Session Management Network Element IP Address Pool Identifier Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G network architecture, managing IP addresses effectively across multiple session management functions (SMF) to avoid assigning the same IP address to different packet data unit (PDU) sessions, especially when there are a large number of SMF network elements or a limited IP address pool, is a challenge.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method where the session management network element sends an address pool identifier to a server, which manages the IP addresses centrally, ensuring that IP addresses are not duplicated across sessions and are used efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IP address pool is partitioned into segments and configured on different SMF network elements, then IP address duplication is avoided, but IP address utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between multiple SMF network elements and the IP address pool. The server receives address pool identifiers from SMF elements, manages IP address allocation centrally, and assigns unique IP addresses to PDU sessions. This mediator approach maintains IP address uniqueness across all SMF elements while enabling efficient utilization of the entire IP address pool, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Productivity
If multiple SMF network elements are deployed to handle more sessions, then system capacity is improved, but IP address management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the IP address management function from individual SMF network elements and consolidates it into a dedicated server. Each SMF element only needs to send address pool identifiers to the server, while the server handles all IP address allocation decisions. This extraction reduces the complexity burden on each SMF element and enables the deployment of multiple SMF elements to increase system capacity without proportionally increasing management complexity.
3Speed
If IP addresses are assigned locally by each SMF network element, then assignment speed is improved, but IP address duplication occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where SMF network elements send address pool identifiers to the server, and the server responds with assigned IP addresses. The server maintains state information about allocated addresses and provides feedback to ensure uniqueness. This feedback loop preserves the speed advantage of centralized assignment while guaranteeing IP address uniqueness across all PDU sessions, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide an address management method and system, and a device, to avoid a problem that a same IP address is assigned to different PDU sessions and to effectively use IP addresses in an address pool. The method includes: obtaining, by a session management network element, an identifier of a user plane function network element serving a terminal and session information of the terminal; determining, by the session management network element based on the identifier of the user plane function network element and the session information, an address pool identifier corresponding to the session; sending, by the session management network element, the address pool identifier to a server, where the address pool identifier is used to assign an internet protocol IP address to the session; and receiving, by the session management network element from the server, the IP address corresponding to the session.