Charging method, control plane network element, forwarding plane network element, and charging system

Abstract

A charging method is provided. The method includes the following: A forwarding plane network element sends forwarding plane charging statistics to a charging system when the forwarding plane charging statistics meet a preset charging trigger condition, and may further send a charging context identifier to the charging system; the charging system actively sends control plane charging request information to a control plane network element after receiving the forwarding plane charging statistics; the control plane network element sends control plane charging information to the charging system after receiving the request information, and may further send the charging context identifier; and the charging system associates the forwarding plane charging statistics with the control plane charging information based on the charging context identifier, and performs charging processing.

Claims

1. A charging method comprising: collecting, by a forwarding plane network element, forwarding plane charging statistics; when the forwarding plane charging statistics meet a preset charging trigger condition, sending, by the forwarding plane network element, the forwarding plane charging statistics to a charging apparatus using an interface between the forwarding plane network element and the charging apparatus, wherein the forwarding plane charging statistics are used by the charging apparatus for a charging processing; and sending, by the forwarding plane network element, a charging context identifier to the charging apparatus for associating the control plane charging information and the forwarding plane charging statistics, wherein the charging context identifier comprises one or more of the following: a service flow identifier, IP information of a service flow, a charging group and a rate identifier associated with one or more to-be-charged service flows.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein before sending the forwarding plane charging statistics, the method further comprises: receiving, by the forwarding plane network element, a request for collecting the charging statistics from the charging apparatus.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the request carries at least control plane charging information.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: sending, by the forwarding plane network element, the control plane charging information to the charging apparatus.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the forwarding plane network element, a charging rule from the charging apparatus; wherein collecting the forwarding plane charging statistics comprises: collecting, by the forwarding plane network element, the charging statistics based on the charging rule.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the charging processing comprises offline charging data record (CDR) generation, or online charging quota authorization.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: sending, by the forwarding plane network element, the charging context identifier to the charging apparatus, wherein the charging context identifier comprises at least one of the service flow identifier, IP information of the service flow, the charging group or the rate identifier associated with the one or more to-be-charged service flows, and the charging context identifier is used for association between the control plane charging information and the forwarding plane charging statistics.

8. A charging method comprising: receiving, by a charging apparatus, forwarding plane charging statistics from a forwarding plane network element using an interface between the forwarding plane network element and the charging apparatus; receiving, by the charging apparatus, a charging context identifier from the forwarding plane network element or the control plane network element, wherein the charging context identifier comprises one or more of the following: a service flow identifier, IP information of a service flow, a charging group and a rate identifier associated with one or more to-be-charged service flows; associating, by the charging apparatus, the forwarding plane charging statistics with the control plane charging information based on the charging context identifier; and performing, by the charging apparatus, a charging process based on the forwarding plane charging statistics and control plane charging information.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein before receiving the forwarding plane charging statistics, the method further comprises: receiving, by the charging apparatus, a control plane message from a control plane network element; and in response to the control plane message, sending, by the charging apparatus, a request for collecting the forwarding plane charging statistics to the forwarding plane network element.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the control plane message carries the control plane charging information.

11. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: receiving, by the charging apparatus, the control plane charging information from the forwarding plane network element.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein after receiving the forwarding plane charging statistics, the method further comprises: sending, by the charging apparatus, a request for the control plane charging information to the control plane network element; and receiving, by the charging apparatus, the control plane charging information from the control plane network element.

13. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: sending, by the charging apparatus, a charging rule to the forwarding plane network element.

14. A charging method comprising: detecting, by a control plane network element, that control plane charging information changes; sending, by the control plane network element in response to the detection, the changed control plane charging information to a charging apparatus using an interface between the control plane network element and the charging apparatus, wherein the control plane charging information is used by the charging apparatus for a charging processing; and sending, by the control plane network element, a charging context identifier to the charging apparatus for associating the control plane charging information and the forwarding plane charging statistics, wherein the charging context identifier comprises one or more of the following: a service flow identifier, IP information of a service flow, a charging group and a rate identifier associated with one or more to-be-charged service flows.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: sending, by the control plane network element, a first control plane message to the forwarding plane network element, wherein the first control plane message triggers transmission of forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging apparatus.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: sending, by the control plane network element, a second control plane message to the charging apparatus in response to the detection, wherein the second control plane message triggers a request of the forwarding plane charging statistics.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein before sending the control plane charging information to the charging apparatus, the method further comprises: receiving, by the control plane network element, a request for the control plane charging information from the charging apparatus.

18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: sending, by the control plane network element, the charging context identifier to the charging apparatus, wherein the charging context identifier comprises at least one of the service flow identifier, IP information of the service flow, the charging group or the rate identifier associated with the one or more to-be-charged service flows, and the charging context identifier is used for association between the control plane charging information and the forwarding plane charging statistics.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) To describe embodiments of the present invention more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of the present invention, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a charging method according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are a schematic flowchart of a charging method according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are a schematic flowchart of a charging method according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a charging method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a forwarding plane network element according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another forwarding plane network element according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a charging system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another charging system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention;

(10) FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a control plane network element according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; and

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another control plane network element according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(12) The following clearly describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

(13) This section first describes some basic concepts used in the embodiments of the present invention.

(14) A control plane network element is a network element that is responsible for mobility management, session management, forwarding path management, or charging measurement management in a mobile network, for example, a mobility management entity (MME), a GW-C, a PCRF, or all or a part of a mobile gateway controller formed by combining the network element and an SDN controller.

(15) A forwarding plane network element is a network element that performs a data forwarding action, and may be a physical or virtual forwarding device such as a packet data network gateway (P-GW), a serving gateway (S-GW), a forwarding plane of the P-GW/S-GW, a router, a switch, or an SDN switch.

(16) A charging system is responsible for obtaining and consolidating charging information, CDR generation, and charging credit control, and providing a charging function.

(17) The charging system may be classified into an OFCS and an OCS depending on whether charging is performed in real time.

(18) In the present invention, an interface between the forwarding plane network element and the charging system may be added, so that a report of forwarding plane charging statistics is directly sent from the forwarding plane network element to the charging system, thereby reducing a charging delay. The following separately uses the embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 for description.

(19) Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a schematic flowchart of a charging method according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A scenario described in this embodiment of the present invention is as follows: In a case of offline charging, a forwarding plane network element triggers reporting of forwarding plane charging statistics. The charging method shown in FIG. 1 may include the following steps.

(20) S101. Optionally, a charging system delivers a charging rule to the forwarding plane network element.

(21) It should be noted that the charging system may deliver the charging rule to the forwarding plane network element periodically or under a specific condition, for example, the charging rule changes, or charging processing needs to be performed on a user.

(22) It should be further noted that, alternatively, the charging rule may be delivered by a control plane network element to the forwarding plane network element.

(23) S102. The forwarding plane network element receives the charging rule.

(24) S103. The forwarding plane network element collects charging statistics based on the charging rule.

(25) S104. The forwarding plane network element sends the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system when the forwarding plane charging statistics meet a preset charging trigger condition.

(26) It should be noted that, in a case of online charging, the forwarding plane charging statistics are used to apply to the charging system for a new quota.

(27) Optionally, the forwarding plane network element may further send a charging context identifier to the charging system when the forwarding plane charging statistics meet the preset charging trigger condition.

(28) S105. The charging system receives the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(29) If the forwarding plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the charging system further receives the charging context identifier.

(30) S106. Optionally, the charging system sends control plane charging request information to a control plane network element.

(31) When there is no control plane charging information corresponding to the charging context identifier in the charging system, step S106 is performed; or when there is control plane charging information corresponding to the charging context identifier in the charging system, step S110 is directly performed.

(32) Optionally, in addition to sending the control plane request information to the control plane network element, the charging system may further send the charging context identifier to the control plane network element.

(33) S107. The control plane network element receives the control plane charging request information.

(34) If the charging system sends the charging context identifier, the control plane network element further receives the charging context identifier.

(35) S108. The control plane network element sends the control plane charging information to the charging system based on the control plane charging request information.

(36) Optionally, the control plane network element may further send the charging context identifier to the charging system based on the control plane charging request information.

(37) S109. The charging system receives the control plane charging information.

(38) If the control plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the charging system further receives the charging context identifier.

(39) S110. The charging system performs charging processing based on the forwarding plane charging statistics and the control plane charging information.

(40) Optionally, the charging system may associate the forwarding plane charging statistics with the control plane charging information based on the charging context identifier, and then perform the charging processing.

(41) Further, in a case of online charging, the charging system further sends quota authorization information to the forwarding plane network element after completing the charging processing. The quota authorization information may be an quota authorization parameter.

(42) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an interface between the forwarding plane network element and the charging system is added, so that the forwarding plane network element can directly report the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system, thereby reducing a charging delay.

(43) Referring to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are a schematic flowchart of a charging method according to a second embodiment of the present invention. A scenario described in this embodiment of the present invention is as follows: In a case of offline charging, a control plane network element triggers reporting of forwarding plane charging statistics. The charging method shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B may include the following steps.

(44) S201. Optionally, a charging system delivers a charging rule to a forwarding plane network element.

(45) It should be noted that, alternatively, the charging rule may be delivered by the control plane network element to the forwarding plane network element.

(46) S202. The forwarding plane network element receives the charging rule.

(47) S203. The forwarding plane network element collects charging statistics based on the charging rule.

(48) S204. The control plane network element sends a first control plane message to the charging system when control plane charging information changes.

(49) Optionally, the first control plane message may further include the control plane charging information before the change and/or control plane charging information after the change.

(50) Optionally, the control plane network element may further send a charging context identifier to the charging system when the control plane charging information changes. The charging context identifier may be carried in the first control plane message.

(51) S205. The charging system receives the first control plane message.

(52) If the control plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the charging system further receives the charging context identifier.

(53) S206. The charging system sends charging statistics collection request information to the forwarding plane network element based on the first control plane message.

(54) It should be noted that, in a case of online charging, the charging system may further notify, based on the first control plane message, the forwarding plane network element that the forwarding plane charging changes. The forwarding plane charging statistics are used to apply to the charging system for a new quota.

(55) Optionally, the charging system may further send the charging context identifier to the forwarding plane network element based on the first control plane message.

(56) S207. The forwarding plane network element receives the charging statistics collection request information.

(57) If the charging system sends the charging context identifier, the forwarding plane network element further receives the charging context identifier.

(58) S208. The forwarding plane network element sends the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system based on the charging statistics collection request information.

(59) Optionally, the forwarding plane network element may further send the charging context identifier of the forwarding plane network element to the charging system based on the charging statistics collection request information.

(60) S209. The charging system receives the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(61) If the forwarding plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the charging system further receives the charging context identifier.

(62) S210. Optionally, the charging system sends control plane charging request information to the control plane network element based on the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(63) It should be noted that, if the first control plane message sent by the control plane network element to the charging system carries the control plane charging information in S204, the charging system may directly perform S214 after receiving the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(64) Optionally, the charging system may further send the charging context identifier to the control plane network element based on the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(65) S211. The control plane network element receives the control plane charging request information.

(66) If the charging system sends the charging context identifier, the control plane network element further receives the charging context identifier.

(67) S212. The control plane network element sends the control plane charging information to the charging system based on the control plane charging request information.

(68) Optionally, the control plane network element may further send the charging context identifier to the charging system based on the control plane charging request information.

(69) S213. The charging system receives the control plane charging information.

(70) If the control plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the charging system further receives the charging context identifier.

(71) S214. The charging system performs charging processing based on the forwarding plane charging statistics and the control plane charging information.

(72) Optionally, the charging system may further associate the forwarding plane charging statistics with the control plane charging information based on the charging context identifier, and then perform the charging processing.

(73) Further, in a case of online charging, the charging system further sends quota authorization information to the forwarding plane network element after completing the charging processing. The quota authorization information may be an quota authorization parameter.

(74) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, an interface between the forwarding plane network element and the charging system is added, so that the forwarding plane network element can directly report the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system, thereby reducing a charging delay.

(75) Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are a schematic flowchart of a charging method according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A scenario described in this embodiment of the present invention is as follows: In a case of offline charging, a control plane network element triggers reporting of forwarding plane charging statistics. The charging method shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B may include the following steps.

(76) S301. Optionally, a charging system delivers a charging rule to a forwarding plane network element.

(77) It should be noted that, alternatively, the charging rule may be delivered by the control plane network element to the forwarding plane network element.

(78) S302. The forwarding plane network element receives the charging rule.

(79) S303. The forwarding plane network element collects charging statistics based on the charging rule.

(80) S304. The control plane network element sends a second control plane message to the forwarding plane network element when control plane charging information changes.

(81) Optionally, the control plane network element may further send a charging context identifier to the forwarding plane network element when the control plane charging information changes. The charging context identifier may be carried in the second control plane message.

(82) S305. The forwarding plane network element receives the second control plane message.

(83) If the control plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the forwarding plane network element further receives the charging context identifier.

(84) S306. The forwarding plane network element sends the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system based on the second control plane message.

(85) It should be noted that, in a case of online charging, the forwarding plane charging statistics sent by the forwarding plane network element are used to apply to the charging system for a new quota.

(86) Optionally, the second control plane message may carry the control plane charging information before the change and/or control plane charging information after the change. If the second control plane message carries the control plane charging information before the change and/or the control plane charging information after the change, the forwarding plane network element further sends the control plane charging information to the charging system.

(87) Optionally, the forwarding plane network element may further send the charging context identifier of the forwarding plane network element to the charging system based on the second control plane message.

(88) S307. The charging system receives the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(89) If the forwarding plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the charging system further receives the charging context identifier.

(90) S308. Optionally, the charging system sends control plane charging request information to the control plane network element based on the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(91) It should be noted that, if the second control plane message sent by the control plane network element to the forwarding plane network element carries the control plane charging information in S304, the forwarding plane network element sends the forwarding plane charging statistics and the control plane charging information to the charging system in S306, and the charging system may directly perform step S312 after receiving the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(92) Optionally, the charging system may further send the charging context identifier to the control plane network element based on the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(93) S309. The control plane network element receives the control plane charging request information.

(94) If the charging system sends the charging context identifier, the control plane network element further receives the charging context identifier.

(95) S310. The control plane network element sends the control plane charging information to the charging system based on the control plane charging request information.

(96) Optionally, the control plane network element may further send the charging context identifier to the charging system based on the control plane charging request information.

(97) S311. The charging system receives the control plane charging information.

(98) If the control plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the charging system further receives the charging context identifier.

(99) S312. The charging system performs charging processing based on the forwarding plane charging statistics and the control plane charging information.

(100) Optionally, the charging system may further associate the forwarding plane charging statistics with the control plane charging information based on the charging context identifier, and then perform the charging processing.

(101) Further, in a case of online charging, the charging system further sends quota authorization information to the forwarding plane network element after completing the charging processing. The quota authorization information may be an quota authorization parameter.

(102) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, an interface between the forwarding plane network element and the charging system is added, so that the forwarding plane network element can directly report the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system, thereby reducing a charging delay.

(103) Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a charging method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. A scenario described in this embodiment of the present invention is as follows: In a case of offline charging, a control plane network element triggers reporting of forwarding plane charging statistics. The charging method shown in FIG. 4 may include the following steps.

(104) S401. Optionally, a charging system delivers a charging rule to a forwarding plane network element.

(105) It should be noted that, alternatively, the charging rule may be delivered by the control plane network element to the forwarding plane network element.

(106) S402. The forwarding plane network element receives the charging rule.

(107) S403. The forwarding plane network element collects charging statistics based on the charging rule.

(108) S404. The control plane network element sends a second control plane message to the forwarding plane network element when control plane charging information changes.

(109) Optionally, the control plane network element may further send a charging context identifier to the forwarding plane network element when the control plane charging information changes. The charging context identifier may be carried in the second control plane message.

(110) S405. The control plane network element sends the control plane charging information to the charging system when the control plane charging information changes.

(111) It should be noted that there is no strict performing sequence between S404 and S405, or S404 and S405 may be simultaneously performed. This is not limited in the present invention.

(112) It should be further noted that the control plane network element may further send the charging context identifier to the charging system when the control plane charging information changes.

(113) S406. The forwarding plane network element receives the second control plane message.

(114) If the control plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the forwarding plane network element further receives the charging context identifier.

(115) S407. The forwarding plane network element sends the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system based on the second control plane message.

(116) Optionally, the second control plane message may carry the control plane charging information before the change and/or control plane charging information after the change. If the second control plane message carries the control plane charging information before the change and/or the control plane charging information after the change, in addition to sending the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system, the forwarding plane network element further needs to send the control plane charging information.

(117) In a case of online charging, the forwarding plane charging statistics sent to the charging system by the forwarding plane network element after receiving the second control plane message are used to apply to the charging system for a new quota.

(118) Optionally, the forwarding plane network element may further send the charging context identifier to the charging system based on the second control plane message.

(119) S408. The charging system receives the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(120) If the forwarding plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the charging system further receives the charging context identifier.

(121) S409. The charging system receives the control plane charging information.

(122) If the control plane network element sends the charging context identifier, the charging system further receives the charging context identifier.

(123) S410. The charging system performs charging processing based on the forwarding plane charging statistics and the control plane charging information.

(124) Optionally, the charging system may further associate the forwarding plane charging statistics with the control plane charging information based on the charging context identifier, and then perform the charging processing.

(125) Further, in a case of online charging, the charging system further sends quota authorization information to the forwarding plane network element after completing the charging processing. The quota authorization information may be an quota authorization parameter.

(126) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, an interface between the forwarding plane network element and the charging system is added, so that the forwarding plane network element can directly report the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system, thereby reducing a charging delay.

(127) Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a forwarding plane network element according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the forwarding plane network element 5 may include at least a processing module 51 and a sending module 52.

(128) The processing module 51 is configured to collect charging statistics.

(129) The sending module 52 is configured to send forwarding plane charging statistics to a charging system, so that the charging system performs charging processing based on the forwarding plane charging statistics and control plane charging information.

(130) In an optional implementation, the forwarding plane charging statistics are sent by the forwarding plane network element when the forwarding plane charging statistics meet a preset charging trigger condition.

(131) In another optional implementation, the forwarding plane network element 5 may further include a receiving module 53, configured to receive charging statistics collection request information sent by the charging system. The sending module 52 sends the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system after the receiving module 53 receives the charging statistics collection request information sent by the charging system. The charging statistics collection request information is sent by the charging system after receiving a first control plane message sent by a control plane network element.

(132) Optionally, the first control plane message further includes the control plane charging information before the change and/or control plane charging information after the change.

(133) In still another optional implementation, the forwarding plane network element 5 may further include a receiving module 53, configured to receive a second control plane message sent by a control plane network element, where the second control plane message is sent by the control plane network element when the control plane charging information changes, and the forwarding plane network element sends the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system after receiving the second control plane message.

(134) Optionally, the second control plane message may carry the control plane charging information before the change and/or control plane charging information after the change. If the second control plane message carries the control plane charging information before the change and/or the control plane charging information after the change, the sending module 52 is further configured to send the control plane charging information to the charging system.

(135) Optionally, the control plane charging information is obtained by the charging system by sending a request to the control plane network element after receiving the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(136) Further, the receiving module 53 is further configured to receive a charging rule sent by the charging system, where the processing module 51 may collect charging statistics based on the charging rule.

(137) The charging processing includes offline charging CDR generation, or online charging quota authorization.

(138) The forwarding plane network element may further send a charging context identifier to the charging system, so that the charging system associates the forwarding plane charging statistics with the control plane charging information based on the charging context identifier of the forwarding plane network element and the charging context identifier of the control plane network element, where the charging context identifier includes at least one of a service flow identifier, IP information of a service flow, or a charging group or a rate identifier associated with one or more to-be-charged service flows.

(139) The charging context identifier sent by the control plane network element may be carried in the first or second control plane message.

(140) It should be noted that a function of each function module of the forwarding plane network element 5 in this embodiment may be implemented according to the methods in the foregoing method embodiments, and may be corresponding to related descriptions in the method embodiments in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. Details are not described herein again.

(141) Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of another forwarding plane network element according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the forwarding plane network element 6 may include: at least one processor 61, at least one communications bus 62, a memory 63, a receiver 64, and a transmitter 65. The communications bus 62 is configured to implement connection and communication between these components. The memory 63 may be a high-speed RAM memory or a non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk memory. Optionally, the memory 63 may alternatively be at least one storage apparatus far away from the processor 61.

(142) It can be understood that in this implementation, a function implemented by the forwarding plane network element 6 may be implemented according to the methods in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, and may be corresponding to related descriptions in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B to FIG. 6. Details are not described herein again.

(143) Referring to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a charging system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the charging system 7 may include at least a receiving module 71 and a processing module 72.

(144) The receiving module 71 is configured to receive forwarding plane charging statistics sent by a forwarding plane network element.

(145) The processing module 72 is configured to perform charging processing based on the forwarding plane charging statistics and control plane charging information.

(146) In an optional implementation, the forwarding plane charging statistics are sent by the forwarding plane network element when the forwarding plane charging statistics meet a preset charging trigger condition.

(147) The charging system 7 further includes a sending module 73, configured to send control plane charging request information to a control plane network element if the charging system has no control plane charging information corresponding to the charging context identifier. The receiving module 71 is further configured to receive the control plane charging information sent by the control plane network element.

(148) In another optional implementation, the charging system 7 may further include a sending module 73. The receiving module 71 may further receive a first control plane message sent by the control plane network element, where the first control plane message is sent by the control plane network element when the control plane charging information changes. The sending module 73 sends charging statistics collection request information to the forwarding plane network element, so that the forwarding plane network element sends the forwarding plane charging statistics based on the charging statistics collection request information.

(149) Optionally, the first control plane message carries the control plane charging information before the change and/or control plane charging information after the change. If the first control plane message carries the control plane charging information before the change and/or the control plane charging information after the change, the receiving module 71 is further configured to receive the control plane charging information sent by the forwarding plane network element; or if the first control plane message does not carry the control plane charging information before the change and/or the control plane charging information after the change, the sending module 73 is further configured to send the control plane charging request information to the control plane network element, and the receiving module 71 is further configured to receive the control plane charging information sent by the control plane network element.

(150) In still another optional implementation, the forwarding plane charging statistics are sent by the forwarding plane network element after receiving a second control plane message sent by a control plane network element.

(151) Optionally, the second control plane message may carry the control plane charging information before the change and/or control plane charging information after the change. If the second control plane message carries the control plane charging information before the change and/or the control plane charging information after the change, the receiving module 71 is further configured to receive the control plane charging information sent by the forwarding plane network element; or if the second control plane message does not carry the control plane charging information before the change and/or the control plane charging information after the change, the sending module 73 is further configured to send the control plane charging request information to the control plane network element, and the receiving module 71 is further configured to receive the control plane charging information sent by the control plane network element.

(152) Further, the receiving module 71 is further configured to receive the control plane charging information sent by the control plane network element, where the control plane charging information is sent by the control plane network element when the control plane charging information changes.

(153) Still further, the sending module 73 is further configured to send a charging rule to the forwarding plane network element.

(154) The charging processing includes offline charging CDR generation, or online charging quota authorization.

(155) The receiving module 71 may further receive the charging context identifier sent by the forwarding plane network element and the control plane network element. The processing module 71 is further configured to associate the forwarding plane charging statistics with the control plane charging information based on the charging context identifier of the forwarding plane network element and the control plane network element.

(156) The charging context identifier sent by the control plane network element may be carried in the first or second control plane message.

(157) The charging context identifier includes at least one of a service flow identifier, IP information of a service flow, or a charging group or a rate identifier associated with one or more to-be-charged service flows.

(158) It should be noted that a function of each function module of the charging system 7 in this embodiment may be implemented according to the methods in the foregoing method embodiments, and may be corresponding to related descriptions in the method embodiments in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. Details are not described herein again.

(159) Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another charging system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the charging system 8 may include: at least one processor 81, at least one communications bus 82, a memory 83, a receiver 84, and a transmitter 85. The communications bus 82 is configured to implement connection and communication between these components. The memory 83 may be a high-speed RAM memory or a non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk memory. Optionally, the memory 83 may alternatively be at least one storage apparatus far away from the processor 81.

(160) It can be understood that in this implementation, a function implemented by the charging system 8 may be implemented according to the methods in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, and may be corresponding to related descriptions in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. Details are not described herein again.

(161) Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a control plane network element according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the control plane network element 9 may include at least a sending module 91.

(162) The sending module 91 is configured to send control plane charging information to a charging system, so that the charging system performs charging processing based on the control plane charging information and forwarding plane charging statistics.

(163) The forwarding plane charging statistics are sent by a forwarding plane network element to the charging system.

(164) In an optional implementation, the control plane network element 9 may further include a processing module 92. The processing module 92 is configured to determine whether the control plane charging information changes. The sending module 91 is configured to: when the control plane charging information changes, send the control plane charging information to the charging system, and send a second control plane message to the forwarding plane network element, so that the forwarding plane network element sends the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system based on the second control plane message.

(165) In another optional implementation, the control plane network element 9 may further include a processing module 92. The processing module 92 is configured to determine whether the control plane charging information changes. The sending module 91 is configured to send a first control plane message to the charging system when the control plane charging information changes, so that the charging system requests the forwarding plane network element to obtain the forwarding plane charging statistics based on the first control plane message.

(166) Optionally, the control plane network element 9 may further include a receiving module 93, configured to receive the control plane charging request information sent by the charging system. The sending module 91 sends the control plane charging information to the charging system after the receiving module 93 receives the control plane charging request information sent by the charging system, where the control plane charging request information is sent by the charging system after receiving the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(167) Optionally, the control plane charging information includes the control plane charging information before the change and/or control plane charging information after the change.

(168) In still another optional implementation, the control plane network element 9 may further include a processing module 92. The processing module 92 is configured to determine whether the control plane charging information changes. The sending module 91 is configured to send a second control plane message to the forwarding plane network element when the control plane charging information changes, so that the forwarding plane network element sends the forwarding plane charging statistics to the charging system based on the second control plane message.

(169) Optionally, the control plane network element 9 may further include a receiving module 93, configured to receive the control plane charging request information sent by the charging system. The sending module 91 sends the control plane charging information to the charging system after the receiving module 93 receives the control plane charging request information sent by the charging system, where the control plane charging request information is sent by the charging system after receiving the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(170) Optionally, the control plane charging information includes the control plane charging information before the change and/or control plane charging information after the change.

(171) In still another optional implementation, the forwarding plane charging statistics are sent by the forwarding plane network element when the forwarding plane charging statistics meet a preset charging trigger condition.

(172) Optionally, the control plane network element 9 may further include a receiving module 93, configured to receive the control plane charging request information sent by the charging system. The sending module 91 sends the control plane charging information to the charging system after the receiving module 93 receives the control plane charging request information sent by the charging system, where the control plane charging request information is sent by the charging system after receiving the forwarding plane charging statistics.

(173) The charging processing includes offline charging CDR generation, or online charging quota authorization.

(174) The forwarding plane network element may further send a charging context identifier to the charging system, and the first or second control plane message may carry the charging context identifier, so that the charging system associates the forwarding plane charging statistics with the control plane charging information based on the charging context identifier of the forwarding plane network element and the control plane network element, where the charging context identifier includes at least one of a service flow identifier, IP information of a service flow, or a charging group or a rate identifier associated with one or more to-be-charged service flows.

(175) It should be noted that a function of each function module of the control plane network element 9 in this embodiment may be implemented according to the methods in the foregoing method embodiments, and may be corresponding to related descriptions in the method embodiments in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. Details are not described herein again.

(176) Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another control plane network element according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the control plane network element 10 may include: at least one processor 101, at least one communications bus 102, a memory 103, a receiver 104, and a transmitter 105. The communications bus 102 is configured to implement connection and communication between these components. The memory 103 may be a high-speed RAM memory or a non-volatile memory, such as at least one magnetic disk memory. Optionally, the memory 103 may alternatively be at least one storage apparatus far away from the processor 101.

(177) It can be understood that in this implementation, a function implemented by the control plane network element 10 may be implemented according to the methods in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, and may be corresponding to related descriptions in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. Details are not described herein again.

(178) A person of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or some of the processes of the methods in the embodiments may be implemented by a computer program instructing relevant hardware. The program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. When the program runs, the processes of the methods in the embodiments are performed. The foregoing storage medium may include: a magnetic disk, an optical disc, a read-only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM).

(179) What is disclosed above is merely example embodiments of the present invention, and certainly is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, equivalent variations made in accordance with the claims of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.