Address management method and apparatus, network device, program product, and storage medium

Abstract

The application discloses an address management method and device, network equipment, a program product and a storage medium. The method comprises the following steps: a first network function receives a first message sent by a first session management function (SMF), wherein the first message comprises an IP address allocation application, and the IP address allocation application is used for applying for an IP address for a session of a user; the first network function allocates a first IP address for the session of the user in an IP address pool, and establishes a mapping relationship between the first IP address and a related identifier of the first SMF; and the first network function sends the first IP address to the first SMF.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of core networks, and in particular to an address management method and device, network equipment, a program product, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] To overcome the problems of wide-area coverage and spatial coverage existing in traditional ground mobile communications, the 3GPP proposes a 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) technology as an important supplement to ground cellular communication technology, that is, the fusion of satellite communication networks and ground 5G networks is used to provide ubiquitous coverage capabilities, connect multi-dimensional space of air, sky, land, and sea, form an integrated ubiquitous access network, and support all-scenario access at any time and anywhere. However, as satellites continuously move, the satellite network accessed by users will also continuously switch, and to ensure service continuity, it is necessary to solve the problem of uninterrupted voice and data services. SUMMARY

[0003] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides an address management method and device, network equipment, a program product, and a storage medium.

[0004] The address management method provided by the present application comprises the following steps.

[0005] The first network function receives a first message sent by a first session management function (SMF), and the first message comprises an IP address allocation application, and the IP address allocation application is used to apply for an IP address for a session of a user;

[0006] The first network function allocates a first IP address for the session of the user in an IP address pool, and establishes a mapping relationship between the first IP address and a related identifier of the first SMF;

[0007] The first network function sends the first IP address to the first SMF.

[0008] The address management device provided by the present application is applied to a first network function, and the device comprises the following.

[0009] A receiving unit is configured to receive a first message sent by a first session management function (SMF), and the first message comprises an IP address allocation application, and the IP address allocation application is used to apply for an IP address for a session of a user;

[0010] An allocation unit is configured to allocate a first IP address for the session of the user in an IP address pool, and establish a mapping relationship between the first IP address and a related identifier of the first SMF;

[0011] A sending unit is configured to send the first IP address to the first SMF.

[0012] The network device provided in the application comprises a processor and a memory, the memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor is used for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory to execute any one of the address management methods.

[0013] The computer program product provided in the application comprises a computer program, and the computer program implements any one of the methods when executed by a processor.

[0014] The computer readable storage medium provided in the application is used for storing a computer program, and the computer program enables a computer to execute any one of the methods.

[0015] In the technical solution of the application, the first network function receives a first message sent by a first session management function (SMF), the first message comprises an IP address allocation application, and the IP address allocation application is used for applying for an IP address for a session of a user; the first network function allocates a first IP address for the session of the user in an IP address pool and establishes a mapping relationship between the first IP address and a related identifier of the first SMF; and the first network function sends the first IP address to the first SMF. In this way, the IP address is uniformly managed by the first network function, the problem that the session IP address does not change during network switching is solved, address allocation conflicts can be avoided, voice and data services are not interrupted, and the service experience is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a network architecture schematic diagram of a base station + simplified core network provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0017] Figure 2 is a network architecture schematic diagram of a base station + 5G core network provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0018] Figure 3 is a flow schematic diagram of an address management method provided by an embodiment of the application Figure 1 ;

[0019] Figure 4 is a flow schematic diagram of an address management method provided by an embodiment of the application Figure 2 ;

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an IP address allocation and mapping management flow provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an IP address mapping relationship updating flow provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0022] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an IP address mapping relationship unbinding flow provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0023] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a mapping relationship query process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structural composition of an address management apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application. It should also be noted that the terms "first", "second", and "third" in the embodiments of the present application are only used to distinguish similar objects, and do not represent a specific order of the objects. Understandably, the "first", "second", and "third" can be interchanged in a specific order or sequence as allowed, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein. The term "and / or" in this document is only used to describe the association relationship between the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which means that there are three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects. It should also be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be direct indication or indirect indication, and can also represent an associated relationship. For example, A indicates B, which means that A directly indicates B, for example, B can be obtained through A; or A indirectly indicates B, for example, A indicates C, and B can be obtained through C; or A and B have an associated relationship. It should also be understood that the "corresponding" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can represent a direct correspondence or an indirect correspondence between the two, or can represent an associated relationship between the two, or can represent an indication and being indicated, configuration and being configured, etc.

[0028] For the convenience of understanding the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the related technologies of the embodiments of the present application are described as follows. The following related technologies can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application in any manner as optional solutions, and all belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. In the following description, “some embodiments” are described, which describe a subset of all possible embodiments. However, it can be understood that “some embodiments” can be the same subset or different subsets of all possible embodiments, and can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0029] To overcome the wide-area coverage and spatial coverage problems existing in traditional ground mobile communication, 3GPP proposes 5G NTN technology as an important supplement to ground cellular communication technology, that is, the fusion of satellite communication network and ground 5G network provides ubiquitous coverage capability, connects multi-dimensional space of air, sky, land and sea, forms an integrated ubiquitous access network, and supports access anytime and anywhere in all scenarios. The current NTN standard technology includes transparent forwarding and network on-orbit two types of networking modes, and the network on-orbit networking is divided into base station on-orbit mode and base station+core network on-orbit mode. For the base station+core network on-orbit mode, the industry proposes a variety of on-orbit core network networking modes, and in the direction of evolution of distributed autonomous network for 6G network, two networking modes of base station+ simplified core network on-orbit and base station+5G core network on-orbit are designed, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Figure 2 Figure 1 FIG. 3 is a network architecture diagram of the base station+ simplified core network on-orbit provided by the embodiments of the present application, Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a network architecture diagram of the base station+5G core network on-orbit provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0030] In the above two networking architectures, the user accessing the satellite access network completes user registration, session management, and Voice over New Radio (VoNR) registration and call through the satellite base station and the on-orbit core network / ground 5G core network (5G Core, 5GC)+IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).

[0031] ​With the continuous movement of the satellite, the satellite network accessed by the user will also be switched, in order to ensure the service continuity, realize the uninterrupted voice and data service, the IP address of the session after switching needs to remain unchanged, that is, the session management function (SMF) after switching needs to use the IP address used by the SMF before switching. According to the implementation mechanism of the ground 5G network, the session IP address of the user is randomly allocated by the SMF on the satellite according to the local planned fixed IP address pool, and the IP address of the session after the SMF switching will inevitably change. How to make the SMF after switching use the original IP address, there is no solution based on the prior art, and if so designed, the SMF on the satellite cannot use the fixed IP address pool, which will introduce the following problems:

[0032] Problem one: IP address use problem. If the SMF cannot use the fixed IP address pool to allocate for the user, the IP address allocation method needs to be redesigned, and if the user switches between satellites, the user needs to be notified that all other satellites that the user may switch to do not use the IP address to avoid address conflict, and there is currently no feasible solution for how to implement it. Problem two: voice calling problem. When the ground user calls the satellite user, according to the existing technical solution, the ground IMS system queries the IP address of the user according to the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of the called user, and the proxy-call session control function (P-CSCF) on the ground queries the SMF where the called user is located according to the IP address, so as to find the policy control function (PCF) serving the session, and trigger it to establish a voice dedicated load. If the SMF does not have a fixed IP address pool, the SMF where the called user is located cannot be found, resulting in that the subsequent process cannot be performed, and the call fails. Therefore, how to ensure the service continuity as much as possible to realize the uninterrupted voice and data service, that is, the IP address of the session after switching needs to remain unchanged, is a problem that needs to be considered. Therefore, the following technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are proposed.

[0033] In order to facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions of the present application are described in detail through specific embodiments below. The above related technologies can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, which all belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application include at least part of the following contents.

[0034] It should be noted that the first SMF described in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as an old SMF or an original SMF, and the second SMF can also be referred to as a new SMF or a target SMF.

[0035] Figure 3 Figure 1 is a flowchart of an address management method provided by an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 As shown in Figure 3 The address management method comprises the following steps:

[0036] Step 301: A first network function receives a first message sent by a first session management function (SMF), wherein the first message comprises an IP address allocation application, and the IP address allocation application is used to apply for an IP address for a session of a user.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first network function can be an IP address management function (IPMF) newly added for unified management of IP addresses. Specifically, the IPMF receives the first message sent by the first SMF, wherein the first message comprises the IP address allocation application, and the IP address allocation application is used to apply for an IP address for a session of a user. For example, the first SMF finds the IPMF according to an IP address of the IPMF configured locally, and sends the first message to the IPMF, wherein the first message comprises the IP address allocation application, or the first SMF directly sends the IP address allocation application to the IPMF.

[0038] Step 302: The first network function allocates a first IP address for the session of the user in an IP address pool, and establishes a mapping relationship between the first IP address and a related identifier of the first SMF.

[0039] In some embodiments, the IP address allocation application carries a related identifier of the first SMF and an applied IP address type. The related identifier of the first SMF comprises an identifier of a satellite where the SMF is located, a device identifier of the SMF, and / or an IP address of the SMF. The specific content of the identifier of the SMF can be determined according to actual conditions, and the present application does not make a specific limitation thereon. Specifically, the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF is a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the identifier of the satellite where the SMF is located, and / or a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the device identifier of the SMF, and / or a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the IP address of the SMF. The IP address type comprises IPv4 and / or IPv6.

[0040] In some embodiments, the first network function allocates a first IP address for a session of a user in an IP address pool, and establishes a mapping relationship between the first IP address and a related identifier of the first SMF, comprising: the first network function allocates a first IP address for a session of a user in an IP address pool according to an IP address type, and establishes a mapping relationship between the first IP address and a related identifier of the first SMF.

[0041] In some embodiments, after allocating the first IP address for the session of the user in the IP address pool, the method further comprises: the first network function setting the first IP address to a used state.

[0042] Step 303: The first network function sends the first IP address to the first SMF.

[0043] In some embodiments, the IPMF allocates IPv4 and / or IPv6 addresses for the session based on the local IP address pool and the IP address type applied by the SMF, replies to the SMF with the allocated addresses, and saves a mapping relationship between the allocated IP addresses and the satellite identifier or the SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF where the SMF is located, and sets the allocated IP addresses to a used state.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first SMF is locally configured with an IP address of the first network function, and the IP address of the first network function is used for the first SMF to address the first network function. For example, the first SMF is locally configured with an IP address of the IPMF, and the IP address of the IPMF is used for the first SMF to address the IPMF.

[0045] The technical scheme of the embodiments of the present application is that the first network function receives a first message sent by a first session management function (SMF), the first message comprising an IP address allocation application, the IP address allocation application being used to apply for an IP address for a session of a user; the first network function allocates a first IP address for the session of the user in an IP address pool and establishes a mapping relationship between the first IP address and a related identifier of the first SMF; and the first network function sends the first IP address to the first SMF. In this way, the first network function uniformly manages IP addresses, solves the problem of unchanged session IP addresses during network switching, avoids address allocation conflicts, realizes uninterrupted voice and data services, and improves service experience.

[0046] After the first network function allocates an IP address, saves the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF, and sends the IP address to the first SMF, the first network function can further update the mapping relationship corresponding to the first IP address when a satellite using the first IP address changes; the first network function can further unbind and recycle the first IP address when the session is deleted; the first network function can further provide a mapping relationship query function to other network elements; in addition, the first network function can automatically scan or manually release and recycle IP addresses that have been used for more than a certain period of time, to prevent address resource waste caused by abnormal occupation of IP addresses. The following describes the above in detail:

[0047] (I) IP address mapping relationship update process

[0048] In some embodiments, after the first network function sends the first IP address to the first SMF, if the user performs inter-satellite or satellite-ground switching, to ensure synchronization of the IP address, the first network function receives a second message sent by the first SMF or the second SMF, the second message including an IP address update message, wherein the first SMF is the SMF accessed by the user before switching, and the second SMF is the SMF accessed by the user after switching; and the first network function updates the related identifier of the first SMF mapped by the first IP address to the related identifier of the second SMF.

[0049] In the embodiments of the present application, after the first network function sends the first IP address to the first SMF, if the user performs inter-satellite or satellite-ground switching, to ensure synchronization of the IP address, the SMF before switching (i.e., the first SMF) synchronizes session context information to the SMF after switching (i.e., the second SMF), wherein the synchronized information includes session IP address, first SMF device identifier, IP address of the first SMF, and / or identifier of the satellite on which the first SMF is located. At this time, the first SMF or the second SMF can send a second message to the first network function, wherein the second message includes an IP address update message. The IP address update message is used to inform the first network function that the user has performed inter-satellite or satellite-ground switching, and the IP address mapping relationship needs to be updated, or the first SMF or the second SMF directly sends an IP address update message to the first network function. For example, the SMF sends a second message to the IPMF, the second message including an IP address allocation update message, wherein the second message can be sent by the first SMF to the IPMF, or the second SMF to the IPMF, or the first SMF or the second SMF directly sends an IP allocation update message to the IPMF.

[0050] In some embodiments, the IP address update message carries the following information: the first IP address, the related identifier of the first SMF, and the related identifier of the second SMF; and the first network function updates the related identifier of the first SMF mapped by the first IP address to the related identifier of the second SMF, including: the first network function updates the related identifier of the first SMF mapped by the first IP address to the related identifier of the second SMF based on the information carried by the IP address update message.

[0051] In the embodiments of the present application, after the first SMF completes the synchronization of the session context to the second SMF, the first SMF sends an IP address allocation update message to the first network function, carrying the IP address of the session, the satellite identifier where the second SMF is located or the second SMF device identifier or the IP address of the second SMF, the identifier of the satellite where the first SMF is located or the first SMF device identifier or the IP address of the first SMF. Alternatively, after the second SMF receives the session context synchronized by the first SMF, the second SMF sends an IP address allocation update message to the first network function, carrying the IP address of the session, the satellite identifier where the second SMF is located or the second SMF device identifier or the IP address of the second SMF, the identifier of the satellite where the first SMF is located or the first SMF device identifier or the IP address of the first SMF. The first network function updates the IP address mapping of the first SMF to the identifier of the satellite where the first SMF is located or the first SMF device identifier or the IP address of the first SMF to the identifier of the satellite where the second SMF is located or the second SMF device identifier or the IP address of the second SMF.

[0052] In some embodiments, the second SMF is locally configured with an IP address of the first network function, and the IP address of the first network function is used by the second SMF to address the first network function.

[0053] The technical solution of the embodiments of the present application ensures that the IP address does not change when the session is switched, realizes uninterrupted voice and data services, and improves the service experience.

[0054] (II) IP address mapping relationship unbinding process

[0055] In some embodiments, when the SMF obtains a request to delete a session, the first network function receives a third message sent by the first SMF, wherein the third message includes an IP address release message; and the first network function releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF.

[0056] In the embodiment of the present application, when the first SMF receives the notification of the user equipment or the peripheral network element, it judges to trigger the session deletion request, starts to delete the session context, and sends a third message to the first network function, wherein the third message comprises an IP address release message, and the IP address release message is used to inform the first network function that the session is deleted, the corresponding IP address is released, and the mapping relationship between the IP address and the related identifier of the SMF is released, or the first SMF directly sends the IP address release message to the first network function. For example, the SMF sends a third message to the IPMF, wherein the third message comprises an IP release message, which is used to inform the IPMF that the session is deleted, the corresponding IP address is released, and the mapping relationship between the IP address and the related identifier of the SMF is released, or the first SMF directly sends the IP address release message to the IPMF.

[0057] In the embodiment of the present application, the IP address release message carries the following information: the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF; and the first network function releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF, including that the first network function releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF based on the information carried in the IP address release message.

[0058] After the first network function releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF, the first network function sets the first IP address to an idle state.

[0059] In the embodiment of the present application, the first SMF sends a third message to the first network function, the third message comprises an IP address release message, or the first SMF directly sends the IP address release message to the first network function, and the IP address release message carries all IP addresses of the session application, the identifier of the satellite where the SMF is located, or the SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF. After the first network function receives the IP address release message, it clears the binding relationship between the IP address and the satellite or the SMF, and sets the use state of the used IP address to an idle state. For example, the first SMF sends a third message to the IPMF, the third message comprises an IP address release message, or the first SMF directly sends the IP address release message to the IPMF.

[0060] The technical scheme of the embodiment of the present application is that the first network function releases the corresponding IP address and the corresponding mapping relationship in the deleted session by receiving the IP address release message in the third message sent by the SMF, so that the session and the IP address can be timely unbound, the resources can be released, and the waste of resources can be avoided.

[0061] (Three) Mapping relationship query process

[0062] In some embodiments, the IP address and the SMF or the satellite where the SMF is located where the IP address is used are stored in the first network function, and other network elements can query the information through the first network function. Specifically, the first network function receives a fourth message sent by a second network function, where the fourth message includes an SMF query request, and the SMF query request is used to request to query an SMF mapped by the first IP address; the first network function determines a related identifier of the first SMF mapped by the first IP address based on a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF; and the first network function sends the related identifier of the first SMF to the second network function.

[0063] In some embodiments, the second network function is locally configured with an IP address of the first network function, and the IP address of the first network function is used by the second network function to address the first network function.

[0064] In the embodiments of the present application, the second network function can be a P-CSCF, the second network function finds the first network function according to the locally configured IP address of the first network function, sends a fourth message carrying an IP address of a called user to the first network function, where the fourth message includes an SMF query request, and the SMF query request is used to request to query an SMF mapped by the first IP address, and the first network function returns a satellite identifier or an SMF device identifier or an IP address of the SMF where the user is located to the second network function. The second network function finds an SMF accessed by the user according to the satellite identifier or the SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF, or the second network function directly sends an SMF query request to the first network function. For example, the P-CSCF sends a fourth message to the IPMF, where the fourth message includes an SMF query request, or the P-CSCF directly sends an SMF query request to the IPMF.

[0065] The technical scheme of the embodiments of the present application, the first network function receives the SMF query request in the fourth message sent by the second network function, realizes that the second network function queries the SMF corresponding to the first IP address, and further can query the PCF host name bound thereto, which is used to establish a voice dedicated load.

[0066] (Four) IP address recycling process

[0067] Since the release of the IP address is notified by the SMF to the first network function, if an abnormal situation such as a message sent by the SMF to the first network function is not successfully sent or the first network function fails to process, the first network function should be able to recycle the IP address through an automatic or manual mechanism, and the specific implementation method is as follows:

[0068] Method one: automatic recycling

[0069] In some embodiments, the first network function scans a usage duration of the first IP address, the usage duration being a duration from an allocation time of the first IP address to a current time; and if the usage duration of the first IP address exceeds a first threshold, the first network function releases a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF, and sets the first IP address to an idle state.

[0070] For example, the IPMF scans a usage duration of the first IP address, the usage duration being a duration from an allocation time of the first IP address to a current time; and if the usage duration of the first IP address exceeds a first threshold, the IPMF releases a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF, and sets the first IP address to an idle state. That is, if the usage duration of a certain IP address exceeds the first threshold, the IPMF can discover and automatically recycle by internally regularly scanning all IP addresses. The first threshold can be set according to actual conditions, which is not limited in the present application.

[0071] The method further includes that the first network function records the allocation time of the first IP address after allocating the first IP address for the session of the user.

[0072] The first network function determines the usage duration of the first IP address according to the recorded allocation time of the first IP address, and further judges whether the IP address needs to be released and changes the usage state thereof.

[0073] Method two: manual recycling

[0074] In some embodiments, the first network function scans a usage duration of the first IP address, the usage duration being a duration from an allocation time of the first IP address to a current time; and if the usage duration of the first IP address exceeds a first threshold, the first network function releases a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF, and sets the first IP address to an idle state. The first threshold can be set according to actual conditions, which is not limited in the present application.

[0075] For example, if the usage duration of the first IP address exceeds a first threshold, the IPMF releases a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF, and sets the first IP address to an idle state based on a received configuration command.

[0076] The technical scheme of the embodiments of the present application can prevent address resource waste caused by abnormal occupation of IP addresses by comparing the usage duration of the IP address with the first threshold to judge whether to release the IP address by the first network function, or releasing the IP address by receiving a configuration command.

[0077] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are exemplarily described in combination with specific application examples.

[0078] Based on the foregoing embodiments, the first network function is an IPMF, and the second network function is a P-CSCF. Based on this, the address management method provided by the embodiments of the present application is further described.

[0079] Figure 4 is a flowchart of the address management method provided by the embodiments of the present application. Figure 2 As shown in Figure 4 , the N satellites are each composed of a base station, an access and mobility management function (AMF), an SMF, a unified data management (UDM), and a user plane function (UPF). The IPMF allocates IP addresses for the satellites and can also be used to query the IP address attribution of other network elements.

[0080] The embodiments of the present application add an IPMF for unified management of IP addresses. Specifically, the IPMF can allocate IP addresses for users accessing the satellites and save the mapping relationship between the allocated user IP addresses and the satellite identifiers or SMF device identifiers or IP addresses of the SMFs. When the satellite using the IP address changes, the IPMF updates the satellite or SMF device identifier or IP address of the SMF corresponding to the IP address. When a session is deleted, the IPMF recycles the IP address allocated for the session and updates it to an unused state. In addition, the IPMF can provide other network elements with the capability of querying the satellite or SMF where the user / session is located based on the IP address. Furthermore, the IPMF can automatically scan or manually release the IP addresses that have been used for more than a certain period of time to prevent address resource waste caused by abnormal occupation of the IP addresses. The specific implementation process is as follows:

[0081] (I) IP address allocation and mapping management process

[0082] In the present application example, the IP address mapping relationship is established, which generally occurs in the session establishment process, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the IP address allocation and mapping management process provided by the embodiments of the present application, as shown in Figure 5 , comprising the following steps:

[0083] Step 501: The SMF receives a session creation request from the AMF, initiates a registration process to the UDM, obtains a subscription, and subscribes.

[0084] The SMF receives a session creation request sent by the AMF, initiates a registration process to the UDM, obtains subscription information of the session, and subscribes.

[0085] Step 502: The SMF sends an IP address allocation application to the IPMF.

[0086] The SMF finds the IPMF according to the local configuration IP address of the IPMF, sends an IP address allocation application to the IPMF, and the IP address allocation application carries the satellite identification where the SMF is located and / or the SMF device identification and / or the IP address of the SMF, and the IP address type (IPv4 and / or IPv6) applied for.

[0087] Step 503: The IPMF sends the allocated IP address to the SMF.

[0088] The IPMF allocates the IPv4 and / or IPv6 address for the session based on the local IP address pool and the IP address type applied for by the SMF, replies to the SMF, saves the mapping relationship between the IP address and the satellite identification or the SMF device identification or the IP address of the SMF, and sets the IP address to the use state.

[0089] Step 504: Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session establishment.

[0090] The SMF and the UPF complete the PFCP session establishment.

[0091] Step 505: Inform the AMF to inform the radio that the core network side session establishment is completed, and the radio allocates resources.

[0092] The SMF informs the base station through the AMF that the core network side has completed the session establishment, and sends the N3 address of the UPF to the base station. The base station allocates radio resources for the session, and the remaining session establishment process is the same as the existing process, which will not be repeated here.

[0093] Step 506: Send the base station N3 address to the UPF, and punch the user plane uplink and downlink.

[0094] The base station sends the N3 address to the UPF through the SMF through the N2 message, and the user plane uplink and downlink channel is punched.

[0095] (II) IP address mapping relationship update process

[0096] In the application example, the IP address mapping relationship update process generally occurs when the IP address of the user is synchronized during inter-satellite / inter-orbit switching. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the IP address mapping relationship update process provided by the embodiment of the application, as shown in Figure 6 includes the following steps:

[0097] Step 601: The first SMF synchronizes the session context information to the second SMF.

[0098] The first SMF synchronizes the session context to the second SMF, and the synchronized information carries the session IP address, the first SMF device identifier, or the IP address of the SMF or the first satellite identifier. The first SMF is the SMF before the switching, and the second SMF is the SMF after the switching.

[0099] The SMF sends an IP address allocation update message to the IPMF, and two schemes can be initiated by the first SMF or the second SMF, that is, S602a and S602b described below:

[0100] S602a: The first SMF sends an IP address update message to the IPMF.

[0101] After the first SMF completes the synchronization of the session context to the second SMF, the first SMF sends an IP address allocation update message to the IPMF, which carries the IP address of the session, the satellite identifier where the second SMF is located or the second SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF, the satellite identifier where the first SMF is located or the first SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF.

[0102] S602b: The second SMF sends an IP address update message to the IPMF.

[0103] After the second SMF receives the session context synchronized by the first SMF, the second SMF sends an IP address allocation update message to the IPMF, which carries the IP address of the session, the satellite identifier where the second SMF is located or the second SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF, the satellite identifier where the first SMF is located or the first SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF.

[0104] S603: The IPMF updates the mapping relationship between the IP address and the user.

[0105] The IPMF updates the satellite identifier where the first SMF is located or the first SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF in the IP address mapping to the satellite identifier where the second SMF is located or the second SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF.

[0106] (Three) IP address mapping relationship unbinding process

[0107] In the application example, the IP address mapping relationship unbinding process generally occurs when the session deletion process occurs. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the IP address mapping relationship unbinding process provided by the embodiment of the application, as shown in Figure 7 includes the following steps:

[0108] S701: The SMF receives a notification from the UE or a peripheral network element, and judges that the session needs to be deleted.

[0109] When the SMF receives a notification from the UE or surrounding network elements, it determines that a session deletion request has been triggered and begins deleting the session context, notifying the UPF to delete the PFCP session, etc.

[0110] S702: SMF sends an IP address release message to IPMF.

[0111] The SMF sends an IP address release message to the IPMF, carrying all IP addresses requested for the session, the satellite identifier or the SMF device identifier or the SMF's IP address.

[0112] S703: IPMF updates the IP address's usage status to idle.

[0113] IPMF clears the binding between the IP address and the satellite / SMF and sets its usage status to idle.

[0114] (iv) Mapping Relationship Query Process

[0115] In this application example, the IPMF stores the IP address and the SMF / satellite it is using, which can be queried by other network elements. Taking the voice call process as an example, the P-CSCF can use the IP address to query the SMF where the called user is located through the IPMF, and find the PCF it is bound to, thereby triggering the establishment of a dedicated voice carrier. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the mapping relationship query process provided in the embodiments of this application, such as... Figure 8 As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0116] S801: P-CSCF obtains the IP address based on the called user's IMSI, etc.

[0117] The P-CSCF retrieves the user's IP address from the called user's IMS system.

[0118] S802: P-CSCF sends an IP address to IPMF to query the satellite / SMF where the user is located.

[0119] The P-CSCF locates the IPMF based on the IP address configured locally and sends a user / session access device query request to the IPMF, carrying the IP address of the called user.

[0120] S803: IPMF replies to the user's satellite / SMF.

[0121] IPMF replies to P-CSCF with the satellite identifier, SMF device identifier, or SMF IP address of the user.

[0122] S804: P-CSCF queries SMF for the PCF hostname bound to the user.

[0123] The P-CSCF finds the SMF accessed by the user according to the satellite identifier or the SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF, and queries the host name of the PCF bound thereto.

[0124] S805: The P-CSCF triggers the PCF to establish a voice dedicated bearer for the called user, and finally completes the call.

[0125] The P-CSCF triggers the PCF to establish a voice dedicated bearer for the called user through the IMS system, and the subsequent process is the same as the existing voice call process, which will not be described here.

[0126] (Five) IP address recycling process

[0127] In the application example, since the release of the IP address is notified by the SMF to the IPMF, if an abnormal situation such as the message of the SMF notifying the IPMF is not successfully sent or the IPMF processing fails occurs, the IPMF should be able to recycle the IP address through an automatic or manual mechanism, and the specific implementation method is as follows:

[0128] 1) The IPMF records the application time of the IP after allocating the IP address for the user.

[0129] 2) If the use duration of a certain IP address exceeds a certain threshold, the IPMF can discover and automatically recycle through internal periodic scanning of all IP addresses, or query and manually recycle through local configuration commands, that is, set the use state to idle state, and the duration of automatic scanning judgment timeout can be configured locally in the IPMF.

[0130] The embodiment of the application provides a technical scheme for IP address management in a satellite-ground integrated network. An IPMF supports allocating a session IP address for a user accessing a satellite, stores a mapping relationship between the allocated IP address and a satellite identifier or an SMF device identifier or an IP address of an SMF, and supports updating the satellite or the SMF device identifier or the IP address of the SMF corresponding to the IP address when the satellite using the IP address changes. When a session deletes the IP address, the IPMF updates the IP address to an unused / idle state. The IPMF supports providing a capability of querying a satellite or an SMF where a user / session is located based on an IP address to other network elements. The IPMF supports recording an application time of the IP address, and supports automatically recycling or manually recycling the IP address exceeding a certain use time through a configuration command. The SMF supports locally configuring an IP address of an available IPMF. The SMF supports applying for an IP address of a session to the IPMF when a session is established. The SMF supports updating satellite or SMF information of a session IP address to the IPMF. The SMF supports notifying the IPMF of IP address release when a session is deleted. The P-CSCF supports locally configuring an IP address of an available IPMF. The P-CSCF supports carrying an IP address to query an access satellite or an SMF of a user / session to the IPMF. The network architecture and technical scheme of the IP address unified management in the satellite-ground integrated network provided by the embodiment of the application solve the problem that a session IP address does not change when an inter-satellite / satellite-ground network is switched and address allocation conflicts are avoided, implement uninterrupted voice and data services, and improve service experience.

[0131] Figure 9 FIG. 1 is a structural composition schematic diagram of an address management device provided by the embodiment of the application, which is applied to a first network function, such as a session management function (SMF). Figure 9 As shown in the figure, the address management device comprises:

[0132] A receiving unit 901 is configured to receive a first message sent by a first session management function (SMF), wherein the first message comprises an IP address allocation application, and the IP address allocation application is used for applying for an IP address for a session of a user.

[0133] An allocation unit 902 is configured to allocate a first IP address for the session of the user in an IP address pool, and establish a mapping relationship between the first IP address and a related identifier of the first SMF.

[0134] A sending unit 903 is configured to send the first IP address to the first SMF.

[0135] In some embodiments, the IP address allocation application carries a related identifier of the first SMF and an applied IP address type; and the allocation unit 902 is specifically configured to allocate the first IP address for the session of the user in the IP address pool according to the IP address type, and establish the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF.

[0136] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a setting unit 904, configured to set the first IP address as in use after allocating the first IP address for the session of the user in the IP address pool.

[0137] In some embodiments, the receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive a second message sent by a first SMF or a second SMF, the second message including an IP address update message, wherein the first SMF is an SMF accessed before the user switches, and the second SMF is an SMF accessed after the user switches; and the apparatus further includes an updating unit 905, configured to update a related identifier of the first SMF mapped by the first IP address to a related identifier of the second SMF.

[0138] In some embodiments, the IP address update message carries the following information: the first IP address, the related identifier of the first SMF, and the related identifier of the second SMF; and the updating unit 905 is specifically configured to update the related identifier of the first SMF mapped by the first IP address to the related identifier of the second SMF based on the information carried by the IP address update message.

[0139] In some embodiments, the receiving unit 901 is configured to receive a third message sent by the first SMF, the third message including an IP address release message; and the apparatus further includes a releasing unit 906, configured to release a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF.

[0140] In some embodiments, the IP address release message carries the following information: the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF; and the releasing unit 906 is specifically configured to release the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF based on the information carried by the IP address release message.

[0141] In some embodiments, the setting unit 904 is configured to set the first IP address as idle after the first network function releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the related identifier of the first SMF.

[0142] In some embodiments, the receiving unit 901 is further configured to receive a fourth message sent by the second network function, the fourth message comprising an SMF query request, the SMF query request being used to request querying the first SMF to which the first IP address is mapped; the apparatus further comprises a determining unit 907, configured to determine the relevant identifier of the first SMF to which the first IP address is mapped based on the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF; and the sending unit 903 is further configured to send the relevant identifier of the first SMF to the second network function.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first SMF is locally configured with the IP address of the first network function, and the IP address of the first network function is used for the first SMF to address the first network function.

[0144] In some embodiments, the second network function is locally configured with the IP address of the first network function, and the IP address of the first network function is used for the second network function to address the first network function.

[0145] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a scanning unit 908, configured to scan a usage duration of the first IP address, the usage duration being a duration from an allocation time of the first IP address to a current time.

[0146] In some embodiments, the releasing unit 906 is further configured to release the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF if the usage duration of the first IP address exceeds a first threshold; and the setting unit 904 is configured to set the first IP address to an idle state.

[0147] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a recording unit 909, configured to record an allocation time of the first IP address after the first IP address is allocated for the session of the user.

[0148] In some embodiments, the releasing unit 906 is configured to release the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF based on the received configuration command if the usage duration of the first IP address exceeds a first threshold; and the setting unit 904 is configured to set the first IP address to an idle state.

[0149] Those skilled in the art should understand that, Figure 9 The implementation functions of each unit in the address management apparatus shown can be understood with reference to the related description of the foregoing method. Figure 9 The functions of each unit in the address management apparatus shown can be implemented by a program running on a processor, or by a specific logic circuit.

[0150] Figure 10is a schematic structural diagram of a network device 1000 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The network device can be a first network function, Figure 10 The network device 1000 shown includes a processor 1010, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0151] Optionally, as shown in the figure, Figure 10 The network device 1000 can also include a memory 1020. The processor 1010 can call and run a computer program from the memory 1020 to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0152] The memory 1020 can be a separate device independent of the processor 1010, or can be integrated in the processor 1010.

[0153] Optionally, as shown in the figure, Figure 10 The network device 1000 can also include a transceiver 1030, which the processor 1010 can control to communicate with other devices, specifically, to send information or data to other devices, or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0154] The transceiver 1030 can include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 1030 can further include an antenna, and the number of antennas can be one or more.

[0155] Optionally, the network device 1000 can be a first network function of the embodiments of the present application, and the network device 1000 can implement the corresponding processes in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application implemented by the first network function. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described here.

[0156] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip of an embodiment of the present application. Figure 11 The chip 1100 shown includes a processor 1110, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0157] Optionally, as shown in the figure, Figure 11 The chip 1100 can also include a memory 1120. The processor 1110 can call and run a computer program from the memory 1120 to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0158] The memory 1120 can be a separate device independent of the processor 1110, or can be integrated in the processor 1110.

[0159] Optionally, the chip 1100 can further include an input interface 1130. The processor 1110 can control the input interface 1130 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, can acquire information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0160] Optionally, the chip 1100 can further include an output interface 1140. The processor 1110 can control the output interface 1140 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, can output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0161] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the first network function in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the first network function in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For brevity, details are not repeated here.

[0162] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as a system chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system on chip, etc.

[0163] It should be understood that the processor of the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits or software form instructions in the hardware of the processor. The processor mentioned above can be a general processor, a digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), a ready programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. The disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as a hardware coding processor for execution, or a combination of hardware and software modules in the coding processor for execution. The software module can be located in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory, and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0164] It can be appreciated that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), a programmable read-only memory (Programmable ROM, PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (Static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (Dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (Synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (Double Data Rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (Enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (Synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the system and method described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0165] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memory is exemplary but not limiting, for example, the memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (synch link DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM) and the like. That is, the memory in the embodiments of the present application is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0166] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product comprising a computer program.

[0167] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the first network function in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program, when executed by the processor, implements the corresponding processes implemented by the first network function in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For brevity, details are not repeated here.

[0168] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium for storing the computer program.

[0169] Optionally, the computer readable storage medium can be applied to the first network function in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the corresponding processes implemented by the first network function in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application. For brevity, details are not repeated here.

[0170] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solutions. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0171] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and details are not repeated here.

[0172] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0173] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, i.e. can be located in one place, or can be distributed on multiple network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiments.

[0174] In addition, each function unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0175] If the functions are realized in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application or the parts of the technical solutions that essentially contribute to the prior art can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0176] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An address management method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first network function receives a first message sent by the first session management function (SMF). The first message includes an IP address allocation request, which is used to request an IP address for the user's session. The first network function allocates a first IP address to the user's session from the IP address pool and establishes a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF; The first network function sends the first IP address to the first SMF; The method further includes: The first network function receives a second message sent by the first SMF or the second SMF, the second message including an IP address update message, wherein the first SMF is the SMF accessed before the user's handover, and the second SMF is the SMF accessed after the user's handover; the first network function updates the relevant identifier of the first SMF mapped by the first IP address to the relevant identifier of the second SMF.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The IP address allocation request carries the relevant identifier of the first SMF and the type of IP address requested; The first network function allocates a first IP address to the user's session from the IP address pool and establishes a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF, including: The first network function allocates a first IP address to the user's session from the IP address pool according to the IP address type, and establishes a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, After allocating a first IP address for the user's session from the IP address pool, the method further includes: The first network function sets the first IP address to be in use.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The IP address update message carries the following information: the first IP address, the relevant identifier of the first SMF, and the relevant identifier of the second SMF; The first network function updates the relevant identifier of the first SMF mapped by the first IP address to the relevant identifier of the second SMF, including: The first network function updates the relevant identifier of the first SMF mapped by the first IP address to the relevant identifier of the second SMF based on the information carried in the IP address update message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network function receives a third message sent by the first SMF, the third message including an IP address release message; The first network function releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The IP address release message carries the following information: the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF; The first network function releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF, including: The first network function releases the information carried in the message based on the IP address, and releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, After the first network function releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF, the method further includes: The first network function sets the first IP address to an idle state.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network function receives a fourth message sent by the second network function, the fourth message including an SMF query request, the SMF query request being used to request a query of the SMF mapped to the first IP address; The first network function determines the relevant identifier of the first SMF mapped to the first IP address based on the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF. The first network function sends the relevant identifier of the first SMF to the second network function.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first SMF is locally configured with the IP address of the first network function, and the IP address of the first network function is used by the first SMF to address the first network function.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second network function is locally configured with the IP address of the first network function, and the IP address of the first network function is used by the second network function to address the first network function.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network function scans the usage duration of the first IP address, where the usage duration is the time elapsed since the first IP address was allocated.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the usage time of the first IP address exceeds the first threshold, the first network function releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF, and sets the first IP address to an idle state.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: After the first network function assigns a first IP address to the user's session, it records the allocation time of the first IP address.

14. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the usage time of the first IP address exceeds the first threshold, the first network function, based on the received configuration command, releases the mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF, and sets the first IP address to an idle state.

15. An address management device, characterized in that, The device, applied to a first network function, includes: The receiving unit is configured to receive a first message sent by the first session management function (SMF), the first message including an IP address allocation request, the IP address allocation request being used to request an IP address for the user's session; The allocation unit is used to allocate a first IP address to the user's session from the IP address pool and establish a mapping relationship between the first IP address and the relevant identifier of the first SMF; A sending unit is configured to send the first IP address to the first SMF; The receiving unit is configured to receive a second message sent by the first SMF or the second SMF, the second message including an IP address update message, wherein the first SMF is the SMF accessed before the user switchover, and the second SMF is the SMF accessed after the user switchover; the updating unit is configured to update the relevant identifier of the first SMF mapped by the first IP address to the relevant identifier of the second SMF.

16. A network device, characterized in that, include: A processor and a memory for storing a computer program, the processor for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. A computer program product, characterized in that, include: A computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Used to store a computer program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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