Method and system for supporting network slice based on a request from a user

1. An access network communication apparatus comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising computer-executable instructions; and

at least one processor in communication with the non-transitory computer-readable memory, wherein the computer-executable instructions instruct the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

sending, to a core network node, a first message comprising identification information identifying a network slice, wherein the network slice is supported by a second access network node and the network slice is unsupported by the access network communication apparatus, wherein a dual-connection between the access network communication apparatus and the second access network node is established to serve a terminal device, and wherein the first message instructs the core network node to add the network slice supported by the second access network node to a first network slice set that comprises one or more network slices supported by the access network communication apparatus; and

receiving, from the core network node, a first response message responsive to the first message.

2. The access network communication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first network slice set is determined based on: (1) information associated with a network slice supported by the access network communication apparatus and information associated with a network slice supported by the second access network node, or (2) information associated with a network slice supported by the access network communication apparatus, information associated with the network slice supported by the second access network node, and information associated with a network slice that the terminal device requests to access or is allowed to access.

3. The access network communication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further instruct the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

forwarding, to the core network node, a second message sent by the terminal device, wherein the second message requests the core network node to configure service information corresponding to a network slice in a second network slice set, and the second network slice set comprises at least one network slice in the first network slice set;

receiving, a second response message sent by the core network node, wherein the second response message comprises the service information corresponding to the network slice in the second network slice set; and

sending, a third message to the second access network node, wherein the third message comprises service information corresponding to the network slice in the second network slice set and supported by the second access network node.

4. The access network communication apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further instruct the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving, a fourth message sent by the terminal device, wherein the fourth message comprises the identification information of the network slice supported by the second access network node, and the identification information is sent by the second access network node to the terminal device.

5. The access network communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first message is at least one of an NG setup request message, a gNB configuration update message, or a radio access network configuration update message.

6. A core network communication apparatus comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising computer-executable instructions; and

at least one processor in communication with the non-transitory computer-readable memory, wherein the computer-executable instructions instruct the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a first access network node, a first message comprising identification information identifying a network slice, wherein the network slice is supported by a second access network node and the network slice is unsupported by the first access network node wherein a dual-connection between the first access network node and the second access network node is established to serve a terminal device, and wherein the first message instructs the core network communication apparatus to add the network slice supported by the second access network node to a first network slice set that comprises one or more network slices supported by the first access network node; and

sending, to the first access network node, a first response message responsive to the first message.

7. The core network communication apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the first network slice set is determined based on: (1) information associated with a network slice supported by the first access network node and information associated with a network slice supported by the second access network node, or (2) the first network slice set is determined based on information associated with a network slice supported by the first access network node, information associated with the network slice supported by the second access network node, and information associated with a network slice that the terminal device requests to access or is allowed to access.

8. The core network communication apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further instruct the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving, a second message sent by the terminal device through the first access network node, wherein the second message requests the core network communication apparatus to configure service information corresponding to a network slice in a second network slice set, and the second network slice set comprises at least one network slice in the first network slice set; and

sending, a second response message to the first access network node, wherein the second response message comprises the service information corresponding to the network slice in the second network slice set.

9. The core network communication apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the first message is at least one of an NG setup request message, a gNB configuration update message, or a radio access network configuration update message.

10. A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable memory comprising computer-executable instructions; and

at least one processor in communication with the non-transitory computer-readable memory, wherein the computer-executable instructions instruct the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a first access network node, a first message comprising identification information identifying a network slice, wherein the network slice is supported by a second access network node and the network slice is unsupported by the first access network node wherein a dual-connection between the first access network node and the second access network node is established to serve a terminal device, and wherein the first message instructs the wireless communication apparatus to add the network slice to a first network slice set that comprises one or more network slices supported by the second access network node; and

sending, to a second access network node, a second message comprising a network slice identifier corresponding to the network slice supported by the first access network node.

11. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the first message is at least one of an NG setup request message, a gNB configuration update message, or a radio access network configuration update message.

12. A communication system, comprising:

a first access network node and a core network node;

the first access network node is configured to send, to the core network node, a first message comprising identification information identifying a network slice, wherein the network slice is supported by a second access network node and the network slice is unsupported by the first access network node, wherein a dual-connection between the first access network node and the second access network node is established to serve a terminal device, and wherein the message instructs the core network node to add the network slice supported by the second access network node to a first network slice set that comprises one or more network slices supported by the first access network node; and

the core network node is configured to send, to the first access network node, a response message responsive to the message.

13. The communication system according to claim 12 , wherein the first network slice set is determined based on: (1) information associated with a network slice supported by the first access network node and information associated with a network slice supported by the second access network node, or (2) the first network slice set is determined based on information associated with a network slice supported by the first access network node, information associated with the network slice supported by the second access network node, and information associated with a network slice that the terminal device requests to access or is allowed to access.

14. The communication system of claim 12 , wherein the first message is at least one of an NG setup request message, a gNB configuration update message, or a radio access network configuration update message.