Communication method, apparatus, device, system and computer readable storage medium

Abstract

Disclosed are a communication method, device and system. An SF device adds a first location identifier including an identifier of the SF device and an identifier of a first physical port to a first message sent by a first user equipment, sends a second message with the added first location identifier to a first UP device, and sends a third message to a CP device by the first UP device. The CP device sends the third message to a USF device, so that the USF device can distinguish from which physical port of which SF device a user accesses. The USF device interacts with an SDN controller, so that the SDN controller sends a configuration instruction to a corresponding SF device, so that the corresponding SF device configures a virtual local area network identifier of the first user equipment to a second sub-interface corresponding to a second UP device, so as to transfer user traffic to the second UP device. The first message can be a DHCP message or a PPPoE message, and the first location identifier is carried by adding OPTION82 / OPTION18.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202011205533.5, filed on November 2, 2020, and entitled "A Method for Sending a Packet and a Network Device", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication, and in particular to a communication method, device, equipment, system and computer readable storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the development of software-defined networking (SDN) technology and network function contextualization (NFV) technology, the metropolitan area network evolves from the traditional network-centric architecture to the data center-centric network architecture; the traditional network element device also evolves from specialization to generalization. The evolution of the traditional network element device from specialization to generalization mainly solves two decouplings: control and forwarding decoupling, and software and hardware decoupling.

[0004] As a traditional broadband access gateway device, the broadband network gateway (BNG) is very important in user broadband access services and scenarios. The main requirements of the BNG device on user access are user authentication, access control, traffic scheduling, etc. With the continuous emergence of various Internet services, the requirements for the number of user sessions supported by the BNG device and the user access bandwidth are increasing, especially the requirement for the open and programmable capability of the BNG device to provide external services is becoming higher and higher. Based on these factors, the BNG device realizes the two decouplings mentioned above based on the SDN / NFV architecture.

[0005] The virtual broadband network gateway (vBNG) includes a virtual broadband network gateway control plane (vBNG-CP) device and a virtual broadband network gateway user plane (vBNG-UP) device. The vBNG-CP device manages multiple vBNG-UP devices, schedules users, traffic and resources among the multiple vBNG-UP devices, and greatly improves the utilization and reliability of the device compared with a single machine.

[0006] When the user equipment accesses the network, the traffic of the user equipment needs to be sent to a suitable vBNG-UP device dynamically according to certain conditions. SUMMARY

[0007] The application provides a communication method, device, equipment, system and computer readable storage medium, which are used for sending the traffic of a user to a suitable vBNG-UP device.

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which includes: an SF device receiving a first message sent by a first user equipment, adding a first location identifier in the first message to obtain a second message, and sending the second message to a first UP device; the first UP device sending a third message to a CP device based on the second message, the third message including the first location identifier, and the first location identifier including an identifier of the SF device and an identifier of a first physical port, the first physical port being a port of the SF device receiving the first message;

[0009] The CP device receives the third message sent by the first UP device, and sends user online information of the first user equipment to a user plane steering function (USF) device, the user online information including a traffic quality requirement, a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier and the first location identifier.

[0010] The USF device receives the user online information sent by the CP device, determines a second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement according to the user online information, and returns an identifier of the second UP device to the CP device, the second UP device corresponding to a second sub-interface.

[0011] The CP device receives the identifier of the second UP device sent by the USF device, and issues a user table item to the second UP device.

[0012] The USF device sends the identifier of the second UP device and / or a second location identifier, and the VLAN identifier to a software defined network (SDN) controller.

[0013] The SDN controller receives the identifier of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier, and the VLAN identifier sent by the USF device, and sends a configuration instruction to the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier according to the identifier of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier, and the VLAN identifier, the configuration instruction including an identifier of the second sub-interface and the VLAN identifier, and the configuration instruction being used for the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier to configure the VLAN identifier to the second sub-interface.

[0014] In the method, the SF device adds a first location identifier including an identifier of the SF device and an identifier of the first physical port in a first message sent by a first user equipment in reception, sends a second message with the added first location identifier to a first UP device, sends a third message to a CP device by the first UP device, and sends the third message to the USF device by the CP device, so that the USF device can distinguish from which physical port of which SF device the user accesses, and through interaction between the USF device and the SDN controller, the SDN controller sends a configuration instruction to the corresponding SF device, so that the corresponding SF device configures a virtual local area network identifier of the first user equipment to a second sub-interface corresponding to the second UP device, so as to transfer the traffic of the user to the second UP device meeting the traffic quality requirement.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the second location identifier corresponds to the same SF device as the SF device receiving the first message, and the virtual local area network identifier is configured on a first sub-interface of the first physical port, and the configuration instruction further includes an identifier of the first sub-interface, and the method further includes: deleting, by the SF device, the virtual local area network identifier configured on the first sub-interface. After the virtual local area network identifier is configured to the second sub-interface, the virtual local area network identifier configured on the first sub-interface is deleted, so as to release resources and make subsequent traffic forwarding more accurate.

[0016] In a possible implementation of the first aspect to the eighth aspect described below, the identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, and a port identifier.

[0017] In a possible implementation of the first aspect to the eighth aspect described below, the first message is a DHCP message, and the SF device adds the first location identifier in the first message by adding OPTION82 or OPTION18 in the DHCP message and carrying the first location identifier through the OPTION82 or the OPTION18.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the first aspect to the eighth aspect described below, the first message is a PPPoE message. Different ways of carrying the first location identifier are adopted for different types of first messages, so that the flexibility of the method is higher, and the realizability of the scheme is ensured.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the second location identifier includes an identifier of the second sub-interface.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the second sub-interface corresponds to a same physical port as the first physical port, or the second sub-interface corresponds to a different physical port on the SF device from the first physical port, or the second sub-interface corresponds to a physical port on a different SF device from the first physical port. The method provided in this application is not only applicable to switching between different sub-interfaces on a same physical port of a same SF device, but also supports switching between sub-interfaces of different physical ports of a same SF device, and switching between different sub-interfaces on different SF devices, and is more widely applicable.

[0021] In a second aspect, a method for sending a packet is provided, and the method is applied to an SF device, and the method includes the following steps: the SF device receives a first packet sent by a first user device; the SF device adds a first location identifier in the first packet to obtain a second packet, the first location identifier includes an identifier of the SF device and an identifier of a first physical port, and the first physical port is a port for receiving the first packet; and the SF device sends the second packet to a first user plane UP device in a vBNG.

[0022] In a possible implementation, after the SF device sends the second packet to the first UP device in the vBNG, the method further includes the following steps: the SF device receives a configuration instruction sent by a software-defined network SDN controller, the configuration instruction includes an identifier of a second sub-interface and a virtual local area network identifier; and the SF device configures the virtual local area network identifier on the second sub-interface.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the second sub-interface corresponds to a second UP device, and the method further includes the following steps: the SF device receives a fourth packet sent by a second user device, the fourth packet includes the virtual local area network identifier; and the SF device sends the fourth packet to the second UP device according to the virtual local area network identifier.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the virtual local area network identifier is configured on the first sub-interface, the configuration instruction further includes an identifier of the first sub-interface, and the method further includes the following step: the SF device deletes the virtual local area network identifier configured on the first sub-interface.

[0025] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided, and the method is applied to a control plane CP device, and the method includes the following steps:

[0026] The CP device receives a third message sent by a first user plane (UP) device, the third message comprising a first location identifier, the first location identifier comprising an identifier of a steering function (SF) device and an identifier of a first physical port on the SF device, the first physical port being a port on the SF device that receives a first message sent by a first user equipment (UE);

[0027] The CP device sends user online information of the first UE to a user plane steering function (USF) device, the user online information comprising a traffic quality requirement, a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier, and the first location identifier;

[0028] The CP device receives an identifier of a second UP device determined by the USF device to meet the traffic quality requirement according to the user online information;

[0029] The CP device sends a user table item to the second UP device.

[0030] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method being applied to a user plane steering function (USF) device, and the method comprising:

[0031] The USF device receives user online information of a first user equipment (UE) sent by a control plane (CP) device, the user online information comprising a traffic quality requirement, a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier, and a first location identifier, the first location identifier comprising an identifier of a steering function (SF) device and an identifier of a first physical port on the SF device;

[0032] The USF device determines a second UP device to meet the traffic quality requirement according to the user online information, and returns an identifier of the second UP device to the CP device;

[0033] The USF device sends the identifier of the second UP device and / or a second location identifier, and the VLAN identifier to a software defined network (SDN) controller.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the second location identifier comprises an identifier of the second sub-interface.

[0035] In a fifth aspect, a communication method is provided, the method being applied to an SDN controller, and the method comprising:

[0036] The SDN controller receives an identifier of a second user plane (UP) device and / or a second location identifier, and a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier sent by a user plane steering function (USF) device, the second UP device corresponding to a second sub-interface;

[0037] The SDN controller sends a configuration instruction to the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier according to the identifier of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier and the virtual local area network identifier, the configuration instruction comprising the identifier of the second sub-interface and the virtual local area network identifier, and the configuration instruction being used for the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier to configure the virtual local area network identifier on the second sub-interface.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the second location identifier comprises the identifier of the second sub-interface.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the method further comprises: determining, by the SDN controller, the second sub-interface according to the identifier of the second UP device sent by the USF device.

[0040] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which is applied to a steering function (SF) device, and the apparatus comprises:

[0041] The transceiver module is configured to receive a first message sent by a first user device.

[0042] The processing module is configured to add a first location identifier in the first message to obtain a second message, the first location identifier comprising an identifier of the SF device and an identifier of a first physical port, the first physical port being a port for receiving the first message.

[0043] The transceiver module is further configured to send the second message to a first user plane (UP) device in a virtual broadband network gateway (vBNG).

[0044] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a configuration instruction sent by a software defined network (SDN) controller, the configuration instruction comprising an identifier of a second sub-interface and a virtual local area network identifier.

[0045] The processing module is further configured to configure the virtual local area network identifier on the second sub-interface.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the second sub-interface corresponds to a second UP device, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a fourth message sent by a second user device, the fourth message comprising the virtual local area network identifier, and send the fourth message to the second UP device according to the virtual local area network identifier.

[0047] In a possible implementation, the virtual local area network identifier is configured on the first sub-interface, the configuration instruction further comprises an identifier of the first sub-interface, and the processing module is further configured to delete the virtual local area network identifier configured on the first sub-interface.

[0048] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which is applied to a CP device, and comprises:

[0049] The first transceiving module is configured to receive a third message sent by a first user plane (UP) device, wherein the third message comprises a first location identifier, and the first location identifier comprises an identifier of a steering function (SF) device and an identifier of a first physical port of the SF device, and the first physical port is a port of the SF device for receiving a first message sent by a first user equipment (UE).

[0050] The second transceiving module is configured to send user online information of the first UE to a user plane steering function (USF) device, wherein the user online information comprises a traffic quality requirement, a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier and the first location identifier.

[0051] The second transceiving module is further configured to receive an identifier of a second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement, which is determined by the USF device according to the user online information.

[0052] The first transceiving module is further configured to distribute a user table item to the second UP device.

[0053] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which is applied to a USF device, and comprises:

[0054] The transceiving module is configured to receive user online information of a first UE sent by a control plane (CP) device, wherein the user online information comprises a traffic quality requirement, a VLAN identifier and a first location identifier, and the first location identifier comprises an identifier of an SF device and an identifier of a first physical port of the SF device.

[0055] The processing module is configured to determine a second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement according to the user online information.

[0056] The transceiving module is further configured to return the identifier of the second UP device to the CP device.

[0057] The transceiving module is further configured to send the identifier of the second UP device and / or a second location identifier, and the VLAN identifier to a software defined network (SDN) controller.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the apparatus is applied to an SDN controller, and comprises:

[0059] The first transceiving module is configured to receive an identifier of a second UP device and / or a second location identifier, and a VLAN identifier sent by a USF device, wherein the second UP device corresponds to a second sub-interface.

[0060] The second transceiving module is configured to send a configuration instruction to the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier according to the identifier of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier and the virtual local area network identifier, the configuration instruction comprising the identifier of the second sub-interface and the virtual local area network identifier, and the configuration instruction being used by the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier to configure the virtual local area network identifier on the second sub-interface.

[0061] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, and the communication system comprises an SF device, a CP device, a UP device, a USF device and an SDN controller.

[0062] The SF device is configured to perform the method of any of the second aspect.

[0063] The CP device is configured to perform the method of any of the third aspect.

[0064] The USF device is configured to perform the method of any of the fourth aspect.

[0065] The SDN controller is configured to perform the method of any of the fifth aspect.

[0066] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, and the communication device comprises a processor configured to execute instructions to cause the network device to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0067] In an eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, and the computer-readable storage medium comprises instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect.

[0068] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, and the communication system comprises an SF device, a CP device, a UP device, a USF device and an SDN controller, wherein the SF device, the CP device, the USF device and the SDN controller perform the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0069] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a networking schematic diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Figure 2 FIG. 2 is a connection relationship schematic diagram of an SF device and a UP device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 4is an interaction schematic diagram of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0073] Figure 5 is another networking schematic diagram provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0074] Figure 6 is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0075] Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0076] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0077] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0078] Figure 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0079] Figure 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the application;

[0080] Figure 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0081] Embodiments of the application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] With the decoupling of control and forwarding and the decoupling of software and hardware based on the architecture of the SDN / NFV, the vBNG emerges as the times require. The vBNG includes a vBNG-CP device and a vBNG-UP device, the vBNG-CP device manages a plurality of vBNG-UP devices, schedules users, traffics and resources among the plurality of vBNG-UP devices, and the utilization rate and reliability of the device can be greatly improved compared with a single machine. In the embodiments of the present application, the vBNG-CP device can also be referred to as a CP device, and the vBNG-UP device can also be referred to as a UP device. There are three interfaces between the vBNG-CP device and the vBNG-UP device, which are:

[0083] PRi: service interface, the vBNG-UP device receives a user access protocol packet, encapsulates the packet and sends it to the vBNG-CP device for processing through the interface;

[0084] Mi: management interface, the vBNG-CP device uses the interface to issue a configuration to the vBNG-UP device, and the vBNG-UP device uses the interface to report some running states;

[0085] SCi: Control interface. The vBNG-CP device processes user access protocol messages and completes protocol interaction with the user. After the user comes online, the vBNG-CP device sends user entries to the corresponding vBNG-UP device through this interface.

[0086] vBNG-CP devices, as virtual network function (VNF) devices, can run on x86 servers to achieve virtualization. vBNG-UP devices exist in two forms: one is a virtual UP device (vUP device), which can run on x86 servers; the other is a physical UP device (pUP device), such as traditional hardware network equipment.

[0087] Since the vBNG-CP device can manage many vBNG-UP devices, and users are managed uniformly on the vBNG-CP device, users can be flexibly scheduled among vBNG-UP devices based on the number of user sessions and traffic load.

[0088] like Figure 1 In the network shown, vBNG-UP devices ( Figure 1 Taking pUP devices 1, 2, and 3 as examples, they can be distributed at the network edge or at a relatively high position in the network. In order to enable users to dynamically select the vBNG-UP device to access, the vBNG-CP device needs to cooperate with the SDN controller to realize the dynamic migration of users.

[0089] like Figure 1As shown, between an access network (AN) device and a vBNG-UP device, there is a steering function (SF) device, and a Layer 2 tunnel is established between the SF device and each vBNG-UP device; different sub-interfaces are divided between the SF device and the physical port of the AN device, and different sub-interfaces correspond to different Layer 2 (Lay2) tunnels of different vBNG-UP devices. Taking the case that a user is online by default from pUP device 1 as an example, pUP device 1 forwards the user protocol message to the vBNG-CP device, and the vBNG-CP device sends the user online information (for example, including user identification, service level agreement (SLA) information and online location information) to the UP steering function (UP steering function, USF) device. The USF device determines that the user should be accessed from pUP device 2 according to the user online information, and then notifies the vBNG-CP device to distribute the user table to pUP device 2; at the same time, the USF device notifies the SDN controller to configure the SF device, and configures the virtual local area network (VLAN) / or double-layer VLAN (802.1Q in 802.1Q, QinQ) identifier corresponding to the user to the sub-interface between the SF device and AN corresponding to pUP device 2. After that, the SF device directly forwards the subsequent message of the user to pUP device 2 through the Layer 2 tunnel between the SF device and pUP device 2.

[0090] Among them, the USF device is a dynamic migration policy point, and the vBNG-CP device needs to inquire the USF device to determine which BNG-UP device to distribute the user table to. In addition, the USF device needs to notify the SDN controller to configure the SF device. It should be noted that the USF device can be built-in in the vBNG-CP device, or built-in in the SDN controller, or be a separate network element. If the USF device is built-in in the SDN controller or the CP device, the interaction between the USF device and the SDN controller or the CP device is internal interaction, and the information or message sent is sent internally.

[0091] Since when the user is online, the CP device will report the online location of the user on the UP device and the corresponding sub-interface to the remote user dial-in authentication system (remote authentication dial in user service, RADIUS) for user precision binding and tracing. However, in the steering scenario, the user will migrate between multiple UP device online sub-interfaces, resulting in changes in the online sub-interface of a user, which cannot be used for user precision binding and tracing. And as Figure 2The connection relationship between the SF device and the UP device is shown, one SF device has multiple physical ports, one physical port has multiple sub-interfaces, different sub-interfaces on one port correspond to different UP devices, for example, one sub-interface corresponds to one UP device. Therefore, when multiple SF devices are deployed together and the service traffic of the multiple SF devices converges to the same UP device, at least one of the USF device and the SDN controller knows the corresponding relationship between the sub-interfaces on the SF devices and the UP devices, but does not know which physical port of which SF device the user accesses from. In the case that the USF device and the SDN controller cannot determine the specific SF device access physical port of the user, migration between different sub-interfaces under the same physical port cannot be performed.

[0092] To this end, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. In combination with Figure 1 The system shown, see Figure 3 The method provided by the embodiment of the present application includes the following steps.

[0093] 301, the SF device receives the first message sent by the first user equipment, adds a first location identifier in the first message to obtain a second message, and the first location identifier includes the identifier of the SF device and the identifier of the first physical port.

[0094] The first user equipment is a residential gateway (RGW), for example, a personal computer (PC) or a mobile phone in a home, which generally performs network address translation (NAT) processing, allocates a private network internet protocol (IP) address to the PC or the mobile phone in the home, performs point-to-point protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) or IP over Ethernet (IPoE) protocol dialing, obtains an IP from a vBNG, and performs network access.

[0095] The first physical port is a physical port of the SF device receiving the first message. For example, the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a subcard identifier, and a port identifier. The first physical port can be used to determine the receiving position of the first message, i.e., the user access position. For example, the first physical port can be used to determine which port (identified by the port identifier) of which subcard (identified by the subcard identifier) on which slot (identified by the slot identifier) the first message is accessed from. In the embodiments of the present application, the sub-interface of the SF device receiving the first message can be a first sub-interface of the first physical port, which is also referred to as a pre-migration sub-interface, or a default sub-interface, or an initial sub-interface. In addition, the first sub-interface corresponds to the first UP device.

[0096] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the first message and the manner of adding the first location identifier by the SF device. In one possible implementation, the first message is a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) message, and the SF device adds the first location identifier in the first message, including: the SF device adds an operation field OPTION82 or OPTION18 in the DHCP message, and carries the first location identifier through the OPTION82 or the OPTION18. In another possible implementation, the first message is a PPPoE message, and the SF device adds the first location identifier in the first message, including: the SF device adds the first location identifier in the PPPoE message.

[0097] 302. The SF device sends the second message to the first UP device, and the first UP device sends a third message to the CP device based on the second message, where the third message includes the first location identifier.

[0098] The first UP device corresponds to the first sub-interface of the first physical port. Since the sub-interface of the SF device receiving the first message is the first sub-interface of the first physical port, and the first sub-interface of the first physical port corresponds to the first UP device, the SF device sends the second message to the first UP device, and the first UP device sends the third message to the CP device based on the second message.

[0099] In addition, when the user is online, the SF device sends the first message (for example, the dial-up protocol message of the user) to the first UP device, and at the same time, the SF device performs aggregation of the home terminal, aggregates the user to the first UP device, performs forwarding of the layer 2 message, and isolates the user by using VLAN / QINQ, and each user has a VLAN / QINQ. QINQ refers to two VLAN identifiers, for example, service VLAN (SVLAN) + customer VLAN (CVLAN). The VLAN / QINQ corresponds to the default sub-interface at the initial online time, for example, the first sub-interface of the first physical port, but can not be configured on the default sub-interface.

[0100] 303. The CP device receives the third message sent by the first UP device, sends user online information to the USF device, and the USF device receives the user online information sent by the CP device, and determines the second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement according to the user online information.

[0101] The user online information includes the traffic quality requirement, the virtual local area network identifier, and the location identifier. In this step, after the USF device receives the user online information of the corresponding user sent by the CP device, since the user online information includes the traffic quality requirement, the virtual local area network identifier, and the location identifier, the USF device can query the SLA policy, and determine the target vBNG-UP according to the queried SLA policy, for example, the UP device with the smallest load in the vBNG-UP matching the SLA is taken as the second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement, for example, pUP2 in the vBNG-UP. Figure 1

[0102] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the way in which the CP device obtains the traffic quality requirement. For example, when the user is online, the SF device carries the access physical port (which can also include the sub-interface under the physical port) of the user, that is, the first location identifier, into the online message (the second message) and sends it to the vBNG-UP device (the first UP device), and the CP device supports parsing the OPTION in the online message when the online interaction is supported, obtains which sub-interface of which SF device the user accesses when the user is online, and notifies the USF device of the information.

[0103] In addition, when the CP device performs user authentication with the authentication server (RADIUS), the access sub-interface of the SF device can also be taken as the location identifier of the user, and is reported to the RADIUS server to perform accurate binding and user location tracing. In a possible implementation manner, the CP device sends an authentication request to the authentication server, and the authentication request carries the location identifier; the CP device receives an authentication response returned by the authentication server, and the authentication response carries the traffic quality requirement corresponding to the location identifier.​

[0104] Further, the USF device can also issue a migrated policy to the corresponding SF, mapping the port + VLAN / QINQ of the user to a layer 2 tunnel connected with the corresponding UP device, such as a virtual extensible local area network (VXLAN), or a virtual leased line (VLL), or an ethernet virtual private network (EVPN). The second UP device corresponds to a second sub-interface. The physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is the same as the first physical port, or the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is a different physical port on the same SF device as the first physical port, or the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is a physical port on a different SF device from the first physical port.

[0105] 304, the USF device returns the identification of the second UP device to the CP device, the CP device receives the identification of the second UP device sent by the USF device, and issues a user table item to the second UP device.

[0106] The second UP device generates a forwarding table item of the user locally after receiving the user table item issued by the CP device, performs relevant business policy execution and traffic forwarding, and publishes a route externally.

[0107] 305, the USF device sends the identification of the second UP device and / or the second location identification, and a virtual local area network identification to the SDN controller.

[0108] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: the USF device sends the identification of the second sub-interface of the SF device to the SDN controller. For example, the second location identification includes the identification of the second sub-interface.

[0109] The second location identifier may include the identifier of the target SF device and the identifier of the target physical port on the target SF device. For example, the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is the same as the first physical port, the identifier of the target SF device in the second location identifier is the same as the identifier of the SF device in the first location identifier (both are the identifiers of the SF device that received the first message), and the identifier of the target physical port in the second location identifier is the same as the identifier of the first physical port in the first location identifier. Another example is that the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface and the first physical port are different physical ports on the same SF device, the identifier of the target SF device in the second location identifier is the same as the identifier of the SF device in the first location identifier (both are the identifiers of the SF device that received the first message), and the identifier of the target physical port in the second location identifier is different from the identifier of the first physical port in the first location identifier. Yet another example is that the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface and the first physical port are physical ports on different SF devices, the identifier of the target SF device in the second location identifier is different from the identifier of the SF device in the first location identifier, and the identifier of the target physical port in the second location identifier may be the same as or different from the identifier of the first physical port in the first location identifier.

[0110] Furthermore, depending on whether the second location identifier includes the identifier of the second sub-interface, the information sent by the USF device to the SDN controller includes the following cases.

[0111] In scenario one, the second location identifier does not include the identifier of the second sub-interface. The information sent by the USF device to the SDN controller includes the identifier of the second UP device, and the SDN controller can determine the second sub-interface based on the identifier of the second UP device.

[0112] In scenario two, the second location identifier includes the identifier of the second sub-interface. The information sent by the USF device to the SDN controller includes the second location identifier but does not include the identifier of the second UP device. The SDN controller can determine the second sub-interface based on the identifier of the second sub-interface in the second location identifier.

[0113] Scenario 3: The second location identifier includes the identifier of the second sub-interface. The information sent by the USF device to the SDN controller includes the second location identifier and the identifier of the second UP device. The SDN controller can determine the second sub-interface based on the identifier of the second sub-interface in the second location identifier, or it can determine the second sub-interface based on the identifier of the second UP device.

[0114] 306. The SDN controller receives the identifier of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier, as well as the virtual LAN identifier, sent by the USF device. Based on the identifier of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier, as well as the virtual LAN identifier, the controller sends a configuration command to the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier.

[0115] Since the location identifier includes the identifier of the SF device and the identifier of the physical port, for example, the identifier of the physical port can be represented as slot identifier + sub-card identifier + port identifier. The configuration instruction includes the identifier of the second sub-interface and the virtual LAN identifier, and the second sub-interface corresponds to the second UP device. In this way, when there are multiple SF devices in the system, and each SF device has multiple physical ports connecting to AN devices, the SDN controller can know which SF device interface (physical port and sub-interface) of which SF device to configure.

[0116] For example, if a user initially connects from sub-interface 1 of physical port 1 on SF device 1 (corresponding to pUP device 1), and subsequent user traffic needs to switch to sub-interface 2 of physical port 1 on SF device 1 (corresponding to pUP device 2), the SDN controller will send a configuration command to SF device 1 to configure the VLAN / QinQ identifier on sub-interface 2 of physical port 1 on SF device 1. As another example, if a user initially connects from sub-interface 1.1 of physical port 1 on SF device 1 (corresponding to pUP device 1), and subsequent user traffic needs to switch to sub-interface 2.1 of physical port 2 on SF device 1 (corresponding to pUP device 2), the SDN controller will send a configuration command to SF device 1 to configure the VLAN / QinQ identifier on sub-interface 2.1 of physical port 2 on SF device 1. For example, if a user originally connected from sub-interface 1.1 of physical port 1 on SF device 1 (corresponding to pUP device 1), and the user's traffic needs to be switched to sub-interface 3.1 of physical port 3 on SF device 2 (corresponding to pUP device 2), the SDN controller will send a configuration command to SF device 2 to configure the VLAN / QinQ identifier on sub-interface 3.1 of physical port 3 on SF device 2.

[0117] In this step, for cases where the second location identifier does not include the identifier of the second sub-interface, before the SDN controller sends the configuration instruction to the SF device based on the identifier of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier, and the virtual LAN identifier, the SDN controller further includes: determining the second sub-interface based on the identifier of the second UP device.

[0118] In this embodiment of the application, the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier is taken as the SF device receiving the first message. The method provided in this embodiment of the application also includes the following step 307.

[0119] 307. The SF device receives the configuration command sent by the SDN controller and configures the virtual LAN identifier on the second sub-interface.

[0120] In the embodiment of the present application, since the configuration instruction includes the identification of the second sub-interface and the virtual local area network identification, the SF device configures the virtual local area network identification on the second sub-interface. In the subsequent communication process, the SF device receives a fourth message sent by the second user equipment, and the fourth message includes the virtual local area network identification; and the SF device sends the fourth message to the second UP device according to the virtual local area network identification. Optionally, the second user equipment is different from the second user equipment, and the second user equipment can also be the same as the first user equipment.

[0121] In a possible implementation, if the first sub-interface of the first physical port is configured with the virtual local area network identification, and the configuration instruction received by the SF device further includes the identification of the first sub-interface, the method further includes that the SF device deletes the virtual local area network identification configured on the first sub-interface.

[0122] It should be noted that after the SF device receives the configuration instruction, the order between the operation of deleting the virtual local area network identification configured on the first sub-interface by the SF device and the operation of configuring the virtual local area network identification on the second sub-interface is not limited in the embodiment of the present application when the configuration instruction further includes the identification of the first sub-interface.

[0123] In Figure 3 Based on the method interaction flow shown in the figure, taking the first user equipment as the RG and the first message as the PPPoE or DHCP message as an example, the communication process is as shown in the figure, and includes but is not limited to the following steps. Figure 4

[0124] 401. The user sends a PPPoE / DHCP message to the SF device through the AN device.

[0125] 402. The SF device forwards the PPPoE / DHCP message to the pUP1 device.

[0126] 403. The pUP1 device sends the PPPoE / DHCP message to the CP device.

[0127] 404. The CP device requests the USF device to determine the target UP device according to the SLA of the user.

[0128] 405. The USF device replies that the target UP device is the pUP2 device.

[0129] 406. The CP device allocates an IP address to the user from the IP address pool allocated to the pUP2 device.

[0130] 407. The CP device issues a user table item to the pUP2 device.

[0131] 408. The CP device notifies the USF device that the user table item is created successfully. ​

[0132] 409. The USF device notifies the SDN controller to migrate user traffic.

[0133] 410. The SDN controller instructs the SF device to perform user traffic migration.

[0134] 411, User traffic is migrated to the pUP2 device.

[0135] For ease of understanding, Figure 5 Taking the network diagram shown as an example, the communication method provided in this application embodiment will be illustrated. This method can be as follows: Figure 6 As shown. Among them, Figure 5 ①-⑦ in the text correspond to respectively Figure 6 601-607 in the example. Figure 6 As shown, before executing the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the SDN controller notifies the SF device to create a sub-interface, instructs the SF device to create a tunnel with the UP device, and instructs the UP device to create a tunnel between the SF devices. The CP device sends a UP identifier to the USF device. Afterwards, when the RG sends a user dial-up message to the AN device, the communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0136] 601. When the SF device receives a user dial-up message (such as a DHCP device message or a PPPoE message) forwarded by the AN device, it adds OPTION82 / OPTION18, which carries the identifier of the SF device to which the user is accessing and the identifier of the physical port on the user side of the SF device. Figure 3 In this context, the SF device identifier and the user-side physical port identifier on that SF device are represented by SF device-IF-ID. For DHCP messages, OPTION82 or OPTION18 can be added to include the identifier of the SF device accessing the user and the identifier of the user-side physical port on that SF device. For PPPoE messages, PPPoE+ technology is used to add the identifier of the SF device accessing the user and the identifier of the user-side physical port on that SF device.

[0137] 602. This dial-up message is sent through a default vBNG-UP device (such as...). Figure 1 The pUP device 1) uploads the data to the vBNG-CP device. At this time, CVLAN+SVLAN is not configured on any sub-interface.

[0138] 603、The vBNG-CP device sends user online information (e.g., including user identification, service SLA information, and online location information) to the USF device, requesting the USF device to determine the target vBNG-UP device. The vBNG-CP device can obtain the SLA information through the following process: the vBNG-CP device reports the user's authentication request to the Radius Server, and carries the user's access location. According to the user dial-up authentication response information returned by the Radius Server, the SLA of the user is identified. The user identification mentioned above can be media access control (MAC) + SVLAN + CVLAN.

[0139] 604、The USF device queries the SLA policy to determine the vBNG-UP device that meets the SLA requirement, for example, the vBNG-UP device that matches the SLA with the smallest load, i.e., the second vBNG-UP device, such as the pUP device 2 in Figure 1 . Then, the USF device returns the identification of the second vBNG-UP device to the vBNG-CP device.

[0140] 605、The vBNG-CP device issues a user table item to the second vBNG-UP device.

[0141] 606、The USF device sends the user identification (e.g., MAC + SVLAN + CVLAN), access location information (SF device-IF-ID), and second UP device identification to the SDN controller.

[0142] 607、The SDN controller sends a configuration instruction to the corresponding SF device according to the information sent by the USF device, configures the second sub-interface under the physical port of the SF device, and configures the CVLAN + SVLAN in the user identification to the second sub-interface, so as to migrate the user's traffic to the second vBNG-UP device. The second sub-interface can be determined according to the second UP device identification. The SDN controller can determine that the initial online is the default sub-interface by judging that the SVLAN + CVLAN is not configured on any sub-interface.

[0143] After that, the user traffic is forwarded through the vBNG-UP device identified by the second UP device identification.

[0144] In the above process, the user traffic is switched from the pUP device 1 to the pUP device 2, the initial sub-interface is the default sub-interface, and the target sub-interface is the sub-interface corresponding to the pUP device 2. In another case, it is assumed that the user traffic is migrated from the pUP device 2 to the vUP device 3 (see Figure 1), at this time, the pre-migration sub-interface (initial sub-interface) becomes the sub-interface corresponding to the pUP device 2, and the target sub-interface becomes the sub-interface corresponding to the vUP device 3. The SDN Controller can determine, according to the SF device-IF-ID and SVLAN+CVLAN in the information sent by the NSF device, that the initial sub-interface (physical port and sub-interface) is the sub-interface corresponding to the pUP device 2, and notify the SF device to delete the SVLAN+CVLAN on the sub-interface corresponding to the pUP device 2 and configure the SVLAN+CVLAN to the sub-interface corresponding to the vUP device 3.

[0145] After the user logs on from the default sub-interface, the USF device saves the mapping relationship between the user identifier (such as MAC+SVLAN+CVLAN) and the user online location (such as the SF device identifier where the user initially logs on and the initial sub-interface identifier on the SF device); the USF device modifies the mapping relationship to the mapping relationship between the user identifier and the post-migration location (such as the SF device identifier and the second sub-interface identifier on the SF device) after the migration.

[0146] The above process describes that the SDN Controller determines the sub-interface of the SF device that needs to be configured according to the information sent by the NSF device. In another implementation manner, the USF device can determine the SF device that needs to perform the migration action, the initial sub-interface (first sub-interface) and the target sub-interface (second sub-interface) on the SF device, and the SVLAN+CVLAN to be migrated, and then send the information to the SDN Controller, so that the SDN Controller issues a configuration instruction to the SF device.

[0147] According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the application, the traffic of the user can be migrated from the pUP device 1 to the pUP device 2 matching the SLA according to the user information (such as the user SLA information). The SF device adds the OPTION82 / OPTION18 in the user dialing packet (such as the DHCP device packet or the PPPoE packet) forwarded by the AN device, and carries the identifier of the SF device where the user accesses and the identifier of the physical port on the SF device in the user side, so that the technical solution can be implemented.

[0148] Referring to Figure 7 The embodiment of the application provides a communication device, which is applied to the SF device and based on a plurality of modules shown in Figure 7 The communication device shown in Figure 7 The communication device shown in can perform all or part of the operations performed by the SF device. It should be understood that the device can include more additional modules than the modules shown or omit part of the modules shown, and the embodiment of the application does not limit this. The device includes:

[0149] The transceiver module 701 is configured to receive a first packet sent by a first user equipment (UE);

[0150] The processing module 702 is configured to add a first location identifier in the first packet to obtain a second packet, the first location identifier comprising an identifier of the SF device and an identifier of a first physical port, the first physical port being a port for receiving the first packet.

[0151] The transceiver module 701 is further configured to send the second packet to a first UP device in the vBNG.

[0152] In a possible implementation, the transceiver module 701 is further configured to receive a configuration instruction sent by an SDN controller, the configuration instruction comprising an identifier of a second sub-interface and a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier.

[0153] The processing module 702 is further configured to configure the VLAN identifier on the second sub-interface.

[0154] In a possible implementation, the second sub-interface corresponds to a second UP device, the transceiver module 701 is further configured to receive a fourth packet sent by a second UE, the fourth packet comprising the VLAN identifier; and send the fourth packet to the second UP device according to the VLAN identifier.

[0155] In a possible implementation, the first sub-interface is configured with the VLAN identifier, the configuration instruction further comprises an identifier of the first sub-interface, and the processing module 702 is further configured to delete the VLAN identifier configured on the first sub-interface.

[0156] In a possible implementation, the identifier of the first physical port comprises a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, and a port identifier.

[0157] In a possible implementation, the first packet is a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) packet, and the processing module 702 is configured to add OPTION 82 or OPTION 18 in the DHCP packet, and carry the first location identifier through the OPTION 82 or the OPTION 18.

[0158] In a possible implementation, the first packet is an Ethernet bearer point-to-point protocol (PPPoE) packet, and the processing module 702 is configured to add the first location identifier in the PPPoE packet.

[0159] Referring to Figure 8 The embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, which is applied to a CP device and comprises a plurality of modules as shown in Figure 8 Figure 8 ​The communication apparatus shown can perform all or part of the operations performed by the CP device. It should be understood that the apparatus can include more additional modules than those shown or omit part of the modules shown, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the same. The apparatus includes:

[0160] The first transceiver module 801 is configured to receive a third message sent by a first UP device, the third message including a first location identifier, the first location identifier including an identifier of the SF device and an identifier of a first physical port, the first UP device corresponding to a first sub-interface of the first physical port, and the first physical port being a port of the SF device receiving a first message sent by a first user equipment;

[0161] The second transceiver module 802 is configured to send user online information of the first user equipment to the USF device, the user online information including a traffic quality requirement, a virtual local area network identifier, and the first location identifier;

[0162] The second transceiver module 802 is further configured to receive an identifier of a second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement determined by the USF device according to the user online information;

[0163] The first transceiver module 801 is further configured to distribute a user table item to the second UP device.

[0164] Referring to Figure 9 The embodiments of the present application provide a communication apparatus, which is applied to a USF device and based on Figure 9 The apparatus shown includes the following modules: Figure 9 The communication apparatus shown can perform all or part of the operations performed by the USF device. It should be understood that the apparatus can include more additional modules than those shown or omit part of the modules shown, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the same. The apparatus includes:

[0165] The transceiver module 901 is configured to receive user online information of a first user equipment sent by a CP device, the user online information including a traffic quality requirement, a virtual local area network identifier, and a first location identifier, the first location identifier including an identifier of a steering function SF device and an identifier of a first physical port on the SF device;

[0166] The processing module 902 is configured to determine a second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement according to the user online information;

[0167] The transceiver module 901 is further configured to return the identifier of the second UP device to the CP device, the second UP device corresponding to a second sub-interface;

[0168] The transceiver module 901 is further configured to send the identifier of the second UP device and / or a second location identifier to an SDN controller, and the virtual local area network identifier.

[0169] Referring to Figure 10 The embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to an SDN controller, and is based on Figure 10 The communication device shown in the figure can perform all or part of the operations performed by the SDN controller. It should be understood that the device can include more additional modules than the shown modules or omit part of the shown modules, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this. The device includes: Figure 10 The communication device shown in the figure can perform all or part of the operations performed by the SDN controller. It should be understood that the device can include more additional modules than the shown modules or omit part of the shown modules, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit this. The device includes:

[0170] The first transceiver module 1001 is configured to receive the identification of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier and the virtual local area network identifier sent by the USF device, and the second UP device corresponds to the second sub-interface;

[0171] The second transceiver module 1002 is configured to send a configuration instruction to the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier according to the identification of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier and the virtual local area network identifier, the configuration instruction includes the identification of the second sub-interface and the virtual local area network identifier, and the configuration instruction is used for the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier to configure the virtual local area network identifier to the second sub-interface.

[0172] It should be noted that any device embodiment described above is only schematic, and the units shown as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, i.e. they can be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Part or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of the embodiment according to actual needs. In addition, the connection relationship between the modules in the first network node or controller embodiment provided by the present application indicates that there is a communication connection between them, which can be realized as one or more communication buses or signal lines. Those skilled in the art can understand and implement it without creative labor.

[0173] The specific hardware structure of each network device in the above embodiment, such as the SF device, the vGNP-CP device, the vBNP-UP device, the SDN controller, the USF device and the AN device, can be as shown in Figure 11 , including a transceiver, a processor and a memory. For example, the transceiver is used to receive a message, the memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to call the instructions in the memory to make each communication device perform the related processing steps of each communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0174] Referring to Figure 12 , Figure 12 The structure schematic diagram of the communication device 1200 provided by the embodiment of the present application is shown. Figure 12The communication device 1200 shown is configured to perform operations involved in the communication method shown in Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 described above. The communication device 1200 is, for example, a switch, a router, etc.

[0175] As shown in Figure 12 , the communication device 1200 includes at least one processor 1201, a memory 1203, and a communication interface 1204, wherein the communication interface 1204 can be one or more.

[0176] The processor 1201 is, for example, a general central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a network processer (NP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural-network processing units (NPU), a data processing unit (DPU), a microprocessor, or one or more integrated circuits used to implement a design in this application. For example, the processor 1201 includes an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD) or other programmable logic device, transistor logic, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The PLD is, for example, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of the embodiments of the application. The processor can also be a combination of computing functions, such as one or more microprocessor combinations, combinations of DSP and microprocessor, etc.

[0177] Optionally, the communication device 1200 also includes a bus. The bus is used to transmit information between the components of the communication device 1200. The bus can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 12 In the figure, only one thick line is used to represent the bus, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus. Figure 12 In the figure, the components of the communication device 1200 are connected by the bus, but they can also be connected in other ways, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the connection manner of the components.

[0178] The memory 1203 is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and instructions for execution by the processor 1201, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, a magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory 1203 is, for example, independent and connected to the processor 1201 through the bus. The memory 1203 can also be integrated with the processor 1201.

[0179] The communication interface 1204 uses any transceiver-type device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, which can be an Ethernet, a radio access network (RAN), or a wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. The communication interface 1204 can include a wired communication interface and also include a wireless communication interface. Specifically, the communication interface 1204 can be an Ethernet interface, a Fast Ethernet (FE) interface, a Gigabit Ethernet (GE) interface, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) interface, a wireless local area network (WLAN) interface, a cellular network communication interface, or a combination thereof. The Ethernet interface can be an optical interface, an electrical interface, or a combination thereof. In embodiments of the present application, the communication interface 1204 can be used for the communication device 1200 to communicate with other devices.

[0180] In particular embodiments, as one example, the processor 1201 can include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1, as shown in FIG. 15. Each of these processors can be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. A processor, as used herein, can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data, such as computer program instructions. Figure 12

[0181] In particular embodiments, as one example, the communication device 1200 can include multiple processors, such as the processor 1201 and the processor 1205, as shown in FIG. 16. Each of these processors can be a single-CPU processor or a multi-CPU processor. A processor, as used herein, can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data, such as computer program instructions. Figure 12

[0182] ​​In a specific implementation, as an embodiment, the communication device 1200 can further include an output device and an input device. The output device and the processor 1201 communicate, and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device and the processor 1201 communicate, and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensor device, etc.

[0183] In some embodiments, the memory 1203 is configured to store program code 1210 for implementing the solutions of the present application, and the processor 1201 can execute the program code 1210 stored in the memory 1203. That is, the communication device 1200 can implement the communication method provided by the method embodiments through the processor 1201 and the program code 1210 in the memory 1203. The program code 1210 can include one or more software modules. Alternatively, the processor 1201 itself can also store program codes or instructions for implementing the solutions of the present application.

[0184] In specific embodiments, the communication device 1200 of the embodiments of the present application can correspond to the SF device, the USF device, the CP device, the UP device, or the SDN controller in the above-mentioned various method embodiments. The processor 1201 in the communication device 1200 reads the program code 1210 in the memory 1203 or the program code or instructions stored in the processor 1201 itself, so that the processor 1201 can perform the operations of the SF device, the USF device, the CP device, the UP device, or the SDN controller. Figure 12 The communication device 1200 shown can perform all or part of the operations performed by the SF device, the USF device, the CP device, the UP device, or the SDN controller.

[0185] The communication device 1200 can also correspond to the SF device, the USF device, the CP device, the UP device, or the SDN controller in the above-mentioned various method embodiments. Figures 7-10 Any of the devices shown, Figures 7-10 Each functional module in any of the devices shown is implemented by software of the communication device 1200. In other words, Figures 7-10 The functional modules included in any of the devices shown are generated by the processor 1201 of the communication device 1200 reading the program code 1210 stored in the memory 1203.

[0186] Among them, Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6The steps of the method of data transmission shown are completed by integrated logic circuits of hardware or instructions in software form in the processor of the communication device 1200. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as execution by a hardware processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can be located in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in the memory, and the processor reads information in the memory and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, they will not be described in detail here.

[0187] The steps of the method or algorithm described in the disclosure of the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, an optical disk, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC.

[0188] Those skilled in the art should realize that the functions described in the present application can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof in one or more of the examples described above. When implemented in software, these functions can be stored in a computer readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or codes on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes computer storage media and communication media, wherein the communication media includes any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a general or special purpose computer.

[0189] The above detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present application has further detailed the purposes, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application. It should be understood that the above is only a specific embodiment of the present application and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made on the basis of the technical solutions of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: The steering function SF device receives a first message sent by a first user equipment, adds a first location identifier in the first message to obtain a second message, and sends the second message to a first user plane UP device. The third message includes the first location identifier, and the first location identifier includes an identifier of the SF device and an identifier of a first physical port, wherein the first physical port is a port of the SF device that receives the first message; The CP device receives the third message sent by the first UP device, sends user online information of the first user equipment to a user steering function USF device, wherein the user online information includes traffic quality requirements, a virtual local area network identifier, and the first location identifier; The USF device receives the user online information sent by the CP device, determines a second UP device that meets the traffic quality requirements according to the user online information, returns an identifier of the second UP device to the CP device, and the second UP device corresponds to a second sub-interface; The CP device receives the identifier of the second UP device sent by the USF device, and issues a user table item to the second UP device; The USF device sends the identifier of the second UP device and / or a second location identifier, and a virtual local area network identifier to a software-defined network SDN controller; The SDN controller receives the identifier of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier, and the virtual local area network identifier sent by the USF device, sends a configuration instruction to an SF device corresponding to the second location identifier according to the identifier of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier, and the virtual local area network identifier, wherein the configuration instruction includes an identifier of a second sub-interface and the virtual local area network identifier, and the configuration instruction is used for the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier to configure the virtual local area network identifier on the second sub-interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The SF device corresponding to the second location identifier is the same as the SF device that receives the first message, the virtual local area network identifier is configured on a first sub-interface of the first physical port, the configuration instruction further includes an identifier of the first sub-interface, and the method further comprises: The SF device deletes the virtual local area network identifier configured on the first sub-interface.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, and a port identifier.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first message is a dynamic host configuration protocol DHCP message, and the SF device adds a first location identifier in the DHCP message, including: The SF device adds OPTION82 or OPTION18 in the DHCP message, and carries the first location identifier through the OPTION82 or the OPTION18.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first message is an Ethernet bearer point-to-point protocol PPPoE message.

6. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The second location identifier includes an identifier of the second sub-interface.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is the same as the first physical port, or the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is a different physical port on the SF device from the first physical port, or the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is a physical port on a different SF device from the first physical port.

8. A method of sending a message, characterized by, The method is applied to a steering function SF device, and the method includes: The SF device receives the first message sent by the first user equipment; The SF device adds a first location identifier to the first message to obtain a second message. The first location identifier includes the identifier of the SF device and the identifier of a first physical port. The first physical port is the port on the SF device that receives the first message. The SF device sends the second message to the first user plane UP device in the virtual broadband network gateway vBNG.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, After the SF device sends the second message to the first user plane UP device in the virtual broadband network gateway vBNG, it also includes: The SF device receives a configuration instruction sent by the software-defined network (SDN) controller. The configuration instruction includes the identifier of the second sub-interface and the virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier. The SF device configures the virtual LAN identifier onto the second sub-interface.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The second sub-interface corresponds to the second UP device, and the method further includes: The SF device receives a fourth message sent by the second user equipment, the fourth message including the virtual local area network identifier; The SF device sends the fourth message to the second UP device based on the virtual LAN identifier.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The first sub-interface of the first physical port is configured with the virtual LAN identifier, the configuration instruction further includes the identifier of the first sub-interface, and the method further includes: The SF device deletes the virtual LAN identifier configured on the first sub-interface.

12. The method according to any of claims 8-10, characterized by, The identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

13. The method of any of claims 8-10, wherein, The first message is a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) message. The SF device adds a first location identifier to the first message, including: The SF device adds OPTION82 or OPTION18 to the DHCP message, and carries the first location identifier through OPTION82 or OPTION18.

14. The method of any of claims 8-10, wherein, The first message is an Ethernet carrier Point-to-Point Protocol (PPPoE) message.

15. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a control plane (CP) device, and the method includes: The CP device receives a third message sent by the first user plane UP device. The third message includes a first location identifier, which includes an identifier of the SF device with a turning function and an identifier of a first physical port. The first physical port is the port on the SF device that receives the first message sent by the first user equipment. The CP device sends the user online information of the first user device to the user plane redirection function USF device. The user online information includes traffic quality requirements, virtual LAN identifier and the first location identifier. The CP device receives an identifier of a second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement determined by the USF device according to the user online information; The CP device issues a user table item to the second UP device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The identifier of the first physical port comprises a slot identifier and / or a subcard identifier, and a port identifier.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, The physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface corresponding to the second UP device is the same as the first physical port, or the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is a different physical port on the SF device, or the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is a physical port on a different SF device.

18. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a user plane steering function (USF) device, and the method comprises: The USF device receives user online information of a first user equipment sent by a control plane (CP) device, wherein the user online information comprises a traffic quality requirement, a virtual local area network identifier, and a first location identifier, and the first location identifier comprises an identifier of a steering function (SF) device and an identifier of a first physical port on the SF device; The USF device determines a second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement according to the user online information, and returns an identifier of the second UP device to the CP device; The USF device sends the identifier of the second UP device and / or a second location identifier, and the virtual local area network identifier to a software defined network (SDN) controller.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The identifier of the first physical port comprises a slot identifier and / or a subcard identifier, and a port identifier.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein, The second location identifier comprises an identifier of a second sub-interface corresponding to the second UP device.

21. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein, The physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface corresponding to the second UP device is the same as the first physical port, or the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is a different physical port on the SF device, or the physical port corresponding to the second sub-interface is a physical port on a different SF device.

22. A method of communication, comprising: The method is applied to a software defined network (SDN) controller, and the method comprises: The SDN controller receives an identifier of a second user plane (UP) device and / or a second location identifier, and a virtual local area network identifier sent by a user plane steering function (USF) device, wherein the second UP device corresponds to a second sub-interface; The SDN controller sends a configuration instruction to an SF device corresponding to the second location identifier according to the identifier of the second UP device and / or the second location identifier, and the virtual local area network identifier, wherein the configuration instruction comprises an identifier of the second sub-interface and the virtual local area network identifier, and the configuration instruction is used for the SF device corresponding to the second location identifier to configure the virtual local area network identifier to the second sub-interface.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The second location identifier comprises the identifier of the second sub-interface.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein, The method further comprises: The SDN controller determines the second sub-interface according to the identifier of the second UP device sent by the USF device.

25. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus is applied to a steering function (SF) device, and the apparatus comprises: A transceiving module configured to receive a first packet sent by a first user equipment; The processing module is configured to add a first location identifier in the first packet to obtain a second packet, the first location identifier comprising an identifier of the SF device and an identifier of a first physical port, the first physical port being a port of the SF device receiving the first packet; The transceiver module is further configured to send the second packet to a first user plane UP device in a virtual broadband network gateway vBNG.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein, The transceiver module is further configured to receive a configuration instruction sent by a software defined network SDN controller, the configuration instruction comprising an identifier of a second sub-interface and a virtual local area network identifier; The processing module is further configured to configure the virtual local area network identifier on the second sub-interface.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein, The second sub-interface corresponds to a second UP device, and the transceiver module is further configured to receive a fourth packet sent by a second user device, the fourth packet comprising the virtual local area network identifier; and send the fourth packet to the second UP device according to the virtual local area network identifier.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 or 27, wherein, The first sub-interface of the first physical port is configured with the virtual local area network identifier, and the configuration instruction further comprises an identifier of the first sub-interface; and the processing module is further configured to delete the virtual local area network identifier configured on the first sub-interface.

29. The apparatus of any of claims 25-27, wherein, The identifier of the first physical port comprises a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, and a port identifier.

30. The apparatus of any of claims 25-27, wherein, The first packet is a dynamic host configuration protocol DHCP packet, and the processing module is configured to add OPTION82 or OPTION18 in the DHCP packet, and carry the first location identifier through the OPTION82 or the OPTION18.

31. The apparatus of any of claims 25-27, wherein, The first packet is an Ethernet bearer point-to-point protocol PPPoE packet.

32. A communications device, characterized by The device is applied to a control plane CP device, and the device comprises: The first transceiver module is configured to receive a third packet sent by a first user plane UP device, the third packet comprising a first location identifier, the first location identifier comprising an identifier of a steering function SF device and an identifier of a first physical port, the first physical port being a port of the SF device receiving a first packet sent by a first user device; The second transceiver module is configured to send user online information of the first user device to a user plane steering function USF device, the user online information comprising a traffic quality requirement, a virtual local area network identifier and the first location identifier; The second transceiver module is further configured to receive an identifier of a second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement, which is determined by the USF device according to the user online information; The first transceiver module is further configured to issue a user table item to the second UP device.

33. A communications device, characterized by The device is applied to a user plane steering function USF device, and the device comprises: The transceiver module is configured to receive user online information of a first user device sent by a control plane CP device, the user online information comprising a traffic quality requirement, a virtual local area network identifier and a first location identifier, the first location identifier comprising an identifier of a steering function SF device and an identifier of a first physical port on the SF device; The processing module is configured to determine a second UP device satisfying the traffic quality requirement according to the user online information; and The transceiving module is further configured to return the identity of the second UP device to the CP device. The transceiving module is further configured to send the identity and / or the second location identity of the second UP device and a virtual local area network identity to a software-defined network (SDN) controller.

34. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus is applied to an SDN controller, and the apparatus comprises: A first transceiving module configured to receive an identity and / or a second location identity of a second UP device and a virtual local area network identity sent by a user plane steering function (USF) device, the second UP device corresponding to a second sub-interface; A second transceiving module configured to send a configuration instruction to an SF device corresponding to the second location identity according to the identity and / or the second location identity of the second UP device and the virtual local area network identity, the configuration instruction comprising an identity of the second sub-interface and the virtual local area network identity, and the configuration instruction being used to configure the virtual local area network identity to the second sub-interface by the SF device corresponding to the second location identity.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein, The apparatus further comprises a processing module configured to determine the second sub-interface according to the identity of the second UP device sent by the USF device.

36. A communication system, characterized by The communication system comprises an SF device, a CP device, a UP device, a USF device and an SDN controller. The SF device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 8-14. The CP device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 15-17. The USF device is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 18-21. The SDN controller is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 22-24.

37. A communications device, characterized by The communication device comprises a processor configured to execute instructions to enable the communication device to perform the communication method of any one of claims 8-24.

38. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to perform the communication method of any one of claims 8-24.

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