A method for selecting a network slice, a mobile management function entity and a terminal

Abstract

The application discloses a network slice selection method, a mobile management function entity and a terminal. The network slice selection method on the side of the mobile management function entity comprises the following steps: acquiring routing selection policy (URSP) information of a terminal; receiving description information of a first application sent by the terminal; and selecting a first target network slice for the first application according to the URSP information of the terminal and the description information of the first application. In the above manner, the application reduces the difficulty and cost of terminal modification, accelerates the maturity and commercialization of network slice end-to-end, and reduces the deployment difficulty of the slice on the terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to a method for selecting network slices, a mobility management function entity, and a terminal. Background Technology

[0002] The 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication technology) era introduces network slicing, which involves logically dividing the operator's network and logically isolating resources and services. Different levels of service data can be transmitted on network slices at different logical levels, thereby meeting the differentiated needs of different service scenarios for network data transmission rate, security, reliability and other aspects.

[0003] Existing terminal operating systems and devices do not fully support network slice selection for applications via the URSP (Universal Routing Service) policy. Some terminals and chips currently do not support URSP and therefore cannot support multi-slice functionality, only single-slice support. Some terminals, in an effort to support multiple slices, manually bind the application to the DNN (Data Network Name) and select different slices through different DNNs, but this configuration is complex and provides a poor user experience. Still other terminals use factory pre-installed methods to bind different applications to different slice identifiers, which are hardcoded into the terminal, inflexible, and cannot be modified.

[0004] The current terminals' poor support for URSP, and the fact that terminals do not support multiple slices or have insufficient support for multiple slices, has become one of the obstacles to the large-scale commercial use of network slicing. In particular, for 5G targeting vertical industries, multiple slices per terminal are a basic requirement. Under the existing technical solutions, the limitations of terminal capabilities affect business development and the promotion of network slicing. Modifying existing terminals to support multiple slices is extremely difficult and costly. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, embodiments of the present invention are proposed to provide a method for selecting network slices, a mobility management function entity, and a terminal that overcomes or at least partially solves the above problems.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a network slice selection method is provided, applied to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity, comprising:

[0007] Obtain the terminal's Routing Policy (URSP) information;

[0008] The receiving terminal sends a description of the first application.

[0009] Based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application, a first target network slice is selected for the first application.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for selecting network slices is provided, applied to a terminal, comprising:

[0011] Send the description information of the first application to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity;

[0012] The AMF receives the first target network slice selected for the first application based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity is provided, comprising:

[0014] The receiving module is used to obtain the terminal's Routing Policy URSP information and to receive the description information of the first application sent by the terminal.

[0015] The processing module is configured to select a first target network slice for the first application based on the terminal's routing selection policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0017] The sending module is used to send the description information of the first application to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity;

[0018] The receiving module is used to receive the first target network slice selected by the AMF for the first application based on the URSP policy information of the terminal's routing selection policy and the description information of the first application.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computing device is provided, comprising: a processor, a memory, a communication interface, and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the memory, and the communication interface communicate with each other through the communication bus;

[0020] The memory is used to store at least one executable instruction that causes the processor to perform the operation corresponding to the network slice selection method described above.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing at least one executable instruction that causes a processor to perform an operation corresponding to the network slice selection method described above.

[0022] According to the solution provided in the above embodiments of the present invention, the network slice selection method can obtain the routing policy URSP information of the terminal; receive the description information of the first application sent by the terminal; and select a first target network slice for the first application according to the routing policy URSP information of the terminal and the description information of the first application. This solves the problem that the terminal does not support multiple slices or has insufficient ability to support multiple slices in the prior art, and achieves the beneficial effects of reducing the difficulty and cost of terminal modification, accelerating the end-to-end maturity and large-scale commercial use of network slices, and reducing the difficulty of deploying slices on the terminal.

[0023] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention and to implement them in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more obvious and understandable, specific implementation methods of the embodiments of the present invention are described below. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the network slice selection method for the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity provided in this embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 A flowchart of a network slice selection method for a terminal provided by another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 3 This diagram illustrates the structure of the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a computing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the invention may be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this invention will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0031] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating the network slice selection method provided in an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 As shown, applied to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity, the method includes the following steps:

[0032] Step 11: Obtain the terminal's Routing Policy URSP information;

[0033] Step 12: Receive the description information of the first application sent by the terminal;

[0034] Step 13: Select a first target network slice for the first application based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application.

[0035] In this embodiment, the AMF receives the URSP information from the terminal and the description information of the first application sent by the terminal. The AMF then selects the first target network slice for the first application. This eliminates the need for the terminal to select the network slice, allowing the selection to be performed on the network side. This reduces the difficulty and cost of terminal modification, accelerates the end-to-end maturity and large-scale commercialization of network slices, and reduces the difficulty of deploying slices on the terminal.

[0036] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, step 11 includes:

[0037] Step 111: Interact with a terminal that does not support URSP slice selection capability to complete the registration of the terminal;

[0038] Step 112: Obtain the URSP information of the terminal from the Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0039] In this embodiment, the interaction process between AMF and a terminal that does not support URSP slice selection capability preferably includes:

[0040] Step 1111: The terminal initiates a registration process request message in the 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication technology) network. The registration process request message carries a first parameter, which indicates that the terminal does not support URSP slice selection capability. The 5G (fifth-generation mobile communication technology) network includes at least one of AMF, old AMF (existing access and mobility management function entity), NSSF (network slice selection function entity), AUSF (authentication service function) / UDM (unified data management entity) / UDR (unified data repository) and PCF (policy control function entity) / UDR.

[0041] Step 1112: The AMF receives and saves the registration process request message sent by the terminal;

[0042] Step 1113: The AMF interacts with the old AMF, NSSF, AUSF / UDM / UDR and PCF / UDR in the 5G (fifth generation mobile communication technology) network to complete the terminal registration process.

[0043] Step 1114: AMF sends a registration process acceptance message to the terminal. The registration process acceptance message includes information on allowed slices (Allowed NSSAI), which sets the default network slice for the application to be selected by the terminal.

[0044] After the AMF interacts with the terminal and completes the registration, the AMF sends a terminal policy association request to the PCF. The PCF sends the terminal's URSP information to the AMF. Based on the registration process request message with the first parameter saved in the terminal registration process, the AMF decides not to send the URSP information to the terminal, but to save the terminal's URSP information in the AMF.

[0045] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, step 12 includes:

[0046] Step 121: The terminal receives a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request initiated by the first application using the default network slice; the PDU session establishment request carries the description information of the first application, and the default network slice is obtained by the terminal during the registration process.

[0047] In this embodiment, since the terminal does not support URSP slice selection, the terminal selects a default network slice for the first application during the registration process, and then initiates a PDU session establishment request. The terminal sends the PDU session establishment request to the AMF, which carries description information of the first application. This description information includes at least one of the following:

[0048] The application's name, application ID (appid), Internet Protocol (IP) address accessed by the application, port number accessed by the application, protocol number of the upper-layer protocol accessed by the application, destination domain name (FQDN) accessed by the application, and data network name (DNN) provided by the application.

[0049] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, step 13 includes:

[0050] Step 131: Based on the description information of the first application and according to the URSP policy information, select a first network slice for the first application of the terminal; if the default network slice is the same as the first network slice, determine the default network slice as the first target network slice.

[0051] Step 132: If the default network slice is different from the first network slice, determine the first network slice as the first target network slice.

[0052] In this embodiment, after receiving the PDU session establishment request sent by the terminal, the AMF first matches the first network slice for the first application according to the priority of the URSP policy based on the first description information of the first application carried in the PDU session establishment request and the URSP policy information; then, it judges the first network slice and the default network slice of the first application.

[0053] If the first network slice is the same as the default network slice, then the default network slice is determined as the first target network slice, and the AMF continues to execute the PDU session establishment process based on the first target network slice;

[0054] If the first network slice is different from the default network slice, then the first network slice is determined as the first target network slice, and the AMF continues to execute the PDU session establishment process based on the first target network slice. In an optional embodiment of the present invention, after step 132, the process further includes:

[0055] Step 133: Based on the first target network slice, perform the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment of the first application.

[0056] In this embodiment, the PDU session establishment for executing the first application may optionally include:

[0057] Step 1331: AMF sends a PDU session management context creation request to SMF, which carries the first target network slice;

[0058] Step 1332, SMF sends an N1N2 information transmission message to AMF, which carries the first target network slice;

[0059] Step 1333: AMF sends the PDU session response message of N2 to the base station. The PDU session response message of N2 carries the first target network slice.

[0060] Step 1334: The base station selects a network slice for the first application based on the first target network slice, allocates resources, and forwards the PDU session establishment and acceptance message from the NAS layer to the terminal. The PDU session establishment and acceptance message carries the first target network slice.

[0061] Step 1335: After receiving the PDU session establishment and acceptance message, the terminal uses the first target network slice carried in the message as the network slice of the first PDU session. The first application can send and receive data through the first PDU session.

[0062] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, during the process of the first application sending and receiving data according to the PDU session, the method further includes:

[0063] Step 14: Receive the description information of the second application sent by the terminal;

[0064] Step 15: Select a second target network slice for the second application based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the second application.

[0065] In this embodiment, multiple applications can be installed on the terminal. The second application is the application that initiates services after the first application selects the first target network slice. The AMF receives the description information of the second application sent by the terminal, and selects the second target network slice for the second application according to the terminal's routing selection policy URSP policy information and the description information of the second application.

[0066] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, step 14 includes: step 141, receiving a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request initiated by a second application of the terminal using a default network slice; the PDU session establishment request carries description information of the second application, and the default network slice is obtained by the terminal during the registration process.

[0067] In this embodiment, since the terminal does not support URSP slice selection, the terminal selects a default network slice for the second application during the registration process, and then initiates a PDU session establishment request. The terminal sends the PDU session establishment request to the AMF, which carries description information of the second application. This description information includes at least one of the following:

[0068] The application's name, application ID (appid), Internet Protocol (IP) address accessed by the application, port number accessed by the application, protocol number of the upper-layer protocol accessed by the application, destination domain name (FQDN) accessed by the application, and data network name (DNN) provided by the application.

[0069] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, step 15 includes:

[0070] Step 151: Based on the description information of the second application and in accordance with the URSP policy information, select a second network slice for the second application of the terminal, and check the network slice used by the existing PDU sessions of the terminal.

[0071] Step 152: If the second network slice is the same as the first target network slice, send a message to the terminal to refuse the establishment of the second PDU session, instructing the terminal to use the PDU session of the first target network slice;

[0072] Step 153: If the second network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the default network slice is the same as the second network slice, determine the default network slice as the second target network slice;

[0073] Step 154: If the second network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the second network slice is different from the default network slice, determine the second network slice as the second target network slice.

[0074] In this embodiment, the AMF receives a PDU session establishment request for the second PDU session sent by the receiving terminal. This PDU session establishment request carries description information of the second application. It matches the second application against the URSP policy according to the policy priority, and selects a second network slice for the second application. The second network slice is then compared with the default network slice of the second application and the first target network slice of the first application.

[0075] If the second network slice is the same as the first target network slice, the AMF sends a PDU session establishment rejection message to the terminal, rejecting the establishment of the terminal's second PDU session. The PDU session establishment rejection message is used to instruct the terminal to use the existing PDU session to transmit data, that is, to instruct the terminal to send and receive data for the second application on the existing first PDU session.

[0076] If the second network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the default network slice is the same as the second network slice, then the default network slice in the second PDU session is determined as the second target network slice, and the AMF continues to execute the PDU session establishment process according to the second target network slice;

[0077] If the second network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the default network slice is different from the second network slice, then the second network slice is determined as the second target network slice in the second PDU session, and the AMF continues to execute the PDU session establishment process based on the second target network slice.

[0078] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, after selecting a second target network slice for the second application, the method further includes:

[0079] Step 16: Based on the second target network slice, perform the establishment of the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the second application.

[0080] In this embodiment, the establishment of a PDU session for executing the second application may optionally include:

[0081] Step 1331: AMF sends a PDU session management context creation request to SMF, which carries the second target network slice;

[0082] Step 1332, SMF sends an N1N2 information transmission message to AMF, which carries the second target network slice;

[0083] Step 1333: AMF sends the PDU session response message of N2 to the base station. The PDU session response message of N2 carries the second target network slice.

[0084] Step 1334: The base station selects a network slice for the second application based on the second target network slice, allocates resources, and forwards the PDU session establishment and acceptance message from the NAS layer to the terminal. The PDU session establishment and acceptance message carries the second target network slice.

[0085] Step 1335: After receiving the PDU session establishment acceptance message, the terminal uses the second target network slice carried in the message as the network slice of the second PDU session. The second application can send and receive data through the second PDU session.

[0086] It should be noted that if the terminal also includes an nth application, which is the application that initiates the service after the second application selects the second target network slice, then the method for selecting the second target network slice is the same as that for the second application, including:

[0087] Step 1: The terminal establishes the nth PDU session for the default network slice selected by the nth application;

[0088] Step 2: The terminal sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF, which carries the description information of the nth application.

[0089] Step 3: AMF selects the nth network slice for the nth application based on the description information of the nth application and the URSP information.

[0090] Step 4: If the selected nth network slice is the same as at least one network slice selected by an existing application, the AMF rejects the establishment of the nth PDU session and instructs the terminal to send and receive data on the PDU session bearer of the existing application.

[0091] If the selected nth network slice is different from the default network slice, and the nth network slice selected by AMF for the nth application is different from all network slices selected by existing applications, then AMF uses the selected nth network slice to replace the original default network slice and executes the subsequent PDU session establishment process to establish the PDU session bearer.

[0092] Otherwise, a PDU session bearer is established for the nth application using the default network slice.

[0093] The embodiments of the present invention obtain the routing policy URSP information of the terminal; receive the description information of the first application sent by the terminal; and select a first target network slice for the first application according to the routing policy URSP information of the terminal and the description information of the first application. This reduces the difficulty and cost of terminal modification, accelerates the end-to-end maturity and large-scale commercial use of network slices, and reduces the difficulty of deploying slices on the terminal.

[0094] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a network slice selection method for a terminal provided by another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 As shown, when applied to a terminal, the method includes the following steps:

[0095] Step 21: Send the description information of the first application to the Access and Mobility Management Function Entity (AMF);

[0096] Step 22: Receive the first target network slice selected by the AMF for the first application based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application.

[0097] Optionally, obtain the terminal's routing policy (URSP) information, including:

[0098] Interact with terminals that do not support URSP slice selection capabilities to complete the registration of the terminal;

[0099] The URSP information of the terminal is obtained from the Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0100] Optionally, the receiving terminal sends a description of the first application, including:

[0101] The receiving terminal initiates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request using a default network slice; the PDU session establishment request carries description information of the first application, and the default network slice is obtained by the terminal during the registration process.

[0102] Optionally, based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application, a first target network slice is selected for the first application, including:

[0103] Based on the description information of the first application, and in accordance with the URSP policy information, a first network slice is selected for the first application of the terminal; if the default network slice is the same as the first network slice, the default network slice is determined as the first target network slice.

[0104] If the default network slice is different from the first network slice, the first network slice is determined as the first target network slice.

[0105] Optionally, after selecting the first target network slice for the first application, the method further includes:

[0106] Based on the first target network slice, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment of the first application is performed.

[0107] Optionally, during the process of the first application sending and receiving data according to the PDU session, the method further includes:

[0108] The receiving terminal sends a description of the second application.

[0109] Based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the second application, a second target network slice is selected for the second application.

[0110] Optionally, the receiving terminal sends a description of the second application, including:

[0111] The receiving terminal's second application initiates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request using a default network slice; the PDU session establishment request carries description information of the second application, and the default network slice is obtained by the terminal during the registration process.

[0112] Optionally, based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the second application, a second target network slice is selected for the second application, including:

[0113] Based on the description information of the second application, and in accordance with the URSP policy information, a second network slice is selected for the second application of the terminal;

[0114] If the second network slice is the same as the first target network slice, a message rejecting the establishment of the second PDU session is sent to the terminal, instructing the terminal to use the existing PDU session of the first target network slice;

[0115] If the second network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the second network slice is the same as the default network slice, then the default network slice is determined as the second target network slice;

[0116] If the second network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the second network slice is different from the default network slice, then the second network slice is determined as the second target network slice.

[0117] Optionally, after selecting the second target network slice for the second application, the method further includes:

[0118] Based on the second target network slice, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment of the second application is performed.

[0119] It should be noted that the network slice selection method on the terminal side corresponds to the network slice selection method embodiment on the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) side described above. All implementation methods in the above method embodiments are applicable to the embodiment of the network slice selection method on the terminal side and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0120] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity provided in another embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 As shown, the present invention also provides an access and mobility management function entity 30, comprising:

[0121] The receiving module 31 is used to obtain the routing policy URSP information of the terminal; and to receive the description information of the first application sent by the terminal.

[0122] The processing module 32 is used to select a first target network slice for the first application based on the routing selection policy URSP policy information of the terminal and the description information of the first application.

[0123] Optionally, obtain the terminal's routing policy (URSP) information, including:

[0124] Interact with terminals that do not support URSP slice selection capabilities to complete the registration of the terminal;

[0125] The URSP information of the terminal is obtained from the Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0126] Optionally, the receiving terminal sends a description of the first application, including:

[0127] The receiving terminal initiates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request using a default network slice; the PDU session establishment request carries description information of the first application, and the default network slice is obtained by the terminal during the registration process.

[0128] Optionally, based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application, a first target network slice is selected for the first application, including:

[0129] Based on the description information of the first application, and in accordance with the URSP policy information, a first network slice is selected for the first application of the terminal; if the default network slice is the same as the first network slice, the default network slice is determined as the first target network slice.

[0130] If the default network slice is different from the first network slice, the first network slice is determined as the first target network slice.

[0131] Optionally, after selecting the first target network slice for the first application, the method further includes:

[0132] Based on the first target network slice, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment of the first application is performed.

[0133] Optionally, during the process of the first application sending and receiving data according to the PDU session, the method further includes:

[0134] The receiving terminal sends a description of the second application.

[0135] Based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the second application, a second target network slice is selected for the second application.

[0136] Optionally, the receiving terminal sends a description of the second application, including:

[0137] The receiving terminal's second application initiates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request using a default network slice; the PDU session establishment request carries description information of the second application, and the default network slice is obtained by the terminal during the registration process.

[0138] Optionally, based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the second application, a second target network slice is selected for the second application, including:

[0139] Based on the description information of the second application, and in accordance with the URSP policy information, a second network slice is selected for the second application of the terminal;

[0140] If the second network slice is the same as the first target network slice, a message is sent to the terminal to refuse the establishment of the second PDU session, instructing the terminal to use the PDU session of the first target network slice;

[0141] If the second network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the second network slice is the same as the default network slice, then the default network slice is determined as the second target network slice;

[0142] If the second network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the second network slice is different from the default network slice, then the second network slice is determined as the second target network slice.

[0143] Optionally, after selecting the second target network slice for the second application, the method further includes:

[0144] Based on the second target network slice, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment of the second application is performed.

[0145] It should be noted that the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity is the same as the AMF entity corresponding to the network slice selection method embodiment described above. All implementation methods in the above method embodiments are applicable to the embodiments of the AMF entity and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0146] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided in yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the present invention also provides a terminal 40, comprising:

[0147] The sending module 41 is used to send the description information of the first application to the Access and Mobility Management Function Entity (AMF);

[0148] The receiving module 42 is used to receive the first target network slice selected by the AMF for the first application based on the routing selection policy URSP policy information of the terminal and the description information of the first application.

[0149] Optionally, obtain the terminal's routing policy (URSP) information, including:

[0150] Interact with terminals that do not support URSP slice selection capabilities to complete the registration of the terminal;

[0151] The URSP information of the terminal is obtained from the Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0152] Optionally, the receiving terminal sends a description of the first application, including:

[0153] The receiving terminal initiates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request using a default network slice; the PDU session establishment request carries description information of the first application, and the default network slice is obtained by the terminal during the registration process.

[0154] Optionally, based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application, a first target network slice is selected for the first application, including:

[0155] Based on the description information of the first application, and in accordance with the URSP policy information, a first network slice is selected for the first application of the terminal; if the default network slice is the same as the first network slice, the default network slice is determined as the first target network slice.

[0156] If the default network slice is different from the first network slice, the first network slice is determined as the first target network slice.

[0157] Optionally, after selecting the first target network slice for the first application, the method further includes:

[0158] Based on the first target network slice, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment of the first application is performed.

[0159] Optionally, during the process of the first application sending and receiving data according to the PDU session, the method further includes:

[0160] The receiving terminal sends a description of the second application.

[0161] Based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the second application, a second target network slice is selected for the second application.

[0162] Optionally, the receiving terminal sends a description of the second application, including:

[0163] The receiving terminal's second application initiates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request using a default network slice; the PDU session establishment request carries description information of the second application, and the default network slice is obtained by the terminal during the registration process.

[0164] Optionally, based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the second application, a second target network slice is selected for the second application, including:

[0165] Based on the description information of the second application, and in accordance with the URSP policy information, a second network slice is selected for the second application of the terminal;

[0166] If the second network slice is the same as the first target network slice, a message is sent to the terminal to refuse the establishment of the second PDU session, instructing the terminal to use the PDU session of the first target network slice;

[0167] If the second network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the second network slice is the same as the default network slice, then the default network slice is determined as the second target network slice;

[0168] If the second network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the second network slice is different from the default network slice, then the second network slice is determined as the second target network slice.

[0169] Optionally, after selecting the second target network slice for the second application, the method further includes:

[0170] Based on the second target network slice, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment of the second application is performed.

[0171] It should be noted that the terminal is terminal 40 corresponding to the network slice selection method embodiment on the terminal side described above. All implementation methods in the above method embodiments are applicable to the embodiments of this terminal and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0172] This invention provides a non-volatile computer storage medium storing at least one executable instruction that can execute the network slice selection method in any of the above method embodiments.

[0173] Figure 5 The diagram shows a structural schematic of a computing device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The specific embodiments of the present invention do not limit the specific implementation of the computing device.

[0174] like Figure 5 As shown, the computing device may include a processor, a communications interface, memory, and a communications bus.

[0175] The processor, communication interface, and memory communicate with each other via a communication bus. The communication interface is used to communicate with other network elements, such as clients or other servers. The processor executes programs, specifically the steps described in the embodiment of the network slice selection method for computing devices.

[0176] Specifically, the program may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions.

[0177] The processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement embodiments of the present invention. The computing device includes one or more processors, which may be processors of the same type, such as one or more CPUs; or processors of different types, such as one or more CPUs and one or more ASICs.

[0178] Memory is used to store programs. Memory may include high-speed RAM, and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk drive.

[0179] Specifically, the program can be used to cause the processor to execute the network slice selection method in any of the above method embodiments. The specific implementation of each step in the program can be found in the corresponding descriptions of the steps and units in the embodiments of the above network slice selection method, and will not be repeated here. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working process of the devices and modules described above can be referred to the corresponding process descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0180] The algorithms or displays provided herein are not inherently related to any particular computer, virtual system, or other device. Various general-purpose systems can also be used in conjunction with the teachings herein. The required structure for constructing such systems is apparent from the above description. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention are not directed to any particular programming language. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented using various programming languages, and the above description of specific languages ​​is for the purpose of disclosing the best mode of implementation of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0181] Numerous specific details are set forth in the specification provided herein. However, it will be understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the understanding of this specification.

[0182] Similarly, it should be understood that, in order to streamline the embodiments of the invention and aid in understanding one or more of the various inventive aspects, features of the embodiments of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. However, this disclosure should not be construed as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as reflected in the following claims, inventive aspects lie in fewer than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into that detailed description, wherein each claim itself is a separate embodiment of the invention.

[0183] Those skilled in the art will understand that modules in the device of the embodiments can be adaptively changed and placed in one or more devices different from that embodiment. Modules, units, or components in the embodiments can be combined into a single module, unit, or component, and further, they can be divided into multiple sub-modules, sub-units, or sub-components. Except where at least some of such features and / or processes or units are mutually exclusive, any combination can be used to combine all features disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) and all processes or units of any method or device so disclosed. Unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed in this specification (including the accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by an alternative feature that serves the same, equivalent, or similar purpose.

[0184] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that although some embodiments herein include certain features included in other embodiments but not others, combinations of features from different embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention and form different embodiments. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0185] The various component embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in hardware, or as software modules running on one or more processors, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that microprocessors or digital signal processors (DSPs) can be used in practice to implement some or all of the functions of some or all of the components according to the embodiments of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented as device or apparatus programs (e.g., computer programs and computer program products) for performing part or all of the methods described herein. Such programs implementing the embodiments of the present invention can be stored on a computer-readable medium, or can be in the form of one or more signals. Such signals can be downloaded from an Internet website, provided on a carrier signal, or provided in any other form.

[0186] It should be noted that the above embodiments are illustrative of the present invention and not restrictive of the invention, and that those skilled in the art can devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in the claims. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the unit claims enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third, etc., does not indicate any order. These words can be interpreted as names. The steps in the above embodiments, unless otherwise specified, should not be construed as limiting the order of execution.

Claims

1. A method for selecting network slices, characterized in that, The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity includes: Obtain the terminal's Routing Policy (URSP) information; The receiving terminal sends a description of the first application. Based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application, a first target network slice is selected for the first application.

2. The method for selecting network slices according to claim 1, characterized in that, Obtain the terminal's Routing Policy (URSP) information, including: Interact with terminals that do not support URSP slice selection capabilities to complete the registration of the terminal; The URSP information of the terminal is obtained from the Policy Control Function (PCF).

3. The method for selecting network slices according to claim 1, characterized in that, The receiving terminal sends a description of the first application, including: The receiving terminal initiates a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request using a default network slice; the PDU session establishment request carries description information of the first application, and the default network slice is obtained by the terminal during the registration process.

4. The method for selecting network slices according to claim 3, characterized in that, Based on the terminal's Routing Selection Policy (URSP) policy information and the description information of the first application, a first target network slice is selected for the first application, including: Based on the description information of the first application, and in accordance with the URSP policy information, a first network slice is selected for the first application of the terminal; if the default network slice is the same as the first network slice, the default network slice is determined as the first target network slice. If the default network slice is different from the first network slice, the first network slice is determined as the first target network slice.

5. The method for selecting network slices according to claim 4, characterized in that, After selecting the first target network slice for the first application, the method further includes: Based on the first target network slice, the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment of the first application is performed.

6. The method for selecting network slices according to claim 5, characterized in that, During the process of the first application sending and receiving data according to the PDU session, the following is also included: The receiving terminal sends a description of the second application. Based on the terminal's routing selection policy URSP policy information and the description information of the second application, a second target network slice is selected for the second application; If the second target network slice is the same as the first target network slice, a message is sent to the terminal to refuse the establishment of the second PDU session, instructing the terminal to use the existing PDU session of the first target network slice; If the second target network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the second target network slice is the same as the default network slice, then the default network slice is determined as the second target network slice; If the second target network slice is different from the first target network slice, and the second target network slice is different from the default network slice, then the second target network slice is determined as the second target network slice.

7. A method for selecting network slices, characterized in that, Applied to terminals, including: Send the description information of the first application to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity; The AMF receives the first target network slice selected for the first application based on the terminal's routing policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application.

8. An Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity, characterized in that, include: The receiving module is used to obtain the terminal's Routing Policy URSP information; The receiving terminal sends a description of the first application. The processing module is configured to select a first target network slice for the first application based on the terminal's routing selection policy URSP policy information and the description information of the first application.

9. A terminal, characterized in that, include: The sending module is used to send the description information of the first application to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity; The receiving module is used to receive the first target network slice selected by the AMF for the first application based on the URSP policy information of the terminal's routing selection policy and the description information of the first application.

10. A computer storage medium storing at least one executable instruction that causes a processor to perform an operation corresponding to the network slice selection method as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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