Network switching method and device, equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides a network switching method, apparatus and device, and a storage medium, which are applied to an indirect network sharing scene of an H-I-SMF related to a first operator. The method comprises the steps that an indirect network sharing indication is introduced into a UE context maintained by an H-AMF of a first operator, when indirect network sharing switching is executed, a V-RNF of a second operator selects a V-AMF of the second operator according to the indirect network sharing indication and position information, and the V-AMF selects a V-SMF of the second operator according to the indirect network sharing indication; the V-SMF obtains an SM context through the H-I-SMF; carrying out SM context negotiation between the V-SMF and the H-SMF; after the negotiation succeeds, the H-SMF authorizes the V-SMF to perform indirect network sharing; and executing a network switching process. According to the scheme, when the user moves for a long distance, the functional entity supporting indirect network sharing can be quickly selected for network switching, and the continuity of user services is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to communication technology, and in particular to a network switching method, device, equipment and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] The Third Generation Partnership Project of the International Telecommunications Standards Organization has defined new network sharing scenarios and requirements in the Release-19 requirement phase of the core network of the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5th-Generation, 5G for short). When a user's terminal device moves to a place where there is no base station of the original operator but there are base stations of other operators, indirect network sharing technology can be used to access the base stations of other operators to continue to enjoy 5G services. In the 5G communication system, the Session Management Function (SMF) is mainly used to manage the Packet Data Unit (PDU) session of the User Equipment (UE) and to formulate packet detection and forwarding rules for the User Plane Function (UPF).

[0003] At present, when the original SMF cannot provide services during UE mobility, if it is still within the 5G coverage of the local operator, the original operator's intermediate session management function entity (Intermediate Session Management Function, referred to as: I-SMF) needs to be inserted to maintain the continuity of UE services. However, in this scenario, when the UE continues to move to a place without local operator 5G network coverage but with indirect network sharing 5G coverage, the I-SMF needs to be switched to the SMF of the indirect network sharing operator network, thereby continuing to ensure user service continuity.

[0004] However, in the related art, there is no solution that considers replacing the I-SMF with the SMF of other operators' networks in a switching scenario, that is, how to continuously ensure service continuity when the UE moves over long distances. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present application provides a network switching method, apparatus, device and storage medium to achieve long-distance user mobility and maintain business continuity in scenarios where the I-SMF is replaced by the SMF of other operator networks.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a network switching method, which is applied to an access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of a first operator, and the method includes:

[0007] Receiving a handover request message sent by a radio access network entity H-NG-RAN of the first operator, wherein the handover request message includes a user terminal UE identifier, a target network identifier Target ID, a protocol data unit session identifier PDUsession ID, and UE capability information, where the UE capability information is used to indicate the radio access capability of the UE;

[0008] According to the Target ID, obtaining a target public land mobile network VPLMNID for indirect network sharing handover;

[0009] Checking, according to the UE identifier, whether there is an indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information, where the indirect network sharing indication is used to indicate that the UE supports network switching between different operators;

[0010] If the indirect network sharing indication exists in the UE context information, sending the indirect network sharing indication, the location information of the UE and the VPLMN ID to a network storage function entity H-NRF of the first operator;

[0011] Receive the access and mobility management function entity V-AMF address of the second operator returned by the H-NRF;

[0012] The Target ID, the PDU session ID, the session management context identifier SM Context ID and the UE context information are sent to the V-AMF according to the V-AMF address.

[0013] In a second aspect, the present application provides a network switching method, which is applied to a network storage function entity H-NRF of a first operator, and the method includes:

[0014] Receiving the indirect network sharing indication, the location information of the user terminal UE and the identifier VPLMNID of the target public land mobile network for indirect network sharing switching sent by the access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of the first operator;

[0015] Sending the indirect network sharing indication and the location information of the UE to a network storage function entity V-NRF of the second operator according to the VPLMN ID;

[0016] Receive the access and mobility management function entity V-AMF address of the second operator returned by the V-NRF;

[0017] Send the V-AMF address to the H-AMF.

[0018] In a third aspect, the present application provides a network switching method, which is applied to a network storage function entity V-NRF of a second operator, and the method includes:

[0019] Receiving an indirect network sharing indication and location information of a user terminal UE sent by a network storage function entity H-NRF of the first operator;

[0020] Determine, according to the indirect network sharing indication and the location information of the UE, an access and mobility management function entity V-AMF address of the second operator;

[0021] Return the V-AMF address to the H-NRF.

[0022] Optionally, determining the V-AMF address according to the indirect network sharing indication and the location information of the UE includes:

[0023] According to the indirect network sharing indication, select a plurality of optional V-AMFs including the indirect network sharing indication;

[0024] Select the V-AMF closest to the UE from the multiple optional V-AMFs, obtain the address of the V-AMF, and obtain the V-AMF address.

[0025] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0026] Determine whether the V-AMF address is within a preset range of the UE location;

[0027] If the V-AMF address is within a preset range of the UE location, determining that the V-AMF address is an available address;

[0028] If the V-AMF address is not within the preset range of the UE location, a switching failure message is returned to the H-NRF.

[0029] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a network switching method, which is applied to an access and mobility management function entity V-AMF of a second operator, and the method includes:

[0030] Receive the target network identifier TargetID, the protocol data unit session identifier PDU session ID, the session management context identifier SM Context ID and the user terminal UE context information sent by the access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of the first operator;

[0031] Selecting a session management function entity V-SMF of a second operator according to the indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information and the location information of the UE, wherein the indirect network sharing indication is used to indicate that the UE supports network switching between different operators;

[0032] Send the Target ID, the PDU session ID, the SM Context ID and the UE context information to the V-SMF.

[0033] Optionally, the selecting a session management function entity V-SMF of a second operator according to the indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information and the location information of the UE includes:

[0034] Selecting, according to the indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information, a plurality of optional V-SMFs including the indirect network sharing indication;

[0035] Select a V-SMF that is closest to the UE from the multiple optional V-SMFs.

[0036] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a network switching method, which is applied to a session management function entity V-SMF of a second operator, and the method includes:

[0037] Receive the target network identifier TargetID, the protocol data unit session identifier PDU session ID, the session management context identifier SM Context ID and the user terminal UE context information sent by the access and mobility management function entity V-AMF of the second operator;

[0038] According to the SM Context ID, obtain the SM context through the intermediate session management function entity HI-SMF of the first operator, where the SM context includes the address of the session management function entity H-SMF of the first operator;

[0039] Performing SM context information negotiation with the H-SMF corresponding to the H-SMF address according to the H-SMF address to obtain a negotiation result, wherein the negotiation result is used to indicate whether the V-AMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context;

[0040] If the negotiation result indicates that the V-AMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context, an indirect network sharing authorization request is sent to the H-SMF, where the indirect network sharing authorization request is used to determine whether indirect network sharing can be performed;

[0041] Receive an authorization indication returned by the H-SMF, where the authorization indication is used to indicate that the V-SMF can perform indirect network sharing;

[0042] Selecting a user plane entity V-UPF of a second operator according to the SM context and the indirect network sharing indication;

[0043] Sending an N4 session establishment request to the V-UPF, where the N4 session establishment request includes tunnel information of an N9 interface of a user plane entity H-PSA of the first operator;

[0044] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0045] Sending an N4 session modification request to the V-UPF, where the N4 session modification request includes N3 interface address information of the second operator's radio access network entity V-NG-RAN and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation, where the indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation is used to indicate the establishment of an indirect forwarding tunnel;

[0046] receiving a modification response returned by the V-UPF, wherein the modification response includes N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF;

[0047] The N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF and the instruction to establish an indirect forwarding tunnel are sent to the HI-SMF.

[0048] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a network switching method, applied to a user plane entity V-UPF of a second operator, the method comprising:

[0049] Receive the N4 session establishment request sent by the session management function entity V-SMF of the second operator and the tunnel information of the N9 interface of the user plane entity H-PSA of the first operator, and establish an N4 session connection;

[0050] Receiving an N4 session modification request sent by the V-SMF, where the N4 session modification request includes N3 interface address information of the second operator's radio access network entity V-NG-RAN and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation;

[0051] Performing N4 session modification according to the N4 session modification request;

[0052] A modification response is returned to the V-SMF, where the modification response includes the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF.

[0053] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a network switching method, which is applied to a session management function entity H-SMF of a first operator, and the method includes:

[0054] Perform SM context information negotiation with the session management function entity V-SMF of the second operator to obtain a negotiation result, where the negotiation result is used to indicate whether the V-SMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context;

[0055] If the negotiation result indicates that the V-SMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context, receiving the indirect network sharing authorization request sent by the V-SMF;

[0056] Sending a search request to a unified data management function entity UDM of the first operator, wherein the search request includes an identifier of a target public land mobile network VPLMN ID and an identifier of a user terminal UE, and the search request is used to determine whether the subscription information of the UE includes an indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID;

[0057] receiving a search result returned by the UDM, where the search result is used to indicate whether the subscription information of the UE includes an indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID;

[0058] If the search result indicates that the subscription information of the UE includes an indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID, an authorization indication is returned to the V-SMF, where the authorization indication is used to authorize the V-SMF to perform indirect network sharing;

[0059] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a network switching method, which is applied to an intermediate session management function entity HI-SMF of a first operator, and the method includes:

[0060] Receiving N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information and an indirect forwarding tunnel establishment indication of the user plane entity V-UPF of the second operator sent by the session management function entity V-SMF of the second operator, where the indirect forwarding tunnel establishment indication is used to indicate the establishment of the indirect forwarding tunnel;

[0061] Sending an N4 session modification request to an intermediate user plane entity HI-UPF of the first operator, wherein the N4 session modification request includes the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation;

[0062] receiving an N4 session modification response returned by the HI-UPF, where the N4 session modification response includes N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the HI-UPF;

[0063] Send the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the HI-UPF to the V-SMF;

[0064] Optionally, the method comprises:

[0065] receiving a release message sent by an access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of the first operator, where the release message is used to release a session management context SM context of a protocol data unit session PDU session;

[0066] Sending an N4 session release request to the HI-UPF, where the release request is used to release PDU session resources and N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information;

[0067] Receive the response returned by the HI-UPF and release the SM context.

[0068] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a network switching method, applied to an intermediate user plane entity HI-UPF of a second operator, the method comprising:

[0069] Receiving an N4 session modification request sent by an intermediate session management function entity HI-SMF of the first operator, wherein the N4 session modification request includes the indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation;

[0070] Modify the N4 session according to the N4 session modification request;

[0071] An N4 session modification response is returned to the HI-SMF, wherein the N4 session modification response includes the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the HI-UPF.

[0072] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0073] receiving an N4 session release request sent by the HI-UPF;

[0074] Release the protocol data unit PDU session resources and N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information.

[0075] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a network switching device, comprising: a module of the method described in any one of the first to ninth aspects.

[0076] In the eleventh aspect, the present application provides an electronic device, comprising: a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store computer execution instructions, the processor being used to call and run the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to execute the method described in any one of the first to ninth aspects.

[0077] In a twelfth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions enable a computer to execute the method as described in any one of the first to ninth aspects.

[0078] The network switching method, device, equipment and storage medium provided by the present application introduce an indirect network sharing indication into the UE context maintained by the H-AMF. When performing the indirect network sharing switching, the V-RNF selects the V-AMF according to the indirect network sharing indication and location information, and the V-AMF selects the V-SMF according to the indirect network sharing indication; the V-SMF obtains the SMcontext through the HI-SMF; the V-SMF negotiates the SM context with the H-SMF; after the negotiation is successful, the H-SMF authorizes the V-SMF to perform indirect network sharing. This solution can quickly select the functional entity that supports indirect network sharing for network switching when moving over long distances. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0080] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an indirect network sharing scenario provided for this application;

[0081] Figure 2 A possible indirect network sharing network architecture diagram provided for this application;

[0082] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a scenario in which a user continuously moves over a long distance provided by this application;

[0083] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the network architecture before the network switching provided by this application;

[0084] Figure 5 A flowchart of a first embodiment of a network switching method provided by the present application;

[0085] Figure 6 A flowchart of a second embodiment of the network switching method provided by the present application;

[0086] Figure 7 A flowchart of a third embodiment of the network switching method provided by the present application;

[0087] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of a first embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application;

[0088] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application;

[0089] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of a third embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application;

[0090] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the structure of a fourth embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application;

[0091] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a fifth embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application;

[0092] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of a sixth embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application;

[0093] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a seventh embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application;

[0094] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of the structure of an eighth embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application;

[0095] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of the structure of a ninth embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application;

[0096] Fig.17 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in this application.

[0097] The above drawings have shown clear embodiments of the present application, which will be described in more detail later. These drawings and text descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way, but to illustrate the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0098] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present application. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0099] First, the terms involved in this application are explained:

[0100] Access Management Function (AMF): refers to the functional entity responsible for handling access authentication, authorization and security policies in the 5G network. It authenticates and authorizes mobile devices and users, and manages their access rights and security to the network.

[0101] Session Management Function (SMF): refers to the functional entity responsible for managing mobile user sessions and connections in the 5G network. It handles session establishment, termination, state management, and ensures the quality of service in the session.

[0102] Intermediate Session Management Function (I-SMF): refers to a session management function entity in the 5G network, responsible for managing the sessions of the intermediate connection. It is usually used to provide session management functions across multiple SMFs.

[0103] User Plane Function (UPF): refers to the functional entity responsible for handling user data transmission in the 5G network. It is responsible for data forwarding, routing and processing, and executes policies and functions related to user data.

[0104] Intermediate User Plane Function (I-UPF): refers to a user plane entity in the 5G network that manages user plane data transmission of intermediate connections. It is usually used to provide user plane data management functions across multiple UPFs.

[0105] Unified Data Management (UDM): refers to the functional entity responsible for managing user data and authentication information in the 5G network. It stores and maintains user configuration data, policy information, and authentication data, and provides required user data to other network functional entities.

[0106] NF Repository Function (NRF): refers to the functional entity responsible for managing the registration and discovery information of network functional entities in the 5G network. It stores and maintains the location and capability information of network functional entities and provides query and discovery services for other functional entities.

[0107] Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) refers to the wireless base stations and related equipment that provide wireless access services for 5G networks.

[0108] Data Network (DN): refers to the communication network used to transmit and exchange data. In the 5G network, DN refers to the data transmission network in the 5G core network.

[0109] Protocol Data Unit Session (PDU Session): refers to the logical connection established between the user equipment (UE) and the 5G core network for transmitting user data and control information. It is responsible for carrying specific user data flows and services.

[0110] PDU Session Anchor (PSA): refers to the functional entity that manages and controls the establishment, maintenance and release of PDU sessions. PSA is responsible for controlling the data transmission path in the PDU session. SMF can select UPF as the PSA to establish the PDU session.

[0111] The networks involved in the scenario of this application can be divided into visited networks and home networks. The home network (HomeNetwork) refers to the original network where the mobile user registers and subscribes to mobile communication services, that is, the network of the local operator to which the mobile user belongs, and is also referred to as the network of the first operator in this application. The visited network (Visited Network) refers to the external network accessed and used by the user when leaving the area of ​​the home network or roaming, and is also referred to as the network of the second operator in this application, and also refers to the shared network. The H prefix represents the home network, and the V prefix represents the visited network. Therefore, H-AMF (HomeAMF) represents the access and mobility management functional entity of the home network, and also represents the access and mobility management functional entity of the first operator; V-AMF represents the access and mobility management functional entity of the visited network, and also represents the access and mobility management functional entity of the second operator. Similarly, the meanings of functional entities such as H-SMF, V-SMF, HI-SMF, HI-UPF, H-NG-RAN, V-NG-RAN, etc. are not repeated here.

[0112] The Third Generation Partnership Project of the International Telecommunications Standards Organization has defined new indirect network sharing scenarios and requirements in the Release-19 requirement phase of the core network of the fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5th-Generation, abbreviated as: 5G). In this indirect network sharing scenario, unlike the existing multiple core networks sharing the same wireless node, there is no direct connection between the core network of the home network and the wireless access node of the shared network. Instead, they are connected through the core network of the shared network. The indirect network sharing technology that connects wireless nodes through the core network of the shared network can avoid the challenges of network maintenance caused by multiple core networks connecting to one wireless node at the same time. Its shared network application scenarios include Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1A schematic diagram of an indirect network sharing scenario provided for this application, user UE1 is a user of operator OP1, operator OP1 is the home operator, and operator OP2 is the operator providing indirect network sharing. When UE1 moves to a shared area where there is no OP1 5G base station but there is an OP2 5G base station, indirect network sharing technology can be used to access OP2's 5G base station. UE1 can continue to enjoy 5G services. At this time, OP1 controls UE1 through OP2's core network and OP2's shared NG-RAN and provides services.

[0113] In the above indirect network sharing scenario, Figure 2 A possible indirect network sharing network architecture diagram provided for this application is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, the H-PSA of the OP1 operator is connected to the V-UPF of the OP2 operator, the H-SMF of the OP1 operator is connected to the V-SMF of the OP2 operator, the H-AMF of the OP1 operator is connected to the V-AMF of the OP2 operator, and the UE interacts with the home operator OP1 through the NG-RAN of OP2 and the core network of OP2.

[0114] However, in many actual scenarios, when it is necessary to switch to an indirect network sharing network architecture, the problem of business continuity is faced. Figure 3 The following is a schematic diagram of a scenario in which a user moves continuously over a long distance, as provided in this application. Figure 3 As shown, when the user's terminal equipment UE moves long distances from area 1 to area 2 while performing services, when the original SMF of the first operator (OP1) cannot provide services, in order to ensure service continuity, it is necessary to insert the I-SMF of OP1 to maintain the continuity of UE services. However, when the UE continues to move while performing services and moves to area 3 where there is no OP1 operator network, it is necessary to switch the I-SMF of OP1 to the SMF of the second operator (OP2) network to continue to ensure the continuity of user services.

[0115] However, in the related art, there is no solution for maintaining user service continuity when the HI-UPF managed by the HI-SMF changes in the scenario where the HI-SMF of OP1 switches to the V-SMF of the OP2 operator network.

[0116] Figure 4 The network architecture diagram before the network switching provided by this application is as follows: Figure 4As shown, at this time, the functional entities of the core network all belong to the functional entities of OP1, and the user plane data transmission of the intermediate connection is managed by HI-UPF managed by HI-SMF. The connection of the user plane is UE to H-NG-RAN to HI-UPF to H-PSA, and the connection of the control plane is UE to H-NG-RAN to H-AMF to HI-SMF to H-SMF. Under this network architecture, if you continue to move to the core network area without the OP1 operator, you need to switch to the core network of OP2.

[0117] In view of the above problems, the inventor discovered during the research in this field that by introducing identification information into the functional entity supporting indirect network sharing, it indicates that the functional entity supports indirect network sharing. When there is no first operator network and it is necessary to switch to the second operator network, the functional entity of the second operator core network that can be used is found according to the identification information. When the functional entity of the second operator core network can meet the session requirements after switching, the HI-SMF is switched to the V-SMF. Based on this, the present application proposes a network switching method, apparatus, device and storage medium.

[0118] It should be noted that, in this application, the first operator refers to the operator of the home network, and the second operator refers to the operator of the visited network.

[0119] It should be noted that the long-distance movement in this application does not limit the moving distance. Here it means that during the UE movement process, it first switches to the network architecture of the intermediate session management function HI-SMF, and then moves to an area where there is no first operator network or an area where the first operator network fails.

[0120] UE is a device that accesses the network side through a wireless access network device, such as a handheld terminal device, a laptop, a user unit, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modem, a handheld device or a wireless local loop station, a machine type communication terminal or other device that can access the network. The UE and the wireless access network device communicate with each other using a certain air interface technology.

[0121] The technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0122] Method Example 1

[0123] Method embodiment 1 is an embodiment of selecting a functional entity during a network switching process.

[0124] Figure 5 A flowchart of a first embodiment of a network switching method provided by the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the method comprises the following steps:

[0125] S101. H-NG-RAN sends a handover request message to H-AMF.

[0126] Correspondingly, H-AMF receives the handover request message sent by H-NG-RAN.

[0127] In this step, after establishing user plane data transmission from UE to H-NG-RAN to HI-UPF to H-PSA, when the user continues to move to a network area without the first operator, a network handover is triggered, and a handover request message is sent to the H-AMF, wherein the handover request message includes a user terminal UE identifier, a target network identifier (Target ID), a protocol data unit session identifier (PDU session ID), and UE capability information. The Target ID is determined by the H-NG-RAN based on the network sharing agreement between the first operator's Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) and the second operator's Visited Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN) and the UE location, and is used for subsequent V-AMF to determine the V-NG-RAN. The UE capability information is used to indicate the UE's wireless access capability.

[0128] There are multiple implementation methods for triggering the sending of the switching request message.

[0129] In a specific implementation, the UE usually measures and reports parameters related to the signal strength and quality of surrounding base stations, such as received signal strength indicator, received signal quality indicator, and signal to interference and noise ratio. The UE sends the measurement report to the RAN through a radio resource control (RRC) message. When the RAN receives the measurement report from the UE, it decides whether to trigger the sending of a handover request message based on predefined handover rules and policies, such as signal strength and other quality indicators.

[0130] In another implementation, the H-NG-RAN measures the signal strength of the UE, and sends a handover request message when the signal strength is less than a predefined value.

[0131] Optionally, the triggering message for sending the handover request may also include additional information such as network load, capacity management, and service priority.

[0132] Among them, the network sharing agreement between the HPLMN and the VPLMN stipulates the cooperation relationship and sharing rules between the two parties. According to the provisions of the agreement, H-NG-RAN can obtain information about the VPLMN. H-NG-RAN can obtain the location information of the UE, such as longitude and latitude coordinates or cell identification, through positioning technology (such as GPS, base station signal measurement, etc.), or receive location information reported by the UE. H-NG-RAN uses a specific algorithm to generate a Target ID based on the above protocol and UE location information. Therefore, the VPLMN identity and the V-NG-RAN to be switched can be determined based on the Target ID.

[0133] S102: Acquire a VPLMN ID for indirect network sharing switching according to the Target ID.

[0134] In this step, the Target ID includes the identifier of the VPLMN, so the H-AMF can parse the target VPLMN ID to be switched according to the Target ID.

[0135] S103. Check, according to the UE identifier, whether there is an indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information, where the indirect network sharing indication is used to indicate that the UE supports network switching between different operators.

[0136] In this step, before the user terminal device uses indirect network sharing across operators, it is necessary to sign up for the indirect network sharing capability in advance. After signing up, when the UE first accesses the 5G network, the H-AMF creates a UE context information for the UE, which contains an indirect network sharing indication and a UE identifier. The context information of the UE terminal can be determined based on the UE identifier, and it is checked whether there is an indirect network sharing indication in the UE context.

[0137] If there is no indirect network sharing indication, it means that the UE does not support network switching between different operators, and a switching failure message is returned to the H-NG-RAN.

[0138] If there is an indirect network sharing indication, step S104 is executed.

[0139] Optionally, the indirect network sharing indication may specifically indicate the operator that supports the switching. When the switched VPLMN does not belong to the operator, indirect network sharing cannot be performed. Exemplarily, the indirect network sharing indication specifically indicates that the UE supports indirect network switching of China Unicom and China Mobile. When there is only a telecommunications network, indirect network sharing cannot be performed.

[0140] S104. H-AMF sends the indirect network sharing indication, UE location information and VPLMN ID to H-NRF.

[0141] Correspondingly, the H-NRF receives the indirect network sharing indication sent by the H-AMF, the location information of the user terminal UE and the VPLMN ID for indirect network sharing switching.

[0142] It should be noted that H-AMF is responsible for managing and tracking the mobility of UE, including allocating and managing the tracking area (TA) and processing the location update of UE. Therefore, H-AMF can obtain the location information of UE, where the location information of UE includes TA and location.

[0143] S105. Send a V-SMF address acquisition request to the V-NRF according to the VPLMN ID, wherein the V-SMF address acquisition request includes an indirect network sharing indication and UE location information.

[0144] In this step, the H-NRF converts the VPLMN ID to the corresponding V-NRF address using an internal naming and addressing mechanism, such as a Domain Name System (DNS) or a similar mechanism, based on the target VPLMN ID. The H-NRF sends a request to obtain the V-SMF address to the V-NRF address.

[0145] Correspondingly, V-NRF receives the request for obtaining the V-SMF address sent by H-NRF.

[0146] S106. Determine the V-AMF address based on the indirect network sharing indication and the UE location information.

[0147] In one implementation, a V-AMF including the indirect network sharing indication is selected according to the indirect network sharing indication, and an address of the V-AMF is obtained.

[0148] In another implementation, multiple optional V-AMFs including the indirect network sharing indication are selected according to the indirect network sharing indication, a V-AMF closest to the UE position is selected from the multiple optional V-AMFs, and the address of the V-AMF is obtained.

[0149] Optionally, after selecting the address of the V-AMF, it is determined whether the V-AMF address is within a preset range of the UE location based on the UE location information.

[0150] Specifically, because different V-AMFs manage different areas, after selecting the address of the V-AMF, obtain the preset range managed by the V-AMF, and determine whether the UE location falls within the preset range managed by the V-AMF.

[0151] If the V-AMF address is within the preset range of the UE location, the V-AMF address is determined to be an available address.

[0152] If the V-AMF address is not within the preset range of the UE location, a handover failure message is returned to the H-NRF. Accordingly, the H-NRF returns a handover failure message to the H-AMF, and the H-AMF returns a handover failure message to the H-NG-RAN.

[0153] Optionally, the request to obtain the V-SMF address also includes a VPLMN ID, and the V-NRF can determine the available VPLMN range through the identifier to narrow the range of V-AMF selection.

[0154] It should be noted that only limited V-AMF supports indirect network sharing capabilities, and an indirect network sharing support indication will be carried during V-AMF registration.

[0155] S107. V-NRF returns the V-AMF address to H-NRF.

[0156] Accordingly, the H-NRF receives the V-AMF address.

[0157] S108. H-NRF sends the V-AMF address to H-AMF.

[0158] Correspondingly, H-AMF receives the V-AMF address.

[0159] S109. H-AMF sends the Target ID, PDU session ID, SM Context ID and UE context information to V-AMF according to the V-AMF address.

[0160] In this step, H-AMF sends the Target ID, PDU session ID and UE context information (such as SUPI, H-SMF information corresponding to PDU session ID, HPLMN network slice identifier S-NSSAI, indirect network sharing indication, etc.) to V-AMF through the direct connection interface (N14 interface).

[0161] S110. V-AMF selects V-SMF according to the indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information and the UE location information.

[0162] In this step, V-AMF receives the Target ID, PDU session ID, SM Context ID and UE context information sent by H-AMF, selects multiple optional V-SMFs containing indirect network sharing indications according to the indirect network identifier in the UE context information, and selects the V-SMF closest to the UE from the multiple optional V-SMFs.

[0163] Optionally, it is determined whether the location information of the UE is within a preset range of the V-SMF, and if so, the V-SMF is an available V-SMF. If not, the handover fails.

[0164] It should be noted that all functional entities supporting indirect network sharing need to sign up and register in advance, and report their supported capabilities when connecting to the network. The supported capability information includes an indirect network sharing indication, which indicates whether the functional entity supports network switching between operators.

[0165] V-AMF also selects the network slice based on the HPLMN S-NSSAI in the UE context information.

[0166] In one implementation, V-AMF needs to determine the allowedNSSAI based on the received HPLMN S-NSSAIs. V-AMF can statically determine the allowed NSSAI through the network sharing protocol between HPLMN and VPLMN. During the network deployment and configuration phase, the operator can pre-define and configure the available NSSAI list in the protocol. When V-AMF receives the HPLMN S-NSSAIs, it compares these S-NSSAIs with the predefined list to determine which NSSAIs are allowed. In this way, V-AMF can provide users with appropriate network slice selection based on the statically configured information.

[0167] In another implementation, V-AMF dynamically determines the allowed NSSAI by requesting V-NSSF, which is the network slice selection functional entity of the second operator. V-AMF can send a request to V-NSSF, providing UE context information and requirements. V-NSSF calculates and returns the allowed NSSAI list to V-AMF based on this information (e.g., user requirements, network conditions, indirect network sharing indication).

[0168] Share the resources of a specific slice between different operators to provide customized services across operators.

[0169] The V-AMF determines the V-NG-RAN based on the Target ID. Specifically, the Target ID is mapped to the target V-NG-RAN identifier according to a predefined algorithm or mapping table.

[0170] S111. V-AMF sends the Target ID, PDU session ID, session management context identifier SM Context ID and UE context information to V-SMF.

[0171] S112. V-SMF sends an SM context acquisition request to HI-SMF, where the SM context acquisition request includes an SM Context ID.

[0172] In this step, V-SMF receives Target ID, PDU session ID, SM Context ID and UE context information, and needs to obtain the H-SMF address to obtain the session management context and establish a connection with the H-SMF.

[0173] In one implementation, the HI-SMF address can be determined through the SM Context ID. After receiving the SMContext ID, the V-SMF sends a query request to the V-NRF, requesting relevant information associated with the SM Context ID, including the address of the HI-SMF.

[0174] S113. HI-SMF obtains SM context and sends it to V-SMF.

[0175] In this step, HI-SMF obtains SM context from H-SMF, where SM Context includes session identifier, QoS parameters, H-SMF address, H-UPF address, etc. After I-SMF obtains SM Context, it forwards it to V-SMF to ensure that the continuity of the session can be maintained during the switching process.

[0176] Correspondingly, V-SMF receives the SM context.

[0177] S114. V-SMF negotiates SM context information with H-SMF to obtain a negotiation result, which is used to indicate whether V-AMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context.

[0178] In this step, V-SMF negotiates SMcontext information with the corresponding H-SMF according to the H-SMF address in the SM context to negotiate whether the parameters indicated in the SM context are supported. The negotiation is used to ensure the continuity of the service before and after the switching, and there will be no situation where some functional parameters are not supported.

[0179] In one implementation, it is negotiated whether the V-SMF receives QoS parameter information. If the V-SMF can support the QoS parameter information, the negotiation result is a successful negotiation, indicating that the V-AMF accepts the QoS parameters indicated in the SM context, and step S115 is executed.

[0180] If the negotiation result is negotiation failure, it means that V-AMF does not support the QoS parameters indicated in the SM context, and the switching fails.

[0181] S115. V-SMF sends an indirect network sharing authorization request to H-SMF.

[0182] In one case, the UE has only subscribed to the PLMN in some areas, and the V-SMF is confirmed based on the indirect network sharing indication and the UE location information. It is possible that the V-SMF does not belong to the VPLMN, so authorization confirmation is required. An indirect network sharing authorization request is sent to the H-SMF, which is used to determine whether the UE can perform indirect network sharing.

[0183] Correspondingly, H-SMF receives the indirect network sharing authorization request sent by V-SMF.

[0184] S116. The H-SMF sends a search request to the H-UDM, where the search request includes the VPLMN ID and the UE identifier.

[0185] A search request is sent to the H-UDM, where the search request is used to determine whether the subscription information of the UE includes an indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID.

[0186] Correspondingly, H-UDM receives the retrieval request sent by H-SMF.

[0187] S117: Perform search according to the search request and generate search results.

[0188] S118. Send the search results to H-SMF.

[0189] Correspondingly, the H-SMF receives the search result returned by the H-UDM, where the search result is used to indicate whether the subscription information of the UE includes an indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID.

[0190] If the search result indicates that the subscription information of the UE includes an indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID, S119 is executed.

[0191] S119. H-SMF returns an authorization indication to V-SMF, where the authorization indication is used to authorize V-SMF to perform indirect network sharing.

[0192] S120. V-SMF selects V-UPF according to the SM context and the indirect network sharing indication.

[0193] The V-SMF selects a V-UPF that supports indirect network sharing indication based on the capability information supported by the V-UPF. If multiple V-UPFs are selected, the target V-UPF is determined using the user session related information contained in the SM Context.

[0194] Optionally, step S121 is performed after the UPF is selected.

[0195] S121. V-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request to V-UPF, where the N4 session establishment request includes the uplink CN tunnel information of the N9 interface of the H-PSA.

[0196] After selecting V-UPF, it is necessary to establish a user plane transmission path from V-NG-RAN to V-UPF to H-PSA. SMF sends an N4 session establishment request, including the uplink CN tunnel information of the N9 interface of H-PSA. V-UPF can then establish an uplink transmission channel based on the uplink CN tunnel information of the N9 interface of H-PSA.

[0197] Optionally, step S122 is performed after HI-SMF releases the SM context. The solution of HI-SMF releasing the SM context is detailed in subsequent embodiments.

[0198] S122. V-SMF sends the tunnel information of the N9 interface of V-UPF to H-SMF.

[0199] In this step, after HI-SMF releases the SM context, the CN tunnel information of the N9 interface of V-UPF is sent to H-SMF to establish a user plane downlink transmission path from H-PSA to V-UPF to V-NG-RAN.

[0200] This embodiment provides a method for network switching, which introduces an indirect network sharing indication in the UE context maintained by the AMF. When performing indirect network sharing switching, the V-RNF selects the V-AMF according to the indirect network sharing indication and location information, and the V-AMF selects the V-SMF according to the indirect network sharing indication; the selected V-SMF negotiates the SM context with the H-SMF; the H-SMF authorizes the V-SMF to perform indirect network sharing. This solution can quickly select a functional entity that supports indirect network sharing when moving over long distances.

[0201] Method Example 2

[0202] Based on the first embodiment of the above method, V-AMF, V-SMF, V-UPF, and V-NG-RAN functional entities are selected, and network switching is also required while ensuring service continuity, such as Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6This is a flow chart of a second embodiment of a method for network switching provided by the present application, the method comprising the following steps:

[0203] S201. V-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request to V-UPF.

[0204] This step is the same as step S121, wherein the session establishment request also includes packet detection, execution, and reporting rules.

[0205] S202. The V-UPF returns an N4 session establishment response, which includes the N3 and N9 interface tunnel information of the V-UPF.

[0206] S203. V-SMF sends the PDU session ID, N3 interface tunnel information of V-UPF, and QoS parameters to V-AMF.

[0207] S204. V-AMF sends the PDU session ID, N3 interface tunnel information of V-UPF, QoS parameters and UE capabilities to V-NG-RAN.

[0208] S205. V-NG-RAN obtains the N3 interface address information according to the PDU session ID and sends it to V-AMF.

[0209] In this step, V-NG-RAN searches for the N3 interface address information related to the session based on the PDU Session ID. The N3 interface is the user plane interface between V-NG-RAN and V-AMF, used to transmit data. V-NG-RAN encapsulates the N3 interface address information in the corresponding message and sends it to V-AMF.

[0210] S206. V-AMF sends the PDU session ID and N3 interface address information of V-NG-RAN to V-SMF.

[0211] S207. V-SMF sends an N4 session modification request to V-UPF. The N4 session modification request includes the N3 interface address information of V-NG-RAN and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation.

[0212] In this step, V-SMF sends the N3 interface address information of V-NG-RAN to V-UPF to modify the N4 session to establish an uplink channel, and sends an indication to establish a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation to establish a downlink data indirect forwarding path in UPF.

[0213] S208. The V-UPF returns an N4 session modification response, where the N4 session modification response includes the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF.

[0214] In this step, the V-UPF establishes N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information according to the downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation indication, and returns the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information to the V-SMF, wherein the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information includes the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information address.

[0215] S209. V-SMF sends the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of V-UPF and the instruction to establish the indirect forwarding tunnel to HI-SMF.

[0216] S210. The HI-SMF sends an N4 session modification request to the HI-UPF. The N4 session modification request includes the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation.

[0217] S211. The HI-UPF returns an N4 session modification response to the HI-SMF. The N4 session modification response includes the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the HI-UPF.

[0218] In this step, the HI-UPF modifies the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information according to the downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation indication, wherein the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information includes the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel address. The HI-UPF receives the data transmitted by the H-NG-RAN through the modified N3 indirect forwarding tunnel and forwards it through the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information.

[0219] S212. HI-SMF sends the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of HI-UPF to V-SMF.

[0220] S213. V-SMF sends the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of HI-UPF to V-AMF.

[0221] S214. V-AMF sends the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of HI-UPF to H-NG-RAN through H-AMF.

[0222] S215. H-NG-RAN sends a handover indication to the UE.

[0223] The handover indication includes a target V-NG-RAN identifier and a handover success identifier. The target V-NG-RAN identifier is used to inform the UE which V-NG-RAN to handover to. The handover success identifier is used to indicate whether the handover is successful.

[0224] Optionally, the H-NG-RAN sends its own status information to the V-NG-RAN.

[0225] The status information includes information about the UE identity, the UE connection status, the service quality requirements, etc., to help the target V-NG-RAN prepare to receive the UE's handover.

[0226] S216. After executing the network switching, the UE sends a switching confirmation message to the V-NG-RAN.

[0227] S217. V-NG-RAN sends a switching confirmation message to V-AMF.

[0228] This embodiment provides a network switching method, through which an uplink user plane transmission path V-NG-RAN to V-UPF to H-PSA is established, and the downlink user plane transmission is realized through the indirect forwarding tunnel of HI-UPF, and the transmission path is H-PSA to HI-UPF to H-NG-RAN to HI-UPF to V-UPF to V-NG-RAN. Through this downlink transmission path, it can be avoided that the target V-NG-RAN is not fully ready to receive data, resulting in the inability to correctly transmit data to the target V-NG-RAN, causing data loss or transmission errors. And if the downlink data cannot be correctly transmitted to the target V-NG-RAN and V-UPF during the switching process, it may cause service interruption. Therefore, this will cause the user to be unable to receive the required data during the switching process. Through this method, it can be ensured that the user continues to receive downlink data during switching.

[0229] Method Example 3

[0230] Based on the second embodiment of the method, the downlink user plane transmission path is switched. The switching process is as follows: Figure 7 shown. Figure 7 This is a flow chart of a third embodiment of a network switching method provided by the present application, the method comprising the following steps:

[0231] S301. V-AMF sends a switching confirmation message and an insertion success indication to H-AMF.

[0232] The insertion success indication is used to indicate that the V-SMF insertion is successful.

[0233] S302: H-AMF returns a response message and starts a timer.

[0234] After step S302 is completed, step S303 is continued to be executed, and after the timer ends, steps S312-S313 are executed.

[0235] S303. V-AMF sends a switching completion indication to V-SMF.

[0236] After receiving the response message returned by H-AMF, V-AMF sends a switching completion indication to V-SMF to indicate that the N2 interface switching is successful. After V-SMF receives the switching completion indication, it executes step S306.

[0237] S304. H-AMF sends a release notification to HI-SMF, where the release notification is used to notify HI-SMF to release the SM context of the PDUsession.

[0238] S305. HI-SMF returns a response and enables a timer.

[0239] After step S305 is completed, step S306 is continued to be executed, and after the timer ends, steps S314-S315 are executed.

[0240] S306. V-SMF sends the PDU session ID and CN tunnel information of the N9 interface of V-UPF to H-SMF.

[0241] S307. H-SMF sends the CN tunnel information of the N9 interface of V-UPF to H-PSA.

[0242] S308. H-PSA returns a response to H-SMF.

[0243] S309, H-SMF returns a response to V-SMF

[0244] S310. V-SMF returns a response to V-AMF and enables the timer.

[0245] After step S310 is completed, step S311 is continued to be executed, and after the timer ends, steps S316-S318 are executed.

[0246] S311. UE initializes the mobility registration update process.

[0247] In this step, the UE obtains the VPLMN information and retrieves the V-AMF address. The UE sends a mobility registration request to the V-AMF, which includes the UE's identity information, location information, and required quality of service requirements. The V-AMF sends a mobility registration response to the UE, which includes registration and configuration information related to the UE, such as the address of the V-SMF, S-NSSAI, etc. After receiving the mobility registration response, the UE updates its local context and configuration according to the information in the response.

[0248] S312. H-AMF sends a UE context release request to H-NG-RAN.

[0249] S313. H-NG-RAN sends a UE context release complete message to H-AMF.

[0250] S314. V-SMF sends an N4 session modification request to V-UPF to release indirect forwarding tunnel resources.

[0251] S315. V-UPF returns a message indicating that the indirect forwarding tunnel resource release is complete.

[0252] S316. HI-SMF sends an N4 session release request to HI-UPF to release PDU session resources and indirect forwarding tunnel resources.

[0253] S317: HI-UPF returns a release completion response.

[0254] S318. HI-SMF releases the SM context.

[0255] This embodiment provides a network switching method. After the V-SMF is successfully inserted, the indirect forwarding tunnel resources of the functional entity are released after a preset time; H-PSA establishes a downlink transmission path through the CN tunnel information of the N9 interface of the V-UPF to complete the network switching. By releasing resources through the indirect forwarding tunnel, the timing and method of release can be flexibly selected, as well as whether data needs to be continued to be transmitted through other paths. This flexibility can be adjusted according to actual needs to balance network resources and business needs.

[0256] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the network switching device provided by the present application, such as Figure 8 As shown, the device 800 includes:

[0257] The receiving module 801 is configured to receive a handover request message sent by a radio access network entity H-NG-RAN of a first operator, where the handover request message includes a user terminal UE identifier, a target network identifier Target ID, a protocol data unit session identifier PDU session ID, and UE capability information, where the UE capability information is used to indicate the radio access capability of the UE;

[0258] An acquisition module 802 is used to acquire a target public land mobile network VPLMN ID for indirect network sharing handover according to the Target ID;

[0259] A checking module 803 is used to check whether there is an indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information according to the UE identifier, where the indirect network sharing indication is used to indicate that the UE supports network switching between different operators;

[0260] The sending module 804 is configured to send the indirect network sharing indication, the location information of the UE and the VPLMN ID to the network storage function entity H-NRF of the first operator if the indirect network sharing indication exists in the UE context information;

[0261] The receiving module 801 is further used to receive the access and mobility management function entity V-AMF address of the second operator returned by the H-NRF;

[0262] The sending module 804 is also used to send the Target ID, the PDU session ID, the session management context identifier SM Context ID and the UE context information to the V-AMF according to the V-AMF address.

[0263] The network switching device provided in this embodiment is used to execute the technical solution on the H-AMF side of any of the above-mentioned method embodiments. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0264] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the network switching device provided by the present application, such as Fig. 9 As shown, the device 900 includes:

[0265] The receiving module 901 is used to receive the indirect network sharing indication sent by the access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of the first operator, the location information of the user terminal UE and the identifier VPLMN ID of the target public land mobile network for indirect network sharing switching;

[0266] A sending module 902 is used to send the indirect network sharing indication and the location information of the UE to a network storage function entity V-NRF of the second operator according to the VPLMN ID;

[0267] The receiving module 901 is also used to receive the access and mobility management function entity V-AMF address of the second operator returned by the V-NRF;

[0268] The sending module 902 is also used to send the V-AMF address to the H-AMF.

[0269] The network switching device provided in this embodiment is used to execute the technical solution on the H-NRF side of any of the above method embodiments. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0270] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third embodiment of the network switching device provided by the present application, such as Fig.10 As shown, the device 100 includes:

[0271] The receiving module 1001 is used to receive the indirect network sharing indication and the location information of the user terminal UE sent by the network storage function entity H-NRF of the first operator;

[0272] A determination module 1002 is configured to determine an access and mobility management function entity V-AMF address of a second operator according to the indirect network sharing indication and the location information of the UE;

[0273] The sending module 1003 is used to return the V-AMF address to the H-NRF.

[0274] Optionally, the determining module 1002 is specifically configured to:

[0275] According to the indirect network sharing indication, select a plurality of optional V-AMFs including the indirect network sharing indication;

[0276] Select the V-AMF closest to the UE from the multiple optional V-AMFs, obtain the address of the V-AMF, and obtain the V-AMF address.

[0277] Optionally, the determining module 1002 is further configured to:

[0278] Determine whether the V-AMF address is within a preset range of the UE location;

[0279] If the V-AMF address is within a preset range of the UE location, determining that the V-AMF address is an available address;

[0280] If the V-AMF address is not within the preset range of the UE location, a switching failure message is returned to the H-NRF.

[0281] The network switching device provided in this embodiment is used to execute the technical solution on the V-NRF side of any of the above-mentioned method embodiments. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0282] Fig.11 This is a structural diagram of a fourth embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application, such as Fig.11 As shown, the device 1100 includes:

[0283] The receiving module 1101 is used to receive the target network identifier Target ID, the protocol data unit session identifier PDU session ID, the session management context identifier SMContext ID and the user terminal UE context information sent by the access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of the first operator;

[0284] A selection module 1102 is configured to select a session management function entity V-SMF of a second operator according to an indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information and the location information of the UE, wherein the indirect network sharing indication is used to indicate that the UE supports network switching between different operators;

[0285] The sending module 1103 is used to send the Target ID, the PDU session ID, the SM Context ID and the UE context information to the V-SMF.

[0286] Optionally, the selection module 1102 is specifically used for:

[0287] Selecting, according to the indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information, a plurality of optional V-SMFs including the indirect network sharing indication;

[0288] Select a V-SMF that is closest to the UE from the multiple optional V-SMFs.

[0289] The network switching device provided in this embodiment is used to execute the technical solution on the V-AMF side of any of the above-mentioned method embodiments. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0290] Fig.12 This is a structural diagram of a fifth embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application, such as Fig.12 As shown, the device 1200 includes:

[0291] The receiving module 1201 is used to receive the target network identifier Target ID, the protocol data unit session identifier PDU session ID, the session management context identifier SMContext ID and the user terminal UE context information sent by the access and mobility management function entity V-AMF of the second operator;

[0292] The acquisition module 1202 is configured to acquire an SM context through an intermediate session management function entity HI-SMF of the first operator according to the SM Context ID, where the SM context includes an address of a session management function entity H-SMF of the first operator;

[0293] The negotiation module 1203 is used to negotiate SMcontext information with the H-SMF corresponding to the H-SMF address according to the H-SMF address, and obtain a negotiation result, wherein the negotiation result is used to indicate whether the V-AMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context;

[0294] The authorization module 1204 is configured to send an indirect network sharing authorization request to the H-SMF if the negotiation result indicates that the V-AMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context, wherein the indirect network sharing authorization request is used to determine whether indirect network sharing can be performed;

[0295] The receiving module 1201 is also used to receive an authorization indication returned by the H-SMF, where the authorization indication is used to indicate that the V-SMF can perform indirect network sharing;

[0296] A selection module 1025, configured to select a user plane entity V-UPF of a second operator according to the SM context and the indirect network sharing indication;

[0297] The session module 1206 is configured to send an N4 session establishment request to the V-UPF, where the N4 session establishment request includes tunnel information of an N9 interface of a user plane entity H-PSA of the first operator;

[0298] Optionally, the session module 1206 is further used to send an N4 session modification request to the V-UPF, where the N4 session modification request includes the N3 interface address information of the second operator's radio access network entity V-NG-RAN and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation, where the indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation is used to indicate the establishment of an indirect forwarding tunnel;

[0299] Optionally, the receiving module 1201 is further used to receive a modification response returned by the V-UPF, where the modification response includes N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF;

[0300] Optionally, the device further includes a sending module 1207, and the sending module 1207 is used to send the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF and the indirect forwarding tunnel establishment indication to the HI-SMF.

[0301] The network switching device provided in this embodiment is used to execute the technical solution on the V-SMF side of any of the above-mentioned method embodiments. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0302] Fig.13 This is a structural diagram of a sixth embodiment of a network switching device provided by the present application, such as Fig.13 As shown, the device 1300 includes:

[0303] The receiving module 1301 is configured to receive an N4 session establishment request sent by a session management function entity V-SMF of the second operator and tunnel information of an N9 interface of a user plane entity H-PSA of the first operator, and establish an N4 session connection;

[0304] The receiving module 1301 is further used to receive an N4 session modification request sent by the V-SMF, where the N4 session modification request includes the N3 interface address information of the second operator's radio access network entity V-NG-RAN and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation;

[0305] A modification module 1302, configured to modify the N4 session according to the N4 session modification request;

[0306] The sending module 1303 is used to return a modification response to the V-SMF, where the modification response includes the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF.

[0307] The network switching device provided in this embodiment is used to execute the technical solution on the V-UPF side of any of the above-mentioned method embodiments. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0308] Fig.14 This is a structural diagram of Embodiment 7 of the network switching device provided by the present application, such as Fig.14 As shown, the device 1400 includes:

[0309] The negotiation module 1401 is used to negotiate SM context information with the session management function entity V-SMF of the second operator to obtain a negotiation result, where the negotiation result is used to indicate whether the V-SMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context;

[0310] The receiving module 1402 is configured to receive an indirect network sharing authorization request sent by the V-SMF if the negotiation result indicates that the V-SMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context;

[0311] The sending module 1403 is configured to send a search request to a unified data management function entity UDM of the first operator, wherein the search request includes an identifier VPLMN ID of a target public land mobile network and an identifier of a user terminal UE, and the search request is used to determine whether the subscription information of the UE includes an indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID;

[0312] The receiving module 1402 is further configured to receive a search result returned by the UDM, where the search result is used to indicate whether the subscription information of the UE includes an indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID;

[0313] The authorization module 1404 is configured to return an authorization indication to the V-SMF if the search result indicates that the subscription information of the UE includes the indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID, wherein the authorization indication is used to authorize the V-SMF to perform indirect network sharing.

[0314] The network switching device provided in this embodiment is used to execute the technical solution on the H-SMF side of any of the above method embodiments. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0315] Fig.15 This is a structural diagram of Embodiment 8 of the network switching device provided by the present application, such as Fig.15 As shown, the device 1500 includes:

[0316] A receiving module 1501 is configured to receive N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information and an indirect forwarding tunnel establishment indication of a user plane entity V-UPF of a second operator sent by a session management function entity V-SMF of a second operator, where the indirect forwarding tunnel establishment indication is used to indicate the establishment of an indirect forwarding tunnel;

[0317] The sending module 1502 is configured to send an N4 session modification request to the intermediate user plane entity HI-UPF of the first operator, where the N4 session modification request includes the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation;

[0318] The receiving module 1501 is further configured to receive an N4 session modification response returned by the HI-UPF, where the N4 session modification response includes the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the HI-UPF;

[0319] The sending module 1502 is further configured to send the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the HI-UPF to the V-SMF.

[0320] Optional,

[0321] The receiving module 1501 is further used to receive a release message sent by an access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of the first operator, where the release message is used to release a session management context SMcontext of a protocol data unit session PDU session;

[0322] The sending module 1502 is further used to send an N4 session release request to the HI-UPF, where the release request is used to release PDU session resources and N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information;

[0323] The receiving module 1501 is further used to receive a response returned by the HI-UPF and release the SM context.

[0324] The network switching device provided in this embodiment is used to execute the technical solution of the HI-SMF side of any of the above method embodiments. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0325] Fig.16 This is a structural diagram of Embodiment 9 of the network switching device provided by the present application, such as Fig.16 As shown, the device 1600 includes:

[0326] The receiving module 1601 is configured to receive an N4 session modification request sent by an intermediate session management function entity HI-SMF of the first operator, where the N4 session modification request includes the indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation;

[0327] A modification module 1602, configured to modify the N4 session according to the N4 session modification request;

[0328] The sending module 1603 is configured to return an N4 session modification response to the HI-SMF, where the N4 session modification response includes the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the HI-UPF.

[0329] Optionally, the device further includes a releasing module 1604:

[0330] The receiving module 1601 is further used to receive an N4 session release request sent by the HI-UPF;

[0331] The release module 1604 is used to release the protocol data unit PDU session resources and N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information.

[0332] The network switching device provided in this embodiment is used to execute the technical solution on the HI-UPF side of any of the above method embodiments. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0333] Fig.17 A schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in this application, such as Fig.17 As shown, the electronic device 1700 includes:

[0334] A processor 1701, a memory 1702 in communication with the processor, and a communication interface 1703 for interacting with other devices;

[0335] The memory 1702 stores computer-executable instructions;

[0336] The processor 1701 executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to implement the network switching method described in any of the above method embodiments.

[0337] Optionally, the above-mentioned components of the electronic device 1700 can be connected via a system bus.

[0338] The memory 1702 may be a separate storage unit or a storage unit integrated in the processor 1701. The number of the processor 1701 is one or more.

[0339] It should be understood that the processor 1701 can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in the present application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0340] The system bus may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The system bus may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line is used in the figure, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The memory may include random access memory (RAM) and may also include non-volatile memory (NVM), such as at least one disk storage.

[0341] All or part of the steps of the above-mentioned method embodiments can be completed by hardware related to program instructions. The above-mentioned program can be stored in a readable memory. When the program is executed, the steps of the above-mentioned method embodiments are executed; and the above-mentioned memory (storage medium) includes: read-only memory (ROM), RAM, flash memory, hard disk, solid state drive, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disc and any combination thereof.

[0342] The electronic device provided in the embodiment of the present application is used to implement the network switching method described in any of the aforementioned method embodiments, and its implementation principle and technical effect are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0343] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-executable instructions are stored. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, they are used to implement the network switching method as described in any one of the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0344] It can be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchronous link DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the above references to memory are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0345] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present application after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The present application is intended to cover any modification, use or adaptation of the present application, which follows the general principles of the present application and includes common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present application. The specification and examples are intended to be exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present application are indicated by the following claims.

[0346] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the precise structures that have been described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A network switching method, characterized in that: Applied to an access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of a first operator, the method comprising: Receiving a handover request message sent by a radio access network entity H-NG-RAN of the first operator, wherein the handover request message includes a user terminal UE identifier, a target network identifier Target ID, a protocol data unit session identifier PDU sessionID, and UE capability information, where the UE capability information is used to indicate the radio access capability of the UE; According to the Target ID, obtaining a target public land mobile network VPLMN ID for indirect network sharing handover; Checking, according to the UE identifier, whether there is an indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information, where the indirect network sharing indication is used to indicate that the UE supports network switching between different operators; If the indirect network sharing indication exists in the UE context information, sending the indirect network sharing indication, the location information of the UE and the VPLMN ID to a network storage function entity H-NRF of the first operator; Receive the access and mobility management function entity V-AMF address of the second operator returned by the H-NRF; The TargetID, the PDU sessionID, the session management context identifier SM Context ID and the UE context information are sent to the V-AMF according to the V-AMF address.

2. A network switching method, characterized in that: Applied to a network storage function entity H-NRF of a first operator, the method comprises: Receiving an indirect network sharing indication, location information of a user terminal UE, and an identifier VPLMN ID of a target public land mobile network for indirect network sharing switching sent by an access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of the first operator; Sending the indirect network sharing indication and the location information of the UE to a network storage function entity V-NRF of the second operator according to the VPLMN ID; Receive the access and mobility management function entity V-AMF address of the second operator returned by the V-NRF; Send the V-AMF address to the H-AMF.

3. A network switching method, characterized in that: Applied to a network storage function entity V-NRF of a second operator, the method comprises: Receiving an indirect network sharing indication and location information of a user terminal UE sent by a network storage function entity H-NRF of the first operator; Determine, according to the indirect network sharing indication and the location information of the UE, an access and mobility management function entity V-AMF address of the second operator; Return the V-AMF address to the H-NRF.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The determining the V-AMF address according to the indirect network sharing indication and the location information of the UE includes: According to the indirect network sharing indication, select a plurality of optional V-AMFs including the indirect network sharing indication; Select the V-AMF closest to the UE from the multiple optional V-AMFs, obtain the address of the V-AMF, and obtain the V-AMF address.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine whether the V-AMF address is within a preset range of the UE location; If the V-AMF address is within a preset range of the UE location, determining that the V-AMF address is an available address; If the V-AMF address is not within the preset range of the UE location, a switching failure message is returned to the H-NRF.

6. A network switching method, characterized in that: Applied to an access and mobility management function entity V-AMF of a second operator, the method comprising: Receive the target network identifier Target ID, the protocol data unit session identifier PDU session ID, the session management context identifier SM Context ID and the user terminal UE context information sent by the access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of the first operator; Selecting a session management function entity V-SMF of a second operator according to the indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information and the location information of the UE, wherein the indirect network sharing indication is used to indicate that the UE supports network switching between different operators; Send the Target ID, the PDU session ID, the SM Context ID and the UE context information to the V-SMF.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The selecting the session management function entity V-SMF of the second operator according to the indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information and the location information of the UE includes: Selecting, according to the indirect network sharing indication in the UE context information, a plurality of optional V-SMFs including the indirect network sharing indication; Select a V-SMF that is closest to the UE from the multiple optional V-SMFs.

8. A network switching method, characterized in that: The method applied to a session management function entity V-SMF of a second operator includes: Receive the target network identifier Target ID, the protocol data unit session identifier PDU session ID, the session management context identifier SM Context ID and the user terminal UE context information sent by the access and mobility management function entity V-AMF of the second operator; According to the SM ContextID, obtain SMcontext through the intermediate session management function entity HI-SMF of the first operator, where the SM context includes the address of the session management function entity H-SMF of the first operator; Performing SM context information negotiation with the H-SMF corresponding to the H-SMF address according to the H-SMF address to obtain a negotiation result, wherein the negotiation result is used to indicate whether the V-AMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context; If the negotiation result indicates that the V-AMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context, an indirect network sharing authorization request is sent to the H-SMF, where the indirect network sharing authorization request is used to determine whether indirect network sharing can be performed; Receive an authorization indication returned by the H-SMF, where the authorization indication is used to indicate that the V-SMF can perform indirect network sharing; Selecting a user plane entity V-UPF of a second operator according to the SM context and the indirect network sharing indication; An N4 session establishment request is sent to the V-UPF, where the N4 session establishment request includes tunnel information of the N9 interface of the user plane entity H-PSA of the first operator.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending an N4 session modification request to the V-UPF, where the N4 session modification request includes N3 interface address information of the second operator's radio access network entity V-NG-RAN and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation, where the indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation is used to indicate the establishment of an indirect forwarding tunnel; receiving a modification response returned by the V-UPF, wherein the modification response includes N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF; The N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF and the instruction to establish an indirect forwarding tunnel are sent to the HI-SMF.

10. A network switching method, characterized in that: Applied to a user plane entity V-UPF of a second operator, the method comprising: Receive the N4 session establishment request sent by the session management function entity V-SMF of the second operator and the tunnel information of the N9 interface of the user plane entity H-PSA of the first operator, and establish an N4 session connection; Receiving an N4 session modification request sent by the V-SMF, where the N4 session modification request includes N3 interface address information of the second operator's radio access network entity V-NG-RAN and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation; Performing N4 session modification according to the N4 session modification request; A modification response is returned to the V-SMF, where the modification response includes the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF.

11. A network switching method, characterized in that: The method is applied to a session management function entity H-SMF of a first operator, and comprises: Perform SM context information negotiation with the session management function entity V-SMF of the second operator to obtain a negotiation result, where the negotiation result is used to indicate whether the V-SMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context; If the negotiation result indicates that the V-SMF accepts the parameters indicated in the SM context, receiving the indirect network sharing authorization request sent by the V-SMF; Sending a search request to a unified data management function entity UDM of the first operator, wherein the search request includes an identifier of a target public land mobile network VPLMN ID and an identifier of a user terminal UE, and the search request is used to determine whether the subscription information of the UE includes an indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID; receiving a search result returned by the UDM, where the search result is used to indicate whether the subscription information of the UE includes an indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID; If the search result indicates that the subscription information of the UE includes the indirect network sharing indication corresponding to the VPLMN ID, an authorization indication is returned to the V-SMF, where the authorization indication is used to authorize the V-SMF to perform indirect network sharing.

12. A network switching method, characterized in that: Applied to an intermediate session management function entity HI-SMF of a first operator, the method comprises: Receiving N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information and an indirect forwarding tunnel establishment indication of the user plane entity V-UPF of the second operator sent by the session management function entity V-SMF of the second operator, where the indirect forwarding tunnel establishment indication is used to indicate the establishment of the indirect forwarding tunnel; Sending an N4 session modification request to an intermediate user plane entity HI-UPF of the first operator, wherein the N4 session modification request includes the N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the V-UPF and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation; receiving an N4 session modification response returned by the HI-UPF, where the N4 session modification response includes N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the HI-UPF; The N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the HI-UPF is sent to the V-SMF.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method comprises: receiving a release message sent by an access and mobility management function entity H-AMF of the first operator, where the release message is used to release a session management context SM context of a protocol data unit session PDU session; Sending an N4 session release request to the HI-UPF, where the release request is used to release PDU session resources and N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information; Receive the response returned by the HI-UPF and release the SM context.

14. A network switching method, characterized in that: Applied to an intermediate user plane entity HI-UPF of a second operator, the method comprising: Receiving an N4 session modification request sent by an intermediate session management function entity HI-SMF of the first operator, wherein the N4 session modification request includes indirect forwarding tunnel information of a user plane entity V-UPF of the second operator and an indication for establishing a downlink indirect forwarding tunnel allocation; Modify the N4 session according to the N4 session modification request; An N4 session modification response is returned to the HI-SMF, wherein the N4 session modification response includes the N3 indirect forwarding tunnel information of the HI-UPF.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving an N4 session release request sent by the HI-UPF; Release the protocol data unit PDU session resources and N9 indirect forwarding tunnel information.

16. A network switching device, characterized in that: include: A module for the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: A processor and a memory, the memory being used to store computer-executable instructions, and the processor being used to call and run the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: Used to store computer-executable instructions, wherein the computer-executable instructions enable a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

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