Communication method, device and system

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a communication method, device and system, relates to the technical field of communication, and solves the problem that a local area network group cannot work normally when a session management network element fails. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a first session establishment request message from a first session management network element, and receiving a second session establishment request message from a second session management network element; wherein the first session management network element and the second session management network element are both used for providing a session management function for the target local area network; establishing a first group of sessions according to the first session establishment request message; and establishing a second group of sessions according to the second session establishment request message. The embodiment of the invention is applied to local area network group management.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technology, and in particular, to a communication method, device and system. Background Art

[0002] The fifth generation (5G) local area network (5G LAN) service is a service provided by the current 5G network, which is mainly used in home communications, corporate offices, factory manufacturing, Internet of Vehicles, power grid transformation and public security organs. This service can provide private communications of Internet protocol (IP) type or non-IP type (such as Ethernet type) for two or more terminals in a group of terminals. For example, the devices in a factory can form a group, and the devices in the group can send Ethernet data packets to each other; or, the office equipment (such as mobile phones, computers or laptops) of employees in a department of an enterprise form a group and send IP data packets to each other, and so on. If two terminals are not in the same group, they cannot communicate with each other.

[0003] Currently, terminals in a 5G LAN group are usually managed by a session management function (SMF). When the SMF managing the 5G LAN group fails, the 5G LAN group will not work properly and services within the group will be lost. Therefore, how to avoid the 5G LAN group from not working properly when the SMF fails has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently. Summary of the invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, device and system, which can avoid the problem that the 5G LAN group cannot work normally when the SMF fails.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a first user plane network element, or by a component of the first user plane network element, such as a processor, a chip, or a chip system of the first user plane network element, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the first user plane network element. The following is an example of the method being executed by the first user plane network element. The communication method includes: receiving a first session establishment request message from a first session management network element, and receiving a second session establishment request message from a second session management network element; wherein the first session management network element and the second session management network element are both used to provide a session management function for a target local area network; the first session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a first group session between the first session management network element and the first user plane network element, and the second group session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a second group session between the second session management network element and the first user plane network element; the first group session and the second group session are both group sessions of the target local area network; according to the first session establishment request message, the first group session is established; and according to the second session establishment request message, the second group session is established.

[0007] In the embodiment of the present application, the first user plane network element establishes a group session with the first session management network element and the second session management network element respectively. In this way, when one of the session management network elements fails, the terminal can quickly switch to another session management network element for service transmission based on the group session between the first user plane network element and the other session management network element, which solves the problem in the prior art that the local area network group cannot work normally when the session management network element fails.

[0008] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first session management network element and the second session management network element are both session management network elements in the first session management network element list; the multiple session management network elements in the first session management network element list are all used to provide session management functions for the target local area network.

[0009] Based on this, the first session management network element list is pre-configured with multiple session management network elements that provide session management functions for the target local area network. When the access and mobility management network element selects a session management network element for the terminal to access, a session management network element can be selected from the multiple session management network elements. When the currently serving session management network element fails, a session management network element can be directly selected from other session management network elements in the table to provide session management function services for the terminal.

[0010] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the second session establishment request is a group session establishment request message generated by the second session management network element after the first terminal disconnects from the first session management network element and reconnects to the second session management network element; or, the second group session establishment request is a group session establishment request message generated by the second session management network element after the second terminal accesses the second session management network element; wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are both terminals in the target local area network.

[0011] Based on this, the first terminal can reconnect to the second session management network element when the first session management network element fails, so that the first terminal can rebuild the group session based on the second session management network element, and the second session management network element can perform group session management for the first terminal based on the rebuilt group session.

[0012] Alternatively, the second terminal directly accesses the second session management network element when accessing, and establishes a group session based on the second session management network element. In this way, in the embodiment of the present application, two session management network elements simultaneously manage the target local area network, and the two session management network elements both establish a group session with the first user plane network element. When one of the session management network elements fails, the terminal managed by the failed session management network element can quickly access the other session management network element based on the group session between the other session management network element and the first user plane network element.

[0013] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first group session establishment request message includes at least one of the following: an identifier of a target local area network, and a first forwarding rule; the first forwarding rule is used to characterize a rule for forwarding data by the first user plane network element.

[0014] Based on this, the first session management network element indicates the first user plane network element a first forwarding rule for forwarding data in the first group session establishment request, so that the first user plane network element completes data forwarding according to the first forwarding rule in the subsequent data forwarding process.

[0015] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first forwarding rule includes at least one of the following: a first downlink BUM forwarding rule; a first uplink BUM forwarding rule; a BUM forwarding rule across user plane network elements; wherein, the first downlink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the downlink BUM data packet to each terminal connected to the target user plane network element in the local LAN, and does not forward the downlink BUM data packet to the N19 interface; the target user plane network element is a user plane network element that receives the first forwarding rule; the first uplink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the uplink BUM data packet to the N19 interface and the N6 interface, and sends the uplink BUM data packet to the third terminal; the third terminal is a terminal among the terminals connected to the target user plane network element in the local LAN except the terminal that sends the uplink BUM data packet; the BUM forwarding rule across user plane network elements is: the target user plane network element forwards the BUM across user plane network elements to each terminal connected to the target user plane network element in the local LAN.

[0016] Based on this, the first forwarding rule gives specific forwarding methods for forwarding uplink BUM data, downlink BUM data and BUM data across the N19 interface. The first user-side network element can forward uplink BUM data, downlink BUM data and BUM data across the N19 interface according to these specific forwarding methods.

[0017] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the first forwarding rule includes at least one of the following: a second downlink BUM forwarding rule; a second uplink BUM forwarding rule; wherein the second downlink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the downlink BUM data packet to each terminal connected to the target user plane network element in the local LAN; the target user plane network element is a user plane network element that receives the first forwarding rule; the second uplink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the uplink BUM data packet to the N6 interface, and sends the uplink BUM data packet to the fourth terminal; the fourth terminal is a terminal among the terminals connected to the target user plane network element in the local LAN except the terminal that sends the uplink BUM data packet.

[0018] Based on this, the first forwarding rule provides specific forwarding methods for uplink BUM data and downlink BUM data respectively, and the first user plane network element can forward the uplink BUM data and downlink BUM data according to these specific forwarding methods.

[0019] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method also includes: sending a first response message to the first session management network element, the first response message is used to indicate that the first user plane network element has created a first group of sessions, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the following: a third tunnel identifier assigned by the second user plane network element to the target local area network group, and a node identifier of the first user plane network element; and, sending a second response message to the second session management network element, the second response message is used to indicate that the first user plane network element has created a second group of sessions, and the second response message includes at least one of the following: a second tunnel identifier assigned by the first user plane network element to the second group of sessions, and a node identifier of the first user plane network element.

[0020] Based on this, after the first group session and the second group session are established, the first user plane network element sends a response message to the first session management network element and the second session management network element respectively, and indicates the tunnel identifier allocated for the group session and the node identifier of the first user plane network element in the response message. The first session management network element and the second session management network element can subsequently establish a transmission path based on the tunnel information allocated for the group session to forward data.

[0021] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, when multiple user plane network elements visit each other through a preset interface, the first tunnel identifier and the second tunnel identifier are tunnel identifiers associated with the preset interface, wherein the multiple user plane network elements include the first user plane network element.

[0022] Based on this, when the user plane network elements need to access each other through a preset interface (such as N19 interface), the tunnel identifier assigned by the user plane network element to the group session is the identifier of the preset interface. In this way, when data is subsequently transmitted across user plane network elements, the user plane network elements can directly transmit data according to the tunnel corresponding to the assigned tunnel identifier.

[0023] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: determining group subscription attribute information of the target local area network; and determining, based on the group subscription attribute information, that multiple user plane network elements perform mutual access through a preset interface.

[0024] Based on this, the first user plane network element can determine whether multiple user plane network elements visit each other through a preset interface through the group subscription attribute information.

[0025] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, a method for determining the group subscription attribute information of the target local area network includes at least one of the following: obtaining group attribute subscription information pre-configured in a first user plane network element; and / or, receiving group attribute subscription information from a first session management network element, wherein the group attribute subscription information is pre-configured in the first session management network element, and / or, the group attribute subscription information is obtained by the first session management network element from a unified data management network element.

[0026] Based on this, in the embodiment of the present application, three methods for determining the group subscription data information of the target local area network are provided, namely: pre-configuration in the user plane network element, pre-configuration in the first session management network element, and pre-configuration in the unified data management network element. Among them, in the case of pre-configuration in the first session management network element or the unified data management network element, the first session management network element can obtain the group subscription data information of the target local area network and send it to the first user plane network element.

[0027] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving a first session modification request message from a first session management network element or a second session management network element; wherein the first session modification request message carries a second forwarding rule; and the second forwarding rule is used to characterize the forwarding rule of the broadcast data of the first user plane network element.

[0028] Based on this, the first session management network element can supplement and update the forwarding rule of the first user plane network element, so that the first user plane network element can forward data according to the supplemented and updated forwarding rule.

[0029] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the second forwarding rule also includes a third tunnel identifier assigned by the second user plane network element to the target local area network, and a node identifier of the second user plane network element; the second user plane network element is a user plane network element used to provide user plane functions for the target local area network.

[0030] Based on this, the first session management network element or the second session management network element sends the third tunnel identifier assigned by the second user plane network element to the target local area network and the node identifier of the second user plane network element to the first user plane network element, so that the first user plane network element realizes cross-user plane network element transmission with the second user plane network element based on the third tunnel identifier and the node identifier of the second user plane network element.

[0031] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving a second session modification request message from a first session management network element; wherein the second session modification request message carries a third forwarding rule, and the third forwarding rule is used to characterize the forwarding rule of the first user plane network element forwarding data with a destination address as a first media access control MAC address; establishing a first correspondence between the first MAC address and the first terminal session, the first terminal session being a session of the terminal reporting the first MAC address; recording the first correspondence in the group session of the target local area network, and the first correspondence is used by the first user plane network element to forward the data packet with a destination address as the first MAC address through the first terminal session.

[0032] Based on this, the first user plane network element can determine the forwarding rules for data with a destination address as the first MAC address according to the second session modification request message sent by the first session management network element, and then the first user plane network element can subsequently forward the data with a destination address as the first MAC address based on the forwarding rules.

[0033] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first MAC address is a unicast MAC address of a fourth terminal, and the fourth terminal is a terminal accessing the first session management network element.

[0034] Based on this, the first user plane network element can forward the data of the unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal according to the forwarding rule of the unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal.

[0035] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method also includes: receiving uplink unicast message data from a fourth terminal; the uplink unicast message data includes the unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal; and sending the unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal to the first session management network element.

[0036] Based on this, the first user-plane network element can obtain the unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal from the uplink unicast message of the fourth terminal, and send the unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal to the first session management network element, so that the first session management network element generates a forwarding rule corresponding to the unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal based on the unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal.

[0037] In combination with the above first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first MAC address is a multicast MAC address of the first group session.

[0038] Based on this, the first user plane network element can forward the data of the multicast MAC address of the first group session according to the forwarding rule of the multicast MAC address of the first group session.

[0039] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the method also includes: receiving first multicast message data from a fifth terminal; the first multicast message data includes a multicast MAC address of a first group session; and sending the multicast MAC address of the first group session to a first session management network element and a second session management network element.

[0040] Based on this, the first user-side network element can obtain the multicast MAC address of the first group session from the first multicast message of the fifth terminal, and send the multicast MAC address of the first group session from the fifth terminal to the first session management network element, so that the first session management network element generates a forwarding rule corresponding to the multicast MAC address of the first group session based on the multicast MAC address of the first group session.

[0041] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method also includes: receiving a third session modification request message from a second session management network element; wherein the third session modification request message carries a fourth forwarding rule, and the fourth forwarding rule is used to characterize the forwarding rule for the first user plane network element to forward data with a destination address of the second MAC address; and sending a third session modification response message to the second session management network element.

[0042] Based on this, the first user plane network element can determine the forwarding rules for data with a destination address as the second MAC address according to the third session modification request message sent by the second session management network element, and then the first user plane network element can forward the data with a destination address as the second MAC address based on the forwarding rules in subsequent forwarding.

[0043] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second MAC address is a unicast MAC address of a sixth terminal, and the sixth terminal is a terminal accessing the second session management network element.

[0044] Based on this, the first user-plane network element can forward the data of the unicast MAC address of the sixth terminal according to the forwarding rule of the unicast MAC address of the sixth terminal.

[0045] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the unicast MAC address of the sixth terminal is obtained by the second user-plane network element from uplink unicast message data of the sixth terminal.

[0046] Based on this, the second user-plane network element can obtain the unicast MAC address of the sixth terminal from the uplink unicast message of the sixth terminal, and send the unicast MAC address of the sixth terminal to the second session management network element, so that the second session management network element generates a forwarding rule corresponding to the unicast MAC address of the sixth terminal based on the unicast MAC address of the sixth terminal.

[0047] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the fourth forwarding rule is further used to indicate a third tunnel identifier allocated by the second user plane network element to the target local area network group.

[0048] Based on this, the first session management network element sends the third tunnel identifier allocated by the second user plane network element to the target local area network to the first user plane network element, so that the first user plane network element can realize cross-user plane network element transmission with the second user plane network element according to the third tunnel identifier.

[0049] In combination with the above first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second MAC address is a multicast MAC address of the second group session.

[0050] Based on this, the first user plane network element can forward the data of the multicast MAC address of the second group session according to the forwarding rule of the multicast MAC address of the second group session.

[0051] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the multicast MAC address of the second group session is obtained by the second user plane network element from the second multicast message data of the seventh terminal, and the seventh terminal is a terminal accessing the second session management network element.

[0052] Based on this, the second user-side network element can obtain the multicast MAC address of the second group session from the multicast message of the seventh terminal, and send the multicast MAC address of the seventh terminal to the second session management network element, so that the second session management network element generates a forwarding rule corresponding to the multicast MAC address of the second group session based on the multicast MAC address of the seventh terminal.

[0053] In combination with the above-mentioned first aspect, in a possible implementation method, the method also includes: in a case where a failure of the first session management network element is detected, establishing a terminal session between the first user plane network element and the second session management network element for the target terminal; wherein the target terminal is a terminal in a local area network, and the target terminal accesses the first session management network element before the failure of the first session management network element, and re-accesses the second session management network element after the failure of the first session management network element.

[0054] Based on this, when the first user plane network element detects a failure of the first session management network element, a terminal session of the target terminal is established between the second session management network element and the first user plane network element, so that the target terminal can access the second session management network element that is not faulty, and the target terminal can then carry out group services of the local area network normally.

[0055] In combination with the above first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: deleting a terminal session registered by the target terminal in the first session management network element, and deleting a group session associated with the first session management network element.

[0056] Based on this, when the first session management network element fails, the first user plane network element deletes the terminal session and the group session of the first session management network element, thereby saving network resources of the first user plane network element.

[0057] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by an access and mobility management network element, or by a component of the access and mobility management network element, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the access and mobility management network element, or by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the access and mobility management network element. The following is an example of the method being executed by the access and mobility management network element. The communication method includes: receiving a first session creation request from an eighth terminal, the eighth terminal is a terminal in a target local area network, and the first session creation request is used to request to create a session for the eighth terminal; in response to the first session creation request, selecting a first session management network element from a first session management network element list; the first session management network element list includes multiple session management network elements that provide session management functions for the target local area network; sending a second session creation request to the first session management network element; the second session creation request is used to request to create a session for the eighth terminal.

[0058] In the embodiment of the present application, after the access and mobility management network element receives the first session creation request of the terminal, a session management network element to be accessed is selected for the eighth terminal from multiple session management network elements in a list of multiple first session management network elements. The list of first session management network elements includes multiple session management network elements that provide session management functions for the target local area network. When the currently serving session management network element fails, the access and mobility management network element can select a session management network element from other session management network elements in the list to continue to provide session management function services for the terminal.

[0059] In combination with the above-mentioned second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method also includes: sending a session management network element list request message to the network storage network element; the session management network element list request message is used to request a session management network element that provides session management function for the target local area network; receiving a session management network element list response message from the network storage network element; the session management network element list response message is used to indicate a first session management network element list.

[0060] Based on this, multiple session management network elements may be pre-registered in the network storage network element to support the target local area network. When the access and mobility management network element requests the network storage network element for the session management network element that supports the target local area network, a first session management network element list including the multiple session management network elements may be sent to the access and mobility management network element, so that the access and mobility management network element can select a session management network element for access for the terminal from the multiple session management network elements in the first session management network element list.

[0061] In combination with the above second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: selecting the first session management network element based on the loads of multiple session management network elements in the first session management network element list.

[0062] Based on this, the access and mobility management network element can select a session management network element for the terminal to access in a load sharing manner, thereby achieving load balancing among multiple session management network elements in the first session management network element list.

[0063] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. The communication device may be the first user plane network element in the first aspect or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the first user plane network element, or a device included in the first user plane network element, such as a chip. Alternatively, the communication device may be the access and mobility management network element in the second aspect or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the access and mobility management network element, or a device included in the access and mobility management network element, such as a chip. The communication device includes a module, unit, or means corresponding to the method described above, and the module, unit, or means may be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing the corresponding software implementation by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions.

[0064] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module, which may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the sending and / or receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The transceiver module may be composed of a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver or a communication interface. The processing module may be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementations thereof.

[0065] In some possible designs, the transceiver module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are respectively used to implement the sending and receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation methods thereof.

[0066] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; the processor is used to execute a computer program or instruction stored in a memory so that the communication device performs the method of any one of the above aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor. The communication device may be the first user plane network element in the above-mentioned first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned first user plane network element, or a device included in the above-mentioned first user plane network element, such as a chip. Alternatively, the communication device may be the access and mobility management network element in the above-mentioned second aspect, or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the above-mentioned access and mobility management network element, or a device included in the above-mentioned access and mobility management network element, such as a chip.

[0067] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the processor includes a logic circuit and an input interface and / or an output interface, wherein the output interface is used to execute the sending action in the corresponding method, and the input interface is used to execute the receiving action in the corresponding method.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface and a communication bus, and the processor, the memory, and the communication interface are connected via the communication bus. The communication interface is used to perform the sending and receiving actions in the corresponding method. The communication interface may also be referred to as a transceiver. Optionally, the communication interface includes a transmitter and a receiver, in which case the transmitter is used to perform the sending action in the corresponding method, and the receiver is used to perform the receiving action in the corresponding method.

[0070] In some possible designs, when the communication device is a chip system, it can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0071] It can be understood that when the communication device provided in any one of the second to third aspects is a chip, the above-mentioned sending action / function can be understood as output, and the above-mentioned receiving action / function can be understood as input.

[0072] In a fifth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer-readable storage medium is run on a communication device, the communication device can execute any of the above aspects or any of its implementation methods.

[0073] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when executed on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute any of the above-mentioned aspects or any of its implementation methods.

[0074] In a seventh aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: a first user plane network element, a first session management network element, and a second session management network element; wherein the first session management network element and the second session management network element are both used to provide session management functions for a target local area network; the first session management network element is used to send a first session establishment request message to the first user plane network element; the first session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a first group of sessions between the first session management network element and the first user plane network element; the second session management network element is used to send a second session establishment request message to the first user plane network element; the second session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a second group of sessions between the second session management network element and the first user plane network element; the first group of sessions and the second group of sessions are both group sessions of the target local area network; the first user plane network element is used to receive a first session establishment request message from the first session management network element, and receive a second session establishment request message from the second session management network element; and establish a first group of sessions according to the first session establishment request message; and establish a second group of sessions according to the second session establishment request message.

[0075] In combination with the above-mentioned seventh aspect, in a possible implementation method, the communication system also includes: an access and mobility management network element; an access and mobility management network element, used to obtain a first session management network element list; multiple session management network elements in the first session management network element list are all used to provide session management functions for the target local area network; the multiple session management network elements include a first session management network element and a second session management network element; the access and mobility management network element is also used to select the first session management network element from the first session management network element list.

[0076] In combination with the above-mentioned seventh aspect, in a possible implementation method, the communication system also includes: a second user plane network element; a first session management network element, which is also used to send a third session establishment request message to the second user plane network element; the third session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a third group of sessions between the first session management network element and the second user plane network element; the second session management network element is also used to send a fourth session establishment request message to the second user plane network element; the fourth session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a fourth group of sessions between the second session management network element and the second user plane network element; the third group of sessions and the fourth group of sessions are both group sessions of the target local area network; the second user plane network element is used to receive the third session establishment request message from the first session management network element, and receive the fourth session establishment request message from the second session management network element; and establish a third group of sessions according to the third session establishment request message; and, establish a fourth group of sessions according to the fourth session establishment request message.

[0077] The technical effects brought about by any implementation method of the third to seventh aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the corresponding implementation method of the first or second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0078] It should be noted that various possible implementation methods of any one of the above aspects can be combined under the premise that there is no contradiction between the solutions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the communication forwarding model of the 5G LAN provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0080] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the process of creating a group session and a terminal session for a 5G LAN group provided in an embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0081] Figure 3 The architecture of the communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ;

[0082] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the process of the communication method applied to the communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0083] Figure 5 The architecture of the communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ;

[0084] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an application of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application in a 5G network;

[0085] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the user plane architecture of the existing 5G LAN service provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 1 ;

[0088] Fig.10 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 2 ;

[0089] Fig.11 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 3 ;

[0090] Fig.12 Schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application Figure 4 ;

[0091] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, " / " indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in this application is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural.

[0093] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more than two. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0094] In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. Those skilled in the art can understand that words such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity and execution order, and words such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily limit the difference.

[0095] In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

[0096] It is understood that the "embodiment" mentioned throughout the specification means that the specific features, structures or characteristics related to the embodiment are included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the various embodiments in the entire specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, these specific features, structures or characteristics can be combined in one or more embodiments in any suitable manner. It is understood that in various embodiments of the present application, the size of the sequence number of each process does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiment of the present application.

[0097] It can be understood that in the present application, "when" and "if" both mean that corresponding processing will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and do not limit the time, nor do they require any judgment action when implementing, nor do they mean the existence of other limitations.

[0098] It can be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the solution on which they are currently based, to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects, or may be combined with other features according to needs in certain scenarios. Accordingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application may also realize these features or functions accordingly, which will not be elaborated here.

[0099] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In the various embodiments in this application, and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / implementation methods / implementation methods in each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, implementation methods, implementation methods, or implementation methods according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0100] In related technologies, the connection between various devices in the enterprise intranet is usually a wired Ethernet connection. With the development of 5G networks, the connection between various devices in the enterprise intranet can be updated from a wired Ethernet connection to a wireless connection based on the 5G network. Wireless connection can bring the advantages of rapid deployment, mobile adjustment, and low cost in long-distance scenarios, and can also avoid the wear and aging of wired connections.

[0101] In the current 5G LAN solution defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) protocol, a 5G local area network service for enterprise intranet scenarios is proposed to replace the current wired local area network (LAN) and wireless local area network (WLAN) enterprise intranet networking methods. The 5G local area network service can provide users with LAN services anytime and anywhere based on the 5G cellular network, manage terminal groups, and provide terminal groups with data exchange and multiple communication methods based on layer (L) 2 and L3, which can effectively reduce the latency of the local area network, expand the service scope of the local area network, reduce deployment costs, and improve management convenience.

[0102] Currently, a 5G LAN group is defined for 5G local area network type services. The 5G LAN group corresponds to a Layer 2 broadcast domain within the enterprise wired LAN. The communication models of the 5G LAN group include the following three types: switching and forwarding within a single user plane function (UPF), communication between the terminal and the server on the data network (DN), and forwarding between terminals across UPFs. The common basic forwarding mechanism of the three is: UPF learns the media access control (MAC) address of the terminal based on the data message sent by the terminal, and reports the MAC address of the terminal to the SMF registered by the terminal through the N4 port MAC address reporting mechanism. The SMF generates a packet detection rule (PDR) and a forwarding action rule (FAR) policy based on the received MAC, and sends the PDR and FAR policies to the UPF. The UPF forwards the data message according to the PDR and FAR policies.

[0103] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , it is a communication forwarding model of 5G LAN in the related art. Figure 1 Terminal 1, terminal 2 and terminal 3 are connected to UPF1, and terminal 4 is connected to UPF2. Terminal 1, terminal 2 and terminal 3 establish protocol data unit (PDU) sessions with UPF1 respectively, and a PDU session is established between terminal 4 and UPF2. UPF1 includes the N4 session of terminal 1, the N4 session of terminal 2 and the N4 session of terminal 3. UPF2 includes the N4 session of terminal 4. In addition, UPF1 also includes the N4 session of the 5G LAN group. The N4 session includes the PDR and FAR of the corresponding terminal. UPF can forward the data of the corresponding terminal or terminal group according to the PDR and FAR of the terminal or terminal group. Data is transmitted between UPF1 and UPF2 through the N19 interface. UPF can also be connected to the data network through the N6 interface.

[0104] Combination Figure 1The communication forwarding model of 5G LAN shown in the figure defines the 5G LAN group in 3GPP R18. All terminals in a 5G LAN group can be managed by one SMF instance or one SMF set (SMF set) or multiple SMFsets. However, it is not currently defined how to implement intra-group data forwarding under different SMFs when multiple different SMFs serve one group. Among them, when the intra-group data under different SMFs cannot be forwarded to each other, after an SMF fails, the intra-group services in the SMF will be lost, which will cause the 5G LAN service to fail to operate normally. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, in the related technology, the terminal interacts with network elements such as the access network and the core network to create a group session and a terminal session for the 5G LAN group, including the following steps:

[0105] S201, terminal 1 sends a PDU session creation request message to an access and mobility management function (AMF). Correspondingly, AMF receives the PDU session creation request message from terminal 1.

[0106] In one possible implementation, the PDU session creation request message carries at least one of the following: tracking area identity (TAI), subscription permanent identifier (SUPI), data network name (DNN), Slice, and PDU session type (Ethernet).

[0107] As an example, the PDU session establishment request message is: PDU Session Establishment Request.

[0108] S202. AMF selects SMF.

[0109] In one possible implementation, the AMF selects the SMF that can provide services to the terminals in the 5G LAN group based on the DNN, Slice, and location information (such as TAI) in the PDU session creation request message.

[0110] It should be pointed out that in the related technology, AMF can select an SMF for 5G LAN service from the SMF set from the perspective of service deployment to provide services for the 5G LAN group.

[0111] S203, AMF sends a PDU session creation context request message to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives a PDU session creation context request message from AMF.

[0112] Among them, the above SMF is the SMF selected by AMF in S202.

[0113] In a possible implementation manner, the PDU session creation context request message carries at least one of the following: DNN, Slice.

[0114] In one example, the PDU session creation context request message is: Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContextRequest.

[0115] S204. SMF interacts with the unified data management (UDM) network element to obtain the session identifier of the 5G LAN group session.

[0116] Among them, the 5G LAN group session is a 5G LAN group session based on the DNN / slice / PDU session type.

[0117] In a possible implementation, the above S204 may be specifically implemented through the following S204a-S204d, which is described in detail below.

[0118] S204a, SMF sends a user subscription data request message to UDM. Correspondingly, UDM receives the user subscription data request message from SMF.

[0119] In a possible implementation, the parameters carried by the user subscription data request message include but are not limited to at least one of the following: TAI, SUPI, DNN, Slice, and PDU session type (Ethernet).

[0120] An example of a user subscription data request message is: Nudm_SDM_GetUESessionManagementSubscriptionData Request.

[0121] S204b, UDM sends a user subscription data response message to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives the user subscription data response message from UDM.

[0122] In one possible implementation, the parameters carried by the user subscription data response message include but are not limited to at least one of the following: SUPI, DNN, slice, PDU session type (Ethernet), quality of service (QoS) parameters, sharedVnGroupDataIds, internalGroupid.

[0123] Among them, the internalGroupid information is the group identifier of the 5G LAN group signed by the terminal.

[0124] An example of a user subscription data response message is: Nudm_SDM_GetUESessionManagementSubscriptionData Response.

[0125] S204c: SMF sends a shared data acquisition request message to UDM. Correspondingly, UDM receives the shared data acquisition request message from SMF.

[0126] In a possible implementation, SMF generates a shared data acquisition request message according to the sharedVnGroupDataIds in the user contract data response message. SMF sends a shared data acquisition request message to UDM.

[0127] In one example, the shared data acquisition request message is: Nudm_SDM_GetSharedData Request.

[0128] S204d, UDM sends a shared data acquisition response message to SMF. Correspondingly, UDM receives the shared data acquisition response message from SMF.

[0129] In one possible implementation, the shared data acquisition response message is used to feed back the sharedVnGroupDatas corresponding to the sharedVnGroupDataIds to the SMF.

[0130] Optionally, the parameters carried by the shared data acquisition response message also include but are not limited to at least one of the following: DNN, slice, PDU session type.

[0131] An example of a shared data acquisition response message is: Nudm_SDM_GetSharedData Response.

[0132] S205, SMF sends a PDU session creation context response message to AMF. Correspondingly, AMF receives a PDU session creation context response message from SMF.

[0133] In one example, the PDU session create context response message is: Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContextResponse.

[0134] S206. SMF selects UPF1.

[0135] In one possible implementation, SMF selects UPF that supports 5G LAN based on DNN, Slice, and PDU session type (Ethernet).

[0136] S207. SMF and the selected UPF1 interact to create a session.

[0137] It should be pointed out that if the terminal currently requesting to create a session is the first terminal to access the 5G LAN group corresponding to the UPF, the SMF first triggers the establishment of the group session to UPF1, and then establishes the terminal session.

[0138] The process of establishing a group session is shown in S207a and S207b below. The process of establishing a terminal session is shown in S207c and S207d below.

[0139] Group session establishment:

[0140] S207a, SMF sends a first N4 group session creation request message to UPF1. Correspondingly, UPF1 receives the first N4 group session creation request message from SMF.

[0141] Among them, the first N4 group session creation request message is used to request the creation of a 5G LAN group session.

[0142] In a possible implementation, the parameters carried by the first N4 group session creation request message include but are not limited to at least one of the following: group ID, PDR and FAR, URR; optionally, URR also includes a MAC reporting event.

[0143] In one example, the first N4 group session establishment request message is: PFCP Session EstablishmentRequest.

[0144] S207b, UPF1 sends a first N4 group session creation response message to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives the first N4 group session creation response message from UPF1.

[0145] In other words, after UPF1 receives the first N4 group session creation request message from SMF, it allocates N19 F-TEID (for terminal mutual access between UPFs), UPF1 creates a 5G LAN group session, and maintains the relationship between the terminal and the 5G LAN group, so that UPF1 can quickly locate the terminal session during subsequent data packet transmission. UPF1 generates the first N4 group session creation response message based on N19 F-TEID and sends the first N4 group session creation response message to SMF.

[0146] In a possible implementation, after the group session is successfully created, SMF can send a group session modification request message to UPF1, and the group session modification request message carries PDR and FAR. In addition, after UPF1 obtains the multicast MAC, it will send the multicast MAC to SMF. SMF generates the corresponding PAR / FAR according to the multicast MAC, and sends the PAR / FAR corresponding to the multicast MAC to UPF1, so that UPF1 can implement N19 forwarding across UPFs and UPF internal forwarding according to the PAR / FAR corresponding to the multicast MAC.

[0147] In one example, the first N4 group session establishment response message is: PFCP Session EstablishmentResponse.

[0148] a. Terminal session establishment:

[0149] S207c, SMF sends a second N4 group session creation request message to UPF1. Correspondingly, UPF1 receives the second N4 group session creation request message from SMF.

[0150] The second N4 group session creation request message is used to request the creation of a terminal session.

[0151] In one possible implementation, the parameters carried by the second N4 group session creation request message include but are not limited to at least one of the following: session type (terminal session), PDR, FAR, usage reporting rule (URR). Among them, URR is also used to instruct UPF to report the MAC address corresponding to the terminal session. After UPF obtains the MAC address of the terminal, it reports it to SMF based on the URR event. SMF notifies the MAC address to other UPFs in the group to achieve mutual access between UPFs.

[0152] In one example, the second N4 group session establishment request message is: PFCP Session EstablishmentRequest.

[0153] b. Group session establishment

[0154] S207d, UPF1 sends a second N4 group session creation response message to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives the second N4 group session creation response message from UPF.

[0155] In other words, after receiving the second N4 group session creation request message, UPF1 allocates the corresponding F-TEID based on the request and determines the association between the terminal session and the 5G LAN group session. UPF1 generates a second N4 group session creation response message based on the corresponding F-TEID and sends the message to SMF.

[0156] In one example, the second N4 group session establishment response message is: PFCP Session EstablishmentResponse.

[0157] S208. SMF and AMF perform N1N2 message transmission process.

[0158] As an example, the N1N2 message transmission process is: Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer process.

[0159] In other words, SMF sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message to AMF, and AMF sends a reply message to SMF.

[0160] The Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message carries N2 SMInformation, which includes the N3 uplink TEID allocated by UPF1. The N3 uplink TEID is used to notify the radio access network (RAN) side to update the uplink peer tunnel information of the N3 tunnel to UPF1.

[0161] S209, AMF sends a PDU session resource configuration request message to RAN. Correspondingly, RAN receives the PDU session resource configuration request message from AMF.

[0162] The PDU session resource configuration request message carries the N3 uplink tunnel information.

[0163] In one example, the PDU session resource configuration request message is: PDU Session Resource SetupRequest.

[0164] S210: RAN sends a PDU session creation message to terminal 1. Correspondingly, terminal 1 receives the PDU session creation message from RAN.

[0165] The PDU session creation message includes: PDU Session ID.

[0166] S211. RAN sends a PDU session resource configuration response message to AMF. Correspondingly, AMF receives the PDU session resource configuration response message from RAN.

[0167] Among them, the PDU session resource configuration response message includes: N3 downlink tunnel information AN TunnelInfo allocated by UPF.

[0168] In one example, the PDU session resource configuration response message is: PDU Session Resource SetupResponse.

[0169] S212. SMF interacts with AMF to obtain N3 downlink tunnel information (AN Tunnel Info).

[0170] In a possible implementation, S202 may be specifically implemented through the following S212a and S212b.

[0171] S212a, AMF sends a PDU session context update request message to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives the PDU session context update request message from AMF.

[0172] The PDU session context update request message includes: N3 downlink tunnel information (AN Tunnel Info).

[0173] In one example, the PDU session context update request message is: Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext.

[0174] S212b, SMF sends a PDU session context update response message to AMF. Correspondingly, AMF receives the PDU session context update response message from SMF.

[0175] S213, UPF1 interacts with SMF to obtain N3 downlink tunnel information.

[0176] In other words, S213 can be implemented by the following S213a and S213b.

[0177] S213a, SMF sends a packet forwarding control protocol (PFCP) session modification request message to UPF1. Correspondingly, UPF1 receives the PFCP session modification request message from SMF.

[0178] The PFCP session modification request message includes: N3 downlink tunnel information.

[0179] An example PFCP session modification request is: PFCP Session Modification Request.

[0180] S213b, UPF1 sends a PFCP session modification response message to SMF. Correspondingly, SMF receives the session modification response message from UPF1.

[0181] In one example, the PFCP session modification response message is: PFCP Session Modification Response.

[0182] The above describes the process of creating a session after a terminal (such as terminal 1) accesses the UPF. The process of creating a session after other terminals (such as terminal 2) access the UPF is the same as the above process, which will not be repeated here.

[0183] It should be noted that, when the terminal accessing the UPF is the first terminal accessing the 5G LAN group corresponding to the UPF, the SMF needs to trigger the 5G LAN group session establishment process to the UPF (such as S207a and S207b above). If it is not the first terminal accessing, there is no need to perform the 5G LAN group session establishment process, and only the terminal session needs to be created.

[0184] It is understandable that the above Figure 2 Only the process of SMF initiating a group session and terminal session establishment to a UPF is used as an example to illustrate. SMF can also interact with other UPFs to initiate group sessions and terminal sessions. The specific process can refer to the above Figure 2 The session establishment process recorded in will not be repeated in this application.

[0185] As can be seen from the above process, in the related art, the terminals in the terminal group of the local area network are connected to a SMF, and the SMF manages the terminals in the local area network terminal group. When the SMF fails, the terminals in the terminal group will not be able to continue the local area network business.

[0186] In order to solve the above technical problems, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, in which a user plane network element establishes group sessions with multiple session management network elements respectively. In this way, in the case of a failure of one session management network element, the terminal can quickly switch to the session management network element for service transmission based on the group session between the user plane network element and other session management network elements, solving the problem in the prior art that the local area network cannot work normally when the session management network element fails.

[0187] The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be applied to Figure 3 In the communication system shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, a communication system 30 provided in an embodiment of the present application includes: a first user plane network element, a first session management network element, and a second session management network element. The first user plane network element is used to provide local area network access for the terminal. The first session management network element and the second session management network element are both used to provide session management functions for the target local area network.

[0188] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application and the following embodiments, providing local area network access can also be described as providing local area network services, which are uniformly described here and will not be repeated below.

[0189] It should be noted that Figure 3 Only two session management network elements (a first session management network element and a second session management network element) are shown for example. Of course, there may be other session management network elements that communicate with the first user plane network element, such as a third session management network element or a fourth session management network element, etc., which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0190] It should be noted that Figure 3 In the example, two session management network elements communicate with one user plane network element respectively, for example, the first session management network element and the second session management network element communicate with the first user plane network element. Of course, a session management network element may also communicate with multiple user plane network elements, for example, the first session management network element may also communicate with the second user plane network element or the third user plane network element ( Figure 3 (not shown) communication; this embodiment of the present application does not make any specific limitation to this.

[0191] It should be noted that Figure 3 The connection between the various network elements shown may be direct communication or communication through forwarding by other devices, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0192] based on Figure 3 The communication system 30 shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the embodiment of the present application also provides a method for applying Figure 3The communication method of the communication system 30 shown in the figure includes: the first session management network element sends a first group session establishment request to the first user plane network element; the second session management network element sends a second group session establishment request to the first user plane network element. The first user plane network element establishes a first group session based on the first group session establishment request, and establishes a second group session based on the second group session establishment request. Among them, the first session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a first group session between the first session management network element and the first user plane network element, and the second group session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a second group session between the second session management network element and the first user plane network element; the first group session and the second group session are both group sessions of the target local area network. In this way, the first user plane network element establishes a group session for the local area network with the first session management network element and the second session management network element respectively. Based on this, even if one of the session management network elements fails, the terminals in the local area network group of the failed session management network element can be migrated to another session management network element to avoid the local area network group from not being able to work normally due to the failure of the session management network element.

[0193] Alternatively, if Figure 5 As shown, the communication system 30 also includes: an access and mobility management network element. The access and mobility management network element is used to obtain a first session management network element list; multiple session management network elements in the first session management network element list are all used to provide session management functions for the target local area network; the multiple session management network elements include a first session management network element and a second session management network element; the access and mobility management network element is also used to select the first session management network element from the first session management network element list.

[0194] For example, after terminal 1 in the local area network accesses the network, terminal 1 sends an Ethernet PDU session creation request to the access and mobility management network element; the Ethernet PDU session creation request carries at least one of TAI, SUPI, DNN, Slice, and PDU session type (Ethernet). The access and mobility management network element obtains a list of session management network elements based on the DNN, Slice, and the location of terminal 1 in the Ethernet PDU session creation request message. The list of session management network elements includes multiple session management network elements, and the multiple session management network elements are all used to provide session management functions for the target local area network. Furthermore, the access and mobility management network element selects a first session management network element from the list of session management network elements as the session management network element accessed by terminal 1, and initiates a session establishment request to the first session management network element to establish a group session and / or a terminal session for terminal 1.

[0195] It should be noted that Figure 5The example shown is explained by taking the case where both the first session management network element and the second session management network element are managed by the access and mobility management network element. Of course, the first session management network element and the second session management network element may also be managed by different access and mobility management network elements, for example, the first session management network element is managed by the first access and mobility management network element, and the second session management network element is managed by the second access and mobility management network element, and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0196] Alternatively, if Figure 5 As shown, the communication system 30 also includes a second user plane network element. The second user plane network element has similar functions to the first user plane network element, and is used to establish a group session for the local area network with the first session management network element and the second session management network element. The specific process is similar to the process of establishing a session with the first user plane network element, and will not be repeated here.

[0197] Alternatively, if Figure 5 As shown, the communication system 30 also includes a network function storage network element. The network function storage network element is used to store the function information of the first session management network element and the second session management network element. The first session management network element and the second session management network element pre-configure the local area network service (specifically including the configuration of the local area network service related configuration, and the information of the DNN (s) and slice slice (s) supported by the session management network element). After the configuration is completed, the first session management network element and the second session management network element respectively register with the network function storage network element to register the functions they support (including but not limited to the DNN / slice list). After receiving the Ethernet PDU session creation request, the access and mobility management network element requests the network function storage network element for a list of session management network elements according to the DNN, Slice and terminal location information in the Ethernet PDU session creation request message. The network function storage network element matches at least the first session management network element and the second session management network element based on the DNN, Slice and terminal location information in the message to provide services for the local area network, and generates a list of session management network elements including the first session management network element and the second session management network element. Further, the network function storage network element returns the session management network element list to the access and mobility management network element.

[0198] Optional, such as Figure 5As shown, the communication system 30 also includes a unified data management network element. The unified data management network element stores group information of the local area network, and the group information of the local area network includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: group identifier, group attribute, DNN, S-NSSAI and PDUSessionTypes. After the first session management network element receives the PDU session creation request sent by the access and mobility management network element, the first session management network element sends a user subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, requesting the group information of the local area network. The unified data management network element feeds back the group information of the local area network to the first session management network element. Further, the first session management network element establishes a group session and / or a terminal session based on the group information of the local area network.

[0199] In addition, when the unified data management network element feeds back the group information of the local area network to the first session management network element, it can also synchronously feed back the group contract attribute information to the first session management network element, indicating whether multiple user plane network elements visit each other through a preset interface. In one example, the preset interface is the N19 interface. The group contract attribute information sent by the unified data management network element to the first session management network element carries a netwrok Topo indicator parameter to indicate whether the N6 side network supports cross-horizontal split groups (Split-horizon). If it is indicated that the N6 side network supports cross-horizontal split groups, it means that user plane network elements can achieve cross-user plane network element mutual access through the N6 side network bypass. At this time, user plane network elements transmit the data of terminals under different user plane network elements through the network bypass. If the group contract attribute information indicates that the N6 side network does not support cross-horizontal split groups, it means that user plane network elements need to achieve mutual access to user plane network elements through the N19 interface. At this time, user plane network elements transmit the data of terminals under different user plane network elements through the N19 interface.

[0200] In the above, the functions and interactions of each network element in the system of the embodiment of the present application are briefly described. The above-mentioned network elements can interact with each other in the manner provided by the embodiment of the present application to establish group sessions and terminal sessions for the local LAN group, and generate corresponding forwarding rules for data transmission. In addition, after a session management network element fails, the terminal accessing the failed session management network element can also be migrated to the non-faulty session management network element.

[0201] After the session is established, the terminal can transmit data through core network elements such as user plane network elements and session management network elements. During the data transmission process, the user plane network elements and session management network elements can learn the corresponding forwarding rules based on the MAC address of the transmitted data, and update the forwarding rules and forward data according to the learned forwarding rules.

[0202] based on Figure 5In the communication system shown, the process of the unicast data forwarding rule is exemplarily as follows:

[0203] Terminal 1 sends an uplink unicast message to the first user plane network element, and the uplink unicast message carries the unicast MAC address of terminal 1. The first user plane network element obtains the unicast MAC address from the uplink unicast message, and synchronously records the association relationship between the unicast MAC address and the terminal session of terminal 1 in the group session of the local area network, so that the first user plane network element can forward the message data related to terminal 1 according to the corresponding relationship. The first user plane network element sends a PFCP session request message to the first session management network element, and the message carries the MAC address or list discovered by the session. The first session management network element saves the unicast MAC address of terminal 1 in the terminal session, and saves the unicast MAC address of terminal 1 in the group session corresponding to the first session management network element. The first session management network element sends a PFCP session response message to the first user plane network element. For the group session between the first session management network element and the second user plane network element, the first session management network element generates forwarding rule 1, and forwarding rule 1 includes tunnel identifier 1 allocated by the first user plane network element. The first session management network element sends the forwarding rule 1 to the second user plane network element, and the forwarding rule 1 is used by the second user plane network element to forward the message data of the unicast MAC of the terminal 1. For the group session between the first session management network element and the second user plane network element, the first session management network element generates forwarding rule 2, and the forwarding rule 2 includes the tunnel identifier 2 allocated by the second user plane network element. The first session management network element sends the forwarding rule 2 to the first user plane network element, and the forwarding rule 2 is used by the first user plane network element to forward the message data of the unicast MAC of the terminal 1.

[0204] Terminal 2 sends an uplink unicast message to the second user plane network element, and the uplink unicast message carries the unicast MAC address of terminal 2. The second user plane network element obtains the unicast MAC address from the uplink unicast message, and synchronously records the association relationship between the unicast MAC address and the terminal session of terminal 2 in the group session of the local area network, so that the second user plane network element can subsequently forward the message data related to terminal 2 according to the corresponding relationship. The second user plane network element sends a PFCP session request message to the second session management network element, and the message carries the MAC address or list discovered by the session. The second session management network element saves the unicast MAC address of terminal 2 in the terminal session, and saves the unicast MAC address of terminal 2 in the group session corresponding to the second session management network element. The second session management network element sends a PFCP session response message to the second user plane network element. For the group session between the second session management network element and the first user plane network element, the second session management network element generates forwarding rule 3, and forwarding rule 3 includes tunnel identifier 3 allocated by the second user plane network element. The second session management network element sends the forwarding rule 3 to the first user plane network element. Forwarding rule 3 is used for the first user plane network element to forward the message data of the unicast MAC of the terminal 2. For the group session between the second session management network element and the second user plane network element, the second session management network element generates forwarding rule 4, and forwarding rule 4 includes the tunnel identifier 4 allocated by the first user plane network element. The second session management network element sends the forwarding rule 4 to the second user plane network element. Forwarding rule 4 is used for the second user plane network element to forward the message data of the unicast MAC of the terminal 2.

[0205] based on Figure 5 In the communication system shown, the process of the forwarding rule of multicast data exemplarily includes:

[0206] After joining the multicast group of the local area network, terminal 1 sends an uplink multicast message to the first user plane network element, and the uplink multicast message includes the multicast MAC address of the group session. The first user plane network element obtains the multicast MAC address from the uplink multicast message, and synchronously records the association relationship between the multicast MAC address and the terminal session of terminal 1 in the group session of the local area network, so that the first user plane network element can subsequently forward the message data related to the multicast MAC according to the corresponding relationship. The first user plane network element sends a PFCP session request message to the first session management network element and the second session management network element respectively, and the message carries the multicast MAC address discovered by the session. The first session management network element and the second session management network element both save the relationship between the multicast MAC address and the terminal session of terminal 1 in the terminal session, and save the relationship between the multicast MAC address and the terminal session of terminal 1 in the group session corresponding to the first session management network element and the second session management network element. The first session management network element and the second session management network element both send a PFCP session response message to the first user plane network element.

[0207] For the group session between the first session management network element and the second user plane network element, the first session management network element generates forwarding rule 5, and forwarding rule 5 includes the tunnel identifier 5 assigned by the first user plane network element and the node identifier of the first user plane network element. Forwarding rule 5 is used for the second user plane network element to forward the message data related to the multicast MAC address. The first session management network element sends forwarding rule 5 to the second user plane network element. The first session management network element also generates forwarding rule 6, and forwarding rule 6 includes the tunnel identifier 6 assigned by the second user plane network element. Forwarding rule 6 is used for the first user plane network element to forward the message data related to the multicast MAC address. The first session management network element sends forwarding rule 6 to the first user plane network element.

[0208] For the group session between the second session management network element and the second user plane network element, the second session management network element generates forwarding rule 7, and forwarding rule 7 includes the tunnel identifier 7 assigned by the first user plane network element and the node identifier of the first user plane network element. Forwarding rule 7 is used for the second user plane network element to forward the message data related to the multicast address. The second session management network element sends forwarding rule 7 to the second user plane network element. The second session management network element also generates forwarding rule 8, and forwarding rule 8 includes the tunnel identifier 8 assigned by the second user plane network element. Forwarding rule 8 is used for the first user plane network element to forward the message data related to the multicast MAC address. The second session management network element sends forwarding rule 8 to the first user plane network element.

[0209] The first session management network element and the first user plane network element, as well as the second session management network element and the second user plane network element, refresh their respective forwarding rules based on the forwarding rules 3 to 8.

[0210] It should be pointed out that in the above-mentioned unicast and multicast processes, the tunnel identifiers allocated by the same user plane network element may be the same or different. For example, the tunnel identifiers generated by the same user plane network element for the unicast AMC address and the multicast MAC address are the same or different, or the tunnel identifiers generated by the same user plane network element for terminal 1 and terminal 2 are the same or different, or the tunnel identifiers generated by the same user plane network element for different types of MAC addresses of different terminals are the same or different. This application does not limit this.

[0211] Optional, based on Figure 5 In the communication system shown, when the first session management network element fails, the process of switching the session management network element includes:

[0212] After the first session management network element fails, the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element detect the failure of the first session management network element through the N4 interface link. At this time, the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element delete the terminal session registered on the first session management network element and the group session associated with the first session management network element. The first user plane network element and the second user plane network element continue to retain the related group session of the second session management network element.

[0213] When terminal 1 needs to send uplink data, terminal 1 cannot send uplink data because both the first user plane network element and the second user plane network element have deleted the terminal session and group session on the first session management network element. At this time, terminal 1 again initiates a PDU session establishment request to the access and mobility management network element. After receiving the PDU session request, the access and mobility management network element selects a list of serviceable session management network elements from the network function storage network element. The faulty first session management network element has been deleted from the current list of serviceable session management network elements, leaving only the available second session management network element. The access and mobility management network element selects the second session management network element as the session management network element for terminal access.

[0214] Referring to the above-mentioned process of establishing a terminal session or a group session by interaction between a terminal and a core network element, a terminal session and a group session are established for terminal 1 on the second session management network element.

[0215] When the second session management network element selects a list of available user plane network elements, if all the user plane network elements in the list selected this time have established group sessions with the second session management network element, the second session management network element does not need to establish a group session this time, and can directly establish a terminal session for the terminal. If there are user plane network elements in the user plane network element list that have not established a group session with the second session management network element, a group session between the second session management network element and the user plane network element that has not established a group session is established with reference to the above process. In this way, a terminal session and / or group session of terminal 1 is established between the second session management network element and each user plane network element, and terminal 1 can subsequently directly perform session management related functions by the second session management network element.

[0216] It should be noted that Figure 5 It is only exemplary to take the example that the first user plane network element provides local area network access for terminal 1, or the second user plane network element provides local area network access for terminal 2. Of course, the first user plane network element may also provide local area network access for multiple terminals, such as the first user plane network element may also provide local area network access for terminal 3 or terminal 4; or the second user plane network element may also provide local area network access for one or more than two terminals, such as the second user plane network element may also provide local area network access for terminal 5, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0217] Optional, Figure 3 and Figure 5 The communication system shown can be applied to the current 5G network or other future networks, and the embodiments of the present application are not specifically limited to this.

[0218] For example, Figure 6 As shown, if Figure 3 and Figure 5 The communication system shown is applied to the current 5G network. Figure 3 and Figure 5 The network element or entity corresponding to the first session management network element in may be an SMF1 network element (or SMF1 for short) in the 5G network architecture; Figure 3 and Figure 5 The network element or entity corresponding to the second session management network element in the 5G network architecture may be an SMF2 network element (or SMF2 for short) in the 5G network architecture; Figure 3 and Figure 5 The network element or entity corresponding to the first user plane network element in may be a UPF1 network element (or UPF1 for short) in the 5G network architecture; Figure 5 The network element or entity corresponding to the second user plane network element in the 5G network architecture may be a UPF2 network element (or UPF2 for short) in the 5G network architecture; Figure 5 The network element or entity corresponding to the access and mobility management network element in the 5G network architecture may be the AMF network element (or AMF for short) in the 5G network architecture. Figure 5 The network element or entity corresponding to the network function storage network element in the 5G network architecture may be a network function storage function (network exposure function Repository Function, NRF) network element (or NRF for short), Figure 5 The network element or entity corresponding to the unified data management network element in the 5G network architecture may be a UDM network element (or UDM for short) in the 5G network architecture. The above-mentioned local area network may be a 5G LAN. In addition, in terms of expression, 5G LAN may also be referred to as LAN, LAN-type service (typeservice), LAN-virtual network (VN), 5G LAN-type service, 5G LAN-VN, 5GLAN group (group), or LAN Group, etc.; the name of the 5G LAN in the embodiment of the present application is not specifically limited.

[0219] In addition, if Figure 6As shown, the current 5G network may also include access device 1, access device 2, authentication server function (AUSF) network element (or AUSF for short), network slice selection function (NSSF) (or NSSF for short) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element (or NEF for short), policy control function (PCF) network element (or PCF for short), and application function (AF) network element (or AF for short), etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0220] Among them, Figure 6 As shown, terminal 1 accesses the 5G network through access device 1, and terminal 1 communicates with the AMF network element through the next generation network (next generation, N) 1 interface (referred to as N1); terminal 2 accesses the 5G network through access device 2, and terminal 2 communicates with the AMF network element through N1; access device 1 or access device 2 communicates with the AMF network element through the N2 interface (referred to as N2); access device 1 communicates with the UPF1 network element through the N3 interface (referred to as N3); access device 2 communicates with the UPF2 network element through N3, the SMF1 network element communicates with the UPF1 network element through the N4 interface (referred to as N4), the SMF2 network element communicates with the UPF2 network element through N4, and the UPF1 network element communicates with the UPF1 network element through the Nx interface (referred to as Nx), or the UPF1 network element or the UPF2 network element accesses the data network through the N6 interface (referred to as N6). Among them, the Nx interface can reuse the existing N9 interface or N6 interface, or define a new interface, which is not limited. In addition, Figure 6The control plane network elements shown, such as the AUSF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, NSSF network element, NEF network element, NRF network element, PCF network element, UDM network element or AF network element, can also interact using service-based interfaces. For example, the service-based interface provided by the AUSF network element to the outside may be Nausf; the service-based interface provided by the AMF network element to the outside may be Namf; the service-based interface provided by the SMF network element to the outside may be Nsmf; the service-based interface provided by the NSSG network element to the outside may be Nnssf; the service-based interface provided by the NEF network element to the outside may be Nnef; the service-based interface provided by the NRF network element to the outside may be Nnrf; the service-based interface provided by the PCF network element to the outside may be Npcf; the service-based interface provided by the UDM network element to the outside may be Nudm; and the service-based interface provided by the AF network element to the outside may be Naf. For related descriptions, please refer to the 5G system architecture diagram in the 23501 standard, which will not be repeated here.

[0221] Figure 7 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the user plane architecture of the existing 5G LAN service. Among them, the terminal establishes a session to the UPF network element that provides the 5G LAN service, thereby accessing the UPF network element that provides the 5G LAN service. As above, the UPF network element that provides the 5G LAN service can communicate with the existing LAN in the data network through N6, for example, communicating with a personal computer (PC) in the LAN; or, the UPF network element that provides the 5G LAN service can also associate sessions of different terminals through connections between internal UPF network elements and UPF network elements to achieve private communication, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0222] The terminal involved in the present application can be a user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal unit, user station, terminal station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, user terminal terminal equipment, TE), mobile device, wireless communication device, terminal agent, tablet computer (pad), handheld device with wireless communication function, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted device, vehicle-mounted transceiver unit, wearable device, or terminal device in a fifth generation mobile communication technology (5th generation, 5G) network or a public land mobile network (public land mobile network, PLMN) evolved after 5G. The access terminal can be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (session initiation protocol, SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (personal digital assistant, PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a drone, a robot, an intelligent point of sale (point of sale, POS) machine, customer-premises equipment (customer-premises equipment, CPE) or wearable device, virtual reality (virtual The terminal may be a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. Alternatively, the terminal may be a terminal with a communication function in the Internet of Things (IoT), such as a terminal in V2X (such as a vehicle networking device), a terminal in D2D communication, or a terminal in M2M communication. The terminal may be mobile or fixed.

[0223] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the form of the terminal. The device for implementing the function of the terminal can be a terminal; it can also be a device that can support the terminal to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0224] The access device involved in the present application (including access device 1 or access device 2) may be a device for communicating with a terminal, for example, it may include an evolved base station (NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutional Node B) in a long term evolution (LTE) system or an enhanced LTE (LTE-advanced, LTE-A) system, such as a traditional macro base station eNB and a micro base station eNB in ​​a heterogeneous network scenario. Alternatively, it may include a next generation node B (next generation node B, gNB) in an NR system. Alternatively, it may include a transmission reception point (TRP), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a baseband pool (BBU pool), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point (AP), etc. Alternatively, it may include a base station in a non-terrestrial network (NTN), that is, it may be deployed on a flying platform or a satellite. In the NTN, the access device may be a layer 1 (L1) relay, or a base station, or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node. Alternatively, the access device may be a device that implements the base station function in IoT, such as a device that implements the base station function in drone communications, V2X, D2D, or machine to machine (M2M).

[0225] In some possible scenarios, the access device may also be a module or unit that can implement some functions of the base station. For example, the access device may be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be separately configured or may be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a radio frequency device or radio frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0226] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, the access device may be an access device or a module of an access device in an open radio access network (open RAN, ORAN) system. In the ORAN system, CU may also be referred to as open (open, O)-CU, DU may also be referred to as O-DU, CU-CP may also be referred to as O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and RU may also be referred to as O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0227] Optionally, the base station in the embodiment of the present application may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), relay stations, access points, home base stations, TRPs, transmitting points (TP), mobile switching centers, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0228] In the embodiments of the present application, the form of the access device is not limited. The device for implementing the function of the access device may be the access device; or it may be a device that can support the access device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device may be installed in the access device or used in conjunction with the access device.

[0229] Optionally, the present application embodiment Figure 5The first session management network element or the second session management network element or the first user plane network element or the second user plane network element in the network can be implemented by one device, or by multiple devices together, or can be a functional module in one device, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. It can be understood that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0230] For example, in the embodiment of the present application Figure 5 The first session management network element or the second session management network element or the first user plane network element or the second user plane network element or the access and mobility management network element in the Figure 8 This is achieved by the communication device in. Figure 8 The hardware structure diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application is shown. The communication device 800 includes a processor 801, a communication line 802, a memory 803 and at least one communication interface ( Figure 8 The communication interface 804 is used as an example for illustration only).

[0231] The processor 801 may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the present application.

[0232] The communication link 802 may include a pathway to transmit information between the above-mentioned components.

[0233] The communication interface 804 uses any transceiver or other device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, RAN, wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc.

[0234] The memory 803 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may exist independently and be connected to the processor via a communication line 802. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

[0235] The memory 803 is used to store computer-executable instructions for executing the solution of the present application, and the execution is controlled by the processor 801. The processor 801 is used to execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory 803, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

[0236] Optionally, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as application code, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0237] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the processor 801 may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 8 CPU0 and CPU1 in.

[0238] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 800 may include multiple processors, such as Figure 8 801 and processor 808 in the embodiment of the present invention. Each of these processors may be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. The processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0239] In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 800 may also include an output device 805 and an input device 806. The output device 805 communicates with the processor 801 and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device 805 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device 806 communicates with the processor 801 and can receive user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device 806 may be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device.

[0240] The communication device 800 may be a general purpose device or a dedicated device. In a specific implementation, the communication device 800 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device or a computer with a plurality of CPUs. Figure 8 The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the communication device 800.

[0241] The following will be combined Figures 3 to 8 The communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application is described in detail.

[0242] It should be noted that the message names between network elements or the names of parameters in the messages in the following embodiments of the present application are merely examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations, and the embodiments of the present application do not impose any specific limitations on this.

[0243] by Figure 3 or Figure 5 The communication system shown is applied to Figure 6 In the 5G network shown in the figure, the first session management network element is SMF1, the second session management network element is SMF2, and the first user plane network element is UPF1. Assume that SMF1 and SMF2 provide session management services for the 5GLAN group respectively. Fig. 9 As shown, a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps:

[0244] S901. Terminal 1 sends a PDU session creation request message to AMF. Correspondingly, AMF receives the PDU session creation request message from the terminal.

[0245] Among them, the specific implementation method of S901 can refer to the above-mentioned S201, and this application will not elaborate on it.

[0246] S902. AMF selects SMF1.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the AMF selects the SMF that can provide services to the terminals in the 5G LAN group based on the DNN, Slice, and location information (such as TAI) in the PDU session creation request message.

[0248] With the above Figure 2 The difference from the prior art shown in is that in S902, the SMF list received by the AMF includes multiple SMFs, and the AMF selects an SMF for the terminal to access based on load balancing and other methods.

[0249] As a specific implementation method, SMF1 and SMF2 configure 5G LAN group services respectively, such as configuring DNN and slice Slice(s) information supported by SMF related to 5G LAN group. After SMF1 and SMF2 complete the configuration information of 5G LAN group, SMF1 and SMF2 initiate registration with NRF respectively to register DNN, slice list, and serviceable location information supported by SMF1 and SMF2 in NRF.

[0250] After receiving the PDU session creation request message, AMF sends an SMF list request message to NRF, which carries the DNN, Slice, and location information (such as TAI) of the terminal's 5G LAN group. After receiving the SMF list request message, NRF selects multiple SMFs (including the above-mentioned SMF1 and SMF2) that can provide services for the terminal's 5G LAN group based on the DNN, Slice, and location information (such as TAI) in the request message, as well as the supported DNN, slice list, and serviceable location information of multiple pre-registered SMFs, and adds the multiple SMFs to the SMF list and returns it to AMF. AMF selects an SMF from the SMF list returned by NRF for the terminal to access.

[0251] It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, only two SMFs (SMF1 and SMF2) supporting the 5G LAN group are used as an example for illustration. In the specific implementation, multiple SMFs may support the 5G LAN group, and the present application does not limit this.

[0252] S903, AMF sends a PDU session creation context request message to SMF1. Correspondingly, SMF1 receives a PDU session creation context request message from AMF.

[0253] Among them, the specific implementation method of S903 can refer to the above S203, and this application will not elaborate on it.

[0254] S904. SMF1 interacts with UDM to obtain the session identifier of the 5G LAN group session.

[0255] Among them, some implementation methods in S904 can refer to the above S204 and will not be repeated here.

[0256] In addition, in S904, the UDM may also indicate the transmission mode between different UPFs through information.

[0257] Exemplarily, when the Nudm_SDM_GetSharedData Response message sent by UDM to SMF1 indicates the group signing message of the 5G LAN group, in addition to carrying the DNN, slice, and PDU session type parameters corresponding to the 5G LAN group, the message also includes a network Topo indicator parameter, which is used to indicate whether the N6 side network supports cross-horizontal split groups (Split-horizon). If the parameter indicates that the N6 side network supports cross-horizontal split groups (or the N6 side network is deployed with multiple pairs of switches), it means that different UPFs can achieve cross-UPF mutual access through the N6 side network bypass. At this time, different UPFs transmit the data of terminals under different UPFs through the network bypass. If the parameter indicates that the N6 side network does not support cross-horizontal split groups, it means that different UPFs need to achieve cross-UPF mutual access through the N19 interface. At this time, different UPFs transmit the data of terminals under different UPFs through the N19 interface.

[0258] Based on the netwrok Topo indication, when SMF generates forwarding rules for UPF, it can generate different forwarding rules based on whether UPF needs to implement cross-UPF transmission through the N19 interface, so that UPF can forward data based on the corresponding forwarding rules. In this way, UPF can select the corresponding forwarding method to forward messages in different networking modes (for example, networking modes that support cross-horizontal split groups and networking modes that do not support cross-horizontal split groups), avoiding network performance consumption caused by sending the same message multiple times.

[0259] It should be pointed out that the above description uses the example of UDM indicating the group subscription message to SMF1 through an indication message. In a specific implementation, the group subscription message carrying the indication information indicating the transmission mode between different UPFs can also be pre-configured in SMF1, or pre-configured in UPF1 selected by SMF. SMF1 can obtain the group subscription message from SMF1 or UPF1, and this application will not go into details.

[0260] As an example, the forwarding rule generated by SMF1 for UPF1 is recorded as the first forwarding rule. SMF1 sends the first forwarding rule based on the first group session establishment request in S901 above. The first forwarding rule is used to represent the rule for UPF1 to forward data.

[0261] In an example, when the N6 side network supports cross-horizontal split groups, the above-mentioned first forwarding rule includes at least one of the following: a first downlink broadcast unknown unicast multicast (Broadcast, Unknown-unicast, Multicast, BUM) forwarding rule; a first uplink BUM forwarding rule; a BUM forwarding rule across user plane network elements.

[0262] Among them, the first downlink BUM forwarding rule is: the target UPF forwards the downlink BUM data packet to each terminal connected to the target UPF in the local area network, and does not forward the downlink BUM data packet to the N19 interface; the target UPF is the UPF that receives the first forwarding rule. Optionally, the first downlink BUM forwarding rule includes the PDR and FAR added in the group session, the type is any to any, and it points from the N6 side to the VNinternal (that is, from the N6 side network to the UPF).

[0263] The first uplink BUM forwarding rule is: the target UPF forwards the uplink BUM data packet to the N19 interface and the N6 interface, and sends the uplink BUM data packet to the third terminal; the third terminal is a terminal in the local area network that accesses the target UPF except the terminal that sends the uplink BUM data packet. Optionally, the first uplink BUM forwarding rule includes two pairs of PDR and FAR added in the group session, and the types of the two pairs of PDR and FAR are any to any, one pair of PDR and FAR points from VNinternal to the N6 side, and the other one points from VNinternal to the N19 side. The two pairs of PDR and FAR have the same priority. UPF needs to match the two pairs of PDR and FAR when forwarding data, and forward the data based on the two pairs of PDR and FAR.

[0264] The cross-UPF BUM forwarding rule is: the target UPF forwards the cross-UPF BUM to each terminal connected to the target UPF in the local area network. Optionally, the cross-UPF BUM forwarding rule includes the PDR and FAR added in the group session, the type is any to any, and it points from N19 Core to VNinternal.

[0265] In another example, when the N6 side network supports cross-horizontal split groups, the above-mentioned first forwarding rule includes at least one of the following: a second downlink BUM forwarding rule; a second uplink BUM forwarding rule.

[0266] Among them, the second downlink BUM forwarding rule is: the target UPF forwards the downlink BUM data packet to each terminal connected to the target UPF in the local area network; the target UPF is the UPF that receives the first forwarding rule.

[0267] The second uplink BUM forwarding rule is: the target UPF forwards the uplink BUM data packet to the N6 interface, and sends the uplink BUM data packet to the fourth terminal; the fourth terminal is the terminal connected to the target UPF in the local area network except the terminal that sends the uplink BUM data packet.

[0268] S905, SMF1 sends a PDU session creation context response message to AMF. Correspondingly, AMF receives a PDU session creation context response message from SMF1.

[0269] Among them, the specific implementation method of S905 can refer to the above S205, and this application will not elaborate on it.

[0270] S906. SMF1 selects UPF1 and UPF2.

[0271] In one possible implementation, SMF1 selects UPF1 that supports 5G LAN based on DNN, Slice, and PDU session type (Ethernet).

[0272] It should be pointed out that in an embodiment of the present application, after SMF1 selects the UPF list for the terminal, it first determines whether the terminal is the first terminal to access the 5G LAN group to which it belongs. If so, SMF1 triggers the establishment of a group session between each UPF in the UPF list, for example, sending a corresponding group session establishment request message to each UPF in the UPF list.

[0273] If the UPF in the UPF list is decommissioned (that is, no longer provides services for the 5G LAN group), the SMF deletes the group session of the decommissioned UPF according to the operational maintenance (OM) instruction.

[0274] If there is a newly added UPF in the UPF list, the SMF sends a group session establishment request to the newly added UPF according to the OM instruction, and establishes a group session of the 5G LAN group on the newly added UPF.

[0275] S907, SMF1 interacts with UPF1 and UPF2 to create sessions respectively.

[0276] Among them, part of the process of SMF1 and UPF1 interacting to create a session can be implemented with reference to the method recorded in the above S207 (including S207a-S207d), which will not be repeated here.

[0277] In addition to the process recorded in S207 above, in S907, the first group of session creation request messages sent by SMF1 to UPF1 include two pairs of PDR and FAR for uplink data forwarding between UPF and the data network. The types of the two pairs of PDR and FAR are any to any, one is the uplink forwarding rule, from Vninternal to core; the other is the downlink forwarding rule, from core to Vninternal.

[0278] In addition, since the N6 side network does not support cross-horizontal split groups, different UPFs need to communicate with each other through the N19 interface. Therefore, SMF1 also needs to generate the corresponding N19 interface tunnel establishment and broadcast PDR and FAR for UPF1. The specific process is as follows:

[0279] After receiving the group session creation request from SMF1, UPF1 and UPF2 respectively allocate tunnel identifiers (e.g., N19 F-TEID) to the created group session. The tunnel identifiers allocated by UPF1 and UPF2 to the group session are identifiers of tunnels used for mutual access between UPFs. Optionally, the tunnel identifier also includes a tunnel address. Exemplarily, the tunnel identifier allocated by UPF1 to the group session it creates is UPF1 N19 F-TEID, and the tunnel identifier allocated by UPF2 to the group session it creates is UPF2 N19 F-TEID.

[0280] UPF1 and UPF2 carry the allocated tunnel identifier in a group session response message and send it to SMF1, so that SMF1 can generate corresponding PDR and FAR according to the tunnel identifier to indicate data forwarding between UPFs.

[0281] In the embodiment of the present application, SMF1 generates a second forwarding rule according to UPF2 N19 F-TEID, and SMF1 generates a third forwarding rule according to UPF1 N19 F-TEID.

[0282] SMF1 sends a first session modification request to UPF1 to indicate the second forwarding rule. SMF1 sends a third session modification request to UPF2 to indicate the third forwarding rule.

[0283] It should be noted that after S907, the above network elements are connected with each other as described above. Figure 2 The steps S208-S213 in the above process continue to establish a session, and the specific process is not repeated here. Fig. 9 In the example, only SMF1 is used to establish a terminal session and / or a group session. In the actual process, multiple SMFs can respectively execute the above Fig. 9The process in the above example establishes a terminal session and / or a group session to achieve the effect that multiple SMFs manage the 5G LAN group separately. For example, SMF2 refers to SMF1 to perform the above Fig. 9 The method recorded in establishes a session for the 5G LAN group, so that both SMF1 and SMF2 can manage the session of the 5G LAN group.

[0284] The above describes in detail the process of establishing a session in the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. After the session is established, different SMFs can generate corresponding forwarding rules based on the MAC address sent by the terminal, and indicate the generated forwarding rules to the UPF. The UPF is updated based on the received forwarding rules. The above forwarding rules include unicast forwarding rules and multicast forwarding rules, which are described in detail below.

[0285] like Fig.10 As shown, the process of generating and sending a unicast forwarding rule includes the following S1001-S1005:

[0286] S1001, Terminal 1 sends an uplink data message to UPF 1. Correspondingly, UPF 1 receives the uplink data message from the terminal.

[0287] The uplink data message includes a unicast MAC address.

[0288] In a possible implementation, the uplink data message may be generated by the terminal, or may be generated by a device (such as industrial equipment) connected to the terminal and then sent to the terminal, which is not limited in this application.

[0289] Among them, when the uplink data message is generated by the terminal, the unicast MAC address in the uplink data message can be the unicast MAC address of the terminal; when the uplink data message is generated by a device (such as industrial equipment) hung under the terminal and sent to the terminal, the unicast MAC address in the uplink data message can be the unicast MAC address of the device hung under the terminal. This application does not limit this.

[0290] S1002. UPF1 learns the MAC address or MAC address list corresponding to the session.

[0291] In a possible implementation, UPF1 synchronously records the relationship between the MAC(s) and the terminal session in the group session for subsequent UPF1 internal data message forwarding.

[0292] S1003: UPF1 sends a PFCP session report request message for the terminal session to SMF1. Correspondingly, SMF1 receives the PFCP session report request message from UPF1.

[0293] The PFCP session report request message carries the MAC address (or MAC list) discovered in the session.

[0294] SMF1 saves the MAC address in the terminal session and includes the MAC address in the group session corresponding to SMF1. SMF1 sends a PFCP session report request message to UPF1.

[0295] In one example, the PFCP session report request message is: PFCP Session Report Request.

[0296] S1004, SMF1 sends a first PFCP session modification request message to UPF2. Correspondingly, UPF2 receives the first PFCP session modification request message from SMF1.

[0297] The first PFCP session modification request message is a session modification request generated for the session between SMF1 and UPF2, and is used to modify the forwarding rule of the unicast MAC address between SMF1 and UPF2.

[0298] In other words, SMF1 generates the corresponding PDR and FAR based on the learned unicast MAC, and the FAR carries the N19 F-TEID assigned by UPF1. The PDR and FAR are used for subsequent unicast MAC message forwarding. SMF1 generates and sends the first PFCP session modification request message to UPF2 based on the PDR and FAR.

[0299] In one example, the first PFCP session modification request is: PFCP Session Modify Request.

[0300] S1005. SMF1 sends a second PFCP session modification request message to UPF1. Correspondingly, UPF1 receives the second PFCP session modification request message from SMF1.

[0301] The second PFCP session modification request message is a session modification request generated for the session between SMF1 and UPF1, and is used to modify the forwarding rule of the unicast MAC address between SMF1 and UPF1.

[0302] In other words, SMF1 generates the corresponding PDR and FAR based on the learned unicast MAC, and the FAR carries the N19 F-TEID assigned by UPF2. The PDR and FAR are used for subsequent unicast MAC message forwarding. SMF1 generates and sends a second PFCP session modification request message to UPF1 based on the PDR and FAR.

[0303] In one example, the second PFCP session modification request is: PFCP Session Modify Request.

[0304] The above describes the related UPF intra-forwarding and N19 data transmission forwarding mechanisms after the UPF learns the unicast MAC.

[0305] like Fig.11 As shown, the process of generating and sending the multicast forwarding rule includes the following S1101-S1007:

[0306] S1101. After joining the multicast group, the terminal sends a multicast message to UPF1.

[0307] S1102. UPF1 learns the multicast MAC in the message.

[0308] UPF synchronously records the relationship between the multicast MAC and the terminal session in the group session for subsequent UPF1 internal multicast data message forwarding.

[0309] S1103, UPF1 sends PFCP session report requests to SMF1 and SMF2 respectively.

[0310] The message carries the multicast MAC(s) address discovered in the session.

[0311] SMF1 and SMF2 save the relationship between the multicast MAC and the terminal session in the group session, and SMF1 and SMF2 send a PFCP Session Report Response message to UPF1.

[0312] In one example, the PFCP session report request is: PFCP Session Report Request.

[0313] S1104, SMF1 sends a third PFCP session modification request message to UPF2. Correspondingly, UPF2 receives the third PFCP session modification request message from SMF1.

[0314] The third PFCP session modification request message is a session modification request generated for the session between SMF1 and UPF2, and is used to modify the forwarding rule of the multicast MAC address between SMF1 and UPF2.

[0315] In other words, SMF1 generates the corresponding PDR and FAR based on the learned multicast MAC. The FAR carries the N19 F-TEID assigned by UPF1 and / or the node id of UPF1. The PDR and FAR are used for subsequent multicast MAC message forwarding. SMF1 generates and sends the third PFCP session modification request message to UPF2 based on the PDR and FAR.

[0316] In one example, the third PFCP session modification request is: PFCP Session Modify Request.

[0317] S1105. SMF1 sends a fourth PFCP session modification request message to UPF1. Correspondingly, UPF1 receives the fourth PFCP session modification request message from SMF1.

[0318] The fourth PFCP session modification request message is a session modification request generated for the session between SMF1 and UPF1, and is used to modify the forwarding rule of the multicast MAC address between SMF1 and UPF1.

[0319] In other words, SMF1 generates corresponding PDR and FAR based on the learned multicast MAC, and the PDR and FAR carry N19 F-TEID and / or node id of UPF2 assigned by UPF2, and the PDR and FAR are used for subsequent multicast MAC message forwarding. SMF1 generates and sends a fourth PFCP session modification request message to UPF1 based on the PDR and FAR.

[0320] In one example, the fourth PFCP session modification request is: PFCP Session Modify Request.

[0321] S1106: SMF2 sends a fifth PFCP session modification request message to UPF2. Correspondingly, UPF2 receives the fifth PFCP session modification request message from SMF2.

[0322] The fifth PFCP session modification request message is a session modification request generated for the session between SMF2 and UPF2, and is used to modify the forwarding rule of the multicast MAC address between SMF2 and UPF2.

[0323] In other words, SMF2 generates the corresponding PDR and FAR based on the learned multicast MAC, and the FAR carries the N19 F-TEID assigned by UPF1 and / or the node id of UPF1. The PDR and FAR are used for subsequent multicast MAC message forwarding. SMF2 generates and sends the fifth PFCP session modification request message to UPF2 based on the PDR and FAR.

[0324] In one example, the fifth PFCP session modification request is: PFCP Session Modify Request.

[0325] S1107, SMF2 sends a sixth PFCP session modification request message to UPF1. Correspondingly, UPF1 receives the sixth PFCP session modification request message from SMF2.

[0326] The sixth PFCP session modification request message is a session modification request generated for the session between SMF2 and UPF1, and is used to modify the forwarding rule of the multicast MAC address between SMF2 and UPF1.

[0327] In other words, SMF2 generates the corresponding PDR and FAR based on the learned multicast MAC. The FAR carries the N19 F-TEID assigned by UPF2 and / or the node id of UPF2. The PDR and FAR are used for subsequent multicast MAC message forwarding. SMF2 generates and sends the sixth PFCP session modification request message to UPF1 based on the PDR and FAR.

[0328] In one example, the sixth PFCP session modification request is: PFCP Session Modify Request.

[0329] The above describes in detail the generation and sending process of unicast forwarding rules and the generation and sending process of multicast forwarding rules in the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present application. In the embodiment of the present application, when an SMF fails, the terminal in the SMF can be reconnected to another SMF serving the 5G LAN group to ensure the normal operation of the 5G LAN group. Taking the failure of SMF1 as an example, Fig.12 As shown, the SMF failover process can be specifically implemented through the following S1201-S1203.

[0330] S1201, UPF1 and UPF2 delete the terminal session registered on SMF1 in the 5G LAN group and the group session associated with SMF1.

[0331] In other words, UPF1 and UPF2 detect that SMF1 fails through the N4 link, and SMF1 cannot provide normal services for the 5G LAN group. At this time, UPF1 and UPF2 delete the terminal session registered on SMF1 in the 5G LAN group and the group session associated with SMF1.

[0332] It should be pointed out that UPF1 and UPF2 continue to retain the terminal sessions registered on SMF2 in the 5G LAN group and the group sessions associated with SMF2.

[0333] S1202: When the terminal detects that the uplink data is blocked, it initiates a PDU session establishment request to the AMF.

[0334] Among them, the process of the terminal initiating a PDU session establishment request to AMF can refer to the above Figure 2 S201 in the description will not be described in detail here.

[0335] S1203. AMF selects SMF2 as the SMF for terminal access.

[0336] Among them, the process of AMF selecting SMF2 is the same as Fig. 9 The process of AMF selecting SMF1 in S902 is similar, the difference is that in S1202, SMF1 is not available in the SMF list requested by AMF from NRF, and AMF selects SMF2 from the available SMFs in the SMF list as the SMF for the terminal to re-access.

[0337] After this, each network element can refer to the above Fig. 9 S903-S907, and Figure 2 The steps S208-S213 in continue to establish the session, which will not be repeated here.

[0338] It should be noted that, during the process of establishing a session, SMF2 determines whether all UPFs in the UPF list have established a group session with SMF2. If SMF2 determines that each UPF in the UPF list has established a group session with SMF2, only a terminal session is established this time. If there is a UPF in the UPF list that has not established a group session with SMF2, SMF2 refers to the above Fig. 9 A group session is established between a UPF that has not established a group session using the method recorded in the specification. The specific process will not be repeated here.

[0339] The above mainly introduces the scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of interaction between network elements. Accordingly, the embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device, which is used to implement the above various methods. The communication device can be the first user plane network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above first user plane network element, or a component that can be used for the first user plane network element; or, the communication device can be the access and mobility management network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above access and mobility management network element, or a component that can be used for the access and mobility management network element. It can be understood that in order to implement the above functions, the communication device includes a hardware structure and / or software module corresponding to each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this article, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0340] The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the above method embodiment. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be understood that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

[0341] For example, Fig.13 The structure diagram of a communication device 130 is shown, including: a processing module 1301 and a communication module 1302. Optionally, a storage module 1303 is further included. The storage module 1303 is used to store program codes and data of the communication device 130.

[0342] Taking the communication device 130 as an example, which may be the first user plane network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above first user plane network element, or a component that can be used for the first user plane network element, then:

[0343] The communication module 1302 is used to receive a first session establishment request message from a first session management network element, and to receive a second session establishment request message from a second session management network element; wherein the first session management network element and the second session management network element are both used to provide session management functions for a target local area network; the first session establishment request message is used to request to establish a first group of sessions between the first session management network element and the first user plane network element, and the second group of sessions establishment request message is used to request to establish a second group of sessions between the second session management network element and the first user plane network element; the first group of sessions and the second group of sessions are both group sessions of the target local area network.

[0344] The processing module 1301 is configured to establish a first group of sessions according to a first session establishment request message; and to establish a second group of sessions according to a second session establishment request message.

[0345] In a possible implementation, the first session management network element and the second session management network element are both session management network elements in a first session management network element list; and the multiple session management network elements in the first session management network element list are all used to provide session management functions for the target local area network.

[0346] In a possible implementation, the second session establishment request is a group session establishment request message generated by the second session management network element after the first terminal is disconnected from the first session management network element and reconnected to the second session management network element; or, the second group session establishment request is a group session establishment request message generated by the second session management network element after the second terminal accesses the second session management network element; wherein the first terminal and the second terminal are both terminals in the target local area network.

[0347] In a possible implementation manner, the first group session establishment request message includes at least one of the following: an identifier of a target local area network, and a first forwarding rule; the first forwarding rule is used to characterize a rule for the first user plane network element to forward data.

[0348] In one possible implementation, the first forwarding rule includes at least one of the following: a first downlink BUM forwarding rule; a first uplink BUM forwarding rule; a BUM forwarding rule across user plane network elements; wherein the first downlink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the downlink BUM data packet to each terminal connected to the target user plane network element in the local LAN, and does not forward the downlink BUM data packet to the N19 interface; the target user plane network element is a user plane network element that receives the first forwarding rule; the first uplink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the uplink BUM data packet to the N19 interface and the N6 interface, and sends the uplink BUM data packet to the third terminal; the third terminal is a terminal among the terminals connected to the target user plane network element in the local LAN except the terminal that sends the uplink BUM data packet; the BUM forwarding rule across user plane network elements is: the target user plane network element forwards the BUM across user plane network elements to each terminal connected to the target user plane network element in the local LAN.

[0349] In one possible implementation, the first forwarding rule includes at least one of the following: a second downlink BUM forwarding rule; a second uplink BUM forwarding rule; wherein the second downlink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the downlink BUM data packet to each terminal connected to the target user plane network element in the local LAN; the target user plane network element is a user plane network element that receives the first forwarding rule; the second uplink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the uplink BUM data packet to the N6 interface, and sends the uplink BUM data packet to the fourth terminal; the fourth terminal is a terminal among the terminals connected to the target user plane network element in the local LAN except the terminal that sends the uplink BUM data packet.

[0350] In one possible implementation, the communication module 1302 is also used to send a first response message to the first session management network element, the first response message is used to indicate that the first user plane network element has created a first group of sessions, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the following: a first tunnel identifier assigned by the first user plane network element to the first group of sessions, and a node identifier of the first user plane network element; and the communication module 1302 is also used to send a second response message to the second session management network element, the second response message is used to indicate that the first user plane network element has created a second group of sessions, and the second response message includes at least one of the following: a second tunnel identifier assigned by the first user plane network element to the second group of sessions, or a node identifier of the first user plane network element.

[0351] In a possible implementation, when multiple user plane network elements visit each other through a preset interface, the first tunnel identifier and the second tunnel identifier are tunnel identifiers associated with the preset interface, wherein the multiple user plane network elements include the first user plane network element.

[0352] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is further configured to determine group subscription attribute information of the target local area network; and determine, according to the group subscription attribute information, that multiple user plane network elements perform mutual access through a preset interface.

[0353] In one possible implementation, a method for determining group subscription attribute information of a target local area network includes at least one of the following: obtaining group attribute subscription information preconfigured in a first user plane network element; and / or receiving group attribute subscription information from a first session management network element, wherein the group attribute subscription information is preconfigured in the first session management network element, and / or the group attribute subscription information is obtained by the first session management network element from a unified data management network element.

[0354] In one possible implementation, the communication module 1302 is also used to receive a first session modification request message from a first session management network element or a second session management network element; wherein the first session modification request message carries a second forwarding rule; and the second forwarding rule is used to characterize a forwarding rule for broadcast data of the first user plane network element.

[0355] In one possible implementation, the second forwarding rule also includes a third tunnel identifier assigned by the second user plane network element to the target local area network, and a node identifier of the second user plane network element; the second user plane network element is a user plane network element used to provide user plane functions for the target local area network.

[0356] In one possible implementation, the communication module 1302 is also used to receive a second session modification request message from the first session management network element; wherein the second session modification request message carries a third forwarding rule, and the third forwarding rule is used to characterize the forwarding rule for the first user plane network element to forward data with a destination address of the first media access control MAC address; the processing module 1301 is also used to establish a first correspondence between the first MAC address and the first terminal session, and the first terminal session is a session of the terminal that reports the first MAC address; the processing module 1301 is also used to record the first correspondence in the group session of the target local area network, and the first correspondence is used by the first user plane network element to forward a data packet with a destination address of the first MAC address through the first terminal session.

[0357] In a possible implementation manner, the first MAC address is a unicast MAC address of a fourth terminal, and the fourth terminal is a terminal accessing the first session management network element.

[0358] In a possible implementation, the communication module 1302 is further configured to receive uplink unicast message data from a fourth terminal; the uplink unicast message data includes a unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal. The communication module 1302 is further configured to send the unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal to the first session management network element.

[0359] In a possible implementation manner, the first MAC address is a multicast MAC address of the first group session.

[0360] In a possible implementation, the communication module 1302 is further configured to receive first multicast message data from the fifth terminal; the first multicast message data includes a multicast MAC address of the first group session. The communication module 1302 is further configured to send the multicast MAC address of the first group session to the first session management network element and the second session management network element.

[0361] In a possible implementation, the communication module 1302 is further configured to receive a third session modification request message from the second session management network element; wherein the third session modification request message carries a fourth forwarding rule, and the fourth forwarding rule is used to characterize a forwarding rule for forwarding data whose destination address is the second MAC address by the first user plane network element. The communication module 1302 is further configured to send a third session modification response message to the second session management network element.

[0362] In a possible implementation manner, the second MAC address is a unicast MAC address of a sixth terminal, and the sixth terminal is a terminal accessing the second session management network element.

[0363] In a possible implementation manner, the unicast MAC address of the sixth terminal is obtained by the second user plane network element from uplink unicast message data of the sixth terminal.

[0364] In a possible implementation manner, the fourth forwarding rule is further used to indicate a third tunnel identifier allocated by the second user plane network element to the target local area network group.

[0365] In a possible implementation manner, the second MAC address is a multicast MAC address of the second group session.

[0366] In a possible implementation manner, the multicast MAC address of the second group session is obtained by the second user plane network element from the second multicast message data of the seventh terminal, and the seventh terminal is a terminal accessing the second session management network element.

[0367] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is also used to establish a terminal session between the first user plane network element and the second session management network element for the target terminal when a failure of the first session management network element is detected; wherein the target terminal is a terminal in a local area network, and the target terminal accesses the first session management network element before the failure of the first session management network element, and re-accesses the second session management network element after the failure of the first session management network element.

[0368] In a possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is further configured to delete a terminal session registered by the target terminal in the first session management network element, and delete a group session associated with the first session management network element.

[0369] Among them, all relevant contents of each step involved in the above method embodiment can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0370] Taking the communication device 130 as an example, which may be the access and mobility management network element in the above method embodiment, or a device including the above access and mobility management network element, or a component that can be used for the access and mobility management network element, then:

[0371] The communication module 1302 is used to receive a first session creation request from an eighth terminal, where the eighth terminal is a terminal in a target local area network, and the first session creation request is used to request to create a session for the eighth terminal.

[0372] The processing module 1301 is used to select a first session management network element from a first session management network element list in response to a first session creation request; the first session management network element list includes multiple session management network elements that provide session management functions for a target local area network.

[0373] The communication module 1302 is further configured to send a second session creation request to the first session management network element; the second session creation request is used to request to create a session for the eighth terminal.

[0374] In one possible implementation, the communication module 1302 is also used to send a session management network element list request message to the network storage network element; the session management network element list request message is used to request a session management network element that provides session management functions for the target local area network; the communication module 1302 is also used to receive a session management network element list response message from the network storage network element; the session management network element list response message is used to indicate a first session management network element list.

[0375] In a possible implementation manner, the processing module 1301 is further configured to select the first session management network element based on the loads of multiple session management network elements in the first session management network element list.

[0376] Optionally, Fig.13 The modules in the can also be referred to as units, for example, the processing module can be referred to as a processing unit, and the communication module can be referred to as a communication unit. Fig.13 In the illustrated embodiment, the names of the various units may not be the names shown in the figure. For example, the communication module may also be called a transceiver module or a transceiver unit.

[0377] Fig.13 If each unit in the embodiment is implemented in the form of a software function module 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 embodiment of the present application is essentially 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.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The storage medium for storing computer software products includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes.

[0378] In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device 130 is presented in the form of dividing various functional modules in an integrated manner. The "module" here may refer to a specific ASIC, a circuit, a processor and a memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, an integrated logic circuit, and / or other devices that can provide the above functions.

[0379] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute any of the above methods.

[0380] The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product including instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any of the above methods.

[0381] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip, including: a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory via the interface, and when the processor executes a computer program or instruction in the memory, any one of the methods provided in the above embodiments is executed.

[0382] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including: a first user plane network element, a first session management network element, and a second session management network element in the above embodiment.

[0383] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using a software program, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains one or more servers that can be integrated with the medium. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a DVD), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0384] Although the present application is described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, in the process of implementing the claimed application, those skilled in the art may understand and implement other changes to the disclosed embodiments by viewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "one" or "an" does not exclude multiple situations. A single processor or other unit may implement several functions listed in the claims. Certain measures are recorded in different dependent claims, but this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0385] Although the present application has been described in conjunction with features and embodiments thereof, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Accordingly, this specification and the drawings are merely exemplary illustrations of the present application as defined by the appended claims, and are deemed to have covered any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of the present application. Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

[0386] The above is only an implementation method of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied in a first user plane network element, the method includes: receiving a first session establishment request message from a first session management network element, and receiving a second session establishment request message from a second session management network element; wherein the first session management network element and the second session management network element are both used to provide a session management function for a target local area network; the first session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a first group session between the first session management network element and the first user plane network element, and the second group session establishment request message is used to request the establishment of a second group session between the second session management network element and the first user plane network element; the first group session and the second group session are both group sessions of the target local area network; The first group of sessions is established according to the first session establishment request message; and the second group of sessions is established according to the second session establishment request message.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first session management network element and the second session management network element are both session management network elements in a first session management network element list; the multiple session management network elements in the first session management network element list are all used to provide session management functions for the target local area network.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The second session establishment request is a group session establishment request message generated by the second session management network element after the first terminal is disconnected from the first session management network element and reconnected to the second session management network element; Alternatively, the second group session establishment request is a group session establishment request message generated by the second session management network element after the second terminal accesses the second session management network element; The first terminal and the second terminal are both terminals in the target local area network.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first group session establishment request message includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the target local area network, and a first forwarding rule; the first forwarding rule is used to represent a rule for forwarding data by the first user plane network element.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first forwarding rule includes at least one of the following: a first downlink broadcast unknown unicast multicast BUM forwarding rule; a first uplink BUM forwarding rule; a BUM forwarding rule across user plane network elements; The first downlink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the downlink BUM data packet to each terminal connected to the target user plane network element in the local area network, and does not forward the downlink BUM data packet to the N19 interface; the target user plane network element is a user plane network element that receives the first forwarding rule; The first uplink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the uplink BUM data packet to the N19 interface and the N6 interface, and sends the uplink BUM data packet to a third terminal; the third terminal is a terminal other than the terminal sending the uplink BUM data packet among the terminals connected to the target user plane network element in the local area network; The BUM forwarding rule across user plane network elements is: the target user plane network element forwards the BUM across user plane network elements to each terminal connected to the target user plane network element in the local area network.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The first forwarding rule includes at least one of the following: a second downlink BUM forwarding rule; a second uplink BUM forwarding rule; The second downlink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the downlink BUM data packet to each terminal connected to the target user plane network element in the local area network; the target user plane network element is a user plane network element that receives the first forwarding rule; The second uplink BUM forwarding rule is: the target user plane network element forwards the uplink BUM data packet to the N6 interface, and sends the uplink BUM data packet to the fourth terminal; the fourth terminal is a terminal in the local area network that is connected to the target user plane network element except the terminal that sends the uplink BUM data packet.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending a first response message to the first session management network element, where the first response message is used to indicate that the first user plane network element has created the first group of sessions, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the following: a first tunnel identifier allocated by the first user plane network element to the first group of sessions, and a node identifier of the first user plane network element; And, sending a second response message to the second session management network element, the second response message is used to indicate that the first user plane network element has created the second group of sessions, and the second response message includes at least one of the following: the second tunnel identifier assigned by the first user plane network element to the second group of sessions, and the node identifier of the first user plane network element.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that In the case where multiple user plane network elements visit each other through a preset interface, the first tunnel identifier and the second tunnel identifier are tunnel identifiers associated with the preset interface, wherein the multiple user plane network elements include the first user plane network element.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determining group subscription attribute information of the target local area network; It is determined that the multiple user plane network elements perform mutual access through a preset interface according to the group subscription attribute information.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method of determining the group subscription attribute information of the target local area network includes at least one of the following: Acquire the group attribute subscription information preconfigured in the first user plane network element; and / or, Receive the group attribute subscription information from the first session management network element, wherein the group attribute subscription information is pre-configured in the first session management network element, and / or the group attribute subscription information is obtained by the first session management network element from a unified data management network element.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A first session modification request message is received from the first session management network element or the second session management network element; wherein the first session modification request message carries a second forwarding rule; and the second forwarding rule is used to characterize a forwarding rule for broadcast data of the first user plane network element.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The second forwarding rule also includes a third tunnel identifier allocated by the second user plane network element to the target local area network, and a node identifier of the second user plane network element; the second user plane network element is a user plane network element used to provide user plane functions for the target local area network.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving a second session modification request message from the first session management network element; wherein the second session modification request message carries a third forwarding rule, and the third forwarding rule is used to characterize a forwarding rule for the first user plane network element to forward data whose destination address is the first media access control MAC address; Establishing a first correspondence between the first MAC address and a first terminal session, where the first terminal session is a session of a terminal that reports the first MAC address; The first correspondence is recorded in the group session of the target local area network, and the first correspondence is used by the first user plane network element to forward a data message with a destination address of the first MAC address through the first terminal session.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first MAC address is a unicast MAC address of a fourth terminal, and the fourth terminal is a terminal accessing the first session management network element.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving uplink unicast message data from the fourth terminal; the uplink unicast message data includes a unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal; Send the unicast MAC address of the fourth terminal to the first session management network element.

16. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first MAC address is a multicast MAC address of the first group session.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving first multicast message data from a fifth terminal; the first multicast message data including a multicast MAC address of the first group session; Send the multicast MAC address of the first group session to the first session management network element and the second session management network element.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving a third session modification request message from the second session management network element; wherein the third session modification request message carries a fourth forwarding rule, and the fourth forwarding rule is used to represent a forwarding rule for forwarding data with a destination address of the second MAC address by the first user plane network element; Send a third session modification response message to the second session management network element.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The second MAC address is a unicast MAC address of a sixth terminal, and the sixth terminal is a terminal accessing the second session management network element.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The unicast MAC address of the sixth terminal is obtained by the second user plane network element from the uplink unicast message data of the sixth terminal.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that: The fourth forwarding rule is also used to indicate a third tunnel identifier allocated by the second user plane network element to the target local area network group.

22. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The second MAC address is a multicast MAC address of the second group session.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The multicast MAC address of the second group session is obtained by the second user plane network element from the second multicast message data of the seventh terminal, and the seventh terminal is a terminal accessing the second session management network element.

24. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: When a failure of the first session management network element is detected, a terminal session between the first user plane network element and the second session management network element is established for a target terminal; wherein the target terminal is a terminal in the local area network, and the target terminal accesses the first session management network element before the failure of the first session management network element, and re-accesses the second session management network element after the failure of the first session management network element.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The method further comprises: The terminal session registered by the target terminal in the first session management network element is deleted, and the group session associated with the first session management network element is deleted.

26. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A functional unit for executing the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25; wherein the actions performed by the functional unit are implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: include: processor; The processor is connected to a memory, the memory is used to store computer-executable instructions, and the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory so that the communication device implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The method comprises instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

29. A communication system, characterized in that: The communication system comprises: a first user plane network element, a first session management network element and a second session management network element; wherein the first session management network element and the second session management network element are both used to provide a session management function for a target local area network; The first session management network element is used to send a first session establishment request message to the first user plane network element; the first session establishment request message is used to request to establish a first group session between the first session management network element and the first user plane network element; The second session management network element is used to send a second session establishment request message to the first user plane network element; the second session establishment request message is used to request to establish a second group session between the second session management network element and the first user plane network element; the first group session and the second group session are both group sessions of the target local area network; The first user plane network element is used to receive the first session establishment request message from the first session management network element, and receive the second session establishment request message from the second session management network element; and establish the first group of sessions according to the first session establishment request message; and establish the second group of sessions according to the second session establishment request message.

30. The communication system according to claim 29, characterized in that The communication system further comprises: an access and mobility management network element; The access and mobility management network element is used to obtain a first session management network element list; the multiple session management network elements in the first session management network element list are all used to provide a session management function for the target local area network; the multiple session management network elements include the first session management network element and the second session management network element; The access and mobility management network element is further used to select the first session management network element from the first session management network element list.

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