10 Group management
23.4343GPPFunctional architecture and information flowsRelease 18Service Enabler Architecture Layer for Verticals (SEAL)TS
10.1 General
The group management is a SEAL service that offers the group management related capabilities to one or more vertical applications.
10.2 Functional model for group management
10.2.1 General
The functional model for the group management is based on the generic functional model specified in clause 6. It is organized into functional entities to describe a functional architecture which addresses the support for group management aspects for vertical applications. The on-network and off-network functional model is specified in this clause.
10.2.2 On-network functional model description
Figure 10.2.2-1 illustrates the generic on-network functional model for group management.
Figure 10.2.2-1: On-network functional model for group management
The group management client communicates with the group management server over the GM-UU reference point. The group management client provides the support for group management functions to the VAL client(s) over GM‑C reference point. The VAL server(s) communicate with the group management server over the GM-S reference point.
The group management server interacts with the NEF of the underlying 3GPP network system via N33 reference point to perform group management procedures for 5G Virtual Network (5GVN) groups.
10.2.3 Off-network functional model description
Figure 10.2.3-1 illustrates the off-network functional model for group management.
Figure 10.2.3-1: Off-network functional model for group management
The group management client of the UE1 communicates with the group management client of the UE2 over the GM‑PC5 reference point.
10.2.4 Functional entities description
10.2.4.1 General
The functional entities for group management SEAL service are described in the following subclauses.
10.2.4.2 Group management client
The group management client functional entity acts as the application client for management of groups. A VAL system maintains groups corresponding to one or more vertical applications. The group management client interacts with the group management server. The group management client also supports interactions with the corresponding group management client between the two UEs.
The group management client functional entity is supported by the signalling user agent and HTTP client functional entities of the signalling control plane.
10.2.4.3 Group management server
The group management server functional entity provides for management of groups supported within the vertical application layer. The group management server acts as CAPIF’s API exposing function as specified in 3GPP TS 23.222 [8]. The group management server also supports interactions with the corresponding group management server in distributed SEAL deployments.
The group management server functional entity is supported by the SIP AS and HTTP server functional entities of the signalling control plane.
All the group management clients supporting users belonging to a single group are required to use the same group management server for that group. A group management client supporting a user involved in multiple groups can have relationships with multiple group management servers.
10.2.5 Reference points description
10.2.5.1 General
The reference points for the functional model for group management are described in the following subclauses.
10.2.5.2 GM-UU
The interactions related to group management functions between the group management client and the group management server are supported by GM-UU reference point. This reference point utilizes Uu reference point as described in 3GPP TS 23.401 [9] and 3GPP TS 23.501 [10].
GM-UU reference point is used for VAL service signalling for VAL service data management of the VAL service. The GM-UU reference point supports:
– Configuration of group related data at the group management client by the group management server; and
– Configuration of group related data at the group management server by the group management client.
The GM-UU reference point uses the HTTP-1/HTTP-2 reference points for transport and routing of group management related signalling. The GM-UU reference point uses the SIP-1/SIP-2 reference points for subscription/notification related signalling.
10.2.5.3 GM-PC5
The interactions related to group management functions between the group management clients located in different VAL UEs are supported by GM-PC5 reference point. This reference point utilizes PC5 reference point as described in 3GPP TS 23.303 [12].
10.2.5.4 GM-C
The interactions related to group management functions between the VAL client(s) and the group management client within a VAL UE are supported by GM-C reference point.
10.2.5.5 GM-S
The interactions related to group management functions between the VAL server(s) and the group management server are supported by GM-S reference point. This reference point is an instance of CAPIF-2 reference point as specified in 3GPP TS 23.222 [8].
GM-S reference point supports the VAL server to obtain group information corresponding to the VAL service. The GM-S reference point uses HTTP-1/HTTP-2 reference points for transport and routing of group management related signalling. The GM-S reference point uses SIP-2 reference point for subscription/notification related signalling.
10.2.5.6 GM-E
The interactions related to group management functions between the group management servers in a distributed deployment are supported by GM-E reference point.
Editor’s Note: The functions enabled over GM-E reference point is FFS.
10.2.5.7 N33
For group management procedures pertaining to a 5GVN group the group management server interacts with the NEF of the underlying 3GPP network using the dynamic 5G Virtual Network group management procedures exposed by the NEF via the N33 reference point, as specified in TS 23.501 [10] and in TS 23.502 [11].
10.3 Procedures and information flows for group management
10.3.1 General
Group management procedures apply to on-network VAL service only.
Group creation provides a dedicated VAL group to individual VAL users to enable the required communication for one or multiple VAL services. This includes the normal group creation by administrators or by authorized user/UE. The group management server supports the external group identifier within the VAL group document to enable the SEAL servers to consume the NEF services for the member UEs of the VAL group.
NOTE: If an authorized VAL user/UE wants to participate in a new group created by the authorized VAL user/UE, then the authorized VAL user/UE needs to have been included in the new group as a member.
10.3.2 Information flows for group management
10.3.2.1 Group creation request
Table 10.3.2.1-1 describes the information flow group creation request from the group management client to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.1-1: Group creation request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management client performing the request. |
|
Identity list |
M |
List of VAL user IDs or VAL UE IDs that are part of the group to be created corresponding to the list of the configured services |
|
VAL service ID list (see NOTE 1) |
O |
List of VAL services whose service communications are to be enabled on the group. |
|
VAL service specific information (see NOTE 2) |
O |
Placeholder for VAL service specific information |
|
NOTE 1: This information element shall be included in the message for creating a group configured for multiple VAL services. NOTE 2: The details of this information element are specified in VAL service specific specification and are out of scope of the present document. |
||
10.3.2.2 Group creation response
Table 10.3.2.2-1 describes the information flow group creation response from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.2-1: Group creation response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M (see NOTE) |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates the success or failure for the operation |
|
NOTE: If the Result information element indicates failure then the value of VAL group ID information element has no meaning. |
||
10.3.2.3 Group creation notification
Table 10.3.2.3-1 describes the information flow group creation notification from the group management server to the VAL server(s) and the group management clients.
NOTE: When group is configured for multiple VAL services, the group creation notification message is sent from the group management server to the VAL servers configured for the group.
Table 10.3.2.3-1: Group creation notification
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID that was created based on the VAL user ID list and the VAL services enabled on them |
|
Identity list |
M |
List of VAL user IDs or VAL UE IDs that are part of the created group |
|
VAL service specific information (see NOTE) |
O |
Placeholder for VAL service specific information |
|
NOTE: The details of this information element are specified in VAL service specific specification and are out of scope of the present document. |
||
10.3.2.4 Group information query request
Table 10.3.2.4-1 describes the information group information query request from group management client to group management server.
Table 10.3.2.4-1: Group information query request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Identity |
M |
The identity of the VAL user or VAL UE performing the query. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
The identity of the VAL group to be queried. |
|
Query type |
M |
It indicates the query type, i.e., membership information. |
10.3.2.5 Group information query response
Table 10.3.2.5-1 describes the information flow group information query response from group management server to group management client.
Table 10.3.2.5-1: Group information query response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
|
VAL group ID |
M (see NOTE) |
The identity of the VAL group to be queried. |
|
|
Query type |
M (see NOTE) |
It indicates the query type, e.g. membership information. |
|
|
Query result |
M (see NOTE) |
The group information retrieved from the group management server based on the query type, i.e., a list of group members. |
|
|
Result |
M |
Indicates the success or failure for the operation |
|
|
|||
10.3.2.6 Group membership update request
Table 10.3.2.6-1 describes the information flow group membership update request from the group management client to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.6-1: Group membership update request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management client performing the request. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
Identity of the VAL group |
|
Identity |
M |
List of identities of the VAL users and VAL UEs affected by this operation |
|
Operations |
M |
Add to or delete from the group |
|
VAL service specific information (see NOTE) |
O |
Placeholder for VAL service specific information |
|
NOTE: The details of this information element are specified in VAL service specific specification and are out of scope of the present document. |
||
10.3.2.7 Group membership update response
Table 10.3.2.7-1 describes the information flow group membership update response from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.7-1: Group membership update response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
Identity of the VAL group |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates the success or failure for the operation |
10.3.2.8 Group membership notification
Table 10.3.2.8-1 describes the information flow group membership notification from the group management server to the VAL server.
Table 10.3.2.8-1: Group membership notification
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
Identity of the VAL group |
|
Identity |
M |
List of identities of the VAL users and VAL UEs affected by this operation |
|
Operations |
M |
Add to or delete from the group |
|
VAL service specific information (see NOTE) |
O |
Placeholder for VAL service specific information |
|
NOTE: The details of this information element are specified in VAL service specific specification and are out of scope of the present document. |
||
Table 10.3.2.8-2 describes the information flow group membership notification from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.8-2: Group membership notification
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
Identity of the VAL group |
|
Operations |
M |
Add to or delete from the group |
10.3.2.9 Group deletion request
Table 10.3.2.9-1 describes the information flow group deletion request from the group management client to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.9-1: Group deletion request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management client performing the request. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group to delete |
10.3.2.10 Group deletion response
Table 10.3.2.10-1 describes the information flow group deletion response from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.10-1: Group deletion response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
Identity of the VAL group requested to be deleted |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates success (group no longer exists), or failure (group deletion did not occur, e.g. authorization failure). |
10.3.2.11 Group deletion notification
Table 10.3.2.11-1 describes the information flow group deletion notification from the group management server to the VAL server, and from the group management server to the group management clients for VAL users which are members of the group.
Table 10.3.2.11-1: Group deletion notification
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID has been deleted. |
10.3.2.12 Group information request
Table 10.3.2.12-1 describes the information flow group information request from the group management server in the partner VAL system of the VAL group to the group management server in the primary VAL system of the VAL group.
Table 10.3.2.12-1: Group information request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management server performing the request. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
10.3.2.13 Group information response
Table 10.3.2.13-1 describes the information flow group information response from the group management server in the primary VAL system of the VAL group to the group management server in the partner VAL system of the VAL group.
Table 10.3.2.13-1: Group information response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
VAL group configuration information |
O (see NOTE 1) |
Configuration information for the VAL group |
|
Failure reason |
O (see NOTE 2) |
Indicates reason for failure to provide VAL group configuration information |
|
NOTE 1: Shall be present if the request can be fulfilled by the group management server in the primary VAL system of the VAL group. NOTE 2: Shall be present if the request cannot be fulfilled by the group management server in the primary VAL system of the VAL group. |
||
10.3.2.14 Group information subscribe request
Table 10.3.2.14-1 describes the information flow group information subscribe request from the group management server in the partner VAL system of the VAL group to the group management server in the primary VAL system of the VAL group.
Table 10.3.2.14-1: Group information subscribe request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management server performing the request. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
10.3.2.15 Group information subscribe response
Table 10.3.2.15-1 describes the information flow group information subscribe response from the group management server in the primary VAL system of the VAL group to the group management server in the partner VAL system of the VAL group.
Table 10.3.2.15-1: Group information subscribe response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates success or failure of the subscribe request |
10.3.2.16 Group information notify request
Table 10.3.2.16-1 describes the information flow group information notify request from the group management server in the primary VAL system of the VAL group to the group management server in the partner VAL system of the VAL group.
Table 10.3.2.16-1: Group information notify request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management server performing the request. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
VAL group configuration information |
M |
Configuration information for the VAL group |
10.3.2.17 Group information notify response
Table 10.3.2.17-1 describes the information flow group information notify response from the group management server in the partner VAL system of the VAL group to the group management server in the primary VAL system of the VAL group.
Table 10.3.2.17-1: Group information notify response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates success or failure of the notification request |
10.3.2.18 Store group configuration request
Table 10.3.2.18-1 describes the information flow store group configuration request from the group management client to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.18-1: Store group configuration request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management client performing the request. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
VAL group configuration data |
M |
VAL group configuration data |
10.3.2.19 Store group configuration response
Table 10.3.2.19-1 describes the information flow store group configuration response from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.19-1: Store group configuration response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates the success or failure for the result |
10.3.2.20 Get group configuration request
Table 10.3.2.20-1 describes the information flow get group configuration request from the group management client to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.20-1: Get group configuration request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management client performing the request. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
VAL group information reference |
M |
Reference to configuration data for the VAL group |
|
VAL services requested |
O |
Service(s) for which group configuration is requested |
|
NOTE: If ‘VAL services requested’ is not present, group configuration is requested for all services defined for the VAL group |
||
10.3.2.21 Get group configuration response
Table 10.3.2.21-1 describes the information flow get configuration response from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.21: Get group configuration response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
VAL group configuration data |
M (see NOTE) |
VAL group configuration data |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates the success or failure for the operation |
|
NOTE: If the Result information element indicates failure then the value of the VAL group configuration data information element has no meaning. |
||
10.3.2.22 Subscribe group configuration request
Table 10.3.2.22-1 describes the information flow subscribe group configuration request from the group management client to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.22-1: Subscribe group configuration request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management client performing the request. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
VAL services requested (see NOTE) |
O |
Service(s) for which group configuration is requested |
|
Minimum time between consecutive notifications |
O |
Defaults to 0 if not provided, otherwise indicates the minimum time interval between consecutive notifications |
|
NOTE: If ‘VAL services requested’ is not present, group configuration is requested for all services defined for the VAL group |
||
10.3.2.23 Subscribe group configuration response
Table 10.3.2.23-1 describes the information flow subscribe group configuration response from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.23-1: Subscribe group configuration response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates the success or failure for the result |
10.3.2.24 Notify group configuration request
Table 10.3.2.24-1 describes the information flow notify group configuration request from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.24-1: Notify group configuration request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management server performing the request. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
VAL group information reference (see NOTE) |
O |
Reference to information stored relating to the VAL group |
|
Group related key material (see NOTE) |
O |
Key material for use with the VAL group |
|
NOTE: At least one of these information elements shall be present. |
||
10.3.2.25 Notify group configuration response
Table 10.3.2.25-1 describes the information flow notify group configuration response from the group management client to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.25-1: Notify group configuration response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates the success or failure for the result |
10.3.2.26 Configure VAL group request
Table 10.3.2.26-1 describes the information flow for configure VAL group request from a VAL server to a group management server.
Table 10.3.2.26-1: Configure VAL group request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the VAL server performing the request. |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
The group ID used for the VAL group. |
|
VAL group description (see NOTE 2) |
M |
Information related to the VAL group e.g. group definition including communication type, policy, group size, group leader. |
|
VAL service ID list (see NOTE 1) |
O |
List of VAL services whose service communications are to be enabled on the group. |
|
Geo ID list (see NOTE 1) |
O |
List of geographical areas to be addressed by the group. |
|
Identity list (see NOTE 1) |
O |
List of VAL UE IDs who are invited to be member of the group. |
|
Identity list subscription |
O |
Indicates interest to receive notifications of newly registered or de-registered VAL UE IDs. |
|
NOTE 1: At least one of these IEs shall be present. NOTE 2: Group communication type may indicate 5G LAN-Type communication using either Ethernet or IP (IPv4 and/or IPv6) transport. |
||
10.3.2.27 Configure VAL group response
Table 10.3.2.27-1 describes the information flow for configure VAL group response from group management server to a VAL server.
Table 10.3.2.27-1: Configure VAL group response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Result |
M |
The result of the configure VAL group operation |
|
Subscription result |
O (see NOTE) |
Indicates whether subscription to receive notifications of newly registered or de-registered VAL UE IDs is successful or not |
|
NOTE: Shall be present only if there is a subscription in the configure VAL group request and successful. |
||
10.3.2.28 Group announcement
Table 10.3.2.28-1 describes the information flow for a group management server to announce a VAL group to the group management clients.
Table 10.3.2.28-1: Group announcement
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
The group ID used for the VAL group. |
|
VAL group description (see NOTE 3) |
M |
Information related to the VAL group e.g. group definition including communication type and connection parameters, policy, group size, group leader. |
|
VAL service ID list (see NOTE 1) |
O |
List of VAL services whose service communications are to be enabled on the group. |
|
Geo ID list (see NOTE 1) |
O |
List of geographical areas to be addressed by the group. |
|
Identity list (see NOTE 1, NOTE 2) |
O |
List of VAL UE IDs who are invited to be member of the group. |
|
NOTE 1: At least one of these IEs shall be present. NOTE 2: This element is not present if it results in privacy concerns. NOTE 3: Group communication type may indicate 5G LAN-Type communication using either Ethernet or IP (IPv4 and/or IPv6) transport. Group connection parameters may include DNN and S-NSSAI. |
||
10.3.2.29 Group registration request
Table 10.3.2.29-1 describes the information flow for a group management client to register to a VAL group in response to a group announcement from the group management server. Message filters for throttling messages and notifications is included in this request e.g. for limiting message exchange on a constrained UE, for receiving only improtant group communication.
Table 10.3.2.29-1: Group registration request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL UE ID |
M |
Identity of the VAL UE registering to the VAL group. |
|
VAL Group ID |
M |
The group ID to be registered by the VAL UE for the VAL group. |
|
Identity list subscription |
M |
Indicates interest to receive notifications of newly registered or de-registered VAL UE IDs |
|
Message filters |
O |
Group message communication will be sent to the VAL UE after applying message filters as described in Table 10.3.2.29-2. |
Table 10.3.2.29-2: Message filters
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Identities |
O |
List of VAL UE identities whose messages will be send to the VAL UE being registered |
|
Max number of messages (see NOTE 1) |
O |
Total number of messages allowed to be sent to the VAL UE in a given time frame as defined by the VAL service. |
|
Time frame |
O |
Time frame associated to Max number of messages IE |
|
Message Types (see NOTE 2) |
O |
List of message types which will be sent to the VAL UE being registered (e.g. high priority messages, or group configuration messages, etc.). |
|
NOTE 1: Specifying value for max number of messages is outside the scope of SEAL and up to the implementation of a particular Vertical requirement. NOTE 2: Message types are as decided by the specific Vertical. |
||
Editor’s note: Handling of updates to the "message filters" over the life of the group communication is FFS.
10.3.2.30 Group registration response
Table 10.3.2.30-1 describes the information flow for a group management server to respond for a group registration request from the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.30-1: Group registration response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Result |
M |
Result from the VAL server in response to VAL group registration request indicating success or failure |
|
Subscription result |
M |
Indicates whether subscription to receive notifications of newly registered or de-registered VAL UE IDs is successful or not |
10.3.2.31 Identity list notification
Table 10.3.2.31-1 describes the information flow identity list notification from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.31-1: Identity list notification
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
Identity of the VAL group |
|
Identity list |
M |
List of VAL UE IDs who are newly registered or de-registered members of the group |
Table 10.3.2.31-2 describes the information flow identity list notification from the group management server to the VAL server.
Table 10.3.2.31-2: Identity list notification
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
Identity of the VAL group |
|
Identity list |
M |
List of VAL UE IDs who are newly registered or de-registered members of the group |
|
Message filters list |
O |
List of Message filters per VAL UE ID who are newly registered. |
10.3.2.32 Group de-registration request
Table 10.3.2.32-1 describes the information flow for a group management client to de-register to a VAL group.
Table 10.3.2.32-1: Group de-registration request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL UE ID |
M |
Identity of the VAL UE de-registering to the VAL group. |
|
VAL Group ID |
M |
The group ID to be de-registered by the VAL UE for the VAL group. |
10.3.2.33 Group de-registration response
Table 10.3.2.33-1 describes the information flow for a group management server to respond for a group de-registration request from the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.33-1: Group de-registration response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Result |
M |
Result from the group management server in response to VAL group de-registration request indicating success or failure |
10.3.2.34 Location-based group creation request
Table 10.3.2.34-1 describes the information flow location-based group creation request from the group management client or VAL server to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.34-1: location-based group creation request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Requester Identity |
M |
The identity of the group management client performing the request. |
|
Location criteria |
M |
Criteria to combine Users or UEs in a location (e.g. geographical area or VAL service area ID). |
|
VAL service ID list (see NOTE 1) |
O |
List of VAL services whose service communications are to be enabled on the group. |
|
VAL service specific information (see NOTE 2) |
O |
Placeholder for VAL service specific information |
|
NOTE 1: This information element shall be included in the message for creating a group configured for multiple VAL services. NOTE 2: The details of this information element are specified in VAL service specific specification and are out of scope of the present document. |
||
10.3.2.35 Location-based group creation response
Table 10.3.2.35-1 describes the information flow location-based group creation response from the group management server to the group management client or VAL server.
Table 10.3.2.35-1: Location-based group creation response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M (see NOTE) |
VAL group ID of the group |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates the success or failure for the operation |
|
NOTE: If the Result information element indicates failure then the value of VAL group ID information element has no meaning. |
||
10.3.2.36 Group list fetch request
Table 10.3.2.36-1 describes the information flow for Group list fetch request from the group management client to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.36-1: Group list fetch request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Identity |
M |
The identity of the VAL UE or VAL User performing the operation. |
|
Period |
O |
Indicates to the group management server to provide list of the groups created between specified period. |
10.3.2.37 Group list fetch response
Table 10.3.2.37-1 describes the information flow for Group list fetch response from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.37-1: Get group list fetch response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
Result |
M |
Result from the group management server in response to group list fetch request indicating success or failure |
|
VAL group IDs |
M |
The list of VAL groups for which the VAL User is a member |
10.3.2.38 Temporary group formation request
Table 10.3.2.38-1 describes the information flow for the temporary group formation request from the group management client to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.38-1: Temporary group formation request
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID list |
M |
List of VAL group IDs to be combined |
|
VAL service list (see NOTE) |
O |
A subset of the common VAL service(s) to be applied for the temporary group |
|
NOTE: If this information element is not present, all the VAL service(s) that are common to the groups being combined will be applicable for the temporary group. |
||
10.3.2.39 Temporary group formation response
Table 10.3.2.39-1 describes the information flow for the temporary group formation response from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.39-1: Temporary group formation response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
O (see NOTE) |
VAL group ID of the temporary group |
|
VAL service list |
O |
List of VAL services whose service communications are to be enabled on this temporary group |
|
Result |
M |
Indicates the success or failure of temporary group formation. |
|
NOTE: Shall be present if the Result information element indicates that the temporary group formation operation is successful. Otherwise VAL group ID shall not be present. |
||
10.3.2.40 Temporary group formation notify
Table 10.3.2.40-1 describes the information flow temporary group formation notify from the group management server to the VAL server.
Table 10.3.2.40-1: Temporary group formation notify
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID list |
M |
List of constituent VAL group IDs |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the temporary group |
|
VAL service list |
O |
List of VAL services whose service communications are to be enabled on this temporary group. |
10.3.2.41 Temporary group formation notification
Table 10.3.2.41-1 describes the information flow temporary group formation notification from the group management server to the group management client.
Table 10.3.2.41-1: Temporary group formation notification
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID list |
M |
List of constituent VAL group IDs |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the temporary group |
10.3.2.42 Temporary group formation notification response
Table 10.3.2.42-1 describes the information flow temporary group formation notification response from the group management client to the group management server.
Table 10.3.2.42-1: Temporary group formation notification response
|
Information element |
Status |
Description |
|
VAL group ID |
M |
VAL group ID of the temporary group |
10.3.3 Group creation
Figure 10.3.3-1 below illustrates the group creation operations by authorized VAL user/UE/administrator to create a group. It applies to the scenario of normal group creation by a VAL administrator or by authorized user/UE.
Pre-conditions:
1. The group management client, group management server, VAL server and the VAL group members belong to the same VAL system.
2. The authorized VAL user/UE/administrator is aware of the users’ identities which will be combined to form the VAL group.
Figure 10.3.3-1: Group creation
1. The group management client of the authorized VAL user/UE/administrator requests group create operation to the group management server. The identities of the users or UEs being combined and the information of the VAL services that are enabled on the group shall be included in this message.
2. During the group creation, the group management server creates and stores the information of the group. The group management server performs the check on the policies e.g. maximum limit of the total number of VAL group members for the VAL group(s). The external group identifier, identifying the member UEs of the VAL group at the 3GPP core network, is stored in the newly created VAL group’s configuration information.
NOTE: The exact policies are out of scope of the present document.
3. The group management server may conditionally notify the VAL server regarding the group creation with the information of the group members.
4. The VAL group members of the VAL group are notified about the newly created VAL group configuration data.
5. The group management server provides a group creation response to the group management client of the administrator/authorized VAL user/UE.
10.3.4 Group information query
10.3.4.1 General
A VAL user/UE can request the membership list on an VAL group regardless the user or UE’s group membership.
10.3.4.2 Procedure
Figure 10.3.4.2-1 below illustrates the group information query on a VAL group.
Figure 10.3.4.2-1: Group information query
1. The group management client of the VAL user/UE requests the group information on the VAL group from the group management server by sending a group information query request. The query type is included.
2. The group management server checks whether the VAL user/UE is authorized to perform the query. If authorized, then the group management server retrieves the requested group information based on the query type.
3. The group management server sends a group information query response including the retrieved group information to the group management client.
10.3.5 Group membership
10.3.5.1 Group membership notification
Figure 10.3.5.1-1 illustrates the group membership notification operations to the VAL server(s) and group management clients upon the group membership change at group management server.
Pre-conditions:
1. VAL group is created on the group management server.
Figure 10.3.5.1-1: group membership notification
1. The membership of a specific VAL group is changed at group management server.
2. The group management server notifies the VAL server(s) regarding the group membership change with the information of the updated group members.
3. The group management server updates the group management clients of the VAL users/UEs who have been added to or removed from the group.
4. The group management client requests to retrieve the relevant group configurations from group management server, if the user or UE is added to the group. If the user or UE is deleted from the group, the locally stored group configurations in the VAL UE may be removed.
10.3.5.2 Group membership update by authorized user/UE/VAL server
Figure 10.3.5.2-1 below illustrates the group membership update operations by an authorized user/UE/administrator/VAL server to change the membership of a VAL group (e.g. to add or delete group members).
Pre-conditions:
1. The group management server and VAL server serve the same VAL system;
2. The initiator of this operation is aware of the current group membership of the VAL group;
3. The authorized user/UE/administrator/VAL server is aware of the users’ identities which will be added to or deleted from the VAL group.
Figure 10.3.5.2-1: Group membership update by authorized user/UE/VAL server
1. The group management client of the authorized user/UE/administrator or VAL server requests group membership update operation to the group management server.
2. The group management server updates the group membership information. The group management server may perform the check on policies e.g. the maximum limit of the total number of VAL group members.
NOTE 1: The exact policies are out of scope of the present document.
3. The group management server notifies the VAL server(s) regarding the group membership change with the information of the updated group members.
NOTE 2: Step 3 does not happen when the VAL server is requesting group membership update operation.
4. The group members that are added to or deleted from the group by this operation are notified about the group membership change. This step may be followed by retrieving group configurations.
5. The group management server provides a group membership response to the group management client of the authorized user/UE/administrator or the VAL server.
10.3.6 Group configuration management
10.3.6.1 Store group configurations at the group management server
The procedure for store group configurations at the group management server is described in figure 10.3.6.1-1.
Pre-conditions:
– The group management server may have some pre-configuration data which can be used for online group configuration validation;
Figure 10.3.6.1-1: Store group configurations at group management server
1. The group configurations are received by the group management client of an authorized user/UE or VAL server.
2. The received group configurations are sent to the group management server for storage using a store group configuration request.
3. The group management server may validate the group configurations before storage.
4. The group management server stores the group configurations.
5. The group management server provides a store group configuration response indicating success or failure. If any validation or storage fails, the group management server provides a failure indication in the store group configuration response.
10.3.6.2 Retrieve group configurations
The procedure for retrieve group configurations at the group management client or the VAL server is described in figure 10.3.6.2-1. This procedure can be used following service authorisation when the configuration management client has received the list of groups and the group management client needs to obtain the group configurations, or following a notification from the group management server that new group configuration information is available.
Pre-conditions:
– The group management server has received configuration data for groups, and has stored this configuration data;
– The VAL UE has registered for service and the group management client or the VAL server needs to download group configuration data applicable to the user/UE.
Figure 10.3.6.2-1: Retrieve group configurations
1. The group management client or the VAL server requests the group configuration data.
2. The group management server provides the group configuration data to the client or the VAL user.
3. The group management client or the VAL server stores the group configuration information.
10.3.6.3 Subscription and notification for group configuration data
The procedure for subscription for group configuration data as described in figure 10.3.6.3-1 is used by the group management client to indicate to the group management server that it wishes to receive updates of group configuration data for groups for which it is authorized.
Pre-conditions:
– The group management server has some group configurations stored.
Figure 10.3.6.3-1: Subscription for group configurations
1. The group management client subscribes to the group configuration information stored at the group management server using the subscribe group configuration request.
2. The group management server provides a subscribe group configuration response to the group management client indicating success or failure of the request.
The procedure for notification of group configuration data as described in figure 10.3.6.3-2 is used by the group management server to inform the group management client that new group configuration data is available. It can also be used by the group management server to provide new group related key material to the group management client.
Pre-conditions:
– The group management client has subscribed to the group configuration information
– The group management server has received and stored new group configuration information, or the group management server has generated and stored new key material, or both of these have occurred.
Figure 10.3.6.3-2: Notification of group configurations
1. The group management server provides the notification to the group management client, who previously subscribed for the group configuration information. Optionally, the notify group configuration request may contain group related key material for the group management client.
2. The group management client provides a notify group configuration response to the group management server.
3. If the group management server had provided group related key material to the group management client, the group management client stores the key material.
If the group management server has notified the group management client about new group configuration information through this procedure, the group management client may then follow the procedure described in subclause 10.3.6.2 in order to retrieve that group configuration information.
10.3.6.4 Structure of group configuration data
The group configuration data contains group configuration data common to all VAL services and group configuration data specific to each VAL service.
NOTE: For a VAL service, the VAL group configuration data is listed in the corresponding VAL service specification and is outside the scope of the present document.
10.3.7 Location-based group creation
Figure 10.3.7-1 below illustrates the location-based group creation.
Pre-conditions:
1. The group management client, group management server, VAL server, location management server and the VAL group members belong to the same VAL system.
2. The authorized VAL user/UE/administrator is not aware of the users’ or UE identities which will be combined to form the VAL group.
Figure 10.3.7-1: Location-based group creation
1. The group management client or the VAL server requests location-based group create operation to the group management server. The location criteria for determining the identities of the users or UEs to be combined shall be included in this message and the location criteria may be the VAL service area identified by the VAL service area ID.
2. The group management server requests the location management server for obtaining the users or UEs corresponding to the location information or the VAL service area identified by the VAL service area ID.
3. The location management server composes the list of users or UEs within the requested location.
4. The group management server receives the composed list of users or UEs from the location management server. The location management server may include VAL service IDs associated with the list of users or UEs.
5. During the group creation, the group management server creates and stores the information of the location-based group. The group management server performs the check on the policies e.g. maximum limit of the total number of VAL group members for the VAL group(s). If an external group identifier, identifying the member UEs of the VAL group at the 3GPP core network is available, then the external group ID is stored in the newly created VAL group’s configuration information. If VAL service ID list was received in step 1 as part of group formation criteria and not in step 4 for the composed list of users or UEs, the group management server shall retrieve the VAL service data from the configuration management server as described in clause 11.3.2.13 and form the group with relevant users or UEs.
NOTE: The exact policies are out of scope of the present document.
6. The group management server provides a location-based group creation response to the group management client or the VAL server.
10.3.8 Group announcement and join
10.3.8.1 General
This subclause describes the procedures for establishing group communication from the group management server to the group management clients.
10.3.8.2 Procedure
Pre-conditions:
1. The group management client, group management server, VAL server and the VAL clients belong to the same VAL system.
2. The VAL server is aware of the users’ identities and is authorized to form a VAL group.
Figure 10.3.8.2-1: Procedure for establishing VAL group communication between the group management server and group management client1.
1. The VAL server determines group information and the identity list to which the group announcement shall be sent. The decision can be based on the list of authorized UEs and other criteria (e.g. user consent, service, or vehicle driving profile).
2. The VAL server configures VAL group for Uu communication defined by VAL Group ID for one or more VAL services with list of VAL Service ID with the group management server.
3. The group management server creates an empty group based on the information provided in the Configure VAL group request. The group management server stores the mapping between the VAL group ID and the external Group Id in the VAL group document, along with a list of GPSIs corresponding to the identity list provided by the VAL server. The group management server also determines whether the group is for 5G LAN-Type communication and whether Ethernet or IP (IPv4 and/or IPv6) transport shall be used for the 5G LAN-Type communication.
4. If 5G LAN-Type communication is to be used, the group management server creates a 5GVN group in the 5GS via N33 using the create group procedure specified in 3GPP TS 23.501 [10] clause 5.29.2 and 3GPP TS 23.502 [11] clause 4.15.6. The group management server creates the 5GVN group data and the 5GVN group membership data defined in 3GPP TS 23.502 [11] clause 4.15.6.3b to be configured in the 5GS. To create the 5GVN group data the group management server uses the 5G LAN-Type communication type information provided by the VAL server to set the PDU session type (Ethernet or IP) and maps the VAL service IDs to Application descriptors. To create the 5GVN group membership data the group management server maps the VAL group ID to the External Group ID and makes a list of GPSIs corresponding to the identity list provided by the VAL server.
NOTE 1: This step is skipped for the case that a 5G LAN-Type communication is not being used.
NOTE 2: The PDU session type, DNN, S-NSSAI provided within 5GVN group data cannot be modified in the 5GS after the create procedure.
NOTE 3: The 5GS supports only a 1:1 mapping between DNN/S-NSSAI combination and 5GVN group.
NOTE 4: The group management server maintains a mapping between DNN and S-NSSAI of the 5GVN group and the VAL server requester identity based on operator policy. How such mapping is configured is implementation specific and out of the scope of this specification.
5. The group management server announces the VAL group to the group management clients. For a 5GVN group the announcement includes the communication type (IP or Ethernet), DNN, and S-NSSAI corresponding to the 5GVN group.
6. The group management client registers to VAL group communication using the VAL Group ID.
7. The group management server records the users who have registered to be the members of the group.
8. The group management server sends a VAL group registration response to the group management client.
9. The group management server sends a configure VAL group response to the VAL server.
NOTE 5: Step 9 may occur any time after step 5.
10. The group management server sends identity list notification about the newly registered users to the other members of the group and VAL server, whose subscription to receive notifications of newly registered VAL UE IDs is successful in step 8 and step 9 respectively.
11. The group management client may inform VAL client about the updated identity list.
10.3.9 Group member leave
10.3.9.1 General
This subclause describes the procedures for group member to leave the group by de-registering.
10.3.9.2 Procedure
Pre-conditions:
1. Group is previously defined on the group management server including the list of registered users and each member of the group and VAL server is aware of it.
Figure 10.3.9.2-1: Procedure for group member leaving the group.
1. The VAL client determines to de-register member from the group and group management client is aware of it.
2. The group management client initiates the group de-registration request towards the group management server.
3. The group management server checks the authorization of group de-registration request and updates the group member list.
4. The group management server sends a group de-registration response to the group management client.
5. The group management server sends identity list notification about the leaving registered user to the other members of the group and the VAL server, whose subscription to receive notifications of de-registered VAL UE IDs is successful in step 7 and step 8 of the procedure in clause 10.3.8.2 respectively.
10.3.10 Temporary groups
10.3.10.1 Temporary group formation within a VAL system
Figure 10.3.10.1-1 below illustrates the temporary group formation within a VAL system.
Temporary groups are formed by combining two or more groups. The temporary group formation is applicable only for groups configured with at least one common VAL service. The temporary group formation shall be rejected if any of the requested VAL services are not common to all the constituent VAL service groups.
Pre-conditions:
1. The group management client, group management server, VAL server and the VAL group members belong to the same VAL system.
2. The group management client has retrieved the group configurations of the groups.
3. The VAL server has subscribed to receive group management event notifications.
Figure 10.3.10.1-1: Temporary group formation within a VAL system
1. The group management client of the VAL user requests temporary group formation operation to the group management server, which is the group management server of one of the groups to be regrouped. The identities of the groups being combined shall be included in this message. The group management client may indicate the security level required for the temporary group. The group management client may indicate the priority level required for the temporary group.
2. The group management server checks whether temporary group formation operation is performed by an authorized VAL user, based on group policy. The group management server checks whether group1 or group2 is a temporary group. If group 1 or group2 is a temporary group, then the group regrouping will be rejected, otherwise the group regrouping can proceed.
3. The group management server creates and stores the information of the temporary group, including the temporary VAL group ID, the VAL group ID of the groups being combined, the priority level of the temporary group and the security level of the temporary group. If the authorized VAL user does not specify the security level and the priority level, the group management server shall set the lowest security level and the highest priority of the constituent groups. If VAL service types of the groups being combined are not identical, group management server determines the overlapping part and stores the VAL service list for the temporary group.
4. The group management server notifies the VAL server regarding the temporary group creation with the information of the constituent groups, i.e. temporary VAL group ID, group1’s VAL group ID and group2’s VAL group ID. If VAL service list is included, VAL server stores it and provides VAL service types accordingly.
5. The group management server notifies the VAL group members of the constituent VAL groups by sending temporary group formation notification messages.
6. The VAL group members of the constituent VAL groups send individual temporary group formation notification response messages.
7. The group management server provides a temporary group formation response to the group management client of the authorized VAL user. If VAL service list is included, group management client stores it and initiates VAL service types accordingly.
8. The VAL group members of the constituent VAL groups individually request group configuration data from the group management server for the temporary group. The group configuration data includes security, priority, and other parameters.
10.3.11 Group List Fetch
Figure 10.3.11-1 illustrates the group list fetch operations to fetch list of groups by the group management client.
Pre-conditions:
1) List of groups to which a VAL UE/ VAL User belongs to is known to the Group management server for each of the VAL UE/ VAL User.
2) VAL user has not received group announcement message as it was offline previously.
Figure 10.3.11-1: Group list fetch
1) The VAL client requests group management client to provide the list of groups in which the VAL UE or VAL User is a member.
2) The group management client initiates the group list fetch request towards the Group management server. The information elements described in clause 10.3.2.36 are included in the group list fetch request.
3) The group management server checks the authorization of group list fetch request and if authorized, sends the group list fetch response containing list of groups in which the VAL user is member. The information elements described in clause 10.3.2.37 are included in the group list fetch response.
4) The group management client notifies the list of groups to the VAL client.
10.3.12 Location-based group update
Figure 10.3.12-1 below illustrates the location-based group update.
Pre-conditions:
1. The group management client, group management server, VAL server, location management server and the VAL group members belong to the same VAL system.
2. The location based group has been created as specified in clause 10.3.7.
3. The group management server has subscribed to monitor UEs moving in or out of the fixed location area as specified in clause 9.3.12.
Figure 10.3.12-1: Location-based group update
1. The group management server receives location area monitoring notification from location management server as specified in clause 9.3.12.4.
2. The group management server updates the group members and sends notification as specified in clause 10.3.5.1.
10.3.13 Group deletion
Figure 10.3.13-1 below illustrates the group deletion operation by authorized VAL user/UE/administrator to delete a group. It applies to group deletion by a VAL administrator or by authorized user/UE.
Pre-conditions:
1. The group management client, group management server, VAL server and the VAL group members belong to the same VAL system.
2. The authorized VAL user/UE/administrator is aware of the group identity which needs to be deleted.
Figure 10.3.13-1: Group deletion
1. The group management client of the authorized VAL user/UE/administrator requests group deletion operation to the group management server. The identity of the group to be deleted shall be included in this message.
2. The group management server authorizes the request and if authorized, deletes the group.
3. The group management server notifies the VAL server regarding the group deletion.
4. The group members of the VAL group are notified about the deleted VAL group.
5. The group management server provides a group deletion response to the group management client of the administrator/authorized VAL user/UE.
10.4 SEAL APIs for group management
10.4.1 General
Table 10.4.1-1 illustrates the SEAL APIs for group management.
Table 10.4.1-1: List of SEAL APIs for group management
|
API Name |
API Operations |
Known Consumer(s) |
Communication Type |
|
SS_GroupManagement |
Query_Group_Info |
VAL server |
Request /Response |
|
Create_LocationBasedGroup_Info |
VAL server |
Request/Response |
|
|
Update_Group_Info |
VAL server |
Request /Response |
|
|
SS_GroupManagementEvent |
Subscribe_ Group_Info_Modification |
VAL server |
Subscribe/Notify |
|
Notify_Group_Info_Modification |
VAL server |
||
|
Notify_Group_Creation |
VAL server |
||
|
Notify_TempGroupFormation |
VAL server |
10.4.2 SS_GroupManagement API
10.4.2.1 General
API description: This API enables the VAL server to communicate with the group management server for querying group information, obtaining stored group configuration, modify the group membership and configuration information on the group management server over GM-S.
10.4.2.2 Query_Group_Info operation
API operation name: Query_Group_Info
Description: Query group information and obtaining group configuration information.
Known Consumers: VAL server.
Inputs: See subclause 10.3.2.4, 10.3.2.20
Outputs: See subclause 10.3.2.5, 10.3.2.21
See subclause 10.3.4 and 10.3.6.2 for the details of usage of this API operation.
10.4.2.3 Update_Group_Info operation
API operation name: Update_Group_Info
Description: Storing group membership and configuration information.
Known Consumers: VAL server.
Inputs: See subclause 10.3.2.6, 10.3.2.18
Outputs: See subclause 10.3.2.7, 10.3.2.19
See subclause 10.3.6.5 and 10.3.6.1 for the details of usage of this API operation.
10.4.2.4 Create_LocationBasedGroup_Info operation
API operation name: Create_LocationBasedGroup_Info
Description: Create location-based group
Known Consumers: VAL server.
Inputs: See subclause 10.3.2.34
Outputs: See subclause 10.3.2.35
See subclause 10.3.7 for the details of usage of this API operation.
10.4.3 Void
10.4.3.1 Void
10.4.3.2 Void
10.4.4 Void
10.4.4.1 Void
10.4.4.2 Void
10.4.5 SS_Group_Management_Event API
10.4.5.1 General
API description: This API enables the VAL server to communicate with the group management server to subscribe and receive subsequent notification events over GM-S.
10.4.5.2 Subscribe_ Group_Info_Modification operation
API operation name: Subscribe_ Group_Info_Modification
Description: Subscribing to changes to group membership and configuration information.
Known Consumers: VAL server.
Inputs: See subclause 10.3.2.14
Outputs: See subclause 10.3.2.15
See subclause 10.3.6.3 for the details of usage of this API operation.
10.4.5.3 Notify_Group_Info_Modification operation
API operation name: Notify_Group_Info_Modification
Description: Notification for changes to group membership and configuration information.
Known Consumers: VAL server.
Inputs: See subclause 10.3.2.8
Outputs: See subclause 10.3.2.8
See subclause 10.3.5.1 and 10.3.5.2 for the details of usage of this API operation.
10.4.5.4 Notify_Group_Creation operation
API operation name: Notify_Group_Creation
Description: Notification for new group creation.
Known Consumers: VAL server.
Inputs: See subclause 10.3.2.3
Outputs: See subclause 10.3.2.3
See subclause 10.3.3 for the details of usage of this API operation.
10.4.5.5 Notify_TempGroupFormation operation
API operation name: Notify_TempGroupFormation
Description: Notification of the new temporary group formed at the group management server.
Known Consumers: VAL server.
Inputs: See clause 10.3.2.40
Outputs: None
See subclause 10.3.10.1 for the details of usage of this API operation.