Communication method and device

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method and device, the communication method and device are applied to edge network equipment, the edge network equipment is located at the edge of an APN6 network domain, the method comprises the following steps: receiving an original message sent by an application client, the original message comprising a message attribute; determining an application feature corresponding to the message attribute according to the message attribute; in a local application mapping table, application mapping table items matched with the application features are obtained, and the application mapping table items comprise forwarding attributes; and sending an APN message to a head node, the APN message comprising the forwarding attribute and the original message, so that the head node determines a corresponding SRv6 policy locally according to a next hop address and the forwarding attribute, and forwards the original message on an SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus. Background Art

[0002] With the advent of the 5G and cloud eras, various applications with differentiated demand characteristics have emerged in an endless stream. For example, mobile Internet application scenarios for enhanced bandwidth and device interconnection application scenarios for massive IoT. Although, based on the end-to-end hierarchical design principle and concept of the Internet, the decoupled development of the network and applications has a long history. However, with the continuous development of the network and applications, the relationship between them has gradually changed, and the completely decoupled method is no longer suitable, and the demand for network-aware applications is becoming increasingly strong.

[0003] In response to the call for network-aware applications, the industry has proposed a new network-aware technology, the Application-aware IPv6 Networking (APN6) technology. The APN6 technology utilizes the IPv6 extension header space to carry the APN identifier (APN ID) and APN parameters included in the APN attribute of the Application-aware Networking (APN) into the network through service packets. In this way, fine-grained network services and accurate network operation and maintenance are provided for service providers.

[0004] In practical applications, after receiving the original packet, the edge device first senses the application and encapsulates the APN attribute corresponding to the application in the original packet to obtain an APN packet. The edge device sends the APN packet to the head node. The head node first obtains the Color attribute that matches the APN attribute according to the APN attribute, and then obtains the specified SRv6 policy according to the Color attribute and the next-hop address, so as to realize the APN attribute drainage of the APN packet.

[0005] However, the existing APN attribute drainage process also exposes the following problems: 1) As the entrance of the SRv6 bearer network, the head node is usually accessed by multiple edge devices. The traffic of each edge device needs to be drained by the head node. When the head node receives an APN packet, it needs to perform two table look-up processes to determine the forwarding path. Multiple table look-up processes will undoubtedly increase the burden on the head node; 2) Managers or controllers need to configure the mapping relationship between the APN attribute and the Color attribute in the head node, increasing the configuration workload. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present application provides a communication method and apparatus to solve the problems of increasing the burden on the head node and increasing the configuration workload caused by multiple look-up table processes in the existing APN attribute traffic diversion process.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method applied to an edge network device, where the edge network device is at the edge of the APN6 network domain, and the method includes:

[0008] Receiving an original message sent by an application client, where the original message includes message attributes;

[0009] Determining an application feature corresponding to the message attributes according to the message attributes;

[0010] Obtaining an application mapping table entry matching the application feature in a local application mapping table, where the application mapping table entry includes forwarding attributes;

[0011] Sending an APN message to a head node, where the APN message includes the forwarding attributes and the original message, so that the head node determines a corresponding SRv6 policy locally according to the next-hop address and the forwarding attributes, and forwards the original message on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0012] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method applied to a head node, where the head node is within the APN6 network domain, and the method includes:

[0013] Receiving an APN message sent by an edge network device, where the APN message includes an original message and forwarding attributes, and the original message includes a destination address;

[0014] Determining an SRv6 policy that matches both the destination address and the forwarding attributes from multiple local SRv6 policies according to the next-hop address determined according to the destination address and the forwarding attributes;

[0015] Forwarding the original message on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the determined SRv6 policy.

[0016] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus applied to an edge network device, where the edge network device is at the edge of the APN6 network domain, and the apparatus includes:

[0017] A receiving unit, configured to receive an original message sent by an application client, where the original message includes message attributes;

[0018] A determining unit, configured to determine an application feature corresponding to the message attributes according to the message attributes;

[0019] An obtaining unit, configured to obtain, in a local application mapping table, an application mapping table entry that matches the application feature, where the application mapping table entry includes a forwarding attribute;

[0020] A sending unit, configured to send an APN message to a head node, where the APN message includes the forwarding attribute and the original message, so that the head node determines a corresponding SRv6 policy locally according to a next-hop address and the forwarding attribute, and forwards the original message on an SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0021] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is applied to a head node in an APN6 network domain. The device includes:

[0022] A receiving unit, configured to receive an APN message sent by an edge network device, where the APN message includes an original message and a forwarding attribute, and the original message includes a destination address;

[0023] A determining unit, configured to determine, from multiple local SRv6 policies, an SRv6 policy that matches both the destination address and the forwarding attribute according to a next-hop address determined according to the destination address and the forwarding attribute;

[0024] A sending unit, configured to forward the original message on an SRv6 forwarding path included in the determined SRv6 policy.

[0025] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a network device, including a processor and a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable storage medium stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor, and the processor is prompted by the machine-executable instructions to execute the method provided in the first aspect of the present application.

[0026] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a network device, including a processor and a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable storage medium stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor, and the processor is prompted by the machine-executable instructions to execute the method provided in the second aspect of the present application.

[0027] Therefore, by applying the communication method and device provided in the present application, an edge network device receives an original message sent by an application client, where the original message includes message attributes; according to the message attributes, the edge network device determines an application feature corresponding to the message attributes; in a local application mapping table, the edge network device obtains an application mapping table entry that matches the application feature, where the application mapping table entry includes a forwarding attribute; the edge network device sends an APN message to a head node, where the APN message includes the forwarding attribute and the original message, so that the head node determines a corresponding SRv6 policy locally according to a next-hop address and the forwarding attribute, and forwards the original message on an SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0028] In this way, the present application optimizes the processing logic of APN6 network domain drainage, effectively improving the packet processing performance of the head node, and providing great help for the wide deployment of the APN6 network domain on the bearer network. The head node does not need to maintain the mapping relationship between the APN identifier and the Color attribute value, nor does it need to configure the SRv6 flow group on the head node, simplifying the configuration of the head node and the internal data. The head node determines the SRv6 policy according to the Color attribute value carried in the APN header, reducing the table lookup processing of the head node, optimizing the routing processing logic of the APN6 network domain drainage of the head node, and improving the service forwarding performance of the head node. At the same time, it also solves the problems of increased burden on the head node and increased configuration workload caused by multiple table lookup processes in the existing APN attribute drainage process. Description of the Drawings

[0029] Figure 1 It is a flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the APN packet format provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 3 It is a flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the network architecture applied to the communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 5 It is a structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 6 It is a structural diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 7 It is the hardware structure of the network device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed Embodiments

[0036] Here, the exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, and the examples are shown in the drawings. When the following description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. On the contrary, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the present application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0037] The terms used in this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The singular forms "a", "the", and "said" used in this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the corresponding listed items.

[0038] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in this application to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of this application, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when" or "while" or "in response to a determination".

[0039] The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below. Refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 which is a flowchart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of this application. This method is applied to an edge network device, and this edge network device is at the edge of the APN6 network domain. The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application may include the following steps.

[0040] Step 110: Receive an original message sent by an application client, where the original message includes message attributes;

[0041] Specifically, the application client and the application cloud server access the APN6 network domain. The APN6 network domain includes edge devices, head nodes, intermediate nodes, and tail nodes. The application client and the application cloud server respectively access different edge devices. A segment routing (abbreviation: SRv6) network based on the IPv6 forwarding plane is established between the head node, the intermediate node, and the tail node, and service messages are forwarded through the established SRv6 forwarding path.

[0042] The application client desires to access the application cloud server. The application client generates an original message, and this original message includes message attributes. The above message attributes may specifically be five-tuple information, service information, etc.

[0043] The application client sends the original message to the application cloud server. The edge network device receives the original message and obtains the message attributes therefrom.

[0044] Step 120: Determine an application feature corresponding to the message attributes according to the message attributes;

[0045] Specifically, according to the description in step 110, after the edge network device obtains the packet attributes, it determines the application characteristics corresponding to the packet attributes according to the packet attributes.

[0046] In one implementation, the edge network device can determine the application characteristics, that is, the application to which the service packet belongs, through the TCP / UDP port number and destination address (the address of the accessed application cloud server) included in the five-tuple information.

[0047] In another implementation, the edge network device can determine the application characteristics, that is, the application to which the service packet belongs, through the service VLAN, double VLAN tags, delay, traffic burst situation, and bandwidth occupancy included in the service information.

[0048] In an example, the above application characteristics can be specifically online games, VR, 4K videos, voice, ordinary Internet access services, autonomous driving, financial transactions, and so on.

[0049] In the embodiment of the present application, the edge network device can store the correspondence between the packet attributes and the application characteristics locally. This correspondence can be sent to the edge network device by the management personnel or the controller through configuration instructions. Among them, the management personnel can configure the edge network device by themselves through configuration instructions, or it can be sent to the edge network device by the controller through configuration instructions.

[0050] Step 130: Obtain an application mapping table entry that matches the application characteristics in the local application mapping table, where the application mapping table entry includes forwarding attributes;

[0051] Specifically, according to the description in step 120, after the edge network device determines the application characteristics, it searches in the local application mapping table to find whether there is an application mapping table entry that matches the application characteristics. If there is an application mapping table entry that matches the application characteristics in the application mapping table, the edge network device obtains the forwarding attributes from the application mapping table entry.

[0052] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the forwarding attributes include APN attributes and forwarding path information.

[0053] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the APN attributes include an APN identifier, and the APN identifier includes an application group identifier, a user group identifier, and a reserved part; the forwarding path information includes a Color attribute value, and the Color attribute value indicates the SRv6 forwarding path indicated by the segment list included in the SRv6 policy.

[0054] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the above application mapping table entry can be generated through a configuration instruction sent by the controller.

[0055] Further, in one implementation, the administrator performs static configuration at the controller, and the static configuration includes the mapping relationship between application characteristics and forwarding attributes. According to this static configuration, the controller generates a configuration instruction, which includes the mapping relationship between application characteristics and the forwarding attributes. The controller sends the configuration instruction to the edge network device. After receiving the configuration instruction, the edge network device generates an application mapping entry locally.

[0056] In another implementation, the controller performs real-time optimization on the forwarding path of the service traffic packet according to the applications carried in the network and the monitored network quality, and uniformly plans and maintains the mapping relationship between application characteristics and forwarding attributes. At this time, the controller generates a configuration instruction again, which includes the mapping relationship between application characteristics and forwarding attributes. The controller sends the configuration instruction to the edge network device. After receiving the configuration instruction, the edge network device generates an application mapping entry locally.

[0057] It should be noted that the SRv6 policy includes a Color attribute, an Endpoint attribute, and a segment list. Among them, the segment list is used to indicate the SRv6 forwarding path.

[0058] Step 140: Send an APN packet to the head node, where the APN packet includes the forwarding attribute and the original packet, so that the head node determines the corresponding SRv6 policy locally according to the next-hop address and the forwarding attribute, and forwards the original packet on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0059] Specifically, according to the description of step 130, after obtaining the forwarding attribute from the application mapping entry, the edge network device generates an APN packet. The APN packet includes the forwarding attribute and the original packet.

[0060] According to the destination address included in the original packet, that is, the address of the application cloud server, the edge network device continues to send the APN packet to the application cloud server. According to the destination address, the edge network device looks up the local forwarding table and determines the next-hop address (head node address). The edge network device sends the APN packet to the head node.

[0061] After receiving the APN message, the head node obtains the forwarding attribute and the original message from it. The original message includes the destination address. According to the address of the application cloud server, the head node looks up the local forwarding table and determines the next-hop address (the tail node address). According to the next-hop address and the forwarding attribute, the head node determines the corresponding SRv6 policy locally and forwards the original message on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy. In the embodiment of the present application, since the service message is forwarded through the SRv6 forwarding path, the original message is carried in the SRv6 message, and an SRH header and an IPv6 header are encapsulated outside it.

[0062] It can be understood that before forwarding the message on the SRv6 forwarding path, the head node first encapsulates the original message into an SRv6 message according to the SRv6 protocol and then forwards it through the SRv6 forwarding path. The above encapsulation process is the same as the existing encapsulation process and will not be repeated here.

[0063] The head node, intermediate node, and tail node included in the forwarding path can execute the message forwarding process according to the regulations of the SRv6 protocol and will not be repeated here.

[0064] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, before sending the APN message to the head node, the edge network device will also generate the APN message according to the forwarding attribute.

[0065] Further, the edge network device first encapsulates a Destination Options Header (abbreviation: DOH) header outside the original message, and then encapsulates the IPv6 header to obtain the APN message. It can be understood that the APN message can also be called an IPv6 message.

[0066] Among them, the DOH header includes an APN header; the APN header includes an APN identification field and a Color field; the APN identification field is used to carry the APN attribute, and the Color field is used to carry the forwarding path information.

[0067] The APN attribute includes an APN identifier, and the APN identifier includes an application group identifier, a user group identifier, and a reserved part. The forwarding path information includes a Color attribute value, and the Color attribute value indicates the forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0068] Further, the original message also includes a destination address, which is used to enable the head node to determine the next-hop address according to the destination address, determine the SRv6 policy corresponding to the destination address and the Color attribute value locally according to the next-hop address and the Color attribute value, and determine the forwarding path from the corresponding SRv6 policy.

[0069] Such as Figure 2 shownFigure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the APN message format provided by the embodiments of this application. In Figure 2 it, the APN message includes an IPv6 header, a DOH header, and a payload part. The IPv6 header is the same as the existing definition and will not be repeated. The payload part is used to carry the original message.

[0070] The DOH header includes a Next Header field, a Hdr Ext Len field, and a TLV structure. The TLV structure includes a Type field, a Length field, and a Value field. Among them, the Type field carries the Option Type field, the Length field carries the Opt Data Len field, and the Value field is used to carry the APN header. The APN header includes an APN-ID-Type field, a Flags field, an APN-Para-Type field, an APP-Group-ID field, a User-Group-ID field, a Reserved field, a Color field, an Intent field, and an APN-Para field. The definitions of each field are described below.

[0071] Option Type: 8 bits, Option type;

[0072] Opt Data Len: 8 bits, the option length of the application information, that is, the length of the APN header;

[0073] APN-ID-Type: 8 bits, the type of the APN ID; currently, 3 types of APN identifiers are supported; when the value is 1, it represents a Type 1 APN identifier, and the APN ID occupies 32 bits; when the value is 2, it represents a Type 2 APN identifier, and the APN ID occupies 64 bits; when the value is 3, it represents a Type 3 APN identifier, and the APN ID occupies 128 bits;

[0074] Flags: 8 bits, currently undefined;

[0075] APN-Para-Type: 16 bits, indicating which network performance requirement parameters are included in the APN parameter field, such as bandwidth, delay, jitter, packet loss rate, etc.;

[0076] APNID: The APN identification information number uniquely corresponding to the application, which consists of three parts: namely, APP-Group-ID: the identification information of the application group, User-Group-ID: the identification information of the user group, and Reserved: the reserved field;

[0077] Color: 32 bits, indicating the Color attribute value of the SRv6 policy corresponding to the application;

[0078] Intent (Optional): 32-bit optional part, representing the intent requirements proposed by the application to the network;

[0079] APN-Para (Optional): 32-bit optional part, representing specific network performance requirement parameters. Each parameter uses 4 bytes, and the specific parameters included are determined by the APN-Para-Type field.

[0080] Therefore, when applying the communication method provided by this application, the edge network device receives the original packet sent by the application client, and the original packet includes packet attributes; according to the packet attributes, the edge network device determines the application characteristics corresponding to the packet attributes; in the local application mapping table, the edge network device obtains the application mapping table entry that matches the application characteristics, and the application mapping table entry includes forwarding attributes; the edge network device sends an APN packet to the head node, and the APN packet includes forwarding attributes and the original packet, so that the head node can determine the corresponding SRv6 policy locally according to the next-hop address and the forwarding attributes, and forward the original APN packet on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0081] In this way, this application optimizes the processing logic of APN6 network domain drainage, effectively improves the packet processing performance of the head node, and provides great help for the wide deployment of the APN6 network domain on the bearer network. The head node does not need to maintain the mapping relationship between the APN identifier and the Color attribute value, nor does it need to configure the SRv6 flow group on the head node, which simplifies the configuration and internal data of the head node. The head node determines the SRv6 policy according to the Color attribute value carried in the APN header, reduces the table lookup processing of the head node, optimizes the routing processing logic of the APN6 network domain drainage of the head node, and improves the service forwarding performance of the head node. At the same time, it also solves the problems of increased burden on the head node and increased configuration workload caused by multiple table lookup processes in the existing APN attribute drainage process.

[0082] The following provides a detailed description of the communication method provided by the embodiments of this application. See Figure 3 , Figure 3Flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. This method is applied to a head node, and the head node is within the APN6 network domain. The communication method provided by the embodiment of this application may include the following steps.

[0083] Step 310: Receive an APN message sent by an edge network device. The APN message includes an original message and forwarding attributes, and the original message includes a destination address.

[0084] Specifically, according to the foregoing embodiment, it can be known that an application client desires to access an application cloud server. The application client sends an original message to the edge network device. The edge network device determines a corresponding application feature according to the message attributes included in the original message.

[0085] The edge network device searches for an application mapping table entry that matches the application feature in the local application mapping table, and obtains the forwarding attributes from the application mapping table entry. According to the forwarding attributes, the edge network device generates an APN message. According to the destination address included in the original message, that is, the address of the application cloud server, the edge network device continues to send the APN message to the application cloud server.

[0086] According to the destination address, the edge network device searches the local forwarding table and determines the next-hop address (head node address). The edge network device sends the APN message to the head node.

[0087] Optionally, in the embodiment of this application, the forwarding attributes include forwarding path information; the APN message includes a DOH header, and the DOH header further includes an APN header, and the APN header includes a Color field; the Color field is used to carry the forwarding path information.

[0088] Optionally, in the embodiment of this application, the forwarding path information includes a Color attribute value, and the Color attribute value indicates the forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0089] Optionally, the forwarding attributes further include APN attributes; the APN header further includes an APN identification field; the APN identification field is used to carry the APN attributes.

[0090] Optionally, the APN attributes include an APN identification, and the APN identification includes an application group identification, a user group identification, and a reserved part.

[0091] The processes of the foregoing edge network device receiving the original message, generating the APN message, and sending the APN message have been described in detail in the foregoing embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0092] After the head node receives the APN message, it obtains the forwarding attribute and the original message from the APN message, obtains the forwarding path information from the forwarding attribute, that is, the Color attribute value, and obtains the destination address from the original message, that is, the address of the application cloud server.

[0093] Step 320: Determine an SRv6 policy that matches both the destination address and the forwarding attribute from multiple local SRv6 policies according to the next-hop address determined according to the destination address and the forwarding attribute.

[0094] Specifically, according to the description of step 310, after the head node obtains the destination address, according to the destination address, the head node looks up the local forwarding table and determines the next-hop address (the tail node address). According to the next-hop address and the Color attribute value, the head node determines an SRv6 policy that matches both the next-hop address and the Color attribute value from multiple local SRv6 policies.

[0095] It should be noted that the SRv6 policy includes a Color attribute, an Endpoint attribute, and a segment list. Among them, the segment list is used to indicate the SRv6 forwarding path.

[0096] In the embodiment of the present application, the next-hop address is the same as the Endpoint attribute included in the SRv6 policy, and the Color attribute value is the same as the Color attribute included in the SRV6 policy. Therefore, the head node can uniquely determine an SRv6 policy through the next-hop address and the Color attribute value.

[0097] Step 330: Forward the original message on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the determined SRv6 policy.

[0098] Specifically, according to the description of step 320, after the head node determines the SRv6 policy, it obtains the segment list from the SRv6 policy. Through the segment list, the head node determines the SRv6 forwarding path and forwards the original message on this SRv6 forwarding path.

[0099] In the embodiment of the present application, since the service message is forwarded through the SRv6 forwarding path, the original message is carried in the SRv6 message, and an SRH header and an IPv6 header are encapsulated outside it.

[0100] It can be understood that before the head node forwards the message on the SRv6 forwarding path, according to the SRv6 protocol, it first strips the IPv6 header and the DOH header included in the APN message, encapsulates the original message into an SRv6 message, and then forwards it through the SRv6 forwarding path. The above encapsulation process is the same as the existing encapsulation process and will not be repeated here.

[0101] The head node, intermediate nodes, and tail node included in the forwarding path can execute the packet forwarding process according to the provisions of the SRv6 protocol, which will not be repeated here.

[0102] Therefore, when applying the communication method provided by this application, the head node receives the APN packet sent by the edge network device. The APN packet includes the original packet and forwarding attributes. The original packet includes the destination address. According to the next-hop address determined based on the destination address and the forwarding attributes, from multiple local SRv6 policies, the head node determines the SRv6 policy that matches both the destination address and the forwarding attributes. On the SRv6 forwarding path included in the determined SRv6 policy, the head node forwards the original packet.

[0103] In this way, this application optimizes the processing logic of APN6 network domain traffic steering, effectively improves the packet processing performance of the head node, and provides great help for the wide deployment of the APN6 network domain on the bearer network. The head node does not need to maintain the mapping relationship between the APN identifier and the Color attribute value, nor does it need to configure the SRv6 flow group on the head node, simplifying the configuration and internal data of the head node. The head node determines the SRv6 policy according to the Color attribute value carried in the APN header, reducing the table lookup processing of the head node, optimizing the routing processing logic of the APN6 network domain traffic steering of the head node, and improving the service forwarding performance of the head node. At the same time, it also solves the problems of increased burden on the head node and increased configuration workload caused by multiple table lookup processes in the existing APN attribute traffic steering process.

[0104] The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below. Refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 is the networking schematic diagram applied to the communication method provided by the embodiments of this application. In Figure 4 , device K is an application client, and device L is an application cloud server. Devices I and J are both edge network devices, and devices K and L are respectively connected to the corresponding edge network devices. Device A is the head node, devices C - H are all intermediate nodes, and device B is the tail node. Device I is connected to device A, and device J is connected to device B. An APN6 network domain is formed between devices I and J, and an SRv6 network domain is formed between devices A and B, and an SRv6 forwarding path is established.

[0105] The local controller has stored the topology information of the network. Based on this topology information, the controller calculates multiple SRv6 forwarding paths from device A to device B and generates multiple SRv6 policies including the SRv6 forwarding paths. That is, SRv6 policy 1 and SRv6 policy 2. The Color attribute included in SRv6 policy 1 is 123, the Endpoint attribute is the IPv6 address 2001:DB8:1::1 of device B, and the segment list 1 is <C, E, G, B>. The Color attribute included in SRv6 policy 2 is 124, the Endpoint attribute is the IPv6 address 2001:DB8:1::1 of device B, and the segment list 2 is <D, F, H, B>.

[0106] The controller generates and sends configuration instruction 1 to device A, and this configuration instruction 1 includes the above two SRv6 policies.

[0107] After receiving configuration instruction 1, device A obtains the above two SRv6 policies from it and configures the two SRv6 policies locally as follows.

[0108] SRv6policy 1:

[0109] Color 123

[0110] Endpoint 2001:DB8:1::1

[0111] Segmentlist 1<C,E,G,B>

[0112] SRv6policy 2:

[0113] Color 124

[0114] Endpoint 2001:DB8:1::1

[0115] Segmentlist 2<D,F,H,B>

[0116] At the same time, the controller uniformly plans and assigns an APN identifier for each application according to the application characteristics of the network bearer application, and calculates the SRv6 forwarding path for the bearer application. The controller maintains the mapping relationship between the application characteristics, the APN identifier, and the SRv6 policy where the SRv6 forwarding path is located. The controller generates and sends configuration instruction 2 to device A, and this configuration instruction 2 includes the mapping relationship between the packet attributes, the application characteristics, the APN identifier, and the Color attribute of the SRv6 policy.

[0117] At the same time, the controller also maintains the corresponding relationship between the packet attributes and the application characteristics. The controller generates and sends configuration instruction 3 to device A, and this configuration instruction 3 includes the corresponding relationship between the packet attributes and the application characteristics.

[0118] After Device A receives Configuration Instruction 2 and Configuration Instruction 3, it generates an application correspondence entry and an application mapping entry locally respectively. Among them, the application correspondence entry includes message attributes and application characteristics; the application mapping entry includes application characteristics, APN identifier, and Color attribute. The application correspondence table is shown in Table 1 below, and the application mapping table is shown in Table 2 below.

[0119] Among them, in the embodiment of the present application, the APN identifier includes 32 bits and is composed of an application group identifier (8 bits), a user group identifier (8 bits), and a reservation (16 bits). For example, the APN identifier is 0x01010000, the APN identifier is 0x02020000, the APN identifier is 0x03030000, and the APN identifier is 0x04040000.

[0120] Table 1 Application Correspondence Table

[0121] Application characteristics Message attributes 4K video stream DSCP is AF41 or CS4, TCP / UCP port number is 1900 Online games or VR UDP port is 27000 - 27030 Financial transactions TCP ports are 9875 and 9876 In-vehicle network emergency messages in autonomous driving DSCP is EF or CS6, message type is DENM

[0122] Table 2 Application Mapping Table

[0123]

[0124] In the embodiment of the present application, a BGP neighbor relationship has been established between Device A and Device B. According to the existing BGP protocol, Device B sends a BGP route (destination address is 2001:DB8:90:: / 80, next hop is 2001:DB8:1::1) to Device A through the BGP neighbor relationship. Device A generates a corresponding routing entry and a forwarding entry locally according to the BGP route. In the entry, the destination address is 2001:DB8:90:: / 80, and the next hop address is the address of Device B, 2001:DB8:1::1.

[0125] Device K wants to access Device L. Device K generates a raw message, and this raw message includes a destination address and message attributes. The destination address can be specifically the address of Device L, that is, 2001:DB8:90:: / 80, and the message attributes are specifically five-tuple information.

[0126] Device K sends the raw message to Device L. Device I receives the raw message and obtains the message attributes from it. Through Table 1, Device I finds Application Correspondence Entry 2 and determines the application characteristics corresponding to the UDP port number (27025), that is, offline games or VR.

[0127] After the I device determines the application characteristics, it looks up the matching application mapping entry 2 through Table 2 and obtains the forwarding attributes from the application mapping entry 2. That is, the I device obtains the APN identifier (0x02020000) and the Color attribute (124) from the application mapping entry 2.

[0128] At the same time, the I device looks up the local forwarding table according to the destination address included in the original packet and determines that the next-hop address is the address of device A. The I device generates an APN packet, which includes an IPv6 header and a DOH header. As Figure 2 shown, the I device stores the APN identifier in the APN identifier field and stores the Color attribute in the Color field.

[0129] The I device sends the APN packet to device A. After receiving the APN packet, device A strips the outer IPv6 header, obtains the Color attribute from the DOH header, and obtains the destination address from the original packet.

[0130] Device A looks up the local forwarding table according to the destination address included in the original packet and determines that the next-hop address is the address of device B. According to the address of device B and the Color attribute, device A determines the corresponding SRv6 policy locally, that is, SRv6 policy 2, and forwards the original packet on the SRv6 forwarding path (<D,F,H,B>) indicated by the segment list included in SRv6 policy 2.

[0131] In the embodiment of this application, since the service packet is forwarded through the SRv6 forwarding path, the original packet is carried in the SRv6 packet, and an SRH header and an IPv6 header are encapsulated outside it.

[0132] It can be understood that before the head node forwards the packet on the SRv6 forwarding path, according to the SRv6 protocol, the APN packet is first encapsulated into an SRv6 packet and then forwarded through the SRv6 forwarding path. The above encapsulation process is the same as the existing encapsulation process and will not be repeated here.

[0133] The head node, intermediate node, and tail node included in the forwarding path can execute the packet forwarding process according to the provisions of the SRv6 protocol and will not be repeated here.

[0134] It should be noted that in practical applications, Device I can be combined with Device A to form a network device, that is, the network device can simultaneously have the functions of an edge network device and a head node. At this time, after receiving multiple configuration instructions sent by the controller, the network device still generates Table 1 and Table 2 locally. After receiving the original packet, the Color value is obtained through Table 1 and Table 2. The next-hop address is determined according to the destination address, and then the SRv6 policy is determined locally according to the Color value of the next-hop address. Subsequently, the network device encapsulates the original packet into an SRv6 packet and forwards it on the SRv6 path indicated by the segment list included in the SRv6.

[0135] Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication device corresponding to the communication method. Refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 A communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application, which is applied to an edge network device. The edge network device is at the edge of the APN6 network domain. The device includes:

[0136] A receiving unit 510, configured to receive an original packet sent by an application client. The original packet includes packet attributes;

[0137] A determining unit 520, configured to determine an application feature corresponding to the packet attributes according to the packet attributes;

[0138] An obtaining unit 530, configured to obtain an application mapping table entry matching the application feature in a local application mapping table. The application mapping table entry includes forwarding attributes;

[0139] A sending unit 540, configured to send an APN packet to a head node. The APN packet includes the forwarding attributes and the original packet, so that the head node determines a corresponding SRv6 policy locally according to the next-hop address and the forwarding attributes, and forwards the original packet on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0140] Optionally, the receiving unit 510 is further configured to receive a configuration instruction sent by a controller. The configuration instruction includes a mapping relationship between the application feature and the forwarding attributes;

[0141] The device further includes: a generating unit (not shown in the figure), configured to generate the application mapping table entry locally according to the mapping relationship.

[0142] Optionally, the forwarding attributes include APN attributes and forwarding path information;

[0143] The device further includes: an encapsulating unit (not shown in the figure), configured to encapsulate a DOH header and an IPv6 header outside the original packet to obtain the APN packet;

[0144] Among them, the DOH header includes an APN header, and the APN header includes an APN identification field and a Color field; the APN identification field is used to carry the APN attribute, and the Color field is used to carry the forwarding path information.

[0145] Optionally, the APN attribute includes an APN identifier, the APN identifier includes an application group identifier, a user group identifier, and a reserved part, the forwarding path information includes a Color attribute value, and the Color attribute value indicates the forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0146] Optionally, the original message further includes a destination address, and the destination address is used to enable the head node to determine the next-hop address according to the destination address, determine the SRv6 policy corresponding to the next-hop address and the Color attribute value locally according to the next-hop address and the Color attribute value, and determine the SRv6 forwarding path from the corresponding SRv6 policy.

[0147] Therefore, by applying the communication device provided in this application, the edge network device receives the original message sent by the application client, and the original message includes message attributes; according to the message attributes, the edge network device determines the application characteristics corresponding to the message attributes; in the local application mapping table, the edge network device obtains the application mapping table entry that matches the application characteristics, and the application mapping table entry includes forwarding attributes; the edge network device sends an APN message to the head node, and the APN message includes forwarding attributes and the original message, so that the head node determines the corresponding SRv6 policy locally according to the next-hop address and the forwarding attributes, and forwards the original APN message on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0148] In this way, this application optimizes the processing logic of APN6 network domain traffic diversion, effectively improves the message processing performance of the head node, and provides great help for the wide deployment of the APN6 network domain on the bearer network. The head node does not need to maintain the mapping relationship between the APN identifier and the Color attribute value, nor does it need to configure the SRv6 flow group on the head node, which simplifies the configuration of the head node and the internal data. The head node determines the SRv6 policy according to the Color attribute value carried in the APN header, reduces the table lookup processing of the head node, optimizes the routing processing logic of the APN6 network domain traffic diversion of the head node, and improves the service forwarding performance of the head node. At the same time, it also solves the problems of increased burden on the head node and increased configuration workload caused by multiple table lookup processes in the existing APN attribute traffic diversion process.

[0149] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of this application also provides a communication device corresponding to the communication method. See Figure 6 , Figure 6Another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application is applied to a head node, where the head node is within the APN6 network domain, and the device includes:

[0150] A receiving unit 610, configured to receive an APN message sent by an edge network device, where the APN message includes an original message and a forwarding attribute, and the original message includes a destination address;

[0151] A determining unit 620, configured to determine an SRv6 policy that matches both the destination address and the forwarding attribute from multiple local SRv6 policies according to a next-hop address determined according to the destination address and the forwarding attribute;

[0152] A sending unit 630, configured to forward the original message on an SRv6 forwarding path included in the determined SRv6 policy.

[0153] Optionally, the forwarding attribute includes forwarding path information;

[0154] The APN message includes a DOH header, and the DOH header further includes an APN header, where the APN header includes a Color field; the Color field is used to carry the forwarding path information.

[0155] Optionally, the forwarding path information includes a Color attribute value, and the Color attribute value indicates a forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

[0156] Optionally, the forwarding attribute further includes an APN attribute;

[0157] The APN header further includes an APN identification field; the APN identification field is used to carry the APN attribute.

[0158] Optionally, the APN attribute includes an APN identifier, and the APN identifier includes an application group identifier, a user group identifier, and a reserved part.

[0159] Therefore, by applying the communication device provided by the present application, the head node receives an APN message sent by an edge network device. The APN message includes an original message and a forwarding attribute, and the original message includes a destination address; according to a next-hop address determined according to the destination address and the forwarding attribute, the head node determines an SRv6 policy that matches both the destination address and the forwarding attribute from multiple local SRv6 policies; on an SRv6 forwarding path included in the determined SRv6 policy, the head node forwards the original message.

[0160] Thus, the present application optimizes the processing logic for APN6 network domain traffic diversion, effectively improving the packet processing performance of the head node, and providing great assistance for the wide deployment of the APN6 network domain on the bearer network. The head node does not need to maintain the mapping relationship between the APN identifier and the Color attribute value, nor does it need to configure the SRv6 flow group on the head node, simplifying the configuration of the head node and the internal data. The head node determines the SRv6 policy according to the Color attribute value carried in the APN header, reducing the table lookup processing of the head node, optimizing the routing processing logic for APN6 network domain traffic diversion of the head node, and improving the service forwarding performance of the head node. At the same time, it also solves the problems of increased burden on the head node and increased configuration workload caused by multiple table lookup processes in the existing APN attribute traffic diversion process.

[0161] Based on the same inventive concept, an embodiment of the present application further provides a network device, as Figure 7 shown, including a processor 710, a transceiver 720, and a machine-readable storage medium 730. The machine-readable storage medium 730 stores machine-executable instructions that can be executed by the processor 710, and the processor 710 is prompted by the machine-executable instructions to execute the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application. The foregoing Figure 5 , Figure 6 shown communication device can be implemented by using the hardware structure of the network device as Figure 7 shown.

[0162] The above computer-readable storage medium 730 may include a random access memory (English: Random Access Memory, abbreviated as: RAM), and may also include a non-volatile memory (English: Non-volatile Memory, abbreviated as: NVM), such as at least one disk memory. Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium 730 may also be at least one storage device located far from the foregoing processor 710.

[0163] The above processor 710 may be a general-purpose processor, including a central processing unit (English: Central Processing Unit, abbreviated as: CPU), a network processor (English: Network Processor, abbreviated as: NP), etc.; it may also be a digital signal processor (English: Digital Signal Processor, abbreviated as: DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (English: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, abbreviated as: ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (English: Field-Programmable Gate Array, abbreviated as: FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components.

[0164] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor 710 reads machine-executable instructions stored in the machine-readable storage medium 730, and is prompted by the machine-executable instructions to enable the processor 710 itself and call the transceiver 720 to execute the communication method described in the foregoing embodiments of the present application.

[0165] In addition, an embodiment of the present application provides a machine-readable storage medium 730. The machine-readable storage medium 730 stores machine-executable instructions. When the machine-executable instructions are called and executed by the processor 710, the machine-executable instructions prompt the processor 710 itself and call the transceiver 720 to execute the communication method described in the foregoing embodiments of the present application.

[0166] For the specific implementation process of the functions and roles of each unit in the above device, please refer to the implementation process of the corresponding steps in the above method for details, which will not be elaborated here.

[0167] For the device embodiments, since they basically correspond to the method embodiments, the relevant parts can be referred to the partial descriptions of the method embodiments. The device embodiments described above are only illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place, or may be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand and implement it without creative efforts.

[0168] For the embodiments of the communication device and the machine-readable storage medium, since the method content involved is basically similar to the foregoing method embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the partial descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0169] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present application shall be included in the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to an edge network device, the edge network device is at the edge of an APN6 network domain, the method comprising: Receiving an original message sent by an application client, wherein the original message includes message attributes; Determining, according to the message attribute, an application feature corresponding to the message attribute; In the local application mapping table, obtaining an application mapping table entry matching the application feature, wherein the application mapping table entry includes a forwarding attribute; An APN message is sent to the head node, wherein the APN message includes the forwarding attribute and the original message, so that the head node locally determines a corresponding SRv6 policy according to the next hop address and the forwarding attribute, and forwards the original message on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that Before receiving the original message sent by the application client, the method further includes: Receiving a configuration instruction sent by a controller, wherein the configuration instruction includes a mapping relationship between the application characteristics and the forwarding attributes; The application mapping table entry is generated locally according to the mapping relationship.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The forwarding attributes include APN attributes and forwarding path information; Before sending the APN message to the head node, the method further includes: Encapsulating a DOH header and an IPv6 header in the outer layer of the original message to obtain the APN message; The DOH header includes an APN header, and the APN header includes an APN identification field and a Color field; the APN identification field is used to carry the APN attribute, and the Color field is used to carry the forwarding path information.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The APN attribute includes an APN identifier, which includes an application group identifier, a user group identifier, and a reserved part. The forwarding path information includes a Color attribute value, which indicates a forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The original message also includes a destination address, and the destination address is used to enable the head node to determine a next hop address according to the destination address, locally determine the SRv6 policy corresponding to the next hop address and the Color attribute value according to the next hop address and the Color attribute value, and determine the SRv6 forwarding path from the corresponding SRv6 policy.

6. A communication method, characterized in that: Applied to a head node, the head node is in an APN6 network domain, the method comprising: Receiving an APN message sent by an edge network device, wherein the APN message includes an original message and a forwarding attribute, and the original message includes a destination address; According to the next hop address determined by the destination address and the forwarding attribute, determining, from a plurality of local SRv6 policies, an SRv6 policy that matches both the destination address and the forwarding attribute; The original message is forwarded on the determined SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The forwarding attributes include forwarding path information; The APN message includes a DOH header, the DOH header also includes an APN header, and the APN header includes a Color field; the Color field is used to carry the forwarding path information.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The forwarding path information includes a Color attribute value, and the Color attribute value indicates a forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The forwarding attributes also include APN attributes; The APN header also includes an APN identification field; the APN identification field is used to carry the APN attribute.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The APN attribute includes an APN identifier, and the APN identifier includes an application group identifier, a user group identifier, and a reserved part.

11. A communication device, characterized in that: Applied to an edge network device, the edge network device is at the edge of an APN6 network domain, and the device includes: A receiving unit, configured to receive an original message sent by an application client, wherein the original message includes message attributes; A determination unit, configured to determine, according to the message attribute, an application feature corresponding to the message attribute; An acquiring unit, configured to acquire, in a local application mapping table, an application mapping table entry matching the application feature, wherein the application mapping table entry includes a forwarding attribute; A sending unit is used to send an APN message to a head node, wherein the APN message includes the forwarding attribute and the original message, so that the head node locally determines the corresponding SRv6 policy according to the next hop address and the forwarding attribute, and forwards the original message on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the SRv6 policy.

12. A communication device, characterized in that: Applied to a head node, the head node is in an APN6 network domain, and the device includes: A receiving unit, configured to receive an APN message sent by an edge network device, wherein the APN message includes an original message and a forwarding attribute, and the original message includes a destination address; A determination unit, configured to determine, according to the next hop address determined by the destination address and the forwarding attribute, an SRv6 policy that matches both the destination address and the forwarding attribute from a plurality of local SRv6 policies; A sending unit is used to forward the original message on the SRv6 forwarding path included in the determined SRv6 policy.

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