CN112533177A

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: CN112533177A
Application number: CN201911089026.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陶源; 侯云静; 李�昊; 艾明; 王胡成
Original assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Current assignee: Datang Mobile Communications Equipment Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-19
Filing date: 2019-11-08
Publication date: 2021-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-08
Also published as: CN112533177B

Abstract

Translated fromChinese

本发明公开了一种提供、发现移动边缘计算的方法及设备、装置、介质，包括：在会话管理功能上接收终端经接入与移动性管理功能转发的移动边缘计算查询请求；根据预设规则为终端查询出移动边缘计算地址；经接入与移动性管理功能向终端提供该移动边缘计算地址。在终端根据会话管理功能经接入与移动性管理功能向终端提供的移动边缘计算地址发现移动边缘计算。采用本发明，不再依赖于应用层来发现移动边缘计算应用服务器；因此，即使是在应用层不支持服务/设备发现或应用层功能无法执行的情况下，在不增加部署复杂度的情况下，也能够寻找到合适的移动边缘计算应用服务器。

The invention discloses a method, device, device and medium for providing and discovering mobile edge computing, including: receiving a mobile edge computing query request forwarded by a terminal via an access and mobility management function on a session management function; The mobile edge computing address is queried for the terminal; the mobile edge computing address is provided to the terminal through the access and mobility management function. The mobile edge computing is discovered at the terminal according to the mobile edge computing address provided to the terminal by the session management function via the access and mobility management function. With the present invention, the application layer is no longer relied on to discover the mobile edge computing application server; therefore, even in the case where the application layer does not support service/device discovery or the application layer function cannot be performed, the deployment complexity is not increased. , and can also find a suitable mobile edge computing application server.

Description

Method, device, apparatus and medium for providing and discovering moving edge calculation

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, device, and medium for providing and discovering a mobile edge calculation.

Background

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an edge computing network architecture, and as shown in the figure, the main network functions involved in the diagram are briefly introduced as follows:

AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function): the mobile terminal is mainly responsible for access and mobility management functions, registration, connection management and the like.

UPF (User plane Function): the Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session node is mainly responsible for external PDU session node interconnected with the Data network, routing and forwarding of the packet.

SMF (Session Management Function): the method is mainly responsible for session establishment and deletion, User plane selection and control, UE IP (User Equipment IP, UE: User Equipment, User Equipment; IP: Internet Protocol, Internet Protocol Address) Address allocation and the like.

NRF (Network storage Function): primarily responsible for supporting service discovery functions.

UDM (Unified Data Management): the method is mainly responsible for storing the information of the UE, such as subscription information and PDU session established information.

MEC (Mobile edge Computing, Mobile Edging Computing):

the mobile edge computing technology migrates the computing storage capacity and the business service capacity to the network edge, so that data does not need to be transmitted back to the cloud as far as possible, and the waiting time of the data to and from the cloud and the network cost are reduced. Based on the 5G distributed cloud infrastructure, a 5G user plane and 5G MEC nodes are constructed in an edge cloud mode, and the 5G MEC nodes provide MEC application platforms to achieve deployment and management capacity of third-party applications. A user may obtain services through the MEC application.

The defects of the prior art are as follows: MEC application servers can only be discovered through the application layer; further, since there is a limitation on the application layer deployment, the complexity and difficulty of the deployment are increased.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a method, equipment and a medium for providing and discovering mobile edge calculation, which are used for solving the problem that an application layer is required to be relied on to discover an MEC application server.

The embodiment of the invention provides a method for providing MEC, which comprises the following steps:

receiving an MEC query request forwarded by UE through AMF on SMF;

inquiring an MEC address for the terminal according to a preset rule;

the MEC address is provided to the terminal via the AMF.

In an implementation, the MEC query request is sent by the terminal to the AMF through PDU session setup request information.

In implementation, the terminal sends the MEC query request through PDU session establishment request information, wherein the PDU session establishment request information carries an indication for discovering the address of the MEC server/MEC application server, or the indication for discovering the address of the MEC server/MEC application server is carried in PCO parameters; or the like, or, alternatively,

the terminal sends the MEC query Request through the PDU session establishment Request information, and the Request information carries EAS discovery information or SM PDU DN Request Container.

In implementation, the SM PDU DN Request Container includes an edge application server discovery message EAS discovery message, which is used to Request an edge application server information EAS information from the DNs or EAS.

In an implementation, the EAS discovery information includes an EAS discovery indication and an Application ID.

In implementation, the method for querying the MEC address for the terminal according to the preset rule includes one or a combination of the following modes:

SMF inquires an MEC address in a database of the SMF; or the like, or, alternatively,

SMF inquires a local DNS, and the DNS inquires an MEC for the terminal; or the like, or, alternatively,

the SMF inquires the MEC for the terminal after interacting with the AF through the NEF and/or PCF; or the like, or, alternatively,

SMF inquires NRF, and DNS inquires MEC for terminal; or the like, or, alternatively,

after the SMF selects a UPF for the terminal, the UPF queries an MEC for the terminal; or the like, or, alternatively,

the SMF inquires the signing information of the terminal from the UDM, and inquires an MEC for the terminal according to the signing information of the terminal; or the like, or, alternatively,

when the SMF provides the EAS discovery information, the NRF queries the MEC for the terminal; or the like, or, alternatively,

after the SMF selects the UPF for the terminal, the UPF acquires the MEC from the Local DN.

In implementation, after the SMF selects the UPF for the terminal, the MEC queried for the terminal is a query result composed of an MEC application server address list and an application ID list.

In an implementation, the provision of the MEC address to the terminal via the AMF is provided by PDU session setup accept information.

In implementation, when the MEC address is provided to the terminal via the AMF, EAS information is provided.

In an implementation, the MEC address is an MEC server address or an MEC application server address or an EAS information.

In an implementation, the EAS information is an IP address of a DNS server, or an EAS IP address.

The embodiment of the invention provides a method for discovering MEC, which comprises the following steps:

sending an MEC query request to the SMF through the AMF at the terminal;

and discovering the MEC according to the MEC address provided by the SMF to the terminal through the AMF.

In implementation, the SM PDU DN Request Container includes an EAS discovery message for requesting EAS information from the DNs or EAS.

In an implementation, the SMF provides the MEC address to the terminal via the AMF through the PDU session setup accept message.

In an implementation, when the SMF provides the MEC address to the terminal via the AMF, EAS information is provided.

the method comprises the steps that a UPF receives a request for performing MEC query on a terminal, wherein the request is sent by an SMF;

UPF inquires the MEC address of the terminal;

the smc terminal is provided with the MEC address of the terminal.

In implementation, a Request for performing MEC query on a terminal, which is sent by an SMF received by a UPF, is an SM PDU DN Request;

the UPF forwards the EAS discovery message to a Local DN and acquires the EAS information of the terminal;

when the MEC address of the terminal is provided for the SMF terminal, the UPF sends the response information of the EAS discovery message containing the EAS information to the SMF.

The embodiment of the invention provides an SMF, which comprises:

a processor for reading the program in the memory, performing the following processes:

after receiving an MEC query request forwarded by UE through AMF, querying an MEC address for a terminal according to a preset rule;

providing the MEC address to the terminal through the AMF;

a transceiver for receiving and transmitting data under the control of the processor.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a terminal, including:

sending an MEC query request to the SMF through the AMF;

discovering the MEC according to the MEC address provided by the SMF to the terminal through the AMF;

The embodiment of the invention provides a UPF, which comprises:

after receiving a request for performing MEC query on a terminal sent by SMF, querying an MEC address of the terminal;

providing the MEC address of the terminal to the SMF;

In implementation, the received Request for performing MEC query on the terminal sent by the SMF is an SM PDU DN Request;

forwarding the EAS discovery message to a Local DN, and acquiring the EAS information of the terminal;

and when the MEC address of the terminal is provided for the SMF terminal, sending response information of the EAS discovery message containing the EAS information to the SMF.

The embodiment of the invention provides a device for providing MEC, which comprises:

an SMF receiving module, configured to receive, on an SMF, an MEC query request forwarded by UE via an AMF;

the SMF query module is used for querying the MEC address for the terminal according to a preset rule;

and the SMF providing module is used for providing the MEC address to the terminal through the AMF.

The embodiment of the invention provides a device for discovering MEC, which comprises:

the system comprises a sending module, a receiving module and a sending module, wherein the sending module is used for sending an MEC query request to an SMF (short message service) through an AMF (advanced metering framework) at a terminal;

and the discovery module is used for discovering the MEC according to the MEC address provided by the SMF to the terminal through the AMF.

the UPF receiving module is used for receiving a request for performing MEC query on the terminal, which is sent by the SMF, at the UPF;

a UPF query module for querying the MEC address of the terminal;

and the UPF providing module is used for providing the MEC address of the terminal to the SMF terminal.

The embodiment of the invention provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program for executing the method.

The invention has the following beneficial effects:

in the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, the UE queries the MEC through the SMF, and because the UE queries through the core network element, the UE does not rely on an application layer to discover the MEC application server; therefore, even in the case where the application layer does not support service/device discovery or the application layer function cannot be executed, a suitable MEC application server can be found without increasing the deployment complexity.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the invention and not to limit the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an edge computing network architecture in the background of the invention;

fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method for providing MEC on the SMF side according to the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of an embodiment of a method for discovering MEC at a terminal side according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for providing MEC on UPF according to the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation of MEC discovery in the first embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation of MEC discovery in the second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation of MEC discovery in the third embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation of MEC discovery in the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an SMF structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a UPF structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation of MEC discovery in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The inventor notices in the process of invention that:

there are currently two main approaches to discovering MEC application servers:

1. the UE sends application discovery request information to an MEC enabling server to acquire a list of FQDN (full Domain Name) and IP addresses of the MEC application, and the UE finds the application server according to the list.

2. The method comprises the steps that UE obtains an address of an HTTPDNS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Domain Name Service) server by sending DNS request information to a local DNS (Domain Name Service), query information is sent to the HTTPDNS server, UPF replaces an original address in the query information with an MEC local address and then sends the address to the HTTPDNS, and the HTTPDNS server returns a nearby MEC network internal application server for the UE to provide Service according to the MEC local address queried by the HTTPDNS.

The method includes that a UE needs to find a suitable MEC application server (for example, near an access location of the UE) to provide a service, but the current solution only finds the MEC application server through an application layer, so that the suitable MEC application server cannot be found under the condition that the application layer does not support service/device discovery or the application layer function cannot be executed, and further, the difficulty and complexity of deployment are increased.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

In the description, the implementation of each functional entity on the UE and the network side will be described, for example: NRF, UPF, AF, DNS, AMF, etc., which will then also give examples of their implementation in cooperation to better understand the implementation of the solution given in the embodiments of the present invention. Such descriptions do not mean that they must be implemented together or separately, and actually, when the UE is implemented separately from each functional entity on the network side, it also solves the problem on its own side, and when they are used in combination, it will obtain better technical effect.

Fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart of an implementation of a method for providing MEC on the SMF side, as shown in the figure, the method may include:

step 201, receiving an MEC query request forwarded by UE through AMF on SMF;

step 202, inquiring an MEC address for the terminal according to a preset rule;

step 203, the MEC address is provided to the terminal via the AMF.

Fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation of a method for discovering MEC at a terminal side, as shown in the figure, the method may include:

step 301, sending an MEC query request to an SMF (multimedia messaging function) through an AMF (advanced multimedia messaging function) at a terminal;

and step 302, discovering the MEC according to the MEC address provided by the SMF to the terminal through the AMF.

In a specific implementation, the EAS information is an IP address of a DNS server or an EAS IP address.

On the SMF side, in implementation, the MEC query request is sent by the terminal to the AMF via PDU session establishment request information.

In specific implementation, the terminal sends the MEC query request through PDU session establishment request information, wherein the PDU session establishment request information carries an indication for discovering the address of the MEC server/MEC application server, or the indication for discovering the address of the MEC server/MEC application server is carried in PCO parameters; or the like, or, alternatively,

In specific implementation, the SM PDU DN Request Container includes an EAS discovery message for requesting EAS information from a DNs or EAS.

Accordingly, in the terminal side, in implementation, the MEC query request is sent by the terminal to the AMF through PDU session establishment request information.

the terminal sends the MEC query Request through the PDU session establishment Request information, and the Request information carries EAS discovery information or SM PDU DN Request Container. In the implementation, the SM PDU DN Request Container includes an EAS discovery message for requesting EAS information from a DNs or EAS.

Wherein, the EAS discovery information includes an EAS discovery indication and an Application ID.

On the SMF side, in implementation, the provision of the MEC address to the terminal via the AMF is provided by a PDU session setup accept message.

Accordingly, on the terminal side, in implementation, the SMF provides the MEC address to the terminal via the AMF through PDU session setup accept information.

On the SMF side, in implementation, when the MEC address is provided to the terminal via the AMF, EAS information is provided.

Accordingly, on the terminal side, in implementation, when the SMF provides the MEC address to the terminal via the AMF, EAS information is provided.

In implementation, querying the MEC address for the terminal according to the preset rule may include one or a combination of the following manners:

SMF inquires a local DNS, and the DNS inquires an MEC address for the terminal; or the like, or, alternatively,

SMF interacts with AF through NEF and/or PCF (Policy Control Function) and then queries MEC address for terminal; or the like, or, alternatively,

SMF inquires NRF, and DNS inquires MEC address for terminal; or the like, or, alternatively,

after the SMF selects a UPF for the terminal, the UPF queries an MEC address for the terminal; or the like, or, alternatively,

the SMF inquires the signing information of the terminal from the UDM, and inquires an MEC address for the terminal according to the signing information of the terminal; or the like, or, alternatively,

In a specific implementation, after the SMF selects the UPF for the terminal, the MEC queried for the terminal is a query result composed of an MEC application server address list and an application ID list.

Specifically, the SMF executes, according to the MEC service indication, DNN, and UE location information:

1) selecting an appropriate UPF by the SMF;

2) and querying a binary query result by the SMF. (see example four step 803 for details).

Or, before the operation is executed, if the SMF does not have the DNN subscription information, the SMF may request the UDM for the DNN subscription information first, and then execute the above two operations. (see example four steps 804a-804 d).

According to the requirement, the UPF can be provided with an MEC address query function, and correspondingly, the embodiment of the invention also provides a method for providing the MEC on the UPF.

Fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart of an implementation of a method for providing MEC on UPF, which may include:

step 401, the UPF receives a request for performing MEC query on the terminal sent by the SMF;

step 402, UPF inquires the MEC address of the terminal;

step 403, the MEC address of the terminal is provided to the SMF.

Specifically, when the MEC address is queried for the terminal according to the preset rule, the SMF selects the UPF for the terminal, and then queries the MEC address for the terminal by using the UPF. For specific implementation, reference is made to the description of example three below.

Wherein the EAS discovery information includes an EAS discovery indication and an Application ID.

The following description is made with reference to examples.

Example one

In the embodiment, after the SMF queries the database, the MEC is selected for the terminal, the SMF queries a local DNS (Domain Name Server), and the DNS selects the MEC for the terminal; or, after the SMF interacts with an AF (Application Function) through an NEF (Network Exposure Function), the MEC is selected for the terminal. That is, the UE finds the appropriate MEC server/MEC application server address through the SMF.

Fig. 5 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation process of MEC discovery in the first embodiment, as shown in the figure, the implementation process may include:

step 501, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF, where the request information includes an MEC server/MEC application server address discovery indication.

Specifically, the indication may be a newly added parameter in the information, or may be a parameter including a PCO (Protocol Configuration Options), for example, a value range may be a reserved value FF 00H-FFFFH in a PCO parameter. The information may also include other information such as DNN (Data Network Name).

Step 502, the AMF forwards the PDU session establishment information to the corresponding SMF.

Based on the received information, the SMF selects an appropriate UPF and looks up the MEC address, step 503.

Specifically, the SMF may select a suitable UPF to search for the address of the MEC according to the DNN and the UE location information, thereby completing the PDU session establishment.

Ways for SMF to look up MEC address include, but are not limited to:

1) the SMF queries the MEC server/MEC application server address through its own database (e.g. MEC address server information is preconfigured in the SMF database, or this server address is queried before, the SMF caches it), and the configuration information includes: mapping Information such as S-NSSAI (Single Network Slice Selection auxiliary Information), DNN/DNAI (data Network Access Identifier), APPID (application Identifier), MEC server/MEC application server address and service Area Identifier TAI (Tracking Area Identifier), UPF IP address and the like. For example, the MEC server/MEC application server address is found from the DNN matching the UE location.

2) The SMF sends query request information containing MEC server/MEC application server address discovery indication and UE position information to the local DNS, and the local DNS queries and replies the address of the MEC.

3) Obtained by the NEF and/or PCF interacting with the AF.

4) SMF inquires NRF, SMF sends information such as DNN, S-NSSAI, SMF area identification and the like, and NRF replies IP address of UPF or FQDN (full Domain Name) of N4 interface.

Step 504, the SMF sends PDU session establishment accept information to the AMF.

The SMF replies PDU session establishment receiving information to the UE, wherein the information comprises the searched MEC address (such as IP address) or stores the MEC address in the PCO parameter.

And step 505, receiving and forwarding PDU session establishment acceptance information to the UE by the AMF.

Step 506, the UE receives the PDU session establishment acceptance message, and initiates a connection to the MEC according to the MEC address in the message.

Example two

In this embodiment, the SMF queries the NRF, and the DNS selects the MEC for the terminal, that is, the UE finds the appropriate MEC server/MEC application server address through the SMF and the NRF.

In this example, the NRF stores information such as the MEC server/MEC application server address and the MEC network topology.

Fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation process of MEC discovery in the second embodiment, as shown in the figure, the implementation process may include:

step 601, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF, where the request information includes an MEC server/MEC application server address discovery indication.

Specifically, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF, where the request information includes an MEC server/MEC application server address discovery indication, which may be a newly added parameter in the information, or may be included in a PCO parameter. The information may also include other information such as DNN.

Step 602, the AMF forwards the PDU session establishment information to the corresponding SMF.

Step 603, the AMF cannot search the MEC address.

Specifically, the SMF sends an MEC query request to the NRF according to the MEC address discovery instruction, the DNN, and the UE location information, if no suitable MEC address is found, where the information includes the MEC address discovery instruction, the DNN, and the UE location;

if the SMF does not store MEC related information, the MEC query request is directly sent to the NRF.

Step 604, the SMF sends a MEC query request to the NRF.

Step 605, NRF looks up MEC address based on the received information.

Specifically, the NRF finds a suitable MEC address according to the MEC address discovery instruction, the DNN, and the UE location information.

Step 606, the NRF replies MEC query response containing the found MEC address to the SMF.

Step 607, the SMF selects a suitable UPF according to the MEC address.

Step 608, the SMF replies PDU session establishment acceptance information to the UE, where the information includes the found MEC address, or stores the MEC address in the PCO parameter.

Step 609, the AMF receives and forwards the PDU session establishment accept message to the UE.

Step 610, the UE receives PDU session establishment acceptance information, and initiates a connection to the MEC according to the MEC address in the information.

EXAMPLE III

In this embodiment, after the SMF selects the UPF for the terminal, the UPF selects the MEC for the terminal, that is, the UE finds the appropriate UPF through the SMF, and then finds the MEC server/MEC application server address through the UPF.

Fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation process of MEC discovery in the third embodiment, as shown in the figure, the implementation process may include:

step 701, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF, where the request information includes an MEC server/MEC application server address discovery indication.

Specifically, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF, where the request information includes an MEC server/MEC application server address discovery indication. The indication may be a parameter added to the information or may be included in the PCO parameter. The information may also include other information such as DNN.

Step 702, the AMF forwards the PDU session establishment information to the corresponding SMF.

Step 703, the SMF selects a suitable UPF.

Specifically, the SMF selects an appropriate UPF for the DNN and the UE location information through the SMF, for example, a location near the UE.

Step 704, the SMF replies PDU session setup accept message to the AMF.

Step 705, the AMF receives and forwards PDU session establishment acceptance information to the UE.

Step 706, the UE sends MEC service discovery request information to the UPF.

Specifically, the UE receives the PDU session establishment acceptance information, and sends MEC service discovery request information to the corresponding UPF through the PDU session, where the information includes MEC server/MEC application server address discovery indication, DNN, and UE location information, such as TAI (Tracking Area identity) or CellID (cell identity).

Step 707, the UPF returns a MEC service discovery response message to the UE.

Specifically, after receiving the information, the UPF finds the address of the local MEC application server and replies the address to the UE.

Step 708, the UE initiates a connection to the MEC according to the MEC address in the received information.

Example four

In this embodiment, the SMF queries the subscription information of the terminal from the UDM, and selects an MEC for the terminal according to the subscription information of the terminal, that is, the UE establishes a PDU session through the SMF, discovers a plurality of MEC applications through the SMF/UDM, and can obtain services applied by the plurality of MECs through the established PDU session.

Fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation process of MEC discovery in the fourth embodiment, as shown in the figure, the implementation process may include:

step 801, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF, where the request information includes an MEC server/MEC application server address discovery indication.

Specifically, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF, where the request information includes an MEC service discovery indication for indicating discovery of an MEC application server and related information. The MEC service discovery indication may be a parameter added to the information or may be included in the PCO parameter. The information also includes DNN and other information.

Step 802, the AMF forwards the PDU session establishment information to the corresponding SMF.

Step 803, the SMF selects a suitable UPF based on the received information and generates a binary query result.

Specifically, the SMF selects an appropriate UPF according to the MEC service indication, DNN, and UE location information, searches for the MEC platform and MEC application server address, application ID, and service type, and generates a query result as a binary { MEC application server address (list), application ID (list) }, which may be a one-to-many or many-to-one mapping relationship with each other. For example, one application server IP address corresponds to a plurality of application IDs, and PDU session establishment is completed.

In a specific implementation. The binary query result may also be generated in the manner of step 804. Specifically, steps 804a to 804d may be performed:

step 804a, the SMF requests the UDM to query DNN subscription information for the UE.

Step 804b, when the UDM receives the query request, querying the DNN subscription information of the UE.

Step 804c, the UDM replies the DNN subscription information of the UE.

And step 804d, the SMF selects a proper UPF, and generates a binary query result based on the subscription information.

The SMF confirms the address of the provided MEC server/MEC application server according to the subscription information, generates the query result in the same step 803, and completes the PDU session establishment.

For step 803 and step 804, that is, after the SMF selects the UPF for the terminal, the MEC queried for the terminal is a query result composed of an MEC application server address list and an application ID list.

1) selecting an appropriate UPF by the SMF;

2) and querying a binary query result by the SMF.

Or, before the operation is executed, if the SMF does not have the DNN subscription information, the SMF may request the UDM for the DNN subscription information first, and then execute the above two operations.

Step 805, the SMF replies PDU session setup accept information to the UE.

Specifically, the information includes the query result of step 803 or step 804, or exists in the PCO parameter.

Step 806, the AMF receives and forwards the PDU session setup accept message to the UE.

Step 807, the UE receives the PDU session establishment accept message, and initiates a connection to one or more MEC applications according to the MEC address in the message.

Practice five

In this embodiment, the terminal sends the MEC query Request through the PDU session establishment Request information, where the PDU session establishment Request information carries EAS discovery information or SM PDU DN Request Container.

When the MEC address is inquired for the terminal according to the preset rule, two modes are respectively provided, which are respectively as follows:

mode 1: step 1200-step 1205,step 1206, step 1207, step 1209-step 1211, in this way, when the SMF provides EAS discovery information (edge application server discovery information) for the UE, the NRF queries the MEC for the terminal;

mode 2: step 1200-step 1205, step 1207, step 1208, step 1209-step 1211, in this way, after the SMF selects the UPF for the terminal, the UPF acquires the MEC from the Local DN (Local data network).

When the MEC address is provided to the terminal via the AMF, EAS information is provided.

The MEC address is EAS (Edge Application Server) information.

The following description is made.

Fig. 12 is a schematic flowchart of an implementation process of MEC discovery in the fifth embodiment, as shown in the figure, the implementation process may include:

step 1200, the UE registers to 5GC (UE registered to 5 GC).

Specifically, the UE is registered to a 5GC (5G core network) through a 3GPP access or a non-3GPP (non-3 GPP) access.

Step 1201, the UE determines that EAS discovery is requested (UE priorities to request an EAS discovery).

Specifically, the UE triggers a PDU session setup and determines to request EAS discovery.

Step 1202, PDU Session setup Request (EAS discovery information or SM PDU DN Request Container) (PDU Session Establishment information or SM PDU DN Request Container).

Specifically, the UE sends PDU Session Establishment Request information to the AMF. This Request message contains either the EAS discovery information or the SM PDU DN Request Container.

The EAS discovery information includes an EAS discovery indication and an Application ID (Application ID, which are optional).

The SM PDU DN Request Container includes EAS discovery message (edge application server discovery information) for requesting EAS information from the DNs or EAS.

Step 1203, call Nsmf _ pdusesion _ CreateSMContext Request.

Specifically, the AMF selects one SMF, and calls an Nsmf _ pdusesion _ CreateSMContext Request. This Request message contains either the EAS discovery information or the SM PDU DN Request Container.

Step 1204, return to Nsmf _ PDUSESION _ CreateSSContext Response.

Specifically, the SMF returns an Nsmf _ pdusesion _ CreateSMContext Response to inform the AMF whether to receive or reject a PDU session request containing an EAS discovery service.

Step 1205, UPF selection (UPF selection).

Specifically, if the SMF receives the request message in step 1204, the SMF selects an appropriate UPF.

Step 1206, send nrf _ NFDiscovery.

Specifically, this belongs to mode 1, and if the UE provides EAS discovery information, the SMF sends an nrrf _ NFDiscovery request to the NRF, and includes the EAS discovery information in the information. The NRF replies to the EAS with an EAS information (e.g., an IP address of a Local DNs server registered with the Local DN, or an EAS IP address).

Step 1207, interface Session Establishment of N4 (N4 Session Establishment).

Specifically, the SMF establishes an N4 Session (N4 interface Session) with the selected UPF.

Step 1208a, EAS discovery information (EAS discovery message).

Step 1208b, EAS discovery information (EAS discovery message).

Step 1208c, EAS information (EAS information).

Specifically, this is the mode 2, where the SMF sends an SM PDU DN Request to the UPF. The UPF forwards the EAS discovery message information to the Local DN and obtains the EAS information. The UPF then sends an EAS discovery message response message containing the EAS information to the SMF.

Step 1209, Namf _ Communication _ N1N2MessageTransfer (EAS information) containing EAS information.

Specifically, the SMF calls invokes Namf _ Communication _ N1N2MessageTransfer, and the information includes EAS information.

Step 1210, N2 interface PDU Session Request (PDU Session setup Accept, EAS information) (N2PDU Session Request (PDU Session Establishment Accept, EAS information)).

Specifically, the AMF initiates AN N2 session (N2 interface session) setup procedure to the (R) AN.

Step 1211, PDU Session Establishment Accept (EAS information) (PDU Session Establishment).

Step 1212, N2 interface PDU Session Response (N2PDU Session Response).

Specifically, the AMF sends PDU Session Establishment Accept (PDU Session Establishment Accept) information to the UE, where the information includes EAS information (e.g., an IP address of a DNS server or an EAS IP address).

Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiments of the present invention further provide an SMF, a terminal, a UPF, a device for providing an MEC on the SMF, a device for discovering an MEC on the UE, a device for providing an MEC on the UPF, and a computer-readable storage medium.

When the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention is implemented, the implementation can be carried out as follows.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of an SMF, as shown, the SMF includes:

aprocessor 900 for reading the program in thememory 920, executing the following processes:

providing the MEC address to the terminal through the AMF;

atransceiver 910 for receiving and transmitting data under the control of theprocessor 900.

In fig. 9, among other things, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors, represented byprocessor 900, and various circuits, represented bymemory 920, being linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. Thetransceiver 910 may be a number of elements including a transmitter and a receiver that provide a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. Theprocessor 900 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and thememory 920 may store data used by theprocessor 900 in performing operations.

Fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal, as shown, including:

theprocessor 1000, which is used to read the program in thememory 1020, executes the following processes:

sending an MEC query request to the SMF through the AMF;

a transceiver 1010 for receiving and transmitting data under the control of theprocessor 1000.

In an implementation, the EAS information is an IP address of the DNS server, or an EAS IP address.

Where in fig. 10, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with various circuits being linked together, particularly one or more processors represented byprocessor 1000 and memory represented bymemory 1020. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1010 may be a number of elements including a transmitter and a receiver that provide a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. Theuser interface 1030 may also be an interface capable of interfacing with a desired device for different user devices, including but not limited to a keypad, display, speaker, microphone, joystick, etc.

Theprocessor 1000 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and thememory 1020 may store data used by theprocessor 1000 in performing operations.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a UPF, as shown, the UPF includes:

the processor 1100, which reads the program in thememory 1120, performs the following processes:

providing the MEC address of the terminal to the SMF;

atransceiver 1110 for receiving and transmitting data under the control of the processor 1100.

Where in fig. 11, the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, with one or more processors, represented by processor 1100, and various circuits, represented bymemory 1120, being linked together. The bus architecture may also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, power management circuits, and the like, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. Thetransceiver 1110 may be a number of elements including a transmitter and a receiver that provide a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The processor 1100 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and thememory 1120 may store data used by the processor 1100 in performing operations.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a device for providing MEC, which comprises:

See in particular the implementation of the method for providing MECs on SMF.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a device for discovering MEC, which comprises:

See in particular the implementation of the method for discovering MECs on a terminal.

a UPF query module for querying the MEC address of the terminal;

See in particular the implementation of the method for providing MECs on UPF.

The embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium, where the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program for executing the method for providing an MEC on an SMF, the method for discovering an MEC on a UE, or the method for providing an MEC on a UPF.

For convenience of description, each part of the above-described apparatus is separately described as being functionally divided into various modules or units. Of course, the functionality of the various modules or units may be implemented in the same one or more pieces of software or hardware in practicing the invention.

In summary, in the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present invention, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request for querying an edge computing application service to the SMF.

The PDU session setup request includes an MEC server/MEC application server address discovery indication. The PDU session establishment request includes an MEC service discovery indication parameter for indicating discovery of the MEC application server and related information.

Then SMF selects proper UPF for UE according to MEC service type parameter, UE position information and DNN, and searches MEC server/MEC application server address. If SMF inquiry is not available, the MEC server/MEC application server address can be obtained through NRF.

The SMF may also select an appropriate UPF according to the MEC service discovery indication, DNN, and UE location information, to generate a binary query result including the MEC application server address (list) and the application ID (list).

The SMF may also obtain subscription information of the UE from the NRF, and generate a binary query result according to the subscription information, the MEC service indication, the DNN, and the UE location information.

If the SMF does not include the MEC address in the PDU session establishment acceptance message, the UE acquires the MEC address through interaction with the UPF.

Therefore, the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention solves the problem found by the mobile edge computing application.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present invention is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention is also intended to include such modifications and variations.