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

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method, device, equipment, system and computer readable storage medium, and relates to the technical field of communication. The method comprises the following steps: a CP device receives a first message carrying source information of a first user terminal and sent by a first UP device; the CP device determines a first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing a network according to the source information of the first user terminal, and finds a corresponding relationship between the source information of the user terminal and a location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network; the CP device sends the first location identifier to a USF device, so that the USF device can distinguish that the first user terminal accesses from a first physical port of a first SF device; the controller is configured to a second SF device, so as to switch traffic from the first user terminal from a first sub-interface corresponding to the first UP device on the first SF device to a second sub-interface corresponding to a second UP device on the second SF device, and realize that the traffic of a static user is sent to a suitable UP device.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110453978.3, filed on April 26, 2021, entitled "A Communication Method and Network Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, apparatus, devices, systems and computer-readable storage media. Background Technology

[0003] With the development of software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions contextualization (NFV) technologies, metropolitan area networks (MANs) are evolving from a network-centric architecture to a data center-centric architecture. Network elements are also evolving from specialized to general-purpose devices. Broadband network gateways (BNGs), based on SDN and NFV technologies, not only decouple control and forwarding functions but also software and hardware. Specifically, a BNG that achieves this decoupling of control and forwarding functions based on SDN and NFV technologies is called a virtual broadband network gateway (vBNG).

[0004] Typically, a vBNG can include a virtual broadband network gateway control plane (vBNG-CP) device and a virtual broadband network gateway user plane (vBNG-UP) device. The vBNG-CP device manages multiple vBNG-UP devices and schedules users, traffic, and resources among the multiple vBNG-UP devices. Compared with a single device, the utilization and reliability of the device can be greatly improved.

[0005] When a user terminal obtains its Internet Protocol (IP) address statically and accesses the network, it is necessary to dynamically send the user terminal's traffic to the appropriate vBNG-UP device based on certain conditions to achieve dynamic migration of the user terminal. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, device, system, and computer-readable storage medium for transmitting traffic from a static user to a suitable UP device.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided, applied to a control plane (CP) device of a virtual broadband network gateway, wherein the virtual broadband network gateway further includes a first user plane (UP) device. The method includes: the CP device receiving a first message sent by the first UP device, the first message carrying source information of a first user terminal, the first user terminal being a user terminal that obtained its Internet Protocol (IP) address statically; the CP device, based on the source information of the first user terminal, searching for the correspondence between the user terminal's source information and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network, determining a first location identifier for the first user terminal accessing the network, the first location identifier including the identifier of a first steering function (SF) device and the identifier of a first physical port on the first SF device; and the CP device sending the first location identifier to the UP steering function (USF) device. Optionally, the USF device is also called a UP selection function (UPSF) device.

[0008] In this method, for a first user terminal that obtains an IP address through static means, the CP device can obtain the identifier of the first SF device accessed by the first user terminal and the first location identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device by looking up the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network. The CP device then sends the first location identifier to the USF device, so that the USF device can distinguish which physical port of which SF device the user accessed from, so as to send the traffic of the static user to the appropriate UP device.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the CP device receiving the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device; the CP device determining the second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and saving the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier, wherein the second location identifier includes the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device, and the second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

[0010] After receiving the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device, the CP device saves the correspondence between the user terminal's source information and the second location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network. When the user accesses the network again, the migration of user traffic can be easily realized.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port. The method provided in this application is not only applicable to switching between different sub-interfaces on the same physical port of the same SF device, but also supports switching between sub-interfaces of different physical ports of the same SF device, as well as switching between different sub-interfaces on different SF devices, thus having a wider range of applications.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of a media access control (MAC) identifier and a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier. By using the MAC or VLAN identifier included in the source information of the first user terminal, the location identifier of the network accessed by the first user terminal can be accurately obtained, enabling precise tracing of the first user terminal.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first message includes an IP message or an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) message.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the CP device sending a user entry to the second UP device, the user entry including the source information of the first user terminal.

[0016] The second UP device receives user entries from the CP device, ensuring that the static IP address of static users does not need to change after traffic migration.

[0017] In one possible implementation, after determining the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network, the method further includes: the CP device sending an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including the first location identifier; the CP device receiving an authentication response returned by the authentication server, the authentication response including service quality requirements corresponding to the first location identifier; and the CP device sending the service quality requirements to the USF.

[0018] Including the primary location identifier in the authentication request and reporting it to the authentication server enables precise binding and user location tracing. Sending the service quality requirements corresponding to the primary location identifier to the USF helps the USF determine suitable UP devices.

[0019] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a communication system including a CP device of a virtual broadband network gateway, wherein the virtual broadband network gateway further includes a first UP device and a second UP device, and the communication system further includes a USF device. The method includes:

[0020] The CP device receives the first message sent by the first UP device. The first message carries the source information of the first user terminal, which is a user terminal that obtained its IP address through static means.

[0021] The CP device searches for the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network based on the source information of the first user terminal, and determines the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network. The first location identifier includes the identifier of the first SF device and the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device.

[0022] The CP device sends the first location identifier to the USF device;

[0023] The USF device identifies the second UP device based on the first location identifier;

[0024] The USF device configures the second SF device through the controller to switch traffic from the first user terminal from the first sub-interface on the first SF device corresponding to the first UP device to the second sub-interface on the second SF device corresponding to the second UP device. The second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

[0025] In this method, the CP device searches for the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network, obtains the identifier of the first SF device accessed by the first user terminal and the first location identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device, and then sends the first location identifier to the USF device. This enables the USF device to distinguish which physical port of which SF device the user accessed from. Through the interaction between the USF device and the controller, the second SF device is configured to switch the traffic from the first user terminal from the first sub-interface of the first SF device to the second sub-interface of the second SF device corresponding to the second UP device, thereby sending the traffic of static users to the appropriate UP device.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the USF device returning the identifier of the second UP device to the CP device; the CP device receiving the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device, determining a second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and saving the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier, wherein the second location identifier includes the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device.

[0027] After receiving the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device, the CP device saves the correspondence between the user terminal's source information and the second location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network. When the user accesses the network again, the migration of user traffic can be easily realized.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port. The method provided in this application is not only applicable to switching between different sub-interfaces on the same physical port of the same SF device, but also supports switching between sub-interfaces of different physical ports of the same SF device, as well as switching between different sub-interfaces on different SF devices, thus having a wider range of applications.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of a MAC identifier and a VLAN identifier. By using the MAC or VLAN identifier included in the source information of the first user terminal, the location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network can be accurately obtained, enabling precise tracing of the first user terminal.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the first message includes an IP message or an ARP message.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the CP device sending a user entry to the second UP device, the user entry including the source information of the first user terminal.

[0033] The second UP device receives user entries from the CP device, ensuring that the static IP address of static users does not need to change after traffic migration.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the communication system further includes an authentication server; after the CP device determines the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network, the system further includes: the CP device sending an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including the first location identifier; the CP device receiving an authentication response returned by the authentication server, the authentication response including a service quality requirement corresponding to the first location identifier; the CP device sending the service quality requirement to the USF; and the USF device determining a second UP device based on the first location identifier and the service quality requirement.

[0035] Including the primary location identifier in the authentication request and reporting it to the authentication server enables precise binding and user location tracing. Sending the service quality requirements corresponding to the primary location identifier to the USF helps the USF determine suitable UP devices.

[0036] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, which is applied to the CP device of a virtual broadband network gateway, wherein the virtual broadband network gateway further includes a first UP device, and the device includes:

[0037] The first receiving module is used to receive a first message sent by the first UP device. The first message carries source information of the first user terminal, which is a user terminal that obtains its Internet Protocol IP address by static means.

[0038] The first determining module is used to find the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network based on the source information of the first user terminal, and determine the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network. The first location identifier includes the identifier of the first SF device and the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device.

[0039] The first sending module is used to send the first location identifier to the USF device.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the device further includes:

[0041] The second receiving module is used to receive the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device;

[0042] The second determining module is used to determine the second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and to save the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier. The second location identifier includes the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device. The second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of a Media Access Control (MAC) identifier and a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the first message includes an IP message or an ARP message.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the device further includes:

[0048] The delivery module is used to deliver user entries to the second UP device, wherein the user entries include the source information of the first user terminal.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the device further includes:

[0050] The second sending module is used to send an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including the first location identifier;

[0051] The third receiving module is used to receive the authentication response returned by the authentication server, the authentication response including the service quality requirements corresponding to the first location identifier;

[0052] The third sending module is used to send the service quality requirements to the USF.

[0053] Fourthly, a communication system is provided, the system comprising a CP device for a virtual broadband network gateway, a first UP device, a second UP device, and a USF device;

[0054] The CP device is configured to receive a first message sent by the first UP device, the first message carrying source information of a first user terminal, the first user terminal being a user terminal that obtained its IP address through a static method; based on the source information of the first user terminal, to look up the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network, to determine the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network, the first location identifier including the identifier of the first redirection function SF device and the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device; and to send the first location identifier to the USF device.

[0055] The USF device is used to determine the second UP device based on the first location identifier; the device configures the second SF device through the controller to switch traffic from the first user terminal from the first sub-interface on the first SF device corresponding to the first UP device to the second sub-interface on the second SF device corresponding to the second UP device, wherein the second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the USF device is configured to return the identifier of the second UP device to the CP device; the CP device is configured to receive the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device, determine a second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and save the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier, wherein the second location identifier includes the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of a MAC identifier and a VLAN identifier.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the first message includes an IP message or an ARP message.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the CP device is configured to send user entries to the second UP device, the user entries including source information of the first user terminal.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the CP device is configured to send an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including the first location identifier; receive an authentication response returned by the authentication server, the authentication response including a service quality requirement corresponding to the first location identifier; and send the service quality requirement to the USF.

[0063] The USF device is used to determine the second UP device based on the first location identifier and the service quality requirements.

[0064] Fifthly, a network device is provided, comprising: a processor coupled to a memory, the memory storing at least one program instruction or code, the at least one program instruction or code being loaded and executed by the processor to enable the network device to implement the communication method as described in any of the first aspects above.

[0065] As an exemplary embodiment, the processor may be one or more, and the memory may be one or more.

[0066] As an exemplary embodiment, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be disposed separately from the processor.

[0067] In specific implementation, the memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or set on different chips. The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of memory or the way the memory and processor are set.

[0068] A sixth aspect provides a communication device comprising: a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver, the memory, and the processor communicate with each other via an internal connection path. The memory stores instructions, and the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory to control the transceiver to receive and transmit signals. When the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the communication device performs the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0069] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing at least one instruction, the instruction being loaded and executed by a processor to enable a computer to implement the communication method as described in the first aspect or any of the first aspects above.

[0070] Eighthly, a computer program (product) is provided, the computer program (product) comprising: computer program code, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the preceding aspects.

[0071] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor for retrieving and executing instructions stored in a memory, causing a communication device on which the chip is mounted to perform the methods of the foregoing aspects.

[0072] In a tenth aspect, another chip is provided, comprising: an input sub-interface, an output sub-interface, a processor, and a memory, wherein the input sub-interface, the output sub-interface, the processor, and the memory are connected via an internal connection path, and the processor is used to execute code in the memory, wherein when the code is executed, the processor is used to perform the methods in the foregoing aspects.

[0073] It should be understood that the beneficial effects achieved by the third and fourth and fifth aspects of the technical solutions and their corresponding possible implementations in the embodiments of this application can be referred to the above-described technical effects of the first and second aspects and their corresponding possible implementations, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0074] Figure 1 This is a network topology diagram provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection relationship between an SF device and a UP device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 3 This is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 4 This is a network topology diagram provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 5 This is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0083] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0084] With the decoupling of control and forwarding, and software and hardware, based on the SDN / NFV architecture of BNG devices, vBNG, including vBNG-CP devices and vBNG-UP devices, has emerged. Among them, vBNG-CP devices can manage multiple vBNG-UP devices and perform user, traffic, and resource scheduling among multiple vBNG-UP devices, which can significantly improve the utilization and reliability of the device compared to a single machine.

[0085] In this embodiment, the vBNG-CP device can also be simply referred to as the CP device, and the vBNG-UP device can also be simply referred to as the UP device. There are three types of interfaces between the vBNG-CP device and the vBNG-UP device. Among them, PRi is the service interface, through which the vBNG-UP device receives user access protocol messages and encapsulates and sends them to the vBNG-CP device for processing; Mi is the management interface, through which the vBNG-CP device sends configurations to the vBNG-UP device, and the vBNG-UP device uses this interface to report some operating statuses; SCi is the control interface, through which the vBNG-CP device processes user access protocol messages, completes protocol interaction with users, and sends user entries to the corresponding vBNG-UP device after a user goes online.

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

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

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

[0089] like Figure 1 As shown, there is an SF device between the access network (AN) device and the vBNG-UP device. The SF device establishes a Layer 2 tunnel with each vBNG-UP device. The physical ports between the SF device and the AN device are divided into different sub-interfaces, and different sub-interfaces correspond to the Layer 2 tunnels of different vBNG-UP devices.

[0090] Taking a user terminal configured to connect from pUP device 1 as an example, pUP device 1 forwards the user access protocol message to the vBNG-CP device. The vBNG-CP device then sends the user connection information (including source information, service level agreement (SLA), and connection location information) to the USF device. Based on the connection information, the USF device determines that the user should connect from pUP device 2 and instructs the vBNG-CP device to distribute the user entry to pUP device 2. Simultaneously, the USF device notifies the SDN controller to configure the SF device, assigning the VLAN / or dual-layer VLAN (802.1Q in802.1Q, QinQ) identifier corresponding to the user to the sub-interface between the SF device and the AN corresponding to pUP device 2. Afterward, the SF device forwards subsequent user packets directly to pUP device 2 through the Layer 2 tunnel between the SF device and pUP device 2.

[0091] The USF device serves as the policy point for dynamic migration. The vBNG-CP device needs to query the USF device to determine which BNG-UP device to distribute user entries to. Furthermore, the USF device needs to notify the SDN controller to configure the SF device. It's important to note that the USF device can be integrated into the vBNG-CP device, the SDN controller, or a separate network element. If the USF device is integrated into the SDN controller or CP device, the interaction between the USF device and the SDN controller or CP device is internal; all information and packets are sent internally.

[0092] When a user comes online, the CP device reports the user's online location and corresponding sub-interface on the UP device to the remote authentication dial in user service (RADIUS) system for precise user binding and traceability. However, in a stemming scenario, users migrate between online sub-interfaces on multiple UP devices, causing a user's online sub-interface to change, making precise user binding and traceability impossible. Furthermore, as... Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the connection relationship between SF and UP devices. An SF device has multiple physical ports and multiple broadcast domains (BDs). Each physical port has multiple sub-interfaces. Different sub-interfaces on a port correspond to different BDs. Different BDs are connected to virtual interfaces (VEs) in the slots of different UP devices. One sub-interface corresponds to one BD, and one BD corresponds to one UP device. For example, BD1 in SF1 corresponds to VE1 in UP1, and BD2 in SF2 corresponds to VE2 in UP2.

[0093] Therefore, when multiple SF devices are deployed together, and the service traffic from these SF devices converges to the same UP device, at least one of the USF device and the SDN controller can determine the correspondence between the sub-interfaces on each SF device and the UP devices, but cannot determine which physical port on which SF device the user is accessing from. Since the USF device and the SDN controller cannot determine the specific physical port on which the user is accessing the SF device, it is impossible to migrate user traffic between different physical ports of the same SF device or between different sub-interfaces on physical ports of different SF devices.

[0094] For user terminals that obtain IP addresses through static means, this application embodiment refers to them as static users. Since static users access the network through IP packets or ARP packets, and IP packets or ARP packets cannot carry the online location identifier of the user terminal access through OPTION, this leads to the failure of static user tracing and static user migration.

[0095] This application provides a communication method. Combined with... Figure 1 The network shown is described in the image. Figure 3 The method provided in this application includes the following steps.

[0096] Step 301: The CP device receives the first message sent by the first UP device. The first message carries the source information of the first user terminal, which is a user terminal that obtained its IP address through static means.

[0097] In this embodiment, the first user terminal is a terminal device that obtains an IP address through a static method, referred to as a static user. A static user has a fixed IP address, such as a fixed IP address provided by a server for a leased line service. Optionally, the first user terminal is a residential gateway (RGW).

[0098] Since the first user terminal is a static user terminal, and static user terminals trigger network online access via IP packets or ARP packets, optionally, the first packet sent by the first user terminal is an IP packet or an ARP packet. However, since IP packets or ARP packets do not carry OPTION82 / OPTION18, they cannot carry the user terminal's online location identifier via OPTION.

[0099] In this embodiment, when a static user terminal accesses the network, the CP device typically configures the static user terminal's interface, as well as at least one source information, either a MAC address or a VLAN identifier, to restrict the network access location of the static user terminal. For example, the source information of the first user terminal carried in the first message is MAC + VLAN.

[0100] Step 302: The CP device searches for the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network based on the source information of the first user terminal, and determines the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network. The first location identifier includes the identifier of the first SF device and the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device.

[0101] In STEERING scenarios, it's necessary to determine the specific physical port of which SF device a static user terminal (SMT) accesses the network for precise user binding and tracing, enabling the migration of SMTs across multiple UP devices' online sub-interfaces. The CP device configures not only the SMT's interface, MAC address, and VLAN ID, but also the location identifier of the SMT's access network. For example, a specific physical port on a particular SF device might be designated as the SMT's access network location. If a SMT is not online at the configured access network location, traffic forwarding on the SF device will fail during user traffic migration, leading to a dropped detection connection for the SMT.

[0102] In one possible implementation, the CP device is configured with a mapping between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network. The source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of a MAC identifier and a VLAN identifier, and the location identifier of the access network includes the identifier of the SF device and the identifier of the physical port on the SF device. The CP device can determine the location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network by using the configured mapping between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network.

[0103] For example, the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network includes the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network. After receiving the first message carrying the source information of the first user terminal, the CP device can determine the location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network, i.e., the first location identifier, based on the source information of the first user terminal. Optionally, the first location identifier includes the identifier of the first SF device and the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device.

[0104] In this embodiment, the physical port identifier includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier. The physical port identifier can determine the receiving location of the message, that is, the network access location of the user terminal. For example, the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device can determine which slot (identified by the slot identifier), which sub-card (identified by the sub-card identifier), and which port (identified by the port identifier) ​​of the first SF device the first message was received from.

[0105] In one possible implementation, the CP device configures a correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the first location identifier, and the first physical port on the first SF device corresponding to the first location identifier is configured with the source information of the first user terminal. This allows the first sub-interface of the first physical port on the first SF device to receive the first message based on the source information of the first user terminal in the first message. The first sub-interface corresponds to the first UP device; therefore, the first SF device sends the first message to the first UP device, which then sends the first message to the control plane CP device. The first sub-interface is also called the pre-migration sub-interface, the configuration sub-interface, or the initial sub-interface.

[0106] In addition, when a static user terminal comes online, the first SF device, besides sending the first packet to the first UP device, also aggregates home terminals, bringing the static user terminals together to the first UP device for Layer 2 packet forwarding. It also isolates static users using VLAN / QinQ, with each static user having its own dedicated VLAN / QinQ. QinQ refers to two VLAN identifiers, such as a service-side VLAN (SVLAN) + a user-side VLAN (CVLAN). Initially, the VLAN / QinQ corresponds to the sub-interface configured on the CP device at the corresponding online location, such as the first sub-interface of the first physical port of the first SF device, but it may not be configured on that first sub-interface.

[0107] Step 303: The CP device sends the first location identifier to the USF device.

[0108] In one possible implementation, after determining a first location identifier for the first user terminal accessing the network, the CP device sends the first location identifier to the USF device. The USF device can then determine a suitable UP device based on the first location identifier. Optionally, the CP device may also send the first user terminal's quality of service (QoS) requirements to the USF device to obtain a UP device that meets those QoS requirements through the USF device.

[0109] This application does not limit the method by which the CP device obtains the service quality requirements of the first user terminal. In one possible implementation, the communication system further includes an authentication server. The CP device obtaining the service quality requirements of the first user terminal includes: the CP device sending an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including a first location identifier; the CP device receiving an authentication response returned by the authentication server, the authentication response including the service quality requirements corresponding to the first location identifier. After obtaining the service quality requirements of the first user terminal, the CP device sends the service quality requirements to the USF.

[0110] In other words, after determining the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network, the process also includes: the CP device sending an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including the first location identifier; the CP device receiving an authentication response returned by the authentication server, the authentication response including the service quality requirements corresponding to the first location identifier; and the CP device sending the service quality requirements to the USF.

[0111] Optionally, the authentication request sent by the CP device to the authentication server may also include source information of the first user terminal. The authentication server can determine the corresponding quality of service requirements based on this source information and the first location identifier.

[0112] In this embodiment of the application, when the CP device performs user authentication with RADIUS, it uses the access sub-interface identifier of the SF device (such as the first location identifier) ​​as the location identifier of the static user and reports it to the RADIUS server for precise binding and static user location tracing.

[0113] Step 304: The USF device determines the second UP device based on the first location identifier.

[0114] In one possible implementation, the USF device determines the second UP device based on the first location identifier, including: the USF device tracing the first user terminal based on the first location identifier and selecting the UP with the lowest load in the communication system as the second UP device, for example... Figure 1 pUP device 2 in the middle.

[0115] In one possible implementation, when the CP device sends the service quality requirement to the USF, the USF device determines the second UP device based on the first location identifier, including: the USF device determines the second UP device based on the first location identifier and the service quality requirement. For example, taking the service quality requirement as SLA information, after the USF device obtains the SLA information of the first user terminal, the USF device can query the SLA policy and determine the target UP device based on the queried SLA policy. For example, the UP device with the lowest load among those matching the SLA can be selected as the second UP device that satisfies the SLA information. Figure 1 pUP device 2 in the middle.

[0116] Step 305: The USF device configures the second SF device through the controller to switch the traffic from the first user terminal from the first sub-interface of the first SF device corresponding to the first UP device to the second sub-interface of the second SF device corresponding to the second UP device. The second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

[0117] In one possible implementation, after the USF device identifies the second UP device, it configures a corresponding access location identifier for the second UP device, that is, a location identifier that enables access to the access network of the second UP device. For example, the second UP device corresponds to the second sub-interface, and the corresponding location identifier configured for the second UP device is a second location identifier, wherein the second location identifier may include the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the USF device sends a second location identifier and a second UP device identifier to the SDN controller. The SDN controller determines a second sub-interface based on the second UP device identifier to switch traffic from the first user terminal from the first sub-interface on the first SF device corresponding to the first UP device to the second sub-interface on the second SF device corresponding to the second UP device. This switching of traffic from the first user terminal from the first sub-interface on the first SF device corresponding to the first UP device can also be understood as switching traffic from the first physical port of the first SF device to the second physical port of the second SF device corresponding to the second UP device.

[0119] In one possible implementation, the second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port. For example, if the second physical port is the same as the first physical port, then the identifier of the second SF device is also the same as the identifier of the first SF device, both being the identifier of the SF device that received the first message. Alternatively, if the second physical port and the first physical port are different physical ports on the same SF device, then the second physical port is different from the first physical port, but the identifier of the second SF device is the same as the identifier of the first SF device, both being the identifier of the SF device that received the first message. Yet another example is that the second physical port and the first physical port are the same physical port on different SF devices, then the identifier of the second SF device is different from the identifier of the first SF device, but the identifier of the second physical port is the same as the first physical port. Still another example is that the second physical port and the first physical port are different physical ports on different SF devices, then the identifier of the second SF device is different from the identifier of the first SF device, and the identifier of the second physical port is different from the first physical port.

[0120] Furthermore, in one possible implementation, the USF device also issues a migration policy to the corresponding SF device, mapping the user's source information to a Layer 2 tunnel connected to the corresponding UP device, such as a Virtual Extended Local Area Network (VXLAN), a Virtual Leased Line (VLL), or an Ethernet Virtual Private Network (EVPN). For example, the source information of the first user terminal is mapped to a Layer 2 tunnel connected to the second UP device.

[0121] In one possible implementation, the USF device configures the second SF device through a controller, including: the SDN controller receiving the identifier and / or second location identifier of the second UP device and the virtual LAN identifier sent by the USF device; and sending a configuration command to the second SF device corresponding to the second location identifier based on the identifier and / or second location identifier and the virtual LAN identifier. Optionally, the virtual LAN identifier corresponds to the source information of the first user terminal, or the network identifier of the corresponding Layer 2 tunnel of the first user terminal.

[0122] Since the location identifier includes the identifier of the SF device and the identifier of the physical port, for example, the identifier of the physical port can be represented as slot identifier + sub-card identifier + port identifier. The configuration instruction includes the identifier of the second sub-interface and the virtual LAN identifier, and the second sub-interface corresponds to the second UP device. In this way, when there are multiple SF devices in the system, and each SF device has multiple physical ports connecting to AN devices, the SDN controller can determine which SF device interface (physical port and sub-interface) of which SF device should be configured.

[0123] For example, if a user initially connects from sub-interface 1 of physical port 1 on SF device 1 (corresponding to pUP device 1), and subsequent user traffic needs to switch to sub-interface 2 of physical port 1 on SF device 1 (corresponding to pUP device 2), the SDN controller will send a configuration command to SF device 1 to configure the Virtual LAN identifier (e.g., VLAN / QinQ identifier) ​​onto sub-interface 2 of physical port 1 on SF device 1. As another example, if a user initially connects from sub-interface 1.1 of physical port 1 on SF device 1 (corresponding to pUP device 1), and subsequent user traffic needs to switch to sub-interface 2.1 of physical port 2 on SF device 1 (corresponding to pUP device 2), the SDN controller will send a configuration command to SF device 1 to configure the VLAN / QinQ identifier onto sub-interface 2.1 of physical port 2 on SF device 1. For example, if a user originally connected from sub-interface 1.1 of physical port 1 on SF device 1 (corresponding to pUP device 1), and the user's traffic needs to be switched to sub-interface 3.1 of physical port 3 on SF device 2 (corresponding to pUP device 2), the SDN controller will send a configuration command to SF device 2 to configure the VLAN / QinQ identifier on sub-interface 3.1 of physical port 3 on SF device 2.

[0124] In one possible implementation, the second SF device receives a configuration command from the SDN controller. Since the configuration command includes an identifier for the second sub-interface and a virtual LAN identifier, the second SF device configures the virtual LAN identifier onto the second sub-interface. In subsequent communication, the second SF device receives a second message from the second user terminal, the second message including the virtual LAN identifier; the second SF device then forwards the second message to the second UP terminal based on the virtual LAN identifier. Optionally, the second user terminal may be different from the first user terminal, or it may be the same as the first user terminal.

[0125] In one possible implementation, if a virtual LAN identifier is configured on the first sub-interface of the first physical port of the first SF device, and the first SF device also receives a configuration instruction, which also includes the identifier of the first sub-interface, then the method further includes the first SF device deleting the virtual LAN identifier configured on the first sub-interface.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, after the USF device determines the second UP device that meets the service quality requirements, it also sends the identifier of the second UP device to the CP device. The method further includes: the CP device receiving the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device; the CP device determining a second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and saving the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier. The second location identifier is the location identifier of the access network that can access the second UP device, including the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device. The second UP device corresponds to the second sub-interface.

[0127] In one possible implementation, the USF device sends the identifier of the second UP device to the CP device, and also sends the second location identifier to the CP device. The CP device receives the identifier of the second UP device and the second location identifier returned by the USF device; and saves the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier according to the second location identifier.

[0128] After receiving the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device, the CP device saves the correspondence between the user terminal's source information and the second location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network. When the user accesses the network again, user traffic migration can be easily achieved. Optionally, after saving the correspondence between the first user terminal's source information and the second location identifier, the CP device can also delete the previously saved correspondence between the first user terminal's source information and the first location identifier to save storage space.

[0129] After determining that the target UP device is the second UP device, the CP device sends a user entry to the second UP device. The user entry includes the source information of the first user terminal. In this embodiment, since the first user terminal is a static user terminal and its IP address is a fixed static IP, and since the user entry generated by the CP device includes the source information of the first user terminal, the user entry includes the static IP address of the first user terminal.

[0130] In one possible implementation, after the CP device sends the user entry to the second UP device, the process further includes: the second UP device receiving the user entry from the CP device, determining whether the static IP address of the first user terminal is within the address range of the network segment to which the second UP device belongs; and in response to the first user terminal's static IP address not being within the address range of the network segment to which the second UP device belongs, the second UP device publishing separate host routing information. For example, the second UP device publishes a separate 32-bit host route based on the first user terminal's static IP address. This ensures that the static IP address of the static user does not need to change after traffic migration occurs.

[0131] For ease of understanding, Figure 4 Taking the network diagram shown as an example, the communication method provided in this application embodiment will be illustrated. This method can be as follows: Figure 5 As shown. Among them, Figure 4 ①-⑦ in the text correspond to respectively Figure 5 501-507 in the example. Figure 5 As shown, before executing the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the CP device performs initialization configuration based on the source information of the static user terminal (such as RGW), that is, the CP device configures the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network. Afterwards, the communication method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[0132] 501, RWG sends an IP packet or ARP packet to the SF1 device.

[0133] The IP or ARP packets carry the RGW's source information, such as IP+MAC+VLAN. Since the CP device and RGW have undergone initial configuration, the RGW can determine the location of the RGW accessing the network. Therefore, the SF device receives the IP or ARP packets sent by the RGW through the first sub-interface of the configured physical port.

[0134] 501. The virtual network identifier of RGW is not configured on any sub-interface of the SF1 device. The SF1 device connects from the UP1 device by default. Therefore, the SF1 device will send the IP packets or ARP packets of RGW from the UP1 device to the CP device.

[0135] 502. The CP device finds the correspondence between the source information (such as IP+MAC+VLAN) and the location identifier of the access network based on the source information of the RGW, and obtains the access location identifier of the RGW (such as SF1 device-IF1-ID1).

[0136] Optionally, this step also includes the CP device reporting the user's authentication request to the RADIUS server. Optionally, the authentication request carries the user's access location identifier, i.e., the one mentioned above. Figure 3 The first location identifier in the illustrated embodiment. In one possible implementation, the method further includes the following step 503.

[0137] 503, the RADIUS server returns the user's quality of service requirements, such as SLA information, to the CP device.

[0138] 504, the CP device sends the access location identifier to the USF device, requesting the USF device to identify the target UP device.

[0139] Optionally, in addition to sending the access location identifier to the USF device, the CP device may also send at least one of the following to the USF device: source information (e.g., IP+MAC+VLAN) and service quality requirements (e.g., SLA information).

[0140] 505. The USF device determines the target UP device. For example, the USF device can also directly select the UP with the lowest load in the communication system as the target UP device, i.e., the second UP device. Optionally, if the CP device sends a service quality requirement to the USF device, the target UP device determined by the USF device can be the UP device with the lowest load among the UP devices matching the SLA, i.e. Figure 5 The UP2 device in the middle can also be like Figure 1 The pUP device 2 in the middle. In one possible implementation, the method further includes the following step 505.

[0141] 505, the USF device sends the UP2 device identifier to the CP device.

[0142] Optionally, the USF device will access the location identifier (i.e. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the second location identifier (e.g., SF2 device-IF2-ID2) is sent to the CP device. Optionally, the CP device determines the access location information (SF2 device-IF2-ID2) corresponding to the UP2 device based on the UP2 device identifier, and saves the correspondence between source information (e.g., IP+MAC+VLAN) and access location information (SF2 device-IF2-ID2). Optionally, the method further includes the following steps 505-507.

[0143] 505. The USF device sends source information (such as IP+MAC+VLAN), access location information (such as SF2 device-IF2-ID2), and UP2 device identifier to the SDN controller.

[0144] 506, The CP device sends user entries to the UP2 device.

[0145] 507. Based on the information sent by the USF device, the SDN controller sends a configuration command to the corresponding SF2 device to configure the second sub-interface under the physical port of the SF2 device. This configuration assigns the virtual network identifier (such as VLAN / QinQ) from the source information to the second sub-interface, thereby migrating user traffic to the UP2 device. The second sub-interface can be identified based on the UP2 device identifier.

[0146] After that, user traffic is forwarded through the UP device identified by the identifier of the UP2 device.

[0147] In the above process, user traffic is switched from pUP device 1 to pUP device 2, with the initial sub-interface being the default sub-interface and the target sub-interface being the sub-interface corresponding to pUP device 2. In another scenario, suppose user traffic continues to be migrated from pUP device 2 to vUP device 3 (see...). Figure 1 If the initial sub-interface becomes the sub-interface corresponding to pUP device 2, and the target sub-interface becomes the sub-interface corresponding to vUP device 3, then the SDN controller can determine the initial sub-interface (physical port and sub-interface) as the sub-interface corresponding to pUP device 2 based on the SF device-IF-ID and VLAN / QinQ information sent by the NSF device. The controller will then notify the SF device to delete the VLAN / QinQ on the sub-interface corresponding to pUP device 2 and configure that VLAN / QinQ on the sub-interface corresponding to vUP device 3.

[0148] The above process describes how the SDN controller determines the sub-interfaces of the SF device that need to be configured based on information sent by the CP device. In another implementation, the USF device may determine the SF device that needs to perform the migration operation, as well as the initial and target sub-interfaces on the SF device, and the VLAN / QinQ to be migrated, and then send this information to the SDN controller so that the SDN controller can issue configuration commands to the SF device.

[0149] The technical solution provided in this application allows user traffic to be migrated from UP1 to UP2 based on user information (such as access location identifiers or user SLA information). Specifically, the CP device is configured with the identifier of the SF device to which the static user accesses and the identifier of the physical port on that SF device, enabling the tracing of the static user's online location to send the static user's traffic to the appropriate UP device. Furthermore, to migrate the static user to another SF device interface, the CP device simply needs to re-save the identifier of the SF device to which the static user accesses and the identifier of the user-side physical port on that SF device.

[0150] The communication method of the present application embodiments has been described above. Corresponding to the above method, the present application embodiments also provide a communication device. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The device is applied to the CP device of a virtual broadband network gateway, wherein the virtual broadband network gateway further includes a first UP device. Based on Figure 6 The following modules are shown. Figure 6 The communication device shown is capable of performing all or part of the operations performed by the CP device. It should be understood that the device may include more additional modules than those shown, or may omit some of the modules shown; this application embodiment does not impose limitations in this regard. Figure 6 As shown, the device includes:

[0151] The first receiving module 601 is used to receive a first message sent by the first UP device. The first message carries the source information of the first user terminal, which is a user terminal that obtains its IP address by static means.

[0152] The first determining module 602 is used to find the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network based on the source information of the first user terminal, and determine the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network. The first location identifier includes the identifier of the first SF device and the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device.

[0153] The first transmitting module 603 is used to transmit the first location identifier to the USF device.

[0154] In one possible implementation, see Figure 7 The device also includes:

[0155] The second receiving module 604 is used to receive the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device;

[0156] The second determining module 605 is used to determine the second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and to save the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier. The second location identifier includes the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device. The second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port.

[0158] In one possible implementation, the source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of a MAC identifier and a VLAN identifier.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

[0160] In one possible implementation, the first message includes an IP message or an ARP message.

[0161] In one possible implementation, the device further includes:

[0162] The sending module 606 is used to send user entries to the second UP device. The user entries include the source information of the first user terminal.

[0163] In one possible implementation, the device further includes:

[0164] The second sending module 607 is used to send an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including a first location identifier;

[0165] The third receiving module 608 is used to receive the authentication response returned by the authentication server, the authentication response including the service quality requirements corresponding to the first location identifier;

[0166] The third sending module 609 is used to send service quality requirements to the USF.

[0167] The technical apparatus provided in this application embodiment can migrate user traffic from a first UP device to a second UP device based on user information (such as access location identifier or user SLA information). The CP device is configured with the identifier of the SF device accessing the static user and the identifier of the physical port on the user side of that SF device, enabling the tracing of the static user's online location to send the static user's traffic to the appropriate UP device.

[0168] It should be noted that any of the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings of the communication device embodiments provided in this application, the connection relationship between modules indicates that they have a communication connection, which can be specifically implemented as one or more communication buses or signal lines. Those skilled in the art can understand and implement this without any creative effort.

[0169] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a CP device, a first UP device, a second UP device, and a USF device for a virtual broadband network gateway;

[0170] The CP device is used to receive a first message sent by the first UP device. The first message carries the source information of the first user terminal, which is a user terminal that obtained its IP address through static means. Based on the source information of the first user terminal, the CP device searches for the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network, determines the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network, and the first location identifier includes the identifier of the first SF device and the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device. The CP device then sends the first location identifier to the USF device.

[0171] The USF device is used to determine the second UP device based on the first location identifier; the second SF device is configured by the controller to switch traffic from the first user terminal from the first sub-interface of the first SF device corresponding to the first UP device to the second sub-interface of the second SF device corresponding to the second UP device, and the second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

[0172] In one possible implementation, the USF device is used to return the identifier of the second UP device to the CP device; the CP device is used to receive the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device, determine the second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and configure the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier. The second location identifier includes the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device.

[0173] In one possible implementation, the second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port.

[0174] In one possible implementation, the source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of a MAC identifier and a VLAN identifier.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

[0176] In one possible implementation, the first message includes an IP message or an ARP message.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the CP device is used to send user entries to the second UP device, the user entries including source information of the first user terminal.

[0178] In one possible implementation, the CP device is configured to send an authentication request to an authentication server, the authentication request including a first location identifier; receive an authentication response returned by the authentication server, the authentication response including a service quality requirement corresponding to the first location identifier; and send the service quality requirement to the USF.

[0179] USF equipment is used to determine the second UP equipment based on the first location identifier and service quality requirements.

[0180] The specific hardware structures of the communication devices in the above embodiments, such as the SF device, CP device, UP device, SDN controller, and USF device, can be as follows: Figure 8 It includes a transceiver, a processor, and a memory. For example, the transceiver is used to receive messages, the memory is used to store instructions, and the processor is used to call the instructions in the memory so that each communication device executes the relevant processing steps of each communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0181] See Figure 9 , Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1200 provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application is shown. Figure 9 The communication device 1200 shown is used to perform the above. Figure 3 and Figure 5 The communication method shown involves operations. The communication device 1200 is, for example, a switch, a router, etc.

[0182] like Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 1200 includes at least one processor, a memory 1203, and a communication interface 1204, wherein there may be one or more communication interfaces 1204.

[0183] The processor may be, for example, a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a network processor (NP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural-network processing unit (NPU), a data processing unit (DPU), a microprocessor, or one or more integrated circuits for implementing the solutions of this application. For example, processor 1201 includes an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A PLD may be, for example, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments of this application. The processor may also be a combination that implements computational functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0184] Optionally, the communication device 1200 also includes a bus. The bus is used to transmit information between the various components of the communication device 1200. The bus can be a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus or an Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 9 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus. Figure 9 In addition to bus connection, the components of the communication device 1200 can also be connected in other ways. This application embodiment does not limit the connection method of each component.

[0185] Memory 1203 may be, for example, read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions; random access memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices capable of storing information and instructions; electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM); compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.); magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices; or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. Memory 1203 may exist independently and be connected to the processor via a bus. Memory 1203 may also be integrated with the processor.

[0186] Communication interface 1204 uses any transceiver-like device for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, Radio Access Network (RAN), or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). Communication interface 1204 may include wired and wireless communication interfaces. Specifically, communication interface 1204 may be an Ethernet interface, a Fast Ethernet (FE) interface, a Gigabit Ethernet (GE) interface, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) interface, a WLAN interface, a cellular network communication interface, or a combination thereof. The Ethernet interface may be an optical interface, an electrical interface, or a combination thereof. In this embodiment, communication interface 1204 can be used by communication device 1200 to communicate with other devices.

[0187] In a specific implementation, as one example, the processor may include one or more CPUs, such as Figure 9 The CPU01201 and CPU11201 are shown in the diagram. Each of these processors can be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. Here, "processor" can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0188] In a specific implementation, as one example, the communication device 1200 may include multiple processors, each of which may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores used for processing data (such as computer program instructions).

[0189] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 1200 may further include an output device and an input device. The output device communicates with the processor 1201 and can display information in various ways. For example, the output device may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector, etc. The input device communicates with the processor and can receive user input in various ways. For example, the input device may be a mouse, keyboard, touchscreen device, or sensing device, etc.

[0190] In some embodiments, the memory 1203 is used to store program code 1205 for executing the solution of this application, and the processor can execute the program code 1205 stored in the memory 1203. That is, the communication device 1200 can implement the communication method provided in the method embodiment through the processor and the program code 1205 in the memory 1203. The program code 1205 may include one or more software modules. Optionally, the processor itself may also store program code or instructions for executing the solution of this application.

[0191] In specific embodiments, the communication device 1200 of this application embodiment may correspond to the SF device, USF device, CP device, UP device, or SDN controller in the above-described method embodiments. The processor in the communication device 1200 reads the program code 1205 in the memory 1203 or the program code or instructions stored in the processor itself, and makes... Figure 9 The communication device 1200 shown is capable of performing all or part of the operations performed by an SF device, USF device, CP device, UP device, or SDN controller.

[0192] Communication device 1200 can also correspond to the above Figure 6 or Figure 7 Any of the devices shown, Figure 6 or Figure 7 Each functional module in any of the illustrated devices is implemented using software from communication device 1200. In other words, Figure 6 or Figure 7 The functional modules included in any of the devices shown are generated by the processor of the communication device 1200 after reading the program code 1205 stored in the memory 1203.

[0193] in, Figure 3 and Figure 5 Each step of the communication method shown is completed through integrated logic circuits in the hardware or instructions in the software form of the processor of the communication device 1200. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by the hardware processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. Since the storage medium is located in memory, the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method; to avoid repetition, these will not be described in detail here.

[0194] This application also provides a communication device, which includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver, the memory, and the processor communicate with each other via an internal connection path. The memory stores instructions, and the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory to control the transceiver to receive and transmit signals. When the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, it causes the processor to perform a method required by the CP device.

[0195] It should be understood that the aforementioned processor can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. General-purpose processors can be microprocessors or any conventional processor. It is worth noting that the processor can be a processor supporting Advanced Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) machines (ARM) architecture.

[0196] Furthermore, in an alternative embodiment, the memory described above may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. The memory may also include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory may also store device type information.

[0197] The memory can be volatile or non-volatile, or may include both. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which serves as an external cache. Many forms of RAM are available by way of example, but not limitation. Examples include static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0198] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one instruction, which is loaded and executed by a processor to enable the computer to implement any of the communication methods described above.

[0199] This application also provides a computer program (product) that, when executed by a computer, causes the processor or computer to perform the corresponding steps and / or processes in the above method embodiments.

[0200] This application also provides a chip, including a processor, for calling and executing instructions stored in a memory, causing a communication device on which the chip is installed to perform any of the communication methods described above.

[0201] This application embodiment also provides another chip, including: an input sub-interface, an output sub-interface, a processor, and a memory. The input sub-interface, the output sub-interface, the processor, and the memory are connected through an internal connection path. The processor is used to execute code in the memory. When the code is executed, the processor is used to execute any of the communication methods described above.

[0202] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk).

[0203] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the method steps and modules described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. To clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, the steps and components of each embodiment have been generally described in terms of functionality in the foregoing description. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0204] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above embodiments can be implemented by hardware or by a program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as a read-only memory, a disk, or an optical disk.

[0205] When implemented using software, it can be implemented wholly or partially as a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer program instructions. As an example, the methods of this application embodiment can be described in the context of machine-executable instructions, such as program modules that execute on a device on a real or virtual processor of the target. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., which perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data structures. In various embodiments, the functionality of program modules can be combined or divided among the described program modules. The machine-executable instructions for the program modules can execute within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program modules can reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0206] Computer program code used to implement the methods of the embodiments of this application may be written in one or more programming languages. This computer program code may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that when executed by the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on a computer, partially on a computer, as a standalone software package, partially on a computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server.

[0207] In the context of the embodiments of this application, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0208] Examples of signals may include electrical, optical, radio, sound, or other forms of propagation signals, such as carrier waves, infrared signals, etc.

[0209] A machine-readable medium can be any tangible medium that contains or stores programs for or relating to an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. A machine-readable medium can be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. Machine-readable media can include, but are not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More detailed examples of machine-readable storage media include electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0210] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and modules described above can be found in the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0211] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some sub-interfaces, devices, or modules, or may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms of connection.

[0212] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of the embodiments of this application, depending on actual needs.

[0213] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0214] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0215] In this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used to distinguish identical or similar items that have substantially the same function and purpose. It should be understood that there is no logical or temporal dependency between "first," "second," and "nth," nor does it limit the quantity or order of execution. It should also be understood that although the following description uses the terms "first," "second," etc., to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by the terms. These terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the various examples described, a first image can be referred to as a second image, and similarly, a second image can be referred to as a first image. Both the first image and the second image can be images, and in some cases, they can be separate and distinct images.

[0216] It should also be understood that, in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0217] In this application, the term "at least one" means one or more, and the term "multiple" means two or more. For example, multiple second messages refer to two or more second messages. The terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably in this document.

[0218] It should be understood that the terminology used in the description of the various examples herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various examples and the appended claims, the singular forms “a” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0219] It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and covers any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term "and / or" describes an association between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist; for example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this application generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0220] It should also be understood that the term “comprising” (also referred to as “includes”, “including”, “comprises” and / or “comprising”) as used in this specification specifies the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0221] It should also be understood that the terms “if” and “if” can be interpreted as meaning “when” or “upon”, or “in response to determination” or “in response to detection”. Similarly, depending on the context, the phrases “if determination…” or “if detection [the stated condition or event]” can be interpreted as meaning “when determination…”, or “in response to determination…”, or “when detection [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detection [the stated condition or event]”.

[0222] It should be understood that determining B based on A does not mean determining B solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0223] It should also be understood that the phrases "an embodiment," "an embodiment," and "a possible implementation" used throughout the specification mean that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to an embodiment or implementation is included in at least one embodiment of this application. Therefore, the phrases "in an embodiment," "an embodiment," or "a possible implementation" appearing throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0224] The above description is only an optional embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to the control plane (CP) device of a virtual broadband network gateway, wherein the virtual broadband network gateway further includes a first user plane (UP) device, and the method includes: The CP device receives a first message sent by the first UP device. The first message carries the source information of the first user terminal, which is a user terminal that obtains its Internet Protocol IP address by static means. The CP device searches for the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network based on the source information of the first user terminal, and determines the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network. The first location identifier includes the identifier of the first steering function SF device and the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device. The CP device sends the first position identifier to the UP steering function USF device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The CP device receives the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device; The CP device determines the second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and saves the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier. The second location identifier includes the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device. The second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of the Media Access Control (MAC) identifier and the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first message includes an IP message or an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) message.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The CP device sends user entries to the second UP device, and the user entries include the source information of the first user terminal.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, After determining the first location identifier of the network accessed by the first user terminal, the method further includes: The CP device sends an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including the first location identifier; The CP device receives the authentication response returned by the authentication server, and the authentication response includes the service quality requirements corresponding to the first location identifier; The CP device sends the service quality requirements to the USF.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a communication system, which includes a control plane (CP) device of a virtual broadband network gateway. The virtual broadband network gateway further includes a first user plane (UP) device and a second UP device. The communication system also includes a UP redirection function (USF) device. The method includes: The CP device receives a first message sent by the first UP device. The first message carries the source information of the first user terminal, which is a user terminal that obtains its Internet Protocol IP address by static means. The CP device searches for the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network based on the source information of the first user terminal, and determines the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network. The first location identifier includes the identifier of the first steering function SF device and the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device. The CP device sends the first location identifier to the USF device; The USF device determines the second UP device based on the first location identifier; The USF device configures the second SF device through the controller to switch traffic from the first user terminal from the first sub-interface on the first SF device corresponding to the first UP device to the second sub-interface on the second SF device corresponding to the second UP device. The second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The USF device returns the identifier of the second UP device to the CP device; The CP device receives the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device, determines the second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and saves the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier. The second location identifier includes the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, The source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of the Media Access Control (MAC) identifier and the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, The identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, The first message includes an IP message or an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) message.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, The method further includes: The CP device sends user entries to the second UP device, and the user entries include the source information of the first user terminal.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, The communication system further includes an authentication server; after determining the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network, it also includes: The CP device sends an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including the first location identifier; The CP device receives the authentication response returned by the authentication server, and the authentication response includes the service quality requirements corresponding to the first location identifier; The CP device sends the service quality requirements to the USF; The USF device determines the second UP device based on the first location identifier, including: the USF device determines the second UP device based on the first location identifier and the service quality requirements.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus is applied to the control plane (CP) device of a virtual broadband network gateway, the virtual broadband network gateway further comprising a first user plane (UP) device, and the apparatus includes: The first receiving module is used to receive a first message sent by the first UP device. The first message carries source information of the first user terminal, which is a user terminal that obtains its Internet Protocol IP address by static means. The first determining module is used to find the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network based on the source information of the first user terminal, and determine the first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network. The first location identifier includes the identifier of the first SF device with the first turning function and the identifier of the first physical port on the first SF device. The first transmitting module is used to transmit the first position identifier to the UP turning function USF device.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that, The device further includes: The second receiving module is used to receive the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device; The second determining module is used to determine the second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and to save the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier. The second location identifier includes the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device. The second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that, The second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, The source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of the Media Access Control (MAC) identifier and the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, The identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, The first message includes an IP message or an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) message.

23. The apparatus according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, The device further includes: The distribution module is used to distribute user entries to the second UP device, wherein the user entries include the source information of the first user terminal.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, The device further includes: The second sending module is used to send an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including the first location identifier; The third receiving module is used to receive the authentication response returned by the authentication server, the authentication response including the service quality requirements corresponding to the first location identifier; The third sending module is used to send the service quality requirements to the USF.

25. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes a control plane (CP) device, a first user plane (UP) device, a second UP device, and a UP-to-Function (USF) device for a virtual broadband network gateway. The CP device is configured to receive a first message sent by the first UP device, the first message carrying source information of a first user terminal, the first user terminal being a user terminal that obtained its Internet Protocol IP address statically; based on the source information of the first user terminal, to look up the correspondence between the source information of the user terminal and the location identifier of the user terminal accessing the network, to determine a first location identifier of the first user terminal accessing the network, the first location identifier including the identifier of a first redirection function SF device and the identifier of a first physical port on the first SF device; and to send the first location identifier to the USF device. The USF device is used to determine the second UP device based on the first location identifier; and to configure the second SF device through the controller to switch traffic from the first user terminal from the first sub-interface on the first SF device corresponding to the first UP device to the second sub-interface on the second SF device corresponding to the second UP device, wherein the second SF device may be the same as or different from the first SF device.

26. The system according to claim 25, characterized in that, The USF device is used to return the identifier of the second UP device to the CP device; The CP device is used to receive the identifier of the second UP device returned by the USF device, determine the second location identifier based on the identifier of the second UP device, and save the correspondence between the source information of the first user terminal and the second location identifier. The second location identifier includes the identifier of the second SF device and the identifier of the second physical port on the second SF device.

27. The system according to claim 26, characterized in that, The second physical port may be the same as or different from the first physical port.

28. The system according to any one of claims 25-27, characterized in that, The source information of the first user terminal includes at least one of the Media Access Control (MAC) identifier and the Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifier.

29. The system according to any one of claims 25-27, characterized in that, The identifier of the first physical port includes a slot identifier and / or a sub-card identifier, as well as a port identifier.

30. The system according to any one of claims 25-27, characterized in that, The first message includes an IP message or an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) message.

31. The system according to any one of claims 25-27, characterized in that, The CP device is used to send user entries to the second UP device, and the user entries include the source information of the first user terminal.

32. The system according to any one of claims 25-27, characterized in that, The CP device is configured to send an authentication request to the authentication server, the authentication request including the first location identifier; receive an authentication response returned by the authentication server, the authentication response including a service quality requirement corresponding to the first location identifier; and send the service quality requirement to the USF. The USF device is used to determine the second UP device based on the first location identifier and the service quality requirements.

33. A network device, characterized in that, The network device includes a processor coupled to a memory, the memory storing at least one program instruction or code, the at least one program instruction or code being loaded and executed by the processor to enable the network device to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1-8.

34. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer storage medium stores at least one instruction, which is loaded and executed by a processor to enable the computer to implement the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-8.

Images