Session control method, device, system, network element and medium

Abstract

An embodiment of this application provides a session management method, which is applied to a Session Management Function (SMF), and includes: receiving a first session update request sent by an Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF), where the decision information of the I-SMF is carried in the first session update request; generating a second session update request according to the decision information of the I-SMF; and sending the second session update request to a Packet Data Unit Session Anchor (PSA), where the second session update request is used to instruct the PSA to execute the decision information of the I-SMF, which can effectively reduce the complexity in the offloading scenario, simplify the processes of the I-SMF and the SMF, and improve the operation efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to, but are not limited to, the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a session management method, apparatus, system, network element, and medium. Background Art

[0002] In the 5th-Generation (5G) mobile communication system, the Session Management Function (SMF) is used to manage the Packet Data Unit (PDU) sessions of users, formulate packet detection and forwarding rules for the User Plane Function (UPF), etc. The protocol released by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) stipulates the local traffic splitting process of the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF).

[0003] In the traffic splitting scenario of the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF, the Uplink Classifier (UL CL) or the Branching Point (BP) serves as the Intermediate User Plane Function (I-UPF). When the User Equipment (UE) moves, a new Intermediate User Plane Function I-UPF will be established. In order to keep the data of the User Equipment UE unobstructed during the movement, when the Intermediate User Plane Function I-UPF changes, the old and new Intermediate User Plane Functions I-UPF exist simultaneously, and the Session Management Function SMF needs to control the Uplink Classifier UL CL or the Branching Point BP to add new rules, resulting in a high complexity and low operating efficiency of the traffic splitting scenario. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The following is an overview of the subject matter described in detail in this article. This overview is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the claims.

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a session control method, apparatus, system, network element, and storage medium, which can effectively reduce the complexity in the traffic splitting scenario, simplify the processes of the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF and the Session Management Function SMF, and improve the operating efficiency.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a session management method, which is applied to a Session Management Function (SMF) and includes: receiving a first session update request sent by an Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF), where the decision information of the I-SMF is carried in the first session update request; generating a second session update request according to the decision information of the I-SMF; and sending the second session update request to a local Packet Data Unit (PDU) session anchor point (PSA), where the second session update request is used to instruct the PSA to execute the decision information of the I-SMF.

[0007] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a session management method, which is applied to an I-SMF and includes: sending a first session update request to an SMF, where the decision information of the I-SMF is carried in the first session update request; receiving the second session update request sent by the SMF; generating first control information according to the second session update request; and sending the first control information to an Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or a Branch Point (BP).

[0008] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a session management system, which includes: an SMF and an I-SMF, where the I-SMF sends a session update request to the SMF; the SMF generates a second session update request according to the decision information of the I-SMF; the SMF sends the second session update request to a PDU session anchor point (PSA); and the I-SMF sends first control information to an ULCL or a BP.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a session control device, which includes: a request receiving module, configured to receive a first session update request sent by an I-SMF, where the decision information of the I-SMF is carried in the first session update request; a request generating module, configured to generate a second session update request according to the decision information of the I-SMF; and a request sending module, configured to send the second session update request to a PDU session anchor point (PSA).

[0010] Fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a session control device, including: a request sending module configured to send a first session update request to a session management function (SMF), where the decision information of an intermediate session management function (I-SMF) is carried in the first session update request; a request receiving module configured to receive a second session update request sent by the session management function (SMF); and a control module configured to generate first control information according to the second session update request and send the first control information to an uplink classifier (ULCL) or a branch point (BP).

[0011] Sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a network element, including: a memory, a processor, and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor; when the program is executed by the processor, it is configured to implement the session management method as described in the first aspect; or, the session management method as described in the second aspect.

[0012] Seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for computer-readable storage, where the storage medium stores one or more programs, and the one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the session management method as described in the first aspect; or, the session management method as described in the second aspect.

[0013] Based on the traffic splitting scenario, the embodiments of the present application re-divide the functions of the session management function (SMF) and the intermediate session management function (I-SMF), thereby simplifying the processing flows of the session management function (SMF) and the intermediate session management function (I-SMF) in the traffic splitting scenario, simplifying the process of the traffic splitting scenario, and improving the operation efficiency of the traffic splitting scenario.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present application will be described in the subsequent specification, and some of them will become obvious from the specification or be understood by implementing the present application. The objectives and other advantages of the present application can be achieved and obtained through the structures specifically pointed out in the specification, claims, and drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the local traffic splitting architecture of an intermediate session management function (I-SMF) provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a session management method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a session management method provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 4It is a schematic flowchart of a session management method provided by another embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0019] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0020] It should be noted that although functional module division is performed in the device schematic diagram and the logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described may be executed in a different module division from that in the device or a different order from that in the flowchart. Terms such as "first" and "second" in the description, claims and the above accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and do not necessarily need to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0021] Protocols 23.502 and 29.244 of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) have relevant regulations on the procedures of the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) in the local traffic splitting scenario. According to the protocol, the I-SMF only manages the uplink and downlink rules of the Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or Branch Point (BP) and the Packet Data Unit Session Anchor (PSA1) path. In the traffic splitting scenario of the I-SMF, the rules of the ULCL or BP and the Local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor (PSA2) path are mainly managed by the Home Subscriber Server (HSS). The Packet Filtering Control Protocol (PFCP) in the PSA2 and the ULCL or BP are both sent by the HSS to the I-SMF through the N16a interface to send N4 rule signaling, and then the I-SMF adds localization parameters and sends them.

[0022] When the intermediate user plane function I-UPF changes, in order to prevent packet loss of the user equipment UE in motion, it is necessary to maintain two intermediate user plane functions I-UPF simultaneously and perform data transmission simultaneously until the change process of the intermediate user plane function I-UPF is completed and the old intermediate user plane function I-UPF is deleted. Since the change process is in the local breakout scenario, operations such as insertion, deletion, and change of the local packet data unit session anchor PSA2 need to be carried out during the change process. The session management function SMF needs to synchronously insert, delete, and change the packet filtering control protocol PFCP of the local packet data unit session anchor PSA2 using the uplink classifier ULCL or the branch point BP. At the same time, the session management function SMF also needs to take into account the old and new intermediate user plane functions I-UPF. During this process, the intermediate session management function I-SMF needs to connect the external network, the old and new intermediate user plane functions I-UPF, the local packet data unit session anchor PSA2, and the home packet data unit session anchor PSA1, including adding, deleting, and updating the uplink and downlink rules. Therefore, when a new intermediate user plane function I-UPF is generated due to the user equipment UE, the intermediate session management function I-SMF cannot handle it alone and needs to store all the rules of the session management function SMF, resulting in high complexity in the breakout scenario and low operating efficiency of the intermediate session management function I-SMF and the session management function SMF.

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the following described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments.

[0024] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the local breakout architecture of the intermediate session management function I-SMF provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 1As shown, when the user equipment UE moves and is under local traffic steering, since the original session management function SMF and user plane function UPF cannot serve the new area, an intermediate session management function I-SMF and an uplink classifier ULCL or a branching point BP need to be inserted to conduct the session. Among them, the uplink classifier ULCL is used for the uplink classification of the IPv4 network, and the branching point BP is the branching point for IPv6. In this case, there will be two packet data unit session anchors PSA in the system, marked as PSA1 and PSA2 respectively. Among them, PSA1 is the user plane function UPF selected when the user equipment UE requests to establish a packet data unit PDU session, and PSA2 is the user plane function UPF for local traffic steering of the service data flow. PSA1 and PSA2 are respectively connected to the external data network (Data Network, DN) to achieve network connection. The access management function (Access Management Function, AMF) is respectively connected to the access network (Access Network, AN), the user equipment UE, and the intermediate session management function I-SMF. In Figure 1 it, the session management function SMF and the home packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA1 establish a Packet Filter Control Protocol (PFCP) session to directly control the home packet data unit session anchor PSA1; the intermediate session management function I-SMF and the uplink classifier ULCL or the branching point BP and the local packet data unit session anchor PSA2 respectively establish a Packet Filter Control Protocol PFCP session, and the intermediate session management function I-SMF controls the uplink classifier ULCL or the branching point BP and the local packet data unit session anchor PSA2 respectively through the two Packet Filter Control Protocol PFCP sessions.

[0025] An embodiment of this application provides a session control method applied to the session management function SMF, including: receiving a first session update request sent by the intermediate session management function I-SMF, where the decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF is carried in the first session update request; generating a second session update request according to the decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF; and sending the second session update request to the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA, where the second session update request is used to instruct the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA to execute the decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF.

[0026] In some embodiments, the decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF at least includes one of the following: inserting a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; deleting a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; changing a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA.

[0027] In some embodiments, the Session Management Function (SMF) performs at least one of the following operations on the Packet Data Unit (PDU) Session Anchor (PSA) according to the decision information of the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF): inserting the PDU Session Anchor (PSA); deleting the PDU Session Anchor (PSA); or changing the PDU Session Anchor (PSA).

[0028] An embodiment of the present application provides a session control method applied to the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF), including: sending a first session update request to the Session Management Function (SMF), where the decision information of the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) is carried in the first session update request; receiving a second session update request sent by the Session Management Function (SMF); generating first control information according to the second session update request; and sending the first control information to the Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or the Branch Point (BP).

[0029] In some embodiments, the first control information is used to update the N4 rule message in the Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or the Branch Point (BP).

[0030] In some embodiments, the session control method further includes: sending a second control message to the PDU Session Anchor (PSA), where the second control message is used to update the N4 rule message corresponding to the Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or the Branch Point (BP) in the PDU Session Anchor (PSA).

[0031] In some embodiments, the first control information is sent using the N4 rule.

[0032] In some embodiments, the session control method realizes the functional differentiation between the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) and the Session Management Function (SMF). The Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) controls the Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or the Branch Point (BP) and the PDU Session Anchor (PSA) through two Packet Filtering Control Protocol (PFCP) sessions respectively; the Session Management Function (SMF) realizes the insertion, deletion or update of the PDU Session Anchor (PSA) through the Packet Filtering Control Protocol (PFCP).

[0033] Figure 2 It is a schematic flowchart of the session management method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As Figure 2 shown in the session management method, it at least includes the following steps: Step S101, Step S102, Step S103, Step S104, Step S105, Step S106, Step S107, Step S108, Step S109, Step S110 and Step S111.

[0034] Step S101: The User Equipment (UE) has established a PDU connection with PSA1 and the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF).

[0035] In some embodiments, the user equipment UE has established a Packet Data Unit PDU connection with the home Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA1 and the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF, and there is no local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA1.

[0036] Step S102: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF establishes PSA2.

[0037] In some embodiments, due to the user equipment UE, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF discovers that the service can be locally split to the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2, and establishes the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2.

[0038] Step S103: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF establishes an ULCL or a BP.

[0039] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF makes a decision on whether to select a new User Plane Function UPF as the Uplink Classifier ULCL or the Branch Point BP. If it is selected to be established, the Uplink Classifier ULCL or the Branch Point BP is established. Otherwise, the existing Intermediate User Plane Function I-UPF is still used as the Uplink Classifier ULCL or the Branch Point BP.

[0040] Step S104: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF initiates a session update request.

[0041] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF initiates a session update request through the N16a interface, notifies the SMF of the information of the newly established local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2, and does not need to notify the SMF of the Uplink Classifier ULCL or the Branch Point BP information. The SMF responds.

[0042] Step S105: The SMF updates the PSA1 in the downlink direction.

[0043] In some embodiments, if the Uplink Classifier ULCL or the Branch Point BP is the newly selected UPF, the SMF updates the PSA1 in the downlink direction to redirect.

[0044] Step S106: The Session Management Function SMF initiates a session update request.

[0045] In some embodiments, the SMF initiates a session update request through the N16a interface, and only issues the N4 rule to the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2, that is, the N4 rule session request. The uplink PDR filtering condition in the rule is the identification condition for the split service.

[0046] Step S107: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF updates PSA2.

[0047] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF uses the N4 rules sent by the SMF to the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2 in step S106. After supplementing some local parameters of the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2, it is installed to the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2 through the N4 rule port.

[0048] Step S108: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF updates the N4 rules of the ULCL or BP.

[0049] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF updates the N4 rules on the Uplink Classifier ULCL or Branch Point BP according to the information it has, establishes an uplink diversion rule and a downlink forwarding rule for the local traffic splitting service of the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2, and if the Uplink Classifier ULCL or Branch Point BP is newly selected, the diversion rules of other existing local PSAs need to be installed on the Uplink Classifier ULCL or Branch Point BP, and the external priority is used to determine the priority of the diversion rule of the newly added local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2 on the Uplink Classifier ULCL or Branch Point BP.

[0050] Step S109: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF responds to the SMF.

[0051] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF responds to the session update request initiated by the SMF in step S106, and the content includes the response of the SMF to the N4 rule session establishment request sent to the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2 in step S106. Here, there is no need to include the response to the N4 rule session request of the Uplink Classifier ULCL or Branch Point BP, because the SMF did not send the N4 rule session request to the Uplink Classifier ULCL or Branch Point BP in step S106.

[0052] Step S110: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF updates the tunnel information of the ULCL or BP.

[0053] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF updates the tunnel information of the front end about the new Uplink Classifier ULCL or Branch Point BP. If it is a scenario of switching from IPv6 to IPv4, the SMF notifies the UE about the IPv6 prefix of the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor PSA2.

[0054] Step S111: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF releases the I-UPF.

[0055] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF releases the Intermediate User Plane Function I-UPF.

[0056] Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of a session management method provided by another embodiment of the present application. As Figure 3 shown in the session management method, it at least includes the following steps: Step S201, Step S202, Step S203, Step S204, Step S205, Step S206, Step S207, Step S207b and Step S208.

[0057] Step S201: The UE has established a connection with PSA1, PSA2, ULCL or BP.

[0058] In some embodiments, the user equipment UE has established a connection with the home grouped data unit session anchor PSA1, the local grouped data unit session anchor PSA2, ULCL or BP.

[0059] Step S202: The intermediate session management function I-SMF creates a new I-UPF.

[0060] In some embodiments, due to user movement, the intermediate session management function I-SMF decides to delete the local splitting anchor point PSA2. The intermediate session management function I-SMF can simultaneously select to create a new intermediate user plane function I-UPF to replace the existing uplink classifier ULCL or branch point BP.

[0061] Step S203: The intermediate session management function I-SMF initiates a session update request.

[0062] In some embodiments, the intermediate session management function I-SMF initiates a session update request through the N16a interface, indicating the deletion of the local grouped data unit session anchor PSA2, and optionally carrying the downlink tunnel information of the new intermediate user plane function I-UPF. There is no need to indicate the deletion of the uplink classifier ULCL or branch point BP. The SMF responds to the session update request.

[0063] [[ID=:24]]Step S204: The SMF updates the PSA1 downlink direction.

[0064] In some embodiments, the session management function SMF updates the PSA1 downlink information to the new intermediate user plane function I-UPF.

[0065] Step S205: The SMF notifies the UE to stop using the IPv6 prefix of PSA2.

[0066] In some embodiments, in the scenario of switching from IPv6 to IPv4, the session management function SMF notifies the user equipment UE to stop using the PV6 prefix of the local grouped data unit session anchor PSA2.

[0067] Step S206: Obtain the session update request of the SMF.

[0068] In some embodiments, the Session Management Function (SMF) initiates a session update request via the N16a interface, and only sends a release message of the N4 rule for deleting the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor (PSA2), without sending update or deletion messages of N4 rules related to the Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or Branch Point (BP).

[0069] Step S207: The Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) makes a decision.

[0070] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) decides how to operate the Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or Branch Point (BP) based on the information it has. If a new Intermediate User Plane Function (I-UPF) is added, the old Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or Branch Point (BP) needs to be deleted, and other local traffic steering rules need to be installed on the newly added Intermediate User Plane Function (I-UPF). If no new Intermediate User Plane Function (I-UPF) is added, the rules in the Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or Branch Point (BP) need to be updated, and the rule for steering traffic to the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor (PSA2) needs to be deleted.

[0071] Step S207b: The Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) sends a PSA2 deletion message.

[0072] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) deletes the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor (PSA2) using the N4 rule release message sent by the Session Management Function (SMF) to the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor (PSA2) in Step S206.

[0073] Step S208: The Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) responds to the session update request from the SMF.

[0074] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) responds to the session update request initiated by the Session Management Function (SMF) in Step S206, including an N4 rule deletion response for the local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor (PSA2).

[0075] Figure 4 It is a flowchart of a session management method provided in another embodiment of the present application. As Figure 4 shown in the session management method, it at least includes the following steps: Step S301, Step S302, Step S303, Step S304, Step S305, Step S306, Step S307, Step S308, Step S309, and Step S310.

[0076] Step S301: The User Equipment (UE) has established connections with PSA0, PSA1, ULCL, or BP.

[0077] In some embodiments, the User Equipment (UE) has established connections with PSA0, PSA1, ULCL, or BP.

[0078] Step S302: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF decides to add PSA2.

[0079] In some embodiments, due to user movement, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF decides to add a local splitting anchor point and delete an existing local splitting anchor point PSA0. Therefore, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF selects the local packet data unit session anchor point PSA2 as the new anchor point and establishes a session with the local packet data unit session anchor point PSA2 through the N4 rule.

[0080] Step S303: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF initiates a session update request.

[0081] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF initiates a session update request through the N16a interface, indicating that PSA0 needs to be deleted, a new local packet data unit session anchor point PSA2 needs to be added, and no information related to the uplink classifier ULCL or the branch point BP is required.

[0082] Step S304: The SMF responds to the session update request from the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF.

[0083] In some embodiments, the Session Management Function SMF responds to the session update request. The Session Management Function SMF notifies the Packet Control Function (PCF) about the allocation and release of the IP address of the User Equipment UE and initiates an early notification to the Application Function (AF).

[0084] Step S305: The SMF initiates a session update request.

[0085] In some embodiments, the Session Management Function SMF initiates a session update request through the N16a interface, sends a release message of the N4 rule for deleting PSA0 and a setup message of the N4 rule for creating and adding PSA2 that needs to be added, and does not involve the N4 rule message of the uplink classifier ULCL or the branch point BP.

[0086] Step S306: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF updates PSA2.

[0087] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF installs the N4 rule message sent in Step S305 for the newly added local packet data unit session anchor point PSA2 onto the local packet data unit session anchor point PSA2.

[0088] Step S307: The Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF updates the UPF.

[0089] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) updates the Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or Branch Point (BP) based on the information it has. The rules for the Local Shunt Anchor Point (PSA0) are deleted on the ULCL or BP, and new rules for the Local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor Point (PSA2) are added. Among them, the priority of the Packet Detection Rule (PDR) for the new PSA2 is determined by the external priority of the PDR for the uplink shunt service sent by the Session Management Function (SMF) to PSA2.

[0090] Step S308: The Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) releases PSA0.

[0091] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) releases the session of the Local Shunt Anchor Point (PSA0) using the N4 rule message sent to PSA0 in Step S305.

[0092] Step S309: The Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) responds to the session update request initiated by the SMF.

[0093] In some embodiments, the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) responds to the session update request initiated by the Session Management Function (SMF) in Step S305, including the N4 rule deletion response for PSA0 and the N4 rule creation response for the Local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor Point (PSA2). In some embodiments, the Local Packet Data Unit Session Anchor Point (PSA) is changed in the scenario of the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF).

[0094] An embodiment of the present application provides a session management system, including: a Session Management Function (SMF) and an Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF). The Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) sends a session update request to the Session Management Function (SMF); the Session Management Function (SMF) generates a second session update request based on the decision-making information of the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF); the Session Management Function (SMF) sends the second session update request to the Packet Data Unit Session Anchor Point (PSA); the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) sends the first control information to the Uplink Classifier (ULCL) or Branch Point (BP).

[0095] An embodiment of the present application provides a session control device, including: a request receiving module, which is used to receive the first session update request sent by the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF), and the decision-making information of the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF) is carried in the first session update request; a request generation module, which is used to generate a second session update request based on the decision-making information of the Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF); a request sending module, which is used to send the second session update request to the Packet Data Unit (PDU) session anchor point PSA.

[0096] An embodiment of the present application provides a session control device, including: a request sending module, configured to send a first session update request to a session management function (SMF), where the first session update request carries decision information of an intermediate session management function (I-SMF); a request receiving module, configured to receive a second session update request sent by the session management function (SMF); and a control module, configured to generate first control information according to the second session update request and send the first control information to an uplink classifier (ULCL) or a branching point (BP).

[0097] An embodiment of the present application provides a network element, including: a memory, a processor, and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor; when the program is executed by the processor, it implements the above session control method.

[0098] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium for computer-readable storage, where the storage medium stores one or more programs, and the one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the above session control method.

[0099] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or some of the steps and systems disclosed in the above methods can be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, and their appropriate combinations. Some physical components or all physical components can be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, or a microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit. Such software can be distributed on a computer-readable medium, which can include a computer storage medium (or a non-transitory medium) and a communication medium (or a transitory medium). As is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the term computer storage medium includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The computer storage medium includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassette, tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and can be accessed by a computer. In addition, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the communication medium generally includes computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transmission mechanism, and can include any information delivery medium.

[0100] The above is a specific description of the preferred embodiment of the present application. However, the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent deformations or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these equivalent deformations or substitutions are all included within the scope defined by the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A session control method, applied to a session management function (SMF), comprising: receiving a first session update request sent by an intermediate session management function I-SMF, where the first session update request carries decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF, where the decision information of the session management function I-SMF includes at least one of the following: inserting a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; deleting the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; or changing the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; generating a second session update request according to the decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF; Sending the second session update request to a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA, where the second session update request is used to instruct the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA to execute decision information of the session management function I-SMF; Send the second session update request to the intermediate session management function I-SMF, so that the intermediate session management function I-SMF determines the N4 rule according to the second session update request and updates the N4 rule of the uplink classifier ULCL or branch point BP and the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA.

2. The session control method according to claim 1, wherein: The session management function SMF performs at least one of the following operations on the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA according to the decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF: Insert the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; Deleting the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; The packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA is changed.

3. A session control method, applied to an intermediate session management function (I-SMF), comprising: Sending a first session update request to a session management function SMF, where the first session update request carries decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF, where the decision information of the session management function I-SMF includes at least one of the following: inserting a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; deleting the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; or changing the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; receiving a second session update request sent by the session management function SMF, wherein the second session update request is generated by the session management function SMF according to the decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF; An N4 rule is determined according to the second session update request, and the N4 rule is updated on the uplink classifier ULCL or the branch point BP and the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA.

4. The session control method according to claim 3, wherein: The session control method further includes: First control information is sent to the uplink classifier ULCL or the branch point BP, where the first control information is used to update an N4 rule message in the uplink classifier ULCL or the branch point BP.

5. The session control method according to claim 3, wherein: The session control method further includes: A second control message is sent to a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA, where the second control message is used to update an N4 rule message corresponding to the uplink classifier ULCL or the branching point BP in the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA.

6. The session control method according to claim 4, wherein: The first control information is sent using the N4 rule.

7. A conversation control device, comprising: A request receiving module, the request receiving module is used to receive a first session update request sent by an intermediate session management function I-SMF, the first session update request carries decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF, and the decision information of the session management function I-SMF includes at least one of the following: inserting a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; deleting the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; changing the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; a request generation module, configured to generate a second session update request according to the decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF; a request sending module, configured to send the second session update request to a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; The request sending module is further used to send the second session update request to the intermediate session management function I-SMF, so that the intermediate session management function I-SMF determines the N4 rule according to the second session update request and updates the N4 rule of the uplink classifier ULCL or the branch point BP and the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA.

8. A conversation control device, comprising: a request sending module, the request sending module being configured to send a first session update request to a session management function SMF, wherein the first session update request carries decision information of an intermediate session management function I-SMF, and the decision information of the session management function I-SMF includes at least one of the following: inserting a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; deleting the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; or changing the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; a request receiving module, configured to receive a second session update request sent by the session management function SMF, wherein the second session update request is generated by the session management function SMF according to decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF; A control module is configured to determine an N4 rule according to the second session update request and perform N4 rule update on an uplink classifier ULCL or a branch point BP and the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA.

9. A session management system, comprising: Session Management Function SMF and Intermediate Session Management Function I-SMF, The intermediate session management function I-SMF sends a first session update request to the session management function SMF, where the first session update request carries decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF, where the decision information of the session management function I-SMF includes at least one of the following: inserting a packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; deleting the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; or changing the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA; The session management function SMF generates a second session update request according to the decision information of the intermediate session management function I-SMF; The session management function SMF sends the second session update request to the packet data unit session anchor PSA, where the second session update request is used to instruct the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA to execute the decision information of the session management function I-SMF; The session management function SMF sends the second session update request to the intermediate session management function I-SMF; The intermediate session management function I-SM determines the N4 rule according to the second session update request and updates the N4 rule for the uplink classifier ULCL or the branching point BP and the packet data unit PDU session anchor PSA.

10. The session management system according to claim 9, wherein: The intermediate session management function I-SMF is used to control the uplink classifier ULCL or the branch point BP; The session management function SMF is used to send control information to the packet data unit session anchor PSA.

11. A network element, comprising: A memory, a processor, and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor; When the program is executed by the processor, the session control method according to any one of claims 1 to 2 is implemented; Alternatively, the session control method as described in any one of claims 3 to 6.

12. A computer-readable storage medium for computer-readable storage, wherein the storage medium stores one or more programs, and the one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the session control method described in any one of claims 1 to 2; or, the session control method described in any one of claims 3 to 6.

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