Network element registration method, apparatus, and network device

Abstract

The application provides a network element registration method and device and network equipment. The method comprises the following steps: a twin NRF network element receives a connection request message sent by a physical NRF network element, the connection request message being sent by the physical NRF network element after receiving a registration request message sent by a first physical network element, and the connection request message carrying network element information of the first physical network element; an activation request message is sent to a first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in a twin network according to the network element information; an activation response message sent by the first twin network element is received, the activation response message being sent by the first twin network element after establishing a synchronous connection with the first physical network element; and a connection response message is sent to the physical NRF network element, the connection response message comprising first network function (NF) configuration information. The application provides a complete registration process of a physical network element in a digital twin network, and the physical network element can realize automation of network element configuration through synchronization with a twin network element in the registration process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a network element registration method, apparatus, and network equipment. Background Technology

[0002] A Digital Twin Network (DTN) is a network system with physical network entities and virtual twins that can interact and map in real time. Digital twins are real-time mirror images of physical entities in the digital world and are becoming a new focus of global information technology development and industrial digital transformation. Currently, the overall network framework design of digital twin networks has been completed, but how to achieve interaction between various network entities within the digital twin network, as well as the interaction between the physical network and the twin network, has not yet been specifically defined. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a network element registration method, apparatus, and network device, which provides a method for interaction between network entities in a twin network and between the physical network and the twin network.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network element registration method applied to a Network Repository Function (NRF) network element, comprising:

[0005] The twin NRF network element receives a connection request message sent by the physical NRF network element. The connection request message is sent by the physical NRF network element after receiving a registration request message sent by the first physical network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0006] Based on the network element information, an activation request message is sent to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network.

[0007] Receive an activation response message sent by the first twin network element, wherein the activation response message is sent after the first twin network element establishes a synchronous connection with the first physical network element;

[0008] A connection response message is sent to the physical NRF network element, the connection response message including first network function (NF) configuration information.

[0009] Optionally, before receiving the connection request message sent by the physical NRF network element, the method further includes:

[0010] Receive a registration request message sent by the first twin network element, the registration request message including the first NF configuration information;

[0011] Store the configuration information of the first NF;

[0012] Send a registration response message to the first twin network element.

[0013] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0014] Based on the configuration information of the first NF, the state of the first twin network element is marked as inactive.

[0015] Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0016] Optionally, sending an activation request message to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network based on the network element information includes:

[0017] Based on the network element information, query the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network;

[0018] The activation request message is sent to the first twin network element, and the activation request message carries the network element information.

[0019] Optionally, after receiving the activation response message sent by the first twin network element, the method further includes:

[0020] The state of the first twin network element is marked as active.

[0021] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network element registration method, applied to physical NRF network elements, comprising:

[0022] After receiving a registration request message from a first physical network element, the physical NRF network element sends a connection request message to the twin NRF network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0023] The connection response message sent by the twin NRF network element is received. The connection response message includes first NF configuration information. The connection response message is sent after the first physical network element establishes a synchronization connection with its corresponding first twin network element.

[0024] Store the configuration information of the first NF;

[0025] Send a registration response message to the first physical network element.

[0026] Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0027] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0028] The system receives a registration request message sent by a first physical network element, the registration request message including second NF configuration information, and the second NF configuration information is different from the first NF configuration information.

[0029] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network element registration method, applied to a first twin network element, comprising:

[0030] The first twin network element receives an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, the activation request message carrying the network element information of the first physical network element corresponding to the first twin network element in the physical network;

[0031] Based on the network element information, a synchronization request is sent to the first physical network element;

[0032] Establish a synchronous connection with the first physical network element and perform information synchronization;

[0033] Send an activation response message to the twin NRF network element.

[0034] Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0035] Optionally, the execution information synchronization includes at least one of the following:

[0036] Send the first NF configuration information to the first physical network element;

[0037] Receive the status information sent by the first physical network element and perform status synchronization.

[0038] Optionally, before receiving the activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, the method further includes:

[0039] Send a registration request message to the twin NRF network element, the registration request message including first NF configuration information;

[0040] Receive the registration response message sent by the twin NRF network element.

[0041] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network element registration method, applied to a first physical network element, comprising:

[0042] The first physical network element sends a registration request message to the physical NRF network element;

[0043] Receive a synchronization request sent by the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network;

[0044] Establish a synchronous connection with the first twin network element and perform information synchronization;

[0045] Receive the registration response message sent by the physical NRF network element.

[0046] Optionally, the first physical network element and the first twin network element perform information synchronization, including at least one of the following:

[0047] Receive the first NF configuration information sent by the first twin network element and perform configuration synchronization;

[0048] Send status information to the first twin network element.

[0049] Optionally, the registration request message includes second NF configuration information, and the second NF configuration information is different from the first NF configuration information.

[0050] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network element registration device, comprising:

[0051] The first receiving module is used to receive a connection request message sent by a physical NRF network element. The connection request message is sent by the physical NRF network element after receiving a registration request message sent by a first physical network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0052] The first sending module is used to send an activation request message to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network, based on the network element information.

[0053] The second receiving module is used to receive the activation response message sent by the first twin network element, wherein the activation response message is sent after the first twin network element establishes a synchronous connection with the first physical network element;

[0054] The second sending module is used to send a connection response message to the physical NRF network element, the connection response message including the first network function (NF) configuration information.

[0055] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network element registration device, comprising:

[0056] The third sending module is used to send a connection request message to the twin NRF network element after receiving the registration request message sent by the first physical network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0057] The third receiving module is used to receive the connection response message sent by the twin NRF network element. The connection response message includes first NF configuration information and is sent after the first physical network element establishes a synchronization connection with its corresponding first twin network element.

[0058] The first storage module is used to store the configuration information of the first NF;

[0059] The fourth sending module is used to send a registration response message to the first physical network element.

[0060] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network element registration device, comprising:

[0061] The fourth receiving module is used to receive an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, wherein the activation request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element corresponding to the first twin network element in the physical network;

[0062] The fifth sending module is used to send a synchronization request to the first physical network element based on the network element information;

[0063] The first synchronization module is used to establish a synchronization connection with the first physical network element and perform information synchronization.

[0064] The fifth receiving module is used to send an activation response message to the twin NRF network element.

[0065] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network element registration device, comprising:

[0066] The sixth sending module is used to send registration request messages to physical NRF network elements;

[0067] The sixth receiving module is used to receive the synchronization request sent by the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network;

[0068] The second synchronization module is used to establish a synchronization connection with the first twin network element and perform information synchronization;

[0069] The seventh receiving module is used to receive the registration response message sent by the physical NRF network element.

[0070] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network device, including: a transceiver and a processor;

[0071] The transceiver is used to: receive a connection request message sent by a physical NRF network element, wherein the connection request message is sent by the physical NRF network element after receiving a registration request message sent by a first physical network element, and the connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element;

[0072] Based on the network element information, an activation request message is sent to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network.

[0073] Receive an activation response message sent by the first twin network element, wherein the activation response message is sent after the first twin network element establishes a synchronous connection with the first physical network element;

[0074] A connection response message is sent to the physical NRF network element, the connection response message including first network function (NF) configuration information.

[0075] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network device, including: a transceiver and a processor;

[0076] The transceiver is used to: after receiving a registration request message sent by the first physical network element, send a connection request message to the twin NRF network element, the connection request message carrying the network element information of the first physical network element;

[0077] The connection response message sent by the twin NRF network element is received. The connection response message includes first NF configuration information. The connection response message is sent after the first physical network element establishes a synchronization connection with its corresponding first twin network element.

[0078] The processor is used to: store the configuration information of the first NF;

[0079] The transceiver is also used to send a registration response message to the first physical network element.

[0080] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network device, including: a transceiver and a processor;

[0081] The transceiver is used to: receive an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, the activation request message carrying network element information of the first physical network element corresponding to the first twin network element in the physical network;

[0082] Based on the network element information, a synchronization request is sent to the first physical network element;

[0083] The processor is used to: establish a synchronous connection with the first physical network element and perform information synchronization;

[0084] The transceiver is also used to send an activation response message to the twin NRF network element.

[0085] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a network device, including: a transceiver and a processor;

[0086] The transceiver is used to: send registration request messages to physical NRF network elements;

[0087] Receive a synchronization request sent by the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network;

[0088] The processor is used to: establish a synchronous connection with the first twin network element and perform information synchronization;

[0089] The transceiver is also used to: receive the registration response message sent by the physical NRF network element.

[0090] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the network element registration method described above.

[0091] The beneficial effects of the above-described technical solution of the present invention are as follows:

[0092] The embodiments of this application provide a complete registration process for physical network elements in a digital twin network. The twin NRF network element can realize functions such as connection with the physical NRF network element, activation of the twin network element's state, and management of the twin network element's state. The network element registration process adds a process for establishing connection and synchronization between the physical network element and the twin network element. The physical network element can automate the network element configuration through synchronization with the twin network element during the registration process. Attached Figure Description

[0093] Figure 1 This is one of the flowcharts illustrating the network element registration method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0094] Figure 2 This is a second schematic flowchart of the network element registration method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0095] Figure 3 This is the third flowchart illustrating the network element registration method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0096] Figure 4 This is the fourth flowchart illustrating the network element registration method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0097] Figure 5 This is the fifth flowchart illustrating the network element registration method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0098] Figure 6 This is a sixth flowchart illustrating the network element registration method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0099] Figure 7 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the network element registration device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0100] Figure 8 This is a second schematic diagram of the network element registration device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0101] Figure 9 This is the third schematic diagram of the network element registration device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0102] Figure 10 This is the fourth schematic diagram of the network element registration device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0103] Figure 11 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of a network device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0104] Figure 12 This is a second schematic diagram of the network device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0105] To make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer, a detailed description will be given below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0106] It should be understood that the phrase "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Therefore, "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0107] In various embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the sequence number of each process described below does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0108] In addition, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably in this article.

[0109] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean determining B solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0110] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a network element registration method applied to twin NRF network elements, including:

[0111] Step 101: The twin NRF network element receives a connection request message sent by the physical NRF network element. The connection request message is sent by the physical NRF network element after receiving the registration request message sent by the first physical network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0112] In this embodiment, the digital twin network includes three layers: a physical network layer, a twin network layer, and a network application layer. The twin NRF network element is an NRF network element of the twin network layer; the physical NRF network element is an NRF network element of the physical network layer, and the twin NRF network element is a twin of the physical NRF network element.

[0113] After joining the network, physical network elements in the physical network layer need to register with the physical network. The first physical network element sends a registration request message (e.g., Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister_Request) to the physical NRF network element. Optionally, the registration request message sent by the first physical network element may carry the initial configuration information of the first physical network element (e.g., NF profile). At this time, the network element parameters and configuration information in the NF profile may be in an initial state.

[0114] After receiving the registration request message sent by the first physical network element, the physical NRF network element sends a connection request message (e.g., Nnrf_DigitalNF_Connect_Request) to the twin NRF network element. Optionally, the connection request message includes network element information of the first physical network element, and optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier (ID) and / or the network element address of the first physical network element.

[0115] The twin NRF network element can find the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element based on the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0116] Step 102: Based on the network element information, send an activation request message to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network.

[0117] The twin NRF network element can query the corresponding first twin network element in the twin network based on the network element information of the first physical network element, and send an activation request message (e.g., Nnrf_NFManagement_NFActive) to the first twin network element. At this point, the first twin network element is registered but not activated. Optionally, the activation request message may carry the network element information of the first physical network element (such as address parameters).

[0118] After receiving the activation request message, the first twin network element can send a synchronization request (such as NF_Synchronize_request) to the first physical network element based on the network element information of the first physical network element. The first physical network element and the first twin network element synchronize information and establish a real-time synchronization connection. After synchronization is completed, the first twin network element is considered activated. The information synchronization may include network configuration synchronization and / or status synchronization. After the synchronization is completed, the NF configuration information of the first physical network element and the first twin network element are consistent.

[0119] Step 103: Receive the activation response message sent by the first twin network element. The activation response message is sent after the first twin network element establishes a synchronous connection with the first physical network element.

[0120] In this embodiment, after the first twin network element and the first physical network element complete synchronization, an activation response message (such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFActive_response) is sent back to the twin NRF network element. The activation response message may include the result parameter of the activation of the first twin network element, that is, indicating whether the first twin network element is activated.

[0121] Step 104: Send a connection response message to the physical NRF element. The connection response message includes the first network function (NF) configuration information.

[0122] After the twin NRF network element confirms the activation of the first twin network element according to the activation response message, it sends a connection response message (such as Nnrf_DigitalNF_Connect_Response) to the physical NRF network element. The connection response message may include the connection result between the first twin network element and the first physical network element (such as a synchronized connection being established) and / or the first NF configuration information. The first NF configuration information is the NF configuration information after information synchronization between the first twin network element and the first physical network element. The first NF configuration information may include at least one of the following: network element type, network element capabilities, services supported by the network element, and service limitations.

[0123] Optionally, after receiving the connection response message, if the physical NRF network element determines that the connection is successful, it saves the first NF configuration information and sends a registration response message (such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFREgister_Response) to the first physical network to notify the first physical network of the registration result.

[0124] The embodiments of this application provide a complete registration process for physical network elements in a digital twin network. The twin NRF network element can realize functions such as connection with the physical NRF network element, activation of the twin network element's state, and management of the twin network element's state. The network element registration process adds a process for establishing connection and synchronization between the physical network element and the twin network element. The physical network element can automate the network element configuration through synchronization with the twin network element during the registration process.

[0125] In this embodiment, no new network entity type needs to be added to the network to achieve network element synchronization control. Instead, the NRF network element's own management and control functions are utilized. Based on the characteristics of digital twin networks, a control activation function for virtual twin network elements is added. Furthermore, this embodiment achieves excellent backward compatibility and does not affect the registration process of physical network elements in the physical network that do not have twin requirements or twin capabilities.

[0126] As an optional embodiment, before receiving the connection request message sent by the physical NRF network element, the method further includes:

[0127] Receive a registration request message sent by the first twin network element, the registration request message including the first NF configuration information;

[0128] Store the configuration information of the first NF;

[0129] Send a registration response message to the first twin network element.

[0130] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0131] Based on the configuration information of the first NF, the state of the first twin network element is marked as inactive.

[0132] In this embodiment, network operators plan various twin network elements in the twin network. The configuration parameters of the twin network elements (i.e., the first NF configuration information) represent the network element configuration desired by the operators. The generated digital planning twin is the configured twin network element. The configuration content may include the network element deployment location, specifications, parameter values, configurable parameter values, physical attribute values, connection relationships, etc. After the digital planning is completed, the established twin network element needs to be registered by the twin NRF network element. The twin network element (i.e., the first twin network element) sends a registration request message (such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister_Request) to the twin NRF network element. The registration request message carries the first NF configuration information. The first NF configuration information, such as an NF profile, may include at least one of the following: network element type, network element capabilities, supported services, service limitations, etc.

[0133] After receiving the registration request message, the twin NRF network element saves the first NF configuration information. However, since the digital twin is not yet added to the twin network topology, its state is inactive. Optionally, the twin NRF network element marks the state of the first twin network element as: NF status = 0, indicating that the first twin network element is inactive in the twin network.

[0134] The twin NRF network element sends a registration response message (such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFREgister_Response) to the first twin network element to notify the first twin network element of the registration result, such as registration successful or registration unsuccessful.

[0135] As an optional embodiment, sending an activation request message to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network based on the network element information includes:

[0136] Based on the network element information, query the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network; send the activation request message to the first twin network element, the activation request message carrying the network element information.

[0137] In this embodiment, after the twin NRF network element receives the connection request message sent by the physical NRF network element, it queries the twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network based on the network element information (such as network element ID) of the first physical network element, that is, the first twin network element. The twin NRF network element receives the connection request message sent by the physical NRF network element and sends the activation request message to the first twin network element. The activation request message may carry the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0138] After receiving the activation request message, the first twin network element synchronizes information with the first physical network element and establishes a real-time synchronization connection. Optionally, the information synchronization may include: configuration information synchronization and / or status synchronization, wherein the configuration information synchronization is, for example, the first twin network element sending the first NF configuration information to the first physical network element, and the first physical network element configuring parameters according to the first NF configuration information; the status synchronization is, for example, the first physical network element sending the actual status of devices such as sensors to the first twin network element, and the first twin network element performing status synchronization. After the information synchronization is completed, the first twin network element sends an activation response message to the twin NRF network element, the activation response message including the activation result.

[0139] As an optional embodiment, after receiving the activation response message sent by the first twin network element, the method further includes: marking the state of the first twin network element as an activated state.

[0140] The twin NRF network element marks the status of the first twin network element as active. For example, setting the NF status of the first twin network element to 1 indicates that the first twin network element has been added to the twin network and is in an active state.

[0141] The twin NRF network element sends a connection response message to the physical NRF network element, carrying connection result information and NF configuration information of the first twin network element and the first physical network element. Since the first twin network element and the first physical network element have already completed information synchronization at this time, the NF configuration information is the same as the first NF configuration information. After receiving the connection response message, the physical NRF network element saves the first NF configuration information and sends a registration response message to the idyll physical network element, notifying the first physical network element of the registration result.

[0142] The network element registration method of this application is described below through specific embodiments.

[0143] like Figure 2 As shown, network operators generate a digital planning twin in the digital twin network according to actual network needs. This may include network element deployment locations, specification parameter values, configurable parameter values, physical attribute values, connection relationships, etc. After the digital planning twin is established, it needs to be registered with the twin NRF network element (including step 1: the twin network element sends a registration request to the twin NRF network element; step 2: the twin NRF network element returns a registration success message). However, since the digital twin has not been added to the twin network topology, its status is inactive at this time.

[0144] After a physical network element joins the network, it initiates a registration request to the physical NRF network element. Figure 2 In step 3 shown, the physical NRF network element needs to notify the twin NRF network element that a new network element has joined the network (i.e., send a connection request to the twin NRF network element) and needs to establish a connection with the corresponding twin.

[0145] The twin NRF element initiates an activation request to the corresponding twin element and sends the address of the physical element to the twin. Figure 2 Step 5 (as shown) involves the twin network element initiating a synchronization request to the physical network element and completing the synchronization of the network element configuration. Figure 2 Steps 6 and 7 are shown below. A connection is established; the twin network element returns an activation success message to the twin NRF network element (step 8). After synchronization, the twin network element's state changes to active; the twin NRF network element notifies the physical NRF network element that the connection is complete (step 9); the physical NRF network element notifies the physical network element that registration is successful (step 10), thus completing the physical network element's registration process.

[0146] Specifically, taking a 5G mobile communication network as an example, the network element registration process in the twin network of this application embodiment is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, it includes:

[0147] Step 1: After network operations and maintenance personnel complete the planning of twin network elements in the twin network, the twin network element sends a registration request Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister_Request to the twin NRF network element, carrying NF profile parameters (NF profile can include information such as network element type, network element capabilities, supported services, and service limitations);

[0148] Step 2: After receiving the registration request, the twin NRF element saves the NF profile and marks the status of the twin element as NF status=0, indicating that the twin element is inactive in the twin network;

[0149] Step 3: The twin NRF network element sends a registration response message (Nnrf_NFManagement_NFREgister_Response) to the twin network element to notify the twin network element of the registration result, which can be "registration successful".

[0150] Step 4: After a physical network element enters the network, it needs to register in the physical network by sending a registration request Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister_Request to the NRF network element, along with the NF profile parameter (at this time, the network element parameters and configuration information may be in an initial state).

[0151] Step 5: After receiving the registration request, the physical NRF network element sends a network element connection request (Nnrf_DigitalNF_Connect_Request) to the twin NRF network element, carrying the network element ID and network element address of the physical network element.

[0152] Step 6: After receiving the connection request, the twin NRF network element queries the corresponding twin network element in the twin network based on the network element ID;

[0153] Step 7: The twin NRF element sends an activation request Nnrf_NFManagement_NFActive to the twin element, carrying the physical element address (sddress) parameter.

[0154] Step 8: The twin network element sends a synchronization request NF_Synchronize_request to the physical network element;

[0155] Step 9: The twin network element and the physical network element complete the synchronization of network configuration and status, and establish a real-time synchronization connection.

[0156] Step 10: The twin network element replies to the twin NRF network element with an activation response Nnrf_NFManagement_NFActive_response, carrying the activation result parameters of the twin network element, which can indicate successful activation;

[0157] Step 11: The twin NRF element sets its NF status to 1, indicating that the twin element has been added to the twin network and is in an activated state.

[0158] Step 12: The twin NRF element sends a connection response Nnrf_DigitalNF_Connect_Respnse to the physical NRF element, carrying the connection result information and NF profile information between the twin and physical network elements;

[0159] Step 13: After receiving the connection success message, the physical NRF network element saves the NF profile information (at this time, the physical network element and the twin network element have completed configuration synchronization, and the NF profile information of the physical network element and the NF profile information of the twin network element are consistent).

[0160] Step 14: The physical NRF network element sends a registration response Nnrf_NFManagement_NFREgister_Response signaling to the physical network element to notify the network element of the registration result, such as: registration successful.

[0161] In this embodiment of the application, a process for establishing a connection and synchronizing with the twin network element is added to the network element registration process in the digital twin network. Physical network elements can automate their configuration through synchronization with the twin network element during the registration process. No new network entity type needs to be added to the network to implement the network element synchronization control function. The NRF network element's own management and control functions are utilized, and based on the characteristics of the digital twin network, a control activation function for the virtual twin network element is added. Furthermore, this embodiment of the application achieves good backward compatibility and does not affect the registration process of physical network elements in the physical network that do not have twin requirements or twin capabilities.

[0162] like Figure 4 As shown, this application embodiment provides a network element registration method, applied to a physical NRF network element, including:

[0163] Step 401: After receiving the registration request message sent by the first physical network element, the physical NRF network element sends a connection request message to the twin NRF network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0164] Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0165] In this embodiment, after a physical network element joins the network, it needs to register with the physical network. The first physical network element sends a registration request message (such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister_Request) to the physical NRF network element. After receiving the registration request, the physical NRF network element sends a connection request message (such as Nnrf_DigitalNF_Connect_Request) to the twin NRF network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element, such as the network element ID and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0166] The twin NRF network element queries the first twin network element in the twin network based on the network element information, and sends an activation request message to the first twin network element. The first twin network element and the first physical network element synchronize information and establish a real-time synchronization connection. After synchronization is completed, the first twin network element returns an activation response message to the twin NRF network element, and the twin NRF network element sets the status of the first twin network element to active.

[0167] Step 402: Receive the connection response message sent by the twin NRF network element. The connection response message includes first NF configuration information. The connection response message is sent after the first physical network element establishes a synchronization connection with its corresponding first twin network element.

[0168] Step 403: Store the configuration information of the first NF;

[0169] Step 404: Send a registration response message to the first physical network element.

[0170] In this embodiment, after the twin NRF network element receives the activation response message from the first twin network element, it indicates that the first physical network element and its corresponding first twin network element have established a synchronization connection and completed information synchronization. The twin NRF network element returns a connection response message (such as Nnrf_DigitalNF_Connect_Respnse) to the physical NRF network element. The connection response message includes the configuration information of the first physical network element and the first twin network element after synchronization (i.e., the first NF configuration information).

[0171] The physical NRF network element stores the configuration information of the first NF and sends a registration response message (such as Nnrf_NFManagement_NFREgister_Response) to the first physical network element to notify the first physical network element of the registration result.

[0172] As an optional embodiment, the method further includes: receiving a registration request message sent by a first physical network element, the registration request message including second NF configuration information, and the second NF configuration information being different from the first NF configuration information.

[0173] In this embodiment, when the first physical network element registers with the physical NRF network element, the registration request message sent may include the current NF configuration information of the first physical network element, namely the second NF configuration information. The second NF configuration information is the configuration information of the first physical network element that has not yet been synchronized with the first twin network element, and may be in an initialization state.

[0174] The embodiments of this application provide a registration process for physical network elements in a digital twin network. The NRF network element adds functions for establishing a connection request, activating the twin network element's state, and managing the twin network element's state. It eliminates the need to add new network entity types to achieve network element synchronization control; instead, it utilizes the NRF network element's own management and control functions. Based on the characteristics of the digital twin network, a control activation function for the virtual twin network element is added.

[0175] like Figure 5 As shown, an embodiment of this application provides a network element registration method, applied to a first twin network element, including:

[0176] Step 501: The first twin network element receives an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element. The activation request message carries network element information of the first physical network element corresponding to the first twin network element in the physical network. Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0177] Step 502: Based on the network element information, send a synchronization request to the first physical network element;

[0178] Step 503: Establish a synchronous connection with the first physical network element and perform information synchronization;

[0179] Step 504: Send an activation response message to the twin NRF network element.

[0180] In this embodiment, after the first physical network element joins the network, a registration request message is sent to the physical NRF network element; the physical NRF network element sends a connection request message to the twin NRF network element to establish a connection with the twin NRF network element, and the connection request message includes the network element information of the first physical network element; the twin NRF network element queries the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element according to the network element information, and sends an activation request message to the first twin network element, and the activation request message may carry the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0181] Upon receiving the activation request, the first twin network element sends a synchronization request to the first physical network element to synchronize information and establish a real-time synchronization connection. After synchronization is complete, the first twin network element sends an activation response message to the twin NRF network element, carrying the activation result of the first twin network element so that the twin NRF network element marks the state of the first twin network element as active. The twin NRF network element returns a connection response message to the physical NRF network element, carrying the connection result information of the first twin network element and the first physical network element, as well as the synchronized first NF configuration information. The physical NRF network element stores the first NF configuration information and returns the registration result to the first physical network element.

[0182] Optionally, the execution information synchronization includes at least one of the following:

[0183] Send the first NF configuration information to the first physical network element;

[0184] Receive the status information sent by the first physical network element and perform status synchronization.

[0185] In this embodiment, information synchronization between the first twin network element and the first physical network element may include: configuration information synchronization and / or status synchronization. Specifically, configuration information synchronization may include: the first twin network element sending first NF configuration information to the first physical network element, enabling the first physical network element to configure network elements according to the first NF configuration information. In this embodiment, network operation and maintenance personnel generate a digital planning twin in the digital twin network according to actual network requirements; that is, the operation and maintenance personnel first configure network elements in the twin network according to requirements, and the first NF configuration information is the desired network element configuration information.

[0186] The state synchronization may include: the first physical network element sending some device states (such as sensor states) to the first twin network element, and the first twin network element performing state synchronization.

[0187] Optionally, before receiving the activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, the method further includes: sending a registration request message to the twin NRF network element, the registration request message including first NF configuration information; and receiving a registration response message sent by the twin NRF network element.

[0188] In this embodiment, after network operations personnel complete the planning of twin network elements in the twin network, the twin network elements send a registration request to the twin NRF network element for registration. The registration request message may include the first NF configuration information, which may include information such as the network element type, network element capabilities, supported services, and service limitations. The twin NRF network element stores the first NF configuration information and marks the status of the first twin network element as inactive.

[0189] In this embodiment of the application, a process for establishing a connection and synchronizing with the twin network element is added to the network element registration process in the digital twin network. The physical network element can automate its network element configuration through synchronization with the twin network element during the registration process. No new network entity type needs to be added to the network to achieve network element synchronization control. The network element's own management and control functions are utilized, and based on the characteristics of the digital twin network, a control activation function for the virtual twin network element is added.

[0190] like Figure 6 As shown, an embodiment of this application provides a network element registration method, applied to a first physical network element, including:

[0191] Step 601: The first physical network element sends a registration request message to the physical NRF network element;

[0192] Step 602: Receive the synchronization request sent by the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network;

[0193] Step 603: Establish a synchronous connection with the first twin network element and perform information synchronization;

[0194] Step 604: Receive the registration response message sent by the physical NRF network element.

[0195] In this embodiment, after the first physical network element joins the network, a registration request message is sent to the physical NRF network element; the physical NRF network element sends a connection request message to the twin NRF network element to establish a connection with the twin NRF network element, and the connection request message includes the network element information of the first physical network element; the twin NRF network element queries the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element according to the network element information, and sends an activation request message to the first twin network element, and the activation request message may carry the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0196] After receiving the activation request, the first twin network element sends a synchronization request to the first physical network element to synchronize information and establish a real-time synchronization connection. Upon completion of synchronization, the first twin network element sends an activation response message to the twin NRF network element, carrying the activation result of the first twin network element so that the twin NRF network element marks the state of the first twin network element as active. The twin NRF network element returns a connection response message to the physical NRF network element, carrying the connection result information between the first twin network element and the first physical network element, as well as the synchronized first NF configuration information. The physical NRF network element stores the first NF configuration information and returns a registration response message to the first physical network element, notifying it of the registration result.

[0197] Optionally, the first physical network element and the first twin network element perform information synchronization, including at least one of the following:

[0198] Receive the first NF configuration information sent by the first twin network element and perform configuration synchronization;

[0199] Send status information to the first twin network element.

[0200] In this embodiment, information synchronization between the first twin network element and the first physical network element may include: configuration information synchronization and / or status synchronization. Specifically, configuration information synchronization may include: the first twin network element sending first NF configuration information to the first physical network element, and the first physical network element configuring network elements according to the first NF configuration information. In this embodiment, network operation and maintenance personnel generate a digital planning twin in the digital twin network according to actual network needs; that is, the operation and maintenance personnel first configure network elements in the twin network according to requirements, and the first NF configuration information is the desired network element configuration information.

[0201] The state synchronization may include: the first physical network element sending some device states (such as sensor states) to the first twin network element, so that the first twin network element can perform state synchronization.

[0202] Optionally, the registration request message includes second NF configuration information, and the second NF configuration information is different from the first NF configuration information.

[0203] In this embodiment, when the first physical network element sends a registration request to the physical NRF network element, synchronization with the first twin network element has not yet been performed. Therefore, the second NF configuration information is the current configuration information of the first physical network element, which may be in its initial state. After the first physical network element and the first twin network element establish a synchronization connection and perform information synchronization, the configuration information is the first NF configuration information planned by the operation and maintenance personnel.

[0204] In this embodiment of the application, a process for establishing a connection and synchronizing with the twin network element is added to the network element registration process in the digital twin network. Physical network elements can automate their configuration through synchronization with the twin network element during the registration process. No new network entity type needs to be added to the network to implement the network element synchronization control function. The NRF network element's own management and control functions are utilized, and based on the characteristics of the digital twin network, a control activation function for the virtual twin network element is added. Furthermore, this solution achieves good backward compatibility and does not affect the registration process of physical network elements in the physical network that do not have twin requirements or twin capabilities.

[0205] like Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a network element registration device 700, applied to twin NRF network elements, comprising:

[0206] The first receiving module 710 is used to receive a connection request message sent by a physical NRF network element. The connection request message is sent by the physical NRF network element after receiving a registration request message sent by a first physical network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0207] The first sending module 720 is used to send an activation request message to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network according to the network element information.

[0208] The second receiving module 730 is used to receive the activation response message sent by the first twin network element, wherein the activation response message is sent after the first twin network element establishes a synchronous connection with the first physical network element;

[0209] The second sending module 740 is used to send a connection response message to the physical NRF network element, the connection response message including first network function (NF) configuration information.

[0210] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0211] The eighth receiving module is used to receive a registration request message sent by the first twin network element, the registration request message including the first NF configuration information;

[0212] The second storage module is used to store the configuration information of the first NF;

[0213] The seventh sending module is used to send a registration response message to the first twin network element.

[0214] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0215] The first marking module is used to mark the state of the first twin network element as inactive based on the first NF configuration information.

[0216] Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0217] Optionally, the first sending module includes:

[0218] The query unit is used to query the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network based on the network element information;

[0219] The first sending unit is configured to send the activation request message to the first twin network element, the activation request message carrying the network element information.

[0220] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0221] The second marking module is used to mark the state of the first twin network element as active.

[0222] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this embodiment of the invention can implement all the method steps implemented in the method embodiment applied to twin NRF network elements, and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0223] like Figure 8 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a network element registration device 800, applied to physical NRF network elements, comprising:

[0224] The third sending module 810 is used to send a connection request message to the twin NRF network element after receiving the registration request message sent by the first physical network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element.

[0225] The third receiving module 820 is used to receive the connection response message sent by the twin NRF network element. The connection response message includes first NF configuration information and is sent after the first physical network element establishes a synchronization connection with its corresponding first twin network element.

[0226] The first storage module 830 is used to store the configuration information of the first NF;

[0227] The fourth sending module 840 is used to send a registration response message to the first physical network element.

[0228] Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0229] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0230] The ninth receiving module is used to receive a registration request message sent by the first physical network element. The registration request message includes second NF configuration information, and the second NF configuration information is different from the first NF configuration information.

[0231] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this embodiment of the invention can implement all the method steps implemented in the method embodiment applied to physical NRF network elements, and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiment and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0232] like Figure 9 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a network element registration device 900, applied to a first twin network element, comprising:

[0233] The fourth receiving module 910 is used to receive an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, wherein the activation request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element corresponding to the first twin network element in the physical network;

[0234] The fifth sending module 920 is used to send a synchronization request to the first physical network element according to the network element information;

[0235] The first synchronization module 930 is used to establish a synchronization connection with the first physical network element and perform information synchronization.

[0236] The fifth receiving module 940 is used to send an activation response message to the twin NRF network element.

[0237] Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0238] Optionally, the first synchronization module is configured to perform at least one of the following:

[0239] Send the first NF configuration information to the first physical network element;

[0240] Receive the status information sent by the first physical network element and perform status synchronization.

[0241] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0242] The eighth sending module is used to send a registration request message to the twin NRF network element, the registration request message including the first NF configuration information;

[0243] The tenth receiving module is used to receive the registration response message sent by the twin NRF network element.

[0244] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this embodiment of the invention can implement all the method steps implemented in the method embodiment applied to the first twin network element, and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiment and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0245] like Figure 10 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a network element registration device 1000, applied to a first physical network element, comprising:

[0246] The sixth sending module 1010 is used to send registration request messages to physical NRF network elements;

[0247] The sixth receiving module 1020 is used to receive a synchronization request sent by the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network;

[0248] The second synchronization module 1030 is used to establish a synchronization connection with the first twin network element and perform information synchronization;

[0249] The seventh receiving module 1040 is used to receive the registration response message sent by the physical NRF network element.

[0250] Optionally, the second synchronization module is used to perform at least one of the following:

[0251] Receive the first NF configuration information sent by the first twin network element and perform configuration synchronization;

[0252] Send status information to the first twin network element.

[0253] Optionally, the registration request message includes second NF configuration information, and the second NF configuration information is different from the first NF configuration information.

[0254] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this embodiment of the invention can implement all the method steps implemented in the method embodiment applied to the first physical network element, and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiment and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0255] like Figure 11 As shown, a network device 1100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a twin NRF network element, including a processor 1110 and a transceiver 1120, wherein,

[0256] The transceiver 1120 is used to: receive a connection request message sent by a physical NRF network element, wherein the connection request message is sent by the physical NRF network element after receiving a registration request message sent by a first physical network element, and the connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element;

[0257] Based on the network element information, an activation request message is sent to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network.

[0258] Receive an activation response message sent by the first twin network element, wherein the activation response message is sent after the first twin network element establishes a synchronous connection with the first physical network element;

[0259] A connection response message is sent to the physical NRF network element, the connection response message including first network function (NF) configuration information.

[0260] Optionally, before receiving a connection request message sent by a physical NRF network element, the transceiver is further configured to:

[0261] Receive a registration request message sent by the first twin network element, the registration request message including the first NF configuration information;

[0262] The processor is used to store the configuration information of the first NF.

[0263] The transceiver is also used to send a registration response message to the first twin network element.

[0264] Optionally, the processor is further configured to: mark the state of the first twin network element as inactive based on the first NF configuration information.

[0265] Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0266] Optionally, when sending an activation request message to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network according to the network element information, the processor is configured to: query the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network according to the network element information;

[0267] The transceiver sends the activation request message to the first twin network element, and the activation request message carries the network element information.

[0268] Optionally, after receiving the activation response message sent by the first twin network element, the processor is further configured to: mark the state of the first twin network element as an active state.

[0269] It should be noted that the network device provided in the embodiments of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented in the method embodiments applied to twin NRF network elements and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiments and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0270] This invention also provides a network device applied to a physical NRF network element, the structure of which is as follows: Figure 11 As shown, it includes a processor and a transceiver, wherein,

[0271] The transceiver is used to: after receiving a registration request message sent by the first physical network element, send a connection request message to the twin NRF network element, the connection request message carrying the network element information of the first physical network element;

[0272] The connection response message sent by the twin NRF network element is received. The connection response message includes first NF configuration information. The connection response message is sent after the first physical network element establishes a synchronization connection with its corresponding first twin network element.

[0273] The processor is used to: store the configuration information of the first NF;

[0274] The transceiver is also used to send a registration response message to the first physical network element.

[0275] Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0276] Optionally, the transceiver is further configured to: receive a registration request message sent by a first physical network element, the registration request message including second NF configuration information, and the second NF configuration information being different from the first NF configuration information.

[0277] It should be noted that the network device provided in the embodiments of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented in the method embodiments applied to physical NRF network elements and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiments and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0278] This invention also provides a network device applied to a first twin network element, the structure of which is as follows: Figure 11 As shown, it includes a processor and a transceiver, wherein,

[0279] The transceiver is used to: receive an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, the activation request message carrying network element information of the first physical network element corresponding to the first twin network element in the physical network;

[0280] Based on the network element information, a synchronization request is sent to the first physical network element;

[0281] The processor is used to: establish a synchronous connection with the first physical network element and perform information synchronization;

[0282] The transceiver is also used to send an activation response message to the twin NRF network element.

[0283] Optionally, the network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

[0284] Optionally, the processor execution information synchronization includes at least one of the following:

[0285] Send the first NF configuration information to the first physical network element;

[0286] Receive the status information sent by the first physical network element and perform status synchronization.

[0287] Optionally, before receiving the activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, the transceiver is further configured to:

[0288] Send a registration request message to the twin NRF network element, the registration request message including first NF configuration information;

[0289] Receive the registration response message sent by the twin NRF network element.

[0290] It should be noted that the network device provided in the embodiments of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented in the method embodiment applied to the first twin network element, and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiment and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0291] This invention also provides a network device applied to a first physical network element, the structure of which is as follows: Figure 11 As shown, it includes a processor and a transceiver, wherein,

[0292] The transceiver is used to: send registration request messages to physical NRF network elements;

[0293] Receive a synchronization request sent by the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network;

[0294] The processor is used to: establish a synchronous connection with the first twin network element and perform information synchronization;

[0295] The transceiver is also used to: receive the registration response message sent by the physical NRF network element.

[0296] Optionally, the first physical network element and the first twin network element perform information synchronization, including at least one of the following:

[0297] Receive the first NF configuration information sent by the first twin network element and perform configuration synchronization;

[0298] Send status information to the first twin network element.

[0299] Optionally, the registration request message includes second NF configuration information, and the second NF configuration information is different from the first NF configuration information.

[0300] It should be noted that the network device provided in the embodiments of the present invention can implement all the method steps implemented in the method embodiments applied to the first physical network element and can achieve the same technical effect. Here, the parts that are the same as those in the method embodiments and the beneficial effects will not be described in detail.

[0301] Another embodiment of the network device of the present invention, such as Figure 12 As shown, it includes a transceiver 1210, a processor 1200, a memory 1220, and a program or instructions stored in the memory 1220 and executable on the processor 1200; when the processor 1200 executes the program or instructions, it implements the above-mentioned network element registration method.

[0302] The transceiver 1210 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 1200.

[0303] Among them, Figure 12 In this context, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking various circuits together, represented by one or more processors (processor 1200) and memory (memory 1220). The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1210 may be multiple elements, including transmitters and receivers, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium. The processor 1200 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1220 may store data used by the processor 1200 during operation.

[0304] An embodiment of the present invention provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the steps in the network element registration method described above and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0305] The processor is the processor in the electronic device described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0306] It should be further noted that the electronic devices described in this specification include, but are not limited to, smartphones, tablets, etc., and many of the described functional components are referred to as modules in order to more specifically emphasize the independence of their implementation.

[0307] In this embodiment of the invention, the module can be implemented in software so that it can be executed by various types of processors. For example, an identified executable code module may include one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions, which may be constructed as objects, procedures, or functions. Nevertheless, the executable code of the identified module does not need to be physically located together, but may include different instructions stored in different bits, which, when logically combined, constitute the module and achieve the module's intended purpose.

[0308] In practice, an executable code module can be a single instruction or many instructions, and can even be distributed across multiple different code segments, different programs, and across multiple memory devices. Similarly, operational data can be identified within the module and can be implemented in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. This operational data can be collected as a single dataset or distributed across different locations (including different storage devices), and can exist, at least in part, solely as electronic signals within the system or network.

[0309] When a module can be implemented using software, considering the current level of hardware technology, modules that can be implemented in software can be implemented using hardware circuits by those skilled in the art to achieve the corresponding functions, without considering cost. These hardware circuits include conventional very-large-scale integrated circuits (VLSI) or gate arrays, as well as existing semiconductors such as logic chips and transistors, or other discrete components. Modules can also be implemented using programmable hardware devices, such as field-programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, and programmable logic devices.

[0310] The exemplary embodiments described above are with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many different forms and embodiments are feasible without departing from the spirit and teachings of the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be construed as limiting the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided to make the invention complete and convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In these drawings, component dimensions and relative dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, unless clearly indicated otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include all such forms. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “including”, when used in this specification, indicate the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, components, and / or elements, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless otherwise indicated, when stated, a range of values ​​includes the upper and lower limits of the range and any subranges in between.

[0311] The above description represents the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A network element registration method, applied to a twin network storage function (NRF) network element, characterized in that, include: The twin NRF network element receives a connection request message sent by the physical NRF network element. The connection request message is sent by the physical NRF network element after receiving a registration request message sent by the first physical network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element. Based on the network element information, an activation request message is sent to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network. Receive an activation response message sent by the first twin network element, wherein the activation response message is sent after the first twin network element establishes a synchronous connection with the first physical network element; A connection response message is sent to the physical NRF network element, the connection response message including first network function (NF) configuration information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before receiving the connection request message sent by the physical NRF network element, the method further includes: Receive a registration request message sent by the first twin network element, the registration request message including the first NF configuration information; Store the configuration information of the first NF; Send a registration response message to the first twin network element.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the configuration information of the first NF, the state of the first twin network element is marked as inactive.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of sending an activation request message to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network based on the network element information includes: Based on the network element information, query the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network; The activation request message is sent to the first twin network element, and the activation request message carries the network element information.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After receiving the activation response message sent by the first twin network element, the method further includes: The state of the first twin network element is marked as active.

7. A network element registration method, applied to physical NRF network elements, characterized in that, include: After receiving a registration request message from a first physical network element, the physical NRF network element sends a connection request message to the twin NRF network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element. The connection response message sent by the twin NRF network element is received. The connection response message includes first NF configuration information. The connection response message is sent after the first physical network element establishes a synchronization connection with its corresponding first twin network element. Store the configuration information of the first NF; Send a registration response message to the first physical network element.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a registration request message sent by a first physical network element, the registration request message including second NF configuration information, and the second NF configuration information is different from the first NF configuration information.

10. A network element registration method, applied to a first twin network element, characterized in that, include: The first twin network element receives an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, the activation request message carrying the network element information of the first physical network element corresponding to the first twin network element in the physical network; Based on the network element information, a synchronization request is sent to the first physical network element; Establish a synchronous connection with the first physical network element and perform information synchronization; Send an activation response message to the twin NRF network element.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The network element information includes: the network element identifier and / or network element address of the first physical network element.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The execution information synchronization includes at least one of the following: Send the first NF configuration information to the first physical network element; Receive the status information sent by the first physical network element and perform status synchronization.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, Before receiving the activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, the method further includes: Send a registration request message to the twin NRF network element, the registration request message including first NF configuration information; Receive the registration response message sent by the twin NRF network element.

14. A network element registration method, applied to a first physical network element, characterized in that, include: The first physical network element sends a registration request message to the physical NRF network element; Receive a synchronization request sent by the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network, wherein the synchronization request is sent by the first twin network element after receiving an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, and the activation request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element; Establish a synchronous connection with the first twin network element and perform information synchronization; Receive the registration response message sent by the physical NRF network element.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first physical network element and the first twin network element perform information synchronization, including at least one of the following: Receive the first NF configuration information sent by the first twin network element and perform configuration synchronization; Send status information to the first twin network element.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The registration request message includes second NF configuration information, and the second NF configuration information is different from the first NF configuration information.

17. A network element registration device, characterized in that, include: The first receiving module is used to receive a connection request message sent by a physical NRF network element. The connection request message is sent by the physical NRF network element after receiving a registration request message sent by a first physical network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element. The first sending module is used to send an activation request message to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network, based on the network element information. The second receiving module is used to receive the activation response message sent by the first twin network element, wherein the activation response message is sent after the first twin network element establishes a synchronous connection with the first physical network element; The second sending module is used to send a connection response message to the physical NRF network element, the connection response message including the first network function (NF) configuration information.

18. A network element registration device, characterized in that, include: The third sending module is used to send a connection request message to the twin NRF network element after receiving the registration request message sent by the first physical network element. The connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element. The third receiving module is used to receive the connection response message sent by the twin NRF network element. The connection response message includes first NF configuration information and is sent after the first physical network element establishes a synchronization connection with its corresponding first twin network element. The first storage module is used to store the configuration information of the first NF; The fourth sending module is used to send a registration response message to the first physical network element.

19. A network element registration device, characterized in that, include: The fourth receiving module is used to receive an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, wherein the activation request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element corresponding to the first twin network element in the physical network; The fifth sending module is used to send a synchronization request to the first physical network element based on the network element information; The first synchronization module is used to establish a synchronization connection with the first physical network element and perform information synchronization. The fifth receiving module is used to send an activation response message to the twin NRF network element.

20. A network element registration device, characterized in that, include: The sixth sending module is used to send registration request messages to physical NRF network elements; The sixth receiving module is used to receive a synchronization request sent by the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network, wherein the synchronization request is sent by the first twin network element after receiving an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, and the activation request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element. The second synchronization module is used to establish a synchronization connection with the first twin network element and perform information synchronization; The seventh receiving module is used to receive the registration response message sent by the physical NRF network element.

21. A network device, characterized in that, include: Transceiver and processor; The transceiver is used to: receive a connection request message sent by a physical NRF network element, wherein the connection request message is sent by the physical NRF network element after receiving a registration request message sent by a first physical network element, and the connection request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element; Based on the network element information, an activation request message is sent to the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network. Receive an activation response message sent by the first twin network element, wherein the activation response message is sent after the first twin network element establishes a synchronous connection with the first physical network element; A connection response message is sent to the physical NRF network element, the connection response message including first network function (NF) configuration information.

22. A network device, characterized in that, include: Transceiver and processor; The transceiver is used to: after receiving a registration request message sent by the first physical network element, send a connection request message to the twin NRF network element, the connection request message carrying the network element information of the first physical network element; The connection response message sent by the twin NRF network element is received. The connection response message includes first NF configuration information. The connection response message is sent after the first physical network element establishes a synchronization connection with its corresponding first twin network element. The processor is used to: store the configuration information of the first NF; The transceiver is also used to send a registration response message to the first physical network element.

23. A network device, characterized in that, include: Transceiver and processor; The transceiver is used to: receive an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, the activation request message carrying network element information of the first physical network element corresponding to the first twin network element in the physical network; Based on the network element information, a synchronization request is sent to the first physical network element; The processor is used to: establish a synchronous connection with the first physical network element and perform information synchronization; The transceiver is also used to send an activation response message to the twin NRF network element.

24. A network device, characterized in that, include: Transceiver and processor; The transceiver is used to: send registration request messages to physical NRF network elements; Receive a synchronization request sent by the first twin network element corresponding to the first physical network element in the twin network, wherein the synchronization request is sent by the first twin network element after receiving an activation request message sent by the twin NRF network element, and the activation request message carries the network element information of the first physical network element; The processor is used to: establish a synchronous connection with the first twin network element and perform information synchronization; The transceiver is also used to: receive the registration response message sent by the physical NRF network element.

25. A readable storage medium having a program or instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the steps of the network element registration method as described in any one of claims 1-16.

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