A communication tunnel management method, device and system

Abstract

The application discloses a communication tunnel management method, device and system, which are used for solving the problem of large overhead of supporting multicast / broadcast function based on mobile communication network architecture. The method comprises the following steps: a multicast / broadcast session management function network element MB-SMF receives a first message sent by a first SMF, the first message carries identification information of multicast / broadcast service and is used for requesting to receive data of multicast / broadcast service; according to the first message, it is determined that a first tunnel exists, a second message is sent to the first SMF, and the second message is used for indicating that the first tunnel exists; the first tunnel is used for transmitting the data of the multicast / broadcast service between a multicast / broadcast UPF controlled by the MB-SMF and a UPF controlled by the first SMF. In the method, after it is determined that a communication tunnel for the multicast / broadcast service has been established, the MB-SMF feeds back that the tunnel already exists, so that multiple SMFs can share one tunnel, and network resources are effectively saved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication tunnel management method, device and system. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of mobile Internet, mobile high-definition video services are booming. Users gradually change from the traditional way of watching hot programs through fixed television to watching hot programs through mobile terminals and mobile Internet, therefore, the impact of video services on mobile networks is increasingly strong, and if the transmission of video services can be optimized through air interface multicasting, the impact of video traffic on mobile networks will be greatly reduced.

[0003] However, the existing multicasting / broadcasting scheme needs to add a dedicated network element and interface supporting multicasting / broadcasting on the basis of the existing communication architecture, and also needs a dedicated multicasting / broadcasting channel to support, which not only increases the operating cost of the operator, but also increases the complexity of the terminal. Therefore, how to support the multicasting / broadcasting function (Multicast Broadcast Service, MBS) on the basis of the mobile communication network architecture and effectively reduce the system overhead is a technical problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a communication tunnel management method, device and system to solve the problem of high power consumption in multicasting / broadcasting services in the current mobile communication network architecture.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication tunnel management method, which comprises:

[0006] The multicasting / broadcasting session management function network element receives a first message sent by a first session management function network element, the first message being used to request to receive data of a multicasting / broadcasting service; the first message carries identification information of the multicasting / broadcasting service; the multicasting / broadcasting session management function network element determines that a first tunnel exists according to the first message, and sends a second message to the first session management function network element, the second message being used to indicate that the first tunnel exists; the first tunnel is used to transmit data of the multicasting / broadcasting service between a multicasting / broadcasting user plane function network element controlled by the multicasting / broadcasting session management function network element and a user plane function network element controlled by the first session management function network element.

[0007] In a possible design, the second message can be a multicast broadcast service data reception response (Nmbsmf_Reception_Response); or the second message can be a multicast / broadcast session establishment response (Nsmf_MBSSession_Create Response); or the second message can be a multicast / broadcast session update response (Nsmf_MBSSession_Update Response).

[0008] Based on the foregoing scheme, in the embodiment of the application, after receiving the first message, the multicast / broadcast session management function network element first determines whether the first tunnel for transmitting the multicast / broadcast service data already exists. If the first tunnel exists, the tunnel for transmitting the multicast / broadcast service data does not need to be re-established, and the previously established tunnel is directly used for transmission, so that multiple SMFs can share one tunnel, and network resources can be effectively saved.

[0009] In a possible design, the first message further includes information of the first tunnel.

[0010] In a possible design, the information of the first tunnel can be N19mb tunnel information (N19mb TunnelInformation), which can include an IP address and / or a port number and / or a TEID.

[0011] In a possible design, before the multicast / broadcast session management function network element sends the second message to the first session management function network element, if the multicast / broadcast session management function network element determines, according to the first message, that the first tunnel does not exist, the multicast / broadcast session management function network element establishes first information.

[0012] In a possible design, the first information includes part or all of the following: identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, information of the first tunnel, identification of the first session management function network element, identification of a session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, and number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel.

[0013] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving, by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, a ninth message sent by a second session management function network element, the ninth message carrying identification information of the multicast / broadcast service; determining, by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, that the first tunnel exists according to the ninth message; and updating, by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the first information.

[0014] Based on the above scheme, it can be effectively guaranteed that the SMF in the SMF network element set establishes only one N19mb tunnel for the multicast / broadcast service for the UPF, thereby effectively saving network resources. In addition, when the multicast / broadcast session management function network element determines that the first tunnel exists based on the ninth message, the first information is also updated based on the ninth message, thereby being able to better manage the communication tunnel.

[0015] It can be understood that the ninth message and the first message can be the same message.

[0016] In a possible design, when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the second session management function network element is added to the first information, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0017] In a possible design, when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the identification of the first session management function network element, the identification of the second session management function network element is added to the first information.

[0018] In a possible design, when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0019] In a possible design, when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the second session management function network element is added to the first information, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0020] In a possible design, when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, the identification of the second session management function network element is added to the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service.

[0021] In a possible design, the method further includes: the multicast / broadcast session management function network element sending a third message to the second session management function network element, where the third message is used to indicate the existence of the first tunnel.

[0022] It can be understood that the third message and the second message can be the same message.

[0023] In a possible design, the third message includes one or more of the following: identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, information of the first tunnel, and an indication of the existence of the first tunnel.

[0024] In a possible design, the second message includes the information of the first tunnel.

[0025] In a possible design, the method further includes: the multicast / broadcast session management function network element receiving a fourth message from the first session management function network element and / or the second session management function network element, where the fourth message is used to request to unsubscribe from an event related to the multicast / broadcast service; or the fourth message is used to request to release the first tunnel; or the fourth message is used to indicate that the first session management function network element and / or the second session management function network element exits from receiving the multicast / broadcast service data.

[0026] In a possible design, the fourth message can be a multicast / broadcast service data reception release request (Nmbsmf_Reception_Release Request), or a multicast / broadcast service session release request (Nmbsmf_MBSSession_Release Request), or a multicast / broadcast service session update request (Nmbsmf_MBSSession_UpdateRequets), or a multicast / broadcast information unsubscribe request (Nmbsmf_Information_UnsubscribeRequets).

[0027] In a possible design, the fourth message includes one or more of the following: identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, and a subscription correlation ID.

[0028] In a possible design, the method further includes: the multicast / broadcast session management function network element updating the first information according to the fourth message.

[0029] In a possible design, the multicast / broadcast session management function network element updates the first information according to the fourth message, which can be understood as a reduction operation.

[0030] Based on the above scheme, the application provides a scheme for releasing a communication tunnel, so that the communication tunnel can be better managed according to different situations.

[0031] In a possible design, when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element and / or the identification of the second session management function network element are deleted from the first information, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0032] In a possible design, when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the identification of the first session management function network element, the identification of the first session management function network element and / or the identification of the second session management function network element are deleted from the first information.

[0033] In a possible design, when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0034] In a possible design, when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element and / or the identification of the second session management function network element are deleted from the first information, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0035] In a possible design, when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, the identification of the first session management function network element and / or the identification of the second session management function network element are deleted from the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service.

[0036] In a possible design, after the multicast / broadcast session management function network element updates the first information according to the fourth message, the multicast / broadcast session management function network element determines that a first condition is met, and sends a fifth message to the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element, where the fifth message is used to instruct to release the first tunnel.

[0037] In a possible design, the first condition includes: when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the multicast / broadcast session management function network element determines that there is no identification of any session management function network element in the first information and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is 0; or,

[0038] when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the identification of the first session management function network element, the multicast / broadcast session management function network element determines that there is no identification of any session management function network element in the first information; or,

[0039] when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the multicast / broadcast session management function network element determines that the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is 0; or,

[0040] when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the multicast / broadcast session management function network element determines that there is no identification of any session management function network element in the first information and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is 0.

[0041] In a possible design, the method further includes: the multicast / broadcast session management function network element receives a sixth message of the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element, where the sixth message is used to feed back a result of releasing the first tunnel by the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element.

[0042] Based on the above scheme, the correct timing can be accurately selected to release the shared N19mb tunnel for the multicast broadcast service of the session management function network element node, so as to avoid the transmission interruption of the multicast broadcast service data of other session management function network element nodes in the session management function network element set caused by incorrect release timing.

[0043] In a possible design, the first message can be a multicast / broadcast service data reception request (Nmbsmf_Reception_Request); or the first message can be a multicast / broadcast session establishment request (Nsmf_MBSSession_Create Request); or the first message can be a multicast / broadcast session update request (Nsmf_MBSSession_Update Request).

[0044] In a possible design, the information of the first tunnel can include one or more of the following:

[0045] The IP address, FQDN, port number, and tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) of the first tunnel of the user plane function network element.

[0046] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication tunnel management method, which includes:

[0047] The session management function network element sends a ninth message to the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, where the ninth message is used to request reception of data of the multicast / broadcast service; the ninth message carries identification information of the multicast / broadcast service; the session management function network element receives a third message sent by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, where the third message is used to indicate that the first tunnel exists; and the first tunnel is used to transmit data of the multicast / broadcast service between the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element and the user plane function network element controlled by the session management function network element.

[0048] Based on the above scheme, in the embodiment of the present application, after receiving the ninth message, the multicast / broadcast session management function network element first judges whether the first tunnel for transmitting multicast / broadcast service data exists; if the first tunnel exists, a tunnel for transmitting multicast / broadcast service data does not need to be re-established, and the previously established tunnel is directly used for transmission, so that multiple SMFs can share one tunnel, and network resources can be effectively saved.

[0049] In a possible design, the third message includes one or more of the following: identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, information of the first tunnel, and an indication that the first tunnel exists.

[0050] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, by the session management function network element, a seventh message to the user plane function network element, where the seventh message contains an identifier of a session management function network element set to which the session management function network element belongs; and the seventh message is used to notify the user plane function network element of information of the first tunnel.

[0051] In a possible design, the first message further includes information of the first tunnel.

[0052] In a possible design, before the session management function network element sends the first message to the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the session management function network element determines that no eighth message containing information of the first tunnel is received from the user plane management function network element.

[0053] Based on the foregoing scheme, it can be effectively ensured that an SMF in an SMF network element set establishes only one N19mb tunnel for multicast / broadcast service for a UPF, thereby effectively saving network resources. In addition, after a first SMF in the SMF network element set completes establishment of the first tunnel, the first SMF sends an identifier of an SMF network element set to which the first SMF belongs to the UPF, so that the UPF sends information of the first tunnel to other SMFs in the SMF network element set. Therefore, the other SMFs in the SMF network element set can effectively save signaling interaction times and / or signaling content size and the like when performing a communication tunnel establishment process and the like later, for example, the other SMFs in the SMF network element set do not need to carry information of the first tunnel in a data message for requesting to receive multicast / broadcast service when sending the data message to the UPF, thereby effectively reducing a previous step of the other SMFs in the SMF network element set in the communication tunnel establishment process and the like, effectively reducing the content size of the data message, and saving resources.

[0054] In a possible design, the method further includes: sending, by the session management function network element, a fourth message to the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, where the fourth message is used to request to unsubscribe from an event related to the multicast / broadcast service; or the fourth message is used to request to release the first tunnel; or the fourth message is used to instruct the first session management function network element to exit receiving of data of the multicast / broadcast service.

[0055] In a possible design, the fourth message includes identifier information of the multicast / broadcast service and / or a subscription association identifier.

[0056] In a possible design, before the session management function network element sends the ninth message to the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the session management function network element sends a tenth message to the user plane function network element, where the tenth message is used to request the user plane function network element to allocate information of the first tunnel.

[0057] Based on the above scheme, one SMF in an SMF network element set can establish only one N19mb tunnel for multicast / broadcast service for the UPF, thereby, when the session management function network element performs communication tunnel establishment, the SMF can first send the tenth message to the UPF, and if a communication tunnel has been established in the SMF network element set to which the SMF belongs, the ninth message and the like need not be executed, thereby effectively reducing the preliminary steps of communication tunnel establishment of other SMFs in the SMF network element set, effectively reducing the content size of the message, saving resources.

[0058] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication tunnel management method, the method comprising:

[0059] The session management function network element sends a first message to a multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the first message being used for requesting data of a multicast / broadcast service; the first message carries identification information of the multicast / broadcast service; the session management function network element receives a second message sent by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the second message being a feedback message of the first message.

[0060] In a possible design, before the session management function network element sends the first message to the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the session management function network element sends a tenth message to a user plane function network element, the tenth message being used for requesting the user plane function network element to allocate information of a first tunnel.

[0061] Based on the above scheme, when a tunnel for transmission between a multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by a multicast / broadcast session management function network element and a user plane function network element controlled by a session management function network element is established, by enabling SMFs in the same SMF network element set to share one communication tunnel, i.e., one SMF in an SMF set establishes only one N19mb tunnel for multicast / broadcast service for the UPF, network resources can be effectively saved, and system overhead can be reduced. In addition, when the session management function network element performs communication tunnel establishment, the SMF can first send the tenth message to the UPF, and if a communication tunnel has been established in the SMF network element set to which the SMF belongs, the ninth message and the like need not be executed, thereby effectively reducing the preliminary steps of communication tunnel establishment of other SMFs in the SMF network element set, effectively reducing the content size of the message, saving resources.

[0062] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication tunnel management method, the method comprising:

[0063] The user plane function network element receives a seventh message sent from the first session management function network element; the seventh message contains a session management function network element set identifier to which the session management function network element belongs; the seventh message is used to notify the user plane function network element of information of the first tunnel; and the user plane function network element sends an eighth message to remaining session management function network elements in the session management function network element set according to the seventh message; the eighth message is used to notify that the first tunnel exists.

[0064] Based on the above scheme, the multicast / broadcast session management function network element in the embodiment of the present application sends an eighth message to the remaining session management function network elements in the session management function network element set after receiving the seventh message, so that the SMFs belonging to the same SMF network element set can share one tunnel, and network resources are effectively saved.

[0065] In a possible design, the seventh message can be a PFCP session modification message (PFCP Session Modification, containing PFCP Session Modification Request / Response), or a PFCP session establishment message (PFCP Session Establishment, containing PFCP Session Establishment Request / Response), or an N4 session modification message (N4 Session Modification, containing N4 Session Modification Request / Response), or an N4 session establishment message (N4 Session Establishment, containing N4 Session Establishment Request / Response).

[0066] In a possible design, the seventh message further includes one or more of a data detection rule PDR, a forwarding action rule FAR, and a packet forwarding control protocol PFCP session context.

[0067] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication tunnel management method, which includes:

[0068] The user plane function network element receives a tenth message sent from the session management function network element, the tenth message being used for requesting information of a first tunnel; the first tunnel being used for transmitting data of the multicast / broadcast service between a multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by a multicast / broadcast session management function network element and the user plane function network element controlled by the first session management function network element; if the user plane function network element determines that the session management function network element is a first session management function network element in the plurality of session management function network elements sending the tenth message, sending an eleventh message to the session management function network element, the eleventh message containing information of the first tunnel; if the user plane function network element determines that the session management function network element is not the first session management function network element in the plurality of session management function network elements sending the tenth message, sending a twelfth message to the session management function network element, the twelfth message being used for indicating that the first tunnel information has been allocated.

[0069] Based on the above scheme, when establishing a tunnel for transmission between a multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by a multicast / broadcast session management function network element and a user plane function network element controlled by a session management function network element, by enabling SMFs in the same SMF set to share one communication tunnel, i.e., SMFs in one SMF set only establish one N19mb tunnel for multicast / broadcast service for the UPF, network resources can be effectively saved, and system overhead can be reduced.

[0070] In a possible design, when the first session management function network element is in the plurality of session management function network elements, the identifier of the set of session management function network elements included in the seventh message in the second aspect and / or the fourth aspect can be understood as an identifier corresponding to the plurality of session management function network elements.

[0071] For example, assuming that the plurality of session management function network elements include SMF1, SMF2, and SMF3, the identifier corresponding to the plurality of session management function network elements can be a total identifier of the SMF1, the SMF2, and the SMF3, i.e., (SMF1, SMF2, SMF3).

[0072] For another example, the identifier corresponding to the plurality of session management function network elements can be a general term, assuming that the general term is X, the identifier corresponding to the plurality of session management function network elements can be X.

[0073] In a possible design, the plurality of session management function network elements can be represented as a group of session management function network elements.

[0074] For example, a group of session management function network elements includes a plurality of session management function network elements, and the first session management function network element is in the group of session management function network elements.

[0075] In an example, the multiple session management function network elements can be represented as a session management function network element set.

[0076] In an example, the multiple session management function network elements can be represented as a session management function network element set.

[0077] In an example, the multiple session management function network elements can be represented as a session management function network element set.

[0078] In an example, the multiple session management function network elements can be represented as a session management function network element set.

[0079] In an example, the multiple session management function network elements can be represented as a session management function network element set.

[0080] In an example, the multiple session management function network elements can be represented as a session management function network element set.

[0081] In an example, the multiple session management function network elements can be represented as a session management function network element set.

[0082] It should be noted that the multiple session management function network elements described herein can refer to any of the following: a session management function network element set (SMF set) or a session management function network element group or a session management function network element list, etc., without limitation.

[0083] In an example, the eleventh message can be a PFCP session modification message (including PFCP SessionModification Request / Response); or can be a PFCP session establishment message (including PFCP SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or can be an N4 session establishment message (including N4 SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or can be an N4 session modification message (including N4 SessionModification Request / Response).

[0084] In one possible design, the twelfth message can be a PFCP session modification message (containing PFCP SessionModification Request / Response); or it can be a PFCP session establishment message (containing PFCP SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or it can be an N4 session establishment message (including N4 SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or it can be an N4 session modification message (including N4 SessionModification Request / Response).

[0085] In one possible design, the twelfth message also includes information about the first tunnel.

[0086] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication tunnel management method apparatus. This apparatus can be a multicast / broadcast session management function network element, or a chip for a multicast / broadcast session management function network element. The apparatus has the ability to implement the first aspect described above or perform any possible implementation of the first aspect. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above function.

[0087] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication tunnel management method apparatus. This apparatus can be a second session management function network element or a chip for a first session management function network element. The apparatus has a method that implements the second aspect described above or performs any possible implementation of the second aspect. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above function.

[0088] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication tunnel management method apparatus. This apparatus may be a first session management function network element or a chip for the first session management function network element. The apparatus has the method to implement the third aspect described above or to perform any possible implementation of the third aspect. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above function.

[0089] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication tunnel management method and device. The device can be a user plane function network element, and can also be a chip for a user plane function network element. The device has a method for implementing the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0090] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication tunnel management method and device. The device can be a user plane function network element, and can also be a chip for a user plane function network element. The device has a method for implementing the fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0091] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which stores instructions, when the instructions run on a computer, cause a processor to execute any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, or any method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

[0092] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program, when the computer program runs, causes a processor to execute any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, or any method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect.

[0093] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, which includes a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program from the memory, so that a device installed with the chip system executes any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, or any method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the fifth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0094] Figure 1 The first communication system schematic diagram provided by the present application;

[0095] Figure 2 The second communication system schematic diagram provided by the present application;

[0096] Figure 3 The multicast / broadcast scenario schematic diagram provided by the present application;

[0097] Figure 4The first communication tunnel management method flowchart provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0098] Figure 5 The second communication tunnel management method flowchart provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0099] Figure 6 The third communication tunnel management method flowchart provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0100] Figure 7 The third communication tunnel management method flowchart provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0101] Figure 8 The first communication tunnel management scenario provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0102] Figure 9 The second communication tunnel management scenario provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0103] Figure 10 The third communication tunnel management scenario provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0104] Figure 11 The fourth communication tunnel management scenario provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0105] Figure 12 The fifth communication tunnel management scenario provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0106] Figure 13 The sixth communication tunnel management scenario provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0107] Figure 14 The communication tunnel management device provided by the present application is shown in the following figure.

[0108] Figure 15 Another communication tunnel management device provided by the present application is shown in the following figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0109] In order to more clearly and completely introduce the technical solutions of the present application, the embodiments of the present application are described below in combination with the drawings.

[0110] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication tunnel management method. The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) communication system, 5th generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), or future communication system or other similar communication system, etc., such as 6G system, etc.

[0111] Taking the 5G system (also referred to as the New Radio system) as an example, specifically, the embodiments of the present application are directed to the existing multicast / broadcast session management process. The N19mb tunnel between the user plane network element (UPF) and the multicast / broadcast user plane network element (MB-UPF) can be used to transmit multicast / broadcast QoS flows of multicast / broadcast service granularity. However, the following problems exist in this scenario: in the same session management function network element (SMF) set, when any SMF in the SMF set establishes an N19mb tunnel of multicast / broadcast service granularity with the MB-SMF, according to the existing technology, the SMFs in the SMF set cannot perceive the existence of the N19mb tunnel of multicast / broadcast service granularity, which will cause multiple N19mb tunnels for the same multicast / broadcast service to exist in a UPF, resulting in resource waste.

[0112] Therefore, the optimization problem to be solved by the present solution is:

[0113] (1) How to ensure that the SMFs in one SMF set establish only one N19mb tunnel of multicast / broadcast service granularity with the MB-SMF node, so as to save network resources; or when multiple session management function network elements control the same user plane function network element, only one N19mb tunnel between the UPF and the MB-UPF for the multicast / broadcast service is established.

[0114] (2) How the MB-SMF node selects the correct timing to release the N19mb tunnel with the SMF node for the multicast / broadcast service granularity, to avoid incorrect release timing causing the interruption of multicast / broadcast service data reception of the UPF instance managed by other SMFs in the SMF set.

[0115] Exemplarily, as Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a communication system architecture to which the present application can be applied is shown. The communication system can include a data management network element, an authentication service network element, a mobility management network element, a session management function network element, a policy control network element, and a user plane function network element. Further, the communication system architecture further includes an access network device, a terminal device, and a data network network element (DN). Further, the communication system can further include a multicast / broadcast control plane function (MBCF) network element and a multicast / broadcast user plane function (MBUF) network element. Among them, the policy control network element, the data management network element, the authentication service network element, the mobility management network element, and the session management function network element can be connected through a bus. Here, the bus refers to logically enabling the connection communication of the network elements in the communication system, and the network elements in the communication system can be connected and communicated through an interface or a network.

[0116] Exemplarily, Figure 1 Taking the data management network element as the UDM network element, the authentication service network element as the AUSF network element, the mobility management network element as the AMF network element, the session management function network element as the SMF network element, the policy control network element as the PCF network element, the user plane function network element as the UPF network element, the data network network element as the DN, and the terminal device as the UE as an example for description. The terminal device can communicate with the AMF network element through a next generation (NG) 1 interface (N1 for short), the access network device can communicate with the AMF network element through an N2 interface (N2 for short), the access network device can communicate with the UPF network element through an N3 interface (N3 for short), the AMF network element can communicate with the SMF network element through an N11 interface (N11 for short), the AMF network element can communicate with the UDM network element through an N8 interface (N8 for short), the AMF network element can communicate with the AUSF network element through an N12 interface (N12 for short), the AMF network element can communicate with the PCF network element through an N15 interface (N15 for short), the SMF network element can communicate with the PCF network element through an N7 interface (N7 for short), the SMF network element can communicate with the UPF network element through an N4 interface (N4 for short), and the UPF network element can access the data network (DN) through an N6 interface (N6 for short).

[0117] Data management network element, mainly used for managing and storing user data, such as subscription information, authentication / authorization information. In the 5th generation (5G), the data management network element can be a unified data management (UDM) network element or a unified data repository (UDR) network element. In future communications such as the 6th generation (6G), the data management network element can still be a UDM network element or a UDR network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0118] Authentication service network element, mainly used for authentication service function using extensible authentication protocol (EAP) and storing keys to achieve user authentication and authorization. In 5G, the authentication server network element can be an authentication server function (AUSF) network element. In future communications such as 6G, the user plane function network element can still be an AUSF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0119] Session management function network element, mainly used for session management in mobile networks and selection and control of user plane function network elements. Among them, the session management such as session creation, modification and release. Specific functions such as include allocating internet protocol (IP) addresses for users, selecting user plane function network elements that provide message forwarding functions, etc. In 5G, the session management function network element can be a session management function (SMF) network element. In future communications such as 6G, the session management function network element can still be an SMF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0120] The mobility management network element is mainly used for registration, mobility management, and tracking area update process of terminal devices in a mobile network. The mobility management network element terminates non-access stratum (NAS) messages, completes registration management, connection management, and reachability management, allocates a tracking area list (TA list), and performs mobility management, and transparently routes session management (SM) messages to a session management function network element. In 5G communication, the mobility management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication such as 6G, the mobility management network element can still be an AMF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0121] The policy control network element is mainly used for management of user subscription data, charging policy control, quality of service (QoS) control, and the like. In 5G, the policy control network element can be a policy control function (PCF) network element. In future communication such as 6G, the policy control network element can still be a PCF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0122] The user plane function network element is mainly used for service processing of a user plane, such as data packet routing and transmission, packet detection, service usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) processing, lawful interception, uplink packet detection, and downlink data packet storage. In 5G, the user plane function network element can be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In future communication such as 6G, the user plane function network element can still be a UPF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0123] The data network network element is mainly used for providing services for users, such as operator services, Internet access services, and third-party services. In 5G, the data network network element can be a data network (DN) network element. In future communication such as 6G, the data network network element can still be a DN network element, or have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0124] Access network equipment refers to the access devices that enable terminal devices to wirelessly access the communication system, providing wireless communication functions for the terminal devices. These devices can be base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), transmission reception points (TRPs), next-generation NodeBs (gNBs) in 5G communication systems, base stations in future communication systems, or access nodes in wireless-fidelity (WiFi) systems; they can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station, such as centralized units (CUs) or distributed units (DUs). The embodiments in this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the access network equipment.

[0125] Terminal equipment, also known as terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc., can include mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality terminal devices, augmented reality terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in remote surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, and so on. This application does not limit the specific technologies or equipment forms used in the terminal equipment.

[0126] The MBCF (Multicast Flow Control Component) implements the control plane functions for multicast / broadcast services, managing these services. The MBCF can connect to the server providing the multicast / broadcast service to receive relevant information (see the multicast / broadcast service introduction below, which will not be repeated here). Furthermore, the MBCF can connect to the PCF (Power Processor Component) to create resources for multicast / broadcast services, such as QoS requirements (see related introductions below). It should be noted that the MBCF can be integrated into the PCF or SMF as a functional module; or it can function as a standalone network element (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (As shown), this application does not limit this.

[0127] MBUF can be used to transmit service data for multicast / broadcast services. It should be noted that MBUF can be integrated into UPF as a functional module; or it can be used as a standalone network element (such as...). Figure 1 (As shown), this application does not limit this.

[0128] It should be noted that the above Figure 1The forms and quantities of the network elements shown in the figure are only for example and do not constitute a limitation to the present application. Figure 1 The network architecture involved can also include other network elements, such as network slice selection function (NSSF), unified data repository (UDR), or network repository function (NRF), and the like, without specific limitation. In addition, Figure 1 The names of the interfaces between the network elements in the figure are only an example, and the names of the interfaces between the network elements in the specific implementation can be other, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0129] For convenience of description, the subsequent embodiments of the present application take the session management function network element as the SMF network element, the user plane function network element as the UPF network element, the data management network element as the UDM network element, the authentication service network element as the AUSF network element, the data network element as the DN network element, and the terminal device as the UE for example. That is, the SMF network element described in the subsequent embodiments of the present application can be replaced by the session management function network element, the UPF network element can be replaced by the user plane function network element, the UDM can be replaced by the data management network element, and the UE can be replaced by the terminal device.

[0130] Further, the architecture of a communication system to which the present application can be applied can also be as shown in the figure. Figure 2 The architecture is obtained by extending the architecture shown in the above Figure 1 For example, two functional entities, multicast broadcast session management function network element (MB-SMF) and multicast broadcast user plane function network element (MB-UPF), are added to support multicast / broadcast service / function.

[0131] The MB-SMF can implement the control plane function of the multicast / broadcast service and be responsible for the management of the multicast / broadcast service / group / session. From the control plane, the MB-SMF can be connected with the NEF and / or multicast broadcast service function (MBSF), for example, to receive the related information of the multicast / broadcast service (for example, the description of the multicast / broadcast service).

[0132] In addition, the MB-SMF can also be connected with a PCF, for example, PCC rules related to multicast / broadcast services can be extracted. From the user plane, the MB-UPF can be connected with a Multicast / Broadcast Service Transport Function (MBSTF) and / or an AF / AS, for receiving service data of the multicast / broadcast service. It should be noted that the MB-SMF and the SMF can be combined, or separately deployed, and the MB-UPF and the UPF can be combined, or separately deployed, which is not limited in the present application.

[0133] It should be noted that the name of the MB-SMF or the MB-UPF described above is an example, and in the 5G network, the MB-SMF or the MB-UPF can also be other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0134] The communication system architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. It can be known by those skilled in the art that the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems as the communication system architecture evolves and new service scenarios appear.

[0135] It should be understood that, Figure 1 With Figure 2 The simplified schematic diagram is only an example for understanding, and other network devices or other terminals can also be included in the communication system, Figure 1 With Figure 2 are not shown in the figure.

[0136] It should be noted that the "network element" in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as an entity, a device, an apparatus or a module, etc., which is not particularly limited in the present application. In the present application, in order to facilitate understanding and description, the description of "network element" is omitted in part of the description, for example, the UPF network element is simply referred to as UPF, in this case, the "UPF network element" should be understood as the UPF network element or the UPF entity, and the following description of the same or similar cases is omitted. It can be understood that the above network element or function can be a network element in a hardware device, or a software function running on a dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform).

[0137] In an optional embodiment of the present application, the above network element or function can be implemented by one device, or can be implemented by multiple devices together, or can be a functional module in one device, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The network elements with the same or similar functions can be jointly arranged.

[0138] In addition, it can be understood that the first tunnel in the embodiments of the present application can be an N19mb tunnel, and with the evolution of the communication system architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the first tunnel can also be other tunnels suitable for new service scenarios, etc., which are not limited herein.

[0139] For more concise introduction of the embodiments of the present application, exemplary, the first session management function network element can be represented by SMF1, the second session management function network element can be represented by SMF2, the third session management function network element can be represented by SMF3, etc. That is, the session management function network element mentioned herein includes the first, second and third session management function network elements mentioned herein.

[0140] In the embodiments of the present application, when the access network device does not support multicast function, the access network device and the user plane function network element can transmit multicast service data in the 5G core network individual multicast / broadcast traffic delivery mode. When the access network device supports multicast function, the access network device and the user plane function network element can transmit multicast service data in the 5G core network shared multicast / broadcast traffic delivery (5GC shared MBS traffic delivery) mode. For example, as shown in Figure 3 In the 5GC shared MBS traffic delivery mode, the multicast service data directly reaches the RAN through the MB-UPF and the N3 tunnel between the MB-UPF and the RAN, and the RAN can send the data to the terminal joining the multicast session in the point to point (PTP) or point to multi-point (PTM) mode. In the 5G core network individual multicast / broadcast traffic delivery mode, the multicast service data reaches the RAN through the MB-UPF and the UPF, and then reaches the RAN through the N3 tunnel (such as the PDU session of the terminal) between the UPF and the RAN, and the RAN sends the data to the terminal in the point to point mode.

[0141] It can be understood that the access network device does not support multicast function means that the access network device does not support transmitting multicast service data in the 5G core network shared multicast / broadcast traffic delivery (5GC shared MBS traffic delivery) mode, that is, only supports transmitting multicast service data in the 5G core network individual multicast / broadcast traffic delivery (5GC Individual MBS traffic delivery) mode, that is, the multicast service data is sent to the terminal through the associated PDU session of the terminal joining the multicast session.

[0142] It should be understood that after the data of the multicast service reaches the access network device (for example, the RAN), the service data of the RAN is processed through the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer of the RAN, and is sent to each terminal receiving the data of the multicast service.

[0143] In the embodiments of the present application, the multicast capability information of the access network device can be used to indicate whether the access network device supports the multicast function or whether the access network device has multicast capability. The access network device supporting the multicast function can recognize the identification information of the multicast session, and the access network device not supporting the multicast function cannot recognize the identification information of the multicast session. The access network device having multicast capability can refer to the access network device having one or more of the following functions: the access network device supports transmitting the data of the multicast service through the 5GC shared MBS traffic delivery method shown in FIG. 1, supports the enhanced signaling plane interaction with the core network control plane network element for the multicast service, supports receiving the data of the multicast service from the core network user plane function network element, supports locally processing the data of the multicast service, supports transmitting the data of the multicast service through the air interface by point-to-multipoint, and supports configuring the response terminal to receive the data of the multicast service. Figure 3 The access network device not having multicast capability can refer to the access network device not supporting transmitting the data of the multicast service through the 5GC shared MBS traffic delivery method shown in FIG. 1, and only supporting transmitting the data of the multicast service through the 5GC Individual MBS traffic delivery method shown in FIG. 2. Figure 3 The access network device not having multicast capability can refer to the access network device not supporting transmitting the data of the multicast service through the 5GC shared MBS traffic delivery method shown in FIG. 1, and only supporting transmitting the data of the multicast service through the 5GC Individual MBS traffic delivery method shown in FIG. 2. Figure 3 The access network device not having multicast capability can refer to the access network device not supporting transmitting the data of the multicast service through the 5GC shared MBS traffic delivery method shown in FIG. 1, and only supporting transmitting the data of the multicast service through the 5GC Individual MBS traffic delivery method shown in FIG. 2.

[0144] The identification information of the multicast / broadcast service includes one or more of the following: identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, context information of the multicast / broadcast session, address information of the multicast / broadcast service, identification information of the PDU session associated with the multicast / broadcast session, service data flow (SDF) identification rule of the multicast / broadcast service, packet filter information of the data of the multicast / broadcast service, and identification information of the multicast / broadcast group corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service (such as a temporary mobile group identifier (TMGI) of the multicast / broadcast group, a multicast / broadcast service session ID, an MBS session ID, a multicast session ID, an internet protocol (IP) address of an application server (such as an AF) providing data of the multicast / broadcast service, a service identifier (service ID) of the multicast / broadcast service, a source-specific IP multicast address, and a packet detection rule (PDR) of the multicast / broadcast service). It should be understood that the PDR is a set of filters, each filter is a five-tuple, each filter includes a source address, a destination address, a source port number, a target port number, and a protocol number of the multicast / broadcast service, and the PDR is used to filter the data of the multicast / broadcast service.

[0145] The multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service is also referred to as an MBS (Multicast Broadcast Service) context.

[0146] The foregoing introduces some terms involved in the present application, and the technical features involved in the present application are introduced below. It should be noted that these explanations are not a limitation on the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0147] In addition, the terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0148] Unless otherwise stated, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having" in the embodiments, claims, and drawings of this application are not exclusive. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or modules is not limited to the listed steps or modules and may also include steps or modules not listed.

[0149] Based on the above, this application can be applied to Figure 1 or Figure 2 The system architecture shown provides a communication tunnel management method to enable SMFs within an SMF set to establish only one communication tunnel for multicast / broadcast services for a shared UPF, thereby effectively saving network resources. In other words, when multiple session management function network elements control / share the same user plane function network element, only one N19mb tunnel is established between the UPF and the MB-UPF for a multicast / broadcast service, thereby effectively saving network resources.

[0150] In this application embodiment, when managing communication tunnels, there are various management scenarios, which are not limited to the following:

[0151] Scenario one, communication tunnel establishment or update scenario.

[0152] Based on this scenario, there are multiple ways to manage communication tunnels, and these are not limited to the following:

[0153] Implementation Method 1: Each time the session management function network element sends the first message to the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the first message carries the first tunnel information.

[0154] Wherein, it is assumed that the SMF1 is one of a plurality of session management function network elements. The plurality of session management function network elements can be represented as a session management function network element group, or as a session management function network element set, or as a session management function network element list, etc., which are not limited herein.

[0155] For better introduction, in the present application, the plurality of session management function network elements are represented as a session management function network element set, and other representations of the plurality of session management function network elements can be included in the content of the session management function network element set, which are not described herein for brevity. For example, it is assumed that the SMF network element set in the implementation mode 1 includes the SMF1 and the SMF2, and the SMF1 sends the first message to the MB-SMF, wherein the first message carries the first tunnel information; and the SMF2 sends the first message to the MB-SMF, wherein the first message also carries the first tunnel information.

[0156] In the present application, optionally, the first tunnel is used for transmitting data of the multicast / broadcast service between the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element and the user plane function network element controlled by the first session management function network element. The first tunnel information can be N19mb tunnel information.

[0157] In the present application, optionally, the N19mb tunnel information can be allocated by the MB-UPF or by the MB-SMF.

[0158] Wherein, the first message is used for requesting to receive data of the multicast / broadcast service.

[0159] In the present application, optionally, the first message can carry identification information of the multicast / broadcast service. The multicast / broadcast service corresponds to a multicast / broadcast session (MBS session).

[0160] As shown in Figure 4 Based on the implementation mode 1, the present application provides a communication tunnel management method, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0161] S400: The SMF1 sends a first message to the MB-SMF, wherein the first message is used for requesting to receive data of the multicast / broadcast service, and the first message carries identification information of the multicast / broadcast service and N19mb tunnel information.

[0162] In the present application, optionally, the first message can be a multicast / broadcast service data reception request (Nmbsmf_Reception_Request); or the first message can be a multicast / broadcast session establishment request (Nsmf_MBSSession_Create Request); or the first message can be a multicast / broadcast session update request (Nsmf_MBSSession_Update Request).

[0163] In the present application, optionally, the SMF1 can be an SMF in the SMF network element set where the SMF1 is located, or the SMF1 can be an intermediate SMF (I-SMF) in the SMF network element set where the SMF1 is located, or the SMF1 can be an I-MB-SMF in the SMF network element set where the SMF1 is located.

[0164] The identification information of the multicast / broadcast service can be one or more of the following: the name of the multicast / broadcast service, the IP address of the multicast / broadcast service, the session ID (MBSsession ID) of the multicast / broadcast service, the temporary mobile group identity (TMGI), the multicast broadcast service ID (MBS ID), or the source specific IP multicast address.

[0165] S401: The MB-SMF receives the first message sent by the SMF1.

[0166] S402: The MB-SMF determines whether an N19mb tunnel for multicast / broadcast service data reception between the UPF and the MB-UPF already exists according to the first message.

[0167] Optionally, the MB-SMF determines whether the stored first information contains an N19mb tunnel for multicast / broadcast service data reception between the UPF and the MB-UPF.

[0168] S403: After the MB-SMF determines that the N19mb tunnel does not exist, the MB-SMF establishes first information according to the first message.

[0169] In the present application, optionally, the first information contains some or all of the following:

[0170] the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, the identification of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network element corresponding to the first tunnel, the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, and the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network element corresponding to the first tunnel.

[0171] For example, after the MB-SMF determines that the N19mb tunnel does not exist, the first information established according to the first message can be as follows:

[0172] The MB-SMF establishes the association relationship of the N19mb tunnel represented by SMF1, TMGI, and DL Tunnel Info; or the MB-SMF establishes the association relationship of SMF1, TMGI, and the PFCP session context corresponding to the TMGI; or the MB-SMF establishes the association relationship of SMF1, TMGI, and the multicast broadcast PFCP session context corresponding to the TMGI; or the MB-SMF establishes the association relationship of SMF1, TMGI, and the multicast broadcast service PFCP session context corresponding to the TMGI.

[0173] S404: After the MB-SMF determines that the N19mb tunnel exists, the first information is updated according to the first message.

[0174] In this application, there are many cases of updating the first information by the MB-SMF, which are not limited to the following cases:

[0175] Case 1: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, and the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network element corresponding to the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element is added to the first information, and the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network element corresponding to the first tunnel is updated.

[0176] Case 2: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the identification of the first session management function network element, the identification of the first session management function network element is added to the first information.

[0177] Case 3: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network element corresponding to the first tunnel, the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network element corresponding to the first tunnel is updated.

[0178] Case 4: When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the multicast / broadcast service, and the identification of the session management function network element corresponding to the first tunnel, the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network element corresponding to the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element is added to the first information, and the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network element corresponding to the first tunnel is updated.

[0179] Case 5: When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, the identification of the first session management function network element is added to the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service.

[0180] S405: The MB-SMF sends a second message to the SMF1.

[0181] In the present application, optionally, the second message can be a response message based on the first message. For example, the second message can be used to indicate that the N19mb tunnel exists, which can be understood as indicating that the N19mb tunnel is shared; for another example, the second message can also be used to indicate that the N19mb tunnel is successfully established, etc.

[0182] In the present application, optionally, the second message can be a multicast broadcast session establishment response or a multicast broadcast session update response.

[0183] In the present application, optionally, the second message can comprise one or more of the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the N19mb tunnel, the indication that the N19mb tunnel exists, and the notification that the N19mb tunnel is successfully established.

[0184] S406: The MB-SMF sends a thirteenth message to the MB-UPF.

[0185] In the present application, optionally, the thirteenth message is used to update the N19mb tunnel information for transmitting multicast / broadcast service data between the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element and the user plane function network element controlled by the first session management function network element. For example, the thirteenth message can be used to instruct the MB-UPF to release the N19mb tunnel; or the thirteenth message can be used to instruct the MB-UPF to establish the N19mb tunnel, etc. The thirteenth message can be the fifth message.

[0186] Optionally, the fifth message can include a packet forwarding control protocol (PFCP) message, for example, can be a PFCP session establishment / modification message, can also be an N4 session establishment / modification message, can also be an N4mb session establishment / modification message, or other messages, which are not limited herein. The N19mb tunnel information can also be included in the fifth message.

[0187] Optionally, the fifth message can include a packet forwarding control protocol (PFCP) message, for example, can be a PFCP session establishment / modification message, can also be an N4 session establishment / modification message, can also be an N4mb session establishment / modification message, or other messages, which are not limited herein. The N19mb tunnel information can also be included in the fifth message.

[0188] S407: The SMF1 sends a tenth message to the UPF.

[0189] In the present application, optionally, the tenth message can be a PFCP session modification message (including PFCP SessionModification Request / Response); or can be a PFCP session establishment message (including PFCP SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or can be an N4 session establishment message (including N4 SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or can be an N4 session modification message (including N4 SessionModification Request / Response).

[0190] For example, after receiving the second message sent by the MB-SMF, the SMF1 sends a PFCP session establishment message or a PFCP session modification message or an N4 session modification message or an N4 session establishment message to the UPF1, for example, a PFCP / N4 session establishment / modification (PFCP / N4 / Session Establishment / Modification Request) request, wherein the request carries the identification of the multicast / broadcast service (for example, TMGI), the data detection rule (Packet Detection Rule, PDR) related to the multicast / broadcast service, the forwarding action rule (Forwarding Action Rule, FAR), etc.

[0191] For example, the SMF1 can carry the identification information related to the multicast / broadcast service data in the PFCP / N4 session establishment / update request, wherein the identification information can be TMGI, multicast broadcast session ID, multicast / broadcast service name, the correspondence between the multicast service identification and the DL Tunnel Info related to the multicast / broadcast service, etc.

[0192] For another example, the SMF1 carries the identification information related to the multicast / broadcast service data in the PFCP / N4 session establishment / update request, wherein the identification information can be TMGI, multicast broadcast session ID, multicast / broadcast service name, etc.; carries the data detection rule related to the multicast / broadcast service data, wherein the data packet detection rule contains data detection information (Packet Detection Information, PDI), and the data detection information contains a local full-tunnel endpoint identification (Local Full-Tunnel Endpoint ID, F-TEID), and the value of the local full-tunnel endpoint identification can be the information of the N19mb tunnel.

[0193] For another example, the SMF 1 carries the multicast / broadcast service data related identification information in the PFCP / N4 session establishment / update request, where the identification information can be TMGI, multicast broadcast session ID, multicast / broadcast service name, etc.; carries the multicast / broadcast service data related data detection information, where the data detection information contains a local full tunnel endpoint identifier, and the value of the local full tunnel endpoint identifier is the information of the N19mb tunnel.

[0194] For another example, the SMF 1 carries the multicast / broadcast service data related data detection rule in the PFCP / N4 session establishment / update request, where the data packet detection rule contains data detection information, and the data detection information contains a local full tunnel endpoint identifier, and the value of the local full tunnel endpoint identifier is the information of the N19mb tunnel.

[0195] It can be understood that in this case, the SMF 1 has known that the N19mb tunnel associated with the PFCP session is for the TMGI when the PFCP session is established between the SMF 1 and the UPF 1, so it is not necessary to contain the multicast / broadcast service identification, which can be known through the PFCP session because the PFCP session context itself has an ID.

[0196] For another example, the SMF 1 carries the multicast / broadcast service data related data detection rule in the PFCP / N4 session establishment / update request, where the data packet detection rule contains data detection information, and the data detection information contains a local full tunnel endpoint identifier, and the value of the local full tunnel endpoint identifier is the information of the N19mb tunnel.

[0197] It can be understood that in this case, the SMF 1 has known that the N19mb tunnel associated with the PFCP session is for the TMGI when the PFCP session is established between the SMF 1 and the UPF 1, so it is not necessary to contain the multicast / broadcast service identification, which can be known through the PFCP session because the PFCP session context itself has an ID.

[0198] It should be noted that the PFCP session establishment request / reply described in this step can also be replaced by N4 session establishment request / reply; or replaced by multicast broadcast PFCP session establishment request / reply; or replaced by multicast / broadcast PFCP session establishment request / reply; the PFCP session modification request / reply described in this step can also be replaced by N4 session modification request / reply; or replaced by multicast broadcast PFCP session modification request / reply; or replaced by multicast / broadcast PFCP session modification request / reply; or other names, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited here.

[0199] S408: The SMF2 sends a ninth message to the MB-SMF, where the ninth message is used to request receiving multicast / broadcast service data, and the ninth message carries the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service and N19mb tunnel information.

[0200] Optionally, in the present application, the SMF1 and the SMF2 belong to one SMF network element set.

[0201] Optionally, in the present application, the ninth message can be a multicast / broadcast service data reception request (Nmbsmf_Reception_Request); or the ninth message can be a multicast / broadcast session establishment request (Nsmf_MBSSession_Create Request); or the ninth message can be a multicast / broadcast session update request (Nsmf_MBSSession_Update Request).

[0202] Optionally, in the present application, the SMF2 can be an SMF in the SMF network element set where the SMF2 is located, or the SMF2 can be an intermediate SMF (I-SMF) in the SMF network element set where the SMF2 is located, or the SMF1 can be an I-MB-SMF in the SMF network element set where the SMF2 is located.

[0203] Optionally, in the present application, the ninth message can be the same message as the first message.

[0204] S409: The MB-SMF receives the ninth message sent by the SMF2.

[0205] S410: The MB-SMF determines that the N19mb tunnel for receiving multicast / broadcast service data between the UPF and the MB-UPF already exists according to the ninth message.

[0206] According to the above S400-S407, it can be known that the first information stored by the MB-SMF already contains the N19mb tunnel for receiving multicast / broadcast service data between the UPF and the MB-UPF.

[0207] S411: The MB-SMF updates the first information according to the ninth message.

[0208] In the present application, there are many cases for the MB-SMF to update the first information, which are not limited to the following cases:

[0209] Case 1: when the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the second session management function network element is added to the first information and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0210] Case 2: when the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel and the identification of the first session management function network element, the identification of the second session management function network element is added to the first information.

[0211] Case 3: when the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0212] Case 4: when the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the second session management function network element is added to the first information and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0213] Case 5: when the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel and the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, the identification of the second session management function network element is added to the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service.

[0214] S412: the MB-SMF sends a third message to the SMF2.

[0215] In the present application, optionally, the third message can be a response message based on the ninth message. For example, the third message can be used to indicate that the N19mb tunnel exists, which can be understood as indicating that the N19mb tunnel is shared; for another example, the third message can also be used to indicate that the N19mb tunnel is established successfully, etc.

[0216] In the present application, optionally, the third message can be a multicast broadcast session establishment response or a multicast broadcast session update response.

[0217] Optionally, the third message can comprise one or more of the following: identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, information of the N19mb tunnel, an indication that the N19mb tunnel exists, a notification that the N19mb tunnel is successfully established.

[0218] Optionally, the third message can be the same message as the second message.

[0219] S413: The MB-SMF sends a thirteenth message to the MB-UPF. The thirteenth message can be the fifth message.

[0220] S414: The SMF2 sends a tenth message to the UPF.

[0221] For example, after receiving the third message sent by the MB-SMF, the SMF2 sends a PFCP session establishment message or a PFCP session modification message or an N4 session modification message or an N4 session establishment message to the UPF2, for example, a PFCP / N4 / N4mb Session Establishment / Modification Request, wherein the request carries the identification of the multicast / broadcast service (for example, TMGI), the data detection rule (Packet Detection Rule, PDR) related to the multicast / broadcast service, the forwarding action rule (Forwarding Action Rule, FAR), etc.

[0222] For example, the SMF2 can carry the identification information related to the multicast / broadcast service data in the PFCP / N4 session establishment / update request, wherein the identification information can be TMGI, multicast broadcast session ID, multicast / broadcast service name, the correspondence between the multicast service identification and the DL Tunnel Info related to the multicast / broadcast service, etc.

[0223] For another example, the SMF2 carries the identification information related to the multicast / broadcast service data in the PFCP / N4 session establishment / update request, wherein the identification information can be TMGI, multicast broadcast session ID, multicast / broadcast service name, etc.; carries the data detection rule related to the multicast / broadcast service data, wherein the data packet detection rule contains data detection information (Packet Detection Information, PDI), and the data detection information contains a local full-tunnel endpoint identification (Local Full-Tunnel Endpoint ID, F-TEID), and the value of the local full-tunnel endpoint identification can be the information of the N19mb tunnel.

[0224] For another example, the SMF 2 carries the multicast / broadcast service data related identification information in the PFCP / N4 session establishment / update request, where the identification information can be TMGI, multicast broadcast session ID, multicast / broadcast service name, etc.; carries the multicast / broadcast service data related data detection information, where the data detection information includes a local full tunnel endpoint identifier, and the value of the local full tunnel endpoint identifier is information of the N19mb tunnel.

[0225] For another example, the SMF 2 carries the multicast / broadcast service data related data detection rule in the PFCP / N4 session establishment / update request, where the data packet detection rule includes data detection information, and the data detection information includes a local full tunnel endpoint identifier, and the value of the local full tunnel endpoint identifier is information of the N19mb tunnel.

[0226] It can be understood that in this case, the SMF 2 already knows that the N19mb tunnel associated with the PFCP session is for the TMGI when the PFCP session is established with the UPF 2, so it is not necessary to include the multicast / broadcast service identification, which can be known through the PFCP session because the PFCP session context itself has an ID.

[0227] For another example, the SMF 2 carries the multicast / broadcast service data related data detection rule in the PFCP / N4 session establishment / update request, where the data packet detection rule includes data detection information, and the data detection information includes a local full tunnel endpoint identifier, and the value of the local full tunnel endpoint identifier is information of the N19mb tunnel.

[0228] It can be understood that in this case, the SMF 2 already knows that the N19mb tunnel associated with the PFCP session is for the TMGI when the PFCP session is established with the UPF 2, so it is not necessary to include the multicast / broadcast service identification, which can be known through the PFCP session because the PFCP session context itself has an ID.

[0229] It should be noted that the PFCP session establishment request / reply described in this step can also be replaced by N4 session establishment request / reply; or replaced by multicast broadcast PFCP session establishment request / reply; or replaced by multicast / broadcast PFCP session establishment request / reply; the PFCP session modification request / reply described in this step can also be replaced by N4 session modification request / reply; or replaced by multicast broadcast PFCP session modification request / reply; or replaced by multicast / broadcast PFCP session modification request / reply; or other names, which are not limited by the embodiments of the present application.

[0230] Through the above scheme, when the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element establishes a tunnel for transmission between the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element and the user plane function network element controlled by the session management function network element, the SMFs in the same SMF set can share one communication tunnel, that is, the SMFs in one SMF set establish only one N19mb tunnel for the multicast / broadcast service for the UPF, which can effectively save network resources and reduce system overhead.

[0231] Implementation 2: The session management function network element determines whether the eighth message sent by the user plane function network element has been received.

[0232] In the present application, optionally, the eighth message is used to notify the existence of the first tunnel. For the introduction of the first tunnel, see the content of the above-mentioned implementation 1, for the sake of brief description, it is not described here.

[0233] As shown in Figure 5 Based on the implementation 2, the present application provides a communication tunnel management method, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0234] S500: The SMF1 determines whether the eighth message sent by the UPF is received, if yes, S502 is performed, if not, S501 is performed.

[0235] In the present application, optionally, the SMF1 can determine whether the eighth message sent by the UPF is received through various ways, which are not limited to the following several ways:

[0236] The SMF1 determines whether the N19mb tunnel information for the multicast / broadcast service has been received through a PFCP association level message; or the SMF1 determines whether the N19mb tunnel information for the multicast / broadcast service has been received through a multicast broadcast PFCP association level message; or the SMF1 determines whether the N19mb tunnel information for the multicast / broadcast service has been received through a multicast broadcast service PFCP association level message; or the SMF1 determines whether the N19mb tunnel information for the multicast / broadcast service has been received through a PFCP node level message.

[0237] The SMF1 can also determine whether the PFCP session context or the multicast broadcast PFCP session context or the multicast broadcast service PFCP session context for the multicast / broadcast service has been received through a PFCP association level message; or the SMF1 can determine whether the PFCP session context or the multicast broadcast PFCP session context or the multicast broadcast service PFCP session context for the multicast / broadcast service has been received through a multicast broadcast PFCP association level message; or the SMF1 can determine whether the PFCP session context or the multicast broadcast PFCP session context or the multicast broadcast service PFCP session context for the multicast / broadcast service has been received through a multicast broadcast service PFCP association level message; or the SMF1 can determine whether the PFCP session context or the multicast broadcast PFCP session context or the multicast broadcast service PFCP session context for the multicast / broadcast service has been received through a PFCP node level message.

[0238] S501: The SMF1 determines that the first message is not received from the MB-SMF after sending the eighth message, and sends the first message to the MB-SMF.

[0239] At this time, the first message can include information of the first tunnel.

[0240] S502: The SMF1 determines that the first message is received from the MB-SMF after sending the eighth message, and sends the first message to the MB-SMF.

[0241] At this time, the first message can not include information of the first tunnel.

[0242] For example, the first message can include an identifier of the multicast / broadcast service and / or an indication of the association for the first tunnel.

[0243] S503: The MB-SMF receives the first message sent by the SMF1.

[0244] S504: The MB-SMF determines whether the N19mb tunnel exists according to the first message.

[0245] S505: The MB-SMF determines that the N19mb tunnel does not exist, and establishes the first information according to the first message.

[0246] For brevity of description, the above S403 is not repeated here.

[0247] S506: The MB-SMF determines that the N19mb tunnel exists, and updates the first information according to the first message.

[0248] For brevity, the content of S404 is not repeated here.

[0249] S507: The MB-SMF sends a second message to the SMF1.

[0250] S508: The MB-SMF sends a thirteenth message to the MB-UPF. The thirteenth message can be the fifth message.

[0251] For brevity, the content of S407 is not repeated here.

[0252] S509: The SMF1 sends a seventh message to the UPF.

[0253] Optionally, the seventh message contains an SMF network element set identifier to which the SMF1 belongs. The seventh message is used to notify the UPF of the information of the N19mb tunnel.

[0254] Optionally, the seventh message is used to notify the UPF of the SMF network element set identifier to which the SMF1 belongs, so that the UPF sends the information of the established first tunnel to other SMFs in the SMF network element set. This implementation enables the SMFs in one SMF set to establish only one N19mb tunnel for multicast / broadcast services for the UPF, which can effectively save network resources and reduce system overhead.

[0255] In addition, optionally, in order to effectively save signaling overhead, if the SMF1 determines that the eighth message sent by the UPF is received, the seventh message does not need to be sent to the UPF. It can be understood that if the UPF does not receive the seventh message sent by the SMF1, the UPF also does not need to send the eighth message to the SMF.

[0256] S510: The UPF sends an eighth message to the remaining SMFs in the SMF network element set according to the seventh message.

[0257] Optionally, the eighth message is used to notify that the first tunnel exists.

[0258] For example, the UPF notifies the other SMFs in the SMF network element set of the information (DL Tunnel Info) of the downlink tunnel for the multicast / broadcast service, or the data detection rule, or the data detection information, or the PFCP session context, or the multicast broadcast PFCP session context, or the multicast broadcast service PFCP session context, through the PFCP Association level message, or the PFCP Association message PFCP, or the PFCP node level message.

[0259] Before each SMF in the SMF set establishes a PFCP session with the UPF, the SMF needs to first establish a PFCP association with the UPF, for example, by establishing the association by carrying a common SMF network element set identifier. Therefore, each SMF in the SMF network element set that establishes a PFCP association with the UPF has the same SMF network element set identifier, so the UPF can tell other SMFs in the SMF network element set about the downlink tunnel of the multicast / broadcast service, or the data detection rule, or the data detection information, or the PFCP session context, or the multicast / broadcast PFCP session context, or the multicast / broadcast service PFCP session context through the PFCP association level message.

[0260] In the SMF network element set, there are SMF1, SMF2, and SMF3. When the UPF sends the eighth message to the remaining session management function network elements in the SMF network element set according to the seventh message, the UPF also sends the eighth message to SMF2 and SMF3, and the SMF2 successfully receives the eighth message notified by the UPF.

[0261] S511: The SMF2 sends a ninth message to the MB-SMF, and the ninth message is used to request to receive data of the multicast / broadcast service.

[0262] Since the SMF2 and the SMF1 belong to the same SMF network element set, when the UPF sends the eighth message to the remaining session management function network elements in the SMF network element set according to the seventh message, it is assumed that the SMF2 successfully receives the eighth message. Therefore, in order to effectively save resources, the SMF2 can not include information of the first tunnel in the ninth message sent to the MB-SMF.

[0263] For example, the ninth message can include an identifier of the multicast / broadcast service and / or an indication of the association for the first tunnel.

[0264] S512: The MB-SMF receives the ninth message sent by the SMF2.

[0265] S513: The MB-SMF determines that the N19mb tunnel already exists according to the ninth message.

[0266] As described above in S500-S510, the first information stored by the MB-SMF already includes the N19mb tunnel between the UPF and the MB-UPF for receiving data of the multicast / broadcast service.

[0267] S514: The MB-SMF updates the first information according to the ninth message.

[0268] S515: The MB-SMF sends a third message to the SMF2.

[0269] In the present application, optionally, the third message can be a response message based on the ninth message. For example, the third message can be used to indicate that the N19mb tunnel exists, which can be understood as indicating that the N19mb tunnel is shared; for another example, the third message can also be used to indicate that the N19mb tunnel is established successfully, etc.

[0270] In the present application, optionally, the third message can be a multicast broadcast session establishment response or a multicast broadcast session update response.

[0271] In the present application, optionally, the third message can include one or more of the following: identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, information of the N19mb tunnel, an indication that the N19mb tunnel exists, a notification that the N19mb tunnel is established successfully, etc.

[0272] In the present application, optionally, the third message can be the same message as the second message.

[0273] For example, it is assumed that SMF1 and SMF2 belong to the same SMF set. Among them, SMF1 first communicates with the UPF to establish or update the tunnel.

[0274] SMF1 first determines whether it has received a message from the UPF through the PFCP association granularity to tell it the N19mb tunnel information of the multicast service. If not, the MB-SMF or the UPF allocates an N19mb tunnel information, and the MB-SMF establishes a three-tuple (SMF1, multicast service ID, N19mb tunnel). When the UPF receives the N19mb tunnel information, it notifies / instructs other SMFs in the SMF set about the N19mb tunnel information of the multicast / broadcast service.

[0275] SMF2 also first determines whether it has received a message from the UPF through the PFCP association granularity to tell it the N19mb tunnel information of the multicast service. Since SMF1 is the first SMF, SMF2 has already received the N19mb tunnel information of this multicast service before, so SMF2 will not bring its own or the UPF-allocated tunnel identifier when sending the multicast broadcast session establishment / update request to the MB-SMF. SMF2 sends the multicast broadcast session establishment / update request to establish the association of the N19mb tunnel with the upstream node for the multicast service. After the MB-SMF receives the multicast broadcast session establishment / update request sent by the SMF2, it adds SMF2 in the three-tuple, i.e., ((SMF1, SMF2), multicast service ID, N19mb tunnel information).

[0276] Through the above scheme, it can be effectively guaranteed that the SMFs in one SMF network element set establish only one N19mb tunnel for multicast / broadcast service for the UPF, so as to effectively save network resources. In addition, after the first SMF network element in the SMF network element set completes the establishment of the first tunnel, by sending the identifier of the SMF network element set to which the SMF network element belongs to the UPF, the UPF can send the information of the first tunnel to other SMFs in the SMF network element set. Therefore, when the other SMFs in the SMF network element set perform communication tunnel establishment and the like in the later stage, the number of signaling interactions and / or the size of signaling content can be effectively saved, for example, when the other SMFs in the SMF network element set send a data message for requesting to receive multicast / broadcast service to the UPF, the first tunnel information does not need to be carried in the message, which effectively reduces the early stage of communication tunnel establishment and the like of the other SMFs in the SMF network element set, effectively reduces the size of the message content, and saves resources.

[0277] Implementation 3: The user plane function network element performs communication tunnel management according to the received tenth message.

[0278] For the sake of brevity, only the tenth message received by the user plane function network element is introduced in this implementation 3, and the process before the tenth message is received by the user plane function network element can be implemented in combination with the content of the above-mentioned implementation 1 and / or implementation 2, which will not be described here.

[0279] In this implementation 3, it is assumed that multiple SMFs control / share one UPF, for example, the scenario of SMF set or SMF network element set (SMF set), and the SMF network element set includes SMF1 and SMF2. The SMF1 first completes the establishment of the communication tunnel by sending the tenth message to the UPF.

[0280] As shown in Figure 6 Based on this implementation 3, the embodiment of the application provides a communication tunnel management method, and the specific steps are as follows:

[0281] S600: The SMF1 sends the tenth message to the UPF.

[0282] Optionally, the tenth message can be a PFCP session modification message (including PFCP SessionModification Request / Response); or can be a PFCP session establishment message (including PFCP SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or can be an N4 session establishment message (including N4 SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or can be an N4 session modification message (including N4 SessionModification Request / Response).

[0283] S601: The UPF receives the tenth message sent by the SMF1.

[0284] S602: The UPF determines that the SMF1 is the first SMF in the SMF network element to which the SMF1 belongs to send the tenth message.

[0285] S603: The UPF sends an eleventh message to the SMF1.

[0286] Optionally, the eleventh message includes information of the first tunnel.

[0287] Optionally, after determining that the SMF1 is the first SMF in the SMF network element to send the tenth message, the UPF can understand that no SMF in the SMF set establishes a communication tunnel for transmitting multicast / broadcast service data, i.e., the first tunnel, and therefore, the UPF can carry information of the allocated first tunnel in the feedback information to the SMF1. For example, the UPF can send the eleventh message to the SMF1, and the eleventh message includes information of the first tunnel.

[0288] Optionally, the eleventh message can be a PFCP session modification message (including PFCP SessionModification Request / Response); or can be a PFCP session establishment message (including PFCP SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or can be an N4 session establishment message (including N4 SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or can be an N4 session modification message (including N4 SessionModification Request / Response).

[0289] In the present application, the UPF can determine the SMF1 as the first SMF sending the tenth message in the following ways, which are not limited to the following ways:

[0290] Determination way 1: The UPF has not received the tenth message sent by any SMF in the SMF set before receiving the tenth message sent by the SMF1.

[0291] For example, when the SMF1 in the SMF set sends the tenth message to the UPF for the first time, the UPF determines the SMF1 as the first SMF sending the tenth message. Then, when the SMF2 in the SMF set sends the tenth message to the UPF, the UPF determines the SMF2 as not the first SMF sending the tenth message. When the SMF1 sends the tenth message to the UPF again after releasing the first tunnel, the UPF determines the SMF1 as not the first SMF sending the tenth message.

[0292] Determination way 2: The UPF determines that there is no first tunnel in the SMF set after receiving the tenth message sent by the SMF1.

[0293] For example, when the SMF1 in the SMF set sends the tenth message to the UPF for the first time, there is no first tunnel in the SMF set, and the UPF determines the SMF1 as the first SMF sending the tenth message. Then, when the SMF2 in the SMF set sends the tenth message to the UPF, there is already a first tunnel in the SMF set, and the UPF determines the SMF2 as not the first SMF sending the tenth message. When the SMF3 in the SMF set sends the tenth message to the UPF after the SMF1 and the SMF2 release the first tunnel, there is no first tunnel in the SMF set, and the UPF determines the SMF3 as the first SMF sending the tenth message.

[0294] Further, in the implementation way 3, the UPF can obtain the SMF set identifier by the content of the implementation way 2, so as to determine the SMF set identifier to which the received SMF belongs.

[0295] In the present application, the UPF can determine the SMF set to which the received SMF belongs according to the correspondence between the SMF set identifier and the SMF identifier, the received SMF identifier, and the previously obtained SMF set identifier. The correspondence between the SMF set identifier and the SMF identifier can be maintained by the UPF itself or by a third party device, and the UPF can obtain the correspondence by communicating with the third party device.

[0296] Optionally, the tenth message received by the UPF can comprise an identifier of the SMF network element set to which the SMF belongs, so that the UPF directly determines the SMF network element set to which the SMF belongs according to the tenth message.

[0297] S604: The SMF2 sends a tenth message to the UPF.

[0298] S605: The UPF receives the tenth message sent by the SMF2.

[0299] Optionally, the tenth message can be a PFCP session modification message (including PFCP SessionModification Request / Response), or a PFCP session establishment message (including PFCP SessionEstablishment Request / Response), or an N4 session establishment message (including N4 SessionEstablishment Request / Response), or an N4 session modification message (including N4 SessionModification Request / Response).

[0300] S606: The UPF determines that the SMF2 is not the SMF that first sends the tenth message in the SMF network element set to which the SMF2 belongs.

[0301] S607: The UPF sends a twelfth message to the SMF1.

[0302] Optionally, the twelfth message is used to indicate that the first tunnel information has been allocated.

[0303] Further, the UPF can indicate in the twelfth message that the first tunnel information has been allocated by the SMF2 in various ways, which are not limited to the following:

[0304] Indication method 1: explicit indication.

[0305] Optionally, the twelfth message sent by the UPF to the SMF2 can comprise information of the first tunnel, so that the SMF1 can directly determine the first tunnel according to the twelfth message.

[0306] Indication method 1: implicit indication.

[0307] Optionally, the twelfth message sent by the UPF to the SMF2 indicates that the first tunnel information has been allocated, and the twelfth message does not comprise information of the first tunnel.

[0308] For example, the twelfth message can indicate the status of the first tunnel in binary form. For instance, a 0 in binary indicates that the first tunnel information does not exist, and a 1 in binary indicates that the first tunnel information has been allocated. For example, when the UPF determines that SMF2 is not the first SMF in the SMF network element set to send the tenth message, it sends the twelfth message to the SMF network element set. The twelfth message may include a binary number 1 to indicate that the first tunnel information has been allocated.

[0309] In this application, optionally, the twelfth message may be a PFCP session modification message (including PFCP SessionModification Request / Response); or, it may be a PFCP session establishment message (including PFCP SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or, it may be an N4 session establishment message (including N4 SessionEstablishment Request / Response); or, it may be an N4 session modification message (including N4 SessionModification Request / Response).

[0310] The above scheme can effectively ensure that an SMF within an SMF network element set establishes only one N19mb tunnel for multicast / broadcast services for a UPF, thereby effectively saving network resources.

[0311] Scenario two, communication tunnel release scenario.

[0312] In this scenario, it is assumed that the SMF network element set in the communication tunnel release scenario includes SMF1 and SMF2.

[0313] like Figure 7 As shown, based on this second scenario, this application embodiment provides a communication tunnel management method, the specific steps of which are as follows:

[0314] S700: SMF1 sends the fourth message to MB-SMF.

[0315] Optionally, in this application, the fourth message is used to request unsubscribe from events related to the multicast / broadcast service; or the fourth message is used to request release of the first tunnel; or the fourth message is used to instruct the SMF1 to exit the reception of multicast / broadcast service data.

[0316] In this application, optionally, the fourth message includes one or more of the following information:

[0317] The multicast / broadcast service identification information, subscription association identification, unsubscription notification, and information about the first tunnel.

[0318] Exemplarily, when the SMF1 discovers that all the UEs which join the multicast / broadcast service through it have exited the multicast / broadcast group, the SMF1 sends the fourth message to the MB-SMF.

[0319] S701: The MB-SMF updates the first information according to the fourth message.

[0320] In the present application, optionally, there are multiple cases for the MB-SMF to update the first information according to the fourth message, which are not limited to the following cases:

[0321] Case 1: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network elements corresponding to the first tunnel, the identification of the SMF1 is deleted from the first information, and the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network elements corresponding to the first tunnel is updated.

[0322] Case 2: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the identification of the first session management function network element, the identification of the SMF1 is deleted from the first information.

[0323] Case 3: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network elements corresponding to the first tunnel, the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network elements corresponding to the first tunnel is updated.

[0324] Case 4: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network elements corresponding to the first tunnel, and the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network elements corresponding to the first tunnel, the identification of the SMF1 is deleted from the first information and the number of the multicast / broadcast service and the session management function network elements corresponding to the first tunnel is updated.

[0325] Case 5: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, the SMF1 is deleted from the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service.

[0326] S702: The SMF1 sends a tenth message to the UPF.

[0327] Optionally, the tenth message can be a PFCP session modification message (including PFCP SessionModification Request / Response), or a PFCP session establishment message (including PFCP SessionEstablishment Request / Response), or a N4 session establishment message (including N4 SessionEstablishment Request / Response), or a N4 session modification message (including N4 SessionModification Request / Response), or a PFCP session release request, or a PFCP session update request.

[0328] Optionally, the tenth message can be used to release the resource for receiving the multicast / broadcast service.

[0329] For example, the SMF1 carries the identification information related to the multicast / broadcast service data in the PFCP session establishment / update request, where the identification information can be TMGI, multicast broadcast session ID, multicast / broadcast service name, etc., and / or carries the data detection rule, forwarding action rule, etc. related to the multicast / broadcast service data to be deleted.

[0330] It should be noted that the PFCP session release request / reply in the step can be replaced by N4 session release request / reply, or multicast broadcast PFCP session release request / reply, or multicast / broadcast PFCP session release request / reply, and the PFCP session modification request / reply in the step can be replaced by N4 session modification request / reply, or multicast broadcast PFCP session modification request / reply, or multicast / broadcast PFCP session modification request / reply, etc., which are not limited herein.

[0331] S703: The SMF2 sends a fourth message to the MB-SMF.

[0332] For example, when the SMF2 finds that all the UEs that have joined the multicast / broadcast service through it have exited the multicast / broadcast group, the SMF2 sends the fourth message to the MB-SMF.

[0333] S704: The MB-SMF updates the first information again according to the fourth message.

[0334] Optionally, the MB-SMF updates the first information according to the fourth message in multiple ways, which are not limited to the following:

[0335] Case 1: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the SMF2 is deleted from the first information, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0336] Case 2: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the identification of the first session management function network element, the identification of the SMF2 is deleted from the first information.

[0337] Case 3: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0338] Case 4: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the SMF2 is deleted from the first information, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0339] Case 5: When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, the SMF2 is deleted from the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service.

[0340] S705: The SMF2 sends the tenth message to the UPF.

[0341] In the present application, optionally, the tenth message can also be a PFCP session release / update request.

[0342] For example, the SMF2 carries the identification information related to the multicast / broadcast service data in the PFCP session establishment / update request, wherein the identification information can be TMGI, multicast broadcast session ID, multicast / broadcast service name, etc.; and / or carries the data detection rule, forwarding action rule, etc. related to the multicast / broadcast service data which needs to be deleted.

[0343] It should be noted that the PFCP session release request / reply described in this step can also be replaced by an N4 session release request / reply, or replaced by a multicast broadcast PFCP session release request / reply, or replaced by a multicast / broadcast PFCP session release request / reply, etc., which is not limited herein.

[0344] S706, the MB-SMF determines that the first condition is met, and sends a fifth message to the MB-UPF.

[0345] In this application, optionally, the fifth message is used to indicate the release of the first tunnel.

[0346] In this application, optionally, the fifth message can include the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service.

[0347] In this application, optionally, the fifth message can be a PFCP session modification message, or a PFCP session release message, or a multicast / broadcast PFCP session modification message, or a multicast broadcast PFCP session release message, or a multicast / broadcast service PFCP session modification message, or a multicast broadcast service PFCP session release message, etc., in addition, it can also be other names, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited herein.

[0348] S707, the MB-UPF sends a sixth message to the MB-SMF.

[0349] In this application, optionally, the sixth message is used to feed back the result of the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element releasing the first tunnel.

[0350] For example, when the MB-SMF finds that there is no SMF node in the SMF network element set associated with the multicast / broadcast service in the association relationship group, for example, the three-tuple SMF, TMGI, the PFCP session context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, or the first domain in the N19mb tunnel between the MB-UPF and the UPF represented by the SMF, TMGI, and shared DL Tunnel Info, there is no SMF, then the MB-SMF sends a fifth message to the MB-UPF, which is used to indicate the release of the first tunnel, wherein the fifth message can contain the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service.

[0351] Through the above method, the correct timing of releasing the shared N19mb tunnel of the SMF node for the multicast / broadcast service can be accurately selected to avoid the transmission interruption of the multicast / broadcast service data of other SMF nodes in the SMF network element set due to incorrect release timing.

[0352] Further, the communication tunnel management method provided by the embodiments of the present application is briefly introduced based on different situations of the SMF1, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the following several situations.

[0353] Case 1: SMF1 and SMF2 are SMFs.

[0354] Assuming that the scenario is a 5G core network single multicast / broadcast service traffic transmission scenario, multicast service data is sent to a session anchor UPF (PDU Session Anchor UPF, PSA UPF) through an MB-UPF, and then the multicast / broadcast service data is sent to a UE through a PDU session of the UE. Among them, the transmission path is from the MB-UPF to the PSA to the base station.

[0355] As shown in Figure 8 , the SMF1 and the SMF2 belong to the same SMF network element set, the SMF1 selects a UPF as PSA1, the SMF2 selects a UPF as PSA2, the UE1 and the UE2 use individual delivery through the PSA1 selected by the SMF1, and the UE3 and the UE4 use 5GC individual MBS traffic delivery through the PSA2 selected by the SMF2. For this scenario, the upstream node is the MB-SMF, the downstream node is the SMF set composed of the SMF1 and the SMF2, and the upstream node and the downstream node establish a multicast / broadcast service granularity shared N19mb tunnel.

[0356] As shown in Figure 9 , when the MB-SMF finds that there is no SMF sharing the N19mb tunnel downstream, the N19mb tunnel is released.

[0357] Case 2: SMF1 and SMF2 are I-SMFs.

[0358] Assuming that the scenario is that multicast / broadcast service data is injected into an intermediate UPF (Intermediate UPF, I-UPF) through an MB-UPF, and then the multicast / broadcast service data is sent to a UE through an N3 tunnel from the I-UPF to the base station in a PDU session of the UE.

[0359] As shown in Figure 10As shown, I-SMF1 and I-SMF2 belong to the same SMF network element set. I-SMF1 selects UPF as I-UPF1, and I-SMF2 selects UPF as I-UPF2. That is, I-UPF1 and I-UPF2 each appear on the path of the PDU session between UE1 and UE2. In this scenario, the upstream node is MB-SMF, and the downstream node is the SMF set composed of I-SMF1 and I-SMF2. The upstream and downstream nodes establish a shared N19mb tunnel with multicast / broadcast service granularity.

[0360] like Figure 11 As shown, when the MB-SMF discovers that no downstream SMF shares the N19mb tunnel, it releases the N19mb tunnel.

[0361] Case 3: SMF1 and SMF2 are I-MB-SMF.

[0362] Assuming this scenario involves shared multicast / broadcast service traffic transmission in a 5G core network, multicast / broadcast service data is injected into the I-MB-UPF via the MB-UPF. Subsequently, the multicast / broadcast service data reaches the base station through the shared N3 tunnel between the I-MB-UPF and the base station within the multicast / broadcast session. The transmission path involves the MB-UPF transmitting data to the base station via the N3 tunnel. The base station then sends this data to multiple UEs within the multicast / broadcast group in a point-to-multipoint (PTM) manner.

[0363] like Figure 12 As shown, I-MB-SMF1 and I-MB-SMF2 belong to the same SMF network element set. I-MB-SMF1 selects UPF as I-MB-UPF1, and I-MB-SMF2 selects UPF as I-MB-UPF2. In this scenario, the upstream node is MB-SMF, and the downstream node is an SMF set composed of I-MB-SMF1 and I-MB-SMF2. The upstream and downstream nodes establish a shared N19mb tunnel with multicast / broadcast service granularity.

[0364] like Figure 13 As shown, when the MB-SMF discovers that no downstream SMF shares the N19mb tunnel, it releases the N19mb tunnel.

[0365] Through the above introduction of the scheme of the present application, it can be understood that the above-mentioned devices for realizing the above-mentioned functions include the hardware structure and / or software modules for executing the respective functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is realized in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application of the technical solution and the design constraint conditions. The skilled person can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0366] Based on the above embodiments, as shown in Figure 14 The embodiments of the present application also provide a communication tunnel management device, which comprises a processor 1400, a memory 1401 and a communication interface 1402.

[0367] The processor 1400 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1401 can store the data used by the processor 1400 in executing operations. The transceiver communication interface 1402 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 1400 and communicate with the memory 1401.

[0368] The processor 1400 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP) or a combination of CPU and NP. The processor 1400 can further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip can be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof. The PLD can be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL) or any combination thereof. The memory 1401 can include a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk and various media that can store program codes.

[0369] The processor 1400, the memory 1401, and the communication interface 1402 are interconnected. In one optional embodiment of this application, the processor 1400, the memory 1401, and the communication interface 1402 can be interconnected via a bus 1403; the bus 1403 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 14 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0370] When the communication tunnel management device is a first session management function network element, the processor 1400 is used to read the program in the memory 1401 and execute it as follows: Figure 4 The method flow for the first session management function network element to execute in S400-S414 shown; or to execute as follows Figure 5 The method flow for the first session management function network element to execute in S500-S515 is shown; or the method flow for executing as shown in the figure is shown in the figure. Figure 6 The method flow for the first session management function network element to execute in S600-S607 shown; or to execute as follows Figure 7 The method flow for the first session management function network element to execute in S700 to S607 is shown.

[0371] When the communication tunnel management device is a second session management function network element, the processor 1400 is used to read the program in the memory 1401 and execute it as follows: Figure 4 The method flow for the second session management function network element to execute in S400-S414 is shown; or the method flow for executing as shown in the diagram is shown in the diagram. Figure 5 The method flow for the second session management function network element to execute in S500 to S515 is shown; or the method flow for executing as shown in the figure is shown in the figure. Figure 6 The method flow for the second session management function network element to execute in S600 to S607 is shown; or the method flow for executing as shown in the figure is shown in the figure. Figure 7 The method flow for the first session management function network element to execute in S700 to S707 is shown.

[0372] When the communication tunnel management device is a user plane function network element, the processor 1400 is used to read the program in the memory 1401 and execute it as follows: Figure 4 The method flow for the user plane function network element to execute as shown in S400 to S414; or to execute as follows Figure 5The method flow executed by the user plane function network element in S500-S515 is shown in the following table. Figure 6 The method flow executed by the user plane function network element in S600-S607 is shown in the following table. Figure 7 The method flow executed by the first session management function network element in S700-S707 is shown in the following table.

[0373] When the communication tunnel management apparatus is a multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the processor 1400 is configured to read the program in the storage 1401 and execute the following processes: Figure 4 The method flow executed by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element in S400-S414 is shown in the following table. Figure 5 The method flow executed by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element in S500-S515 is shown in the following table. Figure 7 The method flow executed by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element in S700-S707 is shown in the following table.

[0374] As shown in the following table, the communication tunnel management apparatus provided by the present application comprises at least one processing unit 1500, at least one storage unit 1501 and at least one communication unit 1502. Figure 15 The communication unit 1502 is configured to receive and send data under the control of the processing unit 1500, and the storage unit 1501 stores program codes.

[0375] In an optional manner, the communication tunnel management apparatus is a multicast / broadcast session management function network element, and when the program codes are executed by the processing unit 1500, the processing unit 1500 executes the following processes:

[0376] The first message sent by the first session management function network element is received, and the first message is used to request receiving data of multicast / broadcast services; the first message carries identification information of the multicast / broadcast services; according to the first message, it is determined that a first tunnel exists, and a second message is sent to the first session management function network element, the second message is used to indicate that the first tunnel exists; the first tunnel is used to transmit data of the multicast / broadcast services between a multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element and a user plane function network element controlled by the first session management function network element.

[0377] As a possible implementation method, the first message further comprises information of the first tunnel.

[0378] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0379] According to the first message, it is determined that the first tunnel does not exist; and the multicast / broadcast session management function network element establishes first information.

[0380] As a possible implementation method, the first information includes:

[0381] part or all of the following: identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, information of the first tunnel, identification of the first session management function network element, identification of a session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, and number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel.

[0382] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0383] receive a ninth message sent by a second session management function network element, the ninth message carrying identification information of the multicast / broadcast service; according to the ninth message, it is determined that the first tunnel exists, and the multicast / broadcast session management function network element updates the first information.

[0384] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is specifically configured to:

[0385] when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, add the identification of the second session management function network element to the first information and update the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel.

[0386] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is specifically configured to:

[0387] when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the identification of the first session management function network element, add the identification of the second session management function network element to the first information.

[0388] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is specifically configured to:

[0389] when the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, update the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel.

[0390] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is specifically configured to:

[0391] When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the multicast / broadcast service, and the identification of the session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the second session management function network element is added to the first information, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0392] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is specifically configured to:

[0393] When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, the identification of the second session management function network element is added to the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service.

[0394] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0395] Send a third message to the second session management function network element, the third message being used to indicate the existence of the first tunnel.

[0396] As a possible implementation method, the third message comprises one or more of the following: the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the indication of the existence of the first tunnel.

[0397] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0398] Receive a fourth message of the first session management function network element and / or the second session management function network element, the fourth message being used to request to unsubscribe the multicast / broadcast service related event; or the fourth message being used to request to release the first tunnel; or the fourth message being used to indicate that the first session management function network element and / or the second session management function network element exits the reception of the multicast / broadcast service data.

[0399] As a possible implementation method, the fourth message comprises one or more of the following information:

[0400] The identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, and the subscription association identification.

[0401] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0402] update the first information according to the fourth message.

[0403] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is specifically configured to:

[0404] When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element and / or the identification of the second session management function network element are deleted from the first information, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0405] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is specifically configured to:

[0406] When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the identification of the first session management function network element, the identification of the first session management function network element and / or the identification of the second session management function network element are deleted from the first information.

[0407] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is specifically configured to:

[0408] When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0409] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is specifically configured to:

[0410] When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element and / or the identification of the second session management function network element are deleted from the first information, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

[0411] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is specifically configured to:

[0412] when the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element and / or the identification of the second session management function network element, determining that there is no identification of the session management function network element in the first information and the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is 0.

[0413] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0414] determine that the first condition is met, and send a fifth message to the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element, the fifth message being used to instruct to release the first tunnel.

[0415] As a possible implementation method, the first condition comprises:

[0416] when the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, determining that there is no identification of the session management function network element in the first information and the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is 0; or,

[0417] when the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the first session management function network element, determining that there is no identification of the session management function network element in the first information; or,

[0418] when the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, determining that the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is 0; or,

[0419] when the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, determining that there is no identification of the session management function network element in the first information and the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is 0.

[0420] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0421] receiving a sixth message from the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element, the sixth message being used for feeding back a result of releasing the first tunnel by the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element.

[0422] As a possible implementation method, the second message further comprises information of the first tunnel.

[0423] In an optional manner of the embodiment of the application, the communication tunnel management apparatus is a first session management function network element, and when the program code is executed by the processing unit 1500, the processing unit 1500 performs the following process:

[0424] sending a first message to a multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the first message being used for requesting to receive data of a multicast / broadcast service; the first message carrying identification information of the multicast / broadcast service; and receiving a second message sent by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the second message being a feedback message of the first message.

[0425] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0426] sending a tenth message to a user plane function network element, the tenth message being used for requesting the user plane function network element to allocate information of a first tunnel.

[0427] In an optional manner of the embodiment of the application, the communication tunnel management apparatus is a second session management function network element, and when the program code is executed by the processing unit 1500, the processing unit 1500 performs the following process:

[0428] sending a ninth message to a multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the ninth message being used for requesting to receive data of a multicast / broadcast service; the ninth message carrying identification information of the multicast / broadcast service; and receiving a third message sent by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the third message being used for indicating that the first tunnel exists; the first tunnel being used for transmitting data of the multicast / broadcast service between a multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element and a user plane function network element controlled by the session management function network element.

[0429] As a possible implementation method, the third message comprises one or more of the following: the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, information of the first tunnel, and an indication that the first tunnel exists.

[0430] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0431] sending a seventh message to the user plane function network element, the seventh message containing a session management function network element set identification to which the session management function network element belongs; the seventh message being used to notify the user plane function network element of information of the first tunnel.

[0432] As a possible implementation method, the first message further includes information of the first tunnel.

[0433] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0434] determining that no eighth message containing information of the first tunnel is received from the user plane management function network element.

[0435] As a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1500 is further configured to:

[0436] sending a fourth message to the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the fourth message being used to request to unsubscribe from events related to the multicast / broadcast service; or the fourth message being used to request to release the first tunnel; or the fourth message being used to instruct the first session management function network element to exit reception of the multicast / broadcast service data.

[0437] As a possible implementation method, the fourth message includes identification information of the multicast / broadcast service and / or a subscription association identification.

[0438] In an optional manner of the embodiments of the present application, the communication tunnel management apparatus is a user plane function network element, and when the program code is executed by the processing unit 1500, the processing unit 1500 performs the following process:

[0439] receiving a seventh message sent by a first session management function network element; the seventh message containing a session management function network element set identification to which the session management function network element belongs; the seventh message being used to notify the user plane function network element of information of the first tunnel; according to the seventh message, sending an eighth message to remaining session management function network elements in the session management function network element set; the eighth message being used to notify that the first tunnel exists.

[0440] As a possible implementation method, the seventh message can be a PFCP modification message or a PFCP establishment message; or an N4 session modification message or an N4 session establishment message.

[0441] As a possible implementation method, the seventh message further includes one or more of a data detection rule PDR, a forwarding action rule FAR, and a packet forwarding control protocol PFCP session context.

[0442] In an optional manner provided by the embodiments of the present application, the communication tunnel management apparatus is a user plane function network element, and when the program code is executed by the processing unit 1500, the processing unit 1500 performs the following process:

[0443] receiving a tenth message sent by the session management function network element, the tenth message being used to request allocation of the first tunnel; if it is determined that the session management function network element is the first session management function network element in the session management network element set to send the tenth message, sending an eleventh message to the session management function network element, the eleventh message containing information of the first tunnel; if it is determined that the session management function network element is not the first session management function network element in the session management network element set to send the tenth message, sending a twelfth message to the session management function network element, the twelfth message being used to indicate that the first tunnel information has been allocated.

[0444] As a possible implementation method, the twelfth message further contains information of the first tunnel.

[0445] The above Figure 15 The functions of the communication unit 1502 and the processing unit 1500 shown in the above embodiments can be executed by the processor 1400 running programs in the memory 1401, or by the processor 1400 alone.

[0446] In some possible implementation manners, various aspects of the communication tunnel management method provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be implemented in the form of a program product, which includes program codes, and when the program codes are run on a computer device, the program codes are used to make the computer device perform the steps in the communication tunnel management method according to various exemplary embodiments of the present application described in the specification.

[0447] The program product can adopt any combination of one or more readable media. The readable medium can be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. The readable storage medium may, for example, be but is not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device or apparatus, or any combination of the above. More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of the readable storage medium include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable disc, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the above.

[0448] A program product for performing communication tunnel management according to an embodiment of the present application can take the form of a portable compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and include a program code, and can be run on a server device. However, the program product of the present application is not limited thereto, and in the present document, a readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program that can be used by or in conjunction with a communication tunnel management apparatus or device.

[0449] The readable signal medium can include a data signal propagated in a baseband or as part of a carrier wave, in which a readable program code is borne. Such a propagated data signal can take any of a variety of forms, including but not limited to electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. The readable signal medium can also be any readable medium that is not a storage medium and that can be used to carry or transmit a program for use by or in connection with a periodic network action system, apparatus, or device.

[0450] The program code contained on the readable medium can be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber cable, RF, and the like, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0451] The program code for carrying out operations of the present application can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, C++, and the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code can execute entirely on the user's computing device, partly on the user's device, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computing device and partly on a remote computing device or entirely on the remote computing device or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computing device can be connected to the user's computing device through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection can be made to an external computing device.

[0452] The program product for performing communication tunnel management according to an embodiment of the present application can take the form of a portable compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and include a program code, and can be run on a server device. However, the program product of the present application is not limited thereto, and in the present document, a readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program that can be used by or in conjunction with a communication tunnel management apparatus or device.

[0453] The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions / acts specified in the block diagrams and / or flowchart block or blocks.

[0454] Accordingly, the present application can be embodied in hardware and / or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Furthermore, the present application can take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. In the context of this application, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium can be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0455] Although the present application has been described in connection with certain specific features and embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present application without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Thus, it is intended that the present application cover modifications and variations of this application provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication tunnel management method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: a session management function network element sends a first message to a multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the first message being used for requesting to receive multicast / broadcast service data; the first message carries identification information of the multicast / broadcast service; the session management function network element receives a second message sent by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the second message being a feedback message after the multicast / broadcast session management function network element determines whether a first tunnel exists according to the first message; the multicast / broadcast session management function network element corresponds to a plurality of session management function network elements including the session management function network element, is used for managing state information of the first tunnel shared by the plurality of session management function network elements, and is used for establishing first information when it is determined that the first tunnel does not exist according to the first message; the first tunnel is used for transmitting multicast / broadcast service data between a multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element and user plane function network elements controlled by the plurality of session management function network elements; the first information includes part or all of the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, information of the first tunnel, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element is added to the first information and the number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: the first session management function network element sends a fourth message to the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the fourth message being used for requesting to unsubscribe from the multicast / broadcast service event; or the fourth message being used for requesting to release the first tunnel; or the fourth message being used for indicating that the session management function network element exits the multicast / broadcast service data reception.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, When the first information includes the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, and the identification of the session management function network element, the identification of the session management function network element is deleted from the first information.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein, When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein, When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element, the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element is deleted from the first information and the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel is updated.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein, When the first information comprises the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, the identification of the session management function network element is deleted from the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein, The method further comprises: The session management function network element sends a seventh message to the user plane function network element, and the seventh message is used to indicate the information of the first tunnel and the session management function network element set identification to which the session management function network element belongs.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, Before the session management function network element sends the first message to the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the method further comprises: The session management function network element sends a tenth message to the user plane function network element, and the tenth message is used to request the user plane function network element to allocate the information of the first tunnel.

11. A communication tunnel management method characterized by comprising: Comprise: The user plane function network element receives the tenth message sent by the session management function network element, and the tenth message is used to request to allocate the information of the first tunnel; The first tunnel is used to transmit multicast / broadcast service data between the multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by the multicast / broadcast session management function network element and the user plane function network element; The multicast / broadcast session management function network element is used to manage the state information of the first tunnel shared by the plurality of session management function network elements, and is used to establish the first information according to the first message when it is determined that the first tunnel does not exist; The first information comprises part or all of the identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, the information of the first tunnel, the identification of the session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, the multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, and the number of the session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel; If the user plane function network element determines that the session management function network element is the first session management function network element sending the tenth message in the plurality of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast session management function network element, the user plane function network element sends an eleventh message to the session management function network element, and the eleventh message comprises the information of the first tunnel. Or, If the user plane function network element determines that the session management function network element is not the first session management function network element in the plurality of session management function network elements to send the tenth message, the user plane function network element sends a twelfth message to the session management function network element, the twelfth message including an indication that information for the first tunnel has been allocated.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The user plane function network element determines that the session management function network element is the first session management function network element in the plurality of session management function network elements to send the tenth message, including: The user plane function network element determines that the tenth message is the first tenth message received by the user plane function network element.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The first tunnel is shared by the plurality of session management function network elements.

14. The method of any one of claims 11-13, wherein, The tenth message further includes identification information of the multicast / broadcast service.

15. The method of any one of claims 11-14, wherein, The eleventh message is a forwarding control protocol session modification response, a forwarding control protocol session establishment response, an N4 session modification response, or an N4 session establishment response.

16. The method of any one of claims 11-15, wherein, The tenth message is a forwarding control protocol session modification request, a forwarding control protocol session establishment request, an N4 session modification request, or an N4 session establishment request.

17. The method of any one of claims 11-16, wherein, The twelfth message is a forwarding control protocol session modification response, a forwarding control protocol session establishment response, an N4 session modification response, or an N4 session establishment response.

18. The method of any one of claims 11-17, wherein, Before the user plane function network element sends the eleventh message to the session management function network element, the method further includes: The user plane function network element allocates information of the first tunnel.

19. The method of any one of claims 11-18, wherein, The method further includes: The user plane function network element receives a seventh message sent by the session management function network element; the seventh message is used to indicate information of the first tunnel and an identifier of a set of session management function network elements to which the session management function network element belongs; The user plane function network element sends an eighth message to remaining session management function network elements in the set of session management function network elements according to the seventh message; the eighth message is used to notify that the first tunnel exists.

20. A communication tunnel management apparatus characterized by comprising: comprises a communication module and a processing module, the communication module is used to support the communication tunnel management device to communicate, and the processing module is used to execute the method in any one of claims 1-10; or execute the method in any one of claims 11-19.

21. A communication tunnel management apparatus characterized by comprising: comprises: one or more processors; a memory; a transceiver; The processor is used to read a program in the memory and execute the method in any one of claims 1-10; or execute the method in any one of claims 11-19.

22. A communication tunnel management system, characterized by comprises a session management function network element and a user plane function network element; The session management function network element is configured to send a tenth message to the user plane function network element, the tenth message being used to request the user plane function network element to allocate information of a first tunnel, the first tunnel being used to transmit multicast / broadcast service data between a multicast / broadcast user plane function network element controlled by a multicast / broadcast session management function network element and the user plane function network element; wherein the multicast / broadcast session management function network element is configured to manage state information of the first tunnel shared by a plurality of session management function network elements including the session management function network element, and establish first information when the first tunnel does not exist; the first information including part or all of identification information of the multicast / broadcast service, information of the first tunnel, identification of a session management function network element corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel, multicast / broadcast service context corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service, and number of session management function network elements corresponding to the multicast / broadcast service and the first tunnel; The user plane function network element is configured to receive the tenth message sent by the session management function network element. The user plane function network element is further configured to send an eleventh message to the session management function network element when it is determined that the session management function network element is the first session management function network element in the plurality of session management function network elements to send the tenth message, the eleventh message including information of the first tunnel; or send a twelfth message to the session management function network element when it is determined that the session management function network element is not the first session management function network element in the plurality of session management function network elements to send the tenth message, the twelfth message including an indication indicating that information of the first tunnel has been allocated.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein, The session management function network element is further configured to: send a seventh message to the user plane function network element, the seventh message being used to indicate information of the first tunnel and a session management function network element set identification to which the session management function network element belongs.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein, The user plane function network element is further configured to: receive the seventh message sent by the session management function network element; send an eighth message to remaining session management function network elements in the session management function network element set according to the seventh message; The eighth message is used to notify that the first tunnel exists.

25. The system of any one of claims 22-24, wherein, The tenth message further includes identification information of the multicast / broadcast service.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer instructions, when executed on a communication tunnel management device, cause the communication tunnel management device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-10; or perform the method of any one of claims 11-19.

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