Network Devices

Abstract

A network device according to the present disclosure includes a memory (902) and at least one processor (901) coupled to the memory (902). The at least one processor (901) has a function of converting a message complying with the Diameter protocol into a message complying with the SBI protocol and a function of converting a message complying with the SBI protocol into a message complying with the Diameter protocol.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a network apparatus, a method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, wireless communication systems compatible with both 4G (4th Generation) and 5G (5th Generation) have been under study. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless communication system including a wireless communication system conforming to 4G and a wireless communication system conforming to 5G. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 207775 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] By the way, in 5GC (5th Generation Core network), it is defined that SMF (Session Management Function) + PGW-C (Packet data network Gateway-Control plane) is combined with PCF (Policy Control Function), and SMF + PGW-C can be connected to PCF via SBI (Service Based Interface).

[0005] However, the Diameter protocol that the SMF+PGW-C used to connect to the PCRF (Policy and Charging Rule Function) in 4G was not defined in the standard. Therefore, the SMF+PGW-C could not connect to the PCRF. As a result, there was a problem that the 4G service policy could not be applied to the UE (User Equipment) even if the UE was in a 4G area.

[0006] In addition, in 5GC, it was assumed as a general or de facto standard that Gi-LAN (Local Area Network) devices would connect to the PCRF and implement flexible policy control.

[0007] However, as mentioned above, because the Diameter protocol is not defined in the standard, the PCF cannot connect to the Gi-LAN device. As a result, even if the UE is in a 5G area, the 5G service policy cannot be applied to the UE.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a network device, a method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that can solve the above-mentioned problems and apply a 4G service policy to a UE located in a 4G area and apply a 5G service policy to a UE located in a 5G area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect, a network device includes: Memory, at least one processor coupled to the memory; Equipped with The at least one processor: The device has a function for converting a message compatible with the Diameter protocol into a message compatible with the SBI protocol, and a function for converting the message compatible with the SBI protocol into a message compatible with the Diameter protocol.

[0010] According to one aspect, a method comprises: 1. A method performed by a network device, comprising: Transforming a message compliant with the Diameter protocol into a message compliant with the SBI protocol; converting the SBI protocol compliant message into the Diameter protocol compliant message; Includes.

[0011] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer readable medium includes: On the computer, A procedure for converting a Diameter protocol compatible message into an SBI protocol compatible message, converting said SBI protocol compliant message into said Diameter protocol compliant message; The program for executing the above is stored. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the above-described aspects, it is possible to provide a network device, a method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that are capable of applying a 4G service policy to a UE located in a 4G area and applying a 5G service policy to a UE located in a 5G area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation when a UE existing in a 4G area attaches in a wireless communication system according to a related technology. [Diagram 3] A sequence diagram explaining an example of operation when a UE existing in a 5G area attaches in a wireless communication system according to related technology. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of an operation when a UE existing in a 4G area attaches in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] A sequence diagram explaining an example of operation when a UE existing in a 5G area attaches in a wireless communication system according to embodiment 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining an example of an operation when a UE existing in a 4G area attaches in a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] A sequence diagram explaining an example of operation when a UE existing in a 5G area attaches in a wireless communication system according to embodiment 2. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer that realizes the network device according to the first and second embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation. In addition, in each of the following drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0015] <Embodiment 1> First, with reference to FIG. 1, an example of the overall configuration of a wireless communication system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, the wireless communication system according to the present embodiment 1 is characterized in that converters 114 and 115 (indicated as "Conv" in the figure), which are SBI-Diameter conversion devices, are newly introduced. That is, in the present embodiment 1, the network devices according to the present disclosure are the converters 114 and 115.

[0017] Converters 114 and 115 have a function of converting a message compatible with the Diameter protocol into a message compatible with the SBI protocol, and a function of converting a message compatible with the SBI protocol into a message compatible with the Diameter protocol.

[0018] The wireless communication system according to the first embodiment includes the converters 114 and 115 described above, as well as an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) + UDM (Unified Data Management) 101, a PCF 102, a Gi-LAN device 103, an SMF + PGW-C 104, a PCRF 105, a UPF (User Plane Function) + PGW-U (Packet data network Gateway-User plane) 106, an SGW (Serving Gateway) 107, an MME (Mobility Management Entity) 108, an E-UTRAN (Evolved-Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network) 109, an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) 110, an NG-RAN (Next Generation-Radio Access Network) 111, and UEs 112 and 113. The SMF + PGW-C 104 is comboed with the PCF 102. Therefore, hereinafter, the device that is a combo of SMF+PGW-C104 and PCF102 will be referred to as SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 as appropriate.

[0019] Here, the converter 114 is connected to the SMF+PGW-C 104 combo / PCF 102, the PCRF 105, and the like. When the converter 114 receives an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message, which is a message compatible with the SBI protocol, from the SMF+PGW-C 104 combo / PCF 102, the converter 114 converts this Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message into a Credit Control Request message (indicated as "CC Req." in the figure), which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol. Then, the converter 114 transmits this Credit Control Request message to the PCRF 105.

[0020] Furthermore, when the converter 114 receives an Ack (Acknowledgement) message that is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol from the PCRF 105, the converter 114 converts this Ack message into an Ack message that is a message compatible with the SBI protocol. Then, the converter 114 transmits this Ack message to the SMF+PGW-C 104 combo / PCF 102.

[0021] On the other hand, the converter 115 is connected to the SMF+PGW-C 104 combo / PCF 102, the Gi-LAN device 103, and the like. When the converter 115 receives a Credit Control Request message that is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol from the Gi-LAN device 103, the converter 115 converts this Credit Control Request message into an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message that is a message compatible with the SBI protocol. Then, the converter 115 transmits this Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message to the SMF+PGW-C 104 combo / PCF 102.

[0022] In addition, when the converter 115 receives an Ack message that is a message compatible with the SBI protocol from the SMF+PGW-C 104 combo / PCF 102, the converter 115 converts this Ack message into an Ack message that is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol. Then, the converter 115 transmits this Ack message to the Gi-LAN device 103.

[0023] Before describing the operation of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment, the operation of a wireless communication system according to a related technique of the first embodiment in which converters 114 and 115 are not introduced will be described below.

[0024] First, an example of an operation when a UE 112 existing in a 4G area attaches in a wireless communication system according to the related art will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, HSS 1011 corresponds to the HSS portion of HSS+UDM 101 in Fig. 1 (the same applies to Figs. 4 and 7 described below).

[0025] 2, the UE 112 is present in a 4G area, that is, an area of ​​the E-UTRAN 109 (step S101). In this case, the MME 108 authenticates the UE 112 by using authentication information registered in the HSS 1011 (step S102), and registers location information of the UE 112 in the HSS 1011 (step S103).

[0026] Next, MME 108 transmits a Create Session Request message to SGW 107 (Step S104), and SGW 107 transmits the Create Session Request message to SMF+PGW-C 104 (Step S105).

[0027] Next, the SMF+PGW-C 104 transmits an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message, which is a message compatible with the SIB protocol, to the PCF 102 (Step S106).

[0028] In addition, the SMF+PGW-C 104 should send a Credit Control Request message, which is a Diameter protocol compatible message, to the PCRF 105.

[0029] However, the Diameter protocol is not defined in the standard. Therefore, the SMF+PGW-C 104 cannot connect to the PCRF 105 and cannot transmit the Credit Control Request message to the PCRF 105 (step S107). In this case, the Ack message is transmitted from the PCF 102 to the UE 112 via the SMF+PGW-C 104, the SGW 107, the MME 108, and the E-UTRAN 109 (steps S108 to S112).

[0030] As a result, in the wireless communication system according to the related art, there is a problem that even if the UE 112 is located in a 4G area, the PCRF 105 cannot apply a 4G service policy to the UE 112.

[0031] Next, an example of operation when a UE 113 existing in a 5G area attaches in a wireless communication system according to the related art will be described with reference to Fig. 3. In Fig. 3, AUSF (Authentication Server Function) / UDM 1012 corresponds to a combination of a UDM part in HSS+UDM 101 in Fig. 1 and an AUSF not shown in Fig. 1. Radius 116 is not shown in Fig. 1 (the same applies to Figs. 5 and 8 described below).

[0032] 3, the UE 113 is present in a 5G area, that is, an area of ​​the NG-RAN 111 (step S201). In this case, the AMF 110 authenticates the UE 113 by using authentication information registered in the AUSF / UDM 1012 (step S202), and registers location information of the UE 113 in the AUSF / UDM 1012 (step S203).

[0033] Next, AMF110 sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_Create SM Context Request message to SMF+PGW-C104 (step S204), SMF+PGW-C104 sends a Nudm_SubscriberDataManagement_GET message to AUSF / UDM1012 (step S205), and AUSF / UDM1012 sends an Ack message to SMF+PGW-C104 (step S206).

[0034] Next, the SMF+PGW-C 104 transmits an Access Request message to the Radius 116 (step S207), and the Radius 116 transmits an Ack message to the SMF+PGW-C 104 (step S208).

[0035] Next, the SMF+PGW-C 104 transmits an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message to the PCF 102 (step S209), and the PCF 102 transmits an Ack message to the SMF+PGW-C 104 (step S210).

[0036] Next, the SMF+PGW-C 104 transmits an Accounting Request message to the Radius 116 and the Gi-LAN device 103 (steps S211, S212), and the Radius 116 and the Gi-LAN device 103 transmit an Ack message to the SMF+PGW-C 104 (steps S213, S214).

[0037] Next, the Gi-LAN device 103 should transmit a Credit Control Request message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, to the PCF 102 .

[0038] However, the Diameter protocol is not defined in the standard. Therefore, the Gi-LAN device 103 cannot connect to the PCF 102 and cannot transmit the Credit Control Request message to the PCF 102 (step S215). In this case, the Ack message is transmitted from the SMF+PGW-C 104 to the UE 113 via the AMF 110 and the NG-RAN 111 (steps S216 to S218).

[0039] As a result, in the wireless communication system according to the related art, there was a problem that even if UE 113 was in a 5G area, the Gi-LAN device 103 could not apply a 5G service policy to UE 113.

[0040] As described above, in the wireless communication system related to the related technology, there was a problem that the 4G service policy from the PCRF 105 could not be applied to the UE 112 located in a 4G area, and a problem that the 5G service policy from the Gi-LAN device 103 could not be applied to the UE 113 located in a 5G area.

[0041] Next, the operation of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment will be described below. First, with reference to FIG. 4, an example of operation when UE 112 existing in a 4G area attaches in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, first, the operations of steps S301 to S305 similar to steps S101 to S105 in FIG. 2 are performed. Next, the SMF+PGW-C 104 transmits an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message, which is a message compatible with the SBI protocol, to the converter 114 (Step S306).

[0043] Next, the converter 114 converts the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message received from the SMF+PGW-C 104 into a Credit Control Request message that is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, and sends this Credit Control Request message to the PCRF 105 (Step S307).

[0044] Next, the PCRF 105 transmits an Ack message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, to the converter 114 (Step S308). Next, converter 114 converts the Ack message received from PCRF 105 into an Ack message that is a message compatible with the SBI protocol, and transmits this Ack message to SMF+PGW-C 104 (Step S309).

[0045] Thereafter, an Ack message is transmitted from SMF+PGW-C 104 to UE 112 via SGW 107, MME 108, and E-UTRAN 109 (steps S310 to S313).

[0046] As described above, in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment, the converter 114, which is an SBI-Diameter conversion device, is provided, and therefore the SMF+PGW-C 104 is able to connect to the PCRF 105 and transmit a Credit Control Request message to the PCRF 105.

[0047] As a result, in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment, it becomes possible for the PCRF 105 to apply the 4G service policy to the UE 112 existing in the 4G area.

[0048] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, an operation example when UE 113 existing in a 5G area attaches in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, first, the operations of steps S401 to S414 similar to steps S201 to S214 in FIG. 3 are performed.

[0049] Next, the Gi-LAN device 103 transmits a Credit Control Request message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, to the converter 115 (step S415).

[0050] Next, the converter 115 converts the Credit Control Request message received from the Gi-LAN device 103 into an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message that is a message compatible with the SBI protocol, and transmits this Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message to the PCF 102 (step S416).

[0051] Next, the PCF 102 transmits an Ack message, which is a message compatible with the SBI protocol, to the converter 115 (step S417). Next, the converter 115 converts the Ack message received from the PCF 102 into an Ack message that is compatible with the Diameter protocol, and transmits this Ack message to the Gi-LAN device 103 (step S418). After that, an Ack message is transmitted from SMF+PGW-C 104 to UE 113 via AMF 110 and NG-RAN 111 (steps S419 to S421).

[0052] In this way, in the wireless communication system of this embodiment 1, since the converter 115, which is an SBI-Diameter conversion device, is provided, the Gi-LAN device 103 is able to connect to the PCF 102 and transmit a Credit Control Request message to the PCF 102.

[0053] As a result, in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment, it becomes possible to apply the 5G service policy from the Gi-LAN device 103 to the UE 113 existing in the 5G area.

[0054] As described above, the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment is provided with the converters 114 and 115, which are SBI-Diameter conversion devices. Therefore, the SMF+PGW-C 104 is connected to the PCRF 105 and is capable of transmitting a Credit Control Request message to the PCRF 105. In addition, the Gi-LAN device 103 is connected to the PCF 102 and is capable of transmitting a Credit Control Request message to the PCF 102.

[0055] As a result, a 4G service policy from PCRF 105 can be applied to UE 112 that is present in a 4G area, and a 5G service policy from Gi-LAN device 103 can be applied to UE 113 that is present in a 5G area.

[0056] <Embodiment 2> Next, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the overall configuration of a wireless communication system according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0057] 6, the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 supports the Diameter protocol. That is, in the second embodiment, the network device according to the present disclosure is the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102.

[0058] The SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 has a function of converting a message compatible with the Diameter protocol into a message compatible with the SBI protocol, and a function of converting a message compatible with the SBI protocol into a message compatible with the Diameter protocol.

[0059] In the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment, the SMF+PGW-C 104 combo / PCF 102 supports the Diameter protocol. Therefore, the overall configuration of the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that the converters 114 and 115 are removed.

[0060] Here, the SMF+PGW-C 104 combo / PCF 102 is connected to the SGW 107, the PCRF 105, and the Gi-LAN device 103, etc. When the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 receives a Create Session Request message, which is a message compatible with the SBI protocol, from the SGW107, it converts this Create Session Request message into a Credit Control Request message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol. Then, the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 transmits this Credit Control Request message to the PCRF105.

[0061] Furthermore, when the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 receives an Ack message that is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol from the PCRF105, it converts this Ack message into an Ack message that is a message compatible with the SBI protocol. Then, the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 transmits this Ack message to the SGW107.

[0062] Furthermore, when the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 receives a Credit Control Request message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, from the Gi-LAN device 103, it converts this Credit Control Request message into a message compatible with the SBI protocol. Furthermore, the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 transmits an Ack message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, to the Gi-LAN device 103.

[0063] Next, the operation of the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment will be described below. In addition, the operation of the wireless communication system in which the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 does not support the Diameter protocol, which is related to the technology of the present embodiment 2, is similar to the operation described with reference to Figures 2 and 3, so the description will be omitted.

[0064] First, with reference to FIG. 7, an example of operation when UE 112 existing in a 4G area attaches in the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, first, the operations of steps S501 to S505 similar to steps S101 to S105 in FIG. 2 are performed.

[0065] Next, SMF+PGW-C104 converts the Create Session Request message, which is a message compatible with the SBI protocol, received from SGW107, into a Credit Control Request message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, and sends this Credit Control Request message to PCRF105 (Step S506).

[0066] Next, the PCRF 105 sends an Ack message, which is a Diameter protocol compatible message, SMF+PGW-C104 (step S507). Next, SMF+PGW-C 104 converts the Ack message received from PCRF 105 into an Ack message that is a message compatible with the SBI protocol, and transmits this Ack message to SGW 107 (Step S508).

[0067] Thereafter, an Ack message is transmitted from the SGW 107 to the UE 112 via the MME 108 and the E-UTRAN 109 (steps S509 to S511).

[0068] As described above, in the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment, the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 supports the Diameter protocol, and therefore the SMF+PGW-C104 can connect to the PCRF105 and transmit a Credit Control Request message to the PCRF105. As a result, in the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment, it becomes possible for the PCRF 105 to apply the 4G service policy to the UE 112 existing in the 4G area.

[0069] Next, with reference to FIG. 8, an operation example when UE 113 existing in a 5G area attaches in the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, first, the operations of steps S601 to S614 similar to steps S201 to S214 in FIG. 3 are performed.

[0070] Next, the Gi-LAN device 103 transmits a Credit Control Request message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, to the PCF 102 (step S615).

[0071] Next, the PCF 102 converts the Credit Control Request message received from the Gi-LAN device 103 into a message compatible with the SBI protocol. Then, the PCF 102 transmits an Ack message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, to the Gi-LAN device 103 (step S616). After that, an Ack message is transmitted from SMF+PGW-C 104 to UE 113 via AMF 110 and NG-RAN 111 (steps S617 to S619).

[0072] As described above, in the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment, since the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 supports the Diameter protocol, the Gi-LAN device 103 is able to connect to the PCF102 and transmit a Credit Control Request message to the PCF102.

[0073] As a result, in the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment, it becomes possible to apply the 5G service policy from the Gi-LAN device 103 to the UE 113 existing in the 5G area.

[0074] As described above, in the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment, the SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102 supports the Diameter protocol. Therefore, the SMF+PGW-C104 can connect to the PCRF105 and transmit a Credit Control Request message to the PCRF105. In addition, the Gi-LAN device 103 can connect to the PCF102 and transmit a Credit Control Request message to the PCF102.

[0075] As a result, a 4G service policy from PCRF 105 can be applied to UE 112 that is present in a 4G area, and a 5G service policy from Gi-LAN device 103 can be applied to UE 113 that is present in a 5G area.

[0076] <Hardware configuration of network device according to embodiment> Next, a hardware configuration example of a computer 900 that realizes the network device (converters 114, 115) according to the above-mentioned first embodiment and the network device (SMF+PGW-C104 combo / PCF102) according to the above-mentioned second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The computer 900 shown in Fig. 9 includes a processor 901 and a memory 902. The processor 901 and the memory 902 are coupled to each other.

[0077] The processor 901 may be, for example, a microprocessor, a micro processing unit (MPU), or a central processing unit (CPU). The processor 901 may include multiple processors.

[0078] The memory 902 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 902 may include storage located away from the processor 901. In this case, the processor 901 may access the memory 902 via an I (Input) / O (Output) interface (not shown).

[0079] The memory 902 may store software modules (computer programs) including instructions and data for performing the processes by the network devices described in the first and second embodiments above.

[0080] In addition, in some implementations, the processor 901 may be configured to read and execute software modules from the memory 902 to perform the processing of the network device described in the first and second embodiments above.

[0081] The above-mentioned program can be stored and provided to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable medium include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), compact disc-ROMs (CD-ROMs), CD-recordables (CD-Rs), CD-rewritables (CD-R / Ws), semiconductor memories (e.g., mask ROMs, programmable ROMs (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs). The program may be provided to a computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of the transitory computer readable medium include electric signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer readable medium can provide the program to a computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or via a wireless communication path.

[0082] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0083] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) Memory, at least one processor coupled to the memory; Equipped with The at least one processor: A function for converting a message compatible with the Diameter protocol into a message compatible with the SBI protocol, and a function for converting the message compatible with the SBI protocol into a message compatible with the Diameter protocol. Network device. (Appendix 2) The network device comprises: A converter, SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF is a combination of SMF(Session Management Function)+PGW-C(Packet data network Gateway-Control plane) and PCF(Policy Control Function), and is connected to PCRF(Policy and Charging Rule Function). 2. The network device of claim 1. (Appendix 3) When the at least one processor receives an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message, which is a message corresponding to the SBI protocol, from the SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF, the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message is converted into a Credit Control Request message, which is a message corresponding to the Diameter protocol, and transmits the Credit Control Request message to the PCRF. 3. The network device of claim 2. (Appendix 4) When the at least one processor receives an Ack (Acknowledgement) message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, from the PCRF, it converts the Ack message into an Ack message, which is a message compatible with the SBI protocol, and sends the Ack message to the SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF. 4. The network device of claim 3. (Appendix 5) The network device comprises: A converter, SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF, which is a combination of SMF(Session Management Function)+PGW-C(Packet data network Gateway-Control plane) and PCF(Policy Control Function), is connected to Gi-LAN(Local Area Network) device. 2. The network device of claim 1. (Appendix 6) When the at least one processor receives a Credit Control Request message, which is a message corresponding to the Diameter protocol, from the Gi-LAN device, the at least one processor converts the Credit Control Request message into an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message, which is a message corresponding to the SBI protocol, and transmits the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message to the SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF; 6. The network device of claim 5. (Appendix 7) When the at least one processor receives an Ack (Acknowledgement) message that is a message corresponding to the SBI protocol from the SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF, the processor converts the Ack message into an Ack message that is a message corresponding to the Diameter protocol, and transmits the Ack message to the Gi-LAN device. 7. The network device of claim 6. (Appendix 8) The network device comprises: SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF is a combination of SMF(Session Management Function)+PGW-C(Packet data network Gateway-Control plane) and PCF(Policy Control Function). It is connected to the SGW (Serving Gateway) and the PCRF (Policy and Charging Rule Function). 2. The network device of claim 1. (Appendix 9) When the at least one processor receives a Create Session Request message, which is a message corresponding to the SBI protocol, from the SGW, the processor converts the Create Session Request message into a Credit Control Request message, which is a message corresponding to the Diameter protocol, and transmits the Credit Control Request message to the PCRF. 9. The network device of claim 8. (Appendix 10) When the at least one processor receives an Ack (Acknowledgement) message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, from the PCRF, it converts the Ack message into an Ack message, which is a message compatible with the SBI protocol, and sends the Ack message to the SGW. 10. The network device of claim 9. (Appendix 11) The network device is further connected to a Gi-LAN (Local Area Network) device. 11. A network device according to any one of appendix 8 to 10. (Appendix 12) When the at least one processor receives a Credit Control Request message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, from the Gi-LAN device, the processor converts the Credit Control Request message into a message compatible with the SBI protocol, and transmits an Ack (Acknowledgement) message, which is a message compatible with the Diameter protocol, to the Gi-LAN device. 12. The network device of claim 11. (Appendix 13) 1. A method performed by a network device, comprising: Transforming a message compliant with the Diameter protocol into a message compliant with the SBI protocol; converting the SBI protocol compliant message into the Diameter protocol compliant message; A method comprising: (Appendix 14) On the computer, A procedure for converting a Diameter protocol compatible message into an SBI protocol compatible message, converting said SBI protocol compliant message into said Diameter protocol compliant message; A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a program for executing the program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 101 HSS+UDM 1011 HSS 1012 AUSF / UDM 102 PCF 103 Gi-LAN device 104 SMF+PGW-C 105 PCRF 106 UPF+PGW-U 107 SGW 108 MME 109 E-UTRAN 110 AMF 111 NG-RAN 112,113 UE 114,115 Converter 116 Radius 900 Computers 901 Processor 902 Memory

Claims

1. A network device, Means for receiving a first message from a first node corresponding to a Service Based Interface (SBI) protocol; means for converting the first message into a second message that complies with the Diameter protocol; means for transmitting the second message to a second node; The first node includes a Session Management Function (SMF), a Packet data network Gateway-Control plane (PGW-C) and a Policy Control Function (PCF); Network device.

2. the network device is a converter; The first node is an SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF; The second node is a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF), The network device according to claim 1 .

3. the first message is an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message; The second message is a Credit Control Request message.

3. A network device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The network device is a converter, The first node is an SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF; The second node is a Gi-LAN (Local Area Network), The network device according to claim 1 .

5. The first message is an Acknowledgement (Ack) message, The second message is an Ack message.

5. A network device according to claim 1 or 4.

6. A network device, means for receiving a first message from a first node, the first message corresponding to a Diameter protocol; means for converting the first message into a second message corresponding to a Service Based Interface (SBI) protocol; means for transmitting the second message to a second node; The second node includes a Session Management Function (SMF), a Packet data network Gateway-Control plane (PGW-C) and a Policy Control Function (PCF); Network device.

7. The network device, The first node is a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF), The second node is an SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF; The network device according to claim 6.

8. The first message is an Acknowledgement (Ack) message, The second message is an Ack message.

8. A network device according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The network device, The first node is a Gi-LAN (Local Area Network), The second node is an SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF; The network device according to claim 6.

10. The first message is a Credit Control Request message, The second message is an Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Request message.

10. A network device according to claim 6 or 9.

11. A network device, Means for receiving a first message from a first node corresponding to a Service Based Interface (SBI) protocol; means for converting the first message into a second message that complies with the Diameter protocol; means for transmitting the second message to a second node; The network device includes a Session Management Function (SMF), a Packet data network Gateway-Control plane (PGW-C) and a Policy Control Function (PCF), Network device.

12. The network device is an SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF, The first node is a Serving Gateway (SGW), The second node is a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF), The network device according to claim 11.

13. The first message is a Create Session Request message, The second message is a Credit Control Request message.

13. A network device according to claim 11 or 12.

14. A network device comprising: means for receiving a first message from a first node, the first message corresponding to a Diameter protocol; means for converting the first message into a second message corresponding to a Service Based Interface (SBI) protocol; means for transmitting the second message to a second node; The network device includes a Session Management Function (SMF), a Packet data network Gateway-Control plane (PGW-C) and a Policy Control Function (PCF), Network device.

15. The network device is an SMF+PGW-C combo / PCF, The first node is a Policy and Charging Rule Function (PCRF), The second node is a Serving Gateway (SGW).

15. The network device of claim 14.

16. The first message is an Acknowledgement (Ack) message, The second message is an Ack message.

16. A network device according to claim 14 or 15.

17. A method for receiving a third message from a third node, the third message corresponding to the Diameter protocol; means for converting the third message into a fourth message corresponding to the Service Based Interface (SBI) protocol; and means for transmitting a fifth message corresponding to the Diameter protocol to the third node. A network device according to any one of claims 11 to 16.

18. The third node is a Gi-LAN (Local Area Network), 20. The network device of claim 17.

19. The third message is a Credit Control Request message, The fifth message is an Acknowledgement (Ack) message.

19. A network device according to claim 17 or 18.

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