Network operation method, network element and storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of mobile communication, and particularly relate to a network operation method, a network element and a storage medium. The network operation method comprises: when it is determined that gateway information of an access point name (APN) of a user equipment (UE) is updated, determining, according to default slice information specified by a first network, a network slice of a second network corresponding to the default slice information and subscribed by the UE; wherein there is no same name data network name (DNN) in the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information; if it is determined that there is a same name DNN as the APN in the network slice, updating gateway information of the same name DNN as the APN; wherein the updated gateway information of the DNN is the same as the updated gateway information of the APN, so that in the case that multiple network slices subscribe to the same name DNN, the accuracy of interoperation between the first network and the second network is improved, and switching failure of a service scenario is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of mobile communications, and in particular to a network operation method, network element, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of communication technology, after the development of fifth-generation mobile communication (5G) networks, the network can be divided into multiple network slices based on service application scenarios. Most operators evolved from fourth-generation mobile communication (4G) networks to 5G networks, and in the early stages of 5G service deployment, 5G wireless coverage was incomplete, resulting in many application scenarios where 4G and 5G interoperability existed.

[0003] Currently, under 5G networks, user equipment (UE) cannot have multiple DNNs with the same name in their data network name (DNN) subscription. This means one 4G APN corresponds to one 5G DNN, which imposes significant restrictions on UE 5G DNN subscriptions. However, with the introduction of network slicing in 5G, UEs can subscribe to multiple network slices, each containing a set of DNNs. The DNN names within a network slice are unique and independent. If DNN names are duplicated across network slices, during 4G / 5G handover, after the 4G APN dynamic information changes, the 5G Unified Data Management (UDM) network element cannot accurately locate the corresponding 5G DNN, potentially causing handover failures and lower accuracy in 4G / 5G interoperability. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main objective of this application is to propose a network operation method, network element, and storage medium. The aim is to improve the accuracy of interoperability between the first and second networks and avoid service scenario switching failures when multiple network slices are contracted with the same-named DNN.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a network operation method, comprising: when it is determined that the gateway information of the Access Point Name (APN) of a User Equipment (UE) has been updated, determining the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information, which the UE is subscribed to, based on the default slice information specified for a first network; wherein, there is no Data Network Name (DNN) with the same name in the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information; if it is determined that there is a DNN with the same name as the APN in the network slice, updating the gateway information of the DNN with the same name as the APN; wherein, the gateway information of the updated DNN is the same as the gateway information of the updated APN.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this application also provide a network element, including: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the above-described network operation method.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the above-described network operation method.

[0008] In this embodiment, by specifying default slice information for the first network, after the gateway information of the APN is updated, the network slice of the second network that does not have a DNN with the same name can be determined using the default slice information specified for the first network. If a DNN with the same name as the APN is determined within this network slice, then the determined DNN is unique, meaning a DNN can be accurately located. The gateway information of the located DNN is then updated, thereby ensuring service continuity during the handover between the first and second networks. Specifically, in the case of multiple network slices in the second network subscribing to DNNs with the same name, this embodiment can improve the accuracy of interoperability between the first and second networks. Furthermore, since this embodiment can accurately locate a DNN with the same name as the APN based on the default slice information specified for the first network, it allows the UE to subscribe to multiple network slices including DNNs with the same name, reducing the restrictions on second network subscriptions and further facilitating second network subscriptions. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a network operation method according to the first embodiment of this application;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a 4G and 5G contract signing model according to the first embodiment of this application;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a network operation method according to the second embodiment of this application;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a network operation method according to the third embodiment of this application;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the network element according to the fourth embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0014] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the various embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that many technical details have been provided in the various embodiments of this application to help readers better understand this application. However, the technical solutions claimed in this application can be implemented even without these technical details and various changes and modifications based on the following embodiments. The division of the various embodiments below is for the convenience of description and should not constitute any limitation on the specific implementation of this application. The various embodiments can be combined with and referenced by each other without contradiction.

[0015] The first embodiment of this application relates to a network operation method applied to a network element. For example, this network operation method can be a 4G and 5G interoperability method, and the network element to which this method is applied can be a UDM network element, which is the unified user data management network element of 5G. The implementation details of the network operation method of this embodiment are described below. The following implementation details are provided for ease of understanding and are not essential for implementing this solution.

[0016] The application scenario of this application can be understood as follows: In mobile communication systems, many operators deploy both 4G and 5G networks simultaneously. When a UE switches between different networks, in order to improve user experience, a 4G / 5G interoperability scheme based on UDM is introduced. After the Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW) information of the 4G APN is updated, it is necessary to find a suitable DNN in the 5G subscription and update the PGW information of the found suitable DNN, thereby ensuring service continuity during the 4G / 5G handover process.

[0017] The flowchart of the network operation method in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 1 As shown, it includes:

[0018] Step 101: After determining that the gateway information of the UE's APN has been updated, determine the network slice of the second network that the UE has subscribed to, which corresponds to the default slice information, based on the default slice information specified for the first network.

[0019] Specifically, the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information does not contain a data network name (DNN) with the same name. The default slice information can be stored in network elements. For example, if the first network can be a 4G network and the second network can be a 5G network, then the network slice of the 5G network corresponding to the default slice information does not contain a data network name (DNN) with the same name, and the default slice information can be stored in the UDM network element.

[0020] In one example, the 4G and 5G subscription models in this implementation can be referenced. Figure 2 4G APNs and 5G DNNs are signed independently. 4G signing can be done on the Home Subscriber Server (HSS), while 5G signing can be done on the UDM network element. For a UE's 4G signing, only one set of APNs can be signed, and each APN has a unique and independent name. For example, the names of each APN can be APN-1 to APN-n as shown in the diagram. For a UE's 5G signing, multiple network slices can be signed, such as slice 1 to slice n as shown in the diagram. Each network slice contains a set of DNNs. The DNN names within a network slice are unique and independent, but the DNN names between network slices can be the same. That is, in this implementation, there is no restriction on whether the DNN names between 5G signed network slices are the same. For example, the DNN names in slice 1 are DNN-1 to DNN-n, and the DNN names in slice n are also DNN-1 to DNN-n.

[0021] In one example, the default slice information can be the identifier of any one of the multiple network slices subscribed to by the UE. For example, refer to... Figure 2 The UE-subscribed slice 1 is the designated default slice, and the default slice information can be the identifier "1".

[0022] In another example, the default slice information can be the identifiers of any two network slices from multiple network slices subscribed to by the UE, where the DNN names of these two network slices are different. For example, refer to... Figure 2 Assuming that the DNN names of slices 2 and 3 signed by the UE are different, that is, there are no DNNs with the same name between slices 2 and 3, then slices 2 and 3 can be designated as default slices. The default slice information can be the identifiers "2" and "3". It should be noted that this example only uses 2 default slices as an example, but in the actual implementation, the number of default slices can be more than 2, but multiple default slices must meet the condition that there are no DNNs with the same name.

[0023] It should be noted that the default slice information in the above example is only for identification purposes, and is not limited to this in the actual implementation.

[0024] In this embodiment, the gateway information can be Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway information, i.e., PGW information. The APN's PGW information can include the dynamic address information of the PDN gateway. It should be noted that the gateway information in this embodiment is only an example of PGW information, and it is not limited to this in specific implementations.

[0025] In practical implementation, the UDM network element can determine whether the UE's APN PGW information has been updated. After determining whether the APN PGW information has been updated, it determines the 5G network slice that the UE has subscribed to, corresponding to the default slice information, based on the default slice information specified for the 4G network. For example, refer to... Figure 2 If the default slice information is "1", then the UDM network element can find the slice marked "1" among all the 5G network slices signed by the UE, and use the found slice 1 as the 5G network slice signed by the UE corresponding to the default slice information.

[0026] For example, after a user successfully registers for 5G and switches to a 4G network, a new PDN gateway address is selected for APN-1 when establishing a session on the 4G network, meaning the PGW information for APN-1 is updated. At this time, the 4G Mobility Management Entity (MME) sends a NOR command to the HSS. The NOR command instructs the HSS to update and save the dynamic information of APN-1, which is the updated PGW information. The HSS notifies the UDM network element that the PGW information of APN-1 has been updated, thus enabling the UDM network element to determine that the UE's APN-1 PGW information has been updated.

[0027] In one example, the method for determining the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information assigned to the UE based on the default slice information assigned to the 4G network can be as follows: The UDM network element will match the default slice information assigned to the 4G network with the information of all 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE, and the successfully matched 5G network slice will be the determined 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information. For example, if the default slice information is the slice identifier, then the successfully matched 5G network slice is the 5G network slice with the same identifier as the default slice among all 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE.

[0028] Step 102: If a DNN with the same name as the APN is found in the network slice, update the gateway information of the DNN with the same name as the APN.

[0029] In this step, the updated DNN's gateway information is identical to the updated APN's gateway information. The network slice in this step can be the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information. It's understandable that since there is no DNN with the same name in the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information, if the UDM element can determine the existence of a DNN with the same name as the APN in the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information, then the DNN with the same name as the APN determined by the UDM element is unique, meaning it can accurately locate a DNN with the same name as the APN. Therefore, the UDM element can update the PGW information of this accurately located DNN. The absence of a DNN with the same name in the network slice can be understood as multiple DNNs in the network slice not having duplicate names. The UDM element can obtain the updated APN's PGW information from the HSS, thereby updating the DNN's PGW information to the updated APN's PGW information. In other words, the updated DNN's PGW information is identical to the updated APN's PGW information.

[0030] For example, in the example above, if the UDM network element determines that the PGW information of the UE's APN-1 has been updated, and determines that there is a DNN-1 with the same name as APN-1 in the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information, then the PGW information of DNN-1 will be updated to the PGW information of APN-1.

[0031] In one example, after updating the PGW information of the DNN, assuming the UE switches to the 5G network, the UE initiates a registration process on the 5G network. After successful registration, a session is established on the 5G network, and the updated PGW information of the DNN can be used to establish the session.

[0032] It should be noted that the examples described above in this embodiment are merely illustrative for ease of understanding and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution of the present invention.

[0033] In this embodiment, if the first network is a 4G network, the second network is a 5G network, and the gateway information is PGW information, then by using the default slice information specified for the 4G network, after the PGW information of the APN is updated, it can be determined that there is no 5G network slice with the same name as the DNN. If a DNN with the same name as the APN is found within this 5G network slice, then this DNN is unique, meaning a DNN can be accurately located. The PGW information of this located DNN is then updated, ensuring service continuity during 4G / 5G handover. In other words, when multiple network slices in the 5G network subscribe to DNNs with the same name, this embodiment can improve the accuracy of 4G and 5G interoperability. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since a DNN with the same name as the APN can be accurately located based on the default slice information specified for the 4G network, the UE can subscribe to multiple network slices including DNNs with the same name, reducing the restrictions on 5G subscription and further facilitating 5G subscription.

[0034] The second embodiment of this application relates to a network operation method. The implementation details of the network operation method of this embodiment are described below. These details are provided for ease of understanding and are not essential for implementing this solution.

[0035] The flowchart of the network operation method in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, it includes:

[0036] Step 301: Specify a network slice among the multiple network slices subscribed to by the UE, and use the information of the specified network slice as the default slice information for the first network.

[0037] The 4G network mentioned below can be understood as the first network, the 5G network as the second network, and PGW information as gateway information.

[0038] In one example, after the UE subscribes to a 5G network slice, the UDM network element can specify a network slice among the multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE, and use the information of the specified network slice as the default slice information for the 4G network. The number of network slices specified among the multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE can be one or more. If more than one network slice is specified, there will be no DNN with the same name among the specified network slices, which helps to ensure that a DNN with the same name as the APN can be accurately located.

[0039] In one example, specifying a network slice among multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE can be achieved by: determining the usage priority of the multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE; and specifying a network slice among the multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE according to the usage priority. For example, specifying the 5G network slice with the highest usage priority among the multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE. The usage priority can be determined by the operator. The multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE can include 5G network slices implementing different types of services. 5G network slices implementing the UE's data services can have a higher usage priority for the UE. 5G network slices with higher usage priority are those frequently used by the UE, i.e., 5G network slices used frequently by the UE. In this embodiment, specifying a network slice among the multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE according to the usage priority is beneficial for rationally specifying network slices based on the usage priority of multiple 5G network slices. This makes the specified default slice information more in line with the UE's usage habits, improves the rationality of 4G and 5G interoperability, and enhances the user experience.

[0040] It should be noted that this embodiment only takes the example of specifying a network slice among multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE according to the usage priority. In a specific implementation, a network slice can also be randomly specified among multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE as the default slice for the 4G network.

[0041] In one example, specifying a network slice among multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE includes: determining whether the user corresponding to the UE is a prepaid user; if the user corresponding to the UE is a prepaid user, specifying a network slice among the multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE. In specific implementations, the user corresponding to the UE may be a prepaid user or a postpaid user. Prepaid users must pay in advance before using the service, and this fee is deducted after the user successfully uses the service; postpaid users pay after successfully using the service. After the UDM network element determines that the user corresponding to the UE is a prepaid user, it specifies a network slice among the multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE. That is, the UDM network element can automatically specify a network slice for the UE of a prepaid user, that is, specify the default slice information for the 4G network of the UE of a prepaid user. This is beneficial to improving the user experience of prepaid users when switching between 4G and 5G, thereby encouraging more users to join the ranks of prepaid users and increasing the number of prepaid users for operators.

[0042] In one example, the UDM network element can obtain the UE's phone number and use that phone number to query whether the user corresponding to the UE is a prepaid or postpaid user.

[0043] Step 302: After determining that the gateway information of the UE's APN has been updated, determine the network slice of the second network that the UE has subscribed to, which corresponds to the default slice information, based on the default slice information specified for the first network.

[0044] Step 303: If a DNN with the same name as the APN is found in the network slice, update the gateway information of the DNN with the same name as the APN.

[0045] Steps 302 to 303 are largely the same as steps 101 to 102 in the first embodiment, and will not be repeated here to avoid repetition.

[0046] It should be noted that the examples described above in this embodiment are merely illustrative for ease of understanding and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution of the present invention.

[0047] In this embodiment, if the first network is a 4G network, the second network is a 5G network, and the gateway information is PGW information, then by specifying network slices among the multiple 5G network slices subscribed to by the UE according to usage priority, it is beneficial to rationally specify network slices based on the usage priority of multiple 5G network slices. This makes the specified default slice information more in line with the UE's usage habits, which helps improve the rationality of 4G and 5G interoperability and enhances the user experience. In addition, the UDM network element can automatically specify network slices for prepaid users' UEs, that is, specify default slice information for the 4G network of prepaid users' UEs. This helps improve the user experience of prepaid users when switching between 4G and 5G, thereby encouraging more users to join the ranks of prepaid users and increasing the number of prepaid users for operators.

[0048] The third embodiment of this application relates to a network operation method. The implementation details of the network operation method of this embodiment are described below. These details are provided for ease of understanding and are not essential for implementing this solution.

[0049] The flowchart of the network operation method in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 4 As shown, it includes:

[0050] Step 401: After determining that the gateway information of the UE's APN has been updated, determine whether there are multiple DNNs with the same name as the APN; if so, proceed to step 402, otherwise proceed to step 409.

[0051] The 4G network mentioned below can be understood as the first network, the 5G network as the second network, and PGW information as gateway information.

[0052] Specifically, since there may be DNNs with the same name among multiple network slices of the UE, after the UDM network element determines that the PGW information of the UE's APN has been updated, it can determine whether there are multiple DNNs with the same name as the APN among multiple sets of DNNs in multiple network slices of the UE.

[0053] Step 402: Determine whether multiple DNNs with the same name have updated the gateway information within a preset time period; if so, proceed to step 407, otherwise proceed to step 403.

[0054] The preset time period can be set according to actual needs, such as between the past 2 and 4 hours. The UDM network element stores the dynamic information of all DNNs subscribed to by the UE. This dynamic information is the PGW information of the DNN. Therefore, the UDM network element can determine whether multiple DNNs with the same name have updated their PGW information within the preset time period.

[0055] Step 403: If multiple DNNs with the same name have not updated their gateway information within a preset time period, determine the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information that the UE is subscribed to, based on the default slice information specified for the first network.

[0056] In other words, if the UDM network element determines that multiple DNNs with the same name have not updated PGW information within a preset time period, the UDM network element determines the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information for the UE based on the default slice information specified for the 4G network. The specific implementation method of the UDM network element determining the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information for the UE based on the default slice information specified for the 4G network can be found in the relevant description in the first embodiment. To avoid repetition, this embodiment does not specifically limit this method.

[0057] Step 404: Determine whether there is a DNN with the same name as APN in the network slice; if so, proceed to step 405, otherwise proceed to step 406.

[0058] Specifically, considering that the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information may not necessarily contain a DNN with the same name as the APN, the UDM network element can determine whether a DNN with the same name as the APN exists in the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information.

[0059] Step 405: Update the gateway information of the DNN with the same name as the APN in the network slice.

[0060] In other words, if a DNN with the same name as the APN is found in the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information, the PGW information of the DNN with the same name as the APN is updated; wherein, the PGW information of the updated DNN is the same as the PGW information of the updated APN.

[0061] Step 406: Select one DNN from multiple DNNs with the same name and update the gateway information of the selected DNN.

[0062] In other words, if it is determined that there is no DNN with the same name as the APN in the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information, then a DNN with the same name is selected from multiple DNNs with the same name in other network slices subscribed to by the UE, and the PGW information of the selected DNN is updated. The updated PGW information of the DNN is identical to the updated PGW information of the APN. In a specific implementation, a DNN can be randomly selected from multiple DNNs with the same name.

[0063] For example, a UE may have subscribed to 10 network slices, designated as slices 1 to 10. The 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information is slice 2. Suppose that the PGW information of APN-1 is updated, and the UDM element identifies 5 DNN-1s with the same name as APN-1 among the 10 network slices subscribed to by the UE. These 5 DNN-1s with the same name as APN-1 have not updated their PGW information within a preset time period. Based on the default slice information, the UDM element determines the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information as slice 2. Then, it queries slice 2 for a DNN with the same name as APN-1, but finds no such DNN. Therefore, the UDM element can randomly select one of the 5 DNN-1s with the same name as APN-1 and update the PGW information of the selected DNN. Understandably, if a DNN with the same name as APN-1 is found in slice 2, the UDM element will directly update the PGW information of the DNN with the same name as APN-1 in slice 2.

[0064] Step 407: Select a DNN with the same name as the APN from the DNNs that have updated the gateway information.

[0065] In other words, if there are multiple DNNs with the same name as APN, and among these multiple DNNs, there is one that has updated PGW information within a preset time period, then one of the DNNs that has updated PGW information is selected from those DNNs with the same name as APN. For example, one DNN with the same name as APN can be randomly selected from among the DNNs that have updated PGW information.

[0066] In one example, if there are multiple DNNs that have updated PGW information, the UDM network element can determine the update times of these multiple DNNs. Then, based on these multiple update times, it selects the update time closest to the current time and uses the DNN that updated PGW information at that most recent update time as the selected DNN with the same name as the APN. In other words, if there are multiple DNNs that have updated PGW information, the most recently updated DNN is selected. Considering that the UE is more likely to continue using the most recently updated PGW information DNN, selecting the most recently updated PGW information DNN is more reasonable.

[0067] Step 408: Update the gateway information of the selected DNN with the same name as the APN.

[0068] The updated gateway information for the DNN is the same as the updated gateway information for the APN.

[0069] Step 409: If there is only one DNN with the same name as APN, update the gateway information of the DNN with the same name as APN.

[0070] In other words, if the UDM network element determines that there is only one DNN with the same name as the APN in all the network slices subscribed to by the UE, the UDM network element can directly update the PGW information of the DNN with the same name as the APN.

[0071] It should be noted that the examples described above in this embodiment are merely illustrative for ease of understanding and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution of the present invention.

[0072] In this embodiment, if multiple DNNs share the same name as the APN, and none of these DNNs have updated their PGW information within a preset time period, the 5G network slice corresponding to the default slice information assigned to the UE is determined based on the default slice information assigned to the 4G network. This facilitates the location of a unique DNN with the same name as the APN at a reasonable time using the default slice information assigned to the 4G network. If no DNN with the same name as the APN is found in the 5G network slice, a DNN is selected from among the multiple DNNs with the same name, and the PGW information of the selected DNN is updated. This ensures that a DNN with the same name as the APN can be located under various circumstances, thus ensuring normal interoperability between 4G and 5G. Moreover, considering that the UE is more likely to continue using the DNN whose PGW information was last updated, selecting the DNN whose PGW information was last updated is more reasonable.

[0073] The steps of the various methods described above are only for clarity. In practice, they can be combined into one step or some steps can be split into multiple steps. As long as they include the same logical relationship, they are all within the scope of protection of this patent. Adding insignificant modifications or introducing insignificant designs to the algorithm or process, but without changing the core design of the algorithm and process, are also within the scope of protection of this patent.

[0074] The fourth embodiment of this application relates to a network element, such as... Figure 5 As shown, it includes at least one processor 501; and a memory 502 communicatively connected to at least one processor 501; wherein the memory 502 stores instructions executable by at least one processor 501, the instructions being executed by at least one processor 501 to enable at least one processor 501 to perform a network operation method in any one of the first to third embodiments.

[0075] The memory 502 and processor 501 are connected via a bus, which can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges. The bus connects various circuits of one or more processors 501 and memory 502 together. The bus can also connect various other circuits, such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. A bus interface provides an interface between the bus and the transceiver. The transceiver can be a single element or multiple elements, such as multiple receivers and transmitters, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium. Data processed by processor 501 is transmitted over a wireless medium via an antenna, which further receives data and transmits it to processor 501.

[0076] Processor 501 is responsible for managing the bus and general processing, and can also provide various functions, including timing, peripheral interfaces, voltage regulation, power management, and other control functions. Memory 502 can be used to store data used by processor 501 during operation.

[0077] The fifth embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the above-described method embodiments.

[0078] That is, those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a program instructing related hardware. This program is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0079] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are specific examples of implementing the present invention, and in practical applications, various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A network operation method, characterized in that, include: After the gateway information of the Access Point Name (APN) of the User Equipment (UE) is updated, the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information of the first network is determined according to the default slice information specified for the first network; wherein, there is no data network name (DNN) with the same name in the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information. If a DNN with the same name as the APN is found in the network slice, the gateway information of the DNN with the same name as the APN is updated; wherein the updated gateway information of the DNN is the same as the updated gateway information of the APN.

2. The network operation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before determining the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information specified for the first network, after the gateway information of the UE's APN is updated, the method further includes: The number of DNNs with the same name as the APN is determined to be multiple, and none of the multiple DNNs with the same name have updated the gateway information within a preset time period.

3. The network operation method according to claim 2, characterized in that, After determining the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information subscribed by the UE, the method further includes: If it is determined that there is no DNN with the same name as the APN in the network slice, then select one DNN from the plurality of DNNs with the same name, and update the gateway information of the selected DNN.

4. The network operation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Before determining the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information specified for the first network, after the gateway information of the UE's APN has been updated, the method further includes: If it is determined that there are multiple DNNs with the same name as the APN, and among the multiple DNNs with the same name there is a DNN that has updated the gateway information within a preset time period, select one DNN with the same name as the APN from the DNNs that have updated the gateway information. Update the gateway information of the selected DNN with the same name as the APN.

5. The network operation method according to claim 4, characterized in that, Selecting a DNN with the same name as the APN from the DNNs whose gateway information has been updated includes: If there are multiple DNNs that have updated gateway information, determine the update time points of the multiple DNNs that have updated gateway information; Based on multiple update time points, select the update time point closest to the current time point, and use the DNN that updates the gateway information at the closest update time point as the selected DNN with the same name as the APN.

6. The network operation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before determining the network slice of the second network corresponding to the default slice information specified for the first network, the method further includes: The network slice is specified among the multiple network slices subscribed to by the UE, and the information of the specified network slice is used as the default slice information for the first network.

7. The network operation method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Specifying a network slice among the multiple network slices subscribed to by the UE includes: Determine the usage priority of the multiple network slices subscribed to by the UE; Based on the usage priority, a network slice is specified among the multiple network slices subscribed to by the UE.

8. The network operation method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, Specifying a network slice among the multiple network slices subscribed to by the UE includes: Determine whether the user corresponding to the UE is a prepaid user; If the user corresponding to the UE is a prepaid user, specify the network slice among the multiple network slices subscribed to by the UE.

9. The network operation method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gateway information is the Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW) information.

10. A network element, characterized in that, include: At least one processor; as well as, A memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein, The memory stores instructions that can be executed by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor. The processor executes the network operation method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the network operation method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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