CN110365727A - Communication method and related device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication device. The communication method includes: the tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from the session management function network element, the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier and the first address information of the first user plane function network element, It is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal; the tunnel endpoint network element generates the context of the first terminal according to the first message, and records the group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal , and record the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal as the first address information. The communication method and communication device provided by the present application help to more conveniently manage the address information of the UPF network element on the AN.

Description

Communication method and related device

technical field

The present application relates to the field of communication, and more particularly, to communication methods and related devices.

Background technique

In the communication system, during the process of establishing a packet data unit (PDU) session for a terminal (user equipment, UE) to access a data network (data), the session management function (session management function, SMF) network element will allocate the Internet to the terminal. The protocol (internet protocol, IP) address and the N3 interface IP address of the user plane function (UPF) network element, where the IP address assigned by the SMF network element to the terminal needs to belong to the route released by the UPF network element address pool.

When the SMF network element learns that the UPF network element is faulty or overloaded, the SMF network element will select a new UPF network element that can replace the UPF network element, and rebuild the faulty or overloaded UPF network element on the new UPF network element. PDU session.

During the reestablishment process of the PDU session, the SMF needs to send a PDU session creation request message and a PDU session update message to the new UPF network element and the UE's access network (access network, AN) respectively. The new UPF network element will create the PDU session of the UE according to the session creation request message, and the AN will update the N3 interface IP address in the UE context according to the PDU session update message.

Among them, the SMF network element needs to send a PDU session update message to the AN for each PDU session on the faulty or overloaded UPF network element, so as to update the N3 interface IP address of the UPF network element recorded in the UE context. This results in high signaling overhead.

Contents of the invention

The present application provides a communication method and a communication device, which are helpful for more convenient management of address information of user plane functional network elements.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The communication method includes: the tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from the session management function network element, the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier and the first address information of the first user plane function network element, It is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal; the tunnel endpoint network element generates the context of the first terminal according to the first message, and records the group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal , and record the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal as the first address information.

In this communication method, the tunnel endpoint network element receives the first message from the session management function network element, and the first message not only includes the address information of the user plane function network element, but also includes the group identification information of the first terminal, which is helpful for subsequent In the process, it is more convenient to manage the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal.

With reference to the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the communication method further includes: the tunnel endpoint network element receives a second message from the session management function network element, and the second message includes the first group identifier and the second user The second address information of the plane function network element is used to request to modify the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier to the second address information; the tunnel endpoint The network element determines the first terminal according to the first group identifier in the second message, and modifies the first address information in the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal to the second address information.

In this implementation, the tunnel endpoint network element receives the second message from the session management function network element, and updates the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals corresponding to the first group identifier in batches according to the second message, so that The convenience of managing the address information of the user plane function network element of the terminal can be improved.

With reference to the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a third possible implementation manner, the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

In a second aspect, the present application proposes a communication method. The communication method includes: the tunnel endpoint network element receives a second message from the session management function network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request the first modifying the address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the group identifier to the second address information;

The tunnel endpoint network element records the address information of the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier as the second address information according to the second message.

In this communication method, the tunnel end point network element receives the second message from the session management network element, and modifies the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals into the second address information according to the second message, thereby improving the communication efficiency. The management convenience of the address information of the user plane function network element of the terminal.

With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the second message is a packet data unit modification request message.

With reference to the second aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in a second possible implementation manner, the one or more terminals in the first group include the first terminal.

Wherein, before the tunnel endpoint network element receives the second message from the session management function network element, the communication method further includes:

The tunnel endpoint network element receives the first message from the session management function network element, the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to be the second a terminal creates a packet data unit session;

The tunnel endpoint network element generates the context of the first terminal according to the first message, and records the group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and records the user plane function network element of the first terminal The address information is first address information.

According to the second message, the tunnel endpoint network element records the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier as the second address information, including:

The tunnel endpoint network element modifies the first address information in the address information of the user plane function network element of the first terminal to the second address information according to the second message.

In this implementation, the tunnel endpoint network element first receives the first group identifier of the first terminal from the session management function network element, which helps the tunnel endpoint network element to assign the first group identifier corresponding to one or The address information of the user plane functional network elements of the multiple terminals is updated to the second address information.

With reference to the second possible implementation manner, in a third possible implementation manner, the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The communication method includes: the session management function network element determines that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal; the session management function network element obtains the first user plane function network element of the first terminal; the session management function network element obtains the first terminal's The first group identifier: the session management function network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, and the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier and the first address information of the first user plane function network element , used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

In this communication method, the session management function network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, and the first message not only includes the address information of the user plane function network element, but also includes the group identification information of the first terminal, which is helpful for subsequent In the process, it is more convenient to manage the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal.

With reference to the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

With reference to the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in the second possible implementation manner, the learning of the first group identifier of the first terminal by the session management function network element includes:

The network element with the session management function acquires the address information of the first terminal;

The session management function network element determines that the address of the first terminal belongs to the first address segment according to the address information of the first terminal;

The session management function network element determines the first group identifier according to the first address segment.

With reference to the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in the third possible implementation manner, the network element with the session management function acquires the first group identifier of the first terminal, including:

The session management functional network element receives first indication information from the first user plane functional network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier;

The session management function network element determines the first group identifier according to the first indication information.

In combination with the third aspect or any one of the first to third possible implementation manners, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the communication method further includes:

The session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element;

The network element with the session management function acquires the first group identifier, where the first group identifier corresponds to the first address segment;

The session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request the The address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group is modified to the second address information.

In this implementation, the session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel end point network element, so that the tunnel end point network element can update the user plane function network elements of one or more terminals corresponding to the first group identifier in batches according to the second message The address information of the terminal can improve the convenience of managing the address information of the user plane function network element of the terminal.

With reference to the fourth possible implementation manner, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the second message is a packet data unit session modification request message.

In combination with the fourth or fifth possible implementation, in a sixth possible implementation, the network element with the session management function obtains the first group identifier, including: A first group identifier corresponding to an address segment.

With reference to the fourth or fifth possible implementation, in a seventh possible implementation, the session management function network element obtains the first group identifier, including: the session management function network element records the context of the first terminal The group identifier of is determined as the first group identifier.

In combination with any of the fourth to seventh possible implementations, in the eighth possible implementation, the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user Surface functional network elements, including:

The session management functional network element determines that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane functional network element according to the load information of the user plane functional network element currently associated with the first address segment.

In combination with any of the fourth to seventh possible implementations, in the ninth possible implementation, the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user Surface functional network elements, including:

The session management function network element receives second indication information from the first network element, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane function network element;

The session management functional network element determines according to the second indication information that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane functional network element.

Wherein, the first network element may store network elements for network functions or operate, manage and maintain system network elements.

With reference to any one of the fourth to ninth possible implementation manners, in the tenth possible implementation manner, the first address segment corresponds to multiple group identifiers, and the multiple group identifiers include the first group identifier .

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The communication methods include:

The session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element;

The network element with the session management function acquires the first group identifier, where the first group identifier corresponds to the first address segment;

The session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request the The address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group is modified to the second address information.

In the communication method, the session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel end point network element, so that the tunnel end point network element can modify the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals to the second address according to the second message Information, so as to improve the convenience of managing the address information of the user plane functional network element of the terminal.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the second message is a packet data unit modification request message.

With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible implementation, in the second possible implementation, the network element with the session management function obtains the first group identifier, including:

The session management function network element determines the first group identifier corresponding to the first address segment according to the first address segment.

With reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in the third possible implementation manner, the network element with the session management function obtains the first group identifier, including:

The session management function network element determines the group identifier recorded in the context of the first terminal as the first group identifier.

In combination with the fourth aspect or any one of the possible implementations from the first to the third, in the fourth possible implementation, the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to modify It is the second user plane functional network element, including:

The session management functional network element determines that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane functional network element according to the load information of the user plane functional network element currently associated with the first address segment.

In combination with the fourth aspect or any one of the first to third possible implementations, in the fifth possible implementation, the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to modify It is the second user plane functional network element, including:

The session management function network element receives second indication information from the first network element, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane function network element;

The session management functional network element determines according to the second indication information that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane functional network element.

With reference to the fourth aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a sixth possible implementation manner, the one or more terminals in the first group include the first terminal.

Wherein, before the session management function network element sends the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the communication method further includes:

The session management function network element determines that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal;

The session management function network element learns the first user plane function network element of the first terminal;

The network element with the session management function acquires the first group identifier of the first terminal;

The session management function network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, and the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request to be the second A terminal creates a packet data unit session.

In this implementation, the network element with the session management function first sends the first group identifier of the first terminal to the tunnel endpoint network element, which helps the tunnel endpoint network element to assign one or more terminals corresponding to the first group identifier according to the second message. The address information of the user plane functional network elements of the multiple terminals is updated to the second address information.

With reference to the sixth possible implementation manner, in a seventh possible implementation manner, the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message.

With reference to the sixth or seventh possible implementation, in an eighth possible implementation, the network element with the session management function acquires the first group identifier of the first terminal, including:

The network element with the session management function acquires the address information of the first terminal;

The session management function network element determines that the address of the first terminal belongs to the first address segment according to the address information of the first terminal;

The session management function network element determines the first group identifier according to the first address segment.

With reference to the sixth or seventh possible implementation, in a ninth possible implementation, the network element with the session management function acquires the first group identifier of the first terminal, including:

The session management functional network element receives first indication information from the first user plane functional network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier;

The session management function network element determines the first group identifier according to the first indication information.

With reference to the fourth aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a tenth possible implementation manner, the first address segment corresponds to multiple group identifiers, and the multiple group identifiers include the first group identifier.

With reference to any one of the fourth to ninth possible implementation manners, in the tenth possible implementation manner, the first address segment corresponds to multiple group identifiers, and the multiple group identifiers include the first group identifier .

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The communication method includes: the user plane functional network element determines the address information of the first terminal; the user plane functional network element determines the first group identifier of the first terminal according to the address information of the first terminal, and the first group identifier to which the address of the first terminal belongs There is a corresponding relationship between an address segment and the first group identifier; the user plane functional network element sends the first group identifier to the session management functional network element.

In this communication method, the user plane functional network element assigns a group identifier to the first terminal, which facilitates management of the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal according to the first group identifier of the first terminal in subsequent processes.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first address segment corresponds to multiple group identifiers, and the multiple group identifiers include the first group identifier.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The communication method includes: the first network element determines that the terminal in the first address segment is served by the second user plane function network element; the first network element sends second indication information to the session management function network element, and the second indication information is used to indicate Terminals in the first address segment are served by the second user plane functional network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first network element determines that the terminals in the first address segment are served by the second user plane function network element, including: the first network element according to the second user plane function network element load information to determine that the terminals in the first address segment are served by the second user plane functional network element.

With reference to the sixth aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in the two possible implementation manners, the first network element is a network function storage network element or an operation management and maintenance system network element.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The communication methods include:

The first network element receives the third message sent by the session management function network element;

The first network element learns that the user plane functional network element is online;

The first network element allocates a TEID segment to the user plane functional network element, and sends a fourth message to the session management functional network element, where the fourth message includes the TEID segment.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in a first possible implementation manner, the first network element assigns a TEID segment to the user plane functional network element, including:

The first network element allocates a corresponding TEID segment to the session management functional network element subscribing to the state of the user plane functional network element.

With reference to the seventh aspect or the first possible implementation manner, in the second possible implementation manner, the third message is a user plane functional network element status subscription message, and the fourth message is a user plane functional network element status notification message.

With reference to the seventh aspect or the first or second possible implementation manner, in the three possible implementation manners, the first network element is a network function storage network element or an operation management and maintenance system network element.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a module for executing the communication method in any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect. The modules included in the communication device may be implemented by means of software and/or hardware.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a tunnel endpoint network element. The tunnel endpoint network element includes a processor and a receiver. The processor is used to execute programs. When the processor executes the code, the processor and the receiver realize the communication method in the first aspect or the second aspect.

Optionally, the tunnel endpoint network element may also include a transmitter. Transmitters are used to send messages.

Optionally, the tunnel endpoint network element may also include a memory. Memory is used to store programs and data.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a network element with a session management function. The session management function network element includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is used to execute programs. When the processor executes the code, the processor and the transceiver implement the communication method in the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

Optionally, the session management function network element may also include a memory. Memory is used to store programs and data.

In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a user plane functional network element. The user plane functional network element includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is used to execute programs. When the processor executes the code, the processor and the transceiver implement the communication method in the fifth aspect.

Optionally, the user plane functional network element may also include a memory. Memory is used to store programs and data.

In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication network element. The communication network element includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is used to execute programs. When the processor executes the code, the processor and the transceiver implement the communication method in the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect.

Optionally, the communication network element may also include a memory. Memory is used to store programs and data.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores program codes for execution by the communication device or the tunnel endpoint network element. The program code includes instructions for executing the communication method in the first aspect or the second aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores program codes for execution by the communication device or the session management function network element. The program code includes instructions for executing the communication method in the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores program codes for execution by the communication device or the user plane functional network element. The program code includes instructions for executing the communication method in the fifth aspect.

In a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores program codes for execution by the communication device or the communication network element. The program code includes instructions for executing the communication method in the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect.

In a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product runs on the communication device or the tunnel endpoint network element, the communication device or the tunnel endpoint network element executes the communication method in the first aspect or the second aspect.

In an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product runs on the communication device or the session management function network element, the communication device or the session management function network element executes the communication method in the third aspect or the fourth aspect.

In a nineteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product runs on the communication device or the user plane functional network element, the communication device or the user plane functional network element is made to execute the communication method in the fifth aspect.

In a twentieth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions. When the computer program product runs on the communication device or the communication network element, it causes the communication device or the communication network element to execute the communication method in the sixth aspect or the seventh aspect.

In a twenty-first aspect, the present application provides a system chip, the system chip includes an input and output interface, at least one processor, at least one memory and a bus, the at least one memory is used to store instructions, and the at least one processor is used to call Instructions of the at least one memory are used to perform the operation of the communication method in any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect.

In a twenty-second aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which includes at least one of the following: the tunnel endpoint network element in the ninth aspect, the session management function network element in the tenth aspect, the eleventh aspect The user plane function network element and the communication network element in the twelfth aspect.

In a possible design, the communication system may further include other devices, such as terminal devices, that interact with the foregoing network elements in the solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system to which a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application can be applied;

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to another embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system to which the communication method of the embodiment of the present application can be applied. The communication system shown in FIG. 1 may include a terminal device 110, an access network device 120, an access and mobility management functional network element 130, a session management functional network element 140, a user plane functional network element 151, a user plane functional network element 152. Data network 160.

Optionally, the communication system shown in FIG. 1 may further include a network function storage function network element 170 and an operation management and maintenance system network element 180 .

The network formed by the access and mobility management functional network element 130, the session management functional network element 140, the user plane functional network element 151 and the user plane functional network element 152 may be called a core network. Wherein, the session management functional network element 140 may manage multiple user plane functional network elements, such as the user plane functional network element 151 and the user plane functional network element 152 .

Terminal equipment can communicate with one or more core networks via AN equipment. A terminal device can be called an access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless network equipment, user agent, or user device. A terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities , computing devices or other devices connected to wireless modems, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices or Internet of Things, vehicle networks, terminal devices in smart cities or smart homes, and any form of terminal devices in future networks. Terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; it can also be deployed on water (such as ships, etc.); it can also be deployed in the air (such as on aircraft, balloons, and satellites, etc.).

An access network (access network, AN) device may be a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) device. An example of a RAN device is a base station (base station, BS).

A base station, also known as a base station device, is a device that connects terminal devices to a wireless network, including but not limited to: transmission reception point (TRP), 5G Node B (gNB), and evolved Node B (evolved node B, eNB), radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), node B (nodeB, NB), base station controller (base station controller, BSC), base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), home A base station (for example, home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), a base band unit (base band unit, BBU), or a Wifi access point (access point, AP), or a small cell device (pico), etc.

It should be understood that the specific type of the base station is not limited herein. In systems using different radio access technologies, the names of equipment with base station functions may be different. For the convenience of description, in all the embodiments of the present application, the above-mentioned devices that provide wireless communication functions for terminals are collectively referred to as base stations.

The user plane function network element has functions such as packet forwarding, encapsulation and statistics of terminal equipment. In 5G, the user plane functional network element may be a UPF network element. In future communication systems, for example, in 6G, the user plane functional network element may still be a UPF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

The access and mobility management function network element is responsible for the access and mobility management of terminal equipment. For example, it is responsible for terminal device location update, terminal device registration network or terminal device switching, etc. In 5G, the access and mobility management function network element may be an AMF (access and mobility management function) network element. In future communication systems, for example, in 6G, the access and mobility management functional network element may still be an AMF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

The session management function network element is responsible for the selection and reselection of user plane function network elements, the allocation of Internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) addresses, etc., and may also be responsible for the establishment, modification, and release of sessions. In 5G, the session management function network element may be an SMF network element. In future communication systems, for example, in 6G, the session management function network element may still be an SMF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

The network function storage function network element is responsible for the registration of the control plane function network element and the user plane function network element, service discovery and other functions. In 5G, the network function storage function network element may be an NRF (network function repository function) network element. In the future communication system, for example, in 6G, the network function storage function network element may still be an NRF network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

The operation management and maintenance system network element is responsible for the operation, management and maintenance functions of each network element. In 5G, the operation management and maintenance system network element can be an OAM (operations administration and maintenance) network element. In the future communication system, for example, in 6G, the operation management and maintenance system network element may still be an OAM network element, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

A data network refers to an operator network that provides data transmission services for terminal devices. For example, the data network may be a network that provides IP multimedia services (IP multi-media, IMS), Internet services and other services. In 5G, the data network can be DN (data network). In future communication systems, for example, in 6G, the data network may still be called DN, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

It can be understood that the above function can be a network element in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualization function instantiated on a platform (for example, a cloud platform).

It should be understood that the embodiment of the present application is not limited to the system architecture shown in FIG. 1 . For example, the communication system to which the communication method of the embodiment of the present application can be applied may include more or less network elements or devices. The devices or network elements in FIG. 1 may be hardware, or functionally divided software, or a combination of the above two. The devices or network elements in Figure 1 may communicate with each other through other devices or network elements. Alternatively, the devices in Figure 1 may have other names.

In the communication system shown in FIG. 1, during the establishment of the PDU session of the terminal device 110, the session management function network element 140 may send the N3 interface IP address of the user plane function network element 151 to the access network device 120, so as to facilitate access The network device 120 sends the service data of the terminal device 10 to the user plane functional network element 151 according to the N3 interface IP address.

When the session management functional network element learns that the user plane functional network element 151 is faulty or overloaded, the session management functional network element 140 may select the user plane functional network element 152 to replace the user plane functional network element 151 . In addition, the session management function network element 140 will, for each PDU session on the user plane function network element 151, send a message of the user plane function network element 152 to the access network device 120 through the access and mobility management function network element 130 IP address of the N3 interface.

This method of updating the IP address of the N3 interface of the user plane functional network element will reduce the convenience of managing the address information of the user plane functional network element on the access network device 120 by the session management functional network element 140 .

To solve this problem, this application proposes a communication method, which helps to more conveniently manage the address information of the user plane functional network element on the access network device.

Based on the system structure in FIG. 1 , a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 2 . The communication method shown in FIG. 2 includes S201, S202, S203, S204 and S205.

S201. The session management function network element determines that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal.

Wherein, the session management function network element may be the session management function network element 140 in FIG. 1 . The first terminal may be the terminal device 110 in FIG. 1 .

For example, when the first terminal sends a PDU session establishment request message to the session management function network element, the session management function network element may determine that a PDU session needs to be created for the first terminal.

S202. The session management function network element learns the first user plane function network element of the first terminal.

Wherein, the first user plane functional network element may be the user plane functional network element 151 or the user plane functional network element 152 in FIG. 1 .

The session management functional network element learning the first user plane functional network element of the first terminal may be understood as: the session management functional network element learns that the user interface functional network element that can currently serve the first terminal is the first user plane functional network element. For this step, reference may be made to the implementation manner in which the session management function network element selects the user plane function network element in the prior art, and details are not repeated here.

S203. The network element with the session management function acquires the first group identifier of the first terminal.

The first group identifier is a group identifier of at least one terminal. The at least one terminal includes the first terminal. At least one terminal may also be referred to as one or more terminals.

The network element with the session management function acquires the first group identifier of the first terminal, which may be understood as: the network element with the session management function acquires that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier.

In some possible implementation manners, the learning of the first group identifier of the first terminal by the session management function network element may include: assigning the first group identifier to the first terminal by the session management function network element itself.

For example, the session management function network element obtains the address information of the first terminal; the session management function network element determines that the address of the first terminal belongs to the first address segment according to the address information of the first terminal; The first group identifier is determined, and there is a correspondence between the first address segment and the first group identifier. This implementation will be introduced later in conjunction with FIG. 4 .

Wherein, the address of the first terminal may be allocated to the first terminal by the session management function network element, or may be sent to the SMF network element after being allocated to the first terminal by other network elements.

In some other possible implementation manners, the learning of the first group identifier of the first terminal by the session management function network element may include: assigning the first group identifier to the first terminal by the user plane function network element (for example, the first user plane function network element) group identifier, and send the first instruction information to the session management function network element, the first instruction information is used to indicate that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier; the session management function network element receives the second group identifier from the user plane function network element an indication information, and determine the first group identifier of the first terminal according to the first indication information. This implementation will be introduced later in conjunction with FIG. 5 .

S204. The session management functional network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the first address information of the first user plane functional network element, and is used to request A packet data unit session is created for the first terminal. Correspondingly, the tunnel endpoint network element receives the first message from the session management function network element.

A tunnel endpoint (tunnel endpoint, TE) network element may be the access network device 120 in FIG. 1 , or may be the user plane functional network element 151 or the user plane functional network element 152 in FIG. 1 .

The identifier of the terminal is used to identify the terminal, and the specific form is not limited. For example, the terminal identifier may be in the form of an N2 connection identifier, an IMSI, an external identifier of the terminal, an internal identifier of the terminal, a permanent identifier of the terminal, or a temporary identifier of the terminal, and so on. It can be understood that different network element devices may convert the form of the terminal identification, but the terminal identifications in different forms can be used to identify the terminal. That is to say, no matter how the form is transformed, as long as the identification that can distinguish the terminal from other terminals can be called the identification of the terminal.

The first address information of the first user plane functional network element may be the IP address information of the N3 interface of the first user plane functional network element.

The first message may be a PDU session establish request message (PDU session establish request message).

S205. The tunnel endpoint network element generates the context of the first terminal according to the first message, and records the group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and records the user plane functional network of the first terminal The address information of the element is the first address information.

The context of the first terminal may be the session context of the first terminal.

In this embodiment of the application, the session management function network element notifies the tunnel endpoint network element of the address information of the first user plane function network element that can currently serve the first terminal through the first message, so that the tunnel endpoint network element can Transmit service data for the first terminal. In addition, the session management function network element notifies the tunnel endpoint network element of the first group identifier assigned to the first terminal through the first message, which helps the session management function network element to use the first group identifier of the first terminal in the subsequent process. The group identifier is used to manage the address information of the user plane functional network element serving the first terminal.

A schematic flowchart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. 3 . The communication method shown in FIG. 3 includes S301, S302, S303 and S304.

S301. The session management functional network element learns that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane functional network element.

For example, the session management functional network element 140 learns that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified or updated from the user plane functional network element 151 to the user plane functional network element 152 .

In some possible implementation manners, the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element, which may include: the session management function network element receives from the first network element The second indication information, the second indication information is used to indicate that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane function network element; the session management function network element determines the association of the first address segment according to the second indication information The user plane function network element needs to be changed to the second user plane function network element. This implementation will be introduced later with reference to FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 .

Wherein, the first network element may be the network function storage function network element 170 in FIG. 1 , such as the NRF network element; or may be the operation management and maintenance system network element 180 . For example, an OAM network element.

In some other possible implementation manners, the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element, which may include: the session management function network element according to the first address segment The load information of the currently associated user plane functional network element determines that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane functional network element. For this implementation manner, reference may be made to FIG. 6 , which will not be repeated here.

S302. The network element with the session management function acquires a first group identifier, where the first group identifier corresponds to the first address segment.

In some possible implementation manners, the learning of the first group identifier by the session management function network element may include: determining the first group identifier corresponding to the first address segment by the session management function network element according to the first address segment.

That is to say, after the session management function network element learns in S301 that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element, it can The corresponding relationship, and determine the first group identifier corresponding to the first address segment.

In some other possible implementation manners, the learning of the first group identifier by the session management function network element may include: the session management function network element determining the group identifier recorded in the context of the first terminal as the first group identifier.

For example, after learning in S301 that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane functional network element, the session management functional network element may send a PDU session creation request message to the second user plane functional network element, The PDU session creation request message is used to request the second user plane functional network element to create a PDU session of the first terminal in the first address segment. After creating a PDU session for the first terminal according to the PDU session creation request message, the second user plane function network element returns a PDU session creation response message to the session management function network element. The session management functional network element queries the session context of the first terminal according to the PDU session creation response message, and determines the group identifier recorded in the session context of the first terminal as the first group identifier. This implementation will be introduced later with reference to FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 .

It should be understood that there may be one or more group identifiers corresponding to the first address segment. When the group ID corresponding to the first address segment is one, the group ID is the first group ID; when there are multiple group IDs corresponding to the first address segment, the multiple group IDs include the first group ID Group ID.

S303. The session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel end point network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request that the first group identifier The corresponding address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group is modified to the second address information. Correspondingly, the tunnel endpoint network element receives the second message from the session management function network element.

The tunnel endpoint network element may be the access network device 120 in FIG. 1 , or may be the user plane functional network element 151 or the user plane functional network element 152 in FIG. 1 .

The second address information of the second user plane functional network element may be the IP address information of the N3 interface of the second user plane functional network element.

A terminal or a set of multiple terminals whose group identifier is the first group identifier may be referred to as the first group.

The second message may be a PDU session modification request message (PDU session modification request message).

S304. According to the second message, the tunnel endpoint network element records address information of user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier as second address information.

Or it can be said that, according to the second message, the tunnel endpoint network element modifies or updates the address information of the user plane functional network element recorded in the context of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier to the first 2. Address information.

In the embodiment of the present application, the session management function network element sends the second message to the tunnel end point network element, so that the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals corresponding to the first group identifier can be updated, which facilitates The convenience of managing the address information of the user plane function network element by the session management function network element is improved.

In addition, when the first group identifier corresponds to multiple terminals, the session management function network element sends the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, which can update the address information of the user plane function network elements of multiple terminals, which helps to save signaling overhead .

In the communication method in one embodiment of the present application, the communication method shown in FIG. 2 may be executed first, and then the communication method shown in FIG. 3 may be executed. In other words, the communication method shown in FIG. 2 may be executed first, and the network element at the tunnel end point is notified that the group identifier assigned to the first terminal is the first group identifier, and then the communication method shown in FIG. 3 is executed, and the tunnel port The network element notifies the address information of the user plane function network element of one or more terminals (including the first terminal) in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier to be modified to the address information of the second user plane function network element. This enables the session management function network element to manage the address information of the user plane function network elements of all terminals corresponding to the first group identifier through a second message. In addition, signaling overhead can be saved.

In the following, the session management function network element is an SMF network element, the tunnel endpoint network element is an AN device, the first user plane function network element is a UPF network element, and the first terminal is a UE. Combined with Figure 4, the session management function network element is introduced. A communication method when the first terminal is assigned the first group ID by itself.

S401. The UE sends a PDU session creation request message to the SMF network element, where the PDU session creation request message is used to create a user's PDU session, and the PDU session creation request message carries DNN information of the first terminal.

S402, the SMF network element sends an N4 session establish request message (N4 session establish request message) to the UPF network element, and the N4 session establish request message is used for the UPF network element to establish a PDU session.

S403, the UPF network element returns an N4 session establish response message (N4 session establish response message) to the SMF network element, and the N4 session establish response message is used for the UPF network element to respond to the establishment result of the PDU session.

S404, the SMF network element assigns a group identifier to the PDU session of the terminal according to the address information of the PDU session of the UE. Wherein, the address information of the PDU session of the UE may be referred to as the address information of the UE for short, and the group identifier of the PDU session of the UE may be referred to as the group identifier of the UE for short.

The address of the UE may be allocated by the SMF network element, or may be sent to the SMF network element after being allocated by other network elements. For example, the SMF network element may assign an address to the UE according to the DNN information acquired in S401. For example, the NRF network element or the UPF network element allocates an address to the UE according to the DNN information of the UE, and sends it to the SMF network element.

An exemplary implementation manner in which the SMF network element assigns a group identifier to the UE's PDU session according to the address information of the UE's PDU session may include: the SMF network element determines the address segment to which the UE's address belongs according to the UE's address information, and the determined The address segment is the first address segment; the SMF network element queries whether there is a group identifier corresponding to the first address segment; if it already exists, the SMF network element selects the group identifier corresponding to the first address segment as the group of the UE Group ID, the group ID corresponding to the first address segment is the first group ID; if it does not exist, the SMF network element assigns a new group ID to the first address segment, and uses the group ID as A group identifier of the UE, where the group identifier is the first group identifier.

Wherein, the SMF network element can assign one or more group identifiers to the PDU sessions of the terminals in the same address segment.

S405, the SMF network element sends an N2PDU session creation request message to the AN device, the message carries the first group identifier and the address information of the UPF network element,

For example, the message carries the first group identifier and the IP address information of the N3 interface of the UPF network element.

S406. After receiving the N2PDU session creation request message, the AN device creates a UE session context (context for short), and stores the first group identifier and the address information of the UPF network element in the UE context.

When the group ID of the UE is assigned by the UPF network element, a possible implementation method may include: the UPF network element assigns the group ID to the UE according to the address information of the UE and the information of the SMF network element where the UE is located.

For example, the UPF network element obtains the address information of the UE and the information of the SMF network element where the UE is located; determines the address segment to which the UE's address belongs, that is, the first address segment, according to the address information of the UE; queries whether there is an The group ID corresponding to each SMF network element; if it exists, select the group ID as the UE's group ID, that is, the first group ID; if it does not exist, the UPF network element allocates a group for the terminal in the first address segment The group identifier is the first group identifier, and the first group identifier is used as the group identifier of the UE.

S407, the AN device forwards the NAS PDU session establishment confirmation message (PDU session establish ACK message) to the UE, and confirms the creation result of the PDU session to the UE.

S408, the AN returns an N2 PDU session establishment request response message (PDU session establish request ACK message) to the SMF network element, and feeds back the establishment result of the PDU session to the SMF network element.

Wherein, the address of the UE may be allocated by the UPF network element UE, or may be allocated by the SMF network element for the UE.

After the UPF network element allocates the first group identifier to the UE, it may notify the SMF network element that the UE's group identifier is the first group identifier.

In the following, the session management function network element is an SMF network element, the tunnel endpoint network element is an AN device, the first user plane function network element is a UPF network element, and the first terminal is a UE as an example. Combined with Figure 5, the first user plane function is introduced. A communication method when a network element assigns a first group identifier to a first terminal.

S501. The UE sends a PDU session establishment request message to the SMF network element, and the message carries DNN information.

S502. The SMF network element sends an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF network element.

S503, the UPF network element allocates a group identifier for the PDU session of the UE according to the address information of the PDU session of the UE and the information of the SMF network element where the UE is located (for example, the address information of the SMF network element). Wherein, the address information of the PDU session of the UE may be referred to as the address information of the UE for short, and the group identifier of the PDU session of the UE may be referred to as the group identifier of the UE for short.

Wherein, the address information of the PDU session of the UE may be allocated by the UPF network element to the UE, or may be sent to the UPF network element after being allocated by other network elements (such as the SMF network element).

The UPF network element allocates a group identifier for the UE, which may include: the UPF network element determines the address segment (that is, the first address segment) where the address of the UE is located according to the address information of the UE, and queries whether there is an address segment corresponding to the first address segment and the UE. The group ID corresponding to the SMF network element; if it already exists, the UPF network element selects the group ID (that is, the first group ID) as the group ID of the UE; if it does not exist, the UPF network element assigns it to the UE A new group identifier (that is, the first group identifier).

Wherein, the UPF network element may assign one or more group identifiers to terminals in the same SMF and in the same address segment.

S504. The UPF network element sends an N4 session establishment response message to the SMF network element, where the message carries first indication information, and the first indication information indicates the first group identifier allocated by the UPF network element to the UE.

That is to say, the SMF network element obtains the first group identifier of the UE from the UPF network element.

S505, the SMF network element sends an N2PDU session creation request message to the AN device, and the message carries the first group identifier and the N3 interface IP address of the UPF (that is, the first address information of the first UPF network element).

S506. After receiving the N2PDU session creation message, the AN device creates a UE session context, and stores the first group identifier and the N3 interface IP address of the UPF network element in the UE session context.

S507, the AN device sends a NAS message PDU session creation confirmation message to the UE.

S508, the AN returns a PDU session request confirmation message to the SMF.

In the following, the first network element is the NRF network element, the second user plane function network element is the UPF network element, the tunnel endpoint network element is the AN device, the session management function network element is the SMF network element, and the second indication information is the UPF status notification message , the second message is a PDU session modification request message as an example. With reference to FIG. 5 , the communication method when the first network element determines that the user plane functional network element of the first terminal needs to be modified to the second user plane functional network element is introduced.

S601. The SMF network element sends a UPF status subscribed (UPF status subscribed) message to the NRF network element to subscribe to the status of the UPF network element, and the UPF status subscription message includes DNN information.

Wherein, the state of the UPF network element may include the load state of the UPF network element and the like. The inclusion of DNN information in the UPF status subscription message refers to subscribing to the status of UPF network elements that support the DNN information.

S602, after the NRF network element detects that the state of the corresponding UPF network element has changed according to the UPF status subscription message, it sends a UPF status notification (UPF status notify) message to the SMF network element, which may include the UPF network element (that is, the first (2) the association between the address segment (i.e. the first address segment) of the terminal that can be served by the UPF network element and the identifier (such as UPF ID) of the second UPF network element, so as to notify the UPF network element supporting the DNN to become the first UPF network element Two UPF network elements.

S603, after the SMF network element learns from S602 that the UPF network element associated with the first address segment is changed to the second UPF network element, the SMF network element can decide to migrate the PDU session of the terminal in the first address segment to the second UPF network element .

S604, the SMF network element sends a PDU session establishment request message to the UPF, and reestablishes the PDU session of the terminal in the first address segment on the UPF.

S605, the UPF network element returns a PDU session creation response message to the SMF network element.

S606, the SMF network element sends a PDU session modification message to the AN device. The PDU session modification message carries the IP address of the N3 interface of the 6UPF network element (that is, the second address information) and the first group identifier of the UE.

S607. After receiving the PDU session modification request message, the AN device obtains the first group identifier and the N3 interface address of the UPF, and updates one or more sessions containing the first group identifier in batches according to the first group identifier in the message. The N3 interface IP address in the context of the endpoint.

Optionally, after the SMF network element completes the migration of the PDU session of the terminal in the first address segment, it may return a user migration completion notification message to the NRF network element. If the migration is caused by the overload of the UPF network element, the NRF network element may notify the UPF to enable the routing of the address segment of the UE after obtaining the user migration completion notification message. That is, the priority of the route to the first address segment on the second UPF is set to a high priority.

It should be understood that the step of configuring the routing priority of the first address segment may also be completed by the SMF network element.

It should be understood that, in the communication method shown in FIG. 6 , S601 and S602 are optional steps. For example, in a simple networking scenario, the SMF may decide to migrate the PDU session of the terminal in the first address segment to the second UPF network element.

It should be understood that if the migration is caused by the failure of the source UPF network element, the user migration completion notification sent by the SMF to the NRF network element may be omitted. After the source UPF failure event is obtained by the NRF or SMF, the UE address segment on the source UPF is routed to the target UPF.

In the following, the first network element is the OAM network element, the first user plane function network element is the first UPF network element, the second user plane function network element is the second UPF network element, and the session management function network element is the SMF network element. The second indication information is the UPF status notification message as an example. With reference to FIG. 6 , the communication method when the first network element determines that the user plane functional network element of the first terminal needs to be modified to the second user plane functional network element is introduced.

S701. The first UPF network element reports load information of the first address segment served by the first UPF network element to the OAM network element according to the address segment granularity.

The first UPF network element may be referred to as a source UPF network element serving terminals in the first address segment.

S702. If the OAM network element detects that the first UPF is overloaded or faulty, it decides to migrate the PDU session of the terminal in the first address segment on the first UPF to the second UPF network element.

Wherein, the OAM network element may select the second UPF according to the load information of the second UPF network element.

After determining the second UPF network element, the OAM configures the first address segment information to the second UPF network element.

S703. The second UPF sends a registration update message to the NRF network element. The registration update message carries the association relationship between the first address segment and the identifier of the second UPF network element.

S704. The NRF network element sends a UPF status notification message to the SMF network element, where the message carries an association relationship between the first address segment and the identifier of the second UPF network element.

Optionally, the message may also carry the identifier of the first UPF network element.

S705, the SMF network element performs an address segment migration process. For example, S603 to S607 shown in FIG. 6 .

S706, the SMF network element notifies the NRF network element that the migration of the PDU session of the terminal in the first address segment is completed.

S707, when the NRF network element learns from the SMF network element that the PDU session migration is completed, the NRF network element can send the first address segment route enable to the second UPF network element, that is, set the priority of the first address segment route to a high priority .

S708. After S707 is completed, the NRF network element sends a first address segment disabling message to the first UPF network element, that is, the priority of the first address segment route is configured as a low priority.

It should be understood that if the migration is caused by the failure of the first UPF, S706 may not be executed. S707 and S608 may be executed after S703.

In the communication method shown in Figure 7, the migration of the address segment is determined by the OAM network element according to the real-time load of the UPF network element. In the case of a networking method with a number ratio of N:M between the SMF network element and the UPF network element Compared with the migration of the address segment decided by the SMF network element itself, it helps to avoid decision conflicts caused by inconsistencies in policies of different SMF network elements.

In the embodiment of this application, when the first network element determines that the user plane function network element of the first terminal needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element, if the first network element is a network function storage function network element, the network function The storage function network element may also allocate a tunnel endpoint identity (tunnel endpoint identity, TEID) range (range) of the user plane function network element to the session management function network element. After the session management function network element obtains the TEID segment of the user plane function network element, it can include the TEID segment in the complete TEID when assigning TEID to the terminal, so as to ensure that the TEID values assigned by different SMF network elements are in the same user plane function No conflicts will occur on network elements.

The following takes the first network element as an NRF network element, the session management function network element as an SMF network element, and the user plane function network element as a UPF network element as an example. With reference to Figure 8, the network function storage function network element is introduced to the session management function network element. The communication method when allocating the TEID segment of the user plane functional network element.

S801. The OAM network element system triggers the UPF instance to go online. A UPF instance is a UPF network element.

S802. After the UPF instance goes online, the UPF instance initiates registration with the NRF network element. The registration message contains the IDs of DNN and UPF.

S803. The SMF network element sends a UPF status subscription message to the NRF network element, and the message carries the DNN.

This step may occur before steps S801 and S802.

S804. The NRF network element allocates the TEID segment of the UPF instance. The NRF network element can allocate the TEID segment according to the number of SMF instances subscribed to the UPF instance state.

For example, if there are two SMF instances subscribing to the state of the UPF instance, the NRF allocates two TEID segments for the UPF.

S805. The NRF network element sends the allocated TEID segment to the SMF network element that subscribes to the state of the UPF instance.

After the SMF network element obtains the TEID segment of the UPF instance, when the SMF network element allocates the TEID for the UE, it includes the TEID segment in the complete TEID, so as to ensure that the TEID values allocated by different SMF network elements will not be different on the same UPF network element. conflict. Therefore, in the subsequent UPF network element migration process, it is helpful to ensure that the TEID values on different UPF network elements will not be the same, so as to avoid conflicts.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the communication device 900 shown in FIG. 9 is only an example,

The communication device 900 may include a receiving module 910 and a processing module 920 .

The communication apparatus 900 may be used to execute the steps performed by the tunnel endpoint network element or the AN device in any one of the communication methods shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 . At this time, an example of the communication device 900 is a tunnel endpoint network element or AN device.

For example, the receiving module 910 is configured to receive a first message from a session management functional network element, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the first address information of the first user plane functional network element, and uses In response to a request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

The processing module 920 is configured to generate the context of the first terminal according to the first message, record the group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and record the user plane function network of the first terminal The address information of the element is the first address information.

Optionally, the receiving module 910 is further configured to receive a second message from the session management function network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request Modifying the address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier to the second address information.

The processing module 920 is further configured to determine the first terminal according to the first group identifier in the second message, and modify the first address information in the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal to the second address information.

For example, the receiving module 910 is configured to receive a second message from a session management function network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request the The address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier is changed to the second address information.

The processing module 920 is configured to record, according to the second message, address information of user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier as the second address information.

Optionally, one or more terminals in the first group include the first terminal.

Correspondingly, the receiving module 910 is further configured to: before receiving the second message from the session management function network element, receive the first message from the session management function network element, the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier and The first address information of the first user plane functional network element is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

The processing module 920 is further configured to generate the context of the first terminal according to the first message, and record the group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and record the user plane function network of the first terminal The address information of the element is the first address information.

The processing module 920 is specifically configured to modify the first address information in the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal to the second address information according to the second message.

In the communication device 900, an example of the receiving module 910 is a receiver, and an example of the processing module 920 is a processor.

When the receiving module 910 is a receiver, the communication device 900 may also include a transmitter. This receiver and transmitter can be integrated together, called a transceiver, and the transmitter is used to send information.

When the receiving module 910 is a receiver, and the processing module 920 is a processor, optionally, the communication device 900 may further include a memory, where the memory is used to store program codes. The memory can be integrated with the processor.

Fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the communication device 1000 shown in FIG. 10 is only an example,

The communication device 1000 may include a processing module 1010 and a sending module 1020 . Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a receiving module 1030 .

The communication device 1000 may be used to execute the steps performed by the session management function network element or the SMF network element in any one of the communication methods shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 8 . An example of the communication device 1000 is a session management function network element or an SMF network element.

For example, processing module 1010 is used to:

determining that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal;

Obtaining the first user plane functional network element of the first terminal;

Obtain the first group identifier of the first terminal.

A sending module 1020, configured to send a first message to a tunnel end point network element, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the first address information of the first user plane functional network element, It is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal.

Optionally, the processing module 1010 is also used for:

Knowing that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane functional network element;

Acquire the first group identifier, where the first group identifier corresponds to the first address segment.

The sending module 1020 is also configured to send a second message to the tunnel end point network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane functional network element, and is used to request to associate the first group identifier with The address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group is modified to the second address information.

Or, for example, the processing module 1010 is configured to: learn that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to a second user plane functional network element; learn the first group identifier, where the first group identifier is the same as the first corresponding to the address segment.

The sending module 1020 is configured to send a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane functional network element, and is used to request the The address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier is changed to the second address information.

Optionally, one or more terminals in the first group include a first terminal;

Wherein, before sending the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the processing module 1010 is further configured to:

determining that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal;

Obtaining the first user plane functional network element of the first terminal;

Acquiring the first group identifier of the first terminal;

The sending module 1020 is further configured to send a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the first address information of the first user plane functional network element, and is used to request The first terminal creates a packet data unit session.

Optionally, the processing module 1010 is specifically configured to:

Obtain address information of the first terminal;

determining that the address of the first terminal belongs to the first address segment according to the address information of the first terminal;

Determine the first group identifier according to the first address segment.

Optionally, the receiving module 1030 is further configured to receive first indication information from the first user plane functional network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier.

The processing module 1010 is specifically configured to determine the first group identifier according to the first indication information.

Optionally, the processing module 1010 is specifically configured to determine the first group identifier corresponding to the first address segment according to the first address segment.

Optionally, the processing module 1010 is specifically configured to: determine the group identifier recorded in the context of the first terminal as the first group identifier.

Optionally, the processing module 1010 is specifically configured to: according to the load information of the user plane functional network element currently associated with the first address segment, determine that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane functional network element .

Optionally, the receiving module 1030 is further configured to: receive second indication information from the first network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane functional network element ;

Specifically, the processing module 1010 is configured to determine according to the second indication information that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane functional network element.

In the communication device 1000, an example of the sending module 1020 is a transmitter, an example of the processing module 1010 is a processor, and an example of the receiving module 1030 is a receiver.

Receivers and transmitters can be integrated together and are called transceivers.

When the sending module 1020 is a transmitter, the receiving module 1030 is a receiver, and the processing module 1010 is a processor, optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a memory, and the memory is used to store program codes. The memory can be integrated with the processor.

Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are executed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be regarded as exceeding the scope of the present application.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working process of the above-described system, device and unit can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or May be integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored, or not implemented. In another point, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units may be in electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or may be distributed to multiple network units. Part or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, each unit may exist separately physically, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

If the functions described above are realized in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, and the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including Several instructions are used to make a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (read-only memory, ROM), random access memory (random access memory, RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk and other various media that can store program codes. .

The above is only a specific implementation of the application, but the scope of protection of the application is not limited thereto. Anyone familiar with the technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the application. Should be covered within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims (32)

1. A communication method, characterized in that, comprising: The tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from the session management function network element, the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier and the first address information of the first user plane function network element, and is used to request creating a packet data unit session for said first terminal; generating, by the tunnel endpoint network element, the context of the first terminal according to the first message, and recording the group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, And recording the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal as the first address information. 2. The communication method according to claim 1, wherein the communication method further comprises: The tunnel endpoint network element receives a second message from the session management function network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request modifying the address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier to the second address information; The tunnel endpoint network element determines the first terminal according to the first group identifier in the second message, and sends the first terminal in the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal The address information is modified to the second address information. 3. A communication method, characterized in that, comprising: The tunnel end point network element receives a second message from the session management function network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request that the first group modifying the address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the group identifier to the second address information; The tunnel endpoint network element records, according to the second message, address information of user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier as the second address information. 4. The communication method according to claim 3, wherein the one or more terminals in the first group include a first terminal; Wherein, before the tunnel endpoint network element receives the second message from the session management function network element, the communication method further includes: The tunnel endpoint network element receives a first message from the session management function network element, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the first message of the first user plane function network element. address information for requesting the creation of a packet data unit session for the first terminal; The tunnel endpoint network element generates the context of the first terminal according to the first message, and records the group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and records The address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal is the first address information; The tunnel endpoint network element records, according to the second message, address information of user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier as the second address information, including: The tunnel end point network element modifies the first address information in the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal to the second address information according to the second message. 5. A communication method, characterized in that, comprising: The session management function network element determines that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal; The session management function network element learns the first user plane function network element of the first terminal; The network element with the session management function acquires the first group identifier of the first terminal; The session management function network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, and the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the first address information of the first user plane function network element , used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal. 6. The communication method according to claim 5, further comprising: The session management functional network element learns that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to a second user plane functional network element; The session management function network element learns the first group identifier, where the first group identifier corresponds to the first address segment; The session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane function network element, and uses To request to modify the address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier to the second address information. 7. A communication method, characterized in that, comprising: The session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element; The session management function network element learns a first group identifier, where the first group identifier corresponds to the first address segment; The session management function network element sends a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request Modifying address information of user plane function network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier to the second address information. 8. The communication method according to claim 7, wherein the one or more terminals in the first group include a first terminal; Wherein, before the session management function network element sends the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the communication method further includes: The session management function network element determines that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal; The session management function network element learns the first user plane function network element of the first terminal; The session management function network element obtains the first group identifier of the first terminal; The session management function network element sends a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, and the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the ID of the first user plane function network element. The first address information is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal. 9. The communication method according to claim 5 or 8, wherein the learning of the first group identifier of the first terminal by the session management function network element comprises: The network element with the session management function acquires the address information of the first terminal; determining, by the session management function network element, that the address of the first terminal belongs to the first address segment according to the address information of the first terminal; The session management function network element determines the first group identifier according to the first address segment. 10. The communication method according to claim 5 or 8, wherein the learning of the first group identifier of the first terminal by the session management function network element comprises: The session management functional network element receives first indication information from the first user plane functional network element, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier; The session management function network element determines the first group identifier according to the first indication information. 11. The communication method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the learning of the first group identifier by the session management function network element comprises: The session management function network element determines the first group identifier corresponding to the first address segment according to the first address segment. 12. The communication method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the learning of the first group identifier by the session management function network element comprises: The session management function network element determines the group identifier recorded in the context of the first terminal as the first group identifier. 13. The communication method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the session management functional network element learns that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane functional network element, include: The session management function network element determines that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element according to the load information of the user plane function network element currently associated with the first address segment . 14. The communication method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the session management function network element learns that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane function network element, include: The session management function network element receives second indication information from the first network element, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the user plane function network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane function network element; The session management functional network element determines according to the second indication information that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane functional network element. 15. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises: A receiving module, configured to receive a first message from a session management functional network element, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the first address information of the first user plane functional network element, for requesting the creation of a packet data unit session for said first terminal; A processing module, configured to generate the context of the first terminal according to the first message, and record the group identifier of the first terminal as the first group identifier in the context of the first terminal, and Recording the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal as the first address information. 16. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein the receiving module is further configured to receive a second message from the session management function network element, and the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane functional network element, used to request to modify the address information of the user plane functional network element of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier to the the second address information; The processing module is further configured to determine the first terminal according to the first group identifier in the second message, and set the first terminal in the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal The first address information is modified to the second address information. 17. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises: A receiving module, configured to receive a second message from a session management functional network element, where the second message includes a first group identifier and second address information of a second user plane functional network element, and is used to request that the first modifying the address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the group identifier to the second address information; A processing module, configured to record address information of user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier as the second address information according to the second message . 18. The communication device according to claim 17, wherein the one or more terminals in the first group comprise a first terminal; Wherein, the receiving module is further configured to: before receiving the second message from the session management function network element, receive a first message from the session management function network element, and the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the The first group identifier and the first address information of the first user plane functional network element are used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal; The processing module is further configured to generate the context of the first terminal according to the first message, and record the group identifier of the first terminal in the context of the first terminal as the first group identifier, and recording the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal as the first address information; The processing module is specifically configured to modify the first address information in the address information of the user plane functional network element of the first terminal to the second address information according to the second message. 19. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises: A processing module, configured to determine that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal; The processing module is further configured to learn the first user plane functional network element of the first terminal; The session processing module is further configured to obtain the first group identifier of the first terminal; A sending module, configured to send a first message to a tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the first address information of the first user plane functional network element, using requesting to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal. 20. The communication device according to claim 19, wherein the processing module is further used for: Knowing that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane functional network element; Acquiring the first group identifier, wherein the first group identifier corresponds to the first address segment; The sending module is further configured to send a second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the second message includes the first group identifier and the second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used for To request to modify the address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier to the second address information. 21. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises: A processing module, configured to learn that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be modified to the second user plane functional network element; The processing module is further configured to obtain a first group identifier, where the first group identifier corresponds to the first address segment; The sending module is configured to send a second message to a tunnel endpoint network element, where the second message includes the first group identifier and second address information of the second user plane function network element, and is used to request the The address information of the user plane functional network elements of one or more terminals in the first group corresponding to the first group identifier is modified to the second address information. 22. The communication device according to claim 21, wherein the one or more terminals in the first group comprise a first terminal; Wherein, before sending the second message to the tunnel endpoint network element, the processing module is further configured to: determining that a packet data unit session needs to be created for the first terminal; Obtaining the first user plane functional network element of the first terminal; Acquiring the first group identifier of the first terminal; The sending module is further configured to send a first message to the tunnel endpoint network element, where the first message includes the identifier of the first terminal, the first group identifier, and the ID of the first user plane functional network element. The first address information is used to request to create a packet data unit session for the first terminal. 23. The communication device according to claim 19 or 22, wherein the processing module is specifically used for: acquiring address information of the first terminal; According to the address information of the first terminal, determine that the address of the first terminal belongs to the first address segment; Determine the first group identifier according to the first address segment. 24. The communication device according to claim 19 or 22, wherein the communication device further comprises a receiving module configured to receive first indication information from the first user plane functional network element, the The first indication information is used to indicate that the group identifier of the first terminal is the first group identifier; The processing module is specifically configured to determine the first group identifier according to the first indication information. 25. The communication device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the processing module is specifically configured to determine the first group identifier corresponding to the first address segment according to the first address segment. 26. The communication device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the processing module is specifically used for: determining the group identifier recorded in the context of the first terminal as the first group identifier. 27. The communication device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the processing module is specifically used for: According to the load information of the user plane functional network element currently associated with the first address segment, it is determined that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane functional network element. 28. The communication device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, the communication device further comprises a receiving module, and the receiving module is used for: receiving second indication information from the first network element, where the second indication information is used to indicate that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane functional network element; The processing module is specifically configured to determine according to the second indication information that the user plane functional network element associated with the first address segment needs to be changed to the second user plane functional network element. 29. The communication method according to any one of claims 6, 7, 8, 11 to 14, or the communication device according to any one of 20, 21, 22, 25 to 28, wherein the The first address segment corresponds to one or more group identifiers, and the group identifiers include the first group identifier. 30. The communication method according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4 to 6, and 8 to 10, or the communication device according to any one of claims 15, 16, 18 to 20, and 22 to 24, characterized in In that, the first message is a packet data unit session creation request message. 31. The communication method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, 6 to 8, and 11 to 14, or the communication device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, 20 to 22, and 25 to 28, wherein The second message is a packet data unit session modification request message. 32. A computer storage medium, characterized in that, the computer-readable storage medium stores program code for execution by a communication device, and the program code includes a program code for executing the method described in any one of claims 1 to 14. Instructions for communication methods.