Communication method and device

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, the method comprising: an access gateway function network element sends a session creation request message of a terminal to a session management function network element, the session management function network element sends at least one of a session identifier corresponding to a created session and an address of the terminal to the access gateway function network element, and in addition, the session management function network element sends the session identifier corresponding to the created session and the address of the terminal to the access gateway function network element. The access gateway function network element obtains virtual interface information corresponding to the created session identifier, and the access gateway function network element also sends at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information to the terminal; and the terminal also establishes a first association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information. And based on the first association relationship, the connection established between the terminal and the access gateway function network element is in one-to-one correspondence with the service quality flow of the session, so that the end-to-end connection of the user plane between the terminal and the access gateway function network element is realized, and the end-to-end service quality is ensured.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application with an application number of 202010763603.2 and an invention title of "A Communication Method and Device", which was filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on July 31, 2020. The entire content thereof is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202011619206.4, the original application date is December 31, 2020, and the entire content of the original application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0004] In order to address the challenges of wireless broadband technologies and maintain the leading edge of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network, the 3GPP standards group has developed the next generation mobile communication network architecture (next generation system), known as the 5th generation network (5G) fixed-mobile convergence network architecture. This network architecture not only supports access to the 5G core (5G core, 5GC) network through wireless technologies defined by the 3GPP standards group (such as long term evolution (LTE), 5G radio access network (RAN), etc.), but also supports access to the core network through a fixed network.

[0005] As Figure 1A shown, a 5G-residential gateway (RG) accesses a wired access network and is connected to the 5G core network through an access node (AN) and an access gateway function (AGF) network element of the wired access network. The 5G-RG can also be connected to the 5G core network through a radio access network (RAN) device. In the figure, there is a connection channel between the 5G-RG and the AGF network element, and this connection channel is used to transmit control plane messages and user plane messages from the 5G-RG to the 5G core network.

[0006] In the current 5G fixed-mobile convergence network architecture, there is currently no relevant solution for how to manage the connection between the 5G-RG and the AGF to distinguish different services. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus, which are used to establish an association relationship between a session identifier and virtual interface information for a terminal and an access gateway function network element. Based on this association relationship, different services are distinguished, and an end-to-end user plane connection between the terminal and the access gateway function network element is realized, ensuring end-to-end quality of service.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method. This method can be executed by a first communication device, which may be an access gateway function network element, or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required for the access gateway function network element to implement this method, such as components included in the access gateway function network element, or a chip system in the access gateway function network element. Exemplarily, this method is executed by the access gateway function network element. The method includes: The access gateway function network element sends a session creation request message to the session management function network element, and the session creation request message is used to request the creation or modification of a first session; the access gateway function network element receives at least one of a session identifier and the address of the terminal from the session management function network element, and both the session identifier and the address of the terminal correspond to the first session; the access gateway function network element obtains virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier, and the virtual interface information is a virtual interface identifier between the terminal and the access gateway function network element; the access gateway function network element sends at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information to the terminal.

[0009] In an embodiment of this application, an association relationship between at least one of a session identifier and the address of the terminal and virtual interface information is established for the terminal and the access gateway function network element. Based on this association relationship, different services are distinguished, and an end-to-end user plane connection between the terminal and the access gateway function network element is realized, ensuring end-to-end quality of service. This method can meet the requirement of the fixed network to distinguish different services based on virtual interface information, enabling the smooth evolution of fixed network services to the 5G system and better system compatibility.

[0010] In a possible design, obtaining virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier includes: The access gateway function network element receives an access layer message from the terminal, and the access layer message includes virtual interface information; the access gateway function network element determines that the virtual interface information corresponds to the session identifier.

[0011] In a possible design, obtaining virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier includes: The access gateway function network element allocates virtual interface information for the first session; the access gateway function network element determines that the virtual interface information corresponds to the session identifier.

[0012] In a possible design, obtaining virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier includes:

[0013] The access gateway function network element receives first information from the terminal, where the first information is data network name (DNN) information and / or network slice information corresponding to the session identifier;

[0014] The access gateway function network element determines the virtual interface information corresponding to the DNN information and / or the network slice information, and determines that the virtual interface information corresponds to the session identifier.

[0015] In a possible design, obtaining the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier includes:

[0016] The access gateway function network element receives first information from the session management function network element, where the first information is DNN information and / or network slice information corresponding to the session identifier;

[0017] The access gateway function network element determines the virtual interface information corresponding to the first information.

[0018] In a possible design, obtaining the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier includes:

[0019] The access gateway function network element receives a message from the session management function network element, where the message includes the virtual interface information corresponding to the first session.

[0020] In a possible design, based on the association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information, the access gateway function network element receives a first packet from the terminal, where the first packet includes the virtual interface information; the access gateway function network element sends the first packet to the user plane function network element through the user plane tunnel corresponding to the session identifier according to the session identifier corresponding to the virtual interface information, and the user plane tunnel is a transmission channel between the access gateway function network element and the user plane function network element. Based on the above method, the access gateway function network element can obtain the virtual interface information carried in the uplink packet, and determine the corresponding session according to the virtual interface information, so as to realize correctly sending the packet to the user plane function network element and ensure the end-to-end connection of the user plane between the terminal and the access gateway function network element.

[0021] In a possible design, based on the association relationship between the above session identifier and virtual interface information, the access gateway function network element receives a second message from the user plane function network element, where the second message includes the user plane tunnel identifier of the user plane function network element; the access gateway function network element determines the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier according to the session identifier corresponding to the user plane tunnel identifier, and sends the second message to the terminal through the virtual interface corresponding to the virtual interface information, where the virtual interface is the virtual interface between the terminal and the access gateway function network element. Based on the above method, the access gateway function network element can obtain the session identifier corresponding to the downlink message, so as to encapsulate the above second message using the virtual interface information, realize correct sending of the message to the terminal, and ensure the end-to-end connection of the user plane between the terminal and the access gateway function network element.

[0022] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a third communication device. The third communication device can be a terminal, or a communication device capable of supporting the functions required for the terminal to implement this method, such as components included in the terminal, or a chip system in the terminal, etc. Exemplarily, when the method is executed by the terminal, it includes: the terminal sends a first message to the access gateway function network element, and the first message is used to request to create or modify a first session; the terminal obtains virtual interface information, where the virtual interface information corresponds to the first session, and the virtual interface information is the virtual interface identifier between the terminal and the access gateway function network element.

[0023] In an embodiment of the present application, after the terminal obtains the virtual interface information corresponding to the first session, it can establish a corresponding relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the session address and the virtual interface information. Based on this association relationship, different services can be distinguished, and the end-to-end connection of the user plane between the terminal and the access gateway function network element can be realized, ensuring the end-to-end service quality. This method can meet the requirement of the fixed network to distinguish different services based on virtual interface information, enable the smooth evolution of fixed network services to the 5G system, and the system compatibility is better.

[0024] In a possible design, obtaining the virtual interface information includes: the terminal receives the virtual interface information from the access gateway function network element.

[0025] In a possible design, obtaining the virtual interface information includes: the terminal obtains policy information from the policy control function network element, and the policy information includes the virtual interface information.

[0026] In a possible design, the policy information further includes DNN information and / or network slice information corresponding to the virtual interface information.

[0027] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can still be executed by a first communication device. Exemplarily, the method is executed by an access gateway function network element, and includes: the access gateway function network element receives first service information from a terminal, the access gateway function network element sends a session creation request message to a session management function network element, the session creation request message includes second service information corresponding to the first service information, and the session creation request message is used to request the creation or modification of a first session of the terminal; the access gateway function network element receives the address of the terminal from the session management function network element, and the address of the terminal corresponds to the first session; the access gateway function network element sends the first service information and the address of the terminal to the terminal.

[0028] In the embodiment of the present application, an association relationship between the first service information and the address of the terminal is established between the terminal and the access gateway function network element. Based on this association relationship, different services are distinguished, and a user plane end-to-end connection between the terminal and the access gateway function network element is realized, ensuring end-to-end service quality. This method can meet the requirement of the fixed network to distinguish different services based on the address of the terminal, enabling the smooth evolution of fixed network services to the 5G system and better system compatibility.

[0029] In a possible design, the first service information includes domain name information and / or virtual interface information.

[0030] In a possible design, the second service information includes a data network name (DNN) and / or network slice information.

[0031] In a possible design, the method further includes: the access gateway function network element receives the identifier of the terminal from the terminal; and then sends the first service information, the identifier of the terminal, and the address of the terminal to the terminal.

[0032] In a possible design, the identifier of the terminal includes at least one of a user identifier in an IP address, a MAC address, or a network access identifier (NAI).

[0033] In a possible design, the access gateway function network element sends a first message to an access and mobility management network element, and the first message includes the first service information; the access gateway function network element receives a second message from the access and mobility management network element, and the second message includes the second service information. With this method, the access gateway function network element can obtain the correspondence between the first service information and the second service information from the access and mobility management network element.

[0034] In a possible design, the access gateway function network element obtains first information according to at least one of the first service information, including:

[0035] The access gateway function network element sends a request message to the first network element, where the request message includes first service information; the access gateway function network element receives a response message from the first network element, where the response message includes the second service information. With this method, the access gateway function network element can obtain the correspondence between the first service information and the second service information from the first network element.

[0036] In a possible design, the method further includes: the access gateway function network element saves the correspondence between the first service information and the second service information.

[0037] In a possible design, the method further includes: the access gateway function network element saves the identifier of the terminal and the correspondence between the first service information and the address of the terminal.

[0038] In a possible design, the method further includes: the access gateway function network element receives the identifier of the first session from the session management function network element; saves the correspondence between the identifier of the terminal, the first service information and the identifier of the first session.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can still be executed by a second communication device. Exemplarily, this method is executed by a terminal and includes: the terminal sends first service information to the access gateway function network element, and then the terminal receives the address of the terminal from the access gateway function network element, where the address of the terminal corresponds to the first service information. Among them, the first service information may include domain name information and / or virtual interface information.

[0040] In a possible design, the terminal also sends the identifier of the terminal to the access gateway function network element, and the identifier of the terminal includes a user identifier in an IP address, a MAC address, or a network access identifier (NAI).

[0041] In a possible design, the terminal saves the correspondence between the first service information and the address of the terminal.

[0042] In an embodiment of the present application, after the terminal obtains the address of the terminal for the first session, it can establish the correspondence between the address of the terminal and the first service information. Based on this association, different services can be distinguished, realizing the user plane end-to-end connection between the terminal and the access gateway function network element, and ensuring the end-to-end service quality. This method can meet the requirement of the fixed network to distinguish different services based on the address of the terminal, enabling the smooth evolution of fixed network services to the 5G system and better system compatibility.

[0043] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a device, which may be a first communication device. The device has the functions of implementing the embodiments of the first aspect and the third aspect described above. The functions may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0044] In a possible design, when the device is an access gateway function network element, the access gateway function network element includes: a communication unit, and optionally, a processing unit. The processing unit may be, for example, a processor, the receiving unit may be, for example, a receiver, the sending unit may be, for example, a transmitter, and the receiver and the transmitter include a radio frequency circuit. Optionally, the access gateway function network element further includes a storage unit, which may be, for example, a memory. When the access gateway function network element includes a storage unit, the storage unit stores computer-executable instructions, the processing unit is connected to the storage unit, and the processing unit executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit, so that the access gateway function network element executes the method of any one of the first aspect and the third aspect described above.

[0045] In another possible design, when the device is a chip within an access gateway function network element, the chip includes: a receiving unit and a sending unit, and optionally, a processing unit. The processing unit may be, for example, a processing circuit, the receiving unit may be, for example, an input interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc., and the sending unit may be, for example, an output interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc. The processing unit may execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit, so that the method of any one of the first aspect or the third aspect described above is executed. Optionally, the storage unit is a storage unit within the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc., and the storage unit may also be a storage unit outside the chip within the access gateway function network element, such as a read-only memory (ROM), other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0046] Among them, the processor mentioned anywhere above may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the program of the method of the first aspect or the third aspect described above.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a device, which may be a second communication device. The device has the functions of implementing the embodiments of the second or fourth aspect described above. The functions may be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0048] In a possible design, when the device is a terminal, the terminal includes: a communication unit, and optionally, a processing unit. The processing unit may be a processor, for example, the receiving unit may be a receiver, the sending unit may be a transmitter, for example, and the receiver and transmitter include a radio frequency circuit. Optionally, the terminal further includes a storage unit, which may be a memory, for example. When the terminal includes a storage unit, the storage unit stores computer-executable instructions, the processing unit is connected to the storage unit, and the processing unit executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit to enable the terminal to execute the method of any one of the second or fourth aspects described above.

[0049] In another possible design, when the device is a chip in the terminal, the chip includes: a receiving unit and a sending unit, and optionally, a processing unit. The processing unit may be a processing circuit, for example, the receiving unit may be an input interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc., and the sending unit may be an output interface, a pin, or a circuit, etc. The processing unit can execute the computer-executable instructions stored in the storage unit to enable the sending method of any one of the second or fourth aspects described above to be executed. Optionally, the storage unit is a storage unit in the chip, such as a register, a cache, etc., and the storage unit may also be a storage unit outside the chip in the terminal, such as a read-only memory (ROM), other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0050] Among them, the processor mentioned anywhere above may be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the programs of the method of the second or fourth aspect described above.

[0051] In a seventh aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which instructions are stored, and when they run on a computer, the computer is enabled to execute the methods described in the above aspects.

[0052] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product containing instructions, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to execute the methods described in the above aspects.

[0053] In addition, for the technical effects brought about by any one of the design manners in the fifth aspect to the eighth aspect, reference may be made to the technical effects brought about by different design manners in the first aspect to the fourth aspect, which will not be elaborated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 2 are schematic diagrams of a possible network architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the process of the first session establishment method provided by the present application;

[0056] Figure 4A and Figure 4B is a method for sending a message provided by the present application;

[0057] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the process of the second session establishment method provided by the present application;

[0058] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the process of the third session establishment method provided by the present application;

[0059] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the process of the fourth session establishment method provided by the present application;

[0060] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the process of the second session establishment method provided by the present application;

[0061] Figure 9A and Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of the process of the third session establishment method provided by the present application;

[0062] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another session establishment method process provided by the present application;

[0063] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another session establishment method process provided by the present application;

[0064] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another session establishment method process provided by the present application;

[0065] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another session establishment method process provided by the present application;

[0066] Figure 14Another schematic diagram of the session establishment method provided by this application;

[0067] Figure 15 A possible exemplary block diagram of the device involved in the embodiments of this application;

[0068] Figure 16 A schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided by the embodiments of this application;

[0069] Figure 17 A schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided by the embodiments of this application. Detailed implementation manners

[0070] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0071] Hereinafter, some terms in the embodiments of this application will be explained to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0072] 1) Terminal equipment, also known as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. For example, it may include a handheld device with a wireless connection function, or a processing device connected to a wireless modem.

[0073] The terminal equipment can communicate with the core network via a radio access network (RAN) and exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. The terminal may include user equipment (UE), wireless terminal, mobile terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. In the embodiments of this application, 5G-RG can also be referred to as terminal equipment. The remote UE can be connected to a wired access network through 5G-RG, and then access the 5G core network through the wired access network. The remote UE can also be connected to the 5G core network through the RAN.

[0074] For example, it may include mobile phones (or "cellular" phones), computers with mobile terminals, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-integrated or vehicle-mounted mobile devices, smart wearable devices, etc. For example, personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other devices.

[0075] Alternatively, the terminal device may further include restricted devices, such as devices with lower power consumption, or devices with limited storage capacity, or devices with limited computing power, etc. For example, it includes information sensing devices such as barcodes, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning system (GPS), laser scanners, etc.

[0076] By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, a smart wearable device is a general term for devices developed by applying wearable technologies to the intelligent design of daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A smart wearable device is a portable device that is directly worn on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories.

[0077] A smart wearable device is not just a hardware device, but more importantly, it realizes powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Generally, smart wearable devices include those with complete functions, large sizes, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smart watches or smart glasses, etc., and those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to cooperate with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets for physical sign monitoring, smart helmets, smart jewelry, etc.

[0078] Alternatively, the terminal may also be a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in driverless, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, 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.

[0079] 2) A (radio) access network ((R)AN) device, such as including a base station (e.g., an access point), may refer to a device in the access network that communicates with a wireless terminal through one or more cells over the air interface. The (radio) access network device can be used to mutually convert the received air frames and Internet Protocol (IP) packets, acting as a router between the remote UE and the rest of the access network, where the rest of the access network may include an IP network. The (radio) access network device can also coordinate the attribute management of the air interface.

[0080] For example, the (radio) access network device may include a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), or a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), etc.

[0081] The (radio) access network device may also include an evolved base station (NodeB or eNB or e-NodeB, evolutional Node B) in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system or an evolved LTE system (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A) or a 4th generation mobile communication technology (4G) system.

[0082] Alternatively, the (wireless) access network device may also include a next-generation node B (gNB), a transmission and reception point (TRP), or a transmission point (TP) in a 5G system or a new radio (NR) system.

[0083] Alternatively, the (wireless) access network device may also include a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) in a cloud radio access network (CloudRAN) system. Embodiments of the present application do not limit this. In embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "(wireless) access network device" and "access network device" may be used interchangeably.

[0084] 3) Core network (CN) device, connected to multiple access networks, including a circuit-switched (CS) domain and / or a packet-switched (PS) domain. The CS network elements include a mobile switching center, a visitor location register, and a gateway mobile switching center. The PS network elements include a general packet radio service (GPRS) node and a gateway GPRS support node. Some network elements such as a home location register, a visitor location register, and an authentication center can be shared by the CS domain and the PS domain.

[0085] 4) In embodiments of the present application, "multiple" means two or more. In view of this, "multiple" in embodiments of the present application can also be understood as "at least two". "At least one" can be understood as one or more, for example, understood as one, two, or more.

[0086] For example, including at least one means including one, two, or more, and there is no limitation on which ones are included. For example, including at least one of A, B, and C, then what can be included is A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

[0087] "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0088] In addition, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects. The terms "system" and "network" in embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably.

[0089] Unless otherwise stated, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, time sequence, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0090] As Figure 1A shown, the 5G-residential gateway (RG) accesses the wired access network and is connected to the 5G core network through the access node (AN) and access gateway function (AGF) network element of the wired access network. The 5G-RG can also be connected to the 5G core network through radio access network (RAN) devices. In the figure, there is a connection channel between the 5G-RG and the AGF network element, and this connection channel is used to transmit control plane messages and user plane messages from the 5G-RG to the 5G core network.

[0091] As Figure 1B shown, the fixed network-residential gateway (FN-RG) accesses the wired access network and is connected to the 5G core network through the access node (AN) and access gateway function (AGF) network element of the wired access network. That is to say, since the FN-RG is a traditional device and does not support the N1 interface, that is, it does not support direct communication with the 5G core network, the communication with the 5G core network needs to be completed through the proxy of the AGF for the FN-RG. The AGF network element is connected to the BBF AAA, and the BBF AAA is used for authentication, authorization and charging management.

[0092] As Figure 2 shown, it is a schematic diagram of a possible network architecture applicable to the present application. The network architecture includes a terminal, an AN and an AGF network element, a RAN and a 5G core network.

[0093] The 5G core network may include a control plane network element and a user plane network element. The user plane network element is mainly responsible for forwarding packet data packets, quality of service (QoS) control, charging information statistics, etc. The control plane network element is mainly responsible for sending packet forwarding policies, QoS control policies, etc. to the user plane function network element.

[0094] As Figure 2As shown in the figure, the control plane network element includes an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, and an authentication server function (AUSF) network element. The user plane network element includes a user plane function (UPF) network element.

[0095] The terminal, for example, includes a residential gateway (RG), etc. The RG may specifically include a modem, etc. The terminal is a fixed gateway device supporting 5G access, also known as 5G-RG or FN-RG. The terminal mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be understood as 5G-RG or FN-RG.

[0096] The 5G-RG can use the air interface or the fixed network method to send non-access stratum (NAS) messages to the AMF network element through the N1 interface. The N1 interface is the interface between the terminal and the AMF network element. The terminal can also be connected to a remote UE. The remote UE can refer to terminal devices such as the UE, MT, or MS introduced above. The FN-RG is a traditional device that does not support the N1 interface. The FN-RG completes communication with the 5G core network through the proxy of the AGF for the FN-RG.

[0097] The access point is also called a wireline access node (WAN). The access point can provide access services to the terminal through different access methods.

[0098] The access gateway function (AGF) network element is the access point for the fixed network to access the 5G core network. The AGF network element can communicate with network elements on the core network control plane, such as the AMF network element, through the N2 interface. The AGF network element can also send data packets (also called packets) of fixed network users to the network element on the core network user plane (such as the user plane function (UPF) network element) through the N3 interface.

[0099] It should be noted that the access point and the AGF network element are collectively referred to as W-AGF, or collectively referred to as wired access network devices.

[0100] Such as Figure 2As shown, in one implementation, the terminal can access the core network in a wired manner through a wired access network device. In another implementation, the terminal can also access the core network in a wireless (or called air interface) manner through a radio access network (RAN) device such as a base station. That is, the terminal can send air interface messages to the core network.

[0101] Figure 2 Among them, the AGF network element includes an AGF control plane (AGF-CP) and an AGF user plane (AGF-UP). The AGF-CP is used to process control plane signaling and manage the AGF-UP. For example, it issues control policies to the AGF-UP. The AGF-UP is used to process user plane data according to the control policies issued by the AGF-CP. The AGF-CP and the AMF network element can communicate through the N2 interface, and the AGF-UP and the UPF network element communicate through the N3 interface. The terminal and the AMF network element can communicate through the N1 interface. The UPF network element and the SMF network element can communicate through the N4 interface. The SMF network element and the PCF network element can communicate through the N7 interface. The AMF network element and the SMF network element can communicate through the N11 interface. The AMF network element and the AUSF network element can communicate through the N12 interface.

[0102] The following will introduce separately Figure 2 the functions of each network element in the 5G core network.

[0103] The mobility management network element, for example, in 5G, can be the AMF network element. The mobility management network element is responsible for the access management and mobility management of access devices. It includes the mobility management function in the mobility management entity (MME) in the LTE network framework and adds an access management function.

[0104] The SMF network element is responsible for session management, such as the establishment of user sessions.

[0105] The PCF network element is used to perform policy control, mainly responsible for policy authorization, QoS, and the generation of charging rules, and issues the corresponding rules to the UPF through the SMF network element to complete the installation of the corresponding policies and rules.

[0106] The AUSF network element has an authentication service function and is used to terminate the authentication function requested by the security anchor function (SEAF) network element.

[0107] For ease of description, in the following of this application, the AGF network element, AMF network element, SMF network element, PCF network element, AUSF network element, and UPF network element may be abbreviated as AGF, AMF, SMF, PCF, AUSF, and UPF respectively.

[0108] It should be noted that Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 2 the interface names between the network elements in are just examples. In specific implementations, the interface names may be called other names, and the embodiments of this application do not make specific limitations on this.

[0109] It should be noted that Figure 1A 、 Figure 1B and Figure 2 the device names such as the terminal, access point, access gateway function network element, and mobility management network element in do not constitute limitations on the devices themselves. In the 5G network and other future networks, the terminal, access point, access gateway function network element, and mobility management network element may also be device names, and the embodiments of this application do not make specific limitations on this. For example, the terminal may also be replaced by a terminal device or a user equipment, etc., the access point may also be replaced by a wired access point or a fixed network access point, etc., and the access gateway function network element may also be replaced by a gateway device or an access gateway function device, etc. A unified description is made here and will not be elaborated below. It should be noted that Figure 2 in, AGF is the upper-layer aggregation point of the AN, deployed on the fixed network access network side, and AGF is wired-connected to the Figure 2 fixed network AN in.

[0110] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for more clearly explaining the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute limitations on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application. Those of ordinary skill in the art know that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0111] Considering the 5G fixed-mobile convergence network architecture, when the terminal accesses the 5G core network through wire, it is still necessary to ensure end-to-end service quality. For example, parameters for guaranteeing QoS are identified on the transmission channel so that each network element can effectively schedule resources according to the identification. The identification may include PDU session ID, QFI, Reflective QoS Indication (RQI), etc. Therefore, AGF and 5G-RG need to identify the parameters for guaranteeing QoS in the corresponding tunnel, such as identifying PDU session ID, QFI, RQI.

[0112] To this end, the present application provides a session establishment method, which includes: the terminal sends a session establishment request message to the SMF, and the terminal receives a session establishment completion message returned by the SMF; the terminal establishes a PDU session with the network side device, and the terminal and the AGF also establish an association relationship between at least one of the session identifier of the PDU session and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information. Since the PDU session is related to the virtual interface information, based on this association relationship, during the subsequent data transmission process, for the uplink packet, the AGF can determine the corresponding PDU session according to the virtual interface information in the uplink packet from the terminal, and correctly send the packet to the corresponding UPF network element; for the downlink packet, the AGF can determine the corresponding virtual interface information according to the PDU session for transmitting the downlink packet, so as to forward the downlink packet to the terminal corresponding to the virtual interface information. Based on this association relationship, the connection established between the terminal and the AGF is in one-to-one correspondence with the quality of service flow of the PDU session, realizing the user plane end-to-end connection between the terminal and the AGF, thereby ensuring the end-to-end quality of service.

[0113] For ease of description, in the following, the terminal is a 5G-RG or FN-RG, the access gateway function network element is the AGF-CP and AGF-UP, the mobility management network element is the AMF network element, and the session management function network element is the SMF as an example to illustrate the session establishment method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0114] Embodiment 1

[0115] As Figure 3 shown, it is a schematic flow diagram of the first session establishment method provided by the present application, which may specifically include the following steps.

[0116] As Figure 3 shown, it is a schematic flow diagram of the first session establishment method provided by the present application, which may specifically include the following steps.

[0117] Step 301, the 5G-RG sends a session creation request message to the SMF through the AGF-CP, and this session creation request is used to request to create or modify the first session.

[0118] Optionally, the 5G-RG also sends virtual interface information or first information corresponding to this session creation request to the SMF through the AGF-CP. Wherein, the first information may include at least one of network handover information and DNN information. This session creation request message may be a non-access stratum (NAS) message, and this NAS message contains a PDU session establishment request message for requesting to establish a PDU session.

[0119] In this step, the 5G-RG may first send a session creation request message to the AN. The session creation request message is used to request the creation of a first session. Then, the AN forwards the session creation request message to the AGF-CP, and the AGF-CP further forwards the session creation request message to the AMF. After receiving the session creation message from the AGF-CP, the AMF notifies the SMF to complete the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane. In this process, neither the AN nor the AGF-CP parses the specific content of the session creation message, but forwards the received session creation message.

[0120] In the first possible embodiment, when there is a correspondence between the service type (such as the Internet TV service) pre-configured in the 5G-RG and the virtual interface information (such as the VLAN ID), the 5G-RG may first determine the virtual interface information corresponding to the fixed network service to be transmitted. When the 5G-RG sends a session creation request message to the SMF, the 5G-RG also sends the virtual interface information corresponding to the session creation request to the SMF. Specifically, the 5G-RG may send the virtual interface information corresponding to the session creation request to the AGF-CP through the access stratum (AS) parameters.

[0121] In the second possible embodiment, the 5G-RG first determines the data network name (DNN) information or network switching information corresponding to the fixed network service to be transmitted. When the 5G-RG sends a session creation request message to the SMF, the 5G-RG also sends the DNN information or network switching information corresponding to the session creation request to the SMF. Specifically, the 5G-RG may send the DNN information or network switching information corresponding to the session creation request to the AGF-CP through the access stratum (AS) parameters.

[0122] The virtual interface information is the virtual interface identifier between the 5G-RG and the AGF, and this virtual interface identifier can distinguish the information of the virtual channel of the fixed network service. For example, the virtual interface information may be the virtual path identifier (VPI) or virtual channel identifier (VCI) information in the digital subscriber line (DSL), or the virtual local area network (VLAN) information for Ethernet access, etc.

[0123] Step 302: The SMF sends the session identifier corresponding to the created first session to the AGF-CP.

[0124] Optionally, after receiving the session creation message from the AGF-CP, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane. Then, the SMF sends a session creation completion message and the session identifier of the created first session to the AGF-CP via the AMF.

[0125] Among them, the session identifier of the created session may refer to the PDU session identifier (PDU session ID). Further, the session creation completion message may further include the tunnel information of the UPF corresponding to the created session, such as including the general packet radio service (GPRS) tunnelling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U), and / or the tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID).

[0126] Step 303, the AGF-CP establishes a first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information according to the virtual interface information or the first information from the 5G-RG, and the session identifier of the created first session from the SMF.

[0127] Specifically, there are the following two ways for the AGF to establish the first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information:

[0128] Way 1: When the AS parameters sent by the 5G-RG to the AGF-CP include the virtual interface information corresponding to the session creation request, the AGF-CP obtains the virtual interface information from the AS parameters and establishes the first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0129] Way 2: When the AS parameters sent by the 5G-RG to the AGF-CP include the first information, since the AGF-CP is pre-configured with a second association relationship between the first information and the virtual interface information, the AGF-CP obtains the first information from the AS parameters and determines the virtual interface information corresponding to the first information according to the second mapping relationship, thereby establishing the first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0130] Step 304, the AGF-CP sends the session identifier and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to the 5G-RG.

[0131] Specifically, the AGF-CP may send AS parameters to the 5G-RG, where the AS parameters carry the session identifier and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to notify the 5G-RG of the association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0132] Step 305, the 5G-RG receives the session identifier from the AGF-CP and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier.

[0133] Optionally, the 5G-RG also stores the first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0134] In a possible implementation, if the 5G-RG is pre-configured with the initial association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information, after the 5G-RG receives the session identifier from the AGF-CP and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier, the 5G-RG compares whether the virtual interface information in the initial association relationship is the same as the received virtual interface information. If they are different, it means that the AGF has re-allocated new virtual interface information for this session. Therefore, the 5G-RG updates the virtual interface information in the initial association relationship with the virtual interface information in the first association relationship.

[0135] Furthermore, after the AGF and the 5G-RG establish the first association relationship between the session identifier corresponding to the created session and the virtual interface information, the AGF and the 5G-RG can use this first association relationship to complete the one-to-one correspondence between the connection established between the 5G-RG and the AGF and the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the end-to-end user plane connection between the 5G-RG and the AGF. The following is described in combination with the transmission process of the uplink and downlink packets.

[0136] Based on the session established according to the above method, the terminal can perform uplink and downlink data transmission. For the transmission process of the uplink packet, see Figure 4A , which specifically may include the following steps.

[0137] Step 401a, the 5G-RG sends the first packet carried in the first fixed network session to the AN.

[0138] Among them, the first packet includes the virtual interface information. The first fixed network session refers to the first session established according to the above Figure 3 described steps.

[0139] It should be noted that the 5G-RG and the AN may have different fixed network access methods. For different fixed network access methods, there are virtual interface implementation methods between the 5G-RG and the AN, enabling the AN to identify the service type of the packet through the virtual interface information of the received packet.

[0140] Step 402a, after the AN receives the first packet carried in the first fixed network session from the 5G-RG, the AN sends the first packet to the AGF-UP.

[0141] Step 403a, after the AGF-UP receives the first message from the AN, the AGF-UP uses the first association relationship to determine the session identifier corresponding to the virtual interface information according to the virtual interface information.

[0142] Step 404a, the AGF-UP sends the first message to the UPF through the user plane tunnel corresponding to the session identifier, where the user plane tunnel is the transmission channel between the AGF-UP and the UPF.

[0143] For the transmission process of the downlink message, see Figure 4B , which specifically may include the following steps.

[0144] Step 401b, the AGF-UP receives the second message carried in the first fixed network session from the UPF network element, and the second message includes the user plane tunnel identifier of the user plane function network element.

[0145] Among them, the first fixed network session refers to the session established according to the steps described above Figure 3 .

[0146] Step 402b, after the AGF-UP receives the second message, it uses the first association relationship to determine the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier corresponding to the user plane tunnel identifier according to the session identifier corresponding to the first fixed network session.

[0147] Step 403b, the AGF-UP sends the second message to the 5G-RG through the virtual interface indicated by the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier.

[0148] That is to say, the AGF-UP encapsulates the second message using the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier and sends the encapsulated second message to the 5G-RG.

[0149] Step 404b, the 5G-RG receives the second message from the AGF.

[0150] In summary, based on the first association relationship, the connection established between the 5G-RG and the AGF is in one-to-one correspondence with the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the end-to-end connection of the user plane between the 5G-RG and the AGF, thereby ensuring the end-to-end service quality.

[0151] Embodiment 2

[0152] As Figure 5 shown, it is a schematic diagram of the second session establishment method flow provided by this application, which specifically may include the following steps.

[0153] Step 501, the 5G-RG sends a session creation request message to the SMF through the AGF-CP.

[0154] Among them, the session creation message, i.e., the session creation request message, is used to request the creation or modification of a first session. It can be a non-access stratum (NAS) message, and this NAS message contains a PDU session establishment request message for requesting the establishment of a PDU session.

[0155] Step 502, the SMF obtains the subscription data of the terminal from the UDM and determines whether there is an indication message in the first information in the subscription data.

[0156] If the first information is configured with an indication message, then perform steps 503 to 506 corresponding to Case 1 below; otherwise, perform steps 507 to 510 corresponding to Case 2 below.

[0157] Among them, the first information can refer to at least one of DNN and network switching information (such as S-NSSAI). For example, the UDM is pre-configured such that some DNNs have indication messages while some DNNs do not. If a DNN is configured with an indication message, this indication message is used to indicate that the SMF can carry the DNN in the N2 session management (SM) information when generating the N2 SM information. If a DNN is not configured with an indication message, the SMF does not need to carry the DNN in the N2 SM information. Another example is that the UDM is pre-configured such that some S-NSSAIs have indication messages while some S-NSSAIs do not. If an S-NSSAI is configured with an indication message, this indication message is used to indicate that the SMF can carry the S-NSSAI in the N2 SM information when generating the N2 SM information. If an S-NSSAI is not configured with an indication message, the SMF does not need to carry the S-NSSAI in the N2 SM information.

[0158] It should be noted that in another possible case, if the message obtained by the SMF from the PCF includes an indication message, the SMF needs to carry the DNN / S-NSSAI in the N2 SM information; otherwise, it does not need to carry the DNN / S-NSSAI in the N2 SM information.

[0159] Among them, the indication message can be access location information or access technology indication. For example, the access location information is line ID. The access technology indication is a wired access technology indication.

[0160] Case 1

[0161] Step 503, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then sends a session creation completion message, the session identifier of the created session, and the first information to the AGF-CP.

[0162] Among them, the session identifier of the created session may refer to the PDU session identifier (PDU session ID). Further, the session creation completion message may further include tunnel information of the UPF corresponding to the created session, such as including the general packet radio service (GPRS) tunnelling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U), and / or the tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID).

[0163] Among them, the SMF may send the session identifier of the created session and the first information to the AGF-CP through the N2-SM information. In addition, the N2-SM information may further include session parameter information such as QFI, quality of service flow configuration (QoS profile), CN tunnel information (CN Tunnel Info), and PDU session type.

[0164] Step 504, the AGF-CP receives the session identifier of the created session and the first information from the SMF network element, and establishes a first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0165] Specifically, the AGF-CP is pre-configured with a second association relationship between the first information and the virtual interface information. Therefore, the AGF-CP obtains the first information from the N2-SM information, and determines the virtual interface information corresponding to the first information according to the second association relationship, so as to establish a first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0166] Exemplarily, if the AGF-CP obtains the PDU session identifier and the DNN from the N2-SM information, the AGF-CP determines that the user plane service of this terminal needs to be distinguished by using the virtual interface information as the service identifier. Therefore, the AGF-CP generates user plane AS parameters according to the PDU session identifier and the DNN, and the pre-configured association relationship between the DNN and the VLAN ID, where the user plane AS parameters include the PDU session identifier and the VLAN ID corresponding to the PDU session identifier.

[0167] Step 505, the AGF-CP sends the session identifier and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to the 5G-RG.

[0168] Specifically, the AGF-CP may send AS parameters to the 5G-RG, where the AS parameters carry the session identifier and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to notify the 5G-RG of the association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0169] Step 506, the 5G-RG receives the session identifier from the AGF-CP and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier, and saves the association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0170] Further, after the 5G-RG and the AGF establish the association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information, the uplink and downlink packet transmission can be completed according to the process shown in Figure 4A and Figure 4B As shown, for details, please refer to the above content and will not be repeated here.

[0171] In Case 1, based on the first association relationship, the connection established between the 5G-RG and the AGF is in one-to-one correspondence with the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the end-to-end connection of the user plane between the 5G-RG and the AGF, thereby ensuring the end-to-end service quality. In addition, the fixed network differentiates user plane services based on virtual interface information, with good compatibility, enabling the smooth evolution of fixed network services to 5G systems.

[0172] Case 2

[0173] Step 507, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then sends a session creation completion message and the session identifier of the created session to the AGF-CP.

[0174] Step 508, if the AGF-CP determines that the N2-SM information does not carry the first information, the AGF-CP determines that the user plane service of the terminal needs to encapsulate QoS quality parameters (such as PDU Session ID, QFI, RQI, etc.) with a new protocol layer 5WE for user plane differentiation. That is, the AGF generates user plane AS parameters, where the user plane AS parameters include the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier.

[0175] In a specific implementation, the user plane data packet sent by the 5G RG is encapsulated with a 5WE header, and the PDU Session ID, QFI, RQI, etc. can be carried in the 5WE header. After the AGF receives the user plane data packet sent by the 5G RG, the AGF can identify the corresponding PDU session based on the PDU Session ID, QFI, and RQI in the 5EW header, and send the user plane data packet to the UPF network element using the user plane tunnel information corresponding to the PDU session.

[0176] Step 509, the AGF-CP sends the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier to the 5G-RG.

[0177] Specifically, the AGF-CP can notify the 5G-RG of the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier through the user plane AS parameters.

[0178] Step 510, the 5G-RG receives the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier from the AGF-CP, and saves the third association relationship between the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier.

[0179] In summary, if there is corresponding indication information for the DNN and S-NSSAI, it means that the PDU session established by the 5G-RG to this DNN requires a VLAN ID for user plane differentiation. If there is no corresponding indication information for the DNN / S-NSSAI, it means that the PDU session established by the 5G-RG to this DNN requires 5EW for user plane differentiation. The same 5G-RG can use different methods for user plane transmission according to the service scenario.

[0180] Embodiment III

[0181] As Figure 6 shown, it is a schematic flowchart of the third session establishment method provided by this application, which may specifically include the following steps.

[0182] Step 601, the 5G-RG sends a session creation request message to the SMF through the AGF-CP, and this session creation request message is used to request the creation or modification of the first session.

[0183] Among them, this session creation message may be a non-access stratum (NAS) message, and this NAS message contains a PDU session establishment request message for requesting the establishment of a PDU session.

[0184] Step 602, the SMF determines whether the first information is bound with corresponding virtual interface information.

[0185] Specifically, the SMF obtains the subscription data of the terminal from the UDM and determines whether the first information in the subscription data is bound with corresponding virtual interface information; or, the SMF determines whether the first information is bound with corresponding virtual interface information from the local configuration policy; or, the SMF determines whether the first information is bound with corresponding virtual interface information from the received policy information from the PCF.

[0186] If the first information is bound with corresponding virtual interface information, then execute steps 603 to 606 corresponding to Case 1 below, otherwise execute steps 607 to 610 corresponding to Case 2 below.

[0187] Among them, the first information may refer to DNN or network switching information (such as S-NSSAI). For example, the UDM is pre-configured such that some DNNs are bound with corresponding virtual interface information, while some DNNs are not bound with virtual interface information. If a DNN is bound with corresponding virtual interface information, the SMF may carry the virtual interface information in the N2 SM information when generating the N2 SM information. If a DNN is not bound with virtual interface information, the SMF does not include the virtual interface information in the N2 SM information. Another example is that the UDM is pre-configured such that some S-NSSAIs are bound with corresponding virtual interface information, while some S-NSSAIs are not bound with virtual interface information. If an S-NSSAI is bound with corresponding virtual interface information, the SMF may carry the virtual interface information in the N2 SM information when generating the N2 SM information. If an S-NSSAI is not bound with virtual interface information, the SMF does not include the virtual interface information in the N2 SM information.

[0188] Case 1

[0189] Step 603, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then sends a session creation completion message, the session identifier of the created session, and the virtual interface information to the AGF-CP.

[0190] Among them, the session identifier of the created session may refer to the PDU session identifier (PDU session ID). Further, the session creation completion message may further include the tunnel information of the UPF corresponding to the created session, for example, including the general packet radio service (GPRS) tunnelling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U), and / or the tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID).

[0191] Among them, the SMF may send the session identifier of the created session and the first information to the AGF-CP through the N2-SM information. In addition, the N2-SM information may further include session parameter information such as QFI, quality of service flow configuration (QoS profile), CN tunnel information (CN Tunnel Info), and PDU session type.

[0192] Step 604, the AGF-CP receives the session identifier of the created session and the virtual interface information from the SMF network element, and establishes a first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0193] Step 605, the AGF-CP sends the session identifier and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to the 5G-RG.

[0194] Specifically, the AGF-CP may send AS parameters to the 5G-RG, where the AS parameters carry the session identifier and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier, so as to notify the 5G-RG of the association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0195] Step 606, the 5G-RG receives the session identifier from the AGF-CP and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier.

[0196] Optionally, the 5G-RG saves the first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier.

[0197] Furthermore, after the 5G-RG and the AGF establish the first association relationship, the uplink and downlink packet transmission can be completed according to the process as Figure 4A and Figure 4B shown. Specifically, reference can be made to the above text, which will not be repeated here.

[0198] In Case 1, based on the first association relationship, the connection established between the 5G-RG and the AGF is one-to-one corresponding to the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the end-to-end user plane connection between the 5G-RG and the AGF, thereby ensuring the end-to-end service quality. In addition, the fixed network differentiates user plane services based on virtual interface information, with good compatibility, enabling the smooth evolution of fixed network services to the 5G system.

[0199] Case 2

[0200] Step 607, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then sends a session creation completion message and the session identifier of the created session to the AGF-CP.

[0201] Step 608, if the AGF-CP determines that the N2-SM information does not carry virtual interface information, the AGF-CP determines that the user plane service of the terminal needs to encapsulate QoS quality parameters (such as PDU Session ID, QFI, RQI, etc.) with a new protocol layer 5WE as user plane differentiation. That is, the AGF generates user plane AS parameters, where the user plane AS parameters include the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier.

[0202] In a specific implementation, the user plane data packet sent by the 5G RG is encapsulated with a 5WE header, and the 5WE header can carry the PDU Session ID, QFI, RQI, etc. After the AGF receives the user plane data packet sent by the 5G RG, the AGF can identify the corresponding PDU session based on the PDU Session ID, QFI, and RQI in the 5EW header, and send the user plane data packet to the UPF network element using the user plane tunnel information corresponding to the PDU session.

[0203] Step 609, the AGF-CP sends a third association relationship to the 5G-RG, and the third association relationship includes a PDU session identifier and a 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier.

[0204] Specifically, the AGF-CP can notify the 5G-RG of the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier through the user plane AS parameters.

[0205] Step 610, the 5G-RG receives the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier.

[0206] Optionally, the 5G-RG saves the association relationship between the 5WE session identifiers corresponding to the PDU session identifier.

[0207] In summary, if the DNN / S-NSSAI has a corresponding VLAN ID, it means that the PDU session established by the 5G-RG to this DNN requires the VLAN ID for user plane differentiation. If the DNN / S-NSSAI does not have a corresponding VLAN ID, it means that the PDU session established by the 5G-RG to this DNN requires 5EW for user plane differentiation. The same 5G-RG can use different methods for user plane transmission according to the service scenario.

[0208] Embodiment 4

[0209] As Figure 7 shown, it is a schematic flow diagram of the fourth session establishment method provided by this application, which may specifically include the following steps.

[0210] Step 701, the 5G-RG sends a session creation request message to the SMF through the AGF-CP. The session creation request message includes virtual interface information, and the session creation request message is used to request the creation or modification of a first session.

[0211] Among them, the session creation message can be a non-access stratum (NAS) message, and this NAS message contains a PDU Session Establishment Request message for requesting to establish a PDU session, or this NAS message contains a PDU Session Modification Request message for requesting to establish a PDU session. For example, when the 5G-RG initiates a PDU session, it directly extends the PDU Session Establishment / Modification Request to carry the VLAN ID.

[0212] Step 702, the SMF sends a session creation completion message, the session identifier corresponding to the created session, and virtual interface information to the AGF-CP.

[0213] Specifically, after receiving the session creation message from the AGF-CP, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then the SMF sends a session creation completion message and the session identifier of the created session to the AGF-CP through the AMF.

[0214] Among them, the session identifier of the created session can refer to the PDU session ID (PDU session ID). Further, the session creation completion message can also include the tunnel information of the UPF corresponding to the created session, such as including the general packet radio service (GPRS) tunnelling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U), and / or the tunnel endpoint ID (TEID).

[0215] Step 703, the AGF-CP establishes a first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information according to the session identifier corresponding to the created session and the virtual interface information from the SMF.

[0216] Step 704, the AGF-CP sends this first association relationship to the 5G-RG.

[0217] Specifically, the AGF-CP can send AS parameters to the 5G-RG, and the AS parameters carry the session identifier and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to notify the 5G-RG of the association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0218] Step 705, the 5G-RG receives the session identifier from the AGF-CP and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier.

[0219] Optionally, the 5G-RG saves the first association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information.

[0220] In this embodiment, by extending the PDU Session Establishment / Modification Request, the virtual interface information is carried in the PDU Session Establishment / Modification Request, so that in the session establishment process, the AGF and the 5G-RG establish the first association relationship between the session identifier corresponding to the created session and the virtual interface information. Subsequently, the AGF and the 5G-RG can use this first association relationship to complete the one-to-one correspondence between the connection established between the 5G-RG and the AGF and the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the end-to-end user plane connection between the 5G-RG and the AGF. After the 5G-RG and the AGF establish the first association relationship, they can complete the uplink and downlink packet transmission according to the process shown in Figure 4A and Figure 4B as shown. Specifically, reference can be made to the above text, which will not be repeated here.

[0221] Embodiment 5

[0222] As Figure 8 shown, it is a schematic flow diagram of another session establishment method provided by this application, which may specifically include the following steps.

[0223] Step 8301, the terminal sends a first message to the AGF-CP, and this first message is used to request to create or modify a first session.

[0224] Among them, the terminal can be a 5G-RG or an FN-RG. In a possible case, if the terminal is a 5G-RG, then this first message is a NAS message generated by the 5G-RG, and this NAS message can be a PDU session establishment request (PDU session establishment request) message or a PDU session modification request (PDU session modification request) message, that is, the 5G-RG notifies the SMF to establish a PDU session through the NAS message. In this step, the 5G-RG can first send a NAS message to the AN, and the NAS message is used to request to create or modify a PDU session, and then the AN forwards this NAS message to the AGF-CP. The AN does not parse the specific content of the NAS message, but directly forwards the received NAS message to the AGF-CP.

[0225] In addition, the 5G-RG also sends access stratum (AS) parameters to the AGF-CP. The AS parameters include virtual interface information or first information. The first information may include at least one of network slice information and DNN information. Among them, the virtual interface information is the virtual interface identifier between the 5G-RG (or FN-RG) and the AGF, and this virtual interface identifier can distinguish the information of the virtual channel for fixed network services. For example, the virtual interface information may be the virtual path identifier (VPI) or virtual channel identifier (VCI) information in a digital subscriber line (DSL), or the virtual local area network (VLAN) ID for Ethernet access, etc. Exemplarily, in the following text, the virtual interface information is taken as the VLAN ID for illustration. In addition, the above virtual interface identifier can also be sent through the L2 header, that is, the virtual interface information is carried in the L2 header. The NAS message and the AS parameters can be sent to the AGF-CP simultaneously, that is, the NAS message and the AS parameters are included in the L2 message at the same time. Optionally, the L2 header encapsulating the above L2 message contains the virtual interface identifier.

[0226] In another possible case, if the terminal is an FN-RG, the first message can be a DHCP discovery, DHCP request message, PPPoE PADI, or IPCP / IPv6CP configuration request message generated by the FN-RG, or any message in the DHCP process or PPPoE process. That is, the FN-RG initiates a DHCP process or PPPoE process to the AGF-CP to establish a connection between the FN-RG and the AGF-CP.

[0227] In addition, the FN-RG can also send the first information or virtual interface information to the AGF-CP. The first information or virtual interface information can be carried in the same message. For example, the first message is carried in the L2 header, and the L2 header can include the virtual interface information or the first information. It should be understood that the FN-RG is pre-configured with the correspondence between the service type (such as fixed network service) and the virtual interface information, or the correspondence between the service type and the first information. In this way, the FN-RG can first determine the virtual interface information corresponding to the fixed network service to be transmitted, or determine the first information corresponding to the fixed network service to be transmitted, so as to carry the virtual interface information or the first information in the L2 header.

[0228] It should be understood that in a possible implementation, the 5G-RG or FN-RG can obtain policy information from the PCF network element, and the policy information includes the virtual interface information. Optionally, the policy information further includes the correspondence between the service type (or service identifier) and the virtual interface information.

[0229] In another possible implementation, the 5G-RG or FN-RG can also obtain policy information from the PCF network element, and the policy information includes the first information. Optionally, the policy information further includes the correspondence between the service type (or service identifier) and the first information. Among them, the service type is such as network television service, video service, voice service or data service, etc., and the service identifier is such as service ID. In this way, the 5G-RG or FN-RG can first determine the virtual interface information corresponding to the fixed network service to be transmitted, or determine the first information corresponding to the fixed network service to be transmitted, and then send the virtual interface information or the first information to the AGF-CP.

[0230] Step 8302, the AGF-CP sends a session creation request message to the SMF, and this session creation request message is used to request the creation or modification of the first session.

[0231] In a possible case, when the terminal is a 5G-RG, this session creation request message is a (non-access stratum, NAS) message, and this NAS message can be a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message, that is, the 5G-RG notifies the SMF to establish a PDU session through the NAS message. After the AGF-CP receives the NAS message from the 5G-RG, the AGF-CP then forwards the NAS message to the AMF. After the AMF receives the session creation message from the AGF-CP, it continues to forward the above NAS message to the SMF, that is, notifies the SMF to complete the relevant operations of session creation on the core network control plane. In this process, the AGF-CP does not parse the specific content of the NAS message, but directly forwards the received NAS message.

[0232] In another possible scenario, when the terminal is an FN-RG, the AGF-CP generates a NAS message based on the first message sent by the FN-RG (such as any one of a DHCP discovery message, a DHCP request message, a PPPoE PADI, or an IPCP / IPv6CP configuration request message). The NAS message can be a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message, and then the AGF-CP forwards the NAS message to the AMF. After receiving the session creation message from the AGF-CP, the AMF continues to forward the above NAS message to the SMF, that is, notifies the SMF to complete the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane.

[0233] Step 8303: The SMF sends the session identifier corresponding to the created session to the AGF-CP.

[0234] Specifically, after receiving the NAS message from the AGF-CP, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then the SMF sends an N2 message to the AGF-CP through the AMF. The N2 message includes the session identifier of the created first session, where the session identifier of the created session can refer to a PDU session ID.

[0235] Optionally, the N2 message may further include the tunnel information of the UPF corresponding to the created first session, for example, including the general packet radio service (GPRS) tunnelling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U), and / or the tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID).

[0236] In a possible embodiment, the SMF may further send first information to the AGF-CP. The first information is the DNN information and / or network slice information of the first session corresponding to the session identifier. That is, after receiving the NAS message from the AGF-CP, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then the SMF sends an N2 message to the AGF-CP through the AMF. The N2 message includes the session identifier of the created session and the first information.

[0237] In other possible embodiments, the SMF may also send the virtual interface information corresponding to the first session to the AGF-CP. That is to say, after receiving the NAS message from the AGF-CP, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then the SMF sends an N2 message to the AGF-CP through the AMF. The N2 message includes the session identifier of the created session and the virtual interface information corresponding to the first session.

[0238] Step 8304, the SMF sends the address of the terminal corresponding to the first session to the AGF-CP.

[0239] It should be noted that step 8304 and 8303 may be executed in two separate steps, or may be executed in the same step, that is, the parameters in 8304 and 8303 are carried in the same process.

[0240] Among them, the address of the terminal is the address of the terminal allocated by the network side for the first session. Exemplarily, the address of the terminal may be the terminal IP address allocated by the network side for the first session. The address of the terminal may be carried in the response message of the NAS message. Exemplarily, the response message of the NAS message may be a PDU session establishment accept message or a PDU session modification command message. The response message also includes a session identifier (such as PDU Session ID). The above address of the terminal may be allocated by the SMF or by the UPF.

[0241] Step 8305, the AGF-CP sends at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information corresponding to the first session to the terminal.

[0242] That is to say, after the SMF sends a PDU session establishment acceptance message or a PDU session modification command message to the AGF-CP, in a possible scenario, when the terminal is a 5G-RG, the AGF-CP directly forwards the PDU session establishment acceptance message or the PDU session modification command message to the 5G-RG. Among them, the message includes a session identifier, or may also include the address of the terminal assigned by the network side to the terminal. In this process, the AGF-CP does not parse the specific content of the response message, but forwards the received response message, and the response message includes a session identifier and the address of the terminal. In addition, the AGF-CP sends virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to the terminal through AS parameters, that is, the AGF-CP notifies the 5G-RG of the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information.

[0243] In another possible scenario, when the terminal is an FN-RG, the AGF-CP parses the PDU session establishment acceptance message or the PDU session modification command message, obtains the address of the terminal and the session identifier (such as PDU Session ID), and sends the address of the terminal to the FN-RG through a DHCP response (such as DHCP response, DHCP ACK) message, or an IP configuration response (such as IPCP / IPv6CP configuration response, IPCP / IPv6CP configuration ACK) message. In addition, the AGF-CP can send virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to the FN-RG through an L2 header, that is, the AGF-CP notifies the FN-RG of the association relationship between the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information.

[0244] In a possible embodiment, in step 8304, the AGF-CP can also establish an association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information. The specific establishment method can be referred to the following method:

[0245] Method A. In a possible implementation, the AGF-CP can establish a first association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information according to the virtual interface information received through the above step 8301, and the session identifier and the address of the terminal received from the SMF. Then, the AGF-CP sends the session identifier and / or the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to the terminal.

[0246] In another possible implementation of Method B, after the AGF-CP receives the first message from the terminal and reallocates the target virtual interface information for the terminal according to the first information in the first message, the AGF-CP may establish a first association relationship between the session identifier and the target virtual interface information according to the reallocated target virtual interface information, as well as the session identifier received from the SMF and / or the address of the terminal. Then, the AGF-CP sends at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to the terminal.

[0247] In another possible implementation of Method C, the AGF-CP determines the virtual interface information corresponding to the first information according to the first information received from the terminal and the corresponding relationship between the first information and the virtual interface information saved by the AGF-CP. The AGF-CP may establish a first association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information according to the virtual interface information corresponding to the first information, as well as the session identifier received from the SMF and / or the address of the terminal. Then, the AGF-CP sends at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to the terminal.

[0248] In another possible implementation of Method D, if the AGF-CP receives the first information from the SMF, the AGF-CP may determine the virtual interface information corresponding to the first information according to the first information from the SMF and the corresponding relationship between the first information and the virtual interface information saved by the AGF-CP. The AGF-CP may establish an association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information according to the virtual interface information corresponding to the first information, as well as the session identifier received from the SMF and / or the address of the terminal. Then, the AGF-CP sends at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to the terminal.

[0249] In another possible implementation of Method E, if the AGF-CP receives the virtual interface information corresponding to the first session from the SMF, the AGF-CP may establish an association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information according to the virtual interface information corresponding to the first session, as well as the session identifier received from the SMF and / or the address of the terminal received through the above step 8303. Then, the AGF-CP sends at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier to the terminal.

[0250] Step 8306: The terminal receives at least one of the session identifier from the AGF-CP and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier.

[0251] In a possible implementation, if the terminal is a 5G-RG, the 5G-RG can obtain the terminal's address and session identifier (such as PDU Session ID) from the PDU session establishment reply message or PDU session update reply message from the AGF-CP. Thus, the 5G-RG can locally save the association relationship between the terminal's session identifier, the terminal's address, and the virtual interface information.

[0252] In another possible implementation, if the terminal is an FN-RG, the FN-RG can receive the terminal's address and virtual interface information from the AGF-CP, thereby establishing the association relationship between the terminal's address and the virtual interface information.

[0253] In a possible implementation, if the 5G-RG or FN-RG is pre-configured with the initial association relationship between the session identifier and the virtual interface information, after the 5G-RG or FN-RG receives the session identifier and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier from the AGF-CP, the 5G-RG or FN-RG can compare whether the virtual interface information in the initial association relationship is the same as the received virtual interface information. If they are different, it means that the AGF has re-allocated new virtual interface information for this session. Therefore, the 5G-RG or FN-RG updates the virtual interface information in the initial association relationship with the virtual interface information in the first association relationship.

[0254] In a possible implementation, after the AGF and the 5G-RG (or FN-RG) establish the association relationship between the virtual interface information corresponding to the created session and / or the terminal's address and the session identifier, the AGF and the 5G-RG (or FN-RG) can use this association relationship to complete the one-to-one correspondence between the connection established between the 5G-RG (or FN-RG) and the AGF and the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the end-to-end user plane connection between the 5G-RG (or FN-RG) and the AGF. The following is described in combination with the transmission process of the uplink and downlink packets.

[0255] Based on the session established according to the above method, the terminal can perform uplink and downlink data transmission. For the transmission process of the uplink packet, see Figure 9A , which specifically may include the following steps.

[0256] Step 9401a: The terminal sends a first packet carried in the first fixed network session to the AN.

[0257] Among them, the terminal can be a 5G-RG or an FN-RG, and the first packet includes virtual interface information. The first fixed network session refers to the first session established according to the steps described above. Figure 8 The first session established according to the steps described above.

[0258] It should be noted that different fixed network access methods may exist between the terminal and the AN. For different fixed network access methods, there are implementation methods of virtual interfaces between the terminal and the AN, enabling the AN to identify the service type of a packet based on the virtual interface information of the received packet.

[0259] Step 9402a: After the AN receives the first packet carried in the first fixed network session from the terminal, the AN sends the first packet to the AGF-UP.

[0260] Step 9403a: After the AGF-UP receives the first packet from the AN, the AGF-UP determines the session identifier corresponding to the virtual interface information by using the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address and the virtual interface information.

[0261] Step 9404a: The AGF-UP sends the first packet to the UPF through the user plane tunnel corresponding to the session identifier, where the user plane tunnel is the transmission channel between the AGF-UP and the UPF.

[0262] For the transmission process of the downlink packet, refer to Figure 9B , which may specifically include the following steps.

[0263] Step 9401b: The AGF-UP receives the second packet carried in the first fixed network session from the UPF network element, and the second packet includes the user plane tunnel identifier of the user plane function network element.

[0264] Among them, the first fixed network session refers to the first session established according to the steps Figure 8 described above.

[0265] Step 9402b: After the AGF-UP receives the second packet, the AGF-UP determines the corresponding virtual interface information according to the session identifier corresponding to the user plane tunnel identifier by using the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address and the virtual interface information.

[0266] Step 9403b: The AGF-UP sends the second packet to the terminal through the virtual interface indicated by the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier.

[0267] That is to say, the AGF-UP encapsulates the second packet with the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier and sends the encapsulated second packet to the terminal.

[0268] Step 9404b: The terminal receives the second packet from the AGF.

[0269] In summary, based on the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information, the connection established between the terminal and the AGF is one-to-one corresponding to the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the end-to-end user plane connection between the terminal and the AGF, thereby ensuring the end-to-end service quality.

[0270] Embodiment Six

[0271] As Figure 10 shown, it is a schematic flowchart of another session establishment method provided by this application, which may specifically include the following steps.

[0272] Step 10501: The terminal sends a first message to the AGF-CP, and this first message is used to request to create or modify a first session.

[0273] Exemplarily, the terminal may be a 5G-RG or an FN-RG. In a possible case, if the terminal is a 5G-RG, then this first message is a NAS message, and this NAS message may be a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message, that is, the 5G-RG notifies the SMF to establish a PDU session through the NAS message. In this step, the 5G-RG may first send a NAS message to the AN, and the NAS message is used to request to create or modify a PDU session, and then the AN forwards this NAS message to the AGF-CP. The AN does not parse the specific content of the NAS message, but directly forwards the received NAS message to the AGF-CP.

[0274] In another possible case, if the terminal is an FN-RG, the first message may be a DHCP discovery, a DHCP request message, a PPPoE PADI, or an IPCP / IPv6CP configuration request message, or any message in the DHCP process or the PPPoE process, that is, the FN-RG initiates a DHCP process or a PPPoE process to establish a connection between the FN-RG and the AGF-CP.

[0275] Step 10502: The AGF-CP sends a session creation request message to the SMF, and this session creation request message is used to request to create or modify a first session.

[0276] Exemplarily, the terminal can be a 5G-RG or an FN-RG. If the terminal is a 5G-RG, the session creation request can be a NAS, and the NAS message can be a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request message, that is, the 5G-RG notifies the SMF to establish a PDU session through the NAS message. After receiving the NAS message from the 5G-RG, the AGF-CP forwards the NAS message to the AMF. After receiving the session creation message from the AGF-CP, the AMF notifies the SMF to complete the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane. In this process, the AGF-CP does not parse the specific content of the NAS message but directly forwards the received NAS message.

[0277] If the terminal is an FN-RG, the AGF-CP generates a NAS message based on the first message sent by the FN-RG (such as a DHCP discovery, DHCP request message, PPPoE PADI, or IPCP / IPv6CP configuration request message, or any message in the DHCP process or PPPoE process). The NAS message can be a PDU session establishment request message or a PDU session modification request, and then forwards the NAS message to the AMF. After receiving the session creation message from the AGF-CP, the AMF notifies the SMF to complete the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane.

[0278] Step 10503: The SMF obtains the subscription data of the terminal and determines whether the subscription data includes indication information.

[0279] If the subscription data includes indication information, then execute steps 10504 to 10507 corresponding to Case 1 below; otherwise, execute steps 10508 to 10511 corresponding to Case 2 below. Among them, the indication information can be access location information or access technology indication. For example, the access location information is a line ID. The access technology indication is a wired access technology indication.

[0280] Among them, the subscribed data may refer to at least one of DNN and network slice information (such as S-NSSAI). For example, the SMF may obtain the subscribed data of the terminal from the UDM. The UDM is pre-configured such that some DNNs have indication information while some DNNs do not. If a DNN is configured with indication information, the indication information is used to indicate that the SMF may carry the DNN in the N2 session management (SM) information when generating the N2 SM information. If a DNN is not configured with indication information, the SMF does not need to carry the DNN in the N2 SM information. Another example is that the UDM is pre-configured such that some S-NSSAIs have indication information while some S-NSSAIs do not. If an S-NSSAI is configured with indication information, the indication information is used to indicate that the SMF may carry the S-NSSAI in the N2 SM information when generating the N2 SM information. If an S-NSSAI is not configured with indication information, the SMF does not need to carry the S-NSSAI in the N2 SM information.

[0281] It should be noted that in another possible case, if the message obtained by the SMF from the PCF includes indication information, the SMF needs to carry the DNN / S-NSSAI in the N2 SM information; otherwise, it does not need to carry the DNN / S-NSSAI in the N2 SM information. Case 1

[0282] Step 10504, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then sends at least one of the session identifier of the created first session and the address of the terminal, and the first information to the AGF-CP.

[0283] Among them, both the session identifier and the address of the terminal correspond to the created first session. The session identifier of the created first session may refer to the PDU session identifier (PDU session ID), and the address of the terminal is the address assigned to the terminal. Exemplarily, the address of the terminal may be the terminal IP address corresponding to the first session assigned by the network side to the terminal. In a possible embodiment, the SMF sends an N2 message to the AGF-CP. The N2 message includes the address of the terminal, the session identifier, and the first information. The N2 message may further include the tunnel information of the UPF corresponding to the created session, such as including the general packet radio service (GPRS) tunnelling protocol for the user plane (GTP-U), and / or the tunnel endpoint ID (TEID). In addition, the N2 message may further include session parameter information such as QFI, quality of service flow configuration (QoS profile), CN tunnel information (CN TunnelInfo), and PDU session type.

[0284] Step 10505, the AGF-CP receives at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal from the SMF network element, and the first information.

[0285] In a possible embodiment, the AGF-CP may further establish an association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information.

[0286] Specifically, the AGF-CP is preconfigured with the association relationship between the first information and the virtual interface information. Therefore, when the AGF-CP obtains the first information from the N2 message, according to the association relationship between the first information and the virtual interface information, it can determine the virtual interface information, thereby establishing the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information.

[0287] Exemplarily, if the AGF-CP obtains the PDU session identifier and DNN from the N2 information, the AGF-CP determines that the user plane service of this terminal needs to be distinguished by using the virtual interface information as the service identifier. Therefore, the AGF-CP establishes the association relationship between the PDU session identifier and the VLAN ID according to the PDU session identifier and DNN, and the preconfigured association relationship between the DNN and the VLAN ID. The AGF-CP may further generate user plane AS parameters, where the user plane AS parameters include the PDU session identifier and the VLAN ID corresponding to the PDU session identifier.

[0288] Step 10506, the AGF-CP sends at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address to the terminal, as well as the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier.

[0289] Specifically, the AGF-CP can send AS parameters to the terminal, where the AS parameters carry at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address, as well as the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier, to notify the terminal to establish the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address, and the virtual interface information.

[0290] Step 10507, the terminal receives at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address from the AGF-CP, as well as the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier.

[0291] In a possible embodiment, after the terminal receives at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address from the AGF-CP, as well as the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier, it locally saves the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address, and the virtual interface information.

[0292] In this embodiment, after the terminal and the AGF establish the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address, and the virtual interface information, the uplink and downlink packet transmission can be completed according to the process shown in Figure 9A and Figure 9B as shown above. For details, please refer to the above text and will not be repeated here.

[0293] In Case 1, based on the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address and the virtual interface information, the connection established between the terminal and the AGF is one-to-one corresponding to the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the end-to-end user plane connection between the terminal and the AGF, thus ensuring the end-to-end service quality. In addition, the fixed network differentiates user plane services based on virtual interface information, with good compatibility, enabling the smooth evolution of fixed network services to the 5G system.

[0294] Case 2

[0295] Step 10508, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then sends at least one of the session identifier of the created first session and the terminal address to the AGF-CP.

[0296] Step 10509: If the AGF-CP determines that the N2-SM information does not carry the first information, the AGF-CP determines that the user plane service of the terminal needs to encapsulate QoS quality parameters (such as PDU Session ID, QFI, RQI, etc.) with a new protocol layer 5WE for user plane differentiation. That is, the AGF generates user plane AS parameters, where the user plane AS parameters include the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier.

[0297] In a specific implementation, the user plane data packet sent by the 5G RG is encapsulated with a 5WE header, and the 5WE header can carry the PDU Session ID, QFI, RQI, etc. After the AGF receives the user plane data packet sent by the 5G RG, the AGF can identify the corresponding PDU session based on the PDU Session ID, QFI, and RQI in the 5EW header, and send the user plane data packet to the UPF network element using the user plane tunnel information corresponding to the PDU session.

[0298] Step 10510: The AGF-CP sends the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier to the terminal.

[0299] Specifically, the AGF-CP can notify the terminal of the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier through the user plane AS parameters.

[0300] Step 10511: The terminal receives the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier from the AGF-CP.

[0301] In a possible embodiment, the terminal can also save the association relationship between the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier.

[0302] In summary, if there is a corresponding indication information for the DNN / S-NSSAI, it means that the PDU session established by the terminal to this DNN needs the VLAN ID for user plane differentiation. If there is no corresponding indication information for the DNN / S-NSSAI, it means that the PDU session established by the terminal to this DNN needs 5EW for user plane differentiation. The same terminal can use different methods for user plane transmission according to the service scenario.

[0303] Embodiment Seven

[0304] As Figure 11 shown, it is a schematic diagram of another session establishment method flow provided by this application, which may specifically include the following steps.

[0305] Step 11601: The terminal sends a first message to the AGF-CP, and the first message is used to request to create or modify a first session.

[0306] See step 10501 above for details.

[0307] Step 11602: AGF-CP sends a session creation request message to the SMF. This session creation request message is used to request the creation or modification of the first session.

[0308] See step 10502 above for details.

[0309] Step 11603: The SMF obtains the subscription data and determines whether the first information is bound to the corresponding virtual interface information. If the first information is bound to the corresponding virtual interface information, then perform steps 11603 to 11606 corresponding to Case 1 below; otherwise, perform steps 11607 to 11610 corresponding to Case 2 below.

[0310] Specifically, the SMF obtains the subscription data of the terminal from the UDM and determines whether the first information in the subscription data is bound to the corresponding virtual interface information; or, the SMF determines whether the first information is bound to the corresponding virtual interface information from the local configuration policy; or, the SMF determines whether the first information is bound to the corresponding virtual interface information from the received policy information from the PCF. Among them, the first information may refer to DNN or network slice information (such as S-NSSAI). For example, the UDM is pre-configured with some DNNs bound to the corresponding virtual interface information, while some DNNs are not bound to the virtual interface information. If the DNN is bound to the corresponding virtual interface information, then the SMF can carry the virtual interface information in the N2 SM information when generating the N2 SM information. If the DNN is not bound to the virtual interface information, then the SMF does not include the virtual interface information in the N2 SM information. Another example, the UDM is pre-configured with some S-NSSAIs bound to the corresponding virtual interface information, while some S-NSSAIs are not bound to the virtual interface information. If the S-NSSAI is bound to the corresponding virtual interface information, then the SMF can carry the virtual interface information in the N2 SM information when generating the N2 SM information. If the S-NSSAI is not bound to the virtual interface information, then the SMF does not include the virtual interface information in the N2 SM information.

[0311] Case 1

[0312] Step 11604: The SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then sends at least one of the session identifier of the created first session and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information to the AGF-CP.

[0313] Among them, both the session identifier and the address of the terminal correspond to the created first session. The session identifier of the created first session may refer to the PDU session identifier (PDU session ID), and the address of the terminal is the address assigned to the terminal. Exemplarily, the address of the terminal may be the terminal IP address corresponding to the first session assigned by the network side to the terminal. For details, refer to step 10504 above.

[0314] Step 11605: The AGF-CP receives at least one of the session identifier of the created session and the address of the terminal from the SMF network element, and the virtual interface information.

[0315] In a possible embodiment, the AGF-CP may also establish an association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information.

[0316] Step 11606: The AGF-CP sends at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information to the terminal.

[0317] Specifically, the AGF-CP may send AS parameters to the terminal, where the AS parameters carry at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal, and the virtual interface information, to notify the terminal of the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information.

[0318] Step 11607: The terminal receives the session identifier from the AGF-CP and the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier.

[0319] In a possible embodiment, the terminal may also locally save the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information.

[0320] In this embodiment, after the terminal and the AGF establish the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information, the uplink and downlink packet transmissions can be completed according to the process shown in Figure 9A and Figure 9B as shown above. For details, refer to the above text and will not be repeated here.

[0321] In Case 1, based on the association relationship between at least one of the session identifier and the address of the terminal and the virtual interface information, the connection established between the terminal and the AGF is one-to-one corresponding to the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the end-to-end user plane connection between the terminal and the AGF, thus ensuring the end-to-end service quality. In addition, the fixed network differentiates user plane services based on the virtual interface information, with good compatibility, enabling the smooth evolution of fixed network services to the 5G system.

[0322] Case 2

[0323] Step 11608, the SMF completes the relevant operations for creating a session in the core network control plane, and then sends at least one of the session identifier of the created session and the address of the terminal to the AGF-CP.

[0324] Step 11609, if the AGF-CP determines that the N2-SM information does not carry virtual interface information, the AGF-CP determines that the user plane service of the terminal needs to encapsulate QoS quality parameters (such as PDU Session ID, QFI, RQI, etc.) with a new protocol layer 5WE for user plane differentiation. That is, the AGF generates user plane AS parameters, where the user plane AS parameters include a PDU session identifier and a 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier.

[0325] In a specific implementation, the user plane data packet sent by the 5G RG is encapsulated with a 5WE header, and the 5WE header can carry the PDU Session ID, QFI, RQI, etc. After the AGF receives the user plane data packet sent by the 5G RG, the AGF can identify the corresponding PDU session based on the PDU Session ID, QFI, and RQI in the 5EW header, and send the user plane data packet to the UPF network element using the user plane tunnel information corresponding to the PDU session.

[0326] Step 11610, the AGF-CP sends the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier to the terminal.

[0327] Specifically, the AGF-CP can notify the terminal of the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier corresponding to the PDU session identifier through the user plane AS parameters.

[0328] Step 11611, the terminal receives the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier from the AGF-CP.

[0329] In a possible embodiment, the terminal can also save the association relationship between the PDU session identifier and the 5WE session identifier.

[0330] In summary, if the DNN / S-NSSAI has a corresponding VLAN ID, it means that the PDU session established by the terminal to this DNN requires the VLAN ID for user plane differentiation. If the DNN / S-NSSAI does not have a corresponding VLAN ID, it means that the PDU session established by the terminal to this DNN requires 5EW for user plane differentiation. The same terminal can use different methods for user plane transmission according to the service scenario.

[0331] Embodiment Eight

[0332] As Figure 12As shown in the figure, it is a schematic flowchart of another session establishment method provided by this application, which may specifically include the following steps.

[0333] Step 12801, the terminal sends the first service information to the AGF-CP.

[0334] Among them, the first service information includes domain name information and / or virtual interface information.

[0335] In a possible implementation, the terminal also sends the identifier of the terminal to the AGF-CP. The identifier of the terminal includes the user identifier in the IP address, MAC address, or network access identifier NAI.

[0336] Step 12802, the AGF-CP receives the first service information from the terminal.

[0337] Step 12803, the AGF-CP sends a session creation request message to the SMF. The session creation request message includes the second service information corresponding to the first service information, and the session creation request message is used to request to create or modify the first session of the terminal.

[0338] Among them, the second service information includes the data network name DNN and / or network slice information.

[0339] Optionally, in this step 12803, the AGF-CP also determines the second service information corresponding to the first service information. In a possible implementation, the AGF-CP sends a request message to the first network element (such as BBF-AAA), and the request message includes the first service information; the AGF-CP receives a response message from the first network element, and the response message includes the second service information. Specifically, please refer to Figure 13 the method steps shown in the figure. In another possible implementation, the AGF-CP sends the first message #1 to the AMF, and the first message #1 includes the first service information; the AGF-CP receives a second message from the AMF, and the second message includes the second service information. Specifically, please refer to Figure 14 the method steps shown in the figure.

[0340] Step 12804, the SMF sends the address of the terminal to the AGF-CP, and the address of the terminal corresponds to the first session.

[0341] Step 12805, the AGF-CP sends the first service information and the address of the terminal to the terminal.

[0342] Or rather, the AGF-CP sends the first service information and the address of the terminal corresponding to the first service information to the terminal.

[0343] In a possible implementation, if the AGF-CP receives the identifier of the terminal in step 12801, then in this step 12805, the AGF-CP may also send the identifier of the terminal to the terminal. That is to say, the AGF-CP sends the first service information, the identifier of the terminal, and the corresponding address of the terminal to the terminal. Optionally, the AGF-CP stores the correspondence between the identifier of the terminal and the first service information and the address of the terminal.

[0344] In a possible implementation, the AGF-CP stores the correspondence between the first service information and the second service information.

[0345] In a possible implementation, the AGF-CP receives the identifier of the first session from the session management function network element; the AGF-CP stores the correspondence between the identifier of the terminal, the first service information, and the identifier of the first session.

[0346] Optionally, the method further includes step 12806, where the terminal stores the correspondence between the first service information and the address of the terminal.

[0347] In this way, the terminal can establish the correspondence between the first service information and the address of the terminal. The AGF and the terminal can use this association relationship to complete the one-to-one correspondence between the connection established between the terminal and the AGF and the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the user plane end-to-end connection between the terminal and the AGF.

[0348] For a more systematic elaboration, the following combines Figure 13 the method shown in Figure 14 and the method described in

[0349] As Figure 13 shown, it is a schematic diagram of another session establishment method flow provided by this application, which may specifically include the following steps.

[0350] Step 13801, the terminal sends a first message to the AGF-CP, and the first message includes first service information.

[0351] Optionally, the first service information includes at least one of domain name information and virtual interface information. The domain name information may also be the domain name information in the network access ID (NAI), where the NAI includes at least one of user identification or domain name information.

[0352] In this step, the terminal may be an FN-RG, and the first message may be a point-to-point protocol over ethernet (PPPoE) message (i.e., a PPPoE active discovery initiation (PADI) message, or a PPPoE active discovery request (PADR) message, applicable to IPv4 or IPv6 address requests), or a DHCP message (i.e., a discovery message, or a request message, applicable to IPv4 or IPv6 address requests), or an RS message (applicable to IPv6 address requests), or any message in the DHCP process or the PPPoE process. That is, the FN-RG initiates a DHCP process or a PPPoE process to the AGF-CP to establish a connection between the FN-RG and the AGF-CP.

[0353] Optionally, the FN-RG may also send the identifier of the terminal to the AGF-CP. The identifier of the terminal includes at least one of an IP address, a MAC address, or a user identifier in the network access identifier (NAI).

[0354] Exemplarily, the first message is carried in the L2 header, and the L2 header may include virtual interface information and / or NAI information. For another example, the NAI information and / or the virtual interface information may be carried in the first message. The NAI contains user identifier and domain name information. Exemplarily, the NAI information may be indicated in the following format: user ID@domain name. For example, David@CMCC.com. The specific content of the virtual interface information can be referred to the above embodiments.

[0355] It should be understood that the FN-RG obtains the correspondence between the service type (or service identifier) and the virtual interface information (obtained based on pre-configured or policy information sent by the ACS or PCF), or obtains the correspondence between the service type (or service identifier) and the NAI information (obtained based on pre-configured or policy information sent by the ACS or PCF). For example, the service type includes services such as Internet TV service, video service, voice service, or data service, and the service identifier is such as a service ID. The above correspondence may be configured by the ACS or PCF for the FN-RG, or based on the local policy of the FN-RG. In this way, the FN-RG can first determine the virtual interface information corresponding to the fixed network service to be transmitted, or determine the NAI information corresponding to the fixed network service to be transmitted, and then send the virtual interface information or the NAI information to the AGF-CP.

[0356] In a possible embodiment, the AGF may receive multiple first messages sent by the FN-RG. Different first messages carry different NAI information or virtual interface information, and different first messages are used to request the creation or modification of different sessions.

[0357] Step 13802, the AGF-CP sends a request message to the first network element. The request message is used to request second service information.

[0358] Wherein, the second service information includes DNN and / or network slice information. Optionally, the request message includes first service information.

[0359] Exemplarily, the first network element is the Broadband Forum - Authentication / Authorization / Accounting (BBF-AAA). The AGF-CP sends a request message to the BBF-AAA, and the request message includes domain name information.

[0360] Step 13803, the first network element sends a response message to the AGF-CP. The response message includes the second service information.

[0361] Wherein, the second service information corresponds to the first service information. The second service information is used to determine virtual interface information or domain name information for user plane data transmission between the terminal and the access gateway function network element.

[0362] In a possible embodiment, the first network element also authenticates the FN-RG based on the NAI information. When the authentication is successful, it sends the second service information to the AGF-CP.

[0363] Optionally, the method further includes step 12804, where the AGF-CP saves the correspondence between the first service information and the second service information.

[0364] Step 13805, the AGF sends a session creation request message to the SMF. The session creation request message is used to request the creation or modification of a first session. The session creation request message includes the second service information corresponding to the first service information.

[0365] It should be understood that, optionally, before the AGF proxies the FN-RG to request the creation or modification of the first session from the SMF, the AGF also proxies the FN-RG to initiate a registration process to the 5GC. For the successfully registered FN-RG, the AGF-CP requests the creation or modification of the first session from the SMF based on the correspondence stored in the above step 12804.

[0366] Step 13806, the SMF sends the address of the terminal to the AGF-CP. The address of the terminal corresponds to the first session.

[0367] Specifically, after receiving the session creation request message from the AGF-CP, the SMF completes the relevant operations for session creation on the core network control plane, and then the SMF sends the address of the terminal of the first session to the AGF-CP through the AMF. Among them, the address of the terminal is the address assigned to the terminal, and the address of the terminal can be the terminal IP address of the first session assigned by the network side to the terminal. Exemplarily, the address of the terminal assigned by the SMF for the first session, or the address of the terminal assigned by the UPF for the first session, and then the UPF sends it to the AGF-CP through the SMF.

[0368] Optionally, the method further includes step 13807, where the AGF-CP receives the identifier of the first session from the SMF.

[0369] In this step, the identifier of the first session may refer to the PDU session identifier (PDU session ID). In a possible embodiment, the AGF-CP also stores the correspondence between the identifier of the terminal, the first service information, and the identifier of the first session.

[0370] Step 13808, after receiving the address of the terminal, the AGF-CP sends the first service information and the address of the terminal to the terminal.

[0371] Or rather, the AGF-CP sends the correspondence between the first service information and the address of the terminal to the terminal.

[0372] Exemplarily, the AGF-CP may send the address of the terminal to the FN-RG through an IP configuration message, or a DHCP message (such as a DHCP ACK message), or a RA message.

[0373] In a possible embodiment, when the AGF-CP receives multiple first messages sent from the FN-RG, different first messages carry different domain name information or virtual interface information, and correspond to different sessions. Therefore, when the AGF-CP sends the address of the terminal to the FN-RG, it also needs to send at least one of the domain name information and the virtual interface information to the FN-RG. That is to say, the AGF uses the correspondence between at least one of the stored domain name information and virtual interface information and the session identifier, and determines the domain name information and / or virtual interface information according to the session identifier of the first session, so as to send at least one of the domain name information and the virtual interface information and the address of the terminal to the FN-RG, so that the FN-RG can determine the session corresponding to the address of the terminal.

[0374] Step 13809, the terminal receives the address of the terminal from the AGF-CP, and the address of the terminal corresponds to the first service information.

[0375] In a possible embodiment, after the terminal receives the address of the terminal from the AGF-CP, it saves the correspondence between the first service information and the address of the terminal.

[0376] In a possible embodiment, the terminal also receives the identifier of the terminal from the AGF-CP, and the identifier of the terminal corresponds to the first service information.

[0377] In this way, the FN-RG can also establish the correspondence between the first service information and the address of the terminal. The AGF and the FN-RG can utilize this association relationship to complete the one-to-one correspondence between the connection established between the FN-RG and the AGF and the service quality flow of the PDU session, realizing the user plane end-to-end connection between the FN-RG and the AGF.

[0378] As Figure 14 shown, it is a schematic diagram of another session establishment method flow provided by this application, which may specifically include the following steps.

[0379] Step 14901 is the same as step 13801.

[0380] Step 14902, the AGF-CP sends the first message #1 of the FN-RG to the AMF. The first message #1 carries the first service information, and the first message #1 is used to request to register the FN-RG to the core network or request to establish or update a session.

[0381] Exemplarily, the first message #1 can be a registration request message, or a session request message or a session update message.

[0382] Step 14903, the AMF or the SMF sends a second message to the AGF-CP.

[0383] Specifically, the AMF or the SMF obtains the terminal subscription data from the UDM. The subscription data contains the second service information, or the correspondence between the first service information and at least one of the NAI information and the virtual interface information. The AMF or the SMF sends a second message to the AGF-CP. The second message includes the second service information, or the correspondence between the second service information and the first service information. Among them, the second message can be a registration response message, or a response message, or a reply message, or a request message. The second service information includes at least one of network slice information and DNN information, and the second service information corresponds to at least one of the first service information. The second service information is used to determine the first service information for the user plane data transmission between the terminal and the access gateway function network element.

[0384] Optionally, the 5GC completes the authentication and / or access authentication of the FN-RG. For the FN-RG with successful authentication, the UDM sends the second service information (or the correspondence between the first service information and the second service information) to the AMF or the SMF, and then the AMF or the SMF sends the second service information (or the correspondence between the first service information and the second service information) to the AGF-CP.

[0385] Optionally, the FN-RG may obtain policy information from a policy control function network element, and the policy information includes the second service information corresponding to the first service information.

[0386] Optionally, the method further includes step 14904, where the AGF-CP saves the correspondence between the first service information and the second service information.

[0387] Step 14905, the AGF sends a session creation request message to the SMF. The session creation request message is used to request the creation or modification of a first session, and the session creation request message includes the second service information corresponding to the first service information.

[0388] Exemplarily, the AGF initiates a session establishment or modification process, where the session creation request message carries the corresponding DNN and / or slice information.

[0389] In a possible embodiment, the FN-RG may also perform the authentication of the FN-RG to the BBF-AAA server based on the secondary authentication process of the PDU session. For example, the username / password information of the FN-RG is passed to the BBF-AAA service through the PDU session. The BBF-AAA server authenticates the FN-RG based on the username and password.

[0390] Step 14906, the SMF sends the address of the terminal to the AGF-CP, and the address of the terminal corresponds to the second service information.

[0391] Wherein, the address of the terminal is the address assigned to the terminal. Exemplarily, the address of the terminal may be the terminal IP address of the first session assigned to the terminal by the network side. The address of the terminal may be carried in the response message of the NAS message. Exemplarily, the response message of the NAS message may be a PDU session establishment reply message (PDU session establishmentAccept) or a PDU session update reply (PDU session modification command) message. The response message also includes a session identifier (such as a PDU session ID).

[0392] Step 14907 is the same as the above step 13808.

[0393] Step 14908 is the same as the above Step 13809.

[0394] The difference between the above method and Figure 13 the method shown is that the correspondence between the virtual interface information or domain name information and the first information is not sent by the first network element, but is sent by the 5GC to the AGF-CP.

[0395] It should be noted that the session creation request message mentioned in the above embodiments and subsequent embodiments is used to request the creation of a session. This session creation request message is just a name. In actual applications, it can also be replaced by other names. For example, it can be replaced by the following names but not limited to the following: message for requesting the creation of a session, first message, request message, session request message, request to create a session message, session modification request message, session modification message, etc.

[0396] Similarly, for the session creation completion message mentioned in the above embodiments and subsequent embodiments, which is used to indicate the completion of session creation, this session creation completion message is also just a name. In actual applications, it can also be replaced by other names. For example, it can be replaced by the following names but not limited to the following: message for indicating the completion of session creation, first message, response message, session completion indication message, session completion message, session modification completion message, session modification response message, etc.

[0397] Regarding the above Embodiment 1 to Embodiment 8, it should be noted that: (1) Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 8 above can be separately implemented in different scenarios, or can be combined and implemented in the same scenario. Moreover, the different solutions involved in different embodiments can also be combined and implemented, without specific limitation.

[0398] (2) The step numbers in the flowcharts described in the embodiments of the present application are only examples of the execution process and do not constitute a limitation on the order of execution of the steps. There is no strict execution order between the steps that have no temporal dependence relationship in the embodiments of the present application.

[0399] The above mainly introduces the solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application from the perspective of the interaction between network devices and terminals. It can be understood that in order to implement the above functions, the network device or terminal may include the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, combining the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this article, the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the way of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0400] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal and the network device can be divided into functional units according to the above method examples. For example, each functional unit can be corresponding to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0401] In the case of adopting the integrated unit, Figure 15 FIG. shows a possible exemplary block diagram of the device involved in the embodiments of the present application. As Figure 15 shown, the device 1500 may include: a processing unit 1502 and a communication unit 1503. The processing unit 1502 is used to control and manage the operations of the device 1500. The communication unit 1503 is used to support the communication between the device 1500 and other devices. Optionally, the communication unit 1503 is also referred to as a transceiver unit, and may include a receiving unit and / or a transmitting unit, which are respectively used to perform receiving and transmitting operations. The device 1500 may further include a storage unit 1501, which is used to store the program code and / or data of the device 1500.

[0402] The device 1500 may be the terminal in any of the above embodiments, or may also be a chip disposed in the terminal. The processing unit 1502 may support the device 1500 to perform the operations of the terminal in the above method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 1502 mainly performs the internal operations of the terminal in the method examples, and the communication unit 1503 may support the communication between the device 1500 and the network device.

[0403] The device 1500 may be the network device in any of the above embodiments, or may also be a chip disposed in the network device. The processing unit 1502 may support the device 1500 to perform the operations of the network device in the above method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 1502 mainly performs the internal operations of the network device in the method examples, and the communication unit 1503 may support the communication between the device 1500 and the network device. For example, the processing unit 1502 may be used to perform the internal operations of the network device in the method examples; the communication unit 1503 may be used to support the communication between the device 1500 and the terminal.

[0404] It should be understood that the division of units in the above device is only a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or physically separated. And the units in the device can all be implemented in the form of software called by a processing element; they can also all be implemented in the form of hardware; or some units can be implemented in the form of software called by a processing element, and some units can be implemented in the form of hardware. For example, each unit can be a separately established processing element, or can be integrated in a certain chip of the device. In addition, it can also be stored in the memory in the form of a program and called and executed by a certain processing element of the device to perform the functions of the unit. In addition, all or part of these units can be integrated together or can be independently implemented. The processing element mentioned here can also be a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method or each of the above units can be implemented through the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in the processor element or in the form of software called by the processing element.

[0405] In one example, the units in any of the above devices can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method. For example: one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. Again, when the units in the device can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler, the processing element can be a processor, such as a general central processing unit (CPU), or other processors that can call programs. Again, these units can be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0406] The above unit for receiving is an interface circuit of the device, used to receive signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the receiving unit is the interface circuit of the chip for receiving signals from other chips or devices. The above unit for sending is an interface circuit of the device, used to send signals to other devices. For example, when the device is implemented in the form of a chip, the sending unit is the interface circuit of the chip for sending signals to other chips or devices.

[0407] Please refer to Figure 16, which is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal provided by an embodiment of the present application. It can be the terminal in the above embodiments and is used to implement the operations of the terminal in the above embodiments. As Figure 16 shown, the terminal includes: an antenna 1610, a radio frequency part 1620, and a signal processing part 1630. The antenna 1610 is connected to the radio frequency part 1620. In the downlink direction, the radio frequency part 1620 receives the information sent by the network device through the antenna 1610 and sends the information sent by the network device to the signal processing part 1630 for processing. In the uplink direction, the signal processing part 1630 processes the information of the terminal and sends it to the radio frequency part 1620. After the radio frequency part 1620 processes the information of the terminal, it is sent to the network device through the antenna 1610.

[0408] The signal processing part 1630 may include a modulation and demodulation subsystem for implementing the processing of each communication protocol layer of the data; it may also include a central processing subsystem for implementing the processing of the terminal operating system and the application layer.

[0409] The modulation and demodulation subsystem may include one or more processing elements 1631. For example, it includes a main control CPU and other integrated circuits. In addition, the modulation and demodulation subsystem may also include a storage element 1632 and an interface circuit 1633. The storage element 1632 is used to store data and programs, but the programs for executing the methods executed by the terminal in the above methods may not be stored in the storage element 1632, but in a memory outside the modulation and demodulation subsystem, and are loaded and used by the modulation and demodulation subsystem during use. The interface circuit 1633 is used to communicate with other subsystems.

[0410] The modulation and demodulation subsystem can be implemented by a chip. The chip includes at least one processing element and an interface circuit, where the processing element is used to execute each step of any of the methods executed by the above terminal, and the interface circuit is used to communicate with other devices. In one implementation, the units for implementing each step of the above method in the terminal can be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler. For example, the device for the terminal includes a processing element and a storage element, and the processing element calls the program stored in the storage element to execute the method executed by the terminal in the above method embodiments. The storage element can be a storage element on the same chip as the processing element, that is, an on-chip storage element.

[0411] In another implementation, the program for executing the method executed by the terminal in the above method can be in a storage element on a different chip from the processing element, that is, an off-chip storage element. At this time, the processing element calls or loads the program from the off-chip storage element onto the on-chip storage element to call and execute the method executed by the terminal in the above method embodiments.

[0412] In yet another implementation, the units in the terminal that implement the various steps in the above method may be configured as one or more processing elements, which are disposed on the modulation and demodulation subsystem. These processing elements may be integrated circuits, such as: one or more ASICs, or, one or more DSPs, or, one or more FPGAs, or a combination of these types of integrated circuits. These integrated circuits may be integrated together to form a chip.

[0413] The units in the terminal that implement the various steps in the above method may be integrated together and implemented in the form of an SOC. This SOC chip is used to implement the above method. At least one processing element and a storage element may be integrated in this chip, and the method executed by the above terminal is implemented in the form of a program stored in the storage element being called by the processing element; or, at least one integrated circuit may be integrated in this chip to implement the method executed by the above terminal; or, the above implementation manners may be combined, and the functions of some units are implemented in the form of a program called by the processing element, and the functions of some units are implemented in the form of an integrated circuit.

[0414] It can be seen that the device for the terminal described above may include at least one processing element and an interface circuit, where at least one processing element is used to execute any method executed by the terminal provided in the above method embodiments. The processing element may execute some or all of the steps executed by the terminal in a first manner: that is, by calling a program stored in the storage element; or in a second manner: that is, by combining the integrated logic circuit in the processor element with instructions to execute some or all of the steps executed by the terminal; of course, some or all of the steps executed by the terminal may also be executed by combining the first manner and the second manner.

[0415] The processing element here is the same as described above and may be implemented by a processor. The function of the processing element may be the same as the function of the Figure 15 processing unit described therein. Exemplarily, the processing element may be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU, or may also be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as: one or more ASICs, or, one or more microprocessor DSPs, or, one or more FPGAs, etc., or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. The storage element may be implemented by a memory, and the function of the storage element may be the same as the function of the Figure 15 storage unit described therein. The storage element may be implemented by a memory, and the function of the storage element may be the same as the function of the Figure 15 storage unit described therein. The storage element may be a single memory or a collective term for multiple memories.

[0416] Figure 16 The terminal shown is capable of implementing each process related to 5G-RG or FN-RG in the above method embodiments. Figure 15The operations and / or functions of the respective modules in the terminal shown are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, the detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0417] Please refer to Figure 17 , which is a schematic structural diagram of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present application. It is used to implement the operations of the network device in the above embodiments. As Figure 17 shown, the network device includes: an antenna 1701, a radio frequency device 1702, and a baseband device 1703. The antenna 1701 is connected to the radio frequency device 1702. In the uplink direction, the radio frequency device 1702 receives the information sent by the terminal through the antenna 1701 and sends the information sent by the terminal to the baseband device 1703 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband device 1703 processes the information of the terminal and sends it to the radio frequency device 1702. After the radio frequency device 1702 processes the information of the terminal, it is sent to the terminal through the antenna 1701.

[0418] The baseband device 1703 may include one or more processing elements 17031. For example, it includes a main control CPU and other integrated circuits. In addition, the baseband device 1703 may further include a storage element 17032 and an interface 17033. The storage element 17032 is used to store programs and data; the interface 17033 is used to interact with the radio frequency device 1702. This interface is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI). The above devices for the network device may be located in the baseband device 1703. For example, the above devices for the network device may be chips on the baseband device 1703. The chip includes at least one processing element and an interface circuit. The processing element is used to execute each step of any method executed by the above network device, and the interface circuit is used to communicate with other devices. In one implementation, the units for the network device to implement each step in the above method may be implemented in the form of a processing element scheduler. For example, the devices for the network device include a processing element and a storage element. The processing element calls the program stored in the storage element to execute the method executed by the network device in the above method embodiments. The storage element may be an on-chip storage element on the same chip as the processing element, that is, an on-chip storage element, or a storage element on a different chip from the processing element, that is, an off-chip storage element.

[0419] In another implementation, the units in the network device that implement the various steps in the above method may be configured as one or more processing elements, which are disposed on the baseband device. These processing elements may be integrated circuits. For example: one or more ASICs, or one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of these types of integrated circuits. These integrated circuits may be integrated together to form a chip.

[0420] The units in the network device that implement the various steps in the above method may be integrated together and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC). For example, the baseband device includes this SOC chip for implementing the above method. At least one processing element and a storage element may be integrated in this chip, and the method executed by the above network device is implemented in the form of a program stored in the storage element being called by the processing element; or, at least one integrated circuit may be integrated in this chip for implementing the method executed by the above network device; or, the above implementation manners may be combined, and the functions of some units are implemented in the form of a program called by the processing element, and the functions of some units are implemented in the form of an integrated circuit.

[0421] It can be seen that the device for the network device described above may include at least one processing element and an interface circuit, where at least one processing element is used to execute any method executed by the network device provided in the above method embodiments. The processing element may execute some or all of the steps executed by the network device in the first way: that is, by calling the program stored in the storage element; or in the second way: that is, by combining the integrated logic circuit in the processor element with instructions to execute some or all of the steps executed by the network device; of course, some or all of the steps executed by the above network device may also be executed by combining the first way and the second way.

[0422] The processing element here is the same as described above and may be implemented by a processor. The function of the processing element may be the same as the function of the Figure 17 processing unit described therein. Exemplarily, the processing element may be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU, or may also be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method. For example: one or more ASICs, or one or more microprocessor DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, etc., or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. The storage element may be implemented by a memory, and the function of the storage element may be the same as the function of the Figure 15 storage unit described therein. The storage element may be implemented by a memory, and the function of the storage element may be the same as the function of the Figure 15 storage unit described therein. The storage element may be a single memory or a collective term for multiple memories.

[0423] Figure 17The network device shown can implement each process of the network device involved in the above method embodiments. Figure 17 The operations and / or functions of each module in the network device shown are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, reference can be made to the descriptions in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, the detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0424] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of an all-hardware embodiment, an all-software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0425] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram can be implemented by computer program instructions, and the combination of the processes and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram can also be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing devices to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing devices generate a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0426] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory generate a manufactured product including an instruction device, and the instruction device implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0427] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, so that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to generate a computer-implemented process. Therefore, the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0428] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, including: Sending a session creation request message to a session management function network element, where the session creation request message is used to request the creation or modification of a first session; Receiving at least one of a session identifier and a terminal address from the session management function network element, where both the session identifier and the terminal address correspond to the first session; Obtaining virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier, where the virtual interface information is a virtual interface identifier between the terminal and an access gateway function network element, and the virtual interface identifier is used to distinguish virtual channels for fixed network services; Sending at least one of the session identifier and the terminal address to the terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The obtaining of the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier includes: Receiving an access layer message from the terminal, where the access layer message includes the virtual interface information; Determining that the virtual interface information corresponds to the session identifier.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending the virtual interface information to the terminal.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The obtaining of the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier includes: Allocating virtual interface information for the first session; Determining that the virtual interface information corresponds to the session identifier.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The obtaining of the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier includes: Receiving first information from the terminal, where the first information is data network name (DNN) information and / or network slice information corresponding to the session identifier; Determining the virtual interface information corresponding to the DNN information and / or the network slice information, and determining that the virtual interface information corresponds to the session identifier.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein The obtaining of the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier includes: Receiving first information from the session management function network element, where the first information is DNN information and / or network slice information corresponding to the session identifier; Determining the virtual interface information corresponding to the first information.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The obtaining of the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier includes: Receiving a message from the session management function network element, where the message includes the virtual interface information corresponding to the first session.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, It further includes: Receiving a first packet from the terminal, where the first packet includes the virtual interface information; Sending the first packet to a user plane function network element through a user plane tunnel corresponding to the session identifier according to the session identifier corresponding to the virtual interface information, where the user plane tunnel is a transmission channel between the access gateway function network element and the user plane function network element.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that It further includes: Receiving a second packet from the user plane function network element, where the second packet includes a user plane tunnel identifier of the user plane function network element; Determining the virtual interface information corresponding to the session identifier according to the session identifier corresponding to the user plane tunnel identifier, and sending the second packet to the terminal through the virtual interface corresponding to the virtual interface information, where the virtual interface is a virtual interface between the terminal and the access gateway function network element.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, including: Sending a first message to an access gateway function network element, where the first message is used to request the creation or modification of a first session; Obtain virtual interface information, where the virtual interface information corresponds to the first session, and the virtual interface information is a virtual interface identifier between a terminal and an access gateway function network element, and the virtual interface identifier is used to distinguish virtual channels for fixed network services.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The obtaining of the virtual interface information includes: Before sending the first message to the access gateway function network element, receive the virtual interface information from the access gateway function network element.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The obtaining of the virtual interface information includes: Obtain policy information from a policy control function network element, where the policy information includes the virtual interface information.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein The policy information further includes DNN information and / or network slice information corresponding to the virtual interface information.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor is connected to a memory, and the at least one processor is configured to read and execute a program stored in the memory, so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 1-9.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor is connected to a memory, and the at least one processor is configured to read and execute a program stored in the memory, so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 10-13.

16. A chip system, characterized in that, The chip system is coupled to a memory and is configured to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-13.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions, and when the instructions run on a computer, the computer is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1-13.

18. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions, and when the instructions run on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1-13 is caused to be executed.

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