WO2024032294A1 - 一种信息传输方法、装置和系统 - Google Patents

一种信息传输方法、装置和系统 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024032294A1
WO2024032294A1 PCT/CN2023/106573 CN2023106573W WO2024032294A1 WO 2024032294 A1 WO2024032294 A1 WO 2024032294A1 CN 2023106573 W CN2023106573 W CN 2023106573W WO 2024032294 A1 WO2024032294 A1 WO 2024032294A1
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Prior art keywords
mac address
network element
terminal device
information
network
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PCT/CN2023/106573
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
孙海洋
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华为技术有限公司
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Publication of WO2024032294A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024032294A1/zh

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W8/00—Network data management
    • H04W8/26—Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L61/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming

Definitions

  • the present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular, to an information transmission method, device and system.
  • the Binding Support Function (BSF) network element is used by the application function (AF) to select the policy control function (PCF) that serves itself.
  • the AF network element can be discovered through the BSF network element as the current packet data unit (Packet Data Unit, PDU) session (the PDU session carries AF
  • PDU Packet Data Unit
  • the service corresponding to the network element provides the service to the PCF network element, and sends the QoS requirement information to the PCF network element.
  • the AF network element mainly queries the corresponding PCF network element from the BSF network element based on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) address or Internet Protocol Version 6 (Ipv6) address of the terminal device.
  • IPv4 Internet Protocol Version 4
  • Ipv6 Internet Protocol Version 6
  • the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network supports Ethernet type PDU sessions.
  • the address of the terminal device is media access control (MAC).
  • MAC media access control
  • the AF network element cannot directly find the BSF network element through the MAC address, but needs Querying multiple BSF network elements to find the correct BSF not only has low search efficiency and affects service transmission efficiency, but also generates a large number of signaling interactions between AF network elements and BSF network elements, causing a signaling storm in the core network.
  • Embodiments of the present application provide an information transmission method, device and system, which are used to improve the efficiency of AF network elements in determining BSF network elements and/or PCF network elements, reduce signaling interactions, and improve service transmission efficiency.
  • the first aspect provides an information transmission method, which can be applied to the first network element.
  • the method includes: the first network element determines that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the UE MAC corresponding to the AF network element The address has changed; the first network element sends the first information to the AF network element, the first information includes the first MAC address, and the first MAC address is the changed MAC address.
  • the first network element can report the first information to the AF network element, and the first information includes
  • the changed MAC address (such as the first MAC address) enables the first AF network element to learn that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device or the first AF network element has changed, and thereby determine that it is associated with the first MAC address.
  • the second MAC address directly determine the BSF network element and/or PCF network element corresponding to the second MAC address as the BSF network element and/or PCF network element corresponding to the first MAC address (for the implementation on the AF network element side, please refer to Chapter Two related descriptions).
  • the first information is used by the AF network element to determine the first network element.
  • the AF network element can use the first network element to provide services for the first MAC address.
  • the AF network element can use the first network element to provide services for the first MAC address.
  • the method further includes: the first network element receives the second information from the AF network element, or obtains the second information from the unified database UDR network element, or pre-configures the second information; wherein, the The second information includes the identity of the first terminal device or the identity of the AF network element.
  • the first network element sends the first information to the first AF network element, including: the first network element sends the first information to the AF network element according to the second information.
  • the first network element can promptly and accurately report the first information when the media access control MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device changes or the UE MAC address corresponding to the AF network element changes.
  • the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device changes, which may include: the MAC address used by the first terminal device changes.
  • the MAC address used by the first terminal device changes.
  • a change in the Ethernet device behind the first terminal device causes the MAC used by the first terminal device to Address changes.
  • the MAC address used by the first terminal device changes, including one or more of the following situations:
  • the MAC address used by the first terminal device in the first data network has changed
  • the MAC address used by the first terminal device in the first network slice has changed
  • the MAC address used by the first terminal device in the first session has changed
  • the MAC address used by the first terminal device to communicate with the AF network element changes.
  • the first terminal device can report the first information when the MAC address used in a specified communication scenario (such as a specified data network, network slice, session or AF network element, etc.) changes.
  • a specified communication scenario such as a specified data network, network slice, session or AF network element, etc.
  • the second information includes different contents for different scenarios. For example:
  • the second information also includes the identification of the first data network
  • the second information also includes the identification of the first network slice;
  • the second information also includes the identification of the first session.
  • the second information also includes the identification of the first AF.
  • the identity of the AF network element includes at least one of an application identity, a service identity, or an application server AS identity corresponding to the AF network element.
  • the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device changes, including: the allowed MAC address of the first terminal device changes.
  • the MAC address allowed by the first terminal device includes the MAC address of the first terminal device allowed by the first terminal device and/or the AF network element. Of course, it can also be a MAC address allowed by other devices, which is not limited in this application.
  • the allowed MAC address of the first terminal device has changed, or the MAC address that can be allowed in a specified communication scenario has changed. Examples include but are not limited to one or more of the following situations:
  • the MAC address allowed by the first terminal device in the first data network has changed
  • the MAC address allowed by the first terminal device in the first network slice has changed
  • the MAC address allowed by the first terminal device in the first session has changed
  • the MAC address allowed when the first terminal device communicates with the AF network element has changed.
  • the second information includes different contents for different scenarios. For example:
  • the second information also includes the identification of the first data network; or,
  • the second information also includes the identifier of the first network slice; or,
  • the second information also includes the identifier of the first session; or,
  • the second information also includes the identifier of the AF network element.
  • the UE MAC address corresponding to the AF network element changes, including: the UE MAC address used by the AF network element changes.
  • the MAC address of the terminal device that interacts with the first AF network element changes.
  • the UE MAC address used by the AF network element changes, including one or more of the following situations:
  • the UE MAC address used by the AF network element in the first data network has changed
  • the UE MAC address used by the AF network element in the first network slice has changed
  • the UE MAC address used by the AF network element in the first session has changed
  • the UE MAC address used by the AF network element to communicate with the first terminal device has changed.
  • the AF network element can report the first information when the UE MAC address used in a specified communication scenario (such as a specified data network, network slice, session or AF network element, etc.) changes.
  • a specified communication scenario such as a specified data network, network slice, session or AF network element, etc.
  • the second information includes different contents for different scenarios. For example:
  • the second information also includes the identification of the first data network
  • the second information also includes the identifier of the first network slice; or,
  • the second information also includes the identifier of the first session; or,
  • the second information also includes the identification of the first terminal device.
  • the UE MAC address corresponding to the AF network element changes, including: the allowed UE MAC address of the AF network element changes.
  • the UE MAC address allowed by the AF network element can be the UE MAC address allowed by the AF network element itself, or the UE MAC address allowed by other devices. This application does not impose restrictions.
  • the allowed MAC address of the AF network element has changed, or the MAC address that can be allowed in a specified communication scenario has changed. Examples include but are not limited to one or more of the following situations:
  • the UE MAC address allowed by the AF network element in the first data network has changed
  • the UE MAC address allowed by the AF network element in the first network slice has changed
  • the UE MAC address allowed by the AF network element in the first session has changed
  • the allowed UE MAC address changes when the AF network element communicates with the first terminal device.
  • the second information includes different contents for different scenarios. For example:
  • the second information also includes the identification of the first data network; or,
  • the second information also includes the identifier of the first network slice; or,
  • the second information also includes the identifier of the first session; or,
  • the second information also includes the identification of the first terminal device.
  • the first network element is the first PCF network element.
  • the first PCF network element can be implemented to report the first information.
  • the first network element obtains the first MAC address from the session management function SMF network element.
  • the session management function SMF network element obtains the first MAC address from the session management function SMF network element.
  • other specific information can also be obtained, such as the identifier of the first network slice, the identifier of the first data network, etc.
  • the first PCF network element can promptly and accurately sense that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed or the UE MAC address corresponding to the AF network element has changed.
  • the first network element is the first BSF network element.
  • the first BSF network element can be implemented to report the first information.
  • One possible implementation method also includes:
  • the first BSF network element determines that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed or the UE MAC address corresponding to the AF network element has changed based on the third information obtained from the first PCF network element;
  • the third information includes the identifier of the first session; or,
  • the third information includes the identification of the AF network element; or,
  • the third information includes the UE MAC address allowed by the AF network element; or,
  • the third information includes the UE MAC address allowed by the first terminal device.
  • the first PCF network element Since the first BSF network element itself cannot sense the session, does not store the AF identifier, and does not store allowed UE MAC and other information, the first PCF network element needs to report the above information to the first AF network element to ensure that the first AF network The element can promptly and accurately sense that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed or the UE MAC address corresponding to the AF network element has changed.
  • the first information also includes association information, and the association information is used by the AF network element to determine the second MAC address associated with the first MAC address.
  • an information transmission method which can be applied to the AF network element.
  • the method includes: the AF network element receives the first information from the first network element, the first information includes the first MAC address, and the first MAC address is The changed MAC address; the AF network element determines the second MAC address associated with the first MAC address; both the first MAC address and the second MAC address are the MAC addresses corresponding to the first terminal device, or the first MAC address and the second MAC address are The two MAC addresses are both UE MAC addresses corresponding to the AF network element; the AF network element determines the first network element that provides services for the second MAC address as the network element that provides services for the first MAC address.
  • the AF network element sends second information to the first network element; wherein the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses corresponding to the first terminal device, and the second information includes the first The identification of the terminal device, or the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both the UE MAC addresses corresponding to the AF network element.
  • the second information includes the identification of the AF network element; the second information is used by the first network element to send messages to the AF network. Yuan sends the first message.
  • the AF network element determines the second MAC address associated with the first MAC address, including: the AF network element determines the second MAC address associated with the first MAC address according to the association information; wherein the association information includes At least one of the identification of the terminal device, the association identification, or the identification of the application session context, and the first information also includes association information.
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses corresponding to the first terminal device, including: the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses used by the first terminal device.
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses used by the first terminal device, including one or more of the following situations:
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses used by the first terminal device in the first data network;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses used by the first terminal device in the first network slice;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses used by the first terminal device in the first session;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses used by the first terminal device to communicate with the AF network element.
  • the association information also includes the identification of the first data network
  • the association information also includes the identification of the first network slice; or,
  • the association information also includes the identifier of the first session; or,
  • the association information also includes the identification of the first AF.
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses corresponding to the first terminal device, including: the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both allowed MAC addresses of the first terminal device. .
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses allowed by the first terminal device, including the MAC address of the first terminal device allowed by the first terminal device and/or the AF network element.
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both allowed MAC addresses of the first terminal device, including one or more of the following situations:
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses allowed by the first terminal device in the first data network;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses allowed by the first terminal device in the first network slice;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses allowed by the first terminal device in the first session;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both MAC addresses that are allowed when the first terminal device communicates with the AF network element.
  • the association information also includes the identification of the first data network; or ,
  • the association information also includes the identifier of the first network slice; or,
  • the information also includes the identification of the first session; or,
  • the association information also includes the identification of the first terminal device.
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both UE MAC addresses corresponding to the AF network element, including: the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both UE MAC addresses used by the AF network element.
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both UE MAC addresses used by the AF network element, including one or more of the following situations:
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both the UE MAC addresses used by the AF network element in the first data network;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both the UE MAC addresses used by the AF network element in the first network slice;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both the UE MAC addresses used by the AF network element in the first session;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both the UE MAC addresses used by the AF network element to communicate with the first terminal device.
  • the association information also includes the identifier of the first data network; or,
  • the association information also includes the identifier of the first network slice; or,
  • the association information also includes the identifier of the first session; or,
  • the association information also includes the identification of the first terminal device.
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both UE MAC addresses corresponding to the AF network element, including: the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both allowed UE MAC addresses of the AF network element.
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both allowed MAC addresses of the first terminal device, including one or more of the following situations:
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both the UE MAC addresses allowed by the AF network element in the first data network;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both the UE MAC addresses allowed by the AF network element in the first network slice;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both the UE MAC addresses allowed by the AF network element in the first session;
  • the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both UE MAC addresses that are allowed when the AF network element communicates with the first terminal device.
  • the association information also includes the identifier of the first data network; or ,
  • the association information also includes the identifier of the first network slice; or,
  • the association information also includes the identifier of the first session; or,
  • the association information also includes the identifier of the first terminal device.
  • the first network element is the first PCF network element.
  • the first network element is the first BSF network element.
  • a third aspect provides a communication device, including modules or units or technical means for implementing the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.
  • Exemplary devices include:
  • the processing unit is used to: determine that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the UE MAC address corresponding to the AF network element has changed;
  • the transceiver unit is configured to: send first information to the AF network element, where the first information includes the first MAC address, and the first MAC address is the changed MAC address.
  • a fourth aspect provides a communication device, including modules or units or technical means for implementing the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.
  • Exemplary devices include:
  • a transceiver unit configured to: receive first information from the first network element, where the first information includes the first MAC address and the first MAC address. The address is the changed MAC address;
  • a processing unit configured to: determine a second MAC address associated with the first MAC address; both the first MAC address and the second MAC address are MAC addresses corresponding to the first terminal device, or the first MAC address and the second MAC address Both are the UE MAC addresses corresponding to the AF network elements; the first network element that provides services for the second MAC address is determined as the network element that provides services for the first MAC address.
  • a communication system including: a first network element, configured to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect; an AF network element, configured to perform the method described in the second aspect Or the method described in any possible implementation of the second aspect.
  • a sixth aspect provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit.
  • the interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices other than the communication device and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to the communication device.
  • the processor uses logic circuits or execution code instructions to implement the method as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. method as described in the method.
  • a computer-readable storage medium is provided.
  • Computer programs or instructions are stored in the storage medium.
  • the implementation is as in the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect.
  • the method may be the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.
  • a computer program product is provided. Instructions are stored in the computer program product. When it is run on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect or as described in the first aspect. The method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the AF network element discovering the PCF network element
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B are schematic diagrams of several network architectures applicable to embodiments of the present application;
  • Figure 6 is a flow chart of an information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • Figure 7 is a flow chart of another information transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • Figure 8 is a schematic structural flow chart of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • Figure 9 is a schematic structural flow chart of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the terminal device in the embodiment of this application is a device with wireless transceiver function, which can be a fixed device, a mobile device, a handheld device, a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, or a wireless device built into the above device (for example, communication module or chip system, etc.).
  • the terminal device is used to connect people, objects, machines, etc., and can be widely used in various scenarios, including but not limited to the following scenarios: cellular communication, device-to-device communication (device-to-device, D2D), car-to-everything (vehicle to everything, V2X), machine-to-machine/machine-type communications (M2M/MTC), Internet of things (IoT), virtual reality (VR) , augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation , terminal equipment for smart cities, drones, robots and other scenarios.
  • the terminal equipment may sometimes be called user equipment (UE), terminal, access station, UE station, remote station, wireless communication equipment, or user device, etc.
  • the network element in the embodiment of this application may be a single device, or it may be a device integrating multiple devices.
  • the network elements shown in the embodiments of this application can also be logical concepts, such as software modules, or network functions corresponding to the services provided by each network element.
  • the network function can be understood as a virtualization function under virtualization implementation, or as a virtualization function under virtualization implementation. It can be understood as a network function that provides services under a service-oriented network. For example, it is mainly responsible for the session management function (session management function, SMF) specifically used to manage sessions in the 5G core network. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application.
  • SMF session management function
  • the network slice in the embodiment of this application which can also be referred to as a slice for short, is to virtualize multiple end-to-end networks on a common hardware basis through slicing technology.
  • a slice can be understood as a segment with specific characteristics divided into the operator's communication network.
  • a network slice can provide services for one or more service types, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and massive machine type of communication (mMTC).
  • eMBB enhanced mobile broadband
  • mMTC massive machine type of communication
  • Network slicing can also be divided into multiple types, such as eMBB type, mMTC type, fixed wireless access (FWA), etc.
  • the number of nouns means “singular noun or plural noun", that is, “one or more”.
  • At least one means one or more, and “plurality” means two or more.
  • “And/or” describes the relationship between associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships, for example, A and/or B, which can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A, B can be singular or plural.
  • the character "/" generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or” relationship.
  • A/B means: A or B.
  • At least one of the following or similar expressions thereof refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item (items) or a plurality of items (items).
  • at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, c Can be single or multiple.
  • first and second are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects.
  • first information and second information in the embodiments of this application can be used to represent two pieces of information, but do not limit the content, size, priority or importance of the two pieces of information.
  • PDU Packet Data Unit
  • the session management function (SMF) network element After the data network (DN) session is established, the session management function (SMF) network element will select a PCF network element as the policy control function (PCF) for managing the PDU session (PCF for a PDU Session). If the application function (AF) network element corresponding to the service delivered in the PDU session has a demand for service transmission, the AF network element needs to discover the PCF network element and send the corresponding demand.
  • the requirements of AF network elements for service transmission are, for example, quality of service (QoS) requirements.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of discovering PCF network elements for AF network elements. It mainly includes the following steps:
  • the SMF network element When the PDU session is established, the SMF network element will select the PCF network element. After the SMF network element selects the corresponding PCF network element, it will establish a session management (SM) policy association with the PCF network element through the PCF network element service interface session management policy control generation (Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create) service. The SMF network element will provide the PCF with The network element reports the PDU session identifier, UE identifier, data network name (DNN) and/or single network slice selection assistance information (Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information, S-NSSAI) and other information.
  • SM session management
  • Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create PCF network element service interface session management policy control generation
  • the SMF network element After the SMF network element assigns the UE address to the PDU session, it will also report the UE address to the PCF network element (address type such as Internet Protocol Version 4 (Internet Protocol Version 4, IPv4) address, Internet Protocol Version 6 (Internet Protocol Version 6, Ipv6) address , media access control (media access control Address, MAC address, etc.).
  • address type such as Internet Protocol Version 4 (Internet Protocol Version 4, IPv4) address, Internet Protocol Version 6 (Internet Protocol Version 6, Ipv6) address , media access control (media access control Address, MAC address, etc.).
  • the PCF network element registers the UE identity, UE address, PCF ID, DNN and/or S-NSSAI and other information in the BSF network element.
  • the BSF network element stores the correspondence between UE identification, UE address, PCF ID, DNN and/or S-NSSAI and other information.
  • this article takes the correspondence between the five types of information stored in SF as UE identification, UE address, PCF ID, DNN, and S-NSSAI as an example, and combines UE identification, UE address, PCF ID, DNN, and S-NSSAI The correspondence between these five types of information becomes quintuple information.
  • the AF network element When the AF network element needs to discover the PCF network element serving the current PDU session (the service data corresponding to the AF network element is delivered by the PDU session), the AF network element will send a discovery request to the BSF network element (maybe sent directly, or may Sent through the NEF network element), the discovery request carries information such as the UE address (required), DNN (optional), UE identification (optional), etc.
  • the BSF network element determines the PCF network element serving the PDU session based on the previously stored five-tuple information, and returns a discovery response to the AF network element.
  • the discovery response carries information about the PCF network element serving the current PDU session.
  • the AF network element sends an authorization request to the PCF network element, which contains information such as QoS requirements, such as bandwidth, service type, etc.
  • the above-mentioned UE identifier can be an external identifier of the UE (such as a phone number), or it can be a Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI).
  • SUPI Subscription Permanent Identifier
  • NEF can convert the external identifier into an internal identifier.
  • the AF network element needs to discover the PCF network element through the BSF network element.
  • the AF network element sends a discovery request to the BSF network element, and the BSF network element feeds back the PCF network element information to the AF network element. Therefore, before discovering PCF network elements through BSF network elements, you need to find the correct BSF.
  • the first is centralized deployment (that is, there is only one in a network, such as only one in a PLMN, or only one in a DNN and/or S-NSSAI).
  • the AF network element can directly find the BSF through configuration.
  • the network element sends a discovery request.
  • the second type is distributed deployment (for example, BSF network elements and SMF network elements are integrated and deployed together).
  • BSF network elements there can be multiple BSF network elements in the network (specifically, for example, each DNN and/or S-NSSAI).
  • the AF network element generally provides the IPv4 address range (IPv4Address Ranges) and/or IPv6 prefix range (IPv6Prefix Range) of the UE (in a DNN and/or S-NSSAI) to the NRF, and the NRF determines the IPv4 address range based on the IPv4 address.
  • IPv4Address Ranges IPv4Address Ranges
  • IPv6Prefix Range IPv6 prefix Range
  • the range and/or IPv6 prefix range feeds back the appropriate BSF network element to the AF network element.
  • 3GPP networks support Ethernet type PDU sessions.
  • the UE can request an Ethernet PDU type from the 5G core network, and the 5G core network allocates user plane functions that act as PDU anchors.
  • the UE can also act as an Ethernet bridge, allowing Ethernet devices behind the UE to connect through the 3GPP network, with the UE acting as a local switch.
  • the UE can operate in bridge mode, multiple different Ethernet devices can be connected behind the UE, and the Ethernet devices behind the UE can transmit data through the UE's PDU session.
  • the MAC address of each Ethernet device may appear in the PDU session.
  • different Ethernet devices have different MAC addresses, and different MAC addresses may appear in the same PDU session corresponding to the UE. And during UE mobility, the same MAC address may also be switched from one PDU session to another.
  • the PCU session can directly carry the MAC address of the Ethernet device behind the UE.
  • the Ethernet device behind the UE The MAC address of the device can be used as the MAC address of the UE. Therefore, the same UE can have multiple MAC addresses at the same time, or the same UE can have different MAC addresses at different times.
  • the AF network element after detecting a new MAC address (for example, receiving a new data packet whose source address is different from the previously received MAC address), the AF network element needs to find the MAC address.
  • the BSF network element whose address provides services (for example, the five-tuple information corresponding to the MAC address is stored), and the corresponding PCF network element is queried based on the BSF network element to provide services for the MAC address.
  • the BSF network elements that provide services for a certain MAC address described in this article may include but are not limited to: BSF network elements that store the five-tuple information corresponding to the MAC address.
  • BSF network elements that store the five-tuple information corresponding to the MAC address when an AF network element sends a request for discovering a PCF network element to the BSF network element based on the MAC address, the BSF network element can feedback the MAC address to the AF network element based on the MAC address.
  • PCF network element that provides services may include, but is not limited to, the PCF network element that provides services for the PDU session corresponding to the MAC address.
  • the PDU session corresponding to the MAC address contains the MAC address.
  • the address in an Ethernet-type PDU session is a MAC address.
  • MAC addresses can be managed in a range. Therefore, when BSF network elements are deployed in a distributed manner, AF network elements cannot directly find BSF network elements through MAC addresses.
  • the AF network element needs to request multiple BSF network elements in the entire network (or DNN and/or S-NSSAI) to find a suitable BSF network element. This method not only reduces the BSF network element search efficiency and affects the service transmission effect, but also introduces a large amount of signaling interactions between AF network elements and BSF network elements, causing signaling storms and affecting network performance.
  • FIG 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application, including a first network element and an AF network element.
  • the first network element can communicate with the AF network element.
  • the first network element may be a PCF network element, a BSF network element, or other network elements, which is not limited by this application.
  • the system may also include other network elements, such as SMF network elements.
  • the system may also include a terminal device, such as a first terminal device.
  • different MAC addresses corresponding to the same terminal device or corresponding to the same AF network element can use the same BSF network element and/or PCF network element.
  • Different MAC addresses of elements can be served by the same BSF network element and/or PCF network element.
  • the first network element can report the first information to the AF network element, and the first information includes the changed MAC. address (such as the first MAC address).
  • the AF network element After the AF network element receives the first information, it can learn that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed, and can determine that it is associated with the changed MAC address. other MAC address (such as a second MAC address), and then directly sends a request to the BSF network element and/or PCF network element used by the second MAC address. In this way, the problem of core network signaling impact caused by the AF network element sending requests to multiple BSF network elements in the entire network (or DNN and/or S-NSSAI) can be avoided.
  • the network architecture is, for example, a service-oriented architecture of a 5G network, and the network architecture is a non-roaming network architecture.
  • the 5G network includes radio access network (R)AN), user plane function (UPF), access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function ( session management function (SMF), authentication server function (AUSF), network slice selection function (NSSF), network exposure function (NEF), network repository function, NRF), policy control function (PCF), unified data management (UDM), unified data repository (UDR), application function (AF) or charging function (charging function, CHF), binding support function (Binding Support Function, BSF), etc.
  • R radio access network
  • UPF user plane function
  • AMF access and mobility management function
  • SMF session management function
  • AUSF authentication server function
  • NSSF network slice selection function
  • NEF network exposure function
  • PCF policy control function
  • UDM unified data management
  • UDR unified data repository
  • AF application function
  • charging function charging function
  • CHF
  • Figure 3A only illustrates some examples of network elements or entities in the 5G network.
  • the 5G network may also include network data analytics function (NWDAF) and other functions not shown in Figure 3A
  • NWDAAF network data analytics function
  • the network elements or entities are not limited in the embodiments of this application.
  • the user equipment (UE) accesses the 5G network through the (R)AN, and the UE communicates with the AMF through the N1 interface (referred to as N1); the (R)AN communicates with the AMF through the N2 interface (referred to as N2) AMF communicates; (R)AN communicates with UPF through the N3 interface (referred to as N3); SMF communicates with UPF through the N4 interface (referred to as N4), and UPF accesses the data network (DN) through the N6 interface (referred to as N6).
  • control plane functions such as AUSF, AMF, SMF, NSSF, NEF, NRF, PCF, UDM, UDR, CHF, BSF or AF shown in Figure 3A use service-based interfaces for interaction.
  • the external service interface provided by AUSF is Nausf; the external service interface provided by AMF is Namf; the external service interface provided by SMF is Nsmf; the external service interface provided by NSSF is Nnssf; the external service interface provided by NEF is Nnef; the external service interface provided by NRF is Nnrf; the external service interface provided by PCF is Npcf; the external service interface provided by UDM is Nudm; the external service interface provided by UDR is Nudr; the external service interface provided by CHF is Nchf; the service interface provided by BSF to the outside world is Nbsf; the service interface provided by AF to the outside world is Naf.
  • the 5G system architecture diagram in the 23501 standard which
  • the first network element in Figure 2 can be the BSF network element or the PCF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 3A
  • the AF network element in Figure 2 can be the AF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 3A.
  • FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of another network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application, and the network architecture is a non-roaming network architecture.
  • network elements such as NSSF, AUSF, UDM, UE, (R)AN, PCF and SMF can all communicate with AMF.
  • AUSF can also communicate with UDM
  • UDM can also communicate with SMF.
  • SMF can also communicate with UPF and PCF.
  • PCF can also communicate with AF and NEF.
  • NEF can also communicate with AF.
  • UPF can communicate with (R)AN and DN.
  • "Nxx" between two network elements represents the interface between the two network elements.
  • N22 represents the interface between NSSF and AMF
  • N12 represents the interface between AUSF and AMF
  • N8 represents the interface between UDM and AMF
  • the BSF network element can be deployed independently or integrated with other network elements, which is not limited by this application.
  • Figure 3B does not show the BSF network element.
  • the first network element in Figure 2 can be the BSF network element or the PCF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 3B
  • the AF network element in Figure 2 can be the AF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 3B.
  • the UE is equivalent to being in the home public land mobile network (HPLMN), and the PCF is equivalent to the PCF in the HPLMN, so it can be called is H-PCF, h-PCF, hPCF or HPCF;
  • AMF is equivalent to AMF in HPLMN, so it can be called H-AMF, h-AMF, hAMF or HAMF;
  • CHF is equivalent to CHF in HPLMN, so it can be called H -CHF, h-CHF, hCHF or HCHF.
  • FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of another network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application.
  • the network architecture is, for example, a service-oriented architecture of a 5G network.
  • the network architecture is a roaming network architecture, such as a local breakout (LBO) roaming scenario.
  • the 5G network includes HPLMN and visited public land mobile network (VPLMN).
  • HPLMN is the home network of the UE
  • VPLMN is the roaming network of the UE.
  • services need to be offloaded at VPLMN, that is, the DN is at VPLMN.
  • VPLMN and HPLMN communicate through the visited security edge protection proxy (vSEPP) and the home security edge protection proxy (hSEPP).
  • vSEPP visited security edge protection proxy
  • hSEPP home security edge protection proxy
  • the UE accesses the 5G network through the (R)AN, and the UE communicates with the AMF through the N1 interface (referred to as N1); the (R)AN network element communicates with the AMF through the N2 interface (referred to as N2) ;(R)AN network element through the N3 interface (referred to as N3) Communicates with UPF; SMF communicates with UPF through the N4 interface (referred to as N4), and UPF accesses the DN through the N6 interface (referred to as N6).
  • N1 interface referred to as N1
  • N2 the AMF through the N2 interface
  • N3 interface (referred to as N3)
  • SMF communicates with UPF through the N4 interface (referred to as N4)
  • UPF accesses the DN through the N6 interface (referred to as N6).
  • control plane functions such as NSSF, NEF, AMF, SMF, NRF, PCF, BSF or AF of the VPLMN shown in Figure 4A use service-based interfaces for interaction.
  • the external service interface provided by AMF is Namf
  • the external service interface provided by SMF is Nsmf
  • the external service interface provided by NSSF is Nnssf
  • the external service interface provided by NEF is Nnef
  • the external service interface provided by NRF is Nnrf
  • the service interface provided by PCF to the outside world is Npcf
  • the service interface provided by BSF to the outside world is Nbsf
  • the service interface provided by AF to the outside world is Naf.
  • Control plane functions such as UDM, AUSF, PCF, NRF, NSSF, or NEF of HPLMN shown in Figure 4A also use service-based interfaces for interaction.
  • the external service interface provided by AUSF is Nausf; the external service interface provided by UDM is Nudm.
  • AMF can communicate with H-PCF and V-PCF.
  • HPLMN may also include H-CHF (not shown in Figure 4A).
  • VPLMN may also include CHF (not shown in Figure 4A), and CHF in VPLMN may also be called V-CHF, v-CHF, hCHF or VCHF.
  • H-PCF can communicate with H-CHF
  • V-PCF can communicate with V-CHF.
  • the first network element in Figure 2 can be the BSF network element or the PCF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 4A
  • the AF network element in Figure 2 can be the AF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 4A.
  • FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of another network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application, and the network architecture is a roaming network architecture, such as an LBO roaming scenario.
  • the 5G network includes HPLMN and VPLMN.
  • NSSF, UE, (R)AN, SMF in the VPLMN, and AUSF and UDM in the HPLMN can communicate with the AMF in the VPLMN.
  • the SMF in the VPLMN can also communicate with the UPF, PCF (also known as vPCF, or HPCF) in the VPLMN, and the UDM in the HPLMN.
  • PCF also known as vPCF, or HPCF
  • the PCF within the VPLMN can also communicate with the AF within the VPLMN and the PCF within the HPLMN (also known as hPCF, or VPCF).
  • the UPF in the VPLMN can also communicate with the (R)AN and DN in the VPLMN.
  • "Nxx" between two network elements represents the interface between the two network elements.
  • HPLMN includes H-PCF.
  • VPLMN includes V-PCF.
  • AMF can communicate with V-PCF and H-PCF.
  • HPLMN may also include H-CHF (not shown in Figure 4B).
  • VPLMN may also include H-CHF (not shown in Figure 4B).
  • H-PCF can communicate with H-CHF
  • V-PCF can communicate with V-CHF.
  • the BSF network element can be deployed independently or integrated with other network elements, which is not limited by this application.
  • Figure 4B does not show the BSF network element.
  • the first network element in Figure 2 can be the BSF network element or the PCF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 4B
  • the AF network element in Figure 2 can be the AF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 4B.
  • FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of another network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application.
  • the network architecture is, for example, a service-oriented architecture of a 5G network.
  • the network architecture is a roaming network architecture, such as a home routed (HR) roaming scenario.
  • the 5G network includes HPLMN and VPLMN.
  • HPLMN is the home network of the UE
  • VPLMN is the roaming network of the UE.
  • the VPLMN and HPLMN communicate through vSEPP and hSEPP.
  • services need to be offloaded at HPLMN, that is, the DN is at HPLMN.
  • the UE accesses the 5G network through the (R)AN network element, and the UE communicates with the AMF through the N1 interface (referred to as N1); the (R)AN network element passes through the N2 interface (referred to as N2) Communicates with the AMF; the (R)AN network element communicates with the UPF through the N3 interface (referred to as N3); the SMF communicates with the UPF through the N4 interface (referred to as N4).
  • N6 interface referred to as N6
  • UPF communicates with the SMF through the N4 interface (referred to as N4).
  • control plane functions such as NSSF, NEF, AMF, SMF, NRF, BSF, or PCF of the VPLMN shown in Figure 5A use service-based interfaces for interaction.
  • the external service interface provided by AMF is Namf
  • the external service interface provided by SMF is Nsmf
  • the external service interface provided by BSF is Nbsf
  • the external service interface provided by NSSF is Nnssf
  • the external service interface provided by NEF is Nnef
  • the external service interface provided by NRF is Nnrf
  • the external service interface provided by PCF is Npcf.
  • HPLMN such as UDM, AUSF, PCF, NRF, NSSF, AF, or NEF
  • HPLMN includes H-PCF.
  • VPLMN includes V-PCF.
  • AMF can communicate with V-PCF and H-PCF.
  • HPLMN may also include H-CHF (not shown in Figure 5A).
  • VPLMN may also include H-CHF (not shown in Figure 5A).
  • H-PCF can communicate with H-CHF
  • V-PCF can communicate with V-CHF.
  • the first network element in Figure 2 can be the BSF network element or the PCF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 5A
  • the AF network element in Figure 2 can be the AF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 5A.
  • FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of another network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application, and the network architecture is a roaming network.
  • Architecture such as HR roaming scenarios.
  • the 5G network includes HPLMN and VPLMN.
  • NSSF, UE, (R)AN, SMF, PCF in the VPLMN, and AUSF and UDM in the HPLMN can communicate with the AMF in the VPLMN.
  • the SMF in the VPLMN can also communicate with the UPF in the VPLMN and the SMF in the HPLMN.
  • V-PCF can also communicate with H-PCF.
  • the UPF in the VPLMN can also communicate with the (R)AN in the VPLMN and the UPF in the HPLMN.
  • the NSSF in the VPLMN can also communicate with the NSSF in the HPLMN.
  • the SMF in the HPLMN can also communicate with the UPF, UDM and PCF in the HPLMN.
  • the UDM in HPLMN can also communicate with the AUSF in HPLMN.
  • the H-PCF can also communicate with the AF within the HPLMN.
  • the UPF in the HPLMN can also access the DN in the VPLMN.
  • "Nxx" between two network elements represents the interface between the two network elements. Among them, AMF can communicate with V-PCF and H-PCF.
  • HPLMN may also include H-CHF (not shown in Figure 5B).
  • VPLMN may also include H-CHF (not shown in Figure 5B).
  • H-PCF can communicate with H-CHF
  • V-PCF can communicate with V-CHF.
  • the BSF network element can be deployed independently or integrated with other network elements, which is not limited by this application.
  • Figure 5B does not show the BSF network element.
  • the first network element in Figure 2 can be the BSF network element or the PCF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 5B
  • the AF network element in Figure 2 can be the AF network element in the scenario shown in Figure 5B.
  • the service The PLMN of the UE can be switched from VPLMN to HPLMN, from HPLMN to VPLMN, or from one VPLMN to another VPLMN.
  • the application function network elements, binding support function network elements, policy control network elements, session management network elements, etc. involved in the embodiments of this application are just names, and the names do not limit the device itself.
  • the application function network element is, for example, AF
  • the policy control network element is, for example, PCF
  • the session management network element is, for example, SMF
  • the binding support function network element is BSF.
  • application function network elements, policy control network elements, session management network elements, binding support function network elements, etc. may also correspond to other network elements.
  • Embodiments of this application There is no specific limit on this.
  • the PCF network element mainly supports providing a unified policy framework to control network behavior, provides policy rules to the control layer network functions, and is responsible for obtaining user subscription information related to policy decisions.
  • BSF network element used by the AF to select the PCF to serve itself. It will maintain the corresponding relationship between one or more of the UE identity, DNN, S-NSSAI, UE address (such as IP address), and the selected PCF. .
  • AF network element mainly supports interaction with the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) core network to provide services, such as affecting data routing decisions, policy control functions or providing some third-party services to the network side.
  • 3GPP 3rd generation partnership project
  • the SMF network element referred to as SMF for short, is mainly responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include assigning Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to users, selecting UPF that provides message forwarding functions, etc.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • DN refers to the service network that provides data transmission services to users, such as IP multimedia service (IMS) or the Internet.
  • IMS IP multimedia service
  • the UE can access the DN through the session established between the UE and the DN.
  • the session in the embodiment of this application takes a PDU session as an example.
  • the first network element being the PCF network element and the BSF network element as examples respectively.
  • the first network element is the PCF network element
  • an information transmission method is provided in an embodiment of the present application. This method can be applied to the scenarios shown in Figure 1, Figure 3A, Figure 3B, Figure 4A, Figure 4B, Figure 5A or Figure 5B.
  • the method includes :
  • the first PCF network element determines: the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed.
  • this article refers to the content determined by the first PCF network element in step S601 as a reporting event (or reporting condition).
  • S601 can also be described as the first PCF network element determining that a reporting event occurs (or the reporting conditions are met).
  • the reporting event includes: the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device changes, or the corresponding MAC address of the first AF network element changes.
  • the UE MAC address has changed.
  • the reported event includes: the media access control MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device changes.
  • the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, including but not limited to the following two situations: 1. The MAC address used by the first terminal device has changed; 2. The allowed MAC address of the first terminal device has changed. Variety. Of course, it’s actually okay In other cases, this application is not limited.
  • the MAC address used by the first terminal device has changed.
  • a change in the MAC address used by the first terminal device can be understood as a change in the MAC address of the first terminal device.
  • a change in the Ethernet device behind the first terminal device causes a change in the MAC address of the first terminal device.
  • the MAC address used by the first terminal device has changed can not only be a replacement (for example, a change from one MAC address to another MAC address, or a change from one set of MAC addresses to another). group MAC address), or it can be a new one (that is, a new MAC address is added on the basis of the original MAC address), which is not limited by this application.
  • the Ethernet device behind the first terminal device switches from the second Ethernet device (the MAC address of the second Ethernet device is the second MAC address) to the first Ethernet device (the MAC address of the first Ethernet device is the second MAC address). (one MAC address), then the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device is switched from the second MAC address to the first MAC address.
  • the Ethernet device behind the first terminal device has one or more Ethernet devices, including a second Ethernet device (the MAC address of the second Ethernet device is the second MAC address).
  • the first terminal If a first Ethernet device is added behind the device (the MAC address of the first Ethernet device is the first MAC address), then a second MAC address is added to the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device.
  • the MAC address used by the first terminal device changes, or the MAC address used by the first terminal device in some specific scenarios changes.
  • the MAC address used by the first terminal device changes, or the MAC address used by the first terminal device in some specific scenarios changes.
  • Example 1 The MAC address used by the first terminal device in the designated data network (such as the first data network) changes. In other words, the MAC address of the first terminal device corresponding to the same data network (or data network identifier) has changed.
  • Example 2 The MAC address used by the first terminal device in a specified network slice (such as the first network slice) changes. In other words, the MAC address of the first terminal device corresponding to the same network slice (or network slice identifier) has changed.
  • Example 3 The MAC address used by the first terminal device in a specified session (such as the first session) changes. In other words, the MAC address of the first terminal device corresponding to the same session (or session identifier) has changed.
  • the session referred to in this article may specifically be a PDU session.
  • Example 4 The MAC address used by the first terminal device to communicate with a designated AF network element or a designated application (such as the first AF network element or an application corresponding to the first AF network element) changes.
  • the MAC address of the first terminal device corresponding to the same AF network element (or the identity of the AF network element) has changed; or the first terminal device corresponds to the same service (or application description information, such as application identification, service data flow filter, service MAC address, etc.) the MAC address has changed.
  • the AF network element is a control plane network element, which is responsible for the control plane signaling interaction between applications and the 5G core network.
  • the network element responsible for application user plane transmission is the application server (Application Server) corresponding to the AF network element. Server, AS). Therefore, the MAC address used by the first terminal device to communicate with the first AF network element can also be replaced by the MAC address used by the first terminal device to communicate with the AS (such as the first AS) corresponding to the first AF network element.
  • AS Application Server
  • Example 5 The MAC address used by the first terminal device in the first data network and the first network slice changes.
  • Example 6 The MAC address used by the first terminal device in the first data network, the first network slice, and the first session changes.
  • Example 7 The MAC address used by the first terminal device to communicate with the first AF network element in the first data network, the first network slice, and the first session has changed.
  • the change of the allowed MAC address of the first terminal device can also be described as: the MAC address that the first terminal is allowed to use changes, or the MAC address that the first terminal device can use changes, etc. It can be understood that the MAC address that the first terminal is allowed to use is not necessarily being used by the first terminal device.
  • the subject that allows (or authorizes) the MAC address used by the first terminal device may be the terminal device itself or other network entities, which is not limited by this application.
  • the MAC address allowed by the first terminal device includes the MAC address of the first terminal device allowed by the first terminal device and/or the first AF network element.
  • the allowed MAC address of the first terminal device has changed in the embodiment of this application can not only be a replacement, but also a new addition, which is not limited by this application.
  • the MAC address allowed by the first terminal device changes, or the MAC address allowed by the first terminal device in some specific scenarios changes.
  • Example 1 The MAC address allowed by the first terminal device in the designated data network (such as the first data network) changes.
  • Example 2 The MAC address allowed by the first terminal device in the designated network slice of the designated data network (such as the first network slice) changes.
  • Example 3 The MAC address allowed by the first terminal device in the specified session (such as the first PDU session) changes.
  • Example 4 The MAC address allowed when the first terminal device communicates with the designated AF network element (such as the first AF network element) changes.
  • Example 5 The MAC address allowed by the first terminal device in the specified data network (such as the first data network) and/or the specified network slice (such as the first network slice) changes.
  • the reported events include: the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed.
  • the reported events include: the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed.
  • the reported event may be the first AF
  • the UE MAC address corresponding to the network element has changed.
  • the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element in the embodiment of the present application can also be called the MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element.
  • the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element refers to the MAC address of the terminal device that transmits (sends and/or receives) the service data corresponding to the first AF network element.
  • the MAC address refers to the MAC address of the terminal device (such as UE).
  • the AF network element is a control plane network element, and the services corresponding to the AF network element are not actually transmitted between the AF network element and the terminal equipment.
  • the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element can also be replaced by the UE MAC address corresponding to the application or AS.
  • this article mainly takes the "UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element" as an example.
  • the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed, including but not limited to the following two situations: 1. The MAC address used by the first AF network element has changed; 2. The allowed MAC address of the first AF network element Something has changed. Of course, there may be other situations in practice, which are not limited by this application.
  • the UE MAC address used by the first AF network element has changed.
  • the UE MAC address used by the first AF network element has changed, which means that the MAC address of the terminal device that interacts with the first AF network element (or the application or AS corresponding to the first AF) has changed.
  • the UE MAC address used by the first AF network element has changed can not only be replaced, but also added, and is not limited by this application.
  • the UE MAC address used by the first AF network element has changed, or the UE MAC address used by the first AF network element in some specific scenarios has changed.
  • Example 1 The UE MAC address used by the first AF network element in the designated data network (such as the first data network) has changed. In other words, the UE MAC address of the first AF network element corresponding to the same data network (or data network identifier) has changed.
  • Example 2 The UE MAC address used by the first AF network element in the specified network slice (such as the first network slice) has changed. In other words, the UE MAC address of the first AF network element corresponding to the same network slice (or network slice identifier) has changed.
  • Example 3 The UE MAC address used by the first AF network element in a specified session (such as the first session) has changed. In other words, the UE MAC address of the first AF network element corresponding to the same session (or session identifier) has changed.
  • the first session may be a PDU session.
  • Example 4 The UE MAC address used by the first AF network element to communicate with a designated terminal device (such as a first terminal device) or a designated terminal device group (or a first terminal device group) changes. In other words, the UE MAC address of the first AF network element corresponding to the same terminal device (or terminal device identifier) or terminal device group (terminal device group identifier) has changed.
  • the terminal device identifier can be an external identifier (referring to outside the core network, such as the phone number of the terminal device) or an internal identifier (referring to the inside of the core network, such as the SUPI of the terminal device), which is not limited by this application.
  • the terminal equipment identity is an external identity, such as an external UE identity
  • the NEF network element can convert it into an internal identity, such as an external identity into an internal UE identity.
  • the terminal device group identifier can be an external identifier (referring to the outside of the core network) or an internal identifier (referring to the inside of the core network), which is not limited in this application.
  • the terminal equipment group identity is an external identity, such as an external UE group identity
  • the NEF network element can convert it into an internal identity, such as an external identity into an internal UE group identity.
  • the UE MAC address used for communication between the first AF network element and the first terminal device or the first terminal device group can also be replaced by: the AS server corresponding to the first AF network element communicates with the first terminal device or the first terminal device group.
  • the UE MAC address used for terminal device group communication has changed.
  • Example 5 The UE MAC address used by the first AF network element in the first data network and the first network slice has changed.
  • Example 6 The UE MAC address used by the first AF network element in the first data network, the first network slice, and the first session has changed.
  • Example 7 The UE MAC address used by the first AF network element to communicate with the first AF network element in the first data network, the first network slice, and the first session has changed.
  • Example 8 The UE MAC address used by the first AF network element to communicate with the first AF network element in the first data network, the first network slice, and the first UE group has changed.
  • the UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element has changed.
  • the UE MAC address allowed to be used by the first AF network element has changed, which can also be described as: the UE MAC address allowed to be used by the first AF network element has changed, or the UE MAC address that the first AF network element can use has changed. Changes occurred, etc.
  • the subject that allows (or authorizes) the UE MAC address used by the first AF network element can be the first AF network element itself, a terminal device, or other network entities, which is not limited by this application.
  • the UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element includes the UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element by the first terminal device and/or the first AF network element.
  • the UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element has changed can not only be replaced, but also added, and is not limited by this application.
  • the UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element has changed, or the UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element in some specific scenarios has changed.
  • Example 1 The UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element in the designated data network (such as the first data network) has changed.
  • Example 2 The UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element in the specified network slice of the specified data network (such as the first network slice) has changed.
  • Example 3 The UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element in the specified session (such as the first PDU session) has changed.
  • Example 4 The UE MAC address allowed when the first AF network element communicates with the designated terminal device or designated terminal device group changes.
  • Example 5 The UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element in the specified data network (such as the first data network) and/or the specified network slice (such as the first network slice) has changed.
  • the reported event may also include: the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device group has changed.
  • the change in the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device group may be a change in the MAC address of the terminal device in the first terminal device group.
  • the change includes but is not limited to the replacement or addition of a MAC address.
  • a new terminal device is added to the first terminal device group, resulting in a new MAC address being added to the first terminal device group; or
  • the MAC address of a certain terminal device in the first terminal device group is replaced from one MAC address to another MAC address, causing the MAC address in the first terminal device group to be replaced.
  • the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed please refer to the above article "The MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed," which will not be discussed here.
  • the first PCF network element can determine that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed based on the information reported by the SMF network element.
  • the first PCF network element can set a policy control request trigger (Policy control request trigger) on the SMF network element to implement this function.
  • Policy control request trigger Policy control request trigger
  • the function of the trigger is to instruct the PCF to report when the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device changes or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element changes (the changed value can be reported to the PCF together).
  • the first PCF network element can carry indication information in the PCC rule to indicate that the services corresponding to the SMF network element (or policy and charging control (PCC) rule) need to report the above information).
  • the SMF network element can report relevant change information (such as the changed MAC address, etc.) to the first PCF network element.
  • the SMF network element receives the allowed MAC address change of the first terminal device or the AF network from the Authentication, Authorization, Accounting (AAA) server during the lifetime of the Ethernet type PDU session.
  • the SMF network element can report relevant change information (such as the changed MAC to the first PCF network element) to the first PCF network element. address, etc.).
  • the first PCF network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.
  • the first information includes the first MAC address, and the first MAC address is the changed MAC address; accordingly, the first AF network element receives the first information.
  • the first information may indicate that the reporting event occurs or the reporting condition is met.
  • the first information indicates that the media access control MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element. Something has changed.
  • the first AF network element can determine that the media access control MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed.
  • the first MAC address in the first information is the changed MAC address.
  • the first AF network element can determine based on the first information that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, and the first AF network element can determine that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed.
  • the changed MAC address of a terminal device is the first MAC address.
  • the first AF network element can determine based on the first information that the MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed. And the changed MAC address of the first AF network element is the first MAC address.
  • the first information may also carry a second MAC address, and the second MAC address is the MAC address before the change.
  • the first information can also carry multiple MAC addresses before the change, for example, the second MAC address, tertiary MAC address, etc. In this way, when the first AF network element subsequently determines the MAC address associated with the first MAC address, it can directly determine the first MAC address carried in the first information.
  • the first information may explicitly indicate that the media access control MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed.
  • the first information also carries an indication information, which is used to indicate that the media access control MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed.
  • the reported event is that the media access control MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, and the first information includes the first MAC address and the first indication information.
  • the first AF network element After receiving the first information, the first AF network element will The indication information can know that the MAC address of a terminal device has changed, and based on the first MAC address, it can be determined that the MAC address of the terminal device corresponding to the first MAC address has changed, and the changed MAC address is the first MAC address.
  • the first information may implicitly indicate that the media access control MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed.
  • the first information does not carry the above indication information.
  • the first AF network element receives the first information, it can be determined that the MAC address corresponding to the terminal device or the AF network element has changed.
  • the reported event is that the media access control MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, and the first information only includes the first MAC address
  • the first AF network element can determine that there is a terminal device after receiving the first information.
  • the MAC address has changed, and based on the first MAC address, it can be determined that the MAC address of the terminal device corresponding to the first MAC address has changed, and the change has been determined
  • the last MAC address is the first MAC address.
  • the first PCF network element if the first PCF network element is to report the first information to the first AF network element when a reporting event occurs, the first AF network element needs to be pre-configured to report the event.
  • the first AF network element can explicitly subscribe to the first PCF network element for reporting events. For example, the first AF network element sends a subscription request to the first PCF network element, so that the first PCF network element configures the reporting event according to the subscription request, and then reports the first information when the reporting event occurs.
  • the subscription request is the second information required to configure the reported event or the subscription request includes the second information required to configure the reported event.
  • the second information at least includes the identity of the first terminal device, and if the reported event also specifically limits whether the first terminal device is in the first network slice Or the corresponding MAC address changes in a scenario such as the first data network, the first information also corresponds to information including an identifier of the first network slice or an identifier of the first data network.
  • the second information may also include the identifier of the first AF network element, and of course may not include the identifier of the first AF network element, because the second information is sent by the first AF network element, and the first PCF network The element can naturally determine to subsequently report the first information to the first AF network element according to the source of the second information (ie, the first AF network element).
  • the AF network element is a control plane network element and is not responsible for the user plane data transmission of the application. Therefore, the identity of the first AF network element can be the application identity, service identity or AS identity corresponding to the first AF network element. One or more of the above.
  • the same terminal device may have different PDU sessions successively, and these PDU sessions may correspond to different PCF network elements. Therefore, when the first AF network element subscribes to report events, it can report events to multiple PCF nodes at the same time.
  • the PCF sends a subscription request so that after the subsequent terminal device switches the PDU session (after the PCF network element switches from the first PCF network element to another PCF network element), other PCF network elements can also sense the reporting event and promptly report the event when it occurs. Report to the first AF network element.
  • the specific content of the second information should correspond to the specific content of the reported event.
  • the second information may include the identifier of the first terminal device (such as a Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI)) or a permanent subscription identifier (Subscription Permanent Identifier, SUPI), etc.).
  • GPSI Generic Public Subscription Identifier
  • SUPI Subscribescription Permanent Identifier
  • the second The information also correspondingly includes: the identifier of the first terminal device, the identifier of the first data network (such as DNN), the first network slice (such as S-NSSAI), the identifier of the first session (such as the PDU session identifier), and/or the The identifier of an AF network element (such as the address of the first AF network element, or the address of the AS server corresponding to the first AF network element), etc.
  • the second information may include the identification of the first terminal device.
  • the reported event is specifically that the MAC address allowed by the first terminal device in specified scenarios such as the first data network, the first network slice, the first session, and/or the first AF network element has changed, then
  • the second information also correspondingly includes: the identity of the first terminal device, the identity of the first data network, the first network slice, the identity of the first session, and/or the identity of the first AF network element, and so on.
  • the second information may include the identifier of the first AF network element.
  • the reported event is specifically that the MAC address used by the first AF network element in a specified scenario such as the first data network, the first network slice, the first session, and/or the first terminal device has changed, then the The second information also correspondingly includes: the identity of the first terminal device, the identity of the first data network, the first network slice, the identity of the first session, and/or the identity of the first terminal device, and so on.
  • the second information may include the identifier of the first AF network element.
  • the reported event is specifically that the MAC address allowed for the first AF network element corresponding to the first data network, the first network slice, the first session, and/or the first terminal device has changed, then The second information also correspondingly includes: the identity of the first terminal device, the identity of the first data network, the first network slice, the identity of the first session, and/or the identity of the first terminal device, and so on.
  • the second information may also include a corresponding event identifier, which is used to identify the reported event subscribed by the first AF network element.
  • the first AF network element can implicitly subscribe to the first PCF network element for reporting events. In other words, the first AF network element may not subscribe to the reporting event, but the first PCF network element may actively report the event.
  • the first PCF network element can obtain the second information from the UDR network element, or the first PCF network element locally configures the second information; the first PCF reports the event according to the second information configuration.
  • the first PCF network element also obtains the corresponding relationship between the first PCF network element and the first AF network element from the UDR network element, or the first PCF network element locally configures the corresponding relationship between the first PCF network element and the first AF network element. , making the first After the PCF network element determines that the reporting event is satisfied, it reports the first information to the first AF network element according to the corresponding relationship.
  • the first PCF network element obtains the address and DNN of the first AF network element from the UDR network element, S -The corresponding relationship between one or more items in the NSSAI and the first BSF network element.
  • the current (in use) MAC address in the first PDU session is the second MAC address
  • the second MAC address corresponds to the first terminal device
  • the first PCF can configure the configuration according to the correspondence relationship obtained from the UDR and the second MAC address.
  • Report an event for example: the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device in the first PDU session has changed (this is only an example, and the actual reported event can also be in other forms); the first PCF can also determine based on the above correspondence relationship.
  • the reporting event occurs, the changed MAC address is reported to the first AF network element.
  • the first PCF network element can also send the identification information of the first BSF and the second MAC address to the first AF network element, so that the first AF network element can maintain the identification information of the first BSF and the second MAC address.
  • the corresponding relationship (or the corresponding relationship between the identification information of the first BSF and the identification information) enables the first AF network element to directly find the first BSF network element and pass the first BSF network element when it needs to discover the PCF based on the second MAC address. Find the first PCF network element.
  • the first PCF network element may not send the identification information of the first BSF and the second MAC address to the first AF network element.
  • the first AF network element may send the first PCF network element to the first AF network element.
  • Each BSF network element in the network (or DNN and/or S-NSSAI) sends a request to find the first PCF network element.
  • the first AF network element determines the second MAC address associated with the first MAC address.
  • the first AF network element may store association information, and the association information may be used to indicate that there is an association relationship between multiple MAC addresses.
  • the association relationship is, for example, the multiple MAC addresses are provided by the same BSF network element and/or PCF network elements provide services.
  • the plurality of MAC addresses include a first MAC address and a second MAC address.
  • this article takes the example that the association relationship is used to indicate that the first MAC address and the second MAC address have an association relationship.
  • the first information in addition to the first MAC address, also includes association information, and the first AF network element stores the corresponding relationship between the second MAC address and the association information. After receiving the first information, the first AF network element determines that the association information in the first information is the same as the association information saved by the AF, and further determines that the first MAC address and the second MAC address have an association relationship.
  • the association information may include one or more of the identification of the terminal device, the association identification or the identification of the application session context, etc., which is not limited in this application.
  • association information (or the association relationship between the first MAC address and the second MAC address indicated by the association information) corresponds to the specific content of the above-mentioned reported event.
  • the reported event includes a change in the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device
  • the associated information may include the identity of the first terminal device (such as the GPSI or MAC address of the first terminal device (such as the second MAC address) ) or SUPI, etc., as long as the first terminal device can be identified).
  • the reported event is specifically that the MAC address of the first terminal device corresponding to the first data network, the first network slice, the first session, and/or the first AF network element has changed, then
  • the association information also includes: the identity of the first terminal device, the identity of the first data network, the first network slice, the identity of the first session, and/or the identity of the first AF network element, and so on.
  • the reported event includes a change in the MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element
  • the association information includes the identifier of the first AF network element.
  • the association information is used to indicate that both the first MAC address and the second MAC address correspond to the first AF network element.
  • the association information also includes: the identity of the first terminal device, the identity of the first data network, the first network slice, the identity of the first session, and/or the identity of the first AF network element, and so on.
  • the associated information can be expressed in multiple forms, which is not limited by this application.
  • the association information and the MAC address may be stored on the first AF network element in the form of a mapping table.
  • GPSI_1 is the identifier of the first terminal device. It can be seen from Table 1 that both the first MAC address and the second MAC address correspond to the first terminal device.
  • the first AF network element can determine that the first MAC address and the second MAC address are related based on the first information and the contents of Table 1.
  • the number of MAC addresses in Table 1 may be more than one, and this application does not impose a limit.
  • GPSI_1 is the identifier of the first terminal device
  • GPSI_2 is the identifier of the second terminal device.
  • the third The MAC address, the fourth MAC address and the fifth MAC address all correspond to the second terminal device.
  • Table 3 shows an example where the associated information is an associated identifier:
  • the subscription correlation (Subscription Correlation) ID is the correlation ID returned by PCF to AF when the AF network element subscribes to the PCF network element in batches, and can represent the MAC address corresponding to the same application.
  • Table 4 shows an example where the associated information is the identifier of the application session context:
  • the identification of the application session context is the identification carried by AF when sending an authorization request to PCF. It can represent the MAC address corresponding to the same application or the same UE.
  • mapping table will also include DNN, S-NSSAI and other information, as shown in Table 5.
  • the AF network element may also save the corresponding relationship between the association information and the first BSF network element and/or the first PCF network element, for example, as shown in Table 6.
  • the first AF network element determines that the association information in the first information is the same as the association information saved by AF, and then directly determines the first BSF network element or the first PCF corresponding to the first MAC address using the association information. network element.
  • the AF network element can also simultaneously store the association information, the correspondence between the first BSF network element and/or the first PCF network element, and the first MAC address, as shown in Table 7.
  • the first AF network element determines the PCF network element that provides services for the first MAC address for the first PCF network element that provides services for the second MAC address, and/or the first BSF that provides services for the second MAC address.
  • the network element determines the BSF network element that provides services for the first MAC address.
  • the first PCF network element may be providing services for the second MAC address, or may have provided services for the second MAC address.
  • This application does not limit it; the first BSF network element may be It is currently providing services to the second MAC address, or it may have provided services to the second MAC address. This application does not impose any restrictions.
  • the first AF network element determines the first BSF network element that provides services for the second MAC address, and determines the first BSF network element as the BSF network element that provides services for the first MAC address. Then the first AF network element determines the first BSF network element that provides services for the first MAC address. The element can use the first BSF network element to provide services for the first MAC address. For example, the first AF network element sends a discovery request to the first BSF network element, and the discovery request carries the first MAC address (optionally, it can also carry information such as DNN, S-NSSAI); the first BSF network element responds to the discovery request.
  • the PCF network element serving the first MAC address such as the first PCF network element
  • the first AF network element can directly send the QoS requirement information to the first PCF network element.
  • the first AF network element determines the first PCF network element that provides services for the second MAC address, and determines the first PCF network element as the PCF network element that provides services for the first MAC address.
  • the first AF network element has QoS requirements for service transmission related to the first MAC address, it can directly send the QoS requirement information to the first PCF network element.
  • the first AF network element determines the first BSF network element that provides services for the second MAC address and the first PCF network element that provides services for the second MAC address, and determines the first BSF network element as the first The BSF network element whose MAC address provides services determines the first PCF network element as the PCF network element whose first MAC address provides services.
  • the first network element is the BSF network element
  • FIG 7 another information transmission method is provided by an embodiment of the present application. This method can be applied to the scenarios shown in Figure 1, Figure 3A, Figure 3B, Figure 4A, Figure 4B, Figure 5A or Figure 5B.
  • the method include:
  • the first BSF network element determines that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed (reporting event).
  • the first BSF network element can determine that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed based on the information reported by the SMF network element, or the UE MAC address corresponding to the first AF network element has changed.
  • the SMF can be reported directly to the first BSF network element or through other network elements such as the PCF, which is not limited by this application.
  • the first BSF network element sends the first information to the first AF network element.
  • the first information includes the first MAC address, and the first MAC address is the changed MAC address; accordingly, the first AF network element receives the first information.
  • the first BSF network element is to report the first information to the first AF network element when a reporting event occurs
  • the first AF network element needs to subscribe to the first BSF network element for reporting events or the first PCF network element in advance. Configure reporting events in advance.
  • the specific implementation method of the first AF network element subscribing or configuring the event reporting to the first BSF network element please refer to the above specific implementation method of the first AF network element subscribing or configuring the event reporting, and will not be described again here.
  • the first AF network element determines the second MAC address associated with the first MAC address.
  • the first AF network element determines the PCF network element that provides services for the first MAC address for the first PCF network element that provides services for the second MAC address, and/or the first BSF that provides services for the second MAC address.
  • the network element determines the BSF network element that provides services for the first MAC address.
  • BSF network elements are different from PCF network elements.
  • BSF network elements do not store PDU session identifiers, so they cannot sense which MAC addresses belong to the same PDU session; BSF does not store the addresses of AF network elements, so they cannot sense which MAC addresses belong to the same PDU session.
  • the MAC address corresponds to the same AF network element; the BSF does not store the Allowed MAC address of the terminal device or AF network element, so it cannot detect the Allowed MAC address of the same terminal device or AF network element.
  • the first BSF network element needs to obtain the above information first.
  • step S700 may also be included: the first PCF network element reports third information to the first BSF network element. Furthermore, in step S701, the first PCF network element may determine the reporting event based on the third information obtained from the first PCF network element.
  • the reported event includes that the MAC address used by the first terminal device in the first session changes, or the UE MAC address used by the first AF network element in the first session changes, or the first terminal device changes in the first session.
  • the reported event includes a change in the UE MAC address used by the first AF network element, or a change in the UE MAC address allowed by the AF network element
  • the third information includes the identification of the first AF network element
  • the reported event includes that the UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element has changed, and the third information includes the UE MAC address allowed by the first AF network element; or the reported event includes the UE allowed by the first terminal device.
  • the MAC address has changed, and the third information includes the UE MAC address allowed by the first terminal device.
  • the first PCF network element can also report other information to the first BSF network element according to requirements to ensure that the first BSF network element can accurately perceive the changes in the MAC address. , and then report the reported event in a timely manner when it occurs.
  • the same BSF network element and/or PCF network element is used to correspond to different MAC addresses of the first terminal device or the first AF network element.
  • the first network element (which can be the first PCF network element or the first BSF network element) can promptly report the first information to the first AF network element.
  • the first information includes the changed MAC address (such as first MAC address), so that the first AF network element can learn that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device or the first AF network element has changed, and can determine the second MAC associated with the first MAC address according to the association relationship.
  • the first network element can not only trigger the report when the MAC used by the first terminal device or the first AF network element changes, ensuring that when the MAC used by the first terminal device or the first AF network element changes,
  • the first AF network element can find the correct BSF network element and/or PCF network element for the changed MAC address in time, or when the allowed MAC of the first terminal device or the first AF network element changes (allowed The MAC address may not be currently in use) triggers reporting, so that the first AF network element can determine the correct BSF network element and/or PCF network element for these allowed MAC addresses in advance.
  • each network element in the above embodiments includes a corresponding hardware structure and/or software module to perform each function.
  • Those skilled in the art should easily realize that the units and method steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed by hardware or computer software driving the hardware depends on the specific application scenarios and design constraints of the technical solution.
  • Figures 8 and 9 are schematic structural diagrams of possible communication devices provided by embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first PCF network element, the first BSF network element, or the first AF network element in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.
  • the communication device 800 includes a processing unit 810 and a transceiver unit 820 .
  • the communication device 800 is used to implement the functions of the first PCF network element, the first BSF network element, or the first AF network element in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 .
  • the processing unit 810 is used to determine that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the first AF network The UE MAC address corresponding to the element has changed; the transceiver unit 820 is configured to send the first information to the first AF network element, the first information includes the first MAC address, and the first MAC address is the changed MAC address. .
  • the processing unit 810 is used to determine that the MAC address corresponding to the first terminal device has changed, or the first AF network The UE MAC address corresponding to the element has changed; the transceiver unit 820 is configured to send the first information to the first AF network element, the first information includes the first MAC address, and the first MAC address is the changed MAC address. .
  • the transceiver unit 820 is used to receive the first information from the first PCF network element, the first information includes A first MAC address, the first MAC address is a changed MAC address; the processing unit 810 is used to determine a second MAC address associated with the first MAC address; the first MAC address and the second MAC The addresses are all MAC addresses corresponding to the first terminal device, or the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both UE MAC addresses corresponding to the first AF network element; services will be provided for the second MAC address
  • the first PCF The network element determines the PCF network element that provides services for the first MAC address, and/or determines the first BSF network element that provides services for the second MAC address as the BSF network element that provides services for the first MAC address.
  • the transceiver unit 820 is used to receive the first information from the first BSF network element, the first information includes A first MAC address, the first MAC address is a changed MAC address; the processing unit 810 is used to determine a second MAC address associated with the first MAC address; the first MAC address and the second MAC The addresses are both MAC addresses corresponding to the first terminal device, or the first MAC address and the second MAC address are both UE MAC addresses corresponding to the first AF network element; services will be provided for the second MAC address
  • the first PCF network element determines the PCF network element that provides services for the first MAC address, and/or the first BSF network element that provides services for the second MAC address determines the BSF network element that provides services for the first MAC address.
  • processing unit 810 and the transceiver unit 820 can be obtained directly by referring to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be described again here.
  • the communication device 900 includes a processor 910 and an interface circuit 920 .
  • the processor 910 and the interface circuit 920 are coupled to each other.
  • the interface circuit 920 may be a transceiver or an input-output interface.
  • the communication device 900 may also include a memory 930 for storing instructions executed by the processor 910 or input data required for the processor 910 to run the instructions or data generated after the processor 910 executes the instructions.
  • the processor 910 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned processing unit 810, and the interface circuit 920 is used to implement the functions of the above-mentioned transceiver unit 820.
  • the processor in the embodiment of the present application can be a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), or other general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), or application specific integrated circuit. (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof.
  • a general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.
  • the method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions.
  • Software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory In memory, register, hard disk, mobile hard disk, CD-ROM or any other form of storage medium well known in the art.
  • An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium.
  • the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor.
  • the processor and storage media may be located in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can be located in the base station or terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may also exist as discrete components in the base station or terminal.
  • the computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions.
  • the computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device.
  • the computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another.
  • the computer program or instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, A server or data center transmits via wired or wireless means to another website site, computer, server, or data center.
  • 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 data center that integrates one or more available media.
  • the available media may be magnetic media, such as floppy disks, hard disks, and tapes; optical media, such as digital video optical disks; or semiconductor media, such as solid-state hard drives.
  • the computer-readable storage medium may be volatile or nonvolatile storage media, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

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Abstract

本申请实施例提供一种信息传输方法、装置和系统，用于提高AF网元确定BSF网元和/或PCF网元的效率，减少信令交互，提高业务传输效率。第一网元确定第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化；第一网元向AF网元发送第一信息，第一信息中包括第一MAC地址；AF网元接收第一信息，确定与第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址，其中第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，或者，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元对应的UE MAC地址；AF网元将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一网元确定为为第一MAC地址提供服务的网元。

Description

一种信息传输方法、装置和系统
相关申请的交叉引用
本申请要求在2022年08月09日提交中国专利局、申请号为202210951465.X、申请名称为“一种信息传输方法、装置和系统”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，尤其涉及一种信息传输方法、装置和系统。
背景技术
绑定支持功能(Binding Support Function，BSF)网元用于应用功能(application function，AF)选择为自己服务的策略控制功能(policy control function，PCF)。例如：AF网元对应的业务有服务质量(quality of service，QoS)需求时，AF网元可以通过BSF网元发现为当前分组数据单元(Packet Data Unit，PDU)会话(该PDU会话中承载AF网元对应的业务)提供服务的PCF网元，并将QoS需求信息发送给该PCF网元。
目前，AF网元主要是根据终端设备的网际协议版本4(internet protocol version 4，IPv4)地址或网际协议版本6(internet protocol version 6，Ipv6)地址从BSF网元查询对应的PCF网元。
第三代合作伙伴计划(3rd generation partnership project，3GPP)网络支持以太网类型的PDU会话。在这种场景中，终端设备的地址是媒体接入控制(media access control，MAC)，当网络中有多个BSF网元时，AF网元无法通过MAC地址直接找到BSF网元，而是需要查询多个BSF网元才能找到正确的BSF，不仅查找效率低，影响业务传输效率，而且还会在AF网元和BSF网元之间产生大量的信令交互，引起核心网信令风暴。
如何提高AF网元确定BSF网元和/或PCF网元的效率，减少信令交互，是亟需解决的问题。
发明内容
本申请实施例提供一种信息传输方法、装置和系统，用于提高AF网元确定BSF网元和/或PCF网元的效率，减少信令交互，提高业务传输效率。
第一方面，提供一种信息传输方法，该方法可以应用于第一网元，方法包括：第一网元确定第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化；第一网元向AF网元发送第一信息，第一信息中包括第一MAC地址，第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址。
上述方案中，第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化时，第一网元可以上报第一信息给AF网元，第一信息中包括变化后的MAC地址(如第一MAC地址)，使得第一AF网元可获知对应第一终端设备或对应第一AF网元的MAC地址发生了变化，进而可以确定与第一MAC地址相关联的第二MAC地址，直接将第二MAC地址对应的BSF网元和/或PCF网元确定为第一MAC地址对应的BSF网元和/或PCF网元(AF网元侧的实现请参见第二方面相关描述)。如此，可以避免AF网元向全网(或者DNN和/或S-NSSAI)中的多个BSF网元发送请求造成核心网信令冲击的问题，还可以提高查找BSF网元和/或PCF网元的效率，进而提高业务传输效率。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一信息用于AF网元确定第一网元。
如此，AF网元可以使用第一网元为第一MAC地址提供服务。具体实现参考第二方面对应描述。
一种可能的实现方式中，方法还包括：第一网元接收来自AF网元的第二信息，或者，从统一数据库UDR网元获取第二信息，或者，预先配置第二信息；其中，第二信息中包括第一终端设备的标识或AF网元的标识。相应的，第一网元向第一AF网元发送第一信息，包括：第一网元根据第二信息向AF网元发送第一信息。
如此，可以保证第一网元可以在第一终端设备对应的媒体接入控制MAC地址发生了变化或者AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化时，及时、准确上报第一信息。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，可以包括：第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化。例如，第一终端设备后面的以太网设备变化导致第一终端设备使用的MAC 地址变化。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化，包括以下一种或多种情况：
第一终端设备在第一数据网络中使用的MAC地址发生了变化；
第一终端设备在第一网络切片中使用的MAC地址发生了变化；
第一终端设备在第一会话中使用的MAC地址发生了变化；
第一终端设备与AF网元通信所使用的MAC地址变化。
换而言之，第一终端设备可以在指定通信场景(如指定的数据网络、网络切片、会话或AF网元等)下使用的MAC地址发生了变化时，上报第一信息。当然，实际应用中，场景限定不限于以上四种。
一种可能的实现方式中，对于不同的场景，第二信息包括的内容不同。例如：
若第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化包括第一终端设备在第一数据网络中使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还包括第一数据网络的标识；或者，
若第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化包括第一终端设备在第一网络切片中使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还包括第一网络切片的标识；或者，
若第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化包括第一终端设备在第一会话中使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还包括第一会话的标识；或者，
若第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化包括第一终端设备与AF网元通信所使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还包括第一AF的标识。
如此，可以保证第一网元准确上报第一信息，提高方案的可靠性。
一种可能的实现方式中，AF网元的标识包括AF网元对应的应用标识、业务标识或应用服务器AS标识中的至少一项。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，包括：第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。
其中，第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址包括第一终端设备被第一终端设备和/或AF网元允许的MAC地址。当然，还可以是被其它设备允许的MAC地址，本申请不做限制。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，也可以是在可以在指定通信场景下被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。例如包括但不限于以下一种或多种情况：
第一终端设备在第一数据网络中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化；
第一终端设备在第一网络切片中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化；
第一终端设备在第一会话中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化；
第一终端设备与AF网元通信时被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。
当然，实际应用中，场景限定不限于以上四种。
一种可能的实现方式中，对于不同的场景，第二信息包括的内容不同。例如：
若第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括第一终端设备在第一数据网络中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息中还包括第一数据网络的标识；或者，
若第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括第一终端设备在第一网络切片中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息中还包括第一网络切片的标识；或者，
若第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括第一终端设备在第一会话中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息中还包括第一会话的标识；或者，
第一终端设备与AF网元通信时被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息中还包括AF网元的标识。
一种可能的实现方式中，AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化，包括：AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。例如，与第一AF网元(或者说第一AF对应的应用或AS等)交互的终端设备的MAC地址发生了变化。
一种可能的实现方式中，AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，包括以下一种或多种情况：
AF网元在第一数据网络中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
AF网元在第一网络切片中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
AF网元在第一会话中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
AF网元与第一终端设备通信所使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
换而言之，AF网元可以在指定通信场景(如指定的数据网络、网络切片、会话或AF网元等)下使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化时，上报第一信息。当然，实际应用中，场景限定不限于以上四种。
一种可能的实现方式中，对于不同的场景，第二信息包括的内容不同。例如：
若AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化包括AF网元在第一数据网络中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还包括第一数据网络的标识；或者，
若AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化包括AF网元在第一网络切片中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还包括第一网络切片的标识；或者，
若AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化包括AF网元在第一会话中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还包括第一会话的标识；或者，
若AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化包括AF网元与第一终端设备通信所使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还包括第一终端设备的标识。
一种可能的实现方式中，AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化，包括：AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。类似的，AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址可以是AF网元自身允许的UE MAC地址，也可以是其它设备允许的UE MAC地址，本申请不做限制。
一种可能的实现方式中，AF网元被允许的MAC地址发生了变化也可以是在可以在指定通信场景下被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。例如包括但不限于以下一种或多种情况：
AF网元在第一数据网络中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
AF网元在第一网络切片中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
AF网元在第一会话中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
AF网元与第一终端设备通信时被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
然，实际应用中，场景限定不限于以上四种。
一种可能的实现方式中，对于不同的场景，第二信息包括的内容不同。例如：
若第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括AF网元在第一数据网络中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息中还包括第一数据网络的标识；或者，
若第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括AF网元在第一网络切片中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息中还包括第一网络切片的标识；或者，
若第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括AF网元在第一会话中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息中还包括第一会话的标识；或者，
若第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括AF网元与第一终端设备通信时被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息中还包括第一终端设备的标识。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一网元为第一PCF网元。如此，可以实现第一PCF网元上报第一信息。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一网元从会话管理功能SMF网元获取第一MAC地址。当然，根据具体的上报内容，还可以获取其它具体的信息，如第一网络切片的标识、第一数据网络的标识等。
如此，可以保证第一PCF网元及时、准确感知第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化或者AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一网元为第一BSF网元。如此，可以实现第一BSF网元上报第一信息。
一种可能的实现方式中，方法还包括：
第一BSF网元根据从第一PCF网元获取的第三信息确定第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化或者AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
若第一终端设备在第一会话中使用的MAC地址发生了变化、或者AF网元在第一会话中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化、或者第一终端设备在第一会话中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化、或者AF网元在第一会话中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第三信息中包括第一会话的标识；或者，
若AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化、或者AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第三信息中包括AF网元的标识；或者，
若AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第三信息中包括AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址；或者，
若第一终端设备被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则第三信息中包括第一终端设备被允许的UE MAC地址。
由于第一BSF网元自身不能感知会话，不存储AF的标识，不存储被允许的UE MAC等信息，因此需要第一PCF网元将上述信息上报给第一AF网元，保证第一AF网元可以及时准确感知第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化或者AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一信息中还包括关联信息，关联信息用于AF网元确定与第一MAC地址相关联的第二MAC地址。
第二方面，提供一种信息传输方法，可以应用于AF网元，方法包括：AF网元接收来自第一网元的第一信息，第一信息中包含第一MAC地址，第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址；AF网元确定与第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址；第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，或者，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元对应的UE MAC地址；AF网元将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的网元。
一种可能的实现方式中，AF网元向第一网元发送第二信息；其中，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，第二信息中包括第一终端设备的标识，或者，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元对应的UE MAC地址，第二信息中包括AF网元的标识；第二信息用于第一网元向AF网元发送第一信息。
一种可能的实现方式中，AF网元确定与第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址，包括：AF网元根据关联信息确定与第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址；其中，关联信息包括终端设备的标识、关联标识或应用程序会话上下文的标识中的至少一项，第一信息中还包括关联信息。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，包括：第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备使用的MAC地址。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备使用的MAC地址，包括以下一种或多种情况：
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一数据网络中使用的MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一网络切片中使用的MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一会话中使用的MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备与AF网元通信所使用的MAC地址。
一种可能的实现方式中，若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一数据网络中使用的MAC地址，则关联信息还包括第一数据网络的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一网络切片中使用的MAC地址，则关联信息还包括第一网络切片的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一会话中使用的MAC地址，则关联信息还包括第一会话的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备与AF网元通信所使用的MAC地址，则关联信息还包括第一AF的标识。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，包括：第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址包括第一终端设备被第一终端设备和/或AF网元允许的MAC地址。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址，包括以下一种或多种情况：
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一数据网络中被允许的MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一网络切片中被允许的MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一会话中被允许的MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备与AF网元通信时被允许的MAC地址。
一种可能的实现方式中，若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一数据网络中被允许的MAC地址，则关联信息中还包括第一数据网络的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一网络切片中被允许的MAC地址，则关联信息中还包括第一网络切片的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备在第一会话中被允许的MAC地址，则关联 信息中还包括第一会话的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备与AF网元通信时被允许的MAC地址，则关联信息中还包括第一终端设备的标识。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元对应的UE MAC地址包括：第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元使用的UE MAC地址。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元使用的UE MAC地址，包括以下一种或多种情况：
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一数据网络中使用的UE MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一网络切片中使用的UE MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一会话中使用的UE MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元与第一终端设备通信所使用的UE MAC地址。
一种可能的实现方式中，若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一数据网络中使用的UE MAC地址，则关联信息还包括第一数据网络的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一网络切片中使用的UE MAC地址，则关联信息还包括第一网络切片的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一会话中使用的UE MAC地址，则关联信息还包括第一会话的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元与第一终端设备通信所使用的UE MAC地址，则关联信息还包括第一终端设备的标识。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元对应的UE MAC地址包括：第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址，包括以下一种或多种情况：
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一数据网络中被允许的UE MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一网络切片中被允许的UE MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一会话中被允许的UE MAC地址；
第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元与第一终端设备通信时被允许的UE MAC地址。
一种可能的实现方式中，若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一数据网络中被允许的UE MAC地址，则关联信息中还包括第一数据网络的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一网络切片中被允许的UE MAC地址，则关联信息中还包括第一网络切片的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元在第一会话中被允许的UE MAC地址，则关联信息中还包括第一会话的标识；或者，
若第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元与第一终端设备通信时被允许的UE MAC地址，则关联信息中还包括第一终端设备的标识。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一网元为第一PCF网元。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一网元为第一BSF网元。
第三方面，提供一种通信装置，包括用于实现如第一方面或第一方面任一可能的实现方式中所述方法的模块或单元或技术手段。
示例性的，装置包括：
处理单元，用于：确定第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
收发单元，用于：向AF网元发送第一信息，第一信息中包括第一MAC地址，第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址。
第四方面，提供一种通信装置，包括用于实现如第二方面或第二方面任一可能的实现方式中所述方法的模块或单元或技术手段。
示例性的，装置包括：
收发单元，用于：接收来自第一网元的第一信息，第一信息中包含第一MAC地址，第一MAC地 址为变化后的MAC地址；
处理单元，用于：确定与第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址；第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，或者，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均为AF网元对应的UE MAC地址；将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一网元确定为为第一MAC地址提供服务的网元。
第五方面，提供一种通信系统，包括:第一网元，用于执行如第一方面或第一方面任一可能的实现方式中所述方法；AF网元，用于执行如第二方面或第二方面任一可能的实现方式中所述方法。
第六方面，提供一种通信装置，包括处理器和接口电路，接口电路用于接收来自通信装置之外的其它通信装置的信号并传输至处理器或将来自处理器的信号发送给通信装置之外的其它通信装置，处理器通过逻辑电路或执行代码指令用于实现如第一方面或第一方面任一可能的实现方式中所述方法或者如第二方面或第二方面任一可能的实现方式中所述方法。
第七方面，提供一种计算机可读存储介质，存储介质中存储有计算机程序或指令，当计算机程序或指令被通信装置执行时，实现如第一方面或第一方面任一可能的实现方式中所述方法或者如第二方面或第二方面任一可能的实现方式中所述方法。
第八方面，提供一种计算机程序产品，计算机程序产品中存储有指令，当其在计算机上运行时，使得计算机执行如第一方面或第一方面任一可能的实现方式中所述方法或者如第二方面或第二方面任一可能的实现方式中所述方法。
上述第二方面至第八方面的技术效果，具体请参照上述第一方面中相应设计可以达到的技术效果，这里不再重复赘述。
附图说明
图1为AF网元发现PCF网元的示意图；
图2为本申请实施例提供的一种通信系统的示意图；
图3A、图3B、图4A、图4B、图5A、图5B为本申请实施例适用的几种网络架构示意图；
图6为本申请实施例提供的一种信息传输方法的流程图；
图7为本申请实施例提供的另一种信息传输方法的流程图；
图8为本申请实施例提供的一种通信装置的结构示意流程图；
图9为本申请实施例提供的一种通信装置的结构示意流程图。
具体实施方式
为了使本申请实施例的目的、技术方案和优点更加清楚，下面将结合附图对本申请实施例作进一步地详细描述。
1、本申请实施例中的终端设备，是一种具有无线收发功能的设备，可以是固定设备，移动设备、手持设备、穿戴设备、车载设备，或内置于上述设备中的无线装置(例如，通信模块或芯片系统等)。所述终端设备用于连接人，物，机器等，可广泛用于各种场景，例如包括但不限于以下场景：蜂窝通信、设备到设备通信(device-to-device，D2D)、车到一切(vehicle to everything，V2X)、机器到机器/机器类通信(machine-to-machine/machine-type communications，M2M/MTC)、物联网(internet of things，IoT)、虚拟现实(virtual reality，VR)、增强现实(augmented reality，AR)、工业控制(industrial control)、无人驾驶(self driving)、远程医疗(remote medical)、智能电网(smart grid)、智能家具、智能办公、智能穿戴、智能交通，智慧城市(smart city)、无人机、机器人等场景的终端设备。所述终端设备有时可称为用户设备(user equipment，UE)、终端、接入站、UE站、远方站、无线通信设备、或用户装置等等。
2、本申请实施例中的网元，可以是单个设备，或者也可以是集成了多个设备的装置。本申请实施例所示的网元还可以是逻辑概念，例如为软件模块，或者为与各个网元提供的服务对应的网络功能，网络功能可以理解为虚拟化实现下的一个虚拟化功能，还可以理解为服务化网络下提供服务的网络功能，例如，主要负责5G核心网中专门用于管理会话的会话管理功能(session management function，SMF)，本申请实施例对此不作具体限定。
3、本申请实施例中的网络切片(network slice)，又可简称为切片，是通过切片技术在一个通用硬件基础上虚拟出多个端到端的网络。换言之，切片可以理解为在运营商的通信网络中划分出的具有特定 网络特性的逻辑网络。一个网络切片可为一种或多种业务类型提供服务，业务类型例如，增强移动宽带(enhanced mobile broadband，eMBB)和海量机器类通信(massive machine type of communication，mMTC)等。网络切片也可分为多种类型，例如，eMBB类型、mMTC类型和固定无线接入(fixed wireless access，FWA)等。
4、本申请实施例中，对于名词的数目，除非特别说明，表示“单数名词或复数名词”，即"一个或多个”。“至少一个”是指一个或者多个，“多个”是指两个或两个以上。“和/或”，描述关联对象的关联关系，表示可以存在三种关系，例如，A和/或B，可以表示：单独存在A，同时存在A和B，单独存在B的情况，其中A,B可以是单数或者复数。字符“/”一般表示前后关联对象是一种“或”的关系。例如，A/B，表示：A或B。“以下至少一项(个)”或其类似表达，是指的这些项中的任意组合，包括单项(个)或复数项(个)的任意组合。例如，a,b,或c中的至少一项(个)，表示：a,b,c,a和b,a和c,b和c,或a和b和c，其中a,b,c可以是单个，也可以是多个。
除非有特定的说明，本申请实施例提及“第一”、“第二”等序数词用于对多个对象进行区分，不用于限定多个对象的顺序、时序、优先级或者重要程度。例如，本申请实施例中的“第一信息”和“第二信息”可用于表示两个信息，但并不限定这两个信息的内容、大小、优先级或重要程度等。
在有数据传输需求时，用户设备(user equipment，UE)通过UE到数据网络(data network，DN)之间建立的分组数据单元(Packet Data Unit，PDU)会话来访问数据网络。
数据网络(data network，DN)会话建立之后会话管理功能(session management function，SMF)网元会选择一个PCF网元作为管理该PDU会话的策略控制功能(policy control function，PCF)(PCF for a PDU Session)。PDU会话中传递的业务对应的应用功能(application function，AF)网元若对业务传输有需求，AF网元需要发现该PCF网元并发送对应的需求。其中，AF网元对业务传输的需求例如是服务质量(quality of service，QoS)需求。
参见图1，为AF网元发现PCF网元的示意图，主要包括以下几个步骤：
S101、PDU会话建立时，SMF网元会进行PCF网元选择。SMF网元选择了对应的PCF网元之后，会通过PCF网元服务接口会话管理策略控制生成(Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create)服务与PCF网元建立会话管理(session management，SM)策略关联，SMF网元会向PCF网元上报该PDU会话的标识、UE标识、数据网络标识(data network name，DNN)和/或单一网络切片选择协助信息(Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information，S-NSSAI)等信息。SMF网元为PDU会话分配UE地址后还会向PCF网元上报UE地址(地址类型如网际协议版本4(internet protocol version 4，IPv4)地址，网际协议版本6(internet protocol version 6，Ipv6)地址，媒体接入控制(media access control Address，MAC)地址等)。
S102、PCF网元将UE标识、UE地址、PCF ID、DNN和/或S-NSSAI等信息在BSF网元中注册。
其中，UE地址，PCF ID为注册必选信息，其他信息为可选。BSF网元存储UE标识、UE地址、PCF ID、DNN和/或S-NSSAI等信息之间的对应关系。
为了便于描述，本文以SF存储UE标识、UE地址、PCF ID、DNN、S-NSSAI这五种信息之间的对应关系为例，并将UE标识、UE地址、PCF ID、DNN、S-NSSAI这五种信息之间的对应关系成为五元组信息。
S103、AF网元需要发现为当前PDU会话服务的PCF网元时(AF网元对应的业务数据由该PDU会话传递)，AF网元会向BSF网元发送发现请求(可能直接发送，也可能通过NEF网元发送)，在发现请求中携带UE地址(必选)，DNN(可选)，UE标识(可选)等信息。
S104、BSF网元依据之前存储的五元组信息确定为该PDU会话服务的PCF网元，向AF网元返回发现响应，发现响应中携带为当前PDU会话服务的PCF网元的信息。
S105、AF网元向PCF网元发送授权请求，里边包含QoS需求等信息，如带宽，业务类型等。
可以理解的，以上所述的UE标识可以是UE外部标识(如电话号码)，也可以是签约永久标识(Subscription Permanent Identifier，SUPI)。AF网元在请求中携带外部标识时，NEF可以将外部标识转化为内部标识。
基于上述流程可知，AF网元需要通过BSF网元发现PCF网元，如AF网元向BSF网元发送发现请求，BSF网元反馈PCF网元信息给AF网元。因此，在通过BSF网元发现PCF网元之前，需要找到正确BSF。
实际应用中，BSF网元的部署方式一般有两种：
第一种为集中式部署(即一个网络中只有一个，如一个PLMN中只有一个，或者一个DNN和/或S-NSSAI中只有一个)，对于这种情况，AF网元可以通过配置直接找到BSF网元，发送发现请求。
第二种为分布式部署(例如BSF网元和SMF网元集成在一起部署)，网络(具体例如每个DNN和/或S-NSSAI)中可以有多个BSF网元。对于这种情况，AF网元一般通过向NRF提供UE(在一个DNN和/或S-NSSAI中)的IPv4地址范围(IPv4Address Ranges)和/或IPv6前缀范围(IPv6Prefix Range)，由NRF根据IPv4地址范围和/或IPv6前缀范围反馈合适的BSF网元给AF网元。
3GPP网络支持以太网类型的PDU会话。UE可以向5G核心网络请求以太网PDU类型，并且5G核心网络分配充当PDU锚点的用户面功能。此外，UE还可以充当以太网桥，允许UE后的以太网设备通过3GPP网络连接，UE充当本地交换机。UE可以在桥接模式下操作时，UE后面可以连接多个不同的以太网设备，UE后面的以太网设备都可以通过UE的PDU会话进行数据传输。当UE后面的以太网设备通过UE的PDU会话进行数据传输时，每个以太网设备的MAC地址都可能出现在该PDU会话中。然而，不同以太网设备的MAC地址不同，对应该UE的同一PDU会话中可能出现不同的MAC地址。并且在UE移动性期间，同一MAC地址也可能从一个PDU会话切换到另一个PDU会话。
可以理解的，UE后的以太网设备通过UE与网络之间的PDU会话进行数据传输时，PCU会话中可以直接携带UE后的以太网设备的MAC地址，换而言之，UE后的以太网设备的MAC地址可以作为该UE的MAC地址。因此，同一个UE可以同时有多个MAC地址，或者，同一UE在不同时间可以具有不同的MAC地址。
然而，对于AF网元来说，检测到新MAC地址之后(例如收到新的数据包，该数据包中的源地址与之前收到的MAC地址均不同)，AF网元需要寻找为该MAC地址提供服务的BSF网元(例如存储有MAC地址对应的五元组信息)，并基于该BSF网元查询对应的PCF网元来为该MAC地址提供服务。
可以理解的，本文中所述的为某个MAC地址提供服务的BSF网元，可以包括但不限于是：存储有该MAC地址对应的五元组信息的BSF网元。换而言之，当某个AF网元基于该MAC地址向该BSF网元发送用于发现PCF网元的请求时，该BSF网元可以根据该MAC地址向该AF网元反馈为该MAC地址提供服务的PCF网元。可以理解的，本文中所述的为某个MAC地址提供服务的PCF网元，可以包括但不限于是为该MAC地址对应的PDU会话提供服务的PCF网元。该MAC地址对应的PDU会话中包含有该MAC地址。
但是，以太网类型的PDU会话中的地址是MAC地址，MAC地址不像IP地址可以范围管理，因此在BSF网元分布式部署的情况下，AF网元无法通过MAC地址直接找到BSF网元，AF网元需要请求全网(或者DNN和/或S-NSSAI)中的多个BSF网元才能找到合适的BSF网元。这种方式，不仅降低了BSF网元查找效率，影响业务传输效果，还会在AF网元和BSF网元之间引入大量的信令交互，产生信令风暴，影响网络性能。
为解决上述技术问题，提供本申请实施例的技术方案。
参见图2，为本申请实施例提供的一种通信系统的结构示意图，包括第一网元和AF网元，第一网元可以与AF网元通信。其中，第一网元可以是PCF网元，也可以是BSF网元，或者是其它网元，本申请不做限制。可选的，该系统中还可以包括其它网元，如SMF网元等。可选的，该系统中还可以包括终端设备，如第一终端设备。
在本申请实施例中，对应同一终端设备或对应同一AF网元的不同MAC地址，可以使用相同的BSF网元和/或PCF网元，换而言之，对应同一终端设备或对应同一AF网元的不同MAC地址，可以由相同的BSF网元和/或PCF网元提供服务。第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化或者第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化时，第一网元可以向AF网元上报第一信息，第一信息中包括变化后的MAC地址(如第一MAC地址)。当AF网元收到第一信息后，可获知第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化或者第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化，并可以确定与变化后的MAC地址相关联的其它MAC地址(如第二MAC地址)，进而直接向该第二MAC地址使用的BSF网元和/或PCF网元发请求。如此，可以避免AF网元向全网(或者DNN和/或S-NSSAI)中的多个BSF网元发送请求造成核心网信令冲击的问题。
可以理解的，本申请实施例的技术方案可以应用于各种通信系统，例如：第四代(4th generation， 4G)通信系统、第五代(5th generation，5G)通信系统、第六代(6th generation，6G)通信系统或未来的其他演进系统、或其他各种采用无线接入技术的无线通信系统等，本申请不做限制。以下以本申请实施例技术方案应用于5G通信系统为例。
参考图3A，为本申请实施例适用的一种网络架构示意图，该网络架构例如为5G网络的服务化架构，且该网络架构为非漫游的网络架构。该5G网络包括无线接入网络(radio access network，(R)AN)、用户面功能(user plane function，UPF)、接入和移动管理功能(access and mobility management function，AMF)、会话管理功能(session management function，SMF)、认证服务器功能(authentication server function，AUSF)、网络切片选择功能(network slice selection function，NSSF)、网络开放功能(network exposure function，NEF)、网络存储功能(network repository function，NRF)、策略控制功能(policy control function，PCF)、统一数据管理(unified data management，UDM)、统一数据存储(unified data repository，UDR)、应用功能(application function，AF)或者计费功能(charging function，CHF)、绑定支持功能(Binding Support Function，BSF)等。需要说明的是，图3A仅是示例性给出了5G网络中网元或实体的一些举例，该5G网络还可以包括网络数据分析功能(network data analytics function，NWDAF)等一些图3A未示意出的网元或实体，本申请实施例对此不做限定。
其中，如图3A所示，用户设备(user equipment，UE)通过(R)AN接入5G网络，UE通过N1接口(简称N1)与AMF通信；(R)AN通过N2接口(简称N2)与AMF通信；(R)AN通过N3接口(简称N3)与UPF通信；SMF通过N4接口(简称N4)与UPF通信，UPF通过N6接口(简称N6)接入数据网络(data network，DN)。此外，图3A所示的AUSF、AMF、SMF、NSSF、NEF、NRF、PCF、UDM、UDR、CHF、BSF或者AF等控制面功能采用服务化接口进行交互。比如，AUSF对外提供的服务化接口为Nausf；AMF对外提供的服务化接口为Namf；SMF对外提供的服务化接口为Nsmf；NSSF对外提供的服务化接口为Nnssf；NEF对外提供的服务化接口为Nnef；NRF对外提供的服务化接口为Nnrf；PCF对外提供的服务化接口为Npcf；UDM对外提供的服务化接口为Nudm；UDR对外提供的服务化接口为Nudr；CHF对外提供的服务化接口为Nchf；BSF对外提供的服务化接口为Nbsf；AF对外提供的服务化接口为Naf。相关功能描述以及接口描述可参考23501标准中的5G系统架构(5G system architecture)图，在此不做列举。
可以理解的，图2中的第一网元可以是图3A所示场景中的BSF网元或者PCF网元，图2中的AF网元可以是图3A所示场景中的AF网元。
请参考图3B，为本申请实施例所适用的另一种网络架构示意图，且该网络架构为非漫游的网络架构。在该网络架构中，NSSF、AUSF、UDM、UE、(R)AN、PCF以及SMF等网元，都能够与AMF通信。AUSF还能与UDM通信，UDM还能与SMF通信，SMF除了能够与AMF和UDM通信外，还能与UPF和PCF通信。PCF还能与AF和NEF通信。NEF还能与AF通信。UPF能够跟(R)AN以及DN通信。图3B中，两个网元之间的“Nxx”表示这两个网元之间的接口。例如，N22表示NSSF与AMF之间的接口，N12表示AUSF与AMF之间的接口，N8表示UDM与AMF之间的接口，等等。在该场景中，BSF网元可以单独部署，也可以集成其它网元上，本申请不限制。图3B未示出BSF网元。
可以理解的，图2中的第一网元可以是图3B所示场景中的BSF网元或者PCF网元，图2中的AF网元可以是图3B所示场景中的AF网元。
需要说明的是，在图3A或图3B所示的非漫游场景下，UE相当于处于归属公共陆地移动网络(home public land mobile network，HPLMN)中，PCF相当于是HPLMN中的PCF，因此可称为H-PCF、h-PCF、hPCF或HPCF；AMF相当于是HPLMN中的AMF，因此可称为H-AMF、h-AMF、hAMF或HAMF；CHF相当于是HPLMN中的CHF，因此可称为H-CHF、h-CHF、hCHF或HCHF。
请参考图4A，为本申请实施例所适用的又一种网络架构示意图，该网络架构例如为5G网络的服务化架构。并且，该网络架构为漫游的网络架构，例如为本地疏导(local breakout，LBO)的漫游场景。该5G网络包括HPLMN和拜访公共陆地移动网络(visited public land mobile network，VPLMN)。HPLMN为UE的归属地网络，VPLMN为UE的漫游地网络。在该场景下，业务需要在VPLMN卸载，即，DN在VPLMN。其中，VPLMN和HPLMN通过拜访安全边缘保护代理(visited security edge protection proxy，vSEPP)和归属安全边缘保护代理(home security edge protection proxy，hSEPP)通信。
其中，如图4A所示，在VPLMN，UE通过(R)AN接入5G网络，UE通过N1接口(简称N1)与AMF通信；(R)AN网元通过N2接口(简称N2)与AMF通信；(R)AN网元通过N3接口(简称N3) 与UPF通信；SMF通过N4接口(简称N4)与UPF通信，UPF通过N6接口(简称N6)接入DN。此外，图4A所示的VPLMN的NSSF、NEF、AMF、SMF、NRF、PCF、BSF或者AF等控制面功能采用服务化接口进行交互。比如，AMF对外提供的服务化接口为Namf；SMF对外提供的服务化接口为Nsmf；NSSF对外提供的服务化接口为Nnssf；NEF对外提供的服务化接口为Nnef；NRF对外提供的服务化接口为Nnrf；PCF对外提供的服务化接口为Npcf；BSF对外提供的服务化接口为Nbsf；AF对外提供的服务化接口为Naf。图4A所示的HPLMN的UDM、AUSF、PCF、NRF、NSSF、或者NEF等控制面功能也采用服务化接口进行交互。比如，AUSF对外提供的服务化接口为Nausf；UDM对外提供的服务化接口为Nudm。其中，AMF可与H-PCF和V-PCF进行通信。另外，HPLMN还可包括H-CHF(在图4A中并未示意)。同理，VPLMN还可包括CHF(在图4A中并未示意)，VPLMN中的CHF又可以称为V-CHF、v-CHF、hCHF或VCHF。其中，H-PCF可与H-CHF相互通信，V-PCF可与V-CHF相互通信。
可以理解的，图2中的第一网元可以是图4A所示场景中的BSF网元或者PCF网元，图2中的AF网元可以是图4A所示场景中的AF网元。
另外请参考图4B，为本申请实施例所适用的又一种网络架构示意图，且该网络架构为漫游的网络架构，例如为LBO的漫游场景。该5G网络包括HPLMN和VPLMN。在该网络架构中，VPLMN内的NSSF、UE、(R)AN、SMF、以及HPLMN内的AUSF、UDM都能与VPLMN内的AMF通信。VPLMN内的SMF还能与VPLMN内的UPF、PCF(也称为vPCF，或HPCF)以及HPLMN内的UDM通信。VPLMN内的PCF还能与VPLMN内的AF以及HPLMN内的PCF(也称为hPCF，或VPCF)通信。VPLMN内的UPF还能与VPLMN内的(R)AN以及DN通信。图4B中，两个网元之间的“Nxx”表示这两个网元之间的接口。其中，HPLMN包括H-PCF。VPLMN包括V-PCF。AMF可与V-PCF和H-PCF进行通信。另外，HPLMN还可包括H-CHF(在图4B中并未示意)。同理，VPLMN还可包括H-CHF(在图4B中并未示意)。H-PCF可与H-CHF相互通信，V-PCF可与V-CHF相互通信。
在该场景中，BSF网元可以单独部署，也可以集成其它网元上，本申请不限制。图4B未示出BSF网元。
可以理解的，图2中的第一网元可以是图4B所示场景中的BSF网元或者PCF网元，图2中的AF网元可以是图4B所示场景中的AF网元。
请参考图5A，为本申请实施例所适用的又一种网络架构示意图，该网络架构例如为5G网络的服务化架构。该网络架构为漫游的网络架构，例如为归属路由(home routed，HR)的漫游场景。该5G网络包括HPLMN和VPLMN，HPLMN为UE的归属地网络，VPLMN为UE的漫游地网络，VPLMN和HPLMN通过vSEPP和hSEPP通信。与图5A所示的网络架构不同的是，在图5A所示的场景下，业务需要在HPLMN卸载，即，DN在HPLMN。
其中，如图5A所示，在VPLMN中，UE通过(R)AN网元接入5G网络，UE通过N1接口(简称N1)与AMF通信；(R)AN网元通过N2接口(简称N2)与AMF通信；(R)AN网元通过N3接口(简称N3)与UPF通信；SMF通过N4接口(简称N4)与UPF通信。在HPLMN，UPF通过N6接口(简称N6)接入DN；UPF通过N4接口(简称N4)与SMF通信。且VPLMN内的UPF与HPLMN内的UPF通过N9接口(简称N2)通信。此外，图5A所示的VPLMN的NSSF、NEF、AMF、SMF、NRF、BSF、或者PCF等控制面功能采用服务化接口进行交互。比如，AMF对外提供的服务化接口为Namf；SMF对外提供的服务化接口为Nsmf；BSF对外提供的服务化接口为Nbsf；NSSF对外提供的服务化接口为Nnssf；NEF对外提供的服务化接口为Nnef；NRF对外提供的服务化接口为Nnrf；PCF对外提供的服务化接口为Npcf图5A所示的HPLMN的UDM、AUSF、PCF、NRF、NSSF、AF、或者NEF等控制面功能也采用服务化接口进行交互。比如，AUSF对外提供的服务化接口为Nausf；UDM对外提供的服务化接口为Nudm；AF对外提供的服务化接口为Naf。其中，HPLMN包括H-PCF。VPLMN包括V-PCF。AMF可与V-PCF和H-PCF进行通信。另外，HPLMN还可包括H-CHF(在图5A中并未示意)。VPLMN还可包括H-CHF(在图5A中并未示意)。H-PCF可与H-CHF相互通信，V-PCF可与V-CHF相互通信。
可以理解的，图2中的第一网元可以是图5A所示场景中的BSF网元或者PCF网元，图2中的AF网元可以是图5A所示场景中的AF网元。
另外请参考图5B，为本申请实施例所适用的又一种网络架构示意图，且该网络架构为漫游的网络 架构，例如为HR的漫游场景。该5G网络包括HPLMN和VPLMN。在该网络架构中，VPLMN内的NSSF、UE、(R)AN、SMF、PCF、以及HPLMN内的AUSF、UDM都能与VPLMN内的AMF通信。VPLMN内的SMF还能与VPLMN内的UPF以及HPLMN内的SMF通信。V-PCF还能与H-PCF通信。VPLMN内的UPF还能与VPLMN内的(R)AN以及HPLMN内的UPF通信。VPLMN内的NSSF还能与HPLMN内的NSSF通信。HPLMN内的SMF还能与HPLMN内的UPF、UDM以及PCF通信。HPLMN内的UDM还能与HPLMN内的AUSF通信。H-PCF还能与HPLMN内的AF通信。HPLMN内的UPF还能接入VPLMN内的DN。图5B中，两个网元之间的“Nxx”表示这两个网元之间的接口。其中，AMF可与V-PCF和H-PCF进行通信。另外，HPLMN还可包括H-CHF(在图5B中并未示意)。同理，VPLMN还可包括H-CHF(在图5B中并未示意)。H-PCF可与H-CHF相互通信，V-PCF可与V-CHF相互通信。
在该场景中，BSF网元可以单独部署，也可以集成其它网元上，本申请不限制。图5B未示出BSF网元。
可以理解的，图2中的第一网元可以是图5B所示场景中的BSF网元或者PCF网元，图2中的AF网元可以是图5B所示场景中的AF网元。
需要说明的是，在漫游场景(例如HR漫游场景或LBO漫游场景，具体如图3A、图3B、图4A、图4B、图5A、图5B中任一所示的漫游场景)下，服务于UE的PLMN可从VPLMN切换为HPLMN，也可从HPLMN切换为VPLMN，还可从一个VPLMN切换为另一个VPLMN。
需要说明的是，本申请实施例所涉及的应用功能网元、绑定支持功能网元、策略控制网元、会话管理网元等，仅是一个名称，名称对设备本身不构成限定。以5G系统为例，应用功能网元例如为AF、策略控制网元例如为PCF，会话管理网元例如为SMF，绑定支持功能网元为BSF。在非5G系统中，例如未来其它的通信系统中，应用功能网元、策略控制网元例、会话管理网元、绑定支持功能网元等，也可以对应其他的网元，本申请实施例对此不作具体限定。
下面介绍本申请实施例主要涉及的几个网元的功能。
PCF网元，简称为PCF，主要支持提供统一的策略框架来控制网络行为，提供策略规则给控制层网络功能，同时负责获取与策略决策相关的用户签约信息。
BSF网元：用于AF选择为自己服务的PCF，其会维护UE标识、DNN、S-NSSAI、UE地址(如IP地址)等中一项或多项，与选择的PCF之间的对应关系。
AF网元：主要支持与第三代合作伙伴计划(3rd generation partnership project，3GPP)核心网交互来提供服务，例如影响数据路由决策，策略控制功能或者向网络侧提供第三方的一些服务。
SMF网元，简称为SMF，主要负责移动网络中的会话管理，如会话建立、修改、释放。具体功能如为用户分配互联网协议(internet protocol，IP)地址、选择提供报文转发功能的UPF等。
DN，指的是为用户提供数据传输服务的服务网络，如IP多媒体业务(IP multi-media service，IMS)或互联网(internet)等。UE可通过UE与DN之间建立的会话，来访问DN。可选的，本申请实施例中的会话以PDU会话为例。
以下，分别以第一网元是PCF网元和BSF网元为例，对本申请实施例提供的技术方案进行详细描述。
一、第一网元是PCF网元
参见图6，为本申请实施例提供的一种信息传输方法，该方法可以应用于图1、图3A、图3B、图4A、图4B、图5A或图5B所示的场景中，方法包括：
S601、第一PCF网元确定：第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
为了便于描述，本文将步骤S601中第一PCF网元确定出的内容称为上报事件(或上报条件)。换而言之，S601还可以描述为第一PCF网元确定上报事件发生(或上报条件满足)，上报事件包括：第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
以下，介绍第一PCF网元确定第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化的情况。换而言之，上报事件包括：第一终端设备对应的媒体接入控制MAC地址发生了变化。
其中，第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，包括但不限于以下两种情况：1、第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化；2、第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。当然，实际还可 以有其它情况，本申请不做限制。
1、第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化。
第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化可以理解为第一终端设备的MAC地址发生了变化。例如，第一终端设备后面的以太网设备变化导致第一终端设备的MAC地址发生了变化。
本申请实施例中的“第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化”不仅可以是替换(例如从一个MAC地址发生了变化为另一个MAC地址，或者从一组MAC地址发生了变化为另一组MAC地址)，还可以是新增(即在原有的MAC地址的基础上，新增加了MAC地址)，本申请不做限制。
例如，第一终端设备后面的以太网设备从第二以太网设备(第二以太网设备的MAC地址为第二MAC地址)切换到第一以太网设备(第一以太网设备的MAC地址为第一MAC地址)，则第一终端设备对应的MAC地址从第二MAC地址切换为第一MAC地址。
例如，第一终端设备后面的以太网设备有一个或多个以太网设备，包括第二以太网设备(第二以太网设备的MAC地址为第二MAC地址)，经过一段时间后，第一终端设备后面又新加入了第一以太网设备(第一以太网设备的MAC地址为第一MAC地址)，则第一终端设备对应的MAC地址新增第二MAC地址。
进一步的，在具体应用中，第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化，还可以是第一终端设备在某些具体场景中使用的MAC地址发生了变化。以下列举几种可能的示例：
示例1、第一终端设备在指定的数据网络(如第一数据网络)中使用的MAC地址发生了变化。换而言之，第一终端设备对应同一数据网络(或数据网络标识)的MAC地址发生了变化。
示例2、第一终端设备在指定的网络切片(如第一网络切片)中使用的MAC地址发生了变化。换而言之，第一终端设备对应同一网络切片(或网络切片标识)的MAC地址发生了变化。
示例3、第一终端设备在指定的会话(如第一会话)中使用的MAC地址发生了变化。换而言之，第一终端设备对应同一会话(或会话标识)的MAC地址发生了变化。
可选的，本文所指的会话具体可以是PDU会话。
示例4、第一终端设备与指定AF网元或指定应用(如第一AF网元或第一AF网元对应的应用)通信所使用的MAC地址变化。换而言之，第一终端设备对应同一AF网元(或AF网元的标识)的MAC地址发生了变化；或者第一终端设备对应同一业务(或应用描述信息，如应用标识，业务数据流过滤器，业务的MAC地址等)的MAC地址发生了变化。
可以理解的，作为一种实现，AF网元是控制面网元，负责应用与5G核心网的控制面信令交互，负责应用用户面传输的网元是与AF网元对应的应用服务器(Application Server，AS)。因此，第一终端设备与第一AF网元通信所使用的MAC地址变化，还可以替换为，第一终端设备与第一AF网元对应的AS(如第一AS)通信所使用的MAC地址发生了变化。为了便于描述，本文主要以“第一终端设备与第一AF网元通信所使用的MAC地址变化”为例进行描述。
需要说明的是，上述几种场景可以分别单独实施，也可以结合实施，本申请不做限制。以下为其中几种可能的结合示例：
示例5、第一终端设备在第一数据网络、第一网络切片中使用的MAC地址发生了变化。
示例6、第一终端设备在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一会话中使用的MAC地址发生了变化。
示例7、第一终端设备在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一会话中与第一AF网元通信所使用的MAC地址发生了变化。
可以理解的，以上示例1～示例7仅仅是第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化的部分实现方式，实际应用中可以有其它具体实现方式，本申请不做限制。
2、第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化
第一终端设备被允许的(Allowed)MAC地址变化，还可以描述为：第一终端被允许使用的MAC地址发生了变化，或者第一终端设备能够使用的MAC地址发生了变化，等等。可以理解的，第一终端被允许使用的MAC地址，并不一定正在被第一终端设备使用。
其中，允许(或者说授权)第一终端设备使用的MAC地址的主体可以是终端设备自身，也可以是其它网络实体，本申请不做限制。
一种可能的设计中，第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址包括第一终端设备被第一终端设备和/或第一AF网元允许的MAC地址。
类似的，本申请实施例中的“第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化”不仅可以是替换，还可以是新增，本申请不做限制。
进一步的，在具体应用中，第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，还可以是第一终端设备在某些具体场景中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。
示例1、第一终端设备在指定数据网络(如第一数据网络)中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。
示例2、第一终端设备在指定数据网络指定网络切片(如第一网络切片)中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。
示例3、第一终端设备在指定会话(如第一PDU会话)中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。
示例4、第一终端设备与指定AF网元(如第一AF网元)通信时被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。
需要说明的是，上述几种场景可以分别单独实施，也可以结合实施，本申请不做限制。结合实施例如：
示例5，第一终端设备在指定数据网络(如第一数据网络)和/或指定网络切片(如第一网络切片)中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。
可以理解的，以上示例1～示例5仅仅是第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化的部分实现方式，实际应用中可以有其它具体实现方式，本申请不做限制。
以下，介绍第一PCF网元确定第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化的情况。换而言之，上报事件包括：第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。换而言之，上报事件包括：第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
具体的，当同一AF网元对应的终端设备(如与同一AF网元或者同一AS通信的所有终端设备)都对应相同PCF网元和/或BSF网元的话，则上报事件可以是第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
可以理解的，本申请实施例中的第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址也可以称为第一AF网元对应的MAC地址。第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址是指传输(发送和/或接收)第一AF网元对应的业务数据的终端设备的MAC地址。在下文中，除非有特别说明之外，MAC地址均是指终端设备(如UE)的MAC地址。
可以理解的，根据上文介绍，AF网元是控制面网元，AF网元对应的业务实际并非由AF网元与终端设备进行传输。第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址，还可以替换为，应用或AS等对应的UE MAC地址。为了便于描述，本文主要以“第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址”为例进行描述。
第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化，包括但不限于以下两种情况：1、第一AF网元使用的MAC地址发生了变化；2、第一AF网元被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。当然，实际还可以有其它情况，本申请不做限制。
1、第一AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
可以理解的，第一AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，是指与第一AF网元(或者说第一AF对应的应用或AS等)交互的终端设备的MAC地址发生了变化。
类似的，本申请实施例中的“第一AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化”不仅可以是替换，还可以是新增，本申请不做限制。
进一步的，在具体应用中，第一AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，还可以是第一AF网元在某些具体场景中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化
示例1、第一AF网元在指定的数据网络(如第一数据网络)中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。换而言之，第一AF网元对应同一数据网络(或数据网络标识)的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
示例2、第一AF网元在指定的网络切片(如第一网络切片)中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。换而言之，第一AF网元对应同一网络切片(或网络切片标识)的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
示例3、第一AF网元在指定的会话(如第一会话)中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。换而言之，第一AF网元对应同一会话(或会话标识)的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
可选的，第一会话具体可以是PDU会话。
示例4、第一AF网元与指定终端设备(如第一终端设备)或指定终端设备组(或第一终端设备组)通信所使用的UE MAC地址变化。换而言之，第一AF网元对应同一终端设备(或终端设备标识)或终端设备组(终端设备组标识)的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
在具体应用时，终端设备标识可以是外部标识(指核心网外部，如终端设备的电话号码)也可以是内部标识(指核心网内部，如终端设备的SUPI)，本申请不做限制。当该终端设备标识为外部标识时，如外部UE标识，NEF网元可以将其转换为内部标识，如外部标识转化为内部UE标识。
类似的，终端设备组标识可以是外部标识(指核心网外部)也可以是内部标识(指核心网内部)，本申请不做限制。当该终端设备组标识为外部标识时，如外部UE组标识，NEF网元可以将其转换为内部标识，如外部标识转化为内部UE组标识。
类似的，第一AF网元与第一终端设备或第一终端设备组通信所使用的UE MAC地址变化，还可以替换为，第一AF网元对应的AS服务器与第一终端设备或第一终端设备组通信所使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
需要说明的是，上述几种场景可以分别单独实施，也可以结合实施，本申请不做限制。以下为其中几种可能的结合示例：
示例5、第一AF网元在第一数据网络、第一网络切片中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
示例6、第一AF网元在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一会话中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
示例7、第一AF网元在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一会话中与第一AF网元通信所使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
示例8。第一AF网元在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一UE组中与第一AF网元通信所使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
可以理解的，以上示例1～示例8仅仅是第一AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化的部分实现方式，实际应用中可以有其它具体实现方式，本申请不做限制。
2、第一AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
其中，第一AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，还可以描述为：第一AF网元被允许使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，或者第一AF网元能够使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，等等。
其中，允许(或者说授权)第一AF网元使用的UE MAC地址的主体可以是第一AF网元自身，也可以是终端设备，还可以是其它网络实体，本申请不做限制。
一种可能的设计中，第一AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址包括第一AF网元被第一终端设备和/或第一AF网元允许的UE MAC地址。
类似的，本申请实施例中的“第一AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化”不仅可以是替换，还可以是新增，本申请不做限制。
进一步的，在具体应用中，第一AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，还可以是第一AF网元在某些具体场景中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
示例1、第一AF网元在指定数据网络(如第一数据网络)中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
示例2、第一AF网元在指定数据网络指定网络切片(如第一网络切片)中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
示例3、第一AF网元在指定会话(如第一PDU会话)中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
示例4、第一AF网元与指定终端设备或指定终端设备组通信时被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
需要说明的是，上述几种场景可以分别单独实施，也可以结合实施，本申请不做限制。结合实施例如：
示例5、第一AF网元在指定数据网络(如第一数据网络)和/或指定网络切片(如第一网络切片)中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
可以理解的，以上示例1～示例5仅仅是第一AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化的部分实现方式，实际应用中可以有其它具体实现方式，本申请不做限制。
以上例举了上报事件的一些具体实现方式，在实际应用中，还可以根据实际需求对上报事件进行其它形式的变换或修改，本申请不做限制。
示例性的，如果第一终端设备组中的所有终端设备使用相同的BSF和/或PCF，则上报事件还可以包括：第一终端设备组对应的MAC地址发生了变化。第一终端设备组对应的MAC地址发生了变化可以是第一终端设备组中的终端设备的MAC地址发生了变化，变化情况包括但不限于是MAC地址替换或新增等。例如，第一终端设备组中新增了终端设备，导致第一终端设备组中新增了MAC地址；或者 第一终端设备组中某个终端设备的MAC地址从一个MAC地址替换为另一个MAC地址，导致第一终端设备组中的MAC地址被替换。上报事件的具体设计可以参考上文第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，此处不再展开。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一PCF网元可以根据SMF网元上报的信息确定第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化或者第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
作为一种可能的实现方式，第一PCF网元可以在SMF网元上设置策略控制请求触发器(Policy control request trigger)来实现该功能。触发器的功能是指示第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化或者第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化时上报PCF(可以将改变后的值一同上报PCF)。作为另一种可能的实现方式，第一PCF网元可以在PCC规则中携带指示信息，指示SMF网元(或者策略与计费控制(policy and charging control，PCC)规则)对应的业务需要上报上述信息)。
比如，若SMF网元在以太网类型的PDU会话的生存期内检测到第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化或者第一AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化等等(具体检测内容和上述上报事件的内容对应，此处不再展开)，SMF网元可以向第一PCF网元上报相关变化信息(如变化后的MAC地址等)。
比如，若SMF网元在以太网类型的PDU会话的生存期内，从验证、授权和记账(Authentication、Authorization、Accounting，AAA)服务器接收到第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址变化或AF网元被允许的MAC地址发生变化等相关通知(通知的内容和上述上报事件的内容对应，此处不再展开)，SMF网元可以向第一PCF网元上报相关变化信息(如变化后的MAC地址等)。
S602、第一PCF网元向第一AF网元发送第一信息，第一信息中包括第一MAC地址，第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址；相应的，第一AF网元接收第一信息。
可以理解的，第一信息可以指示上报事件发生或上报条件满足，例如第一信息指示第一终端设备对应的媒体接入控制MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。换而言之，第一AF网元收到第一信息后，可以确定第一终端设备对应的媒体接入控制MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化，并且第一信息中的第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址。
例如，上报事件为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，则第一AF网元收到第一信息后，可以根据第一信息确定第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，且第一终端设备变化后的MAC地址为第一MAC地址。
例如，上报事件为第一AF网元对应的MAC地址发生了变化，则第一AF网元收到第一信息后，可以根据第一信息确定第一AF网元对应的MAC地址发生了变化，且第一AF网元变化后的MAC地址为第一MAC地址。
可选的，第一信息中还可以携带第二MAC地址，第二MAC地址为变化前的MAC地址。应理解，由于同一个终端设备后面可以有多个以太网设备，因此同一个终端设备可以有多个不同的MAC地址，所以第一信息中还可以携带多个变化前的MAC地址，例如第二MAC地址，第三MAC地址等。如此，可以后续第一AF网元在确定第一MAC地址关联的MAC地址时，可以直接确定第一信息中携带的第一MAC地址。
一种可能的设计中，第一信息可以显式地指示第一终端设备对应的媒体接入控制MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。例如，第一信息中还携带一个指示信息，该指示信息用于指示第一终端设备对应的媒体接入控制MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。例如，上报事件为第一终端设备对应的媒体接入控制MAC地址发生了变化，第一信息中包括第一MAC地址和第一指示信息，则第一AF网元收到第一信息后，依据指示信息可以知道有终端设备的MAC地址发生了变化，并且依据第一MAC地址可以确定是第一MAC地址对应的终端设备的MAC地址发生了变化，以及变化后的MAC地址为第一MAC地址。
另一种可能的设计中，第一信息可以隐式地指示第一终端设备对应的媒体接入控制MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。例如，第一信息中不携带上述指示信息，只要第一AF网元收到第一信息，即可确定有终端设备或AF网元对应的MAC地址发生了变化。例如，上报事件为第一终端设备对应的媒体接入控制MAC地址发生了变化，第一信息中只包括第一MAC地址，则第一AF网元收到第一信息后，可以确定有终端设备的MAC地址发生了变化，并且依据第一MAC地址可以确定是第一MAC地址对应的终端设备的MAC地址发生了变化，以及确定变化 后的MAC地址为第一MAC地址。
在本申请实施例中，若要实现第一PCF网元在上报事件发生时向第一AF网元上报第一信息，则需要第一AF网元预先配置上报事件。
一种可能的实现方式中，第一AF网元可以显式地向第一PCF网元订阅上报事件。例如，第一AF网元向第一PCF网元发送订阅请求，使得第一PCF网元根据订阅请求配置上报事件，进而在上报事件发生时上报第一信息。可选的，订阅请求为配置上报事件所需的第二信息或者订阅请求包括配置上报事件所需的第二信息。例如，对于上报事件为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化的情况，第二信息中至少包括第一终端设备的标识，如果上报事件还具体限定了第一终端设备是在第一网络切片或第一数据网络等场景中对应的MAC地址发生了变化，则第一信息还对应包括第一网络切片的标识或第一数据网络的标识等信息。需要说明的是，第二信息中可以还包括第一AF网元的标识，当然也可以不包括第一AF网元的标识，因为第二信息是第一AF网元发送的，第一PCF网元根据第二信息的来源(即第一AF网元)自然可以确定后续将第一信息上报给第一AF网元。
根据上文相关介绍，AF网元是控制面网元，不负责应用的用户面数据传输，因此第一AF网元的标识具体可以是第一AF网元对应的应用标识、业务标识或AS标识等中的一项或多项。
可以理解的，考虑终端设备的移动性，同一终端设备先后可能有不同的PDU会话，这些PDU会话可能对应不同的PCF网元，因此第一AF网元在订阅上报事件时，可以同时向多个PCF发送订阅请求，使得后续终端设备切换PDU会话之后(PCF网元从第一PCF网元切换到其它PCF网元后)，其它PCF网元也能够感知上报事件，且在上报事件发生时及时地向第一AF网元进行上报。
需要说明的是，第二信息的具体内容应当和上报事件的具体内容相互对应。
例如，若上报事件包括第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息可以包括第一终端设备的标识(如一般公开签约标识(Generic Public Subscription Identifier，GPSI)或签约永久标识(Subscription Permanent Identifier，SUPI)等)。进一步的，如果上报事件具体为第一终端设备对应在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一会话、和/或第一AF网元等指定场景下的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还对应包括：第一终端设备的标识、第一数据网络的标识(如DNN)、第一网络切片(如S-NSSAI)、第一会话的标识(如PDU会话标识)、和/或第一AF网元的标识(如第一AF网元的地址，或第一AF网元对应的AS服务器的地址)等等。
例如，若上报事件包括第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息可以包括第一终端设备的标识。进一步的，如果上报事件具体为第一终端设备对应在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一会话、和/或第一AF网元等指定场景下被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还对应包括：第一终端设备的标识、第一数据网络的标识、第一网络切片、第一会话的标识、和/或第一AF网元的标识，等等。
例如，若上报事件包括第一AF网元使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息可以包括第一AF网元的标识。进一步的，如果上报事件具体为第一AF网元对应在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一会话、和/或第一终端设备等指定场景下使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还对应包括：第一终端设备的标识、第一数据网络的标识、第一网络切片、第一会话的标识、和/或第一终端设备的标识，等等。
例如，若上报事件包括第一AF网元被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息可以包括第一AF网元的标识。进一步的，如果上报事件具体为第一AF网元对应在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一会话、和/或第一终端设备等指定场景下被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则第二信息还对应包括：第一终端设备的标识、第一数据网络的标识、第一网络切片、第一会话的标识、和/或第一终端设备的标识，等等。
当然，以上几种第二信息的具体内容仅为示例，而非具体限定。
可选的，第二信息还可以包括对应的事件标识，用于标识第一AF网元订阅的上报事件。
另一种可能的实现方式中，第一AF网元可以隐式地向第一PCF网元订阅上报事件。或者说，第一AF网元可以不订阅上报事件，而是第一PCF网元主动进行上报。
比如，第一PCF网元可以从UDR网元获取第二信息，或者，第一PCF网元本地配置第二信息；第一PCF根据第二信息配置上报事件。另外，第一PCF网元还从UDR网元获取第一PCF网元和第一AF网元的对应关系，或者第一PCF网元本地配置第一PCF网元和第一AF网元的对应关系，使得第一 PCF网元确定满足上报事件后，根据该对应关系向第一AF网元上报第一信息。
作为一种示例，在(对应第一终端设备的)第一PDU会话建立过程中或第一PDU会话建立后，第一PCF网元从UDR网元获取第一AF网元的地址、DNN，S-NSSAI中的一项或多项与第一BSF网元的对应关系。设第一PDU会话中当前(正在使用的)的MAC地址为第二MAC地址，第二MAC地址对应第一终端设备，则第一PCF可以根据从UDR获取的对应关系以及第二MAC地址，配置上报事件，例如：第一终端设备对应在第一PDU会话中的MAC地址发生了变化(这里仅为示例，实际上报事件还可以是其它形式)；第一PCF还可以根据上述对应关系，确定在上报事件发生时，将变化后的MAC地址上报给第一AF网元。
可选的，第一PCF网元还可以向第一AF网元发送第一BSF的标识信息和第二MAC地址，使得第一AF网元可以维护第一BSF的标识信息和第二MAC地址的对应关系(或者第一BSF的标识信息和标识信息的对应关系)，使得第一AF网元在需要根据第二MAC地址发现PCF时，可以直接找到第一BSF网元并通过第一BSF网元找到第一PCF网元。
可替换的，第一PCF网元也可以不向第一AF网元发送第一BSF的标识信息和第二MAC地址，第一AF网元在需要根据第二MAC地址发现PCF时，可以向全网(或者DNN和/或S-NSSAI)中的每个BSF网元发送请求，找到第一PCF网元。
S603、第一AF网元确定与第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址。
具体的，第一AF网元上可以保存有关联信息，该关联信息可以用于指示多个MAC地址之间具有关联关系，关联关系具体例如这多个MAC地址由相同的BSF网元和/或PCF网元提供服务。其中，该多个MAC地址包括第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址。为了便于描述，本文以关联关系用于指示第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址具有关联关系为例。
作为一种可能的实现方式，第一信息中除了第一MAC地址还包括关联信息，第一AF网元保存有第二MAC地址和关联信息的对应关系。第一AF网元收到第一信息之后，确定第一信息中的关联信息和AF保存的关联信息相同，进而可以确定第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址具有关联关系。
在具体实现时，关联信息可以包括终端设备的标识、关联标识或应用程序会话上下文的标识等中的一项或多项，本申请不做限制。
可以理解的，关联信息(或者说关联信息指示的第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址的关联关系)的具体内容和上述上报事件的具体内容对应。
一种可能的示例中，上报事件包括第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，则关联信息可以包括第一终端设备的标识(例如第一终端设备的GPSI或MAC地址(如第二MAC地址)或SUPI等，只要可以标识第一终端设备即可)。在本示例中，如果上报事件具体为第一终端设备对应在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一会话、和/或第一AF网元等指定场景下的MAC地址发生了变化，则关联信息还对应包括：第一终端设备的标识、第一数据网络的标识、第一网络切片、第一会话的标识、和/或第一AF网元的标识，等等。
另一种可能的示例中，上报事件包括第一AF网元对应的MAC地址发生了变化，则关联信息包括第一AF网元的标识。关联信息用于指示第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均对应第一AF网元。类似的，在本示例中，如果上报事件具体为第一AF网元对应在第一数据网络、第一网络切片、第一会话、和/或第一AF网元等指定场景下的MAC地址发生了变化，则关联信息还对应包括：第一终端设备的标识、第一数据网络的标识、第一网络切片、第一会话的标识、和/或第一AF网元的标识，等等。
在具体实现过程中，关联信息可以有多种表现形式，本申请不做限制。一种可能的示例中，关联信息和MAC地址可以以映射表的形式存储在第一AF网元上。例如，参见表1，GPSI_1为第一终端设备的标识，从表1可以看出，第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址均对应第一终端设备。
表1
如果第一信息中包括GPSI_1和第一MAC地址，则第一AF网元收到第一信息之后，就可以依据第一信息和表1内容，确定第一MAC地址和第二MAC地址相关联。
当然，实际应用中，表1中MAC地址的数量可以不止1个，本申请不做限制。
当然，实际应用中，第一AF网元上可以保存多个关联信息，例如表2，GPSI_1为第一终端设备的标识，GPSI_2为第二终端设备的标识，从表2可以看出，第三MAC地址、第四MAC地址以及第五MAC地址均对应第二终端设备。
表2
例如，表3，为关联信息为关联标识的示例：
表3
其中，订阅关联(Subscription Correlation)ID是AF网元向PCF网元批量订阅时PCF返回给AF的关联标识，可以代表同一应用对应的MAC地址。
例如，表4，为关联信息为应用程序会话上下文的标识的示例：
表4
应用程序会话上下文的标识(identification of the application session context)是AF向PCF发送授权请求时携带的标识，可以代表是同一应用或同一UE对应的MAC地址。
当然，关联信息中如果还有DNN、S-NSSAI等其它内容，则映射表中还包括DNN、S-NSSAI等信息，如表5所示。
表5
应理解，以上表1-表5仅为几种可能的示例，实际应用中还可以有其它具体实现方式，本申请不做限定。
作为另一种可能的实现方式，AF网元也可以保存关联信息和第一BSF网元和/或第一PCF网元的对应关系，例如表6所示。第一AF网元收到第一信息之后，确定第一信息中的关联信息和AF保存的关联信息相同，进而直接确定第一MAC地址使用该关联信息对应的第一BSF网元或第一PCF网元。
表6
当然，表6仅为一种可能的示例，实际应用中还可以有其它具体形式。
此外，AF网元还可以同时保存关联信息、第一BSF网元和/或第一PCF网元、以及第一MAC地址之间的对应关系，如表7所示。
表7
当然，表7仅为一种可能的示例，实际应用中还可以有其它具体形式。
S604、第一AF网元将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一PCF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的PCF网元，和/或，将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一BSF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的BSF网元。
可以理解的，步骤S604中，第一PCF网元可以是正在为第二MAC地址提供服务，也可以是曾经为第二MAC地址提供过服务，本申请不做限制；第一BSF网元可以是正在为第二MAC地址提供服务，也可以是曾经为第二MAC地址提供过服务，本申请不做限制。
一种可能示例中，第一AF网元确定为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一BSF网元，将第一BSF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的BSF网元，之后第一AF网元就可以使用第一BSF网元来为第一MAC地址提供服务。例如，第一AF网元向第一BSF网元发送发现请求，发现请求中携带第一MAC地址(可选的，还可以携带DNN、S-NSSAI等信息)；第一BSF网元根据发现请求以及本地存储的五元组信息，确定出为第一MAC地址服务的PCF网元，如第一PCF网元，然后向第一AF网元反馈该第一PCF网元的信息。如此，第一AF网元在对第一MAC地址相关的业务传输有QoS需求时，可以直接将QoS需求信息发送到第一PCF网元。
一种可能示例中，第一AF网元确定为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一PCF网元，将第一PCF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的PCF网元。第一AF网元在对第一MAC地址相关的业务传输有QoS需求时，可以直接将QoS需求信息发送到第一PCF网元。
一种可能示例中，第一AF网元确定为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一BSF网元、为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一PCF网元，将第一BSF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的BSF网元，将第一PCF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的PCF网元。
二、第一网元是BSF网元
参见图7，为本申请实施例提供的另一种信息传输方法，该方法可以应用于图1、图3A、图3B、图4A、图4B、图5A或图5B所示的场景中，方法包括：
S701、第一BSF网元确定：第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化(上报事件)。
其中，关于第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化的具体实现方式可以参考上文中的相关介绍，此处不再赘述。
类似的，第一BSF网元可以根据SMF网元上报的信息确定第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化。其中，SMF可以直接向第一BSF网元上报，也可以经由PCF等其它网元上报，本申请不做限制。
S702、第一BSF网元向第一AF网元发送第一信息，第一信息中包括第一MAC地址，第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址；相应的，第一AF网元接收第一信息。
其中，关于第一信息的具体实现方式可以参考上文中的相关介绍，此处不再赘述。
类似的，若要实现第一BSF网元在上报事件发生时向第一AF网元上报第一信息，则需要第一AF网元预先向第一BSF网元订阅上报事件或者第一PCF网元提前配置上报事件。其中，关于第一AF网元向第一BSF网元订阅或配置上报事件的具体实现方式可以参考上文第一AF网元订阅或配置上报事件的具体实现方式，此处不再赘述。
S703、第一AF网元确定与第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址。
S704、第一AF网元将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一PCF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的PCF网元，和/或，将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一BSF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的BSF网元。
S703～S704可以参考上文S603～S604，此处不再赘述。
需要说明的是，BSF网元与PCF网元不同，例如：BSF网元不存储PDU会话标识，所以无法感知哪些MAC地址属于同一PDU会话；BSF也不存储AF网元的地址，所以无法感知哪些MAC地址对应同一AF网元；BSF中也不存储终端设备或AF网元的Allowed MAC地址，所以无法感知同一终端设备或AF网元的Allowed MAC地址。若要使得第一BSF网元能够像图6所示实施例中的第一PCF网元一样上报第一信息，则第一BSF网元需要先获取上述信息。
示例性的，参见图7，在步骤S701之前，还可以包括步骤S700：第一PCF网元向第一BSF网元上报第三信息。进而在步骤S701中，第一PCF网元可以根据从第一PCF网元获取的第三信息确定上报事件。
例如，上报事件包括第一终端设备在第一会话中使用的MAC地址发生了变化、或者第一AF网元在第一会话中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化、或者第一终端设备在第一会话中被允许的MAC地址 发生了变化、或者第一AF网元在第一会话中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，第三信息中包括第一会话的标识。
例如，上报事件包括第一AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化、或者所述AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，第三信息中包括第一AF网元的标识。
例如，上报事件包括第一AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，第三信息中包括第一AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址；或者，上报事件包括第一终端设备被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，第三信息中包括第一终端设备被允许的UE MAC地址。
当然，以上几种第三信息仅为示例，实际应用中还可以根据需求使第一PCF网元向第一BSF网元上报其它信息，以保证第一BSF网元能够准确感知MAC地址的变化情况，进而在上报事件发生时及时进行上报。
此外，实际应用中还可以由其它网元(如SMF网元等)向第一BSF网元上报第三信息，本申请不做限制。
在上述方案中，对应第一终端设备或对应第一AF网元的不同MAC地址，使用相同的BSF网元和/或PCF网元，当对应第一终端设备或对应第一AF网元的MAC地址发生了变化时，第一网元(可以是第一PCF网元或第一BSF网元)可以及时向第一AF网元上报第一信息，第一信息中包括变化后的MAC地址(如第一MAC地址)，使得第一AF网元可获知对应第一终端设备或对应第一AF网元的MAC地址发生了变化，并可以根据关联关系确定与第一MAC地址相关联的第二MAC地址，直接将第二MAC地址对应的BSF网元和/或PCF网元确定为第一MAC地址对应的BSF网元和/或PCF网元。如此，可以避免AF网元向全网(或者DNN和/或S-NSSAI)中的多个BSF网元发送请求造成核心网信令冲击的问题，还可以提高网元查找效率，进而提高业务传输效率。
不仅如此，上述方案中，第一网元不仅可以是在第一终端设备或第一AF网元使用的MAC变化时触发上报，保证第一终端设备或第一AF网元使用的MAC变化时，第一AF网元可以及时为变化后的MAC地址找到正确的BSF网元和/或PCF网元，还可以是在第一终端设备或第一AF网元被允许的MAC变化时(被允许的MAC地址当前可能并未投入使用)触发上报，这样第一AF网元可以提前为这些被允许的MAC地址确定正确的BSF网元和/或PCF网元，后续这些被允许的MAC地址投入使用时，就可以直接使用提前确定好的BSF网元和/或PCF网元，进而进一步提高业务传输效率。
可以理解的是，为了实现上述实施例中功能，上述实施例中的各网元包括了执行各个功能相应的硬件结构和/或软件模块。本领域技术人员应该很容易意识到，结合本申请中所公开的实施例描述的各示例的单元及方法步骤，本申请能够以硬件或硬件和计算机软件相结合的形式来实现。某个功能究竟以硬件还是计算机软件驱动硬件的方式来执行，取决于技术方案的特定应用场景和设计约束条件。
图8和图9为本申请的实施例提供的可能的通信装置的结构示意图。这些通信装置可以用于实现上述方法实施例中第一PCF网元或第一BSF网元或第一AF网元的功能，因此也能实现上述方法实施例所具备的有益效果。
如图8所示，通信装置800包括处理单元810和收发单元820。通信装置800用于实现上述图6或图7中所示的方法实施例中第一PCF网元或第一BSF网元或第一AF网元的功能。
当通信装置800用于实现图6中所示的方法实施例中第一PCF网元的功能时：处理单元810用于确定第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化；收发单元820用于向第一AF网元发送第一信息，所述第一信息中包括第一MAC地址，所述第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址。
当通信装置800用于实现图7中所示的方法实施例中第一BSF网元的功能时：处理单元810用于确定第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，或者，第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化；收发单元820用于向第一AF网元发送第一信息，所述第一信息中包括第一MAC地址，所述第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址。
当通信装置800用于实现图6中所示的方法实施例中第一AF网元的功能时：收发单元820用于接收来自第一PCF网元的第一信息，所述第一信息中包含第一MAC地址，所述第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址；处理单元810用于确定与所述第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址；所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，或者，所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址；将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一PCF 网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的PCF网元，和/或，将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一BSF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的BSF网元。
当通信装置800用于实现图7中所示的方法实施例中第一AF网元的功能时：收发单元820用于接收来自第一BSF网元的第一信息，所述第一信息中包含第一MAC地址，所述第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址；处理单元810用于确定与所述第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址；所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，或者，所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述第一AF网元对应的UE MAC地址；将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一PCF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的PCF网元，和/或，将为第二MAC地址提供服务的第一BSF网元确定为第一MAC地址提供服务的BSF网元。
有关上述处理单元810和收发单元820更详细的描述可以直接参考上文方法实施例中相关描述直接得到，这里不加赘述。
如图9所示，通信装置900包括处理器910和接口电路920。处理器910和接口电路920之间相互耦合。可以理解的是，接口电路920可以为收发器或输入输出接口。可选的，通信装置900还可以包括存储器930，用于存储处理器910执行的指令或存储处理器910运行指令所需要的输入数据或存储处理器910运行指令后产生的数据。
当通信装置900用于实现图6或图7所示的方法时，处理器910用于实现上述处理单元810的功能，接口电路920用于实现上述收发单元820的功能。
可以理解的是，本申请的实施例中的处理器可以是中央处理单元(Central Processing Unit，CPU)，还可以是其它通用处理器、数字信号处理器(Digital Signal Processor，DSP)、专用集成电路(Application Specific Integrated Circuit，ASIC)、现场可编程门阵列(Field Programmable Gate Array，FPGA)或者其它可编程逻辑器件、晶体管逻辑器件，硬件部件或者其任意组合。通用处理器可以是微处理器，也可以是任何常规的处理器。
本申请的实施例中的方法步骤可以通过硬件的方式来实现，也可以由处理器执行软件指令的方式来实现。软件指令可以由相应的软件模块组成，软件模块可以被存放于随机存取存储器、闪存、只读存储器、可编程只读存储器、可擦除可编程只读存储器、电可擦除可编程只读存储器、寄存器、硬盘、移动硬盘、CD-ROM或者本领域熟知的任何其它形式的存储介质中。一种示例性的存储介质耦合至处理器，从而使处理器能够从该存储介质读取信息，且可向该存储介质写入信息。当然，存储介质也可以是处理器的组成部分。处理器和存储介质可以位于ASIC中。另外，该ASIC可以位于基站或终端中。当然，处理器和存储介质也可以作为分立组件存在于基站或终端中。
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程序或指令。在计算机上加载和执行所述计算机程序或指令时，全部或部分地执行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、网络设备、用户设备或者其它可编程装置。所述计算机程序或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，所述计算机程序或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或无线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集成一个或多个可用介质的服务器、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；也可以是光介质，例如，数字视频光盘；还可以是半导体介质，例如，固态硬盘。该计算机可读存储介质可以是易失性或非易失性存储介质，或可包括易失性和非易失性两种类型的存储介质。
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。
可以理解的是，在本申请的实施例中涉及的各种数字编号仅为描述方便进行的区分，并不用来限制本申请的实施例的范围。上述各过程的序号的大小并不意味着执行顺序的先后，各过程的执行顺序应以其功能和内在逻辑确定。

Claims (34)

  1. 一种信息传输方法，其特征在于，所述方法包括：
    第一网元确定第一终端设备对应的媒体接入控制MAC地址发生了变化，或者，应用功能AF网元对应的用户设备UE MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述第一网元向AF网元发送第一信息，所述第一信息中包括第一MAC地址，所述第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址。
  2. 如权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一信息用于所述AF网元确定所述第一网元。
  3. 如权利要求1或2所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述第一网元接收来自所述AF网元的第二信息，或者，从统一数据库UDR网元获取第二信息，或者，预先配置第二信息；其中，所述第二信息中包括所述第一终端设备的标识或所述AF网元的标识；
    所述第一网元向第一AF网元发送第一信息，包括：
    所述第一网元根据所述第二信息向所述AF网元发送所述第一信息。
  4. 如权利要求1-3任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，包括：
    所述第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化。
  5. 如权利要求4所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化，包括以下一种或多种情况：
    所述第一终端设备在第一数据网络中使用的MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述第一终端设备在第一网络切片中使用的MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述第一终端设备在第一会话中使用的MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述第一终端设备与所述AF网元通信所使用的MAC地址变化。
  6. 如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，
    若所述第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述第一终端设备在第一数据网络中使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息还包括所述第一数据网络的标识；或者，
    若所述第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述第一终端设备在第一网络切片中使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息还包括所述第一网络切片的标识；或者，
    若所述第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述第一终端设备在第一会话中使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息还包括所述第一会话的标识；或者，
    若所述第一终端设备使用的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述第一终端设备与所述AF网元通信所使用的MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息还包括所述第一AF的标识。
  7. 如权利要求1-3任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化，包括：
    所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。
  8. 如权利要求7所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址包括所述第一终端设备被所述第一终端设备和/或所述AF网元允许的MAC地址。
  9. 如权利要求7或8所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，包括以下一种或多种情况：
    所述第一终端设备在第一数据网络中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述第一终端设备在第一网络切片中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述第一终端设备在第一会话中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述第一终端设备与所述AF网元通信时被允许的MAC地址发生了变化。
  10. 如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，
    若所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述第一终端设备在第一数据网络中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息中还包括所述第一数据网络的标识；或者，
    若所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述第一终端设备在第一网络切片中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息中还包括所述第一网络切片的标识；或者，
    若所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述第一终端设备在第一会话中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息中还包括所述第一会话的标识；或者，
    所述第一终端设备与所述AF网元通信时被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息中还包括所述AF网元的标识。
  11. 如权利要求1-3任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化，包括：
    所述AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
  12. 如权利要求11所述的方法，其特征在于，所述AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，包括以下一种或多种情况：
    所述AF网元在第一数据网络中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述AF网元在第一网络切片中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述AF网元在第一会话中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述AF网元与第一终端设备通信所使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
  13. 如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，
    若所述AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化包括所述AF网元在第一数据网络中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息还包括所述第一数据网络的标识；或者，
    若所述AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化包括所述AF网元在第一网络切片中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息还包括所述第一网络切片的标识；或者，
    若所述AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化包括所述AF网元在第一会话中使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息还包括所述第一会话的标识；或者，
    若所述AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化包括所述AF网元与所述第一终端设备通信所使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息还包括所述第一终端设备的标识。
  14. 如权利要求1-3任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化，包括：
    所述AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
  15. 如权利要求14所述的方法，其特征在于，所述AF网元被允许的MAC地址发生了变化，包括以下一种或多种情况：
    所述AF网元在第一数据网络中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述AF网元在第一网络切片中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述AF网元在第一会话中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
    所述AF网元与所述第一终端设备通信时被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化。
  16. 如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，
    若所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述AF网元在第一数据网络中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息中还包括所述第一数据网络的标识；或者，
    若所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述AF网元在第一网络切片中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息中还包括所述第一网络切片的标识；或者，
    若所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述AF网元在第一会话中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息中还包括所述第一会话的标识；或者，
    若所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址发生了变化包括所述AF网元与所述第一终端设备通信时被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第二信息中还包括所述第一终端设备的标识。
  17. 如权利要求1-16任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网元为第一PCF网元。
  18. 如权利要求17所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述第一网元从会话管理功能SMF网元获取所述第一MAC地址。
  19. 如权利要求1-16任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一网元为第一BSF网元。
  20. 如权利要求19所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述第一BSF网元根据从第一PCF网元获取的第三信息确定所述第一终端设备对应的MAC地址发生了变化或者所述AF网元对应的UE MAC地址发生了变化；
    若所述第一终端设备在第一会话中使用的MAC地址发生了变化、或者所述AF网元在第一会话中 使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化、或者所述第一终端设备在第一会话中被允许的MAC地址发生了变化、或者所述AF网元在第一会话中被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第三信息中包括所述第一会话的标识；或者，
    若所述AF网元使用的UE MAC地址发生了变化、或者所述AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第三信息中包括所述AF网元的标识；或者，
    若所述AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第三信息中包括所述AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址；或者，
    若所述第一终端设备被允许的UE MAC地址发生了变化，则所述第三信息中包括所述第一终端设备被允许的UE MAC地址。
  21. 如权利要求1-20任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一信息中还包括关联信息，所述关联信息用于所述AF网元确定与所述第一MAC地址相关联的第二MAC地址。
  22. 一种信息传输方法，其特征在于，所述方法包括：
    AF网元接收来自第一网元的第一信息，所述第一信息中包含第一MAC地址，所述第一MAC地址为变化后的MAC地址；
    所述AF网元确定与所述第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址；所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，或者，所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述AF网元对应的UE MAC地址；
    所述AF网元将为所述第二MAC地址提供服务的所述第一网元确定为为所述第一MAC地址提供服务的网元。
  23. 如权利要求22所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    所述AF网元向所述第一网元发送第二信息；其中，所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，所述第二信息中包括所述第一终端设备的标识，或者，所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述AF网元对应的UE MAC地址，所述第二信息中包括所述AF网元的标识；
    所述第二信息用于所述第一网元向所述AF网元发送所述第一信息。
  24. 如权利要求22或23所述的方法，其特征在于，所述AF网元确定与所述第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址，包括：
    所述AF网元根据关联信息确定与所述第一MAC地址关联的第二MAC地址；其中，所述关联信息包括终端设备的标识、关联标识或应用程序会话上下文的标识中的至少一项，所述第一信息中还包括所述关联信息。
  25. 如权利要求22-24任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，包括：
    所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述第一终端设备使用的MAC地址。
  26. 如权利要求22-24任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为第一终端设备对应的MAC地址，包括：
    所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址。
  27. 如权利要求26所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述第一终端设备被允许的MAC地址包括所述第一终端设备被所述第一终端设备和/或所述AF网元允许的MAC地址。
  28. 如权利要求22-24任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述AF网元对应的UE MAC地址包括：
    所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述AF网元使用的UE MAC地址。
  29. 如权利要求22-24任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述AF网元对应的UE MAC地址包括：
    所述第一MAC地址和所述第二MAC地址均为所述AF网元被允许的UE MAC地址。
  30. 一种通信装置，其特征在于，包括用于实现如权利要求1-21任一项所述方法的模块，或者，包括用于实现如权利要求22-29任一项所述的方法的模块。
  31. 一种通信系统，其特征在于，包括:
    第一网元，用于执行如权利要求1-21任一项所述方法；
    AF网元，用于执行如权利要求22-29任一项所述的方法。
  32. 一种通信装置，其特征在于，包括处理器和接口电路，所述接口电路用于接收来自所述通信装置之外的其它通信装置的信号并传输至所述处理器或将来自所述处理器的信号发送给所述通信装置之外的其它通信装置，所述处理器通过逻辑电路或执行代码指令用于实现如权利要求1-21任一项所述方法或者如权利要求22-29任一项所述的方法。
  33. 一种计算机可读存储介质，其特征在于，所述存储介质中存储有计算机程序或指令，当所述计算机程序或指令被通信装置执行时，实现如权利要求1-21任一项所述方法或者如权利要求22-29任一项所述的方法。
  34. 一种计算机程序产品，其特征在于，所述计算机程序产品中存储有指令，当所述指令在计算机上运行时，使得所述计算机执行如权利要求1-21任一项所述方法或者如权利要求22-29任一项所述的方法。
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WO2020020295A1 (zh) * 2018-07-26 2020-01-30 中国移动通信有限公司研究院 会话绑定方法、网络发现功能、应用功能及网络单元
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