Multi-hop relay prefix allocation method and network device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a multi-hop relay prefix allocation method and a network device, used for solving the problem of how each relay knows the size of an additional prefix of an upper-level relay and the length of a prefix that each relay can apply for. The method comprises: a current-level relay acquires additional prefix information of an upper-level relay, the additional prefix information comprising the length of an additional prefix; and the current-level relay initiates a prefix delegation process, and requests to allocate an additional prefix whose length is greater than the length of the additional prefix of the upper-level relay.

Description

Multi-hop relay prefix allocation method and network device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This disclosure claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the Patent Office of China on October 10, 2023, with application number 202311310997.6 and application name “A multi-hop relay prefix allocation method and network device,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this disclosure. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and in particular to a multi-hop relay prefix allocation method and network equipment. Background Art

[0004] The Proximity Services (PROSE) communication plan will discuss the multi-hop issue of User Equipment (UE) to Network Relay (U2N) in Release 19. This is for scenarios where multiple Layer 3 relays are networked using Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) addresses. In a single-hop scenario, the relay requests a prefix from the Session Management Function (SMF) based on the configuration. This prefix is ​​then allocated to the remote UE.

[0005] However, in a multi-hop scenario, each relay level requires a prefix pool for prefix allocation. However, each relay does not know which level it is at or how large the prefix pool of its parent relay is, making it difficult to decide how long a prefix to apply for.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure provides a multi-hop relay prefix allocation method and network device, which are used to solve the problem of how each relay knows the size of the additional prefix of the upper relay and how long the prefix can be applied for.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a multi-hop relay prefix allocation method, the method comprising:

[0009] The relay at this level obtains the additional prefix information of the relay at the upper level, where the additional prefix information includes the length of the additional prefix;

[0010] The relay at the same level initiates a prefix proxy process, requesting allocation of an additional prefix whose length is greater than the additional prefix length of the upper-level relay.

[0011] As an optional implementation manner, the relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay, including:

[0012] The relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper level relay through the PC5 interface; or

[0013] The relay at the same level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through routing broadcast.

[0014] As an optional implementation manner, the relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through the PC5 interface, including:

[0015] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0016] The current relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the additional prefix information of the upper relay.

[0017] As an optional implementation manner, the relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through the PC5 interface, further comprising:

[0018] The relay at the current level obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay at the current level by the upper level relay through routing broadcast. The default prefix is ​​64 bits long and is used by the relay at the current level to assemble the default prefix for use as an IPv6 address.

[0019] As an optional implementation manner, the relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through routing broadcast, including:

[0020] The relay at this level receives the routing broadcast sent by the upper-level relay, and the routing broadcast includes the default prefix assigned to the relay at this level by the upper-level relay, and also includes the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay; the default prefix is ​​used by the relay at this level to assemble it for use as an IPv6 address.

[0021] As an optional implementation manner, the relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay, further comprising:

[0022] The relay at this level obtains the step size parameter via the PC5 interface;

[0023] The step length parameter is used to determine when applying for an additional prefix to a superior relay, indicating that the required additional prefix length is the additional prefix length of the superior relay plus the step length.

[0024] As an optional implementation,

[0025] The relay at the current level determines the length of the requested additional prefix according to the additional prefix length of the upper level relay and the step parameter.

[0026] As an optional implementation manner, the relay at the current level obtains the step size parameter through the PC5 interface, including:

[0027] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0028] The current-level relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper-level relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the step parameter.

[0029] As an optional implementation, the step size parameter is preconfigured in the terminal or SIM card.

[0030] As an optional implementation manner, the upper-level relay includes a relay directly connected to the base station; and the method further includes:

[0031] The relay of the directly connected base station initiates a prefix proxy process to the SMF, and applies to the SMF for additional prefix information, and the length of the additional prefix is ​​determined according to the network configuration.

[0032] As an optional implementation, the method further includes:

[0033] The relay of the directly connected base station obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay of the directly connected base station by the SMF through routing broadcast, and the default prefix is ​​used for the relay of the directly connected base station to be assembled as an IPv6 address.

[0034] As an optional implementation manner, the current-level relay establishes a PC5 connection with the remote UE, and the method further includes:

[0035] The relay at the same level allocates a default prefix to the remote UE according to the additional prefix of the relay at the same level, and the default prefix is ​​used by the remote UE to assemble the prefix as an IPv6 address.

[0036] As an optional implementation manner, the additional prefix information further includes an additional prefix.

[0037] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device, including a processor and a memory, wherein the memory is used to store a program executable by the processor, and the processor is used to read the program in the memory and perform the following steps:

[0038] The relay at this level obtains the additional prefix information of the relay at the upper level, where the additional prefix information includes the length of the additional prefix;

[0039] The relay at the same level initiates a prefix proxy process, requesting allocation of an additional prefix whose length is greater than the additional prefix length of the upper-level relay.

[0040] As an optional implementation, the processor is specifically configured to execute:

[0041] The relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper level relay through the PC5 interface; or

[0042] The relay at the same level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through routing broadcast.

[0043] As an optional implementation, the processor is specifically configured to execute:

[0044] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0045] The current relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the additional prefix information of the upper relay.

[0046] As an optional implementation, the processor is specifically configured to execute:

[0047] The relay at the current level obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay at the current level by the upper level relay through routing broadcast. The default prefix is ​​64 bits long and is used by the relay at the current level to assemble the default prefix for use as an IPv6 address.

[0048] As an optional implementation, the processor is specifically configured to execute:

[0049] The relay at this level receives the routing broadcast sent by the upper-level relay, and the routing broadcast includes the default prefix assigned to the relay at this level by the upper-level relay, and also includes the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay; the default prefix is ​​used by the relay at this level to assemble it for use as an IPv6 address.

[0050] As an optional implementation manner, the current-level relay obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay, and the processor is further configured to execute:

[0051] The relay at this level obtains the step size parameter via the PC5 interface;

[0052] The step length parameter is used to determine when applying for an additional prefix to a superior relay, indicating that the required additional prefix length is the additional prefix length of the superior relay plus the step length.

[0053] As an optional implementation,

[0054] The relay at the current level determines the length of the requested additional prefix according to the additional prefix length of the upper level relay and the step parameter.

[0055] As an optional implementation, the processor is specifically configured to execute:

[0056] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0057] The current-level relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper-level relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the step parameter.

[0058] As an optional implementation, the step size parameter is preconfigured in the terminal or SIM card.

[0059] As an optional implementation manner, the upper-level relay includes a relay directly connected to the base station; and the processor is further configured to execute:

[0060] The relay of the directly connected base station initiates a prefix proxy process to the SMF, and applies to the SMF for additional prefix information, and the length of the additional prefix is ​​determined according to the network configuration.

[0061] As an optional implementation manner, the processor is further configured to execute:

[0062] The relay of the directly connected base station obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay of the directly connected base station by the SMF through routing broadcast, and the default prefix is ​​used for the relay of the directly connected base station to be assembled as an IPv6 address.

[0063] As an optional implementation manner, the current-level relay establishes a PC5 connection with the remote UE, and the processor is further configured to execute:

[0064] The relay at the same level allocates a default prefix to the remote UE according to the additional prefix of the relay at the same level, and the default prefix is ​​used by the remote UE to assemble the prefix as an IPv6 address.

[0065] As an optional implementation manner, the additional prefix information further includes an additional prefix.

[0066] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a multi-hop relay prefix allocation device, the device comprising:

[0067] A prefix information acquisition module is used for the relay at this level to acquire the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay, where the additional prefix information includes the length of the additional prefix;

[0068] The additional prefix request module is used for the relay at the current level to initiate a prefix proxy process and request allocation of an additional prefix whose length is greater than the additional prefix length of the upper level relay.

[0069] As an optional implementation manner, the module for obtaining prefix information is specifically configured to:

[0070] The relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper level relay through the PC5 interface; or

[0071] The relay at the same level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through routing broadcast.

[0072] As an optional implementation manner, the module for obtaining prefix information is specifically configured to:

[0073] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0074] The current relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the additional prefix information of the upper relay.

[0075] As an optional implementation manner, the prefix information obtaining module is further configured to:

[0076] The relay at the current level obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay at the current level by the upper level relay through routing broadcast. The default prefix is ​​64 bits long and is used by the relay at the current level to assemble the default prefix for use as an IPv6 address.

[0077] As an optional implementation manner, the module for obtaining prefix information is specifically configured to:

[0078] The relay at this level receives the routing broadcast sent by the upper-level relay, and the routing broadcast includes the default prefix assigned to the relay at this level by the upper-level relay, and also includes the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay; the default prefix is ​​used by the relay at this level to assemble it for use as an IPv6 address.

[0079] As an optional implementation manner, the prefix information obtaining module is further configured to:

[0080] The relay at this level obtains the step size parameter via the PC5 interface;

[0081] The step length parameter is used to determine when applying for an additional prefix to a superior relay, indicating that the required additional prefix length is the additional prefix length of the superior relay plus the step length.

[0082] As an optional implementation,

[0083] The relay at the current level determines the length of the requested additional prefix according to the additional prefix length of the upper level relay and the step parameter.

[0084] As an optional implementation manner, the module for obtaining prefix information is specifically configured to:

[0085] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0086] The current-level relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper-level relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the step parameter.

[0087] As an optional implementation, the step size parameter is preconfigured in the terminal or SIM card.

[0088] As an optional implementation manner, the upper-level relay includes a relay directly connected to the base station; and further includes a prefix initiation module, specifically configured to:

[0089] The relay of the directly connected base station initiates a prefix proxy process to the SMF, and applies to the SMF for additional prefix information, and the length of the additional prefix is ​​determined according to the network configuration.

[0090] As an optional implementation manner, the prefix initiation module is further configured to:

[0091] The relay of the directly connected base station obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay of the directly connected base station by the SMF through routing broadcast, and the default prefix is ​​used for the relay of the directly connected base station to be assembled as an IPv6 address.

[0092] As an optional implementation manner, the local relay and the remote UE establish a PC5 connection, further comprising a prefix allocation module, specifically configured to:

[0093] The relay at the same level allocates a default prefix to the remote UE according to the additional prefix of the relay at the same level, and the default prefix is ​​used by the remote UE to assemble the prefix as an IPv6 address.

[0094] As an optional implementation manner, the additional prefix information further includes an additional prefix.

[0095] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a computer storage medium on which a computer program is stored, which, when executed by a processor, is used to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect above.

[0096] These and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the following description of the embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0097] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0098] FIG1 is a flowchart of an implementation method for allocating multi-hop relay prefixes according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0099] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a usage scenario of multi-hop relay prefix allocation provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0100] FIG3 is a flow chart of negotiating an additional prefix size through a PC5 interface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0101] FIG4 is a flow chart of negotiating an additional prefix size through routing broadcasting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0102] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a network device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0103] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a multi-hop relay prefix allocation device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0104] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure more clear, the present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is apparent that the embodiments described are only a portion of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of them. All other embodiments derived by persons of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present disclosure without creative effort are intended to fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0105] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "and / or" describes the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0106] The application scenarios described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that, as new application scenarios emerge, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure will also be applicable to similar technical problems. In the description of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more.

[0107] The Proximity Services (PROSE) communication plan will discuss the multi-hop issue of user terminal (UE) to network relay (U2N) in Release 19. This is for scenarios where multiple layer 3 relays are networked using Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) addresses. In a single-hop scenario, the relay requests a prefix from the Session Management Function (SMF) based on the configuration to allocate prefixes to the remote UE. However, in a multi-hop scenario, prefixes must be allocated hierarchically, and each level of relay requires a prefix pool for prefix allocation. For example, the first-level relay is allocated a 48-bit prefix, the second-level relay is allocated a 52-bit prefix within this 48-bit prefix, the third-level relay is allocated a 56-bit prefix within this 52-bit prefix, and so on. However, each relay does not know which level it is at, nor how large the prefix pool of its upper relay is, so it is difficult to decide how long a prefix to apply for.

[0108] In a multi-hop scenario, to solve the problem of how each relay knows the size of the additional prefix (i.e., prefix pool) of the upper-level relay and the length of the additional prefix it can apply for, this embodiment provides a multi-hop relay prefix allocation method, as shown in FIG1 . The specific implementation process of this method is as follows:

[0109] Step 100: The relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper level relay, where the additional prefix information includes the length of the additional prefix;

[0110] Optionally, the additional prefix information also includes an additional prefix. It should be noted that the additional prefix in this embodiment refers to a prefix (prefix) with a length of less than 64 bits, and the attachment prefix in this embodiment represents a prefix pool. The default prefix in this embodiment refers to a prefix with a length of 64 bits. The relay at this level can obtain a prefix or additional prefix within the length range of the additional prefix of the upper-level relay. The additional prefix in this embodiment is used to allocate to the lower-level relay or remote UE for use.

[0111] Step 101: The relay at the same level initiates a prefix proxy process, requesting allocation of an additional prefix whose length is greater than the additional prefix length of the upper-level relay.

[0112] It should be noted that when the relay at this level establishes a connection with a remote UE, the additional prefix of the relay at this level is used to allocate a prefix to the remote UE, and the allocated prefix is ​​used by the remote UE to assemble as an IPv6 address; when the relay at this level establishes a connection with the relay at the next level, the additional prefix of the relay at this level is used to allocate a prefix to the relay at the next level. At the same time, the relay at this level also has a 64-bit prefix assembled as its own usable IPv6 address.

[0113] Optionally, the relays of this embodiment include but are not limited to layer 3 relays. The relays in this embodiment use IPv6 addresses to allocate additional prefixes (i.e., prefix pools) to lower-level relays. As shown in Figure 2, this embodiment provides a schematic diagram of a usage scenario for multi-hop relay prefix allocation, wherein a remote UE establishes a connection with a base station through three relays, including a layer 3 relay directly connected to the base station, a relay connected to the remote UE, and a relay connected to the layer 3 relays.

[0114] In some embodiments, the relay in this embodiment obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay by any of the following methods:

[0115] Mode 1: The relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through the proximity communication (PC5) interface;

[0116] Optionally, establish a PC5 connection to obtain the additional prefix information of the upper-level trunk. The specific implementation process is as follows:

[0117] The relay at the same level sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper-level relay, wherein the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, and the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper-level relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process; optionally, the parameters include additional prefix information; or, the parameters include additional prefix information and a step parameter;

[0118] The current relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the additional prefix information of the upper relay.

[0119] In some embodiments, while obtaining the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through the PC5 interface, the relay at this level can also obtain the default prefix through routing advertisements for self-assembly as an IPv6 address. The specific implementation steps are as follows:

[0120] The relay at the current level obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay at the current level by the upper level relay through routing broadcast. The default prefix is ​​64 bits long and is used by the relay at the current level to assemble the default prefix for use as an IPv6 address.

[0121] Mode 2: The relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through router advertisement.

[0122] In some embodiments, the relay at this level receives the routing broadcast sent by the upper-level relay, and the routing broadcast includes the default prefix assigned to the relay at this level by the upper-level relay, and also includes additional prefix information of the upper-level relay; the default prefix is ​​used by the relay at this level to assemble it for use as an IPv6 address.

[0123] In implementation, the length of the additional prefix and the default prefix are obtained by receiving the routing advertisement sent by the upper relay, and then assembled as an IPv6 address. The specific implementation steps are as follows:

[0124] The relay at this level establishes a PC5 connection with the upper level relay;

[0125] The relay at this level obtains the default prefix assigned to it by the upper relay and the length of the additional prefix of the upper relay through routing broadcast. The default prefix is ​​used by the relay at this level to assemble it as an IPv6 address.

[0126] In some implementations, the relay at the current level obtaining the additional prefix information of the relay at the upper level further includes:

[0127] The relay at this level obtains the step length parameter through the PC5 interface; the step length parameter is used to determine when applying for an additional prefix from the upper relay, indicating that the required additional prefix length is the additional prefix length of the upper relay plus the step length.

[0128] Optionally, the relay at the current level determines the length of the additional prefix for the relay at the current level requested from the relay at the higher level based on the additional prefix length of the relay at the higher level and the step size parameter. In implementation, the additional prefix length of the relay at the current level is summed with the step size. The step size in this embodiment is determined by the step size parameter.

[0129] Optionally, the relay at this level obtains the step size parameter through the PC5 interface. The specific process is as follows:

[0130] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0131] The current-level relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper-level relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the step parameter.

[0132] In some embodiments, the relay at the current level can obtain the step parameter and the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through the PC5 interface. The specific process is as follows:

[0133] (1) The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, wherein the PC5 connection establishment request includes prefix indication information, and the prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0134] Optionally, parameters used for performing the prefix proxy process include but are not limited to additional prefix information; or, additional prefix information and a step parameter.

[0135] (2) The relay at the current level receives a PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper-level relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the additional prefix information and step size parameter of the upper-level relay.

[0136] In some embodiments, the step size parameter is preconfigured in a terminal or a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. It should be noted that the terminal in this embodiment includes but is not limited to a relay terminal, such as a relay at the same level and a relay at a higher level in this embodiment. A SIM card includes but is not limited to a SIM card of a relay terminal.

[0137] In some embodiments, the upper-level relay includes a relay directly connected to the base station; the relay directly connected to the base station initiates a prefix proxy process to the SMF, applies to the SMF for additional prefix information, and the length of the additional prefix is ​​determined according to the network configuration.

[0138] In some embodiments, the relay of the directly connected base station obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay of the directly connected base station by the SMF through routing broadcast, and the default prefix is ​​used for the relay of the directly connected base station to be assembled as an IPv6 address.

[0139] In some embodiments, the local relay establishes a PC5 connection with the remote UE, and the local relay allocates a default prefix to the remote UE based on the additional prefix of the local relay, and the default prefix is ​​used by the remote UE to assemble it as an IPv6 address.

[0140] It should be noted that the additional prefix in this embodiment is used to represent a prefix smaller than 64 bits. When a relay receives a prefix smaller than 64 bits assigned by an upper-level relay, it can assign the prefix smaller than 64 bits to a lower-level relay or a connected remote UE. In this embodiment, prefixes smaller than 64 bits are defined as additional prefixes, i.e., a prefix pool. When a relay receives a 64-bit prefix assigned by a base station or an upper-level relay, it uses the 64-bit prefix as its own usable IPv6 address and does not assign it to another IPv6 address.

[0141] The multi-hop relay prefix allocation method provided in this embodiment takes multiple layer 3 relays as an example. The relay directly connected to the base station obtains an additional prefix from the Session Management Function (SMF). Other relays negotiate the size of the additional prefix with the upper-level relay through the PC5 interface, or negotiate the size of the additional prefix through router advertisement. The lower-level relay uses the prefix delegation protocol of the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol for IPv6 (DHCPv6) that supports IPv6 to request a prefix based on the negotiation. The specific length of the prefix requested is also related to the step parameter, which indicates the size of the additional prefix that can be applied for by each hop relay. The step parameter can be obtained by the relay through the PC5 interface, or it can be configured in the terminal (such as the relay terminal) or the SIM card.

[0142] As shown in FIG3 , this embodiment provides a process for negotiating an additional prefix size through a PC5 interface. Taking two layer 3 relays as an example, the SMF allocates an IPv6 prefix to a remote UE through a two-hop layer 3 relay. The specific implementation steps are as follows:

[0143] Step 300: SMF sends a routing broadcast to the L3 relay a directly connected to the base station;

[0144] Among them, the route broadcast includes a 64-bit prefix assigned to the L3 relay a of the directly connected base station. The L3 relay a used for the directly connected base station uses the 64-bit prefix as the IPv6 address, and uses the assigned 64-bit prefix as the default prefix of the L3 relay a of the directly connected base station in this embodiment.

[0145] Step 301: L3 relay a directly connected to the base station initiates a prefix proxy process and requests a prefix smaller than 64 bits from the SMF.

[0146] The specific length of the prefix requested depends on the network configuration. For example, if SMF is the configuration of L3 relay a directly connected to the base station, the requested prefix less than 64 bits will be used as an additional prefix of L3 relay a directly connected to the base station in this embodiment.

[0147] It should be noted that there is no strict time sequence relationship between the above steps 300 and 301 .

[0148] Step 302: L3 relay b initiates a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper-level L3 relay a.

[0149] The PC5 connection establishment request includes prefix indication information (IPv6prefix indication), which is used to inform the upper-level L3 relay a that it is a relay and needs some parameters to help it perform the prefix proxy process.

[0150] Optionally, the parameters used for the prefix proxy process include but are not limited to the additional prefix information of the upper relay; or, the additional prefix information and the step parameter. Optionally, the additional prefix information includes the length of the additional prefix and / or the additional prefix.

[0151] Step 303: L3 relay a directly connected to the base station sends a PC5 connection establishment response;

[0152] The PC5 connection establishment response includes the length and step parameters of the additional prefix of the upper-level L3 relay a. The length of the additional prefix is ​​used to indicate the length of the prefix that can be used for prefix proxy by the lower-level L3 relay b and L3 relay a, for example, the length of the additional prefix is ​​56 bits. The step parameter refers to the length added to the length of the additional prefix of the upper-level relay each time an additional prefix is ​​applied for. For example, a step parameter of 4 indicates that the lower-level L3 relay b can apply for a prefix of 56+4=60 bits, that is, the length of the additional prefix that can be applied for is 60 bits. The lower-level relay of L3 relay b (L3 relay c) can apply to L3 relay b for an additional prefix of 60+4=64 bits, that is, the length of the additional prefix that can be applied for is 64 bits. The lower-level relay of L3 relay c (L3 relay d) can apply to L3 relay c for an additional prefix of 64+4=68 bits, that is, the length of the additional prefix that can be applied for is 68 bits. And so on. When there are multi-hop relays, each level of relay can determine the length of the prefix applied for to the upper-level relay (that is, the length of the additional prefix) by obtaining the length of the additional prefix of the upper-level relay and the step parameter.

[0153] Optionally, the step size parameter may not be carried in the PC5 connection establishment response, but may be directly configured on the relay terminal, that is, may be directly configured on the L3 relay b.

[0154] Step 304: L3 relay a directly connected to the base station sends a routing broadcast to L3 relay b.

[0155] The route advertisement includes the default prefix (i.e., a 64-bit prefix) assigned to L3 relay b. In implementation, L3 relay a assigns a 64-bit prefix from its own additional prefix to L3 relay b as the default prefix of L3 relay b. L3 relay b uses the default prefix as its own IPv6 address.

[0156] Step 305: L3 relay b initiates a prefix proxy process to the upper-level L3 relay a, requesting an additional prefix of the required length from L3 relay a.

[0157] Among them, L3 relay b applies for an additional prefix of the required length from L3 relay a according to the length and step parameters of the additional prefix obtained in step 303. L3 relay a then allocates a prefix of the same length as the applied length to L3 relay b from its own additional prefixes as the additional prefix of L3 relay b.

[0158] The length of the additional prefix applied for is the sum of the length of the additional prefix obtained in step 303 and the step parameter, so that each hop relay can know the size of the additional prefix it can apply for and how long the additional prefix it should apply for.

[0159] It should be noted that there is no strict time sequence relationship between the above steps 304 and 305.

[0160] Step 306: The remote UE establishes a PC5 connection with L3 relay b.

[0161] Step 307: L3 relay b allocates a 64-bit prefix to the remote UE as a default prefix of the remote UE.

[0162] Wherein, the L3 relay b allocates a 64-bit prefix from the additional prefix according to the additional prefix obtained in step 305 and sends the prefix to the remote UE as a default prefix of the remote UE.

[0163] As shown in FIG4 , this embodiment provides a process for negotiating an additional prefix size through route broadcasting. Taking two layer 3 relays as an example, a base station allocates an IPv6 prefix to a remote UE through a two-hop layer 3 relay. The specific implementation steps are as follows:

[0164] Step 400: SMF sends a routing broadcast to the L3 relay a directly connected to the base station;

[0165] Among them, the route broadcast includes a 64-bit prefix assigned to the L3 relay a of the directly connected base station. The L3 relay a used for the directly connected base station uses the 64-bit prefix as the IPv6 address, and uses the assigned 64-bit prefix as the default prefix of the L3 relay a of the directly connected base station in this embodiment.

[0166] Step 401: L3 relay a directly connected to the base station initiates a prefix proxy process and requests a prefix smaller than 64 bits from the SMF.

[0167] The specific length of the prefix requested depends on the network configuration. For example, if SMF is the configuration of L3 relay a directly connected to the base station, the requested prefix less than 64 bits will be used as an additional prefix of L3 relay a directly connected to the base station in this embodiment.

[0168] It should be noted that there is no strict time sequence relationship between the above steps 400 and 401 .

[0169] Step 402: L3 relay b establishes a connection with upper-level L3 relay a to PC5.

[0170] Step 403: L3 relay a directly connected to the base station sends a routing broadcast to L3 relay b.

[0171] The route advertisement includes the default prefix (i.e., a 64-bit prefix) assigned to L3 relay b. In practice, L3 relay a assigns a 64-bit prefix from its own additional prefixes to L3 relay b as its default prefix. L3 relay b uses the default prefix as its own IPv6 address. The route advertisement also includes the length of L3 relay a's additional prefix, which is less than 64 bits and indicates the size of the additional prefix available for request by the subordinate relay b. The additional prefix length indicates to the subordinate L3 relay b the length of the prefix that L3 relay a possesses that can be used for prefix proxying.

[0172] Step 404: L3 relay b initiates a prefix proxy process to the upper-level L3 relay a, requesting an additional prefix of the required length from L3 relay a.

[0173] Among them, L3 relay b applies for an additional prefix of the required length from L3 relay a according to the length and step parameters of the additional prefix obtained in step 403. L3 relay a then allocates a prefix of the same length as the applied length to L3 relay b from its own additional prefixes as the additional prefix of L3 relay b.

[0174] The length of the additional prefix applied for is the sum of the length of the additional prefix obtained in step 403 and the step parameter. The step parameter refers to the length added to the additional prefix length of the upper-level relay each time an additional prefix is ​​applied for. In this way, each hop relay can know the size of the additional prefix it can apply for and how long the additional prefix it should apply for. For example, the length of the additional prefix is ​​56 bits and the step parameter is 4, which means that the lower-level L3 relay b can apply for a prefix of 56+4=60 bits, that is, the additional prefix length that can be applied for is 60 bits. The lower-level relay of L3 relay b (L3 relay c) can apply to L3 relay b for a prefix of 60+4=64 bits, that is, the additional prefix length that can be applied for is 64 bits. The lower-level relay of L3 relay c (L3 relay d) can apply to L3 relay c for a prefix of 64+4=68 bits, that is, the additional prefix length that can be applied for is 68 bits. And so on. When there are multi-hop relays, each level of relay can determine the length of the prefix applied for to the upper-level relay (i.e., the additional prefix length) by obtaining the additional prefix length and step parameter of the upper-level relay.

[0175] Optionally, the step size parameter may be directly configured on a terminal or a SIM card, where the terminal here includes a relay terminal.

[0176] Step 405: The remote UE establishes a PC5 connection with L3 relay b.

[0177] Step 406: L3 relay b allocates a 64-bit prefix to the remote UE as a default prefix of the remote UE.

[0178] The L3 relay b allocates a 64-bit prefix from the additional prefix according to the additional prefix obtained in step 404 and sends the prefix to the remote UE as a default prefix of the remote UE.

[0179] The disclosed embodiment proposes an IPv6 prefix allocation method for a multi-hop layer 3 relay. The relay directly connected to the base station obtains an additional prefix (prefix pool) from the SMF. The other relays negotiate the size of the additional prefix with the upper relay through the PC5 interface, or negotiate the size of the additional prefix through router advertisement. The lower relay uses the prefix proxy protocol of DHCPv6 to request a prefix (pool) based on the negotiation. The specific length of the prefix requested is also related to the step parameter, which indicates the size of the prefix (pool) that each hop relay can apply for. The step parameter can be transmitted to the relay by the PC5 interface, and can also be configured on the terminal (relay terminal) or SIM card.

[0180] It should be noted that the length of the additional prefix and the additional prefix length involved in this embodiment have the same meaning.

[0181] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a network device. Since the network device is the network device in the method in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the principle of solving the problem by the network device is similar to that of the method, the implementation of the network device can refer to the implementation of the method, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0182] As shown in FIG5 , the network device includes a processor 500 and a memory 501. The memory 501 is used to store a program executable by the processor 500. The processor 500 is used to read the program in the memory 501 and perform the following steps:

[0183] The relay at this level obtains the additional prefix information of the relay at the upper level, where the additional prefix information includes the length of the additional prefix;

[0184] The relay at the same level initiates a prefix proxy process, requesting allocation of an additional prefix whose length is greater than the additional prefix length of the upper-level relay.

[0185] As an optional implementation manner, the processor 500 is specifically configured to execute:

[0186] The relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper level relay through the PC5 interface; or

[0187] The relay at the same level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through routing broadcast.

[0188] As an optional implementation manner, the processor 500 is specifically configured to execute:

[0189] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0190] The current relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the additional prefix information of the upper relay.

[0191] As an optional implementation manner, the processor 500 is specifically configured to execute:

[0192] The relay at the current level obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay at the current level by the upper level relay through routing broadcast. The default prefix is ​​64 bits long and is used by the relay at the current level to assemble the default prefix for use as an IPv6 address.

[0193] As an optional implementation manner, the processor 500 is specifically configured to execute:

[0194] The relay at this level receives the routing broadcast sent by the upper-level relay, and the routing broadcast includes the default prefix assigned to the relay at this level by the upper-level relay, and also includes the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay; the default prefix is ​​used by the relay at this level to assemble it for use as an IPv6 address.

[0195] As an optional implementation manner, the current-level relay obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay, and the processor 500 is further configured to execute:

[0196] The relay at this level obtains the step size parameter via the PC5 interface;

[0197] The step length parameter is used to determine when applying for an additional prefix to a superior relay, indicating that the required additional prefix length is the additional prefix length of the superior relay plus the step length.

[0198] As an optional implementation,

[0199] The relay at the current level determines the length of the requested additional prefix according to the additional prefix length of the upper level relay and the step parameter.

[0200] As an optional implementation manner, the processor 500 is specifically configured to execute:

[0201] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0202] The current-level relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper-level relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the step parameter.

[0203] As an optional implementation, the step size parameter is preconfigured in the terminal or SIM card.

[0204] As an optional implementation manner, the upper-level relay includes a relay directly connected to the base station; and the processor 500 is further configured to execute:

[0205] The relay of the directly connected base station initiates a prefix proxy process to the SMF, and applies to the SMF for additional prefix information, and the length of the additional prefix is ​​determined according to the network configuration.

[0206] As an optional implementation manner, the processor 500 is further configured to execute:

[0207] The relay of the directly connected base station obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay of the directly connected base station by the SMF through routing broadcast, and the default prefix is ​​used for the relay of the directly connected base station to be assembled as an IPv6 address.

[0208] As an optional implementation manner, the current-level relay establishes a PC5 connection with the remote UE, and the processor 500 is further configured to execute:

[0209] The relay at the same level allocates a default prefix to the remote UE according to the additional prefix of the relay at the same level, and the default prefix is ​​used by the remote UE to assemble the prefix as an IPv6 address.

[0210] As an optional implementation manner, the additional prefix information further includes an additional prefix.

[0211] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a multi-hop relay prefix allocation device. Since the device is the device in the method in the embodiment of the present disclosure, and the principle of solving the problem by the device is similar to that of the method, the implementation of the device can refer to the implementation of the method, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0212] As shown in FIG6 , the device includes:

[0213] Obtaining prefix information module 600, used for the relay at this level to obtain additional prefix information of the upper level relay, wherein the additional prefix information includes the length of the additional prefix;

[0214] The additional prefix requesting module 601 is configured for the relay at the same level to initiate a prefix proxy process and request allocation of an additional prefix having a length greater than that of the additional prefix of the upper level relay.

[0215] As an optional implementation manner, the prefix information obtaining module 600 is specifically configured to:

[0216] The relay at the current level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper level relay through the PC5 interface; or

[0217] The relay at the same level obtains the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay through routing broadcast.

[0218] As an optional implementation manner, the prefix information obtaining module 600 is specifically configured to:

[0219] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0220] The current relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the additional prefix information of the upper relay.

[0221] As an optional implementation manner, the prefix information obtaining module 600 is further configured to:

[0222] The relay at the current level obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay at the current level by the upper level relay through routing broadcast. The default prefix is ​​64 bits long and is used by the relay at the current level to assemble the default prefix for use as an IPv6 address.

[0223] As an optional implementation manner, the prefix information obtaining module 600 is specifically configured to:

[0224] The relay at this level receives the routing broadcast sent by the upper-level relay, and the routing broadcast includes the default prefix assigned to the relay at this level by the upper-level relay, and also includes the additional prefix information of the upper-level relay; the default prefix is ​​used by the relay at this level to assemble it for use as an IPv6 address.

[0225] As an optional implementation manner, the prefix information obtaining module 600 is further configured to:

[0226] The relay at this level obtains the step size parameter via the PC5 interface;

[0227] The step length parameter is used to determine when applying for an additional prefix to a superior relay, indicating that the required additional prefix length is the additional prefix length of the superior relay plus the step length.

[0228] As an optional implementation,

[0229] The relay at the current level determines the length of the requested additional prefix according to the additional prefix length of the upper level relay and the step parameter.

[0230] As an optional implementation manner, the prefix information obtaining module 600 is specifically configured to:

[0231] The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, where the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, where the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for performing a prefix proxy process;

[0232] The current-level relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper-level relay, where the PC5 connection establishment response includes the step parameter.

[0233] As an optional implementation, the step size parameter is preconfigured in the terminal or SIM card.

[0234] As an optional implementation manner, the upper-level relay includes a relay directly connected to the base station; and further includes a prefix initiation module, specifically configured to:

[0235] The relay of the directly connected base station initiates a prefix proxy process to the SMF, and applies to the SMF for additional prefix information, and the length of the additional prefix is ​​determined according to the network configuration.

[0236] As an optional implementation manner, the prefix initiation module is further configured to:

[0237] The relay of the directly connected base station obtains the default prefix assigned to the relay of the directly connected base station by the SMF through routing broadcast, and the default prefix is ​​used for the relay of the directly connected base station to be assembled as an IPv6 address.

[0238] As an optional implementation manner, the local relay and the remote UE establish a PC5 connection, further comprising a prefix allocation module, specifically configured to:

[0239] The relay at the same level allocates a default prefix to the remote UE according to the additional prefix of the relay at the same level, and the default prefix is ​​used by the remote UE to assemble the prefix as an IPv6 address.

[0240] As an optional implementation manner, the additional prefix information further includes an additional prefix.

[0241] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer storage medium comprising computer program code. When executed on a computer, the computer program code causes the computer to execute any of the multi-hop relay prefix allocation methods discussed above. Because the principles underlying the problem solved by the computer storage medium are similar to those of the multi-hop relay prefix allocation method, the implementation of the computer storage medium can be referenced to the implementation of the method, and any repetitions will not be repeated.

[0242] In a specific implementation process, computer storage media may include: Universal Serial Bus Flash Drive (USB), mobile hard disk, Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk, and other storage media that can store program code.

[0243] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program product comprising: computer program code, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute any of the multi-hop relay prefix allocation methods discussed above. Because the principles underlying the problems solved by the aforementioned computer program product are similar to those of the multi-hop relay prefix allocation method, the implementation of the aforementioned computer program product can be referenced to the implementation of the method, and any repetitions will not be repeated.

[0244] The computer program product can employ any combination of one or more readable media. The readable medium can be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. The readable storage medium can be, for example, but not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, device or component, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (non-exhaustive list) of readable storage media include: an electrical connection with one or more wires, a portable disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0245] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present disclosure may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage and optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0246] The present disclosure is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0247] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufactured product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0248] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0249] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present disclosure fall within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure and their equivalents, the present disclosure is intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A multi-hop relay prefix allocation method, wherein, The method includes: The local relay obtains the additional prefix information of the upper relay, and the additional prefix information includes the length of the additional prefix; The local relay initiates a prefix proxy process to request the allocation of an additional prefix with a length greater than the additional prefix length of the upper relay.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The local relay obtaining the additional prefix information of the upper relay includes: The local relay obtains the additional prefix information of the upper relay through the proximity communication PC5 interface; or The local relay obtains the additional prefix information of the upper relay through route broadcast.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The local relay obtaining the additional prefix information of the upper relay through the PC5 interface includes: The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, and the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, and the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for the prefix proxy process; The local relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper relay, and the PC5 connection establishment response includes the additional prefix information of the upper relay.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The local relay obtaining the additional prefix information of the upper relay through the PC5 interface further includes: The local relay obtains the default prefix assigned by the upper relay to the local relay through route broadcast, and the length of the default prefix is 64 bits, and the default prefix is used by the local relay to assemble and use as an Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The local relay obtaining the additional prefix information of the upper relay through route broadcast includes: The local relay receives the route broadcast sent by the upper relay, and the route broadcast includes the default prefix assigned by the upper relay to the local relay, and also includes the additional prefix information of the upper relay; the default prefix is used by the local relay to assemble and use as an IPv6 address.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The local relay obtaining the additional prefix information of the upper relay further includes: The local relay obtains a step parameter through the PC5 interface; The step parameter is used to determine that when applying for an additional prefix from the upper relay, it indicates that the required additional prefix length is the additional prefix length of the upper relay plus the step.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The local relay determines the length of the requested additional prefix according to the additional prefix length of the upper relay and the step parameter.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The local relay obtaining the step parameter through the PC5 interface includes: The local relay sends a PC5 connection establishment request to the upper relay, and the PC5 connection establishment request includes additional prefix indication information, and the additional prefix indication information is used to instruct the upper relay to send parameters for the prefix proxy process; The local relay receives the PC5 connection establishment response sent by the upper relay, and the PC5 connection establishment response includes the step parameter.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The step parameter is pre-configured in the terminal or the subscriber identity module (SIM) card.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The upper relay includes a relay directly connected to the base station; The method further includes: The relay directly connected to the base station initiates a prefix proxy process to the session management function (SMF), and applies to the SMF for additional prefix information, and the length of the additional prefix is determined according to the network configuration.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The method further includes: The relay directly connected to the base station obtains the default prefix assigned by the SMF to the relay directly connected to the base station through routing broadcast, and the default prefix is used for the relay directly connected to the base station to assemble and use as an IPv6 address.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The local relay establishes a PC5 connection with the remote terminal UE, and the method further includes: The local relay allocates a default prefix for the remote UE according to the additional prefix of the local relay, and the default prefix is used for the remote UE to assemble and use as an IPv6 address.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein,The additional prefix information further includes an additional prefix.

14. A network device, wherein, The network device includes a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store the program executable by the processor, and the processor is used to read the program in the memory and execute the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A computer storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein, When the program is executed by the processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 are implemented.

Images