Communication method, device and system, storage medium and electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method, device and system, a storage medium and electronic equipment, and relates to the technical field of wireless communication. The communication method is applied to first network function service management, the first network function service management belongs to a first network, and the method comprises the following steps: if a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not queried in the first network, sending a network function takeover request to a second service agent; the second service agent belongs to a second network; receiving a second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by a second network function found by the second service agent in the second network according to the network function takeover request; and determining the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network according to the second network function takeover response. And cross-network network function disaster recovery backup is realized.

Description

Background Art

[0002] As the scale and complexity of networks increase, major communication accidents frequently occur in global operator networks, affecting tens of millions of users and causing hundreds of millions of losses. In order to cope with communication accidents, disaster recovery and backup technology came into being.

[0003] Existing disaster recovery methods mainly include active-standby mode, pool mode and load sharing, which require a lot of resources. In addition, the network devices involved in the disaster recovery of each network element belong to the same network. The probability of network devices failing at the same time is high, which leads to the situation that there are no network elements available for disaster recovery backup in the local network, making it impossible for the backup network elements of the local network to take over the failed network elements.

[0004] It should be noted that the information disclosed in the above background technology section is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present disclosure provides a communication method, device and system, storage medium and electronic device, which at least to a certain extent overcome the problem that the backup network element of the local network in the related art cannot take over the failed network element.

[0006] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, or may be learned in part by the practice of the present disclosure.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a first network function service management, where the first network function service management belongs to a first network, and the method includes:

[0008] If the first network function of the first network fails and the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to a second service agent; the second service agent belongs to the second network;

[0009] receiving a second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second service agent discovering the second network function in the second network according to the network function takeover request;

[0010] According to the second network function takeover response, the second network function of the second network is determined as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network.

[0011] In some embodiments, if the first network function of the first network fails and no disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is found in the first network, sending a network function takeover request to the second service agent includes:

[0012] sensing an operating status of a first network function of the first network;

[0013] If the operating state of the first network function of the first network is a fault, obtaining state data and configuration data of the first network function;

[0014] querying, in the first network, a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function according to the status data and configuration data of the first network function;

[0015] If the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first network further includes: a third network function, the first network function periodically contacts the first network function service management, and the first network function and the third network function communicate and interact;

[0017] The operating status of the first network function of the first network is fault, including:

[0018] If the first network function fails to contact the first network function service management within a set time period, the operation state of the first network function is determined to be a fault;

[0019] When the third network function detects that it cannot communicate and interact with the first network function, it reports to the first network function service management that the operating status of the first network function is faulty.

[0020] In some embodiments, the first network further comprises: a database; the database storing status data and configuration data of the first network function;

[0021] Acquiring status data and configuration data of the first network function, including:

[0022] A data acquisition request is sent to the database to acquire the status data and configuration data of the first network function from the database.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first network further includes: a first service agent;

[0024] If the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent, including:

[0025] If the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, generating service discovery information;

[0026] Determining a network function takeover request according to the service discovery information and the state data and configuration data of the first network function;

[0027] The network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent through the first service agent.

[0028] In some embodiments, before sending the network function takeover request to the second service agent through the first service agent, the first service agent is further configured to:

[0029] Construct network-level service discovery information and send it to the network registration center, query and obtain the network that provides network function takeover, and determine the network information list;

[0030] A second network is selected from the network information list, and two-way security authentication for communication is performed with a second service agent of the second network.

[0031] In some embodiments, the second network further includes: second network function service management;

[0032] The second service agent is used to:

[0033] Receiving the network function takeover request;

[0034] Sending a network function discovery request to the second network function service management according to the network function takeover request to discover the second network function within the second network;

[0035] Sending the network function takeover request to the second network function, controlling the second network function to update state and configuration according to the network function takeover request, and generating a second network function takeover response;

[0036] The second network function takeover response is received, and sent to the first network function service management through the first service agent.

[0037] In some embodiments, the second network function takeover response includes a second network function address;

[0038] Receiving the second network function takeover response, and sending it to the first network function service management through the first service agent, includes:

[0039] receiving the second network function takeover response;

[0040] Sending the updated second network function takeover response obtained by mapping replacement to the first network function service management through the first service agent;

[0041] Among them, the updated second network function takeover response is obtained by replacing the original second network function address in the second network function takeover response with the second network function mapping address; the second network function mapping address is obtained by mapping the second network function address using the set mapping relationship.

[0042] In some embodiments, according to the second network function takeover response, determining the second network function of the second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network includes:

[0043] updating a network function configuration file and generating a network function subscription message according to the second network function mapping address in the second network function takeover response;

[0044] The network function subscription message is sent to a third network function, so that the third network function establishes communication interaction with the second network function according to the network function subscription message, and the second network function of the second network is determined as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network.

[0045] In some embodiments, the third network function is configured to:

[0046] According to the network function subscription message, updating the locally stored configuration information for communicating and interacting with the first network function to the configuration information for communicating and interacting with the second network function;

[0047] Establish communication interaction with the second network function according to the configuration information for communication interaction with the second network function.

[0048] In some embodiments, it also includes:

[0049] If the first network function and the second network function belong to a control function network element, the current service execution is not interrupted;

[0050] If the first network function and the second network function belong to execution function network elements, the current service needs to re-initiate a service request to the second network function for execution.

[0051] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is also provided, which is applied to a second service agent, where the second service agent belongs to a second network, and the method includes:

[0052] receiving a network function takeover request sent by a first network function service management; the network function takeover request is determined by the first network function service management when determining that a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network; the first network function service management belongs to the first network;

[0053] According to the network function takeover request, a second network function takeover response is sent to the first network function service management, so that the first network function service management determines the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network of the first network according to the second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second network function discovered in the second network according to the network function takeover request.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first network includes: a first service agent; the second network includes: a second network function service management;

[0055] Sending a second network function takeover response to the first network function service management according to the network function takeover request includes:

[0056] Sending a network function discovery request to the second network function service management according to the network function takeover request to discover the second network function within the second network;

[0057] Sending the network function takeover request to the second network function, controlling the second network function to update state and configuration according to the network function takeover request, and generating a second network function takeover response;

[0058] The second network function takeover response is received, and sent to the first network function service management through the first service agent.

[0059] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is also provided, comprising: a first network, a second network; the first network comprises: a first network function service management, a first network function; the second network comprises: a second service agent, a second network function;

[0060] The first network function service management is used to send a network function takeover request to the second service agent if the first network function of the first network fails and the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network;

[0061] the second service agent is configured to discover a second network function in the second network according to the network function takeover request;

[0062] The second network function is used to determine a second network function takeover response according to the network function takeover request and send it to the first network function service management;

[0063] The first network function service management is further used to determine the second network function of the second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network according to the second network function takeover response.

[0064] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is further provided, which is applied to a first network function service management, where the first network function service management belongs to a first network, and the device includes:

[0065] a network function takeover request sending module, configured to send a network function takeover request to a second service agent if a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network; the second service agent belongs to the second network;

[0066] A second network function takeover response receiving module, configured to receive a second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second service agent according to the network function takeover request and found in the second network;

[0067] A network function takeover module is used to determine the second network function of the second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network according to the second network function takeover response.

[0068] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, which is applied to a second service agent, where the second service agent belongs to a second network, and the device includes:

[0069] A network function takeover request receiving module, configured to receive a network function takeover request sent by a first network function service management; the network function takeover request is determined by the first network function service management when determining that a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network; the first network function service management belongs to the first network;

[0070] A second network function takeover response sending module is used to send a second network function takeover response to the first network function service management according to the network function takeover request, so that the first network function service management determines the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network of the first network according to the second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second network function discovered in the second network according to the network function takeover request.

[0071] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device is also provided, which includes: a processor; and a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to execute any one of the communication methods described above by executing the executable instructions.

[0072] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the communication method described above is implemented.

[0073] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program implements any one of the above communication methods.

[0074] The communication method, device and system, storage medium and electronic device provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are applied to the first network function service management, and the first network function service management belongs to the first network. The method includes: if the first network function of the first network fails and the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not queried in the first network, sending a network function takeover request to a second service agent; the second service agent belongs to the second network; receiving a second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second network function found by the second service agent in the second network according to the network function takeover request; according to the second network function takeover response, determining the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first network function service management inquires about the failure of the first network function of the first network, the disaster recovery backup network function is perceived in the first network through the first network function service management, but the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, then it is determined that the network function for disaster recovery backup needs to be obtained from the second network, and a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent of the second network, thereby fully utilizing the distributed network resources of the first network and the second network. The second service agent of the second network finds the second network function in the second network according to the received network function takeover request, and the second network function generates a second network function takeover response, thereby determining the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function, thereby realizing cross-network network function disaster recovery backup; solving the problem that the disaster recovery backup network function of the local network cannot take over the failed network function, reducing the probability of simultaneous failure of the disaster recovery backup network function, improving the utilization rate of network resources, and being applicable between networks of different operators, thereby improving the compatibility of the network.

[0075] It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] The accompanying drawings herein are incorporated into the specification and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the specification are used to explain the principles of the present disclosure. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure, and for ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without creative work.

[0077] Figure 1 A 6G distributed network framework diagram in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0078] Figure 2 A network service initial registration interaction diagram of a communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0079] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a communication method system architecture in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0080] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing a communication method applied to a first network in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0081] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing a process of sending a network function takeover request to a second service agent in a communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0082] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a detailed process of sending a network function takeover request to a second service agent in a communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0083] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a process of determining a second network function of a second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of a first network function in a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0084] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing application of a communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure to a second network is shown.

[0085] Fig. 9 An interaction diagram showing a communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0086] Fig.10 An application interaction diagram of a communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0087] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of a communication device in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0088] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a communication device in another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0089] Fig.13 A structural block diagram of a computer device showing a communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0090] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, example embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will be more comprehensive and complete and to fully convey the concepts of the example embodiments to those skilled in the art. The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0091] In addition, the accompanying drawings are only schematic illustrations of the present disclosure and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in the figures represent the same or similar parts, and their repeated description will be omitted. Some of the block diagrams shown in the accompanying drawings are functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities can be implemented in software form, or implemented in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or implemented in different networks and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0092] The specific implementation of the embodiment of the present disclosure is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0093] As the scale and complexity of networks increase, major communication accidents frequently occur in global operator networks, affecting tens of millions of users and causing hundreds of millions of losses. For 6G, ITU-R (International Telecommunication Union-Radiocommunication Sector) WP5D (ITU-R Working Party 5D) "Recommendation on the Framework and Overall Objectives for IMT Development to 2030 and Beyond" clearly defines network resilience (i.e. the ability of the network to maintain normal operation under natural or man-made disasters) as the main capability requirement for future networks, and the disaster recovery capability of the core network is the key point of network resilience.

[0094] Existing disaster recovery methods (active / standby, pool, load sharing) have invested a lot of resources, and the network devices involved in each network element disaster recovery belong to the same network, so the probability of network devices failing at the same time is high.

[0095] Facing the future 6G (sixth-generation communication technology) and next-generation communication technology, distributed networking has become an industry consensus. Network element disaster recovery can consider cross-network implementation solutions, which can reduce the probability of simultaneous failure of disaster recovery equipment, improve network resource utilization, and can be applied between different operator networks.

[0096] In the face of the technological evolution of 6G network architecture, the framework system of 6G distributed network includes at least functional network, distributed network and central network. Figure 1 A 6G distributed network framework diagram is shown, such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the framework system of 6G distributed network includes:

[0097] 1) Networking and functional description:

[0098] The overall logic is divided into two levels, including functional network, distributed network and central network. The distributed network includes 2C (To Consumer) sinking edge network and 2B (To Business) dedicated network coexisting;

[0099] Central network: mainly for 2C users, meeting wide-area coverage requirements;

[0100] Distributed network: mainly meets the low-latency access requirements of 2C and 2B basic private network services, such as local access services within the park (machine control, industrial quality inspection, etc.);

[0101] Functional network: To meet the value-added service needs of users, the functional network can be deployed in a distributed manner as needed, and multiple distributed networks can share one functional network. The functional network can be divided into different functions (connection + value-added services, such as holographic communication network enhanced by IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem); perception service network; intelligent service network: completing the scheduling of data, computing power, and algorithms to complete intelligent tasks, etc.);

[0102] Functional network + 2C sinking edge network jointly provide services for 2C users;

[0103] Functional network + 2B private network jointly provide services for 2B users;

[0104] In the above networking scenarios, each network works together to provide users with services such as connection, intelligence, perception, and multimedia communication;

[0105] The connection communication network in the functional network is a network that provides users with connection services such as the Internet, similar to the current 5G (fifth generation communication technology) network. Holographic communication networks, perception service networks, and intelligent service networks can be networks that provide users with various specific services. They can be deployed separately or integrated with connection communication networks. In addition to the above-mentioned functional networks, more functional networks can actually be deployed on demand.

[0106] 2) Network ownership:

[0107] In a more general scenario, different 2C or 2B distributed networks can belong to different operators. Different functional networks can belong to different operators, and the same functional network can serve the 2C or 2B edge networks of different operators.

[0108] 3) NF (Network Function) Service Management:

[0109] Responsible for NF Service management and NF identity management within the network. NFService of functional network and distributed network will be registered with NF service management of this network;

[0110] Responsible for generating network-level service information and network identity information, and completing the registration / update / discovery of service information and identity information to the network registration center;

[0111] Responsible for the management of identity information of users belonging to this network;

[0112] Responsible for service negotiation, service routing and forwarding between functional networks and distributed networks.

[0113] 4) Network Registration Center:

[0114] Responsible for managing network-level service information, network status, and network identity information, and storing / updating network-level service information and network identity information reported by NF service management;

[0115] Responsible for storing the relationship between user ID information and address information belonging to NF service management function;

[0116] Responsible for the storage and management of user identity information;

[0117] The network registration center can be a logically centralized network registration center or a distributed one consisting of multiple distributed nodes. The network registration center can also be a network registration center implemented by blockchain technology and consisting of multiple distributed blockchain nodes. Each functional network and distributed network connects different distributed blockchain nodes in the blockchain system.

[0118] 5) Service Agent:

[0119] Responsible for agent NF service discovery, forwarding NF service request and response messages, screening NF service instances, responsible for network-level service discovery, screening network-level service instances, responsible for message forwarding and routing to the next-hop service agent or destination NF / NF service;

[0120] Responsible for load balancing;

[0121] Responsible for storing NF service discovery response information and network-level service discovery response messages;

[0122] Responsible for managing and updating the health status of NF service instances and network-level service instances, and storing them in the load balancing pool of the service proxy.

[0123] 6) Network-level service information:

[0124] Including but not limited to the following information: network identification (MCC+MNC+number, network slice identification, or a new numbering system), access method (6G / 5G / 4G, WiFi, satellite access, near-field communication, etc.), location information (consider the overall call latency when selecting network services), coverage (consider service continuity when selecting network services), operating entity (consider the issue of trusted solutions when negotiating network services), and network capability information;

[0125] Network functions, including connectivity, intelligence, and synaesthesia;

[0126] Network performance, including capacity, load, etc.;

[0127] Information of NF service management function (identifier, address information, etc.).

[0128] 7) Network identity information:

[0129] Includes but is not limited to the following information: network identification (same as above), network public key.

[0130] 8) User identity information:

[0131] Including but not limited to the following information: user identification (IMSI, MSISDN or new numbering system),

[0132] User temporary identity, user public key.

[0133] Based on the above 6G distributed network framework system, network services must first be initially registered in the network registration center before disaster recovery backup is performed. Figure 2 The network service initial registration interaction diagram is shown as Figure 2 As shown, the initial registration of network services, that is, when a distributed network or functional network is deployed / activated / enabled, the NF service management function first initiates an initial network-level registration (complete information). The registration steps include:

[0134] Step 1: The network function instance goes online and sends a registration request to the network function service management to register the service information it supports with the network function service management in the network. The information included includes at least the network function identifier, the services supported by the network function, and the FQDN / IP address corresponding to the network function. The network function service management accepts the registration of the network function and returns a network function registration response to the network function.

[0135] Step 2: The network function service management will generate network-level service request information based on the network function service information, including at least: network identification, location information, coverage, operating entity, network capability information, information on network function service management functions, etc., and send the network-level service information to the network registration center;

[0136] Step 3: After receiving the network-level service request information, the network registration center stores the network-level profile;

[0137] Step 4: The network registration center replies with a registration response message, indicating that the network registration is successful.

[0138] Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows an exemplary application system architecture diagram to which the communication system in the embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied. Figure 3 As shown, the system architecture may include a first network 101 and a second network 102. The first network 101 and the second network 102 belong to different network devices respectively, and the first network 101 and the second network 102 are deployed in a distributed architecture. The first network 101 and the second network 102 belong to distributed network resources; the first network 101 and the second network 102 both belong to the core network; the first network 101 and the second network 102 are both registered in the network registration center.

[0139] The first network 101 includes: a first network function service management 1011, a first network function 1012, a first service agent 1013, and a third network function 1014; the second network 102 includes: a second service agent 1021, a second network function 1022, and a second network function service management 1023;

[0140] The first network function service management 1011 is used to send 1021 a network function takeover request to the second service agent if the first network function 1012 of the first network 101 fails and the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function 1012 is not found in the first network 101;

[0141] The second service agent 1021 is configured to discover the second network function 1022 in the second network 102 according to the network function takeover request;

[0142] The second network function 1022 is used to determine a second network function takeover response according to the network function takeover request and send it to the first network function service management 1011;

[0143] The first network function service management 1011 is also used to determine the second network function 1022 of the second network 102 as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function 1012 of the first network 101 according to the second network function takeover response.

[0144] The first network function 1012 and the third network function 1014 periodically contact the first network function service management 101 according to the set duration; the first network function 1012 and the third network function 1014 communicate and interact with each other;

[0145] The first service agent 1013 is used to send the network function takeover request to the second service agent 1021;

[0146] The second service agent 1021 is used to send a network function discovery request to the second network function service management 1023 according to the network function takeover request, so as to discover the second network function 1022 in the second network; send a network function takeover request to the second network function 1022; and forward the second network function takeover response sent by the second network function 1022 to the first service agent 1013;

[0147] The first service agent 1013 is further configured to forward the second network function takeover response to the first network function service manager 1012;

[0148] The third network function 1014 is used to establish communication interaction with the second network function 1022 according to the second network function takeover response.

[0149] Figure 4 A communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a first network schematic diagram, such as Figure 4 As shown, the communication method provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to the first network function service management, and the first network function service management belongs to the first network, including the following steps:

[0150] Step S402: If the first network function of the first network fails and the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to a second service agent; the second service agent belongs to the second network;

[0151] Step S404: receiving a second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second service agent discovering the second network function in the second network according to the network function takeover request;

[0152] Step S406: According to the second network function takeover response, the second network function of the second network is determined as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network.

[0153] When the first network function service management inquires about the failure of the first network function of the first network, the disaster recovery backup network function is perceived in the first network through the first network function service management, but the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, then it is determined that the network function for disaster recovery backup needs to be obtained from the second network, and a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent of the second network, so that the distributed network resources of the first network and the second network are fully utilized. The second service agent of the second network finds the second network function in the second network according to the received network function takeover request, and the second network function generates a second network function takeover response, so that the second network function of the second network is determined as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function, thereby realizing cross-network network function disaster recovery backup; solving the problem that the disaster recovery backup network function of the local network cannot take over the failed network function, reducing the probability of simultaneous failure of the disaster recovery backup network function, improving the utilization rate of network resources, and can be applied between networks of different operators, thereby improving the compatibility of the network.

[0154] The first network and the second network both belong to the core network. The first network function is a functional component that executes services in the first network, and the second network function is a functional component that executes services in the second network. They can be divided into control function network elements and execution function network elements according to their functions. The first network function and the second network may include: access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), policy control function (PCF), unified data management (UDM), authentication service function (AUSF), network slice selection function (NSSF), network slice selection function (NSSF), network exposure function (NEF), artificial intelligence driven service function (AI-drivenService Function), quantum encryption service function (Quantum Encryption Service Function), ultra-reliable low latency communication service function (URLLC Service Function), edge computing management function (Edge ComputingManagement Function), sensing service function (Sensing Service Function) and advanced network slicing function (Advanced Network Slicing Function), etc.

[0155] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing a process of sending a network function takeover request to a second service agent in a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 As shown, if the first network function of the first network fails and the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent, including:

[0156] Step S502: sensing the operating status of a first network function of a first network;

[0157] Step S504: if the operating state of the first network function of the first network is a fault, obtaining state data and configuration data of the first network function;

[0158] Step S506: querying a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function in the first network according to the state data and configuration data of the first network function;

[0159] Step S508: If the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent.

[0160] Based on the registration of the first network function in the first network function service management, the first network function service management can perceive and obtain the running state of the first network function. When the running state of the first network function in the first network is perceived to be a fault, a data acquisition request is sent to the database, and the data stores the state data and configuration data of the first network function; wherein the state data of the first network function includes user information and session context information, and the configuration data of the first network function includes local policies. After receiving the data acquisition request, the database feeds back the state data and configuration data of the first network function to the first network function service management, so as to obtain the state data and configuration data of the first network function from the database. According to the state data and configuration data of the first network function obtained from the database, a disaster recovery backup network function that can take over the first network function is queried and perceived within the first network; if the disaster recovery backup network function that can take over the first network function is not queried in the first network, it is determined that the disaster recovery backup network function that can take over the first network function needs to be queried from other networks, so a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent.

[0161] Since the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, it is determined that the network function for disaster recovery backup needs to be obtained from the second network, and a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent of the second network, thereby making full use of the distributed network resources of the first network and the second network, and realizing cross-network network function disaster recovery backup.

[0162] In the embodiment, the first network further includes: a third network function, the first network function periodically contacts the first network function service management, and the first network function and the third network function communicate and interact;

[0163] The operation status of the first network function of the first network is faulty, including:

[0164] If the first network function does not contact the first network function service management within the set time period, the operation state of the first network function is determined to be faulty;

[0165] If the third network function detects that it cannot communicate and interact with the first network function, it reports to the first network function service management that the operating status of the first network function is a failure.

[0166] The third network function cooperates with the first network function to perform business processing. The first network function and the third network function communicate and interact with each other. The third network function and the first network function are both registered with the first network function service management. The first network function and the third network function registered with the first network function service management periodically contact the first network function service management, that is, the first network function and the third network function contact the first network function service management by heartbeat, and send heartbeat packets to the first network function service management to indicate that the first network function and the third network function are still running, and the running status of the first network function and the third network function is normal. In another case, the first network function periodically contacts the first network function service management, while the third network function does not periodically contact the first network function service management, but uses event triggering to realize the contact and interaction between the third network function and the first network function service management. Based on the communication and interaction between the first network function and the third network function, the third network function subscribes to the configuration file change notification of the first network function, and the configuration file change notification of the first network function is sent by the first network function service management through the network function subscription message.

[0167] When determining that the operation state of the first network function of the first network is a fault, one fault perception method is: the first network function does not contact the first network function service management within a set time period, for example, the heartbeat packet sent by the first network function is not received within the heartbeat interval, then the first network function service management changes the state of the first network function to suspended, the first network function service management notifies the third network function that the state of the first network function is changed to suspended, the third network function learns of the failure of the first network function, and the first network function service management determines that the operation state of the first network function is a fault. Another fault perception method is: the third network function detects that it cannot communicate and interact with the first network function, such as a link break and the first network function downtime, then a fault occurs between the third network function and the first network function, then the third network function reports to the first network function service management that a fault occurs between the third network function and the first network function, and the first network function service management determines that the operation state of the first network function is a fault based on the report of the third network function.

[0168] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing a detailed process of sending a network function takeover request to a second service agent in a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the first network further includes: a first service agent;

[0169] If the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent, including:

[0170] Step S602: if the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, service discovery information is generated;

[0171] Step S604: Determine a network function takeover request according to the service discovery information and the state data and configuration data of the first network function;

[0172] Step S606: Send the network function takeover request to the second service agent through the first service agent.

[0173] If the first network function service management does not find a disaster recovery backup network function that can take over the first network function in the first network, then it is necessary to search for a disaster recovery backup network function that can take over in the second network. First, based on the fact that the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not perceived in the first network, the first network function service management generates service discovery information, wherein the service discovery information is aimed at discovering a disaster recovery backup network function that can take over the first network function; further, the first network function service management determines a network function takeover request based on the service discovery and the status data and configuration data of the first network function, and sends the network function takeover request to the first service agent, which sends the request to the second service agent in the second network across the first network.

[0174] In the embodiment, it is characterized in that before sending the network function takeover request to the second service agent through the first service agent, the first service agent is further used to:

[0175] Construct network-level service discovery information and send it to the network registration center, query and obtain the network that provides network function takeover, and determine the network information list;

[0176] A second network is selected from the network information list, and two-way security authentication for communication is performed with a second service agent of the second network.

[0177] Based on the fact that both the first network and the second network are registered in the network registration center, when the first network function service management queries the cross-network disaster recovery backup network function that can take over the first network function, it is necessary to first determine the corresponding target network, that is, the second network, and the first service agent constructs network-level service discovery information, which is a message between networks and is used for communication between the first network, the second network and the network registration center. The first service agent sends the network-level service discovery information to the network registration center, queries the network that can provide the function of taking over the first network, including a distributed network or a central network, and obtains a network information list; the query conditions in the network registration center include the parameters carried by the network discovery request and the disaster recovery network node information included in the network registration; the first service agent selects the second network from the network information list as the network that provides the function of taking over the first network, and the first service agent performs two-way security authentication for communication with the second service agent of the second network, so as to realize two-way secure communication between the first network and the second network.

[0178] In the embodiment, the second network also includes: a second network function service management; a second service agent, which is used to: receive a network function takeover request; send a network function discovery request to the second network function service management to discover the second network function within the second network according to the network function takeover request; send a network function takeover request to the second network function, control the second network function to update the status and configuration according to the network function takeover request, and generate a second network function takeover response; receive the second network function takeover response, and send it to the first network function service management through the first service agent.

[0179] The second network function service management belongs to the second network. The first service agent of the first network sends a network function takeover request to the second service agent of the second network. The second service agent of the second network is used to receive the network function takeover request, and send a network function discovery request to the second network function service management according to the network function takeover request; the second network function service management receives the network function discovery request, and the second network function service management performs network function discovery according to the network function discovery request, discovers a network function that can take over the first network function within the second network, discovers the second network function, and returns a message of discovering the second network function to the second service agent; the second service agent sends a network function takeover request to the discovered second network function; the second network function ... The takeover request obtains the status data and configuration data of the first network function in the network function takeover request, synchronizes the status data of the second network function according to the status data of the first network function, determines the updated status data of the second network function, updates the configuration data of the second network function according to the configuration data of the first network function, and determines the updated configuration data of the second network function; the second network function determines the second network function takeover response according to the updated second network function status data and the updated second network function configuration data; the second network function sends the second network function takeover response to the second service agent, the second service agent sends the second network function takeover response to the first service agent, and the first service agent sends the second network function takeover response to the first network function service management.

[0180] The second service agent of the second network discovers the second network function in the second network through the second network function service management based on the received network function takeover request, and the second network function generates a second network function takeover response, thereby determining the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network, thereby realizing cross-network network disaster recovery backup; solving the problem that the disaster recovery backup network function of the local network cannot take over the failed network function, reducing the probability of simultaneous failure of the disaster recovery backup network functions, improving network resource utilization, and being applicable between networks of different operators, thereby improving network compatibility.

[0181] In an embodiment, the second network function takeover response includes the second network function address;

[0182] Receiving a second network function takeover response, and sending the response to the first network function service management through the first service agent, includes:

[0183] receiving a second network function takeover response;

[0184] Sending the updated second network function takeover response obtained by mapping replacement to the first network function service management through the first service agent;

[0185] Among them, the updated second network function takeover response is obtained by replacing the original second network function address in the second network function takeover response with the second network function mapping address; the second network function mapping address is obtained by mapping the second network function address using the set mapping relationship.

[0186] The second network function takeover response generated by the second network function includes the second network function address; because it involves the communication interaction between the first network and the second network, directly sending the second network function takeover response including the second network function address may cause the second network function address to be exposed, resulting in exposure of network security information content, and there is a network security risk. Therefore, when the second service agent receives the second network function takeover response, it obtains the second network function address of the second network function takeover response, maps the second network function address using the set mapping relationship to obtain the second network function mapping address; then replaces the original second network function address in the second network function takeover response with the second network function mapping address to obtain an updated second network function takeover response. The second service agent sends the updated second network function takeover response to the first service agent; the first service agent sends the updated second network function takeover response to the first network function service management.

[0187] By setting a mapping relationship to map the second network function address to the second network function mapping address, the actual address of the second network function is hidden. Even if the updated second network function takeover response is intercepted by abnormal technical means, the second network function address cannot be directly obtained, thereby realizing information security protection of the second network function and preventing network attacks. Avoid directly exposing network topology information and bringing security risks between untrusted networks.

[0188] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a process of determining a second network function of a second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of a first network function in a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 7 As shown, in the embodiment, according to the second network function takeover response, determining the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network includes:

[0189] Step S702: updating the network function configuration file according to the second network function mapping address in the second network function takeover response, and generating a network function subscription message;

[0190] Step S704: Send a network function subscription message to the third network function, so that the third network function establishes communication interaction with the second network function according to the network function subscription message, and determines the second network function of the second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network.

[0191] After receiving the updated second network function takeover response sent by the first proxy service, the first network function service management parses the updated second network function takeover response to obtain the second network function mapping address, updates the network function configuration file according to the second network function mapping address, and generates a network function subscription message; the network function takeover request sent to the second network function includes the status data and configuration data of the first network function. When the second network function updates the status data and configuration data according to the status data and configuration data of the first network function, it will periodically contact the first network function service management according to the set period, that is, the second network function will periodically contact the first network function service management according to the set period; in another case, the second network function will contact the first network function service management according to the event triggering principle when triggered by a pre-set event; the first network function service management receives periodic contact or event triggered contact from the second network function, indicating that the working status of the second network function is normal. The first network function service management sends a network function subscription message to the third network function, and the network function subscription message includes stopping the communication interaction with the first network function and establishing the communication interaction with the second network function, and determining the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network; the business that the third network function originally interacted with the first network function is transferred to the third network function to interact with the second network function.

[0192] When it is found that the first network function of the first network itself fails and fails with other network functions (such as link breakage and downtime of other network elements), the first network function service management is informed and other network functions that can take over the service are requested to be discovered locally. The first network function service management obtains the status data and configuration data of the failed first network function, and if no network function that can take over the service is found locally, it is determined that it is necessary to query other networks for the target network function, and request the second network to take over the second network. This solves the problem that the local network cannot take over the failed network function, realizes cross-network execution of disaster recovery backup, makes full use of distributed network resources, reduces the probability of simultaneous failure of disaster recovery network elements, improves network resource utilization, and can be applied between networks of different operators.

[0193] In an embodiment, the third network function is used to: update the locally stored configuration information for communication interaction with the first network function to the configuration information for communication interaction with the second network function according to the network function subscription message; and establish communication interaction with the second network function according to the configuration information for communication interaction with the second network function.

[0194] The third network function receives a network function subscription message sent by the first network function service management. The third network function updates the configuration information for communication and interaction with the first network function stored locally in the third network function to the configuration information for communication and interaction with the second network function according to the network function subscription message. The third network function establishes communication and interaction between the third network function and the second network function according to the configuration information for communication and interaction with the second network function.

[0195] In the embodiment, it also includes: if the first network function and the second network function belong to the control function network element, the current service execution is not interrupted; if the first network function and the second network function belong to the execution function network element, the current service needs to re-initiate the service request to the second network function for execution.

[0196] The first network function and the second network function can be divided into a control function network element and an execution function network element according to their functions. If the first network function and the second network function belong to the control function network element, the online user can continue to use the service, and the network selects the third network function for the new user; if the first network function and the second network function belong to the execution function network element, the online user needs to re-initiate the service request, and the network selects the second network function for the online user and the new user, and sends the service request to the second network function for execution.

[0197] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing a communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure applied to a second network is shown as follows: Figure 8 As shown, the communication method is applied to the second service agent, the second service agent belongs to the second network, and the communication method includes:

[0198] Step S802: receiving a network function takeover request sent by a first network function service management; the network function takeover request is determined by the first network function service management when determining that a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network; the first network function service management belongs to the first network;

[0199] Step S804: According to the network function takeover request, a second network function takeover response is sent to the first network function service management, so that the first network function service management determines the second network function of the second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function according to the second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second network function discovered in the second network according to the network function takeover request.

[0200] In the embodiment, the first network includes: a first service agent; the second network includes: a second network function service management;

[0201] Sending a second network function takeover response to the first network function service management according to the network function takeover request includes:

[0202] Sending a network function discovery request to the second network function service management according to the network function takeover request to discover the second network function within the second network;

[0203] Sending the network function takeover request to the second network function, controlling the second network function to update state and configuration according to the network function takeover request, and generating a second network function takeover response;

[0204] The second network function takeover response is received, and sent to the first network function service management through the first service agent.

[0205] When the communication method is applied to the second network side, the technical effect achieved is the same as that when it is applied to the first network side. When the first network function service management inquires about the failure of the first network function of the first network, the disaster recovery backup network function is perceived in the first network through the first network function service management, but the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, then it is determined that the network function for disaster recovery backup needs to be obtained from the second network, and a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent of the second network, so that the distributed network resources of the first network and the second network are fully utilized. The second service agent of the second network finds the second network function in the second network according to the received network function takeover request, and the second network function generates a second network function takeover response, so that the second network function of the second network is determined as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function, and cross-network network disaster recovery backup of network functions is realized; the problem that the disaster recovery backup network function of the local network cannot take over the failed network function is solved, the probability of simultaneous failure of the disaster recovery backup network function is reduced, the utilization rate of network resources is improved, and it can be applied between networks of different operators, and the compatibility of the network is improved.

[0206] Fig. 9 An interactive diagram of a communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, such as Fig. 9 As shown, it includes a first network and a second network; the first network includes: a first network function, a third network function, a first network function service management, a first service agent and a database; the second network includes: a second network function, a second network function service management and a second service agent; the first network function and the second network function registered in the first network function service agent should periodically (heartbeat) contact the first network function service agent to indicate that the first network function is still running; the database of the first network saves the status data and configuration data of the local network function; the third network function associated with the first network function subscribes to the first network function configuration file change notification.

[0207] The interactive process of the communication method includes:

[0208] 1. Fault perception method 1: When the first network function service management detects that the first network function has not sent a heartbeat packet within a configurable period of time (i.e., the heartbeat interval), the first network function service management changes the state of the first network function to suspended.

[0209] 2. Fault perception method 1: The first network function service management notifies the third network function that the first network function status has been changed to suspended, and the third network function is informed of the first network function fault.

[0210] 3. Fault perception method 2: If the third network function detects that it cannot interact normally with the first network function, a fault occurs between the third network function and the first network function (such as link breakage, first network function downtime), and the third network function informs the first network function service management that a fault occurs between the third network function and the first network function, and requests the first network function service management to query a target network function that can take over the first network function as a disaster recovery backup network function;

[0211] 4. The first network function service management obtains the state data (such as user and session context) and configuration data (such as local policy) of the first network function from the local database, and queries the target network function that can take over the first network function locally. If no target network function is found, the first network function service management determines that it needs to query the target network function from other networks;

[0212] 5. The first network function service management sends a network function takeover request to the first service agent, requesting to find a target network function that takes over the first network function from other networks. The message includes parameters such as service discovery, status data, and configuration data;

[0213] 6. The first service agent constructs network-level service discovery information and sends a network discovery request to the network registration center. The network registration center queries the network that can provide the requested service and returns a list of target network information. The query conditions may include the parameters carried in the network discovery request and the disaster recovery network node information included in the network registration;

[0214] 7. The first service agent selects the target network as the second network (distributed network or central network), and performs two-way security authentication for communication between the two networks to confirm legitimacy;

[0215] 8. The first service agent forwards the network function takeover request to the second service agent of the second network, requesting to take over the service of the first network function. The message includes parameters such as service discovery, status data and configuration data, and the message may be encrypted;

[0216] 9. The second service agent of the second network discovers the second network function as the target network function through the second network function service management;

[0217] 10. The second service agent of the second network sends a network function takeover request to the second network function, where the message includes parameters such as status data and configuration data;

[0218] 11. The second network function synchronizes the state data, performs configuration according to the configuration data, updates the state and configuration, and takes over the first network function;

[0219] 12. The second network function returns a second network function takeover response to the second service agent, where the response message includes the second network function address information;

[0220] 13. The second service agent of the second network replaces the content that may expose network security information, such as the second network function address information, with the second network function mapping address, saves the mapping relationship, obtains an updated second network function takeover response, and sends the updated second network function takeover response to the first service agent of the first network. The first service agent of the first network forwards the updated second network function takeover response to the first network function service management of the first network, and the message includes information such as the second network function mapping address;

[0221] 14. The first network function service management updates the network function configuration file according to the received updated second network function takeover response;

[0222] 15. The first network function service management sends a network function subscription message to the third network function that has subscribed to the first network function configuration file change notification, or sends a response message to the third network function that has requested the first network function to take over, and the message carries information about the second network function that can take over the first network function;

[0223] 16. According to the received network function subscription message information, the third network function updates the locally stored configuration information related to the first network function, and determines the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network;

[0224] If the control function network element is taken over, online users can continue to use the service, and the network selects the second network function for the new user; if the execution function network element is taken over, online users need to re-initiate service requests, and the network selects the second network function for online users and new users.

[0225] The first network function service management obtains the status data and configuration data of the faulty network element. If no network function that can take over the service is found locally, it determines that it is necessary to query the target network function from other networks and request to take over the network function service from other networks, thus solving the problem that the local network cannot take over the faulty network function. The second service agent replaces the second network function address information of the second network and other content that may expose network security information, saves the mapping relationship, avoids directly exposing the network topology information, and brings security risks between untrusted networks. Facing the future 6G distributed network, the faulty network requests other networks to take over the faulty network function. This disaster recovery method solves the problem that the backup network function of the local network cannot take over the faulty network function, makes full use of distributed network resources, reduces the probability of simultaneous failure of disaster recovery network functions, improves network resource utilization, and can be applied between networks of different operators.

[0226] Fig.10 An application interaction diagram of a communication method in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown as follows: Fig.10 As shown, the communication method of this embodiment is applied to the case where the session management function in the 6G distributed network and / or the central network is down, and is applied to the 6G distributed network A and the 6G distributed network B / central network. 6G distributed network A includes: access control function, session management function A, first network service management, service agent, database, user plane function; 6G distributed network B or central network includes: session management function B, second network service management, second service agent;

[0227] The session management function A registered in the first network service management should periodically (heartbeat) contact the first network service management to indicate that the NF is still running; the local database of the 6G distributed network A saves the status data and configuration data of the local network function; the network functions associated with the session management function A, such as the access control function, subscribe to the session management function A configuration file change notification. In the embodiment, the communication method is applied to the interaction process in the 6G distributed network, including:

[0228] 1. Fault perception method 1: When the first network service management detects that the session management function A does not send a heartbeat packet within a configurable period of time (ie, the heartbeat interval), the first network service management changes the state of the session management function A to suspended.

[0229] 2. Fault perception method 1: The first network service management notifies that the state of session management function A has been changed to suspended, and learns that session management function A has a fault.

[0230] 3. Fault perception method 2: When the access control function detects that it cannot interact normally with the session management function A, a fault occurs between the access control function and the session management function A (such as link disconnection or downtime of the session management function A). The access control function informs the first network service management of the fault between the access control function and the session management function A, and requests the first network service management to query a target network function that can take over the session management function A as a disaster recovery backup network function.

[0231] 4. The first network service management obtains the status data (such as session context) and configuration data (such as user plane function information and local policies supported by session management function A) of session management function A from the local database, and queries the target network function that can take over session management function A locally. If no result is found, the first network service management determines that it is necessary to query the target network function from other networks.

[0232] 5. The first network service manager sends a network function takeover request to the first service agent, requesting to find a target network function to take over the session management function A from other networks. The message includes parameters such as service discovery (such as the service type is a session management service), status data, and configuration data;

[0233] 6. The first service agent constructs network-level service discovery information and sends a network discovery request to the network registration center. The network registration center queries the network that can provide the requested service and returns a list of target network information. The query conditions may include the parameters carried in the network discovery request and the disaster recovery network node information included in the network registration;

[0234] 7. The first service agent selects the target network as distributed network B or the central network, and performs two-way security authentication for communication between the two networks to confirm legitimacy;

[0235] 8. The first service agent forwards the network function takeover request to the second service agent of the distributed network B or the central network, requesting to take over the service of the session management function A. The message includes parameters such as service discovery, status data and configuration data, and the message may be encrypted;

[0236] 9. The second service agent of the distributed network B or the central network discovers the session management function B as the target network function through the second network function service management;

[0237] 10. The second service agent of the distributed network B or the central network sends a network function takeover request to the session management function B, and the message includes parameters such as state data and configuration data;

[0238] 11. Session management function B synchronizes state data, configures according to configuration data, updates state and configuration, and takes over session management function A;

[0239] 12. The session management function B returns a session management function B takeover response to the second service agent, where the response message includes the address information of the session management function B;

[0240] 13. The second service agent of the distributed network B or the central network replaces the content that may expose network security information, such as the address information of the session management function B, with the mapping address of the session management function B, saves the mapping relationship, obtains an updated takeover response of the session management function B, and sends the updated takeover response of the session management function B to the first service agent of the distributed network A. The first service agent of the distributed network A forwards the message to the first network function service agent of the distributed network A, and the message includes information such as the replaced mapping address of the session management function B;

[0241] 14. The first network function service management updates the network function configuration file according to the received updated session management function B takeover response;

[0242] 15. The first network function service management sends a network function subscription message to the access control function and the user plane function that have subscribed to the configuration file change notification of the session management function A, or sends a response message to the access control function that has requested the network function service to take over, and the message carries the information of the session management function B that can take over the session management function A;

[0243] 16. Based on the received network function subscription message information, the access control function and / or the user plane function updates the locally stored configuration information related to the session management function A (such as the session management function identifier configured by the access control function, and the mapping relationship between the session identifier and the session management function), and determines the session management function B of the distributed network B or the central network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the session management function A of the distributed network A.

[0244] The one that takes over is the session management network element, which is a control function network element. Then the online user can continue to use the service, and the network selects session management function B for the new user.

[0245] A cross-network network function disaster recovery method for 6G. If the network query finds that the network function of this network or the interaction between network functions fails, the network function service management of this network sends a network function service takeover message to the target network through the service agent. The message carries the status data and configuration data of the taken-over network function. The target network locally queries the target network function that can take over the service, and the target network function is updated according to the status data and configuration data. This disaster recovery method solves the problem that the backup network function of the local network cannot take over the failed network function, makes full use of distributed network resources, reduces the probability of simultaneous failure of disaster recovery network functions, improves network resource utilization, and can be applied between networks of different operators.

[0246] The application scenarios of the embodiments of the present disclosure include: 1. Coexistence of future central network, 2C sinking edge network, and 2B dedicated network; 2. Central + 2C sinking edge network jointly provide services for 2C users; 3. Central + 2B dedicated network jointly provide services for 2B users.

[0247] When technology evolves to 6G networks, large networks and private networks coexist. The large networks are divided into different functions (connection + value-added services, such as holographic communication networks enhanced by IMS; perception service private networks; intelligent service networks: completing the scheduling of computing power and algorithms, etc.), and private networks are divided into 2B private networks, 2C edge networks, and 2H home networks according to scenarios; solutions are provided to solve the problem of collaborative service provision between large networks and private networks, and between private networks.

[0248] The disclosed embodiment proposes a cross-network network element disaster recovery method for 6G. If the network queries that a network element of the current network or the interaction between network elements fails, the NF service management of the current network sends a network element service takeover message to the other network, namely the target network, through the service agent. The message carries the status data and configuration data of the taken-over network element. The target network locally queries the network element that can take over the service, namely the target network element, and the target network element is updated according to the status data and configuration data. This disaster recovery method solves the problem that the backup network element of the local network cannot take over the failed network element, makes full use of distributed network resources, reduces the probability of simultaneous failure of disaster recovery network elements, improves network resource utilization, and can be applied between networks of different operators.

[0249] It should be noted that the acquisition, storage, use, and processing of data in the technical solution disclosed in this disclosure are in compliance with the relevant provisions of national laws and regulations, and various types of data such as personal identity data, operation data, behavioral data, etc. related to individuals, customers, and groups obtained in the embodiments of this disclosure have all been authorized.

[0250] Based on the same inventive concept, the present disclosure also provides a communication device in the following embodiments. Since the principle of solving the problem in the device embodiment is similar to that in the above method embodiment, the implementation of the device embodiment can refer to the implementation of the above method embodiment, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0251] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of a communication device in an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.11 As shown, the device comprises:

[0252] A network function takeover request sending module 1101 is used to send a network function takeover request to a second service agent if a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network; the second service agent belongs to the second network;

[0253] A second network function takeover response receiving module 1102 is configured to receive a second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second service agent according to the network function takeover request and found in the second network;

[0254] The network function takeover module 1103 is used to determine the second network function of the second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network according to the second network function takeover response.

[0255] It should be noted that the network function takeover request sending module 1101, the second network function takeover response receiving module 1102 and the network function takeover module 1103 correspond to S402 to S406 in the method embodiment, and the examples and application scenarios implemented by the above modules and the corresponding steps are the same, but are not limited to the contents disclosed in the above method embodiment. It should be noted that the above modules as part of the device can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer executable instructions.

[0256] Based on the same inventive concept, the present disclosure also provides a communication device in the following embodiments. Since the principle of solving the problem in the device embodiment is similar to that in the above method embodiment, the implementation of the device embodiment can refer to the implementation of the above method embodiment, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0257] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a communication device in another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.12 As shown, the device comprises:

[0258] The network function takeover request receiving module 1201 is used to receive a network function takeover request sent by a first network function service management; the network function takeover request is determined by the first network function service management when determining that a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network; the first network function service management belongs to the first network;

[0259] The second network function takeover response sending module 1202 is used to send a second network function takeover response to the first network function service management according to the network function takeover request, so that the first network function service management determines the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network of the first network according to the second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second network function discovered in the second network according to the network function takeover request.

[0260] It should be noted that the network function takeover request receiving module 1201 and the second network function takeover response sending module 1202 correspond to S802 to S804 in the method embodiment, and the examples and application scenarios implemented by the modules and corresponding steps are the same, but are not limited to the contents disclosed in the method embodiment. It should be noted that the modules as part of the device can be executed in a computer system such as a set of computer executable instructions.

[0261] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented as systems, methods or program products. Therefore, various aspects of the present disclosure may be specifically implemented in the following forms, namely: complete hardware implementation, complete software implementation (including firmware, microcode, etc.), or a combination of hardware and software, which may be collectively referred to herein as "circuits", "modules" or "systems".

[0262] Refer to the following Fig.13 1300 according to this embodiment of the present disclosure is described. Fig.13 The electronic device 1300 shown is merely an example and should not bring any limitation to the functions and scope of use of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0263] like Fig.13 As shown, the electronic device 1300 is in the form of a general computing device. The components of the electronic device 1300 may include but are not limited to: at least one processing unit 1310, at least one storage unit 1320, and a bus 1330 connecting different system components (including the storage unit 1320 and the processing unit 1310).

[0264] The storage unit stores a program code, which can be executed by the processing unit 1310, so that the processing unit 1310 performs the steps of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described in the above “Exemplary Method” section of this specification. For example, the processing unit 1310 can perform the following steps of the above method embodiment:

[0265] Applied to a first network function service management, the first network function service management belongs to a first network, the method comprising: if a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, sending a network function takeover request to a second service agent; the second service agent belongs to a second network; receiving a second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second network function found by the second service agent in the second network according to the network function takeover request; according to the second network function takeover response, determining the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network.

[0266] Applied to a second service agent, the second service agent belongs to a second network, the method comprising: receiving a network function takeover request sent by a first network function service management; the network function takeover request is determined by the first network function service management when determining that a first network function of the first network fails and the first network function is not found in the first network; the first network function service management belongs to the first network; according to the network function takeover request, sending a second network function takeover response to the first network function service management, so that the first network function service management determines the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network according to the second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second network function found in the second network according to the network function takeover request.

[0267] The storage unit 1320 may include a readable medium in the form of a volatile storage unit, such as a random access storage unit (RAM) 13201 and / or a cache storage unit 13202 , and may further include a read-only storage unit (ROM) 13203 .

[0268] The storage unit 1320 may also include a program / utility 13204 having a set (at least one) of program modules 13205, such program modules 13205 including but not limited to: an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data, each of which or some combination may include an implementation of a network environment.

[0269] Bus 1330 may represent one or more of several types of bus structures, including a memory unit bus or memory unit controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, a processing unit, or a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures.

[0270] The electronic device 1300 may also communicate with one or more external devices 1340 (e.g., keyboards, pointing devices, Bluetooth devices, etc.), may also communicate with one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the electronic device 1300, and / or communicate with any device that enables the electronic device 1300 to communicate with one or more other computing devices (e.g., routers, modems, etc.). Such communication may be performed via an input / output (I / O) interface 1350. Furthermore, the electronic device 1300 may also communicate with one or more networks (e.g., local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and / or public networks, such as the Internet) via a network adapter 1360. As shown, the network adapter 1360 communicates with other modules of the electronic device 1300 via a bus 1330. It should be understood that, although not shown in the figure, other hardware and / or software modules may be used in conjunction with the electronic device 1300, including but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems.

[0271] Through the description of the above implementation, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the example implementation described here can be implemented by software, or by software combined with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solution according to the implementation of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or on a network, including several instructions to enable a computing device (which can be a personal computer, a server, a terminal device, or a network device, etc.) to execute the method according to the implementation of the present disclosure.

[0272] In particular, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the process described above with reference to the flowchart may be implemented as a computer program product, which includes: a computer program, which implements the above communication method when executed by a processor.

[0273] In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, which may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. A program product capable of implementing the above method of the present disclosure is stored thereon. In some possible implementations, various aspects of the present disclosure may also be implemented in the form of a program product, which includes a program code, and when the program product is run on a terminal device, the program code is used to cause the terminal device to execute the steps according to various exemplary implementations of the present disclosure described in the above “Exemplary Method” section of this specification.

[0274] More specific examples of computer-readable storage media in the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, an electrical connection having one or more conductors, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, a portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0275] In the present disclosure, a computer readable storage medium may include a data signal propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, wherein a readable program code is carried. Such propagated data signals may take a variety of forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination of the above. A readable signal medium may also be any readable medium other than a readable storage medium, which may send, propagate, or transmit a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0276] Alternatively, the program code contained on the computer-readable storage medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wired, optical cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0277] In a specific implementation, the program code for performing the operations of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as "C" or similar programming languages. The program code may be executed entirely on the user computing device, partially on the user device, as a separate software package, partially on the user computing device and partially on a remote computing device, or entirely on a remote computing device or server. In the case of a remote computing device, the remote computing device may be connected to the user computing device through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or may be connected to an external computing device (e.g., using an Internet service provider to connect through the Internet).

[0278] It should be noted that, although several modules or units of the device for action execution are mentioned in the above detailed description, this division is not mandatory. In fact, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the features and functions of two or more modules or units described above can be embodied in one module or unit. On the contrary, the features and functions of one module or unit described above can be further divided into multiple modules or units to be embodied.

[0279] In addition, although the steps of the method in the present disclosure are described in a specific order in the drawings, this does not require or imply that the steps must be performed in this specific order, or that all the steps shown must be performed to achieve the desired results. Additionally or alternatively, some steps may be omitted, multiple steps may be combined into one step, and / or one step may be decomposed into multiple steps, etc.

[0280] Through the description of the above implementation, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the example implementation described here can be implemented by software, or by software combined with necessary hardware. Therefore, the technical solution according to the implementation of the present disclosure can be embodied in the form of a software product, which can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (which can be a CD-ROM, a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, etc.) or on a network, including several instructions to enable a computing device (which can be a personal computer, a server, a mobile terminal, or a network device, etc.) to execute the method according to the implementation of the present disclosure.

[0281] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present disclosure after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. The present disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the present disclosure, which follow the general principles of the present disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art that are not disclosed in the present disclosure. The description and examples are intended to be exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the present disclosure are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, It is characterized in that Applied to a first network function service management, the first network function service management belongs to a first network, the method comprising: If the first network function of the first network fails and the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to a second service agent; the second service agent belongs to the second network; receiving a second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second service agent discovering the second network function in the second network according to the network function takeover request; According to the second network function takeover response, the second network function of the second network is determined as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that If the first network function of the first network fails and the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent, including: sensing an operating status of a first network function of the first network; If the operating state of the first network function of the first network is a fault, obtaining state data and configuration data of the first network function; querying, in the first network, a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function according to the status data and configuration data of the first network function; If the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The first network further includes: a third network function, the first network function periodically contacts the first network function service management, and the first network function and the third network function communicate and interact; The operating status of the first network function of the first network is fault, including: If the first network function fails to contact the first network function service management within a set time period, the operation state of the first network function is determined to be a fault; When the third network function detects that it cannot communicate and interact with the first network function, it reports to the first network function service management that the operating status of the first network function is faulty.

4. The communication method according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The first network further comprises: a database; the database stores status data and configuration data of the first network function; Acquiring status data and configuration data of the first network function, including: A data acquisition request is sent to the database to acquire the status data and configuration data of the first network function from the database.

5. The communication method according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The first network further includes: a first service agent; If the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, a network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent, including: If the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network, generating service discovery information; Determining a network function takeover request according to the service discovery information and the state data and configuration data of the first network function; The network function takeover request is sent to the second service agent through the first service agent.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, It is characterized in that Before sending the network function takeover request to the second service agent through the first service agent, the first service agent is further configured to: Construct network-level service discovery information and send it to the network registration center, query and obtain the network that provides network function takeover, and determine the network information list; A second network is selected from the network information list, and two-way security authentication for communication is performed with a second service agent of the second network.

7. The communication method according to claim 5, It is characterized in that The second network further includes: second network function service management; The second service agent is used to: Receiving the network function takeover request; Sending a network function discovery request to the second network function service management according to the network function takeover request to discover the second network function within the second network; Sending the network function takeover request to the second network function, controlling the second network function to update state and configuration according to the network function takeover request, and generating a second network function takeover response; The second network function takeover response is received, and sent to the first network function service management through the first service agent.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The second network function takeover response includes a second network function address; Receiving the second network function takeover response, and sending it to the first network function service management through the first service agent, includes: receiving the second network function takeover response; Sending the updated second network function takeover response obtained by mapping replacement to the first network function service management through the first service agent; Among them, the updated second network function takeover response is obtained by replacing the original second network function address in the second network function takeover response with the second network function mapping address; the second network function mapping address is obtained by mapping the second network function address using the set mapping relationship.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, It is characterized in that Determining, according to the second network function takeover response, the second network function of the second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network, includes: updating a network function configuration file and generating a network function subscription message according to the second network function mapping address in the second network function takeover response; The network function subscription message is sent to a third network function, so that the third network function establishes communication interaction with the second network function according to the network function subscription message, and the second network function of the second network is determined as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network.

10. The communication method according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The third network function is configured to: According to the network function subscription message, updating the locally stored configuration information for communicating and interacting with the first network function to the configuration information for communicating and interacting with the second network function; Establish communication interaction with the second network function according to the configuration information for communication interaction with the second network function.

11. The communication method according to claim 1, It is characterized in that Also includes: If the first network function and the second network function belong to a control function network element, the current service execution is not interrupted; If the first network function and the second network function belong to execution function network elements, the current service needs to re-initiate a service request to the second network function for execution.

12. A communication method, It is characterized in that Applied to a second service agent, the second service agent belongs to a second network, the method comprising: receiving a network function takeover request sent by a first network function service management; the network function takeover request is determined by the first network function service management when determining that a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network; the first network function service management belongs to the first network; According to the network function takeover request, a second network function takeover response is sent to the first network function service management, so that the first network function service management determines the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network of the first network according to the second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second network function discovered in the second network according to the network function takeover request.

13. The communication method according to claim 12, It is characterized in that The first network includes: a first service agent; the second network includes: a second network function service management; Sending a second network function takeover response to the first network function service management according to the network function takeover request includes: Sending a network function discovery request to the second network function service management according to the network function takeover request to discover the second network function within the second network; Sending the network function takeover request to the second network function, controlling the second network function to update state and configuration according to the network function takeover request, and generating a second network function takeover response; The second network function takeover response is received, and sent to the first network function service management through the first service agent.

14. A communication system, It is characterized in that include: First network, second network; The first network includes: a first network function service management, a first network function; the second network includes: a second service agent, a second network function; The first network function service management is used to send a network function takeover request to the second service agent if the first network function of the first network fails and the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network; the second service agent is configured to discover a second network function in the second network according to the network function takeover request; The second network function is used to determine a second network function takeover response according to the network function takeover request and send it to the first network function service management; The first network function service management is further used to determine the second network function of the second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network according to the second network function takeover response.

15. A communication device, It is characterized in that Applied to a first network function service management, the first network function service management belongs to a first network, the device comprising: a network function takeover request sending module, configured to send a network function takeover request to a second service agent if a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network; the second service agent belongs to the second network; A second network function takeover response receiving module, configured to receive a second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second service agent according to the network function takeover request and found in the second network; A network function takeover module is used to determine the second network function of the second network as a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function of the first network according to the second network function takeover response.

16. A communication device, It is characterized in that Applied to a second service agent, the second service agent belongs to a second network, the device comprises: A network function takeover request receiving module, configured to receive a network function takeover request sent by a first network function service management; the network function takeover request is determined by the first network function service management when determining that a first network function of the first network fails and a disaster recovery backup network function of the first network function is not found in the first network; the first network function service management belongs to the first network; A second network function takeover response sending module is used to send a second network function takeover response to the first network function service management according to the network function takeover request, so that the first network function service management determines the second network function of the second network as the disaster recovery backup network function of the first network of the first network according to the second network function takeover response; the second network function takeover response is determined by the second network function discovered in the second network according to the network function takeover request.

17. An electronic device, It is characterized in that include: processor; as well as A memory, configured to store executable instructions of the processor; The processor is configured to execute the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 11 or claims 12 to 13 by executing the executable instructions.

18. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, It is characterized in that When the computer program is executed by a processor, the communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 11 or claims 12 to 13 is implemented.

19. A computer program product comprising a computer program, It is characterized in that When the computer program is executed by a processor, the communication method described in any one of claims 1 to 11 or claims 12 to 13 is implemented.

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