Local switching of network slices at distributed units

Abstract

A device is provided, the device comprising components for: receiving, at a centralized unit control plane portion of a radio access network node, an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; indicating from the centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node to a core network that the distributed unit of the radio network node supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; receiving, for a user device that provides a request for local switching at the distributed unit, a user device context from the core network, the request comprising an indication that the user device is allowed to use at least one network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit so that: a user plane of the user device is terminated at the distributed unit and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user device for local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the user device so that the user device can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to a method, apparatus, system and computer program and particularly, but not exclusively, to providing local switching at remote and / or distributed units of a distributed radio access network (RAN) node. Background Art

[0002] A communication system can be viewed as a facility for enabling communication sessions between two or more entities, such as user terminals, base stations and / or other nodes, by providing carrier waves between the various entities involved in the communication path. For example, a communication system can be provided by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices (also referred to as stations or user equipment) and / or application servers. A communication session can include, for example, communications of data for carrying communications, such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia, content data, time-sensitive network (TSN) streams and / or data in industrial applications, such as critical system messages between actuators and controllers, critical sensor data (such as measurements, video feeds, etc.) toward a control system, etc. Non-limiting examples of the services provided include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, and access to data network systems (such as the Internet).

[0003] In a wireless communication system, at least a portion of a communication session, e.g. between at least two stations or between at least one station and at least one application server (e.g. for video), takes place over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMNs) operating based on 3GPP radio standards, such as E-UTRA, New Radio, satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local area networks, e.g. wireless local area networks (WLANs). Wireless systems can typically be divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] A user can access the communication system with the aid of an appropriate communication device or terminal. The user's communication device may be referred to as a user equipment (UE) or user device. The communication device has appropriate signal receiving and transmission means to enable communication, for example, to enable access to a communication network or to communicate directly with other users. The communication device may access one or more carriers provided by the network, such as a base station of a cell, and transmit and / or receive communications on one or more carriers. In carrier aggregation (CA), two or more carriers are combined into one channel. In dual connectivity (DC), two carriers from different sites are combined, that is, the user equipment may be dual (or multi) connected to two (or more) sites.

[0005] A communication system and associated equipment typically operate according to a given standard or specification that specifies what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how it should be implemented. Communication protocols and / or parameters that should be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a communication system is UTRAN (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) based on E-UTRAN radio access technology, and the so-called 5G System (5GS) (including 5G or Next Generation Core (NGC)) and 5G access network based on New Radio (NR) radio access technology. 5GS, including NR, is being standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Summary of the invention

[0006] In a first aspect, a device is provided, comprising components for: receiving, at a centralized unit control plane portion of a radio access network node, an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; indicating from the centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node to a core network that the distributed unit of the radio network node supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; receiving, for a user device that provides a request for local switching at the distributed unit, a user device context from the core network, the request comprising an indication that the user device is allowed to use at least one network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit so that: a user plane of the user device is terminated at the distributed unit and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user device for local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the user device so that the user device can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0007] The apparatus may include a component for providing, from a centralized unit of a radio access network node, to a core network an indication of at least one of the network slices that allow local switching at a distributed unit and a tracking area for which local switching at the distributed unit is supported.

[0008] A network slice providing local switching at a distributed unit may be identified by a flag, a slice or service type value, or a slice differentiator field in the indication.

[0009] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, which is used to configure a data transmission context at a distributed unit.

[0010] The apparatus may include means for providing at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node to the user equipment and the distributed unit when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases a radio resource control connection of the user equipment.

[0011] The distributed units may include integrated access backhaul nodes.

[0012] In a second aspect, a device is provided, comprising a component for: providing the following indication from a distributed unit of a radio access network node to a centralized unit control plane part of the radio access network node: the distributed unit supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transmission context at the distributed unit, so that: a user plane of a user equipment providing a request for local switching at the distributed unit is terminated at the distributed unit, and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transmission context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0013] A network slice providing local switching at a distributed unit may be identified by a flag, a slice or service type value, or a slice distinguisher field in the indication.

[0014] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, which is used to configure a data transmission context at a distributed unit.

[0015] The apparatus may include means for receiving, at a distributed unit from a centralized unit of a radio access network node, at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity.

[0016] The apparatus may include means for maintaining the data transfer context at the distributed unit for a duration of a time-to-live value and thereafter releasing the data transfer context.

[0017] The apparatus may include means for paging the user equipment from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

[0018] In a third aspect, a device is provided, comprising a component for: providing a request for local switching at a distributed unit of a radio access network node from a user equipment to a core network, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice that provides local switching at the distributed unit; and configuring at least one data transmission context at the user equipment for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, so that the user equipment can use a protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0019] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile.

[0020] The apparatus may include means for receiving at the user equipment at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases the RRC connection of the user equipment.

[0021] The apparatus may include means for receiving, at the user equipment, a page from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

[0022] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided, the method comprising: at a centralized unit control plane portion of a radio access network node, receiving an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit; indicating from the centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node to a core network that the distributed unit of the radio network node supports network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit; for a user device providing a request for local switching at the distributed unit, receiving a user device context from the core network, the request comprising an indication that the user device is allowed to use at least one network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit; for each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit so that: a user plane of the user device is terminated at the distributed unit and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user device for local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the user device so that the user device can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0023] The method may include providing, from a centralized unit of a radio access network node, to a core network an indication of at least one of the network slices that allow local switching at a distributed unit and a tracking area for which local switching at the distributed unit is supported.

[0024] A network slice providing local switching at a distributed unit may be identified by a flag in the indication, a slice or service type value, or a slice distinguisher field.

[0025] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, which is used to configure a data transmission context at a distributed unit.

[0026] The method may include providing at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node to the user equipment and the distributed unit when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases a radio resource control connection of the user equipment.

[0027] The distributed units may include integrated access backhaul nodes.

[0028] In a fifth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: providing the following indication from a distributed unit of a radio access network node to a centralized unit control plane part of the radio access network node: the distributed unit supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transmission context at the distributed unit, so that: a user plane of a user equipment providing a request for local switching at the distributed unit is terminated at the distributed unit, and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transmission context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0029] A network slice providing local switching at a distributed unit may be identified by a flag, a slice or service type value, or a slice distinguisher field in the indication.

[0030] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, which is used to configure a data transmission context at a distributed unit.

[0031] The method may include receiving, at a distributed unit, at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from a centralized unit of a radio access network node.

[0032] The method may include maintaining the data transfer context at the distributed unit for a duration of a time-to-live value and thereafter releasing the data transfer context.

[0033] The method may include paging the user equipment from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

[0034] In a sixth aspect, a method is provided, comprising: providing a request from a user equipment to a core network for local switching at a distributed unit of a radio access network node, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transmission context at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use a protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0035] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile.

[0036] The method may include receiving at the user equipment at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases the RRC connection of the user equipment.

[0037] The method may include receiving, at the user equipment, a page from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

[0038] In a seventh aspect, a device is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the device to at least: receive, at a centralized unit control plane portion of a radio access network node, an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports network slicing that provides local switching at the distributed unit; indicate from the centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node to a core network that the distributed unit of the radio network node supports network slicing that provides local switching at the distributed unit; receive, for a user equipment that provides a request for local switching at the distributed unit, from the core network a user equipment The request includes the following indications: the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the distributed unit, so that: the user plane of the user equipment is terminated at the distributed unit, and the protocol data unit session associated with the data transmission context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit; and at least one data transmission context is configured at the user equipment for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, so that the user equipment can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0039] The apparatus may be configured to provide, from a centralized unit of a radio access network node, to a core network an indication of at least one of the network slices that allow local switching at a distributed unit and a tracking area for which local switching at the distributed unit is supported.

[0040] A network slice providing local switching at a distributed unit may be identified by a flag, a slice or service type value, or a slice distinguisher field in the indication.

[0041] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, which is used to configure a data transmission context at a distributed unit.

[0042] The apparatus may be configured to provide at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node to the user equipment and the distributed unit when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases the radio resource control connection of the user equipment.

[0043] The distributed units may include integrated access backhaul nodes.

[0044] In an eighth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the device to at least: provide the following indication from a distributed unit of a radio access network node to a centralized unit control plane part of the radio access network node: the distributed unit supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configure at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit, so that: a user plane of a user equipment that provides a request for local switching at the distributed unit is terminated at the distributed unit, and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0045] A network slice providing local switching at a distributed unit may be identified by a flag, a slice or service type value, or a slice distinguisher field in the indication.

[0046] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, which is used to configure a data transmission context at a distributed unit.

[0047] The apparatus may be configured to receive at a distributed unit at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from a centralized unit of a radio access network node.

[0048] The apparatus may be configured to maintain the data transfer context in the distributed unit for a duration of a time-to-live value and thereafter release the data transfer context.

[0049] The apparatus may be configured to page the user equipment from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

[0050] In a ninth aspect, a device is provided, comprising at least one processor and at least one memory comprising computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the device to at least: provide a request for local switching at a distributed unit of a radio access network node from a user equipment to a core network, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, configure at least one data transmission context at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use a protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0051] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile.

[0052] The apparatus may be configured to receive at the user equipment at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases the RRC connection of the user equipment.

[0053] The apparatus may be configured to receive a page at the user equipment from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

[0054] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, the computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to execute at least the following: receiving an indication from a distributed unit of a radio access network node to a centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; indicating from the centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node to a core network that the distributed unit of the radio network node supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; receiving a user equipment context from the core network for a user equipment that provides a request for local switching at the distributed unit, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit so that: a user plane of the user equipment is terminated at the distributed unit and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0055] The apparatus may be configured to provide, from a centralized unit of a radio access network node, to a core network an indication of at least one of the network slices that allow local switching at a distributed unit and a tracking area for which local switching at the distributed unit is supported.

[0056] A network slice providing local switching at a distributed unit may be identified by a flag in the indication, a slice or service type value, or a slice distinguisher field.

[0057] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, which is used to configure a data transmission context at a distributed unit.

[0058] The apparatus may be caused to perform: when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases the radio resource control connection of the user equipment, providing at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node to the user equipment and the distributed unit.

[0059] The distributed units may include integrated access backhaul nodes.

[0060] In an eleventh aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to execute at least the following: providing, at a centralized unit control plane portion of a radio access network node, an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; and configuring, for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context at the distributed unit, such that: a user plane of a user equipment providing a request for local switching at the distributed unit is terminated at the distributed unit, and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transmission context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0061] A network slice providing local switching at a distributed unit may be identified by a flag in the indication, a slice or service type value, or a slice distinguisher field.

[0062] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, which is used to configure a data transmission context at a distributed unit.

[0063] The apparatus may be caused to perform: receiving, at a distributed unit, at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from a centralized unit of a radio access network node.

[0064] The apparatus may be caused to perform: maintaining the data transfer context at the distributed unit for a duration of the time-to-live value, and thereafter releasing the data transfer context.

[0065] The apparatus may be caused to perform: paging the user equipment from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

[0066] In a twelfth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to execute at least the following: providing a request from a user equipment to a core network for local switching at a distributed unit of a radio access network node, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice that provides local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transmission context at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use a protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0067] A network slice may be associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile.

[0068] The apparatus may be caused to perform: receiving at the user equipment at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases the RRC connection of the user equipment.

[0069] The apparatus may be caused to perform: receiving, at the user equipment, a page from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

[0070] In a thirteenth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, the non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least execute a method according to the fourth aspect, the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0071] In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be understood that further embodiments can be provided by combining any two or more of the above embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0073] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example 5G communication system is shown;

[0074] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device is shown;

[0075] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an example control device is shown;

[0076] Figure 4 A flow chart showing a method according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0077] Figure 5 A flow chart showing a method according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0078] Figure 6 A flow chart showing a method according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0079] Figure 7 A block diagram showing an example embodiment in which local switching is applied at a DU;

[0080] Figure 8 shows a signaling flow for establishing a local handover at a DU according to an example embodiment;

[0081] Fig. 9 shows a signaling flow for local DU paging according to an example embodiment;

[0082] Fig.10 shows a user plane stack according to an example embodiment;

[0083] Fig.11 shows a control plane stack according to an example embodiment;

[0084] Fig.12 shows a user plane stack in an example embodiment, where Ethernet PDU type is used;

[0085] Fig.13 A block diagram of an example embodiment is shown in which local switching is applied on top of the IAB hierarchy;

[0086] Fig.14 A block diagram of a spanning tree protocol in which an Ethernet PDU type is used is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] Before explaining the examples in detail, we will refer to Figures 1 to 3 Certain general principles of wireless communication systems and mobile communication devices are briefly explained to aid understanding of the technology underlying the described examples.

[0088] An example of a suitable communication system is a 5G system (5GS). The network architecture in 5GS may be similar to that of advanced LTE. The base station of the NR system may be referred to as a next generation NodeB (gNB). Changes to the network architecture may depend on the need to support various radio technologies and more sophisticated QoS support, as well as some on-demand requirements for QoS levels such as supporting QoE from a user perspective. In addition, network-aware services and applications, as well as service- and application-aware networks may bring changes to the architecture. These are all related to information-centric networks (ICNs) and user-centric content delivery networks (UC-CDN) approaches. NR may use multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (the so-called small cell concept), including macro sites that operate in cooperation with smaller stations, and may also employ various radio technologies to achieve better coverage and enhanced data rates.

[0089] 5G networks may utilize network function virtualization (NFV), which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into "building block" entities that can be operationally connected or linked together to provide services. A virtualized network function (VNF) may include one or more virtual machines that run computer program code using a standard or general-purpose type of server rather than customized hardware. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In radio communications, this may mean that node operations are performed at least in part in a server, host, or node that is operably coupled to a remote radio head. It is also possible that node operations are distributed among multiple servers, nodes, or hosts. It should also be understood that the distribution of labor between core network operations and base station operations may be different from LTE, or even non-existent.

[0090] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 5G system (5GS) 100 is shown. The 5GS may include a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or terminal), a 5G radio access network (5GRAN) 104, a 5G core network (5GCN) 106, one or more application functions (AFs) 108, and one or more data networks (DNs) 110.

[0091] An example 5G core network (CN) includes functional entities. The 5GCN 106 may include one or more access and mobility management functions (AMFs) 112, one or more session management functions (SMFs) 114, an authentication server function (AUSF) 116, a unified data management (UDM) 118, one or more user plane functions (UPFs) 120, a unified data repository (UDR) 122, and / or a network exposure function (NEF) 124. The UPF is controlled by the SMF (session management function) which receives policies from the PCF (policy control function).

[0092] The CN is connected to the terminal or UE via a radio access network (RAN). The 5G RAN may include one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit functions. The RAN may include one or more access nodes.

[0093] The UPF (User Plane Function) whose role is called PSA (PDU Session Anchor) can be responsible for forwarding frames back and forth between the DN (Data Network) and the tunnel established over 5G towards (multiple) UEs that exchange traffic with the DN.

[0094] Now refer to Figure 2 Describing in more detail a possible mobile communication device, Figure 2A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a communication device 200 is shown. Such a communication device is generally referred to as a user equipment (UE) or terminal. Suitable mobile communication devices can be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a mobile station (MS) or mobile device, such as a mobile phone or so-called "smart phone", a computer equipped with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facilities (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA), or a tablet computer equipped with wireless communication capabilities, or any combination of these, etc. For example, a mobile communication device can provide communications for carrying data such as voice, e-mail (email), text messages, multimedia, etc. Therefore, users can be provided with many services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services, or simply access to a data communication network system (such as the Internet). Users can also be provided with broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alarms and other information.

[0095] The mobile device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201, at least one memory 202 and possibly other components 203 for software and hardware-assisted execution of the tasks it is designed to perform, including controlling access to and communication with access systems and other communication devices. Data processing, storage and other related control devices may be provided on appropriate circuit boards and / or in chipsets. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 204. The user may control the operation of the mobile device by means of a suitable user interface such as a keypad 205, voice commands, a touch-sensitive screen or keyboard, a combination thereof. A display 208, a speaker and a microphone may also be provided. In addition, the mobile communication device may include appropriate connectors (wired or wireless) to other devices and / or for connecting external accessories (e.g., a hands-free device) to it.

[0096] The mobile device 200 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 207 via appropriate means for receiving, and may transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 2 In the mobile device, the transceiver arrangement is schematically represented by block 206. The transceiver arrangement 206 may be provided, for example, by means of a radio component and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

[0097] Figure 3An example embodiment of a control device for a communication system is shown, for example, the control device is used to couple to and / or control a station (such as a RAN node, such as a base station, eNB or gNB) of an access system, a relay node or a core network node (such as an MME or S-GW or P-GW), or a core network function (such as an AMF / SMF), or a server or host. The method can be implemented in a single control device or across more than one control device. The control device can be integrated with a node or module of the core network or RAN, or external to it. In some embodiments, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other embodiments, the control device can be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station can have such a control device, as well as a control device arranged in a radio network controller. The control device 300 can be arranged to provide control of communications in a service area of ​​the system. The control device 300 includes at least one memory 301, at least one data processing unit 302, 303 and an input / output interface 304. Via the interface, the control device can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and / or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head.

[0098] Interactive services increasingly rely on reduced latency. This applies to human-facing services (such as games and AR / VR, some of which can be rendered and even executed in the edge cloud), as well as automation and process control in factory environments, for example. Reduced latency may also be a requirement for many vehicle applications.

[0099] Latency can be minimized by allowing interaction between the UE and resources at the distributed unit (DU) of the RAN node. This can provide the lowest possible latency and access to location-dependent local resources that are suitable for the example use cases outlined above.

[0100] Placing the gateway as close to the RAN as possible has been proposed in the literature and standards (e.g., SIPTO (Selective IP Traffic Offload) and LIPA (Local IP Access) defined in TS 23.401), but this may not achieve the best possible latency. It may also require detecting and reporting the UE location to the core network and selecting the best possible gateway based on the UE location, introducing additional signaling / overhead.

[0101] Figure 4 A flow chart of a method according to an example embodiment is shown.The method may be performed at a centralized element control plane part of a radio access network node.

[0102] In a first step S1 , the method comprises: receiving, at a centralized unit control plane part of the radio access network node, an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports network slicing providing local switching at the distributed unit.

[0103] In a second step S2, the method comprises indicating from a centralized unit control plane part of the radio access network node to the core network that a distributed unit of the radio network node supports network slicing providing local switching at the distributed unit.

[0104] In a third step S3, the method comprises: receiving a user equipment context from a core network for a user equipment providing a request for local switching at a distributed unit, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice of the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit.

[0105] In a fourth step S4, the method comprises: for each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transmission context at the distributed unit, so that: the user plane of the user equipment is terminated at the distributed unit and the protocol data unit session associated with the data transmission context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0106] In a fifth step, the method includes: for each network slice in the network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transmission context at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0107] Figure 5 A flow chart of a method according to an example embodiment is shown.The method may be performed at a distributed unit of a radio access network node.

[0108] In a first step R1, the method comprises providing, from a distributed unit of the radio access network node to a centralized unit control plane part of the radio access network node, an indication that the distributed unit supports network slices for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0109] In a second step R2, the method comprises: for each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transmission context at the distributed unit, so that: a user plane of a user equipment providing a request for local switching at the distributed unit is terminated at the distributed unit, and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transmission context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0110] Figure 6 A flow chart of a method according to an example embodiment is shown. The method may be performed at a user equipment.

[0111] In a first step T1, the method comprises providing, from a user equipment to a core network, a request for local switching at a distributed unit of a radio access network node, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit.

[0112] In a second step T2, the method comprises, for each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transmission context at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use a protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0113] This approach can allow local handover at the DU of a distributed RAN, such as Figure 7 A locally available server 701 (or a group of servers) runs a locally available application, which can be used through local switching at the DU.

[0114] The CN may include an AMF to which an indication that a distributed unit of a radio network node supports a network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit may be sent from the CU-cp. The UE may provide a request for local switching at a distributed unit of a radio access network node to the AMF of the CN.

[0115] The method may include providing, from a centralized unit of a radio access network node, to a core network an indication of at least one of the network slices in which local handover is allowed and a tracking area in which local handover at a distributed unit is supported.

[0116] A network slice providing local switching at a distributed unit may be identified by a flag associated with a single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) identifying the network slice, or by a specific slice / service type (SST) value, or by a slice differentiator (SD) field of the S-NSSAI in an indication.

[0117] A network slice can be associated with a PDU type. The PDU type used for a connection can be selected based on the S-NSSAI value. Each S-NSSAI can be associated with a PDU type (e.g., IPV4, Ethernet, etc.)

[0118] A network slice can be associated with a quality of service profile. For example, S-NSSAI can also be associated with a QoS profile in a DU.

[0119] The PDU type or QoS profile may be used to configure the data transmission context at the distributed unit.

[0120] The data transmission context may include PDCP and / or SDAP entities.

[0121] Figure 8 The signaling flow between the UE, DU, CU-cp and AMF to establish a local handover at the DU according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0122] In an example embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the RAN node indicates to the AMF of the CN that it supports local handover at the DU. The RAN node indicates its support for a specific set of network slices that allow local handover at the DU, and the supported tracking area(s) here.

[0123] DUs supporting this local handover also support these S-NSSAIs and indicate support for this feature to the CU-cp and the CU-cp to the AMF on a per TA (tracking area) basis.

[0124] CU-cp configures the PDCP / SDAP entity in the DU so that the user's UP is terminated at the DU.

[0125] These termination points at the DU are distributed PDCP / SDAP entities, which the CU-cp can dynamically instantiate for the UE at the DU when the UE becomes connected, and when the UE is CM-CONNECTED, when the AMF provides the UE context to the RAN as the UE via the NG-AP, the S-NSSAI related to local handover at the DU behavior is included in the allowed NSSAI provided by the AMF to the CU-cp.

[0126] If the UE is requesting DU type IP through the indicated S-NSSAI, the RRC connection reconfiguration message may provide the UE with an IP address. If the indicated S-NSSAI selects Ethernet type, the UE may receive an IP address via DHCP supported at the DU.

[0127] A PDU Session associated with a local handover may have a maintained PDU Session Identifier (or no PDU Session ID) in the UE and no NAS signalling is required to establish it. The PDU Session is managed at the access layer and is active once the RRC connection reconfiguration and the F1-AP UE Context UDPATE for PDCP / SDAP configuration for the UE is completed (i.e. no SM signalling is required to establish it).

[0128] The method may include providing at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node to the user equipment and the distributed unit when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases a radio resource control connection of the user equipment.

[0129] The method may include maintaining the data transfer context at the distributed unit for a duration of a time-to-live value and thereafter erasing it.

[0130] The method may include paging the user equipment from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

[0131] Fig. 9 A signaling flow for local DU paging according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0132] When the RRC connection is reconfigured while the UE becomes connected, the CU-cp provides the UE and DU with a TTL parameter and an ID for local paging at the DU (DU paging ID, which has local significance only for paging at the DU).

[0133] After the connection is suspended with an indication that paging for local DU identity is enabled, the UE can be paged at the PO calculated using the UE-ID, where the UE-ID is also used for CN or RAN based paging for the duration of this TTL parameter using the ID assigned to the UE by the CU-cp (5G-S-TMSI mod 10).

[0134] After suspending the RRC connection with the indication that local SDU handover paging is enabled, the CU-cp and DU maintain the UE's protocol context for the duration of the TTL, and therefore, paging for the DU can reach the UE. When paging for the DU reaches the UE, it resumes the connection for local handover at the DU through an RRC-LocalDUConnectionResume message (other PDU sessions will not be resumed until a CN or RAN level paging is received in the RRC inactive RAN area).

[0135] The CU-cp, UE and DU only maintain the locally handed over UE context for DU reachability for the duration of TTL, and thereafter it is released locally at all nodes. When the TTL expires, the CU-cp also releases the UE context to the AMF.

[0136] Fig.10 A user plane stack of a UE and a DU with local handover according to an example embodiment is shown.Although reference has been made above to a distributed unit of a RAN node, the method may be applied to a remote unit of a distributed RAN node.

[0137] Fig.11 The control plane stack of DU and CU-cp with local switching according to an example embodiment is shown. The F1-AP interface can be reused with some modifications consistent with the E1-AP behavior, which is required to configure PDCP / SDAP in the DU and handle DL data notification and paging at the DU.

[0138] The method can also be applied to the IAB (Integrated Access Backhaul) case. That is, the distributed unit can be an IAB node. In this case, the IAB-MT part of the IAB node requests access to the S-NSSAI that supports local handover at the DU. In this way, the distributed unit can be connected to the IAB node according to the local handover of the DU. Fig.12 The illustrated example embodiment establishes a local switching LAN in the IAB hierarchy.

[0139] The final hierarchy of the example embodiment is as follows Fig.13 As shown. Locally available servers 1301, 1302 and 1303 are running locally available applications that can be used by local switching at a DU (IAB node in this example embodiment). The dotted lines show the correspondence between each UE / DU connection and a locally available server.

[0140] When Ethernet is used, the Spanning Tree Protocol also operates and ensures that there are no loops when IAB nodes are dualhomed (see Fig.14 ).

[0141] This method can be found in the reference Figure 2 Describes the user device or reference Figure 3 The control device described is implemented in the embodiment.

[0142] An apparatus may include components for: receiving, at a centralized unit control plane portion of a radio access network node, an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; indicating from the centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node to a core network that the distributed unit of the radio network node supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; receiving, for a user device that provides a request for local switching at the distributed unit, a user device context from the core network, the request including an indication that the user device is allowed to use at least one network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit so that: a user plane of the user device is terminated at the distributed unit and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user device for local switching at the distributed unit; and for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the user device so that the user device can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0143] Alternatively or additionally, an apparatus may include a component for: providing an indication from a distributed unit of a radio access network node to a centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit; and configuring at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit, such that: a user plane of a user equipment providing a request for local switching at the distributed unit is terminated at the distributed unit, and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0144] Alternatively or additionally, an apparatus may include a component for: providing a request from a user equipment to a core network for local switching at a distributed unit of a radio access network node, the request including an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice that provides local switching at the distributed unit; and configuring at least one data transmission context at the user equipment for each network slice in the network slices that provide local switching at the distributed unit so that the user equipment can use a protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

[0145] It should be understood that the apparatus may include or be coupled to other units or modules, etc., such as a radio component or a radio head for transmission and / or reception. Although these apparatus have been described as one entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0146] Note that while embodiments have been described with respect to LTE and 5G NR, similar principles may be applied to other networks and communication systems. Thus, while certain embodiments are described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, the embodiments may be applied to any other suitable form of communication system in addition to those illustrated and described herein.

[0147] It is also noted herein that while the above describes exemplifying embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0148] In general, the various example embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the invention may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the invention is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0149] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by computer software that can be executed by a data processor of a mobile device, such as in a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or programs (also referred to as program products, including software routines, applets and / or macros) may be stored in any device-readable data storage medium, and they include program instructions for performing specific tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer executable components that are configured to perform an embodiment when the program is run. One or more computer executable components may be at least one software code or a portion thereof.

[0150] Furthermore, it should be noted at this point that any block of the logic flow in the figure may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on physical media such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as DVDs and their data variants CDs. Physical media is a non-transitory medium.

[0151] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA, a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0152] Example embodiments of the present invention may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is generally a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0153] The foregoing description provides a complete and informative description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art in view of the foregoing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of the present invention will still fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, there are other embodiments that may include a combination of one or more embodiments with any other embodiment discussed above.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a communication system, the apparatus comprising means for: receiving, at a centralized unit control plane portion of a radio access network node, an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports a network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transmission context at the distributed unit; indicating from the centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node to a core network that the distributed unit of the radio network node supports a network slice that provides local switching at the distributed unit; receiving, from the core network, for a user equipment providing a request for local handover at the distributed unit, a user equipment context, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is permitted to use at least one of the network slices providing local handover at the distributed unit; for each of the network slices providing local handover at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit such that: a user plane of the user equipment is terminated at the distributed unit and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user equipment for local handover at the distributed unit; as well as For each of the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 comprises a component for providing the following indications to the core network from the centralized unit of the radio access network node: at least one of the network slices for which local switching at the distributed unit is allowed, and the tracking area for which local switching at the distributed unit is supported.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit is identified by a flag, a slice or service type value, or a slice distinguisher field in the indication.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a component for: when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases the radio resource control connection of the user equipment, providing at least one of a lifetime value and a local paging identity to the user equipment and the distributed unit from the centralized unit of the radio access network node.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distributed unit comprises an integrated access backhaul node.

6. An apparatus for a communication system, the apparatus comprising means for: providing, from a distributed unit of a radio access network node, an indication to a centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports a network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transmission context at the distributed unit; and For each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the distributed unit, so that: a user plane of a user equipment providing a request for local switching at the distributed unit is terminated at the distributed unit, and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transmission context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit is identified by a flag, a slice or service type value, or a slice distinguisher field in the indication.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, comprising means for receiving, at the distributed unit, at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, comprising means for maintaining the data transfer context at the distributed unit for a duration of the time-to-live value and thereafter releasing the data transfer context.

10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 9, comprising means for paging the user equipment from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

11. An apparatus for a communication system, the apparatus comprising means for: providing, from a user equipment to a core network, a request for local handover at a distributed unit of a radio access network node, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice providing local handover at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transfer context at the distributed unit; and For each of the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use a protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, comprising means for receiving at the user equipment at least one of a time to live value and a local paging identity from the centralized unit of the radio access network node when the centralized unit of the radio access network node releases the radio resource control connection of the user equipment.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising means for receiving a page at the user equipment from the distributed unit unless the received time-to-live value has expired.

14. A method for communication, comprising: receiving, at a centralized unit control plane portion of a radio access network node, an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports a network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transmission context at the distributed unit; indicating from the centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node to a core network that the distributed unit of the radio network node supports a network slice that provides local switching at the distributed unit; receiving, from the core network, for a user equipment providing a request for local handover at the distributed unit, a user equipment context, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is permitted to use at least one of the network slices providing local handover at the distributed unit; for each of the network slices providing local handover at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit such that: a user plane of the user equipment is terminated at the distributed unit and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user equipment for local handover at the distributed unit; as well as For each of the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

15. A method for communication, comprising: providing, from a distributed unit of a radio access network node, an indication to a centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports a network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transmission context at the distributed unit; as well as For each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the distributed unit, so that: a user plane of a user equipment providing a request for local switching at the distributed unit is terminated at the distributed unit, and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transmission context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

16. A method for communication, comprising: providing, from a user equipment to a core network, a request for local handover at a distributed unit of a radio access network node, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice providing local handover at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transfer context at the distributed unit; as well as For each of the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use a protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

17. An apparatus for a communication system, comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receiving, at a centralized unit control plane portion of a radio access network node, an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports a network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transmission context at the distributed unit; indicating from the centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node to a core network that the distributed unit of the radio network node supports a network slice that provides local switching at the distributed unit; receiving, from the core network, for a user equipment providing a request for local handover at the distributed unit, a user equipment context, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is permitted to use at least one of the network slices providing local handover at the distributed unit; for each of the network slices providing local handover at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit such that: a user plane of the user equipment is terminated at the distributed unit and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user equipment for local handover at the distributed unit; as well as For each of the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

18. An apparatus for a communication system, comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: providing, from a distributed unit of a radio access network node, an indication to a centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports a network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transmission context at the distributed unit; as well as For each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the distributed unit, so that: a user plane of a user equipment providing a request for local switching at the distributed unit is terminated at the distributed unit, and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transmission context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

19. An apparatus for a communication system, comprising: at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: providing, from a user equipment to a core network, a request for local handover at a distributed unit of a radio access network node, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice providing local handover at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transfer context at the distributed unit; as well as For each of the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use a protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

20. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform: receiving, at a centralized unit control plane portion of a radio access network node, an indication from a distributed unit of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports a network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transmission context at the distributed unit; indicating from the centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node to a core network that the distributed unit of the radio network node supports a network slice that provides local switching at the distributed unit; receiving, from the core network, for a user equipment providing a request for local handover at the distributed unit, a user equipment context, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is permitted to use at least one of the network slices providing local handover at the distributed unit; for each of the network slices providing local handover at the distributed unit, configuring at least one data transfer context at the distributed unit such that: a user plane of the user equipment is terminated at the distributed unit and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transfer context becomes available to the user equipment for local handover at the distributed unit; as well as For each of the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use the protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

21. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform: providing, from a distributed unit of a radio access network node, an indication to a centralized unit control plane portion of the radio access network node that the distributed unit supports a network slice providing local switching at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transmission context at the distributed unit; and For each network slice in the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the distributed unit, so that: a user plane of a user equipment providing a request for local switching at the distributed unit is terminated at the distributed unit, and a protocol data unit session associated with the data transmission context becomes available to the user equipment for local switching at the distributed unit.

22. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform: providing, from a user equipment to a core network, a request for local handover at a distributed unit of a radio access network node, the request comprising an indication that the user equipment is allowed to use at least one network slice providing local handover at the distributed unit, wherein the network slice is associated with at least one of a protocol data unit type and a quality of service profile, the at least one being used to configure a data transfer context at the distributed unit; and For each of the network slices providing local switching at the distributed unit, at least one data transmission context is configured at the user equipment so that the user equipment can use a protocol data unit session for local switching at the distributed unit.

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