Method and system for slice handover of 5g network, device

Abstract

The application discloses a slice switching method and system, and a device of a 5G network, and the scheme comprises the following steps: acquiring slice subscription information of a target terminal device, wherein the slice subscription information comprises single network slice selection assistance information S-NSSAI identification, subscription access addresses and addresses of user plane functions UPF corresponding to each subscription slice of the target terminal device; when the target terminal device initiates a slice channel establishment request, establishing a first slice channel according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel establishment request, so as to provide a first subscription slice for the target terminal device; sending the slice subscription information to a first UPF corresponding to the first subscription slice; when receiving a slice channel switching request sent by the first UPF, switching the first slice channel to a second slice channel according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel switching request, so as to provide a second subscription slice for the target terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a 5G network slicing switching method, system, and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In the 5G core network, a new concept, "network slicing," is introduced. A slice consists of three parts: radio, transport, and core network, forming end-to-end differentiated services. Differentiated Services Code Points (DSCPs) are used to identify different service priorities. This solution leverages the diverse application scenarios brought about by 5G networks, using different slices to differentiate different service scenarios and providing differentiated network service capabilities on the network side, enabling the reservation and use of dedicated resources.

[0003] The network side can support terminal devices to subscribe to multiple slices; however, typically, when a terminal device first requests to use a slice, the network side provides it with a default subscribed slice. Subsequent requests for slices from other applications on the same terminal device will be reassigned to those applications by the network side.

[0004] Taking 5G vehicle-mounted devices as an example, three types of slices are supported for different application scenarios: one slice for autonomous driving, one slice for entertainment such as music and video playback, and one slice for vehicle location tracking after parking. These three application scenarios represent different scenarios: the first is ultra-reliable low-latency communication; the second is enhanced mobile broadband; and the third is also enhanced mobile broadband. The network requirements for these three slices decrease from high to low. Currently, due to limitations in the terminal devices' ability to automatically report slice requirements based on application scenarios, switching between different slices is not supported. In practical applications, only one subscribed slice can be used.

[0005] This can lead to multiple applications using the same contracted slice simultaneously, causing network congestion, affecting slice network transmission performance, and reducing the efficiency of slice services. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a 5G network slice switching method, system, device, and computer-readable storage medium to solve the problem of low efficiency in existing slice services.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this specification is implemented as follows:

[0008] Firstly, a 5G network slicing handover method is provided, applied to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the method comprising:

[0009] Obtain the slice subscription information of the target terminal device, wherein the slice subscription information includes the Single Network Slice Selection Assist Information (S-NSSAI) identifier, subscription access address, and User Plane Function (UPF) address corresponding to each subscribed slice of the target terminal device;

[0010] When the target terminal device initiates a slice channel establishment request, a first slice channel is established according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel establishment request to provide the target terminal device with a first subscribed slice;

[0011] Send the slice signing information to the first UPF corresponding to the first signed slice;

[0012] Upon receiving a slice channel switching request from the first UPF, the first slice channel is switched to the second slice channel according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel switching request, so as to provide the second subscribed slice to the target terminal device.

[0013] Optionally, establishing a first slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel establishment request includes:

[0014] Based on the S-NSSAI identifier, UPF address, and S-NSSAI identifier of the first contracted slice carried in the slice channel establishment request, the address of the first UPF corresponding to the first contracted slice is determined.

[0015] The first slice channel is established based on the address of the first UPF.

[0016] Optionally, switching the first slice channel to the second slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request includes:

[0017] Based on the S-NSSAI identifier, UPF address, and the S-NSSAI identifier of the second contracted slice carried in the slice channel switching request, the address of the second UPF corresponding to the second contracted slice is determined.

[0018] The second slice channel is established based on the address of the second UPF;

[0019] The slice service data request of the target terminal device is switched to the second slice channel for transmission.

[0020] Optionally, after establishing a second slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request, the method further includes:

[0021] The slice signing information is sent to the second UPF corresponding to the second slice channel.

[0022] Optionally, after establishing a second slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request, the method further includes:

[0023] The address of the second UPF is fed back to the first UPF, wherein the first UPF forwards the cached data of the slice switching request triggered by the target terminal device and the slice subscription information to the second UPF based on the address of the second UPF.

[0024] Secondly, a 5G network slicing switching method is provided, applied to the User Plane Function (UPF), the method comprising:

[0025] When establishing a first slice channel according to the slice channel establishment request of the target terminal device, the slice subscription information of the target terminal device sent by the AMF is received. The slice subscription information includes the S-NSSAI identifier of the first subscription slice corresponding to the slice channel establishment request and the S-NSSAI identifiers of the other subscription slices of the target terminal device, as well as the corresponding subscription access address and UPF address.

[0026] The first slice channel is established to receive slice service data requests sent by the target terminal device in real time.

[0027] Based on the slice subscription information and the received slice service data request, a slice channel switching request is sent to the AMF, wherein the AMF switches the slice service data request of the target terminal device from the first slice channel to the second slice channel corresponding to the slice channel switching request for transmission.

[0028] Optionally, based on the slice subscription information and the received slice service data request, a slice channel switching request is sent to the AMF, including:

[0029] The access address carried in the currently received slice service data request is compared with the contract access address corresponding to the S-NSSAI identifier of each other contracted slice in the slice contract information.

[0030] When a matching subscription access address exists, a slice channel switching request is sent to the AMF, wherein the slice channel switching request carries the S-NSSAI identifier of the second subscription slice that matches the subscription access address.

[0031] Optionally, after sending a slice channel switching request to the AMF, the method further includes:

[0032] Receive the address of the second UPF corresponding to the second subscribed slice in the response of the AMF to the slice channel switching request;

[0033] Based on the address of the second UPF, the cached data corresponding to the currently received slice service data request and the slice subscription information are forwarded to the second UPF.

[0034] Thirdly, a 5G network slicing and switching system is provided, including Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and User Plane Function (UPF).

[0035] The AMF acquires the slice subscription information of the target terminal device, wherein the slice subscription information includes the Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) identifier, subscription access address, and UPF address corresponding to each subscribed slice of the target terminal device; when the target terminal device initiates a slice channel establishment request, the AMF establishes a first slice channel according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel establishment request to provide a first subscribed slice to the target terminal device; and sends the slice subscription information to the UPF corresponding to the first subscribed slice.

[0036] The UPF receives the slice subscription information sent by the AMF; receives slice service data requests sent by the target terminal device in real time through the first slice channel; and sends a slice channel switching request to the AMF based on the slice subscription information and the received slice service data requests.

[0037] The AMF switches the first slice channel to the second slice channel according to the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request, so as to provide the second contracted slice to the target terminal device.

[0038] Fourthly, a 5G network slicing switching device is provided, including a memory and a processor electrically connected to the memory, the memory storing a computer program executable by the processor, the computer program, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method described in the first or second aspect.

[0039] Fifthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method described in the first or second aspect.

[0040] In this embodiment, by including different slice identifiers in the subscription information of slices subscribed to on the UDM, and adding subscription access addresses associated with different slice identifiers, a slice switching trigger condition is added. This allows the network side to control and verify slice application scenarios, enabling terminal devices to automatically report slice requirements for different application scenarios and switch between different slices. Using slices of the corresponding subscription type for different application scenarios on the same terminal device avoids network congestion caused by different subscribed slices using the same slice channel, thus improving the efficiency of slice services. Attached Figure Description

[0041] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0042] Figure 1 This is an application scenario architecture diagram of the 5G network slice switching method according to an embodiment of this application.

[0043] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the 5G network slice switching method according to the first embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the 5G network slice switching method according to the second embodiment of this application.

[0045] Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a 5G network slice switching system according to an embodiment of this application.

[0046] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall process of the 5G network slice switching method according to an embodiment of this application.

[0047] Figure 6 This is a structural block diagram of the slice switching device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application. The drawing numbers in this application are only used to distinguish the various steps in the solution and are not used to limit the execution order of the various steps. The specific execution order is subject to the description in the specification.

[0049] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this application provides a 5G network slice switching method.

[0050] Before describing the 5G network slice switching method of the embodiments of this application, let's first combine... Figure 1 The application scenarios of the 5G network slice switching method according to the embodiments of this application are described.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the network elements on the 5G core network side include the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Network Repository Function (NRF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), and Session Management Function (SMF). The terminal side includes 5G terminal equipment, 5G base stations, and User plane Function (UPF).

[0052] In the embodiments of this application, the slice switching method mainly involves UDM, AMF, SMF and UPF, which will be described in detail below.

[0053] Now for reference Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a 5G network slice switching method according to a first embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, the slice switching method is applied to... Figure 1 AMF.

[0054] like Figure 2 As shown, the process includes steps 102 to 108.

[0055] Step 102: Obtain the slice subscription information of the target terminal device, wherein the slice subscription information includes the Single Network Slice Selection Auxiliary Information (S-NSSAI) identifier, the subscription access address, and the address of the User Plane Function (UPF) corresponding to each subscribed slice of the target terminal device.

[0056] Slice subscription information can be obtained from the UDM, which is responsible for handling the registration and subscription process of terminal devices. The UDM stores the slice subscription information corresponding to the terminal device after initiating the registration process. The slice subscription information includes the Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) identifier corresponding to each subscribed slice of the target terminal device, the subscription access address, the address of the UPF, the address of the SMF, etc.

[0057] When a terminal device requests to subscribe to a certain slice, the first data packet of the corresponding subscription request will include the server access address for the requested slice, which is the subscription access address.

[0058] For example, if a terminal device requests to subscribe to 3 slices, a one-to-one mapping relationship can be established based on the subscription access address in each subscription request and the S-NSSAI identifier of the subscribed slice: the S-NSSAI identifier of slice 1 is 10000001, and the corresponding subscription access address is http: / / www.****1.com; the S-NSSAI identifier of slice 2 is 20000002, and the corresponding subscription access address is http: / / www.****2.com; the S-NSSAI identifier of slice 3 is 30000003, and the corresponding subscription access address is http: / / www.****3.com.

[0059] The subscribed access address is also a trigger condition for slice switching in this application. After the slice channel for the corresponding type of slice is established, if the terminal device requests access to the corresponding server address using the slice channel, and the requested server address is inconsistent with the subscribed access address, it will trigger a switch from the current subscribed slice to another subscribed slice, which will be described in detail later.

[0060] Step 104: When the target terminal device initiates a slice channel establishment request, a first slice channel is established according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel establishment request to provide the target terminal device with a first subscribed slice.

[0061] The slice channel establishment request is a signaling layer request, which can be called a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment request.

[0062] Optionally, establishing a first slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel establishment request includes: determining the address of the first UPF corresponding to the first contracted slice based on the S-NSSAI identifier included in the slice contract information, the address of the UPF, and the S-NSSAI identifier of the first contracted slice carried in the slice channel establishment request; and establishing the first slice channel based on the address of the first UPF.

[0063] The slice channel establishment request initiated by the target terminal device carries the S-NSSAI identifier of the requested subscribed slice. Therefore, the AMF can compare the S-NSSAI identifier with the slice subscription information of the terminal device obtained from the UDM, find the address of the UPF and the address of the SMF corresponding to the S-NSSAI identifier, and thus establish a slice channel. The UPF then provides the target terminal device with the subscribed slice corresponding to the S-NSSAI identifier, and provides the corresponding slice service to the target terminal device.

[0064] Step 106: Send the slice signing information to the first UPF corresponding to the first signed slice.

[0065] Specifically, the AMF selects the corresponding SMF based on the S-NSSAI identifier and other information reported by the target terminal device. The AMF then sends the corresponding signaling message to the SMF. The SMF then selects the corresponding UPF based on the S-NSSAI identifier and other information of the target terminal device and sends the corresponding signaling message to the UPF.

[0066] In the two signaling messages above, in addition to sending the signing information of the signed slice corresponding to the currently used S-NSSAI identifier to the UPF, the AMF will also send the slice signing information of other signed slices of the target terminal device to the UPF.

[0067] Taking the above example, the terminal device signed up for a total of 3 slices. The terminal device reported the slice with S-NSSAI identifier 10000001. However, the AMF will send the slice signing information of the other two slices, with S-NSSAI identifiers 20000002 and 30000003, to both the SMF and UPF at the same time.

[0068] Thus, the UPF terminal that currently provides contracted slices to the target terminal device will store the slice contracting information of all contracted slices of the target terminal device.

[0069] Step 108: Upon receiving the slice channel switching request sent by the first UPF, the first slice channel is switched to the second slice channel according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel switching request, so as to provide the second subscribed slice to the target terminal.

[0070] Optionally, switching the first slice channel to the second slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request includes:

[0071] Based on the S-NSSAI identifier, UPF address, and the S-NSSAI identifier of the second contracted slice carried in the slice channel switching request, the address of the second UPF corresponding to the second contracted slice is determined.

[0072] The second slice channel is established based on the address of the second UPF;

[0073] The slice service data request of the target terminal device is switched to the second slice channel for transmission.

[0074] The first UPF that provides the contracted slice to the target terminal device will send a slice channel switching request to the AMF after determining that the target terminal device has initiated a slice request. This is in response to the slice request from the target terminal device and requests the AMF to establish a new slice channel to provide slice services to the target terminal device.

[0075] The first UPF can determine whether the target terminal device has initiated a slice channel switching request based on the slice service data request sent by the target terminal device through the slice channel. Under normal circumstances, after the first slice channel is established for the target terminal device, the target terminal device will send the corresponding slice service data request through the slice channel to request access to the server address bound during the subscription, i.e., the subscription access address.

[0076] If the target access address carried in the slice service data request currently sent by the target terminal device is not the subscribed access address, it means that the terminal device currently wants to request access to the server corresponding to the target access address. In this case, the first UPF can search for the subscribed access address corresponding to the target access address from the slice subscription information of all subscribed slices of the target terminal, and thus associate it with the second subscribed slice corresponding to the subscribed access address.

[0077] The first UPF sends a slice channel switching request to the AMF. The slice channel switching request carries the S-NSSAI identifier of the second subscribed slice that the terminal device requests to switch to. The AMF compares the S-NSSAI identifier of the second subscribed slice carried in the slice channel switching request with the slice subscription information of the target terminal device. It can find the address of the second UPF corresponding to the S-NSSAI identifier of the second subscribed slice. Based on the address of the second UPF, a second slice channel is established to transmit the slice service data request of the target terminal device to the second UPF. The second UPF then provides slice services to the target terminal device and switches the current access server of the target terminal device from the first subscribed slice to the second subscribed slice.

[0078] It should be noted that if the target terminal device sends slice service data requests with different access addresses at the same time, multiple slice channels will be established simultaneously, and each slice channel will transmit the corresponding slice service data request.

[0079] To facilitate the second UPF's subsequent determination of whether the terminal device providing slicing services still requests a slicing channel switch after the switch, the slicing contract information of all the contracted slices of the terminal device can be sent to the second UPF.

[0080] In one embodiment, optionally, after establishing a second slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request, the method further includes: sending the slice contract information to the second UPF corresponding to the second slice channel.

[0081] In this embodiment, the AMF can send the slice signing information to the second UPF through the corresponding SMF.

[0082] In another embodiment, after establishing a second slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request, the method further includes:

[0083] The address of the second UPF is fed back to the first UPF, wherein the first UPF forwards the cached data of the slice switching request triggered by the target terminal device and the slice subscription information to the second UPF based on the address of the second UPF.

[0084] Different UPFs can directly connect and communicate with each other. In this embodiment, the first UPF can directly forward the slice subscription data to the second UPF. In addition, in order to ensure the service integrity of the subscribed slice after the switch, the first UPF can also cache the data packets that indicate that the terminal device has triggered the slice switch request, and send the corresponding cached data to the second UPF after the switch.

[0085] In this embodiment, by including different slice identifiers in the subscription information of slices subscribed to on the UDM, and adding subscription access addresses associated with different slice identifiers, a slice switching trigger condition is added. This allows the network side to control and verify slice application scenarios, enabling terminal devices to automatically report slice requirements for different application scenarios and switch between different slices. Using slices of the corresponding subscription type for different application scenarios on the same terminal device avoids network congestion caused by different subscribed slices using the same slice channel, thus improving the efficiency of slice services.

[0086] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a 5G network slice switching method according to a second embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, the slice switching method is applied to the User Plane Function (UPF).

[0087] like Figure 3 As shown, the method includes:

[0088] Step 202: When establishing a first slice channel according to the slice channel establishment request of the target terminal device, receive the slice subscription information of the target terminal device sent by the AMF, wherein the slice subscription information includes the S-NSSAI identifier of the first subscription slice corresponding to the slice channel establishment request and the S-NSSAI identifiers of the other subscription slices of the target terminal device and the corresponding subscription access address and UPF address;

[0089] Step 204: Receive slice service data requests sent by the target terminal device in real time through the established first slice channel;

[0090] Step 206: Based on the slice subscription information and the received slice service data request, send a slice channel switching request to the AMF, wherein the AMF switches the slice service data request of the target terminal device from the first slice channel to the second slice channel corresponding to the slice channel switching request for transmission.

[0091] Optionally, based on the slice subscription information and the received slice service data request, a slice channel switching request is sent to the AMF, including:

[0092] The access address carried in the currently received slice service data request is compared with the contract access address corresponding to the S-NSSAI identifier of each other contracted slice in the slice contract information.

[0093] When a matching subscription access address exists, a slice channel switching request is sent to the AMF, wherein the slice channel switching request carries the S-NSSAI identifier of the second subscription slice that matches the subscription access address.

[0094] Optionally, after sending a slice channel switching request to the AMF, the method further includes:

[0095] Receive the address of the second UPF corresponding to the second subscribed slice in the response of the AMF to the slice channel switching request;

[0096] Based on the address of the second UPF, the cached data corresponding to the currently received slice service data request and the slice subscription information are forwarded to the second UPF.

[0097] In one embodiment of this application, a 5G network slicing switching system is also provided. Figure 4 This is a structural block diagram of a 5G network slice switching system according to an embodiment of this application.

[0098] like Figure 4 As shown, the system 1000 includes AMF 1200 and UPF1400.

[0099] The AMF1200 acquires slice subscription information of the target terminal device, wherein the slice subscription information includes the Single Network Slice Selection Auxiliary Information (S-NSSAI) identifier, subscription access address, and UPF address corresponding to each subscribed slice of the target terminal device; when the target terminal device initiates a slice channel establishment request, a first slice channel is established according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel establishment request to provide a first subscribed slice to the target terminal device; the slice subscription information is sent to the UPF corresponding to the first subscribed slice;

[0100] The UPF 1400 receives the slice subscription information sent by the AMF; receives slice service data requests sent by the target terminal device in real time through the first slice channel; and sends a slice channel switching request to the AMF according to the slice subscription information and the received slice service data requests.

[0101] The AMF1200 switches the first slice channel to the second slice channel according to the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request, so as to provide the second contracted slice to the target terminal device.

[0102] The AMF and UPF in the slice switching system provided in the embodiments of this specification can achieve Figures 2 to 3 The various processes implemented by AMF and UPF in the method embodiments are not described in detail here to avoid repetition.

[0103] Below, in conjunction with Figure 5 The overall flow of the 5G network slice switching method according to the embodiments of this application is described. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall process of the 5G network slice switching method according to an embodiment of this application.

[0104] like Figure 5 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0105] Step 1: When the target terminal registers, the AMF sends a request to the UDM to obtain the contract data, including the slice contract information.

[0106] Step 2: UDM feeds back the terminal's subscription data to AMF. The slice subscription information includes the S-NSSAI identifier for all subscribed slice types, and also adds the slice switching trigger condition for the corresponding subscribed access address.

[0107] Step 3: The AMF selects the SMF to transmit the contract data, and sends the S-NSSAI identifiers and trigger conditions of other contract slice types of the terminal, in addition to the slice used this time, to the SMF.

[0108] Step 4: The SMF will pass through the contract data transmitted by the AMF to the first UPF.

[0109] Step 5: During the process of providing the corresponding subscribed slice to the terminal according to the slice channel, the first UPF performs real-time detection of slice service data packets according to the trigger conditions. When it finds that the slice service data request reported by the terminal is consistent with the trigger conditions of other subscribed slices, it initiates a new slice channel slice request to the AMF through the SMF, notifying the AMF to establish a new slice data channel and cache the data packet.

[0110] Step 6: The first UPF initiates a new slice channel switching request to the SMF to provide feedback on the new slice channel requirements. The request includes the new slice S-NNSAI identifier corresponding to the triggering conditions identified by the first UPF.

[0111] Step 7: SMF transmits the UPF-initiated new slice channel switching request message to notify AMF to initiate a new slice channel establishment request.

[0112] Step 8: The AMF establishes a new slice data channel based on the new slice S-NNSAI identifier received from the terminal.

[0113] Step 9: After the new slice channel is established, the AMF sends a notification to the SMF that the channel has been established. The notification also includes the IP address of the second UPF (UPF-NEW) corresponding to the new slice channel.

[0114] Step 10: The SMF transmits the message transparently and notifies the original first UPF.

[0115] Step 11: Based on the IP address of the second UPF of the new slice channel fed back by AMF, the first UPF forwards the cached data packets and the terminal's slice subscription information to the second UPF.

[0116] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a 5G network slicing switching device, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the slice switching device 2000 includes a memory 2200 and a processor 2400 electrically connected to the memory 2200. The memory 2200 stores a computer program that can be run on the processor 2400. When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the various processes of any of the above-described 5G network slice switching method embodiments and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0117] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When executed by a processor, this computer program implements the various processes of any of the above-described 5G network slice switching method embodiments and achieves the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here. The computer-readable storage medium may be a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0118] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0119] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Of course, they can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk) and includes several instructions to cause a terminal (which may be a mobile phone, computer, server, air conditioner, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0120] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A 5G network slicing handover method, characterized in that, The method, applied to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), includes: Obtain the slice subscription information of the target terminal device, wherein the slice subscription information includes the Single Network Slice Selection Assist Information (S-NSSAI) identifier, subscription access address, and User Plane Function (UPF) address corresponding to each subscribed slice of the target terminal device; When the target terminal device initiates a slice channel establishment request, a first slice channel is established according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel establishment request to provide the target terminal device with a first subscribed slice; Send the slice signing information to the first UPF corresponding to the first signed slice; Upon receiving a slice channel switching request from the first UPF, the first slice channel is switched to the second slice channel according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel switching request, so as to provide the second subscribed slice to the target terminal device.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Establishing a first slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel establishment request includes: Based on the S-NSSAI identifier, UPF address, and S-NSSAI identifier of the first contracted slice carried in the slice channel establishment request, the address of the first UPF corresponding to the first contracted slice is determined. The first slice channel is established based on the address of the first UPF.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Switching the first slice channel to the second slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request includes: Based on the S-NSSAI identifier, UPF address, and the S-NSSAI identifier of the second contracted slice carried in the slice channel switching request, the address of the second UPF corresponding to the second contracted slice is determined. The second slice channel is established based on the address of the second UPF; The slice service data request of the target terminal device is switched to the second slice channel for transmission.

4. The method as described in claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, After establishing the second slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request, the process further includes: The slice signing information is sent to the second UPF corresponding to the second slice channel.

5. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, After establishing the second slice channel based on the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request, the process further includes: The address of the second UPF is fed back to the first UPF, wherein the first UPF forwards the cached data of the slice switching request triggered by the target terminal device and the slice subscription information to the second UPF based on the address of the second UPF.

6. A method for slicing and switching in a 5G network, characterized in that, Applied to the User Plane Function (UPF), the method includes: When establishing a first slice channel according to the slice channel establishment request of the target terminal device, the slice subscription information of the target terminal device sent by the AMF is received. The slice subscription information includes the S-NSSAI identifier of the first subscription slice corresponding to the slice channel establishment request and the S-NSSAI identifiers of the other subscription slices of the target terminal device, as well as the corresponding subscription access address and UPF address. The first slice channel is established to receive slice service data requests sent by the target terminal device in real time. Based on the slice subscription information and the received slice service data request, a slice channel switching request is sent to the AMF, wherein the AMF switches the slice service data request of the target terminal device from the first slice channel to the second slice channel corresponding to the slice channel switching request for transmission.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Based on the slice subscription information and the received slice service data request, a slice channel switching request is sent to the AMF, including: The access address carried in the currently received slice service data request is compared with the contract access address corresponding to the S-NSSAI identifier of each other contracted slice in the slice contract information. When a matching subscription access address exists, a slice channel switching request is sent to the AMF, wherein the slice channel switching request carries the S-NSSAI identifier of the second subscription slice that matches the subscription access address.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, After sending a slice channel switching request to the AMF, the process also includes: Receive the address of the second UPF corresponding to the second subscribed slice in the response of the AMF to the slice channel switching request; Based on the address of the second UPF, the cached data corresponding to the currently received slice service data request and the slice subscription information are forwarded to the second UPF.

9. A 5G network slicing switching system, characterized in that, Includes Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and User Plane Function (UPF). The AMF acquires the slice subscription information of the target terminal device, wherein the slice subscription information includes the Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) identifier, subscription access address, and UPF address corresponding to each subscribed slice of the target terminal device; when the target terminal device initiates a slice channel establishment request, the AMF establishes a first slice channel according to the slice subscription information and the slice channel establishment request to provide a first subscribed slice to the target terminal device; and sends the slice subscription information to the UPF corresponding to the first subscribed slice. The UPF receives the slice subscription information sent by the AMF; receives slice service data requests sent by the target terminal device in real time through the first slice channel; and sends a slice channel switching request to the AMF based on the slice subscription information and the received slice service data requests. The AMF switches the first slice channel to the second slice channel according to the slice contract information and the slice channel switching request, so as to provide the second contracted slice to the target terminal device.

10. A 5G network slicing switching device, characterized in that, include: A memory and a processor electrically connected to the memory, the memory storing a computer program executable by the processor, the computer program, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 or implementing the steps of the method as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8.

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