Mirror image distribution method, related equipment, storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

The invention discloses a mirror image distribution method, a first function, a second function, a storage medium and a computer program product. The method comprises the steps that a first function sends second information to a second function based on first information, the first function is at least used for managing a first mirror image library, the second function is at least used for managing a second mirror image library, and the first information represents a distribution strategy of one or more mirror images in the first mirror image library; the second information is used for indicating one or more mirror images to be distributed to the second mirror image library, and the second function is a next-level function of the first function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a mirror distribution method, related devices, storage media, and computer program products. Background Art

[0002] In related wireless cloud networks, all cloud computing platform (which can be expressed in English as O-Cloud) clusters are uniformly managed by Service Management and Orchestration (SMO). For each cloud computing platform in the cloud computing platform cluster, as Figure 1 shown, each cloud computing platform (such as O-Cloud1) includes an Infrastructure Management Service (IMS) and one or more Data Management Services (DMS).

[0003] However, when deploying a network function (NF) or an application on any node in a cloud computing platform, there may be a problem of long deployment time for the NF or the application. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the related technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a mirror distribution method, related devices, storage media, and computer program products.

[0005] The technical solution of the embodiments of this application is implemented as follows:

[0006] Embodiments of this application provide a mirror distribution method applied to a first function, including:

[0007] Based on first information, send second information to a second function, where the first function is at least used to manage a first image library, the second function is at least used to manage a second image library, the first information represents a distribution policy of one or more images in the first image library, the second information is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image library, and the second function is a lower-level function of the first function.

[0008] In the above solution, the method further includes:

[0009] Generate the first information by using third information, where the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0010] Fourth information, where the fourth information represents a topology structure associated with the first function in a hierarchical cloudified network, and the topology structure is used to indicate the position and / or level of the first function;

[0011] The fifth information, where the fifth information includes change information of the first image repository and / or the second image repository;

[0012] The sixth information, where the sixth information includes historical information of one or more nodes that have accessed the second function.

[0013] In the above solution, the third information includes the fourth information and the fifth information. Using the third information to generate the first information includes:

[0014] Using the fourth information and the fifth information to generate the first information.

[0015] In the above solution, the fifth information includes change information of the second image repository. Using the fourth information and the fifth information to generate the first information includes:

[0016] Based on a first condition, determine to accept the fifth information, where the first condition is used to determine whether to accept the change information of the second image repository;

[0017] In the case of accepting the fifth information, use the fourth information and the fifth information to generate the first information.

[0018] In the above solution, the third information includes the fourth information and the sixth information. Using the third information to generate the first information includes:

[0019] Using the fourth information and the sixth information to generate the first information.

[0020] In the above solution, the third information includes the fourth information and the sixth information. Using the third information to generate the first information includes:

[0021] In the case where a first node accesses the second function, obtain seventh information, where the seventh information includes information related to the first node;

[0022] Using the fourth information, the sixth information, and the seventh information to generate the first information.

[0023] In the above solution, using the fourth information, the sixth information, and the seventh information to generate the first information includes:

[0024] Using the sixth information to generate an eighth information, where the eighth information includes one or more nodes that have accessed the second function and a mirror image set corresponding to each node;

[0025] Using the fourth information, the seventh information, and the eighth information to generate the first information.

[0026] In the above solution, the method further includes:

[0027] Receiving a ninth message sent by the second function, where the ninth message is used to request one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository;

[0028] Distributing one or more images to the second image repository through the first image repository.

[0029] In the above solution, the first function includes one of the following:

[0030] SMO;

[0031] IMS.

[0032] An embodiment of the present application further provides an image distribution method, which is applied to the second function and includes:

[0033] Receiving a second message sent by the first function, where the first function is at least used to manage the first image repository, the second function is at least used to manage the second image repository, the second message is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository, and the second function is a lower-level function of the first function.

[0034] In the above solution, the method further includes:

[0035] Based on the second message, sending a ninth message to the first function, where the ninth message is used to request one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository.

[0036] An embodiment of the present application further provides a first function, including: a first processor and a first communication interface; wherein,

[0037] The first communication interface is used to send a second message to the second function based on a first message, where the first function is at least used to manage the first image repository, the second function is at least used to manage the second image repository, the first message represents a distribution policy of one or more images in the first image repository, the second message is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository, and the second function is a lower-level function of the first function.

[0038] An embodiment of the present application further provides a second function, including: a second processor and a second communication interface; wherein,

[0039] The second communication interface is used to receive the second message sent by the first function, where the first function is at least used to manage the first image repository, the second function is at least used to manage the second image repository, the second message is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository, and the second function is a lower-level function of the first function.

[0040] An embodiment of the present application further provides a first function, including: a first processor and a first memory for storing a computer program that can run on the processor,

[0041] wherein, when the first processor is used to run the computer program, it executes the steps of any method on the first function side.

[0042] An embodiment of the present application further provides a second function, including: a second processor and a second memory for storing a computer program that can run on the processor,

[0043] wherein, when the second processor is used to run the computer program, it executes the steps of any method on the second function side.

[0044] An embodiment of the present application further provides a storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of any method on the first function side or implements the steps of any method on the second function side.

[0045] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of any method on the first function side or implements the steps of any method on the second function side.

[0046] The mirror distribution method, related devices, storage medium and computer program product provided by the embodiments of the present application. The first function sends second information to the second function based on the first information. The first function is at least used to manage the first mirror library, and the second function is at least used to manage the second mirror library. The first information represents the distribution strategy of one or more mirrors in the first mirror library, and the second information is used to indicate one or more mirrors to be distributed to the second mirror library. The second function is the next-level function of the first function. The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, under the architecture of hierarchical deployment of management functions and mirror libraries, the upper management function actively distributes the mirrors in the upper mirror library to the lower mirror library corresponding to the lower management function based on the mirror distribution strategy, realizing reasonable scheduling of the mirror storage location. In this way, the delay of obtaining mirrors from the mirror library when deploying NF or applications can be reduced, thereby reducing the deployment delay of NF or applications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a cloud computing platform cluster in the related art;

[0048] Figure 2 It is a schematic flowchart of the first mirror distribution method in the embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 3Schematic diagram of the structure of the image library in the hierarchical cloudified network of the embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the method flow of the second image distribution in the embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the method flow of the first image distribution in the application example of the present application;

[0052] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the method flow of the second image distribution in the application example of the present application;

[0053] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the method flow of the third image distribution in the application example of the present application;

[0054] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the method flow of the fourth image distribution in the application example of the present application;

[0055] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the method flow of the fifth image distribution in the application example of the present application;

[0056] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the method flow of reporting changed data in the application example of the present application;

[0057] Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the structure of the first image distribution device in the embodiment of the present application;

[0058] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the structure of the second image distribution device in the embodiment of the present application;

[0059] Figure 13 Schematic diagram of the first functional structure in the embodiment of the present application;

[0060] Figure 14 Schematic diagram of the second functional structure in the embodiment of the present application;

[0061] Figure 15 Schematic diagram of the structure of the image distribution system in the embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0062] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0063] In a related wireless cloud network, a central mirror repository (which can also be called a centralized mirror repository) is adopted to store the mirrors (which can also be understood as software) required for NF or application deployment. Among them, the central mirror repository is usually deployed in the central cloud. When deploying NF or an application on any node in the cloud computing platform cluster, a request can be sent to the central repository management module associated with the central mirror repository. After receiving the request, the central repository management module feeds back the mirrors required for NF or the application to the node.

[0064] It can be seen from the above description that there is only one central mirror repository in the wireless cloud network, and all nodes in the cloud computing platform cluster will send mirror requests to the central repository management module. In this way, it will cause a large processing pressure on the central repository management module, resulting in the inability to feed back the requested mirrors to the nodes in time, and thus the deployment time of NF or the application is prolonged. That is to say, in the process of providing mirror services for the nodes in the cloud computing platform cluster, the central repository management module may not be able to respond to the mirror requests of NF or the application in time due to the large processing pressure, and thus the rapid deployment of NF or the application cannot be achieved.

[0065] Based on this, in various embodiments of the present application, in the case of hierarchically deploying the mirror repository in a wireless cloud network (such as a Tiered Cloud), the upper-layer repository management module actively sends the mirrors in the upper-layer mirror repository to the lower-layer mirror repository to reduce the latency of obtaining the corresponding mirrors when nodes deploy NF or an application, thereby achieving the rapid deployment of NF or the application.

[0066] Embodiments of the present application provide a mirror distribution method, which is applied to a first function, such as Figure 2 as shown, the method includes:

[0067] Step 201: Based on first information, send second information to a second function. The first function is at least used to manage a first mirror repository, the second function is at least used to manage a second mirror repository, the first information represents the distribution policy of one or more (which can also be understood as at least one) mirrors in the first mirror repository, the second information is used to indicate one or more mirrors to be distributed to the second mirror repository, and the second function is the next-level function of the first function.

[0068] In practical applications, the first function may be referred to as an upper-layer image repository management module, an upper-layer repository management module, etc., and the first image repository may be referred to as an upper-layer image repository, an upper-layer image library, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the names of the first function and the first image repository, as long as their functions are implemented. Additionally, the second function may be referred to as a lower-layer image repository management module, a lower-layer repository management module, etc., and the second image repository may be referred to as a lower-layer image repository, a lower-layer image library, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the names of the second function and the second image repository, as long as their functions are implemented.

[0069] That is to say, in the embodiments of the present application, the image repositories in a wireless cloud network (specifically, a hierarchical cloudified network) are stratified; among them, the first function and the second function can be understood as management functions deployed in the hierarchical cloudified network, capable of managing the stratified image repositories.

[0070] Exemplarily, as Figure 3 shown, for the cloud computing platform in the hierarchical cloudified network, different levels of clouds are defined, specifically including a Central Cloud (which can be expressed in English as Central Cloud), a Regional Cloud (which can be expressed in English as Regional Cloud), an Edge Cloud (which can be expressed in English as Edge Cloud), and a Cloud Site (which can be expressed in English as Cloud Site); among them, the Central Cloud is the upper level of the Regional Cloud, the Regional Cloud is the upper level of the Edge Cloud, and the Edge Cloud is the upper level of the local cloud. In this architecture, the image repository (which can be expressed in English as repository) can be deployed in layers, such that different levels of clouds correspond to different image repositories.

[0071] In practical applications, the management functions in the hierarchical cloudified network may include the SMO corresponding to the cloud computing platform cluster and the IMS corresponding to each cloud computing platform in the cloud computing platform cluster; among them, the IMS is a lower-level function of the SMO, and different IMSs can determine the level relationship between the IMSs through information transmission.

[0072] Exemplarily, for two IMSs in the hierarchical cloudified network, namely IMS1 of cloud computing platform 1 and IMS2 of cloud computing platform 2, IMS1 and IMS2 can transmit their own characteristic information to each other, and the characteristic information may include resource information, location information, label information, etc.; then, IMS1 and IMS2 can respectively judge the level relationship between IMS1 and IMS2 based on their own characteristic information and the received characteristic information. If the level of the cloud in cloud computing platform 2 (such as the Regional Cloud) is lower than the level of the cloud in cloud computing platform 1 (such as the Central Cloud), it can be determined that IMS2 is a lower-level function of IMS1. In this case, IMS1 can provide image services to IMS2.

[0073] It should be noted that in a hierarchical cloudified network, there may be a situation where the IMS of some cloud computing platforms cannot directly communicate with the SMO. In this case, the IMS of other cloud computing platforms can be used as the upper-layer management function to provide mirror services to the IMS of some cloud computing platforms (which can be understood as the lower-layer management function) instead of the SMO.

[0074] Among them, in one embodiment, the first function may include one of the following:

[0075] SMO;

[0076] IMS.

[0077] In actual application, the first function may include the SMO. Specifically, it may be the Federated O-Cloud Orchestration and Management (FOCOM) in the SMO; or, the first function may include the IMS, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this. Correspondingly, when the first function includes the SMO, the second function may be the IMS; when the first function includes the IMS, the second function may be the next-level IMS included in the first function.

[0078] In actual application, before step 201, the first function may obtain relevant information of the hierarchical cloudified network so as to generate the first information based on the obtained relevant information.

[0079] Based on this, in one embodiment, as Figure 2 shown, the method may further include:

[0080] Step 200: Generate the first information by using third information, where the third information includes one or more of the following (which can also be understood as including at least one of the following):

[0081] Fourth information, where the fourth information characterizes the topological structure associated with the first function in the hierarchical cloudified network, and the topological structure is used to indicate the position and / or level of the first function;

[0082] Fifth information, where the fifth information includes change information of the first mirror library and / or the second mirror library;

[0083] Sixth information, where the sixth information includes historical information of one or more nodes that have accessed the second function.

[0084] In actual application, before step 200, the first function can communicate with the upper-level function and the lower-level function of the first function to obtain function-related information and mirror library-related information, so as to generate a topological structure associated with the first function in the hierarchical cloudified network, that is, the fourth information. At the same time, the first function can also establish a first mirror library list of the first mirror library; where the first mirror library list may include one or more of the following:

[0085] The first repository identifier (which can be expressed in English as RepositoryID), used to identify the first mirror library;

[0086] The first cloud identifier (which can be expressed in English as O-CloudID), used to identify the cloud computing platform corresponding to the first mirror library;

[0087] The first node identifier (which can be expressed in English as NodeID), used to identify the node corresponding to the first mirror library;

[0088] The upstream repository list (which can be expressed in English as UpstreamList), used to indicate the upstream repository list of the first mirror library;

[0089] The downstream repository list (which can be expressed in English as DownstreamList), used to indicate the downstream repository list of the first mirror library;

[0090] The location or level (which can be expressed in English as Location / Level), used to indicate the location or level of the first mirror library in the hierarchical cloudified network, such as central, regional, edge or local;

[0091] The customized label (which can be expressed in English as Customized label), used to indicate the geographical location of the first mirror library, the scale of the cloud computing platform cluster, the coverage of the cloud computing platform cluster or the number of nodes in the cloud computing platform cluster, etc.

[0092] In actual application, in the case of changes (such as addition, update or deletion) of the mirrors in the first mirror library, the fifth information may include the change information of the first mirror library; in the case of changes of the mirrors in the second mirror library, the fifth information may include the change information of the second mirror library; in the case of changes in both the first mirror library and the second mirror library, the fifth information may include the change information of the first mirror library and the change information of the second mirror library.

[0093] Here, the first function can obtain change information of the first image repository from the first image repository. Correspondingly, the second function can obtain change information of the second image repository from the second image repository and report the change information of the second image repository to the first function; wherein, the change information may include one or more of the following:

[0094] Change type (which can be expressed in English as ChangeType), used to indicate the change type of the first image repository and / or the second image repository, such as AddImage (new image), UpdateImage (update image), DeleteImage (delete image);

[0095] Image name (which can be expressed in English as ImageName), used to identify the image that has changed in the first image repository and / or the second image repository;

[0096] Image version (which can be expressed in English as ImageVersion), used to indicate the version of the image that has changed in the first image repository and / or the second image repository;

[0097] Image information (which can be expressed in English as ImageInformation), used to indicate the importance level of the image that has changed in the first image repository and / or the second image repository or other related images.

[0098] In actual application, the first function can also obtain historical information of one or more nodes that have been connected to the second function from the second function, that is, the sixth information; wherein, the historical information may include deployment information and historical request information. The deployment information may include NF deployment information, such as NF deployment configuration information, dependencies between software, etc. The historical request information may include the image name, version, etc. of historical requests. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0099] Then, the first function can generate the first information based on one or more pieces of information in the third information; wherein, when the image in the first image repository and / or the second image repository changes, the first information can be generated according to the change situation of the first image repository and / or the second image repository.

[0100] Specifically, in one embodiment, the third information includes the fourth information and the fifth information. The generating the first information by using the third information includes:

[0101] Using the fourth information and the fifth information to generate the first information.

[0102] In actual application, when the images in the second image library change, since the changed images may already be stored in the first image library, the second function can report the change information of the second image library to the first function, and the first function determines whether to accept the reported change information.

[0103] Specifically, in one embodiment, the fifth information includes the change information of the second image library, and using the fourth information and the fifth information to generate the first information includes:

[0104] Based on a first condition for determining whether to accept the change information of the second image library, it is determined to accept the fifth information.

[0105] In the case of accepting the fifth information, the first information is generated using the fourth information and the fifth information.

[0106] Among them, the first condition can be understood as a preset rule, and the first condition can be set as needed, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0107] In actual application, when the images in the second image library change, the second function can obtain the change information of the second image library; then, based on the change information of the second image library and a preset rule (or a rule derived through a related algorithm), it is determined whether to trigger the reporting of the change information of the second image library. If the reporting of the change information of the second image library is not triggered (for example, the changed image in the second image library is an image used by a specific node), the second function may not report the change information of the second image library to the first function; if the reporting of the change information of the second image library is triggered, the second function reports the change information of the second image library to the first function, and the first function determines, based on the first condition, to accept the change information of the second image library, or not to accept the change information of the second image library, or to accept part of the change information of the second image library.

[0108] Then, the first function can send the eleventh information to the second function to inform the acceptance situation, and the eleventh information may include one or more of the following:

[0109] AcceptLevel, used to indicate the acceptance level of the change information of the second image library, such as full acceptance, partial acceptance, or non-acceptance;

[0110] AcceptList, used to indicate the list of changes in the second image library that are accepted.

[0111] In actual application, when receiving the fifth piece of information, the first function can use the fourth piece of information and the fifth piece of information to generate the first piece of information. Among them, the first piece of information can be represented in the form of a key-value pair mapping (which can be expressed in English as Map) to describe the images to be distributed to different image repositories. The first piece of information can include one or more of the following:

[0112] The second repository identifier, which is used to identify the second image repository;

[0113] The image list to be stored (which can be expressed in English as ImageList), which is used to indicate the image list to be distributed to the second image repository;

[0114] The lower-layer distribution policy (which can be expressed in English as ForwardMap), which characterizes the distribution policy of the images stored in the second image repository;

[0115] The important image list (which can be expressed in English as ImportantList), which is used to indicate the importance of the images to be distributed to the second image repository, such as whether there are images that need to be deployed or forwarded immediately.

[0116] In the related Internet technology (IT) cloud computing field, the central warehouse management module supports the image preheating function, that is, the edge node submits the relevant information of the images required by a specific NF or application to the central warehouse management module, and the central warehouse management module distributes the images required by the NF or application to the edge node or the edge warehouse in advance according to the historical data, so as to reduce the latency of obtaining images when the NF or application is deployed. At the same time, the processing pressure on the central warehouse management module (which can also be understood as the central server or the central node) is reduced. However, the above image preheating scheme does not utilize the deployment-related information of the NF or application. Therefore, there may be version conflicts of the NF or application for the images or software updates of the same NF or application, which may further lead to application running errors or NF unavailability.

[0117] In addition, the above image preheating scheme is implemented based on the analysis of the historical data of a specific NF or application. In this process, the analysis of the node-level historical data is not considered, and the image request characteristics are not established for the edge nodes. However, different nodes are related to the deployed applications and the requested images. Therefore, adopting the above image preheating scheme may cause unreasonable resource configuration in the network and the problem of long application deployment time.

[0118] To solve the above problems, in the embodiments of the present application, the first function can generate the first piece of information based on the node-level historical information (specifically, it can include deployment-related information) to pre-distribute the images that may be requested subsequently.

[0119] Based on this, in one embodiment, the third information includes the fourth information and the sixth information, and generating the first information by using the third information includes:

[0120] Generating the first information by using the fourth information and the sixth information.

[0121] In practical applications, the first function may update an artificial intelligence (AI) model based on the sixth information and the fourth information, so that the AI model can learn the deployment characteristics of one or more nodes that have accessed the second function; wherein, the AI model has an AI prediction function. That is to say, the AI model can receive the fourth information and the sixth information input by the first function and output the first information.

[0122] In addition, the first function may also establish a feature statistical table based on the sixth information, and update the AI model based on the fourth information and the feature statistical table, so that the AI model can learn the deployment characteristics of one or more nodes that have accessed the second function. That is to say, the AI model can receive the fourth information and the feature statistical table input by the first function and output the first information; wherein, the feature statistical table may include one or more of the following:

[0123] A first identifier for identifying the cloud computing platform corresponding to the node;

[0124] A second identifier for identifying the node;

[0125] NF type (which can be expressed in English as NF Type) for indicating the NF type deployed on the node, such as a Centralized Unit (CU) or a Distributed Unit (DU), etc.;

[0126] Deployment time (which can be expressed in English as NFType) for indicating the time when the NF is deployed on the node;

[0127] Image request (which can be expressed in English as ImageRequest) for indicating the mirror-related information required for the node to deploy the NF, such as the image address (which can be expressed in English as ImageURL), the image version (which can be expressed in English as ImageVersion), or the image name (which can be expressed in English as ImageName);

[0128] Configuration information (which can be expressed in English as Configuration), including the information required when the NF is deployed on the node, such as a yaml file, etc.

[0129] It should be noted that in the process of generating the first information using the AI model, the AI algorithms used can include deep learning algorithms, probabilistic model prediction, reinforcement learning, etc. The AI algorithms used are at least used for feature extraction, correlation analysis, node and image classification, time series prediction, Markov decision-making, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the types and functions of the AI algorithms.

[0130] In actual application, in the scenario where a new node accesses the second function, the first function can generate the first information based on the historical information of other nodes that have already accessed the second function.

[0131] Specifically, in one embodiment, the third information includes the fourth information and the sixth information. The generation of the first information using the third information includes:

[0132] When a first node accesses the second function, obtain seventh information, where the seventh information includes the first node-related information;

[0133] Generate the first information using the fourth information, the sixth information, and the seventh information.

[0134] Among them, in actual application, the first node can be referred to as a newly accessed node, and the first node-related information can include cloud computing platform resource information (such as storage resources or central processing unit (CPU) resources), deployment information, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0135] In actual application, when the first node accesses the second function, the second function can report the seventh information to the first function through the O2 interface so that the first function can obtain the seventh information.

[0136] Then, the first function can use the sixth information to establish the corresponding relationship between different types of nodes and images, and thus generate the first information based on the established corresponding relationship and the seventh information.

[0137] Specifically, in one embodiment, the generation of the first information using the fourth information, the sixth information, and the seventh information includes:

[0138] Generate eighth information using the sixth information, where the eighth information includes one or more nodes that have accessed the second function and the corresponding image set for each node;

[0139] Generate the first information using the fourth information, the seventh information, and the eighth information.

[0140] In actual application, the first function may generate the eighth information according to the sixth information; wherein, the eighth information includes one or more of the following:

[0141] CloudLevel, which is used to identify the cloud level corresponding to the node, such as the central cloud, regional cloud, edge cloud or cloudified station;

[0142] ResourceLevel, which is used to identify the size of the resource pool corresponding to the node, such as the size of computing resources (which can be expressed in English as ComputeResource), the size of communication resources (which can be expressed in English as CommunicationResource) or the size of storage resources (which can be expressed in English as StorageResource);

[0143] The first identifier, which is used to identify the cloud computing platform corresponding to the node;

[0144] The second identifier, which is used to identify the node;

[0145] NF type, which is used to indicate the NF type deployed on the node;

[0146] Image request, which is used to indicate the image-related information required for the node to deploy NF;

[0147] Custom label, which is used to indicate cloud computing platform-related information, such as the address location of the cloud computing platform, the scale of the service cluster, the coverage range or the number of nodes, etc.

[0148] In addition, the first function may also use the sixth information to train the AI model, and use the trained AI model, the fourth information and the seventh information to generate the first information.

[0149] In actual application, after generating the first information, the first function can send the second information to the second function based on the first information; wherein, the second information may include one or more of the following:

[0150] The second repository identifier;

[0151] The list of images to be stored;

[0152] The lower-layer distribution strategy;

[0153] The list of important images;

[0154] Configuration information;

[0155] An ActionList, which is used to indicate the operations that the second function needs to perform on the second image repository and the corresponding image information for each operation. The operation types can include pull, update, or delete, and the image information can include the image address (such as the address of the image in the first image repository), the image version, and the image name (such as the name of the image in the second image repository), etc.

[0156] Correspondingly, after receiving the second information, the second function can send an image distribution request to the first function based on the second information, so that the first function distributes the corresponding image to the second image repository.

[0157] Based on this, in one embodiment, the method may further include:

[0158] Receiving the ninth information sent by the second function, where the ninth information is used to request one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository;

[0159] Distributing one or more images to the second image repository through the first image repository.

[0160] Here, based on the ninth information, the first function can send the tenth information to the first image repository to instruct the first image repository to distribute one or more images to the second image repository; after receiving the tenth information, the first image repository can distribute one or more images to the second image repository.

[0161] Correspondingly, an embodiment of the present application also provides an image distribution method, which is applied to the second function. As Figure 4 shown, the method includes:

[0162] Step 401: Receiving the second information sent by the first function. The first function is at least used to manage the first image repository, the second function is at least used to manage the second image repository, the second information is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository, and the second function is the subordinate function of the first function.

[0163] In actual application, after receiving the second information, the second function can send an image distribution request to the first function based on the second information, so as to distribute the corresponding image to the second image repository.

[0164] Based on this, in one embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, the method may further include:

[0165] Step 402: Based on the second information, send the ninth information to the first function, where the ninth information is used to request one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository.

[0166] In practical applications, after the second image repository receives one or more images distributed by the first image repository (which can also be understood as an update of the second image repository), the second function can update the relevant information of the second image repository. The relevant information includes a stored image list, image version, the number of times an image is requested, etc. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0167] In the related art, the central warehouse management module does not actively push image changes to other nodes. Instead, it will push image changes only when an edge node requests to update an application or NF from the central warehouse management module. That is, important image changes cannot be pushed to the nodes in a timely manner. In this way, important images cannot be updated in a timely manner, resulting in the inability of edge nodes to update applications or NFs.

[0168] In view of the above problems, in the embodiments of this application, when the second image repository is updated, and when the second information includes a lower-layer distribution policy and a list of important images, the second function can distribute images with a higher importance level to the third image repository corresponding to the third function based on the list of important images. Alternatively, the second function can directly deploy the images on the nodes. The third function is the next-level function of the second function, and the third function includes IMS. The third function is at least used to manage the third image repository. In this way, timely update of applications or NFs can be achieved.

[0169] In practical applications, the second function can also actively send notification information to the third function or the nodes to inform that the second image repository has been updated. At the same time, the priority of the uniform resource locator (URL) address of the images in the second image repository is modified. The reason is as follows: When the second image repository is updated, the images originally stored in the first image repository may be distributed to the second image repository. In this case, by modifying the URL address priority of the images, the second function can obtain the requested images from the second image repository during subsequent image requests, instead of obtaining the requested images through the first function. In this way, the transmission delay of the images can be reduced.

[0170] Then, the second function can send the twelfth information to the first function to inform about the image distribution situation. The twelfth information may include one or more of the following:

[0171] The second warehouse identifier, which is used to identify the second image repository;

[0172] A second cloud identifier, used to identify the cloud computing platform corresponding to the second image repository;

[0173] A second node identifier, used to identify the node corresponding to the second image repository;

[0174] A list of images to be stored, used to indicate the list of images that should be stored in the second image repository;

[0175] An error message (which can be expressed in English as ErrorMessage), containing information related to the unsuccessful distribution of images, such as the second function being unable to respond to the second information sent by the first function.

[0176] In the image distribution method provided by the embodiments of the present application, a first function sends second information to a second function based on first information. The first function is at least used to manage a first image repository, and the second function is at least used to manage a second image repository. The first information represents the distribution strategy of one or more images in the first image repository, and the second information is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository. The second function is a lower-level function of the first function. The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present application, under the architecture of hierarchical deployment of management functions and image repositories, enables the upper-level management function to actively distribute the images in the corresponding image repository to the image repository corresponding to the lower-level management function based on the image distribution strategy, realizing the reasonable scheduling of the image storage location. In this way, the latency of obtaining images from the image repository when deploying an NF or an application on a node can be reduced, thereby reducing the deployment latency of the NF or the application.

[0177] The following further describes the present application in detail with reference to application examples.

[0178] In a hierarchical cloudified network, the central image repository management module needs to process a large number of image requests and image repository changes. Therefore, there may be problems such as a large load on the central image repository management module, long image request latency, NF deployment, and nodes being unable to obtain image changes in a timely manner.

[0179] In the application example of the present application, to solve the above problems, a hierarchical image distribution scheme is proposed for hierarchical deployment and management of the image repositories in the hierarchical cloudified network, and the upper-level image repository management module (i.e., the above-mentioned first function) actively distributes images to the lower-level image repository management module (i.e., the above-mentioned second function).

[0180] In actual application, the process of the upper-level image repository management module (specifically, FOCOM in SMO) actively distributing images is as Figure 5 shown and includes the following steps:

[0181] Step 501a: During the process of collecting tiered repository information (Collect tieredrepository information), IMS2 in O-Cloud2 (i.e., the third function mentioned above) reports the repository data collection of repository3 in O-Cloud1 to IMS1 in O-Cloud1;

[0182] Among them, SMO is the upper management module of IMS1 (which can also be understood as the upper-level function), and IMS1 is the upper management module of IMS2. In addition, the repository information includes the repository topology structure (i.e., the fourth information mentioned above), the request history (i.e., the fifth information mentioned above), and the change data (i.e., the sixth information mentioned above), etc. The request history includes the deployment information of the lower-layer nodes, the historical data of the request information, etc., which can be used as the screening basis for potential distribution objects in event-triggered distribution or periodic prediction distribution. The change data includes the change data pushed by third-party image providers, the change data pushed by the upper-layer image repository, or the change data pushed by the lower-layer image repository.

[0183] Step 501b: During the process of collecting tiered repository information, IMS1 in O-Cloud1 reports the repository2 information to FOCOM in SMO.

[0184] In practical applications, by collecting the repository information of different image repositories, the management module (such as FOCOM in SMO) can determine its own position or level in the topology structure (i.e., the fourth information mentioned above), and determine the upper-layer and lower-layer image repositories of the image repository.

[0185] Step 502: FOCOM uses the collected repository information to generate an image distribute policy (i.e., the first information mentioned above) (generate image distribute policy) in different ways;

[0186] Step 503: Based on the image distribute policy, FOCOM sends an image distribute request (i.e., the second information mentioned above) (image distribute request) to IMS1;

[0187] Among them, the distribution policy can be described in the form of a Map of key-value pairs to describe the images that different image repositories need to receive.

[0188] Step 504: After receiving the image distribution request, IMS1 sends an image request (i.e., the ninth piece of information mentioned above) to the first image repository (which can be expressed in English as repository1) to request the corresponding image.

[0189] Step 505: After receiving the image request, the first image repository distributes the corresponding image (which can be expressed in English as image download) to the second image repository.

[0190] Step 506: IMS1 updates the relevant information of the second image repository (which can be expressed in English as update inventory information).

[0191] Step 507a: During the process that the image distribution request carries the lower-level distribution policy (which can be expressed in English as furthur distribute process), IMS1 sends an image distribute request to IMS2 to indicate the image to be distributed to the third image repository (which can be expressed in English as repository3)); among them, the images with a high degree of importance can be directly distributed to the third image repository.

[0192] Step 507b: In the case where the update of the URL address priority is caused by the change of the image in the second image repository (which can be expressed in English as sources list(URL)update caused by repository2 change), IMS1 sends a notification to IMS2 to notify that the second image repository has been updated.

[0193] Step 508: IMS sends an image distribution response (i.e., the twelfth piece of information mentioned above) to FOCOM.

[0194] The following is a detailed description for different methods.

[0195] Application Example 1

[0196] The process of SMO actively distributing images according to the changes in the image repository, as Figure 6 shown, includes the following steps:

[0197] Step 601a: During the data collection process, the DMS in O-Clound1 reports the NF deployment information and / or the historical data of the image request (image deployment history) to the Network Function Orchestration (NFO) in the SMO;

[0198] Step 601b: After receiving the NF deployment information and / or the historical data of the image request reported by the DMS, the NFO reports the NF deployment information and / or the historical data of the image request to the FOCOM;

[0199] Step 602a: The first image repository accepts the image pushed by a third party, thereby causing a repository change;

[0200] Step 602b: The second image repository accepts the image pushed by a third party, thereby causing a repository change. At the same time, the changed data is reported to the first image repository;

[0201] Step 603: The first image repository reports the changed data of the first image repository and / or the second image repository (inform repository change) to the FOCOM;

[0202] Step 604: After receiving the changed data, the FOCOM generates an image distribution policy (generate image distribute policy among possible target) based on the changed data, the NF deployment information, and / or the historical data of the image request information through a preset rule or algorithm;

[0203] Step 605a: The FOCOM sends an NF instance update request (NF update request) to the NFO, and then executes Step 606a;

[0204] Step 605b: The FOCOM sends an image distribution request to the IMS1 based on the image distribution policy;

[0205] It should be noted that the execution order of Step 605a and Step 605b is not sequential.

[0206] Step 606a: After receiving the NF instance update request, the NFO sends an NF instance update request to the DMS1, and then executes Step 607;

[0207] Step 606b: After IMS1 receives the mirror distribution request, it sends a mirror request to the first mirror repository, and then proceeds to Step 606c;

[0208] Step 606c: After the first mirror repository receives the mirror request, it distributes the corresponding mirror to the second mirror repository;

[0209] It should be noted that the execution order of Step 606a and Steps 606b to 606c is not sequential.

[0210] Step 607: DMS1 fetches the mirror from the second mirror repository and updates the NF instance (which can be expressed in English as fetch image & update NE);

[0211] Step 608: IMS1 updates the relevant information of the second mirror repository;

[0212] Step 609: IMS1 notifies IMS2 to inform that the second mirror repository has been updated and modifies the URL address priority; or, during the process that the mirror distribution request carries the lower-layer distribution policy, IMS1 directly distributes the mirror with a higher importance level to the third mirror repository;

[0213] Step 610: IMS1 sends a mirror distribution response to FOCOM.

[0214] From the descriptions of Steps 601 to 610, it can be seen that when the first mirror repository and / or the second mirror repository change, such as the addition, update, or deletion of mirrors, FOCOM generates a new mirror distribution policy based on the change content, and when the change content meets the NF update trigger condition, it triggers the NF update and mirror distribution process.

[0215] Application Example 2

[0216] The process of SMO actively distributing mirrors according to the historical data of different nodes, as Figure 7 shown, includes the following steps:

[0217] Step 701a: During the data collection process, DMS in O-Clound1 reports the NF deployment information and / or the historical data of mirror requests to NFO in SMO;

[0218] Among them, the NF deployment information includes the configuration information of NF deployment, and the historical data of the mirror requests includes the requested mirror name and version, and the dependency relationship between software.

[0219] Step 701b: After NFO receives the NF deployment information and / or the historical data of mirror requests reported by DMS, it reports the NF deployment information and / or the historical data of mirror requests to FOCOM;

[0220] Step 702a: FOCOM updates the AI model (which can be expressed in English as prediction rule / model update) based on the NF deployment information and / or historical data of image requests, so that the AI model can learn the NF deployment characteristics of different nodes. Meanwhile, a feature statistical table is established and / or the AI prediction function is implemented;

[0221] Among them, the AI prediction function means that the AI model can receive the input NF deployment information and / or historical data of image requests and output an image distribution policy.

[0222] Step 702b: FOCOM generates an image distribution policy (which can be expressed in English as generate image distribute policy based on history) through algorithmic reasoning based on the NF deployment information and / or historical data of image requests;

[0223] It should be noted that FOCOM can choose to execute Step 702a or Step 702b as needed.

[0224] Step 703: FOCOM sends an image distribution request to IMS1 based on the image distribution policy;

[0225] Step 704: After receiving the image distribution request, IMS1 sends an image request to the first image repository;

[0226] Step 705: After receiving the image request, the first image repository distributes the corresponding image to the second image repository;

[0227] Step 706: IMS1 updates the relevant information of the second image repository;

[0228] Step 707: IMS1 notifies IMS2 to inform that the second image repository has been updated and modifies the URL address priority; or, during the process that the image distribution request carries the lower-layer distribution policy, IMS1 directly distributes the images with a higher importance level to the third image repository;

[0229] Step 708: IMS1 sends an image distribution response to FOCOM.

[0230] From the descriptions of Step 701 to Step 708, it can be seen that the DMS in O-Cloud reports the historical information of NF deployment to the SMO; the SMO generates an image distribution policy based on the historical information and pre-distributes the images that may be requested subsequently based on the generated image distribution policy.

[0231] Application Example Three

[0232] The process of the SMO actively sending the image according to the resource characteristics of the newly accessed node (i.e., the first node mentioned above) is as follows Figure 8 shown, including the following steps:

[0233] Step 801: The IMS reports the O-Cloud related information (which can be expressed in English as O-Cloud information) of the newly accessed node to the FOCOM through the O2 interface;

[0234] Among them, the O-Cloud related information includes information such as resource status and deployment location.

[0235] Step 802: The FOCOM generates an image distribution policy for the new node (which can be expressed in English as generate image distribute policy based on O-Cloud information);

[0236] In practical applications, the FOCOM establishes the corresponding relationship between different node types and the required image sets according to the NF deployment historical information of other already accessed nodes; or, uses the NF deployment historical information of other already accessed nodes to train an AI model, and then, based on the generated corresponding relationship or AI model, combines the O-Cloud related information to generate an image distribution policy for the new node.

[0237] Step 803: The FOCOM sends an image distribution request to the IMS1 based on the image distribution policy;

[0238] Step 804: After receiving the image distribution request, the IMS1 sends an image request to the first image repository;

[0239] Step 805: After receiving the image request, the first image repository distributes the corresponding image to the second image repository;

[0240] Step 806: The IMS1 updates the relevant information of the second image repository;

[0241] Step 807: The IMS1 notifies the IMS2 to inform that the second image repository has been updated and modifies the URL address priority; or, during the process of the image distribution request carrying the lower-layer distribution policy, the IMS1 directly distributes the images with a higher importance level to the third image repository;

[0242] Step 808: The IMS1 sends an image distribution response to the FOCOM.

[0243] As can be seen from the descriptions of the above steps 801 to 808, IMS1 reports the O-Cloud related information of the newly accessed node to the SMO, so that the SMO infers and generates the mirror distribution policy of the new node based on the information reported by the newly accessed node, thereby realizing the distribution of the mirror.

[0244] Application Example 4

[0245] In this application example, for the case where some O-Clouds in the hierarchical cloudified network are not directly connected to the SMO, IMS in other O-Clouds can replace FOCOM, and the mirror repositories in other O-Clouds can replace the first mirror repository to provide mirror services for the lower-layer mirror repository.

[0246] Specifically, the process of IMS actively distributing mirrors, as Figure 9 shown, includes the following steps:

[0247] Step 901a: IMS1 and IMS2 transmit the O-Cloud related information of the accessed nodes to each other;

[0248] Step 901b: IMS1 and IMS2 determine the level relationship (which can also be understood as role setting (expressed in English as role set)) between IMS1 and IMS2 based on the transmitted O-Cloud related information;

[0249] In actual application, an IMS determines whether it needs another IMS to provide mirror services or whether it can provide mirror services to another IMS based on the transmitted O-Cloud related information. When an IMS needs mirror services and another IMS can provide mirror services, the level relationship between the two IMSs can be determined. At the same time, IMS1 and IMS2 can update their own mirror repository related information, that is, the upper-layer management module updates the lower-layer mirror repository to the downstream mirror repository list, and correspondingly, the lower-layer management module updates the upper-layer mirror repository to the upstream mirror repository list.

[0250] Step 901c: IMS1 receives the NF deployment information and / or the historical data of mirror requests (expressed in English as deployment and request history) reported by IMS2;

[0251] Step 901d: IMS1 obtains the change data of the second mirror repository;

[0252] Step 902: IMS1 generates a mirror distribution policy based on the change data of the second mirror repository, the NF deployment information, and / or the historical data of mirror requests;

[0253] Step 903: IMS1 sends a mirror distribution request to IMS2 based on the mirror distribution policy;

[0254] Step 904: After receiving the mirror distribution request, IMS2 sends a mirror request to the second mirror repository;

[0255] Step 905: After receiving the mirror request, the second mirror repository distributes the corresponding mirror to the third mirror repository;

[0256] Step 906: IMS2 updates the relevant information of the third mirror repository;

[0257] Step 907: IMS2 notifies IMS3 to inform that the third mirror repository has been updated and modifies the URL address priority; or, during the process that the mirror distribution request carries the lower-layer distribution policy, IMS1 directly distributes the mirror with a higher importance level to the fourth mirror repository corresponding to IMS3; where IMS2 is the upper-layer management module of IMS3;

[0258] Step 908: IMS2 sends a mirror distribution response to IMS1.

[0259] Application Example Five

[0260] In this application example, when the second mirror repository changes, since the same mirror may be stored in other mirror repositories, IMS1 needs to report the change data of the second mirror repository to FOCOM, and FOCOM determines whether to accept the change data of the second mirror repository.

[0261] Specifically, the process of reporting the change data of the mirror repository is as Figure 10 shown and includes the following steps:

[0262] Step 1001: The second mirror repository accepts the mirror pushed by a third party, resulting in a mirror change;

[0263] Step 1002: The second mirror repository reports the change data to IMS1 (which can be expressed in English as "inform repository change");

[0264] Step 1003: Based on the change data, IMS1 determines whether to trigger the reporting of the change data through a preset rule (which can be expressed in English as "check change with reporting condition");

[0265] Among them, if the reporting of the change data is triggered, execute Step 1004; otherwise, end the current process.

[0266] Step 1004: IMS1 reports the changed data to FOCOM (which can be expressed in English as "report repository change");

[0267] Step 1005: FOCOM judges whether to accept the changed data based on preset rules (which can be expressed in English as "judge whether to accept or not");

[0268] Here, based on the preset rules, FOCOM can choose to accept the changed data; or, based on the preset rules, FOCOM can choose not to accept the changed data; or, based on the preset rules, FOCOM can choose to accept part of the changed data.

[0269] Step 1006: FOCOM sends a change response (which can be expressed in English as "change response") to IMS1 (i.e., the above-mentioned eleventh message);

[0270] Step 1007: In the case of accepting the changed data or accepting part of the changed data, FOCOM can trigger the change process of the first mirror repository (which can be expressed in English as "trigger repository1 change process").

[0271] In the application example of this application, the upper-layer mirror repository management module (such as FOCOM in SMO or IMS in O-Cloud) can timely process the changes of the mirrors in the upper-layer mirror repository, and generate a mirror distribution policy according to the NF deployment of different nodes and the historical data of mirror requests, so as to complete the active distribution of mirrors. In this way, the reasonable scheduling of the mirror storage location is realized, thereby reducing the network pressure of the upper-layer nodes, reducing the NF deployment delay, ensuring the reliability of NF, and improving the overall network resource utilization rate.

[0272] To implement the method of the embodiments of this application, the embodiments of this application also provide a mirror distribution device, which is set on the first function, such as Figure 11 shown, the device includes:

[0273] The first sending unit 1101 is used to send the second information to the second function based on the first information. The first function is at least used to manage the first mirror library, the second function is at least used to manage the second mirror library, the first information represents the distribution policy of one or more mirrors in the first mirror library, and the second information is used to indicate one or more mirrors to be distributed to the second mirror library. The second function is the next-level function of the first function.

[0274] In one embodiment, as Figure 11 shown, the device further includes: a generating unit 1102; wherein,

[0275] The generating unit 1102 is configured to generate the first information by using third information, where the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0276] Fourth information, where the fourth information characterizes a topology structure associated with the first function in a hierarchical cloudified network, and the topology structure is used to indicate the location and / or level of the first function;

[0277] Fifth information, where the fifth information includes change information of the first image library and / or the second image library;

[0278] Sixth information, where the sixth information includes historical information of one or more nodes that have accessed the second function.

[0279] Wherein, in one embodiment, the third information includes the fourth information and the fifth information, and the generating unit 1102 is configured to generate the first information by using the fourth information and the fifth information.

[0280] In one embodiment, the fifth information includes change information of the second image library, and the generating unit 1102 is configured to:

[0281] Based on a first condition, determine to accept the fifth information, where the first condition is used to determine whether to accept the change information of the second image library;

[0282] In the case of accepting the fifth information, generate the first information by using the fourth information and the fifth information.

[0283] In one embodiment, the third information includes the fourth information and the sixth information, and the generating unit 1102 is configured to generate the first information by using the fourth information and the sixth information.

[0284] In one embodiment, the third information includes the fourth information and the sixth information, and the generating unit 1102 is configured to:

[0285] In the case where a first node accesses the second function, obtain seventh information, where the seventh information includes information related to the first node;

[0286] Generate the first information by using the fourth information, the sixth information, and the seventh information.

[0287] Wherein, in one embodiment, the generating unit 1102 is configured to:

[0288] Generate eighth information by using the sixth information, where the eighth information includes one or more nodes that have accessed the second function and a corresponding image set for each node;

[0289] Generate the first information by using the fourth information, the seventh information, and the eighth information.

[0290] In one embodiment, the generating unit 1102 is further configured to:

[0291] Receive the ninth information sent by the second function, where the ninth information is used to request one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository;

[0292] Distribute one or more images to the second image repository through the first image repository.

[0293] In actual application, the first sending unit 1101 can be implemented by a communication interface in the image distribution device; the generating unit 1102 can be implemented by a communication interface in the image distribution device in combination with a processor.

[0294] To implement the method of the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide an image distribution device, which is set on the second function, as Figure 12 shown, and the device includes:

[0295] A receiving unit 1201, configured to receive the second information sent by the first function, where the first function is at least used to manage the first image repository, the second function is at least used to manage the second image repository, the second information is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository, and the second function is a subordinate function of the first function.

[0296] In one embodiment, as Figure 12 shown, the device further includes: a second sending unit 1202; where

[0297] The second sending unit 1202 is configured to send the ninth information to the first function based on the second information, where the ninth information is used to request one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository.

[0298] In actual application, the receiving unit 1201 and the second sending unit 1202 can be implemented by a communication interface in the image distribution device.

[0299] It should be noted that: when the image distribution device provided in the above embodiment performs image distribution, only the above division of each program module is used for illustration. In actual application, the above processing can be allocated to different program modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different program modules to complete all or part of the above description of the processing. In addition, the image distribution device provided in the above embodiment and the embodiment of the image distribution method belong to the same concept, and the specific implementation process is detailed in the method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0300] Based on the hardware implementation of the above program modules, and in order to implement the method on the first functional side of the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a first function, such as Figure 13 shown, the first function 1300 includes:

[0301] A first communication interface 1301, capable of interacting with a second function for information;

[0302] A first processor 1302, connected to the first communication interface 1301 to implement information interaction with the second function, and when running a computer program, execute the method provided by one or more technical solutions on the first functional side;

[0303] A first memory 1303, on which the computer program is stored.

[0304] Specifically, the first communication interface 1301 is used to send second information to the second function based on first information. The first function is at least used to manage a first image library, and the second function is at least used to manage a second image library. The first information represents the distribution policy of one or more images in the first image library, and the second information is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image library. The second function is a lower-level function of the first function.

[0305] In one embodiment, the first processor 1302 is used to generate the first information by using third information, and the third information includes one or more of the following:

[0306] Fourth information, the fourth information represents the topological structure associated with the first function in the hierarchical cloudified network, and the topological structure is used to indicate the position and / or level of the first function;

[0307] Fifth information, the fifth information includes change information of the first image library and / or the second image library;

[0308] Sixth information, the sixth information includes historical information of one or more nodes that have accessed the second function.

[0309] Wherein, in one embodiment, the third information includes the fourth information and the fifth information, and the first processor 1302 is used to generate the first information by using the fourth information and the fifth information.

[0310] In one embodiment, the fifth information includes change information of the second image library, and the first processor 1302 is used to:

[0311] Based on the first condition, determine to accept the fifth information, where the first condition is used to determine whether to accept the change information of the second image repository;

[0312] In the case of accepting the fifth information, use the fourth information and the fifth information to generate the first information.

[0313] In one embodiment, the third information includes the fourth information and the sixth information, and the first processor 1302 is configured to use the fourth information and the sixth information to generate the first information.

[0314] In one embodiment, the third information includes the fourth information and the sixth information, and the first processor 1302 is configured to:

[0315] In the case where the first node accesses the second function, obtain the seventh information, where the seventh information includes the first node-related information;

[0316] Use the fourth information, the sixth information, and the seventh information to generate the first information.

[0317] In one embodiment, the first processor 1302 is configured to:

[0318] Use the sixth information to generate the eighth information, where the eighth information includes one or more nodes that have accessed the second function and the corresponding image set for each node;

[0319] Use the fourth information, the seventh information, and the eighth information to generate the first information.

[0320] In one embodiment, the first communication interface 1301 is further configured to:

[0321] Receive the ninth information sent by the second function, where the ninth information is used to request one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository;

[0322] Distribute one or more images to the second image repository through the first image repository.

[0323] It should be noted that: The specific processing procedures of the first processor 1302 and the first communication interface 1301 can be understood with reference to the above method.

[0324] Of course, in actual application, each component in the first function 1300 is coupled together through the bus system 1304. It can be understood that the bus system 1304 is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 1304 also includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clear illustration, in Figure 13Various buses are labeled as bus system 1304.

[0325] The first memory 1303 in the embodiment of the present application is used to store various types of data to support the operation of the first function 1300. Examples of such data include: any computer program for operating on the first function 1300.

[0326] The method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application above can be applied to or implemented by the first processor 1302. The first processor 1302 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit in hardware or instructions in software form in the first processor 1302. The above first processor 1302 may be a general-purpose processor, DSP, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The first processor 1302 can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiment of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. Combining the steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, it can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in a storage medium, and this storage medium is located in the first memory 1303. The first processor 1302 reads the information in the first memory 1303 and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the foregoing method.

[0327] In an exemplary embodiment, the first function 1300 can be implemented by one or more ASICs, DSPs, PLDs, CPLDs, FPGAs, general-purpose processors, controllers, MCUs, microprocessors, or other electronic components for executing the foregoing method.

[0328] Based on the hardware implementation of the above program module, and in order to implement the method on the second function side in the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides a second function, as Figure 14 shown, this second function 1400 includes:

[0329] A second communication interface 1401 capable of information interaction with the first function;

[0330] A second processor 1402 connected to the second communication interface 1401 to achieve information interaction with the first function and, when running a computer program, execute the method provided by one or more technical solutions on the second function side above;

[0331] A second memory 1403 on which the computer program is stored.

[0332] Specifically, the second communication interface 1402 is configured to receive second information sent by a first function. The first function is at least used to manage a first image repository, the second function is at least used to manage a second image repository, the second information is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository, and the second function is a subordinate function of the first function.

[0333] In one embodiment, the second communication interface 1402 is further configured to send ninth information to the first function based on the second information. The ninth information is used to request one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository.

[0334] It should be noted that: The specific processing procedures of the second communication interface 1401 and the second processor 1402 can be understood with reference to the above method.

[0335] Of course, in practical applications, each component in the second function 1400 is coupled together through a bus system 1404. It can be understood that the bus system 1404 is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. The bus system 1404 includes, in addition to a data bus, a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clear illustration, in Figure 14 all kinds of buses are labeled as the bus system 1404.

[0336] The second memory 1403 in the embodiment of the present application is used to store various types of data to support the operation of the second function 1400. Examples of these data include: any computer program for operating on the second function 1400.

[0337] The method disclosed in the above embodiment of the present application can be applied to the second processor 1402 or implemented by the second processor 1402. The second processor 1402 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit in the hardware of the second processor 1402 or by instructions in software form. The above-mentioned second processor 1402 may be a general-purpose processor, a DSP, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The second processor 1402 can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiment of the present application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. Combining the steps of the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, it can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by a hardware decoding processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in a storage medium, and this storage medium is located in the second memory 1403. The second processor 1402 reads the information in the second memory 1403 and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the foregoing method.

[0338] In an exemplary embodiment, the second function 1400 may be implemented by one or more ASICs, DSPs, PLDs, CPLDs, FPGAs, general-purpose processors, controllers, MCUs, microprocessors, or other electronic components for performing the foregoing method.

[0339] It can be understood that the memories (the first memory 1303 and the second memory 1403) in the embodiments of the present application can be volatile memories or non-volatile memories, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM, Read Only Memory), a programmable read-only memory (PROM, Programmable Read-Only Memory), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM, ferromagnetic random access memory), a flash memory (Flash Memory), a magnetic surface memory, an optical disc, or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM, Compact Disc Read-Only Memory); the magnetic surface memory can be a disk memory or a tape memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as a static random access memory (SRAM, Static Random Access Memory), a synchronous static random access memory (SSRAM, Synchronous Static Random Access Memory), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM, Dynamic Random Access Memory), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM, Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM, Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM, Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a sync link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM, SyncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory), and a direct rambus random access memory (DRRAM, Direct Rambus Random Access Memory).The memories described in the embodiments of the present application are intended to include, but are not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0340] To implement the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application also provide a mirror distribution system, as Figure 15 shown. The system includes: a first function 1501 and a second function 1502.

[0341] Here, it should be noted that: the specific processing procedures of the first function 1501 and the second function 1502 have been described in detail above and will not be elaborated here.

[0342] In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiments of the present application also provide a storage medium, namely a computer storage medium, specifically a computer-readable storage medium. For example, it includes a first memory 1303 that stores a computer program. The above computer program can be executed by a first processor 1302 of the first function 1300 to complete the steps described in the foregoing method on the first function side. Another example is a second memory 1403 that stores a computer program. The above computer program can be executed by a second processor 1402 of the second function 1400 to complete the steps described in the foregoing method on the second function side. The computer-readable storage medium can be a memory such as FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disc, or CD-ROM.

[0343] In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product. For example, it includes a first memory 1303 that stores a computer program. The above computer program can be executed by a first processor 1302 of the first function 1300 to complete the steps described in the foregoing method on the first function side. Another example is a second memory 1403 that stores a computer program. The above computer program can be executed by a second processor 1402 of the second function 1400 to complete the steps described in the foregoing method on the second function side.

[0344] It should be noted that: "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish similar objects and do not necessarily need to be used to describe a specific order or sequence.

[0345] In addition, among the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application, they can be combined arbitrarily without conflict.

[0346] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application and is not used to limit the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A mirror distribution method, characterized in that, Applied to the first function, including: Based on the first information, send the second information to the second function. The first function is at least used to manage the first image repository, and the second function is at least used to manage the second image repository. The first information represents the distribution policy of one or more images in the first image repository, and the second information is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository. The second function is the next-level function of the first function.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Generate the first information by using the third information, where the third information includes one or more of the following: Fourth information, which represents the topological structure associated with the first function in the hierarchical cloudified network. The topological structure is used to indicate the location and / or level of the first function; Fifth information, which includes the change information of the first image repository and / or the second image repository; Sixth information, which includes the historical information of one or more nodes that have accessed the second function.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein The third information includes the fourth information and the fifth information. Generating the first information by using the third information includes: Generate the first information by using the fourth information and the fifth information.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The fifth information includes the change information of the second image repository. Generating the first information by using the fourth information and the fifth information includes: Based on the first condition, determine to accept the fifth information. The first condition is used to determine whether to accept the change information of the second image repository; In the case of accepting the fifth information, generate the first information by using the fourth information and the fifth information.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The third information includes the fourth information and the sixth information. Generating the first information by using the third information includes: Generate the first information by using the fourth information and the sixth information.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein The third information includes the fourth information and the sixth information. Generating the first information by using the third information includes: When a first node accesses the second function, obtain seventh information, which includes information related to the first node; Generate the first information by using the fourth information, the sixth information, and the seventh information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that Generating the first information by using the fourth information, the sixth information, and the seventh information includes: Generate eighth information by using the sixth information. The eighth information includes one or more nodes that have accessed the second function and the corresponding image set for each node; Generate the first information by using the fourth information, the seventh information, and the eighth information.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Receive the ninth information sent by the second function. The ninth information is used to request one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository; Distribute one or more images from the first image repository to the second image repository.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The first function includes one of the following: Service Management and Orchestration SMO; Infrastructure Management Service IMS.

10. A mirror distribution method, characterized in that Applied to the second function, including: Receive the second information sent by the first function, where the first function is at least used to manage the first image repository, the second function is at least used to manage the second image repository, the second information is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository, and the second function is a lower-level function of the first function.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the second information, send the ninth information to the first function, where the ninth information is used to request one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository.

12. A first function, characterized in that, Includes: A first processor and a first communication interface; wherein, The first communication interface is used to send the second information to the second function based on the first information. The first function is at least used to manage the first image repository, the second function is at least used to manage the second image repository, the first information characterizes the distribution policy of one or more images in the first image repository, the second information is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository, and the second function is a lower-level function of the first function.

13. A second function, characterized in that, Includes: A second processor and a second communication interface; wherein, The second communication interface is used to receive the second information sent by the first function. The first function is at least used to manage the first image repository, the second function is at least used to manage the second image repository, the second information is used to indicate one or more images to be distributed to the second image repository, and the second function is a lower-level function of the first function.

14. A first function, characterized in that, Includes: A first processor and a first memory for storing a computer program that can run on the processor, wherein, when the first processor is used to run the computer program, it executes the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

15. A second function, characterized in that, Includes: A second processor and a second memory for storing a computer program that can run on the processor, wherein, when the second processor is used to run the computer program, it executes the steps of the method according to claim 10 or 11.

16. A storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or implements the steps of the method according to claim 10 or 11.

17. A computer program product, comprising a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, or implements the steps of the method according to claim 10 or 11.

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