Mobility management method, electronic device, and computer readable storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and discloses a mobility management method, an electronic device, and a computer readable storage medium. The technical solution of the present application comprises: when a user equipment (UE) moves from a second edge service area to a first edge service area, receiving a user information subscription request from a first EAS by means of a Nupf interface; in response to the user information subscription request, returning a subscription success response to the first EAS by means of the Nupf interface; and receiving user information sent by a session management function (SMF) network element, and sending the user information to the first EAS, wherein the user information comprises a user ID or a user IP corresponding to the UE.

Description

Mobility management method, electronic device, and computer-readable storage medium

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202311666508.0 filed on December 6, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a mobility management method, an electronic device, and a computer-readable storage medium. Background Art

[0004] In the mobility edge scenario, the new EAS (Edge Application Server Discovery Function) sends a user information subscription request to NEF (Network Exposure Function), which is then forwarded to SMF (Session Management Function). When the user comes online, SMF sends the user information to the new EAS (Edge Application Server) through NEF to ensure business continuity as much as possible. SMF sends a session deletion request to L-PSA (Local PDU Session Anchor) UPF (User Plane Function), and then SMF (Session Management Function) sends a user offline notification message and forwards it to the original EAS (Edge Application Server) via NEF (Network Exposure Function).

[0005] Specifically, in a mobility edge scenario, the EAS needs to send a user subscription information request to the NEF. The NEF forwards this request to the SMF. Upon receiving this request, the SMF needs to reply to the EAS with the user information via the NEF. De-linking a user from the original EAS also requires forwarding via the NEF. Because this method requires coordination between various network elements (SMF, NEF, and EAS), it is highly dependent and complex, leading to poor service continuity in mobility edge scenarios.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] The main purpose of this application is to provide a mobility management method, an electronic device and a computer-readable storage medium.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application provides a mobility management method, which is applied to a local user plane function UPF network element belonging to a first edge service area, and the local UPF network element is connected to the first edge server EAS belonging to the first edge service area through a Nupf interface. The method includes: when the location of the user equipment UE moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, receiving the user information subscription request of the first EAS through the Nupf interface; in response to the user information subscription request, returning the subscription success response to the first EAS through the Nupf interface; receiving user information sent by the session management function SMF network element, and sending the user information to the first EAS, wherein the user information includes the user ID or user IP corresponding to the UE.

[0009] In addition, to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application also provides an electronic device, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores programs or instructions that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the mobility management method as described above is implemented.

[0010] In addition, to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application also provides a mobility management method, which is applied to a first edge server EAS belonging to a first edge service area, and the first EAS is connected to the local user plane function UPF network element belonging to the first edge service area through a Nupf interface. The method includes: when the location of the user equipment UE moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, sending a user information subscription request to the local UPF network element through the Nupf interface; receiving a subscription success response returned by the local UPF network element in response to the user information subscription request through the Nupf interface; receiving the user information sent by the local UPF network element, and responding to the service of the UE according to the user information, wherein the user information includes the user ID or user IP corresponding to the UE.

[0011] In addition, to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present application also provides an electronic device, which includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores programs or instructions that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the mobility management method as described above is implemented.

[0012] In addition, to achieve the above objectives, the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the mobility management method as described in any one of the above items is implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0014] FIG1 shows a network architecture diagram of a core network in related art;

[0015] FIG2 shows a flow chart of a mobility management method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] FIG3 shows a network architecture diagram of the core network in an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] FIG4 shows a timing interaction diagram in a mobility edge scenario provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0018] FIG5 shows a time sequence interaction diagram of subscribing to user information provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0019] FIG6 shows a schematic diagram of a process in a mobility edge scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] FIG7 shows a schematic diagram of a process in a mobility edge scenario provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0021] FIG8 shows a flow chart of a mobility management method provided by another embodiment of the present application;

[0022] FIG9 shows a structural block diagram of an electronic device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, identical numerals in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0024] To help understand the embodiments of the present application, some technical terms in the field are first introduced. The technical terms are explained in Table 1 below:

[0025] (one)

[0026] In edge scenarios, to save investment in bearer and core network access, conserve network resources, and achieve low-latency, high-density, and high-bandwidth access, UL CL / BP UPF can be used to divert data accessing the Central Data Network (Central DN) to the Local part of DN based on user service flow characteristics. That is, EAS diverts Internet access data to the public network, achieving diversion control of user local service data, meeting low-latency user experience, achieving "data within the campus", and saving operator transmission resources.

[0027] In the 3GPP TS23.548 protocol, in the edge scenario, SMF and UPF establish a session, EAS sends a request to subscribe to user information to NEF, and NEF (Network Exposure Function) forwards the request to SMF. When the subscribed user information comes online, SMF sends the user information to NEF to synchronize with EAS.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, Figure 1 shows a network architecture diagram of the core network in the relevant technology, wherein, regarding the access process of implementing EAS (Edge Application Server Discovery Function) using UL CL / BP in non-roaming mode, first, UE (User Equipment) sends a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session establishment request message to AMF (Burst Arrival Time, Access and Mobility Management Function), AMF selects a suitable SMF (Session Management Function) and sends it an NSMF (Network Slice Management Function, Network Slice Management Function) _PDUSession_CreateSMContext req message, and then SMF interacts with UDM (Unified Data Management) to obtain the contract data; after obtaining the contract data, SMF replies to AMF with a NSMF (Network Slice Management Function) _PDUSession_CreateSMContext response message; SMF selects a suitable PCF (Policy Control Function, Policy Control Function) and UPF (User Plane Function, user plane function), and establish a session with (C-PSA) UPF, and send the UE's ID, IP and other information to UPF. At this point, the session establishment is completed and the UE can access the DN through UPF.

[0029] In mobility edge scenarios, when a terminal moves, the existing (UL CL / BP) UPF and EAS are no longer able to meet the terminal's network connection needs. For SSC mode 3 PDU sessions, the network allows the connection to the previous PDU session anchor to be released before establishing a connection through a new PDU session anchor. The SMF then selects a new (UL CL / BP) UPF and (L-PSA) UPF based on information such as the DN terminal location and then establishes a session with them. To ensure service continuity in mobility edge scenarios, the EAS must send a user subscription information request to the NEF. The NEF forwards this request to the SMF, which then responds to the EAS with the user information via the NEF. De-linking a user from the original EAS also requires forwarding through the NEF. This method involves the SMF, NEF, and EAS, requiring coordination among various network elements, resulting in high interdependencies and a complex process. This can lead to poor service continuity in mobility edge scenarios.

[0030] Based on this, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0031] An embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method. FIG2 shows a flow diagram of the mobility management method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG2, the mobility management method is applied to a local user plane function UPF network element belonging to a first edge service area. The local UPF network element is connected to a first edge server EAS belonging to the first edge service area through a Nupf interface. The method includes:

[0032] Step S100: When the location of the user equipment UE moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, a user information subscription request of the first EAS is received through the Nupf interface.

[0033] In this embodiment, the Nupf interface is: an interface newly added between the local UPF network element and the first EAS for synchronizing subscription user information.

[0034] The first edge service area and the second edge service area belong to two different edge service areas. The local UPF network element refers to the UPF network element belonging to the first edge service area. The first edge server EAS refers to the edge server belonging to the first edge service area. The local UPF network element is connected to the first edge server EAS via a Nupf interface.

[0035] In this embodiment, when the location of the user equipment UE moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, the local UPF network element receives the user information subscription request of the first EAS through the Nupf interface.

[0036] The user information subscription request is a user information subscription request, wherein the user information includes a user ID (Identity document) or a user IP (Internet Protocol) corresponding to the UE.

[0037] Step S200: In response to the user information subscription request, the subscription success response is returned to the first EAS through the Nupf interface.

[0038] In this embodiment, after receiving the user information subscription request from the first EAS, the local UPF network element subscribes to the user information in response to the user information subscription request and returns a subscription success response to the first EAS after the subscription is successful. After the user information subscription is successful, if the local UPF network element receives user information sent by the session management function SMF network element, it will notify the first EAS of the user information.

[0039] Step S300: Receive user information sent by a session management function SMF network element, and send the user information to the first EAS, wherein the user information includes a user ID or user IP corresponding to the UE.

[0040] Exemplarily, before receiving user information sent by the session management function SMF network element, it includes: receiving session establishment request information sent by the session management function SMF network element; establishing a session with the SMF network element according to the session establishment request information; after the session is established, returning session establishment reply information to the SMF network element.

[0041] This embodiment receives the session establishment request information sent by the session management function SMF network element, establishes a session with the SMF network element based on the session establishment request information, and returns the session establishment reply information to the SMF network element after the session is established, so that when the UE's location moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, the corresponding SMF network element can successfully establish a new session with the local UPF network element (i.e., the UPF network element belonging to the first edge service area).

[0042] After receiving the user information sent by the session management function SMF network element, the user information is sent to the first EAS so that the first EAS responds to the service of the UE, wherein the user information includes the user ID or user IP corresponding to the UE.

[0043] In the 5G edge scenario, SMF sends user information such as user ID or user IP to NEF, connects NEF and EAS, and NEF sends user information to EAS, so that the terminal UE can successfully access EAS. When the terminal user's location changes, the original EAS needs to be offline. At this time, NEF and EAS also need to be connected to each other. SMF sends the user information to EAS through NEF, and the original EAS goes offline. However, this method has a complex process and requires the cooperation of network elements such as SMF, NEF, and EAS, which is highly dependent. NEF and EAS need to be connected separately, which is more complex and redundant to implement, resulting in low business continuity in the mobility edge scenario.

[0044] An embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method, an electronic device, and a computer-readable storage medium. The mobility management method of the embodiment of the present application is applied to a local user plane function UPF network element belonging to a first edge service area. The local UPF network element is connected to a first edge server EAS belonging to the first edge service area through a Nupf interface. The method includes: when the location of the user equipment UE moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, receiving a user information subscription request from the first EAS through the Nupf interface, and then responding to the user information subscription request, returning a successful subscription response to the first EAS through the Nupf interface, and then receiving the user information sent by the session management function SMF network element, and sending the user information to the first EAS so that the first EAS responds to the UE for service. Therefore, the embodiment of the present application does not need to rely on NEF forwarding in the mobility edge scenario, that is, there is no need for SMF, NEF, EAS and other network elements to cooperate with each other, and the process is relatively simple, thereby improving the switching efficiency between edge servers, and effectively ensuring service continuity in the mobility edge scenario.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0046] Step A10: When the location of the user equipment UE moves from the first edge service area to other edge service areas, receive the session deletion request information sent by the SMF network element.

[0047] Step A20: In response to the session deletion request information, delete the context information corresponding to the UE, and send the user offline information to the first EAS through the Nupf interface, wherein the user offline information is used to trigger the first EAS to log off the UE.

[0048] In this embodiment, other edge service areas are servers other than the first edge service area. That is, other edge service areas refer to edge service areas different from the first edge service area, and the aforementioned second edge service area may also fall within the scope of these other edge service areas. The session deletion request information is used to trigger the local UPF network element to delete the context information corresponding to the UE.

[0049] This embodiment receives a session deletion request message sent by the SMF network element when the location of the user equipment UE moves from the first edge service area to another edge service area, and deletes the context information corresponding to the UE in response to the session deletion request message, thereby successfully deleting the original session, and sends the user offline information to the first EAS through the Nupf interface, thereby triggering the first EAS to log off the UE, and further, when the user moves out of the original edge service area, the original EAS can successfully log the user off.

[0050] To help understand the technical concept of the embodiments of the present application, a specific embodiment 1 is listed, including:

[0051] As described in the technical background, in current 5G mobility edge scenarios, when a user terminal moves across an edge service area, it triggers a handover of the edge service server. The new EAS does not contain user information such as the terminal user's ID and IP address, resulting in service interruption. Existing solutions require the coordinated efforts of multiple network elements, are highly dependent, and have complex processes. Simplification is urgently needed. Therefore, the present invention proposes a method for local terminal users to access the network in edge scenarios.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a network architecture diagram of the core network in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for local terminal users to access the network in an edge scenario, and a new Nupf port is added between (L-PSA) UPF and EAS for EAS to synchronize subscription user information.

[0053] 1. After going online, EAS sends a subscription request to (L-PSA) UPF. SMF sends a session establishment message to (L-PSA) UPF via N4 port, which carries user information such as UE user ID and IP. (L-PSA) UPF sends this information to EAS via Nupf port, and EAS obtains UE information.

[0054] When the UE moves, the SMF selects a new (L-PSA) UPF based on the UE's current location and other information. The SMF establishes a session with the new (L-PSA) UPF through the N4 port. At this time, the new (L-PSA) UPF obtains the user information. The new EAS sends a user information subscription request to the (L-PSA) UPF after going online. Therefore, the (L-PSA) UPF synchronizes the user information to the new EAS through the Nupf port to ensure the continuity of the user's service access. After the new session is successfully established, the original session needs to be released. The SMF and the original (L-PSA) UPF delete the session, and the user context is successfully deleted. The original (L-PSA) UPF sends the subscription user offline information to the original EAS through the Nupf port, and the original EAS offlines the user.

[0055] 2. When the user starts to access EAS, the user's IP, ID and other user information do not exist in EAS. At this time, EAS actively initiates a user information subscription request to (L-PSA) UPF through the Nupf interface. After receiving the message, (L-PSA) UPF sends the user information to EAS.

[0056] Furthermore, FIG4 shows a timing interaction diagram in a mobility edge scenario provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG4 , in the edge scenario, the (UL CL / BP) UPF offloads data accessing the local network to the local DN. After going online, the EAS and the new EAS send user information subscription requests to their respective (L-PSA) UPFs via the Nupf port; the SMF sends user information such as the user ID and IP address of the user accessing the local application to the (L-PSA) UPF via the N4 port using a session establishment message. The (L-PSA) UPF sends a session reply message to the SMF, completing the session establishment. The (L-PSA) UPF then sends user information to the EAS via the Nupf port.

[0057] When the terminal UE moves, SSC mode 3 is used. The UE sends a PDU session establishment request message to the AMF. The AMF selects the appropriate SMF and sends it an NSMF (Network Slicing Management Function) PDUSession CreateSMContext req message. The SMF then interacts with the UDM to obtain the subscription data. After obtaining the subscription data, the SMF responds with an NSMF (Network Slicing Management Function) PDUSession CreateSMContext response message to the AMF. The SMF selects the appropriate (UL CL / BP) UPF and (L-PSA) UPF. The SMF sends session establishment messages to the (UL CL / BP) UPF and (L-PSA) UPF, respectively, carrying user information such as the local user's ID and IP address. The (L-PSA) UPF sends a session reply message to the SMF, completing the session establishment on the N4 interface. The (L-PSA) UPF sends the user information, including the user's ID and IP address, to the new EAS. The new EAS responds upon receiving this message. At this time, the terminal user can smoothly switch from accessing the original EAS service flow to the new EAS service flow, ensuring the continuity of terminal service access.

[0058] After the new session is established, the original (UL CL / BP) UPF, the original (L-PSA) UPF, and the original EAS need to go offline. The SMF sends a session deletion request message to the original (UL CL / BP) UPF and the original (L-PSA) UPF. The original (UL CL / BP) UPF and the original (L-PSA) UPF send a session deletion reply message to the SMF, and the original session is successfully deleted. The (L-PSA) UPF synchronizes the user offline message to the original EAS, and the original EAS logs the user offline.

[0059] Figure 5 shows a timing interaction diagram for subscribing to user information provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, when the user starts to access EAS, the user's IP, ID and other user information do not exist in EAS. At this time, EAS actively initiates a query for user subscription information (i.e., a user information subscription request) to (L-PSA)UPF through the Nupf interface. After receiving the message, (L-PSA)UPF sends the user information to EAS.

[0060] It should be noted that the many details described in this specific embodiment are only helpful for understanding the technical concept of this application and do not constitute a limitation of this application. More simple transformations based on the technical concept of this application should all be within the scope of protection of this application.

[0061] In addition, an embodiment of the present application further provides a mobility management method. FIG8 shows a flow diagram of a mobility management method provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG8, the mobility management method is applied to a first edge server EAS belonging to a first edge service area. The first EAS is connected to a local user plane function UPF network element to which the first edge service area belongs through a Nupf interface. The method includes:

[0062] Step S400: When the location of the user equipment UE moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, a user information subscription request is sent to the local UPF network element through the Nupf interface.

[0063] In this embodiment, the first edge service area and the second edge service area belong to two different edge service areas. The local UPF network element refers to the UPF network element belonging to the first edge service area. The first edge server EAS refers to the edge server belonging to the first edge service area. The local UPF network element is connected to the first edge server EAS via a NUPF interface.

[0064] In which case, when the location of the user equipment UE moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, the first EAS sends a user information subscription request to the local UPF through the Nupf interface.

[0065] The user information subscription request is a user information subscription request, wherein the user information includes a user ID (Identity document) or a user IP (Internet Protocol) corresponding to the UE.

[0066] Step S500: Receive, through the Nupf interface, a subscription success response returned by the local UPF network element in response to the user information subscription request.

[0067] In this embodiment, after receiving the user information subscription request from the first EAS, the local UPF network element subscribes to the user information in response to the user information subscription request and returns a subscription success response to the first EAS after the subscription is successful. After the user information subscription is successful, if the local UPF network element receives user information sent by the session management function SMF network element, it will notify the first EAS of the user information.

[0068] Step S600: Receive user information sent by the local UPF network element, and respond to the service of the UE according to the user information, wherein the user information includes the user ID or user IP corresponding to the UE.

[0069] Exemplarily, before providing a service response to the UE according to the user information, the method further includes:

[0070] Step B10: Register the user information locally.

[0071] This embodiment registers the user information locally before responding to the service of the UE, thereby facilitating the subsequent successful access of the UE to the first EAS.

[0072] In this embodiment, after receiving the user information sent by the local UPF network element, a service response is provided to the UE based on the user information, wherein the user information includes the user ID or user IP corresponding to the UE. In other words, the local UPF needs to provide a service response to the corresponding UE based on the user information, so that the UE can successfully access the first EAS.

[0073] In the 5G edge scenario, SMF sends user information such as user ID or user IP to NEF, connects NEF and EAS, and NEF sends user information to EAS, so that the terminal UE can successfully access EAS. When the terminal user's location changes, the original EAS needs to be offline. At this time, NEF and EAS also need to be connected to each other. SMF sends the user information to EAS through NEF, and the original EAS goes offline. However, this method has a complex process and requires the cooperation of network elements such as SMF, NEF, and EAS, which is highly dependent. NEF and EAS need to be connected separately, which is more complex and redundant to implement, resulting in low business continuity in the mobility edge scenario.

[0074] An embodiment of the present application provides a mobility management method, an electronic device, and a computer-readable storage medium. The mobility management method of the embodiment of the present application is applied to a first edge server EAS belonging to a first edge service area. The first EAS is connected to a local user plane function UPF network element belonging to the first edge service area through a Nupf interface. The method includes: when the location of the user equipment UE moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, sending a user information subscription request to the local UPF network element through the Nupf interface, and receiving a subscription success response returned by the local UPF network element in response to the user information subscription request through the Nupf interface, and then receiving the user information sent by the local UPF network element, and responding to the UE for service based on the user information, so that the embodiment of the present application does not need to rely on NEF forwarding in the mobility edge scenario, that is, there is no need for SMF, NEF, EAS and other network elements to cooperate with each other, the process is relatively simple, thereby improving the switching efficiency between edge servers, and effectively ensuring service continuity in the mobility edge scenario.

[0075] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0076] Step C10: When the location of the user equipment UE moves from the first edge service area to another edge service area, receiving user offline information sent by the local UPF network element through the Nupf interface;

[0077] Step C20: In response to the user offline information, log off the UE.

[0078] Exemplarily, taking the UE offline may specifically include: locally deregistering user information corresponding to the UE.

[0079] In this embodiment, the other edge service areas refer to edge service areas different from the first edge service area, and the second edge service area mentioned above may also belong to the category of the other edge service areas.

[0080] In this embodiment, when the location of the user equipment UE moves from the first edge service area to other edge service areas, the first EAS receives the user offline information sent by the local UPF network element through the Nupf interface, and responds to the user offline information to offline the UE, so that when the user moves out of the original edge service area, the original EAS can successfully offline the user.

[0081] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: step D10, receiving a media plane data request sent by the UE; step D20, querying whether the user information corresponding to the UE is registered locally based on the media plane data request; step D30, triggering execution of the following steps: sending a user information subscription request to the local UPF network element through the Nupf interface; step D40, responding to services to the UE based on the queried user information when it is found that the user information corresponding to the UE is registered locally.

[0082] Exemplarily, performing a service response on the UE includes:

[0083] Step E10: Return a media plane data response to the UE according to the media plane data request.

[0084] This embodiment receives the media plane data request sent by the UE, and queries whether the user information corresponding to the UE is registered locally according to the media plane data request. When the user information corresponding to the locally unregistered UE is queried, the execution is triggered: a user information subscription request is sent to the local UPF network element through the Nupf interface. When the user information corresponding to the locally registered UE is queried, a service response is given to the UE according to the queried user information. Specifically, a reply is given to the UE corresponding to the user information according to the media plane data request. As a result, the embodiment of the present application does not need to rely on NEF forwarding in the mobility edge scenario, that is, there is no need for SMF, NEF, EAS and other network elements to cooperate with each other, and the process is relatively simple, thereby improving the switching efficiency between edge servers, and effectively ensuring business continuity in the mobility edge scenario.

[0085] To help understand the technical concept of the embodiments of the present application, a specific embodiment 2 is listed below. Please refer to FIG6 . FIG6 shows a flow chart of a mobility edge scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application, including:

[0086] 1. After going online, the EAS (the original EAS is the second EAS, which will not be described in detail later) and the new EAS (the first EAS, which will not be described in detail later) send a user information subscription request (i.e., user information subscription request) to the (L-PSA) UPF of their respective edge areas through the Nupf port.

[0087] 2. SMF sends a session establishment message to (L-PSA) UPF through N4 port. The message carries user information such as user ID and IP.

[0088] 3. After receiving the session establishment message, (L-PSA)UPF sends a session reply message to SMF through the N4 port, and the session is successfully established.

[0089] 4. (L-PSA) After receiving the subscription user information request message from EAS, UPF sends the user ID, IP and other information to EAS.

[0090] End users move across edge service areas:

[0091] 5. SMF selects a new (L-PSA) UPF based on the terminal user's location and other information to send a session request.

[0092] 6. After receiving the session request from SMF, (L-PSA)UPF responds to SMF and establishes a session with SMF.

[0093] 7. After receiving the subscription user information request from the new EAS, the (L-PSA) UPF sends the user information to the new EAS.

[0094] 8. SMF sends a session deletion request message to the original (L-PSA) UPF.

[0095] 9. (L-PSA) UPF deletes the user context and the session is deleted.

[0096] 10. (L-PSA) UPF sends the user offline message to the original EAS.

[0097] 11. The original EAS takes the user offline.

[0098] It should be noted that the many details described in the second specific embodiment are only helpful for understanding the technical concept of the present application and do not constitute a limitation of the present application. More simple transformations based on the technical concept of the present application should all be within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0099] To further help understand the technical concept of the embodiments of the present application, a specific embodiment 3 is listed below. Please refer to FIG7 . FIG7 shows a flow chart of a mobility edge scenario provided by another embodiment of the present application, including:

[0100] 101: SMF sends session establishment request information to (L-PSA) UPF.

[0101] 102: (L-PSA) UPF sends session establishment reply information to SMF.

[0102] End users move across edge service areas:

[0103] 103: SMF sends a session establishment request message to the new (L-PSA) UPF.

[0104] 104: The new (L-PSA) UPF sends a session establishment reply message to the SMF, and the session is established.

[0105] 105: The UE sends a media plane data request to the new EAS.

[0106] 106: The new EAS does not have the user information such as the user's IP and ID. The new EAS queries the new (L-PSA) UPF for user subscription information.

[0107] 107: The new (L-PSA) UPF responds to the new EAS and sends the user information to the new EAS.

[0108] 108: The new EAS responds to the UE's media plane data request.

[0109] It should be noted that the many details described in the specific embodiment 3 are only helpful for understanding the technical concept of the present application and do not constitute a limitation of the present application. More simple transformations based on the technical concept of the present application should all be within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0110] FIG9 shows a block diagram of an electronic device 1800 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The electronic device 1800 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1801, a system memory 1804 including a random access memory (RAM) 1802 and a read-only memory (ROM) 1803, and a system bus 1805 connecting the system memory 1804 and the CPU 1801. The electronic device 1800 also includes a storage device 1806 for storing an operating system 1809, a client 1810, and other program modules 1811.

[0111] Without loss of generality, the computer-readable medium may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented by any method or technology for storing information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media include RAM, ROM, Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid-state storage technologies, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) or other optical storage, tape cassettes, magnetic tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the computer storage media are not limited to the above-mentioned ones. The above-mentioned system memory 1804 and storage device 1806 can be collectively referred to as memory.

[0112] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the electronic device 1800 may also be connected to a remote computer on a network via a network such as the Internet. That is, the electronic device 1800 may be connected to a network 1808 via a network interface unit 1807 connected to the system bus 1805, or the network interface unit 1807 may be used to connect to other types of networks or remote computer systems (not shown).

[0113] The memory also includes at least one instruction, at least one program, code set or instruction set, and the at least one instruction, at least one program, code set or instruction set is stored in the memory. The central processing unit 1801 implements all or part of the steps in the mobility management method shown in the above embodiments by executing the at least one instruction, at least one program, code set or instruction set.

[0114] In an exemplary embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is further provided, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores at least one computer program, which is loaded and executed by a processor to implement all or part of the steps in the above-described mobility management method, or to implement all or part of the steps in the above-described mobility management method. For example, the computer-readable storage medium can be a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a compact disc (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, or the like.

[0115] In an exemplary embodiment, a computer program product is also provided, which includes at least one computer program, which is loaded by a processor and executes all or part of the steps in the mobility management method shown in any of the above embodiments, or all or part of the steps in the mobility management method.

[0116] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present application after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present application that follow the general principles of the present application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered merely as exemplary, and the true scope and spirit of the present application are indicated by the claims.

[0117] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the exact structures described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mobility management method, applied to a local user plane function UPF network element belonging to a first edge service area, wherein the local UPF network element is connected to a first edge server EAS belonging to the first edge service area through a Nupf interface, wherein: The method comprises: When the location of the user equipment UE moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, receiving a user information subscription request of the first EAS through the Nupf interface; In response to the user information subscription request, returning the subscription success response to the first EAS through the Nupf interface; Receive user information sent by a session management function SMF network element, and send the user information to the first EAS, wherein the user information includes a user ID or user IP corresponding to the UE.

2. The mobility management method according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: When the location of the user equipment UE moves from the first edge service area to another edge service area, receiving the session deletion request information sent by the SMF network element; In response to the session deletion request information, the context information corresponding to the UE is deleted, and the user offline information is sent to the first EAS through the Nupf interface, wherein the user offline information is used to trigger the first EAS to offline the UE.

3. A mobility management method, wherein: The mobility management method is applied to a first edge server EAS to which a first edge service area belongs, the first EAS is connected to a local user plane function UPF network element to which the first edge service area belongs through a Nupf interface, and the method includes: When the location of the user equipment UE moves from the second edge service area to the first edge service area, sending a user information subscription request to the local UPF network element through the Nupf interface; Receiving, through the Nupf interface, a subscription success response returned by the local UPF network element in response to the user information subscription request; Receive user information sent by the local UPF network element, and respond to the service of the UE according to the user information, wherein the user information includes the user ID or user IP corresponding to the UE.

4. The mobility management method according to claim 3, wherein: The method further comprises: When the location of the user equipment UE moves from the first edge service area to another edge service area, receiving user offline information sent by the local UPF network element through the Nupf interface; In response to the user offline information, the UE is offline.

5. The mobility management method according to claim 4, wherein: The offline of the UE comprises: The user information corresponding to the UE is deregistered locally.

6. The mobility management method according to claim 5, wherein: Before performing a service response to the UE according to the user information, the method further includes: Register the user information locally.

7. The mobility management method according to claim 3, wherein: The method further comprises: receiving a media plane data request sent by the UE; According to the media plane data request, query whether user information corresponding to the UE is registered locally; In the case where the user information corresponding to the UE is not registered locally, triggering the execution of: sending a user information subscription request to the local UPF network element through the Nupf interface; In the case where the user information corresponding to the locally registered UE is queried, a service response is provided to the UE according to the queried user information.

8. The mobility management method according to claim 7, wherein: Providing a service response to the UE, including: Return a media plane data response to the UE according to the media plane data request.

9. An electronic device, wherein: The electronic device includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the mobility management method according to any one of claims 1 to 2 is implemented.

10. An electronic device, wherein: The electronic device includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, the mobility management method according to any one of claims 3 to 8 is implemented.

11. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein: The computer-readable storage medium stores a program or an instruction, and when the program or the instruction is executed by a processor, the mobility management method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is implemented.

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