Communication method, communication device and storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method, a communication device and a storage medium. The communication method applied to a first network element comprises: receiving a route setup request message sent by a second network element; sending a group session setup request message to a third network element, so as to request the third network element to allocate a group communication resource that at least includes a data forwarding rule of a group session; and sending a user session update message to the third network element, so as to update a data forwarding rule of a user session, such that the third network element performs data transmission between at least two user equipments on the basis of the updated data forwarding rule of the group session and the updated data forwarding rule of the user session.

Description

Communication method, communication device and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, communication equipment and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] 5G Local Area Network (LAN) is a technology that uses 5G networks to provide local area network (LAN)-virtual network services. It provides private mobile communications services through the 5G system, allowing a limited group of terminals to conduct point-to-point communications based on Ethernet (Ethernet) or Internet Protocol (IP) within a 5G LAN virtual network. The 5G network is used to provide services similar to virtual private networks (VPNs) for scenarios such as enterprises, ports, or factory campuses. When using 5G LAN services, the N19 interface is the user plane interface between two PDU Session Anchor (PSA) user plane functions (UPFs). It directly routes traffic between different Packet Data Unit (PDU) sessions without using the N6 interface.

[0003] In the related technology, the N19 interface (also called the N19 tunnel) is established between two PSA UPFs. In the scenario where the PDU session requires the participation of the intermediate PDU session anchor point (Intermediate UPF, I-UPF), in the process of data forwarding between the two I-UPFs, data forwarding needs to be carried out through the PSA UPF, resulting in the data forwarding efficiency of 5G-LAN. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, a communication device, and a storage medium, which improve the data forwarding efficiency of 5G-LAN.

[0005] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, applied to a first network element, including:

[0006] receiving a routing establishment request message sent by the second network element;

[0007] Sending a group session establishment request message to a third network element to request the third network element to allocate group communication resources that at least include a data forwarding rule for the group session;

[0008] A user session update message is sent to the third network element to update the data forwarding rule of the user session, so that the third network element performs data transmission between at least two user devices based on the updated data forwarding rule of the group session and the data forwarding rule of the user session.

[0009] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, applied to a second network element, including:

[0010] Acquiring user contract data; wherein the user contract data is used to indicate the relationship between each user device and the virtual network group;

[0011] A route establishment request message is sent to the first network element based on the user subscription data to request establishment of a local route between at least two user equipments.

[0012] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, applied to a first network element, including:

[0013] a receiver configured to receive a route establishment request message sent by the second network element;

[0014] a transmitter configured to send a group session establishment request message to a third network element to request the third network element to allocate a group communication resource including at least a data forwarding rule for the group session;

[0015] The transmission module is also configured to send a user session update message to the third network element to update the data forwarding rules of the user session, so that the third network element performs data transmission between at least two user devices based on the updated data forwarding rules of the group session and the data forwarding rules of the user session.

[0016] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, applied to a second network element, including:

[0017] An acquisition module configured to acquire user contract data; wherein the user contract data is used to indicate the relationship between each user device and the virtual network group;

[0018] The transmitter is configured to send a route establishment request message to the first network element based on the user subscription data to request establishment of a local route between at least two user equipments.

[0019] An embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a memory, and one or more processors;

[0020] The memory is configured to store one or more programs;

[0021] When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0022] An embodiment of the present application provides a storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method described in any one of the above embodiments is implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of a 5G architecture provided by related art;

[0024] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of a UE initiating a PDU session provided by a related art;

[0025] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 5G LAN provided by the related art;

[0026] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of local routing within an I-UPF and routing through N19 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG5 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG6 is a flow chart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a 5G LAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication interaction provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG9 is a schematic structural diagram of another 5G LAN provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another 5G communication interaction provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG11 is a structural block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG12 is a structural block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The following describes the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following describes the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The examples are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the scope of the present application.

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G architecture implementation provided by the relevant technology. As shown in Figure 1, the 5G architecture includes network elements and devices: User Equipment (UE), Radio Access Network (RAN), Access and Mobility Management function (AMF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Network Exposure Function (NEF) and Network Repository Function (NRF). The various network elements and devices in Figure 1 include the following network functions:

[0038] For UE: The terminal accesses the RAN through the Uu port and accesses the core network element AMF through the N1 interface.

[0039] Regarding RAN: RAN, also known as wireless base station, is responsible for resource allocation of the Uu port and terminal access control.

[0040] For AMF: manages the user's need to access the network, and is responsible for terminal-to-network Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling management, user mobility management and other functions.

[0041] Regarding UDM: It is the permanent storage location for user contract data and is located in the user's contracted home network.

[0042] For UDR: It mainly provides the following functions: UDM data storage and reading, PCF data storage and reading, structured data storage and capability exposure, application data storage and reading (including packet flow description (PFD) for application detection, AF request information of multiple UEs, etc.).

[0043] For SMF: manage the user's PDU session, Quality of Service (QoS) flow, formulate packet detection and forwarding rules for UPF, etc.; SMF locally configures or receives the session policy control rules from PCF, and the policy control rules control the data transmission path and QoS policy between UPF and the terminal.

[0044] Regarding UPF: According to the rules issued by SMF, it is responsible for the routing and forwarding of IP data and non-IP data, usage reporting, and other functions. UPF can be divided into: PDU Session Anchor-UPF (PSA-UPF), Local-UPF (L-UPF), and Intermediate UPF (I-UPF); among them, PSA-UPF is responsible for accessing the data network; L-UPF is used to access the local network of edge computing; I-UPF is used for data diversion, and I-UPF supports two diversion methods: uplink classifier and branch point.

[0045] For PCF: Based on user contracts, application requirements, and local configuration, it provides session policy rules to SMF. At the same time, PCF can also send UE Route Selection Policy (URSP) rules to the terminal through AMF, controlling the terminal to generate appropriate PDU session parameters based on different application requests.

[0046] Regarding NEF: The main functions include opening up network information capabilities and providing interfaces that enable external applications to dynamically control the 5G core network. NEF is responsible for authorizing and authenticating application requests, converting requested data formats, and adapting protocols.

[0047] Regarding NRF: In a service-based architecture, NRF is used to register and store network function (NF) and service configuration information. It provides services such as service discovery, network slice management, and network function configuration information. By providing service registration and discovery, network function management, network slice management, service policy management, and resource management and optimization, NRF ensures the availability, discoverability, and efficient utilization of network resources, providing more flexible, scalable, and intelligent services for 5G networks.

[0048] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a UE-initiated PDU session implementation provided by related art. As shown in FIG2 , the implementation process of the UE-initiated PDU session includes the following steps:

[0049] Step 1: The UE sends a PDU Session Establishment Request to the AMF through the RAN. This message carries the Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), Data Network Name (DNN), Session and Service Continuity (SSC) mode, and the UE-assigned PDU session identifier for the PDU session. The UE determines the S-NSSAI, DNN, and SSC mode that the application can use based on local policy.

[0050] Step 2: AMF selects an appropriate SMF for the UE based on the UE's PDU session establishment request, such as the S-NSSAI and DNN requested by the UE.

[0051] Step 3: AMF sends a Create SMContext Request to SMF. The message carries the S-NSSAI, DNN and SSC mode requested by the UE, as well as the user's current access system information and location information.

[0052] Step 4: SMF initiates a session subscription data acquisition request to UDM, carrying the S-NSSAI and DNN requested by the UE.

[0053] Step 5: UDM returns the UE session subscription data of the S-NSSAI and DNN, as well as the identifier of the corresponding user group, to SMF.

[0054] Step 6: SMF returns a Create SM Session Context Response (Create SMContext Response) to AMF.

[0055] In step 7, the SMF selects a suitable PCF and sends a session policy association creation request to the PCF, carrying the S-NSSAI and DNN requested by the UE, the user's current location information, and the user's access system information.

[0056] Step 8: PCF obtains user contract data from UDR (User Data Repository), generates session policy information (SM Policy) based on local policy, and then returns the session policy information to SMF. The PCF receives the SMF request and returns the session policy data (SM Policy) to SMF.

[0057] Step 9: SMF selects a suitable UPF based on information such as S-NSSAI, DNN, and UE location, and then initiates an N4 Session Establishment Request to the UPF.

[0058] Step 10: UPF responds to the request of SMF and establishes an N4 session. UPF allocates an uplink tunnel identifier for the PDU session and returns an N4 Session Establishment Response to SMF.

[0059] Step 11: After the N4 session is successfully established, the SMF sends an N1 / N2 message transfer request (N1 / N2Message Transfer) to the AMF. The message carries a NAS message (Non-access stratum) sent to the UE and an AS message (N2 Session Setup) sent to the RAN. The NAS message is a PDU Session Establishment Accept message, and the AS message is the context information of the PDU session, such as the created QoS flow configuration information list, the PDU session uplink tunnel identifier assigned by the UPF, etc.

[0060] Step 12: AMF sends an N2 interface PDU session request (N2 PDU Session Request) message to RAN, which carries the NAS message and AS message received from SMF.

[0061] In step 13, the RAN sends an RRC reconfiguration process (Radio Resource Connection Reconfiguration) to the UE, and establishes a suitable radio bearer for the UE based on the PDU session information provided by the SMF; at the same time, the RAN sends a NAS message to the UE.

[0062] Step 14: After creating the radio resources, the RAN returns an N2 interface PDU session reception (N2PDU Session ack) message to the AMF, which carries the N3 interface resources allocated by the RAN for the PDU session, such as the downlink tunnel identifier.

[0063] In steps 15-16, AMF sends an Update SM Context Request to SMF to update the RAN tunnel identifier of UPF on the N3 interface.

[0064] In steps 17-18, the SMF sends an N4 Session Update Request to the UPF to update the tunnel identifier of the RAN on the N3 interface.

[0065] In steps 19-20, the SMF may allocate an IP address to the terminal through the control plane or the user plane in step 11. The SMF then registers with the UDM, which stores the SMF address and the user IP address in the user session context corresponding to the S-NSSAI and DNN.

[0066] 5G LAN is a technology that uses 5G networks to provide local area network (LAN)-virtual network (VLAN) services. It delivers private mobile communications services through the 5G system, allowing a limited group of terminals to conduct Ethernet or IP-based point-to-point communications within a 5G LAN virtual network. 5G networks are used to provide VPN-like services for scenarios such as enterprises, ports, or factory campuses. When using 5G LAN services, the N19 interface is a group user plane interface between the PSA UPFs of the two PDU sessions, after two UEs establish separate PDU sessions. This interface directly routes traffic between different PDU sessions without using the N6 interface. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 5G LAN provided by related technologies. As shown in Figure 3, the N19 interface is established between two PSA UPFs, PSA UPF1 and PSA UPF2. This application proposes establishing an N19 interface between two I-UPFs in scenarios where a PDU session has an I-UPF, enabling data forwarding to occur without passing through the PSA UPF, thereby improving the data forwarding efficiency of the 5G LAN.

[0067] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an implementation of local routing within an I-UPF and routing through N19, provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, in scenarios where the PDU session requires I-UPF intervention, local routing is allowed within the I-UPF, or an N19 interface is established between two I-UPFs. Data forwarding no longer passes through the PSA UPF, thereby improving the data forwarding efficiency of the 5G-LAN.

[0068] In Figure 4 above, the I-UPF locally allocates a 5G-LAN interface for group communication. This interface is a virtual interface within the I-UPF. The I-UPF receives uplink user data from the N3 interface / tunnel and determines whether local routing is required based on the destination address. It then forwards the data to the 5G-LAN interface. Otherwise, it directly forwards the data to the N9 interface. The 5G-LAN interface configures group communication rules (including data forwarding rules for group sessions and user sessions), and then performs local routing based on the rules:

[0069] 1) If the 5G-LAN interface determines that the data needs to be routed locally within the I-UPF, it returns the data to the I-UPF, which then routes the data based on the destination address.

[0070] 2) The 5G-LAN interface determines that the data needs to be routed to another I-UPF and forwards the data to the N19 tunnel between the destination I-UPF. The destination I-UPF routes the data based on the destination address.

[0071] In one embodiment, Figure 5 is a flow chart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to the establishment of direct communication between two I-UPFs in a 5G LAN. This embodiment can be executed by a first network element. For example, the first network element can be an I-SMF. Generally speaking, when the UE is outside the SMF service area, an I-SMF can be inserted between the SMF and the AMF to implement data forwarding functions. As shown in Figure 5, this embodiment includes: S110-S130.

[0072] S110: Receive a routing establishment request message sent by the second network element.

[0073] Exemplarily, the second network element may be an SMF. The route establishment request message refers to a request to add a UE to a 5G virtual network group (5G Virtual Network Group, 5G-VN group), and may also be understood as a request to establish a local route between at least two UEs. In one example, after multiple UEs establish a PDU session, the second network element may determine whether the user group identifier in the user subscription data of each UE is the same. If the user group identifiers of two UEs are the same, it indicates that the two UEs belong to the same 5G-VN group, and a local route between the two UEs may be established at this time; if the user group identifiers of more than two UEs are the same, it indicates that the two or more UEs belong to the same 5G-VN group, and a local route between the two or more UEs may be established at this time.

[0074] S120: Send a group session establishment request message to a third network element to request the third network element to allocate group communication resources that at least include a data forwarding rule for the group session.

[0075] Exemplarily, the third network element may be an I-UPF. In an embodiment, during the process of establishing a PDU session, the AMF determines whether to insert the first network element and the third network element. In one example, if the first network element and the third network element need to be inserted, the same I-UPF may be inserted in establishing the PDU session for each UE, that is, only one I-UPF is included in the structure of the 5G LAN; or different I-UPFs may be inserted in establishing the PDU session for each UE, that is, the number of I-UPFs included in the structure of the 5G-LAN is the same as the number of UEs. For example, if the structure of the 5G-LAN includes two UEs, two I-UPFs are inserted. In one example, in order to facilitate the partitioning of the I-UPF, the I-UPF identifier may be used to distinguish the I-UPFs established in the PDU sessions of different UEs. For example, the I-UPF inserted in the PDU session of UE1 is I-UPF1, and the I-UPF inserted in the PDU session of UE2 is I-UPF2.

[0076] The group session establishment request message is used to trigger the third network element to allocate group communication resources for local routing between multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group. In one example, if multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group correspond to the same third network element, the first network element only needs to send a group session establishment request message to one third network element. In one example, if multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group correspond to multiple third network elements (i.e., there is a one-to-one correspondence between UEs and third network elements), the first network element needs to send a group session establishment request message to each third network element.

[0077] Group communication resources refer to the communication resources required for data transmission between different UEs in the same 5G-VN group. In one example, the group communication resources may include data forwarding rules for group sessions. The data forwarding rules for group sessions refer to the forwarding strategies for data packets in the 5G-VN group whose destination addresses are from different UEs in the group from the same third network element or different third network elements. In one example, if multiple UEs in the 5G-VN group correspond to the same third network element, the data forwarding rules for the group session include: forwarding data packets with destination addresses for UEs served by the third network element to user sessions in the same third network element. In one example, if multiple UEs in the 5G-VN group correspond to different third network elements, the data forwarding rules for the group session include: forwarding data packets with destination addresses for UEs served by the third network element to user sessions in different third network elements.

[0078] S130: Send a user session update message to the third network element to update the data forwarding rule of the user session, so that the third network element performs data transmission between at least two user equipments based on the updated data forwarding rule of the group session and the data forwarding rule of the user session.

[0079] In one example, a user session update message is used to initiate the N4 session update process of each UE; the data forwarding rule of the user session refers to the forwarding strategy for data with a destination address of other UEs from the wireless access network or data with a destination address of the current UE on the group communication interface in the 5G-VN group. In one example, if multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group correspond to the same third network element, the first network element only needs to send a user session update message to one third network element, and update the data forwarding rules of the user session on the third network element. In one example, if multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group correspond to multiple third network elements (that is, there is a one-to-one correspondence between UEs and third network elements), the first network element needs to send a user session update message to each third network element, and update the data forwarding rules of the user session on the third network element corresponding to the UE. This embodiment can realize local routed data transmission between multiple UEs through the third network element, without the need for data forwarding process through the PSA-UPF, thereby improving data forwarding efficiency.

[0080] In one embodiment, the communication method applied to the first network element further includes: receiving a group session establishment response message returned by the third network element; wherein the group session establishment response message carries relevant information about the group communication resources. The group session establishment response message is used to carry the group communication resources allocated by the third network element for local routing between multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group. In one example, if multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group correspond to the same third network element, only one third network element is required to send a group session establishment response message to the first network element. In one example, if multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group correspond to multiple third network elements (i.e., there is a one-to-one correspondence between UEs and third network elements), each third network element needs to send a group session establishment response message to the first network element.

[0081] In one embodiment, the group communication resource further includes: a group communication interface identifier. In one example, the group communication interface refers to a 5G LAN interface; correspondingly, the group communication interface identifier refers to a 5G LAN interface identifier. In one example, if multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group correspond to the same third network element, the third network element allocates a 5G LAN interface identifier for group communication. In one example, if multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group correspond to multiple third network elements (i.e., there is a one-to-one correspondence between the UE and the third network element), the third network element allocates multiple 5G LAN interface identifiers for group communication; wherein, the number of 5G LAN interface identifiers is equal to the number of third network elements.

[0082] In one embodiment, the updated data forwarding rule for the user session includes one of the following:

[0083] For data packets from the radio access network RAN ​​whose destination address is not the user equipment, forward them to the group communication interface of the same group;

[0084] For data packets with a destination address of this user device on the group communication interface from the same group, they are forwarded to the RAN interface to which this user device is connected. In one example, this user device refers to the user device corresponding to the N4 session update process initiated by the first network element to the third network element; non-this user device refers to the user device that is not corresponding to the N4 session update process initiated by the first network element to the third network element and is located in the same 5G VN group. For example, assuming that the 5G-VN group includes two members, namely: UE1 and UE2, if the first network element initiates the N4 session update process of UE1 to the third network element, the data forwarding rules of the updated user session include: for data packets with a destination address of UE2 from the RAN, they are forwarded to the 5G LAN interface of the group; for data packets with a destination address of UE1 on the 5G LAN interface of the group, they are forwarded to the RAN interface to which UE1 is connected. If the first network element initiates the N4 session update process of UE2 to the third network element, the data forwarding rules of the updated user session include: forwarding data packets with a destination address of UE1 from the RAN to the 5G LAN interface of the group; forwarding data packets with a destination address of UE2 from the 5G LAN interface of the group to the RAN interface accessed by UE2.

[0085] In one embodiment, the data forwarding rules for the group session include: forwarding data packets destined for a user device served by a third network element to the user session in the third network element. In one example, assuming that the 5G-VN group includes two members, UE1 and UE2, and that UE1 and UE2 in the 5G-VN group correspond to the same third network element, such as I-UPF1, the data forwarding rules for the group session include: forwarding data from I-UPF1 destined for UE1 to I-UPF1; and forwarding data from I-UPF1 destined for UE2 to I-UPF1. In one example, assuming that the 5G-VN group includes two members, namely: UE1 and UE2, and UE1 and UE2 in the 5G-VN group correspond to different third network elements, for example, UE1 corresponds to I-UPF1, and UE2 corresponds to I-UPF2, then the data forwarding rules of the group session include: for data from I-UPF1 with a destination address of UE1, forward it to I-UPF1; for data from I-UPF2 with a destination address of UE2, forward it to I-UPF2.

[0086] In one embodiment, the group communication resource also includes a forwarding tunnel identifier. In one example, the forwarding tunnel may be an N19 interface, which may also be referred to as an N19 tunnel; correspondingly, the forwarding tunnel identifier may be an N19 tunnel identifier or an N19 interface identifier. If multiple UEs in the same 5G VN group correspond to different third network elements, N19 interfaces need to be configured between the third network elements. To facilitate distinguishing the N19 interface of each third network element, a corresponding tunnel identifier may be configured for the N19 interface of each third network element. For example, assuming that the 5G-VN group includes two members, UE1 and UE2, and that UE1 and UE2 in the 5G-VN group correspond to different third network elements, for example, UE1 corresponds to I-UPF1 and UE2 corresponds to I-UPF2, I-UPF1 may be configured with an N19 tunnel identifier 1 for group communication, and I-UPF2 may be configured with an N19 tunnel identifier 2 for group communication.

[0087] In one embodiment, each user equipment corresponds to a different third network element; sending a group session establishment request message to the third network element to request the third network element to allocate group communication resources that at least include a data forwarding rule for the group session, includes:

[0088] Sending a group session establishment request message to the first third network element to request the first third network element to allocate a group communication resource that at least includes a data forwarding rule for the group session;

[0089] A group session establishment request message is sent to a non-first third network element to request the non-first third network element to allocate group communication resources that at least include data forwarding rules for the group session; wherein the group session establishment request message sent to the non-first third network element carries a forwarding tunnel identifier of the first third network element. In one example, if the third network element corresponding to each UE is different, that is, the 5G LAN includes at least two third network elements, the first network element needs to first send a group session establishment request message to the first third network element to request the first third network element to allocate group communication resources that at least include data forwarding rules for the group session; then the first network element sends a group session establishment request message carrying the forwarding tunnel identifier allocated by the first third network element to the second third network element to request the second third network element to allocate group communication resources that at least include data forwarding rules for the group session; then the first network element sends a group session establishment request message carrying the forwarding tunnel identifier allocated by the first third network element and the forwarding tunnel identifier allocated by the second third network element to the third third network element to request the third third network element to allocate group communication resources that at least include data forwarding rules for the group session, and so on, until the process of sending group session establishment request messages to all third network elements is completed.

[0090] In one embodiment, receiving the group session establishment response message returned by the third network element includes:

[0091] receiving a group session establishment response message sent by the first third network element; wherein the group communication resource carried by the group session establishment response message sent by the first third network element includes a forwarding tunnel identifier of the first third network element;

[0092] A group session establishment response message sent by a non-first third network element is received; wherein the group communication resource carried in the group session establishment response message sent by the non-first third network element includes a forwarding tunnel identifier of the non-first third network element.

[0093] In one embodiment, the updated data forwarding rules for the group session include forwarding data packets destined for user equipment not served by a third network element to a forwarding tunnel. In one example, the forwarding tunnel may be an N19 tunnel (i.e., an N19 interface). In one example, data packets destined for user equipment not served by a third network element may include data packets destined for user equipment served by a RAN. Exemplarily, the 5G-VN group includes two members, namely: UE1 and UE2, and the UE1 and UE2 in the 5G-VN group correspond to different third network elements. For example, UE1 corresponds to I-UPF1 and corresponds to N19 tunnel 1; UE2 corresponds to I-UPF2 and corresponds to N19 tunnel 2. The first network element initiates the N4 session update process of UE1 to I-UPF1, and the data forwarding rules of the updated group session include: for data packets from RAN with a destination address of UE2, forward them to the N19 tunnel 1 of the group; the first network element initiates the N4 session update process of UE2 to I-UPF2, and the data forwarding rules of the updated group session include: for data packets from RAN with a destination address of UE1, forward them to the N19 tunnel 2 of the group.

[0094] In one embodiment, FIG6 is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to establishing direct communication between two I-UPFs in a 5G LAN. This embodiment can be executed by a second network element. As shown in FIG6 , this embodiment includes: S210-S220.

[0095] S210. Obtain user subscription data; wherein the user subscription data is used to indicate the relationship between each user device and the virtual network group.

[0096] The virtual network group refers to a 5G-VN group. In one example, the user subscription data includes a user group identifier for each UE. In an embodiment, the second network element can determine whether each user device belongs to a virtual network group based on the user group identifier in the user subscription data; if the user group identifiers of two UEs are the same, then the two UEs belong to the same 5G-VN group.

[0097] S220: Send a route establishment request message to the first network element based on the user subscription data to request establishment of a local route between at least two user equipments.

[0098] When at least two UEs belong to the same 5G-VN group, the second network element determines to establish a local route between the at least two UEs and sends a route establishment request message to the first network element to request to establish a local route between the at least two UEs.

[0099] In one embodiment, obtaining user subscription data includes obtaining user subscription data carrying a user group identifier from a fourth network element. In one example, the user subscription data refers to subscription data obtained by the second network element from the fourth network element during the process of each UE establishing a PDU session with the S-NSSAI and the DNN. The user subscription data includes at least the user group identifier corresponding to the S-NSSAI and the DNN. Exemplarily, the fourth network element is a UDM.

[0100] In the following embodiments, the first network element is an I-SMF, the second network element is an SMF, the third network element is an I-UPF, and the fourth network element is an UDM. At the same time, the 5G-VN group includes two members, namely, UE1 and UE2. If UE1 and UE2 correspond to different third network elements, it can be: UE1 corresponds to I-UPF1, UE2 corresponds to I-UPF2; if UE1 and UE2 correspond to the same third network element, it can be I-UPF1; the group communication interface is a 5G-LAN interface; the forwarding tunnel is an N19 tunnel, and correspondingly, the forwarding tunnel identifier is the N19 tunnel identifier.

[0101] In one embodiment, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 5G LAN provided in an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, UE1 and UE2 correspond to the same third network element, which may be I-UPF1. As shown in Figure 7, in this embodiment, UE1 and UE2 establish PDU sessions respectively. During the establishment of the PDU session, the AMF determines whether to insert the I-SMF and I-UPF1. For simplicity, other network elements (such as AMF, UDM, and PCF, etc.) are omitted in this diagram 7.

[0102] In Diagram 7 above, when UE1 and UE2 communicate, I-UPF1 can directly perform local routing. For data that needs to be forwarded to port N6, I-UPF1 forwards it to the PSA UPF via port N9 and then to port N6. Data routed locally between UE1 and UE2 does not pass through PSA UPF1, thereby improving forwarding efficiency.

[0103] In one embodiment, FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication interaction provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is implemented based on the 5G LAN structure shown in FIG7 above. As shown in FIG8, this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0104] Step 1: UE1 establishes a PDU session to S-NSSAI and DNN. During the PDU session establishment process, SMF decides to insert I-UPF1 between RAN and PSA UPF, and SMF obtains the user group identifier corresponding to S-NSSAI and DNN from UDM.

[0105] Step 2: UE2 establishes a PDU session to S-NSSAI and DNN. During the PDU session establishment process, SMF decides to insert I-UPF1 between RAN and PSA UPF, and SMF obtains the user group identifier corresponding to S-NSSAI and DNN from UDM.

[0106] Step 3: SMF determines that the user group identifier in UE1's subscription data is the same as the user group identifier in UE2's subscription data, so UE1 and UE2 are group members of the same group, and therefore decides to establish a local route between UE1 and UE2.

[0107] Step 4: SMF sends a route establishment request message to I-SMF, requesting to establish a local route between UE1 and UE2.

[0108] Step 5: The I-SMF sends a group session establishment request message to the I-UPF1, requesting the I-UPF1 to allocate group communication resources for the local route between UE1 and UE2.

[0109] Step 6: I-UPF1 sends a group session establishment response message to I-SMF and establishes a group communication resource for a 5G LAN interface for group communication. The group communication resource includes a 5G LAN interface identifier and multiple data forwarding rules for group sessions. For this embodiment, because local routing for UE1 and UE2 is to be established, the communication resource includes the following rules:

[0110] 1) Data from I-UPF1 with the destination address being UE1 is forwarded to I-UPF1.

[0111] 2) Data from I-UPF1 with the destination address being UE2 is forwarded to I-UPF1.

[0112] I-UPF1 returns the 5G LAN interface identifier to SMF.

[0113] Step 7: The I-SMF sends a user session update message to the I-UPF1 to initiate the N4 session update process of UE1. The message establishes the following forwarding rules on the I-UPF:

[0114] 1) For packets from the RAN destined for UE2, forward them to the 5G LAN interface of the group;

[0115] 2) For data packets with a destination address of UE1 on the 5G LAN interface of the group, they are forwarded to the RAN interface accessed by UE1.

[0116] Step 8: The I-SMF sends a user session update message to the I-UPF1 to initiate the N4 session update process of UE2. The message establishes the following forwarding rules on the I-UPF1:

[0117] 1) Forward data packets from the RAN with the destination address being UE1 to the 5G LAN interface of the group;

[0118] 2) For data packets with a destination address of UE2 on the 5G LAN interface of the group, they are forwarded to the RAN interface accessed by UE2.

[0119] After this step, a local route between UE1 and UE2 is established on I-UPF1.

[0120] Step 9: User plane path between UE1 and UE2, I-UPF1 locally routes traffic between UE1 and UE2.

[0121] In one embodiment, FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another 5G LAN provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, UE1 and UE2 each correspond to a third network element, I-UPF1 and I-UPF2, respectively. As shown in FIG9 , in this embodiment, UE1 and UE2 establish PDU sessions respectively. The I-SMF and I-UPF1 are inserted into the PDU session of UE1; the I-SMF and I-UPF2 are inserted into the PDU session of UE2. For simplicity, other network elements (such as RAN, AMF, UDM, PCF, etc.) are omitted in this diagram.

[0122] In Diagram 9, when UE1 and UE2 are communicating, an N19 user plane tunnel is established between I-UPF1 and I-UPF2 for group communication. I-UPF1 and I-UPF2 forward group communication data over the N19 tunnel and send it to the destination I-UPF. The destination I-UPF then forwards it to the destination UE. For data that needs to be forwarded to the N6 port, I-UPF1 and I-UPF2 forward it via the N9 port to the PSA UPF, which then forwards it via the N6 port. Data routed locally between UE1 and UE2 does not pass through PSA UPF1 and PSA UPF2, thereby improving forwarding efficiency.

[0123] In one embodiment, FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another 5G communication interaction provided by an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is implemented based on the 5G LAN structure shown in FIG9 above. As shown in FIG10, this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0124] Step 1: UE1 establishes a PDU session to S-NSSAI and DNN. During the PDU session establishment process, SMF decides to insert I-UPF1 between RAN and PSA UPF, and SMF obtains the user group identifier corresponding to S-NSSAI and DNN from UDM.

[0125] Step 2: UE2 establishes a PDU session to S-NSSAI and DNN. During the PDU session establishment process, SMF decides to insert I-UPF1 between RAN and PSA UPF, and SMF obtains the user group identifier corresponding to S-NSSAI and DNN from UDM.

[0126] Step 3: SMF determines that the user group identifier in UE1's subscription data is the same as the user group identifier in UE2's subscription data, so UE1 and UE2 are group members of the same group, and therefore decides to establish a local route between UE1 and UE2.

[0127] Step 4: SMF sends a route establishment request message to I-SMF, requesting to establish a local route between UE1 and UE2.

[0128] Step 5: The I-SMF sends a group session establishment request message to the I-UPF1, requesting the I-UPF1 to allocate group communication resources.

[0129] Step 6: I-UPF1 sends a group session establishment response message to SMF and establishes a group communication resource of a 5G LAN interface for group communication. The group communication resource includes a 5G LAN interface identifier 1 and I-UPF1's N19 tunnel identifier 1. I-UPF1 returns the 5G LAN interface identifier 1 and I-UPF1's N19 tunnel identifier 1 to I-SMF.

[0130] Step 7: The I-SMF sends a group session establishment request message to the I-UPF2, requesting the I-UPF2 to allocate group communication resources, and the group session establishment request message carries the N19 tunnel identifier 1 of the I-UPF1.

[0131] Step 8: I-UPF2 sends a group session establishment response message to SMF and establishes a group communication resource of a 5G LAN interface for group communication. The group communication resource includes a 5G LAN interface identifier 2 and an N19 tunnel identifier 2 of I-UPF2. I-UPF2 also establishes multiple forwarding rules for the 5G-LAN interface. For this embodiment, the following rules are included:

[0132] 1) Data from I-UPF2 or N19 tunnel with the destination address being UE2 is forwarded to I-UPF2.

[0133] 2) For data from I-UPF2 with the destination address of UE1, it is forwarded to 5G LAN interface 2, and the destination tunnel identifier is the N19 tunnel identifier 1 of I-UPF1.

[0134] I-UPF2 returns the 5G LAN interface identifier 2 and the N19 tunnel identifier of I-UPF2 to the I-SMF.

[0135] Step 9: The I-SMF sends a group session update request message to the I-UPF1, carrying the N19 tunnel identifier 2 of the I-UPF2.

[0136] Step 10: I-UPF2 sends a group session update response message to I-SMF to establish data forwarding rules for multiple group sessions for 5G-LAN interface 1. For this embodiment, the following rules are included:

[0137] 1) Data from UPF1 or N19 tunnel with the destination address of UE1 is forwarded to UPF1.

[0138] 2) For data from UPF1 with the destination address of UE2, it is forwarded to 5G LAN interface 2, and the destination tunnel identifier is N19 tunnel identifier 2 of I-UPF2.

[0139] Step 11: The I-SMF sends a user session update message to the I-UPF1 to initiate the N4 session update process of UE1. The message establishes the following forwarding rules on the I-UPF1:

[0140] 1) For packets from the RAN destined for UE2, forward them to the group's 5G LAN interface 1;

[0141] 2) For data packets with a destination address of UE1 on the 5G LAN interface 1 of the group, they are forwarded to the RAN interface accessed by UE1.

[0142] Step 12: The I-SMF sends a user session update message to the I-UPF2 to initiate the N4 session update process of UE2. The message establishes the following forwarding rules on the I-UPF2:

[0143] 1) For packets from the RAN destined for UE1, forward them to the group's 5G LAN interface 2;

[0144] 2) For data packets with a destination address of UE2 on the 5G LAN interface 2 of the group, they are forwarded to the RAN interface accessed by UE2.

[0145] After this step, a 5G-LAN user plane channel is established between UE1 and UE2 through the N19 tunnel.

[0146] Step 13: The user plane path between UE1 and UE2 is routed through the N19 tunnel between I-UPF1 and I-UPF2.

[0147] In one embodiment, FIG11 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to a first network element. As shown in FIG11 , the communication device according to this embodiment includes a receiver 310 , a transmitter 320 , and a transmission module 330 .

[0148] The receiver 310 is configured to receive a route establishment request message sent by the second network element.

[0149] The transmitter 320 is configured to send a group session establishment request message to the third network element to request the third network element to allocate group communication resources that at least include a data forwarding rule for the group session.

[0150] The transmission module 330 is configured to send a user session update message to the third network element to update the data forwarding rules of the user session, so that the third network element performs data transmission between at least two user devices based on the updated data forwarding rules of the group session and the data forwarding rules of the user session.

[0151] In one embodiment, the communication device applied to the first network element further includes:

[0152] The receiver 310 is further configured to receive a group session establishment response message returned by the third network element; wherein the group session establishment response message carries relevant information of the group communication resources.

[0153] In one embodiment, the group communication resource further includes: a group communication interface identifier.

[0154] In one embodiment, the updated data forwarding rule for the user session includes one of the following:

[0155] For data packets from the radio access network RAN ​​whose destination address is not the user equipment, forward them to the group communication interface of the same group;

[0156] For data packets with the destination address of the user equipment from the group communication interface of the same group, they are forwarded to the RAN interface to which the user equipment is connected.

[0157] In one embodiment, the data forwarding rule of the group session includes: forwarding a data packet whose destination address is a user equipment served by a third network element to a user session in the third network element.

[0158] In one embodiment, the group communication resource further includes: a forwarding tunnel identifier.

[0159] In one embodiment, the third network element corresponding to each user equipment is different; the transmitter 320 is further configured to:

[0160] Sending a group session establishment request message to the first third network element to request the first third network element to allocate a group communication resource that at least includes a data forwarding rule for the group session;

[0161] A group session establishment request message is sent to the non-first third network element to request the non-first third network element to allocate group communication resources that at least include data forwarding rules for the group session; wherein the group session establishment request message sent to the non-first third network element carries a forwarding tunnel identifier of the first third network element.

[0162] In one embodiment, receiving the group session establishment response message returned by the third network element is specifically configured as follows:

[0163] receiving a group session establishment response message sent by the first third network element; wherein the group communication resource carried by the group session establishment response message sent by the first third network element includes a forwarding tunnel identifier of the first third network element;

[0164] A group session establishment response message sent by a non-first third network element is received; wherein the group communication resource carried in the group session establishment response message sent by the non-first third network element includes a forwarding tunnel identifier of the non-first third network element.

[0165] In one embodiment, the updated data forwarding rule of the group session includes: forwarding data packets whose destination address is a user equipment not served by the third network element to the forwarding tunnel.

[0166] The communication device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement the communication method applied to the first network element in the embodiment shown in FIG5 . The implementation principle and technical effects of the communication device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0167] In one embodiment, FIG12 is a block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. This embodiment is applied to a second network element. As shown in FIG12 , the communication device in this embodiment includes: an acquisition module 410 and a transmitter 420.

[0168] The acquisition module 410 is configured to acquire user subscription data, wherein the user subscription data is used to indicate the relationship between each user device and the virtual network group;

[0169] The transmitter 420 is configured to send a route establishment request message to the first network element based on the user subscription data, so as to request to establish a local route between at least two user equipments.

[0170] In one embodiment, the acquisition module 410 is further configured to acquire user subscription data carrying a user group identifier from the fourth network element.

[0171] The communication device provided in this embodiment is configured to implement the communication method applied to the second network element in the embodiment shown in FIG6 . The implementation principle and technical effects of the communication device provided in this embodiment are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0172] In one embodiment, Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 13, the device provided in the present application includes: a processor 510, a memory 520, and a communication module 530. The number of processors 510 in the device can be one or more, and Figure 13 uses one processor 510 as an example. The number of memories 520 in the device can be one or more, and Figure 13 uses one memory 520 as an example. The processor 510, memory 520, and communication module 530 of the device can be connected via a bus or other means, and Figure 13 uses a bus connection as an example. In this embodiment, the device can be a resource management component.

[0173] The memory 520, as a computer-readable storage medium, can be configured to store software programs, computer executable programs, and modules, such as program instructions / modules corresponding to the device of any embodiment of the present application (for example, the receiver 310, transmitter 320, and transmission module 330 in the communication device). The memory 520 may include a program storage area and a data storage area, wherein the program storage area may store an operating system, an application required for at least one function; the data storage area may store data created according to the use of the device, etc. In addition, the memory 520 may include a high-speed random access memory, and may also include a non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, a flash memory device, or other non-volatile solid-state storage device. In some instances, the memory 520 may further include a memory remotely located relative to the processor 510, and these remote memories may be connected to the device via a network. Examples of the above-mentioned network include, but are not limited to, the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a mobile communication network, and combinations thereof.

[0174] In the case where the communication device is a first network element, the above-provided device can be configured to execute the communication method applied to the first network element provided in any of the above-mentioned embodiments, and have corresponding functions and effects.

[0175] In the case where the communication device is a second network element, the above-provided device can be configured to execute the communication method applied to the second network element provided in any of the above-mentioned embodiments, and have corresponding functions and effects.

[0176] An embodiment of the present application also provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a computer processor, are used to execute a communication method applied to a first network element, the method comprising: receiving a route establishment request message sent by a second network element; sending a group session establishment request message to a third network element to request the third network element to allocate group communication resources that at least include data forwarding rules for the group session; and sending a user session update message to the third network element to update the data forwarding rules for the user session, so that the third network element performs data transmission between at least two user devices based on the updated data forwarding rules for the group session and the data forwarding rules for the user session.

[0177] An embodiment of the present application also provides a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a computer processor, are used to execute a communication method applied to a second network element, the method comprising: obtaining user subscription data; wherein the user subscription data is used to indicate the relationship between each user device and the virtual network group; and sending a routing establishment request message to the first network element based on the user subscription data to request that the user device be added to the virtual network group.

[0178] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the term user equipment encompasses any suitable type of wireless user equipment, such as a mobile phone, a portable data processing device, a portable web browser or a car-mounted mobile station.

[0179] In general, various embodiments of the present application may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, although the present application is not limited thereto.

[0180] Embodiments of the present application may be implemented by executing computer program instructions by a data processor of a mobile device, for example, in a processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The computer program instructions may be assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages.

[0181] The block diagram of any logic flow in the drawings of the present application may represent program steps, or may represent interconnected logic circuits, modules and functions, or may represent a combination of program steps and logic circuits, modules and functions. A computer program may be stored on a memory. The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), optical storage devices and systems (digital versatile discs (DVD) or compact disks (CD)), etc. Computer-readable media may include non-transient storage media. A data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, such as, but not limited to, a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0182] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, can implement the communication method provided in any embodiment of the present application.

[0183] The computer program product may be implemented in a computer program code that is written in one or more programming languages ​​or a combination thereof to perform the operations of the present application, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as "C" or similar programming languages. The program code may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a separate software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In cases involving a remote computer, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0184] The above are merely optional embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Various modifications and variations are possible for those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, applied to a first network element, includes: Receiving a routing establishment request message sent by a second network element; Sending a group session establishment request message to a third network element to request the third network element to allocate group communication resources including at least data forwarding rules for the group session; Sending a user session update message to the third network element to update the data forwarding rules of the user session, so that the third network element performs data transmission between at least two user devices based on the updated data forwarding rules of the group session and the data forwarding rules of the user session.

2. The method according to claim 1, further includes: Receiving a group session establishment response message returned by the third network element; wherein, the group session establishment response message carries information related to the group communication resources.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The group communication resources further include: a group communication interface identifier.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The updated data forwarding rules of the user session include one of the following: For a data packet whose destination address from the radio access network (RAN) is not the local user device, forwarding it to the group communication interface of the same group; For a data packet whose destination address on the group communication interface of the same group is the local user device, forwarding it to the RAN interface to which the local user device is connected.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The data forwarding rules of the group session include: For a data packet whose destination address is the user device served by the third network element, forwarding it to the user session in the third network element.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein The group communication resources further include: a forwarding tunnel identifier.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein The third network element corresponding to each user device is different; the sending a group session establishment request message to the third network element to request the third network element to allocate group communication resources including at least data forwarding rules for the group session includes: Sending a group session establishment request message to the first third network element to request the first third network element to allocate group communication resources including at least data forwarding rules for the group session; Sending a group session establishment request message to a non-first third network element to request the non-first third network element to allocate group communication resources including at least data forwarding rules for the group session; wherein, the group session establishment request message sent to the non-first third network element carries the forwarding tunnel identifier of the first third network element.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein The receiving the group session establishment response message returned by the third network element includes: Receiving a group session establishment response message sent by the first third network element; wherein, the group communication resources carried in the group session establishment response message sent by the first third network element include the forwarding tunnel identifier of the first third network element; Receiving a group session establishment response message sent by a non-first third network element; wherein, the group communication resources carried in the group session establishment response message sent by the non-first third network element include the forwarding tunnel identifier of the non-first third network element.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein The updated data forwarding rules of the group session include: for a data packet whose destination address is not the user device served by the third network element, forwarding it to the forwarding tunnel.

10. A communication method, applied to a second network element, includes: Obtaining user subscription data; wherein, the user subscription data is used to indicate the affiliation relationship between each user device and a virtual network group; Send a routing establishment request message to the first network element based on the user subscription data to request the establishment of a local route between at least two user devices.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The obtaining of the user subscription data includes: Obtain user subscription data carrying a user group identifier from the fourth network element.

12. A communication device, comprising: A memory, and one or more processors; The memory is configured to store one or more programs; When the one or more programs are executed by the one or more processors, the one or more processors implement the method according to any one of claims 1-9 or 10-11 above.

13. A storage medium storing a computer program, which when executed by a processor implements the method according to any one of claims 1-9 or 10-11 above.

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