A communication method, device, server, and storage medium

Abstract

This invention provides a communication method, apparatus, server, and storage medium, relating to the field of communication technology. It addresses the technical problem in related technologies where the selection process of the home network's UPF (User-Defined Function) during data interaction between a UE and the data network in its home network may be unreasonable, potentially affecting the efficiency of service data transmission and reception and reducing the user's communication experience. The method includes: receiving a PDU session establishment request from the visited SMF (Service-Defined Function), the PDU session establishment request including the identifier of the visited PLMN (Personal Network Node), the PDU establishment request being used to request the establishment of a home PDU session; determining a target ULCL from multiple home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN; and sending a traffic splitting policy to the target ULCL, the traffic splitting policy instructing the target ULCL to split the target uplink data packet to the home network EHE (Electronic Home Network Node) upon receiving the target uplink data packet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device, server, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, when a user equipment (UE) roams in a visited network, the UE can interact with the data network in its home network via a home user plane function (UPF). Specifically, the UE can send service data to the visited UPF through a base station. After receiving the service data, the visited UPF can forward it to the home UPF, which in turn can forward it to the data network.

[0003] However, in the above method, the home UPF may be arbitrarily selected by the home session management function (SMF) from multiple UPFs included in the home network. This selection of the home UPF may be unreasonable; for example, the distance between the UE and the home UPF may be too great, meaning the UE needs to travel a long distance to reach the home UPF and then the aforementioned data network. This could affect the efficiency of sending and receiving service data and reduce the user's communication experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a communication method, apparatus, server, and storage medium, which solves the technical problem in related technologies that the selection process of the home network UPF when the UE interacts with the data network in the home network may be unreasonable, which may affect the efficiency of sending and receiving service data and reduce the user's communication experience.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a communication method, comprising: receiving a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request from a visited SMF (Site Management Provider), the PDU session establishment request including an identifier of the visited public land mobile network (PLMN), the PDU establishment request being used to request the establishment of a home PDU session; determining a target ULCL from multiple home uplink classifiers (ULCLs) based on the identifier of the visited PLMN; sending a traffic offloading policy to the target ULCL, the traffic offloading policy including the Internet Protocol (IP) address of a target edge application server (EAS), the traffic offloading policy being used to instruct the target ULCL to offload the target uplink data packet to the edge home environment (EHE) upon receiving the target uplink data packet, the destination address included in the target uplink data packet being the IP address of the target EAS, the target EAS being a server included in the home EHE.

[0006] Optionally, the above communication method further includes: determining the target UPF from multiple home UPFs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN; sending the IP address of the target UPF to the target ULCL so that the target ULCL establishes a communication connection with the target UPF.

[0007] Optionally, the aforementioned PDU session establishment request also includes the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice. The communication method further includes: sending a subscription information query request to the home unified data management (UDM), the subscription information query request including the identifier of the UE, the name of the home data network, and the identifier of the target network slice, the subscription information query request being used to request a query of the UE's subscription information; determining the target ULCL from multiple home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN specifically includes: when the UE's subscription information includes the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice, determining the target ULCL from the multiple home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN.

[0008] Optionally, the above communication method further includes: sending a PDU session establishment response to the visited SMF, the PDU session establishment response including the IP address of the target ULCL and the IP address of the target edge application server discovery function (EASDF), the target EAS being used to resolve the domain name of the target EAS to obtain the IP address of the target EAS.

[0009] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a communication method, comprising: receiving a traffic splitting policy sent by a home SMF, the traffic splitting policy including the IP address of a target EAS; and, upon receiving a target uplink data packet sent by a visited UPF, splitting the target uplink data packet to a home EHE, wherein the destination address included in the target uplink data packet is the IP address of the target EAS, and the target EAS is a server included in the home EHE.

[0010] Optionally, the above communication method further includes: receiving the IP address of the target UPF sent by the home SMF; and, upon receiving other uplink data packets, sending the other uplink data packets to the target UPF so that the target UPF sends the other uplink data packets to the home data network, wherein the destination address included in the other uplink data packets is not the IP address of the target EAS.

[0011] Thirdly, the present invention provides a communication apparatus, comprising: a receiving module, a determining module, and a sending module; the receiving module is configured to receive a PDU session establishment request from a visited SMF for a UE, the PDU session establishment request including an identifier of a visited PLMN, the PDU establishment request being used to request the establishment of a home PDU session; the determining module is configured to determine a target ULCL from a plurality of home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN; the sending module is configured to send a traffic splitting policy to the target ULCL, the traffic splitting policy including the IP address of a target EAS, the traffic splitting policy being used to instruct the target ULCL to split the target uplink data packet to the home EHE upon receiving the target uplink data packet, the destination address included in the target uplink data packet being the IP address of the target EAS, the target EAS being a server included in the home EHE.

[0012] Optionally, the determining module is further configured to determine the target UPF from multiple home UPFs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN; the sending module is further configured to send the IP address of the target UPF to the target ULCL so that the target ULCL can establish a communication connection with the target UPF.

[0013] Optionally, the aforementioned PDU session establishment request further includes the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice; the sending module is further configured to send a subscription information query request to the home UDM, the subscription information query request including the identifier of the UE, the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice, the subscription information query request being used to request a query of the UE's subscription information; the determining module is specifically configured to, when the UE's subscription information includes the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice, determine the target ULCL from the plurality of home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN.

[0014] Optionally, the sending module is further configured to send a PDU session establishment response to the visited SMF. The PDU session establishment response includes the IP address of the target ULCL and the IP address of the target EASDF. The target EASDF is used to resolve the domain name of the target EAS to obtain the IP address of the target EAS.

[0015] Fourthly, the present invention provides a communication device, comprising: a receiving module and a transmitting module;

[0016] The receiving module is used to receive the diversion policy sent by the home SMF, which includes the IP address of the target EAS; the sending module is used to divert the target uplink data packet to the home EHE when it receives the target uplink data packet sent by the visited UPF, where the destination address in the target uplink data packet is the IP address of the target EAS, and the target EAS is a server included in the home EHE.

[0017] Optionally, the receiving module is further configured to receive the IP address of the target UPF sent by the home SMF; the sending module is further configured to send other uplink data packets to the target UPF when other uplink data packets are received, so that the target UPF sends the other uplink data packets to the home data network, wherein the destination address included in the other uplink data packets is not the IP address of the target EAS.

[0018] Fifthly, the present invention provides a server, comprising: a processor and a memory configured to store processor-executable instructions; wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to implement any of the optional communication methods of the first aspect above, or to implement any of the optional communication methods of the second aspect above.

[0019] In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a server, enable the server to perform any of the optional communication methods described in the first aspect or any of the optional communication methods described in the second aspect.

[0020] The communication method, apparatus, server, and storage medium provided by this invention allow the home SMF to receive a UE's PDU session establishment request sent by the visited SMF. Based on the identifier of the visited PLMN included in the PDU session establishment request, the home SMF determines a target ULCL from multiple home ULCLs. Then, the home SMF sends a traffic splitting policy to the target ULCL. This policy instructs the target ULCL to split the target uplink data packet to the home EHE upon receiving it (the target data packet includes the destination address of the target EAS). In this invention, since the target ULCL is a home ULCL that is relatively close to the visited network, the home SMF can determine a home ULCL that is close to the visited network for the UE and split (or send) the UE's uplink data packets based on this target ULCL, thereby improving the efficiency of service data transmission and reception and enhancing the communication experience. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The communication method, apparatus, server, and storage medium provided in the embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order of objects.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, used in the description of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0035] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present invention, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that they are examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design options. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0036] The term "and / or" as used in this application includes using either one of two methods or using both methods simultaneously.

[0037] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0038] As described in the background art, in related technologies, the home UPF may be arbitrarily selected by the home SMF from multiple UPFs included in the home network. This selection of the home UPF may be unreasonable; for example, the distance between the UE and the home UPF may be large, meaning the UE needs to travel a considerable distance to reach the home UPF and then the data network. This may affect the efficiency of sending and receiving service data and reduce the user's communication experience. Based on this, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method, apparatus, server, and storage medium. Since the target ULCL is a home ULCL that is closer to the visited network, the home SMF can determine a home ULCL that is closer to the visited network for the UE, and based on this target ULCL, it can distribute (or send) the UE's uplink data packets, thereby improving the efficiency of sending and receiving service data and enhancing the communication experience.

[0039] The communication method, apparatus, server, and storage medium provided in this invention can be applied to communication systems, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes a visited PLMN 10 and a home PLMN 10. The visited PLMN 10 includes a UE 101, a radio access network (RAN) device or an access network (AN) device 102, a visited access and mobility management function (AMF) 103, a visited SMF 104, and a visited UPF 105. The home PLMN 10 includes a home SMF 106, a home ULCL 107, a home UPF 108, a home data network 109, a home EHE 110, a home UDM 111, and a home EASDF 112. Typically, in practical applications, the connection between these devices or service functions can be a wireless connection. To facilitate a clear and intuitive representation of the connection relationships between the devices, Figure 1 Solid lines are used to represent the meaning.

[0040] Specifically, UE 101 can send a PDU session establishment request to (R)AN device 102. The PDU session establishment request may include the name of the home data network 109 and the identifier of the target network slice. The PDU session establishment request is used to request the establishment of a home PDU session.

[0041] (R)AN device 102: Used for UE 101 to access the network. (R)AN device 102 may include base stations, evolved node base stations (eNB), next-generation node base stations (gNB), new radio eNBs, macro base stations, micro base stations, high-frequency base stations or transmission and reception points (TRP), non-3GPP access networks (such as WiFi) and / or non-3GPP interworking functions (N3IWF), etc.

[0042] AMF 103: Used for connection management, mobility relationships, registration management, access authentication and authorization, reachability management, and security context management. In this embodiment of the invention, AMF 103 is also used to determine the visited SMF 104 from a plurality of first SMFs and to determine the home SMF 106 from a plurality of second SMFs.

[0043] SMF (including Visiting SMF 104 and Home SMF 106): used for session management (e.g., session establishment, modification, and release), selection and control of UPF 103, selection of service and session continuity modes, and roaming services, etc. In this embodiment of the invention, Home SMF 106 can determine the target ULCL (i.e., Home ULCL 107) from multiple Home ULCLs based on the identifier of Visiting PLMN 10.

[0044] UPF (including Visited UPF 105 and Home UPF 108): Used to handle user plane related events, such as transmitting or routing packets, inspecting packets, reporting traffic, handling quality of service (QoS), lawful interception, and storing downlink packets.

[0045] Home UDM 111: Used for processing authentication information in 3GPP authentication and key negotiation mechanisms, processing user identity information, access authorization, registration and mobility management, subscription management, and short message management. In this embodiment of the invention, the home UDM 111 is also used to receive a subscription information query request sent by the home SMF 106. The subscription information query request includes the identifier of the UE 101, the name of the home data network, and the identifier of the target network slice. The subscription information query request is used to request the subscription information of the UE.

[0046] In combination with the above Figure 1 The communication system shown below will be described in its entirety from the perspective of the interaction between the various devices in the communication system. This will illustrate the process by which the visited SMF sends a PDU session establishment request to the home SMF and the process by which the target ULCL diverts the target uplink data packet to the home EHE.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, the communication method provided in this embodiment of the invention may include S101-S107.

[0048] S101, UE sends a PDU session establishment request.

[0049] The PDU session establishment request includes the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice. This PDU session establishment request is used to request the establishment of a home PDU session.

[0050] It should be understood that the UE is a UE included in the visited network (or visited PLMN) and the UE is roaming from the home network (or home PLMN) to the visited network.

[0051] It is understood that the aforementioned home PDU session is used to characterize the data transmission channel (or data transmission path) between the UE and the home data network. That is, if the home PDU session is successfully established, the UE can transmit data with the home data network. Specifically, the UE can transmit data with the home data network based on the aforementioned target network slice.

[0052] It should be understood that when a UE sends a PDU session establishment request, it specifically sends the PDU session establishment request to the (R)AN device. After receiving the PDU session establishment request, the (R)AN device will send the PDU session establishment request to the visited AMF.

[0053] In one alternative implementation, the PDU session establishment request may also include the identifier of the home PDU session, the type of the home PDU session, and the session and service continuity mode, etc.

[0054] S102, The visited AMF receives a PDU session establishment request.

[0055] S103. The visited SMF determines the visited SMF from a plurality of first SMFs and the home SMF from a plurality of second SMFs.

[0056] The plurality of first SMFs are SMFs included in the visited network that correspond to the name of the home data network (and / or the identifier of the target network slice), and the plurality of second SMFs are SMFs included in the home network that correspond to the name of the home data network (and / or the identifier of the target network slice).

[0057] In one alternative implementation, the visited AMF can identify the SMF among the plurality of first SMFs that can provide services for the home PDU session as the visited SMF, and identify the SMF among the plurality of second SMFs that can provide services for the home PDU session as the home SMF.

[0058] S104. The visited AMF adds the UE's location information and the home SMF's IP address to the PDU session establishment request, and sends the PDU session establishment request to the visited SMF.

[0059] It should be understood that the visited AMF can obtain the UE's location information from the (R)AN device.

[0060] S105. The visited SMF receives a PDU session establishment request sent by the visited AMF.

[0061] Based on the description of the above embodiments, it should be understood that the PDU session establishment request includes the name of the home data network, the identifier of the target network slice, the location information of the UE, and the IP address of the home SMF. The PDU session establishment request is used to request the establishment of a home PDU session.

[0062] S106. The visited site SMF determines the visited site UPF from multiple UPFs.

[0063] The multiple UPFs mentioned above are the UPFs included in the visited network.

[0064] In one alternative implementation, the visited SMF can obtain the location information of each of the plurality of UPFs and determine the distance between the location information of each UPF and the location information of the UE. Then, the visited SMF can determine the UPF with the smallest distance between its location information and the location information of the UE as the visited UPF.

[0065] In another alternative implementation, the visited SMF can also obtain the load information of each of the multiple UPFs and determine the UPF with the smallest load among the multiple UPFs as the visited UPF.

[0066] It should be understood that after the visited SMF determines the visited UPF, the visited SMF can establish an N4 session with the visited UPF, which specifically means establishing a communication connection with the visited UPF.

[0067] S107. The visited SMF adds the identifier of the visited PLMN and the IP address of the visited UPF to the PDU session establishment request, and sends the PDU session establishment request to the home SMF.

[0068] like Figure 3 As shown, the communication method provided in this embodiment of the invention may include S201-S205.

[0069] S201. The home SMF receives a UE PDU session establishment request sent by the visited SMF.

[0070] The PDU session establishment request includes the identifier of the visited PLMN and is used to request the establishment of a home PDU session.

[0071] Based on the description of the above embodiments, it should be understood that the home PDU session is used to characterize the data transmission channel (or data transmission path) between the UE and the home data network.

[0072] Optionally, the PDU session establishment request may also include the identifier of the home PDU session, the type of the home PDU session, and the session and service continuity mode, etc.

[0073] S202. The Home SMF determines the target ULCL from multiple Home ULCLs based on the identifier of the Visiting PLMN.

[0074] It should be understood that the multiple home ULCLs are the ULCLs included in the aforementioned home network (or home PLMN).

[0075] In one alternative implementation, the home SMF can identify the home ULCL that corresponds to the identifier of the visited PLMN among the multiple home ULCLs as the target ULCL.

[0076] It should be understood that when one of the multiple home ULCLs corresponds to the identifier of the visited PLMN, it indicates that the home ULCL is relatively close to the visited network. In this case, the home SMF can identify the home ULCL as the target ULCL. That is, the home SMF can identify the home ULCL that is relatively close to the visited network among the multiple home ULCLs as the target ULCL.

[0077] In another optional implementation, the PDU session establishment request may further include the UE's location information. When there are at least two home ULCLs corresponding to the identifier of the visited PLMN, the home SMF can obtain the location information of each of the at least two home ULCLs and determine the distance between the location information of each of the at least two home ULCLs and the location information of the UE; then, the home SMF can determine the home ULCL with the smallest distance as the target ULCL.

[0078] In another alternative implementation, when the number of home ULCLs corresponding to the identifier of the visited PLMN is at least two, the home SMF can also obtain the load information of each home ULCL in at least two home ULCLs, and then determine the home ULCL with the smallest load as the target ULCL.

[0079] S203, The home SMF sends a traffic diversion policy to the target ULCL.

[0080] The diversion strategy includes the IP address of the target EAS. This diversion strategy is used to instruct the target ULCL to divert the target uplink data packet to the home EHE when it receives the target uplink data packet. The destination address included in the target uplink data packet is the IP address of the target EAS. The target EAS is a server included in the home EHE.

[0081] It should be understood that after the home SMF identifies the target ULCL, the home SMF can establish an N4 session with the target ULCL, that is, establish a communication connection with the target ULCL.

[0082] Optionally, the aforementioned home data network can be divided into a central part and a local part, and the aforementioned home EHE can be understood as an environment (or system) generated based on the local part.

[0083] S204. The traffic splitting strategy for receiving home SMF transmissions from the target ULCL.

[0084] The traffic diversion strategy includes the IP address of the target EAS.

[0085] Based on the description of the above embodiments, it should be understood that the diversion strategy is used to instruct the target ULCL to divert the target uplink data packet to the home EHE when it receives the target uplink data packet.

[0086] S205. Upon receiving a target uplink data packet sent by the visited UPF, the target ULCL will divert the target uplink data packet to the home EHE.

[0087] The destination address included in the uplink data packet is the IP address of the target EAS, which is a server included in the home EHE.

[0088] It should be understood that the target uplink data packet is the UE's uplink data packet. Specifically, the UE sends the target uplink data packet to the visited UPF through the (R)AN device, and the visited UPF can send the target uplink data packet to the target ULCL after receiving it.

[0089] It is understandable that the target ULCL will offload the target uplink data packet to the home EHE, specifically by offloading (or sending) the target uplink data packet to the target EAS included in the home EHE.

[0090] In one alternative implementation, the target uplink data packet can be service data sent by the UE, that is, the target ULCL can offload (or send) the service data sent by the UE to the home EHE.

[0091] In another alternative implementation, the target uplink data packet can also be a service data retrieval request sent by the UE, which requests the retrieval of service data stored in the target EAS. That is, the target ULCL can offload (or send) the service data retrieval request sent by the UE to the home EHE.

[0092] The technical solution provided by the above embodiments can bring at least the following beneficial effects: As shown in S201-S205, the home SMF can receive the UE's PDU session establishment request sent by the visited SMF, and determine the target ULCL from multiple home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN included in the PDU session establishment request; then the home SMF can send a traffic splitting policy to the target ULCL, which instructs the target ULCL to split the target uplink data packet to the home EHE when it receives the target uplink data packet (the destination address included in the target data packet is the IP address of the target EAS). In this embodiment of the invention, since the target ULCL is a home ULCL that is closer to the visited network, that is, the home SMF can determine a home ULCL that is closer to the visited network for the UE, and split (or send) the UE's uplink data packet based on the target ULCL, which can improve the efficiency of service data transmission and reception and enhance the communication experience.

[0093] Furthermore, the target ULCL can receive the traffic splitting policy sent by the home SMF, and upon receiving the target uplink data packet sent by the visited UPF, it will split the target uplink data packet to the home EHE, which includes the aforementioned target EAS. In this embodiment of the invention, after receiving the traffic splitting policy, the target ULCL can execute the traffic splitting policy, specifically by splitting (or sending) the target uplink data packet to the target EAS, thereby improving the efficiency of service data transmission and reception and enhancing the communication experience.

[0094] Combination Figure 3 ,like Figure 4 As shown, the communication method provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes: S206-S209.

[0095] S206. The Home SMF determines the target UPF from multiple Home UPFs based on the identifier of the Visiting PLMN.

[0096] It should be understood that the multiple home location UPFs are the UPFs included in the aforementioned home location network (or home location PLMN).

[0097] It is understandable that the description of the Home SMF determining the target UPF from multiple Home UPFs based on the identifier of the Visiting PLMN is the same as or similar to the explanation of the Home SMF determining the target ULCL from multiple Home ULCLs based on the identifier of the Visiting PLMN, and will not be repeated here.

[0098] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention do not limit the execution order of S202 and S206. For example, S202 can be executed first and then S206, or S206 can be executed first and then S202, or S202 and S206 can be executed simultaneously. Figure 4 The example uses S202 followed by S206.

[0099] S207. The home SMF sends the IP address of the target UPF to the target ULCL so that the target ULCL and the target UPF can establish a communication connection.

[0100] S208. The target ULCL receives the IP address of the target UPF sent by the home SMF.

[0101] It should be understood that after the target ULCL receives the IP address of the target UPF sent by the home SMF, the target ULCL can establish a communication connection with the target UPF.

[0102] Optionally, the target ULCL can be connected to the target UPF and the aforementioned visited UPF via the N9 interface.

[0103] S209. Upon receiving other uplink data packets, the target ULCL sends the other uplink data packets to the target UPF, so that the target UPF sends the other uplink data packets to the home data network.

[0104] The destination address included in this other uplink data packet is not the IP address of the target EAS mentioned above.

[0105] It is understandable that when the target ULCL receives the other uplink data packet, the target ULCL can send the other uplink data packet to the target UPF. After receiving the other uplink data packet, the target UPF can send the other uplink data packet to the home data network, and then the home data network can receive the other uplink data packet.

[0106] In one implementation of this invention, the PDU session establishment request further includes the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice. Combined with... Figure 3 ,like Figure 5 As shown, the communication method provided in this embodiment of the invention may further include S210.

[0107] S210, the home SMF sends a contract information query request to the home UDM.

[0108] The subscription information query request includes the UE's identifier, the name of the home data network, and the identifier of the target network slice. The subscription information query request is used to query the UE's subscription information.

[0109] Based on the description of the above embodiments, it should be understood that the home data network is a data network included in the aforementioned home network (or home PLMN), and the UE can transmit data with the home data network based on the target network slice.

[0110] In this embodiment of the invention, after receiving the subscription information query request, the home UDM can obtain (or determine) the subscription information of the UE based on the UE's identifier, and send (or return) the target ULCL to the home SMF.

[0111] Continue as Figure 5 As shown, the aforementioned home SMF determines the target ULCL from multiple home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN, specifically including S2021.

[0112] S2021. When the UE's subscription information includes the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice, the home SMF determines the target ULCL from multiple home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN.

[0113] It should be understood that if the UE's subscription information includes the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice, it indicates that the UE has the authority to transmit data with the home data network based on the target network slice. In this case, the home SMF can determine the target ULCL from the multiple home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN.

[0114] Combination Figure 3 ,like Figure 6 As shown, the communication method provided in this embodiment of the invention further includes S211.

[0115] S211. The home SMF sends a PDU session establishment response to the visited SMF.

[0116] The PDU session establishment response includes the IP address of the target ULCL and the IP address of the target EASDF. The target EASDF is used to resolve the domain name of the target EAS to obtain the IP address of the target EAS.

[0117] It should be understood that after receiving the PDU session establishment response, the visited SMF can obtain the IP address of the target ULCL and the IP address of the target EASDF.

[0118] Understandably, after obtaining the IP address of the target ULCL, the visited SMF can send the IP address of the target ULCL to the visited UPF. The visited UPF can then establish a communication connection with the target ULCL.

[0119] In this embodiment of the invention, after obtaining the IP address of the target EASDF, the visited SMF can send the IP address of the target EASDF to the UE via the aforementioned (R)AN device. In this way, the UE can obtain the IP address of the target EASDF.

[0120] In one implementation of this invention, after obtaining the IP address of the target EAS, the UE can send a domain name resolution request, which includes the domain name of the target EAS and is used to request the IP address of the target EAS.

[0121] Specifically, the UE can send the domain name resolution request to the visited UPF via the (R)AN device. After receiving the domain name resolution request, the visited UPF can forward it to the visited SMF, which in turn can forward it to the home SMF. After receiving the domain name resolution request, the home SMF can then forward it to the target EASDF.

[0122] It is understandable that after receiving the domain name resolution request, the target EAS can resolve the domain name of the target EAS to obtain the IP address of the target EAS; then the target EAS can send or return a domain name resolution response, which includes the IP address of the target EAS. Consequently, the UE can obtain the IP address of the target EAS.

[0123] In this embodiment of the invention, after obtaining the IP address of the target EAS, the UE can generate and send the aforementioned target uplink data packet, that is, generate and send a data packet whose destination address is the IP address of the target EAS.

[0124] In this embodiment of the invention, the home SMF and target ULCL can be divided into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0125] When dividing each function into modules according to its corresponding function. Figure 7 A possible structural schematic diagram of the communication device involved in the above embodiments is shown, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the communication device 20 may include: a receiving module 201, a determining module 202, and a sending module 203.

[0126] The receiving module 201 is used to receive a PDU session establishment request from the visited SMF of the UE. The PDU session establishment request includes the identifier of the visited PLMN and is used to request the establishment of a home PDU session.

[0127] The determination module 202 is used to determine the target ULCL from multiple home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN.

[0128] The sending module 203 is used to send a traffic diversion policy to the target ULCL. The traffic diversion policy includes the IP address of the target EAS. The traffic diversion policy is used to instruct the target ULCL to divert the target uplink data packet to the home EHE when it receives the target uplink data packet. The destination address included in the target uplink data packet is the IP address of the target EAS. The target EAS is a server included in the home EHE.

[0129] Optionally, the determining module 202 is also used to determine the target UPF from multiple home UPFs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN.

[0130] The sending module 203 is also used to send the IP address of the target UPF to the target ULCL so that the target ULCL and the target UPF can establish a communication connection.

[0131] Optionally, the above PDU session establishment request may also include the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice.

[0132] The sending module 203 is also used to send a subscription information query request to the home UDM. The subscription information query request includes the UE's identifier, the name of the home data network, and the identifier of the target network slice. The subscription information query request is used to request the UE's subscription information.

[0133] The determination module 202 is specifically used to determine the target ULCL from the multiple home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN when the UE's subscription information includes the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice.

[0134] Optionally, the sending module 203 is further configured to send a PDU session establishment response to the visited SMF. The PDU session establishment response includes the IP address of the target ULCL and the IP address of the target EASDF. The target EASDF is used to resolve the domain name of the target EAS to obtain the IP address of the target EAS.

[0135] When using integrated units, Figure 8 A possible structural schematic diagram of the communication device involved in the above embodiments is shown. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 30 may include a processing module 301 and a communication module 302. The processing module 301 can be used to control and manage the operation of the communication device 30. The communication module 302 can be used to support communication between the communication device 30 and other entities. Optionally, as... Figure 8 As shown, the communication device 30 may also include a storage module 303 for storing the program code and data of the communication device 30.

[0136] The processing module 301 can be a processor or a controller. The communication module 302 can be a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or communication interface, etc. The storage module 303 can be a memory.

[0137] In this configuration, when the processing module 301 is a processor, the communication module 302 is a transceiver, and the storage module 303 is a memory, the processor, transceiver, and memory can be connected via a bus. The bus can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be categorized as address buses, data buses, control buses, etc.

[0138] When dividing each function into modules according to its corresponding function. Figure 9 A possible structural schematic diagram of the communication device involved in the above embodiments is shown, such as... Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 40 may include a receiving module 401 and a transmitting module 402.

[0139] The receiving module 401 is used to receive the traffic splitting policy sent by the home SMF, which includes the IP address of the target EAS.

[0140] The sending module 402 is used to, upon receiving a target uplink data packet sent by the visited UPF, divert the target uplink data packet to the home EHE. The destination address included in the target uplink data packet is the IP address of the target EAS, which is a server included in the home EHE.

[0141] Optionally, the receiving module 401 is also used to receive the IP address of the target UPF sent by the home SMF.

[0142] The sending module 402 is further configured to send other uplink data packets to the target UPF when other uplink data packets are received, so that the target UPF sends the other uplink data packets to the home data network, wherein the destination address included in the other uplink data packets is not the IP address of the target EAS.

[0143] When using integrated units, Figure 10 A possible structural schematic diagram of the communication device involved in the above embodiments is shown. For example... Figure 10 As shown, the communication device 50 may include a processing module 501 and a communication module 502. The processing module 501 can be used to control and manage the operation of the communication device 50. The communication module 502 can be used to support communication between the communication device 50 and other entities. Optionally, as... Figure 10 As shown, the communication device 50 may also include a storage module 503 for storing the program code and data of the communication device 50.

[0144] The processing module 501 can be a processor or a controller. The communication module 502 can be a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or communication interface, etc. The storage module 503 can be a memory.

[0145] In this configuration, when the processing module 501 is a processor, the communication module 502 is a transceiver, and the storage module 503 is a memory, the processor, transceiver, and memory can be connected via a bus. The bus can be a PCI bus or an EISA bus, etc. The bus can be categorized as an address bus, data bus, control bus, etc.

[0146] It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present invention, the order of the above-mentioned process numbers does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0147] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this invention.

[0148] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0149] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0150] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present invention are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0151] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a home session management function SMF, and the method comprises the following steps: receiving a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment request of a user equipment (UE) sent by a visited SMF, wherein the PDU session establishment request comprises an identifier of a visited public land mobile network (PLMN), and the PDU establishment request is used for requesting to establish a home PDU session; determining a target uplink classifier (ULCL) from a plurality of home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN, wherein the target ULCL is a home ULCL that is close to the visited network among the plurality of home ULCLs; determining a target user plane function (UPF) from a plurality of home UPFs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN; sending an IP address of the target UPF to the target ULCL, so that the target ULCL establishes a communication connection with the target UPF; the target ULCL is connected to the target UPF and a visited UPF through an N9 interface; and the visited UPF is used to establish an N4 session with the visited SMF; sending a splitting policy to the target ULCL, wherein the splitting policy comprises an internet protocol (IP) address of a target edge application server (EAS), and the splitting policy is used to instruct the target ULCL to split a target uplink data packet to a home edge home environment (EHE) in a case where the target uplink data packet is received, wherein a destination address included in the target uplink data packet is the IP address of the target EAS, and the target EAS is a server included in the home EHE.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized by, The PDU session establishment request further comprises a name of a home data network and an identifier of a target network slice, and the method further comprises the following steps: sending a subscription information query request to a home unified data management (UDM), wherein the subscription information query request comprises an identifier of the UE, the name of the home data network, and the identifier of the target network slice, and the subscription information query request is used to query subscription information of the UE; determining the target ULCL from a plurality of home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN, comprising: in a case where the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice are included in the subscription information of the UE, determining the target ULCL from the plurality of home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN.

3. The communication method according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized by, The method further comprises the following steps: sending a PDU session establishment response to the visited SMF, wherein the PDU session establishment response comprises an IP address of the target ULCL and an IP address of a target edge application server discovery function (EASDF), and the target EASDF is used to perform a domain name resolution process on a domain name of the target EAS to obtain the IP address of the target EAS.

4. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a target uplink classifier (ULCL), and the method comprises the following steps: receiving a splitting policy sent by a home session management function (SMF), wherein the splitting policy comprises an internet protocol (IP) address of a target edge application server (EAS); In a case where a target uplink data packet is received, the target uplink data packet is offloaded to a home edge home environment (EHE), a destination address included in the target uplink data packet being an IP address of a target EAS, the target EAS being a server included in the home EHE; the target UPF being selected by a home SMF based on an identifier of the visited PLMN from a plurality of home UPFs; the target UPF being connected to the target ULCL through an N9 interface; the target ULCL being a home ULCL close to the visited network among the plurality of home ULCLs; receiving an IP address of a target UPF sent by a home SMF; the target UPF being determined from a plurality of home user plane functions (UPFs); the target UPF being connected to the target ULCL through an N9 interface; in a case where other uplink data packets are received, the other uplink data packets are sent to the target UPF, so that the target UPF sends the other uplink data packets to a home data network, a destination address included in the other uplink data packets not being an IP address of the target EAS.

5. A communications device, characterized by The application is applied to a home session management function (SMF), and the device comprises a receiving module, a determining module, and a sending module. The receiving module is configured to receive a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment request of a user equipment (UE) sent by a visited SMF, the PDU session establishment request comprising an identifier of a visited public land mobile network (PLMN), and the PDU establishment request being used to request to establish a home PDU session. The determining module is configured to determine a target ULCL from a plurality of home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN; the target ULCL being a home ULCL close to the visited network among the plurality of home ULCLs. The determining module is further configured to determine a target UPF from a plurality of home UPFs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN. The sending module is configured to send an IP address of the target UPF to the target ULCL, so that the target ULCL establishes a communication connection with the target UPF; the target ULCL being connected to the target UPF and a visited UPF through an N9 interface; the visited UPF being used to establish an N4 session with the visited SMF. The sending module is configured to send an offloading policy to the target ULCL, the offloading policy comprising an internet protocol (IP) address of a target edge application server (EAS), and the offloading policy being used to instruct the target ULCL to offload a target uplink data packet to a home edge home environment (EHE) in a case where the target uplink data packet is received, a destination address included in the target uplink data packet being the IP address of the target EAS, the target EAS being a server included in the home EHE.

6. The communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The PDU session establishment request further comprises a name of a home data network and an identifier of a target network slice. The sending module is further configured to send a subscription information query request to a home unified data management (UDM), the subscription information query request comprising an identifier of the UE, a name of the home data network, and an identifier of the target network slice, and the subscription information query request being used to request to query subscription information of the UE. The determining module is specifically configured to, in a case where the subscription information of the UE comprises the name of the home data network and the identifier of the target network slice, determine the target ULCL from the multiple home ULCLs based on the identifier of the visited PLMN.

7. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 5-6, wherein, The sending module is further configured to send a PDU session establishment response to the visited SMF, the PDU session establishment response comprising an IP address of the target ULCL and an IP address of a target edge application server discovery function (EASDF), the target EASDF being used to perform a resolution process on a domain name of the target EAS to obtain the IP address of the target EAS.

8. A communication device, characterized by The apparatus is applied to a target uplink classifier (ULCL), and the apparatus comprises a receiving module and a sending module. The receiving module is configured to receive a splitting policy sent by a home session management function (SMF), the splitting policy comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a target edge application server (EAS). The sending module is configured to, in a case where a target uplink data packet sent by a visited user plane function (UPF) is received, split the target uplink data packet to a home edge home environment (EHE), the target uplink data packet comprising, in the target uplink data packet, a destination address that is the IP address of the target EAS, the target EAS being a server comprised in the home EHE; the visited UPF being connected to the target ULCL through an N9 interface; the target ULCL being a home ULCL that is close to the visited network and is selected by the home SMF from multiple home ULCLs based on an identifier of the visited PLMN. The receiving module is further configured to receive an IP address of a target UPF sent by a home SMF, the target UPF being determined from multiple home user plane functions (UPFs), and the target UPF being connected to the target ULCL through an N9 interface. The sending module is further configured to, in a case where other uplink data packets are received, send the other uplink data packets to the target UPF, so that the target UPF sends the other uplink data packets to a home data network, the other uplink data packets comprising, in the other uplink data packets, a destination address that is not the IP address of the target EAS.

9. A server, characterized by The server comprises: a processor; a memory configured to store instructions executable by the processor; wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1-3, or the communication method according to claim 4.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions, the instructions comprising, When the instructions in the computer-readable storage medium are executed by the server, the server is enabled to perform the communication method as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, or perform the communication method as claimed in claim 4.

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