Network Repository Function Selecting Session Management Element
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, selecting the appropriate Session Management Function (SMF) network element to provide services for terminal devices is challenging due to the division of SMF network elements based on administrative regions, which hinders seamless session management and access to data networks across different locations.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and system architecture that involves a Mobility Management Network Element and a Network Repository Function (NRF) to select the target SMF based on the data network name and location of the terminal device, ensuring that the SMF can manage user-plane function network elements across different regions, thereby enabling access to desired data networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If SMF network elements are divided based on administrative regions, then device complexity is reduced and management is simplified, but session management continuity is compromised when terminal devices move between regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments SMF network elements by administrative regions, with each SMF responsible for specific geographic areas. This segmentation allows simplified local management while the system as a whole maintains continuity through coordinated inter-region session management and terminal device mobility handling.
2Ease of operation
If SMF network elements are divided by administrative regions, then ease of operation is improved for local management, but adaptability to terminal device movement across regions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic session management where the system can adapt SMF selection based on terminal device location. When terminals move between administrative regions, the system dynamically adjusts session management by selecting appropriate SMF network elements, thereby maintaining both local operational simplicity and cross-region adaptability.
3Reliability
If a single SMF serves all terminal devices regardless of location, then session management continuity is maintained, but device complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific SMF network elements to specific administrative regions, where each SMF is optimized for its local context. This regional specialization reduces overall system complexity compared to a universal SMF, while session continuity is maintained through coordinated inter-region session management mechanisms.
4Device complexity
If SMF selection is based solely on administrative region, then management is simplified, but ability to access desired data networks deteriorates when terminal location changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors terminal device location and data network access requirements. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically selects appropriate SMF network elements that can provide both simplified regional management and adequate data network access capability, resolving the contradiction between management simplicity and access versatility.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4A
AI summary
This application provides a communication method and a communications apparatus, and the communication method includes: receiving, by a network repository network element, a first request message from a mobility management network element, where the first request message carries a data network name of a session that a terminal device requests to establish; determining, by the network repository network element based on the first request message, at least one target session management network element from session management network elements that support the data network name; and sending, by the network repository network element, an identifier of the at least one target session management network element to the mobility management network element. According to the communication method and the communications apparatus in embodiments of this application, a session management network element can be selected to provide a service for a terminal device.