UPF overload control processing method and related device

Abstract

The invention discloses a UPF overload control processing method and a related device, and belongs to the technical field of 5G core network communication, and the method comprises the steps: obtaining overload control information from a first UPF network element; determining a first number of accessed users to be reduced from the accessed users of the first UPF network element according to the overload control information; determining idle state users in accessed users of the first UPF network element, and selecting a corresponding number of target idle state users from the idle state users according to the first number; determining at least one second UPF network element satisfying a load condition from the communication network; and migrating each target idle state user from the first UPF network element to the at least one second UPF network element, and controlling each target idle state user migrated to the corresponding second UPF network element to be in an idle state. The problem of overload of the UPF is quickly solved, and meanwhile, the proportion of failure of the user session updating process is reduced as much as possible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of 5G core network communication technology, and in particular, relates to a method and related device for UPF overload control processing. Background Art

[0002] In the 5G core network, SMF (Session Management Function) and UPF (UserPlane Function) are important network elements in the control plane and user plane respectively. Among them, SMF is mainly responsible for user session management and selects appropriate UPF network elements for user equipment to establish user plane tunnels. UPF is responsible for the transmission of user plane data.

[0003] When UPF is overloaded (overloaded), the strategy of SMF in traditional technology is to reduce the load of overloaded UPF by reducing the access of new users to the overloaded UPF. However, if the users on UPF are online for a long time (even if the users do not use the data network, enter the idle state, and the air interface resources are released, as long as the users do not shut down the network, the users on the core network side are online, which often occurs in practice), then the number of users on UPF will not drop significantly in a short time, resulting in the UPF overload recovery often being a slow process, causing the UPF to be in an overloaded state for a long time, and the UPF overload problem cannot be quickly resolved. At the same time, the overload time is too long, which will increase the proportion of session update process failures, thereby affecting the user experience. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a method and related device for UPF overload control processing, which is used to solve the problems existing in traditional overload processing solutions, so that the relief of UPF overload can be more real-time, and reduce the proportion of session update process failures caused by overload, thereby improving user experience.

[0005] The specific technical solutions are as follows: A method for UPF overload control processing, comprising: Obtaining overload control information from a first UPF network element, where the overload control information is at least used to indicate that the first UPF network element is currently in an overload state; Determining, according to the overload control information, a first number of connected users to be reduced from connected users of the first UPF network element; Determine idle users in an idle state without using the communication network among the connected users of the first UPF network element, and select a corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number; Determine at least one second UPF network element that meets the load condition from the communication network; the load condition is used to indicate that the UPF network element is in a low load state; Migrate the corresponding number of target idle users from the first UPF network element to the at least one second UPF network element.

[0006] Optionally, determining, according to the overload control information, a first number of connected users to be reduced from connected users of the first UPF network element includes: According to the total number of connected users of the first UPF network element and the ratio of the expected load reduction of the first UPF network element contained in the overload control information, the first number of connected users to be reduced from the connected users of the first UPF network element is determined.

[0007] Optionally, the method further includes: Monitor the usage status of the communication network by the connected users of each UPF network element in the communication network; The user information of idle users among the connected users of each UPF network element is stored in the recording unit created for the UPF network element to which it belongs; wherein, if the corresponding idle user recorded in the recording unit corresponding to the UPF network element enters the activated state, the user information of the user entering the activated state is removed from the corresponding recording unit.

[0008] Optionally, the determining of an idle user in an idle state not using a communication network among the connected users of the first UPF network element includes: Determine, according to the user information recorded in the first recording unit corresponding to the first UPF network element, an idle user in an idle state among the connected users of the first UPF network element; Selecting a corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number includes: If the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit is not less than the first number, selecting the first number of idle users from the idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit as the target idle users; If the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit is lower than the first number, all idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit are selected as the target idle users.

[0009] Optionally, when the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit is lower than the first number, the method further includes: Selecting a second number of idle users from the idle users who subsequently enter the idle state and are recorded in the first recording unit accordingly, and supplementing the target idle users; The second number is the difference between the first number and the number of all idle users represented by the user information currently in the first recording unit.

[0010] Optionally, migrating the corresponding number of target idle users from the first UPF network element to the at least one second UPF network element includes: If the first UPF network element is an anchor UPF, a session deletion request is sent to the first UPF network element to instruct the first UPF network element to delete the session of the target idle user and release the dynamic route of the user address of the target idle user; and a session creation request is sent to the second UPF network element to instruct the second UPF network element to create a session for the target idle user based on the user address carried in the session creation request, and publish a dynamic route for the target idle user; the user address carried in the session creation request is the address most recently allocated to the target idle user by the SMF network element in history; If the first UPF network element is an intermediate point UPF, a session deletion request is sent to the first UPF network element to instruct the first UPF network element to delete the session of the target idle user; and a session creation request is sent to the second UPF network element to instruct the second UPF network element to create a session for the target idle user.

[0011] Optionally, the method further includes: The user information of the target idle user who has completed the migration is deleted from the first recording unit corresponding to the first UPF network element, and written into the second recording unit corresponding to the second UPF network element.

[0012] A device for UPF overload control processing, comprising: An acquisition module, used to obtain overload control information from a first UPF network element, where the overload control information is at least used to indicate that the first UPF network element is currently in an overload state; A first determining module, configured to determine, according to the overload control information, a first number of connected users to be reduced from the connected users of the first UPF network element; A selection module, used to determine idle users in an idle state without using the communication network among the connected users of the first UPF network element, and select a corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number; A second determination module is used to determine at least one second UPF network element that meets the load condition from the communication network; the load condition is used to indicate that the UPF network element is in a low load state; A migration module is used to migrate the corresponding number of target idle users from the first UPF network element to the at least one second UPF network element, and control each target idle user migrated to the corresponding second UPF network element to be in an idle state.

[0013] A network element device, comprising: Memory, used to store computer programs; A processor is used to implement the UPF overload control processing method as described in any one of the above items by calling and executing the computer program in the memory.

[0014] A computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program can be used to implement the method for UPF overload control processing as described in any one of the above items.

[0015] According to the above scheme, the method and related device for UPF overload control processing provided by the present application, after obtaining the overload control information from the first UPF network element, determines the first number of connected users to be reduced from the connected users of the first UPF network element according to the overload control information, and determines the idle users among the connected users of the first UPF network element, and selects the corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number, and on this basis, migrates each selected target idle user to at least one second UPF network element in a low-load state in the communication network. It can be seen that the present application proposes and implements a solution for dynamically reducing the load of the UPF in real time to balance the load between different UPFs when the UPF is overloaded and working normally, without relying on and waiting for the offline of the online users in the overloaded UPF, and can migrate the idle users when the users are not offline, so as to reduce the load of the overloaded UPF without the users' perception, so that the present application quickly solves the overload problem of the UPF, avoids the UPF from being in an overloaded state for a long time, and at the same time, by avoiding the UPF from being in an overloaded state for a long time, the proportion of user session update process failure is reduced as much as possible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying any creative work.

[0017] Figure 1 It is a communication network architecture diagram provided by this application; Figure 2 is a flow chart of the method for UPF overload control processing provided by the present application; Figure 3 It is an interactive sequence diagram of the session creation process provided by this application; Figure 4 It is an interactive timing diagram of the UPF overload control processing provided by the present application; Figure 5 It is an interactive timing diagram of the air interface release process provided by this application; Figure 6 It is a composition structure diagram of the device for UPF overload control processing provided by the present application; Figure 7 This is a composition structure diagram of the network element device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] 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 only 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.

[0019] In the 5G core network, SMF and UPF are important network elements in the control plane and user plane respectively. SMF is mainly responsible for user session management and selects appropriate UPF network elements for user equipment to establish user plane tunnels. UPF is responsible for the transmission of user plane data.

[0020] See also Figure 1 As shown in the communication network architecture diagram, UPF and SMF use the N4 reference point for communication.

[0021] Usually one SMF will manage multiple UPFs. SMF will manage multiple UPFs based on the DNN of the connected user. , data network), slice, UPF load and other information to assign a suitable UPF to the user, and send a session creation request to the assigned UPF. The UPF responds to the session creation and feeds back information to the SMF to indicate that the creation is successful. At the same time, the feedback information carries the user plane tunnel information (such as the user plane IP address of the UPF and the tunnel ID assigned to the created session).

[0022] The session-level processes between SMF and UPF include the creation, update, and release processes of the session. These processes are all initiated by SMF sending requests to UPF, and UPF responds to the requests of SMF. The applicant found that in traditional technologies, once a user's session is created on a certain UPF, the subsequent session update process and release process of the user must be sent to this UPF for processing. UPF can carry the load information and overload information of this UPF in the response message, so that SMF can use it as a reference to select a suitable UPF for subsequent new user sessions. When SMF selects UPF for a new user, it will try to select a UPF with a low load to balance the load between multiple UPFs.

[0023] Since the selection of UPF only occurs during the access process of new users, the decrease in the number of overloaded UPF users in traditional technologies depends to a certain extent on the offline of connected users. When users go offline and then come online, they may be selected to other UPFs, and the network side cannot determine the online and offline behavior of users. This results in the UPF overload recovery in traditional technologies often being a slow process, causing the UPF to be in an overloaded state for a long time, and the UPF overload problem cannot be quickly resolved.

[0024] When an overload occurs, the usual strategy of SMF is to reduce the number of new users accessing the overloaded UPF. However, for users who have already accessed this UPF, update or release type session messages can only be processed by this UPF. In order to reduce the amount of messages, SMF needs to discard some messages, and the release process has a higher priority and should not be discarded, so update type messages are often discarded, which often leads to the failure of a certain amount of session update processes. In traditional technologies, UPF is in an overloaded state for a long time, which will obviously further increase the proportion of update process failures, thereby further affecting the user experience.

[0025] In the field of UPF overload, although there are some other solutions, these solutions still aim to improve the load balancing problem between multiple UPFs by more reasonably selecting UPFs for newly connected users. They also cannot quickly solve the overload problem of UPFs that are already overloaded.

[0026] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a method and related device for UPF overload control processing, which is used to actively trigger the dynamic migration of connected users between UPFs in real time through SMF after UPF reports overload control information to SMF, so that the relief of UPF overload can be more real-time, while reducing the proportion of session update process failures caused by overload.

[0027] Optionally, the UPF overload control processing method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to SMF network elements in a communication network.

[0028] See also Figure 2 As shown in the method flow chart, the method for UPF overload control processing provided in the embodiment of the present application may at least include the following steps 201 to 205, and these steps are described in detail below.

[0029] Step 201: Obtain overload control information from a first UPF network element, where the overload control information is at least used to indicate that the first UPF network element is currently in an overload state.

[0030] Optionally, the overload control information from the first UPF network element may include the ratio of the load reduction expected by the first UPF network element. Exemplarily, according to the 3GPP29.244 protocol, the message sent by the UPF to the SMF may carry an OCI (Overload Control Information) field, and when the UPF is overloaded, the corresponding field in the OCI, such as the metric field, may be used to indicate the ratio of the load reduction expected by the UPF.

[0031] In implementation, without limitation thereto, the overload control information may also carry the amount by which the overloaded UPF expects its load to decrease.

[0032] In addition, optionally, a timer information Timer may be carried in the overload control information to indicate the effective time of the metric, for example, indicating: the message volume is expected to be reduced by 20% within 10 minutes and restored after 10 minutes.

[0033] In a communication network, usually one SMF manages multiple UPFs. In an embodiment of the present application, when too many users are connected to the first UPF network element in the communication network, resulting in overload, the first UPF network element can send overload control information to its SMF network element through a session-level message between the first UPF network element and its SMF network element, requesting the SMF network element to trigger overload control processing on the first UPF network element.

[0034] Step 202: Determine a first number of connected users to be reduced from connected users of the first UPF network element according to the overload control information.

[0035] After receiving the overload control information from the first UPF network element, the SMF network element can determine the first number of connected users to be reduced from the connected users of the first UPF network element based on the expected load reduction ratio indicated by the first UPF network element in the overload control information and the total number of connected users of the first UPF network element.

[0036] Step 203: determine idle users who are in an idle state and are not using the communication network among the connected users of the first UPF network element, and select a corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number.

[0037] In the embodiment of the present application, a corresponding recording unit is created in advance for each UPF network element to record the idle user information of the UPF network element. The created recording unit can be implemented in the form of a queue, an array, etc., but is not limited to it. For example, a queue is created for each UPF network element to store its idle user information.

[0038] In the embodiment of the present application, the SMF network element monitors the usage status of the communication network by the connected users of each UPF network element it is responsible for in real time. And the idle user information of the connected users of each UPF network element is stored in the record unit created for the UPF network element, for example, the idle user information of each UPF network element is stored in the queue corresponding to the UPF network element. Among them, if the corresponding idle user recorded in the record unit such as the queue corresponding to the UPF network element enters the activated state, the user information of the user entering the activated state is removed from the corresponding record unit such as the queue to ensure that the user information of its idle users is always recorded in the record unit such as the queue corresponding to each UPF network element.

[0039] On this basis, for the overload control information from the first UPF network element, the idle users in the idle state who are not using the communication network among the connected users of the first UPF network element can be determined according to the user information recorded in the first recording unit corresponding to the first UPF network element. For example, the idle users connected to the first UPF network element are determined according to the user information in the first queue corresponding to the first UPF network element.

[0040] And according to the first number, a corresponding number of target idle users can be selected from each idle user accessed to the first UPF network element.

[0041] Among them, if the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit corresponding to the first UPF network element is not lower than the first number, the first number of idle users can be selected from the idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit as the target idle users.

[0042] On the contrary, if the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit corresponding to the first UPF network element is lower than the first number, all idle users are selected from the idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit as the target idle users. In this case, the number of selected target idle users is lower than the first number that the first UPF network element expects to reduce. For this situation, in implementation, optionally, a second number of idle users can be further selected from the idle users that subsequently enter the idle state and are recorded in the first recording unit, and the selected second number of idle users are added to the target idle users to make up for the first number that the first UPF network element expects to reduce.

[0043] The second number is the difference between the first number and the number of all idle users represented by the user information currently in the first recording unit.

[0044] Step 204: Determine at least one second UPF network element that meets the load condition from the communication network.

[0045] The load condition is used to characterize that the UPF network element is in a low load state, and can be specifically but not limited to being set to any one of the following: the number of connected users of the UPF network element is lower than a preset number threshold, and the proportion of connected users of the UPF network element (the ratio between the number of connected users and the set full load number) is lower than a preset proportion threshold.

[0046] The SMF network element can specifically determine at least one second UPF network element in a low-load state from the communication network based on the set load conditions, so as to receive each target idle user migrated from the first UPF network element.

[0047] Step 205: Migrate the corresponding number of target idle users from the first UPF network element to the at least one second UPF network element, and control each target idle user migrated to the corresponding second UPF network element to be in an idle state.

[0048] UPF is divided into anchor point UPF and midpoint UPF.

[0049] If the first UPF network element is an anchor UPF, the process of migrating the corresponding number of target idle users from the first UPF network element to the at least one second UPF network element can be implemented as follows: the SMF network element sends a session deletion request to the first UPF network element to instruct the first UPF network element to delete the session of the target idle user and release the dynamic route of the user address of the target idle user; and sends a session creation request to the second UPF network element to instruct the second UPF network element to create a session for the target idle user based on the user address carried in the session creation request, and publish a dynamic route for the target idle user.

[0050] The user address carried in the session creation request is the address most recently allocated by the SMF network element to the target idle user in history. For example, it can be, but is not limited to, the IP (Internet Protocol) address allocated by the SMF network element to the UE of the target idle user when the first UPF network element creates a session for the target idle user.

[0051] In this case, the SMF network element and the UPF network element can achieve the migration of the target idle user through the following collaborative process: 1) The SMF network element sends a session deletion request (also known as a session release request) to the first UPF network element.

[0052] 2) The first UPF network element responds to the session deletion request, deletes the session of the target idle user, and releases the dynamic route of the user address of the target idle user.

[0053] Although the first UPF network element is overloaded at this time, the session release process is usually given priority, not only because the session release process itself has a higher priority, but also because releasing the session is helpful in alleviating the overload of the first UPF network element itself.

[0054] 3) The SMF network element sends a session creation request to the selected second UPF network element in a low-load state, and carries the previously allocated UE address (for example, when the first UPF network element creates a session for the target idle user, the IP address allocated by the SMF network element to the UE of the target idle user).

[0055] 4) The second UPF network element responds to the session creation request to create a session for the target idle user and publishes a dynamic route for the user.

[0056] See also Figure 3, provides an interactive sequence diagram of the implementation process of creating a session for a user, where UE represents user equipment, gNB, i.e. the next Generation Node B, represents a base station, SMF represents an SMF network element, and UPF1 and UPF2 represent different UPF network elements. Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the process of creating a session for a user mainly includes: 1) The UE initiates a session creation request to the network side, and the message eventually reaches the SMF, which selects an available UPF for the user.

[0057] 2) SMF initiates a session creation request to the selected UPF, which carries the IP address allocated by SMF to the user.

[0058] 3) UPF creates a session and replies to SMF that the creation is successful. The reply message carries the uplink tunnel information.

[0059] Optionally, the uplink tunnel information includes the UPF user plane IP address and the tunnel ID (Identity document) assigned to the currently created session.

[0060] 4) SMF replies to UE with a response message indicating successful session creation.

[0061] 5) SMF initiates a session creation request to the base station to obtain downlink tunnel information and informs the base station UPF of the uplink tunnel information.

[0062] 6) The base station creates a session and replies to the SMF that the session is created successfully. The reply message carries the downlink tunnel information.

[0063] Optionally, the downlink tunnel information includes the base station user plane IP address and a tunnel ID allocated to the currently created session.

[0064] 7) SMF passes the downlink tunnel information to UPF.

[0065] 8) UPF responds successfully. The upstream and downstream tunnels are now connected and the session creation is complete.

[0066] If the first UPF network element is an intermediate point UPF, the SMF network element sends a session deletion request to the first UPF network element to instruct the first UPF network element to delete the session of the target idle user; and sends a session creation request to the second UPF network element to instruct the second UPF network element to create a session for the target idle user.

[0067] That is to say, the method of the embodiment of the present application is suitable for overload processing of both anchor point UPF and intermediate point UPF. However, the intermediate point UPF does not allocate addresses to users. Therefore, the create session request message sent to the new UPF (second UPF network element) does not need to carry the allocated user address, and the intermediate point UPF does not need to publish routes for users. These differences are related to the properties of the UPF itself.

[0068] The interaction between SMF network elements and UPF network elements can be achieved through N4 sessions based on the N4 interface.

[0069] See also Figure 4 , shows the interactive timing diagram of UPF overload control processing in the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, and the specific process is as follows Figure 4 As shown, this process is consistent with the implementation process of each step of the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, and will not be repeated. In this figure, UPF1 represents the first UPF network element, UPF2 represents the second UPF network element, and other objects such as UE, gNB, etc. can refer to the above explanation.

[0070] It is worth noting that the embodiment of the present application selects idle users for migration because these users have the characteristics of temporarily no data traffic and fast migration speed, and support migrating them to the new UPF in a very short time without affecting the user experience. Usually in a communication network with a large number of users, there will always be a certain proportion of idle users at each moment, which also provides a feasibility basis for the solution of the embodiment of the present application.

[0071] According to the above scheme, the method for UPF overload control processing provided by the present application, after obtaining the overload control information from the first UPF network element, determines the first number of connected users to be reduced from the connected users of the first UPF network element according to the overload control information, and determines the idle users among the connected users of the first UPF network element, and selects the corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number, and on this basis, migrates each selected target idle user to at least one second UPF network element in a low-load state in the communication network. It can be seen that the present application proposes and implements a solution for dynamically reducing the load of the UPF in real time to balance the load between different UPFs when the UPF is overloaded and working normally, without relying on and waiting for the offline of the online users in the overloaded UPF, and can achieve the reduction of the load of the overloaded UPF without the user's perception by migrating the idle users when the user is not offline, so that the present application quickly solves the overload problem of the UPF, avoids the UPF from being in an overloaded state for a long time, and at the same time, by avoiding the UPF from being in an overloaded state for a long time, the proportion of user session update process failure is reduced as much as possible.

[0072] In an optional embodiment, after migrating each target idle user of the first UPF network element to the corresponding second UPF network element in a low-load state, each target idle user migrated to the second UPF network element can be controlled to be in an idle state, and at the same time, the user information of the target idle user that has completed the migration is deleted from the first recording unit corresponding to the first UPF network element, and written to the second recording unit corresponding to the second UPF network element. For example, the user information of the target idle user that has completed the migration is deleted from the first queue corresponding to the first UPF network element, and written to the second queue corresponding to the second UPF network element.

[0073] Through the above processing, this embodiment can ensure that each recording unit can correctly record the idle user information on the corresponding UPF network element, realize the synchronization of idle user information on each recording unit and its corresponding UPF network element in the user migration scenario, and provide support for the normal operation and maintenance of the subsequent communication network.

[0074] In an optional embodiment, after the user is connected to the UPF network element, if the user does not use the network for a period of time, it will automatically enter the idle state to reduce the waste of air interface resources. At this time, the user device will enter the idle state based on the air interface release (session release) process.

[0075] See also Figure 5 As shown in the air interface release flow chart, the air interface release process may include: 1) The base station or AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) network element initiates an air interface release request for the corresponding user and notifies the SMF.

[0076] 2) The SMF network element notifies the UPF network element to delete the downlink tunnel information saved for the requested user (a user who has not used the network for a period of time), but to retain the N4 port session of this user.

[0077] Here, retaining the N4 port session of this user specifically refers to retaining the SMF's session control management channel for UPF for this user, so that the UPF can perform session control when the user has data communication needs.

[0078] 3) UPF responds to the notification from SMF and responds successfully.

[0079] At this time, the air interface resources of the user indicated by the air interface release are released. If the user uses the network again in the future, the service request process will be initiated again to update the base station downlink tunnel information to the UPF again (this process is the session update process), so that the uplink and downlink tunnels for this user can be reopened, and the session creation process for this user is avoided.

[0080] The overall operation process of the communication network system is to repeat the session creation / update / release process for different users. At the same time, there will always be a part of users in an idle state at each moment, which provides a feasibility basis for the solution of the embodiment of the present application. During the operation of the network system, once the UPF overload is detected, the load of the overloaded UPF can be dynamically adjusted through the idle state user migration based on the method of the embodiment of the present application according to the overload control information reported by the overloaded UPF, so that the overloaded UPF can be restored to normal in a relatively short time, avoiding the UPF from being in an overloaded state for a long time, and at the same time, by avoiding the UPF from being in an overloaded state for a long time, the proportion of user session update process failures is reduced as much as possible.

[0081] Corresponding to the above method, the present application embodiment also provides a UPF overload control processing device, see Figure 6 The schematic diagram of the composition structure of the device comprises: An acquisition module 601 is used to obtain overload control information from a first UPF network element, where the overload control information is at least used to indicate that the first UPF network element is currently in an overload state; A first determining module 602 is used to determine a first number of connected users to be reduced from connected users of the first UPF network element according to the overload control information; A selection module 603 is used to determine idle users in an idle state without using the communication network among the connected users of the first UPF network element, and select a corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number; The second determination module 604 is used to determine at least one second UPF network element that meets the load condition from the communication network; the load condition is used to indicate that the UPF network element is in a low load state; The migration module 605 is used to migrate the corresponding number of target idle users from the first UPF network element to the at least one second UPF network element, and control each target idle user migrated to the corresponding second UPF network element to be in an idle state.

[0082] In an optional implementation manner, the first determining module 602 is specifically configured to: According to the total number of connected users of the first UPF network element and the ratio of the expected load reduction of the first UPF network element contained in the overload control information, the first number of connected users to be reduced from the connected users of the first UPF network element is determined.

[0083] In an optional embodiment, the above device further includes a monitoring and recording module, which is used to: Monitor the usage status of the communication network by the connected users of each UPF network element in the communication network; The user information of idle users among the connected users of each UPF network element is stored in the recording unit created for the UPF network element to which it belongs; wherein, if the corresponding idle user recorded in the recording unit corresponding to the UPF network element enters the activated state, the user information of the user entering the activated state is removed from the corresponding recording unit.

[0084] In an optional implementation manner, the selection module 603, when determining an idle user in an idle state not using the communication network among the connected users of the first UPF network element, is specifically used to: Determine, according to the user information recorded in the first recording unit corresponding to the first UPF network element, an idle user in an idle state among the connected users of the first UPF network element; The selection module 603, when selecting a corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number, is specifically configured to: If the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit is not less than the first number, selecting the first number of idle users from the idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit as the target idle users; If the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit is lower than the first number, all idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit are selected as the target idle users.

[0085] In an optional implementation manner, the selection module 603 is further configured to select a second number of idle users from the idle users who subsequently enter the idle state and are recorded in the first recording unit accordingly, to supplement the target idle users, when the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit is lower than the first number; The second number is the difference between the first number and the number of all idle users represented by the user information currently in the first recording unit.

[0086] In an optional implementation, the migration module 605 is specifically configured to: If the first UPF network element is an anchor UPF, a session deletion request is sent to the first UPF network element to instruct the first UPF network element to delete the session of the target idle user and release the dynamic route of the user address of the target idle user; and a session creation request is sent to the second UPF network element to instruct the second UPF network element to create a session for the target idle user based on the user address carried in the session creation request, and publish a dynamic route for the target idle user; the user address carried in the session creation request is the address most recently allocated to the target idle user by the SMF network element in history; If the first UPF network element is an intermediate point UPF, a session deletion request is sent to the first UPF network element to instruct the first UPF network element to delete the session of the target idle user; and a session creation request is sent to the second UPF network element to instruct the second UPF network element to create a session for the target idle user.

[0087] In an optional implementation, the monitoring and recording module is further used to: The user information of the target idle user who has completed the migration is deleted from the first recording unit corresponding to the first UPF network element, and written into the second recording unit corresponding to the second UPF network element.

[0088] As for the UPF overload control processing device disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, since it corresponds to the UPF overload control processing method disclosed in the above method embodiment, the description is relatively simple. For relevant similarities, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0089] The present application also discloses a network element device, the composition structure of the network element device is as follows: Figure 7 As shown, including at least: The memory 10 is used to store computer programs.

[0090] The processor 20 is used to implement the UPF overload control processing method provided in any of the above method embodiments by calling and executing the computer program in the memory.

[0091] The processor 20 can be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a neural network processor (NPU), a deep learning processor (DPU) or other programmable logic devices, etc.

[0092] In addition, the network element device may also include components such as a communication interface and a communication bus. The memory, processor and communication interface communicate with each other through the communication bus.

[0093] The communication interface is used for communication between network element devices and other devices. The communication bus can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The communication bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc.

[0094] In addition, the present application also provides a computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the computer program includes a program code for executing the method for UPF overload control processing disclosed in any of the above method embodiments.

[0095] In the context of the present application, a computer readable medium (machine readable medium) may be a tangible medium that may contain or store a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, device, or equipment. A machine readable medium may be a machine readable signal medium or a machine readable storage medium. A machine readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A more specific example of a machine readable storage medium may include an electrical connection based on one or more lines, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0096] It should be noted that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referenced to each other.

[0097] For the convenience of description, the above system or device is described by dividing it into various modules or units according to its functions. Of course, when implementing the present application, the functions of each unit can be implemented in the same or multiple software and / or hardware.

[0098] It can be known from the description of the above implementation methods that those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the present application can be implemented by means of software plus a necessary general hardware platform. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present application can be essentially or partly embodied in the form of a software product that contributes to the prior art. The computer software product can be stored in a storage medium such as ROM / RAM, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc., and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application or certain parts of the embodiments.

[0099] Finally, it should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as first, second, third and target are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device 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 device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the statement "comprise a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0100] The above is only a preferred implementation of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for UPF overload control processing, characterized in that: include: Obtaining overload control information from a first UPF network element, where the overload control information is at least used to indicate that the first UPF network element is currently in an overload state; Determining, according to the overload control information, a first number of connected users to be reduced from connected users of the first UPF network element; Determine idle users in an idle state without using the communication network among the connected users of the first UPF network element, and select a corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number; Determine at least one second UPF network element that meets the load condition from the communication network; the load condition is used to indicate that the UPF network element is in a low load state; Migrate the corresponding number of target idle users from the first UPF network element to the at least one second UPF network element.

2. The method for UPF overload control processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The determining, according to the overload control information, a first number of connected users to be reduced from connected users of the first UPF network element comprises: According to the total number of connected users of the first UPF network element and the ratio of the expected load reduction of the first UPF network element contained in the overload control information, the first number of connected users to be reduced from the connected users of the first UPF network element is determined.

3. The method for UPF overload control processing according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: Monitor the usage status of the communication network by the connected users of each UPF network element in the communication network; The user information of idle users among the connected users of each UPF network element is stored in the recording unit created for the UPF network element to which it belongs; wherein, if the corresponding idle user recorded in the recording unit corresponding to the UPF network element enters the activated state, the user information of the user entering the activated state is removed from the corresponding recording unit.

4. The method for UPF overload control processing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The determining of idle users in an idle state not using a communication network among the connected users of the first UPF network element includes: Determine, according to the user information recorded in the first recording unit corresponding to the first UPF network element, an idle user in an idle state among the connected users of the first UPF network element; Selecting a corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number includes: If the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit is not less than the first number, selecting the first number of idle users from the idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit as the target idle users; If the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit is lower than the first number, all idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit are selected as the target idle users.

5. The method for UPF overload control processing according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the number of idle users represented by the user information in the first recording unit is lower than the first number, the method further includes: Selecting a second number of idle users from the idle users who subsequently enter the idle state and are recorded in the first recording unit accordingly, and supplementing the target idle users; The second number is the difference between the first number and the number of all idle users represented by the user information currently in the first recording unit.

6. The method for UPF overload control processing according to claim 3, characterized in that: Migrating the corresponding number of target idle users from the first UPF network element to the at least one second UPF network element, comprising: If the first UPF network element is an anchor UPF, a session deletion request is sent to the first UPF network element to instruct the first UPF network element to delete the session of the target idle user and release the dynamic route of the user address of the target idle user; and a session creation request is sent to the second UPF network element to instruct the second UPF network element to create a session for the target idle user based on the user address carried in the session creation request, and publish a dynamic route for the target idle user; the user address carried in the session creation request is the address most recently allocated to the target idle user by the SMF network element in history; If the first UPF network element is an intermediate point UPF, a session deletion request is sent to the first UPF network element to instruct the first UPF network element to delete the session of the target idle user; and a session creation request is sent to the second UPF network element to instruct the second UPF network element to create a session for the target idle user.

7. The method for UPF overload control processing according to claim 6, characterized in that: Also includes: The user information of the target idle user who has completed the migration is deleted from the first recording unit corresponding to the first UPF network element, and written into the second recording unit corresponding to the second UPF network element.

8. A device for UPF overload control processing, characterized in that: include: An acquisition module, used to obtain overload control information from a first UPF network element, where the overload control information is at least used to indicate that the first UPF network element is currently in an overload state; A first determining module, configured to determine, according to the overload control information, a first number of connected users to be reduced from the connected users of the first UPF network element; A selection module, used to determine idle users in an idle state without using the communication network among the connected users of the first UPF network element, and select a corresponding number of target idle users from the idle users according to the first number; A second determination module is used to determine at least one second UPF network element that meets the load condition from the communication network; the load condition is used to indicate that the UPF network element is in a low load state; A migration module is used to migrate the corresponding number of target idle users from the first UPF network element to the at least one second UPF network element, and control each target idle user migrated to the corresponding second UPF network element to be in an idle state.

9. A network element device, characterized in that: include: Memory, used to store computer programs; A processor, configured to implement the method for UPF overload control processing as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 by calling and executing a computer program in the memory.

10. A computer readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, it can be used to implement the method for UPF overload control processing as described in any one of claims 1-7.

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