Method, network node and system for determining a path

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a kind of method for determining path, network node and system, it is related to communication technical field, can improve the problem of existing detection whether the same problem when back and forth path, operation is cumbersome, detection efficiency is lower.Method includes: first network node sends the first message including instruction information;Instruction information is used to indicate that network node carries the path information of itself in message;Path information includes the node identification for indicating the identity information of network node;First network node obtains the second message sent by second network node in response to the first message;Second message includes the path information of network node on the first path and the path information of network node on the second path;First path is the path that first network node passes to second network node, and second path is the path that second network node passes to first network node;First network node determines first path and second path according to at least one path information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method, network node, and system for determining a path. Background Technology

[0002] In existing communication systems, a network node can send a message to another network node via a specific path. However, due to network planning or manual configuration, if the two network nodes use different communication protocols or choose different paths, the other network node may choose an alternative path instead of the original path. Since inconsistent round-trip paths affect the reliability of the communication system and subsequent network planning, it is necessary to detect whether the round-trip paths between the two network nodes are consistent in order to improve system reliability and facilitate future network planning.

[0003] Specifically, the network node can use tracert technology to send a Time-to-Live (TTL) field carrying the destination address of another network node to intermediate network nodes, and receive Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) messages from the intermediate network nodes to obtain information about the intermediate network nodes traversed between itself and the other network node, thus obtaining a first path. The other network node can also use tracert technology to send a TTL field to intermediate network nodes and receive ICMP messages from them to obtain information about the intermediate network nodes traversed between itself and the other network node, thus obtaining a second path. The first and second paths are then compared to determine if they are consistent, allowing for adjustments to network planning and improved communication reliability.

[0004] However, since both the network node and the other network node can only obtain a one-way path when using the above-mentioned route tracing technology, when checking whether the round-trip path is consistent, the network node and the other network node need to use route tracing technology separately to obtain the round-trip path, which is cumbersome and has low detection efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of this application is to provide a method, network node and system for determining a path, so as to improve the existing technical problem that when detecting whether the round-trip path between a certain network node and another network node is consistent, the network node and the other network node need to use routing tracing technology to obtain the round-trip path, which leads to cumbersome operation and low detection efficiency.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for determining a path, wherein the method includes: a first network node sending a first message including indication information; the indication information being used to instruct the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the path information including a node identifier, the node identifier being used to indicate the identity information of the network node; the first network node obtaining a second message sent by a second network node in response to the first message; the second message including at least one path information; the at least one path information including path information of network nodes on the first path and path information of network nodes on the second path; the first path being the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node, and the second path being the path traversed from the second network node to the first network node; the first network node determining the first path and the second path based on the at least one path information.

[0007] Based on the first aspect, the first network node can instruct the network node to carry path information in the message through the instruction information, and determine the first path and the second path according to at least one path information in the received second message. This eliminates the need for the first network node and the second network node to use routing tracing technology to determine the first path and the second path respectively, making the operation simple. Furthermore, the first network node can detect whether the first path and the second path are consistent based on the determined first path and the second path, thereby improving detection efficiency.

[0008] In one possible design, the first network node determines whether the first path and the second path are consistent based on the network nodes corresponding to the first path and the second path.

[0009] Based on this possible design, the first network node can determine whether the first path and the second path are consistent based on the network node corresponding to the first path and the network node corresponding to the second path, thereby improving detection efficiency.

[0010] In one possible design, the path information of the second network node also includes the role identifier of the second network node; wherein, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a destination network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a source network node of the second path.

[0011] In one possible design, the first network node determines the path information of the network nodes on the first path and the path information of the network nodes on the second path from at least one path information based on the role identifier of the second network node; the first network node determines the first path and the second path based on the path information of the network nodes on the first path and the path information of the network nodes on the second path.

[0012] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, the second network node can carry its own role identifier in the path information, so that the first network node can uniquely identify the second network node based on the role identifier, thereby distinguishing the first path and the second path based on the second network node.

[0013] In one possible design, at least one path information includes the path information of a third network node, and the path information of the third network node also includes the role identifier of the third network node; the role identifier of the third network node is used to indicate that the third network node is an intermediate network node in the path.

[0014] Based on this possible design, by carrying its own role identifier in the path information, the third network node can enable the first network node to distinguish the third network node from the second network node, making it easier for the first network node to distinguish between the first path and the second path based on the second network node.

[0015] In one possible design, the first message may also include path information for the first network node.

[0016] In one possible design, the path information of the first network node also includes the role identifier of the first network node; wherein, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is a source network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is a destination network node of the second path.

[0017] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, by carrying its own path information in the first message, the first network node can enable the network node receiving the first message to determine the path information of the first network node, and also facilitate the second network node to determine the second message based on the path information of the first network node.

[0018] In one possible design, the first message also includes a path information stack and a first stack offset; wherein, the path information stack is used to carry the path information of the network node, and the first stack offset is used to indicate the position where the path information of the network node is added in the path information stack.

[0019] In one possible design, the first stack offset is updated once every time the first message passes through a network node.

[0020] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, the network node that receives the first message can write its own path information into the path information stack of the first message and update the first stack offset, thereby determining the position of the network node's path information in the path information stack based on the first stack offset.

[0021] In one possible design, the first and second messages are TWAMPLight messages, a lightweight bidirectional active measurement protocol.

[0022] Based on this possible design, after receiving the first message, the second network node can send a second message to the first network node based on the TWAMP Light mechanism, so that the first network node can determine the first path and the second path according to the second message.

[0023] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a first network node, which can implement the functions performed by the first network node in the first aspect or possible designs described above. These functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is used to send a first message including indication information; the indication information instructs the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the path information includes a node identifier, which indicates the identity information of the network node. The transceiver module is also used to acquire a second message sent by a second network node in response to the first message; the second message includes at least one path information; the at least one path information includes path information of network nodes on a first path and path information of network nodes on a second path; the first path is the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node, and the second path is the path traversed from the second network node to the first network node. The processing module is used to determine the first path and the second path based on the at least one path information.

[0024] The specific implementation of the first network node can refer to the behavior function of the first network node in the path determination method provided by the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. Based on the first network node described in the second aspect, the first network node can instruct the network node to carry path information in the message through the instruction information, and determine the first path and the second path according to at least one path information in the received second message. There is no need for the first network node and the second network node to use routing tracing technology to determine the first path and the second path respectively. The operation is simple, and the first network node can detect whether the first path and the second path are consistent according to the determined first path and the second path, thereby improving the detection efficiency.

[0025] In one possible design, the processing module is also used to determine whether the first path and the second path are consistent based on the network nodes corresponding to the first path and the second path.

[0026] Based on this possible design, the first network node can determine whether the first path and the second path are consistent based on the network node corresponding to the first path and the network node corresponding to the second path, thereby improving detection efficiency.

[0027] In one possible design, the path information of the second network node also includes the role identifier of the second network node; wherein, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a destination network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a source network node of the second path.

[0028] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine the path information of the network node on the first path and the path information of the network node on the second path from at least one path information based on the role identifier of the second network node; and to determine the first path and the second path based on the path information of the network node on the first path and the path information of the network node on the second path.

[0029] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, the second network node can carry its own role identifier in the path information, so that the first network node can uniquely identify the second network node based on the role identifier, thereby distinguishing the first path and the second path based on the second network node.

[0030] In one possible design, at least one path information includes the path information of a third network node, and the path information of the third network node also includes the role identifier of the third network node; the role identifier of the third network node is used to indicate that the third network node is an intermediate network node in the path.

[0031] Based on this possible design, by carrying its own role identifier in the path information, the third network node can enable the first network node to distinguish the third network node from the second network node, making it easier for the first network node to distinguish between the first path and the second path based on the second network node.

[0032] In one possible design, the first message may also include path information for the first network node.

[0033] In one possible design, the path information of the first network node also includes the role identifier of the first network node; wherein, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is a source network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is a destination network node of the second path.

[0034] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, by carrying its own path information in the first message, the first network node can enable the network node receiving the first message to determine the path information of the first network node, and also facilitate the second network node to determine the second message based on the path information of the first network node.

[0035] In one possible design, the first message also includes a path information stack and a first stack offset; wherein, the path information stack is used to carry the path information of the network node, and the first stack offset is used to indicate the position where the path information of the network node is added in the path information stack.

[0036] In one possible design, the first stack offset is updated once every time the first message passes through a network node.

[0037] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, the network node that receives the first message can write its own path information into the path information stack of the first message and update the first stack offset, thereby determining the position of the network node's path information in the path information stack based on the first stack offset.

[0038] In one possible design, the first and second messages are TWAMPLight messages, a lightweight bidirectional active measurement protocol.

[0039] Based on this possible design, after receiving the first message, the second network node can send a second message to the first network node based on the TWAMP Light mechanism, so that the first network node can determine the first path and the second path according to the second message.

[0040] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a first network node, which can be a first network node itself, a chip within the first network node, or a system-on-a-chip. This first network node can implement the functions performed by the first network node in the above-described aspects or possible designs, and these functions can be implemented in hardware. In one possible design, the first network node may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor can be used to support the first network node in implementing the functions involved in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. For example, the transceiver can be used to send a first message including indication information; the indication information is used to instruct the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the path information includes a node identifier, which indicates the identity information of the network node; the transceiver can also be used to obtain a second message sent by a second network node in response to the first message; the second message includes at least one path information; the at least one path information includes path information of network nodes on a first path and path information of network nodes on a second path; the first path is the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node, and the second path is the path traversed from the second network node to the first network node; the processor can be used to determine the first path and the second path based on at least one path information. In another possible design, the first network node may further include a memory for storing necessary computer execution instructions and data. When the first network node is running, the transceiver and processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the first network node to perform the path determination method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0041] The specific implementation of the first network node can refer to the behavior function of the first network node in the path determination method provided by the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0042] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a method for determining a path, the method comprising: a second network node acquiring a first message including indication information and at least one path information; the indication information being used to instruct the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the at least one path information including path information of network nodes on a first path; the source address of the first message being the first network node, and the first path being the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node; the path information including a node identifier; the node identifier being used to indicate the identity information of the network node; and the second network node responding to the first message by sending a second message with the destination address being the first network node; wherein the second message includes the indication information, at least one path information, and the path information of the second network node.

[0043] Based on the fourth aspect, the second network node can carry its own path information in the second message based on the first message, so that the first network node can determine the first path and the second path according to the second message. This eliminates the need for the first network node and the second network node to use routing tracing technology to determine the first path and the second path respectively, making the operation simple. Furthermore, the first network node can detect whether the first path and the second path are consistent based on the determined first path and the second path, thereby improving detection efficiency.

[0044] In one possible design, when the second network node determines that the first message matches the pre-stored feature information, the second network node responds to the first message by sending a second message.

[0045] In one possible design, the feature information includes the address of the destination network node; the second network node determines whether the first message matches the pre-stored feature information, including: the second network node determines whether the address of the second network node matches the address of the pre-stored destination network node.

[0046] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, the second network node sends a second message when the destination address of the second network node matches that of the first message, thus providing a feasible solution for the second network node to send the second message.

[0047] In one possible design, the path information of the second network node also includes the role identifier of the second network node; wherein, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a destination network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a source network node of the second path; the second path is the path traversed from the second network node to the first network node.

[0048] Based on this possible design, by carrying its own role identifier in the path information, the second network node can enable the first network node to uniquely identify the second network node based on the role identifier, thereby distinguishing the first path from the second path based on the second network node.

[0049] In one possible design, the second message also includes a path information stack and a second stack offset; wherein the path information stack is used to carry the path information of the network node, and the second stack offset is used to indicate the position where the path information of the network node is added in the path information stack.

[0050] In one possible design, the second stack offset is updated once every time the second message passes through a network node.

[0051] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, the network node that receives the second message can write its own path information into the path information stack of the second message and update the second stack offset, thereby determining the position of the network node's path information in the path information stack based on the second stack offset.

[0052] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a second network node. This second network node can implement the functions performed by the second network node in the fourth aspect or possible designs described above. These functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is used to acquire a first message including indication information and at least one path information. The indication information instructs the network node to carry its own path information in the message. The at least one path information includes path information of network nodes on a first path. The source address of the first message is the first network node, and the first path is the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node. The path information includes a node identifier, which indicates the identity information of the network node. The processing module is used to respond to the first message by using the first network node as the destination address of a second message. The transceiver module is also used to send the second message. The second message includes indication information, at least one path information, and the path information of the second network node.

[0053] The specific implementation of the second network node can refer to the behavior function of the second network node in the path determination method provided in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect. Based on the second network node described in the fifth aspect, the second network node can carry its own path information in the second message based on the first message, so that the first network node can determine the first path and the second path according to the second message. There is no need for the first network node and the second network node to use routing tracing technology to determine the first path and the second path respectively. The operation is simple, and the first network node can detect whether the first path and the second path are consistent based on the determined first path and the second path, thereby improving the detection efficiency.

[0054] In one possible design, the second network node further includes a processing module, which is used to determine whether the first message matches the pre-stored feature information; if they match, the transceiver module responds to the first message and sends a second message.

[0055] In one possible design, the feature information includes the address of the destination network node; the processing module determines whether the first message matches the pre-stored feature information, including: the processing module determines whether the second network node matches the address of the pre-stored destination network node.

[0056] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, the second network node sends a second message when the destination address of the second network node matches that of the first message, thus providing a feasible solution for the second network node to send the second message.

[0057] In one possible design, the path information of the second network node also includes the role identifier of the second network node; wherein, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a destination network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a source network node of the second path; the second path is the path traversed from the second network node to the first network node.

[0058] Based on this possible design, by carrying its own role identifier in the path information, the second network node can enable the first network node to uniquely identify the second network node based on the role identifier, thereby distinguishing the first path from the second path based on the second network node.

[0059] In one possible design, the second message also includes a path information stack and a second stack offset; wherein the path information stack is used to carry the path information of the network node, and the second stack offset is used to indicate the position where the path information of the network node is added in the path information stack.

[0060] In one possible design, the second stack offset is updated once every time the second message passes through a network node.

[0061] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, the network node that receives the second message can write its own path information into the path information stack of the second message and update the second stack offset, thereby determining the position of the network node's path information in the path information stack based on the second stack offset.

[0062] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a second network node, which can be a second network node or a chip or system-on-a-chip within the second network node. This second network node can implement the functions performed by the second network node in the above aspects or possible designs, and these functions can be implemented in hardware. In one possible design, the second network node may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor can be used to support the second network node in implementing the functions involved in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect. For example, the transceiver can be used to acquire a first message including indication information and at least one path information; the indication information is used to instruct the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the at least one path information includes the path information of network nodes on a first path; the source address of the first message is the first network node, and the first path is the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node; the path information includes a node identifier; the node identifier is used to indicate the identity information of the network node; the processor can be used to respond to the first message by using the first network node as the destination address of a second message, and the transceiver can also be used to send the second message; wherein the second message includes indication information, at least one path information, and the path information of the second network node. In another possible design, the second network node may further include a memory for storing necessary computer execution instructions and data. When the second network node is running, the transceiver and processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the second network node to perform the path determination method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the possible designs of the fourth aspect above.

[0063] The specific implementation of the second network node can refer to the behavior function of the second network node in the path determination method provided by the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0064] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a method for determining a path, the method comprising: a third network node acquiring a message including indication information; the indication information being used to instruct the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the path information including a node identifier; the node identifier being used to indicate the identity information of the network node; and the third network node responding to the indication information by carrying its own path information in the message and sending it.

[0065] Based on the seventh aspect, the third network node can carry its own path information in the message and send it according to the instruction information in the message. This allows the first network node to determine the network node corresponding to the first path and the network node corresponding to the second path based on the path information in the message. This eliminates the need for the first and second network nodes to use routing tracing technology to determine the first and second paths separately. The operation is simple, and the first network node can detect whether the first and second paths are consistent based on the determined first and second paths, thus improving detection efficiency.

[0066] In one possible design, when a third network node determines that a message matches pre-stored feature information, the third network node sends the message with its own path information.

[0067] In one possible design, the feature information includes the address of the destination network node; the third network node determines whether the message matches the pre-stored feature information, including: the third network node determines whether the destination address of the message matches the pre-stored address of the destination network node.

[0068] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, when the destination address of a message matches the address of a pre-stored destination network node, the third network node can carry its own path information in the message and send it, providing a feasible solution for the third network node to send messages.

[0069] In one possible design, the path information of the third network node also includes the role identifier of the third network node; wherein, the role identifier of the third network node is used to indicate that the third network node is an intermediate network node in the path.

[0070] Based on this possible design, by carrying its own role identifier in the path information, the network node can enable the first network node to distinguish the second network node and the third network node according to the role identifier, thereby distinguishing the first path and the second path according to the second network node.

[0071] In one possible design, the message also includes a path information stack and a stack offset; the path information stack is used to carry the path information of network nodes, and the stack offset is used to indicate the position where the path information of network nodes is added in the path information stack.

[0072] In one possible design, the third network node adds its path information to the position indicated by the stack offset; the third network node updates the stack offset so that the stack offset points to the next position in the path information stack.

[0073] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, the network node that receives the message can write its own path information into the path information stack of the message and update the stack offset, thereby determining the position of the network node's path information in the path information stack based on the stack offset.

[0074] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a third network node that can implement the functions performed by the third network node in the seventh aspect or possible designs described above. These functions can be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions, such as a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is used to acquire a message including indication information; the indication information instructs the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the path information includes a node identifier; the node identifier indicates the identity information of the network node; the processing module is used to respond to the indication information by carrying the path information of the third network node in the message; the transceiver module is also used to send the message.

[0075] The specific implementation of the third network node can refer to the behavior function of the third network node in the path determination method provided in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect. Based on the third network node described in the eighth aspect, the third network node carries its own path information in the message and sends it according to the instruction information of the message. This allows the first network node to determine the network node corresponding to the first path and the network node corresponding to the second path according to the path information in the message. There is no need for the first network node and the second network node to use routing tracing technology to determine the first path and the second path respectively. The operation is simple, and the first network node can detect whether the first path and the second path are consistent according to the determined first path and the second path, thereby improving the detection efficiency.

[0076] In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send out the message carrying the path information of the third network node when the processing module determines that the message matches the pre-stored feature information.

[0077] In one possible design, the feature information includes the address of the destination network node; the processing module determines whether the message matches the pre-stored feature information, including: the processing module determines whether the destination address of the message matches the pre-stored address of the destination network node.

[0078] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, when the destination address of a message matches the address of a pre-stored destination network node, the third network node can carry its own path information in the message and send it, providing a feasible solution for the third network node to send messages.

[0079] In one possible design, the path information of the third network node also includes the role identifier of the third network node; wherein, the role identifier of the third network node is used to indicate that the third network node is an intermediate network node in the path.

[0080] Based on this possible design, by carrying its own role identifier in the path information, the network node can enable the first network node to distinguish the second network node and the third network node according to the role identifier, thereby distinguishing the first path and the second path according to the second network node.

[0081] In one possible design, the message also includes a path information stack and a stack offset; the path information stack is used to carry the path information of network nodes, and the stack offset is used to indicate the position where the path information of network nodes is added in the path information stack.

[0082] In one possible design, the processing module is also used to add the path information of the third network node to the position indicated by the stack offset; and update the stack offset so that the stack offset points to the next position in the path information stack.

[0083] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, the network node that receives the message can write its own path information into the path information stack of the message and update the stack offset, thereby determining the position of the network node's path information in the path information stack based on the stack offset.

[0084] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a third network node, which can be a third network node itself, a chip within a third network node, or a system-on-a-chip. This third network node can implement the functions performed by the third network node in the above aspects or possible designs, and these functions can be implemented in hardware. In one possible design, the third network node may include a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver and processor can be used to support the third network node in implementing the functions involved in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect. For example, the transceiver can be used to acquire a message including indication information; the indication information is used to instruct the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the path information includes a node identifier; the node identifier is used to indicate the identity information of the network node; the processor can be used to respond to the indication information by carrying the path information of the third network node in the message; the transceiver can also be used to send the message. In yet another possible design, the third network node may further include a memory for storing necessary computer execution instructions and data of the third network node. When the third network node is running, the transceiver and processor execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory to cause the third network node to perform the path determination method as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect above.

[0085] The specific implementation of the third network node can refer to the behavior function of the third network node in the path determination method provided by aspect 7 or any possible design of aspect 7.

[0086] In a tenth aspect, a network node is provided, the network node including one or more processors and one or more memories; the one or more memories are coupled to the one or more processors, the one or more memories being used to store computer program code or computer instructions; when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions, the network node performs a method for determining a path as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or performs a method for determining a path as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or performs a method for determining a path as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect.

[0087] Eleventhly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a method for determining a path as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or a method for determining a path as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or a method for determining a path as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect.

[0088] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform a method for determining a path as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to perform a method for determining a path as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or to perform a method for determining a path as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect.

[0089] In a thirteenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including logic circuitry and input / output interfaces; the logic circuitry is configured to read instructions, causing the chip to execute a path determination method as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or to execute a path determination method as described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or to execute a path determination method as described in the seventh aspect or any possible design of the seventh aspect.

[0090] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects 10 to 13 can be referred to as the technical effects of any of the possible designs in aspects 1 to 2 above, or the technical effects of any of the possible designs in aspects 4 to 5 above, or the technical effects of any of the possible designs in aspects 7 to 8 above, and will not be elaborated further.

[0091] In a fourteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first network node as described in any one of the second to third aspects, a second network node as described in any one of the fifth to sixth aspects, and a third network node as described in any one of the eighth to ninth aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0092] Figure 1a This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0093] Figure 1b This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0094] Figure 1c This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0095] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0096] Figure 3a A flowchart illustrating a method for determining a path provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 3b A flowchart illustrating a method for determining a path provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 3c A flowchart illustrating a method for determining a path provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0099] Figure 3d A flowchart illustrating a method for determining a path provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a message format provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a message format provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0103] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a message format provided for an embodiment of this application;

[0104] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a first network node provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0105] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a second network node provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0106] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a third network node provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0107] Before describing the embodiments of this application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0108] Network nodes: These are routing devices in a communication system that have routing and forwarding capabilities. Examples include: customer edge routers (CE), provider edge routers (PE), provider backbone routers (P), customer premise equipment (CPE), cellsite gateways (CSG), aggregation site gateways (ASG), and radio service gateways (RSG), without limitation.

[0109] Consistent return path: In a communication system, the path taken by a network node when sending a message to another network node is the same as the path taken by that other network node when sending a message to the same network node. Alternatively, it can be described as the set of network nodes traversed by a network node when sending a message to another network node being the same as the set of network nodes traversed by that other network node when sending a message to the same network node, but in reverse order. For example, if network node A sends a message to network node E via network nodes A, B, C, D, and E in sequence, while network node E sends a message to network node A via network nodes E, D, C, B, and A in sequence, then the path taken by network node A when sending a message to network node E is considered consistent with the path taken by network node E when sending a message to network node A.

[0110] However, when the communication protocols used by the network node and the other network node are different or the path selection methods are different due to network planning or manual configuration, the round-trip paths of the messages will be inconsistent.

[0111] Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) combines multiple routing devices into a single virtual routing device. The virtual routing device's Internet Protocol (IP) address serves as the default gateway address for users, enabling communication. VRRP uses IP packets as its transport protocol messages. Through these messages, it elects one routing device as the primary router and the others as backup routers, providing backup functionality. Furthermore, when the primary router fails, VRRP can quickly elect a new primary router from the backup routers to handle data traffic, ensuring the reliability of the communication system.

[0112] Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is a distance-vector routing protocol that enables route reachability between autonomous systems (AS), selects the best route, and provides loop-free inter-domain routing. BGP can perform operations such as neighbor establishment and route updates through message exchange, and provides rich routing policies for flexible route selection, guiding neighbors to advertise routes according to these policies. For example, when selecting routes, BGP can prioritize the route with the shortest AS path.

[0113] For example, refer to Figure 1aThe communication system shown includes AS1 and AS2 domains, which are connected via microwave equipment. AS1 includes RSG, ASG1, and CSG2, while AS2 includes CSG1 and ASG2. VRRP is deployed between CSG1 and CSG2 as a gateway for the CPE, and VRRP heartbeats can be transmitted via microwave equipment. Taking CSG1 as the master router, RSG using a border gateway protocol, and selecting the route with the shortest AS path during routing, when a branch sends a message to headquarters, since CSG1 is the master router, the CPE sends the branch's message to CSG1. CSG1 then sends the branch's message to RSG via the microwave link, passing through ASG2 and ASG1 sequentially. RSG then sends the branch's message to headquarters. When headquarters sends a message to a branch, since RSG selects the route with the shortest AS path during routing, RSG sends the headquarters' message to CPE via the microwave link, passing through ASG1 and CSG2 sequentially. CPE then sends the headquarters' message to the branch. Therefore, when a branch sends a message to headquarters, the network nodes it passes through in sequence are: CPE→CSG1→ASG2→ASG1→RSG; when headquarters sends a message to a branch, the network nodes it passes through in sequence are: RSG→ASG1→CSG2→CPE. Thus, because CPE and RSG use different communication protocols, the round-trip paths of the messages are inconsistent.

[0114] Route tracing technology involves a network node sending a Time to Live (TTL) field containing the destination address of another network node to an intermediate network node between the network node and another network node. The network node then receives an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) message from the intermediate network node to obtain information about the intermediate network nodes between the network node and the other network node, thus obtaining the path between the two network nodes.

[0115] For example, such as Figure 1b As shown, Figure 1b This includes CE1, PE1, P1, P2, PE2, and CE2. Among them, CE can provide service access to users by connecting to PE; PE can connect CE and P to send user packets from CE through PE into the operator's backbone network, or send user packets from the operator's backbone network to CE through PE; P can connect to PE to receive user packets and transmit user packets in the operator's backbone network, or transmit user packets from the operator's backbone network to PE.

[0116] Specifically, taking the example of PE1 using route tracing technology to obtain the network nodes corresponding to the path between PE1 and PE2, PE1 can use the following steps 1 to 10 to determine the network nodes corresponding to the path between PE1 and PE2.

[0117] Step 1: PE1 sends the first User Datagram Protocol (UDP) message.

[0118] The first UDP packet includes a destination port number and three TTL fields. The destination port number uses port number 33434 as the receiving port for PE2, and the value of each of the three TTL fields is 1.

[0119] Step 2: P1 receives the first UDP packet and sends the first ICMP packet to PE1.

[0120] Specifically, after receiving the first UDP packet, P1 decrements the value of the TTL field by 1. Since the changed TTL field value becomes 0, P1 sends a first ICMP message in response to the received first UDP packet to PE1, so that PE1 can determine P1's information based on the first ICMP timeout message.

[0121] Step 3: PE1 receives the first ICMP message and sends the second UDP message.

[0122] The second UDP packet includes a destination port number and three TTL fields. The destination port number is still port number 33434, and the value of each of the three TTL fields is 2.

[0123] Step 4: P1 receives the second UDP packet, modifies the second UDP packet, and sends it.

[0124] When P1 receives the second UDP packet, it decrements the value of the TTL field by 1. Since the value of the modified TTL field is 1, P1 sends the modified second UDP packet, which includes the destination port number and three modified TTL fields.

[0125] Step 5: P2 receives the modified second UDP packet and sends the second ICMP packet to PE1 via P1.

[0126] When P2 receives the modified second UDP packet, it decrements the value of the TTL field by 1. Since the value of the TTL field becomes 0 after the modification, P2 sends a second ICMP message in response to the received modified second UDP packet to PE1 through P1, so that PE1 can determine the information of P2 based on the second ICMP message.

[0127] Step 6: PE1 receives the second ICMP message and sends the third UDP message.

[0128] The third UDP packet includes a destination port number and three TTL fields. The destination port number is still port number 33434, and the value of the three TTL fields is set to 3.

[0129] Step 7: P1 receives the third UDP packet, modifies the third UDP packet, and sends it.

[0130] When P1 receives the third UDP packet, it decrements the value of the TTL field by 1. Since the value of the modified TTL field is 2, P1 sends the modified third UDP packet, which includes the destination port number and three modified TTL fields.

[0131] Step 8: P2 receives the modified third UDP packet, modifies the modified third UDP packet again, and sends it.

[0132] When P2 receives the modified third UDP packet, it decrements the value of the TTL field by 1. Since the value of the TTL field is 1 after the modification, P2 sends the modified third UDP packet again. The modified third UDP packet includes the destination port number and three modified TTL fields.

[0133] Step 9: PE2 receives the modified third UDP packet and sends an ICMP port unreachable message to PE1 via P2 and P1.

[0134] When PE2 receives the modified third UDP packet, it decrements the TTL field value by 1, making the TTL field value 0. At the same time, since the target port number is not an applied port number in PE2, PE2 will respond to the modified third UDP packet by sending an ICMP port unreachable message to PE1 through P2 and P1.

[0135] Step 10: PE1 receives the ICMP port unreachable message and determines the network node corresponding to the path between PE1 and PE2 based on the first ICMP message and the second ICMP message.

[0136] Specifically, PE1 can determine the end of route tracing based on the ICMP port unreachable message, and determine the information of P1 based on the received first ICMP message, and the information of P2 based on the second ICMP message, thereby determining the path between PE1 and PE2 as PE1→P1→P2→PE2.

[0137] Similarly, PE2 can also refer to steps 1 to 10 above to determine the network nodes corresponding to the path between PE2 and PE1.

[0138] Furthermore, the network nodes corresponding to the path from PE1 to PE2 can be compared with the network nodes corresponding to the path from PE2 to PE1 to determine whether the path from PE1 to PE2 is consistent with the path from PE2 to PE1.

[0139] Since inconsistent travel paths between a network node and another network node can affect the reliability of the communication system and subsequent network planning, it is necessary to check whether the travel paths between the network node and another network node are consistent in order to improve the reliability of the communication system and facilitate subsequent network planning. This allows for adjustments to the network planning and improved communication reliability.

[0140] However, when the network node and another network node use the above-mentioned route tracing technology, they can only obtain a one-way path. When checking whether the round-trip path is consistent, the network node and the other network node need to use route tracing technology separately to obtain the round-trip path, which is cumbersome and has low detection efficiency.

[0141] To address this issue, this application provides a method for determining a path. A first network node sends a first message including indication information. The indication information instructs the network node to include its own path information in the message. The path information includes a node identifier, which indicates the identity information of the network node. The first network node receives a second message sent by a second network node in response to the first message. The second message includes at least one path information. The at least one path information includes path information of network nodes on the first path and path information of network nodes on the second path. The first path is the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node, and the second path is the path traversed from the second network node to the first network node. The first network node determines the first path and the second path based on the at least one path information. In this application embodiment, the first network node can instruct network nodes to include path information in the message using the indication information, and determine the first path and the second path based on at least one path information in the received second message. This eliminates the need for the first and second network nodes to separately employ route tracing technology to determine the first and second paths, simplifying the operation. Furthermore, the first network node can detect whether the first and second paths are consistent based on the determined first and second paths, improving detection efficiency.

[0142] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0143] The path determination method provided in this application can be used in any communication system, such as a third-generation partnership project (3GPP) communication system, for example, a long-term evolution (LTE) system, or a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, a new radio (NR) system, an NR V2X system, and other next-generation communication systems, or a non-3GPP communication system, without limitation.

[0144] The following is based on Figure 1c Taking an example, the method for determining a path provided in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0145] Figure 1c A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application is shown below. Figure 1c As shown, the communication system may include multiple network nodes, and the multiple network nodes can communicate with each other according to a pre-configured communication protocol or based on manual configuration.

[0146] It should be noted that the network node in the embodiments of this application can be one or more chips, or it can be a system on chip (SOC), etc. Figure 1c The accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and the number of devices included is not limited. Furthermore, except... Figure 1c In addition to the network nodes shown, the communication system may also include other devices. Figure 1c The names of the various devices and links are unrestricted, except... Figure 1c In addition to the names shown, each device and each link can be named with other names, without restriction.

[0147] In practical implementation, Figure 1c As shown, for example, each network node in a communication system can adopt... Figure 2 The shown composition structure, or including Figure 2 The components shown. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition of a communication device 200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 200 can be a network node, a chip within a network node, or a system-on-a-chip. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the communication device 200 includes a processor 201, a transceiver 202, and a communication line 203.

[0148] Furthermore, the communication device 200 may also include a memory 204. The processor 201, memory 204, and transceiver 202 can be connected via a communication line 203.

[0149] The processor 201 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 201 can also be other devices with processing capabilities, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0150] Transceiver 202 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. These other communication networks can be Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc. Transceiver 202 can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of enabling communication.

[0151] Communication line 203 is used to transmit information between the components included in communication device 200.

[0152] Memory 204 is used to store instructions. These instructions can be computer programs.

[0153] The memory 204 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and / or instructions; it can also be a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and / or instructions; it can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0154] It should be noted that the memory 204 can exist independently of the processor 201 or can be integrated with the processor 201. The memory 204 can be used to store instructions, program code, or some data, etc. The memory 204 can be located inside or outside the communication device 200, without limitation. The processor 201 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 204 to implement the path determination method provided in the following embodiments of this application.

[0155] In one example, processor 201 may include one or more CPUs, for example Figure 2 CPU0 and CPU1 in the CPU.

[0156] As an optional implementation, the communication device 200 includes multiple processors, for example, besides Figure 2 In addition to processor 201, it may also include processor 206.

[0157] It should be noted that the communication device 200 can be a gateway, router, switch, chip system, or other similar device. Figure 2 Equipment with a similar structure. Furthermore... Figure 2 The structural composition shown does not constitute a limitation on the communication device, except... Figure 2 In addition to the components shown, the communication device may include more or fewer components than illustrated, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0158] In this embodiment of the application, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0159] Furthermore, the actions, terms, etc., involved in the various embodiments of this application can be referenced interchangeably without limitation. The message names or parameter names in the messages exchanged between the various devices in the embodiments of this application are merely examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations without limitation.

[0160] The following is combined Figure 1c The communication system shown, taking a system that includes at least a first network node, a second network node, and a third network node as an example, describes the method for determining a path provided in this application embodiment. The first network node can be... Figure 1c In the communication system shown, any network node, and the second network node can also be... Figure 1c In the communication system shown, any network node, the third network node can be... Figure 1c In the communication system shown, any network node between the first and second network nodes is not limited. The network nodes described in the following embodiments may have... Figure 2 The component shown.

[0161] Figure 3aThis application provides a method for determining a path, which is applied to a first network node, such as... Figure 3a As shown, the method includes:

[0162] Step 301a: The first network node sends the first message.

[0163] The first message includes instruction information, which instructs network nodes to carry their own path information in the message; the path information includes a node identifier, which indicates the identity information of the network node.

[0164] Step 302a: The first network node obtains the second message.

[0165] The second message is a message sent by the second network node in response to the first message; the second message includes at least one path information; the at least one path information includes the path information of network nodes on the first path and the path information of network nodes on the second path; the first path is the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node, and the second path is the path traversed from the second network node to the first network node.

[0166] Step 303a: The first network node determines the first path and the second path based on at least one path information.

[0167] Specifically, the detailed descriptions of steps 301a to 303a above can be found below. Figure 3d The specific description of the first network node is omitted here.

[0168] Based on the above Figure 3a The method shown allows the first network node to instruct the second network node to carry path information in the message through the instruction information, and to determine the first path and the second path based on at least one path information in the received second message. This eliminates the need for the first network node and the second network node to use routing tracing technology to determine the first path and the second path respectively, making the operation simple. Furthermore, the first network node can detect whether the first path and the second path are consistent based on the determined first path and the second path, thus improving detection efficiency.

[0169] Based on the above Figure 3a ,like Figure 3b As shown, this application embodiment also provides a method for determining a path, which is applied to a second network node, such as... Figure 3b As shown, the method includes:

[0170] Step 301b: The second network node obtains the first message.

[0171] The first message includes instruction information and at least one path information; the instruction information is used to instruct the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the at least one path information includes the path information of the network node on the first path; the source address of the first message is the first network node, and the first path is the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node; the path information includes a node identifier; the node identifier is used to indicate the identity information of the network node.

[0172] Step 302b: The second network node responds to the first message and sends the second message.

[0173] The destination address of the second message is the first network node, and the second message includes indication information, at least one path information, and the path information of the second network node.

[0174] Specifically, the detailed descriptions of steps 301b to 302b above can be found below. Figure 3d The specific description of the second network node will not be repeated here.

[0175] Based on the above Figure 3b The method shown allows the second network node to carry its own path information in the second message based on the first message, so that the first network node can determine the first path and the second path based on the second message. This eliminates the need for the first and second network nodes to use routing tracing technology separately to determine the first and second paths, simplifying the operation. Furthermore, the first network node can use the determined first and second paths to detect whether they are consistent, thus improving detection efficiency.

[0176] Based on the above Figure 3a and Figure 3b ,like Figure 3c As shown, this application embodiment also provides a method for determining a path, which is applied to a third network node, such as... Figure 3c As shown, the method includes:

[0177] Step 301c: The third network node obtains the message.

[0178] The message includes instruction information; the instruction information is used to instruct network nodes to carry their own path information in the message; the path information includes node identifiers; the node identifiers are used to indicate the identity information of the network node.

[0179] Step 302c: In response to the indication information, the third network node sends out the path information of the third network node in the message.

[0180] Specifically, the detailed descriptions of steps 301c to 302c above can be found below. Figure 3d The specific description of the third network node is omitted here.

[0181] Based on the above Figure 3c The method shown allows the third network node to carry its own path information in the message and send it according to the message's instruction information. This enables the first network node to determine the network node corresponding to the first path and the network node corresponding to the second path based on the path information in the message. This eliminates the need for the first and second network nodes to use routing tracing technology separately to determine the first and second paths. The operation is simple, and the first network node can use the determined first and second paths to detect whether they are consistent, thus improving detection efficiency.

[0182] The method for determining a path provided in this application embodiment will be described below with reference to the communication system shown in Figure 1, taking the interaction between the first network node, the second network node, and the third network node as an example.

[0183] Figure 3d A method for determining a path is provided in the embodiments of this application, such as Figure 3d As shown, the method includes:

[0184] Step 301d: The first network node sends the first message.

[0185] The first message may include instruction information, which instructs the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the path information may include a node identifier, which instructs the network node to identify itself.

[0186] Optionally, the node identifier can be any identifier that can be used to indicate the identity information of the network node, such as the network node's identity (ID), IP address, or media access control (MAC) address, without restriction.

[0187] Specifically, the first message may also include a source address and a destination address; wherein, the source address of the first message may be the IP address and / or MAC address of the first network node, and the destination address of the first message may be the IP address and / or MAC address of the second network node.

[0188] For example, the source address and destination address of the first message can be carried in the first message in the form of a triple, a quintuple or a septum, without restriction.

[0189] It should be noted that the descriptions of triples, quintuples, and heptasyllabuses can be found in the specific descriptions in existing communication protocols, and will not be repeated here.

[0190] Specifically, the first network node can determine the next-hop network node based on the destination address of the first message. If the next-hop network node is the third network node 1, then the third network node 1 can use the following step 302d: according to the indication information in the received first message, it carries its own path information in the first message and sends the first message to its corresponding next-hop network node according to the destination address of the first message, until the first message is sent to the second network node. If the first network node determines that the next-hop network node is the second network node based on the destination address of the first message, then the first network node can directly send the first message to the second network node.

[0191] It should be noted that if the first path from the first network node to the second network node includes multiple intermediate network nodes, each intermediate network node performs the action performed by the third network node 1 in step 302d below, until the first message is sent to the second network node through the first path.

[0192] For example, refer to Figure 4 Taking CSG1 as the first network node, ASG1 as the second network node, and CSG2 and CSG3 as the third network node, CSG1 can send the first message to CSG2. CSG2 can use the following step 302 to send its own path information in the first message to CSG3. After receiving the first message sent by CSG2, CSG3 can also use the following step 302d to send its own path information in the first message to ASG1.

[0193] Optionally, the first message may also include path information of the first network node.

[0194] The path information of the first network node includes the node identifier of the first network node.

[0195] Optionally, the path information of the first network node may also include the role identifier of the first network node.

[0196] The role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is a source network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is a destination network node of the second path.

[0197] Optionally, the first message may also include a path information stack and a first stack offset.

[0198] The path information stack can be used to carry the path information of network nodes, and the first stack offset can be used to indicate the position where the path information of network nodes is added in the path information stack.

[0199] Specifically, a path information stack can be pre-set for the first message, so that each network node adds its own path information to the path information stack based on the addition position indicated by the first stack offset.

[0200] Specifically, the first stack offset is updated once every time the first message passes through a network node.

[0201] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, CSG1 can set the initial value of the first stack offset to 1. When CSG2 receives the first message, CSG2 can update the first stack offset after writing its own path information into the first message. For example, the value of the first stack offset can be updated to 2. Then, the first message carrying the indication information, CSG2's path information and the updated first stack offset is sent to CSG3 according to the destination address of the first message. CSG3 performs the same action as CSG2 until the first message is sent to ASG1.

[0202] It should be noted that after the first network node adds its own path information to the path information stack of the first message, the first network node can update the first stack offset in the first message so that the first stack offset points to the next position in the path information stack, so that the next-hop network node that receives the first message can add the path information to the path information stack based on the first stack offset.

[0203] In one possible design, the first network node can employ a two-way active measurement protocol (TWAMP) mechanism. When it is necessary to detect whether the round-trip path between the first and second network nodes is consistent, it can initiate a TWAMP measurement. Alternatively, the first network node can also employ a TWAMP Light mechanism. When it is necessary to detect whether the round-trip path between the first and second network nodes is consistent, it can initiate a TWAMP Light measurement.

[0204] The TWAMP Light mechanism is a lightweight architecture based on the standard TWAMP protocol, simplifying the control protocol for establishing performance measurement sessions and enabling bidirectional IP performance measurement at any location on the network. The TWAMP Light mechanism includes an initiator and a reflector. The initiator sends a TWAMP-Test message, and the reflector, upon receiving this message, can send a reflected message back to the initiator. The initiator collects statistical information from the TWAMP measurements based on the TWAMP-Test and reflected messages, and can calculate bidirectional packet loss rate, latency, and jitter metrics.

[0205] Specifically, the first network node can add a path information stack to the TWAMP test message and use the extended TWAMP test message as the first message. After the second network node receives the first message, it can reflect the second message back to the first network node based on the TWAMP Light mechanism, so that the first network node can determine the first path and the second path based on the second message.

[0206] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the first network node can... Figure 5 The message format shown is expanded to obtain, as follows: Figure 7 The message format shown adopts Figure 7 The message format shown is used as the message format of the first message, so that the second and third network nodes can add path information to the first message and update the stack offset.

[0207] in, Figure 5 The message format shown may include a sequence number field, a timestamp field, an error estimation field, and a packet padding field. The first network node can extend the packet padding field to obtain... Figure 7 The first message shown.

[0208] It should be noted that the descriptions of the sequence number field, timestamp field, error estimation field, and packet padding field can be found in the specific descriptions of the existing TWAMP Light mechanism, and will not be repeated here.

[0209] Step 302d: The third network node 1 carries the path information in the first message and sends it.

[0210] The third network node 1 can be an intermediate network node on the first path between the first network node and the second network node, and the path information of the third network node 1 can include the node identifier of the third network node 1.

[0211] Specifically, after receiving the first message, the third network node 1 can determine whether the first message matches the pre-stored feature information. If it matches, it carries its own path information in the first message and sends the first message to the next-hop network node according to the destination address of the first message. The feature information is used to indicate the destination network node.

[0212] Optionally, the feature information is the address of the destination network node.

[0213] Specifically, the third network node can determine whether the destination address of the first message matches the address of the pre-stored destination network node. If they match, the third network node will carry its own path information in the first message and send the first message to the next-hop network node according to the destination address of the first message.

[0214] For example, the address of the destination network node can be pre-configured for the third network node 1 so that when the destination address of the third network node 1 receives a message, it will forward the received message to the destination network node when the destination address of the message matches the pre-stored address of the destination network node.

[0215] Optionally, the feature information can be a triple, quintuple, or septum of the message, etc., without limitation. The description of the triple, quintuple, and septum can refer to the specific description in step 301d, and will not be repeated here.

[0216] It should be noted that if the next-hop network node is not the second network node, then the next-hop network node executes the method described in step 302d, carrying its own path information in the first message and sending it, until the first message is sent to the second network node. If the next-hop network node is the second network node, then the third network node 1 can directly send the first message to the second network node.

[0217] Optionally, the path information of the third network node 1 may also include the role identifier of the third network node 1; the role identifier of the third network node 1 is used to indicate that the third network node 1 is an intermediate network node in the path.

[0218] For example, when the first message includes the role identifier of the first network node, the role identifier of the third network node 1 can be set to a different role identifier than that of the first network node in order to distinguish between the first network node and the third network node 1.

[0219] Optionally, when the first message includes a path information stack and a first stack offset, the third network node 1 adds its own path information to the path information stack based on the addition position indicated by the first stack offset, and then updates the first stack offset so that the updated first stack offset points to the next position in the path information stack, so that the next-hop network node that receives the first message can add the path information to the path information stack based on the first stack offset.

[0220] It should be noted that when there are intermediate network nodes on the first path from the first network node to the second network node, each intermediate network node performs the method described in step 302d above. When there are no intermediate network nodes on the first path, the first network node can directly send the first message to the second network node.

[0221] In one possible design, when the first network node adopts such Figure 7 When sending the first message in the format shown, the third network node can... Figure 6 The message format shown is an extension of the first message.

[0222] For example, after receiving the first message, the third network node 1 can do as follows: Figure 6 As shown, based on the first message, the following fields are added: Must be zero (MBZ) field, receive timestamp field, send sequence number field, send timestamp field, send error estimate field, MBZ field, and send TTL field. The data packet padding fields are also expanded by adding stack offset field and path information field. The path information is carried in the path information stack in the format of path information 1, path information 2, ..., path information n. Then the stack offset is updated, and the updated first message is sent out.

[0223] Step 303d: The second network node determines the second message based on the first message.

[0224] The second message may include instruction information, at least one path information, and the path information of the second network node; the instruction information is used to instruct the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the at least one path information includes the path information of each network node on the first path.

[0225] Specifically, the source address of the second message is the destination address of the first message, and the destination address of the second message is the source address of the first message; that is, the source address of the second message is the address of the second network node, and the destination address of the second message is the address of the first network node.

[0226] Optionally, the source and destination addresses of the second message can also be carried in the second message in the form of triples, quintuples, or septuplets, without restriction.

[0227] For example, after receiving the first message, the second network node can swap the source address and destination address of the first message to obtain the second message, and carry its own path information in the second message to respond to the first message.

[0228] Optionally, after receiving the first message, the second network node determines whether the first message matches the pre-stored feature information. If they match, the second message is then determined.

[0229] Optionally, the feature information is the address of the destination network node.

[0230] Specifically, the second network node can determine whether the destination address of the first message matches its own address. If they match, it determines itself as the destination network node and determines the second message based on the first message.

[0231] Optionally, the path information of the second network node may also include the role identifier of the second network node.

[0232] The role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a destination network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a source network node of the second path.

[0233] For example, the second message may include only the role identifier of the second network node to distinguish the first path from the second path based on the role identifier of the second network node.

[0234] In another example, when the first message includes the role identifier of the first network node, the role identifier of the second network node can be set to the same role identifier as the role identifier of the first network node, so as to determine that both the first network node and the second network node are endpoint network nodes of the path, thereby distinguishing the first path and the second path.

[0235] In another example, when the first message includes the role identifier of the first network node, the role identifier of the second network node can also be set to a role identifier different from that of the first network node. This is to determine whether the first network node is the source network node of the first path or the destination network node of the second path based on the role identifier of the first network node, and to determine whether the second network node is the destination network node of the first path or the source network node of the second path based on the role identifier of the second network node, thereby distinguishing between the first path and the second path.

[0236] In another example, when the first message includes the role identifier of the third network node 1, the role identifier of the second network node can be set to a different role identifier than that of the third network node 1 in order to distinguish the second network node from the third network node.

[0237] Optionally, the second message may also include path information stack and second stack offset.

[0238] The second stack offset is used to indicate the position where the path information of the network node is added to the path information stack of the second message.

[0239] Specifically, the second stack offset is updated once every time the second message passes through a network node.

[0240] Optionally, the second network node determines the second stack offset based on the first stack offset.

[0241] For example, after the second network node carries its own path information in the path information stack of the second message, it can update the first stack offset and carry the updated first stack offset as the second stack offset in the second message to the next-hop network node.

[0242] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, taking an update granularity of 1 for the stack offset update by a network node as an example, assume that the first stack offset value is 1 in the first message sent by CSG1 to CSG2; when CSG2 receives the first message, CSG2 can write its own path information into the first message, update the first stack offset value to 2, and send the first message carrying indication information, CSG2's path information, and a first stack offset value of 2 to CSG3; after receiving the first message, CSG3 can write its own path information into the first message, update the first stack offset value to 3, and then send the first message carrying indication information, CSG2's path information, and CSG3's path information to CSG3. The first message, containing path information and a first stack offset of 3, is sent to ASG1. After receiving the first message, ASG1 determines that its own address matches the destination address of the first message, swaps the source and destination addresses of the first message, generates a second message, carries its own path information in the second message, updates the first stack offset, and carries the updated first stack offset as the second stack offset in the second message, i.e., the value of the second stack offset is 4. Then, the second message, carrying indication information, path information of CSG2, path information of CSG3, path information of ASG1, and a second stack offset of 4, is sent to the next-hop network node.

[0243] Step 304d: The second network node sends the second message.

[0244] Specifically, the second network node can determine the next-hop network node based on the destination address of the second message. If the next-hop network node is the third network node 2, then the third network node 2 can use the following step 305d: according to the indication information in the received second message, it carries its own path information in the second message and sends the second message to its corresponding next-hop network node according to the destination address of the second message, until the second message is sent to the first network node. If the second network node determines that the next-hop network node is the first network node based on the destination address of the second message, then the second network node can directly send the second message to the first network node.

[0245] In this context, the third network node 2 is an intermediate network node on the second path from the second network node to the first network node when sending the second message. The third network node 2 can be the same as or different from the third network node 1; there is no restriction. If the second path includes multiple intermediate network nodes, each intermediate network node performs the actions performed by the third network node 2 in step 304d below, until the second message is sent to the first network node through the second path.

[0246] For example, refer to Figure 4Taking the first network node as CSG1, the second network node as ASG1, and the third network node 2 as including ASG2 and CSG4 as an example, ASG1 can send the second message to ASG2. ASG2 can use the following step 305d to carry its own path information in the second message and send it to CSG4. After receiving the second message sent by ASG2, CSG4 can also use the following step 305d to carry its own path information in the second message and send it to CSG1.

[0247] In step 305d, the third network node 2 carries the path information in the second message and sends it.

[0248] The path information of the third network node 2 may include the node identifier of the third network node 2.

[0249] Specifically, after receiving the second message, the third network node 2 can determine whether the second message matches the pre-stored feature information. If it matches, it carries its own path information in the second message and sends the second message to the next-hop network node according to the destination address of the second message. The feature information is used to indicate the destination network node.

[0250] Optionally, the feature information is the address of the destination network node.

[0251] Specifically, the third network node 2 can determine whether the destination address of the second message matches the address of the pre-stored destination network node. If they match, the node will carry its own path information in the second message and send the second message to the next-hop network node according to the destination address of the second message.

[0252] For example, the address of the destination network node can be pre-configured for the third network node 2 so that when the destination address of the third network node 2 receives a message, it forwards the received message to the destination network node when the destination address of the message matches the pre-stored address of the destination network node.

[0253] It should be noted that if the next-hop network node is not the first network node, then the next-hop network node executes the method described in step 305d, carrying its own path information in the second message and sending it, until the second message is sent to the first network node. If the next-hop network node is the first network node, then the third network node 2 can directly send the second message to the first network node.

[0254] Optionally, the path information of the third network node 2 may also include the role identifier of the third network node 2; the role identifier of the third network node 2 is used to indicate that the third network node 2 is an intermediate network node in the path.

[0255] For example, when the second message includes the role identifier of the first network node and / or the role identifier of the second network node, the role identifier of the third network node 2 can be set to be different from both the role identifier of the first network node and the role identifier of the second network node, so as to distinguish the third network node 2 from the first network node and the second network node, thereby distinguishing the first path and the second path.

[0256] In another example, when the second message includes the role identifier of the third network node 1, the role identifier of the third network node 2 can be set to the same role identifier as the role identifier of the third network node 1, so as to indicate that both the third network node 2 and the third network node 1 are intermediate network nodes in the path.

[0257] Optionally, when the second message includes a path information stack and a second stack offset, the third network node 2 adds its own path information to the path information stack based on the addition position indicated by the second stack offset, and then updates the second stack offset so that the updated second stack offset points to the next position in the path information stack, so that the next-hop network node that receives the second message can add the path information to the path information stack based on the second stack offset.

[0258] It should be noted that when there are intermediate network nodes on the second path from the second network node to the first network node, each intermediate network node performs the method described in step 305d above. When there are no intermediate network nodes on the second path, the second network node can directly send the second message to the first network node.

[0259] Step 306d: The first network node determines the first path and the second path based on the second message.

[0260] The second message includes at least one path information; the at least one path information includes the path information of each network node on the first path and the path information of each network node on the second path; the first path is the path from the first network node to the second network node, and the second path is the path from the second network node to the first network node.

[0261] Specifically, the first network node can determine the identity information of the network node based on at least one path information in the second message, and determine the network node corresponding to the first path and the network node corresponding to the second path based on the identity information of the network node.

[0262] In one possible design, the first network node determines the node identifier of each network node based on the path information in the second message, determines the second network node based on the node identifier of the network node, and distinguishes the first path from the second path based on the second network node.

[0263] It should be noted that in this possible design, the node identifier of the second network node should be a node identifier that can uniquely indicate the identity information of the second network node, so that the first network node can uniquely identify the second network node based on the node identifier. For example, the node identifier can be the IP address of the second network node.

[0264] For example, with Figure 4 For example, taking the first network node as CSG1 and the second network node as ASG1, and assuming that CSG1 sends the first message to ASG1 via CSG2 and CSG3, and ASG1 sends the second message to CSG1 via ASG2 and CSG4, CSG1 can execute step 301d above to send the first message. CSG2 and CSG3 can execute step 302d above to carry their own path information in the first message and send it. ASG1 can execute steps 303d and 304d above to determine the second message based on the first message and carry its own path information in the second message. In the second message, ASG2 and CSG4 can execute step 305d above to carry their own path information in the second message and send it. When CSG1 receives the second message sent by CSG4, CSG4 can determine ASG1 as the second network node based on the path information of CSG2, CSG3, ASG1, ASG2 and CSG4 in the second message, and determine the first path as: CSG1→CSG2→CSG3→ASG1; and determine the second path as: ASG1→ASG2→CSG4→CSG1.

[0265] In another possible design, the second network node carries its own role identifier in the path information and sends it to the first network node via a second message. After receiving the second message, the first network node can uniquely identify the second network node based on the role identifier, and then distinguish between the first path and the second path based on the second network node.

[0266] Furthermore, when the second message also includes the role identifiers of intermediate network nodes, the first network node can determine the second network node and intermediate network nodes based on the role identifiers of each network node, thereby distinguishing between the first path and the second path.

[0267] For example, with Figure 4For example, taking the first network node as CSG1 and the second network node as ASG1, and CSG1 sending the first message to ASG1 via CSG2 and CSG3, and ASG1 sending the second message to CSG1 via ASG2 and CSG4, CSG1 can execute the above step 301d to send the first message. CSG2 and CSG3 can execute the above step 302d to carry their own node identifier and role identifier in the first message and send it. ASG1 can execute the above steps 303d and 304d to determine the second message based on the first message, and carry its own node identifier and role identifier in the second message and send it. ASG2 and CSG4 can execute the above step 305d to carry their own node identifier and role identifier in the second message and send it. Assuming that the role identifiers of CSG2, CSG3, ASG2, and CSG4 are 1 and the role identifier of ASG1 is 2 in the second message, when CSG1 receives the second message sent by CSG4, CSG1 can determine that CSG2, CSG3, ASG2, and CSG4 are intermediate network nodes and ASG1 is the destination network node based on the second message. Then, based on the writing order of the path information of each network node, it determines the first path as: CSG1→CSG2→CSG3→ASG1; and the second path as: ASG1→ASG2→CSG4→CSG1.

[0268] Furthermore, the method shown in Figure 3 above may also include the following step 307d.

[0269] Step 307d: The first network node determines whether the first path and the second path are consistent.

[0270] Specifically, after the first network node determines the network node corresponding to the first path and the network node corresponding to the second path using the above step 306d, it can determine whether the first path and the second path are consistent.

[0271] For example, with Figure 4 For example, if the first network node determines the first path as: CSG1→CSG2→CSG3→ASG1; and determines the second path as: ASG1→ASG2→CSG4→CSG1, then the first network node can determine that the first path and the second path are inconsistent.

[0272] Based on the method shown in Figure 3 above, the first network node can instruct the network node to carry path information in the message through the instruction information, and determine the first path and the second path according to the received second message. There is no need for the first network node and the second network node to use routing tracing technology to determine the first path and the second path respectively. The operation is simple, and the first network node can detect whether the first path and the second path are consistent based on the determined first path and the second path, thereby improving the detection efficiency.

[0273] The foregoing primarily describes the solutions provided in this application from the perspective of device-to-device interaction. It is understood that each device, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0274] This application embodiment can divide each network element into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0275] When dividing each function into modules according to its corresponding function. Figure 8 A first network node 80 is illustrated, which may include a transceiver module 801 and a processing module 802. Exemplarily, the first network node 80 may be a first network node itself, or it may be a chip or other combined device or component having the aforementioned functions of a first network node. When the first network node 80 is a first network node, the transceiver module 802 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuitry, etc., and the processing module 801 may be a processor (or processing circuitry), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs. When the first network node 80 is a component having the aforementioned functions of a first network node, the transceiver module 801 may be a radio frequency unit, and the processing module 802 may be a processor (or processing circuitry), such as a baseband processor. When the first network node 80 is a chip system, the transceiver module 801 may be an input / output interface of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip), and the processing module 802 may be a processor (or processing circuitry) of the chip system, which may include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 801 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components, and the processing module 802 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components (or, referred to as processing circuit).

[0276] For example, the transceiver module 801 can be used to execute all the transceiver operations performed by the first network node in the embodiment shown in FIG3, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein. The processing module 802 can be used to execute all operations other than the transceiver operations performed by the first network node in the embodiment shown in FIG3, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0277] Specifically, the transceiver module 801 is used to send a first message including indication information; the indication information is used to instruct network nodes to carry their own path information in the message; the path information includes a node identifier, which is used to indicate the identity information of the network node; the transceiver module 801 is also used to obtain a second message sent by a second network node in response to the first message; the second message includes at least one path information; the at least one path information includes the path information of network nodes on the first path and the path information of network nodes on the second path; the first path is the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node, and the second path is the path traversed from the second network node to the first network node; the processing module 802 is used to determine the first path and the second path based on the at least one path information.

[0278] In one possible design, the processing module 802 is further configured to determine whether the first path and the second path are consistent based on the network nodes corresponding to the first path and the second path.

[0279] In one possible design, the path information of the second network node also includes the role identifier of the second network node; wherein, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a destination network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a source network node of the second path.

[0280] In one possible design, the processing module 802 is further configured to determine the path information of the network node on the first path and the path information of the network node on the second path from at least one path information based on the role identifier of the second network node; and to determine the first path and the second path based on the path information of the network node on the first path and the path information of the network node on the second path.

[0281] In one possible design, at least one path information includes the path information of a third network node, and the path information of the third network node also includes the role identifier of the third network node; the role identifier of the third network node is used to indicate that the third network node is an intermediate network node in the path.

[0282] In one possible design, the first message may also include path information for the first network node.

[0283] In one possible design, the path information of the first network node also includes the role identifier of the first network node; wherein, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is a source network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is a destination network node of the second path.

[0284] In one possible design, the first message also includes a path information stack and a first stack offset; wherein, the path information stack is used to carry the path information of the network node, and the first stack offset is used to indicate the position where the path information of the network node is added in the path information stack.

[0285] In one possible design, the first stack offset is updated once every time the first message passes through a network node.

[0286] In one possible design, the first and second messages are TWAMPLight messages, a lightweight bidirectional active measurement protocol.

[0287] As another feasible approach Figure 8 The first network node 80 in the middle can adopt Figure 2 The communication device 200 shown is implemented in this way. In this case, the function of the transceiver module 801 can be implemented by the transceiver 202; the function of the processing module 802 can be implemented by the processor 201 and / or 206. For example, the processor 201 executes the computer instructions and data stored in the memory 204 to implement the function of the processing module 802.

[0288] When dividing each function into modules according to its corresponding function. Figure 9A second network node 90 is illustrated, which may include a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 902. Exemplarily, the second network node 90 may be a second network node itself, or it may be a chip or other combined device or component having the aforementioned second network node functions. When the second network node 90 is a second network node, the transceiver module 902 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuitry, etc., and the processing module 901 may be a processor (or processing circuitry), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs. When the second network node 90 is a component having the aforementioned second network node functions, the transceiver module 901 may be a radio frequency unit, and the processing module 902 may be a processor (or processing circuitry), such as a baseband processor. When the second network node 90 is a chip system, the transceiver module 901 may be an input / output interface of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip), and the processing module 902 may be a processor (or processing circuitry) of the chip system, which may include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 901 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components, and the processing module 902 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components (or, referred to as processing circuit).

[0289] For example, transceiver module 901 can be used to execute all transceiver operations performed by the second network node in the embodiment shown in FIG3, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein. Processing module 902 can be used to execute all operations performed by the second network node in the embodiment shown in FIG3 other than transceiver operations, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0290] Specifically, the transceiver module 901 is used to acquire a first message including indication information and at least one path information; the indication information is used to instruct network nodes to carry their own path information in the message; the at least one path information includes the path information of network nodes on the first path; the source address of the first message is the first network node, and the first path is the path traversed from the first network node to the second network node; the path information includes a node identifier; the node identifier is used to indicate the identity information of the network node; the processing module 902 is used to respond to the first message by using the first network node as the destination address of the second message, and the transceiver module 901 is also used to send the second message; wherein, the second message includes indication information, at least one path information, and the path information of the second network node.

[0291] In one possible design, the processing module 902 is further configured to respond to the first message when the second network node determines that the first message matches the pre-stored feature information, and the transceiver module 901 is further configured to send the second message.

[0292] In one possible design, the feature information includes the address of the destination network node; the processing module 902 determines whether the address of the second network node matches the address of the pre-stored destination network node.

[0293] In one possible design, the path information of the second network node also includes the role identifier of the second network node; wherein, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is an endpoint network node of the path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a destination network node of the first path; or, the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a source network node of the second path; the second path is the path traversed from the second network node to the first network node.

[0294] In one possible design, the second message also includes a path information stack and a second stack offset; wherein the path information stack is used to carry the path information of the network node, and the second stack offset is used to indicate the position where the path information of the network node is added in the path information stack.

[0295] In one possible design, the second stack offset is updated once every time the second message passes through a network node.

[0296] As another feasible approach Figure 9 The second network node 90 in the middle can be adopted Figure 2 The communication device 200 shown is implemented in this way. In this case, the function of the transceiver module 901 can be implemented by the transceiver 202; the function of the processing module 902 can be implemented by the processor 201 and / or 206. For example, the processor 201 executes the computer instructions and data stored in the memory 204 to implement the function of the processing module 902.

[0297] When dividing each function into modules according to its corresponding function. Figure 10A third network node 100 is illustrated, which may include a transceiver module 1001 and a processing module 1002. Exemplarily, the third network node 100 may be a third network node itself, or a chip or other combination device or component having the aforementioned third network node functions applied within the third network node. When the third network node 100 is a third network node, the transceiver module 1002 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuitry, etc., and the processing module 1001 may be a processor (or processing circuitry), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs. When the third network node 100 is a component having the aforementioned third network node functions, the transceiver module 1001 may be a radio frequency unit, and the processing module 1002 may be a processor (or processing circuitry), such as a baseband processor. When the third network node 100 is a chip system, the transceiver module 1001 may be an input / output interface of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip), and the processing module 1002 may be a processor (or processing circuitry) of the chip system, which may include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1001 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components, and the processing module 1002 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components (or, referred to as processing circuit).

[0298] For example, the transceiver module 1001 can be used to execute all transceiver operations performed by the third network node in the embodiment shown in FIG3, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein. The processing module 1002 can be used to execute all operations other than transceiver operations performed by the third network node in the embodiment shown in FIG3, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0299] Specifically, the transceiver module 1001 is used to acquire a message including indication information; the indication information is used to instruct the network node to carry its own path information in the message; the path information includes a node identifier; the node identifier is used to indicate the identity information of the network node; the processing module 1002 is used to respond to the indication information by carrying the path information of the third network node in the message, and the transceiver module 1001 is also used to send the message.

[0300] In one possible design, the transceiver module 1001 is also used to send out the message carrying the path information of the third network node when the processing module 1002 determines that the message matches the pre-stored feature information.

[0301] In one possible design, the feature information includes the address of the destination network node; the processing module 1002 determines whether the message matches the pre-stored feature information, including: the processing module 1002 determines whether the destination address of the message matches the pre-stored address of the destination network node.

[0302] In one possible design, the path information of the third network node also includes the role identifier of the third network node; wherein, the role identifier of the third network node is used to indicate that the third network node is an intermediate network node in the path.

[0303] In one possible design, the message also includes a path information stack and a stack offset; the path information stack is used to carry the path information of network nodes, and the stack offset is used to indicate the position where the path information of network nodes is added in the path information stack.

[0304] In one possible design, the processing module 1002 is also used to add the path information of the third network node to the position indicated by the stack offset; and update the stack offset so that the stack offset points to the next position in the path information stack.

[0305] As another feasible approach Figure 10 The third network node 100 in the middle can adopt Figure 2 The communication device 200 shown is implemented in this way. At this time, the function of the transceiver module 1001 can be implemented by the transceiver 202; the function of the processing module 1002 can be implemented by the processor 201 and / or 206. For example, the processor 201 executes the computer instructions and data stored in the memory 204 to implement the function of the processing module 1002.

[0306] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. This program can be stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal (including a data sending end and / or a data receiving end) of any of the foregoing embodiments, such as the terminal's hard disk or memory. The computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, etc., equipped on the terminal. Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include both the terminal's internal storage unit and external storage devices. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store the computer program and other programs and data required by the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0307] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0308] It should be understood that in this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0309] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0310] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules or units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0311] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. A component shown as a unit can be one or more physical units; that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different locations. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0312] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0313] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, essentially, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0314] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of determining a path, characterized by, The method comprises: a first network node sends a first packet; wherein the first packet comprises indication information, the indication information being used to indicate that a network node carries its own path information in a packet; the path information comprises a node identifier, the node identifier being used to indicate identity information of the network node; a destination address of the first packet is a second network node; the first network node acquires a second packet; wherein the second packet is a packet sent by the second network node in response to the first packet; the second packet comprises at least one path information; the at least one path information comprises path information of a network node on a first path and path information of a network node on a second path; the first path is a path passed through by the first network node to the second network node, and the second path is a path passed through by the second network node to the first network node; the first network node determines the first path and the second path according to the at least one path information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: the first network node determines whether the first path and the second path are consistent according to network nodes corresponding to the first path and the second path.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the path information of the second network node further comprises a role identifier of the second network node; wherein the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is an end point network node of a path; or the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a destination network node of the first path; or the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a source network node of the second path.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first network node determines the first path and the second path according to the at least one path information, comprising: the first network node determines, from the at least one path information, the path information of the network node on the first path and the path information of the network node on the second path according to the role identifier of the second network node; the first network node determines the first path and the second path according to the path information of the network node on the first path and the path information of the network node on the second path.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one path information comprises path information of a third network node, and the path information of the third network node further comprises a role identifier of the third network node; wherein the role identifier of the third network node is used to indicate that the third network node is an intermediate network node of a path.

6. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the first packet further comprises path information of the first network node.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein The path information of the first network node further comprises a role identifier of the first network node; wherein the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is an end point network node of a path; or the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is a source network node of the first path; or the role identifier of the first network node is used to indicate that the first network node is a destination network node of a second path.

8. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein, The first packet further comprises a path information stack and a first stack offset; wherein the path information stack is used to carry path information of network nodes, and the first stack offset is used to indicate an adding position of the path information of network nodes in the path information stack.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first stack offset is updated once per network node that the first packet passes through.

10. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein, The first packet and the second packet are TWAMP Light packets.

11. A method of determining a path, characterized by, Comprise: The second network node acquires a first packet; wherein the first packet comprises indication information and at least one path information; the indication information is used to indicate that a network node carries its own path information in a packet; the at least one path information comprises path information of network nodes on a first path; a source address of the first packet is a first network node, and the first path is a path that the first network node passes through to the second network node; the path information comprises a node identifier; the node identifier is used to indicate identity information of a network node; a destination address of the first packet is the second network node; The second network node sends a second packet in response to the first packet; wherein a destination address of the second packet is the first network node, and the second packet comprises the indication information, the at least one path information, and path information of the second network node.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The second network node sends the second packet in response to the first packet, comprising: When the second network node determines that the first packet matches pre-stored feature information, the second network node sends the second packet in response to the first packet.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The feature information comprises an address of a destination network node; The second network node determines that the first packet matches pre-stored feature information, comprising: The second network node determines that the second network node matches a pre-stored address of a destination network node.

14. The method of any of claims 11-13, wherein, The path information of the second network node further comprises a role identifier of the second network node; wherein the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is an end point network node of a path; or the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a destination network node of the first path; or the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a source network node of a second path; the second path is a path passed by the second network node to the first network node.

15. The method of any of claims 11-13, wherein, The second packet further comprises a path information stack and a second stack offset; wherein the path information stack is used to carry path information of network nodes, and the second stack offset is used to indicate an adding position of the path information of network nodes in the path information stack.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The second stack offset is updated once per network node that the second packet passes through.

17. A method of determining a path, characterized by, Comprising: A third network node acquires a packet; wherein the packet comprises indication information; the indication information is used to indicate that a network node carries its own path information in a packet; the path information comprises a node identifier; the node identifier is used to indicate identity information of the network node; path information of the third network node further comprises a role identifier of the third network node; wherein the role identifier of the third network node is used to indicate that the third network node is an intermediate network node of a path; The third network node sends out the packet carrying the path information of the third network node in response to the indication information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The third network node sends out the packet carrying the path information of the third network node in response to the indication information, comprising: When the third network node determines that the packet matches pre-stored feature information, the third network node sends out the packet carrying the path information of the third network node.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The feature information comprises an address of a destination network node; The third network node determines that the packet matches pre-stored feature information, comprising: The third network node determines that a destination address of the packet matches a pre-stored address of a destination network node.

20. The method of any of claims 17-19, wherein, The packet further comprises a path information stack and a stack offset; wherein the path information stack is used to carry path information of network nodes, and the stack offset is used to indicate an adding position of the path information of network nodes in the path information stack.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The third network node sends out the packet carrying the path information of the third network node, comprising: The third network node adds the path information of the third network node at the position indicated by the stack offset; The third network node updates the stack offset so that the stack offset points to a next position in the path information stack.

22. A first network node, characterized by: Comprising: The transceiver module is configured to send a first packet; wherein the first packet comprises indication information, and the indication information is used to instruct a network node to carry its own path information in a packet; the path information comprises a node identifier, and the node identifier is used to indicate identity information of the network node; and a destination address of the first packet is a second network node; The transceiver module is further configured to obtain a second packet; wherein the second packet is a packet sent by the second network node in response to the first packet; the second packet comprises at least one path information; the at least one path information comprises path information of a network node on a first path and path information of a network node on a second path; the first path is a path passed through by the first network node to the second network node, and the second path is a path passed through by the second network node to the first network node; The processing module is configured to determine the first path and the second path according to the at least one path information.

23. The first network node of claim 22, wherein The processing module is further configured to determine whether the first path and the second path are consistent according to network nodes corresponding to the first path and the second path.

24. The first network node of claim 22 or 23, wherein The path information of the second network node further comprises a role identifier of the second network node; wherein the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is an end point network node of a path; or the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a destination network node of the first path; or the role identifier of the second network node is used to indicate that the second network node is a source network node of the second path.

25. A second network node, characterized by: The transceiver module is configured to obtain a first packet; wherein the first packet comprises indication information and at least one path information; the indication information is used to instruct a network node to carry its own path information in a packet; the at least one path information comprises path information of a network node on a first path; a source address of the first packet is a first network node, and the first path is a path passed through by the first network node to a second network node; the path information comprises a node identifier; the node identifier is used to indicate identity information of the network node; and a destination address of the first packet is the second network node; The transceiver module is further configured to send a second packet in response to the first packet; wherein a destination address of the second packet is the first network node, and the second packet comprises the indication information, the at least one path information, and path information of the second network node. The second network node further comprises a processing module; 26. The second network node of claim 25, wherein, The processing module is configured to determine whether the first packet matches pre-stored feature information; If the first packet matches the pre-stored feature information, the sending module sends the second packet in response to the first packet. The transceiver module is configured to obtain a first packet; wherein the first packet comprises indication information and at least one path information; the indication information is used to instruct a network node to carry its own path information in a packet; the at least one path information comprises path information of a network node on a first path; a source address of the first packet is a first network node, and the first path is a path passed through by the first network node to a second network node; the path information comprises a node identifier; the node identifier is used to indicate identity information of the network node; and a destination address of the first packet is the second network node; 27. A third network node, characterized by: The transceiver module is further configured to send a second packet in response to the first packet; wherein a destination address of the second packet is the first network node, and the second packet comprises the indication information, the at least one path information, and path information of the second network node. The transceiving module is configured to acquire a packet; the packet comprises indication information; the indication information is used to indicate that a network node carries path information of the network node in the packet; the path information comprises a node identifier; the node identifier is used to indicate identity information of the network node; the path information of the third network node further comprises a role identifier of the third network node; the role identifier of the third network node is used to indicate that the third network node is an intermediate network node of a path; The transceiving module is further configured to, in response to the indication information, carry the path information of the third network node in the packet and send the packet.

28. The third network node of claim 27, wherein, The third network node further comprises a processing module; The processing module is configured to determine whether the packet matches pre-stored feature information; If the packet matches the pre-stored feature information, the transceiving module carries the path information of the third network node in the packet and sends the packet.

29. A communication system, characterized by The network comprises a first network node, a second network node and a third network node; the first network node is configured to execute the method for determining a path according to any one of claims 1 to 10; the second network node is configured to execute the method for determining a path according to any one of claims 11 to 16; and the third network node is configured to execute the method for determining a path according to any one of claims 17 to 21.

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