WO2024104228A1

WO2024104228A1 - Message forwarding method and apparatus, and device, storage medium and computer program product

Info

Publication number: WO2024104228A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/130348
Authority: WO
Inventors: 朱磊; 种璟; 闫佳运; 何倩; 李功
Original assignee: 中移(成都)信息通信科技有限公司; 中国移动通信集团有限公司
Priority date: 2022-11-15
Filing date: 2023-11-08
Publication date: 2024-05-23
Also published as: CN118055061A

Abstract

Disclosed in the embodiments of the present application are a message forwarding method and apparatus, and a device, a storage medium and a computer program product. The method is applied to a first network element, and the method comprises: receiving a first configuration request from a session management function network element, wherein the first configuration request comprises an identifier of a first terminal associated with a first network element; and in response to the first configuration request, configuring a first forwarding rule for the first terminal, wherein the first forwarding rule is used for sending to the first terminal a message from a second terminal associated with the first network element, and a destination address of the message from the second terminal is the address of the first terminal. In the method, by means of configuring a first forwarding rule by means of a first network element, message forwarding between different terminals which are associated with the first network element is realized, such that the number of network elements that a message forwarding path requires to pass through is reduced, and therefore the transmission delay can be shortened, and the waste of transmission resources is avoided.

Description

A method, device, equipment, storage medium and computer program product for message forwarding

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The embodiments of this application are based on the Chinese patent application with application number 202211428008.9, application date November 15, 2022, and application name “A method, device, equipment and storage medium for message forwarding”, and claim the priority of the Chinese patent application. The entire contents of the Chinese patent application are hereby introduced into this application as a reference.

Technical Field

The present application relates to, but is not limited to, the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and computer program product for message forwarding.

Background technique

The fixed-mobile convergence technology of the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) can realize the integration and cooperation between fixed networks and mobile networks. In actual production and life scenarios, there are areas where 5G signals have no coverage or poor signal quality. In these areas, user equipment (UE) with 5G capabilities can access the 5G network based on the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture. However, the UE under this architecture indirectly accesses 5G through the 5G Residential Gateway (5G-RG), and does not support the N1 standard interface and protocol between the UE and the 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC). Therefore, it is not convenient to use 5G advanced technologies, such as network slicing, UE Route Selection Policy (URSP), etc.

One solution is to enable UEs connected to 5G-RG to access 5GC through the non-3GPP InterWorking Function (N3IWF) or the trusted non-3GPP Gateway Function (TNGF) to achieve 5G communication. Based on this architecture, UEs accessing the 5G network can use the 5G Local Area Network (LAN) service and implement message forwarding (traffic forwarding) between different local UEs through the anchor UPF (UPF of PDU Session Anchor, PSA UPF). However, when implementing message forwarding between different local UEs in this way, the user plane path passes through more network elements, which will introduce more delays and cause a waste of transmission resources.

Summary of the invention

The present application at least provides a method, apparatus, device, storage medium and computer program product for message forwarding.

The technical solution of this application is implemented as follows:

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for message forwarding, which is applied to a first network element, and the method includes: receiving a first configuration request from a session management function network element, the first configuration request including an identifier of a first terminal associated with the first network element; in response to the first configuration request, configuring a first forwarding rule for the first terminal, the first forwarding rule being used to send a message of a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message of the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for message forwarding, which is applied to a session management function network element, the method comprising: sending a first configuration request to a first network element, the first configuration request comprising an identifier of a first terminal associated with the first network element, the first configuration request being used to request the first network element to configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal, the first forwarding rule being used to send a message of a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message of the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for message forwarding, the device comprising a first receiving module and a first configuration module; wherein the first receiving module is configured to receive a first configuration request from a session management function network element, and the first A configuration request includes an identifier of a first terminal associated with the device; a first configuration module is configured to configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal in response to the first configuration request, the first forwarding rule being used to send a message from a second terminal associated with the device to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message from the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a device for forwarding a message, the device comprising a sending module; wherein the sending module is configured to send a first configuration request to a first network element, the first configuration request comprising an identifier of a first terminal associated with the first network element, the first configuration request being used to request the first network element to configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal, the first forwarding rule being used to send a message from a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message from the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.

In the fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a message forwarding device, which includes a memory and a processor; wherein the memory is used to store computer-executable instructions; the processor is connected to the memory and is used to implement the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect by executing the computer-executable instructions.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by at least one processor, the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect is implemented.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, which includes computer instructions. When the computer instructions are run on a computer device, the computer device executes the method described in the first aspect or the second aspect.

The embodiment of the present application provides a method, apparatus, device, storage medium and computer program product for message forwarding. On the first network element side, a first configuration request is received from a session management function network element, and the first configuration request includes an identifier of a first terminal associated with the first network element; in response to the first configuration request, a first forwarding rule for the first terminal is configured, and the first forwarding rule is used to send a message of a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal. The method configures the first forwarding rule by the first network element to realize message forwarding between different terminals associated with the first network element, thereby reducing the number of network elements that need to be passed in the message forwarding path, thereby reducing the transmission delay and avoiding the waste of transmission resources.

It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory, and are not intended to limit the technical solutions of the present application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and constitute a part of the specification. These drawings illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and are used together with the specification to illustrate the technical solution of the present application.

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a fixed-mobile converged network architecture based on “5G-RG+W-AGF”;

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture in which a UE connected to a 5G-RG downlink accesses a 5GC via an N3IWF;

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture in which a UE connected to a 5G-RG accesses a 5GC via a TNGF;

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a user plane path of a UE connected to a 5G-RG via a TNGF to access a 5GC;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the 5G LAN user plane architecture;

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of data forwarding of a 5G VN group;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the user plane path of a UE using a 5G LAN service under a 5G fixed-mobile converged architecture;

FIG8 is a flow chart of a method for forwarding a message provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG9 is a second flow chart of a method for forwarding a message provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a possible implementation flow of a message forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a process of sending updated 5G VN group configuration data to 5GC through the network capability exposure function in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG12 is a flow chart of a 5G VN group configuration hierarchical forwarding function according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG13 is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of configuring local forwarding rules by N3IWF/TNGF in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG14 is a schematic diagram of an implementation flow of configuring local forwarding rules for 5G-RG and W-AGF in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG15 is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of a message forwarding device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of another message forwarding device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a hardware entity of a message forwarding device in an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

In order to enable a more detailed understanding of the features and technical contents of the embodiments of the present application, the implementation of the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The attached drawings are for reference only and are not used to limit the embodiments of the present application.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in the embodiments of the present application have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the technical field of the present application. The terms used in the embodiments of the present application are only for the purpose of describing the embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application.

In the following description, reference is made to "some embodiments", which describe a subset of all possible embodiments, but it is understood that "some embodiments" may be the same subset or different subsets of all possible embodiments, and may be combined with each other without conflict. It should also be noted that the terms "first\second\third" involved in the embodiments of the present application are only used to distinguish similar objects and do not represent a specific ordering of the objects. It is understandable that "first\second\third" may be interchanged in a specific order or sequence where permitted, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein.

The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: the fifth generation (5th Generation, 5G) or new wireless (New Radio, NR) system, the long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE) system, the LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, the LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, etc. The following takes the 5G system as an example for exemplary description.

To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following is a brief introduction to the relevant technologies involved in the present application.

1.5G Fixed-Mobile Convergence Technology

Fixed-mobile convergence refers to the convergence of fixed and mobile networks, also known as wireless and wired convergence. Fixed-mobile convergence can achieve full-service and converged business operations through the integration and cooperation between fixed and mobile networks, thereby providing users with a variety of high-quality communication, information, entertainment and other services, regardless of terminals, networks, applications and locations. To achieve 5G fixed-mobile convergence, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specification defines two types of gateways: Residential Gateway (RG) and Wireline Access Gateway Function (W-AGF), which are deployed on the user side and the network side respectively to solve the convergence problem at the two locations.

Among them, RG is between the terminal and the access network, and is divided into 5G-RG and fixed network RG (Fixed Network RG, FN-RG). 5G-RG has 5G communication capabilities and can connect to the next generation radio access network (Next Generation Radio Access Network, NG RAN) and the wired access network; while FN-RG can only connect to the wired access network. W-AGF is between the wired access network and 5GC, and together with the wired access network, it forms the wired 5G access network (Wireline 5G Access Network, W-5GAN), and connects with 5GC through standard 3GPP N2 and N3 interfaces.

"RG+W-AGF" is the basis for realizing 5G fixed-mobile convergence. The fixed-mobile convergence network architecture based on "5G-RG+W-AGF" is shown in Figure 1.

Based on the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture shown in Figure 1, the terminal first accesses the 5G-RG through a non-3GPP network (such as wireless local area network (WLAN), wired, Bluetooth, etc.), and then accesses the 5G core network through a 5G wireless network or wired network after 5G-RG protocol conversion. Under the architecture shown in Figure 1, the terminal needs to indirectly access the 5GC through the 5G-RG. Therefore, even if the terminal is a UE with 5G capabilities, it cannot directly interact with the 5GC through non-access stratum (NAS) signaling.

2. RG downlink UE accesses 5G through N3IWF/TNGF

The terminal under RG may also have 5G capabilities, but based on the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture, the terminal can only access 5GC indirectly through RG. The 3GPP 5G fixed-mobile convergence standard TS 23.316 combines 3GPP and non-3GPP converged network architectures, and regards the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture as a "non-trusted non-3GPP access" or "trusted non-3GPP access". Among them, when the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture is regarded as a "non-trusted non-3GPP access" as a whole, 5GC can be accessed through N3IWF, and when the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture is regarded as a "trusted non-3GPP access" as a whole, 5GC can be accessed through TNGF. In this way, the UE under RG can access 5GC through the standard 5G NAS protocol, thereby realizing 5G communication.

Taking 5G-RG as an example, the network architecture in which its downstream UE accesses 5GC through N3IWF and TNGF is shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 respectively.

The 3GPP standard does not describe in detail the process of establishing the control plane and user plane of the UE under the above architecture. It only gives the following description in Chapter 4.10 of TS23.316: Under this architecture, the control and user plane data packets of the UE are transmitted using the FN-RG/5G-RG IP PDU session, and then transmitted from the PSA UPF of the PDU session to the Interworking Function (IWF), such as N3IWF or TNGF.

Combined with the process of UE registering to 5GC through N3IWF/TNGF and creating a protocol data unit (PDU) session defined in 3GPP TS23.502, it can be concluded that the way in which the UE establishes a user plane path to the data network name (DNN) under this architecture includes the following steps 1) to 4):

1) 5G-RG first accesses W-AGF through the wired network;

2) 5G-RG creates a PDU session with "anchor point UPF1 and destination N3IWF/TNGF" through W-AGF, where UPF represents the user plane function (User Plane Function); 5GC notifies W-AGF of the PDU session ID through the N2 message, and then W-AGF allocates a 5G Wireless Wireline Convergence User Plane Encapsulation (5G Wireless Wireline Convergence User Plane Encapsulation, 5WE) session ID (5WE protocol is used to encapsulate PDU session carrying user plane data between 5G-RG and AGF, supporting Internet Protocol Version 4 (Internet Protocol Version 4, IPv4), Internet Protocol Version 6 (Internet Protocol Version 6, IPv6) and Ethernet PDU session type), and binds it to the PDU session ID; the binding relationship is transmitted from W-AGF to 5G-RG so that 5G-RG can identify the data message of the PDU session based on the 5WE session ID;

3) After the UE accesses the 5G-RG, it connects to the N3IWF/TNGF through the above PDU session;

4) Based on the 3GPP standard process, the UE registers to the 5GC through N3IWF/TNGF and creates a PDU session with "anchor point as UPF2 and destination as DNN". During this process, an Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) data channel is created between the UE and N3IWF/TNGF, and "5G-RG to W-AGF to UPF1" is regarded as a transparent transmission channel.

Taking access to 5GC through TNGF as an example, the user plane path from UE to 5GC is shown in Figure 4.

3.5G LAN Technology

In offices, enterprises, factories, homes and other places, 5G needs to provide functions similar to local area networks (LANs) and virtual private networks (VPNs). The basic concepts related to 5G LAN are as follows:

(1) 5G LAN service (5G LAN-type Service): A service that provides local area network communication through the 5G system, which can use IP or non-IP type communication;

(2) 5G LAN-Virtual Network (5G LAN-VN): A virtual network on the 5G system used to provide 5G LAN services;

(3) 5G Virtual Network (5G VN) group: a group of UEs that use dedicated communications based on 5G LAN services.

The traditional 5G data channel is used for UE to access the data network (DN), such as UE access to the Internet or enterprise private network; while the data channel under 5G LAN is used for UE to access UE. The data message initiated by the source UE is directly forwarded to the destination UE on the UPF in 5GC without forwarding in the DN, thereby greatly reducing the network delay of communication between UEs and improving network reliability. 5G LAN communication supports the following three types of traffic forwarding, and its user plane architecture is shown in Figure 5.

(1) Local switching: Traffic is forwarded locally by a single UPF, which is the common PSA UPF for different PDU sessions of the same 5G VN group (such as PSA UPF#1 in Figure 5);

(2) Traffic forwarding based on N19: The uplink and downlink traffic of 5G VN communication is forwarded between PSA UPFs of different PDU sessions through N19. N19 is a shared user plane tunnel between interconnected PSA UPFs within the same 5G VN group (such as PSA UPF#1 and PSA UPF#2 in Figure 5);

(3) Traffic forwarding based on N6: The uplink and downlink traffic of 5G VN communication comes from/is sent to DN.

To implement the "UE to UE data forwarding within the core network" function of 5G LAN, the 3GPP standard has made the following enhancements to the UE PDU session process:

(1) The network operator sets a (DNN, S-NSSAI) combination with a 1:1 mapping to the 5G VN group, where S-NSSAI stands for Single Network Slice Selection Assistance information.

(2) When the UE creates a PDU session, it carries the specified (DNN, S-NSSAI) to indicate that this PDU session is a 5G VN Group conversation;

(3) A PDU session provides access to one and only one 5G VN group;

(4) All PDU sessions of a 5G VN group communication are managed by a dedicated session management function (SMF);

(5) After receiving the PDU session request, the SMF selects a suitable UPF for the UE and configures the 5G VN group forwarding rules of the UE on it, so that the communication between members in the 5G VN group can be forwarded within the 5G core network. For the specific form and configuration method of the forwarding rules, please refer to the relevant description in 3GPP TS 23.501.

The data forwarding principle of the 5G VN group after the above processing is shown in FIG6. For example, the data message sent by UE#1 in the figure to UE#2 is first sent to UPF#1 through the PDU session PDU#1 created by UE#1, and then forwarded by UPF#1 to the PDU session PDU#2 created by UE#2 based on the forwarding rule configured by SMF#1, and finally sent to UE#2. Similarly, the data message sent by UE#2 to UE#3 is first sent to UPF#2 through PDU#3 created by UE#2, and then forwarded to UPF#3 by UPF#2 based on the forwarding rule configured by SMF#2, and then forwarded to PDU#4 created by UE#3 based on the forwarding rule configured by SMF#2 by UPF#3, and finally sent to UE#3. Among them, UE#1 and UE#2 can correspond to private DNN#1 and 5G LAN group#1, and UE#2 and UE#3 can correspond to private DNN#2 and 5G LAN group#2.

4.5G VN group information

The 5G VN group information is shown in Table 1. The 5G VN group information can be sent to 5GC by the network administrator through the operation support system (OSS) or the network exposure function (NEF).

Table 1 5G VN group information

Among them, the 5G VN group data is the configuration data of the group. The structure of the 5G VN group data is shown in Table 2.

Table 2 5G VN group data types

As a new generation of communication technology, 5G uses the characteristics of large bandwidth, low latency, high reliability, and wide connection to provide the necessary network infrastructure support for vertical industry applications, promote the intelligent upgrade of various industries, and move towards the intelligent interconnection of all things. However, various vertical industries have generally deployed local area networks and the Internet of Things based on network types such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, wired, Zigbee, and Long Range Radio (LoRa). Due to considerations such as cost and usage habits, it is impossible for various industries to completely replace existing networks with 5G networks in the short term. Therefore, in various industries, 5G networks and other types of networks will coexist for a long time. If the terminals of the 5G network and the terminals of other networks are in an isolated state, the goal of 5G Internet of Everything will not be achieved. Therefore, the integration of 5G and other types of networks is imperative.

At present, 5G fixed-mobile convergence technology can realize the integration and cooperation between fixed networks and mobile networks. In live scenarios, there are areas where 5G signals are not covered or the signal quality is poor, such as some residential areas, hospitals and factories in remote areas, etc. In these areas, UEs with 5G capabilities can access the 5G network based on the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture, but under this architecture, UEs access 5G indirectly through 5G-RG, and do not support the N1 standard interface and protocol between UE and 5GC, and cannot conveniently use 5G advanced technologies, such as network slicing and URSP. The aforementioned architecture of RG downlink UE accessing 5G through N3IWF/TNGF can solve this problem, in which UEs can access non-3GPP networks and then access 5GC through N3IWF/TNGF to achieve 5G communication. UEs accessing the 5G network based on this architecture can also use 5G LAN services, and the implementation method can refer to the aforementioned 5G LAN technology. The user plane path of UE using 5G LAN services under the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture is shown in Figure 7.

From the architecture shown in Figure 7, it can be seen that when UE#1 and UE#2 in the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture use 5G LAN services for local switching, the user plane path includes 5G-RG, W-AGF, UPF, N3IWF/TNGF, and relay UPF (Intermediate UPF, I-UPF), and then local switching is achieved through PSA UPF. Compared with UEs accessing the 5G network through 5G base stations (see Figure 5), the user plane path of UEs in the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture when using 5G LAN services passes through more network elements, which will introduce more delays. But in fact, not all traffic needs to be forwarded through PSA UPF. For example, communication between UEs connected to the same 5G-RG can be forwarded directly on the 5G-RG. Similarly, the W-AGF and N3IWF/TNGF on the path can achieve local forwarding. For example, the upstream network element can forward the traffic between UEs associated with different downstream network elements. For example, two UEs are respectively associated with two different 5G-RGs, and these two 5G-RGs are connected to the same W-AGF. Therefore, the traffic between the two UEs can be forwarded on the W-AGF.

In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide a method, apparatus, device, storage medium, and computer program product for message forwarding. The method configures a first forwarding rule through a first network element (such as 5G-RG, N3IWF, or TNGF) to implement message forwarding between different terminals associated with the first network element, thereby reducing the number of network elements that need to be passed through in the message forwarding path, thereby reducing transmission delay and avoiding waste of transmission resources.

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

FIG8 is a flow chart of a method for message forwarding provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first network element in the method may be, for example, an N3IWF, a TNGF, or a resident gateway (such as a 5G-RG), and the session management function network element may be an SMF. As shown in FIG8 , the method may include:

S801. A session management function network element sends a first configuration request to a first network element.

Correspondingly, the first network element receives a first configuration request from the session management function network element.

The first configuration request may be used to request the first network element to configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal, and the first forwarding rule may be used to send a message of a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message of the second terminal is the address of the first terminal. Exemplarily, the first configuration request may include an identifier of the first terminal associated with the first network element.

It should be understood that the terminal in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a terminal device or UE. For example, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a mobile Internet device (MID), etc., which is not limited in the present application.

In this embodiment, the identifier of the first terminal can be used to identify the identity of the first terminal. Exemplarily, the form of the identifier of the first terminal includes, but is not limited to: Mobile Subscriber International ISDN Number (MSISDN), International Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (IMSI), Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI), Subscription Concealed Identifier (SUCI), Internet Protocol (IP) address, Media Access Control (MAC) address, Permanent Equipment Identifier (PEI).

In this embodiment, the first terminal (or second terminal) associated with the first network element can also be understood as a terminal connected to the first network element or a terminal downstream of the first network element. In one example, assuming that the first network element is N3IWF or TNGF, the first terminal (or second terminal) associated with the first network element can be a terminal that has established an IPSec channel with the N3IWF or TNGF; in another example, assuming that the first network element is 5G-RG, the first terminal (or second terminal) associated with the first network element can be a terminal connected to the 5G-RG.

In some embodiments, the first configuration request may also carry an information element type indication, which may be used to indicate The type of this information element is "first configuration request". In this embodiment, the implementation method of the information element type indication may be, for example, a bitmap method, a numbering method, etc. In one example, when the bitmap method is adopted, assuming that a 4-bit bitmap is adopted, it can be stipulated that if the value of the first bit (bit1) is "1", it represents the type of information element as "first configuration request"; in another example, when the numbering method is adopted, assuming that a 4-bit numbering is adopted, it can be stipulated that "0012" represents the type of information element as "first configuration request". It should be understood that the above-mentioned specific provision that the type of information element represented as "first configuration request" is only an exemplary description for facilitating the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of the present application.

S802: The first network element configures a first forwarding rule for the first terminal in response to the first configuration request.

After receiving the first configuration request from the session management function network element, the first network element may configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal based on the identifier of the first terminal carried in the first configuration request. The first forwarding rule may be used to send a message of a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message of the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.

Exemplarily, the first forwarding rule may include: a first source interface, a first destination address and a first destination interface. The meaning of this rule is: identifying a message received through the first source interface with the first destination address as the destination address, and sending the message to the first destination interface.

In one implementation, the first source interface is: the interface between the first network element and the second terminal; the first destination address is: the address of the first terminal; the first destination interface is: the interface between the first network element and the first terminal. At this time, the method may also include: the first network element receives a message from the second terminal through the interface between the first network element and the second terminal, wherein the destination address of the message from the second terminal is the address of the first terminal; based on the first forwarding rule, the first network element sends the received message from the second terminal to the interface between the first network element and the first terminal.

That is to say, if the second terminal sends a message with the destination address being the address of the first terminal to the first network element, then the first network element can send the message to the interface between the first network element and the first terminal based on the first forwarding rule, so that the first terminal can receive the message from the second terminal through the interface.

In a specific example, the first network element is N3IWF. At this time, the first source interface may be Nwu interface; the first destination address may be: the address of the first terminal; the first destination interface may be: the IPSec channel between the first terminal and N3IWF. Among them, Nwu interface can also be understood as the communication interface between N3IWF and any terminal (such as the second terminal) connected to the N3IWF.

In another specific example, the first network element is TNGF. At this time, the first source interface may be: Nwt interface; the first destination address may be: the address of the first terminal; the first destination interface may be: the interface corresponding to the IPSec channel between the first terminal and TNGF. Among them, Nwt interface can also be understood as the communication interface between TNGF and any terminal (such as the second terminal) connected to the TNGF.

In another specific example, the first network element is a 5G-RG. At this time, the first source interface may be: the downlink communication interface of the 5G-RG; the first destination address may be: the address of the first terminal; the first destination interface may be: the communication interface corresponding to the communication link between the first terminal and the 5G-RG. Among them, the downlink communication interface of the 5G-RG can also be understood as the communication interface between the 5G-RG and any terminal (such as the second terminal) downlinked from the 5G-RG.

According to the method of this embodiment, the first network element can implement message forwarding between different terminals associated with the first network element based on the first forwarding rule, thereby reducing the number of network elements that need to be passed through in the message forwarding path, thereby reducing transmission delay and avoiding waste of transmission resources.

Based on the message forwarding method described in the above embodiment, FIG9 is a flow chart of a message forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The first network element in the method may be, for example, N3IWF, TNGF or a resident gateway (such as 5G-RG), and the session management function network element may be SMF. As shown in FIG9, the method may include:

S901, a session management function network element obtains indication information, where the indication information is used to indicate whether to enable a message forwarding function of a first network element.

In one implementation, the indication information may include, for example, an indicator (e.g., recorded as a first indicator). When the first indicator is "No", the indication information may indicate that the message forwarding function of the first network element is not enabled; when the first indicator is "Yes", the indication information may indicate that the message forwarding function of the first network element is enabled. In some embodiments, the first indicator defaults to "No".

Exemplarily, the indication information may carry, for example, a 5G VN group configuration number corresponding to the 5G VN group to which the first terminal belongs. According to the information, the application function (AF) or OSS can send the 5G VN group configuration data carrying the indication information to the session management function network element, and then the session management function network element can know whether to enable the message forwarding function of the first network element according to the indication information.

Taking the first network element obtaining the indication information through the AF as an example, the implementation process may include the following steps 11) to 13):

11) AF calls the open application programming interface (API) of NEF and sends the 5G VN group configuration data carrying the indication information to NEF.

In some embodiments, by default, the indication information indicates that the message forwarding function of the first network element is not enabled. In this case, the AF may modify or update the indication information, for example, the first indicator may be updated to "yes" so that the indication information indicates that the message forwarding function of the first network element is enabled, and then the modified or updated indication information is carried in the 5G VN group configuration data and sent to the session management function network element.

12)NEF stores the 5G VN group configuration data carrying the indication information in the Unified Data Management (UDM).

13) UDM sends the 5G VN group configuration data carrying the indication information to the session management function network element by sending a notification to the session management function network element.

Similarly, when the first network element obtains the indication information through OSS, OSS can send the 5G VN group configuration data carrying the indication information to UDM, and then send it to the session management function network element through UDM.

According to the method of this embodiment, whether to enable the message forwarding function of the first network element can be determined by modifying or updating the indication information, which is conducive to flexible configuration of the message forwarding function of the first network element according to actual needs.

S902: When the indication information indicates to enable the message forwarding function of the first network element, the session management function network element sends a first configuration request to the first network element.

S903: In response to the first configuration request, the first network element determines whether a communication link exists between the first terminal and the first network element.

In one possible case, there is a communication link between the first terminal and the first network element, in which case the first network element may configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal (corresponding to S904). In another possible case, there is no communication link between the first terminal and the first network element, in which case the first network element may terminate the process and not proceed to subsequent steps.

As an example, when the first network element is N3IWF or TNGF, a method for determining whether there is a communication link between the first terminal and the first network element may be, for example, by determining whether the N3IWF or TNGF has established an IPSec channel with the first terminal. If the N3IWF or TNGF has established an IPSec channel with the first terminal, it can be considered that there is a communication link between the N3IWF or TNGF and the first terminal.

As another example, when the first network element is a resident gateway (such as 5G-RG), a method for determining whether there is a communication link between the first terminal and the first network element may be, for example, determining whether the first terminal is a terminal connected to the resident gateway; if the first terminal is a terminal connected to the resident gateway, it can be considered that there is a communication link between the resident gateway and the first terminal.

According to the method of this embodiment, before configuring the first forwarding rule, the first network element may first determine whether there is a communication link between the first terminal and the first network element to ensure that the message can be successfully sent to the first terminal through the first network element.

S904: When a communication link exists between the first terminal and the first network element, the first network element configures a first forwarding rule for the first terminal.

The first forwarding rule may be used to send a message of a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message of the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.

In some embodiments, when the first network element is a residential gateway (eg, recorded as a first residential gateway), the method further includes S905 and S906.

S905: The first network element sends a second configuration request to the associated W-AGF network element.

The W-AGF network element associated with the first resident gateway can also be understood as the network element to which the first resident gateway is connected. W-AGF network element.

Exemplarily, the second configuration request may include the address of the first terminal. The second configuration request may be used to request the W-AGF network element to configure a second forwarding rule for the first terminal. Further, the second configuration request may also include an ID of a session between the first resident gateway and the W-AGF network element, such as a 5WE session ID between the first resident gateway and the W-AGF network element.

In some embodiments, the second configuration request may also carry one or more of the following information: an indication of the cell type, an identifier of the 5G-RG. The cell type indication may be used to indicate that the type of the cell is a "second configuration request", and the implementation method of the cell type indication may be, for example, a bitmap method, a numbering method, etc. The identifier of the 5G-RG may be used to identify the identity of the 5G-RG. The forms of the 5G-RG identifier include, but are not limited to, MSISDN, IMSI, SUPI, SUCI, IP address, MAC address, and PEI.

S906: The W-AGF network element configures a second forwarding rule for the first terminal in response to the second configuration request.

The second forwarding rule may be used to send a message of a second resident gateway associated with the W-AGF network element to the first resident gateway. In some embodiments, the destination address of the message of the second resident gateway is the address of the first terminal. The second resident gateway associated with the W-AGF network element may be, for example, a resident gateway connected to the W-AGF.

Exemplarily, the second forwarding rule may include: a second source interface, a second destination address and a second destination interface. The meaning of this rule is: identifying a message received through the second source interface and having a destination address of the second destination address, and sending the message to the second destination interface.

In one implementation, the second source interface is: the interface between the W-AGF network element and the second resident gateway; the second destination address is: the address of the first terminal; the second destination interface is: the interface between the W-AGF network element and the first resident gateway. At this time, the method may also include: the W-AGF network element receives a message from the second resident gateway through the interface between the W-AGF network element and the second resident gateway, wherein the message of the second resident gateway may be, for example, a message from a downlink terminal of the second resident gateway, and the destination address of the message may be the address of the first terminal. Subsequently, based on the second forwarding rule, the W-AGF network element may send the message of the second resident gateway to the interface between the W-AGF network element and the first resident gateway.

That is to say, if the second resident gateway sends a message with the destination address being the address of the first terminal to the W-AGF network element, then the W-AGF network element can send the message to the interface between the W-AGF network element and the first resident gateway (i.e., the second destination interface) based on the second forwarding rule, so that the first resident gateway can receive the message from the second resident gateway through the interface.

Furthermore, in the scenario where the second forwarding rule includes a second destination address and a second destination interface, the first resident gateway can receive a message from the second resident gateway through the second destination interface (i.e., the interface between the W-AGF network element and the first resident gateway), and then, based on the destination address carried by the message, that is, the address of the first terminal (the second destination address), the message can be finally sent to the first terminal.

According to the above process, in this implementation, if the message of the second resident gateway comes from a terminal connected to the second resident gateway (for example, recorded as the third terminal), the W-AGF network element can realize message forwarding between different terminals downstream of the W-AGF network element based on the second forwarding rule. For example, message forwarding between the third terminal and the first terminal can be realized, and the forwarding path includes: the third terminal, the second resident gateway, the W-AGF network element, the first resident gateway, and the first terminal. Compared with the existing solution of forwarding messages through PSA UPF, the message forwarding path in the method of this embodiment is shorter, so it can reduce transmission delay and avoid waste of transmission resources.

In some embodiments, the first network element is a first resident gateway (such as a 5G-RG), then after step 901, the method further includes S907:

S907: The session management function network element obtains the association relationship between the first terminal and the first network element.

The association relationship can be used by the session management function network element to determine the first network element, so that the session management function sends a first configuration request to the first network element based on the association relationship. At this time, the method also includes: the session management function network element determines the first network element based on the association relationship, and then sends the first configuration request to the first network element.

Taking the first network element as 5G-RG as an example, the session management function network element can query from UDM that the first terminal is associated with the 5G-RG, so that the 5G-RG associated with the first terminal can be retrieved. In one implementation, the session management function network element can obtain the information of the 5G-RG through UDM, and the information of the 5G-RG can include, for example, the identifier of the 5G-RG. Therefore, when the first network element is 5G-RG, the session management function network element can determine the 5G-RG based on the identifier of the 5G-RG in S902, and then send a first configuration request to the 5G-RG.

The 5G-RG identifier may be used to identify the 5G-RG. The 5G-RG identifier may include, but is not limited to, MSISDN, IMSI, SUPI, SUCI, IP address, MAC address, and PEI.

For ease of understanding, the following takes a specific network element as an example and introduces possible processes applicable to the embodiments of the present application in combination with Figures 10 to 14. In the following examples, it is assumed that the first network element is N3IWF, TNGF or 5G-RG, and the session management function network element is SMF.

First, the overall solution of this embodiment is introduced. This solution enables 5G-RG, W-AGF, and N3IWF/TNGF to support multi-stage forwarding, thereby solving the problem of increased network latency and waste of network transmission resources caused by the lengthy user plane path when UEs in the 5G fixed-mobile converged architecture use 5G LAN services.

It should be noted that before the process of the following technical solution, it is assumed that 5G-RG has reported the association relationship between 5G-RG and 5G UE to 5GC, which includes the information of 5G-RG and all 5G UE with 5G capabilities connected to it. The reporting method can be, for example, 5G-RG reporting through Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), or 5G-RG reporting through network capability opening. This application does not limit this.

The overall idea of this embodiment is that the hierarchical forwarding function of the 5G VN group is enabled by the administrator. When this function is enabled, 5GC performs hierarchical forwarding configuration on 5G-RG, W-AGF, or N3IWF/TNGF for UEs that have created PDU sessions and UEs that have newly created PDU sessions in the 5G VN group.

FIG10 shows a possible implementation process of the message forwarding method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The technical solution shown in FIG10 may include the following steps:

S1001, the administrator configures the 5G VN group to enable the hierarchical forwarding function.

For example, the administrator can issue an instruction to enable the specified 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function to 5GC through network capability exposure (such as AF) or OSS. The implementation method of enabling the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function will be introduced in conjunction with Figure 11 below and will not be described in detail here.

S1002: For each UE in the 5G VN group that has created a PDU session, 5GC executes a hierarchical forwarding configuration process.

5GC performs hierarchical forwarding configuration on 5G-RG, W-AGF, N3IWF/TNGF for UEs that have created PDU sessions in the specified 5G VN group. The implementation method of performing hierarchical forwarding configuration will be introduced in conjunction with Figure 12 below and will not be described in detail here;

S1003, for the UE with newly created PDU session in the 5G VN group, 5GC executes the hierarchical forwarding configuration process.

When a UE in a 5G VN group creates a new PDU session, 5GC performs hierarchical forwarding configuration on 5G-RG, W-AGF, and N3IWF/TNGF. The implementation method of performing hierarchical forwarding configuration will be introduced in conjunction with Figure 12 below and will not be described in detail here.

It should be understood that the present application does not limit the execution order of S1002 and S1003.

The following describes how to enable the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function.

To support the configuration of whether the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function is enabled, you first need to add a new item "Whether to enable the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function" in the 5G VN group configuration data. The 5G VN group configuration data after adding this item is shown in Table 3.

Table 3 5G VN group configuration data

When the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function needs to be enabled, the administrator can send the updated 5G VN group configuration data to 5GC through network capability exposure or OSS.

Figure 11 shows the process of sending updated 5G VN group configuration data to 5GC through the network capability exposure function. The process may include:

S1101, AF changes the "whether to enable 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function" in the specified 5G VN group configuration data to "yes", and calls the open API of NEF to update the 5G VN group configuration data.

S1102, NEF stores the updated 5G VN group configuration data in UDM.

S1103, UDM sends a notification to the SMF that manages the 5G VN group, carrying the updated 5G VN group configuration data, to trigger the SMF to configure the hierarchical forwarding function of the 5G VN group.

It should be understood that if the updated 5G VN group configuration data is sent to 5GC via OSS, AF and NEF in Figure 11 can be replaced by OSS.

The implementation method of SMF configuration of the hierarchical forwarding function of the 5G VN group is as follows:

After receiving the updated 5G VN group configuration data, the SMF first determines whether to enable the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function as "yes", and then implements the configuration of the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function for all UEs that meet one of the following conditions: (1) UEs that belong to the group and have created PDU sessions when the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function is enabled; (2) UEs that belong to the group and have newly created PDU sessions after the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function is enabled.

The process of configuring the hierarchical forwarding function of the 5G VN group is shown in Figure 12, and the process may include:

S1201, SMF obtains the 5G-RG associated with the UE from UDM.

SMF queries from UDM that the UE is associated with the 5G-RG, retrieves the 5G-RG associated with the UE, and obtains information about the 5G-RG. The information about the 5G-RG may include, for example, an identifier of the 5G-RG.

S1202, SMF sends a local forwarding rule configuration request to N3IWF/TNGF (corresponding to the first configuration request in the aforementioned embodiment).

SMF sends a local forwarding rule configuration request to N3IWF/TNGF through AMF, triggering N3IWF/TNGF to configure a local forwarding rule for the UE (corresponding to the first forwarding rule in the aforementioned embodiment). The local forwarding rule configuration request may carry the identifier of the UE, which can be used to identify the identity of the 5G UE. Exemplarily, the form of the UE identifier includes, but is not limited to: MSISDN, IMSI, SUPI, SUCI, IP address, MAC address, PEI.

In some embodiments, the local forwarding rule configuration request may also carry an information element type indication, which may be used to indicate that the type of the information element is a “local forwarding rule configuration request.” Based on the indication, the N3IWF/TNGF may configure the local forwarding rule.

In this embodiment, the implementation method of the cell type indication may be, for example, a bitmap method, a numbering method, etc. In one example, when the bitmap method is adopted, assuming that a 4-bit bitmap is adopted, it may be specified that as long as the value of bit1 is "1", the cell type is represented as "local forwarding rule configuration request"; in another example, when the numbering method is adopted, assuming that a 4-bit numbering is adopted, it may be specified that "0012" represents the cell type as "local forwarding rule configuration request".

S1203, N3IWF/TNGF configures a local forwarding rule (corresponding to the first forwarding rule in the aforementioned embodiment).

The configuration method will be introduced in conjunction with Figure 13 below and will not be described in detail here.

S1204, SMF sends a local forwarding configuration request to 5G-RG.

SMF sends a local forwarding rule configuration request (corresponding to the first configuration request in the aforementioned embodiment) to 5G-RG through AMF, triggering 5G-RG and W-AGF to configure local forwarding rules for the UE (corresponding to the first forwarding rule in the aforementioned embodiment). Among them, the local forwarding rule configuration request may carry the identifier of the UE. Exemplarily, the form of the UE identifier includes but is not limited to: MSISDN, IMSI, SUPI, SUCI, IP address, MAC address, PEI. Furthermore, the local forwarding rule configuration request may also carry an information element type indication, which is used to indicate that the type of this information element is "local forwarding rule configuration request". Based on this indication, 5G-RG and W-AGF can configure local forwarding rules.

S1205, 5G-RG and W-AGF configure local forwarding rules.

The configuration method will be introduced in conjunction with Figure 14 below and will not be described in detail here.

It should be understood that in some scenarios, S1202 and S1203 can be omitted; in other scenarios, S1204 and S1205 can be omitted. It should also be understood that the present application does not limit the execution order of S1202 and S1204.

The following describes the manner in which N3IWF/TNGF (an example of the first network element) configures local forwarding rules in S1203 in conjunction with FIG. 13 .

As mentioned above about N3IWF/TNGF, an IPSec channel can be established between UE and N3IWF/TNGF. Therefore, N3IWF/TNGF can perceive the information of the UE connected to it. The implementation process of N3IWF/TNGF configuring local forwarding rules is shown in Figure 13, and the implementation process may include:

S1301, N3IWF/TNGF receives the local forwarding rule configuration request sent by SMF.

Among them, the local forwarding rule configuration request may correspond to the first configuration request in the aforementioned embodiment.

S1302, N3IWF/TNGF extracts UE identifier.

When N3IWF/TNGF receives the local forwarding rule configuration request sent by SMF, it can extract the UE identifier from the local forwarding rule configuration request.

S1303, N3IWF/TNGF determines whether an IPSec channel has been established with the UE.

Based on the UE identification obtained in S1302, N3IWF/TNGF can determine whether an IPSec channel has been established with the UE. If yes, proceed to the subsequent step S1304; if not, terminate the process and do not proceed to the subsequent steps.

S1304, N3IWF/TNGF configures local forwarding rules.

Among them, the local forwarding rule may correspond to the first forwarding rule in the aforementioned embodiment.

In the case that the N3IWF/TNGF has established an IPSec channel with the UE, the N3IWF/TNGF can configure local forwarding rules for the UE.

As an example, for N3IWF, the rule format can be "Source interface: Nwu interface; Destination address: the address of the UE; Forward to: the IPSec channel of the UE", and the meaning of this rule is: identify the message whose destination address is the address of the UE coming from the Nwu interface, and forward the message to the IPSec channel corresponding to the UE, and then send the message to the UE. Among them, the Nwu interface can also be understood as the communication interface between the N3IWF and any UE connected to the N3IWF.

As another example, for TNGF, the rule format can be "source interface: Nwt interface; destination address: the address of the UE; forwarded to: the IPSec channel of the UE", and the meaning of this rule is: identify the message whose destination address is the address of the UE coming from the Nwt interface, and forward the message to the IPSec channel corresponding to the UE, and then send the message to the UE. Among them, the Nwt interface can also be understood as the communication interface between the TNGF and any UE connected to the TNGF.

It should be understood that the destination address may be in the form of, for example, an IPv4 address, an IPv6 address or a MAC address, which is not limited in this application.

The following is an introduction to the way in which 5G-RG (another example of the first network element) and W-AGF configure local forwarding rules in S1205 in conjunction with Figure 14.

In the 5G fixed-mobile converged architecture, UE can directly access 5G-RG, so 5G-RG can sense UE, while W-AGF cannot directly sense UE, but can only sense 5G-RG. Therefore, before configuring the local forwarding rule configuration for UE on W-AGF, 5G-RG needs to send relevant information to W-AGF.

As mentioned in the previous introduction to W-AGF, the user plane between 5G-RG and W-AGF is encapsulated by the 5WE protocol, so 5G-RG needs to inform W-AGF of the 5WE session information corresponding to the UE.

The implementation process of 5G-RG and W-AGF configuring local forwarding rules is shown in FIG14 , and the implementation process may include:

S1401, 5G-RG receives the local forwarding rule configuration request sent by SMF.

S1402, 5G-RG extracts the UE identifier.

After 5G-RG receives the local forwarding rule configuration request sent by SMF, it can extract the UE identifier from the local forwarding rule configuration request.

S1403, the 5G-RG determines whether the UE is a UE downlinked to the 5G-RG.

Based on the UE identifier obtained in S1402, the 5G-RG can determine whether the UE is its downlink UE. If yes, proceed to the subsequent step S1404; if not, terminate the process and do not proceed to the subsequent steps.

S1404, 5G-RG configures local forwarding rules.

When the UE is a UE downlinked to the 5G-RG, the 5G-RG may configure a local forwarding rule for the UE.

As an example, the local forwarding rule is in the form of "source interface: downlink communication interface of 5G-RG; destination address: address of the UE; forwarded to: communication link between the UE and the 5G-RG", and the meaning of the rule is: identify the downlink communication interface of the 5G-RG. The message whose destination address is the address of the UE coming from the downlink communication interface is forwarded to the communication link between the UE and the 5G-RG. The downlink communication interface of the 5G-RG can also be understood as the communication interface between the 5G-RG and any UE downlinked to the 5G-RG.

It should be understood that the above-mentioned destination address may be implemented in the form of: IPv4 address, IPv6 address or MAC address, which is not limited in this application.

S1405, 5G-RG sends a local forwarding rule configuration request to W-AGF (corresponding to the second configuration request in the aforementioned embodiment).

In this step, the 5G-RG may send a local forwarding rule configuration request to the W-AGF to which the 5G-RG accesses, and the local forwarding rule configuration request may carry a 5WE session ID and a UE address, wherein the 5WE session is a session between the 5G-RG and the W-AGF.

In some embodiments, the local forwarding rule configuration request may also carry at least one of the following: an information element type indication, a 5G-RG identifier. Among them, the information element type indication can be used to indicate that the type of this information element is a "local forwarding rule configuration request", and the 5G-RG identifier can be used to identify the identity of the 5G-RG. The forms of the 5G-RG identifier include but are not limited to: MSISDN, IMSI, SUPI, SUCI, IP address, MAC address, PEI.

S1406, W-AGF configures a local forwarding rule (corresponding to the second forwarding rule in the aforementioned embodiment).

After W-AGF receives the local forwarding rule configuration request sent by 5G-RG, it can configure local forwarding rules for UE. The rule format is "source interface: Y4; destination address: UE address; forward to: 5WE session corresponding to 5WE session ID". The meaning of this rule is: identify the message with the destination address of UE address coming from Y4 interface and forward it to the 5WE session corresponding to 5WE session ID. Among them, Y4 interface is the communication interface between W-AGF and any 5G-RG connected to the W-AGF.

Based on the local forwarding rules configured by W-AGF, W-AGF can forward the message with the destination address of UE address received from Y4 interface to the 5WE session corresponding to 5WE session ID, so that 5G-RG can receive the message through the 5WE session. Furthermore, 5G-RG can forward the message to the UE corresponding to the UE address based on the destination address (UE address) carried in the message.

According to the above implementation process, the embodiment of the present application can provide a method for message forwarding, so that when the UE under the 5G fixed-mobile converged architecture uses the 5G LAN service, 5G-RG, W-AGF, N3IWF/TNGF support multi-level forwarding. The embodiment of the present application includes the following features:

1) Added multi-level forwarding configuration process and interactive signaling for 5G VN groups;

2.) Added "Whether to enable 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function" to the 5G VN group configuration data, with the default value being "No"; and added the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding function enabling process;

3) Add the 5G VN group hierarchical forwarding configuration process and interactive signaling triggered by SMF after receiving the updated 5G VN group configuration data;

4) Added N3IWF/TNGF local forwarding rule configuration process and interactive signaling;

5) Added 5G-RG and W-AGF local forwarding rule configuration process and interactive signaling;

6) Added 5G-RG, W-AGF, N3IWF/TNGF local forwarding rule formats.

The message forwarding method provided in the embodiment of the present application enables 5G-RG, W-AGF, and N3IWF/TNGF to support multi-level forwarding when the UE under the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture uses the 5G LAN service, thereby effectively solving the problem of increased network latency and waste of network transmission resources caused by the lengthy user plane path when the UE under the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture uses the 5G LAN service.

Due to the influence of big video, cloud applications and new social applications, the growth of domestic mobile broadband and fixed broadband users has been very rapid since 2014. Fixed-mobile convergence has become a general trend, and its driving forces include business and network requirements: the driving force at the business level is mainly unified user accounts and authentication, unified billing, business continuity guarantee and business experience consistency, so that users can use a variety of telecommunications services across time, space and access mode restrictions; the driving force of the network includes the reduction of network construction and operation and maintenance costs under a unified network architecture. 5GC with cloud-based and service-oriented architecture can better support 5G fixed-mobile convergence.

In 2020, the Global System for Mobile communications Association (GSMA) The GSMA mentioned in the "5G Vertical Industry Application Cases" that by assisting enterprises to build wireless private LANs, they can help enterprises reduce costs, improve efficiency, improve quality, and increase revenue. However, in the current industry and industrial networks, fixed LANs face problems such as limited cable mobility, high fiber laying costs, poor Wi-Fi coverage security, and insufficient mobility. In traditional wireless LAN services such as the fourth generation mobile communication technology (4th Generation Mobile Communication Technology, 4G), industry users can only obtain IP type access links, not commonly used Ethernet type links, and the link configurability is poor, and the application mode is solidified. These problems hinder the scale and flexibility of enterprise wireless private LANs. Therefore, emerging industry application fields urgently need to use 5G networks to provide a capability similar to internal communication or local interaction within a local area network (LAN), namely: 5G LAN services.

In summary, the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application combines 5G fixed-mobile convergence with 5G LAN technology. When UE uses 5G LAN service scenario under the 5G fixed-mobile convergence architecture, it can greatly reduce network latency and improve network resource utilization, thereby promoting a deeper integration of 5G fixed-mobile convergence and 5G LAN, and has good application prospects and commercial value.

Based on the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a message forwarding device, which includes the modules included, and can be implemented by a processor in a first network element; of course, it can also be implemented by a specific logic circuit; in the implementation process, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

FIG15 shows a composition structure of a message forwarding device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG15 , a message forwarding device 1500 (hereinafter referred to as device 1500) may include: a first receiving module 1501 and a first configuration module 1502;

The first receiving module 1501 is configured to receive a first configuration request from a session management function network element, the first configuration request including an identifier of a first terminal associated with the device 1500; the first configuration module 1502 is configured to configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal in response to the first configuration request, the first forwarding rule being used to send a message from a second terminal associated with the device 1500 to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message from the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.

In some embodiments, the first forwarding rule includes: a first source interface, a first destination address and a first destination interface, wherein the first source interface is: the interface between the device 1500 and the second terminal, the first destination address is: the address of the first terminal, and the first destination interface is: the interface between the device 1500 and the first terminal; the device 1500 also includes a second receiving module and a first sending module; the second receiving module is configured to receive a message from the second terminal through the interface between the device 1500 and the second terminal, and the destination address of the message from the second terminal is the address of the first terminal; the first sending module is configured to send the message from the second terminal to the interface between the device 1500 and the first terminal based on the first forwarding rule.

In some embodiments, the device 1500 also includes a judgment module; the judgment module is configured to determine whether there is a communication link between the first terminal and the device 1500 before configuring the first forwarding rule for the first terminal; the first configuration module 1502 is also configured to configure the first forwarding rule for the first terminal when there is a communication link between the first terminal and the device 1500.

In some embodiments, device 1500 is any of the following network elements: a non-3GPP network interaction function N3IWF, a trusted non-3GPP gateway function TNGF, and a resident gateway; when device 1500 is N3IWF or TNGF, the judgment module is specifically configured to: judge whether N3IWF or TNGF has established an Internet security protocol IPSec channel with the first terminal; when device 1500 is a resident gateway, the judgment module is specifically configured to: judge whether the first terminal is a terminal connected to the resident gateway.

In some embodiments, device 1500 is a first resident gateway, and device 1500 also includes a second sending module; the second sending module is configured to send a second configuration request to a wired access gateway function W-AGF network element associated with the first resident gateway, the second configuration request includes the address of the first terminal, the second configuration request is used to request the W-AGF network element to configure a second forwarding rule for the first terminal, and the second forwarding rule is used to send a message of the second resident gateway associated with the W-AGF network element to the first resident gateway; wherein the destination address of the message of the second resident gateway is the address of the first terminal.

In some embodiments, the second forwarding rule includes: a second destination address and a second destination interface, wherein the second destination address is: the address of the first terminal, and the second destination interface is: the interface between the W-AGF network element and the first resident gateway; the device 1500 also includes a third receiving module and a third sending module; the third receiving module is configured to receive a message from the second resident gateway through the interface between the W-AGF network element and the first resident gateway; the third sending module is configured to receive a message from the second resident gateway based on the third receiving module. The address of a terminal is used to send the message from the second resident gateway to the first terminal.

Based on the foregoing embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a message forwarding device, which includes the modules included, and can be implemented by a processor in a session management function network element; of course, it can also be implemented by a specific logic circuit; in the implementation process, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc.

FIG16 shows the composition structure of another message forwarding device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG16 , a message forwarding device 1600 (hereinafter referred to as device 1600) may include: a sending module 1601;

The sending module 1601 is configured to send a first configuration request to the first network element, the first configuration request including an identifier of a first terminal associated with the first network element, the first configuration request being used to request the first network element to configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal, the first forwarding rule being used to send a message from a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message from the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.

In some embodiments, the device 1600 also includes a first acquisition module; the first acquisition module is configured to obtain indication information through the application function AF or the operation support system OSS, and the indication information is used to indicate whether to enable the message forwarding function of the first network element; the sending module 1601 is specifically configured to: when the indication information indicates to enable the message forwarding function of the first network element, send a first configuration request to the first network element.

In some embodiments, the device 1600 also includes a second acquisition module; the second acquisition module is configured to obtain the association relationship between the first terminal and the first network element before sending the first configuration request to the first network element; the sending module 1601 is specifically configured to: determine the first network element based on the association relationship, and then send the first configuration request to the first network element.

The description of the above device embodiment is similar to the description of the above method embodiment, and has similar beneficial effects as the method embodiment. In some embodiments, the functions or modules included in the device provided in the embodiment of the present application can be used to execute the method described in the above method embodiment. For technical details not disclosed in the device embodiment of the present application, please refer to the description of the method embodiment of the present application for understanding.

It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, if the above method is implemented in the form of a software function module and sold or used as an independent product, it can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be essentially or partly reflected in the form of a software product that contributes to the relevant technology. The software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), disk or optical disk, etc., various media that can store program codes. In this way, the embodiments of the present application are not limited to any specific hardware, software or firmware, or any combination of hardware, software, and firmware.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a message forwarding device, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can be executed on the processor, and when the processor executes the program, some or all of the steps in the above method are implemented.

The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which includes: a processor, which is used to call and run a computer program from a memory, so that a device equipped with the chip executes some or all of the steps in the above method.

The embodiment of the present application also provides another chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface, and the processor reads instructions stored in the memory through the communication interface to implement some or all of the steps in the above method. In some embodiments, as an implementation method, the chip also includes a memory, in which a computer program or instruction is stored, and the processor is used to execute the computer program or instruction stored in the memory. When the computer program or instruction is executed, the processor is used to execute some or all of the steps in the above method.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, some or all of the steps in the above method are implemented. The computer-readable storage medium can be transient or non-transient.

An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program, including a computer-readable code. When the computer-readable code is executed in a network element (such as a first network element; or a session management function network element), a processor in the network element (such as a first network element; or a session management function network element) executes some or all of the steps in the above method.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, and when the computer program is read and executed by a computer, some or all of the steps in the above method are implemented. The computer program product can be implemented specifically by hardware, software or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the computer program product is specifically embodied as a computer storage medium, and in other embodiments, the computer program product is specifically embodied as a software product, such as a software development kit (Software Development Kit, SDK), etc.

It should be noted here that the description of the various embodiments above tends to emphasize the differences between the various embodiments, and the same or similar aspects can be referenced to each other. The description of the above device, storage medium, computer program and computer program product embodiments is similar to the description of the above method embodiment, and has similar beneficial effects as the method embodiment. For technical details not disclosed in the embodiments of the device, storage medium, computer program and computer program product of this application, please refer to the description of the method embodiment of this application for understanding.

It should be noted that FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a hardware entity of a message forwarding device in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 17 , the hardware entity of the message forwarding device 1700 includes: a processor 1701, a communication interface 1702, and a memory 1703, wherein:

The processor 1701 generally controls the overall operation of the packet forwarding device 1700 .

The communication interface 1702 enables the message forwarding device 1700 to communicate with other terminals or servers through the network.

The memory 1703 is configured to store instructions and applications executable by the processor 1701, and can also cache data to be processed or processed by the processor 1701 and each module in the message forwarding device 1700 (for example, image data, audio data, voice communication data, and video communication data), which can be implemented by flash memory (FLASH) or random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM). Data can be transmitted between the processor 1701, the communication interface 1702, and the memory 1703 through the bus 1704.

It should be understood that "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mentioned throughout the specification means that specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It should be understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned steps/processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each step/process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application. The serial numbers of the embodiments of the present application are for description only and do not represent the advantages and disadvantages of the embodiments.

It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "include", "comprises" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." does not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the element.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. The device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as: multiple units or components can be combined, or can be integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored, or not executed. In addition, the coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection between the components shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of the devices or units can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The units described above as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units; they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units; some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment.

In addition, all functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may be a separate unit, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit; the above-mentioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of hardware plus software functional units.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the steps of the above method embodiments can be implemented by hardware related to program instructions, and the above program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, the steps of the above method embodiments are executed; and the above storage medium includes: a mobile storage device, a read-only memory (Read Only Memory), and a computer-readable storage medium. Only Memory, ROM), magnetic disks or optical disks, etc., which can store program codes.

Alternatively, if the above-mentioned integrated unit of the present application is implemented in the form of a software function module and sold or used as an independent product, it can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application can essentially or in other words, the part that contributes to the relevant technology can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes a number of instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as mobile storage devices, ROMs, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

The above is only an implementation method of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

A method for forwarding a message, applied to a first network element, the method comprising:

receiving a first configuration request from a session management function network element, wherein the first configuration request includes an identifier of a first terminal associated with the first network element;

In response to the first configuration request, a first forwarding rule for the first terminal is configured, wherein the first forwarding rule is used to send a message from a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message from the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first forwarding rule comprises: a first source interface, a first destination address, and a first destination interface,

The first source interface is an interface between the first network element and the second terminal, the first destination address is an address of the first terminal, and the first destination interface is an interface between the first network element and the first terminal;

The method further comprises:

receiving a message from the second terminal through an interface between the first network element and the second terminal;

Based on the first forwarding rule, the message of the second terminal is sent to the interface between the first network element and the first terminal.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises:

Before configuring a first forwarding rule for the first terminal, determining whether there is a communication link between the first terminal and the first network element;

In a case where a communication link exists between the first terminal and the first network element, the first forwarding rule is configured for the first terminal.
The method according to claim 3, wherein the first network element is any one of the following network elements: a non-3GPP network interaction function N3IWF, a trusted non-3GPP gateway function TNGF, and a resident gateway;

In the case where the first network element is N3IWF or TNGF, the determining whether there is a communication link between the first terminal and the first network element includes: determining whether the N3IWF or the TNGF has established an Internet Security Protocol IPSec channel with the first terminal;

In the case that the first network element is a resident gateway, the determining whether a communication link exists between the first terminal and the first network element includes: determining whether the first terminal is a terminal connected to the resident gateway.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first network element is a first resident gateway, and the method further comprises:

Sending a second configuration request to a wired access gateway function W-AGF network element associated with the first resident gateway, where the second configuration request includes the address of the first terminal, and the second configuration request is used to request the W-AGF network element to configure a second forwarding rule for the first terminal, where the second forwarding rule is used to send a message of a second resident gateway associated with the W-AGF network element to the first resident gateway;

The destination address of the message of the second resident gateway is the address of the first terminal.
The method according to claim 5, wherein the second forwarding rule comprises: a second destination address and a second destination interface,

The second destination address is: the address of the first terminal, and the second destination interface is: the interface between the W-AGF network element and the first resident gateway;

The method further comprises:

receiving a message from the second resident gateway through an interface between the W-AGF network element and the first resident gateway;

Based on the address of the first terminal, the message from the second resident gateway is sent to the first terminal.
A method for forwarding a message, applied to a session management function network element, the method comprising:

sending a first configuration request to a first network element, the first configuration request including an identifier of a first terminal associated with the first network element, the first configuration request being used to request the first network element to configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal, The first forwarding rule is used to send a message of a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal, wherein a destination address of the message of the second terminal is an address of the first terminal.
The method according to claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:

Obtaining indication information through an application function AF or an operation support system OSS, where the indication information is used to indicate whether to enable a message forwarding function of the first network element;

The sending a first configuration request to the first network element includes:

When the indication information indicates to enable the message forwarding function of the first network element, the first configuration request is sent to the first network element.
The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the method further comprises:

Before sending the first configuration request to the first network element, obtaining an association relationship between the first terminal and the first network element;

The first network element is determined based on the association relationship, and the first configuration request is sent to the first network element.
A message forwarding device, the device comprising a first receiving module and a first configuration module; wherein:

The first receiving module is configured to receive a first configuration request from a session management function network element, wherein the first configuration request includes an identifier of a first terminal associated with the device;

The first configuration module is configured to configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal in response to the first configuration request, wherein the first forwarding rule is used to send a message from a second terminal associated with the device to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message from the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.
A message forwarding device, the device comprising a sending module; wherein:

The sending module is configured to send a first configuration request to a first network element, the first configuration request including an identifier of a first terminal associated with the first network element, the first configuration request being used to request the first network element to configure a first forwarding rule for the first terminal, the first forwarding rule being used to send a message of a second terminal associated with the first network element to the first terminal, wherein the destination address of the message of the second terminal is the address of the first terminal.
A message forwarding device, the message forwarding device comprising:

A memory for storing computer executable instructions;

A processor, connected to the memory, for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, or implementing the method of any one of claims 7 to 9 by executing the computer executable instructions.
A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by at least one processor, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, or implements the method of any one of claims 7 to 9.
A computer program product, comprising computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer device, causes the computer device to execute the method of any one of claims 1 to 6, or the method of any one of claims 7 to 9.