CN110365727B

CN110365727B - Communication method and related device

Info

Publication number: CN110365727B
Application number: CN201810313185.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周汉; 李汉成
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-09
Filing date: 2018-04-09
Publication date: 2021-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-09
Also published as: WO2019196811A1; CN110365727A

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and a communication device. The communication method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that a tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from a session management function network element, wherein the first message comprises an identifier of a first terminal, a first group identifier and first address information of a first user plane function network element and is used for requesting to establish a packet data unit session for the first terminal; the tunnel endpoint network element generates a context of the first terminal according to the first message, records a group identifier of the first terminal as a first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and records address information of a user plane function network element of the first terminal as first address information. The communication method and the communication device provided by the application are beneficial to more conveniently managing the address information of the UPF network element on the AN.

Description

Communication method and related device

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and related apparatus.

Background

In a communication system, in a session establishment procedure of a Packet Data Unit (PDU) of a data network (data) accessed by a terminal (user equipment, UE), a Session Management Function (SMF) network element allocates an Internet Protocol (IP) address and an N3 interface IP address of a User Plane Function (UPF) network element to the terminal, where the IP address allocated by the SMF network element to the terminal needs to be assigned to a routing address pool issued by the UPF network element to the outside.

And when the SMF network element learns that the UPF network element fails or is overloaded, the SMF network element selects a new UPF network element capable of replacing the UPF network element, and reestablishes the PDU session of the UE on the failed or overloaded UPF network element on the new UPF network element.

In the process of reestablishing the PDU session, the SMF needs to send a PDU session creation request message and a PDU session update message to a new UPF network element and AN Access Network (AN) of the UE, respectively. The new UPF network element will create the PDU session of UE according to the session creation request message, and the AN will update the IP address of the N3 interface in the UE context according to the PDU session update message.

The SMF element needs to send a PDU session update message to the AN once for each PDU session on the failed or overloaded UPF element to update the IP address of the N3 interface of the UPF element recorded in the UE context. This results in a large signaling overhead.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a communication method and a communication device, which are beneficial to more conveniently managing address information of a user plane function network element.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a method of communication. The communication method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that a tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from a session management function network element, wherein the first message comprises an identifier of a first terminal, a first group identifier and first address information of a first user plane function network element and is used for requesting to establish a packet data unit session for the first terminal; the tunnel endpoint network element generates a context of the first terminal according to the first message, records a group identifier of the first terminal as a first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and records address information of a user plane function network element of the first terminal as first address information.

In the communication method, the tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from the session management function network element, wherein the first message not only includes the address information of the user plane function network element, but also includes the group identification information of the first terminal, which is helpful for more conveniently managing the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal in the subsequent process.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the communication method further includes: the tunnel endpoint network element receives a second message from the session management function network element, wherein the second message comprises a first group identifier and second address information of a second user plane function network element and is used for requesting to modify the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in a first group corresponding to the first group identifier into the second address information; and the tunnel endpoint network element determines the first terminal according to the first group identifier in the second message, and modifies the first address information in the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal into second address information.

In this implementation, the tunnel endpoint network element receives the second message from the session management function network element, and updates the address information of the user plane function network elements of the one or more terminals corresponding to the first group identifier in batch according to the second message, so that the management convenience of the address information of the user plane function network elements of the terminals can be improved.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a third possible implementation manner, the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The communication method comprises the following steps: the tunnel endpoint network element receives a second message from the session management function network element, wherein the second message comprises a first group identifier and second address information of a second user plane function network element and is used for requesting to modify the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in a first group corresponding to the first group identifier into the second address information;

and the tunnel endpoint network element records the address information of the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identification as second address information according to the second message.

In the communication method, the tunnel endpoint network element receives the second message from the session management network element and modifies the address information of the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals into the second address information according to the second message, thereby improving the management convenience of the address information of the user plane function network elements of the terminals.

With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the second message is a packet data unit modification request message.

With reference to the second aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, one or more terminals in the first group include the first terminal.

Before the tunnel endpoint network element receives the second message from the session management function network element, the communication method further includes:

the method comprises the steps that a tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from a session management function network element, wherein the first message comprises an identifier of a first terminal, a first group identifier and first address information of a first user plane function network element and is used for requesting to establish a packet data unit session for the first terminal;

the tunnel endpoint network element generates a context of the first terminal according to the first message, records a group identifier of the first terminal as a first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and records address information of a user plane function network element of the first terminal as first address information.

The tunnel endpoint network element records, as second address information, address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier, according to the second message, and includes:

and the tunnel endpoint network element modifies the first address information in the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal into second address information according to the second message.

In this implementation, the tunnel endpoint network element first receives the first group identifier of the first terminal from the session management function network element, which is helpful for the tunnel endpoint network element to update the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals corresponding to the first group identifier to the second address information according to the second message.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner, the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

In a third aspect, a method of communication is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps: a session management function network element determines that a packet data unit session needs to be created for a first terminal; a session management function network element acquires a first user plane function network element of a first terminal; a session management function network element acquires a first group identifier of a first terminal; the session management function network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes an identifier of the first terminal, a first group identifier, and first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

In the communication method, the session management function network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, wherein the first message not only includes the address information of the user plane function network element, but also includes the group identification information of the first terminal, which is helpful for more conveniently managing the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal in the subsequent process.

With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

With reference to the third aspect or the first possible implementation, in a second possible implementation, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the first group identifier of the first terminal includes:

a session management function network element acquires address information of a first terminal;

the session management function network element determines that the address of the first terminal belongs to a first address segment according to the address information of the first terminal;

and the session management function network element determines the first group identification according to the first address field.

With reference to the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the first group identifier of the first terminal includes:

the session management function network element receives first indication information from the first user plane function network element, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating that the group identifier of the first terminal is a first group identifier;

and the session management function network element determines the first group identifier according to the first indication information.

With reference to the third aspect or any one of the first to third possible implementation manners, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the communication method further includes:

the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane function network element;

a session management function network element acquires a first group identifier, wherein the first group identifier corresponds to a first address field;

and the session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, wherein the second message comprises a first group identifier and second address information of a second user plane function network element and is used for requesting to modify the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in a first group corresponding to the first group identifier into the second address information.

In this implementation, the session management function network element sends the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, so that the tunnel endpoint network element can update, in batch, the address information of the user plane function network elements of the one or more terminals corresponding to the first group identifier according to the second message, thereby improving the management convenience of the address information of the user plane function network elements of the terminals.

With reference to the fourth possible implementation manner, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

With reference to the fourth or fifth possible implementation manner, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the first group identifier includes: and the session management function network element determines a first group identifier corresponding to the first address field according to the first address field.

With reference to the fourth or fifth possible implementation manner, in a seventh possible implementation manner, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the first group identifier includes: the session management function network element determines a group identifier recorded in the context of the first terminal as a first group identifier.

With reference to any one of the fourth to seventh possible implementation manners, in an eighth possible implementation manner, the method for a session management function network element to know that a user plane function network element associated with a first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane function network element includes:

and the session management function network element determines that the user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane function network element according to the load information of the user plane function network element currently associated with the first address field.

With reference to any one of the fourth to seventh possible implementation manners, in a ninth possible implementation manner, the method for a session management function network element to learn that a user plane function network element associated with a first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane function network element includes:

the session management function network element receives second indication information from the first network element, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be changed into a second user plane function network element;

and the session management function network element determines that the user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be changed into a second user plane function network element according to the second indication information.

The first network element may be a network function storage network element or an operation management and maintenance system network element.

With reference to any one of the fourth to ninth possible implementation manners, in a tenth possible implementation manner, the first address segment corresponds to a plurality of group identifiers, and the plurality of group identifiers includes the first group identifier.

In a fourth aspect, a method of communication is provided. The communication method comprises the following steps:

In the communication method, the session management function network element sends the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, so that the tunnel endpoint network element can modify the address information of the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals into the second address information according to the second message, thereby improving the management convenience of the address information of the user plane function network elements of the terminals.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the second message is a packet data unit modification request message.

With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, the acquiring, by a session management function network element, a first group identifier includes:

and the session management function network element determines the first group identifier corresponding to the first address field according to the first address field.

With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner, the acquiring, by a session management function network element, a first group identifier includes:

the session management function network element determines a group identifier recorded in the context of the first terminal as a first group identifier.

With reference to the fourth aspect or any one of the first to the third possible implementation manners, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the method for a session management function network element to know that a user plane function network element associated with a first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane function network element includes:

With reference to the fourth aspect or any one of the first to the third possible implementation manners, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the method for a session management function network element to learn that a user plane function network element associated with a first address segment needs to be modified to a second user plane function network element includes:

With reference to the fourth aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the one or more terminals in the first group include a first terminal.

Before the session management function network element sends the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the communication method further includes:

a session management function network element determines that a packet data unit session needs to be created for a first terminal;

a session management function network element acquires a first user plane function network element of a first terminal;

the session management function network element acquires the first group identifier of the first terminal;

the session management function network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes an identifier of the first terminal, a first group identifier, and first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

In this implementation, the session management function network element first sends the first group identifier of the first terminal to the tunnel endpoint network element, which is helpful for the tunnel endpoint network element to update the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals corresponding to the first group identifier to the second address information according to the second message.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner, in a seventh possible implementation manner, the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner or the seventh possible implementation manner, in an eighth possible implementation manner, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the first group identifier of the first terminal includes:

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner or the seventh possible implementation manner, in a ninth possible implementation manner, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the first group identifier of the first terminal includes:

With reference to the fourth aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a tenth possible implementation manner, the first address segment corresponds to a plurality of group identifiers, and the plurality of group identifiers includes the first group identifier.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a method of communication. The communication method comprises the following steps: a user plane function network element determines address information of a first terminal; the user plane functional network element determines a first group identifier of the first terminal according to the address information of the first terminal, and a corresponding relation exists between a first address segment to which the address of the first terminal belongs and the first group identifier; and the user plane function network element sends the first group identification to the session management function network element.

In the communication method, the user plane functional network element allocates the group identifier to the first terminal, which is helpful for conveniently managing the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal according to the first group identifier of the first terminal in the subsequent process.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first address segment corresponds to a plurality of group identifiers, and the plurality of group identifiers include the first group identifier.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a method of communication. The communication method comprises the following steps: the first network element determines that the terminal in the first address field is served by a second user plane functional network element; and the first network element sends second indication information to the session management function network element, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the terminal in the first address field is served by the second user plane function network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the determining, by the first network element, that the terminal in the first address segment is served by the second user plane function network element includes: and the first network element determines that the terminal in the first address field is served by the second user plane functional network element according to the load information of the second user plane functional network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in two possible implementation manners, the first network element is a network function storage network element or an operation management and maintenance system network element.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The communication method comprises the following steps:

the first network element receives a third message sent by the session management function network element;

the first network element acquires that a user plane functional network element is online;

the first network element allocates a TEID segment for the user plane function network element, and sends a fourth message to the session management function network element, wherein the fourth message comprises the TEID segment.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the allocating, by the first network element, a TEID segment to the user plane function network element includes:

and the first network element allocates a corresponding TEID segment for the session management function network element subscribing the state of the user plane function network element.

With reference to the seventh aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, the third message is a user plane function network element status subscription message, and the fourth message is a user plane function network element status notification message.

With reference to the seventh aspect or the first or second possible implementation manner, in three possible implementation manners, the first network element is a network function storage network element or an operation management and maintenance system network element.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication apparatus comprises means for performing the communication method of any one of the first to seventh aspects. The communication device comprises modules which can be implemented by software and/or hardware.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a tunnel endpoint network element. The tunnel endpoint network element includes a processor and a receiver. The processor is used for executing the program. The processor and the receiver implement the communication method in the first aspect or the second aspect when the processor executes the code.

Optionally, the tunnel endpoint network element may further include a sender. The transmitter is used for transmitting information.

Optionally, the tunnel endpoint network element may further include a memory. The memory is used for storing programs and data.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a session management function network element. The session management function network element includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is used for executing the program. The processor and the transceiver implement the communication method in the third aspect or the fourth aspect when the processor executes the code.

Optionally, the session management function network element may further include a memory. The memory is used for storing programs and data.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a user plane function network element. The user plane functional network element includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is used for executing the program. The processor and the transceiver implement the communication method in the fifth aspect when the processor executes the code.

Optionally, the user plane function network element may further include a memory. The memory is used for storing programs and data.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication network element. The communication network element includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is used for executing the program. The processor and the transceiver implement the communication method in the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect when the processor executes the code.

Optionally, the communication network element may further comprise a memory. The memory is used for storing programs and data.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium has stored therein program code for execution by a communication device or a tunnel endpoint network element. The program code includes instructions for performing the communication method in the first aspect or the second aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium has stored therein program code for execution by a communication device or a session management function network element. The program code includes instructions for performing the communication method in the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium has stored therein program code for execution by a communication device or a user plane function network element. The program code includes instructions for executing the communication method in the fifth aspect.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer readable storage medium has stored therein program code for execution by a communication device or a communication network element. The program code includes instructions for executing the communication method in the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect.

In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions. The computer program product, when run on a communication device or a tunnel endpoint network element, causes the communication device or the tunnel endpoint network element to perform the communication method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions. The computer program product, when run on a communication device or a session management function network element, causes the communication device or the session management function network element to perform the communication method of the third or fourth aspect.

In a nineteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions. The computer program product, when run on a communication device or a user plane functional network element, causes the communication device or the user plane functional network element to perform the communication method of the fifth aspect.

In a twentieth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions. The computer program product, when run on a communication apparatus or a communication network element, causes the communication apparatus or the communication network element to perform the communication method of the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect.

In a twenty-first aspect, the present application provides a system chip, where the system chip includes an input/output interface, at least one processor, at least one memory, and a bus, where the at least one memory is used to store instructions, and the at least one processor is used to call the instructions of the at least one memory to perform the operations of the communication method in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

In a twenty-second aspect, the present application provides a communication system comprising at least one of: a tunnel endpoint network element in the ninth aspect, a session management function network element in the tenth aspect, a user plane function network element in the eleventh aspect, and a communication network element in the twelfth aspect.

In a possible design, the communication system may further include other devices, such as a terminal device, interacting with the network element in the solution provided in this embodiment of the present application.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system to which the communication method of the embodiment of the present application can be applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a communication method of one embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a communication method of another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a communication method of another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a communication method of another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a communication method of another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a communication method of another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a communication method of another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solution in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system to which the communication method of the embodiment of the present application can be applied. The communication system shown in fig. 1 may include a terminal device 110, an access network device 120, an access and mobility management function network element 130, a session management function network element 140, a user plane function network element 151, a user plane function network element 152, and a data network 160.

Optionally, the communication system shown in fig. 1 may further include a network function storage function network element 170, and an operation management and maintenance system network element 180.

The network consisting of the access and mobility management function network element 130, the session management function network element 140, the user plane function network element 151 and the user plane function network element 152 may be referred to as a core network. Among them, the session management function network element 140 may manage a plurality of user plane function network elements, such as a user plane function network element 151 and a user plane function network element 152.

The terminal device may communicate with one or more core networks via the AN device. A terminal device may be called an access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless network device, user agent, or user equipment. The terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device or internet of things, a vehicle network, a terminal device in a smart city or smart home, a terminal device in any form in a future network, and the like. The terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface (such as a ship and the like); and may also be deployed in the air (e.g., airplanes, balloons, satellites, etc.).

AN Access Network (AN) device may be a Radio Access Network (RAN) device. One example of a RAN device is a Base Station (BS).

A base station, which may also be referred to as a base station device, is a device that accesses a terminal device to a wireless network, including but not limited to: a Transmission Reception Point (TRP), a 5G node B (gnb), an evolved node B (eNB), a Radio Network Controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a Base Station Controller (BSC), a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B), an HNB base unit (BBU), or a Wifi Access Point (AP), or a small cell base equipment (pico), etc.

It should be understood that the specific type of base station is not limited herein. In systems using different radio access technologies, the names of devices with base station functionality may vary. For convenience of description, in all embodiments of the present application, the above-mentioned apparatuses providing a terminal with a wireless communication function are collectively referred to as a base station.

The user plane functional network element has the functions of message forwarding, packaging, statistics and the like of the terminal equipment. In 5G, the user plane function network element may be a UPF network element. In future communication systems, for example, in 6G, the user plane function network element may still be a UPF network element, or may have other names, and this application is not limited thereto.

And the access and mobility management function network element is responsible for the access and mobility management of the terminal equipment. For example, it is responsible for updating the location of the terminal device, registering the terminal device with the network, switching the terminal device, and so on. In 5G, the access and mobility management function network element may be an amf (access and mobility management function) network element. In future communication systems, for example, in 6G, the access and mobility management function network element may still be an AMF network element, or may have another name, and the present application is not limited thereto.

The session management function network element is responsible for selection and reselection of the user plane function network element, allocation of an Internet Protocol (IP) address, and the like, and may also be responsible for establishment, modification, release, and the like of a session. In 5G, the session management function network element may be an SMF network element. In future communication systems, for example, in 6G, the session management function network element may still be an SMF network element, or may have another name, and the present application is not limited thereto.

The network function storage function network element is responsible for the registration of the control plane function network element and the user plane function network element, the service discovery and other functions. In 5G, the network function storage function network element may be an nrf (network function relocation) network element. In future communication systems, for example, in 6G, the network function storage function network element may still be an NRF network element, or may have another name, and the present application is not limited thereto.

The operation management and maintenance system network element is responsible for the operation, management and maintenance functions of each network element. In 5G, the operation administration and maintenance system network element may be an oam (operations administration and maintenance) network element. In future communication systems, for example, in 6G, the operation administration and maintenance system network element may still be an OAM network element, or may have another name, and the present application is not limited thereto.

The data network refers to an operator network that provides a data transmission service for the terminal device. For example, the data network may be a network providing services such as IP Multimedia Services (IMS), internet services, etc. In 5G, the data network may be a dn (data network). In future communication systems, for example, in 6G, the data network may still be referred to as DN, or may have another name, which is not limited in this application.

It is understood that the above functions may be either network elements in a hardware device, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the system architecture shown in fig. 1. For example, a communication system to which the communication method of the embodiments of the present application may be applied may include more or fewer network elements or devices. The devices or network elements in fig. 1 may be hardware, or may be functionally divided software, or a combination of the two. The devices or network elements in fig. 1 may communicate with each other through other devices or network elements. Alternatively, the devices in FIG. 1 may have other names.

In the communication system shown in fig. 1, during the PDU session establishment procedure of the terminal device 110, the session management function network element 140 may send the N3 interface IP address of the user plane function network element 151 to the access network device 120, so that the access network device 120 sends the service data of the terminal device 10 to the user plane function network element 151 according to the N3 interface IP address.

When the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element 151 is faulty or overloaded, the session management function network element 140 may select the user plane function network element 152 to replace the user plane function network element 151. And, the session management function network element 140 will send the N3 interface IP address of the user plane function network element 152 to the access network device 120 once through the access and mobility management function network element 130 for each PDU session on the user plane function network element 151.

This method of updating the IP address of the N3 interface of the user plane function network element may reduce the convenience of the session management function network element 140 in managing the address information of the user plane function network element on the access network device 120.

In view of the above problem, the present application provides a communication method, which is helpful for more conveniently managing address information of a user plane function network element on an access network device.

Based on the system architecture of fig. 1, a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown in fig. 2. The communication method shown in fig. 2 includes S201, S202, S203, S204, and S205.

S201, the session management function network element determines that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal.

The session management function network element may be the session management function network element 140 in fig. 1. The first terminal may be terminal device 110 in fig. 1.

For example, when the first terminal sends a PDU session setup request message to the session management function network element, the session management function network element may determine that a PDU session needs to be created for the first terminal.

S202, the session management function network element obtains the first user plane function network element of the first terminal.

The first user plane function network element may be the user plane function network element 151 or the user plane function network element 152 in fig. 1.

The session management function network element learns the first user plane function network element of the first terminal, which can be understood as: the session management function network element learns that the first terminal service user interface function network element can be the first user plane function network element at present. In this step, reference may be made to an implementation manner in which a session management function network element selects a user plane function network element in the prior art, which is not described herein again.

S203, the session management function network element obtains the first group identifier of the first terminal.

The first group identity is a group identity of at least one terminal. The at least one terminal includes a first terminal. At least one terminal may also be referred to as one or more terminals.

The session management function network element obtains the first group identifier of the first terminal, which can be understood as: the session management function network element learns that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier.

In some possible implementations, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the first group identity of the first terminal may include: the session management function network element itself allocates the first group identifier to the first terminal.

For example, the session management function network element obtains address information of the first terminal; the session management function network element determines that the address of the first terminal belongs to a first address segment according to the address information of the first terminal; and the session management function network element determines a first group identifier according to the first address field, and the first address field and the first group identifier have a corresponding relation. This implementation will be described later in connection with fig. 4.

The address of the first terminal may be allocated to the first terminal by the session management function network element, or may be sent to the SMF network element after being allocated to the first terminal by another network element.

In other possible implementations, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the first group identifier of the first terminal may include: a user plane function network element (e.g., a first user plane function network element) allocates a first group identifier to a first terminal, and sends first indication information to a session management function network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that a group identifier of the first terminal is a first group identifier; and the session management function network element receives the first indication information from the user plane function network element and determines a first group identifier of the first terminal according to the first indication information. This implementation will be described later in connection with fig. 5.

S204, the session management function network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes an identifier of the first terminal, a first group identifier, and first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal. Accordingly, the tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from the session management function network element.

A Tunnel Endpoint (TE) network element may be access network device 120 in fig. 1, or may be user plane functional network element 151 or user plane functional network element 152 in fig. 1.

The identifier of the terminal is used for identifying the terminal, and the specific form is not limited. For example, the identifier of the terminal may be in the form of an N2 connection identifier, an IMSI, an external identifier of the terminal, an internal identifier of the terminal, a permanent identifier of the terminal, or a temporary identifier of the terminal, etc. It will be appreciated that different network element devices may translate the form of the identity of the terminal, but different forms of the identity of the terminal may be used to identify the terminal. That is, regardless of the form of conversion, an identifier that can distinguish the terminal from other terminals may be referred to as an identifier of the terminal.

The first address information of the first user plane function network element may be N3 interface IP address information of the first user plane function network element.

The first message may be a PDU session initiation request message (PDU session initiation request message).

S205, the tunnel endpoint network element generates a context of the first terminal according to the first message, and records a group identifier of the first terminal as a first group identifier and records address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal as first address information in the context of the first terminal.

The context of the first terminal may be a session context of the first terminal.

In this embodiment, the session management function network element notifies the tunnel endpoint network element of the address information of the first user plane function network element that can currently serve the first terminal through the first message, so that the tunnel endpoint network element can transmit service data for the first terminal according to the address information. In addition, the session management function network element notifies the tunnel endpoint network element of the first group identifier allocated to the first terminal through the first message, which is helpful for the session management function network element to manage the address information of the user plane function network element serving the first terminal according to the first group identifier of the first terminal in the subsequent process.

A schematic flow chart of a communication method of another embodiment of the present application is shown in fig. 3. The communication method shown in fig. 3 includes S301, S302, S303, and S304.

S301, the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane function network element.

For example, the session management function network element 140 knows that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified or updated from the user plane function network element 151 to the user plane function network element 152.

In some possible implementation manners, the knowing, by the session management function network element, that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element may include: the session management function network element receives second indication information from the first network element, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be changed into a second user plane function network element; and the session management function network element determines that the user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be changed into a second user plane function network element according to the second indication information. This implementation will be described later in connection with fig. 6 or fig. 7.

The first network element may be the network function storage function network element 170 in fig. 1, such as an NRF network element; or may be an operations administration and maintenance system network element 180. Such as OAM network elements.

In another possible implementation manner, the knowing, by the session management function network element, that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element may include: and the session management function network element determines that the user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane function network element according to the load information of the user plane function network element currently associated with the first address field. Fig. 6 may be referred to for this implementation, and details are not repeated here.

S302, the session management function network element obtains a first group identifier, where the first group identifier corresponds to the first address field.

In some possible implementations, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the first group identifier may include: and the session management function network element determines a first group identifier corresponding to the first address field according to the first address field.

That is to say, after the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified into the second user plane function network element in S301, the first group identifier corresponding to the first address segment may be determined according to the corresponding relationship between the first group identifier and the first address segment.

In another possible implementation manner, the acquiring, by the session management function network element, the first group identifier may include: the session management function network element determines a group identifier recorded in the context of the first terminal as a first group identifier.

For example, after the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified into the second user plane function network element in S301, the session management function network element may send a PDU session creation request message to the second user plane function network element, where the PDU session creation request message is used to request the second user plane function network element to create a PDU session of the first terminal in the first address segment. And the second user plane functional network element creates the PDU session for the first terminal according to the PDU session creation request message and then returns a PDU session creation response message to the session management functional network element. And the session management functional network element inquires the session context of the first terminal according to the PDU session creation response message, and determines the group identifier recorded in the session context of the first terminal as the first group identifier. This implementation will be described later in connection with fig. 6 or fig. 7.

It should be understood that the group identifier corresponding to the first address field may be one or more. When the group identifier corresponding to the first address field is one, the group identifier is the first group identifier; when the group identifier corresponding to the first address field is multiple, the multiple group identifiers include the first group identifier.

S303, the session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request to modify the address information of the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier into the second address information. Accordingly, the tunnel endpoint network element receives the second message from the session management function network element.

The tunnel endpoint network element may be access network device 120 in fig. 1, or may be user plane function network element 151 or user plane function network element 152 in fig. 1.

The second address information of the second user plane function network element may be N3 interface IP address information of the second user plane function network element.

The group identity may be referred to as a first group identity.

The second message may be a PDU session modification request message (PDU session modification request message).

And S304, the tunnel endpoint network element records the address information of the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier as second address information according to the second message.

Or, it can be said that, according to the second message, the tunnel endpoint network element modifies or updates, to the second address information, the address information of the user plane function network element recorded in the context of the one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier.

In this embodiment of the application, the session management function network element sends the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, so that the address information of the user plane function network element of the one or more terminals corresponding to the first group identifier can be updated, which is beneficial to improving the convenience of the session management function network element in managing the address information of the user plane function network element.

In addition, when the first group identifier corresponds to a plurality of terminals, the session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, so that the address information of the user plane function network element of the plurality of terminals can be updated, and the signaling overhead can be saved.

In the communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, the communication method shown in fig. 2 may be executed first, and then the communication method shown in fig. 3 may be executed. Or, the communication method shown in fig. 2 may be executed first, and the tunnel endpoint network element is notified that the group identifier allocated to the first terminal is the first group identifier, and then the communication method shown in fig. 3 is executed, and the tunnel port network element is notified that the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals (including the first terminal) in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier needs to be modified to the address information of the second user plane function network element. This enables the session management function network element to manage the address information of the user plane function network elements of all the terminals corresponding to the first group identifier through one second message. In addition, signaling overhead can be saved.

Taking the session management function network element as AN SMF network element, the tunnel endpoint network element as AN device, the first user plane function network element as AN UPF network element, and the first terminal as a UE, a communication method when the session management function network element itself allocates the first group identifier to the first terminal is described with reference to fig. 4.

S401, UE sends a PDU session creation request message to an SMF network element, wherein the PDU session creation request message is used for creating a PDU session of a user, and the PDU session creation request message carries DNN information of a first terminal.

S402, the SMF network element sends an N4session establishment request message (N4session establishment request message) to the UPF network element, wherein the N4session establishment request message is used for the UPF network element to establish the PDU session.

S403, the UPF network element returns an N4session establishment response message (N4session establishment response message) to the SMF network element, where the N4session establishment response message is used for the UPF network element to respond to the creation result of the PDU session.

S404, the SMF network element distributes a group mark for the PDU conversation of the terminal according to the address information of the PDU conversation of the UE. The address information of the PDU session of the UE may be referred to as the address information of the UE for short, and the group identifier of the PDU session of the UE may be referred to as the group identifier of the UE for short.

The address of the UE may be allocated by the SMF network element, or may be sent to the SMF network element after being allocated by another network element. For example, the SMF network element may allocate an address to the UE according to the DNN information acquired in S401. For example, the NRF network element or the UPF network element allocates an address to the UE according to the DNN information of the UE, and then sends the address to the SMF network element.

An exemplary implementation manner of the SMF network element allocating the group identifier to the PDU session of the UE according to the address information of the PDU session of the UE may include: the SMF network element determines an address field to which the address of the UE belongs according to the address information of the UE, wherein the determined address field is a first address field; the SMF network element inquires whether a group identifier corresponding to the first address field exists or not; if the group identifier exists, the SMF network element selects the group identifier corresponding to the first address field as the group identifier of the UE, and the group identifier corresponding to the first address field is the first group identifier; if not, the SMF network element allocates a new group identifier to the first address field, and the group identifier is used as the group identifier of the UE, and the group identifier is the first group identifier.

The SMF network element may allocate one or more group identifiers to the PDU sessions of the terminals in the same address field.

S405, the SMF network element sends a request message for creating the N2PDU session to the AN equipment, the message carries the first group identification and the address information of the UPF network element,

for example, the message carries the first group identifier and the IP address information of the N3 interface of the UPF network element.

S406, after receiving the N2PDU session creation request message, the AN device creates a session context (abbreviated as context) of the UE, and stores the first group identifier and the address information of the UPF network element in the context of the UE.

When the group identifier of the UE is allocated by the UPF network element, one possible implementation method may include: and the UPF network element distributes the group identification for the UE according to the address information of the UE and the information of the SMF network element where the UE is located.

For example, the UPF network element obtains the address information of the UE and the information of the SMF network element where the UE is located; determining an address field, namely a first address field, to which the address of the UE belongs according to the address information of the UE; inquiring whether a group identifier corresponding to the first address field and the SMF network element exists or not; if the group identifier exists, selecting the group identifier as the group identifier of the UE, namely a first group identifier; if not, the UPF network element distributes a group identifier, namely a first group identifier, to the terminal of the first address segment, and uses the first group identifier as the group identifier of the UE.

S407, the AN equipment forwards a NAS PDU session establishment confirmation message (PDU session acknowledgement ACK message) to the UE, and confirms the establishment result of the PDU session to the UE.

S408, the AN returns AN N2PDU session creation request response message (PDU session solicit ACK message) to the SMF network element, and feeds back the creation result of the PDU session to the SMF network element.

The address of the UE may be allocated by the UPF network element UE, or may be allocated by the SMF network element to the UE.

After the UPF network element allocates the first group identifier to the UE, the SMF network element may be notified: the group identity of the UE is a first group identity.

Taking the session management function network element as AN SMF network element, the tunnel endpoint network element as AN device, the first user plane function network element as AN UPF network element, and the first terminal as a UE, with reference to fig. 5, a communication method when the first user plane function network element allocates the first group identifier to the first terminal is described.

S501, UE sends PDU conversation establishment request information to SMF network element, the information carries DNN information.

S502, the SMF network element sends an N4session establishment request message to the UPF network element.

S503, the UPF network element allocates a group identifier for the PDU session of the UE according to the address information of the PDU session of the UE and the information (for example, the address information of the SMF network element) of the SMF network element where the UE is located. The address information of the PDU session of the UE may be referred to as the address information of the UE for short, and the group identifier of the PDU session of the UE may be referred to as the group identifier of the UE for short.

The address information of the PDU session of the UE may be allocated by the UPF network element to the UE, or may be sent to the UPF network element after being allocated by another network element (e.g., an SMF network element).

The allocating, by the UPF network element, the group identifier to the UE may include: the UPF network element determines an address field (namely a first address field) where the address of the UE is located according to the address information of the UE, and inquires whether a group identifier corresponding to the first address field and the SMF network element where the UE is located exists; if the group identifier (namely the first group identifier) exists, the UPF network element selects the group identifier (namely the first group identifier) as the group identifier of the UE; if not, the UPF network element allocates a new group identifier (i.e. the first group identifier) to the UE.

The UPF network element may allocate one or more group identifiers to terminals in the same SMF and in the same address field.

S504, the UPF network element sends a session establishment response message of N4 to the SMF network element, wherein the message carries first indication information, and the first indication information indicates the first group identifier allocated by the UPF network element for the UE.

That is, the SMF network element obtains the first group identity of the UE from the UPF network element.

S505, the SMF network element sends a N2PDU session creation request message to the AN device, where the message carries the first group identifier and the IP address of the N3 interface of the UPF (i.e. the first address information of the first UPF network element).

S506, after receiving the N2PDU session establishing message, the AN device establishes the session context of the UE, and stores the first group identification and the IP address of the N3 interface of the UPF network element in the session context of the UE.

S507, the AN equipment sends a session creation confirmation message of the NAS message PDU to the UE.

S508, the AN returns a PDU session request confirmation message to the SMF.

In the following, taking the first network element as AN NRF network element, the second user plane functional network element as AN UPF network element, the tunnel endpoint network element as AN apparatus, the session management functional network element as AN SMF network element, the second indication information as AN UPF status notification message, and the second message as a PDU session modification request message as AN example, with reference to fig. 5, a communication method when the first network element determines that the user plane functional network element of the first terminal needs to be modified into the second user plane functional network element is introduced.

S601, the SMF network element sends a UPF status subscribed (UPF status subscribed) message to the NRF network element to subscribe to the status of the UPF network element, where the UPF status subscribed message includes DNN information.

The state of the UPF network element may include a load state of the UPF network element, and the like. The step of including the DNN information in the UPF status subscription message means subscribing to the status of the UPF network element that supports the DNN information.

S602, after detecting that the state of the corresponding UPF network element is changed according to the UPF state subscription message, the NRF network element sends a UPF state notification (UPF status notify) message to the SMF network element, where the message may include an association relationship between an address segment (i.e. the first address segment) of a terminal that the UPF network element (i.e. the second UPF network element) can serve and an identifier (e.g. the UPF ID) of the second UPF network element, so as to notify that the UPF network element supporting the DNN becomes the second UPF network element.

S603, after the SMF network element learns from S602 that the UPF network element associated with the first address segment is changed to the second UPF network element, the SMF network element may decide to migrate the PDU session of the terminal of the first address segment to the second UPF network element.

S604, the SMF network element sends a PDU session creation request message to the UPF, and the PDU session of the terminal in the first address field is rebuilt on the UPF.

And S605, the UPF network element returns a PDU session establishment response message to the SMF network element.

S606, the SMF network element sends a PDU session modification message to the AN equipment. The PDU session modification message carries the N3 interface IP address (i.e., the second address information) of the 6UPF network element and the first group identity of the UE.

S607, after receiving the PDU session modification request message, the AN device learns the first group ID and the N3 interface address of the UPF, and updates the N3 interface IP addresses in the context of one or more terminals containing the first group ID in batch according to the first group ID in the message.

Optionally, after the SMF network element completes the PDU session migration of the terminal in the first address segment, a user migration completion notification message may be returned to the NRF network element. If the migration is caused by the overload of the UPF network element, the NRF network element can inform the UPF of enabling the routing of the address field of the UE after obtaining the user migration completion notification message. That is, the priority of the first address segment route on the second UPF is set to high priority.

It is to be understood that the step of configuring the routing priority of the first address segment may also be performed by the SMF network element.

It should be understood that S601 and S602 are optional steps in the communication method shown in fig. 6. For example, in a simple networking scenario, the SMF may determine to migrate the PDU session of the terminal of the first address segment to the second UPF network element.

It should be understood that the notification of completion of user migration sent by SMF to NRF network element may be omitted if it is migration due to failure of source UPF network element. After the source UPF failure event is obtained by the NRF or SMF, the UE address segment on the source UPF is routed enabled on the target UPF.

In the following, a communication method when the first network element determines that the user plane functional network element of the first terminal needs to be modified into the second user plane functional network element is described with reference to fig. 6, by taking the first network element as an OAM network element, the first user plane functional network element as a first UPF network element, the second user plane functional network element as a second UPF network element, the session management functional network element as an SMF network element, and the second indication information as an UPF status notification message as an example.

S701, the first UPF network element reports the load information of the first address field of the first UPF network element service to the OAM network element according to the address field granularity.

The first UPF network element may be referred to as a source UPF network element serving the terminal within the first address segment.

S702, if the OAM network element detects that the first UPF is overloaded or failed, then it decides to migrate the PDU session of the terminal in the first address segment on the first UPF to the second UPF network element.

The OAM network element may select the second UPF according to the load information of the second UPF network element.

And after determining the second UPF network element, the OAM configures the first address field information to the second UPF network element.

And S703, the second UPF initiates a registration update message to the NRF network element. And carrying the association relationship between the first address field and the identifier of the second UPF network element in the registration updating message.

S704, the NRF network element sends a UPF state notification message to the SMF network element, wherein the message carries the association relation between the first address segment and the identifier of the second UPF network element.

Optionally, the message may also carry an identifier of the first UPF network element.

S705, the SMF network element performs an address segment migration procedure. For example, S603 to S607 shown in fig. 6.

S706, the SMF network element notifies the NRF network element that the PDU session migration of the terminal in the first address segment is completed.

S707, after the NRF network element learns that the PDU session migration is completed from the SMF network element, the NRF network element may send the first address segment route enable to the second UPF network element, that is, the priority of the first address segment route is set to be the high priority.

S708, after S707 is completed, the NRF network element sends a first address segment disable message to the first UPF network element, that is, the priority of the first address segment route is configured to be a low priority.

It is understood that S706 may not be performed if it is a migration caused by a first UPF failure. S707 and S608 may be performed after S703.

As shown in fig. 7, in the communication method, the OAM network element determines the migration of the address segment according to the real-time load of the UPF network element, and when a networking mode with a number ratio of N: M is adopted between the SMF network element and the UPF network element, the SMF network element determines the migration of the address segment by itself, which is helpful to avoid the decision conflict caused by the inconsistency of the policies of different SMF network elements.

In this embodiment of the application, when the first network element determines that the user plane function network element of the first terminal needs to be modified into the second user plane function network element, if the first network element is the network function storage function network element, the network function storage function network element may further allocate a Tunnel End Identity (TEID) segment (range) of the user plane function network element to the session management function network element. After the session management function network element obtains the TEID segment of the user plane function network element, the TEID segment can be included in the complete TEID when the TEID is allocated to the terminal, thereby ensuring that TEID values allocated by different SMF network elements do not conflict on the same user plane function network element.

In the following, taking the first network element as an NRF network element, the session management function network element as an SMF network element, and the user plane function network element as an UPF network element as an example, with reference to fig. 8, a communication method when the network function storage function network element allocates the TEID segment of the user plane function network element to the session management function network element is described.

And S801, triggering the UPF instance to be on line by the OAM network element system. The UPF instance is the UPF network element.

S802, after the UPF instance is on line, the UPF instance initiates registration to the NRF network element. The registration message includes IDs of DNN and UPF.

And S803, the SMF network element sends UPF status subscription information to the NRF network element, and the information carries DNN.

This step page may occur before the steps S801 and S802.

S804, the NRF network element allocates the TEID segment of the UPF instance. The NRF network element may allocate the TEID field according to the number of SMF instances subscribing to the UPF instance state.

For example, if there are two SMF instances subscribed to the UPF instance state, the NRF assigns two TEID segments to the UPF.

And S805, the NRF network element sends the allocated TEID segment to the SMF network element subscribed to the UPF instance state.

After the SMF network element obtains the TEID segment of the UPF instance, when the SMF network element allocates the TEID for the UE, the TEID segment is contained in the complete TEID, thereby ensuring that TEID values allocated by different SMF network elements do not conflict on the same UPF network element. Therefore, the TEID values on different UPF network elements can be ensured not to be the same in the subsequent UPF network element migration process, so as to avoid generating conflict.

Fig. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the communication device 900 shown in fig. 9 is merely an example,

the communication device 900 may include a receiving module 910 and a processing module 920.

The communication apparatus 900 may be configured to perform the steps performed by the tunnel endpoint network element or the AN device in the communication method shown in any one of fig. 2 to 8. At this time, AN example of the communication apparatus 900 is a tunnel endpoint network element or AN apparatus.

For example, the receiving module 910 is configured to receive a first message from a session management function network element, where the first message includes an identifier of a first terminal, a first group identifier, and first address information of a first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

The processing module 920 is configured to generate a context of the first terminal according to the first message, record a group identifier of the first terminal as a first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and record address information of a user plane function network element of the first terminal as first address information.

Optionally, the receiving module 910 is further configured to receive a second message from the session management function network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request to modify, into the second address information, address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier.

The processing module 920 is further configured to determine the first terminal according to the first group identifier in the second message, and modify the first address information in the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal into the second address information.

For example, the receiving module 910 is configured to receive a second message from a session management function network element, where the second message includes a first group identifier and second address information of a second user plane function network element, and is used to request to modify, into the second address information, address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in a first group corresponding to the first group identifier.

A processing module 920, configured to record, according to the second message, address information of a user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier as the second address information.

Optionally, the one or more terminals in the first group comprise a first terminal.

Accordingly, the receiving module 910 is further configured to: before receiving the second message from the session management function network element, receiving a first message from the session management function network element, where the first message includes an identifier of the first terminal, a first group identifier, and first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

The processing module 920 is further configured to generate a context of the first terminal according to the first message, record a group identifier of the first terminal as a first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and record address information of a user plane function network element of the first terminal as first address information.

The processing module 920 is specifically configured to modify, according to the second message, first address information in address information of a user plane function network element of the first terminal into second address information.

In the communication apparatus 900, an example of the receiving module 910 is a receiver, and an example of the processing module 920 is a processor.

When the receiving module 910 is a receiver, the communication device 900 may further include a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be integrated together, referred to as a transceiver, and the transmitter is used to transmit information.

When the receiving module 910 is a receiver and the processing module 920 is a processor, the communication device 900 may further optionally include a memory for storing program codes. The memory may be integrated with the processor.

Fig. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the communication device 1000 shown in fig. 10 is merely an example,

the communications apparatus 1000 can include a processing module 1010 and a transmitting module 1020. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1000 may further include a receiving module 1030.

The communication device 1000 may be configured to perform the steps performed by the session management function network element or the SMF network element in the communication method shown in any one of fig. 2 to 8. An example of the communication apparatus 1000 is a session management function network element or an SMF network element.

For example, the processing module 1010 is configured to:

determining that a packet data unit session needs to be created for a first terminal;

acquiring a first user plane function network element of the first terminal;

and acquiring a first group identifier of the first terminal.

A sending module 1020, configured to send a first message to a tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes an identifier of a first terminal, a first group identifier, and first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

Optionally, the processing module 1010 is further configured to:

acquiring that a user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane function network element;

and acquiring the first group identifier, wherein the first group identifier corresponds to the first address field.

The sending module 1020 is further configured to send a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request to modify, into the second address information, the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier.

Or, for example, the processing module 1010 is configured to: acquiring that a user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane function network element; a first group identifier is obtained, wherein the first group identifier corresponds to the first address field.

The sending module 1020 is configured to send a second message to a tunnel endpoint network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request that address information of the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier be modified into the second address information.

Optionally, the one or more terminals in the first group comprise a first terminal;

wherein, before sending the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the processing module 1010 is further configured to:

acquiring a first user plane function network element of a first terminal;

acquiring the first group identifier of the first terminal;

the sending module 1020 is further configured to send a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes an identifier of the first terminal, a first group identifier, and first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

Optionally, the processing module 1010 is specifically configured to:

acquiring address information of a first terminal;

determining that the address of the first terminal belongs to a first address field according to the address information of the first terminal;

a first group identification is determined from the first address segment.

Optionally, the receiving module 1030 is further configured to receive first indication information from the first user plane function network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier.

The processing module 1010 is specifically configured to determine the first group identifier according to the first indication information.

Optionally, the processing module 1010 is specifically configured to determine, according to the first address segment, a first group identifier corresponding to the first address segment.

Optionally, the processing module 1010 is specifically configured to: the group identity recorded in the context of the first terminal is determined as the first group identity.

Optionally, the processing module 1010 is specifically configured to: and determining that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane functional network element according to the load information of the user plane functional network element currently associated with the first address field.

Optionally, the receiving module 1030 is further configured to: receiving second indication information from the first network element, wherein the second indication information is used for indicating that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed into a second user plane functional network element;

the processing module 1010 is specifically configured to determine, according to the second indication information, that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to a second user plane functional network element.

In the communications apparatus 1000, an example of the transmitting module 1020 is a transmitter, an example of the processing module 1010 is a processor, and an example of the receiving module 1030 is a receiver.

The receiver and transmitter may be integrated together, referred to as a transceiver.

When the sending module 1020 is a sender, the receiving module 1030 is a receiver, and the processing module 1010 is a processor, optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory for storing program codes. The memory may be integrated with the processor.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit.

The functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present application or portions thereof that substantially contribute to the prior art may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium and including instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

The above description is only for the specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and shall be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

a tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from a session management function network element, wherein the first message comprises an identifier of a first terminal, a first group identifier and first address information of a first user plane function network element and is used for requesting to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal;

the tunnel endpoint network element generates the context of the first terminal according to the first message, records the group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and records the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal as the first address information.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, further comprising:

the tunnel endpoint network element receives a second message from the session management function network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of a second user plane function network element, and is used to request to modify, to the second address information, address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier;

and the tunnel endpoint network element determines the first terminal according to the first group identifier in the second message, and modifies the first address information in the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal into the second address information.

3. The communications method of claim 2, wherein the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

4. A method of communicating according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

5. A method of communication, comprising:

a tunnel endpoint network element receives a second message from a session management function network element, wherein the second message comprises a first group identifier and second address information of a second user plane function network element and is used for requesting to modify the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in a first group corresponding to the first group identifier into the second address information;

and the tunnel endpoint network element records the address information of the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier as the second address information according to the second message.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, wherein the one or more terminals in the first group comprise a first terminal;

the tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from the session management function network element, where the first message includes an identifier of a first terminal, the first group identifier, and first address information of a first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal;

the tunnel endpoint network element generates a context of the first terminal according to the first message, records a group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and records address information of a user plane function network element of the first terminal as the first address information;

the tunnel endpoint network element records, as the second address information, address information of a user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier, according to the second message, and includes:

and the tunnel endpoint network element modifies the first address information in the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal into the second address information according to the second message.

7. The communications method of claim 6, wherein the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

8. A method of communicating according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

9. A method of communication, comprising:

the session management function network element acquires a first user plane function network element of the first terminal;

the session management function network element acquires a first group identifier of the first terminal;

the session management function network element sends a first message to a tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes an identifier of a first terminal, a first group identifier, and first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

10. The communication method according to claim 9, wherein the session management function network element knowing the first group identity of the first terminal includes:

the session management function network element acquires the address information of the first terminal;

and the session management function network element determines the first group identifier according to the first address field.

11. The communication method according to claim 9, wherein the session management function network element knowing the first group identity of the first terminal includes:

the session management function network element receives first indication information from the first user plane function network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier;

12. The communication method according to claim 9, further comprising:

the session management function network element learns that a user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane function network element;

the session management function network element learns the first group identifier, where the first group identifier corresponds to the first address field;

and the session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request to modify, to the second address information, address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier.

13. The communication method according to claim 12, wherein the session management function network element learning the first group identifier comprises:

14. The communication method according to claim 12, wherein the session management function network element learning the first group identifier comprises:

and the session management function network element determines the group identifier recorded in the context of the first terminal as the first group identifier.

15. The communication method according to claim 12, wherein the session management function network element knowing that the user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element comprises:

and the session management functional network element determines that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into the second user plane functional network element according to the load information of the user plane functional network element currently associated with the first address field.

16. The communication method according to claim 12, wherein the session management function network element knowing that the user plane function network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element comprises:

the session management function network element receives second indication information from the first network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane function network element;

and the session management function network element determines that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed into the second user plane function network element according to the second indication information.

17. The communication method according to claim 12, wherein the first address field corresponds to one or more group identifiers, and the group identifiers include the first group identifier.

18. The communications method of claim 12, wherein the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

19. A method of communicating according to claim 9 or 12, wherein the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

20. A method of communication, comprising:

the session management function network element acquires a first group identifier, wherein the first group identifier corresponds to the first address field;

and the session management function network element sends a second message to a tunnel endpoint network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request to modify, to the second address information, address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier.

21. The communications method of claim 20, wherein the one or more terminals in the first group comprise a first terminal;

the session management function network element determines that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal;

the session management function network element learns the first group identifier of the first terminal;

the session management function network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes an identifier of a first terminal, the first group identifier, and first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

22. The communication method according to claim 21, wherein the session management function network element knowing the first group identity of the first terminal comprises:

23. The communication method according to claim 21, wherein the session management function network element knowing the first group identity of the first terminal comprises:

24. A method of communicating according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

25. The communication method according to claim 20, wherein the session management function network element learning the first group identifier comprises:

26. The communication method according to claim 21, wherein the session management function network element learning the first group identifier comprises:

27. The communication method according to claim 20, wherein the session management function network element knowing that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element comprises:

28. The communication method according to claim 20, wherein the session management function network element knowing that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element comprises:

29. A method of communicating according to any of claims 21 or 25 to 28, wherein the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

30. The communication method according to any one of claims 20, 21 or 25 to 28, wherein the first address field corresponds to one or more group identifiers, and the group identifiers include the first group identifier.

31. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive a first message from a session management function network element, where the first message includes an identifier of a first terminal, a first group identifier, and first address information of a first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal;

a processing module, configured to generate a context of the first terminal according to the first message, record a group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and record address information of a user plane function network element of the first terminal as the first address information.

32. The communications apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the receiving module is further configured to receive a second message from the session management function network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of a second user plane function network element, and is used to request that address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier is modified into the second address information;

the processing module is further configured to determine the first terminal according to the first group identifier in the second message, and modify the first address information in the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal into the second address information.

33. The communications apparatus of claim 32, the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

34. A communications device as claimed in claim 31 or 32, wherein the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

35. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive a second message from a session management function network element, where the second message includes a first group identifier and second address information of a second user plane function network element, and is used to request to modify, into the second address information, address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in a first group corresponding to the first group identifier;

and a processing module, configured to record, as the second address information, address information of a user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier.

36. The communications apparatus of claim 35, wherein the one or more terminals in the first group comprise a first terminal;

wherein the receiving module is further configured to: before receiving a second message from a session management function network element, receiving a first message from the session management function network element, where the first message includes an identifier of a first terminal, the first group identifier, and first address information of a first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal;

the processing module is further configured to generate a context of the first terminal according to the first message, record a group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and record address information of a user plane function network element of the first terminal as the first address information;

the processing module is specifically configured to modify, according to the second message, the first address information in the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal into the second address information.

37. The communications apparatus of claim 36, wherein the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

38. The communications device according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

39. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a processing module for determining that a packet data unit session needs to be created for a first terminal;

the processing module is further configured to acquire a first user plane function network element of the first terminal;

the processing module is further configured to acquire a first group identifier of the first terminal;

a sending module, configured to send a first message to a tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes an identifier of a first terminal, a first group identifier, and first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

40. The communications apparatus of claim 39, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to:

acquiring address information of the first terminal;

determining the first group identification according to the first address segment.

41. The communications apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the communications apparatus further comprises a receiving module, configured to receive first indication information from the first user plane function network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier;

the processing module is specifically configured to determine the first group identifier according to the first indication information.

42. The communications apparatus of claim 39, wherein the processing module is further configured to:

acquiring the first group identifier, wherein the first group identifier corresponds to the first address field;

the sending module is further configured to send a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request that address information of the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier be modified into the second address information.

43. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein the first address field corresponds to one or more group identifiers, and the group identifiers include the first group identifier.

44. The communications apparatus of claim 42, the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

45. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to determine the first group identifier corresponding to the first address segment from the first address segment.

46. The communications apparatus of claim 42, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to:

and determining the group identifier recorded in the context of the first terminal as the first group identifier.

47. The communications apparatus of claim 42, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to:

and determining that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into the second user plane functional network element according to the load information of the user plane functional network element currently associated with the first address field.

48. The communications apparatus of claim 42, further comprising means for receiving:

receiving second indication information from the first network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane function network element;

the processing module is specifically configured to determine, according to the second indication information, that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane function network element.

49. A communications device as claimed in claim 39 or 42, wherein the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

50. A communications apparatus, comprising:

the processing module is used for acquiring that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address field needs to be modified into a second user plane functional network element;

the processing module is further configured to obtain a first group identifier, where the first group identifier corresponds to the first address field;

the sending module is configured to send a second message to a tunnel endpoint network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request that address information of the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier be modified into the second address information.

51. The communications apparatus of claim 50, wherein the one or more terminals in the first group comprise a first terminal;

wherein, before sending the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the processing module is further configured to:

determining that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal;

acquiring a first user plane function network element of the first terminal;

acquiring the first group identifier of the first terminal;

the sending module is further configured to send a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes an identifier of a first terminal, the first group identifier, and first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

52. The communications device of claim 51, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to:

acquiring address information of the first terminal;

53. The communications apparatus according to claim 51, wherein the communications apparatus further comprises a receiving module, configured to receive first indication information from the first user plane function network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier;

54. A communications device according to any of claims 51 to 53, wherein the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

55. The communications apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to determine the first group identifier corresponding to the first address segment from the first address segment.

56. The communications device of claim 51, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to:

57. The communications device of claim 50, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to:

58. The communications apparatus of claim 50, further comprising means for receiving:

59. The communications device of any of claims 51 or 55 to 58, wherein the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

60. The communications device according to any one of claims 50 or 51, or 55 to 59, wherein the first address field corresponds to one or more group identifiers, and wherein the group identifiers comprise the first group identifier.

61. A computer-readable storage medium having stored therein program code for execution by a processor, the program code comprising instructions for performing the communication method of any of claims 1 to 30.