Network access configuration method and apparatus, and network device, medium and program product

Abstract

A data network access configuration method and apparatus, and a network device, a medium and a program product, which relate to the technical field of wireless communications. The data network access configuration method comprises: configuring a mapping table in an SMF instance, wherein the mapping table describes the mapping relationship between a satellite identifier and at least one data network access identifier (DNAI). By means of configuring, on an SMF, the mapping relationship between the satellite identifier of a service-providing satellite and one or more DNAIs, the SMF is enabled to understand the relationship between the DNAIs and the satellite identifier on the basis of the mapping relationship, the SMF is enhanced, and the SMF is enabled to select an appropriate data network access point, i.e., user plane routing, for a user service, thereby helping the SMF to more effectively manage and control on-satellite MEC services and optimizing and satisfying specific satellite communication requirements.

Description

Network access configuration method, device, network equipment, medium and program product

[0001] This disclosure claims priority to Chinese patent application number 202410076836.3, filed on January 18, 2024, entitled “Network access configuration method, apparatus, network equipment, medium and program product”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular to a data network access configuration method, a data network access configuration apparatus, a network device, a computer-readable storage medium, and a computer program product. Background Art

[0003] The current 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) Rel-18 (Release 18) proposes an architecture for using satellites as backhaul between (R)AN (Radio Access Network) and the 5G core network, and supports the deployment of UPF (User Plane Function) on satellites to provide MEC (Mobile Edge Computing) services.

[0004] The 3GPP Network Architecture Working Group (SA2) has completed architectural enhancements for 5G systems to support onboard MEC. However, within the Management, Orchestration, and Charging Working Group (SA5), the network management system's Session Management Function (SMF) has yet to clearly define how it obtains information about satellite-based DN (Data Network) deployments. This presents challenges for the SMF in selecting the appropriate data network access point for user services.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a data network access configuration method, configuration device, network device, storage medium and computer program product, which at least to some extent overcome the challenges faced by SMF in the related art when selecting a suitable data network access point for the user's business.

[0007] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part by practice of the present disclosure.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a data network access configuration method is provided, comprising: configuring a mapping table in an SMF instance, wherein the mapping table describes a mapping relationship between a satellite identifier and at least one data network access identifier DNAI.

[0009] In one embodiment, it also includes: the access and mobility management function AMF determines the satellite identifier serving the terminal, and after receiving the satellite identifier sent by the AMF, the SMF determines DNAI based on the mapping relationship, the data network name DNN and the network slice selection auxiliary information S-NSSAI, and the satellite identifier received from the AMF, and selects an available user plane function UPF deployed on the satellite.

[0010] In one embodiment, selecting an available user plane function UPF deployed on a satellite includes: selecting the available UPF deployed on the satellite as a session anchor point PSA UPF; or selecting and inserting the available UPF deployed on the satellite as an uplink classifier UL CL UPF, or as a bifurcation point BP UPF, or as a local session anchor point local PSA UPF.

[0011] In one embodiment, configuring a mapping table in the SMF instance includes: configuring the mapping table in an SMFFunction information object class IOC of the SMF instance.

[0012] In one embodiment, it also includes: configuring the mapping table in the DNNSmfInfoItem data type in the SMFFunction IOC to represent the parameter set supported by the SMF instance for a given data network name DNN.

[0013] In one embodiment, it also includes: configuring the constraint condition of the mapping table in the DNNSmfInfoItem data type so that the SMF instance supports the selection of the UPF deployed on the satellite.

[0014] In one embodiment, the satellite identifier includes at least one of a high-orbit satellite identifier, a medium-orbit satellite identifier, and a low-orbit satellite identifier.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a data network access configuration device is provided, including: a configuration module, configured to configure a mapping table in an SMF instance, wherein the mapping table describes a mapping relationship between a satellite identifier and at least one data network access identifier DNAI.

[0016] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; the processor is configured to execute the data network access configuration method of the first aspect by executing the executable instructions.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the above-mentioned data network access configuration method is implemented.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the above-mentioned data network access configuration method is implemented.

[0019] The data network access configuration solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure configures a mapping relationship between a satellite identifier that can provide a service satellite and one or more data network access identifiers DNAI on the SMF, so that the SMF understands the relationship between the DNAI and the satellite identifier based on the mapping relationship, thereby enhancing the SMF and enabling the SMF to select a suitable data network access point for user services, namely, user plane routing, thereby helping the SMF to maintain and execute the QoS (Quality of Service) parameters of the on-board MEC, so as to more effectively manage and control the on-board MEC services, and optimize and meet specific satellite communication requirements.

[0020] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the specification, are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and those skilled in the art can derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort.

[0022] FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a data network access configuration system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0023] FIG2 shows a flow chart of a data network access configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG3 is a schematic diagram showing an SMF instance in a data network access configuration solution according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG4 shows a flow chart of another data network access configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG5 shows a schematic diagram of a data network access configuration device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG6 shows a structural block diagram of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be embodied in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0029] In addition, the accompanying drawings are merely schematic illustrations of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Identical reference numerals in the figures denote identical or similar parts, and thus repetitive descriptions thereof will be omitted. Some of the block diagrams shown in the accompanying drawings are functional entities that do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically separate entities. These functional entities may be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different networks and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0030] In the network management system, NRM (Network Resource Mode) related to the wireless access network, core network and network slices are defined respectively to manage the semantics and behaviors of specified IOC (Information Object Class) attributes and relationships. For example, SMFunction IOC is defined in the core network NRM, and the relevant information of a specific SMF instance is expressed through the SMFInfo attribute. In this disclosure, the mapping relationship between the satellite identifier and one or more data network access identifiers DNAI is configured by configuring the SMF instance, so that the SMF selects the appropriate network slice for the user's service based on the obtained satellite identifier.

[0031] In addition, onboard MEC reduces the need to transmit data to the ground network and weakens the dependence on gateways, which not only shortens the latency but also improves the efficiency of satellite link utilization. Obtaining specific satellite information helps the SMF maintain and implement the QoS (Quality of Service) parameters of onboard MEC, ensuring that the SMF understands the relationship between DNAI and satellite identification, so as to more effectively manage and control satellite-based MEC services and optimize and meet specific satellite communication requirements.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the base station connected to the terminal UE can be switched from the ground wireless 5G base station gNB to the satellite as a high-altitude base station for communication. The satellite acts as a high-altitude gNB for data transmission and sends the satellite identifier to the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function). The AMF can forward the satellite identifier to the SMF, so that the SMF selects the data network DN access based on the satellite identifier and the deployed UPF on the satellite.

[0033] Below, each step of the data network access configuration method in this example implementation will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0034] FIG2 shows a flow chart of a data network access configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] As shown in FIG2 , a data network access configuration method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a session management function (SMF), including:

[0036] Step S202: configure a mapping table in the SMF instance, where the mapping table describes a mapping relationship between a satellite identifier and at least one data network access identifier DNAI.

[0037] Among them, the SMF instance refers to a specific SMF functional entity deployed in a mobile network environment. The relationship between the satellite identifier and the data network access identifier DNAI is described by configuring a mapping table in the SMF instance. SMF is responsible for session management and control. DNAI is used to uniquely identify a user's data network access in the 5G network. The satellite identifier is used as the mapping key, and a mapping table including the mapping relationship is configured in the SMF instance of the SMF.

[0038] SMF instances include relevant data and parameters of Session Management Function (SMF) instances of important components in the 5G core network.

[0039] The service satellite identifier represents the identification of the service satellite providing services to the terminal device, and a mapping table may be used to store satellite identifiers and DNAIs (Data Network Access Identifiers) having a mapping relationship.

[0040] By configuring the mapping table, a correspondence between satellite identifiers and DNAIs is established. When a satellite corresponding to a satellite identifier is used as a base station and needs to access the data network, the SMF can select the DNAI that has a mapping relationship with the satellite identifier based on the information in the mapping table to realize data network access management for satellite users.

[0041] In addition, by configuring the mapping relationship between DNAI and satellite identifier into a specific SMF instance, it is also convenient for other network elements, such as NRF (network storage function, NF Repository Function), to use this instance to assist other network functions, especially AMF, in selecting a suitable SMF instance.

[0042] On-board MEC (Mobile Edge Computing) refers to deploying UPF on satellites to provide MEC services.

[0043] In this embodiment, by configuring a mapping relationship between a satellite identifier that can provide a service satellite and one or more data network access identifiers DNAI on the SMF, the SMF understands the relationship between the DNAI and the satellite identifier based on the mapping relationship, thereby enhancing the SMF and enabling the SMF to select a suitable data network access point for user services, i.e., user plane routing, thereby helping the SMF to maintain and execute the QoS (Quality of Service) parameters of the on-board MEC, so as to more effectively manage and control the on-board MEC services, and optimize and meet specific satellite communication requirements.

[0044] The method for associating DNAI with satellite information is applied to SMF in the form of a mapping table. Taking a high-orbit satellite as an example, Table 1 shows a mapping table storing a mapping relationship based on a high-orbit satellite.

[0045] Table 1

[0046] In one embodiment, it also includes: the access and mobility management function AMF determines the satellite identifier serving the terminal, and after receiving the satellite identifier sent by the AMF, the SMF determines the DNAI based on the mapping relationship, the data network name DNN and the network slice selection auxiliary information S-NSSAI, and the satellite identifier received from the AMF, and selects an available user plane function UPF deployed on the satellite.

[0047] Among them, based on the configured mapping table, when SMF receives the satellite identifier sent by AMF, such as GEO satellite ID, it determines the matching DNAI based on the mapping relationship described in the mapping table.

[0048] During or after the establishment of the user PDU session, the SMF checks the UE's request and the UE's subscription data in the UDM. The subscription data related to the SMF in the UDM includes the DNN and S-NSSAI granularity.

[0049] Network slicing refers to dividing a physical network into multiple virtual logical networks. Each virtual network corresponds to a different application scenario, that is, a different data network, to support access to different data networks based on DNN.

[0050] Furthermore, since a DNN corresponds to one or more DNAIs, and an S-NSSAI corresponds to one or more DNNs, based on the above correspondence, the DNN, or S-NSSAI, or DNN and S-NSSAI obtained by SMF is combined to further determine the accurate DNAI.

[0051] As the user plane network element of the 5GC network, UPF can be the satellite's onboard UPF, enabling the satellite to provide edge computing services. As the connection point between the mobile network and the data network (DN), UPF connects to the data network through the N6 interface and interacts with the SMF through the N4 interface.

[0052] In addition, taking the high-orbit satellite GEO as an example, the constraint condition for the existence of the mapping table can be: if the DNAI supported by the SMF is associated with the UPF deployed on the satellite, then the mapping table dnaiGeoInstanceList exists.

[0053] Exemplarily, AMF is a key component in the 5G network architecture, responsible for handling user access and mobility management functions. Exemplarily, AMF tracks the location information of the terminal and notifies SMF of the relationship between the terminal location and the local data network server. When the terminal switches from one satellite to another satellite as the gNB of the backhaul part, or from the ground to the satellite as the gNB of the backhaul part, in order to provide the UE with the node of the NR user plane and control plane protocol terminal, AMF can update the latest satellite identifier to SMF and send the satellite identifier to SMF. When SMF receives the satellite identifier, it determines the DNAI with a mapping relationship with the satellite identifier based on the configured mapping table, so that SMF can obtain information such as UPF and DN deployed on the satellite to select an available UPF deployed on the satellite.

[0054] In this embodiment, based on the mapping relationship, the SMF is able to understand the UPF deployed on the satellite, so as to further issue routing strategies based on the performance characteristics of the satellite and better support the on-board MEC. Taking into account the limited satellite resources, the UPF deployed on the satellite may need to support multiple network slices, that is, multiple DNAIs. The configuration based on the mapping relationship enables different network slices to be effectively associated with the UPF deployed on the satellite. Based on the data interaction between the UPF and the data network, a variety of business requirements can be met, thereby providing effective support for improving the performance and resource management of MEC on the satellite and adapting to the diverse service requirements based on MEC. In addition, based on the configuration of the mapping table, the association between the satellite identifier and the specific data network and network slice can be determined. According to the determined mapping relationship, the satellite identifier is matched and the associated functions and services are configured accordingly. According to the required network slice and service quality requirements, the corresponding network resources and functional elements are configured to meet the needs of users.

[0055] In one embodiment, selecting an available user plane function UPF deployed on a satellite includes: selecting an available UPF deployed on a satellite as a session anchor point PSA UPF; or selecting and inserting an available UPF deployed on a satellite as an uplink classifier UL CL UPF, or as a bifurcation point BP UPF, or as a local session anchor point local PSA UPF.

[0056] Among them, UPF serves as the connection anchor between the 5G network and multi-access edge computing (MEC). All core network data must be forwarded through UPF before it can flow to the external network. When users need to access MEC applications, they select or insert edge UPF, and edge resources are provided to users on demand.

[0057] During or after the establishment of a user PDU session, SMF can insert or delete one or more UL CLs in the data path of the PDU session. UL CL supports forwarding uplink service flows to different PDU session anchor points UPF based on traffic detection and traffic forwarding rules provided by SMF, and diverts them to the MEC platform.

[0058] Exemplarily, during the process of establishing a protocol data unit (PDU) session or modifying a PDU session, the UPF deployed on the serving satellite is selected as the PDU session anchor point (PSA) UPF based on the serving satellite identifier; or when selecting and inserting the uplink classifier (UL CL UPF) or the branch node (BP UPF), the UPF deployed on the serving satellite is selected based on the serving satellite identifier.

[0059] The SMF selects the ULCL / BP and local PSA on the satellite providing gNB services, thereby selecting the UPF.

[0060] In this embodiment, based on the identification information of the service satellite, during the PDU session establishment process or the PDU session modification process, the UPF deployed on the corresponding service satellite is selected as the PDU session anchor point, uplink classifier or branch node. Selecting the UPF deployed on the service satellite as the PDU session anchor point can reduce latency, increase bandwidth and network capacity, thereby improving the user's service quality and experience.

[0061] In addition, by selecting and inserting UPF based on the service satellite identification, personalized deployment and customized services can be achieved for different service satellites. UPF can be flexibly configured according to specific needs to provide more personalized network services. Choosing to deploy UPF on the service satellite as a branch node or uplink classifier can achieve local processing of data streams and optimize routing selection, reducing remote transmission delays and network congestion of data streams.

[0062] In one embodiment, configuring a mapping table in an SMF instance includes configuring a mapping table in an SMFFunction information object class IOC of the SMF instance.

[0063] In this embodiment, in the network resource model (Network Resource Model) NRM of the manageability aspect of the 5G network, the SMFFunction IOC (Information Object Class) is defined. By configuring the mapping table in the SMFFunction IOC, the mapping table is configured based on the hierarchical correspondence of SMF-S-NSSAI-DNN-DNAI. Taking the high-orbit satellite GEO as an example, the configured mapping table is dnaiGeoInstanceList.

[0064] In one embodiment, the method further includes: configuring a mapping table in the DNNSmfInfoItem data type in the SMFFunction IOC to indicate a parameter set supported by the SMF instance for a given data network name DNN.

[0065] The SMF instance includes DNNSmfInfoItem, and the mapping table is configured in DNNSmfInfoItem for management. DNNSmfInfoItem is associated with DNNSmfInfoIList in SnssaiSmfInfoItem.

[0066] Among them, DNNSmfInfoItem is a specific InfoItem in the SMF instance, which is used to manage the mapping relationship between the satellite identifier and the data network access identifier DNAI.

[0067] In this embodiment, a DNNSmfInfoItem is created in the SMF instance to manage a mapping table between multiple data network access identifiers (DNAIs) and satellite identifiers. The mapping table can use a key-value pair format, where the key is the DNAI and the value is the satellite identifier. Each DNAI and the corresponding satellite identifier are entered into the mapping table. Different DNAIs can be mapped to corresponding satellite identifiers based on the functions that the satellite can provide to meet different network access requirements and provide high-quality network services.

[0068] The attribute names of the DNNSmfInfoItem data type include dnn, dnaiList, and the mapping table dnaiGeoInstanceList.

[0069] For a given DNN, the data type of the DNNSmf information item indicates the supported parameter set configured by the SMF for the DNN. The characteristics of the DNNSmf information item are shown in Table 2, where “T” represents “true” and “F” represents “false”.

[0070] Table 2

[0071] The feature constraints for the DNNSmf information item features are shown in Table 3.

[0072] Table 3

[0073] In one embodiment, it also includes: configuring the constraint conditions of the mapping table in the DNNSmfInfoItem data type to support the selection of the UPF deployed on the satellite for the SMF instance.

[0074] Exemplarily, the SMF instance supports the selection of a UPF deployed on a satellite to perform edge computing based on the UPF.

[0075] In this embodiment, the constraints in the mapping table are configured to ensure that the SMF instance can select the UPF deployed on the satellite for edge computing. For example, the SMF instance needs to configure the mapping table to determine the specific selection of the UPF deployed on the satellite. The UPF is a core component in the mobile network and is responsible for functions such as data packet forwarding and processing. The configuration mapping table can select the corresponding UPF for edge computing based on the correspondence between the UPF deployed on the satellite and the data network name. The SMF instance can provide personalized support and optimized network experience based on the relationship between the UPF deployed on the satellite and the data network name to meet specific needs and performance requirements.

[0076] As shown in Figure 3, in the network resource model NRM of the SMF instance, that is, the SMFFunction information, there is an smfInfo attribute under its feature name, and there is an sNssaiSmfInfoList attribute under the feature name of the smfInfo attribute. The data type of this attribute is sNssaiSmfInfoItem. There are sNSSAI attributes and DnnSmfInfoList attributes under the feature name of the sNssaiSmfInfoItem data type. The data type of the DnnSmfInfoList attribute is DnnSmfInfoItem. The mapping table is configured as an attribute of the DnnSmfInfoItem, that is, a mapping table between DNAI and satellite identifier is added, and the mapping table is configured to be managed in the DnnSmfInfoItem. In addition, the attributes of the DnnSmfInfoItem, that is, the feature name, also include DNN and DNAIList.

[0077] In addition, the data type of DNNSmfInfoItem can also be used as one of the characteristics of specifying IOC.

[0078] Table 4 defines the properties of the IOC class involved in this disclosure.

[0079] Table 4

[0080] In one embodiment, the satellite identifier includes at least one of a high-orbit satellite identifier, a medium-orbit satellite identifier, and a low-orbit satellite identifier.

[0081] Among them, low-orbit (LEO: Low Earth Orbit) satellites are 300KM to 2000KM away from the ground.

[0082] Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites are 2000km to 35786km from the ground.

[0083] High elliptical orbit (MEO) satellite is located in the geosynchronous orbit 35786km above the ground.

[0084] In response to the obtained service satellite identifier serving the terminal, based on the mapping relationship between the configured satellite identifier and at least one data network access identifier DNAI, the DNAI that matches the satellite identifier is determined so that the user plane function UPF deployed on the service satellite can access the data network corresponding to the DNAI.

[0085] In addition, the satellite identifier can also be associated in the extended field of DNAI.

[0086] For example, DN represents the network that provides the target business service, DNN is the name symbol of DN, and DNAI is used to distinguish different DN instances. DNAI indicates to which DN instance the data flow needs to go. Therefore, those skilled in the art can understand that the DNN application servers corresponding to different DNAIs are deployed on satellites and on the ground respectively. That is to say, different DNAIs are used to distinguish whether the DNN application server is deployed on a satellite or on the ground. The satellite identifier and DNAI with a mapping relationship indicate that the satellite corresponding to the satellite identifier supports the DNN server corresponding to the DNAI.

[0087] As shown in FIG4 , a data network access configuration method according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

[0088] In step S402, the AMF responds to receiving a protocol data unit (PDU) session establishment request initiated by the UE based on serving satellite switching, where the establishment request includes a serving satellite identifier.

[0089] Step S404: AMF initiates a session management PDU context establishment request to SMF.

[0090] Step S406: The SMF determines a DNAI that matches the received serving satellite identifier based on a mapping relationship between the configured satellite identifier and at least one data network access identifier DNAI, and at least one of the DNN and the S-NSSAI.

[0091] Step S408: Based on DNAI, SMF sends a session establishment request to the UPF that supports the network slice corresponding to the DNAI.

[0092] In step S410, UPF responds to the received session establishment request, cooperates with SMF and AMF to establish a PDU session, and accesses the data network corresponding to DNAI.

[0093] It should be noted that the above figures are merely illustrative of the processes included in the method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to be limiting. It is readily understood that the processes illustrated in the above figures do not indicate or limit the temporal order of these processes. Furthermore, it is readily understood that these processes may be executed synchronously or asynchronously, for example, in multiple modules.

[0094] The following describes a data network access configuration device 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to Figure 5. The data network access configuration device 500 shown in Figure 5 is merely an example and should not limit the functionality and scope of use of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0095] The data network access configuration device 500 is implemented as a hardware module. Components of the data network access configuration device 500 may include, but are not limited to: a configuration module configured to configure a mapping table in an SMF instance, the mapping table describing a mapping relationship between a satellite identifier and at least one data network access identifier (DNAI).

[0096] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various aspects of the present invention may be implemented as systems, methods, or program products. Therefore, various aspects of the present invention may be implemented in the following forms: a complete hardware implementation, a complete software implementation (including firmware, microcode, etc.), or a combination of hardware and software implementations, which may be collectively referred to herein as "circuits," "modules," or "systems."

[0097] The electronic device 600 according to this embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to FIG6 . The electronic device 600 may be a network device or a terminal. The electronic device 600 shown in FIG6 is merely an example and should not limit the functions and scope of use of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0098] As shown in Figure 6, electronic device 600 is implemented as a general-purpose computing device. Components of electronic device 600 may include, but are not limited to, the aforementioned at least one processing unit 610, the aforementioned at least one storage unit 620, and a bus 630 connecting various system components (including storage unit 620 and processing unit 610).

[0099] The storage unit stores program code that can be executed by the processing unit 610, causing the processing unit 610 to perform the steps according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention described in the "Exemplary Methods" section above. For example, the processing unit 610 can perform the scheme described in Figure 2.

[0100] The storage unit 620 may include a readable medium in the form of a volatile storage unit, such as a random access memory unit (RAM) 6201 and / or a cache memory unit 6202 , and may further include a read-only memory unit (ROM) 6203 .

[0101] The storage unit 620 may also include a program / utility 6204 having a set (at least one) of program modules 6205, such program modules 6205 including but not limited to: an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data, each of which or some combination may include an implementation of a network environment.

[0102] Bus 630 may represent one or more of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, a processing unit, or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.

[0103] The electronic device 600 can also communicate with one or more external devices 670 (e.g., a keyboard, a pointing device, a Bluetooth device, etc.), one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the electronic device 600, and / or any device that enables the electronic device 600 to communicate with one or more other computing devices (e.g., a router, a modem, etc.). Such communication can occur via an input / output (I / O) interface 650. Furthermore, the electronic device 600 can communicate with one or more networks (e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and / or a public network such as the Internet) via a network adapter 660. As shown, the network adapter 660 communicates with other modules of the electronic device 600 via a bus 630. It should be understood that, although not shown in the figure, other hardware and / or software modules can be used in conjunction with the electronic device 600, including but not limited to microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems.

[0104] Through the description of the above embodiments, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the example embodiments described herein can be implemented by software or by combining software with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solution according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or on a network, and includes several instructions to enable a computing device (which can be a personal computer, a server, a terminal device, or a network device, etc.) to execute the method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0105] In exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, on which is stored a program product capable of implementing the methods described above. In some possible implementations, various aspects of the present invention may also be implemented in the form of a program product comprising program code that, when executed on a terminal device, causes the terminal device to execute the steps according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention described in the "Exemplary Methods" section above.

[0106] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a program product for implementing the above-mentioned method can be a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and include program code, and can be run on a terminal device, such as a personal computer. However, the program product of the present invention is not limited thereto. In this document, a readable storage medium can be any tangible medium containing or storing a program, and the program can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0107] A computer-readable signal medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, which carries readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take a variety of forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. A readable signal medium may also be any readable medium other than a readable storage medium that can transmit, propagate, or transfer a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0108] The program code embodied on the readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0109] The program code for performing the operations of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, C++, and the like, as well as conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as "C" or similar programming languages. The program code may be executed entirely on the user computing device, partially on the user device, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the user computing device and partially on a remote computing device, or entirely on a remote computing device or server. In cases involving a remote computing device, the remote computing device may be connected to the user computing device via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computing device (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0110] It should be noted that although several modules or units of the device for action execution are mentioned in the detailed description above, this division is not mandatory. In fact, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the features and functions of two or more modules or units described above can be concretized in one module or unit. Conversely, the features and functions of one module or unit described above can be further divided into multiple modules or units to be concretized.

[0111] In addition, although the various steps of the method in the present disclosure are described in a specific order in the accompanying drawings, this does not require or imply that these steps must be performed in this specific order, or that all the steps shown must be performed to achieve the desired result. Additionally or alternatively, certain steps can be omitted, multiple steps can be combined into one step for execution, and / or one step can be decomposed into multiple steps for execution, etc. Through the description of the above embodiments, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the example embodiments described here can be implemented by software, or by combining software with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solution according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or on a network, and includes several instructions to enable a computing device (which can be a personal computer, a server, a mobile terminal, or a network device, etc.) to execute the method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0112] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure being indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A data network access configuration method, applied to a Session Management Function (SMF), includes: Configuring a mapping table in the SMF instance, where the mapping table describes the mapping relationship between satellite identifiers and at least one Data Network Access Identifier (DNAI).

2. The data network access configuration method according to claim 1, wherein, It further includes: The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) determines the satellite identifier for serving the terminal. After receiving the satellite identifier sent by the AMF, the SMF determines the DNAI based on at least one of the mapping relationship, Data Network Name (DNN), and Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), and the satellite identifier received from the AMF, and selects an available User Plane Function (UPF) deployed on the satellite.

3. The data network access configuration method according to claim 2, wherein, Selecting an available UPF deployed on the satellite includes: Selecting the available UPF deployed on the satellite as the Session Anchor Point (PSA) UPF; or Selecting and inserting the available UPF deployed on the satellite as the Uplink Classifier (UL CL) UPF, or as the Branch Point (BP) UPF, or as the Local Session Anchor (local PSA) UPF.

4. The data network access configuration method according to claim 1, wherein, Configuring the mapping table in the SMF instance includes: Configuring the mapping table in the SMFFunction Information Object Class (IOC).

5. The data network access configuration method according to claim 4, wherein, It further includes: Configuring the mapping table in the DNNSmfInfoItem data type in the SMFFunction IOC, which represents the parameter set supported by the SMF instance for a given DNN.

6. The data network access configuration method according to claim 5, wherein, It further includes: Configuring the constraint condition of the mapping table in the DNNSmfInfoItem data type as that the SMF instance supports the selection of a UPF deployed on the satellite.

7. According to the data network access configuration method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The satellite identifier includes at least one of a geostationary satellite identifier, a medium Earth orbit satellite identifier, and a low Earth orbit satellite identifier.

8. A data network access configuration device, applied to a Session Management Function (SMF), includes: A configuration module, configured to configure a mapping table in the SMF instance, where the mapping table describes the mapping relationship between satellite identifiers and at least one Data Network Access Identifier (DNAI).

9. A network device includes: A processor; And A memory, configured to store executable instructions of the processor; Wherein, the processor is configured to execute the data network access configuration method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 by executing the executable instructions.

10. A computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the data network access configuration method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

11. A computer program product, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the data network access configuration method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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