Communication method, communication device and communication system

Abstract

The invention provides a communication method, a communication device and a communication system. According to the method, a device-level QP establishment process is provided, a first device and a second device establish a device-level QP and RDMA link in advance based on an instruction of a control plane network element, or the first device and the second device negotiate to establish the QP and establish the RDMA link based on a QoS demand provided by the control plane network element. Under the condition that the establishment of the RDMA link in advance is completed, in the session establishment process, the first equipment and the second equipment perform service transmission by using a certain RDMA link adaptive to the QoS demand of the service in the pre-established RDMA links, so that the first equipment and the second equipment can distribute data packets of services with different QoS demands to corresponding QPs for transmission, and the service transmission efficiency is improved. According to the invention, QoS mapping is realized when RDMA transmission is used in a 5G network or a future communication network, so that QoS guarantee is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to communication methods, communication devices, and communication systems. Background Art

[0002] In the current 5th generation (5G) user plane data transmission, the data transmission between different nodes requires a large amount of participation of the central processing unit (CPU) in the data transmission process. However, this data transmission scheme often suffers from the bottleneck problem of the computer system caused by the speed mismatch between the CPU and the memory, which is often referred to as the "memory wall". This is because the CPU speed is getting faster and faster, while the memory speed has not increased synchronously. The data transmission between the CPU and the memory takes time. When the CPU needs to read or write a large amount of data, it will wait for the memory, resulting in the CPU being unable to fully utilize its computing power and affecting the overall performance of the computer system. This data transmission method that requires a large amount of CPU participation is also called the method of messaging passing through kernel. Since this data transmission method needs to be passed through the kernel, there are high overheads of data movement and data replication. Moreover, this data transmission method may also fail to meet the requirements of some services for high throughput and low latency characteristics.

[0003] To reduce the CPU overhead of data transmission in the 5G network and meet the requirements of services for high throughput and low latency characteristics, remote direct memory access (RDMA) transmission can be introduced into the 5G network, that is, an RDMA link is established between two nodes in the 5G network for data transmission. The RDMA technology has the following advantages: 1) Zero-copy, which means that there is no need to copy data back and forth between the user space and the kernel space. 2) Kernel Bypass: It means that the I / O data stream can bypass the kernel, that is, the data can be prepared at the user layer and the hardware can be notified to prepare for sending and receiving, avoiding the overhead of system calls and context switching. 3) CPU offloading: It means that the memory can be read and written without the participation of the CPU of the remote node (of course, it is necessary to hold the "key" to access a certain section of the memory of the remote end). Therefore, the RDMA technology can achieve high throughput, low latency of network transmission, and reduce the CPU load.

[0004] However, there are certain differences between the quality of service (QoS) mapping mechanism in a 5G network or future communication network and the QoS mechanism in RDMA. Therefore, when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or future communication network, how to implement QoS mapping of RDMA remains to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system to implement QoS mapping of RDMA when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or future communication network, thereby achieving QoS guarantee.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method. This method can be executed by a first device or a module (such as a chip) of the first device, and the first device is a user plane network element or an access network device. The method includes: receiving indication information from a control plane network element, where the indication information includes queue pair (QP) information of the first device, and the indication information is used to indicate to establish a QP based on the QP information of the first device. The QP information of the first device includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QP to be established, the length of the message to be transmitted by the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and the quality of service (QoS) requirement; establishing at least one QP according to the indication information.

[0007] In the above solution, a device-level QP establishment process is proposed. The first device pre-establishes a device-level QP based on the indication of the control plane network element, and can also establish an RDMA link based on the pre-established QP. In the case of completing the early establishment of the RDMA link, in the session establishment process, the first device then uses an RDMA link in the pre-established RDMA links that adapts to the QoS requirements of the service for service transmission. Thus, the first device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, implementing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or future communication network, and further achieving QoS guarantee.

[0008] In a possible implementation method, the indication information is further used to indicate to establish an RDMA link between the first device and a second device; establishing an RDMA link between the first device and the second device according to the at least one QP.

[0009] In a possible implementation method, the QoS requirements include at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate.

[0010] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending the QP establishment information of the first device to the control plane network element, where the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the first device.

[0011] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving a packet detection rule (PDR) from the control plane network element, where the PDR includes service characteristic information of a first service, and the service characteristic information includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate; determining a first QoS requirement in the mapping relationship that matches the service characteristic information; determining a first QP in the at least one QP that corresponds to the first QoS requirement according to the mapping relationship; and using the first QP to transmit data packets that match the service characteristic information.

[0012] In the above solution, when the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the control plane network element sends a PDR to the first device, and the first device selects an appropriate QP for service transmission according to the PDR and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements. Thus, the first device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0013] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving a notification message from the control plane network element, where the notification message includes information of a first QP in the at least one QP, and the notification message is used to indicate using the first QP to transmit data packets of a first service; and transmitting the data packets of the first service using the first QP according to the notification message.

[0014] In the above solution, when the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the control plane network element selects an appropriate QP for the first device for service transmission according to the QoS requirements and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements. Thus, the first device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0015] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending feedback information to the control plane network element, where the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission status of the RDMA link corresponding to the first QP.

[0016] In the above solution, the first device feeds back the transmission status of the RDMA link to the control plane network element, so that the control plane network element can grasp the transmission status of the RDMA link in real time and perform corresponding updates of the QP, which is helpful to improve the link transmission quality.

[0017] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a control plane network element or a module (such as a chip) of the control plane network element, and the control plane network element is a session management network element or a policy control network element. The method includes: sending first indication information to a first device, where the first indication information includes QP information of the first device, and the first indication information is used to indicate to establish a QP based on the QP information of the first device, and the QP information of the first device includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QP to be established, the transmission packet length of the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and the QoS requirements; sending second indication information to a second device, where the second indication information includes QP information of the second device, and the second indication information is used to indicate to establish a QP based on the QP information of the second device, and the QP information of the second device includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QP to be established, the transmission packet length of the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and the QoS requirements.

[0018] The above solution proposes a device-level QP establishment process. The first device and the second device pre-establish a device-level QP based on the indication of the control plane network element, and can also establish an RDMA link based on the pre-established QP. In the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the first device and the second device use an RDMA link that adapts to the QoS requirements of the service in the pre-established RDMA links to perform service transmission. Thus, the first device and the second device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0019] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: determining the QP information of the first device according to the information of the first device; wherein, the information of the first device includes at least one of the hardware information of the first device, the memory information of the first device, or the RDMA information of the first device, and the RDMA information of the first device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the first device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0020] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: determining the QP information of the second device according to the information of the second device; wherein, the information of the second device includes at least one of the hardware information of the second device, the memory information of the second device, or the RDMA information of the second device, and the RDMA information of the second device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the second device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0021] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving the QP establishment information of the first device from the first device, where the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the first device.

[0022] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: updating the QP information of the first device according to the QP establishment information of the first device.

[0023] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving the QP establishment information of the second device from the second device, where the QP establishment information of the second device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the second device.

[0024] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: updating the QP information of the second device according to the QP establishment information of the second device.

[0025] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving feedback information from the first device or the second device, where the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission condition of the RDMA link corresponding to the QP used when the first device and the second device perform data transmission; according to the feedback information, sending an update instruction to the first device or the second device, where the update instruction is used to indicate to update the used QP.

[0026] In the above solution, the first device or the second device feeds back the transmission condition of the RDMA link to the control plane network element, so that the control plane network element can master the transmission condition of the RDMA link in real time and perform corresponding updates of the QP, which can effectively improve the link transmission quality.

[0027] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first device or a module (such as a chip) of the first device, and the first device is a user plane network element or an access network device. The method includes: receiving indication information from a control plane network element, where the indication information includes at least one QoS requirement, and the indication information is used to indicate to establish a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement; according to the indication information, establishing at least one QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement, and establishing a mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and the at least one QP.

[0028] In the above solution, a device-level QP establishment process is proposed. The first device negotiates with the second device by itself based on the QoS requirements provided by the control plane network element to establish a QP, and can also negotiate to establish an RDMA link. In the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the first device and the second device use an RDMA link that adapts to the QoS requirements of the service in a pre-established RDMA link to perform service transmission. Thus, the first device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0029] In a possible implementation method, the indication information is further used to indicate to establish an RDMA link between the first device and the second device; the method further includes: establishing an RDMA link between the first device and the second device according to the at least one QP.

[0030] In a possible implementation method, the QoS requirement includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service delay requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate.

[0031] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending the QP establishment information of the first device to the control plane network element, where the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the first device, and the information of the QP actually established by the first device includes the mapping relationship.

[0032] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving a PDR from the control plane network element, where the PDR includes service characteristic information of a first service, and the service characteristic information includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service delay requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate; determining a first QoS requirement in the mapping relationship that matches the service characteristic information; determining a first QP in the at least one QP that corresponds to the first QoS requirement according to the mapping relationship; and using the first QP to transmit data packets that match the service characteristic information.

[0033] In the above solution, in the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, during the session establishment process, the control plane network element sends a PDR to the first device, and the first device selects a suitable QP for service transmission according to the PDR and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirement. Thus, the first device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0034] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving a notification message from the control plane network element, where the notification message includes information of a first QP in the at least one QP, and the notification message is used to indicate using the first QP to transmit data packets of a first service; and according to the notification message, using the first QP to transmit data packets of the first service.

[0035] In the above solution, in the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, during the session establishment process, the control plane network element selects a suitable QP for service transmission for the first device according to the QoS requirement and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirement. Thus, the first device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0036] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending feedback information to the control plane network element, where the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission situation of the RDMA link corresponding to the first QP.

[0037] In the above solution, the first device feeds back the transmission status of the RDMA link to the control plane network element, so that the control plane network element can grasp the transmission status of the RDMA link in real time and perform corresponding updates of the QP, which mainly improves the link transmission quality.

[0038] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a control plane network element or a module (such as a chip) of the control plane network element. The control plane network element is a session management network element or a policy control network element. The method includes: sending first indication information to a first device, where the first indication information includes at least one QoS requirement, and the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement; sending second indication information to the second device, where the second indication information includes the at least one QoS requirement, and the second indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement.

[0039] In the above solution, a device-level QP establishment process is proposed. The first device and the second device negotiate to establish a QP and establish an RDMA link based on the QoS requirements provided by the control plane network element. In the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the first device and the second device use an RDMA link that adapts to the QoS requirements of the service in the pre-established RDMA link for service transmission. Thus, the first device and the second device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0040] In a possible implementation method, the sending the first indication information to the first device includes: sending the first indication information to the first device according to the information of the first device; where the information of the first device includes at least one of the hardware information of the first device, the memory information of the first device, or the RDMA information of the first device, and the RDMA information of the first device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the first device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0041] In a possible implementation method, the sending the second indication information to the second device includes: sending the second indication information to the second device according to the information of the second device; where the information of the second device includes at least one of the hardware information of the second device, the memory information of the second device, or the RDMA information of the second device, and the RDMA information of the second device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the second device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0042] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving the QP establishment information of the first device from the first device, where the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the first device, and the information of the QP actually established by the first device includes the mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and at least one QP established by the first device.

[0043] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: updating the QP information of the first device according to the QP establishment information of the first device.

[0044] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving the QP establishment information of the second device from the second device, where the QP establishment information of the second device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the second device, and the information of the QP actually established by the second device includes the mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and at least one QP established by the second device.

[0045] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: updating the QP information of the second device according to the QP establishment information of the second device.

[0046] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving feedback information from the first device or the second device, where the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission status of the RDMA link corresponding to the QP used when the first device and the second device perform data transmission; sending an update instruction to the first device or the second device according to the feedback information, where the update instruction is used to indicate updating the used QP.

[0047] In the above solution, the first device or the second device feeds back the transmission status of the RDMA link to the control plane network element, so that the control plane network element can grasp the transmission status of the RDMA link in real time and perform corresponding updates of the QP, which can mainly improve the link transmission quality.

[0048] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the first device or a module (such as a chip) of the first device. The device has the function of implementing any implementation method of the first aspect or the third aspect above. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0049] Sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a control plane network element or a module (such as a chip) of a control plane network element. The device has the function of implementing any implementation method of the above-mentioned second aspect or fourth aspect. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0050] Seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including units or means for executing each step of any implementation method in the above-mentioned first aspect to fourth aspect.

[0051] Eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute any implementation method in the above-mentioned first aspect to fourth aspect. The processor includes one or more.

[0052] Ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor, and the processor is used to call a program to execute any implementation method in the above-mentioned first aspect to fourth aspect. And the processor may be one or more.

[0053] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory, and the memory is coupled to the processor. The memory may be located inside the device or outside the device.

[0054] Tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, including a processor; when the device runs, the processor executes computer instructions to enable the device to execute any implementation method in the above-mentioned first aspect to fourth aspect.

[0055] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory, and the memory is used to store the computer instructions.

[0056] Eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are run by a communication device, any implementation method in the above-mentioned first aspect to fourth aspect is executed.

[0057] Twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. Instructions are stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when it runs on a communication device, any implementation method in the above-mentioned first aspect to fourth aspect is executed.

[0058] Thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including: a processor for executing any implementation method in the above-mentioned first aspect to fourth aspect.

[0059] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including a control plane network element and a first device; the control plane network element is configured to send first indication information to the first device, the first indication information includes the QP information of the first device, and the first indication information is used to indicate establishing a QP based on the QP information of the first device. The QP information of the first device includes at least one of the following information: the number of queue pairs QP to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QP to be established, the message length transmitted by the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and the QoS requirement; the first device is configured to receive the first indication information; and establish at least one QP according to the first indication information.

[0060] In a possible implementation method, the communication system further includes a second device; the control plane network element is further configured to send second indication information to the second device, the second indication information includes the QP information of the second device, and the second indication information is used to indicate establishing a QP based on the QP information of the second device. The QP information of the second device includes at least one of the following information: the number of queue pairs QP to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QP to be established, the message length transmitted by the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and the QoS requirement; the second device is configured to receive the second indication information; and establish at least one QP according to the second indication information.

[0061] In a possible implementation method, the first indication information is further used to indicate establishing an RDMA link between the first device and the second device, and the second indication information is further used to indicate establishing an RDMA link between the second device and the first device; the first device is further configured to establish at least one RDMA link with the second device according to at least one QP established by the first device; the second device is further configured to establish at least one RDMA link with the first device according to at least one QP established by the second device.

[0062] Fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, including a control plane network element and a first device; the control plane network element is configured to send first indication information to the first device, the first indication information includes at least one quality of service (QoS) requirement, and the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a queue pair (QP) that meets the at least one QoS requirement; the first device is configured to receive the first indication information; according to the first indication information, establish at least one QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement, and establish a mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and the at least one QP.

[0063] In a possible implementation method, the communication system further includes a second device; the control plane network element is further configured to send second indication information to the second device, the second indication information includes the at least one QoS requirement, and the second indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement; the second device is configured to receive the second indication information; according to the second indication information, establish at least one QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement, and establish a mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and the at least one QP.

[0064] In a possible implementation method, the first indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of an RDMA link between the first device and the second device, and the second indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of an RDMA link between the second device and the first device; the first device is further configured to establish at least one RDMA link with the second device according to the at least one QP established by the first device; the second device is further configured to establish at least one RDMA link with the first device according to the at least one QP established by the second device. Description of the Drawings

[0065] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-based architecture;

[0066] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of memory access without DMA;

[0067] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of memory access with DMA;

[0068] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of memory access between different nodes in a traditional network;

[0069] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of memory access between different nodes with RDMA;

[0070] Figure 6 It is an example diagram of QoS mapping in 5G;

[0071] Figure 7 An example diagram of a virtual channel in RDMA;

[0072] FIG. 8(a) is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG. 8(b) is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] Figures 9 to 12 A schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] Figures 13 to 14 A schematic diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0076] To address the challenges of wireless broadband technology and maintain the leading edge of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network, the 3GPP standards group has developed the architecture of the next generation mobile communication network system (next generation System), known as the 5th generation (5G) network architecture. This architecture not only supports the access of radio access technologies defined by the 3GPP standards group (such as long term evolution (LTE) access technology, 5G radio access network (RAN) access technology, etc.) to the 5G core network (CN), but also supports the access to the core network using non-3GPP access technologies through the non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) or the next generation packet data gateway (ngPDG).

[0077] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 5G network architecture based on a service-based architecture. Figure 1The 5G network architecture shown may include access network devices and core network devices. The terminal device accesses the data network (DN) through the access network device and the core network device. Among them, the core network device includes, but is not limited to, some or all of the following network elements: authentication server function (AUSF) network element, unified data management (UDM) network element, unified data repository (UDR) network element, network repository function (NRF) network element, network exposure function (NEF) network element, application function (AF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, user plane function (UPF) network element.

[0078] The terminal device may be a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal device, etc. The terminal device can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, remote medical treatment, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, an urban air vehicle (such as an unmanned aircraft, a helicopter, etc.), a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, a smart home device, etc. For the convenience of description, this application takes the UE as an example of the terminal device for description, and the UE that appears at any subsequent position can be replaced by the terminal device.

[0079] The access network device can be a wireless access network device or a wired access network device. Among them, the wireless access network device includes a 3GPP access network device, a non-trusted non-3GPP access network device, and a trusted non-3GPP access network device. The 3GPP access network device includes but is not limited to: the evolved NodeB (eNodeB) in LTE, the next generation NodeB (gNB) in the 5G mobile communication system, the base station in the future mobile communication system, or a module or unit that completes part of the base station functions, such as the central unit (CU), the distributed unit (DU), etc. The non-trusted non-3GPP access network device includes but is not limited to: the non-trusted non-3GPP access gateway or N3IWF device, the non-trusted wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP), the switch, and the router. The trusted non-3GPP access network device includes but is not limited to: the trusted non-3GPP access gateway, the trusted WLAN AP, the switch, and the router. The wired access network device includes but is not limited to: the wireline access gateway, the fixed telephone network device, the switch, and the router. For the convenience of description, this application takes the base station as an example of the access network device for description, and the base station that appears at any subsequent position can be replaced with the access network device.

[0080] The base station and the UE can be in a fixed position or movable. The base station and the UE can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on the water surface; they can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base station and the UE.

[0081] The AMF network element includes functions such as performing mobility management, or access authentication / authorization, etc. In addition, it is also responsible for transmitting user policies between the UE and the PCF.

[0082] The SMF network element includes functions such as performing session management, executing the control policies issued by the PCF network element, selecting the UPF network element, or allocating the Internet protocol (IP) address of the UE, etc.

[0083] The UPF network element includes functions such as completing user plane data forwarding, session / flow-level charging statistics, or bandwidth limitation, etc.

[0084] The UDM network element includes functions such as performing management of subscription data, or user access authorization, etc.

[0085] The UDR includes access functions for types of data such as execution subscription data, policy data, or application data.

[0086] The NEF network element is used to support the opening of capabilities and events.

[0087] The AF network element transmits the requirements of the application side to the network side. For example, quality of service (QoS) requirements or user status event subscriptions, etc. The AF can be a third-party functional entity or an application service deployed by the operator, such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) voice call service. Among them, the AF network element includes the AF network element within the core network (i.e., the operator's AF network element) and the third-party AF network element (such as an enterprise's application server).

[0088] The PCF network element includes policy control functions such as being responsible for charging at the session and service flow levels, QoS bandwidth guarantee and mobility management, or UE policy decision-making. The PCF network element includes the access and mobility management policy control network element (access and mobility management policy control function, AM PCF) network element and the session management policy control function (session management PCF, SM PCF) network element. Among them, the AM PCF network element is used to formulate AM policies and user policies for the UE, and the AM PCF network element can also be called the policy control network element that provides services for the UE (PCF for a UE). The SM PCF network element is used to formulate session management policies (session management policy, SM policy) for the session, and the SM PCF network element can also be called the policy control network element that provides services for the protocol data unit (PDU) session ((PCF for a PDU session)).

[0089] The NRF network element can be used to provide a network element discovery function and provide network element information corresponding to the network element type based on the requests of other network elements. The NRF network element also provides network element management services, such as network element registration, update, deregistration, or network element status subscription and push, etc.

[0090] The AUSF network element is responsible for authenticating users to determine whether to allow users or devices to access the network.

[0091] DN is a network outside the operator network. The operator network can access multiple DNs. Multiple services can be deployed on DN, which can provide data and / or voice services to UE. For example, DN is the private network of a smart factory. The sensors installed in the workshop of the smart factory can be UEs. The control server of the sensors is deployed in DN, and the control server can provide services for the sensors. The sensors can communicate with the control server, obtain instructions from the control server, and transmit the collected sensor data to the control server according to the instructions. For another example, DN is the internal office network of a company. The mobile phones or computers of the company's employees can be UEs. The employees' mobile phones or computers can access information, data resources, etc. on the company's internal office network.

[0092] Figure 1 Nausf, Npcf, Nudr, Nudm, Naf, Namf, Nsmf, Nnef, and Nnrf are service-based interfaces (SBI) provided by the above AUSF, PCF, UDR, UDM, AF, AMF, SMF, NEF, and NRF, respectively, and are used to call corresponding service-based operations. N1, N2, N3, N4, and N6 are interface serial numbers, and the meanings of these interface serial numbers are as follows:

[0093] 1) N1: The interface between the AMF network element and the UE, which can be used to transmit non-access stratum (NAS) signaling (such as QoS rules from the AMF network element) to the UE.

[0094] 2) N2: The interface between the AMF network element and the base station, which can be used to transmit radio bearer control information from the core network side to the base station.

[0095] 3) N3: The interface between the base station and the UPF network element, mainly used to transmit uplink and downlink user plane data between the base station and the UPF network element.

[0096] 4) N4: The interface between the SMF network element and the UPF network element can be used to transmit information between the control plane and the user plane, including controlling the issuance of forwarding rules, QoS rules, traffic statistics rules, etc. for the user plane and reporting of information on the user plane.

[0097] 5) N6: The interface between UPF network element and DN, used to transmit the uplink and downlink user data flows between UPF network element and DN.

[0098] Figure 1In the architecture shown, each network function network element is connected through a service bus and interacts through service interfaces. The advantage of the service bus is that it improves the flexibility, openness, scalability, and intelligence of the network and can support diverse service scenarios and requirements. The service bus can be used to transmit various types of data and signaling. For example, it can be used to transmit real-time signaling that is sensitive to latency (such as service interface call signaling between network elements), can also be used to transmit real-time data that is sensitive to latency (such as real-time artificial intelligence inference data), and can also be used to transmit non-real-time data (such as data for offline artificial intelligence training). Moreover, when the service bus transmits these data or signaling, these data or signaling are coupled together, that is, the service bus can be used for the transmission of real-time signaling, real-time data, and non-real-time data simultaneously.

[0099] It can be understood that the above-mentioned network element or function can be either a network element in a hardware device, or a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). Optionally, the above-mentioned network element or function can be implemented by one device, or jointly implemented by multiple devices, or can also be a function module within a device. The embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0100] The user plane network element, policy control network element, and session management network element in this application can be Figure 1 the UPF network element, PCF network element, and SMF network element in, or can also be network elements with the functions of the above UPF network element, PCF network element, and SMF network element in future communications such as 6G networks. The present application does not limit this. In the embodiments of the present application, the UPF network element, PCF network element, and SMF network element are described as an example of the user plane network element, policy control network element, and session management network element respectively, and the UPF network element, PCF network element, and SMF network element are abbreviated as UPF, PCF, and SMF respectively.

[0101] To facilitate understanding of the content of the present application, the background technology related to the present application will be introduced first below.

[0102] I. Direct Memory Access (DMA)

[0103] DMA refers to the process in which an external device can directly read and write memory without the participation of a central processing unit (CPU).

[0104] Figure 2Schematic diagram of memory access without DMA. Assume that the input / output (I / O) device is a common network card. To obtain the data to be sent from memory and then assemble data packets for transmission over the physical link, the network card needs to inform the CPU of its data request via the bus. Then, based on this data request, the CPU copies the corresponding data in the memory buffer to its internal register and then to the storage space of the I / O device. If the amount of data is relatively large, the CPU will be busy moving data for a long time and unable to engage in other tasks. The main job of the CPU is computing rather than data copying. Therefore, this data copying work wastes the computing power of the CPU. To "reduce the burden" on the CPU and enable it to engage in more meaningful tasks, the DMA mechanism was designed.

[0105] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of memory access with DMA. As can be seen, a DMA controller is also connected to the bus. It is a device specifically used for reading and writing memory. When the network card wants to copy data from memory, except for some necessary control commands, the entire data copying process is completed by the DMA controller. This process is the same as Figure 2 the CPU copying shown, except that in the DMA mode, the data in memory is copied via the bus to the register inside the DMA controller and then to the storage space of the I / O device. The CPU can do other things at other times except for paying attention to the start and end of this process. The DMA controller can generally be set inside the I / O device, that is, the I / O device has both a module responsible for data transceiver and a DMA module.

[0106] II. Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA)

[0107] RDMA can enable a local node to directly access the memory of a remote node. By "directly", it means that it can access the remote memory by bypassing the complex Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) / IP network protocol stack of traditional Ethernet, just like accessing local memory. And this process is not perceived by the remote end, and most of the work in this read / write process is completed by hardware rather than software.

[0108] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of memory access between different nodes in a traditional network. In a traditional network, "Node A sends a message to Node B" actually means "moving a segment of data in the memory of Node A to the memory of Node B via the network link". And for this process, whether at the sending end or the receiving end, it requires the command and control of the CPU, including the control of the network card, the handling of interrupts, the encapsulation and parsing of packets, etc.Figure 4 The data of the left node in the figure needs to be copied by the CPU from the memory user space to the buffer in the kernel space before it can be accessed by the network card. During this period, the data will pass through the TCP / IP protocol stack implemented by software, adding headers and checksum at each layer, such as TCP headers, IP headers, etc. The network card copies the data in the kernel to the buffer inside the network card through DMA, and after processing, it sends the data to the peer through the physical link. After the peer receives the data, it will perform the opposite process: from the internal storage space of the network card, copy the data to the buffer in the kernel space of the memory through DMA, and then the CPU will parse it through the TCP / IP protocol stack and copy the data to the user space. It can be seen that even with the DMA technology, the above process still has a strong dependence on the CPU.

[0109] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of memory access between different nodes with RDMA. Similarly, a section of data in the local memory is copied to the memory of the peer. When using RDMA technology, the CPUs at both ends hardly need to participate in the data transmission process (only participate in the control plane). The local RDMA network card directly copies the data from the user space of the memory to the internal storage space of the RDMA network card through DMA, and then after the hardware assembles the packets at each layer, it sends the data to the RDMA network card of the peer through the physical link. After the RDMA network card of the peer receives the data, it strips the headers and checksum of each layer of the packet, and directly copies the data to the user space memory of the memory through DMA.

[0110] The RDMA technology has the following advantages:

[0111] 1) Zero-copy, which means that there is no need to copy data back and forth between the user space and the kernel space.

[0112] 2) Kernel Bypass: It means that the I / O data stream can bypass the kernel, that is, the data can be prepared at the user layer and notify the hardware to prepare for sending and receiving, avoiding the overhead of system calls and context switches.

[0113] 3) CPU offloading: It means that the memory can be read and written without the participation of the CPU of the remote node (of course, it is necessary to hold the "key" to access a certain section of the memory of the remote end). This actually puts the encapsulation and parsing of the packets in the hardware. In traditional Ethernet communication, the CPUs of both sides must participate in the parsing of the packets at each layer. If the data volume is large and the interaction is frequent, it will be a significant overhead for the CPU, and these occupied CPU computing resources could have been used for some more valuable work.

[0114] Therefore, the RDMA technology can achieve high throughput, low latency of network transmission and reduce the CPU load.

[0115] The protocol stack of RDMA has multiple versions, which are, in chronological order, IB -> RoCEv1 -> iWARP -> RoCEv2. Among them, IB is the abbreviation of Infiniband, RoCE is the abbreviation of RDMA over converged ethernet, and iWARP is the abbreviation of internet wide area RDMA protocol. Among them, RoCE includes version 1 (v1) and version 2 (v2).

[0116] RDMA uses work queues to queue and execute a series of service requests. Work queues are called queue pairs (QP) in RDMA. One queue in the queue pair is for send operations, and the other queue is for receive operations. Generally speaking, the send work queue holds instructions that cause data to be transferred between the memory of the user and the memory of another user, while the receive work queue holds instructions on where to place the data to be received from another user. The other user is called the remote user, even if it may be on the same node. RDMA supports both connection-oriented and datagram services. For connection services, each QP is associated with only one remote user. In this case, the QP context is configured as the identifier of the queue pair of the remote user. The remote user is identified by the port and the queue pair number (QPN). The port is identified by the local ID (LID), or by the local ID and the global ID (GID).

[0117] RDMA includes, but is not limited to, the following four connection types, which are as follows:

[0118] 1) Reliable connection (RC): Provides message-oriented reliable transmission. The QPs at both ends of the communication are bound one by one. This is the most commonly used RDMA connection type.

[0119] 2) Unreliable connection (UC): Provides message-oriented unreliable transmission. The QPs at both ends of the communication are bound one by one.

[0120] 3) Unreliable datagram (UD): Provides message-oriented unreliable transmission. The QPs at both ends of the communication are not bound one by one. This transmission type is very similar to the user datagram protocol (UDP).

[0121] 4) Reliable Datagram (RD): Not supported by most network card manufacturers at present.

[0122] III. User Plane Data Transmission Modes

[0123] The user plane is an important part of the 5G network, responsible for transmitting user data. It involves data transmission from the UE to the network and from the network to the UE.

[0124] The main interfaces of the user plane are the N3 interface and the N9 interface. The N3 interface is the interface between the base station and the UPF, and the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) Tunnelling Protocol User Plane (GTP-U) protocol is used for tunnelling transmission of user data. The N3 interface is mainly used to transfer uplink and downlink user plane data between the base station and the UPF. The N9 interface is the interface between different UPFs. In a mobile scenario, an intermediate UPF (I-UPF) can be inserted between the UE and the PDU session anchor (PSA) UPF for traffic forwarding, and the GTP-U protocol is used for transmission of user plane packets between the two UPFs.

[0125] The GTP-U protocol is used to transmit user plane data in a mobile communication network. Through the establishment of tunnels and protocol encapsulation, efficient data transmission is carried out between different network nodes. The specific transmission mode used varies according to different network versions and network nodes.

[0126] In the current 5G user plane data transmission, the data transmission method between different nodes (such as the base station and the UPF) is the same as Figure 4The data transmission method shown is similar and requires a large amount of CPU participation in the data transmission process. However, this data transmission scheme often suffers from the bottleneck problem of computer systems caused by the speed mismatch between the CPU and memory, which is often referred to as the "memory wall". This is because the CPU speed is getting faster and faster, while the memory speed has not increased synchronously. The data transmission between the CPU and memory takes time. When the CPU needs to read or write a large amount of data, there will be a situation of waiting for the memory, resulting in the CPU being unable to fully utilize its computing power and affecting the overall performance of the computer system. This data transmission method that requires a large amount of CPU participation is also called the method of Messaging passing through kernel. Since this data transmission method needs to pass through the kernel, there is a high overhead of data movement and data replication. Moreover, this data transmission method may also fail to meet the requirements of some services for high throughput and low latency characteristics.

[0127] To reduce the CPU overhead of data transmission in 5G networks or future communication networks and meet the requirements of services for high throughput and low latency characteristics, RDMA transmission can be introduced into 5G networks or future communication networks, that is, an RDMA link is established between two nodes in a 5G network or future communication network for data transmission.

[0128] IV. QoS Mapping Mechanism in 5G

[0129] QoS determines the satisfaction of users with the services provided by operators and is a comprehensive reflection of network service capabilities. The reason for having QoS is that different throughput rates and different latency guarantees need to be provided for users with different priorities in the cell to ensure the differentiation and fairness among multiple users, and to provide services that match the user requirements, so that the value of users' consumption can be reflected.

[0130] QoS management is a control mechanism for the network to meet service quality requirements. It is an end-to-end process that requires all network nodes (UE <—> base station <—> core network) experienced between the service initiator and responder to cooperate together to ensure service quality. In 5G standalone (SA) networking, the basic granularity of QoS management is the QoS flow. Service data flows (SDFs) implement QoS management in the network with QoS flows as the basic units. SDFs between the UE and the core network that have the same QoS requirements and belong to the same PDU session are called QoS flows. QoS flows are controlled by the SMF and can be pre-configured or established through the PDU session establishment process or the PDU session modification process. SDFs with the same QoS requirements are sent down through one QoS flow, and SDFs with different QoS requirements are sent down through different QoS flows. Each QoS flow has an identifier called the QoS flow identity (QFI). The QFI is just an identifier and does not represent the QoS requirements of any SDF. Within a PDU session, the QFI of each QoS flow is unique, that is, there is a one-to-one relationship between the QoS flow and the QFI. Under SA networking, the QoS requirements of QoS flows are characterized by the 5G QoS identifier (5QI). Within the same PDU session, one 5QI can be used to represent a QoS requirement or the same QoS requirements of multiple QoS flows, and multiple QoS flows can be distinguished by the QFI.

[0131] Under SA networking, IP flows are passed to the UE through QoS flows. When a set of IP flows with the same service characteristics pass through the packet filter set (PFS) of the UPF, the PFS assigns an SDF with the same QoS requirement to these IP flows. The UPF maps multiple SDFs with the same QoS requirements and belonging to the same PDU session to the same QoS flow. The base station maps the QoS flow to the DRB and sends down these IP flows to the UE through the DRB. Eventually, these IP flows will be applied to the UE's APP. One DRB can correspond to one or more QoS flows.

[0132] Under SA networking, the QoS requirements of QoS flows are no longer represented by the QoS class identifier (QCI), but by the 5QI. The 5QI is used to point to a set of 5G QoS characteristics, such as priority, packet delay, or packet error rate, etc. Under SA networking, the QoS requirements of the DRB actually represent the QoS requirements of the QoS flow mapped to it.

[0133] Figure 6An example diagram for QoS mapping in 5G. In this example, IP flow 1 is mapped to SDF1 by the PFS of the UPF, IP flow 2 is mapped to SDF2 by the PFS of the UPF, SDF1 and SDF2 are mapped to QoS flow 1, and QoS flow 1 is sent to the UE through DRB1, where QoS flow 1 belongs to PDU session 1. IP flow 3 is mapped to SDF3 by the PFS of the UPF, IP flows 4 and 5 are mapped to SDF4 by the PFS of the UPF, SDF3 and SDF4 are mapped to QoS flow 2, and QoS flow 2 is sent to the UE through DRB2, where QoS flow 2 belongs to PDU session 2. IP flow 6 is mapped to SDF5 by the PFS of the UPF, IP flow 7 is mapped to SDF6 by the PFS of the UPF, IP flow 8 is mapped to SDF7 by the PFS of the UPF, IP flows 9 and 10 are mapped to SDF8 by the PFS of the UPF, SDF5 and SDF6 are mapped to QoS flow 3, SDF7 and SDF8 are mapped to QoS flow 4, and QoS flows 3 and 4 are sent to the UE through DRB3, where QoS flows 3 and 4 belong to PDU session 3.

[0134] V. QoS Mapping Mechanism in RDMA

[0135] In RDMA transmission, by formulating a priority passing scheme, each port determines the priority order of link traffic. Specifically, the QoS function is implemented by using virtual lanes (VLs). A virtual lane consists of a transmit buffer and a receive buffer, and at least two virtual lanes are required in a node. Specifically, at least VL0 and VL15 are required. Among them, VL0 is used as a data buffer, and VL15 is used as a subnet manager packet (SMP) buffer. The SMP buffer can cache SMP packets carrying management device information. Optionally, a node may also include one or more of VL1 to VL14, and VL1 to VL14 are used as data buffers. Figure 7 An example diagram for virtual lanes in RDMA. Among them, VL0 to VL1 and VL15 are configured on a certain port of node A, and VL0 to VL3 and VL15 are configured on a certain port of node B.

[0136] When implementing the QoS function, the port of a node needs to rely on the Service Level to Virtual Lane Mapping Table (SLtoVLMappingTable). This mapping table can be set in the channel adaptor (CA), switch, or router when the subnet manager (SM) configures the subnet. During the transmission process, each data packet contains an SL field, which is used to define the transmission priority of the data packet required by the message sender. This transmission priority is determined by the sender based on QoS requirements. When a data packet is sent to the link layer of the port for transmission, the link layer of the port determines which VL cache the data packet needs to be placed in according to the Service Level to Virtual Lane Mapping Table and the priority indicated by the SL field in the data packet. For example, if the priority indicated by the SL field in the data packet is x, the link layer of the port determines that the data packet needs to be placed in VL1 for transmission based on the Service Level to Virtual Lane Mapping Table.

[0137] According to the previous introduction, to reduce the CPU overhead of data transmission in 5G networks or future communication networks and meet the requirements of services for high throughput and low latency characteristics, RDMA transmission can be introduced into 5G networks or future communication networks, that is, an RDMA link is established between two nodes in 5G networks or future communication networks for data transmission. However, there are certain differences between the QoS mapping mechanism in 5G networks or future communication networks and the QoS mechanism in RDMA. Therefore, when using RDMA transmission in 5G networks or future communication networks, how to implement the QoS mapping of RDMA remains to be solved.

[0138] Figure 8(a) is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This method is executed by the first device or a module of the first device (such as a chip), the second device or a module of the second device (such as a chip), and the control plane network element or a module of the control plane network element (such as a chip). Hereinafter, an example in which the first device, the second device, and the control plane network element execute this method will be described. Among them, the first device is a UPF, the second device is a base station, or the first device is a base station and the second device is a UPF. The control plane network element is an SMF or a PCF, etc.

[0139] This method includes the following steps:

[0140] Step 801a, the control plane network element sends the first indication information to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first indication information.

[0141] The first indication information includes the QP information of the first device, and is used to indicate the establishment of a QP based on the QP information of the first device. The QP information of the first device includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the memory region (MR) corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) of the QP to be established, the packet length of the transmission of the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and the QoS requirements.

[0142] Among them, the QoS requirements include at least one of the following information: the RDMA connection type (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), the RDMA operation type (such as send, read, write), the RDMA transmission type (such as lossy transmission or lossless transmission), the RDMA protocol type (IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2 or other types of protocols), the service delay requirement, the service bandwidth requirement, the service priority requirement or the transmission rate. Exemplarily, the QoS requirements can be represented by 5QI.

[0143] As an implementation method, the control plane network element can determine the QP information of the first device according to the information of the first device, and the information of the first device can be reported by the first device to the control plane network element. Among them, the information of the first device includes at least one of the hardware information of the first device, the memory information of the first device or the RDMA information of the first device, and the RDMA information of the first device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the first device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0144] Step 802a, the control plane network element sends the second indication information to the second device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the second indication information.

[0145] The second indication information includes the QP information of the second device, and is used to indicate the establishment of a QP based on the QP information of the second device. The QP information of the second device includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the memory region corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established, the Maximum Transmission Unit of the QP to be established, the packet length of the transmission of the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and the QoS requirements.

[0146] Among them, the QoS requirements include at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), RDMA operation type (such as send, read, write), RDMA transmission type (such as lossy transmission or lossless transmission), RDMA protocol type (IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2 or other types of protocols), service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement or transmission rate. Exemplarily, the QoS requirements can be represented by 5QI.

[0147] As an implementation method, the control plane network element can determine the QP information of the second device according to the information of the second device, and the information of the second device can be reported by the second device to the control plane network element. Among them, the information of the second device includes at least one of the hardware information of the second device, the memory information of the second device or the RDMA information of the second device, and the RDMA information of the second device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the second device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0148] It should be noted that there is no inevitable relationship between the QP information of the first device and the QP information of the second device. For example, the number of QPs instructed by the control plane network element to be established by the first device may be the same as or different from the number of QPs instructed to be established by the second device; the mapping relationship between the QPs instructed by the control plane network element to be established by the first device and the QoS requirements may be the same as or different from the mapping relationship between the QPs instructed to be established by the second device and the QoS requirements.

[0149] Among them, the order between the above step 801a and the above step 802a is not limited.

[0150] Step 803a, the first device establishes at least one QP according to the first indication information.

[0151] The first device establishes at least one QP according to the QP information of the first device indicated by the first indication information, and saves the mapping relationship between the at least one established QP and the QoS requirements. Among them, the number of QPs actually established by the first device, the MR corresponding to the QP, the type of the QP, etc. may be the same as or different from the number of QPs to be established, the MR corresponding to the QP, the type of the QP, etc. indicated by the first indication information received by the first device, and this application does not limit this.

[0152] For example, the first device establishes QP#1, QP#2 and QP#3, and the first indication information indicates that both QP#1 and QP#2 have a mapping relationship with 5QI#1, and QP#3 has a mapping relationship with 5QI#2. Therefore, the first device saves the mapping relationship between QP#1 and QP#2 and 5QI#1, and saves the mapping relationship between QP#3 and 5QI#2.

[0153] Exemplarily, after establishing at least one QP, the first device may further send the QP establishment information of the first device to the control plane network element, and the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the first device.

[0154] Exemplarily, the control plane network element may update the QP information of the first device according to the QP establishment information of the first device. That is, the control plane network element updates the relevant information about the QP actually established by the first device saved locally.

[0155] Step 804a: The second device establishes at least one QP according to the second indication information.

[0156] The second device establishes at least one QP according to the QP information of the second device indicated by the second indication information, and saves the mapping relationship between the at least one established QP and the QoS requirement. Among them, the number of QPs actually established by the second device, the MR corresponding to the QP, the type of the QP, etc. may be the same as or different from the number of QPs to be established, the MR corresponding to the QP, the type of the QP, etc. indicated by the second indication information received by the second device. This application does not limit this.

[0157] For example, the second device establishes QP#a and QP#b, and the second indication information indicates that QP#a has a mapping relationship with 5QI#1, and QP#b has a mapping relationship with 5QI#2. Therefore, the second device saves the mapping relationship between QP#a and 5QI#1, and saves the mapping relationship between QP#b and 5QI#2.

[0158] Exemplarily, after establishing at least one QP, the second device may further send the QP establishment information of the second device to the control plane network element, and the QP establishment information of the second device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the second device.

[0159] Exemplarily, the control plane network element may update the QP information of the second device according to the QP establishment information of the second device. That is, the control plane network element updates the relevant information about the QP actually established by the second device saved locally.

[0160] Among them, the sequence order between the above step 803a and the above step 802a and step 804a is not limited, and the sequence order between the above step 804a and the above step 801a is not limited.

[0161] As an implementation method, the above first indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of an RDMA link between the first device and the second device, and the above second indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of an RDMA link between the second device and the first device. Then, after the above step 804a, the following steps 805a to 806a may be further executed.

[0162] Step 805a, the first device establishes an RDMA link between the first device and the second device according to at least one established QP.

[0163] Step 806a, the second device establishes an RDMA link between the first device and the second device according to at least one established QP.

[0164] The sequence order between the above step 805a and step 806a is not limited.

[0165] Wherein, one or more RDMA links can be established between the first device and the second device. Each RDMA link corresponds to a QoS requirement. For example, the first device uses QP#1, the second device uses QP#a, and an RDMA link 1 is established between them, and the first device uses QP#3, the second device uses QP#b, and an RDMA link 2 is established between them. Among them, QP#1, QP#a, and RDMA link 1 all have a mapping relationship with 5QI1, and QP#3, QP#b, and RDMA link 2 all have a mapping relationship with 5QI2.

[0166] For example, the process of establishing an RDMA link between the first device and the second device is as follows: the first device sends the RDMA link establishment information of the first device to the second device, the second device sends the RDMA link establishment information of the second device to the first device, and then the first device and the second device establish an RDMA link according to the RDMA link establishment information of the first device and the RDMA link establishment information of the second device.

[0167] The RDMA connection establishment information of the first device includes the port identifier and the queue pair identifier of the first device. Optionally, the RDMA connection establishment information of the first device further includes one or more of access permission information, source host address, destination host address, connection type, service level, protocol type, operation mode, or virtual memory address. Exemplarily, the port identifier of the first device includes a local identifier (LID), or includes a local identifier and a global identifier (GID). Exemplarily, the queue pair identifier may be a queue pair number (QPN). The port identifier and the queue pair identifier of the first device can jointly indicate a QP address. Specifically, the port is indicated by the port identifier, and the QP in the port is indicated by the queue pair identifier. The source host address is the IP address of the first device. The destination host address is the IP address of the second device. The connection type is a reliable connection, an unreliable connection, a reliable datagram, an unreliable datagram, or other types. The service level is mainly applied to the QoS requirements of the RDMA service, and different service levels in RDMA reflect the priority of different services. The protocol type is a protocol such as IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2, or other types. The operation mode is read, write, send, etc. The virtual memory address is the virtual address used by RDMA for communication in a work request, and the channel adapter can convert the virtual address into a physical address.

[0168] The RDMA connection establishment information of the second device includes the port identifier and the queue pair identifier of the second device. Optionally, the RDMA connection establishment information of the second device further includes one or more of access permission information, source host address, destination host address, connection type, service level, protocol type, operation mode, or virtual memory address. Exemplarily, the port identifier of the second device includes a local identifier, or includes a local identifier and a global identifier. Exemplarily, the queue pair identifier may be a queue pair number. The port identifier and the queue pair identifier of the second device can jointly indicate a QP address. Specifically, the port is indicated by the port identifier, and the QP in the port is indicated by the queue pair identifier. The source host address is the IP address of the second device. The destination host address is the IP address of the first device. The connection type is a reliable connection, an unreliable connection, a reliable datagram, an unreliable datagram, or other types. The service level is mainly applied to the QoS requirements of the RDMA service, and different service levels in RDMA reflect the priority of different services. The protocol type is a protocol such as IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2, or other types. The operation mode is read, write, send, etc. The virtual memory address is the virtual address used by RDMA for communication in a work request, and the channel adapter can convert the virtual address into a physical address.

[0169] After establishing an RDMA link, data transmission can be performed between a first device and a second device based on the RDMA protocol by selecting a corresponding RDMA link.

[0170] As an implementation method, a control plane network element can indicate the QP used for data transmission, that is, the control plane network element selects a corresponding QP from the pre-established QPs for service data transmission. For example, the control plane network element sends a notification message to the first device, the notification message includes information of a first QP, the notification message is used to indicate using the first QP to transmit data packets of a first service, and sends a notification message to the second device, the notification message includes information of a second QP, the notification message is used to indicate using the second QP to transmit data packets of the first service. Therefore, the first device uses the first QP to transmit data packets of the first service according to the notification message, and the second device uses the second QP to transmit data packets of the first service according to the notification message. Exemplarily, if the QoS requirement of the first service corresponds to 5QI1, the control plane network element can indicate the first device to use QP#1 to transmit data packets of the first service, and indicate the second device to use QP#a to transmit data packets of the first service, where QP#1 and QP#a have been established in advance. Thus, the first device uses QP#1 to transmit data of the first service, and the second device uses QP#a to transmit data packets of the first service, that is, the first device and the second device transmit data packets of the first service based on RDMA link 1. The following Figure 11 embodiment is a specific example of this implementation method.

[0171] As another implementation method, the first device and the second device can independently select the QP used for data transmission, that is, the first device and the second device independently select the corresponding QP from the QPs that have been established in advance to transmit service data. For example, the control plane network element sends a packet detection rule (PDR) to the first device, and the PDR includes the service characteristic information of the first service, and the control plane network element sends a PDR to the second device, and the PDR includes the service characteristic information of the first service. Among them, the service characteristic information of the first service includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate. Then, the first device determines the first QoS requirement that matches the service characteristic information of the first service in the mapping relationship according to the mapping relationship between QoS and QoS requirements stored locally, and determines the first QP corresponding to the first QoS requirement, and uses the first QP to transmit the data packet that matches the service characteristic information. The second device determines the first QoS requirement that matches the service characteristic information of the first service in the mapping relationship according to the mapping relationship between QoS and QoS requirements stored locally, and determines the second QP corresponding to the first QoS requirement, and uses the second QP to transmit the data packet that matches the service characteristic information. Exemplarily, the service characteristic information of the first service corresponds to the first QoS requirement, the first QoS requirement corresponds to 5QI1, the first device determines that the first QP corresponding to 5QI1 is QP#1, and the second device determines that the second QP corresponding to 5QI1 is QP#a, where both QP#1 and QP#a have been established in advance. Thus, the first device uses QP#1 to transmit the data of the first service, and the second device uses QP#a to transmit the data packet of the first service, that is, the first device and the second device transmit the data packet of the first service based on RDMA link 1. The following Figure 12 embodiment is a specific example of this implementation method.

[0172] As an implementation method, after the first device uses the first QP to transmit the data packet of the first service, it can also send feedback information to the control plane network element, and the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission situation of the RDMA link corresponding to the first QP. Optionally, the control plane network element can send an update instruction to the first device according to the feedback information, and the update instruction is used to indicate the update of the QP used. For example, when the transmission quality of the RDMA link is lower than a certain quality threshold, the control plane network element can notify the first device to increase the memory size corresponding to the first QP, or the control plane network element can notify the first device to replace the QP for data transmission. For example, the data transmission of the first service is updated from using QP#1 to using QP#2.

[0173] As an implementation method, after the second device uses the second QP to transmit data packets of the first service, it can also send feedback information to the control plane network element, and the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission status of the RDMA link corresponding to the second QP. Optionally, the control plane network element can send an update indication to the second device according to the feedback information, and the update indication is used to indicate the updated QP to be used. For example, when the transmission quality of the RDMA link is lower than a certain quality threshold, the control plane network element can notify the second device to increase the memory size corresponding to the second QP, or the control plane network element can notify the second device to replace the QP for data transmission. For example, the data transmission of the first service using QP#a is updated to use QP#c for data transmission of the first service.

[0174] The above solution proposes a device-level QP establishment process. The first device and the second device pre-establish a device-level QP and an RDMA link based on the indication of the control plane network element. In the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the first device and the second device use an RDMA link that adapts to the QoS requirements of the service in the pre-established RDMA link for service transmission. Thus, the first device and the second device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee. For example, in the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the control plane network element selects a suitable QP for the first device and the second device for service transmission according to the QoS requirements and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements. Thus, the first device and the second device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee. Another example is that in the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the control plane network element sends a PDR to the first device and the second device, and the first device and the second device select a suitable QP for service transmission according to the PDR and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements. Thus, the first device and the second device can allocate data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0175] The following Figure 9 embodiment is a specific example of the embodiment of FIG. 8(a).

[0176] Figure 8(b) is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. This method is executed by a first device or a module (such as a chip) of the first device, a second device or a module (such as a chip) of the second device, and a control plane network element or a module (such as a chip) of the control plane network element. Hereinafter, an example will be given in which the first device, the second device, and the control plane network element execute this method. Among them, the first device is a UPF, the second device is a base station, or the first device is a base station and the second device is a UPF. The control plane network element is an SMF or a PCF, etc.

[0177] This method includes the following steps:

[0178] Step 801b, the control plane network element sends first indication information to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first indication information.

[0179] The first indication information includes at least one QoS requirement, and the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP that meets at least one QoS requirement.

[0180] Among them, the QoS requirement includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), RDMA operation type (such as send, read, write), RDMA transmission type (such as lossy transmission or lossless transmission), RDMA protocol type (IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2 or other types of protocols), service delay requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement or transmission rate. Exemplarily, the QoS requirement can be represented by 5QI.

[0181] As an implementation method, this step 801b may specifically be: the control plane network element sends the first indication information to the first device according to the information of the first device. Among them, the information of the first device includes at least one of the hardware information of the first device, the memory information of the first device or the RDMA information of the first device, and the RDMA information of the first device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the first device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0182] Step 802b, the control plane network element sends second indication information to the second device. Correspondingly, the second device receives the second indication information.

[0183] The second indication information includes at least one QoS requirement, and the second indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP that meets at least one QoS requirement.

[0184] Among them, the QoS requirements include at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), RDMA operation type (such as send, read, write), RDMA transmission type (such as lossy transmission or lossless transmission), RDMA protocol type (IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2 or other types of protocols), service delay requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement or transmission rate. Exemplarily, the QoS requirements can be represented by 5QI.

[0185] As an implementation method, step 802b can specifically be: The control plane network element sends second indication information to the second device according to the information of the second device. Among them, the information of the second device includes at least one of the hardware information of the second device, the memory information of the second device or the RDMA information of the second device, and the RDMA information of the second device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the second device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0186] Among them, the sequence order between the above step 801b and the above step 802b is not limited.

[0187] Step 803b, the first device establishes at least one QP that meets at least one QoS requirement, and establishes a mapping relationship between at least one QoS requirement and at least one QP.

[0188] For example, the first device establishes QP#1, QP#2 and QP#3, and establishes a mapping relationship between QP#1 and QP#2 and 5QI#1, and a mapping relationship between QP#3 and 5QI#2.

[0189] Exemplarily, after the first device establishes at least one QP, it can also send the QP establishment information of the first device to the control plane network element, and the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the first device.

[0190] Exemplarily, the control plane network element can update the QP information of the first device according to the QP establishment information of the first device. That is, the control plane network element updates the relevant information about the QP actually established by the first device saved locally.

[0191] Step 804b, the second device establishes at least one QP that meets at least one QoS requirement, and establishes a mapping relationship between at least one QoS requirement and at least one QP.

[0192] For example, the second device establishes QP#a and QP#b, and establishes a mapping relationship between QP#a and 5QI#1, and a mapping relationship between QP#b and 5QI#2.

[0193] Exemplarily, after establishing at least one QP, the second device may further send the QP establishment information of the second device to the control plane network element, and the QP establishment information of the second device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the second device.

[0194] Exemplarily, the control plane network element may update the QP information of the second device according to the QP establishment information of the second device. That is, the control plane network element updates the relevant information about the QP actually established by the second device saved locally.

[0195] Among them, the sequence order between the above step 803b and the above step 802b and step 804b is not limited, and the sequence order between the above step 804b and the above step 801b is not limited.

[0196] As an implementation method, the above first indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of an RDMA link between the first device and the second device, and the above second indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of an RDMA link between the second device and the first device. Then, after the above step 804a, the following steps 805b to 806b may be further executed.

[0197] Step 805b, the first device establishes an RDMA link between the first device and the second device according to the at least one established QP.

[0198] Step 806b, the second device establishes an RDMA link between the first device and the second device according to the at least one established QP.

[0199] The sequence order between the above step 805b and step 806b is not limited.

[0200] Among them, one or more RDMA links may be established between the first device and the second device. Each RDMA link corresponds to a QoS requirement. For example, the first device uses QP#1, the second device uses QP#a, and an RDMA link 1 is established between them, and the first device uses QP#3, the second device uses QP#b, and an RDMA link 2 is established between them. Among them, QP#1, QP#a, and RDMA link 1 all have a mapping relationship with 5QI1, and QP#3, QP#b, and RDMA link 2 all have a mapping relationship with 5QI2.

[0201] For example, the process of establishing an RDMA link between a first device and a second device is as follows: The first device sends the RDMA link establishment information of the first device to the second device, and the second device sends the RDMA link establishment information of the second device to the first device. Then, the first device and the second device establish an RDMA link based on the RDMA link establishment information of the first device and the RDMA link establishment information of the second device. For the detailed content of the RDMA link establishment information of the first device and the RDMA link establishment information of the second device, reference can be made to the description in the embodiment of FIG. 8(a) above, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0202] After establishing the RDMA link, the first device and the second device can select a corresponding RDMA link for data transmission based on the RDMA protocol.

[0203] As an implementation method, the control plane network element can indicate the QP used for data transmission, that is, the control plane network element selects a corresponding QP from the QPs that have been established in advance for service data transmission. For example, the control plane network element sends a notification message to the first device, and the notification message includes the information of the first QP. The notification message is used to indicate using the first QP to transmit the data packets of the first service, and sends a notification message to the second device. The notification message includes the information of the second QP. The notification message is used to indicate using the second QP to transmit the data packets of the first service. Therefore, the first device uses the first QP to transmit the data packets of the first service according to the notification message, and the second device uses the second QP to transmit the data packets of the first service according to the notification message. Exemplarily, if the QoS requirement of the first service corresponds to 5QI1, the control plane network element can indicate the first device to use QP#1 to transmit the data packets of the first service, and indicate the second device to use QP#a to transmit the data packets of the first service, where QP#1 and QP#a have both been established in advance. Thus, the first device uses QP#1 to transmit the data of the first service, and the second device uses QP#a to transmit the data packets of the first service, that is, the first device and the second device transmit the data packets of the first service based on RDMA link 1. The following Figure 11 embodiment is a specific example of this implementation method.

[0204] As another implementation method, the first device and the second device can independently select the QP used for data transmission, that is, the first device and the second device independently select the corresponding QP from the QPs that have been established in advance for business data transmission. For example, the control plane network element sends a PDR to the first device, and the PDR includes the service characteristic information of the first service, and the control plane network element sends a PDR to the second device, and the PDR includes the service characteristic information of the first service. Among them, the service characteristic information of the first service includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service delay requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate. Then, the first device determines the first QoS requirement that matches the service characteristic information of the first service in the mapping relationship according to the mapping relationship between QoS and QoS requirements stored locally, and determines the first QP corresponding to the first QoS requirement, and uses the first QP to transmit the data packet that matches the service characteristic information. The second device determines the first QoS requirement that matches the service characteristic information of the first service in the mapping relationship according to the mapping relationship between QoS and QoS requirements stored locally, and determines the second QP corresponding to the first QoS requirement, and uses the second QP to transmit the data packet that matches the service characteristic information. Exemplarily, the service characteristic information of the first service corresponds to the first QoS requirement, the first QoS requirement corresponds to 5QI1, the first device determines that the first QP corresponding to 5QI1 is QP#1, and the second device determines that the second QP corresponding to 5QI1 is QP#a, where both QP#1 and QP#a have been established in advance. Thus, the first device uses QP#1 to transmit the data of the first service, and the second device uses QP#a to transmit the data packet of the first service, that is, the first device and the second device transmit the data packet of the first service based on RDMA link 1. The following Figure 12 embodiment is a specific example of this implementation method.

[0205] As an implementation method, after the first device uses the first QP to transmit the data packet of the first service, it can also send feedback information to the control plane network element, and the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission situation of the RDMA link corresponding to the first QP. Optionally, the control plane network element can send an update instruction to the first device according to the feedback information, and the update instruction is used to indicate the update of the QP used. For example, when the transmission quality of the RDMA link is lower than a certain quality threshold, the control plane network element can notify the first device to increase the memory size corresponding to the first QP, or the control plane network element can notify the first device to replace the QP for data transmission. For example, the data transmission of the first service is updated from using QP#1 to using QP#2.

[0206] As an implementation method, after the second device uses the second QP to transmit the data packets of the first service, it can also send feedback information to the control plane network element, and the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission status of the RDMA link corresponding to the second QP. Optionally, the control plane network element can send an update indication to the second device according to the feedback information, and the update indication is used to indicate the updated QP to be used. For example, when the transmission quality of the RDMA link is lower than a certain quality threshold, the control plane network element can notify the second device to increase the memory size corresponding to the second QP, or the control plane network element can notify the second device to replace the QP for data transmission. For example, the data transmission of the first service using QP#a is updated to the data transmission of the first service using QP#c.

[0207] The above solution proposes a device-level QP establishment process. The first device and the second device negotiate to establish a QP and establish an RDMA link based on the QoS requirements provided by the control plane network element. In the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the first device and the second device use an RDMA link that adapts to the QoS requirements of the service in the pre-established RDMA link for service transmission. Thus, the first device and the second device can allocate the data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee. For example, in the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the control plane network element selects a suitable QP for the first device and the second device for service transmission according to the QoS requirements and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements. Thus, the first device and the second device can allocate the data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee. Another example is that in the case where the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the control plane network element sends a PDR to the first device and the second device, and the first device and the second device select a suitable QP for service transmission according to the PDR and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements. Thus, the first device and the second device can allocate the data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0208] The following Figure 10 embodiment is a specific example of the embodiment of FIG. 8(b).

[0209] The following Figures 9 to 12 specific examples are used to illustrate the embodiments of FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b).

[0210] Figure 9 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, a control plane network element (such as an SMF or a PCF) instructs a base station and a UPF about the information of the QP to be established, and the base station and the UPF establish a QP based on the instruction of the control plane network element. The method includes the following steps:

[0211] Step 901, the AMF sends the information of the base station to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the information of the base station.

[0212] The information of the base station includes at least one of the hardware information of the base station, the memory information of the base station, or the RDMA information of the base station.

[0213] The hardware information includes network card information and / or CPU information. The network card information includes at least one of the network card model, driver information, or supported transmission rate.

[0214] The memory information includes at least one of the memory model, memory size, or memory usage.

[0215] The RDMA information includes the supported RDMA protocol (such as RoceV1, RoceV2, Iwarp, IB, or other protocol types) and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0216] Step 902, the UPF sends the information of the UPF to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the information of the UPF.

[0217] The information of the UPF includes at least one of the hardware information of the UPF, the memory information of the UPF, or the RDMA information of the UPF.

[0218] The hardware information includes network card information and / or CPU information. The network card information includes at least one of the network card model, driver information, or supported transmission rate.

[0219] The memory information includes at least one of the memory model, memory size, or memory usage.

[0220] The RDMA information includes the supported RDMA protocol (such as RoceV1, RoceV2, Iwarp, IB, or other protocol types) and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0221] The order of the above steps 901 and 902 is not limited.

[0222] Step 903, the SMF or the PCF determines the RDMA link establishment strategy according to the information of the base station and the information of the UPF.

[0223] Among them, if the PCF determines the RDMA link establishment policy, before step 903, the SMF also sends the information of the base station and the information of the UPF to the PCF.

[0224] The RDMA link establishment policy includes the QP information of the base station and the QP information of the UPF.

[0225] The QP information of the base station includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), the maximum transmission unit of the QP to be established, the message length of the transmission of the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and the QoS requirements. Among them, the QoS requirements include at least one of the following information: the RDMA connection type (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), the RDMA operation type (such as send, read, write), the RDMA transmission type (such as lossy transmission or lossless transmission), the RDMA protocol type (IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2 or other types of protocols), the service delay requirement, the service bandwidth requirement, the service priority requirement or the transmission rate. Exemplarily, the QoS requirements can be represented by 5QI.

[0226] The QP information of the UPF includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the MR corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), the MTU of the QP to be established, the message length of the transmission of the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and the QoS requirements. Among them, the QoS requirements include at least one of the following information: the RDMA connection type (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), the RDMA operation type (such as send, read, write), the RDMA transmission type (such as lossy transmission or lossless transmission), the RDMA protocol type (IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2 or other types of protocols), the service delay requirement, the service bandwidth requirement, the service priority requirement or the transmission rate. Exemplarily, the QoS requirements can be represented by 5QI.

[0227] Step 904, the SMF sends indication information to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the indication information.

[0228] Among them, if the PCF determines the RDMA link establishment policy in the above step 903, the indication information is first sent by the PCF to the SMF, and then the SMF sends the indication information to the UPF. Or, the PCF sends the QP information of the UPF to the SMF, and then the SMF generates the indication information according to the QP information of the UPF.

[0229] If the SMF generates the RDMA link establishment policy in step 903 above, the SMF generates indication information based on the QP information of the UPF.

[0230] The indication information includes the QP information of the UPF, and is used to indicate the establishment of a QP based on the QP information of the UPF, and optionally also indicates the establishment of an RDMA link between the UPF and the base station.

[0231] Step 905, the SMF sends the indication information to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the indication information.

[0232] This step 905 is specifically: the SMF sends the indication information to the AMF, and then the AMF forwards the indication information to the base station.

[0233] Among them, if the PCF determines the RDMA link establishment policy in step 903 above, the indication information is first sent by the PCF to the SMF, and then the SMF sends the indication information to the base station. Or, the PCF sends the QP information of the base station to the SMF, and then the SMF generates indication information based on the QP information of the base station.

[0234] If the SMF generates the RDMA link establishment policy in step 903 above, the SMF generates indication information based on the QP information of the base station.

[0235] The indication information includes the QP information of the base station, and is used to indicate the establishment of a QP based on the QP information of the base station, and optionally also indicates the establishment of an RDMA link between the base station and the UPF.

[0236] The order between the above step 904 and step 905 is not limited.

[0237] Step 906, the UPF and the base station establish an RDMA link.

[0238] The UPF establishes the corresponding QP according to the received indication information, the base station establishes the corresponding QP according to the received indication information, and then the UPF and the base station establish an RDMA link based on the established QP.

[0239] It should be noted that the information such as the number of QPs actually established by the UPF, the MR corresponding to the QP, the type of the QP, etc. may be the same as or different from the information such as the number of QPs to be established, the MR corresponding to the QP, the type of the QP, etc. in the indication information received by the UPF, and this application does not limit this. Similarly, the information such as the number of QPs actually established by the base station, the MR corresponding to the QP, the type of the QP, etc. may be the same as or different from the information such as the number of QPs to be established, the MR corresponding to the QP, the type of the QP, etc. in the indication information received by the base station, and this application does not limit this.

[0240] Step 907: The UPF sends the QP establishment information of the UPF to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the QP establishment information of the UPF.

[0241] This QP establishment information is used to indicate the relevant information of the QP actually established by the UPF, such as the number of QPs actually established by the UPF, the MR corresponding to the QP, the type of the QP, etc. For example, the UPF establishes QP#a and QP#b, and QP#a has a mapping relationship with 5QI#1, and QP#b has a mapping relationship with 5QI#2.

[0242] Step 908: The base station sends the QP establishment information of the base station to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the QP establishment information of the base station.

[0243] Specifically, in step 908: The base station sends the QP establishment information of the base station to the AMF, and then the AMF forwards the QP establishment information of the base station to the SMF.

[0244] This QP establishment information is used to indicate the relevant information of the QP actually established by the base station, such as the number of QPs actually established by the base station, the MR corresponding to the QP, the type of the QP, etc. For example, the base station establishes QP#1, QP#2, and QP#3, and both QP#1 and QP#2 have a mapping relationship with 5QI#1, and QP#3 has a mapping relationship with 5QI#2.

[0245] Optionally, if the above step 903 is executed by the PCF, the SMF also sends the QP establishment information of the UPF and the QP establishment information of the base station to the PCF.

[0246] The order between the above step 907 and step 908 is not limited.

[0247] The above solution proposes a device-level QP establishment process. The base station and the UPF establish QPs and establish RDMA links based on the indication of the SMF or the PCF on the control plane. In the subsequent session process, the base station and the UPF can, based on the established QPs and the mapping relationship between the QPs and the QoS requirements, allocate the data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and thus realizing QoS guarantee.

[0248] Figure 10 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, the base station and the UPF negotiate with each other and independently decide to establish QPs. The method includes the following steps:

[0249] Steps 1001 to 1002 are the same as steps 901 to 902 in the foregoing Figure 9 embodiment.

[0250] Step 1003, the SMF or PCF sends indication information to the UPF according to the information of the UPF. Accordingly, the UPF receives the indication information.

[0251] Among them, if the PCF sends the indication information to the UPF, before step 1003, the SMF also sends the information of the UPF to the PCF.

[0252] The indication information includes at least one QoS requirement. The indication information is used to instruct the UPF to establish a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement and establish an RDMA link between the UPF and the base station. Among them, the QoS requirement includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), RDMA operation type (such as send, read, write), RDMA transmission type (such as lossy transmission or lossless transmission), RDMA protocol type (IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2 or other types of protocols), service delay requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement or transmission rate. Exemplarily, the QoS requirement can be represented by 5QI.

[0253] Specifically, the SMF or PCF receives the information of the UPF, determines the QoS requirements that the UPF can meet, and then carries the QoS requirements in the indication information and sends it to the UPF.

[0254] Step 1004, the SMF or PCF sends indication information to the base station. Accordingly, the base station receives the indication information.

[0255] Among them, if the SMF sends the indication information to the base station, specifically, the SMF sends the indication information to the AMF, and then the AMF forwards the indication information to the base station. If the PCF sends the indication information to the base station, specifically, the PCF sends the indication information to the SMF, the SMF sends the indication information to the AMF, and then the AMF forwards the indication information to the base station.

[0256] The indication information includes at least one QoS requirement. The indication information is used to instruct the base station to establish a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement and establish an RDMA link between the base station and the UPF. Among them, the QoS requirement includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), RDMA operation type (such as send, read, write), RDMA transmission type (such as lossy transmission or lossless transmission), RDMA protocol type (IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2 or other types of protocols), service delay requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement or transmission rate. Exemplarily, the QoS requirement can be represented by 5QI.

[0257] Specifically, the SMF or PCF receives the information from the base station, determines the QoS requirements that the base station can meet, and then carries the QoS requirements in the indication information and sends it to the base station.

[0258] There is no limitation on the sequence between the above step 1003 and step 1004.

[0259] Step 1005, the UPF establishes an RDMA connection with the base station.

[0260] Based on the received indication information, the UPF establishes QPs that meet the QoS requirements and establishes a mapping relationship between the QoS requirements and the QPs. For example, the UPF establishes QP#a and QP#b, and QP#a has a mapping relationship with 5QI#1, and QP#b has a mapping relationship with 5QI#2.

[0261] Based on the received indication information, the base station establishes QPs that meet the QoS requirements and establishes a mapping relationship between the QoS requirements and the QPs. For example, the base station establishes QP#1, QP#2, and QP#3, and both QP#1 and QP#2 have a mapping relationship with 5QI#1, and QP#3 has a mapping relationship with 5QI#2.

[0262] After establishing the QPs, an RDMA connection is established between the UPF and the base station based on the already established QPs.

[0263] Step 1006, the UPF sends the QP establishment information of the UPF to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the QP establishment information of the UPF.

[0264] The QP establishment information is used to indicate the relevant information of the QPs established by the UPF and the mapping relationship between the established QPs and the QoS requirements. Among them, the relevant information of the established QPs includes, for example, the number of QPs actually established by the UPF, the MR corresponding to the QPs, the type of the QPs, etc.

[0265] Step 1007, the base station sends the QP establishment information of the base station to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the QP establishment information of the base station.

[0266] Specifically, this step 1007 is that the base station sends the QP establishment information of the base station to the AMF, and then the AMF forwards the QP establishment information of the base station to the SMF.

[0267] The QP establishment information is used to indicate the relevant information of the QPs established by the base station and the mapping relationship between the established QPs and the QoS requirements. Among them, the relevant information of the established QPs includes, for example, the number of QPs actually established by the base station, the MR corresponding to the QPs, the type of the QPs, etc.

[0268] Optionally, if the above steps 1003 and 1004 are executed by the PCF, the SMF also sends the QP establishment information of the UPF and the QP establishment information of the base station to the PCF.

[0269] The sequence order between the above steps 1006 and 1007 is not limited.

[0270] The above solution proposes a device-level QP establishment process. The base station and the UPF negotiate to establish a QP and establish an RDMA link based on the QoS requirements provided by the control-plane SMF or PCF. Subsequently, in the session process, the base station and the UPF can allocate the data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission based on the established QP and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements, realizing the QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0271] Figure 11 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, in the session establishment process, a control-plane network element (such as an SMF or a PCF) allocates a suitable QP for service transmission. The method includes the following steps:

[0272] Step 1101, complete the RDMA link establishment between the base station and the UPF.

[0273] This step 1101 can be completed through Figure 9 the embodiment of Figure 9 that is, this step 1101 can be replaced by Figure 10 the steps 901 to 908 of the embodiment of Figure 10 Or, this step 1101 can be completed through

[0274] Step 1102, the UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF. Correspondingly, the AMF receives the PDU session establishment request.

[0275] The PDU session establishment request is used to request the establishment of a PDU session.

[0276] Exemplarily, the PDU session establishment request may be a PDU_Session_Establishment Request.

[0277] Step 1103, the AMF sends a PDU session context establishment request to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the PDU session context establishment request.

[0278] The PDU session context establishment request is used to request the establishment of a PDU session context.

[0279] Exemplarily, the PDU session establishment request may be Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContextRequest.

[0280] Step 1104, the SMF or PCF determines to adopt RDMA transmission.

[0281] In one implementation method, the SMF or PCF receives a request message from the UE, and the request message is used to request the establishment of an RDMA link. The SMF or PCF determines to adopt RDMA transmission according to the request message.

[0282] In another implementation method, the SMF or PCF receives a QoS request, and the QoS request includes a QoS level, and the corresponding data transmission method of the QoS level is RDMA transmission. The SMF or PCF determines to adopt RDMA transmission according to the QoS request.

[0283] In another implementation method, the SMF or PCF determines to adopt RDMA transmission according to the local configuration information.

[0284] Step 1105, the SMF or PCF allocates a QP to the UPF according to the QoS requirements of the service and the mapping relationship between the QP of the UPF and the QoS requirements.

[0285] In one implementation method, if the above step 1101 is implemented based on Figure 9 the embodiment, the mapping relationship between the QP of the UPF and the QoS requirements is generated by the SMF or PCF.

[0286] In another implementation method, if the above step 1101 is implemented based on Figure 10 the embodiment, the mapping relationship between the QP of the UPF and the QoS requirements is generated by the UPF and sent to the SMF or PCF.

[0287] Step 1106, the SMF sends the information of the QP allocated to the UPF to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the information of the QP allocated to the UPF.

[0288] Among them, the information of the QP allocated to the UPF may include a GID and a QPN, or include a GID, an LID, and a QPN. That is, the information of the QP allocated to the UPF uniquely identifies a QP.

[0289] Step 1107, the SMF or PCF allocates a QP to the base station according to the QoS requirements of the service and the mapping relationship between the QP of the base station and the QoS requirements.

[0290] In one implementation method, if the above step 1101 is based onFigure 9 If it is implemented according to the embodiments of

[0291] In another implementation method, if the above step 1101 is based on Figure 10 the embodiments of

[0292] Step 1108, the SMF sends the information of the QP allocated to the base station to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the information of the QP allocated to the base station.

[0293] Among them, the information of the QP allocated to the base station may include the GID and QPN, or include the GID, LID, and QPN. That is, the information of the QP allocated to the base station uniquely identifies a QP.

[0294] It should be noted that the execution order between the above steps 1105 and 1106 and steps 1107 and 1108 is not limited. Specifically, the order between step 1105 and step 1107 is not limited, the order between step 1105 and step 1108 is not limited, the order between step 1106 and step 1107 is not limited, and the order between step 1106 and step 1108 is not limited.

[0295] It should be noted that the above steps 1105 and 1107 can also be combined into one step. For example, the SMF or PCF allocates a QP to the UPF according to the QoS requirements of the service and the mapping relationship between the QP and QoS requirements of the UPF. After allocating the QP to the UPF, if an RDMA link has been established between this QP and one or some QPs of the base station, the SMF or PCF directly allocates the QP to the base station based on this RDMA link. For example, if the QP#a is allocated to the UPF and this QP#a has been pre-established with the QP#1 of the base station, the SMF or PCF determines that the QP allocated to the base station is this QP#1. Another example is that the SMF can also first allocate a QP to the base station according to the QoS requirements of the service and the mapping relationship between the QP and QoS requirements of the base station. Then, after allocating the QP to the base station, if an RDMA link has been established between this QP and one or some QPs of the UPF, the SMF or PCF directly allocates the QP to the UPF based on this RDMA link. For example, if the QP#1 is allocated to the base station and this QP#1 has been pre-established with the QP#a of the UPF, the SMF or PCF determines that the QP allocated to the UPF is this QP#a.

[0296] Step 1109, the remaining process of PDU session establishment.

[0297] Step 1110, the UPF and the base station perform data transmission using the allocated QP.

[0298] For example, if the QP allocated by the SMF or PCF for the UPF is QP#a and the QP allocated for the base station is QP#1, then the UPF uses the allocated QP QP#a and the base station uses the allocated QP QP#1 for service transmission between the two parties.

[0299] Step 1111, the base station sends the transmission status of the RDMA link to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the transmission status of the RDMA link.

[0300] This step 1111 is specifically: the base station sends the transmission status of the RDMA link to the AMF, and then the AMF forwards the transmission status of the RDMA link to the SMF.

[0301] That is, when the base station uses the QP allocated by the SMF or PCF for service transmission, it also monitors the transmission status of the RDMA link and reports the transmission status of the RDMA link to the SMF.

[0302] Exemplarily, the transmission status of the RDMA link includes the memory usage corresponding to the QP (such as the size of the remaining allocable memory), the data volume to be transmitted, the bandwidth delay, the throughput, etc.

[0303] Step 1112, the UPF sends the transmission status of the RDMA link to the SMF. Correspondingly, the SMF receives the transmission status of the RDMA link.

[0304] That is, when the UPF uses the QP allocated by the SMF or PCF for service transmission, it also monitors the transmission status of the RDMA link and reports the transmission status of the RDMA link to the SMF.

[0305] Exemplarily, the transmission status of the RDMA link includes the memory usage corresponding to the QP (such as the size of the remaining allocable memory), the data volume to be transmitted, the bandwidth delay, the throughput, etc.

[0306] Step 1113, the SMF or PCF adjusts the QP according to the transmission status of the RDMA link.

[0307] The SMF or PCF determines whether the currently allocated QP can meet the service requirements or whether the transmission quality meets the requirements based on the transmission status of the RDMA link reported by the base station and / or the transmission status of the RDMA link reported by the UPF. If not, the parameters of the currently allocated QP can be adjusted, such as adjusting the memory size corresponding to the QP, the rate of the QP, the bandwidth of the QP, the transmission priority of the QP, or the packet sending interval, etc.

[0308] The above steps 1111 to 1113 are optional steps.

[0309] In the above solution, when the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the control plane network element selects appropriate QPs for the base station and the UPF for service transmission according to the QoS requirements and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements, so that the base station and the UPF can allocate the data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0310] Figure 12 It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, in the session establishment process, the base station and the UPF independently select appropriate QPs for service transmission. The method includes the following steps:

[0311] Steps 1201 to 1204 are the same as Figure 11 Steps 1101 to 1104 in the embodiment of

[0312] Step 1205, the SMF or the PCF generates a PDR.

[0313] Among them, the PDR contains service characteristic information, and the service characteristic information includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type (such as RC, RD, UC, UD or other types), RDMA operation type (such as send, read, write), RDMA transmission type (such as lossy transmission or lossless transmission), RDMA protocol type (IB, RoCEv1, iWARP, RoCEv2 or other types of protocols), service delay requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement or transmission rate.

[0314] Step 1206, the SMF sends the PDR to the UPF. Correspondingly, the UPF receives the PDR.

[0315] Step 1207, the SMF sends the PDR to the base station. Correspondingly, the base station receives the PDR.

[0316] This step 1207 is specifically: the SMF sends the PDR to the AMF, and then the AMF forwards the PDR to the base station.

[0317] Step 1208, the remaining process of PDU session establishment.

[0318] Step 1209, the UPF selects an appropriate QP according to the PDR.

[0319] The UPF determines the corresponding QoS requirements according to the service characteristic information in the PDR, and then selects the corresponding QP according to the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements.

[0320] Step 1210: The base station selects an appropriate QP according to the PDR.

[0321] The base station determines the corresponding QoS requirements according to the service characteristic information in the PDR, and then selects the corresponding QP according to the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements.

[0322] The order between the above step 1209 and step 1210 is not limited.

[0323] Step 1211: The UPF and the base station use the selected QP for data transmission.

[0324] For example, if the QP selected by the UPF is QP#a and the QP selected by the base station is QP#1, then the QP used by the UPF is QP#a and the QP used by the base station is QP#1, and both sides perform service transmission.

[0325] Steps 1212 to 1214 are the same as Figure 11 steps 1111 to 1113 in the

[0326] The above steps 1212 to 1214 are optional steps.

[0327] In the above solution, when the RDMA link is established in advance, in the session establishment process, the control plane network element sends the PDR to the base station and the UPF. The UPF and the base station select the appropriate QP for service transmission according to the PDR and the mapping relationship between the QP and the QoS requirements. Thus, the base station and the UPF can allocate the data packets of services with different QoS requirements to the corresponding QPs for transmission, realizing QoS mapping when using RDMA transmission in a 5G network or a future communication network, and further realizing QoS guarantee.

[0328] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the first device, the second device or the control plane network element includes the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, combining the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the way of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraint conditions of the technical solution.

[0329] Figure 13 and Figure 14A schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first device, the second device, or the control plane network element in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be the first device, the second device, or the control plane network element, or can also be a module (such as a chip) applied to the first device, the second device, or the control plane network element.

[0330] Figure 13 The communication device 1300 shown in the figure includes a processing unit 1310 and a transceiver unit 1320. The communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the first device, the second device, or the control plane network element in the above method embodiments.

[0331] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the first device in the above method embodiments, the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive indication information from the control plane network element. The indication information includes the QP information of the first device. The indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP based on the QP information of the first device. The QP information of the first device includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QPs to be established, the access permission of the QPs to be established, the type of the QPs to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QPs to be established, the message length of the transmission of the QPs to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QPs to be established and the QoS requirements; the processing unit 1310 is used to establish at least one QP according to the indication information.

[0332] In a possible implementation method, the indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of an RDMA link between the first device and the second device; the processing unit 1310 is further used to establish an RDMA link between the first device and the second device according to the at least one QP.

[0333] In a possible implementation method, the QoS requirements include at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate.

[0334] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 1320 is further used to send the QP establishment information of the first device to the control plane network element. The QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QPs actually established by the first device.

[0335] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 1320 is further configured to receive a PDR from the control plane network element, where the PDR includes service characteristic information of a first service, and the service characteristic information includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service delay requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate; determine a first QoS requirement in the mapping relationship that matches the service characteristic information; the processing unit 1310 is further configured to determine, according to the mapping relationship, a first QP in the at least one QP that corresponds to the first QoS requirement; and use the first QP to transmit data packets that match the service characteristic information.

[0336] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 1320 is further configured to receive a notification message from the control plane network element, where the notification message includes information of a first QP in the at least one QP, and the notification message is used to indicate using the first QP to transmit data packets of a first service; the processing unit 1310 is further configured to, according to the notification message, use the first QP to transmit data packets of the first service.

[0337] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 1320 is further configured to send feedback information to the control plane network element, where the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission status of the RDMA link corresponding to the first QP.

[0338] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the control plane network element in the above method embodiment, the processing unit 1310 is configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to send first indication information to a first device, where the first indication information includes QP information of the first device, and the first indication information is used to indicate establishing a QP based on the QP information of the first device, and the QP information of the first device includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QPs to be established, the access permission of the QPs to be established, the type of the QPs to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QPs to be established, the message length transmitted by the QPs to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QPs to be established and the QoS requirement; and send second indication information to a second device, where the second indication information includes QP information of the second device, and the second indication information is used to indicate establishing a QP based on the QP information of the second device, and the QP information of the second device includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QPs to be established, the access permission of the QPs to be established, the type of the QPs to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QPs to be established, the message length transmitted by the QPs to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QPs to be established and the QoS requirement.

[0339] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to determine the QP information of the first device according to the information of the first device; wherein, the information of the first device includes at least one of the hardware information of the first device, the memory information of the first device, or the RDMA information of the first device, and the RDMA information of the first device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the first device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0340] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to determine the QP information of the second device according to the information of the second device; wherein, the information of the second device includes at least one of the hardware information of the second device, the memory information of the second device, or the RDMA information of the second device, and the RDMA information of the second device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the second device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0341] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to receive the QP establishment information of the first device from the first device, and the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the first device.

[0342] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to update the QP information of the first device according to the QP establishment information of the first device.

[0343] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to receive the QP establishment information of the second device from the second device, and the QP establishment information of the second device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the second device.

[0344] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to update the QP information of the second device according to the QP establishment information of the second device.

[0345] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to receive feedback information from the first device or the second device, and the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission status of the RDMA link corresponding to the QP used when the first device and the second device perform data transmission; and according to the feedback information, control the transceiver unit 1320 to send an update instruction to the first device or the second device, and the update instruction is used to indicate to update the used QP.

[0346] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the first device in the above method embodiments, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to receive indication information from a control plane network element, where the indication information includes at least one QoS requirement, and the indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement; the processing unit 1310 is configured to establish at least one QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement according to the indication information, and establish a mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and the at least one QP.

[0347] In a possible implementation method, the indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of an RDMA link between the first device and the second device; the processing unit 1310 is further configured to establish an RDMA link between the first device and the second device according to the at least one QP.

[0348] In a possible implementation method, the QoS requirement includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate.

[0349] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 1320 is further configured to send QP establishment information of the first device to the control plane network element, where the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate information of the QP actually established by the first device, and the information of the QP actually established by the first device includes the mapping relationship.

[0350] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 1320 is further configured to receive a PDR from the control plane network element, where the PDR includes service characteristic information of a first service, and the service characteristic information includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate; the processing unit 1310 is further configured to determine a first QoS requirement in the mapping relationship that matches the service characteristic information; according to the mapping relationship, determine a first QP in the at least one QP that corresponds to the first QoS requirement; and use the first QP to transmit a data packet that matches the service characteristic information.

[0351] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 1320 is further configured to receive a notification message from the control plane network element, where the notification message includes information of a first QP in the at least one QP, and the notification message is used to indicate using the first QP to transmit a data packet of a first service; the processing unit 1310 is further configured to use the first QP to transmit the data packet of the first service according to the notification message.

[0352] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 1320 is further configured to send feedback information to the control plane network element, where the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission status of the RDMA link corresponding to the first QP.

[0353] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the control plane network element in the above method embodiments, the processing unit 1310 is configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to send first indication information to a first device, where the first indication information includes at least one QoS requirement, and the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement; and send second indication information to a second device, where the second indication information includes the at least one QoS requirement, and the second indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement.

[0354] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to send first indication information to a first device, specifically including: being configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to send the first indication information to the first device according to the information of the first device; where the information of the first device includes at least one of the hardware information of the first device, the memory information of the first device, or the RDMA information of the first device, and the RDMA information of the first device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the first device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0355] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to send second indication information to the second device, specifically including: being configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to send the second indication information to the second device according to the information of the second device; where the information of the second device includes at least one of the hardware information of the second device, the memory information of the second device, or the RDMA information of the second device, and the RDMA information of the second device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the second device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

[0356] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to receive the QP establishment information of the first device from the first device, where the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the first device, and the information of the QP actually established by the first device includes the mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and at least one QP established by the first device.

[0357] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to update the QP information of the first device according to the QP establishment information of the first device.

[0358] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to receive the QP establishment information of the second device from the second device, where the QP establishment information of the second device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the second device, and the information of the QP actually established by the second device includes the mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and at least one QP established by the second device.

[0359] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to update the QP information of the second device according to the QP establishment information of the second device.

[0360] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1310 is further configured to control the transceiver unit 1320 to receive feedback information from the first device or the second device, where the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission status of the RDMA link corresponding to the QP used when the first device and the second device perform data transmission; and according to the feedback information, control the transceiver unit 1320 to send an update instruction to the first device or the second device, where the update instruction is used to indicate to update the used QP.

[0361] For a more detailed description of the above processing unit 1310 and transceiver unit 1320, reference can be directly made to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0362] Figure 14 The illustrated communication device 1400 includes a processor 1410 and an interface circuit 1420. The processor 1410 and the interface circuit 1420 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1420 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a memory 1430, which is used to store instructions executed by the processor 1410 or input data required for the processor 1410 to run the instructions or data generated after the processor 1410 runs the instructions.

[0363] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the above method embodiments, the processor 1410 is used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 1310, and the interface circuit 1420 is used to implement the functions of the above transceiver unit 1320.

[0364] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0365] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in a hardware manner or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can be stored in a random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can be located in an access network device or a terminal device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the access network device or the terminal device.

[0366] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in the form of a computer program product in whole or in part. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are executed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, an access network device, a terminal device, or other programmable devices. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired or wireless manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile types of storage media.

[0367] In various embodiments of the present application, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0368] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of the present application, the character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after; in the formulas of the present application, the character " / " represents a "division" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0369] It can be understood that the various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The magnitude of the serial numbers of the above processes does not mean the sequence of execution, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined according to its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first device or a module of the first device, the method includes: Receiving indication information from a control plane network element, where the indication information includes queue pair (QP) information of the first device, and the indication information is used to indicate establishing a QP based on the QP information of the first device. The QP information of the first device includes at least one of the following information: the number of QPs to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QPs to be established, the access permission of the QPs to be established, the type of the QPs to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QPs to be established, the packet length of the transmission of the QPs to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QPs to be established and QoS requirements; Establishing at least one QP according to the indication information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indication information is further used to indicate establishing a remote direct memory access (RDMA) link between the first device and a second device; establishing an RDMA link between the first device and the second device according to the at least one QP.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The QoS requirements include at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending QP establishment information of the first device to the control plane network element, where the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QPs actually established by the first device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further includes: Receiving a packet detection rule (PDR) from the control plane network element, where the PDR includes service characteristic information of a first service, and the service characteristic information includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate; Determining a first QoS requirement in the mapping relationship that matches the service characteristic information; Determining a first QP in the at least one QPs that corresponds to the first QoS requirement according to the mapping relationship; Using the first QP to transmit data packets that match the service characteristic information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving a notification message from the control plane network element, where the notification message includes information of a first QP in the at least one QPs, and the notification message is used to indicate using the first QP to transmit data packets of the first service; Using the first QP to transmit data packets of the first service according to the notification message.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending feedback information to the control plane network element, where the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission situation of the RDMA link corresponding to the first QP.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a control plane network element or a module of the control plane network element, the method includes: Send first indication information to a first device, where the first indication information includes QP information of the first device, and the first indication information is used to indicate establishing a QP based on the QP information of the first device. The QP information of the first device includes at least one of the following information: the number of queue pairs QPs to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QP to be established, the packet length of the transmission of the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and QoS requirements; Send second indication information to the second device, where the second indication information includes QP information of the second device, and the second indication information is used to indicate establishing a QP based on the QP information of the second device. The QP information of the second device includes at least one of the following information: the number of queue pairs QPs to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QP to be established, the packet length of the transmission of the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and QoS requirements.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine the QP information of the first device according to the information of the first device; Wherein, the information of the first device includes at least one of the hardware information of the first device, the memory information of the first device, or the RDMA information of the first device. The RDMA information of the first device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the first device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine the QP information of the second device according to the information of the second device; Wherein, the information of the second device includes at least one of the hardware information of the second device, the memory information of the second device, or the RDMA information of the second device. The RDMA information of the second device includes the RDMA protocol supported by the second device and the bearer network type corresponding to the supported RDMA protocol.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the QP establishment information of the first device from the first device, where the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the first device.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The method further includes: Update the QP information of the first device according to the QP establishment information of the first device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that The method further includes: Receive the QP establishment information of the second device from the second device, where the QP establishment information of the second device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the second device.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The method further includes: Update the QP information of the second device according to the QP establishment information of the second device.

15. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive feedback information from the first device or the second device, where the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission situation of the RDMA link corresponding to the QP used when the first device and the second device perform data transmission; Send an update indication to the first device or the second device according to the feedback information, where the update indication is used to indicate an update of the QP in use.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first device or a module of a first device, the method includes: Receive indication information from a control plane network element, where the indication information includes at least one quality of service (QoS) requirement, and the indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement; According to the indication information, establish at least one QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement, and establish a mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and the at least one QP.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of a remote direct memory access (RDMA) link between the first device and the second device; the method further includes: Establish an RDMA link between the first device and the second device according to the at least one QP.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The QoS requirement includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the QP establishment information of the first device to the control plane network element, where the QP establishment information of the first device is used to indicate the information of the QP actually established by the first device, and the information of the QP actually established by the first device includes the mapping relationship.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that The method further includes: Receive a packet detection rule (PDR) from the control plane network element, where the PDR includes service characteristic information of a first service, and the service characteristic information includes at least one of the following information: RDMA connection type, RDMA operation type, RDMA transmission type, RDMA protocol type, service latency requirement, service bandwidth requirement, service priority requirement, or transmission rate; Determine a first QoS requirement in the mapping relationship that matches the service characteristic information; According to the mapping relationship, determine a first QP in the at least one QP that corresponds to the first QoS requirement; Use the first QP to transmit data packets that match the service characteristic information.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a notification message from the control plane network element, where the notification message includes information of a first QP in the at least one QP, and the notification message is used to indicate using the first QP to transmit data packets of a first service; According to the notification message, use the first QP to transmit data packets of the first service.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that The method further includes: Send feedback information to the control plane network element, where the feedback information is used to indicate the transmission situation of the RDMA link corresponding to the first QP.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or performing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 15, or performing the method according to any one of claims 16 to 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, Comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 15, or execute the method according to any one of claims 16 to 22.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when running on a processor, cause the processor to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or execute the method according to any one of claims 8 to 15, or execute the method according to any one of claims 16 to 22.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer program or instructions are stored in the storage medium, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 8 to 15 is implemented, or the method according to any one of claims 16 to 22 is implemented.

27. A communication system, characterized in that, Comprising: A control plane network element for sending first indication information to a first device, the first indication information including QP information of the first device, the first indication information being used to indicate establishing a QP based on the QP information of the first device, and the QP information of the first device including at least one of the following information: the number of queue pairs QP to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QP to be established, the packet length of the transmission of the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and QoS requirements; The first device is used to receive the first indication information; and establish at least one QP according to the first indication information.

28. The system according to claim 27, wherein The communication system further includes a second device; The control plane network element is further used to send second indication information to the second device, the second indication information including QP information of the second device, the second indication information being used to indicate establishing a QP based on the QP information of the second device, and the QP information of the second device including at least one of the following information: the number of queue pairs QP to be established, the memory area corresponding to the QP to be established, the access permission of the QP to be established, the type of the QP to be established, the maximum transmission unit of the QP to be established, the packet length of the transmission of the QP to be established, or the mapping relationship between the QP to be established and QoS requirements; The second device is used to receive the second indication information; and establish at least one QP according to the second indication information.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein The first indication information is further used to indicate establishing an RDMA link between the first device and the second device, and the second indication information is further used to indicate establishing an RDMA link between the second device and the first device; The first device is further used to establish at least one RDMA link with the second device according to at least one QP established by the first device; The second device is further used to establish at least one RDMA link with the first device according to at least one QP established by the second device.

30. A communication system, characterized in that, Comprising: A control plane network element, configured to send first indication information to a first device, where the first indication information includes at least one Quality of Service (QoS) requirement, and the first indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a queue pair (QP) that meets the at least one QoS requirement. The first device is configured to receive the first indication information; according to the first indication information, establish at least one QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement, and establish a mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and the at least one QP.

31. The system according to claim 30, wherein The communication system further includes a second device. The control plane network element is further configured to send second indication information to the second device, where the second indication information includes the at least one QoS requirement, and the second indication information is used to indicate the establishment of a QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement. The second device is configured to receive the second indication information. According to the second indication information, establish at least one QP that meets the at least one QoS requirement, and establish a mapping relationship between the at least one QoS requirement and the at least one QP.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein The first indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) link between the first device and the second device, and the second indication information is further used to indicate the establishment of an RDMA link between the second device and the first device. The first device is further configured to establish at least one RDMA link with the second device according to the at least one QP established by the first device. The second device is further configured to establish at least one RDMA link with the first device according to the at least one QP established by the second device.

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