Communication method and apparatus, device, storage medium, and program product

Abstract

The present application discloses a communication method and apparatus, a device, a storage medium, and a program product. The method comprises: a first network element sends a first message to a second network element or to the second network element by means of at least one network element, wherein the first message carries first information, and the first information comprises at least one of the following: user group information, a radio access technology (RAT) type, a packet data unit (PDU) session type, radio access information, and performance information; and / or, the first network element receives a second message sent by the second network element, wherein the second message carries at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, and a user group report.

Description

Communication method and apparatus, device, storage medium, program product

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] The present application is based on and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411377618.X, filed on September 29, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus, device, storage medium, and program product. BACKGROUND

[0004] The third generation partnership project (3GPP) supports network element capability opening, and realizes information acquisition of other network elements on the network element through an event subscription notification mechanism. The current event subscription notification mechanism adopts an event subscription notification mode with user granularity (i.e., user by user). In the face of a massive user scenario, a large amount of signaling overhead is caused, which is not conducive to network performance. SUMMARY

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a communication method and apparatus, a communication device, a computer storage medium, and a computer program product.

[0006] The communication method provided by the present application comprises:

[0007] The first network element sends a first message to the second network element or through at least one network element to the second network element, the first message carrying first information, the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, radio access technology (RAT) type, packet data unit (PDU) session type, radio access information, performance information; and / or,

[0008] The first network element receives a second message sent by the second network element, the second message carrying at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, a user group report.

[0009] The communication method provided by the present application comprises:

[0010] The second network element receives a first message sent by the first network element or sent by the first network element through at least one network element, the first message carrying first information, the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, performance information; and / or,

[0011] The second network element sends a second message to the first network element, the second message carrying at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, a user group report.

[0012] The communication device provided by the present application is applied to a first network element, and the device includes:

[0013] A first sending unit is configured to send a first message to a second network element or through at least one network element to the second network element, the first message carrying first information, the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, performance information; and / or,

[0014] A first receiving unit is configured to receive a second message sent by the second network element, the second message carrying at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, a user group report.

[0015] The communication device provided by the present application is applied to a second network element, and the device includes:

[0016] A second receiving unit is configured to receive a first message sent by a first network element or sent by the first network element through at least one network element, the first message carrying first information, the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, performance information; and / or,

[0017] A second sending unit is configured to send a second message to the first network element, the second message carrying at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, a user group report.

[0018] The communication device provided by the present application includes a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a computer program, the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory, and execute any one of the above communication methods.

[0019] The computer readable storage medium provided by the present application is used to store a computer program, and the computer program makes a computer execute any one of the above communication methods.

[0020] The computer program product provided in the application comprises computer program instructions, which enable a computer to execute any one of the above communication methods.

[0021] The technical solution of the application provides a new event subscription notification mechanism. When a first network element performs event subscription or information request on a second network element, the first network element provides first information to the second network element, and the first information comprises at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, and performance information. In this way, the second network element can determine one or more users or PDU sessions that are subscribed or requested according to the first information, and then send a report of the one or more users or PDU sessions to the first network element. This new event subscription notification mechanism can effectively save signaling overhead in the event subscription notification process, which is beneficial to network performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the application;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the application;

[0024] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an event subscription notification method according to an application example of the application;

[0025] FIG. 4-1 is a flowchart of obtaining a 5G VN group identifier according to an application example of the application;

[0026] FIG. 4-2 is a flowchart of an event subscription notification method according to an application example of the application;

[0027] FIG. 4-3 is a flowchart of an event notification method according to an application example of the application;

[0028] FIG. 4-4 is a flowchart of an event notification method according to an application example of the application;

[0029] FIG. 4-5 is a flowchart of an event subscription notification method according to an application example of the application;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an event subscription notification method according to an application example of the application;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an information request and notification method according to an application example of the application;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the application;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the application;

[0034] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] It should be noted that the term "and / or" in the present document is merely used to describe an associated relationship between associated objects, and can represent three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent three cases of existence of A alone, existence of A and B together, and existence of B alone. In addition, the character " / " in the present document generally represents an "or" relationship between the front and rear associated objects. It should also be understood that the "indication" mentioned in the present document can be direct indication or indirect indication, and can also represent an associated relationship. For example, A indicates B can mean that B can be obtained by A directly, or A indirectly indicates C, and B can be obtained by C. It should also be understood that the "protocol" mentioned in the present document can refer to a standard protocol in the communication field, for example, it can refer to an NR protocol and a related protocol applied to a future communication system, and the present application does not limit this.

[0037] 3GPP supports the capability exposure of User Plane Function (UPF), and realizes the acquisition of user data information on the UPF by other network elements through an event subscription notification mechanism.

[0038] The UFP provides an Nupf_EventExposure service, that is, a UPF event exposure service. The event subscription notification mechanism related to the Nupf_EventExposure service adopts an event subscription notification mode with a user as a granularity, that is, a user-by-user mode. Specifically, an event exposure subscription is created for each user or PDU session on the UPF, which can result in a very large number of subscriptions on the UPF, and a large amount of signaling is required to create (and terminate) these subscriptions. In addition, the UPF reports event notifications of each subscription, which will also result in a large amount of signaling to report the event notifications of these subscriptions.

[0039] Therefore, the following technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are proposed. In order to facilitate the understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions of the present application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above related technologies can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application as optional solutions, and all belong to the protection scope of the embodiments of the present application. The embodiments of the present application include at least part of the following contents.

[0040] It should be noted that the first network element in the embodiments of the present application includes at least one of the following: an application function (Application Function, AF), a network data analysis function (Network Data Analytics Function, NWDAF), a network exposure function (Network Exposure Function, NEF), a session management function (Session Management function, SMF), a management service (Management System, MnS), an MnS consumer, a network digital twin (Network Digital Twin, NDT).

[0041] It should be noted that the second network element in the embodiments of the present application includes at least one of the following: NEF, SMF, UPF, NDT, management data analysis (Management Data Analysis, MDA), performance management (Performance Management, PM).

[0042] For example, the first network element is AF / NWDAF / NEF, and the second network element is SMF. For example, the first network element is AF / NWDAF / NEF, and the second network element is UPF. For example, the first network element is SMF, and the second network element is UPF. For example, the first network element is MnS / MnS consumer, and the second network element is NDT. For example, the first network element is NDT, and the second network element is MDA / PM.

[0043] It should be noted that the user in the embodiments of the present application can also be described as a UE, that is, the user and the UE can be described as each other.

[0044] It should be noted that one or more users in the embodiments of the present application can also be described as a user group.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the flow includes the following parts or all of the contents:

[0046] Step 101: The first network element sends a first message to the second network element or through at least one network element to the second network element, the first message carrying first information, the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, performance information.

[0047] Step 102: The first network element receives a second message sent by the second network element, the second message carrying at least one of the following: report of one or more users, report of one or more PDU sessions, user group report.

[0048] It should be noted that the above step 101 and step 102 can be executed separately, or can be executed together.

[0049] In some embodiments, the first message can also be referred to as an event exposure subscription message, or an event subscription message, or a subscription message, etc. The second message can also be referred to as an event exposure notification message, or an event notification message, or a notification message, etc. The specific name of the first message and the second message is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Taking the second network element as an UPF for example, the first message is Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe, and the second message is Nupf_EventExposure_Notify. Taking the second network element as an NEF for example, the first message is Nnef_EventExposure_Subscribe, and the second message is Nnef_EventExposure_Notify.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first message can also be referred to as a first request message. The second message can also be referred to as a first notification message. The specific name of the first request message and the first notification message is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0051] In the embodiments of the present application, the first message sent by the first network element carries first information, and the first information includes at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, and performance information.

[0052] In some embodiments, the user group information includes at least one of the following: a virtual network (VN) group, a 5G VN group, a VN group identifier, a 5G VN group identifier, and a combination of a slice and a date network name (DNN) corresponding to the VN group.

[0053] In some embodiments, the user group includes at least one of the following: a VN group, a 5G VN group, and a combination of a slice and a DNN corresponding to the VN group.

[0054] Here, the user group in the embodiments of the present application can be a 5G LAN group, that is, the user group can be a group of terminals using 5G LAN type services.

[0055] In some embodiments, the RAT type is used to identify the access network transmission technology used by the 3GPP access and non-3GPP access, such as New Radio (NR), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IOT), Unstructured non-3GPP (Untrusted non-3GPP), Trusted non-3GPP (Trusted non-3GPP), Trusted IEEE 802.11, non-3GPP access, Wireline, Wireline-cable, Wireline-bbf, etc.

[0056] In some embodiments, the PDU session type includes at least one of: IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6, Ethernet, Unstructured.

[0057] In some embodiments, the wireless access information includes at least one of: time information, location information.

[0058] Here, the time information refers to the time information of the user or PDU session access, such as: date and time, time period, time list, time point, time period, multiple time periods, etc.

[0059] Here, the location information refers to the location information of the user or PDU session access, such as: RAN Node ID, base station ID, cell ID, etc.

[0060] In some embodiments, the performance information includes at least one of: bandwidth information, latency information, jitter information.

[0061] Here, the bandwidth / latency / jitter information is used to indicate the bandwidth / latency / jitter range. For example: the bandwidth / latency / jitter information includes a first threshold, which is used to indicate the bandwidth / latency / jitter range greater than or equal to the first threshold. For example: the bandwidth / latency / jitter information includes a second threshold, which is used to indicate the bandwidth / latency / jitter range less than or equal to the second threshold. For example: the bandwidth / latency / jitter information includes a first threshold and a second threshold, which is used to indicate the bandwidth / latency / jitter range greater than or equal to the first threshold and less than or equal to the second threshold.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first information further includes the required operation on the simulated network object (such as the simulated network object identified by the user group information), such as: 5G local area network topology visualization, user plane traffic modeling, user plane traffic analysis, etc.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first information is used to determine one or more users or PDU sessions of a subscription; or, the first information is used to determine one or more users or PDU sessions of a request; here, the one or more users or PDU sessions associated with the same at least one of the following information: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, radio access information, performance information.

[0064] Here, the first information is used by the second network element to identify one or more users or PDU sessions with the same characteristic, here, the one or more users or PDU associated with the same at least one of the following information: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, radio access information, performance information.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first information is used to determine one or more user groups of a subscription; or, the first information is used to determine one or more user groups of a request.

[0066] Here, the first information is used by the second network element to identify a user group with a specific characteristic, here, the user group with the specific characteristic associated with at least one of the following information: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, radio access information, performance information. It should be noted that one user group can contain one or more users.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first message further carries second information, the second information is used to indicate a subscribed event or a requested information.

[0068] It should be noted that "used to indicate" described in the embodiments of the present application can also be replaced by "include". For example, "the second information is used to indicate a subscribed event or a requested information" can also be replaced by "the second information includes a subscribed event or a requested information".

[0069] For events, different events correspond / have different event types, as an implementation manner, the second information includes a subscribed event type. For information, different information corresponds / have different information types, as an implementation manner, the second information includes a requested information type.

[0070] In some embodiments, the subscribed event or the requested information comprises at least one of: a user plane connection status (UP connection status), a device status behind the UE, device information behind the UE, a networking status (e.g., a networking status of a user group), QoS monitoring, data usage, data usage trend, Time Sensitive Communication (TSC) management information, emulation information (e.g., visualization information of a 5G local area network, user plane traffic model, user plane traffic analysis result).

[0071] In some embodiments, the device status behind the UE comprises, but is not limited to: detection of a new device access by the UE, device leaving by the UE, detection of the same device access by at least two UEs, etc.

[0072] In some embodiments, the device information behind the UE comprises, but is not limited to: a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the device behind the UE.

[0073] In some embodiments, the networking status comprises at least one of: a topology, topology information, routing information, N19 tunnel information, N19 tunnel establishment, N19 tunnel modification, N19 tunnel release.

[0074] Here, the routing information comprises all packet forwarding rules of a user group, such as packet forwarding rules of a user group member session and packet forwarding rules of a group-level session. The packet forwarding rules refer to Packet Detection Rules (PDRs) and Forwarding Action Rules (FARs) on an N4 interface.

[0075] Here, the N19 tunnel information comprises, but is not limited to: tunnel endpoint information, tunnel endpoint address, Tunnel Endpoint Identifier (TEID), UPF identifier, etc.

[0076] In some embodiments, the reporting in the embodiments of the present application comprises the subscribed event or the requested information, e.g., the subscribed event or the requested information indicated by the second information.

[0077] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 2, the flowchart comprises the following or all of the following:

[0078] Step 201: The second network element receives a first message sent by the first network element or sent by the first network element through at least one network element, the first message carrying first information, the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, a RAT type, a PDU session type, wireless access information, and performance information.

[0079] Step 202: The second network element sends a second message to the first network element, the second message carrying at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, and a user group report.

[0080] It should be noted that the above steps 201 and 202 can be executed separately or in combination.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first message can also be referred to as an event exposure subscription message, or an event subscription message, or a subscription message, etc. The second message can also be referred to as an event exposure notification message, or an event notification message, or a notification message, etc. The specific names of the first message and the second message are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. Taking the second network element as a UPF for example, the first message is Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe, and the second message is Nupf_EventExposure_Notify. Taking the second network element as a NEF for example, the first message is Nnef_EventExposure_Subscribe, and the second message is Nnef_EventExposure_Notify.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first message can also be referred to as a first request message. The second message can also be referred to as a first notification message. The specific names of the first request message and the first notification message are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0083] In the embodiments of the present application, the first message received by the second network element carries first information, the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, a RAT type, a PDU session type, wireless access information, and performance information.

[0084] In some embodiments, the user group information includes at least one of the following: a VN group, a 5G VN group, a VN group identifier, a 5G VN group identifier, and a combination of a slice and a DNN corresponding to the VN group.

[0085] In some embodiments, the user group includes at least one of the following: a VN group, a 5G VN group, and a combination of a slice and a DNN corresponding to the VN group.

[0086] Here, the user group in the embodiments of the present application can be a 5G LAN group, that is, the user group can be a group of terminals using a 5G LAN type service.

[0087] In some embodiments, the PDU session type comprises at least one of: IPv4, IPv6, IPv4v6, Ethernet, Unstructured.

[0088] In some embodiments, the radio access information comprises at least one of: time information, location information.

[0089] Here, the time information refers to time information of user or PDU session access, for example: date time, time period, time list, time point, time period, multiple time periods, etc.

[0090] Here, the location information refers to location information of user or PDU session access, for example: RAN NodeID, base station identifier, cell identifier, etc.

[0091] In some embodiments, the performance information comprises at least one of: bandwidth information, latency information, jitter information.

[0092] Here, the bandwidth / latency / jitter information is used to indicate a bandwidth / latency / jitter range. For example: the bandwidth / latency / jitter information comprises a first threshold value, which is used to indicate a bandwidth / latency / jitter range greater than or equal to the first threshold value. For example: the bandwidth / latency / jitter information comprises a second threshold value, which is used to indicate a bandwidth / latency / jitter range less than or equal to the second threshold value. For example: the bandwidth / latency / jitter information comprises a first threshold value and a second threshold value, which are used to indicate a bandwidth / latency / jitter range greater than or equal to the first threshold value and less than or equal to the second threshold value.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first information further comprises a required operation on the simulated network object (such as the simulated network object identified by the user group information). For example: 5G local area network topology visualization, user plane traffic modeling, user plane traffic analysis, etc.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first information is used to determine one or more users or PDU sessions subscribed; or, the first information is used to determine one or more users or PDU sessions requested; wherein the one or more users or PDU sessions are associated with the same at least one of: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, radio access information, performance information.

[0095] Here, the first information is used by the second network element to identify one or more users or PDU sessions with the same characteristics, wherein the one or more users or PDU sessions with the same characteristics are associated with the same at least one of: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, radio access information, performance information.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first information is used to determine one or more user groups of a subscription; or, the first information is used to determine one or more user groups of a request.

[0097] Here, the first information is used by the second network element to identify user groups with the same characteristic, where the user groups with the same characteristic are associated with the same at least one of the following information: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, performance information. It should be noted that one user group can contain one or more users.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first message further carries second information, where the second information is used to indicate a subscribed event or a requested information.

[0099] It should be noted that "used to indicate" described in the embodiments of the present application can also be replaced by "include". For example, "the second information is used to indicate a subscribed event or a requested information" can also be replaced by "the second information includes a subscribed event or a requested information".

[0100] For events, different events correspond / have different event types, and as an implementation manner, the second information includes a subscribed event type. For information, different information corresponds / has different information types, and as an implementation manner, the second information includes a requested information type.

[0101] In some embodiments, the subscribed event or the requested information includes at least one of the following: user plane connection state, UE post device state, UE post device information, networking state (such as the networking state of a user group), QoS monitoring, data usage, data usage trend, TSC management information, simulation information (such as visualization information of a 5G local area network, user plane traffic model, user plane traffic analysis result).

[0102] In some embodiments, the UE post device state includes but is not limited to: detection of new device access by the UE post, device leaving of the UE post, detection of access of the same device by at least two UE posts, etc.

[0103] In some embodiments, the UE post device information includes but is not limited to: MAC address of the UE post device.

[0104] In some embodiments, the networking state includes at least one of the following: topology, topology information, routing information, N19 tunnel information, N19 tunnel establishment, N19 tunnel modification, N19 tunnel release.

[0105] Here, the routing information includes all packet forwarding rules of the user group, such as packet forwarding rules of the user group member session and packet forwarding rules of the group-level session. The packet forwarding rules refer to PDRs and FARs on the N4 interface.

[0106] Here, the N19 tunnel information includes but is not limited to: tunnel endpoint information, tunnel endpoint address, TEID, UPF identifier, and the like.

[0107] In some embodiments, the second network element sends a second message to the first network element when detecting the occurrence of the subscribed event.

[0108] In some embodiments, the second network element sends a second message to the first network element after obtaining the requested information.

[0109] In some embodiments, the report in the embodiments of the present application includes the subscribed event or the requested information, for example, the subscribed event or the requested information indicated by the second information.

[0110] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application are exemplified below in combination with specific application examples.

[0111] Application Example One

[0112] In this application example, the first network element is taken as an AF / NWDAF / NEF, and the second network element is taken as a UPF. The AF / NWDAF / NEF is a UPF event consumer.

[0113] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an event subscription notification method provided by the present application example. As shown in FIG. 3, the method can adopt an indirect subscription process, or can also adopt a direct subscription process.

[0114] In the indirect subscription process, the following steps are included:

[0115] Step 3001: The AF / NWDAF / NEF sends Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe to the SMF, carrying the first information and the second information, and the second information is optional.

[0116] Step 3002: After receiving the Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe, the SMF sends Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe to the related UPF, carrying the first information and the second information, and the second information is optional.

[0117] Step 3003: The UPF collects the event information of the group of users identified by the first information, and when the event occurs, the UPF sends Nupf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying the event report of the group of UEs.

[0118] In the direct subscription process, the following steps are included:

[0119] Step 3011: The AF / NWDAF / NEF sends Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe to the UPF, carrying the first information and the second information, which is optional.

[0120] Step 3012: The UPF collects the event information of the group of users identified by the first information, and when the event occurs, the UPF sends Nupf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying the event report of the group of UEs.

[0121] It should be noted that the "Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe" and "Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe" described in this application example correspond to the "first message" described in the foregoing FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0122] It should be noted that the specific implementation of the "first information" and the "second information" described in this application example can refer to the related description of the foregoing FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0123] It should be noted that the "group of users" described in this application example can also be described as "one or more users" or "user group".

[0124] Application Example Two

[0125] In this application example, the first network element is taken as the AF / NWDAF / NEF, and the second network element is taken as the UPF. Among them, the AF / NWDAF / NEF is the UPF event consumer.

[0126] FIG. 4-1 is a flowchart of the UPF obtaining the 5G VN group identifier where the UE is located provided by the present application example, as shown in FIG. 4-1, the flowchart includes the following steps:

[0127] Step 4001: The UE (one or more UEs belonging to the 5G VN group) sends a PDU session establishment request message to the SMF.

[0128] Step 4002: After the SMF receives the PDU session establishment request message, the SMF obtains the subscription data of the UE from the UDM, and the subscription data includes the 5G VN group identifier and 5G VN group data to which the UE belongs.

[0129] Step 4003: The SMF sends a PDU session establishment / modification message to the UPF, carrying the 5G VN group identifier to which the UE belongs.

[0130] Step 4004: Other normal PDU session establishment procedures.

[0131] FIG. 4-2 is a flowchart of an event subscription notification method provided by the present application, as shown in FIG. 4-2, the method can adopt an indirect subscription process, or can also adopt a direct subscription process.

[0132] In the indirect subscription process, the following steps are included:

[0133] Step 4011: The AF / NWDAF / NEF sends an Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe to the SMF, carrying the subscription target and the subscription event, wherein the subscription target includes the 5G VN group identifier, and the subscription event includes the user plane connection state, the device state after the UE, and the networking state of the 5G VN group.

[0134] Here, the "subscription target" corresponds to the "first information" in the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The "subscription event" corresponds to the "second information" in the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. It should be noted that the specific implementation of the "subscription event" described in the present application can refer to the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0135] Step 4012: After the SMF receives the Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe, the SMF sends an Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe to the related UPF, carrying the subscription target and the subscription event, wherein the subscription target includes the 5G VN group identifier, and the subscription event includes the user plane connection state, the device state after the UE, and the networking state of the 5G VN group.

[0136] Step 4013: The UPF collects the event information of the UE belonging to the 5G VN group according to the 5G VN group identifier, and when the event occurs, the UPF sends an Nupf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying the event report of the UE belonging to the 5G VN group.

[0137] In the direct subscription process, the following steps are included:

[0138] Step 4021: The AF / NWDAF / NEF sends Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe to the UPF, carrying the subscription target and the subscription event, wherein the subscription target includes the 5G VN group identifier, and the subscription event includes the user plane connection state, the device state after the UE, and the networking state of the 5G VN group.

[0139] Here, the "subscription target" corresponds to the "first information" in the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The "subscription event" corresponds to the "second information" in the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. It should be noted that the specific implementation of the "subscription event" described in the present application example can refer to the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0140] Step 4022: The UPF collects the event information of the UE belonging to the 5G VN group according to the 5G VN group identifier, and when the event occurs, the UPF sends Nupf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying the event report of the UE belonging to the 5G VN group.

[0141] It should be noted that the "Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe" and "Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe" described in the present application example correspond to the "first message" in the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The "Nupf_EventExposure_Notify" described in the present application example corresponds to the "second message" in the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0142] FIG. 4-3 is a flowchart of the event notification method provided by the present application example. In this flow, for the events subscribed by the consumer, the UPF detects the occurrence of the event through the user plane, and then sends a report notification to the consumer. As shown in FIG. 4-3, there are two cases. Case a is that the UPF detects the change of the UE UP connection state, and then sends a notification of the event report to the consumer (AF / NWDAF / NEF). Case b is that the UPF detects that the uplink packet of the UE carries a new source MAC address, and then sends a notification of the event report to the consumer (AF / NWDAF / NEF).

[0143] In case a, the following steps are included:

[0144] Step 4031: The UE (one or more UEs belonging to the 5G VN group) sends user plane data to the UPF.

[0145] Step 4032: After the UPF receives the user plane data, if the data is the first user plane data sent by the UE (i.e., the first user plane data sent by the UE after the UE establishes the PDU session) or the data is the first user plane data sent by the UE after the UE is in the idle state, the UPF detects that the UP connection state of the UE changes.

[0146] Step 4033: The UPF sends Nupf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying an event report, and the event report includes: 5G VN group identifier, UE UP connection state change.

[0147] In case b, the following steps are included:

[0148] Step 4041: The UE (one or more UEs belonging to the 5G VN group) sends user plane data to the UPF.

[0149] Step 4042: After the UPF receives the user plane data, if the UE establishes an Ethernet type PDU session, and the source MAC address of the data is new, the UPF detects that a new device is connected to the UE, i.e., detects that the UE device behind UE event occurs.

[0150] Step 4043: The UPF sends Nupf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying an event report, and the event report includes: 5G VN group identifier, device behind UE.

[0151] Figure 4-4 is a flowchart of the event notification method provided by the present application, in which, for the events subscribed by the consumer, the UPF detects that the 5G VN group on the UPF establishes a PDU session at the group level, which means that the N19 interface is created, the network topology of the 5G VN group changes, and the UPF sends the notification of the event report to the consumer (AF / NWDAF / NEF). As shown in Figure 4-4, the flow includes the following steps:

[0152] Step 4051: UE1 (one UE belonging to the 5G VN group) establishes a PDU session through UPF1.

[0153] Here, UE1 initiates a PDU session establishment request to the network side, and the network side selects UPF1 to provide services for the PDU session of UE1.

[0154] Step 4052: UE2 (another UE belonging to the same 5G VN group) establishes a PDU session through UPF2.

[0155] Here, UE2 initiates a PDU session establishment request to the network side, and the network side selects UPF2 to provide service for the PDU session of UE2.

[0156] Steps 4053-4054: The SMF performs group-level PDU session establishment / modification with the UPF1, and allocates / creates the N19 tunnel to UPF2. The UPF1 detects the group-level PDU session establishment / modification, and creates the N19 tunnel to UPF2.

[0157] Step 4055: The UPF1 sends Nupf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying an event report, which includes: 5G VN group identifier, VN group topology change / N19 tunnel establishment to UPF2.

[0158] Steps 4056-4057: The SMF initiates a group-level PDU session establishment / modification request to the UPF2, and allocates / creates the N19 tunnel to UPF1. The UPF2 detects the group-level PDU session establishment / modification request, and creates the N19 tunnel to UPF1.

[0159] Step 4058: The UPF2 sends Nupf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying an event report, which includes: 5G VN group identifier, VN group topology change / N19 tunnel establishment to UPF1.

[0160] FIG. 4-5 is a flowchart of an event subscription notification method provided by the present application, in which a consumer (AF / NWDAF / NEF) sends an event exposure subscription message to the SMF, and the subscription target is one or more 5G VN groups, each of which can be identified by a 5G VN group identifier, and the subscription event is VN group topology information / N19 tunnel establishment information. When the SMF detects that a group-level PDU session is created for the 5G VN group / that an N19 tunnel is created between UPFs, the SMF sends a notification of the event report to the consumer (AF / NWDAF / NEF). As shown in FIG. 4-5, the flowchart includes the following steps:

[0161] Step 4061: UE1 (a UE belonging to a 5G VN group) establishes a PDU session through UPF1.

[0162] Here, UE1 initiates a PDU session establishment request to the network side, and the network side selects UPF1 to provide service for the PDU session of UE1.

[0163] Step 4062: The AF / NWDAF / NEF sends Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe to the SMF, carrying the subscription target and the subscription event, wherein the subscription target includes the 5G VN group identifier, and the subscription event includes: VN group topology change / N19 tunnel information.

[0164] Step 4063: UE2 (another UE belonging to the same 5G VN group) establishes a PDU session through UPF2.

[0165] Here, UE2 initiates a PDU session establishment request to the network side, and the network side selects UPF2 to provide services for the PDU session of UE2.

[0166] Step 4064: The SMF performs group-level PDU session establishment / modification with UPF1, and allocates / creates N19 tunnel to UPF2.

[0167] Step 4065: The SMF performs group-level PDU session establishment / modification with UPF2, and allocates / creates N19 tunnel to UPF1.

[0168] Step 4066: The SMF detects that the 5G VN group creates a group-level PDU session between UPF1 and UPF2, or the SMF detects that N19 tunnel resources between UPF1 and UPF2 are allocated / created to the UPF.

[0169] Step 4067: The SMF sends Nsmf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying the event report, and the event report includes: 5G VN group identifier, VN group topology change / N19 tunnel establishment.

[0170] Application Example Three

[0171] In this application example, the first network element is taken as the AF / NWDAF / NEF, and the second network element is taken as the UPF for illustration. Among them, the AF / NWDAF / NEF is the UPF event consumer.

[0172] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of event subscription notification provided by the present application example, as shown in FIG. 5, the method can adopt an indirect subscription process, or can also adopt a direct subscription process.

[0173] In the indirect subscription process, the following steps are included:

[0174] Step 5001: The AF / NWDAF / NEF sends Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe to the SMF, carrying the subscription target, wherein the subscription target includes the RAT type, the PDU session type, and the wireless access information.

[0175] Here, the "subscription target" corresponds to the "first information" in the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0176] Step 5002: After the SMF receives the Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe, the SMF sends the Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe to the related UPF, carrying the subscription target, wherein the subscription target includes the RAT type, the PDU session type, and the wireless access information.

[0177] Step 5003: The UPF collects the event information of the UEs belonging to the same RAT type, or the event information of the UEs belonging to the same PDU session type, or the event information of the UEs accessing the same RAN node. When the event occurs, the UPF sends the Nupf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying the event report of the UEs belonging to the same RAT type, or the event report of the UEs belonging to the same PDU session type, or the event report of the UEs accessing the same RAN node.

[0178] In the direct subscription process, the following steps are included:

[0179] Step 5011: The AF / NWDAF / NEF sends the Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe to the UPF, carrying the subscription target, wherein the subscription target includes the RAT type, the PDU session type, and the wireless access information.

[0180] Here, the "subscription target" corresponds to the "first information" in the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0181] Step 5012: The UPF collects the event information of the group of users identified by the first information. When the event occurs, the UPF sends the Nupf_EventExposure_Notify to the AF / NWDAF / NEF, carrying the event report of the group of UEs.

[0182] It should be noted that the "Nsmf_EventExposure_Subscribe" and the "Nupf_EventExposure_Subscribe" described in the present application example correspond to the "first message" in the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The "Nupf_EventExposure_Notify" described in the present application example corresponds to the "second message" in the foregoing description related to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0183] The above technical solution of the embodiments of the present application is that the second network element collects event information of a group of users (or a user group) according to the first information, which can reduce the signaling quantity of event subscription notification on the one hand and enhance the event exposure capability of the second network element on the other hand. Specifically, 1) reducing the influence of collecting a large amount of data from the second network element on network performance. The information subscription notification mechanism based on a group of users (or a user group) is implemented on the second network element, which reduces the quantity of the first message sent by the consumer to the second network element and the quantity of the second message sent by the second network element to the consumer. 2) Real-time acquisition of the networking state of the user group (such as a 5G VN group or a VN group). The AF can collect the topology of the user group from the network side through the NEF / NWDAF. In the topology, in order to shield / reduce the exposure of 5G network information, the second network element can be simulated as a router or a switch serving the user group. When the user group is served by multiple UPFs, the connection mode and the connection state of N19 can be provided in real time, which facilitates network topology monitoring. In view of the fact that industry customers are all based on CPE to access multiple industry terminals in actual 5G local area network applications, the technical solution of the present application provides topology visualization of industry terminal granularity. 3) Based on the networking topology of the user group, the networking routing information of the user group is further acquired. The current UPF completes unicast, broadcast and multicast routing within the user group based on the double detection forwarding mechanism. The technical solution of the present application converts the UPF PDR / FAR mechanism into ordinary routing table information, and realizes deep integration of 5G and existing networks of industry customers.

[0184] Application Example Four

[0185] In the present application example, the first network element is taken as a Management Service (MnS) consumer, and the second network element is taken as a MnS provider. Among them, the NDT faces the MnS consumer as a MnS provider, and the NDT faces the MnS provider as a MnS consumer.

[0186] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of information request and notification provided by the present application example, as shown in FIG. 6, the flowchart includes the following steps:

[0187] Step 601: The MnS consumer sends a request to the NDT as a MnS provider, for requesting 5G local area network topology visualization and user plane traffic modeling (optional).

[0188] Here, the request carries first information and second information; the first information is used to determine the simulated network object, for example, the first information includes a 5G VN group identifier, then the simulated network object is the 5G VN group identified by the 5G VN group identifier; the second information is used to indicate the requested information (such as visualization information of the 5G local area network, user plane traffic model, user plane traffic analysis result, etc.), for example, the second information includes the operation required for the simulated network object. Exemplarily, the operation required for the simulated network object includes 5G local area network topology visualization, user plane traffic modeling, etc.

[0189] Step 602: The NDT as the MnS provider sends a response to the MnS consumer, indicating the status of the request in the response according to the feasibility check (success or failure).

[0190] Step 603: The NDT as the MnS consumer synchronizes network-related information from the MnS provider.

[0191] Here, "synchronization" can be achieved by the first message and / or the second message described in the foregoing scheme, specifically, by interacting the first message and / or the second message between the NDT and the MnS provider, the collection of network-related information is achieved, which is briefly described as synchronization in this step.

[0192] Here, the network-related information is used for 5G local area network topology visualization and user plane traffic modeling (optional). The network-related information includes at least one of the following: 5G VN group identifier, 5G VN group topology, N19 tunnel information, UE behind device status, UE behind device information, and device information for simulating 5G local area network topology. Optionally, the network-related information further includes routing information for modeling user plane traffic, such as packet detection / forwarding rules, etc. Alternatively, the network-related information for 5G local area network topology visualization includes at least one of the following: 5G VN group identifier, 5G VN group topology, N19 tunnel information, UE behind device status, and device information. Optionally, the network-related information for user plane traffic modeling includes routing information, such as packet detection / forwarding rules, etc.

[0193] Step 604: The NDT performs 5G local area network topology simulation and visualization, and user plane traffic modeling (optional) and generates a report.

[0194] Step 605: The NDT as the MnS provider sends a report containing the results to the MnS consumer. Here, the report includes: 5G local area network topology visualization information and user plane traffic model (optional).

[0195] For 5G local area network topology visualization, the 5G local area network topology visualization information is carried in the report.

[0196] For user plane traffic modeling (optional), a 5G LAN user plane traffic model is simulated by network emulation, and the 5G LAN user plane traffic model is carried in the report.

[0197] If the user plane traffic modeling is requested in step 601, the following steps are further included (the following steps are optional steps).

[0198] Step 606: The MnS consumer sends a request to the NDT as the MnS provider, for requesting 5G LAN user plane traffic analysis.

[0199] The user plane traffic analysis here can be a model based on the user plane traffic modeling, simulating sending unicast, multicast and broadcast messages, and analyzing whether a user plane traffic storm or user plane data storm will occur.

[0200] Step 607: The NDT performs 5G LAN user plane traffic analysis and generates a report.

[0201] Step 608: The NDT as the MnS provider sends a report containing the results to the MnS consumer. Here, the report includes: user plane traffic analysis results.

[0202] The NDT simulates user plane traffic impact by network emulation, predicts a user plane traffic storm that may be caused by a loop, and proposes a prevention scheme for the risk prediction, and gives information such as the prevention scheme in the user plane traffic analysis results.

[0203] It should be noted that the user plane traffic impact described above can be a traffic storm analyzed in step 606, and the network emulation model can propose an update of the current network topology, terminal connection, routing information and the like to prevent the traffic storm, i.e., the prevention scheme.

[0204] FIG. 7 is a structural composition diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a first network element, as shown in FIG. 7, the communication device comprises:

[0205] A first sending unit 701 is configured to send a first message to a second network element or to the second network element through at least one network element, the first message carrying first information, and the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, and performance information; and / or,

[0206] A first receiving unit 702 is configured to receive a second message sent by the second network element, and the second message carries at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, and a user group report.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first information is used for determining one or more users or PDU sessions subscribed; or, the first information is used for determining one or more users or PDU sessions requested; wherein the one or more users or PDU sessions are associated with same at least one of: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, radio access information, performance information; or, the first information is used for determining one or more user groups subscribed; or, the first information is used for determining one or more user groups requested.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first message further carries second information, the second information is used for indicating subscribed events or requested information.

[0209] In some embodiments, the subscribed events or requested information comprises at least one of: user plane connection status, device status after user equipment (UE), device information after UE, networking status, QoS monitoring, data usage, data usage trend, TSC management information, simulation information (e.g., visualization information of 5G local area network, user plane traffic model, user plane traffic analysis result).

[0210] In some embodiments, the networking status comprises at least one of: topology, topology information, routing information, N19 tunnel information, N19 tunnel establishment, N19 tunnel modification, N19 tunnel release.

[0211] In some embodiments, the radio access information comprises at least one of: time information, location information.

[0212] In some embodiments, the performance information comprises at least one of: bandwidth information, latency information, jitter information.

[0213] In some embodiments, the user group information comprises at least one of: VN group, 5G VN group, VN group identifier, 5G VN group identifier, combination of VN group corresponding slice and DNN.

[0214] In some embodiments, the user group comprises at least one of: VN group, 5G VN group, combination of VN group corresponding slice and DNN.

[0215] In some embodiments, the first network element comprises at least one of: AF, NWDAF, NEF, SMF, MnS, MnS consumer, NDT; and / or, the second network element comprises at least one of: NEF, SMF, UPF, MDA, PM.

[0216] Those skilled in the art shall understand that the implementation functions of each unit in the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 7 can be understood with reference to the related description of the foregoing method. The functions of each unit in the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 7 can be implemented by a program running on a processor, or by a specific logic circuit.

[0217] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to a second network element. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication apparatus comprises:

[0218] A second receiving unit 801, configured to receive a first message sent by a first network element or sent by the first network element through at least one network element, wherein the first message carries first information, and the first information comprises at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, and performance information; and / or

[0219] A second sending unit 802, configured to send a second message to the first network element, wherein the second message carries at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, and a user group report.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first information is used to determine one or more users or PDU sessions subscribed; or the first information is used to determine one or more users or PDU sessions requested; wherein the one or more users or PDU sessions are associated with the same at least one of the following information: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, and performance information; the first information is used to determine one or more user groups subscribed; or the first information is used to determine one or more user groups requested.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first message further carries second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a subscribed event or requested information.

[0222] In some embodiments, the subscribed event or requested information comprises at least one of the following: user plane connection state, device state after UE, device information after UE, networking state, QoS monitoring, data usage, data usage trend, TSC management information, and simulation information (such as visualization information of 5G local area network, user plane traffic model, and user plane traffic analysis result).

[0223] In some embodiments, the networking state comprises at least one of the following: topology, topology information, routing information, N19 tunnel information, N19 tunnel establishment, N19 tunnel modification, and N19 tunnel release.

[0224] In some embodiments, the wireless access information comprises at least one of the following: time information and location information.

[0225] In some embodiments, the performance information comprises at least one of: bandwidth information, latency information, and jitter information.

[0226] In some embodiments, the user group information comprises at least one of: a VN group, a 5G VN group, a VN group identifier, a 5G VN group identifier, and a combination of a slice and a DNN corresponding to the VN group.

[0227] In some embodiments, the user group comprises at least one of: a VN group, a 5G VN group, and a combination of a slice and a DNN corresponding to the VN group.

[0228] In some embodiments, the second sending unit 802 is configured to send a second message to the first network element when detecting that the subscribed event occurs.

[0229] In some embodiments, the first network element comprises at least one of: an AF, an NWDAF, an NEF, an SMF, an MnS, an MnS consumer, and a DNT; and / or, the second network element comprises at least one of: an NEF, an SMF, an UPF, an MDA, and a PM.

[0230] Those skilled in the art should understand that the implementation functions of each unit in the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 8 can be understood with reference to the related description of the foregoing method. The functions of each unit in the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 8 can be implemented by a program running on a processor, or by a specific logic circuit.

[0231] FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 900 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 shown in FIG. 9 includes a processor 910. The processor 910 can invoke and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0232] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, the communication device 900 can further include a memory 920. The processor 910 can invoke and run a computer program from the memory 920 to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0233] The memory 920 can be a separate device independent of the processor 910, or can be integrated in the processor 910.

[0234] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 9, the communication device 900 can further include a transceiver 930. The processor 910 can control the transceiver 930 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, the transceiver 930 can send information or data to other devices, or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0235] The transceiver 930 can include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver 930 can further include an antenna, and the number of the antenna can be one or more.

[0236] Optionally, the communication device 900 can be specifically a first network element of the embodiments of the present application, and the communication device 900 can implement the corresponding processes in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application that are implemented by the first network element. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein.

[0237] Optionally, the communication device 900 can be specifically a second network element of the embodiments of the present application, and the communication device 900 can implement the corresponding processes in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application that are implemented by the second network element. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein.

[0238] FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to the embodiments of the present application. The chip 1000 shown in FIG. 10 includes a processor 1010, which can call and run a computer program from a memory to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0239] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 10, the chip 1000 can further include a memory 1020. The processor 1010 can call and run a computer program from the memory 1020 to implement the method in the embodiments of the present application.

[0240] The memory 1020 can be a separate device independent of the processor 1010, or can be integrated in the processor 1010.

[0241] Optionally, the chip 1000 can further include an input interface 1030. The processor 1010 can control the input interface 1030 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, information or data sent by other devices or chips can be acquired.

[0242] Optionally, the chip 1000 can further include an output interface 1040. The processor 1010 can control the output interface 1040 to communicate with other devices or chips, and specifically, information or data can be output to other devices or chips.

[0243] Optionally, the chip can be applied to a first network element in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application that are implemented by the first network element. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein.

[0244] Optionally, the chip can be applied to a second network element in the embodiments of the present application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes in the various methods of the embodiments of the present application that are implemented by the second network element. For the sake of brevity, details are not described herein.

[0245] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be referred to as a system chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system on chip, etc.

[0246] It should be understood that the processor of the embodiments of the present application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in the processor or instructions in the form of software. The processor mentioned above can be a general processor, a digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), a ready programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component. The disclosed methods, steps and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed. The general processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can be any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware code processor execution, or executed by hardware and software module combination in the code processor. The software module can be located in the random access memory, the flash memory, the read only memory, the programmable read only memory or the electrically erasable programmable memory, the register, etc. The storage medium is mature in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory, and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0247] It is to be understood that the memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. Among them, the nonvolatile memory can be a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), a programmable read-only memory (Programmable ROM, PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM) used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (Static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (Dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (Synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (Double Data Rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (Enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (Synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the system and method described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0248] It should be understood that the above-mentioned memory is exemplary but not limiting, for example, the memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (synch link DRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory bus random access memory (Direct Rambus RAM, DR RAM) and the like. That is, the memory in the embodiments of the present application is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0249] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium for storing the computer program.

[0250] Optionally, the computer readable storage medium can be applied to the first network element in the embodiment of the present application, and the computer program makes the computer execute the corresponding process realized by the first network element in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0251] Optionally, the computer readable storage medium can be applied to the second network element in the embodiment of the present application, and the computer program makes the computer execute the corresponding process realized by the second network element in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0252] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product comprising computer program instructions.

[0253] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the first network element in the embodiment of the present application, and the computer program instructions make the computer execute the corresponding process realized by the first network element in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0254] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the second network element in the embodiment of the present application, and the computer program instructions make the computer execute the corresponding process realized by the second network element in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0255] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program.

[0256] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the first network element in the embodiment of the present application, and when the computer program runs on the computer, makes the computer execute the corresponding process realized by the first network element in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0257] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the second network element in the embodiment of the present application, and when the computer program runs on the computer, makes the computer execute the corresponding process realized by the second network element in the various methods of the embodiment of the present application, which will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0258] Those skilled in the art can realize that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized in electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software mode depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. The skilled person can use different methods to realize the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0259] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0260] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are only schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0261] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiment scheme.

[0262] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0263] If the functions are realized in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the parts of the prior art that make contributions or parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of software products. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various program code storage media.

[0264] The above merely provides the specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited to this. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of the changes or replacements within the technical range disclosed by the present application, which should be covered in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for communication, the method comprising: sending, by a first network element, a first message to a second network element or to the second network element through at least one network element, the first message carrying first information, the first information comprising at least one of: user group information, radio access technology (RAT) type, packet data unit (PDU) session type, radio access information, performance information; and / or, receiving, by the first network element, a second message sent by the second network element, the second message carrying at least one of: report of one or more users, report of one or more PDU sessions, user group report. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein, the first information is used to determine one or more users or PDU sessions of a subscription; or, the first information is used to determine one or more users or PDU sessions of a request; or, the first information is used to determine one or more user groups of a subscription; or, the first information is used to determine one or more user groups of a request; wherein the one or more users or PDU sessions are associated with same at least one of: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, radio access information, performance information. the first message further carries second information, the second information being used to indicate a subscribed event or a requested information. the subscribed event or the requested information comprises at least one of: user plane connection status, status of a device after a user equipment (UE), information of the device after the UE, networking status, quality of service (QoS) monitoring, data usage, data usage trend, time sensitive communication (TSC) management information, emulation information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, the networking status comprises at least one of: topology, topology information, routing information, N19 tunnel information, N19 tunnel establishment, N19 tunnel modification, N19 tunnel release.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, the radio access information comprises at least one of: time information, location information.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, the performance information comprises at least one of: bandwidth information, latency information, jitter information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, the user group information comprises at least one of: virtual network (VN) group, 5G VN group, VN group identity, 5G VN group identity, combination of a VN group corresponding slice and data network name (DNN).

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, the user group comprises at least one of: VN group, 5G VN group, combination of a VN group corresponding slice and DNN.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, 10.The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, 9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, the first network element comprises at least one of: application function (AF), network data analytics function (NWDAF), network exposure function (NEF), session management function (SMF), management service (MnS), MnS consumer, network digital twin (NDT); and / or, the second network element comprises at least one of: NEF, SMF, user plane function (UPF), NDT, management data analytics (MDA), performance management (PM). 11.A method for communication, the method comprising: ​ ​ The second network element receives a first message sent by the first network element or sent by the first network element through at least one network element, the first message carrying first information, the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, performance information; and / or, The second network element sends a second message to the first network element, the second message carrying at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, a user group report.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first information is used to determine one or more users or PDU sessions subscribed to; Or, The first information is used to determine one or more users or PDU sessions requested; The first information is used to determine one or more user groups subscribed to; or, The first information is used to determine one or more user groups requested; The one or more users or PDU sessions are associated with the same at least one of the following information: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, performance information.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first message further carries second information, the second information being used to indicate a subscribed event or requested information.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The subscribed event or requested information includes at least one of the following: user plane connection state, device state after UE, device information after UE, networking state, QoS monitoring, data usage, data usage trend, TSC management information, simulation information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The networking state includes at least one of the following: topology, topology information, routing information, N19 tunnel information, N19 tunnel establishment, N19 tunnel modification, N19 tunnel release.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein, The wireless access information includes at least one of the following: time information, location information.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein, The performance information includes at least one of the following: bandwidth information, latency information, jitter information.

18. The method of any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein, The user group information includes at least one of the following: VN group, 5G VN group, VN group identifier, 5G VN group identifier, combination of VN group corresponding slice and DNN.

19. The method of any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein, The user group includes at least one of the following: VN group, 5G VN group, combination of VN group corresponding slice and DNN.

20. The method of any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein, The second network element sends a second message to the first network element, including: The second network element sends a second message to the first network element when detecting that a subscribed event occurs.

21. The method of any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein, The first network element includes at least one of the following: AF, NWDAF, NEF, SMF, MnS, MnS consumer, NDT; and / or, The second network element includes at least one of the following: NEF, SMF, UPF, NDT, MDA, PM.

22. A communication device applied to a first network element, the device comprising: A first sending unit configured to send a first message to a second network element or through at least one network element to the second network element, the first message carrying first information, the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, performance information; and / or, The first receiving unit is configured to receive a second message sent by the second network element, the second message carrying at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, and a user group report. 23.A communication apparatus applied to a second network element, the apparatus comprising: The second receiving unit is configured to receive a first message sent by the first network element or sent by the first network element through at least one network element, the first message carrying first information, the first information including at least one of the following: user group information, RAT type, PDU session type, wireless access information, and performance information; and / or, The second sending unit is configured to send a second message to the first network element, the second message carrying at least one of the following: a report of one or more users, a report of one or more PDU sessions, and a user group report.

24. A communication device comprising: A processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, the processor being used to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21. 25.A computer readable storage medium, used to store a computer program, the computer program causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21. 26.A computer program product, comprising computer program instructions, the computer program instructions causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

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