Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a related apparatus, which are applied to the technical field of communications. In embodiments of the present application, a first session management network element takes the lead in local traffic steering (e.g., controlling a traffic steering rule of a traffic steering point), and compared with the scheme in which configurations of most quality-of-service rules are controlled by a second session management network element, the present application allows the first session management network element to carry out part of services that were originally the responsibility of the second session management network element, thereby greatly reducing the load on the second session management network element.

Description

Communication method and related apparatus

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411046007.7, filed on July 31, 2024, entitled "Communication method and related apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the accelerated development of 5G industry digitization, in order to support selective traffic routing to data network or support session continuity mode, a session management function (SMF) network element can insert multiple SMF-controlled user plane function (UPF) network elements in the user plane of a protocol data unit (PDU) session to control the user plane path of the PDU session, so that one PDU session can access a DN through multiple N6 interfaces at the same time. Each UPF accessing the DN needs to support PDU session anchor point function, that is, one PDU session needs to access the same DN through multiple anchor points.

[0004] In the multi-anchor session architecture, there is a split point UPF (ULCL / BP) in the session, which has the function of splitting the user plane message according to the source / destination IP address of the user plane message, and the splitting rule is configured by the SMF. The SMF can control the insertion, modification, removal, configuration / modification of the splitting rule of the UPF through the N4 interface between the UPF. But in this architecture, since most of the quality of service rules are controlled by the SMF, the load of the SMF will be greatly increased.

[0005] Therefore, how to effectively realize splitting and reduce the load of the SMF is a hot spot that the person skilled in the art is studying. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and related apparatus, which can reduce the load of the second session management network element and save network resources.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be applied to a session management network element side, such as a first session management network element or a communication module in the first session management network element, or a circuit or chip (such as a Modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a System on Chip (SoC) chip or a System in Package (SIP) chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions in the first session management network element. Taking the case where the method is applied to the first session management network element, the method comprises: obtaining a first identifier set in a first session establishment or modification process, wherein the first identifier set includes at least one identifier, and the first identifier set is related to a quality of service flow of the first session; and sending a quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, wherein the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session includes a first identifier, the first identifier belongs to the first identifier set, and the first session management network element serves the first session.

[0008] In the present application, on the one hand, the first session management network element binds the quality of service flow of the first session using the identifiers in the first identifier set, and the first session management network element sends the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session. In other words, the present application mainly leads the local distribution (such as controlling the distribution rule of the distribution point) through the first session management network element. Compared with the prior art where most of the quality of service rules are configured by the second session management network element, the present application undertakes part of the business originally responsible by the second session management network element, which can greatly reduce the load of the second session management network element.

[0009] On the other hand, after the first session management network element obtains the first identifier set, the identifiers used subsequently can be selected from the first identifier set, which can effectively reduce the number of interactions between the first session management network element and the second session management network element, and save network resources.

[0010] In summary, the present application can reduce the load of the second session management network element and save network resources.

[0011] Optionally, the first identifier set includes one or more identifiers, or the first identifier set includes one or more identifier lists,

[0012] Further optionally, the identifier can be a quality of service flow identifier (QFI), an identifier of a data bearer in 4G (such as a bearer ID), or an identifier of any other data bearer (such as an identifier of a data bearer in 6G).

[0013] In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, before sending the quality of service rules for the quality of service flow of the first session, the method further comprises: allocating the first identity for the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0014] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, before sending the quality of service rules for the quality of service flow of the first session, the method further comprises: determining to establish the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0015] Optionally, the process of determining to establish the quality of service flow of the first session can comprise: selecting the first identity from the first identity set if a trigger condition is met, and then allocating the first identity for the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0016] Further optionally, the trigger condition comprises any one of: selecting and inserting an uplink classifier ULCL, or a branching point BP and / or a local anchor point L-PSA, or a difference between two segment core network packet delay budgets CNPDBs caused by selecting and inserting the ULCL / BP and / or L-PSA; or receiving policy information, and determining that the first identity is not bound to a quality of service flow before performing a binding of the quality of service flow of the first session to the first identity according to the policy information.

[0017] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the quality of service rules for the quality of service flow of the first session comprise at least one of a first quality of service rule (QER), a second quality of service rule (quality of service profile QoS profile), and a third quality of service rule (QoS rule), the first quality of service rule comprising the first identity, and the method further comprises: sending the first quality of service rule to a first user plane network element, and / or sending the second quality of service rule and the first identity to a first access network device, and / or sending the third quality of service rule and the first identity to a first terminal.

[0018] Optionally, before sending the quality of service rules for the quality of service flow of the first session, the quality of service rules for the quality of service flow of the first session are generated / determined by the first session management network element.

[0019] In the prior art, the binding of the quality of service flow is still performed by the second session management network element, such as the PCC rule is still sent to the second session management network element, and it is determined by the second session management network element whether to bind the PCC rule to which quality of service flow or whether a new quality of service flow needs to be established. When a new quality of service flow needs to be established, the second session management network element generates a QER and sends it to the PSA. Since the L-PSA is controlled by the first session management network element, the QER on the L-PSA needs to be generated by the first session management network element, but the first session management network element does not know the parameter information such as the first identifier required for generating the QER. In the present application, the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session can be generated / determined by the first session management network element, and then the first quality of service rule is sent to the first user plane network element (such as the L-PSA), and / or the second quality of service rule and the first identifier are sent to the first access network device, and / or the third quality of service rule and the first identifier are sent to the first terminal. The present scheme can further reduce the load of the second session management network element.

[0020] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the first identifier is not assigned to the quality of service flow of the first session, or the first identifier does not correspond to the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0021] In the above implementation form, the first identifier is assigned to the quality of service flow of the first session only in the case that the first identifier is not used.

[0022] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the obtaining of the first identifier set during the establishment or the modification of the first session comprises: receiving the first identifier set from the second session management network element, wherein the first identifier set is used by the first session management network element to assign identifiers to the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0023] In the above implementation form, the first identifier set obtained by the first session management network element can be derived from the second session management network element (i.e. actively sent by the second session management network element).

[0024] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, before the obtaining of the first identifier set during the establishment or the modification of the first session, the method further comprises: determining that all identifiers in a second identifier set are assigned or correspond to a quality of service flow, wherein the second identifier set is related to the quality of service flow of the first session; and sending first information to the second session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send the first identifier set.

[0025] In the above embodiments, taking an example that the first identifier set includes identifiers 11-20 and the second identifier set includes identifiers 1-10, if all identifiers 1-10 have been used or are all bound with service quality flows, the first session management network element can request the second session management network element to send a new identifier set (for example, the first identifier set 11-20) so that the first session management network element can bind service quality flows with the new identifiers to achieve the purpose of local offloading.

[0026] Optionally, in the process of establishing or modifying the first session, after obtaining the first identifier set, the method further includes: determining that all identifiers in the first identifier set are allocated or have corresponding service quality flows. Sending first information to the second session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send a second identifier set. Receiving the second identifier set from the second session management network element.

[0027] In the above embodiments, an example that the first identifier set includes identifiers 1-10 and the second identifier set includes identifiers 11-20 is provided. It should be noted that the above example is only used to illustrate the present solution, but should not be understood as a limitation to the embodiments of the present application.

[0028] In another possible implementation of the first aspect, before sending the service quality rules of the service quality flows of the first session, the method further includes: sending second information to the second session management network element, wherein the second information is used for the second session management network element to determine the service quality rules of the service quality flows of the first session, the second information includes the first identifier and the service flow corresponding to the first identifier and / or the service quality parameter corresponding to the first identifier, the first identifier is an identifier in the first identifier set or the second identifier set, or the first identifier is an identifier determined by the second session management network element. Receiving the service quality rules of the service quality flows of the first session from the second session management network element.

[0029] In the above embodiments, the binding of the quality of service flow of the prior art is still performed by the second session management network element, such as the PCC rule is still sent to the second session management network element, it is determined by the second session management network element that the PCC rule is bound to which quality of service flow, or whether a new quality of service flow needs to be established. When a new quality of service flow needs to be established, the second session management network element generates a QER and sends it to the PSA. Since the L-PSA is controlled by the first session management network element, the QER on the L-PSA needs to be generated by the first session management network element, but the first session management network element does not know the parameter information such as the first identifier required for generating the QER. In the present application, the second session management network element can generate or determine the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session according to the first identifier and the service flow corresponding to the first identifier and / or the quality of service parameter corresponding to the first identifier, and then send the quality of service rule to the first session management network element, so that the first session management network element sends the first quality of service rule to the first user plane network element (such as the L-PSA), and / or sends the second quality of service rule and the first identifier to the first access network device, and / or sends the third quality of service rule and the first identifier to the first terminal. The present scheme can further reduce the load of the second session management network element.

[0030] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which can be executed by a first session management network element, can be executed by a component of the first session management network element, such as a processor, a chip or a chip system of the first session management network element, and can also be implemented by a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the first session management network element. Taking the case that the method is executed by the first session management network element as an example, the method comprises the following steps: sending a second identifier to a second session management network element, or requesting the second session management network element to send a third identifier to the first session management network element, wherein the second identifier or the third identifier is related to a first quality of service flow of a first session. Receiving third information or the third identifier from the second session management network element, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element authorizes or refuses to authorize the second identifier. Sending a quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, wherein the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow comprises the second identifier or the third identifier, the first quality of service flow belongs to the first session, and the first session management network element and the second session management network element serve the first session.

[0031] In the present application, in some cases, the first session management network element can send the second session management network element the second identity allocated by the first session management network element, and the second session management network element can confirm whether the identity is allocated by the second session management network element through the third information, and the second session management network element can indicate whether the second session management network element authorizes or refuses to authorize the second identity, so that it can be directly determined whether the second identity is allocated. In other cases, the first session management network element can directly request the second session management network element to allocate a new identity (for example, to allocate a third identity, that is, the third identity is completely issued by the second session management network element, and the first session management network element can use the third identity allocated by the second session management network element), and the second session management network element can completely allocate the identity, so that the conflict between the first session management network element and the second session management network element in allocating the identity can be well avoided. Through the present solution, the identity to be allocated can be reasonably determined through the "negotiation" between the first session management network element and the second session management network element, the conflict between the two in allocating the identity can be prevented, and finally the first session management network element sends the quality of service rule of the first service quality flow, thereby bearing part of the business originally responsible by the second session management network element, and the load of the second session management network element can be effectively reduced.

[0032] Optionally, the "requesting the second session management network element to send the fourth identity to the first session management network element" in the present solution can be expressed as "requesting the second session management network to allocate the identity of the quality of service flow".

[0033] Optionally, the "quality of service flow" in "requesting the second session management network element to allocate the identity for the quality of service flow of the first session" does not specifically refer to a certain quality of service flow. For example, the second session management network element can allocate an identity for a random quality of service flow of the first session.

[0034] Further optionally, the "requesting the second session management network element to send the fourth identity to the first session management network element" in the present solution can also be expressed as "requesting the second session management network element to allocate the identity for the first quality of service flow of the first session, wherein the fourth identity is the identity allocated by the second session management network element for the first quality of service flow of the first session".

[0035] Optionally, the "the second session management network element authorizes the second identity" can be expressed as "the second session management network element authorizes the first session management network element to allocate the second identity", or can also be expressed as "the second session management network element authorizes the first session management network element to allocate the second identity for the quality of service flow of the first session", or can also be expressed as "the second session management network element authorizes the first session management network element to allocate the second identity for the first quality of service flow of the first session".

[0036] Optionally, "the second identifier or the third identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session" can be expressed as "the second identifier or the third identifier is an identifier assigned by the first session management network element or the second session management network element for the first quality of service flow", or can also be expressed as "the second identifier or the third identifier is used to identify the first quality of service flow".

[0037] Exemplarily, the second session management network element assigns the third identifier and sends the third identifier to the first session management network element, the first session management network element uses the third identifier to identify the first quality of service flow, or the first session management network element binds the third identifier with the first quality of service flow, or the first session management network element determines that the identifier of the first quality of service flow is the third identifier.

[0038] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, if the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the second identifier, the method further comprises: receiving a fourth identifier from the second session management network element, wherein the fourth identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session.

[0039] In the above implementation, if the second session management network element confirms that the identifier is assigned by the second session management network element, the second session management network element can also not need to "negotiate" with the first session management network element, but directly assign the identifier to the first session management network element, which can well avoid the conflict of the identifiers assigned by the first session management network element and the second session management network element.

[0040] Optionally, "the fourth identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session" can be expressed as "the fourth identifier is an identifier assigned by the first session management network element or the second session management network element for the first quality of service flow", or can also be expressed as "the fourth identifier is used to identify the first quality of service flow".

[0041] Exemplarily, the second session management network element assigns the fourth identifier and sends the fourth identifier to the first session management network element, the first session management network element uses the fourth identifier to identify the first quality of service flow, or the first session management network element binds the fourth identifier with the first quality of service flow, or the first session management network element determines that the identifier of the first quality of service flow is the fourth identifier.

[0042] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, before sending the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, the method further comprises: assigning the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier for the first quality of service flow.

[0043] In another possible implementation of the second aspect, before sending the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, the method further comprises: determining to establish the first quality of service flow.

[0044] Optionally, before sending the second identifier to the second session management network element, or requesting the second session management network element to send the third identifier to the first session management network element, it is determined to establish the first quality of service flow.

[0045] In yet another possible implementation of the second aspect, before sending the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, the method further comprises: sending fourth information to the second session management network element, wherein the fourth information is used by the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, and the fourth information comprises at least one traffic flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter corresponding to the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier. Receiving the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow from the second session management network element.

[0046] Optionally, the relationship between the at least one quality of service parameter and the at least one traffic flow can be a mapping relationship between rows and columns in a table, which can be one row and one column, or one row and multiple columns. For example, the first row and the first column are the at least one traffic flow, and the second row and the first column are the at least one quality of service parameter. The table corresponds to the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier.

[0047] In the above implementation, the existing quality of service flow binding is still performed by the second session management network element, such as the PCC rule is still sent to the second session management network element, and the second session management network element determines to which quality of service flow the PCC rule is bound, or whether a new quality of service flow needs to be established. When a new quality of service flow needs to be established, the second session management network element generates a QER and sends it to the PSA. Since the L-PSA is controlled by the first session management network element, the QER on the L-PSA needs to be generated by the first session management network element, but the first session management network element does not know the parameter information required for generating the QER, such as the first identifier. In the present application, the second session management network element can generate or determine the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow according to the at least one traffic flow and / or the at least one quality of service parameter. Then, the quality of service rule is sent to the first session management network element, the first service quality rule is sent to the first user plane network element by the first session management network element, and / or the second service quality rule and the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier are sent to the first access network device, and / or the third service quality rule and the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier are sent to the first terminal. The present scheme can further reduce the load of the second session management network element.

[0048] In a further possible implementation form of the second aspect, the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow comprise at least one of a first quality of service rule, a second quality of service rule and a third quality of service rule, the first quality of service rule comprises the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity, and the method further comprises: sending, to the first user plane network element, the first quality of service rule, and / or sending, to the first access network device, the second quality of service rule and the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity, and / or sending, to the first terminal, the third quality of service rule and the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity.

[0049] Optionally, the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow are generated / determined by the first session management network element before the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow are sent.

[0050] In the prior art, the binding of the quality of service flow is still performed by the second session management network element, such as the PCC rule is still sent to the second session management network element, and it is determined by the second session management network element to which quality of service flow the PCC rule is bound or whether a new quality of service flow needs to be created. When a new quality of service flow needs to be created, the second session management network element generates a QER and sends it to the PSA. Since the L-PSA is controlled by the first session management network element, the QER on the L-PSA needs to be generated by the first session management network element, but the first session management network element does not know the parameter information such as the identity required for generating the QER. In the present application, the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow can be generated / determined by the first session management network element, and then the first quality of service rules are sent to the first user plane network element, and / or the second quality of service rules and the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity are sent to the first access network device, and / or the third quality of service rules and the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity are sent to the first terminal. This scheme can further reduce the load of the second session management network element.

[0051] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method can be applied to a session management network element side, for example, a second session management network element or a communication module in the second session management network element, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions in the second session management network element. Taking the method applied to the second session management network element as an example, the method comprises: determining that a first session is a first type of session, wherein the first type of session is a session supporting local traffic routing. Sending a first identifier set to a first session management network element, wherein the first identifier set comprises at least one identifier, and the first identifier set is related to a quality of service flow of the first session. Sending a quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session to the first session management network element, wherein the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session comprises a first identifier, the first identifier belongs to the first identifier set, and the first session management network element serves the first session.

[0052] In a possible implementation form of the third aspect, the determining that the first session is the first type of session comprises: receiving fifth information from the first session management network element, wherein the fifth information is used to request establishment of a session supporting local traffic routing. The first session is determined to be the first type of session according to the fifth information.

[0053] In another possible implementation form of the third aspect, the first identifier set is used for the first session management network element to allocate identifiers for the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0054] In another possible implementation form of the third aspect, before the first identifier set is sent to the first session management network element, the method further comprises: receiving first information from the first session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send the first identifier set.

[0055] Optionally, after the first identifier set is sent to the first session management network element, the method further comprises: receiving first information from the first session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send a second identifier set. The second identifier set is sent to the first session management network element.

[0056] In a further possible implementation form of the third aspect, before sending the quality of service rules of the quality of service flows of the first session to the first session management network element, the method further comprises receiving second information from the first session management network element, wherein the second information is used for indicating that the second session management network element determines the quality of service rules of the quality of service flows of the first session, the second information comprises the first identifier and the traffic flow corresponding to the first identifier and / or the quality of service parameter corresponding to the first identifier, the first identifier is an identifier in the first identifier set or the second identifier set, or the first identifier is an identifier determined by the second session management network element.

[0057] In a fourth aspect, the method can be performed by a second session management network element, by a component of the second session management network element, e.g. a processor, a chip or a chip system of the second session management network element, or by a logic module or software which can implement all or part of the function of the second session management network element. Taking the method performed by the second session management network element as an example, the method comprises: receiving a second identifier or a request message from a first session management network element, wherein the request message is used for requesting the second session management network element to send a third identifier to the first session management network element, the second identifier or the third identifier is related to a first quality of service flow of a first session; sending third information or the third identifier to the first session management network element, wherein the third information is used for indicating that the second session management network element authorizes or refuses to authorize the second identifier; and sending quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow to the first session management network element, wherein the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow comprise the second identifier or the third identifier, the first quality of service flow belongs to the first session, and the first session management network element and the second session management network element serve the first session.

[0058] In a possible implementation form of the fourth aspect, if it is determined that the second identifier is not allocated by the second session management network element, the third information is used for indicating that the second session management network element authorizes the second identifier. If it is determined that the second identifier is allocated by the second session management network element, the third information is used for indicating that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the second identifier.

[0059] In a further possible implementation form of the fourth aspect, if the third information is used for indicating that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the second identifier, the method further comprises: sending a fourth identifier to the first session management network element, wherein the fourth identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session.

[0060] In a further possible implementation form of the fourth aspect, before sending the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow to the first session management network element, the method further comprises: receiving fourth information from the first session management network element, wherein the fourth information is used by the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, and the fourth information comprises at least one traffic flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter corresponding to the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier, the third identifier or the fourth identifier being an identifier determined by the second session management network element.

[0061] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a first session management network element, a device (for example, a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in the first session management network element, or a device capable of being used in matching with the first session management network element, and can also be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of functions of the first session management network element.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect or the second aspect, which can be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0063] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a second session management network element, a device (for example, a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) in the second session management network element, or a device capable of being used in matching with the second session management network element, and can also be a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of functions of the second session management network element.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus can include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the third aspect or the fourth aspect, which can be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which can be a standalone device, for example, a first session management network element, or a component included in a standalone device, for example, a chip, a software module, or an integrated circuit. The communication apparatus can include at least one processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is configured to input and / or output information, and the at least one processor is configured to invoke a computer program stored in at least one memory to implement the method described in any one of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0066] In a possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the communication apparatus further includes the at least one memory described above. Optionally, the memory and the processor are integrated together.

[0067] Optionally, the at least one processor in the communication apparatus is configured to execute the computer instructions to perform the following operations: obtaining a first set of identities in a process of establishing or modifying the first session, wherein the first set of identities includes at least one identity, and the first set of identities is related to the quality of service flow of the first session; and sending a quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, wherein the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session includes the first identity, the first identity belongs to the first set of identities, and the first session management network element serves the first session.

[0068] Optionally, the processor is further configured to assign the first identity to the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0069] Optionally, the processor is further configured to determine to establish the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0070] Optionally, the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session includes at least one of a first quality of service rule, a second quality of service rule, and a third quality of service rule, the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session includes the first identity, and the processor is further configured to send the first quality of service rule to a first user plane network element, and / or send the second quality of service rule and the first identity to a first access network device, and / or send the third quality of service rule and the first identity to a first terminal.

[0071] Optionally, the first identity is not assigned to the quality of service flow of the first session, or the first identity does not correspond to the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0072] Optionally, the processor is further configured to receive the first set of identities from a second session management network element, wherein the first set of identities is used by the first session management network element to assign identities to the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0073] Optionally, the processor is further configured to determine that all identities in a second set of identities are assigned or correspond to the quality of service flow, wherein the second set of identities is related to the quality of service flow of the first session; and send first information to the second session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send the first set of identities.

[0074] Optionally, the processor is further configured to determine that all of the identities in the first identity set are assigned or have corresponding quality of service flows. Send first information to the second session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send a second identity set. Receive the second identity set from the second session management network element.

[0075] Optionally, the processor is further configured to send second information to the second session management network element, wherein the second information is used for the second session management network element to determine quality of service rules of the quality of service flows of the first session, the second information comprising the first identity and a corresponding traffic flow and / or a corresponding quality of service parameter of the first identity, the first identity being an identity in the first identity set or the second identity set, or the first identity being an identity determined by the second session management network element. Receive the quality of service rules of the quality of service flows of the first session from the second session management network element.

[0076] Optionally, the at least one processor in the communication device is further configured to execute computer instructions to perform the following operations: send a second identity to a second session management network element, or request the second session management network element to send a third identity to the first session management network element, wherein the second identity or the third identity is related to a quality of service flow of a first session. Receive third information or the third identity from the second session management network element, wherein the third information is used to instruct the second session management network element to authorize or refuse to authorize the second identity. Send quality of service rules of the quality of service flow of the first session, wherein the quality of service rules of the quality of service flow of the first session comprise the second identity or the third identity, the first session management network element and the second session management network element serving the first session.

[0077] Optionally, if the third information is used to instruct the second session management network element to refuse to authorize the second identity, the processor is further configured to receive a fourth identity from the second session management network element, wherein the fourth identity is related to the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0078] Optionally, the processor is further configured to assign the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity to the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0079] Optionally, the processor is further configured to determine to establish the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0080] Optionally, the processor is further configured to: send fourth information to the second session management network element, wherein the fourth information is used by the second session management network element to determine quality of service rules of a quality of service flow of the first session, and the fourth information comprises at least one service flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter corresponding to the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier; and receive the quality of service rules of the quality of service flow of the first session from the second session management network element.

[0081] Optionally, the quality of service rules of the quality of service flow of the first session comprise at least one of a first quality of service rule, a second quality of service rule and a third quality of service rule, the first quality of service rule comprises the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier, and the processor is further configured to: send the first quality of service rule to a first user plane network element, and / or send the second quality of service rule and the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier to a first access network device, and / or send the third quality of service rule and the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier to a first terminal.

[0082] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus. The communication apparatus can be a standalone device, for example, a second session management network element, or a component included in a standalone device, for example, a chip, a software module, or an integrated circuit. The communication apparatus can include at least one processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to input and / or output information, and the at least one processor is configured to invoke a computer program stored in at least one memory to implement the method described in any of the embodiments of the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0083] In a possible implementation form of the eighth aspect, the communication apparatus further includes the at least one memory. Optionally, the memory and the processor are integrated together.

[0084] Optionally, the at least one processor in the communication apparatus is configured to execute an invoked computer program to: determine that the first session is a first type of session, wherein the first type of session is a session supporting local traffic routing; send a first identifier set to a first session management network element, wherein the first identifier set comprises at least one identifier, and the first identifier set is related to a first quality of service flow of the first session; and send quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow to the first session management network element, wherein the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow comprise a first identifier, the first identifier belongs to the first identifier set, the first quality of service flow belongs to the first session, and the first session management network element serves the first session.

[0085] Optionally, the processor is further configured to receive fifth information from the first session management network element, wherein the fifth information is used to request establishment of a session supporting local traffic routing. The first session is determined as the first type of session according to the fifth information.

[0086] Optionally, the first set of identifiers is used for the first session management network element to allocate identifiers for the first quality of service flow.

[0087] Optionally, the processor is further configured to receive first information from the first session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send the first set of identifiers.

[0088] Optionally, the processor is further configured to receive first information from the first session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send a second set of identifiers. The second set of identifiers is sent to the first session management network element.

[0089] Optionally, the processor is further configured to receive second information from the first session management network element, wherein the second information is used to instruct the second session management network element to determine quality of service rules for the first quality of service flow, the second information comprising the first identifier and a service flow corresponding to the first identifier and / or a quality of service parameter corresponding to the first identifier, the first identifier being an identifier in the first set of identifiers or the second set of identifiers, or the first identifier being an identifier determined by the second session management network element.

[0090] Optionally, the at least one processor in the communication apparatus is further configured to execute computer instructions to perform the following operations: receiving a second identifier or a request message from a first session management network element, wherein the request message is used to request the second session management network element to send a third identifier to the first session management network element, the second identifier or the third identifier being related to a first quality of service flow of a first session. Sending third information or the third identifier to the first session management network element, wherein the third information is used to instruct the second session management network element to authorize or reject authorization of the second identifier. Sending quality of service rules for the first quality of service flow to the first session management network element, wherein the quality of service rules for the first quality of service flow comprise the second identifier or the third identifier, the first quality of service flow belonging to the first session, the first session management network element and the second session management network element serving the first session.

[0091] Optionally, if it is determined that the second identifier is not allocated by the second session management network element, the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element authorizes the second identifier. If it is determined that the second identifier is allocated by the second session management network element, the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the second identifier.

[0092] Optionally, if the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the second identifier, the processor is further configured to send a fourth identifier to the first session management network element, wherein the fourth identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session.

[0093] Optionally, the processor is further configured to receive fourth information from the first session management network element, wherein the fourth information is used by the second session management network element to determine quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow, and the fourth information comprises at least one service flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter, the at least one service flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter corresponding to the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier, the third identifier or the fourth identifier being an identifier determined by the second session management network element.

[0094] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises a logic circuit and an interface, and the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to implement the method described in any of the embodiments of the first to fourth aspects.

[0095] In a possible implementation form of the ninth aspect, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system.

[0096] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises a first session management network element and a second session management network element, and the first session management network element and the second session management network element are communicatively connected. The first session management network element is used to implement the method in any of the embodiments of the first aspect or the second aspect, and the second session management network element is used to implement the method in any of the embodiments of the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0097] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises the apparatuses in the fifth aspect to the sixth aspect.

[0098] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which comprises the apparatuses in the seventh aspect to the eighth aspect.

[0099] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, which is used to store instructions or a computer program; when the instructions or the computer program are executed, a method of any of the embodiments of the first aspect to the fourth aspect is implemented.

[0100] In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes computer instructions; when the instructions are executed on at least one processor, a method of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner thereof is implemented. Exemplarily, the computer program product can be a software installation package, and when the method is needed, the computer program product can be downloaded and executed on a computing device.

[0101] The technical solutions provided in the third aspect to the fourteenth aspect have beneficial effects similar to those of the technical solutions of the first aspect to the second aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0102] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0104] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0105] FIG. 4 is a diagram of functional division of network elements and protocol layer structure of an O-RAN system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0106] FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram of a PDU session architecture of a multi-anchor point according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0107] FIG. 5b is a schematic diagram of a session architecture with an I-SMF inserted according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0108] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0109] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0110] FIG. 8a is a flowchart of sending a quality of service rule of a quality of service flow of a first session according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0111] FIG. 8b is a flowchart of another method of sending a quality of service rule of a quality of service flow of a first session according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0112] FIG. 8c is a flow diagram of a method for sending a quality of service rule of a quality of service flow of a first session according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0113] FIG. 8d is a flow diagram of a method for sending a quality of service rule of a quality of service flow of a first session according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0114] FIG. 8e is a flow diagram of a method for sending a quality of service rule of a quality of service flow of a first session according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0115] FIG. 8f is a flow diagram of a method for sending a quality of service rule of a quality of service flow of a first session according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0116] FIG. 9 is a structural diagram of a communication apparatus 90 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0117] FIG. 10 is a structural diagram of another communication apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0118] FIG. 11 is a structural diagram of another communication apparatus 110 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0119] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0120] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a structural diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system includes a first session management network element 101, a second session management network element 102, a first access network device 103, a first terminal 104, a first user plane network element 105, and a second user plane network element 106. Optionally, the communication system can further include an access and mobility management (AMF) network element 107.

[0121] In the embodiments of the present application, the first session management network element 101 can be an intermediate SMF (I-SMF) network element. It can be responsible for routing session traffic of a terminal, for example, routing traffic to a local data network.

[0122] In the embodiments of the present application, the second session management network element 102 can be an SMF. The SMF can be responsible for session management, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include allocating IP addresses for users, selecting UPFs that provide message forwarding functions, and the like.

[0123] Optionally, the first session management network element 101 or the second session management network element 102 can also be a session management network element of 6G or other network elements, such as a network element for controlling policy / computing / sensing, etc. When applied to a computing / sensing scenario, the first access network device 103, the first user plane network element 105, and the second user plane network element 106 can be network elements or devices related to computing / sensing. The quality of service rules, the quality of service flows, can be rules, bearers, etc. related to computing / sensing, such as computing bearers, computing routing rules, etc.

[0124] In the embodiments of the present application, the first access network device 103 can be a node in a radio access network (RAN), which can also be referred to as a RAN node (or device). The first access network device 103 is used to help network elements to implement wireless access. Multiple first access network devices 103 in a communication system can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the first access network device 103 and the first terminal 104 are relative, for example, the network element 220i in FIG. 2 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For those terminals 220j that access the RAN 200 through the network element 220i, the network element 220i is a base station; but for the base station 210a, the network element 220i is a terminal. The first access network device 103 and the first terminal 104 are sometimes both referred to as communication apparatuses, for example, the network elements 210a and 210b in FIG. 2 can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functions, and the network elements 220a-220j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal functions.

[0125] In a possible scenario, the first access network device 103 can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, or an access point (AP) in a WiFi system, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, an access network device in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, i.e., can be deployed in a high-altitude platform or a satellite, and the like. The first access network device 103 can be a macro base station, a micro base station, or an indoor station, a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The first access network device 103 can also be a device assuming a base station function in device to device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, unmanned aircraft communication, machine communication. Alternatively, the first access network device 103 can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, and the like. For example, the access network device in the vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU).

[0126] In another possible scenario, the network element is assisted by multiple first access network devices 103 to implement wireless access, and different network devices respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the first access network device 103 can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, for example, in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, for example, included in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). It can be understood that the first access network device 103 can be a CU node, or a DU node, or a device including a CU node and a DU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into network devices in the access network RAN, or the CU can be divided into network devices in the core network CN, which is not limited here.

[0127] In the embodiments of the present application, the first terminal 104 involved includes various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication function. The terminal, also known as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., or a device for providing voice or data connectivity to a user, can also be an Internet of Things device. For example, the terminal includes handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, etc. with wireless connection function. At present, the terminal can be: a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device (such as a smart watch, a smart bracelet, a pedometer, smart glasses, etc.), a vehicle-mounted device (such as a car, a bicycle, an electric vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, a high-speed rail, etc.), a satellite terminal, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a light UE, a reduced capability UE (REDCAP UE), a wireless terminal in industrial control, a smart home device (such as a refrigerator, a television, an air conditioner, an electricity meter, etc.), a smart robot, a mechanical arm, a workshop device, a wireless terminal in unmanned driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, or a wireless terminal in smart home, a flight device (such as a smart robot, a hot air balloon, a drone, an airplane), etc. The terminal can also be a vehicle device, such as a whole vehicle device, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted chip, an on board unit (OBU) or a telematics box (T-BOX), etc. The terminal can also be other devices with the ability to initiate a service request, such as a device that plays a terminal role in D2D communication.

[0128] In the embodiments of the present application, the first user plane network element 105 or the second user plane network element 106 can be a user plane function (UPF) network element, which is responsible for forwarding and receiving data in the terminal.

[0129] Optionally, when the first user plane network element 105 is an L-PSA, the first session management network element 101 sends a quality of service rule to the L-PSA.

[0130] Optionally, when the second user plane network element 106 is a PSA, the quality of service rule is sent by the second session management network element 102 to the PSA.

[0131] In the embodiment of the present application, the AMF network element 107 can be used to be responsible for the access and mobility management in the mobile network, such as the registration management of the user, the connection management, the reachability management, the location update of the terminal, the registration network of the terminal, the handover of the terminal, etc. The specific functions are non-access layer signaling termination, registration area management, access authentication, etc. Optionally, the method provided by the embodiment of the present application can also be applied to the O-RAN system, please refer to FIG. 3, which is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system provided by an embodiment of the present application. The O-RAN system can also include other components in addition to the components shown in FIG. 3, which are not limited by the present application. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the first access network device, for example, can be an eNB or a gNB or a next-generation access network device. The first access network device communicates with the core network (CN) through a backhaul and communicates with the terminal through an air interface. The BBU in the access network device communicates with the core network through a backhaul, and the RU in the access network device communicates with at least one terminal through an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU through a front-haul link. The BBU and the RU can be co-located or not co-located. The BBU includes at least one control unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate through at least one mid-haul link.

[0132] Further optionally, referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a diagram of a function division of network elements and a protocol layer structure of an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) system provided by an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 4, in some examples, the CU is a logical node that carries an RRC layer, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of an access network device. The CU is connected to network nodes such as a core network through some interfaces, which can be E2 interfaces and the like. Optionally, the CU can have part of the functions of the core network, such as the PDCP layer and higher layers. The CU is connected to the DU (such as the RLC layer and lower layers) through some interfaces, which can be F1 interfaces and the like. In some examples, these interfaces (such as the F1 interface) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (such as interface management, system information management, terminal context management, RRC message transmission, and the like). The F1AP is an application protocol of the F1 interface, which defines signaling procedures of the F1 in some examples. The F1 interface supports a control plane F1-C and a user plane F1-U.

[0133] In some examples, a CU can be split into a CU-CP (control unit-control plane) and a CU-UP (control unit-user plane), where the CU-CP is a logical node carrying an RRC layer and a PDCP-C (control plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the control plane function of the CU. The CU-CP can interact with a network element in the core network used to implement the control plane function. The network element in the core network used to implement the control plane function can be an access and mobility function network element, such as an AMF network element in a 5G system. The CU-UP is a logical node carrying an SDAP layer and a PDCP-U (user plane part of PDCP) layer used to implement the user plane function of the CU. The CU-UP can interact with a network element in the core network used to implement the user plane function. The network element in the core network used to implement the user plane function, for example, a UPF network element in a 5G system, is used to be responsible for the forwarding and receiving of data in the terminal device. It should be understood that the above configuration of the CU and the DU is only an example, and the CU and the DU can also be configured to have functions according to needs, and the present application does not make too many limitations on this. For example, the CU or the DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or the CU or the DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of the protocol layer. For another example, part of the functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer above the RLC layer are arranged in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer below the RLC layer are arranged in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or the DU can be divided according to the service type or other system requirements, for example, according to the delay, the functions that need to meet the delay requirement are arranged in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the delay requirement are arranged in the CU.

[0134] In some examples, the DU is a logical node carrying a radio link control (RLC) layer, a MAC layer, a higher physical layer (higher PHY), and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU is connected to the RU through some interfaces, which can be a front-haul interface. In some examples, the higher PHY layer includes part of the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, and other processing functions.

[0135] In some examples, an RU is a logical node that hosts lower physical layer (lower PHY) and radio frequency chain (RF chain) processing. In some examples, an RU can be a 3GPP TRP or a remote radio head (RRH) or other similar functional entity. In some examples, a Low-PHY includes portions of PHY processing such as fast fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast fourier transformation (IFFT), digital beamforming and filtering, and other processing functions. An RU communicates with one or more terminals over a wireless link.

[0136] Optionally, a DU and an RU can or can not be co-located. A DU and an RU exchange control plane information over a lower-layer split CUS-plane (LLS-CUS) and synchronization interface via a fronthaul link. The LLS-CUS can include a LLS-C interface and a LLS-U interface that provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane), respectively. In some examples, the control plane (C-Plane) refers to real-time control between a DU and an RU. A DU and an RU exchange management information over a LLS-M interface of the fronthaul link, and the management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and the RU.

[0137] Optionally, a DU and an RU can cooperate to collectively implement the functionality of a PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functionality of a DU and an RU can be configured in a number of ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functionality and an RU can be configured to implement mid- radio frequency functionality. As another example, a DU can be configured to implement high-layer functionality in a PHY layer and an RU can be configured to implement low-layer functionality in the PHY layer or to implement the low-layer functionality and radio frequency functionality. The high-layer functionality in the PHY layer can include a portion of the functionality of the PHY layer that is closer to the MAC layer, and the low-layer functionality in the PHY layer can include another portion of the functionality of the PHY layer that is closer to the mid-radio frequency side.

[0138] The CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. The deployment modes of the network devices listed here are only examples, and with the evolution of standard technologies, there can be other deployment forms of network devices.

[0139] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions and network architecture provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0140] The terms related to the present application are briefly introduced below.

[0141] The quality of service (QoS) control of 5G is based on quality of service flow (QoS flow). For the 5G quality of service architecture, please refer to 3GPP TS 23.501, 23.503, etc. The present application does not repeat the details.

[0142] The architecture of the protocol data unit (PDU) session with multiple anchors is briefly introduced below. For detailed content of the multi-anchor session, please refer to 3GPP TS 23.501.

[0143] Please refer to FIG. 5a, which is a schematic diagram of a multi-anchor PDU session architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5a, in order to support selective traffic routing to a data network or support session continuity mode, the SMF can insert multiple SMF-controlled UPFs in the user plane of the PDU session to control the user plane path of the PDU session, so that one PDU session can access a DN through multiple N6 interfaces at the same time. Each UPF accessing the DN needs to support the PDU session anchor function, that is, one PDU session needs to access the same DN through multiple anchors.

[0144] In the multi-anchor session architecture, there is a split point UPF (ULCL / BP) in the session, which has the function of splitting the user plane packet according to the source / destination IP address of the user plane packet, and the splitting rule is configured by the SMF. For example, the uplink classifier (ULCL) splits according to the destination IP address of the uplink packet, and according to the destination IP address, the user plane packet is forwarded to the C-PSA or L-PSA through different tunnels (the tunnel between ULCL and C-PSA, or the tunnel between ULCL and L-PSA). For example, the branching point (BP) UPF splits according to the source IP address of the uplink packet, and according to the source IP address, the user plane packet is forwarded to the C-PSA or L-PSA through different tunnels. When using BP splitting, the SMF generates a routing rule and sends it to the UE, and the UE selects different source IPs when accessing services according to the routing rule, and further, the BP UPF splits according to the source IP. The splitting rule of the splitting point is configured by the SMF, and the SMF can control the insertion, modification, removal, configuration / modification of the splitting rule of the UPF through the N4 interface between the UPF.

[0145] The enhancing topolocy of SMF and UPF in 5G network (ETSUN) describes the scenario of SMF service area, that is, the SMF can serve one or more specific data network access identifiers (DNAI), and for other DNAI, the SMF cannot control the UPF in the DNAI.

[0146] The session architecture of inserting I-SMF is briefly introduced below, and the detailed content can be referred to section of 3GPP TS 23.501.

[0147] Please refer to FIG. 5b, which is a schematic diagram of a session architecture in which an I-SMF is inserted, as provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5b, when the SMF cannot serve the DNAI of the location where the UE is located, or the SMF cannot serve the DNAI indicated in the policy issued by the PCF to the SMF, the SMF needs to send the DNAI to the AMF to instruct the AMF to insert the SMF capable of serving the DNAI as an I-SMF (as shown in the architecture of FIG. 5a). After the I-SMF is inserted, the I-SMF inserts an intermediate UPF (I-UPF) or a splitting point (ULCL / BP) to ensure that the session can continue to serve the UE. At this time, the I-UPF, ULCL / BP, and L-PSA (corresponding to the UPF (L-PSA) below in FIG. 5a) are controlled by the I-SMF. The SMF can instruct the I-SMF to insert the I-UPF, ULCL / BP, and L-PSA, but the SMF cannot directly control these UPFs because these UPFs are outside the service area of the SMF.

[0148] The architecture of FIG. 5b can also be used as the architecture of a PDU session with multiple anchors. The difference is that in the architecture of FIG. 5b, the local anchor and the splitting point are controlled by the I-SMF (i.e., the UPF at the bottom and the UPF on the left).

[0149] As can be seen from the above multiple architectures, in the multi-anchor session architecture, there is a splitting point UPF (ULCL / BP) in the session, which has the function of splitting the user plane packet according to the source / destination IP address of the user plane packet, and the splitting rule is configured by the SMF. The SMF can control the insertion, modification, removal, and configuration / modification of the splitting rule of the UPF through the N4 interface between the SMF and the UPF. However, in this architecture, since most of the quality of service rules are controlled by the second session management network element, the load of the SMF is greatly increased.

[0150] Therefore, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and related apparatus, in which a first session management network element binds a quality of service flow of a first session using an identifier in a first identifier set, and the first session management network element sends a quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session. In other words, the present application mainly controls local splitting (such as the splitting rule of the splitting point) by the first session management network element. Compared with the prior art in which most of the quality of service rules are configured by the second session management network element, the present application undertakes part of the business originally responsible for by the second session management network element, which can greatly reduce the load of the second session management network element.

[0151] The specific description of the first session management network element and the second session management network element in the communication method shown below (such as FIG. 6 or FIG. 7) can refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, which will not be described in detail here. For the convenience of description, the first session management network element and the second session management network element may be taken as examples for illustration in the embodiments of the present application, but this should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0152] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0153] Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The flowchart is described by taking the first session management network element and the second session management network element as the execution subject for interaction, wherein the first session management network element or the second session management network element can be a communication module in a standalone device or a circuit or chip responsible for communication function in a standalone device (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip containing a modem core or a SIP chip. Alternatively, the method can be applied to a communication system, for example, to the communication system shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4.

[0154] The communication method shown in FIG. 6 can include multiple steps in steps S601 to S603. It should be understood that the present application is described in this order for the convenience of description, and is not intended to limit the execution in the above order. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the execution order, execution time, execution times, etc. of the one or more steps. Steps S601 to S603 are as follows:

[0155] Step S601: The second session management network element determines that the first session is a first type of session.

[0156] The first session is an exemplary designation made to distinguish a certain session. For example, the first session can be session 1, session 2, or other sessions. The first type of session is an exemplary designation made to distinguish a certain type of session. For example, the first type of session can be a session that supports local traffic routing, or the first type of session can be a session that supports local session breakout (local-SBO), or the first type of session can be a session that controls traffic routing by an intermediate SMF network element, or the first type of session can be a session that controls traffic routing by an SMF network element that is not an anchor SMF, wherein the anchor SMF of the session can also be referred to as the SMF of the session.

[0157] Step S602: The second session management network element sends the first identifier set to the first session management network element.

[0158] The first identifier set is related to a quality of service flow of the first session.

[0159] Optionally, the first identifier set is related to a quality of service flow of the first session, and the representation can be that the first identifier set is used by the first session management network element to assign an identifier to the quality of service flow of the first session. For example, the identifier can be a quality of service flow identifier (QFI), a bearer ID in 4G, or any other identifier of a data bearer (for example, an identifier of a data bearer in 6G).

[0160] Optionally, the first identifier set includes at least one identifier, for example, the first identifier set includes identifiers 1-10. Alternatively, the first identifier set includes one or more identifier lists, and each identifier list includes at least one identifier. For example, the first identifier set includes identifier list 1 and identifier list 2, identifier list 1 includes identifiers 1-10, and identifier list 2 includes identifiers 11-20.

[0161] Correspondingly, in the establishment or modification process of the first session, the first session management network element obtains the first identifier set. For example, the first session management network element receives an Nsmf_PDUSession_Create or Nsmf_PDUSession_Update message, and the message includes the first identifier set.

[0162] In some possible designs, the second session management network element directly sends the first identifier set to the first session management network element (the second session management network element does not need to forward the first identifier set through other devices).

[0163] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the first identifier set from the second session management network element.

[0164] In yet some possible designs, the second session management network element can send the first identifier set to the first session management network element through other devices (the second session management network element forwards the first identifier set through other devices).

[0165] As a possible implementation, in the establishment or modification process of the first session, before obtaining the first identifier set, the first session management network element can first determine that all identifiers in the second identifier set are assigned or have corresponding quality of service flows, and then send the first information to the second session management network element.

[0166] The second identifier set is related to the quality of service flow of the first session. The first information is used to indicate the second session management network element to send the first identifier set.

[0167] Exemplarily, the second identifier set includes identifiers 1-10, and the first session management network element determines that all the identifiers 1-10 are allocated or have corresponding quality of service flows, and then sends the first information to the second session management network element to indicate the second session management network element to send the first identifier set (for example, the unallocated identifiers 11-20) to the first session management network element.

[0168] Optionally, the second identifier set is related to the quality of service flow of the first session, and the representation can be that the second identifier set is used for the first session management network element to allocate identifiers for the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0169] As another possible implementation, in the establishment or modification process of the first session, after obtaining the first identifier set, the first session management network element first determines that all the identifiers in the first identifier set are allocated or have corresponding quality of service flows, and then sends the first information to the second session management network element, and then receives the second identifier set from the second session management network element. For example, in the session establishment process, the second session management network element sends the second identifier set to the first session management network element. After receiving the second identifier set, the first session management network element allocates the identifiers in the second identifier set to one or more quality of service flows of the first session, and determines that all the identifiers in the second identifier set are allocated or have corresponding quality of service flows, and then sends the first information to the second session management network element, and then the first session management network element obtains the first identifier set from the second session management network element.

[0170] The first information is used to indicate the second session management network element to send the second identifier set.

[0171] Exemplarily, the first identifier set includes identifiers 1-10, and the first session management network element determines that all the identifiers 1-10 are allocated or have corresponding quality of service flows, and then sends the first information to the second session management network element to indicate the second session management network element to send the second identifier set (for example, the unallocated identifiers 11-20) to the first session management network element.

[0172] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application are only examples of obtaining the first identifier set in different orders for the present scheme and the above scheme, but should not be understood as a limitation of the embodiments of the present application.

[0173] As a possible implementation, the second session management network element sends the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session to the first session management network element.

[0174] The service quality rule of the service quality flow of the first session comprises a first identifier, and the first identifier is used to distinguish a certain identifier exemplarily named. For example, the first identifier can be identifier 1 or other identifiers. The first identifier belongs to a first identifier set, and the first session management network element serves the first session.

[0175] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the service quality rule of the service quality flow of the first session.

[0176] As a possible implementation, the second session management network element receives at least one of the first identifier, at least one traffic flow identifier, and at least one service quality parameter from the first session management network element before sending the service quality rule of the service quality flow of the first session. The service quality rule of the service quality flow of the first session comprises the at least one.

[0177] Step S603: The first session management network element sends the service quality rule of the service quality flow of the first session.

[0178] The following exemplarily introduces two possible implementations of the first session management network element sending the service quality rule of the service quality flow of the first session, as follows:

[0179] Implementation one, the first session management network element directly sends the service quality rule of the service quality flow of the first session.

[0180] Optionally, before sending the service quality rule of the service quality flow of the first session, the first session management network element can determine to establish the service quality flow of the first session.

[0181] Exemplarily, the trigger condition comprises any one of the following:

[0182] (1) It is determined that the 5QI corresponding to the service quality flow of the first session does not comprise the 5QI in the PCC rule.

[0183] (2) It is determined that the 5QI corresponding to the service quality flow of the first session established by the first session management network element does not comprise the 5QI in the PCC rule.

[0184] (3) The uplink classifier ULCL is selected and inserted.

[0185] (4) The branch point BP and / or the local anchor point L-PSA or the selection and insertion of the ULCL / BP and / or L-PSA cause the two-segment core network packet delay budget CNPDB to be different. Optionally, the session enables dynamic CNPDB.

[0186] (5) receiving the policy information, determining that the existing service quality flow cannot bind the current policy information when performing the binding of the service quality flow of the first session and the policy information according to the policy information. Exemplarily, the policy information can be PCC information or PCC rule related information.

[0187] Optionally, the first session management network element can generate / determine the service quality rules of the service quality flow of the first session before sending the service quality rules of the service quality flow of the first session.

[0188] Optionally, the service quality rules of the service quality flow of the first session include at least one of a first service quality rule (e.g., QER 1), a second service quality rule (e.g., QoS profile 1), and a third service quality rule (e.g., QoS rule 1), and the first service quality rule includes a first identifier (e.g., identifier 1).

[0189] Exemplarily, the first session management network element generates / determines at least one of QER 1, QoS profile 1, and QoS rule 1.

[0190] Further optionally, the first session management network element can send the above service quality rules to different devices respectively.

[0191] Exemplarily, the first session management network element sends QER 1 to the first user plane network element (e.g., L-PSA), and / or sends QoS profile 1 and identifier 1 to the first access network device, and / or sends QoS rule 1 and identifier 1 to the first terminal.

[0192] Embodiment two, the first session management network element forwards the service quality rules of the service quality flow of the first session.

[0193] Optionally, the first session management network element can send second information to the second session management network element before sending the service quality rules of the service quality flow of the first session, and the first session management network element receives the service quality rules of the service quality flow of the first session from the second session management network element.

[0194] In other words, the first session management network element can generate / determine the service quality rules of the service quality flow of the first session by the second session management network element before sending the service quality rules of the service quality flow of the first session, and then send the service quality rules of the service quality flow of the first session to the first session management network element, and the first session management network element forwards the service quality rules of the service quality flow of the first session to other subjects.

[0195] The second information is used by the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, and the second information includes the first identifier and a service flow corresponding to the first identifier and / or a quality of service parameter corresponding to the first identifier, the first identifier being an identifier in the first identifier set or the second identifier set, or the first identifier being an identifier determined by the second session management network element.

[0196] Optionally, the relationship between the at least one quality of service parameter and the at least one service flow can be a mapping relationship between a row and a column in a table, which can be one row and one column, or one row and multiple columns. For example, the first row and the first column are the at least one service flow, and the second row and the first column are the at least one quality of service parameter. The table corresponds to the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier.

[0197] Table 1

[0198] As shown in Table 1, for example, the quality of service parameter 1 includes 5QI 1 and ARP 1, and the quality of service parameter corresponds to the service flow 1, the service flow 2 and the service flow 3, or the quality of service parameter corresponds to the service flow 4 and the service flow 5.

[0199] Optionally, the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session includes at least one of the first quality of service rule (for example, QER 1), the second quality of service rule (for example, QoS profile 1) and the third quality of service rule (for example, QoS rule 1), and the first quality of service rule includes the first identifier (for example, identifier 1, which can be QFI).

[0200] For example, the second session management network element generates or determines at least one of the first quality of service rule (for example, QER 1), the second quality of service rule (for example, QoS profile 1) and the third quality of service rule (for example, QoS rule 1) according to the identifier 1 and the service flow (for example, SDF a and SDF b) corresponding to the identifier 1 and / or the quality of service parameter (for example, including 5QI and ARP 123) corresponding to the identifier 1, and then the second session management network element sends at least one of QER 1, QoS profile 1 and QoS rule 1 to the first session management network element.

[0201] Correspondingly, after receiving at least one of QER 1, QoS profile 1 and QoS rule 1, the first session management network element can send at least one of the above quality of service rules to different devices respectively.

[0202] Exemplarily, the first session management network element sends the QER 1 to the first user plane network element, and / or sends the QoS profile 1 and the identifier 1 to the first access network device, and / or sends the QoS rule 1 and the identifier 1 to the first terminal.

[0203] Please refer to FIG. 7, which is a flowchart of another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The flowchart is still exemplarily described from the perspective that the first session management network element and the second session management network element interact as the execution subject. The first session management network element or the second session management network element described above can be a communication module in a standalone device or a standalone device, or a circuit or a chip responsible for communication function in a standalone device (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip containing a modem core or a SIP chip. Alternatively, the method can be applied to a communication system, for example, to the communication systems shown in FIGS. 1-4.

[0204] The communication method shown in FIG. 7 can include multiple steps in steps S701-S703. It should be understood that, for the convenience of description, the steps S701-S703 are described in this order, and it is not intended to limit the execution in the above order. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the execution order, execution time, execution times, etc. of the one or more steps. Steps S701-S703 are as follows:

[0205] Step S701: The first session management network element sends a second identifier to the second session management network element, or requests the second session management network element to send a third identifier to the first session management network element.

[0206] Correspondingly, the second session management network element receives the second identifier or the request message.

[0207] The second identifier or the third identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session. The second identifier or the third identifier is exemplarily named for distinguishing a certain identifier. For example, the second identifier can be identifier 2 or other identifiers, and the third identifier can be identifier 3 or other identifiers. Alternatively, the identifier can be a quality of service flow identifier (QFI), an identifier of a data bearer in 4G, or an identifier of any other data bearer (such as an identifier of a data bearer in 6G).

[0208] Alternatively, the second identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session, which can represent that the second identifier is used by the first session management network element to allocate the identifier for the first quality of service flow, or the first session management network element allocates the second identifier for the first quality of service flow.

[0209] As a possible implementation, after the first session management network element requests the second session management network element to send the third identity to the first session management network element, the second session management network element sends the third identity to the first session management network element.

[0210] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the third identity from the second session management network element.

[0211] Optionally, the third identity is related to the first service quality flow of the first session, and the third identity is used to indicate that the first session management network element allocates the identity for the first service quality flow.

[0212] Optionally, the third identity is related to the first service quality flow of the first session, and the third identity is used to indicate that the first session management network element allocates the identity for the first service quality flow.

[0213] As a possible implementation, in the case that the first session management network element determines that the first service quality flow needs to be newly established, a request message can be sent to the second session management network element to request the second session management network element to allocate an identity. Optionally, the request message can also carry one or more service flow identities and / or one or more quality of service parameters, which are used to instruct the second session management network element to allocate one or more corresponding identities for the one or more service flow identities and / or one or more quality of service parameters. Optionally, the request message can also carry a numerical value, which is used to indicate the number of identities that need to be allocated. For example, the first session management network element determines that two service quality flows (service quality flow 1 and service quality flow 2) need to be newly established, and the second session management network element indicates that two identities (identity 1 and identity 2) need to be allocated through the numerical value carried by the request message.

[0214] Step S702: The second session management network element sends third information to the first session management network element.

[0215] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the third information from the second session management network element.

[0216] Optionally, the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element authorizes or refuses to authorize the second identity for the first service quality flow, or the third information includes the third identity.

[0217] The following exemplary introduces three possible cases indicated by the third information, as follows:

[0218] Case one, if the second session management network element determines that the second identity is not allocated to other service quality flows by the second session management network element, at this time, the second identity is in a state that can be allocated, and the third information sent by the second session management network element indicates that the second session management network element allows or authorizes or accepts the first session management network element to allocate the second identity, that is, the second session management network element can directly instruct the first session management network element to allocate the second identity for the first service quality flow through the third information.

[0219] Case two, if the second session management network element determines that the second identifier has been allocated to other quality of service flows by the second session management network element, or the second identifier at this time is in a state that cannot be allocated, the third information sent by the second session management network element indicates that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the first session management network element to allocate the second identifier. The second session management network element can send a fourth identifier to the first session management network element for authorizing the first session management network element to use the fourth identifier to identify the first quality of service flow.

[0220] Further optionally, after the first session management network element is refused authorization, it can send another identifier (different from the second identifier) to the second session management network element again for confirmation of authorization by the second session management network element.

[0221] Case three, if the first session management network element requests the second session management network element to send a third identifier, the second session management network element can send the third identifier to the first session management network element.

[0222] Among them, the third identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session.

[0223] Optionally, the third identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session, which can be that the third identifier is used by the first session management network element to identify the first quality of service flow (i.e. no longer using the second identifier, but using the third identifier).

[0224] It should be noted that the step of confirming whether the second identifier is allocated by the first session management network element to the second session management network element is the same as the foregoing examples, and the present application will not repeat it.

[0225] As a possible implementation, the first session management network element can also determine to establish the first quality of service flow before sending the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow.

[0226] Optionally, the process of determining by the first session management network element to establish the first quality of service flow can be to allocate the second identifier under the condition of meeting the triggering condition, or to receive the third identifier from the second session management network element, and then use the third identifier to identify the first quality of service flow.

[0227] Exemplarily, the triggering condition includes any one of the following:

[0228] (1) determining that the 5QI corresponding to the first quality of service flow does not include the 5QI in the PCC rule.

[0229] (2) determining that the 5QI corresponding to the first quality of service flow established by the first session management network element does not include the 5QI in the PCC rule.

[0230] (3) selecting and inserting the uplink classifier ULCL.

[0231] (4) Branch point BP and / or local anchor point L-PSA or selection and insertion of ULCL / BP and / or L-PSA results in different two-segment core network packet delay budget CNPDB. Optionally, the session enables dynamic CNPDB.

[0232] (5) Receiving policy information, determining that the existing quality of service flow cannot bind the current policy information when performing the binding of the first quality of service flow and the policy information according to the policy information. Exemplarily, the policy information can be PCC information or PCC rule related information.

[0233] As a possible implementation, before sending the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, the first session management network element sends fourth information to the second session management network element, and receives the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow from the second session management network element.

[0234] Correspondingly, the second session management network element receives the fourth information, and sends the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow to the first session management network element.

[0235] The fourth information is exemplarily named for distinguishing certain information. The fourth information is used for the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, and the fourth information includes at least one service flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter, and the third identifier or the fourth identifier is an identifier determined by the second session management network element.

[0236] Optionally, the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow includes at least one of a first quality of service rule (for example, QER 1), a second quality of service rule (for example, quality of service profile QoS profile 1) and a third quality of service rule (for example, QoS rule 1), and the first quality of service rule includes the second identifier (for example, identifier 2) or the third identifier (for example, identifier 3).

[0237] Exemplarily, for example, the second session management network element generates or determines at least one of the first quality of service rule (for example, QER 1), the second quality of service rule (for example, quality of service profile QoS profile 1) and the third quality of service rule (for example, QoS rule 1) according to the identifier 2 and the service flow (for example, SDF c) corresponding to the identifier 2 and / or the quality of service parameter (for example, including 5QI and ARP456) corresponding to the identifier 2, and then the second session management network element sends at least one of QER 1, QoS profile 1 and QoS rule 1 to the first session management network element.

[0238] For another example, the second session management network element generates or determines at least one of the first quality of service rule (e.g., QER 1), the second quality of service rule (e.g., QoS profile 1), and the third quality of service rule (e.g., QoS rule 1) according to the second identifier and the service flow (e.g., SDF d) corresponding to the second identifier and / or the quality of service parameter (e.g., including 5QI and ARP 123) corresponding to the second identifier, and then the second session management network element sends at least one of QER 1, QoS profile 1, and QoS rule 1 to the first session management network element.

[0239] Step S703: The first session management network element sends the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow.

[0240] The quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow includes the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier, the first quality of service flow belongs to the first session, and the first session management network element and the second session management network element serve the first session.

[0241] Correspondingly, after receiving at least one of QER 1, QoS profile 1, and QoS rule 1, the first session management network element can send at least one of the above quality of service rules to different devices respectively.

[0242] For example, referring to the above example, for example, the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow includes the second identifier (e.g., identifier 2), the first session management network element sends QER 1 to the first user plane network element, and / or sends QoS profile 1 and identifier 2 to the first access network device, and / or sends QoS rule 1 and identifier 2 to the first terminal.

[0243] For another example, the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow includes the third identifier (e.g., identifier 3), the first session management network element sends QER 1 to the first user plane network element, and / or sends QoS profile 1 and identifier 3 to the first access network device, and / or sends QoS rule 1 and identifier 3 to the first terminal.

[0244] For another example, the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow includes the fourth identifier (e.g., identifier 4), the first session management network element sends QER 1 to the first user plane network element, and / or sends QoS profile 1 and identifier 4 to the first access network device, and / or sends QoS rule 1 and identifier 4 to the first terminal.

[0245] In the present application, in one aspect, a first session management network element binds a quality of service flow of a first session using an identifier in a first identifier set, and sends a quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session by the first session management network element. In other words, the present application mainly leads local offloading (such as controlling offloading rules of offloading points) through the first session management network element, and compared with the prior art in which most of the quality of service rules are configured by a second session management network element, the present application undertakes part of the services originally responsible by the second session management network element, which can greatly reduce the load of the second session management network element.

[0246] In another aspect, after the first session management network element acquires the first identifier set, the identifiers used subsequently can be selected from the first identifier set, which can effectively reduce the number of interactions between the first session management network element and the second session management network element, and save network resources.

[0247] In summary, the present application can reduce the load of the second session management network element and save network resources.

[0248] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 explain in detail the main interaction principle between the first session management network element and the second session management network element. In order to facilitate understanding, six specific cases of the first session management network element sending a quality of service rule of a quality of service flow of a first session are exemplified below in connection with FIGS. 8a-8f.

[0249] Please refer to FIG. 8a, which is a flowchart of sending a quality of service rule of a quality of service flow of a first session according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the present application is described in the order of steps 21-29 for convenience, and is not intended to limit the execution in the above order. The present application does not limit the execution order, execution time, execution times, etc. of one or more steps. As shown in FIG. 8a, the specific steps of case one are as follows:

[0250] Step 21: In the establishment or modification process of the first session, the second session management network element sends a first identifier set to the first session management network element.

[0251] Correspondingly, the first session management network element acquires the first identifier set.

[0252] The first identifier set is used by the first session management network element to configure N4 rules or allocate identifiers of quality of service flows.

[0253] Exemplarily, when the first session management network element determines that a new identity needs to be allocated for a quality of service flow of the first session (for example, according to the execution of a policy rule and the binding of the quality of service flow according to policy information), one identity in the first identity set is allocated for the quality of service flow of the first session. In addition, the identities allocated for different quality of service flows cannot be repeated (unless a quality of service flow is deleted, the identity of the deleted quality of service flow can be used for other newly created quality of service flows), and the sending of the first identity set by the second session management network element to the first session management network element means that the second session management network element cannot use the identities in the first identity set in subsequent allocation of identities.

[0254] Step 22: The second session management network element sends policy information to the first session management network element.

[0255] Optionally, the policy information can be directly sent by the second session management network element to the first session management network element, or forwarded by the PCF to the first session management network element through the second session management network element.

[0256] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the policy information and determines that the first identity is not bound to a quality of service flow before performing the binding of the quality of service flow of the first session to the first identity according to the policy information.

[0257] Step 23: The first session management network element performs the binding of the quality of service flow of the first session according to the first identity set.

[0258] Optionally, in the process of performing the binding, the first session management network element can trigger the establishment of a quality of service flow. For example, the first session management network element determines that there is no quality of service flow that can be bound to the 5QI and ARP of this policy information, and thus needs to newly create a quality of service flow.

[0259] When the establishment of the quality of service flow is triggered, the first session management network element needs to allocate a new identity. However, in order to ensure that the identities allocated by the first session management network element and the second session management network element do not conflict, when the first session management network element determines to allocate a new identity, the first session management network element can select an identity from the first identity set obtained in step 21 as the identity allocated to the quality of service flow.

[0260] Step 24: The first session management network element sends first information to the second session management network element.

[0261] The first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send the second identity set.

[0262] It should be noted that step 24 is shown by a dashed arrow, indicating that this step is an optional step. Only when all the identities in the first identity set allocated by the second session management network element for the first session management network element are all occupied, and more identities are still needed, the first session management network element triggers the session modification, sends the first information to the second session management network element, and instructs the second session management network element to allocate more identities to successfully implement the binding of subsequent quality of service flows.

[0263] Step 25: The second session management network element sends the second identity set to the first session management network element.

[0264] It should be noted that step 25 is shown by a dashed arrow, indicating that this step is an optional step. Only when step 24 is an optional step, step 25 is an optional step; if step 24 is a mandatory step, step 25 is also a mandatory step. The step is shown by a dashed arrow indicating that this step is an optional step.

[0265] Step 26: The first session management network element determines / generates the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0266] Among them, the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session includes at least one of the first quality of service rule (such as QER), the second quality of service rule (such as QoS profile), and the third quality of service rule (such as QoS rule).

[0267] Step 27: The first session management network element sends the first quality of service rule to the first user plane network element.

[0268] Among them, the first quality of service rule includes the first identity.

[0269] Optionally, the first user plane network element includes an ULCL, or a BP and / or an L-PSA.

[0270] Step 28: The first session management network element sends the second quality of service rule and the first identity to the first access network device.

[0271] Step 29: The first session management network element sends the third quality of service rule and the first identity to the first terminal.

[0272] It should be noted that steps 27-29 are shown by a dashed arrow, indicating that steps 27-29 are optional steps, and the flowchart can only include step 27, or only include step 28, or only include step 29, or include two or three steps, and the present application does not limit this.

[0273] It should be noted that the detailed explanations of steps 21-29 described above can be referred to the embodiments described in FIG. 6, which will not be repeated here.

[0274] Please refer to FIG. 8b, which is a flow diagram of a method for sending a quality of service rule of a quality of service flow of a first session according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the present application is described in the order of steps 31-41 for the convenience of description, and is not intended to limit the execution of the above-mentioned steps in the above-mentioned order. The present application does not limit the order of execution, the time of execution, the number of execution, etc. of one or more steps described above. As shown in FIG. 8b, the specific steps of Case 2 are as follows:

[0275] Step 31: In the establishment or modification process of the first session, the second session management network element sends a first identifier set to the first session management network element.

[0276] Correspondingly, the first session management network element acquires the first identifier set.

[0277] The first identifier set is used by the first session management network element to configure N4 rules or allocate identifiers of quality of service flows.

[0278] For example, when the first session management network element determines that a new identifier needs to be allocated to a quality of service flow of the first session (for example, according to the execution of a policy rule and the binding of a quality of service flow according to policy information), an identifier in the first identifier set is allocated to the quality of service flow of the first session. In addition, the identifiers allocated by different quality of service flows cannot be repeated (unless a quality of service flow is deleted, the identifier of the deleted quality of service flow can be used by other newly created quality of service flows), and the sending of the first identifier set by the second session management network element to the first session management network element means that the second session management network element cannot use the identifiers in the first identifier set when allocating identifiers subsequently.

[0279] Step 32: The second session management network element sends policy information to the first session management network element.

[0280] Optionally, the policy information can be sent directly by the second session management network element to the first session management network element, or forwarded by the PCF to the first session management network element through the second session management network element.

[0281] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the policy information and determines that the first identifier is not bound to a quality of service flow before executing the binding of the quality of service flow of the first session to the first identifier according to the policy information.

[0282] Step 33: The first session management network element executes the binding of the quality of service flow of the first session according to the first identifier set.

[0283] Optionally, in the process of performing the binding, the first session management network element can trigger the establishment of a quality of service flow. For example, the first session management network element determines that there is no quality of service flow that can be bound for the 5QI and ARP of the policy information, and a new quality of service flow needs to be established.

[0284] When the establishment of the quality of service flow is triggered, the first session management network element needs to allocate a new identifier. However, in order to ensure that the identifiers allocated by the first session management network element and the second session management network element do not conflict, when the first session management network element determines to allocate a new identifier, the first session management network element can select an identifier from the first identifier set obtained in step 31 as the identifier allocated to the quality of service flow.

[0285] Step 34: The first session management network element sends first information to the second session management network element.

[0286] The first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send the second identifier set.

[0287] It should be noted that step 34 is shown by a dashed arrow, indicating that this step is an optional step. Only when the identifiers in the first identifier set allocated by the second session management network element for the first session management network element are all occupied and more identifiers are still needed, the first session management network element triggers the session modification, sends the first information to the second session management network element, instructs the second session management network element to allocate more identifiers, so as to successfully implement the subsequent binding of the quality of service flow.

[0288] Step 35: The second session management network element sends the second identifier set to the first session management network element.

[0289] It should be noted that step 35 is shown by a dashed arrow, indicating that this step is an optional step. Only when step 34 is an optional step, step 35 is an optional step; if step 34 is a mandatory step, step 35 is also a mandatory step. The dashed arrow is shown to indicate that this step is an optional step.

[0290] Step 36: The first session management network element sends second information to the second session management network element.

[0291] The second information is used for the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, and the second information includes the first identifier and the service flow corresponding to the first identifier and / or the quality of service parameter corresponding to the first identifier. The first identifier is an identifier in the first identifier set or the second identifier set, or the first identifier is an identifier determined by the second session management network element.

[0292] Step 37: The second session management network element determines / generates the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session according to the second information.

[0293] Optionally, the second session management network element updates the N4 rules to the PSA.

[0294] Step 38: The second session management network element sends the quality of service rules of the quality of service flow of the first session to the first session management network element.

[0295] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the quality of service rules of the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0296] The quality of service rules of the quality of service flow of the first session include at least one of a first quality of service rule (for example, QER), a second quality of service rule (for example, QoS profile), and a third quality of service rule (for example, QoS rule).

[0297] Step 39: The first session management network element sends the first quality of service rule to the first user plane network element.

[0298] The first quality of service rule includes a first identifier.

[0299] Optionally, the first user plane network element includes an ULCL, or a BP and / or an L-PSA.

[0300] Step 40: The first session management network element sends the second quality of service rule and the first identifier to the first access network device.

[0301] Step 41: The first session management network element sends the third quality of service rule and the first identifier to the first terminal.

[0302] It should be noted that steps 39-41 are shown by dashed arrows, indicating that steps 39-41 are optional steps, and the flowchart can only include step 39, only include step 40, only include step 41, or include any two or three steps, which is not limited by the present application.

[0303] It should be noted that the detailed explanations of steps 31-41 described above can be referred to the embodiments described in FIG. 6, which will not be described here.

[0304] Please refer to FIG. 8c, which is a flowchart of another embodiment provided by the present application for sending the quality of service rules of the quality of service flow of the first session. It should be understood that the present application is described in the order of steps 51-58 for convenience, and is not intended to limit the execution of the above steps in the above order. The present application does not limit the execution order, execution time, and execution times of the above one or more steps. As shown in FIG. 8c, the specific steps of case three are as follows:

[0305] Step 51: The second session management network element sends policy information to the first session management network element.

[0306] Optionally, the policy information can be sent by the second session management network element to the first session management network element directly, or forwarded by the PCF to the first session management network element through the second session management network element.

[0307] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the policy information, and determines that the first identifier is not bound to the service quality flow before performing the binding of the first service quality flow and the first identifier according to the policy information.

[0308] The first service quality flow belongs to the first session.

[0309] Step 52: The first session management network element determines to establish the first service quality flow, and allocates a second identifier for the first service quality flow.

[0310] Step 53: The first session management network element sends the second identifier or a request for sending a third identifier to the second session management network element.

[0311] Correspondingly, the second session management network element receives the second identifier.

[0312] Step 54: The second session management network element sends third information or the third identifier to the first session management network element.

[0313] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the third information or the third identifier.

[0314] The third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element authorizes the second identifier for the first service quality flow (i.e., indicates that the second session management network element allows or authorizes or accepts the first session management network element to use the second identifier to identify the first service quality flow), or the third information is used to indicate that the first session management network element authorizes a fourth identifier for the first service quality flow (i.e., indicates that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the first session management network element to allocate the second identifier for the first service quality flow, which can be because the second session management network element determines that it has allocated the second identifier, i.e., the allocation of the first session management network element conflicts, at this time, the first session management network element can reselect the identifier to be allocated (for example, the first session management network element selects to allocate the fourth identifier)).

[0315] Optionally, if the first session management network element requests the second session management network element to send the third identifier to the first session management network element, the first session management network element does not send the second identifier to the second session management network element.

[0316] Correspondingly, the second session management network element receives the request message from the first session management network element.

[0317] The request message is used to request the second session management network element to send the third identifier to the first session management network element.

[0318] Accordingly, the first session management network element receives the third identifier.

[0319] In the present solution, the first session management network element does not need to select which identifier to assign, and the second session management network element directly instructs the first session management network element to use the third identifier.

[0320] Step 55: The first session management network element determines / generates the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow.

[0321] The quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow includes at least one of the first quality of service rule (for example, QER), the second quality of service rule (for example, QoS profile), and the third quality of service rule (for example, QoS rule).

[0322] Step 56: The first session management network element sends the first quality of service rule to the first user plane network element.

[0323] The first quality of service rule includes the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier.

[0324] Optionally, the first user plane network element includes an ULCL, or a BP and / or an L-PSA.

[0325] Step 57: The first session management network element sends the second quality of service rule and the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier to the first access network device.

[0326] Step 58: The first session management network element sends the third quality of service rule and the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier to the first terminal.

[0327] It should be noted that steps 56-58 are shown by dashed arrows, indicating that steps 56-58 are optional steps, and the flowchart can only include step 56, only include step 57, only include step 58, or include two or three steps, and the present application does not limit this.

[0328] It should be noted that the detailed explanations of steps 51-58 described above can be referred to the embodiments described in FIG. 7, which will not be described here.

[0329] Please refer to FIG. 8d, which is a flowchart provided by an embodiment of the present application for sending the quality of service rule of the first session quality of service flow. It should be understood that the present application is described in the order of steps 61-70 for the convenience of description, and is not intended to limit the execution of the above-mentioned order. The present application does not limit the execution order, execution time, and execution times of the above-mentioned one or more steps. As shown in FIG. 8d, the specific steps of case four are as follows:

[0330] Step 61: The second session management network element sends the policy information to the first session management network element.

[0331] Optionally, the policy information can be sent directly by the second session management network element to the first session management network element, or forwarded by the PCF to the first session management network element through the second session management network element.

[0332] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the policy information and determines that the first identifier is not bound to the service quality flow before performing the binding of the first service quality flow and the first identifier according to the policy information.

[0333] Step 62: The first session management network element determines to establish the first service quality flow and allocates a second identifier for the first service quality flow.

[0334] Step 63: The first session management network element sends the second identifier or requests to send a third identifier to the second session management network element.

[0335] Correspondingly, the second session management network element receives the second identifier.

[0336] Step 64: The second session management network element sends the third information or the third identifier to the first session management network element.

[0337] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the third information or the third identifier.

[0338] The third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element authorizes the second identifier for the first service quality flow (i.e., indicates that the second session management network element allows or authorizes or accepts the first session management network element to use the second identifier to identify the first service quality flow), or the third information is used to indicate that the first session management network element authorizes a fourth identifier for the first service quality flow (i.e., indicates that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the first session management network element to allocate the second identifier for the first service quality flow, which may be because the second session management network element determines that it has already allocated the second identifier, i.e., the allocation of the first session management network element conflicts, at which time the first session management network element can reselect the identifier to be allocated (e.g., the first session management network element selects to allocate the fourth identifier).

[0339] Optionally, the first session management network element can also request the second session management network element to send the third identifier to the first session management network element.

[0340] Correspondingly, the second session management network element receives the request message from the first session management network element.

[0341] The request message is used to request the second session management network element to send the third identifier to the first session management network element.

[0342] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the third identifier.

[0343] In this solution, the first session management network element does not need to select which identity to assign, and the second session management network element directly instructs the first session management network element to use the third identity.

[0344] Step 65: The first session management network element sends fourth information to the second session management network element.

[0345] The fourth information is used by the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, and the fourth information includes at least one service flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter. The third identity or the fourth identity is an identity determined by the second session management network element.

[0346] Step 66: The second session management network element determines / generates the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow according to the fourth information.

[0347] Optionally, the second session management network element updates the N4 rule to the PSA.

[0348] Step 67: The second session management network element sends the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow to the first session management network element.

[0349] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow.

[0350] The quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow includes at least one of the first quality of service rule (such as QER), the second quality of service rule (such as QoS profile), and the third quality of service rule (such as QoS rule).

[0351] Step 68: The first session management network element sends the first quality of service rule to the first user plane network element.

[0352] The first quality of service rule includes the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity.

[0353] Optionally, the first user plane network element includes a ULCL, or a BP and / or an L-PSA.

[0354] Step 69: The first session management network element sends the second quality of service rule and the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity to the first access network device.

[0355] Step 70: The first session management network element sends the third quality of service rule and the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity to the first terminal.

[0356] It should be noted that steps 68-70 are shown by dashed arrows, indicating that steps 68-70 are optional steps, and the flowchart can only include step 68, only include step 69, only include step 70, or include any two or all three steps, which is not limited in the present application.

[0357] It should be noted that the detailed explanations of steps 61-70 described above can refer to the embodiments described in FIG. 7, which will not be described here.

[0358] Please refer to FIG. 8e, which is a flowchart of a method for sending a quality of service rule of a first quality of service flow according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the present application is described in the order of steps 81-87 for the convenience of description, and is not intended to limit the execution of the above-mentioned order. The present application does not limit the order of execution, the time of execution, the number of execution, etc. of one or more steps described above. As shown in FIG. 8e, the specific steps of Case Five are as follows:

[0359] Step 81: The second session management network element sends policy information to the first session management network element.

[0360] Optionally, the policy information can be sent directly by the second session management network element to the first session management network element, or forwarded by the PCF to the first session management network element through the second session management network element.

[0361] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the policy information and determines that the first identifier is not bound to the quality of service flow before performing the binding of the first quality of service flow and the first identifier according to the policy information.

[0362] Wherein, the first quality of service flow belongs to the first session.

[0363] Step 82: The first session management network element determines to establish the first quality of service flow. Step 83: The first session management network element sends sixth information to the second session management network element.

[0364] Correspondingly, the second session management network element receives the sixth information.

[0365] Wherein, the sixth information can be used to instruct the second session management network element to authorize the fifth identifier for the first quality of service flow.

[0366] Optionally, if the first session management network element determines that a new first quality of service flow is needed, the first session management network element sends sixth information to the second session management network element, indicating the second session management network element to allocate an identifier. Optionally, the sixth information can also include a numerical value, by which the second session management network element is indicated to allocate a number of identifiers. For example, if the first session management network element determines that 2 quality of service flows are needed, the first session management network element indicates the second session management network element to allocate 2 identifiers (the fifth identifier and the sixth identifier).

[0367] Step 84: The second session management network element sends the fifth identifier to the first session management network element.

[0368] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the fifth identifier, which is the identifier determined by the second session management network element. Step 85: The first session management network element determines / generates the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow.

[0369] The quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow include at least one of a first quality of service rule (for example, QER), a second quality of service rule (for example, QoS profile), and a third quality of service rule (for example, QoS rule).

[0370] Optionally, the first session management network element can send seventh information to the second session management network element, and the second session management network element determines / generates the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow according to the seventh information.

[0371] The seventh information is an exemplary name used to distinguish certain information. The seventh information is used by the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow, and the seventh information includes at least one traffic flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter.

[0372] Further optionally, the second session management network element sends the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow to the first session management network element.

[0373] Step 86: The first session management network element sends the first quality of service rule to the first user plane network element.

[0374] The first quality of service rule includes the fifth identifier.

[0375] Optionally, the first user plane network element includes an ULCL, or a BP and / or an L-PSA.

[0376] Step 87: The first session management network element sends the second quality of service rule and the fifth identifier to the first access network device.

[0377] Step 88: The first session management network element sends the third quality of service rule and the fifth identifier to the first terminal.

[0378] It should be noted that steps 86-88 are shown by dashed arrows, indicating that steps 86-88 are optional steps, and the flowchart can only include step 86, only include step 87, only include step 88, or include both or all three steps. The present application does not limit this.

[0379] It should be noted that the detailed explanation of steps 81-88 described above can refer to the embodiments described in FIG. 7, which will not be described here.

[0380] Please refer to FIG. 8f, which is a flowchart of a service quality rule for sending a first service quality flow according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the present application is described in the order of steps 91-99 for convenience of description, and is not intended to limit the execution of the above-mentioned order. The present application does not limit the order of execution, execution time, execution times, etc. of one or more steps described above. As shown in FIG. 8f, the specific steps of case six are as follows:

[0381] Step 91: The second session management network element sends policy information to the first session management network element.

[0382] Optionally, the policy information can be sent directly by the second session management network element to the first session management network element, or forwarded by the PCF to the first session management network element through the second session management network element.

[0383] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the policy information and determines that the first identifier is not bound to the service quality flow before performing the binding of the first service quality flow and the first identifier according to the policy information.

[0384] Wherein, the first service quality flow belongs to the first session.

[0385] Step 92: The first session management network element determines to establish the first service quality flow.

[0386] Optionally, the first session management network element sends the sixth information to the second session management network element.

[0387] Correspondingly, the second session management network element receives the sixth information.

[0388] Wherein, the sixth information is used to instruct the second session management network element to authorize the fifth identifier for the first service quality flow.

[0389] Optionally, if the first session management network element determines that a new first service quality flow needs to be established, the first session management network element sends sixth information to the second session management network element, indicating that the second session management network element allocates an identifier. Optionally, the sixth information can also include a numerical value, by which the second session management network element is indicated to allocate a number of identifiers. For example, if the first session management network element determines that two service quality flows need to be established, the first session management network element indicates the second session management network element to allocate two identifiers (the fifth identifier and the sixth identifier). Step 93: The first session management network element sends seventh information to the second session management network element.

[0390] Correspondingly, the second session management network element receives the seventh information.

[0391] The seventh information is used to distinguish certain information, and is named exemplarily.

[0392] Optionally, in the case where the first session management network element does not send the sixth information to the second session management network element, the seventh information can be used to indicate that the second session management network element authorizes the fifth identifier for the first service quality flow, and the seventh information includes at least one service flow and / or at least one service quality parameter, and the seventh information is also used for the second session management network element to determine the service quality rule of the first service quality flow.

[0393] Step 94: The second session management network element sends the fifth identifier to the first session management network element.

[0394] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the fifth identifier, which is the identifier determined by the second session management network element.

[0395] Step 95: The second session management network element determines / generates the service quality rule of the first service quality flow according to the seventh information.

[0396] Optionally, the second session management network element updates the N4 rule to the PSA. Step 96: The second session management network element sends the service quality rule of the first service quality flow to the first session management network element.

[0397] Correspondingly, the first session management network element receives the service quality rule of the first service quality flow.

[0398] The service quality rule of the first service quality flow includes at least one of a first service quality rule (for example, QER), a second service quality rule (for example, QoS profile), and a third service quality rule (for example, QoS rule).

[0399] Optionally, the first session management network element can also determine / generate the service quality rule of the first service quality flow, in which case, step 97 is not performed, and step 98 is directly performed.

[0400] Step 97: The first session management network element sends a first quality of service rule to the first user plane network element.

[0401] The first quality of service rule comprises a fifth identifier.

[0402] Optionally, the first user plane network element comprises a ULCL, or a BP and / or a L-PSA.

[0403] Step 98: The first session management network element sends a second quality of service rule and the fifth identifier to the first access network device.

[0404] Step 99: The first session management network element sends a third quality of service rule and the fifth identifier to the first terminal.

[0405] It should be noted that steps 97-99 are shown by dashed arrows, indicating that steps 97-99 are optional steps, and the flowchart can only include step 97, or only include step 98, or only include step 99, or include any two or three steps, and the present application does not limit this.

[0406] It should be noted that the detailed explanations of steps 91-99 described above can be referred to the embodiments described in FIG. 7, which will not be repeated here.

[0407] The above describes the method of the embodiments of the present application in detail, and the device of the embodiments of the present application is provided below.

[0408] It should be understood that the device provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the division of units therein is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity, or can be physically separated. In addition, the units in the device can be implemented in the form of processor calling software. For example, the device comprises a processor, the processor is connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any one of the above methods or to realize the functions of each unit of the device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is an internal memory of the device or an external memory of the device.

[0409] Alternatively, the units in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuitry, and part or all of the units can be implemented through design of the hardware circuitry, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuitry is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed through logical relationship between elements in the circuitry to implement part or all of the units. For another example, in another implementation, the hardware circuitry is a programmable logic device (PLD) that can be implemented through a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured through a configuration file, thereby implementing part or all of the units.

[0410] In the embodiments of the present application, each unit in the apparatus can be one or more processors (or processing circuitry) configured to implement the above methods, such as a CPU, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC, a FPGA, or a combination of at least two of these processor forms.

[0411] In addition, each unit in the above apparatus can be integrated together in whole or in part, or can be independently implemented. In one implementation, the units are integrated together in the form of a system on a chip (SOC, or system-level chip). The SOC can include at least one processor for implementing any of the above methods or implementing the functions of each unit of the apparatus, and the at least one processor can be of different types, such as including a CPU and an FPGA, or including a CPU and an artificial intelligence processor, or including a CPU and a GPU, etc. The following lists several possible apparatuses.

[0412] Please refer to FIG. 9, which is a structural diagram of a communication apparatus 90 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the communication apparatus 90 can be a standalone device, for example, a first session management network element, etc. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 90 can also be a component, for example, a chip or an integrated circuit, etc. in a standalone device (for example, a first session management network element). The communication apparatus 90 is configured to implement the foregoing communication method, for example, the communication method shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7.

[0413] In a possible design, the communication apparatus 90 includes a communication unit 901 and a processing unit 902, and the communication apparatus 90 is configured to implement the foregoing communication method, for example, the communication method shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7. For example, the communication apparatus is configured to perform the method performed by the first session management network element.

[0414] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 901 is configured to acquire a first identifier set in a process of establishing or modifying a first session, where the first identifier set includes at least one identifier, and the first identifier set is related to a quality of service flow of the first session. The communication unit 901 is further configured to send a quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, where the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session includes a first identifier, the first identifier belongs to the first identifier set, and the first session management network element serves the first session. The processing unit 902 is configured to process data.

[0415] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 902 is further configured to allocate the first identifier to the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0416] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 902 is further configured to determine to establish the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0417] In another possible implementation, the first identifier is not allocated to the quality of service flow of the first session, or the first identifier does not correspond to the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0418] In another possible implementation, in the process of acquiring the first identifier set in the process of establishing or modifying the first session, the communication unit 901 is specifically configured to receive the first identifier set from a second session management network element, where the first identifier set is used for the first session management network element to allocate an identifier to the quality of service flow of the first session.

[0419] In a further possible implementation, the processing unit 902 is further configured to determine that all identities in a second identity set are assigned or have corresponding quality of service flows, wherein the second identity set is related to the quality of service flows of the first session. The communication unit 901 is further configured to send first information to the second session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send the first identity set.

[0420] In a further possible implementation, the processing unit 902 is further configured to determine that all identities in the first identity set are assigned or have corresponding quality of service flows. The communication unit 901 is further configured to send first information to the second session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send a second identity set. The communication unit 901 is further configured to receive the second identity set from the second session management network element.

[0421] In a further possible implementation, the communication unit 901 is further configured to send second information to the second session management network element, wherein the second information is used for the second session management network element to determine quality of service rules of the quality of service flows of the first session, the second information comprising the first identity and a corresponding traffic flow and / or a corresponding quality of service parameter of the first identity, the first identity being an identity in the first identity set or the second identity set, or the first identity being an identity determined by the second session management network element. The communication unit 901 is further configured to receive the quality of service rules of the quality of service flows of the first session from the second session management network element.

[0422] In a further possible implementation, the quality of service rules of the quality of service flows of the first session comprise at least one of a first quality of service rule, a second quality of service rule and a third quality of service rule, the first quality of service rule comprising the first identity. The communication unit 901 is further configured to send the first quality of service rule to a first user plane network element, and / or send the second quality of service rule and the first identity to a first access network device, and / or send the third quality of service rule and the first identity to a first terminal.

[0423] The embodiments of the application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept and bring the same technical effects. The specific principles are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0424] In another possible design, the communication apparatus 90 includes a communication unit 901 and a processing unit 902, and the communication apparatus 90 is configured to implement the above-mentioned communication method, for example, the communication method shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7. For example, the communication apparatus is configured to perform the method performed by the first session management network element.

[0425] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 901 is configured to send a second identity to a second session management network element, or to request the second session management network element to send a third identity to the first session management network element, wherein the second identity or the third identity is related to a first quality of service flow of a first session. The communication unit 901 is further configured to receive third information or the third identity from the second session management network element, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element authorizes or refuses to authorize the second identity. The communication unit 901 is further configured to send a quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, wherein the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow comprises the second identity or the third identity, the first quality of service flow belongs to the first session, and the first session management network element and the second session management network element serve the first session. The processing unit 902 is configured to process the transceived data.

[0426] In another possible implementation, if the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the second identity, the communication unit 901 is further configured to receive a fourth identity from the second session management network element, wherein the fourth identity is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session.

[0427] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 902 is further configured to allocate the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity to the first quality of service flow.

[0428] In another possible implementation, the processing unit 902 is further configured to determine to establish the first quality of service flow.

[0429] In another possible implementation, the communication unit 901 is further configured to send fourth information to the second session management network element, wherein the fourth information is used for the second session management network element to determine a quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, and the fourth information comprises at least one traffic flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter, the at least one traffic flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter corresponds to the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity. The communication unit 901 is further configured to receive the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow from the second session management network element.

[0430] In yet another possible implementation, the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow comprise at least one of a first quality of service rule, a second quality of service rule, and a third quality of service rule, the first quality of service rule comprising the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier. The communication unit 901 is further configured to send, to a first user plane network element, the first quality of service rule, and / or to a first access network device, the second quality of service rule and the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier, and / or to a first terminal, the third quality of service rule and the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier.

[0431] The embodiments of the application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and bring the same technical effects. For specific principles, refer to the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, and no longer be repeated.

[0432] Please refer to FIG. 10, which is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 100 provided by the embodiments of the application. Optionally, the communication apparatus 100 can be a standalone device, such as a second session management network element, etc. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 100 can also be a chip or an integrated circuit, etc. in a standalone device (such as a second session management network element). The communication apparatus 100 is configured to implement the above-mentioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7.

[0433] In a possible design, the communication apparatus 100 comprises a communication unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002, and the communication apparatus 100 is configured to implement the above-mentioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7. For example, the communication apparatus is configured to execute the method performed by the second session management network element.

[0434] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1002 is configured to determine that the first session is a first type of session, wherein the first type of session is a session supporting local traffic routing. The communication unit 1001 is configured to send, to a first session management network element, a first identifier set, wherein the first identifier set comprises at least one identifier, and the first identifier set is related to a quality of service flow of the first session. The communication unit 1001 is further configured to send, to the first session management network element, a quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, wherein the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session comprises a first identifier, the first identifier belongs to the first identifier set, and the first session management network element serves the first session.

[0435] In a further possible implementation, in the determining that the first session is of the first type of session, the communication unit 1001 is specifically configured to: receive fifth information from the first session management network element, where the fifth information is used to request establishment of a session supporting local traffic routing. The first session is determined to be of the first type of session according to the fifth information.

[0436] In a further possible implementation, the first set of identifiers is used for the first session management network element to allocate identifiers for quality of service flows of the first session.

[0437] In a further possible implementation, the communication unit 1001 is further configured to receive first information from the first session management network element, where the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send the first set of identifiers.

[0438] In a further possible implementation, the communication unit 1001 is further configured to receive first information from the first session management network element, where the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send a second set of identifiers, and send the second set of identifiers to the first session management network element.

[0439] In a further possible implementation, the communication unit 1001 is further configured to receive second information from the first session management network element, where the second information is used to instruct the second session management network element to determine quality of service rules for quality of service flows of the first session, the second information including the first identifier and a service flow corresponding to the first identifier and / or a quality of service parameter corresponding to the first identifier, the first identifier being an identifier in the first set of identifiers or the second set of identifiers, or the first identifier being an identifier determined by the second session management network element.

[0440] Embodiments of the present application and the above-described method embodiments are based on the same concept and bring the same technical effects. For specific principles, refer to the description of the above-described embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0441] In another possible design, the communication apparatus 100 includes a communication unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002, and the communication apparatus 100 is configured to implement the above-described communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7. For example, the communication apparatus is configured to execute the method performed by the second session management network element.

[0442] In a possible implementation, the communication unit 1001 is configured to receive a second identifier or a request message from a first session management network element, wherein the request message is used to request the second session management network element to send a third identifier to the first session management network element, the second identifier or the third identifier is related to a first quality of service flow of a first session, and the communication unit 1001 is further configured to send third information or the third identifier to the first session management network element, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element authorizes or refuses to authorize the second identifier. The communication unit 1001 is further configured to send a quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow to the first session management network element, wherein the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow includes the second identifier or the third identifier, the first quality of service flow belongs to the first session, and the first session management network element and the second session management network element serve the first session. The processing unit 1002 is configured to process transceiving data.

[0443] In another possible implementation, if it is determined that the second identifier is not allocated by the second session management network element, the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element authorizes the second identifier. If it is determined that the second identifier is allocated by the second session management network element, the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the second identifier.

[0444] In another possible implementation, if the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the second identifier, the communication unit 1001 is further configured to send a fourth identifier to the first session management network element, wherein the fourth identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session.

[0445] In another possible implementation, the communication unit 1001 is further configured to receive fourth information from the first session management network element, wherein the fourth information is used for the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow, and the fourth information includes at least one service flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter, the at least one service flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter corresponds to the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier, and the third identifier or the fourth identifier is an identifier determined by the second session management network element.

[0446] The embodiments of the present application and the above-mentioned method embodiments are based on the same concept, and the technical effects brought by the embodiments are the same. For specific principles, refer to the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, and details are not repeated.

[0447] Please refer to FIG. 11, which is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 110 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 110 can be a standalone device, for example, a first session management network element or a second session management network element, or a component included in a standalone device, for example, a chip, a software module, or an integrated circuit, etc. The communication apparatus 110 can include at least one processor 1101 and a communication interface 1102. Optionally, it can also include at least one memory 1103. Further optionally, it can also include a connection line 1104, wherein the processor 1101, the communication interface 1102, and / or the memory 1103 are connected through the connection line 1104, and / or communicate with each other through the connection line 1104 to transfer control signals and / or data signals.

[0448] The processor 1101 is a module for performing arithmetic operations and / or logical operations, and can specifically include one or more of the following modules: a filter, a modem, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), a baseband processor, a radio frequency processor, a radio frequency circuit, a CPU, an AP, a microcontroller unit (MCU), an electronic control unit (ECU), a GPU, an MPU, an ASIC, an image signal processor (ISP), a DSP, an FPGA, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or a co-processor, etc.

[0449] The communication interface 1102 can be used to provide information input or output for the at least one processor, or to receive externally transmitted signals and / or transmit signals to the outside.

[0450] For example, the communication interface 1102 can include interface circuits such as input / output interfaces, chip pins, etc.

[0451] For example, the communication interface 1102 can include a wired link interface such as an Ethernet cable, and can also be a wireless link (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, universal wireless transmission, and other short-range wireless communication technologies, etc.) interface.

[0452] Optionally, the communication interface 1102 can also include a radio frequency transmitter, an antenna, etc. In the case where the communication interface 1102 includes an antenna, the number of antennas can be one or multiple.

[0453] As a possible design, when the communication device 110 is a standalone device, the communication interface 1102 can include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver and the transmitter can be the same component or different components. When the receiver and the transmitter are the same component, the component can be referred to as a transceiver.

[0454] As another possible design, when the communication device 110 is a chip or a circuit, the communication interface 1102 can include an input interface and an output interface. The input interface and the output interface can be the same interface or different interfaces.

[0455] Optionally, the functions of the communication interface 1102 can be implemented by a transceiver circuit or a dedicated chip of the transceiver.

[0456] The memory 1103 is configured to provide a storage space, in which data such as an operating system and a computer program can be stored. The memory 903 can be one or a combination of a cache, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), and the like. The memory is any medium capable of storing or carrying the desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of realizing a storage function, configured to store computer programs or instructions and / or data.

[0457] The functions and actions of the modules or units in the above-mentioned communication device 110 are only exemplary.

[0458] The functional units in the communication device 110 can be used to implement the above-mentioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIGS. 6-8f, for example, to execute the method performed by the first session management network element or the method performed by the second session management network element.

[0459] Optionally, the processor 1101 can be a processor (facilitating a distinction, referred to as a dedicated processor) specially configured to execute the foregoing method, or can be a processor (facilitating a distinction, referred to as a dedicated processor) that executes the foregoing method by calling a computer program. Optionally, the at least one processor can include both a dedicated processor and a general-purpose processor.

[0460] Optionally, in the case where the communication device 110 includes at least one memory 1103, if the processor 1101 implements the foregoing communication method by calling a computer program, the computer program can be stored in the memory 1103.

[0461] The embodiments of the present application also provide a chip, which includes a logic circuit and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive a signal or send a signal. The logic circuit is configured to receive the signal or send the signal through the communication interface. The chip is configured to implement the foregoing communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIGS. 6-8f, for example, the method for executing the first session management network element, or the method for executing the second session management network element.

[0462] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on at least one processor (or a communication device), the foregoing communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIGS. 6-8f, for example, the method for executing the first session management network element, or the method for executing the second session management network element, is implemented.

[0463] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, which includes computer instructions. The computer instructions are configured to implement the foregoing communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIGS. 6-8f, for example, the method for executing the first session management network element, or the method for executing the second session management network element.

[0464] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, the words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to represent as an example, illustration or description. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in the present application should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Rather, the words such as "exemplarily" or "for example" are intended to present the relevant concept in a specific manner.

[0465] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or the like means any combination of the items, including any combination of single item (s) or multiple items (s).

[0466] For example, at least one (one) of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, (a and b), (a and c), (b and c), or (a and b and c), where a, b, c can be single or multiple. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone, where A, B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally represents that the associated objects before and after are a "or" relationship.

[0467] In addition, unless otherwise stated, the ordinal numbers "first", "second", etc. used in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, time sequence, priority or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first node, the second node, etc. are only used to facilitate the description of fresh parameters in different embodiments, and do not mean that their operation, importance, structure, etc. are different.

[0468] In the above embodiments, according to the context, the term "when" can be interpreted as meaning "if", "before", "determine", or "detect". The above or the above are only optional embodiments of the present application, and are not used to limit the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. within the concept and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

[0469] A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of the above-mentioned embodiments can be completed by hardware, or by a program instructing relevant hardware, and the program can be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as a read-only memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a first session management network element comprises: obtaining a first identifier set in a process of establishing or modifying a first session, wherein the first identifier set comprises at least one identifier, and the first identifier set is related to a quality of service flow of the first session; sending a quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, wherein the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session comprises a first identifier, the first identifier belongs to the first identifier set, and the first session management network element serves the first session.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, Before the sending of the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, the method further comprises: allocating the first identifier for the quality of service flow of the first session.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The obtaining of the first identifier set in the process of establishing or modifying the first session comprises: receiving the first identifier set from a second session management network element, wherein the first identifier set is used for the second session management network element to allocate an identifier for the quality of service flow of the first session.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Before the obtaining of the first identifier set in the process of establishing or modifying the first session, the method further comprises: determining that all identifiers in a second identifier set are allocated or have corresponding quality of service flows, wherein the second identifier set is related to the quality of service flow of the first session; sending first information to the second session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send the first identifier set.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Before the sending of the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, the method further comprises: sending second information to the second session management network element, wherein the second information is used for the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, the second information comprises the first identifier and a service flow corresponding to the first identifier and / or a quality of service parameter corresponding to the first identifier, the first identifier is an identifier in the first identifier set or the second identifier set, or the first identifier is an identifier determined by the second session management network element; receiving the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session from the second session management network element.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session comprises at least one of a first quality of service rule, a second quality of service rule and a third quality of service rule, the first quality of service rule comprises the first identifier, and the method further comprises: sending the first quality of service rule to a first user plane network element, and / or sending the second quality of service rule and the first identifier to a first access network device, and / or sending the third quality of service rule and the first identifier to a first terminal.

7. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a first session management network element comprises: sending a second identifier to a second session management network element, or requesting the second session management network element to send a third identifier to the first session management network element, wherein the second identifier or the third identifier is related to a first quality of service flow of a first session; receiving third information or the third identifier from the second session management network element, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element authorizes or refuses to authorize the second identifier; sending quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow, wherein the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow comprise the second identifier or the third identifier, the first quality of service flow belongs to the first session, and the first session management network element and the second session management network element serve the first session.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, If the third information is used to indicate that the second session management network element refuses to authorize the second identifier, the method further comprises: receiving a fourth identifier from the second session management network element, wherein the fourth identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, Before sending the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow, the method further comprises: sending fourth information to the second session management network element, wherein the fourth information is used for the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow, the fourth information comprises at least one traffic flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter, and the at least one traffic flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter corresponds to the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier; receiving the quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow from the second session management network element.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, The quality of service rules of the first quality of service flow comprise at least one of a first quality of service rule, a second quality of service rule and a third quality of service rule, the first quality of service rule comprises the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier, and the method further comprises: sending the first quality of service rule to a first user plane network element, and / or sending the second quality of service rule and the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier to a first access network device, and / or sending the third quality of service rule and the second identifier or the third identifier or the fourth identifier to a first terminal.

11. A communication method, comprising: The method applied to a second session management network element, the method comprises: determining that a first session is a first type of session, wherein the first type of session is a session supporting local traffic routing; sending a first identifier set to a first session management network element, wherein the first identifier set comprises at least one identifier, and the first identifier set is related to a quality of service flow of the first session.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The method further comprises: sending quality of service rules of a quality of service flow of the first session to the first session management network element, wherein the quality of service rules of the quality of service flow of the first session comprise a first identifier, the first identifier belongs to the first identifier set, and the first session management network element serves the first session.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein, The determination that the first session is the first type of session comprises: receiving fifth information from the first session management network element, wherein the fifth information is used to request to establish a session supporting local traffic routing; determining that the first session is the first type of session according to the fifth information.

14. The method of any one of claims 11-13, wherein, The first identifier set is used for the first session management network element to allocate an identifier for a quality of service flow of the first session.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, Before sending the first identifier set to the first session management network element, the method further comprises: receiving first information from the first session management network element, wherein the first information is used to instruct the second session management network element to send the first identifier set.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, characterized in that, Before sending the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session to the first session management network element, the method further comprises: receiving second information from the first session management network element, wherein the second information is used to instruct the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rule of the quality of service flow of the first session, the second information comprises the first identifier and a service flow corresponding to the first identifier and / or a quality of service parameter corresponding to the first identifier, the first identifier is an identifier in the first identifier set or the second identifier set, or the first identifier is an identifier determined by the second session management network element.

17. A method of communication, comprising: The method applied to the second session management network element comprises: receiving a second identifier or a request message from a first session management network element, wherein the request message is used to request the second session management network element to send a third identifier to the first session management network element, the second identifier or the third identifier is related to a first quality of service flow of a first session; sending third information or the third identifier to the first session management network element, wherein the third information is used to instruct the second session management network element to authorize or refuse to authorize the second identifier; sending a quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow to the first session management network element, wherein the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow comprises the second identifier or the third identifier, the first quality of service flow belongs to the first session, and the first session management network element and the second session management network element serve the first session.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, if it is determined that the second identifier is not allocated by the second session management network element, the third information is used to instruct the second session management network element to authorize the second identifier; if it is determined that the second identifier is allocated by the second session management network element, the third information is used to instruct the second session management network element to refuse to authorize the second identifier.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein, if the third information is used to instruct the second session management network element to refuse to authorize the second identifier, the method further comprises: sending a fourth identifier to the first session management network element, wherein the fourth identifier is related to the first quality of service flow of the first session.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, before sending the quality of service rule of the first quality of service flow to the first session management network element, the method further comprises: receiving a fourth information from the first session management network element, wherein the fourth information is used by the second session management network element to determine the quality of service rules for the first quality of service flow, the fourth information comprises at least one traffic flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter, the at least one traffic flow and / or at least one quality of service parameter corresponds to the second identity or the third identity or the fourth identity, the third identity or the fourth identity is determined by the second session management network element.

21. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit and the processing unit are configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-6 or 7-10.

22. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit and the processing unit are configured to perform the method of any one of claims 11-16 or 17-20.

23. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor; The processor is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-6 or 7-10 when the processor invokes a computer program or instructions in a memory.

24. A communications device, characterized by The processor is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 11-16 or 17-20 when the processor invokes a computer program or instructions in a memory. The communication device comprises a logic circuit and an interface, the logic circuit and the interface are coupled; 25. A communications device, characterized by The interface is configured to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-20. The communication device is a chip or a chip system.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein, 27. A communication system, comprising: The configuration system comprises the communication device of claim 21 and the communication device of claim 22; or The configuration system comprises the communication device of claim 23 and the communication device of claim 24. The computer readable storage medium is configured to store instructions or a computer program; 28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The instructions or the computer program, when executed, perform the method of any one of claims 1-20. The computer readable storage medium comprises:

29. A computer program product, characterised in that, instructions or a computer program; The instructions or the computer program, when executed, perform the method of any one of claims 1-20. ​

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