5G Ethernet Session Routing With MAC-Route Binding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G mobile communications system lacks a defined mechanism for transmitting Ethernet data packets between the user plane function network element (UPF) and the data network (DN), as the transmission mechanisms for IP and non-structured sessions are not applicable to Ethernet sessions.
Innovation Solution
A communication method is provided to establish a transmission mechanism for Ethernet data packets by obtaining and sending media access control (MAC) addresses and route information between the UPF and DN, enabling the application function network element and gateway to determine the transmission path for downlink data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transmission mechanisms for IP and non-structured sessions are used, then those session types can be transmitted, but Ethernet sessions cannot be transmitted because the mechanisms are inapplicable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission mechanism into session-type-specific paths: IP sessions use NAT/tunnel mechanisms, non-structured sessions use PtP tunnel mechanisms, and Ethernet sessions use a newly defined PtP tunnel mechanism with MAC address binding. This segmentation allows each session type to have an optimized transmission path while maintaining overall system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a specific intermediary mechanism for Ethernet sessions that binds MAC addresses to PDU session identifiers. This intermediary layer enables Ethernet session transmission by creating a mapping relationship between Layer 2 MAC addresses and Layer 3/4 session identifiers, allowing Ethernet traffic to traverse the 5G core network infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a new transmission mechanism is defined for Ethernet sessions, then Ethernet data packet transmission is enabled, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal PtP tunnel mechanism that can handle both non-structured sessions and Ethernet sessions. By making the tunnel mechanism multi-functional and adding MAC address binding capabilities, the system avoids creating entirely separate transmission paths for different session types, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining Ethernet session support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by establishing MAC address binding to PDU session identifiers during session setup. This pre-binding of MAC addresses to session contexts allows the transmission mechanism to automatically route Ethernet traffic without requiring complex real-time decision-making, simplifying the forwarding process and reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a communication method and a communications device. A media access control MAC address that is of a terminal device and that is bound to a session and first route information of an interface, corresponding to the session, between a user plane function network element and a data network are obtained, and the obtained media access control MAC address that is of the terminal device and that is bound to the session and the obtained first route information are sent to an application function network element or a gateway of the data network, so that the application function network element and the gateway of the data network determine a transmission path of downlink data from the data network to the UPF based on the first route information. The method includes: obtaining a media access control MAC address that is of a terminal device and that is bound to a session and first route information of an interface, corresponding to the session, between a user plane function network element and a data network; and sending, to an application function network element or a gateway of the data network, the MAC address that is of the terminal device and that is bound to the session and the first route information.