Network element management method and device, related equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The application discloses a network element management method and device, a first network element, a second network element and a storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: a first network element selects one of at least two second network elements which can serve a first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and selects other second network elements except the selected second network element as backup network elements.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication, and in particular to a network element management method and device, related equipment and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] A new service-based (SBA) architecture is introduced in the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G) network, and network element selection is mainly achieved through network storage function (NRF) discovery or local static configuration. During service, network elements can be selected based on service factors such as the data network name (DNN) or slice to which a user belongs and the location of the user, combined with factors such as network element priority and weight.

[0003] In related technologies, there is a scenario in which one network element is responsible for session-related processing of all members of a user group. However, in related technologies, there is a lack of device disaster recovery scheme based on a user group, and the reliability and flexibility of the network are poor, which affects the user experience. SUMMARY

[0004] To solve the problems in related technologies, the present application provides a network element management method and device, related equipment and a storage medium.

[0005] The technical solution of the present application is implemented as follows:

[0006] The present application provides a network element management method, applied to a first network element, comprising:

[0007] Selecting one of at least two second network elements that can serve a first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and selecting other second network elements in the at least two second network elements as backup network elements, except for the selected second network element.

[0008] In the above solution, the method further comprises:

[0009] Saving first information representing the master / backup state of the at least two second network elements.

[0010] In the above solution, when the second network element serving as the master network element of the first user group fails, one of the second network elements serving as the backup network element of the first user group is selected as the master network element of the first user group, and other second network elements serving the first user group are selected as backup network elements of the first user group, except for the selected master network element.

[0011] In the above solution, the method further comprises:

[0012] Determining the at least two second network elements.

[0013] In the scheme, the second network element serving as the master network element of the first user group is different from the second network element serving as the master network element of the second user group.

[0014] In the scheme, the selecting one of the at least two second network elements serving the first user group as the master network element of the first user group comprises:

[0015] sending second information to each of the at least two second network elements, the second information indicating a state of subscribing to the master network element of the first user group;

[0016] receiving third information sent by one of the at least two second network elements, the third information indicating that the second network element sending the third information is the master network element of the first user group;

[0017] selecting the second network element sending the third information as the master network element of the first user group.

[0018] In the scheme, the method further comprises:

[0019] determining that the first terminal belongs to the first user group and is the first accessed terminal of the first user group;

[0020] selecting the second network element sending the third information from the at least two second network elements to establish a first session for the first terminal.

[0021] In the scheme, the determining that the first terminal is the first accessed terminal of the first user group comprises:

[0022] determining that, before receiving the third information, the saved first information indicates that the master / standby states of the at least two second network elements are standby states.

[0023] In the scheme, the method further comprises:

[0024] after receiving the third information, receiving fourth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements, the fourth information indicating that the another second network element is the master network element; a second terminal belonging to the first user group establishes a second session with the another second network element;

[0025] sending fifth information to the another second network element, the fifth information indicating releasing the second session.

[0026] In the scheme, the method further comprises:

[0027] determining that the second network element sending the third information is faulty;

[0028] receiving sixth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements, the sixth information representing that the another second network element is a master network element;

[0029] regarding the another second network element as the master network element of the first user group.

[0030] In the above solution, the selecting one of the at least two second network elements as the master network element of the first user group comprises:

[0031] sending seventh information to a third network element, the seventh information indicating that the first user group subscribes to the master second network element;

[0032] receiving eighth information sent by the third network element, the eighth information indicating the master second network element of the first user group.

[0033] In the above solution, the selecting one of the at least two second network elements as the master network element of the first user group comprises:

[0034] actively selecting one of the at least two second network elements as the master network element of the first user group;

[0035] sending ninth information to another first network element, the ninth information indicating the master / standby state of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

[0036] In the above solution, the method further comprises:

[0037] determining that a third terminal belongs to the first user group;

[0038] selecting the second network element as the master network element to establish a third session for the third terminal.

[0039] Embodiments of the present application further provide a network element management method, applied to a second network element, comprising:

[0040] receiving subscription information sent by a first network element, the subscription information indicating the state of subscribing to a master network element of a first user group; the second network element is one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group;

[0041] when determining that a terminal to be served is a first terminal of the first user group, sending reply information to the first network element in response to the subscription information, the reply information representing that the second network element is a master network element, and the reply information is used for the first network element to manage the master / standby state of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

[0042] In the above solution, the second network element supports opening the subscription of the master network element information in the first user group to the first network element.

[0043] The embodiment of the present application further provides a network element management device, comprising:

[0044] The management unit is used for selecting one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and selecting other second network elements of the at least two second network elements except the selected second network element as backup network elements.

[0045] The embodiment of the present application further provides a network element management device, comprising:

[0046] The receiving unit is used for receiving subscription information sent by a first network element, wherein the subscription information indicates a state of subscribing to a master network element of a first user group; and the second network element is one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group.

[0047] The processing unit is used for sending reply information for the subscription information to the first network element when a terminal to be served is a first terminal of the first user group, wherein the reply information represents that the second network element is a master network element, and the reply information is used for the first network element to manage master and backup states of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

[0048] The embodiment of the present application further provides a first network element, comprising: a first communication interface and a first processor; wherein

[0049] The first processor is used for:

[0050] selecting one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and selecting other second network elements of the at least two second network elements except the selected second network element as backup network elements.

[0051] The embodiment of the present application further provides a second network element, comprising:

[0052] The second communication interface is used for receiving subscription information sent by a first network element, wherein the subscription information indicates a state of subscribing to a master network element of a first user group; and the second network element is one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group.

[0053] The second processor is used for sending reply information for the subscription information to the first network element when a terminal to be served is a first terminal of the first user group, wherein the reply information represents that the second network element is a master network element, and the reply information is used for the first network element to manage master and backup states of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

[0054] The embodiment of the present application further provides a first network element, comprising a first processor and a first memory for storing a computer program capable of running on the processor,

[0055] The first processor is configured to execute the steps of any of the above methods on the first network element side when the computer program is run.

[0056] The embodiment of the present application further provides a second network element, comprising a second processor and a second memory for storing a computer program capable of running on the processor,

[0057] The second processor is configured to execute the steps of any of the above methods on the second network element side when the computer program is run.

[0058] The embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the computer program is configured to implement the steps of any of the above methods on the first network element side or the steps of any of the above methods on the second network element side when executed by a processor.

[0059] The network element management method, device, related equipment and storage medium provided by the embodiment of the present application, the first network element selects one of at least two second network elements that can serve a first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and selects other second network elements except the selected second network element as backup network elements. The scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application provides a master and backup second network element for the same user group, and the first network element determines the master and backup state of the second network element, so that the user group user can be selected according to the determined master and backup state of the second network element, and the first network element determines the master and backup state of the second network element, so that the user group user can be selected according to the determined master and backup state of the second network element, which realizes fault tolerance, improves network reliability and flexibility, and improves user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0060] Figure 1 It is a 5G LAN technology application scenario diagram;

[0061] Figure 2 It is a business flowchart of a 5G LAN technology scheme in the related art;

[0062] Figure 3 It is a method flowchart of a network element management in the embodiment of the present application;

[0063] Figure 4 It is a method flowchart of another network element management in the embodiment of the present application;

[0064] Figure 5 It is a network element management device structure diagram in the embodiment of the present application;

[0065] Figure 6 Figure 3 is another schematic diagram of a network element management device structure according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] Figure 7 Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a first network element structure according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] Figure 8 Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a second network element structure according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] Figure 9 Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a network element management system structure according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0070] 5G, as a new type of information infrastructure, promotes the innovation and transformation of many industries. In the business scenarios of enterprises, factories, residences and offices, there is a requirement for 5G networks to provide services similar to local area networks (LANs) and virtual private networks (VPNs). In the related art, 5G LAN technology is introduced, as shown in Figure 1 The 5G LAN technology builds a private network for enterprises that can flexibly interwork and be conveniently managed, that is, by building a "group" for the terminals of an enterprise, the terminals in the group can communicate point-to-point or point-to-multipoint without going through a business server.

[0071] On the other hand, under the SBA architecture, when performing services for a user group, network element selection needs to be performed. However, in the related art, there is no disaster recovery solution for network elements, and the reliability of the network is poor, which affects the user experience.

[0072] A typical application scenario is in the 5G LAN technology, the 5G core network can establish a 5G virtual network (VN) group for the terminals of an enterprise, and only one SMF can manage the group session information and forwarding policies of all members in the VN group. A VN group can be identified by a VN group identifier (such as a VN group ID), data network name (DNN) information and network slice identifier (such as single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), which can also be referred to as network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI)).

[0073] As shown in Figure 2 , the service flow of the 5G LAN technology solution includes the following steps:

[0074] Step 1: subscribe a 5G VN group for a user;

[0075] Step 2: when the user registers, the access and mobility management function (AMF) obtains the subscription information to obtain the VN group to which the user belongs, the DNN and the network slice identifier;

[0076] Step 3: the AMF discovers the session management function (SMF) available for the VN group from the network service storage function (NRF) according to the obtained subscription information, and selects an SMF for the VN group;

[0077] Step 4: the AMF initiates a session establishment request to the selected SMF for the user;

[0078] Step 5: the SMF selects a user plane function (UPF) for the current user after receiving the request;

[0079] Step 6: the user sends data;

[0080] Step 7: the UPF sends the data to other users.

[0081] As can be seen from the above process, the SMF needs to manage the session information and forwarding policy of all members in the VN group. In order to reduce the policy synchronization complexity caused by multi-SMF management, in the related technology, the 5GLAN technical solution defined only supports one 5G VN group managed by a single SMF, that is, only one SMF can manage the group session information and forwarding policy of all members in a VN group. Therefore, when the SMF managing the VN group fails, the AMF will log off all users in the VN group, and the members in the VN group have no SMF available, and cannot continue to communicate, which seriously affects the service experience. That is, due to the selection scheme of the related technology, the 5GLAN technology lacks a disaster recovery scheme for SMF selection, resulting in poor network reliability and affecting user experience.

[0082] Based on this, in various embodiments of the present application, a primary and backup second network element is provided for the same user group, and the first network element determines the primary and backup state of the second network element, so as to select the second network element for the user group according to the determined primary and backup state of the second network element.

[0083] The scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application provides a disaster recovery scheme, improves the network reliability, and improves the user experience.

[0084] The embodiments of the present application provide a network element management method, applied to a first network element, as shown in the figure, the method comprises: Figure 3

[0085] Step 301: determining at least two second network elements that can serve a first user group; ​

[0086] Step 302: selecting one second network element from the at least two second network elements as a master network element of the first user group, and selecting other second network elements from the at least two second network elements except the selected second network element as backup network elements.

[0087] In actual application, the first network element can save first information, and the first information represents the master / backup state of the at least two second network elements.

[0088] The at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group, that is, the at least two second network elements supported by the first user group. When the second network element includes an SMF, each SMF can manage the sessions of all terminals in the first user group. Here, each SMF can manage the session information and forwarding policy of all members (that is, terminals) in the first user group.

[0089] In an embodiment, the second network element serving as the master network element of the first user group can be different from the second network element serving as the master network element of the second user group, or can be the same, that is, the master second network element belonging to the first user group can be different from the master second network element belonging to the second user group.

[0090] In actual application, the user group can be a VN group, that is, a 5G VN group. Through the 5G VN group, a group of terminals using network 5G LAN functions to communicate can be represented, and these terminals can communicate based on multicast, groupcast, unicast, and the like. The users of the user group can also belong to the same DNN or network slice. The embodiment of the present application does not limit how to divide the user group.

[0091] In actual application, the terminal can be referred to as a user equipment (UE) or a user.

[0092] Generally, the master / backup disaster recovery between devices is statically configured, and is generally implemented through network element priority, that is, in the case of the same service capability, a high-priority network element (that is, a master network element) is preferentially selected. When the high-priority network element fails, existing services and new online services use a low-priority network element. After the high-priority network element recovers, new services use the high-priority network element again, and services already connected to the low-priority network element remain in the network element. Based on the current static master / backup disaster recovery mode between devices, both the master network element and the backup network element carry services. Therefore, in network operation, users need to be migrated multiple times when upgrading the network element, which increases the operation complexity and may affect the normal operation of part of the services.

[0093] Based on this, in an embodiment, when a second network element serving as the master network element of the first user group fails, the first network element directly selects a second network element that can serve the first user group as a standby network element as the master network element of the first user group, and selects other second network elements that can serve the first user group as standby network elements of the first user group except for the selected second network element as the master network element. Meanwhile, the first information can be updated. In the updated first information, the master / standby state of the selected second network element is master, and the master / standby state of other second network elements except for the selected second network element in the at least two second network elements is standby. Here, the master / standby state of the failed second network element is not included in the updated first information, and when the failed second network element recovers, the first information can be updated again, in which case the master / standby state of the failed second network element in the first information is standby.

[0094] In actual application, in step 301, the first network element can obtain at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group according to at least local configuration information, or discover at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group through a third network element (such as NRF); the embodiment of the application does not limit the specific implementation of determining at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group.

[0095] In actual application, according to the difference in the function of the second network element, the first network element and the second network element are different, for example, the first network element can include an AMF, and correspondingly, the second network element can include an SMF. The first network element can include an SMF, and correspondingly, the second network element can include a PCF.

[0096] In actual application, the specific implementation manner of selecting one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group as the master network element of the first user group can include the following three manners:

[0097] The first manner is that the first network element passively selects one of the at least two second network elements as the master network element of the first user group, that is, the first network element sends a first user group master second network element state subscription message to the at least two second network elements, the master second network element in the at least two second network elements reports the master state to the first network element, and the first network element selects the master network element for the first user group accordingly.

[0098] Based on this, in an embodiment, second information is sent to each of the at least two second network elements, and the second information indicates that the state of the master network element of the first user group is subscribed;

[0099] receiving third information sent by one of the at least two second network elements, the third information indicating that the second network element sending the third information is the master network element of the first user group;

[0100] regarding the second network element sending the third information as the master network element of the first user group.

[0101] In actual application, the first network element can further determine the at least two available second network elements that can serve the first user group according to local configuration information and / or available second network elements obtained from a third network element (such as NRF).

[0102] The second information can carry relevant information of the first user group, such as an identifier (such as ID) of the first user group, a DNN of the first user group, and / or a network slice identifier of the first user group, etc.

[0103] In this way, in the initial state, the first network element sets the standby state of the at least two second network elements as standby. Correspondingly, when the first network element receives the second information sent by one of the second network elements, the first network element updates the first information; specifically, in the first information, the standby state of the second network element sending the second information is the master state, and the standby state of the other second network elements in the at least two SMFs except the second network element sending the second information is the standby state.

[0104] For other first network elements, the master network element of the first user group is also obtained by the same processing manner as described above, and the first information is saved.

[0105] In actual application, when a first terminal belonging to the first user group accesses the network, the first network element first selects a second network element from the at least two second network elements for the first terminal to establish a session, and then receives the third information reported by the second network element.

[0106] Based on this, in an embodiment, the method can further include:

[0107] determining that the first terminal belongs to the first user group, and that the first terminal is the first terminal accessing the first user group;

[0108] selecting the second network element sending the third information from the at least two second network elements to establish a first session for the first terminal.

[0109] In actual application, the first network element can randomly select one second network element to establish a session for the first terminal, or can select one second network element according to selection priorities of the at least two second network elements to establish a session for the first terminal, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific implementation manner of the first network element selecting the second network element.

[0110] When the first network element receives the third information, and according to the first information, it is determined that the active / standby states of the at least two SMFs are both standby states, that is, when the first network element determines that the received third information before, the saved first information represents that the active / standby states of the at least two second network elements are both standby states, it is determined that the first terminal is the first accessed terminal of the first user group.

[0111] Here, when the first network element randomly selects a second network element for the first terminal, in order to avoid that other terminals in the first user group are simultaneously online, thereby causing other first network elements to also select other second network elements through the random selection manner, thereby causing conflicts of multiple primary second network elements, the first network element can maintain the valid time length of the state of the second network element sending the third information.

[0112] Based on this, in an embodiment, the method can further include:

[0113] After receiving the third information, fourth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements is received, the fourth information representing that the another second network element is a primary network element; a second terminal establishes a second session with the another second network element, and the second terminal belongs to the first user group;

[0114] Fifth information is sent to the another second network element, the fifth information indicating to release the second session.

[0115] That is, after receiving the third information sent by the first network element, if the first network element receives fourth information sent by other second network elements of the at least two second network elements except the second network element sending the third information within the valid time length, the fourth information is regarded as invalid, and a session release is sent at the same time, and when a session of a user of the released session is reconstructed, the second network element sending the third information is selected.

[0116] In actual application, the third information can include: related information of the first user group (such as an identifier (such as an ID) of the first user group, a DNN of the first user group, or a network slice identifier of the first user group, etc.), an identifier (such as an IP address, an instance ID, etc.) of a primary second network element, etc.

[0117] When the second network element sending the third information fails, another second network element can be selected to manage the session information and forwarding policy of all members of the first user group according to the above manner, that is, one of the other second network elements is selected as the master network element, and the first information is updated, so as to realize fault tolerance.

[0118] Based on this, in an embodiment, the method can further include:

[0119] determining that the second network element sending the third information fails;

[0120] receiving sixth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements, the sixth information indicating that the another second network element is the master network element;

[0121] selecting the another second network element as the master network element of the first user group, and updating the first information.

[0122] In actual application, the first network element can perceive whether the second network element fails through the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) PING or subscribing to the state of the second network element at the third network element, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0123] The second way is that the first network element subscribes to the master and / or backup state of the first user group of the second network element through the third network element. Based on this, in an embodiment, the first network element sends seventh information to the third network element, the seventh information indicating that the master second network element of the first user group is subscribed; and receives eighth information sent by the third network element, the eighth information indicating the master second network element of the first user group.

[0124] In this case, when the master second network element fails, the first network element also receives the new master network element sent by the third network element, and the first network element selects the new master second network element as the master network element of the first user group and updates the first information.

[0125] The third way is that the first network element can actively select one second network element from the at least two second network elements as the master network element of the first user group, such as randomly selecting one second network element as the master second network element of the first user group, or selecting one second network element as the master second network element of the first user group according to the selection priority of the at least two second network elements, and the specific implementation of actively selecting one second network element as the master second network element of the first user group is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0126] In this case, the first network element needs to inform other first network elements so that other first network elements know the master network element of the first user group, thereby enabling the user to access the network through other first network elements.

[0127] Based on this, in an embodiment, the first network element actively selects one of the at least two second network elements as the master network element of the first user group;

[0128] Correspondingly, the ninth information indicating the active-standby state of the at least two second network elements of the first user group is sent to another first network element.

[0129] Wherein, in actual application, the number of other first network elements can be at least one, that is, the number of other first network elements can be the same as the number of first network elements in the network.

[0130] The timing of the first network element actively selecting one of the at least two second network elements as the master network element of the first user group can be when the first session of the first user group is initiated, or before the first session is initiated, and the present embodiment does not limit this.

[0131] In this case, when a terminal accesses the first network element, when it is determined that the terminal belongs to the first user group, the first network element can directly select the master network element of the first user group to establish a session for the terminal.

[0132] Based on this, in an embodiment, the method can further include:

[0133] Determining that a third terminal belongs to the first user group;

[0134] Selecting the second network element as the master network element to establish a third session for the third terminal.

[0135] When the master second network element fails, the first network element can actively select other second network elements to serve the first user group according to the first information, that is, reselect one of the other second network elements as the master SMF, update the first information, and send the updated first information to the other first network elements, thereby realizing fault tolerance.

[0136] Wherein, in the updated first information, the active-standby state of the reselected second network element is master, and the active-standby state of other second network elements in the at least two second network elements except the reselected second network element is standby state.

[0137] Correspondingly, the present embodiment also provides a network element management method, applied to a second network element, as shown in the figure, the method includes: Figure 4

[0138] ​Step 401: receiving subscription information sent by a first network element, the subscription information indicating a state of subscribing to a master network element of a first user group; the second network element is one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group;

[0139] Step 402: when determining that a terminal to be served is a first terminal of the first user group, sending, to the first network element, reply information for the subscription information, the reply information representing that the second network element is a master network element, and the reply information being used by the first network element to manage master / standby states of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

[0140] In step 402, the determination that the terminal to be served is the first terminal of the first user group can also be understood as that the second network element determines that a user is the first user of the first user group, and sends, to the first network element, the reply information for the subscription information.

[0141] In an embodiment, the second network element supports subscription of opening, to the first network element, information of a master network element in a user group.

[0142] In actual application, the subscription information can carry related information of the first user group, such as an identifier (such as an ID) of the first user group, a DNN of the first user group, or a network slice identifier of the first user group.

[0143] The network element management method provided by the embodiments of the present application is that the first network element selects one of at least two second network elements that can serve a first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and selects other second network elements of the at least two second network elements except the selected second network element as standby network elements. The scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application provides master / standby second network elements for the same user group, the first network element determines master / standby states of the second network elements, so as to be able to select the second network elements for the users of the user group according to the determined master / standby states of the second network elements, the first network element determines the master / standby states of the second network elements, so as to be able to select the second network elements for serving the users of the user group according to the determined master / standby states of the second network elements, fault disaster recovery is achieved, network reliability and flexibility are improved, and user experience is improved.

[0144] The present application will be further described in detail with reference to application examples.

[0145] Application Example One

[0146] In the application embodiment, the user group includes a 5G VN group, the SMF supports managing and maintaining a master / standby state of itself serving the 5G VN group, supports subscribing to master SMF information in the 5G VN group for the AMF, and supports judging whether the accessed 5G VN group user is the master SMF in the 5G VN group; the AMF supports subscribing to the master SMF information of the specified 5G VN group for the SMF, supports updating and saving the SMF master / standby state based on the 5G VN group, and supports selecting a fixed SMF for the 5G VN group user according to the locally saved SMF master / standby state, and supports locally configuring information of all available SMFs based on the 5G VN group.

[0147] Firstly, the process of user online is described.

[0148] Before implementing the scheme of the application embodiment, SMF1 and SMF2 are deployed to serve a specified 5G VN group, and user 1 and user 2 are subscribed to the 5G VN group.

[0149] User 1 is the first online user in the 5G VN group, and the process of user 1 registration and session establishment includes:

[0150] Step 1: User 1 accesses the network through AMF1, thereby being online, AMF1 determines that user 1 is a 5G VN group user according to user subscription information such as VN group ID, DNN, S-NSSAI, etc., and then AMF1 sends a VN group master SMF state subscription message to all SMFs (i.e. SMF1 and SMF2) that can serve the VN group;

[0151] Here, the subscription message can carry VN group information (such as DNN, S-NSSAI or VN group ID, etc.) and master SMF request indication.

[0152] AMF1 can obtain the SMFs that can serve the specified VN group through local configuration, and AMF1 locally saves the master / standby state of SMF1 and SMF2, and the initial state is standby.

[0153] Step 2: User 1 initiates a session establishment request, AMF1 discovers available SMFs according to the DNN, S-NSSAI, etc. of user 1, AMF1 selects one SMF from the intersection of the SMFs discovered by NRF and the locally configured available SMFs, assuming that the intersection is SMF1 and SMF2 (in actual application, the locally configured SMF can be the same as the SMF discovered by NRF, or can be a subset of the SMF discovered by NRF), and AMF1 selects one SMF from SMF1 and SMF2 for session establishment process;

[0154] Here, AMF1 can randomly select any one of the SMFs, or can preferentially select one of the SMFs according to local configuration, etc.

[0155] Step 3: Assuming SMF1 is selected, SMF1 determines that the session of user 1 is the first session in the VN group, and itself becomes the primary SMF in the VN group, at this time, a reply is sent to AMF1;

[0156] The reply message can carry VN group information (such as DNN, S-NSSAI, or VN group ID, etc.), primary SMF identifier (such as IP address, InstanceID (which can be understood as the device identifier number of SMF), etc.), and / or its primary state.

[0157] Step 4: After receiving the reply, AMF1 updates the locally saved SMF primary / backup state of the VN group, i.e., the state of SMF1 is primary SMF state, and the state of SMF2 is backup SMF state.

[0158] Subsequently, AMF1 selects SMF1 for other members in the VN group according to the locally saved SMF primary / backup state of the VN group.

[0159] It should be noted that in step 2, if AMF1 selects SMF1 by random selection, in order to avoid the conflict of multiple primary SMFs caused by the random selection of other SMFs when other users in the VN group are online at the same time, AMF1 can maintain the effective duration of the primary SMF1 state, i.e., when SMF1 notifies AMF1 that it is the primary SMF, that is, when AMF1 receives the reply of SMF1, if AMF1 receives the reply of the primary SMF state information of other SMFs in the same VN group within the effective duration, it is considered invalid, and at the same time, session release is initiated, and when the user session is reestablished, SMF1 can be selected.

[0160] Step 5: After AMF1 completes the selection of the primary SMF, SMF1 establishes the session, and thus user 1 completes the session establishment.

[0161] The process of user 2 registering online and establishing a session includes:

[0162] Step 1: User 2 accesses the network through AMF2 and thus goes online, AMF2 determines that user 2 is a 5G VN group user according to user subscription information such as VN group ID, DNN, S-NSSAI, etc., and then sends a VN group primary SMF state subscription message to all SMFs (i.e., SMF1 and SMF2) that can serve the VN group to AMF2;

[0163] Here, the subscription message can carry VN group information (such as DNN, S-NSSAI, or VN group ID, etc.) and primary SMF request indication.

[0164] AMF2 can obtain the SMF that can serve the specified VN group through local configuration, and AMF1 locally saves the master / standby state of SMF1 and SMF2, and the initial state is standby.

[0165] Step 2: SMF1 has become the master SMF for the VN group, and after receiving the subscription message, SMF1 immediately replies to the subscription of AMF2;

[0166] Here, the reply message can carry VN group information, SMF1 identifier and / or its master state.

[0167] Step 3: After receiving the reply, AMF2 updates the locally saved SMF master / standby state of the VN group, i.e., the state of SMF1 is the master SMF state, and the state of SMF2 is the standby SMF state.

[0168] Step 4: User 2 initiates a session establishment request, and AMF2 directly selects SMF1 to complete the session establishment process.

[0169] From the above description, it can be seen that the scheme provided by the application embodiment provides a master / standby SMF for the same 5G VN group, the SMF maintains and manages its master / standby state according to the access situation of the users in the VN group, and the AMF subscribes to the master / standby state of all SMFs supporting the 5G VN group; wherein when the first user session in the VN group is established, the SMF becomes the master SMF of the VN group, and notifies the AMF, and the AMF locally saves the SMF state for subsequent selection of the SMF.

[0170] Next, the processing flow after the master SMF fails is described.

[0171] The processing flow after the master SMF fails includes:

[0172] Step 1: SMF1 fails, and all users in the corresponding VN group are offline, and then online, and user 1 and user 2 access AMF1 and AMF2 respectively;

[0173] Step 2: The user initiates a session request, and when the user establishes a session, since the locally saved SMF state of the VN group by AMF1 and AMF2 is still SMF1 as the master SMF and SMF2 as the standby SMF, but since SMF1 has failed, only SMF2 is available, therefore AMF1 and AMF2 select SMF2 to complete the user session establishment process;

[0174] Step 3: When SMF2 processes the first session establishment flow of the VN group, it becomes the master SMF in the VN group, and replies to the subscription information of all AMFs that subscribe to the master SMF state, and AMF1 and AMF2 update the locally saved SMF master / standby state of the VN group, i.e., the state of SMF2 is the master SMF state.

[0175] The subsequent AMF selects SMF2 for all members in the VN group according to the locally saved SMF master / standby state of the VN group.

[0176] When SMF1 recovers from failure, the subscription information is returned to all AMFs subscribing to the master SMF state, and AMF1 and AMF2 update the locally saved SMF master / standby state of the VN group, that is, the state of SMF1 is standby SMF state, and the state of SMF2 is master SMF state.

[0177] As can be seen from the above description, the scheme provided by the application embodiment can notify the AMF after the standby SMF is upgraded to the master SMF when the master SMF fails, and the AMF updates the locally saved SMF master / standby state.

[0178] Application Embodiment Two

[0179] In the application embodiment, the user group includes a 5G VN group, the SMF supports managing and maintaining the master / standby state of serving the 5G VN group, and supports judging whether it is the master SMF in the 5G VN group in combination with the accessed 5G VN group user; the AMF supports subscribing to the master SMF information of the specified 5G VN group to the NRF, supports updating and saving the SMF master / standby state based on the 5G VN group, and supports selecting a fixed SMF for the 5G VN group user according to the locally saved SMF master / standby state.

[0180] First, the process of the first user of the 5G VN group online is described.

[0181] Before implementing the scheme of the application embodiment, SMF1 and SMF2 serve a specified VN group, and SMF1 and SMF2 support carrying the master / standby state based on the specified VN group (the initial state is standby) when registering with the NRF, and user 1 and user 2 are subscribed to the 5G VN group.

[0182] User 1 is the first online user in the 5G VN group, and the process of user 1 registering online and establishing a session includes:

[0183] Step 1: User 1 accesses the network through AMF1, thereby going online, and AMF1 discovers available SMFs, that is, SMF1 and SMF2, according to the subscription information of user 1 such as DNN, S-NSSAI, etc. to the NRF, and selects one SMF from SMF1 and SMF2 according to device weight and other parameters for session establishment process, and subscribes to the master / standby state of all available SMFs (SMF1 and SMF2) based on the specified VN group through the NRF;

[0184] Here, the subscription message can carry the SMF identifier (such as an IP address, an SMF InstanceID, etc.), VN group information (such as a DNN, an S-NSSAI, or a VN group ID, etc.), and an SMF primary request indication.

[0185] Step 2: Assuming that SMF1 is selected, SMF1 determines that the session is the first session in the VN group and becomes the primary SMF in the VN group, and then updates the primary / backup status of the SMF1 VN group to the NRF, and the NRF replies to the subscription message of AMF1.

[0186] Here, the reply message can carry VN group information (such as a DNN, an S-NSSAI, or a VN group ID, etc.), an SMF identifier (such as an IP address, an InstanceID, etc.), and / or the primary status thereof.

[0187] Step 3: After receiving the reply, AMF1 updates the locally saved SMF primary / backup status of the VN group, that is, the status of SMF1 is the primary SMF status, and the status of SMF2 is the backup SMF status.

[0188] When other members in the VN group access the network through AMF1 in the future, AMF1 selects SMF1 for the other members in the VN group according to the locally saved SMF primary / backup status of the VN group.

[0189] Step 5: After AMF1 completes the selection of the primary SMF, SMF1 establishes the session, and thus, user 1 completes the session establishment.

[0190] The flow of user 2 registering online and establishing a session includes:

[0191] Step 1: User 2 accesses the network through AMF2 and thus registers online, and AMF2 determines that user 2 is a 5G VN group user according to user subscription information such as a VN group ID, a DNN, an S-NSSAI, etc., and AMF2 subscribes to the VN group primary SMF status subscription message of all SMFs (that is, SMF1 and SMF2) that can serve the VN group to the NRF;

[0192] Here, the subscription message can carry VN group information (such as a DNN, an S-NSSAI, or a VN group ID, etc.) and a primary SMF request indication.

[0193] Step 2: NRF replies to the subscription message of AMF2.

[0194] Here, the reply message can carry VN group information (such as a DNN, an S-NSSAI, or a VN group ID, etc.), an SMF identifier (such as an IP address, an InstanceID, etc.), and / or the primary status thereof.

[0195] Step 3: After receiving the reply, AMF2 updates the locally saved SMF master / standby state of the VN group, i.e., the state of SMF1 is the master SMF state and the state of SMF2 is the standby SMF state.

[0196] Step 4: User 2 initiates a session establishment request, and AMF2 directly selects SMF1 to complete the session establishment process.

[0197] As can be seen from the above description, the scheme provided by the application embodiment provides a master and standby SMF for the same 5G VN group, the SMF maintains and manages its master / standby state according to the access situation of the users in the VN group, and the AMF subscribes to the master / standby state of all SMFs supporting the 5G VN group through NRF; wherein when the first user session in the VN group is established, the SMF becomes the master SMF of the VN group, and notifies the AMF through NRF, and the AMF locally saves the SMF state for subsequent selection of the SMF.

[0198] Next, the processing flow after the master SMF fails is described.

[0199] The processing flow after the master SMF fails includes:

[0200] Step 1: SMF1 fails, the device state of SMF1 in NRF is updated to a failure state, all users (i.e., user 1 and user 2) in the VN group are offline, and user 1 and user 2 are reconnected to AMF1 and AMF2, respectively;

[0201] Step 2: When the user establishes a session, the locally saved SMF state of the VN group by AMF1 and AMF2 is still SMF1 as the master SMF and SMF2 as the standby SMF, but since SMF1 has failed, AMF1 and AMF2 discover through NRF that the available SMF is SMF2, and therefore select SMF2 to complete the user session establishment process;

[0202] Step 3: When SMF2 processes the first session establishment of the VN group, it becomes the master SMF of the VN group, and updates the master / standby state of the VN group to NRF, and NRF replies to the subscription message of all AMFs, and AMF1 and AMF2 update the locally saved SMF master / standby state of the VN group, i.e., the state of SMF2 is the master SMF state.

[0203] Subsequent AMFs select SMF2 for all members of the VN group according to the locally saved SMF master / standby state of the VN group.

[0204] When the SMF1 recovers from failure and re-registers with the NRF, since there is no VN group user access locally, the active / standby state of the VN group in the registration information of the SMF1 is updated to the standby state, the NRF replies to the subscription messages of all AMFs, the state of the SMF1 is the standby SMF state, and the AMF1 and the AMF2 update the locally saved SMF active / standby state of the VN group, that is, the state of the SMF1 is the standby SMF state and the state of the SMF2 is the active SMF state.

[0205] As can be seen from the above description, according to the scheme provided by the application embodiment, when the active SMF fails, the standby SMF is upgraded to the active SMF, the NRF is notified, the AMF is notified after the NRF receives the notification, and the locally saved SMF active / standby state is updated.

[0206] Application Embodiment Three

[0207] In the application embodiment, a user group refers to at least one user belonging to the same DNN or slice, the active / standby state of a network element is the active / standby state based on the DNN or slice when the network element is selected, the network element whose user belonging to the specified DNN or slice accesses is the active network element, and the state of the network element can directly open the subscription of the state / capability to other network elements.

[0208] In the application embodiment, user 1 and user 2 belong to DNN1 (hereinafter, the user group corresponding to user 1 and user 2 is referred to as the DNN1 user group), and the process of selecting a PCF for a user group by the SMF includes the following steps.

[0209] Step 1: User 1 belonging to DNN1 performs session establishment at the SMF1, the SMF1 selects a PCF based on the user number segment, the DNN, the slice and other factors, it is assumed that PCF1 and PCF2 can serve the users of DNN1, the SMF1 sends a subscription message based on the active PCF state of the DNN to PCF1 and PCF2;

[0210] Here, the subscription message can carry the DNN information and the active PCF request indication; at this time, since there is no policy session of the DNN1 user group on the PCF, the initial state is standby, and the SMF1 selects one PCF to complete the policy session establishment of user 1.

[0211] Step 2: it is assumed that PCF1 is selected, PCF1 determines that user 1 is the first user of the DNN1 user group, and itself becomes the active PCF of the DNN1 user group, at this time, the subscription of the SMF1 is replied.

[0212] The replied message can carry the DNN1 information and the active PCF indication.

[0213] When the policy session established by PCF1 for user 1 is the first policy session belonging to the DNN1 user group or the policy session issued to user 1 is the first policy session belonging to the DNN1 user group, the PCF1 determines that user 1 is the first user of the DNN1 user group.

[0214] Step 3: After receiving the reply, the SMF1 updates the local PCF master / standby state that can serve the DNN1 user group, that is, the state of PCF1 is the master PCF state and the state of PCF2 is the standby PCF state.

[0215] Wherein, other access SMF1 users in the subsequent DNN1 user group all select PCF1.

[0216] Step 4: When user 2 belonging to DNN1 establishes a session in SMF2, SMF2 sends a subscription message based on the DNN master PCF state to PCF1 and PCF2, at this time, PCF1 is already the master PCF, so after receiving the subscription message, it will immediately reply to the SMF2 subscription, that is, reply to the PCF1 master state information, SMF2 updates the local PCF master / standby state that can serve the DNN1 user group, that is, the state of PCF1 is the master PCF state and the state of PCF2 is the standby PCF state, and SMF2 selects PCF1 to complete the policy session establishment.

[0217] When PCF1 fails, all user policy sessions on PCF1 are invalidated, and the SMF initiates policy session establishment with other PCFs. When the SMF selects a PCF and finds that the master PCF1 fails, a PCF, that is, PCF2, is selected from the available PCFs, PCF2 becomes the master PCF and replies to the SMF subscription, and SMF1 and SMF2 update the local PCF master / standby state that can serve the DNN1 user group, that is, the state of PCF2 is the master PCF state.

[0218] Subsequent SMFs uniformly select PCF2 for users belonging to DNN1, that is, PCF2 is the master PCF and PCF1 is the standby PCF.

[0219] When PCF2 fails and recovers, PCF1 replies to the SMF subscription, and SMF1 and SMF2 update the local PCF master / standby state that can serve the DNN1 user group, that is, the state of PCF1 is the standby PCF state and the state of PCF2 is the master PCF state.

[0220] Application Example Four

[0221] In the application embodiment, the user group refers to at least one user belonging to the same DNN or slice, and the active / standby state of the network element is the active / standby state based on the DNN or slice when the network element is selected. When the user of the specified DNN or slice accesses the network element, the network element is the active network element. The state of the network element can be updated in the registration information of the NRF and opened to other network elements for subscription by other network elements.

[0222] In the application embodiment, user 1 and user 2 belong to DNN1 (hereinafter, the user group corresponding to user 1 and user 2 is referred to as the DNN1 user group). The process of selecting a PCF for a user group by an SMF includes the following steps.

[0223] Step 1: When PCF1 and PCF2 register with the NRF, the active / standby state based on the DNN1 user group is supported, and the initial state is standby.

[0224] Step 2: User 1 belonging to DNN1 performs session establishment at SMF1, and the SMF1 selects a PCF based on the user number segment, DNN, slice, and other factors. At this time, since there is no policy session of the DNN1 user group on PCF1 and PCF2, the SMF1 selects a PCF to complete the policy session establishment of user 1, and subscribes to the state subscription message of the active PCF based on the DNN1 user group from the NRF.

[0225] Here, the subscription message carries DNN information and an active PCF request indication.

[0226] Step 3: Assuming that PCF1 is selected, PCF1 determines that user 1 is the first user of the DNN1 user group, and itself becomes the active PCF, and updates the active / standby state of the DNN1 user group to the NRF. The NRF replies to the subscription message of the SMF1.

[0227] Here, the reply message can carry DNN information, PCF identification, and / or the PCF active state thereof.

[0228] Step 4: After receiving the reply, the SMF1 updates the local PCF active / standby state that can serve the DNN1 user group, that is, the state of PCF1 is the active PCF state, and the state of PCF2 is the standby PCF state.

[0229] Among them, the other SMF1 users in the subsequent DNN1 user group all select PCF1.

[0230] Step 5: User 2 belonging to DNN1 performs session establishment at SMF2, SMF2 also subscribes to the master / standby state of all PCFs (PCF1 and PCF2) that can serve the DNN1 user group at NRF, at this time PCF1 is the master PCF, NRF immediately returns the master state information of PCF1, SMF2 updates the local master / standby state of the PCF that can serve the DNN1 user group, i.e., the state of PCF1 is the master PCF state and the state of PCF2 is the standby PCF state, SMF2 selects PCF1 to complete the policy session establishment.

[0231] When PCF1 fails, all user policy sessions on PCF1 are invalidated, SMF initiates policy session establishment with other PCFs, and when SMF selects PCF, it finds that the master PCF1 fails, but since PCF1 fails, SMF1 and SMF2 find the available PCF as PCF2 through NRF, PCF2 becomes the master PCF, and updates the PCF master / standby state based on the DNN1 user group to NRF, NRF returns the subscription message to all SMFs, and SMF1 and SMF2 update the local PCF master / standby state that can serve the DNN1 user group, i.e., the state of PCF2 is the master PCF state.

[0232] Subsequent SMFs uniformly select PCF2 for users belonging to DNN1, i.e., PCF2 is the master PCF and PCF1 is the standby PCF.

[0233] When PCF1 fails and recovers, it re-registers with NRF, and since there is no user access of the DNN1 user group locally, the master / standby state based on the DNN1 user group in the registration information of PCF1 is updated as the standby state, NRF returns the subscription message to all SMFs, the state of PCF1 is the standby PCF state, and SMF1 and SMF2 update the local PCF master / standby state that can serve the DNN1 user group, i.e., the state of PCF1 is the standby PCF state and the state of PCF2 is the master PCF state.

[0234] The scheme provided by the application embodiment is a disaster recovery scheme that can be applied to a user group, and the scheme of the application embodiment improves network reliability and user experience.

[0235] In order to implement the method of the application embodiment, the application embodiment further provides a network element management device, which is arranged on a first network element, as shown in Figure 5 The device comprises:

[0236] A determination unit 501 is configured to determine at least two second network elements that can serve a first user group.

[0237] The management unit 502 is configured to select one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and select other second network elements of the at least two second network elements except the selected second network element as backup network elements.

[0238] In an embodiment, the management unit 502 is further configured to save first information, the first information representing master / backup states of the at least two second network elements.

[0239] In an embodiment, the management unit 502 is further configured to, when the second network element serving as the master network element of the first user group fails, select one of the second network elements serving as the backup network element of the first user group as the master network element of the first user group, and select other second network elements serving the first user group except the selected second network element as backup network elements of the first user group.

[0240] The management unit 502 is configured to:

[0241] send second information to each of the at least two second network elements, the second information indicating to subscribe to a state of the master network element of the first user group;

[0242] receive third information sent by one of the at least two second network elements, the third information representing that the second network element sending the third information is the master network element of the first user group;

[0243] select the second network element sending the third information as the master network element of the first user group.

[0244] Here, in an embodiment, the management unit 502 is further configured to:

[0245] determine that a first terminal belongs to the first user group and is the first accessed terminal of the first user group;

[0246] select the second network element sending the third information from the at least two second network elements to establish a first session for the first terminal.

[0247] In an embodiment, the management unit 502 is configured to determine that the saved first information represents that master / backup states of the at least two second network elements are both backup states before receiving the third information.

[0248] In an embodiment, the management unit 502 is further configured to:

[0249] after receiving the third information, receiving fourth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements, the fourth information indicating that the another second network element is a master network element; a second terminal establishing a second session with the another second network element, the second terminal belonging to the first user group;

[0250] sending fifth information to the another second network element, the fifth information indicating releasing the second session.

[0251] In an embodiment, the management unit 502 is further configured to:

[0252] determining that the second network element sending the third information is faulty;

[0253] receiving sixth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements, the sixth information indicating that the another second network element is a master network element;

[0254] regarding the another second network element as a master network element of the first user group.

[0255] In an embodiment, the management unit 502 is configured to:

[0256] sending seventh information to a third network element, the seventh information indicating subscribing to a master second network element of the first user group;

[0257] receiving eighth information sent by the third network element, the eighth information indicating a master second network element of the first user group.

[0258] In an embodiment, the management unit 502 is configured to:

[0259] actively selecting one of the at least two second network elements as a master network element of the first user group;

[0260] sending ninth information to another first network element, the ninth information indicating a master / standby state of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

[0261] In an embodiment, the management unit 502 is further configured to:

[0262] determining that a third terminal belongs to the first user group;

[0263] selecting a second network element as a master network element to establish a third session for the third terminal.

[0264] In actual application, the determining unit 501 and the management unit 502 can be implemented by a processor in a network element management device in combination with a communication interface.

[0265] To implement the method of the second network element side in the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a network element management device arranged on the second network element, as shown in the following table, the device comprises: Figure 6

[0266] a receiving unit 601, configured to receive subscription information sent by a first network element, the subscription information indicating a state of subscribing to a master network element of a first user group; the second network element is one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group;

[0267] a processing unit 602, configured to, when a terminal to be served is a first terminal of the first user group, send reply information for the subscription information to the first network element, the reply information representing that the second network element is the master network element, and the reply information being used by the first network element to manage master / standby states of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

[0268] In an embodiment, the second network element supports subscription of master network element information in a user group to the first network element.

[0269] In actual application, the receiving unit 601 can be implemented by a communication interface in the network element management device, and the processing unit 602 can be implemented by a processor in the network element management device in combination with the communication interface.

[0270] It should be noted that the network element management device provided in the above embodiments is only used for example to divide the above program modules when managing the network element, and in actual application, the above processing can be completed by different program modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different program modules to complete all or part of the above processing. In addition, the network element management device and the network element management method provided in the above embodiments belong to the same concept, and the specific implementation process is detailed in the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0271] Based on the hardware implementation of the above program modules, and to implement the method of the first network element side in the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a first network element, as shown in the following table, the first network element 700 comprises: Figure 7

[0272] a first communication interface 701, capable of information interaction with other network elements (such as other first network elements, second network elements, third network elements, etc.);

[0273] a first processor 702, connected with the first communication interface 701 to realize information interaction with other network elements, and used to run a computer program to execute the method provided in one or more technical solutions of the above first network element side;

[0274] ​​A first memory 703, wherein the computer program is stored in the first memory 703.

[0275] Specifically, the first processor 702 is configured to:

[0276] select one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and select other second network elements of the at least two second network elements as backup network elements.

[0277] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is further configured to:

[0278] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is further configured to save first information, wherein the first information represents the master / backup state of the at least two second network elements.

[0279] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is further configured to, when the second network element serving as the master network element of the first user group fails, select one of the second network elements serving as the backup network element of the first user group as the master network element of the first user group, and select other second network elements serving the first user group as backup network elements of the first user group except the selected master network element.

[0280] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is configured to:

[0281] send second information to each of the at least two second network elements through the first communication interface 701, wherein the second information indicates to subscribe to the state of the master network element of the first user group;

[0282] receive third information sent by one of the at least two second network elements through the first communication interface 701, wherein the third information represents that the second network element sending the third information is the master network element of the first user group;

[0283] select the second network element sending the third information as the master network element of the first user group.

[0284] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is further configured to:

[0285] determine that a first terminal belongs to the first user group and is the first accessed terminal of the first user group;

[0286] select the second network element sending the third information from the at least two second network elements to establish a first session for the first terminal.

[0287] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is configured to determine that the saved first information represents that the at least two second network elements are in the standby state before the third information is received.

[0288] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is further configured to:

[0289] receive fourth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements after the third information is received, the fourth information representing that the another second network element is a master network element; and establish a second session between the second terminal and the another second network element, the second terminal belonging to the first user group.

[0290] send fifth information to the another second network element, the fifth information indicating to release the second session.

[0291] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is further configured to:

[0292] determine that the second network element sending the third information is faulty;

[0293] receive sixth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements, the sixth information representing that the another second network element is a master network element.

[0294] select the another second network element as a master network element of the first user group.

[0295] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is configured to:

[0296] send seventh information to a third network element through the first communication interface 701, the seventh information indicating to subscribe to a master second network element of the first user group;

[0297] receive eighth information sent by the third network element through the first communication interface 701, the eighth information indicating a master second network element of the first user group.

[0298] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is configured to:

[0299] actively select one of the at least two second network elements as a master network element of the first user group;

[0300] send ninth information to another first network element through the first communication interface 701, the ninth information indicating master and standby states of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

[0301] In an embodiment, the first processor 702 is further configured to:

[0302] determining that the third terminal belongs to the first user group;

[0303] selecting the second network element as a master network element to establish a third session for the third terminal.

[0304] It should be noted that the specific processing procedure of the first processor 702 can be understood with reference to the above method.

[0305] Of course, in actual application, various components in the first network element 700 are coupled together through the bus system 704. It can be understood that the bus system 704 is used to realize the connection and communication between the components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 704 also includes a power bus, a control bus and a status signal bus. However, for the purpose of clear illustration, all kinds of buses are marked as the bus system 704 in the Figure 7 .

[0306] The first memory 703 in the embodiment of the present application is used to store various types of data to support the operation of the first network element 700. Examples of these data include: any computer programs used to operate on the first network element 700.

[0307] The method disclosed in the above embodiment of the present application can be applied to or implemented by the first processor 702. The first processor 702 can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of hardware or the instruction in the form of software in the first processor 702. The first processor 702 mentioned above can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The first processor 702 can implement or execute the disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. In combination with the steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, the hardware decoding processor can be directly embodied to execute the above-mentioned steps, or the combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor can be executed. The software module can be located in the storage medium, which is located in the first memory 703, and the first processor 702 reads the information in the first memory 703 and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the above-mentioned method.

[0308] In an example embodiment, the first network element 700 can be implemented by one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), DSPs, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers (MCUs), microprocessors (Microprocessors), or other electronic elements for executing the foregoing methods.

[0309] Based on the hardware implementation of the foregoing program modules, and in order to implement the method on the second network element side according to the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a second network element, which comprises Figure 8 The second network element 800 comprises:

[0310] a second communication interface 801 capable of performing information interaction with other network elements (such as the first network element, the third network element, etc.);

[0311] a second processor 802 connected with the second communication interface 801 to implement information interaction with other network elements, for running a computer program to execute the method provided by one or more technical solutions on the second network element side described above;

[0312] a second memory 803, wherein the computer program is stored in the second memory 803.

[0313] Specifically, the second communication interface 801 is configured to receive subscription information sent by the first network element, wherein the subscription information indicates the state of subscribing to the master network element of the first user group; and the second network element is one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group.

[0314] The second processor 802 is configured to send reply information for the subscription information to the first network element when the terminal to be served is the first terminal of the first user group, wherein the reply information represents that the second network element is the master network element, and the reply information is used for the first network element to manage the master / standby state of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

[0315] In an embodiment, the second network element 800 supports subscription to the master network element information in the first user group that is opened to the first network element.

[0316] It should be noted that the specific process of the second processor 802 and the second communication interface 801 can be understood with reference to the above method.

[0317] Of course, in actual application, various components in the second network element 800 are coupled together through the bus system 804. It can be understood that the bus system 804 is used to realize the connection communication between the components. The bus system 804 includes not only a data bus, but also a power bus, a control bus and a status signal bus. However, for the purpose of clear illustration, all the buses are marked as the bus system 804 in the Figure 8

[0318] The second storage 803 in the embodiment of the present application is used to store various types of data to support the operation of the second network element 800. Examples of the data include any computer program used for operation on the second network element 800.

[0319] The method disclosed in the above embodiment of the present application can be applied to the second processor 802 or implemented by the second processor 802. The second processor 802 can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of hardware or the instruction in the form of software in the second processor 802. The second processor 802 can be a general-purpose processor, a DSP, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The second processor 802 can implement or execute the methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. In combination with the steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, the hardware decoding processor can be directly embodied to execute the above steps, or the combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor can be executed. The software module can be located in the storage medium, which is located in the second storage 803, and the second processor 802 reads the information in the second storage 803 and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0320] In the exemplary embodiment, the second network element 800 can be implemented by one or more ASICs, DSPs, PLDs, CPLDs, FPGAs, general-purpose processors, controllers, MCUs, microprocessors, or other electronic elements, for executing the above method.

[0321] ​It can be understood that the memory (the first memory 703 and the second memory 803) of the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, and can also include both volatile and non-volatile memories. The non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM), a flash memory, a magnetic surface memory, an optical disc, or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The magnetic surface memory can be a disk memory or a tape memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM can be used, such as a static random access memory (SRAM), a synchronous static random access memory (SSRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), a sync link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and a direct rambus random access memory (DRRAM).The memory described in the embodiments of the present application is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0322] To implement the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a network element management system, as shown in the following table. Figure 9 The system includes a first network element 901 and a second network element 902.

[0323] Here, it should be noted that the specific processing procedures of the first network element 901 and the second network element 902 have been described in the foregoing, and will not be described here.

[0324] In the exemplary embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a storage medium, i.e., a computer storage medium, specifically a computer readable storage medium, for example, including a first memory 703 storing a computer program, the computer program being executable by a first processor 702 of a first network element 700 to complete the steps of the aforementioned first network element side method, and further including a second memory 803 storing a computer program, the computer program being executable by a second processor 802 of a second network element 800 to complete the steps of the aforementioned second network element side method. The computer readable storage medium can be FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disc, or CD-ROM, etc.

[0325] It should be noted that "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily describe a specific order or sequence.

[0326] In addition, the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application can be arbitrarily combined without conflict.

[0327] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A network element management method, characterized by, The method is applied to a first network element, and comprises: selecting one of at least two second network elements that can serve a first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and selecting other second network elements of the at least two second network elements as backup network elements; the selecting one of the at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group as the master network element of the first user group comprises: receiving third information sent by one of the at least two second network elements, the third information indicating that the second network element sending the third information is the master network element of the first user group; selecting the second network element sending the third information as the master network element of the first user group; after receiving the third information, if fourth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements is received, sending fifth information to the another second network element, the fourth information indicating that the another second network element is the master network element, a second terminal belonging to the first user group establishes a second session with the another second network element, and the fifth information instructs to release the second session.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, the method further comprises: saving first information indicating master and backup states of the at least two second network elements.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, when a second network element serving as the master network element of the first user group fails, selecting one of second network elements serving as backup network elements of the first user group as the master network element of the first user group, and selecting other second network elements serving as the backup network elements of the first user group as the backup network elements of the first user group.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, the method further comprises: determining the at least two second network elements.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, the second network element serving as the master network element of the first user group is the same as or different from a second network element serving as a master network element of a second user group.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, the method further comprises: determining that a first terminal belongs to the first user group and is a first accessed terminal of the first user group; selecting the second network element sending the third information from the at least two second network elements to establish a first session for the first terminal.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, the determining that the first terminal is the first accessed terminal of the first user group comprises: determining that, before the third information is received, the saved first information indicates that the master and backup states of the at least two second network elements are both backup states.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the second network element sending the third information fails; receiving sixth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements, the sixth information indicating that the another second network element is the master network element; selecting the another second network element as the master network element of the first user group.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, the selecting one of the at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group as the master network element of the first user group comprises: sending seventh information to a third network element, the seventh information instructing to subscribe to the master second network element of the first user group; receiving eighth information sent by the third network element, the eighth information indicating the master second network element of the first user group.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The selecting one of the at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group as a master network element of the first user group comprises: actively selecting one of the at least two second network elements as a master network element of the first user group; sending ninth information to another first network element, the ninth information indicating a master / standby state of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The method further comprises: determining that a third terminal belongs to the first user group; selecting a second network element as a master network element to establish a third session for the third terminal.

12. A network element management method, characterized by, Applied to a second network element, comprising: receiving subscription information sent by a first network element, the subscription information indicating a state of subscribing to a master network element of a first user group; the second network element is one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group; when determining that a terminal to be served is a first terminal of the first user group, sending reply information to the first network element for the subscription information, the reply information indicating that the second network element is a master network element, and the reply information is used for the first network element to manage a master / standby state of the at least two second network elements of the first user group; receiving fifth information sent by the first network element; the fifth information is sent by the first network element to the second network element when the first network element receives reply information sent by another second network element and receives reply information sent by the second network element; a second terminal establishes a second session with the second network element, and the second terminal belongs to the first user group; the fifth information indicates to release the second session.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The second network element supports subscription to master network element information within a user group by a first network element.

14. A network element management apparatus, characterized by comprising: Comprising: a management unit configured to select one of at least two second network elements that can serve a first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and to select other second network elements in the at least two second network elements except the selected second network element as standby network elements; The selecting one of the at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group as a master network element of the first user group comprises: receiving third information sent by one of the at least two second network elements, the third information indicating that the second network element sending the third information is a master network element of the first user group; and selecting the second network element sending the third information as a master network element of the first user group; and further configured to, after receiving the third information, send fifth information to another second network element of the at least two second network elements when receiving fourth information sent by the another second network element, the fourth information indicating that the another second network element is a master network element; a second terminal establishes a second session with the another second network element, and the second terminal belongs to the first user group; and the fifth information indicates to release the second session.

15. A network element management apparatus, characterized by comprising: Provided in a second network element, comprising: The receiving unit is configured to receive subscription information sent by a first network element, the subscription information indicating a state of subscribing to a master network element of a first user group; the second network element is one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group; the receiving unit is further configured to receive fifth information sent by the first network element; the fifth information is sent by the first network element to the second network element in a case where the first network element receives reply information sent by another second network element and receives reply information sent by the second network element; a second terminal establishes a second session with the second network element, and the second terminal belongs to the first user group; and the fifth information indicates to release the second session. The processing unit is configured to, when a terminal to be served is a first terminal of the first user group, send, to the first network element, reply information for the subscription information, the reply information indicating that the second network element is the master network element, and the reply information being used by the first network element to manage master / standby states of the at least two second network elements of the first user group.

16. A first network element, characterized by The first communication interface and the first processor are included. The first processor is configured to select one of at least two second network elements that can serve a first user group as a master network element of the first user group, and select other second network elements of the at least two second network elements except the selected second network element as standby network elements; the selecting one of the at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group as the master network element of the first user group includes: receiving third information sent by one of the at least two second network elements, the third information indicating that the second network element sending the third information is the master network element of the first user group; and selecting the second network element sending the third information as the master network element of the first user group; the first processor is further configured to, in a case where the third information is received and fourth information sent by another second network element of the at least two second network elements is received, send fifth information to the another second network element; the fourth information indicates that the another second network element is the master network element; a second terminal establishes a second session with the another second network element, and the second terminal belongs to the first user group; and the fifth information indicates to release the second session. The second communication interface is included.

17. A second network element, characterized by The second communication interface is configured to receive subscription information sent by a first network element, the subscription information indicating a state of subscribing to a master network element of a first user group; The second network element is one of at least two second network elements that can serve the first user group; the second network element is further configured to receive fifth information sent by the first network element; The fifth information is sent by the first network element to the second network element in a case where the first network element receives reply information sent by another second network element and receives reply information sent by the second network element; A second terminal establishes a second session with the second network element, and the second terminal belongs to the first user group; The fifth information indicates to release the second session; and ​ The second processor is configured to send, to the first network element, reply information for the subscription information when the terminal to be served is the first terminal of the first user group, the reply information indicating that the second network element is a master network element, and the reply information being used by the first network element to manage master and standby states of at least two second network elements of the first user group.

18. A first network element, characterized by, The computer program is executed by the processor to implement the steps of the method in any one of claims 1 to 11, or to implement the steps of the method in claim 12 or 13. The computer program is executed by the processor to implement the steps of the method in any one of claims 1 to 11, or to implement the steps of the method in claim 12 or 13. The computer program is executed by the processor to implement the steps of the method in any one of claims 1 to 11, or to implement the steps of the method in claim 12 or 13.

19. A second network element, characterized by The computer program is executed by the processor to implement the steps of the method in any one of claims 1 to 11, or to implement the steps of the method in claim 12 or 13. ​ ​ 20. A storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, characterized in that ​

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