Mapping logical network resources to transport resources

Abstract

A control plane function (31) of a core network of a communication network system derives parameters related to transmission resources for a user plane from an identifier related to logical network resources for a session between a user equipment (10) and a data network (40), and provides the parameters to a user plane function (32) of the core network and a control plane control unit (21) of an access network (20) of the communication network system. The control plane control unit (21) provides information derived from the parameters to a user plane control unit (22) of the access network (20), wherein the information is related to transmission resources for the user plane of the session, and wherein the transmission resources are related to a logical transmission network used to carry the user plane of the session. Based on the received information, the user plane control unit (22) derives transmission resources to be used for the session on the user plane, and exchanges user plane traffic for the session on the derived transmission resources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some embodiments relate to mapping logical network resources (e.g., network slices and / or data network names DNN according to 3GPP) to transmission resources in a communication network system. Background Art

[0002] In the current 5G specifications, slicing is defined as allowing any entity operating a network based on 3GPP technology to define virtual mobile networks (hereinafter also referred to as "3GPP slices") that can be accessed through a shared access (e.g. radio) interface.

[0003] List of abbreviations

[0004] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0005] 5G Fifth Generation

[0006] 5G-AN 5G Access Network

[0007] 5GC 5G Core Network

[0008] AMF Access and Mobility Management Function

[0009] AN Access Network

[0010] CN Core Network

[0011] CP Control Plane

[0012] Core Network Functions in CPCNF Control Plane

[0013] CU Central Unit

[0014] DNN data network name

[0015] FAR forwarding action rule

[0016] gNB NG(R)AN Node B

[0017] GPRS General Packet Radio Service

[0018] GTP-u GPRS Tunneling Protocol for User Plane

[0019] ID Identifier, logo

[0020] IE Information Unit

[0021] IP Internet Protocol

[0022] L2 Layer 2

[0023] N3IWF Non-3GPP Interworking Function

[0024] NG Next Generation

[0025] NGAP NG Application Protocol

[0026] PDR Group Detection Rules

[0027] PDU Packet Data Unit

[0028] PLMN Public Land Mobile Network

[0029] RAN Radio Access Network

[0030] SM Session Management

[0031] SMF SM function

[0032] S-NSSAI Single Network Slice Selection Auxiliary Information

[0033] TEID Tunnel Endpoint Identifier

[0034] UE User Equipment

[0035] UP User Plane

[0036] UPCNF Core Network Functions in the User Plane

[0037] UPF User Plane Function

[0038] VPN Virtual Private Network Summary of the invention

[0039] Examples of embodiments address how to map logical network resources (e.g., 3GPP slices) into transport resources to be used, for example, on the N3 user plane (UP) between a 5GC and a NG AN (e.g., NG RAN).

[0040] According to examples of embodiments, a method, an apparatus and a non-transitory computer readable medium as defined in the appended claims are provided.

[0041] According to aspects of the present disclosure, the mapping of PDU session resources to transmission resources on the user plane in a network slicing scenario can be optimized.

[0042] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a network instance information element (IE) is provided to the CU-UP via an E1 interface, and the CU-CP supports determining optimized transmission user plane resources, such as L2 technology, VPN, by utilizing control plane information that the CU-CP has for the UE.

[0043] According to aspects of the present disclosure, by sending a network instance IE to the 5G-AN over NGAP, the SMF is able to send the same network instance IE to the CU-CP, and the CU-CP sends the network instance IE to the UPF, terminating the N3 interface with this 5G-AN, so that the CU-UP can take it into account when determining the network instance IE to be sent over E1, for example, the CU-CP includes the same network instance or a related (e.g., derived) network instance on E1, so that the CU-UP and UPF can apply compatible user plane service resource selection, such as L2 technology, VPN, etc., for selecting the user plane interface (N3) of the user plane that they will use to carry the UE's session.

[0044] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram is shown, illustrating an architecture in which examples of embodiments may be implemented.

[0046] Figure 2 A schematic block diagram is shown illustrating a configuration of a control unit in which examples of embodiments may be implemented.

[0047] Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C A flow chart is shown illustrating a process according to an example of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In the core network of a communication network system compliant with, for example, 5G, the SMF maps the slice identifier of the network slice (e.g., S-NSSAI and / or DNN (Data Network Name) of the PDU session) to the network instance parameters provided to the UPF of the core network through the N4 interface. The SMF may provide the network instance parameters to the UPF in the FAR and / or PDR via the N4 session establishment or modification process.

[0049] It is worth noting that a network slice includes a logical network that provides specific network capabilities and network characteristics. The network slice is defined in the PLMN and includes the core network control plane and user plane network functions, and in the serving PLMN, at least one of the NG radio access network and the N3IWF acts on the non-3GPP access network.

[0050] It is also worth noting that a PDU Session comprises an association between a UE and a data network that provides a PDU connection service.

[0051] It is also worth noting that a PDU Session belongs to a specific network slice instance per PLMN and allows access to a specific data network identified by a Data Network Name (DNN). Typically, different network slice instances do not share PDU Sessions, although different slices can have slice-specific PDU Sessions using the same Data Network Name (DNN).

[0052] It is worth noting that a network slice instance includes a set of network function instances and the resources required to form a deployed network slice (such as computing, storage, and networking resources).

[0053] Further, the 5G access network (5G-AN) includes an access network that includes NG-RAN and / or a non-3GPP AN connected to the 5G core network. The 5G-AN including CU-CP and CU-UP may correspond to gNB, ng-eNB, N3IWF, or any access network function connected to 5GC. In some cases (for example, if the 5G-AN is equivalent to N3IWF), CU-CP and CU-UP may be co-located.

[0054] It is worth noting that the network instance includes information identifying the domain and is used by the UPF for service detection and routing. The network instance can be defined, for example, to separate IP domains where UE IP addresses assigned by multiple data networks overlap, transport network isolation in the same PLMN, etc. (for example, when the UPF is connected to a 5G-AN in a different IP domain).

[0055] The SMF may determine the network instances of the N3, N9 and N6 interfaces based on, for example, the UE location, the UE's registered PLMN ID, the S-NSSAI of the PDU session, the DNN, etc.

[0056] It is noteworthy that, as an example, the UPF can use the network instance included in the FAR and other information (such as the outer header creation (IP address portion) and destination interface in the FAR) to determine the interface in the UPF used to forward the service (e.g., VPN or Layer 2 technology).

[0057] The UPF may then locally map the network instance received on N4 to transport layer resources to be used to exchange user plane traffic for such PDU session (eg, over the N3 interface).

[0058] In case the NG-RAN node is divided into CU-CP and CU-UP, the CU-UP cannot benefit from the control plane information available at the CU-CP to determine the optimized transmission user plane resources to be used for the services of the UE corresponding to the slice.

[0059] It is worth noting that "CU-CP" means any CP entity of the access network, such as NG(R)AN, such as gNB, terminating the N2(CP) interface with 5GC. For example, CU-CP includes 3GPP gNB-CU-CP. "CU-UP" means any UP entity of the access network, such as NG(R)AN, such as gNB, terminating the N3(UP) interface with 5GC. For example, CU-UP includes 3GPP gNB-CU-UP.

[0060] As described above, the decision on how the sliced ​​services can be mapped to the N3 transport resources (e.g., VPN, L2 technology) is made by the SMF based on information available in the 5GC but not in the 5G-AN (such as UE location, DNN, etc.). Therefore, the 5G-AN node (even the CU-CP when the 5G-AN node is split) may not make the optimal decision on the transport resources.

[0061] Furthermore, the decision on how the sliced ​​services can be mapped to N3 transport resources (e.g., VPN, L2 technology) should also be consistent between the UPF at the 5GC endpoint of the N3 interface (e.g., including the ingress and egress of the N3 tunnel) and the CU-UP at the 5G-AN endpoint of the N3 interface (e.g., including the egress and egress of the N3 tunnel).

[0062] Now refer to Figure 1 , shows a schematic block diagram illustrating an example architecture in which embodiments may be implemented.

[0063] The architecture depicts a UE 10, a 5G-AN 20 including a CU-CP 21 and a CU-UP 22, a set of core network functions in the control plane ((multiple) CPCNFs) 31, core network functions in the user plane (UPCNF) 32, and a data network DN 40. The CU-CP 21 and the CU-UP 22 are connected via an E1 interface, the CU-CP 21 and (multiple) CPCNFs 31 are connected via an N2 interface, the CU-UP 22 and the UPCNFs are connected via an N3 interface, and the (multiple) CPCNFs 31 and the UPCNFs 32 are connected via an N4 interface.

[0064] According to an example implementation, 5G-AN 20 is an access network of a communication network system, such as NG RAN, etc.

[0065] According to an example implementation, CU-CP 21 and CU-UP 22 are entities of the gNB.

[0066] According to an example implementation, CPCNF(s) 31 and UPCNF 32 are entities of a core network, such as 5GC.

[0067] According to an example implementation, CPCNF(s) 31 include at least an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) and an SMF (Session Management Function), and UPCNF 32 includes a UPF.

[0068] According to an example implementation, UE 10 and DN 40 are associated via a PDU session.

[0069] As a reference before exploring the details of various implementations, see Figure 2 , illustrates a simplified block diagram of a control unit suitable for practicing some examples of the embodiments.

[0070] Control unit 210 includes processing resources (eg, processing circuitry) 211, memory resources (eg, memory circuitry) 212, and interfaces (eg, interface circuitry) 213 coupled via connection 214. Control unit 210 may be Figure 1 Portions of the CU-CP 21 are shown and / or used thereby.

[0071] Figure 2 The control unit 220 shown includes processing resources (e.g., processing circuitry) 221, memory resources (e.g., memory circuitry) 222, and interfaces (e.g., interface circuitry) 223 coupled via connections 224. The control unit 220 may be Figure 1 Portions of CU-UP 22 are shown and / or used thereby.

[0072] Figure 2 The control unit 310 shown includes processing resources (e.g., processing circuitry) 311, memory resources (e.g., memory circuitry) 312, and interfaces (e.g., interface circuitry) 313 coupled via connections 314. The control unit 310 may be Figure 1 Portions of CPCNF31 are shown and / or used by it.

[0073] like Figure 2 As shown, control unit 210 and control unit 220 are coupled via connection 2122, for example Figure 1 The E1 interface is shown.

[0074] like Figure 2 As shown, control unit 210 and control unit 310 are coupled via connection 3121, for example Figure 1 The N2 interface is shown.

[0075] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variations thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between the two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" together. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As used herein, as non-limiting examples, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" together using one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, as well as using electromagnetic energy, such as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region, microwave region, and optical (visible and invisible) region.

[0076] Examples of the embodiments may be implemented by computer software stored in memory resources 212, 222, 312 and executable by corresponding processing resources 211, 221, 311 or by hardware or by a combination of software and / or firmware and hardware in any or all of the devices shown.

[0077] Further, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to one or more or all of the following:

[0078] (a) pure hardware circuit implementation (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry only) and

[0079] (b) a combination of circuitry and software (and / or firmware), such as (where applicable): (i) a combination of processor(s) or (ii) portions of processor(s) / software (including digital signal processor(s), software and memory(s) that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions) and

[0080] (c) Circuitry, such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), that requires software or firmware to operate, even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

[0081] This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" also covers only an implementation of a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, and if applicable to a particular claim element, the term "circuitry" also covers a baseband integrated circuit or an application processor integrated circuit of a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other network device.

[0082] Now refer to Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 3C, a flow chart is shown, illustrating a process according to an example of an embodiment.

[0083] Figure 3A A process 1 is illustrated which may be performed by a first function of a core network of a communication network system, the first function operating in a control plane, for example by Figure 1 CPCNF(s) 31 (eg SMF) are shown.

[0084] In step S110, from a user device (eg Figure 1 UE 10) and data network (eg Figure 1 The parameters related to the transmission resources for the user plane are obtained by using the identifier related to the logical network resources of the session between the DN 40 of the PDU. For example, the slice ID of the PDU session is mapped to the network instance parameter.

[0085] In step S120, the parameters (e.g., network instance parameters) are provided to the second function of the core network, and the second function is requested to exchange user plane traffic for the session based on the parameters, wherein the second function operates in the user plane and derives transmission resources for the session based on the parameters. For example, the network instance parameters are provided to the UPCNF 32 (e.g., UPF) via the N4 interface.

[0086] UPCNF 32 may then locally map parameters received over the N4 interface (eg, network instance parameters) to transport layer resources to be used to exchange user plane traffic of such PDU session (eg, over the N3 interface).

[0087] In step S130, parameters (eg, network instance parameters) are provided to a first control unit (eg, Figure 1 CU-CP 21 shown), where the access network provides access to the communication network system for the user equipment, and the first control unit operates in the control plane. For example, the SMF sends the network instance parameters that it has determined and also sent to the UPF via the N2 interface to the CU-CP 21.

[0088] According to an example implementation, parameters are forwarded from a first function (e.g., SMF) to a first control unit of the 5G-AN in a control plane in a container via a third function (e.g., AMF) of the core network, the third function operating in the control plane, wherein for the third function, the container is transparently passed between the third function and the first control unit via a first interface (e.g., N2 interface).

[0089] Alternatively or additionally, the parameters are forwarded in a control plane (control plane of the first interface) together with other information about user plane resources to be used for the session, wherein these user plane resources are used on a second interface (e.g. the N3 interface) between a second function of the access network and a second control unit (e.g. CU-UP 22), and wherein the second control unit operates in the user plane.

[0090] For example, in the control plane in the N2 SM container transparently delivered via the AMF, the SMF provides the GTP address (GTP-u TEID+IP address) of the N3 resources for the PDU session (PDU Session Resource Setup Request Transport IE) and may alternatively or additionally be forwarded together with the network instance parameters within the same container. Thus, according to the example implementation, the information exchanged is from the SMF to the gNB and the information is blindly relayed by the AMF. Thus, the network instance parameters are forwarded to the access network using the N2 interface instead of the N3 interface, which is one of the advantages.

[0091] After the processing in step S130, process 1 ends.

[0092] It is worth noting that steps S120 and S130 may be interchanged or the steps may be performed in parallel.

[0093] Figure 3B A process 2 is illustrated which may be performed by a first control unit of an access network of a communication network system, wherein the access network provides access to the communication network system for a user equipment and the first control unit operates in a control plane, for example by Figure 1 CU-CP21 shown.

[0094] In step S210, the information is provided to a second control unit (eg Figure 1 CU-UP22 as shown), wherein the information relates to transport resources for a user plane for a session between a user equipment and a data network, wherein the second control unit operates in the user plane, and wherein the transport resources relate to a logical transport network for carrying the user plane of the session. For example, the logical transport network is the user plane portion of the network slice.

[0095] In step S220, the second control unit is requested to switch the user plane traffic of the session on the transmission resources obtained from the information. After the processing in step S220, process 2 ends.

[0096] In the example where the above information is related to network instance parameters, when 5G AN UP resources for a PDU session are required, CU-CP 21 provides the network instance parameters to CU-UP 22 via the E1 interface. CU-UP 22 can then locally map the network instance parameters received on the E1 interface to the transport layer resources to be used to exchange user plane traffic of such PDU session (e.g., via the N3 interface).

[0097] According to an example implementation, the information related to the transmission resources provided from the first control unit to the second control unit is the same as the parameter obtained by the first control unit from the first function in process 1. According to another example implementation, the information is obtained from this parameter.

[0098] Figure 3C The diagram shows a second control unit (eg, Figure 1 The process 3 is performed by the CU-UP 22 shown, wherein the access network provides access to the communication network system for the user equipment, and the second control unit operates in the control plane.

[0099] In step S310, a first control unit (eg, Figure 1 CU-CP21) receives information, wherein the information is related to transmission resources of a user plane for a session between a user equipment and a data network, wherein the first control unit operates in a control plane, and wherein the transmission resources are related to logical network resources of the session.

[0100] In step S320, based on the received information, transmission resources to be used for the session on the user plane are derived, and user plane traffic of the session is exchanged on the obtained transmission resources. After the processing in step S320, process 3 ends.

[0101] For example, the CU-UP 22 locally maps the network instance parameters received on the El interface to transport layer resources to be used to exchange user plane traffic of the PDU session (eg, over the N3 interface).

[0102] According to an example implementation, in order to help the CU-UP entity (e.g., CU-UP 22) and the UPF entity (e.g., UPCNF 32) determine the same / consistent transmission resources (e.g., VPN, L2 technology, etc.) for user plane services to be used to exchange PDU sessions of network slices, the SMF entity (part of (multiple) CPCNF 31) sends the network instance parameters that it has determined and also sent to the UPF entity (via the AMF) through the N2 interface to the CU-CP entity (e.g., CU-CP 21) for further transmitting the same network instance parameters or obtained network instance parameters to the CU-UP entity through the E1 interface.

[0103] According to a first aspect, a device for implementing a first function of a core network of a communication network system is provided, wherein the first function operates in a control plane. For example, the first function includes Figure 1 CPCNF(s) 31 are shown.

[0104] According to an example implementation, the apparatus of the first aspect comprises Figure 2 The control unit 310 shown. The device can perform Figure 3A The process shown is 1.

[0105] The apparatus of the first aspect comprises: a component for deriving parameters related to transmission resources of a user plane from an identifier related to logical network resources of a session between a user equipment and a data network; a component for providing the parameters to a second function of a core network and requesting the second function of the core network to exchange user plane services of the session based on the parameters, wherein the second function operates in the user plane and obtains the transmission resources of the session based on the parameters; and a component for providing the parameters to a first control unit of an access network of a communication network system, wherein the access network provides access to the communication network system for the user equipment, and the first control unit of the access network operates in a control plane.

[0106] According to an example implementation, means for providing includes means for forwarding parameters from a first function of a core network to a first control unit of an access network in a control plane in a container via a third function of the core network, the third function of the core network operating in the control plane, wherein for the third function of the core network, the container is transparently passed over a first interface between the third function of the core network and the first control unit of the access network.

[0107] In addition or in accordance with another example implementation, the means for providing includes means for forwarding in a control plane parameters and other information of user plane resources to be used for the session, wherein the user plane resources are used over a second interface between a second function and a second control unit of the access network, and wherein the second control unit operates in the user plane.

[0108] According to a second aspect, a device for implementing a first control unit of an access network of a communication network system is provided, wherein the access network provides access to the communication network system for a user equipment, and the first control unit operates in a control plane. For example, the first control unit includes Figure 1 CU-CP 21 shown.

[0109] According to an example implementation, the apparatus of the second aspect includes Figure 2 The control unit 210 shown. The device can execute Figure 3B Process 2 shown.

[0110] The apparatus of the second aspect comprises: a component for providing information to a second control unit of an access network, wherein the information relates to transmission resources of a user plane used for a session between a user equipment and a data network, wherein the second control unit operates in the user plane, and wherein the transmission resources relate to a logical transport network used to carry the user plane of the session; and a component for requesting the second control unit to exchange user plane services of the session on the transmission resources derived from the information.

[0111] According to an example implementation, the apparatus of the second aspect further comprises a component for acquiring parameters from a first function of a core network of a communication network system, the first function operating in a control plane, wherein the parameters are associated with an identification of a logical network resource regarding a session; and a component for deriving information from the parameters.

[0112] According to an example implementation, means for obtaining includes means for receiving, in a control plane in the container, a parameter from a first function via a third function of the core network, the third function operating in the control plane, wherein for the third function, the container is transparently received through a first interface between the third function and the first control unit.

[0113] In addition or in accordance with another example implementation, the means for obtaining includes means for receiving in a control plane parameters and other information of user plane resources to be used for a session, wherein the user plane resources are used over a second interface between a second function of the core network and a second control unit of the access network, and wherein the second function operates in the user plane and derives transport resources for the session based on the parameters.

[0114] According to a third aspect, a device for implementing a second control unit of an access network of a communication network system is provided, wherein the access network provides access to the communication network system for user equipment, and the second control unit operates in a user plane. For example, the second control unit includes Figure 1 CU-UP 22 shown.

[0115] According to an example implementation, the apparatus of the third aspect includes Figure 2 The control unit 220 shown. The device can perform Figure 3C Process 3 shown.

[0116] The apparatus of the third aspect comprises: a component for receiving information from a first control unit of an access network, wherein the information is related to transmission resources of a user plane of a session between a user device and a data network, wherein the first control unit operates in a control plane, and wherein the transmission resources are related to logical network resources of the session; and a component for deriving transmission resources to be used for the session on the user plane based on the received information, and exchanging user plane services of the session via the derived transmission resources.

[0117] According to some embodiments, a control plane function (e.g., CPCNF(s)) of a core network of a communication network system derives parameters related to transmission resources of a user plane from an identifier related to logical network resources of a session between a user device and a data network, and provides the parameters to a user plane function (e.g., UPCNF) of the core network and a control plane control unit (e.g., CU-CP) of an access network of the communication network system. The control plane control unit provides information derived from the parameters to a user plane control unit (e.g., CU-UP) of the access network, wherein the information is related to transmission resources of a user plane used for the session, and wherein the transmission resources are related to a logical transmission network used to carry the user plane of the session. Based on the received information, the user plane control unit derives transmission resources to be used for the session on the user plane, and exchanges user plane services for the session on the derived transmission resources.

[0118] It is to be understood that the above description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Various modifications and applications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for use by a first function of a core network of a communication network system, the first function operating in a control plane, the method comprising: deriving a network instance parameter associated with a transport resource for a user plane from a network slice identifier of a packet data unit session associated with a logical network resource of the packet data unit session, the packet data unit session being between a user equipment and a data network; providing the network instance parameters to a second function (32) of the core network and requesting the second function of the core network to exchange user plane traffic for the session based on the network instance parameters; wherein the second function operates in the user plane and derives the transmission resources for the session based on the network instance parameters; as well as The network instance parameters are provided (S130) to a first control unit (21) of an access network (20) of the communication network system, wherein the access network provides access to the communication network system for the user equipment and the first control unit of the access network operates in the control plane.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the providing comprises: The network instance parameters are forwarded from the first function of the core network to the first control unit of the access network in a container in the control plane via a third function of the core network, the third function of the core network operating in the control plane, wherein the container is passed transparently to the third function of the core network through a first interface between the third function of the core network and the first control unit of the access network.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the providing comprises: In the control plane, the network instance parameters are forwarded together with other information of user plane resources to be used for the session, wherein these user plane resources are used on a second interface between the second function and a second control unit of the access network, and wherein the second control unit operates in the user plane.

4. A method for use by a first control unit (21) of an access network (20) of a communication network system, wherein the access network provides access to the communication network system for a user equipment (10) and the first control unit operates in a control plane, the method comprising: obtaining a network instance parameter from a first function of a core network of the communication network system, the first function operating in the control plane; wherein the network instance parameter is mapped to a network slice identifier of a packet data unit session associated with a logical network resource of the packet data unit session; providing (S210) the network instance parameter to a second control unit (22) of the access network, wherein the network instance parameter is related to transmission resources for a user plane used for the packet data unit session between the user equipment and a data network (40), wherein the second control unit operates in the user plane, and wherein the transport resource is associated with a logical transport network of the user plane used to carry the packet data unit session; as well as The second control unit is requested (S220) to exchange user plane traffic for the packet data unit session by means of transmission resources derived from the network instance parameters.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the obtaining comprises: The network instance parameters are received from the first function via a third function of the core network in a container in the control plane, the third function operating in the control plane, wherein the container is received transparently to the third function through a first interface between the third function and the first control unit.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the obtaining comprises: In the control plane, the network instance parameters are received together with other information of user plane resources to be used for the session, wherein these user plane resources are used on a second interface between a second function of the core network and the second control unit of the access network, and wherein the second function operates in the user plane and derives the transport resources for the session based on the parameters.

7. A method for use by a second control unit (22) of an access network (20) of a communication network system, The access network provides access to the communication network system for the user equipment (10), and the second control unit operates in a user plane, and the method comprises: receiving (S310) a network instance parameter from a first control unit (21) of the access network, wherein the network instance parameter is related to a transmission resource for the user plane used for a packet data unit session between the user equipment and a data network (40), and the network instance parameter is mapped to a network slice identifier of the packet data unit session related to a logical network resource of the packet data unit session, wherein the first control unit operates in a control plane, and wherein the transmission resource is related to the logical network resource of the packet data unit session; as well as Based on the received network instance parameters, the transmission resources to be used for the packet data unit session on the user plane are derived, and user plane traffic for the packet data unit session is exchanged (S320) through the derived transmission resources.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The access network comprises at least one of a next generation access network and a next generation radio access network; and / or The first control unit comprises a control plane entity terminating an N2 interface with a core network; and / or The first control unit comprises a control plane control unit of a gNodeB; and / or The second control unit comprises a user plane entity terminating an N3 interface with a core network; and / or The second control unit comprises a user plane control unit of the gNodeB; and / or Information is provided between the first control unit and the second control unit via an E1 interface; and / or The logical network resources include network slices and / or data network names; and / or The network slice identifier includes single network slice selection assistance information; and / or The core network includes a fifth generation core network.

9. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon, the program instructions being used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An apparatus (310) for implementing a first function of a core network of a communication network system, the first function (31) operating in a control plane, the apparatus comprising at least one processor (311) and at least one memory (312) comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: deriving a network instance parameter associated with a transport resource for a user plane from a network slice identifier of a packet data unit session associated with a logical network resource of the packet data unit session, the packet data unit session being between a user equipment and a data network; providing the network instance parameters to a second function of the core network and requesting the second function of the core network to exchange user plane traffic for the session based on the parameters, wherein the second function operates in the user plane and derives the transmission resources for the session based on the parameters; as well as The network instance parameters are provided to a first control unit of an access network of the communication network system, wherein the access network provides access to the communication network system for the user equipment, and the first control unit of the access network operates in the control plane.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the providing comprises: The network instance parameters are forwarded from the first function of the core network to the first control unit of the access network in a container in the control plane via a third function of the core network, the third function of the core network operating in the control plane, wherein the container is passed transparently to the third function of the core network through a first interface between the third function of the core network and the first control unit of the access network.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the providing comprises: In the control plane, the network instance parameters are forwarded together with other information of user plane resources to be used for the session, wherein these user plane resources are used on a second interface between the second function and a second control unit of the access network, and wherein the second control unit operates in the user plane.

13. An apparatus (210) for implementing a first control unit of an access network (20) of a communication network system, wherein the access network provides access to the communication network system for user equipment, and the first control unit operates in a control plane, the apparatus comprising at least one processor (211) and at least one memory (212) comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: acquiring a network instance parameter from a first function of a core network of the communication network system, the first function operating in the control plane, wherein the network instance parameter is mapped to a network slice identifier of a packet data unit session associated with a logical network resource of the packet data unit session, providing the network instance parameter to a second control unit of the access network, wherein the network instance parameter is related to a transmission resource of a user plane for a packet data unit session between the user equipment and a data network, wherein the second control unit operates in the user plane, and wherein the transport resource is associated with a logical transport network for carrying the user plane of the packet data unit session; and The second control unit is requested to exchange user plane traffic for the packet data unit session over transmission resources derived from the network instance parameters.

14. An apparatus (220) for implementing a second control unit of an access network (20) of a communication network system, wherein the access network provides access to the communication network system for user equipment, and the second control unit operates in a user plane, the apparatus comprising at least one processor (221) and at least one memory (222) comprising computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: receiving a network instance parameter from a first control unit of the access network, wherein the network instance parameter is related to a transmission resource of the user plane for a packet data unit session between the user equipment and a data network, the user plane being used for the session between the user equipment and the data network, and wherein the network instance parameter is mapped to a network slice identifier of the packet data unit session associated with a logical network resource of the packet data unit session, wherein the first control unit operates in a control plane, and wherein the transmission resource is related to the logical network resource of the packet data unit session; and Based on the received network instance parameters, the transmission resources to be used for the packet data unit session on the user plane are derived, and user plane traffic for the packet data unit session is exchanged through the derived transmission resources.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein: The access network comprises at least one of a next generation access network and a next generation radio access network; and / or The first control unit comprises a control plane entity terminating an N2 interface with a core network; and / or The first control unit comprises a control plane control unit of a gNodeB; and / or The second control unit comprises a user plane entity terminating an N3 interface with a core network; and / or The second control unit comprises a user plane control unit of the gNodeB; and / or Information is provided between the first control unit and the second control unit via an E1 interface; and / or The logical network resources include network slices and / or data network names; and / or The network slice identifier includes single network slice selection assistance information; and / or The core network includes a fifth generation core network.

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