Communication method, device and system

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method, device and system, and belongs to the technical field of communication. In the scheme provided by the application, a node in an OTN system can determine forwarding information used for indicating an outgoing port corresponding to a node of a first type, and forwards a message according to the forwarding information. Therefore, the node in the OTN system does not need to transmit the message based on a bandwidth exclusive channel, and the utilization rate of the OTN system is improved. The application is used for the OTN system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, device and system. Background Technology

[0002] An optical transport network (OTN) system is a transport network that uses optical signals for communication. Devices in an OTN system are connected by optical fibers.

[0003] Currently, OTN systems generally use dedicated bandwidth channel technology (also known as hard pipe technology) for communication. Dedicated bandwidth channel technology refers to establishing an end-to-end communication connection for dedicated services and allocating dedicated bandwidth.

[0004] However, the number of dedicated bandwidth channels is limited, and each dedicated bandwidth channel only supports end-to-end service data transmission, resulting in low utilization of the OTN system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, device, and system that can solve the problem of low utilization rate of OTN systems.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided, applied to a first node in an OTN system, the OTN system comprising multiple nodes, the first node being any one of the multiple nodes. The communication method includes: the first node first determining the type of each node among the multiple nodes, and the corresponding egress port of each node; then, the first node determining forwarding information based on the type of each node and the corresponding egress port of each node, and forwarding packets according to the forwarding information. Wherein, the multiple nodes include nodes of a first type, the first type of nodes being used for packet conversion and forwarding; the corresponding egress port of each node is: the next-hop port from the first node to each node; the forwarding information is used to indicate: the egress port corresponding to the first type of node.

[0007] The first node is any node in the OTN system. This application uses the first node as an example to describe the communication methods performed by nodes in the OTN system. The communication methods performed by other nodes in the OTN system can refer to the communication methods performed by the first node.

[0008] Type 1 nodes can connect to nodes both outside the OTN system and within the ONT system, while Type 2 nodes connect only to nodes within the OTN system. Type 1 nodes are used for packet conversion and forwarding, while Type 2 nodes are used for packet forwarding but not for packet conversion. Packet conversion by a node can include packet encapsulation and combination. Packet combination refers to unpacking all packets forwarded from the same source node to the same destination node and then recombining them into a single packet.

[0009] For any node in the OTN system, the corresponding outgoing port is the next-hop port from the first node to that node. The first node can communicate with and send messages to that node through this next-hop port. When the first node sends a message to that node, the message needs to travel from the first node through this next-hop port to reach that node.

[0010] The output port corresponding to any node can be the output port of the first node; when there is at least one other node between the first node and any node, the output port corresponding to any node can also be the output port of one of the at least one nodes. In this embodiment, the output port corresponding to any node is taken as the output port of the first node.

[0011] When the communication method provided in this application is used in an OTN system, each node in the OTN system can determine forwarding information, which indicates the output port corresponding to the first type of node. Nodes in the OTN system can also forward packets based on this forwarding information. Therefore, nodes in the OTN system do not need to transmit packets based on dedicated bandwidth channels, improving the utilization rate of the OTN system. Furthermore, since the nodes can determine the forwarding information themselves, there is no need for personnel to configure this forwarding information on the nodes, reducing the implementation difficulty of this communication method.

[0012] Optionally, at least some nodes in the OTN system are connected via optical service unit (OSU) links. The links between nodes may not be OSU links; for example, they may be ODU links. This application does not limit this.

[0013] Optionally, when determining forwarding information based on the type of each node and the corresponding egress port, the first node may first determine initial information based on the type of each node and the corresponding egress port, and then determine the forwarding information based on the initial information. The initial information includes: the identifier and type of each node, and the information of the corresponding egress port of each node; the forwarding information includes: the tag corresponding to the identifier of the first type of node, and the information of the corresponding egress port of the first type of node.

[0014] The label corresponding to the identifier of the forwarding information node (called the node's label) can be the same as or different from the node's identifier.

[0015] The outgoing port information in the forwarding information can be the same as or different from the outgoing port information in the initial information.

[0016] Optionally, the plurality of nodes includes a second node and a third node, wherein the second node is directly connected to the first node, and the third node is connected to the first node through the second node. The information of the outgoing port corresponding to the third node in the initial information includes the identifier of the second node. When the type of the second node is the first type, the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the second node in the target routing forwarding information includes the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the second node in the initial routing information. When the type of the third node is the first type, the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the third node in the target routing forwarding information includes the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the second node in the initial routing information.

[0017] Optionally, before determining the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node, the first node can also determine the identifier of the second node by sending a first message to the second node and receiving a second message sent by the second node. The second node is at least a partially directly connected node of the first node in the OTN system. The header of the first message carries a tag of the first node and a tag of the second node, and the payload of the first message carries the identifier of the first node; the header of the second message carries a tag of the first node and a tag of the second node, and the payload of the second message carries the identifier of the second node. It is evident that directly connected nodes in the OTN system can first establish a communication connection and then determine the aforementioned forwarding information based on this communication connection. Establishing a communication connection between nodes is also called establishing a neighbor relationship; therefore, directly connected nodes are neighbor nodes.

[0018] Optionally, before determining the type of each node among the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node, the first node may also receive information about other nodes sent by other nodes and send the information of the first node to the other nodes; wherein, the other nodes are nodes among the plurality of nodes other than the first node, and the information of each node is used to indicate: the type of each node, and / or, the output port of each node connected to its directly connected node, wherein the directly connected node belongs to the OTN system. In this case, when determining the type of each node among the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node, the first node can directly determine the type of each node among the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node based on the information of the plurality of nodes.

[0019] The above description uses the example of all nodes in an OTN system being independent nodes. Optionally, some nodes in an OTN system may also be located in a node group. For example, the plurality of nodes may also include nodes of a second type, which are used to forward packets; the plurality of nodes may include at least one node group and independent nodes located outside the at least one node group, wherein the node group includes: a master node of the second type and at least one slave node of the first type.

[0020] In one scenario, the first node is the master node in the target node group. In this case, before determining the type of each node in the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node, if the plurality of nodes includes other master nodes besides the first node, the first node can receive information about the node group to which the other master nodes belong, sent by those other master nodes; the first node can also receive information about the independent node sent by the independent node. The information of each node group in the at least one node group indicates: the type of the node in each node group, and / or, the output port connecting the node in each node group to its directly connected node, where the directly connected node belongs to the OTN system; the information of the independent node indicates: the type of the independent node, and / or, the output port connecting the independent node to its directly connected node. The first node can also send the information of the at least one node group and the information of the independent node to the slave nodes in the target node group, and send the information of the target node group to the independent nodes; when the plurality of nodes includes the other master nodes, the first node can also send the information of the target node group to the other master nodes. At this time, when the first node determines the type of each node among the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node, it can determine the type of each node among the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node based on the information of the at least one node group and the information of the independent node.

[0021] In another scenario, the first node is a slave node in the target node group. In this case, before determining the type of each node in the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port, the first node can receive information about the plurality of nodes sent by the master node in the target node group. This information indicates the type of each node and / or the output port connecting each node to its directly connected node, which belongs to the OTN system. When determining the type of each node in the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port, the first node can determine the type of each node and the corresponding output port based on the information of the plurality of nodes.

[0022] In another scenario, the first node is the independent node. In this case, before determining the type of each node among the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port, the first node can receive information about the node group to which the master node belongs, sent by the master node among the plurality of nodes, and information about the other independent nodes sent by other independent nodes. The first node can also send its own information to the master node among the plurality of nodes and the other independent nodes. The information of each node group in at least one node group indicates: the type of each node in each node group, and / or, the output port connecting each node in each node group to its directly connected node, which belongs to the OTN system. The other independent nodes are nodes other than the first node among the plurality of independent nodes. The information of the independent nodes indicates: the type of the independent node, and / or, the output port connecting the independent node to its directly connected node. When determining the type of each node among the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port, the first node can determine the type of each node among the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port based on the information of the at least one node group and the information of the plurality of independent nodes.

[0023] Optionally, multiple nodes in the same node group can be located in the same communication device, and each independent node can be located in a separate device. For example, multiple nodes in the same node group can be located in a provider edge (PE) device, and each independent node can be located in a provider (P) device.

[0024] In a second aspect, a communication device is provided for use as a first node in an optical transport network (OTN) system, the OTN system comprising multiple nodes, the first node being any one of the multiple nodes, the communication device comprising: modules for performing any of the communication methods provided in the first aspect.

[0025] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program; the processor is configured to invoke the program stored in the memory such that the communication device performs a communication method as described in any of the designs in the first aspect.

[0026] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising at least one node, the node comprising any of the communication devices provided in the second or third aspect.

[0027] Optionally, the communication device includes: a master node and a slave node in the target node group; the optical transport network (OTN) system in which the communication device is located includes multiple nodes, the multiple nodes include at least one node group, and independent nodes located outside the at least one node group, the node group includes: a master node of a second type and at least one slave node of a first type, the first type of node is used to convert and forward packets, and the second type of node is used to forward packets; the target node group belongs to the at least one node group.

[0028] Optionally, the communication device includes: an independent node; the optical transport network (OTN) system in which the communication device is located includes multiple nodes, the multiple nodes include at least one node group, and an independent node located outside the at least one node group, the node group includes: a master node of a second type and at least one slave node of a first type, the first type of node is used to convert and forward messages, and the second type of node is used to forward messages.

[0029] Fifthly, an optical transport network (OTN) system is provided, comprising: multiple nodes, wherein the nodes include any of the communication devices provided in the second or third aspect.

[0030] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, wherein instructions are stored therein, which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform any of the communication methods provided in the first aspect.

[0031] The effects of the second to sixth aspects mentioned above can be referred to the effects of the corresponding designs in the first aspect, and will not be elaborated here. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a communication scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating another communication scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an OTN system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0035] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0036] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an LSP structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a message forwarded by a node in an OTN system, provided as an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating a flooding process of node information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating a flooding process of type information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating a flooding process of output port information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of initial information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a method for establishing a communication connection between a first node and a second node, provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a neighbor discovery message provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first message provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second message provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the structure of a third message provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 16 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a peer ID.

[0048] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of another LSP structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of a node group provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 19 A block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 20 A block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0052] To make the principles and technical solutions of this application clearer, the communication methods, devices and systems provided in the embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Traditional OTN systems typically employ dedicated bandwidth channel technology (also known as hard pipe technology) for communication. In communication systems using dedicated bandwidth channel technology, an end-to-end communication connection is established for dedicated services, and dedicated bandwidth is allocated. This communication connection is called a dedicated bandwidth channel, also known as a hard pipe. In an OTN system, a dedicated bandwidth channel provides dedicated communication services to a designated pair of nodes.

[0054] In one approach, the dedicated bandwidth channel in the OTN system is an optical data unit (ODU) link. This ODU link can be established either statically or via an automatically switched optical network (ASON).

[0055] like Figure 1 As shown, node 1 has slot 1, node 2 has slot 2, and there is an ODU link 1 between slot 1 and slot 2. ODU link 1 is used to connect a specified pair of nodes (such as a source node and a destination node). Figure 1 (Not shown in the image) provides proprietary communication services. The source node can send a message to node 1, node 1 can transmit the message along ODU link 1 to node 2, and node 2 can then send the message to the destination node.

[0056] However, each ODU link can only be used to provide communication services to a fixed node, resulting in low utilization of the OTN system. Furthermore, due to the large bandwidth of ODU links (e.g., a minimum bandwidth of gigabit), the number of ODU links in an OTN system is limited given the limited bandwidth it can support. Additionally, each ODU link needs to be established using either static configuration or ASON, leading to low efficiency in link establishment.

[0057] In another approach, the dedicated bandwidth channel in the OTN system is the OSU link. Similar to the ODU link, this OSU link can be established using static configuration or ASON. An OSU link is a division of the ODU link; one ODU link can include multiple OSU links.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 1 ODU link 1 can be divided into OSU link 1 and OSU link 2. Each OSU link provides dedicated communication services for a specified pair of nodes. For example, OSU link 1 provides dedicated communication services for node A and node B. Node A can send a message to node 1, node 1 can transmit the message along OSU link 1 to node 2, and node 2 can then send the message to node B.

[0059] However, each OSU link can only be used to provide communication services to a fixed node. In addition, the bandwidth of OSU links is relatively small, with the minimum bandwidth of an OSU link reaching 2 Mbps. The number of OSU links that can be established in an OTN system is greater than the number of ODU links. However, each OSU link needs to be established using static configuration or ASON, and since there are many OSU links, the efficiency of establishing OSU links is relatively low.

[0060] As discussed above, dedicated bandwidth channels can only be used to provide communication services to fixed nodes, resulting in low utilization of the OTN system. Furthermore, the number of dedicated bandwidth channels in an OTN system is limited, and the efficiency of establishing dedicated bandwidth channels is low.

[0061] This application provides a communication method. When applied to an OTN system, each node in the OTN system can determine forwarding information, which indicates the output port corresponding to a first type of node. Nodes in the OTN system can also forward packets based on this forwarding information. Therefore, nodes in the OTN system do not need to transmit packets using dedicated bandwidth channels, improving the utilization rate of the OTN system. Furthermore, since nodes can determine the forwarding information themselves, there is no need for staff to configure this forwarding information on the nodes, reducing the implementation difficulty of this communication method.

[0062] The communication method provided in this application embodiment can be used in the OTN system provided in this application embodiment. Before describing the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the OTN system provided in this application embodiment will be briefly introduced.

[0063] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an OTN system provided in an embodiment of this application. The OTN system may include multiple nodes, such as... Figure 3Nodes 101, 102, and 103 in the OTN system. The number of nodes in an OTN system can be any value, such as 100, 1000, 10000, etc. Figure 3 Let's take a case where there are 3 nodes.

[0064] A node can be a device (such as a gateway, router, server, etc.) or a functional unit within a device; this application does not limit this. Nodes in an OTN system are connected via links, such as... Figure 3 Node 101 and Node 102 are connected via ODU link 1, and Node 102 and Node 103 are connected via ODU link 2. Figure 3 Taking the link between nodes as an example of an ODU link, optionally, at least some links in the OTN system can also be OSU links.

[0065] It should be noted that nodes in the OTN system can be divided into two types: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 nodes can connect to nodes both outside and within the OTN system, while Type 2 nodes only connect to nodes within the OTN system. Type 1 nodes are used for packet conversion and forwarding, while Type 2 nodes are used for packet forwarding but not for packet conversion. Packet conversion by a node can include packet encapsulation and combination. Packet combination refers to unpacking all packets forwarded from the same source node to the same destination node and then recombining them into a single packet.

[0066] For example, please refer to Figure 3 Both node 101 and node 103 can communicate with nodes outside the OTN system (referred to as external nodes). Figure 3 Nodes 101 and 103 (not shown in the diagram) are connected to each other, and both are connected to node 102 within the OTN system. Therefore, nodes 101 and 103 are both of the first type of node. Node 102 is only connected to nodes 101 and 103 within the OTN system, so node 102 is a second type of node. Node 101 can receive service data sent by external nodes connected to it, encapsulate the received service data into packets, and then forward the packets to node 102. Node 102 can forward the packets to node 103. Node 103 can unpack the received packets to obtain the service data and forward the service data to the external nodes connected to it.

[0067] After introducing the OTN system provided in the embodiments of this application, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be explained and described below.

[0068] For example, Figure 4This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method is applied to the OTN system (such as...) provided in this embodiment of the application. Figure 1 (The OTN system shown). This communication method may include the following steps.

[0069] S101. The first node sends its information to other nodes in the OTN system, excluding the first node. The information for each node indicates its type and the output port to which it connects to its directly connected nodes, which belong to the OTN system.

[0070] The first node can be any node in the OTN system. This embodiment of the application uses the first node as an example to describe the communication method executed by nodes in the OTN system. The communication methods executed by other nodes in the OTN system can refer to the communication method executed by the first node.

[0071] In S101, the first node needs to send its information to every other node. For example, suppose... Figure 3 If the first node is node 101, then node 101 needs to send its information to nodes 102 and 103.

[0072] It should be noted that other nodes include the first node's directly connected nodes, to which the first node can directly send its information. Optionally, these other nodes may also include the first node's non-directly connected nodes, through which the first node can send its information to the non-directly connected nodes.

[0073] for example, Figure 3 When node 101 is the first node, node 102 is a directly connected node of node 101, and node 103 is a non-directly connected node of node 101. Therefore, node 101 can directly send information from node 101 to node 102, and node 102 can send information from node 101 to node 103, thus achieving the purpose of sending information from node 101 to node 103.

[0074] In this embodiment, the information for each node is used to indicate: the type of the node, and the output port through which the node connects to its directly connected nodes. The node type can be either the first type or the second type described above.

[0075] For example, node information may include type information and outgoing port information. Type information indicates the type of the node, while outgoing port information indicates the outgoing port through which the node connects to its directly connected nodes. This can be understood as the node being able to communicate with and transmit messages to the directly connected node through this outgoing port. Both type information and outgoing port information can be implemented in various ways. For instance, type information may include an identifier of the first node's type; outgoing port information may be an identifier of the link connecting the first node to the directly connected node.

[0076] For example, continue with Figure 3 Taking node 101 as an example, as shown in Table 1, on the one hand, the first node is of the first type mentioned above. In this case, the information of node 101 includes: the identifier of node 101 (101) and the type identifier (S) used to indicate the first type. On the other hand, node 102 is a directly connected node of node 101. The information of node 101 also includes: the identifier of node 101 (101), the identifier of node 102 (102), and the identifier of the outgoing port (ODU 1) connecting node 101 and node 102, where ODU 1 is the identifier of ODU link 1.

[0077] Table 1

[0078]

[0079] Optionally, when the first node sends the aforementioned type information and outgoing port information to other nodes, it can either include this information in a single message or in separate messages. As one implementation, when the type information and outgoing port information are carried in different messages, the message carrying the type information can be a link state packet (LSP), and the message carrying the outgoing port information can be a link state advertisement (LSA) message. For example, such as... Figure 5 As shown, an LSP can include an LSP header and a payload portion, and the payload portion can carry the type information of the first node.

[0080] In this embodiment, node information is used to indicate the aforementioned type and output port. Optionally, node information may also be used only to indicate the type or output port. Therefore, the information of each node can be used to indicate: the type of the node, and / or the output port through which the node connects to its directly connected nodes.

[0081] S102, Other nodes send their information to the first node.

[0082] The process by which other nodes send information about other nodes to the first node can be referred to in S201, which describes the process by which the first node sends information about itself to other nodes. This application embodiment will not elaborate on this process here.

[0083] For example, still using Figure 3 Taking the OTN system shown as an example, if node 101 is the first node, then in S102, node 102 will send node 102's information to node 101, and node 103 will also send node 103's information to node 101.

[0084] As shown in Table 2, the information of node 102 includes type information and output port information. Specifically, the type information of node 102 includes the identifier (102) of node 102 and a type identifier (T) indicating the second type. Node 101 is a directly connected node to node 102. The output port information of node 102 includes the identifier (102) of node 102, the identifier (101) of node 101, and the identifier (ODU 1) of the output port connecting node 102 and node 101. Node 103 is a directly connected node to node 102. The output port information of node 102 also includes the identifier (102) of node 102, the identifier (103) of node 103, and the identifier (ODU 2) of the output port connecting node 102 and node 103, where ODU 2 is... Figure 3 The identifier of ODU link 2 in the middle.

[0085] As shown in Table 3, the information of node 103 includes type information and output port information. Specifically, the type information of node 103 includes the identifier of node 103 (103) and a type identifier (S) indicating the second type. Node 102 is a directly connected node to node 103. The output port information of node 103 includes the identifier of node 103 (103), the identifier of node 102 (102), and the identifier of the output port (ODU 2) connecting node 103 and node 102.

[0086] Table 2

[0087]

[0088] Table 3

[0089]

[0090] S103. The first node determines the type of each node in the OTN system and the corresponding output port of each node based on the information received from other nodes and the information of the first node.

[0091] In S101, the first node can obtain the information of the first node. In S102, the first node can obtain the information of other nodes. Therefore, in S103, the first node can determine the type of each node in the OTN system and the corresponding output port of each node based on the information of all nodes obtained in S101 and S102.

[0092] Optionally, the information of the first node, as well as the information of other nodes, can be stored in the first node's link state database (LSDB). Based on the content of the LSDB, the first node can use the shortest path first (SPF) algorithm to calculate the shortest path between itself and any other node, and determine the next-hop port of the first node on this shortest path as the corresponding outgoing port of that node. It should be noted that when the first node uses the SPF algorithm to determine the corresponding outgoing port of a node, the node information in S101 and S102 can also carry other content, such as the cost of the link indicated by the link identifier in the outgoing port information. The first node can determine the shortest path based on the link cost, and thus determine the corresponding outgoing port of the node.

[0093] For any node in the OTN system, the corresponding outgoing port is the next-hop port from the first node to that node. The first node can communicate with and send messages to that node through this next-hop port. When the first node sends a message to that node, the message needs to travel from the first node through this next-hop port to reach that node.

[0094] The output port corresponding to any node can be the output port of the first node; when there is at least one other node between the first node and any node, the output port corresponding to any node can also be the output port of one of the at least one nodes. In this embodiment, the output port corresponding to any node is taken as the output port of the first node.

[0095] When the information from the nodes in S101 and S102 is only used to indicate part of the type and output port, the other part of the type and output port needs to be determined by the first node in another way. For example, the first node can obtain this other part of the information using static configuration.

[0096] S104. The first node determines the initial information based on the type of each node in the OTN system and the corresponding output port of each node. The initial information includes: the identifier and type of each node, and the information of the corresponding output port of each node.

[0097] Optionally, for any node in the OTN system, if the node is directly connected to the first node, the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the node in the initial information can be: the identifier of the link connecting the first node and the node; if the node is not directly connected to the first node, the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the node in the initial information can be: the identifier of a direct connected node of the first node, through which the first node connects to the node.

[0098] For example, continuing with Figure 3 Taking node 101 as the first node as an example, the initial information determined by node 101 can be shown in Table 4. Referring to Table 4, since node 101 is the first node, the information of the output port corresponding to node 101 can be empty (NULL). Node 102 is a directly connected node to node 101; therefore, the information of the output port corresponding to node 102 can be: the identifier of ODU link 1 (ODU 1). Node 103 is not a directly connected node to node 101; therefore, the information of the output port corresponding to node 103 can be: the identifier of node 102 (102).

[0099] Table 4

[0100] 101 S NULL 102 T ODU1 103 S 102

[0101] S105. The first node determines the forwarding information based on the initial information. The forwarding information includes: the label corresponding to the identifier of the first type of node, and the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the first type of node.

[0102] The first node can extract the identifier of the first type of node from the initial information, as well as the information of the corresponding outgoing port of that node, to determine the forwarding information.

[0103] On one hand, the label corresponding to the identifier of the forwarding information node (called the node's label) can be the same as or different from the node's identifier. When the node's label and the node's identifier are the same, the node identifiers in S101 to S104 are all node labels. In S105, the first node extracts the identifier of the first type of node from the initial information and uses it as the label of the first type of node in the forwarding information. When the node's identifier and the label corresponding to the node's identifier are different, when the first node determines the forwarding information based on the initial information, it can determine the label of the node in the forwarding information based on the identifier of the first type of node in the initial information. For example, the first node can determine the label corresponding to the node's identifier based on the correspondence between identifiers and labels.

[0104] On the other hand, the outgoing port information in the forwarding information can be the same as or different from the outgoing port information in the initial information. When the outgoing port information in the forwarding information is the same as the outgoing port information in the initial information, the first node extracts the outgoing port information corresponding to the first type of node from the initial information in S105, and uses it as the outgoing port information corresponding to the first type of node in the forwarding information. When the outgoing port information in the forwarding information is different from the outgoing port information in the initial information, the first node needs to convert the outgoing port information corresponding to the first type of node in the initial information in S105 in order to obtain the outgoing port information corresponding to the first type of node in the forwarding information.

[0105] For example, suppose the OTN system has multiple nodes including a first node, a second node, and a third node, where the first, second, and third nodes are connected sequentially. The initial information determined by the first node includes the identifier of the second node as the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the third node. Since the second node is directly connected to the first node, when the second node's type is type 1, the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the second node in the forwarding information is the same as the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the second node in the initial information. Since the third node is not directly connected to the first node, when the third node's type is type 1, the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the third node in the forwarding information includes the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the second node in the initial information.

[0106] For example, with Figure 3 Taking node 101 as the first node, node 102 as the second node, and node 103 as the third node as an example, the initial information determined by node 101 is shown in Table 4, and the forwarding information determined by node 101 is shown in Table 5. Since both nodes 101 and 103 are of the first type, the forwarding information shown in Table 5 includes the label (L1) of node 101 and the label (L3) of node 103. Since node 101 is the first node, the information of the outgoing port corresponding to node 101 is (NULL). Since node 103 is a non-directly connected node of node 101, the information of the outgoing port corresponding to node 103 is the information of the outgoing port corresponding to node 102 in Table 4 (ODU1).

[0107] Table 5

[0108] L1 NULL L3 ODU1

[0109] S106. The first node forwards the message according to the forwarding information.

[0110] After receiving the forwarding information, the first node can forward the message according to the forwarding information. It should be noted that the message that the first node needs to forward can be a message encapsulated by the first node based on data sent by nodes outside the OTN system, or a message generated by the first node itself. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0111] The first node needs to carry the tag of the source node and the tag of the destination node in the packet forwarded according to the forwarding information. The first node can identify the tag of the destination node and forward the packet from the outgoing port indicated by the outgoing port information corresponding to the tag of the destination node in the forwarding information.

[0112] For example, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a message forwarded by a node in an OTN system, provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 As shown, the message header may include a source label field and a destination label field. The source label field carries the label of the source node, and the destination label field carries the label of the destination node. The message header may also carry other information, such as a forwarding identifier and other control information. The forwarding identifier can be used to indicate that the message needs to be forwarded based on the forwarding information. The message may also include a payload portion for carrying business data.

[0113] The above embodiments have provided a general description of the communication method for the first node. The communication method for each node in the OTN system can refer to the communication method for the first node described above. The following will use... Figure 3 Taking the OTN system shown as an example, the communication methods of each node in the OTN system will be illustrated.

[0114] First, referring to S101 and S102, nodes in the OTN system can flood node information.

[0115] like Figure 7 As shown, node 101 sends its information to node 102, and node 102 forwards the information to node 103; node 102 sends its information to both node 101 and node 103; node 103 sends its information to node 102, and node 102 forwards the information to node 101.

[0116] For example, node information includes the type information and outgoing port information mentioned above. Nodes in an OTN system can flood each other with the type information and outgoing port information separately. For example... Figure 8As shown, node 101 sends its type information (101, S) to node 102, and node 102 can forward this type information to node 103; node 102 can send its type information (102, T) to both nodes 101 and 103; node 101 sends its type information (103, S) to node 102, and node 102 can forward this type information to node 101. Figure 9 As shown, node 101 sends its outgoing port information (101, 102, ODU1) to node 102, and node 102 can forward this outgoing port information to node 103; node 102 can send both its outgoing port information (102, 101, ODU1) and (102, 103, ODU2) to nodes 101 and 103; node 101 sends its outgoing port information (103, 102, ODU2) to node 102, and node 102 can forward this outgoing port information to node 101.

[0117] As can be seen, each node in the OTN system sends its information to its directly connected nodes, and each node also receives information from its directly connected nodes. After receiving information from its directly connected nodes, if a node has other directly connected nodes, it can then forward the received information to those other directly connected nodes. In this way, the information of each node is flooded throughout the OTN system.

[0118] Secondly, referring to S103 and S104 above, each node in the OTN system can determine initial information based on the information received from the nodes. For example, the initial information determined by each of nodes 101, 102, and 103 can be as follows: Figure 10 As shown. The process of determining the initial information for nodes 102 and 103 can refer to the process of determining the initial information for node 101, and will not be described in detail here in this embodiment.

[0119] Furthermore, referring to S105 above, each node in the OTN system can determine forwarding information based on the determined initial information. For example, the initial information determined by nodes 101, 102, and 103 is as follows: Figure 10 As shown, the forwarding information determined by nodes 101, 102, and 103 can be as follows: Figure 10 As shown. The process by which nodes 102 and 103 determine forwarding information can refer to the process by which node 101 determines forwarding information, and will not be described in detail here in this embodiment.

[0120] Finally, referring to S106 above, each node in the OTN system can forward packets based on the determined forwarding information.

[0121] For example, node 101 can receive packets sent by external nodes outside the OTN system. Node 101 can convert the packet into a packet that can be forwarded in the OTN system according to the node to which the packet needs to be sent. For example, the packet carries the label of the source node: L1, and the label of the destination node: L3. Then, node 101 can forward the packet to node 102 through the outgoing port indicated by ODU 1 according to the information of the outgoing port corresponding to label L3 in the forwarding information it has determined.

[0122] After receiving the message, node 102 can forward the message to node 103 through the outgoing port indicated by ODU 2, based on the information of the outgoing port corresponding to label L3 in the forwarding information determined by node 102.

[0123] After receiving the message, node 103 detects that the destination node's label in the message is node 103's label L3. Therefore, node 103 can convert the message into a message that can be recognized by external nodes outside the OTN system and forward the message to the external nodes.

[0124] It can be seen that as long as the source node label carried by the message is L1 and the destination node label carried by the message is L3, then the message can be forwarded on the path of nodes 101, 102, and 103. Therefore, the path of nodes 101, 102, and 103 is not limited to serving only one user, and the utilization rate of the OTN system is relatively high. Since the path for transmitting messages in this embodiment can serve multiple users, this path can be called a soft pipe.

[0125] In summary, in the communication method provided by this application embodiment, the first node in the OTN system can determine forwarding information based on the type of each node and its corresponding output port. Furthermore, the first node can forward packets based on the forwarding information. Therefore, the first node does not need to transmit packets using a dedicated bandwidth channel, thus improving the utilization rate of the OTN system.

[0126] Furthermore, in the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the forwarding information is automatically determined after the nodes in the OTN system exchange information, without the need for manual configuration of the forwarding information of each node, thus reducing the implementation difficulty of the communication method.

[0127] Furthermore, prior to S101 above, directly connected nodes in the OTN system can first establish communication connections. Establishing a communication connection is also called establishing a neighbor relationship; therefore, directly connected nodes are neighbors. The following will explain the process of establishing a communication connection between the first node and the second node as an example, where the second node is a directly connected node of the first node.

[0128] For example, Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a method for establishing a communication connection between a first node and a second node, as provided in this application embodiment, is shown below. Figure 11 As shown, the method may include:

[0129] S201. The first node sends a first message to the second node. The header of the first message carries the label of the first node and the label of the second node, and the payload of the first message carries the identifier of the first node.

[0130] The first message can be called a neighbor discovery message. The header of the first message carries the tag of the first node and the tag of the second node, indicating that the first message is a neighbor discovery message. The payload of the first message carries the identifier of the first node to inform the second node of this identifier. In addition, the first node can also send the first message to the second node to request the identifier of the second node; therefore, this first message belongs to the request type of neighbor discovery message.

[0131] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a neighbor discovery message provided in an embodiment of this application, as shown below. Figure 12 As shown, the neighbor discovery message may include a header and a payload. The header may include a source label field and a destination label field, and the payload may include an opcode field, a local identifier field, and a remote identifier field. The source label field carries the label of the node that sent the neighbor discovery message, and the destination label field carries the label of the node to which the neighbor discovery message is to be sent. The local identifier field carries the identifier of the node that sent the neighbor discovery message, and the remote identifier field carries the identifier of the node to which the neighbor discovery message is to be sent. The opcode field carries the opcode indicating the operation represented by the neighbor discovery message. The source label field and the destination label field may each include 2 bytes, the opcode field may include 1 byte, and the local identifier field and the remote identifier field may each include 8 bytes. Of course, the length and arrangement of the fields in the neighbor discovery message can be adjusted according to the actual situation, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0132] by Figure 3 Taking the nodes in the OTN system shown as an example, assuming the first node is node 101, then the second node is node 102. Figure 13As shown, in the first message sent from node 101 to node 102, the source label field carries the label of node 101: L1, the destination label field carries the label of node 102: L2, and the local identifier field carries the identifier of node 101: 101. Since node 101 has not yet obtained the identifier of node 102, the remote identifier field in the first message is empty. The first message is a request-type neighbor discovery message, therefore the opcode field of the first message carries an opcode indicating a request (e.g., ...). Figure 13 opcode 0 in the middle.

[0133] S202. The second node sends a second message to the first node. The header of the second message carries the tag of the first node and the tag of the second node, and the payload of the second message carries the identifier of the second node.

[0134] After receiving the first message from the first node, the second node needs to respond to it. The second node can send a second message back to the first node based on the first message; therefore, the second message is a response to the first message. Similar to the first message, the second message can also be called a neighbor discovery message, and it is a response-type neighbor discovery message. The structure of the second message can refer to the structure of the neighbor discovery message described above, and will not be repeated here in this embodiment. Since the first message is used to request the identifier of the second node, the payload of the second message can carry the identifier of the second node.

[0135] Continue with Figure 3 Taking the nodes in the OTN system shown as an example, assuming the first node is node 101, then the second node is node 102. Figure 14 As shown, in the second message, the source label field carries the label of node 102: L2, the destination label field carries the label of node 101: L1, the local identifier field carries the identifier of node 102: 102, and the remote identifier field carries the identifier of node 101: 101. The second message is a response-type neighbor discovery message, therefore the opcode field of the second message carries an opcode indicating a response (e.g., ...). Figure 14 opcode 1 in the middle.

[0136] S203. The first node sends a third message to the second node. The header of the third message carries the label of the first node and the label of the second node, and the payload of the third message carries the identifier of the first node and the identifier of the second node.

[0137] After receiving the second message sent by the second node, the first node can respond to the second message. Based on this response, the first node can send a third message to the second node; therefore, the third message is a response to the second message. Similar to the second message, the third message can also be called a neighbor discovery message, and it is a response-type neighbor discovery message. The structure of the third message can refer to the structure of the neighbor discovery message described above, and will not be repeated here in this embodiment. The payload of the third message can carry the identifiers of both the first and second nodes.

[0138] Continue with Figure 3 Taking the nodes in the OTN system shown as an example, assuming the first node is node 101, then the second node is node 102. Figure 15 As shown, in the third message, the source label field carries the label of node 101: L1, the destination label field carries the label of node 102: L2, the local identifier field carries the identifier of node 101: 101, and the remote identifier field carries the identifier of node 102: 102. The third message is a response-type neighbor discovery message, therefore the opcode field of the third message also carries an opcode indicating the response (e.g., ...). Figure 16 The opcode in the code is 1).

[0139] At this point, the first node and the second node can successfully establish a communication connection, and they become neighbors. After establishing the connection, the first and second nodes can periodically send keep-alive messages to each other to keep the communication connection active. An active connection means that the connection is available and nodes can transmit messages through it. The format of the keep-alive message can refer to the neighbor discovery message format described above, and its opcode field carries an opcode (e.g., opcode 2) indicating the keep-alive operation.

[0140] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the node identifier may include, for example, the node's code (identity, ID). Optionally, the node identifier may also include other content.

[0141] For example, such as Figure 16 As shown, the node identifier includes: the identifier of the region where the node is located ( Figure 17 Taking the region ID as an example, the node's priority, the padding (meaningless), and the node's ID. In this case, the node's identifier can also be called the node's peer ID.

[0142] A node's peer ID can consist of 8 bytes, with 2 bytes each for the identifier of the region where the node resides, the node's priority, padding, and the node's ID. The peer ID has the same length as the local or remote identifier field in the neighbor discovery message, meaning the identifier carried in the local or remote identifier field of the neighbor discovery message can be the peer ID. The format and length of the peer ID can also be adaptively adjusted based on the length of the local or remote identifier field in the neighbor discovery message.

[0143] Optionally, during the process of establishing a communication connection between the first node and the second node, the first node may send only the first message to the second node and not send the aforementioned third message. The header of the aforementioned neighbor discovery message (such as the first message, second message, and third message) indicates that the message is a neighbor discovery message through the tags of the first node and the second node. Optionally, the neighbor discovery message may also indicate that the message is a neighbor discovery message in other ways, such as by carrying a type indicator of the neighbor discovery message in the header, which is used to indicate that the message is a neighbor discovery message.

[0144] In the above embodiments, each node in the OTN system is an independent node. Optionally, some nodes in the OTN system may also be located in a node group. In other words, the OTN system may include at least one node group and independent nodes located outside of at least one node group. A node group may include: a master node of a second type and at least one slave node of a first type. The master node and slave node in the node group can establish a communication connection and communicate with each other. The first node may be a master node, a slave node, or an independent node in a target node group, where the target node group is any of the at least one node group.

[0145] 1. When the first node is the master node in the target node group, the above S101, S102 and S103 can also be implemented in other ways.

[0146] In step S101 above, the first node can receive information about the independent node sent by the independent node. When the at least one node group includes other node groups besides the target node group, in step S101, the first node can also receive information about those other node groups sent by the master node of those other node groups. The information for each node group in the at least one node group indicates: the type of node in that node group, and the output port through which the node in that node group connects to its directly connected node, which belongs to an OTN.

[0147] In S102 above, the first node can send information about each node group and each independent node in the OTN system to the slave nodes in the target node group, and send information about the target node group to the independent nodes. When at least one of the node groups includes the other node groups, in S102 the first node can also send information about the target node group to the master node in the other node group.

[0148] In S103 above, the first node can determine the type of each node in the OTN system and the corresponding output port of each node based on the information of each node group and each independent node in the OTN system.

[0149] Optionally, when the node group information is used to indicate the type of nodes in the node group, the node group information includes the type information of the node group, which can also be carried in the LSP and sent. For example, Figure 17 A schematic diagram of another LSP structure provided in this application embodiment is shown below. Figure 17 As shown, an LSP can include an LSP header and a payload portion, with the payload portion including multiple data units (such as...). Figure 17 (n data units in the node group), each data unit corresponds one-to-one with a node in the node group, and each data unit can be used to carry the identifier and type of the corresponding node.

[0150] 2. When the first node is a slave node in the target node group, the above S101, S102 and S103 can also be implemented in other ways.

[0151] The first node may not execute S101 as described above, and in S102, the first node may receive information about each node in the OTN system sent by the master node in the target node group. For example, when at least one node group includes the other node groups mentioned above, the master node in the target node group may send the received information from the other node groups, the information from the independent nodes, and the information from the target node group to the first node. When at least one node group does not include the other node groups mentioned above, the master node in the target node group may send the received information from the independent nodes and the information from the target node group to the first node.

[0152] In S103 above, the first node can determine the type of each node in the OTN system and the corresponding output port of each node based on the information of each node in the OTN system.

[0153] 3. When the first node is an independent node, S101, S102 and S103 above can also be implemented in other ways.

[0154] In step S101 above, the first node can send its information to each master node and other independent nodes. These other independent nodes are the independent nodes in the OTN system other than the first node.

[0155] In S102 above, the first node can receive information about the node group to which the master node belongs, sent by each master node. The first node can also receive information about other independent nodes sent by other independent nodes.

[0156] In S103 above, the first node can determine the type of each node in the OTN system and the corresponding output port of each node based on the information of each node group and each independent node in the OTN system.

[0157] The following will combine Figure 18 The OTN system shown above explains the above content.

[0158] For example, such as Figure 18 As shown, the OTN system includes two node groups (node ​​group 1 and node group 2) and one independent node (node ​​1531). Node group 1 includes one master node (node ​​1511) and two slave nodes (node ​​1512 and node 1513), and node group 2 includes one master node (node ​​1521) and two slave nodes (node ​​1522 and node 1523).

[0159] The master node 1511 in node group 1 can send information about node group 1 (including information about node 1511, node 1512, and node 1513) to node 1531, and node 1531 will forward the information about node group 1 to the master node 1521 in node group 2. Similarly, the master node 1521 in node group 2 can send information about node group 2 (including information about node 1521, node 1522, and node 1523) to node 1531, and node 1531 will forward the information about node group 2 to the master node 1511 in node group 1.

[0160] Node 1531 can also send information about node 1531 to nodes 1511 and 1521.

[0161] The master node 1511 in node group 1 can send the node information it has obtained (including the information of node group 1, node group 2 and independent node 1531) to nodes 1512 and 1513. The master node 1521 in node group 2 can send the node information it has obtained (including the information of node group 1, node group 2 and independent node 1531) to nodes 1522 and 1523.

[0162] Through the above steps Figure 18Each node in the system can obtain information from all other nodes, enabling the flooding of information about each node across the entire OTN network. Afterwards, each node can determine its type and corresponding output port based on the information obtained from all nodes in the OTN system.

[0163] Optionally, multiple nodes in the same node group can be located in the same communication device, and each independent node can be located in a separate device. For example, multiple nodes in the same node group can be located in a PE device, and each independent node can be located in a P device.

[0164] The above text combines Figures 1 to 18 This application provides a detailed description of the communication methods. It is understood that, in order to implement the functions described in the above methods, a node needs to include hardware and / or software modules corresponding to each function. Based on the execution process of the methods 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 implemented by 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 in conjunction with the embodiments, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0165] This embodiment can divide the corresponding device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware. It should be noted that the module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one possible way of dividing logical functions. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0166] When using a functional module division method, the following will combine... Figure 19 and Figure 20 This application describes the communication device provided.

[0167] Figure 19 This is a block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device can, for example, be used as the first node in the foregoing embodiments. Figure 19 As shown, the communication device includes: a first determining module 1901, a second determining module 1902, and a forwarding module 1903.

[0168] The first determining module 1901 is used to determine the type of each node among multiple nodes, and the corresponding output port of each node; wherein, the multiple nodes include nodes of a first type, which are used to convert and forward packets, and the output port of each node is the next-hop port from the first node to each node. The operations performed by the first determining module 1901 can be referred to S101 to S103 in the above embodiment.

[0169] The second determining module 1902 is used to determine forwarding information based on the type of each node and the corresponding outgoing port of each node. The forwarding information is used to indicate the outgoing port corresponding to the first type of node. The operation performed by the second determining module 1902 can be referred to S104 to S105 in the above embodiment.

[0170] The forwarding module 1903 is used to forward packets according to forwarding information. The operations performed by the forwarding module 1903 can be referred to S106 in the above embodiment.

[0171] Optionally, at least some nodes in the OTN system are connected via OSU links.

[0172] Optionally, the second determining module is used to: determine initial information based on the type of each node and the corresponding egress port of each node, the initial information including: the identifier and type of each node, and the information of the corresponding egress port of each node; and determine forwarding information based on the initial information, the forwarding information including: the tag corresponding to the identifier of the first type of node, and the information of the corresponding egress port of the first type of node.

[0173] Optionally, the communication device further includes: a first transmitting module and a first receiving module. Figure 19 (Not shown in the text). The operation performed by the first sending module can be referred to S201 in the above embodiment, and the operation performed by the first receiving module can be referred to the operation related to the first node in S202 above. For example, the first sending module is used to send a first message to a second node, the second node being at least a partially directly connected node of the first node in the OTN system, the header of the first message carrying a tag of the first node and a tag of the second node, and the payload of the first message carrying an identifier of the first node; the first receiving module is used to receive a second message sent by the second node, the header of the second message carrying a tag of the first node and a tag of the second node, and the payload of the second message carrying an identifier of the second node.

[0174] Optionally, the communication device further includes: a second receiving module and a second transmitting module. Figure 19(Not shown in the text). The operations performed by the second receiving module can refer to the content related to the first node in S102 of the above embodiment. The operations performed by the second sending module can refer to the content related to the first node in S101 of the above embodiment. For example, the second receiving module is used to receive information of other nodes sent by other nodes, wherein the other nodes are nodes other than the first node among multiple nodes, and the information of each node is used to indicate: the type of the node, and / or the output port of the node connected to its directly connected node, the directly connected node belonging to the OTN system; the second sending module is used to send the information of the first node to other nodes; the first determining module 1901 is used to: determine the type of each node among the multiple nodes and the output port corresponding to each node according to the information of the multiple nodes.

[0175] Optionally, the aforementioned plurality of nodes also include nodes of a second type, which are used to forward packets; the plurality of nodes include at least one node group and independent nodes located outside the at least one node group, wherein the node group includes: a master node of the second type and at least one slave node of the first type, and the master node in the node group is connected to the slave node.

[0176] In one scenario, the first node is the master node in the target node group; in this case, the communication device further includes: a third receiving module, a fourth receiving module, a third transmitting module, a fourth transmitting module, and a fifth transmitting module. Figure 19 (Not shown in the text). A third receiving module is configured to receive information about the node groups of other master nodes sent by the other master nodes when the plurality of nodes include other master nodes besides the first node; wherein, the information of each node group in the at least one node group is used to indicate: the type of the node in each node group, and / or, the output port of the node in each node group connected to its directly connected node, the directly connected node belonging to the OTN system; a fourth receiving module is configured to receive information about the independent node sent by the independent node; the information of the independent node is used to indicate: the type of the independent node, and / or, the output port of the independent node connected to its directly connected node; a third sending module is configured to send the information of the at least one node group and the information of the independent node to the slave nodes in the target node group; a fourth sending module is configured to send the information of the target node group to the other master nodes when the plurality of nodes include the other master nodes; a fifth sending module is configured to send the information of the target node group to the independent node. The aforementioned first determining module 1901 is configured to: determine the type of each node in the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node based on the information of the at least one node group and the information of the independent node.

[0177] In another scenario, the first node is a slave node in the target node group. In this case, the communication device also includes: a fifth receiving module ( Figure 19 (Not shown in the diagram). The fifth receiving module is used to receive information from multiple nodes sent by the master node in the target node group, wherein the information of each node is used to indicate: the type of the node, and / or the output port of the node connected to its directly connected node, which belongs to the OTN system. At this time, the first determining module 1901 is used to determine the type of each node among the multiple nodes and the corresponding output port of each node based on the information of the multiple nodes.

[0178] In another scenario, the first node is an independent node; in this case, the communication device further includes: a sixth receiving module and a sixth transmitting module. Figure 19 (Not shown in the text). The sixth receiving module is used to receive information about the node group to which the master node belongs, sent by the master node among the plurality of nodes, and information about the other independent nodes sent by other independent nodes; wherein, the information of each node group in the at least one node group is used to indicate: the type of each node in each node group, and / or, the output port of each node in each node group connected to its directly connected node, the directly connected node belonging to the OTN system; the other independent nodes are nodes other than the first node among the plurality of independent nodes; the information of the independent nodes is used to indicate: the type of the independent node, and / or, the output port of the independent node connected to its directly connected node. The sixth sending module is used to send the information of the first node to the master node among the plurality of nodes and other independent nodes. At this time, the first determining module 1901 is used to: determine the type of each node among the plurality of nodes and the output port corresponding to each node based on the information of at least one node group and the information of the plurality of independent nodes.

[0179] When using integrated units, the communication device for a first node provided in this application may include a processing module, a storage module, and a communication module. The processing module can be used to control and manage the operations of the communication device; for example, it can support the communication device in performing the actions performed by the first node in S101 to S106 described above. The storage module can support the communication device in executing stored program code and data. The communication module can be used for communication between the communication device and other devices.

[0180] The processing module, storage module, and communication module can be referred to respectively as the processing module, storage module, and communication module in the communication device used for the first node, and will not be described in detail here in the embodiments of this application.

[0181] In one embodiment, when the processing module is a processor, the storage module is a memory, and the communication module is a communication interface, the communication device involved in this embodiment can be a device having... Figure 20The communication device shown has the following structure. Please refer to... Figure 20 The communication device 200 includes a processor 202 and a memory 201, wherein the memory 201 stores a program, and the processor 202 calls the program stored in the memory 201 to cause the communication device to execute a corresponding method or function. Optionally, as... Figure 20 As shown, the communication device 200 may further include at least one communication interface 203 and at least one communication bus 204. The memory 201, processor 202, and communication interface 203 are communicatively connected via the communication bus 204. The communication interface 203 is used to communicate with other devices under the control of the processor 202, and the processor 202 can call programs stored in the memory 201 via the communication bus 204.

[0182] In one implementation, the various modules included in this communication device can be computer programs stored in a memory, and called by a processor to implement the corresponding execution functions of each module.

[0183] This application provides a communication device, including at least one node, which may include any of the communication devices provided in this application.

[0184] Optionally, the communication device includes a master node and a slave node in the aforementioned target node group. In this case, the communication device can be referred to as a PE device.

[0185] Optionally, the communication device includes the aforementioned independent node. In this case, the communication device can be referred to as a P device.

[0186] This application provides an OTN system, including multiple nodes, each node comprising any of the communication devices provided in this application. The functions of the nodes can be referred to the corresponding functions described in the above embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0187] This application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. When the computer program is run on a computer, it causes the computer to execute the method used by the first node in any of the communication methods provided in this application.

[0188] This application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a path adjustment device, cause the path adjustment device to execute the method used by the first node in any of the communication methods provided in this application.

[0189] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented entirely or partially as a computer program product, which includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium, or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state drive), etc.

[0190] In this application, the terms "first" and "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The term "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly defined.

[0191] The method embodiments and device embodiments provided in this application can be referenced interchangeably, and this application does not limit them. The order of operations in the method embodiments provided in this application can be appropriately adjusted, and operations can be added or removed as appropriate. Any variations that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the protection scope of this application, and therefore will not be elaborated further.

[0192] In the corresponding embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and apparatuses can be implemented in other configurations. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of 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 system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings, direct couplings, or communication connections may be through some interfaces; indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be electrical or other forms.

[0193] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components described as units may or may not be physical units; they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple devices. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0194] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily conceive of various equivalent modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application, and these modifications or substitutions should all be covered 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 communication method, characterized in that, The method involves applying a first node to an optical transport network (OTN) system, wherein the OTN system comprises multiple nodes, and the first node is any one of the multiple nodes. The type of each node among the plurality of nodes is determined, as well as the corresponding outgoing port of each node; wherein, the plurality of nodes includes nodes of a first type, which are used to convert and forward packets, and the outgoing port of each node is the next-hop port from the first node to each node; Based on the type of each node and the corresponding outgoing port of each node, forwarding information is determined, wherein the forwarding information is used to indicate the outgoing port corresponding to the first type of node; The message is forwarded according to the forwarding information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least some nodes in the OTN system are connected via optical service unit (OSU) links.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Based on the type of each node and the corresponding outgoing port of each node, the forwarding information is determined, including: Based on the type of each node and the corresponding output port of each node, initial information is determined, including: the identifier and type of each node, and the information of the corresponding output port of each node; Based on the initial information, the forwarding information is determined, which includes: the tag corresponding to the identifier of the first type of node, and the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the first type of node.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Before determining the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node, the method further includes: Send a first message to a second node, the second node being at least a direct connection node of the first node in the OTN system, the header of the first message carrying the tag of the first node and the tag of the second node, and the payload of the first message carrying the identifier of the first node. The second message sent by the second node is received. The header of the second message carries the tag of the first node and the tag of the second node, and the payload of the second message carries the identifier of the second node.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, Before determining the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node, the method further includes: Receive information from other nodes, wherein the other nodes are nodes other than the first node among the plurality of nodes, and the information of each node is used to indicate: the type of each node, and / or, the output port of each node connected to its directly connected node, wherein the directly connected node belongs to the OTN system; Send the information of the first node to the other nodes; Determining the type of each of the plurality of nodes, and the corresponding output port of each node, includes: Based on the information of the multiple nodes, determine the type of each node and the corresponding output port of each node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The plurality of nodes also includes nodes of a second type, which are used to forward packets; the plurality of nodes includes at least one node group and independent nodes located outside the at least one node group, the node group including: a master node of the second type and at least one slave node of the first type; the first node is the master node in the target node group of the at least one node group; Before determining the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node, the method further includes: When the plurality of nodes include other master nodes besides the first node, information about the node group to which the other master nodes belong is received from the other master nodes; wherein, the information of each node group in the at least one node group is used to indicate: the type of the node in each node group, and / or, the output port of the node in each node group connected to its directly connected node, the directly connected node belonging to the OTN system; Receive information about the independent node sent by the independent node; the information about the independent node is used to indicate: the type of the independent node, and / or the output port of the independent node connected to its directly connected node; Send information about at least one node group and information about the independent node to the slave nodes in the target node group; When the plurality of nodes includes the other master nodes, the information of the target node group is sent to the other master nodes; Send the information of the target node group to the independent node; Determining the type of each of the plurality of nodes, and the corresponding output port of each node, includes: Based on the information of the at least one node group and the information of the independent node, determine the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The plurality of nodes also includes nodes of a second type, which are used to forward packets; the plurality of nodes includes at least one node group, which includes: a master node of the second type and at least one slave node of the first type; the first node is a slave node in a target node group within the at least one node group; Before determining the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node, the method further includes: Receive information about the plurality of nodes sent by the master node in the target node group, wherein the information about each node is used to indicate: the type of each node, and / or the output port of each node connected to its directly connected node, wherein the directly connected node belongs to the OTN system; Determining the type of each of the plurality of nodes, and the corresponding output port of each node, includes: Based on the information of the multiple nodes, determine the type of each node and the corresponding output port of each node.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The plurality of nodes also includes nodes of a second type, which are used to forward packets; the plurality of nodes includes at least one node group and a plurality of independent nodes located outside the at least one node group, wherein the node group includes: a master node of the second type and at least one slave node of the first type; the first node is the independent node; Before determining the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node, the method further includes: The system receives information about the node group to which the master node belongs, sent by the master node among the plurality of nodes, and information about other independent nodes sent by other independent nodes; wherein, the information of each node group in the at least one node group is used to indicate: the type of each node in each node group, and / or, the output port of each node in each node group connected to its directly connected node, the directly connected node belonging to the OTN system; the other independent nodes are nodes other than the first node among the plurality of independent nodes; the information of the independent nodes is used to indicate: the type of the independent node, and / or, the output port of the independent node connected to its directly connected node; Send the information of the first node to the master node and the other independent nodes among the plurality of nodes; Determining the type of each of the plurality of nodes, and the corresponding output port of each node, includes: Based on the information of the at least one node group and the information of the plurality of independent nodes, determine the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node.

9. A communication device, characterized in that, A first node applied in an optical transport network (OTN) system, wherein the OTN system includes multiple nodes, and the first node is any one of the multiple nodes, the communication device comprising: The first determining module is used to determine the type of each node among the plurality of nodes, and the corresponding outgoing port of each node; wherein, the plurality of nodes includes nodes of a first type, the nodes of the first type are used to convert and forward packets, and the corresponding outgoing port of each node is: the next-hop port from the first node to each node; The second determining module is used to determine forwarding information based on the type of each node and the corresponding outgoing port of each node, wherein the forwarding information is used to indicate the outgoing port corresponding to the first type of node; The forwarding module is used to forward messages according to the forwarding information.

10. The communication device according to claim 9, characterized in that, At least some nodes in the OTN system are connected via optical service unit (OSU) links.

11. The communication device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second determining module is used for: Based on the type of each node and the corresponding output port of each node, initial information is determined, including: the identifier and type of each node, and the information of the corresponding output port of each node; Based on the initial information, the forwarding information is determined, which includes: the tag corresponding to the identifier of the first type of node, and the information of the outgoing port corresponding to the first type of node.

12. The communication device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The communication device further includes: A first sending module is used to send a first message to a second node, the second node being at least a part of the directly connected nodes of the first node in the OTN system, the header of the first message carrying the tag of the first node and the tag of the second node, and the payload of the first message carrying the identifier of the first node. The first receiving module is used to receive the second message sent by the second node. The header of the second message carries the tag of the first node and the tag of the second node, and the payload of the second message carries the identifier of the second node.

13. The communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The communication device further includes: The second receiving module is used to receive information from other nodes sent by other nodes, wherein the other nodes are nodes other than the first node among the plurality of nodes, and the information of each node is used to indicate: the type of each node, and / or, the output port of each node connected to its directly connected node, wherein the directly connected node belongs to the OTN system; The second sending module is used to send the information of the first node to the other nodes; The first determining module is used for: Based on the information of the multiple nodes, determine the type of each node and the corresponding output port of each node.

14. The communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The plurality of nodes also includes nodes of a second type, which are used to forward packets; the plurality of nodes includes at least one node group and independent nodes located outside the at least one node group, the node group including: a master node of the second type and at least one slave node of the first type; the first node is the master node in the target node group of the at least one node group; The communication device further includes: The third receiving module is configured to receive information about the node group to which the other master nodes belong when the plurality of nodes include other master nodes besides the first node; wherein, the information of each node group in the at least one node group is used to indicate: the type of the node in each node group, and / or, the output port of the node in each node group connected to its directly connected node, wherein the directly connected node belongs to the OTN system; The fourth receiving module is used to receive information about the independent node sent by the independent node; the information about the independent node is used to indicate: the type of the independent node, and / or the output port of the independent node connected to its directly connected node; The third sending module is used to send information about at least one node group and information about the independent node to the slave nodes in the target node group; The fourth sending module is used to send information about the target node group to the other master nodes when the plurality of nodes include the other master nodes; The fifth sending module is used to send information about the target node group to the independent node; The first determining module is used for: Based on the information of the at least one node group and the information of the independent node, determine the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node.

15. The communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The plurality of nodes also includes nodes of a second type, which are used to forward packets; the plurality of nodes includes at least one node group, which includes: a master node of the second type and at least one slave node of the first type; the first node is a slave node in a target node group within the at least one node group; The communication device further includes: The fifth receiving module is used to receive information about the plurality of nodes sent by the master node in the target node group, wherein the information about each node is used to indicate: the type of each node, and / or the output port of each node connected to its directly connected node, wherein the directly connected node belongs to the OTN system; The first determining module is used to determine the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node based on the information of the plurality of nodes.

16. The communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The plurality of nodes also includes nodes of a second type, which are used to forward packets; the plurality of nodes includes at least one node group and a plurality of independent nodes located outside the at least one node group, wherein the node group includes: a master node of the second type and at least one slave node of the first type; the first node is the independent node; The communication device further includes: The sixth receiving module is used to receive information about the node group to which the master node belongs, sent by the master node among the plurality of nodes, and information about other independent nodes sent by other independent nodes; wherein, the information of each node group in the at least one node group is used to indicate: the type of each node in each node group, and / or, the output port of each node in each node group connected to its directly connected node, the directly connected node belonging to the OTN system; the other independent nodes are nodes other than the first node among the plurality of independent nodes; the information of the independent nodes is used to indicate: the type of the independent node, and / or, the output port of the independent node connected to its directly connected node; The sixth sending module is used to send the information of the first node to the master node and the other independent nodes among the plurality of nodes; The first determining module is used for: Based on the information of the at least one node group and the information of the plurality of independent nodes, determine the type of each of the plurality of nodes and the corresponding output port of each node.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a program; The processor is used to invoke a program stored in the memory so that the communication device performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one node, said node comprising the communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 16, or said node comprising the communication device according to claim 17.

19. The communication device according to claim 18, characterized in that, The at least one node includes: a master node and a slave node in the target node group; The optical transport network (OTN) system in which the communication equipment is located includes multiple nodes, including at least one node group and independent nodes located outside the at least one node group. The node group includes: a master node of a second type and at least one slave node of a first type. The first type of node is used to convert and forward packets, and the second type of node is used to forward packets. The target node group belongs to the at least one node group.

20. The communication device according to claim 18, characterized in that, The at least one node includes: an independent node; The optical transport network (OTN) system in which the communication equipment is located includes multiple nodes, including at least one node group and independent nodes located outside the at least one node group. The node group includes a master node of a second type and at least one slave node of a first type. The first type of node is used to convert and forward packets, and the second type of node is used to forward packets.

21. An optical transport network (OTN) system, characterized in that, include: Multiple nodes, wherein the nodes include the communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 16, or the nodes include the communication device according to claim 17.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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