Specific embodiment
5G network introduces serviceization framework, needs to define a kind of service-oriented upgrading mode, has both supported flexibly smoothService upgrade mode, and business customizing needed for meeting operator.
It should be noted that " service ", it may be possible to refer to a NF, it is also possible to refer to several smaller particle size in NFFunction division set (NF-service), i.e. a NF is made of multiple NF-service, this concept is only in rangeIt is upper different, essence difference is had no to this programme, hereafter unifies to be described with NF.
The upgrade method of network function provided in an embodiment of the present invention can be divided into several stages: stage one: before upgrading, thisWhen network in all NF to be upgraded all work in lowest version.Stage two: upgrading prepares, and starts to carry out upgrading preparation and rule at this timeIt draws, can carry out the relevant smoothing processing of business, such as lowest version is offline, business migration etc..Stage three: service upgrade startsNF to be upgraded is upgraded.Stage four: the NF that upgrading is completed is tested in upgrading test.Stage five upgrades decision,Decision is carried out according to the test result for the NF that upgrading is completed, is retracted, keeps status, or continue to upgrade.Stage six: upgrade backIt moves back, if testing unsuccessful after upgrading, or has other traffic issues, then retract.Stage seven: upgrading is completed, and is neededUpgrading object completes upgrading or user manually exits upgrading, then completes entire escalation process.
These stages are illustrated respectively below:
In the stage one, before upgrading, which belongs to existing realization, and NF is registered at this time with lowest version (version before upgrading)NRF.It include version number in the registration information of NRF, each NF can carry specific version number and be registered, but NF is also possible toSpecific version number is not carried.In one example, NF sends login request message to NRF, after NRF registers NF, toNF sends registration reply message, to complete service registration.In one example, the first NF (i.e. service consumer) is sent out to NRFDiscovery response message is sent to the first NF after sending discovery request message, NRF to be handled, the first NF is selected according to discovery response messageThe 2nd NF (i.e. service producer) is selected, the first NF is communicated by service interface with the 2nd NF.
Fig. 1 is the communication scheme for upgrading the preparation stage in a kind of stage two provided in an embodiment of the present invention.Prepare in upgradingStage mainly includes following process flow:
Step 101, updating and management entity carries out upgrade programming.
Updating and management entity is generally acknowledged that the entity that can be chain of command, such as network management, and it is external to be also possible to someThird square controller, or be embedded into inside service operation function, become the entity of an autonomous management.Specific object andForm does not influence this programme.
Upgrade programming includes several partial contents:
Upgrading object.It determines NF example to be upgraded (a kind of NF may include multiple examples), it is corresponding to may include NFThe address network protocol (Internet Protocol, IP).It can specify some NF example, also can specify entire NF type(including all examples), while also can specify multiple and different NF examples or multiple and different NF.
Upgrading front and back version.For each upgrading object example, upgrading front and back version is specified.Version is mainly used before upgradingVersion is for specifically upgrading after verification, upgrading.
Test collaboration NF.The NF in need of test after upgrading, can not specify (such as manual test), can also refer toFixed multiple (such as the multiple NF of requirements of process are involved in test).
Step 102, it is offline to notify that NF to be upgraded is carried out for updating and management entity.
Offline to refer to, oneself is carried out registering from NRF by NF to be upgraded, so that other services cannot be found again wait riseGrade NF, while issued service interface is not reprocessed yet, but feed back certain error code.
Step 103, NF to be upgraded carries out offline preparation.
Before going registration to NRF initiation, NF to be upgraded may locally execute movement, such as release system money there are also someSource etc..NF in communication system is difficult to accomplish completely statelessly, therefore still there are some link information resources.
In addition, carrying out subsequent business migration if necessary, this step can not usually be done, because of subsequent business migrationIt also needs first to keep the connection with upstream and downstream and user at this time.
Step 104, NF to be upgraded removes registration request to NRF initiation.
Step 105, NRF carries out location registration process to NF to be upgraded.
Step 106, NRF goes registration reply to NF to be upgraded transmission.
Step 107, NF to be upgraded sends offline completion to updating and management entity.
Step 108, updating and management entity carries out business migration planning.
Business migration refers to that the business that will be carried on NF to be upgraded is smoothly transferred on other equities NF, to realizeEscalation process it is completely lossless.
Common business migration technology can be used, this part is existing step, and this will not be repeated here.
Step 109, updating and management entity notifies NF to be upgraded to carry out business migration.
Step 1010, NF to be upgraded carries out business migration.
Step 1011, NF to be upgraded sends migration completion notice message to updating and management entity.
Step 1012, updating and management entity carries out test-schedule.
Test-schedule includes several partial contents.
Test user scope.The user scope of nominative testing covering, such as the international mobile subscriber identity of terminal user(international mobile subscriber identity, IMSI) or mobile station ISDN(Integrated Services Digital Network, ISDN) number (Mobile SubscriberInternational ISDN/PSTN number, MSISDN) etc., it is also possible to be appointed as whole users or certain proportionOr the user of quantity.
Testing process.The operation flow that nominative testing is related to.It is related with specific upgrading object and service environment.Such asThe upgrading of SMF (session management NF) this entity, it is possible to specify the signaling process of test be " load creating ", i.e., when send orWhen receiving " load creating " class signaling, start to be tested.
Test starting mode.Nominative testing Starting mode.Such as artificial triggering, automatic trigger, clocked flip etc..Work as fingerWhen being set to automatic starting test, test collaboration NF can attempt the upgrading object NF of discovery highest version immediately, if it find that, then it carries outOperational trials.
Test exit condition.The condition that nominative testing terminates.Such as length of testing speech, test signaling number etc. reach outletIt can start to report test result after condition.
Step 1013, updating and management entity sends Test Strategy notification message to test collaboration NF.
Include content described in previous step in Test Strategy.If being related to multiple test collaboration NF, need to notify instituteThere is test collaboration NF.
Step 1014, test collaboration NF saves test data and Test Strategy.
Test Strategy is saved in local by test collaboration NF.Partial information needs to refresh the implementation strategy of oneself, such as needleOperational trials is carried out to certain customers part process, it may be necessary to some local strategies are updated, to capture corresponding testScene.
Step 1015, test collaboration NF sends Test Strategy response message to updating and management entity.
Stage three: service upgrade carries out specific upgrade actions to NF to be upgraded in this stage.NF to be upgraded completes to riseAfter grade movement, NRF is reregistered with highest version (version after upgrading).Equally, it may include version in the registration information of NRFThis number, each NF can carry specific version number and be registered, but NF is also possible to not carry specific version number.
Fig. 2 is the communication scheme in four upgrading test stage of stage.It mainly include following processing stream in the upgrading test stageJourney:
Step 201, updating and management entity carries out test triggering judgement.
If the test starting mode in Test Strategy is that by hand, can manually trigger test；
If the test starting mode in Test Strategy is timing, test can be triggered after timer arrival；
If the test starting mode in Test Strategy be it is automatic, by test collaboration NF voluntarily handle, do not need this stepSuddenly.
Step 202, updating and management entity sends starting test request to test collaboration NF.
Step 203, test collaboration NF carries out test condition judgement.
Test collaboration NF judges whether pair according to the Test Strategy of preservation (including test user scope and testing process etc.)NF after upgrading is tested.
Such as user that test collaboration NF (AMF) is only XXXX to IMSI, and when carrying out load creating, start to be surveyedExamination, when receiving the signaling process for meeting user scope and process requirements, then starts to be tested.
Step 204, test collaboration NF initiates service discovery request message to NRF, carries highest version.
It is inquired using highest version or the judgement of the IP address of NF is tested to determine for upgrading object.
Step 205, NRF sends service discovery response message to test collaboration NF.
Step 206, test collaboration NF is interacted with the NF progress operation flow after upgrading.
This step is the processing of general signaling process, but tests collaboration NF and need to get the bid in local context and state machineKnow the flag bit of " in test ", so as to later collection and judges test result.
Step 207, test collaboration NF records test result, and judges to test whether exit condition meets.
When completing (based on context to be identified with the flag bit of state machine) with after the Signalling exchange of NF after upgrading, testCollaboration NF records this Signalling exchange result (such as successful, failure, part success and corresponding detailed cause value and up and downText).
(such as duration, signaling number etc.) is judged to test exit condition simultaneously, if reaching exit condition, is startedResult is carried out to report.
Step 208, test collaboration NF reports test result to updating and management entity.
NF is by whole test results of local record for test collaboration, is sent to updating and management entity.
Step 209, updating and management entity summarizes test report, is analyzed.
Updating and management entity reports test report, tests the test report that collaboration NF is sent including one or moreIt accuses, the status information etc. for the upgrading NF that updating and management entity oneself is collected carries out Macro or mass analysis.
Stage five upgrades decision.After updating and management entity completes the NF upgrading in a stage, according to test result, carry outUpgrade decision, include several possible results: being successfully tested, continues upgrading and (complete the upgrading of a NF example, continue to specifyNext NF example)；Test unsuccessful, upgrading rollback；It is successfully tested or tests unsuccessful, terminate upgrading (not necessarily etc.It could terminate upgrading after all upgrading successfully to all NF, such as under certain scenes, client may also wish to rest on intermediate shapeState is observed for long-term Comparative result.).
Stage six: upgrading retracts.Specific upgrading fallback action is carried out in the NF that this stage treats rollback.After NF retracts,It can be determined whether to continue to retry the upgrading of this NF or skip this NF by artificial perhaps preset strategy first to carry out other NF'sUpgrading.
Stage seven: upgrading is completed.May have several reasons into the upgrading completion stage: all specified NF examples are all completedUpgrading；The manual decision of any reason is (even if only NF example in part completes upgrading or none NF example is completedUpgrading).
The upgrade method of network function provided in an embodiment of the present invention, to operator: providing and a kind of meet 5G serviceizationThe mode of the upgrading of frame, business migration can be taken into account in escalation process, and the customization requirement of the reliable smooth class such as operation flow is rightThe service registration mode of NRF does not have particular requirement (assuming that NRF passes through domain name system (Domain Name System, DNS) modeIt realizes, most DNS do not have complicated service selection capability, only provide simple DNS trade mark enquiries function).
The present invention is illustrated in broad terms and implements in the following embodiment of the present invention for the phase analysis of comprehensive previous embodimentThe main flow of the upgrade method for the network function that example provides.
Fig. 3 is a kind of upgrade method communication scheme of network function provided in an embodiment of the present invention, what this method was directed toScene can for there are multiple NF examples to be upgraded of a NF in network, this method comprises:
Step 301, updating and management entity sends the first notification message, first notice to the first NF example to be upgradedMessage is used to indicate the first NF example to be upgraded and stops service.
In one example, the first NF example to be upgraded is registered to NRF, and first notification message is used to indicate instituteThe first NF example to be upgraded is stated to carry out registering from the NRF.
Before step 301, updating and management entity can determine the first NF example to be upgraded.
It is understood that the first NF example can represent a NF example, multiple NF examples can also be represented.NamelySay, when in network there are when multiple NF examples to be upgraded of NF, can be first to one of those NF example to be upgradedUpgraded, first multiple NF examples to be upgraded therein can also be upgraded.For example, there are NF's in the networkWhen 5 NF examples to be upgraded, first 1 therein NF example to be upgraded can be upgraded, it can also be first to therein 2A NF example to be upgraded is upgraded, alternatively, NF example first to be upgraded to 3 therein or 4 upgrades.
Step 302, the first NF example to be upgraded stops servicing according to the first notification message.
In one example, the first NF example to be upgraded carries out offline (going to infuse from NRF according to the first notification messageVolume).
Step 303, updating and management entity determines that the first NF example to be upgraded has stopped servicing.
In one example, the updating and management entity receives third notice from the first NF example to be upgraded and disappearsBreath, the third notice message, which is used to indicate the first NF example to be upgraded and is completed, to be carried out registering from the NRF.
Step 304, updating and management entity sends second notification message to the first NF example to be upgraded, and described secondNotification message is used to indicate the first NF example after the first NF example to be upgraded is upgraded.
In one example, before step 304, the updating and management entity is sent to the first NF example to be upgraded4th notification message, the 4th notification message are used to indicate the business migration that the first NF example to be upgraded will be carriedTo the 3rd NF example；The updating and management entity receives the 5th notification message from the first NF example to be upgraded, and described theFive notification messages are used to indicate the first NF example to be upgraded and the business migration that will be carried are completed to the 3rd NFExample.
Step 305, the first NF after the first NF example to be upgraded is upgraded according to second notification messageExample.
Step 306, updating and management entity obtains the test result of the first NF example after the upgrading.
Wherein it is possible to be tested by test collaboration NF the first NF example after upgrading, and test result is sent toUpdating and management entity can also take manual test, and test result is manually entered and gives updating and management entity.
In one example, before step 306, updating and management entity sends Test Strategy, the survey to test collaboration NFTrying strategy includes at least one in test user scope, testing process, test starting mode and test exit condition；The literGrade management entity receives the test result of the first NF example after upgrading from test collaboration NF.
In one example, before step 306, the updating and management entity, which determines, meets test trigger condition；The literGrade management entity sends the 6th notification message to test collaboration NF, and the 6th notification message is used to indicate the test associationStart with NF and tests.
In one example, test contract network function NF receives Test Strategy, the test plan from updating and management entityIt slightly include at least one in test user scope, testing process, test starting mode and test exit condition；The test associationThe first NF example after upgrading is tested according to the Test Strategy with NF, the test of the first NF example after being upgradedAs a result；The test collaboration NF sends the test result of the first NF example after upgrading to the updating and management entity.
Step 307, the test result of the first NF example after upgrading is to be successfully tested, the updating and management entity determine afterIt is continuous that the 2nd NF example to be upgraded is specified to be upgraded；
Updating and management entity can send the 7th notification message, the 7th notification message to the 2nd NF example to be upgradedIt is used to indicate the 2nd NF example to be upgraded and stops service.Wherein, the mistake the 2nd NF example to be upgraded upgradedJourney can be identical as the process upgraded to the first NF example to be upgraded, and this will not be repeated here.
Or, step 308, the test result of the first NF example after upgrading is to test unsuccessful, the updating and management entityDetermination carries out upgrading rollback to the first NF example after the upgrading.
In one example, the NF example to be upgraded is Service Instance or micro services example.
In the embodiment of the present invention, when, there are when multiple NF examples to be upgraded of NF, can first upgrading it in networkIn part NF example to be upgraded, for example, upgrading each NF example to be upgraded one by one, and in the process of upgrading NF exampleIn, it carries out that business is offline and the test of NF example, respective handling is carried out according to test result, to realize the height of a NFVersion NF example and lowest version NF example coexist, and this upgrading mode is more flexible, quicker.
It is above-mentioned that mainly the scheme of the embodiment of the present invention is described from the angle of interaction between each network element.It can manageSolution, each network element, such as updating and management entity, test collaboration NF etc. are in order to realize the above functions, each it comprises executingThe corresponding hardware configuration of a function and/or software module.Those skilled in the art should be readily appreciated that, in conjunction with institute hereinEach exemplary unit and algorithm steps of disclosed embodiment description, the present invention can be with hardware or hardware and computer softwareCombining form is realized.Some functions is executed in a manner of hardware or computer software driving hardware actually, depends on skillThe specific application and design constraint of art scheme.Professional technician can carry out using distinct methods each specific applicationRealize described function, but such implementation should not be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention.
The embodiment of the present invention can carry out function mould to updating and management entity, test collaboration NF etc. according to above method exampleThe division of block, for example, each functional module of each function division can be corresponded to, it can also be by two or more function collectionIn Cheng Yi processing module.Above-mentioned integrated module both can take the form of hardware realization, can also use software functionThe form of module is realized.It should be noted that being schematically that only one kind is patrolled to the division of module in the embodiment of the present inventionFunction division is collected, there may be another division manner in actual implementation.
Using integrated module, Fig. 4 shows updating and management entity involved in above-described embodimentA kind of possible structural schematic diagram.Updating and management entity 400 includes: processing module 402 and communication module 403.Processing module 402Control management is carried out for the movement to updating and management entity, for example, processing module 402 is for supporting updating and management entity to executeProcess 101,102,108,109,112 and 113 in Fig. 1, the process 201 and 209 in Fig. 2, process 301 in Fig. 3,303,304,306 to 308, and/or for other processes of techniques described herein.Communication module 403 is for supporting updating and managementThe communication of entity and other network entities, such as communication between NF is cooperateed with test.Updating and management entity can also include depositingModule 401 is stored up, for storing the program code and data of updating and management entity.
Wherein, processing module 402 can be processor or controller, such as can be central processing unit (CentralProcessing Unit, CPU), general processor, digital signal processor (Digital Signal Processor, DSP),Specific integrated circuit (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), field programmable gate arrayIt is (Field Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, transistor logic, hardPart component or any combination thereof.It may be implemented or execute to combine and various illustratively patrol described in the disclosure of inventionCollect box, module and circuit.The processor is also possible to realize the combination of computing function, such as includes one or more micro- placesManage device combination, DSP and the combination of microprocessor etc..Communication module 403 can be communication interface, transceiver, transmission circuit etc.,Wherein, communication interface is to be referred to as, and may include one or more interfaces.Memory module 401 can be memory.
When processing module 402 is processor, communication module 403 is communication interface, when memory module 401 is memory, thisUpdating and management entity involved in inventive embodiments can be updating and management entity shown in fig. 5.
As shown in fig.5, the updating and management entity 500 includes: processor 502, communication interface 503, memory 501.It canChoosing, updating and management entity 500 can also include bus 504.Wherein, communication interface 503, processor 502 and memory 501It can be connected with each other by bus 504；Bus 504 can be Peripheral Component Interconnect standard (Peripheral ComponentInterconnect, abbreviation PCI) bus or expanding the industrial standard structure (Extended Industry StandardArchitecture, abbreviation EISA) bus etc..The bus 504 can be divided into address bus, data/address bus, control bus etc..Only to be indicated with a thick line in Fig. 5, it is not intended that an only bus or a type of bus convenient for indicating.
The step of method in conjunction with described in disclosure of the embodiment of the present invention or algorithm, can be come real in a manner of hardwareIt is existing, it is also possible to execute the mode of software instruction by processor to realize.Software instruction can be made of corresponding software module,Software module can be stored on random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), flash memory, read-only memory(Read Only Memory, ROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM,EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM), register, hard disk, movement are hardIn the storage medium of disk, CD-ROM (CD-ROM) or any other form well known in the art.A kind of illustrative storageMedium couples to enable a processor to from the read information, and can be written to the storage medium and believe to processorBreath.Certainly, storage medium is also possible to the component part of processor.Pocessor and storage media can be located in ASIC.In addition,The ASIC can be located in core network interface equipment.Certainly, pocessor and storage media can also be used as discrete assembly and be present inIn core network interface equipment.
Those skilled in the art it will be appreciated that in said one or multiple examples, retouched by the embodiment of the present inventionThe function of stating can be realized with hardware, software, firmware or their any combination.It when implemented in software, can be by thisA little functions storages in computer-readable medium or as on computer-readable medium one or more instructions or code intoRow transmission.Computer-readable medium includes computer storage media and communication media, and wherein communication media includes convenient for from oneAny medium of the place to another place transmission computer program.Storage medium can be general or specialized computer and can depositAny usable medium taken.
Above-described specific embodiment carries out the purpose of the embodiment of the present invention, technical scheme and beneficial effectsIt is further described, it should be understood that the foregoing is merely the specific embodiments of the embodiment of the present invention, and does not have toIn limit the embodiment of the present invention protection scope, it is all on the basis of the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention, done it is anyModification, equivalent replacement, improvement etc. should all include within the protection scope of the embodiment of the present invention.