A method and device for policy management

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and provides a policy management method, including: a first SMF network element receives first information from a second SMF network element, and the first information is used to indicate the data network connected to the first anchor UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element. The first SMF network element determines the first rule information executed by the first network element managed by the second SMF network element based on the first information, the first network element includes at least one of the first anchor UPF network element or the branch point, the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function, and the branch point is connected to the first anchor UPF network element, the first rule information is used to indicate the processing method for the data packet of the first application, and the data packet of the first application is transmitted through the first anchor UPF network element. The first SMF network element sends second information to the second SMF network element, and the second information includes the first rule information. Through this scheme, the processing of the data packet of the first application can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a policy management method and device. Background Art

[0002] In the 5th-Generation (5G) mobile communication technology, the concept of the service area of ​​the session management function (SMF) network element is proposed, that is, the SMF network element only manages the user plane function (UPF) network element in the service area. In different areas, terminal devices can access the data network (DN) through different UPF network elements, and the SMF network elements that manage different UPF network elements may also be different.

[0003] In the prior art, in the first area managed by the anchor SMF network element, the first anchor UPF network element managed by the anchor SMF network element executes a method for processing data packets in the first area. For example, the processing method includes billing, usage control, service quality control, etc.

[0004] When the terminal device moves to the second area, the intermediate SMF network element is inserted, and the user plane connection of the second area is realized by inserting the second UPF network element and the branch point. Since the data packets in the second area are not transmitted through the first anchor UPF network element in the first area, the first anchor UPF network element in the first area cannot execute the processing method for the data packets in the second area. Therefore, how to execute the processing method for the data packets in the second area has become a problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present invention provide a method and device for policy management.

[0006] In one aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method, the method comprising:

[0007] The first SMF network element receives first information from the second SMF network element, and the first information is used to indicate the data network connected to the first anchor UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element; the first SMF network element determines, based on the first information, first rule information executed by the first network element managed by the second SMF network element, the first network element includes at least one of the first anchor UPF network element or the branch point, the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function, and the branch point is connected to the first anchor UPF network element, the first rule information is used to indicate a method for processing data packets of the first application, and the data packets of the first application are transmitted through the first anchor UPF network element; the first SMF network element sends second information to the second SMF network element, and the second information includes the first rule information.

[0008] According to the above method, Figure 1 In the scenario shown, when the data packets in area 2 are not transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element in area 1, the first anchor UPF network element in area 2 or at least one network element in the branch point can perform the method for processing the data packets in area 2. By performing billing, usage control, service quality control and other processing on the data packets in area 2, the core network's management capability of user data is enhanced.

[0009] In one possible design, the first SMF network element sends third rule information to the second anchor UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element. The third rule information is used to instruct the second anchor UPF network element on how to process the downlink data packets of the second application. The downlink data packets of the second application are transmitted in sequence through the second anchor UPF network element and the branch point.

[0010] In a possible design, the second information also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct the second SMF network element to request the branch point to report packet loss information, and the packet loss information includes one or more of the number of discarded downlink data packets of the first application or the number of discarded downlink data packets of the second application, and the downlink data packets of the second application are transmitted through the second anchor point UPF network element and the branch point in sequence. Thus, the first SMF network element can determine the actual number of downlink data packets of the first application and / or the second application based on the number of downlink data packets of the first application counted by the first anchor point UPF and / or the number of downlink data packets of the second application counted by the second anchor point UPF network element and the packet loss information received from the branch point. This ensures the accuracy of executing the method for processing downlink data packets of the first application and / or the second application.

[0011] In one possible design, the second information also includes second rule information, and the second rule information is used to indicate the branch point's processing method for the data packets of the second application. The data packets of the second application are transmitted through the second anchor point UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element and the branch point.

[0012] In a possible design, the second information also includes second identification information, and the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application; the method also includes: the first SMF network element sends second indication information to the second anchor UPF network element, and the second indication information is used to instruct the second anchor UPF network element to carry the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application. Thus, when the downlink data packet of the second application belongs to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message detection, the second anchor UPF network element carries the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application, and the branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the second application based on the second identification information, so as to execute the processing method for the downlink data packet of the second application.

[0013] In a possible design, the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information, the first identification information is used to identify the data packet of the first application, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element requests the first anchor UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. Thus, when the downlink data packet of the first application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the first anchor UPF network element carries the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application, and the branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the first application based on the first identification information, so as to execute the processing method for the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0014] In a possible design, the first SMF network element sends a second indication message to the second anchor UPF network element, and the second indication message can also be used to instruct the second anchor UPF network element to delete the third rule information, and the third rule information is used to instruct the second anchor UPF network element to process the downlink data packet of the second application. In this way, the storage space of the second anchor UPF network element can be saved.

[0015] In one possible design, the first rule information is also used to indicate that the first network element that processes the data packet of the first application is a branch point.

[0016] In one possible design, the second information also includes fifth indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first network element that processes the data packet of the first application.

[0017] In one possible design, the fifth indication information is the first information.

[0018] In another aspect, the present application also discloses a policy management method, the method comprising:

[0019] The second SMF network element sends the first information to the first SMF network element, the first information is used to indicate the data network connected to the first anchor UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element, the first information is used to determine the first rule information executed by the first network element managed by the second SMF network element, the first network element includes at least one of the first anchor UPF network element or the branch point, the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function, the branch point is connected to the first anchor UPF network element, the first rule information is used to indicate a processing method for data packets of the first application, and the data packets of the first application are transmitted through the first anchor UPF network element; the second SMF network element receives the second information from the first SMF network element, and the second information includes the first rule information.

[0020] According to the above method, Figure 1In the scenario shown, when the data packets in area 2 are not transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element in area 1, the first anchor UPF network element in area 2 or at least one network element in the branch point can perform the method for processing the data packets in area 2. By performing billing, usage control, service quality control and other processing on the data packets in area 2, the core network's management capability of user data is enhanced.

[0021] In a possible design, the second information also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element requests the branch point to report packet loss information, and the packet loss information includes one or more of the number of discarded downlink data packets of the first application or the number of discarded downlink data packets of the second application, and the downlink data packets of the second application are transmitted in sequence through the second anchor UPF network element (A-UPF) managed by the first SMF network element and the branch point. The method also includes: the second SMF network element sends a request message to the branch point according to the first indication information, and the request message is used to request the branch point to report packet loss information. Thus, the first SMF network element can determine the actual number of downlink data packets of the first application and / or the second application according to the number of downlink data packets of the first application counted by the first anchor UPF and / or the number of downlink data packets of the second application counted by the second anchor UPF and the packet loss information received from the branch point. Thereby, the accuracy of executing the method for processing downlink data packets of the first application and / or the second application is guaranteed.

[0022] In one possible design, the second information also includes second rule information, and the second rule information is used to indicate the method for the branch point to process the data packet of the second application, and the data packet of the second application is transmitted through the second anchor point UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element. The method also includes: the second SMF network element sends fourth rule information to the branch point according to the second rule information, and the fourth rule information is used to indicate the method for the branch point to process the data packet of the second application.

[0023] In a possible design, the second information also includes second identification information, and the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application. The method also includes: the second SMF network element sends the second identification information to the branch point. Thus, when the downlink data packet of the second application belongs to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message detection, the second anchor point UPF network element carries the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application. The branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the second application based on the second identification information, and thus can execute the processing method for the downlink data packet of the second application.

[0024] In a possible design, the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information, the first identification information is used to identify the data packet of the first application, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element requests the first anchor UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. Accordingly, the second SMF network element requests the first anchor UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application according to the received third indication information. Thus, when the downlink data packet of the first application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the first anchor UPF network element carries the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application, and the branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the first application according to the first identification information, thereby executing the method for processing the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0025] In one possible design, the first rule information is also used to indicate that the first network element that processes the data packet of the first application is a branch point.

[0026] In one possible design, the second information also includes fifth indication information, and the fifth indication information is used to indicate the first network element that processes the data packet of the first application.

[0027] In one possible design, the fifth indication information is the first information.

[0028] In another aspect, the present application also discloses a policy management method, the method comprising:

[0029] The branch point receives indication information from the second SMF network element, and the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function; the branch point network element sends packet loss information to the second SMF network element according to the indication information, and the packet loss information includes one or more of the following: the number of discarded downlink data packets of the first application, or the number of discarded downlink data packets of the second application, wherein the downlink data packets of the first application are transmitted sequentially through the first anchor point UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element and the branch point, and the downlink data packets of the second application are transmitted sequentially through the second anchor point UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element and the branch point.

[0030] According to the above method, the first SMF network element can determine the actual number of downlink data packets of the first application and / or the second application based on the number of downlink data packets of the first application counted by the first anchor point UPF and / or the number of downlink data packets of the second application counted by the second anchor point UPF and the packet loss information received from the branch point. This ensures the accuracy of the processing method for the downlink data packets of the first application and / or the second application.

[0031] In another aspect, the present application also discloses a policy management method, the method comprising:

[0032] The first SMF network element receives the ninth information from the second SMF network element, and the ninth information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element is inserted into a branch point, and the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function managed by the second SMF network element; the first SMF network element sends the second information to the second SMF network element, and the second information includes: first rule information and second rule information, the first rule information is used to indicate the branch point's processing method for the data packets of the first application, and the second rule information is used to indicate the branch point's processing method for the data packets of the second application, wherein the data packets of the second application are transmitted through the second anchor point UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element and the branch point, and the data packets of the first application are transmitted through the first anchor point UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element and the branch point.

[0033] According to the above method, Figure 1 In the scenario shown, when the data packets in area 2 are not transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element in area 1, the branch point in area 1 can execute the method for processing the uplink data packets and downlink data packets in area 2. By performing billing, usage control, service quality control and other processing on the data packets in area 2, the core network's management capabilities for user data are enhanced.

[0034] In one possible design, the second information also includes second identification information, and the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application. The method also includes: the first SMF network element sends a second indication information to the second anchor UPF network element, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second anchor UPF network element carries the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application. As a result, the branch point executes a method for processing the downlink data packet of the second application, and when the downlink data packet of the second application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the second anchor UPF network element carries the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application. As a result, the branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the second application based on the second identification information, and thus can execute a method for processing the downlink data packet of the second application.

[0035] In a possible design, the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information, the first identification information is used to identify the data packet of the first application, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element requests the first anchor point UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. Thus, the branch point executes the method for processing the downlink data packet of the first application, and when the downlink data packet of the first application belongs to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message detection, the first anchor point UPF network element carries the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. As a result, the branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the first application according to the first identification information, and thus can execute the method for processing the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0036] In another aspect, the present application also discloses a policy management method, the method comprising:

[0037] The second SMF network element sends the first information to the first SMF network element, and the first information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element has been inserted into a branch point, and the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function managed by the second SMF network element; the second SMF network element receives the second information from the first SMF network element, and the second information includes: first rule information and second rule information, the first rule information is used to indicate the method for the branch point to process the data packets of the first application, and the second rule information is used to indicate the method for the branch point to process the data packets of the second application, wherein the data packets of the second application are transmitted through the second anchor point UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element and the branch point, and the data packets of the first application are transmitted through the first anchor point UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element and the branch point.

[0038] According to the above method, Figure 1 In the scenario shown, when the data packets in area 2 are not transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element in area 1, the branch point in area 1 can execute the method for processing the uplink data packets and downlink data packets in area 2. By performing billing, usage control, service quality control and other processing on the data packets in area 2, the core network's management capabilities for user data are enhanced.

[0039] In one possible design, the second SMF network element sends eleventh information to the branch point according to the first rule information, and the eleventh information is used to instruct the branch point to process data packets of the first application and the second application.

[0040] In a possible design, the second information also includes second identification information, and the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application. Thus, the branch point executes a method for processing the data packet of the second application, and when the data packet of the second application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the second anchor point UPF network element carries the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application. Thus, the branch point can identify the data packet of the second application according to the second identification information, and thus can execute a method for processing the data packet of the second application.

[0041] In a possible design, the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information, the first identification information is used to identify the data packet of the first application, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element requests the first anchor UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. Correspondingly, the second SMF network element requests the first anchor UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application according to the third indication information. As a result, the branch point executes a method for processing the data packet of the first application, and when the data packet of the first application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the first anchor UPF network element carries the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. As a result, the branch point can identify the data packet of the first application according to the first identification information, and can thus execute a method for processing the data packet of the first application.

[0042] In another aspect, the present application also discloses a policy management method, the method comprising:

[0043] The branch point receives identification information (e.g., first identification information and / or second identification information) of a data packet of an application (e.g., the first application and / or the second application) from the first SMF network element through the second SMF network element, and the data packet of the application is transmitted through the anchor UPF network element managed by the third SMF network element, wherein the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function managed by the second SMF network element, and the branch point is connected to the anchor UPF network element; the branch point receives a downlink data packet of the application from the anchor UPF network element, and the downlink data packet carries identification information; the branch point identifies the downlink data packet according to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet; wherein the first SMF network element is the anchor SMF network element, and the third SMF network element is one or more of the first SMF network element or the second SMF network element.

[0044] According to the above method, when the downlink data packet of the application belongs to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message detection, the anchor UPF network element carries the identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the application. The branch point can identify the downlink data packet corresponding to the application based on the identification information, and thus can execute the processing method for the downlink data packet of the application.

[0045] In one possible design, the branch point sends a downlink data packet and identification information to the terminal device. Thus, the terminal device can carry the same identification information when sending the uplink data packet of the application, so that the branch node can identify the uplink data packet corresponding to the application according to the identification information carried in the uplink data packet, and thus can execute the processing method of the uplink data packet of the application.

[0046] On the other hand, the present application also discloses a policy management method, which includes: a terminal device receives a downlink data packet and identification information (for example, first identification information and / or second identification information) from a branch point, the identification information is used to identify the downlink data packet of the application, and the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function; when the terminal device sends an uplink data packet of the application to the branch point, the uplink data packet carries the identification information.

[0047] According to the above method, the branch point executes a method for processing uplink data packets of an application (for example, the first application and / or the second application). When the data packet of the application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the uplink data packet sent by the terminal device to the branch point carries identification information, so that the branch point can identify the application data packet based on the identification information, and thus can execute a method for processing the uplink data packet of the application.

[0048] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a policy management device, which has the function of implementing the behavior of the first SMF network element in the above method. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In one possible design, the structure of the above device includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to process the device to perform the corresponding functions in the above method. The transceiver is used to implement communication between the above device and the second SMF network element / second anchor UPF network element. The device may also include a memory, which is used to couple with the processor and store the necessary program instructions and data for the device.

[0049] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a policy management device, which has the function of implementing the behavior of the second SMF network element in the above method. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In one possible design, the structure of the above device includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to process the device to perform the corresponding functions in the above method. The transceiver is used to implement communication between the above device and the first SMF network element / branch point. The device may also include a memory, which is used to couple with the processor and store the necessary program instructions and data for the device.

[0050] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a policy management device, which has the function of implementing the branch point behavior in the above method. The function can be implemented by hardware, or it can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In one possible design, the structure of the above device includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to process the device to perform the corresponding functions in the above method. The transceiver is used to implement communication between the above device and the second SMF network element / the first SMF network element / the first anchor UPF network element / the terminal device. The device may also include a memory, which is used to couple with the processor and store the necessary program instructions and data for the device.

[0051] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a terminal device having a function of implementing the terminal device behavior in the above method. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In one possible design, the structure of the above terminal device includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to process the device to perform the corresponding functions in the above method. The transceiver is used to implement communication between the above terminal device and the branch point. The device may also include a memory, which is used to couple with the processor and store the necessary program instructions and data for the device.

[0052] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a computer, the computer executes the methods described in the above aspects.

[0053] On the other hand, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the methods described in the above aspects.

[0054] On the other hand, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting the above-mentioned device or terminal equipment to implement the functions involved in the above-mentioned aspects, for example, generating or processing the information involved in the above-mentioned method. In a possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the data sending device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present invention or the background technology will be described below.

[0056] Figure 1A schematic diagram of a scenario of policy management provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 2 A method for policy management provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 3 A flowchart of another strategy management method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 4 A flowchart of another strategy management method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 5 A flowchart of another strategy management method provided according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Fig. 6A , 6B A schematic diagram of the structure of a policy management apparatus / terminal device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. In the present application, "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0063] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a policy management scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the terminal device 108 is located in area 1 before moving, and a user plane path is established in area 1: the terminal device 108 accesses the second data network (DN) 103 through the second anchor user plane function (UPF) network element 102. Among them, the second anchor UPF network element 102 is managed by the anchor session management function (SMF) network element 101.

[0064] When the terminal device 108 moves from area 1 to area 2, since the terminal device 108 is not in the service area of ​​the anchor SMF network element 101, that is, it moves out of the service area of ​​the anchor SMF network element 101, the core network inserts the intermediate SMF network element 104 in area 2 to serve the terminal device 108. The intermediate SMF network element 104 inserts the branch point 105 and the first anchor UPF network element 106 in area 2, wherein the intermediate SMF network element 106 is used to manage the branch point 105 and the first anchor UPF network element 106. The branch point 105 is used to divert the session established by the terminal device, so that the terminal device 108 establishes two user plane paths in area 2: (1) The terminal device 108 accesses the first DN 107 through the branch point 105 and the first anchor UPF network element 106 in turn; (2) The terminal device 108 accesses the second DN 103 through the branch point 105 and the second anchor UPF network element 102 in turn.

[0065] It should be noted that if there are N (N is an integer greater than 1) first DNs in area 2, the intermediate SMF network element will insert N first anchor point UPF network elements to connect to the N first DNs respectively.

[0066] exist Figure 1 In the scenario shown: the first DN 107 is in area 2, and the data packets of the first application supported by the first DN 107 are transmitted through the first anchor UPF network element 106 and the branch point 105, so the method for processing the data packets in area 1 can be executed by one or more of the first anchor UPF network element 106 and the branch point 105. The second DN 103 is in area 1, and the data packets of the second application supported by the second DN 103 are transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element 102 and the branch point 105, so the method for processing the data packets in area 2 can be executed by one or more of the second anchor UPF network element 102 and the branch point 105.

[0067] Figure 1The scenario diagram shown is applicable to the 5G communication system. In the 5G mobile network architecture, the control plane function and the forwarding plane function of the mobile gateway are decoupled, and the separated control plane function is merged with the traditional control network element mobility management entity (MME) of the third generation partnership project (3GPP) into a unified control plane. The UPF network element can implement the user plane functions (SGW-U and PGW-U) of the serving gateway (SGW) and the packet data network gateway (PGW). Furthermore, the unified control plane network element can be decomposed into the access and mobility management function (AMF) network element and the SMF network element.

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, the communication system provided by the embodiment of the present application includes at least an anchor point SMF network element 101, a second anchor point UPF network element 102, a second DN 103, an intermediate SMF network element 104, a branch point 105, a first anchor point UPF network element 106, a first DN 107 and a terminal device 108.

[0069] Among them, the terminal device 108 involved in this system is not limited to the 5G network, including: mobile phones, Internet of Things devices, smart home devices, industrial control equipment, vehicle equipment, etc. The terminal device can also be called user equipment (UserEquipment, UE), mobile station (Mobile Station), mobile station (Mobile), remote station (Remote Station), remote terminal (Remote Terminal), access terminal (Access Terminal), terminal device (User Terminal), user agent (User Agent), which is not limited here. The above-mentioned terminal device can also be a car in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, a machine in machine-type communication, etc.

[0070] The second anchor UPF network element 102 and the first anchor UPF network element 106 involved in this system are UPF network elements that serve as the Internet protocol (IP) anchor points of the terminal device in the packet data unit (PDU) session. The first anchor UPF network element may also be referred to as the first anchor UPF device or the first anchor UPF entity. The second anchor UPF network element may also be referred to as the second anchor UPF device or the second anchor UPF entity.

[0071] The branch point 105 involved in this system is a UPF network element with the following functions: uplink data can be sent to different anchor UPF network elements, and downlink data of different anchor UPF network elements can be aggregated. Among them, the branch point includes a branching point (BP) UPF network element in a multi-homed PDU session scenario, or a UPF network element that implements an uplink classifier (ULCL).

[0072] It should be noted that the branch point 105 and the first anchor point UPF network element 106 involved in the system may be a combined network element, or may be two independent network elements, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0073] The intermediate SMF network element 104 and the anchor SMF network element 101 involved in the system can be responsible for the session management of the terminal device. For example, session management includes the selection of user plane devices, the reselection of user plane devices, IP address allocation, quality of service (QoS) control, and the establishment, modification or release of sessions.

[0074] The first DN 107 and the second DN 103 involved in this system can be services provided by operators, Internet access services, or services provided by third parties. Among them, the first DN 109 and the second DN 110 can be the same DN, and the first DN 107 and the second DN 103 access the network at different locations.

[0075] Optionally, the above-mentioned 5G communication system also includes a RAN device. The RAN device is a device for providing wireless communication functions for the terminal device 108. The RAN device may include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, etc. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with base station functions may be different. For example, in the LTE system, it is called an evolved NodeB (evolved NodeB, eNB or eNodeB), and in the third generation (3rd generation, 3G) system, it is called Node B (Node B), etc. In the new generation system, it is called gNB (gNodeB). The RAN device may also be a device that supports non-3GPP (Non-3GPP) access, such as a N3IWF (Non-3GPP Interworking function) device that supports WIFI access. Optionally, the above-mentioned 5G communication system also includes an AMF network element. For example, the AMF network element may be responsible for the registration, mobility management, tracking area update process, etc. of the terminal device. The AMF network element may also be called an AMF device or an AMF entity.

[0076] Optionally, the above 5G communication system also includes a policy control function (PCF) network element. The network element includes policy control and flow-based charging control functions. For example, the PCF network element can implement user subscription data management functions, policy control functions, charging policy control functions, QoS control, etc. The PCF network element may also be referred to as a PCF entity or a PCF device.

[0077] The above-mentioned network elements may be network elements implemented on dedicated hardware, software instances running on dedicated hardware, or instances of virtualized functions on an appropriate platform. For example, the above-mentioned virtualization platform may be a cloud platform.

[0078] In addition, the embodiments of the present application may also be applicable to other future-oriented communication technologies. The network architecture and service scenarios described in this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by this application. It is known to those skilled in the art that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0079] Below Figure 1 Taking the described scenario as an example, the technical solution of the present application is described in detail through some embodiments. The following embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments.

[0080] Figure 2A method provided in an embodiment of the present application can be applied to Figure 1 By using this method, the network element in area 2 can execute the method for processing the data packets in area 2. Figure 2 As shown, the method may include:

[0081] S201. A first SMF network element receives first information from a second SMF network element, wherein the first information is used to indicate a data network to which a first anchor UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element is connected.

[0082] For example, the first SMF network element is Figure 1 The anchor SMF network element 101 in the second SMF network element is Figure 1 The intermediate SMF network element 104 in the first anchor point UPF network element is Figure 1 The first anchor UPF network element 106 in the data network connected to the first anchor UPF network element is Figure 1 The first DN 107.

[0083] For example, the first information is a data network access identifier (DNAI, Data Network Access identifier). The first information is used to indicate the access identifier of the first DN connected to the first anchor point UPF network element managed by the intermediate SMF network element.

[0084] Optionally, if the intermediate SMF network element manages N (N is an integer greater than 1) first anchor point UPF network elements, and the N first anchor point UPF network elements are respectively connected to N data networks, then the first information is used to indicate the N data networks to which each of the N first anchor point UPF network elements is respectively connected.

[0085] S202, the first SMF network element determines the first rule information executed by the first network element managed by the second SMF network element according to the first information. The first network element includes at least one of the first anchor UPF network element or the branch point, the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function, the branch point is connected to the first anchor UPF network element, the first rule information is used to indicate a processing method for a data packet of the first application, and the data packet of the first application is transmitted through the first anchor UPF network element.

[0086] For example, the branch point is Figure 1 The first network element includes Figure 1 At least one of the first anchor UPF network element 106 or the branch point 105. The first application is Figure 1 The first DN 107 supports an application, and the data packet of the first application is transmitted through the first anchor UPF network element 106.

[0087] For example, the first rule information may be a Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rule.

[0088] For example, the first information is DNAI. If the first rule information includes the DNAI in the first information, the first SMF network element determines that the data packet corresponding to the PCC rule is transmitted through the first anchor point UPF and the branch point. Therefore, the first SMF network element determines based on the first information that the PCC rule is executed by at least one of the first anchor point UPF network element or the branch point.

[0089] It should be noted that the data packet of the first application includes any one of the following: an uplink data packet of the first application, a downlink data packet of the first application, or an uplink data packet and a downlink data packet of the first application.

[0090] Accordingly, the first network element executes the first rule information in any one of the following four ways:

[0091] (1) The first anchor UPF network element executes a method for processing an uplink data packet of the first application, and the branch point executes a method for processing a downlink data packet of the first application;

[0092] (2) The first anchor UPF network element executes a method for processing uplink data packets and downlink data packets of the first application;

[0093] (3) The branch point executes a method for processing an uplink data packet of the first application, and the first anchor UPF network element executes a method for processing a downlink data packet of the first application;

[0094] (4) The branch point executes a method for processing the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0095] S203: The first SMF network element sends second information to the second SMF network element, wherein the second information includes the first rule information.

[0096] Optionally, the second information also includes indication information of the first network element (i.e., the fifth indication information). At this time, the indication information of the first network element indicates that the first network element is a branch point or a first anchor UPF network element, that is, the indication information of the first network element indicates that the network element executing the first rule information is a branch point or a first anchor UPF network element. For example, the fifth indication information may be the first information in step S201.

[0097] Optionally, the second information does not include the fifth indication information. At this time, the first rule information in the second information indicates that the network element executing the first rule information is a branch point.

[0098] Optionally, the first SMF network element may also indicate to the second SMF network element through the second information whether the first network element is a branch point or a first anchor UPF network element. In a possible implementation, when the second information includes the fifth indication information, the first network element is the first anchor UPF network element; when the second information does not include the fifth indication information, the first network element is a branch point. For example, the fifth indication information may be the DNAI obtained in step S201.

[0099] According to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 In the scenario shown, when the data packets in area 2 are not transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element in area 1, the first anchor UPF network element in area 2 or at least one network element in the branch point can perform the method for processing the data packets in area 2. By performing billing, usage control, service quality control and other processing on the data packets in area 2, the core network's management capability of user data is enhanced.

[0100] Optionally, for the four modes in which the first network element determines in step S202 that the first SMF network element executes the first rule information, the second information further includes the following content:

[0101] In implementation (1), the branch point executes a method for processing a downlink data packet of the first application. If the downlink data packet of the first application belongs to a service data flow SDF (Service Data Flow) that needs to pass deep message detection, the branch point may rely on the previous downlink data packet of the downlink data packet when identifying the downlink data packet of the first application. Accordingly, the first rule information is used to indicate the method for processing the data packet of the first application by the branch point, and the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information. Among them, the first identification information is used to identify the data packet of the first application, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element (for example, the intermediate SMF network element) requests the first anchor point UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. Therefore, even if the branch point is inserted after the PDU session is established, the branch point can know that the downlink data packet is a downlink data packet of the first application based on the first identification information carried in the downlink data packet, thereby performing normal processing of the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0102] For example, the first identification information includes an SDF tag. This embodiment does not limit the format of the SDF tag. For example, the SDF tag may be a field in a (GPRS tunneling protocol, GTP) GPRS tunneling protocol (GPRS: general packet radio service, general packet radio service) header, or an encapsulation added between a GTP header and an (Internet Protocol, IP) Internet Protocol header for carrying an SDF tag, or other formats.

[0103] According to the method of implementation method (1), when the downlink data packet of the first application belongs to the SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the first anchor point UPF network element carries the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. The branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the first application based on the first identification information, thereby executing the processing method for the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0104] In implementation method (2), the downlink data packets of the first application are transmitted sequentially through the first anchor UPF network element and the branch point, wherein the branch point may lose packets when controlling the aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) of the session. The second information also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element (for example, the middle SMF network element) requests the branch point to report packet loss information, and the packet loss information includes the number of discarded downlink data packets of the first application. For example, the number of discarded downlink data packets of the first application may be the number of bytes or the number of packets. Therefore, even if there may be packet loss at the branch point, the first SMF network element (for example, the anchor SMF network element) can determine the actual number of downlink data packets of the first application based on the number of downlink data packets of the first application received from the first anchor UPF network element and the packet loss information reported by the branch point. This ensures the accuracy of the first anchor UPF network element in executing the method for processing the downlink data packets of the first application.

[0105] For example, the first SMF network element (e.g., an anchor SMF network element) receives the above-mentioned packet loss information from the branch point through the second SMF network element (e.g., an intermediate SMF network element), and the first SMF network element receives the number of downlink data packets of the first application from the first anchor UPF network element through the second SMF network element (e.g., an intermediate SMF network element), and then the first SMF network element subtracts the number of discards in the packet loss information from the number of downlink data packets of the first application to determine the actual number of downlink data packets of the first application.

[0106] According to the method of implementation mode (2), when the first anchor point UPF network element executes the method for processing the downlink data packets of the first application, the first SMF network element can determine the actual number of downlink data packets of the first application based on the number of downlink data packets of the first application received from the first anchor point UPF network element and the packet loss information received from the branch point. This ensures the accuracy of the first anchor point UPF network element when executing the method for processing the downlink data packets of the first application.

[0107] In implementation method (2), the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information. The first identification information is used to identify the data packet of the first application, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element (for example, the intermediate SMF network element) requests the first anchor UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. When the downlink data packet of the first application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the first anchor UPF network element carries the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. The branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the first application based on the first identification information, so that the discarded data packets of the first application can be counted.

[0108] In implementation (3), when the branch point executes the method for processing the uplink data packet of the first application, as described in implementation (1), if the uplink data packet of the first application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information. The second SMF network element (for example, the intermediate SMF network element) requests the first anchor point UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application according to the third indication information. The terminal device receives the first identification information when receiving the downlink data packet of the first application, and the terminal device carries the first identification information when sending the uplink data packet of the first application to the branch point. In this way, the branch point can identify the uplink data packet of the first application.

[0109] In implementation (3), when the first anchor UPF network element executes the method for processing the downlink data packets of the first application, as described in implementation (2), the second information also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct the second SMF network element (for example, the intermediate SMF network element) to request the branch point to report packet loss information. Therefore, even if the branch point may lose packets, the first SMF network element (for example, the anchor SMF network element) can determine the actual number of downlink data packets of the first application based on the number of downlink data packets of the first application received from the first anchor UPF network element and the packet loss information reported by the branch point. This ensures the accuracy of the first anchor UPF network element when executing the method for processing the downlink data packets of the first application. .

[0110] According to the method of implementation mode (3), if the uplink data packet of the first application belongs to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message detection, the branch point can identify the uplink data packet of the first application according to the first identification information, so that the processing method for the uplink data packet of the first application can be executed. When the first anchor point UPF network element executes the processing method for the downlink data packet of the first application, the actual number of downlink data packets of the first application can be determined according to the number of downlink data packets of the first application received from the first anchor point UPF network element and the packet loss information received from the branch point. Thereby, the accuracy of the first anchor point UPF network element in executing the processing method for the downlink data packet of the first application is guaranteed.

[0111] In implementation method (4), when the branch point executes the method for processing the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application, as described in implementation method (1) and implementation method (3), if the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application belong to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message detection, the second information also includes the first identification information and the third indication information.

[0112] According to the method of implementation mode (4), if the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application belong to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message detection, the branch point can identify the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application according to the first identification information, so that the processing method of the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application can be executed.

[0113] The implementation processes of the above implementation methods (1), (2) and (4) can be combined respectively Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 Further description.

[0114] Figure 3 A flowchart of a policy management method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 The method shown is used to describe Figure 1 In the described scenario, Figure 2 The implementation method (1) in step S202 is that the first SMF network element determines, based on the first information, that the first anchor point UPF network element executes a method for processing the uplink data packet of the first application, and the branch point executes a method for processing the downlink data packet of the first application. Figure 3 Will combine Figure 1 and Figure 2 Describe, such as Figure 3 As shown, the method may include:

[0115] S301. The second SMF network element selects a branch point.

[0116] For example, the second SMF network element is Figure 1 The intermediate SMF network element 104 in the branch point is Figure 1 The branch point 105 in .

[0117] The process of selecting branch points for the second SMF network element can refer to Figure 1 The description is not repeated here.

[0118] For example, the first anchor UPF network element and the branch point can be combined into one network element, or can be two different network elements. When the first anchor UPF network element and the branch point are two different network elements, the branch point is connected to the first anchor UPF network element and the second anchor UPF network element respectively.

[0119] S302. The second SMF network element establishes an N4 session with the branch point.

[0120] For example, the second SMF network element sends an N4 session establishment request to the branch point, and the branch point sends an N4 session establishment response to the second SMF network element, thereby creating a user plane tunnel between the branch point and the first anchor UPF network element and a user plane tunnel between the branch point and the second anchor UPF network element.

[0121] S303. The second SMF network element establishes an N4 session with the first anchor UPF network element.

[0122] For example, the first anchor UPF network element is Figure 1 The first anchor point UPF network element 106.

[0123] For example, the second SMF network element sends an N4 session establishment request message to the first anchor UPF network element, and the first anchor UPF network element sends an N4 session establishment response to the second SMF network element, thereby creating a user plane tunnel between the first anchor UPF network element and the branch point.

[0124] It should be noted that step S303 may also be executed before step S302.

[0125] S304, the second SMF network element sends the first information to the first SMF network element. Correspondingly, the first SMF network element receives the first information from the second SMF network element.

[0126] For example, the first SMF network element is Figure 1 The anchor SMF network element 101 in.

[0127] The content of the first information can be referred to Figure 2 The description of the first information in step S201 is not repeated here.

[0128] For example, the second SMF network element sends the first information to the first SMF network element through a session update request message. The session update request message is also used to request the creation of a user plane tunnel between the second anchor UPF network element and the branch point.

[0129] S305. The first SMF network element determines, based on the first information, the first rule information executed by the first network element managed by the second SMF network element.

[0130] like Figure 2 In the implementation method (1) of step S202, the first SMF network element determines, based on the first information, that the first anchor point UPF network element executes a method for processing the uplink data packet of the first application, and the branch point executes a method for processing the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0131] For example, the first rule information may be a PCC rule.

[0132] For example, the first information is DNAI. If the first rule information includes the DNAI in the first information, the first SMF network element determines that the data packet corresponding to the PCC rule is transmitted through the first anchor point UPF and the branch point. Therefore, the first SMF network element determines, based on the first information, that the first anchor point UPF network element executes a processing method for the uplink data packet of the first application, and the branch point executes a processing method for the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0133] S307, the first SMF network element sends second information to the second SMF network element. Correspondingly, the second SMF network element receives the second information from the first SMF network element. The second information includes the first rule information.

[0134] For example, the first SMF network element sends the second information to the second SMF network element via a session update response message.

[0135] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the message format carrying the second information. For example, the message format may be a PCC rule format, or a message format based on the N4 interface generated according to the PCC rule (eg, Packet Detection Rule, PDR), or other formats.

[0136] Optionally, the second information further includes one or more of the following information:

[0137] The first type of information: data packet identification information, such as SDF tag or quintuple or application identification, etc.

[0138] The second type of information: operational information, such as billing, usage monitoring, or QoS control;

[0139] The third type of information: parameter information, such as charging key, usage monitoring key or QoS parameters.

[0140] The fourth type of information: If the second SMF network element manages N (N is an integer greater than 1) first anchor point UPF network elements, and the N first anchor point UPF network elements are respectively connected to N data networks, then the first information is used to indicate the N data networks to which the N first anchor point UPF network elements are respectively connected. Since each first anchor point UPF network element can only process data packets transmitted through the first anchor point UPF network element, in order to send the processing rules of the data packets to the corresponding first anchor point UPF, when the first rule information is used to instruct the first anchor point UPF network element to execute the processing method for the uplink data packets of the first application, the first rule information includes the processing rules for the data packets passing through each first anchor point UPF network element and the DNAI corresponding to each first anchor point UPF network element.

[0141] Optionally, since the first rule information is used to instruct the branch point to execute a method for processing a downlink data packet of the first application, the first rule information may not include a DNAI corresponding to the first rule information.

[0142] Optional, such as Figure 2 As described in, for the implementation method (1) in step S202, when the downlink data packet of the first application belongs to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message inspection, the second information also includes the first identification information and the third indication information. For example, the content of the second information can refer to Figure 2 The description of the second information in implementation method (1) in the optional step of step S202 is not repeated here.

[0143] Optionally, the second information also includes second rule information, and the second rule information is used to indicate the branch point's processing method for the downlink data packet of the second application. The data packet of the second application is transmitted through the second anchor point UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element and the branch point.

[0144] For example, the second anchor UPF network element is Figure 1 The second anchor point UPF network element 102 in.

[0145] For example, the second anchor UPF network element executes the method for processing the uplink data packet of the second application, and the branch point executes the method for processing the downlink data packet of the second application. When the downlink data packet of the second application belongs to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message inspection, you can refer to Figure 2 The description of the implementation method (1) in the optional step of step S202 when the downlink data packet of the first application belongs to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message detection. The second information also includes second identification information, and the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application; the first SMF network element sends second indication information to the second anchor UPF network element, and the second indication information is used to instruct the second anchor UPF network element to carry the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application.

[0146] For example, the second identification information includes an SDF tag. This embodiment does not limit the format of the SDF tag. For example, the SDF tag may be a field in a GPRS tunnel protocol header, or a package added between a GTP header and an IP header for carrying an SDF tag, or other formats.

[0147] According to the method, when the downlink data packet of the second application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the second anchor point UPF network element carries the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application. The branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the second application based on the second identification information, thereby executing the processing method for the downlink data packet of the second application.

[0148] According to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 In the scenario shown, when the data packets in area 2 are not transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element in area 1, the first anchor UPF network element in area 2 can execute the method for processing the uplink data packets of the first application, and the branch point in area 2 can execute the method for processing the downlink data packets of the first application. By performing billing, usage control, service quality control and other processing on the data packets in area 2, the core network's ability to manage user data is enhanced.

[0149] Optionally, after step S305 is executed, the method further includes step S306.

[0150] S306. The first SMF network element sends the third information to the second anchor UPF network element. Correspondingly, the second anchor UPF network element receives the third information from the first SMF network element. The third information is used to instruct the second anchor UPF network element to execute a method for processing the uplink data packet of the second application.

[0151] The third information also includes tunnel information of the branch point, and the tunnel information of the branch point is used to establish a tunnel from the second anchor point UPF network element to the branch point.

[0152] For example, the third information may be N4 interface rule information formulated according to PCC rules, such as PDR.

[0153] For example, according to the description in step S307, when the second information also includes second rule information, the second anchor UPF network element executes a method for processing an uplink data packet of the second application, and the branch point executes a method for processing a downlink data packet of the second application. The second anchor UPF network element executes a method for processing an uplink data packet of the second application according to the third information received from the first SMF network element.

[0154] Optionally, the third information also includes second identification information and second indication information, and the S3 second indication information is used to indicate that the second anchor point UPF network element carries the second identification information when sending a downlink data packet of the second application.

[0155] For example, according to the description in step S307, the branch point executes the method for processing the downlink data packet of the second application, and when the downlink data packet of the second application belongs to the SDF that needs to pass the deep message detection, the second anchor point UPF network element carries the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application. Thus, the branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the second application according to the second identification information, and thus can execute the method for processing the downlink data packet of the second application.

[0156] Optionally, the second indication information can also be used to instruct the second anchor point UPF network element to delete the third rule information, and the third rule information is used to instruct the second anchor point UPF network element to process the downlink data packet of the second application.

[0157] Optionally, after step S307 is executed, the method further includes steps S308 and S309.

[0158] S308. The second SMF network element sends the fourth information to the first anchor UPF network element. Correspondingly, the first anchor UPF network element receives the fourth information from the second SMF network element. The fourth information is used to instruct the first anchor UPF network element to execute a method for processing the uplink data packet of the first application. In other words, the fourth information is part of the first rule information.

[0159] For example, the second SMF network element sends the fourth information to the first anchor UPF network element through an N4 session modification request. The first anchor UPF network element executes a method for processing an uplink data packet of the first application according to the fourth information.

[0160] Optionally, the second SMF network element sends the first identification information to the first anchor UPF network element, and the fourth information is also used to instruct the first anchor UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0161] Optionally, the first SMF network element generates fourth information according to the first rule, and sends the fourth information to the first anchor point UPF network element corresponding to the DNAI in the first rule.

[0162] S309, the second SMF network element sends the fifth information to the branch point. Correspondingly, the branch point receives the fifth information from the second SMF network element. The fifth information is used to instruct the branch point to execute a method for processing the downlink data packet of the first application. That is, the second SMF network element obtains or generates the fifth information according to the first rule information.

[0163] For example, the second SMF network element sends the fifth information to the branch point through the N4 session modification request. The branch point executes the processing method for the downlink data packet of the first application according to the fifth information.

[0164] Optionally, the fifth information includes the first identification information.

[0165] Optionally, according to the description of the optional content of the second information in step S307, the second information also includes second rule information, and the second rule information is used to indicate the branch point's processing method for the data packet of the second application, and the data packet of the second application is transmitted through the second anchor point UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element. When the downlink data packet of the second application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the second information also includes second identification information, and the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application. In this case, the fifth information also includes the second identification information.

[0166] The fifth information also includes tunnel information of the first anchor UPF network element so as to establish a tunnel between the branch point and the first anchor UPF network element.

[0167] Figure 4 A flowchart of another policy management method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 The method shown is used to describe Figure 1 In the described scenario, Figure 2 The implementation method (2) in step S202 is that the first SMF network element determines, based on the first information, the first anchor point UPF network element to execute a processing method for the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application. Figure 4 Will combine Figures 1 to 3 Describe, such as Figure 4 As shown, the method may include:

[0168] Steps S401 to S404 can refer to Figure 3 The description of steps S301 to S304 will not be repeated here.

[0169] After step S404 is executed, the method further includes:

[0170] S405. The first SMF network element determines, based on the first information, the first rule information executed by the first network element managed by the second SMF network element.

[0171] like Figure 2 In the implementation method (2) of step S202, the first SMF network element determines, based on the first information, a method for the first anchor UPF network element to execute for processing uplink data packets and downlink data packets of the first application.

[0172] For example, the first rule information may be a PCC rule.

[0173] For example, the first information is DNAI. If the first rule information includes the DNAI in the first information, the first SMF network element determines that the data packet corresponding to the PCC rule is transmitted through the first anchor point UPF and the branch point. Therefore, the first SMF network element determines the first anchor point UPF network element to execute a processing method for the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application based on the first information.

[0174] S407, the first SMF network element sends second information to the second SMF network element. Correspondingly, the second SMF network element receives the second information from the first SMF network element. The second information includes the first rule information.

[0175] For example, the first SMF network element sends the second information to the second SMF network element via a session update response message.

[0176] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the message format carrying the second information. For example, the message format may be a PCC rule format, or a message format using an N4 interface (eg, PDR), or other formats.

[0177] Optionally, the second information also includes one or more of the four types of information. The contents of the four types of information can be found in Figure 3 The description of the first type of information, the second type of information, the third type of information and the fourth type of information in step S307 will not be repeated here.

[0178] Optional, such as Figure 2 As described in, for the implementation method (2) in step S202, when the first anchor UPF network element executes the method for processing the downlink data packet of the first application, since the branch point may lose packets, the second information also includes the first indication information. For example, the content of the second information can refer to Figure 2 The description of the second information in implementation method (2) in the optional step of step S202 is not repeated here.

[0179] Optionally, the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information, the first identification information is used to identify the data packet of the first application, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element requests the first anchor UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. When the downlink data packet of the first application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the first anchor UPF network element carries the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application. The branch point can identify the downlink data packet of the first application based on the first identification information, so that the number of packet losses of the downlink data packet of the first application can be counted.

[0180] Optionally, if the first SMF network element determines that the second anchor UPF network element executes the method for processing the uplink data packets and downlink data packets of the second application, the first indication information is also used to instruct the second SMF network element to request the branch point to report the number of discarded downlink data packets of the second application, and the downlink data packets of the second application are transmitted in sequence through the second anchor UPF network element and the branch point managed by the first SMF network element. Therefore, even if the branch point may lose packets, when the second anchor UPF network element executes the method for processing the downlink data packets of the second application, the first SMF network element can determine the actual number of downlink data packets of the second application based on the number of downlink data packets of the second application received from the second anchor UPF network element and the packet loss information received from the branch point. This ensures the accuracy of the second anchor UPF network element in executing the method for processing the downlink data packets of the second application.

[0181] Optionally, the second information further includes second identification information, and the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application. Thus, the branch point identifies the downlink data packet of the second application according to the second identification information, so that the number of lost packets of the downlink data packet of the second application can be counted. Figure 1 In the scenario shown, when the data packets in area 2 are not transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element in area 1, the first anchor UPF network element in area 2 can execute the method for processing the uplink data packets and downlink data packets of the first application, and the branch point in area 2 can execute the method for processing the downlink data packets of the first application. By performing billing, usage control, service quality control and other processing on the data packets in area 2, the core network's ability to manage user data is enhanced.

[0182] Optionally, after step S405 is executed, the method further includes step S406.

[0183] S406. The first SMF network element sends the sixth information to the second anchor UPF network element. Correspondingly, the second anchor UPF network element receives the sixth information from the first SMF network element. The sixth information is used to instruct the second anchor UPF network element to execute a method for processing uplink data packets and downlink data packets of the second application.

[0184] Optionally, the sixth information is also used to indicate that the second anchor point UPF network element carries the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application.

[0185] The sixth information also includes tunnel information of the branch point so as to establish a tunnel between the branch point and the second anchor point UPF.

[0186] Optionally, after step S407 is executed, the method further includes steps S408 and S409.

[0187] S408, the second SMF network element sends the seventh information to the first anchor UPF network element. Correspondingly, the first anchor UPF network element receives the seventh information from the second SMF network element. The seventh information is used to instruct the first anchor UPF network element to execute a method for processing uplink data packets and downlink data packets of the first application.

[0188] For example, the second SMF network element generates or obtains the seventh information based on the first rule information.

[0189] For example, the second SMF network element sends the seventh information to the first anchor UPF network element through the N4 session modification request. The first anchor UPF network element executes the processing method for the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application according to the seventh information.

[0190] Optionally, the seventh information is also used to indicate that the first anchor UPF network element carries the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0191] S409, the second SMF network element sends the eighth information to the branch point. Correspondingly, the branch point receives the eighth information from the second SMF network element.

[0192] The eighth information is used to instruct the branch point to report packet loss information, where the packet loss information includes one or more of the number of discarded downlink data packets of the first application or the number of discarded downlink data packets of the second application.

[0193] For example, the second SMF network element sends the eighth information to the branch point through the N4 session modification request. The branch point reports the packet loss information to the first SMF network element through the second SMF network element according to the eighth information.

[0194] Optionally, the eighth information includes first identification information and second identification information.

[0195] The eighth information also includes tunnel information of the first anchor point UPF, so as to establish a tunnel between the branch point and the first anchor point UPF.

[0196] Figure 5 A flowchart of another policy management method provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 The method shown is used to describe Figure 1 In the described scenario, Figure 2 The implementation method (4) in step S202 is that the first SMF network element determines the branch point to execute a method for processing the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application. Figure 5 Will combine Figures 1 to 4 Describe, such as Figure 5 As shown, the method may include:

[0197] Steps S501 to S503 can refer to Figure 3The description of steps S301 to S303 will not be repeated here.

[0198] After step S503 is executed, the method further includes:

[0199] S504: The second SMF network element sends ninth information to the first SMF network element. Correspondingly, the first SMF network element receives ninth information from the second SMF network element. The ninth information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element has inserted a branch point.

[0200] For example, the ninth information may also include DNAI.

[0201] For example, the second SMF network element sends the ninth information to the first SMF network element through a session update request message. The session update request message includes tunnel information of the branch point. The session update request message is used to request the creation of a user plane tunnel between the second anchor UPF network element and the branch point.

[0202] S505. The first SMF network element determines the first rule information executed by the first network element managed by the second SMF network element based on the ninth information.

[0203] For example, the first rule information may be a PCC rule.

[0204] In this embodiment, the first SMF network element determines the branch point to execute a method for processing the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application according to the ninth information. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The described embodiment differs in that: Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the first SMF network element, the first information determines that the data packet corresponding to the first rule information is transmitted through the first anchor UPF and the branch point, so the first SMF network element determines that at least one of the first anchor UPF network element or the branch point executes the processing method for the data packet of the first application. Figure 5 In the present invention, after the first SMF network element learns that the second SMF network element has been inserted into a branch point, the first SMF network element determines that the branch point shall execute a processing method for all data packets (i.e., including uplink data packets and downlink data packets of the first application, and uplink data packets and downlink data packets of the second application).

[0205] S507: The first SMF network element sends second information to the second SMF network element. Correspondingly, the second SMF network element receives the second information from the first SMF network element. The second information includes the first rule information.

[0206] For example, the first SMF network element sends the second information to the second SMF network element via a session update response message.

[0207] It should be noted that this embodiment does not limit the message format carrying the second information. For example, the message format may be a PCC rule format, or a message format using an N4 interface (eg, PDR), or other formats.

[0208] Optionally, the second information also includes one or more of the three types of information. The contents of the three types of information can refer to Figure 3 The description of the first information, the second information and the third information in step S307 is not repeated here.

[0209] Optional, such as Figure 2 According to the description in, for the implementation method (4) in step S202, for the branch point to execute a method for processing the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application, when at least one of the uplink data packet or the downlink data packet of the first application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information. The second SMF network element carries the first identification information when requesting the first anchor point UPF network element to send the downlink data packet of the first application according to the third indication information. The terminal device receives the first identification information when receiving the downlink data packet of the first application, and carries the first identification information when sending the uplink data packet of the first application to the branch point. For example, the content of the second information can refer to Figure 2 The description of the second information in implementation method (4) in the optional step of step S202 is not repeated here.

[0210] Optionally, if the first SMF network element determines that the branch point executes the method for processing the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the second application, when at least one of the uplink data packet or the downlink data packet of the second application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the second information also includes second identification information. The second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application.

[0211] According to the method of the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 In the scenario shown, when the data packets in area 2 are not transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element in area 1, the branch point in area 2 can execute the method for processing the uplink data packets and downlink data packets in area 2. By performing billing, usage control, service quality control and other processing on the data packets in area 2, the core network's management capabilities for user data are enhanced.

[0212] Optionally, after step S505 is executed, the method further includes step S506.

[0213] S506. The first SMF network element sends a second indication message to the second anchor UPF network element. Correspondingly, the second anchor UPF network element receives the second indication message from the first SMF network element. The second indication message is used to instruct the second anchor UPF network element to carry the second identification information when sending a downlink data packet of the second application.

[0214] Step S506 can refer to Figure 3 The description of step S307 is not repeated here.

[0215] Optionally, after step S507 is executed, the method further includes steps S508 and S509.

[0216] S508. The second SMF network element sends the tenth information to the first anchor UPF network element. Correspondingly, the first anchor UPF network element receives the tenth information from the second SMF network element. Optionally, the tenth information is used to indicate that the first anchor UPF network element carries the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0217] For example, the second SMF network element sends the tenth information to the first anchor UPF network element through the N4 session modification request. The first anchor UPF network element carries the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application according to the instruction of the tenth information.

[0218] S509, the second SMF network element sends the eleventh information to the branch point. Correspondingly, the branch point receives the eleventh information from the second SMF network element. The eleventh information is obtained or generated according to the first rule information, and the eleventh information is used to indicate the branch point's processing method for the data packets of the first application and the second application.

[0219] For example, the second SMF network element sends the eleventh information to the branch point through the N4 session modification request. The branch point executes the processing method for the uplink data packet and the downlink data packet of the first application according to the eleventh information.

[0220] Optionally, the eleventh information includes first identification information and second identification information.

[0221] The eleventh information also includes the tunnel information of the first anchor point UPF network element, so as to establish a tunnel between the branch point and the first anchor point UPF network element.

[0222] In the embodiments provided in the present application above, each scheme of the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is introduced from the perspective of each network element itself and from the perspective of the interaction between each network element. It can be understood that each network element and device, such as the above-mentioned wireless access network device, access and mobility management function network element, terminal device, data management function network element and network slice selection function network element, in order to realize the above functions, includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function. It should be easy for those skilled in the art to realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this article, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0223] For example, when the above network element implements the corresponding function through a software module. The policy management device may include a receiving module 601, a processing module 602 and a sending module 603. Fig. 6A shown.

[0224] In one embodiment, the policy management device can be used to perform operations of the first SMF network element. For example:

[0225] The receiving module 601 is used to receive first information from the second SMF network element, and the first information is used to indicate the data network connected to the first anchor UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element. The processing module 602 is used to determine the first rule information executed by the first network element managed by the second SMF network element based on the first information, the first network element includes at least one of the first anchor UPF network element or the branch point, the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function, and the branch point is connected to the first anchor UPF network element. The first rule information is used to indicate the processing device for the data packet of the first application, and the data packet of the first application is transmitted through the first anchor UPF network element. The sending module 603 is used to send second information to the second SMF network element, and the second information includes the first rule information.

[0226] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 In the scenario shown, when the data packets in area 2 are not transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element in area 1, the first anchor UPF network element in area 2 or at least one network element in the branch point can perform the method for processing the data packets in area 2. By performing billing, usage control, service quality control and other processing on the data packets in area 2, the core network's management capability of user data is enhanced.

[0227] Optionally, the second information also includes second rule information, and the second rule information is used to indicate the processing device of the branch point for the data packet of the second application, and the data packet of the second application is transmitted through the second anchor point UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element and the branch point.

[0228] Optionally, the second information also includes second identification information, and the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application. The sending module 603 is also used to send second indication information to the second anchor UPF network element, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second anchor UPF network element carries the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application.

[0229] In addition, the receiving module 601 and the sending module 603 in the device can also implement other operations or functions of the first SMF network element, which will not be repeated here.

[0230] In another embodiment, Fig. 6A The policy management device shown can be used to perform operations of the second SMF network element. For example:

[0231] The sending module 603 is used to send the first information to the first SMF network element, the first information is used to indicate the data network connected to the first anchor UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element, the first information is used to determine the first rule information executed by the first network element managed by the second SMF network element, the first network element includes at least one of the first anchor UPF network element or the branch point, the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function, the branch point is connected to the first anchor UPF network element, the first rule information is used to indicate the processing device for the data packet of the first application, and the data packet of the first application is transmitted through the first anchor UPF network element. The receiving module 601 is used to receive the second information from the first SMF network element, and the second information includes the first rule information.

[0232] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 In the scenario shown, when the data packets in area 2 are not transmitted through the second anchor UPF network element in area 1, the first anchor UPF network element in area 2 or at least one network element in the branch point can perform the method for processing the data packets in area 2. By performing billing, usage control, service quality control and other processing on the data packets in area 2, the core network's management capability of user data is enhanced.

[0233] Optionally, the second information also includes second rule information, and the second rule information is used to indicate the branch point's processing device for the data packet of the second application, and the data packet of the second application is transmitted through the second anchor point UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element.

[0234] Optionally, the second information further includes second identification information, and the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application. The sending module 603 is further used to send the second identification information to the branch point.

[0235] Optionally, the second information also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to instruct the second SMF network element to request the branch point to report packet loss information, the packet loss information includes one or more of the number of discarded downlink data packets of the first application or the number of discarded downlink data packets of the second application. The downlink data packets of the second application are transmitted in sequence through the second anchor UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element and the branch point.

[0236] Optionally, if the first rule information is used to indicate the branch point's processing device for the data packet of the first application, the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information, the first identification information is used to identify the data packet of the first application, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element requests the first anchor point UPF network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application.

[0237] In addition, the receiving module 601 and the sending module 603 in the device can also implement other operations or functions of the second SMF network element, which will not be repeated here.

[0238] In another embodiment, Fig. 6A The policy management device shown can be used to perform branch point operations. For example:

[0239] The receiving module 601 is used to receive indication information from the second SMF network element, and the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function. The sending module 603 is used to send packet loss information to the second SMF network element according to the indication information, and the packet loss information includes one or more of the following: the number of discarded downlink data packets of the first application, or the number of discarded downlink data packets of the second application, wherein the downlink data packets of the first application are sequentially transmitted through the first anchor point UPF network element and the branch point managed by the second SMF network element, and the downlink data packets of the second application are sequentially transmitted through the second anchor point UPF network element and the branch point managed by the first SMF network element.

[0240] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the first SMF network element can determine the actual number of downlink data packets of the first application and / or the second application according to the number of downlink data packets of the first application counted by the first anchor point UPF and / or the number of downlink data packets of the second application counted by the second anchor point UPF and the packet loss information received from the branch point. This ensures the accuracy of executing the method for processing downlink data packets of the first application and / or the second application.

[0241] In addition, the receiving module 601 and the sending module 603 in the device can also implement other operations or functions of the branch point, which will not be described in detail here.

[0242] In another embodiment, Fig. 6A The policy management device shown can be used to perform branch point operations. For example:

[0243] The receiving module 601 is used to receive identification information of an application data packet from the first SMF network element through the second SMF network element. The application data packet is transmitted through the anchor UPF network element managed by the third SMF network element. The branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function managed by the second SMF network element. The branch point is connected to the anchor UPF network element. The receiving module 601 is also used to receive a downlink data packet of the application from the anchor UPF network element. The downlink data packet carries identification information. The processing module 602 is used to identify the downlink data packet according to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet. Among them, the first SMF network element is the anchor SMF network element, and the third SMF network element is one or more of the first SMF network element or the second SMF network element.

[0244] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, when the downlink data packet of the application belongs to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the anchor UPF network element carries identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the application. The branch point can identify the downlink data packet corresponding to the application based on the identification information, and thus can execute a processing method for the downlink data packet of the application.

[0245] Optionally, the sending module 603 is used to send a downlink data packet and identification information to a terminal device.

[0246] In addition, the receiving module 601, the processing module 602 and the sending module 603 in the device can also implement other operations or functions of the branch point, which will not be described in detail here.

[0247] In another embodiment, Fig. 6A The device shown can be used to perform operations of the terminal device. For example:

[0248] The receiving module 601 is used to receive downlink data packets and identification information from a branch point, the identification information is used to identify the downlink data packets of the application, and the branch point is a UPF network element with a diversion function. When the sending module 603 is used to send the uplink data packets of the application to the branch point, the uplink data packets carry the identification information.

[0249] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, the branch point executes a method for processing uplink data packets of an application (for example, the first application and / or the second application). When the data packets of the application belong to an SDF that needs to pass deep message detection, the uplink data packets sent by the terminal device to the branch point carry identification information, so that the branch point can identify the data packets of the application based on the identification information, and thus can execute the method for processing the uplink data packets of the application.

[0250] In addition, the receiving module 601 and the sending module 603 in the device can also implement other operations or functions of the terminal device, which will not be repeated here.

[0251] Figure 6B Another possible structural diagram of the authentication device involved in the above embodiment is shown. The authentication device includes a transceiver 604 and a processor 605, such as Figure 6B As shown. For example, the processor 605 can be a general-purpose microprocessor, a data processing circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) circuit. The authentication device can also include a memory 606, for example, the memory is a random access memory (RAM). The memory is used to couple with the processor 605, and stores the computer program 6061 necessary for the authentication device.

[0252] In addition, the authentication device involved in the above embodiment further provides a carrier 607, in which a computer program 6071 of the authentication device is stored, and the computer program 6071 can be loaded into the processor 605. The above carrier can be an optical signal, an electrical signal, an electromagnetic signal, or a computer-readable storage medium (for example, a hard disk).

[0253] When the computer program 6061 or 6071 is executed on a computer (eg, the processor 605 ), the computer may be enabled to execute the above method.

[0254] For example, in one embodiment, the processor 605 is configured for other operations or functions of the first SMF network element. The transceiver 604 is used to implement communication between the first SMF network element and the second SMF network element / second anchor UPF network element.

[0255] In another embodiment, the processor 605 is configured for other operations or functions of the second SMF network element. The transceiver 604 is used to implement communication between the second SMF network element and the first SMF network element / branch point.

[0256] In another embodiment, the processor 605 is configured for other operations or functions of the branch point. The transceiver 604 is used to implement communication between the branch point and the second SMF network element / the first SMF network element / the first anchor UPF network element / the terminal device.

[0257] In another embodiment, the processor 605 is configured to perform other operations or functions of the terminal device. The transceiver 604 is used to implement communication between the terminal device and the branch point.

[0258] One or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of the two. When any of the above modules or units is implemented by software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, and the processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor may include but is not limited to at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor and other types of computing devices that run software, each of which may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform operations or processing. The processor may be built into an SoC (system on chip) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or it may be an independent semiconductor chip. In addition to the core used to execute software instructions for operations or processing in the processor, it may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), PLDs (programmable logic devices), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0259] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, a microprocessor, a DSP, an MCU, an artificial intelligence processor, an ASIC, a SoC, an FPGA, a PLD, a dedicated digital circuit, a hardware accelerator or a non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or not rely on the software to execute the above method flow.

[0260] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present invention is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape), an optical medium (e.g., a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state hard disk Solid State Disk (SSD)), etc.

[0261] The specific implementation methods described above further illustrate the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific implementation method of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made on the basis of the technical solution of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for policy management, characterized in that: include: The second session management function network element sends first information to the first session management function network element, where the first information is used to indicate a data network to which the first anchor user plane function network element managed by the second session management function network element is connected; The first session management function network element receives the first information from the second session management function network element; The first session management function network element determines, according to the first information, first rule information executed by a first network element managed by the second session management function network element, the first network element including at least one of the first anchor user plane function network element or a branch point, the branch point being a user plane function network element with a traffic diversion function, the branch point being connected to the first anchor user plane function network element, the first rule information being used to indicate a method for processing a data packet of a first application, the data packet of the first application being transmitted through the first anchor user plane function network element; The first session management function network element sends second information to the second session management function network element, where the second information includes the first rule information; The second session management function network element receives the second information from the first session management function network element; The second session management function network element determines, according to the second information, information used to indicate a method for the first network element to process the data packet of the first application; The second session management function network element sends the information used to instruct the first network element on a method for processing the data packet of the first application to the first network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information is a data network access identifier.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the second information includes fifth indication information, the first network element is the first anchor user plane function network element; or, When the second information does not include the fifth indication information, the first network element is the branch point.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The fifth indication information is a data network access identifier, and the data network access identifier is used to indicate the data network to which the first anchor user plane function network element is connected.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second information further includes fifth indication information indicating that the first network element executing the first rule information is the branch point or the first anchor user plane function network element.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first network element is the first anchor user plane function network element, and the second information also includes a data network access identifier.

7. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first network element executes the method for processing the data packet of the first application according to the information for indicating the method for processing the data packet of the first application by the first network element.

8. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first network element executes the method for processing the data packet of the first application according to the information for indicating the method for processing the data packet of the first application by the first network element.

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2 or 4 or 8, characterized in that: The second information also includes second rule information, which is used to indicate the branch point's processing method for the data packet of the second application. The data packet of the second application is transmitted through the second anchor user plane function network element managed by the first session management function network element and the branch point.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The second information also includes second identification information, where the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application; The method further comprises: The second session management function network element sends the second identification information to the branch point.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The second information also includes second identification information, where the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application; The method further comprises: The first session management function network element sends second indication information to the second anchor user plane function network element, where the second indication information is used to instruct the second anchor user plane function network element to carry the second identification information when sending a downlink data packet of the second application.

12. The method according to claim 1 or 2 or 4 or 8, characterized in that: The second information also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the second session management function network element requests the branch point to report packet loss information, and the packet loss information includes one or more of the number of discarded downlink data packets of the first application or the number of discarded downlink data packets of the second application. The downlink data packets of the second application are transmitted in sequence through the second anchor user plane function network element managed by the first session management function network element and the branch point.

13. The method according to claim 1 or 2 or 4 or 8, characterized in that: If the first rule information is used to indicate the method by which the branch point processes the data packet of the first application, the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information, the first identification information is used to identify the data packet of the first application, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second session management function network element requests the first anchor user plane function network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application.

14. A system comprising a first session management function network element and a second session management function network element, characterized in that: The first session management function network element is used to receive first information from the second session management function network element, where the first information is used to indicate a data network to which a first anchor user plane function network element managed by the second session management function network element is connected; The first session management function network element is further used to determine, according to the first information, first rule information executed by a first network element managed by the second session management function network element, the first network element includes at least one of the first anchor user plane function network element or a branch point, the branch point is a user plane function network element with a traffic diversion function, the branch point is connected to the first anchor user plane function network element, the first rule information is used to indicate a method for processing a data packet of a first application, and the data packet of the first application is transmitted through the first anchor user plane function network element; the first session management function network element is further used to send second information to the second session management function network element, the second information including the first rule information; The second session management function network element is used to send the first information to the first session management function network element; The second session management function network element is further configured to receive the second information from the first session management function network element.

15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that The second session management function network element is further configured to: Determining, according to the second information, information for indicating a method by which the first network element processes a data packet of the first application; The information for indicating a method for the first network element to process the data packet of the first application is sent to the first network element.

16. The system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The first information is a data network access identifier.

17. The system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that When the second information includes fifth indication information, the first network element is the first anchor user plane function network element; or, When the second information does not include the fifth indication information, the first network element is the branch point.

18. The system according to claim 17, characterized in that The fifth indication information is a data network access identifier, and the data network access identifier is used to indicate the data network to which the first anchor user plane function network element is connected.

19. The system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The second information further includes fifth indication information indicating that the first network element executing the first rule information is the branch point or the first anchor user plane function network element.

20. The system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The first network element is the first anchor user plane function network element, and the second information also includes a data network access identifier.

21. The system according to claim 14, 15 or 18, characterized in that: The system further includes the first network element, wherein the first network element is configured to: The method for processing the data packet of the first application is executed according to the information for indicating the method for processing the data packet of the first application by the first network element.

22. The system according to claim 14, 15 or 18, characterized in that: The second information also includes second rule information, which is used to indicate the branch point's processing method for the data packet of the second application. The data packet of the second application is transmitted through the second anchor user plane function network element managed by the first session management function network element and the branch point.

23. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that The second information also includes second identification information, where the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application; The second session management function network element is further configured to send the second identification information to the branch point.

24. The system according to claim 22, characterized in that The second information also includes second identification information, where the second identification information is used to identify the data packet of the second application; The first session management function network element is further used to send second indication information to the second anchor user plane function network element, where the second indication information is used to instruct the second anchor user plane function network element to carry the second identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the second application.

25. The system according to claim 14, 15 or 18, characterized in that The second information also includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the second session management function network element requests the branch point to report packet loss information, and the packet loss information includes one or more of the number of discarded downlink data packets of the first application or the number of discarded downlink data packets of the second application. The downlink data packets of the second application are transmitted in sequence through the second anchor user plane function network element managed by the first session management function network element and the branch point.

26. The system according to claim 14, 15 or 18, characterized in that: If the first rule information is used to indicate the method by which the branch point processes the data packet of the first application, the second information also includes first identification information and third indication information, the first identification information is used to identify the data packet of the first application, and the third indication information is used to indicate that the second session management function network element requests the first anchor user plane function network element to carry the first identification information when sending the downlink data packet of the first application.

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