Roaming communication method, communication network equipment, system and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a roaming communication method, communication network equipment, a system and a storage medium, and belongs to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: when a terminal is in a roaming state, a roaming place network open function NEF receives a capability calling request initiated by an attribution place application function AF; determining whether the capability calling request can be processed or not; if yes, performing interactive communication between the roaming place NEF and the attribution place network element function to complete capability calling; wherein the attribution ground network element function comprises at least one of a unified data management function UDM and a policy control function PCF; and if not, performing interactive communication with the attribution network element function through an attribution NEF to complete capability calling. According to the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, the cost of calling the network capability is reduced when the terminal performs roaming communication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a roaming communication method, communication network equipment, system and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] NEF (Network Exposure Function) is an important part of the 5G network architecture. It supports the opening of various network element functions in the 5G core network to AF (Application Function), mainly including event monitoring capabilities, service activation capabilities, policy / billing capabilities, analysis and reporting capabilities, etc., to achieve a friendly connection between network capabilities and business needs. However, after the terminal roams, since there is no interactive interface between the NEF of the roaming network and the home network, it is necessary to set up a centralized I-NEF (Intermediate-NEF) between the roaming network and the home network, and accordingly, it is necessary to increase the deployment of equipment and additional interactive interfaces, which is costly.

[0003] Therefore, how to reduce the cost of calling network capabilities when the terminal is roaming and communicating has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0004] The main purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a roaming communication method, a communication network device, a system and a storage medium, aiming to reduce the cost of calling network capabilities when a terminal is roaming.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a roaming communication method, the method comprising:

[0006] When the terminal is in roaming state, the roaming network open function NEF receives the capability call request initiated by the home application function AF;

[0007] Determining whether the capability call request can be processed;

[0008] If yes, the roaming NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call; wherein the home network element function includes at least one of a unified data management function UDM and a policy control function PCF;

[0009] If not, the home NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call.

[0010] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication network device, wherein the communication network device includes:

[0011] A processor, a memory, a computer program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, and a data bus for realizing connection communication between the processor and the memory, wherein when the computer program is executed by the processor, the steps of the roaming communication method as described above are realized.

[0012] In the third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a mobile network system, which includes a home AF, a home NEF, a home network element function, and a roaming NEF, and the home network element function includes at least one of UDM and PCF; the home AF is used to initiate a capability call request to the roaming NEF; the roaming NEF is used to determine whether the capability call request can be processed; if so, the roaming NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call; if not, the home NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call.

[0013] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium for computer-readable storage, wherein the storage medium stores one or more programs, and the one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the steps of the roaming communication method as described above.

[0014] The embodiments of the present application provide a roaming communication method, a communication network device, a system and a storage medium. When a terminal is in a roaming state, a home AF initiates a capability call request to a roaming NEF. The roaming NEF determines whether it can process the capability call request. If so, the roaming NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call. The home network element function includes at least one of a UDM and a PCF. If not, the home NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call, thereby achieving the completion of the network capability call when the roaming NEF and the home NEF have no interface interconnection, thereby reducing the cost of calling the network capability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the NEF framework;

[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a mobile network system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a roaming communication method provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of interaction of a mobile network system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a roaming communication process in which a roaming V-NEF can provide capability invocation according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of another interaction of a mobile network system provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a roaming communication process in which a roaming location V-NEF cannot provide capability invocation is provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 8 A schematic block diagram of the structure of a communication network device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] The flowcharts shown in the accompanying drawings are only examples and do not necessarily include all the contents and operations / steps, nor must they be executed in the order described. For example, some operations / steps may also be decomposed, combined or partially merged, so the actual execution order may change according to actual conditions.

[0026] It should be understood that the terms used in this application specification are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the application. As used in this application specification and the appended claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include plural forms.

[0027] NEF is an important component of the 5G network architecture, supporting the opening of various network element functions in the 5G core network to AF. The network element functions in the 5G core network include but are not limited to PCF (Policy Control Function), UDM (Unified Data Management), UDR (Unified Data Repository), AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), SMF (Session Management Function), etc.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, NEF implements interactive communication with AF based on API (Application Programming Interface), such as interactive communication with each AF through each N33 interface. NEF implements interactive communication with PCF, UDM, UDR, AMF, and SMF through corresponding interfaces. For example, NEF and PCF implement interactive communication through N30 interface, NEF and UDM implement interactive communication through N52 interface, NEF and UDR implement interactive communication through N37 interface, NEF and AMF implement interactive communication through N51 interface, and NEF and SMF implement interactive communication through N29 interface. Among them, AF refers to various services at the application layer, which can be applications within the operator or third-party applications, such as video servers, game servers, etc. If the applications within the operator are in the same trusted domain as other applications, they can directly interact with other applications, but there are also some applications in the trusted domain that need to access other network element functions through NEF, such as office applications such as employee clocking in. Third-party applications are not in the trusted domain and must access other network element functions through NEF to subscribe to services or user-related information.

[0029] NEF supports the opening of various network element functions such as PCF, UDM, UDR, AMF, SMF, etc. to AF, mainly including event monitoring capabilities, service provisioning capabilities, policy / billing capabilities, analysis and reporting capabilities, etc., to achieve a friendly connection between network capabilities and business needs. Among them:

[0030] The event monitoring capability enables AF to subscribe to and obtain contextual information such as the terminal status report through the network, so that AF can perform corresponding operations based on the terminal status to improve the AF service quality or user experience. The event monitoring capability includes but is not limited to the subscription and reporting of the following events: connection loss, terminal reachability, terminal location and location update, device-card separation, roaming status, communication failure, and the number of terminals in the area.

[0031] The service provisioning capability allows third-party applications to provide expected terminal behavior or service-specific information to each network element function in the 5G core network through NEF, including authorization information, external information received and supplied via NEF, storage information, etc.

[0032] The policy / charging capability allows requesting session and charging policies, implementing QoS (Quality of Service) policies and application charging functions, which can be used for specific QoS and service priority processing of terminal sessions, and setting appropriate billing rates for the billing party.

[0033] The analysis and reporting capability allows third-party application data to be collected through NEF and provided to NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function) for data analysis, and the analysis results are securely provided to third-party applications through NEF.

[0034] After the terminal roams, since there is no interactive interface between the NEFs of the roaming network and the home network, it is necessary to set up centralized I-NEFs between the roaming network and the home network respectively. Correspondingly, additional deployment equipment and additional interactive interfaces are required, which is costly.

[0035] In order to solve the above problems, the embodiments of the present invention provide a roaming communication method, a communication network device, a system and a storage medium, which are intended to reduce the cost of calling network capabilities when a terminal is roaming.

[0036] Some embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the absence of conflict, the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a mobile network system provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the mobile network system includes a home AF (H-AF), a home NEF (H-NEF), a home network element function, a roaming NEF (V-NEF), and a roaming network element function, wherein the home network element function includes but is not limited to UDM and PCF, and the roaming network element function includes but is not limited to AMF and SMF.

[0038] When the terminal roams, the home AF (H-AF) initiates a capability call request to the roaming NEF (V-NEF), such as event subscription and notification, network parameter activation / configuration, and application for network-side adjustment of QoS control policy. V-NEF determines whether it can process the capability call request, that is, whether it can provide the capability call corresponding to the request.

[0039] A scenario corresponding to the judgment result is that V-NEF determines that it can provide, then V-NEF interacts with the home network element functions such as UDM and PCF to complete the capability call and perform related operations, including but not limited to:

[0040] Subscribe to event monitoring and notifications, including event notification addresses, event reports, and other related information.

[0041] Monitor user dynamic information such as terminal mobility information, accessed service information, user service experience information, as well as functional load information of each network element in the network, wireless network load information (such as cell congestion information), etc.

[0042] The communication parameter configuration request message of AF is converted into an API interface message and sent to the corresponding UDM, AMF, SMF and other network element functions. Among them, the communication parameters include but are not limited to the periodic communication flag, the communication cycle duration, the communication cycle interval duration, the specified communication time, the terminal type flag, the battery type flag, the data transmission type, etc. If there is a group of terminals, NEF splits them into individual terminals and initiates the process to execute related operations respectively.

[0043] Send a request message to PCF, carrying information such as terminal identification, bandwidth, priority, QoS event monitoring indication, etc., to apply for the network side to adjust the QoS service quality control strategy, dynamically adjust user policies, etc.

[0044] Another scenario corresponding to the judgment result is that V-NEF determines that it cannot provide the capability, then V-NEF feeds back the response failure information of the capability call request to H-AF, H-AF initiates the capability call request to H-NEF, H-NEF interacts with the home network element functions such as UDM and PCF to complete the capability call and perform related operations, including but not limited to:

[0045] Subscribe to event monitoring and notifications, including event notification addresses, event reports, and other related information.

[0046] Monitor user dynamic information such as terminal mobility information, accessed service information, user service experience information, as well as functional load information of each network element in the network, wireless network load information (such as cell congestion information), etc.

[0047] The communication parameter configuration request message of AF is converted into an API interface message and sent to the corresponding UDM, AMF, SMF and other network element functions. Among them, the communication parameters include but are not limited to the periodic communication flag, the communication cycle duration, the communication cycle interval duration, the specified communication time, the terminal type flag, the battery type flag, the data transmission type, etc. If there is a group of terminals, NEF splits them into individual terminals and initiates the process to execute related operations respectively.

[0048] Send a request message to PCF, carrying information such as terminal identification, bandwidth, priority, QoS event monitoring indication, etc., to apply for the network side to adjust the QoS service quality control strategy, dynamically adjust user policies, etc.

[0049] In the absence of an interface between the roaming V-NEF and the home H-NEF, a flexible roaming networking method is provided based on the above mobile network system. It can be applied not only to application scenarios where the operator's internal application in the trusted domain initiates a capability call request when the terminal is roaming, but also to application scenarios where third-party applications in or outside the trusted domain initiate a capability call request. For capability call requests initiated by third-party applications that are not in the trusted domain, other network element functions must be accessed through NEF to subscribe to services or user-related information.

[0050] It can be understood that the above-mentioned mobile network system is not only applicable to the 5G core network, but also to 4G and other future mobile communication networks.

[0051] The following will introduce in detail the roaming communication method provided by the embodiment of the present invention based on the mobile network system. Figure 2 The mobile network system is only used to explain the roaming communication method provided in the embodiment of the present invention, but does not constitute a limitation on the application scenario of the roaming communication method provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 A flow chart of a roaming communication method provided by an embodiment of the present invention is provided. The roaming communication method can be applied in a mobile network system to reduce the cost of calling network capabilities when a terminal is roaming.

[0053] like Figure 3 As shown, the roaming communication method includes steps S101 to S104.

[0054] S101. When a terminal is in roaming state, a roaming network opening function NEF receives a capability invocation request initiated by a home application function AF.

[0055] After the terminal roams, the home H-AF initiates a capability call request to the roaming V-NEF. Exemplarily, the capability call request carries AF identification information, access authentication information, capability call information, etc. Among them, the access authentication information includes but is not limited to tokens, keys, etc., and the capability call information includes but is not limited to event IDs, network parameters, collectable data, computing load, network bandwidth, network service quality, etc. After the H-AF initiates a capability call request to the roaming V-NEF, the V-NEF receives the capability call request initiated by the H-AF.

[0056] Exemplarily, before the H-AF initiates a capability call request to the V-NEF, the H-AF sends an interactive message to the H-AF according to the UPF (User plane Function), wherein the message contains encrypted terminal information such as an encrypted terminal identifier, terminal location information and / or a country code. For example, the encrypted terminal information such as an encrypted terminal identifier, terminal location information and / or a country code is carried in the message header. The H-AF parses the message to obtain the encrypted terminal information, and decrypts the encrypted terminal information to obtain the terminal information such as the terminal identifier, terminal location information and / or a country code. The H-AF determines the V-NEF that provides services to the user based on the obtained terminal information, exemplarily based on the terminal identifier, terminal location information and / or the country code. Afterwards, the H-AF initiates a capability call request to the V-NEF, and the V-NEF receives the capability call request initiated by the H-AF.

[0057] S102, determining whether the capability call request can be processed; if so, executing step S103; if not, executing step S104;

[0058] S103, the roaming NEF interacts and communicates with the home network element function to complete the capability call; wherein the home network element function includes at least one of a unified data management function UDM and a policy control function PCF;

[0059] S104: Interactive communication is performed with the home network element function through the home NEF to complete the capability call.

[0060] After receiving the capability call request initiated by the H-AF, the V-NEF needs to determine whether it can process the capability call request, that is, determine whether it can provide the capability call corresponding to the request.

[0061] In some embodiments, the determining whether the capability call request can be processed includes:

[0062] Acquire verification information, where the verification information includes at least one of AF identification information, access authentication information, and capability call information, where the access authentication information includes a token or a key, and the capability call information includes at least one of network parameters, computing power load, network bandwidth, and network service quality;

[0063] Verifying the verification information;

[0064] If the verification passes, it is determined that the capability call request can be processed.

[0065] Exemplarily, the V-NEF parses the received capability call request initiated by the H-AF to obtain corresponding verification information, wherein the verification information includes but is not limited to AF identification information, access authentication information, capability call information, etc. The access authentication information includes a token or a key, and the capability call information includes but is not limited to event ID, network parameters, collectable data, computing load, network bandwidth, network service quality, etc.

[0066] V-NEF verifies the verification information such as AF identification information, access authentication information, and capability call information. If the verification passes, it is determined that the capability call request can be processed, that is, the capability call corresponding to the request can be provided. Conversely, if the verification fails, it is determined that the capability call request cannot be processed, that is, the capability call corresponding to the request cannot be provided.

[0067] In some embodiments, verifying the verification information includes:

[0068] Verify whether the AF identification information is legal;

[0069] Verifying whether the access authentication information is correct;

[0070] Verify whether the capability corresponding to the capability call in the capability call information is in the subscription list of the terminal and whether it satisfies the subscription call policy.

[0071] Exemplarily, V-NEF verifies whether the AF identification information is legal, verifies whether the token or key is correct, and verifies whether the corresponding called capability in the capability call information is in the contract list of the terminal, whether it satisfies the contract call policy, etc. If the AF identification information is legal, the token or key is correct, the corresponding called capability in the capability call information is in the contract list of the terminal, and satisfies the contract call policy, then it is determined that the verification is passed, and the capability call request can be processed, that is, the capability call corresponding to the request can be provided. Otherwise, if the verification AF identification information is illegal, or the token or key is incorrect, or the corresponding called capability in the capability call information is not in the contract list of the terminal, or does not satisfy the contract call policy, then it is determined that the verification fails, and the capability call request cannot be processed, that is, the capability call corresponding to the request cannot be provided.

[0072] In one scenario, V-NEF determines that it can be provided, then V-NEF communicates with the local network element functions such as UDM and PCF to complete the capability call and perform related operations, including but not limited to:

[0073] Subscribe to event monitoring and notifications, including event notification addresses, event reports, and other related information.

[0074] Monitor user dynamic information such as terminal mobility information, accessed service information, user service experience information, as well as functional load information of each network element in the network, wireless network load information (such as cell congestion information), etc.

[0075] The communication parameter configuration request message of AF is converted into an API interface message and sent to the corresponding UDM, AMF, SMF and other network element functions. Among them, the communication parameters include but are not limited to the periodic communication flag, the communication cycle duration, the communication cycle interval duration, the specified communication time, the terminal type flag, the battery type flag, the data transmission type, etc. If there is a group of terminals, NEF splits them into individual terminals and initiates the process to execute related operations respectively.

[0076] Send a request message to PCF, carrying information such as terminal identification, bandwidth, priority, QoS event monitoring indication, etc., to apply for the network side to adjust the QoS service quality control strategy, dynamically adjust user policies, etc.

[0077] In some embodiments, the roaming NEF interacts and communicates with the home network element function to complete the capability call, including:

[0078] Sending a capability call instruction to the home UDM and / or PCF, so that the home UDM and / or PCF interacts and communicates with the roaming network element function, and the roaming network element function executes the capability call; wherein the roaming network element function includes at least one of an access and mobility management function AMF and a session management function SMF;

[0079] Receive a capability execution result notification reported by the roaming network element function.

[0080] If the V-NEF determines that the capability call can be provided, the V-NEF sends a capability call instruction to the home UDM and / or PCF. Figure 4 After the home UDM and / or PCF receives the capability call instruction, the home UDM and / or PCF interacts with the roaming AMF and / or SMF, and the roaming AMF and / or SMF executes the capability call.

[0081] The roaming AMF and / or SMF reports the capability execution result notification to the V-NEF, and the V-NEF receives the capability execution result notification reported by the roaming AMF and / or SMF. The capability execution result notification includes but is not limited to event monitoring capability, report event notification, etc.

[0082] Exemplarily, after receiving the capability execution result reported by the roaming network element function, the method includes:

[0083] Generate capability call results;

[0084] Push the capability calling result to the home AF.

[0085] After receiving the capability execution result notification, V-NEF analyzes and processes the capability execution result notification. Based on the network configuration, when the business-related judgment conditions are met, it generates the capability call result and pushes the capability call result to the home H-AF.

[0086] For example, Figure 5 As shown, the roaming communication process that V-NEF can provide capability invocation is as follows:

[0087] Step 1: The home H-AF finds the roaming V-NEF according to the terminal identifier, terminal location information and / or country code, and initiates a capability call request to the V-NEF, including the AF identifier, access authentication information (token or key, etc.), and capability call information.

[0088] Step 2: V-NEF determines whether it can provide the corresponding capability call. NEF verifies the AF identifier, access authentication information, and capability call information, etc., verifies whether the AF identifier is legal, whether the token or key is correct, whether the called capability is in the terminal's contract list, whether it meets the contracted call policy, etc., and comprehensively determines whether it can process the corresponding capability call request.

[0089] Step 3: If it is determined that the corresponding capability call request can be processed, V-NEF sends a capability call instruction to the home UDM and / or PCF. For example, initiate a monitoring request for subscription events and obtain notifications, and / or convert the AF's network parameter configuration request message into a home UDM interface message for configuration update, and / or send a request message to the home PCF, carrying the terminal identification, bandwidth, priority, QoS event monitoring indication, etc., to apply for the network side to adjust the QoS service quality control strategy, dynamically adjust the user strategy, etc.

[0090] Step 4: The UDM and / or PCF in the home location exchange information with the AMF and / or SMF in the roaming location.

[0091] Step 5: The roaming AMF and / or SMF executes capability call. The roaming AMF and / or SMF reports capability execution result notification to the V-NEF, such as event monitoring capability, report event notification, etc.

[0092] Step 6: V-NEF analyzes and processes the capability execution result notification, generates the capability call result, and pushes the capability call result to H-AF.

[0093] In another scenario, if V-NEF determines that it cannot provide the capability, V-NEF feeds back the failure response information of the capability call request to H-AF, H-AF initiates the capability call request to H-NEF, and H-NEF communicates with the home network element functions such as UDM and PCF to complete the capability call and perform related operations, including but not limited to:

[0094] Subscribe to event monitoring and notifications, including event notification addresses, event reports, and other related information.

[0095] Monitor user dynamic information such as terminal mobility information, accessed service information, user service experience information, as well as functional load information of each network element in the network, wireless network load information (such as cell congestion information), etc.

[0096] The communication parameter configuration request message of AF is converted into an API interface message and sent to the corresponding UDM, AMF, SMF and other network element functions. Among them, the communication parameters include but are not limited to the periodic communication flag, the communication cycle duration, the communication cycle interval duration, the specified communication time, the terminal type flag, the battery type flag, the data transmission type, etc. If there is a group of terminals, NEF splits them into individual terminals and initiates the process to execute related operations respectively.

[0097] Send a request message to PCF, carrying information such as terminal identification, bandwidth, priority, QoS event monitoring indication, etc., to apply for the network side to adjust the QoS service quality control strategy, dynamically adjust user policies, etc.

[0098] In some embodiments, the interactive communication with the home network element function through the home NEF to complete the capability call includes:

[0099] Send a response failure message of the capability call request to the home AF, so that when the home AF receives the failure message, it initiates a capability call request to the home NEF, the home NEF sends a capability call instruction to the home UDM and / or PCF, the home UDM and / or PCF interacts and communicates with the roaming network element function, the roaming network element function executes the capability call, and reports a capability execution result notification to the home NEF.

[0100] If the V-NEF determines that it cannot provide the capability call, the V-NEF sends a response failure message of the capability call request to the home H-AF. When the H-AF receives the failure message, it initiates a capability call request to the H-NEF, and the H-NEF sends a capability call instruction to the home UDM and / or PCF. Figure 6 After the home UDM and / or PCF receives the capability call instruction, the home UDM and / or PCF interacts with the roaming AMF and / or SMF, and the roaming AMF and / or SMF executes the capability call.

[0101] The roaming AMF and / or SMF reports the capability execution result notification to the H-NEF, and the H-NEF receives the capability execution result notification reported by the roaming AMF and / or SMF. The capability execution result notification includes but is not limited to event monitoring capability, report event notification, etc.

[0102] After receiving the capability execution result notification, H-NEF analyzes and processes the capability execution result notification. Based on the network configuration, when the service-related judgment conditions are met, it generates the capability call result and pushes the capability call result to the home H-AF.

[0103] For example, Figure 7As shown, the roaming communication process where V-NEF cannot provide capability invocation is as follows:

[0104] Step 1: The home H-AF finds the roaming V-NEF according to the terminal identifier, terminal location information and / or country code, and initiates a capability call request to the V-NEF, including the AF identifier, access authentication information (token or key, etc.), and capability call information.

[0105] Step 2: V-NEF determines whether it can provide the corresponding capability call. NEF verifies the AF identifier, access authentication information, and capability call information, etc., verifies whether the AF identifier is legal, whether the token or key is correct, whether the called capability is in the terminal's contract list, whether it meets the contracted call policy, etc., and comprehensively determines whether it can process the corresponding capability call request.

[0106] Step 3: If it is determined that the corresponding capability call request cannot be processed, V-NEF feeds back failure information to H-AF.

[0107] Step 4: H-AF initiates a capability call request to H-NEF.

[0108] Step 5: H-NEF sends a capability call instruction to the home UDM and / or PCF, for example, initiates a monitoring request for a subscription event and obtains a notification, and / or converts the network parameter configuration request message of the AF into a home UDM interface message for configuration update, and / or sends a request message to the home PCF, carrying user identification, bandwidth, priority, QoS event monitoring indication, etc., to apply for the network side to adjust the QoS service quality control policy, dynamically adjust the user policy, etc.

[0109] Step 6: The UDM and / or PCF in the home location interacts with the AMF and / or SMF in the roaming location.

[0110] Step 7: The roaming AMF and / or SMF executes capability invocation. The roaming AMF and / or SMF reports capability execution result notifications to the H-NEF, such as event monitoring capability, report event notifications, etc.

[0111] Step 8: H-NEF analyzes and processes the capability execution result notification, generates the capability call result, and pushes the capability call result to H-AF.

[0112] Through the above roaming method, there is no need to deploy I-NEF between the roaming network and the home network, and accordingly there is no need to add deployment equipment and additional interactive interfaces, which reduces costs. Compared with the internal application of operators that is only applicable to the trusted domain, the present invention is also applicable to the application scenario where a third-party application initiates a network capability opening request when the terminal roams, which improves the flexibility of deployment.

[0113] In the above embodiment, when the terminal is in a roaming state, the home AF initiates a capability call request to the roaming NEF, and the roaming NEF determines whether it can process the capability call request. If so, the roaming NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call; wherein the home network element function includes at least one of UDM and PCF; if not, the home NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call, thereby achieving the completion of the network capability call when the roaming NEF and the home NEF have no interface interconnection, thereby reducing the cost of calling the network capability.

[0114] The present invention also provides a communication network device. Figure 8 , Figure 8 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication network device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0115] like Figure 8 As shown, the communication network device 200 may include a processor 210 and a memory 220, wherein the processor 210 and the memory 220 are connected via a bus, such as an I2C (Inter-integrated Circuit) bus.

[0116] Specifically, the processor 210 may be a micro-controller unit (MCU), a central processing unit (CPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP).

[0117] Specifically, the memory 220 may be a Flash chip, a read-only memory (ROM) disk, an optical disk, a USB disk, or a mobile hard disk, etc. The memory 220 stores various computer programs for the processor 210 to execute.

[0118] The processor 210 is used to run a computer program stored in the memory, and implements the following steps when executing the computer program:

[0119] When the terminal is in roaming state, the roaming network open function NEF receives the capability call request initiated by the home application function AF;

[0120] Determining whether the capability call request can be processed;

[0121] If yes, the roaming NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call; wherein the home network element function includes at least one of a unified data management function UDM and a policy control function PCF;

[0122] If not, the home NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call.

[0123] In some embodiments, when the processor 210 implements the interactive communication between the roaming NEF and the home network element function to complete the capability call, it is used to implement:

[0124] Sending a capability call instruction to the home UDM and / or PCF, so that the home UDM and / or PCF interacts and communicates with the roaming network element function, and the roaming network element function executes the capability call; wherein the roaming network element function includes at least one of an access and mobility management function AMF and a session management function SMF;

[0125] Receive a capability execution result notification reported by the roaming network element function.

[0126] In some embodiments, after implementing the receiving of the capability execution result reported by the roaming network element function, the processor 210 is configured to implement:

[0127] Generate capability call results;

[0128] Push the capability calling result to the home AF.

[0129] In some embodiments, when implementing the interactive communication with the home network element function through the home NEF to complete the capability call, the processor 210 is used to implement:

[0130] Send a response failure message of the capability call request to the home AF, so that when the home AF receives the failure message, it initiates a capability call request to the home NEF, the home NEF sends a capability call instruction to the home UDM and / or PCF, the home UDM and / or PCF interacts and communicates with the roaming network element function, the roaming network element function executes the capability call, and reports a capability execution result notification to the home NEF.

[0131] In some embodiments, the roaming location NEF is determined by the home location AF based on terminal information, wherein the terminal information includes terminal identification, terminal location information and / or country code; when the home location AF receives a user plane network element function UPF message, it decrypts the encrypted terminal information carried in the message to obtain the terminal information.

[0132] In some embodiments, when implementing the determining whether the capability call request can be processed, the processor 210 is configured to implement:

[0133] Acquire verification information, where the verification information includes at least one of AF identification information, access authentication information, and capability call information, where the access authentication information includes a token or a key, and the capability call information includes at least one of network parameters, computing power load, network bandwidth, and network service quality;

[0134] Verifying the verification information;

[0135] If the verification passes, it is determined that the capability call request can be processed.

[0136] In some embodiments, when implementing the verification of the verification information, the processor 210 is used to implement:

[0137] Verify whether the AF identification information is legal;

[0138] Verifying whether the access authentication information is correct;

[0139] Verify whether the capability corresponding to the capability call in the capability call information is in the subscription list of the terminal and whether it satisfies the subscription call policy.

[0140] An embodiment of the present application also provides a storage medium for computer-readable storage, wherein the storage medium stores one or more programs, and the one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the steps of any roaming communication method provided in the description of the embodiment of the present application.

[0141] The storage medium may be an internal storage unit of the communication network device described in the above embodiment, such as a hard disk or memory of the communication network device. The storage medium may also be an external storage device of the communication network device, such as a plug-in hard disk, a smart memory card (Smart Media Card, SMC), a secure digital (Secure Digital, SD) card, a flash card (Flash Card), etc. equipped on the communication network device.

[0142] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that all or some of the steps, systems, and functional modules / units in the methods disclosed above may be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, and appropriate combinations thereof. In a hardware embodiment, the division between the functional modules / units mentioned in the above description does not necessarily correspond to the division of physical components; for example, a physical component may have multiple functions, or a function or step may be performed by several physical components in cooperation. Some or all physical components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, or a microprocessor, or implemented as hardware, or implemented as an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit. Such software may be distributed on a computer-readable medium, which may include a computer storage medium (or non-transitory medium) and a communication medium (or temporary medium). As known to those skilled in the art, the term computer storage medium includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information (such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data). Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and can be accessed by a computer. In addition, it is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art that communication media typically contain computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media.

[0143] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in the present specification and the appended claims refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, including these combinations. It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or system including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or system. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "including a..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or system including the element.

[0144] The serial numbers of the embodiments of the present application are only for description and do not represent the advantages and disadvantages of the embodiments. The above are only specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can easily think of various equivalent modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, and these modifications or replacements should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A roaming communication method, the method comprising: When the terminal is in roaming state, the roaming network open function NEF receives the capability call request initiated by the home application function AF; Determining whether the capability call request can be processed; If yes, the roaming NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call; wherein the home network element function includes at least one of a unified data management function UDM and a policy control function PCF; If not, the home NEF interacts with the home network element function to complete the capability call.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The roaming NEF interacts and communicates with the home network element function to complete the capability call, including: Sending a capability call instruction to the home UDM and / or PCF, so that the home UDM and / or PCF interacts and communicates with the roaming network element function, and the roaming network element function executes the capability call; wherein the roaming network element function includes at least one of an access and mobility management function AMF and a session management function SMF; Receive a capability execution result notification reported by the roaming network element function.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that After receiving the capability execution result reported by the roaming network element function, the method further comprises: Generate capability call results; Push the capability calling result to the home AF.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interactive communication with the home network element function through the home NEF to complete the capability call includes: Send a response failure message of the capability call request to the home AF, so that when the home AF receives the failure message, it initiates a capability call request to the home NEF, the home NEF sends a capability call instruction to the home UDM and / or PCF, the home UDM and / or PCF interacts and communicates with the roaming network element function, the roaming network element function executes the capability call, and reports a capability execution result notification to the home NEF.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The roaming location NEF is determined by the home location AF based on terminal information, wherein the terminal information includes terminal identification, terminal location information and / or country code; when the home location AF receives the user plane network element function UPF message, it decrypts the encrypted terminal information carried in the message to obtain the terminal information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The determining whether the capability call request can be processed includes: Acquire verification information, where the verification information includes at least one of AF identification information, access authentication information, and capability call information, where the access authentication information includes a token or a key, and the capability call information includes at least one of network parameters, computing power load, network bandwidth, and network service quality; Verifying the verification information; If the verification passes, it is determined that the capability call request can be processed.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The verifying the verification information includes: Verify whether the AF identification information is legal; Verifying whether the access authentication information is correct; Verify whether the capability corresponding to the capability call in the capability call information is in the subscription list of the terminal and whether it satisfies the subscription call policy.

8. A communication network device, characterized in that: The communication network equipment comprises: A processor, a memory, a computer program stored in the memory and executable by the processor, and a data bus for realizing connection communication between the processor and the memory, wherein when the computer program is executed by the processor, the steps of the roaming communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 are realized.

9. A mobile network system, characterized in that: The mobile network system includes a home AF, a home NEF, a home network element function, and a roaming NEF, wherein the home network element function includes at least one of a UDM and a PCF; the home AF is used to initiate a capability call request to the roaming NEF; The roaming NEF is used to determine whether the capability call request can be processed; If so, the roaming NEF interacts and communicates with the home network element function to complete the capability call; if not, the home NEF interacts and communicates with the home network element function to complete the capability call.

10. A storage medium for computer-readable storage, characterized in that: The storage medium stores one or more programs, and the one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors to implement the steps of the roaming communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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