Edge network configuration method and apparatus, electronic device, and computer readable medium

Abstract

The method comprises the following steps: receiving a network configuration request sent by a central UPF, wherein the network configuration request comprises MEC identification and external network address information; determining a target MEC platform according to the MEC identification, and sending a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request; receiving private network address information fed back by the target MEC platform according to the private network address data collection request; mapping the external network address information and the private network address information, and feeding back a mapping result to the target MEC platform and a first user, so that the first user informs a user equipment to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result. The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can realize automatic configuration of an application deployed on an MEC platform, and the IP and bandwidth accessible by an external network can be configured automatically, without manual configuration, thereby saving labor cost, and improving network configuration efficiency and reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the fields of network technology and security, and in particular to an edge network configuration method, apparatus, electronic device and computer-readable medium. Background Technology

[0002] MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) is based on edge networks and edge computing resources, providing a modular combination of connectivity, computing, capabilities, and applications to offer services to users from the nearest available location. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the MEC platform can simultaneously support application deployment in the form of virtual machines (VMs) or containers (containers). It provides container-like services based on Kubernetes and IaaS layer services based on OpenStack, meeting customers' needs to create VMs and deploy their business applications themselves by calling IaaS layer interfaces.

[0003] Virtual machines (VMs) are multiple independent cloud hosts virtualized on physical host nodes using QEMU+KVM technology. Each VM can be configured with features such as the number of vCPU cores, memory, root disk size, image, data disk size, and virtual network. Currently, when customer applications are deployed as VMs on the MEC platform, operations and maintenance personnel need to manually configure the network channels between the customer application's VPC and 5GC / UPF on the MEC platform; automatic configuration is not supported. This places a significant burden on operations and maintenance personnel when business volume is high.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a new edge network configuration method, apparatus, electronic device, and computer-readable medium.

[0005] The information disclosed in the background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an edge network configuration method, apparatus, electronic device, and computer-readable medium, which can automatically configure the IP address and bandwidth accessible from the external network for applications deployed on the MEC platform, eliminating the need for manual configuration, saving labor costs, and thereby improving network configuration efficiency and reliability.

[0007] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part from practice of this disclosure.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an edge network configuration method is proposed, executed by a network data analysis network element. The method includes: receiving a network configuration request sent by a central UPF, the network configuration request including an MEC identifier and external network address information, the network configuration request being received by the central UPF from a first user and forwarded; determining a target MEC platform based on the MEC identifier, and sending a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request; receiving private network address information fed back by the target MEC platform according to the private network address data collection request; mapping the external network address information to the private network address information, and feeding back the mapping result to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user notifies a user equipment to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result.

[0009] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the network configuration request further includes the identification code of the user equipment; wherein, sending a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request includes: authenticating the network configuration request based on the identification code of the user equipment, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information; if the authentication result is successful, then sending a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request.

[0010] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, mapping the external network address information to the private network address information includes: determining a target application based on the external network address information; determining target private network address information in the private network address based on the private network address range of the target application; and mapping the external network address information to the target private network address information.

[0011] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the method further includes: periodically collecting external network address information of the 5GC network element and private network address information of the target MEC platform; if a change is detected in the external network address information and the private network address information, updating the mapping result according to the changed external network address information and the private network address information.

[0012] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the method further includes: sending the mapping result to the edge UPF so that the edge UPF configures policy routing according to the mapping result, and upon receiving an access request from the user equipment, determining the private network address information to be accessed according to the external network address information to be accessed in the access request and the policy routing, and accessing the MEC platform according to the private network address information to be accessed.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an edge network configuration method is proposed, executed by a target MEC platform. The method includes: receiving a private network address data collection request sent by a network data analysis network element, wherein the private network address data collection request is generated and sent by the network data analysis network element after determining the target MEC platform based on the MEC identifier in the network configuration request; the network configuration request also includes external network address information; the network configuration request is received by a central UPF from a first user and forwarded to the network data analysis network element; and feeding back the private network address information to the network data analysis network element according to the private network address data collection request, so that the network data analysis network element maps the external network address information to the private network address information, and feeds back the mapping result to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user notifies the user equipment to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result.

[0014] In one exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the private network address data collection request includes the identification code of the user equipment, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information; wherein, feeding back the private network address information to the network data analysis network element according to the private network address data collection request includes: authenticating the private network address data collection request based on the identification code of the user equipment, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information; if the authentication result is successful, then feeding back the private network address information to the network data analysis network element.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an edge network configuration system is proposed, the system comprising: a network data analysis network element, configured to receive a network configuration request sent by a central UPF, the network configuration request including an MEC identifier and external network address information, the network configuration request being received by the central UPF from a first user and forwarded thereafter; determine a target MEC platform based on the MEC identifier, and send a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request; receive private network address information fed back by the target MEC platform according to the private network address data collection request; map the external network address information to the private network address information, and feed back the mapping result to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user notifies a user device to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result; and a target MEC platform, configured to receive the private network address data collection request sent by the network data analysis network element; and send private network address information to the network data analysis network element according to the private network address data collection request.

[0016] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, comprising: one or more processors; a storage device for storing one or more programs; and, when the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, causing the one or more processors to implement the edge network configuration method described in any of the preceding claims.

[0017] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the edge network configuration method as described in any of the preceding claims.

[0018] According to certain embodiments of the edge network configuration method, apparatus, electronic device, and computer-readable medium provided in this disclosure, a network data analysis network element receives a network configuration request sent by a receiving center UPF, determines a target MEC platform based on the MEC identifier in the network configuration request, and sends a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request. After receiving the private network address information fed back by the target MEC platform according to the private network address data collection request, the network data analysis network element maps the external network address information with the private network address information. By leveraging the data analysis function of the network data analysis network element, it can automatically configure network addresses accessible from the external network for applications deployed on the MEC platform, and feed back the mapping results to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user can notify the user device to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping results. This edge network configuration method eliminates the need for manual configuration, saving labor costs and thus improving network configuration efficiency and reliability.

[0019] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and do not limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure. The drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art will be able to derive other drawings from these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a diagram of an MEC system architecture illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an edge network configuration method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3This is a flowchart illustrating an edge network configuration method according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a system architecture diagram illustrating an edge network configuration method according to yet another exemplary embodiment.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an edge network configuration method according to yet another exemplary embodiment.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating an edge network configuration apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] Figure 7 The diagram schematically illustrates a block diagram of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that the invention will be thorough and complete, and the concept of the exemplary embodiments will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar parts, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted.

[0029] The described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Numerous specific details are provided in the following description to give a full understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the technical solutions of the invention can be practiced by omitting one or more specific details, or other methods, components, apparatuses, steps, etc. In other instances, well-known methods, apparatuses, implementations, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the invention.

[0030] The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the invention; the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts, and therefore repeated descriptions of them will be omitted. Some block diagrams shown in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities can be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different network and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0031] The flowchart shown in the accompanying drawings is merely illustrative and does not necessarily include all content and steps, nor does it require execution in the described order. For example, some steps may be broken down, while others may be combined or partially combined; therefore, the actual execution order may change depending on the specific circumstances.

[0032] When a 5G terminal needs to access an application deployed on an MEC platform via an edge UPF, network data needs to be routed through the edge UPF to the virtual machine where the application resides. To improve network configuration efficiency and reliability, the need for automated edge network link activation is becoming increasingly significant. Therefore, a new edge network configuration method, device, electronic device, and computer-readable medium are required.

[0033] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating an edge network configuration method according to an exemplary embodiment. The edge network configuration method provided in this disclosure can be executed by a Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF). The edge network configuration method provided in this disclosure may include steps S202 to S208.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown, in step S202, a network configuration request sent by the central UPF is received. The network configuration request includes the MEC identifier and external network address information. The network configuration request is received by the central UPF from the first user and forwarded.

[0036] Among them, the central UPF, for example Figure 1 The central UPF140. UPF stands for User Port Function. The User Port Function adapts specific UNI requirements to core functions and system management functions. The first user, for example, is an account manager responsible for providing external network addresses. For instance, the first user communicates with the MEC operations center through their user equipment (…). Figure 1 After ordering new external network address information, NWDAF (130) generates a network configuration request based on the external network address information and the MEC identifier. The MEC identifier is used to identify different MEC platforms. In this embodiment, NWDAF can have communication links with one or more MEC platforms to provide the edge network configuration method of this embodiment. The external network address information may include an external IP address range and bandwidth.

[0037] In step S204, the target MEC platform is determined based on the MEC identifier, and a private network address data collection request is sent to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request.

[0038] The target MEC platform can be identified from one or more MEC platforms based on the MEC identifier. Each MEC platform can be configured with one or more applications (APPs), which can be deployed, for example, on... Figure 1Within virtual machine 110 or container 120. Applications include, for example, business applications deployed by the customer within the MEC platform. The private network address data collection request is used to collect the private network address information of each application deployed within the target MCE platform.

[0039] In step S206, the private network address information fed back by the target MEC platform according to the private network address data collection request is received.

[0040] Upon receiving a private network address data collection request, the target MEC platform can integrate and feed back the private network address information of each application within the platform. This private network address information may include, for example, private IP addresses and...

[0041] In step S208, the external network address information is mapped to the private network address information, and the mapping result is fed back to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user can notify the user device to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result.

[0042] Among them, the network data analysis element has data analysis function, which can map external network address information and private network address information based on the data analysis function of the network data analysis element to obtain the mapping result.

[0043] According to the edge network configuration method provided in this disclosure, a network data analysis network element receives a network configuration request sent by a receiving center UPF, determines the target MEC platform based on the MEC identifier in the network configuration request, and sends a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request. After receiving the private network address information fed back by the target MEC platform according to the private network address data collection request, the network data analysis network element maps the external network address information with the private network address information. By leveraging the data analysis function of the network data analysis network element, it can automatically configure network addresses accessible from the external network for applications deployed on the MEC platform, and feed back the mapping results to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user can notify the user device to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping results. This edge network configuration method eliminates the need for manual configuration, saving labor costs and thus improving network configuration efficiency and reliability.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the network configuration request may further include the identification code of the user equipment; wherein, when sending a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request, the process may include: authenticating the network configuration request based on the identification code of the user equipment, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information; if the authentication result is successful, then sending a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request.

[0045] User equipment identification codes, such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI).

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, when mapping the external network address information to the private network address information, a target application can be determined based on the external network address information; target private network address information can be determined from the private network address based on the private network address range of the target application; and the external network address information and the target private network address information can be mapped.

[0047] The private network address information returned by the target MEC platform may include the private network address information of one or more applications deployed on the target MEC platform. Each application may have a preset private network address range, and the target private network address information can be determined from the private network address information returned by the target MEC platform based on the preset address range of each application.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the external network address information of the 5GC network element and the private network address information of the target MEC platform can also be collected periodically; if a change is detected in the external network address information and the private network address information, the mapping result is updated according to the changed external network address information and the private network address information.

[0049] The external network address information may change in the following situation: when the account manager (i.e., the first user) orders new external network address information from the MEC Operations Center 130. Specifically, if the external network address information is found to be missing or unavailable during the mapping process, an alarm message can be initiated on the target MEC platform to remind the account manager to order new external network address information again (i.e., provide the changed external network address information).

[0050] Private network address information may change when an application is added or deleted in the target MEC platform.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, the mapping result may also be sent to the edge UPF so that the edge UPF can configure policy routing according to the mapping result, and when it receives the access request from the user equipment, determine the private network address information to be accessed according to the external network address information to be accessed in the access request and the policy routing, and access the MEC platform according to the private network address information to be accessed.

[0052] Edge UPF, for example Figure 1 The winning bid number is 150. Figure 1 User terminal 160 accesses the target MEC, for example, through an edge UPF. The edge UPF can route the user terminal's access request to the virtual machine 110 where the target application resides, according to the configured policy routing. Specifically, the policy routing includes a mapping relationship between external network address information and private network address information. By matching the external network address information to be accessed in the access request with the policy routing, the corresponding private network address information to be accessed in the access request is determined.

[0053] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating an edge network configuration method according to another exemplary embodiment. The edge network configuration method provided in this disclosure can be executed by a target MEC platform. The edge network configuration method provided in this disclosure may include steps S302 to S304.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, in step S302, a private network address data collection request sent by the network data analysis network element is received. The private network address data collection request is generated and sent by the network data analysis network element after determining the target MEC platform according to the MEC identifier in the network configuration request. The network configuration request also includes external network address information. The network configuration request is received by the central UPF from the first user and forwarded to the network data analysis network element.

[0055] The network configuration request received by the network data analysis network element may also include the user equipment identification code. The private network address data collection request may be sent by the network data analysis network element to the target MEC platform after authenticating the network configuration request based on the user equipment identification code, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information, and the authentication result is successful.

[0056] In step S304, the private network address information is fed back to the network data analysis network element according to the private network address data collection request, so that the network data analysis network element can map the external network address information with the private network address information, and feed back the mapping result to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user can notify the user equipment to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the private network address data collection request may include the user equipment identification code, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information. When feeding back the private network address information to the network data analysis network element according to the private network address data collection request, the private network address data collection request may be authenticated based on the user equipment identification code, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information; if the authentication result is successful, the private network address information is fed back to the network data analysis network element.

[0058] Figure 4 This is a system architecture diagram illustrating an edge network configuration method according to yet another exemplary embodiment. (e.g.) Figure 4 As shown, the system architecture of the edge network configuration method provided in this embodiment may include a network data analysis network element 410, an MEC platform 420, and a 5GC network element 430. The MEC platform 420 may include an MEC tenant area 421. The network data analysis network element 410 may include a data acquisition module 411, a data processing module 412, and a system decision module 413. The MEC tenant area 420 may deploy multiple applications. Figure 4 The example shown is client APP1 and client APP2. Different applications have different private network addresses. The 5GC network element 430 may include, for example, an Application Function (AMF), a Service Management Function (SMF), and a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0059] exist Figure 4 In the system architecture of the edge network configuration method shown, the account manager orders an external IP address range and bandwidth from the MEC operations center, and then initiates a network configuration request to the NWDAF via the center's UPF. After the NWDAF authenticates the network configuration request, it collects internal and external IP addresses from the MEC platform and UPF and configures the mapping policy. After the configuration is completed, the result is sent out, and the applications deployed on the MEC platform can be successfully accessed.

[0060] Specifically, in the network data analysis network element 410, the data acquisition module 411 can obtain information data from the 5GC network element 430, the MEC platform, etc.; if the data changes, it is updated in real time.

[0061] The data processing module 412 can perform the following actions: 1) Preprocess the data received from the data acquisition module and extract its identifier. The identifier can be used to identify the user terminal. 2) Configure the mapping strategy between private network address information and external network address information. 3) Transmit the processed data to the system decision module 413.

[0062] The system decision module 413 can perform the following: 1) make decision processing based on the analyzed data (i.e., mapping results) and decide to send the decision to the corresponding application and 5GC network element on the MEC platform; 2) authenticate network policy configuration requests; 3) connect with internal network elements and MEC platform interfaces.

[0063] The executable edge network configuration method in the system architecture of this embodiment may specifically include the following steps S502 to S518.

[0064] The edge network configuration method in this embodiment may have the following preset conditions:

[0065] 1) The account manager orders external IP address ranges and bandwidth from the MEC operations center to allocate to applications on the MEC platform so that they can be accessed.

[0066] 2) Configure policy routing for the edge UPF so that access to edge nodes is via external IP addresses.

[0067] 3) The application deployment on the MEC platform is complete. It is deployed in the form of virtual machines, and the address of each virtual machine is an internal network IP address.

[0068] like Figure 5 As shown, in step S502, the account manager sends a network policy configuration request to the central UPF (the network policy configuration request can be sent to the central UPF via 5GC). The network configuration request carries the MEC ID (i.e., MEC identifier) ​​and the ordered external IP address range and bandwidth.

[0069] When an account manager subscribes to a network configuration request, the session can be directly anchored to the central UPF, and the NWDAF collects the external IP address range and bandwidth from the central UPF.

[0070] In step S504, the central UPF identifies the network policy configuration request and forwards the network policy configuration request and the information it carries (MEC ID and the ordered external IP address range and bandwidth) to the NWDAF.

[0071] In step S506, the NWDAF data acquisition module receives the network policy configuration request and forwards it to the data processing module, which then performs authentication.

[0072] NWDAF is shareable and supports configuring network mapping policies for multiple MEC platforms, identifying different MEC platforms through different MEC IDs.

[0073] In step S508, after authentication is successful, NWDAF sends a private network address data collection request to the MEC platform. This private network address data refers to the IP address assigned to the virtual machine where the application is deployed, for example... Figure 4 The private network IP address ranges and bandwidths of Customer APP1 and Customer APP2.

[0074] In step S510, the MEC platform performs further authentication and, upon successful authentication, sends the private network address information back to NWDAF.

[0075] In step S512, NWDAF configures a mapping strategy for private network address information and external network address information (and external IP address range and bandwidth) based on the collected information;

[0076] In step S514, NWDAF reports the external IP addresses configured for each application to the MEC platform.

[0077] In step S516, each application on the MEC platform is successfully configured with an external IP address and can be accessed from the external network.

[0078] In step S518, NWDAF provides feedback to the account manager regarding the external IP addresses configured for each application on the MEC platform, thus concluding the network configuration process.

[0079] After network configuration is complete, the account manager will notify the contracted users (i.e., user equipment) that they can now access the applications deployed on the MEC platform. User equipment can access applications on the MEC platform via the edge UPF. 5G UEs can access applications deployed on the MEC platform via their configured external IP address.

[0080] Currently, no specific implementation of NWDAF exists in related technologies. This application, without altering the closed-loop interaction process between 3GPP NWDAF and other network elements, innovatively proposes an internal module and its interaction logic for NWDAF. This enables applications deployed on the MEC platform to automatically configure network addresses accessible from the external network, eliminating the need for manual configuration and significantly improving network configuration efficiency and accuracy. Furthermore, this application introduces an NWDAF network element into MEC service scenarios and integrates modules for network data analysis, processing, and decision-making. It can update and distribute network policies in real time, and promptly update policies when applications are added or deleted on the MEC platform, further improving efficiency.

[0081] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to all scenarios that require MEC services, such as industrial internet, commercial complexes (cloud gaming, VR live streaming), facial recognition, video surveillance, etc.; with the rapid deployment of edge networks, network configuration automation and intelligent management of enterprise parks can be achieved.

[0082] This application primarily describes a network configuration scheme for customer applications deployed in virtual machine (VM) form. When the customer application is deployed in container form, an IP path can be established between the UPF and the Kubernetes Worker nodes. The proposed scheme automatically configures external IP addresses for the Worker nodes.

[0083] The technical solution provided in this application has strong versatility and replicability, which helps MEC products to be quickly commercialized and promoted.

[0084] It should be clearly understood that this disclosure describes how specific examples are formed and used, but the principles of this disclosure are not limited to any details of these examples. Rather, based on the teachings of this disclosure, these principles can be applied to many other embodiments.

[0085] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above embodiments are implemented as a computer program executed by a central processing unit (CPU). When the computer program is executed by the CPU, it performs the functions defined by the methods provided in this disclosure. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as a read-only memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0086] Furthermore, it should be noted that the above figures are merely illustrative of the processes included in the method according to exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, and are not intended to be limiting. It is readily understood that the processes shown in the above figures do not indicate or limit the temporal order of these processes. Additionally, it is readily understood that these processes may be executed synchronously or asynchronously, for example, in multiple modules.

[0087] The following are embodiments of the apparatus disclosed herein, which can be used to execute embodiments of the method disclosed herein. For details not disclosed in the apparatus embodiments of this disclosure, please refer to the embodiments of the method disclosed herein.

[0088] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating an edge network configuration system according to an exemplary embodiment. (Refer to...) Figure 6 The edge network configuration system 60 provided in this embodiment may include: a network data analysis element 602 and a target MEC platform 604.

[0089] In the edge network configuration system 60, the network data analysis network element 602 can be used to receive network configuration requests sent by the central UPF. The network configuration request includes an MEC identifier and external network address information. The network configuration request is received by the central UPF from the first user and forwarded. Based on the MEC identifier, the system determines the target MEC platform and sends a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request. The system receives the private network address information fed back by the target MEC platform according to the private network address data collection request. The system maps the external network address information to the private network address information and feeds back the mapping result to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user can notify the user equipment to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result.

[0090] The target MEC platform 604 can be used to receive the private network address data collection request sent by the network data analysis network element; and send private network address information to the network data analysis network element according to the private network address data collection request.

[0091] According to the edge network configuration system provided in this embodiment, the network data analysis network element receives a network configuration request sent by the receiving center UPF, determines the target MEC platform based on the MEC identifier in the network configuration request, and sends a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request. After receiving the private network address information fed back by the target MEC platform according to the private network address data collection request, the network data analysis network element maps the external network address information with the private network address information. With the help of the data analysis function of the network data analysis network element, it can automatically configure network addresses accessible from the external network for applications deployed on the MEC platform, and feed back the mapping result to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user can notify the user device to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result. This edge network configuration system eliminates the need for manual configuration, saving labor costs and thus improving network configuration efficiency and reliability.

[0092] In an exemplary embodiment, the network configuration request further includes the identification code of the user equipment; wherein, when the network data analysis network element 602 sends a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request, it may include: a first authentication module, which can be used to authenticate the network configuration request according to the identification code of the user equipment, the MEC identifier and the external network address information; and a data collection request sending module, which can be used to send a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request if the authentication result is successful.

[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, when the network data analysis element 602 maps the external network address information to the private network address information, it may include: an application determination module, which can be used to determine a target application based on the external network address information; a private network address information positioning module, which can be used to determine the target private network address information in the private network address based on the private network address segment of the target application; and an address mapping module, which can be used to map the external network address information and the target private network address information.

[0094] In an exemplary embodiment, the network data analysis network element 602 can also be used to: periodically collect the external network address information of the 5GC network element and the private network address information of the target MEC platform; if a change is detected in the external network address information and the private network address information, the mapping result is updated according to the changed external network address information and the private network address information.

[0095] In an exemplary embodiment, the network data analysis element 602 can also be used to: send the mapping result to the edge UPF so that the edge UPF can configure policy routing according to the mapping result, and when receiving the access request from the user equipment, determine the private network address information to be accessed according to the external network address information to be accessed in the access request and the policy routing, and access the MEC platform according to the private network address information to be accessed.

[0096] In an exemplary embodiment, the private network address data collection request includes the user equipment identification code, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information; wherein, when the target MEC platform 604 feeds back the private network address information to the network data analysis network element according to the private network address data collection request, it may include: a second authentication module, which can be used to authenticate the private network address data collection request according to the user equipment identification code, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information; and an address feedback module, which can be used to feed back the private network address information to the network data analysis network element if the authentication result is successful.

[0097] The following reference Figure 7 To describe an electronic device 700 according to this embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 The electronic device 700 shown is merely an example and should not impose any limitations on the functionality and scope of use of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0098] like Figure 7As shown, the electronic device 700 is manifested in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of the electronic device 700 may include, but are not limited to: at least one processing unit 710, at least one storage unit 720, and a bus 730 connecting different system components (including storage unit 720 and processing unit 710).

[0099] The storage unit stores program code that can be executed by the processing unit 710, causing the processing unit 710 to perform the steps described in the "Exemplary Methods" section of this specification according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. For example, the processing unit 710 can perform actions such as... Figure 2 or Figure 3 or Figure 5 The steps are shown in the figure.

[0100] Storage unit 720 may include a readable medium in the form of a volatile storage unit, such as random access memory (RAM) 7201 and / or cache memory 7202, and may further include a read-only memory (ROM) 7203.

[0101] The storage unit 720 may also include a program / utility 7204 having a set (at least one) program module 7205, such program module 7205 including but not limited to: an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules and program data, each or some combination of these examples may include an implementation of a network environment.

[0102] Bus 730 can represent one or more of several types of bus structures, including a memory cell bus or memory cell controller, a peripheral bus, a graphics acceleration port, a processing unit, or a local bus using any of the various bus structures.

[0103] Electronic device 700 can also communicate with one or more external devices 800 (e.g., keyboard, pointing device, Bluetooth device, etc.), and with one or more devices that enable a user to interact with electronic device 700, and / or with any device that enables electronic device 700 to communicate with one or more other computing devices (e.g., router, modem, etc.). This communication can be performed via input / output (I / O) interface 750. Furthermore, electronic device 700 can also communicate with one or more networks (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and / or public networks, such as the Internet) via network adapter 760. As shown, network adapter 760 communicates with other modules of electronic device 700 via bus 730. It should be understood that, although not shown in the figures, other hardware and / or software modules can be used in conjunction with electronic device 700, including but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems.

[0104] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the exemplary embodiments described herein can be implemented by software or by combining software with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solutions according to the embodiments of this disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (such as a CD-ROM, USB flash drive, external hard drive, etc.) or on a network, including several instructions to cause a computing device (such as a personal computer, server, terminal device, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods according to the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0105] In exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, on which a program product capable of implementing the methods described above is stored. In some possible embodiments, various aspects of the invention may also be implemented as a program product comprising program code that, when the program product is run on a terminal device, causes the terminal device to perform the steps of the various exemplary embodiments of the invention described in the "Exemplary Methods" section of this specification.

[0106] The program product may employ any combination of one or more readable media. A readable medium may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. A readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples of readable storage media (a non-exhaustive list) include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0107] Computer-readable signal media may include data signals propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. A readable signal medium may also be any readable medium other than a readable storage medium, capable of sending, propagating, or transmitting programs for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0108] The program code contained on the readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0109] Program code for performing the operations of this invention can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java and C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as C or similar languages. The program code can execute entirely on the user's computing device, partially on the user's device, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computing device and partially on a remote computing device, or entirely on a remote computing device or server. In cases involving remote computing devices, the remote computing device can be connected to the user's computing device via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or it can be connected to an external computing device (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0110] Furthermore, the above figures are merely illustrative of the processes included in the method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting. It is readily understood that the processes shown in the above figures do not indicate or limit the temporal order of these processes. Additionally, it is readily understood that these processes may be executed synchronously or asynchronously, for example, in multiple modules.

[0111] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and concept of this disclosure are indicated by the claims.

Claims

1. An edge network configuration method, characterized in that, The method, executed by a network data analysis element, includes: The network configuration request sent by the receiving center UPF includes the MEC identifier and the external network address information of the target application. The network configuration request is received by the center UPF from the first user and forwarded by the center UPF. The target MEC platform is determined based on the MEC identifier, and a private network address data collection request is sent to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request; Receive the private network address information fed back by the target MEC platform in accordance with the private network address data collection request; The external network address information is mapped to the private network address information, and the mapping result is fed back to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user can notify the user device to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The network configuration request also includes the user equipment's identification code; wherein, sending a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request includes: The network configuration request is authenticated based on the user equipment identification code, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information. If the authentication result is successful, a private network address data collection request is sent to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Mapping the external network address information to the private network address information includes: The target application is determined based on the external network address information; The target private network address information is determined from the private network address based on the private network address range of the target application; The external network address information and the target private network address information are mapped.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Periodically collect the external network address information of the 5GC network element and the private network address information of the target MEC platform; If a change is detected in the external network address information and the private network address information, the mapping result is updated according to the changed external network address information and the private network address information.

5. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: The mapping result is sent to the edge UPF so that the edge UPF can configure policy routing according to the mapping result. When the user equipment receives the access request, the edge UPF determines the private network address information to be accessed according to the external network address information to be accessed in the access request and the policy routing, and accesses the MEC platform according to the private network address information to be accessed.

6. An edge network configuration method, characterized in that, The method, executed by the target MEC platform, includes: The network data analysis network element receives a private network address data collection request. The private network address data collection request is generated and sent by the network data analysis network element after determining the target MEC platform based on the MEC identifier in the network configuration request. The network configuration request also includes the external network address information of the target application. The network configuration request is received by the central UPF from the first user and forwarded to the network data analysis network element. The private network address information is fed back to the network data analysis network element according to the private network address data collection request, so that the network data analysis network element can map the external network address information with the private network address information, and feed back the mapping result to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user can notify the user equipment to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The private network address data collection request includes the user equipment identification code, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information; wherein, the feedback of the private network address information to the network data analysis network element according to the private network address data collection request includes: The private network address data collection request is authenticated based on the user equipment identification code, the MEC identifier, and the external network address information. If the authentication result is successful, the private network address information is fed back to the network data analysis element.

8. An edge network configuration system, characterized in that, include: The network data analysis element is used to receive network configuration requests sent by the central UPF. The network configuration request includes the MEC identifier and the external network address information of the target application. The network configuration request is received by the central UPF from the first user and forwarded. The element determines the target MEC platform based on the MEC identifier and sends a private network address data collection request to the target MEC platform according to the network configuration request. Receive the private network address information fed back by the target MEC platform in accordance with the private network address data collection request; The external network address information is mapped to the private network address information, and the mapping result is fed back to the target MEC platform and the first user, so that the first user can notify the user device to access the target MEC platform according to the mapping result; The target MEC platform is used to receive the private network address data collection request sent by the network data analysis network element; The private network address information is sent to the network data analysis network element according to the private network address data collection request.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that, include: At least one processor; Storage device for storing at least one program; When the at least one program is executed by the at least one processor, the at least one processor implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.

10. A computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program is executed by the processor, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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