Slice switching method, network function, storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

The invention provides a slice switching method, a network function, a storage medium and a computer program product. The slice switching method comprises the steps that a first network function receives first information sent by a second network function; the first information indicates a slice switching request, and the first information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information. The session continuity in the slice switching process can be ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of core networks, and in particular to a slice switching method and network functions, a storage medium, and a computer program product. Background Art

[0002] Currently, when the Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI) becomes unavailable or congested, the S-NSSAI is temporarily replaced by the alternative S-NSSAI, or when the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) notifies that a certain Network Slice Instance (NSI) is unavailable, the NSI is switched. This requires a new or rebuilt session, which may cause users to face service interruptions or be unable to seamlessly switch to the required slice service when switching slices. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application provides a slice switching method and a network function, a storage medium, and a computer program product, which can ensure session continuity during slice switching.

[0004] The technical solution of this application is implemented as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application proposes a slice switching method, characterized in that it is applied to a first network function, and the method includes:

[0006] Receive first information sent by a second network function; the first information indicates a slice switching request, and the first information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information.

[0007] In a second aspect, the present application proposes a slice switching method, which is applied to a second network function, and the method includes:

[0008] Receiving third information sent by a third network function; the third information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information;

[0009] Sending first information to a first network function; the first information carries the service continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

[0010] In a third aspect, the present application proposes a slice switching method, which is applied to a third network function, and the method includes:

[0011] receiving fourth information sent by a fifth network function; the fourth information indicating a slice switching request, the fourth information carrying service continuity request information, and / or first slice information;

[0012] Sending third information to the second network function; the third information carries the service continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

[0013] In a fourth aspect, the present application proposes a first network function, wherein the first network function includes:

[0014] A first receiving unit is used to receive first information sent by a second network function; the first information indicates a slice switching request, and the first information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information.

[0015] In a fifth aspect, the present application proposes a second network function, where the second network function includes:

[0016] A second receiving unit, configured to receive third information sent by a third network function; the third information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information;

[0017] A first sending unit is used to send first information to a first network function; the first information carries the service continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

[0018] In a sixth aspect, the present application proposes a third network function, the third network function comprising:

[0019] A third receiving unit, configured to receive fourth information sent by a fifth network function; the fourth information indicates a slice switching request, and the fourth information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information;

[0020] The second sending unit is used to send third information to the second network function; the third information carries the service continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

[0021] In the seventh aspect, the present application proposes a first network function, which includes: a first processor, a first memory and a first communication bus; the first communication bus is used to realize the connection and communication between the first processor and the first memory; when the first processor executes the running program stored in the first memory, the slice switching method applied to the first network function is implemented.

[0022] In an eighth aspect, the present application proposes a second network function, which includes: a second processor, a second memory and a second communication bus; the second communication bus is used to realize the connection and communication between the second processor and the second memory; when the second processor executes the running program stored in the second memory, the slice switching method applied to the second network function is implemented.

[0023] In the ninth aspect, the present application proposes a third network function, which includes: a third processor, a third memory and a third communication bus; the third communication bus is used to realize the connection and communication between the third processor and the third memory; when the third processor executes the running program stored in the third memory, the slice switching method applied to the third network function is implemented.

[0024] In the tenth aspect, the present application proposes a storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a first processor, implements the above-mentioned slice switching method applied to the first network function, or, when executed by a second processor, implements the above-mentioned slice switching method applied to the second network function, or, when executed by a third processor, implements the above-mentioned slice switching method applied to the third network function.

[0025] In the eleventh aspect, the present application proposes a computer program product, including a computer program, which implements the above-mentioned slice switching method applied to the first network function when executed by a first processor, or, when the computer program is executed by a second processor, implements the above-mentioned slice switching method applied to the second network function, or, when the computer program is executed by a third processor, implements the above-mentioned slice switching method applied to the third network function.

[0026] The present application provides a slice switching method and a network function, a storage medium, and a computer program product. The method includes: a first network function receives a first message sent by a second network function; the first message indicates a slice switching request, and the first message carries service continuity request information, and / or first slice information. Using the above implementation scheme, the first network function receives the first message indicating a slice switching request, and the service continuity request information in the first message can indicate the service continuity that needs to be maintained during the slice switching process. The first slice information in the first message is used as a set of slice information to be switched, and is used to select target slice information that can maintain service continuity, thereby ensuring that the continuity of user sessions is maintained during the slice switching process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 A process of a slice switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 2A process of a slice switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0029] Figure 3 A process of a slice switching method provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0030] Figure 4 A flowchart of an exemplary slice switching solution that can ensure user session continuity provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 5 A flowchart of an exemplary solution for opening up a slice switching capability to the outside world that supports business continuity provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a first network function provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a first network function provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0034] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a second network function provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0035] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a second network function provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0036] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a third network function provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0037] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of a third network function provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In order to enable a more detailed understanding of the features and technical contents of the embodiments of the present application, the implementation of the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The attached drawings are for reference only and are not used to limit the embodiments of the present application.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0040] In the following description, reference is made to "some embodiments", which describe a subset of all possible embodiments, but it is understood that "some embodiments" may be the same subset or different subsets of all possible embodiments, and may be combined with each other without conflict. It should also be noted that the terms "first\second\third" involved in the embodiments of the present application are only used to distinguish similar objects and do not represent a specific ordering of the objects. It is understandable that "first\second\third" may be interchanged in a specific order or sequence where permitted, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than that illustrated or described herein.

[0041] The present application embodiment provides a slice switching method, such as Figure 1 As shown, applied to the first network function, the method may include:

[0042] S101. Receive first information sent by a second network function; the first information indicates a slice switching request, and the first information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information.

[0043] A slice switching method proposed in an embodiment of the present application is used to ensure user session continuity. The slice switching method in an embodiment of the present application can be applied to the scenario where the vertical industry switches the application from Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) slices to Ultra-reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) slices in order to obtain more reliable services. The above is only an optional slice switching application scenario proposed in this application.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network function is a session management function (Session Management Function, SMF), and the second network function is an access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF).

[0045] In an embodiment of the present application, AMF sends a first message to SMF, indicating that a slice switch is required to protect the user's Internet Protocol (IP) address unchanged, and the first message carries information about the first slice to be switched.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present application, the first information carries service continuity request information, wherein the service continuity request information may be a terminal IP address preservation indicator (UE IP address preservation indicator) or other request information for requesting service continuity.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present application, the first information also includes at least one of the following: current slice information, application information, data network name (DNN) information. The first network function also determines the target slice information from the first slice information based on the first information; and sends the target slice information to the second network function.

[0048] It should be noted that the SMF compares the first user plane function (UPF) of the first slice information with the second UPF of the current slice information to determine whether the first UPF is consistent with the second UPF. If they are consistent, a success indication is returned to the AMF, which carries the first slice information. If the first UPF is inconsistent with the second UPF, but the first information carries at least one first slice information, the SMF determines whether there is a slice information that can realize the slice switching without changing the protocol data unit (PDU) session anchor (PSA) UPF. If the second slice information is found from the first slice information, the slice switching without changing the PSA UPF can be realized, and a success indication is returned to the AMF, which carries the second slice information.

[0049] It should be noted that this application supports slice switching without changing PSA UPF, which can reduce network resource consumption and user service interruption.

[0050] It should be noted that if the slice information that meets the requirements cannot guarantee business continuity, the slice switching request fails.

[0051] In one embodiment, for a scenario where the first UPF is consistent with the second UPF, if the first UPF of the first slice information is consistent with the second UPF of the current slice information, the first slice information is determined as the target slice information.

[0052] It should be noted that the number of the first slice information is at least one, and if the UPF of one slice information in the first slice information is consistent with the second UPF of the current slice information, the one slice information is determined as the target slice information; if the UPF of multiple slice information in the first slice information is consistent with the second UPF of the current slice information, one slice information is selected from the multiple slice information to be determined as the target slice information. The above is only an optional embodiment proposed in the present application, and the specific one can be selected according to the actual situation, and the present application is not limited to the above embodiment.

[0053] In another embodiment, the number of first slice information is at least one; for the scenario where the first UPF is inconsistent with the second UPF, if the first UPF of the first slice information and the second UPF of the current slice information are inconsistent, and there is second slice information in the first slice information that satisfies the first condition, the second slice information is determined as the target slice information; the first condition is to keep the PSA UPF unchanged.

[0054] It should be noted that the target slice information is the slice information to be switched.

[0055] In an embodiment of the present application, AMF triggers the subsequent PDU session modification process based on the success indication returned by SMF.

[0056] In an embodiment of the present application, a first network function receives second information sent by a second network function; the second information indicates switching from current slice information to target slice information; a user plane function corresponding to the current slice information is replaced; the first network function executes a PDU session change process, and then, if the first network function determines that an uplink classifier (ULCL) UPF needs to be replaced based on the received second information indication, the first network function updates the configuration in the PSAUPF and the configuration in the second UPF.

[0057] In the embodiment of the present application, the second information is PDU session update signaling (PDU session update).

[0058] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network function updates the configuration in the PSAUPF and the configuration in the second UPF through N4 signaling.

[0059] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network function sends the slice switching result to the application function (AF) through the policy control function (PCF) / network exposure function (NEF).

[0060] It can be understood that the first network function receives the first information indicating a slice switching request, and the service continuity request information in the first information can indicate the service continuity that needs to be maintained during the slice switching process. The first slice information in the first information is used as a set of slice information to be switched, and is used to select target slice information that can maintain service continuity, thereby ensuring the continuity of user sessions during the slice switching process.

[0061] Based on the above embodiments, the present application embodiment proposes a slice switching method, such as Figure 2 As shown, applied to the second network function, the method includes:

[0062] S201. Receive third information sent by a third network function; the third information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information.

[0063] S202. Send a first message to a first network function; the first message carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information.

[0064] In an embodiment of the present application, the first network function is SMF, the second network function is AMF, the third network function is NEF and / or PCF, the fourth network function is NSSF and / or unified data management function (The Unified Data Management, UDM), and the fifth network function is AF.

[0065] In the embodiment of the present application, the first slice information is sent by the fifth network function to the third network function, or is screened / determined by the third network function according to the contract information and / or the slice requirement sent by the fifth network function. The specific source of the first slice information can be selected according to the actual situation, and the embodiment of the present application does not make a specific limitation.

[0066] It should be noted that if the fifth network function sends the first slice information to the third network function, the third network function will carry the first slice information in the third information and send it to the second network function; if the fifth network function does not send the first slice information to the third network function, the third network function will screen / determine the optional first slice information according to the UDM contract information and / or the slice requirement sent by the fifth network function, and carry it in the third information and send it to the second network function.

[0067] It should be noted that the fifth network function can determine the first slice information based on the NSI information and send it to the third network function, or the fifth network function can obtain the first slice information offline and send it to the third network function. The specific selection can be made according to the actual situation, and the embodiment of the present application is not specifically limited.

[0068] It should be noted that, through the collaborative work of AF / Application Server (AS) and NEF / PCF, target slice information is intelligently selected according to business requirements and policy information to ensure business continuity.

[0069] It should be noted that the fifth network function can determine the first slice information based on the network slice instance NSI information as follows: the user requests NSCE (network slice enabling AF) to perform slice switching, carrying business continuity request information, wherein NSCE is authorized to obtain the NSI information of the slice through operation and maintenance management (OAM); thereafter, NSCE determines which slice meets the business continuity requirements by querying the NSI information of the slice, and does not change the PSA UPF, and sends the selected first slice information to the fifth generation mobile communication network (5th Generation Cellular Network, 5GC) through AF guidance on user route selection policy (UE Route Selection Policy, URSP), and the network function in 5GC executes the slice switching solution for maintaining the user address proposed in this application. Among them, the network functions in 5GC include the first network function, the second network function, the third network function, and the fourth network function proposed in this application.

[0070] In an embodiment of the present application, the third information may carry at least one of the following information: AF identification information, first slice information, target slice information, terminal identification information, etc. The specific one may be selected according to actual conditions, and the embodiment of the present application does not make any specific limitation.

[0071] In one embodiment, the second network function receives target slice information returned by the first network function; the target slice information is determined by the first network function from the first slice information based on the first information.

[0072] It should be noted that when the second network function has slice information and the full information of the corresponding UPF and SMF, the first network function determines the target slice information from the first slice information based on the service continuity request information.

[0073] It should be noted that the process of the first network function determining the target slice information from the first slice information based on the first information is described in S101 and will not be repeated here.

[0074] In another embodiment, the first information also includes: current slice information; the second network function also requests the third slice information corresponding to the first slice information from the fourth network function, and receives the third slice information sent by the fourth network function; the third slice information indicates the first UPF corresponding to the first slice information and / or the second UPF corresponding to the current slice information; and the target slice information is determined based on the third slice information.

[0075] It should be noted that when the second network function does not have the slice information and the full information of the corresponding UPF and SMF, the second network function interacts with the fourth network function to find the corresponding NRF, and then requests the SMF, UPF and other information of the slice information from the NRF (that is, the third slice information of the first UPF corresponding to the first slice information and / or the second UPF corresponding to the current slice information). Afterwards, the second network function determines which slice information in the first slice information can achieve slice switching without changing the PSAUPF based on the third slice information, that is, determines the target slice information.

[0076] It should be noted that the process in which the second network function determines which slice information in the first slice information can realize slice switching without changing PSAUPF based on the third slice information may include: comparing the first UPF of the first slice information with the second UPF of the current slice information, and determining whether the first UPF is consistent with the second UPF, and if they are consistent, determining the first slice information as the target slice information. If the first UPF is inconsistent with the second UPF, determining whether there is a slice information that can realize slice switching without changing PSAUPF, and if the second slice information is found from the first slice information to realize slice switching without changing PSAUPF, determining the second slice information as the target slice information.

[0077] It should be noted that the second network function sends the target slice information to the terminal, instructing the terminal to perform slice switching.

[0078] It should be noted that the second network function sends the target slice information to the terminal through the user configuration update (User Configuration Update) signaling.

[0079] It should be noted that if the slice switching process causes the switching of the second network function, the second network function relocation process is triggered; and the session context is sent to the relocated second network function.

[0080] It should be noted that if the AMF relocation process is triggered, the old AMF will send the session context to the new AMF to ensure that the session is anchored on one SMF, thereby ensuring that the session is continuous.

[0081] Based on the above embodiments, the present application embodiment provides a slice switching method, which is applied to a third network function, such as Figure 3 As shown, the method may include:

[0082] S301. Receive fourth information sent by the fifth network function; the fourth information indicates a slice switching request, and the fourth information carries service continuity request information, and / or first slice information.

[0083] S302. Send third information to the second network function; the third information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information.

[0084] In an embodiment of the present application, the second network function is AMF, the third network function is NEF and / or PCF, and the fifth network function is AF.

[0085] In an embodiment of the present application, the fourth information sent by AF / AS carries AF identification information, terminal identification information, slice requirement information, service continuity request information, etc. The specific ones can be selected according to actual conditions, and the embodiment of the present application does not make specific limitations.

[0086] In one embodiment, when the first slice information is carried in the fourth information, at this time, the third network function carries the service continuity request information and the first slice information in the third information and sends it to the second network function.

[0087] In another embodiment, the fourth information also includes: slice requirement information. When the first slice information is not carried in the fourth information, the third network function also generates the first slice information based on the contract information and / or the slice requirement information; then, the first slice information is carried in the third information and sent to the second network function.

[0088] It should be noted that the contract information is UDM contract information.

[0089] Based on the above embodiments, the present application embodiment proposes a slice switching solution that ensures the continuity of user sessions, such as Figure 4 As shown, the program includes:

[0090] 1. Slice selection / relocation / replacement request (IP address reservation indicator).

[0091] It should be noted that the AF sends a slice selection / relocation / replacement request (IP address reservation indicator) to the NEF / PCE, which carries the fourth information, the fourth information carries the service continuity request information, and optionally may also carry the first slice information.

[0092] 2. Slice selection / relocation / replacement request.

[0093] It should be noted that NEF / PCF sends a slice selection / relocation / replacement request to AMF. If the first slice information is not carried in the fourth information, NEF / PCF screens / determines the first slice information according to the contract information and slice requirements, and carries the first slice information in the third information; if the first slice information is carried in the fourth information, NEF / PCF directly carries the first slice information in the third information; and then sends the third information to AMF through the slice selection / relocation / replacement request.

[0094] 3. Save the slice by IP address.

[0095] It should be noted that the IP address is saved in the slice. AMF sends the first information to SMF, indicating that a slice switch is required to ensure that the user's IP address remains unchanged, carrying the current slice information and the first slice information to be switched. SMF selects the target slice information from the first slice information. If the slice that meets the requirements cannot guarantee business continuity, the request will fail.

[0096] 4. Save the slice by IP address.

[0097] It should be noted that the IP address is saved in the slice. Optionally, AMF may also interact with NSSF to find the corresponding NRF. Through the specific SMF, UPF and other information of the slice requested by NRF, it is determined which slice can achieve slice switching without changing PSAUPF. If the slice that meets the requirements cannot guarantee business continuity, the request will fail.

[0098] 5. Terminal configuration update request and response (list of slices with priority).

[0099] It should be noted that, optionally, if the selected target slice information will cause the AMF to switch, the AMF relocation process is triggered. The old AMF needs to send the session context to the new AMF to ensure that the session is anchored on an SMF, so that the session can be guaranteed to be continuous.

[0100] 6. PDU session update.

[0101] It should be noted that AMF sends the selected target slice information that does not require switching PSA UPF to SMF, triggering the subsequent PDU session modification process.

[0102] 7. PDU session modification.

[0103] It should be noted that the SMF performs the PDU session modification process. Optionally, if the slice switching request received by the SMF requires the replacement of the ULCL UPF, the SMF updates the configuration of the PSA UPF and the original UPF through N4 signaling.

[0104] 8. Slice selection / relocation / replacement_response.

[0105] It should be noted that AMF returns slice selection / relocation / replacement_response to AF through NEF / PCF to inform the slice switching result.

[0106] Based on the above embodiments, the present application embodiment proposes a solution for opening up the slice switching capability to the outside world to support business continuity, such as Figure 5 As shown, the program includes:

[0107] 1. Network slice replacement request.

[0108] It should be noted that the UE requests the NSCE to perform slice switching, which carries the UE IP address preservation indicator or other indications requesting service continuity.

[0109] 2. Network slice replacement request and response.

[0110] It should be noted that NSCE implements slice switching with service continuity by calling the solution of the above embodiment. Optionally, if NSCE is authorized to obtain the NSI information of the slice from OAM, then by querying the specific NSI information of the slice, NSCE helps to query which slice meets the demand without changing the PSA UPF, and sends the selected slice to 5GC through AF guidance on URSP.

[0111] 3. Network slice replacement response.

[0112] This embodiment of the application provides a first network function. Figure 6 As shown, the first network function 1 includes:

[0113] The first receiving unit 10 is used to receive first information sent by a second network function; the first information indicates a slice switching request, and the first information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information.

[0114] Optionally, the first information further includes: current slice information, and the first network function further includes: a first determining unit and a third sending unit;

[0115] The first determining unit is configured to determine target slice information from the first slice information based on the first information;

[0116] The third sending unit is used to send the target slice information to the second network function.

[0117] Optionally, the first determination unit is further used to determine the first slice information as the target slice information if the first user plane function UPF of the first slice information is consistent with the second UPF of the current slice information.

[0118] Optionally, the number of the first slice information is at least one;

[0119] The first determination unit is also used to determine the second slice information as the target slice information if the first UPF of the first slice information and the second UPF of the current slice information are inconsistent, and there is second slice information that meets the first condition in the first slice information; the first condition is to keep the user plane function of the protocol data unit session anchor point unchanged.

[0120] Optionally, the first network function further includes: a replacement unit;

[0121] The first receiving unit 10 is further configured to receive second information sent by the second network function; the second information indicates switching from the current slice information to the target slice information;

[0122] The replacement unit is used to replace the user plane function corresponding to the current slice information.

[0123] Optionally, the first network function is SMF and the second network function is AMF.

[0124] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the composition structure of a first network function 1 provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 In practical applications, based on the same disclosure concept of the above embodiments, Figure 7 As shown, the first network function 1 of this embodiment includes: a first processor 11, a first memory 12 and a first communication bus 13.

[0125] The first processor 11 may be at least one of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital signal processing device (DSPD), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a CPU, a controller, a microcontroller, and a microprocessor. It is understandable that for different devices, the electronic device used to implement the above-mentioned processor function may also be other, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0126] In the embodiment of the present application, the first communication bus 13 is used to realize the connection communication between the first processor 11 and the first memory 12; when the first processor 11 executes the running program stored in the first memory 12, the following slice switching method is implemented:

[0127] Receive first information sent by a second network function; the first information indicates a slice switching request, and the first information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information.

[0128] Furthermore, the first information also includes: current slice information,

[0129] The above-mentioned first processor 11 is also used to determine target slice information from the first slice information based on the first information; and send the target slice information to the second network function.

[0130] Furthermore, the first processor 11 is further configured to determine the first slice information as the target slice information if the first user plane function UPF of the first slice information is consistent with the second UPF of the current slice information.

[0131] Furthermore, the number of the first slice information is at least one;

[0132] The above-mentioned first processor 11 is also used to determine the second slice information as the target slice information if the first UPF of the first slice information and the second UPF of the current slice information are inconsistent, and there is second slice information that meets the first condition in the first slice information; the first condition is to keep the user plane function of the protocol data unit session anchor point unchanged.

[0133] Furthermore, the above-mentioned first processor 11 is also used to receive second information sent by the second network function; the second information indicates switching from the current slice information to the target slice information; and replacing the user plane function corresponding to the current slice information.

[0134] Furthermore, the first network function is a session management function SMF, and the second network function is an access and mobility management function AMF.

[0135] This embodiment of the application provides a second network function. Figure 8 As shown, the second network function 2 includes:

[0136] The second receiving unit 20 is used to receive third information sent by the third network function; the third information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information;

[0137] The first sending unit 21 is used to send first information to the first network function; the first information carries the service continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

[0138] Optionally, the second receiving unit 20 is also used to receive target slice information returned by the first network function; the target slice information is determined by the first network function from the first slice information based on the first information.

[0139] Optionally, the first information further includes: current slice information; the second network function further includes: a second determining unit;

[0140] The second receiving unit 20 is further used to request the third slice information corresponding to the first slice information from the fourth network function, and receive the third slice information sent by the fourth network function; the third slice information indicates the first UPF corresponding to the first slice information and / or the second UPF corresponding to the current slice information;

[0141] The second determining unit is configured to determine target slice information based on the third slice information.

[0142] Optionally, the first slice information is sent by the fifth network function to the third network function, or is screened / determined by the third network function based on contract information and / or slice requirements sent by the fifth network function.

[0143] Optionally, the second network function further includes: a relocation unit;

[0144] The relocation unit is used to trigger the second network function relocation process if the slice switching process causes the second network function to switch; and send the session context to the relocated second network function.

[0145] Optionally, the first network function is SMF, the second network function is AMF, the third network function is the network exposure function NEF and / or the policy control function PCF, the fourth network function is the network slice selection function NSSF and / or the unified data management function UDM, and the fifth network function is the application function AF.

[0146] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the composition structure of a second network function 2 provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 In practical applications, based on the same disclosure concept of the above embodiments, Fig. 9 As shown, the second network function 2 of this embodiment includes: a second processor 22, a second memory 23 and a second communication bus 24.

[0147] The second processor 22 may be at least one of ASIC, DSP, DSPD, PLD, FPGA, CPU, controller, microcontroller, and microprocessor. It is understandable that for different devices, the electronic device used to implement the processor function may also be other, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0148] In the embodiment of the present application, the second communication bus 24 is used to realize the connection and communication between the second processor 22 and the second memory 23; when the second processor 22 executes the running program stored in the second memory 23, the following slice switching method is implemented:

[0149] Receive third information sent by a third network function; the third information carries business continuity request information and / or first slice information; send first information to the first network function; the first information carries the business continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

[0150] Furthermore, the above-mentioned second processor 22 is also used to receive target slice information returned by the first network function; the target slice information is determined by the first network function from the first slice information based on the first information.

[0151] Furthermore, the first information also includes: current slice information;

[0152] The above-mentioned second processor 22 is also used to request the third slice information corresponding to the first slice information from the fourth network function, and receive the third slice information sent by the fourth network function; the third slice information indicates the first UPF corresponding to the first slice information and / or the second UPF corresponding to the current slice information; determine the target slice information based on the third slice information.

[0153] Furthermore, the first slice information is sent by the fifth network function to the third network function, or is screened / determined by the third network function based on the contract information and / or the slice requirement sent by the fifth network function.

[0154] Furthermore, the above-mentioned second processor 22 is also used to trigger the second network function relocation process if the slice switching process causes the second network function to switch; and send the session context to the relocated second network function.

[0155] Furthermore, the first network function is SMF, the second network function is AMF, the third network function is the network open function NEF and / or the policy control function PCF, the fourth network function is the network slice selection function NSSF and / or the unified data management function UDM, and the fifth network function is the application function AF.

[0156] This embodiment of the application provides a third network function. Fig.10 As shown, the third network function 3 includes:

[0157] The third receiving unit 30 is used to receive fourth information sent by the fifth network function; the fourth information indicates a slice switching request, and the fourth information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information;

[0158] The second sending unit 31 is used to send third information to the second network function; the third information carries the service continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

[0159] Optionally, the fourth information further includes: slice requirement information, and the third network function further includes: a generation unit;

[0160] The generating unit is configured to generate first slice information according to the contract information and / or the slice requirement information;

[0161] The second sending unit 31 is further used to carry the first slice information in the third information and send it to the second network function.

[0162] Optionally, the second network function is AMF, the third network function is NEF and / or PCF, and the fifth network function is AF.

[0163] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of the composition structure of a third network function 3 provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 2 In practical applications, based on the same disclosure concept of the above embodiments, Fig.11 As shown, the third network function 3 of this embodiment includes: a third processor 32 , a third memory 33 and a third communication bus 34 .

[0164] The third processor 32 may be at least one of ASIC, DSP, DSPD, PLD, FPGA, CPU, controller, microcontroller, and microprocessor. It is understandable that for different devices, the electronic device used to implement the processor function may also be other, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment.

[0165] In the embodiment of the present application, the third communication bus 34 is used to realize the connection and communication between the third processor 32 and the third memory 33; when the third processor 32 executes the running program stored in the third memory 33, the following slice switching method is implemented:

[0166] Receive fourth information sent by a fifth network function; the fourth information indicates a slice switching request, and the fourth information carries service continuity request information, and / or, first slice information; send third information to the second network function; the third information carries the service continuity request information, and / or, first slice information.

[0167] Furthermore, the fourth information also includes: slice requirement information,

[0168] The above-mentioned third processor 32 is also used to generate first slice information according to the contract information and / or the slice requirement information; and send the first slice information to the second network function by carrying it in the third information.

[0169] Furthermore, the second network function is AMF, the third network function is NEF and / or PCF, and the fifth network function is AF.

[0170] An embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium on which a computer program is stored. The computer-readable storage medium stores one or more programs. The one or more programs can be executed by one or more processors. The computer program implements the slice switching method as described above.

[0171] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which can be executed by one or more processors, and the computer program implements the slice switching method as described above.

[0172] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "include", "comprises" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." does not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the element.

[0173] Through the description of the above implementation methods, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be implemented by means of software plus a necessary general hardware platform, and of course by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present disclosure, or the part that contributes to the relevant technology, can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, a disk, or an optical disk), and includes a number of instructions for enabling an image display device (which can be a mobile phone, a computer, a server, an air conditioner, or a network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0174] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A slice switching method, characterized in that: Applied to a first network function, the method comprises: Receive first information sent by a second network function; the first information indicates a slice switching request, and the first information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information also includes: current slice information, and the method further includes: Based on the first information, determine target slice information from the first slice information; and send the target slice information to the second network function.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: If the first user plane function UPF of the first slice information is consistent with the second UPF of the current slice information, the first slice information is determined as the target slice information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The number of the first slice information is at least one; and the method further includes: If the first UPF of the first slice information and the second UPF of the current slice information are inconsistent, and there is second slice information that meets the first condition in the first slice information, the second slice information is determined as the target slice information; the first condition is to keep the user plane function of the protocol data unit session anchor unchanged.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving second information sent by the second network function; the second information indicating switching from the current slice information to the target slice information; Replace the user plane function corresponding to the current slice information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first network function is a session management function SMF, and the second network function is an access and mobility management function AMF.

7. A slice switching method, characterized in that: Applied to the second network function, the method comprises: Receiving third information sent by a third network function; the third information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information; Sending first information to a first network function; the first information carries the service continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive target slice information returned by the first network function; the target slice information is determined by the first network function from the first slice information based on the first information.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The first information also includes: current slice information; the method also includes: Requesting the third slice information corresponding to the first slice information from the fourth network function, and receiving the third slice information sent by the fourth network function; the third slice information indicates the first UPF corresponding to the first slice information and / or the second UPF corresponding to the current slice information; Target slice information is determined based on the third slice information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The first slice information is sent by the fifth network function to the third network function, or is screened / determined by the third network function based on the contract information and / or the slice requirement sent by the fifth network function.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that: The method further comprises: If the slice switching process causes the switching of the second network function, the second network function relocation process is triggered; and the session context is sent to the relocated second network function.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that The first network function is SMF, the second network function is AMF, the third network function is the network exposure function NEF and / or the policy control function PCF, the fourth network function is the network slice selection function NSSF and / or the unified data management function UDM, and the fifth network function is the application function AF.

13. A slice switching method, characterized in that: Applied to a third network function, the method comprises: receiving fourth information sent by a fifth network function; the fourth information indicating a slice switching request, the fourth information carrying service continuity request information, and / or first slice information; Sending third information to the second network function; the third information carries the service continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The fourth information further includes: slice requirement information, and the method further includes: Generate first slice information according to the contract information and / or the slice requirement information; The first slice information is carried in the third information and sent to the second network function.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The second network function is AMF, the third network function is NEF and / or PCF, and the fifth network function is AF.

16. A first network function, characterized in that: The first network function includes: A first receiving unit is used to receive first information sent by a second network function; the first information indicates a slice switching request, and the first information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information.

17. A second network function, characterized in that: The second network function includes: A second receiving unit, configured to receive third information sent by a third network function; the third information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information; A first sending unit is used to send first information to a first network function; the first information carries the service continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

18. A third network function, characterized in that: The third network function includes: A third receiving unit, configured to receive fourth information sent by a fifth network function; the fourth information indicates a slice switching request, and the fourth information carries service continuity request information and / or first slice information; The second sending unit is used to send third information to the second network function; the third information carries the service continuity request information and / or the first slice information.

19. A first network function, characterized in that: The first network function includes: a first processor, a first memory and a first communication bus; the first communication bus is used to realize the connection and communication between the first processor and the first memory; when the first processor executes the running program stored in the first memory, it implements the method described in any one of claims 1-6.

20. A second network function, characterized in that: The second network function includes: a second processor, a second memory and a second communication bus; the second communication bus is used to realize the connection and communication between the second processor and the second memory; when the second processor executes the running program stored in the second memory, it implements the method described in any one of claims 7-12.

21. A third network function, characterized in that: The third network function includes: a third processor, a third memory and a third communication bus; the third communication bus is used to realize the connection and communication between the third processor and the third memory; when the third processor executes the running program stored in the third memory, it implements the method described in any one of claims 13-15.

22. A storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a first processor, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6; when it is executed by a second processor, it implements the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12; or when it is executed by a third processor, it implements the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

23. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that The computer program implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 when executed by a first processor, or the computer program implements the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12 when executed by a second processor, or the computer program implements the method according to any one of claims 13 to 15 when executed by a third processor.

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