Communication method and related device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of wireless communication, in particular to a communication method and a related device. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a first domain name from a first server discovery function network element; the first domain name is included in a query message. And when the first domain name satisfies a first condition, sending the first domain name to a first network element. The first condition comprises that the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element does not comprise the first domain name, or the service range of the first network element comprises the first domain name. First information from a first network element is received. The first information is used for processing the query message. And sending the first information to a first server discovery function network element. By adopting the method, the load pressure of the first session management function network element can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] In an edge computing (EC) deployment scenario, some services may be provided by multiple edge application servers (EASs) deployed at the network edge. These EASs can provide the same services and content, but have different addresses. When a terminal device needs to access a certain service, it needs to obtain the address of the nearest EAS among these multiple EASs. The acquisition of the EAS address is usually achieved by the session management function (SMF) network element in the core network executing the EAS discovery process.

[0003] The prior art proposes to assist the SMF network element in executing the EAS discovery process through an edge application server discovery function (EASDF) network element. In actual implementation, the main role of the EASDF network element is to process the domain name system (DNS) query messages provided by the terminal device and the DNS response messages provided by the DNS server for the DNS query messages according to the instructions of the SMF network element. However, the existing solution requires the SMF network element to be responsible for all EAS discovery processes corresponding to all sessions within its service scope, that is, the SMF needs to be responsible for processing DNS query messages and DNS responses in all sessions within its service scope of the processor. Moreover, the service scope of the SMF network element is usually relatively large, which will lead to a relatively large load pressure on the SMF network element, thereby affecting its performance. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the above problems, this application provides a communication method and related devices, which can reduce the load pressure on the session management function network element.

[0005] The following introduces this application from multiple aspects. It is easy to understand that the implementation methods of the following multiple aspects can refer to each other.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method. The communication method is applicable to a first session management function network element. The method includes: receiving a first domain name from a first server discovery function network element. The first domain name is included in a query message from a terminal device, and the query message is used to query the address of a server that provides the service corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device. When the first domain name meets a first condition, sending the first domain name to a first network element. The first condition may include: the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element does not include the first domain name, or the first domain name is within the service scope of the first network element. Receiving first information from the first network element. The first information is determined based on the first domain name, and the first information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device. Sending the first information to the first server discovery function network element.

[0007] In the above implementation, the first session management function network element sends the first domain name that meets the first condition to the first network element, and forwards the first information obtained by the first network element based on the first domain name to the first server discovery function network element. The first information can be used by the first server discovery function network element to process the query message providing the first domain name. Compared with the prior art solution in which the SMF network element is responsible for DNS query messages and DNS response messages in all sessions within its service scope, in the solution provided by the present application, fewer information processing and sending / receiving operations are required during the processing of the query message by the first session management function network element, and the load pressure on the first session management function network element is smaller. Therefore, adopting the solution provided by the present application can solve the problem of large load pressure on the SMF network element caused by the existing solution, thereby improving the performance of the SMF network element.

[0008] The above server may be the edge application server closest to the terminal device among multiple edge application servers that can provide the service corresponding to the first domain name.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, the first information may be a first address, and the first address may be determined by the first network element according to the first domain name and the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Alternatively, the first address may be determined by the first network element according to the first domain name, the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This first address can be used by the first server discovery function network element to determine the DNS extension mechanisms (EDNS) client subnet option (ECS option).

[0010] It should be understood that in this application, the first network element and the first session management function network element serve the same session. The function of the first network element can be to reduce the load on the session management function network element, or it can be a network element that provides more efficient or localized edge information and EAS process management. In actual implementation, this first network element can also be referred to as an intermediate session management function network element (i.e., I-SMF) or a local session management function network element (i.e., L-SMF). It should be understood that the above are only examples, and the first network element can also adopt other naming methods, and this application does not make specific restrictions on this.

[0011] It should be understood that in this application, the server deployment information can also be referred to as EAS deployment information (EDI). It mainly indicates how edge services are deployed in each local part of the data network.

[0012] Combined with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, the above first condition may further include that the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element includes the first domain name.

[0013] Combined with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, when the above first server deployment information includes the first domain name, a second message may be sent to the first server discovery function network element. Among them, the second message can be determined based on the first domain name in the query message, and this second message can be used to process the query message to obtain the address of the above first server.

[0014] In the above implementation, if the received first domain name is included in its corresponding first server deployment information, the first session management function network element will generate a second message for the first server discovery function network element to process the query message based on this first domain name, and send it to the first server discovery function network element, which can also avoid the situation where the first domain name provided by the first server discovery function network element is not correctly processed.

[0015] Combined with the first aspect, in an alternative implementation, the above second message can be a second address, which can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above first domain name and the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, or this second address can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above first domain name, the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This second address can be used by the first server discovery function network element to determine the ECS option.

[0016] In combination with the first aspect, in an optional implementation, a server address is received from a first server discovery function network element. The server address is included in a response message corresponding to a query message. When the server address meets the second condition, the server address is sent to the first network element. The second condition includes: the first server deployment information does not include the server address, or the second server deployment information includes the server address, or the response message further includes a first domain name, the first server deployment information does not include the first domain name, or the response message further includes a first domain name, and the second server deployment information includes the first domain name. Third information is received from the first network element, and the third information is sent to the first server discovery function network element. The third information is used to indicate that the response message will be sent to the terminal device.

[0017] In the above implementation, the first session management function network element sends the server address that meets the second condition to the first network element, and forwards the third information generated by the first network element to the first server discovery function network element, so as to indicate, through the third information, that the first server discovery function network element sends the response message corresponding to the above query message to the terminal device that provides the query message, so that the terminal device can obtain the above server address. By adopting this solution, the information processing and sending / receiving operations that the first session management function network element needs to participate in during the processing of the response message can be reduced, and the load pressure on the first session management function network element can be further reduced. Therefore, by adopting this solution, the load pressure on the SMF network element caused by the existing solution can be further reduced.

[0018] It should be added that in the above method, the first session management function network element directly forwards the third information generated by the first network element to the first server discovery function network element. In some other possible implementations, the first session management function network element may also generate ninth information that can be used to indicate that the first server discovery function network element sends the response message corresponding to the above query message to the terminal device after receiving the above third information, and send the ninth information to the first server discovery function network element.

[0019] In addition, in the above method, the first session management function network element sends the server address to the first network element when the server address meets the second condition. In some possible implementations, the first session management function network element may also send the server address to the first network element when it is determined that the server address is not within the service scope of the first session management function network element.

[0020] In combination with the first aspect, in an optional implementation manner, when the first server deployment information includes a server address, the splitting rules of the user plane function network element are indicated, and fourth information is sent to the first server discovery function network element. The fourth information is used to indicate that the response message is sent to the terminal device that provides the query message. The splitting rules may include one or more of the following: traffic routing rules, traffic detection rules, packet detection rules, and forwarding action rules.

[0021] In the above implementation, if the received server address is included in the corresponding first server deployment information, the first session management function network element generates fourth information, and uses the fourth information to indicate that the first server discovery function network element sends the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message, which can also avoid the situation where the server address provided by the first server discovery function network element is not correctly processed.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is characterized in that the communication method is applicable to a first session management function network element. The method includes: receiving a server address from a first server discovery function network element. The server address is included in a response message corresponding to a query message from a terminal device, and the query message is used to query the address of a server that provides services corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device. When the server address meets a second condition, the server address is sent to a first network element. The second condition includes: the first server deployment information does not include a server address, or the second server deployment information includes a server address, or the response message further includes a first domain name, and the first server deployment information does not include the first domain name, or the response message further includes a first domain name, and the second server deployment information includes the first domain name. Receiving third information from the first network element, and sending the third information to the first server discovery function network element. The third information is used to indicate that the response message is sent to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0023] It should be added that in the above method, the first session management function network element directly forwards the third information generated by the first network element to the first server discovery function network element. In some other possible implementation manners, the first session management function network element may also generate ninth information that can be used to indicate that the first server discovery function network element sends the response message corresponding to the above query message to the terminal device after receiving the above third information, and send the ninth information to the first server discovery function network element.

[0024] In addition, in the above method, the first session management function network element sends the server address to the first network element when the server address meets the second condition. In some possible implementations, the first session management function network element may also send the server address to the first network element when it determines that the server address is not within the service scope of the first session management function network element.

[0025] Combined with the second aspect, in an optional implementation manner, when the first server deployment information includes a server address, the traffic splitting rule of the user plane function network element is indicated, and the fourth information is sent to the first server discovery function network element. The fourth information is used to indicate that the response message is sent to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0026] Combined with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving the server address from the first server discovery function network element, the first domain name from the first server discovery function network element may also be received. The first domain name is included in the above query message. When the first domain name meets the first condition, the first domain name is sent to the first network element. The first condition may include: the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element does not include the first domain name. The first information from the first network element is received. The first information is determined based on the first domain name, and the first information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of the first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device. The first information is sent to the first server discovery function network element.

[0027] Combined with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first information may be a first address. The first address may be determined by the first network element according to the first domain name and the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Or, the first address may be determined by the first network element according to the first domain name, the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This first address can be used by the first server discovery function network element to determine the ECS option.

[0028] Combined with the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first session management function network element sends the first domain name to the first network element when the first domain name meets the first condition. Or, the first session management function network element may also send the first domain name to the first network element when it determines that the first domain name is not within the service scope of the first session management function network element.

[0029] In combination with the second aspect, in an alternative implementation, when the above first server deployment information includes a first domain name, a second message may be sent to the first server discovery functional network element. The second message may be generated based on the first domain name in the query message, and is used to process the query message to obtain the address of the first server, where the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0030] In combination with the second aspect, in an alternative implementation, the above second message may be a second address, which may be determined by the first session management functional network element according to the above first domain name and the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management functional network element, or the second address may be determined by the first session management functional network element according to the above first domain name, the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management functional network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This second address may be used by the first server discovery functional network element to determine the ECS option.

[0031] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an alternative implementation, before receiving the first domain name from the first server discovery functional network element, a fifth message may be obtained. The fifth message is associated with the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. A first processing rule is sent to the first server discovery functional network element according to the fifth message. The query message matches the first processing rule, and the first processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management functional network element.

[0032] In the above implementation, the first session management functional network element may send the first processing rule to the first server discovery functional network element through the fifth message associated with the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, so that the first server discovery functional network element can send the first domain name in the query message and the server address in the response message to the first session management functional network element based on the first processing rule.

[0033] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an alternative implementation, the fifth message includes the first domain name range included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, or the first domain name range corresponding to the service range of the first network element. The first processing rule includes the first domain name range. The query message matching the first processing rule can be understood as that the first domain name range includes the first domain name. The first processing rule includes or indicates that for the query message or the response message whose included first domain name is included in the above first domain name range, the first domain name included in the query message and the server address included in the response message are provided to the first session management functional network element.

[0034] In the above implementation, the first network element provides a first domain name range for the first session management function network element, and the first session management function network element may send a first processing rule including the first domain name range to the first server discovery function network element. By adopting this solution, not only can the amount of data to be transmitted between the first network element and the first session management function network element be reduced, but also the configuration process of the first processing rule can be simplified, and the implementation cost can be reduced.

[0035] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the first processing rule may be generated according to the first domain name range in the fifth information, and the first processing rule is sent to the first server discovery function network element.

[0036] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first processing rule further includes a second first domain name range, and the second first domain name range is included in the second deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule may further include or indicate that: for a query message or a response message whose included first domain name is included in the second first domain name range, the first domain name in the query message or the server address in the response message is sent to the first session management function network element.

[0037] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the fifth information further includes a first address range, the first address range is included in the second deployment information, and the first processing rule further includes the first address range. The first processing rule may further include or indicate that: for a response message whose included server address is included in the first address range, the server address included in the response message is provided to the first session management function network element.

[0038] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first processing rule further includes a second address range, and the second address range is included in the first deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule may further include or indicate that: for a response message whose included server address is included in the second address range, the server address included in the response message is provided to the first session management function network element.

[0039] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the fifth information may be the first processing rule determined based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. That is, the fifth information is the first processing rule itself as described above.

[0040] In the above implementation, the first network element sends the first processing rule it generates to the first session management function network element, and sends the first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element through the first session management function network element, which can avoid the interaction between the first network element and the first server discovery function network element, thereby reducing the implementation difficulty of the communication method provided in this application.

[0041] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule, and the second processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information.

[0042] In the above implementation, the priority of the first processing rule is set higher than the second processing priority determined based on the first server deployment information, ensuring that the first network element is preferentially used to process the first domain name or server address provided by the first server discovery function network element, so that the processing operations of the first session management function network element for the first domain name or server address can be fewer.

[0043] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation manner, a second processing rule may also be sent to the first server discovery function network element. It should be understood that in this case, the first session management function network element may send the first processing rule and the second processing rule through the same message, or may send the first processing rule and the second processing rule through different messages. This application does not make specific restrictions on this.

[0044] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation manner, priority indication information may also be sent to the first server discovery function network element, and the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0045] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the first processing rule includes the identifier of the first detection template and / or the identifier of the first processing action information, and the first matching rule includes the first detection template and the first processing action information. Or rather, the above first processing rule refers to the above first matching rule. The first network element configures the first matching rule for the first server discovery function network element. The first processing action information further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element. The above query message matches the first processing rule, and it can be understood that the first detection template includes the first domain name.

[0046] In the above implementation, by referring to the first matching rule, only the first identifier of the first detection template and / or the second identifier of the first processing action information need to be included in the first processing rule, which can reduce the data volume of the first processing rule, thereby reducing the transmission overhead required by the method.

[0047] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation, the fifth information includes the identifiers of at least one second server discovery functional network element, the identifiers of the second detection templates included in the second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery functional network elements, and the identifier of the second processing action information. The second matching rules corresponding to each second server discovery functional network element are generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0048] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation, at least one second server discovery functional network element is determined according to the identifiers of at least one second server discovery functional network element in the fifth information. The target second server discovery functional network element among the at least one second server discovery functional network elements is determined as the first server discovery functional network element. The identifiers of the second detection template and the second processing action information included in the second matching rule corresponding to the target second server discovery functional network element are determined as the identifiers of the first detection template and the first processing action information included in the first matching rule, and a first processing rule is generated. The first processing rule is sent to the first service discovery functional network element.

[0049] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation, before receiving the fifth information, the tenth information from the first network element may also be received. The tenth information is used to request the identifier of the server discovery functional network element currently selected by the first session management functional network element. Then, the identifier of the third server discovery functional network element currently selected by the first session management functional network element may be sent to the first network element. The third server discovery functional network element is different from the first server discovery functional network element.

[0050] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation, the fifth information includes the identifier of the first detection template and / or the identifier of the first processing action information, and the first matching rule is generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0051] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation, before receiving the fifth information, the tenth information from the first network element may be received. The tenth information is used to request the identifier of the server discovery functional network element currently selected by the first session management functional network element. Then, the identifier of the first server discovery functional network element currently selected by the first session management functional network element may be sent to the first network element.

[0052] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation, the fifth information from the first network element is received.

[0053] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an alternative implementation, obtain the fifth information locally, or receive the fifth information from a centralized network element.

[0054] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an alternative implementation, upon the trigger of a first network element, send a first processing rule to a first server discovery function network element. The first processing rule is determined based on first server deployment information, and the first domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard. A query message matches the first processing rule, and the first processing rule further includes: sending a first domain name to a first session management function network element.

[0055] In the above implementation, setting the first domain name range in the first processing rule to be empty or a wildcard is simple and easy to implement, and can reduce the implementation cost of the method provided in this application.

[0056] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an alternative implementation, receive the fifth information from the first network element. The fifth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores first deployment information, the first network element supports a first capability for processing server-related information, and the first network element receives a sixth information for instructing the first network element to process server-related information. The above-mentioned sending of the first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element upon the trigger of the first network element can be understood as sending the first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element when it is determined that the fifth information is received. That is to say, the role of the fifth information is to instruct the first session management function network element to perform corresponding actions, so that the first network element can generate and provide the first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element. It should be understood that this application does not limit the specific content and specific name of the fifth information, as long as it can play the above role.

[0057] It should be noted that the first capability is the capability of the first network element, which can be determined by means such as the local configuration of the first network element, the configuration of the operator, and the network management configuration. For example, if the first network element is a certain type of network element, some of this type of network element has the first capability and some do not. When selecting the first network element, the network element with the first capability in this type of network element will be selected as the first network element. The above-mentioned sixth information can be received from an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element or the first session management function network element.

[0058] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation, the method further includes: determining that the first network element starts to handover to the second network element, or determining that the first network element starts to insert, or determining that the first network element starts to remove, and sending seventh information to the first server discovery function network element, where the seventh information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to pause processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device. The seventh information may include a DNS context identifier, a session identifier, or an address of the terminal device.

[0059] In the above implementation, the first session management function network element can instruct the first server discovery function network element to pause processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device through the seventh information. Therefore, in the case of determining that the first network element starts to handover to the second network element, or determining that the first network element starts to insert, or determining that the first network element starts to remove, this method can ensure that query messages and response messages can be normally discovered.

[0060] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation, determining that the first network element completes the handover, or determining that the first network element completes the insertion, or determining that the first network element completes the removal, and sending eighth information to the first server discovery function network element, where the eighth information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to resume processing query messages and / or response messages in the session.

[0061] In the above implementation, in the case of determining that the first network element completes the handover, or determining that the first network element completes the insertion, or determining that the first network element completes the removal, the first session management function network element can instruct the first server discovery function network element to start processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device through the eighth information, so as to ensure that query messages and response messages can be processed in a timely manner.

[0062] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation, if it is determined that a session update request message is received from the first network element, it is determined that the first network element starts to handover to the second network element. If it is determined that a session update request message is received from the second network element, it is determined that the first network element completes the handover.

[0063] Combined with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation, if it is determined that a create session management context request message is received from the access and mobility management function network element, it is determined that the first network element starts to insert. If it is determined that a session update request message is received from the first network element, it is determined that the first network element completes the insertion.

[0064] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation manner, if it is determined that a session update request message from the first network element is received, it is determined that the first network element starts to be removed. If it is determined that a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element is received, it is determined that the first network element has completed removal.

[0065] In combination with the first aspect or the second aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the above seventh information can also be used to indicate that the first server discovery function network element caches the query message and / or response message in the session of the terminal device.

[0066] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applicable to a first network element. The method includes: receiving a first domain name from a first session management function network element. The first domain name is included in a query message from a terminal device, and the query message is used to query the address of a server that provides the service corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device. The first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element does not include the first domain name, or the service scope of the first network element includes the first domain name. Sending a first message to the first session management function network element. The first message is determined based on the first domain name, and the first message is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device. The service scope of the first network element may be the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0067] It should be added that the first message may be a first address, and the first address can be determined by the first network element according to the above first domain name and the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Or, the first address can be determined by the first network element according to the above first domain name, the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This first address can be used by the first server discovery function network element to determine the ECS option.

[0068] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, receiving a server address from the first session management function network element. The server address is included in the response message corresponding to the query message. Indicating the traffic splitting rule of the user plane function network element. Sending a third message to the first session management function network element. The third message is used to indicate that the response message is sent to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0069] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving the first domain name from the first session management function network element, the method further includes: sending fifth information to the first session management function network element. The fifth information is associated with the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The fifth information is used to send a first processing rule, and the query message matches the first processing rule. The first processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element.

[0070] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the fifth information is the first domain name range included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the first processing rule includes the first domain name range. That the query message matches the first processing rule can be understood as that the first domain name range includes the first domain name.

[0071] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the fifth information is the first processing rule determined based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0072] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule, and the second processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information.

[0073] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending priority indication information to the first server discovery function network element, and the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0074] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first processing rule includes the first identifier of the first detection template and / or the second identifier of the first processing action information, the first matching rule includes the first detection template and the first processing action information, the first matching rule is generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the first processing action information further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element. That the query message matches the first processing rule can be understood as that the first detection template includes the first domain name.

[0075] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the fifth information includes the identifiers of at least one second server discovery function network element, the identifiers of the second detection templates included in the second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery function network elements, and the identifiers of the second processing action information. The second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery function network elements are all generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The at least one second server discovery function network element includes the first server discovery function network element, and the second matching rules corresponding to the at least one second server discovery function network element include the first matching rule.

[0076] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information includes the identifier of the first detection template and / or the identifier of the first processing action information, and the first matching rule is generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0077] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, if it is determined that the third condition is satisfied, the fifth information is sent to the first session management function network element. The third condition includes at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores the first server deployment information, the first network element supports the first capability for processing server-related information, and the first network element receives the sixth information for instructing the first network element to process server-related information.

[0078] In combination with the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the method further includes: sending the fifth information to the first session management function network element. The fifth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores the first server deployment information, the first network element supports the first capability for processing server-related information, and the first network element receives the sixth information for instructing the first network element to process server-related information. The fifth information is further used to trigger sending the first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element. The first processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information. The first domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard, and the query message matches the first processing rule. The first processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element.

[0079] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applicable to the first server discovery function network element. The method includes: determining that the query message matches the first processing rule. The query message comes from a terminal device and is used to query the address of the server that provides the service corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device. The first processing rule further includes sending the first domain name in the query message to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule is determined and sent by the first session management function network element according to the fifth information, and the fifth information is associated with the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Sending the first domain name in the query message to the first session management function network element. Receiving the first information from the first session management function network element and processing the query message according to the first information. Or, receiving the second information from the first session management function network element and processing the query message according to the second information. The first information or the second information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of the first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0080] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, processing the query message according to the first information can be understood as generating an ECS option according to the first information and adding the ECS option to the query message. Send the query message with the added ECS option to the DNS server.

[0081] Optionally, the first information is the first address. The first information can be the first address, and the first address can be determined by the first network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name and the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Alternatively, the first address can be determined by the first network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name, the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the location information of the terminal device providing the query message.

[0082] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, processing the query message according to the second information can be understood as generating an ECS option according to the second information and adding the ECS option to the query message. Send the query message with the added ECS option to the DNS server.

[0083] Optionally, the second information can be a second address. The second address can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name and the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. Alternatively, the second address can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name, the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, and the location information of the terminal device providing the query message.

[0084] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: determining that the response message corresponding to the query message matches the first processing rule. Send the server address to the first session management function network element. Receive the third information from the first network element and send the response message to the terminal device providing the query message according to the third information. Or, receive the fourth information from the first session management function network element and send the response message to the terminal device providing the query message according to the fourth information.

[0085] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving the first processing rule and storing the first processing rule.

[0086] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, storing the first processing rule can be understood as generating a first context including the first processing rule.

[0087] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the fifth piece of information is the first domain name range included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the first processing rule includes the first domain name range. The query message matching the first processing rule can be understood as that the first domain name range includes the first domain name.

[0088] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first processing rule further includes a second first domain name range, and the second first domain name range is included in the second deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule may include: for a query message or a response message whose included first domain name is included in the second first domain name range, send the included first domain name to the first session management function network element.

[0089] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the fifth piece of information further includes a first address range, the first address range is included in the second deployment information, and the first processing rule further includes the first address range. The first processing rule may include that for a query message or a response message whose included server address is included in the first address range, notify the first session management function network element of the included server address.

[0090] In combination with the fourth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first processing rule further includes a second address range, and the second address range is included in the first deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule may include that for a response message whose included server address is included in the first address range and the second address range, notify the first session management function network element of the included server address.

[0091] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the fifth piece of information may be the first processing rule determined based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. That is, the fifth piece of information is the first processing rule itself as described above.

[0092] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule, and the second processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information.

[0093] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving a second processing rule from the first session management function network element.

[0094] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving priority indication information from the first session management function network element or the first network element, and the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0095] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the first processing rule includes the first identifier of the first detection template and / or the second identifier of the first processing action information, and the first matching rule includes the first detection template and the first processing action information. Or rather, the above-mentioned first processing rule refers to the above-mentioned first matching rule. The first network element configures the first matching rule for the first server discovery function network element. The first processing action information further includes: sending a first domain name to the first session management function network element. The above-mentioned query message matches the first processing rule, which can be understood as the first detection template includes the first domain name.

[0096] In combination with the fourth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the fifth information includes the identifiers of at least one second server discovery function network element, the identifiers of the second detection templates included in the second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery function network elements, and the identifiers of the second processing action information, and the second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery function network elements are generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0097] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applicable to a first server discovery function network element. The method includes: determining that a query message matches a first processing rule. Among them, the first domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard, and the first processing rule further includes sending a first domain name to the first session management function network element. The query message is used to query the address of the server corresponding to the first domain name. The first processing rule is sent by the first session management function network element when receiving the fifth information from the first network element, and the fifth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores first deployment information, the first network element supports the first capability for processing edge application server (EAS) related information, the first network element receives the sixth information for instructing the first network element to process EAS related information. Sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element. Receiving the first information or the second information from the first session management function network element, and processing the query message according to the first information or the second information.

[0098] In combination with the fifth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, processing the query message according to the first information can be understood as generating an ECS option according to the first information and adding the ECS option to the query message. Sending the query message added with the ECS option to the DNS server.

[0099] Optionally, the first information is the first address. The first information can be the first address, which can be determined by the first network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name and the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Alternatively, the first address can be determined by the first network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name, the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0100] Combined with the fifth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, processing the query message according to the second information can be understood as generating an ECS option according to the second information and adding the ECS option to the query message. Send the query message with the added ECS option to the DNS server.

[0101] Optionally, the second information can be a second address, which can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name and the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. Alternatively, the second address can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name, the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0102] Combined with the fifth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving a response message corresponding to the query message, and sending the server address in the response message to the first session management function network element. Receiving the third information from the first network element, and sending the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message according to the third information. Or, receiving the fourth information from the first session management function network element, and sending the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message according to the fourth information.

[0103] Combined with the fifth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving the first processing rule and storing the first processing rule.

[0104] Combined with the fifth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, storing the first processing rule can be understood as generating a first context including the first processing rule.

[0105] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, receiving the seventh information from the first session management function network element, and suspending the processing of the query message and / or the response message in the session of the terminal device.

[0106] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, receiving the eighth information from the first session management function network element, and starting to process the query message and / or the response message in the session of the terminal device.

[0107] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned seventh piece of information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the first network element starts to switch to the second network element, or determines that the first network element starts to insert, or determines that the first network element starts to remove.

[0108] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the first network element completes the switch, or determines that the first network element completes the insertion, or determines that the first network element completes the removal.

[0109] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in an alternative implementation, after receiving the seventh piece of information, it is also possible to start caching query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0110] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it can determine that the first network element starts to switch to the second network element. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the second network element, it can determine that the first network element has completed the switch.

[0111] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element, it determines that the first network element starts to insert. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it determines that the first network element has completed the insertion.

[0112] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it determines that the first network element starts to remove. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element, it determines that the first network element has completed the removal.

[0113] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned seventh piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines to start switching to the second network element.

[0114] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation, when the first network element receives a session context request message from the second network element, it determines to start switching to the second network element.

[0115] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the second network element when it determines that the handover of the first network element is completed.

[0116] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the second network element determines that the handover of the first network element is completed when it receives a session update response message from the first session management function network element.

[0117] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned seventh piece of information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the first network element starts to be inserted.

[0118] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first session management function network element determines that the first network element starts to be inserted when it receives a session context request message from the first network element.

[0119] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the insertion of the first network element is completed.

[0120] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first network element determines that the insertion of the first network element is completed when it receives a session update response message from the first session management function network element.

[0121] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned seventh piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the first network element starts to be removed.

[0122] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first network element determines that the first network element starts to be removed when it receives an update session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0123] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the removal of the first network element is completed.

[0124] Combined with the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first session management function network element determines that the removal of the first network element is completed when it receives a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0125] Sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applicable to a first server discovery functional network element. The method includes: determining that a query message matches a first processing rule. The query message is used to query the address of a server corresponding to a first domain name. The first processing rule is determined by a first network element based on the corresponding second server deployment information. The first processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name to the first network element. Sending the first domain name in the query message to the first network element. Receiving first information from the first network element and processing the query message according to the first information. The first information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0126] In the above implementation, the first server discovery functional network element can send the first domain name that matches the first processing rule to the first network element, and process the query message based on the first information fed back by the first network element, so that the information processing and transceiver operations that the first session management functional network element needs to participate in during the processing of the query message can be reduced, thereby reducing the load pressure on the first session management functional network element. Therefore, by adopting this solution, the problem of heavy load pressure on the SMF network element caused by the existing solution can be solved, and thus the performance of the SMF network element can be improved.

[0127] Combined with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, processing the query message according to the first information can be understood as generating an ECS option according to the first information and adding the ECS option to the query message. Sending the query message with the ECS option added to a DNS server.

[0128] Optionally, the first information is a first address. The first information can be a first address, and the first address can be determined by the first network element according to the first domain name and the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Or the first address can be determined by the first network element according to the first domain name, the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0129] Combined with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: determining that a response message corresponding to the query message matches the first processing rule. The first processing rule further includes: sending the service address in the response message to the first network element. Sending the server address in the response message to the first network element. Receiving third information from the first network element and sending the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0130] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: if it is determined that the query message does not match the first processing rule, determining whether the query message matches the second processing rule. Wherein, the second processing rule is determined by the first session management function network element based on its corresponding first server deployment information. The second processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name in the query message to the first session management function network element. If it is determined that the second processing rule matches the query message, sending the first domain name in the query message to the first session management function network element. Receiving second information from the first session management function network element, and processing the query message according to the second information. Wherein, the second information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of the first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0131] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, processing the query message according to the second information can be understood as generating an ECS option according to the second information, and adding the ECS option to the query message. Sending the query message with the ECS option added to the DNS server.

[0132] Optionally, the second information may be a second address, which can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name and the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, or the second address can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name, the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0133] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: if it is determined that the response message does not match the first processing rule, determining whether the response message matches the second processing rule. Wherein, the second processing rule further includes: sending the service address in the response message to the first session management function network element. If it is determined that the response message matches the second processing rule, sending the server address to the first session management function network element. Receiving the fourth information sent by the first session management function network element, and sending the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0134] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving the query message from the terminal device, the method further includes: receiving the first processing rule from the first network element.

[0135] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving the query message from the terminal device, the method further includes: receiving the second processing rule from the first session management function network element.

[0136] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving a query message from a terminal device, the method further includes: receiving priority indication information from a first network element or a first session management function network element, where the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of a first processing rule is higher than the priority of a second processing rule.

[0137] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving a query message from a terminal device, the method further includes: generating a first context including a first processing rule, and generating a second context including a second processing rule. Wherein, the priority of the first context is higher than the priority of the second context. The first context and the second context correspond to the same session of the terminal device.

[0138] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, receive seventh information from a first session management function network element, and suspend processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0139] In combination with the sixth aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, receive eighth information from a first session management function network element, and start processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0140] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above seventh information is sent by the first session management function network element when it is determined that the first network element starts to switch to a second network element, or it is determined that the first network element starts to insert, or it is determined that the first network element starts to remove.

[0141] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above eighth information is sent by the first session management function network element when it is determined that the first network element completes the switch, or it is determined that the first network element completes the insertion, or it is determined that the first network element completes the removal.

[0142] In combination with the sixth aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, after receiving the seventh information, it is also possible to start caching query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0143] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it can determine that the first network element starts to switch to a second network element. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the second network element, it can determine that the first network element has completed the switch.

[0144] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element, it determines that the first network element starts to insert. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it determines that the first network element has completed the insertion.

[0145] In combination with the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it determines that the first network element starts to remove. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element, it determines that the first network element has completed the removal.

[0146] The seventh aspect provides a communication method, which is applicable to the first session management function network element. The method includes:

[0147] Receiving a first domain name from a first server discovery function network element, where the first domain name is included in a query message, the first domain name is included in a query message from a terminal device, the query message is used to query the address of a server that provides services corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device, the query message matches a second processing rule, and the second processing rule is determined by the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. Generating second information according to the first domain name, and sending the second information to the first server discovery function network element. The second information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of the first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0148] In combination with the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the second information may be a second address, which can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above first domain name and the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, or the second address can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above first domain name, the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0149] In combination with the seventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the second information is used to generate an ECS option.

[0150] In combination with the seventh aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving a server address from a first server discovery function network element, where the server address is included in a response message corresponding to a query message, and the response message matches a second processing rule. Generating fourth information and sending the fourth information to the first server discovery function network element, where the fourth information is used to instruct to send the response message to a terminal device that provides the query message.

[0151] In combination with the seventh aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving fifth information from a first network element. Generating a second processing rule according to first server deployment information. Sending the second processing rule to the first server discovery function network element.

[0152] In combination with the seventh aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending priority indication information to the first server discovery function network element, where the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of a first processing rule is higher than the priority of a second processing rule.

[0153] In combination with the seventh aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: if receiving fifth information from a first network element, providing an identifier of the first server discovery function network element for the first network element. It should be noted that in this case, the role of the fifth information is to obtain the identifier of the first server discovery function network element from a first session management function network element, so that the first network element can configure the first server discovery function network element according to this identifier. The present application does not limit the specific content and specific name of the fifth information, as long as it can play the above role.

[0154] In combination with the seventh aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the fifth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores first deployment information, the first network element supports a first capability for processing server-related information, the first network element receives sixth information for instructing the first network element to process server-related information.

[0155] In combination with the seventh aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, the method further includes: determining that the first network element starts to switch to a second network element, or determining that the first network element starts to insert, or determining that the first network element starts to remove, and sending seventh information to the first server discovery function network element, where the seventh information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to suspend processing query messages and / or response messages in a session of a terminal device.

[0156] In combination with the seventh aspect, in an optional implementation manner, when it is determined that the first network element has completed handover, or it is determined that the first network element has completed insertion, or it is determined that the first network element has completed removal, send eighth information to the first server discovery function network element, where the eighth information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to reprocess the query messages and / or response messages in the session.

[0157] In combination with the seventh aspect, in an optional implementation manner, if it is determined that a session update request message is received from the first network element, it is determined that the first network element starts to hand over to the second network element. If it is determined that a session update request message is received from the second network element, it is determined that the first network element has completed handover.

[0158] In combination with the seventh aspect, in an optional implementation manner, if it is determined that a create session management context request message is received from the access and mobility management function network element, it is determined that the first network element starts to be inserted. If it is determined that a session update request message is received from the first network element, it is determined that the first network element has completed insertion.

[0159] In combination with the seventh aspect, in an optional implementation manner, if it is determined that a session update request message is received from the first network element, it is determined that the first network element starts to be removed. If it is determined that a create session management context request message is received from the access and mobility management function network element, it is determined that the first network element has completed removal.

[0160] In combination with the seventh aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the above seventh information can also be used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to cache the query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0161] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applicable to a first network element. The method includes: generating and sending fifth information to a first session management function network element; receiving a first domain name from a first server discovery function network element, where the first domain name is included in a query message from a terminal device, the query message is used to query the address of a server that provides services corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device, the query message matches a first processing rule, and the first processing rule is determined by second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element; generating first information according to the first domain name and sending the first information to the first server discovery function network element, where the first information is used for the first server discovery function network element to process the query message. Wherein, the first information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0162] In combination with the eighth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first information may be a first address. The first address may be determined by the first network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name and the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Alternatively, the first address may be determined by the first network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name, the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0163] In combination with the eighth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the first information is used to generate an ECS option.

[0164] In combination with the eighth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving a server address from a first server discovery function network element, where the server address is included in a response message corresponding to the query message, and the response message matches a first processing rule. Instructing a shunting rule of a user plane function network element, generating third information, and sending the third information to the first server discovery function network element, where the third information is used to instruct to send the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0165] In combination with the eighth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: generating and sending fifth information to a first session management function network element, where the fifth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores first deployment information, the first network element supports a first capability for processing server-related information, the first network element receives a sixth message for instructing the first network element to process server-related information.

[0166] In combination with the eighth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving an identifier of a first server discovery function network element provided by a first session management function network element.

[0167] In combination with the eighth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: generating a first processing rule according to the second server deployment information, and sending the first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element.

[0168] In combination with the eighth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the method further includes: sending priority indication information to the first server discovery function network element, where the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0169] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. This method is applicable to a first server discovery function network element. The method includes: receiving seventh information from a first session management function network element. The seventh information is sent by the first session management function network element when it is determined that the first network element starts to switch to a second network element, or it is determined that the first network element starts to insert, or it is determined that the first network element starts to remove. Pause processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0170] In the above implementation, the first session management function network element can indicate to the first server discovery function network element to pause processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device through the seventh information. Therefore, when the first network element starts to switch to the second network element, or it is determined that the first network element starts to insert, or it is determined that the first network element starts to remove, in this way, it can be ensured that query messages and response messages can be normally discovered.

[0171] Combined with the ninth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, after receiving the seventh information, it is also possible to start caching query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0172] Combined with the ninth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, receive eighth information from the first session management function network element and start processing query messages and / or response messages in the session. The eighth information is sent by the first session management function network element when it is determined that the first network element completes the switch, or it is determined that the first network element completes the insertion, or it is determined that the first network element completes the removal.

[0173] In the above implementation, the first session management function network element can trigger the second session management function network element to instruct the first server discovery function network element to start processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device through the eighth information, so that it can be ensured that query messages and response messages can be processed in a timely manner.

[0174] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication method. This method is applicable to a first session management function network element. The method includes: when the first network element starts to switch to a second network element, or when the first network element starts to insert, or when the first network element starts to remove, send seventh information to the first server discovery function network element, where the seventh information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to pause processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0175] In combination with the tenth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, when the first network element completes handover, or the first network element completes insertion, or the first network element completes removal, the first server discovery function network element is sent an eighth piece of information, where the eighth piece of information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to start processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0176] In combination with the tenth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, if it is determined that a session update request message from the first network element is received, it is determined that the first network element starts to handover to the second network element. If it is determined that a session update request message from the second network element is received, it is determined that the first network element has completed handover.

[0177] In combination with the tenth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, if it is determined that a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element is received, it is determined that the first network element starts to insert. If it is determined that a session update request message from the first network element is received, it is determined that the first network element has completed insertion.

[0178] In combination with the tenth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, if it is determined that a session update request message from the first network element is received, it is determined that the first network element starts to remove. If it is determined that a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element is received, it is determined that the first network element has completed removal.

[0179] The eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is applicable to the first server discovery function network element. The method includes: receiving a seventh piece of information. Pausing the processing of query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0180] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the method further includes: receiving an eighth piece of information. Starting to process query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0181] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned seventh piece of information is sent by the first network element when it is determined to start handover to the second network element.

[0182] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first network element determines to start handover to the second network element when receiving a session context request message from the second network element.

[0183] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the second network element when it is determined that the first network element has completed handover.

[0184] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the second network element determines that the handover of the first network element is completed when receiving a session update response message from the first session management function network element.

[0185] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned seventh information is sent by the first session management function network element when determining that the first network element starts to be inserted.

[0186] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the first session management function network element determines that the first network element starts to be inserted when receiving a session context request message from the first network element.

[0187] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned eighth information is sent by the first network element when determining that the insertion of the first network element is completed.

[0188] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the first network element determines that the insertion of the first network element is completed when receiving a session update response message from the first session management function network element.

[0189] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned seventh information is sent by the first network element when determining that the first network element starts to be removed.

[0190] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the first network element determines that the first network element starts to be removed when receiving an update session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0191] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned eighth information is sent by the first session management function network element when determining that the removal of the first network element is completed.

[0192] In combination with the eleventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the first session management function network element determines that the removal of the first network element is completed when receiving a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0193] In a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which may be the first session management function network element mentioned in the foregoing first aspect. The communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a first domain name from a first server discovery function network element. Wherein, the first domain name is included in a query message from a terminal device, and the query message is used to query the address of a server that provides services corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device. The processing unit is configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send the foregoing first domain name to a first network element when it is determined that the first domain name meets a first condition. Wherein, the foregoing first condition may include: the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element does not include the foregoing first domain name, or, the first domain name is within the service scope of the first network element. Receive a first piece of information from the first network element. Wherein, the first piece of information is generated based on the foregoing first domain name, and the first piece of information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the foregoing services for the terminal device. Send the foregoing first piece of information to the first server discovery function network element.

[0194] In combination with the twelfth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first piece of information may be a first address, and the first address may be determined by the first network element according to the foregoing first domain name and the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Alternatively, the first address may be determined by the first network element according to the foregoing first domain name, the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This first address may be used by the first server discovery function network element to determine the ECS option.

[0195] In combination with the twelfth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the foregoing first condition may further include that the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element includes the first domain name.

[0196] In combination with the twelfth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send a second piece of information to the first server discovery function network element when it is determined that the foregoing first server deployment information includes the first domain name. Wherein, the second piece of information may be generated based on the first domain name in the query message, and the second piece of information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the foregoing services for the terminal device.

[0197] In combination with the twelfth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned second information may be a second address, which can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name and the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. Alternatively, the second address can be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name, the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This second address can be used by the first server discovery function network element to determine the ECS option.

[0198] In combination with the twelfth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a server address from the first server discovery function network element. The server address is included in the response message corresponding to the query message. The processing unit is further configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send the server address to the first network element when the server address meets the second condition. The second condition includes: the first server deployment information does not include the server address, or the second server deployment information includes the server address, or the response message further includes the first domain name and the first server deployment information does not include the first domain name, or the response message further includes the first domain name and the second server deployment information includes the first domain name. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive third information from the first network element and send the third information to the first server discovery function network element. The third information is used to indicate sending the response message to the terminal device.

[0199] In combination with the twelfth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to, when determining that the first server deployment information includes the server address, indicate the traffic splitting rule of the user plane function network element and trigger the transceiver unit to send fourth information to the first server discovery function network element. The fourth information is used to indicate sending the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message. The traffic splitting rule may include one or more of the following: traffic routing rule, traffic detection rule, packet detection rule, forwarding action rule.

[0200] In a thirteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first session management function network element mentioned in the foregoing second aspect. The communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a server address from a first server discovery function network element. The server address is included in a response message corresponding to a query message from a terminal device, and the query message is used to query the address of a server that provides services corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device. The processing unit is configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send the server address to a first network element when it is determined that the server address meets a second condition. The second condition includes: the first server deployment information does not include the server address, or the second server deployment information includes the server address, or the response message further includes the first domain name and the first server deployment information does not include the first domain name, or the response message further includes the first domain name and the second server deployment information includes the first domain name. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive third information from the first network element and send the third information to the first server discovery function network element. The third information is used to indicate that the response message is sent to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0201] In combination with the thirteenth aspect, in an optional implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to, when the first server deployment information includes the server address, indicate a traffic splitting rule of a user plane function network element and trigger the transceiver unit to send fourth information to the first server discovery function network element. The fourth information is used to indicate that the response message is sent to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0202] In combination with the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving the server address from the first server discovery function network element, the transceiver unit is configured to receive a first domain name from the first server discovery function network element. The first domain name is included in the foregoing query message. The processing unit is configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send the first domain name to the first network element when the first domain name meets a first condition. The first condition may include: the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element does not include the first domain name. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive first information from the first network element. The first information is generated based on the first domain name, and the first information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the first information to the first server discovery function network element.

[0203] In combination with the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned first information may be a first address. The first address may be determined by the first network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name and the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Alternatively, the first address may be determined by the first network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name, the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This first address can be used by the first server discovery function network element to determine the ECS option.

[0204] In combination with the thirteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send second information to the first server discovery function network element when the above-mentioned first server deployment information includes the first domain name. The second information may be generated based on the first domain name in the query message, and the second information can be used by the first server discovery function network element to process the query message.

[0205] In combination with the thirteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, the above-mentioned second information may be a second address. The second address may be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name and the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. Alternatively, the second address may be determined by the first session management function network element according to the above-mentioned first domain name, the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This second address can be used by the first server discovery function network element to determine the ECS option.

[0206] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, in an alternative implementation manner, before receiving the first domain name from the first server discovery function network element, the transceiver unit is further configured to obtain fifth information. The fifth information is associated with the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The processing unit is further configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send a first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element according to the fifth information. The query message matches the first processing rule, and the first processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element.

[0207] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, in an alternative implementation manner, the fifth information is the first domain name range included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, or the first domain name range corresponding to the service range of the first network element. The first processing rule includes the first domain name range. The query message matching the first processing rule can be understood as that the first domain name range includes the first domain name.

[0208] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to generate a first processing rule according to the first domain name range in the fifth information, and trigger the transceiver unit to send the first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element.

[0209] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first processing rule further includes a second first domain name range, and the second first domain name range is included in the second deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule may include: for a query message or a response message whose included first domain name is included in the second first domain name range, sending the included first domain name to the first session management function network element.

[0210] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information further includes a first address range, the first address range is included in the second deployment information, and the first processing rule further includes the first address range. The first processing rule may include: for a query message or a response message whose included server address is included in the first address range, notifying the first session management function network element of the included server address.

[0211] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first processing rule further includes a second address range, and the second address range is included in the first deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule may include: for a response message whose included server address is included in the first address range and the second address range, notifying the first session management function network element of the included server address.

[0212] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information may be a first processing rule determined based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. That is, the fifth information is the first processing rule itself.

[0213] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule, and the second processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information.

[0214] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send a second processing rule to the first server discovery function network element.

[0215] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send priority indication information to the first server discovery function network element, and the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0216] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first processing rule includes the first identifier of the first detection template and / or the second identifier of the first processing action information, and the first matching rule includes the first detection template and the first processing action information. Or rather, the above-mentioned first processing rule references the above-mentioned first matching rule. The first network element configures the first matching rule for the first server discovery function network element. The first processing action information further includes: sending a first domain name to the first session management function network element. The above-mentioned query message matches the first processing rule, and it can be understood that the first detection template includes the first domain name.

[0217] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the fifth information includes the identifiers of at least one second server discovery function network element, the identifiers of the second detection templates included in the second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery function network element among the at least one second server discovery function network element, and the identifiers of the second processing action information, and the second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery function network element are generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0218] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine at least one second server discovery function network element according to the identifiers of at least one second server discovery function network element in the fifth information. The processing unit is further configured to determine the target second server discovery function network element among the at least one second server discovery function network element as the first server discovery function network element. The processing unit is further configured to determine the identifier of the second detection template included in the second matching rule corresponding to the target second server discovery function network element and the identifier of the second processing action information as the identifier of the first detection template included in the first matching rule and the identifier of the first processing action information, and generate the first processing rule. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the first processing rule to the first service discovery function network element.

[0219] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving the fifth information, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive the tenth information from the first network element. The tenth information is used to request the identifier of the server discovery function network element currently selected by the first session management function network element. Sending the identifier of the third server discovery function network element currently selected by the first session management function network element to the first network element. The third server discovery function network element is different from the first server discovery function network element

[0220] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, the fifth information includes the identifier of the first detection template and / or the identifier of the first processing action information, and the first matching rule is generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0221] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving the fifth information, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive tenth information from the first network element. The fourth information is used to request the identifier of the server discovery function network element currently selected by the first session management function network element. Send the identifier of the first server discovery function network element currently selected by the first session management function network element to the first network element.

[0222] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive fifth information from the first network element.

[0223] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, triggered by the first network element, the transceiver unit is further configured to send a first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element. The first processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information, and the first domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard. The query message matches the first processing rule, and the first processing rule further includes: sending a first domain name to the first session management function network element.

[0224] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive fifth information from the first network element. The fifth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores first deployment information, the first network element supports the first capability for processing server-related information, the first network element receives sixth information for instructing the first network element to process server-related information. The above-mentioned sending the first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element triggered by the first network element can be understood as sending the first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element when it is determined that the fifth information is received.

[0225] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to switch to the second network element, or determine that the first network element starts to insert, or determine that the first network element starts to remove, and trigger the transceiver unit to send seventh information to the first server discovery function network element, where the seventh information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to pause processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0226] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element completes the switch, or determine that the first network element completes the insertion, or determine that the first network element completes the removal, and trigger the transceiver unit to send eighth information to the first server discovery function network element, where the eighth information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to resume processing query messages and / or response messages in the session.

[0227] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to switch to the second network element if it is determined that a session update request message from the first network element is received. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element has completed the switch if it is determined that a session update request message from the second network element is received.

[0228] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to insert if it is determined that a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element is received. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element has completed the insertion if it is determined that a session update request message from the first network element is received.

[0229] In combination with the twelfth aspect or the thirteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to remove if it is determined that a session update request message from the first network element is received. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element has completed the removal if it is determined that a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element is received.

[0230] A fourteenth aspect of the present application provides a communication device, which may be the first network element provided in the third aspect above. The communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a first domain name from a first session management function network element. The first domain name is included in a query message from a terminal device, and the query message is used to query the address of a server that provides the service corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device. The first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element does not include the first domain name, or the service scope of the first network element includes the first domain name. The transceiver unit is further configured to send first information to the first session management function network element, where the first information is generated by the processing unit based on the first domain name, and the first information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device. The service scope of the first network element may be the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element

[0231] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a server address from a first session management function network element. The server address is included in a response message corresponding to the query message. The processing unit is further configured to indicate a traffic splitting rule of a user plane function network element. The transceiver unit is further configured to send third information to the first session management function network element. The third information is used to indicate that the response message is sent to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0232] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, before receiving the first domain name from the first session management function network element, the transceiver unit is further configured to send fifth information to the first session management function network element. The fifth information is associated with the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The fifth information is used to send a first processing rule, and the query message matches the first processing rule. The first processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element.

[0233] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information is the first domain name range included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the first processing rule includes the first domain name range. The query message matching the first processing rule can be understood as the first domain name range including the first domain name.

[0234] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information is the first processing rule determined based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0235] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule, and the second processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information.

[0236] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send priority indication information to the first server discovery function network element, and the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0237] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first processing rule includes the first identifier of the first detection template and / or the second identifier of the first processing action information, the first matching rule includes the first detection template and the first processing action information, the first matching rule is generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the first processing action information further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element. The query message matching the first processing rule can be understood as the first detection template including the first domain name.

[0238] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information includes the identifiers of at least one second server discovery functional network element, the identifiers of the second detection templates included in the second matching rule corresponding to each second server discovery functional network element among the at least one second server discovery functional network element, and the identifier of the second processing action information. The second matching rule corresponding to each second server discovery functional network element is generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The at least one second server discovery functional network element includes a first server discovery functional network element, and the second matching rule corresponding to the at least one second server discovery functional network element includes a first matching rule.

[0239] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information includes the identifier of the first detection template and / or the identifier of the first processing action information, and the first matching rule is generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0240] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to, if it is determined that the third condition is satisfied, trigger the transceiver unit to send the fifth information to the first session management functional network element. The third condition includes at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores the first server deployment information, the first network element supports the first capability for processing server-related information, and the first network element receives the sixth information for instructing the first network element to process server-related information.

[0241] In combination with the fourteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to send the fifth information to the first session management functional network element. The fifth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores the first server deployment information, the first network element supports the first capability for processing application server-related information, and the first network element receives the sixth information for instructing the first network element to process server-related information. The fifth information is further used to trigger sending a first processing rule to the first server discovery functional network element. The first processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information. The first domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard, and the query message matches the first processing rule. The first processing rule further includes: sending a first domain name to the first session management functional network element.

[0242] In a fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first server discovery function network element described in the fourth aspect above. The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit is configured to determine that a query message matches a first processing rule. The query message is from a terminal device and is used to query the address of a server that provides services corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device. The first processing rule matches the first domain name. The first processing rule further includes sending the first domain name in the query message to a first session management function network element. The first processing rule is determined and sent by the first session management function network element according to fifth information, and the fifth information is associated with second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The transceiver unit is configured to send the first domain name in the query message to the first session management function network element. Receive first information from the first session management function network element and process the query message according to the first information. Alternatively, the transceiver unit is configured to receive second information from the first session management function network element and process the query message according to the second information. Wherein, the first information or the second information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0243] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that a response message corresponding to the query message matches the first processing rule. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the server address in the response message to the first session management function network element. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive third information from the first session management function network element and send the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message according to the third information. Alternatively, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive fourth information from the first session management function network element and send the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message according to the fourth information.

[0244] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive the first processing rule. The processing unit is further configured to store the first processing rule.

[0245] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is configured to generate a first context including the first processing rule.

[0246] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information is the first domain name range included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the first processing rule includes the first domain name range. That the query message matches the first processing rule can be understood as that the first domain name range includes the first domain name.

[0247] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first processing rule further includes a second first domain name range, and the second first domain name range is included in the second deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule may include: for a query message or a response message whose included first domain name is included in the second first domain name range, sending the included first domain name to the first session management function network element.

[0248] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information further includes a first address range, the first address range is included in the second deployment information, and the first processing rule further includes the first address range. The first processing rule may include, for a query message or a response message whose included server address is included in the first address range, notifying the first session management function network element of the included server address.

[0249] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first processing rule further includes a second address range, and the second address range is included in the first deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule may include, for a response message whose included server address is included in the first address range and the second address range, notifying the first session management function network element of the included server address.

[0250] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information may be a first processing rule determined based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. That is, the fifth information is the first processing rule itself described above.

[0251] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule, and the second processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information.

[0252] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second processing rule from the first session management function network element.

[0253] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive priority indication information from the first session management function network element or the first network element, and the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0254] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first processing rule includes the first identifier of the first detection template and / or the second identifier of the first processing action information, and the first matching rule includes the first detection template and the first processing action information. Or rather, the above-mentioned first processing rule refers to the above-mentioned first matching rule. The first network element configures the first matching rule for the first server discovery function network element. The first processing action information further includes: sending a first domain name to the first session management function network element. The above query message matches the first processing rule, which can be understood as the first detection template includes the first domain name.

[0255] In combination with the fifteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the fifth information includes the identifiers of at least one second server discovery function network element, the identifiers of the second detection templates included in the second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery function network element, and the identifiers of the second processing action information, and the second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery function network element are generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0256] In the sixteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first server discovery function network element mentioned in the foregoing fifth aspect. The communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The processing unit is used to determine that the query message matches the first processing rule. Among them, the first domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard, and the first processing rule further includes sending a first domain name to the first session management function network element. The query message is used to query the address of the server corresponding to the first domain name. The first processing rule is sent by the first session management function network element when receiving the fifth information from the first network element, and the fifth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores the first deployment information, the first network element supports the first capability for processing edge application server (EAS) related information, the first network element receives the sixth information used to indicate that the first network element processes EAS related information. The transceiver unit is used to send the first domain name to the first session management function network element. The transceiver unit is further used to receive the first message or the second message from the first session management function network element. The processing unit is further used to process the query message according to the first message or the second message.

[0257] In combination with the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is used to generate an ECS option according to the first message, and add the ECS option to the query message. The transceiver unit is used to send the query message added with the ECS option to the DNS server.

[0258] In combination with the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is used to generate an ECS option according to the second information and add the ECS option to the query message. The transceiver unit is used to send the query message added with the ECS option to the DNS server.

[0259] In combination with the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is further used to determine that the transceiver unit receives a response message corresponding to the query message, and trigger the transceiver unit to send the server address in the response message to the first session management function network element. The transceiver unit is further used to receive the third information from the first network element. The processing unit is further used to send the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message according to the third information. Alternatively, the transceiver unit is further used to receive the fourth information from the first session management function network element. The processing unit is further used to send the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message according to the fourth information.

[0260] In combination with the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further used to receive a first processing rule. The processing unit is further used to store the first processing rule.

[0261] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is used to receive the seventh information from the first session management function network element. The processing unit is used to pause processing the query message and / or response message in the session of the terminal device.

[0262] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation, the transceiver unit is further used to receive the eighth information from the first session management function network element. The processing unit is further used to start processing the query message and / or response message in the session of the terminal device.

[0263] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned seventh information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the first network element starts to switch to the second network element, or determines that the first network element starts to insert, or determines that the first network element starts to remove.

[0264] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned eighth information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the first network element completes the switch, or determines that the first network element completes the insertion, or determines that the first network element completes the removal.

[0265] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation, after receiving the seventh information, the processing unit is further used to start caching the query message and / or response message in the session of the terminal device.

[0266] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it may determine that the first network element starts to switch to the second network element. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the second network element, it may determine that the first network element has completed the switch.

[0267] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element, it determines that the first network element starts to insert. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it determines that the first network element has completed the insertion.

[0268] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it determines that the first network element starts to remove. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element, it determines that the first network element has completed the removal.

[0269] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned seventh information is sent by the first network element when it determines to start switching to the second network element.

[0270] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, when the first network element receives a session context request message from the second network element, it determines to start switching to the second network element.

[0271] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned eighth information is sent by the second network element when it determines that the first network element has completed the switch.

[0272] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the second network element determines that the first network element has completed the switch when it receives a session update response message from the first session management function network element.

[0273] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned seventh information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the first network element starts to insert.

[0274] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the first session management function network element determines that the first network element starts to insert when it receives a session context request message from the first network element.

[0275] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the insertion of the first network element is completed.

[0276] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first network element determines that the insertion of the first network element is completed when it receives a session update response message from the first session management function network element.

[0277] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned seventh piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the removal of the first network element starts.

[0278] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first network element determines that the removal of the first network element starts when it receives an update session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0279] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the removal of the first network element is completed.

[0280] In combination with the fifteenth aspect or the sixteenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first session management function network element determines that the removal of the first network element is completed when it receives a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0281] The seventeenth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first server discovery function network element mentioned in the sixth aspect. The communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a query message from a terminal device. The query message is used to query the address of a server corresponding to a first domain name. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the query message matches a first processing rule. The first processing rule is determined by the first network element based on its corresponding second server deployment information. The first processing rule further includes sending the first domain name to the first network element. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the first domain name in the query message to the first network element. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive first information from the first network element. The processing unit is further configured to process the query message according to the first information. The first information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0282] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the processing unit is configured to generate an ECS option according to the first information and add the ECS option to the query message. The transceiver unit is configured to send the query message added with the ECS option to the DNS server.

[0283] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a response message corresponding to the query message. The response message comes from the DNS server and includes a server address. The processing unit is further configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send the server address in the response message to the first network element if it is determined that the response message matches the first processing rule. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive third information from the first network element and send the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0284] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine whether the query message matches the second processing rule if it is determined that the query message does not match the first processing rule. The second processing rule is determined by the first session management function network element based on its corresponding first server deployment information. The second processing rule further includes sending the first domain name in the query message to the first session management function network element. The processing unit is further configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send the first domain name in the query message to the first session management function network element if it is determined that the second processing rule matches the query message. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive second information from the first session management function network element. The processing unit is further configured to process the query message according to the second information. The second information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of the first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0285] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to generate an ECS option according to the second information and add the ECS option to the query message. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the query message added with the ECS option to the DNS server.

[0286] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine whether the response message matches the second processing rule if it is determined that the response message does not match the first processing rule. The processing unit is further configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send the server address in the response message to the first session management function network element if it is determined that the response message matches the second processing rule. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive fourth information sent by the first session management function network element and send the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message.

[0287] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving a query message from a terminal device, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a first processing rule from a first network element.

[0288] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving a query message from a terminal device, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second processing rule from a first session management function network element.

[0289] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving a query message from a terminal device, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive priority indication information from a first network element or a first session management function network element, where the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0290] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, before receiving a query message from a terminal device, the processing unit is further configured to generate a first context including the first processing rule and generate a second context including the second processing rule. Wherein, the priority of the first context is higher than the priority of the second context. The first context and the second context correspond to the same session of the terminal device.

[0291] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive seventh information from a first session management function network element. The processing unit is further configured to suspend processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0292] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive eighth information from a first session management function network element. The processing unit is further configured to start processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0293] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned seventh information is sent by the first session management function network element when it is determined that the first network element starts to switch to a second network element, or determines that the first network element starts to insert, or determines that the first network element starts to remove.

[0294] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned eighth information is sent by the first session management function network element when it is determined that the first network element completes the switch, or determines that the first network element completes the insertion, or determines that the first network element completes the removal.

[0295] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, after receiving the seventh information, the processing unit is further configured to start caching query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0296] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it may determine that the first network element starts to switch to the second network element. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the second network element, it may determine that the first network element has completed the switch.

[0297] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element, it determines that the first network element starts to insert. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it determines that the first network element has completed the insertion.

[0298] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, if the first session management function network element determines that it has received a session update request message from the first network element, it determines that the first network element starts to remove. If the first session management function network element determines that it has received a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element, it determines that the first network element has completed the removal.

[0299] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above seventh piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines to start switching to the second network element.

[0300] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, when the first network element receives a session context request message from the second network element, it determines to start switching to the second network element.

[0301] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above eighth piece of information is sent by the second network element when it determines that the first network element has completed the switch.

[0302] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the second network element determines when it receives a session update response message from the first session management function network element.

[0303] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the above seventh piece of information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the first network element starts to insert.

[0304] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation, when the first session management function network element receives a session context request message from the first network element, it determines that the first network element starts to insert.

[0305] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the insertion of the first network element is completed.

[0306] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first network element determines when it receives a session update response message from the first session management function network element.

[0307] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned seventh piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the removal of the first network element starts.

[0308] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first network element determines that the removal of the first network element starts when it receives an update session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0309] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the removal of the first network element is completed.

[0310] In combination with the seventeenth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the first session management function network element determines when it receives a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0311] The eighteenth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first session management function network element mentioned in the seventh aspect. The communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a first domain name from the first server discovery function network element, where the first domain name is included in a query message from a terminal device, and the query message is used to query the address of a server that provides services corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device. The first domain name matches a second processing rule, and the second processing rule is determined by the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. The processing unit is configured to generate second information based on the first domain name and trigger the transceiver unit to send the second information to the first server discovery function network element. The second information is used by the first server discovery function network element to process the query message. Wherein, the second information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of the first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0312] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a server address from a first server discovery function network element, where the server address is included in a response message corresponding to a query message, and the server address matches a second processing rule. The processing unit is further configured to generate fourth information and trigger the transceiver unit to send the fourth information to the first server discovery function network element, where the fourth information is used to instruct to send the response message to a terminal device that provides the query message.

[0313] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, if the transceiver unit receives fifth information from a first network element, the processing unit generates a second processing rule according to first server deployment information. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the second processing rule to the first server discovery function network element.

[0314] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the transceiver unit is further configured to send priority indication information to the first server discovery function network element, where the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0315] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in a feasible implementation manner, the fifth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores first deployment information, the first network element supports a first capability for processing server-related information, the first network element receives sixth information for instructing the first network element to process server-related information. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the role of the fifth information is to obtain the identifier of the first server discovery function network element from the first session management function network element, so that the first network element can configure the first server discovery function network element according to this identifier. The present application does not limit the specific content and specific name of the fifth information, as long as it can play the above role.

[0316] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to switch to a second network element, or determine that the first network element starts to insert, or determine that the first network element starts to remove. The transceiver unit is further configured to send seventh information to the first server discovery function network element, where the seventh information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to pause processing query messages and / or response messages in a session of a terminal device.

[0317] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in an alternative implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element completes the switch, or determine that the first network element completes the insertion, or determine that the first network element completes the removal. The transceiver unit is further configured to send eighth information to the first server discovery function network element, where the eighth information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to resume processing query messages and / or response messages in the session.

[0318] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in an optional implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to switch to the second network element if it is determined that a session update request message from the first network element is received. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element has completed the handover if it is determined that a session update request message from the second network element is received.

[0319] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in an optional implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to insert if it is determined that a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element is received. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element has completed the insertion if it is determined that a session update request message from the first network element is received.

[0320] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in an optional implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to remove if it is determined that a session update request message from the first network element is received. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element has completed the removal if it is determined that a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element is received.

[0321] In combination with the eighteenth aspect, in an optional implementation, the above seventh information can also be used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to cache query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0322] In a nineteenth aspect, the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first network element mentioned in the foregoing eighth aspect. The communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive a first domain name from a first server discovery function network element, where the first domain name is included in a query message from a terminal device, the query message is used to query an address of a server that provides a service corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device, the query message matches a first processing rule, and the first processing rule is determined by second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The processing unit is configured to generate first information according to the first domain name, and trigger the transceiver unit to send the first information to the first server discovery function network element, where the first information is used for the first server discovery function network element to process the query message. Wherein, the first information is used to process the query message to obtain an address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

[0323] In combination with the nineteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a server address from a first server discovery function network element, where the server address is included in a response message corresponding to a query message, and the response message matches a first processing rule. The processing unit is configured to instruct a shunting rule of a user plane function network element and generate third information. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the third information to the first server discovery function network element, and the third information is used to instruct to send the response message to a terminal device that provides the query message.

[0324] In combination with the nineteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to generate fifth information and trigger the transceiver unit to send the fifth information to a first session management function network element. The fifth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores first deployment information, the first network element supports a first capability for processing server-related information, the first network element receives a sixth rule for instructing the first network element to process server-related information, and generates a second processing rule according to the first server deployment information.

[0325] In combination with the nineteenth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to send priority indication information to the first server discovery function network element, where the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0326] The twentieth aspect of the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first server discovery function network element mentioned in the foregoing ninth aspect. The communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive seventh information from a first session management function network element. The seventh information is sent by the first session management function network element when determining that the first network element starts to switch to a second network element, or determining that the first network element starts to insert, or determining that the first network element starts to remove. The processing unit is configured to pause processing query messages and / or response messages in a session of a terminal device.

[0327] In combination with the twentieth aspect, in a possible implementation, after receiving the seventh information, the processing unit is further configured to start caching query messages and / or response messages in a session of a terminal device.

[0328] In combination with the twentieth aspect, in a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive eighth information from the first session management function network element. The processing unit is further configured to start processing query messages and / or response messages in the session. The eighth information is sent by the first session management function network element when determining that the first network element completes the switch, or determining that the first network element completes the insertion, or determining that the first network element completes the removal.

[0329] In a twenty - first aspect, the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first session management function network element mentioned in the foregoing tenth aspect. The communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to trigger the transceiver unit to send seventh information to a first server discovery function network element when the first network element starts to switch to a second network element, or the first network element starts to insert, or the first network element starts to remove. Wherein, the seventh information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to suspend processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0330] In combination with the twenty - first aspect, in a possible implementation manner. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to switch to the second network element if it is determined that a session update request message is received from the first network element. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element completes the switch if it is determined that a session update request message is received from the second network element.

[0331] In combination with the twenty - first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to insert if it is determined that a create session management context request message is received from an access and mobility management function network element. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element completes the insertion if it is determined that a session update request message is received from the first network element.

[0332] In combination with the twentieth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the foregoing seventh information may further be used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to cache query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0333] In combination with the twenty - first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element starts to remove if it is determined that a session update request message is received from the first network element. The processing unit is further configured to determine that the first network element completes the removal if it is determined that a create session management context request message is received from an access and mobility management function network element.

[0334] In a twenty - second aspect, the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device may be the first server discovery function network element mentioned in the foregoing eleventh aspect. The communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive the seventh information. The processing unit is configured to suspend processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0335] In combination with the twenty - second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive eighth information. The processing unit is further configured to start processing query messages and / or response messages in the session of the terminal device.

[0336] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned seventh piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines to start switching to the second network element.

[0337] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, when the first network element receives a session context request message from the second network element, it determines to start switching to the second network element.

[0338] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the second network element when it determines that the switching of the first network element is completed.

[0339] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the second network element determines that the switching of the first network element is completed when it receives a session update response message from the first session management function network element.

[0340] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned seventh piece of information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the first network element starts to insert.

[0341] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first session management function network element determines that the first network element starts to insert when it receives a session context request message from the first network element.

[0342] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the insertion of the first network element is completed.

[0343] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first network element determines that the insertion of the first network element is completed when it receives a session update response message from the first session management function network element.

[0344] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned seventh piece of information is sent by the first network element when it determines that the first network element starts to be removed.

[0345] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first network element determines that the first network element starts to be removed when it receives an update session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0346] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the above-mentioned eighth piece of information is sent by the first session management function network element when it determines that the removal of the first network element is completed.

[0347] In combination with the twenty-second aspect, in a possible implementation, the first session management function network element determines that the removal of the first network element is completed when it receives a create session management context request message from the access and mobility management function network element.

[0348] In a twenty-third aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which includes instructions that, when running on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect described above.

[0349] In a twenty-fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed, it executes the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect described above.

[0350] In a twenty-fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, at least one processor, and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program. The processor is used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect described above.

[0351] In a twenty-sixth aspect, the present application provides a chip, which at least includes a processor. The processor is used to execute computer execution instructions, so that a device installed with the chip executes the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the eleventh aspect described above.

[0352] In combination with the twenty-sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the chip may further include an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive computer execution instructions and transmit them to the processor.

[0353] In a twenty-seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication system. The communication system at least includes a first network element, a first session management function network element, and a first server discovery function network element. The first network element is used to execute the communication method provided by the third aspect or any possible implementation manner of the third aspect. The first session management function network element is used to execute the communication method provided by the first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect. Or, the first session management function network element is used to execute the communication method provided by the second aspect or any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. The first server discovery function network element is used to execute the communication method provided by the fourth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect. Or, the first server discovery function network element is used to execute the communication method provided by the fifth aspect or any possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect.

[0354] In combination with the twenty-seventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication system may further include a terminal device, and the terminal device is used to provide a query message.

[0355] In combination with the twenty-seventh aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication system may further include a DNS server / DNS resolver, which is used to provide a response message corresponding to the query message.

[0356] The twenty-eighth aspect provides a communication system. The communication system at least includes a first network element, a first session management function network element, and a first server discovery function network element. The first network element is used to execute the communication method provided by the eighth aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the eighth aspect. The first session management function network element is used to execute the communication method provided by the seventh aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the seventh aspect. The first server discovery function network element is used to execute the communication method provided by the sixth aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect.

[0357] In combination with the twenty-eighth aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication system may further include a terminal device, which is used to provide a query message.

[0358] In combination with the twenty-eighth aspect, in a possible implementation, the communication system may further include a DNS server / DNS resolver, which is used to provide a response message corresponding to the query message.

[0359] The twenty-ninth aspect provides a communication system. The communication system at least includes a first session management function network element and a first server discovery function network element. The first session management function network element is used to execute the communication method provided by the tenth aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the tenth aspect. The first server discovery function network element is used to execute the communication method provided by the ninth aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the ninth aspect.

[0360] In summary, the communication method provided by this application can effectively reduce the load pressure on the session management function network element and can effectively improve the performance of the session management function network element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0361] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided by this application;

[0362] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by this application;

[0363] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0364] Figure 4 is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0365] Figure 5 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0366] Figure 6 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0367] Figure 7 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0368] Figure 8 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0369] Figure 9 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0370] Figure 10 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0371] Figure 11 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0372] Figure 12 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0373] Figure 13 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0374] Figure 14 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0375] Figure 15 It is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application;

[0376] Figure 16 It is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by this application;

[0377] Figure 17 It is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided by this application. Detailed implementation manners

[0378] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0379] In this 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, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " represents a "division" relationship between the associated objects before and after. "Including at least one of A, B, and C" can represent: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C.

[0380] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) systems, or New Radio (NR). In addition, it can also be applicable to subsequent evolved systems, such as 6th generation 6G communication systems, or even more advanced 7th generation 7G communication systems, etc.

[0381] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 which is a schematic structural diagram of a communication system provided in this application. As Figure 1 shown, the communication system 100 may include a first network element, a first session management function network element, and a first server discovery function network element. The first network element, the first session management function network element, and the first server discovery function network element cooperate with each other and can be used to implement the communication method provided in this application.

[0382] In the solution provided in this application, the first network element is mainly used to assist the first session management function network element in processing the domain name and server address provided by the first server discovery function network element. The first network element can specifically be a new session management function network element, and this new session management function network element can also be referred to as an intermediate session management function network element.

[0383] The above-mentioned first session management function network element is mainly used to implement information interaction between the first network element and the first server discovery function network element, and process the domain name and server address provided by the first server discovery function network element. It should be understood that the session management function network element involved in this application may be a session management function (SMF) network element in the core network (CN). It is mainly used to manage sessions, including managing the establishment, modification, and release of sessions, and is also used to select a user plane function (UPF) network element for a session and control the UPF network element, etc. There is a control plane interface between the SMF network element and the access and mobility management function (AMF) network element in the CN for signaling interaction. It should be added that the session involved in this application refers to the session between the terminal device and the data network (DN), which can be simply referred to as the session of the terminal device, and this session can be a protocol data unit (PDU) session.

[0384] The above-mentioned first server discovery function network element is mainly used to assist in implementing the server discovery function. It should be understood that the server discovery function network element involved in this application can be an edge application server discovery function (EASDF) network element. In actual implementation, the SMF network element can select an EASDF network element for a certain session. There is a control plane interface between the EASDF network element and the SMF network element, and the EASDF network element can receive DNS processing rules for processing domain name system (DNS) messages related to this session from the SMF network element through this control plane interface. There is a user plane interface between the EASDF network element and the UPF network element, and the EASDF network element can receive DNS query messages from the terminal device from the UPF network element through this user plane interface. The EASDF network element can also send DNS response messages to the UPF network element through this user plane interface. In this application, the DNS query message is used to query the address of the server providing services for the terminal device, and the DNS response message corresponding to the DNS query message includes the address of the server. There is an Internet protocol (IP) connection between the EASDF network element and one or more DNS servers (also known as DNS resolvers). After processing the DNS query message according to the DNS processing rules, the EASDF network element sends the processed DNS query message to the DNS server through this IP connection. The EASDF network element also receives the DNS response message from the DNS server through this IP connection, processes the DNS response message according to the DNS processing rules, and sends the processed DNS response message to the UPF network element.

[0385] Furthermore, the communication system 100 may further include a terminal device. Among them, the terminal device is mainly used to provide query messages (which can be the DNS query messages described above) and receive response messages corresponding to the DNS query messages (which can be DNS response messages).

[0386] It should be understood that the terminal device can also be called a user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile platform, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device.

[0387] The terminal device can be a device that provides voice / data to users. For example, it can be a handheld device with wireless connection function, in-vehicle device, etc. Currently, some examples of terminals are: mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, palm computer, mobile internet device (MID), wearable device, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication function, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, wearable device, terminal device in a 5G network or terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc. The embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0388] By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. A wearable device can also be called a wearable intelligent device, which is a general term for devices developed by applying wearable technology to the intelligent design of daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, shoes, etc. A wearable device is a portable device that is directly worn on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. A wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also realizes powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable intelligent devices include those with complete functions and large sizes that can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smart phone, such as smart watches or smart glasses, etc., and those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to cooperate with other devices such as smart phones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for physical sign monitoring.

[0389] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a terminal device in an IoT system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology. Its main technical feature is to connect objects to the network through communication technology, so as to realize an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and thing-thing interconnection.

[0390] It should be noted that the terminal device and the access network device may communicate with each other using a certain radio access technology (such as NR or LTE technology, etc.). The terminal devices may also communicate with each other using a certain radio access technology (such as NR or LTE technology, etc.).

[0391] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device may be the terminal device, or a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the functions, such as a chip system or a chip. This device may be installed in the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0392] Furthermore, the communication system 100 may further include a DNS server. The DNS server is mainly used to provide a response message corresponding to the query message. Specifically, the DNS server is used to resolve the domain name in the DNS query message, determine the address of the server that can provide the service corresponding to the domain name, and send a DNS response message including the address of the server to the EASDF network element through an IP connection with the EASDF network element.

[0393] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 which is a schematic diagram of a network architecture provided by the present application. As Figure 2 shown, this network architecture is based on the 5th-generation (5G) mobile communication network based on the service-based architecture (SBA) in the non-roaming scenario of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). For the parts not described in detail, reference can be made to the existing protocols. As Figure 2 shown, this network architecture may include a terminal device, a (radio) access network ((R)AN), a core network, and a DNS server.

[0394] Among them, the description of the terminal device can be referred to the previous text, and will not be elaborated here.

[0395] (R)AN may include one or more access network elements or access network devices. The interface between the access network device and the terminal device may be the Uu interface (or also known as the air interface, that is, the messages exchanged between the access network device and the terminal device may be called air interface messages). Of course, in future communications, the interface name may remain unchanged or may be replaced by other names, and this application does not limit this. (R)AN is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices, and can connect terminal devices to nodes or devices in a wireless network, and can also be called a network device. (R)AN can be regarded as a sub-network of the operator network and is an implementation system between service nodes and terminal devices in the operator network. For example, a terminal device can be connected to a service node of the operator network through (R)AN to obtain the services provided by the service node. (R)AN includes but is not limited to: the next generation node base station (gNB) in the 5G system, the evolved node B (eNB) in long term evolution (LTE), the radio network controller (RNC), the node B (NB), the base station controller (BSC), the base transceiver station (BTS), the home base station (for example, home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), the base band unit (BBU), the transmitting and receiving point (TRP), the transmitting point (TP), small base station devices, mobile switching centers, or network devices in future networks, etc. The access network device can also be a module or unit that completes the base station function. For example, it includes a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU); in a possible network structure, the CU can be used to support communications under protocols such as radio resource control (RRC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU can be used to support communications under the radio link control (RLC) layer protocol, the medium access control (MAC) layer protocol, and the physical layer protocol.The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technologies and specific device forms adopted by the access network device. In systems adopting different radio access technologies, the names of devices with access network device functions may be different. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific types of access network devices.

[0396] In this network architecture, after the terminal device accesses the CN through the (R)AN, it can establish a session via the network elements in the (R)AN and the CN, and transmit service data through this session. This process involves relevant network elements in the CN, and these network elements will be briefly described below.

[0397] The AMF network element is used to control the access of the terminal device, and is also used to implement the mobility management of the terminal device, such as managing the mobile state of the terminal device, allocating user temporary identity identifiers, authenticating and authorizing the terminal device, etc. The AMF network element can also select a session management function network element for this session during the process of establishing a session for the terminal device.

[0398] For the description of the session management function network element, reference can be made to the foregoing, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0399] The UPF network element 3 is used to support the session of the terminal device. There is a control plane interface between the UPF network element 3 and the first session management function network element, which is used to send control signaling to the UPF network element 3, and can also be used for the UPF network element 3 to report information about the session of the terminal device to the first session management function network element. The UPF network element 3 can also be referred to as a PDU session anchor (PSA).

[0400] The CN also includes a first server discovery function network element, which is used to assist EAS discovery. The first session management function network element can select the first server discovery function network element for the session of the terminal device. There is a control plane interface between the first server discovery function network element and the first session management function network element, and the first server discovery function network element can receive DNS processing rules for processing the session-related through this control plane interface.

[0401] The network architecture 100 also includes one or more DNS servers. For the description of the DNS server, reference can be made to the foregoing, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0402] In the EC scenario, there are one or more EASs, and these nearby EASs provide services for the terminal device, which helps to reduce the end-to-end delay of service data transmission and improve the service experience of the terminal device. To support EC, the CN can select a UPF network element close to the terminal device, such as Figure 2The UPF network element 1 therein is used to support the local access of the terminal device. The UPF network element 2 can also be referred to as the local PSA (local PSA, L-PSA). Correspondingly, the UPF network element 3 is used to support the data transmission between the terminal device and the central part of the DN, and can be called the central PSA (central PSA, C-PSA). The UPF network element 3 can be regarded as the session anchor point of the terminal device's session at the central site, while the UPF network element 1 is the session anchor point of this session at the local site. The CN may also include the UPF network element 2 for splitting the uplink service data.

[0403] The CN may also include a first network element for controlling the UPF network element 1 and the UPF network element 2, or the first network element may only control the UPF network element 2. For example, when the terminal device is outside the service scope of the first session management function network element, that is, when the first session management function network element cannot control the UPF network element 1 and the UPF network element 2, the AMF network element will insert the first network element between the AMF network element and the first session management function network element. There are control plane interfaces between the first network element 1 and the UPF network element 1, and between the first network element and the UPF network element 2 respectively. The first network element can decide whether to insert the UL CL or BP, can also select the UPF network element 2 from the controlled UPF network elements as the UL CL or BP, and can also configure the splitting rules for the UPF network element 2. Other functions of the first network element can refer to the description of the first session management function network element above, that is, the first network element can have some or all of the functions of the session management function network element.

[0404] It should be understood that CN may further include one or more of the following network elements: a network exposure function (NEF) network element, a network function repository function (NRF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, a unified data management (UDM) network element, a unified data repository (UDR) network element, a network data analytics function (NWDAF) network element, an authentication server function (AUSF) network element, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, or a session management function (SMF) network element. Among them, the network element may also be referred to as a network function (NF), and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. The functions of the above network elements can refer to existing protocols and will not be elaborated here.

[0405] It should be understood that the above network element or NF may be a physical entity in a hardware device, a software instance running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a shared platform (such as a cloud platform). In terms of form, the above network function NF may be independent devices respectively, or may be integrated into the same device to implement different functions.

[0406] It should be understood that the network architecture applied to the embodiments of the present application is only described from the perspective of a service-based architecture, and the network architecture applicable to the embodiments of the present application is not limited thereto. Any network architecture that can implement the functions of the above NF entities is applicable to the embodiments of the present application. In addition, the above naming is only defined for the convenience of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation to the present application. The present application does not exclude the possibility of using other names in 5G networks and future other networks. For example, in the sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication network, some or all of the above NFs may continue to use the terms in 5G, or other names may be adopted.

[0407] It should also be understood that the network architecture or business scenario described in the embodiments of the present application is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions provided by the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art will know that with the evolution of the network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the present application are equally applicable to similar technical problems.

[0408] For the convenience of understanding the solutions of the present application, some nouns or terms involved in the present application are described below.

[0409] 1. Baseline DNS matching rule (i.e., baseline DNS pattern)

[0410] The baseline DNS matching rule can also be referred to as the node-level DNS message processing rule. A baseline DNS matching rule can correspond to multiple different sessions. It mainly includes at least one of the baseline DNS message detection template and the baseline DNS handling action information.

[0411] Among them, the baseline DNS message detection template may include an identifier of a baseline DNS message detection template (i.e., baseline DNS message detection template ID), and this identifier can be referenced by the DNS message processing rule (mainly referenced in the detection rule of the DNS message processing rule). At the same time, the baseline DNS message detection template also includes the following information: (1) FQDN range and / or EAS address range; (2) When the DNS message type is a DNS query message (i.e., DNS query), it is matched through the included FQDN range; (3) When the DNS message type is a DNS response message (i.e., DNS response), it is matched through the included FQDN range and / or EAS address range.

[0412] The baseline DNS handling action information (i.e., baseline DNS handling actions) may include: the identifier of the baseline DNS handling action information and the ECS option.

[0413] 2. DNS message handling rule (i.e., DNS messagehandlingrule)

[0414] The DNS message processing rule can be called the session-level DNS message processing rule, which can also be called the DNS context (i.e., DNS context). It is used to process DNS query messages and DNS response messages received by the EASDF network element. A DNS message processing rule uniquely corresponds to a session. During the actual configuration process, the session management function network element can configure the DNS message processing rule on the EASDF network element through the service-oriented interface Neasdf_DNSContext Service. For example, the session management function network element can use messages such as Neasdf_DNSContext_Create and Neasdf_DNSContext_Delete to create and delete the DNS message processing rule on the EASDF network element. The session management function network element can also use the Neasdf_DNSContext_Update message to update the DNS message processing rule on the EASDF network element.

[0415] The DNS message processing rule can include a detection rule (i.e., DNS message detection template), a reporting rule (i.e., reporting action), a forwarding rule (i.e., forwarding action), and a control rule (i.e., control action).

[0416] Among them, the detection rule can include the following information: (1) the source address (i.e., source IP address, which is the address of the terminal device that provides the DNS query message) and the FQDN range and / or EAS address range; (2) when the DNS message type is a DNS query message. First, determine whether the source address corresponding to the DNS query message matches the source address it contains. If the judgment is yes, then continue to determine whether the FQDN in the query message is within the FQDN range it contains. If the judgment is yes, it is determined that the DNS query message matches the detection rule; (3) when the DNS message type is a DNS response message, determine whether the FQDN / EAS address in the DNS response message is within the FQDN range / EAS address range it contains. If the judgment is yes, it is determined that the DNS response message matches the detection rule.

[0417] In addition, the detection rule can also reference the identifier of the baseline DNS message detection template in the baseline DNS matching rule. In this case, the detection rule contains the information of the baseline DNS message detection template.

[0418] The above reporting rule only includes one action. That is, when a DNS query message or a DNS response message meets the detection rule, it is determined whether to report the FQDN included in the DNS query message or the FQDN and EAS address included in the DNS response message to the session management function network element according to this reporting rule.

[0419] The forwarding rule includes the following information: The EASDF network element adds the address indicated by the session management function network element as an ECS option to the DNS query message and forwards it to the DNS server. Here, this forwarding rule can also reference the identifier of the baseline DNS processing action information, that is, this forwarding rule can also include the content included in the baseline DNS processing action information.

[0420] The control rule includes the following information: (1) Cache the DNS query message or the DNS response message; (2) Send the cached DNS response message to the terminal device that provided the DNS query message.

[0421] The prior art proposes to assist the SMF network element to execute the EAS discovery process through the EASDF network element. In actual implementation, the main role of the EASDF network element is to process the DNS query message provided by the terminal device and the DNS response message provided by the DNS server for this DNS query message according to the indication of the SMF network element. However, the existing solution requires the SMF network element to be responsible for all EAS discovery processes corresponding to all sessions within its service scope, that is, the SMF needs to be responsible for processing the DNS query messages and DNS responses in all sessions within its service scope, and the service scope of the SMF network element is usually relatively large, which will lead to a relatively large load pressure on the SMF network element, thereby affecting its performance.

[0422] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by this application is: how to reduce the load pressure on the SMF network element to ensure its performance.

[0423] Embodiment 1

[0424] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 which is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application. As Figure 3 shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0425] S301, the first server discovery function network element determines that the query message matches the first processing rule.

[0426] In some feasible implementation manners, the first server discovery function network element may receive a query message from the terminal device (for the convenience of distinction, it will be uniformly referred to as the first query message hereinafter) and determine whether the first query message matches the first processing rule.

[0427] It should be noted that the query message involved in this application is used to query the address of the server that provides the service corresponding to the first domain name included in the query message for the terminal device. That is to say, the above first query message is used to query the address of the server that provides the service corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device. The above first query message may include the first domain name, which may be provided by the terminal device, and the first query message may be a query message in a session corresponding to the terminal device (for the convenience of distinction, it will be uniformly referred to as the first session hereinafter). Or rather, the first query message is the query message corresponding to the first session. For the convenience of understanding, hereinafter, the scenario where the first query message is provided by the terminal device and in the first session corresponding to the terminal device will be used for narration. In addition, in actual implementation, there may be one or more first processing rules provided by this application. In the case of multiple ones, the configuration and usage processes of each first processing rule are the same. Therefore, to avoid redundancy, the embodiments of this application will describe the communication method provided by this application by taking one first processing rule as an example.

[0428] Optionally, in the solution provided by this application, the first query message can be used to query the address of the edge application server closest to the terminal device among the multiple edge application servers that can provide the service corresponding to the first domain name.

[0429] Optionally, the first query message can be a DNS query message sent by the terminal device, and this message can be sent through the first session of the terminal device. In this case, the first processing rule can be the first DNS message processing rule corresponding to the first session. Specifically, the first processing rule can be included in the DNS context, and the DNS context corresponds to the first session.

[0430] In the communication method provided by this application, there are various optional implementation manners for the first processing rule. Below, in combination with different implementation manners of the first processing rule, the process of the first server discovery functional network element determining that the query message matches the first processing rule will be described.

[0431] Implementation manner 1:

[0432] The first processing rule may be provided (or configured) by the first session management function network element. The first processing rule includes a first domain name range, and the first domain name range is included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The first domain name range may be sent by the first network element to the first session management function network element. Specifically, the domain name range included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element is the first domain name range, or alternatively, the first domain name range is a part of the domain name range included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. It should be noted here that the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element may be locally configured by the first network element or obtained by the first network element from other network elements. For example, the first network element may obtain the second server deployment information from a centralized network element, an application function (AF) network element, etc. Among them, the centralized network element may include a unified data repository (UDR), a policy control function (PCF), a network exposure function (NEF) network element, etc. The first processing rule further includes information related to sending a DNS message to the first session management function network element, and the DNS message-related information may specifically include a domain name or a server address. Or rather, the first processing rule includes or indicates that if the received query message matches the first processing rule, the domain name included in the query message is sent to the first session management function network element. That is to say, when the first processing rule is the first DNS message processing rule, the reporting rule in the first processing rule may include or indicate that if the domain name included in the received query message matches the first processing rule, the domain name included in the query message is sent to the first session management function network element. In addition, when the first processing rule is the first DNS message processing rule, the above-mentioned second server deployment information may be the EDI locally stored or configured by the first network element, and the first domain name range may be the first FQDN range. In this case, the first domain name range is included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, which can also be understood as that the first FQDN range is included in the EDI locally deployed by the first network element, or it can also be understood that the service range of the first network element has deployed the service corresponding to the first FQDN range.

[0433] In a first alternative implementation, the domain name range in the above first processing rule may only include the above first domain name range. Or rather, the domain name range included in the first processing rule is the first domain name range. The first processing rule may include or indicate that for a query message or a response message whose included domain name is included in the above first domain name range, the domain name included in the query message or the server address and / or domain name included in the response message is provided to the first session management function network element.

[0434] In this case, after receiving the first query message in the first session, the first server discovery function network element may first match the source address corresponding to the first query message with the source addresses in the multiple processing rules it includes to determine one or more processing rules. It should be understood that the source address included in the first processing rule is the same as the source address corresponding to the first query message, and the one or more processing rules at least include the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery function network element may determine whether the first domain name in the first query message is within the first domain name range it includes. If the first server discovery function network element determines that the first domain name in the first query message is within the first domain name range it includes, it may determine that the first query message matches the first processing rule.

[0435] Furthermore, if the first server discovery function network element determines that the first domain name in the first query message is not within the first domain name range it includes, it may determine that the first query message does not match the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery function network element may match the first query message with other processing rules with lower priorities other than the first processing rule. If it is determined that the first query message does not match any other processing rule either, the first server discovery function network element may forward the first query message to the default DNS server. It should be understood that in this case, the server determined by the DNS server to provide services for the terminal device is generally a remote server. For example, the server queried in this case may be a central cloud server. That is to say, the server address included in the DNS response message fed back by the DNS server is generally the address of a remote server (such as a central cloud server).

[0436] In a second optional implementation manner, the above first processing rule may include the above first domain name range and second domain name range. Wherein, the second domain name range is included in the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. That is to say, the domain name range of the first processing rule includes both the first domain name range and the second domain name range. Or rather, the domain name range of the first processing rule is the union of the first domain name range and the second domain name range. It should be understood that when the first processing rule is the first DNS message processing rule, the above first server deployment information may be the EDI locally stored or configured by the first session management function network element, and the second domain name range may be the second FQDN range. In this case, the fact that the second domain name range is included in the first server deployment information may also be understood as that the second FQDN range is included in the EDI locally deployed by the first session management function network element, or that the services within the service range of the first session management function network element have deployed the services corresponding to the second FQDN range. Here, the first processing rule may further include or indicate that for a query message or response message whose included domain name is included in the second domain name range, the domain name in the query message or the domain name and / or server address in the response message is sent to the first session management function network element. Or rather, the first processing rule includes or indicates that for a query message or response message whose included domain name is included in the first domain name range or the second domain name range, the domain name in the query message or the domain name and / or server address in the response message is sent to the first session management function network element.

[0437] In this case, after receiving the first query message, the first server discovery function network element may also first match the source address corresponding to the first query message with the source addresses in the multiple processing rules it includes to determine multiple processing rules. Among them, the source addresses included in the first processing rule and the second processing rule are the same as the source address corresponding to the first query message, and these multiple processing rules at least include the first processing rule and the second processing rule. Then, the first server discovery function network element may determine whether the first domain name in the first query message is within the first domain name range or the second domain name range it includes. If the first server discovery function network element determines that the first domain name in the first query message is within the first domain name range or the second domain name range it includes, it may determine that the first query message matches the first processing rule.

[0438] Further, if the first server discovery function network element determines that the first domain name in the first query message is not within the first domain name range or the second domain name range it contains, it can further determine whether the first query message matches other processing rules except the first processing rule and the second processing rule. If it is determined to be no, the first server discovery function network element can forward the first query message to the default DNS server. For subsequent operations, reference can be made to the description of the operations after forwarding the first query message to the default DNS server in the foregoing text, and details will not be elaborated here.

[0439] Implementation method 2:

[0440] The first processing rule can be provided (or configured) by the first session management function network element, and the first processing rule is generated by the first network element based on its corresponding second server deployment information and sent to the first session management function network element. It can also be understood that the first processing rule is actually a rule configured by the first network element for the first server discovery function network element to process DNS messages. Or rather, the first network element creates or generates the first processing rule for the first server discovery function network element to process DNS messages and sends it to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule further includes or indicates that if the received query message matches the first processing rule, the domain name contained in the query message is sent to the first session management function network element. In addition, the first processing rule can also include the address of the first session management function network element. Among them, the first network element can obtain the address of the first session management function network element from the first session management function network element or the access and mobility management function network element.

[0441] In the first optional implementation method, the first server discovery function network element is only configured with the above-mentioned first processing rule and not configured with the second processing rule. Here, the second processing rule is generated based on the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element. That is to say, the second processing rule is a rule configured by the first session management function network element for the first server discovery function network element. Similarly, in actual implementation, there can be one or more second processing rules provided by this application. In the case of multiple ones, the configuration and use processes of each second processing rule are the same. Therefore, to avoid redundancy, the embodiments of this application will describe the communication method provided by this application by taking one second processing rule as an example.

[0442] In this case, when the first server discovery functional network element receives the first query message in the first session, it can determine one or more processing rules based on the source address. It should be understood that the source address included in the first processing rule is the same as the source address corresponding to the first query message, and the one or more processing rules at least include the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery functional network element can determine whether the first domain name in the first query message is included in the above first processing rule. Or rather, the first server discovery functional network element can determine whether the first domain name is within the domain name range included in the first processing rule. It should be understood that the domain name range included in the first processing rule is the same as the domain name range included in the second server deployment information. If the first server discovery functional network element determines that the first domain name is included in the above first processing rule, it can determine that the first query message matches the first processing rule.

[0443] Furthermore, if the first server discovery functional network element determines that the first domain name is not in the first processing rule, it can determine that the first query message does not match the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery functional network element can match the first query message with other processing rules with lower priorities other than the first processing rule. If it is determined that the first query message does not match any other processing rules either, the first server discovery functional network element can forward the first query message to the default DNS server. For subsequent operations, reference can be made to the description of the operations after forwarding the first query message to the default DNS server in the foregoing text, which will not be elaborated here.

[0444] In the second alternative implementation manner, the first server discovery functional network element can be configured with a first processing rule and a second processing rule. Here, the second processing rule is generated based on the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management functional network element. The second processing rule also includes or indicates that if the received query message matches the second processing rule, the domain name included in the query message is sent to the first session management functional network element, and if the response message corresponding to the received query message matches the second processing rule, the domain name and / or server address included in the response message is sent to the first session management functional network element. It should be understood that in the case where the first query message is the first DNS query message, the second processing rule can be the second DNS message processing rule.

[0445] In this case, the priority of the first processing rule is higher than that of the second processing rule. That is to say, the first server discovery functional network element will first determine whether the domain name in the query message matches the first processing rule. And in the case where it is determined that the domain name in the query message does not match the first processing rule, it will then determine whether the domain name in the query message matches the second processing rule.

[0446] In a specific implementation, after the first server discovery function network element receives the first query message and determines multiple processing rules that at least include the above-mentioned first processing rule and second processing rule (it should be understood that in this case, both the first processing rule and the second processing rule include the source address), it can first determine whether the first domain name in the first query message is included in the above-mentioned first processing rule. If the first server discovery function network element determines that the first domain name is included in the above-mentioned first processing rule, it can determine that the first query message matches the first processing rule.

[0447] Further, if the first server discovery function network element determines that the first domain name is not in the first processing rule, it can continue to determine whether the first domain name is included in the second processing rule. If the first server discovery function network element determines that the first domain name is included in the above-mentioned second processing rule, it can determine that the first query message matches the second processing rule. If it is determined that the first query message matches the second processing rule, the first domain name can be sent to the first session management function network element.

[0448] Further, if it is determined that the first domain name is not included in the second processing rule, the first query message is matched with other processing rules with lower priorities other than the first processing rule. If it is determined that the first query message does not match any other processing rule, the first server discovery function network element can forward the first query message to the default DNS server. For subsequent operations, reference can be made to the description of the operations after the first query message is forwarded to the default DNS server in the foregoing, which will not be elaborated here.

[0449] In the above implementation, the priority of the first processing rule is set higher than that of the second processing rule. Such an implementation method can ensure that the first network element is preferentially used to assist in completing the processing of the query message, thereby more effectively achieving the purpose of reducing the load pressure on the first session management function network element.

[0450] Implementation method three:

[0451] The first processing rule may be provided (or configured) by the first session management function network element, and the first server discovery function network element is a server discovery function network element for which the first network element has configured a first matching rule based on its corresponding second server deployment information. Here, the first network element should have configured the first matching rule for the first server discovery function network element before the establishment of the first session. The first processing rule may include the identifier of the first detection template and / or the identifier of the first processing action information. The above-mentioned first matching rule may include the first detection template and the first processing action information. That is to say, the above-mentioned first processing rule refers to the above-mentioned first matching rule. Here, the first processing rule may be the first DNS message processing rule, and the first matching rule may be a baseline DNS message matching rule. In the embodiments of the present application, the baseline DNS message matching rule may also be expressed as Baseline DNS Pattern. It should be understood that the identifier of the first detection template is included in the first detection module, and the identifier of the first processing action information is included in the first processing action information. In the embodiments of the present application, the baseline DNS message detection module included in the baseline DNS message matching rule may also be expressed as Baseline DNS messagedetection template, and the baseline DNS processing action information included in the baseline DNS message matching rule may also be expressed as Baseline DNS handling actions. The above-mentioned first matching rule is configured by the first network element for the first server discovery function network element. The first processing action information may further include: sending the domain name matching the first processing rule to the first session management function network element.

[0452] In this case, when the first server discovery function network element receives the first query message in the first session, it may first match the source address corresponding to the first query message with the source addresses in the multiple processing rules it contains to determine one or more processing rules. It should be understood that the source address included in the first processing rule is the same as the source address corresponding to the first query message, and the one or more processing rules at least include the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery function network element may determine whether the first domain name in the first query message is included in the above-mentioned first processing rule. Or rather, the first server discovery function network element may determine whether the first domain name is within the domain name range included in the first detection template referred to by the first processing rule. It should be understood that the domain name range included in the first detection template is the domain name range included in the second server deployment information. If the first server discovery function network element determines that the first domain name is included in the above-mentioned first processing rule (i.e., within the domain name range included in the first detection template), it may determine that the first query message matches the first processing rule.

[0453] Further, if the first server discovers that the functional network element determines that the first domain name is not in the first processing rule (i.e., the domain name range included in the first detection template does not include this domain name), it can determine that the first query message does not match the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery functional network element can match the first query message with other processing rules with lower priorities other than the first processing rule. If it is determined that the first query message does not match any other processing rule either, the first query message can be forwarded to the default DNS server. For subsequent operations, reference can be made to the description of the operations after forwarding the first query message to the default DNS server in the foregoing, which will not be elaborated here.

[0454] It should be added that, in the implementation manner, similar to the foregoing implementation manner two, the first server discovery functional network element can also be configured with a second processing rule. Here, for the description of the second processing rule, reference can be made to the foregoing together, which will not be elaborated here.

[0455] In this case, similar to the foregoing implementation manner two, when the first server discovery functional network element determines that the first query message does not match the first processing rule, it will continue to determine whether the first query message matches the second processing rule. If it is determined that the first query message matches the second processing rule, the first domain name can be sent to the first session management functional network element. If it is determined that the first query message does not match the second processing rule, the first query message can be matched with other processing rules with lower priorities other than the first processing rule and the second processing rule. If it is determined that the first query message does not match any other processing rule either, the first server discovery functional network element can forward the first query message to the default DNS server. For subsequent operations, reference can be made to the description of the operations after forwarding the first query message to the default DNS server in the foregoing, which will not be elaborated here.

[0456] Implementation manner four:

[0457] The first processing rule can be provided (or configured) by the first session management functional network element. The first processing rule can be determined based on the first server deployment information. The domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard. Or rather, the first processing rule does not include a domain name range. Or rather, the domain name range in the first processing rule is a wildcard. The first processing rule further includes: when the query message matches the source address of the first processing rule, sending the domain name in the query message to the first session management functional network element. Or rather, the first processing rule includes or indicates: sending the domain names in all query messages that match its source address to the first session management functional network element. Or rather, in this case, the first processing rule can include or indicate: sending the domain names in all query messages to the first session management functional network element.

[0458] In this case, after the first server discovery function network element receives the first query message in the first session, it can find the first processing rule that matches the first query message according to the source address corresponding to the first query message. Then, when the domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard, the first server discovery function network element can determine that the first query message matches the first processing rule. Or rather, when the first server discovery function network element determines that the domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard, it can determine that all query messages that match the source address of the first processing rule match the first processing rule. Or rather, when the first server discovery function network element determines that the domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard, it can send the domain names in all query messages that match the source address of the first processing rule to the first session management function network element.

[0459] It should be noted that when the first processing rule adopts implementation method four, step S301 can also be replaced by the step of "when the domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard, the first server discovery function network element can determine that the first query message matches the first processing rule".

[0460] S302, the first server discovery function network element sends the first domain name in the query message to the first session management function network element. Correspondingly, the first session management function network element receives the first domain name in the query message.

[0461] In some feasible implementation methods, when the first server discovery function network element determines that the first domain name matches the first processing rule, it can send the first domain name to the first session management function network element. Correspondingly, the first session management function network element can receive the first domain name.

[0462] S303, the first session management function network element determines that the first domain name meets the first condition and sends the first domain name to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the first domain name.

[0463] In some feasible implementation methods, after receiving the first domain name from the first server discovery function network element, the first session management function network element can determine whether the first domain name meets the first condition. Among them, the first condition includes: the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element does not include the above first domain name. Or rather, the first condition can also include: the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element includes the above first domain name. Or rather, the first condition can include: the first domain name is within the service range of the first network element. If the first session management function network element determines that the first domain name meets the first condition, it can send the first domain name to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element can receive the first domain name.

[0464] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the service scope of the first network element may be the scope in which the first network element can serve terminal devices, or the scope corresponding to the EDI configured by the first network element, or the scope corresponding to the core network devices that the first network element can control, or the scope in which the first network element can provide EAS discovery services. The service scope of the first network element may specifically be any one or more of the following: data network access identifier (DNAI) range, tracking area (TA) range, FQDN range, and EAS address range.

[0465] Optionally, the foregoing describes the solution in which the first session management function sends the first domain name to the first network element when determining that the first domain name meets the first condition. In some alternative solutions, the first session management function network element may also send the first domain name to the first network element when determining that the first domain name does not belong to its service scope.

[0466] Optionally, if the first session management function network element determines that the first server deployment information includes the first domain name, or the first domain name belongs to its service scope, it may generate and send a second piece of information to the first server discovery function network element. The second piece of information may be generated by the first session management function network element based on the first domain name. The second piece of information may be used by the first server discovery function network element to process the query message.

[0467] Furthermore, the foregoing second piece of information may be a second address, which may be determined by the first session management function network element according to the foregoing domain name and the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, or the second address may be determined by the first session management function network element according to the foregoing domain name, the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This second address may be used by the first server discovery function network element to determine the ECS option. Optionally, this second address may also be the destination address for the first server discovery function network element to determine to forward the first query message, such as the address of a local DNS server (which may also be expressed as a local DNS server).

[0468] It should be supplemented that in the case where the first processing rule adopts the foregoing implementation method 1 and the first processing rule includes a first domain name range and a second domain name range, or in the case where the first processing rule adopts the foregoing implementation method 2 and the first server discovery function network element may simultaneously include the first processing rule and the second processing rule, or in the case where the first processing rule adopts the foregoing implementation method 4, the first session management function network element needs to determine whether the first domain name meets the first condition, or needs to determine whether the first domain name belongs to its service scope.

[0469] In the case where the first processing rule adopts the first implementation method described above and the first processing rule only includes the first domain name range, or in the case where the first processing rule adopts the second implementation method described above and the first server discovery functional network element only includes the first processing rule, or in the case where the first processing rule adopts the third implementation method described above, the first session management functional network element may also not determine whether the first domain name meets the first condition, or whether the first domain name belongs to its service range. It can directly send the first domain name to the first network element. In these cases, if the first domain name matches the first processing rule, then the first domain name will definitely not be within the service range of the first session management functional network element, so it can be not judged. This can also reduce unnecessary operations and improve the execution efficiency of the method.

[0470] S304. The first network element generates first information based on the domain name and sends the first information to the first session management functional network element. Correspondingly, the first session management functional network element receives the first information.

[0471] In some feasible implementation manners, after receiving the first domain name, the first network element may generate first information according to the first domain name, and then send the first information to the first session management functional network element. Correspondingly, the first session management functional network element may receive the first information. Among them, the first information

[0472] is used to process the query message to obtain the address of the first server, and the first server is used to provide the above services for the terminal device

[0473] Optionally, the first information may be a first address, and the first address may be determined by the first network element according to the above first domain name and the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. Or, the first address may be determined by the first network element according to the above first domain name, the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the location information of the terminal device that provides the query message. This first address can be used by the first server discovery functional network element to determine the ECS option to be inserted into the first query message. Optionally, the first address may also be the destination address for the first server discovery functional network element to determine to forward the first query message, such as the address of the local DNS server.

[0474] S305. The first session management functional network element sends the first information to the first server discovery functional network element. Correspondingly, the first server discovery functional network element receives the first information.

[0475] In some feasible implementation manners, after receiving the first information, the first session management functional network element may send the above first information to the first server discovery functional network element. Correspondingly, the first server discovery functional network element may receive the first information.

[0476] S306. The first server discovery functional network element processes the query message according to the first information.

[0477] In some possible implementation manners, after receiving the first information from the first session management functional network element, the first server discovery functional network element may process the above first query message according to the first information.

[0478] Optionally, after receiving the first information from the first session management functional network element, the first server discovery functional network element may first generate an ECS option according to the first information. Then, the first server discovery functional network element may add the ECS option to the first query message. Then, the first server discovery functional network element may send the first query message added with the ECS option to the DNS server. Or, use the first information as the destination address for forwarding the first query message.

[0479] Optionally, after receiving the second information from the first session management functional network element, the first server discovery functional network element may first generate an ECS option according to the second information. Then, the first server discovery functional network element may add the ECS option to the first query message. Then, the first server discovery functional network element may send the first query message added with the ECS option to the DNS server. Or, use the second information as the destination address for forwarding the first query message.

[0480] In the above method, the first session management functional network element sends the domain names that meet the first condition to the first network element, and forwards the first information obtained by the first network element based on the domain names to the first server discovery functional network element. The first information can be used by the first server discovery functional network element to process the query message for providing the above domain names. Compared with the prior art solution in which the SMF network element is responsible for DNS query messages and DNS response messages in all sessions within its service scope, in the solution provided in this application, fewer information processing and sending / receiving operations are required in the process of processing the query message by the first session management functional network element, and the load pressure on the first session management functional network element is smaller. Therefore, by adopting the solution provided in this application, the problem of large load pressure on the SMF network element caused by the existing solution can be solved, thereby improving the performance of the SMF network element.

[0481] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 which is another flowchart of a communication method provided in this application. As Figure 4 shown, the communication method may further include the following steps:

[0482] S307. The first server discovery functional network element determines that the response message corresponding to the query message matches the first processing rule.

[0483] In some possible implementation manners, after the first server discovery functional network element processes the first query message according to the first information, it may receive a response message corresponding to the first query message from the DNS server (for the convenience of distinction, the response message will be uniformly referred to as the first response message hereinafter). Then, the first server discovery functional network element may determine whether the first response message matches the first processing rule. Wherein, the first response message may include the first domain name and the first server address. The first server address is the address of the server selected by the DNS server that can provide services for the terminal device. Optionally, when the first query message is a DNS query message, the first server address may be an EAS address. It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, when the first response message matches the first processing rule or the second processing rule described hereinafter, the first server address is the address of the first server that provides services for the terminal device.

[0484] Next, in combination with the description of the implementation manner of the first processing rule above, the process in which the first server discovery functional network element determines that the first response message corresponding to the first query message matches the first processing rule will be described. It should be supplemented here that when there are multiple first processing rules, the first processing rule for matching the first query message and the first processing rule for matching the first response message may be the same or different. Since the execution processes in these two cases are similar, to avoid redundancy, hereinafter, the first processing rule for matching the first query message and the first processing rule for matching the first response message will be taken as the same processing rule as an example.

[0485] Implementation manner one:

[0486] When the first processing rule adopts the first implementation method described above, in the first optional implementation method, the first processing rule not only includes the first domain name range, but may also include the first address range. The first address range may be included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The first address range may also be provided by the first network element to the first session management function network element. The first processing rule further includes or indicates that if the server address included in the received response message is within the first address range, or if the domain name in the received response message is included in the above first domain name range, the server address in the response message is sent to the first session management function network element. That is to say, when the first processing rule is the first DNS message processing rule, the reporting rule in the first processing rule may include or indicate that if the server address included in the received response message is within the first address range, or if the domain name in the received response message is included in the above first domain name range, the server address in the response message is sent to the first session management function network element. In addition, when the first processing rule is the first DNS message processing rule, the above first address range may also be referred to as the first EAS address range.

[0487] In this case, after receiving the first response message, the first server discovery function network element may determine whether the first server address is within the first address range. If it is determined to be yes, it can be determined that the first response message matches the first processing rule.

[0488] Furthermore, if the first server discovery function network element determines that the first server address is not within the first address range it contains, it can be determined that the first response message does not match the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery function network element may send the first response message to the terminal device.

[0489] Alternatively, after receiving the first response message, the first server discovery function network element may determine whether the first domain name is within the first domain name range. If it is determined to be yes, it can be determined that the first response message matches the first processing rule.

[0490] Furthermore, if the first server discovery function network element determines that the first domain name is not within the first domain name range it contains, it can be determined that the first response message does not match the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery function network element may send the first response message to the terminal device.

[0491] Alternatively, the first server discovery functional network element may also determine that the first response message matches the first processing rule only when it determines that the first domain name is within the first domain name range it contains and the first server address is within the first address range it contains. If the first server discovery functional network element determines that the first domain name is not within the first domain name range it contains, or determines that the first server address is not within the first address range it contains, it determines that the first response message does not match the first processing rule. And in the case of determining non - matching, the first response message is sent to the terminal device.

[0492] In a second alternative implementation, the first processing rule not only includes the first domain name range and the first address range described above, but may also include a second domain name range and / or a second address range. Among them, the second domain name range and the second address range are included in the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management functional network element. When the first server deployment information is the first EDI, the second domain name range may be the FQDN range included in the first server deployment information, and the second address range may be the EAS address range included in the first server deployment information. At this time, the first processing rule may further include or indicate that for a response message whose included server address is included in the first address range or the second domain name range, the server address included in the response message is provided to the first session management functional network element.

[0493] In this case, after receiving the first response message, the first server discovery functional network element may first determine whether the first server address is within the first address range. If it is determined to be yes, it may determine that the first response message matches the first processing rule.

[0494] Further, if the first server discovery functional network element determines that the first server address is not within the first address range it contains, it may then determine whether the first server address is within the second address range. If it is determined to be yes, it determines that the first response message matches the first processing rule. If it is determined to be no, it may determine that the first response message does not match the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery functional network element may send the first response message to the terminal device.

[0495] Alternatively, after receiving the first response message, the first server discovery functional network element may first determine whether the first domain name it contains is within the first domain name range. If it is determined to be yes, it may determine that the first response message matches the first processing rule.

[0496] Further, if the first server discovery function element determines that the first domain name is not within the first domain name range it contains, it can determine whether the first domain name is within the second domain name range. If it is determined to be yes, it is determined that the first response message matches the first processing rule. If it is determined to be no, it can be determined that the first response message does not match the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery function element can send the first response message to the terminal device.

[0497] Alternatively, the first server discovery function element can also first determine whether the first domain name is within the first domain name range, and determine whether the first server address is within the first server address range. If it is determined to be yes, it is determined that the first response message matches the first processing rule. If the first domain name is not within the first domain name range, or the first server address is not within the first server address range, it can further determine whether the first domain name is within the second domain name range, and determine whether the first server address is within the second server address range. If it is determined to be yes, it is determined that the first response message matches the first processing rule. If the first domain name is not within the second domain name range, or the first server address is not within the first server address range, it is determined that the first response message does not match the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery function element can send the first response message to the terminal device.

[0498] Implementation method 2:

[0499] In the case where the first processing rule adopts the aforementioned implementation method 2, in the first optional implementation method, the first processing rule is determined based on the second deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and it not only includes the first domain name range, but may also include the first address range. The first address range can be included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The first processing rule also includes or indicates that if the server address included in the received response message is within the first address range, or the domain name included in the response message is within the first domain name range, the server address is sent to the first session management function element. The first server discovery function element is only configured with the above first processing rule.

[0500] In this case, after receiving the first response message, the first server discovery function element can determine whether the first server address is within the first address range. If it is determined to be yes, it can be determined that the first response message matches the first processing rule.

[0501] Further, if the first server discovery function element determines that the first server address is not within the first address range it contains, it can be determined that the first response message does not match the first processing rule. Then, the first server discovery function element can send the first response message to the terminal device.

[0502] Alternatively, after the first server discovery functional network element receives the first response message, it can determine whether the first domain name is within the first domain name range. If it is determined to be yes, it can determine that the first response message matches the first processing rule.

[0503] Furthermore, if the first server discovery functional network element determines that the first domain name is not within the first domain name range it contains, it can determine that the first response message does not match the first processing rule. In this case, the first server discovery functional network element can send the first response message to the terminal device.

[0504] Alternatively, the first server discovery functional network element can also determine that the first response message matches the first processing rule only when it determines that the first domain name is within the first domain name range it contains and the first server address is within the first address range it contains. If the first server discovery functional network element determines that the first domain name is not within the first domain name range it contains, or determines that the first server address is not within the first address range it contains, it determines that the first response message does not match the first processing rule. And in the case of determining non - matching, it sends the first response message to the terminal device.

[0505] In the second alternative implementation, the first server discovery functional network element is only configured with the above - mentioned first processing rule and is also configured with a second processing rule. The priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule. The second processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management functional network element, and the second processing rule includes or indicates: sending the server address in the response message that matches the second processing rule to the first session management functional network element.

[0506] In this case, after the first server discovery functional network element receives the first response message, it can first determine whether the first server address is within the first address range. If it is determined to be yes, it can determine that the first response message matches the first processing rule.

[0507] Furthermore, if the first server discovery functional network element determines that the first server address is not within the first address range it contains, it can determine whether the first server address is within the second address range. If it is determined to be yes, it determines that the first response message matches the second processing rule. If it is determined to be no, it can determine that the first response message does not match both the first processing rule and the second processing rule. In this case, the first server discovery functional network element can send the first response message to the terminal device.

[0508] Alternatively, after the first server discovery functional network element receives the first response message, it can first determine whether the first domain name it contains is within the first domain name range. If it is determined to be yes, it can determine that the first response message matches the first processing rule.

[0509] Further, if the first server discovery functional network element determines that the first domain name is not within the scope of the first domain names it contains, it can determine whether the first domain name is within the scope of the second domain names. If it is determined to be yes, it is determined that the first response message matches the second processing rule. If it is determined to be no, it can be determined that the first response message does not match either the first processing rule or the second processing rule. In this case, the first server discovery functional network element can send the first response message to the terminal device.

[0510] Alternatively, the first server discovery functional network element can first determine whether the first domain name is within the scope of the first domain names, and whether the first server address is within the scope of the first server addresses. If it is determined to be yes, it is determined that the first response message matches the first processing rule. If the first domain name is not within the scope of the first domain names, or the first server address is not within the scope of the first server addresses, it can further determine whether the first domain name is within the scope of the second domain names, and whether the first server address is within the scope of the second server addresses. If it is determined to be yes, it is determined that the first response message matches the second processing rule. If the first domain name is not within the scope of the second domain names, or the first server address is not within the scope of the first server addresses, it is determined that the first response message does not match either the first processing rule or the second processing rule. In this case, the first server discovery functional network element can send the first response message to the terminal device.

[0511] Implementation method three:

[0512] In the case where the first processing rule adopts the implementation method three described above, the first processing rule includes the identifier of the first detection template and the identifier of the first processing action information. The above first processing action information further includes: sending the server address in the response message that matches the first processing rule to the first session management functional network element.

[0513] In this case, after the first server discovery functional network element receives the first response message and determines the above first processing rule based on the source address, it can determine whether the first response message matches the first detection template. If it is determined to match, it is determined that the first response message matches the first processing rule. If it is determined not to match, it is determined that the first response message does not match the first processing rule, and then the first response message can be sent to the terminal device that provided the first query message.

[0514] Among them, determining whether the first response message matches the first detection template may include the following: determining whether the first domain name in the first response message is within the range of the first domain name in the first detection template. If it is determined to be yes, it is determined that the first response message matches the first detection template. If it is determined to be no, it is determined that the first response message does not match the first detection template. Or, determining whether the first server address in the first response message is within the range of the first server address in the first detection template. If it is determined to be yes, it is determined that the first response message matches the first detection template. If it is determined to be no, it is determined that the first response message does not match the first detection template. Or, determining whether the first domain name in the first response message is within the range of the first domain name in the first detection template and determining whether the first server address in the first response message is within the range of the first server address in the first detection template. If it is determined to be yes, it is determined that the first response message matches the first detection template. If it is determined to be no, it is determined that the first response message does not match the first detection template.

[0515] Implementation Mode 4:

[0516] In the case where the first processing rule adopts Implementation Mode 4 described above, the first processing rule further includes or indicates: sending the server addresses in all received response messages to the first session management function network element. Or rather, the first processing rule includes or indicates: sending the server addresses in the response messages corresponding to the query messages that match the first processing rule to the first session management function network element. Or rather, in this case, the first processing rule may send the server addresses in all response messages to the first session management function network element.

[0517] In this case, after receiving the first response message corresponding to the first query message, the first server discovery function network element may directly send the server address in the first response message to the first session management function network element.

[0518] It should be noted that in the case where the first processing rule adopts Implementation Mode 4, step S301 may also be directly replaced by the step of "after receiving the first response message corresponding to the first query message, the first server discovery function network element may directly send the server address in the first response message to the first session management function network element".

[0519] S308, the first server discovery function network element sends the server address to the first session management function network element. Correspondingly, the first session management function network element receives the server address.

[0520] In some feasible implementation manners, when the first server discovery function network element determines that the first response message matches the first processing rule, it may send the above-mentioned first server address to the first session management function network element. Correspondingly, the first session management function network element may receive the first server address.

[0521] Optionally, when the first server discovery function network element sends the server address to the first session management function network element, it may also send the first domain name included in the first response message to the first session management function network element.

[0522] S309, the first session management function network element determines that the server address meets the second condition, and sends the server address to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element receives the server address.

[0523] In some feasible implementation manners, after receiving the first server address from the first server discovery function network element, the first session management function network element may determine whether the first server address meets the second condition. Among them, the second condition may include: the first server deployment information does not include the first server address. Or, the second condition may include: the second server deployment information includes the first server address. Or, the second condition may include: when the first server discovery function network element also sends the first domain name when sending the server address, the first server deployment information does not include the first domain name. Or, the second condition may further include: when the first server discovery function network element also sends the first domain name when sending the server address, the second server deployment information includes the first domain name. If the first session management function network element determines that the first server address meets the second condition, it may send the first server address to the first network element. Correspondingly, the first network element may receive the first server address.

[0524] Optionally, the foregoing describes the solution in which the first session management function determines to send the first server address to the first network element when the first server address meets the second condition. In some alternative solutions, the first session management function network element may also send the first server address to the first network element when it determines that the first server address does not belong to its service scope.

[0525] Optionally, if the first session management function network element determines that the first server deployment information includes the first server address, or the first server address belongs to its service scope, it may configure the user plane network element and indicate the traffic splitting rule of the user plane function network element, and send the fourth information to the first server discovery function network element. The fourth information is used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to send the first response message to the terminal device that provides the query message. Optionally, the fourth information may be sent after configuring the user plane network element and indicating the traffic splitting rule of the user plane function network element.

[0526] In the above implementation, if the received first server address is included in its corresponding first server deployment information, the first session management function network element will generate fourth information, and use the fourth information to instruct the first server discovery function network element to send the response message to the terminal device that provided the query message, which can also avoid the situation where the server address provided by the first server discovery function network element is not correctly processed.

[0527] It should be added that in the case where the first processing rule adopts the aforementioned implementation methods 1 to 3, if the first server discovery function network element determines that the first response message matches the first processing rule through the first address range, the first session management function network element may not judge whether the server address meets the second condition, and directly send the first server address to the first network element. This can also reduce unnecessary operations and improve the execution efficiency of the method.

[0528] S310. The first network element instructs the traffic splitting rules of the user plane function network element.

[0529] In some feasible implementation methods, after receiving the above first server address, the first network element can configure the user plane network element and instruct the classification rules of the user plane function network element. Among them, the traffic splitting rules may include one or more of the following: traffic routing rules, traffic detection rules, packet detection rules, and forwarding action rules.

[0530] Optionally, the first network element can determine the user plane network element (for example, the traffic splitting point ULCL / BP and the local anchor point L-PSA) according to the above first server address and the second server deployment information.

[0531] Optionally, the first network element can also determine the user plane network element according to the first server address, the second server deployment information, and the location information of the terminal device.

[0532] Optionally, the first network element can instruct the traffic splitting rules of the user plane function network element according to the above first server address.

[0533] S311. The first network element generates third information and sends the third information to the first session management function network element. Correspondingly, the first session management function network element receives the third information.

[0534] In some feasible implementation methods, after instructing the traffic splitting rules of the user plane function network element, the first network element can generate third information. Among them, the third information can be used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to send the first response message to the terminal device that provided the first query message. Then, the first network element can send the third information to the first session management function network element. Correspondingly, the first session management function network element receives the third information.

[0535] S312. The first session management function network element sends the third information to the first server discovery function network element. Correspondingly, the first server discovery function network element receives the third information.

[0536] In some possible implementation manners, the first session management function network element may send the third information from the first network element to the first server discovery function network element. Correspondingly, the first server discovery function network element may receive the third information.

[0537] It should be added that in actual implementation, after receiving the above-mentioned third information, the first session management function network element may also generate the ninth information that can be used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to send the response message corresponding to the above-mentioned query message to the terminal device, and send the ninth information to the first server discovery function network element. Correspondingly, after receiving the ninth information, the first server discovery function network element may send the above-mentioned first response message to the terminal device.

[0538] S313. The first server discovery function network element sends a response message to the terminal device.

[0539] In some possible implementation manners, after determining that the above-mentioned third information is received, the first server discovery function network element may send the above-mentioned first response message to the terminal device.

[0540] In the above implementation, the first session management function network element will send the first server address that meets the second condition to the first network element, and forward the third information generated by the first network element to the first server discovery function network element, so as to instruct the first server discovery function network element to send the first response message to the terminal device that provides the query message through the third information, so that the terminal device can obtain the above-mentioned first server address. By adopting this solution, the information processing and sending / receiving operations that the first session management function network element needs to participate in during the processing of the response message can be reduced, and the load pressure on the first session management function network element can be further reduced.

[0541] In some possible implementation manners, after determining that the above-mentioned fourth information is received, the first server discovery function network element may also send the above-mentioned first response message to the terminal device.

[0542] In some possible implementation manners, after receiving the third information, the first session management function network element may not directly send the third information, but generate the ninth information that can be used to instruct the first server discovery function network element to send the response message corresponding to the above-mentioned query message to the terminal device, and send the ninth information to the first server discovery function network element. Correspondingly, when determining that the above-mentioned ninth information is received, the first server discovery function network element may send the above-mentioned first response message to the terminal device.

[0543] In the above implementation, the first server discovery functional network element will send the server address in the response message that matches the first processing rule to the first network element, and forward the response message based on the third information fed back by the first network element. This can further reduce the information processing and sending / receiving operations that the first session management functional network element needs to participate in, and can further reduce the load pressure on the first session management functional network element.

[0544] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 which is another schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by this application. As Figure 5 shown, before step S301, the communication method may further include the following steps:

[0545] S314, the first network element sends fifth information to the first session management functional network element.

[0546] In some feasible implementation manners, the first network element may generate the fifth information and send the fifth information to the first session management functional network element. Among them, the fifth information is associated with the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the fifth information can be used by the first session management functional network element to send the first processing rule to the first server discovery functional network element.

[0547] Next, in combination with various implementation manners of the first processing rule described above, the specific process of the first network element sending the fifth information to the first session management functional network element will be described respectively.

[0548] Implementation manner 1:

[0549] The first processing rule may be provided (or configured) by the first session management functional network element. The first processing rule includes a first domain name range, and the first domain name range is included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

[0550] In this case, the above-mentioned fifth information is the first domain name range included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. That is to say, the first network element may determine the first domain name range included in its corresponding second server deployment information as the fifth information and send it to the first session management functional network element.

[0551] Optionally, the first network element may determine whether it has configured the second server deployment information after receiving the create session management context request message from the access and mobility management functional network element. Among them, the create session management context request message may be an Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContextRequest message. If the first network element determines that it has configured the second server deployment information, it may execute the above-mentioned steps of determining and sending the fifth information.

[0552] Optionally, the access and mobility management function network element may send a create session management context request message to the first network element when determining that a session is established or the terminal device moves.

[0553] Optionally, the first network element may also execute the above-mentioned steps of determining and sending the fifth piece of information when determining that it has the ability to locally process EAS discovery / EAS-related information.

[0554] Optionally, the first network element may also receive indication information from other network elements and execute the above-mentioned steps of determining and sending the fifth piece of information according to the indication information. Among them, the indication information may come from a mobility management function network element, a session management network element, etc.

[0555] Implementation method 2:

[0556] The first processing rule may be provided (or configured) by the first session management function network element, and the first processing rule is generated by the first network element based on its corresponding second server deployment information and sent to the first session management function network element.

[0557] In this case, the above-mentioned fifth piece of information may be the above-mentioned first processing rule. That is to say, the first network element may generate a first processing rule based on its corresponding second server deployment information and send the first processing rule to the first session management function network element as the fifth piece of information.

[0558] Optionally, when the first session management function network element also configures a second processing rule for the first server discovery function network element based on the first server deployment information, the priority of the second processing rule is lower than the priority of the first processing rule. In this case, the first network may also send priority indication information to the first server discovery function network element to indicate, through the priority indication information, that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

[0559] It should be understood that in this case, the first network element may send the above-mentioned fifth piece of information and priority indication information to the first session management function network element through the same message. Or, the first network element may send the above-mentioned fifth piece of information and priority indication information to the first session management function network element through different messages, and this application does not limit this.

[0560] Optionally, the first network element may determine ...

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receiving a first domain name from a first server discovery function network element, where the first domain name is included in a query message from a terminal device, and the query message is used to query for the address of a server that provides a service corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device; When the first domain name meets a first condition, sending the first domain name to a first network element, where the first condition includes: the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element does not include the first domain name, or the service scope of the first network element includes the first domain name; Receiving first information from the first network element, where the first information is determined based on the first domain name, and the first information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device; Sending the first information to the first server discovery function network element.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the first server deployment information includes the first domain name, sending second information to the first server discovery function network element, where the second information is determined based on the first domain name, and the second information is used to process the query message to obtain the address of the first server.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receiving a server address from the first server discovery function network element, where the server address is included in a response message corresponding to the query message; When the server address meets a second condition, sending the server address to the first network element, where the second condition includes: the first server deployment information does not include the server address; Receiving third information from the first network element and sending the third information to the first server discovery function network element, where the third information is used to instruct to send the response message to the terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The method further includes: When the first server deployment information includes the server address, indicating the traffic splitting rule of the user plane function network element and sending fourth information to the first server discovery function network element, where the fourth information is used to instruct to send the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that Before receiving the first domain name from the first server discovery function network element, the method further includes: Obtaining fifth information, where the fifth information is associated with second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element; Sending a first processing rule to the first server discovery function network element according to the fifth information, where the query message matches the first processing rule, and the first processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fifth information being associated with the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element includes: The fifth information includes the first domain name range included in the second server deployment information, and the first processing rule includes the first domain name range; The query message matching the first processing rule includes: The first domain name range includes the first domain name.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Sending a first processing rule to a first server discovery functional network element according to the fifth information includes: Generating a first processing rule according to a first domain name range in the fifth information, and sending the first processing rule to the first server discovery functional network element.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein The fifth information is associated with second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and includes: The fifth information includes a first processing rule determined based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule, and the second processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further includes: Sending the second processing rule to the first server discovery functional network element.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending priority indication information to the first server discovery functional network element, where the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

12. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first processing rule includes a first identifier of a first detection template and / or a second identifier of first processing action information, the first matching rule includes the first detection template and the first processing action information, the first network element configures the first matching rule for the first server discovery functional network element, and the first processing action information further includes: sending the first domain name to a first session management functional network element. The query message matches the first processing rule, including: The first detection template includes the first domain name.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein The fifth information is associated with second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and includes: The fifth information includes identifiers of at least one second server discovery functional network element, identifiers of second detection templates included in second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery functional network element, and identifiers of second processing action information, and the second matching rules corresponding to each of the at least one second server discovery functional network element are all generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The fifth information is associated with second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and includes: The fifth information includes the identifier of the first detection template and / or the identifier of the first processing action information, and the first matching rule is generated based on the second server deployment information.

15. The method according to any one of claims 5-14, characterized in that, Obtaining the fifth information includes: Receiving the fifth information from the first network element.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Under the trigger of the first network element, sending a first processing rule to the first server discovery functional network element, where the first domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard, the query message matches the first processing rule, and the first processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name to a first session management functional network element.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein The method further includes: Receive fifth information from a first network element, where the fifth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores first server deployment information, the first network element supports a first capability for processing server-related information, the first network element receives sixth information for instructing the first network element to process server-related information; Under the trigger of the first network element, send a first processing rule to a first server discovery function network element, including: When it is determined that the fifth information is received, send a first processing rule to a first server discovery function network element.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a first domain name from a first session management function network element, where the first domain name is included in a query message from a terminal device, the query message is used to query an address of a server that provides a service corresponding to the first domain name for the terminal device, the first server deployment information corresponding to the first session management function network element does not include the first domain name, or the service scope of the first network element includes the first domain name; Send first information to the first session management function network element, where the first information is determined according to the first domain name, and the first information is used to process the query message to obtain an address of a first server, and the first server is used to provide the service for the terminal device.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein The method further includes: Receive a server address from the first session management function network element, where the server address is included in a response message corresponding to the query message; Send third information to the first session management function network element, where the third information is used to instruct to send the response message to the terminal device that provides the query message.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, Before receiving the first domain name from the first session management function network element, the method further includes: Send fifth information to the first session management function network element, where the fifth information is associated with second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, the fifth information is used to send a first processing rule, the query message matches the first processing rule, and the first processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The fifth information is associated with second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, including: The fifth information includes a first domain name range included in the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, and the first processing rule includes the first domain name range; The query message matches the first processing rule, including: The first domain name range includes the first domain name.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein The fifth information is associated with second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, including: The fifth information includes a first processing rule determined based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein The priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule, and the second processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein The method further includes: Send priority indication information to the first server discovery network element, where the priority indication information is used to indicate that the priority of the first processing rule is higher than the priority of the second processing rule.

25. The method according to claim 20, wherein The first processing rule includes the first identifier of the first detection template and / or the second identifier of the first processing action information. The first matching rule includes the first detection template and the first processing action information, and the first matching rule is generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element. The first processing action information further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element. The query message matches the first processing rule, including: The first detection template includes the first domain name.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein The fifth information is associated with the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element, including: The fifth information includes the identifier of the first detection template and / or the identifier of the first processing action information, and the first matching rule is generated based on the second server deployment information corresponding to the first network element.

27. The method according to claim 20, wherein The method further includes: Send the fifth information to the first session management function network element, where the fifth information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the first network element configures or stores the first server deployment information, the first network element supports the first capability for processing edge application server (EAS) related information, the first network element receives the sixth information used to indicate that the first network element processes EAS related information. The fifth information is further used to trigger sending the first processing rule to the first server discovery network element. The first processing rule is determined based on the first server deployment information, the first domain name range in the first processing rule is empty or a wildcard, the query message matches the first processing rule, and the first processing rule further includes: sending the first domain name to the first session management function network element.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes: a unit for implementing the communication method according to any one of claims 1-17 or claims 18-27.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, and when the computer program is run, it implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or the communication method according to any one of claims 18 to 27.

30. A chip, characterized in that, Includes a processor; The processor is used to execute computer execution instructions to enable the device installed with the chip to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or the communication method according to any one of claims 18 to 27.

31. The chip according to claim 30, characterized in that, The chip further includes an interface circuit, and the interface circuit is used to receive the computer execution instructions and transmit them to the processor.

32. A computer program product, where the computer program product is executed by a computer to implement the method for reporting channel state information according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or the method for reporting channel state information according to any one of claims 18 to 27.

33. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes: At least one processor and a memory; The memory is used to store a computer program; The processor is configured to execute the computer program stored in the memory, so that the communication device performs the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or the communication method according to any one of claims 18 to 27.

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