Method, SMF entity and communication system for implementing offloading
By establishing a PDN session between the user terminal and the data network and storing the IP address of the user terminal, the problem of uplink data packet loss in 3G/4G and 5G scenarios is solved, and the normal transmission of data is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202110684656.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2021-06-21
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-20
- Estimated Expiration
- 2041-06-21
AI Technical Summary
In 3G/4G and 5G scenarios, if the source IP address of the uplink data is not in the IP address pool of the UPF entity, it will lead to data packet loss, and the existing technology cannot effectively avoid packet loss.
The PDN session is established between the user terminal and the data network through the SMF entity, the second PSA entity is established and the IP address of the user terminal is stored, and the tunnel information of the shunt point entity is updated so as to divert uplink data to the first PSA and the second PSA according to the shunt rule. The second PSA entity ensures that the data can be transmitted normally.
It effectively avoids packet loss during uplink data shunt and ensures that data can be transmitted to the data network normally.
Smart Images
Figure CN115515187B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method for implementing traffic diversion, an SMF entity and a communication system. Background Art
[0002] In R16 of 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), a diversion node (Uplink Classifier) diverts uplink data to two UPF (User Plane Function) entities to achieve uplink data diversion. Summary of the invention
[0003] The inventors found through research that according to the routing rules of 3G / 4G GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) / PGW (PDN Gateway), if the source IP address of the uplink data does not belong to the GGSN / PGW, it is considered to be deceptive and the IP data packet will be discarded. A similar problem also exists in the 5G scenario. When uplink data is diverted, if the IP address is not included in the IP address pool of the UPF entity, the UPF entity will discard the uplink data, resulting in packet loss.
[0004] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a diversion solution that can effectively avoid packet loss during the diversion of uplink data.
[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for implementing diversion is provided, which is performed by an SMF entity, including: establishing a PDN session between a user terminal and a data network, wherein the user plane of the PDN session includes a first PSA entity; establishing a second PSA entity in the user plane of the PDN session, and sending the IP address of the user terminal to the second PSA entity for storage, wherein the IP address of the user terminal belongs to the first PSA entity; establishing a diversion point entity in the user plane of the PDN session, and sending diversion rules related to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity to the diversion point entity; updating the tunnel information of the first PSA entity, the second PSA entity and the access network, so that the diversion point entity diverts the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity according to the diversion rules, and the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity respectively send the received uplink data to the data network.
[0006] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: instructing the second PSA entity to convert the IP address of the user terminal included in the uplink data into an IP address in a corresponding IP address pool after receiving the uplink data.
[0007] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a session management functional entity is provided, including: a first processing module, establishing a PDN session between a user terminal and a data network, wherein the user plane of the PDN session includes a first PSA entity; a second processing module, configured to establish a second PSA entity in the user plane of the PDN session, and send the IP address of the user terminal to the second PSA entity for storage, wherein the IP address of the user terminal belongs to the first PSA entity; a third processing module, configured to establish a diversion point entity in the user plane of the PDN session, and send the diversion rules related to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity to the diversion point entity; a fourth processing module, configured to update the tunnel information of the first PSA entity, the second PSA entity and the access network, so that the diversion point entity diverts the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity according to the diversion rules, and the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity respectively send the received uplink data to the data network.
[0008] In some embodiments, the session management function entity further includes: a fifth module configured to instruct the second PSA entity to convert the IP address of the user terminal included in the uplink data into an IP address in a corresponding IP address pool after receiving the uplink data.
[0009] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a session management functional entity is provided, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute a method as described in any of the above embodiments based on the instructions stored in the memory.
[0010] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising: a session management function SMF entity as described in any of the above embodiments; a first PSA entity, located in the user plane of a PDN session between a user terminal and a data network, and configured to update tunnel information according to an instruction of the SMF entity, and send the received uplink data to the data network; a second PSA entity, located in the user plane of the PDN session, configured to store the IP address of the user terminal sent by the SMF entity, wherein the IP address of the user terminal belongs to the first PSA entity, update the tunnel information according to the instruction of the SMF entity, and send the received uplink data to the data network; a diversion point entity, located in the user plane of the PDN session, and configured to divert the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity according to a diversion rule sent by the SMF entity.
[0011] In some embodiments, the first PSA entity is configured to send the received downlink data to the diversion point entity; the second PSA entity is configured to send the received downlink data to the diversion point entity; the diversion point entity is configured to send the received downlink data to the user terminal.
[0012] In some embodiments, the second PSA entity is further configured to convert the IP address of the user terminal in the received uplink data into an IP address in a corresponding IP address pool according to an instruction of the SMF entity.
[0013] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processor, the method involved in any of the above embodiments is implemented.
[0014] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0016] The present disclosure may be more clearly understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a method for implementing diversion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an SMF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0019] Figure 3 is a structural diagram of an SMF entity according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0020] Figure 4 is a structural diagram of an SMF entity according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] Figure 6 It is a flowchart of a method for implementing diversion according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] It should be understood that the size of each part shown in the accompanying drawings is not drawn according to the actual proportional relationship. In addition, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description of the exemplary embodiments is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure and its application or use. The present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided to make the present disclosure thorough and complete and to fully express the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement of the components and steps, the composition of the materials, and the numerical values set forth in these embodiments should be interpreted as being merely exemplary and not as limiting.
[0025] The words “include” or “comprising” and the like used in the present disclosure mean that the elements preceding the words include the elements listed after the words, and do not exclude the possibility of also including other elements.
[0026] All terms (including technical terms or scientific terms) used in the present disclosure have the same meanings as those understood by ordinary technicians in the field to which the present disclosure belongs, unless otherwise specifically defined. It should also be understood that terms defined in general dictionaries, such as general dictionaries, should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or extremely formal sense, unless explicitly defined herein.
[0027] Technologies, methods, and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the technologies, methods, and equipment should be considered as part of the specification.
[0028] Figure 1It is a flowchart of a method for implementing traffic diversion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the following method steps for implementing traffic diversion are executed by an SMF (Session Management Function) entity.
[0029] In step 101, a PDN (Packet Data Network) session is established between a user terminal and a DN (Data Network), wherein the user plane of the PDN session includes a first PSA (PDU Session Anchor) entity.
[0030] In step 102, a second PSA entity is established in the user plane of the PDN session, and the IP address of the user terminal is sent to the second PSA entity for storage, wherein the IP address of the user terminal belongs to the first PSA entity.
[0031] In some embodiments, the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity are different UPF entities.
[0032] In step 103, a branching point entity is established in the user plane of the PDN session, and the branching rules related to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity are sent to the branching point entity.
[0033] In step 104, the tunnel information of the first PSA entity, the second PSA entity and the access network is updated so that the diversion point entity diverts the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity according to the diversion rule, and the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity respectively send the received uplink data to the DN.
[0034] It should be noted here that in the prior art, after the second PSA entity receives the uplink data, if the IP address included in the uplink data belongs to the first PSA entity but not to the second PSA entity, the second PSA entity will discard the uplink data. In the above embodiment of the present disclosure, since the IP address belonging to the first PSA entity is provided to the second PSA entity for storage in advance, after the second PSA entity receives the uplink data, even if the IP address included in the uplink data does not belong to the second PSA entity, the second PSA entity has already stored the IP address. In this case, the second PSA entity will not discard the uplink data, but continue to send the uplink data to the data network, thereby effectively avoiding packet loss during the uplink diversion process.
[0035] In some embodiments, the SMF entity further instructs the second PSA entity to convert the IP address of the user terminal included in the uplink data into an IP address in the corresponding IP address pool after receiving the uplink data.
[0036] For example, the diversion point entity diverts the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity, and the second PSA entity converts the IP address 1 included in the uplink data to the IP address 2 in the IP address pool of the second PSA entity. As a result, the IP address included in the uplink data sent by the first PSA entity to the data network is IP address 1, and the IP address included in the uplink data sent by the second PSA entity to the data network is IP address 2, that is, the data network receives uplink data from different sources, so the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity can be used to send the downlink data to the user terminal.
[0037] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an SMF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, the SMF entity includes a first processing module 21 , a second processing module 22 , a third processing module 23 and a fourth processing module 24 .
[0038] The first processing module 21 is configured to establish a PDN session between a user terminal and a data network, wherein a user plane of the PDN session includes a first PSA entity.
[0039] The second processing module 22 is configured to establish a second PSA entity in the user plane of the PDN session, and send the IP address of the user terminal to the second PSA entity for storage, wherein the IP address of the user terminal belongs to the first PSA entity.
[0040] The third processing module 23 is configured to establish a diversion point entity in the user plane of the PDN session, and send diversion rules related to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity to the diversion point entity.
[0041] The fourth processing module 24 is configured to update the tunnel information of the first PSA entity, the second PSA entity and the access network so that the diversion point entity diverts the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity according to the diversion rules, and the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity respectively send the received uplink data to the data network.
[0042] It should be noted here that, since the second PSA entity stores the IP address belonging to the first PSA entity, both the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity can send the received uplink data to the data network, thereby effectively avoiding packet loss during the uplink diversion process.
[0043] Figure 3It is a structural diagram of an SMF entity according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 and Figure 2 The difference is that in Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the SMF entity further includes a fifth module 25 .
[0044] The fifth module 25 is configured to instruct the second PSA entity to convert the IP address of the user terminal included in the uplink data into an IP address in the corresponding IP address pool after receiving the uplink data.
[0045] For example, the diversion point entity diverts the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity, and the second PSA entity converts the IP address 1 included in the uplink data to the IP address 2 in the IP address pool of the second PSA entity. As a result, the IP address included in the uplink data sent by the first PSA entity to the data network is IP address 1, and the IP address included in the uplink data sent by the second PSA entity to the data network is IP address 2, that is, the data network receives uplink data from different sources, so the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity can be used to send the downlink data to the user terminal.
[0046] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an SMF entity according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, the SMF entity includes a memory 41 and a processor 42.
[0047] The memory 41 is used to store instructions. The processor 42 is coupled to the memory 41. The processor 42 is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to implement the following Figure 1 The method of any one of the embodiments.
[0048] like Figure 4 As shown, the SMF entity also includes a communication interface 43 for information exchange with other devices. At the same time, the SMF entity also includes a bus 44, through which the processor 42, the communication interface 43, and the memory 41 communicate with each other.
[0049] The memory 41 may include high-speed RAM (Random Access Memory) and may also include NVM (Non-Volatile Memory). For example, at least one disk storage. The memory 41 may also be a storage array. The memory 41 may also be divided into blocks, and the blocks may be combined into virtual volumes according to certain rules.
[0050] In addition, the processor 42 may be a central processing unit, or may be an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or may be configured to implement one or more integrated circuits of the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0051] The present disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, which are executed by a processor to implement the following Figure 1 The method of any one of the embodiments.
[0052] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, the communication system includes an SMF entity 51, a first PSA entity 52, a second PSA entity 53, and a branch point entity 54. The SMF entity 51 is Figures 2 to 4 The SMF entity shown in any of the embodiments.
[0053] The first PSA entity 52 is located in the user plane of the PDN session between the user terminal and the data network, and is configured to update the tunnel information according to the instruction of the SMF entity and send the received uplink data to the data network.
[0054] The second PSA entity 53 is located in the user plane of the PDN session and is configured to store the IP address of the user terminal sent by the SMF entity, where the IP address of the user terminal belongs to the first PSA entity, update the tunnel information according to the instruction of the SMF entity, and send the received uplink data to the data network.
[0055] In some embodiments, the second PSA entity 53 is further configured to convert the IP address of the user terminal in the received uplink data into an IP address in the corresponding IP address pool according to the instruction of the SMF entity 51.
[0056] The diversion point entity 54 is located in the user plane of the PDN session and is configured to divert uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity according to the diversion rule sent by the SMF entity.
[0057] In some embodiments, the first PSA entity 52 is configured to send the received downlink data to the branch point entity 54. The second PSA entity 53 is configured to send the received downlink data to the branch point entity 54. The branch point entity 54 is configured to send the received downlink data to the user terminal.
[0058] Figure 6 It is a flowchart of a method for implementing diversion according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0059] In step 601, the SMF entity establishes a PDN session between a UE (User Equipment) and a data network, wherein the user plane of the PDN session includes a first PSA entity.
[0060] In step 602, a second PSA entity is established in the user plane of the PDN session, and the IP address of the user terminal is sent to the second PSA entity for storage, wherein the IP address of the user terminal belongs to the first PSA entity.
[0061] In some embodiments, the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity are different UPF entities.
[0062] In step 603, a branching point entity (Branching Point / Uplink Classifier) is established in the user plane of the PDN session, and branching rules related to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity are sent to the branching point entity.
[0063] In step 604, tunnel information of the first PSA entity is updated.
[0064] As a result, the branch point entity forwards the downlink data received by the first PSA entity to the UE.
[0065] In step 605, tunnel information of the second PSA entity is updated.
[0066] As a result, the branch point entity forwards the downlink data received by the second PSA entity to the UE.
[0067] In step 606, the tunnel information of the AN (Access Network) or RAN (Radio Access Network) is updated.
[0068] Thus, the diversion point entity diverts the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity to the first PSA entity, and the first PSA entity sends the received uplink data to the DN. The diversion point entity diverts the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the second PSA entity to the second PSA entity. The second PSA entity modifies the IP address 1 included in the received uplink data to the IP address 2 in the IP address pool of the second PSA entity, and sends the modified uplink data to the DN.
[0069] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned functional modules can be implemented as a general-purpose processor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components or any appropriate combination thereof for performing the functions described in the present disclosure.
[0070] So far, the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail. In order to avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure, some details known in the art are not described. Based on the above description, those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein.
[0071] Although some specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail by way of examples, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above examples are for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments may be modified or some technical features may be replaced by equivalents without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for implementing traffic diversion, performed by an SMF entity, comprising: Establishing a PDN session between a user terminal and a data network, wherein a user plane of the PDN session includes a first PSA entity; Establishing a second PSA entity in the user plane of the PDN session, and sending the IP address of the user terminal to the second PSA entity for storage, wherein the IP address of the user terminal belongs to the first PSA entity; Establishing a diversion point entity in the user plane of the PDN session, and sending diversion rules related to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity to the diversion point entity; Update the tunnel information of the first PSA entity, the second PSA entity and the access network so that the diversion point entity diverts the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity according to the diversion rule, and the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity respectively send the received uplink data to the data network.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Instruct the second PSA entity to convert the IP address of the user terminal included in the uplink data into an IP address in the corresponding IP address pool after receiving the uplink data.
3. A SMF entity, comprising: A first processing module is configured to establish a PDN session between a user terminal and a data network, wherein a user plane of the PDN session includes a first PSA entity; A second processing module is configured to establish a second PSA entity in the user plane of the PDN session, and send the IP address of the user terminal to the second PSA entity for storage, wherein the IP address of the user terminal belongs to the first PSA entity; A third processing module is configured to establish a diversion point entity in the user plane of the PDN session, and send diversion rules related to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity to the diversion point entity; The fourth processing module is configured to update the tunnel information of the first PSA entity, the second PSA entity and the access network so that the diversion point entity diverts the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity according to the diversion rule, and the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity respectively send the received uplink data to the data network.
4. The SMF entity according to claim 3, further comprising: The fifth module is configured to instruct the second PSA entity to convert the IP address of the user terminal included in the uplink data into an IP address in the corresponding IP address pool after receiving the uplink data.
5. A SMF entity, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; A processor is coupled to the memory, and the processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 2 based on instructions stored in the memory.
6. A communication system comprising: The SMF entity as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5; A first PSA entity, located in a user plane of a PDN session between a user terminal and a data network, is configured to update tunnel information according to an instruction of the SMF entity and send received uplink data to the data network; A second PSA entity, located in the user plane of the PDN session, is configured to store the IP address of the user terminal sent by the SMF entity, wherein the IP address of the user terminal belongs to the first PSA entity, update the tunnel information according to the instruction of the SMF entity, and send the received uplink data to the data network; The diversion point entity is located in the user plane of the PDN session and is configured to divert the uplink data sent by the user terminal to the first PSA entity and the second PSA entity according to the diversion rule sent by the SMF entity.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein: The first PSA entity is configured to send the received downlink data to the split point entity; The second PSA entity is configured to send the received downlink data to the split point entity; The split point entity is configured to send the received downlink data to the user terminal.
8. The system according to claim 6, wherein: The second PSA entity is also configured to convert the IP address of the user terminal in the received uplink data into an IP address in the corresponding IP address pool according to the instruction of the SMF entity.
9. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 2 is implemented.