Satellite service function chain access method and apparatus, electronic device, and storage medium

Abstract

A satellite service function chain (SFC) access method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a computer-readable storage medium, relating to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: when a session management function entity determines that a service function path (SFP) of a user terminal does not satisfy satellite backhaul SFC rules, a satellite SFC control plane entity receives SFC information which is sent by the session management function entity and comprises the satellite backhaul SFC rules and / or a user terminal location and the like; and the satellite SFC control plane entity determines a target SFP and a target satellite on the basis of information such as a service function list in the SFC information, so as to ensure that at least one SFC serves the user terminal at each moment within an SFC service duration. According to the method, a mobile network and a satellite network work in conjunction to provide technical support for development of variable services of a terminal or a third party, so that related service deployment, provisioning, operation and maintenance are more flexible and automatic.

Description

Satellite service function link access method, device, electronic device and storage medium

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] The present disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application number 202310827652.1 filed on July 6, 2023, entitled “Satellite service function link access method, device, electronic device and storage medium”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a satellite service function link access method, device, electronic device, and computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0004] Currently, 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) only considers scenarios where satellites can provide access or backhaul links for 5G NR (New Radio), but does not specify the use scenarios of intersatellite links.

[0005] In the satellite backhaul scenario, the satellite network domain may consist of one or more satellites and the intersatellite links between them to form a backhaul link. For each satellite, there are one or more network service function entities. Currently, neither the control plane nor the user plane supports service function chain-related functions. When user traffic passes through the backhaul link, it may need to pass through one or more service function entities, such as firewalls, NAT (Network Address Translation), etc. However, these service function entities are currently deployed in a pre-configured manner, which is not conducive to the development of automated, customized, and diverse services.

[0006] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present disclosure provides a satellite service function link access method, device, electronic device and computer-readable storage medium, which at least to a certain extent overcome the problem in related technologies that mobile networks cannot collaborate with satellite networks to provide technical support for the development of diverse services for terminals or third parties.

[0009] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part by practice of the present disclosure.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a satellite service function chain access method is provided, comprising: when a service function path (SFP) of a user terminal does not satisfy a satellite backhaul SFC rule, a satellite SFC control plane entity of the satellite service function chain receives SFC information sent by a session management function entity; the satellite SFC control plane entity determines a target service function path (SFP) and a target satellite based on the SFC information, wherein the target satellite ensures that at least one SFC serves the user terminal at each moment within the SFC service duration.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the SFC information includes satellite backhaul SFC rules and / or user terminal location; the satellite backhaul SFC rules include at least one of the following: access control information, traffic classification information, service function list, uplink and downlink indications, and SFC service duration.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, it also includes: the satellite SFC control plane entity returns the traffic steering information corresponding to the target SFP to the session management function entity; when the session management function entity determines that the network service header NSH in the traffic steering information has changed, the session management function entity sends a session update modification request to the user plane function entity, wherein the session update modification request includes the traffic steering information, so that the user plane function entity modifies the session according to the traffic steering information.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the traffic steering information includes at least one of the following: type identification, NSH, transport layer protocol, target IP address, and target port.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, it further includes: when the user terminal sends traffic, the user plane function entity processes the data packet corresponding to the traffic according to the satellite backhaul SFC rule and the traffic steering information.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, it also includes: when the user terminal accesses and creates a session, and the PCC rule corresponding to the user terminal is triggered, the policy control function entity sends a session association modification request to the session management function entity, wherein the session association modification request includes a policy and charging control PCC rule; the policy control function entity receives a modification indication returned by the session management function entity; wherein the PCC rule includes at least one of the following: time, user terminal location, subscription and unsubscription related traffic services, and satellite backhaul SFC rules corresponding to one or more satellites.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further includes: when the policy control function entity receives a trigger message sent by an application function and / or a trigger condition is met, the PCC rule corresponding to the user terminal is triggered.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the trigger condition includes at least one of the following: time, user terminal location, and subscription and unsubscription of related traffic services.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further includes: when the target satellite moves, updating the target SFP and the target satellite according to the SFC information.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a satellite service function link access device is provided, comprising:

[0020] The receiving module receives the SFC information sent by the session management function entity in the satellite service function chain satellite SFC control plane entity when the service function path SFP of the user terminal does not meet the satellite backhaul SFC rule;

[0021] The satellite SFC control plane entity determines a target service function path SFP and a target satellite according to the SFC information, wherein the target satellite ensures that at least one SFC serves the user terminal at each moment within the SFC service duration.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to execute any one of the above-mentioned satellite service function link access methods by executing the executable instructions.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the satellite service function link access method described above is implemented.

[0024] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is further provided, including a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the satellite service function link access method is implemented.

[0025] The satellite service function chain access method, device, electronic device and computer-readable storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present invention, when it is determined through the session management function entity that the service function path SFP of the user terminal does not meet the satellite return SFC rules, the satellite service function chain satellite SFC control plane entity receives the SFC information including the satellite return SFC rules and / or the user terminal location sent by the session management function entity; the satellite SFC control plane entity determines the target service function path SFP and the target satellite based on the service function list and other information in the SFC information to ensure that at least one SFC serves the user terminal at each moment within the SFC service duration, thereby realizing the mobile network and the satellite network to collaborate in providing technical support for the development of various services for the terminal or a third party, making the deployment, activation and operation and maintenance of related services more flexible and automated.

[0026] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the specification, are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort.

[0028] FIG1 shows a flow chart of a satellite service function link access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG2 shows a flow chart of a traffic processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG3 shows a flow chart of a session modification processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG4 shows a schematic diagram of a satellite service function link access device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG5 shows a schematic diagram of a satellite service function link input message flow in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG6 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture in which a mobile network backhaul link accesses a satellite service function chain in an air-space-ground scenario according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0034] FIG7 shows a structural block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be embodied in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0036] In addition, the accompanying drawings are merely schematic illustrations of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Identical reference numerals in the figures denote identical or similar parts, and thus repetitive descriptions thereof will be omitted. Some of the block diagrams shown in the accompanying drawings are functional entities that do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically separate entities. These functional entities may be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different networks and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0037] For ease of understanding, several terms involved in this disclosure are explained below:

[0038] The purpose of Service Function Chain (SFC) is to dynamically establish service chains so that traffic from different tenants can be directed to different service function modules in different orders. Its concept is similar to policy routing, that is, SFC enables network packet traffic to take a specific path instead of checking the routing table for the final destination through the IP destination address.

[0039] Policy and Charging Control (PCC) is a collection of related information and operations, usually including three types of information: service data flow inspection information, policy control information, and charging-related information.

[0040] Service Function Path (SFP) refers to a collection of service functions.

[0041] The Network Service Header (NSH) generally includes a chain identifier and a position on the chain.

[0042] The Policy Control Function (PCF) provides policy rules for control plane functions.

[0043] The Session Management Function (SMF) is responsible for tunnel maintenance, IP address allocation and management, UP function selection, policy implementation and QoS control, billing data collection, roaming, etc.

[0044] User plane function (UPF), packet routing and forwarding, policy implementation, traffic reporting, and QoS processing.

[0045] This exemplary implementation is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

[0046] First, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a satellite service function link access method, which can be executed by any electronic device with computing and processing capabilities.

[0047] FIG1 shows a flow chart of a satellite service function link access method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , the satellite service function link access method provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure includes the following steps:

[0048] S102: When the service function path SFP of the user terminal does not meet the satellite backhaul SFC rule, the satellite service function chain satellite SFC control plane entity receives SFC information sent by the session management function entity.

[0049] In one embodiment, when a user terminal accesses and creates a session, and the PCC rule corresponding to the user terminal is triggered, the policy control function entity sends a session association modification request including a satellite backhaul SFC rule to the session management function entity, and receives a modification indication returned by the session management function entity.

[0050] In one embodiment, the session management function entity determines whether the SFP currently serving the user terminal meets the satellite backhaul SFC rule. If so, it returns a message that it has been met to the policy control function entity; otherwise, it sends SFC information to the satellite SFC control plane entity.

[0051] In one embodiment, the SFC information includes but is not limited to: satellite return SFC rules, and / or user terminal location, etc.; it should be noted that the satellite return SFC rules are the service function chain rules for satellite return, and the satellite return SFC rules included in the SFC information include but are not limited to: the original satellite return SFC rules, the dynamic satellite return SFC rules requested to be updated, etc.; the user terminal location includes but is not limited to the original user terminal location, the user terminal location requested to be updated, and other information.

[0052] Satellite backhaul SFC rules include but are not limited to at least one of the following: access control information, traffic classification information, service function list, uplink and downlink instructions, SFC service duration, etc.

[0053] In one embodiment, the access control information includes but is not limited to: SFC network deployment location, SFC network logical location, SFC access information, etc.

[0054] In one embodiment, the SFC network deployment location includes but is not limited to ground, HAP (high-altitude platform), LEO (Low Earth orbit), MEO (Medium Earth Orbit), GEO (geostationary orbit) and other information.

[0055] In one embodiment, the SFC network logical positions include but are not limited to: N3, N9, N6, etc.

[0056] In one embodiment, the SFC access information includes but is not limited to: user name, key, encryption algorithm, etc.

[0057] In one embodiment, the traffic classification information includes but is not limited to a combination of one or more of the following: target IP address segment, target port segment, network protocol type, data packet length, DNN (Data Network Name), 5QI (5G quality of service identifier), etc.

[0058] In one embodiment, the service function list includes but is not limited to traffic services, one or more type identifiers, and a service function list corresponding to each type that can reflect the order in which traffic enters.

[0059] In one embodiment, the uplink and downlink indications include but are not limited to: enumeration types, including uplink, downlink, uplink and downlink, and other enumeration types.

[0060] The SFC service duration represents the time length information of the service function chain service.

[0061] S104, the satellite SFC control plane entity determines a target service function path SFP and a target satellite according to the SFC information, wherein the target satellite ensures that at least one SFC serves the user terminal at each moment within the SFC service duration.

[0062] In one embodiment, the satellite SFC control plane entity finds one or more ordered groups of target satellites that can provide corresponding service functions within the SFC service duration based on the order corresponding to the service function list in the satellite return SFC rule, and controls these target satellites and other satellites that may participate in routing exchange to use intersatellite links for data transmission, ensuring that at each moment within the SFC service duration, there is at least one satellite network SFC serving the user terminal, and returns corresponding traffic guidance information to the session management function entity.

[0063] In one embodiment, when the target satellite moves, the target SFP and the target satellite are updated according to the SFC information to meet the SFP requirement.

[0064] In related technologies, the user plane functions of the mobile network core network cannot communicate with the satellite network and cannot perceive and select traffic services of the satellite backhaul link. Therefore, it is difficult to meet various customized needs under the trend of network convergence. For specific service functions that all traffic passes through, such as firewalls and NAT, manual routing configuration is required, which takes a long time and has poor scalability and real-time performance.

[0065] In the above embodiment, SFC-related functions are introduced on the core network side of the mobile network. By negotiating with the satellite SFC control plane of the satellite network or other bearer network, the user-plane traffic can flexibly select the automatically orchestrated service function chain when passing through the satellite backhaul network. This enables the linkage between the mobile network and the satellite network service function chain when deploying service functions such as application acceleration and HTTP header enhancement, and enables the mobile network and the satellite network to collaborate to provide technical support for the development of various services for terminals or third parties, making the deployment, commissioning, and operation and maintenance of related services more flexible and automated.

[0066] FIG2 shows a flow chart of a traffic processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the traffic processing method provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the following steps:

[0067] S202: The satellite SFC control plane entity returns traffic steering information corresponding to the target SFP to the session management function entity.

[0068] In one embodiment, the traffic steering information includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: type identification, NSH, transport layer protocol, target IP address, target port, etc.

[0069] S204: When the session management function entity determines that the network service header NSH in the traffic steering information is changed, the session management function entity sends a session update modification request to the user plane function entity, wherein the session update modification request includes the traffic steering information.

[0070] S206: The user plane functional entity modifies the session according to the traffic steering information.

[0071] S208: When the user terminal sends traffic, the user plane functional entity processes the data packets corresponding to the traffic according to the satellite backhaul SFC rule and traffic steering information.

[0072] In one embodiment, the user plane functional entity classifies traffic according to traffic classification information in the satellite backhaul SFC rule, and encapsulates and forwards the qualified traffic according to the traffic steering information.

[0073] In one embodiment, when the traffic is uplink traffic, the user plane functional entity classifies the data packets in the uplink traffic and encapsulates different data packets based on the traffic steering information, such as adding NSH to the original data packet, and encapsulating the transport layer and network layer, thereby forwarding them to one or more SFPs; when the traffic is downlink traffic, the user plane functional entity identifies and processes the encapsulated data packets.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the terminal backhaul link SFC-related policies are dynamically changed according to real-time business needs. The service function chain policy is negotiated between the mobile network control plane and the satellite network SFC control plane, so that user traffic can flexibly select the backhaul link and SFP, thereby providing real-time on-demand services for customer traffic. The mobile network and the satellite network collaborate to provide technical support for the development of automated, customized, and variable services for terminals or third parties, making the deployment, activation, and operation and maintenance of related services more flexible and automated.

[0075] FIG3 shows a flow chart of a session modification processing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 , the session modification processing method provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes the following steps:

[0076] S302: The policy control function entity stores the user terminal's default or dynamic PCC rules.

[0077] In one embodiment, the policy control function entity supports receiving, storing, and deleting satellite backhaul SFC rules, and carries the satellite backhaul SFC rules when issuing default or dynamic PCC rules.

[0078] S304: When a user terminal accesses and creates a session, the PCC rule corresponding to the user terminal is triggered, and the PCC rule includes one or more satellite backhaul SFC rules corresponding to satellites. The policy control function entity sends a session association modification request to the session management function entity.

[0079] S306: The policy control function entity receives the modification instruction returned by the session management function entity.

[0080] The session association modification request indicates that a session corresponding to the user terminal needs to be modified, wherein the session association modification request includes a policy and charging control (PCC) rule.

[0081] In one embodiment, the PCC rules include but are not limited to at least one of the following: time, user terminal location, subscription and unsubscription of related traffic services, satellite backhaul SFC rules corresponding to one or more satellites, etc.

[0082] In one embodiment, when the policy control function entity receives a trigger message sent by the application function and / or a trigger condition is met, the PCC rule corresponding to the user terminal is triggered.

[0083] In one embodiment, the triggering conditions include but are not limited to at least one of the following: time, user terminal location, subscription and unsubscription of related traffic services, etc.; for example, when the time is A and the user terminal location is B, the PCC rule corresponding to the user terminal is triggered.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the policy control function entity supports receiving, storing, and deleting satellite backhaul SFC rules. When issuing default or dynamic PCC rules, the satellite backhaul SFC rules are carried along. The mobile network session management function entity selects a specific SFC for session-granular traffic in real time based on the session's satellite SFC policy through communication with the satellite SFC control plane, thereby providing a specific service combination for backhaul link traffic. This provides a means of refined and automated management to meet users' high-end customized needs, while increasing the flexibility of satellite network function deployment. This has great application prospects in future network scenarios such as 5G or 6G.

[0085] Based on the same inventive concept, the present disclosure also provides a satellite service function link access device, as described in the following embodiments. Since the principles of the device embodiment are similar to those of the above-mentioned method embodiment, the implementation of the device embodiment can refer to the implementation of the above-mentioned method embodiment, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0086] FIG4 shows a schematic diagram of a satellite service function chain access device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 , the satellite service function chain access device 4 includes: a receiving module 401 and a determining module 402;

[0087] The receiving module 401 processes as follows: when the service function path SFP of the user terminal does not meet the satellite backhaul SFC rule, the satellite service function chain satellite SFC control plane entity receives the SFC information sent by the session management function entity.

[0088] In one embodiment, the receiving module 401 includes a first receiving module, and the processing method is as follows: when the user terminal accesses and creates a session, and the PCC rule corresponding to the user terminal is triggered, the policy control function entity sends a session association modification request including a satellite backhaul SFC rule to the session management function entity.

[0089] In one embodiment, the receiving module 401 includes a second receiving module, and the processing method is as follows: the policy control function entity receives the modification indication returned by the session management function entity.

[0090] In one embodiment, the receiving module 401 includes a third receiving module, and the processing method is as follows: the session management function entity determines whether the SFP currently serving the user terminal meets the satellite backhaul SFC rules. If so, it returns to the policy control function entity that it has met the requirements; otherwise, it sends SFC information to the satellite SFC control plane entity.

[0091] The determination module 402 is used for the satellite SFC control plane entity to determine the target service function path SFP and the target satellite according to the SFC information, wherein the target satellite ensures that at least one SFC serves the user terminal at each moment within the SFC service duration.

[0092] In one embodiment, the determination module 402 is also used for: the satellite SFC control plane entity finds one or more ordered target satellites that can provide corresponding service functions within the SFC service duration based on the order corresponding to the service function list in the satellite return SFC rule, and controls these target satellites and other satellites that may participate in routing exchange to use intersatellite links for data transmission, ensuring that at each moment within the SFC service duration, there is at least one satellite network SFC serving the user terminal, and returns corresponding traffic guidance information to the session management function entity.

[0093] In one embodiment, the satellite service function chain access device 4 further includes an updating module, configured to update the target SFP and the target satellite according to the SFC information to meet the requirements of the SFP when the target satellite moves.

[0094] In one embodiment, the satellite service function chain access device 4 further includes: a traffic processing module, and the processing method is as follows: the satellite SFC control plane entity returns traffic guidance information corresponding to the target SFP to the session management function entity.

[0095] In one embodiment, the satellite service function chain access device 4 also includes a traffic processing module, and the processing method is as follows: the satellite SFC control plane entity returns the traffic steering information corresponding to the target SFP to the session management function entity; when the session management function entity determines that the network service header NSH in the traffic steering information has changed, the session management function entity sends a session update modification request to the user plane function entity, wherein the session update modification request includes the traffic steering information; the user plane function entity modifies the session according to the traffic steering information; when the user terminal has traffic sent, the user plane function entity processes the data packet corresponding to the traffic according to the satellite backhaul SFC rules and the traffic steering information.

[0096] In the above embodiment, SFC-related functions are introduced on the mobile network core network side. By negotiating with the satellite SFC control plane of the satellite network or other bearer network, the user plane traffic can flexibly select the automatically orchestrated service function chain when passing through the satellite backhaul network. This achieves the linkage between the mobile network and the satellite network service function chain when deploying service functions such as application acceleration and HTTP header enhancement, providing customers with real-time and precise session traffic management and scheduling, improving customer experience, and increasing the flexibility of satellite network function deployment.

[0097] FIG5 shows a schematic diagram of a satellite service function link incoming message flow in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , the satellite service function link incoming message flow includes the following steps:

[0098] S502: After the user terminal accesses and creates a session, the user subscribes to the satellite backhaul traffic acceleration service. The computer system writes the dynamic PCC rules corresponding to the user terminal, including the dynamic SFC rules, into the policy control function entity. The policy control function entity sends a session association modification request message using the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify request operation to the session management function entity, filling in the corresponding satellite backhaul SFC rules.

[0099] For example, satellite backhaul SFC rules include:

[0100] Traffic Classifier: Class ID = 1, Target IP Prefix = 10.69.0.0, Protocol Type = [TCP, UDP], DNN = ctnet, that is, the traffic classification information includes: type identifier is 1, target IP address segment prefix is ​​10.69.0.0, network protocol types are TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Data Protocol), and the data network name is ctnet.

[0101] SF List Info: Class ID = 1, SF List = [Acceleration, Interception, Store and Forward], that is, the service function list includes: the type ID is 1, and the service list represents application acceleration, interruption interception, and store and forward satellite backhaul SFC traffic services.

[0102] Direction: Up and Down, that is, the up and down instructions are up and down.

[0103] Access Info: Physical Position = LEO, Logistic Position = N3, Control Info = {Username = ctnet, Password = ctnet123, Algorithm = sha256}, that is, the SFC access information includes: the SFC network deployment position is low Earth orbit, the SFC network logical position is N3, the SFC access information contains the user name ctnet, the key is ctnet123, and the encryption algorithm is sha256.

[0104] Service Duration: 36000s, that is, the SFC service duration is 36000s.

[0105] S504: The session management function returns a modification indication response of the Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify response operation to the policy control function, indicating that modification is possible.

[0106] In step S506, the session management function entity finds that the satellite backhaul SFC traffic service of the user terminal already includes [Acceleration, Interception] and only needs to add the Store and Forward service. Therefore, the session management function entity sends an SFC modification request to the satellite SFC control plane entity. The message content includes the satellite backhaul SFC policy and the user terminal location UE Location = 10412.

[0107] In step S508, the satellite SFC control plane entity finds a Store and Forward service closest to the Interception service, which can be the same satellite or two satellites closest to each other, and establishes a link through the intersatellite link or other satellite exchange between satellites, that is, determines the satellite service function path and ultimately routes it to the ground gateway station.

[0108] S510, the satellite SFC control plane entity returns an SFC modification response to the session management function entity. The message content includes traffic steering information, namely, Forwarding Info = {NSH, Trans Protocol = TCP, Network Protocol = IP}, indicating that the traffic steering information includes NSH, the transmission protocol is TCP, and the network protocol is IP.

[0109] S512: The session management function entity determines that the NSH has changed, so the session management function entity sends a session update modification request to the user plane function entity, where the session update modification request is an N4 Session Modification Request message, which includes the satellite backhaul SFC rule SFC Policy and traffic steering information Forwarding Info.

[0110] In one embodiment, the session management function entity may reselect a user plane function entity and send a session update modification request to the reselected user plane function entity.

[0111] S514: The user plane function entity establishes or modifies a session based on the satellite backhaul SFC policy, traffic steering information Forwarding Info and other information, and returns a session update modification response to the session management function entity.

[0112] S516: The user terminal sends an uplink data packet. The user plane functional entity classifies the traffic according to the traffic classification information Traffic Classifier in the satellite backhaul SFC rule, and encapsulates and forwards the qualified traffic according to the traffic guidance information Forwarding Info.

[0113] S518, when the satellite in the SFP moves, the satellite SFC control plane entity will update the satellite in the SPF in time and meet the needs of the SFP.

[0114] In the above embodiment, the terminal backhaul link SFC-related policies are dynamically changed according to real-time business needs. The service function chain policy is negotiated between the mobile network control plane and the satellite network SFC control plane, so that user traffic can flexibly select the backhaul link and SFP, and provide services for customer traffic in real time on demand. The mobile network and the satellite network collaborate to provide technical support for the development of automated, customized, and variable services for terminals or third parties, making the deployment, opening, and operation and maintenance of related services more flexible and automated, which is conducive to the virtualization and cloudification of network services.

[0115] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the network architecture of a mobile network backhaul link accessing a satellite service function chain in an air-space-ground scenario in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6, the network architecture of the mobile network backhaul link accessing a satellite service function chain in the air-space-ground scenario includes: a user terminal 601, a base station 602, a policy control function entity 603, a session management function entity 604, a user plane function entity 605, a satellite SFC control plane entity 606, and an enterprise server 607.

[0116] The access network includes a user terminal 601 and a base station 602; the user terminal 601 can be various electronic devices, including but not limited to smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, wearable devices, augmented reality devices, virtual reality devices, etc.

[0117] Optionally, the client of the application installed in different user terminals 601 is the same, or the client of the same type of application based on different operating systems. Based on different terminal platforms, the specific form of the client of the application can also be different, for example, the application client can be a mobile phone client, a PC client, etc.

[0118] The satellite backhaul network includes: a satellite SFC control plane entity 606 .

[0119] The core network includes: a policy control function entity 603 , a session management function entity 604 , and a user plane function entity 605 .

[0120] The external network includes an enterprise server 607. The enterprise server 607 can be a server that provides various services, such as a background management server that provides support for devices operated by users using the user terminal 601. The background management server can analyze and process received data such as requests and feedback the processing results to the terminal device.

[0121] Optionally, the enterprise server 607 can be an independent physical server, or a server cluster or distributed system composed of multiple physical servers. It can also be a cloud server that provides basic cloud computing services such as cloud services, cloud databases, cloud computing, cloud functions, cloud storage, network services, cloud communications, middleware services, domain name services, security services, CDN (Content Delivery Network), and big data and artificial intelligence platforms.

[0122] The user terminal 601 accesses the satellite backhaul network based on the base station 602, the satellite SFC control plane entity 606 determines the service function path, the satellite SFC control plane entity 606 connects to the core network, and the user plane function entity 605 in the core network connects to the enterprise server 607 in the external network.

[0123] In some embodiments, networks such as access networks, satellite backhaul networks, and core networks may use technologies and / or formats including Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Extensible Markup Language (XML) to represent data exchanged over the network. Furthermore, conventional encryption technologies such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Transport Layer Security (TLS), Virtual Private Network (VPN), and Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) may be used to encrypt all or some links. In other embodiments, customized and / or dedicated data communication technologies may be used in place of or in addition to the aforementioned data communication technologies.

[0124] Policy Control Function 603: Supports receiving, storing, and deleting satellite backhaul SFC rules. It stores the default or dynamic PCC rules of user terminal 601 and carries satellite backhaul SFC rules when issuing default or dynamic PCC rules. When the mobile core network creates a user plane session for user terminal 601, if the PCC rules of user terminal 601 are triggered and the PCC rules include one or more satellite backhaul SFC rules, policy control function 603 notifies session management function 604 in the session management association modification process and proceeds to the subsequent steps. Otherwise, there is no need to notify session management function 604 in the session management association modification process.

[0125] In one embodiment, the application function entity may send a message to trigger the PCC rule, or the policy control function entity 603 may trigger the PCC rule based on conditions, including but not limited to time, location of the user terminal 601, subscription and unsubscription of related traffic services, etc.

[0126] Session management function entity 604: supports analysis of default or dynamic PCC rules including satellite backhaul SFC rules, supports communication with satellite SFC control plane entity 606, and updates necessary information such as satellite SFP and user terminal 601 location.

[0127] Determine whether the SFP (Service Function Path) currently serving the user terminal 601 can satisfy the satellite return SFC rule in the dynamic PCC rule. If so, return a message indicating that it has been satisfied. If not, the session management function entity 604 communicates with the satellite network satellite SFC control plane entity 606, carrying content including but not limited to the original satellite return SFC rule, the location of the user terminal 601 and other information, as well as the dynamic satellite return SFC rule requested to be updated, the location of the user terminal 601 and other information.

[0128] The satellite network satellite SFC control plane entity 606 decides to modify and update the existing SFP based on the above SFC information, or selects other existing SFPs or creates a new SFP based on demand. It needs to find one or more ordered groups of target satellites that can provide corresponding service functions within the SFC service time based on the corresponding order of the service function list in the satellite return SFC rule, and control these target satellites and other satellites that may participate in routing exchange to use intersatellite links for data transmission, ensuring that at each moment within the SFC service time, there is at least one satellite network SFC serving the terminal, and returning the corresponding traffic guidance information to the session management function entity 604.

[0129] When the session management function entity 604 determines that the network service header NSH in the traffic steering information is changed, the session management function entity 604 sends the traffic steering information to the user plane function entity 605 .

[0130] User plane functional entity 605: When the user terminal 601 sends traffic, the user plane functional entity 605 processes the data packets corresponding to the traffic according to the dynamic satellite backhaul SFC rule parameters; for example, when the traffic is uplink traffic, the user plane functional entity 605 classifies the data packets in the uplink traffic and encapsulates different data packets based on the traffic steering information, such as adding NSH to the original data packet, and encapsulating the transport layer and network layer, and then forwarding them to one or more SFPs; the downlink traffic is the opposite.

[0131] In the above embodiment, the mobile network session management function entity selects a specific SFC for session-granular traffic in real time based on the session's satellite SFC policy through communication with the satellite SFC control plane, thereby providing a specific service combination for backhaul link traffic. This provides a means of refined and automated management to meet users' high-end customized needs, while increasing the flexibility of satellite network function deployment. This has great application prospects in future network scenarios such as 5G or 6G.

[0132] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented as systems, methods, or program products. Therefore, various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in the following forms: a complete hardware implementation, a complete software implementation (including firmware, microcode, etc.), or a combination of hardware and software implementations, which may be collectively referred to herein as "circuits," "modules," or "systems."

[0133] The electronic device 700 according to this embodiment of the present disclosure is described below with reference to Figure 7. The electronic device 700 shown in Figure 7 is merely an example and should not limit the functions and scope of use of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0134] As shown in Figure 7, electronic device 700 is implemented as a general-purpose computing device. Components of electronic device 700 may include, but are not limited to, the aforementioned at least one processing unit 710, the aforementioned at least one storage unit 720, and a bus 730 connecting various system components (including storage unit 720 and processing unit 710).

[0135] The storage unit stores program codes, which can be executed by the processing unit 710, so that the processing unit 710 performs the steps described in the above “Exemplary Method” section of this specification according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0136] For example, the processing unit 710 can execute the following steps of the above method embodiment: when the service function path SFP of the user terminal does not meet the satellite backhaul SFC rules, the satellite service function chain SFC control plane entity receives the SFC information sent by the session management function entity; the satellite SFC control plane entity determines the target service function path SFP and the target satellite based on the SFC information, wherein the target satellite ensures that at least one SFC serves the user terminal at each moment within the SFC service duration.

[0137] The storage unit 720 may include a readable medium in the form of a volatile storage unit, such as a random access memory unit (RAM) 7201 and / or a cache memory unit 7202 , and may further include a read-only memory unit (ROM) 7203 .

[0138] The storage unit 720 may also include a program / utility 7204 having a set (at least one) of program modules 7205, such program modules 7205 including but not limited to: an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data, each of which or some combination may include an implementation of a network environment.

[0139] Bus 730 may represent one or more of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, a processing unit, or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.

[0140] The electronic device 700 can also communicate with one or more external devices 740 (e.g., a keyboard, a pointing device, a Bluetooth device, etc.), one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the electronic device 700, and / or any device that enables the electronic device 700 to communicate with one or more other computing devices (e.g., a router, a modem, etc.). Such communication can occur via an input / output (I / O) interface 750. Furthermore, the electronic device 700 can communicate with one or more networks (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and / or a public network such as the Internet) via a network adapter 760. As shown, the network adapter 760 communicates with other modules of the electronic device 700 via a bus 730. It should be understood that, although not shown in the figure, other hardware and / or software modules can be used in conjunction with the electronic device 700, including but not limited to microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems.

[0141] Through the description of the above embodiments, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the example embodiments described herein can be implemented by software or by combining software with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solution according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or on a network, and includes several instructions to enable a computing device (which can be a personal computer, a server, a terminal device, or a network device, etc.) to execute the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0142] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided. The computer-readable storage medium may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. A program product capable of implementing the above-mentioned method of the present disclosure is stored thereon. In some possible implementations, various aspects of the present disclosure may also be implemented in the form of a program product, which includes program code. When the program product is run on a terminal device, the program code is used to cause the terminal device to execute the steps according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described in the "Exemplary Methods" section above of this specification.

[0143] For example, when the program product in the embodiment of the present disclosure is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented: when the service function path SFP of the user terminal does not meet the satellite backhaul SFC rules, the satellite service function chain SFC control plane entity receives SFC information sent by the session management function entity; the satellite SFC control plane entity determines the target service function path SFP and the target satellite based on the SFC information, wherein the target satellite ensures that at least one SFC serves the user terminal at each moment within the SFC service duration.

[0144] More specific examples of computer-readable storage media in the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, an electrical connection having one or more conductors, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0145] In the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, which carries readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. A readable signal medium may also be any readable medium other than a readable storage medium that can transmit, propagate, or transfer a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0146] Alternatively, the program code contained on the computer-readable storage medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0147] In a specific implementation, the program code for performing the operations of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, C++, and the like, as well as conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as "C" or similar programming languages. The program code may be executed entirely on the user computing device, partially on the user device, as a standalone software package, partially on the user computing device and partially on a remote computing device, or entirely on a remote computing device or server. In the case of a remote computing device, the remote computing device may be connected to the user computing device via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computing device (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0148] It should be noted that although several modules or units of the device for action execution are mentioned in the detailed description above, this division is not mandatory. In fact, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the features and functions of two or more modules or units described above can be concretized in one module or unit. Conversely, the features and functions of one module or unit described above can be further divided into multiple modules or units to be concretized.

[0149] Furthermore, although the steps of the method of the present disclosure are described in a particular order in the accompanying drawings, this does not require or imply that the steps must be performed in this particular order, or that all steps shown must be performed to achieve the desired results. Additionally or alternatively, some steps may be omitted, multiple steps may be combined into one step, and / or one step may be decomposed into multiple steps.

[0150] Through the description of the above embodiments, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the example embodiments described herein can be implemented by software or by combining software with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solution according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or on a network, and includes several instructions to enable a computing device (which can be a personal computer, a server, a mobile terminal, or a network device, etc.) to execute the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0151] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A satellite service function link access method, wherein: include: When the service function path SFP of the user terminal does not satisfy the satellite backhaul service function chain SFC rule, the satellite SFC control plane entity receives the SFC information sent by the session management function entity; The satellite SFC control plane entity determines a target SFP and a target satellite according to the SFC information, wherein the target satellite ensures that at least one SFC serves the user terminal at each moment within the SFC service duration.

2. The satellite service function link access method according to claim 1, wherein: The SFC information includes satellite backhaul SFC rules and / or user terminal location; the satellite backhaul SFC rules include at least one of the following: access control information, traffic classification information, service function list, uplink and downlink indications, and SFC service duration.

3. The satellite service function link access method according to claim 2, wherein: Also includes: The satellite SFC control plane entity returns the traffic steering information corresponding to the target SFP to the session management function entity; When the session management function entity determines that the network service header NSH in the traffic steering information changes, the session management function entity sends a session update modification request to the user plane function entity, wherein the session update modification request includes the traffic steering information, so that the user plane function entity modifies the session according to the traffic steering information.

4. The satellite service function link access method according to claim 3, wherein: The traffic steering information includes at least one of the following: type identification, NSH, transport layer protocol, target IP address, and target port.

5. The satellite service function link access method according to claim 3, wherein: Also includes: When the user terminal sends out traffic, the user plane function entity processes the data packets corresponding to the traffic according to the satellite backhaul SFC rule and the traffic steering information.

6. The satellite service function link access method according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: When the user terminal accesses and creates a session, and a policy and charging control PCC rule corresponding to the user terminal is triggered, the policy control function entity sends a session association modification request to the session management function entity, wherein the session association modification request includes the PCC rule; The policy control function entity receives a modification indication returned by the session management function entity; The PCC rule includes at least one of the following: time, user terminal location, subscription and unsubscription of related traffic services, and satellite backhaul SFC rules corresponding to one or more satellites.

7. The satellite service function link access method according to claim 6, wherein: Also includes: When the policy control function entity receives a trigger message sent by the application function and / or a trigger condition is met, the PCC rule corresponding to the user terminal is triggered.

8. The satellite service function link access method according to claim 7, wherein: The trigger condition includes at least one of the following: time, user terminal location, and subscription and unsubscription of related traffic services.

9. The satellite service function link access method according to claim 1, wherein: Also includes: When the target satellite moves, the target SFP and the target satellite are updated according to the SFC information.

10. A satellite service function link access device, wherein: The satellite SFC control plane entity includes: A receiving module, configured to receive SFC information sent by a session management function entity when a service function path SFP of a user terminal does not satisfy a satellite backhaul service function chain SFC rule; The determination module is configured to determine a target SFP and a target satellite according to the SFC information, wherein the target satellite ensures that at least one SFC serves the user terminal at each moment within the SFC service duration.

11. An electronic device, wherein: include: processor; as well as A memory, configured to store executable instructions of the processor; The processor is configured to execute the satellite service function link access method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 by executing the executable instructions.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the satellite service function link access method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is implemented.

13. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the satellite service function link access method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is implemented.

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