Home network element determination method and apparatus, communication device, and storage medium

Abstract

The application relates to a home network element determination method and device, communication equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of mobile communication. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a session establishment request sent by a user equipment; wherein the session establishment request comprises an internal data network name (DNN); determining a session management network element (SMF) network element of a center home location closest to the user equipment according to at least one center home location information corresponding to the internal DNN; wherein the at least one center home location information comprises information of at least one center home location of the internal DNN subscription, and each center home location can access an internal data network identified by the internal DNN through a corresponding core network. The application establishes the shortest data transmission path for the user equipment, shortens the data transmission distance, and further reduces the network delay of the user equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium for determining the home network element. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication Technology) networks, when a user device requests access to an enterprise intranet while roaming, if it's using HR (Home Routed) roaming, existing technology can only select the SMF (Session Management Function) network element for the user's home location based on the home domain name in the user device's subscribed DNN (Data Network Name), and then connect to the enterprise intranet. This method establishes an excessively long data transmission path for the user device, resulting in high latency.

[0003] Therefore, how to reduce network latency for user devices has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a method, apparatus, communication equipment, and storage medium for determining the home network element that can reduce network latency of user equipment, in order to address the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a method for determining the home network element, applied to an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) network element. The method includes:

[0006] Receive a session establishment request sent by a user equipment; wherein the session establishment request includes the internal data network name DNN;

[0007] Based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, the Session Management Network (SMF) element of the central home location closest to the user equipment is determined; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information of at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, and each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network.

[0008] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0009] The at least one central location information is obtained from the PCF (Policy Control Function) network element.

[0010] In one embodiment, obtaining the at least one central location information from the Policy Control Function (PCF) network element includes:

[0011] During the registration process of the user equipment, the at least one central location information of the user equipment under the internal DNN is obtained from the PCF network element.

[0012] In one embodiment, obtaining the at least one central location information subscribed by the user equipment under the internal DNN from the PCF network element includes:

[0013] The PCF network element to which the user equipment belongs is determined based on the user identification code;

[0014] Send a request to the PCF network element to obtain the subscription information of the user equipment; wherein, the request to obtain the subscription information includes the user identifier of the user equipment, and the user identifier is used by the PCF network element to feed back the subscription information of the user equipment to the AMF network element based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN and the central location information;

[0015] Receive the subscription information of the user equipment fed back by the PCF network element;

[0016] Extract the at least one central location information of the user equipment that it has signed up for under the internal DNN from the signed-up information.

[0017] In one embodiment, the user identification code is the Mobile Station International Subscriber Identity DN (MSISDN).

[0018] In one embodiment, determining the Session Management Network Element (SMF) of the nearest central home location to the user equipment based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN includes:

[0019] Based on at least one central location information corresponding to the internal DNN, determine the central location closest to the user equipment;

[0020] Send an SMF discovery request to the NRF (NF Repository Function) network element; wherein, the SMF discovery request is used to instruct the NRF network element to find the SMF network element of the nearest central home location to the user equipment;

[0021] The system receives the SMF network element information returned by the NRF network element in response to the SMF discovery request, and determines the SMF network element based on the SMF network element information.

[0022] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0023] Send a PDU session SM context establishment request to the SMF network element.

[0024] Secondly, this application provides a method for determining the home network element, applied to PCF network elements. The method includes:

[0025] Send at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network, and the at least one central home location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment.

[0026] In one embodiment, sending at least one central location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element includes:

[0027] The system receives a subscription information acquisition request sent by the AMF network element; wherein the subscription information acquisition request includes the user identifier of the user equipment.

[0028] Based on the correspondence between user identifier, internal DNN and central location information, the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier are determined.

[0029] Based on the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier, the subscription information of the user equipment is fed back to the AMF network element; wherein, the subscription information includes at least one central location information that the user equipment has subscribed to under the internal DNN.

[0030] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0031] The correspondence between user identifiers, internal DNN, and central location information sent by the enterprise application function AF network element through the network open function NEF network element is received.

[0032] Thirdly, this application also provides a home network element determination device, applied to the AMF network element side. The device includes:

[0033] A request receiving module is used to receive a session establishment request sent by a user equipment; wherein the session establishment request includes an internal DNN;

[0034] The network element determination module is used to determine the SMF network element of the nearest central home location to the user equipment based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information of at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, and each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network.

[0035] Fourthly, this application also provides a home network element determination device, applied to the PCF network element side. The device includes:

[0036] The information sending module is used to send at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network, and the at least one central home location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment.

[0037] Fifthly, this application also provides a communication device. The communication device includes a memory, a transceiver, and a processor. The memory stores a computer program. The transceiver is used to receive or transmit data under the control of the processor. When the processor executes the computer program, it performs the following steps:

[0038] Receive a session establishment request sent by a user equipment; wherein the session establishment request includes an internal DNN;

[0039] Based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment is determined; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information of at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, and each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network.

[0040] Alternatively, the processor may execute the computer program by performing the following steps:

[0041] Send at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network, and the at least one central home location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment.

[0042] Sixthly, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, performs the following steps:

[0043] Receive a session establishment request sent by a user equipment; wherein the session establishment request includes an internal DNN;

[0044] Based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment is determined; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information of at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, and each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network.

[0045] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed by the processor, it performs the following steps:

[0046] Send at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network, and the at least one central home location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment.

[0047] Seventhly, this application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, performs the following steps:

[0048] Receive a session establishment request sent by a user equipment; wherein the session establishment request includes an internal DNN;

[0049] Based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment is determined; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information of at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, and each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network.

[0050] Alternatively, when the computer program is executed by the processor, it performs the following steps:

[0051] Send at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network, and the at least one central home location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment.

[0052] The aforementioned method, apparatus, communication equipment, and storage medium for determining the home network element involve an AMF network element receiving a session establishment request from a user equipment (UE). Based on at least one corresponding central home location information from the internal DNN, the AMF network element determines the SMF network element with the closest central home location to the UE. Compared to existing technologies that only allow selection of the UE's subscribed home location, this application allows the internal DNN to subscribe to multiple central home locations. This means that different central home locations can access the internal data network through their corresponding core network. By selecting the SMF network element with the closest central home location to the UE to establish a PDU session, the shortest data transmission path is established for the UE, reducing the data transmission distance and consequently lowering the UE's network latency. Attached Figure Description

[0053] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the network element connection between the roaming location and the home location in the existing technology;

[0054] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the network element connection between the roaming location and the home location in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the home network element in one embodiment;

[0056] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the process for obtaining at least one central location information in one embodiment;

[0057] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of determining the home SMF network element in one embodiment;

[0058] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the method for determining the home network element in another embodiment;

[0059] Figure 7 This is a signaling diagram of a method for determining the home network element in one embodiment;

[0060] Figure 8 This is a structural block diagram of a home network element determination device in one embodiment;

[0061] Figure 9This is a structural block diagram of the home location network element determination device in another embodiment;

[0062] Figure 10 This is an internal structural diagram of a communication device in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0063] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0064] like Figure 1 As shown, when a user device requests access to the enterprise intranet while roaming, the existing HR roaming method requires the roaming AMF network element to select the home SMF network element based on the home domain name in the user device's contracted DNN before connecting to the home enterprise intranet. This method establishes an excessively long data transmission path for the user device, resulting in high latency.

[0065] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a method for determining the home network element, which can be implemented when an enterprise has multiple central home locations (i.e., the home locations corresponding to different branches or divisions), such as Figure 2 As shown, the roaming AMF network element intelligently selects the SMF of the nearest home network to the user equipment to access the internal network in order to meet the user's low latency traffic requirements.

[0066] Before introducing the embodiments of this application, some related functional network elements involved in this application will be introduced first.

[0067] User equipment (UE) accesses data networks (DNs) and other services provided by operators or third parties on the DN by connecting to the operator's network. For ease of explanation, in the embodiments of this application, user terminal, user equipment, terminal equipment, or terminal can be collectively referred to as UE. That is, unless otherwise specified, the UE described in the embodiments of this application below can be replaced by user terminal, user equipment, terminal equipment, or terminal, and of course, they can be interchanged.

[0068] The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) is a control plane function in 3GPP networks, primarily responsible for access control and mobility management of the UE (User Equipment) accessing the operator's network. The Security Anchor Function (SEAF) can be deployed within the AMF, or it may be deployed in a separate device, assuming the SEAF is deployed within the AMF. When the SEAF is deployed within the AMF, the SEAF and AMF can be collectively referred to as the AMF.

[0069] The SMF (Session Management Function) is a control plane function in 3GPP networks. The SMF is primarily responsible for managing the UE's packet data unit (PDU) sessions. A PDU session is a channel for transmitting PDUs; the UE can exchange PDUs with the DN through the PDU session. The SMF is responsible for the establishment, maintenance, and deletion of PDU sessions.

[0070] A Data Network (DN), also known as a Packet Data Network (PDN), is a network located outside of the 3GPP network. A 3GPP network can access multiple DNs, and various services provided by operators or third parties can be deployed on these DNs. For example, a DN might be a private network in a smart factory, where sensors installed in the factory workshop act as User-Employers (UEs), and a control server for these sensors is deployed within the DN. The UEs communicate with the control server, and after receiving instructions from the control server, they can transmit the collected data to it accordingly. Another example is a DN that serves as an internal office network for a company, where the terminals used by the company's employees act as UEs, allowing them to access internal company information and other resources.

[0071] Network Exposure Function (NEF) is a control plane function in 3GPP networks. The NEF is primarily responsible for securely exposing the 3GPP network's external interfaces to third parties. When functional network elements such as the SMF need to communicate with third-party network elements, the NEF can act as a relay. During relaying, the NEF can translate internal and external identifiers. For example, when sending the UE's SUPI from the 3GPP network to a third party, the NEF can translate the SUPI into its corresponding external identity (ID). Conversely, when sending the external identity ID to the 3GPP network, the NEF can translate it into the corresponding SUPI.

[0072] The Network Repository Function (NRF) is also a control plane function in 3GPP networks. It is mainly responsible for storing the configuration and service profiles of accessible network functions (NFs) and providing network function discovery services for other network elements.

[0073] The Policy Control Function (PCF) is a control plane function in 3GPP networks used to provide the SMF with policies for PDU sessions. Policies may include charging, Quality of Service (QoS), and authorization-related policies.

[0074] Application Function (AF) is responsible for user application management.

[0075] A 3GPP network refers to a network that conforms to the 3GPP standard. Furthermore, a 3GPP network is not limited to the 5G network defined by 3GPP; it can also include 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. Typically, 3GPP networks are operated by mobile operators.

[0076] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0077] In one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, a method for determining the home network element is provided. Taking the application of this method to AMF as an example, the method includes the following steps:

[0078] S301, Receive session establishment request sent by user equipment.

[0079] The so-called internal DNN refers to the name of the internal data network DN, such as the name of an enterprise intranet. The session establishment request is used to request the establishment of a PDU session with the DN identified by the internal DNN. The session establishment request may also include the PDU session ID, request type, and S-NSSAI (Single Network Slice Selection Assistance information), which identifies a network slice. The AMF network element can be an AMF network element in the roaming location, and the user equipment is the equipment used by enterprise users with multiple affiliations.

[0080] Optionally, when the user equipment is in a roaming scenario and needs to establish an internal DNN session, the user equipment sends a session establishment request including the internal DNN to the AMF network element in the roaming location. After receiving the session establishment request sent by the user equipment, the AMF network element in the roaming location selects the SMF network element to establish a PDU session with the user equipment.

[0081] S302, based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, determine the SMF network element with the central home location closest to the user equipment.

[0082] In this system, an enterprise can have multiple branches (or divisions); optionally, different branches typically correspond to different central locations, and each central location can access the DN identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network. In this embodiment, at least one central location information includes information about at least one central location subscribed to by the internal DNN. The central location information can be the name of a province or city, such as Province A, Province B, City C, or City D, etc.

[0083] Optionally, for larger enterprises, hierarchical management of user device access to the enterprise intranet can be implemented to facilitate the management of intranet access. That is, one or more central location information can be configured for enterprise users based on their identity (or position) and the branch office they work for. Correspondingly, at least one central location information in S302 represents one or more central location information subscribed to by the enterprise user initiating the session establishment request under the internal DNN.

[0084] Optionally, after receiving a session establishment request from a user equipment, the AMF network element responds to the session establishment request by determining the nearest home center to the user equipment from at least one home center information of the internal DNN based on the corresponding home center information stored locally, and then determines the SMF network element of the nearest home center to the user equipment.

[0085] Optionally, determining the nearest central location to the user equipment from at least one central location information of the internal DNN based on at least one central location information of the internal DNN in local storage can be achieved by: carrying the location information of the user equipment in the session establishment request; furthermore, the nearest central location to the user equipment can be determined from at least one central location information of the internal DNN in local storage, combined with the location information of the user equipment.

[0086] In one embodiment, after determining the SMF network element, the home location of the user equipment's DNN can be updated to the center home location corresponding to the determined SMF network element.

[0087] The aforementioned method for determining the home network element involves the AMF network element receiving a session establishment request from the user equipment (UE). Based on at least one corresponding home network element information from the internal DNN, it determines the SMF network element of the nearest home network element to the UE. Compared to existing technologies that only allow selection of the UE's subscribed home network element, this application allows the internal DNN to subscribe to multiple home network elements. This means that different home network elements can access the internal data network through their corresponding core network. By selecting the SMF network element of the nearest home network element to the UE to establish a PDU session, the shortest data transmission path is established for the UE, reducing the data transmission distance and consequently lowering the UE's network latency.

[0088] In one embodiment, based on the above embodiments, this application provides an optional method for obtaining at least one center location information. For example, at least one center location information can be obtained from a PCF network element.

[0089] Optionally, the enterprise AF network element can manage the central location of enterprise users and send relevant information such as the user identifier, internal DNN, and central location to the PCF network element via the NEF network element. The PCF network element then associates and stores the user identifier, internal DNN, and central location information. Subsequently, the AMF network element can retrieve from the PCF network element one or more central location information items that the enterprise user initiating the session establishment request has subscribed to under the internal DNN.

[0090] To quickly establish a session for a user equipment (UE), in one embodiment, at least one central location information can be obtained from the PCF network element before receiving a session establishment request from the UE. Optionally, one possible way to obtain at least one central location information from the PCF network element is to obtain at least one central location information that the UE has subscribed to under the internal DNN during the registration process for the UE.

[0091] Optionally, when a user equipment initiates an initial registration or a registration update due to a location change to an AMF network element, i.e., the user equipment initiates a registration request to the AMF network element, the AMF network element responds to the registration request and, during the registration process for the user equipment, can obtain SMF Selection Subscription Data from the PCF network element. The SMF Selection Subscription Data contains at least one central location information that the user equipment has subscribed to under the internal DNN.

[0092] Alternatively, the AMF network element can send a home location information retrieval request to the PCF network element. In response to the home location information retrieval request, the PCF network element sends at least one central home location information of the user equipment's subscription under the internal DNN to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element can obtain at least one central home location information of the user equipment's subscription under the internal DNN from the PCF network element. Alternatively, the AMF network element can carry target indication information in the request for obtaining the user equipment's subscription information sent to the PCF network element. The target indication information is used to instruct the PCF network element to return at least one central home location information of the user equipment's subscription under the internal DNN to the AMF network element, so that the AMF network element can obtain at least one central home location information of the user equipment's subscription under the internal DNN from the PCF network element.

[0093] Based on the above embodiments, there are many ways to obtain at least one central location information of the user equipment under the internal DNN from the PCF network element. This embodiment provides an optional method for obtaining at least one central location information, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the following steps may be included:

[0094] S401 determines the PCF network element to which the user equipment belongs based on the user identification code.

[0095] The user identification code is a unique identifier used to identify a mobile user. Optionally, the user identification code can be an identifier that is not visible to the user, such as IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity); or it can be an identifier that is visible to the user, such as MSISDN (Mobile Subscriber Identification Number).

[0096] Optionally, the user equipment initiates a registration request carrying a user identification code to the AMF network element; in response to the user equipment's registration request, the AMF network element routes the user equipment to the PCF network element to which the user equipment belongs based on the user identification code, such as MSISDN, during the registration process.

[0097] S402 sends a request to the PCF network element to obtain the user equipment subscription information.

[0098] The request for obtaining the contract information includes the user identifier of the user device, that is, the user identifier of the enterprise user corresponding to the user device; optionally, the user identifier can be the device identifier of the user device held by the user, such as SUCI (SUbs cription Concealed Identifier) ​​or SUPI (SUbs cription Permanent Identifier); or, the user identifier can also be a unique identifier assigned to the user by the enterprise.

[0099] Optionally, the contract information acquisition request may also include target indication information, which is used to instruct the PCF network element to return at least one central home location information to the AMF network element.

[0100] S403 receives user equipment subscription information fed back by PCF network elements.

[0101] The contract information includes at least one central location information of the user equipment's contract under the internal DNN.

[0102] Optionally, after receiving a subscription information retrieval request from the AMF network element, the PCF network element can, based on the user equipment's device identifier in the request, search the locally stored correspondence between the user identifier, internal DNN, and central location information to obtain the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier. Then, based on the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier, the PCF network element feeds back the user equipment's subscription information to the AMF network element. Subsequently, the AMF network element receives the user equipment's subscription information fed back by the PCF network element.

[0103] S404, Extract at least one central location information of the user equipment's subscription under the internal DNN from the subscription information.

[0104] Optionally, after receiving the user equipment subscription information from the PCF network element, the AMF network element can extract at least one central location information that the user equipment has subscribed to under the internal DNN from the setting fields of the subscription information.

[0105] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the AMF network element can quickly and accurately obtain at least one central location information of the user equipment under the internal DNN by interacting with the PCF network element, providing an optional method for obtaining central location information.

[0106] In one embodiment, after receiving the user equipment's subscription information returned by the PCF network element in response to the subscription information acquisition request, a registration success message can also be sent to the user equipment; wherein, the registration success message is used to instruct the user equipment to send a session establishment request.

[0107] In one embodiment, based on the above embodiments, this application provides an optional method for determining the home SMF network element. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the following steps may be included:

[0108] S501, determine the nearest central location to the user equipment based on at least one central location information corresponding to the internal DNN.

[0109] Optionally, the user equipment may carry the user equipment's location information in the session establishment request sent by the user equipment; then, based on the user equipment's location information and at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, the central home location closest to the user equipment can be determined from at least one central home location.

[0110] S502, sends an SMF discovery request to the Network Storage Function (NRF) element.

[0111] The SMF discovery request is used to instruct NRF network elements to locate the SMF network element of the nearest central home network to the user equipment. For example, an AMF network element in a roaming location sends an SMF discovery request to an NRF network element in the roaming location. The SMF discovery request may include information such as PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network), S-NSSAI, and DNN, so that the NRF network element in the roaming location can locate the SMF network element of the nearest central home network to the user equipment based on the information in the SMF discovery request.

[0112] S503: Receive the SMF network element information returned by the NRF network element in response to the SMF discovery request, and determine the SMF network element based on the SMF network element information.

[0113] Optionally, the NRF network element can return information about the SMF network element, such as device identifier or network identifier, to the AMF network element for the AMF network element to locate the SMF network element.

[0114] Furthermore, after identifying the SMF network element, the AMF network element can send a PDU session SM context establishment request to the SMF network element. This PDU session SM context establishment request can carry information such as DNN, S-NSSAI, AMF ID, and PCF ID.

[0115] Optionally, the AMF network element sends a PDU session SM context establishment request to the SMF network element in the central home location closest to the user equipment. The SMF network element responds to the PDU session SM context establishment request, selects a UPF network element for the user equipment, and executes the subsequent PDU session establishment process to complete the PDU session establishment. For example... Figure 2As shown, this application enables roaming AMF network elements to select the nearest SMF / UPF for user equipment to access the intranet through the management and control of the DNN+ central home location, thereby meeting the user's low latency traffic requirements.

[0116] In one embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, a method for determining the home network element is provided. Taking the application of this method to the PCF network element as an example, the method includes the following steps:

[0117] S601, send at least one central location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element.

[0118] Among them, at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location that has signed up with the internal DNN. Each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network. At least one central home location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment.

[0119] The aforementioned method for determining the home network element involves the PCF network element sending at least one central home location information corresponding to its internal DNN to the AMF network element. This allows the AMF network element, upon receiving a session establishment request from the user equipment, to determine the SMF network element with the closest central home location to the user equipment based on the at least one central home location information corresponding to its internal DNN. Compared to existing technologies that only allow selection of the user equipment's subscribed home location, this application allows the internal DNN to subscribe to multiple central home locations. This means that different central home locations can access the internal data network through their corresponding core network. By selecting the SMF network element with the closest central home location to the user equipment to establish a PDU session, the shortest data transmission path is established for the user equipment, reducing the data transmission distance and consequently lowering the network latency for the user equipment.

[0120] In one embodiment, the PCF network element can send at least one center location information corresponding to its internal DNN to the AMF network element through the following steps:

[0121] The first step is to receive a subscription information acquisition request sent by the AMF network element; the subscription information acquisition request contains the user identifier of the user equipment.

[0122] The second step involves determining the internal DNN and the center location information corresponding to the user identifier based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN, and the center location information.

[0123] Optionally, this application embodiment introduces an enterprise AF network element, which can be used to manage the central location of enterprise users. For example, enterprise administrators can configure the corresponding central location for users within the enterprise based on user identity information, etc., on the enterprise AF network element side; for example, for VIP users, the central location corresponding to the headquarters, multiple branches, etc. can be configured, and for ordinary users, the central location corresponding to the headquarters and / or one branch can be configured, etc.

[0124] Furthermore, the enterprise AF network element can send relevant information such as the user's central location, including the correspondence between the user identifier, internal DNN, and central location information, to the NEF network element. The NEF network element then routes this information to the PCF network element to which the user equipment belongs, based on the user identification code, such as MSISDN, and sends the correspondence between the user identifier, internal DNN, and central location information to the PCF network element. The PCF network element can then receive and store the correspondence between the user identifier, internal DNN, and central location information sent by the enterprise AF network element through the NEF network element.

[0125] For example, enterprise managers can also dynamically adjust the configured central location based on actual needs. In this case, the PCF network element can also dynamically adjust the stored correspondence based on the correspondence between the user identifier, internal DNN, and central location information sent by the AF network element through the NEF network element.

[0126] Optionally, after receiving the subscription information acquisition request sent by the AMF network element, the PCF network element can search for the corresponding internal DNN and central location information of the user equipment in the locally stored correspondence between the user identifier, internal DNN and central location information based on the device identifier of the user equipment in the subscription information acquisition request.

[0127] The third step involves feeding back the user equipment's subscription information to the AMF network element based on the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier; wherein, the subscription information includes at least one central location information that the user equipment has subscribed to under the internal DNN.

[0128] Optionally, the user identifier's internal DNN and central location information can be encapsulated according to a pre-defined encapsulation method to obtain the subscription information; the user equipment's subscription information can be fed back to the AMF network element; and then the AMF network element can extract at least one central location information that the user equipment has subscribed to under the internal DNN from the set fields of the subscription information.

[0129] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, by interacting with the PCF network element, the AMF network element can quickly and accurately obtain at least one central location information of the user equipment under the internal DNN, providing an optional method for the AMF network element to obtain central location information.

[0130] For example, this embodiment provides an optional implementation process for the method of determining the home network element, based on the above embodiments. See also... Figure 7 As shown, the process specifically includes the following steps:

[0131] S701, the user equipment sends a registration request to the AMF network element.

[0132] In response to the registration request, the AMF network element sends a subscription information acquisition request to the PCF network element during the registration process for the user equipment.

[0133] The request for obtaining contract information includes the user identifier of the user device.

[0134] S703, the PCF network element determines the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier based on the correspondence between the user identifier, internal DNN and central location information.

[0135] S704, the PCF network element feeds back the user equipment subscription information to the AMF network element based on the internal DNN corresponding to the user identifier and the center location information.

[0136] S705, the AMF network element extracts at least one central location information of the user equipment under the internal DNN from the subscription information.

[0137] The S706 AMF network element can also send a registration success message to the user equipment.

[0138] The registration success message is used to instruct the user equipment to send a session establishment request, or it is used to notify the user equipment that the authentication of the user equipment's identity has been completed.

[0139] S707, the user equipment sends a session establishment request to the AMF network element.

[0140] The session establishment request is used to request the establishment of a PDU session with the DN identified by the internal DNN.

[0141] S708, the AMF network element receives a session establishment request sent by the user equipment and determines the nearest home center to the user equipment based on at least one home center information corresponding to the internal DNN.

[0142] S709, the AMF network element sends an SMF discovery request to the NRF network element.

[0143] The SMF discovery request is used to instruct NRF network elements to find the SMF network element with the nearest central home location to the user equipment.

[0144] S710, the NRF network element feeds back information about the SMF network element of the central home location that is closest to the user equipment to the AMF network element.

[0145] The information of an SMF network element can be its identity identifier or network identifier.

[0146] S711, the AMF network element determines the SMF network element based on the information of the SMF network element.

[0147] S712, the AMF network element sends a PDU session SM context establishment request to the SMF network element.

[0148] The PDU session SM context establishment request is used to instruct the SMF network element to initiate the PDU session establishment process.

[0149] S713, the AMF network element sends a successful establishment message to the user equipment.

[0150] The success message is used to notify the user equipment that a PDU session has been successfully established.

[0151] The specific processes of S701-S713 described above can be found in the description of the above method embodiments. Their implementation principles and technical effects are similar and will not be repeated here.

[0152] It should be understood that although the steps in the flowcharts of the above embodiments are shown sequentially according to the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless explicitly stated herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and they can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least some steps in the flowcharts of the above embodiments may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but can be performed alternately or in turn with other steps or at least some of the steps or stages of other steps.

[0153] Based on the same inventive concept, this application also provides a location network element determination device for implementing the location network element determination method described above. The solution provided by this device is similar to the solution described in the above method; therefore, the specific limitations in one or more location network element determination device embodiments provided below can be found in the limitations of the location network element determination method described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0154] In one embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, a home network element determination device 1 is provided, which can be applied to the AMF network element side, including:

[0155] The request receiving module 810 is used to receive a session establishment request sent by the user equipment; wherein, the session establishment request includes an internal DNN;

[0156] The network element determination module 820 is used to determine the SMF network element with the nearest central home location to the user equipment based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, and each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network.

[0157] In one embodiment, the aforementioned home location network element device 1 further includes an information acquisition module, which is used to acquire at least one central home location information from the PCF network element.

[0158] In one embodiment, the information acquisition module can be specifically used to: obtain, during the registration process of the user equipment, at least one central location information that the user equipment has signed up for under the internal DNN from the PCF network element.

[0159] In one embodiment, the information acquisition module can also be used for:

[0160] Based on the user identification code, determine the PCF network element to which the user equipment belongs; send a request to the PCF network element to obtain the user equipment's subscription information; wherein, the subscription information acquisition request includes the user identifier of the user equipment, and the user identifier is used by the PCF network element to feed back the user equipment's subscription information to the AMF network element based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN, and the central location information; receive the user equipment's subscription information fed back by the PCF network element; extract at least one central location information of the user equipment's subscription under the internal DNN from the subscription information.

[0161] In one embodiment, the aforementioned user identification code is the Mobile Station International Subscriber Identity (MSISDN).

[0162] In one embodiment, the network element determination module 820 is specifically used for:

[0163] Based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, determine the central home location closest to the user equipment; send an SMF discovery request to the Network Storage Function (NRF) network element; wherein the SMF discovery request is used to instruct the NRF network element to find the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment; receive the SMF network element information returned by the NRF network element in response to the SMF discovery request, and determine the SMF network element based on the SMF network element information.

[0164] In one embodiment, the aforementioned home network device further includes a context sending module, which is used to send a PDU session SM context establishment request to the SMF network element.

[0165] In one embodiment, such as Figure 9 As shown, another location network element determination device 2 is provided, which can be applied to the PCF network element side, including:

[0166] The information sending module 910 is used to send at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network, and the at least one central home location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment.

[0167] In one embodiment, the information sending module 910 described above can be specifically used for:

[0168] The system receives a subscription information retrieval request sent by the AMF network element; wherein the subscription information retrieval request includes the user identifier of the user equipment; based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN, and the central location information, the system determines the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier; based on the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier, the system feeds back the subscription information of the user equipment to the AMF network element; wherein the subscription information includes at least one central location information that the user equipment has subscribed to under the internal DNN.

[0169] In one embodiment, the aforementioned home location network element determination device 2 further includes a relationship receiving module, which is used to receive the correspondence between user identifier, internal DNN and central home location information sent by the Enterprise Application Function (AF) network element through the Network Open Function (NEF) network element.

[0170] Each module in the aforementioned location network element determination device can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. These modules can be embedded in the processor of the communication device in hardware form or independent of it, or stored in the memory of the communication device in software form, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to each module.

[0171] In one embodiment, a communication device is provided, which may be a server, and its internal structure diagram may be as follows: Figure 10 As shown, the communication device includes a processor, memory, network interface, and transceiver connected via a system bus. The processor provides computing and control capabilities. The memory includes non-volatile storage media and internal memory. The transceiver, under the control of the processor, performs operations to receive or send data. The non-volatile storage media stores the operating system, computer programs, and a database. The internal memory provides an environment for the operation of the operating system and computer programs in the non-volatile storage media. The database stores data such as multi-location information and subscription information. The network interface communicates with external terminals via a network connection. When executed by the processor, the computer program implements a method for determining the home network element.

[0172] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 10 The structure shown is merely a block diagram of a portion of the structure related to the present application and does not constitute a limitation on the communication device to which the present application is applied. Specific communication devices may include more or fewer components than those shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0173] In one embodiment, a communication device is provided, including a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program. When the communication device is applied to an AMF network element, the processor executes the processing logic in the computer program to implement the following steps:

[0174] Receive a session establishment request sent by a user equipment; wherein the session establishment request includes an internal DNN;

[0175] Based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment is determined; wherein, at least one central home location information includes information of at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, and each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network.

[0176] In one embodiment, when the processor executes the processing logic in the computer program, it also performs the following steps: obtaining at least one central location information from the PCF network element.

[0177] In one embodiment, when the processor executes the processing logic in the computer program to obtain at least one central location information from the PCF network element, it further implements the following steps: during the registration process of the user equipment, it obtains at least one central location information of the user equipment under the internal DNN from the PCF network element.

[0178] In one embodiment, when the processor executes the processing logic in the computer program that obtains at least one central location information of the user equipment under the internal DNN from the PCF network element during the user equipment registration process, it further implements the following steps:

[0179] Based on the user identification code, determine the PCF network element to which the user equipment belongs; send a request to the PCF network element to obtain the user equipment's subscription information; wherein, the subscription information acquisition request includes the user identifier of the user equipment, the user identifier is used by the PCF network element to feed back the user equipment's subscription information to the AMF network element based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN and the central location information; receive the user equipment's subscription information fed back by the PCF network element; extract at least one central location information of the user equipment's subscription under the internal DNN from the subscription information.

[0180] In one embodiment, the user identification code is MSISDN.

[0181] In one embodiment, when the processor executes the processing logic in the computer program to determine the Session Management Network (SMF) element with the nearest central home location to the user equipment based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, it further implements the following steps:

[0182] Based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, determine the central home location closest to the user equipment; send an SMF discovery request to the Network Storage Function (NRF) network element; wherein, the SMF discovery request is used to instruct the NRF network element to find the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment; receive the SMF network element information returned by the NRF network element in response to the SMF discovery request, and determine the SMF network element based on the SMF network element information.

[0183] In one embodiment, when the processor executes the processing logic in the computer program, it also performs the following steps: sending a PDU session SM context establishment request to the SMF network element.

[0184] In one embodiment, when the communication device is applied to a PCF network element, the processor executes the following steps when performing processing logic in a computer program:

[0185] Send at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network, and the at least one central home location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment.

[0186] In one embodiment, when the processor executes the processing logic in the computer program that sends at least one central location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element, it also performs the following steps:

[0187] The system receives a subscription information retrieval request sent by the AMF network element; wherein the subscription information retrieval request includes the user identifier of the user equipment; based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN, and the central location information, the system determines the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier; based on the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier, the system feeds back the subscription information of the user equipment to the AMF network element; wherein the subscription information includes at least one central location information that the user equipment has subscribed to under the internal DNN.

[0188] In one embodiment, when the processor executes the computer program, it also performs the following steps: receiving the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN, and the central location information sent by the AF network element through the NEF network element.

[0189] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium or computer program product is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer-readable storage medium or computer program product is applied to an AMF network element, the processing logic in the computer program is executed by a processor to perform the following steps:

[0190] Receive a session establishment request sent by a user equipment; wherein the session establishment request includes an internal DNN;

[0191] Based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment is determined; wherein, at least one central home location information includes information of at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, and each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network.

[0192] In one embodiment, when the processing logic in the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are also performed: obtaining at least one central location information from the PCF network element.

[0193] In one embodiment, when the processing logic for obtaining at least one central location information from a PCF network element in a computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are also performed: during the registration process for a user equipment, obtaining at least one central location information that the user equipment has signed up for under the internal DNN from the PCF network element.

[0194] In one embodiment, during the registration process of a user equipment in a computer program, when the processing logic for obtaining at least one central location information of the user equipment subscribed under the internal DNN from the PCF network element is executed by the processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0195] Based on the user identification code, determine the PCF network element to which the user equipment belongs; send a request to the PCF network element to obtain the user equipment's subscription information; wherein, the subscription information acquisition request includes the user identifier of the user equipment, the user identifier is used by the PCF network element to feed back the user equipment's subscription information to the AMF network element based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN and the central location information; receive the user equipment's subscription information fed back by the PCF network element; extract at least one central location information of the user equipment's subscription under the internal DNN from the subscription information.

[0196] In one embodiment, the user identification code is MSISDN.

[0197] In one embodiment, when the processing logic in the computer program that determines the Session Management Network (SMF) element with the nearest central home location to the user equipment based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN is executed by the processor, the following steps are also implemented:

[0198] Based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, determine the central home location closest to the user equipment; send an SMF discovery request to the Network Storage Function (NRF) network element; wherein, the SMF discovery request is used to instruct the NRF network element to find the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment; receive the SMF network element information returned by the NRF network element in response to the SMF discovery request, and determine the SMF network element based on the SMF network element information.

[0199] In one embodiment, when the processing logic in the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are also performed: sending a PDU session SM context establishment request to the SMF network element.

[0200] In one embodiment, when the computer-readable storage medium or computer program product is applied to a PCF network element, the processing logic in the computer program, when executed by a processor, performs the following steps:

[0201] Send at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network, and the at least one central home location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central home location closest to the user equipment.

[0202] In one embodiment, when the processing logic in the computer program that sends at least one central location information corresponding to the internal DNN to the AMF network element is executed by the processor, the following steps are also performed:

[0203] The system receives a subscription information retrieval request sent by the AMF network element; wherein the subscription information retrieval request includes the user identifier of the user equipment; based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN, and the central location information, the system determines the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier; based on the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier, the system feeds back the subscription information of the user equipment to the AMF network element; wherein the subscription information includes at least one central location information that the user equipment has subscribed to under the internal DNN.

[0204] In one embodiment, when the processing logic in the computer program is executed by the processor, the following steps are also performed: receiving the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN, and the central location information sent by the AF network element through the NEF network element.

[0205] It should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, data stored, data displayed, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties.

[0206] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When executed, the computer program can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Any references to memory, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can take many forms, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) or Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM). The databases involved in the embodiments provided in this application may include at least one type of relational database and non-relational database. Non-relational databases may include, but are not limited to, blockchain-based distributed databases. The processors involved in the embodiments provided in this application may be general-purpose processors, central processing units, graphics processing units, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, quantum computing-based data processing logic devices, etc., and are not limited to these.

[0207] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0208] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed. However, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining the home network element, characterized in that, The method, applied to Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) network elements, includes: Receive a session establishment request sent by a user equipment; wherein the session establishment request includes the internal data network name DNN; Based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN, determine the Session Management Network Element (SMF) of the central home location closest to the user equipment; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information of at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, and each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network; at least one central home location is the home location corresponding to different branches or divisions. The method further includes: During the registration process for user equipment, the PCF network element to which the user equipment belongs is determined based on the user identification code; Send a request to the PCF network element to obtain the subscription information of the user equipment; wherein, the request to obtain the subscription information includes the user identifier of the user equipment, and the user identifier is used by the PCF network element to feed back the subscription information of the user equipment to the AMF network element based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN and the central location information; Receive the subscription information of the user equipment fed back by the PCF network element; Extract the at least one central location information of the user equipment that it has signed up for under the internal DNN from the signed-up information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The user identification code is the Mobile International Subscriber Identity DN (MSISDN).

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the Session Management Network (SMF) element with the nearest central home location to the user equipment based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN includes: Based on at least one central location information corresponding to the internal DNN, determine the central location closest to the user equipment; Send an SMF discovery request to the Network Storage Function (NRF) network element; wherein, the SMF discovery request is used to instruct the NRF network element to find the SMF network element of the nearest central home location to the user equipment; The system receives information about the SMF network element returned by the NRF network element in response to the SMF discovery request, and determines the SMF network element based on the information about the SMF network element.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a PDU session SM context establishment request to the SMF network element.

5. A method for determining the home network element, characterized in that, Applied to PCF network elements, the method includes: Receive a subscription information acquisition request sent by an AMF network element; wherein, the subscription information acquisition request includes the user identifier of the user equipment; Based on the correspondence between user identifier, internal DNN, and central location information, the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier are determined. Based on the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier, the subscription information of the user equipment is fed back to the AMF network element; wherein, the subscription information includes at least one central location information subscribed by the user equipment under the internal DNN; wherein, the at least one central location information includes information of at least one central location subscribed by the internal DNN, each central location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network, and the at least one central location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central location closest to the user equipment; at least one central location is the location corresponding to different branches or divisions.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The correspondence between user identifiers, internal DNN, and central location information sent by the enterprise application function AF network element through the network open function NEF network element is received.

7. A device for determining the home network element, characterized in that, Applied to the AMF network element side, the device includes: A request receiving module is used to receive a session establishment request sent by a user equipment; wherein the session establishment request includes an internal DNN; The network element determination module is used to determine the SMF network element with the nearest central home location to the user equipment based on at least one central home location information corresponding to the internal DNN; wherein, the at least one central home location information includes information on at least one central home location subscribed to by the internal DNN, and each central home location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network; at least one central home location is the home location corresponding to different branches or divisions. An information acquisition module is used to, during the registration process of a user equipment, determine the PCF network element to which the user equipment belongs based on the user identification code; send a request to the PCF network element to acquire the user equipment's subscription information; wherein, the subscription information acquisition request includes the user identifier of the user equipment, the user identifier being used by the PCF network element to feed back the user equipment's subscription information to the AMF network element based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN, and the central location information; receive the subscription information of the user equipment fed back by the PCF network element; and extract the at least one central location information that the user equipment has subscribed to under the internal DNN from the subscription information.

8. A device for determining the home network element, characterized in that, Applied to the PCF network element side, the device includes: An information sending module is used to receive a subscription information acquisition request sent by an AMF network element; wherein the subscription information acquisition request includes a user identifier of the user equipment; based on the correspondence between the user identifier, the internal DNN, and the central location information, the module determines the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier; based on the internal DNN and central location information corresponding to the user identifier, the module feeds back the subscription information of the user equipment to the AMF network element; wherein the subscription information includes at least one central location information subscribed by the user equipment under the internal DNN; wherein the at least one central location information includes information of at least one central location subscribed by the internal DNN, each central location can access the internal data network identified by the internal DNN through its corresponding core network, and the at least one central location information is used by the AMF network element to determine the SMF network element of the central location closest to the user equipment; the at least one central location is the location corresponding to different branches or divisions.

9. A communication device, comprising a memory, a transceiver, and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, characterized in that, The transceiver is used to receive or send data under the control of the processor, wherein the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 5 to 6.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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