A network element architecture and information processing method, and a storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a network element architecture and information processing method, and a storage medium. The network element architecture comprises: a secondary network element configured to receive an addition request for a number of registered users and / or a number of sessions of a slice, and send a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions to a primary network element if the secondary network element has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice; and the primary network element configured to find an unallocated number of registered users and / or an unallocated number of sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or other secondary network elements, and allocate a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions to the secondary network element based on the unallocated total number of registered users and / or the unallocated total number of sessions if the unallocated number of registered users and / or the unallocated number of sessions is found. Through the above technical solution, the problem of controlling the number of users / sessions of a slice in cross-service area roaming is solved, and the reliability and security of network disaster recovery are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of core networks, and in particular to a network element architecture, information processing method, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] Based on the common service-oriented architecture of 5G Core Network (5GC), 3GPP R17 introduces the centrally deployed network element NSACF (Network Slice Admission Control Function) to achieve unified management, data collection and control of slice quotas (number of registered users and sessions per slice), and supports the ability to open up slice quota usage.

[0003] In existing technologies, deploying a single NSACF instance across the entire network would become a centralized bottleneck for user / session activation across the network, posing a network security risk. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a network element architecture, information processing method, and storage medium that can solve the problem of controlling the number of users / sessions when roaming slices across service areas and improve network security when managing slice quotas through NSACF network elements.

[0005] The technical solution of this application is implemented as follows: In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a network element architecture, which includes: primary network elements and secondary network elements; The secondary network element is used to receive new requests for the number of registered users and / or the number of sessions for the slice. If the secondary network element has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice, it sends a new application for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new application for the maximum number of sessions to the primary network element. The primary network element is used to search for unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or from the other secondary network elements, based on the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions requested. If the unallocated registered users and / or the unallocated sessions are found, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions are allocated to the secondary network element based on the unallocated registered users and / or the unallocated sessions.

[0006] In the above network element architecture, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions application also carries the slice identifier, access type, public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions; The primary network element is further configured to, if the first unallocated number of registered users and / or the first unallocated number of sessions are not found in the primary network element, determine other secondary network elements sharing the slice with the secondary network element based on the slice identifier, and find the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions in the slice of the other secondary network elements; if the sum of the second unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the second unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of sessions, then allocate the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the secondary network element based on the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions.

[0007] In the above network element architecture, the first-level network element is further configured to send an insufficient quota message to the second-level network element if the sum of the second unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the second unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions.

[0008] In the above network element architecture, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions application also carries the slice identifier, access type, public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions; The primary network element is further configured to, if it finds a first unassigned number of registered users and / or a first unassigned number of sessions in the primary network element, and the sum of the first unassigned number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users and / or the sum of the first unassigned number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions, then, based on the slice identifier, determine other secondary network elements sharing the slice with the secondary network element, and find the second unassigned number of registered users and / or the second unassigned number of sessions in the slice of the other secondary network elements; if the sum of the first unassigned number of registered users, the second unassigned number of registered users, and the maximum number of registered users is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the first unassigned number of sessions, the second unassigned number of sessions, and the maximum number of sessions is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of sessions, then, based on the first unassigned number of registered users and the second unassigned number of registered users, and / or the first unassigned number of sessions and the second unassigned number of sessions, allocate the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the secondary network element.

[0009] In the above network element architecture, the first-level network element is further configured to send an insufficient quota message to the second-level network element if the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions, the second unallocated number of sessions, and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions.

[0010] In the above network element architecture, the secondary network element is further configured to, upon receiving the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions allocated by the primary network element, implement new user registration and / or new session establishment for the slice based on the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions.

[0011] In the above network element architecture, the secondary network element is further configured to, if it receives the quota insufficiency message sent by the primary network element, inform the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and / or Session Management Function (SMF) network elements that the number of registered users and / or sessions corresponding to the slice has reached the maximum value.

[0012] In the above network element architecture, the first-level network element is also used to update the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice of the second-level network element.

[0013] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an information processing method applied to the network element architecture described in any of the above claims, wherein the network element architecture includes primary network elements and secondary network elements, and the method includes: The secondary network element receives a request to add new registered users and / or sessions for the slice. If the secondary network element has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or sessions in the slice, it sends a new application for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the primary network element. The primary network element applies for the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions, and searches for unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or from the other secondary network elements; if the unallocated registered users and / or the unallocated sessions are found, the primary network element allocates the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the secondary network element based on the unallocated registered users and / or the unallocated sessions.

[0014] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a storage medium storing a computer program thereon, characterized in that the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the information processing method described above.

[0015] This application provides a network element architecture, information processing method, and storage medium. The network element architecture includes: a primary network element and a secondary network element; the secondary network element is used to receive new requests for the number of registered users and / or sessions for a slice; if the secondary network element has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice, it sends a new request for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the primary network element; the primary network element is used to search for unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or other secondary network elements, based on the new request for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new request for the maximum number of sessions. Session count; if an unallocated number of registered users and / or unallocated number of sessions are found, then based on the total number of unallocated registered users and / or the total number of unallocated sessions, a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions are allocated to the secondary network element; by adopting the above implementation scheme, through the network element architecture combining primary and secondary network elements, it is possible to control the slices in the region by different secondary network elements, while using primary network elements to realize quota scheduling of cross-provincial slices between different secondary network elements. This can solve the problem of controlling the number of users / sessions for roaming slices across service areas and improve network security when managing slice quotas through NSACF network elements. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the composition structure of a network element architecture provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 2 An exemplary schematic diagram of cross-provincial slicing control provided for this application; Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary cross-provincial slicing process provided for this application; Figure 4 A flowchart of an information processing method provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0017] It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0018] This application provides a network element architecture 1. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the composition structure of a network element architecture provided in an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the network element architecture 1 includes: primary network element 10 and secondary network element 11; The secondary network element is used to receive new requests for the number of registered users and / or sessions in a slice. If the secondary network element has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice, it sends a new request for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the primary network element. The primary network element is used to apply for a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions, and to search for unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or other secondary network elements; if unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions are found, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions are allocated to the secondary network element based on the unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions.

[0019] The network element architecture provided in this application embodiment is applicable to scenarios where the number of registered users and / or sessions on a slice is uniformly managed through a centrally deployed network element (NetworkSlice Admission Control Function, NSACF).

[0020] In this application embodiment, when a user initiates a registration request for a slice in a secondary network element, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) is triggered to send a user count update request to the secondary network element, which is the registered user count addition request in this application; when a user initiates a session establishment request in a slice in a secondary network element, the Session Management Function (SMF) is triggered to send a session count update request to the secondary network element, which is the session count addition request in this application.

[0021] In this embodiment of the application, the slice is a cross-provincial slice, that is, it can be accessed through slices in multiple different regions. For example, user A can access slice M in province A or province B. The specific slice can be determined according to the actual situation, and this embodiment of the application does not make specific limitations here.

[0022] In the embodiments of this application, the same slice may be controlled by multiple secondary network elements, and the total slice quota (number of registered users and / or number of sessions) corresponding to the same slice is issued by the primary network element or statically configured. However, the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the secondary network elements controlling the slice may not be the same, and different secondary network elements are unaware of the usage of the number of registered users and / or sessions of the slice in each network element.

[0023] It should be noted that, for example, suppose that the secondary network element receives a new request for the number of registered users and / or sessions for a slice, indicating that 3 users need to access the slice controlled by the secondary network element 1 and / or need to establish 3 sessions in the slice. At this time, the slice has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the secondary network element 1. In this case, it needs to send a new application for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the primary network element. The new application for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions carries the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions. Suppose that the original maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions allocated to the slice by the primary network element was 50, the new maximum number of registered users requested at this time is 53 or greater than 53, and / or the new maximum number of sessions is 53 or greater than 53.

[0024] In this application embodiment, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions also carries the slice identifier, access type, Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier, new maximum number of registered users and / or new maximum number of sessions. The primary network element is further configured to, if the first unallocated number of registered users and / or the first unallocated number of sessions is not found in the primary network element, determine other secondary network elements sharing the slice with the secondary network element based on the slice identifier, and search for the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions in the slice of the other secondary network elements; if the sum of the second unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the second unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of sessions, then allocate the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the secondary network element based on the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions.

[0025] It should be noted that, in this embodiment of the application, the primary network element first determines the slice based on the slice identifier in the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions application, and then determines other secondary network elements that share the slice with the secondary network element.

[0026] It should be noted that, for example, assuming the application for the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions requires a new maximum number of registered users of 53 and / or a new maximum number of sessions of 53, if the first unallocated number of registered users and / or the first unallocated number of sessions in the primary network element is not found, then the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions in the secondary network element 2 that shares the slice with the secondary network element 1 is determined based on the slice identifier. If the second unallocated number of registered users is 5 and / or the second unallocated number of sessions is 5, then the second unallocated number of sessions is determined. If the sum of the number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the second number of unallocated sessions and the maximum number of sessions is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of sessions, then three unallocated registered users and / or three unallocated sessions can be determined from the second number of unallocated registered users and added to the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions to obtain the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions, which are then allocated to the secondary network element.

[0027] In this embodiment of the application, the primary network element is further configured to allocate a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions to the secondary network element based on the first unallocated number of registered users and / or the first unallocated number of sessions. If the first unallocated number of registered users and / or the first unallocated number of sessions are found in the primary network element, and the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of registered users and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of sessions, the secondary network element is configured to allocate a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions based on the first unallocated number of registered users and / or the first unallocated number of sessions.

[0028] It should be noted that, for example, assuming that the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions carried in the application for the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions is 53, at this time, the first unallocated number of registered users in the primary network element is 5 and / or the first unallocated number of sessions is 5. Then, the 3 unallocated users in the first unallocated number of registered users and / or the 3 unallocated sessions in the first unallocated number of sessions are added to the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions to obtain the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions, which are then allocated to the secondary network element.

[0029] In this embodiment of the application, the primary network element is further configured to send an insufficient quota message to the secondary network element if the sum of the second unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the second unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions.

[0030] It should be noted that, for example, assuming that the number of second unassigned registered users and / or the number of second unassigned sessions in the slice is determined to be 2, at this time, the sum of the number of second unassigned registered users and the maximum number of registered users is 52, which is less than the new maximum number of registered users 53, and / or the sum of the number of second unassigned sessions and the maximum number of sessions is 52, which is less than the new maximum number of sessions 53, then an insufficient quota message is sent to the second-level network element 1.

[0031] In this embodiment, if the sum of the second unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the second unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions, the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions in the slice of other secondary network elements can be allocated to the secondary network element, and a quota shortage message can be sent to the secondary network element. The quota shortage message can carry the number of missing registered users and / or sessions. The specific quota shortage message is determined according to the actual situation, and this embodiment does not make specific limitations here.

[0032] In this application embodiment, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions also carries the slice identifier, access type, Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier, new maximum number of registered users and / or new maximum number of sessions; the primary network element is further configured to, if the first unallocated number of registered users and / or the first unallocated number of sessions is found in the primary network element, and the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions, then determine other secondary network elements sharing the slice with the secondary network element based on the slice identifier. The system then searches for the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions for other secondary network elements within the slice. If the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and the maximum number of registered users is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions, the second unallocated number of sessions, and the maximum number of sessions is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of sessions, then, based on the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and / or the first unallocated number of sessions and the second unallocated number of sessions, the system allocates the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the secondary network elements.

[0033] It should be noted that, for example, assuming that the new maximum registered user count and / or the new maximum session count application is 53 and / or the new maximum session count is 53, and the first unassigned registered user count in the primary network element is 2 and / or the first unassigned session count is 2, then the sum of the first unassigned registered user count and the maximum registered user count is less than the new maximum registered user count and / or the sum of the first unassigned session count and the maximum session count is less than the new maximum session count, then the second unassigned registered user count and / or the second unassigned session count in the secondary network element 2 that shares the slice with secondary network element 1 is determined. If the second unassigned registered user count is 2 and / or the second unassigned session count is 2, then... If the sum of the first unassigned registered user count, the second unassigned registered user count, and the maximum registered user count is greater than or equal to the new maximum registered user count, and / or the sum of the first unassigned session count, the second unassigned session count, and the maximum session count is greater than or equal to the new maximum session count, then two unassigned users from the first unassigned registered user count and one unassigned user from the second unassigned registered user count, and / or two unassigned sessions from the first unassigned session count and one unassigned user from the second unassigned session count, are added to the maximum registered user count and / or the maximum session count to obtain the new maximum registered user count and / or the new maximum session count, which are then allocated to the secondary network element.

[0034] In this embodiment of the application, the primary network element is further configured to send an insufficient quota message to the secondary network element if the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions, the second unallocated number of sessions, and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions.

[0035] It should be noted that, for example, assuming that the number of unassigned registered users in the first-level network element is determined to be 1 and / or the number of unassigned sessions is 1, and the number of unassigned registered users in the second-level network element 2 in this slice is 1 and / or the number of unassigned sessions is 1, then the sum of the number of unassigned registered users, the number of unassigned registered users, and the maximum number of registered users is 52, which is less than the new maximum number of registered users 53, and / or the sum of the number of unassigned sessions, the number of unassigned sessions, and the maximum number of sessions is 52, which is less than the new maximum number of sessions 53, then an insufficient quota message is sent to the second-level network element 1.

[0036] In this embodiment, if the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions, the second unallocated number of sessions, and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions, the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and / or the first unallocated number of sessions and the second unallocated number of sessions can all be allocated to the secondary network element, and an insufficient quota message can be sent to the secondary network element. The insufficient quota message can carry the number of missing registered users and / or sessions. The specific insufficient quota message is determined according to the actual situation, and this embodiment does not impose a specific limitation here.

[0037] In this embodiment of the application, the secondary network element is further configured to, upon receiving a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions allocated by the primary network element, implement new user registration and / or new session establishment for the slice based on the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions.

[0038] In this embodiment of the application, the secondary network element is further configured to, if it receives an insufficient quota message from the primary network element, inform that the number of registered users and / or the number of sessions corresponding to the network element slice of the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and / or Session Management Function (SMF) has reached the maximum value.

[0039] In this embodiment of the application, the primary network element is also used to update the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice of the secondary network element.

[0040] It should be noted that, in this embodiment of the application, the primary network element can also determine the number of unused registered users and / or sessions of the secondary network element in the slice when each preset time point arrives; if the number of unused registered users is less than the first preset registered user threshold and / or the number of unused sessions is less than the first preset session threshold, then the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions of the slice are updated.

[0041] In one practical application, this application is illustrated by controlling cross-provincial slices (slices) on a network element architecture, but this application is not limited to the deployment of such network element architecture. Figure 2 This application provides an exemplary diagram of cross-provincial slicing control. The network element architecture consists of a primary NSACF and a secondary NSACF. The primary NSACF is responsible for quota control of cross-provincial slices, while the secondary NSACF is responsible for slice control within its own province and reporting of cross-provincial slice quota usage. Figure 2 As shown: 1. The Level 1 NSACF allocates quotas for inter-provincial slices to the NSACFs of Province A and Province B. These quotas include the total number of registered users of the inter-provincial slice in Province A and / or the total number of sessions of the inter-provincial slice in Province A.

[0042] 2. After a user accesses the cross-provincial slice from AMF / SMF in Province A, the secondary NSACF in Province A will take the lead in counting the number of user registrations / sessions and managing quotas.

[0043] 3. If the quota of the secondary NSACF in Province A (maximum number of registered users and / or maximum number of sessions) is sufficient, the secondary NSACF in Province A will complete the slice quota statistics and control in a closed loop without interacting with the primary NSACF.

[0044] 4. If the quota of the secondary NSACF in Province A is insufficient, the secondary NSACF shall apply to the primary NSACF for a new quota (new maximum number of registered users and / or maximum number of sessions).

[0045] 5. The Level 1 NSACF checks its remaining quota (first unallocated registered users and / or first unallocated sessions). If its remaining quota is sufficient, it allocates it to the Level 2 NSACF in Province A. If its remaining quota is insufficient, it checks its remaining quota (second unallocated registered users and / or second unallocated sessions) in Province B, which shares the cross-province slice. If Province B has sufficient remaining quota, it allocates it to the Level 2 NSACF in Province A. If Province B has insufficient remaining quota, it replies that the cross-province slice has reached its limit.

[0046] Based on the above embodiments, Figure 3 This application provides an exemplary cross-provincial slice processing flow diagram. Cross-provincial slice requests are jointly processed by first-level and second-level NSACFs. Multiple NSACFs need to interact regarding slice quotas, user number updates, etc. Figure 2 As shown, the following is the slicing process for cross-provincial slices and the interface interaction content of multi-level NSACF: Before a user initiates a request, the quota for cross-provincial slicing has already been allocated to each secondary NSACF by the primary NSACF as needed.

[0047] 1. When the secondary NSACF receives update requests from AMF and SMF for the number of user registrations and sessions for cross-province slices, and the quota for the cross-province slice in the secondary NSACF is sufficient, it will process the request itself.

[0048] 2. After each slice quota update, the secondary NSACF must report the update status of user quota and / or session count to the primary NSACF (updates include additions, deletions, and changes). The parameters carried should include: access type, update indication (addition, reduction, update), slice identifier, PLMN identifier, total allocated quota, consumed quota, etc. (i.e., message a).

[0049] 3. The first-level NSACF updates the quota usage information of the second-level NSACF stored in the first-level NSACF based on the quota information reported by the second-level NSACF, and returns a user registration number and / or session number quota update response (i.e. message b) to the second-level NSACF.

[0050] 4. When the secondary NSACF receives a user count update request and / or session count update request from the AMF and / or SMF, but the quota (maximum number of registered users and / or new maximum number of sessions) in the secondary NSACF is insufficient, it initiates a new maximum number of registered users and / or new maximum number of sessions application to the primary NSACF (i.e., message c). The parameters carried in the new maximum number of registered users and / or new maximum number of sessions application should include access type, slice identifier, PLMN identifier, allocated total quota, consumed quota, and applied quota.

[0051] 5. The Level 1 NSACF dynamically adjusts its remaining quota based on its own remaining quota or by collecting information on the remaining quota of other Level 2 NSACFs. If the quota is sufficient, the Level 1 NSACF will issue a new quota (new maximum number of registered users and / or new maximum number of sessions) to the Level 2 NSACF. If the quota is insufficient, it will reply that the quota is insufficient and the number of registered users / sessions has reached the limit (i.e., message d).

[0052] 6. If the secondary NSACF receives a new quota allocated by the primary NSACF, it continues to process user registration update requests and / or session update requests; if it receives a quota shortage message, it sends a user / session update response message to the AMF / SMF and informs the user registration / session count that the limit has been reached.

[0053] This application provides a network element architecture, which includes: a primary network element and a secondary network element; the secondary network element is used to receive new requests for the number of registered users and / or sessions for a slice, and if the secondary network element has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice, it sends a new request for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the primary network element; the primary network element is used to search for unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or other secondary network elements, based on the new request for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new request for the maximum number of sessions; if the search... If the number of unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions is found, a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions is allocated to the secondary network element based on the total number of unallocated registered users and / or the total number of unallocated sessions. By adopting the above implementation scheme, through a network element architecture that combines primary and secondary network elements, it is possible to control the slices in different regions by different secondary network elements, while using primary network elements to realize quota scheduling of cross-provincial slices between different secondary network elements. This can solve the problem of controlling the number of users / sessions for roaming slices across service areas and improve network security when managing slice quotas through NSACF network elements.

[0054] Based on the above embodiments, another embodiment of this application provides an information processing method. Figure 4 This application provides a flowchart of an information processing method, applied to a network element architecture 1, which includes primary network elements and secondary network elements, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the method includes: S101. The secondary network element receives new requests for the number of registered users and / or sessions in the slice. If the secondary network element has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice, it sends a new request for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the primary network element.

[0055] In this embodiment of the application, the secondary network element receives a new request for the number of registered users and / or the number of sessions for the slice. If the secondary network element has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice, it sends a new request for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the primary network element.

[0056] S102. The primary network element applies for a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions, and searches for unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or other secondary network elements; if unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions are found, the primary network element allocates a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions to the secondary network element based on the unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions.

[0057] In this embodiment of the application, when a primary network element receives a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions, it searches for unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or other secondary network elements, based on the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions. If unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions are found, the primary network element allocates a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions to the secondary network element based on the unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions.

[0058] The information processing method provided in this application embodiment is applicable to scenarios where the number of registered users and / or sessions on a slice is uniformly managed through NSACF network elements.

[0059] In this application embodiment, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions also carries the slice identifier, access type, public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier, new maximum number of registered users and / or new maximum number of sessions. If the first unallocated number of registered users and / or the first unallocated number of sessions is not found in the first-level network element, other second-level network elements sharing the slice with the second-level network element are determined based on the slice identifier, and the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions in the slice of the other second-level network elements are found. If the sum of the second unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the second unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of sessions, then the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions are allocated to the second-level network element based on the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions.

[0060] In this embodiment of the application, if the sum of the second unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the second unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions, then the primary network element sends an insufficient quota message to the secondary network element.

[0061] In this embodiment of the application, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions also carries the slice identifier, access type, Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identifier, new maximum number of registered users and / or new maximum number of sessions; if a primary network element finds the first unallocated number of registered users and / or the first unallocated number of sessions in the primary network element, and the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions, then other secondary network elements sharing the slice with the secondary network element are determined based on the slice identifier, and Find the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions for other secondary network elements in the slice; if the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and the maximum number of registered users is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions, the second unallocated number of sessions, and the maximum number of sessions is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of sessions, then allocate the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the secondary network element based on the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and / or the first unallocated number of sessions and the second unallocated number of sessions.

[0062] In this embodiment of the application, if the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions, the second unallocated number of sessions, and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions, then the primary network element sends an insufficient quota message to the secondary network element.

[0063] In this embodiment of the application, if a secondary network element receives a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions allocated by a primary network element, then new user registration and / or new session establishment for the slice are implemented based on the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions.

[0064] In this embodiment of the application, if a secondary network element receives an insufficient quota message from a primary network element, it informs that the number of registered users and / or sessions corresponding to the access and mobility management function (AMF) and / or session management function (SMF) network element slices has reached the maximum value.

[0065] In this embodiment of the application, the primary network element updates the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice of the secondary network element.

[0066] This application provides an information processing method applied to a network element architecture, which includes primary network elements and secondary network elements. The method includes: a secondary network element receiving a new request for the number of registered users and / or sessions for a slice; if the secondary network element has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions in the slice, it sends a new request for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions to the primary network element; based on the new request for the maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions, the primary network element searches for unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or other secondary network elements. Session count; if an unallocated number of registered users and / or unallocated number of sessions are found, then a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions are allocated to the secondary network element based on the unallocated number of registered users and / or unallocated number of sessions; adopting the above implementation scheme, through a network element architecture combining primary and secondary network elements, it is possible to control the slices in the region by different secondary network elements, while using primary network elements to realize quota scheduling of cross-provincial slices between different secondary network elements, which can solve the problem of controlling the number of users / sessions of roaming slices across service areas, and improve network security when managing slice quotas through NSACF network elements.

[0067] This application provides a storage medium storing a computer program thereon. The computer-readable storage medium stores one or more programs, which can be executed by one or more processors and applied to a network element architecture. The computer program implements the information processing method as described in the above embodiments.

[0068] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of hardware embodiments, software embodiments, or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage and optical storage) containing computer-usable program code.

[0069] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart... Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0070] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0071] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0072] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A network element architecture, characterized in that, The network element architecture includes: primary network elements and secondary network elements; The secondary network element is used to receive new requests for the number of registered users and / or sessions for a slice. If the secondary network element has exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or sessions in the slice, it sends a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions request to the primary network element. The new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions request carries the slice identifier of the slice. The slice is a slice that supports access through multiple different regions. The primary network element is used to search for unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or from the other secondary network elements, based on the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions requested; if the unallocated registered users and / or the unallocated sessions are found, then the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions are allocated to the secondary network element based on the unallocated registered users and / or the unallocated sessions. The primary network element is further configured to determine, based on the slice identifier, other secondary network elements that share the slice with the secondary network element.

2. The network element architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions application also carries the slice identifier, access type, public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions; The primary network element is further configured to, if the first unassigned registered user count and / or the first unassigned session count are not found in the primary network element, determine other secondary network elements that share the slice with the secondary network element based on the slice identifier, and find the second unassigned registered user count and / or the second unassigned session count of the other secondary network elements in the slice; If the sum of the second unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the second unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of sessions, then the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions are allocated to the secondary network element based on the second unallocated number of registered users and / or the second unallocated number of sessions.

3. The network element architecture according to claim 2, characterized in that, The primary network element is further configured to send an insufficient quota message to the secondary network element if the sum of the second unallocated number of registered users and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the second unallocated number of sessions and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions.

4. The network element architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions application also carries the slice identifier, access type, public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions; The primary network element is further configured to, if it finds a first unassigned registered user count and / or a first unassigned session count in the primary network element, and the sum of the first unassigned registered user count and the maximum registered user count is less than the new maximum registered user count and / or the sum of the first unassigned session count and the maximum session count is less than the new maximum session count, then, based on the slice identifier, determine other secondary network elements that share the slice with the secondary network element, and find the second unassigned registered user count and / or the second unassigned session count of the other secondary network elements in the slice; If the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and the maximum number of registered users is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions, the second unallocated number of sessions, and the maximum number of sessions is greater than or equal to the new maximum number of sessions, then the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions are allocated to the secondary network element based on the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and / or the first unallocated number of sessions and the second unallocated number of sessions.

5. The network element architecture according to claim 4, characterized in that, The primary network element is further configured to send an insufficient quota message to the secondary network element if the sum of the first unallocated number of registered users, the second unallocated number of registered users, and the maximum number of registered users is less than the new maximum number of registered users, and / or the sum of the first unallocated number of sessions, the second unallocated number of sessions, and the maximum number of sessions is less than the new maximum number of sessions.

6. The network element architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The secondary network element is further configured to, upon receiving the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions allocated by the primary network element, implement new user registration and / or new session establishment for the slice based on the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions.

7. The network element architecture according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that, The secondary network element is further configured to, upon receiving the quota insufficiency message sent by the primary network element, inform the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and / or Session Management Function (SMF) network elements that the number of registered users and / or sessions corresponding to the slice has reached the maximum value.

8. The network element architecture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The primary network element is also used to update the maximum number of registered users and / or the maximum number of sessions for the slice in the secondary network element.

9. An information processing method, characterized in that, Applied to the network element architecture according to any one of claims 1-8, the network element architecture including primary network elements and secondary network elements, the method includes: The secondary network element receives a request to add new registered users and / or sessions for a slice. If the secondary network element has already exceeded the maximum number of registered users and / or sessions in the slice, it sends a new maximum number of registered users and / or a new maximum number of sessions request to the primary network element. The new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions request carries the slice identifier of the slice. The slice is a slice that supports access through multiple different regions. The primary network element applies for the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions, and searches for unallocated registered users and / or unallocated sessions from the primary network element and other secondary network elements, or from the other secondary network elements; if the unallocated registered users and / or the unallocated sessions are found, the new maximum number of registered users and / or the new maximum number of sessions are allocated to the secondary network element based on the unallocated registered users and / or the unallocated sessions. The primary network element further identifies other secondary network elements that share the slice with the secondary network element based on the slice identifier.

10. A storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the method as described in claim 9.

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