Signaling distribution method and system and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a signaling distribution method and system and electronic equipment. The method comprises the steps that a system load balancing SYLB module receives a control plane signaling sent by target user equipment, the SYLB module is used for controlling load balancing of the control plane signaling in a network layer and a transmission layer, and the control plane signaling is used for representing control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and a network; and the control plane signaling is sent to a control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element through a network load balancing NLB module for processing, the NLB module is used for controlling load balancing of the control plane signaling in an application layer, and the GTP-C module is used for processing service signaling related to a control plane protocol. According to the method and the device, the technical problems that the signaling distribution efficiency is relatively poor and a cluster disaster recovery mechanism is lacked under the scenes of large capacity, link interruption and the like due to the fact that how to uniformly execute the signaling load balancing distribution is not clear in the related technologies are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a signaling distribution method, system and electronic device. Background Art

[0002] In modern communication networks, especially in the fourth generation (4G) and fifth generation (5G) network architectures, signaling distribution and processing are key links to ensure network communication stability and service quality. These signals are transmitted through specific network interfaces, such as S5 / S8-C, S11, N26, and S2b-C interfaces, which use the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunneling Protocol Control Plane (GTP-C) protocol. The GTP-C protocol is based on the User Datagram Protocol, which makes it possible to manage and optimize signaling at the transport layer and application layer.

[0003] However, the current 4G and 5G network architecture lacks an effective unified signaling load balancing distribution mechanism and cluster disaster recovery solution in the scenario of converged deployment, especially under extreme conditions such as large capacity, link interruption or node failure. Specifically, the signaling distribution method in the related art often only considers the processing capacity of a single network element when processing the control plane signaling in 4G / 5G interoperability, without fully considering the dynamic changes of the network and the collaborative work between heterogeneous network components. For example, when the UE switches between the 5G network and the 4G network, it is necessary to implement the signaling interaction between the AMF and the MME through the N26 interface to ensure the continuity and service quality of the user session. However, in actual applications, when the number of UEs increases sharply, causing a surge in signaling traffic, the processing capacity of a single network element may reach its limit, resulting in signaling delays and packet loss, affecting user experience. In addition, when a link fails or a core network element is abnormal, the signaling distribution mechanism in the related art often cannot quickly and automatically redistribute the signaling flow, resulting in interruption of signaling processing, affecting the continuity and stability of network services.

[0004] To address the above-mentioned problems, no effective solution has been proposed yet. Summary of the invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a signaling distribution method, system and electronic device to at least solve the technical problems of poor signaling distribution efficiency and lack of cluster disaster recovery mechanism in scenarios such as large capacity and link interruption, as the relevant technology does not clearly specify how to uniformly perform signaling load balancing distribution.

[0006] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a signaling distribution method is provided, which is applied to a system load balancing SYLB module, including: receiving control plane signaling sent by a target user device, wherein the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, and the control plane signaling is used to represent the control information for data transmission between the target user device and the network; sending the control plane signaling to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element through the network load balancing NLB module for processing, wherein the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol.

[0007] Optionally, the method also includes: the GTP-C module is integrated into multiple core network elements, wherein the multiple core network elements include at least: a mobility management entity, an access and mobility management function entity, a service gateway control plane entity, a fusion entity of a session management function entity and a gateway control plane, and an evolved packet data gateway entity.

[0008] Optionally, the method also includes: the SYLB module determines the link status table of multiple core network elements, wherein the link status table includes the node status and link quality parameters of the multiple core network elements; sends heartbeat packets to the multiple core network elements, and receives response information of the heartbeat packets, wherein the heartbeat packets are used to detect the connectivity and health status between the multiple core network elements, and the response information is used to reflect the change status of the multiple core network elements; updates the link status table based on the response information.

[0009] Optionally, receiving control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment includes: receiving control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through a preset network interface and a first forwarding protocol, wherein the preset network interface is used to support data transmission of control plane signaling between the target user equipment and the SYLB module, and the first forwarding protocol is used to support uniform distribution of control plane signaling between SYLB modules.

[0010] Optionally, after the control plane signaling is sent to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element through the network load balancing NLB module for processing, the method also includes: receiving the signaling processing result obtained after the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element processes the control plane signaling through the NLB module; and returning the signaling processing result to the target user equipment.

[0011] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a signaling distribution method is also provided, which is applied to a network load balancing NLB module, including: receiving control plane signaling sent by a target user device through a system load balancing SYLB module, wherein the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, and the control plane signaling is used to represent control information for data transmission between the target user device and the network; sending the control plane signaling to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing, and the GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol.

[0012] Optionally, the control plane signaling is sent to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing, including: the NLB module determines the target core network element for processing the control plane signaling from the link state table, wherein the link state table includes the node status and link quality parameters of multiple core network elements, and the link state table is determined by the SYLB module; the control plane signaling is forwarded to the GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing according to the second forwarding protocol, wherein the second forwarding protocol is used to support forwarding of the control plane signaling between the NLB module and the target core network element.

[0013] Optionally, determining a target core network element for processing control plane signaling from a link state table includes: obtaining signaling characteristics of the control plane signaling, wherein the signaling characteristics include at least one of the following: a source address, a target address, and a signaling type of the control plane signaling; using a hash algorithm to determine a hash value corresponding to the signaling characteristic; matching the hash value with the link state table to obtain a matching result, wherein the matching result is used to indicate the degree of matching between the control plane signaling and multiple core network elements; and determining the target core network element based on the matching result.

[0014] Optionally, after the control plane signaling is sent to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing, the method also includes: receiving the signaling processing result obtained after the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element processes the control plane signaling; and returning the signaling processing result to the target user equipment through the SYLB module.

[0015] According to another aspect of the embodiment of the present application, a signaling distribution method is also provided, which is applied to the control plane protocol GTP-C module, including: receiving control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through the system load balancing SYLB module and the network load balancing NLB module, wherein the GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the control plane signaling is used to represent the control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network; processing the control plane signaling to obtain the signaling processing result, and returning the signaling processing result to the target user equipment through the NLB module and the SYLB module.

[0016] According to another aspect of the embodiment of the present application, a signaling distribution system is also provided, including: a system load balancing SYLB module, a network load balancing NLB module and a control plane protocol GTP-C module, wherein the SYLB module is used to receive the control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment, and send the control plane signaling to the NLB module, wherein the control plane signaling is used to represent the control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the GTP-C module is used to process the service signaling related to the control plane protocol; the NLB module is used to receive the control plane signaling sent through the SYLB module, and send the control plane signaling to the GTP-C module in the target core network element; the GTP-C module is used to process the control plane signaling, obtain the signaling processing result, and return the signaling processing result to the target user equipment through the NLB module and the SYLB module.

[0017] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present application, there is also provided an electronic device, including: a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store program instructions; the processor is connected to the memory and is used to execute the above-mentioned signaling distribution method.

[0018] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a non-volatile storage medium is provided, wherein the non-volatile storage medium includes a stored computer program, wherein the device where the non-volatile storage medium is located executes the above-mentioned signaling distribution method by running the computer program.

[0019] According to another aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a computer program product is provided, including computer instructions, which implement the above-mentioned signaling distribution method when executed by a processor.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present application, a control plane signaling sent by a target user device is received through a system load balancing SYLB module, wherein the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, and the control plane signaling is used to represent the control information for data transmission between the target user device and the network; the control plane signaling is sent to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element through a network load balancing NLB module for processing, wherein the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol, thereby achieving the purpose of efficient and balanced distribution and cluster disaster recovery of control plane signaling in 4G / 5G networks based on integration and optimization of the GTP-C module, design and implementation of the NLB module and the SYLB module, thereby achieving the technical effect of optimizing signaling processing capabilities, improving system stability and redundancy, and enhancing network service continuity, thereby solving the technical problems of poor signaling distribution efficiency and lack of cluster disaster recovery mechanism in scenarios such as large capacity and link interruption due to the fact that the relevant technology does not clearly specify how to uniformly perform signaling load balancing distribution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The drawings described herein are used to provide a further understanding of the present application and constitute a part of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of the present application and their descriptions are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation on the present application. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 is a hardware structure diagram of a computer terminal for implementing a signaling distribution method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a signaling distribution method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 3 is a flowchart of another signaling distribution method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 4 is a flowchart of another signaling distribution method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a signaling distribution process according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 6 is a structural diagram of a signaling distribution system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 7 is a structural diagram of a signaling distribution device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 8is a structural diagram of another signaling distribution device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Fig. 9 It is a structural diagram of another signaling distribution device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present application, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0032] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any of their variations are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, for example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0033] First, some nouns or terms that appear in the process of explaining the embodiments of the present application are subject to the following explanations:

[0034] GTP-C (GTP Control Plane): GTP-C is the control plane part of GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol), which is mainly used for path management, tunnel management and mobility management of the control plane in EPS (Evolved Packet System, i.e. 4G network) and 5GS (5G System, 5G network system). GTP-C runs based on UDP (User Datagram Protocol), which is responsible for establishing and maintaining data transmission tunnels between different network nodes to ensure the correct forwarding of data in the core network.

[0035] LB (Load Balance): Load balancing is a strategy for distributing workloads to multiple computers, network links, CPUs, or other resources to optimize resource usage, maximize throughput, minimize response time, and avoid overload. LB is used in communication networks to balance signaling or data traffic between network devices to ensure network performance and reliability.

[0036] Cluster disaster recovery: Cluster technology allows multiple computers to work together as a single system resource to improve performance, reliability, and availability. Disaster recovery refers to the use of backup and switching mechanisms in the network architecture. When the main device or link fails, it can automatically switch to the backup device or link to ensure service continuity and data security. Cluster disaster recovery combines the high availability of the cluster with the backup switching of disaster recovery to provide the system with a more comprehensive failure response strategy.

[0037] S5 / S8-C, S11, N26, S2b-C interfaces: interfaces used for communication between different core network elements in 4G and 5G networks. For example, S5 / S8-C is used for communication between SGW (Serving Gateway) and PGW (PDN Gateway); S11 is used between MME (Mobility Management Entity) and SGW; N26 is used for interoperability between 4G and 5G core networks; S2b-C is used between ePDG (Enhanced Packet Data Gateway) and other network elements.

[0038] MME / AMF / SGW-C / SMF+PGW-C / ePDG: key network elements in 4G and 5G core networks. MME (Mobility Management Entity) is the mobility management and session control node in the 4G network. AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) is the network element responsible for access and mobility management in the 5G network. SGW-C (Serving Gateway Control plane) is the control plane part of SGW, used for signaling processing. SMF+PGW-C (Session Management Function+PDN Gateway Control plane) is the network element used for session management and data gateway control functions in the 5G network. ePDG (Enhanced Packet Data Gateway) is a network element used to improve security and support specific services, such as supporting EPS services under non-3GPP access.

[0039] L3-L4 layer, L7 layer: This is the abbreviation of the network layer (L3), transport layer (L4), and application layer (L7) in the OSI model. The L3-L4 layer mainly handles protocols such as IP (Internet Protocol) and TCP / UDP (Transmission Control Protocol / User Datagram Protocol), and is responsible for the routing and forwarding of data packets. The L7 layer handles application layer protocols such as HTTP, FTP, GTP-C, etc., and is responsible for the parsing and processing of application data.

[0040] IPVS (IP Virtual Server): IPVS is a load balancing technology implemented in the Linux kernel. It can distribute network requests among multiple servers and improve the system's processing power and availability.

[0041] In order to solve the problem of poor signaling distribution efficiency in the related art, the present application embodiment provides a signaling distribution method, which can be run on Figure 1 In the computer terminal shown, the computer terminal is described below.

[0042] The signaling distribution method embodiment provided in the embodiment of the present application can be executed in a mobile terminal, a computer terminal or a similar computing device. Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a hardware structure block diagram of a computer terminal for implementing a signaling distribution method. Figure 1 As shown, the computer terminal 10 may include one or more (102a, 102b, ..., 102n are used to illustrate) processors (the processor may include but is not limited to a processing device such as a microprocessor MCU or a programmable logic device FPGA), a memory 104 for storing data, and a transmission module 106 for communication functions connected via a wired and / or wireless network. In addition, it may also include: a display, a keyboard, a cursor control device, an input / output interface (I / O interface), a universal serial bus (USB) port (which may be included as one of the ports of the I / O interface), a network interface, and a BUS bus. Those skilled in the art can understand that Figure 1 The structure shown is only for illustration and does not limit the structure of the above electronic device. Figure 1 More or fewer components as shown, or with Figure 1 Different configurations are shown.

[0043] It should be noted that the one or more processors and / or other data processing circuits described above may generally be referred to herein as "data processing circuits". The data processing circuits may be embodied in whole or in part as software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination thereof. In addition, the data processing circuit may be a single independent processing module, or may be incorporated in whole or in part into any of the other components in the computer terminal 10. As described in the embodiments of the present application, the data processing circuit acts as a processor control (e.g., selection of a variable resistor terminal path connected to an interface).

[0044] The memory 104 can be used to store software programs and modules of application software, such as the program instructions / data storage device corresponding to the signaling distribution method in the embodiment of the present application. The processor executes various functional applications and data processing by running the software programs and modules stored in the memory 104, that is, realizing the above-mentioned signaling distribution method. The memory 104 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or other non-volatile solid-state memory. In some examples, the memory 104 may further include a memory remotely arranged relative to the processor, and these remote memories may be connected to the computer terminal 10 via a network. Examples of the above-mentioned network include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and combinations thereof.

[0045] The transmission module 106 is used to receive or send data via a network. The specific example of the above network may include a wireless network provided by a communication provider of the computer terminal 10. In one example, the transmission module 106 includes a network adapter (Network Interface Controller, NIC), which can be connected to other network devices through a base station so as to communicate with the Internet. In one example, the transmission module 106 can be a radio frequency (RF) module, which is used to communicate with the Internet wirelessly.

[0046] The display may be, for example, a touch screen liquid crystal display (LCD) that enables a user to interact with a user interface of the computer terminal 10 .

[0047] It should be noted that, in some optional embodiments, the above Figure 1 The computer terminal shown may include hardware elements (including circuits), software elements (including computer code stored on a computer-readable medium), or a combination of hardware elements and software elements. It should be noted that Figure 1 This is merely one example of a particular embodiment and is intended to illustrate the types of components that may be present in the computer terminal described above.

[0048] In the above-mentioned operating environment, an embodiment of the present application provides an embodiment of a signaling distribution method. It should be noted that the steps shown in the flowchart of the accompanying drawings can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer executable instructions, and although the logical order is shown in the flowchart, in some cases, the steps shown or described can be executed in an order different from that shown here.

[0049] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a signaling distribution method according to an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 2 As shown, the method is applied to the system load balancing SYLB module and includes the following steps:

[0050] Step S202, receiving control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment, wherein the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, and the control plane signaling is used to represent the control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network.

[0051] In the above step S202, the SYLB module first receives the control plane signaling sent from the target user equipment (UE). These control plane signalings usually carry control information for data transmission between the UE and the network, such as session establishment, modification or release requests, and mobility management information. After the control plane signaling reaches the SYLB module, the SYLB module will parse it and identify key features such as the source address, target address and signaling type of the signaling. Based on these features, the SYLB module can determine which layer of load balancing requirements the signaling belongs to.

[0052] Step S204, the control plane signaling is sent to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element through the network load balancing NLB module for processing, wherein the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the GTP-C module is used to process the service signaling related to the control plane protocol.

[0053] In the above step S204, the SYLB module sends the control plane signaling to the GTP-C module in the target core network element through the NLB module for processing. The key to this step is how the SYLB module selects the NLB module and how the NLB module further determines the target core network element. The specific implementation process can be, for example: First, the SYLB module uses a hash algorithm or other load balancing strategy based on the link state table it maintains to analyze the signaling characteristics, calculate the hash value, and locate it on the hash ring, thereby determining one or more NLB modules as forwarding targets. In this way, the SYLB module implements system load balancing at the L3-L4 layer to ensure that the signaling can be evenly distributed at the network layer and the transport layer. Secondly, after receiving the signaling, the NLB module also performs load balancing at the application layer (L7) based on the signaling characteristics and its own link state table. The NLB module will query the link state information in the database, and considering the current load, health status and signaling processing capability of the core network element, a pre-defined load balancing algorithm (such as a consistent hashing algorithm) is used to determine the core network element where the most suitable GTP-C module is located. Once the NLB module determines the target core network element, the signaling will be forwarded to the GTP-C module on the network element. The GTP-C module is responsible for encoding and decoding information related to the GTP-C protocol and processing signaling tasks related to services such as mobility management, session management, and path management.

[0054] It should be noted that during the signaling forwarding process, the SYLB and NLB modules will continuously monitor the status of the core network elements. Once a node or link failure is detected, the disaster recovery mechanism will be immediately activated to redirect the signaling to other healthy nodes to ensure the continuity and high reliability of signaling processing.

[0055] Through the above steps S202 to S204, the purpose of efficient and balanced distribution and cluster disaster recovery of control plane signaling in 4G / 5G networks based on integration and optimization of GTP-C modules, design and implementation of NLB modules and SYLB modules is achieved, thereby achieving the technical effects of optimizing signaling processing capabilities, improving system stability and redundancy, and enhancing network service continuity, thereby solving the technical problems of poor signaling distribution efficiency and lack of cluster disaster recovery mechanism in scenarios such as large capacity and link interruption due to the lack of clarity in related technologies on how to uniformly perform signaling load balancing distribution. The following is a detailed description.

[0056] Optionally, the above method also includes: the GTP-C module is integrated into multiple core network elements, wherein the multiple core network elements include at least: a mobility management entity, an access and mobility management function entity, a service gateway control plane entity, a fusion entity of a session management function entity and a gateway control plane, and an evolved packet data gateway entity.

[0057] In an embodiment of the present application, in order to further enhance the flexibility of signaling distribution and the overall processing capability of the system, the GTP-C module is not deployed solely in a specific core network element, but is widely integrated in multiple core network elements. These core network elements cover the key control plane functions of the 4G and 5G network architectures, including but not limited to: mobility management entity (MME), access and mobility management function entity (AMF), serving gateway control plane entity (SGW-C), session management function entity and gateway control plane fusion entity (SMF+PGW-C) and evolved packet data gateway entity (ePDG).

[0058] By widely integrating GTP-C modules in these core network elements, the present application can achieve dynamic expansion of signaling processing capabilities and load balancing. When the network scale expands or node failures occur, the signaling distribution path can be automatically adjusted, and the signaling can be intelligently distributed to the network elements where the GTP-C modules with processing capabilities are located, thereby maintaining the continuity and high efficiency of network services. In addition, this distributed deployment mode also enhances the redundancy of the system. Even if some core network elements fail, services can continue to be provided through GTP-C modules in other network elements, ensuring that signaling is not lost and services are not interrupted.

[0059] Optionally, the above method also includes: the SYLB module determines the link status table of multiple core network elements, wherein the link status table includes the node status and link quality parameters of the multiple core network elements; sends heartbeat packets to multiple core network elements, and receives response information of the heartbeat packets, wherein the heartbeat packets are used to detect the connectivity and health status between multiple core network elements, and the response information is used to reflect the change status of multiple core network elements; updates the link status table based on the response information.

[0060] In the embodiment of the present application, in order to ensure that the SYLB module can understand the current status of the core network element in real time and accurately, and ensure the efficient distribution of signaling and the disaster recovery capability of the cluster, the following key steps are also included:

[0061] 1. Determine the link status table: When the SYLB module is initialized, a link status table is established, which records the node status and link quality parameters associated with each core network element. The node status includes information such as the online status, processing load, and health status of the core network element, while the link quality parameters may involve key indicators such as link bandwidth, delay, and packet loss rate. These parameters are crucial for signaling distribution decisions.

[0062] 2. Send heartbeat packets: The SYLB module periodically sends heartbeat packets to multiple core network elements. This is a lightweight network communication method used to detect the connectivity between core network elements and evaluate their health status. The design of the heartbeat packet usually contains a simple data packet, which may contain information such as the sending timestamp and network element ID for the receiver to provide status feedback.

[0063] 3. Receive response information: After receiving the heartbeat packet from the SYLB module, the core network element will immediately respond to the heartbeat packet response information. Among them, the response information not only confirms the connectivity of the link, but also reflects the changing status of the core network element, including but not limited to the node's load, health status, processing capacity and other dynamic information, which is crucial for updating the link status table.

[0064] 4. Update the link status table: The SYLB module dynamically updates its link status table based on the response information received. For example, if it detects that a core network element has a high processing load or is in poor health, the SYLB module will adjust the relevant parameters of the network element in the link status table, such as lowering its priority or marking it as unavailable, so that in the subsequent signaling distribution process, it can intelligently avoid the network element and select a healthier and lighter-loaded node for signaling forwarding.

[0065] Through the above steps, the SYLB module can continuously monitor and evaluate the real-time status of multiple core network elements to ensure the rationality and reliability of the signaling distribution strategy. Even in the case of changes in the network environment, node failures or link quality degradation, it can quickly make adjustments to maintain the efficiency of signaling distribution and the overall stable operation of the system. This not only improves the continuity of network services and user experience, but also provides strong support for large-scale network deployment and network optimization in complex scenarios.

[0066] Optionally, receiving control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment includes: receiving control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through a preset network interface and a first forwarding protocol, wherein the preset network interface is used to support data transmission of control plane signaling between the target user equipment and the SYLB module, and the first forwarding protocol is used to support uniform distribution of control plane signaling between SYLB modules.

[0067] In an embodiment of the present application, the communication between the target user equipment (UE) and the SYLB module depends on a preset network interface. This interface is designed according to the network architecture and protocol standards to ensure that the control plane signaling can be smoothly transmitted from the UE to the SYLB module. For example, in a 4G network, the S1 interface between the MME and the eNodeB, or in a 5G network, the N2 interface between the AMF and the gNodeB, all belong to the category of preset network interfaces, which support the transmission of signaling. At the same time, the preset network interface is also responsible for the protocol adaptation of the signaling, and encapsulates the signaling initiated by the UE according to the network protocol (such as GTP-C, S1-AP, etc.) for transmission at the network layer. In the receiving stage, it is also responsible for the preliminary parsing of the signaling, extracting the key information of the signaling, such as the source address, the destination address, the signaling type, etc., to provide a basis for subsequent load balancing decisions. In addition, the preset network interface also takes into account the security and reliability of signaling transmission, and ensures the security of the signaling during transmission through mechanisms such as data encryption and integrity protection, and at the same time ensures the reliability of signaling transmission through strategies such as error detection and retransmission, congestion control, etc.

[0068] Furthermore, when the SYLB module receives the control plane signaling, in order to achieve uniform distribution of the signaling among multiple SYLB instances, the first forwarding protocol is adopted. This forwarding protocol may be based on UDP (User Datagram Protocol), because it supports connectionless data transmission and can efficiently handle the distribution of a large number of signaling. In container orchestration environments such as k8s, the SYLB module may be deployed as multiple instances to achieve load balancing and redundant backup. The first forwarding protocol ensures that the signaling can be evenly forwarded between these instances according to certain strategies (such as polling, hashing algorithm, etc.), avoiding the problem of single point overload or uneven signaling processing.

[0069] Optionally, after the control plane signaling is sent to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element through the network load balancing NLB module for processing, the method also includes: receiving the signaling processing result obtained after the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element processes the control plane signaling through the NLB module; and returning the signaling processing result to the target user equipment.

[0070] In the embodiment of the present application, in order to ensure the integrity of signaling processing and the consistency of the system, it is necessary to ensure that the sending and return paths of the control plane signaling are as consistent as possible. That is, the control plane signaling is distributed to the NLB module via the SYLB module, and then processed by the GTP-C module. The processing result should also be returned to the UE through the same path to avoid signaling loss or processing delay caused by inconsistent paths. The specific return process can be as follows:

[0071] First, the NLB module identifies the signaling processing results returned by the GTP-C module according to the preset routing strategy, and collects them from the target core network element. Secondly, after receiving the signaling processing results, the NLB module returns the results to the SYLB module through the reverse load balancing strategy. This process may involve the use of the UDP protocol, because the GTP-C control plane signaling uses UDP at the transport layer. The NLB module selects the best path to send the signaling processing results to the SYLB module based on the link state table and the current signaling traffic to ensure the timeliness and reliability of the signaling response. Once the SYLB module receives the signaling processing results, it will again efficiently forward the processing results to the target user equipment (UE) based on the link state table and the first forwarding protocol. The SYLB module may use a variety of strategies, such as hash calculation based on the source address and the destination address to determine the most appropriate forwarding path to ensure the correct transmission of the signaling processing results while avoiding network congestion or overload of specific links.

[0072] Through this series of steps, the present application can not only realize the efficient distribution and processing of control plane signaling, but also ensure the rapid and accurate return of signaling processing results, thus forming a closed-loop signaling processing process. This closed-loop mechanism is the key to ensuring service quality and user experience in network communications, especially in scenarios that require rapid response, such as session establishment, mobility management, etc. It can significantly improve the response speed and reliability of the network and provide users with higher quality network services. At the same time, the solution also enhances the disaster recovery capability of the system. Even if some network links or core network elements fail, the remaining healthy nodes can continue to complete signaling processing and result return, ensuring the continuity and stability of network services.

[0073] Figure 3 is a flowchart of another signaling distribution method according to an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 3 As shown, the method is applied to a network load balancing NLB module and includes the following steps:

[0074] Step S302, receiving the control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through the system load balancing SYLB module, wherein the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, and the control plane signaling is used to represent the control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network.

[0075] In the above step S302, the NLB module receives the control plane signaling from the SYLB (system load balancing) module. The SYLB module performs preliminary load balancing and routing selection on the signaling at the L3-L4 (network layer and transport layer) level to ensure that the signaling can be efficiently and evenly forwarded to the NLB module.

[0076] Step S304: Send the control plane signaling to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing. The GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol.

[0077] In the above step S304, after receiving the control plane signaling, the NLB module can adopt one or more load balancing strategies (such as polling, least connection, hash algorithm, etc.) according to its link status table and the health status information of the core network element, and send the signaling to the GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing.

[0078] Through the above steps S302 to S304, the purpose of efficient and balanced distribution and cluster disaster recovery of control plane signaling in 4G / 5G networks based on integration and optimization of GTP-C modules, design and implementation of NLB modules and SYLB modules is achieved, thereby achieving the technical effects of optimizing signaling processing capabilities, improving system stability and redundancy, and enhancing network service continuity, thereby solving the technical problems of poor signaling distribution efficiency and lack of cluster disaster recovery mechanism in scenarios such as large capacity and link interruption due to the lack of clear instructions on how to uniformly perform signaling load balancing distribution in related technologies. The following is a detailed description.

[0079] Optionally, the control plane signaling is sent to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing, including: the NLB module determines the target core network element for processing the control plane signaling from the link state table, wherein the link state table includes the node status and link quality parameters of multiple core network elements, and the link state table is determined by the SYLB module; the control plane signaling is forwarded to the GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing according to the second forwarding protocol, wherein the second forwarding protocol is used to support forwarding of the control plane signaling between the NLB module and the target core network element.

[0080] In the embodiment of the present application, the process in which the NLB module sends the control plane signaling to the GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing includes the steps of intelligent analysis of the link status and signaling forwarding according to a specific protocol. This process further refines the signaling processing flow and ensures the efficiency and reliability of signaling distribution. The specific process can be as follows:

[0081] First, the NLB module determines the target core network element for processing the control plane signaling from the link state table. The link state table is a real-time updated data structure maintained by the SYLB module, which records the node status (such as online status, processing capacity, health status, etc.) and link quality parameters (such as delay, bandwidth, packet loss rate, etc.) of multiple core network elements. By analyzing the link state table, the NLB module can intelligently select the core network element that is most suitable for processing the signaling. This decision is based on multiple factors such as signaling type, demand urgency, current load of the target network element, and link quality.

[0082] Secondly, after determining the target core network element, the NLB module will forward the control plane signaling to the GTP-C module in the core network element for processing according to the second forwarding protocol. Among them, the second forwarding protocol is a communication protocol designed to support efficient forwarding of control plane signaling between the NLB module and the target core network element. It is based on the UDP protocol because GTP-C signaling uses UDP at the transport layer. However, on this path from NLB to the core network element, the second forwarding protocol will also combine other mechanisms, such as IP-based routing, port mapping, etc., to ensure that the signaling can reach the designated GTP-C module accurately. It should be noted that the second forwarding protocol is not just a simple data packet forwarding, it also includes a load balancing strategy. The NLB module can intelligently adjust the forwarding strategy according to the node status and link quality parameters in the link state table to ensure load balancing of the signaling. For example, when the processing load of a core network element reaches its upper limit or the link quality decreases, the NLB module will reduce forwarding to the network element and distribute more signaling to other network elements with stronger processing capabilities and more stable links, thereby avoiding signaling processing bottlenecks and link congestion, and improving the processing capability and response speed of the overall system.

[0083] In addition, the second forwarding protocol also takes into account the reliability of disaster recovery and signaling transmission. In the event of a link interruption or core network element failure, the NLB module can quickly switch to a backup link or backup network element based on the real-time updated link status table to ensure that the signaling can be processed in a timely manner. At the same time, the risk of signaling loss is reduced through the redundancy mechanism, improving the stability of the system and the continuity of user services.

[0084] Through the collaborative work between the NLB module and the SYLB module, and the use of the second forwarding protocol, a dynamic, intelligent and efficient signaling distribution network is formed. This mechanism can not only handle daily signaling traffic, but also ensure reliable distribution and timely processing of signaling through intelligent decision-making and disaster recovery backup in complex scenarios such as high load and link failure, thereby greatly improving the efficiency of network services and user experience.

[0085] Optionally, determining a target core network element for processing control plane signaling from a link state table includes: obtaining signaling characteristics of the control plane signaling, wherein the signaling characteristics include at least one of the following: a source address, a target address, and a signaling type of the control plane signaling; using a hash algorithm to determine a hash value corresponding to the signaling characteristic; matching the hash value with the link state table to obtain a matching result, wherein the matching result is used to indicate the degree of matching between the control plane signaling and multiple core network elements; and determining the target core network element based on the matching result.

[0086] In the embodiment of the present application, the NLB module determines the target core network element for processing the control plane signaling from the link state table. This process combines the analysis of signaling characteristics with the intelligent matching algorithm to ensure the accuracy and efficiency of signaling distribution. The specific process can be as follows:

[0087] 1. Obtain signaling features: After receiving the control plane signaling, the NLB module first parses the signaling packet and extracts key signaling feature information, including but not limited to the source address, destination address, and signaling type of the signaling. These feature information provides the context of the signaling, which is crucial for subsequent load balancing decisions.

[0088] 2. Calculate hash value: The NLB module uses a hash algorithm to process the extracted signaling features and generate a hash value related to the signaling features. The hash algorithm can convert input of any size into an output of a fixed size, which is very suitable for load balancing scenarios because it ensures that even different types of signaling can obtain a value that can be compared and matched through the same algorithm.

[0089] 3. Matching the Link State Table: The NLB module matches the calculated hash value with the link state table. The link state table contains the node status and link quality parameters of multiple core network elements, such as the processing capacity of each network element, the current load, the link delay, the packet loss rate and other information. By comparing the hash value with the parameters in the link state table, the NLB module can evaluate the degree of match between the signaling and each core network element. This matching process may be done by looking up the core network element entry corresponding to the hash value, or mapping the hash value to a range of values ​​and then searching the link state table for the best matching network element within the range.

[0090] 4. Determine the target core network element: Based on the matching results, the NLB module determines the target core network element that is most suitable for processing the current control plane signaling. The matching results are not only based on the hash value of the signaling feature, but also take into account the real-time network status reflected in the link state table and the processing capacity of the core network element. The NLB module tends to select network elements with low load, good link quality, and high matching degree with the signaling features to ensure that the signaling can be processed efficiently and reliably.

[0091] It should be noted that the above process not only includes intelligent distribution of control plane signaling, but also implies load balancing and disaster recovery mechanisms. Through the matching of hash algorithms and link state tables, the NLB module can dynamically adjust the signaling distribution strategy to avoid overloading of a single network element. At the same time, when some network elements are unavailable, it can quickly switch to other healthy network elements to ensure the continuity and high availability of signaling processing.

[0092] In summary, the NLB module implements an intelligent load balancing method based on signaling characteristics by obtaining signaling characteristics, calculating hash values, matching with the link state table, and determining the target core network element based on the matching results. This method not only improves the efficiency of signaling processing, but also enhances the flexibility and disaster recovery capabilities of the system, and provides an effective means for optimizing signaling distribution in large-scale network deployment. In this way, the NLB module can intelligently distribute signaling to the most appropriate GTP-C module, ensuring the speed and accuracy of signaling processing while maintaining the stability and continuity of network services.

[0093] Optionally, after the control plane signaling is sent to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing, the method also includes: receiving the signaling processing result obtained after the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element processes the control plane signaling; and returning the signaling processing result to the target user equipment through the SYLB module.

[0094] In the embodiment of the present application, after the control plane signaling is intelligently distributed to the GTP-C module in the target core network element through the NLB module for processing, the entire signaling process does not end, but needs to go through the stage of receiving the signaling processing result and returning the result to the user equipment. This process is similar to the signaling distribution method applied to the SYLB module above, and will not be repeated here.

[0095] Figure 4 is a flowchart of another signaling distribution method according to an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 4 As shown, the method is applied to the control plane protocol GTP-C module and includes the following steps:

[0096] Step S402, receiving control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through the system load balancing SYLB module and the network load balancing NLB module, wherein the GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the control plane signaling is used to represent the control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network.

[0097] In the above step S402, the GTP-C module receives the control plane signaling forwarded after being processed by the SYLB and NLB modules. These signalings come from the target user equipment (UE) and are directed to the most suitable GTP-C instance for processing through the multi-layer load balancing mechanism, ensuring the efficiency and fairness of signaling processing.

[0098] Among them, the SYLB module performs preliminary load balancing on the signaling at the L3-L4 layer (network layer and transport layer), and ensures efficient transmission of the signaling through intelligent algorithms and link state tables. The NLB module further refines the distribution of signaling at the L7 layer (application layer), and selects the best GTP-C module to process the signaling based on the signaling characteristics and the processing capabilities of the core network elements.

[0099] Step S404: Process the control plane signaling to obtain a signaling processing result, and return the signaling processing result to the target user equipment through the NLB module and the SYLB module.

[0100] In the above step S404, after receiving the signaling, the GTP-C module performs corresponding business logic and protocol operations according to the type and content of the signaling, such as but not limited to session management, mobility management, billing information update, etc. After processing the control plane signaling, the GTP-C module generates a signaling processing result, which can be a confirmation message, a status update, an error report, etc., depending on the signaling requirements and business processes. Finally, the GTP-C module sends the signaling processing result back to the SYLB module through the NLB module, and finally returns it to the UE. This process involves a reverse load balancing path, that is, the NLB module selects the best return path according to the link state table and the current network conditions, and sends the result to the SYLB module. The SYLB module then efficiently returns the processing result to the UE based on the link state and load conditions of the L3-L4 layer.

[0101] Through the above steps S402 to S404, the purpose of efficient and balanced distribution and cluster disaster recovery of control plane signaling in 4G / 5G networks is achieved based on integration and optimization of GTP-C modules, design and implementation of NLB modules and SYLB modules, thereby achieving the technical effects of optimizing signaling processing capabilities, improving system stability and redundancy, and enhancing network service continuity, and further solving the technical problems of poor signaling distribution efficiency and lack of cluster disaster recovery mechanism in scenarios such as large capacity and link interruption, as related technologies do not clearly specify how to uniformly perform signaling load balancing distribution.

[0102] It should be noted that the above-mentioned signaling distribution method applied to the GTP-C module is similar to the above-mentioned signaling distribution method applied to the SYLB module or the signaling distribution method applied to the NLB module. Therefore, the relevant explanations and instructions in the above-mentioned signaling distribution method applied to the SYLB module or the signaling distribution method applied to the NLB module are also applicable to the signaling distribution method applied to the GTP-C module, and will not be repeated here.

[0103] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a signaling distribution process provided according to an embodiment of the present application, such as Figure 5 As shown in the figure, taking the 4 / 5G interoperability of the N26 interface as an example, the overall signaling distribution process can be as follows:

[0104] Signaling enters the network from the user equipment (UE) through the base station (such as gNodeB or eNodeB), and is then forwarded to the TOR switch and received by the SYLB module. The SYLB module performs preliminary balancing and routing selection on the signaling at the L3-L4 layer (network layer and transport layer) to ensure that the signaling can quickly reach the NLB module through the optimal path. The NLB module parses the received control plane signaling at the L7 layer (application layer), identifies its characteristics, and generates the corresponding hash value using a hash algorithm. The NLB module matches the information in the link state table with the hash value, evaluates the degree of match between the control plane signaling and multiple core network elements, and intelligently selects the target core network element that is most suitable for processing the current signaling. After selecting the target network element, the NLB module sends the control plane signaling to the GTP-C module in the target network element (MME, SGW-C / PGW-C in 4G, SMF, AMF in 5G, or ePDG in voWIFI) for processing according to the second forwarding protocol (such as UDP). After receiving the control plane signaling, the GTP-C module performs specific business logic processing, such as session management, mobility management, etc. After the processing is completed, the signaling processing result is generated. The NLB module receives the processed result, selects the best return path again, and forwards the result to the SYLB module. The SYLB module is responsible for efficiently and evenly returning the processing result to the UE at the L3-L4 layer, completing the closed loop of signaling processing.

[0105] The entire process also reflects the cluster disaster recovery mechanism. For example, when the SYLB or NLB module fails, other modules in the cluster can quickly take over to ensure uninterrupted service. The signaling processing results can be returned to the UE in a timely and stable manner, improving the overall stability and reliability of the system.

[0106] In the embodiment of the present application, by introducing the GTP-C module, the NLB (network load balancing) module and the SYLB (system load balancing) module, the intelligent distribution and efficient processing of 4G / 5G heterogeneous network signaling are realized. In particular, when processing large-scale signaling and responding to network failures, the cluster disaster recovery mechanism can quickly switch to the backup node to ensure the continuity and integrity of the signaling message, and the multi-layer load balancing ensures the stable operation of the system under high load and the reasonable allocation of resources. This solution significantly improves the performance and reliability of the 4G and 5G core networks in interoperability scenarios, effectively solves the problems of uneven signaling distribution and insufficient disaster recovery capabilities in traditional architectures, and is of great significance for enhancing the processing capabilities of the network, reducing signaling delays and improving user experience. Beneficial effects include but are not limited to improving signaling processing efficiency, enhancing system stability and redundancy, optimizing network resource utilization, supporting seamless 4G / 5G interoperability, and improving network performance in large-capacity scenarios.

[0107] According to the embodiment of the present application, a signaling distribution system is provided. It should be noted that the signaling distribution system of the embodiment of the present application can be used to execute the signaling distribution method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The signaling distribution system provided in the embodiment of the present application is introduced below.

[0108] Figure 6 is a structural diagram of a signaling distribution system provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 6 As shown, the system includes: SYLB (system load balancing), NLB (network load balancing) and GTP-C module. Among them, the GTP-C module is integrated in multiple core network elements (MME, AMF, SGW-C, ePDG, SMF+PGW-C); E-UTRAN and NG-RAN are two different wireless access network architectures, corresponding to 4G (LTE) and 5G networks respectively; S11, N26, S2b-C, S5 / S8-C interfaces are key interfaces for communication between core network elements in 4G (LTE) and 5G (NR) network architectures, and they each undertake specific signaling and data transmission functions.

[0109] Specifically, the SYLB module is used to receive control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment and send the control plane signaling to the NLB module, wherein the control plane signaling is used to represent the control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol; the NLB module is used to receive the control plane signaling sent through the SYLB module, and send the control plane signaling to the GTP-C module in the target core network element; the GTP-C module is used to process the control plane signaling, obtain the signaling processing result, and return the signaling processing result to the target user equipment through the NLB module and the SYLB module.

[0110] According to an embodiment of the present application, a signaling distribution device is provided. It should be noted that the signaling distribution device of the embodiment of the present application can be used to execute the signaling distribution method provided in the embodiment of the present application. The signaling distribution device provided in the embodiment of the present application is introduced below.

[0111] Figure 7 is a structural diagram of a signaling distribution device provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 As shown, the device is applied to the system load balancing SYLB module, including:

[0112] A first receiving module 70 is used to receive control plane signaling sent by a target user equipment, wherein the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, and the control plane signaling is used to indicate control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network;

[0113] The first sending module 72 is used to send the control plane signaling to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element through the network load balancing NLB module for processing, wherein the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the GTP-C module is used to process the service signaling related to the control plane protocol.

[0114] Through the first receiving module 70 and the first sending module 72 in the above-mentioned signaling distribution device, the purpose of efficient and balanced distribution and cluster disaster recovery of control plane signaling in 4G / 5G networks is achieved based on the integration and optimization of GTP-C modules, the design and implementation of NLB modules and SYLB modules, thereby achieving the technical effects of optimizing signaling processing capabilities, improving system stability and redundancy, and enhancing network service continuity, and further solving the technical problems of poor signaling distribution efficiency and lack of cluster disaster recovery mechanism in scenarios such as large capacity and link interruption, due to the fact that related technologies do not clearly specify how to uniformly perform signaling load balancing distribution.

[0115] The signaling distribution device provided in the embodiment of the present application also includes a determination module 74, which is used to determine the link status table of multiple core network elements, wherein the link status table includes the node status and link quality parameters of the multiple core network elements; send heartbeat packets to multiple core network elements, and receive response information of the heartbeat packets, wherein the heartbeat packets are used to detect the connectivity and health status between multiple core network elements, and the response information is used to reflect the change status of multiple core network elements; update the link status table according to the response information.

[0116] In the signaling distribution device provided in an embodiment of the present application, the first receiving module is also used to receive control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through a preset network interface and a first forwarding protocol, wherein the preset network interface is used to support data transmission of control plane signaling between the target user equipment and the SYLB module, and the first forwarding protocol is used to support uniform distribution of control plane signaling between SYLB modules.

[0117] In the signaling distribution device provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first sending module is also used to receive the signaling processing result obtained after the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element processes the control plane signaling through the NLB module; and return the signaling processing result to the target user equipment.

[0118] Figure 8 is a structural diagram of another signaling distribution device provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 8 As shown, the device is applied to a network load balancing NLB module, including:

[0119] A second receiving module 80 is used to receive control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through the system load balancing SYLB module, wherein the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, and the control plane signaling is used to indicate control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network;

[0120] The second sending module 82 is used to send the control plane signaling to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing. The GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol.

[0121] Through the second receiving module 80 and the second sending module 82 in the above-mentioned signaling distribution device, the purpose of efficient and balanced distribution and cluster disaster recovery of control plane signaling in 4G / 5G networks is achieved based on the integration and optimization of GTP-C modules, the design and implementation of NLB modules and SYLB modules, thereby achieving the technical effects of optimizing signaling processing capabilities, improving system stability and redundancy, and enhancing network service continuity, and further solving the technical problems of poor signaling distribution efficiency and lack of cluster disaster recovery mechanism in scenarios such as large capacity and link interruption, as the relevant technologies do not clearly specify how to uniformly perform signaling load balancing distribution.

[0122] In the signaling distribution device provided in an embodiment of the present application, the second sending module is also used to determine the target core network element for processing the control plane signaling from the link state table, wherein the link state table includes the node status and link quality parameters of multiple core network elements, and the link state table is determined by the SYLB module; the control plane signaling is forwarded to the GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing according to the second forwarding protocol, wherein the second forwarding protocol is used to support the forwarding of the control plane signaling between the NLB module and the target core network element.

[0123] In the signaling distribution device provided in the embodiment of the present application, the second sending module is also used to obtain signaling characteristics of the control plane signaling, wherein the signaling characteristics include at least one of the following: the source address, the target address and the signaling type of the control plane signaling; using a hash algorithm to determine the hash value corresponding to the signaling characteristic; matching the hash value with the link state table to obtain a matching result, wherein the matching result is used to indicate the degree of matching between the control plane signaling and multiple core network elements; determining the target core network element based on the matching result.

[0124] In the signaling distribution device provided in the embodiment of the present application, the second sending module is also used to receive the signaling processing result obtained after the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element processes the control plane signaling; and return the signaling processing result to the target user equipment through the SYLB module.

[0125] Fig. 9 is a structural diagram of another signaling distribution device provided according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 9 As shown, the device is applied to the control plane protocol GTP-C module, including:

[0126] The third receiving module 90 is used to receive the control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through the system load balancing SYLB module and the network load balancing NLB module, wherein the GTP-C module is used to process the service signaling related to the control plane protocol, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, and the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer. The control plane signaling is used to indicate the control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network;

[0127] The processing module 92 is used to process the control plane signaling, obtain the signaling processing result, and return the signaling processing result to the target user equipment through the NLB module and the SYLB module.

[0128] Through the third receiving module 90 and the processing module 92 in the above-mentioned signaling distribution device, the purpose of efficient and balanced distribution and cluster disaster recovery of control plane signaling in 4G / 5G networks is achieved based on the integration and optimization of GTP-C modules, the design and implementation of NLB modules and SYLB modules, thereby achieving the technical effects of optimizing signaling processing capabilities, improving system stability and redundancy, and enhancing network service continuity, and further solving the technical problems of poor signaling distribution efficiency and lack of cluster disaster recovery mechanism in scenarios such as large capacity and link interruption, as the relevant technologies do not clearly specify how to uniformly perform signaling load balancing distribution.

[0129] An embodiment of the present application also provides an electronic device, including: a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store program instructions; the processor is connected to the memory and is used to execute and implement the above-mentioned signaling distribution method.

[0130] It should be noted that the above electronic equipment is used to execute Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The signaling distribution method shown, therefore the relevant explanations and instructions in the above signaling distribution method are also applicable to the electronic device and will not be repeated here.

[0131] An embodiment of the present application further provides a non-volatile storage medium, which includes a stored computer program, wherein the device where the non-volatile storage medium is located executes the above-mentioned signaling distribution method by running the computer program.

[0132] It should be noted that the above non-volatile storage medium is used to execute Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The signaling distribution method shown, therefore the relevant explanations in the above signaling distribution method are also applicable to the non-volatile storage medium, and will not be repeated here.

[0133] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including computer instructions, which implement the above-mentioned signaling distribution method when executed by a processor.

[0134] It should be noted that the above-mentioned computer program product is used to execute Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 The signaling distribution method shown, therefore the relevant explanations in the above signaling distribution method are also applicable to the computer program product and will not be repeated here.

[0135] The serial numbers of the above-mentioned embodiments of the present application are for description only and do not represent the advantages or disadvantages of the embodiments.

[0136] In the above embodiments of the present application, the description of each embodiment has its own emphasis. For parts that are not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant description of other embodiments.

[0137] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed technical content can be implemented in other ways. Among them, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units can be a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of units or modules, which can be electrical or other forms.

[0138] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment.

[0139] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

[0140] If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions to enable a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server or a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), mobile hard disk, disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes.

[0141] The above is only a preferred implementation of the present application. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present application. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A signaling distribution method, characterized in that: Applied to the system load balancing SYLB module, including: Receiving control plane signaling sent by a target user equipment, wherein the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, and the control plane signaling is used to represent control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network; The control plane signaling is sent to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element through the network load balancing NLB module for processing, wherein the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The GTP-C module is integrated in multiple core network elements, wherein the multiple core network elements include at least: a mobility management entity, an access and mobility management function entity, a serving gateway control plane entity, a fusion entity of a session management function entity and a gateway control plane, and an evolved packet data gateway entity.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: The SYLB module determines a link status table of the plurality of core network elements, wherein the link status table includes node status and link quality parameters of the plurality of core network elements; Sending a heartbeat packet to the multiple core network elements, and receiving response information of the heartbeat packet, wherein the heartbeat packet is used to detect connectivity and health status between the multiple core network elements, and the response information is used to reflect the change status of the multiple core network elements; The link status table is updated according to the response information.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: Receiving control plane signaling sent by a target user equipment, including: Receive control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through a preset network interface and a first forwarding protocol, wherein the preset network interface is used to support data transmission of the control plane signaling between the target user equipment and the SYLB module, and the first forwarding protocol is used to support uniform distribution of the control plane signaling among the SYLB modules.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that After sending the control plane signaling to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element through the network load balancing NLB module for processing, the method further includes: Receiving, by the NLB module, a signaling processing result obtained after the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element processes the control plane signaling; The signaling processing result is returned to the target user equipment.

6. A signaling distribution method, characterized in that: Applied to the network load balancing NLB module, including: Receive control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through the system load balancing SYLB module, wherein the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, and the control plane signaling is used to represent control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network; The control plane signaling is sent to a control plane protocol GTP-C module in a target core network element for processing, and the GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The control plane signaling is sent to a control plane protocol GTP-C module in a target core network element for processing, including: The NLB module determines a target core network element for processing the control plane signaling from a link state table, wherein the link state table includes node states and link quality parameters of a plurality of core network elements, and the link state table is determined by the SYLB module; The control plane signaling is forwarded to the GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing according to a second forwarding protocol, wherein the second forwarding protocol is used to support forwarding of the control plane signaling between the NLB module and the target core network element.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that Determining a target core network element for processing the control plane signaling from a link state table includes: Acquire a signaling feature of the control plane signaling, wherein the signaling feature includes at least one of the following: The source address, destination address and signaling type of the control plane signaling; Determine a hash value corresponding to the signaling feature using a hash algorithm; Matching the hash value with the link state table to obtain a matching result, wherein the matching result is used to indicate the matching degree between the control plane signaling and the multiple core network elements; The target core network element is determined according to the matching result.

9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that After sending the control plane signaling to the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element for processing, the method further includes: Receiving a signaling processing result obtained after the control plane protocol GTP-C module in the target core network element processes the control plane signaling; The signaling processing result is returned to the target user equipment through the SYLB module.

10. A signaling distribution method, characterized in that: Applied to the control plane protocol GTP-C module, including: Receive control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment through the system load balancing SYLB module and the network load balancing NLB module, wherein the GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the control plane signaling is used to represent control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network; The control plane signaling is processed to obtain a signaling processing result, and the signaling processing result is returned to the target user equipment through the NLB module and the SYLB module.

11. A signaling distribution system, characterized in that: include: System load balancing SYLB module, network load balancing NLB module and control plane protocol GTP-C module, among which, The SYLB module is used to receive control plane signaling sent by the target user equipment, and send the control plane signaling to the NLB module, wherein the control plane signaling is used to represent control information for data transmission between the target user equipment and the network, the SYLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the network layer and the transport layer, the NLB module is used to control the load balancing of the control plane signaling at the application layer, and the GTP-C module is used to process service signaling related to the control plane protocol; The NLB module is used to receive the control plane signaling sent by the SYLB module, and send the control plane signaling to the GTP-C module in the target core network element; The GTP-C module is used to process the control plane signaling, obtain a signaling processing result, and return the signaling processing result to the target user equipment through the NLB module and the SYLB module.

12. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: A memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store program instructions; the processor is connected to the memory and is used to execute the signaling distribution method described in any one of claims 1 to 5 or claims 6 to 9 or claim 10.

13. A non-volatile storage medium, characterized in that: The non-volatile storage medium includes a stored computer program, wherein the device where the non-volatile storage medium is located executes the signaling distribution method described in any one of claims 1 to 5, claims 6 to 9, or claim 10 by running the computer program.

14. A computer program product comprising computer instructions, characterized in that: When the computer instructions are executed by a processor, the signaling distribution method described in any one of claims 1 to 5, claims 6 to 9, or claim 10 is implemented.

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