CN116074801A - Communication system, communication method and communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a communication system, a communication method and a communication device. The communication system is deployed in a first network, and the first network and a second network communicate through a communication interface; the communication system includes: the control plane device is used for forwarding control plane signaling of the terminal device transmitted between the first communication device and the second control plane device, and the second control plane device is used for providing control plane functions for the terminal device, wherein the second control plane device is a device deployed in a second network; and under the condition that the second control plane device no longer provides service for the terminal device, the first control plane device is used for transmitting control plane signaling with the first communication device, and the first control plane device is also used for providing control plane functions for the terminal device. By the method and the device, the network can provide services for the user.

Description

Communication system, communication method and communication device

technical field

The present application relates to the communication field, and more specifically, to a communication system, a communication method, and a communication device.

Background technique

At present, more and more enterprises have the requirement of independent network construction. A possible deployment method of the enterprise private network is that the public network integrated non-public network (public network integrated non-public network, PNI-NPN). Specifically, the public land mobile network (PLMN) deploys dedicated network slices for enterprises, and considers the localization characteristics of enterprise services, and deploys user plane function (UPF) network elements to enterprise In the campus, the control plane NEs are deployed in the core nodes of operators (such as city-level computer rooms). The public network and the enterprise private network communicate through the network interface in order to jointly provide services for users.

The network interface between the public network and the corporate private network may fail, which may cause the PNI-NPN to be unable to serve its users. Once the user is disconnected from the PNI-NPN, the current service of the user may be interrupted, resulting in a significant loss of the enterprise product line.

Contents of the invention

The present application provides a communication system, a communication method and a communication device, so that a network can provide services for users.

In a first aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system is deployed on the first network, and the first network communicates with the second network through a communication interface; the above-mentioned communication system includes: a first control plane device and a first communication device, and the second control plane device provides terminal devices with In the case of services, the first control plane device is used to forward the control plane signaling of the terminal device transmitted between the first communication device and the second control plane device, and the second control plane device is used to provide control for the above terminal device plane function, wherein the second control plane device is a device deployed in the second network; when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device is used to communicate with the first communication device The control plane signaling is transmitted between them, and the first control plane device is also used to provide the control plane function for the terminal device.

As an example, the situation that the second control plane provides services for the terminal device may include: the situation that the above-mentioned communication interface is connected normally; correspondingly, the situation that the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device may include: the above-mentioned communication interface connection failure situation.

In another example, the case where the second control plane provides services for the terminal device may include: a case where the service security and privacy of the terminal device is low; correspondingly, the case where the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device may include: : A case where the security and privacy of the business of the terminal device is relatively high.

In another example, the situation that the second control plane provides services for the terminal device may include: the situation that the network of the second network is not congested; correspondingly, the situation that the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device may include: The situation of network congestion of the second network. Alternatively, the situation that the second control plane provides services for the terminal device may include: the situation of network congestion of the first network; correspondingly, the situation that the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device may include: the situation of the first network When the network is not congested.

Based on the above solution, by deploying the first control plane device on the first network, when the second control plane device provides services for terminal devices, the first control plane device can act as a proxy between the first communication device and the second control plane device The device (or called a proxy node) forwards signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device may perform a control plane function to control the terminal device. In this way, the network can provide services for users, thereby ensuring the stable progress of user services as much as possible, and realizing the continuity of user services. Taking the communication interface as an example, when the communication interface connection between two networks (such as the first network and the second network) is normal, the first control plane device can act as a proxy device between the first communication device and the second control plane device (or called a proxy node), forwarding signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails, the first control plane device can perform the control plane function to control the terminal device, so as to avoid the failure of the communication interface between the first network and the second network. Can no longer connect to the first network. Therefore, not only does not affect the normal communication between the first communication device and the second control plane device when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, but also when the communication between the first network and the second network When the interface connection fails, the service of the terminal equipment can continue to be carried out normally.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device is further configured to acquire the association identifier of the terminal device.

Based on the above solution, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, it obtains the associated identifier of the terminal device, so that after the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the terminal device can be identified based on the associated identifier of the terminal device signaling in order to provide services for the terminal equipment. In addition, identifying the signaling of the terminal device based on the association identifier of the terminal device is simple and easy.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first control plane device is further configured to acquire the association identifier of the above-mentioned terminal device, including: the first control plane device is configured to receive information from the second control plane device The associated ID of the terminal device.

Based on the above solution, the first control plane device can obtain the association identifier of the terminal device from the second control plane device when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, without the need for the first control plane device to generate or establish an ID of the terminal device The association identifier does not have high requirements on the first control plane equipment.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device is further configured to receive the first Message: the first control plane device is further configured to save the context information of the terminal device according to the above first message, where the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device.

Based on the above solution, the first control plane device saves the context information of the terminal device, and the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device, so that the first control plane device can The association relationship between the context information and the association identifier of the terminal device quickly acquires the context information of the terminal device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the method further includes: the first control plane device is also used to Associate the identifier to obtain the context information of the above-mentioned terminal device.

Based on the above solution, after the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, it can quickly obtain the terminal device based on the association identifier of the terminal device and the association relationship between the context information of the terminal device and the association identifier of the terminal device. contextual information to maintain the normal operation of the business.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, a dedicated identifier, and an N3 tunnel identifier.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first communication device includes a source access network device, the communication system further includes a target access network device, and the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device In this case, the first control plane device is also used to switch the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device.

Based on the above solution, the first control plane device can perform the handover process for the terminal device, so as to avoid as far as possible that the terminal device cannot switch from the source access network device after the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device. to the target access network device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first communication device further includes a user plane functional network element, a first control plane device, and is further configured to switch the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device. The network access device includes: a first control plane device, configured to receive a handover request message from a target access network device, where the handover request message includes N3 tunnel information allocated by the target access network device to the terminal device; the first control plane device, The first control plane device is configured to obtain the association identifier of the terminal device; the first control plane device is configured to send the above N3 tunnel information to the user plane functional network element based on the association identifier of the terminal device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first control plane device includes a first mobility management network element and a first session management network element; the first control plane device is configured to obtain an association identifier of the terminal device , including: a first mobility management network element, configured to obtain an association identifier of a terminal device, and send the association identifier of the terminal device to a first session management network element; a first session management network element, configured to receive an association identifier from the first mobility management network element The association identifier of the terminal equipment of the unit; the first control plane device is used to send the N3 tunnel information to the user plane functional network element based on the association identifier of the terminal equipment, including: the first session management network element is used for according to the association of the terminal equipment Identify, obtain context information of the terminal device, and send a session modification request message to the user plane functional network element, where the session modification request message includes N3 tunnel information.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device again, the first control plane The device is further configured to trigger a path switching process for the terminal device, so that the terminal device establishes a communication connection with the second control plane device.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first control plane device is configured to provide the terminal device with a control plane function based on a security parameter, the security parameter being that the second control plane device provides the terminal device with Security parameters when controlling surface functions.

Based on the above solution, the first control plane device does not need to generate new security parameters (such as intermediate keys) for the terminal device. Therefore, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane The device provides the control plane function for the terminal device, and can reduce the requirements for the first control plane device, and the modification of the existing protocol is small.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first control plane device includes: a first mobility management network element and/or a first session management network element.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the above-mentioned first network is a local network that integrates a public network with a non-public network, and the above-mentioned second network is a central network that integrates a public network with a non-public network.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the foregoing communication interface includes an N2 interface and/or an N4 interface.

With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first communication device includes a user plane functional network element, and when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane device After re-providing services for the terminal device, the user plane function network element provides the user plane function for the terminal device based on the N3 tunnel identifier, which is the previous identifier.

Based on the above solution, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device again, the user plane functional network element can identify the terminal device based on the original N3 tunnel Provide user plane functions, so that the first session management network element in the first control plane device does not need to perform session modification procedures with the user plane functional network element, or the first session management network element performs session modification with the user plane functional network element During the process, it is not necessary to send the N3 tunnel identifier to the user plane functional network element.

In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The above method includes: when the second control plane device deployed in the second network provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device deployed in the first network forwards the first communication device deployed in the first network and The control plane signaling of the terminal device transmitted between the second control plane device, the second control plane device is used to provide the control plane function for the terminal device; when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, Control plane signaling is transmitted between the first control plane device and the first communication device, and the first control plane device provides the terminal device with a control plane function.

Based on the above solution, by deploying the first control plane device on the first network, when the second control plane device provides services for terminal devices, the first control plane device can act as a proxy between the first communication device and the second control plane device The device (or called a proxy node) forwards signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device may perform a control plane function to control the terminal device. In this way, the network can provide services for users, thereby ensuring the stable progress of user services as much as possible, and realizing the continuity of user services. Taking the communication interface as an example, when the communication interface connection between two networks (such as the first network and the second network) is normal, the first control plane device can act as a proxy device between the first communication device and the second control plane device (or called a proxy node), forwarding signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails, the first control plane device can perform the control plane function to control the terminal device, so as to avoid the failure of the communication interface between the first network and the second network. Can no longer connect to the first network. Therefore, not only does not affect the normal communication between the first communication device and the second control plane device when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, but also when the communication between the first network and the second network When the interface connection fails, the service of the terminal equipment can continue to be carried out normally.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further includes: the first control plane device acquires the association identifier of the terminal device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the acquiring the association identifier of the terminal device by the first control plane device includes: receiving, by the first control plane device, the association identifier of the terminal device from the second control plane device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further includes: the first control plane device receives the first Message: the first control plane device saves the context information of the terminal device according to the first message, where the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the method further includes: the first control plane device acquires Context information of the end device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, a dedicated identifier, and an N3 tunnel identifier.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the first communication device includes a source access network device, the first network further includes a target access network device, and the second control plane device no longer provides the terminal device with In the case of a service, the method further includes: the first control plane device switches the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the first communication device further includes a user plane functional network element, and the first control plane device switches the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device, It includes: the first control plane device receives a handover request message from the target access network device, and the handover request message includes the N3 tunnel information allocated by the target access network device to the terminal device; the first control plane device obtains the association identifier of the terminal device; the second A control plane device sends N3 tunnel information to a user plane functional network element based on the association identifier of the terminal device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the first control plane device includes a first mobility management network element and a first session management network element; the first control plane device obtains the association identifier of the terminal device, including: The first mobility management network element obtains the association identifier of the terminal device, and sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the first session management network element; the first session management network element receives the association identifier of the terminal device from the first mobility management network element; the second A control plane device sends N3 tunnel information to the user plane functional network element based on the association identifier of the terminal equipment, including: the first session management network element obtains the context information of the terminal equipment according to the association identifier of the terminal equipment, and sends the information to the user plane functional network element. The element sends a session modification request message, and the session modification request message includes N3 tunnel information.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes: when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device again, The first control plane device triggers a path switching process for the terminal device, so that the terminal device connects to the second control plane device.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: the first control plane device provides the terminal device with a control plane function based on a security parameter, where the security parameter is that the second control plane device is the terminal device Security parameters when providing control plane functionality.

Based on the above solution, the first control plane device does not need to generate new security parameters (such as intermediate keys) for the terminal device. Therefore, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane The device provides the control plane function for the terminal device, and can reduce the requirements for the first control plane device, and the modification of the existing protocol is small.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the first control plane device includes: a first mobility management network element and/or a first session management network element.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the first network is a local network that integrates a public network with a non-public network, and the second network is a central network that integrates a public network with a non-public network.

With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation manners of the second aspect, the foregoing communication interface includes an N2 interface and/or an N4 interface.

In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a network device, or may also be executed by a component of the network device (such as a chip or a circuit), which is not limited. For ease of description, the method is executed by the first mobility management network element as an example below.

The method includes: the first mobility management network element acquires an associated identifier of the terminal device, and the associated identifier of the terminal device is used to identify the terminal device when the second control plane device deployed in the second network no longer provides services for the terminal device; The first mobility management network element sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the first session management network element; wherein, the first mobility management network element and the first session management network element are deployed in the first network.

Based on the above solution, by deploying the first mobility management network element on the first network, the first mobility management network element sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the first session management network element, and the association identifier of the terminal equipment is used in the second control plane Identifying the terminal device when the device no longer provides services for the terminal device, so that when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first mobility management network element and the first session management network element can base on the association of the terminal device The identification refers to the signaling for identifying the terminal device, so that when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, services of the terminal device can continue to proceed normally.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further includes: the first mobility management network element receives the information from the second mobility management network element The association identifier of the terminal device, and the second mobility management network element is deployed in the second network.

Based on the above solution, the first mobility management network element can obtain the association identifier of the terminal device from the second mobility management network element when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, without the need for the first mobility management network element to generate or establish the The association identifier of the terminal equipment does not have high requirements on the first mobility management network element.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further includes: the first mobility management network element receives the information from the second mobility management network element The first message: the first mobility management network element saves the context information of the terminal device according to the first message, and the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device.

Based on the above solution, the first mobility management network element saves the context information of the terminal device, and the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device, so that the first mobility management network element can be based on the association identifier of the terminal device, and the terminal The association relationship between the context information of the device and the association identifier of the terminal device can quickly obtain the context information of the terminal device.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the first mobility management network element obtaining the association identifier of the terminal device includes: when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first The mobility management network element identifies the context of the terminal device according to the control plane port identifier, wherein the control plane port identifier is the port identifier of the control plane interface between the first mobility management network element and the access network device; the first mobility management network element according to The context of the terminal device, to obtain the association identifier of the terminal device.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the method further includes: when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device again, The first mobility management network element triggers a path switching process for the terminal device, so that the terminal device establishes a communication connection with the second session management network element and/or the second mobility management network element, wherein the second session management network element and the second mobility management network element The network element is deployed in the second network.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the method further includes: the first mobility management network element provides a control plane function for the terminal device based on a security parameter, where the security parameter is the above-mentioned second mobility management network element for the Security parameters when terminal equipment provides control plane functions.

Based on the above solution, the first mobility management network element does not need to generate new security parameters (such as intermediate keys) for the terminal device. Therefore, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first mobile The management network element provides the control plane function for the terminal equipment, and can reduce the requirement on the first mobility management network element, with little modification to the existing protocol.

With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation manners of the third aspect, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, a dedicated identifier, and an N3 tunnel identifier.

In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a network device, or may also be executed by a component of the network device (such as a chip or a circuit), which is not limited. For ease of description, the method is executed by the first session management network element as an example below.

The method includes: the first session management network element receives an association identifier of a terminal device from the first mobility management network element, and the association identifier of the terminal device is used when the second control plane device deployed in the second network is no longer a terminal device Identifying the terminal device when providing services; when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first session management network element identifies the session context associated with the association identifier of the terminal device according to the association identifier of the terminal device; wherein , the first session management network element and the first mobility management network element are deployed in the first network.

Based on the above scheme, by deploying the first session management network element in the first network, the first session management network element receives the association identifier of the terminal device from the first mobility management network element, and the association identifier of the terminal equipment is used in the second control When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first session management network element can identify the terminal device based on the association identifier of the terminal device when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device The association identifier of is associated with the session context, so that when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, services of the terminal device can be continued normally.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further includes: the first session management network element receives the message from the second session management network element The association identifier of the terminal device, and the second mobility management network element is deployed in the second network.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further includes: the first session management network element receives the message from the second session management network element In the first message, the second session management network element is deployed in the second network; the first session management network element saves the context information of the terminal device according to the first message, and the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device.

Based on the above solution, the first session management network element saves the context information of the terminal device, and the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device, so that the first session management network element can be based on the association identifier of the terminal device, and the terminal The association relationship between the context information of the device and the association identifier of the terminal device can quickly obtain the context information of the terminal device.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the method further includes: the first session management network element acquires the terminal device according to the association identifier of the terminal device Device context information, and send a session modification request message to the user plane functional network element.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fourth aspect, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, a dedicated identifier, and an N3 tunnel identifier.

In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a network device, or may also be executed by a component of the network device (such as a chip or a circuit), which is not limited. For ease of description, the method is executed by the second mobility management network element as an example below.

The method includes: the second mobility management network element determines an associated identifier of the terminal device, and the associated identifier of the terminal device is used to identify the terminal device when the second control plane device deployed in the second network no longer provides services for the terminal device; The second mobility management network element sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the first mobility management network element; wherein, the first mobility management network element is deployed in the first network, and the second mobility management network element is deployed in the second network.

Based on the above solution, the second mobility management network element deployed in the second network sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the first mobility management network element deployed in the first network, and the association identifier of the terminal equipment is used in the second control When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first mobility management network element can identify the terminal device based on the association identifier of the terminal device when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device. The signaling enables the service of the terminal device to continue normally when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fifth aspect, the second mobility management network element determines the association identifier of the terminal device, including: if the network slice supported by the terminal device and/or the first network has robustness requirements Next, the second mobility management network element determines the association identifier of the terminal device.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: the second mobility management network element sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the second session management network element, and the second session management network element is deployed on the second in the network.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementation manners of the fifth aspect, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, and a dedicated identifier.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, in the case where the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device again, the second mobility management The network element provides the control plane function for the terminal device based on a security parameter. The security parameter is the security when the second mobility management network element provides the control plane function for the terminal device before the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device. parameter.

In a sixth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method may be executed by a network device, or may also be executed by a component of the network device (such as a chip or a circuit), which is not limited. For ease of description, the method is executed by the second session management network element as an example.

The method includes: the second session management network element acquires an associated identifier of the terminal device, and the associated identifier of the terminal device is used to identify the terminal device when the second control plane device deployed in the second network no longer provides services for the terminal device; The second session management network element sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the first session management network element; wherein, the first session management network element is deployed in the first network, and the second session management network element is deployed in the second network.

Based on the above scheme, the second session management network element deployed in the second network sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the first session management network element deployed in the first network, and the association identifier of the terminal equipment is used in the second control The terminal device is identified when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, so that when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first session management network element can identify the terminal device based on the association identifier of the terminal device The signaling enables the service of the terminal device to continue normally when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementations of the sixth aspect, the method further includes: if the network slice supported by the terminal device or the first network has robustness requirements, the second session management network element sends the user plane function network element The association identifier of the terminal equipment, and the user plane function network element is deployed in the first network.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementation manners of the sixth aspect, the acquiring the association identifier of the terminal device by the second session management network element includes: the second session management network element receives the association identifier of the terminal device from the second mobility management network element indicates that the second mobility management network element is deployed in the second network.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in some implementation manners of the sixth aspect, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, and a dedicated identifier.

In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, and the device is configured to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of the foregoing second aspect to the sixth aspect. Specifically, the apparatus may include a unit and/or module, such as a processing unit and/or a communication unit, for executing the method in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect to the sixth aspect.

In an implementation manner, the apparatus is a network device (such as a control plane device, such as a mobility management network element, such as a session management network element). When the device is a network device, the communication unit may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface; the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input/output interface may be an input/output circuit.

In another implementation manner, the apparatus is a chip, a chip system or a circuit for network equipment (such as control plane equipment, such as a mobility management network element, such as a session management network element). When the device is a chip, chip system or circuit for network equipment, the communication unit may be an input/output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin or related circuit on the chip, chip system or circuit, etc. ; The processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit or logic circuit, etc.

In an eighth aspect, a communication device is provided, and the device includes: at least one processor configured to execute a computer program or an instruction stored in a memory, so as to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of the second aspect to the sixth aspect above. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a memory for storing computer programs or instructions. Optionally, the device further includes a communication interface, through which the processor reads the computer program or instructions stored in the memory.

In an implementation manner, the apparatus is a network device (such as a control plane device, such as a mobility management network element, such as a session management network element).

In another implementation manner, the apparatus is a chip, a chip system or a circuit for network equipment (such as control plane equipment, such as a mobility management network element, such as a session management network element).

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a processor configured to execute the methods provided in the foregoing aspects.

For the sending and obtaining/receiving operations involved in the processor, if there is no special description, or if it does not conflict with its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, it can be understood as the processor's output and reception, input and other operations , can also be understood as the sending and receiving operations performed by the radio frequency circuit and the antenna, which is not limited in this application.

In a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium, where the computer-readable medium stores program code for execution by a device, and the program code includes a method for executing any one of the possible implementation manners of the second aspect to the sixth aspect above. method.

In an eleventh aspect, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, and when the computer program product is run on a computer, the computer is made to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of the above-mentioned second aspect to the sixth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, including one or more of the aforementioned first mobility management network element, second mobility management network element, first session management network element, and second session management network element.

In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, including one or more of the aforementioned first control plane device, second mobility management network element, and second session management network element.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a non-public network.

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of PNI-NPN.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 400 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a communication method 600 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 700 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 800 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 900 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 1000 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 1100 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1200 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 13 shows a schematic block diagram of another communication device 1300 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of a chip system 1400 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

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

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: the fifth generation (5thgeneration, 5G) or new radio (new radio, NR) system, satellite communication, long term evolution (long termevolution, LTE) system, LTE Frequency division duplex (frequency division duplex, FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (time division duplex, TDD), etc. The technical solution provided by this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication system. The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and machine-type communication. (machine type communication, MTC), industrial control, intelligent transportation system (intelligent transportation system, ITS), mobile broadband, multimedia and Internet of things (internet of things, IoT) communication system or other communication systems.

In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiment of the present application, the network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application will first be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 .

As an exemplary illustration, FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to this embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the network architecture may include but not limited to the following: network slice selection function (network slice selection function, NSSF) (that is, an example of a slice management network element), authentication server function (authentication server function, AUSF) (that is, An example of an authentication server function network element), unified data management (unified data management, UDM) (that is, an example of a data management network element), access and mobility management function (access and mobility management function, AMF) (that is, an access management network element An example of a session management function (SMF), a session management function (SMF) (an example of a session management network element), a policy control function (PCF), (an example of a policy control network element), and an application function (AF) (i.e. an example of application network element), user equipment (user equipment, UE), access network (access network, AN), user plane function (user plane function, UPF) (i.e. an example of user plane network element), data network (data network, DN) and so on.

Each network element shown in FIG. 1 is briefly introduced below.

1. UE: can be called terminal equipment, access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device.

A terminal device may be a device that provides voice/data to a user, for example, a handheld device with a wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, and the like. At present, examples of some terminals are: mobile phone (mobile phone), tablet computer, notebook computer, palmtop computer, mobile Internet device (mobile internet device, MID), wearable device, virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) device, augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) equipment, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, smart grid Wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart city, wireless terminals in smart home, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol, SIP) telephones, wireless local loop (wireless local loop, WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (personal digital assistant, PDA), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to wireless modems, wearable The device, the terminal device in the 5G network or the terminal device in the future evolving public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., are not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

As an example but not a limitation, in this embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices can also be called wearable smart devices, which is a general term for the application of wearable technology to intelligently design daily wear and develop wearable devices, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not only a hardware device, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Generalized wearable smart devices include full-featured, large-sized, complete or partial functions without relying on smart phones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, etc., and only focus on a certain type of application functions, and need to cooperate with other devices such as smart phones Use, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for physical sign monitoring.

In addition, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can also be the terminal device in the IoT system. IoT is an important part of the development of information technology in the future. Its main technical feature is to connect items to the network through communication technology, so as to realize Interconnection, an intelligent network that interconnects things.

It should be pointed out that a certain air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology) may be used to communicate with each other between the terminal device and the access network device. A certain air interface technology (such as NR or LTE technology, etc.) may also be used to communicate with each other between terminal devices.

In the embodiment of the present application, the device for realizing the function of the terminal device may be the terminal device, or may be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to realize the function, such as a chip system or a chip, and the device may be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiment of the present application, the system-on-a-chip may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

2. (wireless) access network ((radio) access network, (R) AN) equipment: it can provide authorized users in a specific area with the function of accessing the communication network, specifically including the third generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project) , the wireless network device in the 3GPP) network may also include an access point in a non-3GPP (non-3GPP) network. For the convenience of description, AN equipment is used below.

AN devices may use different wireless access technologies. There are currently two types of wireless access technologies: 3GPP access technologies (for example, wireless access technologies used in third generation (3rd generation, 3G), fourth generation (4th generation, 4G) or 5G systems) and non- 3GPP (non-3GPP) access technology. The 3GPP access technology refers to the access technology that complies with the 3GPP standard specifications. For example, the access network equipment in the 5G system is called the next generation NodeBase station (gNB) or RAN equipment. Non-3GPP access technologies may include air interface technology represented by access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (WiFi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), code division Multiple access (code division multiple access, CDMA), etc. The AN device may allow non-3GPP technology interconnection and intercommunication between the terminal device and the 3GPP core network.

The AN device can be responsible for functions such as wireless resource management, quality of service (QoS) management, data compression and encryption on the air interface side. The AN equipment provides access services for the terminal equipment, and then completes the forwarding of control signals and user data between the terminal equipment and the core network.

AN equipment may include, but not limited to, for example: a macro base station, a micro base station (also called a small station), a radio network controller (radio network controller, RNC), a node B (Node B, NB), a base station controller (base station controller, BSC), base transceiver station (base transceiver station, BTS), home base station (for example, homeevolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (baseband unit, BBU), AP in WiFi system, wireless relay node, Wireless backhaul node, transmission point (transmission point, TP) or transmission and reception point (transmission and reception point, TRP), etc., can also be gNB or transmission point (TRP or TP) in the 5G (eg, NR) system, 5G One or a group (including multiple antenna panels) antenna panels of the base station in the system, or it can also be a network node that constitutes a gNB or a transmission point, such as a distributed unit (DU), or a next-generation communication 6G system base station etc. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the AN device.

3. Access management network element: mainly used for functions such as access control, mobility management, attachment and detachment. The access management network element can also be connected as N1 signaling (that is, the signaling of the N1 interface, for brevity, referred to as N1 signaling) and N2 signaling (that is, the signaling of the N2 interface, for brevity, referred to as N2 signaling) The anchor point provides the routing of N1/N2 session management (session management, SM) messages for the session management network element. The access management network element can also maintain and manage the status information of the UE.

In a 5G communication system, the access management network element may be an AMF. In the future communication system, the access management network element may still be an AMF, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

4. Session management network element: mainly used for user plane network element selection, user plane network element redirection, Internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) address allocation for terminal equipment, session establishment, modification and release, and QoS control.

In a 5G communication system, the session management network element may be an SMF. In the future communication system, the session management network element may still be an SMF, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

5. User plane network element: mainly used for receiving and forwarding user plane data. For example, a user plane network element may receive user plane data from a DN, and send the user plane data to a terminal device through an AN device. The user plane network element can also receive user plane data from the terminal device through the AN device and forward it to the DN.

In a 5G communication system, the user plane network element may be a UPF. In the future communication system, the user plane network element may still be a UPF, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

6. Policy control network element: It is mainly used to guide the unified policy framework of network behavior, and provide policy rule information for control plane network elements (such as access management network elements, session management network elements, etc.).

In a 4G communication system, the policy control network element may be a policy and charging rules function (PCRF). In a 5G communication system, the policy control network element may be a PCF. In future communication systems, the policy control network element may still be a PCF, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

7. Application network element: mainly used to provide services to the 3GPP network, such as interacting with policy control network elements for policy control, etc.

In a 5G communication system, the application network element may be an AF. In the future communication system, the application network element may still be AF, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

8. Data management network element: mainly used for UE subscription data management, including storage and management of UE ID, UE access authorization, etc. The data management network element can also generate a 3GPP authentication credential for the UE. The data management network element can also register and maintain the network element currently serving the UE (for example, the AMF represented by AMF ID1 is the current serving AMF (serving AMF) of the UE).

In a 5G communication system, the data management network element may be a UDM. In the future communication system, the unified data management may still be UDM, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

9. Data network: an operator network mainly used to provide data services for UEs. For example, the Internet (Internet), a third-party service network, an IP multimedia service (IP multi-media service, IMS) network, and the like.

In a 5G communication system, the data network may be a DN. In future communication systems, the data network may still be a DN, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

10. Authentication server function network element: mainly used for user authentication, etc., such as performing security authentication on the UE when the UE accesses the network.

In a 5G communication system, the authentication server may be AUSF. In the future communication system, the authentication server functional network element may still be AUSF, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

11. Slice management network element: mainly used to select a slice instance set for the UE, determine the AMF set for the UE, and allow the network slice selection assistance information (network slice selection assistance information, NSSAI) (NSSAIs).

In a 5G communication system, the slice management network element may be an NSSF. In the future communication system, the slice management network element may still be NSSF, or may have other names, which are not limited in this application.

In the network architecture shown in FIG. 1 , network elements can communicate with each other through the interfaces shown in the figure, and some interfaces can be realized by means of service-oriented interfaces. As shown in Figure 1, the UE and the AMF can communicate through the N1 interface. The RAN and AMF can communicate through the N2 interface. The RAN and the UPF can communicate through the N3 interface, and the N3 interface can be used to transmit user plane data and the like. The SMF and the UPF can communicate through the N4 interface, and the N4 interface can be used to transmit information such as the tunnel identification information of the N3 connection, data buffer indication information, and downlink data notification messages. The relationship between other interfaces and each network element is shown in FIG. 1 , and for the sake of brevity, details are not described here one by one.

It should be understood that the network architecture shown above is only an example, and the network architecture applicable to the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto, and any network architecture capable of realizing the functions of the foregoing network elements is applicable to the embodiment of the present application.

It should also be understood that AMF, SMF, UPF, PCF, UDM, NSSF, AUSF, etc. shown in FIG. An independent device can also be integrated into the same device to achieve different functions, or it can be a network element in a hardware device, it can also be a software function running on dedicated hardware, or it can be instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform) The virtualization function of the above-mentioned network element is not limited in this application.

It should also be understood that the foregoing network elements or functions may be divided into one or more services, and further, services that exist independently of network functions may also appear. In this application, an instance of the above-mentioned function, or an instance of a service included in the above-mentioned function, or a service instance existing independently of the network function may be referred to as a service instance. In addition, in actual deployment, network elements with different functions can be co-located. For example, the access and mobility management NE can be co-located with the session management NE; the session management NE can be co-located with the user plane NE. When two network elements are co-located, the interaction between the two network elements provided by the embodiment of the present application becomes an internal operation of the co-located network element or can be omitted.

It should also be understood that the above names are only defined for the convenience of distinguishing different functions, and shall not constitute any limitation to the present application. This application does not exclude the possibility of adopting other names in the 6G network and other networks in the future. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above network elements may use the terms in 5G, or may use other names.

It should also be understood that the name of the interface between network elements in FIG. 1 is just an example, and the name of the interface in a specific implementation may be another name, which is not specifically limited in this application. In addition, the name of the message (or signaling) transmitted between the above network elements is only an example, and does not constitute any limitation on the function of the message itself.

As an exemplary illustration, FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a non-public network (non-public network, NPN).

At present, more and more enterprises have the requirement of independent network construction. Non-public networks are mainly used in enterprise vertical industry scenarios to serve enterprise business. As shown in Figure 2, NPN deployment forms include at least the following two types.

1) Independent NPN (standalone NPN, SPNN): independent of the operator's PLMN public network, providing NPN enterprise business services. SNPN can be deployed and operated by NPN operators, and can also be deployed and operated by PLMN operators. As shown in Figure 2(1), in SPNN, SNPN has independent radio access network (radio access network, RAN) (such as gNB) and core network (core net, CN) (control plane (such as denoted as SNPN CP ), and the user plane (as denoted as SNPN UP)).

2) Public network integrated NPN (public network integrated NPN, PNI-NPN): non-independent NPN, deployed and operated by PLMN operators, without the need to establish NPN dedicated physical network nodes, can use NSSAI or data network name (data network name, DNN) to define the NPN. As shown in Figure 2(2), the service provided by the central network (or public network, that is, the PLMN public network) can be identified by the PLMN identification (identify, ID) (such as PLMN A), and the service provided by the local network (or called The service provided by the enterprise private network (PNI-NPN) can be identified by a closed access group (CAG) ID (such as CAG X).

Hereinafter, for ease of description, PNI-NPN is used to represent a local network (or called an enterprise private network), and PLMN is used to represent a central network of the PNI-NPN (or called a public network).

It should be understood that the above two deployment manners are only illustrative descriptions, and are not limited thereto.

To meet widely varying business needs, communication networks will be built in a flexible manner. One possible construction method is the separation of network functions, such as the separation of control plane (control plane, CP) and user plane (user plane, UP) functions, and the separation of MM and SM functions in the CP. A common technology to realize the separation of network functions is network slice technology. Network slicing technology divides a physical network into multiple virtual end-to-end networks, and each virtual network is logically independent. Each network slice is composed of an independent network function or function combination instantiation, with different functional characteristics, and for different requirements and services. The separation of network slices enables different users and user groups to flexibly and dynamically define and customize network capabilities according to their different application scenarios and requirements without affecting each other.

As an exemplary illustration, Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a PNI-NPN.

As shown in Figure 3, PLMN deploys dedicated network slices for enterprises, and considering the localization characteristics of enterprise services, deploys UPF network elements to enterprise campuses, but the control plane network elements (such as AMF, SMF, etc.) Core nodes (such as city-level computer rooms). Network elements can be connected through interfaces between the public network and the enterprise private network. For example, the intercommunication between the UPF network element deployed in the enterprise campus and the SMF network element in the PLMN is realized through the N4 interface, and the communication between the RAN (such as gNB) deployed in the enterprise campus and the AMF network element in the PLMN is realized through the N2 interface intercommunication.

However, the physical interface between the public network and the enterprise private network may fail, for example, the N2 interface goes down and/or the N4 interface goes down. After the N2 interface is disconnected and/or the N4 interface is disconnected, the UE will no longer be able to connect to the network, that is, it will return to the idle (IDLE) state, that is, the UE and the PNI-NPN are disconnected. Once the UE is disconnected from the PNI-NPN, the ongoing service of the UE will be interrupted, resulting in a major loss of the factory's product line and failing to meet the business robustness requirements of the non-public network (or private network).

In view of this, the embodiment of the present application provides a solution that can continue to maintain the normal operation of the basic business of the enterprise private network after the connection between the public network and the enterprise private network fails (eg, the N2 interface and the N4 interface are disconnected).

It can be understood that the term "and/or" in this article is only an association relationship describing associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and/or B, which can mean: A exists alone, and A and B exist at the same time , there are three cases of B alone. In addition, the character "/" in this article generally indicates that the contextual objects are an "or" relationship.

Various embodiments provided by the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 400 provided by an embodiment of the present application.

The communication system 400 is deployed on the first network, and the first network and the second network communicate through the communication interface, or in other words, the first network and the second network realize intercommunication through the communication interface.

The communication system 400 includes: a first control plane device 410 and a first communication device 420 .

In the case that the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device 410 is used to forward the control plane of the terminal device transmitted between the first communication device 420 and the second control plane device in the second network The signaling, the second control plane device, is configured to provide a control plane function for the terminal device, where the second control plane device is a device deployed in the second network.

When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device 410 is used to transmit control plane signaling with the first communication device 420, and the first control plane device 410 is also used to It is used to provide control plane functions for terminal equipment.

It can be understood that the control plane signaling used by the first control plane device 410 for forwarding when the second control plane device provides services (such as control plane services) for the terminal device is different from the second control plane device no longer providing services for the terminal device. In the case where the first control plane device 410 is used to transmit control plane signaling with the first communication device 420, the control plane signaling mentioned in the two places refers generally, and this application does not limit the two mentioned The control plane signaling is exactly the same. As an example, the control plane signaling mentioned in the two places may be completely the same, may be completely different, or may also be partly the same.

It can also be understood that when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the control plane function provided by the second control plane device for the terminal device is different from the first control function when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device. The control plane function provided by the plane device 410 for the terminal device, the control plane functions mentioned in the two places refer to it in general, and the present application does not limit that the control plane functions mentioned in the two places are completely the same. As an example, the functions of the control planes mentioned in the two places may be completely the same, completely different, or partly the same.

Based on the above solution, by deploying the first control plane device on the first network, when the second control plane device provides services for terminal devices, the first control plane device can serve as a proxy device between the first communication device and the second control plane device (or called a proxy node), forwarding signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device may perform a control plane function to control the terminal device. In this way, the network can provide services for users, thereby ensuring the stable progress of user services as much as possible, and realizing the continuity of user services. Taking the communication interface as an example, when the communication interface connection between two networks (such as the first network and the second network) is normal, the first control plane device can act as a proxy between the first communication device and the second control plane device The device (or called a proxy node) forwards signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails, the first control plane device can perform the control plane function to control the terminal device, so as to avoid the failure of the communication interface between the first network and the second network. Can no longer connect to the first network. Therefore, not only does not affect the normal communication between the first communication device and the second control plane device when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, but also when the communication between the first network and the second network When the interface connection fails, the service of the terminal equipment can continue to be carried out normally.

Among them, the situation that the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, and the situation that the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device mean that in some cases, the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device. Services, in some cases, the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device.

For example, the situation that the second control plane provides services for the terminal equipment may include: the situation that the above-mentioned communication interface is connected normally; correspondingly, the situation that the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal equipment may include: the above-mentioned communication interface connection failure Case. That is to say, "the situation that the second control plane provides services for the terminal equipment" can be replaced with "the situation that the communication interface between the first network and the second network is normal", "the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal equipment". The case of service" may be replaced with "the case of failure of the communication interface between the first network and the second network".

For another example, the case where the second control plane provides services for the terminal device may include: a case where the service security and privacy of the terminal device is low; correspondingly, the case where the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device may include: The security and privacy of the business of the terminal device is relatively high. That is to say, "the situation where the second control plane provides services for the terminal device" can be replaced with "the situation where the security and privacy of the business of the terminal device is low" and "the situation where the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device" , may be replaced by "the case where the security and privacy of the business of the terminal device is high".

For another example, the situation that the second control plane provides services for the terminal device may include: the situation that the network of the second network is not congested; correspondingly, the situation that the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device may include: the second network The network congestion situation of the network. That is to say, "the situation that the second control plane provides services for the terminal device" can be replaced with "the situation that the network of the second network is not congested", and "the situation that the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device" can be Replaced with "in case of network congestion of the second network".

For another example, the situation where the second control plane provides services for the terminal device may include: the situation where the network of the first network is congested; correspondingly, the situation where the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device may include: the situation where the first network The network is not congested. That is to say, "the situation that the second control plane provides services for the terminal device" can be replaced by "the situation that the network of the first network is congested", and "the situation that the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device" can be replaced by It is "a case where the network of the first network is not congested".

It can be understood that the above situations are illustrative, and the present application is not limited thereto. For example, any modification that belongs to the above situation is applicable to this application.

It can also be understood that the above-mentioned "the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device" does not limit "the second control plane device will never provide services for the terminal device", which means that in some cases, The second control plane device temporarily no longer provides services for the terminal device.

In the following, for ease of understanding, the communication interface is mainly used as an example for illustration. It can be understood that the "case where the communication interface is connected normally" mentioned below can be replaced with "the case where the second control plane provides services for the terminal device" , "the situation that the connection of the communication interface fails" can be replaced with "the situation that the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device".

Optionally, the first network is a non-public network (or called an enterprise private network, or called a local network), and the second network is a public network. Therefore, when the communication interface between the public network and the non-public network fails, the first control plane device in the non-public network provides control plane functions for the terminal device, thereby ensuring that the business of the enterprise continues to proceed normally and meets the robustness of the non-public network demand.

For example, the first network is a local network of the PNI-NPN, and the second network is a central network of the PNI-NPN (such as a PLMN). The first network may be deployed and operated by the second network. For example, the second network deploys the UPF to the first network, and the control plane network element (that is, the second control plane device) is on the second network. The second control plane device may include, for example, a mobility management network element (for distinction, referred to as a second mobility management network element) and a session management network element (for distinction, referred to as a second session management network element). As an example, the second mobility management network element is an AMF. As an example, the second session management network element is an SMF.

Optionally, the communication interface includes: an N2 interface and/or an N4 interface.

For example, the UPF deployed in the first network and the SMF in the second network realize intercommunication through the N4 interface; another example, the RAN (such as gNB) deployed in the first network and the AMF in the second network communicate through The N2 interface implements intercommunication.

The connection failure of the communication interface between the first network and the second network may include, for example: the disconnection of the communication interface, such as the disconnection of the N2 interface and/or the disconnection of the N4 interface; limit.

It should be understood that the communication interface may include wires for coupling a wired connection or terminals and/or pins for coupling a wireless transceiver for a wireless connection. In some embodiments, a communication interface may include a transmitter, receiver, transceiver and/or antenna. The communication interface may be configured to use any available protocol (eg, 3GPP standard) for communication between devices. In this regard, no further details will be given below.

The first control plane device 410, or called a lightweight control plane (Light-CP, L-CP) function, may provide a terminal device with a control plane function. The control plane function may be part or all of the functions of the second control plane device, for example, may include a mobility management function and a session management function. The first control plane device 410 provides a control plane function for the terminal device, which may include, for example, that the first control plane device 410 executes some functions of the control plane to control the terminal device. Wherein, part of the functions of the control plane refers to part of the functions of the control plane. In addition, the first control plane device 410 provides a control plane function for the terminal device, and may also include transmitting control plane signaling of the terminal device between the first control plane device 410 and the first communication device 420 .

Optionally, the first control plane device 410 includes a mobility management network element (for distinction, referred to as the first mobility management network element) and a session management network element (for distinction, referred to as the first session management network element). As an example, the first mobility management network element is an AMF. As an example, the first session management network element is an SMF. To distinguish, this application refers to the AMF and SMF deployed in the first network as L-AMF and L-SMF respectively.

Optionally, the first communication device 420 includes a RAN and a UPF.

It should be understood that the present application does not limit the number of first control plane devices 410 and the number of first communication devices 420 . For example, the first control plane device 410 may include one or more devices (or one or more network elements, or one or more network slices, etc.). As another example, the first communication device 420 may include one or more devices (or one or more network elements, or one or more network slices, etc.).

Optionally, in a case where the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, the first control plane device 410 is further configured to acquire an association identifier (identifier, ID) of the terminal device. The association identifier of the terminal device can be used to identify the terminal device, or can be used to identify the terminal device when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails. For brevity, the associated identifier of the terminal device is referred to as UE ID hereinafter. Therefore, when the connection of the communication interface between the first network and the second network fails, the first control plane device 410 may perform signaling interaction on the communication interface for the terminal device based on the UE ID.

For example, based on the UE ID, the first control plane device 410 identifies which terminal device the signaling from the first communication device 420 belongs to, and the first control plane device 410 can instruct the first communication device 420 to correspond to the UE ID based on the UE ID. The terminal device performs management and control (or manipulation).

As another example, when the first control plane device 410 includes multiple devices, for example, the first control plane device 410 includes L-AMF and L-SMF, the L-AMF and L-SMF may perform signaling interaction, so the L-AMF and L-SMF can identify the same terminal device through the UE ID.

Optionally, the first control plane device 410 is configured to acquire the UE ID from the second control plane device. As an example, the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship (or corresponding relationship) with the UE ID. Therefore, when the connection of the communication interface between the first network and the second network fails, the first control plane device can be used to acquire the context information of the corresponding terminal device through the UE ID.

Wherein, the association form between the context information about the terminal device and the UE ID is not limited. One possible form is: the context information of the terminal device includes the UE ID; another possible form is: the context information of the terminal device is associated with the UE ID. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific form of association, as long as the UE ID associated with the context information of the terminal device can be known according to the context information of the terminal device; or, the context of the terminal device associated with the UE ID can be known according to the UE ID information, are applicable to this application.

Wherein, the specific manner in which the first control plane device 410 acquires the context information of the terminal device is not limited. For example, the first control plane device 410 is configured to acquire the context information of the terminal device from the second control plane device, and the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the UE ID. As another example, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, the first control plane device 410 is configured to receive a first message (such as a context establishment request message, or a session establishment request message) from the second control plane device. message), and establish the context information of the terminal device according to the first message, and save the context information of the terminal device, the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the UE ID.

The acquisition of the UE ID by the first control plane device 410 and the execution of signaling interaction on the communication interface for the terminal device based on the UE ID will be described in detail later in conjunction with FIGS. 7 to 10 .

Optionally, the UE ID is any of the following: user permanent identifier (such as subscription permanent identifier (SUPI)), globally unique temporary identifier (globally unique temporary identifier, GUTI), dedicated identifier, N3 tunnel identifier (N3 tunnel ID) (or UPF N3 tunnel ID).

Wherein, the dedicated identifier may represent an identifier used in the case of a communication interface connection failure. The specific form of the special mark is not limited. For example, the special identification can be represented by numbers; as another example, the special identification can be represented by letters (such as English letters).

It can be understood that this application mainly takes UE ID as any one of the above as an example for illustration. For example, the present application is not limited thereto, and any ID that can identify the UE is applicable to the present application. For another example, the UE ID may also include multiple, for example, the UE ID may include SUPI and a dedicated identifier, etc., and this is not limited.

Optionally, the first communication device 420 includes a source access network device (such as a source RAN), the communication system 400 further includes a target access network device, and when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails, The first control plane device 410 is further configured to switch the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device. Therefore, in the network switching scenario, that is, in the scenario where the terminal device is switched from the source access network device to the target access network device, the first control plane device 410 can replace the second control plane device to control the terminal device from the source access network device The process of switching to the target access network device. Wherein, handover may mean that a terminal device is handed over from a source access network device to a target access network device, and "handover" in the description may be replaced by "move", "cell reselection" or "cell selection". The details will be described later with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 .

Optionally, in the case that the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails to recover, the first control plane device 410 is also used to trigger a path switching process for the terminal device, so that the terminal device can connect to the second control plane equipment. The details will be described later with reference to FIG. 11 .

Assuming that the first network is a PNI-NPN, and the second network is a central network PLMN of the PNI-NPN, FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5 , the communication system deployed on the PNI-NPN includes: a first control plane device L-CP, and first communication devices UPF and RAN. Wherein, L-CP may include L-AMF and L-SMF. The following describes the two situations.

In case 1, the N2 interface and the N4 interface are not faulty.

When the N2 interface and the N4 interface are not faulty, the L-CP can be used as a proxy node between the device in the PNI-NPN and the device in the PLMN, and the proxy transmits the signaling between the device in the PNI-NPN and the device in the PLMN .

As shown in Figure 5, for the N2 interface, the L-CP can be considered as an AMF for the RAN, and the L-CP can be considered as a RAN for the AMF. For example, sending the information from the RAN to the AMF may include: the RAN first sends the information to the L-CP, and then the L-CP forwards the information to the AMF; the sending of the information from the AMF to the RAN may include: the AMF first sends the information to the L-CP information, and then the L-CP forwards the information to the RAN.

As shown in Figure 5, for the N4 interface, the L-CP can be regarded as an SMF for the UPF, and the L-CP can be regarded as a UPF for the SMF. For example, sending information from UPF to SMF may include: UPF first sends the information to L-CP, and then L-CP forwards the information to SMF; sending information from SMF to UPF may include: SMF first sends the information to L-CP information, and then the L-CP forwards the information to the UPF.

For example, when the N2 interface and the N4 interface do not fail, the L-CP can also obtain the UE ID used on the N2 connection and the UE ID used on the N4 connection. For example, when the N2 connection is normal, the L-AMF in the L-CP obtains the UE context information and saves the UE context information, and the UE context information includes the UE ID used on the N2 connection. For another example, when the N4 connection is normal, the L-SMF in the L-CP obtains the UE context information and saves the UE context information, and the UE context information includes the UEID used on the N4 connection.

In case 2, the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface fails.

When the N2 interface or N4 interface fails, the L-CP performs some functions of the control plane to control the terminal equipment, so as to ensure that the business of the enterprise continues to proceed normally and meet the robustness requirements of PNI-NPN. Wherein, some functions of the control plane include, for example: functions of the L-AMF, and/or functions of the L-SMF. Regarding the functions of the L-AMF and the L-SMF, you can refer to the functions of the AMF and SMF above, and will not repeat them here.

As an example, when the N2 interface or the N4 interface fails, the L-CP may perform signaling interaction on the N2 interface or the N4 interface for the UE. For example, the L-CP performs signaling interaction on the N2 interface or the N4 interface for the UE according to the previously stored UE context information.

Through the network architecture provided in Figure 5, when the communication interface (such as the N2 interface and/or N4 interface) between the PLMN and the PNI-NPN fails, the L-CP in the PNI-NPN performs part of the functions of the control plane to control the terminal equipment, so as to ensure that the business of the enterprise continues to proceed normally and meet the robustness requirements of the PNI-NPN network.

The above describes the network architecture provided by the embodiment of the present application with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 . Based on the network architectures in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application is introduced below with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 11 .

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 600 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 600 may be used for the first network as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 . Method 600 may include the following steps.

601. When the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device forwards the control plane signaling of the terminal device transmitted between the first communication device and the second control plane device, and the second control plane device It is used to provide control plane functions for terminal devices.

Wherein, the second control plane device is a device deployed in the second network. Regarding the first control plane device, the second control plane device, and the first communication device, reference may be made to the foregoing description, and details are not repeated here.

602. When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, transmit control plane signaling of the terminal device between the first control plane device and the first communication device, and the first control plane device provides the terminal device with Control surface functions.

As an example, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the transmission of control plane signaling of the terminal device between the first control plane device and the first communication device may include, for example: signaling on the N2 interface signaling (such as signaling between RAN and AMF) and/or signaling on the N4 interface (such as signaling between SMF and UPF).

Based on the above solution, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device can act as a proxy device (or called a proxy node) between the first communication device and the second control plane device, forwarding the first communication Signaling between the device and the second control plane device. When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device may perform a control plane function to control the terminal device. In this way, the network can provide services for users, thereby ensuring the stable progress of user services as much as possible, and realizing the continuity of user services. Taking the communication interface as an example, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, the first control plane device can act as a proxy device (or called a proxy) between the first communication device and the second control plane device. node), forwarding signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails, the first control plane device can execute the control plane function to control the terminal device, so as to avoid the failure of the communication interface between the first network and the second network. Can no longer connect to the first network. Therefore, not only does not affect the normal communication between the first communication device and the second control plane device when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, but also when the communication between the first network and the second network When the interface connection fails, the service of the terminal equipment can continue to be carried out normally.

Among them, the situation that the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, and the situation that the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device mean that in some cases, the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device. Services, in some cases, the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device. For details, reference may be made to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here. In the following, for ease of understanding, the communication interface is mainly used as an example for illustration. It can be understood that the "case where the communication interface is connected normally" mentioned below can be replaced with "the case where the second control plane provides services for the terminal device" , "the situation that the connection of the communication interface fails" can be replaced with "the situation that the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal device".

Optionally, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, the first control plane device obtains the UE ID. Therefore, when the connection of the communication interface between the first network and the second network fails, the first control plane device can perform signaling interaction on the communication interface for the terminal device based on the UE ID. Specifically, reference may be made to the foregoing description, and details are not repeated here.

There are many ways for the first control plane device to obtain the UE ID, which are not limited.

In a first possible manner, the first control plane device receives the UE ID from the second control plane device. For example, the second control plane device sends a context establishment request message to the first control plane device, where the context establishment request message carries the UEID. For another example, during the establishment of the PDU session, the second control plane device sends a session establishment request message to the first control plane device, and the session establishment request message carries the UE ID. The manner in which the second control plane device determines the UE ID will be described below in conjunction with FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 .

In a second possible manner, the first control plane device receives the UE ID from the first communication device. For example, the UE ID is the UPF N3 tunnel ID, the first communication device includes the UPF, and if the UPF allocates the UPF N3 tunnel ID, the UPF sends the UPF N3 tunnel ID to the first control plane device. For example, during the establishment of a PDU session, after the UPF receives a session establishment request message from the second control plane device, the UPF sends a session establishment response message to the second control plane device through the first control plane device, and the session establishment response message carries the UPF N3 tunnel ID.

In the third possible manner, UE IDs are exchanged between first control plane devices. For example, the first control plane device includes an AMF and an SMF. After the AMF acquires the UE ID, it sends the UE ID to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the UE ID from the AMF. Further, when the communication interface connection fails, the SMF can identify the session context of the terminal device according to the UE ID. Wherein, the AMF obtains the UE ID, which may include: the AMF identifies the context of the terminal device according to the control plane port identifier (such as the tunnel port identifier), and obtains the UE ID according to the context of the terminal device. Wherein, the control plane port identifier is the port identifier of the control plane interface between the AMF and the access network device. Wherein, the context information of the terminal device includes the UE ID, or the context information of the terminal device is associated with the UE ID, and then the AMF can obtain the corresponding UE ID according to the context of the terminal device. It should be understood that the foregoing possible manners are merely illustrative, and the present application is not limited thereto.

Optionally, the method 600 further includes: the first control plane device switches the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device. Therefore, the first control plane device may replace the second control plane device, and switch the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device. Based on the method provided in FIG. 6 , the flow of the first control plane device switching the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 .

Optionally, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails to recover, the first control plane device triggers a path switching process for the terminal device, so that the terminal device connects to the second control plane device. The details will be described later with reference to FIG. 11 .

For ease of understanding, taking the communication interface as an example, the following introduces a possible process applicable to the embodiment of the present application with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 . As mentioned above, the UE ID can have different forms. Figure 7 to Figure 10 mainly introduce the possible flow of the first control plane device providing control plane functions for the terminal equipment when the UE ID is in different forms; Figure 11 mainly introduces the first After the failure of the communication interface connection between the network and the second network is restored (that is, the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device again), the first control plane device triggers a possible process of the path switching process for the terminal device. Among them, the method 700 shown in FIG. 7 can be used in the scenario where the UEID is SUPI, that is, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails (that is, the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device) One example), the first control plane device may perform signaling interaction on the communication interface for the terminal device based on SUPI. The method 800 shown in FIG. 8 can be used in the scenario where the UE ID is GUTI or S-TMSI, that is, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails (that is, the second control plane device is no longer a terminal device An example of service provision), the first control plane device may perform signaling interaction on the communication interface for the terminal device based on GUTI or S-TMSI. The method 900 shown in FIG. 9 can be used in a scenario where the UE ID is a dedicated identifier, that is, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails (that is, the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device) One example), the first control plane device may perform signaling interaction on the communication interface for the terminal device based on the dedicated identifier. The method 1000 shown in FIG. 10 can be used in the scenario where the UE ID is the UPF N3 tunnel ID, that is, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails (that is, the second control plane device no longer provides An example of the service), the first control plane device may perform signaling interaction on the communication interface for the terminal device based on the UPF N3 tunnel ID. The method 1100 shown in FIG. 11 can be used after the connection failure of the communication interface between the first network and the second network is restored, and the first control plane device can trigger a path switching process for the terminal device, so that the terminal device can reconnect to the second control plane. surface equipment.

In the following example, it is assumed that the first control plane device L-CP includes L-SMF and L-AMF; the second control plane device deployed in the second network (such as PLMN) includes SMF and AMF, and the SMF is called PLMN-SMF, The AMF is called PLMN-AMF; the first communication device includes UPF, S-RAN, and T-RAN; the terminal device is UE, the access network device of UE before handover is S-RAN, and the access network device of UE after handover For T-RAN.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 700 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 700 may include the following steps.

701. Establish a communication connection between the L-CP and other devices.

Wherein, other devices include devices deployed in the first network, such as S-RAN and UPF, and other devices include devices deployed in the second network, such as PLMN-SMF and PLMN-AMF.

As an example, step 701 may include the following:

1) A communication connection is established between the L-AMF and the S-RAN, and a communication connection is established between the L-AMF and the AMF.

The L-AMF establishes a node-level (or device-level) N2 signaling connection with the S-RAN in the role of the AMF, including establishing an internet protocol address security (IPsec) security channel. Similarly, the L-AMF establishes a node-level (or device-level) N2 signaling connection with the AMF in the role of the RAN, including establishing an IPsec security channel.

2) A communication connection is established between the L-SMF and the UPF, and a communication connection is established between the L-SMF and the SMF.

The L-SMF establishes a node-level (or device-level) N4 signaling connection with the UPF in the role of an SMF, including establishing an IPsec security channel. Similarly, the L-SMF acts as a UPF to establish a node-level (or device-level) N4 signaling connection with the SMF, including establishing an IPsec security channel.

It can be understood that "the L-AMF establishes a node-level N2 signaling connection with the S-RAN as an AMF" means that the L-AMF, as an AMF, establishes a node-level N2 signaling connection with the S-RAN. Others are similar and will not be repeated here.

702. The UE requests to access the network.

The UE requests to access the network, and sends a registration request or a service request (service request, SR) to the network.

Taking the UE sending a registration request to the network as an example, a possible process includes: the UE sends a registration request to the S-RAN, and the S-RAN sends an initial UE message (initial UE message) to the L-AMF after receiving the registration request from the UE ), to trigger the L-AMF to initiate the establishment of the N2 signaling connection corresponding to the UE (for brevity, it can be called the establishment of the per UE N2 signaling connection); the L-AMF acts as a proxy node and forwards the initial UE to the PLMN-AMF message to trigger the PLMN-AMF to initiate the establishment of the per UE N2 signaling connection, and forward (or transparently transmit) the registration request to the PLMN-AMF.

Wherein, the establishment of the per UE N2 signaling connection initiated by the L-AMF may include, for example: the establishment of the per UE N2 signaling connection between the L-AMF and the S-RAN, and the establishment of the per UE N2 signaling connection between the L-AMF and the PLMN-AMF Establishment of per UE N2 signaling connection. The per UE N2 signaling connection between L-AMF and S-RAN, and the per UE N2 signaling connection between L-AMF and PLMN-AMF can be two different independent N2 connections.

Wherein, the PLMN-AMF initiates the establishment of the per UE N2 signaling connection, for example, it may include: the establishment of the per UE N2 signaling connection between the PLMN-AMF and the S-RAN, and the per UE N2 signaling connection between the PLMN-AMF and the L-AMF UE N2 signaling connection establishment. In a possible process, the PLMN-AMF sends an initial context setup request (initial context setup request) message to the L-AMF, and then the L-AMF forwards the initial context setup request message to the S-RAN. Correspondingly, the S-RAN returns an initial context setup response (initial context setup response) message to the L-AMF, and then the L-AMF forwards the initial context setup response message to the PLMN-AMF.

703. Perform security authentication and key agreement between the PLMN-AMF and the UE.

If the security context information of the UE is not saved on the PLMN-AMF, or the security authentication and key agreement are not performed between the UE and the network, the security authentication and key agreement process is performed between the PLMN-AMF and the UE.

Wherein, the specific process of performing security authentication and key negotiation between the PLMN-AMF and the UE can refer to the description in the prior art, and is not limited.

704. The PLMN-AMF determines to use SUPI as the UE ID.

UE ID, used for when the communication interface (N2 interface and/or N4 interface) between the first network and the second network fails, the L-CP can identify the UE based on the UE ID, and perform Control (or manipulate).

In one possible way, after successfully authenticating the UE, the PLMN-AMF can determine whether the slice corresponding to the network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI) of the UE is an enterprise slice or whether there is a robustness requirement, or Whether there is a robustness requirement in the first network (that is, the private network). If the PLMN-AMF judges that the slice corresponding to the NSSAI of the UE is an enterprise slice or there is a robustness statement, or, or the first network has a robustness statement, then the PLMN-AMF learns that the UE needs to consider the normal operation of the service under the failure, Then the PLMN-AMF determines to use SUPI as the UE ID.

PLMN-AMF can send SUPI to L-AMF through N2 signaling. For example, the initial context establishment request message sent by the PLMN-AMF to the L-AMF carries the SUPI.

705. The PLMN-AMF returns registration acceptance information or service acceptance information to the UE.

Taking PLMN-AMF returning registration acceptance information to UE as an example, in one possible way, the initial context establishment request message sent by PLMN-AMF to L-AMF carries the registration acceptance information, and the initial context establishment request message sent by L-AMF to S-RAN The context establishment request message carries the registration acceptance information, and the S-RAN sends the registration acceptance information to the UE through an RRC message.

Optionally, the initial context establishment request message sent by the PLMN-AMF to the L-AMF and the initial context establishment request message sent by the L-AMF to the S-RAN include information for establishing a UE context (UE context). L-AMF and S-RAN can respectively create RAN UE context according to the initial context establishment request message.

Among them, the information used to establish the UE context, for example, may include but not limited to one or more of the following: UE aggregate maximum bit rate (aggregate maximum bit rate), UE security capability (security capability), security keys (security keys) , UE radio capability (radio capability), allowed network slice selection assistance information (allowed NSSAI), mobility restriction list (mobility restriction list), frequency selection priority (frequency selection priority, RFSP), RRC inactive state assistance information (RRC -inactive assistance information).

706. The L-AMF saves the created RAN UE context.

The RAN UE context has an association relationship (or a corresponding relationship) with the SUPI. The RAN UE context has an association relationship with the SUPI. One possible form is: the RAN UE context includes the SUPI; another possible form is: the RAN UE context is associated with the SUPI. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific form of association, as long as the SUPI associated with the RAN UE context can be known according to the RAN UE context; or, according to the SUPI, the RAN UE context associated with the SUPI can be known, which is applicable to this application.

707. The UE initiates protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session establishment.

After the UE accesses the network, a PDU session is established. For example, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request message to the L-AMF, and the L-AMF forwards the PDU session establishment request message to the PLMN-AMF. Through the established PDU session, the UE can access the application server in the DN network. It can be understood that after the PDU session is established, a data transmission channel between the UE and the DN is established.

708. The PLMN-AMF sends a PDU session establishment request message to the PLMN-SMF.

After the PLMN-AMF receives the PDU session establishment request message from the UE, the PLMN-AMF can select a suitable PLMN-SMF for the UE, and send a PDU session establishment request message to the PLMN-SMF.

709. The PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF.

After the PLMN-SMF receives the UE's PDU session establishment request message sent by the PLMN-AMF, the PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF, and the N4 session establishment request message carries SUPI. For example, the PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the L-SMF, and the L-SMF forwards the N4 session establishment request message to the UPF.

710. The UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF.

After the UPF receives the N4 session establishment request message from the PLMN-SMF, the UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF. For example, the UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the L-SMF, and the L-SMF forwards the N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF.

Wherein, after receiving the N4 session establishment response message, the L-SMF saves the session management (session management, SM) context information of the UE. The SM context information of the UE has an association relationship (or corresponding relationship) with SUPI, for example, the SM context information of the UE includes SUPI; or the SM context information of the UE is associated with SUPI.

After receiving the N4 session establishment response message, the PLMN-SMF continues to execute the PDU session establishment process, which may include, for example: the PDU session resource establishment request message sent by the PLMN-SMF to the S-RAN, and the PDU session establishment acceptance message sent to the UE. Wherein, the PDU session resource establishment request message may be used to establish an N3 interface data transmission channel and an air interface data radio bearer (data radio bearer, DRB(s)) for the PDU session.

The foregoing steps 701 to 710 are possible processes before the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface fails. In the following, in conjunction with steps 711 to 718, a possible flow after the failure of the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface occurs will be introduced.

711. When the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface fails, the L-CP provides a control plane function for the UE.

For example, when the N2 interface fails, the L-AMF performs the function of proxying the N2 interface, replacing the PLMN-AMF to manage and control the UE.

For another example, when the N4 interface fails, the L-SMF performs the function of proxying the N4 interface, replacing the PLMN-SMF to manage and control the UE.

For another example, when both the N2 interface and the N4 interface fail, the L-AMF performs the function of proxying the N2 interface, and the L-SMF performs the function of proxying the N4 interface. The L-AMF and the L-SMF replace the PLMN-AMF and the PLMN-SMF respectively to control the UE.

The following mainly takes the network handover scenario as an example, that is, the UE is handed over from S-RAN to T-RAN, and introduces the process of L-AMF and L-SMF replacing PLMN-AMF and PLMN-SMF respectively to control UE.

712. The T-RAN sends a path switch (path switch) request message to the L-AMF.

In one possible manner, the T-RAN initiates path switching for the UE, that is, the T-RAN sends a path switching request message to the L-AMF.

It should be understood that before step 712, the method 700 may also include handover preparation among the S-RAN, T-RAN, and UE, which is not limited in this application.

713. The L-AMF identifies the RANUE context, and acquires the SUPI associated with the RANUE context.

After the L-AMF receives the path switching request message from the T-RAN, the L-AMF can identify the RANUE context according to the AMF NG-AP tunnel port identifier (tunnel endpoint identifier, TEID). The L-AMF can acquire the SUPI associated with the RAN UE context (or the SUPI corresponding to the RAN UE context) according to the RAN UE context.

In a possible situation, in step 706, the RAN UE context includes SUPI. In this case, acquiring the SUPI associated with the RANUE context can be understood as acquiring the SUPI included in the RANUE context.

In another possible situation, in step 706, the RAN UE context is associated with SUPI. In this case, obtaining the SUPI associated with the RAN UE context can be understood as obtaining the SUPI associated with the RAN UE context.

714. The L-AMF sends a PDU session management context update request (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Request) message to the L-SMF.

The PDU session management context update request message carries SUPI, and the PDU session management context update request message can be used to establish a signaling association between the L-AMF and the L-SMF for the UE.

It should be understood that the PDU session management context update request message is only a possible manner, and the name of the message is not limited. Any message that can implement the message function is applicable to this embodiment of the application.

715. The L-SMF acquires the SM context associated with the SUPI according to the SUPI.

According to the SUPI, the L-SMF obtains the SM context associated with the SUPI, so as to send the N3ANtunnel info allocated by the T-RAN to the UE to the UPF.

In a possible situation, in step 710, the UE's SM context information includes SUPI. In this case, acquiring the SM context information associated with the SUPI may be understood as acquiring the SM context information including the SUPI.

In another possible situation, in step 710, the SM context information of the UE is associated with SUPI. In this case, acquiring the SM context information associated with the SUPI may be understood as acquiring the SM context information associated with the SUPI.

716. Execute an N4 session modification (N4 session modification) process between the L-SMF and the UPF.

For example, L-SMF uses the per UE N4 signaling connection established between UPF and UPF to send N4 session modification request (N4 session modification request) message to UPF. The N4 session modification request message carries the N3 AN tunnel info. Correspondingly, the UPF may send an N4 session modification response (N4 session modification response) message to the L-SMF.

717. The L-SMF sends a PDU session management context update response (Nsmf_PDUSession_UpdateSMContext Response) message to the L-AMF.

The PDU session management context update response message is a response to the PDU session management context update request message in step 714 .

It should be understood that the PDU session management context update response message is only a possible manner, and the name of the message is not limited. Any message that can implement the message function is applicable to this embodiment of the application.

718. The L-AMF returns a path update response message to the T-RAN.

Considering that the communication interface fails, the L-AMF does not need to generate new security parameters (such as the intermediate key NH) for the UE, and the path update response message does not need to carry the security parameter NH. L-AMF does not need to generate new security parameters for the UE. Therefore, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails, the L-AMF can provide the control plane function for the terminal equipment, and can reduce the impact on The requirements of L-AMF require minor changes to existing protocols.

Based on the above solution, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, L-SMF and L-AMF can act as proxy devices (or called proxy devices) between the first communication device and the second control plane device. node), forwarding signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails, L-SMF and L-AMF can replace PLMN-SMF and PLMN-AMF to control the terminal equipment based on SUPI, avoiding the communication between the first network and the second network. After the failure of the communication interface between the terminals, the terminal device can no longer be connected to the first network. Therefore, not only does not affect the normal communication between the first communication device and the second control plane device when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, but also when the communication between the first network and the second network When the interface connection fails, the service of the terminal equipment can continue to be carried out normally.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 800 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 800 may include the following steps.

801. Establish a communication connection between the L-CP and other devices.

802, the UE requests to access the network.

803. Perform security authentication and key agreement between the PLMN-AMF and the UE.

Wherein, steps 801-803 are similar to steps 701-703, and will not be repeated here.

804. The PLMN-AMF determines to use the GUTI as the UE ID.

Alternatively, the PLMN-AMF determines to use the serving-temporary mobile subscriber identity (serving-temporary mobile subscriber identity, S-TMSI) as the UE ID. The method 800 is mainly described by taking GUTI as an example, and it can be understood that "GUTI" in the method 800 may also be replaced with "S-TMSI".

In a possible manner, after successfully authenticating the UE, the PLMN-AMF can determine whether the slice corresponding to the NSSAI of the UE is an enterprise slice or whether there is a robustness statement, or whether the first network (that is, a private network) has a robustness statement. beg. If the PLMN-AMF judges that the slice corresponding to the NSSAI of the UE is an enterprise slice or there is a robustness statement, or the first network has a robustness statement, then the PLMN-AMF learns that the UE needs to consider the normal operation of the service under failure, then the PLMN - AMF determines GUTI as UE ID.

The PLMN-AMF can send the GUTI to the L-AMF through N2 signaling. For example, the initial context establishment request message sent by the PLMN-AMF to the L-AMF carries the GUTI.

805. The PLMN-AMF returns registration acceptance information or service acceptance information to the UE.

Step 805 is similar to step 705 and will not be repeated here.

806. The L-AMF saves the created RAN UE context.

The RAN UE context has an association relationship (or a corresponding relationship) with the GUTI. The RAN UE context has an association relationship with the GUTI. One possible form is: the RAN UE context includes the GUTI; another possible form is: the RAN UE context is associated with the GUTI. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific form of association, as long as the GUTI associated with the RAN UE context can be known according to the RAN UE context; or, according to the GUTI, the RAN UE context associated with the GUTI can be known, which is applicable to this application.

807, the UE initiates the establishment of a PDU session.

Step 807 is similar to step 707 and will not be repeated here.

808. The PLMN-AMF sends a PDU session establishment request message to the PLMN-SMF.

After the PLMN-AMF receives the PDU session establishment request message from the UE, the PLMN-AMF can select a suitable PLMN-SMF for the UE, and send a PDU session establishment request message to the PLMN-SMF.

If the PLMN-AMF judges that the UE's NSSAI or data network name (data network name, DNN) has a robustness statement, or the first network (ie private network) has a robustness statement, then the PLMN-AMF can send the GUTI to the selection The PLMN-SMF. For example, the GUTI can be carried in the PDU session establishment request message.

809. The PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF.

After the PLMN-SMF receives the UE's PDU session establishment request message sent by the PLMN-AMF, the PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF, and the N4 session establishment request message carries a GUTI. For example, the PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the L-SMF, and the L-SMF forwards the N4 session establishment request message to the UPF.

810. The UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF.

After the UPF receives the N4 session establishment request message from the PLMN-SMF, the UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF. For example, the UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the L-SMF, and the L-SMF forwards the N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF.

Wherein, after receiving the N4 session establishment response message, the L-SMF saves the SM context information of the UE. The UE's SM context information has an association relationship (or corresponding relationship) with the GUTI, for example, the UE's SM context information includes the GUTI; or the UE's SM context information is associated with the GUTI.

After receiving the N4 session establishment response message, the PLMN-SMF continues to execute the PDU session establishment process. Specifically, reference may be made to the description in step 710, which will not be repeated here.

The foregoing steps 801 to 810 are possible processes before the failure of the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface occurs. In the following, in combination with steps 811 to 818, a possible flow after the failure of the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface occurs is introduced.

811. When the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface fails, the L-CP provides a control plane function for the UE.

812. The T-RAN sends a path switching request message to the L-AMF.

Wherein, steps 811-812 are similar to steps 711-712, and will not be repeated here.

813. The L-AMF identifies the RAN UE context, and acquires the GUTI associated with the RAN UE context.

After the L-AMF receives the path switching request message from the T-RAN, the L-AMF can identify the RANUE context according to the AMF NG-AP TEID. The L-AMF can acquire the GUTI associated with the RAN UE context (or the GUTI corresponding to the RAN UE context) according to the RAN UE context.

In a possible situation, in step 806, the RAN UE context includes GUTI. In this case, acquiring the GUTI associated with the RANUE context can be understood as acquiring the GUTI included in the RANUE context.

In another possible situation, in step 806, the RAN UE context has an association relationship (or a corresponding relationship) with the GUTI. In this case, obtaining the GUTI associated with the RAN UE context can be understood as obtaining the GUTI associated with the RAN UE context.

814. The L-AMF sends a PDU session management context update request message to the L-SMF.

The PDU session management context update request message carries a GUTI, and the PDU session management context update request message can be used to establish a signaling association between the L-AMF and the L-SMF for the UE.

815. The L-SMF acquires the SM context associated with the GUTI according to the GUTI.

According to the GUTI, the L-SMF obtains the SM context associated with the GUTI, so as to send the N3 ANtunnel info allocated by the T-RAN to the UE to the UPF.

In a possible situation, in step 810, the UE's SM context information includes GUTI. In this case, acquiring the SM context information associated with the GUTI may be understood as acquiring the SM context information including the GUTI.

In another possible situation, in step 810, the UE's SM context information has an association relationship (or a corresponding relationship) with the GUTI. In this case, acquiring the SM context information associated with the GUTI may be understood as acquiring the SM context information associated with the GUTI.

816. Execute an N4 session modification process between the L-SMF and the UPF.

817. The L-SMF sends a PDU session management context update response message to the L-AMF.

818. The L-AMF returns a path update response message to the T-RAN.

Wherein, steps 816-818 are similar to steps 716-718, and will not be repeated here.

Based on the above solution, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, L-SMF and L-AMF can act as proxy devices (or called proxy devices) between the first communication device and the second control plane device. node), forwarding signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails, L-SMF and L-AMF can replace PLMN-SMF and PLMN-AMF to control the terminal equipment based on GUTI or S-TMSI, avoiding the first network and the second network After the failure of the communication interface between the second network, the terminal device can no longer connect to the first network. Therefore, not only does not affect the normal communication between the first communication device and the second control plane device when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, but also when the communication between the first network and the second network When the interface connection fails, the service of the terminal equipment can continue to be carried out normally.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 900 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 900 may include the following steps.

901. Establish a communication connection between the L-CP and other devices.

902, the UE requests to access the network.

903. Perform security authentication and key agreement between the PLMN-AMF and the UE.

Wherein, steps 901-903 are similar to steps 701-703 and will not be repeated here.

904. The PLMN-AMF configures a dedicated identifier for the UE.

That is, the UE ID is a dedicated identifier. The dedicated identifier is used for when the communication interface (N2 interface and/or N4 interface) between the first network and the second network fails, the L-CP can identify the UE based on the dedicated identifier, and perform Control (or manipulate). The specific form of the special mark is not limited. For example, the dedicated identifier can be represented by ID, for example, different UEs correspond to different IDs; as another example, the dedicated identifier can be represented by letters (such as English letters).

In a possible manner, after successfully authenticating the UE, the PLMN-AMF can determine whether the slice corresponding to the NSSAI of the UE is an enterprise slice or whether there is a robustness statement, or whether the first network (that is, a private network) has a robustness statement. beg. If the PLMN-AMF judges that the slice corresponding to the NSSAI of the UE is an enterprise slice or there is a robustness statement, or the first network has a robustness statement, then the PLMN-AMF learns that the UE needs to consider the normal operation of the service under failure, then the PLMN - The AMF can configure (or generate) a dedicated identity for the UE.

The PLMN-AMF can send the dedicated identifier to the L-AMF through N2 signaling. For example, the initial context establishment request message sent by the PLMN-AMF to the L-AMF includes the dedicated identifier.

It should be understood that the method 900 is mainly illustrated by taking the PLMN-AMF configuring a dedicated identifier for the UE as an example, and the present application is not limited thereto. For example, it may also be a dedicated identifier pre-defined by the protocol, or a dedicated identifier pre-configured by other network devices, or a dedicated identifier pre-saved by the PLMN-AMF.

905. The PLMN-AMF returns registration acceptance information or service acceptance information to the UE.

Step 905 is similar to step 705 and will not be repeated here.

906. The L-AMF saves the RAN UE context.

The RAN UE context has an association relationship (or a corresponding relationship) with the dedicated identifier. The RAN UE context has an association relationship with the dedicated identifier. One possible form is: the RAN UE context includes the dedicated identifier; another possible form is: the RAN UE context is associated with the dedicated identifier. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific form of association, as long as the dedicated identifier associated with the RAN UE context can be known according to the RAN UE context; or, according to the dedicated identifier, the RAN UE context associated with the dedicated identifier is known, all applicable to this application Apply.

907, the UE initiates the establishment of a PDU session.

Step 907 is similar to step 707 and will not be repeated here.

908. The PLMN-AMF sends a PDU session establishment request message to the PLMN-SMF.

After the PLMN-AMF receives the PDU session establishment request message from the UE, the PLMN-AMF can select a suitable PLMN-SMF for the UE, and send a PDU session establishment request message to the PLMN-SMF.

If the PLMN-AMF judges that the NSSAI or DNN of the UE has a robustness statement, or the first network (ie, a private network) has a robustness statement, the PLMN-AMF can send the dedicated identifier to the selected PLMN-SMF. For example, the dedicated identifier can be carried in the PDU session establishment request message.

909. The PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF.

After the PLMN-SMF receives the UE's PDU session establishment request message sent by the PLMN-AMF, the PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF, and the N4 session establishment request message carries a dedicated identifier. For example, the PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the L-SMF, and the L-SMF forwards the N4 session establishment request message to the UPF.

910. The UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF.

After the UPF receives the N4 session establishment request message from the PLMN-SMF, the UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF. For example, the UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the L-SMF, and the L-SMF forwards the N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF.

Wherein, after receiving the N4 session establishment response message, the L-SMF saves the SM context information of the UE. The UE's SM context information has an association relationship (or corresponding relationship) with a dedicated identifier, for example, the UE's SM context information includes a dedicated identifier; or the UE's SM context information is associated with a dedicated identifier.

After receiving the N4 session establishment response message, the PLMN-SMF continues to execute the PDU session establishment process. Specifically, reference may be made to the description in step 710, which will not be repeated here.

The foregoing steps 901 to 910 are possible processes before the failure of the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface occurs. In the following, in conjunction with steps 911 to 918, a possible flow after the failure of the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface occurs will be introduced.

911. When the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface fails, the L-CP provides a control plane function for the UE.

912. The T-RAN sends a path switching request message to the L-AMF.

Wherein, steps 911-912 are similar to steps 711-712 and will not be repeated here.

913. The L-AMF identifies the RAN UE context, and acquires a dedicated identifier associated with the RAN UE context.

After the L-AMF receives the path switching request message from the T-RAN, the L-AMF can identify the RANUE context according to the AMF NG-AP TEID. According to the RAN UE context, the L-AMF can acquire the dedicated identifier associated with the RAN UE context (or the dedicated identifier corresponding to the RAN UE context).

In a possible situation, in step 906, the RAN UE context includes a dedicated identifier. In this case, acquiring the dedicated identifier associated with the RAN UE context can be understood as acquiring the dedicated identifier included in the RAN UE context.

In another possible situation, in step 906, the RAN UE context has an association relationship (or a corresponding relationship) with the dedicated identifier. In this case, acquiring the dedicated identifier associated with the RAN UE context can be understood as acquiring the dedicated identifier associated with the RAN UE context.

914. The L-AMF sends a PDU session management context update request message to the L-SMF.

The PDU session management context update request message carries a dedicated identifier, and the PDU session management context update request message can be used to establish a signaling association between the L-AMF and the L-SMF for the UE.

915. The L-SMF acquires the SM context associated with the dedicated identifier according to the dedicated identifier.

The L-SMF obtains the SM context associated with the dedicated identifier according to the dedicated identifier, so as to send the N3 AN tunnel info allocated by the T-RAN to the UE to the UPF.

In a possible situation, in step 810, the UE's SM context information includes a dedicated identifier. In this case, acquiring the SM context information associated with the dedicated identifier may be understood as acquiring the SM context information including the dedicated identifier.

In another possible situation, in step 810, the UE's SM context information has an association relationship (or a corresponding relationship) with the dedicated identifier. In this case, acquiring the SM context information associated with the dedicated identifier may be understood as acquiring the SM context information associated with the dedicated identifier.

916. Execute an N4 session modification process between the L-SMF and the UPF.

917. The L-SMF sends a PDU session management context update response message to the L-AMF.

918. The L-AMF returns a path update response message to the T-RAN.

Wherein, steps 916-918 are similar to steps 716-718 and will not be repeated here.

Based on the above solution, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, L-SMF and L-AMF can act as proxy devices (or called proxy devices) between the first communication device and the second control plane device. node), forwarding signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the communication interface between the first network and the second network fails, the L-SMF and L-AMF can replace the PLMN-SMF and PLMN-AMF to control the terminal equipment based on the dedicated identification, avoiding the first network and the second network After the failure of the communication interface between them, the terminal device can no longer connect to the first network. Therefore, not only does not affect the normal communication between the first communication device and the second control plane device when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, but also when the communication between the first network and the second network When the interface connection fails, the service of the terminal equipment can continue to be carried out normally.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 1000 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 1000 may include the following steps.

1001. Establish a communication connection between the L-CP and other devices.

1002, the UE requests to access the network.

1003. Perform security authentication and key agreement between the PLMN-AMF and the UE.

Wherein, steps 1001-1003 are similar to steps 701-703, and will not be repeated here.

1004. The PLMN-AMF returns registration acceptance information or service acceptance information to the UE.

Step 1004 is similar to step 705 and will not be repeated here.

1005. The L-AMF saves the RAN UE context.

1006, the UE initiates PDU session establishment.

Step 1006 is similar to step 707 and will not be repeated here.

1007. The PLMN-AMF sends a PDU session establishment request message to the PLMN-SMF.

After the PLMN-AMF receives the PDU session establishment request message from the UE, the PLMN-AMF can select a suitable PLMN-SMF for the UE, and send a PDU session establishment request message to the PLMN-SMF.

1008. The PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF.

After the PLMN-SMF receives the UE's PDU session establishment request message sent by the PLMN-AMF, the PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the UPF. For example, the PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the L-SMF, and the L-SMF forwards the N4 session establishment request message to the UPF.

1009. The UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF.

After the UPF receives the N4 session establishment request message from the PLMN-SMF, the UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF. For example, the UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the L-SMF, and the L-SMF forwards the N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF.

In a possible situation, if the PLMN-SMF allocates the UPF N3 tunnel ID, the N4 session establishment request message in step 1008 carries the UPF N3 tunnel ID. For example, the PLMN-SMF sends an N4 session establishment request message to the L-SMF, and the L-SMF forwards the N4 session establishment request message to the UPF. Wherein, after receiving the N4 session establishment request message, the L-SMF saves the UE's SM context information. The UE's SM context information has an association relationship (or corresponding relationship) with the UPF N3 tunnel ID, for example, the UE's SM context information includes the UPF N3 tunnel ID; or the UE's SM context information is associated with the UPF N3 tunnelID.

In another possible situation, if the UPF allocates the UPF N3 tunnel ID, then in step 1009, the N4 session establishment response message sent by the UPF to the PLMN-SMF carries the UPF N3 tunnel ID. For example, the UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message to the L-SMF, and the L-SMF forwards the N4 session establishment response message to the PLMN-SMF. Wherein, after receiving the N4 session establishment response message, the L-SMF saves the SM context information of the UE. The UE's SM context information has an association relationship (or corresponding relationship) with the UPF N3 tunnel ID, for example, the UE's SM context information includes the UPF N3 tunnel ID; or the UE's SM context information is associated with the UPF N3 tunnel ID.

In addition, after the PLMN-SMF receives the N4 session establishment response message, it continues to execute the PDU session establishment process, for example, it may include: the PDU session resource establishment request sent by the PLMN-SMF to the S-RAN, and the PDU session establishment acceptance message sent to the UE. Wherein, the PDU session resource establishment request includes UPF N3 tunnel ID. The L-AMF obtains the UPF N3 tunnel ID from the PDU session resource establishment request message sent by the PLMN-SMF to the S-RAN, and stores it in association with the NG-AP AMF ID.

The above step 1001 to step 1009 are possible processes before the failure of the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface occurs. In the following, in conjunction with steps 1010 to 1017, a possible flow after the failure of the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface occurs will be introduced.

1010. When the N2 interface and/or the N4 interface fails, the L-CP provides a control plane function for the UE.

1011. The T-RAN sends a path switching request message to the L-AMF.

Wherein, steps 1010-1011 are similar to steps 711-712, and will not be repeated here.

1012. The L-AMF identifies the RAN UE context, and acquires the UPF N3 tunnelID associated with the RAN UE context.

After L-AMF receives the path switching request message from T-RAN, L-AMF can identify RAN UE context according to AMF NG-AP TEID. The L-AMF can obtain the UPF N3tunnel ID associated with the RAN UE context according to the RAN UE context.

1013. The L-AMF sends a PDU session management context update request message to the L-SMF.

The PDU session management context update request message carries a dedicated identifier, and the PDU session management context update request message can be used to establish a signaling association between the L-AMF and the L-SMF for the UE.

1014. The L-SMF obtains the SM context associated with the UPF N3 tunnel ID according to the UPF N3 tunnel ID.

According to the UPF N3 tunnel ID, the L-SMF obtains the SM context associated with the UPF N3 tunnel ID, so as to send the N3 AN tunnel info allocated by the T-RAN to the UE to the UPF.

In a possible situation, in step 1009, the UE's SM context information includes UPF N3 tunnel ID. In this case, obtaining the SM context information associated with the UPF N3 tunnel ID can be understood as obtaining the SM context information including the UPF N3 tunnel ID.

In another possible situation, in step 1009, the UE's SM context information has an association relationship (or a corresponding relationship) with the UPF N3 tunnel ID. In this case, obtaining the SM context information associated with the UPF N3 tunnel ID can be understood as obtaining the SM context information associated with the UPF N3 tunnel ID.

1015. Execute an N4 session modification procedure between the L-SMF and the UPF.

1016. The L-SMF sends a PDU session management context update response message to the L-AMF.

1017. The L-AMF returns a path update response message to the T-RAN.

Wherein, steps 1015-1017 are similar to steps 716-718, and will not be repeated here.

Based on the above solution, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, L-SMF and L-AMF can act as proxy devices (or called proxy devices) between the first communication device and the second control plane device. node), forwarding signaling between the first communication device and the second control plane device. When the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails, L-SMF and L-AMF can replace the PLMN-SMF and PLMN-AMF to control the terminal equipment based on the UPF N3 tunnel ID, avoiding the first network and the second network. After the failure of the communication interface between the two networks, the terminal device can no longer connect to the first network. Therefore, not only does not affect the normal communication between the first communication device and the second control plane device when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, but also when the communication between the first network and the second network When the interface connection fails, the service of the terminal equipment can continue to be carried out normally.

The above mainly introduces the process of controlling the terminal equipment by L-SMF and L-AMF instead of PLMN-SMF and PLMN-AMF when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network fails with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 . The following describes the flow after the failure of the communication interface connection is restored with reference to FIG. 11 .

FIG. 11 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 1100 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 1100 may include the following steps.

1101. The L-AMF detects that the connection failure of the communication interface is restored.

If the L-AMF detects that the connection failure of the communication interface (N2 interface and/or N4 interface) is restored, the L-AMF triggers a path procedure for the UE, so that the UE can reconnect to the PLMN-AMF and/or PLMN-SMF.

1102. The L-AMF sends a path switching request message to the PLMN-AMF.

1103. The PLMN-AMF sends a PDU session context update request message to the PLMN-SMF.

1104. Execute an N4 session modification procedure between the PLMN-SMF and the L-SMF.

In a possible situation, if the L-SMF learns that the N4 session modification process is the first N4 process after the fault recovery, the L-SMF will not send the N3 RAN tunnel ID to the UPF, that is, the L-SMF will not perform the N4 session with the UPF Modify the process.

In another possible situation, if the L-SMF learns that the N4 session modification procedure is the first N4 procedure after the fault recovery, the L-SMF and UPF execute the N4 session modification procedure, and the L-SMF and UPF execute the N4 session modification procedure During the process, the N3RAN tunnel ID is not sent to UPF.

In another possible situation, if the L-SMF learns that the N4 session modification procedure is the first N4 procedure after the fault recovery, the L-SMF and UPF execute the N4 session modification procedure, and the L-SMF and UPF execute the N4 session modification procedure During the process, send the N3RAN tunnel ID to the UPF, and the N3 RAN tunnel ID is the previous N3 RAN tunnel ID.

In any of the above cases, UPF will still use the original N3 RAN tunnel ID.

1105. The PLMN-AMF returns a path switching response message to the L-AMF.

If the PLMN-AMF recognizes that the fault-recovered RAN is a device in a non-public network, and the path switch is the first path switch after the fault recovery, no new security parameter NH will be generated for the UE, and the path switch response message may not carry security parameters NH. Considering that the fault-recovered RAN is a device in a non-public network, and the path switch is the first path switch after the fault recovery, the PLMN-AMF does not need to generate new security parameters for the UE, which not only saves resources, but also supports existing protocols. Small changes.

1106. The L-CP stops managing and controlling the UE.

That is to say, L-AMF and L-SMF no longer replace PLMN-AMF and PLMN-SMF to perform control plane functions to control terminal equipment.

1107. The L-CP acts as a proxy node and forwards the signaling transmitted between the RAN/UPF and the PLMN-AMF and PLMN-SMF.

After the UE reconnects to the PLMN-AMF and PLMN-SMF, the L-AMF forwards (or is called as a relay) the signaling transmitted between the RAN and the PLMN-AMF as a proxy node, and the L-SMF forwards (or is called as a relay) as a proxy node Transit) Signaling transmitted between UPF and PLMN-SMF.

It is understood that method 1100 and methods 700-1000 may be used in combination. For example, before step 1101, Angfa 1100 may further include the steps in methods 700-1000.

Based on the above solution, when the communication interface connection failure between the first network and the second network is restored, the L-AMF and the L-SMF can trigger a path switching process for the terminal device, so that the terminal device can reconnect to the PLMN-AMF and PLMN- SMF. L-AMF and L-SMF can act as proxy nodes to forward the signaling transmitted between RAN/UPF and PLMN-AMF and PLMN-SMF. Therefore, when the communication interface connection between the first network and the second network is normal, the normal communication between the first communication device and the second control plane device is not affected, and the normal transmission of services of the terminal device is guaranteed.

It can be understood that the examples in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 in the embodiment of the present application are only for the convenience of those skilled in the art to understand the embodiment of the present application, and are not intended to limit the embodiment of the present application to the illustrated specific scenarios. Those skilled in the art can obviously make various equivalent modifications or changes according to the examples in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 , and such modifications or changes also fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present application. For example, in Figures 7 to 11, "the situation that the communication interface is connected normally" can be replaced with "the situation that the second control plane provides services for the terminal equipment", and "the situation that the communication interface connection fails" can be replaced with "the second Situations where the control plane no longer serves the end device".

It can also be understood that some optional features in the embodiments of the present application may not depend on other features in some scenarios, or may be combined with other features in some scenarios, which is not limited.

It can also be understood that the solutions in the various embodiments of the present application can be used in a reasonable combination, and explanations or descriptions of various terms appearing in the embodiments can be referred to or interpreted in each embodiment, which is not limited.

It can also be understood that the sizes of the various numbers in the embodiments of the present application do not mean the order of execution, but are only for convenience of description, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

It can also be understood that some message names are involved in each embodiment of the present application, such as path switching request message or PDU session management context update request message, etc. It should be understood that the naming does not limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application .

It can also be understood that, in some of the foregoing embodiments, the communication interface is mainly used as an example for illustration, and the present application is not limited thereto. "The situation that the communication interface is connected normally" can be replaced with "the situation that the second control plane provides services for the terminal equipment", and "the situation that the communication interface connection fails" can be replaced with "the second control plane no longer provides services for the terminal equipment." Case".

It can also be understood that in some of the above embodiments, the mobile management network element is mainly AMF, and the session management network element is SMF as an example for exemplary description. This application is not limited thereto. Any network element that can implement AMF, or any All network elements that can implement SMF are applicable to this application.

It can also be understood that in each of the foregoing method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by a device or network element (such as a first control plane device, or a second control plane device) may also be implemented by components of the device or network element ( such as chips or circuits).

Corresponding to the methods provided in the foregoing method embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide corresponding devices, and the device includes corresponding modules for executing the foregoing method embodiments. The module can be software, or hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. It can be understood that the technical features described in the above method embodiments are also applicable to the following device embodiments.

Fig. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 1200 includes a transceiver unit 1210, and the transceiver unit 1210 can be used to implement a corresponding communication function. The transceiver unit 1210 may also be called a communication interface or a communication unit.

Optionally, the apparatus 1200 may further include a processing unit 1220, and the processing unit 1220 may be used for data processing.

Optionally, the device 1200 further includes a storage unit, which can be used to store instructions and/or data, and the processing unit 1220 can read the instructions and/or data in the storage unit, so that the device implements the foregoing method embodiments Actions of network devices (such as control plane devices, such as mobility management network elements, such as session management network elements) in the network.

The apparatus 1200 can be used to execute the actions performed by the network device (such as the first control plane device, or the second control plane device) in each method embodiment above. At this time, the apparatus 1200 can be a network device or a network device The transceiver unit 1210 is used to perform operations related to sending and receiving on the network device side in the method embodiments above, and the processing unit 1220 is used to perform operations related to processing on the network device side in the method embodiments above.

As a design, the apparatus 1200 is configured to perform the actions performed by the first control plane device in each method embodiment above.

In a possible implementation manner, the device 1200 is deployed on the first network, and when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the transceiver unit 1210 is used to forward the first communication device deployed in the first network and the deployment The control plane signaling of the terminal device transmitted between the second control plane device in the second network, the second control plane device is used to provide the terminal device with control plane functions, wherein the second control plane device is deployed on the second A device in the network; when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the transceiver unit 1210 is used to transmit control plane signaling with the first communication device, and the apparatus 1200 is used to provide the terminal device with Control surface functions.

In some possible implementation manners, when the second control plane device provides a service for the terminal device, the transceiving unit 1210 is further configured to acquire the association identifier of the terminal device.

Exemplarily, the transceiving unit 1210 is configured to acquire the association identifier of the terminal device, including: the transceiving unit 1210 is configured to receive the association identifier of the terminal device from the second control plane device.

For example, in the case that the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the transceiver unit 1210 is further configured to receive a first message from the second control plane device; the processing unit 1220 is configured to store the information of the terminal device according to the first message. Context information, wherein the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device.

In some possible implementation manners, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the transceiving unit 1210 is further configured to obtain the context information of the terminal device through the association identifier of the terminal device.

Optionally, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, a dedicated identifier, and an N3 tunnel identifier.

In some possible implementation manners, the first communication device includes a source access network device, the first network further includes a target access network device, and when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the processing unit Step 1220 is used to switch the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device.

Exemplarily, the first communication device further includes a user plane functional network element, and the transceiver unit 1210 is configured to receive a handover request message from the target access network device, where the handover request message includes N3 tunnel information allocated by the target access network device to the terminal device; The transceiving unit 1210 is further configured to acquire an association identifier of the terminal device; the transceiver unit 1210 is configured to send N3 tunnel information to a user plane functional network element based on the association identifier of the terminal device.

In some possible implementations, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device again, the processing unit 1220 is further configured to trigger Path switching process, so that the terminal device is connected to the second control plane device.

Optionally, the first control plane device includes: a first mobility management network element and/or a first session management network element.

Optionally, the first network is a local network integrating a public network with a non-public network, and the second network is a central network integrating a public network with a non-public network.

Optionally, the communication interface includes an N2 interface and/or an N4 interface.

The apparatus 1200 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the execution of the first control plane device in the method embodiment according to the embodiment of the present application, and the apparatus 1200 can include a method for executing the first control plane device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 The unit of the method executed, or includes the unit of the method executed by the L-AMF and the L-SMF in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 .

As another design, the apparatus 1200 is configured to perform the actions performed by the first mobility management network element (such as the L-AMF) in each method embodiment above.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit 1210 is configured to obtain an association identifier of the terminal device, and the association identifier of the terminal device is used to identify the terminal device when the second control plane device deployed on the second network no longer provides services for the terminal device The transceiver unit 1210 is further configured to send the association identifier of the terminal device to the first session management network element; wherein, the apparatus 1200 and the first session management network element are deployed in the first network.

In some possible implementation manners, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the transceiver unit 1210 is further configured to receive the association identifier of the terminal device from the second mobility management network element, the second mobility management network element The network element is deployed in the second network.

For example, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the transceiver unit 1210 is further configured to receive the first message from the second mobility management network element; the processing unit 1220 is configured to save the terminal device according to the first message The context information of the device, and the context information of the terminal device have an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device.

In some possible implementations, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the processing unit 1220 is configured to identify the context of the terminal device according to the control plane port identifier, where the control plane port identifier It is the port identifier of the control plane interface between the first mobility management network element and the access network device; according to the context of the terminal device, the association identifier of the terminal device is acquired.

In some possible implementations, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device again, the processing unit 1220 is configured to trigger A path switching process, so that the terminal device establishes a communication connection with the second session management network element and/or the second mobility management network element, where the second session management network element and the second mobility management network element are deployed in the second network.

Optionally, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, a dedicated identifier, and an N3 tunnel identifier.

The apparatus 1200 may implement the steps or processes corresponding to the execution of the first mobility management network element in the method embodiment according to the embodiment of the present application. For example, the apparatus 1200 may perform the elements of the method in the L-AMF in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 .

As another design, the apparatus 1200 is configured to perform the actions performed by the first session management network element (such as the L-SMF) in each method embodiment above.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit 1210 is configured to receive an association identifier of a terminal device from the first mobility management network element, and the association identifier of the terminal device is used when the second control plane device deployed on the second network is no longer Identifying the terminal device when the terminal device provides services; when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the processing unit 1220 is configured to identify the session context associated with the association identifier of the terminal device according to the association identifier of the terminal device; wherein , the apparatus 1200 and the first mobility management network element are deployed in the first network.

In some possible implementation manners, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the transceiver unit 1210 is further configured to receive the association identifier of the terminal device from the second session management network element, and the second mobility management The network element is deployed in the second network.

In some possible implementation manners, when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the transceiver unit 1210 is further configured to receive the first message from the second session management network element, and the second session management network element Deployed in the second network; the processing unit 1220 is configured to save the context information of the terminal device according to the first message, where the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device.

In some possible implementations, when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the transceiver unit 1210 is further configured to acquire the context information of the terminal device according to the association identifier of the terminal device, and send the user plane function The network element sends a session modification request message.

Optionally, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, a dedicated identifier, and an N3 tunnel identifier.

The apparatus 1200 may implement the steps or processes corresponding to the execution of the first session management network element in the method embodiment according to the embodiment of the present application. For example, the apparatus 1200 includes units of the method executed by the L-SMF in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 .

As another design, the apparatus 1200 is configured to perform the actions performed by the second mobility management network element (such as the PLMN-AMF) in each method embodiment above.

In a possible implementation manner, the processing unit 1220 is configured to determine, by the second mobility management network element, an association identifier of the terminal device, where the association identifier of the terminal device is used when the second control plane device deployed on the second network is no longer a terminal device Identifying the terminal equipment when providing services; the transceiver unit 1210 is configured to send the association identifier of the terminal equipment to the first mobility management network element; wherein, the first mobility management network element is deployed in the first network, and the device 1200 is deployed in the second network middle.

Exemplarily, the processing unit 1220 is configured to determine the association identifier of the terminal device, including: if the network slice supported by the terminal device and/or the first network has robustness requirements, the processing unit 1220 is configured to determine the terminal device's Association ID.

In some possible implementation manners, the transceiving unit 1210 is further configured to send the association identifier of the terminal device to the second session management network element, and the second session management network element is deployed in the second network.

Optionally, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, and a dedicated identifier.

The apparatus 1200 may implement the steps or processes corresponding to the execution of the second mobility management network element in the method embodiment according to the embodiment of the present application. For example, the apparatus 1200 includes units of the method executed by the PLMN-AMF in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 .

As another design, the apparatus 1200 is configured to perform the actions performed by the second session management network element (such as the PLMN-SMF) in each method embodiment above.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit 1210 is configured to obtain an association identifier of the terminal device, and the association identifier of the terminal device is used to identify the terminal device when the second control plane device deployed on the second network no longer provides services for the terminal device The transceiver unit 1210 is further configured to send the association identifier of the terminal device to the first session management network element; wherein, the first session management network element is deployed in the first network, and the apparatus 1200 is deployed in the second network.

In some possible implementations, if the network slice supported by the terminal device or the first network has a robustness requirement, the transceiver unit 1210 is further configured to send the association identifier of the terminal device to the user plane functional network element, and the user plane functional network The element is deployed in the first network.

For example, the processing unit 1220 is configured to determine the association identifier of the terminal device; or, the transceiver unit 1210 is configured to receive the association identifier of the terminal device from the second mobility management network element, and the second mobility management network element is deployed in the second network middle.

Optionally, the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: a permanent user identifier, a globally unique temporary identifier, and a dedicated identifier.

The apparatus 1200 may implement the steps or processes corresponding to the execution of the second session management network element in the method embodiment according to the embodiment of the present application. For example, the apparatus 1200 includes units of the method executed by the PLMN-SMF in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 11 .

It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, details are not repeated here.

It should also be understood that the apparatus 1200 here is embodied in the form of functional units. The term "unit" here may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor for executing one or more software or firmware programs (such as a shared processor, a dedicated processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory, incorporated logic, and/or other suitable components to support the described functionality. In an optional example, those skilled in the art can understand that the apparatus 1200 may specifically be the network device (such as the first control plane device, or the second control plane device) in the above embodiments, and may be used to execute the above methods Various processes and/or steps corresponding to network devices (such as the first control plane device, and the second control plane device) in the embodiments are not repeated here to avoid repetition.

The apparatus 1200 in each of the above solutions has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the network device (such as the first control plane device, or the second control plane device) in the above methods. The functions described above may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by executing corresponding software on the hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the sending unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver computer), and other units, such as a processing unit, may be replaced by a processor to respectively perform the sending and receiving operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

In addition, the above-mentioned transceiver unit 1210 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, may include a receiving circuit and a sending circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

It should be noted that the apparatus in FIG. 12 may be the network element or device in the foregoing embodiments, or may be a chip or a chip system, for example, a system on chip (system on chip, SoC). Wherein, the transceiver unit may be an input-output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit integrated on the chip. It is not limited here.

As shown in FIG. 13 , this embodiment of the present application provides another communication device 1300 . The device 1300 includes a processor 1310, the processor 1310 is coupled with a memory 1320, the memory 1320 is used for storing computer programs or instructions and/or data, and the processor 1310 is used for executing the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 1320, or reading the memory 1320 The stored data is used to execute the methods in the above method embodiments.

Optionally, there are one or more processors 1310 .

Optionally, there are one or more memories 1320 .

Optionally, the memory 1320 is integrated with the processor 1310, or is set separately.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 13 , the apparatus 1300 further includes a transceiver 1330, and the transceiver 1330 is used for receiving and/or sending signals. For example, the processor 1310 is configured to control the transceiver 1330 to receive and/or send signals.

As a solution, the apparatus 1300 is used to implement the operations performed by the network device (such as the first control plane device, or the second control plane device) in the above method embodiments.

For example, the processor 1310 is configured to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 1320, so as to implement related operations of the first control plane device in each method embodiment above. For example, the method executed by the first control plane device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 , or the first control plane device in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 11 .

It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiment of the present application may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), and may also be other general processors, digital signal processors (digital signal processor, DSP), application specific integrated circuits (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), off-the-shelf programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, or the like.

It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory and/or a nonvolatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (read-only memory, ROM), programmable read-only memory (programmable ROM, PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (erasable PROM, EPROM), electrically programmable Erases programmable read-only memory (electrically EPROM, EEPROM) or flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. As an example and not limitation, RAM includes the following multiple forms: static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), Double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous connection dynamic random access memory (synchlinkDRAM, SLDRAM) and direct memory Bus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM).

It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components, the memory (storage module) may be integrated in the processor.

It should also be noted that the memories described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

As shown in FIG. 14 , an embodiment of the present application provides a chip system 1400 . The chip system 1400 (or also called a processing system) includes a logic circuit 1410 and an input/output interface (input/output interface) 1420 .

Wherein, the logic circuit 1410 may be a processing circuit in the chip system 1400 . The logic circuit 1410 may be coupled to the storage unit, and invoke instructions in the storage unit, so that the chip system 1400 can implement the methods and functions of the various embodiments of the present application. The input/output interface 1420 may be an input/output circuit in the system on chip 1400, which outputs information processed by the system on chip 1400, or inputs data or signaling information to be processed to the system on chip 1400 for processing.

As a solution, the chip system 1400 is used to implement the operations performed by the network device (such as the first control plane device, or the second control plane device) in the above method embodiments.

For example, the logic circuit 1410 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the first control plane device in the above method embodiments, such as the processing performed by the first control plane device in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 11 Relevant operations; the input/output interface 1420 is used to implement the sending and/or receiving related operations performed by the first control plane device in the above method embodiments, as in any one of the embodiments shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 11 Operations related to sending and/or receiving performed by the first control plane device.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which is stored a computer for implementing the methods performed by the network device (such as the first control plane device, or the second control plane device) in the above method embodiments instruction.

For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can implement the methods executed by the first control plane device in each of the foregoing method embodiments.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product, including instructions. When the instructions are executed by a computer, the steps performed by the network device (such as the first control plane device, or the second control plane device) in the above method embodiments are implemented. method.

For explanations and beneficial effects of relevant content in any of the devices provided above, reference may be made to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and details are not repeated here.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed 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 addition, 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.

In the above embodiments, all or part of them may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on the computer, the processes or functions according to the embodiments of the present application will be generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. For example, the computer may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device. The computer instructions may be stored in or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server or data center Transmission to another website site, computer, server, or data center by wired (eg, coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (eg, infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or a data center integrated with one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, DVD), or a semiconductor medium (for example, a solid state disk (SSD), etc. For example, the aforementioned available medium includes but Not limited to: 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 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 (47)

1. A communication system, characterized in that, the communication system is deployed in a first network, and the first network and the second network communicate through a communication interface; The communication system includes: a first control plane device and a first communication device, When the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device is configured to forward the control of the terminal device transmitted between the first communication device and the second control plane device plane signaling, the second control plane device is configured to provide a control plane function for the terminal device, Wherein, the second control plane device is a device deployed in the second network; When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device is configured to transmit control plane signaling with the first communication device, and the first control plane device is configured to transmit control plane signaling with the first communication device, and the first control plane device A control plane device, further configured to provide a control plane function for the terminal device. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device is also used to acquire the terminal device The associated ID of the device. 3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the first control plane device is further configured to obtain an associated identifier of the terminal device, comprising: The first control plane device is configured to receive the association identifier of the terminal device from the second control plane device. 4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, The first control plane device is further configured to receive a first message from the second control plane device; The first control plane device is further configured to save the context information of the terminal device according to the first message, Wherein, the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device. 5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the method further comprises: The first control plane device is further configured to obtain the context information of the terminal device through the association identifier of the terminal device. 6. The communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: User permanent ID, globally unique temporary ID, dedicated ID, N3 tunnel ID. 7. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first communication device includes a source access network device, and the communication system further includes a target access network device, and in the When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, The first control plane device is further configured to switch the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device. 8. The communication system according to claim 7, wherein the first communication device further comprises a user plane functional network element, and the first control plane device is further configured to transfer the terminal device from the source The access network device switches to the target access network device, including: The first control plane device is configured to receive a handover request message from the target access network device, where the handover request message includes N3 tunnel information allocated by the target access network device to the terminal device; The first control plane device is configured to acquire an association identifier of the terminal device; The first control plane device is configured to send the N3 tunnel information to the user plane functional network element based on the association identifier of the terminal device. 9. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane the device resumes serving said terminal device, The first control plane device is further configured to trigger a path switching procedure for the terminal device, so that the terminal device establishes a communication connection with the second control plane device. 10. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first control plane device comprises: a first mobility management network element and/or a first session management network element. 11. Communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first network is a local network integrating a public network with a non-public network, and the second network is a central network integrating a non-public network with the public network. 12. Communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The communication interface includes an N2 interface and/or an N4 interface. 13. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: When the second control plane device deployed in the second network provides services for the terminal device, the first control plane device deployed in the first network forwards the first communication device deployed in the first network and the The control plane signaling of the terminal device transmitted between the second control plane devices, where the second control plane device is used to provide a control plane function for the terminal device; When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, transmit control plane signaling between the first control plane device and the first communication device, and the first control plane The device provides a control plane function for the terminal device. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further comprises: The first control plane device acquires the association identifier of the terminal device. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first control plane device obtaining the association identifier of the terminal device comprises: The first control plane device receives the association identifier of the terminal device from the second control plane device. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further comprises: The first control plane device receives a first message from the second control plane device; The first control plane device saves the context information of the terminal device according to the first message, where the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the method further comprises: The first control plane device acquires the context information of the terminal device through the association identifier of the terminal device. 18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: User permanent ID, globally unique temporary ID, dedicated ID, N3 tunnel ID. 19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the first communication device includes a source access network device, the first network further includes a target access network device, and in the In the case where the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the method further includes: The first control plane device switches the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network device. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first communication device further includes a user plane functional network element, and the first control plane device switches the terminal device from the source access network device to the target access network equipment, including: The first control plane device receives a handover request message from the target access network device, where the handover request message includes N3 tunnel information allocated by the target access network device to the terminal device; The first control plane device acquires the association identifier of the terminal device; The first control plane device sends the N3 tunnel information to the user plane functional network element based on the association identifier of the terminal device. 21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, further comprising: When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device again, the first control plane device is the terminal device A path switching process is triggered, so that the terminal device is connected to the second control plane device. 22. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the first control plane device comprises: a first mobility management network element and/or a first session management network element. 23. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein The first network is a local network integrating a public network with a non-public network, and the second network is a central network integrating a non-public network with the public network. 24. A method according to any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein The communication interface includes an N2 interface and/or an N4 interface. 25. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: The first mobility management network element acquires an association identifier of the terminal device, where the association identifier of the terminal device is used to identify the terminal device when the second control plane device deployed in the second network no longer provides services for the terminal device ; The first mobility management network element sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the first session management network element; Wherein, the first mobility management network element and the first session management network element are deployed in the first network. 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further comprises: The first mobility management network element receives the association identifier of the terminal device from a second mobility management network element, where the second mobility management network element is deployed in the second network. 27. The method according to claim 26, wherein when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further comprises: The first mobility management network element receives a first message from the second mobility management network element; The first mobility management network element saves the context information of the terminal device according to the first message, and the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device. 28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the first mobility management network element obtaining the association identifier of the terminal device comprises: When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first mobility management network element identifies the context of the terminal device according to the control plane port identifier, wherein the control plane port Identified as a port identification of the control plane interface between the first mobility management network element and the access network device; The first mobility management network element acquires the association identifier of the terminal device according to the context of the terminal device. 29. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 28, further comprising: When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, if the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device again, the first mobility management network element is the terminal device The device triggers a path switching process, so that the terminal device establishes a communication connection with a second session management network element and/or a second mobility management network element, where the second session management network element and the second mobility management network element deployed in the second network. 30. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: The first session management network element receives an association identifier of the terminal device from the first mobility management network element, and the association identifier of the terminal device is used when the second control plane device deployed in the second network is no longer the terminal device identify said terminal device when providing services; When the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the first session management network element identifies the session context associated with the association identifier of the terminal device according to the association identifier of the terminal device; Wherein, the first session management network element and the first mobility management network element are deployed in the first network. 31. The method according to claim 30, wherein when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further comprises: The first session management network element receives the association identifier of the terminal device from a second session management network element, where the second session management network element is deployed in the second network. 32. The method according to claim 31, wherein when the second control plane device provides services for the terminal device, the method further comprises: The first session management network element receives a first message from a second session management network element, and the second session management network element is deployed in the second network; The first session management network element saves the context information of the terminal device according to the first message, and the context information of the terminal device has an association relationship with the association identifier of the terminal device. 33. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein when the second control plane device no longer provides services for the terminal device, the method further comprises: The first session management network element obtains the context information of the terminal device according to the association identifier of the terminal device, and sends a session modification request message to the user plane functional network element. 34. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: User permanent ID, globally unique temporary ID, dedicated ID, N3 tunnel ID. 35. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: The second mobility management network element determines an association identifier of the terminal device, and the association identifier of the terminal device is used to identify the terminal device when the second control plane device deployed in the second network no longer provides services for the terminal device ; The second mobility management network element sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the first mobility management network element; Wherein, the first mobility management network element is deployed in the first network, and the second mobility management network element is deployed in the second network. 36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the second mobility management network element determining the association identifier of the terminal device comprises: If the network slicing supported by the terminal device and/or the first network has a robustness requirement, the second mobility management network element determines the association identifier of the terminal device. 37. The method according to claim 35 or 36, further comprising: The second mobility management network element sends the association identifier of the terminal device to a second session management network element, where the second session management network element is deployed in the second network. 38. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises: The second session management network element acquires an association identifier of the terminal device, where the association identifier of the terminal device is used to identify the terminal device when the second control plane device deployed in the second network no longer provides services for the terminal device ; The second session management network element sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the first session management network element; Wherein, the first session management network element is deployed in the first network, and the second session management network element is deployed in the second network. 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising: If the network slicing supported by the terminal device or the first network has robustness requirements, the second session management network element sends the association identifier of the terminal device to the user plane functional network element, and the user plane functional network Elements are deployed in the first network. 40. The method of claim 38 or 39, wherein, The acquisition of the association identifier of the terminal device by the second session management network element includes: The second session management network element receives the association identifier of the terminal device from a second mobility management network element, where the second mobility management network element is deployed in the second network. 41. The method according to any one of claims 35 to 40, wherein the association identifier of the terminal device is any of the following: User permanent ID, globally unique temporary ID, and dedicated ID. 42. A communication device, comprising: A processor, configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 13 to 24, or, so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 25 to 29 A method described in one, or, so that the device performs the method as described in any one of claims 30 to 34, or, so that the device performs the method described in any one of claims 35 to 37 or, so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 38 to 41. 43. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising the memory. 44. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein a computer program is stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer is made to execute the The method described in any one, or make the computer execute the method described in any one of claims 25 to 29, or make the computer execute the method described in any one of claims 30 to 34 The method, or causing the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 35 to 37, or causing the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 38 to 41. 45. A computer program product, characterized in that, the computer program product comprises instructions for performing the method according to any one of claims 13 to 24, or, the computer program product comprises instructions for performing the method as described in Instructions for the method according to any one of claims 25 to 29, or, the computer program product includes instructions for performing the method according to any one of claims 30 to 34, or, the computer program A product comprising instructions for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 35 to 37, alternatively the computer program product comprising instructions for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 41. 46. A communication system, characterized by comprising one or more of the following: A first control plane device configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 13 to 24; A second mobility management network element configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 35 to 37; or, A second session management network element, the second session management network element is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 38 to 41. 47. A communication system, characterized by comprising one or more of the following: A first mobility management network element, configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 25 to 29; A first session management network element, configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 30 to 34; A second mobility management network element configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 35 to 37; or, A second session management network element, the second session management network element is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 38 to 41.

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