CN109672708B - Communication method, device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

Translated fromChinese

本申请公开了一种通信方法及装置、系统。该方法包括：用户面网元获取第一终端设备的会话信息，其中，所述会话信息包括标识信息和转发规则，所述标识信息包括：媒体接入控制地址，或，虚拟局域网标签；所述用户面网元接收下行数据包，所述下行数据包中携带标识信息；所述用户面网元根据所述下行数据包中携带的标识信息和所述会话信息，发送所述下行数据包。还公开了相应的装置和系统。用户面网元通过获取终端设备的会话信息，根据下行数据包中携带的标识信息和该会话信息发送下行数据包，实现了终端设备与网络侧的以太网通信。

The present application discloses a communication method, device, and system. The method includes: a user plane network element acquires session information of a first terminal device, wherein the session information includes identification information and a forwarding rule, and the identification information includes: a media access control address, or a virtual local area network label; the The user plane network element receives the downlink data packet, and the downlink data packet carries the identification information; the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the identification information and the session information carried in the downlink data packet. Corresponding apparatus and systems are also disclosed. The user plane network element obtains the session information of the terminal device, and sends the downlink data packet according to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet and the session information, so as to realize the Ethernet communication between the terminal device and the network side.

Description

Communication method, device and system

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a communication method, apparatus, and system.

Background

In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, sessions of IP types are only supported, and a next generation mobile network, for example, a fifth generation mobile communication system, defines three major service types and application scenarios, including an embb (enhanced mobile broadcast) service, an mtc (Massive-type communication) service, and a urllc (ultra flexible low communication) service, and core features thereof are respectively an ultra-large bandwidth, a Massive connection, and an ultra-low delay. In the communication scenario of the internet of things, the UE device may not have an IP address, and especially for the conventional industrial device, Ethernet (Ethernet) two-layer communication is mostly adopted. In the world of everything interconnection, these devices need to be connected with an external network for information exchange and communication, so as to realize intelligent identification, positioning, tracking, monitoring and management of articles.

Therefore, how to perform ethernet communication between the terminal device and the network side is an urgent problem to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a communication method, a communication device and a communication system, which are used for realizing Ethernet communication between terminal equipment and a network side.

In a first aspect of the present application, a communication method is provided, where the method includes: a user plane network element acquires session information of a first terminal device, wherein the session information includes identification information and a forwarding rule, and the identification information includes: the Media Access Control (MAC) address or a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag; the user plane network element receives a downlink data packet, and the downlink data packet carries identification information; and the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the identification information and the session information carried in the downlink data packet. In the design, the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet and the session information by acquiring the session information of the terminal equipment, so that the Ethernet communication between the terminal equipment and the network side is realized.

In one possible design, the identification information includes at least one of: the identification information of the first terminal device and the identification information of a second terminal device which is in communication connection with the first terminal device. In this design, the first terminal device may be a common terminal device, or may be a terminal device in a bridge mode, and the identification information includes identification information of the first terminal device; if the first terminal device is a terminal device in a bridge mode, the first terminal device may have a communication connection relationship with one or more second terminal devices, and the identification information may include identification information of the second terminal devices, and may also include identification information of the first terminal device.

In another possible design, the session information further includes a session identifier, and the method further includes: and the session management network element receives a session establishment request from the first terminal device, wherein the session establishment request comprises the identification information and the session identification. In this design, the identification information is carried in the session establishment request of the first terminal device, and the identification information is generated by the first terminal device itself or fixedly configured.

In yet another possible design, the method further includes: the session management network element receives a session modification request from the first terminal device, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and identifier information of a third terminal device in communication connection with the first terminal device; the session management network element sends a session modification request to the user plane network element; the user plane network element adds the identification information of the third terminal equipment to the session information according to the received session modification request; and the session management network element sends a first session modification response to the first terminal equipment. In the design, when new terminal equipment is accessed, the identification information of the new terminal equipment can be newly added in the session information, and the processing is flexible; the session modification request is for instructing addition of identification information of a new terminal device.

In yet another possible design, the identification information includes identification information of at least one of the second terminal devices, and the method further includes: the session management network element receives a session modification request from the first terminal device, wherein the session modification request comprises the session identifier and identifier information of at least one second terminal device to be deleted; the session management network element sends a session modification request to the user plane network element; the user plane network element deletes the identification information of the at least one second terminal device to be deleted in the session information according to the received session modification request; and the session management network element sends a second session modification response to the first terminal equipment. In the design, when the second terminal equipment is disconnected from the first terminal equipment, the identification information of the disconnected terminal equipment can be deleted from the session information, and the processing is flexible; the session modification request is used for indicating the deletion of the identification information of the terminal device needing to be deleted.

In yet another possible design, the method further includes: the session management network element receives a session modification request from the first terminal device, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier, a modification instruction, and identifier information indicating an added third terminal device in communication connection with the first terminal device or identifier information indicating a deleted second terminal device; the session management network element sends the session modification request to the user plane network element; and the user plane network element modifies the identification information in the session information according to the modification indication. In the design, the identification information of the terminal device which needs to be deleted can be indicated to be deleted in the session information through a modification instruction, the identification information of the terminal device which needs to be added can also be added, and the processing is flexible.

In yet another possible design, the method further includes: the session management network element receives a request message, wherein the request message is used for requesting to distribute the identification information; and the session management network element distributes the identification information. In this design, the session management network element may allocate identification information, where the identification information includes identification information of the first terminal device, or identification information of a second terminal device communicatively connected to the first terminal device, and the session management network element itself allocates the identification information, which does not cause identification information collision.

In yet another possible design, the method further includes: the session management network element receives a request message from a first terminal device, wherein the request message is used for requesting to allocate identification information of N second terminal devices, and N is more than or equal to 1; the first terminal equipment and the N second terminal equipments have communication connection relation; the session management network element allocates the N pieces of identification information; or the session management network element receives a request message from the first terminal device, where the request message is used to request allocation of N identification information, where N includes the number of the first terminal devices and the number of the second terminal devices, and N is greater than or equal to 2; the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment have a communication connection relation; and the session management network element allocates the N pieces of identification information. In this design, the session management network element may allocate the identification information of the second terminal device, or the session management network element may allocate the identification information of the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and the session management network element itself allocates the identification information, which may not cause the identification information collision.

In another possible design, the sending, by the user plane network element, the downlink data packet according to the identification information and the session information carried in the downlink data packet includes: and the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to a forwarding rule corresponding to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet.

Accordingly, in a second aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided, which has a function of implementing the behavior of the user plane network element in the method of the first aspect. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

Based on the same inventive concept, as the principle and the beneficial effects of the apparatus for solving the problems can be referred to the method embodiments of the above-mentioned possible communication apparatuses and the beneficial effects brought thereby, the implementation of the apparatus can be referred to the implementation of the method, and repeated details are not repeated.

Accordingly, in a third aspect of the present application, a communication system is provided, where the communication system has a function of implementing the behavior of the user plane network element and the session management network element in the method of the first aspect. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

Based on the same inventive concept, as the principle and the beneficial effects of the system for solving the problems can be referred to the method implementation of each possible communication system and the beneficial effects brought by the method implementation, the implementation of the system can be referred to the method implementation, and repeated details are not repeated.

In a fourth aspect of the present application, a communication method is provided, the method including: the method comprises the steps that a first terminal device sends a session request, wherein the session request comprises identification information, and the identification information comprises: the Media Access Control (MAC) address or a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag; the first terminal equipment receives a downlink data packet, wherein the downlink data packet carries identification information. In the design, the terminal device sends the identification information, the user plane network element acquires the session information of the terminal device, and sends the downlink data packet according to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet and the session information, so that the Ethernet communication between the terminal device and the network side is realized.

In one possible design, the identification information includes at least one of: the identification information of the first terminal device and the identification information of a second terminal device which is in communication connection with the first terminal device. In this design, the first terminal device may be a common terminal device, or may be a terminal device in a bridge mode, and the identification information includes identification information of the first terminal device; if the first terminal device is a terminal device in a bridge mode, the first terminal device may have a communication connection relationship with one or more second terminal devices, and the identification information may include identification information of the second terminal devices, and may also include identification information of the first terminal device.

In another possible design, the method further includes: the first terminal device sends a session modification request, wherein the session modification request comprises the session identifier and identifier information of a third terminal device in communication connection with the first terminal device; and the first terminal equipment receives a first session modification response from a session management network element, wherein the first session modification response comprises an identification information modification result and/or an identification information modification failure reason. In the design, when new terminal equipment is accessed, the identification information of the new terminal equipment can be newly added in the session information, and the processing is flexible; the session modification request is for instructing addition of identification information of a new terminal device. The identification information modification failure reason may be identification information duplication.

In yet another possible design, the identification information includes identification information of at least one of the second terminal devices, and the method further includes: the first terminal device sends a session modification request, wherein the session modification request comprises the session identifier and the identifier information of at least one second terminal device to be deleted; and the first terminal equipment receives a second session modification response from the session management network element. In the design, when the second terminal equipment is disconnected from the first terminal equipment, the identification information of the disconnected terminal equipment can be deleted from the session information, and the processing is flexible; the session modification request is used for indicating the deletion of the identification information of the terminal device needing to be deleted.

In yet another possible design, the method further includes: the first terminal device receives an identification information detection result from a session management network element, wherein the identification information detection result comprises repeated identification information. In the design, if the identification information generated by the terminal device itself or the identification information of the fixed configuration is used, the SMF is further required to detect whether the identification information is repeated.

Accordingly, a fifth aspect of the present application also provides a communication apparatus, which can implement the communication method of the fourth aspect. For example, the communication device may be a chip (such as a baseband chip, or a communication chip, etc.) or a device (such as a terminal device, etc.). The above-described method may be implemented by software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software by hardware.

In one possible design, the communication device may be configured to include a processor, a memory; the processor is configured to support the apparatus to perform corresponding functions in the above-described communication method. The memory is used for coupling with the processor, which holds the necessary programs (instructions) and/or data for the device. Optionally, the communication apparatus may further include a communication interface for supporting communication between the apparatus and other network elements.

In another possible design, the communication device may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit; wherein: the sending unit is configured to send a session request, where the session request includes identification information, and the identification information includes: the Media Access Control (MAC) address or a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag; the receiving unit is configured to receive a downlink data packet, where the downlink data packet carries identification information.

When the communication device is a chip, the receiving unit may be an input unit, such as an input circuit or a communication interface; the sending unit may be an output unit, such as an output circuit or a communication interface. When the communication apparatus is a device, the receiving unit may be a receiver (also referred to as a receiver); the transmitting unit may be a transmitter (which may be a transmitter or a transmitter).

In a sixth aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication method, including: the method comprises the steps that a first terminal device sends a request message to a session management network element, wherein the request message is used for requesting distribution of identification information, the request message comprises the number N of the identification information requested to be distributed, and N is larger than or equal to 1; the identification information includes: the Media Access Control (MAC) address or a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag; and the first terminal equipment receives the N pieces of identification information distributed by the session management network element. In this design, the session management network element may allocate the identification information of the second terminal device, or the session management network element may allocate the identification information of the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and the session management network element itself allocates the identification information, which may not cause the identification information collision.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the first terminal equipment acquires the number N of second terminal equipment in communication connection with the first terminal equipment; and the first terminal device takes the N identification information as the identification information of the second terminal device. In this design, the session management network element may allocate the identification information of the second terminal device, and the session management network element itself allocates the identification information, which may not cause identification information collision.

In another possible design, the method further includes: the first terminal equipment acquires the number K of second terminal equipment which is in communication connection with the first terminal equipment, wherein the K is N-1 and is more than or equal to 1; and the first terminal device takes one identification information in the N identification information as the identification information of the first terminal device, takes K identification information in the N identification information as the identification information of the second terminal device, and stores the corresponding relation between the identification information of the first terminal device and the K identification information. In this design, the session management network element may allocate the identification information of the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and the session management network element itself allocates the identification information, which may not cause identification information collision.

A seventh aspect of the present application also provides a communication apparatus, which can implement the communication method of the sixth aspect. For example, the communication device may be a chip (such as a baseband chip, or a communication chip, etc.) or a device (such as a terminal device, etc.). The above-described method may be implemented by software, hardware, or by executing corresponding software by hardware.

In one possible design, the communication device may be configured to include a processor, a memory; the processor is configured to support the apparatus to perform corresponding functions in the above-described communication method. The memory is used for coupling with the processor, which holds the necessary programs (instructions) and/or data for the device. In yet another possible design, the communication device may further include a communication interface to support communication between the device and other network elements.

In another possible design, the communication device may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit; wherein: the sending unit is used for sending a request message to the session management network element, wherein the request message is used for requesting to allocate the identification information, the request message comprises the number N of the identification information requested to be allocated, and N is more than or equal to 1; the identification information includes: the Media Access Control (MAC) address or a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag; and the receiving unit is configured to receive the N pieces of identification information allocated by the session management network element.

When the communication device is a chip, the receiving unit may be an input unit, such as an input circuit or a communication interface; the sending unit may be an output unit, such as an output circuit or a communication interface. When the communication apparatus is a device, the receiving unit may be a receiver (also referred to as a receiver); the transmitting unit may be a transmitter (which may be a transmitter or a transmitter).

In an eighth aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication method, including: a user plane network element acquires session information of a first terminal device, wherein the session information includes identification information, a network protocol IP address and a forwarding rule, and the identification information includes: the Media Access Control (MAC) address or a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) tag; the user plane network element receives a downlink data packet, and the downlink data packet carries an IP address; and the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the IP address and the session information carried in the downlink data packet. In the design, the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the IP address carried in the downlink data packet and the session information by acquiring the session information of the terminal equipment and the corresponding relation between the IP address and the session information, so that the Ethernet communication between the terminal equipment and the network side is realized.

In one possible design, the session information further includes a session identifier, and the method further includes: a session management network element receives a session request of the first terminal device, wherein the session request comprises the identification information and the session identification; and the session management network element allocates an IP address corresponding to the identification information.

In another possible design, the sending, by the user plane network element, the downlink data packet according to the IP address and the session information carried in the downlink data packet includes: and the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to a forwarding rule corresponding to the IP address carried in the downlink data packet.

Accordingly, in a ninth aspect of the present application, a communication apparatus is provided, which has a function of implementing the user plane cell behavior in the method of the above eighth aspect. The functions can be realized by hardware, and the functions can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

Based on the same inventive concept, as the principle and the beneficial effects of the apparatus for solving the problems can be referred to the method embodiments of the above-mentioned possible communication apparatuses and the beneficial effects brought thereby, the implementation of the apparatus can be referred to the implementation of the method, and repeated details are not repeated.

A tenth aspect of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein instructions, which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the above-described aspects.

An eleventh aspect of the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the above-described aspects.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or the background art of the present invention, the drawings required to be used in the embodiments or the background art of the present invention will be described below.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary next generation communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is an interaction flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture in which a Relay UE is connected to a Remote UE;

FIG. 5 is an interaction flow diagram of a communication method according to a specific example;

fig. 6 is an interaction flow diagram of another specific example of a communication method;

fig. 7 is an interaction flow diagram of a communication method of yet another specific example;

FIG. 8 is an interaction flow diagram of a communication method according to yet another specific example;

fig. 9 is an interaction flow diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a schematic hardware architecture diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a simplified structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a communication system, and is shown in fig. 1 as a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system may comprise a user plane network element 100 and a sessionmanagement network element 200, and further the communication system may further comprise aterminal device 300. Theterminal device 300 communicates with the user plane network element 100 and the sessionmanagement network element 200 located on the network side, so as to perform data transmission with a Data Network (DN). Theterminal device 300 may be a common terminal device, or may be a terminal device in a bridge mode (for example, it may be bridge mode UE or Relay user equipment (Relay UE), and the following description takes Relay UE as an example for description). One Relay UE may be connected to one or more remote terminal equipments (remote UEs). It should be noted that the session management network element and the user plane network element are only names, and the names themselves do not limit the entities. It is also possible that the session management network element is replaced by a "session management function" or other name, for example. Furthermore, the session management network element may also correspond to a network element that includes other functions in addition to the session management function. It is also possible that the user plane network element is replaced by a "user plane function" or other name, and that the user plane network element may correspond to a network element that includes other functions in addition to the user plane function. The description is unified here, and will not be repeated below.

In this embodiment of the present invention, a user plane network element obtains session information of a first terminal device, where the session information includes identification information and a forwarding rule, and the identification information includes: a Media Access Control (MAC) address, or, a virtual local area network tag (VLAN tag); the user plane network element receives a downlink data packet, and the downlink data packet carries identification information; and the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the identification information and the session information carried in the downlink data packet.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary next generation communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication system may include a User Plane Function (UPF) and a Session Management Function (SMF). The user plane network element 100 in fig. 1 may be a UPF here; the sessionmanagement network element 200 in fig. 1 may be an SMF here. The communication system may further include: access and mobility management function (AMF). The terminal device accesses the network through AN Access Network (AN) device or a Radio Access Network (RAN) device. The AMF is mainly responsible for access management of the terminal device. The UPF is mainly responsible for forwarding of packet data packets, quality of service (QoS) control, accounting information statistics and the like; the SMF is responsible for unified session management. In fig. 2, other functional entities may be included, and only a few functional entities referred to in the present application are described with emphasis here. The entities are connected through an Nx interface (such as N1, N2, etc. in the figure). It should be noted that the session management function entity and the user plane function entity are only names, and the names themselves do not limit the entities. For example, it is also possible that the session management function entity is replaced by a "session management function" or other name. Furthermore, the session management function entity may correspond to an entity that includes other functions in addition to the session management function. It is also possible that the user plane functionality entity is replaced by a "user plane functionality" or other name, and that the user plane functionality entity may correspond to an entity comprising other functionality in addition to the user plane functionality. The description is unified here, and will not be repeated below.

In a specific implementation of any one of the functional entities or network elements in the system shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2, the functional entity or network element may be implemented by one entity device, or may be implemented by multiple entity devices together, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present invention. That is, it can be understood that any one of the functional entities or network elements in the above system may be a logical functional module in an entity device, or may be a logical functional module composed of a plurality of entity devices, and this is not limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

The terminal device shown in fig. 1 or fig. 2 is a device with wireless transceiving function, which can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, hand-held, worn or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface (such as a ship and the like); and may also be deployed in the air (e.g., airplanes, balloons, satellites, etc.). The terminal device may be a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with a wireless transceiving function, a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal device, an Augmented Reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in self driving (self driving), a wireless terminal in remote medical (remote medical), a wireless terminal in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal in transportation safety (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal in home (smart home), and the like. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios. A terminal device may also be sometimes referred to as a User Equipment (UE), an access terminal device, a UE unit, a UE station, a mobile station, a remote terminal device, a mobile device, a UE terminal device, a terminal (terminal), a wireless communication device, a UE agent, or a UE device, etc.

It should be noted that the terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present invention may be used interchangeably. The "plurality" means two or more, and in view of this, the "plurality" may also be understood as "at least two" in the embodiments of the present invention. "and/or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, which may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character "/" generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship, unless otherwise specified. In addition, in order to facilitate clear description of technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish the same items or similar items having substantially the same functions and actions. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terms "first," "second," etc. do not denote any order or quantity, nor do the terms "first," "second," etc. denote any order or importance.

The application provides a communication method and a communication device, wherein a user plane network element sends a downlink data packet according to identification information carried in the downlink data packet and session information by acquiring the session information of terminal equipment, so that the Ethernet communication between the terminal equipment and a network side is realized.

Fig. 3 is an interaction flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention, which may be applied to the communication system shown in fig. 1. The method may comprise the steps of:

s301, the first terminal device sends a session request. And the session management network element receives the session request and sends the session request to the user plane network element. The user plane network element receives the session request.

S302, the user plane network element acquires the session information of the first terminal equipment.

S303, the data network sends the downlink data packet to the user plane network element. And the user plane network element receives the downlink data packet and sends the downlink data packet.

Wherein the session information includes identification information and forwarding rules.

In this embodiment, the first terminal device may be a common UE, or may be a terminal device in a bridge mode (Relay UE). The Relay UE may or may not be connected to one or more Remote UEs. The Remote UE is, for example, a UE performing mtc service with the network side. As shown in fig. 4, a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture in which Relay UEs are connected to Relay UEs, one Relay UE may be connected to one or more Relay UEs later, that is, the one or more Relay UEs and the Relay UEs have a communication connection relationship.

In this embodiment, the Remote UE performs ethernet communication with the network side. The first terminal device sends a session request. And the session management network element receives the session request and sends the session request to the user plane network element. The user plane network element receives the session request. The session request may specifically be an ethernet session request. The session request includes identification information, and the identification information includes: MAC address, or, VLAN tag. The identification information may include identification information of the first terminal device, or identification information of the first terminal device and identification information of a second terminal device having a communication connection with the first terminal device, or only identification information of the second terminal device. For example, if the identifier information only includes an identifier of the second terminal device, the first terminal device may be Relay UE, and the second terminal device may be Remote UE, at this time, the Relay UE is only responsible for forwarding information of the Remote UE, and does not perform data interaction with the external data network side.

The user plane network element receives the session request, acquires the identification information, and then needs to acquire the forwarding rule to enable the terminal equipment to communicate with the network side. The forwarding rule is used for forwarding the data packet, and the forwarding rule comprises encapsulation/decapsulation of the data packet and forwarding tunnel information. The forwarding tunnel information includes at least one of the following information: uplink tunnel information and downlink tunnel information. And the session management network element generates a forwarding rule and sends the forwarding rule to the user plane network element. Specifically, the session management network element receives the session request, where the session request further includes a session identifier, and the session management network element generates a forwarding rule corresponding to the session identifier, and sends the identifier information, the session identifier, and the forwarding rule as session information to the user plane network element. The uplink tunnel information in the forwarding rule may be generated by the session management network element or by the user plane network element. If the uplink tunnel information is generated by the user plane network element, the user plane network element sends the generated uplink tunnel information to the session management network element, and the session management network element generates a forwarding rule. The forwarding rule may be included in a packet filter or a packet detection rule (packet detection rule). The identification information and the forwarding rule may be sent to the user plane network element in one message, or may be sent to the user plane network element in multiple messages.

And after receiving the identification information and the forwarding rule, the user plane network element stores the session information. Specifically, if the identification information includes identification information of the first terminal device, the user plane network element stores a corresponding relationship between the identification of the first terminal device and the forwarding rule; if the identification information comprises identification information of the first terminal equipment and identification information of the second terminal equipment, the user plane network element stores the corresponding relation between the identification of the first terminal equipment and the forwarding rule and the corresponding relation between the identification of the second terminal equipment and the forwarding rule; and if the identification information comprises the identification information of the second terminal equipment, the user plane network element stores the corresponding relation between the identification of the second terminal equipment and the forwarding rule.

After the user plane network element obtains the session information, data communication can be performed between the terminal device and the network side. A user plane network element receives a downlink data packet sent by a Data Network (DN), where the downlink data packet carries identification information. And the user plane network element analyzes the downlink data packet to obtain the identification information. The downlink data packet may be sent to the first terminal device, or may be sent to a second terminal device in communication connection with the first terminal device, and therefore, the identification information may be identification information of the first terminal device, or may be identification information of the second terminal device. And the user plane network element matches a forwarding rule corresponding to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet according to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet and the stored session information, and sends the downlink data packet according to the forwarding rule. More specifically, the downlink data packet is sent through the matched downlink tunnel.

What has been mainly described above is downlink communication, and for uplink communication, the first terminal device sends an uplink data packet to the user plane network element via the uplink tunnel, and the user plane network element parses the source identification information and the destination identification information in the uplink data packet and sends the data packet to the data network.

In addition, the identification information may be generated by the terminal device itself or configured fixedly, or may be allocated by the session management network element. If the identification information is generated by the terminal device itself or fixedly configured, the session management network element may further perform conflict or duplicate detection on the identification information, return a duplicate detection result to the terminal device, and the terminal device regenerates the identification information or sends the identification information to the session management network element by using new identification information. Namely, the session management network element detects the received identification information; the first terminal device receives an identification information detection result from a session management network element, wherein the identification information detection result comprises repeated identification information.

If the identification information is generated by the terminal device itself or fixedly configured, in one implementation manner, the first terminal device sends a session establishment request, where the session establishment request includes the identification information and the session identification. And the session management network element receives a session establishment request from the first terminal equipment. That is, the first terminal device may send the identification information to the session management network element in the session establishment request, and the session management network element sends the identification information to the user plane network element. For example, if the second terminal device has accessed the first terminal device before the session is established, the identification information may be included in the session establishment request. In another implementation manner, the first terminal device carries the identification information and the session identification in the session modification request. For example, if the second terminal device does not access the first terminal device before the session is established, the session establishment request may not carry the identification information, and when the second terminal device accesses the first terminal device after the session is established, the session modification request may carry the identification information and the session identification.

Further, when a new second terminal device accesses the first terminal device, the identification information of the new second terminal device may be added to the session information; when the second terminal device disconnects from the first terminal device, the identification information of the second terminal device to be deleted can be deleted in the session information. Specifically, the identification information may be added or deleted by two different types of session modification requests.

In one design, for a first terminal device, the method further includes: the first terminal device sends a session modification request, wherein the session modification request comprises the session identifier and identifier information of a third terminal device in communication connection with the first terminal device; and the first terminal equipment receives a first session modification response from a session management network element, wherein the first session modification response comprises an identification information modification result and/or an identification information modification failure reason. For a communication system, the method further comprises: the session management network element receives a session modification request from the first terminal device, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and identifier information of a third terminal device in communication connection with the first terminal device; the session management network element sends a session modification request to the user plane network element; the user plane network element adds the identification information of the third terminal equipment to the session information according to the received session modification request; and the session management network element sends a first session modification response to the first terminal equipment. In the design, when new terminal equipment is accessed, the identification information of the new terminal equipment can be newly added in the session information, and the processing is flexible; the session modification request is for instructing addition of identification information of a new terminal device.

In another design, for a first terminal device, the identification information includes identification information of at least one second terminal device, and the method further includes: the first terminal device sends a session modification request, wherein the session modification request comprises the session identifier and the identifier information of at least one second terminal device to be deleted; and the first terminal equipment receives a second session modification response from the session management network element. For a communication system, the identification information comprises identification information of at least one of the second terminal devices, the method further comprising: the session management network element receives a session modification request from the first terminal device, wherein the session modification request comprises the session identifier and identifier information of at least one second terminal device to be deleted; the session management network element sends a session modification request to the user plane network element; the user plane network element deletes the identification information of the at least one second terminal device to be deleted in the session information according to the received session modification request; and the session management network element sends a second session modification response to the first terminal equipment. In the design, when the second terminal equipment is disconnected from the first terminal equipment, the identification information of the disconnected terminal equipment can be deleted from the session information, and the processing is flexible; the session modification request is used for indicating the deletion of the identification information of the terminal device needing to be deleted.

In addition, it is also possible to request deletion of the identification information of the second terminal device that needs to be deleted in the session information by a type of session modification request. Specifically, for a communication system, the method further comprises: the session management network element receives a session modification request from the first terminal device, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier, a modification instruction, and identifier information indicating an added third terminal device in communication connection with the first terminal device or identifier information indicating a deleted second terminal device; the session management network element sends the session modification request to the user plane network element; and the user plane network element modifies the identification information in the session information according to the modification indication. In the design, the identification information of the terminal device which needs to be deleted can be indicated to be deleted in the session information through a modification instruction, the identification information of the terminal device which needs to be added can also be added, and the processing is flexible.

In one design, if the identification information is allocated by a session management network element, the session management network element receives a request message, where the request message is used to request allocation of the identification information; and the session management network element distributes the identification information.

In another design, a first terminal device sends a request message to a session management network element, wherein the request message is used for requesting allocation of identification information, the request message includes the number N of the identification information requested to be allocated, and N is greater than or equal to 1; and the first terminal equipment receives the N pieces of identification information distributed by the session management network element. Specifically, in one design, the session management network element receives a request message from a first terminal device, where the request message is used to request allocation of identification information of N second terminal devices, and N is greater than or equal to 1; the first terminal equipment and the N second terminal equipments have communication connection relation; and the session management network element allocates the N pieces of identification information. The first terminal equipment acquires the number N of second terminal equipment in communication connection with the first terminal equipment; and the first terminal device takes the N identification information as the identification information of the second terminal device. In another design, the session management network element receives a request message from the first terminal device, where the request message is used to request allocation of N pieces of identification information, where N includes the number of the first terminal device and the number of the second terminal device, and N is greater than or equal to 2; the first terminal equipment and the second terminal equipment have a communication connection relation; and the session management network element allocates the N pieces of identification information. The first terminal equipment acquires the number K of second terminal equipment which is in communication connection with the first terminal equipment, wherein the K is N-1 and is more than or equal to 1; and the first terminal device takes one identification information in the N identification information as the identification information of the first terminal device, takes K identification information in the N identification information as the identification information of the second terminal device, and stores the corresponding relation between the identification information of the first terminal device and the K identification information.

The following is described by way of specific examples:

as shown in fig. 5, in a schematic interaction flow diagram of a communication method of a specific example, UE1, UE2, and UE …, where UE is Remote UE, access to a network and interact with the network through Relay UE, the specific implementation flow is as follows:

the Relay UE acquires an identification information list of the Remote UE. The identity information of the Remote UE may be generated by the Remote UE or Relay UE through its own algorithm or fixedly configured, or may be allocated by the SMF.

Specifically, if the identity information of the Remote UE is generated by the Remote UE through its own algorithm or fixedly configured, one implementation way for the Remote UE to obtain the identity information list of the Remote UE is that the Remote UE obtains the identity information of the Remote UE from the Remote UE, for example, the identity information list of the Remote UE is statically configured on the Remote UE, or the Remote UE sends an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) request to obtain the identity information of each Remote UE; another implementation manner is that the Relay UE receives identity information of the Relay UE sent by the Relay UE, for example, each Relay UE actively reports its own identity information to the Relay UE.

Specifically, if the identification information of the Remote UE is allocated by the SMF, the Relay UE sends a request message to the SMF, wherein the request message is used for requesting allocation of the identification information and comprises the number N of the identification information requested to be allocated, and N is more than or equal to 1; the Relay UE receives the N pieces of identification information distributed by the SMF. The method specifically comprises the following implementation modes: one implementation mode is that Relay UE acquires the number N of Remote UE, wherein N is more than or equal to 1; and the Relay UE takes the N identification information as the identification information of the Remote UE. Another implementation manner is that Relay UE acquires the number K of Remote UEs, wherein K is N-1, and K is more than or equal to 1; and the Relay UE takes one identification information in the N identification information as the identification information of the Relay UE, takes K identification information in the N identification information as the identification information of the Remote UE, and stores the corresponding relation between the K identification information and the identification information of the Relay UE.

Steps S501 to S508: and the Relay UE carries the identification information list of remote UE in the session establishment process.

S501. the relay UE sends a session establishment request to the AMF. The AMF receives the session establishment request. The session establishment request carries an identification information list and a session identification (for example, a PDU session ID) of the Remote UE. The session establishment request may also carry identification information of the Relay UE. For example, when Relay UE does not perform communication itself, and is only responsible for a scenario of relaying Remote UE communication, it is not required to carry identification information of the Relay UE.

In addition, if the Remote UE has not been accessed when the session establishment request is sent, the session establishment request may not carry the identifier information list of the Remote UE, and the session modification request in step S509 may carry the identifier information of the Remote UE. In addition, if a plurality of Remote UEs access to the Relay UE, the identification information may be in the form of a list, and is certainly not limited to the form of a list. The message may also include network slice information, a Data Network Name (DNN), which is used by the AMF to select the SMF. The PDU session ID is used to indicate the PDU session established by the Relay UE, and subsequent Remote UEs are all bound to this PDU session.

S502. the amf sends a session establishment request to the SMF. The SMF receives the session establishment request.

And S503, carrying out authentication and authorization on the Remote UE. Specifically, considering that the Remote UE may not have corresponding subscription data in the network, the SMF or the UPF initiates an authentication process to authenticate the Remote UE, for example, a black list is stored in the DN (the UE with certain identification information is not allowed to access the network). This step is an optional step.

And S504, the SMF detects whether the identification information is repeated and receives the rule sent by the PCF.

Specifically, if the identification information is generated by the terminal device itself through an algorithm or fixedly configured, the SMF detects whether the identification information is duplicated in the slice or in the DNN (it is only necessary to ensure that the identification information is unique in the slice or in the DNN). If the repeated identification information exists, the SMF carries the identification information detection result when notifying the RAN of the uplink tunnel information in S506a, and then the RAN sends the identification information detection result to the Relay UE through S506b, where the identification information detection result includes the repeated identification information. And the Relay UE receives the identification information detection result from the SMF.

The SMF notifies the Policy Control Function (PCF) of the detected identification information list. The PCF stores the corresponding relation between the identification information and the SMF, so that the subsequent PCF can conveniently find the PDU session corresponding to the UE according to the identification information. For example, a message sent by an Application function network element (AF) to the PCF may not carry an identifier of the UE, but only carries identifier information, optionally, DNN, network slice information, and the like, and the PCF needs to find a corresponding SMF according to the identifier information, and then the SMF finds a corresponding session according to the identifier information.

S505-S507, establishing a session and a corresponding forwarding rule. The method mainly comprises the steps that an SMF initiates a session establishment request of N4 to a UPF, the SMF or the UPF distributes UPF uplink Tunnel resources (such as Tunnel identifiers (Tunnel IDs, TEIDs)) and informs a RAN side of UPF IP addresses and the TEIDs, the RAN distributes downlink Tunnel resources (such as the TEIDs) and informs the RAN IP addresses and the TEIDs to the UPF, and therefore uplink and downlink paths of a session are established, and the UPF obtains session information.

Specifically, the SMF sends the identification information list and the session identification to the UPF in S505; the UPF allocates the uplink tunnel resource corresponding to the session identifier, and sends the uplink tunnel information to the SMF in S506a, and the SMF sends the uplink tunnel information to the RAN. The SMF receives the RAN-allocated downlink tunnel information in S507. Accordingly, the SMF generates forwarding rules. Then, the forwarding rule is transmitted to the UPF in S507. The UPF stores session information.

Of course, the SMF may also allocate the uplink tunnel resource corresponding to the session identifier and send the uplink tunnel resource to the RAN.

And S508.UPF stores the session information. Specifically, the UPF stores a forwarding rule corresponding to the identification information of the Remote UE and/or the Relay UE. The session information specifically refers to a corresponding relationship between the identification information of the Relay UE and the forwarding rule, and/or a corresponding relationship between the identification information of one or more Remote UEs and the forwarding rule, where the corresponding relationship is shown in the following table one:

presenting a session message

Optionally, the method further includes steps S509 to S514: carrying new Remote UE identification information in the session updating process

S509. New Remote UE(s) (UEn-1, UEn) dynamically accesses Relay UE. S510. the relay UE sends a session modification request to the AMF. The AMF receives the session modification request. Wherein, the session modifying request carries the identification information (list) and session identification of the new Remote UE(s). Specifically, the session modification request may be initiated when each new Remote UE accesses, or may be initiated periodically, where a plurality of new Remote UEs may access to the Relay UE in this period.

S511. the amf sends a session modification request to the SMF. The SMF receives the session modification request and notifies the UPF.

And S512, authenticating the new Remote UE, specifically, considering that the new Remote UE(s) may not have corresponding subscription data in the 3GPP network, the SMF or UPF initiates a DN authentication process to authenticate the Remote UE(s), for example, some blacklists are stored in the DN, and some UEs are not allowed to access the network. This step is optional.

And S513, the SMF informs the PCF of the newly added identification information, so that the subsequent PCF can conveniently find the corresponding PDU session according to the identification information.

And S514, adding the corresponding relation between the identification information and the forwarding rule in the session information by the UPF. Specifically, the SMF sends a session modification request to the UPF, and the message carries a session identifier and identifier information. Before the SMF sends the session modification request, optionally, the session modification request may be encapsulated, for example, the SMF may replace the session identifier in the session modification request with the N4session ID. And the UPF finds the forwarding rule corresponding to the session identifier and stores the corresponding relation between the newly added identifier information and the forwarding rule.

As an alternative to S509 to S514, the Relay UE may also delete session information corresponding to certain identification information through the session modification request. The specific scenario is that when a Remote UE disconnects from a Relay UE, the Relay UE sends a session modification request to the AMF, where the session modification request includes identification information to be deleted. The AMF sends the session modification request to the SMF. The SMF receives the session modification request and notifies the UPF. The UPF searches the corresponding relation between the identification information and the forwarding rule in the session information and deletes the corresponding relation.

Considering that the session modification request may include the above two implementation manners, that is, request to add or delete session information corresponding to the identification information, the session modification request may also carry a modification indication, where the modification indication is used to indicate to add or delete the identification information in the session information. For example, the modification indication may be 1-bit information, "1" indicates that the identification information is newly added in the session information, and "0" indicates that the identification information to be deleted is deleted in the session information; in contrast, "0" indicates that the identification information is newly added to the session information, and "1" indicates that the identification information to be deleted is deleted from the session information.

Steps S515-S518: data packet transmission process

And S515, the Relay UE sends the uplink data packet. The UPF receives the upstream packet and sends it to the DN. The DN receives the upstream packet. Specifically, the uplink transmission process is not different from the existing mechanism, and the Remote UE has only one path when sending to the Relay UE. The Relay UE sends the data packet to the UPF through the uplink tunnel, and the UPF analyzes the destination identification information of the data packet and sends the data packet to the DN.

And S516, the DN sends a downlink data packet to the UPF. The UPF receives the downlink data packet. Wherein, the data packet carries the identification information.

And S517, determining a forwarding rule corresponding to the identification information carried by the downlink data packet by the UPF.

And S518.UPF sends a downlink data packet.

In this example, the Relay UE collects the identification information of the Remote UE, and sends the identification information to the SMF in the session request, the SMF sends the identification information to the UPF, and the UPF determines the forwarding rule corresponding to the identification information. When receiving the downlink data packet, sending the downlink data packet according to the identification information and the session information in the downlink data packet, thereby realizing the Ethernet communication between the terminal equipment and the network side; and the Relay UE can request to add or delete the identification information in the session information through the session modification request, so that the method has higher flexibility.

Fig. 6 is an interaction flow diagram of another specific example of a communication method. The specific process is as follows:

and S601. the UE sends a session establishment request to the AMF. The AMF receives the session establishment request. This step is basically the same as S501, except that the session establishment request carries identification information of one UE. The UE may be a normal UE or a single Relay UE.

And S602, the AMF sends a session establishment request to the SMF. The SMF receives the session establishment request. This step is the same as S502.

And S603, authenticating the UE. This step is the same as S503.

And S604, the SMF informs the PCF of the identification information, and the PCF issues a policy control rule to the SMF. This step is the same as the corresponding part of S504.

S605 to S607, establishing the conversation and the corresponding forwarding rule. S605 to S607 are the same as S505 to S507, respectively.

And S608, storing the session information on the UPF. This step is the same as S508, but the session information includes only a set of correspondence between the identification information and the forwarding rule in this embodiment.

And S609, the UE sends the uplink data packet to the UPF. The UPF sends the upstream packet to the DN. The DN receives the upstream packet. This step is the same as S515.

And S610. the DN sends a downlink data packet to the UPF. This step is the same as S516.

And S611.UPF determines the forwarding rule corresponding to the target identification information in the downlink data packet. This step is the same as S517.

And S612, UPF sends a downlink data packet. This step is the same as S518.

In this example, the UPF obtains session information of a single UE, and when receiving a downlink data packet sent to the UE, may send the downlink data packet according to destination identification information and the session information in the downlink data packet, thereby implementing communication between the UE and the network side.

Fig. 7 is an interaction flow diagram of a communication method according to still another specific example. The difference from the previous embodiments is that the UE itself has no identification information, and the SMF needs to allocate identification information to the Relay UE and/or one or more Remote UEs. The method specifically comprises the following steps:

and S701, the Relay UE sends a session establishment request to the AMF. The AMF receives the session establishment request. The session establishment request only carries the quantity of the identification information requested to be allocated, and does not carry the identification information of the Relay UE and/or the Remote UE.

S702. the amf sends the session establishment request to the SMF. The SMF receives the session establishment request. S702 is the same as S502 or S602 of the previous embodiment, and is not described herein again.

And S703, carrying out authentication and authorization on the Remote UE. S703 is the same as S503 or S603 in the previous embodiment, and is not described herein again.

And S704, the SMF allocates identification information. If the request of S701 carries the number of identifier information requested to be allocated, the SMF allocates a corresponding number of identifier information and notifies the PCF of the identifier information.

Specifically, as an implementation manner, the session establishment request is used for requesting to allocate N identification information, where N is greater than or equal to 1; the Relay UE and the N Remote UEs have communication connection relation; the SMF allocates N pieces of identification information. Namely, the N pieces of identification information are used as identification information of the Remote UE.

As another implementation manner, the session establishment request is used for requesting to allocate N identification information, where N includes the number of Relay UEs and the number of Remote UEs, and N is greater than or equal to 2; the Relay UE and the Remote UE have a communication connection relation; the SMF allocates N pieces of identification information. Namely, the N pieces of identification information are used as identification information of Relay UE and Remote UE.

S705, S706a, and S707, establish a session and a corresponding forwarding rule. Are the same as S505 to S507 or S605 to S607 in the previous embodiment, and are not described herein again.

S706b.smf informs Relay UE of identification information (list). And the Relay UE maintains the corresponding relation between the Remote UE and the identification information of the Remote UE.

And S708, storing the session information on the UPF. S708 is the same as S508 or S608 of the previous embodiment, and is not described herein again.

S709-S715 are accessed for new Remote UE, and SMF distributes identification information. The allocation procedure is the same as S701 and S704.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the terminal device may be a single ordinary UE or a single Relay UE, and the Relay UE may be connected to one or more Remote UEs or may not be connected.

In this example, the SMF allocates the identification information, the UPF stores the session information, and when a downlink packet is received, the downlink packet is sent according to the destination identification information in the downlink packet and the session information, thereby implementing ethernet communication between the terminal device and the network side.

Fig. 8 is an interaction flow diagram of a communication method according to still another specific example. In fig. 8, the U terminal device may be a single general UE or a single Relay UE, and the Relay UE may or may not be connected to one or more Remote UEs. The specific process is as follows:

s801. the ue sends a session establishment request to the AMF. The AMF receives the session establishment request. The session establishment request carries the session identifier, but does not carry the identifier information.

S802.amf sends a session establishment request to SMF. The SMF receives the session establishment request. This step is the same as S502, S602, or S702.

And S803, carrying out authentication and authorization on the UE. This step is the same as S503, S603, or S703.

S804-S806, establishing conversation and corresponding forwarding rules. S804 to S806 are substantially the same as S505 to S507 or S605 to S607, respectively. What is different is that the UPF does not acquire the identification information of the terminal device at this time, and only acquires the forwarding rule generated by the SMF.

And S807. the UE sends the uplink data packet to the UPF. The UPF forwards the upstream packet to the DN. Unlike the previous embodiment, the upstream packet includes identification information.

And S808.UPF stores the session information. This step is the same as S508, S608 or S708. So far, the UPF acquires the identification information and the forwarding rule, thereby completely storing the session information.

And S809, the SMF informs the PCF of the identification information, and the PCF issues a policy control rule to the SMF. This step is the same as the corresponding part of S504 or S604.

And S810. the DN sends a downlink data packet to the UPF. The downlink packet includes destination identification information. This step is the same as S516 or S610.

And S811, determining a forwarding rule corresponding to the target identification information in the downlink data packet by the UPF. This step is the same as S517 and S611.

And S812, sending the downlink data packet by the UPF. This step is the same as S518 and S612.

The difference from the embodiment shown in fig. 5 or fig. 6 is that the UE does not carry the identification information in the session establishment request or the session modification request, but when the UE sends the uplink data packet to the UPF, the uplink data packet carries the identification information, and of course, the uplink data packet also carries the session identification. The UPF parses the source identification information (i.e., identification information) from the upstream packet, and stores the session information.

In this example, the UPF obtains the identification information of the UE from the uplink data packet, stores the session information, and sends the downlink data packet according to the destination identification information in the downlink data packet and the session information when receiving the downlink data packet, thereby implementing the ethernet communication between the terminal device and the network side.

According to the communication method provided by the embodiment of the invention, the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet and the session information by acquiring the session information of the terminal equipment, so that the Ethernet communication between the terminal equipment and the network side is realized.

The embodiment of the invention also provides another communication method, which comprises the following steps: a user plane network element acquires session information of a first terminal device, wherein the session information includes identification information, a network protocol IP address and a forwarding rule, and the identification information includes: MAC address, or, VLAN tag; the user plane network element receives a downlink data packet, and the downlink data packet carries an IP address; and the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the IP address and the session information carried in the downlink data packet. In the design, the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the IP address carried in the downlink data packet and the session information by acquiring the session information of the terminal equipment and the corresponding relation between the IP address and the session information, so that the Ethernet communication between the terminal equipment and the network side is realized.

In one possible design, the session information further includes a session identifier, and the method further includes: a session management network element receives a session request of the first terminal device, wherein the session request comprises the identification information and the session identification; and the session management network element allocates an IP address corresponding to the identification information.

In another possible design, the sending, by the user plane network element, the downlink data packet according to the IP address and the session information carried in the downlink data packet includes: and the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to a forwarding rule corresponding to the IP address carried in the downlink data packet.

Specifically, fig. 9 is an interaction flow diagram of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the embodiments shown in fig. 3 to 8 is that: IP layer communication is adopted between UPF and DN, namely the destination address in the data packet sent to UPF by DN is the IP address of Remote UE. The specific implementation process is as follows:

and S901, the UE sends a session establishment request to the AMF. The AMF receives the session establishment request. This step is the same as S501, S601, or S701.

And S902, the AMF sends a session establishment request to the SMF. The SMF receives the session establishment request. This step is the same as S502, S602, or S702.

And S903, carrying out authentication and authorization on the UE. This step is the same as S503, S603, S703 or S803.

S904-S906. establishing conversation and corresponding forwarding rules. S804 to S806 are substantially the same as S505 to S507 or S605 to S607, respectively. What is different, in this embodiment, the SMF or the UPF further allocates an IP address to each Remote UE, and the session information includes a correspondence between the IP address and the session identifier, the forwarding rule, and the identifier information. The IP address is not notified to the Remote UE, and is only used for the UPF to make the correspondence between the MAC address and the IP address.

And S907, the SMF sends the MAC address of the Remote UE or the allocated IP address to the PCF, and the PCF issues a policy control rule to the SMF. This step is substantially the same as the corresponding part of S504 or S604. What is different is that in this embodiment, an IP address is also sent to the PCF.

S908.upf stores session information. Specifically, the UPF stores the correspondence between the identification information and the forwarding rule, and/or the correspondence between the IP address and the forwarding rule, as shown in table two:

watch two

Identification information of Remote UE1	IP Address of Remote UE1	Forwarding rules
			Identification information of Remote UE2	IP Address of Remote UE2	Forwarding rules
……	……	……
			Identification information of Remote UEn	IP address of Remote UEn	Forwarding rules

It should be noted that the UPF may store the correspondence between the identification information of the Remote UE, the IP address of the Remote UE, and the forwarding rule, or may store the correspondence between the identification information of the Remote UE and the IP address of the Remote UE, and the correspondence between the IP address of the Remote UE and the forwarding rule, as shown in table two.

And S909, accessing the new Remote UE to the Relay UE.

S910, the Relay UE sends a session modification request to the AMF.

And S911, the AMF sends a session modification request to the SMF.

And S912, authenticating the UE.

And S913, the SMF informs the PCF of the newly added identification information/IP address, and the PCF issues a policy control rule to the SMF.

And S914, the UPF searches the corresponding relation according to the session identifier, and stores the corresponding relation of the identifier information of the newly added Remote UE, the IP address of the newly allocated Remote UE and the forwarding rule into the corresponding relation shown in the table II.

And S915, the Remote UE (which may be any one of the Remote UEs 1-UEn, for example, the Remote UE) sends a two-layer (MAC) uplink data packet to the Relay UE. And the Relay UE sends the uplink data packet to the UPF. The data packet carries its own source identification information and the destination identification information of the DN. Specifically, after the Relay UE receives the data packet, the Relay UE does not change the data packet, and transmits the data packet to the UPF through the uplink tunnel.

And S916, the UPF replaces the destination identification information with the IP address. Specifically, the UPF analyzes the data packet to obtain destination identification information, searches for a corresponding IP address according to the correspondence shown in table two, encapsulates the data packet into a three-layer (IP) data packet, and stamps a source IP address of the Remote UEn and a destination IP address corresponding to the DN on the packet header. And transmitting the encapsulated IP data packet to the DN.

S917.DN sends downstream packet to UPF. The UPF receives the downlink data packet. The downlink data packet is IP data, and the data packet carries a destination IP address.

And S918, determining identification information and a forwarding rule corresponding to the IP address carried by the downlink data packet by the UPF. Specifically, after receiving the data packet, the UPF analyzes the destination IP address, and obtains the corresponding identification information and forwarding rule according to the relationship shown in table two. And decapsulating the three-layer IP data packet, adding source identification information and destination identification information (identification information of Remote UE), and changing into a two-layer data packet.

And S919, sending a downlink data packet by the UPF. Specifically, the two-layer data packet is transmitted to Relay UE via the downlink tunnel, and the Relay UE transmits to Remote UE according to the destination identifier information.

According to the communication method provided by the embodiment of the invention, the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the IP address carried in the downlink data packet and the session information by acquiring the session information of the terminal equipment and the corresponding relation between the IP address and the session information, so that the Ethernet communication between the terminal equipment and the network side is realized.

The method of embodiments of the present invention is set forth above in detail and the apparatus of embodiments of the present invention is provided below.

Fig. 10 is a schematic block structure diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the communication device may be the user plane network element. The communication device may be adapted to perform the communication method described above. The communication apparatus may include: aprocessing unit 1001, a receiving unit 1002, and atransmitting unit 1003; wherein: theprocessing unit 1001 is configured to acquire session information of a first terminal device, where the session information includes identification information and a forwarding rule, and the identification information includes: MAC address, or, VLAN tag; the receiving unit 1002 is configured to receive a downlink data packet, where the downlink data packet carries identification information; the sendingunit 1003 is configured to send the downlink data packet according to the identification information and the session information carried in the downlink data packet.

In one possible design, the identification information includes at least one of: the identification information of the first terminal device and the identification information of a second terminal device which is in communication connection with the first terminal device.

In another possible design, the receiving unit 1002 is further configured to receive a session modification request from a session management network element, where the session modification request includes the session identifier and identification information of a third terminal device in communication connection with the first terminal device; theprocessing unit 1001 is further configured to add, according to the received session modification request, the identifier information of the third terminal device to the session information.

In yet another possible design, the identification information includes identification information of at least one of the second terminal devices; the receiving unit 1002 is further configured to receive a session modification request from a session management network element, where the session modification request includes the session identifier and identifier information of at least one second terminal device that needs to be deleted; theprocessing unit 1001 is further configured to delete, according to the received session modification request, the identification information of the at least one second terminal device that needs to be deleted in the session information.

In another possible design, the sendingunit 1003 is specifically configured to: and sending the downlink data packet according to a forwarding rule corresponding to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet.

According to the communication device provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the communication device may be the user plane network element described above, and the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet and the session information by acquiring the session information of the terminal device, thereby implementing ethernet communication between the terminal device and the network side.

Fig. 11 is a schematic hardware architecture diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the communication device may be the user plane network element described above. The communication device may be adapted to perform the communication method described above. The communication apparatus may include: areceiver 1101, asender 1102, aprocessor 1103 and amemory 1104, thereceiver 1101, thesender 1102, theprocessor 1103 and thememory 1104 being connected to each other by a communication line.

The memory includes, but is not limited to, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or a portable read-only memory (CD-ROM), which is used for storing instructions and data.

A receiver is used to receive data and/or signals and a transmitter is used to transmit data and/or signals. The transmitter and receiver may be separate devices or may be an integral device.

The processor may include one or more processors, for example, one or more Central Processing Units (CPUs), and in the case of one CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

In particular, in one embodiment, the related functions implemented by theprocessing unit 1001 in fig. 10 may be implemented by one or more processors, the related functions implemented by the receiving unit 1002 may be implemented by a receiver, and the related functions implemented by thetransmitting unit 1003 may be implemented by a transmitter. Theprocessor 1103 is configured to obtain session information of the first terminal device, for example, execute step S302 in the embodiment shown in fig. 3; thereceiver 1101 is configured to receive a downlink data packet, for example, execute step S303 in the embodiment shown in fig. 3; and thetransmitter 1102 is configured to transmit a downlink data packet, for example, to perform step S303 in the embodiment shown in fig. 3.

In another embodiment, theprocessor 1103 is configured to obtain session information of the first terminal device, for example, execute S904 to S906, S908, S913 to S914, and S918 in the embodiment shown in fig. 9; thereceiver 1101 is configured to receive an uplink data packet, for example, perform S915 in the embodiment shown in fig. 9, and receive a downlink data packet, for example, perform S917 in the embodiment shown in fig. 9; and thetransmitter 1102 is configured to transmit the downlink data packet, for example, to perform S919 in the embodiment shown in fig. 9.

The specific implementation is described with reference to the above method embodiments.

According to the communication device provided by the embodiment of the invention, the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the IP address carried in the downlink data packet and the session information by acquiring the session information of the terminal equipment and the corresponding relation between the IP address and the session information, so that the Ethernet communication between the terminal equipment and the network side is realized.

Fig. 12 is a simplified structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the communication apparatus may be the first terminal device. The communication device may be adapted to perform the communication method described above. For easy understanding and convenience of illustration, in fig. 12, the terminal device is exemplified by a mobile phone. As shown in fig. 12, the terminal device includes a processor, a memory, a radio frequency circuit, an antenna, and an input-output device. The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the terminal equipment, executing software programs, processing data of the software programs and the like. The memory is used primarily for storing software programs and data. The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals and radio frequency signals and processing the radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input and output devices, such as touch screens, display screens, keyboards, etc., are used primarily for receiving data input by a user and for outputting data to the user. It should be noted that some kinds of terminal devices may not have input/output devices.

When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs baseband signals to the radio frequency circuit, and the radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signals and sends the radio frequency signals to the outside in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal equipment, the radio frequency circuit receives radio frequency signals through the antenna, converts the radio frequency signals into baseband signals and outputs the baseband signals to the processor, and the processor converts the baseband signals into the data and processes the data. For ease of illustration, only one memory and processor are shown in FIG. 12. In an actual end device product, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, etc. The memory may be provided independently of the processor, or may be integrated with the processor, which is not limited in this embodiment.

In the embodiment of the present application, an antenna and a radio frequency circuit having a transceiving function may be regarded as a receiving unit and a transmitting unit (which may also be collectively referred to as a transceiving unit) of a terminal device, and a processor having a processing function may be regarded as a processing unit of the terminal device. As shown in fig. 12, the terminal apparatus includes areceiving unit 1201, aprocessing unit 1202, and atransmitting unit 1203. The receivingunit 1201 may also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving circuit, etc., and thetransmitting unit 1203 may also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitting circuit, etc. A processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing module, a processing device, or the like.

For example, in an embodiment, the receivingunit 1201 is configured to execute step S301 of the embodiment shown in fig. 3, and send a session request to the session management network element; the sendingunit 1203 is configured to execute step S303 in the embodiment shown in fig. 3, and receive the downlink data packet.

Reference is made in particular to the description of the method embodiments.

According to the terminal equipment provided by the embodiment of the invention, the Ethernet communication between the terminal equipment and the network side is realized.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the implementation. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described apparatus embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

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

In the above embodiments, the implementation may be wholly or partially realized by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, 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 loaded and executed on a computer, cause the processes or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the invention to occur, in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a network of computers, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in or transmitted over a computer-readable storage medium. The computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by wire (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), or wirelessly (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server, a data center, etc., that incorporates one or more of the available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., Solid State Disk (SSD)), among others.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments may be implemented by hardware related to instructions of a computer program, which may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, may include the processes of the above method embodiments. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as a read-only memory (ROM) or a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

Claims (29)

Translated fromChinese

1.一种通信方法，其特征在于，所述方法包括：1. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises:用户面网元获取第一终端设备的会话信息，其中，所述会话信息包括标识信息和转发规则，所述标识信息包括：媒体接入控制MAC地址，或，虚拟局域网标签VLAN tag；The user plane network element obtains the session information of the first terminal device, wherein the session information includes identification information and a forwarding rule, and the identification information includes: a media access control MAC address, or a virtual local area network tag VLAN tag;所述用户面网元接收下行数据包，所述下行数据包中携带标识信息；The user plane network element receives a downlink data packet, and the downlink data packet carries identification information;所述用户面网元根据所述下行数据包中携带的标识信息和所述会话信息，发送所述下行数据包；The user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the identification information and the session information carried in the downlink data packet;会话管理网元接收来自所述第一终端设备的会话修改请求，其中，所述会话修改请求包括所述会话标识、以及与所述第一终端设备有通信连接的第三终端设备的标识信息；The session management network element receives a session modification request from the first terminal device, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and identification information of a third terminal device that is in communication with the first terminal device;所述会话管理网元发送会话修改请求给所述用户面网元；sending, by the session management network element, a session modification request to the user plane network element;所述用户面网元根据接收到的会话修改请求，增加所述第三终端设备的标识信息至所述会话信息；The user plane network element adds the identification information of the third terminal device to the session information according to the received session modification request;所述会话管理网元发送第一会话修改响应给所述第一终端设备。The session management network element sends a first session modification response to the first terminal device.2.如权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于，所述标识信息包括以下信息中的至少一种：所述第一终端设备的标识信息，以及与所述第一终端设备有通信连接的第二终端设备的标识信息。2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification information comprises at least one of the following information: identification information of the first terminal device, and identification information of the first terminal device in communication with the first terminal device. Identification information of the second terminal device.3.如权利要求2所述的方法，其特征在于，所述会话信息还包括会话标识，所述方法还包括：3. The method of claim 2, wherein the session information further comprises a session identifier, the method further comprising:所述会话管理网元接收来自所述第一终端设备的会话建立请求，其中，所述会话建立请求包括所述标识信息和所述会话标识。The session management network element receives a session establishment request from the first terminal device, wherein the session establishment request includes the identification information and the session identification.4.如权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，所述标识信息包括至少一个所述第二终端设备的标识信息，所述方法还包括：4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the identification information comprises identification information of at least one of the second terminal devices, and the method further comprises:所述会话管理网元接收来自所述第一终端设备的会话修改请求，其中，所述会话修改请求包括所述会话标识、以及需要删除的至少一个第二终端设备的标识信息；receiving, by the session management network element, a session modification request from the first terminal device, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and identification information of at least one second terminal device to be deleted;所述会话管理网元发送会话修改请求给所述用户面网元；sending, by the session management network element, a session modification request to the user plane network element;所述用户面网元根据接收到的会话修改请求，删除所述会话信息中的所述需要删除的至少一个第二终端设备的标识信息；The user plane network element deletes, according to the received session modification request, the identification information of the at least one second terminal device that needs to be deleted in the session information;所述会话管理网元发送第二会话修改响应给所述第一终端设备。The session management network element sends a second session modification response to the first terminal device.5.如权利要求1或2所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises:所述会话管理网元接收请求消息，所述请求消息用于请求分配所述标识信息；The session management network element receives a request message, where the request message is used to request allocation of the identification information;所述会话管理网元分配所述标识信息。The session management network element allocates the identification information.6.如权利要求1或2所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：6. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises:所述会话管理网元接收来自第一终端设备的请求消息，所述请求消息用于请求分配N个第二终端设备的标识信息，N≥1；其中，所述第一终端设备与所述N个第二终端设备有通信连接关系；The session management network element receives a request message from the first terminal device, where the request message is used to request the allocation of identification information of N second terminal devices, N≥1; wherein the first terminal device and the N A second terminal device has a communication connection relationship;所述会话管理网元分配所述N个标识信息；或The session management network element allocates the N pieces of identification information; or所述会话管理网元接收来自所述第一终端设备的请求消息，所述请求消息用于请求分配N个标识信息，其中，所述N包括所述第一终端设备的数量和第二终端设备的数量，N≥2；所述第一终端设备与所述第二终端设备有通信连接关系；The session management network element receives a request message from the first terminal device, where the request message is used to request the allocation of N pieces of identification information, where the N includes the number of the first terminal device and the second terminal device The number of , N≥2; the first terminal device has a communication connection relationship with the second terminal device;所述会话管理网元分配所述N个标识信息。The session management network element allocates the N pieces of identification information.7.如权利要求1～4任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述用户面网元根据所述下行数据包中携带的标识信息和所述会话信息，发送所述下行数据包，包括：7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the identification information and the session information carried in the downlink data packet, include:所述用户面网元根据所述下行数据包中携带的标识信息对应的转发规则发送所述下行数据包。The user plane network element sends the downlink data packet according to the forwarding rule corresponding to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet.8.一种通信方法，其特征在于，所述方法包括：8. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises:第一终端设备发送会话请求，其中，所述会话请求包括标识信息，所述标识信息包括：媒体接入控制MAC地址，或，虚拟局域网标签VLAN tag；The first terminal device sends a session request, wherein the session request includes identification information, and the identification information includes: a media access control MAC address, or a virtual local area network tag VLAN tag;所述第一终端设备接收下行数据包，其中，所述下行数据包中携带标识信息；The first terminal device receives a downlink data packet, wherein the downlink data packet carries identification information;所述第一终端设备发送会话修改请求，其中，所述会话修改请求包括所述会话标识、以及与所述第一终端设备有通信连接的第三终端设备的标识信息；The first terminal device sends a session modification request, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and identification information of a third terminal device that is in communication with the first terminal device;所述第一终端设备接收来自会话管理网元的第一会话修改响应，所述第一会话修改响应包括标识信息修改结果和/或标识信息修改失败原因。The first terminal device receives a first session modification response from the session management network element, where the first session modification response includes the identification information modification result and/or the identification information modification failure reason.9.如权利要求8所述的方法，其特征在于，所述标识信息包括以下信息中的至少一种：所述第一终端设备的标识信息，以及与所述第一终端设备有通信连接的第二终端设备的标识信息。9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the identification information comprises at least one of the following information: identification information of the first terminal device, and a communication connection with the first terminal device. 10 . Identification information of the second terminal device.10.如权利要求9所述的方法，其特征在于，所述标识信息包括至少一个所述第二终端设备的标识信息，所述方法还包括：10. The method of claim 9, wherein the identification information comprises identification information of at least one of the second terminal devices, and the method further comprises:所述第一终端设备发送会话修改请求，其中，所述会话修改请求包括所述会话标识、以及需要删除的至少一个第二终端设备的标识信息；The first terminal device sends a session modification request, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and identification information of at least one second terminal device to be deleted;所述第一终端设备接收来自会话管理网元的第二会话修改响应。The first terminal device receives the second session modification response from the session management network element.11.如权利要求8～9任一项所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the method further comprises:所述第一终端设备接收来自会话管理网元的标识信息检测结果，其中，所述标识信息检测结果包括重复的标识信息。The first terminal device receives the identification information detection result from the session management network element, wherein the identification information detection result includes duplicate identification information.12.一种通信方法，其特征在于，所述方法包括：12. A communication method, characterized in that the method comprises:第一终端设备发送请求消息至会话管理网元，其中，所述请求消息用于请求分配标识信息，所述请求消息包括请求分配的标识信息的数量N，N≥1；所述标识信息包括：媒体接入控制MAC地址，或，虚拟局域网标签VLAN tag；The first terminal device sends a request message to the session management network element, wherein the request message is used to request allocation of identification information, and the request message includes the number N of identification information to be allocated, N≥1; the identification information includes: Media access control MAC address, or, virtual local area network tag VLAN tag;所述第一终端设备接收所述会话管理网元分配的N个标识信息。The first terminal device receives the N pieces of identification information allocated by the session management network element.13.如权利要求12所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:所述第一终端设备获取与所述第一终端设备有通信连接的第二终端设备的数量N；obtaining, by the first terminal device, the number N of second terminal devices in communication with the first terminal device;所述第一终端设备将所述N个标识信息作为所述第二终端设备的标识信息。The first terminal device uses the N pieces of identification information as identification information of the second terminal device.14.如权利要求12所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:所述第一终端设备获取与所述第一终端设备有通信连接的第二终端设备的数量K，K＝N-1，K≥1；obtaining, by the first terminal device, the number K of second terminal devices in communication with the first terminal device, where K=N-1, and K≥1;所述第一终端设备将所述N个标识信息中的一个标识信息作为自身的标识信息，以及将所述N个标识信息中的K个标识信息作为所述第二终端设备的标识信息，并保存所述第一终端设备的标识信息与所述K个标识信息的对应关系。The first terminal device uses one piece of identification information in the N pieces of identification information as its own identification information, and uses K pieces of identification information in the N pieces of identification information as the identification information of the second terminal device, and The correspondence between the identification information of the first terminal device and the K pieces of identification information is stored.15.一种通信装置，其特征在于，所述装置包括：处理单元、接收单元和发送单元；其中：15. A communication device, characterized in that the device comprises: a processing unit, a receiving unit and a sending unit; wherein:所述处理单元，用于获取第一终端设备的会话信息，其中，所述会话信息包括标识信息和转发规则，所述标识信息包括：媒体接入控制MAC地址，或，虚拟局域网标签VLAN tag；The processing unit is configured to acquire session information of the first terminal device, wherein the session information includes identification information and a forwarding rule, and the identification information includes: a media access control MAC address, or a virtual local area network tag VLAN tag;所述接收单元，用于接收下行数据包，所述下行数据包中携带标识信息；the receiving unit, configured to receive a downlink data packet, where the downlink data packet carries identification information;所述发送单元，用于根据所述下行数据包中携带的标识信息和所述会话信息，发送所述下行数据包；the sending unit, configured to send the downlink data packet according to the identification information and the session information carried in the downlink data packet;所述接收单元，还用于接收来自会话管理网元的会话修改请求，其中，所述会话修改请求包括所述会话标识、以及与所述第一终端设备有通信连接的第三终端设备的标识信息；The receiving unit is further configured to receive a session modification request from a session management network element, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and the identifier of a third terminal device that is in communication with the first terminal device information;所述处理单元，还用于根据接收到的会话修改请求，增加所述第三终端设备的标识信息至所述会话信息。The processing unit is further configured to add the identification information of the third terminal device to the session information according to the received session modification request.16.如权利要求15所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述标识信息包括以下信息中的至少一种：所述第一终端设备的标识信息，以及与所述第一终端设备有通信连接的第二终端设备的标识信息。16. The communication apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the identification information comprises at least one of the following information: identification information of the first terminal device, and a communication connection with the first terminal device the identification information of the second terminal device.17.如权利要求16所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述标识信息包括至少一个所述第二终端设备的标识信息；17. The communication apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the identification information comprises identification information of at least one of the second terminal equipment;所述接收单元，还用于接收来自会话管理网元的会话修改请求，其中，所述会话修改请求包括所述会话标识、以及需要删除的至少一个第二终端设备的标识信息；The receiving unit is further configured to receive a session modification request from a session management network element, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and identification information of at least one second terminal device to be deleted;所述处理单元，还用于根据接收到的会话修改请求，删除所述会话信息中的所述需要删除的至少一个第二终端设备的标识信息。The processing unit is further configured to delete the identification information of the at least one second terminal device to be deleted in the session information according to the received session modification request.18.如权利要求15～17任一项所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述发送单元具体用于：18. The communication device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the sending unit is specifically configured to:根据所述下行数据包中携带的标识信息对应的转发规则发送所述下行数据包。The downlink data packet is sent according to the forwarding rule corresponding to the identification information carried in the downlink data packet.19.一种通信装置，其特征在于，所述装置包括：发送单元和接收单元；其中：19. A communication device, characterized in that the device comprises: a sending unit and a receiving unit; wherein:所述发送单元，用于发送会话请求，其中，所述会话请求包括标识信息，所述标识信息包括：媒体接入控制MAC地址，或，虚拟局域网标签VLAN tag；The sending unit is configured to send a session request, wherein the session request includes identification information, and the identification information includes: a media access control MAC address, or a virtual local area network tag VLAN tag;所述接收单元，用于接收下行数据包，其中，所述下行数据包中携带标识信息；the receiving unit, configured to receive a downlink data packet, wherein the downlink data packet carries identification information;所述发送单元，还用于发送会话修改请求，其中，所述会话修改请求包括所述会话标识、以及与第一终端设备有通信连接的第三终端设备的标识信息；The sending unit is further configured to send a session modification request, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and identification information of a third terminal device that is communicatively connected to the first terminal device;所述接收单元，还用于接收来自会话管理网元的第一会话修改响应，所述第一会话修改响应包括标识信息修改结果和/或标识信息修改失败原因。The receiving unit is further configured to receive a first session modification response from the session management network element, where the first session modification response includes an identification information modification result and/or a failure reason for identification information modification.20.如权利要求19所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述标识信息包括以下信息中的至少一种：所述第一终端设备的标识信息，以及与所述第一终端设备有通信连接的第二终端设备的标识信息。20. The communication apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the identification information comprises at least one of the following information: identification information of the first terminal device, and a communication connection with the first terminal device the identification information of the second terminal device.21.如权利要求20所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述标识信息包括至少一个所述第二终端设备的标识信息；21. The communication apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the identification information comprises identification information of at least one of the second terminal equipment;所述发送单元，还用于发送会话修改请求，其中，所述会话修改请求包括所述会话标识、以及需要删除的至少一个第二终端设备的标识信息；The sending unit is further configured to send a session modification request, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and identification information of at least one second terminal device to be deleted;所述接收单元，还用于接收来自会话管理网元的第二会话修改响应。The receiving unit is further configured to receive a second session modification response from the session management network element.22.如权利要求19～21任一项所述的通信装置，其特征在于：22. The communication device according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein:所述接收单元，还用于接收来自会话管理网元的标识信息检测结果，其中，所述标识信息检测结果包括重复的标识信息。The receiving unit is further configured to receive the identification information detection result from the session management network element, wherein the identification information detection result includes duplicate identification information.23.一种通信装置，其特征在于，所述装置包括：发送单元和接收单元；其中：23. A communication device, characterized in that the device comprises: a sending unit and a receiving unit; wherein:所述发送单元，用于发送请求消息至会话管理网元，其中，所述请求消息用于请求分配标识信息，所述请求消息包括请求分配的标识信息的数量N，N≥1；所述标识信息包括：媒体接入控制MAC地址，或，虚拟局域网标签VLAN tag；The sending unit is configured to send a request message to the session management network element, wherein the request message is used to request allocation of identification information, and the request message includes the number N of identification information to be allocated, N≥1; the identification The information includes: MAC address of media access control, or, VLAN tag of virtual local area network;所述接收单元，用于接收所述会话管理网元分配的N个标识信息。The receiving unit is configured to receive N pieces of identification information allocated by the session management network element.24.如权利要求23所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述装置还包括：第一处理单元；24. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the device further comprises: a first processing unit;所述第一处理单元，用于获取与所述通信装置有通信连接连接的第二终端设备的数量N；以及the first processing unit, configured to acquire the number N of second terminal devices connected with the communication device; and所述第一处理单元，还用于将所述N个标识信息作为所述第二终端设备的标识信息。The first processing unit is further configured to use the N pieces of identification information as identification information of the second terminal device.25.如权利要求23所述的通信装置，其特征在于，所述装置还包括：第二处理单元；25. The communication device of claim 23, wherein the device further comprises: a second processing unit;所述第二处理单元，用于获取与所述通信装置连接的第二终端设备的数量K，K＝N-1，K≥1；以及the second processing unit, configured to acquire the number K of second terminal devices connected to the communication device, where K=N-1, K≥1; and所述第二处理单元，还用于将所述N个标识信息中的一个标识信息作为自身的标识信息，以及将所述N个标识信息中的K个标识信息作为所述第二终端设备的标识信息，并保存所述通信装置的标识信息与所述K个标识信息的对应关系。The second processing unit is further configured to use one piece of identification information in the N pieces of identification information as its own identification information, and use K pieces of identification information in the N pieces of identification information as the identification information of the second terminal device. identification information, and save the correspondence between the identification information of the communication device and the K pieces of identification information.26.一种通信系统，其特征在于，所述系统包括：会话管理网元和用户面网元；其中：26. A communication system, characterized in that the system comprises: a session management network element and a user plane network element; wherein:所述会话管理网元用于获取第一终端设备的会话信息并发送所述会话信息至所述用户面网元，其中，所述会话信息包括标识信息和转发规则，所述标识信息包括：媒体接入控制MAC地址，或，虚拟局域网标签VLAN tag；The session management network element is configured to acquire session information of the first terminal device and send the session information to the user plane network element, where the session information includes identification information and forwarding rules, and the identification information includes: media Access control MAC address, or, virtual local area network tag VLAN tag;所述用户面网元用于接收所述会话信息；the user plane network element is configured to receive the session information;所述用户面网元还用于接收下行数据包，所述下行数据包中携带标识信息；The user plane network element is further configured to receive downlink data packets, and the downlink data packets carry identification information;所述用户面网元还用于根据所述下行数据包中携带的标识信息和所述会话信息，发送所述下行数据包；The user plane network element is further configured to send the downlink data packet according to the identification information and the session information carried in the downlink data packet;所述会话管理网元还用于接收来自所述第一终端设备的会话修改请求，其中，所述会话修改请求包括所述会话标识、以及与所述第一终端设备有通信连接的第三终端设备的标识信息；The session management network element is further configured to receive a session modification request from the first terminal device, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and a third terminal that has a communication connection with the first terminal device Device identification information;所述会话管理网元还用于发送会话修改请求给所述用户面网元；The session management network element is further configured to send a session modification request to the user plane network element;所述用户面网元还用于接收会话修改请求；The user plane network element is further configured to receive a session modification request;所述用户面网元还用于根据接收到的会话修改请求，增加所述第三终端设备的标识信息至所述会话信息；The user plane network element is further configured to add the identification information of the third terminal device to the session information according to the received session modification request;所述会话管理网元还用于发送第一会话修改响应给所述第一终端设备。The session management network element is further configured to send a first session modification response to the first terminal device.27.如权利要求26所述的通信系统，其特征在于，所述会话信息还包括会话标识；27. The communication system of claim 26, wherein the session information further comprises a session identifier;所述会话管理网元还用于接收来自所述第一终端设备的会话建立请求，其中，所述会话建立请求包括所述标识信息和所述会话标识。The session management network element is further configured to receive a session establishment request from the first terminal device, wherein the session establishment request includes the identification information and the session identification.28.如权利要求27所述的通信系统，其特征在于，所述标识信息包括至少一个第二终端设备的标识信息；28. The communication system according to claim 27, wherein the identification information comprises identification information of at least one second terminal device;所述会话管理网元还用于接收来自所述第一终端设备的会话修改请求，其中，所述会话修改请求包括所述会话标识、以及需要删除的至少一个第二终端设备的标识信息；The session management network element is further configured to receive a session modification request from the first terminal device, wherein the session modification request includes the session identifier and identification information of at least one second terminal device to be deleted;所述会话管理网元还用于发送会话修改请求给所述用户面网元；The session management network element is further configured to send a session modification request to the user plane network element;所述用户面网元还用于接收会话修改请求；The user plane network element is further configured to receive a session modification request;所述用户面网元还用于根据接收到的会话修改请求，删除所述会话信息中的所述需要删除的至少一个第二终端设备的标识信息；The user plane network element is further configured to delete the identification information of the at least one second terminal device that needs to be deleted in the session information according to the received session modification request;所述会话管理网元还用于发送第二会话修改响应给所述第一终端设备。The session management network element is further configured to send a second session modification response to the first terminal device.29.如权利要求26所述的通信系统，其特征在于：29. The communication system of claim 26, wherein:所述会话管理网元还用于接收来自第一终端设备的请求消息，所述请求消息用于请求分配N个第二终端设备的标识信息，N≥1；其中，所述第一终端设备与所述N个第二终端设备有通信连接关系；The session management network element is further configured to receive a request message from the first terminal device, where the request message is used to request the allocation of identification information of N second terminal devices, N≥1; The N second terminal devices have a communication connection relationship;所述会话管理网元还用于分配所述N个标识信息；或The session management network element is further configured to allocate the N pieces of identification information; or所述会话管理网元还用于接收来自所述第一终端设备的请求消息，所述请求消息用于请求分配N个标识信息，其中，所述N包括所述第一终端设备的数量和第二终端设备的数量，N≥2；所述第一终端设备与所述第二终端设备有通信连接关系；The session management network element is further configured to receive a request message from the first terminal device, where the request message is used to request the allocation of N pieces of identification information, wherein the N includes the number of the first terminal device and the number of the first terminal device. The number of two terminal devices, N≥2; the first terminal device has a communication connection relationship with the second terminal device;所述会话管理网元还用于分配所述N个标识信息。The session management network element is further configured to allocate the N pieces of identification information.

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