标识，且该UE2的标识、该UE集合的标识和该SMF2的标识存在关联关系。
作为一个具体示例，UDR接收到来自SMF2的EAS重选通知消息之后，若该EAS重选通知消息包括UE2的标识，则UDR根据本地保存的UE2的标识和UE集合的标识之间的关联关系，以及UE1的标识、UE集合的标识和SMF1的标识之间的关联关系，确定为该UE集合中除UE2之外的其他UE(即UE1)提供服务的SMF为SMF1，则UDR向该 SMF1发送UE集合变化通知。
S607，SMF2向AF发送用户面路径信息#1。
示例性地，当需要对UE2进行EAS重选时，SMF2为UE2选择可用的用户面传输路径。例如，当UE2建立了用户面路径并与EAS1进行数据传输后，SMF2对UE2的数据传输时延进行测量。当UE2的数据传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求时，SMF2为UE2重新选择用户面传输路径。
例如，SMF2根据UE2的位置、网络拓扑、EAS部署信息、用户面时延要求等，对UE2在不同用户面传输路径的传输时延进行估算，得到满足用户面时延要求的所有用户面路径。又例如，SMF2可以通过测量数据包对不同用户面路径的用户面传输时延进行测量，得到满足时延要求的所有用户面路径。
进一步地，SMF2向AF发送用户面传输路径信息#1，该用户面传输路径信息#1包括一条或多条用户面路径的信息，该一条或多条用户面路径的信息可以包括该一条或多条用户面路径的DNAI、时延等信息，该时延表示UE1通过该DNAI获取边缘计算服务时的用户面路径时延估计值。在这种实现方发送式中，该路径信息#1可以仅包括满足用户面时延要求的UE1的用户面路径的信息，也可以包括UE1可用的所有的用户面路径的信息。可选地，该用户面路径信息#1中也可以不包括时延，此时用户面路径信息#1中的DNAI，为满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的DNAI。应理解，当存在多条满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径时，该用户面路径信息#1可以包括所有满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息，也可以仅包括部分满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径信息。本申请不做限定。
应理解，S607可以在S605之前执行，也可以在S605之后执行，还可以与S605同时执行，本申请不做限定。
S608，SMF1向AF发送用户面路径信息#2。
示例性地，SMF1接收到来自UDR的UE集合变化通知消息之后，根据该UE集合变化通知消息中的EAS重选指示信息，为UE1选择可用的用户面传输路径。
SMF1为UE1选择用户面路径信息的方式与SMF2为UE2选择用户面路径信息的方式类似，具体可参照S607中的介绍，这里不再赘述。
进一步地，SMF1向AF发送用户面传输路径信息#2，该用户面传输路径信息#2包括一条或多条用户面路径的信息。该用户面路径信息#2与用户面路径信息#1类似，区别仅在于用户面路径信息#1包括的是SMF2为UE2选择的用户面路径的信息，而用户面路径信息#2包括的是SMF1为UE1选择的用户面路径的信息。为了简洁，这里不再赘述。
S609，AF确定EAS2为UE集合服务。
示例性地，AF接收到来自SMF2的用户面路径信息#1和来自SMF1的用户面路径信息#2之后，确定为UE集合服务的EAS。比如，用户面路径信息#1包括DNAI 1、DNAI 2、DNAI 3，用户面路径信息#2包括DNAI 1和DNAI 2，则AF可以选择DNAI 1或DNAI 2对应的EAS中的一个为UE集合提供服务。应理解，AF可以根据指标衡量选择算法等方式在DNAI 1和DNAI 2对应的EAS中做选择，本申请对此不做限定。
S610，AF对EAS1和EAS2进行运行时上下文迁移。
S611，AF分别向SMF1和SMF2发送EAS切换指示信息。
应理解，S610和S611与方法500中的S510和S511类似，为了简洁，不再重复说明。
综上，在上述实施例中，UDR维护UE集合的信息。当UE集合中的任意一个UE需 要进行EAS重选时，该UE对应的SMF通知UDR，UDR进一步通知该UE集合中的其他UE对应的SMF。该UE集合中的UE对应的SMF分别向AF上报UE的用户面路径信息。AF综合考虑UE集合中所有UE的用户面路径信息，选择一个合适的EAS为该UE集合提供服务，保证了UE集合在EAS重选之后的业务体验。
图7示出了本申请实施例提供的选择边缘应用服务器的方法700的示例性流程图。从图7中可以看出，方法700包括：
S701，UE1和UE2获取EAS1的服务。
示例性地，UE1和UE1属于同一个UE集合，该UE集合中的UE需要接入同一个EAS，或者说，该UE集合中的UE需要由同一个EAS提供服务。关于该UE集合的介绍可参见方法500中的S501，这里不再重复说明。
UE1和UE2请求获取边缘计算服务的时候，AF需要为UE1和UE2选择同一个EAS(这里以EAS1为例进行说明)。同时，AF触发网络选择一个锚点SMF为UE1和UE2提供服务，具体过程本实施例不做限定。应理解，这里的锚点SMF指的是为UE1和UE2的会话提供服务的网元，在其他场景下，该锚点SMF还可能有其他名称，本申请不做限定。
S702，AF向锚点SMF发送用户面时延要求、UE集合标识、UE1和UE2的标识。
示例性地，选择了锚点SMF之后，或者说UE1和UE2接入了锚点SMF之后，或者说，UE1和UE2在锚点SMF上建立了会话之后，AF向锚点SMF发送用户面时延要求，以及UE集合的标识、UE1和UE2的标识。
应理解，这里的用户面时延要求与方法500的S502中介绍的用户面时延要求类似，这里不再赘述，具体可参考S502中的相关说明。
S703，当UE2的传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求，锚点SMF为UE1和UE2选择用户面路径。
示例性地，当UE1和UE2通过建立好的用户面路径与EAS1进行数据传输时候，锚点SMF对UE1和UE2的数据传输时延进行测量。如果UE1和UE2中的任意一个UE的数据传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求，则需要进行EAS重选，或者说，需要进行用户面路径的调整。例如，UE2由于位置移动导致数据传输时延变大，此时当SMF2发现UE2的数据传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求时，SMF2为UE1和UE2重新选择满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径。具体方式可参考方法500的S503中介绍的SMF2获取满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径的方式，这里不再详细说明。
如果没有满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径，则锚点SMF向AF发送用户面路径选择失败的指示信息，并携带原因值，该原因值用于指示失败的原因为不存在同时满足UE1和UE2的用户面时延要求的用户面路径。如果存在同时满足UE1和UE2的用户面时延要求的用户面路径，则
在S704，锚点SMF向AF发送用户面路径信息#3。
示例性地，锚点SMF分别为UE1和UE2选择满足用户面时延要求的用户面路径，然后在用户面路径信息#3中携带能够同时满足UE1和UE2的用户面时延要求的用户面路径的信息。例如，锚点SMF确定满足UE1的用户面时延要求的用户面路径包括DNAI 1、DNAI 2、DNAI 3，锚点SMF确定满足UE2的用户面时延要求的用户面路径包括DNAI 2、DNAI 3、DNAI4，则锚点SMF可以在用户面路径信息#3中携带DNAI 2、DNAI 3，同时 携带UE集合的标识，将该用户面路径信息#3发送给AF。
应理解，在一种实现方式中，S704可对应于方法300(b)中的S310。
S705，AF确定EAS2为UE集合服务。
AF接收来自锚点SMF的用户面路径信息#3，根据该用户面路径信息#3确定为UE集合(或者说UE集合中的UE)服务的EAS。
如果用户面路径信息#3仅包括一条用户面路径的DNAI，则AF确定该DNAI对应的EAS(记为EAS2)为该UE集合服务；如果用户面路径信息#3包括多条路径的DNAI，则AF可以选择该多个DNAI对应的多个EAS中的一个为UE集合提供服务。应理解，AF可以根据指标衡量选择算法等方式在该多个DNAI对应的多个EAS中做选择，本申请对此不做限定。
S706，AF对EAS1和EAS2进行运行时上下文迁移。
S707，AF分别向SMF1和SMF2发送EAS切换指示信息。
应理解，S706和S707与方法500中的S510和S511类似，为了简洁，不再重复说明。
综上，在上述实施例中，由一个锚点SMF为UE集合中的UE提供服务。当UE集合中的任意一个UE需要进行EAS重选时，锚点SMF向AF发送UE集合中的UE的用户面路径信息。AF综合考虑UE集合中UE的用户面路径信息，选择一个合适的EAS为该UE集合提供服务，保证了UE集合在EAS重选之后的业务体验。
图8示出了本申请实施例提供的选择边缘应用服务器的方法800的示例性流程图。从图8中可以看出，方法800包括：
S801，UE1和UE2请求获取边缘计算服务。
示例性地，UE1和UE2属于同一个UE集合，UE1和UE1分别向网络请求边缘计算服务。
S802，AF分别向SMF1和SMF2发送选取锚点SMF指示信息。
示例性地，AF判断需要选择同一个EAS为该UE集合提供服务，则此时AF向核心网发送信息以指示SMF1和SMF2选取锚点SMF。例如，AF向SMF1发送选取锚点SMF指示信息，同时携带UE集合的标识和UE集合中所有UE的标识(记为UE标识，该UE标识即UE1和UE2的标识)。该选取锚点SMF指示信息用于指示为UE集合中的UE选择一个锚点SMF。
类似地，AF向SMF2发送选取锚点SMF指示信息，同时携带UE集合的标识和UE标识。
S803，SMF1和SMF2分别向NRF发送查找锚点SMF请求消息。
S804，NRF分别向SMF1和SMF2发送查找锚点SMF响应消息。
在一种实现方式中，NRF接收来自SMF1的查找锚点SMF请求消息，该查找锚点SMF请求消息包括UE集合的标识和UE1的标识，NRF为该UE集合中的所有UE确定一个锚点SMF，并向SMF1发送查找锚点SMF响应消息，该查找锚点SMF响应消息中携带该锚点SMF的标识。NRF在本地保存该锚点SMF的标识，且该锚点SMF的标识与该UE集合的标识相关联。在这种实现方式中，当NRF接收到来自SMF2的查找锚点SMF请求消息之后，且该SMF2的锚点SMF查找请求消息包括UE集合的标识和UE2的标识，则NRF可以根据UE集合的标识在本地获取与该UE集合的标识关联的锚点SMF的标识，然后NRF向SMF2发送查找锚点SMF响应消息，该查找锚点SMF响应消息中携带该锚 点SMF的标识。
在另一种实现方式中，NRF接收来自SMF1的查找锚点SMF请求消息，该查找锚点SMF请求消息包括UE集合的标识和UE集合中所有UE的标识。则当NRF接收到来自SMF2的查找锚点SMF请求消息之后，NRF才为UE集合中的UE确定一个锚点SMF，然后分别向SMF1和SMF2发送查找锚点SMF响应消息，该查找锚点SMF响应消息携带该锚点SMF的标识。
应理解，还可以采用其他方式为UE集合选择锚点，本申请不做限定。例如，AF可以指示最先请求EAS服务的UE所对应的SMF去NRF注册为UE集合的锚点SMF，或者，AF任意指示UE1和UE2中的任一个所对应的SMF去NRF注册为UE集合的锚点SMF。例如，SMF1根据AF的指示向NRF注册为UE集合的锚点SMF，注册成功后，当SMF2向NRF请求查询锚点SMF时，NRF将SMF1作为锚点SMF指示给SMF2；又例如，NRF可以将UE集合中最先请求查询锚点SMF的SMF作为锚点SMF。例如，NRF接收到来自SMF1的查找锚点请求消息时，还未收到该UE集合中其他UE对应的SMF发送的查找锚点请求消息，则NRF将该SMF1作为锚点SMF。在这种情况下，当后续NRF接收到来自SMF2发送的查找锚点请求消息后将SMF1作为锚点SMF指示给SMF2。
S805，SMF1和SMF2触发UE1和UE2的PDU会话重建流程。
示例性地，SMF1接收到来自NRF的查找锚点SMF响应消息之后，触发UE1进行PDU会话重建，并且指示锚点SMF提供会话管理服务。UE1在锚点SMF上的PDU会话建立完成之后，UE1重新请求边缘计算服务。
SMF2侧的方案与SMF1类似，这里不再详细说明。
选取了锚点会话管理网元为UE1和UE2提供会话管理服务之后，在一种实现方式中，UE1和UE2重新请求获取边缘计算服务，则AF在S806，向锚点SMF发送用户面时延要求，以及UE集合的标识、UE1和UE2的标识。这里的用户面时延要求与方法500的S502中介绍的用户面时延要求类似，这里不再赘述，具体可参考S502中的相关说明。在另一种实现方式中，AF存储了在S801接收到的UE1和UE2的边缘计算服务请求。在UE1和UE2的PDU会话重建完成之后，锚点SMF向AF指示UE集合中的UE成功建立了会话，则：
在S806，AF向锚点SMF发送用户面时延要求，以及UE集合的标识、UE1和UE2的标识。
S807，锚点SMF向AF发送用户面路径信息#3。
示例性地，当UE2的传输时延不能满足用户面时延要求，锚点SMF为UE1和UE2选择用户面路径，并向AF提供用户面路径信息#3，该用户面路径信息#3包括一条或多条用户面路径的信息。
S808，AF选择EAS1为UE集合服务。
示例性地，AF接收来自锚点SMF的用户面路径信息#3，根据该用户面路径信息#3，选择一个EAS(例如EAS1)为UE集合提供服务。具体实现方式本申请不做限定。
综上，在上述实施例中，使得UE集合中的所有UE选取了一个锚点SMF为该UE集合提供服务。当该UE集合需要进行EAS重选时，锚点SMF向AF发送UE集合中的UE的用户面路径信息。AF综合考虑UE集合中UE的用户面路径信息，选择一个合适的EAS为该UE集合提供服务，保证了UE集合在EAS重选之后的业务体验。
相应于上述各方法实施例给出的方法，本申请实施例还提供了相应的装置，所述装置包括用于执行上述各个方法实施例相应的模块。该模块可以是软件，也可以是硬件，或者是软件和硬件结合。可以理解的是，上述各方法实施例所描述的技术特征同样适用于以下装置实施例。
图9是本申请实施例提供的一种选择边缘应用服务器的装置的示意性框图。该装置10包括收发模块11和处理模块12。收发模块11可以用于实现相应的通信功能。收发模块11还可以称为通信接口或通信单元。处理模块12可以用于实现相应的处理功能，如根据第一用户面路径信息和第二用户面路径信息为终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
可选地，该装置10还可以包括存储模块，该存储模块可以用于存储指令和/或数据，处理模块12可以读取存储模块中的指令和/或数据，以使得装置实现前述各个方法实施例中设备或网元的动作。
在第一种设计中，该装置10可以是前述实施例中的应用功能网元，也可以是应用功能网元的组成部件(如芯片)。该装置10可实现对应于上文方法实施例中的应用功能执行的步骤或者流程，其中，收发模块11可用于执行上文方法实施例中应用功能网元的收发相关的操作，处理模块12可用于执行上文方法实施例中应用功能网元的处理相关的操作。
第一种可能的实现方式，收发模块11，用于接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息，所述消息用于指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述第一会话管理网元是为所述第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第一终端设备属于终端集合；
处理模块12，用于获得所述第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息和第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，所述第二终端设备为所述终端集合中除了所述第一终端设备以外的终端设备；以及，根据所述第一用户面路径信息和所述第二用户面路径信息，为所述终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
可选地，所述第一用户面路径信息包括第一数据网络接入标识DNAI，所述第二用户面路径信息包括第二DNAI，所述第一DNAI和所述第二DNAI都包括所述第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI。
可选地，所述第一用户面路径信息还包括与所述第一DNAI所对应的传输时延，所述第二用户面路径信息还包括所述第二DNAI所对应的传输时延，所述第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
可选地，所述收发模块11还用于：向所述第一会话管理网元和所述第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器切换消息，所述边缘应用服务器切换消息包括所述第一边缘应用服务器的信息，所述边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示切换到所述第一边缘应用服务器。
可选地，所述处理模块12具体可用于：根据所述终端集合的信息向第二会话管理网元发送用户面路径信息请求消息，所述用户面路径信息请求消息包括所述第二终端设备的标识，所述第二会话管理网元是为所述第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元；所述收发模块11具体可用于：接收来自所述第二会话管理网元的所述第二用户面路径信息。
可选地，所述处理模块12还用于：根据所述第一用户面路径信息确定待选择的DNAI，所述用户面路径信息请求消息还包括所述待选择的DNAI。
第二种可能的实现方式，收发模块11，用于接收来自会话管理网元的消息，所述消息用于指示终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述会话管理网元是为所述终端集合中的 终端设备的会话提供服务的网元；处理模块12，用于根据所述终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息，为所述终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
可选地，所述消息包括：所述终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息。
可选地，所述处理模块12还用于：从所述会话管理网元获得所述终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息。
可选地，所述用户面路径信息包括DNAI，所述DNAI包括所述边缘应用服务器的DNAI。
可选地，所述用户面路径信息还包括所述DNAI对应的传输时延，所述第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
可选地，所述收发模块11还用于：接收来自终端设备的边缘应用服务获取请求消息，所述终端设备属于所述终端集合；所述处理模块12还用于：根据所述终端集合的信息，向所述终端设备的第一会话管理网元发送会话管理网元重选请求消息，所述会话管理网元重选请求消息包括所述终端集合的标识以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识，所述会话管理网元重选请求消息用于请求将所述终端设备重选到所述会话管理网元。
可选地，收发模块11还用于：向所述会话管理网元发送所述终端集合的标识，以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识。
在第二种设计中，该装置10可以是前述实施例中的会话管理网元(例如第一会话管理网元，或者第二会话管理网元)，也可以是会话管理网元的组成部件(如芯片)。该装置10可实现对应于上文方法实施例中的会话管理网元执行的步骤或者流程，其中，收发模块11用于执行上文方法实施例中会话管理网元的收发相关的操作，处理模块12用于执行上文方法实施例中会话管理网元的处理相关的操作。
一种可能的实现方式，收发模块11，用于向应用功能网元发送终端设备的用户面路径信息，所述会话管理网元是为所述终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述终端设备属于终端集合，所述用户面路径信息用于为所述终端集合确定边缘应用服务器；以及，接收来自所述应用功能网元的边缘应用服务器切换消息，所述边缘应用服务器切换消息包括所述终端集合的所述边缘应用服务器的信息，所述边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示切换到所述边缘应用服务器。
可选地，处理模块12，用于确定所述终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选。
可选地，收发模块11还用于接收来自所述应用功能网元的用户面路径信息请求消息，所述用户面路径信息请求消息包括所述终端设备的标识。
可选地，所述用户面路径信息包括DNAI。
可选地，所述用户面路径信息还包括所述DNAI对应的传输时延，所述DNAI对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
可选地，收发模块11，还用于向数据管理网元或所述应用功能网元发送消息，所述消息用于指示所述终端设备或所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选。
可选地，收发模块11，还用于接收来自数据管理网元的订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述终端设备或所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
可选地，收发模块11还用于所述会话管理网元向数据管理网元发送订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
可选地，所述用户面路径信息为所述终端集合粒度的信息。
在第三种设计中，该装置10可以是前述实施例中的数据管理网元，也可以是数据管理网元的组成部件(如芯片)。该装置10可实现对应于上文方法实施例中的数据管理网元执行的步骤或者流程，其中，收发模块11用于执行上文方法实施例中数据管理网元的收发相关的操作，处理模块12用于执行上文方法实施例中数据管理网元的处理相关的操作。
一种可能的实现方式，收发模块11，用于接收来自第一会话管理网元的边缘应用服务器重选指示消息，所述边缘应用服务器重选指示消息用于指示所述第一终端设备或终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述第一会话管理网元是为所述第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第一终端设备属于所述终端集合；以及向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息，所述边缘应用服务器重选通知消息包括所述终端集合的标识，所述边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述第二会话管理网元是为第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第二终端设备为所述终端集合中除了所述第一终端设备以外的终端设备。
可选地，收发模块11还用于：向所述第一会话管理网元发送订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述第一终端设备或所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
可选地，收发模块11还用于：所述数据管理网元接收来自所述第二会话管理网元的订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
可选地，处理模块12用于：所述数据管理网元根据所述终端集合的信息确定所述第二会话管理网元。
可选地，所述终端集合的信息包括所述终端集合的标识，以及所述终端集合中所有终端设备的标识。
应理解，各模块执行上述相应步骤的具体过程在上述各方法实施例中已经详细说明，为了简洁，在此不再赘述。
还应理解，这里的装置10以功能模块的形式体现。这里的术语“模块”可以指应用特有集成电路(application specific integrated circuit，ASIC)、电子电路、用于执行一个或多个软件或固件程序的处理器(例如共享处理器、专有处理器或组处理器等)和存储器、合并逻辑电路和/或其它支持所描述的功能的合适组件。在一个可选例子中，本领域技术人员可以理解，装置10可以具体为上述实施例中的第一会话管理网元，可以用于执行上述各方法实施例中与第一会话管理网元对应的各个流程和/或步骤；或者，装置10可以具体为上述实施例中的第二会话管理网元，可以用于执行上述各方法实施例中与第二会话管理网元对应的各个流程和/或步骤；或者，装置10可以具体为上述实施例中的应用功能网元，可以用于执行上述各方法实施例中与应用网元对应的各个流程和/或步骤；或者，装置10可以具体为上述实施例中的数据管理网元，可以用于执行上述各方法实施例中与数据管理网元对应的各个流程和/或步骤，为避免重复，在此不再赘述。
上述各个方案的装置10具有实现上述方法中网络设备(如应用功能网元，或会话管理网元，或数据管理网元)所执行的相应步骤的功能。所述功能可以通过硬件实现，也可以通过硬件执行相应的软件实现。所述硬件或软件包括一个或多个与上述功能相对应的模块；例如收发模块可以由收发机替代(例如，收发模块中的发送单元可以由发送机替代，收发模块中的接收单元可以由接收机替代)，其它单元，如处理模块等可以由处理器替代，分别执行各个方法实施例中的收发操作以及相关的处理操作。
此外，上述收发模块11还可以是收发电路(例如可以包括接收电路和发送电路)，处理模块可以是处理电路。
需要指出的是，图9中的装置可以是前述实施例中的网元或设备，也可以是芯片或者芯片系统，例如：片上系统(system on chip，SoC)。其中，收发模块可以是输入输出电路、通信接口；处理模块为该芯片上集成的处理器或者微处理器或者集成电路。在此不做限定。
如图10所示，本申请实施例提供另一种选择边缘应用服务器的装置20。该装置20包括处理器21，处理器21用于执行存储器22存储的计算机程序或指令，或读取存储器22存储的数据/信令，以执行上文各方法实施例中的方法。可选地，处理器21为一个或多个。
可选地，如图10所示，该装置20还包括存储器22，存储器22用于存储计算机程序或指令和/或数据。该存储器22可以与处理器21集成在一起，或者也可以分离设置。可选地，存储器22为一个或多个。
可选地，如图10所示，该装置20还包括收发器23，收发器23用于信号的接收和/或发送。例如，处理器21用于控制收发器23进行信号的接收和/或发送。
作为一种方案，该装置20用于实现上文各个方法实施例中由各个网元或设备所执行的操作。
例如，处理器21用于执行存储器22存储的计算机程序或指令，以实现上文各个方法实施例中应用功能网元的相关操作。例如，图3所示实施例中的应用功能网元执行的方法，或图5至图8中任意一个所示实施例中的AF执行的方法。
又如，处理器21用于执行存储器22存储的计算机程序或指令，以实现上文各个方法实施例中会话管理网元的相关操作。例如，图3所示实施例中的第一会话管理网元，或第二会话管理网元，或会话管理网元执行的方法，或图5至图8中任意一个所示实施例中的SMF1，或SMF2，或锚点SMF执行的方法。
又如，处理器21用于执行存储器22存储的计算机程序或指令，以实现上文各个方法实施例中数据管理网元的相关操作。例如，图3所示实施例中的数据管理网元执行的方法，或图5至图8中任意一个所示实施例中的UDR执行的方法。
应理解，本申请实施例中提及的处理器可以是中央处理模块(central processing unit，CPU)，还可以是其他通用处理器、数字信号处理器(digital signal processor，DSP)、专用集成电路(application specific integrated circuit，ASIC)、现成可编程门阵列(field programmable gate array，FPGA)或者其他可编程逻辑器件、分立门或者晶体管逻辑器件、分立硬件组件等。通用处理器可以是微处理器或者该处理器也可以是任何常规的处理器等。
还应理解，本申请实施例中提及的存储器可以是易失性存储器和/或非易失性存储器。其中，非易失性存储器可以是只读存储器(read-only memory，ROM)、可编程只读存储器(programmable ROM，PROM)、可擦除可编程只读存储器(erasable PROM，EPROM)、电可擦除可编程只读存储器(electrically EPROM，EEPROM)或闪存。易失性存储器可以是随机存取存储器(random access memory，RAM)。例如，RAM可以用作外部高速缓存。作为示例而非限定，RAM包括如下多种形式：静态随机存取存储器(static RAM，SRAM)、动态随机存取存储器(dynamic RAM，DRAM)、同步动态随机存取存储器(synchronous DRAM，SDRAM)、双倍数据速率同步动态随机存取存储器(double data rate  SDRAM，DDR SDRAM)、增强型同步动态随机存取存储器(enhanced SDRAM，ESDRAM)、同步连接动态随机存取存储器(synchlink DRAM，SLDRAM)和直接内存总线随机存取存储器(direct rambus RAM，DR RAM)。
需要说明的是，当处理器为通用处理器、DSP、ASIC、FPGA或者其他可编程逻辑器件、分立门或者晶体管逻辑器件、分立硬件组件时，存储器(存储模块)可以集成在处理器中。
还需要说明的是，本文描述的存储器旨在包括但不限于这些和任意其它适合类型的存储器。
本申请实施例还提供一种计算机可读存储介质，其上存储有用于实现上述各方法实施例中由核心网网元执行的方法的计算机指令。
例如，该计算机程序被计算机执行时，使得该计算机可以实现上述方法各实施例中由应用功能网元执行的方法。
又如，该计算机程序被计算机执行时，使得该计算机可以实现上述方法各实施例中由第一会话管理网元执行的方法。
又如，该计算机程序被计算机执行时，使得该计算机可以实现上述方法各实施例中由第二会话管理网元执行的方法。
又如，该计算机程序被计算机执行时，使得该计算机可以实现上述方法各实施例中由会话管理网元执行的方法。
又如，该计算机程序被计算机执行时，使得该计算机可以实现上述方法各实施例中由数据管理网元执行的方法。
本申请实施例还提供一种计算机程序产品，包含指令，该指令被计算机执行时以实现上述各方法实施例中由核心网网元执行的方法。
本申请实施例还提供一种通信的系统，包括前述的应用功能网元、会话管理网元(包括会话管理网元，以及第一会话管理网元和第二会话管理网元)、数据管理网元中的一个或多个。
上述提供的任一种装置中相关内容的解释及有益效果均可参考上文提供的对应的方法实施例，此处不再赘述。
在本申请所提供的几个实施例中，应该理解到，所揭露的装置和方法，可以通过其它的方式实现。例如，以上所描述的装置实施例仅是示意性的，例如，所述单元的划分，仅仅为一种逻辑功能划分，实际实现时可以有另外的划分方式，例如多个单元或组件可以结合或者可以集成到另一个系统，或一些特征可以忽略，或不执行。此外，所显示或讨论的相互之间的耦合或直接耦合或通信连接可以是通过一些接口，装置或单元的间接耦合或通信连接，可以是电性，机械或其它的形式。
在上述实施例中，可以全部或部分地通过软件、硬件、固件或者其任意组合来实现。当使用软件实现时，可以全部或部分地以计算机程序产品的形式实现。所述计算机程序产品包括一个或多个计算机指令。在计算机上加载和执行所述计算机程序指令时，全部或部分地产生按照本申请实施例所述的流程或功能。所述计算机可以是通用计算机、专用计算机、计算机网络、或者其他可编程装置。例如，所述计算机可以是个人计算机，服务器，或者网络设备等。所述计算机指令可以存储在计算机可读存储介质中，或者从一个计算机可读存储介质向另一个计算机可读存储介质传输，例如，所述计算机指令可以从一个网站 站点、计算机、服务器或数据中心通过有线(例如同轴电缆、光纤、数字用户线(DSL))或无线(例如红外、无线、微波等)方式向另一个网站站点、计算机、服务器或数据中心进行传输。所述计算机可读存储介质可以是计算机能够存取的任何可用介质或者是包含一个或多个可用介质集成的服务器、数据中心等数据存储设备。所述可用介质可以是磁性介质(例如，软盘、硬盘、磁带)、光介质(例如，DVD)、或者半导体介质(例如固态硬盘(solid state disk，SSD)等。例如，前述的可用介质包括但不限于：U盘、移动硬盘、只读存储器(read-only memory，ROM)、随机存取存储器(random access memory，RAM)、磁碟或者光盘等各种可以存储程序代码的介质。
以上所述，仅为本申请的具体实施方式，但本申请的保护范围并不局限于此，任何熟悉本技术领域的技术人员在本申请揭露的技术范围内，可轻易想到变化或替换，都应涵盖在本申请的保护范围之内。因此，本申请的保护范围应以所述权利要求的保护范围为准。

Claims (57)

  1. 一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，其特征在于，包括：
    应用功能网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息，所述消息用于指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述第一会话管理网元是为所述第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第一终端设备属于终端集合；
    所述应用功能网元获得所述第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息和第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，所述第二终端设备为所述终端集合中除了所述第一终端设备以外的终端设备；
    所述应用功能网元根据所述第一用户面路径信息和所述第二用户面路径信息，为所述终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一用户面路径信息包括第一数据网络接入标识DNAI，所述第二用户面路径信息包括第二DNAI，所述第一DNAI和所述第二DNAI都包括所述第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI。
  3. 根据权利要求2所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一用户面路径信息还包括与所述第一DNAI所对应的传输时延，所述第二用户面路径信息还包括所述第二DNAI所对应的传输时延，所述第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
  4. 根据权利要求1至3中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述应用功能网元向所述第一会话管理网元和所述第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器切换消息，所述边缘应用服务器切换消息包括所述第一边缘应用服务器的信息，所述边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示切换到所述第一边缘应用服务器。
  5. 根据权利要求1至4中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述应用功能网元获得第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，包括：
    所述应用功能网元根据所述终端集合的信息向第二会话管理网元发送用户面路径信息请求消息，所述用户面路径信息请求消息包括所述第二终端设备的标识，所述第二会话管理网元是为所述第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元；
    所述应用功能网元接收来自所述第二会话管理网元的所述第二用户面路径信息。
  6. 根据权利要求5所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述应用功能网元根据所述第一用户面路径信息确定待选择的DNAI，所述用户面路径信息请求消息还包括所述待选择的DNAI。
  7. 一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，其特征在于，包括：
    会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送终端设备的用户面路径信息，所述会话管理网元是为所述终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述终端设备属于终端集合，所述用户面路径信息用于为所述终端集合确定边缘应用服务器；
    所述会话管理网元接收来自所述应用功能网元的边缘应用服务器切换消息，所述边缘应用服务器切换消息包括所述终端集合的所述边缘应用服务器的信息，所述边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示切换到所述边缘应用服务器。
  8. 根据权利要求7所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述会话管理网元确定所述终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选。
  9. 根据权利要求7所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述会话管理网元接收来自所述应用功能网元的用户面路径信息请求消息，所述用户面路径信息请求消息包括所述终端设备的标识。
  10. 根据权利要求7至9中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述用户面路径信息包括DNAI。
  11. 根据权利要求4所述的方法，其特征在于，所述用户面路径信息还包括所述DNAI对应的传输时延，所述DNAI对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
  12. 根据权利要求7至11中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述会话管理网元向数据管理网元或所述应用功能网元发送消息，所述消息用于指示所述终端设备或所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选。
  13. 根据权利要求7至12中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述会话管理网元接收来自数据管理网元的订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述终端设备或所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
  14. 根据权利要求7至13中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述会话管理网元向数据管理网元发送订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
  15. 根据权利要求7至14中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述用户面路径信息为终端集合粒度的信息。
  16. 一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，其特征在于，包括：
    数据管理网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的边缘应用服务器重选指示消息，所述边缘应用服务器重选指示消息用于指示所述第一终端设备或终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述第一会话管理网元是为所述第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第一终端设备属于所述终端集合；
    所述数据管理网元向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息，所述边缘应用服务器重选通知消息包括所述终端集合的标识，所述边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述第二会话管理网元是为第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第二终端设备为所述终端集合中除了所述第一终端设备以外的终端设备。
  17. 根据权利要求16所述的方法，其特征在于，在所述接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息之前，所述方法还包括：
    所述数据管理网元向所述第一会话管理网元发送订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述第一终端设备或所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
  18. 根据权利要求16或17所述的方法，其特征在于，在发送所述边缘应用服务器重选通知消息之前，所述方法还包括：
    所述数据管理网元接收来自所述第二会话管理网元的订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
  19. 根据权利要求16至18中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述数据管理网元向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息，包括：
    所述数据管理网元根据所述终端集合的信息向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息。
  20. 根据权利要求16至19中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，该方法还包括：
    所述数据管理网元根据所述终端集合的信息确定所述第二会话管理网元。
  21. 根据权利要求19所述的方法，其特征在于，所述终端集合的信息包括所述终端集合的标识，以及所述终端集合中所有终端设备的标识。
  22. 一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，其特征在于，包括：
    应用功能网元接收来自会话管理网元的消息，所述消息用于指示终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述会话管理网元是为所述终端集合中的终端设备的会话提供服务的网元；
    所述应用功能网元根据所述终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息，为所述终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
  23. 根据权利要求22所述的方法，其特征在于，所述消息包括：所述终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息。
  24. 根据权利要求22所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：所述应用功能网元从所述会话管理网元获得所述终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息。
  25. 根据权利要求22至24中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述用户面路径信息包括DNAI，所述DNAI包括所述第一边缘应用服务器的DNAI。
  26. 根据权利要求25所述的方法，其特征在于，所述用户面路径信息还包括所述DNAI对应的传输时延，所述第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
  27. 根据权利要求22至26中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，在所述应用功能网元接收来自会话管理网元的消息之前，所述方法还包括：
    所述应用功能网元接收来自所述终端集合中的终端设备的边缘应用服务获取请求消息，所述终端设备属于所述终端集合；
    所述应用功能网元根据所述终端集合的信息，向所述终端设备的第一会话管理网元发送会话管理网元重选请求消息，所述会话管理网元重选请求消息包括所述终端集合的标识以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识，所述会话管理网元重选请求消息用于请求将所述终端设备重选到所述会话管理网元。
  28. 根据权利要求22至27中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述应用功能网元向所述会话管理网元发送所述终端集合的标识，以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识。
  29. 一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，其特征在于，包括：
    网络存储功能网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的第一查询请求消息，所述第一会话管理网元是为第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第一终端设备属于终端集合，所述第一查找请求消息包括所述终端集合的标识和/或所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识，所述查找请求消息用于请求查询服务于所述终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元；
    所述网络存储功能网元确定所述会话管理网元；所述网络存储功能网元向所述第一会话管理网元发送第一查询响应消息，所述第一查询响应消息包括所述会话管理网元的标识。
  30. 根据权利要求29所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述网络存储功能网元存储所述会话管理网元和所述终端集合的对应关系。
  31. 根据权利要求29或30所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述网络存储功能网元根据所述终端集合的标识和所述对应关系确定所述会话管理 网元。
  32. 根据权利要求29至31中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述网络存储功能网元接收来自第二会话管理网元的第二查询请求消息，所述第二会话管理网元是为第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第二终端设备属于所述终端集合，所述第二查询请求消息包括所述终端集合的标识，所述第二查询请求消息用于请求查找能够服务于所述终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元；
    所述网络存储功能网元向所述第二会话管理网元发送第二查询响应消息，所述第二查询响应消息包括所述会话管理网元的标识。
  33. 一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，其特征在于，包括：
    会话管理网元向网络存储功能网元发送查询请求消息，所述会话管理网元是为终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述终端设备属于终端集合，所述查询请求消息包括所述终端集合的标识以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识，所述查询请求消息用于请求查找服务于所述终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元；
    所述会话管理网元接收来自所述网络存储功能网元的查询响应消息，所述查询响应消息包括所述会话管理网元的标识；
    所述会话管理向所述终端设备发送会话重建请求消息，所述会话重建请求消息包括所述会话管理网元的标识。
  34. 根据权利要求33所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述会话管理网元接收来自应用功能网元的会话管理网元切换请求消息，所述会话管理网元切换请求消息包括所述终端集合的标识以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识，所述会话管理网元切换请求消息用于指示所述会话管理网元将所述终端设备切换到能够服务于所述终端集合中的终端设备的会话管理网元。
  35. 一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，其特征在于，包括：
    第一会话管理功能网元向应用功能网元发送消息，所述消息用于指示第一终端设备的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述第一会话管理网元是为所述第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第一终端设备属于终端集合；
    应用功能网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息；
    所述应用功能网元获得所述第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息和第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，所述第二终端设备为所述终端集合中除了所述第一终端设备以外的终端设备；
    所述应用功能网元根据所述第一用户面路径信息和所述第二用户面路径信息，为所述终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
  36. 根据权利要求35所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一用户面路径信息包括第一数据网络接入标识DNAI，所述第二用户面路径信息包括第二DNAI，所述第一DNAI和所述第二DNAI都包括所述第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI。
  37. 根据权利要求36所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一用户面路径信息还包括与所述第一DNAI所对应的传输时延，所述第二用户面路径信息还包括所述第二DNAI所对应的传输时延，所述第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
  38. 根据权利要求35至37中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述应用功能网元向所述第一会话管理网元和所述第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用 服务器切换消息，所述边缘应用服务器切换消息包括所述第一边缘应用服务器的信息，所述边缘应用服务器切换消息用于指示切换到所述第一边缘应用服务器；
    所述会话管理网元接收来自所述应用功能网元的边缘应用服务器切换消息。
  39. 根据权利要求35至38中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：第一会话管理功能网元向应用功能网元发送所述第一用户面路径信息；
    所述应用功能网元获得所述第一终端设备的第一用户面路径信息，包括：
    所述应用功能网元接收来自所述第一会话管理功能网元的所述用户面路径信息。
  40. 根据权利要求35至37中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述应用功能网元获得第二终端设备的第二用户面路径信息，包括：
    所述应用功能网元根据所述终端集合的信息向第二会话管理网元发送用户面路径信息请求消息，所述用户面路径信息请求消息包括所述第二终端设备的标识，所述第二会话管理网元是为所述第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元；
    所述第二会话管理网元接收来自所述应用功能网元的所述用户面路径信息请求消息；
    所述第二会话管理功能网元根据所述用户面路径信息请求消息向所述应用功能网元发送所述第二用户面路径信息；
    所述应用功能网元接收来自所述第二会话管理网元的所述第二用户面路径信息。
  41. 根据权利要求40所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述应用功能网元根据所述第一用户面路径信息确定待选择的DNAI，所述用户面路径信息请求消息还包括所述待选择的DNAI。
  42. 根据权利要求35至41中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述第一会话管理功能网元向所述数据功能网元发送边缘应用服务器重选指示消息，所述边缘应用服务器重选指示消息用于指示所述第一终端设备或终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述第一会话管理网元是为所述第一终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第一终端设备属于所述终端集合；
    数据管理网元接收来自第一会话管理网元的边缘应用服务器重选指示消息；
    所述数据管理网元向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息，所述边缘应用服务器重选通知消息包括所述终端集合的标识，所述边缘应用服务器重选通知消息用于指示所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述第二会话管理网元是为第二终端设备的会话提供服务的网元，所述第二终端设备为所述终端集合中除了所述第一终端设备以外的终端设备；
    所述第二会话管理网元接收来自所述数据管理网元的所述边缘应用服务器重选通知消息。
  43. 根据权利要求42所述的方法，其特征在于，在所述接收来自第一会话管理网元的消息之前，所述方法还包括：
    所述数据管理网元向所述第一会话管理网元发送订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述第一终端设备或所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知；
    所述会话管理网元接收来自数据管理网元的订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述终端设备或所述终端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知。
  44. 根据权利要求42或43所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述第二会话管理网元向数据管理网元发送订阅消息，所述订阅消息用于订阅所述终 端集合的边缘应用服务器的重选通知；
    所述数据管理网元接收来自所述第二会话管理网元的订阅消息。
  45. 根据权利要求42至44中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述数据管理网元向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息，包括：
    所述数据管理网元根据所述终端集合的信息向第二会话管理网元发送边缘应用服务器重选通知消息。
  46. 一种选择边缘应用服务器的方法，其特征在于，包括：
    会话管理网元向应用功能网元发送消息，所述消息用于指示终端集合的边缘应用服务器待重选，所述会话管理网元是为所述终端集合中的终端设备的会话提供服务的网元；
    应用功能网元接收来自会话管理网元的消息；
    所述应用功能网元根据所述终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息，为所述终端集合选择第一边缘应用服务器。
  47. 根据权利要求46所述的方法，其特征在于，所述消息包括所述终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息。
  48. 根据权利要求46所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述应用功能网元从所述会话管理网元获得所述终端集合中的终端设备的用户面路径信息。
  49. 根据权利要求46至48中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述用户面路径信息包括DNAI，所述DNAI包括所述第一边缘应用服务器的DNAI。
  50. 根据权利要求25所述的方法，其特征在于，所述用户面路径信息还包括所述DNAI对应的传输时延，所述第一边缘应用服务器对应的DNAI所对应的传输时延小于或等于阈值。
  51. 根据权利要求46至50中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，在所述应用功能网元接收来自会话管理网元的消息之前，所述方法还包括：
    所述应用功能网元接收来自所述终端集合中的终端设备的边缘应用服务获取请求消息，所述终端设备属于所述终端集合；
    所述应用功能网元根据所述终端集合的信息，向所述终端设备的第一会话管理网元发送会话管理网元重选请求消息，所述会话管理网元重选请求消息包括所述终端集合的标识以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识，所述会话管理网元重选请求消息用于请求将所述终端设备重选到所述会话管理网元。
  52. 根据权利要求46至51中任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述应用功能网元向所述会话管理网元发送所述终端集合的标识，以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识；
    所述会话管理功能网元接收来自所述应用功能网元的所述终端集合的标识，以及所述终端集合中的终端设备的标识。
  53. 一种选择边缘应用服务器的装置，其特征在于，所述装置包括：用于执行如权利要求1至6中任一项所述的方法的模块，或者用于执行如权利要求7至15中任一项所述的方法的模块，或者用于执行如权利要求16至21中任一项所述的方法的模块，或者用于执行如权利要求22至28中任一项所述的方法的模块，或者用于执行如权利要求29至32中任一项所述的方法的模块，或者用于执行如权利要求33至34中任一项所述的方法的模 块。
  54. 一种选择边缘应用服务器的装置，其特征在于，包括：
    处理器，用于执行存储器中存储的计算机程序，以使得所述装置执行如权利要求1至6中任一项所述的方法，或者以使得所述装置执行如权利要求7至15中任一项所述的方法，或者以使得所述装置执行如权利要求16至21中任一项所述的方法，或者以使得所述装置执行如权利要求22至28中任一项所述的方法，或者以使得所述装置执行如权利要求29至32中任一项所述的方法，或者以使得所述装置执行如权利要求33至34中任一项所述的方法。
  55. 一种计算机程序产品，其特征在于，所述计算机程序产品包括用于执行如权利要求1至6中任一项所述的方法的指令，或者，所述计算机程序产品包括用于执行如权利要求7至15中任一项所述的方法的指令，或者，所述计算机程序产品包括用于执行如权利要求16至21中任一项所述的方法的指令，或者，所述计算机程序产品包括用于执行如权利要求22至28中任一项所述的方法的指令，或者，所述计算机程序产品包括用于执行如权利要求29至32中任一项所述的方法的指令，或者，所述计算机程序产品包括用于执行如权利要求33至34中任一项所述的方法的指令。
  56. 一种计算机可读存储介质，其特征在于，所述计算机可读介质存储用于设备执行的程序代码以执行以下任一种方法：
    如权利要求1至6中任一项所述的方法；
    如权利要求7至15中任一项所述的方法；
    如权利要求16至21中任一项所述的方法；
    如权利要求22至28中任一项所述的方法；
    如权利要求29至32中任一项所述的方法；或者，
    如权利要求33至34中任一项所述的方法。
  57. 一种系统，包括以下至少两项：
    用于执行如权利要求1至6中任一项所述的方法的装置；
    用于执行如权利要求7至15中任一项所述的方法的装置；
    用于执行如权利要求16至21中任一项所述的方法的装置；
    用于执行如权利要求22至28中任一项所述的方法的装置；
    用于执行如权利要求29至32中任一项所述的方法的装置；或者，
    用于执行如权利要求33至34中任一项所述的方法的装置。
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