Patent Publication Number: US-2016249335-A1

Title: Mobility management method, device, and system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2013/086104, filed on Oct. 29, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a mobility management method, device, and system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An SGSN (serving GPRS support node) and an MME (mobility management entity) are mobility management nodes on a cellular network. The SGSN is a mobility management node on a GPRS (general packet radio service) network, and the MME is a mobility management node on an EPC (evolved packet core) network. An HSS (home subscriber server) is a subscriber database of the cellular network, and stores subscription data of subscribers. The cellular network may provide differentiated quality of service, and provide different QoS (quality of service) for different subscribers by setting subscribers of different types. 
     Currently, the MME provides services for subscribers of all types. When the MME needs to provide different services for subscribers of different types, the MME needs to first determine types of the subscribers, and then perform different operations accordingly. When the MME provides services for a large number of subscribers of different types, operations are relatively complex, and efficiency is relatively low, which is hard to maintenance and management. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a mobility management method, device, and system. The technical solutions are as follows: 
     According to a first aspect, a mobility management method is provided, including: 
     receiving an initial user equipment UE access message; 
     acquiring a type of UE according to the initial UE access message; 
     selecting, according to the type, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type; and 
     instructing the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE. 
     With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a first implementation manner, the acquiring a type of UE according to the initial UE access message includes: 
     performing a location update to a home subscriber server HSS according to the initial UE access message; 
     receiving subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS; and 
     acquiring the type of the UE from the subscription data of the UE. 
     With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a second implementation manner, the acquiring a type of UE according to the initial UE access message includes: 
     randomly selecting a second mobility management node for the UE according to the initial UE access message; 
     forwarding the initial UE access message to the second mobility management node; 
     receiving a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node; and 
     acquiring the type of the UE from the redirection notification. 
     With reference to the foregoing second implementation manner, in a third implementation manner, the receiving a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node includes: 
     receiving a redirection notification that carries subscription data of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the subscription data includes the type of the UE; or 
     receiving a redirection notification that carries a type indication and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the type indication includes the type of the UE. 
     With reference to the foregoing second implementation manner, in a fourth implementation manner, before the receiving a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node, the method further includes: 
     performing a location update to the HSS after the second mobility management node receives the initial UE access message; 
     receiving subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS, where the subscription data includes the type of the UE; 
     determining, according to the type, that the second mobility management node is not a mobility management node that provides a service for the UE of the type; and 
     sending the redirection notification that carries the type of the UE. 
     With reference to the foregoing first aspect, in a fifth implementation manner, the instructing the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE includes: 
     forwarding the initial UE access message to the first mobility management node, so that the first mobility management node performs a location update to the HSS. 
     According to a second aspect, a mobility management agent device is provided, including: 
     a receiving module, configured to receive an initial user equipment UE access message; 
     an acquiring module, configured to acquire a type of UE according to the initial UE access message; 
     a selecting module, configured to select, according to the type, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type; and 
     a sending module, configured to instruct the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE. 
     With reference to the foregoing second aspect, in a first implementation manner, the acquiring module includes: 
     a location updating unit, configured to perform a location update to a home subscriber server HSS according to the initial UE access message, and receive subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS; and 
     a first acquiring unit, configured to acquire the type of the UE from the subscription data of the UE. 
     With reference to the foregoing second aspect, in a second implementation manner, the acquiring module includes: 
     a selecting unit, configured to randomly select a second mobility management node for the UE according to the initial UE access message; 
     a forwarding unit, configured to forward the initial UE access message to the second mobility management node; 
     a receiving unit, configured to receive a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node; and 
     a second acquiring unit, configured to acquire the type of the UE from the redirection notification. 
     With reference to the foregoing second implementation manner of the second aspect, in a third implementation manner, the receiving unit is configured to: 
     receive a redirection notification that carries subscription data of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the subscription data includes the type of the UE; or 
     receive a redirection notification that carries a type indication and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the type indication includes the type of the UE. 
     With reference to the foregoing second aspect, in a fourth implementation manner, the sending module is configured to: 
     forward the initial UE access message to the first mobility management node, so that the first mobility management node performs a location update to the HSS. 
     According to a third aspect, a mobility management agent device is provided, including: 
     a receiver, configured to receive an initial user equipment UE access message; 
     a processor, configured to acquire a type of UE according to the initial UE access message, and select, according to the type, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type; and 
     a transmitter, configured to instruct the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE. 
     With reference to the foregoing third aspect, in a first implementation manner, the transmitter is further configured to perform a location update to a home subscriber server HSS according to the initial UE access message; 
     the receiver is further configured to receive subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS; and 
     the processor is configured to acquire the type of the UE from the subscription data of the UE. 
     With reference to the foregoing third aspect, in a second implementation manner, the processor is configured to randomly select a second mobility management node for the UE according to the initial UE access message; 
     the transmitter is further configured to forward the initial UE access message to the second mobility management node; 
     the receiver is further configured to receive a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node; and 
     the processor is further configured to acquire the type of the UE from the redirection notification. 
     With reference to the foregoing second implementation manner of the third aspect, in a third implementation manner, the receiver is configured to: 
     receive a redirection notification that carries subscription data of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the subscription data includes the type of the UE; or 
     receive a redirection notification that carries a type indication and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the type indication includes the type of the UE. 
     With reference to the foregoing third aspect, in a fourth implementation manner, the transmitter is configured to: 
     forward the initial UE access message to the first mobility management node, so that the first mobility management node performs a location update to the HSS. 
     According to a fourth aspect, a mobility management system is provided, including the mobility management agent device and the first mobility management node according to any one of the foregoing implementation manners; where 
     the first mobility management node is configured to provide a service for the user equipment UE according to a notification of the mobility management agent device. 
     With reference to the foregoing fourth aspect, in a first implementation manner, the system further includes: 
     a second mobility management node, configured to receive the initial UE access message forwarded by the mobility management agent device, perform a location update to a home subscriber server HSS, and receive subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS, where the subscription data includes a type of the UE; and determine, according to the type, that the second mobility management node is not a mobility management node that provides a service for the UE of the type, and send, to the mobility management agent device, a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE. 
     Beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention are as follows: An initial UE access message is received, a type of UE is acquired according to the initial UE access message, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type is selected according to the type, and the first mobility management node is instructed to provide a service for the UE. Because a mobility management node provides a service by differentiating a type of user equipment, a mobility management node that can support the type of the UE is selected to provide a service for the UE, which not only simplifies an operation procedure of the mobility management node and improves service efficiency, but also helps the mobility management node better manage and maintain the UE. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention more clearly, the following briefly introduces 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. 
         FIG. 1  is a flowchart of a mobility management method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a mobility management method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a procedure interaction of a mobility management method according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a mobility management method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a procedure interaction of a mobility management method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a structural diagram of a mobility management agent device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a structural diagram of a mobility management agent device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a structural diagram of a mobility management system according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the following further describes implementation manners of the present invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mobility management method, device, and system. A type of UE is acquired, and a mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type is selected to provide a service for the UE. The related mobility management node includes but is not limited to an SGSN on a GPRS network or an MME on an EPC network, or the like, which is not specifically limited in the embodiments. The type of the UE may be set as required, for example, the type of the UE may be set to three types: gold, silver, and bronze; or ten types from type 1 to type 10. Certainly, another manner may also be used, and the embodiments do not impose any specific limitation on a method for setting the type of the UE. 
     Embodiment 1 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , this embodiment provides a mobility management method, including the following steps: 
       101 . Receive an initial user equipment UE access message. 
       102 . Acquire a type of UE according to the initial UE access message. 
       103 . Select, according to the type, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type. 
       104 . Instruct the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE. 
     The acquiring a type of UE according to the initial UE access message includes: 
     performing a location update to a home subscriber server HSS according to the initial UE access message; 
     receiving subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS; and 
     acquiring the type of the UE from the subscription data of the UE. 
     The acquiring a type of UE according to the initial UE access message includes: 
     randomly selecting a second mobility management node for the UE according to the initial UE access message; 
     forwarding the initial UE access message to the second mobility management node; 
     receiving a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node; and 
     acquiring the type of the UE from the redirection notification. 
     Further, the receiving a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node includes: 
     receiving a redirection notification that carries subscription data of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the subscription data includes the type of the UE; or 
     receiving a redirection notification that carries a type indication and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the type indication includes the type of the UE. 
     Before the receiving a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node, the method further includes: 
     performing a location update to the HSS after the second mobility management node receives the initial UE access message; 
     receiving subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS, where the subscription data includes the type of the UE; 
     determining, according to the type, that the second mobility management node is not a mobility management node that provides a service for the UE of the type; and 
     sending the redirection notification that carries the type of the UE. 
     The instructing the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE includes: 
     forwarding the initial UE access message to the first mobility management node, so that the first mobility management node performs a location update to the HSS. 
     The foregoing method provided in this embodiment may be applied to a mobility management agent device, where the device has a function of a mobility management node, further maintains a correspondence between a mobility management node and a type of UE, and may search, by using the correspondence, for a mobility management node corresponding to any type, so as to perform selection. 
     According to the foregoing method provided in this embodiment, an initial UE access message is received, a type of UE is acquired according to the initial UE access message, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type is selected according to the type, and the first mobility management node is instructed to provide a service for the UE. Because a mobility management node provides a service by differentiating a type of user equipment, a mobility management node that can support the type of the UE is selected to provide a service for the UE, which not only simplifies an operation procedure of the mobility management node and improves service efficiency, but also helps the mobility management node better manage and maintain the UE. 
     Embodiment 2 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , this embodiment provides a mobility management method, including the following steps: 
       201 . Receive an initial UE access message. 
     In this embodiment, there may be multiple scenarios in which the initial UE access message is received, and the scenarios include but are not limited to UE initial access, a location update, a service request, and the like, and this embodiment do not impose any specific limitation thereto. 
       202 . Perform a location update to an HSS according to the initial UE access message. 
       203 . Receive subscription data of UE returned by the HSS, where the subscription data includes a type of the UE. 
       204 . Acquire the type of the UE from the subscription data of the UE. 
     The type of the UE is preset, for example, the type of the UE is a gold subscriber or a silver subscriber. Specifically, a parameter may be added to a QoS parameter, where the parameter is used to represent a type of UE, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment. 
       205 . Select, according to the acquired type of the UE, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type. 
     The first mobility management node may be an SGSN, or may be an MME, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment. 
     Specifically, a correspondence between a mobility management node and a type of UE may be locally maintained. When a mobility management node is being selected, the correspondence may be locally queried according to the type of the UE to obtain a mobility management node corresponding to the type. 
       206 . Instruct the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE. 
     In this embodiment, the instructing the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE may include: 
     forwarding the initial UE access message to the first mobility management node, so that the first mobility management node performs a location update to the HSS. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the following uses an EPC network as an example to describe in detail how to select a mobility management node MME. A mobility management procedure is as follows: 
       301 . An eNB sends an initial UE access message to an agent device agent of an MME. 
       302 . The agent device agent performs a location update to an HSS after receiving the initial UE access message. 
       303 . The HSS responds to the agent device agent with a location update acknowledgement, where the location update acknowledgement includes subscription data of UE, and the subscription data includes a type of the UE. 
       304 . The agent device agent selects an MME 1  according to the type of the UE, where the MME 1  can provide a service for the UE of the type. 
       305 . The agent device agent forwards the foregoing initial UE access message to the MME 1 . 
       306 . The MME 1  sends a location update message to the HSS after receiving the initial UE access message. 
       307 . The HSS sends a cancel location message to the agent device after receiving the location update message sent by the MME 1 . 
       308 . The HSS responds to the MME 1  with a location update acknowledgement. 
     A sequence between the foregoing steps  307  and  308  is not fixed. The two steps may be executed successively, or may be executed at the same time, which is not limited herein. After the location update is completed, the MME 1  may directly communicate with the eNB, or communicate with the eNB by using the agent device. 
     According to the foregoing method provided in this embodiment, an initial UE access message is received, a type of UE is acquired according to the initial UE access message, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type is selected according to the type, and the first mobility management node is instructed to provide a service for the UE. Because a mobility management node provides a service by differentiating a type of user equipment, a mobility management node that can support the type of the UE is selected to provide a service for the UE, which not only simplifies an operation procedure of the mobility management node and improves service efficiency, but also helps the mobility management node better manage and maintain the UE. 
     Embodiment 3 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , this embodiment provides a mobility management method, including the following steps: 
       401 . Receive an initial UE access message. 
     In this embodiment, there may be multiple scenarios in which the initial UE access message is received, and the scenarios include but are not limited to UE initial access, a location update, a service request, and the like, and this embodiment do not impose any specific limitation thereto. 
       402 . Randomly select a second mobility management node for UE according to the initial UE access message. 
     The second mobility management node may be an SGSN, or may be an MME, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment. 
     In this step, because the mobility management node is randomly selected, that is, the mobility management node may be any mobility management node. Therefore, the mobility management node may support a type of the UE, or may not support a type of the UE. 
       403 . Forward the initial UE access message to the second mobility management node. 
       404 . Receive a redirection notification that carries a type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node. 
     This step may specifically include: 
     receiving a redirection notification that carries subscription data of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the subscription data includes the type of the UE; or 
     receiving a redirection notification that carries a type indication and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the type indication includes the type of the UE. 
     The type of the UE is preset, for example, the type of the UE is a gold subscriber or a silver subscriber. Specifically, a parameter may be added to a QoS parameter, where the parameter is used to represent a type of UE, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment. 
     The foregoing type indication is a piece of indication information that includes a type of UE, and may be an identifier or a flag bit, and different types are represented by setting different values, for example, a value 1 represents gold UE, a value 2 represents silver UE, and a value 3 represents bronze UE. 
     In this embodiment, before the receiving a redirection notification that carries a type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node, the method may further include: 
     performing a location update to the HSS after the second mobility management node receives the initial UE access message; receiving subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS, where the subscription data includes the type of the UE; determining, according to the type, that the second mobility management node is not a mobility management node that provides a service for the UE of the type; and sending the redirection notification that carries the type of the UE. 
     Specifically, after obtaining the subscription data of the UE, the second mobility management node may directly add the subscription data to the redirection notification, to send the subscription data, or may set the type indication according to the type of the UE in the subscription data, and add the type indication to the redirection notification, to send the type indication, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment. 
       405 . Acquire the type of the UE from the received redirection notification. 
     In this embodiment, that the redirection notification is received indicates that the selected second mobility management node does not support the type of the UE, and therefore, a mobility management node that can support the type needs to be reselected according to the type of the UE. 
       406 . Select, according to the acquired type of the UE, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type. 
     Specifically, a correspondence between a mobility management node and a type of UE may be locally maintained. When a mobility management node is being selected, the correspondence may be locally queried according to the type of the UE to obtain a mobility management node corresponding to the type. 
       407 . Instruct the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE. 
     In this embodiment, the instructing the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE may include: 
     forwarding the initial UE access message to the first mobility management node, so that the first mobility management node performs a location update to the HSS. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the following uses an EPC network as an example to describe in detail how to select a mobility management node MME. A mobility management procedure is as follows: 
       501 . An eNB sends an initial UE access message to an agent device. 
       502 . The agent device agent randomly selects a mobility management node MME A for UE after receiving the initial UE access message. 
       503 . The agent device agent forwards the initial UE access message to the MME A. 
       504 . The MME A performs a location update to an HSS after receiving the initial UE access message. 
       505 . The HSS responds to the MME A with a location update acknowledgement, where the location update acknowledgement includes subscription data of the UE, and the subscription data includes a type of the UE. 
       506 . The MME A determines whether the MME A provides a service for the UE of the type after acquiring the type of the UE from the subscription data. 
       507 . If it is determined that the MME A does not provide a service for the UE of the type, the MME A sends, to the agent device, a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE, and notifies the agent device that another MME needs to be selected. 
     The redirection notification may carry the subscription data of the UE, or carry a type indication, or the like, where the type indication is a piece of indication information that is set by the MME A according to the type of UE, and may be an identifier or a flag bit, and different types are represented by setting different values, for example, a value 1 represents gold UE, a value 2 represents silver UE, and a value 3 represents bronze UE. 
       508 . The agent device agent receives the redirection notification, acquires the type of UE from the redirection notification, and selects a correct MME B according to the type, where the MME B can provide a service for the UE of the type. 
       509 . The agent device agent forwards the foregoing initial UE access message to the MME B. 
       510 . The MME B sends a location update message to the HSS after receiving the initial UE access message. 
       511 . The HSS responds to the MME B with a location update acknowledgement after receiving the location update message from the MME B. 
       512 . The HSS sends a cancel location message to the MME A. 
     A sequence between the foregoing steps  511  and  512  is not fixed. The two steps may be executed successively, or may be executed at the same time, which is not limited herein. After the location update is completed, the MME B may directly communicate with the eNB, or communicate with the eNB by using the agent device. 
     According to the foregoing method provided in this embodiment, an initial UE access message is received, a type of UE is acquired according to the initial UE access message, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type is selected according to the type, and the first mobility management node is instructed to provide a service for the UE. Because a mobility management node provides a service by differentiating a type of user equipment, a mobility management node that can support the type of the UE is selected to provide a service for the UE, which not only simplifies an operation procedure of the mobility management node and improves service efficiency, but also helps the mobility management node better manage and maintain the UE. 
     Embodiment 4 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , this embodiment provides a mobility management agent device, including: 
     a receiving module  601 , configured to receive an initial user equipment UE access message; 
     an acquiring module  602 , configured to acquire a type of UE according to the initial UE access message; 
     a selecting module  603 , configured to select, according to the type, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type; and 
     a sending module  604 , configured to instruct the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE. 
     In this embodiment, in a scenario, the acquiring module  602  may include: 
     a location updating unit, configured to perform a location update to a home subscriber server HSS according to the initial UE access message, and receive subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS; and 
     a first acquiring unit, configured to acquire the type of the UE from the subscription data of the UE. 
     In this embodiment, in another scenario, the acquiring module  602  may include: 
     a selecting unit, configured to randomly select a second mobility management node for the UE according to the initial UE access message; 
     a forwarding unit, configured to forward the initial UE access message to the second mobility management node; 
     a receiving unit, configured to receive a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node; and 
     a second acquiring unit, configured to acquire the type of the UE from the redirection notification. 
     Further, the foregoing receiving unit may be configured to: 
     receive a redirection notification that carries subscription data of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the subscription data includes the type of the UE; or 
     receive a redirection notification that carries a type indication and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the type indication includes the type of the UE. 
     In this embodiment, the sending module  604  may be configured to: 
     forward the initial UE access message to the first mobility management node, so that the first mobility management node performs a location update to the HSS. 
     The foregoing device provided in this embodiment may execute the method provided in any one of the foregoing method embodiments. For details about a specific process, refer to the description in the method embodiments, and details are not described herein again. 
     According to the foregoing device provided in this embodiment, an initial UE access message is received, a type of UE is acquired according to the initial UE access message, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type is selected according to the type, and the first mobility management node is instructed to provide a service for the UE. Because a mobility management node provides a service by differentiating a type of user equipment, a mobility management node that can support the type of the UE is selected to provide a service for the UE, which not only simplifies an operation procedure of the mobility management node and improves service efficiency, but also helps the mobility management node better manage and maintain the UE. 
     Embodiment 5 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , this embodiment provides a mobility management agent device, including: 
     a receiver  701 , configured to receive an initial user equipment UE access message; 
     a processor  702 , configured to acquire a type of UE according to the initial UE access message, and select, according to the type, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type; and 
     a transmitter  703 , configured to instruct the first mobility management node to provide a service for the UE. 
     In this embodiment, the transmitter  703  is further configured to perform a location update to a home subscriber server HSS according to the initial UE access message; 
     the receiver  701  is further configured to receive subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS; and 
     the processor  702  is configured to acquire the type of the UE from the subscription data of the UE. 
     In this embodiment, the processor  702  is configured to randomly select a second mobility management node for the UE according to the initial UE access message; 
     the transmitter  703  is further configured to forward the initial UE access message to the second mobility management node; 
     the receiver  701  is further configured to receive a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node; and 
     the processor  702  is further configured to acquire the type of the UE from the redirection notification. 
     Further, the receiver  701  is configured to: 
     receive a redirection notification that carries subscription data of the UE and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the subscription data includes the type of the UE; or 
     receive a redirection notification that carries a type indication and is returned by the second mobility management node, where the type indication includes the type of the UE. 
     In this embodiment, the transmitter  703  is configured to: 
     forward the initial UE access message to the first mobility management node, so that the first mobility management node performs a location update to the HSS. 
     The foregoing device provided in this embodiment may execute the method provided in any one of the foregoing method embodiments. For details about a specific process, refer to the description in the method embodiments, and details are not described herein again. 
     According to the foregoing device provided in this embodiment, an initial UE access message is received, a type of UE is acquired according to the initial UE access message, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type is selected according to the type, and the first mobility management node is instructed to provide a service for the UE. Because a mobility management node provides a service by differentiating a type of user equipment, a mobility management node that can support the type of the UE is selected to provide a service for the UE, which not only simplifies an operation procedure of the mobility management node and improves service efficiency, but also helps the mobility management node better manage and maintain the UE. 
     Embodiment 6 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , this embodiment provides a mobility management system, including the mobility management agent device  801  and the first mobility management node  802  described in Embodiment 4 or 5. 
     The first mobility management node  802  is configured to provide a service for the user equipment UE according to a notification of the mobility management agent device  801 . 
     Further, the foregoing system may further include: 
     a second mobility management node, configured to receive the initial UE access message forwarded by the mobility management agent device  801 , perform a location update to a home subscriber server HSS, and receive subscription data of the UE returned by the HSS, where the subscription data includes a type of the UE; and determine, according to the type, that the second mobility management node is not a mobility management node that provides a service for the UE of the type, and send, to the mobility management agent device, a redirection notification that carries the type of the UE. 
     The mobility management agent device  801  in this embodiment has a same function as the mobility management agent device provided in the foregoing Embodiment 4 or 5, and details are not described herein again. 
     The foregoing system provided in this embodiment may execute the method provided in any one of the foregoing method embodiments. For details about a specific process, refer to the description in the method embodiments, and details are not described herein again. 
     According to the foregoing system provided in this embodiment, an initial UE access message is received, a type of UE is acquired according to the initial UE access message, a first mobility management node that can provide a service for the UE of the type is selected according to the type, and the first mobility management node is instructed to provide a service for the UE. Because a mobility management node provides a service by differentiating a type of user equipment, a mobility management node that can support the type of the UE is selected to provide a service for the UE, which not only simplifies an operation procedure of the mobility management node and improves service efficiency, but also helps the mobility management node better manage and maintain the UE. 
     A person of ordinary skill in the art may understand that all or some of the steps of the embodiments may be implemented by hardware or a program instructing related hardware. The program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium may include: a read-only memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disc, or the like. 
     The foregoing descriptions are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement, and improvement made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present invention shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.