Indication of grantable communication type

Abstract

A method includes monitoring whether a network function receives an indication of a group type of a group, where for the group type, a set of traffic routes of one or more grantable types granted for communications within the group is stored; if the network function receives the indication, checking whether a set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes stored for the group type includes a first type of traffic route; if the set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes does not include the first type of traffic route, the forbidden network function instructs the user plane function to apply the first type of traffic route to communication between the first member of the group and the second member of the group.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to group communications.

[0002] Abbreviations 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project 5G / 6G / 7G fifth generation / sixth generation / seventh generation 5GC 5G Core Network 5GS 5G System AAA authentication, authorization, and accounting AF Application Function API Application Programming Interface DN Data Network DNN data network name ECS Emergency Call Service GPSI General Public Subscription Identifier ID Identifier IIoT Industrial Internet of Things IoT IP Internet Protocol LAN Local Area Network NEF Network Exposure Function NF Network Function PCC Strategy and Charge Control PCF Policy Control Function PDU Protocol Data Unit PSA PDU Session Anchor QoS Quality of Service

[0003] SM Session Management

[0004] SMF session management functions

[0005] S-NSSAI Single Network Slice Selection Auxiliary Information

[0006] SSC Session and Service Continuity

[0007] SUPI Subscription Persistent Identifier

[0008] TR Technical Report

[0009] TS Technical Specifications

[0010] UDM Unified Data Management

[0011] UDR Unified Data Repository

[0012] UE User Equipment

[0013] UPF User Plane Function

[0014] URSP UE routing strategy

[0015] VN Virtual Network Background Art

[0016] 3GPP TR 23.700-74 [3] "Study on Enhancements for General Group Management, Openness and Communications (GMEC, Release 18)" defines generic functionality for a specified group of UEs. Clause 5.1 "Key Issue #1 (Enhanced Group Attribute Management)" is described as follows: "Based on the scope of this study, a group may be set up with a service area or QoS applicable to each UE in the group." This means that if a member of the group is outside the service area, the network does not provide any service to it, and the network must provide a specific QoS to each member of the group. The goal of this study is to leverage existing APIs as much as possible, but still ensure support for generic groups of UEs.

[0017] There are two proposed solutions (Solutions #8 and #9) in TR that reuse the 5G VN group principle to define groups of UEs. Because 5G VN group management has been originally designed and specified for 5G LAN type services, there is no separation between group management and user plane (5G LAN communication) processing.

[0018] The current AF-based 5G VN group management principle is described in clause 4.15.6 of 3GPP TS23.502, which is partially presented in 3GPP TR 23.700-74 solution # 9. Information about PDU sessions related to 5G VN groups is carried via UDM (subscription information related to session management is sent to SMF via UDM) or via PCC rules (3GPPTS23.502 clause 4.16.12.2UE policy association modification initiated by PCF).

[0019] 5G VN communication defines optimization of UE-to-UE communication between group members for a group, which can include the following three types of traffic forwarding:

[0020] - N6-based traffic routing (between UPF and DN, where DN is outside 5GS) - N19-based traffic routing (between two PSA UPFs)

[0021] -Local path switching at UPF (e.g., in the case where the SMF selects a single PSA UPF for PDU sessions targeting the same 5G VN group). This option can be viewed as a special case of N19-based traffic routing where the two PSAUPFs are identical.

[0022] According to the latest version (v0.3.0) of 3GPP TR 23.700-74[3], "a group can be created using the 5GVN NEF API without using features related to 5G VN communication, as the use of N19 and local path switching and other 5G VN specific features defined in 3GPP TS23.501[1] clause 5.8.2.13 is optional." It is assumed that the reference to optional 5G VN communication is related to the statement in 3GPP TS23.501[1] clause 5.8.2.13, "The SMF may configure (multiple) UPFs to apply different traffic forwarding methods to route traffic between PDU sessions for a single 5G VN group. For example, depending on the destination address, some packet flows may be forwarded locally, while other packet flows are forwarded via N19, and other packet flows are forwarded to N6."

[0023] According to 3GPP TS23.501[1] clause 5.29.2 (5G VN Group), in order to support dynamic management of 5G VN Group: "NEF opens services to dynamically manage 5G VN Group data." And further: "5G VN Group data may include the following parameters: PDU session type, DNN, S-NSSAI and application descriptor, information related to secondary authentication / authorization...",

[0024] According to 3GPP TS23.501[1] clause 5.29.3 (PDU Session Management):

[0025] - "Policy control related to session management for DNNs and S-NSSAIs as described in TS 23.502 [2] applies to DNNs and S-NSSAIs associated with a 5G VN group. This also includes the use of URSP for the UE to determine how to route outgoing traffic to PDU sessions for DNNs and S-NSSAIs associated with a 5G VN group."

[0026] - "During the PDU Session Establishment procedure, the SMF retrieves the SM subscription data related to 5G-VN type services from the UDM as part of the UE subscription data for DNN and S-NSSAI.

[0027] - To implement N19 traffic routing, the SMF associates the established PDU session with the same 5G VN group and uses the PDU session to configure the UPF with a group-level N4 session that includes packet inspection and forwarding rules for N19 tunnel forwarding. ”

[0028] According to 3GPP TS29.244[4] clause 8.2.25, UPF support for 5G VN group communication is optional (as a supportable feature), but SMF controls 5G VN group communication.

[0029] References

[0030] [1] 3GPP TS23.501: System architecture for 5G system (5GS)

[0031] [2] 3GPP TS23.502: Procedures for 5G System (5GS)

[0032] [3] 3GPP TR 23.700-74: Study on General Group Management, Openness and Communication Enhancements (GMEC)

[0033] [4] 3GPP TS 29.244: Interface between control plane and user plane nodes (Stage 3) Summary of the invention

[0034] The object of the present invention is to improve the prior art.

[0035] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising:

[0036] One or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform:

[0037] monitoring whether the network function receives an indication of a group type for a group, wherein a set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes permitted for communications within the group are stored for the group type;

[0038] If the network function receives the indication, checking whether the set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes stored for the group type includes a traffic route of the first type;

[0039] If the set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes does not include the first type of traffic route, the inhibiting network function instructs the user plane function to apply the first type of traffic route to communications between the first member of the group and the second member of the group.

[0040] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising:

[0041] One or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform:

[0042] monitoring whether the open function receives group-related requests from the application function;

[0043] determining a group type for the group based on at least one of: an identification of the request and the application function;

[0044] Notifies the user data function about the group type of the group.

[0045] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising:

[0046] One or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform:

[0047] monitoring whether the user data function receives an indication to create a group having a group type;

[0048] If the user data function receives the indication, identifying a network function that has subscribed to notification of creation of the group;

[0049] The network function is notified about the creation of the group and the group type of the group.

[0050] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus, comprising:

[0051] One or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform:

[0052] monitoring whether the user data function receives an indication that the group type of the group is updated;

[0053] If the user data function receives the indication, identifying a network function that has subscribed to notifications of updates of the group type for the group;

[0054] The group type that notifies the network function about updates to the group.

[0055] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising:

[0056] monitoring whether the network function receives an indication of a group type for the group, wherein for the group type a set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes permitted for communications within the group is stored;

[0057] If the network function receives the indication, checking whether the set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes stored for the group type includes a traffic route of the first type;

[0058] If the set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes does not include the first type of traffic route, the inhibiting network function instructs the user plane function to apply the first type of traffic route to communications between the first member of the group and the second member of the group.

[0059] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising:

[0060] monitoring whether the open function receives group-related requests from the application function;

[0061] determining a group type for the group based on at least one of: an identification of the request and the application function;

[0062] Notifies the user data function about the group type of the group.

[0063] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising:

[0064] monitoring whether the user data function receives an indication to create a group having a group type;

[0065] If the user data function receives the indication, identifying a network function that has subscribed to notification of creation of the group;

[0066] The network function is notified about the creation of the group and the group type of the group.

[0067] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method comprising:

[0068] monitoring whether the user data function receives an indication that the group type of the group is updated;

[0069] If the user data function receives the indication, identifying a network function that has subscribed to notifications of updates of the group type for the group;

[0070] The group type that notifies the network function about updates to the group.

[0071] Each of the methods of the fifth to eighth aspects may be a group communication method.

[0072] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product, comprising a set of instructions, which, when executed on a device, are configured to cause the device to perform a method according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects. The computer program product may be embodied as a computer readable medium or may be directly loadable into a computer.

[0073] According to some embodiments of the present invention, at least one of the following advantages can be achieved:

[0074] The appropriate permissible traffic routing types can be set for each group;

[0075] This allows avoiding the pain of setting up intra-group data plane optimizations for groups that do not need such optimizations, e.g. because group members rarely exchange traffic directly with each other;

[0076] UE is not affected.

[0077] It should be understood that any of the above modifications may be applied to the various aspects to which they are referred, either alone or in combination, unless they are explicitly stated to exclude alternatives. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0078] Further details, features, objects and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0079] Figure 1 shows message flows according to some example embodiments of the present invention;

[0080] Figure 2 An apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0081] Figure 3 A method according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0082] Figure 4 An apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0083] Figure 5 A method according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0084] Figure 6 An apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0085] Figure 7 A method according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0086] Figure 8 An apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0087] Fig. 9 A method according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0088] Fig.10 An apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention is shown; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0089] In the following, certain embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the features of the embodiments may be freely combined with each other unless otherwise described. However, it should be clearly understood that the description of certain embodiments is given by way of example only, and it is by no means intended to be understood as limiting the present invention to the disclosed details.

[0090] However, it should be understood that the apparatus is configured to perform the corresponding method, although in some cases only the apparatus or only the method is described.

[0091] Currently, there is no way to allow NF (e.g., SMF or PCF) to determine whether to establish a data path dedicated to 5G VN group communication for members of the established 5G VN group. In addition, there are several use cases, such as those proposed by 5G ACIA in www.5g- acia.org / publications As mentioned in the white paper "Exposure of 5G capabilities for connected industries and automation applications" published on 3GPP TS23.501, it requires that IIoT devices be grouped in "universal groups", and the creation and provisioning of groups can use the same process as 5G VN groups. In a "universal group", 5GVN group communication is not allowed. In this case, there is currently no available indication in the 5G VN group data parameters from the AF or in the related event opening / PCC rules to create a universal UE group without 5G VN group communication. Therefore, such an indication cannot be provided to the target 5GC NF, such as SMF or PCF. According to 3GPP TS23.501 clause 5.29.3, URSP data is not expected to contain group level information.

[0092] According to some example embodiments of the present invention, the AF provides an additional parameter indicating the group type to the 5GC. The group type means a set of permissible types of traffic routing for intra-group communication. The set may include one or more permissible types. For example, a "group type" may have a value of "universal group" or "5G VN group", where permissible traffic routing types are defined for each "group type". For example, one or both of N19-based traffic routing and local path switching may be permissible only for a "5G VN group" and not for a "universal group".

[0093] In the NF (particularly the SMF), for each group type, the types of traffic routes included by the set of traffic routes of permissible types may be stored. Traffic routes of permissible types may be defined explicitly or implicitly. For example, they may be explicitly defined by a list of permissible traffic types for each group type. As another option, they may be implicitly defined by a list of prohibited traffic route types for each group type. Traffic route types not included in the list are allowed for the group type. If the group type is not explicitly indicated for a group, the NF may assume that the group belongs to a default group type. For the default group type, traffic routes of permissible types may also be defined explicitly or implicitly.

[0094] The 5GC will handle intra-group communications according to the indicated permissible traffic routing type for the group's group type. For example, the SMF may determine whether it can apply the 5G VN group communication mechanism to intra-group communications (which may involve establishing an N19 link between the PSA UPFs serving members of the 5G VN group) based on the group type of the group.

[0095] When the set of permissible traffic routing types does not indicate "5G VN communication" (i.e., one or both of N19-based traffic routing and local path switching), this means that optimization of UE-to-UE communication between group members of this type is not allowed. In this case, N6-based traffic routing can support UE-UE group communication (i.e., communication between UEs within a group).

[0096] Figure 1 Message flows according to some example embodiments of the present invention are shown. Figure 1 In the example, an indication of a group type is taken as an example of an indication of a set of permissible traffic routing types. Figure 1 The NF in can be any of SMF, AMF and PCF. The following explanation assumes that NF is SMF. Figure 1 and its interpretation is based on 3GPP TS23.502, Figure 4 .15.6.2-1, which is adapted according to some example embodiments of the present invention.

[0097] Figure 1 The actions shown in are as follows:

[0098] 0. The SMF subscribes to the UDM notification group subscription data update. In addition, it can subscribe to the UE subscription data update for the UEs in the group.

[0099] NOTE 1. The SMF may subscribe to the group subscription data from the UDM in this step, and notify the group subscription data update using the shared data feature defined in 3GPP TS 29.503 in step 7.

[0100] 1. The AF provides the NEF with one or more parameters to be created or updated in Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create or Nnef_ParameterProvision_Update.

[0101] For a create request associated with a 5G VN group, the external group ID identifies the 5G VN group.

[0102] -5G VN group membership management parameters (as in 3GPP TS 23.502 clause 4.15.6.3c);

[0103] - External group ID and 5G VN group data (i.e. 5G-VN configuration parameters) (as in 3GPP TS23.502 clause 4.15.6.3b, modified as follows);

[0104]

[0105]

[0106] Table 1 (taken from 3GPP TS 23.502, Table 4.15.6.3b-1): Description of 5G VN Group Data with Additional Information defined as part of this invention

[0107] The term “5G (VN) group” indicates a 5G group that may or may not be a 5G VN group.

[0108] The AF can also request to delete the 5G VN configuration by sending Nnef_ParameterProvision_Delete to the NEF.

[0109] 2. If the AF is authorized by the NEF to provide parameters, the NEF requests the creation, update and storage, or deletion of the parameters provided as part of the subscriber data via Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create, Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update or Nudm_ParameterProvision_Delete request messages, which include the provided data and the NEF reference ID and optionally the MTC vendor information. The NEF may determine that the group is a general group type (5G VN data path optimization is not required) based on local policies, which are, for example, related to the identity of the AF that issued the group-related request, or to the parameters indicated in the group-related request (for example, the local policy may consider the MTC vendor information or S-NSSAI provided in the request for such determination).

[0110] 3. The UDM may read the corresponding subscription information from the UDR via Nudr_DM_Query to verify the required data updates and authorize the changes for the corresponding AF for the subscriber or group. In this document, any one of the UDM, UDR, or a combination thereof may be denoted as a "User Data Function".

[0111] 4. If the AF is authorized by the UDM to provide parameters for this subscriber, the UDM resolves the GPSI to SUPI and requests to create, update or delete the parameters provided as part of the subscriber data via a Nudr_DM_Create / Update / Delete request message including the provided data.

[0112] If a new 5G VN group is created, UDM will assign a unique internal group ID to the 5G VN group and include the newly assigned internal group ID in the Nudr_DM_CreateReque message. If the list of 5G VN group members is changed or if the 5G VN group data has been changed, UDM updates the UE and / or group subscription data according to the AF / NEF request.

[0113] The UDR stores the provided data as part of the UE and / or group subscription data and responds with a Nudr_DM_CreateUpdate / Delete response message.

[0114] When 5G VN group data is updated, the UDR notifies the subscribed PCF by sending Nudr_DM_Notify (as defined in 3GPP TS23.502 clause 4.16.12.2). If the AF is not authorized to provide parameters, the UDM continues in action 5, indicates the reason for the failure in the Nudm_ParameterProvision_Update Response message, and does not perform action 7.

[0115] UDM classifies the received parameters (i.e., expected UE behavior parameters, or recommended number of downlink packets, or 5GVN configuration parameters, or location privacy indication parameters, or ECS address configuration information) into AMF-associated parameters and SMF-associated parameters. UDM may use the AF identifier received from NEF in action 2 to associate the received parameters with a specific subscribed DNN and / or S-NSSAI. UDM stores the SMF-associated parameters under the corresponding session management subscription data type.

[0116] 5. The UDM responds to the request with a Nudm_ParameterProvision_Create / Update / Delete response. If the process fails, the Reason value indicates the reason.

[0117] 6. The NEF responds to the request with a Nnef_ParameterProvision_Create / Update / Delete response. If the process fails, the Reason value indicates the reason for the failure.

[0118] 7. [Conditionally perform this action only after successfully performing action 4], UDM notifies the subscribed network function NF (e.g., AMF or SMF) of updated UE and / or group subscription data via Nudm_SDM_Notification notification message, or UDM provides group subscription data update through the shared data mechanism defined in 3GPP TS29.503. This action may also correspond to the SMF obtaining subscription data as part of the establishment of a PDU session, as described in action 4 of 3GPP TS23.502 clause 4.3.2.2.1 and action 7 of 3GPP TS23.502 clause 4.3.2.2.2 (SMF retrieves session management subscription data using Nudm_SDM_Get).

[0119] If the UE is a member of a 5G (VN) group, the UDM retrieves the UE subscription data and the corresponding 5G (VN) group data from the UDR, and provides the UE subscription data including the 5G (VN) group data to the AMF and SMF.

[0120] a) If the NF is an AMF, UDM performs the Nudm_SDM_Notification (SUPI and internal group identifier, group type, etc.) service operation. It includes the group type indicating the group type, for example, whether the group is associated with the 5G VN communication mechanism...

[0121] b) If the NF is an SMF, UDM performs the Nudm_SDM_Notification (SUPI and internal group identifier, group type, etc.) service operation. It includes a group type indicating the type of the group, for example, whether the group is associated with a 5G VN communication mechanism.

[0122] If the UE does not belong to a 5G (VN) group, or if the UE belongs to a group and is configured as a "universal" group, i.e., an indication of a set of permissible types of traffic routing, the SMF uses the group type information to determine not to invoke the 5G VN communication mechanism (i.e., LAN type communication). That is, the SMF does not associate the established PDU session to the same 5G VN group and does not use the PDU session to configure the UPF with a group level N4 session that includes packet inspection and forwarding rules for N19 traffic routing (also denoted as N19 tunnel forwarding). Therefore, in this case, the SMF ensures that there is no local path switching or N19 traffic routing on the PSA UPF.

[0123] Figure 2 An apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The apparatus may be a network function (such as SMF, AMF or PCF) or an element thereof. Figure 3A method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 The device can perform Figure 3 method, but not limited to this method. Figure 3 The method can be Figure 2 The present invention is performed by a device, but is not limited to being performed by this device.

[0124] The device includes a component 110 for monitoring, a component 120 for checking, and a component 130 for prohibiting. The component 110 for monitoring, the component 120 for checking, and the component 130 for prohibiting may be a monitoring component, an inspection component, and a prohibiting component, respectively. The component 110 for monitoring, the component 120 for checking, and the component 130 for prohibiting may be a monitor, an inspector, and a prohibitor, respectively. The component 110 for monitoring, the component 120 for checking, and the component 130 for prohibiting may be a monitoring processor, an inspection processor, and a prohibiting processor, respectively.

[0125] The component 110 for monitoring monitors whether the network function (e.g., SMF, AMF, or PCF) receives an indication of a group type of the group (S110). For each group type, a set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes is stored. If the network function receives the indication (S110=Yes), the component 120 for checking checks whether the set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes for the group type includes a route type for the first traffic (S120).

[0126] If the set of one or more permissible types does not include the first type of traffic routing (S120=No), the prohibiting component 130 prohibits the network function from instructing the user plane function to apply the first type of traffic routing to communications between the first member of the group and the second member of the group (S130).

[0127] Figure 4 An apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. The apparatus may be an open function (such as NEF) or an element thereof. Figure 5 A method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 The device can perform Figure 5 method, but not limited to this method. Figure 5 The method can be Figure 4 The present invention is performed by a device, but is not limited to being performed by the device.

[0128] The device includes a component 210 for monitoring, a component 220 for determining, and a component 230 for notifying. The component 210 for monitoring, the component 220 for determining, and the component 230 for notifying may be a monitoring component, a determining component, and a notifying component, respectively. The component 210 for monitoring, the component 220 for determining, and the component 230 for notifying may be a monitor, a determiner, and a notifier, respectively. The component 210 for monitoring, the component 220 for determining, and the component 230 for notifying may be a detection processor, a determination processor, and a notification processor, respectively.

[0129] The component 210 for monitoring monitors whether the open function (such as NEF) receives a request related to the group from the application function (S210). If the open function receives a request related to the group (S210=Yes), the component 220 for determining determines the group type of the group (S220). The determination can be based on one or both of the request and the identification of the application function. The component 230 for notifying notifies the user data function (such as UDM or UDR or a combination thereof) of the group type of the group (S230).

[0130] Figure 6 An apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The apparatus may be a user data function (such as a UDM or a UDR or a combination of UDM and UDR) or an element thereof. Figure 7 A method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 6 The device can perform Figure 7 method, but not limited to this method. Figure 7 The method can be Figure 6 The present invention is performed by a device, but is not limited to being performed by the device.

[0131] The device includes a component 310 for monitoring, a component 320 for identification, and a component 330 for notification. The component 310 for monitoring, the component 320 for identification, and the component 330 for notification may be a monitoring component, an identification component, and a notification component, respectively. The component 310 for monitoring, the component 320 for identification, and the component 330 for notification may be a monitor, an identifier, and a notifier, respectively. The component 310 for monitoring, the component 320 for identification, and the component 330 for notification may be a monitoring processor, an identification processor, and a notification processor, respectively.

[0132] The component 310 for monitoring monitors whether the user data function receives an instruction to create a group with a group type (S310). If the user data function receives the instruction (S310=Yes), the component 320 for identifying identifies the network function that has subscribed to notifications of the creation of the group (S320). The component 330 for notifying notifies the identified network function of the creation of the group and the type of the group (S330).

[0133] Figure 8 An apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The apparatus may be a user data function (such as a UDM or a UDR or a combination of UDM and UDR) or an element thereof. Fig. 9 A method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 8 The device can perform Fig. 9 method, but not limited to this method. Fig. 9 The method can be Figure 8 The present invention is performed by a device, but is not limited to being performed by the device.

[0134] The device includes a component 410 for monitoring, a component 420 for identification, and a component 430 for notification. The component 410 for monitoring, the component 420 for identification, and the component 430 for notification may be a monitoring component, an identification component, and a notification component, respectively. The component 410 for monitoring, the component 420 for identification, and the component 430 for notification may be a monitor, an identifier, and a notifier, respectively. The component 410 for monitoring, the component 420 for identification, and the component 430 for notification may be a monitoring processor, an identification processor, and a notification processor, respectively.

[0135] The component 410 for monitoring monitors whether the user data function receives an indication that the group type of the group is updated (S410). If the user data function receives the indication (S410=Yes), the component 420 for identifying identifies the network function that has subscribed to the notification of the update of the group type of the group (S420). The component 430 for notifying notifies the identified network function of the updated group type of the group (S430).

[0136] Fig.10 1 shows an apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus comprises at least one processor 810, at least one memory 820 storing instructions, which, when executed by at least one processor 810, causes the apparatus to at least perform the following figures and related descriptions: Figure 3 or Figure 5 or Figure 7 or Fig. 9 ) in at least one of the methods.

[0137] Some example embodiments are explained with respect to LAN type traffic routing (5G VN communication). However, the present invention is not limited to LAN type traffic routing. It can be applied to any specific type of traffic routing.

[0138] Instead of subscribing to notifications, the NF (e.g., SMF, AMF, or PCF) may regularly poll the user data function whether to create a new group with some permissible type of traffic routes, or whether to change the set of permissible types of traffic routes for an existing group. As another option, the user data service may broadcast an indication of when a new group with some permissible type of traffic routes is created, or whether to change the set of permissible types of traffic routes for an existing group. As another option, the NEF may notify not only the user data function but also the NF (SMF, AMF, or PCF) on the set of permissible traffic types.

[0139] In some example embodiments, instead of AF outside the 5GS (such as according to Figure 1 ), the network function of 5GS can update the set of permissible traffic routing types for the group in UDM / UDR. This update is not via NEF (such as according to Figure 1 ), but directly from the corresponding network function to the UDM / UDR.

[0140] Some example embodiments are explained with respect to 5G networks. However, the present invention is not limited to 5G networks. If corresponding functions are provided, it can be used in other 3GPP networks, such as 4G, 6G, and 7G, or even in non-3GPP networks.

[0141] A piece of information can be sent from one entity to another in one or more messages. Each of these messages can include additional (different) information.

[0142] The names of network elements, network functions, protocols and methods are based on current standards. In other versions or other technologies, the names of these network elements and / or network functions and / or protocols and / or methods may be different, as long as they provide corresponding functions. This applies to the terminal accordingly.

[0143] If not stated otherwise or becomes clear from the context, a statement that two entities are different means that they perform different functions. This does not necessarily mean that they are based on different hardware. That is, each entity described in this specification may be based on different hardware, or some or all entities may be based on the same hardware. This does not necessarily mean that they are based on different software. That is, each entity described in this specification may be based on different software, or some or all entities may be based on the same software. Each entity described in this specification may be deployed in the cloud.

[0144] From the above description, it is obvious that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a network function (such as SMF or AMF or PCF) or a component thereof, a device embodying the network function, a method for controlling and / or operating the network function, (multiple) computer programs for controlling and / or operating the network function, and a medium that carries such (multiple) computer programs and forms (multiple) computer program products. From the above description, it is obvious that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, an open function (such as NEF) or a component thereof, a device embodying the open function, a method for controlling and / or operating the open function, (multiple) computer programs for controlling and / or operating the open function, and a medium that carries such (multiple) computer programs and forms (multiple) computer program products. From the above description, it is obvious that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide, for example, a user data function (such as UDM, or UDR, or a combination of UDM and UDR) or a component thereof, a device embodying the user data function, a method for controlling and / or operating the user data function, (multiple) computer programs for controlling and / or operating the user data function, and a medium that carries such (multiple) computer programs and forms (multiple) computer program products.

[0145] As non-limiting examples, implementations of any of the above blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods include: implementation as hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. Each entity described in this specification can be embodied in the cloud.

[0146] It should be understood that the foregoing is presently considered to be the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the description of the preferred exemplary embodiment is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0147] Unless otherwise stated, the terms "first X" and "second X" include options where "first X" is the same as "second X" and "first X" is different from "second X". As used herein, "at least one of: " and "at least one of " and similar expressions, where a list of two or more elements is connected by "and" or "or", mean at least any one element, or at least any two or more elements, or at least all elements.

Claims

1. A device comprising: one or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: monitoring whether the network function receives an indication of a group type for a group, wherein a set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes permitted for communications within the group is stored for the group type; If the network function receives the indication, checking whether the set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes stored for the group type includes a first type of traffic route; If the set of the one or more permissible types of traffic routes does not include the first type of traffic route, the network function is prohibited from instructing a user plane function to apply the first type of traffic route to communications between a first member of the group and a second member of the group.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to perform: If the set of the one or more permissible types includes the first type of traffic routing, instructing the user plane function to apply the first type of traffic routing to the communication between the first member of the group and the second member of the group.

3. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the first type of traffic routing includes a local area network type of traffic routing between the first member and the second member, wherein the local area network type of traffic routing allows the traffic between the first member and the second member to be forwarded between a first user plane function serving the first member and a second user plane function serving the second member on the user plane without crossing a data network.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to execute: subscribing to notifications of creation of the group or updates related to the group; wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to: The monitoring is performed by monitoring whether the notification is received.

5. A device comprising: one or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: monitoring whether the open function receives group-related requests from the application function; determining a group type of the group based on at least one of: an identification of the request and the application function; A user data function is informed about the group type of the group.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: Determining the group type is performed by at least one of the following actions: checking whether the request relating to the group comprises an indication of a group type of the group; or The group type of the group is determined based on a stored local policy associated with at least one of: the identification of the application function, or Any one of one or more parameters associated with the group indicated in the request.

7. The device according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein The request includes at least one of the following: a command to create said group; and A command to update the properties of the group.

8. An apparatus comprising: one or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: monitoring whether the user data function receives an indication to create a group having a group type; identifying a network function that has subscribed to notifications of the creation of the group if the user data function receives the indication; The network function is notified about the creation of the group and the group type of the group.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: The monitoring is performed by monitoring whether the user data function receives a command to create a group of the group type.

10. An apparatus comprising: one or more processors and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: monitoring whether the user data function receives an indication that the group type of the group is updated; identifying a network function that has subscribed to notifications of the updates of the group type for the group if the user data function receives the indication; The network function is notified of the updated group type of the group.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: The monitoring is performed by monitoring whether the user data function receives a command to update the group type of the group.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: The identifying is performed by identifying the network functions that have subscribed to notifications of updates to each attribute of the group.

13. A method comprising: monitoring whether the network function receives an indication of a group type for a group, wherein a set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes permitted for communications within the group is stored for the group type; If the network function receives the indication, checking whether the set of one or more permissible types of traffic routes stored for the group type includes a first type of traffic route; If the set of the one or more permissible types of traffic routes does not include the first type of traffic route, the network function is prohibited from instructing a user plane function to apply the first type of traffic route to communications between a first member of the group and a second member of the group.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: If the set of the one or more permissible types includes the first type of traffic routing, instructing the user plane function to apply the first type of traffic routing to the communication between the first member of the group and the second member of the group.

15. The method according to any one of claims 13 and 14, wherein the first type of traffic routing comprises LAN type traffic routing between the first member and the second member, wherein the LAN type traffic routing allows the traffic between the first member and the second member to be forwarded between a first user plane function serving the first member and a second user plane function serving the second member on the user plane without crossing a data network.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, further comprising: subscribing to notifications of creation of the group or updates related to the group; The monitoring is performed by monitoring whether the notification is received.

17. A method comprising: monitoring whether the open function receives group-related requests from the application function; determining a group type of the group based on at least one of: an identification of the request and the application function; A user data function is informed about the group type of the group.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The group type is determined by at least one of the following actions: checking whether the request relating to the group comprises an indication of a group type of the group; or Determining a group type for the group based on a stored local policy associated with at least one of: The identifier of the application function, or Any one of one or more parameters associated with the group indicated in the request.

19. The method according to any one of claims 17 and 18, wherein The request includes at least one of the following: a command to create said group; and A command to update the properties of the group.

20. A method comprising: monitoring whether the user data function receives an indication to create a group having a group type; identifying a network function that has subscribed to notifications of the creation of the group if the user data function receives the indication; The network function is notified about the creation of the group and the group type of the group.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein The monitoring is performed by monitoring whether the user data function receives a command to create a group of the group type.

22. A method comprising: monitoring whether the user data function receives an indication that the group type of the group is updated; identifying a network function that has subscribed to notifications of the updates of the group type for the group if the user data function receives the indication; The network function is notified of the updated group type of the group.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein The monitoring is performed by monitoring whether the user data function receives a command to update the group type of the group.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein The identifying is performed by identifying the network functions that have subscribed to notifications of updates to each attribute of the group.

25. A computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed on a device, are configured to cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 13 to 24.

26. A computer program product according to claim 25, embodied as a computer readable medium or directly loadable into a computer.

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