Information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

This information processing system has: a user terminal that communicates with a server via a first relay device, a second relay device, and a third relay device; a coordination device; and a control device. The coordination device has a coordination functional unit that notifies the control device of notification information including first identification information for identifying the first relay device, which stores a session established with the user terminal, slice identification information for identifying a slice corresponding to the session, and address information allocated to the user terminal. The control device has a mapping setting functional unit that, on the basis of the notification information, generates a distribution rule in which a resource of a first segment between the first relay device and the second relay device, and a resource of a second segment between the second relay device and the third relay device are allocated to the address information, and sets the distribution rule to the second relay device and the third relay device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] 5G(5 th It is expected that 5G (5th Generation) will create new services that utilize the characteristics of 5G, such as high-capacity broadband, large number of session connections, and ultra-low latency and high quality. Since each of these new services has different network (NW) requirements, such as bandwidth, latency, and jitter, a wide variety of networks will be required according to the requirements of each service.

[0003] NW slicing technology is a technology that can provide a network quickly and flexibly to meet a wide variety of network requirements. NW slicing technology uses the resources of a common physical facility (network resources such as bandwidth and CPU) to<Central Processing Unit> The system divides the compute resources (such as virtual machines, servers, and servers) and combines the divided resources to provide a logical network (network slice) that satisfies the network requirements.

[0004] In order to provide networks that meet the diverse requirements of service providers, an End-to-End (E2E) slice is required that can ensure a certain level of communication quality between the end points of communication. In this specification, the E2E section is defined as the section between the UE (User Equipment) and a server (hereinafter referred to as the server) where an application that performs processing related to the service is deployed.

[0005] In the section between the UE and the server, between the UE and the UPF (User Plane Function) (UE-UPF section), a means of allocating resources in units of S-NSSAI (Single-Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), which is a slice identifier, is prescribed in the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). On the other hand, in the section between the UPF and the server (Data NW section, hereinafter referred to as "DN"), a method of maintaining groups similar to those in the UE-UPF section using information from the S-NSSAI is not prescribed.

[0006] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a presumed NW configuration and a conventional technique. The NW configuration 1 shown in FIG. 14 includes UEs 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, and 10f, a UPF 30, DN-GWs 40a and 40b, and a server 50. The UEs 10a to 10f are connected to the UPF 30 via a NW (mobile access NW) 2. The UPF 30 is connected to a DN-GW (UPF side DN-GW) 40a using NW resources (UPF-DN NW resources) 4a, 4b, and 4c. The DN-GW (UPF side DN-GW) 40a is connected to a DN-GW (server side DN-GW) 40b using DN NW resources 5a and 5b. The NW resources 5a and 5b are logical paths configured by tunneling techniques such as GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation) and SR (Segment Routing) that guarantee NW quality such as bandwidth and transfer delay. The DN-GW 40b is connected to the server 50 via the NW.

[0007] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the UEs 10a to 10f are referred to as "UEs 10." The NW resources (UPF-DN NW resources) 4a, 4b, and 4c are referred to as "NW resource 4." The NW resources 5a and 5b of the DN are referred to as "NW resource 5."

[0008] In NW configuration 1, when a user uses multiple NW slices, multiple S-NSSAIs are accommodated in one UPF (UPF 30) in order to aggregate UPF resources. In the example shown in Fig. 14, UPF 30 accommodates S-NSSAI#1, S-NSSAI#2, and S-NSSAI#3.

[0009] In the NW configuration 1, according to the 3GPP standard, an IP address (UE address) is dynamically assigned to each PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session from an IP address range allocated to each UPF. In the example shown in Fig. 14, the UPF 30 assigns IP addresses a1 to a6 to the UEs 10a to 10f by each PDU session. The IP addresses a1 and a2 of the UEs 10a and 10b are associated with the S-NSSAI #1. The IP addresses a3 and a4 of the UEs 10c and 10d are associated with the S-NSSAI #2. The IP addresses a5 and a6 of the UEs 10e and 10f are associated with the S-NSSAI #3.

[0010] In NW configuration 1, in order to aggregate resources of the server 50, one server 50 terminates communications belonging to multiple S-NSSAIs.

[0011] In network configuration 1 described in Figure 14, in conventional technology (3GPP Rel16 provisions), multiple S-NSSAIs are accommodated in one UPF 30, and the UPF 30 is able to select network resources for DN-direction communications for each S-NSSAI. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0012] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TR 29.820 0.7.0 “Study on Best Practice of Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP)” Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] In the conventional technology described with reference to FIG. 14, for communication from UE 10 to a server, it is possible to map NW resource 5 based on mapping of NW resource 4 of UPF 30.

[0014] On the other hand, the communication from the server 50 to the UE 10 cannot be mapped to an appropriate NW resource. This is because the communication from the server 50 to the UE 10 cannot determine the S-NSSAI to which the communication belongs using preconfigurable information on the UE connection, such as the IP address range assigned to the UPF 30.

[0015] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the problem of the conventional technology. An arrow ar1 in FIG. 15 indicates the direction of communication from UE 10 to server 50. In communication from UE 10 to server 50, mapping is possible to associate NW resource 4 (logical path) corresponding to S-NSSAI with NW resource 5 (logical path) on a one-to-one basis. For example, one NW resource 4a included in NW resource 4 can be assigned to S-NSSAI#1, and one NW resource 5a included in NW resource 5 can be assigned to the pair of S-NSSAI#1 and DN-GW40a. As a result, the pair of NW resource 4a and NW resource 5a is assigned to S-NSSAI#1.

[0016] An arrow ar2 in Fig. 15 indicates the direction of communication from the server 50 to the UE 10. For communication from the server 50 to the UE 10, the S-NSSAI cannot be determined based on packet information such as the destination and source IP addresses, and therefore the communication cannot be mapped to an appropriate NW resource 5 in the DN-GW 40b. The UE address, which is the destination IP address, is assigned from an IP address range shared by multiple S-NSSAIs owned by the UPF 30 at the timing of a PDU session connection between the UE 10 and the UPF 30, and therefore the UE address cannot be associated with the S-NSSAI in advance. In addition, the IP address of the server 50, which is the source IP address, is also shared by multiple S-NSSAIs, and therefore similarly cannot be associated with the S-NSSAI.

[0017] In order to provide E2E slices, it is necessary to identify communications at the same granularity as S-NSSAI not only in the section between UE 10 and UPF 30, but also in the DN section, and assign appropriate slices (resources).

[0018] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can allocate appropriate slices in the section between a UE and a server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0019] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, an information processing system includes a user terminal that communicates with a server via a first relay device, a second relay device, and a third relay device, a linking device, and a control device. The linking device has a linking function unit that notifies the control device of notification information including first identification information that identifies the first relay device that accommodates a session established with the user terminal, slice identification information that identifies a slice corresponding to the session, and address information assigned to the user terminal. The control device has a mapping setting function unit that generates an allocation rule in which resources of a first section between the first relay device and the second relay device and resources of a second section between the second relay device and the third relay device are assigned to the address information based on the notification information, and sets the allocation rule in the second relay device and the third relay device. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, appropriate slices can be allocated in the section between the UE and the server. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the notification information. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the CPF. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the DN-GW controller. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the first mapping information. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the second mapping information. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the sorting rule. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the mapping setting function unit. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the DN-GW. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the distribution table. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the information processing system. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the mapping setting process. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a computer that executes an information processing program. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the assumed NW configuration and existing technologies. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the problem with the conventional technology. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Hereinafter, an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. EXAMPLES

[0023] An information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1a includes UEs 10a to 10f, a UPF 30, DN-GWs 40a and 40b, a server 50, a CPF (Control Plane Function) 60, and a DN-GW controller 70.

[0024] The UEs 10a to 10f are connected to the UPF 30 via a NW (mobile access NW) 2. The UPF 30 is connected to a DN-GW (UPF side DN-GW) 40a using NW resources (UPF-DN NW resources) 4a, 4b, and 4c. The DN-GW (UPF side DN-GW) 40a is connected to a DN-GW (server side DN-GW) 40b using DN NW resources 5a and 5b.

[0025] The DN-GW 40b is connected to the server 50 via the NW. The CPF 60 is connected to the UEs 10a to 10f and the UPF 30 via the NW. The DN-GW controller 70 is connected to the DN-GWs 40a and 40b via the NW.

[0026] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the UEs 10a to 10f are referred to as "UEs 10." The NW resources (UPF-DN NW resources) 4a, 4b, and 4c are referred to as "NW resource 4." The NW resources 5a and 5b of the DN3 are referred to as "NW resource 5."

[0027] The UE 10 is a terminal device used by a user. The UE 10 exchanges connection request and response messages with the CPF 60 in accordance with the 3GPP standard, and establishes or releases a PDU session with the UPF 30. The UE 10 communicates with the server 50 via the UPF 30 and the DN-GWs 40a and 40b. Although not shown in the figure, the information processing system 1a may further include other UEs.

[0028] The UPF 30 has the following functions in accordance with the 3GPP standard. The UPF 30 exchanges PDU session establishment request and response messages with the CPF 60, and establishes or releases a PDU session with the UE 10. The UPF 30 selects a NW resource 4 corresponding to the S-NSSAI to which the PDU session belongs, and performs communication from the UE 10 to the server 50. Although not shown in the figure, the information processing system 1a may further include other UPFs.

[0029] The DN-GW 40a (40b) has a distribution function. The distribution function of the DN-GW 40a (40b) distributes communication between the UE 10 and the server 50 to the NW resource 4 or the NW resource 5 based on a distribution rule notified from the mapping setting function of the DN-GW controller 70. Although not shown in the figure, the information processing system 1a may further include another DN-GW.

[0030] The server 50 is a device that communicates with the UE 10 .

[0031] The CPF 60, in accordance with the 3GPP standard, transmits and receives messages between the UE 10 and the UPF 30, and establishes or releases a PDU session between the UE 10 and the UPF 30. The CPF 60 has a DN interworking function.

[0032] The DN-GW controller 70 sets the distribution function of the DN-GWs 40a and 40b based on information notified from the DN interaction function of the CPF 60. The DN-GW controller 70 has a mapping setting function.

[0033] Next, the processing of the information processing system according to the present embodiment will be described. When UE 10 requests CPF 60 to establish a PDU session, UE 10 and CPF 60 exchange messages with UPF 30 according to the procedure of the 3GPP standard, and a PDU session is established. When the PDU session is established, CPF 60 assigns to UE 10 an available IP address (UE address) from the IP address range assigned to UPF 30, which is the PDU session establishment destination.

[0034] When the DN interworking function of the CPF 60 receives a response from the UPF 30 regarding the establishment (or release) of a PDU session, it notifies the DN-GW controller 70 of the notification information. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the notification information. As shown in FIG. 2, the notification information has a UPF identification information, an S-NSSAI, a UE address, and a session state. The UPF identification information is information that uniquely identifies a UPF. The S-NSSAI is a slice identifier. The UE address is an IP address dynamically assigned to the UE 10. The session state indicates whether a PDU session has been established or an established PDU session has been released. The notification information shown in FIG. 2 indicates that a PDU session has been established between the UPF 30 and the UE 10, the slice identifier assigned to the established PDU session is "S-NSSAI#1", and the IP address assigned to the UE 10 (UE 10a) is "a1".

[0035] Upon receiving the notification information from the CPF 60, the mapping setting function of the DN-GW controller 70 maps the UE address to the NW resource 4 and the NW resource 5 based on the received notification information. The mapping setting function of the DN-GW controller 70 sets a distribution rule in the distribution functions of the DN-GWs 40a and 40b based on the mapping result.

[0036] By executing the above-mentioned process, the information processing system can allocate an appropriate NW slice in the section between the UE 10 and the server 50 and perform communication.

[0037] Next, an example of the configuration of the CPF 60 shown in Fig. 1 will be described. Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the CPF. As shown in Fig. 3, the CPF 60 has a communication control unit 61, a storage unit 64, and a control unit 65. In the explanation of Fig. 3, only the processing closely related to the present invention will be explained among the processing of the CPF 60, but other processing equivalent to that of a normal CPF will also be executed.

[0038] The communication control unit 61 is realized by a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and controls communication between the control unit 65 and external devices via electric communication lines such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

[0039] The storage unit 64 has communication information 64a. The storage unit 64 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a random access memory (RAM) or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0040] The communication information 64a corresponds to the communication information described in Fig. 2. The communication information 64a is generated by the DN linking function unit 65b, which will be described later.

[0041] The control unit 65 includes a message transmission / reception unit 65a and a DN linking function unit 65b. The control unit 65 corresponds to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like.

[0042] When the message transmission / reception unit 65a receives a request to establish a PDU session from the UE 10, it establishes a PDU session by exchanging messages between the UE 10 and the UPF 30 according to the procedure of the 3GPP standard. When the PDU session is established, the message transmission / reception unit 65a assigns to the UE 10 an available IP address (UE address) from the IP address range assigned to the UPF 30 where the PDU session is to be established.

[0043] On the other hand, when the message transceiver 65a receives a request to release the PDU session from the UE 10, it executes message exchange between the UE 10 and the UPF 30 in accordance with the procedure of the 3GPP standard, and releases the PDU session.

[0044] The message transmission / reception unit 65a acquires UPF identification information and S-NSSAI when transmitting and receiving messages with the UPF 30. When a PDU session is established, the message transmission / reception unit 65a outputs the UPF identification information, S-NSSAI, UE address, and session state to the DN interworking function unit 65b.

[0045] When a PDU session is established or released, the DN interworking function unit 65b generates communication information 64a based on information acquired from the message transmission / reception unit 65a. The DN interworking function unit 65b notifies the DN-GW controller 70 of the communication information 64a.

[0046] Next, an example of the configuration of the DN-GW controller 70 shown in Fig. 1 will be described. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the DN-GW controller. As shown in Fig. 4, the DN-GW controller 70 has a communication control unit 71, a storage unit 74, and a control unit 75. In the explanation of Fig. 4, only the processing closely related to the present invention among the processing of the DN-GW controller 70 will be explained, but other processing equivalent to that of a normal DN-GW controller will also be executed.

[0047] The communication control unit 71 is realized by a NIC or the like, and controls communication between the control unit 75 and external devices via electric communication lines such as a LAN or the Internet.

[0048] The storage unit 74 has communication information 64a, first mapping information 74a, second mapping information 74b, and sorting rules 74c. The storage unit 74 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0049] The communication information 64a corresponds to the communication information described in Fig. 2. The communication information 64a is information received from the CPF 60.

[0050] The first mapping information 74a is mapping information related to the NW resource 4 between the UPF and the DN-GW (UPF side). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the first mapping information. As shown in FIG. 5, the first mapping information 74a has UPF identification information, S-NSSAI, GN-GW identification information (UPF side), and UPF-DN NW resource identification information. The UPF identification information is information that uniquely identifies the UPF. The S-NSSAI is a slice identifier. The GN-GW identification information (UPF side) is information that uniquely identifies the DN-GW on the UPF side. The UPF-DN NW resource identification information is information that uniquely identifies a NW slice to be assigned to the NW resource 4.

[0051] The second mapping information 74b is mapping information regarding NW resources 5 between DNs. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the second mapping information. The second mapping information 74b has GN-GW identification information (UPF side), GN-GW identification information (server side), intra-DN NW resource identification information, and S-NSSAI. The GN-GW identification information (UPF side) is information that uniquely identifies the DN-GW on the UPF side. The GN-GW identification information (server side) is information that uniquely identifies the DN-GW on the server side. The intra-DN resource identification information is information that uniquely identifies a NW slice allocated to the NW resource 5. The S-NSSAI is a slice identifier.

[0052] The distribution rule 74c is information indicating a NW slice to be allocated to communication in the section between the UE 10 and the server 50. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the distribution rule. As shown in FIG. 7, the distribution rule 74c has a UE address, UPF-DN NW resource identification information, and intra-DN NW resource identification information. The UE address is an IP address dynamically assigned to the UE 10. The UPF-DN NW resource identification information is information that uniquely identifies a NW slice assigned to the NW resource 4. The intra-DN resource identification information is information that uniquely identifies a NW slice assigned to the NW resource 5.

[0053] The distribution rule shown in Figure 7 indicates that in packet communication in which the UE address (IP) address "a1" is set as the destination or source, NW resource 4a is allocated from NW resource 4, and NW resource 5a is allocated from NW resource 5.

[0054] Returning to the description of Fig. 4, the control unit 75 has a receiving unit 75a and a mapping setting function unit 75b. The control unit 75 corresponds to a CPU or the like.

[0055] The receiving unit 75a receives the communication information 64a from the CPF 60. The receiving unit 75a registers the received communication information 64a in the storage unit 74.

[0056] The mapping setting function unit 75b generates a distribution rule 74c based on the communication information 64a, the first mapping information 74a, and the second mapping information 74b. The mapping setting function unit 75b transmits the generated distribution rule 74c to the corresponding DN-GW.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the mapping setting function unit. Processing related to the first mapping information 74a will be explained. The mapping setting function unit 75b compares the communication information 64a with the first mapping information 74a, and identifies the UPF-DN NW resource identification information corresponding to the pair of the UPF identification information and the S-NSSAI. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the mapping setting function unit 75b identifies the UPF-DN NW resource identification information "NW resource 4a" corresponding to the pair of the UPF identification information "UPF30" and the S-NSSAI "S-NSSAI#1". As a result, the mapping setting function unit 75b sets the sorting rule 74c to sort packets whose source (destination) is the UE address "a1" to the "NW resource 4a".

[0058] Furthermore, the mapping setting function unit 75b identifies the GN-GW identification information (UPF side) corresponding to the pair of UPF identification information and S-NSSAI of the communication information 64a based on the first mapping information 74a. The GN-GW identification information (UPF side) corresponding to the pair of UPF identification information and S-NSSAI of the communication information 64a is expressed as "specific identification information." In the example shown in FIG. 8, the GN-GW identification information (UPF side) "DN-GW40a" corresponding to the pair of UPF identification information "UPF30" and S-NSSAI "S-NSSAI#1" of the communication information 64a is identified, and "DN-GW40a" is used as the specific identification information in the next process.

[0059] Next, the process related to the second mapping information 74b will be described. The mapping setting function unit 75b compares the communication information 64a, the specific identification information, and the second mapping information 74b to identify the intra-DN NW resource identification information corresponding to the combination of the specific identification information (corresponding to the GN-GW identification information (UPF side)) and the S-NSSAI. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the intra-DN NW resource identification information "NW resource 5a" corresponding to the combination of the specific identification information "DN-GW40a" and the S-NSSAI "S-NSSAI#1" is identified. As a result, the mapping setting function unit 75b sets the setting for distributing the packet having the UE address "a1" as the source (destination) to the "NW resource 5a" in the distribution rule 74c.

[0060] If the session state of the communication information 64a is "established", the mapping setting function unit 75b transmits the sorting rule 74c to the DN-GWs 40a and 40b and requests sorting setting. If the session state of the communication information 64a is "released", the mapping setting function unit 75b transmits the sorting rule 74c to the DN-GWs 40a and 40b and requests cancellation of the corresponding setting.

[0061] Next, an example of the configuration of the DN-GW 40a shown in Fig. 1 will be described. Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the DN-GW. As shown in Fig. 9, the DN-GW 40a has a communication control unit 81, a storage unit 84, and a control unit 85. In the explanation of Fig. 9, only the processing closely related to the present invention among the processing of the DN-GW 40a will be explained, but other processing equivalent to that of a normal DN-GW will also be executed.

[0062] The communication control unit 81 is realized by a NIC or the like, and controls communication between the control unit 85 and external devices via electric communication lines such as a LAN or the Internet.

[0063] The storage unit 84 has a distribution table 84a. The storage unit 84 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as a RAM or a flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk.

[0064] The distribution table 84a is a table that holds distribution rules notified from the DN-GW controller 70. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of the distribution table. As shown in FIG. 10, this distribution table 84a has a UE address, between-UPF-DN NW resource identification information, and intra-DN NW resource identification information. The UE address is an IP address dynamically assigned to the UE 10. The between-UPF-DN NW resource identification information is information that uniquely identifies a NW slice assigned to the NW resource 4. The intra-DN resource identification information is information that uniquely identifies a NW slice assigned to the NW resource 5.

[0065] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 9, the control unit 85 has a table management unit 85a and a distribution function unit 85b. The control unit 85 corresponds to a CPU or the like.

[0066] The table management unit 85a receives sorting rule settings from the DN-GW controller 70, and executes processing to register sorting rules in the sorting table 84a and processing to delete sorting rules. When the table management unit 85a receives a sorting rule (sorting setting request), it registers the received sorting rule in the sorting table 84a. On the other hand, when the table management unit 85a receives a sorting rule (sorting release request), it deletes the received sorting rule from the sorting table 84a.

[0067] The distribution function unit 85b distributes communication between the UE 10 and the server 50 to the NW resource 4 or the NW resource 5 based on the distribution table 84a. The process of the distribution function unit 85b will be described using the distribution table 84a shown in FIG.

[0068] When the distribution function unit 85b receives a packet addressed to the server 50 from the UE 10, it compares the UE address of the packet's source with the distribution table 84a to identify intra-DN NW resource identification information and distributes the packet to the NW resource 5. For example, when the UE address of the packet's source is "a1", the distribution function unit 85b assigns "NW resource 5a" of the NW resource 5 and transmits the packet.

[0069] When the distribution function unit 85b receives a packet addressed to the UE 10 from the server 50, it compares the UE address of the packet destination with the distribution table 84a to identify the inter-UPF-DN NW resource identification information and distributes the packet to the NW resource 4. For example, when the UE address of the packet destination is "a1", the distribution function unit 85b allocates "NW resource 4a" of the NW resource 4 and transmits the packet.

[0070] The process of the DN-GW 40b is similar to that of the DN-GW 40a, and distributes communication between the UE 10 and the server 50 to the NW resource 4 or the NW resource 5 based on a distribution rule (distribution table) set by the DN-GW controller 70. A description of the functional block diagram of the DN-GW 40b will be omitted.

[0071] Next, an example of a processing procedure of the information processing system 1a will be described. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the information processing system. As shown in Fig. 11, when a PDU session is established (released), the CPF 60 transmits communication information to the DN-GW controller 70 (step S101).

[0072] The DN-GW controller 70 receives the communication information (step S102). The DN-GW controller 70 executes a mapping setting process (step S103). The DN-GW controller 70 transmits a distribution rule to the DN-GW 40a (40b) (step S104).

[0073] The DN-GW 40a (40b) receives the distribution rule (step S105). The DN-GW 40a (40b) updates the distribution rule table (step S106). The DN-GW 40a (40b) distributes resources used in communication between the UE 10 and the server 50 based on the distribution rule table (step S107).

[0074] Next, an example of the processing procedure of the mapping setting process shown in step S103 of Fig. 11 will be described. Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the mapping setting process. As shown in Fig. 12, the mapping setting function unit 75b of the DN-GW controller 70 determines UPF-DN NW resource identification information to be assigned to the UE address of the communication information 64a based on the UPF identification information and S-NSSAI of the communication information 64a and the first mapping information 74a (step S201).

[0075] The mapping setting function unit 75b determines intra-DN NW resource identification information to be assigned to the UE address of the communication information 64a based on the S-NSSAI of the communication information 64a, the specific identification information, and the second mapping information 74b (step S202).

[0076] The mapping setting function unit 75b determines whether the session state of the communication information 64a is established (step S203). If the session state of the communication information 64a is established (step S203, Yes), the mapping setting function unit 75b generates a sorting rule (sorting setting request) (step S204).

[0077] On the other hand, if the session state of the communication information 64a is not established (released) (step S203, No), the mapping setting function unit 75b generates a sorting rule (cancellation request) (step S205).

[0078] Next, the effect of the information processing system 1a according to the present embodiment will be described. In the information processing system 1a, when a PDU session is established, the CPF 60 notifies the DN-GW controller 70 of the communication information 64a, and the DN-GW controller 70 generates an allocation rule 74c based on the communication information 64a, the first mapping information 74a, and the second mapping information 74b, and sets the allocation rule 74c in the DN-GWs 40a and 40b. The DN-GWs 40a and 40b allocate resources according to the allocation rule 74c, and can allocate an appropriate NW slice in the section between the UE 10 and the server 50 and execute communication.

[0079] The DN-GW controller 70 generates the distribution rule 74c based on the communication information 64a and the first mapping information 74a. The DN-GW controller 70 also generates the distribution rule 74c based on the communication information 64a and the second mapping information 74b. This allows appropriate slices to be assigned.

[0080] Next, an example of a computer that executes an information processing program will be described. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a computer that executes an information processing program. A computer 1000 has, for example, a memory 1010, a CPU 1020, a hard disk drive interface 1030, a disk drive interface 1040, a serial port interface 1050, a video adapter 1060, and a network interface 1070. Each of these components is connected by a bus 1080.

[0081] The memory 1010 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1011 and a RAM 1012. The ROM 1011 stores, for example, a boot program such as a BIOS (Basic Input Output System). The hard disk drive interface 1030 is connected to a hard disk drive 1031. The disk drive interface 1040 is connected to a disk drive 1041. A removable storage medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk is inserted into the disk drive 1041. The serial port interface 1050 is connected to, for example, a mouse 1051 and a keyboard 1052. The video adapter 1060 is connected to, for example, a display 1061.

[0082] Here, the hard disk drive 1031 stores, for example, an OS 1091, an application program 1092, a program module 1093, and program data 1094. Each piece of information described in the above embodiments is stored in the hard disk drive 1031 or memory 1010, for example.

[0083] Furthermore, the information processing program is stored in the hard disk drive 1031, for example, as a program module 1093 in which commands to be executed by the computer 1000 are written. Specifically, the hard disk drive 1031 stores the program module 1093 in which each process executed by the DN-GW controller 70 described in the above embodiment is written.

[0084] Furthermore, data used for information processing by the information processing program is stored as program data 1094, for example, in the hard disk drive 1031. Then, the CPU 1020 reads out the program module 1093 and the program data 1094 stored in the hard disk drive 1031 into the RAM 1012 as necessary, and executes each of the above-mentioned procedures.

[0085] Note that the program module 1093 and program data 1094 relating to the information processing program are not limited to being stored in the hard disk drive 1031, and may be stored in, for example, a removable storage medium and read by the CPU 1020 via the disk drive 1041 or the like. Alternatively, the program module 1093 and program data 1094 relating to the information processing program may be stored in another computer connected via a network such as a LAN or a WAN (Wide Area Network), and read by the CPU 1020 via the network interface 1070.

[0086] Although the embodiment to which the invention made by the present inventor is applied has been described above, the present invention is not limited by the description and drawings which form a part of the disclosure of the present invention according to the present embodiment. In other words, other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, etc. made by those skilled in the art based on the present embodiment are all included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f UE 30 UPF 40a, 40b DN-GW 50 Servers 60 CPF 70 DN-GW Controller

Claims

1. An information processing system including a user terminal that communicates with a server via a first relay device, a second relay device, and a third relay device, a link device, and a control device, The linkage device includes: a linking function unit that, when a session is established or released with the user terminal, notifies the control device of notification information including information indicating the establishment or release of the session established with the user terminal, first identification information identifying the first relay device accommodating the session established with the user terminal, slice identification information identifying a slice corresponding to the session, and address information assigned to the user terminal; The control device includes: a mapping setting functional unit that generates a distribution rule in which resources of a first section between the first relay device and the second relay device and resources of a second section between the second relay device and the third relay device are assigned to the address information based on the notification information, and sets the distribution rule to the second relay device and the third relay device; an information processing system characterized in that the mapping setting function unit determines whether the session has been established or released between the user terminal and the linked device based on the notification information, and if the session status is established, transmits the distribution rule to the second relay device and the third relay device and makes a distribution setting request, and if the session status is released, transmits the distribution rule to the second relay device and the third relay device and makes a request to cancel the setting corresponding to the distribution rule.

2. The control device has first mapping information that corresponds to the first identification information, the slice identification information, second identification information that identifies the second relay device, and resource identification information that identifies resources of the first section, and the mapping setting function unit generates the distribution rule based on the notification information and the first mapping information.The information processing system described in claim 1.

3. The information processing system of claim 2, characterized in that the control device further has second mapping information that corresponds to the second identification information, the slice identification information, third identification information that identifies the third relay device, and resource identification information that identifies resources of the second section, and the mapping setting function unit further uses the second mapping information to generate the distribution rule.

4. The information processing system described in claim 1, characterized in that the second relay device further has a distribution function unit that distributes the packets to resources of the first section or resources of the second section based on address information contained in packets exchanged between the server and the user terminal and the distribution rule.

5. 1. An information processing method for an information processing system including a user terminal that communicates with a server via a first relay device, a second relay device, and a third relay device, a link device, and a control device, the method comprising: a linking step of notifying the control device of notification information including, when a session is established or released with the user terminal, information indicating the establishment or release of the session established with the user terminal, first identification information identifying the first relay device accommodating the session established with the user terminal, slice identification information identifying a slice corresponding to the session, and address information assigned to the user terminal, by the linking device; a mapping setting step of the control device generating a distribution rule in which resources of a first section between the first relay device and the second relay device and resources of a second section between the second relay device and the third relay device are assigned to the address information based on the notification information, and setting the distribution rule in the second relay device and the third relay device; The information processing method is characterized in that the mapping setting process determines whether the session has been established or released between the user terminal and the linked device based on the notification information, and if the session status is established, sends the distribution rule to the second relay device and the third relay device and makes a distribution setting request, and if the session status is released, sends the distribution rule to the second relay device and the third relay device and makes a cancellation request for the setting corresponding to the distribution rule.

6. a receiving step of receiving, when a session is established or released between a user terminal communicating with a server via a second relay device and a third relay device, notification information including information indicating the establishment or release of the session established with the user terminal, a first relay device, first identification information identifying the first relay device accommodating the session established with the user terminal, slice identification information identifying a slice corresponding to the session, and address information assigned to the user terminal, from a linked device; a mapping setting step of generating a distribution rule in which resources of a first section between the first relay device and the second relay device and resources of a second section between the second relay device and the third relay device are assigned to the address information based on the notification information, and setting the distribution rule in the second relay device and the third relay device; Let the computer run The mapping setting step is an information processing program for determining whether the session has been established or released between the user terminal and the linked device based on the notification information, and if the session status is established, transmitting the distribution rule to the second relay device and the third relay device and making a distribution setting request, and if the session status is released, transmitting the distribution rule to the second relay device and the third relay device and making a cancellation request for the setting corresponding to the distribution rule.

Images