Session establishment method, device and system, electronic equipment and storage medium
Through NRF subscription and timely notification of network element load information, the congestion problem during the PDU session establishment process is solved and network quality is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410160326.4
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-04
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-05
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, there is congestion during the establishment of PDU sessions, resulting in low network quality, especially when SMF and AMF are congested, the PDU session establishment efficiency is low.
Subscribe to the load status of the first network element through NRF, and send a notification message to the second network element, and promptly inform the load information using the subscription mechanism so that the second network element can handle the corresponding process to avoid congestion.
This realizes the prevention of congestion during the PDU session establishment process, reduces the probability of PDU session establishment failure caused by network element overload, and improves network quality.
Smart Images
Figure CN120434827A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical fields of wireless communication and terminal technologies, and particularly relates to a method, device, system, electronic device, and storage medium for session establishment. Background Art
[0002] The 5G core network (5G Core, hereinafter referred to as 5GC) supports providing a service for Protocol Data Unit (PDU) exchange between a User Equipment (UE) and a data network identified by a Data Network Name (DNN). The PDU connection service is supported by a PDU session established according to a UE request.
[0003] During the PDU session establishment process, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) receives a 5G Session Management (5GSM) Non-Access Stratum (NAS) PDU session establishment message sent by a UE, discovers and selects an available Session Management Function (SMF), and forwards PDU session information, etc. to the SMF. The SMF receives information sent by the AMF, a User Plane Function (UPF), and a Network Repository Function (NRF), and discovers and selects an available UPF.
[0004] The establishment of a PDU session can be divided into two methods. If the PDU session establishment process is used to establish a new PDU session, the AMF will select a new SMF. For example, the AMF can discover an available SMF through the NRF. If the PDU session establishment process is due to a handover, that is, transferring an already established PDU session from one access network to another access network, the AMF only uses the UE context to select the SMF, rather than selecting the SMF through the NRF. Summary of the Invention
[0005] During the establishment of the user plane connection, if the SMF and the AMF are congested, in order to ensure that the network functions operate within the rated capacity and provide connections and necessary services for the UE, it may adopt mechanisms such as NAS-level congestion control for protection and reject receiving NAS messages. Therefore, the establishment efficiency of the PDU session in the related art is relatively low.
[0006] One technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is: how to reduce the congestion situation in the PDU session establishment process and improve the network quality.
[0007] According to the first aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, a communication method is provided, including: the NRF sends a first subscription request for subscribing to the load of the first network element to the first network element; the NRF receives a first notification message sent by the first network element, and the first notification message carries first load information; the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message.
[0008] In some embodiments, the first network element and the second network element are network elements involved in the PDU session establishment process.
[0009] In some embodiments, the first subscription request carries first indication information for instructing the first network element to send a first notification message to the NRF according to the load of the first network element.
[0010] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to instruct the first network element to send a first notification message to the NRF when the load meets the first condition.
[0011] In some embodiments, the NRF sending a second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message includes: the NRF receives a second subscription request for subscribing to the second load information of the first network element sent by the second network element; the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element according to the second subscription request and the first load information, and the second notification message includes the second load information.
[0012] In some embodiments, the second subscription request carries second indication information for instructing the NRF to send a second notification message to the second network element according to the first load information.
[0013] In some embodiments, the second indication information is used to instruct the NRF to send a second notification message to the second network element when the first load information meets the second condition.
[0014] In some embodiments, the first network element is the SMF; the second network element is the AMF, which is used to select an SMF for establishing a PDU session from one or more SMFs based on the second load information in the second notification message and the context of the user equipment.
[0015] In some embodiments, the first network element is the AMF.
[0016] In some embodiments, the NRF sending a second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message includes: when the first load information meets the third condition, the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element, and the second notification message includes an indication of using the first network element to establish a PDU session.
[0017] In some embodiments, the third condition is that the first load information is higher than the first threshold and lower than the second threshold.
[0018] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second load information. The NRF sending the second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message includes: the NRF sending the second notification message to the second network element so that the second network element establishes a PDU session using the first network element in response to the second load information satisfying the fourth condition.
[0019] In some embodiments, the fourth condition is that the first load information is higher than the third threshold and lower than the fourth threshold.
[0020] In some embodiments, the NRF sending the second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message includes: when the first load information satisfies the fifth condition, the NRF sending the second notification message to the second network element, and the second notification message is used to instruct the second network element to select an available AMF other than the first network element.
[0021] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes information about available AMFs other than the first network element.
[0022] In some embodiments, the fifth condition is that the first load information is higher than the second threshold.
[0023] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second load information. The NRF sending the second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message includes: the NRF sending the second notification message to the second network element so that the second network element selects an available AMF other than the first network element in response to the second load information satisfying the sixth condition.
[0024] In some embodiments, the sixth condition is that the second load information is higher than the fourth threshold.
[0025] In some embodiments, the communication method further includes: the NRF receiving an AMF discovery request sent by the second network element; the NRF selecting an available AMF other than the first network element and sending information about the selected AMF to the second network element.
[0026] In some embodiments, the first load information includes at least one of load status, load value, load level, and load description.
[0027] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second load information, and the second load information is determined based on the first load information.
[0028] In some embodiments, the second load information includes at least one of load status, load value, load level, and load description.
[0029] According to a second aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication device located in the NRF is provided, including: a subscription module configured to send a first subscription request for subscribing to the load of a first network element to the first network element; a receiving module configured to receive a first notification message sent by the first network element, the first notification message carrying first load information; and a sending module configured to send a second notification message to a second network element based on the first notification message.
[0030] According to a third aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including: an NRF, the NRF including the communication device in the foregoing embodiments; a first network element configured to receive a first subscription request sent by the NRF for subscribing to the load of the first network element; send a first notification message to the NRF; and a second network element configured to receive a second notification message sent by the NRF.
[0031] In some embodiments, the first network element and the second network element are network elements involved in the PDU session establishment process.
[0032] In some embodiments, the second network element is further configured to determine, based on an indication in the second notification message, a network element for establishing a PDU session for a user equipment.
[0033] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second load information, and the second network element is further configured to, in response to the second notification message, determine, based on the second load information, a network element for establishing a PDU session for a user equipment.
[0034] In some embodiments, the first network element is an SMF; the second network element is an AMF, and is further configured to select, based on the second load information in the second notification message and the context of the user equipment, an SMF for establishing a PDU session for the user equipment from one or more SMFs.
[0035] In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF.
[0036] In some embodiments, the second network element is further configured to receive a second notification message sent by the NRF in response to the first load information satisfying a third condition, the second notification message including an indication of establishing a PDU session using the first network element.
[0037] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second load information, and the second network element is further configured to: receive a second notification message sent by the NRF; and use the first network element to establish a PDU session when the second load information satisfies a fourth condition.
[0038] In some embodiments, the second network element is further configured to: receive a second notification message sent by the NRF in response to the first load information satisfying a fifth condition; and select, based on the second notification message, an available AMF other than the first network element.
[0039] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes information about available AMFs other than the first network element.
[0040] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second load information, and the second network element is further configured to: receive the second notification message sent by the NRF; and select an available AMF other than the first network element according to the second notification message when the second load information meets the sixth condition.
[0041] In some embodiments, the second network element is further configured to: send an AMF discovery request to the NRF; and receive information about the AMF selected by the NRF, where the selected AMF is an available AMF other than the first network element.
[0042] According to a fourth aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device, including: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute any of the foregoing communication methods based on instructions stored in the memory.
[0043] According to a fifth aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, and when the program is executed by a processor, it implements any of the foregoing communication methods.
[0044] According to a sixth aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute any of the foregoing communication methods.
[0045] Some embodiments of the above invention have the following advantages or beneficial effects. Through the above embodiments, the present disclosure can utilize the subscription mechanism between the first network element and the NRF to enable the first network element to notify the NRF of its load situation in a timely manner, without waiting for the arrival of the reporting time of the heartbeat cycle. Thus, the present disclosure can timely inform relevant network elements of the load of the first network element, implement a congestion prevention scheme in the PDU session establishment process, reduce the probability of PDU session establishment failure due to network element overload, and improve network quality.
[0046] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clear through the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0047] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.
[0048] Figure 1 The flowchart of a communication method according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.
[0049] Figure 2 The flowchart of a PDU session establishment method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0050] Figure 3 The flowchart of a PDU session establishment method according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0051] Figure 4 The structural diagram of a communication device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0052] Figure 5 The structural diagram of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0053] Figure 6 The structural diagram of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.
[0054] Figure 7 The structural diagram of an electronic device according to some other embodiments of the present invention is shown. Detailed implementation manners
[0055] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, rather than all embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and in no way restrictive of the present invention and its application or use. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0056] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements of components and steps, numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention.
[0057] At the same time, it should be understood that for the sake of convenience of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn according to actual proportional relationships.
[0058] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the techniques, methods, and equipment shall be regarded as part of the specification.
[0059] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values should be construed as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Thus, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.
[0060] It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters refer to like items in the following figures, and thus, once an item is defined in one figure, further discussion thereof is not required in subsequent figures.
[0061] After analysis, it is found that if the PDU session establishment is to transfer an established PDU session from one access network to another, the AMF will select the SMF only based on the UE context, without considering the load status of the SMF. However, in subsequent processes, the SMF may affect the establishment of the PDU session due to overload. Also, in the user plane connection establishment process, if the AMF is congested, it may also cause the failure of the PDU session establishment. In the existing 3GPP specifications, the AMF reports the load information to the NRF through the heart - beat mechanism of the NF at regular intervals. If the reporting period has not arrived when the load of the network element is about to be overloaded, the load status cannot be reported immediately, which may cause the relevant network elements to be unable to process the impending overload problem in a timely manner. Consequently, it may cause congestion in the PDU session establishment process, resulting in a low network quality.
[0062] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. By subscribing to the load condition of a first network element through the NRF and informing a second network element, the second network element can timely learn about the load condition of the first network element, so as to handle problems such as possible overload or existing overload.
[0063] Figure 1 A flowchart showing a communication method according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. As Figure 1 shown, the communication method of this embodiment includes steps S102 to S106.
[0064] In step S102, the NRF sends a first subscription request for subscribing to the first load of the first network element to the first network element.
[0065] The first network element is a network element in the core network. For example, the first network element can be a network element involved in the PDU session establishment process, a network element for establishing a PDU session, and so on. The first network element can be an SMF or an AMF, or other types of network elements, which will not be elaborated here. The first network element itself can represent its load condition in any form. Moreover, the first network element can also feedback its load condition to the NRF in any form.
[0066] In step S104, the NRF receives a first notification message sent by the first network element, and the first notification message carries first load information.
[0067] The load of the first network element can be specifically reflected by various information such as first load information, second load information, etc. That is, both the first load information and the second load information are descriptions of the load of the first network element, but can be embodied in various forms. These load information can be load values, load levels, load descriptions, load states, etc. The first load information and the second load information in this disclosure are not limited to the above three forms, and those skilled in the art can set them according to their specific needs. The forms of different load information can be the same or different. The load level can be divided into one or more levels, and can be represented in any way such as numbers, strings, boolean values, etc. The corresponding relationship between each level and the load value can be pre-set. The load description can be a string, or a symbol corresponding to a specific description text. The specific representation form of the first load information can be agreed in the first subscription request, or can also be specified through other messages or processes, or the default form can be used.
[0068] The first network element can send a first notification message to the NRF according to the load of the first network element. For example, the first network element determines whether the current load of the first network element meets the condition for triggering the first notification message. If it meets the condition, it sends the first notification message to the NRF; if it does not meet the condition, it does not send the first notification message. In some embodiments, the first subscription request carries first indication information for instructing the first network element to send a first notification message to the NRF according to the load of the first network element. That is, the trigger condition of the first notification message can be carried in the first subscription request.
[0069] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to instruct the first network element to send a first notification message to the NRF when the load meets the first condition. The first condition can indicate that the load level of the first network element is low, the load level is high, it is about to be overloaded, or has already been overloaded, etc. Thus, when the first condition is met, for example, when the load level of the first network element is high (for example, reflected as the load value within a specified range, the load level is higher than a specified level, etc.), the first network element can send a first notification message according to the first subscription request, so as to timely notify the first load information to the NRF without waiting for the arrival of the reporting time of the heartbeat period.
[0070] In step S106, based on the first notification message, the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element.
[0071] The second network element is a network element in the core network, but is a different network element from the first network element. For example, the second network element can be a network element involved in the PDU session establishment process, a network element for establishing a PDU session, etc. The second network element can be an AMF or an NF, or can be other types of network elements, which will not be elaborated here.
[0072] Based on the first notification message, specifically, based on the first payload information in the first notification message, the NRF determines whether to send a second notification message to the second network element. For example, the NRF determines whether the first payload information meets the condition for triggering the second notification message. If it meets the condition, the NRF sends the second notification message so that the second network element can take corresponding measures in a timely manner; if it does not meet the condition, the NRF does not send the second notification message. The NRF may have a correspondence relationship between the first payload information and the load of the first network element, or may not have such a correspondence relationship. That is, in some cases, the NRF may not know the specific load value of the first network element, but directly makes a further judgment based on the first payload information.
[0073] The NRF and the second network element can pre-negotiate the conditions for triggering the sending of the second notification message. For example, the NRF and the second network element can also implement the sending of information through a subscription mechanism. In some embodiments, the NRF receives a second subscription request from the second network element to subscribe to the second payload information of the first network element; the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element according to the second subscription request and the first payload information, and the second notification message includes the second payload information. For example, when the first payload information triggers the triggering mechanism specified in the second subscription request, the NRF sends the second notification message.
[0074] In some embodiments, the second subscription request carries second indication information for instructing the NRF to send a second notification message to the second network element according to the first payload information. The second condition can be a description of the triggering condition of the second notification message, which indicates under what circumstances the NRF needs to send the load situation of the first network element to the second network element.
[0075] In some embodiments, the second indication information is used to instruct the NRF to send a second notification message to the second network element when the first load information meets the second condition. The second condition may be the same as or different from the first condition, that is, the first network element and the NRF may measure the load condition of the first network element according to the same or different criteria, and represent it by the first load information and the second load information respectively. Under the second condition, for example, when the NRF determines that the load level of the first network element is high based on the first load information, the NRF may send a second notification message according to the second subscription request, so as to notify the second network element of the second load information in a timely manner, without waiting for the reporting time of the heartbeat period to arrive.
[0076] Of course, the NRF may also, after receiving the first load information, not perform further processing and judgment on the first load information, but directly send a second notification message to the second network element in response to the first notification message. The second notification message may also include the second load information determined based on the first load information, and the second network element may determine whether the first network element is about to be overloaded or has been overloaded; or it may also include a network element selection indication to directly or indirectly instruct the second network element to select which network elements to establish a PDU session with or not to select which network elements.
[0077] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes the second load information, and the second load information is determined based on the first load information. The second load information and the first load information may be the same or different, and both are used to describe the load condition of the first network element.
[0078] Through the above embodiments, the present disclosure can utilize the subscription mechanism between the first network element and the NRF to enable the first network element to notify the NRF of its load condition in a timely manner, without waiting for the reporting time of the heartbeat period to arrive. Thus, the present disclosure can timely inform the relevant network elements of the load of the first network element, realizing a congestion prevention scheme in the PDU session establishment process, reducing the probability of PDU session establishment failure caused by network element overload, and improving the network quality. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the scenario of transferring an established PDU session from one access network to another access network.
[0079] After the second network element obtains the second load information describing the load condition of the first network element, it may select a network element for establishing a PDU session for the user based on the second load information. For example, the second network element may determine whether to use the first network element to establish a PDU session.
[0080] Next, two application scenarios of the present disclosure will be described exemplarily in combination with specific network elements.
[0081] In an exemplary scenario, the first network element is a Session Management Function (SMF), and the second network element is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF). The AMF can select an SMF for establishing a PDU session from one or more SMFs based on the second payload information in the second notification message and the context of the user equipment, that is, whether to select the first network element to establish a PDU session or select an SMF other than the first network element to establish a PDU session. The following refers to Figure 2 to describe an embodiment of the PDU session establishment method of the present disclosure.
[0082] Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart of a PDU session establishment method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As Figure 2 shown, the PDU session establishment method of this embodiment includes steps S202 to S218.
[0083] In step S202, the SMF sends a registration request to the NRF and notifies the NRF of its configuration data (Profile).
[0084] In step S204, the NRF stores the Profile sent by the SMF and marks the SMF as available.
[0085] In step S206, the NRF sends a response to the SMF to confirm acceptance of the SMF's registration request.
[0086] In step S208, the NRF sends a first subscription request to the SMF to subscribe to the load of the first network element, instructing the SMF to report to the NRF when the load meets the first condition.
[0087] In step S210, when the load of the SMF meets the first condition, regardless of whether the period for sending the Profile has been reached, the SMF directly sends a first notification message to the NRF, carrying the first payload information, to notify the NRF that the load of the current SMF has reached the first condition.
[0088] In step S212, the NRF responds to the first notification message of the SMF.
[0089] In step S214, in response to the first notification message, the NRF sends a second notification message to the AMF to notify the AMF that the load of the current SMF has reached the specified condition. The specified condition can be the first condition or the second condition. The second notification message carries the second payload information.
[0090] In step S216, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF.
[0091] In step S218, during the SMF selection process, the AMF selects an appropriate SMF in combination with the UE context and the second payload information sent by the NRF to establish a PDU session.
[0092] For example, the AMF selects an SMF for establishing a PDU session from one or more SMFs (including the SMF in this embodiment) based on the second payload information and the context of the user equipment.
[0093] In some embodiments, some or all of the one or more SMFs may send their own payload information to the NRF through the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0094] Through the above embodiments, the SMF sends a first notification message to the NRF based on the subscription mechanism after the reporting condition of the first payload information is triggered, so that the NRF can inform the AMF in time before or when congestion occurs. The AMF can select an SMF based on the load condition of the SMF to establish a PDU session without signaling congestion, ensuring the normal transmission of signaling in the user plane connection establishment process and achieving the successful establishment of a secure user plane connection.
[0095] In an exemplary scenario, the first network element is the AMF. The second network element is an NF, such as an LMF, etc.
[0096] The NRF can directly instruct the NF to use the AMF through the second notification message. In some embodiments, when the first payload information meets the third condition, the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element, and the second notification message includes an indication to use the first network element to establish a PDU session. For example, when the first payload information indicates that the AMF is available (for example, the load of the AMF is not high, or the load of the AMF is relatively high but does not exceed the upper limit), this scheme is used. For example, the current load of the AMF may be only relatively high but does not exceed the load. After the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element, the second network element starts to establish a PDU session using the first network element as soon as possible, avoiding the continuous increase of the load of the AMF after a period of time and affecting the establishment of the PDU session.
[0097] The third condition is, for example: the first payload information is higher than the first threshold and lower than the second threshold. The first payload information under this condition can be a load value, a load level, or after converting the non-numerical first payload information into a numerical form and then comparing it with the first threshold or the second threshold. According to needs, the third condition can also be set to other contents, which will not be elaborated here.
[0098] The NRF can also use the second notification message to send second payload information for the second network element to determine whether to use the first network element to establish a PDU session. For example, this solution is used when the second payload information indicates that the AMF is available (for example, the load of the AMF is not high, or the load of the AMF is high but does not exceed the upper limit). In some embodiments, the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element so that the second network element uses the first network element to establish a PDU session in response to the second payload information satisfying the fourth condition. That is, if the second network element determines that the AMF is available based on the second payload information, it uses the first network element to establish a PDU session; otherwise, it uses another AMF to establish a PDU session.
[0099] The fourth condition is, for example: the first payload information is higher than the third threshold and lower than the fourth threshold. The fourth condition and the third condition may be the same or different. The second payload information under this condition may be a load value, a load level, or after converting the non-numerical second payload information into a numerical form and then comparing it with the third threshold or the fourth threshold. As needed, the fourth condition can also be set to other content, which will not be elaborated here.
[0100] The NRF can indicate to the NF to use an AMF other than this AMF through the second notification message. For example, this solution is used when the first payload information indicates that the AMF is unavailable (for example, the AMF is overloaded, or the load is too high so that the AMF is unavailable or its performance seriously degrades). In some embodiments, when the first payload information satisfies the fifth condition, the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element, and the second notification message is used to instruct the second network element to select an available AMF other than the first network element. The fifth condition is, for example: the first payload information is higher than the second threshold.
[0101] For example, the second notification message includes information about available AMFs other than the first network element. That is, the NRF directly indicates which AMF to use. The NRF can, for example, determine which AMF to use based on the load conditions of at least some of one or more AMFs. Some or all of these one or more AMFs can report load information by referring to the communication methods in the foregoing embodiments. Alternatively, the NRF can also only instruct the second network element to select other AMFs, but which AMF to specifically select is determined by the second network element itself.
[0102] The NRF can also use the second notification message to send the second payload information, and the second network element determines which AMF to select to establish a PDU session. In some embodiments, the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element so that the second network element selects an available AMF other than the first network element in response to the second payload information satisfying the sixth condition. That is, if the second network element determines that the first network element is unavailable based on the second payload information, another AMF is used to establish a PDU session. The sixth condition is, for example, that the second payload information is higher than the fourth threshold.
[0103] Of course, after obtaining the second notification message, the second network element can also request the NRF again to indicate which AMF to select. In some embodiments, the NRF receives an AMF discovery request sent by the second network element; the NRF selects an available AMF other than the first network element and sends the information of the selected AMF to the second network element.
[0104] The following refers to Figure 3 Describe some other embodiments of the PDU session establishment method of the present disclosure.
[0105] Figure 3 The flowchart of the PDU session establishment method according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 3 shown, the PDU session establishment method of this embodiment includes steps S302 to S318.
[0106] In step S302, the AMF sends a registration request to the NRF and notifies the NRF of its Profile.
[0107] In step S304, the NRF stores the Profile sent by the AMF and marks the AMF as available.
[0108] In step S306, the NRF responds to the AMF and confirms acceptance of the AMF's registration request.
[0109] In step S308, the NRF sends a first subscription request to subscribe to the AMF's payload and instructs the AMF to report to the NRF when the first condition is met.
[0110] In step S310, when the payload of the AMF meets the preset condition, regardless of whether the period for sending the Profile is reached, a first notification message is directly sent to the NRF to notify the NRF that the current AMF payload has met the first condition.
[0111] In step S312, the NRF responds to the AMF's notification message.
[0112] In step S314, in response to the first notification message, the NRF sends a second notification message to the NF that has subscribed to the second load information of the AMF, to indicate that the load of the current AMF has reached a specified condition. The specified condition can be any one of the first condition to the sixth condition.
[0113] In step S316, when the AMF is available, the NF initiates a user plane connection establishment process in advance.
[0114] In step S318, when the AMF is unavailable, the NF requests the NRF to discover a new available AMF suitable for PDU session establishment, and establishes a PDU session with the newly selected AMF.
[0115] Through the above embodiments, the AMF sends a first notification message to the NRF based on the subscription mechanism after the reporting condition of the first load information is triggered, so that the NRF can inform the NF in time before or when congestion occurs. The NF can select an AMF based on the load condition of the AMF to establish a PDU session without signaling congestion, ensuring the normal transmission of signaling in the user plane connection establishment process and achieving the successful establishment of a secure user plane connection.
[0116] The above has introduced the embodiments of the communication method of the present disclosure. Next, a description will be further given in combination with Figures 4 to 7 the communication devices, systems and related equipment of the present disclosure.
[0117] Figure 4 FIG. shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication device of this embodiment is located in the NRF. As Figure 4 shown, the communication device 400 of this embodiment includes: a subscription module 4100, configured to send a first subscription request for subscribing to the load of the first network element to the first network element; a receiving module 4200, configured to receive a first notification message sent by the first network element, the first notification message carrying first load information; a sending module 4300, configured to send a second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message.
[0118] In some embodiments, the first network element and the second network element are network elements involved in the PDU session establishment process.
[0119] In some embodiments, the first subscription request carries first indication information, for indicating the first network element to send a first notification message to the NRF according to the load of the first network element.
[0120] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the first network element to send a first notification message to the NRF when the load meets the first condition.
[0121] In some embodiments, the sending module 4300 is further configured such that: the NRF receives a second subscription request sent by a second network element to subscribe to second load information of a first network element; and the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element according to the second subscription request and the first load information, where the second notification message includes the second load information.
[0122] In some embodiments, the second subscription request carries second indication information for instructing the NRF to send the second notification message to the second network element according to the first load information.
[0123] In some embodiments, the second indication information is used to instruct the NRF to send the second notification message to the second network element when the first load information meets a second condition.
[0124] In some embodiments, the first network element is an SMF; the second network element is an AMF, which is configured to select an SMF for establishing a PDU session from one or more SMFs based on the second load information in the second notification message and the context of the user equipment.
[0125] In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF.
[0126] In some embodiments, the sending module 4300 is further configured such that: when the first load information meets a third condition, the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element, and the second notification message includes an indication of using the first network element to establish a PDU session.
[0127] In some embodiments, the third condition is that the first load information is higher than a first threshold and lower than a second threshold.
[0128] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes the second load information, and the sending module 4300 is further configured such that: the NRF sends the second notification message to the second network element so that the second network element uses the first network element to establish a PDU session in response to the second load information meeting a fourth condition.
[0129] In some embodiments, the fourth condition is that the first load information is higher than a third threshold and lower than a fourth threshold.
[0130] In some embodiments, the sending module 4300 is further configured such that: when the first load information meets a fifth condition, the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element, and the second notification message is used to instruct the second network element to select an available AMF other than the first network element.
[0131] In some embodiments, the information of available AMFs other than the first network element is included in the second notification message.
[0132] In some embodiments, the fifth condition is that the first load information is higher than the second threshold.
[0133] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second payload information, and the sending module 4300 is further configured that: the NRF sends the second notification message to the second network element so that the second network element selects an available AMF other than the first network element in response to the second payload information satisfying the sixth condition.
[0134] In some embodiments, the sixth condition is that: the second payload information is higher than the fourth threshold.
[0135] In some embodiments, the communication device 400 further includes a selection module, configured to receive an AMF discovery request sent by the second network element; select an available AMF other than the first network element, and send information of the selected AMF to the second network element.
[0136] In some embodiments, the first payload information includes at least one of a load status, a load value, a load level, and a load description.
[0137] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second payload information, and the second payload information is determined based on the first payload information.
[0138] In some embodiments, the second payload information includes at least one of a load status, a load value, a load level, and a load description.
[0139] Figure 5 The structural schematic diagram of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. As Figure 5 shown, the communication system 50 of this embodiment includes: an NRF 510, and the NRF 510 includes the communication device 400 in the foregoing embodiments; a first network element 520, configured to receive a first subscription request sent by the NRF for subscribing to the load of the first network element; send a first notification message to the NRF; and a second network element 530, configured to receive the second notification message sent by the NRF.
[0140] In some embodiments, the first network element 520 and the second network element 530 are network elements involved in the PDU session establishment process.
[0141] In some embodiments, the second network element 530 is further configured to determine the network element for establishing a PDU session for the user equipment based on the indication in the second notification message.
[0142] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second payload information, and the second network element 530 is further configured to, in response to the second notification message, determine the network element for establishing a PDU session for the user equipment based on the second payload information.
[0143] In some embodiments, the first network element 520 is an SMF; the second network element 530 is an AMF, which is further configured to select an SMF for establishing a PDU session for the user equipment from one or more SMFs based on the second payload information in the second notification message and the context of the user equipment.
[0144] In some embodiments, the first network element 520 is an AMF.
[0145] In some embodiments, the second network element 530 is further configured to: receive a second notification message sent by the NRF in response to the first payload information satisfying a third condition, where the second notification message includes an indication to establish a PDU session using the first network element.
[0146] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second payload information, and the second network element 530 is further configured to: receive the second notification message sent by the NRF; and establish a PDU session using the first network element 520 when the second payload information satisfies a fourth condition.
[0147] In some embodiments, the second network element 530 is further configured to: receive a second notification message sent by the NRF in response to the first payload information satisfying a fifth condition; and select an available AMF other than the first network element 520 based on the second notification message.
[0148] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes information about available AMFs other than the first network element 520.
[0149] In some embodiments, the second notification message includes second payload information, and the second network element 530 is further configured to: receive the second notification message sent by the NRF; and select an available AMF other than the first network element based on the second notification message when the second payload information satisfies a sixth condition.
[0150] In some embodiments, the second network element 530 is further configured to: send an AMF discovery request to the NRF; and receive information about the AMF selected by the NRF, where the selected AMF is an available AMF other than the first network element 520.
[0151] Figure 6 The structural schematic diagram of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. As Figure 6 shown, the electronic device 60 in this embodiment includes: a memory 610 and a processor 620 coupled to the memory 610, and the processor 620 is configured to execute the communication method in any of the foregoing embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory 610.
[0152] Among them, the memory 610 can, for example, include a system memory, a fixed non-volatile storage medium, etc. The system memory stores, for example, an operating system, application programs, a boot loader, and other programs.
[0153] Figure 7 FIG. shows a schematic structural diagram of an electronic device according to some other embodiments of the present invention. As Figure 7 shown, the electronic device 70 of this embodiment includes: a memory 710 and a processor 720, and may further include an input / output interface 730, a network interface 740, a storage interface 750, etc. These interfaces 730, 740, 750 and the memory 710 and the processor 720 can be connected through a bus 760, for example. Among them, the input / output interface 730 provides a connection interface for input / output devices such as a display, a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch screen. The network interface 740 provides a connection interface for various networking devices. The storage interface 750 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as an SD card and a USB flash drive.
[0154] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored. It is characterized in that when the program is executed by a processor, it implements any one of the foregoing communication methods.
[0155] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present invention can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present invention can take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present invention can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable non-transitory storage media (including but not limited to disk memories, CD-ROMs, optical memories, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.
[0156] The present invention is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and the combination of flows and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processors of general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, embedded processors, or other programmable data processing devices to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processors of the computer or other programmable data processing devices generate means for implementing the functions specified in Figure 1 one process or multiple processes and / or blocks Figure 1 one block or multiple blocks.
[0157] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufacture including an instruction device that implements the function specified in the procedure Figure 1 one procedure or multiple procedures and / or blocks Figure 1 specified in one block or multiple blocks.
[0158] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, so that a series of operational steps are performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to generate a computer-implemented process, thereby providing the steps for implementing the function specified in the procedure Figure 1 one procedure or multiple procedures and / or blocks Figure 1 specified in one block or multiple blocks.
[0159] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A communication method, comprising: The network storage function NRF sends a first subscription request for subscribing to the load of the first network element to the first network element; The NRF receives a first notification message sent by the first network element, where the first notification message carries first load information; The NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first network element and the second network element are network elements involved in a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment process.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first subscription request carries first indication information, which is used to instruct the first network element to send the first notification message to the NRF according to the load of the first network element.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The first indication information is used to instruct the first network element to send the first notification message to the NRF when the load meets the first condition.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The NRF sending a second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message includes: The NRF receives a second subscription request sent by the second network element to subscribe to second load information of the first network element; The NRF sends the second notification message to the second network element according to the second subscription request and the first load information, where the second notification message includes the second load information.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The second subscription request carries second indication information, which is used to instruct the NRF to send the second notification message to the second network element according to the first load information.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: The second indication information is used to instruct the NRF to send the second notification message to the second network element when the first load information meets a second condition.
8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: The first network element is a session management function SMF; The second network element is an access and mobility management function AMF, which is used to select an SMF for establishing a PDU session from one or more SMFs based on the second load information in the second notification message and the context of the user equipment.
9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The first network element is AMF.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The NRF sending a second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message includes: When the first load information satisfies a third condition, the NRF sends the second notification message to the second network element, where the second notification message includes an instruction to establish a PDU session using the first network element.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The third condition is that the first load information is higher than a first threshold and lower than a second threshold.
12. The method according to claim 9, wherein The second notification message includes second load information, and the NRF sends the second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message, including: The NRF sends the second notification message to the second network element, so that the second network element establishes a PDU session using the first network element in response to the second load information satisfying a fourth condition.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The fourth condition is that the first load information is higher than a third threshold and lower than a fourth threshold.
14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message, comprising: When the first load information meets the fifth condition, the NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element, where the second notification message is used to instruct the second network element to select an available AMF other than the first network element.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The second notification message includes information about available AMFs other than the first network element.
16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: The fifth condition is: the first load information is higher than a second threshold.
17. The method according to claim 9, wherein The second notification message includes second load information, and the NRF sends the second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message, including: The NRF sends a second notification message to the second network element, so that the second network element selects an available AMF other than the first network element in response to the second load information satisfying the sixth condition.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The sixth condition is: the second load information is higher than a fourth threshold.
19. The method according to claim 14 or 17, further comprising: The NRF receives the AMF discovery request sent by the second network element; The NRF selects an available AMF other than the first network element and sends information of the selected AMF to the second network element.
20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The first load information includes at least one of a load state, a load value, a load level, and a load description.
21. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The second notification message includes second load information, where the second load information is determined based on the first load information.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The second load information includes at least one of a load state, a load value, a load level, and a load description.
23. A communication device located at an NRF, comprising: a subscription module configured to send a first subscription request for subscribing to a load of the first network element to a first network element; a receiving module, configured to receive a first notification message sent by the first network element, where the first notification message carries first load information; The sending module is configured to send a second notification message to the second network element based on the first notification message.
24. A communication system comprising: NRF, the NRF comprising the communication device according to claim 23; The first network element is configured to receive a first subscription request sent by the NRF for subscribing to the load of the first network element; Sending a first notification message to the NRF; and The second network element is configured to receive a second notification message sent by the NRF.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein: The first network element and the second network element are network elements involved in the PDU session establishment process.
26. The system of claim 24, wherein: The second network element is further configured to determine a network element for establishing a PDU session for the user equipment based on an indication in the second notification message.
27. The system of claim 24, wherein: The second notification message includes second load information, and the second network element is further configured to determine, in response to the second notification message, a network element for establishing a PDU session for the user equipment based on the second load information.
28. The system of claim 24, wherein: The first network element is an SMF; The second network element is an AMF, which is further configured to select an SMF from one or more SMFs to establish a PDU session for the user equipment based on the second load information in the second notification message and the context of the user equipment.
29. The system of claim 24, wherein: The first network element is AMF.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein: The second network element is further configured to: Receive the second notification message sent by the NRF in response to the first load information satisfying a third condition, where the second notification message includes an indication of establishing a PDU session using the first network element.
31. The system of claim 29, wherein: The second notification message includes second load information, and the second network element is further configured to: receiving the second notification message sent by the NRF; When the second load information satisfies a fourth condition, a PDU session is established using the first network element.
32. The system of claim 29, wherein: The second network element is further configured to: receiving a second notification message sent by the NRF in response to the first load information satisfying a fifth condition; Based on the second notification message, select an available AMF other than the first network element.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein: The second notification message includes information about available AMFs other than the first network element.
34. The system of claim 29, wherein: The second notification message includes second load information, and the second network element is further configured to: receiving a second notification message sent by the NRF; When the second load information meets the sixth condition, an available AMF other than the first network element is selected according to the second notification message.
35. The system of claim 32 or 34, wherein: The second network element is further configured to: Send an AMF discovery request to the NRF; Receive information of the AMF selected by the NRF, wherein the selected AMF is an available AMF other than the first network element.
36. An electronic device comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 22 based on instructions stored in the memory.
37. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the program is executed by a processor, the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 22 is implemented.
38. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 22.