WO2023138547A1

WO2023138547A1 - Tunnel information sending method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2023138547A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/072490
Authority: WO
Inventors: 宋雅琴; 程志密; 刘强
Original assignee: 大唐移动通信设备有限公司
Priority date: 2022-01-21
Filing date: 2023-01-17
Publication date: 2023-07-27
Also published as: CN116528398A

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a tunnel information sending method and apparatus. The method applied to a first endpoint of a tunnel comprises: on the basis of the address of a second endpoint of a tunnel, sending a first user plane message to the second endpoint of the tunnel, the first user plane message comprising tunnel information corresponding to a first endpoint of the tunnel. By means of the tunnel information sending method and apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, tunnel information is sent by means of a user plane message, so that the time for tunnel establishment or modification is shortened, and the processing overhead of a control plane function is reduced by reducing the number of session messages executed by network function entities, thus improving the tunnel message exchange efficiency.

Description

一种隧道信息发送方法及装置A method and device for sending tunnel information

相关申请的交叉引用Cross References to Related Applications

本公开要求于2022年01月21日提交的申请号为202210072700.6，发明名称为“一种隧道信息发送方法及装置”的中国专利申请的优先权，其通过引用方式全部并入本文。This disclosure claims the priority of the Chinese patent application with the application number 202210072700.6 filed on January 21, 2022, and the title of the invention is "A Method and Device for Tunnel Information Transmission", which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

技术领域technical field

本公开涉及无线通信技术领域，尤其涉及一种隧道信息发送方法及装置。The present disclosure relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and in particular, to a tunnel information sending method and device.

背景技术Background technique

5G***(5th-Generation System，5GS)遵循控制面和用户面分离(Control and User Plane Separation，CUPS)特性。5G核心网(5th-Generation Core Network，5GC)控制面通过服务化接口(SBI)通信，5GC用户面采用GTP-U协议。The 5G system (5th-Generation System, 5GS) follows the characteristics of Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS). The 5G core network (5th-Generation Core Network, 5GC) control plane communicates through the service interface (SBI), and the 5GC user plane uses the GTP-U protocol.

GTP-U隧道用于在GTP-U实体间转发报文，一个GTP-U隧道包括每个节点的隧道端点标识(Tunnel endpoint identifier，TEID)、IP地址和UDP端口号标识。其中，UDP目的端口号使用注册端口号2152。TEID用于表明一个特定T-PDU(原始报文)属于哪个GTP-U隧道。在隧道建立过程中，GTP-U隧道的接收端点在本地分配发送端必须使用的TEID值和IP地址，该信息被称为隧道信息(Tunnel Info)。隧道信息通过控制面消息在GTP-U实体间交换，如5GC SBIs和/或NG应用协议(N G Applacation Protocal，NGAP)。The GTP-U tunnel is used to forward packets between GTP-U entities, and a GTP-U tunnel includes the tunnel endpoint identifier (Tunnel endpoint identifier, TEID), IP address and UDP port number identifier of each node. Among them, the UDP destination port number uses the registered port number 2152. TEID is used to indicate which GTP-U tunnel a specific T-PDU (original packet) belongs to. During the tunnel establishment process, the receiving endpoint of the GTP-U tunnel locally assigns the TEID value and IP address that must be used by the sending end. This information is called tunnel information (Tunnel Info). Tunneling information is exchanged between GTP-U entities through control plane messages, such as 5GC SBIs and/or NG Application Protocol (NG Application Protocol, NGAP).

因此，5GS的N3/N9接口GTP-U隧道的接收端点(接入网侧或UPF)在本地分配隧道信息后，先发送给控制面功能实体，再通过控制面功能实体发送给隧道对端，带来隧道信息交换效率低的问题。 Therefore, after the receiving end point (access network side or UPF) of the N3/N9 interface GTP-U tunnel of 5GS distributes the tunnel information locally, it first sends it to the control plane functional entity, and then sends it to the opposite end of the tunnel through the control plane functional entity, which brings about the problem of low tunnel information exchange efficiency.

发明内容Contents of the invention

针对相关技术存在的问题，本公开实施例提供一种隧道信息发送方法及装置。Aiming at the problems existing in related technologies, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and device for sending tunnel information.

第一方面，本公开实施例提供一种隧道信息发送方法，应用于隧道第一端点，所述方法包括：In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for sending tunnel information, which is applied to a first end point of a tunnel, and the method includes:

基于隧道第二端点的地址，向所述隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息，所述第一用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息。Based on the address of the second end point of the tunnel, send a first user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, where the first user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述第一用户面消息为以下任一种：Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first user plane message is any of the following:

通用分组无线业务用户面隧道协议GTP-U信令消息；General Packet Radio Service User Plane Tunneling Protocol GTP-U signaling message;

基于服务化接口的用户面功能UPF服务；User plane function UPF service based on service interface;

用于隧道信息交换的第一报文消息。The first packet message used for tunnel information exchange.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述GTP-U信令消息为以下任一种：Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the GTP-U signaling message is any of the following:

新的消息类型的信令消息；Signaling messages of new message types;

在消息类型上新增标志位的信令消息；Add a signaling message with a flag bit on the message type;

新的GTP-U拓展首部的信令消息。Signaling message of the new GTP-U extension header.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述基于服务化接口的UPF服务包括：Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the UPF service based on the service interface includes:

所述隧道第一端点分配所述隧道信息后，通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点。After allocating the tunnel information, the first end point of the tunnel notifies the second end point of the tunnel through a Notify operation.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点，包括：Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the notifying the second end point of the tunnel through the Notify operation includes:

在网络功能实体通过Subscribe订阅隧道信息的情况下，通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点。In the case that the network function entity subscribes to the tunnel information through Subscribe, the second end point of the tunnel is notified through a Notify operation.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述第一用户面消息还包括第二会话标识，所述第二会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第二端点对应。Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first user plane message further includes a second session identifier, and the second session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs. and corresponding to the second end point of the tunnel.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述向隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息之前，所述方法还包括：Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, before sending the first user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, the method further includes:

接收网络功能实体发送的所述隧道第二端点的地址和/或所述第二会话标识。Receive the address of the second end point of the tunnel and/or the second session identifier sent by the network function entity.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述第二会话标识包括：Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second session identifier includes:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第二端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the second endpoint of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID。Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述方法还包括以下任一或其组合：Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method further includes any of the following or a combination thereof:

分配与所述第二会话标识对应的所述隧道信息后，向所述网络功能实体发送所述隧道信息；After allocating the tunnel information corresponding to the second session identifier, sending the tunnel information to the network function entity;

接收所述隧道第二端点发送的第二用户面消息，所述第二用户面消息包括第一会话标识，以及所述隧道第二端点对应的隧道信息；所述第一会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第一端点对应。Receive a second user plane message sent by the second end point of the tunnel, where the second user plane message includes a first session identifier and tunnel information corresponding to the second end point of the tunnel; the first session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the first end point of the tunnel.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述第一会话标识包括：Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first session identifier includes:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第一端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the first endpoint of the tunnel; or

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，在所述隧道第一端点为目标隧道新***端点的情况下，所述方法还包括：Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first end point of the tunnel is a newly inserted end point of the target tunnel, the method further includes:

接收网络功能实体发送的相关信息，所述相关信息包括一个或多个与所述目标隧道相关的关联隧道端点所对应的隧道信息。Receiving related information sent by the network function entity, where the related information includes tunnel information corresponding to one or more associated tunnel endpoints related to the target tunnel.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述相关信息还包括与所述目标隧道相关的关联隧道端点对应的地址和/或会话标识，所述会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话；Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the relevant information further includes an address and/or a session identifier corresponding to an associated tunnel endpoint related to the target tunnel, and the meeting The session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs;

所述方法还包括：The method also includes:

基于每个所述关联隧道端点对应的地址，向每个所述关联隧道端点发送用户面消息，所述用户面消息包括隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息，以及所述关联隧道端点对应的会话标识。Based on the address corresponding to each associated tunnel endpoint, send a user plane message to each associated tunnel endpoint, where the user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first tunnel endpoint and a session identifier corresponding to the associated tunnel endpoint.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述方法应用于N3接口和/或N9接口。Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method is applied to the N3 interface and/or the N9 interface.

第二方面，本公开实施例还提供一种隧道信息发送方法，应用于网络功能实体，所述方法包括：In the second aspect, the embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a method for sending tunnel information, which is applied to a network function entity, and the method includes:

向隧道第一端点发送第二会话标识和/或隧道第二端点的地址；sending the second session identifier and/or the address of the second end point of the tunnel to the first end point of the tunnel;

所述隧道第二端点的地址用于所述隧道第一端点向所述隧道第二端点发送用户面消息，所述用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息；所述第二会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第二端点对应。The address of the second end point of the tunnel is used by the first end point of the tunnel to send a user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, where the user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel; the second session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the second end point of the tunnel.

接收所述隧道第一端点发送的所述隧道信息；receiving the tunnel information sent by the first endpoint of the tunnel;

向新***的隧道端点发送第一相关信息和第二相关信息；所述第一相关信息包括与所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息，所述第二相关信息包括与所述隧道第二端点对应的隧道信息。Sending first related information and second related information to a newly inserted tunnel endpoint; the first related information includes tunnel information corresponding to the first tunnel endpoint, and the second related information includes tunnel information corresponding to the tunnel second endpoint.

可选地，根据本公开一个实施例的隧道信息发送方法，所述第一相关信息还包括与所述隧道第一端点对应的地址和/或第一会话标识，所述第一会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第一端点对应；Optionally, according to the method for sending tunnel information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first related information further includes an address corresponding to the first endpoint of the tunnel and/or a first session identifier, the first session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the first endpoint of the tunnel;

所述第二相关信息还包括与所述隧道第二端点对应的地址和/或所述第二会话标识。The second related information further includes an address corresponding to the second end point of the tunnel and/or the second session identifier.

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识符N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID 与所述隧道第二端点对应；或Network function entity identifier and N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponds to the second endpoint of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID；Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID;

所述第一会话标识包括：The first session identifier includes:

第三方面，本公开实施例还提供一种隧道第一端点设备，包括存储器、包括存储器，收发机，处理器：In the third aspect, the embodiment of the present disclosure also provides a tunnel first endpoint device, including a memory, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor:

存储器，用于存储计算机程序；收发机，用于在所述处理器的控制下收发数据；处理器，用于读取所述存储器中的计算机程序并实现如上所述第一方面所述的隧道信息发送方法的步骤。The memory is used to store computer programs; the transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; the processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and implement the steps of the tunnel information sending method described in the first aspect above.

第四方面，本公开实施例还提供一种网络功能实体，包括存储器、包括存储器，收发机，处理器：In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a network function entity, including a memory, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor:

存储器，用于存储计算机程序；收发机，用于在所述处理器的控制下收发数据；处理器，用于读取所述存储器中的计算机程序并实现如上所述第二方面所述的隧道信息发送方法的步骤。The memory is used to store computer programs; the transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; the processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and implement the steps of the tunnel information sending method described in the second aspect above.

第五方面，本公开实施例还提供一种处理器可读存储介质，所述处理器可读存储介质存储有计算机程序，所述计算机程序用于使所述处理器执行如上所述第一方面所述的隧道信息发送方法的步骤。In the fifth aspect, the embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a processor-readable storage medium, the processor-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program is used to enable the processor to execute the steps of the tunnel information sending method described in the first aspect.

第六方面，本公开实施例还提供一种处理器可读存储介质，所述处理器可读存储介质存储有计算机程序，所述计算机程序用于使所述处理器执行如上所述第二方面所述的隧道信息发送方法的步骤。In the sixth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a processor-readable storage medium, where the processor-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program is used to enable the processor to execute the steps of the tunnel information sending method described in the second aspect.

本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法及装置，通过用户面消息发送隧道信息，缩短了隧道建立或修改的时间，并通过减少网络功能实体执行会话消息的数目降低了控制面功能的处理开销，从而提升了隧道消息交换的效率。The method and device for sending tunnel information provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure send tunnel information through user plane messages, which shortens the time for tunnel establishment or modification, and reduces the processing overhead of control plane functions by reducing the number of session messages executed by network functional entities, thereby improving the efficiency of tunnel message exchange.

附图说明 Description of drawings

为了更清楚地说明本公开实施例或相关技术中的技术方案，下面将对实施例或相关技术描述中所需要使用的附图作一简单地介绍，显而易见地，下面描述中的附图是本公开的一些实施例，对于本领域普通技术人员来讲，在不付出创造性劳动的前提下，还可以根据这些附图获得其他的附图。In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure or related technologies, the following will briefly introduce the accompanying drawings that need to be used in the description of the embodiments or related technologies. Obviously, the accompanying drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present disclosure. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

图1是本公开提供的GTP-U隧道的5GS传输流程示意图；FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the 5GS transmission process of the GTP-U tunnel provided by the present disclosure;

图2是本公开提供的N4会话建立流程示意图；FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an N4 session establishment process provided by the present disclosure;

图3是本公开提供的GTP-U隧道建立流程示意图；FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a GTP-U tunnel establishment process provided by the present disclosure;

图4是本公开提供的GTP-U隧道修改流程示意图；FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a GTP-U tunnel modification process provided by the present disclosure;

图5是本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法流程示意图之一；Fig. 5 is one of the schematic flow diagrams of the method for sending tunnel information provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

图6是本公开实施例提供的基于用户面消息的GTP-U隧道建立流程示意图；FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a GTP-U tunnel establishment process based on a user plane message provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

图7是本公开实施例提供的基于用户面消息的GTP-U隧道修改流程示意图；FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a GTP-U tunnel modification process based on a user plane message provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

图8是本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法流程示意图之二；FIG. 8 is the second schematic flow diagram of the method for sending tunnel information provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

图9是本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法流程示意图之三；FIG. 9 is the third schematic flow diagram of the method for sending tunnel information provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

图10是本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法流程示意图之四；FIG. 10 is a fourth schematic flow diagram of a method for sending tunnel information provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

图11是本公开实施例提供的隧道第一端点设备的结构示意图；FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a tunnel first endpoint device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

图12是本公开实施例提供的网络功能实体的结构示意图；FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a network function entity provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

图13为本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送装置结构示意图之一；FIG. 13 is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the tunnel information sending device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure;

图14为本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送装置结构示意图之二。FIG. 14 is a second structural schematic diagram of an apparatus for sending tunnel information provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

具体实施方式Detailed ways

本公开实施例中术语“和/或”，描述关联对象的关联关系，表示可以存在三种关系，例如，A和/或B，可以表示：单独存在A，同时存在A和B，单独存在B这三种情况。字符“/”一般表示前后关联对象是一种“或”的关系。The term "and/or" in the embodiments of the present disclosure describes the association relationship of associated objects, and means that there may be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B may mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the contextual objects are an "or" relationship.

本公开实施例中术语“多个”是指两个或两个以上，其它量词与之类似。 The term "plurality" in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similar.

下面将结合本公开实施例中的附图，对本公开实施例中的技术方案进行清楚、完整地描述，显然，所描述的实施例仅仅是本公开一部分实施例，并不是全部的实施例。基于本公开中的实施例，本领域普通技术人员在没有做出创造性劳动前提下所获得的所有其他实施例，都属于本公开保护的范围。The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present disclosure, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art without making creative efforts belong to the protection scope of the present disclosure.

本公开实施例提供的技术方案可以适用于多种***，尤其是5G***。例如适用的***可以是全球移动通讯(global system of mobile communication，GSM)***、码分多址(code division multiple access，CDMA)***、宽带码分多址(Wideband Code Division Multiple Access，WCDMA)通用分组无线业务(general packet radio service，GPRS)***、长期演进(long term evolution，LTE)***、LTE频分双工(frequency division duplex，FDD)***、LTE时分双工(time division duplex，TDD)***、高级长期演进(long term evolution advanced，LTE-A)***、通用移动***(universal mobile telecommunication system，UMTS)、全球互联微波接入(worldwide interoperability for microwave access，WiMAX)***、5G新空口(New Radio，NR)***等。这多种***中均包括终端设备和网络设备。***中还可以包括核心网部分，例如演进的分组***(Evloved Packet System,EPS)、5G***(5GS)等。The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various systems, especially 5G systems. For example, the applicable system may be global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) general packet radio service (general packet radio service, GPRS) system, long term evolution (long term evolution) , LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, long term evolution advanced (LTE-A) system, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), global interconnection microwave access (worldwide interoperability for Microwave access, WiMAX) system, 5G new air interface (New Radio, NR) system, etc. These various systems include end devices and network devices. The system may also include a core network part, such as an evolved packet system (Evloved Packet System, EPS), a 5G system (5GS), and the like.

本公开实施例涉及的终端设备(例如UE)，可以是指向用户提供语音和/或数据连通性的设备，具有无线连接功能的手持式设备、或连接到无线调制解调器的其他处理设备等。在不同的***中，终端设备的名称可能也不相同，例如在5G***中，终端设备可以称为用户设备(User Equipment，UE)。无线终端设备可以经无线接入网(Radio Access Network，RAN)与一个或多个核心网(Core Network，CN)进行通信，无线终端设备可以是移动终端设备，如移动电话(或称为“蜂窝”电话)和具有移动终端设备的计算机，例如，可以是便携式、袖珍式、手持式、计算机内置的或者车载的移动装置，它们与无线接入网交换语言和/或数据。例如，个人通信业务(Personal Communication Service，PCS)电话、无绳电话、会话发起协议(Session Initiated Protocol，SIP)话机、无线本地环路(Wireless Local Loop，WLL)站、个人数字助理(Personal Digital Assistant，PDA)等设备。无线终端设备也可以称为***、订户单元(subscriber unit)、订户站(subscriber station)、移动站(mobile station)、移动台(mobile)、远程站(remote station)、接入点(access point)、远程终端设备(remote terminal)、接入终端设备(access terminal)、用户终端设备(user terminal)、用户代理(user agent)、用户装置(user device)，本公开实施例中并不限定。The terminal device (such as UE) involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be a device that provides voice and/or data connectivity to users, a handheld device with a wireless connection function, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. In different systems, the names of the terminal equipment may be different. For example, in a 5G system, the terminal equipment may be called user equipment (User Equipment, UE). Wireless terminal equipment can communicate with one or more core networks (Core Network, CN) via a radio access network (Radio Access Network, RAN). The wireless terminal equipment can be mobile terminal equipment, such as mobile phones (or called "cellular" phones) and computers with mobile terminal equipment, such as portable, pocket, handheld, computer built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile devices, which exchange language and/or data with the radio access network. For example, Personal Communication Service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, personal Digital Assistant (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA) and other devices. A wireless terminal device may also be called a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user A device (user device) is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

本公开实施例涉及的网络设备，可以是基站，该基站可以包括多个为终端提供服务的小区。根据具体应用场合不同，基站又可以称为接入点，或者可以是接入网中在空中接口上通过一个或多个扇区与无线终端设备通信的设备，或者其它名称。网络设备可用于将收到的空中帧与网际协议(Internet Protocol，IP)分组进行相互更换，作为无线终端设备与接入网的其余部分之间的路由器，其中接入网的其余部分可包括网际协议(IP)通信网络。网络设备还可协调对空中接口的属性管理。例如，本公开实施例涉及的网络设备可以是全球移动通信***(Global System for Mobile communications，GSM)或码分多址接入(Code Division Multiple Access，CDMA)中的网络设备(Base Transceiver Station，BTS)，也可以是带宽码分多址接入(Wide-band Code Division Multiple Access，WCDMA)中的网络设备(NodeB)，还可以是长期演进(long term evolution，LTE)***中的演进型网络设备(evolutional Node B，eNB或e-NodeB)、5G网络架构(next generation system)中的5G基站(gNB)，也可以是家庭演进基站(Home evolved Node B，HeNB)、中继节点(relay node)、家庭基站(femto)、微微基站(pico)等，本公开实施例中并不限定。在一些网络结构中，网络设备可以包括集中单元(centralized unit，CU)节点和分布单元(distributed unit，DU)节点，集中单元和分布单元也可以地理上分开布置。The network device involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be a base station, and the base station may include multiple cells that provide services for terminals. Depending on the specific application, the base station can also be called an access point, or it can be a device in the access network that communicates with the wireless terminal device through one or more sectors on the air interface, or other names. The network device may be operable to interchange received over-the-air frames with Internet Protocol (IP) packets and act as a router between the wireless end device and the rest of the access network, which may include an Internet Protocol (IP) communications network. Network devices may also coordinate attribute management for the air interface. For example, the network device involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be a network device (Base Transceiver Station, BTS) in Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), or a network device (NodeB) in Wide-band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), It can also be an evolved network device (evolutional Node B, eNB or e-NodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5G base station (gNB) in a 5G network architecture (next generation system), or a home evolved base station (Home evolved Node B, HeNB), a relay node (relay node), a home base station (femto), a pico base station (pico) etc. are not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure. In some network structures, a network device may include a centralized unit (centralized unit, CU) node and a distributed unit (distributed unit, DU) node, and the centralized unit and the distributed unit may also be arranged geographically separately.

移动通信领域自诞生以来，数据域通信均采用通用分组无线业务用户面隧道协议(GPRS Tunnelling Protocol，GTP)。其中，GTP-C是控制面协议，用于会话隧道的建立、修改和删除等；GTP-U是用户面协议，用于移动网络无线接入网与核心网、以及核心网内部的数据面传输。 Since the birth of the mobile communication field, the general packet radio service user plane tunneling protocol (GPRS Tunneling Protocol, GTP) has been used for data domain communication. Among them, GTP-C is a control plane protocol, which is used for the establishment, modification and deletion of session tunnels, etc.; GTP-U is a user plane protocol, which is used for data plane transmission between the mobile network radio access network and the core network, as well as within the core network.

随着5G的出现和发展，5G***(5th-Generation System，5GS)架构定义为服务化架构(Service-Based Architecture，SBA)，5G核心网(5GC)控制面功能之间不再采用GTP-C，而是通过服务化接口(SBI)接口进行交互。而5G核心网数据面和4G一致，仍然采用的是GTP-U协议，并在原有协议基础上扩展了QoS流标识符(QoS Flow Identifier，QFI)，以更好的满足5G数据面转发的需要。With the emergence and development of 5G, the 5G system (5th-Generation System, 5GS) architecture is defined as Service-Based Architecture (SBA), and the 5G Core Network (5GC) control plane functions no longer use GTP-C, but interact through the Service-Based Interface (SBI) interface. The data plane of the 5G core network is the same as that of 4G, and the GTP-U protocol is still used, and the QoS Flow Identifier (QFI) is extended on the basis of the original protocol to better meet the forwarding needs of the 5G data plane.

5GS遵循用户平面功能和控制平面功能分离(Control and User Plane Separation，CUPS)特性。会话管理功能(Session Management Function，SMF)与用户面功能(User Plane Function，UPF)之间为N4接口，N4控制面采用报文转发控制协议(Packet Forwarding Control Protocol，PFCP)通信，N4数据面采用GTP-U协议通信。用户面的N3接口和N9接口采用GTP-U协议。5GS follows the control and user plane separation (CUPS) feature. The N4 interface is used between the Session Management Function (SMF) and the User Plane Function (UPF). The N4 control plane uses the Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) for communication, and the N4 data plane uses the GTP-U protocol for communication. The N3 interface and N9 interface on the user plane adopt the GTP-U protocol.

GTP-U隧道用于在GTP-U实体间转发报文，一个GTP-U隧道包括每个节点的隧道端点标识符(Tunnel Endpoint Identifier，TEID)、IP地址和UDP端口号标识。GTP-U消息在GTP用户面隧道之间发送，包含GTP-U信令消息或G-PDU消息。The GTP-U tunnel is used to forward packets between GTP-U entities. A GTP-U tunnel includes the tunnel endpoint identifier (Tunnel Endpoint Identifier, TEID), IP address and UDP port number identification of each node. GTP-U messages are sent between GTP user plane tunnels, including GTP-U signaling messages or G-PDU messages.

GTP封装的用户平面数据单元(GTP Encapsulated User Plane Data Unit，G-PDU)是一个携带原始传输协议数据单元(Transport Protocol Data Unit，T-PDU)的普通用户面消息。其中，T-PDU可能是来自UE或外部DN的IP数据报文、以太网或非结构化PDU数据帧。GTP-U信令消息用于用户面路径管理或用户面隧道管理，GTP-U报文首部格式如表1所示。The GTP Encapsulated User Plane Data Unit (G-PDU) is a common user plane message carrying the original Transport Protocol Data Unit (T-PDU). Wherein, the T-PDU may be an IP data packet, an Ethernet or an unstructured PDU data frame from the UE or an external DN. The GTP-U signaling message is used for user plane path management or user plane tunnel management, and the format of the GTP-U message header is shown in Table 1.

表1.GTP-U报文首部格式

Table 1. GTP-U message header format

GTP首部可变长度，包含固定字段8字节，以及可选字段序列号、N-PDU号和下一个扩展头类型，GTP-U报文首部字段如表2所示。The GTP header has a variable length, including 8 bytes of fixed fields, and optional fields such as sequence number, N-PDU number, and next extension header type. The GTP-U message header fields are shown in Table 2.

表2.GTP-U报文首部字段

Table 2. GTP-U packet header fields

GTP首部的隧道端点标识(TEID)用于表明一个特定T-PDU属于哪个GTP-U隧道。通过这种方式，数据包由GTP-U在特定的一对隧道端点之间进行复用和解复用。TEID值使用控制面协议在GTP-U实体对间交换，例如GTPv1-C和RANAP,GTPv2-C和S1-AP,5GC SBIs和/或NGAP。The tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) in the GTP header is used to indicate which GTP-U tunnel a specific T-PDU belongs to. In this way, packets are multiplexed and demultiplexed by GTP-U between a specific pair of tunnel endpoints. TEID values are exchanged between GTP-U entity pairs using control plane protocols, such as GTPv1-C and RANAP, GTPv2-C and S1-AP, 5GC SBIs and/or NGAP.

但在以下GTP-U信令消息中，TEID设置为全零：But in the following GTP-U signaling message, the TEID is set to all zeros:

Echo Request/Response(回应请求/响应)；Echo Request/Response (response request/response);

Supported Extension Headers notification messages(支持的扩展头通知消息)；Supported Extension Headers notification messages (supported extension header notification messages);

Error Indication message(错误指示消息)。Error Indication message (error indication message).

GTP-U消息如表3所示，包括携带原始数据包T-PDU的G-PDU消息和GTP-U信令消息。G-PDU可以包括扩展头，但不应包括任何信息元素(Information Element，IE)。GTP-U信令信息又分为路径管理消息和隧道管理消息。路径管理消息包括：回应请求消息(Echo Request)、回应响应消息(Echo Response)和支持的扩展头通知消息(Supported Extension Headers Notification)；隧道管理消息包括：错误指示(Error Indication)、结束标记(End Marker)和隧道状态(Tunnel Status)。The GTP-U message is shown in Table 3, including the G-PDU message carrying the original data packet T-PDU and the GTP-U signaling message. The G-PDU may include extended headers, but shall not include any information elements (Information Element, IE). GTP-U signaling information is further divided into path management messages and tunnel management messages. Path management messages include: Echo Request, Echo Response, and Supported Extension Headers Notification; tunnel management messages include: Error Indication, End Marker, and Tunnel Status.

表3.GTP-U消息

Table 3. GTP-U messages

如果GTP-U未来需要拓展消息类型，描述GTP协议的TS29.060文档中可以看到预留未使用的消息类型有0、8-15、24-25、63-69、106-111、122-127、130-239、242-252。If GTP-U needs to expand message types in the future, it can be seen in the TS29.060 document describing the GTP protocol that the reserved unused message types are 0, 8-15, 24-25, 63-69, 106-111, 122-127, 130-239, 242-252.

GTP-U信令消息可能包括多个IEs。GTP信息元素应使用TLV(Type、Length、Value)或TV(Type、Value)编码格式。在信令消息中，信息元素应以类型字段的升序进行排序。Length字段包含信息元素(Value)的长度，不包括Type和Length字段的长度。A GTP-U signaling message may contain multiple IEs. The GTP information element shall use TLV (Type, Length, Value) or TV (Type, Value) encoding format. In signaling messages, information elements shall be sorted in ascending order of the type field. The Length field contains the length of the information element (Value), excluding the lengths of the Type and Length fields.

当使用TV格式时，类型字段中Bit 8被设置为0(即0-127)，使用TLV格式时被设置为1(即128以上)。When using the TV format, Bit 8 in the type field is set to 0 (that is, 0-127), and when using the TLV format, it is set to 1 (that is, above 128).

由于类型字段为8bits，默认支持IE类型为0-255。如果IE Type Value＝238，则支持扩展类型为2字节(即236-65535，目前全部预留未使用)。带有IE类型拓展域的信息元素如表4所示。Since the type field is 8 bits, the default supported IE type is 0-255. If IE Type Value=238, the supported extension type is 2 bytes (that is, 236-65535, all reserved and unused at present). The information elements with the IE type extension field are shown in Table 4.

表4.带有IE类型拓展域的信息元素
Table 4. Information elements with IE type extension fields

现有协议中描述GTP-U信息元素如表5所示，其中231-237预留未使用。The GTP-U information elements described in the existing protocol are shown in Table 5, in which 231-237 are reserved and unused.

表5.GTP-U中的信息元素(IEs)

Table 5. Information Elements (IEs) in GTP-U

图1是本公开提供的GTP-U隧道的5GS传输流程示意图，如图1所示，5GS上行数据的传输流程为：UE发出数据(内部IP首部及载荷)，经过无线信道传输到基站(R)AN，基站将UE数据包封装为GTP-U报文，GTP-U首部的TEID设置为隧道对端标识“1”，并通过N3接口发送给N3UPF(UPF terminating N3reference point)，即图中UPF1。N3UPF解封装GTP-U报文，获得相应的TEID等信息，判断该报文所属的隧道，执行报文检测规则(Packet Detection Rule，PDR)和转发操作规则(Forwarding Action Rule，FAR)等行为，并重新封装GTP-U报文，TEID设置为“2”，通过N9接口转发到UPF2(PSA)，UPF2是PDU会话锚点(PDU Session Anchor，PSA)。UPF2(PSA)解封装GTP-U报文获取UE发出的数据，根据路由转发规则通过N6接口发送到外部网络DN。反之是下行数据传输流程。Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the 5GS transmission process of the GTP-U tunnel provided by this disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the transmission process of 5GS uplink data is: UE sends data (internal IP header and payload), and transmits it to the base station (R)AN through a wireless channel. The base station encapsulates the UE data packet into a GTP-U message, and sets the TEID of the GTP-U header as the tunnel peer identifier "1", and sends it to N3UPF (UPF terminating N3reference point) through the N3 interface, that is, the UPF in the figure 1. N3UPF decapsulates the GTP-U message, obtains the corresponding TEID and other information, judges the tunnel to which the message belongs, executes Packet Detection Rule (PDR) and forwarding action rule (Forwarding Action Rule, FAR) and other actions, and re-encapsulates the GTP-U message with TEID set to "2", and forwards it to UPF2 (PSA) through the N9 interface. UPF2 is the PDU Session Anchor (PDU Session Anchor, PSA). UPF2 (PSA) decapsulates the GTP-U message to obtain the data sent by the UE, and sends it to the external network DN through the N6 interface according to the routing and forwarding rules. On the contrary, it is the downlink data transmission process.

一个GTP-U隧道包括隧道端点每个节点的TEID、IP地址和UDP端口号标识。其中，UDP目的端口号为注册端口号2152。因此，隧道建立过程中，GTP-U隧道的接收端点需要在本地分配发送端必须使用的TEID值和IP地址，并传递给发送端点。标识隧道的TEID和IP地址被称为隧道信息(Tunnel Info)。A GTP-U tunnel includes the TEID, IP address and UDP port number identification of each node at the tunnel endpoint. Wherein, the UDP destination port number is the registered port number 2152. Therefore, during tunnel establishment, the receiving endpoint of the GTP-U tunnel needs to locally assign the TEID value and IP address that must be used by the sending end. address and pass it to the sending endpoint. The TEID and IP address that identify the tunnel are called tunnel information (Tunnel Info).

N4会话建立流程用于在UPF为一个PDU会话创建初始N4会话上下文。SMF分配一个新的N4 Session ID并将其提供给UPF。N4 Session ID由两个实体存储，并在其交互期间用于识别N4会话上下文。SMF还存储UE的N4Session ID和PDU会话之间的关系。The N4 session establishment process is used to create an initial N4 session context for a PDU session at UPF. SMF allocates a new N4 Session ID and provides it to UPF. The N4 Session ID is stored by both entities and used to identify the N4 session context during their interaction. The SMF also stores the relationship between the UE's N4Session ID and the PDU session.

图2是本公开提供的N4会话建立流程示意图，如图2所示，N4会话建立流程包括：Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the N4 session establishment process provided by the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the N4 session establishment process includes:

1.SMF收到触发器，请求建立一个新的PDU会话或改变一个已建立的PDU会话的UPF。1. The SMF receives a trigger requesting to establish a new PDU session or to change the UPF of an established PDU session.

2.SMF向UPF发送N4session establishment request消息，其中包含定义UPF需要的行为方式的结构化控制信息，包括PDR(Packet Detection Rule)和FAR(Forwarding Action Rule)等。2. SMF sends N4session establishment request message to UPF, which contains structured control information defining the behavior required by UPF, including PDR (Packet Detection Rule) and FAR (Forwarding Action Rule).

3.UPF使用N4session establishment response消息回应，其中包含UPF为回应收到的控制信息而必须向SMF提供的任何信息。3. The UPF responds with the N4session establishment response message, which contains any information that the UPF must provide to the SMF in response to the received control information.

4.SMF与触发此流程的网络功能(如AMF或PCF)进行交互。4. The SMF interacts with the network function (such as AMF or PCF) that triggers this process.

5G核心网通过服务化接口(SBI)进行交互。R15中的服务化仅面向控制面，用户面网元如UPF并没有提供服务化接口供其它网元使用，R16中用户面网络功能等实体也进一步服务化改造，对外提供服务。The 5G core network interacts through a service-based interface (SBI). Servitization in R15 is only for the control plane. User plane network elements such as UPF do not provide service interfaces for other network elements to use. In R16, entities such as user plane network functions are also further transformed into services to provide external services.

UPF服务化接口如下所述：The UPF service interface is as follows:

在5GC内，UPF通过基于Nupf服务接口为NEF和AF提供服务，UPF支持以下功能：通知QoS监测信息。In 5GC, UPF provides services for NEF and AF through the Nupf-based service interface. UPF supports the following functions: notification of QoS monitoring information.

UPF服务化的内容如表6所示：The content of UPF service is shown in Table 6:

表6.UPF提供的NF服务
Table 6. NF services provided by UPF

Nupf_EventExposure服务可以暴露UPF相关信息给其他网络功能(NFs)。该服务的一个操作为：通知(Notify)PDU会话事件给其他NFs。 The Nupf_EventExposure service can expose UPF related information to other network functions (NFs). One operation of this service is to notify (Notify) PDU session events to other NFs.

以下事件可以被通知给一个NF消费者：QoS Monitoring for URLLC，该通知可能包含以下信息：QoS监测结果，例如特定PDU会话特定QoS流的端到端时延。The following events can be notified to a NF consumer: QoS Monitoring for URLLC, the notification may contain the following information: QoS monitoring results, such as the end-to-end delay of a specific QoS flow for a specific PDU session.

由于UPF服务化的标准化工作处于起步阶段，目前3GPP协议中给出的UPF服务和相关操作内容比较少，未来可能会出现更多的UPF服务。Since the standardization of UPF services is in its infancy, the current 3GPP protocol provides relatively few UPF services and related operations, and more UPF services may appear in the future.

GTP-U隧道管理的基本流程包括GTP-U隧道建立和GTP-U隧道修改。The basic process of GTP-U tunnel management includes GTP-U tunnel establishment and GTP-U tunnel modification.

GTP-U隧道建立：GTP-U tunnel establishment:

图3是本公开提供的GTP-U隧道建立流程示意图，可以理解的图中每个小步骤没有严格的先后顺序，例如步骤1.1和1.2。FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a GTP-U tunnel establishment process provided by the present disclosure. It can be understood that each small step in the figure has no strict sequence, such as steps 1.1 and 1.2.

如图3所示，GTP-U建立流程包括：As shown in Figure 3, the GTP-U establishment process includes:

(1)SMF向一条GTP-U隧道两端的两个UPF分别发送N4 Session Establishment Request消息。其中，N4会话建立前，SMF首先为该N4会话分配N4 Session ID。请求中包含定义该UPF所需行为方式的结构化控制信息PDR和FAR等、用于识别N4会话上下文的N4 Session ID。(1) The SMF sends N4 Session Establishment Request messages to the two UPFs at both ends of a GTP-U tunnel. Among them, before the N4 session is established, the SMF first allocates the N4 Session ID for the N4 session. The request contains structured control information such as PDR and FAR defining the required behavior of the UPF, and the N4 Session ID used to identify the N4 session context.

(2)UPF收到N4 Session Establishment Request后，执行结构化控制信息所需行为，并为该N4会话分配所需的UL和/或DL CN Tunnel Info，包括TEID和IP地址。(2) After the UPF receives the N4 Session Establishment Request, it executes the required behavior of the structured control information, and allocates the required UL and/or DL CN Tunnel Info for the N4 session, including TEID and IP address.

(3)UPF向SMF回复N4 Session Establishment Response消息，响应中携带Tunnel Info。(3) UPF replies N4 Session Establishment Response message to SMF, carrying Tunnel Info in the response.

(4)SMF向一条GTP-U隧道两端的两个UPF分别发送N4 Session Modification Request消息，携带隧道对端的Tunnel Info。(4) The SMF sends N4 Session Modification Request messages to the two UPFs at both ends of a GTP-U tunnel, carrying the Tunnel Info at the opposite end of the tunnel.

(5)UPF存储Tunnel Info并通过N4 Session Establishment/Modification Response回复。(5) UPF stores Tunnel Info and replies through N4 Session Establishment/Modification Response.

GTP-U隧道修改：GTP-U tunnel modification:

如果一条GTP-U隧道的一端UPF发生变化，例如修改/***/删除某UPF，则该GTP-U隧道的某endpoint的Tunnel Info需要修改。图4是本公开提供的GTP-U隧道修改流程示意图，如图4所示，如果在图4所示隧道建立后***一个UPF，则***UPF涉及N9隧道修改的基本流程如下： If the UPF at one end of a GTP-U tunnel changes, such as modifying/inserting/deleting a certain UPF, the Tunnel Info of a certain endpoint of the GTP-U tunnel needs to be modified. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the GTP-U tunnel modification process provided by the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, if a UPF is inserted after the tunnel shown in Figure 4 is established, the basic process of inserting the UPF involving N9 tunnel modification is as follows:

(1)SMF向***的UPF发送N4 Session Establishment Request消息，请求中包含定义该UPF所需行为方式的结构化控制信息PDR和FAR等、用于识别N4会话上下文的N4 Session ID、隧道对端的Tunnel Info。(1) The SMF sends the N4 Session Establishment Request message to the inserted UPF. The request includes structured control information PDR and FAR defining the required behavior of the UPF, the N4 Session ID used to identify the N4 session context, and the Tunnel Info of the tunnel peer.

(2)***的UPF收到消息后，存储隧道对端的Tunnel Info，并分配本地用于该会话的UL和DL Tunnel Info；(2) After the inserted UPF receives the message, it stores the Tunnel Info at the opposite end of the tunnel, and distributes the local UL and DL Tunnel Info for the session;

(3)分配后的Tunnel Info在N4 Session Establishment Response中携带给SMF；(3) The allocated Tunnel Info is carried to SMF in N4 Session Establishment Response;

(4)SMF向新***UPF所涉及2个隧道对端的UPF分别发送N4 Session Modification Request消息。(4) The SMF sends N4 Session Modification Request messages to the UPFs at the two tunnel peers involved in the newly inserted UPF.

(5)UPF回复N4 Session Modification Response消息。(5) The UPF replies with the N4 Session Modification Response message.

5GS引入CUPS特性，控制面功能SMF与用户面功能UPF处于分离状态，一条GTP-U隧道的两个端点的Tunnel Info都需要通过控制面功能转发给隧道对端的用户面功能，主要存在以下问题：5GS introduces the CUPS feature. The control plane function SMF and the user plane function UPF are separated. The Tunnel Info of both endpoints of a GTP-U tunnel needs to be forwarded to the user plane function at the opposite end of the tunnel through the control plane function. The main problems are as follows:

隧道建立/修改时间长：通过控制面消息交换Tunnel Info，导致隧道信息交换耗费时间长，隧道建立/修改的时延大。Long tunnel establishment/modification time: Tunnel Info is exchanged through control plane messages, resulting in long time-consuming tunnel information exchange and long delays in tunnel establishment/modification.

控制面功能开销大：Tunnel Info需要通过控制面功能完成信息交换，造成SMF执行N4 Session Modification Request/Response的数目多，增加了控制面功能的处理开销。High control plane function overhead: Tunnel Info needs to complete information exchange through the control plane function, resulting in a large number of N4 Session Modification Request/Response executed by SMF, which increases the processing overhead of the control plane function.

参考图5，图5是本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法流程示意图之一，该方法可以应用于隧道第一端点,包括：Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is one of the flow diagrams of the tunnel information sending method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. The method can be applied to the first end point of the tunnel, including:

步骤510，基于隧道第二端点的地址，向所述隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息，所述第一用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息。Step 510: Based on the address of the second end point of the tunnel, send a first user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, where the first user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel.

具体地，隧道第一端点是指GTP-U隧道的接收端，隧道第二端点是指GTP-U隧道的发送端，隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息包括隧道第一端点生成的、供隧道第二端点使用的隧道端点标识TEID，以及用于数据路由的地址。可以理解的是，地址可以是IP地址，也可以是其他形式的地址，如UPF域名等，本公开实施例对地址的具体形式不作限定。Specifically, the first end point of the tunnel refers to the receiving end of the GTP-U tunnel, and the second end point of the tunnel refers to the sending end of the GTP-U tunnel. The tunnel information corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel includes a tunnel end point identifier TEID generated by the first end point of the tunnel and used by the second end point of the tunnel, and an address used for data routing. It can be understood that the address may be an IP address, or an address in another form, such as a UPF domain name, and the specific form of the address is not limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

向所述隧道第二端点发送所述第一用户面消息，第一用户面消息的目的地址为隧道第二端点的地址，隧道第二端点的地址可以是隧道第一端点预先存储的，或从其他网络功能实体或节点预先获得的，示例性地，隧道第一端点在此次隧道建立之前向隧道第二端点发送过消息，或接收过隧道第二端点发送的消息的情况下，隧道第一端点存储有隧道第二端点的地址。sending the first user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, the purpose of the first user plane message The address is the address of the second end point of the tunnel. The address of the second end point of the tunnel may be pre-stored by the first end point of the tunnel, or pre-obtained from other network functional entities or nodes. Exemplarily, if the first end point of the tunnel has sent a message to the second end point of the tunnel or received a message sent by the second end point of the tunnel, the first end point of the tunnel stores the address of the second end point of the tunnel.

本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法，隧道第一端点通过用户面消息向隧道第二端点发送隧道信息，相比于相关技术中隧道信息先发送给控制面功能实体，再发送给隧道对端的发送方法，本公开的隧道信息发送方法缩短了隧道建立或修改的时间，并通过减少网络功能实体执行会话消息的数目降低了控制面功能的处理开销，以会话管理功能实体SMF为例，减少了SMF执行N4 Session Modification Request/Response的数目，从而提升了隧道消息交换的效率。In the tunnel information sending method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first end point of the tunnel sends tunnel information to the second end point of the tunnel through a user plane message. Compared with the sending method in which the tunnel information is first sent to the control plane functional entity and then sent to the opposite end of the tunnel in the related art, the tunnel information sending method of the present disclosure shortens the time for establishing or modifying the tunnel, and reduces the processing overhead of the control plane function by reducing the number of session messages executed by the network functional entity. Taking the session management function entity SMF as an example, it reduces the SMF execution of N4 Session Modification Request/Response , thus improving the efficiency of tunnel message exchange.

可选地，所述第一用户面消息还包括第二会话标识，所述第二会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第二端点对应。Optionally, the first user plane message further includes a second session identifier, where the second session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the second end point of the tunnel.

具体地，第一用户面消息还包括第二会话标识，隧道第二端点可以基于第二会话标识确定第二会话标识对应的PDU会话，从而确定第一用户面消息中携带的隧道信息对应的会话。Specifically, the first user plane message further includes a second session identifier, and the second end point of the tunnel may determine the PDU session corresponding to the second session identifier based on the second session identifier, thereby determining the session corresponding to the tunnel information carried in the first user plane message.

可选地，所述向隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息之前，所述方法还包括：Optionally, before sending the first user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, the method further includes:

一个实施例中，接收会话管理功能实体SMF发送的N4建立请求消息，所述N4建立请求消息中包括隧道第二端点的地址和所述第二会话标识，隧道第一端点分配隧道信息，并向隧道第二端点发送携带隧道信息和第二会话标识的第一用户面消息，第一用户面消息的目的地址为SMF发送的隧道第二端点的地址。可以理解的是，隧道第一端点可以预先存储有第二会话标识，例如在之前的N4请求消息中已经传输过该信息。In one embodiment, the N4 establishment request message sent by the session management function entity SMF is received, the N4 establishment request message includes the address of the second end point of the tunnel and the second session identifier, the first end point of the tunnel allocates tunnel information, and sends a first user plane message carrying the tunnel information and the second session identifier to the second end point of the tunnel, and the destination address of the first user plane message is the address of the second end point of the tunnel sent by the SMF. It can be understood that the first end point of the tunnel may pre-store the second session identifier, for example, the information has been transmitted in the previous N4 request message.

可选地，所述第二会话标识包括：Optionally, the second session identifier includes:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第二端点对应；或Network function entity identifier and N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID and said tunnel second endpoint corresponds to; or

对于第二会话标识为网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识N4 Session ID的情况，网络功能实体NF可以包括SMF，也可以包括其他与GTP-U隧道相关的网络功能实体。NF与UPF之间建立与PDU会话对应的N4会话，NF为所述N4会话分配N4 Session ID，NF和UPF均存储有N4 Session ID，N4 Session ID在NF和UPF交互期间用于识别N4会话上下文。可以理解的是，NF与UPF之间可以采用N4接口，也可以采用其他接口建立其他接口类型会话，NF与UPF之间基于其他接口建立的会话类型以及对应会话标识也应当属于本公开保护范围之内。基于网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识，隧道第二端点可以唯一地确定一个PDU会话或N4会话，从而确定第一用户面消息中携带的隧道信息所属的会话。For the case where the second session identifier is a network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the network function entity NF may include SMF, and may also include other network function entities related to the GTP-U tunnel. The N4 session corresponding to the PDU session is established between the NF and the UPF. The NF allocates the N4 Session ID for the N4 session. Both the NF and the UPF store the N4 Session ID. The N4 Session ID is used to identify the N4 session context during the interaction between the NF and the UPF. It can be understood that the N4 interface can be used between the NF and the UPF, and other interface types of sessions can also be established through other interfaces. The session types and corresponding session identifiers established between the NF and the UPF based on other interfaces should also fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Based on the network function entity identifier and the N4 session identifier, the second end point of the tunnel can uniquely determine a PDU session or an N4 session, thereby determining the session to which the tunnel information carried in the first user plane message belongs.

对于第二会话标识为永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID的情况，永久身份标识SUPI是指发起PDU会话的用户终端(User Equipment，UE)的身份标识，PDU Session ID是由UE为其发起的PDU会话分配的，用于唯一标识用户设备的分组数据单元会话。基于SUPI和PDU Session ID，隧道第二端点可以唯一地确定一个PDU会话，从而确定第一用户面消息中携带的隧道信息所属的会话。For the case where the second session identifier is a permanent identity identifier SUPI and a protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID, the permanent identity identifier SUPI refers to the identity identifier of the user terminal (User Equipment, UE) that initiates the PDU session, and the PDU Session ID is allocated by the PDU session initiated by the UE, and is used to uniquely identify the packet data unit session of the user equipment. Based on SUPI and PDU Session ID, the second end point of the tunnel can uniquely determine a PDU session, thereby determining the session to which the tunnel information carried in the first user plane message belongs.

可以理解的是，由于PDU会话与N4会话是一一对应的，隧道信息所属的会话可以是PDU会话，也可以是N4会话。It can be understood that, since the PDU session and the N4 session are in one-to-one correspondence, the session to which the tunnel information belongs may be a PDU session or an N4 session.

可选地，所述方法还包括以下任一或其组合：Optionally, the method also includes any or a combination of the following:

对于分配与所述第二会话标识对应的所述隧道信息后，向所述网络功能实体发送所述隧道信息，是指隧道第一端点分配供隧道第二端点使用的隧道信息后，向网络功能实体发送所述隧道信息，网络功能实体在收到隧道第一端点发送的隧道信息后，存储隧道信息，可以向其他需要所述隧道信息的网元发送所述隧道信息，提高数据传输效率。Sending the tunnel information to the network function entity after allocating the tunnel information corresponding to the second session identifier means that the first end point of the tunnel allocates a tunnel for use by the second end point of the tunnel After receiving the tunnel information, the network function entity stores the tunnel information after receiving the tunnel information sent by the first end point of the tunnel, and can send the tunnel information to other network elements that need the tunnel information to improve data transmission efficiency.

对于接收所述隧道第二端点发送的第二用户面消息，是指隧道第一端点接收隧道第二端点发送的第二用户面消息，第二用户面消息中包括隧道第二端点分配的、供隧道第一端点使用的隧道信息，第二用户面消息中还包括隧道第一端点对应的第一会话标识，隧道第一端点可以基于第一会话标识识别出第二用户面消息中携带的隧道信息所属对话。Receiving the second user plane message sent by the second end point of the tunnel means that the first end point of the tunnel receives the second user plane message sent by the second end point of the tunnel. The second user plane message includes tunnel information assigned by the second end point of the tunnel and used by the first end point of the tunnel. The second user plane message also includes a first session identifier corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel. The first end point of the tunnel can identify the session to which the tunnel information carried in the second user plane message belongs based on the first session identifier.

可选地，所述第一会话标识包括：Optionally, the first session identifier includes:

第一会话标识与隧道第一端点对应，用于隧道第一端点区分接收到的隧道信息所属的会话。关于网络功能实体标识和N4 Session ID的介绍，以及关于SUPI和PDU Session ID的介绍，参考上文中的介绍，此处不再赘述。The first session identifier corresponds to the first end point of the tunnel, and is used by the first end point of the tunnel to distinguish the session to which the received tunnel information belongs. For the introduction of network function entity identification and N4 Session ID, as well as the introduction of SUPI and PDU Session ID, refer to the introduction above, and will not repeat them here.

参考图6，图6是本公开实施例提供的基于用户面消息的GTP-U隧道建立流程示意图，GTP-U隧道建立步骤如下：Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a GTP-U tunnel establishment process based on a user plane message provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The GTP-U tunnel establishment steps are as follows:

(1)SMF向一条GTP-U隧道两端的两个UPF分别发送N4会话建立请求消息(N4 Session Establishment Request Message)。(1) The SMF sends N4 session establishment request messages (N4 Session Establishment Request Message) to the two UPFs at both ends of a GTP-U tunnel.

以UPF1作为隧道第一端点，隧道对端的UPF2为隧道第二端点，UPF1分配包括TEID和地址的隧道信息，用于UPF2向UPF1发送GTP-U消息。相应的，以UPF2作为隧道第一端点的情况不再赘述。UPF1 is used as the first end point of the tunnel, and UPF2 at the opposite end of the tunnel is used as the second end point of the tunnel. UPF1 allocates tunnel information including TEID and address for UPF2 to send GTP-U messages to UPF1. Correspondingly, the case where UPF2 is used as the first end point of the tunnel will not be described again.

N4会话建立前，SMF首先为该N4会话分配N4 Session ID，可以理解的是，SMF与UPF1之间建立有第一N4会话，SMF与UPF2之间建立有第二N4会话，因此SMF为第一N4会话分配的N4 Session ID与UPF1对应，SMF为第二N4会话分配的N4 Session ID与UPF2对应。请求消息中包含定义该UPF所需行为方式的结构化控制信息PDR和FAR等、用于识别N4会话上下文的N4 Session ID，以及另一个UPF的IP地址和会话标识，会话标识可以是SMF ID和N4 Session ID，也可以是SUPI和PDU Session ID等。Before the N4 session is established, the SMF first allocates an N4 Session ID for the N4 session. It can be understood that a first N4 session is established between the SMF and UPF1, and a second N4 session is established between the SMF and UPF2. Therefore, the N4 Session ID allocated by the SMF for the first N4 session corresponds to UPF1, and the N4 Session ID allocated by the SMF for the second N4 session corresponds to UPF2. The request message contains structured control information such as PDR and FAR defining the required behavior of the UPF, the N4 Session ID used to identify the N4 session context, and the IP address and session ID of another UPF. The session ID can be It is SMF ID and N4 Session ID, it can also be SUPI and PDU Session ID, etc.

(3)UPF分配Tunnel Info后，通过用户面消息将分配的Tunnel Info发送给隧道对端的另一个UPF，用户面消息的目的地址为对端的地址，通知中携带UL或DL标识，通知中还携带对端对应的会话标识，用于隧道对端UPF识别该Tunnel Info所属隧道。(3) After the UPF allocates Tunnel Info, it sends the allocated Tunnel Info to another UPF at the peer end of the tunnel through a user plane message. The destination address of the user plane message is the address of the peer end. The notification carries the UL or DL identifier, and the notification also carries the corresponding session identifier of the peer end, which is used by the UPF at the peer end of the tunnel to identify the tunnel to which the Tunnel Info belongs.

可选地，隧道对端收到Tunnel Info消息后，如果已构建该会话相关上下文则直接存储Tunnel Info信息。否则，可以临时存储Tunnel Info，并设置定时器，当定时器超时触发后仍然未收到相关N4消息，可以认为发生异常情况。此时，UPF应该向SMF发送相关异常信号，具体方式不在本专利的讨论范围。Optionally, after receiving the Tunnel Info message, the tunnel peer directly stores the Tunnel Info information if the session-related context has been constructed. Otherwise, the Tunnel Info can be temporarily stored and a timer can be set. When the timer expires and the related N4 message is still not received, it can be considered that an abnormal situation has occurred. At this point, the UPF should send a relevant abnormal signal to the SMF, and the specific method is out of the scope of this patent.

(4)UPF发送Tunnel Info后向SMF回复N4 Session Establishment Response消息，响应中仍然携带Tunnel Info。(4) After UPF sends Tunnel Info, it replies to SMF with N4 Session Establishment Response message, and the response still carries Tunnel Info.

可以理解的是，对图6中的步骤1.1与步骤1.2的先后顺序不作限定，步骤2.1和步骤2.2，步骤3.1和步骤3.2，步骤4.1和步骤4.2做相同处理。It can be understood that the sequence of steps 1.1 and 1.2 in FIG. 6 is not limited, and the same process is performed for steps 2.1 and 2.2, steps 3.1 and 3.2, and steps 4.1 and 4.2.

可选地，第一用户面消息为以下任一种：Optionally, the first user plane message is any of the following:

用于隧道信息交换的第一报文消息，该第一报文消息可以是新定义的报文消息。A first packet message used for tunnel information exchange, where the first packet message may be a newly defined packet message.

对于所述第一用户面消息为用于隧道信息交换的第一报文消息，第一报文消息可以是新定义的报文消息，新定义的报文消息，是指新定义的、不同于现有消息类型、用于进行隧道信息交换的报文消息。第一报文消息可以是UPF之间进行信息传递的任何报文消息，示例性地，可以包括新定义的IPv6扩展头、新的网络层消息或基于IP的新的上层协议等报文消息。应理解，上述报文消息仅为便于理解而进行的示例，不应对本公开构成任何限定；本领域出现的或者以后出现的能够实现隧道信息传输和/或交换功能的其他类型的报文消息均可应用于此。The first user plane message is a first packet message used for tunnel information exchange, the first packet message may be a newly defined packet message, and the newly defined packet message refers to a newly defined packet message that is different from an existing message type and used for tunnel information exchange. The first message may be any message for information transfer between UPFs, for example, it may include a newly defined IPv6 extension header, a new network layer message or a new IP-based upper layer protocol and other message messages. It should be understood that the above-mentioned message messages are only examples for easy understanding, and should not constitute any limitation to the present disclosure; Other types of message messages that can realize tunnel information transmission and/or switching functions appearing in the domain or appearing in the future can be applied here.

对于所述第一用户面消息为通用分组无线业务用户面隧道协议GTP-U信令消息，是指可以构造携带隧道信息的GTP-U信令消息作为第一用户面消息。The fact that the first user plane message is a general packet radio service user plane tunneling protocol GTP-U signaling message means that a GTP-U signaling message carrying tunnel information can be constructed as the first user plane message.

可选地，GTP-U信令消息为以下任一种：Optionally, the GTP-U signaling message is any of the following:

新的消息类型的信令消息；Signaling messages of new message types;

在消息类型上新增标志位的信令消息。A signaling message with a flag bit added to the message type.

对于所述GTP-U信令消息为新的消息类型的信令消息，根据GTP协议的TS29.060文档，预留未使用的消息类型(Message Type)为0、8-15、24-25、63-69、106-111、122-127、130-239和242-252，因此可以在所述预留未使用的消息类型中，选择一个消息类型作为支持隧道信息交换的GTP-U信令消息，可以称为隧道信息信令消息(Tunnel Info Signal)。For the signaling message that the GTP-U signaling message is a new message type, according to the TS29.060 document of the GTP protocol, the reserved unused message types (Message Type) are 0, 8-15, 24-25, 63-69, 106-111, 122-127, 130-239 and 242-252, so a message type can be selected as the one supporting tunnel information exchange in the reserved unused message types The GTP-U signaling message may be called a tunnel information signaling message (Tunnel Info Signal).

参考表7，表7是本公开实施例提供的隧道信息信令消息的信息元素(IE)。Referring to Table 7, Table 7 is the information element (IE) of the tunnel information signaling message provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure.

表7.隧道信息信令消息的信息元素
Table 7. Information elements of the tunnel information signaling message

Tunnel Endpoint Identifier Data I为隧道第一端点分配的TEID，GTP-U Peer Address为隧道第一端点分配的地址。GTP-U节点会话标识(GTP-U Peer Session Identifier)为新定义的IE，其IE类型号可以是预留的231-237之一，该信息元素设计如所示，主要包含隧道信息所属隧道的UL或DL标志，以及区分隧道信息所属会话的会话标识。会话标识可以是SMF ID和N4 Session ID，也可以是SUPI和PDU Session ID等。 Tunnel Endpoint Identifier Data I is the TEID assigned to the first endpoint of the tunnel, and GTP-U Peer Address is the address assigned to the first endpoint of the tunnel. GTP-U node session identifier (GTP-U Peer Session Identifier) is a newly defined IE, and its IE type number can be one of the reserved 231-237. This information element is designed as shown, mainly including the UL or DL flag of the tunnel to which the tunnel information belongs, and the session identifier to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs. The session ID can be SMF ID and N4 Session ID, or SUPI and PDU Session ID, etc.

表8.GTP-U节点会话标识的信息元素
Table 8. Information elements for GTP-U node session identification

对于所述GTP-U信令消息为在消息类型上新增标志位的信令消息，可以在现有消息类型的GTP-U首部携带TEID，UL/DL标志也可以利用GTP-U首部第一字节的bit4预留位，0表示不支持Tunnel Info交换，1表示支持Tunnel Info交换。示例性地，在隧道状态消息(Tunnel Status message)上新增标志位，从而实现向隧道第二端点发送隧道第一端点分配的隧道信息。For the GTP-U signaling message is a signaling message with a new flag bit on the message type, the TEID can be carried in the GTP-U header of the existing message type, and the UL/DL flag can also use the reserved bit4 of the first byte of the GTP-U header. 0 indicates that it does not support Tunnel Info exchange, and 1 indicates that it supports Tunnel Info exchange. Exemplarily, a flag bit is added to a tunnel status message (Tunnel Status message), so as to realize sending the tunnel information allocated by the first end point of the tunnel to the second end point of the tunnel.

对于所述GTP-U信令消息为新的GTP-U拓展首部的信令消息。结合表1和表2，可以看到GTP-U支持拓展首部(也可以称为扩展头，本公开对名称不作限定)，格式如表9所示。The GTP-U signaling message is a new GTP-U extension header signaling message. Combining Table 1 and Table 2, it can be seen that GTP-U supports an extension header (also called an extension header, the disclosure does not limit the name), and the format is shown in Table 9.

表9.GTP-U支持拓展首部
Table 9. GTP-U supports extended headers

现有协议定义的拓展首部如表10所示：The extension header defined by the existing protocol is shown in Table 10:

表10.现有协议定义的拓展首部

Table 10. Extension headers defined by existing protocols

因此可以定义一种新的GTP-U拓展首部支持传输隧道信息。示例性地，使用“10001010”表示“Tunnel Info Container”。Therefore, a new GTP-U extension header can be defined to support the transmission of tunnel information. For example, use "10001010" to represent "Tunnel Info Container".

对于所述第一用户面消息为基于服务化接口的用户面功能UPF服务，示例性地，可以使用Namf_EventExposure服务作为第一用户面消息，Nupf_EventExposure服务可以暴露UPF相关信息给其他的网络功能实体。As for the first user plane message being a user plane function UPF service based on a service interface, for example, the Namf_EventExposure service may be used as the first user plane message, and the Nupf_EventExposure service may expose UPF related information to other network function entities.

具体地，将表6所示的UPF提供的NF服务进行拓展，拓展后的NF服务如表11所示，增加UPF作为消费者，原协议Nupf_EventExposure通知事件包括QoS监测结果，本公开拓展增加隧道信息暴露。Specifically, the NF service provided by UPF shown in Table 6 is expanded. The expanded NF service is shown in Table 11. UPF is added as a consumer. The original protocol Nupf_EventExposure notification event includes QoS monitoring results. This disclosure increases tunnel information exposure.

表11.本公开UPF提供的NF服务
Table 11. NF services provided by UPF of this disclosure

可选地，所述基于服务化接口的UPF服务包括：Optionally, the UPF service based on the service interface includes:

所述隧道第一端点分配所述隧道信息后，通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点。示例性地，可以在N4会话建立或修改时，SMF携带隧道对端的 UPF信息，当隧道第一端点分配隧道信息后，通过Nupf_EventExposure的Notify操作将隧道信息提供给隧道对端(隧道第二端点)。After allocating the tunnel information, the first end point of the tunnel notifies the second end point of the tunnel through a Notify operation. Exemplarily, when an N4 session is established or modified, the SMF carries the UPF information, after the first end point of the tunnel distributes the tunnel information, the tunnel information is provided to the opposite end of the tunnel (the second end point of the tunnel) through the Notify operation of Nupf_EventExposure.

所述通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点，包括：The notifying the second endpoint of the tunnel through the Notify operation includes:

具体地，基于Namf_EventExposure服务，网络功能实体可以自己或代表另一个网络功能实体订阅事件通知并获得事件通知，因此，网络功能实体可以代表隧道第二端点订阅隧道信息，在隧道第一端点分配隧道信息后，通过Nupf_EventExposure的Notify操作将隧道信息提供给隧道第二端点。Specifically, based on the Namf_EventExposure service, the network function entity can subscribe to event notifications by itself or on behalf of another network function entity and obtain event notifications. Therefore, the network function entity can subscribe to the tunnel information on behalf of the second endpoint of the tunnel. After the tunnel information is allocated at the first endpoint of the tunnel, the tunnel information is provided to the second endpoint of the tunnel through the Notify operation of Nupf_EventExposure.

可选地，在所述隧道第一端点为目标隧道新***端点的情况下，所述方法还包括：Optionally, in the case where the first end point of the tunnel is a newly inserted end point of the target tunnel, the method further includes:

参考图7，图7是本公开实施例提供的基于用户面消息的GTP-U隧道修改流程示意图，目标隧道是指需要修改的GTP-U隧道，如图7所示，在未***UPF2的情况下，UPF3和UPF1之间GTP-U隧道为目标隧道；UPF2为目标隧道新***的端点，即隧道第一端点。接收网络功能实体发送的UPF3对应的隧道信息和UPF1对应的隧道信息。示例性地，在网络功能实体为SMF的情况下，接收SMF发送的会话修改请求消息或会话建立请求消息，会话修改请求消息或会话建立请求消息中包括所述目标隧道两端的隧道端点所分别对应的隧道信息；上述情况下，UPF2需要接收其关联隧道端点，即UPF1和UPF3与UPF2对应的端点的隧道信息。Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a GTP-U tunnel modification process based on user plane messages provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The target tunnel refers to the GTP-U tunnel that needs to be modified. As shown in FIG. 7, in the case where UPF2 is not inserted, the GTP-U tunnel between UPF3 and UPF1 is the target tunnel; The tunnel information corresponding to UPF3 and the tunnel information corresponding to UPF1 sent by the network function entity are received. Exemplarily, in the case where the network functional entity is an SMF, the session modification request message or the session establishment request message sent by the SMF is received, and the session modification request message or the session establishment request message includes tunnel information corresponding to the tunnel endpoints at both ends of the target tunnel; in the above case, UPF2 needs to receive its associated tunnel endpoints, that is, UPF1 and UPF3 and the tunnel information of the endpoints corresponding to UPF2.

可选地，在本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法仅应用于N9接口的情况下，UPF2***的位置可以是在UPF3的前面，即多个UPF的连接依次为：UPF2、UPF3、UPF1；这种情况下，UPF2只需要接收其对应端点(UPF3)的隧道信息。Optionally, in the case where the tunnel information sending method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is only applied to the N9 interface, the insertion position of UPF2 may be in front of UPF3, that is, the connections of multiple UPFs are: UPF2, UPF3, and UPF1 in sequence; in this case, UPF2 only needs to receive the tunnel information of its corresponding endpoint (UPF3).

可选地，数据传输链路依次为：UPF1、UPF2、PSA，需要将UPF2替换为UPF3的情况下，以UPF1与UPF2之间的隧道作为目标隧道，UPF3只需要接收关联隧道端点UPF1对应的隧道信息。可选地，UPF3还可以接收UPF2对应的隧道信息，并为UPF2分配Tunnel Endpoint作为转发隧道，用于缓冲来自UPF2的DL数据。可以理解的是，与另一端的隧道端点PSA之间的隧道信息发送作相同处理，此处不再赘述。Optionally, the data transmission links are: UPF1, UPF2, and PSA in sequence. When UPF2 needs to be replaced with UPF3, the tunnel between UPF1 and UPF2 is used as the target tunnel, and UPF3 only needs to To receive the tunnel information corresponding to the associated tunnel endpoint UPF1. Optionally, UPF3 may also receive tunnel information corresponding to UPF2, and allocate a Tunnel Endpoint for UPF2 as a forwarding tunnel for buffering DL data from UPF2. It can be understood that the same process is performed for sending tunnel information with the tunnel endpoint PSA at the other end, which will not be repeated here.

可选地，在本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法应用于N3接口，数据传输链路依次为：RAN、PSA1、DN，需要将PSA1替换为PSA2的情况下，目标隧道为RAN与PSA1之间的隧道，PSA2只需要接收关联隧道端点RAN对应的AN Tunnel Info。可选地，PSA2还可以接收PSA1对应的隧道信息，并为PSA1分配Tunnel Endpoint作为转发隧道，用于缓冲来自PSA1的DL数据。Optionally, the method for sending tunnel information provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to the N3 interface, and the data transmission links are: RAN, PSA1, and DN in sequence. In the case where PSA1 needs to be replaced with PSA2, the target tunnel is the tunnel between RAN and PSA1, and PSA2 only needs to receive AN Tunnel Info corresponding to the associated tunnel endpoint RAN. Optionally, PSA2 may also receive tunnel information corresponding to PSA1, and assign Tunnel Endpoint to PSA1 as a forwarding tunnel for buffering DL data from PSA1.

对于UPF的***位置，以上情况都是示例性地，其他能够实现本方案的本领域技术人员所熟知的***位置或者方式均可以应用于此，对此不做限定。As for the insertion position of the UPF, the above cases are exemplary, and other insertion positions or manners known to those skilled in the art that can implement the present solution can be applied here, which is not limited thereto.

所述相关信息还包括与所述目标隧道相关的关联隧道端点对应的地址和/或会话标识，所述会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话；The relevant information also includes an address and/or a session identifier corresponding to an associated tunnel endpoint related to the target tunnel, and the session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs;

所述方法还包括：The method also includes:

参考图7，本公开实施例提供的基于用户面消息的GTP-U隧道修改的步骤如下：Referring to FIG. 7, the steps of modifying the GTP-U tunnel based on the user plane message provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure are as follows:

1.SMF向***的隧道第一端点UPF2发送N4会话建立请求消息(N4Session Establishment Request Message)。请求消息中包含定义UPF2所需行为方式的结构化控制信息PDR和FAR等、用于识别N4会话上下文的N4 Session ID、隧道对端的隧道信息、UPF1的地址和会话标识以及UPF3的地址和会话标识。1. The SMF sends an N4 Session Establishment Request Message (N4 Session Establishment Request Message) to the inserted tunnel first endpoint UPF2. The request message contains the structured control information PDR and FAR that define the required behavior of UPF2, the N4 Session ID used to identify the N4 session context, the tunnel information of the tunnel peer, the address and session ID of UPF1, and the address and session ID of UPF3.

2.UPF2收到消息后，存储隧道对端的隧道信息，并分配本地用于该会话的上行隧道信息(UL Tunnel Info)和下行隧道信息(DL Tunnel Info)。2. After receiving the message, UPF2 stores the tunnel information of the opposite end of the tunnel, and distributes the local uplink tunnel information (UL Tunnel Info) and downlink tunnel information (DL Tunnel Info) for the session.

3.UPF2通过用户面消息将分配的上行隧道信息发送给隧道对端UPF3，将分配的下行隧道信息发送给隧道对端UPF1。3. UPF2 sends the allocated uplink tunnel information to the tunnel peer UPF3 through a user plane message, Send the allocated downlink tunnel information to the tunnel peer UPF1.

4.***的UPF向SMF发送N4会话建立响应消息(N4 Session Establishment Response Message)。4. The inserted UPF sends an N4 session establishment response message (N4 Session Establishment Response Message) to the SMF.

可选地，用户面消息的可靠性保障可以通过设置定时器超时重发，以及底层协议可以使用TCP/IP等方式。Optionally, the reliability guarantee of the user plane message can be resent by setting a timer overtime, and the underlying protocol can use TCP/IP and other methods.

用于交换隧道信息的用户面消息可以是一个GTP-U信令消息、一个基于服务化接口的UPF服务或一个用于隧道信息交换的新定义的报文消息，相关介绍参考上文所述，此处不再赘述。The user plane message used to exchange tunnel information can be a GTP-U signaling message, a UPF service based on a service interface, or a newly defined message message used for tunnel information exchange. For related introductions, refer to the above, and will not be repeated here.

可选地，本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法，可以应用于N3接口和/或N9接口。对于应用于N9接口的情况，参考图6和图7中的介绍，此处不再赘述。对于应用于N3接口的情况，参考图6和图7，可以将N3接口连接的UPF作为隧道第一端点，RAN或AN作为隧道第二端点，在N3接口连接的UPF分配上行隧道信息后，通过用户面消息将上行隧道信息发送至隧道对端的RAN或AN；还可以将N3接口连接的RAN或AN作为隧道第一端点，将N3接口连接的UPF作为隧道第二端点，在RAN或AN分配AN Tunnel Info后，通过用户面消息将AN Tunnel Info发送至隧道对端的UPF。Optionally, the method for sending tunnel information provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to the N3 interface and/or the N9 interface. For the case of being applied to the N9 interface, refer to the introduction in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 , and details will not be repeated here. For the case applied to the N3 interface, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7, the UPF connected to the N3 interface can be used as the first endpoint of the tunnel, and the RAN or AN can be used as the second endpoint of the tunnel. After the UPF connected to the N3 interface distributes the uplink tunnel information, the uplink tunnel information is sent to the RAN or AN at the opposite end of the tunnel through a user plane message; the RAN or AN connected to the N3 interface can also be used as the first endpoint of the tunnel, and the UPF connected to the N3 interface can be used as the second endpoint of the tunnel. After that, the AN Tunnel Info is sent to the UPF at the opposite end of the tunnel through a user plane message.

参考图8，图8是本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法流程示意图之二，该方法可以应用于网络功能实体，所述方法包括：Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a second schematic flow diagram of a method for sending tunnel information provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. This method can be applied to a network function entity, and the method includes:

步骤810，向隧道第一端点发送第二会话标识和/或隧道第二端点的地址；Step 810, sending the second session identifier and/or the address of the second end point of the tunnel to the first end point of the tunnel;

具体地，网络功能实体NF是指与GTP-U隧道相关的网络功能实体，如SMF，隧道第一端点是指GTP-U隧道的接收端，隧道第二端点是指GTP-U隧道的发送端，第二会话标识和隧道第二端点的地址可以是网络功能实体预先存储的，或从其他网络功能实体或节点预先获得的，示例性地，网络功能实体在此次隧道建立之前向隧道第二端点发送过消息，或接收过隧道第二端点发送的消息的情况下，网络功能实体存储有隧道第二端点的地址。对于第二会话标识和隧道第二端点的地址的介绍，参考图5中的介绍，此处不再赘述。Specifically, the network function entity NF refers to the network function entity related to the GTP-U tunnel, such as SMF, the first end point of the tunnel refers to the receiving end of the GTP-U tunnel, and the second end point of the tunnel refers to the sending end of the GTP-U tunnel. In the case of a message sent by a peer, the network function entity stores the address of the second end point of the tunnel. For the introduction of the second session identifier and the address of the second end point of the tunnel, refer to the introduction in FIG. 5 , which will not be repeated here.

本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法，通过网络功能实体向隧道第一端点发送隧道第二端点的地址和/或所述第二会话标识，使得隧道第一端点能够将携带隧道信息的用户面消息发送至隧道第二端点，并且隧道第二端点能够基于第二会话标识区分出隧道信息所属的会话，实现了GTP-U隧道两端通过用户面消息交换隧道信息，缩短了隧道建立或修改的时间，并通过减少网络功能实体执行会话消息的数目降低了控制面功能的处理开销，从而提升了隧道消息交换的效率，In the method for sending tunnel information provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network function entity sends the address of the second end point of the tunnel and/or the second session ID to the first end point of the tunnel, so that the first end point of the tunnel can send a user plane message carrying tunnel information to the second end point of the tunnel, and the second end point of the tunnel can distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs based on the second session ID, so that both ends of the GTP-U tunnel can exchange tunnel information through user plane messages, shorten the time for establishing or modifying the tunnel, and reduce the processing overhead of the control plane function by reducing the number of session messages executed by the network function entity, thereby improving the performance of the tunnel. the efficiency of tunnel message exchange,

参考图7，以UPF1为隧道第一端点，UPF3为隧道第二端点，UPF1为UPF3分配隧道信息后，向网络功能实体发送所述隧道信息，网络功能实体接收UPF1发送的隧道信息。网络功能实体存储有UPF1对应的隧道信息和UPF3对应的隧道信息。在UPF1和UPF3之间的GTP-U隧道发生隧道修改，即UPF1和UPF3之间***新的隧道端点UPF2的情况下，向UPF2发送第一相关信息和第二相关信息，第一相关信息包括UPF1对应的隧道信息，第二相关信息包括UPF3对应的隧道信息。第一相关信息和第二相关信息可以用于在UPF2分配上行隧道信息和下行隧道信息后，UPF2通过用户面消息向UPF1发送下行隧道信息，以及向UPF3发送上行隧道信息。Referring to FIG. 7, UPF1 is used as the first end point of the tunnel, and UPF3 is used as the second end point of the tunnel. After UPF1 allocates tunnel information to UPF3, it sends the tunnel information to the network function entity, and the network function entity receives the tunnel information sent by UPF1. The network function entity stores tunnel information corresponding to UPF1 and tunnel information corresponding to UPF3. When a tunnel modification occurs in the GTP-U tunnel between UPF1 and UPF3, that is, when a new tunnel endpoint UPF2 is inserted between UPF1 and UPF3, first related information and second related information are sent to UPF2, the first related information includes tunnel information corresponding to UPF1, and the second related information includes tunnel information corresponding to UPF3. The first related information and the second related information may be used for sending the downlink tunnel information to UPF1 through a user plane message, and sending the uplink tunnel information to UPF3 after UPF2 allocates uplink tunnel information and downlink tunnel information.

可选地，所述第一相关信息还包括与所述隧道第一端点对应的地址和/或第一会话标识，所述第一会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第一端点对应；Optionally, the first related information further includes an address corresponding to the first endpoint of the tunnel and/or a first session identifier, the first session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the first endpoint of the tunnel;

所述第二相关信息还包括与所述隧道第二端点对应的地址和/或所述第二会话标识。The second related information further includes an address corresponding to the second endpoint of the tunnel and/or the second Two session identifiers.

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识符N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第二端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the second end point of the tunnel; or

所述第一会话标识包括：The first session identifier includes:

关于网络功能实体标识和N4 Session ID的介绍，以及关于SUPI和PDU Session ID的介绍，参考图5中的介绍，此处不再赘述。示例性地，参考图7，SMF与UPF1之间建立有第一N4会话，SMF为第一N4会话分配与UPF1对应的N4 Session ID；SMF与UPF3之间建立有第二N4会话，SMF为第二N4会话分配与UPF3对应的N4 Session ID。第一会话标识可以是SMF ID和UPF1对应的N4 Session ID，也可以是SUPI和PDU Session ID等。第二会话标识可以是SMF ID和UPF3对应的N4 Session ID，也可以是SUPI和PDU Session ID等。For the introduction of network function entity identification and N4 Session ID, as well as the introduction of SUPI and PDU Session ID, refer to the introduction in Figure 5, and will not repeat them here. Exemplarily, with reference to Figure 7, a first N4 session is established between the SMF and UPF1, and the SMF allocates an N4 Session ID corresponding to the UPF1 for the first N4 session; a second N4 session is established between the SMF and UPF3, and the SMF allocates the N4 Session ID corresponding to the UPF3 for the second N4 session. The first session identifier can be the N4 Session ID corresponding to the SMF ID and UPF1, or it can be the SUPI and PDU Session ID, etc. The second session ID can be SMF ID and N4 Session ID corresponding to UPF3, or SUPI and PDU Session ID, etc.

本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法，通过网络功能实体向新***的隧道端点发送第一相关信息和第二相关信息，使得新***的隧道端点能够将携带隧道信息的用户面消息发送至隧道对端端点，实现了GTP-U隧道两端通过用户面消息交换隧道信息，缩短了隧道建立或修改的时间，并通过减少网络功能实体执行会话消息的数目降低了控制面功能的处理开销，从而提升了隧道消息交换的效率。In the method for sending tunnel information provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network functional entity sends the first relevant information and the second relevant information to the newly inserted tunnel endpoint, so that the newly inserted tunnel endpoint can send the user plane message carrying the tunnel information to the tunnel peer endpoint, which realizes the exchange of tunnel information between the two ends of the GTP-U tunnel through the user plane message, shortens the time for establishing or modifying the tunnel, and reduces the processing overhead of the control plane function by reducing the number of session messages executed by the network functional entity, thereby improving the efficiency of tunnel message exchange.

参考图9，图9是本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法流程示意图之三，可以应用于PDU会话建立流程中GTP-U隧道的修改，本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法，包括：Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is the third schematic flow diagram of the tunnel information sending method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, which can be applied to the modification of the GTP-U tunnel in the PDU session establishment process. The tunnel information sending method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

如果PDU会话建立请求为"initial request"，则SMF向选定的每个UPF都发送N4 Session Establishment Request，否则发送N4 Session Modification Request。其中，N4会话建立前，SMF首先为该N4会话分配N4 Session ID。请求中包含定义该UPF所需行为方式的结构化控制信息PDR和FAR等、用于识别N4会话上下文的N4 Session ID，以及另一个UPF的IP地址和会话标识。会话标识可以是SMF ID和N4 Session ID，也可以是SUPI和PDU Session ID等。If the PDU session establishment request is "initial request", SMF sends N4 Session Establishment Request to each selected UPF, otherwise sends N4 Session Modification Request. Wherein, before the establishment of the N4 session, the SMF first allocates the N4 Session ID for the N4 session. The request contains structured control information such as PDR and FAR defining the required behavior of the UPF, the N4 Session ID used to identify the N4 session context, and the IP address and session ID of another UPF. The session ID can be SMF ID and N4 Session ID, or SUPI and PDU Session ID, etc.

每个UPF作为隧道第一端点执行所需行为并分配所需Tunnel Info。然后，UPF构建GTP-U信令，消息类型为新定义的“Tunnel Info Signal”，IE为Tunnel Endpoint Identifier Data I、GTP-U Peer Address和新定义的GTP-U Peer Session Identifier，分别代表分配的TEID、分配的IP地址、对端的会话标识(包括UL/DL标志)。GTP-U信令消息的目的IP地址为隧道对端(即隧道第二端点)的IP地址，目的端口号为默认的2152端口。Each UPF acts as the first endpoint of the tunnel to perform the required behavior and distribute the required Tunnel Info. Then, UPF constructs GTP-U signaling, the message type is the newly defined "Tunnel Info Signal", and the IE is Tunnel Endpoint Identifier Data I, GTP-U Peer Address and the newly defined GTP-U Peer Session Identifier, which respectively represent the allocated TEID, allocated IP address, and peer session identifier (including UL/DL flags). The destination IP address of the GTP-U signaling message is the IP address of the opposite end of the tunnel (that is, the second end point of the tunnel), and the destination port number is the default port 2152.

隧道第一端点UPF将构建的GTP-U信令消息发出。The UPF at the first end point of the tunnel sends out the constructed GTP-U signaling message.

隧道第一端点UPF向SMF发送N4会话建立或修改响应消息，响应消息中携带CN Tunnel Info。The UPF at the first end point of the tunnel sends an N4 session establishment or modification response message to the SMF, and the response message carries CN Tunnel Info.

可选地，N3接口也可以基于用户面消息交换隧道消息，UPF通过用户面消息向(R)AN发送UL Tunnel Info，(R)AN侧通过用户面消息向UPF的AN Tunnel Info，则可以提前UL link数据传输的时间。Optionally, the N3 interface can also exchange tunnel messages based on user plane messages. The UPF sends UL Tunnel Info to (R)AN through user plane messages, and the (R)AN side sends UL Tunnel Info to UPF AN Tunnel Info through user plane messages, so that the UL link data transmission time can be advanced.

可选地，隧道第一端点UPF通过Nupf_EventExposure的Notify操作将Tunnel Info提供给隧道对端的隧道第二端点。Optionally, the UPF at the first end point of the tunnel provides the Tunnel Info to the second end point of the tunnel at the opposite end of the tunnel through the Notify operation of Nupf_EventExposure.

参考图10，图10是本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法流程示意图之四，可以应用于业务请求流程，本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法，包括：Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is the fourth schematic flow diagram of the tunnel information sending method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, which can be applied to the service request process. The tunnel information sending method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes:

如果UPF(PSA)的CN Tunnel Info发生改变，则SMF向UPF(PSA)发送N4 Session Modification Request消息。如果SMF移除旧I-UPF而不替换一个新的I-UPF，请求中还携带旧UPF的IP地址和会话标识，SMF请求UPF(PSA)分配第二个tunnel endpoint作为转发隧道，用于缓冲来自旧UPF的DL数据。If the CN Tunnel Info of UPF (PSA) changes, SMF sends N4 Session Modification Request message to UPF (PSA). If the SMF removes the old I-UPF without replacing it with a new I-UPF, and the request also carries the IP address and session ID of the old UPF, the SMF requests the UPF (PSA) to allocate a second tunnel endpoint as a forwarding tunnel for buffering DL data from the old UPF.

PSA分配转发隧道DL Tunnel Info后，构建GTP-U信令消息，消息类型为新定义的“Tunnel Info Signal”，IE为Tunnel Endpoint Identifier Data I、GTP-U Peer Address和新定义的GTP-U Peer Session Identifier，分别代表分配的TEID、分配的IP地址、对端的会话标识(DL标志)。GTP-U信令消息的目的IP地址为旧UPF的IP地址，目的端口号为默认的2152端口。After the PSA allocates and forwards the tunnel DL Tunnel Info, it constructs a GTP-U signaling message, message type IE is the newly defined "Tunnel Info Signal", and IE is Tunnel Endpoint Identifier Data I, GTP-U Peer Address and newly defined GTP-U Peer Session Identifier, which respectively represent the allocated TEID, allocated IP address, and peer session identifier (DL flag). The destination IP address of the GTP-U signaling message is the IP address of the old UPF, and the destination port number is the default port 2152.

UPF(PSA)进行响应，提供新的CN Tunnel Info给SMF。UPF (PSA) responds and provides new CN Tunnel Info to SMF.

如果SMF选择***一个新的UPF作为PDU会话的中间UPF(I-UPF)，则向新的I-UPF发送一个N4 Session Establishment Request消息，请求分配Tunnel Info，同时携带PSA的CN Tunnel Info，增加携带PSA的地址和会话标识信息。如果SMF选择一个新UPF替代旧I-UPF，SMF还可能请求新UPF分配第二个tunnel endpoint作为转发隧道，用于从旧I-UPF缓冲的DL数据。因此，在N4会话建立请求中，还需要携带旧I-UPF的地址和会话标识信息。If the SMF chooses to insert a new UPF as the intermediate UPF (I-UPF) of the PDU session, it sends an N4 Session Establishment Request message to the new I-UPF, requesting the allocation of Tunnel Info, and carrying the CN Tunnel Info of the PSA, adding the address and session identification information of the PSA. If the SMF selects a new UPF to replace the old I-UPF, the SMF may also request the new UPF to allocate a second tunnel endpoint as a forwarding tunnel for DL data buffered from the old I-UPF. Therefore, the address and session identification information of the old I-UPF also needs to be carried in the N4 session establishment request.

新I-UPF分配Tunnel Info，分别构建发往PSA的GTP-U信令消息和发往旧I-UPF的GTP-U信令消息，并将构建的GTP-U信令消息发出。新I-UPF响应SMF，提供SMF请求的Tunnel Info。The new I-UPF allocates Tunnel Info, constructs the GTP-U signaling message sent to the PSA and the GTP-U signaling message sent to the old I-UPF respectively, and sends the constructed GTP-U signaling message. The new I-UPF responds to the SMF and provides the Tunnel Info requested by the SMF.

可选地，UPF通过Nupf_EventExposure的Notify操作将Tunnel Info提供给隧道对端。Optionally, UPF provides Tunnel Info to the tunnel peer through the Notify operation of Nupf_EventExposure.

可选地，在GTP-U隧道建立的时候，如果某个GTP-U实体(UPF)无法服务，会向SMF返回拒绝服务的消息。针对这种情况，处理方式与GTP-U隧道修改类似。Optionally, when the GTP-U tunnel is established, if a certain GTP-U entity (UPF) fails to serve, it will return a service denial message to the SMF. For this situation, the processing method is similar to the GTP-U tunnel modification.

当SMF收到一个UPF返回的拒绝服务消息。则重新选择一个新UPF，发送N4 Session Establishment Request消息，请求中携带相关隧道对端UPF的地址和会话标识。When the SMF receives a denial of service message returned by the UPF. Then re-select a new UPF, send N4 Session Establishment Request message, and the request carries the address and session identifier of the UPF at the opposite end of the tunnel.

新UPF收到请求后，分配本地UL/DL Tunnel Info，构建用户面消息，将Tunnel Info发送给隧道对端。After receiving the request, the new UPF allocates local UL/DL Tunnel Info, constructs a user plane message, and sends the Tunnel Info to the tunnel peer.

新UPF向SMF回复N4 Session Establishment Response消息。The new UPF replies the N4 Session Establishment Response message to the SMF.

本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送方法，缩短了隧道建立或修改的时间，并且通过用户面消息交换隧道信息降低了控制面功能的处理开销，以会话管理功能实体SMF为例，减少了SMF执行N4 Session Modification Request/Response的数目，从而提升了隧道消息交换的效率。The tunnel information sending method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure shortens the time for tunnel establishment or modification, and reduces the processing overhead of the control plane function by exchanging tunnel information through user plane messages. Taking the session management function entity SMF as an example, it reduces the number of SMFs performing N4 Session Modification The number of Request/Response, thus improving the efficiency of tunnel message exchange.

参考图11，图11是本公开实施例提供的隧道第一端点设备的结构示意图,所述隧道第一端点设备包括收发机1100、处理器1110和存储器1120，其中：Referring to FIG. 11 , FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a tunnel first endpoint device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tunnel first endpoint device includes a transceiver 1100, a processor 1110, and a memory 1120, where:

存储器1120，用于存储计算机程序；收发机1100，用于在处理器1110的控制下接收和发送数据。The memory 1120 is used for storing computer programs; the transceiver 1100 is used for receiving and sending data under the control of the processor 1110 .

其中，在图11中，总线架构可以包括任意数量的互联的总线和桥，具体由处理器1110代表的一个或多个处理器和存储器1120代表的存储器的各种电路链接在一起。总线架构还可以将诸如***设备、稳压器和功率管理电路等之类的各种其他电路链接在一起，这些都是本领域所公知的，因此，本文不再对其进行进一步描述。总线接口提供接口。收发机1100可以是多个元件，即包括发送机和接收机，提供用于在传输介质上与各种其他装置通信的单元，这些传输介质包括无线信道、有线信道、光缆等传输介质。处理器1110负责管理总线架构和通常的处理，存储器1120可以存储处理器1110在执行操作时所使用的数据。Wherein, in FIG. 11 , the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically one or more processors represented by the processor 1110 and various circuits of the memory represented by the memory 1120 are linked together. The bus architecture can also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, etc., which are well known in the art and therefore will not be further described herein. The bus interface provides the interface. The transceiver 1100 may be a plurality of elements, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over transmission media, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical cables, and other transmission media. The processor 1110 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1120 can store data used by the processor 1110 when performing operations.

处理器1110可以是中央处埋器(CPU)、专用集成电路(Application Specific Integrated Circuit，ASIC)、现场可编程门阵列(Field－Programmable Gate Array，FPGA)或复杂可编程逻辑器件(Complex Programmable Logic Device，CPLD)，处理器也可以采用多核架构。The processor 1110 may be a central processor (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), a field programmable gate array (Field-Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or a complex programmable logic device (Complex Programmable Logic Device, CPLD), and the processor may also adopt a multi-core architecture.

处理器1110通过调用存储器1120存储的计算机程序，用于按照获得的可执行指令执行本公开实施例提供的任一所述方法，例如：基于隧道第二端点的地址，向所述隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息，所述第一用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息。The processor 1110 calls the computer program stored in the memory 1120 to execute any of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure according to the obtained executable instructions, for example: based on the address of the second tunnel endpoint, sending a first user plane message to the tunnel second endpoint, where the first user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the tunnel first endpoint.

可选地，所述第一用户面消息为以下任一种：Optionally, the first user plane message is any of the following:

可选地，所述GTP-U信令消息为以下任一种：Optionally, the GTP-U signaling message is any of the following:

新的消息类型的信令消息； Signaling messages of new message types;

可选地，所述通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点，包括：Optionally, the notifying the second endpoint of the tunnel through the Notify operation includes:

可选地，所述向隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息之前，所述操作还包括：Optionally, before sending the first user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, the operation further includes:

可选地，所述操作还包括以下任一或其组合：Optionally, the operation further includes any or a combination of the following:

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID。 Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID.

可选地，在所述隧道第一端点为目标隧道新***端点的情况下，所述操作还包括：Optionally, when the first end point of the tunnel is a newly inserted end point of the target tunnel, the operation further includes:

可选地，所述相关信息还包括与所述目标隧道相关的关联隧道端点对应的地址和/或会话标识，所述会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话；Optionally, the relevant information further includes an address and/or a session identifier corresponding to an associated tunnel endpoint related to the target tunnel, and the session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs;

所述方法还包括：The method also includes:

基于每个所述关联隧道端点对应的地址，向每个所述关联隧道端点发送用户面消息，所述用户面消息包括隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息，以及所述关联隧道端点对应的会话标识。可选地，所述操作应用于N3接口和/或N9接口。Based on the address corresponding to each associated tunnel endpoint, send a user plane message to each associated tunnel endpoint, where the user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first tunnel endpoint and a session identifier corresponding to the associated tunnel endpoint. Optionally, the operation is applied to the N3 interface and/or the N9 interface.

在此需要说明的是，本公开实施例提供的上述装置，能够实现上述方法实施例所实现的所有方法步骤，且能够达到相同的技术效果，在此不再对本实施例中与方法实施例相同的部分及有益效果进行具体赘述。What needs to be explained here is that the above-mentioned device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can realize all the method steps realized by the above-mentioned method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect, and the same parts and beneficial effects in this embodiment as in the method embodiment will not be described in detail here.

参考图12，图12是本公开实施例提供的网络功能实体的结构示意图,所述网络功能实体包括收发机1200、处理器1210和存储器1220，其中：Referring to FIG. 12 , FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a network function entity provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network function entity includes a transceiver 1200, a processor 1210, and a memory 1220, where:

存储器1220，用于存储计算机程序；收发机1200，用于在处理器1210的控制下接收和发送数据。The memory 1220 is used for storing computer programs; the transceiver 1200 is used for receiving and sending data under the control of the processor 1210 .

其中，在图12中，总线架构可以包括任意数量的互联的总线和桥，具体由处理器1210代表的一个或多个处理器和存储器1220代表的存储器的各种电路链接在一起。总线架构还可以将诸如***设备、稳压器和功率管理电路等之类的各种其他电路链接在一起，这些都是本领域所公知的，因此，本文不再对其进行进一步描述。总线接口提供接口。收发机1200可以是多个元件，即包括发送机和接收机，提供用于在传输介质上与各种其他装置通信的单元，这些传输介质包括无线信道、有线信道、光缆等传输介质。处理器1210负责管理总线架构和通常的处理，存储器1220可以存储处理器1210在执行操作时所使用的数据。Wherein, in FIG. 12 , the bus architecture may include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically one or more processors represented by the processor 1210 and various circuits of the memory represented by the memory 1220 are linked together. The bus architecture can also link together various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, etc., which are well known in the art and therefore will not be further described herein. The bus interface provides the interface. The transceiver 1200 may be a plurality of elements, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over transmission media, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical cables, and other transmission media. The processor 1210 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1220 can store data used by the processor 1210 when performing operations.

处理器1210可以是中央处埋器(CPU)、专用集成电路(Application Specific Integrated Circuit，ASIC)、现场可编程门阵列(Field－Programmable Gate Array，FPGA)或复杂可编程逻辑器件(Complex Programmable Logic Device，CPLD)，处理器也可以采用多核架构。The processor 1210 may be a central processing device (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC), Field-Programmable Gate Array (Field-Programmable Gate Array, FPGA) or Complex Programmable Logic Device (Complex Programmable Logic Device, CPLD), the processor can also adopt a multi-core architecture.

处理器1210通过调用存储器1220存储的计算机程序，用于按照获得的可执行指令执行本公开实施例提供的任一所述方法，例如：向隧道第一端点发送第二会话标识和/或隧道第二端点的地址；The processor 1210 calls the computer program stored in the memory 1220 to execute any of the methods provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure according to the obtained executable instructions, for example: sending the second session identifier and/or the address of the second tunnel end point to the first end point of the tunnel;

所述第一会话标识包括：The first session identifier includes:

参考图13，图13为本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送装置结构示意图之一，该装置可以应用于隧道第一端点，所述装置包括：Referring to FIG. 13, FIG. 13 is one of the schematic structural diagrams of the tunnel information sending device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure. The device can be applied to the first end point of the tunnel, and the device includes:

第一发送单元1310，用于基于隧道第二端点的地址，向所述隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息，所述第一用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息。The first sending unit 1310 is configured to send a first user plane message to the second tunnel end point based on the address of the second tunnel end point, where the first user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the tunnel first end point.

参考图14，图14为本公开实施例提供的隧道信息发送装置结构示意图之二，该装置可以应用于网络功能实体，所述装置包括：Referring to FIG. 14, FIG. 14 is a second structural diagram of a tunnel information sending device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. This device can be applied to a network function entity, and the device includes:

第二发送单元1410，用于向隧道第一端点发送第二会话标识和/或隧道第二端点的地址；The second sending unit 1410 is configured to send the second session identifier and/or the address of the second end point of the tunnel to the first end point of the tunnel;

需要说明的是，本公开实施例中对单元的划分是示意性的，仅仅为一种逻辑功能划分，实际实现时可以有另外的划分方式。另外，在本公开各个实施例中的各功能单元可以集成在一个处理单元中，也可以是各个单元单独物理存在，也可以两个或两个以上单元集成在一个单元中。上述集成的单元既可以采用硬件的形式实现，也可以采用软件功能单元的形式实现。It should be noted that the division of the units in the embodiment of the present disclosure is schematic, and is only a logical function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present disclosure may be integrated into one processing unit, each unit may exist separately physically, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated units can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

所述集成的单元如果以软件功能单元的形式实现并作为独立的产品销售或使用时，可以存储在一个处理器可读取存储介质中。基于这样的理解，本公开的技术方案本质上或者说对相关技术做出贡献的部分或者该技术方案的全部或部分可以以软件产品的形式体现出来，该计算机软件产品存储在一个存储介质中，包括若干指令用以使得一台计算机设备(可以是个人计算机，服务器，或者网络设备等)或处理器(processor)执行本公开各个实施例所述方法的全部或部分步骤。而前述的存储介质包括：U盘、移动硬盘、只读存储器(Read-Only Memory，ROM)、随机存取存储器(Random Access Memory，RAM)、磁碟或者光盘等各种可以存储程序代码的介质。If the integrated unit is realized in the form of a software function unit and sold as an independent product Or when used, it can be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on such an understanding, the technical solution of the present disclosure may essentially or partly contribute to the related technology or all or part of the technical solution may be embodied in the form of a software product, the computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes several instructions to make a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (processor) execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present disclosure. The above-mentioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM), random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk and other various media that can store program codes.

另一方面，本公开实施例还提供一种处理器可读存储介质，所述处理器可读存储介质存储有计算机程序，所述计算机程序用于使所述处理器执行上述各实施例提供的方法，包括：On the other hand, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a processor-readable storage medium, where the processor-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program is used to enable the processor to execute the methods provided in the foregoing embodiments, including:

所述处理器可读存储介质可以是处理器能够存取的任何可用介质或数据存储设备，包括但不限于磁性存储器(例如软盘、硬盘、磁带、磁光盘(MO)等)、光学存储器(例如CD、DVD、BD、HVD等)、以及半导体存储器(例如ROM、EPROM、EEPROM、非易失性存储器(NAND FLASH)、固态硬盘(SSD))等。The processor-readable storage medium can be any available medium or data storage device that can be accessed by the processor, including but not limited to magnetic storage (such as floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, magneto-optical disk (MO), etc.), optical storage (such as CD, DVD, BD, HVD, etc.), and semiconductor storage (such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, non-volatile memory (NAND FLASH), solid-state hard drive, etc.) Disk (SSD)) and so on.

本领域内的技术人员应明白，本公开的实施例可提供为方法、***、或计算机程序产品。因此，本公开可采用完全硬件实施例、完全软件实施例、或结合软件和硬件方面的实施例的形式。而且，本公开可采用在一个或多个其中包含有计算机可用程序代码的计算机可用存储介质(包括但不限于磁盘存储器和光学存储器等)上实施的计算机程序产品的形式。Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Accordingly, the present disclosure can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present disclosure 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, etc.) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

本公开是参照根据本公开实施例的方法、设备(***)、和计算机程序产品的流程图和/或方框图来描述的。应理解可由计算机可执行指令实现流程图和/或方框图中的每一流程和/或方框、以及流程图和/或方框图中的流程和/或方框的结合。可提供这些计算机可执行指令到通用计算机、专用计算机、嵌入式处理机或其他可编程数据处理设备的处理器以产生一个机器，使得通过计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备的处理器执行的指令产生用于实现在流程图一个流程或多个流程和/或方框图一个方框或多个方框中指定的功能的装置。The present disclosure is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that each procedure and/or block in the flowchart and/or block diagrams, and combinations of procedures and/or blocks in the flowchart and/or block diagrams can be implemented by computer-executable instructions. These computer-executable instructions can be provided to a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor or a processor of other programmable data processing devices to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing devices generate means for realizing the functions specified in one or more processes of the flowchart and/or one or more blocks of the block diagram.

这些处理器可执行指令也可存储在能引导计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备以特定方式工作的处理器可读存储器中，使得存储在该处理器可读存储器中的指令产生包括指令装置的制造品，该指令装置实现在流程图一个流程或多个流程和/或方框图一个方框或多个方框中指定的功能。These processor-executable instructions may also be stored in a processor-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, such that the instructions stored in the processor-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flows of the flowchart and/or one or more blocks of the block diagram.

这些处理器可执行指令也可装载到计算机或其他可编程数据处理设备上，使得在计算机或其他可编程设备上执行一系列操作步骤以产生计算机实现的处理，从而在计算机或其他可编程设备上执行的指令提供用于实现在流程图一个流程或多个流程和/或方框图一个方框或多个方框中指定的功能的步骤。These processor-executable instructions can also be loaded on a computer or other programmable data processing device, so that a series of operation steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to generate computer-implemented processing, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for realizing the functions specified in one or more processes of the flow chart and/or one or more blocks of the block diagram.

显然，本领域的技术人员可以对本公开进行各种改动和变型而不脱离本公开的精神和范围。这样，倘若本公开的这些修改和变型属于本公开权利要求及其等同技术的范围之内，则本公开也意图包含这些改动和变型在内。 It is obvious that those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present disclosure fall within the scope of the claims of the present disclosure and equivalent technologies thereof, the present disclosure also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

一种隧道信息发送方法，其中，应用于隧道第一端点，所述方法包括：A method for sending tunnel information, wherein, applied to a first endpoint of a tunnel, the method includes:

基于隧道第二端点的地址，向所述隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息，所述第一用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息。Based on the address of the second end point of the tunnel, send a first user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, where the first user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel.
根据权利要求1所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述第一用户面消息为以下任一种：The method for sending tunnel information according to claim 1, wherein the first user plane message is any of the following:

通用分组无线业务用户面隧道协议GTP-U信令消息；General Packet Radio Service User Plane Tunneling Protocol GTP-U signaling message;

基于服务化接口的用户面功能UPF服务；User plane function UPF service based on service interface;

用于隧道信息交换的第一报文消息。The first packet message used for tunnel information exchange.
根据权利要求2所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述GTP-U信令消息为以下任一种：The method for sending tunnel information according to claim 2, wherein the GTP-U signaling message is any of the following:

预留未使用的消息类型的信令消息；Reserving signaling messages of unused message types;

在消息类型上新增标志位的信令消息；Add a signaling message with a flag bit on the message type;

新的GTP-U拓展首部的信令消息。Signaling message of the new GTP-U extension header.
根据权利要求2所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述基于服务化接口的UPF服务包括：The tunnel information sending method according to claim 2, wherein the UPF service based on the service interface comprises:

所述隧道第一端点分配所述隧道信息后，通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点。After allocating the tunnel information, the first end point of the tunnel notifies the second end point of the tunnel through a Notify operation.
根据权利要求4所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点，包括：The method for sending tunnel information according to claim 4, wherein the notifying the second end point of the tunnel through the Notify operation includes:

在网络功能实体通过Subscribe订阅隧道信息的情况下，通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点。In the case that the network function entity subscribes to the tunnel information through Subscribe, the second end point of the tunnel is notified through a Notify operation.
根据权利要求1至5任一所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述第一用户面消息还包括第二会话标识，所述第二会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第二端点对应。The method for sending tunnel information according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first user plane message further includes a second session identifier, the second session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the second end point of the tunnel.
根据权利要求6所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述向所述隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息之前，所述方法还包括： The method for sending tunnel information according to claim 6, wherein, before sending the first user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, the method further comprises:

接收网络功能实体发送的所述隧道第二端点的地址和/或所述第二会话标识。Receive the address of the second end point of the tunnel and/or the second session identifier sent by the network function entity.
根据权利要求6所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述第二会话标识包括：The method for sending tunnel information according to claim 6, wherein the second session identifier comprises:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第二端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the second endpoint of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID。Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID.
根据权利要求6所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，在所述隧道第一端点为目标隧道新***端点的情况下，所述方法还包括：The method for sending tunnel information according to claim 6, wherein, in the case where the first end point of the tunnel is a newly inserted end point of the target tunnel, the method further comprises:

接收网络功能实体发送的相关信息，所述相关信息包括一个或多个与所述目标隧道相关的关联隧道端点所对应的隧道信息。Receiving related information sent by the network function entity, where the related information includes tunnel information corresponding to one or more associated tunnel endpoints related to the target tunnel.
根据权利要求9所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述相关信息还包括与所述目标隧道相关的关联隧道端点对应的地址和/或会话标识，所述会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话；The method for sending tunnel information according to claim 9, wherein the relevant information further includes an address and/or a session identifier corresponding to an associated tunnel endpoint related to the target tunnel, and the session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs;

所述方法还包括：The method also includes:

基于每个所述关联隧道端点对应的地址，向每个所述关联隧道端点发送用户面消息，所述用户面消息包括隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息，以及所述关联隧道端点对应的会话标识。Based on the address corresponding to each associated tunnel endpoint, send a user plane message to each associated tunnel endpoint, where the user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first tunnel endpoint and a session identifier corresponding to the associated tunnel endpoint.
根据权利要求1至5任一所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述方法应用于N3接口和/或N9接口。The method for sending tunnel information according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the method is applied to the N3 interface and/or the N9 interface.
一种隧道信息发送方法，其中，应用于网络功能实体，所述方法包括：A method for sending tunnel information, wherein, applied to a network function entity, the method includes:

向隧道第一端点发送第二会话标识和/或隧道第二端点的地址；sending the second session identifier and/or the address of the second end point of the tunnel to the first end point of the tunnel;

所述隧道第二端点的地址用于所述隧道第一端点向所述隧道第二端点发送用户面消息，所述用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息；所述第二会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第二端点对应。The address of the second end point of the tunnel is used by the first end point of the tunnel to send a user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, where the user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel; the second session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the second end point of the tunnel.
根据权利要求12所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述方法还包括以下任一或其组合：The method for sending tunnel information according to claim 12, wherein the method further Includes any or a combination of the following:

接收所述隧道第一端点发送的所述隧道信息；receiving the tunnel information sent by the first endpoint of the tunnel;

向新***的隧道端点发送第一相关信息和第二相关信息；所述第一相关信息包括与所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息，所述第二相关信息包括与所述隧道第二端点对应的隧道信息。Sending first related information and second related information to a newly inserted tunnel endpoint; the first related information includes tunnel information corresponding to the first tunnel endpoint, and the second related information includes tunnel information corresponding to the tunnel second endpoint.
根据权利要求13所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，The tunnel information sending method according to claim 13, wherein,

所述第一相关信息还包括与所述隧道第一端点对应的地址和/或第一会话标识，所述第一会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第一端点对应；The first related information also includes an address corresponding to the first endpoint of the tunnel and/or a first session identifier, the first session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the first endpoint of the tunnel;

所述第二相关信息还包括与所述隧道第二端点对应的地址和/或所述第二会话标识。The second related information further includes an address corresponding to the second end point of the tunnel and/or the second session identifier.
根据权利要求14所述的隧道信息发送方法，其中，所述第二会话标识包括：The method for sending tunnel information according to claim 14, wherein the second session identifier comprises:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识符N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第二端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the second end point of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID；Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID;

所述第一会话标识包括：The first session identifier includes:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第一端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the first endpoint of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID。Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID.
一种隧道第一端点设备，包括存储器，收发机，处理器；其中：A tunnel first endpoint device, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor; wherein:

存储器，用于存储计算机程序；收发机，用于在所述处理器的控制下收发数据；处理器，用于读取所述存储器中的计算机程序并执行以下操作：The memory is used to store computer programs; the transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; the processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and perform the following operations:

基于隧道第二端点的地址，向所述隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息，所述第一用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息。Based on the address of the second end point of the tunnel, send a first user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, where the first user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel.
根据权利要求16所述的隧道第一端点设备，其中，所述第一用户面消息为以下任一种：The tunnel first endpoint device according to claim 16, wherein the first user plane message is any of the following:

通用分组无线业务用户面隧道协议GTP-U信令消息； General Packet Radio Service User Plane Tunneling Protocol GTP-U signaling message;

基于服务化接口的用户面功能UPF服务；User plane function UPF service based on service interface;

用于隧道信息交换的第一报文消息。The first packet message used for tunnel information exchange.
根据权利要求17所述的隧道第一端点设备，其中，所述GTP-U信令消息为以下任一种：The tunnel first endpoint device according to claim 17, wherein the GTP-U signaling message is any of the following:

预留未使用的消息类型的信令消息；Reserving signaling messages of unused message types;

在消息类型上新增标志位的信令消息；Add a signaling message with a flag bit on the message type;

新的GTP-U拓展首部的信令消息。Signaling message of the new GTP-U extension header.
根据权利要求17所述的隧道第一端点设备，其中，所述基于服务化接口的UPF服务包括：The tunnel first endpoint device according to claim 17, wherein the UPF service based on the service interface includes:

所述隧道第一端点分配所述隧道信息后，通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点。After allocating the tunnel information, the first end point of the tunnel notifies the second end point of the tunnel through a Notify operation.
根据权利要求19所述的隧道第一端点设备，其中，所述通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点，包括：The tunnel first endpoint device according to claim 19, wherein the notifying the tunnel second endpoint through the Notify operation includes:

在网络功能实体通过Subscribe订阅隧道信息的情况下，通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点。In the case that the network function entity subscribes to the tunnel information through Subscribe, the second end point of the tunnel is notified through a Notify operation.
根据权利要求16至20任一所述的隧道第一端点设备，其中，所述第一用户面消息还包括第二会话标识，所述第二会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第二端点对应。The tunnel first endpoint device according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the first user plane message further includes a second session identifier, the second session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the tunnel second endpoint.
根据权利要求21所述的隧道第一端点设备，其中，所述向所述隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息之前，所述操作还包括：The tunnel first endpoint device according to claim 21, wherein before sending the first user plane message to the tunnel second endpoint, the operation further comprises:

接收网络功能实体发送的所述隧道第二端点的地址和/或所述第二会话标识。Receive the address of the second end point of the tunnel and/or the second session identifier sent by the network function entity.
根据权利要求21所述的隧道第一端点设备，其中，所述第二会话标识包括：The tunnel first endpoint device according to claim 21, wherein the second session identifier comprises:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第二端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the second endpoint of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID。Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID.
根据权利要求21所述的隧道第一端点设备，其中，在所述隧道第一端点为目标隧道新***端点的情况下，所述操作还包括：The tunnel first endpoint device according to claim 21, wherein, in the tunnel In the case where the first endpoint is a newly inserted endpoint of the target tunnel, the operation further includes:

接收网络功能实体发送的相关信息，所述相关信息包括一个或多个与所述目标隧道相关的关联隧道端点所对应的隧道信息。Receiving related information sent by the network function entity, where the related information includes tunnel information corresponding to one or more associated tunnel endpoints related to the target tunnel.
根据权利要求24所述的隧道第一端点设备，其中，所述相关信息还包括与所述目标隧道相关的关联隧道端点对应的地址和/或会话标识，所述会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话；The tunnel first endpoint device according to claim 24, wherein the relevant information further includes an address and/or a session identifier corresponding to an associated tunnel endpoint related to the target tunnel, and the session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs;

所述操作还包括：Said actions also include:

基于每个所述关联隧道端点对应的地址，向每个所述关联隧道端点发送用户面消息，所述用户面消息包括隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息，以及所述关联隧道端点对应的会话标识。Based on the address corresponding to each associated tunnel endpoint, send a user plane message to each associated tunnel endpoint, where the user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first tunnel endpoint and a session identifier corresponding to the associated tunnel endpoint.
根据权利要求16至20任一所述的隧道第一端点设备，其中，所述操作应用于N3接口和/或N9接口。The tunnel first endpoint device according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the operation is applied to the N3 interface and/or the N9 interface.
一种网络功能实体，包括存储器，收发机，处理器；其中：A network functional entity, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor; wherein:

存储器，用于存储计算机程序；收发机，用于在所述处理器的控制下收发数据；处理器，用于读取所述存储器中的计算机程序并执行以下操作：The memory is used to store computer programs; the transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; the processor is used to read the computer programs in the memory and perform the following operations:

向隧道第一端点发送第二会话标识和/或隧道第二端点的地址；sending the second session identifier and/or the address of the second end point of the tunnel to the first end point of the tunnel;

所述隧道第二端点的地址用于所述隧道第一端点向所述隧道第二端点发送用户面消息，所述用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息；所述第二会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第二端点对应。The address of the second end point of the tunnel is used by the first end point of the tunnel to send a user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, where the user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel; the second session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the second end point of the tunnel.
根据权利要求27所述的网络功能实体，其中，所述操作还包括以下任一或其组合：The network function entity according to claim 27, wherein the operation further comprises any of the following or a combination thereof:

接收所述隧道第一端点发送的所述隧道信息；receiving the tunnel information sent by the first endpoint of the tunnel;

向新***的隧道端点发送第一相关信息和第二相关信息；所述第一相关信息包括与所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息，所述第二相关信息包括与所述隧道第二端点对应的隧道信息。Sending first related information and second related information to a newly inserted tunnel endpoint; the first related information includes tunnel information corresponding to the first tunnel endpoint, and the second related information includes tunnel information corresponding to the tunnel second endpoint.
根据权利要求28所述的网络功能实体，其中，The network function entity according to claim 28, wherein,

所述第一相关信息还包括与所述隧道第一端点对应的地址和/或第一会话标识，所述第一会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第一端点对应；The first related information further includes an address corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel and/or a first A session identifier, the first session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the first end point of the tunnel;

所述第二相关信息还包括与所述隧道第二端点对应的地址和/或所述第二会话标识。The second related information further includes an address corresponding to the second end point of the tunnel and/or the second session identifier.
根据权利要求29所述的网络功能实体，其中，所述第二会话标识包括：The network function entity according to claim 29, wherein the second session identifier comprises:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识符N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第二端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the second end point of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID；Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID;

所述第一会话标识包括：The first session identifier includes:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第一端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the first endpoint of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID。Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID.
一种隧道信息发送装置，其中，应用于隧道第一端点，所述装置包括：A tunnel information sending device, wherein, applied to the first end point of the tunnel, the device includes:

第一发送单元，用于基于隧道第二端点的地址，向所述隧道第二端点发送第一用户面消息，所述第一用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息。The first sending unit is configured to send a first user plane message to the second tunnel end point based on the address of the second tunnel end point, where the first user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the tunnel first end point.
根据权利要求31所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述第一用户面消息为以下任一种：The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 31, wherein the first user plane message is any of the following:

通用分组无线业务用户面隧道协议GTP-U信令消息；General Packet Radio Service User Plane Tunneling Protocol GTP-U signaling message;

基于服务化接口的用户面功能UPF服务；User plane function UPF service based on service interface;

用于隧道信息交换的第一报文消息。The first packet message used for tunnel information exchange.
根据权利要求32所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述GTP-U信令消息为以下任一种：The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 32, wherein the GTP-U signaling message is any of the following:

预留未使用的消息类型的信令消息；Reserving signaling messages of unused message types;

在消息类型上新增标志位的信令消息；Add a signaling message with a flag bit on the message type;

新的GTP-U拓展首部的信令消息。 Signaling message of the new GTP-U extension header.
根据权利要求32所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述基于服务化接口的UPF服务包括：The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 32, wherein the UPF service based on the service interface includes:

所述隧道第一端点分配所述隧道信息后，通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点。After allocating the tunnel information, the first end point of the tunnel notifies the second end point of the tunnel through a Notify operation.
根据权利要求34所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点，包括：The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 34, wherein the notifying the second end point of the tunnel through the Notify operation includes:

在网络功能实体通过Subscribe订阅隧道信息的情况下，通过Notify操作通知所述隧道第二端点。In the case that the network function entity subscribes to the tunnel information through Subscribe, the second end point of the tunnel is notified through a Notify operation.
根据权利要求31至35任一所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述第一用户面消息还包括第二会话标识，所述第二会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第二端点对应。The device for sending tunnel information according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the first user plane message further includes a second session identifier, the second session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the second end point of the tunnel.
根据权利要求36所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述装置还包括第一接收单元，用于：The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 36, wherein the device further comprises a first receiving unit, configured to:

接收网络功能实体发送的所述隧道第二端点的地址和/或所述第二会话标识。Receive the address of the second end point of the tunnel and/or the second session identifier sent by the network function entity.
根据权利要求36所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述第二会话标识包括：The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 36, wherein the second session identifier comprises:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第二端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the second endpoint of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID。Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID.
根据权利要求36所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述装置的第一接收单元还用于：The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 36, wherein the first receiving unit of the device is also used for:

在所述隧道第一端点为目标隧道新***端点的情况下，接收网络功能实体发送的相关信息，所述相关信息包括一个或多个与所述目标隧道相关的关联隧道端点所对应的隧道信息。When the first end point of the tunnel is a newly inserted end point of the target tunnel, relevant information sent by the network function entity is received, where the relevant information includes tunnel information corresponding to one or more associated tunnel end points related to the target tunnel.
根据权利要求39所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述第一发送单元在所述相关信息还包括与所述目标隧道相关的关联隧道端点对应的地址和/或会话标识的情况下，基于每个所述关联隧道端点对应的地址，向每个所述关联隧道端点发送用户面消息，所述用户面消息包括隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息，以及所述关联隧道端点对应的会话标识；The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 39, wherein the first sending unit, in the case where the related information further includes addresses and/or session identifiers corresponding to associated tunnel endpoints related to the target tunnel, based on the address corresponding to each associated tunnel endpoint, sending a user plane message to each of the associated tunnel endpoints, where the user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first tunnel endpoint and a session identifier corresponding to the associated tunnel endpoint;

所述会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话。The session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs.
根据权利要求31至35任一所述隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述装置应用于N3接口和/或N9接口。The device for sending tunnel information according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the device is applied to an N3 interface and/or an N9 interface.
一种隧道信息发送装置，其中，应用于网络功能实体，所述装置包括：A device for sending tunnel information, wherein, applied to a network function entity, the device includes:

第二发送单元，用于向隧道第一端点发送第二会话标识和/或隧道第二端点的地址；The second sending unit is configured to send the second session identifier and/or the address of the second tunnel end point to the first end point of the tunnel;

所述隧道第二端点的地址用于所述隧道第一端点向所述隧道第二端点发送用户面消息，所述用户面消息包括所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息；所述第二会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第二端点对应。The address of the second end point of the tunnel is used by the first end point of the tunnel to send a user plane message to the second end point of the tunnel, where the user plane message includes tunnel information corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel; the second session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the second end point of the tunnel.
根据权利要求42所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述装置还包括第二接收单元，用于接收所述隧道第一端点发送的所述隧道信息；和/或，The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 42, wherein the device further comprises a second receiving unit configured to receive the tunnel information sent by the first end point of the tunnel; and/or,

所述第二发送单元，还用于向新***的隧道端点发送第一相关信息和第二相关信息；所述第一相关信息包括与所述隧道第一端点对应的隧道信息，所述第二相关信息包括与所述隧道第二端点对应的隧道信息。The second sending unit is further configured to send first related information and second related information to the newly inserted tunnel end point; the first related information includes tunnel information corresponding to the first end point of the tunnel, and the second related information includes tunnel information corresponding to the second end point of the tunnel.
根据权利要求43所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述第一相关信息还包括与所述隧道第一端点对应的地址和/或第一会话标识，所述第一会话标识用于区分所述隧道信息所属会话，且与所述隧道第一端点对应；The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 43, wherein the first related information further includes an address corresponding to the first endpoint of the tunnel and/or a first session identifier, the first session identifier is used to distinguish the session to which the tunnel information belongs, and corresponds to the first endpoint of the tunnel;

所述第二相关信息还包括与所述隧道第二端点对应的地址和/或所述第二会话标识。The second related information further includes an address corresponding to the second end point of the tunnel and/or the second session identifier.
根据权利要求44所述的隧道信息发送装置，其中，所述第二会话标识包括：The device for sending tunnel information according to claim 44, wherein the second session identifier comprises:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识符N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID 与所述隧道第二端点对应；或Network function entity identifier and N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponds to the second endpoint of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID；Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID;

所述第一会话标识包括：The first session identifier includes:

网络功能实体标识和N4会话标识N4 Session ID，所述N4 Session ID与所述隧道第一端点对应；或A network function entity identifier and an N4 session identifier N4 Session ID, the N4 Session ID corresponding to the first endpoint of the tunnel; or

永久身份标识SUPI和协议数据单元会话标识PDU Session ID。Permanent identity SUPI and protocol data unit session identifier PDU Session ID.
一种处理器可读存储介质，其中，所述处理器可读存储介质存储有计算机程序，所述计算机程序用于使所述处理器执行权利要求1至11任一项所述的隧道信息发送方法，或权利要求12至15任一项所述的隧道信息发送方法。 A processor-readable storage medium, wherein the processor-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and the computer program is used to enable the processor to execute the method for transmitting tunnel information according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method for transmitting tunnel information according to any one of claims 12 to 15.