Communication path determination method and device

Abstract

The invention discloses a communication path determination method and device. In the method, a first network element receives a path selection request sent by a session management network element, the first path selection request being used for requesting to select a user plane network element for a session of a terminal device; the first network element selects a user plane network element for the session of the terminal equipment according to the path selection request and acquired network information, and the network information comprises routing information of a data network connected with at least one user plane network element or a subnetwork connected with the terminal equipment; and the first network element sends the information of the selected user plane network element to the session management network element. According to the method, the mobile communication system can select the user plane network element for the terminal equipment based on the routing information, so that a guarantee is provided for message transmission of a user through the user plane network element or a transmission path between the user plane network elements, and the message forwarding efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of wireless communications, and in particular, to a method and device for determining a communication path. Background Art

[0002] In the fifth generation mobile communication system (5GS), user equipment (UE) can access the core network of 5GS through the radio access network (RAN) to access the data network (DN). As the user's demand for 5GS application scenarios changes, the UE accessing 5GS can be connected to a layer 2 (L2) or layer 3 (L3) network, or the DN can also be a layer 2 (L2) or layer 3 (L3) network, such as Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 The layer 3 (L3) network is taken as an example.

[0003] However, the current fifth generation mobile communication system (5GS) cannot select a communication path based on a routing address (an address of a layer 2 or layer 3 network). Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a communication path determination method and apparatus for selecting a communication path for a session of a terminal device according to routing information.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication path determination method, including: a first network element receives a first path selection request sent by a first session management network element, the first path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a first user plane network element for a session of a first terminal device; the first network element selects a first user plane network element for the session of the first terminal device based on the first path selection request and acquired network information, the network information including routing information of a data network connected to at least one user plane network element or a subnet connected to the first terminal device; the first network element sends information of the selected first user plane network element to the first session management network element.

[0006] In the above method, when the session management network element needs to create a session for the terminal device, it can send a path selection request to the first network element. The first network element selects a communication path for the terminal device based on the acquired network information and the routing information of the data network to be accessed by the terminal device or the subnet to which the terminal device is connected, that is, selects a user plane network element, so that the mobile communication system can also select a user plane network element for the terminal device based on the routing information, thereby providing guarantee for the user's message transmission through the user plane network element or the transmission path between user plane network elements, thereby improving the forwarding efficiency of the message.

[0007] In a possible implementation, the first network element selects the first user plane network element for the session of the first terminal device according to the first path selection request and the obtained network information, including: the first network element selects the first user plane network element for the session of the first terminal device according to the first path selection request, the obtained network information and resource information; the resource information includes one or more of the following information: bandwidth between network elements, delay between network elements, correspondence between bandwidth and delay between network elements, load information. In this implementation, the first network element can not only select the user plane network element for the terminal device according to the network information, but also select the user plane network element for the terminal device according to the resource information, so that the selected user plane network element can not only realize message forwarding, but also meet the requirements of the terminal device in terms of delay, bandwidth, etc.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the network information also includes one or more of the following information: the correspondence between different user plane network elements and different session management network elements, the address information of the application server in the data network, and the computing resources that the application server in the data network can provide.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the method further includes at least one of the following: the first network element obtains the network information from a network data analysis function network element; the first network element obtains routing information of a data network to which the first user plane network element is connected from the first user plane network element; the first network element obtains routing information of a subnet to which the first terminal device is connected from the first terminal device or the first user plane network element. In this implementation, the first network element can obtain network information from a network data analysis function network element, and can also obtain network information from the first terminal device and the first user plane network element, thereby obtaining more comprehensive network information.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the information of the first user plane network element includes at least one of the following: an identifier of the user plane network element, an identifier of a session management network element that manages the user plane network element, and a data network access identifier DNAI of a data network to be accessed by the first terminal device.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the first path selection request includes one or more of the following information: routing information of the data network to be accessed by the first terminal device, DNAI of the data network to be accessed by the first terminal device, an identifier of the network slice to which the data network to be accessed by the first terminal device belongs, an identifier of the first user plane network element selected by the first session management network element for the first terminal device, location information of the first terminal device, an application requested to be accessed by the first terminal device, computing resources required by the first terminal device, and resource information required by the application requested to be accessed by the first terminal device.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first network element sends the information of the selected first user plane network element to the network data analysis function network element. After selecting the first user plane network element for the first terminal device, the first network element can send the information of the first user plane network element to the network data analysis function network element, so that other network elements used to select user plane network elements can obtain more comprehensive network information from the network data analysis function network element, and also enable the first network element to select the user plane network element based on the more comprehensive network information when selecting the user plane network element later.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner, the first path selection request includes: an identifier of a subnet to which the first terminal device is connected, and / or an identifier of the first terminal device in the subnet.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first network element selects the first user plane network element for the session of the first terminal device according to the first path selection request and the acquired network information, including: the first network element determines the second user plane network element serving the session of the second terminal device according to the identifier of the subnet contained in the first path selection request, and the second terminal device is a terminal device connected to the subnet; the first network element uses the second user plane network element serving the session of the second terminal device as the first user plane network element serving the session of the first terminal device. In this implementation, the first terminal device and the second terminal device are connected to the same subnet, so the first network element can select the same user plane network element for the first terminal device and the second terminal device, so as to facilitate the user plane network element to forward the message, which is helpful to achieve load balancing.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first network element receives a second path selection request sent by a second session management network element, the second path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a second user plane network element for a session of a second terminal device, the second path request includes an identifier of the subnet and / or an identifier of the second terminal device in the subnet; the first network element uses the first user plane network element selected for the session of the first terminal device as the second user plane network element serving the session of the second terminal device; the first network element sends information about the second user plane network element to the second session management network element. In this implementation, if the first terminal device and the second terminal device access the same subnet, the first network element can select the same user plane network element for the first terminal device and the second terminal device, thereby facilitating the user plane network element to forward messages, which helps to achieve load balancing.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first network element receives first session creation or change information sent by the first session management network element, the first session creation or change information is used to indicate that an uplink traffic distribution device ULCL is added to the session of the first terminal device; the first network element sends second session change information to a second session management network element, the second session management network element is a session management network element that manages the session of the second terminal device, and the second session change information is used to indicate that the ULCL is added to the session of the second terminal device. In this implementation, the first terminal device and the second terminal device access the same subnet. When the ULCL is added or deleted from the session of the first terminal device, the first network element can instruct the second terminal device to also add or delete the same ULCL to the session, thereby facilitating the ULCL and the user plane network element to forward downlink messages, which helps to achieve load balancing.

[0017] In a possible implementation manner, the second session change information includes: a forwarding policy of the ULCL, or an identifier of the first terminal device, or an identifier of the first session management network element.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first network element receives third session change information sent by the second session management network element, the second session management network element is a session management network element that manages the session of the second terminal device, and the third session change information is used to indicate that the ULCL is added to the session of the second terminal device; the first network element sends fourth session change information to the first session management network element, and the fourth session change information is used to indicate that the ULCL is added to the session of the first terminal device. In this implementation, the first terminal device and the second terminal device access the same subnet. When the ULCL is added or deleted in the session of the second terminal device, the first network element can instruct the session of the first terminal device to also add or delete the same ULCL, thereby facilitating the ULCL and the user plane network element to forward downlink messages, which helps to achieve load balancing.

[0019] In a possible implementation manner, the fourth session change information includes: a forwarding policy of the ULCL, or an identifier of the second terminal device, or an identifier of the second session management network element.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first network element determines the forwarding policy of the first user plane network element according to the routing information of the subnet; the first network element sends the forwarding policy to the first session management network element and / or the second session management network element, and the second session management network element is a session management network element that manages the session of the second terminal device. In this implementation, the first network element can also determine the forwarding policy of the first user plane network element and send it to the session management network element, so that the session management network element generates a downlink message forwarding policy of the user plane network element according to the forwarding policy and sends it to the user plane network element, so that the user plane network element forwards the downlink message according to the downlink message forwarding policy, which helps to achieve load balancing.

[0021] In a possible implementation manner, the forwarding strategy includes: a correspondence between each session and an address in the subnet; or indication information used to indicate a decision made by the first user plane network element.

[0022] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication path determination method, including: a first session management network element sends a first path selection request to a first network element, the first path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a first user plane network element for a session of a first terminal device, the first path request includes information about a data network to be accessed by the first terminal device, or includes information about a subnet to which the first terminal device is connected; the session management network element receives information about the first user plane network element sent by the first network element; the session management network element creates a session for the first terminal device based on the information about the first user plane network element.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the information of the data network includes one or more of the following information: routing information of the data network, DNAI of the data network, an identifier of the network slice to which the data network belongs, an application requested to be accessed by the first terminal device, computing resources required by the first terminal device, and resource information required by the application requested to be accessed by the first terminal device.

[0024] In a possible implementation manner, the subnet information includes: an identifier of the subnet, and / or an identifier of the first terminal device in the subnet.

[0025] In a possible implementation manner, the first path request further includes an identifier of a second user plane network element selected by the first session management network element for the first terminal device, and / or location information of the first terminal device.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: the first session management network element determines that a first uplink traffic distribution device ULCL is added to the session of the first terminal device; the first session management network element sends first session change information to the first network element, and the first session change information is used to indicate that the first ULCL is added to the session of the first terminal device.

[0027] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first session management network element receiving second session change information sent by the first network element, where the second session change information is used to indicate adding a second ULCL to the session of the first terminal device.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the second session change information includes: the forwarding policy of the second ULCL, or the identifier of the second terminal device, or the identifier of the second session management network element; the second terminal device is a terminal device accessing the subnet; the second session management network element is a session management network element that manages the session of the second terminal device.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the first session management network element receiving a forwarding policy of the first user plane network element sent by the first network element; and the first session management network element configuring a downlink message forwarding policy to the first user plane network element according to the forwarding policy.

[0030] In a possible implementation, before the first session management network element receives the forwarding policy of the first user plane network element sent by the first network element, the method also includes: the first session management network element receives the routing information of the subnet sent by the first terminal device and / or the first user network element; and the first session management network element sends the routing information of the subnet to the first network element.

[0031] In a possible implementation, before the first session management network element receives the routing information of the subnet sent by the first terminal device and / or the first user network element, the method also includes: the first session management network element sends reporting indication information to the first terminal device and / or the first user plane network element, and the reporting indication information is used to indicate that the routing information of the subnet is reported to the first session management network element.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the forwarding policy of the first user plane network element sent by the first network element includes: a correspondence between each session and an address in the subnet; or indication information used to indicate a decision made by the first user plane network element.

[0033] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining a communication path, including: a first terminal device sends a session creation request to a first session management network element, so that the first session management network element determines a first user plane network element and establishes a session for the first terminal device, the session creation request includes one or more of the following information: an identifier of the subnet to which the first terminal device is connected, an identifier of the first terminal device in the subnet, indication information for indicating that the type of session requested to be created is a subnet session, and identifiers of other terminal devices connected to the subnet; the first terminal device sends a message from the subnet to the first user plane network element.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first terminal device sending routing information of the subnet to the first session management network element; or, the first terminal device sending a routing protocol message of the subnet to the first user plane network element.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the first terminal device receives reporting indication information sent by the first session management network element, and the reporting indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to report the routing information of the subnet to the first session management network element.

[0036] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication path determination method, including: a user plane network element receives a session creation or modification request sent by a first session management network element, wherein the first session creation or modification request includes an identifier of a subnet to which a first terminal device is connected, or includes indication information for indicating that a session to be created or modified is a subnet type session; the user plane network element creates or modifies a session with the first terminal device according to the first session creation or modification request.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: the user plane network element receives a second session creation or modification request sent by the first session management network element, the second session creation or modification request is used to create or modify a session of a second terminal device, the second session creation or modification request includes an identifier of the subnet, or includes indication information used to indicate that the session to be created or modified is a subnet type session; the user plane network element creates or modifies a session with the second terminal device according to the second session creation or modification request; the user plane network element sends a downlink message whose target address belongs to the subnet to the first terminal device through a session with the first terminal device, or sends it to the second terminal device through a session with the second terminal device.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: the user plane network element receives a downlink message forwarding policy sent by the session management network element; the user plane network element sends a downlink message whose target address belongs to the subnet to the first terminal device through a session with the first terminal device, or sends it to the second terminal device through a session with the second terminal device, including: the user plane network element sends the downlink message whose target address belongs to the subnet to the first terminal device through a session with the first terminal device, or sends it to the second terminal device through a session with the second terminal device according to the downlink message forwarding policy.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the downlink message forwarding strategy includes: a correspondence between each session and an address in the subnet; or indication information used to indicate a decision made by the user plane network element.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the user plane network element obtains routing information of the subnet based on the uplink message from the subnet; the user plane network element sends the obtained routing information to the first session management network element, so that the first session management network element determines the downlink message forwarding strategy.

[0041] In a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: the user plane network element receiving reporting indication information sent by the first session management network element, wherein the reporting indication information is used to instruct the user plane network element to report the acquired routing information of the subnet to the first session management network element.

[0042] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor, the processor being coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store programs or instructions, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the device executes a method as in the first aspect and any possible implementation method of the first aspect.

[0043] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor, the processor being coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store programs or instructions, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the device executes a method such as the second aspect and any possible implementation method of the second aspect.

[0044] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store programs or instructions, when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the device executes the method as the third aspect and any possible implementation method of the third aspect.

[0045] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a processor, the processor being coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store programs or instructions, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the device executes a method such as the fourth aspect and any possible implementation method of the fourth aspect.

[0046] In a ninth aspect, a communication system includes the communication device described in the fifth aspect and the communication device described in the sixth aspect. Further, the communication system may include the communication device described in the seventh aspect and / or the communication device described in the eighth aspect.

[0047] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, comprising: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store instructions, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the chip implements the method described in the first aspect and any one of its implementations, or implements the method described in the second aspect and any one of its implementations, or implements the method described in the third aspect and any one of its implementations, or implements the method described in the fourth aspect and any one of its implementations.

[0048] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method as described in the first aspect and any one of its implementations, or the method as described in the second aspect and any one of its implementations, or the method as described in the third aspect and any one of its implementations, or the method as described in the fourth aspect and any one of its implementations.

[0049] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method as described in the first aspect and any one of its implementations, or execute the method as described in the second aspect and any one of its implementations, or execute the method as described in the third aspect and any one of its implementations, or execute the method as described in the fourth aspect and any one of its implementations.

[0050] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the fifth to twelfth aspects mentioned above can refer to the corresponding technical effects that can be achieved in any of the first to fourth aspects mentioned above, and the repeated parts will not be discussed here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a layer 3 network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a network architecture provided for an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 3 A flow chart of a communication path selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Figure 4 A flow chart of a communication path selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 5 A flow chart of a communication path selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 6a and Figure 6b A flow chart of a communication path selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 7 A flow chart of a communication path selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 8 A flow chart of a communication path selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] The core network of 5GS is divided into control plane (CP) and user plane (UP). The user plane is mainly responsible for packet forwarding, QoS control, billing information statistics, etc. The user plane can include user plane function (UPF), etc. The control plane is mainly responsible for business process interaction, sending packet forwarding strategy and QoS control strategy to the user plane, etc. The control plane can include access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy control function (PCF), unified data management (UDM), network exposure function (NEF), network repository gunction (NRF), network slice selection function (NSSF), etc.

[0062] Figure 2 An exemplary 5G architecture diagram applicable to the embodiments of the present application is provided. Figure 2 As shown, the network architecture may include UE, RAN, access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), policy control function (PCF), unified data management (UDM), network exposure function (NEF), network storage function (NRF), network slice selection function (NSSF), application function (AF), data network (DN), etc.

[0063] The radio access network (RAN) device is used to implement functions related to wireless access. The radio access network can also be called an access network device or a base station, which is used to access the terminal to the wireless network. The radio access network can be a base station, an evolved base station (evolved nodeB, eNodeB) in an LTE system or an evolved LTE system (LTE-advanced, LTE-A), a next generation base station (next generation NodeB, gNB) in a 5G communication system, a transmission reception point (transmission reception point, TRP), a base band unit (base band unit, BBU), a WiFi access point (access point, AP), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The radio access network can also be a module or unit that completes some functions of a base station, for example, a centralized unit (central unit, CU) or a distributed unit (distributed unit, DU). The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific equipment form adopted by the radio access network. In the following embodiments, the radio access network is referred to as an access network device for example. For the convenience of description, the following embodiments of the present application will be illustrated by RAN.

[0064] Terminal equipment is a device with wireless transceiver function. The terminal equipment is connected to the wireless access network equipment by wireless means, so as to access the communication system. The terminal equipment can also be called terminal, UE, mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. The terminal equipment can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a whole vehicle, a wireless communication module in a whole vehicle, a telematics box (T-box), a roadside unit (RSU), a terminal device in unmanned driving, a terminal device in the Internet of Things (IoT) network, a terminal device in remote medical, a terminal device in smart grid, a terminal device in transportation safety, a terminal device in smart city, or a terminal device in smart home, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. For the convenience of description, the following embodiments of the present application will be illustrated by UE.

[0065] The mobility management network element is a control plane network element provided by the operator network, which is responsible for the access control and mobility management of terminal devices accessing the operator network, such as mobile state management, allocation of user temporary identity, authentication and authorization of users, etc. In 5G, the mobility management network element can be AMF. In future communication systems, the mobility management network element can still be AMF, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. For the convenience of description, AMF will be used as an example in the following embodiments of this application.

[0066] The session management network element is a control plane network element provided by the operator network, which is responsible for managing the protocol data unit (PDU) session of the terminal device. The PDU session is a channel for transmitting PDUs, and the terminal device needs to transmit PDUs to each other with the DN through the PDU session. The SMF network element is responsible for establishing, maintaining and deleting the PDU session. The session management network element includes session management (such as session establishment, modification and release, including tunnel maintenance between user plane network elements and access network devices), selection and control of user plane network elements, service and session continuity (SSC) mode selection, roaming and other session-related functions. In 5G, the session management network element can be SMF. In future communication systems, the session management network element can still be SMF, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. For the convenience of description, SMF will be used as an example in the following embodiments of this application.

[0067] The user plane network element is a gateway provided by the operator, and is the gateway for the operator network to communicate with the DN. The user plane network element includes user plane related functions such as data packet routing and transmission, packet detection, service usage reporting, quality of service (QoS) processing, uplink packet detection, downlink data packet storage, etc. In 5G, the user plane network element can be UPF. In future communication systems, the user plane network element can still be UPF, or have other names, which are not limited in this application. For the convenience of description, the following embodiments of this application will take UPF as an example.

[0068] The policy control network element is a control plane function provided by the operator, which is used to provide the PDU session policy to the session management network element. The policy may include charging-related policies, QoS-related policies, and authorization-related policies. In 5G, the policy control network element may be a PCF. In future communication systems, the policy control network element may still be a PCF or have other names, which are not limited in this application. For the convenience of description, the following embodiments of this application will be illustrated by PCF.

[0069] The application function network element is used to convey the requirements of the application side to the network side, such as clock service requirements, quality of service (QoS) requirements, billing policy requirements, routing policy requirements, user status event subscription, etc. The application function network element can be a third-party functional entity or an application server deployed by an operator. In 5G, the application function network element can be an AF. In future communication systems, the application function network element can still be an AF or have other names, which are not limited in this application. For the convenience of description, the following embodiments of this application will take AF as an example.

[0070] The network open function network element is used to provide network functions that are open to the outside world and provide standard interfaces. The communication system can disclose functions and events to other systems through the network open function network element, which not only provides openness but also ensures the security of the system. In 5G, the network open function network element can be NEF. In future communication systems, the network open function network element can still be NEF or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0071] For the application function entity of the third-party application, when it interacts with the core network, it can be authorized through NEF. For example, AF sends a request message to NEF, and NEF determines whether the AF is allowed to send the request message. If the verification is successful, it will forward the request message to the corresponding PCF or UDM.

[0072] The network storage function network element can be used to provide network element discovery function, and provide network element information corresponding to the network element type based on the request of other network elements. The network storage function network element also provides network element management services, such as network element registration, update, deregistration, and network element status subscription and push. In 5G, the network storage function network element can be an NRF network element. In future communications, the network storage function network element can still be an NRF network element, or have other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0073] It should be understood that Figure 2 This is only an example of an applicable network architecture. The actual network architecture may include Figure 2 More or fewer network elements. For example, the architecture may also include a network data analytics function (NWDAF), a unified data repository (UDR), a network slice selection function (NSSF), an authentication server function (AUSF), etc.

[0074] exist Figure 1In the scenario shown, for a message sent from the network where IP1 is located to the network where IP3 is located, it can be sent to UPF1 through the session of UE1 or UE2. Based on the current message forwarding rules, UPF1 will send the message to the network where IP2 is located, and then the network where IP2 is located will send it to the network where IP3 is located. This message forwarding method has poor efficiency and needs to be improved.

[0075] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication path selection method for determining a transmission path and improving transmission efficiency when the data network connected on the UPF side is a layer 2 network or a layer 3 network.

[0076] The flow chart of the communication path selection method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0077] Step 301: A first SMF sends a first path selection request to a first network element, where the first path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a UPF for a session of a first UE.

[0078] The first network element in the embodiment of the present application is a network element for selecting a communication path. The first network element can be an independently deployed physical device; the first network element can also be a logical device, which can be combined with other network elements, for example, the first network element can be deployed in combination with the SMF.

[0079] Optionally, after receiving the session creation request sent by the first UE, the first SMF may send a first path selection request to the first network element according to the session creation request of the first UE, so as to request the first network element to select a UPF for the session of the first UE. Alternatively, the first SMF may also send the first path selection request to the first network element in other cases where it obtains a data network that the first UE may access.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first path selection request may include one or more of the following information: routing information of the data network that the first UE may access, the name (data network name, DNN) (or other identifier) ​​of the data network that the first UE may access, the data network access identifier (data network access identifier, DNAI) of the data network that the first UE may access, the identifier of the network slice to which the data network that the first UE may access belongs, the identifier of the anchor point UPF selected by the first SMF for the first UE, the location information of the first UE, the application requested by the first UE to access, the computing resources required by the first UE, and the resource information required for the first UE to request access to the application.

[0081] For example, in Figure 1In the scenario shown, UE1 is going to access the network where IP1 and IP2 are located, so the first path selection request may include routing information of the network where IP1 and IP2 are located. The routing information of the network where IP1 is located may be information such as the IP address segment and IP address prefix of the network where IP1 is located. If UE1 may access data network 3, which is a layer 2 network, then the routing information of data network 3 may be information such as the media access control address (MAC address) of data network 3.

[0082] In addition, the first path request may also include user transmission requirements of the first UE, such as bandwidth and delay requirements.

[0083] The one or more types of information included in the first path request may be carried in the session creation request sent by the first UE, or may be further determined by the first SMF according to the session creation request sent by the first UE.

[0084] Step 302: The first network element selects a first UPF for a session of the first UE according to the first path selection request and the acquired network information, wherein the network information includes a data network to which at least one UPF is connected.

[0085] Optionally, the network information may also include the correspondence between the UPF and the SMF, and / or the correspondence between the UPF and the first network element, or the correspondence between the SMF and the first network element, such as SMF1 manages UPF1 and UPF2, SMF2 manages UPF3 and UPF4, the first network element 1 manages UPF1, UPF2, UPF and UPF4, and SMF1 and SMF2 are connected to the first network element 1. The network information may also include the address information of the application server in the data network. The network information may also include the computing resources that the application server in the data network can provide, etc.

[0086] In a possible implementation, the first network element may obtain network information in advance, so as to select the first UPF for the session of each UE. The first network element may obtain network information after going online; or, the first network element may also periodically obtain network information to obtain the latest network information in time; or, the first network element may also obtain network information when a triggering event occurs, such as obtaining new network information when the network information changes. For example, the first network element may send a request message to the NWDAF after going online to request to obtain network information. The NWDAF may send the stored or generated network information, or the network information of the area where the first network element is located to the first network element. Optionally, the request message sent by the first network element may include information about the service area, indicating a request to obtain information about the data network connected to at least one UPF in the service area. Alternatively, the request message sent by the first network element may also include information such as DNN, single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI), UPF identifier, application identifier or computing resource identifier, so that the NWDAF sends network information corresponding to the information contained in the request message.

[0087] In another possible implementation, the first network element may also obtain corresponding network information according to the first path selection request after receiving the first path selection request sent by the first SMF. For example, the first network element may determine, according to the first path selection request, the data network name (DNN) that the first UE may access, the identifier of the anchor UPF of the first UE, the S-NSSAI of the network slice to which the data network that the first UE may access belongs, the identifier of the application that the first UE requests to access, or the resource information required for the first UE to request to access the application, and carry the determined information in the request message sent to the NWDAF, so that the NWDAF sends network information corresponding to the information contained in the request message.

[0088] In another possible implementation, the first network element may also obtain network information from the UPF and / or the UE. For example, the UPF and / or the UE may determine the association between the UPF and the data network during the process of establishing a session or forwarding a message, and report the association to the first network element. In the process of reporting to the first network element, the UE may report to the first network element through the SMF; the UPF may report to the first network element by itself, or may report to the first network element through the SMF.

[0089] Optionally, in addition to the network information, the first network element may further obtain resource information. The resource information may include the bandwidth between network elements, the delay between network elements, the correspondence between the bandwidth and delay between network elements, and the load information of each network element. As mentioned above, the first path selection request may include the resource information required for the first UE to request access to the application. In this case, the first network element may select a suitable first UPF for the first UE based on the acquired network information and resource information. For example, the first path selection request may include the name of the data network to be accessed by the first UE, the requirement for transmission delay, etc. The first network element determines the UPF connected to the data network based on the network information, as well as the transmission delay between each network element, and determines to select the first UPF that can meet the needs of the first UE for the session for the first UE to access the data network.

[0090] When the first SMF requests the first network element to select the first UPF for the session of the first UE, the anchor UPF or uplink classifier (ULCL) device may have been configured for the first UE, but the anchor UPF or ULCL device of the first UE may not be connected to the data network that the first UE wants to access. In this case, the first network element can determine the first UPF based on the acquired network information and / or resource information, so that the anchor UPF or ULCL device of the first UE establishes a user plane path with the determined first UPF, thereby transmitting messages for the first UE.

[0091] Step 303: The first network element sends the information of the selected first UPF to the first SMF.

[0092] After selecting the first UPF for the session of the first UE, the first network element may send information about the first UPF to the first SMF. Optionally, the information about the first UPF may include one or more of the following information: an identifier of the first UPF, an identifier of the SMF that manages the first UPF, and a DNAI of a data network that the first UE may access.

[0093] Step 304: The first SMF creates a session for the first UE according to the information of the first UPF.

[0094] After obtaining the information of the first UPF, the first SMF can create a session for the first UE according to the information of the first UPF. For example, after obtaining the identifier of the first UPF, the first SMF can send a session creation / modification request to the corresponding first UPF; or, the first SMF can also send a request to the corresponding second SMF according to the obtained identifier of the second SMF that manages the first UPF, so as to request the second SMF to assist in establishing a session between the first UE and the first UPF; or, the first SMF can also determine the first UPF connected to the data network according to the obtained DNAI, and then send a session creation / modification request to the corresponding first UPF.

[0095] Optionally, after executing the above step 303, the first network element may also send the information of the selected first UPF to the NWDAF, so that the NWDAF can update the network information.

[0096] Through the above-mentioned communication path selection method, even if the SMF selects an anchor UPF for the UE, the first network element can select the UPF for the UE's session based on the routing information, so that the anchor UPF and the UPF selected by the first network element for the UE forward the message, thereby providing guarantee for the user's message transmission through the transmission path between UPFs and improving the message forwarding efficiency.

[0097] In order to more clearly understand the above embodiments of the present application, Figure 4 Give an example. Figure 4 The process of the communication path selection method shown may include the following steps:

[0098] Step 401: The first network element sends a request message to the NWDAF to request network information and / or resource information.

[0099] The first network element requests to obtain network information and / or resource information, so as to facilitate subsequent selection of a communication path for the UE according to the network information and / or resource information.

[0100] Optionally, the request message may include information such as DNN, S-NSSAI, service area, device identifier (such as UPF identifier), application identifier or computing resource identifier, so as to request network information and / or resource information corresponding to the above information.

[0101] The above step 401 is an optional step, and the first network element may not need to send a request message to the NWDAF, and the NWDAF may actively send the network information and / or resource information to the first network element periodically or when a trigger event occurs.

[0102] Step 402: NWDAF sends network information and / or resource information to the first network element.

[0103] When the request message sent by the first network element contains information such as DNN, S-NSSAI, service area, device identifier (such as UPF identifier), application identifier or computing resource identifier, NWDAF sends the network information and / or resource information corresponding to the above information to the first network element. When the request message sent by the first network element does not contain the above information, NWDAF can send all the network information and / or resource information to the first network element, or NWDAF can send the network information and / or resource information corresponding to the service area information of the first network element obtained in advance to the first network element.

[0104] When the first network element does not need to execute step 401, NWDAF may also actively send network information and / or resource information to the first network element when the first network element comes online, or may also send network information and / or resource information to the first network element periodically or when a trigger event occurs.

[0105] In a possible design, when the first network element does not need to execute step 401, the NWDAF may not execute the above step 402, and the first network element may also obtain network information from the UE and UPF.

[0106] Step 403: UE1 initiates a session creation process.

[0107] Optionally, during the session creation process, SMF can determine the anchor UPF or ULCL device for UE1. Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor point UPF of UE1 is UPF1.

[0108] Step 404: SMF1 determines that UE1 may send a message to the network where IP2 / IP3 is located, and determines that it needs to request the first network element to select a communication path.

[0109] For example, when UE1 performs application addressing, SMF1 can determine that the current application is a service that the user has signed up for and that requires the creation of a forwarding path based on the application address of the application request, or the address IP2 / IP3 corresponding to the application service; or SMF1 can determine that the address is an address that requires the creation of a new forwarding path based on the address IP2 / IP3 corresponding to the application service; or determine that it is a service that requires a request to select a path based on the application type and slice; or SMF1 can determine that it is a cross-domain access (i.e., an area that is not currently managed by SMF1, or a wide area access, etc.) based on information such as the network where IP2 / IP3 is located or the application address, and determine that it is necessary to request the selection of a communication path.

[0110] Step 405: SMF1 sends a path selection request to the first network element.

[0111] Optionally, the path selection request may include the address, address segment, prefix and other information of the network where IP2 or IP3 is located, and may also include S-NSSA, the identifier of the anchor point UPF1 selected by SMF1 for UE1, the access location information of UE1, the DNAI of the network where IP2 / IP3 is located, the application requested by UE1 to access, the computing resources required for UE1 to access the application, the transmission requirements of UE1, etc.

[0112] Step 406: The first network element selects a first UPF for the session of UE1 according to the path selection request and the acquired network information and / or resource information.

[0113] For example, the first network element determines the network where IP2 / IP3 that UE1 may want to access is located based on the information contained in the path selection request, and then determines that UPF1 is connected to the network where IP2 is located, and UPF2 is connected to the network where IP3 is located based on the acquired network information. The first network element can then select UPF1 and UPF2 to forward the message from UE1, that is, the selected first UPF includes UPF1 and UPF2.

[0114] For another example, the first network element determines, based on the information contained in the path selection request, the network where IP2 / IP3 that UE1 may want to access is located, and the transmission requirements of UE1 when accessing the network where IP2 / IP3 is located, such as transmission delay, transmission bandwidth, etc.; then, based on the acquired network information, it determines that UPF1 is connected to the network where IP2 is located, UPF2 is connected to the network where IP3 is located, and the current available bandwidth and transmission delay between UPF1 and UPF2 can meet the transmission requirements of UE1, then the first network element can select UPF1 and UPF2 to forward the message for UE1.

[0115] Step 407: The first network element sends the information of the first UPF to SMF1.

[0116] For example, if the first UPF selected by the first network element is UPF1, the first network element may send the identifier of UPF1, the DNAI corresponding to UPF1, etc. to SMF1.

[0117] Step 408: The first network element sends information about selecting the first UPF for UE1 to the NWDAF. This step is optional.

[0118] The first network element can send the information of UPF1 / UPF2 selected for the session of UE1 to NWDAF, so that NWDAF obtains the information of network resources used by UPF1 / UPF2 to forward messages between UE1 and the network where IP2 / IP3 is located, so as to facilitate the subsequent first network element or other network elements used for path selection to obtain network information and / or resource information from NWDAF. NWDAF can select a path network element based on the relevant resource usage information obtained, and send the selected path network element to the first network element or other network elements used for path selection.

[0119] Step 409: SMF1 creates a session for UE1.

[0120] For example, the first network element selects UPF1 and UPF2 for UE1, and SMF1 can create a user plane path between UE1 and UPF1, and create a user plane path between UPF1 and UPF2; or, SMF1 can use UPF1 as the ULCL device for the UE1 session, and create a user plane path between UE1-UPF1-UPF2. Specifically, SMF1 can allocate tunnel identifiers for UPF1 / UPF2, provide the tunnel identifier of UPF1 to RAN, provide the tunnel identifiers of RAN and UPF2 to UPF1, and provide the tunnel identifier of UPF1 to UPF2. SMF also configures uplink / downlink message forwarding strategies for UPF1 and UPF2, instructing UPF1 to transmit messages from UE1 to the network where IP3 is located to UPF2, and instructing UPF2 to transmit messages from the network where IP3 is located to UE1 to UPF1.

[0121] Optionally, if the SMF that manages UPF2 is not SMF1, SMF1 can also determine SMF2 that manages UPF2 during the session creation process, and create a user plane path between UPF1-UPF2 through SMF2, and configure uplink / downlink message forwarding strategies for UPF2.

[0122] On the other hand, Figure 1 In the scenario shown, for UE1 (or UE2) connected to a subnet, there is currently no solution for selecting a communication path based on subnet routing information. In view of this, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication path selection method for realizing the selection of a communication path based on subnet routing information, optimizing the transmission path, and improving the transmission efficiency.

[0123] In the embodiments of the present application, "subnet" is not limited to a subordinate network of a certain network, but refers to a network or device within a certain range (physical range or logical range). For example, a subnet can be a network composed of multiple devices, or a logical network composed of multiple devices that can communicate with each other, or a network composed of multiple devices that can communicate with each other.

[0124] In this embodiment, the UE accesses the mobile communication network, such as Figure 2 The 5G network shown can also access a layer 2 or layer 3 subnet, such as a home LAN, so that other devices in the home LAN can communicate with the data network through the 5G network, or communicate with data in other subnets through the 5G network.

[0125] The flow chart of the communication path selection method provided in the embodiment of the present application can be as follows: Figure 5 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0126] Step 501: A first UE sends a first session creation request to a first SMF, where the first session creation request includes first subnet information.

[0127] Among them, the first subnet information includes one or more of the following information: the identifier of the first subnet to which the first UE is connected, the identifier of the first UE in the first subnet, indication information used to indicate that the session type requested to be created is a subnet session, and the identifiers of other UEs connected to the first subnet.

[0128] After receiving the first session creation request, the first SMF can determine, based on the first subnet information included in the first session creation request, that the first UE is connected to the first subnet and that a session of the subnet session type needs to be created for the first UE.

[0129] Step 502: The first SMF sends a first path selection request to the first network element. The first path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a UPF for a session of the first UE. The first path request includes information about the subnet to which the first UE is connected.

[0130] The first network element in this embodiment is a network element for selecting a communication path. The first network element may be an independently deployed physical device; the first network element may also be a logical device, and may be co-located with other network elements, for example, the first network element may be co-located with the SMF.

[0131] In the case where the first UE is connected to a subnet, the first SMF may carry information about the subnet to which the first UE is connected in the first path selection request when acquiring a communication path for the first UE. The information about the subnet to which the first UE is connected may include routing information of the subnet, an identifier of the subnet, an identifier of the first UE in the subnet, and the like. Among them, the routing information of the subnet may be information such as an IP address segment, an IP address prefix, and a MAC address of the subnet. The identifier of the first UE in the subnet may include address information of the first UE in the subnet, and the like. For example, when the subnet is a layer 3 subnet, the identifier of the first UE in the subnet may be the IP address or address segment information of the first UE in the subnet. According to the IP address or address segment information of the UE in the subnet, information such as the IP address prefix or IP address segment of the subnet may be determined.

[0132] In addition, the first path request may also include the user transmission requirements of the first UE, such as bandwidth, delay requirements, etc., so that the first network element selects UPF for the session of the first UE based on the user transmission requirements of the first UE, such as bandwidth, delay requirements, etc.

[0133] The one or more types of information included in the first path request may be carried in the session creation request sent by the first UE, or may be further determined by the first SMF according to the session creation request sent by the first UE.

[0134] Step 503: The first network element selects a first UPF for the session of the first UE according to the first path selection request and the acquired network information.

[0135] The network information may include information about subnets to which other UEs are connected. The network information obtained by the first network element may be stored by the first network element after selecting UPF for sessions of other UEs, or reported to the first network element by other UEs through SMF, or sent to the first network element by UPF through SMF, or reported directly to the first network element by UPF.

[0136] Different UEs can access different subnets or the same subnet. The first network element can obtain information about the subnet to which the UE is connected, as well as information about the subnet to which the first UE is connected, and select the first UPF for the session of the first UE. For example, UE1 and UE2 are both connected to the subnet where IP1 is located, and UE1 has established a session, and UPF1 forwards messages for UE1. UE1's messages include messages from the subnet where IP1 is located or messages sent to the subnet where IP1 is located that are transmitted through UPF1; then when UE2 establishes a session, the first network element can give priority to selecting UPF1 for UE2's session, and UPF1 forwards messages for UE1 and UE2, so that messages in the subnet where IP1 is located are forwarded by UPF1 as much as possible.

[0137] Optionally, in addition to the network information, the first network element may further obtain resource information. The resource information may include the bandwidth between network elements, the delay between network elements, the correspondence between the bandwidth and delay between network elements, and the load information of each network element. As mentioned above, the first path selection request may include the resource information required for the first UE to request access to the application. In this case, the first network element may select a suitable first UPF for the first UE based on the acquired network information and resource information. For example, the first path selection request may include the name of the data network to be accessed by the first UE, the requirement for transmission delay, etc. The first network element may also determine the subnet information connected to the first UE and the transmission delay between each network element based on the network information, and select the first UPF for the session of the first UE.

[0138] Step 504: The first network element sends the information of the selected first UPF to the first SMF.

[0139] After selecting the first UPF for the session of the first UE, the first network element may send information about the first UPF to the first SMF. Optionally, the information about the first UPF may include one or more of the following information: an identifier of the first UPF, an identifier of the SMF that manages the first UPF, and a DNAI of a data network that the first UE may access.

[0140] Optionally, after executing the above step 504, the first network element may also send the information of the selected first UPF to the NWDAF, so that the NWDAF can update the network information.

[0141] Step 505: The first SMF creates / modifies a session for the first UE according to the information of the first UPF.

[0142] After obtaining the information of the first UPF, the first SMF can create or modify a session for the first UE according to the information of the first UPF. For example, after obtaining the identifier of the first UPF, the first SMF can send a session creation / modification request to the corresponding first UPF; or, the first SMF can also send a request to the corresponding second SMF according to the obtained identifier of the second SMF that manages the first UPF, to request the second SMF to assist in establishing a session on the first UPF for the first UE; or, the first SMF can also determine the first UPF connected to the data network according to the obtained DNAI, and then send a session creation / modification request to the corresponding first UPF.

[0143] After the first UE and the second UE connected to the same subnet have completed the establishment of the session, if a ULCL device is added or deleted in the session of one of the UEs, the same ULCL device can be added or deleted in the session of the other UE accordingly, so as to facilitate the first UPF to forward the message of the subnet. For example, if a ULCL device is added in the session of the first UE (or the second UE), the same ULCL device can be added in the session of the second UE (or the first UE).

[0144] In a specific embodiment, if the first SMF determines that the first ULCL device is added or deleted in the session of the first UE, the first SMF may send a first session change message to the first network element to indicate that the first ULCL device is added or deleted in the session of the first UE. After receiving the first session change message, the first network element may send a second session change message to the service SMF of the second UE to indicate that the SMF serving the second UE adds or deletes the first ULCL device for the session of the second UE. After receiving the second session change message, the SMF serving the second UE adds or deletes the first ULCL device for the session of the second UE according to the second session change message. The SMF serving the second UE may be the first SMF or another SMF. Furthermore, the second session change information sent by the first network element may include a forwarding policy of the first ULCL device, or an identifier of the second UE, or an identifier of the second UE session; the SMF serving the second UE sends the forwarding policy in the second session change information to the first ULCL device, or the SMF serving the second UE generates a forwarding policy of the first ULCL based on the identifier of the second UE and / or the identifier of the second UE session in the second session change information, and then sends the forwarding policy to the first ULCL device; the ULCL device forwards the message of the second UE according to the forwarding policy.

[0145] Alternatively, if the SMF serving the second UE determines that the first ULCL device is added or deleted from the session of the second UE, the SMF serving the second UE may send a first session change message to the first network element to indicate that the first ULCL device is added or deleted from the session of the second UE. After receiving the first session change message, the first network element may send a second session change message to the first SMF to indicate that the first SMF adds or deletes the first ULCL device for the session of the first UE. After receiving the second session change message, the first SMF adds or deletes the first ULCL device for the session of the first UE according to the second session change message. Further, the second session change message sent by the first network element may include a forwarding policy of the first ULCL device, or an identifier of the first UE, or an identifier of the session of the first UE; the first SMF sends the forwarding policy in the second session change message to the first ULCL device, or the first SMF generates a forwarding policy of the first ULCL according to the identifier of the first UE and / or the identifier of the session of the first UE in the second session change message, and then sends the forwarding policy to the first ULCL device; the first ULCL device forwards the message of the first UE according to the forwarding policy.

[0146] In order to more clearly understand the above embodiments of the present application, Figure 6a and Figure 6b Give an example. Figure 6a An exemplary scenario diagram applicable to the communication path selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application is provided. Figure 6b An exemplary flow chart of a communication path selection method is provided, such as Figure 6b As shown, the process may include the following steps:

[0147] Step 601: UE1 initiates a session creation process.

[0148] Optionally, the session creation request sent by UE1 may include one or more of the following information: the identifier of the network where IP1 to which UE1 is connected is located, the identifier of UE1 in the network where IP1 is located, the binding relationship between UE1 and other UEs connected to the network where IP1 is located (such as the binding relationship between UE1 and UE2), the identifiers of other UEs connected to the IP1 network, and indication information for indicating a request to create a subnet type session.

[0149] Step 602: SMF1 determines the identifier of the network where IP1 to which UE1 is connected is located and / or the corresponding relationship between UE1 and other UEs connected to the network where IP1 is located.

[0150] If the session creation request sent by UE1 includes the identifier of the network where IP1 is located and / or the corresponding relationship between UE1 and other UEs connected to the network where IP1 is located, SMF1 can directly determine it according to the session creation request.

[0151] If the session creation request sent by UE1 does not include the identifier of the network where IP1 is located and the binding relationship between UE1 and other UEs connected to the network where IP1 is located, then SMF1 can obtain UE1's subscription data from UDM or PCF, and determine the identifier of the network where IP1 is located and / or the corresponding relationship between UE1 and other UEs connected to the network where IP1 is located based on UE1's subscription data.

[0152] Optionally, the above correspondence may be a binding relationship between multiple UEs, or the same identifier may be configured for multiple UEs. For example, if UE1 and UE2 are both connected to the network where IP1 is located, SMF1 may configure the same subnet identifier for UE1 and UE, and the UEs with the same subnet identifier have the above correspondence.

[0153] Step 603: SMF1 sends a path selection request to the first network element.

[0154] The path selection request sent by SMF1 may include the identifier of the network where IP1 is located, or the routing information of the network where IP1 is located, or the identifier of UE1 in the network where IP1 is located. For example, the path selection request may include the routing information of the network where IP1 is located, and the routing information of the network where IP1 is located may be the IP address segment / address prefix of the network where IP1 is located.

[0155] Step 604: The first network element selects UPF1 for the subnet type session of UE1 according to the acquired network information / resource information, and sends the information of UPF1 to SMF1.

[0156] The information of UPF1 may include the identifier of UPF1, the DNAI of UPF1, the identifier of the SMF that manages UPF1, and the like.

[0157] Step 605: SMF1 determines UPF1 selected by the first network element.

[0158] This step is an optional step. If the UPF1 information sent by the first network element in step 604 is the DNAI of UPF1, the identifier of the SMF that manages UPF1, etc., then the SMF can determine the corresponding UPF1 based on the DNAI, the identifier of the SMF that manages UPF1, etc.

[0159] Step 606: SMF1 sends the correspondence between the network where IP1 is located, UE1 and UPF1 to the first network element.

[0160] This step is optional. The SMF sends the correspondence between the network where IP1 is located, UE1 and UPF1 to the first network element, so that the first network element can select the same UPF for other UEs connected to the network where IP1 is located in the subsequent communication process.

[0161] Step 607: The first network element stores the correspondence between the network where IP1 is located, UE1 and UPF1.

[0162] Furthermore, the first network element may also store the correspondence between SMF1, the network where IP1 is located, UE1 and UPF1.

[0163] Since step 606 is an optional step, when SMF1 does not execute step 606, the first network element will not execute step 607 either.

[0164] Step 608: SMF1 sends a session creation / modification request to UPF1.

[0165] The session creation / modification request may include the identifier of the network where IP1 is located, the binding relationship between UE1 and other UEs connected to the network where IP1 is located, etc., or the session creation / modification request may also be used to indicate the creation of a subnet type session.

[0166] Step 609: UE1, SMF1, and UPF1 create a session.

[0167] Step 610: UE2 initiates a session creation process.

[0168] Step 611: SMF2 determines the identifier of the IP1 network to which UE2 is connected and / or the binding relationship between UE2 and other UEs connected to the IP1 network.

[0169] Step 612: SMF2 sends a path selection request to the first network element.

[0170] The process of UE2 initiating session creation is similar to the process of UE1 initiating session creation, so the above steps 610 to 612 can refer to the description of steps 601 to 603.

[0171] Step 613: The first network element determines to select UPF1 for the session of UE2 according to the correspondence between the network where IP1 is located, UE1 and UPF1.

[0172] Because UE2 and UE1 are both connected to the network where IP1 is located, when UE2 also creates a subnet-type session, the first network element can select the same UPF for UE1 and UE2.

[0173] Step 614: The first network element sends the information of UPF1 to SMF2.

[0174] The information of UPF1 may include the identifier of UPF1, the DNAI of UPF1, the identifier of the SMF that manages UPF1, and the like.

[0175] Step 615: The first network element stores the correspondence between the network where IP1 is located, UE1, UE2 and UPF1.

[0176] Furthermore, the first network element may also store the correspondence between SMF1, SMF2, the network where IP1 is located, UE1 and UPF1.

[0177] Step 616: SMF2 sends a session creation / modification request to UPF1.

[0178] The session creation / modification request may include the identifier of the network where IP1 is located, the binding relationship between UE2 and other UEs connected to the network where IP1 is located, etc., or the session creation / modification request may also be used to indicate the creation of a subnet type session.

[0179] Step 617: UE2, SMF2, and UPF1 create a session.

[0180] Step 618: When the session of UE1 changes and a ULCL device is added to the session, SMF1 sends first session change information to the first network element.

[0181] The first session change information is used to indicate that a ULCL device is added to the session of UE1. Optionally, the first session change information may also include an uplink / downlink message forwarding policy of the ULCL device.

[0182] Step 619: The first network element sends second session change information to SMF2.

[0183] After receiving the first session change information, the first network element knows that a ULCL device is added to UE1's session and determines that a ULCL device should also be added to UE2's session. Therefore, the second network element sends a second session change information to SMF2, where the second session change information is used to indicate that a ULCL device is added to UE2's session.

[0184] On the one hand, the second session change information may include the identifier of SMF1 and the identifier of UE1, so SMF2 may obtain the uplink / downlink message forwarding strategy of the ULCL device from SMF1 after receiving the second session change information.

[0185] On the other hand, when the first session change information includes the uplink / downlink message forwarding policy of the ULCL device, the second session change information sent by the first network element may also include the uplink / downlink message forwarding policy of the ULCL device.

[0186] Step 620: SMF2 initiates a session modification process.

[0187] SMF2 can trigger session modification for UE2, ULCL device, and UPF1 according to the acquired uplink / downlink message forwarding policy of the ULCL device.

[0188] exist Figure 1 In the scenario shown, for messages sent from the network where IP2 is located to the network where IP1 is located, UPF1 will only send messages from the network where IP2 is located to the device in the network where IP1 is located through a session in UE1 or UE2. The messages cannot be reasonably distributed to the sessions between UE1 and UE2, resulting in poor transmission efficiency.

[0189] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication path selection method for optimizing the transmission path and improving the transmission efficiency.

[0190] In this embodiment, both the first UE and the second UE access the mobile communication network and the same subnet; the first SMF manages the session of the first UE, and the second SMF manages the session of the second UE. The second SMF can be the same SMF as the first SMF or a different SMF. Figure 7 Different SMFs are used as examples. Figure 7 Before the process shown, the first SMF has established a session for the first UE, and the first UPF forwards the messages of the first UE. The messages of the first UE include the messages generated by the first UE itself, and also include the messages from the first subnet and transmitted through the first UE; the second SMF has established a session for the second UE, and the first UPF forwards the messages of the second UE. The messages of the second UE include the messages generated by the second UE itself, and also include the messages from the first subnet and transmitted through the second UE. The process of establishing a session for the first UE and the second UE and selecting the first UPF can be seen in Figure 5 , Figure 6b The process of selecting UPF in the illustrated embodiment.

[0191] Since the messages of the first UE and the second UE are forwarded by the first UPF, how to transmit the downlink message whose target address belongs to the first subnet to the first subnet through the session of the first UE and the session of the second UE? Figure 7 The problem to be solved by the communication path selection method shown.

[0192] Figure 7 The flow chart of the communication path selection method shown may include the following steps:

[0193] Step 701: The first network element determines a forwarding strategy of a first UPF according to routing information of a first subnet.

[0194] Optionally, the forwarding strategy of the first UPF determined by the first network element may include the correspondence between the session and the address in the first subnet. For example, the first network element determines that the IP address segment of the first subnet is xxx.xxx.x.0~xxx.xxx.x.20, and the first network element may determine that the message with the destination IP address xxx.xxx.x.0~xxx.xxx.x.10 is forwarded through the session of the first UE, and the message with the destination IP address xxx.xxx.x.11~xxx.xxx.x.20 is forwarded through the session of the second UE. For another example, the first network element may also determine that the forwarding strategy of the first UPF is: message 1 with the destination address belonging to the first subnet is forwarded through the session of the first UE, message 2 with the destination address belonging to the first subnet is forwarded through the session of the second UE, message 3 with the destination address belonging to the first subnet is forwarded through the session of the first UE, message 4 with the destination address belonging to the first subnet is forwarded through the session of the second UE, and so on.

[0195] Optionally, the first network element may also determine that the first UPF determines the downlink message forwarding strategy by itself, then the forwarding strategy determined by the first network element includes indication information for indicating the decision made by the first UPF. Further, the first network element may also determine the basis for the first UPF to determine the downlink message forwarding strategy by itself. For example, the first network element may determine that the first UPF determines the downlink message forwarding strategy based on traffic load balancing, address load balancing, traffic ratio, etc., then the forwarding strategy of the first UPF determined by the first network element may also include indication information such as traffic load balancing principle, address load balancing, and traffic ratio.

[0196] In a possible implementation, the routing information of the first subnet obtained by the first network element may be reported by one or more of the first UE, the second UE, and the first UPF.

[0197] The first UE, the second UE, and the first UPF can actively report the routing information of the first subnet according to the preset configuration. The first UE and the second UE can send the routing information of the first subnet to the first network element through the first SMF and the second SMF respectively. The first UPF can send the routing information of the first subnet to the first network element through the first SMF and / or the second SMF, or the first UPF can also send the routing information of the first subnet directly to the first network element. For example, when the first UE receives an uplink or downlink message from the first subnet, it can read the source address or destination address of the message (i.e., the address of the device in the first subnet), and report the read address information to the first network element; the first UPF can also read the source address or destination address of the message (i.e., the address of the device in the first subnet) when receiving an uplink or downlink message from the first subnet, and report the read address information to the first network element. For another example, the first UE can also send the routing protocol message of the first subnet to the first UPF, so that the first UPF reports the routing information of the first subnet.

[0198] Alternatively, the first UE, the second UE, and the first UPF may report the routing information of the first subnet according to the indication information of the SMF. For example, in the process of creating a session for the first UE, the first SMF may send reporting indication information to the first UE and / or the first UPF to instruct the reporting of the routing information of the first subnet; the second SMF may also send reporting indication information to the second UE and / or the first UPF to instruct the reporting of the routing information of the first subnet in the process of creating a session for the second UE. For another example, the reporting indication information sent by the first SMF to the first UE may also instruct the first UE to send the routing protocol message of the first subnet to the first UPF; the first UE then sends the routing protocol message of the first subnet to the first UPF according to the reporting indication information.

[0199] Step 702: The first network element sends the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the first SMF and / or the second SMF.

[0200] When the first SMF and the second SMF are the same SMF, the first network element only needs to send the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the SMF once, so that the first SMF (also the second SMF) configures the downlink message forwarding policy for the first UPF according to the forwarding policy of the first UPF.

[0201] When the first SMF and the second SMF are different SMFs, the first network element may send the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the first SMF, and the first SMF configures the downlink message forwarding policy for the first UPF; or, the first network element may send the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the second SMF, and the second SMF configures the downlink message forwarding policy for the first UPF; or, the first network element may also send the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the first SMF and the second SMF, then the first SMF and the second SMF respectively configure the downlink message forwarding policy for the first UPF.

[0202] When the first network element sends the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the first SMF and the second SMF, the first network element can send the same forwarding policy to the first SMF and the second SMF, or can send different forwarding policies. For example, the forwarding policy of the first UPF determined by the first network element is: the packets with the destination IP address xxx.xxx.x.0 to xxx.xxx.x.10 are forwarded through the session of the first UE, and the packets with the destination IP address xxx.xxx.x.11 to xxx.xxx.x.20 are forwarded through the session of the second UE; then the first network element can send the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the first SMF: the packets with the destination IP address xxx.xxx.x.0 to xxx.xxx.x.10 are forwarded through the session of the first UE; the first network element can send the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the second SMF: the packets with the destination IP address xxx.xxx.x.11 to xxx.xxx.x.20 are forwarded through the session of the second UE.

[0203] Step 703: The first SMF and / or the second SMF configures a downlink message forwarding strategy for the first UPF according to the received forwarding strategy of the first UPF.

[0204] When the first network element sends the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the first SMF, the first SMF configures a downlink message forwarding policy for the first UPF according to the received forwarding policy of the first UPF. The downlink message forwarding policy configured by the first SMF is determined according to the forwarding policy of the first UPF sent by the first network element. In other words, the first SMF generates a downlink message forwarding policy that can be parsed and executed by the first UPF according to the forwarding policy of the first UPF sent by the first network element.

[0205] When the first network element sends the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the second SMF, the second SMF configures the downlink message forwarding policy for the first UPF according to the received forwarding policy of the first UPF. The downlink message forwarding policy configured by the second SMF is determined according to the forwarding policy of the first UPF sent by the first network element. In other words, the second SMF generates a downlink message forwarding policy that can be parsed and executed by the first UPF according to the forwarding policy of the first UPF sent by the first network element.

[0206] It should be understood that if the first network element does not send the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the first SMF, the first SMF will not execute the above step 703; if the first network element does not send the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the second SMF, the second SMF will not execute the above step 703; if the first SMF is different from the second SMF, and the first network element sends the forwarding policy of the first UPF to the first SMF and the second SMF, the first SMF and the second SMF can both execute the above step 703; if the first SMF is the same as the second SMF, the first SMF (that is, the second SMF) only needs to configure a downlink message forwarding strategy for the first UPF once.

[0207] Step 704: The first UPF forwards the message whose destination address belongs to the first subnet according to the forwarding strategy.

[0208] In order to more clearly understand the above embodiments of the present application, Figure 8 Let's take an example. Figure 8 In the specific embodiment shown, UE1 and UE2 are both connected to the network where IP1 is located, and both UE1 and UE2 are connected to 5GS. SMF1 manages the session of UE1, and SMF2 manages the session of UE2. The subnet type session established by UE1 is managed by UPF1.

[0209] Figure 8 The process of the communication path selection method shown may include the following steps:

[0210] Step 801: SMF1 sends reporting indication information to UE1.

[0211] When SMF1 creates a session for UE1, SMF1 may send reporting indication information to UE1 to instruct UE1 to report the routing information of the connected subnet (i.e., the network where IP1 is located). For example, SMF1 may carry the reporting indication information in a user route selection policy (URSP).

[0212] The reporting indication information can also further indicate the method for UE1 to report routing information. For example, it can instruct UE1 to report the IP address of the network where IP1 is located to SMF1, so that SMF1 can report the IP address of the network where IP1 is located to the first network element; or, it can also instruct UE1 to send a routing protocol message of the network where IP1 is located to UPF1.

[0213] Step 801 is an optional step. A subnet routing information reporting policy may also be pre-configured in UE1, and SMF1 may not send reporting indication information to UE1.

[0214] Step 802: SMF1 sends reporting indication information to UPF1.

[0215] When SMF1 creates a session for UE1, SMF1 may send reporting indication information to UPF1 to instruct UPF1 to report the routing information of the subnet to which UE1 is connected (ie, the network where IP1 is located).

[0216] On the one hand, the SMF in step 802 may also be replaced by SMF2, that is, SMF2 sends reporting indication information to UPF1.

[0217] On the other hand, step 802 may also be replaced by: SMF1 or SMF2 instructs UPF1 to forward the downlink message to the associated session based on the routing information.

[0218] Step 802 is an optional step. UPF1 may also be pre-configured with a subnet routing information reporting policy, so SMF1 or SMF2 may not send reporting indication information to UPF1.

[0219] Step 803: SMF2 sends reporting indication information to UE2.

[0220] The manner in which SMF2 sends the reporting indication information to UE2 may refer to the manner in which SMF1 sends the reporting indication information to UE1 in step 801, which will not be described in detail here.

[0221] Step 803 is an optional step. UE2 may also be pre-configured with a subnet routing information reporting policy, so SMF2 may not send reporting indication information to UE2.

[0222] When executing the above steps 801, 802, and 803, the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution order of steps 801, 802, and 803.

[0223] Step 804: When UE1 / UE2 / UPF1 obtains the routing information of the network where IP1 is located, it sends the obtained routing information to the first network element through SMF1 / SMF2.

[0224] For example, when UE1 (or UE2) receives an uplink message from the network where IP1 is located, UE1 (or UE2) can read the source IP address in the message and send the read source IP address to the first network element through SMF1 (or SMF2); or when UE1 (or UE2) receives a routing protocol message from the network where IP1 is located, UE1 can read the information in the routing protocol message, obtain the routing information of the network where IP1 is located, and send it to the first network element through SMF1 (or SMF2).

[0225] For another example, when UE1 receives a downlink message from the network where IP1 is located, UE1 (or UE2) can read the destination IP address in the message, and send the read destination IP address to the first network element through SMF1 (or SMF2).

[0226] For another example, when UPF1 receives an uplink (or downlink) message from the network where IP1 is located, it can read the source IP address (or destination IP address) in the message and send the read IP address to the first network element; or when UPF1 receives a routing protocol message from the network where IP1 is located, it can read the information in the routing protocol message, obtain the routing information of the network where IP1 is located, and send it to the first network element through SMF1 (or SMF2).

[0227] Optionally, when UPF1 sends the acquired routing information to the first network element, it may send it to the first network element through SMF1 / SMF2, or may send it directly to the first network element without going through SMF1 / SMF2.

[0228] Step 805: The first network element determines a forwarding strategy for UPF1 according to the received routing information of the network where IP1 is located.

[0229] For example, the forwarding strategy of UPF1 determined by the first network element is: messages with destination IP addresses xxx.xxx.x.0 to xxx.xxx.x.10 are forwarded through the session of the first UE, and messages with destination IP addresses xxx.xxx.x.11 to xxx.xxx.x.20 are forwarded through the session of the second UE.

[0230] For another example, the first network element may also determine that UPF1 determines the forwarding of the downlink message based on traffic load balancing.

[0231] Step 806: The first network element sends the forwarding policy of UPF1 to SMF1.

[0232] Figure 8 In the example, the first network element sends the forwarding policy of UPF1 to SMF1. In actual application, the first network element can also send the forwarding policy of UPF1 to SMF2, or to SMF1 and SMF2.

[0233] Step 807: SMF1 configures a downlink message forwarding strategy for UPF1 according to the forwarding strategy of UPF1.

[0234] because Figure 8 In the example, the first network element sends the forwarding policy of UPF1 to SMF1. Figure 8In the specific embodiment shown, SMF1 configures the downlink message forwarding strategy for UPF1. When the first network element sends the forwarding strategy of UPF1 to SMF2, SMF2 can configure the downlink message forwarding strategy for UPF1; when the first network element sends the forwarding strategy of UPF1 to SMF1 and SMF2, SMF1 and SMF2 can configure the downlink message forwarding strategy for UPF1.

[0235] Step 808: When UPF1 receives a downlink message, it forwards the downlink message according to the downlink message forwarding strategy.

[0236] For example, the downlink message forwarding policy configured by SMF1 indicates that messages with IP addresses xxx.xxx.x.0 to xxx.xxx.x.10 are forwarded through the session of the first UE, and messages with destination IP addresses xxx.xxx.x.11 to xxx.xxx.x.20 are forwarded through the session of the second UE; when UPF1 receives a downlink message with a destination IP address of xxx.xxx.x.2, the downlink message is forwarded through the session of UE1; when UPF1 receives a downlink message with a destination IP address of xxx.xxx.x.12, the downlink message is forwarded through the session of UE2.

[0237] Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device includes a processing module 901 and a transceiver module 902. The processing module 901 is used to implement data processing by the communication device. The transceiver module 902 is used to receive content between the communication device and other units or network elements, or to send content between the communication device and other units or network elements. It should be understood that the processing module 901 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or, referred to as a processing circuit), and the transceiver module 902 can be implemented by a receiver / transmitter or a receiver / transmitter-related circuit component.

[0238] Exemplarily, the communication device may be a communication device, or may be a chip used in the communication device, or other combined devices, components, etc. having the functions of the above communication device.

[0239] When the communication device is a first network element, the processing module 901 receives a first path selection request sent by a first session management network element through the transceiver module 902, where the first path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a first user plane network element for a session of a first terminal device; based on the first path selection request and the acquired network information, a first user plane network element is selected for the session of the first terminal device, where the network information includes routing information of a data network connected to at least one user plane network element or a subnet connected to the first terminal device; and the information of the selected first user plane network element is sent to the first session management network element through the transceiver module 902.

[0240] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 3 to 8 The other processes performed by the first network element in the illustrated embodiment and the beneficial effects can be referred to the previous description, which will not be repeated here.

[0241] When the communication device is a session management network element, the processing module 901 sends a first path selection request to the first network element through the transceiver module 902, where the first path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a first user plane network element for the session of the first terminal device, where the first path request includes information about the data network to be accessed by the first terminal device, or includes information about the subnet to which the first terminal device is connected; the information about the first user plane network element sent by the first network element is received through the transceiver module 902; and a session is created for the first terminal device based on the information about the first user plane network element.

[0242] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 3 to 8 The other processes performed by the session management network element in the illustrated embodiment and the beneficial effects can be referred to the previous description, which will not be repeated here.

[0243] When the communication device is a terminal device, the processing module 901 sends a session creation request to the session management network element through the transceiver module 902, so that the session management network element determines the user plane network element and establishes a session for the first terminal device. The session creation request includes one or more of the following information: the identifier of the subnet to which the first terminal device is connected, the identifier of the first terminal device in the subnet, the indication information for indicating that the type of session requested to be created is a subnet session, and the identifiers of other terminal devices connected to the subnet; the message from the subnet is sent to the user plane network element through the transceiver module 902.

[0244] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 3 to 8 The beneficial effects of other processes executed by the terminal device in the illustrated embodiment can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0245] When the communication device is a user plane network element, the processing module 901 receives a session creation or modification request sent by a first session management network element through the transceiver module 902, wherein the first session creation or modification request includes an identifier of the subnet to which the first terminal device is connected, or includes indication information for indicating that the session to be created or modified is a subnet type session; according to the first session creation or modification request, a session with the first terminal device is created or modified.

[0246] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 3 to 8 The other processes performed by the user plane network element in the illustrated embodiment and the beneficial effects can be referred to the previous description, which will not be repeated here.

[0247] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present application, the communication device includes: a processor 1001, a communication interface 1002, and further may include a memory 1003 and a bus 1004. The processor 1001, the communication interface 1002 and the memory 1003 may be interconnected via a bus 1004; the bus 1004 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The above-mentioned bus 1004 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus and a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Fig.10 The fact that only one line is used in the diagram does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0248] The processor 1001 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP) or a combination of a CPU and a NP. The processor may further include a hardware chip. The hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL) or any combination thereof. The memory 1003 may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or a flash memory. Volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory.

[0249] The processor 1001 is used to implement data processing operations of the communication device, and the communication interface 1002 is used to implement receiving operations and sending operations of the communication device.

[0250] When the communication device is a first network element, the processor 1001 receives a first path selection request sent by a first session management network element through the communication interface 1002, where the first path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a first user plane network element for a session of a first terminal device; based on the first path selection request and the acquired network information, a first user plane network element is selected for the session of the first terminal device, where the network information includes routing information of a data network connected to at least one user plane network element or a subnet connected to the first terminal device; and information of the selected first user plane network element is sent to the first session management network element through the communication interface 1002.

[0251] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 3 to 8The other processes performed by the first network element in the illustrated embodiment and the beneficial effects can be referred to the previous description, which will not be repeated here.

[0252] When the communication device is a session management network element, the processor 1001 sends a first path selection request to the first network element through the communication interface 1002, where the first path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a first user plane network element for a session of a first terminal device, where the first path request includes information about a data network to be accessed by the first terminal device, or includes information about a subnet to which the first terminal device is connected; information about the first user plane network element sent by the first network element is received through the communication interface 1002; and a session is created for the first terminal device based on the information about the first user plane network element.

[0253] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 3 to 8 The other processes performed by the session management network element in the illustrated embodiment and the beneficial effects can be referred to the previous description, which will not be repeated here.

[0254] When the communication device is a terminal device, the processor 1001 sends a session creation request to the session management network element through the communication interface 1002, so that the session management network element determines the user plane network element and establishes a session for the first terminal device, and the session creation request includes one or more of the following information: an identifier of the subnet to which the first terminal device is connected, an identifier of the first terminal device in the subnet, indication information for indicating that the type of session requested to be created is a subnet session, and identifiers of other terminal devices connected to the subnet; and sending a message from the subnet to the user plane network element through the communication interface 1002.

[0255] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 3 to 8 The beneficial effects of other processes executed by the terminal device in the illustrated embodiment can be referred to the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0256] When the communication device is a user plane network element, the processor 1001 receives a session creation or modification request sent by a first session management network element through the communication interface 1002, wherein the first session creation or modification request includes an identifier of a subnet to which the first terminal device is connected, or includes indication information for indicating that the session to be created or modified is a subnet type session; according to the first session creation or modification request, a session with the first terminal device is created or modified.

[0257] In addition, the above modules can also be used to support Figures 3 to 8 The other processes performed by the user plane network element in the illustrated embodiment and the beneficial effects can be referred to the previous description, which will not be repeated here.

[0258] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including a first network element and a session management network element (such as SMF). Optionally, the communication system may also include a user plane network element (such as UPF), a terminal device (such as UE), etc.

[0259] Based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-readable instructions are stored. When the computer-readable instructions are executed on a computer, the method described in any possible implementation method described above is executed.

[0260] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product including instructions, which enables the above method embodiment to be executed when the computer program product is run on a computer.

[0261] An embodiment of the present application provides a chip, including: a processor, the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory is used to store instructions, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the chip implements the method steps executed by any of the above nodes.

[0262] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which includes the above-mentioned terminal device, wireless access network equipment and a mobility and accessibility management network element.

[0263] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, "and / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The multiple involved in the present application refers to two or more.

[0264] In addition, it should be understood that, in the description of the present application, words such as "first" and "second" are only used for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor can they be understood as indicating or implying order. References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" described in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of the present application include specific features, structures or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment. Therefore, the statements "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments", "in some other embodiments", "in some other embodiments", etc. that appear in different places in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but mean "one or more but not all embodiments", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways. The terms "including", "comprising", "having" and their variations all mean "including but not limited to", unless otherwise specifically emphasized in other ways.

[0265] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware, or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also be present in a base station or a terminal as discrete components.

[0266] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, 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 programs or instructions. When the computer program or instruction is loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is executed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device or other programmable device. The computer program or instruction may 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 program or instruction may be transmitted from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center by wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a tape; it may also be an optical medium, for example, a digital video disc; it may also be a semiconductor medium, for example, a solid-state hard disk. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0267] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or provided for in any logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the different embodiments are consistent and may be referenced to each other, and the technical features in the different embodiments may be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0268] It is understood that the various numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the sequence number of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A method for determining a communication path, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first network element receives a first path selection request sent by the first session management network element, where the first path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a first user plane network element for a session of a first terminal device; The first network element selects a first user plane network element for a session of the first terminal device according to the first path selection request and the acquired network information, wherein the network information includes routing information of a data network connected to at least one user plane network element or a subnet connected to the first terminal device; The first network element sends the information of the selected first user plane network element to the first session management network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first network element selecting a first user plane network element for a session of the first terminal device according to the first path selection request and the acquired network information, including: The first network element selects a first user plane network element for a session of the first terminal device according to the first path selection request, the acquired network information and the resource information; The resource information includes one or more of the following information: bandwidth between network elements, delay between network elements, correspondence between bandwidth and delay between network elements, and load information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The network information also includes one or more of the following information: The correspondence between different user plane network elements and different session management network elements, the address information of the application server in the data network, and the computing resources that the application server in the data network can provide.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method further comprises at least one of the following: The first network element obtains the network information from a network data analysis function network element; The first network element obtains, from the first user plane network element, routing information of a data network to which the first user plane network element is connected; The first network element obtains routing information of the subnet to which the first terminal device is connected from the first terminal device or the first user plane network element.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The information of the first user plane network element includes at least one of the following: The identifier of the user plane network element, the identifier of the session management network element that manages the user plane network element, and the data network access identifier DNAI of the data network to be accessed by the first terminal device.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first path selection request includes one or more of the following information: The routing information of the data network to be accessed by the first terminal device, the DNAI of the data network to be accessed by the first terminal device, the identifier of the network slice to which the data network to be accessed by the first terminal device belongs, the identifier of the first user plane network element selected by the first session management network element for the first terminal device, the location information of the first terminal device, the application requested to be accessed by the first terminal device, the computing resources required by the first terminal device, and the resource information required by the application requested to be accessed by the first terminal device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first path selection request includes: an identifier of a subnet to which the first terminal device is connected, and / or an identifier of the first terminal device in the subnet.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The first network element selecting a first user plane network element for a session of the first terminal device according to the first path selection request and the acquired network information, including: The first network element determines, according to the identifier of the subnet included in the first path selection request, a second user plane network element for session service of a second terminal device, where the second terminal device is a terminal device accessing the subnet; The first network element will serve as the second user plane network element serving the session of the second terminal device, and will serve as the first user plane network element serving the session of the first terminal device.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first network element receives a second path selection request sent by a second session management network element, where the second path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a second user plane network element for a session of a second terminal device, and the second path request includes an identifier of the subnet and / or an identifier of the second terminal device in the subnet; The first network element uses the first user plane network element selected for the session of the first terminal device as the second user plane network element serving the session of the second terminal device; The first network element sends information about the second user plane network element to the second session management network element.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first network element receives first session creation or change information sent by the first session management network element, where the first session creation or change information is used to indicate that an uplink traffic distribution device ULCL is added to the session of the first terminal device; The first network element sends second session change information to a second session management network element, where the second session management network element is a session management network element that manages the session of the second terminal device. The second session change information is used to indicate adding the ULCL to the session of the second terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The second session change information includes: a forwarding policy of the ULCL, or an identifier of the first terminal device, or an identifier of the first session management network element.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first network element receives third session change information sent by a second session management network element, where the second session management network element is a session management network element that manages a session of the second terminal device, and the third session change information is used to indicate that a ULCL is added to the session of the second terminal device; The first network element sends fourth session change information to the first session management network element, where the fourth session change information is used to indicate adding the ULCL to the session of the first terminal device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first network element determines a forwarding strategy of the first user plane network element according to the routing information of the subnet; The first network element sends the forwarding policy to the first session management network element and / or the second session management network element, where the second session management network element is a session management network element that manages the session of the second terminal device.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The forwarding strategy includes: the correspondence between each session and an address in the subnet; or Used to indicate indication information decided by the first user plane network element.

15. A method for determining a communication path, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first session management network element sends a first path selection request to the first network element, where the first path selection request is used to request the first network element to select a first user plane network element for a session of a first terminal device, where the first path request includes information about a data network to be accessed by the first terminal device, or includes information about a subnet to which the first terminal device is connected; The first session management network element receives information about the first user plane network element sent by the first network element; The first session management network element creates a session for the first terminal device according to the information of the first user plane network element.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The data network information includes one or more of the following information: The routing information of the data network, the DNAI of the data network, the identifier of the network slice to which the data network belongs, the application requested to be accessed by the first terminal device, the computing resources required by the first terminal device, and the resource information required by the application requested to be accessed by the first terminal device.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The subnet information includes: an identifier of the subnet, and / or an identifier of the first terminal device in the subnet.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that: The first path request also includes an identifier of a second user plane network element selected by the first session management network element for the first terminal device, and / or location information of the first terminal device.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first session management network element determines that a first uplink traffic distribution device ULCL is added to the session of the first terminal device; The first session management network element sends first session change information to the first network element, where the first session change information is used to indicate that the first ULCL is added to the session of the first terminal device.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first session management network element receives second session change information sent by the first network element, where the second session change information is used to indicate adding a second ULCL to the session of the first terminal device.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The second session change information includes: a forwarding strategy of the second ULCL, or an identifier of a second terminal device, or an identifier of a second session management network element; The second terminal device is a terminal device accessing the subnet; The second session management network element is a session management network element that manages the session of the second terminal device.

22. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 21, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first session management network element receives the forwarding policy of the first user plane network element sent by the first network element; The first session management network element configures a downlink message forwarding policy to the first user plane network element according to the forwarding policy.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that Before the first session management network element receives the forwarding policy of the first user plane network element sent by the first network element, the method further includes: The first session management network element receives the routing information of the subnet sent by the first terminal device and / or the first user network element; The first session management network element sends the routing information of the subnet to the first network element.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that Before the session management network element receives the routing information of the subnet sent by the first terminal device and / or the first user network element, the method further includes: The first session management network element sends reporting indication information to the first terminal device and / or the first user plane network element, where the reporting indication information is used to instruct to report the routing information of the subnet to the first session management network element.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that: The forwarding strategy of the first user plane network element sent by the first network element includes: the correspondence between each session and an address in the subnet; or Used to indicate indication information decided by the first user plane network element.

26. A communication path determination method, characterized in that: The method comprises: The first terminal device sends a session creation request to the first session management network element, so that the first session management network element determines the first user plane network element and establishes a session for the first terminal device, the session creation request includes one or more of the following information: an identifier of the subnet to which the first terminal device is connected, an identifier of the first terminal device in the subnet, indication information for indicating that the type of the session requested to be created is a subnet session, and identifiers of other terminal devices connected to the subnet; The first terminal device sends the message from the subnet to the first user plane network element.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first terminal device sends the routing information of the subnet to the first session management network element; or The first terminal device sends a routing protocol message of the subnet to the first user plane network element.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first terminal device receives reporting indication information sent by the first session management network element, where the reporting indication information is used to instruct the first terminal device to report the routing information of the subnet to the first session management network element.

29. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processing module and a communication module, wherein the processing module is used to send and receive messages through the communication module to execute the method as described in any one of claims 1-28.

30. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a program or an instruction, and when the program or the instruction is executed by the processor, the device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 28.

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