TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to the field of mobile communications technologies, and in particular, to a slice information update method and an apparatus.

BACKGROUND

When at least one network slice is deployed in a core network, and a terminal initially attaches to the network, a network slice selection process is triggered. The network side selects, for the terminal based on information such as a network slice requested by the terminal and subscription data of the terminal, a network slice allowed to be accessed.

After selecting, for the terminal, the network slice allowed to be accessed, the network side notifies the terminal of the selected network slice. If the network side determines that the subscription data of the terminal includes network slices that are not supported by a public land mobile network (PLMN), the network side further notifies the terminal of the network slices that are not supported by the PLMN.

In the foregoing scenario, when a network slice that is not supported by the PLMN is updated to be supported by the PLMN, there is no corresponding solution for how the network side notifies the terminal and which terminals are notified.

SUMMARY

This application provides a slice information update method and an apparatus, to notify a corresponding terminal when a network slice not supported by a PLMN is updated to be supported by the PLMN.

According to a first aspect a slice information update method is disclosed. The method includes: a communications network element receives a notification message from a network slice selection network element, where the notification message includes identification information of a network slice, the notification message is used to indicate that a PLMN supports the network slice, and the PLMN once did not support the network slice. Then, the communications network element notifies a terminal that the PLMN supports the network slice, where the terminal is a terminal that failed to request the network slice and has subscribed to the network slice. The communications network element is a mobility management network element or a policy control network element.

In the foregoing method, when determining that the network slice that was once not supported by the PLMN is updated to be supported by the PLMN, the network slice selection network element sends the notification message to the communications network element. The notification message is used to indicate that the PLMN supports the network slice. Then, the communications network element notifies the terminal that subscribed to the network slice and failed to request the network slice that the PLMN currently supports the network slice. In this way, the corresponding terminal is enabled to learn that the PLMN currently supports the network slice, and the terminal may use the network slice when having a service requirement corresponding to the network slice. This helps improve a service capability of the terminal.

In a possible implementation, the communications network element may determine the terminal based on a context of the terminal.

In a possible implementation, the communications network element is a mobility management network element. The method further includes: adding, by the mobility management network element, the identification information of the network slice to a set of allowed network slices of the terminal. In this case, that the communications network element notifies a terminal that the PLMN supports the network slice specifically includes: sending, by the mobility management network element, an updated set of allowed network slices to the terminal. Further, the mobility management network element sends the indication information to the terminal, where the indication information is used to indicate that the PLMN supports the network slice.

For example, in a specific implementation, the mobility management network element sends a configuration update message to the terminal, where the configuration update message includes the updated set of allowed network slices. Optionally, the configuration update message further includes the indication information.

In the foregoing method, the mobility management network element notifies, by using the updated set of allowed network slices, the terminal that the PLMN supports the network slice.

In another possible implementation, the communications network element is a policy control network element. The method further includes: determining, by the policy control network element, a mobility management network element with which the terminal registers. That the communications network element notifies a terminal that the PLMN supports the network slice specifically includes: sending, by the policy control network element, the indication information to the terminal by using the mobility management network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that the PLMN supports the network slice. Optionally, the policy control network element further receives the identification information of the network slice, identification information of the mobility management network element, and identification information of the terminal that are sent by the mobility management network element.

In the foregoing implementation, the policy control network element sends the indication information to the terminal, to indicate that the PLMN supports the network slice.

According to a second aspect, a slice information update method is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a mobility management network element, an update message from a policy control network element, where the update message includes indication information and identification information of a terminal, the indication information is used to indicate that a public land mobile network (PLMN) supports a network slice, and the PLMN once did not support the network slice. Then, the mobility management network element notifies the terminal that the PLMN supports the network slice, where the terminal is a terminal that failed to request the network slice and has subscribed to the network slice.

In the foregoing method, when the mobility management network element receives the notification message from the policy control network element, where the notification message is used to indicate that the PLMN supports the network slice, the mobility management network element sends, to the terminal indicated in the notification message, a notification that the PLMN currently supports the network slice. In this way, the corresponding terminal is enabled to learn that the PLMN currently supports the network slice, and the terminal can use the network slice when having a service requirement corresponding to the network slice. This helps improve a service capability of the terminal.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: adding, by the mobility management network element, identification information of the network slice to a set of allowed network slices of the terminal. That the mobility management network element notifies the terminal that the PLMN supports the network slice specifically includes: sending, by the mobility management network element, an updated set of allowed network slices to the terminal. Optionally, the mobility management network element further sends the indication information to the terminal, where the indication information is used to indicate that the PLMN supports the network slice.

For example, in a specific implementation, the mobility management network element sends a configuration update message to the terminal, where the configuration update message includes the updated set of allowed network slices. Optionally, the configuration update message further includes the indication information.

In the foregoing method, the mobility management network element notifies, by using the updated set of allowed network slices, the terminal that the PLMN supports the network slice.

In a possible implementation, that the mobility management network element notifies the terminal that the PLMN supports the network slice specifically includes: sending, by the mobility management network element, a NAS message to the terminal, where the NAS message includes indication information.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, by the mobility management network element, identification information of the terminal, identification information of the mobility management network element, and the identification information of the network slice to the policy control network element.

According to a third aspect, a slice information update method is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a policy control network element, identification information of a terminal and identification information of a network slice that are from a mobility management network element, where the network slice is a network slice that is not supported in a current registration area of the terminal. Then, the policy control network element obtains, from a network slice selection network element, a service area corresponding to the network slice. If learning that the terminal moves to the service area, the policy control network element notifies the terminal that the network slice is available.

In the foregoing method, responsive to determining that the terminal moves to the service area corresponding to the network slice, the policy control network element notifies the terminal that the network slice is currently available. The network slice is a network slice that is not supported in an area in which the terminal is located before the terminal moves to the service area corresponding to the network slice. In this way, the corresponding terminal is notified that the network slice is currently available, and the terminal can use the network slice when having a service requirement corresponding to the network slice. This helps improve a service capability of the terminal.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending, by the policy control network element, to the mobility management network element, a subscription that, when a location of the terminal is updated, causes the mobility management network element to send an updated location of the terminal to the policy control network element.

In a possible implementation, that the policy control network element notifies the terminal that the network slice is currently available specifically includes: sending, by the policy control network element, the indication information to the terminal by using the mobility management network element, where the indication information is used to indicate that the network slice is available.

According to a fourth aspect, a slice information update method is disclosed. The method includes: determining, by a network slice selection network element, that a PLMN supports a network slice, where the PLMN once did not support the network slice. The method further includes sending, by the network slice selection network element, a notification message to a communications network element, where the notification message includes identification information of the network slice, and the notification message is used to indicate that the PLMN supports the network slice. The communications network element is a policy control network element or a mobility management network element.

In the foregoing method, responsive to determining that the network slice that was once not supported by the PLMN is updated to be supported by the PLMN, the network slice selection network element sends the notification message to the communications network element. The notification message is used to indicate that the PLMN supports the network slice. Then, the communications network element may notify the terminal that subscribed to the network slice and failed to request the network slice that the PLMN currently supports the network slice. In this way, the corresponding terminal is enabled to learn that the PLMN currently supports the network slice, and the terminal can use the network slice when having a service requirement corresponding to the network slice. This helps improve a service capability of the terminal.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving, by the network slice selection network element from the communications network element, a subscription that, when the PLMN supports the network slice, causes the network slice selection network element to notify the communications network element.

In a possible implementation, the method further includes: determining, by the network slice selection network element based on a slice type supported by the mobility management network element in the PLMN, that the mobility management network element supporting the network slice is the communications network element needing to send the notification message.

According to a fifth aspect, a slice information update method is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a mobility management network element, a notification message from a network slice selection network element, where the notification message includes identification information of a network slice and identification information of at least one tracking area, the network slice is available in the at least one tracking area, and the network slice was once unavailable in the at least one tracking area. The mobility management network element determines an updated set of allowed network slices, where the updated set of allowed network slices includes the identification information of the network slice, and a terminal is located in a registration area of the terminal and can access the network slice. The mobility management network element sends the updated set of allowed network slices to the terminal.

That the terminal can access the network slice means that the network slice is available in any tracking area in the registration area of the terminal.

In the foregoing method, responsive to determining that the network slice changes from unavailable to available in the at least one tracking area, the network slice selection network element sends the notification message to the mobility management network element. The notification message includes the identification information of the network slice and the identification information of the at least one tracking area. Then, the mobility management network element determines the updated set of allowed network slices, where the updated set of allowed network slices includes the identification information of the network slice; and the mobility management network element sends the updated set of allowed network slices to the terminal. In this way, the corresponding terminal is enabled to learn that the terminal currently can access the network slice, and the terminal can use the network slice when having a service requirement corresponding to the network slice. This helps improve a service capability of the terminal.

In a possible implementation, responsive to determining that the network slice is available in the registration area of the terminal, the mobility management network element determines that the terminal can access the network slice.

In a possible implementation, before receiving the notification message from the network slice selection network element, the mobility management network element further stores a set of rejected network slices of the terminal, where the set of rejected network slices includes the identification information of the network slice.

In a possible implementation, before sending the updated set of allowed network slices to the terminal, the mobility management network element further receives a registration request message from the terminal, where the registration request message includes the identification information of the network slice.

In a possible implementation, that the mobility management network element sends the updated set of allowed network slices to the terminal specifically includes: sending, by the mobility management network element, a registration accept message to the terminal, where the registration accept message includes the updated set of allowed network slices.

According to a sixth aspect, a slice information update method is disclosed. The method includes: receiving, by a terminal and from a mobility management network element, a set of allowed network slices and a set of rejected network slices that are of the terminal, where the set of rejected network slices includes identification information of a network slice, and the terminal is located in a registration area of the terminal. The terminal sends a registration request message to the mobility management network element, where the registration request message includes the identification information of the network slice. The terminal receives an updated set of allowed network slices from the mobility management network element, where the updated set of allowed network slices includes the identification information of the network slice, the network slice is available in the registration area of the terminal, and the network slice was once unavailable in the registration area of the terminal.

In the foregoing method, the terminal may add, to the registration request message, the identification information of the network slice that the terminal was rejected to access. If determining that the terminal currently supports the network slice, the mobility management network element adds the identification information of the network slice to the updated set of allowed network slices, and sends the updated set of allowed network slices to the terminal, so that the terminal can subsequently use the network slice. In this way, the corresponding terminal is enabled to learn that the terminal currently can access the network slice, and the terminal can use the network slice when having a service requirement corresponding to the network slice. This helps improve a service capability of the terminal.

In a possible implementation, that the terminal receives an updated set of allowed network slices from the mobility management network element specifically includes: receiving, by the terminal, a registration accept message from the mobility management network element, where the registration accept message includes the updated set of allowed network slices.

According to a seventh aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may be a communications network element, or may be a chip, and the communications network element may be a mobility management network element or a policy control network element. The apparatus has functions of implementing various embodiments of the first aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or the software includes one or more modules corresponding to the foregoing functions.

According to an eighth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions. When the apparatus runs, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, to enable the apparatus to perform any slice information update method in the first aspect.

According to a ninth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may be a mobility management network element, or may be a chip. The apparatus has functions of implementing various embodiments of the second aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or the software includes one or more modules corresponding to the foregoing functions.

According to a tenth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions. When the apparatus runs, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, to enable the apparatus to perform any slice information update method in the second aspect.

According to an eleventh aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may be a policy control network element, or may be a chip. The apparatus has functions of implementing various embodiments of the third aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or the software includes one or more modules corresponding to the foregoing functions.

According to a twelfth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions. When the apparatus runs, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, to enable the apparatus to perform any slice information update method in the third aspect.

According to a thirteenth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may be a network slice selection network element, or may be a chip. The apparatus has functions of implementing various embodiments of the fourth aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or the software includes one or more modules corresponding to the foregoing functions.

According to a fourteenth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions. When the apparatus runs, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, to enable the apparatus to perform any slice information update method in the fourth aspect.

According to a fifteenth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may be a mobility management network element, or may be a chip. The apparatus has functions for implementing various embodiments of the fifth aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or the software includes one or more modules corresponding to the foregoing functions.

According to a sixteenth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer-executable instructions. When the apparatus runs, the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, to enable the apparatus to perform any slice information update method in the fifth aspect.

According to a seventeenth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus may be a terminal, or may be a chip. The apparatus has functions for implementing various embodiments of the sixth aspect. The functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or the software includes one or more modules corresponding to the foregoing functions.

According to an eighteenth aspect, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer-executable instruction. When the apparatus runs, the processor executes the computer-executable instruction stored in the memory, to enable the apparatus to perform any slice information update method in the sixth aspect.

According to a nineteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is disclosed. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are run on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to each of the foregoing aspects.

According to a twentieth aspect, this application further provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product runs on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the method according to each of the foregoing aspects.

According to a twenty-first aspect, a system is disclosed. The system includes the apparatus according to the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect, and the apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect or the fourteenth aspect.

According to a twenty-second aspect, a system is disclosed. The system includes the apparatus according to the ninth aspect or the tenth aspect, and the apparatus according to the thirteenth aspect or the fourteenth aspect.

According to a twenty-third aspect, a system is disclosed. The system includes the apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, and the apparatus according to the seventeenth aspect or the eighteenth aspect.

