Virtual network group topology management method, NEF entity, communication system and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a virtual network group topology management method, a NEF entity, a communication system and a storage medium, and relates to the field of communication. The virtual network group topology management method includes: after receiving a first service request sent by an AF entity through a first signaling, extracting virtual network group service area information from the first service request; using network pre-configuration information, mapping or converting the virtual network group service area information to obtain topology structure information of functional entities in the virtual network group; sending a second service request to a UDM entity through a second signaling, wherein the second service request includes topology structure information, so as to store the topology structure information in the UDM entity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a virtual network group topology management method, a NEF (Network Exposure Function) entity, a communication system and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) R16 has a new feature that supports 5G LAN (Local Area Network). 5G LAN designates a group of terminals that have signed contracts for the same slice and DNN (Data Network Name) as a 5G VN (Virtual Network) group, and the terminals in the group can communicate in a variety of ways. Summary of the invention

[0003] The inventors noticed that in the related art, a 5G VN group can only be controlled by one SMF (Session Management) entity. For scenarios across multiple SMF entities, for example, involving M SMF entities and N UPF (User Plane Function) entities, if the SMF entities or UPF entities are connected through a full mesh, when the 5G VN group has a large coverage area, there will be M*(M-1) / 2 connections between SMF entities and N*(N-1) / 2 N19 tunnels between UPF entities. As M and N increase, the network complexity will increase, which is not conducive to the operator's network management.

[0004] Based on this, the present disclosure provides a virtual network group topology management solution, which stores the topology structure information of the functional entities in the VN group as contract information together with other group data in the UDM (Unified Data Management) entity, so that when a 5G VN user initiates a session establishment request, the SMF entity can determine the topology structure based on the contract data, thereby solving the problem of the network being too complex when the 5G VN group has a large coverage area and a large number of SMF entities or UPF entities.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a virtual network group topology management method is provided, which is executed by a network open function NEF entity, including: after receiving a first service request sent by an application function AF entity through a first signaling, extracting virtual network group service area information from the first service request; using network pre-configuration information, mapping or converting the virtual network group service area information to obtain topology structure information of functional entities in the virtual network group; sending a second service request to a unified data management UDM entity through a second signaling, wherein the second service request includes the topology structure information so that the topology structure information is stored in the UDM entity.

[0006] In some embodiments, the functional entity includes at least one of a session management function SMF entity and a user plane function UPF entity.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nnef_Parameter Provision_Update request signaling; the second signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nudm_Parameter Provision_Updaterequest signaling.

[0008] In some embodiments, after receiving the storage confirmation information sent by the UDM entity through the third signaling, the storage confirmation information is sent to the AF entity through the fourth signaling.

[0009] In some embodiments, the third signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Createresponse signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling; the fourth signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Updateresponse signaling.

[0010] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a virtual network open function NEF entity is provided, comprising: a first processing module, configured to extract virtual network group service area information from a first service request sent by an application function AF entity after receiving the first service request through a first signaling; a second processing module, configured to map or convert the virtual network group service area information using network pre-configuration information to obtain topology information of functional entities in the virtual network group; a third processing module, configured to send a second service request to a unified data management UDM entity through a second signaling, wherein the second service request includes the topology information so that the topology information is stored in the UDM entity.

[0011] In some embodiments, the functional entity includes at least one of a session management function SMF entity and a user plane function UPF entity.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling; the second signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

[0013] In some embodiments, the third module is further configured to send the storage confirmation information to the AF entity through a fourth signaling after receiving the storage confirmation information sent by the UDM entity through a third signaling.

[0014] In some embodiments, the third signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Createresponse signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling; the fourth signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Updateresponse signaling.

[0015] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network open function NEF entity is provided, including: a memory configured to store instructions; a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute a method as described in any of the above embodiments based on the instructions stored in the memory.

[0016] According to the fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising: a NEF entity as described in any of the above embodiments; an AF entity, configured to send a first service request to the NEF entity through a first signaling, wherein the first service request includes virtual network group service area information; and a UDM entity, configured to store topology information of functional entities in the virtual network group included in the second service request after receiving a second service request sent by the NEF entity through a second signaling.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling; the second signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

[0018] In some embodiments, the UDM entity is configured to send storage confirmation information to the NEF entity through a third signaling after storing the topology information; and the AF entity receives the storage confirmation information sent by the NEF entity through a fourth signaling.

[0019] In some embodiments, the third signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Createresponse signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling; the fourth signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Updateresponse signaling;

[0020] In some embodiments, the above system also includes a unified data storage UDR entity, wherein: the UDM entity is configured to send the topology structure information to the UDR entity through a fifth signaling; and the UDR entity is configured to store the topology structure information.

[0021] In some embodiments, the fifth signaling includes Nudr_DM_Query signaling or Nudr_DM_Update signaling.

[0022] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processor, the method described in any of the above embodiments is implemented.

[0023] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0025] Figure 1 A flowchart of a virtual network group topology management method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of a NEF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a NEF entity according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 6 The figure is a flowchart of a virtual network group topology management method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is by no means intended to limit the present disclosure and its application or use. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0032] Unless specifically stated otherwise, the relative arrangement of components and steps, the numerical expressions and numerical values ​​set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] At the same time, it should be understood that for the convenience of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn according to the actual proportional relationship.

[0034] Technologies, methods, and apparatus known to ordinary technicians in the relevant field may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such technologies, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of the authorization specification.

[0035] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limiting. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0036] It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters refer to similar items in the following figures, and therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0037] Figure 1 The flowchart of the virtual network group topology management method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIG. In some embodiments, the following virtual network group topology management method is executed by a NEF entity.

[0038] In step 101, after receiving a first service request sent by an AF (Application Function) entity through a first signaling, virtual network group service area information is extracted from the first service request.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

[0040] In step 102, the virtual network group service area information is mapped or converted using the network preconfiguration information to obtain topology information of the functional entities in the virtual network group.

[0041] For example, the network pre-configuration information includes several preset topology options, such as star, star+mesh combination, etc., where the default structure is a full mesh connection.

[0042] In some embodiments, the functional entity includes at least one of an SMF entity and a UPF entity.

[0043] In step 103, a second service request is sent to the unified data management (UDM) entity through a second signaling, wherein the second service request includes topology information so that the topology information is stored in the UDM entity.

[0044] In some embodiments, the second signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

[0045] In some embodiments, after receiving the storage confirmation information sent by the UDM entity through the third signaling, the storage confirmation information is sent to the AF entity through the fourth signaling.

[0046] For example, the third signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling.

[0047] The fourth signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling.

[0048] In the virtual network group topology management method provided in the above embodiment of the present disclosure, the NEF entity maps or converts the virtual network group service area information to obtain the topology information of the functional entities in the virtual network group, and then stores the topology information as contract information together with other group data in the UDM entity, so that when the 5G VN user initiates a session establishment request, the SMF entity can determine the topology structure according to the contract data, thereby solving the problem of the network being too complicated when the 5G VN group has a large coverage area and a large number of SMF entities or UPF entities.

[0049] Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a NEF entity according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 As shown, the NEF entity includes a first processing module 21 , a second processing module 22 and a third processing module 23 .

[0050] The first processing module 21 is configured to extract the virtual network group service area information from the first service request after receiving the first service request sent by the AF entity through the first signaling.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

[0052] The second processing module 22 is configured to map or convert the virtual network group service area information using the network pre-configuration information to obtain the topology information of the functional entities in the virtual network group.

[0053] In some embodiments, the functional entity includes at least one of an SMF entity and a UPF entity.

[0054] The third processing module 23 is configured to send a second service request to the UDM entity through a second signaling, wherein the second service request includes topology information so as to store the topology information in the UDM entity.

[0055] In some embodiments, the second signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

[0056] In some embodiments, the third module 23 is further configured to send the storage confirmation information to the AF entity through a fourth signaling after receiving the storage confirmation information sent by the UDM entity through the third signaling.

[0057] For example, the third signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling.

[0058] The fourth signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling.

[0059] Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a NEF entity according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 As shown, the NEF entity includes a memory 31 and a processor 32 .

[0060] The memory 31 is used to store instructions. The processor 32 is coupled to the memory 31. The processor 32 is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to implement the following. Figure 1 The method of any one of the embodiments.

[0061] like Figure 3 As shown, the NEF entity also includes a communication interface 33 for information exchange with other devices. At the same time, the NEF entity also includes a bus 34, through which the processor 32, the communication interface 33, and the memory 31 communicate with each other.

[0062] The memory 31 may include a high-speed RAM memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk memory. The memory 31 may also be a memory array. The memory 31 may also be divided into blocks, and the blocks may be combined into virtual volumes according to certain rules.

[0063] In addition, the processor 32 may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be configured to implement one or more integrated circuits of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0064] The present disclosure also relates to a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processor, the following are implemented: Figure 1 The method of any one of the embodiments.

[0065] Figure 4 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 As shown, the communication system includes an AF entity 41, an NEF entity 42 and a UDM entity 43. The NEF entity 42 is Figure 2 or Figure 3 The NEF entity involved in any embodiment.

[0066] The AF entity 41 is configured to send a first service request to the NEF entity 42 through a first signaling, wherein the first service request includes virtual network group service area information.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

[0068] The UDM entity 43 is configured to store the topology information of the functional entities in the virtual network group included in the second service request after receiving the second service request sent by the NEF entity 42 through the second signaling.

[0069] In some embodiments, the second signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

[0070] In some embodiments, the above functional entity includes at least one of an SMF entity and a UPF entity.

[0071] In some embodiments, the UDM entity 43 is configured to send storage confirmation information to the NEF entity 42 through the third signaling after storing the topology information. The AF entity 41 receives the storage confirmation information sent by the NEF entity 42 through the fourth signaling.

[0072] In some embodiments, the third signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling.

[0073] The fourth signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling;

[0074] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 5 and Figure 4 The difference is that in Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the communication system further includes a UDR (Unified Data Repository) entity 44 .

[0075] The UDM entity 43 is configured to send the topology information to the UDR entity 44 through the fifth signaling. The UDR entity 44 is configured to store the topology information.

[0076] In some embodiments, the fifth signaling includes Nudr_DM_Query signaling or Nudr_DM_Update signaling.

[0077] Figure 6 The figure is a flowchart of a virtual network group topology management method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] In step 601, the AF entity sends a first service request to the NEF entity through a first signaling, wherein the first service request includes virtual network group service area information.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

[0080] In step 602, the NEF entity extracts the virtual network group service area information from the first service request, and uses the network pre-configuration information to map or convert the virtual network group service area information to obtain the topology information of the SMF entity and the UPF entity in the virtual network group.

[0081] In step 603, the NEF entity sends a second service request to the UDM entity through a second signaling, wherein the second service request includes the obtained topology information.

[0082] In some embodiments, the second signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

[0083] In step 604, the UDM entity stores the received topology information.

[0084] In step 605, the UDM entity sends the topology structure information to the UDR entity through the third signaling, so that the UDR entity stores the topology structure information.

[0085] In some embodiments, the third signaling includes Nudr_DM_Query signaling or Nudr_DM_Update signaling.

[0086] In step 606, the UDM entity sends storage confirmation information to the NEF entity through the fourth signaling.

[0087] In some embodiments, the fourth signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling.

[0088] In step 607, after receiving the storage confirmation information, the NEF entity sends the storage confirmation information to the AF entity through the fifth signaling.

[0089] In some embodiments, the fifth signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling.

[0090] By implementing the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure, the NEF entity maps or converts the virtual network group service area information to obtain the topological structure information of the SMF entity and the UPF entity in the virtual network group, and then stores the topological structure information as the contract information together with other group data in the UDM entity and the UDR entity, so that when the 5G VN user initiates a session establishment request, the SMF entity can determine the topological structure according to the contract data, solving the problem of the network being too complicated when the 5G VN group has a large coverage area and a large number of SMF entities or UPF entities. In addition, since the topological structure information of the SMF entity and the UPF entity in the virtual network group is generated inside the NEF entity, it can effectively prevent the network configuration information from being exposed to a third party.

[0091] In some embodiments, the functional unit described above can be implemented as a general-purpose processor, a programmable logic controller (PLC), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component or any appropriate combination thereof for performing the functions described in the present disclosure.

[0092] A person skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps to implement the above embodiments may be accomplished by hardware or by instructing related hardware through a program, and the program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the above-mentioned storage medium may be a read-only memory, a disk or an optical disk, etc.

[0093] The description of the present disclosure is given for the purpose of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the disclosed form. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments are selected and described in order to better illustrate the principles and practical applications of the present disclosure, and to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present disclosure and thereby design various embodiments with various modifications suitable for specific uses.

Claims

1. A virtual network group topology management method, executed by a network open function NEF entity, comprising: After receiving a first service request sent by the application function AF entity through a first signaling, extracting virtual network group service area information from the first service request; Using the network preconfiguration information, mapping or converting the virtual network group service area information to obtain topology information of the functional entities in the virtual network group; A second service request is sent to the unified data management (UDM) entity through a second signaling, wherein the second service request includes the topology information, so that the topology information is stored in the UDM entity as subscription information.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The functional entity includes at least one of a session management function SMF entity and a user plane function UPF entity.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The first signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling; The second signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: After receiving the storage confirmation information sent by the UDM entity through the third signaling, the storage confirmation information is sent to the AF entity through the fourth signaling.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The third signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling; The fourth signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling.

6. A virtual network open function NEF entity, comprising: A first processing module is configured to extract virtual network group service area information from a first service request sent by an application function AF entity after receiving the first service request through a first signaling; A second processing module is configured to map or convert the virtual network group service area information using the network pre-configuration information to obtain topology information of the functional entities in the virtual network group; The third processing module is configured to send a second service request to the unified data management (UDM) entity through a second signaling, wherein the second service request includes the topology information so as to store the topology information in the UDM entity as subscription information.

7. The NEF entity according to claim 6, wherein: The functional entity includes at least one of a session management function SMF entity and a user plane function UPF entity.

8. The NEF entity according to claim 6, wherein: The first signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling; The second signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

9. The NEF entity according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: The third module is further configured to send the storage confirmation information to the AF entity through a fourth signaling after receiving the storage confirmation information sent by the UDM entity through the third signaling.

10. The NEF entity according to claim 9, wherein: The third signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling; The fourth signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling.

11. A network open function NEF entity, comprising: a memory configured to store instructions; A processor is coupled to the memory, and the processor is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 based on instructions stored in the memory.

12. A communication system comprising: The NEF entity according to any one of claims 6 to 11; The AF entity is configured to send a first service request to the NEF entity through a first signaling, wherein the first service request includes virtual network group service area information; The UDM entity is configured to store the topology information of the functional entities in the virtual network group included in the second service request after receiving the second service request sent by the NEF entity through the second signaling.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The first signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling; The second signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create request signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update request signaling.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein: The UDM entity is configured to send storage confirmation information to the NEF entity through a third signaling after storing the topology information; The AF entity receives the storage confirmation information sent by the NEF entity through a fourth signaling.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein: The third signaling includes Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling; The fourth signaling includes Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create response signaling or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update response signaling.

16. The system according to any one of claims 12 to 15, further comprising a unified data storage (UDR) entity, wherein: The UDM entity is configured to send the topology information to the UDR entity through a fifth signaling; The UDR entity is configured to store the topology information.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein: The fifth signaling includes Nudr_DM_Query signaling or Nudr_DM_Update signaling.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the instructions are executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is implemented.

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