Information processing device, information processing method, and program
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure JP2025021724_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Information Processing Apparatus, Information Processing Method, and Program
[0006] ,
[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program, and relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that enable selection of an optimal server when executing advanced calculation processing in consideration of the processing load of a server, the power demand according to the region of a data center in which the server is arranged, or the surplus power of a building.
[0002] In the mobile communication network, it is assumed that many rich use cases (services that require a large amount of computing resources and are also referred to as high-load services), such as extended reality and autonomous vehicles, will appear in the future.
[0003] Technical Report 22.870 Study on 6G Use Cases and Service Requirements (https: / / portal.3gpp.org / desktopmodules / Specifications / SpecificationDetails.aspx?specificationId=4374)
[0004] Therefore, compared with the conventional mobile communication network, for example, in a 6G mobile communication network, more computing processes are required. In particular, when executing a computing process related to a high-load service using a high-performance server equipped with a GPU or the like, a large amount of power will be consumed.
[0005] However, many of the conventional mobile communication networks have an architecture that centrally processes high-load processing in servers in data centers in urban areas. In addition, with the emergence of MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) and the like, an architecture that centrally processes high-load processing in servers in data centers physically close to the base stations to which UEs (User Equipment) are connected has been added, but there are problems that servers that execute computing processes related to high-load services become overloaded and the power demand according to the region of the data center cannot be considered.
[0006] A cluster management device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device connected to an SMF (Session Management Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of a mobile communication network, using an SBI (Service Based Interface), and is a processing server that executes processing requested by a UE (User Equipment), comprising: a load information acquisition unit that acquires load information, which is information relating to the load of the processing server connected to an external network; a power information acquisition unit that acquires power information, which is information relating to the power supply of the region or building where the processing server is installed, from another device; and a policy generation unit that generates a UPF selection policy based on the load information and the power information, which is referenced when the SMF of the core network sets the node selection logic relating to the selection of a UPF (User Plane Function).
[0007] A cluster management method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for an information processing device connected using an SBI (Service-Based Interface) to an SMF (Session Management Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of a mobile communication network, and includes a load information acquisition step for acquiring load information, which is information relating to the load of a processing server connected to an external network, which is a processing server that executes processing requested by a UE (User Equipment), and power information acquisition step for acquiring power information, which is information relating to the power supply of the region or building where the processing server is installed, from another device, and a policy generation step for generating a UPF selection policy based on the load information and the power information, which is referenced when the SMF of the core network sets node selection logic relating to the selection of a UPF (User Plane Function).
[0008] Each aspect of the present invention may be implemented by a computer, in which case a program that causes the computer to perform each step of the above method, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0009] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a mobile communication network. This figure illustrates an example of UPF selection in a mobile communication network according to this embodiment. This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the MEC selection control device according to this embodiment. This figure shows an example of the arrangement of the MEC selection control device in the core network of a 5G mobile communication network. This figure shows an example of the connection configuration between NewNF in Figure 4 and the power company network, etc. This figure shows an example of the connection configuration between NewNF in Figure 4 and the processing server. This is a sequence diagram illustrating the system procedure of PDU Session Establishment. This figure illustrates the setting of node selection logic by SMF. This is a sequence diagram illustrating a series of processes executed when an AF (Application Function) request requesting a change in traffic routing is sent in a conventional 5G core network. This figure illustrates the timing of the provision of the UPF selection policy by NewNF along with the series of processes shown in Figure 9. This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the UPF selection policy generation process. This figure shows an example of the configuration of a computer that executes the instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function.
[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For ease of understanding, the background and challenges of this disclosure will be described first, followed by a detailed description of the disclosure.
[0011] (Mobile Communication Network) Figure 1 shows an example of a mobile communication network configuration. In this example, a 5G mobile communication network 10 is shown.
[0012] The mobile communication network 10 includes base stations 21 to 23 and MEC (Multi-access_Edge Computing) servers 31 to 33.
[0013] (Base Stations) Each of the base stations 21 to 23 communicates wirelessly with terminal devices (UEs) located within the tracking area indicated by the circles in the figure. In this example, UEs 41 to 43 communicate wirelessly with each of the base stations 21 to 23. The UEs may be terminals such as smartphones or tablet PCs. Alternatively, the UEs may be autonomous vehicles or robots.
[0014] (MEC Servers) Each of the MEC servers 31 to 33 may be a UPF (User Plane Function), PSA (PDU Session Anchor), etc., that connects UE 41 to UE 43 with servers on an external network such as the Internet. Also, each of the MEC servers 31 to 33 may be a processing server that executes processing related to applications run by UE 41 to UE 43, or it may be a system that implements the functions of both a processing server and a PSA through software.
[0015] MEC servers 31 to 33 are each located geographically close to base stations 21 to 23, for example, in a data center. In this example, MEC servers 31 to 33 are provided corresponding to base stations 21 to 23, but the correspondence between MEC servers and base stations is not limited to this. For example, one MEC server may be provided corresponding to two or more base stations. Also, for example, two or more MEC servers may be provided corresponding to one base station.
[0016] (Power supply in each region) Base station 21 is located in region A, and region A is supplied with power generated by the power company's power equipment 51. Base station 22 is located in region B, and region B is supplied with power generated by the power company's power equipment 52. Base station 23 is located in region C, and region C is supplied with power generated by the power company's power equipment 53.
[0017] Regions A, B, and C may represent broad areas or specific addresses, lot numbers, etc. For example, each of Regions A, B, and C may correspond to a single city or town, or to a plot of several hundred square meters. Alternatively, Regions A, B, and C may represent specific buildings (for example, data centers where base stations, MEC servers, etc., are located). In other words, Regions A, B, and C may each be an area or a building; the important thing is to be able to identify the power equipment that supplies power to each base station and MEC server.
[0018] (Transport Network and Core Network) The mobile communication network 10 further includes a transport network 61 and a core network 71.
[0019] The transport network 61 is a network connecting base stations 21 to 23 and MEC servers 31 to 33, and connects base stations 21 to 23 and MEC servers 31 to 33 to the core network 71. The core network 71 is provided with multiple network function units (NF).
[0020] (Selection of UPF by SMF) SMF (Session Management Function), one of the NFs of the core network 71, executes a system procedure to establish a PDU session in response to a request from the UE. This system procedure is called PDU (Protocol Data Unit) Session Establishment, and when executing PDU Session Establishment, SMF selects the UPF to terminate the PDU session.
[0021] To minimize communication delays related to applications running on the UE, the SMF can select a UPF located as close as possible to the base station to which the UE is connected. For example, when an application is running on UE 41, the MEC server 31 near base station 21 is made to function as a processing server, and the SMF selects a UPF (or PSA) corresponding to the MEC server 31.
[0022] However, for example, if UEs are concentrated in a particular region, MEC servers near base stations in that region often experience high processing loads. Furthermore, in recent years, MEC servers have increasingly been used to perform processing using artificial intelligence and machine learning models, and clustered MEC servers equipped with GPUs are also being utilized. Such MEC servers consume a large amount of power, and as the processing volume increases, they may strain the power supply in the region or data center.
[0023] Thus, conventional mobile communication networks had problems such as servers performing computational processing related to high-load services becoming overloaded, and the inability to consider the power demand according to the region of the data center.
[0024] (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In view of the conventional problems described above, in this embodiment, for example, when advanced computational processing is performed in response to a request from a terminal device, it is possible to select the optimal server for performing the advanced computational processing by taking into consideration the processing load of the server, the power demand according to the region of the data center where the server is located, and the surplus power of the data center.
[0025] Figure 2 illustrates an example of UPF selection in a mobile communication network according to this embodiment. Note that, as in Figure 1, Figure 2 shows a 5G mobile communication network 10. As described above, when a PDU Session Establishment is executed, the SMF of the core network 71 selects a UPF to terminate the PDU session. Now, let's assume that a PDU Session Establishment is executed in response to a request from UE41.
[0026] UE41 connects to the mobile communication network 10 by performing wireless communication with base station 21 located in region A. In order to reduce the delay of communication related to the application running on UE41, it is preferable for the SMF to select the MEC server 31 located as close as possible to the base station 21 to which UE41 is connected as the UPF. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, the MEC server 31 has a processing load of 9 (maximum 10), which is high, so it is not desirable to have the MEC server 31 perform any more processing. Also, the surplus power in region A is 1 (minimum 0), so it is not desirable to increase the power demand in region A any further.
[0027] The processing load of MEC server 32, located near base station 22 in region B, is 5, and the surplus power in region B is 6. Also, the processing load of MEC server 33, located near base station 23 in region C, is 5, and the surplus power in region C is 1.
[0028] In this embodiment, in such cases, the SMF is configured to select the UPF corresponding to the MEC server 32. This allows the processing related to the UE41 application to be executed without overloading the server or straining the local power demand.
[0029] (MEC Selection Control Device) Next, the MEC selection control device according to this embodiment will be described. As an example, the MEC selection control device is an information processing device connected via an SBI (Service-Based Interface) to an SMF (Session Management Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of a mobile communication network, and is a processing server that executes processing requested by a UE, and comprises a load information acquisition unit that acquires load information, which is information relating to the load of a processing server connected to an external network, a power information acquisition unit that acquires power information, which is information relating to the power supply of the area or building where the processing server is installed, from other devices, and a policy generation unit that generates a UPF selection policy based on load information and surplus power information, which is referenced by the SMF of the core network when setting node selection logic relating to UPF selection.
[0030] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the MEC selection control device according to this embodiment. In this example, the MEC selection control device 101 includes a load information acquisition unit 121, a power information acquisition unit 122, a policy generation unit 123, and a policy provision unit 124.
[0031] (Load Information Acquisition Unit) The load information acquisition unit 121 acquires load information of the processing server that executes the processing requested by the UE. The processing server may be, for example, MEC server 31, MEC server 32, or MEC server 33 in Figure 2. Alternatively, if MEC server 31, MEC server 32, or MEC server 33 is configured by virtualization in a cluster having multiple servers, for example, some of the servers included in the cluster may be the processing servers. The load information may be information such as CPU usage, memory usage, and response time (delay parameter).
[0032] (Power Information Acquisition Unit) The power information acquisition unit 122 acquires power information for each region where base stations are located (for example, region A, region B, and region C in Figure 2). The power information acquisition unit acquires power information provided by, for example, the power company in each region. The power information may be information such as surplus power and power demand forecasts for the region. In addition, the power information may be information that can be obtained not only from power companies, but also from sources other than power companies, such as the readings of the power meters of the data center where the MEC server is located, surplus power relative to the contracted power amount, and power demand forecasts.
[0033] (Policy Generation Unit) The policy generation unit 123 generates a UPF selection policy based on load information and power information, which the core network's SMF refers to when setting the node selection logic related to UPF selection. As will be described later with reference to Figure 7, when the SMF executes PDU Session Establishment, the SMF selects a UPF to terminate the PDU session. Here, the selection of a UPF also selects a processing server that will execute the processing related to the application executed by the UE. The policy generation unit 123 generates a UPF selection policy so that, for example, as explained with reference to Figure 2, the SMF selects a UPF that corresponds to a processing server capable of executing the processing related to the UE's application without overloading the server and without straining the power supply of the region or data center.
[0034] (Connection of MEC selection control devices in the core network) Figure 4 shows an example of the connection of MEC selection control devices in the core network of a 5G mobile communication network. As shown in the figure, the core network 71 includes NFs such as AMF, SMF, PCF, and NEF, and each NF is interconnected using SBI. SBI is an interface for calling various network function units (NFs) within the core network that are connected by a service-based architecture.
[0035] In this embodiment, the MEC selection control device 101 is shown as NewNF 101 in Figure 4 and is connected to each NF in the core network 71 using SBI. The MEC selection control device 101 may be, for example, one of the NFs included in the core network 71 and configured as a new NF. Alternatively, it may be configured to add functionality to an NF included in the core network 71.
[0036] (Method of acquiring power information) Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the connection configuration between the NewNF in Figure 4 and the power company network, etc. As shown in the figure, the NewNF 101 is connected to the network of power company A, the network of power company B, and the network of power company C. Power companies A, B, and C may be power companies that have power equipment 51, power equipment 52, and power equipment 53, respectively, as shown in Figure 2.
[0037] Furthermore, the NewNF101 may be connected to, for example, a device that calculates the readings of the data center's power meter, surplus power relative to the contracted power amount, and power demand forecasts. In Figure 5, the network related to the device that calculates the readings of the data center's power meter, surplus power relative to the contracted power amount, and power demand forecasts is shown as the data center's internal power network. In other words, it is configured to be able to acquire power information from sources other than the power company.
[0038] NewNF101 is connected to each power company network using an API (Application Programming Interface). However, the connection between the data center's internal power network and NewNF101 may not use an API; other interfaces may be used instead.
[0039] For example, when a predetermined request is sent from NewNF101 in a format defined by an API, power information is provided from a server of each power company network or the like in a format defined by the API. That is, the power information acquisition unit 122 acquires power information from other devices connected using the API. The API request may be transmitted using a conventionally well-known communication protocol such as HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), HTTPS (HTTP Secure), RPC (Remote Procedure Call), SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), or the like.
[0040] The power information acquisition unit 122 may acquire power information, for example, at a predetermined cycle. Alternatively, the power information acquisition unit 122 may acquire power information, for example, triggered by a predetermined event.
[0041] (Load information acquisition method) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the connection form between the NewNF and the processing server in FIG. 4. As shown in the figure, NewNF101 is connected to the processing server 141.
[0042] The processing server 141 is a server connected to an external network DN (Data Network). In this example, the processing server 141 is connected to NewNF101 using SBI. That is, NewNF101 can acquire load information from the processing server 141 using SBI.
[0043] In FIG. 6, NewNF101 is also connected to the processing server 142. The processing server 142 may be a MEC server (or a part thereof).
[0044] The processing server 142 is a server connected to the external network DN. In this example, the processing server 142 is connected to NewNF101 using the API. That is, NewNF101 can acquire load information from the processing server 142 using the API.
[0045] In this way, the load information acquisition unit 121 acquires load information from the processing server 141 and / or the processing server 142 connected using the SBI or API.
[0046] The load information acquisition unit 121 may acquire power information and load information, for example, at a determined period. Alternatively, the load information acquisition unit 121 may acquire load information, for example, triggered by a predetermined event.
[0047] (Generation of UPF Selection Policy by NewNF) The NewNF 101 generates a UPF selection policy based on the power information and load information thus acquired. Then, the SMF sets node selection logic by referring to the UPF selection policy generated by the NewNF 101, and selects a UPF according to the set node selection logic.
[0048] (PDU Session Establishment) FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining the system procedure of PDU Session Establishment. The figure is shown as an excerpt from Figure 4.3.2.2.1-1 of TS 23.502, which is a 3GPP standard specification. In "8. UPF selection" shown in the figure, the SMF selects a UPF.
[0049] (Setting of Node Selection Logic) FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the setting of node selection logic by the SMF. As shown in the figure, the SMF acquires a UPF selection policy from the NewNF using the SBI. The UPF selection policy provided by the NewNF is generated to meet the requirements related to server load and power demand.
[0050] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the SMF also acquires a UPF selection policy from the PCF (Policy Control Function) using the SBI. The PCF is one of the network function parts constituting the core network 71. The UPF selection policy provided by the PCF is generated to meet the requirements related to slices, delay requirements, etc.
[0051] SMF configures the node selection logic by referring to the UPF selection policy provided by NewNF and the UPF selection policy provided by PCF. If the UPF selection policy of PCF and the UPF selection policy of NewNF conflict, SMF configures the node selection logic by prioritizing one of the UPF selection policies, for example, based on guidelines set by the telecommunications carrier of the mobile communication network 10.
[0052] (Provision of UPF Selection Policy) When an AF (Application Function) connected to an NEF (Network Exposure Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network 71 of the mobile communication network 10, sends an AF request to the NEF requesting a change in traffic routing, the policy provision unit 124 provides the SMF with the UPF selection policy generated by the policy generation unit.
[0053] (A series of processes associated with an AF request requesting a change in traffic routing) Figure 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a series of processes executed when an AF request requesting a change in traffic routing is sent from the AF to the NEF in a conventional 5G core network. This figure is shown as Figure 4.3.6.2.1-1 of TS 23.502, a 3GPP standard. In "6. Traffic Routing Reconfiguration" shown in the figure, processes such as updating the UPF used in a given PDU session are executed.
[0054] Prior to this, the PCF updates the SMF's PCC (Policy and Charging Control) Rule (shown as "5. Npcf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify" in Figure 9).
[0055] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the timing of the provision of the UPF selection policy by NewNF 101, along with the series of processes shown in Figure 9. As an example, in "5.1. Nnnf_SMPolicyControl_UpdateNotify" shown in Figure 10, the UPF selection policy is provided from NewNF to SMF. That is, the policy provision unit 124 provides the UPF selection policy to SMF after the PCC Rule of SMF is updated by PCF, which is a network function unit that constitutes the core network of the mobile communication network, but before User Plane Reconfiguration is performed by SMF.
[0056] In this way, the NewNF (MEC selection control device) 101 can be implemented without making significant changes to the core network of the existing 5G mobile communication network.
[0057] (Flow of UPF selection policy generation process) Next, an example of the UPF selection policy generation process by the MEC selection control device according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the UPF selection policy generation process.
[0058] In step S21, the load information acquisition unit 121 acquires load information from the processing server. As described above with reference to Figure 6, the load information acquisition unit 121 may acquire load information from the processing server 141 using SBI, or it may acquire load information from the processing server 142 using API. The process in step S21 may be executed at predetermined intervals, or it may be executed triggered by a predetermined event.
[0059] In step S22, the power information acquisition unit 122 acquires power information for the region where the processing server is installed and for the data center. As described above with reference to Figure 5, the power information acquisition unit 122 acquires power information using an API from servers on each power company's network. The processing in step S22 may be executed at predetermined intervals or triggered by a predetermined event. Also, as described above, the power information may be information that can be obtained from sources other than power companies, such as the reading from the power meter of the data center.
[0060] In step S23, the policy generation unit 123 generates a UPF selection policy that the SMF will refer to when setting the node selection logic related to UPF selection, based on the load information acquired in step S21 and the power information acquired in step S22. The policy generation unit 123 generates a UPF selection policy so that the SMF selects a UPF that corresponds to a processing server capable of executing processing related to the UE's application without overloading the server and without straining the power supply of the region or data center, as explained with reference to Figure 2, for example.
[0061] In this way, the UPF selection policy generation process is executed.
[0062] (Effects of the embodiment) Normally, in order to reduce the delay of communications related to applications running on the UE, the SMF selects a UPF located as close as possible to the base station to which the UE is connected.
[0063] However, for example, if UEs are concentrated in a particular region, MEC servers near base stations in that region often experience high processing loads. Furthermore, in recent years, MEC servers have increasingly performed processing using artificial intelligence and machine learning models, and there has been an increase in MEC servers clustered with servers equipped with GPUs. Such MEC servers consume a lot of power, and as the processing volume increases, they may strain the power supply in the region or data center.
[0064] In this embodiment, the MEC selection control device 101 acquires load information, which is information relating to the load of a processing server connected to an external network that executes processing requested by the UE, and power information, which is information relating to the power supply of the region or building where the processing server is installed, from another device. Based on the load information and power information, a UPF selection policy is generated that the core network's SMF refers to when setting the node selection logic related to UPF selection.
[0065] Then, the SMF refers to the UPF selection policy, sets the node selection logic, and selects the UPF according to the set node selection logic.
[0066] Therefore, according to this embodiment, for example, when advanced computational processing is performed in response to a request from a terminal device, it becomes possible to select the optimal server for performing the advanced computational processing, taking into account the server's processing load and the power demand according to the region of the data center where the server is located.
[0067] (Other Embodiments) In the first embodiment described above, for example, an example was described in which the MEC selection control device 101 is configured as a new NF in the core network 71, as shown with reference to Figure 4. However, the MEC selection control device 101 may also be configured to be integrated with other NFs in the core network 71, for example.
[0068] For example, the MEC selection control device 101 may be configured to be integrated with an NEF (Network Exposure Function), which is one of several NFs in the core network 71.
[0069] Furthermore, the MEC selection control device 101 may be configured to be integrated with, for example, an NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function), which is one of a plurality of NFs in the core network 71.
[0070] Alternatively, some of the functions of the MEC selection control device 101 may be implemented in the NEF, and the other parts of the functions of the MEC selection control device 101 may be implemented in the NWDAF.
[0071] Thus, the MEC selection control device 101 according to this embodiment may be implemented by adding functionality to the NF included in the core network of a conventional mobile communication network.
[0072] (Example of implementation by software) The MEC selection control device 101 described above is a program for making a computer function, and can be implemented by a program for making a computer function as the MEC selection control device 101. In this case, the MEC selection control device 101 includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the above program. An example of such a computer is shown in Figure 12.
[0073] The computer 500 includes at least one processor 501 and at least one memory 502. The memory 502 stores a program 520 for operating the computer 500 as a MEC selection control device 101. In the computer 500, the processor 501 reads and executes this program 520 from the memory 502, thereby realizing the various functions of the MEC selection control device 101.
[0074] The processor 501 can be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an FPU (Floating Point Number Processing Unit), a PPU (Physics Processing Unit), a microcontroller, or a combination thereof.
[0075] For memory 502, for example, flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or a combination thereof can be used.
[0076] Furthermore, the computer 500 may also be equipped with RAM (Random Access Memory) for deploying the program 520 at runtime and for temporarily storing various data. The computer 500 may also be equipped with a communication interface for sending and receiving data with other devices. Furthermore, the computer 500 may also be equipped with an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, display, and printer.
[0077] Furthermore, the program 520 for operating the computer 500 as the MEC selection control device 101 can be recorded on a tangible, non-temporary recording medium 530 that the computer 500 can read. Such a recording medium 530 could be, for example, a tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit. The computer 500 can acquire the program 520 via such a recording medium 530.
[0078] Furthermore, the program 520 for operating the computer 500 as the MEC selection control device 101 can be transmitted via a transmission medium. Such a transmission medium can be, for example, a communication network or broadcast waves. The computer 500 can also acquire the program 520 via such a transmission medium.
[0079] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the MEC selection control device 101 can also be implemented by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as the above-mentioned control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to implement the functions of the above-mentioned control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.
[0080] According to each aspect of the present invention described above, by achieving the effects described above, it is possible to contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9, "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation," and Goal 7, "Ensure affordable and clean energy for all."
[0081] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.
[0082] [Summary] The apparatus according to aspect 1 of the present invention is an information processing apparatus connected using an SBI (Service-Based Interface) to an SMF (Session Management Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of a mobile communication network, and is a processing server that executes processing requested by a UE, and comprises a load information acquisition unit that acquires load information, which is information relating to the load of a processing server connected to an external network, a power information acquisition unit that acquires power information, which is information relating to the power supply of the area or building where the processing server is installed, from another device, and a policy generation unit that generates a UPF selection policy, which the SMF of the core network refers to when setting node selection logic relating to UPF selection, based on the load information and the power information.
[0083] In the apparatus according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, in embodiment 1 described above, the load information acquisition unit acquires the load information from the processing server connected using SBI or API.
[0084] In the apparatus according to embodiment 3 of the present invention, in embodiment 1 or 2 described above, the power information acquisition unit acquires the power information from the other device connected using an API.
[0085] The apparatus according to aspect 4 of the present invention further comprises a policy provision unit that, in any of aspects 1 to 3 described above, provides the SMF with a UPF selection policy generated by the policy generation unit when an AF (Application Function) connected to an NEF (Network Exposure Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of the mobile communication network, sends an AF request to the NEF requesting a change in traffic routing.
[0086] In the apparatus according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in aspect 4 described above, the policy providing unit provides the UPF selection policy to the SMF after the PCC (Policy and Charging Control) Rule of the SMF is updated by the PCF (Policy Control Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of the mobile communication network, and before User Plane Reconfiguration is performed by the SMF.
[0087] A method according to aspect 6 of the present invention is an information processing method for an information processing device connected using an SBI (Service-Based Interface) to an SMF (Session Management Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of a mobile communication network, and includes a load information acquisition step of acquiring load information, which is information relating to the load of a processing server connected to an external network, which is a processing server that executes processing requested by a UE; a power information acquisition step of acquiring power information, which is information relating to the power supply of the area or building where the processing server is installed, from another device; and a policy generation step of generating a UPF selection policy based on the load information and the power information, which is referenced by the SMF of the core network when setting node selection logic relating to UPF selection.
[0088] The program according to aspect 8 of the present invention causes a computer to function as an information processing device connected to an SMF (Session Management Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of a mobile communication network, using an SBI (Service Based Interface), and is a processing server that executes processing requested by a UE, comprising: a load information acquisition unit that acquires load information, which is information relating to the load of a processing server connected to an external network; a power information acquisition unit that acquires power information, which is information relating to the power supply of the area or building where the processing server is installed, from another device; and a policy generation unit that generates a UPF selection policy, which the SMF of the core network refers to when setting node selection logic relating to UPF selection, based on the load information and the power information.
[0089] 10 Mobile communication network 21 to 23 Base stations 31 to 33 MEC servers 61 Transport network 71 Core network 51 to 53 Power equipment 101 MEC selection control device 121 Load information acquisition unit 122 Power information acquisition unit 123 Policy generation unit 124 Policy provision unit
Claims
1. An information processing device connected to an SMF (Session Management Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of a mobile communication network, using an SBI (Service Based Interface), the information processing device comprises: a processing server that executes processing requested by a UE (User Equipment), a load information acquisition unit that acquires load information, which is information relating to the load of the processing server connected to an external network; a power information acquisition unit that acquires power information, which is information relating to the power supply of the region or building where the processing server is installed, from another device; and a policy generation unit that generates a UPF selection policy, which the SMF of the core network refers to when setting node selection logic relating to the selection of a UPF (User Plane Function), based on the load information and the power information.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the load information acquisition unit acquires the load information from the processing server connected using SBI or API (Application Programming Interface).
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power information acquisition unit acquires the power information from the other device connected using an API.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a policy providing unit that provides the SMF with the UPF selection policy generated by the policy generation unit when an AF (Application Function) connected to an NEF (Network Exposure Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of the mobile communication network, sends an AF request to the NEF requesting a change in traffic routing.
5. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the policy providing unit provides the UPF selection policy to the SMF after the PCC (Policy and Charging Control) Rule of the SMF has been updated by the PCF (Policy Control Function), which is a network function unit constituting the core network of the mobile communication network, and before User Plane Reconfiguration is performed by the SMF.
6. An information processing method for an information processing device connected to an SBI (Service-Based Interface) using a network function unit SMF (Session Management Function) which constitutes the core network of a mobile communication network, the method comprising: a load information acquisition step of acquiring load information, which is information relating to the load of a processing server connected to an external network, which is a processing server that executes processing requested by a UE (User Equipment); a power information acquisition step of acquiring power information, which is information relating to the power supply of the region or building where the processing server is installed, from another device; and a policy generation step of generating a UPF selection policy, based on the load information and the power information, which is referenced when the SMF of the core network sets node selection logic relating to the selection of a UPF (User Plane Function).
7. A program that causes a computer to function as an information processing device connected to an SMF (Session Management Function) and an SBI (Service-Based Interface), which are network function units constituting the core network of a mobile communication network, and comprising a load information acquisition unit that acquires load information, which is information relating to the load of a processing server connected to an external network; a power information acquisition unit that acquires power information, which is information relating to the power supply of the region or building where the processing server is installed, from another device; and a policy generation unit that generates a UPF selection policy, which is referenced by the SMF of the core network when setting node selection logic relating to the selection of a UPF (User Plane Function), based on the load information and the power information.