Method, apparatus and network element for cross-network element deterministic forwarding, and storage medium

Abstract

The application relates to a method, device, network element and storage medium for cross-network element deterministic forwarding, the method comprising: receiving a first forwarding parameter reported by a TSN AF, the first forwarding parameter being used for representing a forwarding parameter of an N19 interface corresponding to an NW-TT of two TSN bridges carrying each TSN session; obtaining a current TSN service flow to be forwarded; selecting a target forwarding path from a preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameter; determining an out-port parameter and a peer-port parameter for forwarding the current TSN service flow based on a first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path; and transmitting preset flow label information, the current TSN service flow and the peer-port parameter to a first NW-TT corresponding to the out-port parameter along a preset transmission path. Through the application, the problem that a TSN interworking scenario of UE-to-UE across a UPF cannot guarantee deterministic forwarding of messages in the related art is solved.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a cross-network element deterministic forwarding method and device, a network element and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] As a new generation of mobile communication system, 5G network has a wide range of application scenarios in industrial internet with large bandwidth, high reliability and low latency. The 5G network can meet the flexible mobility of industrial internet devices and help flexible production in factories. It also has differentiated network customization capabilities to meet a variety of business needs. Time-sensitive network (TSN) is a set of data link layer protocol specifications developed by IEEE 802.1 task group, aiming to build a more reliable, low-latency and low-jitter Ethernet network. TSN can provide microsecond-level deterministic services to meet the real-time needs of various industries. In related technologies, 5G TSN technology can meet various indicators of deterministic communication in wireless network transmission by relying on the wireless access of 5G and the deterministic latency provided by TSN, and is an important basis for realizing wireless and flexible manufacturing of industrial internet in the future.

[0003] In a traditional TSN network, the traffic flow characteristics of an end station, such as burst time, period, identifier, and latency requirement, are registered in a centralized user configuration (CUC) system. The CUC issues the end station characteristics to a centralized network configuration (CNC), and the CNC issues scheduling information based on traffic flow identifiers through a network configuration protocol (NetConf) interface according to the forwarding capabilities and resource reservation of each TSN bridge it controls, so that each traffic flow passes through each node without conflict, thereby ensuring the determinacy of latency.

[0004] In related technologies, after introducing the 5G system, the TSN integrates the 5G system as a bridge in the TSN system, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 The TSN network and the 5G network interwork through a TSN translator function. The TSN translator includes a device side TSN translator (DS-TT) and a network side TSN translator (NW-TT), and the corresponding message can enter the TSN bridge from the DS-TT or the NW-TT.

[0005] In the related art, in a 5G LAN scenario, when a Session Management function (SMF) entity selects different User plane Function (UPF) for users in a 5G virtual network group, the SMF generates a group-level N4 session, and transmits user traffic or service flow between user equipment (UE) in the 5G virtual network group to a specified UPF through an N19 tunnel between UPFs, to realize traffic interconnection of the users in the 5G virtual network group, and correspondingly, realize UE-to-UE interconnection across UPFs. In this application scenario, the SMF controls the forwarding path between UEs in the 5G virtual network group. However, when the UE-to-UE interconnection across UPFs is applied to TSN, since the forwarding path and scheduling parameters of deterministic scheduling need to be determined by the CNC, the forwarding path between UEs in the 5G virtual network group controlled by the SMF under the 5G LAN is not applicable to TSN. Meanwhile, since the CNC cannot perceive the TSN service flow characteristics and forwarding requirements, it is unable to issue accurate forwarding paths and scheduling parameters, and thus it is unable to guarantee deterministic forwarding of forwarding messages between UPFs and UPFs.

[0006] There is no effective solution to the problem that the related art cannot guarantee deterministic forwarding of messages in the UE-to-UE TSN interconnection scenario across UPFs. SUMMARY

[0007] The present application provides a method and apparatus for deterministic forwarding across network elements, a network element and a storage medium, to at least solve the problem that the related art cannot guarantee deterministic forwarding of messages in the UE-to-UE TSN interconnection scenario across UPFs.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for cross-network element deterministic forwarding, applied to a CNC, comprising: receiving first forwarding parameters reported by a TSN application entity (AF), wherein the first forwarding parameters are used to represent forwarding parameters of N19 interfaces corresponding to NW-TTs of two TSN bridges carrying each TSN session, and the first forwarding parameters are obtained by the TSN AF from capability parameters reported by one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session; obtaining a current TSN service flow to be forwarded, selecting a target forwarding path from a preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameters, wherein the current TSN service flow is a service flow forwarded according to the N19 interface; determining an egress port parameter and a peer port parameter for forwarding the current TSN service flow based on the first forwarding parameters corresponding to the target forwarding path, and transmitting preset flow label information, the current TSN service flow and the peer port parameter to a first NW-TT corresponding to the egress port parameter according to a preset transmission path, wherein the flow label information is used to represent a unique identifier of the current TSN service flow; controlling the first NW-TT to generate a forwarding packet in a preset format based on the flow label information, the current TSN service flow and the peer port parameter, and performing cross-network element deterministic forwarding on the forwarding packet when the first NW-TT and a second NW-TT corresponding to the peer port parameter interwork at the N19 interface.

[0009] In a second aspect, the present application provides a device for cross-network element deterministic forwarding, applied to a CNC, comprising:

[0010] A receiving module is configured to receive first forwarding parameters reported by a TSN AF, wherein the first forwarding parameters are used to represent forwarding parameters of N19 interfaces corresponding to NW-TTs of two TSN bridges carrying each TSN session, and the first forwarding parameters are obtained by the TSN AF from capability parameters reported by one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session;

[0011] A selecting module is configured to obtain a current TSN service flow to be forwarded, and select a target forwarding path from a preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameters, wherein the current TSN service flow is a service flow forwarded according to the N19 interface;

[0012] A determining module is configured to determine an out port parameter and a peer port parameter for forwarding the current TSN service flow based on the first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path, and transmit preset flow label information, the current TSN service flow and the peer port parameter to a first NW-TT corresponding to the out port parameter along a preset transmission path, wherein the flow label information is used to represent a unique identifier of the current TSN service flow.

[0013] In a third aspect, a centralized network configuration network element is provided, comprising a processor, a communication interface, a memory and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface and the memory communicate with each other through the communication bus.

[0014] The memory is configured to store a computer program.

[0015] The processor is configured to execute the program stored in the memory, and implement the steps of the method for cross-network element deterministic forwarding according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0016] In a fourth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method for cross-network element deterministic forwarding according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect are implemented.

[0017] Compared with the related art, the method, device, network element and storage medium for cross-network element deterministic forwarding provided in the embodiment adopt the first forwarding parameter reported by the TSN AF, the first forwarding parameter is used to represent the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface corresponding to the NW-TT of the two TSN bridges bearing each TSN session, and the first forwarding parameter is obtained by the TSN AF from the capability parameter reported by one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session; the current TSN service flow to be forwarded is obtained, the target forwarding path is selected from the preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameter, and the current TSN service flow is a service flow forwarded according to the N19 interface; based on the first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path, the out-port parameter and the opposite-port parameter for forwarding the current TSN service flow are determined, and the preset flow label information, the current TSN service flow and the opposite-port parameter are transmitted to the first NW-TT corresponding to the out-port parameter according to the preset transmission path, and the flow label information is used to represent the unique identifier of the current TSN service flow, thereby solving the problem that the TSN interworking scenario of UE to UE across the UPF in the related art cannot guarantee deterministic forwarding of messages, and achieving the beneficial effects that the deterministic scheduling parameter of the N19 interface is issued to the NW-TT by the CNC, so that the TSN service flow issued by the UPF is guided to the out-port supporting the N19 interface, and the deterministic scheduling strategy of the opposite-port parameter of the opposite UPF and the preset flow label information is applied, thereby guaranteeing the deterministic transmission of the corresponding TSN service flow in the 5G TSN bridge.

[0018] The details of one or more embodiments of the present application are presented in the following drawings and description to make other features, objects and advantages of the present application more apparent. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the application.

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the prior art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly introduced as follows, and obviously, other drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without any creative labor.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a TSN network system in the related art;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a TSN bridge in the related art;

[0023] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the connection between TSN bridges in the related art;

[0024] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a method for deterministic forwarding across network elements provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a timing diagram of the TSN bridge reporting forwarding parameters in the preferred embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a timing diagram of the CNC sending the target forwarding path and scheduling list in the preferred embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a structural block diagram of an apparatus for deterministic forwarding across network elements provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 8 It is a structural diagram of the CNC of an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application more clear, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0030] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0031] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the flow of the method for deterministic forwarding across network elements provided in the embodiment of the present application. Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for deterministic forwarding across network elements, which is applied to a CNC. The method includes the following steps:

[0032] Step S401: receiving a first forwarding parameter reported by a time-sensitive network TSN application entity AF, wherein the first forwarding parameter is used to characterize the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface corresponding to the network-side TSN converter NW-TT of the two TSN bridges carrying each TSN session, and the first forwarding parameter is obtained by the TSN AF from the capability parameter reported by one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session;

[0033] In the present embodiment, the CNC in the TSN network system is taken as the execution subject, and in the present embodiment, the so-called cross-network element deterministic forwarding refers to the deterministic forwarding of TSN service flows across UPFs, and specifically, the deterministic forwarding between two UPFs through the N19 interface is studied (for reference Figure 3 In the present embodiment, the deterministic forwarding of TSN service flows is implemented, and the object involved is the NW-TT of the UPF of the two TSN bridges carrying a TSN session; at the same time, in the TNS network system, the target forwarding path and the scheduling parameters (for example, the corresponding port parameters) of the deterministic forwarding need to be controlled by the CNC, therefore, the CNC needs to obtain the forwarding parameters corresponding to the N19 interface reported by the corresponding TSN bridge.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the first forwarding parameter is the forwarding parameter corresponding to a pair of NW-TTs supporting deterministic forwarding based on the N19 interface.

[0035] In the embodiment, the forwarding parameter corresponding to the N19 interface reported by the TSN bridge acquired by the CNC is obtained by the TSN AF through acquiring the TSN capability of the corresponding NW-TT, judging whether the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface is supported, subscribing to the forwarding parameter of the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface from the corresponding NW-TT, and receiving the corresponding forwarding parameter reported by the NW-TT. Since the TSN AF is in the 5G control plane of the TSN network system, and the TSN bridge is in the 5G user plane of the TSN network system, the TSN AF needs to acquire the TSN capability of the NW-TT according to the transmission path of (TSN AF)-Policy Control function (PCF)-SMF-UPF-(NW-TT), and obtain the TSN capability supported by the NW-TT by using the management of the Ethernet port message defined in the 24519 protocol to carry the corresponding instruction. The NW-TT feeds back the TSN capability supported by it according to the transmission path of (NW-TT)-UPF-SMF-PCF-(TSN AF), and uses the Ethernet port management response information defined in the 24519 protocol to carry the corresponding TSN capability, and sends the related parameters representing the TSN capability to the TSN AF. In the embodiment, whether the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface is supported by the NW-TT is determined by judging whether the corresponding capability value in the related parameters is a preset parameter value (for example, 8001H). In the embodiment, after the TSN AF judges that the NW-TT supporting the corresponding TSN session supports the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface, the TSN AF subscribes to the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface from the corresponding NW-TT, that is, the TSN AF informs the NW-TT that the NW-TT is needed in the corresponding TSN session, and when the TSN AF receives the TSN session in progress that needs to use the NW-TT, the NW-TT will send the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface allocated by the UPF for the TSN session to the TSN AF. In the related optional implementation manner, the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface allocated by the UPF for the TSN session includes the GTU-U tunnel allocated for the TSN session.

[0036] In step S402, the current TSN service flow to be forwarded is acquired, and a target forwarding path is selected from the preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameter, wherein the current TSN service flow is a service flow forwarded through the N19 interface.

[0037] In the embodiment, after receiving the first forwarding parameter, the CNC performs network configuration by referring to the traffic burst period, traffic flow, network delay, and TSN bearer network reserved resources of the TSN network, and defines the scheduling strategy of the TSC flow. In the embodiment, after the CNC determines the delay between the NW-TTs of the two TSN bridges, the delay of the TSN traffic flow through each TSN bridge and the end-to-end (TSN bridge to TSN bridge) delay in the UE interworking scenario through the N19 interface can be determined in combination with the corresponding delay of the two TSN bridges themselves. In the embodiment, the CNC sends the GTP-U tunnel information of the N19 interface corresponding to the first forwarding parameter and the determined target forwarding path to the NW-TT through the corresponding transmission path, and the NW-TT implements the deterministic TSN flow scheduling.

[0038] In step S403, based on the first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path, the out-port parameter and the peer-port parameter for forwarding the current TSN traffic flow are determined, and the preset flow label information, the current TSN traffic flow, and the peer-port parameter are transmitted to the first NW-TT corresponding to the out-port parameter according to the preset transmission path, wherein the flow label information is used to represent the unique identifier of the current TSN traffic flow.

[0039] In the embodiment, the CNC encapsulates and sends the TSN configuration information including the first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path, the flow label information, and the current TSN traffic flow to the TSN AF, and then the TSN AF sends the TSN configuration information to the NW-TT after processing the TSN configuration information, so as to determine the out-port, the gate time slot, the GTP-U tunnel information of the peer NW-TT, and the flow label information uniquely identifying the current TSN traffic flow of the TSN traffic flow.

[0040] In step S404, the first NW-TT generates a forwarding packet in a preset format based on the flow label information, the current TSN traffic flow, and the peer-port parameter, and performs cross-element deterministic forwarding on the forwarding packet when the first NW-TT and the second NW-TT corresponding to the peer-port parameter interwork at the N19 interface.

[0041] In the embodiment, the CNC sends the out port of the TSN service flow, the gated time slot, the GTP-U tunnel information of the opposite end NW-TT and the flow label information uniquely identifying the current TSN service flow to the NW-TT corresponding to the out port through the TSN AF, so that the NW-TT encapsulates the current TSN service as a service packet and fills in the flow label information mapped to the data identifier inside the TSN bridge when encapsulating the GTP-U outer IPV6 header of the service packet, and selects two NW-TTs supporting the N19 interface for deterministic forwarding according to the out port of the TSN service flow, and controls the service packet forwarding time according to the gated time slot.

[0042] Through the above steps S401 to S404, the first forwarding parameter reported by the TSN AF is adopted, the first forwarding parameter is used to represent the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface of the NW-TT of the two TSN bridges carrying each TSN session, and the first forwarding parameter is obtained from the capability parameter reported by the TSN AF from one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session; the current TSN service flow to be forwarded is obtained, the target forwarding path is selected from the preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameter, and the current TSN service flow is a service flow forwarded by the N19 interface; the out port parameter and the opposite port parameter of forwarding the current TSN service flow are determined based on the first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path, and the preset flow label information, the current TSN service flow and the opposite port parameter are transmitted to the first NW-TT corresponding to the out port parameter according to the preset transmission path, and the flow label information is used to represent the unique identification of the current TSN service flow, which solves the problem that the related art cannot guarantee the deterministic forwarding of messages in the cross-UPF UE-to-UE TSN interworking scenario, and realizes the beneficial effects of deterministic scheduling parameters of the N19 interface issued by the CNC to the NW-TT, so that the TSN service flow issued by the UPF is guided to the out port supporting the N19 interface, and the deterministic scheduling strategy of the opposite port parameter of the opposite UPF and the preset flow label information is applied, thereby guaranteeing the deterministic transmission of the corresponding TSN service flow in the 5G TSN bridge.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first forwarding parameter is obtained from the capability parameter reported by the TSN AF from one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session, and the following steps are implemented:

[0044] Step 21, the TSN AF receives the Ethernet port management response information transmitted by the third NW-TT after responding to the Ethernet port management message, wherein the third NW-TT is one of the two NW-TTs carrying the corresponding TSN session.

[0045] Step 22, the TSN AF detects a first parameter in the Ethernet port management response information, where the first parameter is used to represent whether the fourth NW-TT opposite to the third NW-TT supports the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface.

[0046] Step 23, the TSN AF sends a subscription forwarding parameter request to the third NW-TT in the case of detecting the first parameter, and receives the first forwarding parameter reported by the third NW-TT, where the first forwarding parameter at least includes the user plane GTP-U tunnel information of the N19 interface allocated by the corresponding user plane management network element UPF entity for the third NW-TT and the fourth NW-TT carrying the corresponding TSN session.

[0047] In the embodiment, the third NW-TT and the fourth NW-TT do not represent that there are four NW-TTs carrying one TSN session, but only represent the third and the fourth for two NW-TTs corresponding to one TSN session; in the embodiment, the third NW-TT is the NW-TT on the out port side of the TSN service flow, and the fourth NW-TT is the NW-TT on the opposite side of the out port.

[0048] In the embodiment, the capability parameter and the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface of the NW-TT are obtained by interacting with the TSN AF; meanwhile, in the TSN network system, the TSN AF interacts with the PCF to send an Ethernet port management notification message for obtaining the TSN capability of the NW-TT, where the message carries an operation code for obtaining the TSN capability of the NW-TT, then the PCF interacts with the SMF to continue sending the Ethernet port management notification message, and then the SMF interacts with the UPF to send the Ethernet port management notification message to the UPF, and then the UPF interacts with the NW-TT to obtain the TSN capability of the NW-TT.

[0049] In the embodiment, after the TSN capability of the NW-TT is fed back to the transmission path of (NW-TT)-UPF-SMF-PCF-(TSN AF) according to the TSN capability supported by the NW-TT, it is judged by the TSN AF whether the corresponding NW-TT supports the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface, and after it is determined that the corresponding NW-TT supports the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface, the forwarding parameter of the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface is subscribed to the corresponding NW-TT, so as to surface to the NW-TT that the deterministic forwarding is performed through the NW-TT when the corresponding TSN session is received.

[0050] In the embodiment, after the NW-TT receives the corresponding subscription signaling, the corresponding forwarding parameter (for example, GTP-U tunnel information of N19 interface) allocated by the UPF for the corresponding TSN session is used to construct the GTP-U tunnel for the NW-TT, that is, the forwarding parameter of the deterministic forwarding for the NW-TT is allocated, and then, after the GTP-U tunnel is established, the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface of the two NW-TTs carrying a TSN session, that is, the first forwarding parameter, is reported to the TSN AF along the transmission path of (NW-TT)-UPF-SMF-PCF-(TSN AF), and then reported to the CNC by the TSN AF, so as to complete the acquisition of the forwarding parameter of the NW-TT.

[0051] It should be noted that, in the embodiment, the corresponding forwarding parameter of the NW-TT is allocated by the corresponding UPF, and in some optional embodiments, the first forwarding parameter reported by the NW-TT includes: GTP-U tunnel information of the N19 interface allocated for the NW-TT, and a delay between the two TSN network bridges of the NW-TT.

[0052] In the above steps, the TSN AF receives the Ethernet port management response information transmitted by the third NW-TT after responding to the Ethernet port management message, the third NW-TT being one of the two NW-TTs carrying the corresponding TSN session; the TSN AF detects the first parameter in the Ethernet port management response information, wherein the first parameter is used to indicate whether the fourth NW-TT, which is the opposite end of the third NW-TT, supports deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface; and the TSN AF sends a subscription forwarding parameter request to the third NW-TT and receives the first forwarding parameter reported by the third NW-TT in the case of detecting the first parameter, wherein the first forwarding parameter at least includes GTP-U tunnel information of the N19 interface allocated by the corresponding user plane management network element UPF entity for the third NW-TT and the fourth NW-TT carrying the corresponding TSN session, so as to realize reporting of the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface by the TSN network bridge, so that the CNC can perform network configuration to generate a scheduling strategy of the TSN flow, and then the deterministic TSN service flow scheduling is implemented by the NW-TT, that is, the deterministic forwarding is implemented by the NW-TT.

[0053] In some embodiments, after the TSN AF sends the subscription forwarding parameter request to the third NW-TT, the following step is further implemented: the third NW-TT sends the first forwarding parameter to the TSN AF after completing the construction of the GTP-U tunnel allocated by the corresponding UPF entity.

[0054] In the embodiment, the NW-TT on the TSN egress port side (i.e., the third NW-TT) needs to report the corresponding first forwarding parameter to the TSN AF after establishing the GTP-U tunnel based on the forwarding parameter (e.g., GTP-U tunnel information of the N19 interface) allocated by the corresponding UPF, that is, after establishing the interworking of the N19 interface with the opposite NW-TT.

[0055] Figure 5 is a timing diagram for reporting the forwarding parameter by the TSN bridge in the preferred embodiment of the present application, with reference to Figure 5 In some optional embodiment modes, the reporting of the forwarding parameter by the NW-TT is performed in the following steps:

[0056] Step 1: Obtain the TSN capability of the NW-TT.

[0057] In the embodiment, the TSN AF needs to obtain the TSN capability of the NW-TT to determine whether the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface is supported. Specifically, the TSN AF sends the defined MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message (corresponding to the Ethernet port management message) in the 24519 protocol to the NW-TT through the transmission path (existing protocol process) of (TSN AF)-PCF-SMF-UPF-(NW-TT), and carries the operation code Get capabilities in the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message. The NW-TT returns the supported capability to the TSN AF, and sends the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE message (corresponding to the Ethernet port management response message) defined in the 24519 protocol to the TSN AF through the transmission path of (NW-TT)-UPF-SMF-PCF-(TSN AF). In the embodiment, a parameter is extended for the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface, and the record value IE is 8001H. If the NW-TT supports the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface, the IE is carried in the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE message.

[0058] It should be noted that the NW-TT of the TSN bridge (with reference to Figure 3 ) in the TSN network system is coupled with the UPF, and therefore, the NW-TT is not embodied in the timing Figure 5

[0059] Step 2: Subscribe to the TSN capability of the NW-TT.

[0060] ​In this embodiment, if TSN AF determines that the NW-TT carrying the TSN session supports deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface, it subscribes to the forwarding parameters of the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface from the NW-TT; in this embodiment, TSN AF sends the MANAGE ETHERNET PORTCOMMAND message defined in the 24519 protocol to the NW-TT through the transmission path of (TSNAF)-PCF-SMF-UPF-(NW-TT). The message carries the Subscribe-notify for parameter operation code and the 8001H parameter.

[0061] Step 3: NW-TT reports port parameters.

[0062] In this embodiment, after the NW-TT completes the establishment of the GTP-U tunnel allocated to the UPF, it reports the forwarding parameters of the deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface to the TSN AF; in this embodiment, the UPF allocates the GTP-U tunnel of the N19 interface to the TSN session, and the NW-TT sends the ETHERNET PORTMANAGEMENT NOTIFY message defined in 24519 to the TSN AF through the transmission path of (NW-TT)-UPF-SMF-PCF-(TSN AF). The message carries the status of the forwarding parameters (8001H) of the N19 interface, specifically including: the GTP-U tunnel allocated by the NW-TT and the delay between the NW-TTs of the two TSN bridges.

[0063] The following is an example of the Figure 5 The corresponding instructions are explained as follows:

[0064] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata(tsnPortManContNwtt(command.getcapacity)) / / TSN-AF sends an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata request message to PCF. The request message includes a MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message, which carries the Getcapabilities operation code. Npcf_PolicyAuthorization indicates the service-based interface, and Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata indicates the download of the service-based interface.

[0065] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata Response / / PCF sends Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata response message to TSN-AF.

[0066] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify Request(tsnPortManContNwtt(command.get capacity)) / / PCF sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify request message to SMF. The request message carries the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message, which carries the Getcapabilities operation code. Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify indicates the SMP policy control update notification.

[0067] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify Response / / SMF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify response message to PCF.

[0068] PFCP Session Modification Request (PMIC (command.get capacity)) / / SMF sends a PFCP Session Modification request message to the UPF, which carries the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message. The request message carries the Get capabilities operation code, where PFCP Session Modification indicates PFCP session modification.

[0069] PFCP Session Modification Response (PMIC (complete)) / / UPF sends a PFCPSession Modification response message to SMF, which carries the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE message.

[0070] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request(tsnPortManContNwtt(complete), trigger=TSN_BRIDGE_INFO) / / SMF sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update request message to PCF, which carries the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE message, where Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update indicates SMP policy control download.

[0071] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Response / / PCF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update response message to SMF.

[0072] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify(tsnPortManContNwtt(complete), evSubsc=TSN_BRIDGE_INFO) / / PCF sends an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify request message to TSN-AF, which carries the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE message, where Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify represents the service interface notification.

[0073] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify Response / / TSN-AF sends an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify response message to PCF.

[0074] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata(tsnPortManContNwtt(command.subscribeparameter)) / / TSN-AF sends an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata request message to PCF. The request message carries the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message and the Subscribe-notify for parameter (parameter subscription notification) operation code.

[0075] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata Response / / PCF sends Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata response message to TSN-AF.

[0076] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify Request(tsnPortManContNwtt(command.subscribe parameter)) / / PCF sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify request message to SMF. The request message carries the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message and the operation code carrying the Subscribe-notify for parameter.

[0077] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify Response / / SMF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify response message to PCF.

[0078] PFCP Session Modification Request (PMIC (command.subscribeparameter)) / / SMF sends a PFCP Session Modification request message to the UPF. The request message carries the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message and the operation code carrying the Subscribe-notify for parameter.

[0079] PFCP Session Modification Response (PMIC (complete)) / / UPF sends a PFCPSession Modification response message carrying a MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE message to SMF.

[0080] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request (tsnPortManContNwtt (complete), trigger = TSN_BRIDGE_INFO) / / SMF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update request message to PCF, which carries MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE information.

[0081] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Response / / PCF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update response message to SMF.

[0082] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify (tsnPortManContNwtt (complete), evSubsc = TSN_BRIDGE_INFO) / / PCF sends Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify request message to TSN-AF, which carries MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE information.

[0083] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify Response / / TSN-AF sends Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify response message to PCF.

[0084] PFCP Session Report Request (PMIC (notify)) / / UPF sends PFCP Session Report request message to SMF, which carries ETHERNET PORT MANAGEMENT NOTIFY message, wherein PFCP Session Report indicates PFCP conference report.

[0085] PFCP Session Report Response / / SMF sends PFCP Session Report response message to UPF.

[0086] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request(tsnPortManContNwtt(notify), trigger=TSN_BRIDGE_INFO) / / SMF sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update request message to PCF, which carries the ETHERNET PORT MANAGEMENT NOTIFY message.

[0087] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Response / / PCF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update response message to SMF.

[0088] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify(tsnPortManContNwtt(notify), evSubsc=TSN_BRIDGE_INFO) / / PCF sends an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify request message to TSN-AF, which carries an ETHERNET PORT MANAGEMENT NOTIFY message.

[0089] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify Response / / TSN-AF sends an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify response message to PCF.

[0090] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata(tsnPortManContNwtt(notify ack)) / / TSN-AF sends an Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata request message to PCF, which carries an ETHERNETPORTMANAGEMENT NOTIFY ACK message.

[0091] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata Response / / PCF sends Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata response message to TSN-AF.

[0092] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify Request (tsnPortManContNwtt(notifyack), trigger = TSN_BRIDGE_INFO) / / PCF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify request message to SMF, which carries ETHERNET PORT MANAGEMENT NOTIFY ACK message.

[0093] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify Response / / SMF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify response message to PCF.

[0094] PFCP Session Modification Request (PMIC(notify ack)) / / SMF sends PFCP Session Modification request message to UPF, which carries ETHERNET PORT MANAGEMENT NOTIFY ACK message.

[0095] PFCP Session Modification Response / / UPF sends PFCP Session Modification response message to SMF.

[0096] In some embodiments, the control first NW-TT generates a forwarding packet in a preset format based on flow label information, a current TSN service flow and a port parameter, which is implemented by the following steps:

[0097] Step 31, the first NW-TT obtains first GTP-U tunnel information corresponding to the N19 interface of the second NW-TT.

[0098] Step 32, the first NW-TT generates a first data identifier in a preset format based on the flow label information.

[0099] Step 33, the first NW-TT converts the current TSN service flow into a service packet, and encapsulates the first GTP-U tunnel information and the first data identifier in an Internet Protocol IPV6 header of the service packet to obtain a forwarding packet.

[0100] In the embodiment, the first NW-TT is a NW-TT corresponding to a TSN traffic out port side; the CNC encapsulates and sends corresponding TSN configuration information to the TSN AF after encapsulation; the TSN AF obtains two parts of data by decomposing the corresponding TSN configuration information, and sends the data to the first NW-TT. Specifically, the TSN AF encapsulates part of the information in the Setparameter operation of the message defined in the 24519 protocol, and sends the information to the NW-TT to control the out port and the gating time slot of the TSN traffic, which corresponds to the out port and the corresponding gating time slot allocated by the CNC for the TSN traffic; the TSN AF encapsulates another part of the information in the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify message to the PCF, and controls the NW-TT to mark the forwarding message that needs to be forwarded through the N19 interface with the first GTP-U tunnel information of the opposite end UPF and the first data identifier.

[0101] It should be noted that the CNC controls the NW-TT to mark the TSN traffic with flow label information, so that the generated forwarding message has flow label information corresponding to the outer GTP-U, which can uniquely identify the current TSN traffic; at the same time, the NW-TT maps the flow label information into the first data identifier recognizable by the NW-TT.

[0102] In the above steps, the first NW-TT obtains the first GTP-U tunnel information corresponding to the N19 interface of the second NW-TT; the first data identifier in the preset format is generated based on the flow label information; the current TSN traffic is converted into a service message, and the first GTP-U tunnel information and the first data identifier are encapsulated in the Internet Protocol IPV6 header of the service message to obtain a forwarding message, which realizes the decomposition of the TSN configuration information to enable the corresponding NW-TT to realize service message encapsulation; at the same time, by encapsulating the first GTP-U tunnel information and the first data identifier in the IPV6 header of the forwarding message, the CNC can quickly determine the forwarding path and scheduling parameters when deterministic forwarding is performed, and ensure the deterministic forwarding of the corresponding TSN traffic in the 5G TSN bridge.

[0103] In some embodiments, based on the first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path, the out port parameter and the opposite port parameter for forwarding the current TSN traffic are determined, which is realized by the following steps:

[0104] Step 41, from the first forwarding parameter, obtain the GTP-U tunnel information allocated by the corresponding UPF entity to the third NW-TT and the fourth NW-TT, respectively.

[0105] In the embodiment, according to the first forwarding parameter, the egress port of the TSN service flow is determined, that is, the GTP-U tunnel information of the third NW-TT, and meanwhile, when the UPF allocates the forwarding parameter of the corresponding N19 interface for the NW-TT, a pair of NW-TTs is taken as the allocation object to allocate the corresponding forwarding parameter, so that after the egress port of the TSN service flow is determined, the corresponding opposite port, that is, the GTP-U tunnel information of the fourth NW-TT, is correspondingly obtained.

[0106] Step 42, allocating the corresponding guard time slot for the N19 interface of the third NW-TT, and determining the egress port parameter including the GTP-U tunnel information allocated for the third NW-TT and the guard time slot, and determining the opposite port parameter including the GTP-U tunnel information allocated for the fourth NW-TT.

[0107] Through the above steps, the GTP-U tunnel information respectively allocated for the third NW-TT and the fourth NW-TT by the corresponding UPF entity is obtained from the first forwarding parameter; the corresponding guard time slot is allocated for the N19 interface of the third NW-TT, and the egress port parameter including the GTP-U tunnel information allocated for the third NW-TT and the guard time slot is determined, and the opposite port parameter including the GTP-U tunnel information allocated for the fourth NW-TT is determined, so that after the CNC obtains the N19 interface parameter of the NW-TT, the TSN configuration information is configured and the scheduling strategy of the TSN service flow is defined, so that the corresponding NW-TT implements the deterministic forwarding of the TSN service flow.

[0108] In some embodiments, the current TSN service flow to be forwarded is obtained, and based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameter, a target forwarding path is selected from the preset paths, and the following steps are implemented:

[0109] Step 51, obtaining a first preset parameter table, wherein the first preset parameter table at least includes the corresponding relationship information between the TSN service flow and the time parameter of the TSN service flow arriving at each TSN network node on the preset path, and the TSN network nodes corresponding to each preset path at least include two NW-TTs carrying the corresponding TSN session.

[0110] In the embodiment, the CNC maintains a TSN service flow delay table arriving at each node of the TSN network and a traffic scheduling time slot occupation table, and by looking up the table, a path with a delay / idle scheduling time slot meeting the requirements is selected from the preset paths in the table, that is, the target forwarding path.

[0111] Step 52, query the preset path corresponding to the current TSN service flow in the first preset parameter table to obtain a candidate path, and select an alternative path in the candidate path, wherein the time parameter of the TSN service flow to reach each TSN network node on the preset path meets the preset time parameter threshold.

[0112] In the embodiment, the TSN network node includes Radio Access Network (RAN), DS-TT, and NW-TT, which can distinguish the TSN service flow, and the deterministic scheduling parameter is issued at these nodes, so that the TSN service flow can be completed from deterministic forwarding. In the embodiment, the time parameter of the TSN service flow to reach each TSN network node on the preset path includes the time delay / gap scheduling time slot between two adjacent TSN network nodes, and the time delay / gap scheduling time slot between the NW-TTs of two TSN bridges corresponding to the TSN session (end-to-end time delay), wherein the time delay is used as the corresponding time parameter in the embodiment.

[0113] In the embodiment, the time delay threshold is set, and the path meeting the set requirement in terms of time delay is selected from the preset path as the alternative path.

[0114] Step 53, select a target forwarding path in the alternative path based on the first forwarding parameter, wherein the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface corresponding to the NW-TT corresponding to the target forwarding path includes the first forwarding parameter.

[0115] In the embodiment, the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface corresponding to the NW-TT in the alternative path is the path corresponding to the parameter (that is, the corresponding GTP-U tunnel information matching) in the first forwarding parameter, so as to obtain the target forwarding path.

[0116] In the above step, the first preset parameter table is obtained, wherein the first preset parameter table at least includes the corresponding relationship information between the TSN service flow and the time parameter of the TSN service flow to reach each TSN network node on the preset path, and each preset path corresponding TSN network node at least includes two NW-TTs carrying the corresponding TSN session; the preset path corresponding to the current TSN service flow is queried in the first preset parameter table to obtain a candidate path, and the alternative path is selected in the candidate path, wherein the time parameter of the TSN service flow to reach each TSN network node on the preset path meets the preset time parameter threshold; the target forwarding path is selected in the alternative path based on the first forwarding parameter, wherein the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface corresponding to the NW-TT corresponding to the target forwarding path includes the first forwarding parameter, so as to realize the judgment of the determination forwarding path, so that the NW-TT can implement the deterministic scheduling of the TSN service flow.

[0117] It should be noted that in the present embodiment, after the CNC receives the forwarding parameters (i.e., the first forwarding parameters) of the N19 interface of the NW-TT, the scheduling strategy of the TSN service flow is defined by the network configuration in reference to the burst period of the service flow of the TSN network, the traffic flow, the network delay, the reserved resources of the TSN bearer network, etc. Moreover, after the CNC knows the delay between the NW-TTs of the two TSN bridges, the delay of each of the two TSN bridges carrying a TSN session under the interworking scenario of the UE through the N19 interface can be known in combination with the delays independently reported by the two TSN bridges, and the end-to-end delay can be known at the same time. Meanwhile, if the forwarding messages between the two UEs need to pass through the N19 interface, the CNC needs to issue the GTP-U tunnel information of the N19 interface, the mapping table of the service and the network layer parameters, the sending scheduling list, etc. to the NW-TT, and the NW-TT implements the deterministic scheduling of the TSN service flow.

[0118] In some embodiments, the time parameter includes a first delay and a second delay, the first delay is a delay between adjacent two TSN network nodes, and the second delay is a delay between the NW-TTs of two TSN bridges corresponding to one TSN session. In the candidate paths, the candidate paths are selected by the time parameter of the TSN service flow reaching each TSN network node on the preset path satisfying a preset time parameter threshold, and the selection is implemented by the following steps:

[0119] Step 61, respectively determining the third delay corresponding to each TSN bridge corresponding to each preset path according to the first delay and the number of TSN nodes possessed by each TSN bridge.

[0120] Step 62, accumulating the third delay corresponding to each TSN bridge corresponding to two TSN bridges corresponding to each preset path and the second delay to obtain the total delay corresponding to the TSN service flow reaching each TSN network node on the preset path.

[0121] Step 63, judging whether the total delay corresponding to each preset path is less than the delay threshold corresponding to the preset time parameter threshold, and determining that the candidate path includes the preset path with the total delay less than the delay threshold.

[0122] The third delay corresponding to each TSN bridge corresponding to each preset path is determined respectively based on the first delay and the number of TSN nodes possessed by each TSN bridge in the above steps; the third delay and the second delay corresponding to two TSN bridges corresponding to each preset path are accumulated to obtain the total delay corresponding to each TSN network node on the preset path to which the TSN service flow arrives; it is judged whether the total delay corresponding to each preset path is less than the delay threshold corresponding to the preset time parameter threshold, and it is determined that the candidate path includes the preset path with the total delay less than the delay threshold, so as to select the target forwarding path based on the delay, so that the NW-TT can implement the deterministic scheduling of the TSN service flow.

[0123] Figure 6 is the timing diagram of the CNC issuing the target forwarding path and the scheduling list in the preferred embodiment of the present application, referring to Figure 6 In some optional embodiment, the following steps are taken to issue the forwarding parameters and the scheduling list of the N19 interface:

[0124] Step 1, the CNC decides the first forwarding parameters and the scheduling list of the N19 interface.

[0125] In this embodiment, after the CNC receives the first forwarding parameters of the N19 interface, the scheduling strategy of the TSC flow is defined by referring to the burst period, traffic flow, network delay, TSN bearer network reserved resources and other information of the TSN network. After the CNC knows the delay between the NW-TT of the two TSN bridges, combined with the delay reported independently by the two TSN bridges, the delay of each TSN bridge of the two TSN bridges carrying a TSN session under the UE interworking scenario through the N19 interface, and the end-to-end delay can be known. At the same time, if the forwarding message between the two UEs needs to pass through the N19 interface, the CNC needs to issue the GTP-U tunnel information of the N19 interface, the service and network layer parameter mapping table, the sending scheduling list and other information to the NW-TT, so that the NW-TT can implement the deterministic scheduling of the TSN service flow. In this embodiment, the CNC maintains a delay table of the TSN service flow arriving at each node of the TSN network and a traffic scheduling time slot occupation table, so as to select a path with a delay / idle scheduling time slot meeting the requirements from the candidate path. In this embodiment, the CNC controls the NW-TT to mark the TSN flow with a preset flow label information, so that the flow label information outside the GTP-U outer layer can uniquely identify the current TSN service flow. The NW-TT maps the flow label information into the first data identifier, and the CNC allocates the port and the gate time slot corresponding to the first data identifier for the TSN service flow.

[0126] Step 2, the CNC issues the first forwarding parameters and the scheduling list of the N19 interface.

[0127] In the embodiment, the CNC encapsulates and sends the scheduling strategy of the TSC flow to the TSN AF, the TSN AF decomposes the scheduling strategy of the TSC flow into two parts, the TSN AF encapsulates part of the information in the Setparameter operation of the message defined in the 24519 protocol and sends it to the NW-TT to control the egress port and the gating time slot of the TSN flow; the TSN AF encapsulates another part of the information in the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify message and sends it to the PCF to control the NW-TT to mark the GTP-U tunnel information of the opposite end UPF and the preset flow label information on the forwarding message that needs to pass through the N19 interface; the PCF needs to carry the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND and the MANAGE BRIDGE COMMAND message defined in the 24519 protocol in the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify Request message sent to the SMF, carries the flow label information in the filter of the bridge information and the port information; at the same time, the PCF also issues the PCC rule for the forwarding message that needs to pass through the N19 interface, carries the GTP-U tunnel information of the opposite end N19 interface and the allocated flow label information in the TrafficControlData; the SMF issues the PFCP Session Modification Request message to the UPF, which contains the N4 rule such as PDR and FAR, wherein the PDR includes the service characteristics of the forwarding message that passes through the N19 interface, and the FAR includes the GTP-U tunnel information of the opposite end N19 interface and the allocated flow label information; the NW-TT encapsulates the GTP-U outer IPV6 header according to the GTP-U tunnel information of the opposite end N19 interface and the allocated flow label information in the FAR, and fills in the flow label information; according to the issued egress port, the NW-TT selects the port supporting the N19 tunnel for sending; according to the issued gating list, the NW-TT controls the packet sending time.

[0128] The following explains the corresponding instructions in the embodiment Figure 6 The corresponding instructions in the embodiment are explained as follows:

[0129] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata (MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND, MANAGE BRIDGE COMMAND) / / the TSN-AF sends the Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata request message to the PCF, and the message contains the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message and the MANAGE BRIDGE COMMAND message.

[0130] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata Response / / PCF sends Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Updata response message to TSN-AF.

[0131] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify Request(MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND, MANAGE BRIDGE COMMAND) / / PCF sends an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify request message to SMF, which includes the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message and the MANAGE BRIDGE COMMAND message.

[0132] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify Response / / SMF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify response message to PCF.

[0133] PFCP Session Modification Request (MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND, MANAGEBRIDGE COMMAND) / / SMF sends a PFCP Session Modification request message to the UPF, which includes the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMMAND message and the MANAGE BRIDGE COMMAND message.

[0134] PFCP Session Modification Response (MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE, MANAGE BRIDGE COMPLETE) / / UPF sends a PFCP Session Modification response message to SMF, which carries the MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE message and the MANAGE BRIDGE COMPLETE (bridge management complete) message.

[0135] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Request (MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE, MANAGE BRIDGE COMPLETE) / / SMF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update request message to PCF, and the request message carries MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE message and MANAGE BRIDGE COMPLETE message.

[0136] Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update Response / / PCF sends Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Update response message to SMF.

[0137] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify (MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE, MANAGE BRIDGE COMPLETE) / / PCF sends Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify request message to TSN-AF, and the message carries MANAGE ETHERNET PORT COMPLETE message and MANAGE BRIDGE COMPLETE message.

[0138] Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify Response / / TSN-AF sends Npcf_PolicyAuthorization_Notify response message to PCF.

[0139] The embodiment also provides a device for cross-network element deterministic forwarding, which is used for implementing the above-mentioned embodiments and preferred embodiments, and details are not repeated. The terms "module", "unit", "sub-unit" and the like used below can be a combination of software and / or hardware that can realize a predetermined function. Although the device described in the following embodiments is preferably realized in software, the realization of hardware, or a combination of software and hardware is also possible and conceived.

[0140] Figure 7 is a structural block diagram of the device for cross-network element deterministic forwarding provided by the embodiment of the application, as shown in Figure 7 The device comprises:

[0141] The receiving module 71 is configured to receive first forwarding parameters reported by a time-sensitive network (TSN) application function (AF), wherein the first forwarding parameters are used to represent forwarding parameters of an N19 interface corresponding to a network-end TSN translator (NW-TT) of two TSN bridges carrying each TSN session, and the first forwarding parameters are obtained by the TSN AF from capability parameters reported by one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session.

[0142] The selecting module 72 is coupled to the receiving module 71 and is configured to obtain a current TSN service flow to be forwarded, and select a target forwarding path from a preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameters, wherein the current TSN service flow is a service flow forwarded according to the N19 interface.

[0143] The determining module 73 is coupled to the selecting module 72 and is configured to determine an out-port parameter and a peer-port parameter for forwarding the current TSN service flow based on the first forwarding parameters corresponding to the target forwarding path, and transmit preset flow label information, the current TSN service flow, and the peer-port parameter to the first NW-TT corresponding to the out-port parameter according to a preset transmission path, wherein the flow label information is used to represent a unique identifier of the current TSN service flow.

[0144] The processing module 74 is coupled to the determining module 73 and is configured to control the first NW-TT to generate a forwarding packet in a preset format based on the flow label information, the current TSN service flow, and the peer-port parameter, and perform deterministic forwarding of the forwarding packet across network elements when the first NW-TT and a second NW-TT corresponding to the peer-port parameter interwork at the N19 interface.

[0145] The cross-network element deterministic forwarding device of the embodiment of the present application adopts the first forwarding parameter reported by the TSN AF, the first forwarding parameter is used to represent the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface corresponding to the two TSN bridges carrying each TSN session, and the first forwarding parameter is obtained by the TSN AF from the capability parameter reported by one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session; the current TSN service flow to be forwarded is obtained, the target forwarding path is selected from the preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameter, and the current TSN service flow is a service flow forwarded by the N19 interface; based on the first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path, the out-port parameter and the opposite-port parameter for forwarding the current TSN service flow are determined, and the preset flow label information, the current TSN service flow and the opposite-port parameter are transmitted to the first NW-TT corresponding to the out-port parameter along the preset transmission path, and the flow label information is used to represent the unique identifier of the current TSN service flow, thereby solving the problem that the related art cannot guarantee deterministic forwarding of messages in the cross-UPF UE-to-UE TSN interworking scenario, and achieving the beneficial effects of issuing the deterministic scheduling parameter of the N19 interface by the CNC to the NW-TT, so that the TSN service flow issued by the UPF is guided to the out-port supporting the N19 interface, and the deterministic scheduling strategy of the opposite-port parameter of the opposite UPF and the preset flow label information is applied, thereby guaranteeing the deterministic transmission of the corresponding TSN service flow in the 5G TSN bridge.

[0146] In some embodiments, the receiving module 71 is further configured to receive, by the TSN AF, Ethernet port management response information transmitted by a third NW-TT in response to the Ethernet port management message, wherein the third NW-TT is one of the two NW-TTs carrying the corresponding TSN session; detect a first parameter in the Ethernet port management response information, wherein the first parameter is used to represent whether the fourth NW-TT opposite to the third NW-TT supports deterministic forwarding of the N19 interface; in the case where the first parameter is detected, send a subscription forwarding parameter request to the third NW-TT, and receive the first forwarding parameter reported by the third NW-TT, wherein the first forwarding parameter at least includes user plane GTP-U tunnel information of the N19 interface allocated by a corresponding user plane management network element UPF entity for the third NW-TT and the fourth NW-TT carrying the corresponding TSN session.

[0147] In some embodiments, the receiving module 71 is further configured to, after the TSN AF sends the subscription forwarding parameter request to the third NW-TT, send the first forwarding parameter to the TSN AF by the third NW-TT after completing the construction of the GTP-U tunnel allocated by the corresponding UPF entity.

[0148] In some embodiments, the processing module 74 is further configured to control the first NW-TT to acquire first GTP-U tunnel information corresponding to an N19 interface of the second NW-TT; generate first data identification in a preset format based on flow label information; convert the current TSN service flow into a service packet, and encapsulate the first GTP-U tunnel information and the first data identification in an Internet Protocol (IPV6) header of the service packet to obtain a forwarding packet.

[0149] In some embodiments, the determining module 73 further includes:

[0150] The first obtaining unit is configured to obtain, from the first forwarding parameter, GTP-U tunnel information respectively allocated by a corresponding UPF entity to the third NW-TT and the fourth NW-TT;

[0151] The first allocation unit, coupled with the first obtaining unit, is configured to allocate a corresponding guard time slot to the N19 interface of the third NW-TT, and determine that the port parameter includes the GTP-U tunnel information and the guard time slot allocated to the third NW-TT, and determine that the port parameter includes the GTP-U tunnel information allocated to the fourth NW-TT.

[0152] In some embodiments, the selecting module 72 further includes:

[0153] The second obtaining unit is configured to obtain a first preset parameter table, wherein the first preset parameter table includes at least corresponding relationship information between a TSN service flow and time parameters of TSN network nodes on a preset path to which the TSN service flow arrives, and each preset path corresponds to at least two NW-TTs carrying a corresponding TSN session;

[0154] The first querying unit, coupled with the second obtaining unit, is configured to query, in the first preset parameter table, a preset path corresponding to the current TSN service flow to obtain a candidate path, and select, in the candidate path, an alternative path in which time parameters of TSN network nodes on a preset path to which the TSN service flow arrives satisfy a preset time parameter threshold.

[0155] The first selecting unit, coupled with the first querying unit, is configured to select, in the alternative path, a target forwarding path based on the first forwarding parameter, wherein the target forwarding path corresponds to an N19 interface of a corresponding NW-TT, and the forwarding parameter of the N19 interface includes the first forwarding parameter.

[0156] In some embodiments, the time parameter includes a first time delay and a second time delay, the first time delay being a time delay between two adjacent TSN network nodes, and the second time delay being a time delay between NW-TTs of two TSN bridges corresponding to one TSN session, the first query unit is further configured to determine a third time delay corresponding to each TSN bridge corresponding to each preset path based on the first time delay and a number of TSN nodes possessed by each TSN bridge, and to accumulate the third time delay corresponding to two TSN bridges corresponding to each preset path and the second time delay to obtain a total time delay corresponding to each TSN network node on the preset path reached by the TSN service flow, and to determine that the candidate path includes the preset path with the total time delay less than the time delay threshold corresponding to the preset time parameter threshold.

[0157] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a CNC of the embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figure 8 The embodiment of the present application provides a centralized network configuration network element, which comprises a processor 81, a communication interface 82, a memory 83 and a communication bus 84, wherein the processor 81, the communication interface 82 and the memory 83 complete mutual communication through the communication bus 84,

[0158] The memory 83 is used for storing a computer program.

[0159] The processor 81 is used for executing the program stored on the memory 83, and the method steps in Figure 4 are implemented.

[0160] The processing in the centralized network configuration network element implements the method steps in Figure 4 , and the technical effects brought by the method steps are the same as the technical effects of the embodiment of the present application executing the cross-network element deterministic forwarding method in Figure 4 , and details are not repeated here.

[0161] The communication bus mentioned in the above centralized network configuration network element can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus and the like. The communication bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus and the like. For the convenience of representation, Figure 8 only one thick line is used in , but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0162] The communication interface is used for communication between the above terminal and other devices.

[0163] The memory can include a random access memory (RAM) and can also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk memory. Optionally, the memory can also be at least one storage device located remotely from the aforementioned processor.

[0164] The aforementioned processor can be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), etc., and can also be a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component.

[0165] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the cross-network element deterministic forwarding method according to any one of the preceding method embodiments.

[0166] In yet another embodiment provided by the present application, a computer program product containing instructions, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the steps of the cross-network element deterministic forwarding method according to any one of the preceding embodiments.

[0167] It should be noted that, in the present document, relational terms such as "first" and "second", and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between or among the entities or actions. Moreover, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without limitation, an element preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, foreclose the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0168] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the application. Numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to embrace all such modifications and changes that fall within the scope of the application. Accordingly, the application is not to be restricted in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope that the principles and novel features request appropriately granted.

Claims

1. A method for deterministic forwarding across network elements, applied to centralized network configuration (CNC), characterized in that: include: receiving a first forwarding parameter reported by a time-sensitive network TSN application entity AF, wherein the first forwarding parameter is used to characterize a forwarding parameter of an N19 interface corresponding to a network-side TSN converter NW-TT of two TSN bridges carrying each TSN session, and the first forwarding parameter is obtained by the TSN AF from a capability parameter reported by one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session; Obtaining a current TSN service flow to be forwarded, and selecting a target forwarding path from a preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameter, wherein the current TSN service flow is a service flow forwarded according to the N19 interface; Determine, based on the first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path, an egress port parameter and a peer port parameter for forwarding the current TSN service flow, and transmit, along a preset transmission path, the preset flow label information, the current TSN service flow, and the peer port parameter to a first NW-TT corresponding to the egress port parameter, wherein the flow label information is used to uniquely identify the current TSN service flow; Control the first NW-TT to generate a forwarding message in a preset format based on the flow label information, the current TSN service flow and the port pair parameters, and when the first NW-TT is interconnected with the N19 interface of the second NW-TT corresponding to the port pair parameters, deterministically forward the forwarding message across network elements.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first forwarding parameter is obtained by the TSN AF from the capability parameter reported by one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session, including: The TSN AF receives Ethernet port management response information transmitted by the third NW-TT after responding to the Ethernet port management message, wherein the third NW-TT is one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to the TSN session; The TSN AF detects a first parameter in the Ethernet port management response information, wherein the first parameter is used to indicate whether a fourth NW-TT serving as a peer of the third NW-TT and the third NW-TT support deterministic forwarding of an N19 interface; When detecting the first parameter, the TSN AF sends a subscription forwarding parameter request to the third NW-TT and receives the first forwarding parameter reported by the third NW-TT, wherein the first forwarding parameter includes at least the user plane GTP-U tunnel information of the N19 interface allocated by the corresponding user plane management network element UPF entity to the third NW-TT and the fourth NW-TT that carry the corresponding TSN session.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that After the TSN AF sends the subscription forwarding parameter request to the third NW-TT, the method further includes: After completing the construction of the GTP-U tunnel allocated by the corresponding UPF entity, the third NW-TT sends the first forwarding parameter to the TSN AF.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Controlling the first NW-TT to generate a forwarding message in a preset format based on the flow label information, the current TSN service flow, and the pair port parameters includes: The first NW-TT obtains first GTP-U tunnel information corresponding to the N19 interface of the second NW-TT; The first NW-TT generates a first data identifier in a preset format based on the flow label information; The first NW-TT converts the current TSN service flow into a service message, and encapsulates the first GTP-U tunnel information and the first data identifier in an Internet Protocol IPV6 header of the service message to obtain the forwarding message.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that Determining, based on the first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path, an egress port parameter and a peer port parameter for forwarding the current TSN service flow, including: Obtain, from the first forwarding parameter, the GTP-U tunnel information allocated by the corresponding UPF entity to the third NW-TT and the fourth NW-TT respectively; Allocate a corresponding gated time slot for the N19 interface of the third NW-TT, determine that the outbound port parameters include the GTP-U tunnel information and the gated time slot allocated to the third NW-TT, and determine that the outbound port parameters include the GTP-U tunnel information allocated to the fourth NW-TT.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Obtaining a current TSN service flow to be forwarded, and selecting a target forwarding path from a preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameter, including: Obtain a first preset parameter table, wherein the first preset parameter table includes at least correspondence information between a TSN service flow and a time parameter for the TSN service flow to arrive at each TSN network node on a preset path, and the TSN network node corresponding to each preset path includes at least two NW-TTs that carry the corresponding TSN session; Searching the first preset parameter table for a preset path corresponding to the current TSN service flow to obtain candidate paths, and selecting, from the candidate paths, a candidate path whose time parameters for the TSN service flow to reach each TSN network node on the preset path meet a preset time parameter threshold; Based on the first forwarding parameter, the target forwarding path is selected from the candidate paths, wherein the forwarding parameters of the N19 interface corresponding to the NW-TT corresponding to the target forwarding path include the first forwarding parameter.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The time parameters include a first delay and a second delay, wherein the first delay is the delay between two adjacent TSN network nodes, and the second delay is the delay between the NW-TTs of the two TSN bridges corresponding to one TSN session. Among the candidate paths, selecting a candidate path whose time parameters for the TSN service flow to reach each TSN network node on the preset path meet a preset time parameter threshold includes: Determining, based on the first delay and the number of TSN network nodes of each TSN bridge, a third delay corresponding to each TSN bridge corresponding to each preset path; Accumulating the third delay and the second delay corresponding to the two TSN bridges corresponding to each preset path to obtain a total delay corresponding to the TSN service flow reaching each TSN network node on the preset path; It is determined whether the total delay corresponding to each preset path is less than a delay threshold corresponding to the preset time parameter threshold, and it is determined that the alternative paths include the preset paths whose total delay is less than the delay threshold.

8. A device for deterministic forwarding across network elements, applied to CNC, characterized in that: include: A receiving module, configured to receive a first forwarding parameter reported by a time-sensitive network TSN application entity AF, wherein the first forwarding parameter is used to characterize a forwarding parameter of an N19 interface corresponding to a network-side TSN converter NW-TT of two TSN bridges carrying each TSN session, and the first forwarding parameter is obtained by the TSN AF from a capability parameter reported by one of the two NW-TTs corresponding to each TSN session; a selection module, configured to obtain a current TSN service flow to be forwarded, and select a target forwarding path from a preset path based on the current TSN service flow and the first forwarding parameter, wherein the current TSN service flow is a service flow forwarded according to the N19 interface; a determination module, configured to determine, based on the first forwarding parameter corresponding to the target forwarding path, an egress port parameter and a peer port parameter for forwarding the current TSN service flow, and transmit the preset flow label information, the current TSN service flow, and the peer port parameter to the first NW-TT corresponding to the egress port parameter according to a preset transmission path, wherein the flow label information is used to uniquely identify the current TSN service flow; A processing module is used to control the first NW-TT to generate a forwarding message in a preset format based on the flow label information, the current TSN service flow, and the port pair parameter, and when the first NW-TT is interconnected with the N19 interface of the second NW-TT corresponding to the port pair parameter, the forwarding message is deterministically forwarded across network elements.

9. A centralized network configuration network element, characterized in that: It includes a processor, a communication interface, a memory and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface and the memory communicate with each other via the communication bus; Memory for storing computer programs; A processor is configured to implement the steps of the method for deterministic forwarding across network elements as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 when executing a program stored in a memory.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method for deterministic forwarding across network elements according to any one of claims 1 to 7 are implemented.

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