WO2017167185A1 - 实现网络功能通信的架构、方法及装置 - Google Patents

实现网络功能通信的架构、方法及装置 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017167185A1
WO2017167185A1 PCT/CN2017/078449 CN2017078449W WO2017167185A1 WO 2017167185 A1 WO2017167185 A1 WO 2017167185A1 CN 2017078449 W CN2017078449 W CN 2017078449W WO 2017167185 A1 WO2017167185 A1 WO 2017167185A1
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Prior art keywords
function
network
interface
communication
network function
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PCT/CN2017/078449
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
朱进国
吴瑟
姚强
王卫斌
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中兴通讯股份有限公司
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Application filed by 中兴通讯股份有限公司 filed Critical 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority to EP17773215.3A priority Critical patent/EP3439425B1/en
Priority to US16/089,302 priority patent/US11075998B2/en
Publication of WO2017167185A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017167185A1/zh

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
    • H04W48/18—Selecting a network or a communication service
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/14—Session management
    • H04L67/141—Setup of application sessions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
    • H04L41/0803—Configuration setting
    • H04L41/0806—Configuration setting for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
    • H04L41/0893—Assignment of logical groups to network elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
    • H04L41/0896—Bandwidth or capacity management, i.e. automatically increasing or decreasing capacities
    • H04L41/0897—Bandwidth or capacity management, i.e. automatically increasing or decreasing capacities by horizontal or vertical scaling of resources, or by migrating entities, e.g. virtual resources or entities
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
    • H04L65/1066—Session management
    • H04L65/1073—Registration or de-registration
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/10—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network
    • H04L67/1001—Protocols in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/50—Network services
    • H04L67/51—Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L61/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
    • H04L61/45—Network directories; Name-to-address mapping
    • H04L61/4505—Network directories; Name-to-address mapping using standardised directories; using standardised directory access protocols
    • H04L61/4511—Network directories; Name-to-address mapping using standardised directories; using standardised directory access protocols using domain name system [DNS]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W92/00—Interfaces specially adapted for wireless communication networks
    • H04W92/16—Interfaces between hierarchically similar devices

Definitions

  • Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mobile communication technology, and more particularly to an architecture, method, and apparatus for implementing network function communication.
  • Network slicing is an important technical means to support multiple logical networks on a physical network.
  • a network slice is a collection of network functions that have specific behaviors and interact with each other through an interface to provide a communication service or network capability.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of implementing network slicing in the related art. As shown in Figure 1, a total of three network slices are included to meet three different service requirements. All network slices run on top of the cloud platform, and the network capabilities of each slice can be different.
  • the cloud platform is a software and hardware platform implemented by using NFV (Network Function Virtualization) and Software Defined Network (SDN), which can realize dynamic creation, maintenance, and sharing of physical resources. .
  • NFV Network Function Virtualization
  • SDN Software Defined Network
  • the communication mechanism between network elements in a traditional network generally uses a static configuration link or a relatively static Domain Name System (DNS) query mode.
  • DNS Domain Name System
  • the network function running on the cloud platform is a virtual network function, and the creation and deletion of network functions running on the cloud platform are very frequent compared with the traditional network element. Therefore, the traditional static configuration and DNS It is difficult to solve the communication problem between virtual network functions.
  • the other is that the network functions in the network slice need to communicate with the traditional network. Therefore, the network function needs to deal with the interface of the complex traditional network, which makes the network function very complicated and difficult to develop and deploy quickly.
  • the embodiments of the present invention provide an architecture, method, and apparatus for implementing network function communication, which can simplify the design of network functions and greatly shorten the development and deployment difficulty of network functions.
  • an embodiment of the present invention provides an architecture for implementing network function communication, where each communication domain includes at least: one or more network functions, one or more interface functions, and a function management module; among them,
  • Network function set to handle information processing of the network function itself and information interaction with other network functions
  • Interface function set to provide interworking with different communication domains
  • a function management module configured to accept registration from an interface function or a network function, and store information corresponding to an interface function or a network function that initiates a registration request;
  • the interworking interface between the network function and the selected interface function is the same as the interworking interface between the network function and the destination network function.
  • the interface function supports a traditional network interface, and is also configured to handle interworking with a legacy network.
  • each of the interface functions supports one or more interworking interfaces.
  • the interface functions in the same communication domain are deployed in a unified manner, or are separately set separately.
  • the embodiment of the present invention further provides a method for implementing network function communication, including: after the interface function is instantiated or after the network function is instantiated, registering with the function management module, so that the function management module saves the interface function or the network function correspondingly. Information;
  • the interworking interface between the network function and the selected interface function is the same as the interworking interface between the network function and the destination network function.
  • the interface function supports a traditional network interface; the method further includes:
  • the network function establishes communication with a traditional network element through an interface function.
  • the interface function in the same communication domain supports one or more interworking interfaces.
  • directly communicating between the network functions in the same communication domain to implement communication includes:
  • the network function needs to establish a session, and initiate a function query request to the function management module to obtain a destination network function in a communication domain to which the network function that initiates the session establishment request belongs;
  • the network function that initiates the establishment of the session sends a session establishment request to the obtained destination network function to establish a session between itself and the network function within the communication domain to which it belongs.
  • the network function establishes communication with network functions of other communication domains or traditional network elements through the interface function, including:
  • the network function needs to establish a session, and initiate a function query request to the function management module to obtain address information of an interface function corresponding to a network function that initiates a session establishment request;
  • the network function that initiates the establishment of the session sends a session establishment request to the acquired interface function corresponding to itself;
  • the interface function corresponding to the current session is queried by the DNS system to determine that the destination network function is a network function outside the communication domain to which it belongs, and a session establishment request is sent to the network function outside the communication domain through an interface function corresponding to the network function outside the communication domain, Establishing a session with the network function outside the communication domain; or the interface function corresponding to the current session, by querying the DNS system, determining that the destination network function is a traditional network element outside the communication domain to which it belongs, and directly sending a session establishment request to the traditional network element. To establish a session between itself and a traditional network element outside the communication domain.
  • the embodiment of the present invention further provides an apparatus for implementing network function communication, including: a first registration module, and a first processing module; wherein
  • the first registration module is configured to request the function management module to register its own information, so that the function management module saves its own information
  • the first processing module is configured to: according to the received session establishment request from the network function, search for the destination interface function or the destination traditional network element through the DNS system, and use the found destination interface function to perform the corresponding destination network function or directly search
  • the destination network element sends a session establishment request; when receiving the interface function from the communication domain to which it belongs or the session establishment request of the traditional network element, the query function management module selects an appropriate network function and selects the network function. Send a session establishment request.
  • the first registration module is further configured to: receive a note from the function management module Book response.
  • the first processing module is further configured to: perform load sharing of multiple network functions according to a load of the network function when the selecting a suitable network function.
  • the device is arranged in an interface function.
  • the embodiment of the invention further provides an apparatus for implementing network function communication, comprising: a second registration module and a second processing module; wherein
  • a second registration module configured to request the function management module to register its own information, so that the function management module saves its own information
  • a second processing module configured to initiate a function query request to the function management module to obtain a destination network function or an interface function related to the device in which the device is located when the session needs to be established; to obtain the destination network function or an interface related to the device in which the device is located
  • the function sends a session establishment request to establish a network function between itself and the communication domain to which it belongs, or a network function outside the communication domain to which it belongs or a communication between the traditional network element.
  • the second processing module is further configured to: receive a session establishment response from a network function in the communication domain to which it belongs, or an interface function bound to itself in the communication domain to which it belongs.
  • the device is arranged in a network function.
  • An embodiment of the present invention further provides an apparatus for implementing network function communication, including: a third registration module, a third processing module, and a storage module;
  • a second registration module configured to receive a registration request from an interface function or a network function, and the interface function for initiating the registration request or the information corresponding to the network function is saved in the storage module;
  • the third processing module is configured to receive a function query request from the network function, and search the storage module for the destination network function or the interface function related to the network function that initiates the function query request, and return the network function for initiating the function query request;
  • the storage module is configured to store an interface function or a network function corresponding to the registration request.
  • the third registration module is further configured to: return a registration response to the interface function or the network function that initiates the registration request.
  • the device is disposed in an interface function management module.
  • the embodiment of the invention further provides a computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions for performing the method for implementing network function communication according to any of the above.
  • the application includes the interface function being instantiated or after the network function is instantiated, registering with the function management module, so that the function management module saves the information corresponding to the interface function or the network function; the network in the same communication domain Direct communication between functions to achieve communication; network functions establish communication with network functions of other communication domains through interface functions; among them, interworking interfaces between network functions and selected interface functions, and network functions and destination network functions
  • the interworking interface is the same.
  • the architecture of the network function communication provided by the invention realizes the decoupling of the network function and the interface function, and the network function only realizes the network function in the communication domain and the network function and the communication domain in the communication domain through an interworking interface. Interworking between network functions makes the logic of network functions simple, which simplifies the design of network functions and greatly shortens the difficulty of development and deployment of network functions.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of implementing network slicing in the related art
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of time communication between network elements in the related art
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of implementing network function communication in an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of implementing interface function registration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of implementing communication between network functions in the same communication domain according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of implementing communication between network functions in different communication domains according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of implementing communication between a network function and a traditional network element according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for implementing network function communication according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another apparatus for implementing network function communication according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a third apparatus for implementing network function communication according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the network element in the related art includes a logical part of a network element inside the network, and an interface part. Therefore, in order to implement between two network elements The communication needs to standardize the interfaces between the two network elements, that is, the two network elements need to implement standard interfaces to communicate. Secondly, the interface and the network logic are combined. This means that when the network element logic function is upgraded, the entire network element cannot communicate with other network elements in a short time and cannot provide services for users. Furthermore, the network element logic needs to be tightly coupled with the interface, and the processing of the traditional interface is a very complicated part of the communication process. When the protocol version supported by the communication partner is different from its own, the network element logic becomes abnormally complicated. Increased the difficulty of development and deployment of network elements.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of implementing network function communication according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the embodiment of the present invention defines a communication domain concept, such as a communication domain in a data center and a network function in a communication domain. It uses the same address encoding and addressing as the interface function, allowing direct communication.
  • a communication domain concept such as a communication domain in a data center and a network function in a communication domain. It uses the same address encoding and addressing as the interface function, allowing direct communication.
  • each communication domain at least: one or more network functions, one or more interface functions, and an interface function management module; wherein
  • Network function set to handle the information processing of the network function itself and the information interaction with other network functions.
  • Network functions within each communication domain can communicate directly without protocol conversion through interface functions.
  • the network function in the communication domain can be a network function from one manufacturer or a network function from different manufacturers. Since the network function does not need to pay attention to the interfaces supported by other network functions, it is simple. The design of the network function has been made.
  • Interface function set to provide interworking with different communication domains. Further, it is also used to support legacy network interfaces to handle interworking with legacy networks.
  • the interworking interface used between the interface function and the network function is the same as the interworking interface between different network functions in the communication domain.
  • the first protocol is adopted, and the first protocol is in the communication domain 1.
  • the communication protocol between the network function A and the network function B; the first protocol is also adopted between the network function A and the network function B in the communication domain 2.
  • the network function B in the communication domain 2 can be communicated through the interface function in different communication domains through the same interface protocol, thus simplifying the design of the network function A. Further, if the interface function supports the traditional network interface, the network function A in the communication domain 1 also needs to support only one communication protocol, such as the first protocol, and can be completed between the traditional network element and the network element B. The communication also simplifies the design of the network function A.
  • a communication domain may include one or more interface functions, and each interface function may support one type of interworking interface or multiple interworking interfaces.
  • the interface function needs to register the external address information and the supported interface function types in the Domain Name System (DNS), so that the traditional network can find the interface function through DNS.
  • DNS Domain Name System
  • the interface function and the network function are equivalent to a traditional network element that supports the network function.
  • the function management module is configured to accept the registration after the interface function is instantiated or after the network function is instantiated (that is, after the network function or the interface function is actually deployed in the network), and the interface function or the network function corresponding to the registration request is stored. , including interface function types such as S1 interface, S6a interface, etc., as well as address information. In this way, other network functions can realize the discovery of an interface function or a network function through the function management module.
  • the interface functions in the same communication domain are deployed in a unified manner or separately.
  • the architecture for implementing network function communication achieved by the embodiment of the present invention achieves decoupling of network functions and interface functions.
  • the network function only realizes the interworking between the network functions in the communication domain and the network functions in the communication domain and the communication network functions outside the communication domain through an interworking interface, so that the logic of the network function becomes simple, thereby simplifying the network function.
  • Design greatly reduces the difficulty of developing and deploying network functions.
  • the method for implementing network function communication in the embodiment of the present invention includes:
  • the function management module After the interface function is instantiated or the network function is instantiated, the function management module is registered, so that the function management module saves the information corresponding to the interface function or the network function;
  • the interworking interface between the network function and the selected interface function is the same as the interworking interface between the network function and its destination network function.
  • the interface function in the same communication domain can support one or more interworking interfaces.
  • the method further includes: the network function establishes communication with the traditional network element through the interface function.
  • the direct interworking between the network functions in the same communication domain to implement communication specifically includes:
  • the network function needs to establish a session, and initiate a function query request to the function management module to obtain address information of the destination network function in the communication domain to which the network function that initiates the session request is initiated;
  • the network function that initiates the establishment of the session sends a session establishment request to the obtained destination network function to establish a session between itself and the network function within the communication domain to which it belongs.
  • the network function establishes communication with network functions of other communication domains or traditional network elements through the interface function, including:
  • the network function needs to establish a session, and initiate a function query request to the function management module to obtain address information of an interface function corresponding to the network function that initiates the session establishment request;
  • the network function that initiates the establishment of the session sends a session establishment request to the acquired interface function corresponding to itself;
  • the interface function corresponding to the current session determines the destination network function as the network function outside the communication domain by querying the DNS system, and sends a session establishment request to the network function outside the communication domain through the interface function corresponding to the network function outside the communication domain, Establishing a session with the network function outside the communication domain; or the interface function corresponding to the current session, by querying the DNS system, determining that the destination network function is a traditional network element outside the communication domain to which it belongs, and directly sending a session establishment request to the traditional network element. To establish a session between itself and a traditional network element outside the communication domain.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of implementing an interface function or a network function registration in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, after the interface function is instantiated or the network function is instantiated, the method includes:
  • Step 400 The interface function or the network function sends a registration request to the function management module to implement registration.
  • the address of the function management module may be statically configured, or may also be obtained through a DNS query.
  • the registration request message carries the interface function or the network function indication that initiates the registration request, the interface function type supported by the interface function that initiates the registration request, or the network function type and processing capability supported by the network function that initiates the registration request. And information such as a routable address identifier in at least one communication domain.
  • Step 401 The function management module saves the information corresponding to the interface function or the network function that initiates the registration request, that is, the information carried in the registration request.
  • Step 402 The function management module returns a registration response to an interface function or a network function that initiates the registration request.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of implementing communication between network functions in the same communication domain according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the communication between the network function A and the network function B in the communication domain 1 is combined with FIG. 3 As an example, as shown in Figure 5, including:
  • Step 500 The network function A initiates a function query request to the function management module, where the function query request carries the network function type of the request query.
  • the address of the function management module is statically configured or obtained through a DNS query.
  • Step 501 to step 502 The function management module searches for an available network function, such as network function B, according to the network function type requested to be queried, and returns the network function to the network function A that initiates the function query request, that is, the network function B is in the network function.
  • the address identifier that can be routed in the communication domain to which B belongs.
  • the available network functions include two or more, one can be randomly selected, or one can be selected by the processing capability of the network function to implement load sharing, and the like.
  • the specific implementations are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and are merely illustrative.
  • Step 503 The network function A sends a session establishment request to the network function B, where the information about the request to establish the session, such as the user identifier, the requested access point name (APN, Access Point Name), and the like.
  • the information about the request to establish the session such as the user identifier, the requested access point name (APN, Access Point Name), and the like.
  • Step 504 After the network function B establishes the session, the network function A returns a session establishment response.
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart of an embodiment of implementing communication between network functions in different communication domains according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the network function A in the communication domain 1 and the network function in the communication domain 2 are combined with FIG. 3
  • the communication between B, as shown in FIG. 6, includes:
  • Step 600 The network function A initiates a function query request to the function management module, where the function query request carries the network function type of the request query.
  • the address of the function management module is statically configured or obtained through a DNS query.
  • Step 601 to step 602 The function management module determines, according to the network function type requested to query, that the network function A does not have a suitable network function in the communication domain, and finds an available interface function related to the network function that initiates the request, such as an interface function. A, and return a function query response carrying the address identifier of the interface function A in the communication domain to which the interface function A belongs to the network function A that initiates the function query request.
  • Step 603 The network function A sends a session establishment request to the interface function A, where the information about the request to establish the session, such as the user identifier, the requested access point name (APN, Access Point Name), and the like.
  • the information about the request to establish the session such as the user identifier, the requested access point name (APN, Access Point Name), and the like.
  • Step 604 The interface function A determines the corresponding network function by querying the DNS system. Interface function B located in communication domain 2.
  • the network function A is a mobility management function entity
  • the network function B is a service gateway
  • the network function A initiates a session establishment request to the interface function A bound by the steps 601 to 602
  • the interface function A is based on the received
  • the APN carried in the session establishment request is used to obtain the address information of the interface function B corresponding to the service gateway, that is, the network function B in other communication domains, and the protocol information for communicating with the interface function B.
  • Step 605 Interface function A forwards the session establishment request to interface function B.
  • the interface function B supports the protocol related to the interface function A, there is no need to perform protocol conversion on the session establishment request, and the interface function A directly forwards the received session establishment request to the interface function B; if the interface function B supports the protocol and interface The function A supports the difference. Then, the interface function A needs to convert the session establishment request to the interface function B.
  • Step 606 If the interface function B needs to perform protocol conversion, the received session establishment request is converted into a message in the communication domain to which it belongs.
  • the interface function B selects an appropriate network function B by querying the interface function management module, and sends a session establishment request to the network function B.
  • the network function B bound to the interface function B may have two or more. Therefore, it is necessary to select a suitable one, such as by processing capability or randomly selecting one.
  • the interface function B can also consider the processing capability information of the network function B, and implement load sharing of multiple network functions B.
  • Step 607 After the network function B creates the session, it returns a session establishment response to the interface function B.
  • Step 608 Interface function B sends a session establishment response to interface function A.
  • Step 609 Interface function A returns a session establishment response to network function A.
  • network function A interface function A, interface function B, and network function B all establish related session information.
  • Step 606 and step 607 are also applicable to the interface function B receiving the session establishment request from the traditional network element.
  • the interface function B obtains the required network function type according to the message of the traditional interface.
  • the interface function needs to query the function management module to obtain a destination network function.
  • the interface function then performs protocol conversion and initiates a session request to the selected network function.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of implementing communication between a network function and a traditional network element according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the communication between the network function A in the communication domain 1 and the traditional network element outside the communication domain 1 such as the network element B is taken as an example, as shown in FIG.
  • Step 700 The network function A initiates a function query request to the function management module, where the function query request carries the network function type of the request query.
  • the address of the function management module is statically configured or obtained through a DNS query.
  • Step 701 to step 702 The function management module determines, according to the type of the network function requested to query, that the network function A does not have a suitable network function in the communication domain, and finds an available interface function corresponding to the network function, such as interface function A. And returning the function query response carrying the address identifier of the interface function A in the communication domain to which the interface function A belongs to the network function A that initiates the function query request.
  • Step 703 The network function A sends a session establishment request to the interface function A, where the information about the request to establish the session, such as the user identifier, the requested access point name (APN, Access Point Name), and the like.
  • the information about the request to establish the session such as the user identifier, the requested access point name (APN, Access Point Name), and the like.
  • Step 704 The interface function A obtains the address of the destination traditional network element B by querying the DNS system.
  • the network function A is a mobility management function entity
  • the traditional network element is a service gateway
  • the network function A initiates a session establishment request to the interface function A bound by steps 701 to 702.
  • the interface function A is based on the received session.
  • the APN carried in the request is established, and the address information corresponding to the serving gateway, that is, the traditional network element, such as the network element B, is obtained through the DNS query.
  • Step 705 The interface function A performs protocol conversion, and forwards the session establishment request to the traditional network element, such as the network element B, through the traditional interface.
  • Step 706 After the traditional network element, such as the network element B, performs a session processing session, returns a session establishment response to the interface function A.
  • Step 707 Interface function A returns a session establishment response to network function A.
  • network function A In this way, network function A, interface function A, and traditional network element B both establish related session information.
  • FIG. 7 may also be a session establishment request initiated by a traditional network element.
  • the specific implementation is similar to the process shown in FIG. 7, and is based on FIG. 7 of the embodiment of the present invention. It is easy for a person skilled in the art to implement, and details are not described herein again.
  • the embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions for performing the method for implementing network function communication according to any one of the above
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for implementing network function communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the method includes at least: a first registration module, and a first processing module;
  • the first registration module is configured to request the function management module to register its own information, so that the function management module saves its own information
  • the first processing module is configured to: according to the received session establishment request from the network function, search the destination interface function or the destination traditional network element corresponding to the session through the DNS system, and perform the function of the destination interface function to the corresponding destination network function. Or directly sending a session establishment request to the discovered traditional network element; when receiving an interface function from the communication domain to which it belongs or a session establishment request of the traditional network element, selecting a suitable network function by querying the function management module, and selecting The outgoing network function sends a session establishment request.
  • the first registration module is further configured to: receive a registration response from the function management module.
  • the first processing module is further configured to: when selecting an appropriate network function, consider the processing capability of the network function, and implement load sharing of multiple network functions.
  • the device shown in Figure 8 can be placed in the interface function.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another apparatus for implementing network function communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the method includes at least: a second registration module and a second processing module;
  • the second registration module is configured to request the function management module to register its own information, so that the function management module saves its own information
  • a second processing module configured to initiate a function query request to the function management module to obtain an address of the destination network function or an address of an interface function related to the device in which the device is located when the session needs to be established; to obtain the destination network function or
  • the device-related interface function sends a session establishment request to establish a network function in the communication domain to which it belongs and its own communication domain. Network function or communication between traditional network elements.
  • the second processing module is further configured to: receive a session establishment response from a network function in the communication domain to which it belongs, or an interface function bound to itself in the communication domain to which it belongs.
  • the device shown in Figure 9 can be placed in a network function.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for implementing network function communication according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the method includes at least: a third registration module, a third processing module, and a storage module;
  • the third registration module is configured to receive a registration request from the interface function or the network function, and the interface function for initiating the registration request or the information corresponding to the network function is saved in the storage module;
  • the third processing module is configured to receive a function query request from the network function, and search the storage module for the destination network function or the interface function related to the network function that initiates the function query request, and return the network function for initiating the function query request;
  • the storage module is configured to store an interface function or a network function corresponding to the registration request.
  • the third registration module is further configured to: return a registration response to an interface function or a network function that initiates the registration request.
  • the apparatus shown in FIG. 10 can be provided in the interface function management module.
  • each module/unit in the foregoing embodiment may be implemented in the form of hardware, for example, by implementing an integrated circuit to implement its corresponding function, or may be implemented in the form of a software function module, for example, being executed by a processor and stored in a memory. Programs/instructions to implement their respective functions.
  • the invention is not limited to any particular form of hardware and software Combination of. ”
  • the architecture, method, and device for implementing network function communication include: after the interface function is instantiated or after the network function is instantiated, registering with the function management module, so that the function management module saves the interface function or the network function correspondingly Information; direct interworking between network functions in the same communication domain to achieve communication; network functions establish interworking with other communication domains through interface functions; among them, interworking interfaces between network functions and selected interface functions, and network functions
  • the interworking interface is the same as the destination network function.
  • the architecture for implementing network function communication provided by the embodiment of the present invention achieves decoupling of network functions and interface functions.
  • the network function only realizes the interworking between the network functions in the communication domain and the network functions in the communication domain and the communication network functions outside the communication domain through an interworking interface, so that the logic of the network function becomes simple, thereby simplifying the network function.
  • Design greatly reduces the difficulty of developing and deploying network functions.

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Abstract

本文公布了一种实现网络功能通信的架构、方法及装置，包括接口功能实例化后或网络功能实例化后，向功能管理模块进行注册，以使功能管理模块保存该接口功能或网络功能对应的信息；同一通信域内的网络功能之间直接互通以实现通信；网络功能通过接口功能建立与其它通信域的互通；其中，网络功能和所选接口功能之间采用的互通接口，与该网络功能和目的网络功能之间的互通接口相同。通过本发明实施例提供的实现网络功能通信的架构，实现了网络功能和接口功能的解耦。网络功能只需通过一种互通接口，便实现了通信域内网络功能之间以及通信域内网络功能和通信域外网络功能之间的互通，这样使得网络功能的逻辑变得简单，从而简化了网络功能的设计，大大缩短了网络功能的开发和部署难度。

Description

实现网络功能通信的架构、方法及装置 技术领域
本发明实施例涉及移动通信技术，尤指一种实现网络功能通信的架构、方法及装置。
背景技术
传统的移动通信是面向人和人之间的通信，一套***架构适配所有的通信场景，***架构不够灵活。在下一代通信的研究中，人和物以及物和物之间的通信是需要支持的新的业务场景。新的通信场景需要不同的***架构，也就是说，传统单一的一种***架构已经无法满足通信技术发展的需求。
网络切片是实现一个物理网络上支持多个逻辑网络的重要技术手段。网络切片是一组网络功能的集合，这些网络功能具有特定的行为而且相互之间通过接***互，以提供一种通信业务或者网络能力。图1为相关技术中实现网络切片的示意图。如图1所示，一共包括3个网络切片，分别用于满足3种不同的业务需求。所有网络切片均运行在云平台之上，每个切片的网络功能可以不同。其中，云平台是一种利用虚拟化技术(NFV，Network Function Virtualization)和软件定义网络技术(SDN,Software Define Network)实现的软硬件平台，能够实现逻辑功能的动态创建、维护以及物理资源的共享。
为了实现网络切片中的网络功能，需要解决两个问题：
一个是，传统网络中网元之间的通信机制一般采用静态配置链路或者相对静态的域名***(DNS，Domain Name System)查询方式。而运行在云平台上的网络功能是一种虚拟的网络功能，和与传统的网元相比，对运行在云平台上的网络功能的创建和删除非常频繁，因此，传统的静态配置和DNS均难以用于解决虚拟的网络功能之间的通信问题。
另一个是，网络切片内的网络功能需要和传统网络互通，因此，网络功能需要处理复杂的传统网络的接口，这样会使得网络功能变得非常复杂，难以快速开发和部署。
发明内容
以下是对本文详细描述的主题的概述。本概述并非是为了限制权利要求 的保护范围。
有鉴于此，本发明实施例提供了一种实现网络功能通信的架构、方法及装置，能够简化网络功能的设计，大大缩短网络功能的开发和部署难度。
为了达到本发明目的，本发明实施例提供了一种实现网络功能通信的架构，在每个通信域中，至少包括：一个或一个以上网络功能、一个或一个以上接口功能，以及功能管理模块；其中，
网络功能，设置为处理网络功能本身的信息处理以及和其他网络功能的信息交互；
接口功能，设置为提供与不同通信域的互通；
功能管理模块，设置为接受来自接口功能或网络功能的注册，并存储发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能对应的信息；
网络功能和所选接口功能之间采用的互通接口，与该网络功能和目的网络功能之间的互通接口相同。
可选地，所述接口功能支持传统网络接口，还设置为处理与传统网络的互通。
可选地，每个所述接口功能支持一种或一种以上互通接口。
可选地，同一所述通信域中的接口功能合一部署，或者分开单独设置。
本发明实施例还提供了一种实现网络功能通信的方法，包括：接口功能实例化后或网络功能实例化后，向功能管理模块进行注册，以使功能管理模块保存该接口功能或网络功能对应的信息；
同一通信域内的网络功能之间直接互通以实现通信；网络功能通过接口功能建立与其它通信域的网络功能间的通信；其中，
网络功能和所选接口功能之间采用的互通接口，与该网络功能和目的网络功能之间的互通接口相同。
可选地，所述接口功能支持传统的网络接口；该方法还包括：
所述网络功能通过接口功能建立与传统的网元之间的通信。
可选地，同一所述通信域内的接口功能支持一种或一种以上互通接口。
可选地，所述同一通信域内的网络功能之间直接互通以实现通信包括：
所述网络功能需要建立会话，向所述功能管理模块发起功能查询请求以获得所述发起建立会话请求的网络功能所属通信域内的目的网络功能；
发起建立会话的网络功能向获得的目的网络功能发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与自身所属通信域内的网络功能之间的会话。
可选地，所述网络功能通过接口功能建立与其它通信域的网络功能或传统网元间的通信包括：
所述网络功能需要建立会话，向所述功能管理模块发起功能查询请求，以获得与发起会话建立请求的网络功能对应的接口功能的地址信息；
发起建立会话的网络功能向获得的与自身对应的接口功能发送会话建立请求；
当前会话对应的接口功能通过DNS***查询，确定出目的网络功能为自身所属通信域外的网络功能，通过与该通信域外的网络功能对应的接口功能向该通信域外的网络功能发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与通信域外的网络功能的会话；或者，当前会话对应的接口功能通过查询DNS***，确定出目的网络功能为自身所属通信域外的传统网元，直接向该传统网元发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与通信域外的传统网元的会话。
本发明实施例又提供了一种实现网络功能通信的装置，包括：第一注册模块、及第一处理模块；其中，
第一注册模块，设置为向功能管理模块请求注册自身的信息，以使得功能管理模块中保存自身的信息；
第一处理模块，设置为根据接收到的来自网络功能的会话建立请求，通过DNS***查找目的接口功能或目的传统网元，并通过查找到的目的接口功能向相应的目的网络功能或直接向查找到的目的传统网元发送会话建立请求；当接收到来自自身所属通信域外的接口功能或者传统网元的会话建立请求，通过查询功能管理模块选择一个合适的网络功能，并向选择出的网络功能发送会话建立请求。
可选地，所述第一注册模块还设置为：接收来自所述功能管理模块的注 册响应。
可选地，所述第一处理模块还设置为：在所述选择合适的网络功能时，根据网络功能的负荷实现多个网络功能的负荷分担。
可选地，所述装置设置在接口功能中。
本发明实施例还提供了一种实现网络功能通信的装置，包括：第二注册模块、第二处理模块；其中，
第二注册模块，设置为向功能管理模块请求注册自身的信息，以使得功能管理模块中保存自身的信息；
第二处理模块，设置为在需要建立会话时，向功能管理模块发起功能查询请求以获得目的网络功能或与自身所在装置相关的接口功能；向获得的目的网络功能或与自身所在装置相关的接口功能发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与自身所属通信域内的网络功能，或者自身所属通信域外的网络功能或传统网元之间的通信。
可选地，所述第二处理模块还设置为：接收来自自身所属通信域内的网络功能，或自身所属通信域内的与自身绑定的接口功能的会话建立响应。
可选地，所述装置设置在网络功能中。
本发明实施例再提供了一种实现网络功能通信的装置，包括：第三注册模块、第三处理模块，及存储模块；其中，
第二注册模块，设置为接收来自接口功能或网络功能的注册请求，发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能对应的信息保存在存储模块中；
第三处理模块，设置为接收来自网络功能的功能查询请求，在存储模块中查找目的网络功能或与发起功能查询请求的网络功能相关的接口功能并返回给发起功能查询请求的网络功能；
存储模块，设置为存储发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能对应的信息。
可选地，所述第三注册模块还设置为：向发起注册请求的所述接口功能或网络功能返回注册响应。
可选地，所述装置设置在接口功能管理模块中。
本发明实施例又提供了一种计算机可读存储介质，存储有计算机可执行指令，所述计算机可执行指令用于执行上述任一项所述的实现网络功能通信的方法。
与现有技术相比，本申请包括接口功能实例化后或网络功能实例化后，向功能管理模块进行注册，以使功能管理模块保存该接口功能或网络功能对应的信息；同一通信域内的网络功能之间直接互通以实现通信；网络功能通过接口功能建立与其它通信域的网络功能间的通信；其中，网络功能与所选接口功能之间采用的互通接口，与该网络功能和目的网络功能之间的互通接口相同。通过本发明提供的实现网络功能通信的架构，实现了网络功能和接口功能的解耦，网络功能只需通过一种互通接口，便实现了通信域内网络功能之间以及通信域内网络功能和通信域外网络功能之间的互通，这样使得网络功能的逻辑变得简单，从而简化了网络功能的设计，大大缩短了网络功能的开发和部署难度。
在阅读并理解了附图和详细描述后，可以明白其他方面。
附图概述
此处所说明的附图用来提供对本发明的进一步理解，构成本申请的一部分，本发明的示意性实施例及其说明用于解释本发明，并不构成对本发明的不当限定。在附图中：
图1为相关技术中实现网络切片的示意图；
图2为相关技术中网元间时间通信的架构示意图；
图3为本发明实施例中实现网络功能通信的架构示意图；
图4为本发明实施例实现接口功能注册的实施例的流程示意图；
图5为本发明实施例中同一通信域内的网络功能间实现通信的实施例的流程示意图；
图6为本发明实施例中不同通信域内的网络功能间实现通信的实施例的流程示意图；
图7为本发明实施例中网络功能与传统的网元之间实现通信的实施例的流程示意图；
图8为本发明实施例中一种实现网络功能通信的装置的组成结构示意图；
图9为本发明实施例中另一种实现网络功能通信的装置的组成结构示意图；
图10为本发明实施例中第三种实现网络功能通信的装置的组成结构示意图。
本发明的较佳实施方式
下文中将参考附图并结合实施例来详细说明本发明。需要说明的是，在不冲突的情况下，本申请中的实施例及实施例中的特征可以相互组合。
图2为相关技术中网元间时间通信的架构示意图，如图2所示，相关技术中的网元包括网络内部的网元逻辑部分，以及接口部分，因此，为了实现两个网元之间的通信，首先需要标准化两个网元之间的接口，即两个网元需要实现标准接口才能互通。其次，接口和网络逻辑是合在一起的，这就意味着，当网元逻辑功能进行升级时，整个网元在短时间内无法和其他网元进行通信，无法为用户提供服务。再者，网元逻辑需要和接口紧耦合，而传统接口的处理是通讯过程中非常复杂的部分，当通信对方支持的协议版本与自身的不同时，会导致网元逻辑变得异常复杂，无疑加大了网元的开发和部署难度。
图3为本发明实施例中实现网络功能通信的架构示意图，如图3所示，本发明实施例中定义了通信域的概念，比如一个数据中心内组成一个通信域，一个通信域内的网络功能和接口功能使用相同的地址编码和寻址方式，从而可直接通信。在每个通信域中，至少包括：一个或一个以上网络功能、一个或一个以上接口功能，以及接口功能管理模块；其中，
网络功能，设置为处理网络功能本身的信息处理以及和其他网络功能的信息交互。
每个通信域内的网络功能之间能够直接互通而无需经过接口功能的协议转换。通信域内的网络功能可以是来自一个厂家的网络功能，也可以是不同厂家的网络功能。由于网络功能无需关注其他网络功能支持的接口，从而简 化了网络功能的设计。
接口功能，设置为提供与不同通信域的互通。进一步地，还用于支持传统网络接口，以处理与传统网络的互通。
具体地，接口功能与网络功能之间采用的互通接口即通信协议，与该通信域内的不同网络功能之间的互通接口相同。如图3所示，在通信域1中，接口功能A与网络功能A之间，或接口功能B与网络功能B之间均采用如第一协议，而第一协议正是通信域1中的网络功能A与网络功能B之间的通信协议；网络功能A和通信域2中的网络功能B之间也采用如第一协议。这样，以通信域1中的网络功能A为例，从网络功能A来看，只需要支持一种通信协议如协议A，就可以完成和通信域1内的网络功能B之间的通信，也可以通过同样的接口协议，通过不同通信域中的接口功能实现与通信域2内的网络功能B互通，这样，简化了网络功能A的设计。进一步地，如果接口功能支持传统的网络接口，那么，上述通信域1中的网络功能A同样也只需要支持一种通信协议如第一协议，就可以完成和传统网元如网元B之间的通信，同样也是简化了网络功能A的设计。
一个通信域内可以包括一个或者一个以上接口功能，每个接口功能可能支持一种互通接口，也可能支持多种互通接口。接口功能需要在域名***(DNS，Domain Name System)中注册对外的地址信息以及支持的接口功能类型，这样，传统网络便可以通过DNS查找到该接口功能。而接口功能和网络功能一起，就相当于是一个支持该网络功能的传统网元。
可见，本发明实施例中的接口功能和网络功能进行了解耦，而不像图2所示的相关技术中网元逻辑需要和接口紧耦合，这样使得网络功能的逻辑变得简单，大大缩短了网络功能的开发和部署难度。
功能管理模块，设置为接受来自接口功能实例化后或网络功能实例化后(即网络功能或者接口功能被实际部署到网络中后)的注册，存储发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能对应的信息，包括接口功能类型如S1接口、S6a接口等，以及地址信息等。这样，其它网络功能可以通过功能管理模块实现对某接口功能或某网络功能的发现。
同一所述通信域中的接口功能合一部署，或者分开单独设置。
通过本发明实施例提供的实现网络功能通信的架构，实现了网络功能和接口功能的解耦。网络功能只需通过一种互通接口，便实现了通信域内网络功能之间以及通信域内网络功能和通信域外网络功能之间的互通，这样使得网络功能的逻辑变得简单，从而简化了网络功能的设计，大大缩短了网络功能的开发和部署难度。
基于图3所示的架构，本发明实施例实现网络功能通信的方法包括：
接口功能实例化后或网络功能实例化后，向功能管理模块进行注册，以使功能管理模块保存该接口功能或网络功能对应的信息；
同一通信域内的网络功能之间直接互通以实现通信；网络功能通过接口功能建立与其它通信域的网络功能间的通信；其中，
网络功能和所选择的接口功能之间采用的互通接口，与该网络功能和其目的网络功能之间的互通接口相同。
其中，同一通信域内的接口功能可以支持一种或一种以上互通接口。
进一步地，如果接口功能支持传统的网络接口，那么，该方法还包括：网络功能通过接口功能建立与传统的网元之间的通信。
其中，同一通信域内的网络功能之间直接互通以实现通信具体包括：
网络功能需要建立会话，向功能管理模块发起功能查询请求以获得发起建立会话请求的网络功能所属通信域内的目的网络功能的地址信息；
发起建立会话的网络功能向获得的目的网络功能发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与自身所属通信域内的网络功能之间的会话。
这样，实现了同一通信域内的网络功能之间的通信。
其中，网络功能通过接口功能建立与其它通信域的网络功能或传统网元间的通信包括：
网络功能需要建立会话，向功能管理模块发起功能查询请求，以获得与发起会话建立请求的网络功能对应的接口功能的地址信息；
发起建立会话的网络功能向获得的与自身对应的接口功能发送会话建立请求；
当前会话对应的接口功能通过查询DNS***，确定出目的网络功能为自身所属通信域外的网络功能，通过与该通信域外的网络功能对应的接口功能向该通信域外的网络功能发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与通信域外的网络功能的会话；或者，当前会话对应的接口功能通过查询DNS***，确定出目的网络功能为自身所属通信域外的传统网元，直接向该传统网元发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与通信域外的传统网元的会话。
这样，实现了不同通信域间的网络功能间，或网络功能与传统网元间的通信。
下面结合具体实施例对本发明实施例方法进行详细描述。
图4为本发明实施例中实现接口功能或网络功能注册的实施例的流程示意图，如图4所示，当接口功能实例化后或网络功能实例化后，包括：
步骤400：接口功能或网络功能向功能管理模块发送注册请求以实现注册。
其中，功能管理模块的地址可以是静态配置的，或者也可以通过DNS查询获得。
本步骤中，在注册请求消息中携带有发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能指示、发起注册请求的接口功能所支持的接口功能类型或发起注册请求的网络功能所支持的网络功能类型、处理能力，以及至少一个通信域内可路由的地址标识等信息。
步骤401：功能管理模块保存发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能对应的信息即注册请求中携带的信息。
步骤402：功能管理模块向发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能返回注册响应。
图5为本发明实施例中同一通信域内的网络功能间实现通信的实施例的流程示意图，本实施例中，结合图3并以通信域1内的网络功能A与网络功能B之间的通信为例，如图5所示，包括：
步骤500：网络功能A向功能管理模块发起功能查询请求，在功能查询请求中携带有请求查询的网络功能类型。
其中，功能管理模块的地址是静态配置或者通过DNS查询获得。
步骤501～步骤502：功能管理模块根据请求查询的网络功能类型，查找出一个可用的网络功能如网络功能B，并向发起功能查询请求的网络功能A返回该网络功能即网络功能B在网络功能B自身所属通信域内可路由的地址标识。
需要说明的是，如果可用的网络功能包括两个或两个以上，可以随机选择一个，或者通过网络功能的处理能力选择一个，以实现负荷分担，等等。具体实现并不用于限定本发明的保护范围，这里仅是举例说明而已。
步骤503：网络功能A向网络功能B发送会话建立请求，其中携带有请求建立会话的相关信息，比如用户标识、请求的接入点名称(APN，Access Point Name)等信息。
步骤504：网络功能B建立会话后，向网络功能A返回会话建立响应。
图6为本发明实施例中不同通信域内的网络功能间实现通信的实施例的流程示意图，本实施例中，结合图3并以通信域1内的网络功能A与通信域2内的网络功能B之间的通信为例，如图6所示，包括：
步骤600：网络功能A向功能管理模块发起功能查询请求，在功能查询请求中携带有请求查询的网络功能类型。
其中，功能管理模块的地址是静态配置或者通过DNS查询获得。
步骤601～步骤602：功能管理模块根据请求查询的网络功能类型判断出网络功能A所属通信域内并没有合适的网络功能，则查找出一个可用的和发起请求的网络功能相关的接口功能如接口功能A，并向发起功能查询请求的网络功能A返回携带该接口功能A在自身所属通信域内可路由的地址标识的功能查询响应。
这样，网络功能A与接口功能A之间进行了绑定。
步骤603：网络功能A向接口功能A发送会话建立请求，其中携带有请求建立会话的相关信息，比如用户标识、请求的接入点名称(APN，Access Point Name)等信息。
步骤604：接口功能A通过查询DNS***，确定出与目的网络功能对应 的位于通信域2中的接口功能B。
比如：假设网络功能A是移动管理功能实体，网络功能B是服务网关，网络功能A向通过步骤601～步骤602绑定的接口功能A发起会话建立请求，那么，接口功能A根据该接收到的会话建立请求中携带的APN通过DNS查询以获知其他通信域中与该服务网关即网络功能B对应的接口功能B的地址信息，以及和接口功能B进行通信的协议信息。
步骤605：接口功能A向接口功能B转发会话建立请求。
如果接口功能B支持和接口功能A相关的协议，则无需对会话建立请求进行协议转换，接口功能A直接转发接收到的会话建立请求给接口功能B即可；如果接口功能B支持的协议与接口功能A支持的不同，那么，接口功能A需要将会话建立请求进行协议转换再转发给接口功能B。
步骤606：如果接口功能B需要进行协议转换，则将收到的会话建立请求转换为自身所属通信域内的消息。接口功能B通过查询接口功能管理模块，选择一个合适的网络功能B，并向网络功能B发送会话建立请求。
同样，本步骤中，与接口功能B绑定的网络功能B可能有两个或两个以上，因此，需要选择一个合适的，比如通过处理能力或者随机选一个等。
进一步地，接口功能B在选择网络功能B时，同样可以考虑网络功能B的处理能力信息，实现多个网络功能B的负荷分担。
步骤607：网络功能B创建会话后，向接口功能B返回会话建立响应。
步骤608：接口功能B向接口功能A发送会话建立响应。
步骤609：接口功能A向网络功能A返回会话建立响应。
这样，网络功能A、接口功能A、接口功能B、网络功能B均建立了相关的会话信息。
其中，步骤606和步骤607也适用于接口功能B接收来自传统网元的会话建立请求。此时，接口功能B根据传统接口的消息，获得需要的网络功能类型。接口功能需要查询功能管理模块，以获得一个目的网络功能。之后，接口功能进行协议转换，并向选择的网络功能发起建立会话请求。
图7为本发明实施例中网络功能与传统的网元之间实现通信的实施例的 流程示意图，本实施例中，结合图3并以通信域1内的网络功能A与通信域1外的传统网元如网元B之间的通信为例，如图7所示，包括：
步骤700：网络功能A向功能管理模块发起功能查询请求，在功能查询请求中携带有请求查询的网络功能类型。
其中，功能管理模块的地址是静态配置或者通过DNS查询获得。
步骤701～步骤702：功能管理模块根据请求查询的网络功能类型判断出网络功能A所属通信域内并没有合适的网络功能，则查找出一个和该网络功能对应的可用的接口功能如接口功能A，并向发起功能查询请求的网络功能A返回携带该接口功能A在自身所属通信域内可路由的地址标识的功能查询响应。
这样，网络功能A与接口功能A之间进行了绑定。
步骤703：网络功能A向接口功能A发送会话建立请求，其中携带有请求建立会话的相关信息，比如用户标识、请求的接入点名称(APN，Access Point Name)等信息。
步骤704：接口功能A通过查询DNS***获知目的传统网元B的地址。
比如：假设网络功能A是移动管理功能实体，传统网元是服务网关，网络功能A向通过步骤701～步骤702绑定的接口功能A发起会话建立请求，那么，接口功能A根据接收到的会话建立请求中携带的APN，通过DNS查询以获知其他通信域中与该服务网关即传统网元如网元B对应的地址信息。
步骤705：接口功能A进行协议转化，通过传统接口向传统网元如网元B转发会话建立请求。
步骤706：传统网元如网元B进行会话处理会话后，向接口功能A返回会话建立响应。
步骤707：接口功能A向网络功能A返回会话建立响应。
这样，网络功能A、接口功能A、和传统网元B均建立了相关的会话信息。
需要说明的是，图7所示的实施例也可以是由传统网元发起的会话建立请求。具体实现与图7所示的流程相似，在本发明实施例图7的基础上对于 本领域技术人员来讲是容易实现的，这里不再赘述。
本发明实施例又提供了一种计算机可读存储介质，存储有计算机可执行指令，所述计算机可执行指令用于执行上述任一项所述的实现网络功能通信的方法
图8为本发明实施例中一种实现网络功能通信的装置的组成结构示意图，如图8所示，至少包括：第一注册模块、及第一处理模块；其中，
第一注册模块，设置为向功能管理模块请求注册自身的信息，以使功能管理模块中保存自身的信息；
第一处理模块，设置为根据接收到的来自网络功能的会话建立请求，通过DNS***查找该会话对应的目的接口功能或目的传统网元，并通过查找到的目的接口功能向相应的目的网络功能或直接向查找到的目的传统网元发送会话建立请求；当接收到来自自身所属通信域外的接口功能或者传统网元的会话建立请求，通过查询功能管理模块选择一个合适的网络功能，并向选择出的网络功能发送会话建立请求。
进一步地，
第一注册模块还设置为：接收来自功能管理模块的注册响应。
进一步地，
第一处理模块还设置为：在选择合适的网络功能时，考虑网络功能的处理能力，实现多个网络功能的负荷分担。
图8所示的装置可以设置在接口功能中。
图9为本发明实施例中另一种实现网络功能通信的装置的组成结构示意图，如图9所示，至少包括：第二注册模块、第二处理模块；其中，
第二注册模块，设置为向功能管理模块请求注册自身的信息，以使功能管理模块中保存自身的信息；
第二处理模块，设置为在需要建立会话时，向功能管理模块发起功能查询请求以获得目的网络功能的地址或与自身所在装置相关的接口功能的地址；向获得的目的网络功能或与自身所在装置相关的接口功能发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与自身所属通信域内的网络功能，或者自身所属通信域外 的网络功能或传统网元之间的通信。
进一步地，
第二处理模块还设置为：接收来自自身所属通信域内的网络功能，或自身所属通信域内的与自身绑定的接口功能的会话建立响应。
图9所示的装置可以设置在网络功能中。
图10为本发明实施例中第三种实现网络功能通信的装置的组成结构示意图，如图10所示，至少包括：第三注册模块、第三处理模块，及存储模块；其中，
第三注册模块，设置为接收来自接口功能或网络功能的注册请求，发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能对应的信息保存在存储模块中；
第三处理模块，设置为接收来自网络功能的功能查询请求，在存储模块中查找目的网络功能或与发起功能查询请求的网络功能相关的接口功能并返回给发起功能查询请求的网络功能；
存储模块，设置为存储发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能对应的信息。
进一步地，
第三注册模块还设置为：向发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能返回注册响应。
图10所示的装置可以设置在接口功能管理模块中。
以上所述，仅为本发明的较佳实例而已，并非用于限定本发明的保护范围。凡在本发明的精神和原则之内，所做的任何修改、等同替换、改进等，均应包含在本发明的保护范围之内。
本领域普通技术人员可以理解上述方法中的全部或部分步骤可通过程序来指令相关硬件(例如处理器)完成，所述程序可以存储于计算机可读存储介质中，如只读存储器、磁盘或光盘等。可选地，上述实施例的全部或部分步骤也可以使用一个或多个集成电路来实现。相应地，上述实施例中的每个模块/单元可以采用硬件的形式实现，例如通过集成电路来实现其相应功能，也可以采用软件功能模块的形式实现，例如通过处理器执行存储于存储器中的程序/指令来实现其相应功能。本发明不限制于任何特定形式的硬件和软件 的结合。”
虽然本发明所揭露的实施方式如上，但所述的内容仅为便于理解本发明而采用的实施方式，并非用以限定本发明。任何本发明所属领域内的技术人员，在不脱离本发明所揭露的精神和范围的前提下，可以在实施的形式及细节上进行任何的修改与变化，但本发明的专利保护范围，仍须以所附的权利要求书所界定的范围为准。
工业实用性
本发明实施例提出的实现网络功能通信的架构、方法及装置，包括接口功能实例化后或网络功能实例化后，向功能管理模块进行注册，以使功能管理模块保存该接口功能或网络功能对应的信息；同一通信域内的网络功能之间直接互通以实现通信；网络功能通过接口功能建立与其它通信域的互通；其中，网络功能和所选接口功能之间采用的互通接口，与该网络功能和目的网络功能之间的互通接口相同。通过本发明实施例提供的实现网络功能通信的架构，实现了网络功能和接口功能的解耦。网络功能只需通过一种互通接口，便实现了通信域内网络功能之间以及通信域内网络功能和通信域外网络功能之间的互通，这样使得网络功能的逻辑变得简单，从而简化了网络功能的设计，大大缩短了网络功能的开发和部署难度。

Claims (12)

  1. 一种实现网络功能通信的架构，在每个通信域中，至少包括：一个或一个以上网络功能、一个或一个以上接口功能，以及功能管理模块；其中，
    网络功能，设置为处理网络功能本身的信息处理以及和其他网络功能的信息交互；
    接口功能，设置为提供与不同通信域的互通；
    功能管理模块，设置为接受来自接口功能或网络功能的注册，并存储发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能对应的信息；
    网络功能和所选接口功能之间采用的互通接口，与该网络功能和目的网络功能之间的互通接口相同。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的架构，所述接口功能支持传统网络接口，还设置为处理与传统网络的互通。
  3. 一种实现网络功能通信的方法，包括：接口功能实例化后或网络功能实例化后，向功能管理模块进行注册，以使功能管理模块保存该接口功能或网络功能对应的信息；
    同一通信域内的网络功能之间直接互通以实现通信；网络功能通过接口功能建立与其它通信域的网络功能间的通信；其中，
    网络功能和所选接口功能之间采用的互通接口，与该网络功能和目的网络功能之间的互通接口相同。
  4. 根据权利要求3所述的方法，其中，所述接口功能支持传统的网络接口；该方法还包括：
    所述网络功能通过接口功能建立与传统的网元之间的通信。
  5. 根据权利要求3所述的方法，其中，所述同一通信域内的网络功能之间直接互通以实现通信包括：
    所述网络功能需要建立会话，向所述功能管理模块发起功能查询请求以获得所述发起建立会话请求的网络功能所属通信域内的目的网络功能；
    发起建立会话的网络功能向获得的目的网络功能发送会话建立请求，以 建立自身与自身所属通信域内的网络功能之间的会话。
  6. 根据权利要求3或4所述的方法，其中，所述网络功能通过接口功能建立与其它通信域的网络功能或传统网元间的通信包括：
    所述网络功能需要建立会话，向所述功能管理模块发起功能查询请求，以获得与发起会话建立请求的网络功能对应的接口功能的地址信息；
    发起建立会话的网络功能向获得的与自身对应的接口功能发送会话建立请求；
    当前会话对应的接口功能通过DNS***查询，确定出目的网络功能为自身所属通信域外的网络功能，通过与该通信域外的网络功能对应的接口功能向该通信域外的网络功能发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与通信域外的网络功能的会话；或者，当前会话对应的接口功能通过查询DNS***，确定出目的网络功能为自身所属通信域外的传统网元，直接向该传统网元发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与通信域外的传统网元的会话。
  7. 一种实现网络功能通信的装置，包括：第一注册模块、及第一处理模块；其中，
    第一注册模块，设置为向功能管理模块请求注册自身的信息，以使得功能管理模块中保存自身的信息；
    第一处理模块，设置为根据接收到的来自网络功能的会话建立请求，通过DNS***查找目的接口功能或目的传统网元，并通过查找到的目的接口功能向相应的目的网络功能或直接向查找到的目的传统网元发送会话建立请求；当接收到来自自身所属通信域外的接口功能或者传统网元的会话建立请求，通过查询功能管理模块选择一个合适的网络功能，并向选择出的网络功能发送会话建立请求。
  8. 根据权利要求7所述的装置，所述第一处理模块还设置为：在所述选择合适的网络功能时，根据网络功能的负荷实现多个网络功能的负荷分担。
  9. 一种实现网络功能通信的装置，包括：第二注册模块、第二处理模块；其中，
    第二注册模块，设置为向功能管理模块请求注册自身的信息，以使得功 能管理模块中保存自身的信息；
    第二处理模块，设置为在需要建立会话时，向功能管理模块发起功能查询请求以获得目的网络功能或与自身所在装置相关的接口功能；向获得的目的网络功能或与自身所在装置相关的接口功能发送会话建立请求，以建立自身与自身所属通信域内的网络功能，或者自身所属通信域外的网络功能或传统网元之间的通信。
  10. 根据权利要求9所述的装置，所述第二处理模块还设置为：接收来自自身所属通信域内的网络功能，或自身所属通信域内的与自身绑定的接口功能的会话建立响应。
  11. 一种实现网络功能通信的装置，包括：第三注册模块、第三处理模块，及存储模块；其中，
    第二注册模块，设置为接收来自接口功能或网络功能的注册请求，发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能对应的信息保存在存储模块中；
    第三处理模块，设置为接收来自网络功能的功能查询请求，在存储模块中查找目的网络功能或与发起功能查询请求的网络功能相关的接口功能并返回给发起功能查询请求的网络功能；
    存储模块，设置为存储发起注册请求的接口功能或网络功能对应的信息。
  12. 一种计算机可读存储介质，存储有计算机可执行指令，所述计算机可执行指令用于执行权利要求3～权利要求6任一项所述的实现网络功能通信的方法。
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