Network element selection method and device

Abstract

A network element selection method and apparatus, the network element selection method comprising: a first network element receiving description information of one or more second network elements in a network, the description information of each of the one or more second network elements being used for indicating whether the second network element is closed when the network is in an energy-saving state; and based on the description information of the one or more second network elements, the first network element selects a second network element from the one or more second network elements for the session requested to be established by the terminal equipment. Therefore, when the first network element selects the second network element for the session, the first network element selects the second network element for the session in combination with consideration of network energy saving, namely, selection is performed in combination with the received one or more pieces of description information, so that conditions are provided for whether to close the second network element selected for the session when the network is in an energy-saving state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a network element selection method and device. Background Art

[0002] In a wireless communication network, a terminal device can request to establish a protocol data unit (PDU) session when there is a service demand. The PDU session can provide a logical connection between the terminal device and the data network (DN). In the process of establishing a PDU session for a terminal device, a user plane function (UPF) network element is selected for the PDU session. The UPF network element can be used to interconnect the PDU session with the data network. Considering network energy saving, how to select the UPF network element for the PDU session is a technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a network element selection method and device, which can select a second network element for a session in consideration of network energy saving.

[0004] In a first aspect, the present application provides a network element selection method, which can be applied to a first network element, a chip in the first network element, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first network element. The following description is taken as an example of the first network element. The method includes: the first network element receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, and the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state; the first network element selects a second network element from the one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by a terminal device based on the description information of the one or more second network elements.

[0005] It can be seen that when the first network element selects the second network element for the session, it will make the selection in combination with the description information of one or more second network elements received. The description information of the second network element is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, which is conducive to providing conditions for whether to turn off the second network element selected for the session when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0006] In an optional implementation, the first network element selects a second network element from one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by a terminal device based on description information of the one or more second network elements, including: the first network element selects a second network element for the session from one or more second network elements based on a service continuity requirement corresponding to the session and description information of the one or more second network elements. It can be seen that when the first network element selects a second network element for the session, it also selects it in combination with the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session, which is conducive to enabling the selected second network element to adapt to the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session.

[0007] In an optional embodiment, when the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session indicates that the service transmission in the network should be maintained continuously during the duration of the session, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0008] In an optional implementation, the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session is a session and service continuity (SSC) mode corresponding to the session.

[0009] In an optional embodiment, the method also includes: the first network element receives first information from the terminal device, the first information is used to indicate the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session; the first network element determines the SSC mode corresponding to the session based on the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session.

[0010] In an optional implementation, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and SSC mode 1 indicates that the second network element corresponding to the session is not supported to be changed during the duration of the session. This method is beneficial for providing conditions for not shutting down the second network element selected for the session when the network is in an energy-saving state for the session corresponding to SSC mode 1, thereby ensuring that the service corresponding to the session is transmitted continuously in the network to ensure the quality of the session.

[0011] In an optional implementation, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and SSC mode 2 and SSC mode 3 indicate support for changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session. This method is for sessions corresponding to SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, and is conducive to providing conditions for turning off the second network element selected for the session when the network is in an energy-saving state, thereby saving network energy consumption.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, including: the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0013] The method also includes: the first network element receives second information from the terminal device, the second information is used to indicate the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device. When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the second network element selected for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is not closed, and SSC mode 1 indicates that the second network element corresponding to the session is not supported to be changed during the duration of the session. This method is beneficial for providing conditions for sessions corresponding to SSC mode 1 so that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device supported by the second network element selected for the session is not closed, thereby ensuring that the services corresponding to the session are transmitted continuously in the network.

[0014] Alternatively, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the second network element selected for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is closed, and SSC mode 2 and SSC mode 3 indicate support for changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session. This method is for sessions corresponding to SSC mode 2 or mode 3, and is conducive to providing conditions for closing the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device supported by the second network element selected for the session when the network is in an energy-saving state, thereby saving network energy consumption.

[0015] In an optional implementation, when the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the description information of the second network element is also used to indicate the priority of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. The first network element selects a second network element for the session from one or more second network elements based on the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session and the description information of one or more second network elements, including: when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, and the description information of each of the one or more second network elements indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the first network element selects the second network element for the session based on the priority of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state indicated by the description information of each of the one or more second network elements; wherein SSC mode 1 indicates that the second network element corresponding to the session is not supported to be changed during the duration of the session.

[0016] In an optional implementation, the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is also used to indicate the validity period of the description information. Before the first network element selects a second network element from the one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by the terminal device based on the description information of the one or more second network elements, the method further includes: the first network element receives third information from the terminal device, the third information is used to indicate the duration of the session requested to be established by the terminal device; the validity period of the description information of the second network element selected for the session includes part or all of the duration.

[0017] In an optional implementation manner, the first network element receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, including: the first network element receives description information of the second network element sent by each of the one or more second network elements.

[0018] In an optional implementation manner, the first network element receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, including: the first network element receives description information of one or more second network elements sent by a third network element.

[0019] In an optional implementation, the method further includes: the first network element receiving a message from the terminal device for requesting to establish a session.

[0020] In an optional implementation manner, the first network element is a session management function network element, and the second network element is a user plane function network element.

[0021] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device may be a first network element, or a chip in the first network element, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the first network element. The communication device has the function of implementing some or all of the implementation methods described in the first aspect above. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0022] In one possible design, the structure of the communication device may include a processing unit and a communication unit, and the processing unit is configured to support the communication device to perform the corresponding functions in the above method. The communication unit is used to support communication between the communication device and other communication devices. The communication device may also include a storage unit, which is used to couple with the processing unit and the communication unit, and store the necessary program instructions and data of the communication device. In addition, the processing unit can be used to control the communication unit to send and receive data / signaling.

[0023] In one embodiment, a communication unit is configured to receive description information of one or more second network elements in a network, wherein the description information of each of the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. A processing unit is configured to select a second network element from the one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by a terminal device based on the description information of the one or more second network elements.

[0024] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0025] As an example, the communication unit may be a transceiver or a communication interface, the storage unit may be a memory, and the processing unit may be a processor. The processor is coupled to the memory, the memory is used to store a program or an instruction processor, the processor may be used to enable the communication device to execute the method described in the first aspect when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, and the transceiver or communication interface may be used to send and receive signals and / or data.

[0026] In one embodiment, the transceiver is configured to receive description information of one or more second network elements in a network, wherein the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. The processor is configured to select a second network element from the one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by a terminal device based on the description information of the one or more second network elements.

[0027] In addition, in this aspect, other optional implementations of the communication device can refer to the relevant content of the first aspect mentioned above and will not be described in detail here.

[0028] In another embodiment, the communication device is a chip or a chip system. The processing unit may also be embodied as a processing circuit or a logic circuit; the transceiver unit may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit on the chip or the chip system.

[0029] During the implementation process, the processor can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, baseband related processing, and the transceiver or communication interface can be used to perform, for example, but not limited to, radio frequency transceiver. The above-mentioned devices can be arranged on independent chips, or at least partially or completely on the same chip. For example, the processor can be further divided into an analog baseband processor and a digital baseband processor. Among them, the analog baseband processor can be integrated with the transceiver (or communication interface) on the same chip, and the digital baseband processor can be arranged on an independent chip. With the continuous development of integrated circuit technology, more and more devices can be integrated on the same chip. For example, a digital baseband processor can be integrated with a variety of application processors (such as but not limited to a graphics processor, a multimedia processor, etc.) on the same chip. Such a chip can be called a system on a chip (SoC). Whether each device is independently arranged on different chips or integrated on one or more chips often depends on the needs of product design. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the implementation form of the above-mentioned devices.

[0030] In the third aspect, the present application also provides a processor for executing the above-mentioned various methods. In the process of executing these methods, the process of sending the above-mentioned signal and receiving the above-mentioned signal in the above-mentioned method can be understood as the process of outputting the above-mentioned signal by the processor, and the process of the above-mentioned signal input by the processor. When outputting the above-mentioned signal, the processor outputs the above-mentioned signal to the transceiver so that it can be transmitted by the transceiver (or communication interface). After the above-mentioned signal is output by the processor, it may also need to perform other processing before it reaches the transceiver (or communication interface). Similarly, when the processor receives the above-mentioned input signal, the transceiver (or communication interface) receives the above-mentioned signal and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver (or communication interface) receives the above-mentioned signal, the above-mentioned signal may need to perform other processing before it is input into the processor.

[0031] For the sending and receiving operations involved in the processor, unless otherwise specified, or unless they conflict with their actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, they can be more generally understood as processor output, reception, input and other operations, rather than sending and receiving operations performed directly by the RF circuit and antenna.

[0032] In the implementation process, the processor may be a processor specifically used to execute these methods, or a processor that executes computer instructions in a memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. The memory may be a non-transitory memory, such as a read-only memory (ROM), which may be integrated with the processor on the same chip or may be separately arranged on different chips. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of memory and the arrangement of the memory and the processor.

[0033] In a fourth aspect, the present application further provides a communication system, which includes the first network element and the second network element of the above aspect. In another possible design, the system may also include other devices that interact with the first network element and / or the second network element in the solution provided by the present application.

[0034] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is run, the method described in the first aspect is executed.

[0035] In a sixth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product comprising instructions, the computer program product comprising: a computer program code, when the computer program code is run, the method described in the first aspect above is executed.

[0036] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and an interface, wherein the interface is used to obtain a program or instruction, and the processor is used to call the program or instruction to implement the functions involved in the first aspect. In a possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data necessary for the terminal. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented interface;

[0038] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a network status;

[0040] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a network energy-saving state;

[0041] Figure 5 It is a flowchart of a network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of another network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of another network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of another network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of another network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Fig.13 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Fig.14 It is a structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0052] First, in order to better understand the network element selection method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, a communication system to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable is described.

[0053] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the global mobile communication system, the long term evolution (LTE) system, the universal mobile communication system, the fourth generation (4G) mobile communication system, the fourth point five generation (4.5G) mobile communication system, the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system, and with the continuous development of communication technology, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can also be used for subsequent evolved communication systems, such as the sixth generation (6G) mobile communication system, the seventh generation (7G) mobile communication system, and so on.

[0054] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-oriented interface. Figure 1 The 5G network architecture shown includes terminal equipment, data network (DN) and operator network. Among them, the operator network includes a radio access network (RAN) and a core network. The core network includes one or more of the following network elements: network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, network slice-specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF) network element, authentication server function (AUSF) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, unified data repository (UDR), network storage function (NRF) network element, application function (AF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element, service communication proxy (SCP) network element, network slice admission control function (NSC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice access control function (SCC) network element, network slice function, NSACF) network elements, etc.

[0055] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent or user device, and can be applied to 4G, 5G or even 6G systems, etc. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application can be a joint device for transmitting and receiving digital signals on an ordinary telephone line, and can also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a tablet computer (pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a head mounted display (HMD), a virtual reality (VR) terminal device (such as VR glasses), an augmented reality (AR) terminal device (such as AR glasses), a mixed reality (MR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a processing device connected to a wireless modem, a tactile terminal device, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. home), the road side unit (RSU) of the aforementioned wireless terminal type, wearable terminal devices, and the like.

[0056] RAN is used to implement wireless-related functions. RAN equipment includes but is not limited to: base station (BS), radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home network equipment (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TRP; or, transmission point, TP). Among them, the base station is a device deployed in the wireless access network to provide wireless communication functions, which can also be called base station equipment, such as the evolutionary Node B (eNB or e-NodeB) in the LTE system, the node B (Node B), the base station (gNodeB or gNB) in the 5G system, the base station in the 6G system, etc. The base station can include a BBU and a remote radio unit (RRU). BBU and RRU can be placed in different places, for example: the RRU is remote and placed in an area with high traffic volume, and the BBU is placed in the central machine room. The BBU and RRU can also be placed in the same room. The BBU and RRU can also be different components under one rack. Base stations can be in the following forms: macro base stations, micro base stations (also called small stations), pico base stations, relay stations, access points, balloon stations, etc.

[0057] The AMF network element is responsible for the mobility management of terminal devices, including mobile status management, allocation of temporary identities of terminal devices, and authentication and authorization of terminal devices.

[0058] The SMF network element is responsible for UPF network element selection, UPF network element reselection, Internet protocol (IP) address allocation, and is also responsible for the establishment, modification and release of bearers, as well as quality of service (QoS) control. In the 5G system, the interface used for communication between SMF network elements and UPF network elements is the N4 interface, and its specific functions include: configuring the details of data forwarding of PDU sessions (such as forwarding rules, QOS guarantee rules, etc.), event reporting, network element-level configuration information interaction, etc.

[0059] The UDM network element is responsible for managing contract data and notifying the corresponding network element when the contract data is modified.

[0060] UDR network elements are used to store and retrieve contract data, policy data, and public architecture data, etc. They are also used for UDM network elements, PCF network elements, and NEF network elements to obtain relevant data. UDR network elements must be able to have different data access authentication mechanisms for different types of data, such as contract data and policy data, to ensure the security of data access; UDR network elements must be able to return a failure response with an appropriate reason value for illegal service operations or data access requests.

[0061] AF network elements are used to provide certain application layer services to terminal devices. When providing services to terminal devices, AF network elements have requirements for QoS policies and charging policies, and need to notify the network. At the same time, AF network elements also need application-related information fed back by the core network.

[0062] UPF network elements support all or part of the following functions: interconnecting PDU sessions with data networks, packet routing and forwarding, and data packet detection. Among them, UPF network elements support packet routing and forwarding, for example: UPF network elements support forwarding traffic to the data network after uplink classifier (UL CL), and support branching points to support multi-homed PDU sessions.

[0063] In addition, when a new UPF instance needs to be deployed, the UPF instance is configured with the identifier of the NRF network element to be contacted for registration and its UPF deployment information. The UPF network element does not need to know the specific UPF deployment information. Thereafter, the UPF instance issues a network function (NF) management registration (i.e., Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister) request operation, providing its NF type, the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or IP address of its N4 interface, and the configured UPF deployment information. Thereafter, the NRF network element provides the information of the newly deployed UPF instance to the SMF network element.

[0064] In one deployment, the system to which the network element selection method provided in the embodiment of the present application is applicable also includes an energy efficiency network function (EE NF) network element, which is responsible for management functions related to energy saving in the network, and specifically may include all or part of the following functions: determination of energy saving status; execution of energy saving strategies; configuration and instructions related to energy saving with other network elements in the network, etc. The EE NF network element may be an independent logical function network element, or the EE NF network element may also be part of an operation and maintenance (OAM or O&M) system, or the functions of the EE NF network element may be dispersed in existing network elements, without limitation. In addition, "EE NF network element" is an exemplary name for the network element responsible for management functions related to energy saving in the network, and the network element responsible for management functions related to energy saving in the network may also have other names, for example, "energy saving network element", without limitation.

[0065] See also Figure 2 , Figure 2 It is a structural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system includes a first network element, a second network element and a terminal device. Among them, the first network element, the second network element and the terminal device can communicate directly with each other, or can also communicate indirectly through other network elements / devices. Exemplarily, the first network element can be a session management function network element, and the second network element can be a user plane function network element. Taking the 5G network as an example, the first network element can be an SMF network element, and the second network element can be a UPF network element. It can be understood that as the network architecture changes, the network element selection method provided in the embodiment of the present application can also be implemented by a network element with corresponding functions in the new network architecture.

[0066] Secondly, the relevant concepts involved in the embodiments of the present application are briefly introduced.

[0067] 1. Network energy consumption status

[0068] The energy consumption state of the network includes a non-energy saving state and an energy saving state. Among them, the non-energy saving state mainly refers to the state when the network is not saving energy. The energy saving state may refer to the state in which certain network elements in a cell or network are turned off or dormant. The energy saving state may also refer to the state in which certain functions of certain network elements in a cell or network are turned off or dormant. For example, the energy saving state may refer to the state in which data networks and / or network slices supported by certain network elements in a cell or network are turned off or dormant. Combined with Figure 3, energy saving activation is performed on a network in a non-energy-saving state, and the network can be switched from a non-energy-saving state to an energy-saving state. Energy saving deactivation is performed on a network in an energy-saving state, and the network can be switched from an energy-saving state to a non-energy-saving state.

[0069] Whether the network enters an energy-saving state or a non-energy-saving state is determined by the operation and maintenance system. For example, the operation and maintenance system may determine that the network needs to enter an energy-saving state based on the following situations:

[0070] (1) The data flow of the network is lower than a certain threshold.

[0071] (2) The power consumption of the network exceeds the preset value.

[0072] (3) The power consumption rate of the network exceeds the preset value.

[0073] (4) The electricity fee for the current period exceeds a preset value.

[0074] (5) The network enters energy-saving state during certain fixed periods of time.

[0075] It should be noted that the network being in an energy-saving state does not limit all network elements in the network to being shut down or in hibernation. One possible scenario is that some network elements in the network are shut down or in hibernation, while other network elements are still working normally. In this case, it can also be called "the shut down or hibernating network elements are in an energy-saving state." A network element being in a dormant (or sleeping) state can be understood as the network element may be in an on or off state, but it may be unable to process or respond to service requests due to energy saving or other purposes.

[0076] For example, taking 5G network as an example, the network can shut down edge UPF network elements during traffic peak and valley periods to save network energy. During non-peak hours, operators may shut down certain edge UPF network elements to save network energy based on service user information. Figure 4 At night, in some locations where no users pay for low-latency services, the remaining traffic that does not require low latency can be redirected from the edge UPF network element to the central UPF network element. In this scenario, the following operations can be performed to save energy in the network: redirect the remaining traffic passing through the edge UPF network element to the existing central UPF network element; deactivate the edge UPF network element, or shut down some instances in the edge UPF network element, or perform any other operations that can achieve energy saving.

[0077] 2.SSC mode

[0078] The SSC mode is an attribute related to the continuity of a session established by a terminal device, where the session established by the terminal device can be, for example, a PDU session. After the session is established, the SSC mode corresponding to the session will not change during the life cycle of the session, which can also be understood as the duration or duration of the session.

[0079] The SSC mode includes SSC mode 1, SSC mode 2 and SSC mode 3. Among them, SSC mode 1 indicates that the second network element corresponding to the session is not supported to be changed during the duration of the session, and SSC mode 2 and SSC mode 3 indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session is supported to be changed during the duration of the session. In the embodiment of the present application, the second network element corresponding to the session is the second network element that provides services for the session.

[0080] The following takes the PDU session established by the terminal device, and the second network element corresponding to the PDU session is the anchor user plane function network element of the PDU session as an example to explain the three SSC modes: SSC mode 1, SSC mode 2 and SSC mode 3.

[0081] SSC mode 1: Changing the anchor user plane functional network element of the PDU session is not supported during the duration of the PDU session. Understandably, the network will retain the connection service of the terminal device, that is, the IP address corresponding to the PDU session of the terminal device will not be changed during the duration of the PDU session, and the IP address corresponds to the anchor user plane functional network element of the PDU session. When the terminal device moves, if the anchor user plane functional network element of the PDU session cannot connect to the base station where the terminal device currently resides, an intermediate user plane functional network element can be inserted in the path so that the anchor user plane functional network element and the base station where the terminal device currently resides are connected through the intermediate user plane functional network element.

[0082] SSC mode 2: Supports changing the anchor user plane functional network element of the PDU session during the duration of the PDU session. Understandably, it supports changing the IP address corresponding to the PDU session during the duration of the PDU session, and the IP address corresponds to the anchor user plane functional network element of the PDU session. When the terminal device moves, if the anchor user plane functional network element of the PDU session cannot connect to the base station where the terminal device currently resides, the network will release the PDU session resources corresponding to the anchor user plane functional network element, and then set a new anchor user plane functional network element for the PDU session based on the latest location of the terminal device. The IP address corresponding to the PDU session of the terminal device will change accordingly.

[0083] SSC mode 3: Supports changing the anchor user plane functional network element of the PDU session during the duration of the PDU session. Understandably, it supports changing the IP address corresponding to the PDU session during the duration of the PDU session, and the IP address corresponds to the anchor user plane functional network element of the PDU session. When the terminal device moves, if the anchor user plane functional network element of the PDU session cannot connect to the base station where the terminal device currently resides, the network will set a new anchor user plane functional network element for the PDU session of the terminal device based on the latest location of the terminal device, and then release the PDU session resources corresponding to the old anchor user plane functional network element, and the IP address corresponding to the PDU session of the terminal device will change accordingly. Compared with SSC mode 2, SSC mode 3 provides better continuity.

[0084] The following is a detailed description of the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present application take the first network element as an example to illustrate the corresponding method, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the method. For example, the network element / device in the method may also be a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the network element / device to implement the corresponding method, or a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network element / device.

[0085] See also Figure 5 , Figure 5 It is a flow chart of a network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the network element selection method includes the following steps.

[0086] S101. A first network element receives description information of one or more second network elements in a network, where the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0087] It is understandable that the description information of the second network element indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, which is not limited to the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. In addition to being understood as the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, it can also be understood as the possibility that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. In addition, the description information of the second network element is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and specifically can be used to indicate whether the second network element will be turned off in the future when the network is in an energy-saving state. It can be seen that the first network element can receive the description information of one or more second network elements in the network in advance before the network is in an energy-saving state, so as to select the second network element from the one or more second network elements for the session requested by the terminal device based on the description information of the one or more second network elements, which is conducive to providing conditions for whether to turn off the second network element selected for the session when the network is in an energy-saving state in the future.

[0088] The description information of the second network element is further elaborated below, as described in the following optional implementation modes 1.1 to 1.6.

[0089] In implementation 1.1, the description information of the second network element includes a first indication, wherein the first indication is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0090] Optionally, the first indication may use "0" or "1" to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. For example, when the first indication is "1", it indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and when the first indication is "0", it indicates that the second network element is not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. Alternatively, when the first indication is "0", it indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and when the first indication is "1", it indicates that the second network element is not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. In addition, the first indication may also use other representation methods, such as enumerated types (enumerated), without limitation.

[0091] For example, the first indication is "1" to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the first indication is "0" to indicate that the second network element is not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. The description information #1 of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, which can be expressed as: the description information #1 includes the first indication with a value of "1". The description information #2 of the second network element #2 indicates that the second network element #2 is not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, which can be expressed as: the description information #2 includes the first indication with a value of "0".

[0092] In implementation mode 1.2, the description information of the second network element is further used to indicate the priority or probability of the second network element being shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. It is understandable that the higher the priority or probability of the second network element being shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state indicated by the description information of the second network element, the greater the possibility that the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0093] In an optional manner, implementation 1.2 can be applied to a situation where the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. Optionally, in a situation where the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the description information of the second network element includes a first indication and a second indication. Among them, the first indication is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. For a specific description, please refer to the relevant description in implementation 1.1, which will not be repeated here. The second indication is used to indicate the priority or probability of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0094] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the method for expressing the second indication. Exemplarily, the second indication is a number or letter corresponding to the priority. For example, when the network is in an energy-saving state, the priority of the second network element being shut down is divided into A level, B level and C level from high to low, and the second indication included in the description information of the second network element #1 is "A", indicating that the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the priority of the second network element #1 being shut down is A level. Another example is that the second indication is a probability value. For example, the second indication included in the description information of the second network element #2 is "75%", indicating that the description information of the second network element #2 indicates that the probability of the second network element #2 being shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state is 75%.

[0095] In an optional manner, the description information of the second network element includes a second indication, and the second indication is used to indicate the priority or probability of the second network element being shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0096] Exemplarily, the priority of shutting down the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state is divided into multiple levels, and the multiple levels include a first level, and the first level indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. If the priority indicated by the second indication is the first level, it means that the description information of the second network element indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. If the priority indicated by the second indication is a level other than the first level among the multiple levels, it means that the description information of the second network element indicates that the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the priority of being shut down is the priority indicated by the second indication.

[0097] For example, the priority of shutting down the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state is divided into A level, B level, and C level from high to low, wherein C level indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, that is, C level is the aforementioned first level. The second indication included in the description information of the second network element #1 is "A", indicating that the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state and the priority of being shut down is A level. The second indication included in the description information of the second network element #2 is "C", indicating that the description information of the second network element #2 indicates that the second network element #2 is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0098] Exemplarily, if the probability indicated by the second indication is not zero, it means that the description information of the second network element indicates that the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the probability of being shut down is the probability indicated by the second indication. If the probability indicated by the second indication is zero, it means that the description information of the second network element indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. For example, the second indication included in the description information of the second network element #1 is "75%", which means that the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state and the probability of being shut down is "75%". The second indication included in the description information of the second network element #2 is "0%", which means that the description information of the second network element #2 indicates that the second network element #2 is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0099] In implementation mode 1.3, the description information of the second network element is further used to indicate a time period during which the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0100] In an optional manner, implementation 1.3 can be applied to a situation where the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. Optionally, in a situation where the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the description information of the second network element includes a first indication and a third indication. Among them, the first indication is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. For a specific description, please refer to the relevant description in implementation 1.1, which will not be repeated here. The third indication is used to indicate a time period during which the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0101] The embodiment of the present application does not limit the method of expressing the third indication. Exemplarily, the third indication is the start and end time corresponding to the time period. For example, the description information of the second network element #1 includes the third indication of "0 o'clock and 3 o'clock at night", which means that the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is turned off from 0 o'clock to 3 o'clock at night when the network is in an energy-saving state. Another example is that the third indication is a time series. For example, the description information of the second network element #1 includes the third indication of "0 o'clock, 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock", which means that the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is turned off from 0 o'clock to 3 o'clock at night when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0102] In an optional manner, the description information of the second network element includes a third indication, and the third indication is used to indicate the time period when the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. Exemplarily, if the third indication is defaulted, it means that the description information of the second network element indicates that the second network element is not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. If the third indication is not defaulted, it means that the description information of the second network element indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the time period when it is turned off is the time period indicated by the third indication. For example, the content of the third indication included in the description information of the second network element #1 is all zeros, and it can be considered that the third indication is defaulted, indicating that the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. For another example, the third indication included in the description information of the second network element #2 is "0 o'clock, 3 o'clock at night", and it can be considered that the third indication is not defaulted, indicating that the description information of the second network element #2 indicates that the second network element #2 is turned off from 0 o'clock to 3 o'clock at night when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0103] In implementation mode 1.4, the description information of the second network element is further used to indicate the priority or probability of the second network element being shut down, and the time period during which the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0104] Optionally, the description information of the second network element includes a second indication and a third indication, the second indication is used to indicate the priority or probability of the second network element being shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the third indication is used to indicate the time period during which the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. For a specific description of the second indication, please refer to the relevant description in Implementation Method 2, and for a specific description of the third indication, please refer to the relevant description in Implementation Method 3, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, Implementation Method 1.4 can be applied to a case where the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. In this case, the second network element may further include a first indication, and the first indication is used to indicate that the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. For a specific description of the first indication, please refer to the relevant description in Implementation Method 1.1.

[0105] Implementation 1.5, the description information of the second network element is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, including: the description information of the second network element is used to indicate whether the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0106] Among them, the number of data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element may be one or more. The data network supported by the second network element is shut down, which can be understood as: some or all of the one or more data networks supported by the second network element are shut down. The network slices supported by the second network element are shut down, which can be understood as: some or all of the one or more network slices supported by the second network element are shut down.

[0107] In addition, the description information of the second network element is also used to indicate the data networks and / or network slices that are turned off among the data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state, and / or the data networks and / or network slices that are not turned off among the data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element.

[0108] In an optional manner, the description information of the second network element includes a fourth indication and an identifier associated with the fourth indication. The fourth indication is used to indicate that the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the identifier associated with the fourth indication is an identifier of the data network and / or network slice that is turned off among the data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state. In an embodiment of the present application, the identifier of the data network may be, for example, a data network name (data network name, DNN), and the identifier of the network slice may be, for example, single network slice selection assistance information (single network slice selection assistance information, S-NSSAI).

[0109] For example, the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, network slice #1 (identified as S-NSSAI#1) and network slice #2 (identified as S-NSSAI#2) in the network slices supported by the second network element #1 are turned off, which can be expressed as: the description information of the second network element #1 includes the fourth indication, S-NSSAI#1, and S-NSSAI#2.

[0110] In another optional manner, the description information of the second network element includes a fifth indication and an identifier associated with the fifth indication. The fifth indication is used to indicate that the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the identifier associated with the fifth indication is an identifier of the data network and / or network slice that is not shut down among the data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0111] For example, the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that network slice #3 (identified as S-NSSAI#3) and network slice #4 (identified as S-NSSAI#4) among the network slices supported by the second network element #1 are turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, which can be expressed as: the description information of the second network element #1 includes the fifth indication, S-NSSAI#3, and S-NSSAI#4.

[0112] In another optional manner, the description information of the second network element includes a fourth indication, an identifier associated with the fourth indication, a fifth indication, and an identifier associated with the fifth indication. The fourth indication is used to indicate that some data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element are turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the identifier associated with the fourth indication is an identifier of the data networks and / or network slices that are turned off among the data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state. The fifth indication is used to indicate that some data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element are not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the identifier associated with the fifth indication is an identifier of the data networks and / or network slices that are not turned off among the data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0113] For example, the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, network slice #1 (identified as S-NSSAI#1) and network slice #2 (identified as S-NSSAI#2) in the network slices supported by the second network element #1 are not shut down, and network slice #3 (identified as S-NSSAI#3) and network slice #4 (identified as S-NSSAI#4) are shut down, which can be expressed as: the description information of the second network element #1 includes a fourth indication, S-NSSAI#1 and S-NSSAI#2 associated with the fourth indication, a fifth indication, and S-NSSAI#3 and S-NSSAI#4 associated with the fifth indication.

[0114] Optionally, the description information of the second network element is also used to indicate the priority or probability of the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element being shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and / or, the description information of the second network element is also used to indicate the time period during which the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. Among them, the "priority or probability of the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element being shut down" is similar to the "priority or probability of the second network element being shut down" in Implementation 1.2, and reference may be made to the relevant description thereof, and no further details are given. The "time period during which the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is shut down" is similar to the "time period during which the second network element is shut down" in Implementation 1.2, and reference may be made to the relevant description thereof, and no further details are given. Optionally, this implementation can be applied to the situation where the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0115] For example, the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, among the data networks supported by the second network element #1, data network #1 (identified as DNN#1) has a 75% probability of being shut down, data network #2 (identified as DNN#2) has a 50% probability of being shut down, and data network #3 (identified as DNN#3) will not be shut down.

[0116] The description information of the second network element #1 may include: a fourth indication, DNN #1 and DNN #2 associated with the fourth indication, the probability of DNN #1 being turned off, i.e., "75%", the probability of DNN #2 being turned off, i.e., "50%", a fifth indication, and DNN #3 associated with the fifth indication. The fourth indication is used to indicate that some data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element #1 are turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the fifth indication is used to indicate that some data networks and / or network slices supported by the second network element #1 are not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0117] Alternatively, the description information of the second network element #1 may include: {DNN#1, 75%}, {DNN#2, 50%}, {DNN#3, 0%}.

[0118] In implementation 1.6, the description information of the second network element is further used to indicate the validity period of the description information. The validity period of the description information can also be understood as the available time or the effective time of the description information. In addition, implementation 1.6 can be used as a single implementation and can also be combined with any of the implementations 1.1 to 1.5.

[0119] In an optional embodiment, Figure 5 The first network element receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, including: S101a, each of the one or more second network elements sends the description information of the second network element to the first network element; correspondingly, the first network element receives the description information of the second network element sent by each of the one or more second network elements, such as Figure 6 For example, the second network element #1 sends description information #1 to the first network element, and the second network element #2 sends description information #2 to the first network element, where description information #1 is used to indicate whether the second network element #1 is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and description information #2 is used to indicate whether the second network element #2 is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0120] In another optional embodiment, Figure 5 The first network element receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, including: S101b, the third network element sends description information of one or more second network elements to the first network element; correspondingly, the first network element receives description information of one or more second network elements sent by the third network element, such as Figure 7As shown. The third network element is different from the first network element and the second network element. For example, the third network element sends description information #1 of the second network element #1 and description information #2 of the second network element #2 to the first network element, where description information #1 is used to indicate whether the second network element #1 is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and description information #2 is used to indicate whether the second network element #2 is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0121] S102: The first network element selects a second network element from the one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by the terminal device based on description information of the one or more second network elements.

[0122] Optionally, before step S102, the method further includes: the first network element receiving a message from the terminal device for requesting to establish a session.

[0123] Optionally, the session requested to be established by the terminal device may be a PDU session.

[0124] In an optional implementation, the first network element selects a second network element from one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by a terminal device based on description information of the one or more second network elements, including: the first network element selects a second network element from one or more second network elements for the session based on a service continuity requirement corresponding to the session and description information of the one or more second network elements.

[0125] Optionally, when the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session indicates that the service is to be kept continuously transmitted in the network during the duration of the session, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. Wherein, keeping the service continuously transmitted in the network during the duration of the session can be understood as: keeping the service continuously transmitted in the transport layer or the network layer during the duration of the session. Optionally, when the second network element is a user plane function network element, keeping the service continuously transmitted in the network during the duration of the session can also be expressed as: the anchor point of the session (such as the PDU session anchor point) remains unchanged during the duration of the session, or the user plane function of the session accessing the data network remains unchanged during the duration of the session, or the IP address of the session remains unchanged during the duration of the session. Optionally, the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session is the SSC mode corresponding to the session. SSC mode 1 indicates that the second network element corresponding to the session is not supported to be changed during the duration of the session, and SSC mode 2 and SSC mode 3 indicate that the second network element corresponding to the session is supported to be changed during the duration of the session. For the specific description of the SSC mode, please refer to the above-mentioned related description, which will not be repeated here.

[0126] The following describes step S102 for the case where the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session is the SSC mode corresponding to the session, as described in the following optional implementation modes 2.1 to 2.4.

[0127] In implementation mode 2.1, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not closed when the network is in an energy-saving state. It is understandable that for the session corresponding to SSC mode 1, in order to ensure the transmission continuity of the session in the network, the second network element corresponding to the session will not be closed when the network is in an energy-saving state. Therefore, in step S102, the second network element of the type indicated by the description information not to be closed when the network is in an energy-saving state is selected for the session, which is conducive to providing conditions for not closing the second network element selected for the session when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0128] For example, the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the description information of the second network element #2 indicates that the second network element #2 is not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the first network element selects the second network element #2 for the session.

[0129] Optionally, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the priority of the first network element selecting the second network element of the type indicated by the description information for the session that is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state is higher than the priority of selecting the second network element of the type indicated by the description information for the session that is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. It can be seen that, in the case where the session corresponds to SSC mode 1, the description information of the second network element preferentially selected by the first network element for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. For example, the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the description information of the second network element #2 indicates that the second network element #2 is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. In the case where the session corresponds to SSC mode 1, the priority of the first network element selecting the second network element #2 for the session is higher than the priority of selecting the second network element #1.

[0130] In implementation 2.2, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the description information of the second network element selected by the first network element for the session indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. It is understandable that for a session corresponding to SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the second network element corresponding to the session can be turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state to save network energy consumption. Then, in step S102, the second network element of the type indicated by the description information to be turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state can be selected for the session, which is conducive to providing conditions for turning off the second network element selected for the session when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0131] Optionally, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the priority of the first network element selecting the second network element of the type indicated by the description information to be turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state for the session is higher than the priority of selecting the second network element of the type indicated by the description information to be not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. It can be seen that, when the session corresponds to SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the description information of the second network element preferentially selected by the first network element for the session indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. For example, the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the description information of the second network element #2 indicates that the second network element #2 is not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. When the session corresponds to SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the priority of the first network element selecting the second network element #1 for the session is higher than the priority of selecting the second network element #2.

[0132] In implementation mode 2.3, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, and the description information of each of the one or more second network elements indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the first network element selects the second network element for the session based on the priority or probability of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state indicated by the description information of each of the one or more second network elements. This method can be applied to the scenario where the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and is also used to indicate the priority or probability of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0133] Optionally, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, and the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the priority or probability of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state indicated by the description information of the second network element selected by the first network element for the session is the lowest among the one or more second network elements.

[0134] For example, when the network is in an energy-saving state, the priority of shutting down the second network element is divided into A level, B level, C level, and D level from high to low. The first network element receives the description information of the second network element #1, the second network element #2, and the second network element #3. The description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state and the priority of being shut down is B level. The description information of the second network element #2 indicates that the second network element #2 is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state and the priority of being shut down is C level. The description information of the second network element #3 indicates that the second network element #3 is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state and the priority of being shut down is A level. It can be seen that the description information of each second network element received by the first network element indicates that the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state. When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the first network element selects the second network element #2 for the session.

[0135] Embodiment 2.4, the method also includes: the first network element receives second information from the terminal device, the second information is used to indicate the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device. When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the second network element selected by the first network element for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is not closed. Alternatively, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the second network element selected by the first network element for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is closed.

[0136] It can be understood that, for sessions corresponding to SSC mode 1, this implementation 2.4 is conducive to providing conditions for the following operations: when the network is in an energy-saving state, for the second network element selected for the session, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the supported terminal device is not closed; thereby ensuring that the service corresponding to the session is transmitted continuously in the network. For sessions corresponding to SSC mode 2 or mode 3, this implementation 2.4 is conducive to providing conditions for the following operations: when the network is in an energy-saving state, for the second network element selected for the session, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the supported terminal device is closed; thereby saving network energy consumption.

[0137] In addition, this implementation 2.4 can be applied to the scenario where the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0138] For example, the first network element receives description information of the second network element #1, the second network element #2, and the second network element #3, the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the network slice #1 supported by the second network element #1 is closed and the network slice #2 is not closed, the description information of the second network element #2 indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the network element slice #2 and the network element slice #3 supported by the second network element #2 are closed, and the description information of the second network element #3 indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the network element slice #3 supported by the second network element #3 is not closed. The first network element receives second information from a terminal device, and the second information is used to indicate that the network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is network slice #2. When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the first network element selects the second network element #1 for the session. Alternatively, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the first network element selects the second network element #2 for the session.

[0139] Optionally, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the second network element selected by the first network element for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the priority of the second network element selected by the first network element for the session, in which the description information indicates that the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is not closed when the network is in an energy-saving state, is higher than the priority of the second network element selected by the first network element for the session, in which the description information indicates that the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is closed when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0140] Optionally, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the second network element selected by the first network element for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the priority of the second network element selected by the first network element for the session, whose description information indicates that the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is closed when the network is in an energy-saving state, is higher than the priority of the second network element selected by the first network element for the session, whose description information indicates that the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is not closed when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0141] For example, the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the network slice #1 supported by the second network element #1 is not closed when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the description information of the second network element #2 indicates that the network element slice #1 supported by the second network element #2 is closed when the network is in an energy-saving state. The second information received by the first network element from the terminal device is used to indicate that the network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is network slice #1. When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the priority of the first network element in selecting the second network element #1 for the session is higher than the priority of selecting the second network element #2 for the session. Alternatively, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the priority of the first network element in selecting the second network element #2 for the session is higher than the priority of selecting the second network element #1 for the session.

[0142] Optionally, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, and the description information of each second network element supporting the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device in one or more second network elements indicates that when the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is closed when the network is in an energy-saving state, the first network element selects a second network element for the session based on the priority or probability of the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device being closed when the network is in an energy-saving state as indicated by the description information of the second network element. This method can be applied to the scenario where the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is closed when the network is in an energy-saving state, and is also used to indicate the priority or probability of the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element being closed when the network is in an energy-saving state. This method is similar to the aforementioned implementation 2.3 and will not be repeated here.

[0143] In addition, in an optional implementation, for the case where the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session is the SSC mode corresponding to the session, the method further includes: the first network element receives first information from the terminal device, the first information is used to indicate the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session; the first network element determines the SSC mode corresponding to the session based on the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session. The SSC mode corresponding to the session may be the same as the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session, or may be different from the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session. This implementation may be combined with any of the above implementations 2.1 to 2.4. Optionally, the first information is carried in a message from the terminal device for requesting to establish a session.

[0144] Exemplarily, when the first network element cannot determine a second network element that matches the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session based on the description information of one or more second network elements, the SSC mode corresponding to the session is different from the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session. For example, the first network element receives the description information of the second network element #1 and the second network element #2, and the description information of the second network element #1 indicates that the second network element #1 is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the description information of the second network element #2 indicates that the second network element #2 is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. The SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session is SSC mode 1, and the first network element cannot select such second network elements from the second network element #1 and the second network element #2 for the session whose description information indicates that they are not turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state. Then, the first network element can modify the SSC mode and use SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3 as the SSC mode corresponding to the session, and then the first network element can select the second network element #1 or the second network element #2 for the session.

[0145] In an optional embodiment, the method further includes: the first network element receives third information from the terminal device, and the third information is used to indicate the duration of the session requested to be established by the terminal device. In this case, the effective time of the description information of the second network element selected by the first network element for the session includes part or all of the duration of the session. The method can be applied to the scenario where the description information of the second network element is also used to indicate the effective time of the description information. This embodiment can be combined with any of the aforementioned embodiments in which the first network element selects the second network element from one or more second network elements for the session requested to be established by the terminal device. For example, this embodiment is combined with the aforementioned embodiment 2.1: when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the effective time of the description information of the second network element selected for the session includes part or all of the duration of the session.

[0146] In summary, in the network element selection method, the first network element receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, and the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state; the first network element selects a second network element from the one or more second network elements for the session requested to be established by the terminal device based on the description information of the one or more second network elements. It can be seen that when the first network element selects the second network element for the session, it will make the selection in combination with the consideration of network energy saving, that is, it will make the selection in combination with the description information of each second network element received, and the description information of each second network element is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, which is conducive to providing conditions for whether to turn off the second network element selected for the session when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0147] In another embodiment, Figure 5The "description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state" in the network element selection method shown can also be replaced with: the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element enters a sleep state when the network is in an energy-saving state. Figure 5 The "description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state" in the network element selection method shown can also be replaced with: the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element does not enter a sleep state when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0148] In this case, the priority or probability of the second network element being shut down can be replaced by: the priority or probability of the second network element entering a dormant state. The time period during which the second network element is shut down can be replaced by: the time period during which the second network element enters a dormant state. The data network / network slice supported by the second network element is shut down, which can be replaced by: the data network / network slice supported by the second network element enters a dormant state. The data network / network slice supported by the second network element is not shut down, which can be replaced by: the data network / network slice supported by the second network element does not enter a dormant state. The priority or probability of the data network / network slice supported by the second network element being shut down can be replaced by: the priority or probability of the data network / network slice supported by the second network element entering a dormant state. The time period during which the data network / network slice supported by the second network element is shut down can be replaced by: the time period during which the data network / network slice supported by the second network element enters a dormant state.

[0149] Accordingly, for Figure 5 The relevant description of step S102 in the network element selection method shown may also be adaptively replaced.

[0150] For example, Figure 5 In the network element selection method shown, "when the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session indicates that the service is to be transmitted continuously in the network during the duration of the session, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state" can be replaced by: when the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session indicates that the service is to be transmitted continuously in the network during the duration of the session, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element does not enter a sleep state when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0151] Exemplarily, in the above-mentioned implementation 2.1, "when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state" can be replaced by: when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element does not enter a sleep state when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0152] Exemplarily, in the above implementation 2.2, "when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the description information of the second network element selected by the first network element for the session indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state" can be replaced by: when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the description information of the second network element selected by the first network element for the session indicates that the second network element enters a sleep state when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0153] Exemplarily, in the above-mentioned implementation 2.3, "when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, and the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the first network element selects the second network element for the session based on the priority or probability of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state as indicated by the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements" can be replaced by: when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, and the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements indicates that the second network element enters a sleep state when the network is in an energy-saving state, the first network element selects the second network element for the session based on the priority or probability of the second network element entering a sleep state when the network is in an energy-saving state as indicated by the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements.

[0154] Exemplarily, in the above implementation 2.4, "when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the second network element selected by the first network element for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is not closed. Alternatively, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the second network element selected by the first network element for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is closed", can be replaced by:

[0155] When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the second network element selected by the first network element for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device does not enter a dormant state. Alternatively, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the second network element selected by the first network element for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device enters a dormant state.

[0156] In addition, the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the expression "sleep state", and the "sleep state" may also be replaced by other energy-saving states that affect the normal operation of the second network element. The situation is similar and will not be repeated here.

[0157] The following is an example in which the session requested by the terminal device is a PDU session, the first network element is a session management network element, and the second network element is a user plane function network element, to exemplarily illustrate the network element selection method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0158] Example 1: See Figure 8 , Figure 8 The network element selection method shown includes the following steps:

[0159] S201. An operation and maintenance network element or an energy-efficient network function network element sends a network element configuration message to one or more user plane function network elements, and the network element configuration message sent to each user plane function network element includes description information of the user plane function network element. Accordingly, each of the one or more user plane function network elements receives a network element configuration message from the operation and maintenance network element or the energy-efficient network function network element.

[0160] In the embodiment of the present application, the operation and maintenance network element is the network element responsible for the network element parameter configuration function in the operation and maintenance system, which will not be described in detail below. In addition, the specific description information of the user plane function network element can be referred to the above related description, which will not be described in detail here.

[0161] S202: The session management function network element sends an N4 association configuration request message to each of the one or more user plane function network elements. Correspondingly, each of the one or more user plane function network elements receives the N4 association configuration request message from the session management function network element.

[0162] The N4 association configuration request message is used to indicate the configuration of the N4 interface, or to request the user plane function network element to feedback the description information of the user plane function network element, or to establish the association between the session management function network element and the user plane function network element, or to request to exchange the functions supported by each other with the user plane function network element, or to request to obtain the resource related information of the user plane function network element. The N4 association configuration request message may be, for example, an N4 association setup request message, or a packet forwarding control protocol (PFCP) association configuration request (PFCP association setup request) message, and the N4 association configuration response message may be, for example, an N4 association setup response message, or a PFCP association configuration response (PFCP association setup response) message.

[0163] S203. Each of the one or more user plane function network elements sends an N4 association configuration response message to the session management function network element, and the N4 association configuration response message sent by each user plane function network element includes description information of the user plane function network element. Correspondingly, the session management function network element receives the N4 association configuration response message sent by each of the one or more user plane function network elements.

[0164] S204. The policy control function network element sends terminal route selection policy (UE route selection policy, URSP) information to the terminal device.

[0165] Specifically, after the terminal device requests to register with the network, for example, after the terminal device sends a registration request message, the access and mobility management function network element selects a policy control function network element, and the policy control function network element provides URSP information to the terminal device through a terminal policy container (UE policy container). The URSP information can be used to select a suitable PDU session for the terminal device when the terminal device sends data. The URSP information includes a session and service continuity mode selection policy (SSCMSP), which can be used to assist the terminal device in determining the SSC mode requested for the PDU session when selecting a PDU session.

[0166] S205: The terminal device sends a message for requesting to establish a PDU session to the access and mobility management function network element according to the URSP information. Correspondingly, the access and mobility management function network element receives the message for requesting to establish a PDU session from the terminal device.

[0167] The message for requesting to establish a PDU session may be carried in an uplink non-access stratum (UL NAS) message, for example.

[0168] Optionally, the message for requesting to establish a PDU session may include one or more of the following: an identifier of the PDU session, first information, second information, and third information, wherein the first information is used to indicate the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session, the second information is used to indicate the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the third information is used to indicate the duration of the session requested to be established by the terminal device.

[0169] S206: The access and mobility management function network element selects a session management network element.

[0170] Optionally, the access and mobility management function network element selects a session management network element based on one or more of the following: the access technology of the terminal device, the location of the terminal device, the service area of ​​the session management network element, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device and the data network and / or network slice supported by the session management network element, whether the session management network element supports the network energy saving function, and whether the session management network element supports the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session.

[0171] Correspondingly, the session management network element selected by the access and mobility management function network element supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, supports the network energy saving function, and supports the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session.

[0172] S207: The access and mobility management function network element sends an N11 message to the selected session management network element.

[0173] The N11 message may include one or more of the following: an identifier of a PDU session, first information, second information, and third information, wherein the first information is used to indicate an SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session, the second information is used to indicate a data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the third information is used to indicate the duration of the session requested to be established by the terminal device. The N11 message may be, for example, a PDU session create session management context (Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext) message.

[0174] S208. The session management network element selects a user plane function network element from the one or more second network elements for the PDU session requested to be established by the terminal device based on the description information of the one or more second network elements.

[0175] For a detailed description of step S208, see Figure 5 The relevant explanations in the network element selection method shown are not repeated here.

[0176] S209. The session management network element sends an N4 session establishment request message to the selected user plane function network element.

[0177] The N4 session establishment request message may include one or more of the following: an identifier of the PDU session, a packet detection rule for user plane data, a QoS enforcement rule for user plane data, a forward action rule for user plane data, and a usage reporting rule for user plane data. The N4 session establishment request message may be an N4 session establishment request message, or a PFCP session establishment request message.

[0178] S210: The user plane function network element sends an N4 session establishment response message to the session management network element. Correspondingly, the session management network element receives the N4 session establishment response message from the user plane function network element.

[0179] Optionally, the N4 session establishment response message includes the SSC mode corresponding to the PDU session.

[0180] Optionally, the N4 session establishment response message may be an N4 session establishment response message, or a PFCP session establishment response (PFCP session establishment response) message.

[0181] S211, the session management network element sends a PDU session establishment response message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the PDU session establishment response message from the session management network element.

[0182] Example 2: Fig. 9 As shown in the dashed box, Fig. 9 The network element selection method shown is similar to Figure 8 The differences between the network element selection methods shown are: Fig. 9 The network element selection method shown does not include Figure 8 Steps S202 and S203 in , and Fig. 9 The network element selection method shown further includes steps S301 and S302 after step S201.

[0183] S301. Each of one or more user plane function network elements sends an N4 association update request message or an N4 report message to a session management function network element, and the N4 association update request message or the N4 report message sent by each user plane function network element includes description information of the user plane function network element. Correspondingly, the session management function network element receives the N4 association update request message or the N4 report message sent by each of the one or more user plane function network elements.

[0184] The N4 association update request message is used to request the session management function network element to update the configuration of the N4 interface, and the N4 report message is used to indicate the relevant information of the N4 session. The N4 association update request message may be, for example, an N4 association update request message, or a PFCP association update request message (PFCPassociation update request message), and the N4 report message may be, for example, an N4 report message, or a PFCP node report message (PFCP node report message). In addition, the specific description of the description information of the second network element can be referred to the aforementioned related description, which will not be repeated here.

[0185] S302. The session management function network element sends an N4 association update response message or an N4 report confirmation message to each user plane function network element. The N4 association update response message may be, for example, an N4 association update response message, or a PFCP association update response message (PFCP association update response message), and the N4 report confirmation message may be, for example, an N4 report ack message, or a PFCP node report confirmation message (PFCP node report ack message).

[0186] Example 3: The third network element is a network storage function network element. Fig.10 As shown in the dashed box, Fig.10 The network element selection method shown is similar to Figure 8 The differences between the network element selection methods shown are: Fig.10 The network element selection method shown does not include Figure 8 Steps S201 to S203 in Fig.10 The network element selection method shown also includes steps S401 to S403.

[0187] S401, the session management function network element sends a network element status subscription request message to the network storage function network element. Correspondingly, the network storage function network element receives the network element status subscription request message from the session management function network element.

[0188] Among them, the network element status subscription request message is used to subscribe to the network storage function network element for the network element status update information in the network. The network element status subscription request message can be used to make the network storage function network element notify the session management function network element about the update information of a certain network element in the network when the status of the network element in the network is updated. The network element subscribed by the network element status subscription request message can be a specific network element in the network, or it can also be part or all of the network elements in the network, without limitation. In addition, the network element status subscription request message can be, for example, a network function management and network function status subscription (i.e., Nnrf_NFManagement_NFStatusSubscribe) message.

[0189] S402: The operation and maintenance network element or the energy efficiency network function network element sends a first configuration request message or a first configuration update request message to the network storage function network element, where the first configuration request message or the first configuration update request message includes: an identifier of each user plane function network element in one or more user plane function network elements and description information of each user plane function network element. Correspondingly, the network storage function network element receives the first configuration request message or the first configuration update request message from the operation and maintenance network element or the energy efficiency network function network element.

[0190] The first configuration request message is used to configure the relevant information of the user plane function network element to the network storage function network element, and the first configuration update request message is used to update the relevant information of the user plane function network element to the network storage function network element. The first configuration request message sent by the operation and maintenance network element may be, for example, an OAM configuration request (i.e., OAM configuration request) message, and the first configuration update request message sent by the operation and maintenance network element may be, for example, an OAM configuration update request (OAM configuration update request) message.

[0191] Optionally, the first configuration request message or the first configuration update request message may also include one or more of the following of the user plane functional network element: load information, location information, identification of supported data networks, and identification of supported network slices.

[0192] In addition, for the specific description of the description information of the second network element, please refer to the above-mentioned related description, which will not be repeated here.

[0193] S403: The network storage function network element sends a network element status notification message to the session management function network element, the network element status notification message including: an identifier of each user plane function network element in one or more user plane function network elements and description information of each user plane function network element. Correspondingly, the session management function network element receives the network element status notification message from the network storage function network element.

[0194] The network element status notification message is used to notify the session management function network element of the relevant information of the network element after the status is updated. The network element status notification message may be, for example, a network function management and network function status notification (ie, Nnrf_NFManagement_NFStatusNotify) message.

[0195] Optionally, the network element status notification message may also include one or more of the following of the user plane functional network element: load information, location information, identification of supported data networks, and identification of supported network slices.

[0196] Example 4: The third network element is a network storage function network element. Fig.11 As shown in the dashed box, Fig.11 The network element selection method shown is similar to Fig.10 The differences between the network element selection methods shown are: Fig.11 The network element selection method shown does not include Fig.10 Step S402 in , and Fig.11 The network element selection method shown further includes steps S501 and S502 before step S403.

[0197] S501. The operation and maintenance network element or the energy-efficient network function network element sends a second configuration request message or a second configuration update request message to each of the one or more user plane function network elements. The second configuration request message or the second configuration update request message sent to each user plane function network element includes: an identifier of the network storage function network element and description information of the user plane function network element. Accordingly, each of the one or more user plane function network elements receives the second configuration request message or the second configuration update request message from the operation and maintenance network element or the energy-efficient network function network element.

[0198] The second configuration request message is used to configure the relevant information of the user plane function network element to the user plane function network element, and the second configuration update request message is used to update the relevant information of the user plane function network element to the user plane function network element. The second configuration request message may be, for example, a UPF configuration request (i.e., UPF configuration request) message, and the second configuration update request message may be, for example, a UPF configuration update request (i.e., UPF configuration update request) message.

[0199] Optionally, the second configuration request message or the second configuration update request message may also include one or more of the following of the user plane functional network element: load information, location information, identification of supported data networks, and identification of supported network slices.

[0200] In addition, for the specific description of the description information of the second network element, please refer to the above-mentioned related description, which will not be repeated here.

[0201] S502: Each of the one or more user plane function network elements sends a network element registration request message to the network storage function network element, and the network element registration request message sent by each user plane function network element includes description information of the user plane function network element. Correspondingly, the network storage function network element receives the network element registration request message from each of the one or more user plane function network elements.

[0202] The network element registration request message is used by the user plane function network element to notify the network storage function network element of its updated information. The network element registration request message may be, for example, a network function management and network function registration (ie, Nnrf_NFManagement_NFRegister) message.

[0203] Optionally, the network element registration request message and / or the network element status notification message in step S403 may also include one or more of the following of the user plane functional network element: load information, location information, identification of supported data networks, and identification of supported network slices.

[0204] Example 5: The third network element is an operation and maintenance network element or an energy-efficient network function network element. Fig.12 As shown in the dashed box, Fig.12 The network element selection method shown is similar to Figure 8 The differences between the network element selection methods shown are: Fig.12 The network element selection method shown does not include Figure 8 Steps S201 to S203 in Fig.12 The network element selection method shown also includes step S601.

[0205] S601, an operation and maintenance network element or an energy-efficient network function network element sends a network element configuration message to a session management function network element, where the network element configuration message includes an identifier of each user plane function network element in one or more user plane function network elements and description information of each user plane function network element. Correspondingly, the session management function network element receives the network element configuration message sent by the operation and maintenance network element or the energy-efficient network function network element.

[0206] Among them, the network element configuration message is used to notify the session management function network element: the configuration information or updated information of the network element in the network. The network element configuration message can be, for example, a network function configuration request (i.e., NF Configuration request) message. Optionally, the network element configuration message may also include one or more of the following of the user plane function network element: load information, location information, identification of supported data networks, identification of supported network slices. In addition, for the specific elaboration of the description information of the second network element, please refer to the aforementioned related elaboration and will not be repeated here.

[0207] In order to implement the functions of the method provided in the above embodiment of the present application, the first network element may include a hardware structure and / or a software module, and implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module. Whether one of the above functions is executed in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a hardware structure plus a software module depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0208] like Fig.13 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1300. The communication device 1300 may be a first network element, or a component of a network element (for example, an integrated circuit, a chip, etc.). The communication device 1300 may also be other communication units, used to implement the method in the method embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1300 may include a processing unit 1301. Optionally, the communication device 1300 may also include a communication unit 1302, the processing unit 1301 is used to control the communication unit 1302 to send and receive data / signaling, and the communication unit 1302 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit. Optionally, the communication unit 1302 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit, the sending unit may be used to send data / signaling, and the receiving unit may be used to receive data / signaling. Optionally, the communication device 1300 may also include a storage unit 1303, the storage unit 1303 may be used to store information and / or data and / or instructions, etc., and the storage unit 1303 may interact with the processing unit 1301, and may also interact with the communication unit 1302.

[0209] In a possible design, for a case where the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the first network element in the above method embodiment:

[0210] The communication unit 1302 is configured to receive description information of one or more second network elements in the network, wherein the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state;

[0211] The processing unit 1301 is used to select a second network element from one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by a terminal device based on description information of the one or more second network elements.

[0212] In an optional implementation, the processing unit 1301 selects a second network element from one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by the terminal device based on the description information of the one or more second network elements, and is specifically used to: select a second network element from one or more second network elements for the session based on the service continuity requirements corresponding to the session and the description information of the one or more second network elements.

[0213] In an optional embodiment, when the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session indicates that the service transmission in the network should be maintained continuously during the duration of the session, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0214] In an optional implementation, the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session is the SSC mode corresponding to the session.

[0215] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1302 is further configured to receive first information from a terminal device, the first information being used to indicate an SSC mode requested by the terminal device for a session. The processing unit 1301 is further configured to determine an SSC mode corresponding to the session based on the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session.

[0216] In an optional embodiment, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and SSC mode 1 indicates that changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is not supported.

[0217] In an optional embodiment, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and SSC mode 2 and SSC mode 3 indicate support for changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session.

[0218] In an optional embodiment, the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, including: the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0219] The communication unit 1302 is also used to receive second information from the terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device.

[0220] When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the second network element selected for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is not closed.

[0221] Alternatively, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the second network element selected for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is turned off.

[0222] Among them, SSC mode 1 indicates that changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is not supported; SSC mode 2 and SSC mode 3 indicate that changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is supported.

[0223] In an optional implementation, when the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, the description information of the second network element is also used to indicate a priority for shutting down the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0224] The processing unit 1301 selects a second network element for the session from one or more second network elements based on the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session and description information of the one or more second network elements, and is specifically configured to:

[0225] When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, and the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the second network element is selected for the session based on the priority of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state as indicated by the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements; wherein SSC mode 1 indicates that changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is not supported.

[0226] In an optional implementation, the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is also used to indicate the validity period of the description information. The communication unit 1302 is also used to receive third information from the terminal device, the third information is used to indicate the duration of the session requested to be established by the terminal device; the validity period of the description information of the second network element selected for the session includes part or all of the duration.

[0227] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1302 receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, and is specifically configured to: receive description information of the second network element sent by each of the one or more second network elements.

[0228] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1302 receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, and is specifically used to: receive description information of one or more second network elements sent by a third network element.

[0229] In an optional implementation, the communication unit 1302 is further configured to receive a message from a terminal device for requesting to establish a session.

[0230] In an optional implementation, the device 1300 is a session management function network element, and the second network element is a user plane function network element.

[0231] The embodiments of the present application and the method embodiments shown above are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description of the embodiments shown above, and no further details will be given.

[0232] The present application embodiment also provides a communication device 1400, such as Fig.14 The communication device 1400 may be a first network element, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports the first network element to implement the above method. The device may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment, and the details may refer to the description in the above method embodiment.

[0233] The communication device 1400 may include one or more processors 1401. The processor 1401 may be used to implement part or all of the functions of the first network element through a logic circuit or running a computer program. The processor 1401 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it may be a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component or a CPU. The baseband processor may be used to process the communication protocol and the communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control the communication device, execute the software program, and process the data of the software program, wherein the communication device is, for example, a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal, a terminal chip, a distributed unit (DU) or a centralized unit (CU), etc.

[0234] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may include one or more memories 1402, on which instructions 1404 may be stored, and the instructions may be executed on the processor 1401, so that the communication device 1400 performs the method described in the above method embodiment. Optionally, data may also be stored in the memory 1402. The processor 1401 and the memory 1402 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0235] The memory 1402 may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), ROM or portable read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc.

[0236] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a transceiver 1405 and an antenna 1406. The transceiver 1405 may be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, or a transceiver circuit, etc., for implementing a transceiver function. The transceiver 1405 may include a receiver and a transmitter, the receiver may be referred to as a receiver or a receiving circuit, etc., for implementing a receiving function; the transmitter may be referred to as a transmitter or a transmitting circuit, etc., for implementing a transmitting function.

[0237] In a possible design, for a case where the communication device 1400 is used to implement the function of the first network element in the above method embodiment:

[0238] The transceiver 1405 is configured to receive description information of one or more second network elements in the network, wherein the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state;

[0239] Processor 1401 is configured to select a second network element from one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by a terminal device based on description information of the one or more second network elements.

[0240] In an optional implementation, the processor 1401 selects a second network element from one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by the terminal device based on the description information of the one or more second network elements, and is specifically used to: select a second network element from one or more second network elements for the session based on the service continuity requirements corresponding to the session and the description information of the one or more second network elements.

[0241] In an optional embodiment, when the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session indicates that the service transmission in the network should be maintained continuously during the duration of the session, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0242] In an optional implementation, the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session is the SSC mode corresponding to the session.

[0243] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1405 is further configured to receive first information from a terminal device, the first information being used to indicate an SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session. The processor 1401 is further configured to determine an SSC mode corresponding to the session based on the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session.

[0244] In an optional embodiment, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and SSC mode 1 indicates that changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is not supported.

[0245] In an optional embodiment, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and SSC mode 2 and SSC mode 3 indicate support for changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session.

[0246] In an optional embodiment, the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, including: the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0247] Transceiver 1405 is also used to receive second information from the terminal device, and the second information is used to indicate the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device.

[0248] When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the second network element selected for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is not closed.

[0249] Alternatively, when the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the second network element selected for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is turned off.

[0250] Among them, SSC mode 1 indicates that changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is not supported; SSC mode 2 and SSC mode 3 indicate that changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is supported.

[0251] In an optional implementation, when the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, the description information of the second network element is also used to indicate a priority for shutting down the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0252] The processor 1401 selects a second network element for the session from one or more second network elements based on the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session and description information of the one or more second network elements, and is specifically configured to:

[0253] When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, and the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the second network element is selected for the session based on the priority of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state as indicated by the description information of each second network element in one or more second network elements; wherein SSC mode 1 indicates that changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is not supported.

[0254] In an optional implementation, the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is also used to indicate the validity period of the description information. The transceiver 1405 is also used to receive third information from the terminal device, the third information is used to indicate the duration of the session requested to be established by the terminal device; the validity period of the description information of the second network element selected for the session includes part or all of the duration.

[0255] In an optional implementation manner, the transceiver 1405 receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, and is specifically configured to: receive description information of the second network element sent by each of the one or more second network elements.

[0256] In an optional implementation manner, the transceiver 1405 receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, and is specifically configured to: receive description information of one or more second network elements sent by a third network element.

[0257] In an optional implementation, the transceiver 1405 is further configured to receive a message from a terminal device for requesting to establish a session.

[0258] In an optional implementation, the device 1400 is a session management function network element, and the second network element is a user plane function network element.

[0259] In another possible design, the processor 1401 may include a transceiver for implementing the receiving and sending functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, or an interface, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit for implementing the receiving and sending functions may be separate or integrated. The above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for reading and writing code / data, or the above-mentioned transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be used for transmitting or delivering signals.

[0260] In another possible design, optionally, the processor 1401 may store an instruction 1403, and the instruction 1403 runs on the processor 1401, so that the communication device 1400 can execute the method described in the above method embodiment. The instruction 1403 may be solidified in the processor 1401, in which case the processor 1401 may be implemented by hardware.

[0261] In another possible design, the communication device 1400 may include a circuit that can implement the functions of sending or receiving or communicating in the aforementioned method embodiments. The processor and transceiver described in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processor and transceiver can also be manufactured using various IC process technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (nMetal-oxide-semiconductor, NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (positive channel metal oxide semiconductor, PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (bipolar junction transistor, BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), gallium arsenide (GaAs), etc.

[0262] Those skilled in the art may also understand that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps listed in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of the two. Whether such functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design requirements of the entire system. Those skilled in the art may use various methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but such implementation should not be understood as exceeding the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application.

[0263] The embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the technical effects they bring are also the same. For the specific principles, please refer to the description in the above-mentioned method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0264] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0265] The present application also provides a computer program product for storing computer software instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0266] The present application also provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, implements the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0267] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using 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 instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions 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 instructions may be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, an SSD), etc.

[0268] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A network element selection method, characterized in that: The method comprises: receiving description information of one or more second network elements in a network, wherein the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state; Based on the description information of the one or more second network elements, a second network element is selected from the one or more second network elements for the session requested to be established by the terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The selecting, based on the description information of the one or more second network elements, a second network element for a session requested to be established by the terminal device from the one or more second network elements includes: Based on the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session and the description information of the one or more second network elements, a second network element is selected for the session from the one or more second network elements.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that When the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session indicates that the service is to be transmitted continuously in the network during the duration of the session, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not to be shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The service continuity requirement corresponding to the session is the session and service continuity SSC mode corresponding to the session.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving first information from the terminal device, the first information being used to indicate an SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session; Based on the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session, determine the SSC mode corresponding to the session.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the SSC mode 1 indicates that the change of the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is not supported.

7. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the SSC mode 2 and the SSC mode 3 indicate support for changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session.

8. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, including: The description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is closed when the network is in an energy-saving state; The method further comprises: receiving second information from the terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate a data network and / or a network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device; When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the second network element selected for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is not closed; or, When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the second network element selected for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is closed; The SSC mode 1 indicates that the second network element corresponding to the session is not supported to be changed during the duration of the session; The SSC mode 2 and the SSC mode 3 indicate support for changing the second network element corresponding to the session within the duration of the session.

9. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: In a case where the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the description information of the second network element is further used to indicate a priority for turning off the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state; The selecting a second network element for the session from the one or more second network elements based on the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session and the description information of the one or more second network elements includes: When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, and the description information of each of the one or more second network elements indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, selecting a second network element for the session based on a priority of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state indicated by the description information of each of the one or more second network elements; Among them, the SSC mode 1 indicates that changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is not supported.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is further used to indicate the validity period of the description information; Before selecting a second network element for a session requested to be established by the terminal device from the one or more second network elements based on the description information of the one or more second network elements, the method further includes: receiving third information from the terminal device, wherein the third information is used to indicate the duration of the session requested to be established by the terminal device; The validity period of the description information of the second network element selected for the session includes part or all of the duration.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The receiving description information of one or more second network elements in the network includes: Receive description information of the second network element sent by each second network element among the one or more second network elements.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: The receiving description information of one or more second network elements in the network includes: Receive description information of the one or more second network elements sent by the third network element.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A message for requesting to establish the session is received from the terminal device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The execution subject of the method is a session management function network element, and the second network element is a user plane function network element.

15. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: A communication unit, configured to receive description information of one or more second network elements in a network, wherein the description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state; A processing unit is used to select a second network element from the one or more second network elements for a session requested to be established by the terminal device based on the description information of the one or more second network elements.

16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The processing unit selects a second network element for a session requested to be established by the terminal device from the one or more second network elements based on the description information of the one or more second network elements, specifically configured to: Based on the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session and the description information of the one or more second network elements, a second network element is selected for the session from the one or more second network elements.

17. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that When the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session indicates that the service is to be transmitted continuously in the network during the duration of the session, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not to be shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state.

18. The device according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that The service continuity requirement corresponding to the session is the session and service continuity SSC mode corresponding to the session.

19. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that The communication unit is further configured to receive first information from the terminal device, wherein the first information is used to indicate an SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session; The processing unit is further used to determine the SSC mode corresponding to the session based on the SSC mode requested by the terminal device for the session.

20. The device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is not shut down when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the SSC mode 1 indicates that the change of the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is not supported.

21. The device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, and the SSC mode 2 and the SSC mode 3 indicate support for changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session.

22. The device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that The description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, including: The description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is used to indicate whether the data network and / or network slice supported by the second network element is closed when the network is in an energy-saving state; The communication unit is further used to receive second information from the terminal device, where the second information is used to indicate the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device; When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, the second network element selected for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is not closed; or, When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 2 or SSC mode 3, the second network element selected for the session supports the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device, and the description information of the second network element selected for the session indicates that when the network is in an energy-saving state, the data network and / or network slice associated with the session requested by the terminal device is closed; The SSC mode 1 indicates that the second network element corresponding to the session is not supported to be changed during the duration of the session; The SSC mode 2 and the SSC mode 3 indicate support for changing the second network element corresponding to the session within the duration of the session.

23. The device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that In a case where the description information of the second network element is used to indicate that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, the description information of the second network element is further used to indicate a priority for turning off the second network element when the network is in an energy-saving state; The processing unit selects a second network element for the session from the one or more second network elements based on the service continuity requirement corresponding to the session and the description information of the one or more second network elements, specifically configured to: When the SSC mode corresponding to the session is SSC mode 1, and the description information of each of the one or more second network elements indicates that the second network element is turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state, selecting a second network element for the session based on a priority of the second network element being turned off when the network is in an energy-saving state indicated by the description information of each of the one or more second network elements; Among them, the SSC mode 1 indicates that changing the second network element corresponding to the session during the duration of the session is not supported.

24. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 23, characterized in that The description information of each second network element in the one or more second network elements is further used to indicate the validity period of the description information; The communication unit is further used to receive third information from the terminal device, where the third information is used to indicate the duration of the session requested to be established by the terminal device; The validity period of the description information of the second network element selected for the session includes part or all of the duration.

25. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 24, characterized in that The communication unit receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, specifically used to: Receive description information of the second network element sent by each second network element among the one or more second network elements.

26. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 24, characterized in that The communication unit receives description information of one or more second network elements in the network, specifically used to: Receive description information of the one or more second network elements sent by the third network element.

27. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 26, characterized in that The communication unit is further configured to receive a message from the terminal device for requesting to establish the session.

28. A communication device, characterized in that: including memory and processor; The memory is used to store instructions or computer programs; The processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 is implemented.

30. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising: Computer program code, when the computer program code is run, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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