Communication method, apparatus and system for network intercommunication
By establishing BP/ULCL traffic splitting between the local SMF entity and the visited SMF entity, the problem of terminals being unable to access cross-regional networks in non-roaming scenarios is solved, and the communication performance of terminals accessing both local and remote networks simultaneously is improved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHINA TELECOM CORP LTD
- Filing Date
- 2021-12-09
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
In non-roaming scenarios, terminals cannot access both local and remote networks simultaneously, resulting in decreased communication performance. Existing technologies cannot enable cross-regional access.
The local SMF entity determines whether the service accessed by the terminal is within its service scope, sends identification information to the AMF entity to select the visited SMF entity, and establishes BP/ULCL traffic splitting with it, so that the terminal can access the local network through the local UPF and access the remote network through the visited UPF.
In non-roaming scenarios, the terminal can access both local and remote networks simultaneously, improving communication performance without relying on the enterprise's internal network.
Smart Images
Figure CN116261123B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, communication device, and communication system for network access. Background Technology
[0002] According to the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) definition, when establishing BP / ULCL (Branching Point / Uplink Classifier) traffic offloading in non-roaming scenarios, the SMF (Session Management Function) where the user session is established needs to be able to simultaneously control all involved UPFs (User Plane Functions). In roaming scenarios, BP / ULCL establishment is achieved through the cooperation of the visited location's I-SMF (Intermediate-SMF) and the home location's SMF. However, if a user in a non-roaming scenario simultaneously accesses both the remote visited network and the local home network from their home location, this is not currently addressed in the 3GPP standard.
[0003] For example, in actual 5G network deployments, some enterprise customers have multi-campus networking requirements. For instance, a customer has two enterprise campuses in Guangzhou and Beijing, and a terminal located in Guangzhou with its home address in Guangzhou needs to access both the enterprise intranet in the Guangzhou campus and the enterprise intranet in the Beijing campus simultaneously.
[0004] In related technologies, mutual access is achieved through the customer's own internal network, or by connecting the two networks through a fixed-line leased line. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The inventors of this disclosure have discovered the following problem in the above-mentioned related technologies: if two networks are not interconnected and cannot be accessed through the public network, cross-regional access cannot be achieved, resulting in a decrease in communication performance.
[0006] In view of this, this disclosure proposes a network access communication technology solution that enables terminals to access both local and remote networks simultaneously in non-roaming scenarios without relying on the enterprise's internal network, thereby improving communication performance.
[0007] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a network access communication method is provided, comprising: when a terminal initiates a service to access a remote network, a local SMF entity determines whether the service is within its service scope based on the identification information of the service to be accessed by the terminal; if the service is not within its scope, the local SMF entity sends the identification information to an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function); and the local SMF entity establishes mutual access communication between the remote network and the local network with the visited SMF entity based on the relevant information of the visited SMF entity selected according to the identification information returned by the AMF entity.
[0008] In some embodiments, the communication method for network access further includes: a local SMF entity receiving information reported by a local UPF entity regarding a terminal's first initiation of a service to access a remote network, and the local UPF entity reporting such information according to a detection policy issued by the local SMF entity.
[0009] In some embodiments, the communication method for network access further includes: a local SMF entity initiating a policy update request to a PCF (Policy Control Function) entity; and the local SMF entity receiving a TSC (Traffic Steering Control) policy returned by the PCF entity, wherein the TSC includes identification information and routing information.
[0010] In some embodiments, establishing mutual access communication between the remote network and the local network with the visited SMF entity includes: establishing BP / ULCL traffic splitting between the local SMF entity and the visited SMF entity, so that the terminal can access the local network through the local UPF entity and access the remote network through the visited UPF entity.
[0011] In some embodiments, the establishment of a branch node / uplink classifier (BP / ULCL) traffic split between the local SMF entity and the visited SMF entity includes: the local SMF entity sending a session creation request to the visited SMF entity, the session creation request including identification information; if the visited SMF entity returns a session creation response, the local SMF entity initiating a traffic split establishment request to the BP / ULCL, the session creation response being used to identify that the visited SMF entity and the visited anchor point's UPF entity have completed the session establishment; and the local SMF entity and the visited SMF entity performing a session update.
[0012] In some embodiments, the session update between the local SMF entity and the visited SMF entity includes: the local SMF entity initiating a first session update request to the UPF entity of the local anchor, the first session update request including relevant information of BP / ULCL; the local SMF entity initiating a second session update request to the visited SMF entity, the second session update request including relevant information of BP / ULCL; the local SMF entity receiving a second session update response returned by the visited SMF entity, the second session update response being used to identify that the visited SMF entity initiated a session modification of the UPF entity of the visited anchor; and the local SMF entity replying to the AMF entity with the first session update response.
[0013] In some embodiments, the service identification information includes DNAI (Data Network Access Identifier), DNN (Data Network Name), or NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information).
[0014] According to some other embodiments of this disclosure, a communication device for network access is provided. The communication device is located in a local SMF entity and includes: a judgment unit, configured to determine whether a service is within its own service range based on the identification information of the service to be accessed by the terminal when the terminal initiates a service to access a remote network; a sending unit, configured to send the identification information to the AMF entity when the service is not within its own range; and an establishment unit, configured to establish mutual access communication between the remote network and the local network with the visited SMF entity based on the relevant information of the visited SMF entity selected according to the identification information returned by the AMF entity.
[0015] In some embodiments, the communication device for network access further includes: a receiving unit, configured to receive information reported by a local UPF entity regarding a terminal's first-time initiation of a service to access a remote network, wherein the local UPF entity reports the information according to a detection policy issued by a local SMF entity.
[0016] In some embodiments, the sending unit initiates a policy update request to the PCF entity; the receiving unit receives a TSC returned by the PCF entity, the TSC including identification information and routing information.
[0017] In some embodiments, the establishment unit and the visited SMF entity establish BP / ULCL traffic splitting so that the terminal can access the local network through the local UPF entity and access the remote network through the visited UPF entity.
[0018] In some embodiments, the sending unit sends a session creation request to the visited SMF entity, the session creation request including identification information; if the visited SMF entity returns a session creation response, the sending unit initiates a split-line establishment request to BP / ULCL, the session creation response being used to identify that the visited SMF entity and the visited anchor point UPF entity have completed session establishment; the establishment unit and the visited SMF entity perform session updates.
[0019] In some embodiments, the sending unit initiates a first session update request to the UPF entity of the local anchor point, the first session update request including relevant information of BP / ULCL; the sending unit initiates a second session update request to the SMF entity of the visited location, the second session update request including relevant information of BP / ULCL; the receiving unit receives a second session update response returned by the SMF entity of the visited location, the second session update response being used to identify that the SMF entity of the visited location initiated a session modification of the UPF entity of the visited anchor point; the sending unit replies to the AMF entity with the first session update response.
[0020] In some embodiments, the identification information of the service includes DNAI, DNN, or NSSAI.
[0021] According to further embodiments of this disclosure, a network access communication device is provided, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the network access communication method of any of the above embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory device.
[0022] According to further embodiments of this disclosure, a network access communication system is provided, comprising: an SMF entity for executing the network access communication method in any of the above embodiments; an AMF entity for selecting a visited SMF entity based on the identification information of the service to be accessed by the terminal sent by the local SMF entity; and a visited SMF entity for establishing mutual access communication between the remote network and the local network with the local SMF entity.
[0023] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, which, when executed by a processor, implements the network access communication method of any of the above embodiments.
[0024] In the above embodiments, the service identification information is used as the criterion for the AMF entity to select the visited SMF entity. Based on the identification information, the AMF entity can select the corresponding visited SMF entity as the I-SMF entity in non-roaming scenarios. This enables the terminal to access both the local network and the remote network simultaneously in non-roaming scenarios without relying on the enterprise's internal network, thereby improving communication performance. Attached Figure Description
[0025] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of this disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.
[0026] This disclosure will become clearer with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description:
[0027] Figure 1 Flowcharts illustrating some embodiments of the network access communication method of this disclosure;
[0028] Figure 2 Signaling diagrams illustrating some embodiments of the network access communication methods of this disclosure;
[0029] Figure 3 Schematic diagrams illustrating some embodiments of the network access communication method of this disclosure;
[0030] Figure 4 Block diagrams illustrating some embodiments of the network access communication apparatus of this disclosure;
[0031] Figure 5 Block diagrams illustrating further embodiments of the network access communication apparatus of this disclosure;
[0032] Figure 6 Block diagrams illustrating further embodiments of the network access communication apparatus of this disclosure;
[0033] Figure 7 Schematic diagrams illustrating some embodiments of the network access communication system of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation
[0034] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0035] At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to actual scale.
[0036] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this disclosure or its application or use.
[0037] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, they should be considered part of the specification.
[0038] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.
[0039] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.
[0040] As mentioned earlier, the 5G core network signaling process does not include a procedure for establishing BP / ULCL traffic offloading in non-roaming scenarios. Therefore, in scenarios requiring cross-regional, multi-campus networking, the home terminal typically accesses the local network through the home core network and accesses the networks of various campuses through connections between enterprise networks (such as VPNs, enterprise intranets, etc.).
[0041] However, if two networks are not interconnected and cannot be accessed via the public internet, cross-regional access is not possible.
[0042] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the technical solution disclosed herein enables terminals to simultaneously access both local and remote networks in non-roaming scenarios using the BP / ULCL traffic splitting function, without relying on the enterprise's internal network. For example, the technical solution of this disclosure can be implemented through the following embodiments.
[0043] Figure 1 Flowcharts illustrating some embodiments of the network access communication methods of this disclosure are shown.
[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, in step 110, when a terminal initiates a service to access a remote network, the local SMF entity determines whether the service falls within its service scope based on the identification information of the service the terminal wants to access. For example, the service identification information may include DNAI, DNN, or NSSAI.
[0045] In some embodiments, the local SMF entity receives information from the local UPF entity regarding a terminal's first initiation of a service to access a remote network. The local UPF entity reports this information according to the detection policy issued by the local SMF entity.
[0046] In some embodiments, the local SMF entity initiates a policy update request to the PCF entity; the local SMF entity receives a TSC returned by the PCF entity, the TSC including identification information and routing information. For example, the policy update request is an SM PolicyAssociation Update message.
[0047] For example, the terminal has completed network registration and established a session with the local PSA (PDU Session Anchor) UPF entity—PSA1 UPF; the terminal initiates access to services in the remote DN (Data Network)—DN2; the UPF entity detects that the terminal is accessing services in DN2 for the first time and reports it to the local SMF entity—H-SMF; H-SMF initiates SM Policy Association Update to the PCF entity; the PCF entity replies to H-SMF with a new policy—TSC.
[0048] In step 120, if the service is not within its own scope, the local SMF entity sends identification information to the AMF entity. For example, the local SMF entity sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify (Slice Management Function_Protocol Data Unit Session_Session Content Status Notification) message to the AMF entity, which carries the DNAI that the terminal wants to access and that it is not within its service scope.
[0049] In some embodiments, if the H-SMF determines that the DNAI to which the service the terminal wants to access belongs is not within its service range, the H-SMF sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify message to the AMF entity, which carries the DNAI to be accessed by the terminal and that it is not within its service range; the AMF entity selects the visited SMF entity—R-SMF—based on the DNAI; the AMF entity sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message (slice management function_protocol data unit session_update session content request) to the H-SMF, which carries relevant information about the R-SMF.
[0050] In step 130, the local SMF entity establishes mutual communication between the remote network and the local network with the visited SMF entity based on the relevant information of the visited SMF entity selected according to the identification information returned by the AMF entity.
[0051] In some embodiments, a BP / ULCL traffic split is established between the local SMF entity and the visited SMF entity, so that the terminal can access the local network through the local UPF entity and access the remote network through the visited UPF entity.
[0052] For example, the local SMF entity sends a session creation request to the visited SMF entity, which includes identification information. If the visited SMF entity returns a session creation response, the local SMF entity initiates a traffic establishment request to BP / ULCL. The session creation response is used to identify that the visited SMF entity and the visited anchor point's UPF entity (i.e., the visited UPF entity) have completed the session establishment. The local SMF entity and the visited SMF entity then perform a session update.
[0053] For example, H-SMF sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_Create Request message to R-SMF, which carries relevant information for establishing BP / ULCL offloading (such as DNAI); R-SMF initiates a session establishment process to the UPF entity of the visited PSA—PSA2 UPF; after the PSA2 UPF session is established, R-SMF replies to H-SMF with an Nsmf_PDUSession_Create Response message; H-SMF initiates the H-smf Establishes BP / ULCL process to BP / ULCL.
[0054] For example, the local SMF entity initiates a first session update request to the local anchor point's UPF entity (i.e., the local UPF entity), which includes BP / ULCL related information; the local SMF entity then initiates a second session update request to the visited SMF entity, which also includes BP / ULCL related information; the local SMF entity receives a second session update response from the visited SMF entity, which indicates that the visited SMF entity initiated a session modification of the visited anchor point's UPF entity; finally, the local SMF entity replies to the AMF entity with the first session update response. For example, the second session update request could be an Nsmf_PDUSession_Update request (Slice Management Function_Protocol Data Unit Session_Update Request) message.
[0055] For example, H-SMF initiates a session update procedure to PSA1, carrying BP / ULCL related information; H-SMF initiates an Nsmf_PDUSession_Update request to R-SMF, carrying BP / ULCL related information; R-SMF initiates a PSA2 session modification; R-SMF replies to H-SMF with an Nsmf_PDUSession_Update response (slice management function_protocol data unit session_update response); H-SMF replies to the AMF entity with an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response (slice management function_protocol data unit session_update session management content response); and initiates an RAN (Radio Access Network) side information modification procedure.
[0056] For example, the RAN modification process includes: after the cross-domain BP / ULCL is established in a non-roaming scenario, the terminal can access DN1 through the path base station--BP / ULCL--PSA1--DN1, and can also access DN2 through the path base station--BP / ULCL--PSA2--DN2.
[0057] Figure 2 Signaling diagrams illustrating some embodiments of the network access communication methods of this disclosure are shown.
[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, in event 1, the terminal has completed network registration and established a session with PSA1. The terminal and the local data network DN1 can transmit uplink or downlink data through the UPF of PSA1.
[0059] In Event 2, the terminal initiated access to the service in DN2.
[0060] In Event 3, the PSA1 UPF detected that the terminal was accessing a service in DN2 for the first time and reported it to the H-SMF.
[0061] In Event 4, H-SMF initiated an SM Policy Association Update to the PCF entity.
[0062] In Event 5, the PCF entity responded to H-SMF with a new strategy.
[0063] In Event 6, when H-SMF determines that the DNAI to which the service the terminal wants to access belongs is not within its service scope, H-SMF sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_SMContextStatusNotify message to the AMF entity, which carries the DNAI to which the terminal wants to access and that it is not within its service scope.
[0064] In Event 7, the AMF entity selected the visited SMF entity—R-SMF—based on the DNAI.
[0065] In Event 8, the AMF entity sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request message to the H-SMF, which carries information related to the R-SMF.
[0066] In Event 9, H-SMF sent an Nsmf_PDUSession_Create Request message to R-SMF, which carried information related to establishing BP / ULCL splitting (such as DNAI).
[0067] In Event 10, R-SMF initiated a session establishment process with PSA2 UPF.
[0068] In Event 11, after the PSA2 UPF session is established, R-SMF replies to H-SMF with an Nsmf_PDUSession_Create Response message.
[0069] In Event 12, H-SMF initiated the H-SMF Establishes BP / ULCL procedure to BP / ULCL.
[0070] In Incident 13, H-SMF initiated a session update procedure to PSA1, carrying BP / ULCL related information.
[0071] In Event 14, H-SMF initiated an Nsmf_PDUSession_Update request to R-SMF, which carried BP / ULCL related information.
[0072] In Event 15, R-SMF initiated a PSA2 session modification.
[0073] In event 16, R-SMF responded to H-SMF with the Nsmf_PDUSession_Update response;
[0074] In event 17, H-SMF responded to the AMF entity with Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContextResponse.
[0075] In event 18, the RAN-side information modification process was initiated.
[0076] After establishing cross-domain BP / ULCL in non-roaming scenarios, the terminal can access DN1 via the path base station -- BP / ULCL -- PSA1 -- DN1, and can also access DN2 via the path base station -- BP / ULCL -- PSA2 -- DN2.
[0077] In the above embodiments, DNAI is added as a criterion for AMF to select SMF; the SMF entity sends data detection rules to the UPF entity. When the UE accesses a service in a non-local network, the UPF entity reports information to the SMF entity, triggering the cross-SMF entity BP / ULCL establishment process. The AMF entity can select the corresponding I-SMF entity in non-roaming scenarios based on information such as DNN, NSSAI, and DNAI.
[0078] By establishing BP / ULCL between the local SMF entity and the visited R-SMF entity, in non-roaming scenarios, the terminal can access the local network through the local UPF entity while simultaneously accessing the remote network through the visited UPF entity. This eliminates the need for interconnection between networks in different regions of the customer.
[0079] In this way, BP / ULCL can be established using local SMF entities and remote SMF entities; the AMF entity uses DNAI as one of the selection criteria for the SMF entity to select the corresponding SMF entity.
[0080] Figure 3 Schematic diagrams illustrating some embodiments of the network access communication method of this disclosure.
[0081] like Figure 3 As shown, in non-roaming scenarios, the AMF entity in province A can select the SMF entity in province B, where the visited network is located, based on information such as DNN, NSSAI, or DNAI, when the terminal in province A is not roaming. Through the establishment of BP / ULCL traffic splitting between the local SMF entity and the remote SMF entity, the terminal in province A can access the local network through the local UPF entity in province A, while simultaneously accessing the network located in remote province B through the UPF entity in province B using the BP / ULCL traffic splitting function.
[0082] In the above embodiments, in non-roaming scenarios, a method for establishing BP / ULCL traffic splitting between local SMF entities and remote SMF entities, local UPF entities and remote UPF entities can be used to enable terminals to simultaneously access networks under different SMF entity service areas by utilizing core network traffic splitting.
[0083] Figure 4 Block diagrams illustrating some embodiments of the communication apparatus for network access according to this disclosure are shown.
[0084] like Figure 4As shown, the network access communication device 4 is located in the local SMF entity and includes: a judgment unit 41, used to determine whether the service to be accessed by the terminal is within its own service range based on the identification information of the service to be accessed when the terminal initiates the service to access the remote network; a sending unit 42, used to send the identification information to the AMF entity when the service is not within its own range; and an establishment unit 43, used to establish mutual access communication between the remote network and the local network with the visited SMF entity based on the relevant information of the visited SMF entity selected according to the identification information returned by the AMF entity.
[0085] In some embodiments, the communication device 4 for network access further includes: a receiving unit 44, configured to receive information reported by the local UPF entity regarding the terminal's first initiation of a service to access the remote network, wherein the local UPF entity reports the information according to the detection policy issued by the local SMF entity.
[0086] In some embodiments, the sending unit 422 initiates a policy update request to the PCF entity; the receiving unit receives the TSC returned by the PCF entity, the TSC including identification information and routing information.
[0087] In some embodiments, the establishment unit 434 establishes a BP / ULCL split with the visited SMF entity so that the terminal can access the local network through the local UPF entity and access the remote network through the visited UPF entity.
[0088] In some embodiments, the sending unit 42 sends a session creation request to the visited SMF entity, the session creation request including identification information; if the visited SMF entity returns a session creation response, the sending unit 42 initiates a split establishment request to BP / ULCL, the session creation response being used to identify that the visited SMF entity and the visited anchor point UPF entity have completed session establishment; the establishment unit 43 and the visited SMF entity perform session update.
[0089] In some embodiments, the sending unit 42 initiates a first session update request to the UPF entity of the local anchor point, the first session update request including relevant information of BP / ULCL; the sending unit 42 initiates a second session update request to the SMF entity of the visited location, the second session update request including relevant information of BP / ULCL; the receiving unit 44 receives a second session update response returned by the SMF entity of the visited location, the second session update response being used to identify that the SMF entity of the visited location initiated a session modification of the UPF entity of the visited anchor point; the sending unit 42 replies to the AMF entity with the first session update response.
[0090] In some embodiments, the identification information of the service includes DNAI, DNN, or NSSAI.
[0091] Figure 5Block diagrams illustrating other embodiments of the communication apparatus for network access disclosed herein.
[0092] like Figure 5 As shown, the network access communication device 5 of this embodiment includes: a memory 51 and a processor 52 coupled to the memory 51. The processor 52 is configured to execute the network access communication method in any embodiment of this disclosure based on instructions stored in the memory 51.
[0093] The memory 51 may include, for example, system memory, fixed non-volatile storage media, etc. The system memory stores, for example, the operating system, application programs, a boot loader, a database, and other programs.
[0094] Figure 6 Block diagrams illustrating further embodiments of the communication apparatus for network access according to this disclosure are shown.
[0095] like Figure 6 As shown, the network access communication device 6 of this embodiment includes: a memory 610 and a processor 620 coupled to the memory 610. The processor 620 is configured to execute the network access communication method of any of the foregoing embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory 610.
[0096] The memory 610 may include, for example, system memory, fixed non-volatile storage media, etc. The system memory may store, for example, the operating system, application programs, a boot loader, and other programs.
[0097] The communication device 6 for network access may also include an input / output interface 630, a network interface 640, and a storage interface 650. These interfaces 630, 640, and 650, as well as the memory 610 and processor 620, can be connected, for example, via a bus 660. The input / output interface 630 provides a connection interface for input / output devices such as monitors, mice, keyboards, touchscreens, microphones, and speakers. The network interface 640 provides a connection interface for various networked devices. The storage interface 650 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as SD cards and USB flash drives.
[0098] Figure 7 Schematic diagrams illustrating some embodiments of the network access communication system of this disclosure.
[0099] like Figure 7As shown, the network access communication system 7 includes: a local SMF entity 71, used to execute the network access communication method in any of the above embodiments; an AMF entity 72, used to select a visited SMF entity 73 according to the identification information of the service to be accessed by the terminal sent by the local SMF entity 71; and a visited SMF entity 73, used to establish mutual access communication between the remote network and the local network with the local SMF entity 72.
[0100] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this disclosure can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this disclosure can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this disclosure can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable non-transitory storage media containing computer-usable program code, including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.
[0101] The communication methods, devices, and systems for network access according to this disclosure have been described in detail above. To avoid obscuring the concept of this disclosure, some details known in the art have not been described. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.
[0102] The methods and systems of this disclosure may be implemented in many ways. For example, they may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination of software, hardware, and firmware. The above-described order of steps for the methods is for illustrative purposes only, and the steps of the methods of this disclosure are not limited to the order specifically described above unless otherwise specifically stated. Furthermore, in some embodiments, this disclosure may also be implemented as a program recorded on a recording medium, the program including machine-readable instructions for implementing the methods according to this disclosure. Thus, this disclosure also covers recording media storing programs for performing the methods according to this disclosure.
[0103] While specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail by way of example, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A network communication method for inter-network communication, applied in non-roaming scenarios, comprising: When a terminal initiates a service to access a remote network, the Local Session Management Function (SMF) entity determines whether the service to be accessed by the terminal is within its service scope based on the identification information of the service to be accessed by the terminal. If the service is not within its own scope, the local SMF entity sends the identification information to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity. The local SMF entity establishes a branch node / uplink classifier (BP / ULCL) traffic split with the visited SMF entity based on the relevant information of the visited SMF entity selected according to the identification information returned by the AMF entity, so that the terminal can access the local network through the local UPF entity and access the remote network through the visited UPF entity.
2. The communication method according to claim 1 further includes: The local SMF entity receives information from the local User Plane Function Entity (UPF) entity regarding the terminal's first-time initiation of a service to access a remote network, and the local UPF entity reports this information according to the detection policy issued by the local SMF entity.
3. The communication method according to claim 2 further includes: The local SMF entity initiates a policy update request to the policy control function PCF entity; The local SMF entity receives the Traffic Orientation Control Policy (TSC) returned by the PCF entity, and the TSC includes the identification information and routing information.
4. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein, The establishment of branch node / uplink classifier (BP / ULCL) traffic splitting between the local SMF entity and the visited SMF entity includes: The local SMF entity sends a session creation request to the visited SMF entity, the session creation request including the identification information; If the visited SMF entity returns a session creation response, the local SMF entity initiates a traffic splitting establishment request to the BP / ULCL. The session creation response is used to indicate that the visited SMF entity and the visited anchor point UPF entity have completed the session establishment. The local SMF entity and the visited SMF entity perform a session update.
5. The communication method according to claim 4, wherein, The session update between the local SMF entity and the visited SMF entity includes: The local SMF entity initiates a first session update request to the UPF entity of the local anchor point. The first session update request includes relevant information about the BP / ULCL. The local SMF entity initiates a second session update request to the visited SMF entity, the second session update request including the relevant information of the BP / ULCL; The local SMF entity receives a second session update response returned by the visited SMF entity. The second session update response is used to identify that the visited SMF entity has initiated a UPF entity session modification for the visited anchor point. The local SMF entity replies to the AMF entity with a first session update response.
6. The communication method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The identification information for the service includes the Data Network Access Identifier (DNAI), the Data Network Name (DNN), or the Network Slice Selection Auxiliary Information (NSSAI).
7. A network communication device for non-roaming scenarios, wherein the communication device is located in a local session management function (SMF) entity, comprising: The judgment unit is used to determine whether the service to be accessed by the terminal is within its own service scope based on the identification information of the service to be accessed by the terminal when the terminal initiates the service to access the remote network. The sending unit is configured to send the identification information to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity when the service is not within its own scope; The establishment unit is used to establish a branch node / uplink classifier (BP / ULCL) traffic splitting with the visited SMF entity based on the relevant information of the visited SMF entity selected according to the identification information returned by the AMF entity, so that the terminal can access the local network through the local UPF entity and access the remote network through the visited UPF entity.
8. The communication device according to claim 7, further comprising: The receiving unit is used to receive information reported by the local User Plane Function Entity (UPF) entity regarding the terminal's first-time initiation of a service to access a remote network. The local UPF entity reports this information according to the detection policy issued by the local SMF entity.
9. A communication device for network access, comprising: Memory; and A processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the network access communication method of any one of claims 1-6 based on instructions stored in the memory.
10. A network communication system, comprising: A Local Session Management Function (SMF) entity for performing the network access communication method as described in any one of claims 1-6; The Mobility Management Function (AMF) entity is used to select the visited SMF entity based on the identification information of the service that the terminal wants to access, sent by the local SMF entity. Visit the local SMF entity for establishing branch node / uplink classifier (BP) / ULCL traffic splitting with the local SMF entity.
11. A non-volatile computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the network access communication method according to any one of claims 1-6.