5G Fixed Network Access via AGF Session Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G network architecture does not support user equipment accessing the 5G core network through a fixed network, limiting the versatility of network access methods.
Innovation Solution
A session management method and apparatus that enables user equipment to access a 5G converged core network by establishing a PDU session through a fixed network, using non-access stratum (NAS) messages and access gateway functions, with specific implementations involving PPPoE sessions, L2/L3 Ethernet sessions, and GRE tunnels to map PDU sessions to access sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the 5G core network architecture is designed to support only mobile network access, then the network architecture remains simple and focused, but the versatility and adaptability of network access methods are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The Access Gateway Function (AGF) is designed to handle multiple access types (mobile and fixed networks) through a unified interface. The AGF can process NAS messages from both 3GPP access (gNB) and non-3GPP access (fixed network), enabling the 5G core network to support diverse access methods while maintaining a relatively simple core architecture. This multi-functionality allows the same core network elements to serve different access technologies without requiring separate dedicated structures for each access type.
Solution Approach 2:
The Access Gateway Function (AGF) acts as an intermediary between the fixed network and the 5G core network. It translates and adapts messages between different access types, converting fixed network access requests into formats that the 5G core network can process. This intermediary layer enables fixed network access without requiring fundamental changes to the core network architecture, thus improving versatility while controlling complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If user equipment accesses the 5G core network through fixed network, then network flexibility is enhanced, but the complexity of session management increases due to mapping requirements between PDU sessions and access sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The session management process is segmented into distinct functional stages: access session establishment, PDU session establishment, and mapping between them. The AGF first establishes an access session with the user equipment through the fixed network, then separately establishes a PDU session with the 5G core network, and finally creates a mapping relationship between these two sessions. This segmentation allows each stage to be managed independently, reducing the overall complexity of session management while enabling flexible fixed network access.
Solution Approach 2:
The access session is established preliminarily before the PDU session is created. The AGF first sets up the access session between the user equipment and the fixed network, obtaining access session parameters in advance. Then, using these pre-established access session parameters, the AGF proceeds to establish the PDU session with the 5G core network. This preliminary action simplifies the overall process by preparing the access layer first, making the subsequent PDU session establishment and mapping more straightforward.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a session management method and an apparatus. The technology is specifically related to sending, by user equipment, a NAS message to an AGF, where the NAS message includes a PDU session establishment request message used to request to establish a PDU session, receiving, by the user equipment, a PDU session establishment accept message returned by a network side device, and establishing, by the user equipment, an access session with the AGF, where the access session is an access session related to the PDU session. The user equipment sends the NAS message to establish the PDU session, and establishes the access session with the AGF. Because the access session is related to the PDU session, the user equipment can map the PDU session to the access session, so that the user equipment accesses a 5G CN through a fixed network.