Method and device for elastic expansion and contraction of virtualized forwarding plane in vbras

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a method and device for elastic expansion and contraction of a virtualized forwarding plane in a vBRAS, the vBRAS comprising a control plane CP and a virtualized forwarding plane vUP, the method comprising: an MPU in each vUP sampling the load of each LPU in the vUP at a preset period to obtain a first load index of each LPU; if the first load index exceeds a preset LPU expansion threshold and a duration exceeds a preset duration, starting LPU expansion; issuing configuration data to the expanded LPU and performing load sharing based on the expanded LPU. The method can realize automatic load sharing at the LPU level of the vUP side, is more fine-grained and saves resources compared with BRAS-VM level expansion and contraction, the CP side does not need to frequently perform BRAS-VM level expansion and contraction, and the stability of the vBRAS system is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method and apparatus for elastic scaling of the virtualized forwarding plane in vBRAS. Background Technology

[0002] Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) devices are a product of the evolution of metropolitan area network (MAN) services. As MAN services continue to develop, without access devices and backbone routers, user authentication and authorization management are lacking, which is detrimental to operation management and long-term network development. By introducing BRAS devices between the broadband access network and the backbone network, the BRAS device acts as an access gateway for network services, providing users with broadband access, authentication, authorization, and billing; managing user bandwidth; aggregating user service traffic; terminating user PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet) connections; and providing various service functions.

[0003] Meanwhile, with the development of virtualization, the control-forwarding separation vBRAS (virtual Broadband Remote Access Server) has gradually become the mainstream deployment for operators. The control-forwarding separation vBRAS system mainly consists of two parts: the control plane (BRAS-CP) and the forwarding plane (BRAS-UP).

[0004] The control plane (BRAS-CP) is positioned as a user control management component, mainly including functional modules such as user control management, user access control, user authentication, authorization and billing, and address management;

[0005] The forwarding plane (BRAS-UP) is positioned as a Layer 3 network edge and user policy enforcement component. It mainly includes pure forwarding plane functions such as traffic forwarding, QoS (Quality of Service), and traffic statistics, as well as pipeline-type control plane functions such as unicast routing protocols and multicast routing protocols. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a method and apparatus for elastic scaling of the virtualized forwarding plane in vBRAS, so as to realize automatic load balancing on the vUP side. The specific technical solution is as follows:

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides a method for elastic scaling of the virtualized forwarding plane in a vBRAS. The vBRAS includes a control plane (CP) and multiple virtualized forwarding devices (vUPs), each vUP containing a main control unit (MPU) and multiple service units (LPUs). The method includes:

[0008] The MPU in each vUP samples the load of each LPU in the vUP at a preset period to obtain the first load index of each LPU.

[0009] If the first load indicator exceeds the preset LPU expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, LPU expansion will be initiated.

[0010] Configuration data is sent to the expanded LPUs, and load balancing is performed based on the expanded LPUs.

[0011] Optionally, if the first load index is lower than the preset LPU shrinkage threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, LPU shrinkage is initiated.

[0012] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0013] When the number of LPUs in the vUP reaches the upper limit, the CP samples the load of each vUP at a preset period to obtain a second load index for each vUP.

[0014] If the second load metric exceeds the preset vUP expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, vUP expansion will be initiated.

[0015] Configuration data is sent to the expanded vUPs, and load balancing is performed based on the expanded vUPs.

[0016] Optionally, if the second load index is lower than the preset vUP scaling-down threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, vUP scaling-down is initiated.

[0017] Optionally, the first load metric and the second load metric include: bandwidth utilization and / or user capacity utilization.

[0018] To achieve the above objectives, this application also provides an elastic scaling device for the virtualized forwarding plane in a vBRAS. The vBRAS includes a control plane (CP) and multiple virtualized forwarding devices (vUPs), each vUP containing a main control unit (MPU) and multiple service units (LPUs). The device includes:

[0019] The first sampling module is used to sample the load of each LPU in each vUP at a preset period of MPU in the vUP to obtain the first load index of each LPU.

[0020] The first expansion module is used to initiate LPU expansion if the first load index exceeds the preset LPU expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration.

[0021] The first configuration module is used to send configuration data to the expanded LPUs and perform load sharing based on the expanded LPUs.

[0022] Optional, also includes:

[0023] The first scaling-down module is used to initiate LPU scaling-down if the first load index is lower than a preset LPU scaling-down threshold and the duration exceeds a preset duration.

[0024] Optional, also includes:

[0025] The second sampling module is used to sample the load of each vUP at a preset period when the number of LPUs in the vUP reaches the upper limit, so as to obtain the second load index of each vUP.

[0026] The second expansion module is used to initiate vUP expansion if the second load index exceeds the preset vUP expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration.

[0027] The second configuration module is used to send configuration data to the expanded vUPs and perform load balancing based on the expanded vUPs.

[0028] Optional, also includes:

[0029] The second scaling-down module is used to initiate vUP scaling-down if the second load index is lower than the preset vUP scaling-down threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration.

[0030] Optionally, the first load metric and the second load metric include: bandwidth utilization and / or user capacity utilization.

[0031] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this application also provide an electronic device, including a processor, a communication interface, a memory, and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface, and the memory communicate with each other through the communication bus;

[0032] Memory, used to store computer programs;

[0033] When a processor executes a program stored in memory, it implements any of the steps described above.

[0034] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements any of the steps described above.

[0035] Beneficial effects of the embodiments in this application:

[0036] The embodiments of this application provide a method and apparatus for elastic scaling of the virtualized forwarding plane in a vBRAS. The vBRAS includes a control plane (CP) and multiple virtualized forwarding devices (vUPs). Each vUP contains a main control unit (MPU) and multiple service units (LPUs). The method includes: the MPU in each vUP samples the load of each LPU in the vUP at a preset period to obtain a first load index for each LPU; if the first load index exceeds a preset LPU expansion threshold and the duration exceeds a preset duration, LPU expansion is initiated; configuration data is sent to the expanded LPUs, and load sharing is performed based on the expanded LPUs.

[0037] As can be seen, in this embodiment, automatic scaling at the LPU level on the vUP side can be achieved. When the LPU load is too high, new LPUs can be automatically added to share the load. Compared with scaling at the BRAS-VM level, it is more granular and saves resources. The CP side does not need to frequently perform scaling at the BRAS-VM level, which improves the stability of the vBRAS system.

[0038] Of course, implementing any product or method of this application does not necessarily require achieving all of the advantages described above at the same time. Attached Figure Description

[0039] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other embodiments can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vBRAS system;

[0041] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating a method for elastic scaling of the virtualized forwarding plane in vBRAS provided in this application embodiment;

[0042] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the elastic expansion and contraction capacity of the vUP side in a vBRAS system.

[0043] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a structure for an elastic scaling device for the virtualized forwarding plane in vBRAS provided in this application embodiment;

[0044] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0046] To facilitate understanding, the application scenarios of this application will be briefly introduced below.

[0047] Virtual Broadband Remote Access Server (vBRAS) with separate control and forwarding planes is gradually becoming the mainstream deployment method for operators. The vBRAS system with separate control and forwarding planes mainly consists of two parts: the control plane (BRAS-CP) and the forwarding plane (BRAS-UP).

[0048] The control plane is positioned as a user control and management component, mainly including functional modules such as user control management, user access control, user authentication, authorization and billing, and address management.

[0049] The forwarding plane is positioned as a Layer 3 network edge and user policy enforcement component, mainly including pure forwarding plane functions such as traffic forwarding, QoS, and traffic statistics, as well as functions such as unicast routing protocols and multicast routing protocols.

[0050] The control plane uses virtualization technology and runs on a series of servers. The forwarding plane can be implemented based on traditional hardware or virtualization technology.

[0051] See Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vBRAS system, such as... Figure 1 As shown, each virtualized forwarding plane (vUP) includes one MPU (Main Control Board) and multiple LPUs (Line Processing Units, also known as service boards), running on BRAS-VM (BRAS Virtual Machine). BRAS-CP includes CTRL-VM (Main Control Virtual Machine) and multiple BRAS-VMs.

[0052] See Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for elastic scaling of the virtualized forwarding plane in a vBRAS provided in this application embodiment. The vBRAS includes a control plane (CP) and multiple virtualized forwarding devices (vUPs). Each vUP contains a main control unit (MPU) and multiple service units (LPUs), such as... Figure 2 As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0053] S201: The MPU in each vUP samples the load of each LPU in the vUP at a preset period to obtain the first load index of each LPU.

[0054] In this embodiment of the application, the MPU in each vUP samples the load of each LPU in the vUP at a preset period, and generates a first load index based on the sampling results.

[0055] Here, load can be either bandwidth utilization or user capacity utilization.

[0056] For example, see Figure 1 MPU1 in vUP1 periodically collects data from LPU1 and LPU2 to obtain the first load index of LPU1 and LPU2 respectively.

[0057] S202: If the first load indicator exceeds the preset LPU expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, start LPU expansion.

[0058] The LPU expansion threshold can be preset.

[0059] If the first load metric of a certain LPU exceeds the LPU expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, LPU expansion will be initiated.

[0060] In this embodiment of the application, when LPU expansion is initiated, the MPU can request the control plane CP to expand to a new LPU, that is, to create a new LPU.

[0061] S203: Send configuration data to the expanded LPUs and perform load sharing based on the expanded LPUs.

[0062] In this embodiment of the application, after creating a new LPU, configuration data is sent to the newly created LPU, and traffic and data are introduced into the newly created LPU, thereby achieving load sharing.

[0063] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, automatic expansion at the LPU level on the vUP side can be achieved. When the load of a certain LPU in the vUP is too high, the LPU can be automatically expanded to share the load.

[0064] In one embodiment of this application, if the first load index is lower than the preset LPU scaling down threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, LPU scaling down is initiated.

[0065] Specifically, initiating LPU downsizing can involve: requesting the control plane CP to downsize an LPU; after the LPU downsizing is completed, clearing the interface configuration of that LPU.

[0066] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, automatic scaling down at the LPU level on the vUP side can be achieved. When the LPU load in the vUP is too low, the LPU can be automatically scaled down for resource reclamation.

[0067] In one embodiment of this application, when the number of LPUs in a vUP reaches the upper limit, the CP samples the load of each vUP at a preset period to obtain a second load index for each vUP.

[0068] If the second load metric exceeds the preset vUP expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, vUP expansion will be initiated.

[0069] Configuration data is sent to the expanded vUPs, and load balancing is performed based on the expanded vUPs.

[0070] Specifically, the control plane (CP) samples the load of each vUP at a preset period and determines a second load index for each vUP based on the sampling results.

[0071] If the second load metric of a certain vUP exceeds the preset vUP expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, a new vUP is expanded, configuration data is sent to the expanded vUP, and traffic and data are introduced into the newly created vUP, thereby achieving load sharing.

[0072] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, automatic scaling at the vUP level can be achieved. When the vUP load is too high, the vUP can be automatically scaled up to distribute the load.

[0073] In one embodiment of this application, if the second load index is lower than a preset vUP scaling-down threshold and the duration exceeds a preset duration, vUP scaling-down is initiated.

[0074] Specifically, initiating vUP scaling down can involve requesting the control plane CP to scale down an LPU, and after the LPU scaling down is complete, clearing the interface configuration of that LPU.

[0075] As can be seen, in this embodiment of the application, automatic scaling down at the vUP level can be achieved. When the vUP load is too low, the vUP can be automatically scaled down for resource reclamation.

[0076] Because it can achieve automatic scaling up and down at the vUP and LPU levels, it is more granular and resource-saving than BRAS-VM level scaling up and down. Moreover, the scaling up and down at the LPU and vUP levels can meet most of the needs of sudden load increases and decreases. Therefore, the CP side does not need to frequently perform BRAS-VM level scaling up and down, which improves the stability of the vBRAS system.

[0077] See Figure 3 , Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the elastic expansion and contraction of the vUP side in a vBRAS system, such as... Figure 3 As shown, when the LPU load index in vUP1 exceeds the expansion threshold and remains so for a certain period of time, a new LPU3 is added; when the number of LPUs in vUP2 reaches the upper limit (assuming the upper limit is 3) and the load index exceeds the expansion threshold and remains so for a certain period of time, a new vUP3 is added.

[0078] To facilitate understanding, the following examples illustrate the elastic scaling method for the virtualized forwarding plane in vBRAS provided in this application.

[0079] As an example, the CP side monitors the bandwidth utilization and user load of each vUP, and periodically samples the bandwidth utilization and user count on the vUP.

[0080] When the number of LPUs on a vUP reaches the specification limit, the total number of users exceeds the maximum number of users in the BRAS-VM / the current number of UPs, and the duration exceeds the preset time, the CP side triggers expansion. Expansion creates a new vUP and automatically creates a new UP instance, which is sequentially created according to the existing UP number. The UP instance establishes a relationship with the newly created vUP and automatically distributes the relevant configurations, bringing new users and traffic to the new vUP.

[0081] When the number of LPUs on a vUP reaches the specification limit, and the total bandwidth utilization of the vUP exceeds the threshold for a period of time exceeding the preset duration, the CP side triggers expansion. Expansion creates a new vUP and automatically creates a new UP instance, which is sequentially created according to the existing UP number. The UP instance establishes a relationship with the newly created vUP and automatically distributes the relevant configurations, bringing new users and traffic to the new vUP.

[0082] As an example, when the number of users on each LPU of a vUP is 0 and the duration exceeds a preset time, the CP side triggers scaling down, automatically scaling down and deleting the vUP. After scaling down is completed, the CP side clears the relevant configuration of the vUP and automatically deletes the UP instance.

[0083] In one embodiment of this application, a threshold value setting command is added to the CP side. This command is used to configure the load high and low thresholds for the expansion and contraction of the elastic scaling group. The CP side will send the configuration effective value to the LPU of each vUP.

[0084] As an example, the load on a BRAS-VM includes both UP load and user load. The maximum user capacity of the BRAS-VM is customized by the product, for example, 2 million. The UP threshold is set to 10. The user load capacity value on each vUP is obtained by dividing the maximum number of BRAS-VM users by the number of UPs, i.e., the user load capacity value on each vUP is 200,000. On the vUP side, based on the LPU specifications, for example, 32, the user load threshold value per LPU on the vUP can be calculated as 200,000 / 32 = 6.25K.

[0085] Therefore, the MPU periodically samples the number of users on the LPU. When the number of online users on the LPU exceeds the LPU's user load threshold (6.25K) and the duration exceeds the delay time, the MPU triggers expansion, automatically expanding to a new LPU. After the LPU expansion is completed, the LPU is automatically configured and distributed, and traffic is directed to the new LPU.

[0086] When the LPU on the vUP reaches the specification limit (32), the total number of users reaches the user load capacity value of each vUP, i.e. 200,000, and the duration exceeds a certain period of time, the CP side triggers expansion, automatically expands to create a vUP, and the CP side automatically creates a UP instance, which is numbered sequentially according to the existing UP, establishes an association with the newly created vUP and issues relevant configurations, and introduces new users and traffic to the new vUP.

[0087] As can be seen, in this embodiment, automatic scaling up and down at the vUP and LPU levels can be achieved. Compared with BRAS-VM level scaling up and down, it is more granular and saves resources. Moreover, the scaling up and down at the LPU and vUP levels can meet the needs of most load surges and drops. Therefore, the CP side does not need to frequently perform BRAS-VM level scaling up and down, which improves the stability of the vBRAS system.

[0088] This application also provides an elastic scaling device for the virtualized forwarding plane in vBRAS, including:

[0089] The first sampling module 401 is used to sample the load of each LPU in each vUP at a preset period of MPU in the vUP to obtain the first load index of each LPU.

[0090] The first expansion module 402 is used to initiate LPU expansion if the first load index exceeds the preset LPU expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration.

[0091] The first configuration module 403 is used to send configuration data to the expanded LPUs and perform load sharing based on the expanded LPUs.

[0092] In one embodiment of this application, it may further include: a first scaling-down module, used to initiate LPU scaling-down if the first load index is lower than a preset LPU scaling-down threshold and the duration exceeds a preset duration.

[0093] In one embodiment of this application, it may further include: a second sampling module, used to sample the load of each vUP at a preset period when the number of LPUs in the vUP reaches the upper limit, so as to obtain a second load index for each vUP;

[0094] The second expansion module is used to initiate vUP expansion if the second load index exceeds the preset vUP expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration.

[0095] The second configuration module is used to send configuration data to the expanded vUPs and perform load balancing based on the expanded vUPs.

[0096] In one embodiment of this application, it may further include: a second scaling-down module, used to initiate vUP scaling-down if the second load index is lower than a preset vUP scaling-down threshold and the duration exceeds a preset duration.

[0097] In one embodiment of this application, the first load metric and the second load metric include: bandwidth utilization and / or user capacity utilization.

[0098] This application also provides an electronic device, such as... Figure 5 As shown, it includes a processor 501, a communication interface 502, a memory 503, and a communication bus 504, wherein the processor 501, the communication interface 502, and the memory 503 communicate with each other through the communication bus 504.

[0099] Memory 503 is used to store computer programs;

[0100] When processor 501 executes the program stored in memory 503, it performs the following steps:

[0101] The MPU in each vUP samples the load of each LPU in the vUP at a preset period to obtain the first load index of each LPU.

[0102] If the first load indicator exceeds the preset LPU expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, LPU expansion will be initiated.

[0103] Configuration data is sent to the expanded LPUs, and load balancing is performed based on the expanded LPUs.

[0104] The communication bus mentioned in the above electronic devices can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. This communication bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used to represent it in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0105] The communication interface is used for communication between the aforementioned electronic devices and other devices.

[0106] The memory may include random access memory (RAM) or non-volatile memory (NVM), such as at least one disk storage device. Optionally, the memory may also be at least one storage device located remotely from the aforementioned processor.

[0107] The processors mentioned above can be general-purpose processors, including central processing units (CPUs), network processors (NPs), etc.; they can also be digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components.

[0108] The electronic device provided in this application embodiment can realize automatic expansion at the LPU level on the vUP side. When the LPU load is too high, it can automatically expand to a new LPU to share the load. Compared with the BRAS-VM level expansion and contraction, it is more granular and saves resources. The CP side does not need to frequently perform BRAS-VM level expansion and contraction, which improves the stability of the vBRAS system.

[0109] In another embodiment provided in this application, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, which stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the elastic scaling method for the virtualized forwarding plane in any of the above-described vBRAS.

[0110] In another embodiment provided in this application, a computer program product containing instructions is also provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the elastic scaling method of the virtualized forwarding plane in any of the above embodiments of vBRAS.

[0111] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid state disk (SSD)).

[0112] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

[0113] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a related manner. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments. In particular, the embodiments of the elastic scaling device, electronic device, computer-readable storage medium, and computer program product for the virtualization forwarding plane in vBRAS are basically similar to the embodiments of the elastic scaling method for the virtualization forwarding plane in vBRAS, and therefore are described relatively simply. Relevant parts can be referred to in the description of the relevant parts of the embodiments of the elastic scaling method for the virtualization forwarding plane in vBRAS.

[0114] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application are included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A method for elastic scaling of the virtualized forwarding plane in vBRAS, characterized in that, The vBRAS includes a control plane (CP) and multiple virtualized forwarding devices (vUPs). Each vUP contains a main control unit (MPU) and multiple service units (LPUs). The vUPs run on a BRAS virtual machine (BRAS-VM). The method includes: The MPU in each vUP samples the load of each LPU in the vUP at a preset period to obtain the first load index of each LPU. If the first load indicator exceeds the preset LPU expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, LPU expansion is initiated; wherein, the MPU requests the control plane CP to expand to a new LPU; Configuration data is sent to the expanded LPUs, and load balancing is performed based on the expanded LPUs.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the first load index is lower than the preset LPU shrinkage threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, LPU shrinkage will be initiated.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the number of LPUs in the vUP reaches the upper limit, the CP samples the load of each vUP at a preset period to obtain a second load index for each vUP. If the second load metric exceeds the preset vUP expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, vUP expansion will be initiated. Configuration data is sent to the expanded vUPs, and load balancing is performed based on the expanded vUPs.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, If the second load metric is lower than the preset vUP scaling-down threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration, vUP scaling-down will be initiated.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first and second load metrics include: bandwidth utilization and / or user capacity utilization.

6. A flexible scaling device for the virtualized forwarding plane in vBRAS, characterized in that, The vBRAS includes a control plane (CP) and multiple virtualization forwarding devices (vUPs). Each vUP contains a main control unit (MPU) and multiple service units (LPUs). The vUPs run on a BRAS virtual machine (BRAS-VM). The device includes: The first sampling module is used to sample the load of each LPU in each vUP at a preset period of MPU in the vUP to obtain the first load index of each LPU. The first expansion module is used to initiate LPU expansion if the first load index exceeds a preset LPU expansion threshold and the duration exceeds a preset duration; wherein, the MPU requests expansion of a new LPU from the control plane CP; The first configuration module is used to send configuration data to the expanded LPUs and perform load sharing based on the expanded LPUs.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The first scaling-down module is used to initiate LPU scaling-down if the first load index is lower than a preset LPU scaling-down threshold and the duration exceeds a preset duration.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The second sampling module is used to sample the load of each vUP at a preset period when the number of LPUs in the vUP reaches the upper limit, so as to obtain the second load index of each vUP. The second expansion module is used to initiate vUP expansion if the second load index exceeds the preset vUP expansion threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration. The second configuration module is used to send configuration data to the expanded vUPs and perform load balancing based on the expanded vUPs.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that, Also includes: The second scaling-down module is used to initiate vUP scaling-down if the second load index is lower than the preset vUP scaling-down threshold and the duration exceeds the preset duration.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 6-9, characterized in that, The first and second load metrics include: bandwidth utilization and / or user capacity utilization.

11. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes a processor, a communication interface, a memory, and a communication bus, wherein the processor, the communication interface, and the memory communicate with each other through the communication bus; Memory, used to store computer programs; A processor, when executing a program stored in memory, implements the steps of the method described in any one of claims 1-5.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method described in any one of claims 1-5.

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