WO2012142880A1 - Gateway selection method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a gateway selection method. The method includes: UE accessing a network and sending to an access network discovery and selection function (ANDSF) unit a connection request carrying user location information; and the ANDSF selecting a gateway according to the user location information. Also provided is a gateway selection system. According to the technical solution in the present invention, the ANDSF can select an access gateway for the UE according to the user location information provided thereby.

Description

 Method and system for selecting gateway

 The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method and system for selecting a gateway. Background technique

An interworking wireless local area network (I-WLAN) refers to a wireless local area network (WLAN) that interacts with the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) network. Access Network (AN, Access Network) ₀ I-WLAN is mainly composed of WLAN, WLAN Access Gateway (WAG), Packet Data Gateway (PDG) and other supporting nodes. The purpose of the interaction is to enable the WLAN access technology to cooperate with the 3GPP core network infrastructure to ensure that the WLAN user can access the packet service of the 3GPP access network through the WLAN access network.

 General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) access network consists of 3GPP radio access network (GERAN/UTRAN, GSM EDGE Radio Access Network/UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network), QoS support node (SGSN, Serving GPRS) Support Node), Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) and other supporting nodes.

When a mobile user has the access capability of the I-WLAN and the GPRS access network, it is necessary to maintain the continuity of the service when switching between the two access networks. The 3GPP standards organization has decided to adopt the Dual-Stack Mobile Internet Protocol version 6 (DSMIPv6) as a technical solution to maintain the continuity of such services. This technical solution enables mobile users to switch between the I-WLAN and the GPRS access network, and the IP address remains unchanged to ensure continuity of service. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a UE accessing a network according to an mobility solution (I-WLAN Mobility) between an I-WLAN and a 3GPP access network in the prior art. As shown in FIG. 1, a user equipment (UE, User Equipment) It can access I-WLAN and 3GPP access network. Both the GGSN and the PDG can be considered as access routers (ARs, Access Routers). A home agent (HA, Home Agent) and three corresponding interfaces are added between the above I-WLAN and the 3GPP access network: an HI interface (between the HA and the UE), and an H2 interface (located in the HA and the 3GPP AAA Between the server and the H3 interface (between HA and AR;).

 3GPP evolved packet system (EPS, Evolved Packet System) consists of Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), S-GW (Serving Gateway), Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) , Packet Data Network GateWay ) and other supporting nodes. The S-GW is an access gateway device connected to the E-UTRAN, and forwards data between the E-UTRAN and the P-GW, and is responsible for buffering paging waiting data; the P-GW is an EPS and packet data network (PDN) , Packet Data Network's border gateway, responsible for PDN access, and the ability to forward data between EPS and PDN.

 2 is a packet core network (EPC, Evolved) in the prior art for WLAN AN access evolution.

Schematic diagram of the network architecture of Packet Core), as shown in FIG. 2, the EPS supports interworking with the WLAN, and the P-GW serves as an anchor point between the 3GPP and the non-3GPP network. When the user accesses the EPS network through the E-UTRAN using the terminal-based mobile IP protocol, the S2c interface is used, and the S2c interface is an interface between the UE and the P-GW. EPC includes Evolved Packet Data Gateway (ePDG), P-GW, 3GPP Authentication, Authorization, Accounting (AAA), and Home Subscriber Server (HSS). _{0 In} the network architecture shown in FIG. 2, the HSS is also used to store user data and generate a vector for authentication in the user access authentication process. The P-GW is a border gateway between the EPC and the PDN, and is used for functions such as accessing the PDN and forwarding data between the EPC and the PDN. When the operator considers the WLAN AN to be trusted, the WLAN AN can pass the S2a interface. Directly connected to the P-GW; when the operator believes that the WLAN AN is untrustworthy, the WLAN AN needs to be connected to the ePDG to ensure the security and confidentiality of data transmission between the UE and the ePDG. At this time, the ePDG and the P-GW are used. S2b interface. In addition, the UE can also access the EPC through other access networks, including the radio access network defined by the 3GPP itself, such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network.

 As an IP service, an Access Network Discovery and Selection Function (ANDSF) is a network element used by an operator to provide access information to a UE. Currently, the access network information may be an access network. The frequency and so on. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a connection between a UE and an ANDSF in the prior art. As shown in FIG. 3, the UE and the ANDSF communicate using an S14 interface, and the connection is established on the IP layer.

 When the UE connects to the EPC through the untrusted access network, the UE needs to select an appropriate ePDG. The manner in which the UE selects the ePDG in the prior art includes: the UE searches for the ePDG through the local configuration information, and the UE passes the domain name system (DNS, Domain). Name System ) Query the ePDG address.

 When the UE queries the ePDG address through the DNS, it uses the current Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) ID plus the access point name (APN, Access Point Name) to form a global domain name (FQDN, Fully Qualified Domain Name). And, as the query request content of the DNS, the IP address of the ePDG in the range corresponding to the PLMN can be obtained at this time. Therefore, the selection accuracy of the current ePDG is only guaranteed to be within one PLMN range, so that when the ePDG is far away from the UE, it will cause routing and other problems.

 The P-GW I HA may also have the same problem when the P-GW I HA is used. The P-GW I HA is used for the DNS query by the FQDN of the APN. Specifically, the S2c interface or the HI interface scenario is initiated by the UE to the P-GW or In the S2b interface scenario, the ePDG initiates a connection to the P-GW.

In the prior art, when the gateway is selected, the user location is not considered, resulting in poor routing. It consumes network resources, increases transmission delay, and affects the user experience. Summary of the invention

 In view of this, the main object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for selecting a gateway.

The ANDSF can select an access gateway for the UE according to the user location information provided by the UE.

 In order to achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is achieved as follows:

 The present invention provides a method for selecting a gateway, including:

 The user equipment (UE) accesses the network, and sends a connection request carrying the user location information to the access network discovery and selection function unit (ANDSF);

 The ANDSF selects a gateway based on the user location information.

 In the above method, the method further includes:

 The ANDSF sends the gateway information of the selected gateway to the UE;

 The UE accesses the evolved packet core network (EPC) according to the gateway information or accesses the network according to the I-WLAN Mobility solution.

 In the above method, the ANDSF selects the gateway according to the user location information: after receiving the connection request sent by the UE, the ANDSF searches according to the user location information carried in the ANDSF and according to the corresponding relationship between the pre-configured user location information and the gateway. Corresponding gateway.

 In the above method, the gateway information is:

 The IP address of the evolved packet data gateway (ePDG), and/or the IP address of the home agent (HA), and/or the IP address of the packet data network gateway (P-GW), and/or the global domain name (FQDN) of the ePDG , and/or the FQDN of the HA, and/or the FQDN of the P-GW.

 In the above method, the UE accesses the EPC according to the gateway information:

 The UE accesses the WLAN access network and establishes a connection to the WLAN;

The UE initiates a connection to the ePDG through the connection request according to the IP address of the ePDG in the gateway information acquired from the ANDSF, or the IP address obtained by parsing the FQDN of the ePDG in the gateway information through the Domain Name System (DNS); The ePDG that received the connection request initiates a connection to the P-GW.

 In the above method,

 The connection request carries the IP address of the P-GW acquired from the ANDSF or the FQDN of the P-GW;

 The ePDG initiates the connection to the P-GW as follows: The ePDG initiates to the P-GW according to the IP address of the PGW or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the P-GW carried in the connection request. Connection.

 In the above method, the UE accesses the EPC according to the gateway information:

 The UE accesses the WLAN access network and establishes a connection to the WLAN;

 The UE initiates an connection to the ePDG according to the IP address of the ePDG in the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF, or according to the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the ePDG in the gateway information, and establishes an Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) tunnel;

 The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the IP address of the HA in the gateway information acquired from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information, and establishes the Double Stack Mobile Internet Protocol version 6 (DSMHV6). tunnel.

 In the above method, the UE accesses the EPC according to the gateway information:

 The UE accesses the WLAN access network and establishes a connection to the WLAN;

 The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the IP address of the HA in the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information, and establishes a DSMIPv6 tunnel.

 In the above method, the UE accesses the network according to the I-WLAN Mobility according to the gateway information:

 The UE establishes a connection to the GGSN or PDG;

The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the IP address of the HA in the gateway information acquired from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information. Establish a DSMIPv6 tunnel.

 The present invention further provides a system for selecting a gateway, comprising: a UE and an ANDSF; wherein, the UE is configured to access the network, and send a connection request carrying the user location information to the ANDSF; and the ANDSF is configured to use the location information according to the user Select the gateway.

 In the above system,

 The ANDSF is further configured to: send the gateway information of the selected gateway to the UE;

 The UE is further configured to access the EPC according to the gateway information or access the network according to the I-WLAN Mobility.

 The method and system for selecting a gateway provided by the present invention, the UE accesses the network, and sends a connection request carrying the user location information to the ANDSF; the ANDSF selects the gateway according to the user location information, so the ANDSF can be based on the user location information provided by the UE. The gateway selected by the UE to access the gateway fully considers the user location when selecting a gateway for the UE, thereby optimizing routing, saving network resources, reducing transmission delay, and providing a good user experience. DRAWINGS

 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a UE accessing a network according to an I-WLAN Mobility between an I-WLAN and a 3GPP access network in the prior art;

 2 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of a WLAN AN accessing an EPC in the prior art; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a connection between a UE and an ANDSF in the prior art;

 4 is a schematic flow chart of a method for implementing a selection gateway according to the present invention;

 FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a method for a UE to access an EPC according to gateway information sent by an ANDSF according to the present invention;

 6 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 2 of a method for a UE to access an EPC according to gateway information sent by an ANDSF according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 3 of a method for a UE to access an EPC according to gateway information sent by an ANDSF according to the present invention; FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a method for a UE to access a network according to an I-WLAN Mobility according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF according to the present invention;

 FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for implementing a selection gateway according to the present invention. detailed description

 The basic idea of the present invention is: The UE accesses the network, and sends a connection request carrying the user location information to the ANDSF; the ANDSF selects the gateway according to the user location information.

 The invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and specific embodiments.

 The present invention provides a method for selecting a gateway. FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a method for implementing a gateway according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the method includes the following steps:

 Step 401: The UE accesses a network, such as a 3GPP core network, to establish a connection to the P-GW or the PDG or the GGSN.

 Step 402, the UE sends a connection request carrying the user location information to the ANDSF;

 Specifically, the UE sends a connection request to the ANDSF, and is used to initiate a connection to the ANDSF to obtain access network information of the WLAN. The connection request carries user location information, where the user location information refers to the current location of the user. For example, cell identification information (cell ID) under 3GPP access or access point (AP, Access Point) of the WLAN.

 Step 403: The ANDSF selects a gateway according to the user location information received from the UE, and sends the gateway information of the selected gateway to the UE.

 Specifically, after receiving the connection request sent by the UE, the ANDSF searches for the gateway corresponding to the user location information according to the user location information carried in the user and according to the corresponding relationship between the user location information and the gateway; where the user location information corresponds to the gateway The relationship is pre-configured by the operator in the ANDSF according to the network deployment; the gateway information is the access network information of the WLAN, specifically: an IP address of the ePDG, and/or an IP address of the HA, and/or an IP of the P-GW. The address, and/or the FQDN of the ePDG, and/or the FQDN of the HA, and/or the FQDN of the P-GW.

Step 404: The UE accesses the EPC according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF or according to the I-WLAN. Mobility accesses the network.

 FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a method for the UE to access the EPC according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF, and is a specific implementation method of the step 404. The UE accesses the EPC through the S2b interface according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF. The specific implementation method includes the following steps:

 Step 501: The UE accesses the WLAN access network to establish a connection to the WLAN.

 Step 502: The UE initiates a connection to the ePDG according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF. Specifically, the UE obtains the IP address of the ePDG according to the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF, or the IP obtained by the DNS analysis of the FQDN of the ePDG in the gateway information. The address is sent to the ePDG corresponding to the obtained IP address, and is used to initiate a connection to the ePDG. Here, the connection request may optionally carry the IP address of the P-GW acquired by the ANDSF or the FQDN of the P-GW.

 Step 503, the ePDG initiates a connection to the P-GW.

 Specifically, if the connection request carries the IP address of the P-GW or the FQDN of the P-GW, the ePDG receives the connection request sent by the UE, according to the IP address of the P-GW carried in the connection request, or according to the connection request. The IP address obtained by the FQDN of the P-GW carried in the DNS is initiated by the DNS, and the connection to the P-GW is initiated, and the access of the UE is further completed. If the connection request does not carry the IP address of the P-GW or the P-GW The FQDN, after receiving the connection request, the ePDG initiates the connection to the P-GW according to the method in the prior art; the ePDG initiates the connection to the P-GW according to the method in the prior art, and the subsequent access procedure of the UE belongs to The prior art is not described here.

FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 2 of the method for the UE to access the EPC according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF, which is a specific implementation method of the step 404, where the UE is connected through the untrusted S2c interface according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF. The specific implementation method of entering the EPC, the method includes the following steps: Step 601: The UE accesses the WLAN access network, and establishes a connection to the WLAN.

 Step 602: The UE initiates a connection to the ePDG according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF. Specifically, the UE obtains the IP address of the ePDG according to the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF, or the IP obtained by the DNS analysis of the FQDN of the ePDG in the gateway information. The address, the ePDG that sends the connection request to the corresponding acquired IP address, is used to initiate a connection to the ePDG, and establishes an Internet IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) tunnel.

 Step 603: The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF. Specifically, the UE obtains the IP address of the HA according to the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF, or the IP obtained by DNS after parsing the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information. Address, send a connection request to the HA of the corresponding acquired IP address, used to initiate a connection to the HA, and establish a DSMIPv6 tunnel.

 FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 3 of a method for the UE to access the EPC according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF, and is a specific implementation method of the step 404. The UE accesses the gateway information according to the ANDSF through the trusted S2c interface. A specific implementation method of the EPC, the method includes the following steps:

 Step 701: The UE accesses the WLAN access network to establish a connection to the WLAN.

 Step 702: The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF. Specifically, the UE obtains an IP according to the IP address of the HA in the gateway information acquired from the ANDSF, or according to the DNS of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information. Address, send a connection request to the HA of the corresponding acquired IP address, used to initiate a connection to the HA, and establish a DSMIPv6 tunnel.

FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of Embodiment 1 of a method for the UE to access the network according to the I-WLAN Mobility according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF, which is a specific implementation method of the step 404, which is based on the gateway information sent by the UE according to the ANDSF. - A specific implementation method of the WLAN Mobility access network, the method includes the following steps: Step 801: The UE establishes a connection to the GGSN or the PDG.

 Step 802: The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the gateway information sent by the ANDSF. Specifically, the UE obtains the IP address of the HA according to the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF, or the IP obtained by the DNS of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information. Address, send a connection request to the HA of the corresponding acquired IP address, used to initiate a connection to the HA, and establish a DSMIPv6 tunnel.

 In order to implement the above method, the present invention further provides a system for selecting a gateway, and FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for implementing a selection gateway according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the system includes: UE91 and ANDSF92;

 The UE 91 is configured to access the network, and send a connection request carrying the user location information to the ANDSF 92;

 The ANDSF 92 is configured to select a gateway according to the user location information.

 The ANDSF 92 is further configured to send the gateway information of the selected gateway to the UE 91. The UE 91 is further configured to access the EPC according to the gateway information or access the network according to the I-WLAN Mobility.

 The ANDSF 92 selects the gateway according to the user location information: after receiving the connection request sent by the UE, the ANDSF searches for the corresponding gateway according to the user location information carried therein and according to the corresponding relationship between the pre-configured user location information and the gateway.

 The gateway information is an IP address of the ePDG, and/or an IP address of the HA, and/or an IP address of the P-GW, and/or an FQDN of the ePDG, and/or an FQDN of the HA, and/or an FQDN of the P-GW. .

 The UE 91 accesses the EPC according to the gateway information:

 The UE accesses the WLAN access network and establishes a connection to the WLAN;

The UE initiates a connection to the ePDG through the connection request according to the IP address of the ePDG in the gateway information acquired from the ANDSF, or according to the IP address obtained by the DNS resolution of the FQDN of the ePDG in the gateway information, and the ePDG that receives the connection request initiates to the P. -GW connection; The connection request may optionally carry the IP address of the P-GW acquired from the ANDSF or the FQDN of the P-GW;

 When the connection request carries the IP address of the P-GW or the FQDN of the P-GW acquired from the ANDSF, the ePDG initiates a connection to the P-GW as: ePDG according to the IP address of the PGW, or according to the connection The FQDN of the P-GW carried in the request is authenticated by the DNS, and the connection to the P-GW is initiated.

 Or, the UE 91 accesses the EPC according to the gateway information:

 The UE accesses the WLAN access network and establishes a connection to the WLAN;

 The UE initiates an connection to the ePDG according to the IP address of the ePDG in the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by the DNS resolution of the ePDG in the gateway information, and establishes an IPSec tunnel;

 The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the IP address of the HA in the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information, and establishes a DSMIPv6 tunnel.

 Or, the UE 91 accesses the EPC according to the gateway information:

 The UE accesses the WLAN access network and establishes a connection to the WLAN;

 The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the IP address of the HA in the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information, and establishes a DSMIPv6 tunnel.

 Or, the UE 91 according to the gateway information according to the I-WLAN Mobility access network is:

The UE establishes a connection to the GGSN or PDG;

 The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the IP address of the HA in the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information, and establishes a DSMIPv6 tunnel.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. All modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and scope of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claim  A method for selecting a gateway, the method comprising:  The user equipment (UE) accesses the network, and sends a connection request carrying the user location information to the access network discovery and selection function unit (ANDSF);  The ANDSF selects a gateway based on the user location information.  2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:  The ANDSF sends the gateway information of the selected gateway to the UE;  The UE accesses the evolved packet core network (EPC) according to the gateway information or accesses the network according to the I-WLAN Mobility solution.  The method according to claim 1, wherein the ANDSF selects the gateway according to the user location information: after receiving the connection request sent by the UE, the ANDSF according to the user location information carried therein, and according to the pre-configuration Correspondence between the user location information and the gateway to find the corresponding gateway.  4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the gateway information is: an IP address of an evolved packet data gateway (ePDG), and/or an IP address of a home agent (HA), and/or packet data. The IP address of the network gateway (P-GW), and/or the global domain name (FQDN) of the ePDG, and/or the FQDN of the HA, and/or the FQDN of the P-GW.  The method according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the UE accesses the EPC according to the gateway information:  The UE accesses the WLAN access network and establishes a connection to the WLAN;  The UE initiates a connection to the ePDG through the connection request according to the IP address of the ePDG in the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by parsing the FQDN of the ePDG in the gateway information through the Domain Name System (DNS);  The ePDG that received the connection request initiates a connection to the P-GW. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein The connection request carries the IP address of the P-GW acquired from the ANDSF or the FQDN of the P-GW;  The ePDG initiates the connection to the P-GW as follows: The ePDG initiates to the P-GW according to the IP address of the PGW or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the P-GW carried in the connection request. Connection.  The method according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the UE accesses the EPC according to the gateway information:  The UE accesses the WLAN access network and establishes a connection to the WLAN;  The UE initiates an connection to the ePDG according to the IP address of the ePDG in the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF, or according to the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the ePDG in the gateway information, and establishes an Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) tunnel;  The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the IP address of the HA in the gateway information acquired from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information, and establishes the Double Stack Mobile Internet Protocol version 6 (DSMHV6). tunnel.  The method according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the UE accesses the EPC according to the gateway information:  The UE accesses the WLAN access network and establishes a connection to the WLAN;  The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the IP address of the HA in the gateway information obtained from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information, and establishes a DSMIPv6 tunnel.  The method according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the UE according to the gateway information according to the I-WLAN Mobility access network is:  The UE establishes a connection to the GGSN or PDG; The UE initiates a connection to the HA according to the IP address of the HA in the gateway information acquired from the ANDSF or the IP address obtained by DNS resolution of the FQDN of the HA in the gateway information. Establish a DSMIPv6 tunnel.  A system for selecting a gateway, the system comprising: a UE and an ANDSF; wherein  The UE is configured to access the network, and send a connection request that carries the user location information to the ANDSF; and the ANDSF is configured to select the gateway according to the user location information.  11. The system of claim 10, wherein:  The ANDSF is further configured to: send the gateway information of the selected gateway to the UE;  The UE is further configured to access the EPC according to the gateway information or access the network according to the I-WLAN Mobility.