Service discovery method, equipment, device and storage medium

Abstract

Provided are a service discovery method, device and apparatus, and a storage medium, the method comprising: receiving a first service discovery request sent from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance requested to be discovered; determining a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance; sending service discovery redirection information to the first network entity; the service discovery redirection information is used by the first network entity to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, and the second service discovery request carries information of the first service instance requested to be discovered. The disclosure is used for solving the problem of low working efficiency of a communication network caused by network function servitization.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a service discovery method, apparatus, device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] The core network and access network are parts of a communication network. The core network is responsible for managing and routing user communication and data traffic. The access network connects user equipment (such as mobile phones, computers, and landlines) to the operator's core network. The core network collaborates with the access network (such as the radio access network) to transmit user communication requests to the correct destination and provide users with various services, such as voice, data, SMS, and multimedia. Typically, to enable more flexible deployment, management, and expansion, the core network's functions are service-oriented, refactoring its functionality into multiple services. These services require processes such as service registration, deregistration, and discovery to ensure they can be discovered and used.

[0003] Currently, the network functions of the access network have not been service-oriented. Due to the distributed nature of the access network, a service-oriented access network will have many service instances. If the access network is service-oriented in the same way as the core network, the service discovery process will be more complex, affecting the working efficiency of the communication network. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides at least one service discovery method, device, apparatus, and storage medium to address the problem of low communication network efficiency caused by the service-oriented architecture of network functions.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a service discovery method, applied to a first service discovery node, comprising:

[0006] Receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered;

[0007] Determine the second service discovery node to be used to discover the first service instance;

[0008] Send service discovery redirection information to the first network entity; the service discovery redirection information is used by the first network entity to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, and the second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0009] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0010] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0011] In one optional implementation, determining a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance includes:

[0012] Based on the first attribute of the first service instance, determine the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance.

[0013] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0014] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0015] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0016] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0017] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0018] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0019] Retrieve the second attribute of the pre-configured second service discovery node; or,

[0020] Obtain the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in the first registration information of the second service discovery node.

[0021] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0022] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the predefined first service instance; or,

[0023] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the pre-configured first service instance; or,

[0024] Retrieve the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

[0025] In one alternative implementation, the second service discovery node is able to discover one or more service instances, including the first service instance.

[0026] In one optional implementation, the service discovery redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0027] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the second service discovery node; the endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

[0028] Secondly, this disclosure also provides a service discovery method, applied to a first service discovery node, comprising:

[0029] Receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered;

[0030] Based on the first attribute of the first service instance, determine the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance;

[0031] Send a third service discovery request to the second service discovery node;

[0032] Receive the first service discovery response information from the second service discovery node;

[0033] Send the second service discovery response information to the first network entity.

[0034] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0035] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0036] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0037] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0038] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0039] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0040] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0041] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0042] Retrieve the second attribute of the pre-configured second service discovery node; or,

[0043] Obtain the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in the first registration information of the second service discovery node.

[0044] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0045] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the predefined first service instance; or,

[0046] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the pre-configured first service instance; or,

[0047] Retrieve the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

[0048] In one alternative implementation, the second service discovery node is able to discover one or more service instances, including the first service instance.

[0049] Thirdly, this disclosure also provides a service discovery method applied to a third service discovery node, comprising:

[0050] Receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered;

[0051] Identify the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance;

[0052] Send service registration redirection information to the second network entity; the service registration redirection information is used by the second network entity to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, and the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0053] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0054] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the second service instance.

[0055] In one optional implementation, determining a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance includes:

[0056] Based on the third attribute of the second service instance, determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

[0057] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0058] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0059] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0060] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0061] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0062] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0063] Retrieve the fourth attribute of the pre-configured fourth service discovery node; or,

[0064] Obtain the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in the second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

[0065] In one alternative implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0066] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the predefined second service instance; or,

[0067] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the pre-configured second service instance; or,

[0068] Retrieve the third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

[0069] In one optional implementation, the service registration redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0070] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the fourth service discovery node; the endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

[0071] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery method, applied to a third service discovery node, including:

[0072] Receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered;

[0073] Identify the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance;

[0074] Send a third service registration request to the fourth service discovery node;

[0075] Receive the first service registration response information from the fourth service discovery node;

[0076] Send the second service registration response information to the second network entity.

[0077] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0078] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the second service instance.

[0079] In one optional implementation, determining a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance includes:

[0080] Based on the third attribute of the second service instance, determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

[0081] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0082] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0083] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0084] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0085] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0086] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0087] Retrieve the fourth attribute of the pre-configured fourth service discovery node; or,

[0088] Obtain the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in the second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

[0089] In one alternative implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0090] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the predefined second service instance; or,

[0091] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the pre-configured second service instance; or,

[0092] Retrieve the third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

[0093] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery method applied to a first network entity, comprising:

[0094] Send a first service discovery request to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered;

[0095] Receive service discovery redirection information from the first service discovery node;

[0096] A second service discovery request is sent to the second service discovery node indicated by the service discovery redirection information. The second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0097] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0098] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0099] In one alternative implementation, the first service discovery request carries a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute is used by the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0100] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0101] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0102] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0103] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0104] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0105] In one optional implementation, the service discovery redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0106] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the second service discovery node; the endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

[0107] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery method applied to a first network entity, comprising:

[0108] A first service discovery request is sent to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered, and the information about the first service instance includes the first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance;

[0109] Receive a second service discovery response message from the first service discovery node; the second service discovery response message instructs the second service discovery node to discover the first service instance.

[0110] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0111] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0112] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0113] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0114] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0115] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0116] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0117] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery method, applied to a second service discovery node, comprising:

[0118] Retrieve the second attribute configured for the second service discovery node;

[0119] Send first registration information to the first service discovery node; the first registration information carries a second attribute of the second service discovery node; the second attribute of the second service discovery node is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0120] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0121] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0122] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery method applied to a second network entity, comprising:

[0123] Send a first service registration request to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered;

[0124] Receive service registration redirection information from the third service discovery node;

[0125] Using service registration redirection information, a second service registration request is sent to the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance; the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0126] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0127] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance running the second service instance.

[0128] In one optional implementation, the first service registration request carries a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0129] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0130] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0131] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0132] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0133] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0134] In one optional implementation, the service registration redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0135] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the fourth service discovery node; the endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

[0136] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery method applied to a second network entity, comprising:

[0137] A first service registration request is sent to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered, and the information about the second service instance includes a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node to discover the second service instance;

[0138] Receive the second service registration response information from the third service discovery node; the second service registration response information instructs the fourth service discovery node to discover the second service instance.

[0139] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0140] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance running the second service instance.

[0141] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0142] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0143] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0144] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0145] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0146] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery method, applied to a fourth service discovery node, comprising:

[0147] Retrieve the fourth attribute configured for the fourth service discovery node;

[0148] Send the second registration information to the third service discovery node; the second registration information carries the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node; the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0149] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0150] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0151] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery device deployed at a first service discovery node, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0152] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0153] Receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered;

[0154] Determine the second service discovery node to be used to discover the first service instance;

[0155] Send service discovery redirection information to the first network entity; the service discovery redirection information is used by the first network entity to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, and the second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0156] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0157] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0158] In one optional implementation, determining a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance includes:

[0159] Based on the first attribute of the first service instance, determine the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance.

[0160] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0161] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0162] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0163] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0164] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0165] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0166] Retrieve the second attribute of the pre-configured second service discovery node; or,

[0167] Obtain the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in the first registration information of the second service discovery node.

[0168] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0169] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the predefined first service instance; or,

[0170] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the pre-configured first service instance; or,

[0171] Retrieve the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

[0172] In one alternative implementation, the second service discovery node is able to discover one or more service instances, including the first service instance.

[0173] In one optional implementation, the service discovery redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0174] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the second service discovery node; the endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

[0175] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery device deployed at a first service discovery node, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0176] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0177] Receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered;

[0178] Based on the first attribute of the first service instance, determine the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance;

[0179] Send a third service discovery request to the second service discovery node;

[0180] Receive the first service discovery response information from the second service discovery node;

[0181] Send the second service discovery response information to the first network entity.

[0182] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0183] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0184] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0185] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0186] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0187] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0188] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0189] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0190] Retrieve the second attribute of the pre-configured second service discovery node; or,

[0191] Obtain the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in the first registration information of the second service discovery node.

[0192] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0193] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the predefined first service instance; or,

[0194] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the pre-configured first service instance; or,

[0195] Retrieve the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

[0196] In one alternative implementation, the second service discovery node is able to discover one or more service instances, including the first service instance.

[0197] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery device deployed at a third service discovery node, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0198] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0199] Receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered;

[0200] Identify the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance;

[0201] Send service registration redirection information to the second network entity; the service registration redirection information is used by the second network entity to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, and the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0202] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0203] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the second service instance.

[0204] In one optional implementation, determining a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance includes:

[0205] Based on the third attribute of the second service instance, determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

[0206] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0207] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0208] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0209] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0210] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0211] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0212] Retrieve the fourth attribute of the pre-configured fourth service discovery node; or,

[0213] Obtain the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in the second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

[0214] In one alternative implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0215] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the predefined second service instance; or,

[0216] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the pre-configured second service instance; or,

[0217] Retrieve the third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

[0218] In one optional implementation, the service registration redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0219] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the fourth service discovery node; the endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

[0220] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery device deployed at a third service discovery node, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0221] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0222] Receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered;

[0223] Identify the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance;

[0224] Send a third service registration request to the fourth service discovery node;

[0225] Receive the first service registration response information from the fourth service discovery node;

[0226] Send the second service registration response information to the second network entity.

[0227] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0228] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the second service instance.

[0229] In one optional implementation, determining a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance includes:

[0230] Based on the third attribute of the second service instance, determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

[0231] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0232] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0233] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0234] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0235] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0236] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0237] Retrieve the fourth attribute of the pre-configured fourth service discovery node; or,

[0238] Obtain the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in the second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

[0239] In one alternative implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0240] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the predefined second service instance; or,

[0241] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the pre-configured second service instance; or,

[0242] Retrieve the third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

[0243] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery device deployed on a first network entity, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0244] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0245] Send a first service discovery request to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered;

[0246] Receive service discovery redirection information from the first service discovery node;

[0247] A second service discovery request is sent to the second service discovery node indicated by the service discovery redirection information. The second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0248] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0249] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0250] In one alternative implementation, the first service discovery request carries a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0251] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0252] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0253] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0254] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0255] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0256] In one optional implementation, the service discovery redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0257] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the second service discovery node; the endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

[0258] In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery device deployed in a first network entity, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0259] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0260] A first service discovery request is sent to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered, and the information about the first service instance includes the first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance;

[0261] Receive a second service discovery response message from the first service discovery node; the second service discovery response message instructs the second service discovery node to discover the first service instance.

[0262] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0263] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0264] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0265] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0266] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0267] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0268] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0269] In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery device deployed at a second service discovery node, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0270] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0271] Retrieve the second attribute configured for the second service discovery node;

[0272] Send first registration information to the first service discovery node; the first registration information carries a second attribute of the second service discovery node; the second attribute of the second service discovery node is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0273] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0274] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0275] In an eighteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery device deployed in a second network entity, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0276] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0277] Send a first service registration request to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered;

[0278] Receive service registration redirection information from the third service discovery node;

[0279] Using service registration redirection information, a second service registration request is sent to the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance; the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0280] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0281] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance running the second service instance.

[0282] In one optional implementation, the first service registration request carries a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0283] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0284] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0285] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0286] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0287] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0288] In one optional implementation, the service registration redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0289] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the fourth service discovery node; the endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

[0290] In a nineteenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery device deployed in a second network entity, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0291] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0292] A first service registration request is sent to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered, and the information about the second service instance includes a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node to discover the second service instance;

[0293] Receive the second service registration response information from the third service discovery node; the second service registration response information instructs the fourth service discovery node to discover the second service instance.

[0294] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0295] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance running the second service instance.

[0296] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0297] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0298] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0299] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0300] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0301] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery node deployed on a fourth service discovery node, including a memory, a transceiver, and a processor;

[0302] Memory is used to store computer programs; transceiver is used to send and receive data under the control of the processor; processor is used to read the computer programs from memory and perform the following operations:

[0303] Retrieve the fourth attribute configured for the fourth service discovery node;

[0304] Send the second registration information to the third service discovery node; the second registration information carries a fourth attribute; the fourth attribute is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0305] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0306] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0307] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery apparatus for a first service discovery node, comprising:

[0308] The first receiving module is configured to receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0309] The first determining module is used to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance;

[0310] The first sending module is used to send service discovery redirection information to the first network entity; the service discovery redirection information is used by the first network entity to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, and the second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0311] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0312] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0313] In one optional implementation, the first determining module is specifically used for:

[0314] Based on the first attribute of the first service instance, determine the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance.

[0315] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0316] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0317] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0318] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0319] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0320] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0321] Retrieve the second attribute of the pre-configured second service discovery node; or,

[0322] Obtain the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in the first registration information of the second service discovery node.

[0323] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0324] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the predefined first service instance; or,

[0325] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the pre-configured first service instance; or,

[0326] Retrieve the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

[0327] In one alternative implementation, the second service discovery node is able to discover one or more service instances, including the first service instance.

[0328] In one optional implementation, the service discovery redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0329] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the second service discovery node; the endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

[0330] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery apparatus for a first service discovery node, comprising:

[0331] The second receiving module is used to receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0332] The second determining module is used to determine a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance based on the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0333] The second sending module is used to send a third service discovery request to the second service discovery node; receive a first service discovery response from the second service discovery node; and send a second service discovery response to the first network entity.

[0334] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0335] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0336] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0337] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0338] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0339] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0340] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0341] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0342] Retrieve the second attribute of the pre-configured second service discovery node; or,

[0343] Obtain the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in the first registration information of the second service discovery node.

[0344] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0345] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the predefined first service instance; or,

[0346] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the pre-configured first service instance; or,

[0347] Retrieve the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

[0348] In one alternative implementation, the second service discovery node is able to discover one or more service instances, including the first service instance.

[0349] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery apparatus for a third service discovery node, comprising:

[0350] The third receiving module is used to receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0351] The third determination module is used to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance;

[0352] The third sending module is used to send service registration redirection information to the second network entity; the service registration redirection information is used by the second network entity to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, and the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0353] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0354] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the second service instance.

[0355] In one optional implementation, the third determining module is specifically used for:

[0356] Based on the third attribute of the second service instance, determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

[0357] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0358] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0359] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0360] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0361] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0362] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0363] Retrieve the fourth attribute of the pre-configured fourth service discovery node; or,

[0364] Obtain the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in the second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

[0365] In one alternative implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0366] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the predefined second service instance; or,

[0367] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the pre-configured second service instance; or,

[0368] Retrieve the third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

[0369] In one optional implementation, the service registration redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0370] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the fourth service discovery node; the endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

[0371] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery apparatus for a third service discovery node, comprising:

[0372] The fourth receiving module is used to receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0373] The fourth determination module is used to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance;

[0374] The fourth sending module is used to send a third service registration request to the fourth service discovery node; receive a first service registration response from the fourth service discovery node; and send a second service registration response to the second network entity.

[0375] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0376] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the second service instance.

[0377] In one optional implementation, the fourth determining module is specifically used for:

[0378] Based on the third attribute of the second service instance, determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

[0379] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0380] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0381] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0382] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0383] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0384] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0385] Retrieve the fourth attribute of the pre-configured fourth service discovery node; or,

[0386] Obtain the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in the second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

[0387] In one alternative implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0388] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the predefined second service instance; or,

[0389] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the pre-configured second service instance; or,

[0390] Retrieve the third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

[0391] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery apparatus for a first network entity, comprising:

[0392] The fifth sending module is used to send a first service discovery request to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0393] The fifth receiving module is used to receive service discovery redirection information from the first service discovery node;

[0394] The fifth sending module is also used to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node indicated by the service discovery redirection information. The second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0395] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0396] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0397] In one alternative implementation, the first service discovery request carries a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0398] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0399] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0400] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0401] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0402] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0403] In one optional implementation, the service discovery redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0404] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the second service discovery node; the endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

[0405] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery apparatus for a first network entity, comprising:

[0406] The sixth sending module is used to send a first service discovery request to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered, and the information about the first service instance includes a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0407] The sixth receiving module is used to receive the second service discovery response information sent from the first service discovery node; the second service discovery response information instructs the second service discovery node to discover the first service instance.

[0408] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0409] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0410] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0411] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0412] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0413] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0414] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0415] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery apparatus for a second service discovery node, comprising:

[0416] The first acquisition module is used to acquire the second attribute configured for the second service discovery node;

[0417] The seventh sending module is used to send first registration information to the first service discovery node; the first registration information carries a second attribute of the second service discovery node; the second attribute of the second service discovery node is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0418] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0419] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0420] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery apparatus for a second network entity, comprising:

[0421] The eighth sending module is used to send a first service registration request to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0422] The seventh receiving module is used to receive service registration redirection information from the third service discovery node;

[0423] The eighth sending module is also used to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, which is used to discover the second service instance, using service registration redirection information; the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0424] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0425] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance running the second service instance.

[0426] In one optional implementation, the first service registration request carries a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute of the second service instance is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0427] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0428] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0429] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0430] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0431] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0432] In one optional implementation, the service registration redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0433] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the fourth service discovery node; the endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

[0434] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery apparatus for a second network entity, comprising:

[0435] The ninth sending module is used to send a first service registration request to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered, and the information about the second service instance includes a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute of the second service instance is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0436] The eighth receiving module is used to receive the second service registration response information from the third service discovery node; the second service registration response information instructs the fourth service discovery node to discover the second service instance.

[0437] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0438] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance running the second service instance.

[0439] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0440] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0441] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0442] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0443] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0444] In a thirtieth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a service discovery apparatus for a fourth service discovery node, comprising:

[0445] The second acquisition module is used to acquire the fourth attribute configured for the fourth service discovery node;

[0446] The tenth sending module is used to send the second registration information to the third service discovery node; the second registration information carries the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node; the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0447] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0448] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0449] In a thirty-first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a processor-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program being configured to cause a processor to perform the steps of the service discovery method as described in the first aspect or any of the first aspects above, or to perform the steps of the service discovery method as described in the second aspect or any of the second aspects above, or to perform the steps of the service discovery method as described in the third aspect or any of the third aspects above, or to perform the steps of the service discovery method as described in the fourth aspect or any of the fourth aspects above, or to perform the steps of the service discovery method as described in the fifth aspect or any of the fifth aspects above, or to perform the steps of the service discovery method as described in the sixth aspect or any of the sixth aspects above, or to perform the steps of the service discovery method as described in the seventh aspect or any of the seventh aspects above, or to perform the steps of the service discovery method as described in the eighth aspect or any of the eighth aspects above, or to perform the steps of the service discovery method as described in the ninth aspect or any of the ninth aspects above, or to perform the steps of the service discovery method as described in the tenth aspect or any of the tenth aspects above.

[0450] The service discovery method, device, apparatus, and storage medium provided in this disclosure can deploy a second service discovery node for discovering a first service instance, thereby alleviating the pressure on the service discovery node in access network service scenarios with a large number of services; and, after receiving a first service discovery request, the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance can be directly determined, thereby completing service discovery or registration, effectively simplifying the service discovery process and improving the working efficiency of the communication network.

[0451] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of this disclosure more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0452] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. These drawings are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. They illustrate embodiments conforming to this disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the technical solutions of this disclosure. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this disclosure and should not be considered as limiting the scope. Those skilled in the art can obtain other related drawings based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0453] Figure 1 Schematic diagrams of communication systems provided in some embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0454] Figure 2 A flowchart of a service discovery method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0455] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a service discovery redirection process provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0456] Figure 4 A flowchart of a service discovery method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0457] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the service discovery and forwarding process provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0458] Figure 6 A flowchart of a service discovery method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0459] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating a service registration redirection process provided in some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0460] Figure 8A flowchart of a service discovery method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0461] Figure 9 A schematic diagram illustrating the service registration and forwarding process provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0462] Figure 10 A flowchart of a service discovery method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0463] Figure 11 A flowchart of a service discovery method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0464] Figure 12 A flowchart of a service discovery method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0465] Figure 13 A flowchart of a service discovery method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0466] Figure 14 A flowchart of a service discovery method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0467] Figure 15 A flowchart of a service discovery method provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0468] Figure 16 A schematic diagram of a service discovery device provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0469] Figure 17 A schematic diagram of a service discovery apparatus provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0470] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of a service discovery apparatus provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0471] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of a service discovery apparatus provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0472] Figure 20 A schematic diagram of a service discovery apparatus provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0473] Figure 21 A schematic diagram of a service discovery apparatus provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0474] Figure 22 A schematic diagram of a service discovery apparatus provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0475] Figure 23 A schematic diagram of a service discovery apparatus provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0476] Figure 24 A schematic diagram of a service discovery apparatus provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0477] Figure 25 A schematic diagram of a service discovery apparatus provided by some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0478] Figure 26 A schematic diagram of a service discovery apparatus provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0479] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this disclosure clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this disclosure, and not all of them. The components of the embodiments of this disclosure described and shown herein can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed disclosure, but merely represents selected embodiments of this disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this disclosure without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0480] The following explanations of some terms used in the embodiments of this disclosure are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0481] In this disclosure, the term "multiple" refers to two or more objects, and other quantifiers are similar. In this disclosure, the term "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0482] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0483] This disclosure provides a service discovery method, device, apparatus, and storage medium to address the problem of low efficiency in communication networks caused by the service-oriented architecture of network functions.

[0484] The methods, devices, and apparatus are based on the same inventive concept. Since the methods, devices, and apparatus solve problems in similar ways, their implementations can refer to each other, and repeated parts will not be described again.

[0485] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to a variety of systems. For example, applicable systems may include Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems, 5G New Radio (NR) systems and their evolved communication systems, and 6G (sixth generation mobile communication technology) systems. These systems may include terminal equipment and network equipment. The systems may also include a core network component, such as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and the 5G Core Network (5GC).

[0486] The terminal devices involved in the embodiments of this application can be devices that provide voice and / or data connectivity to users, handheld devices with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. The names of the terminal devices may differ in different systems; for example, in 5G or 6G systems, the terminal device may be called User Equipment (UE). Wireless terminal devices can be USB storage devices, other personal computer memory devices, and dongles. They can also communicate with one or more core networks (CNs) via a Radio Access Network (RAN). Wireless terminal devices can be mobile terminal devices, such as mobile phones (or "cellular" phones) and computers with mobile terminal devices. For example, they can be portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices that exchange voice and / or data with the radio access network. Examples of such devices include Personal Communication Service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiated Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), personal computers, tablets, and Machine-type Communication (MTC) terminal devices. Wireless terminal devices can also be referred to as systems, subscriber units, subscriber stations, mobile stations, mobile devices, remote stations, access points, remote terminals, access terminals, user terminals, user agents, user devices, and wireless access devices and routers / modems that meet the limitations of this definition; however, this application does not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0487] The network device involved in this application embodiment can be a base station, which may include multiple cells providing services to terminals. Depending on the specific application, the base station may also be called an access point, or a device in the access network that communicates with wireless terminal devices through one or more sectors on the air interface, or other names. The network device can be used to exchange received air frames with Internet Protocol (IP) packets, acting as a router between the wireless terminal device and the rest of the access network, where the rest of the access network may include an Internet Protocol (IP) communication network. The network device can also coordinate the attribute management of the air interface. For example, the network device involved in this application embodiment can be an evolved Node B (eNB or e-NodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5G base station (gNB) in a next generation system, or a Home evolved Node B (HeNB), relay node, femto, pico, network testing equipment, etc., and is not limited in this application embodiment. In some network architectures, network devices may include centralized unit (CU) nodes and distributed unit (DU) nodes, which may also be geographically separated.

[0488] The communication system disclosed in this embodiment can be divided into multiple networks according to different partitioning methods. Based on different partitioning methods, the communication system can be divided into access network and core network, access layer, edge layer, aggregation layer, core layer, Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), domain, etc. After partitioning the communication system using any of the above partitioning methods, multiple networks can be obtained, and at least some or all of the network functions (NFs) provided by the networks can be service-oriented. A network function (NF) is a processing function in the system, which defines functional behavior and interfaces. An NF can be implemented as a network element on dedicated hardware, as a software instance running on dedicated hardware, or as a virtualized function instantiated on a platform, such as through cloud infrastructure. The communication system architecture can be defined as a service-based architecture, that is, a system architecture in which a set of NFs provides services to other authorized NFs to access their services, thereby realizing the system functions. An NF service is a function exposed by an NF (as an NF service producer) to other authorized NFs (as NF service consumers) through a service-based interface. An NF service can support one or more NF service operations. An NF can provide different NF services.

[0489] When an NF needs to discover another NF or the services provided by another NF, it can do so through a Network Repository Function (NRF). An NRF can be a logical function used to support NF and NF service discovery and status notification functions.

[0490] An NF instance is a recognizable instance of an NF (NF Service Instance). An NF instance can provide services provided by one or more NF service instances. An NF service instance is a recognizable instance of an NF service.

[0491] To discover the requested NF type or NF service via NRF, the NF instance needs to be registered with NRF. This is done by sending an NF configuration file to NRF. The NF configuration file can contain information related to the NF instance, such as the NF instance identity document (ID) and supported NF service instances. For example, a producer (providing network functionality to other NFs) NF instance and its NF service instances may register for the first time.

[0492] In this embodiment, an NF can be referred to as a network entity, an NF service as a service, and an NRF as a service discovery node. An NF can be equivalent to an NF instance, an NF service to an NF service instance, and a service to a service instance. Service discovery / registration can be equivalent to service instance discovery / registration. Network function discovery / registration can be equivalent to network function instance discovery / registration. A service discovery node is also a network entity. Service discovery nodes are used to maintain information related to NF instances / services / service instances so that services provided by network entities in the network can be discovered and accessed. In this embodiment, network entities can interact directly with the service discovery node or through other devices or entities. For example, network entities interact with the service discovery node through a Service Communication Proxy (SCP).

[0493] In this disclosure, network entities include network functions, logical functions, logical nodes, logical units, and functional entities. Network entities can be implemented as network elements on dedicated hardware, as software instances running on dedicated hardware, or as virtualized functions instantiated on a platform; this disclosure does not impose any limitations on this. Examples of network entities include AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), SMF (Session Management Function), LMF (Location Management Function), policy control functions, SCP, UE radio connection management functions, or UE session radio management functions. Examples of services include UE radio connection management services, UE session radio management services, session management services, access management services, mobility management services, or policy control services.

[0494] See Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Taking a division of the communication system into a core network and an access network as an example, Figure 1 The communication system shown can provide service discovery services to network entities corresponding to the core network and access network. The system can include multiple network entities and multiple service discovery nodes. The system can achieve service discovery and service registration between the same or different networks. Specifically, network entities can request the discovery of NFs or NF services from the service discovery nodes, and can also register NFs or NF services with the service discovery nodes.

[0495] It is worth noting that in this embodiment of the disclosure, the network entity can request registration or discovery from the service discovery node. In this embodiment, the network entity requesting service discovery can be referred to as the first network entity, and the network entity requesting service registration can be referred to as the second network entity. In some cases, the first network entity and the second network entity may be the same network entity. The service discovery node whose service is requested to be discovered can be referred to as the first service discovery node, and the service discovery node whose service is requested to be registered may be referred to as the third service discovery node. In some cases, the first service discovery node and the third service discovery node may be the same service discovery node.

[0496] The service instances in this disclosure can be provided by network function instances. The service discovery method can specifically be used to discover service instances, network function instances, or both. The service registration method can specifically be used to register service instances, network function instances, or both. The following description uses the discovery or registration of service instances as an example to illustrate the service discovery methods provided in this disclosure.

[0497] The following describes the service discovery method provided in this embodiment, taking the first service discovery node as the executing entity as an example.

[0498] See Figure 2 The diagram illustrates a service discovery method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. The executing entity can be a first service discovery node. The method includes:

[0499] S201. Receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0500] Here, the first service instance in this application can also be replaced by a first network function instance. The first network function instance can provide at least one service instance, including the first service instance.

[0501] Here, the first service discovery request carrying information about the first service instance to be discovered can mean that the first service discovery request contains information about the first service instance, or that the first service discovery request can indicate information about the first service instance.

[0502] In this step, the first network entity can send a first service discovery request. The first service discovery request can be sent directly to the first service discovery node, or it can be forwarded to the first service discovery node through other devices or entities.

[0503] For example, for each network, at least one service discovery node can be deployed, and the first network entity can send a first service discovery request to the service discovery node deployed in its corresponding network.

[0504] For example, at least one service discovery node can be deployed for multiple networks, and the first network entity can send a first service discovery request to its corresponding service discovery node.

[0505] The first service discovery request may include or indicate information about the first service instance or the first network function instance to be discovered. For example, the information about the first service instance may include the service name of the first service instance, and / or the information about the first network function instance providing the first service instance. The information about the first network function instance may, for example, include the network function name of the network function instance, and / or the network function type of the first network function instance.

[0506] In this embodiment of the disclosure, a network function instance may provide one or more service instances, or a network function instance may provide services provided by one or more service instances.

[0507] The aforementioned first service discovery request can be a discovery request for a specific network function, or a discovery request for a specific service provided by the network function.

[0508] S202. Determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0509] Here, as above, the first service instance of this application can also be replaced with the first network function instance, that is, the second service discovery node used to discover the first network function instance can be determined.

[0510] In this embodiment of the disclosure, if the first service discovery node has information related to the first service instance or the first network function instance, the first service discovery node can directly send the response information corresponding to the first service discovery request. However, if the first service discovery node does not have information related to the first service instance or the first network function instance, a second service discovery node can be determined for discovering the first service instance, and the first service instance can be discovered through the second service discovery node.

[0511] In the specific implementation process, corresponding service discovery nodes can be deployed according to the attributes of service instances or network function instances. For example, service discovery nodes specifically for discovering access network services and service discovery nodes specifically for discovering core network services can be deployed; service discovery nodes specifically for discovering network function services of PLMN1 and service discovery nodes specifically for discovering network function services of PLMN2 can also be deployed.

[0512] In this way, based on the first attribute corresponding to the first service instance or the first network function instance, the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance or the first network function instance can be determined.

[0513] For example, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance or the first network function instance. Thus, the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance or the first network function instance can be determined through the matching relationship between the first and second attributes.

[0514] In one possible implementation, the first service discovery node can obtain the attributes of one or more candidate service discovery nodes, and determine the second service discovery node whose corresponding attribute matches the first attribute from the one or more candidate service discovery nodes based on the first attribute of the first service instance or the first network function instance.

[0515] In one possible implementation, the first service discovery node can maintain a list of service discovery nodes, which can record information on multiple candidate service discovery nodes. By comparing the attributes of the candidate service discovery nodes with the first attribute of the first service instance, a second service discovery node whose corresponding attribute matches the first attribute can be determined from the candidate service discovery nodes.

[0516] The attributes of a requested service instance or network function instance can be that the service instance or network function instance belongs to a certain network, a certain network layer, or a certain network domain. A network can be, for example, a core network or an access network. A network layer can be, for example, an access layer, an edge layer, an aggregation layer, or a core layer. A network domain can be, for example, a first network domain, a second network domain, a first access network domain, a second access network domain, a first core network domain, or a second core network domain. The service instance or network function instance is provided by the network, network layer, or network domain to which it belongs. For example, the attribute of a service instance or network function instance provided by an access network is that the service instance or network function instance belongs to the access network.

[0517] The aforementioned first attribute can be used to indicate the network corresponding to the first service instance or the first network function instance. For example, the aforementioned first attribute may include at least one of the following:

[0518] The network to which the first service instance belongs (e.g., core network, access network); the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs (e.g., access layer, core layer, etc.); the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0519] The first attribute of the aforementioned first service instance or first network function instance can be determined in various ways. For example, the attributes corresponding to the service instance or network function instance can be defined using a communication protocol, allowing the first service discovery node to obtain the predefined attributes of the first service instance or first network function instance according to the communication protocol. Alternatively, the operation and maintenance management entity can pre-configure the attributes of the service instance or network function instance on the first service discovery node, allowing the first service discovery node to directly obtain the first attribute of the first service instance or first network function instance from the configuration information. Alternatively, the first service discovery request can carry the first attribute of the first service instance or first network function instance, allowing the first service discovery node to directly obtain the first attribute from the first service discovery request. The first network entity can obtain the pre-defined first attribute of the first service instance or first network function instance, or it can obtain the pre-configured first attribute of the first service instance or first network function instance. The first network entity indicates the first attribute of the first service instance or first network function instance in the first service discovery request.

[0520] The attributes of a service discovery node are used to discover service instances or network functions with a specific attribute. For example, the attribute of a service discovery node might be used to discover service instances belonging to the access network.

[0521] The second attribute mentioned above may also include at least one of the following:

[0522] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0523] The aforementioned second attribute can also be determined in various ways. For example, the operation, maintenance and management equipment can be pre-configured with the attributes of one or more service discovery nodes on the first service discovery node, including the second service node. The first service discovery node can obtain the pre-configured second attribute of the second service discovery node; or, the second service discovery node can pre-register with the first service discovery node and send registration information, which indicates the second attribute of the second service discovery node.

[0524] In one possible implementation, a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance or the first network function instance can be determined based on the first attribute of the first service instance or the first network function instance, wherein the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance. For example, if the attribute of the service instance to be discovered is that it belongs to the core network, and the attribute of the second service discovery node is that it is used to discover service instances belonging to the core network, then it is determined that the second service discovery node can be used to discover the requested service instance.

[0525] For example, the second service discovery node can discover one or more service instances, including the first service instance. The first service discovery node can determine that the second service discovery node can be used to discover the first service instance based on the fact that the second service discovery node can discover one or more service instances.

[0526] For example, the second service discovery node can discover one or more network function instances, including the first network function instance. The first service discovery node can determine that the second service discovery node can be used to discover the first network function instance based on the fact that the second service discovery node can discover one or more network function instances.

[0527] In one possible implementation, the first service discovery node obtains information about the service instances or network function instances that each of the one or more candidate service discovery nodes can discover, and determines a second service discovery node from the one or more candidate service discovery nodes that can discover service instances or network function instances that include the first service instance or the first network function instance.

[0528] In one possible implementation, the first service discovery node may store a service list of one or more candidate service discovery nodes, which may indicate information about the service instances that it can discover. The first service instance can be searched in the service list of the candidate service discovery nodes to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0529] The information about the service instances or network function instances that each of the above-mentioned one or more candidate service discovery nodes can discover may be pre-configured on the first service discovery node by the operation and maintenance management entity, or may be indicated by the registration information sent by one or more candidate service discovery nodes.

[0530] The first and second attributes mentioned above can be indicated directly or indirectly.

[0531] For example, the first attribute can be "1", which can mean "access network", "network domain 1", "PLMN1", etc., or "the service type corresponding to the first service instance is access network". Alternatively, the first attribute can directly indicate "access network", "network domain 1", "PLMN1", etc., or directly indicate "the service type corresponding to the first service instance is access network".

[0532] For example, the first attribute can be "service instances in the core network", and the second attribute can be "service instances used to discover the core network".

[0533] S203. Send service discovery redirection information to the first network entity; the service discovery redirection information is used by the first network entity to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, and the second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0534] Here, as above, the first service instance can also be replaced with the first network function instance, that is, the second service discovery request can carry information about the first network function instance to be discovered.

[0535] After the second service discovery node is identified, the first service discovery node can send service discovery redirection information to the first network entity. This redirection information may contain information about the second service discovery node, allowing the first network entity to use it to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, requesting the discovery of the first service instance or the first network function instance.

[0536] The number of first service instances or first network function instances indicated in the first service discovery request can be one or more, and correspondingly, the number of second service discovery nodes indicated in the service discovery redirection information or service discovery direction information can also be one or more.

[0537] The service discovery redirection information may include at least one of the following:

[0538] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the second service discovery node; the endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

[0539] The endpoint address can be an address that includes an IP address or a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) and is used to determine the host / authoritative portion of the target URI.

[0540] In this way, after receiving the second service discovery request, the second service discovery node can respond to the second service discovery request by sending the first service discovery response information, so that the first network entity can use the first service discovery response information to discover the first service instance or the first network function instance, and can also use the first service discovery response information to call the first service instance or the first network function instance.

[0541] The first service discovery response information may include success / failure information, or information indicating the first service instance discovered. The information of the first service instance discovered may include, for example, one or more of the following: one or more service instances (such as the first service instance described above), and one or more network function instances (such as the first network function instance described above). Each network function instance may include one or more of the following: network function name, network function type, network function instance ID, and endpoint address of the network function instance. Each service instance may include one or more of the following: service name, service instance ID, endpoint address of the service instance, and URI of the service instance.

[0542] See Figure 3 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the service discovery redirection process provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 3 In this process, network entity 1 (corresponding to the first network entity mentioned above) can send a service discovery request to the first NRF instance (corresponding to the first service discovery node mentioned above). After determining the second NRF instance (corresponding to the second service discovery node mentioned above) used to discover the first service instance, the first NRF instance can send service discovery redirection information to network entity 1. Network entity 1 can send a service discovery request to the second NRF instance according to the service discovery redirection information. The second NRF instance can respond to the service discovery request and send a service discovery response to network entity 1.

[0543] In one possible implementation, the first service discovery node can also directly request the discovery of the first service instance from the second service discovery node and forward the response information of the second service discovery node to the first network instance, thereby eliminating the need for the first network entity to re-initiate the service discovery request.

[0544] See Figure 4 The diagram illustrates a service discovery method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. The executing entity can be a first service discovery node. The method includes:

[0545] S401, Receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0546] It is worth noting that, similarly, the first service instance in this embodiment can also be replaced by a first network function instance. The first network function instance can provide at least one service instance, including the first service instance. In subsequent steps of this embodiment, the first service instance can be replaced by the first network function instance.

[0547] Here, the first service discovery request carrying information about the first service instance to be discovered can mean that the first service discovery request contains information about the first service instance, or that the first service discovery request can indicate information about the first service instance.

[0548] S402. Based on the first attribute of the first service instance, determine the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance.

[0549] In this step, the first service discovery node can directly determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance based on the first attribute of the first service instance. The determination process is similar to step S302. For a detailed description, please refer to the relevant description of step S302.

[0550] S403. Send a third service discovery request to the second service discovery node.

[0551] In this step, the first service discovery node can send a third service discovery request to the second service discovery node. The third service discovery request may include part or all of the content of the first service discovery request (such as information about the first service instance to be discovered), thereby realizing the forwarding of the service discovery request.

[0552] S404. Receive the first service discovery response information from the second service discovery node;

[0553] S405. Send the second service discovery response information to the first network entity.

[0554] In this step, the first service discovery node can generate second service discovery response information based on the first service discovery response information. The second service discovery response information may include part or all of the content of the first service discovery response information (such as the address information of the first service instance), thereby enabling the first network entity to invoke the first service instance.

[0555] In one possible implementation, the service discovery response information may include information indicating whether service discovery was successful, or it may include information indicating the first service instance discovered.

[0556] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0557] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0558] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0559] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0560] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0561] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0562] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0563] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0564] Retrieve the second attribute of the pre-configured second service discovery node; or,

[0565] Obtain the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in the first registration information of the second service discovery node.

[0566] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0567] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the predefined first service instance; or,

[0568] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the pre-configured first service instance; or,

[0569] Retrieve the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

[0570] In one alternative implementation, the second service discovery node is able to discover one or more service instances, including the first service instance.

[0571] See Figure 5 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the service discovery and forwarding process provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 5 In this process, network entity 1 (corresponding to the first network entity) can send a service discovery request to the first NRF instance (corresponding to the first service discovery node mentioned above). The first NRF instance can forward the service discovery request sent by network entity 1 to the second NRF instance (corresponding to the second service discovery node mentioned above), obtain the service discovery response sent by the second NRF instance, and finally forward the service discovery response sent by the second NRF instance to network entity 1.

[0572] In one possible implementation, the service discovery node can also register network entities and the services they provide.

[0573] See Figure 6 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The executing entity can be a third service discovery node. The method includes:

[0574] S601, Receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0575] Here, the second service instance in this application can also be replaced by a second network function instance. The second network function instance can provide at least one service instance, including the second service instance. In subsequent steps of this embodiment, the second service instance can be replaced by the second network function instance.

[0576] Here, the first service registration request carrying information about the second service instance to be registered can mean that the first service registration request contains information about the second service instance, or that the first service registration request can indicate information about the second service instance.

[0577] The second network entity can be the network entity requesting the registration service. In some cases, the second network entity and the first network entity can be the same network entity. The third network discovery node can be a service discovery node deployed in the network corresponding to the second network entity. In some cases, the third service discovery node and the first service discovery node can be the same service discovery node.

[0578] It is worth noting that the above content is only an optional embodiment, used to illustrate that the second network entity and the first network entity can be the same network entity, and the third network discovery node and the first service discovery node can be the same service discovery node, and is not a limitation. In some possible implementations, the second network entity and the first network entity can also be different network entities, and the third network discovery node and the first service discovery node can also be different service discovery nodes.

[0579] S602. Determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0580] In some cases, the fourth service discovery node and the second service discovery node can be the same service discovery node. For example, when the first service instance and the second service instance are the same service instance, the fourth service discovery node and the second service discovery node can be the same service discovery node.

[0581] Here, the above content is only an optional embodiment. The fourth service discovery node and the second service discovery node may also be different service discovery nodes. This embodiment of the disclosure does not limit whether the fourth service discovery node and the second service discovery node are the same service node.

[0582] S603. Send service registration redirection information to the second network entity; the service registration redirection information is used by the second network entity to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, and the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0583] In this way, the second network entity can register the second service instance with the fourth service discovery node based on the service registration redirection information. After registering the second service instance, the fourth service discovery node can provide the information of the second service instance to other network entities, enabling other network entities to discover the second service instance.

[0584] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0585] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the second service instance.

[0586] In one optional implementation, determining a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance includes:

[0587] Based on the third attribute of the second service instance, determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

[0588] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0589] In one possible implementation, the third service discovery node can obtain the attributes of one or more candidate service discovery nodes, and determine the fourth service discovery node whose corresponding attribute matches the third attribute from one or more candidate service discovery nodes based on the third attribute of the second service instance or the second network function instance.

[0590] The attributes of a service instance or network function instance requesting registration can be for discovery by a network, a network architecture layer, or a network domain. A network can be, for example, a core network or an access network. A network layer can be, for example, an access layer, an edge layer, an aggregation layer, or a core layer. A network domain can be, for example, a first network domain, a second network domain, a first access network domain, a second access network domain, a first core network domain, or a second core network domain. The service instance or network function instance is provided by the network, network layer, or network domain to which it belongs.

[0591] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0592] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0593] The attributes of a service discovery node are used to discover service instances or network function instances for a specific network, network architecture layer, or network domain. For example, the attributes of a service discovery node may be used to discover service instances or network function instances for access networks.

[0594] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0595] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0596] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0597] Retrieve the fourth attribute of the pre-configured fourth service discovery node; or,

[0598] Obtain the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in the second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

[0599] In one alternative implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0600] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the predefined second service instance; or,

[0601] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the pre-configured second service instance; or,

[0602] Retrieve the third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

[0603] In one optional implementation, the service registration redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0604] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the fourth service discovery node; the endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

[0605] See Figure 7 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the service registration redirection process provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 7In this process, network entity 2 (corresponding to the second network entity mentioned above) can send a service registration request to the second NRF instance (corresponding to the third service discovery node mentioned above). The second NRF instance determines the first NRF instance used to discover the second service instance and sends service registration redirection information corresponding to the first NRF instance (corresponding to the fourth service discovery node mentioned above) to network entity 2. Based on the service registration redirection information, network entity 2 can send a service registration request to the first NRF instance and obtain the service registration response information fed back by the first NRF instance. Subsequently, when network entity 1 (the third network entity) requests to discover the second service instance, it can send a service discovery request to the first NRF instance and obtain the service discovery response fed back by the first NRF instance, thus completing the discovery of the second service instance.

[0606] In this embodiment, the second service instance can also be replaced by a second network function instance.

[0607] The aforementioned third network entity may refer to a network entity that needs to discover services. For example, in some possible embodiments, the third network entity and the first network entity may be the same network entity.

[0608] It is worth noting that the above content is only an example, and the embodiments disclosed herein do not limit whether the third network entity and the first network entity are the same network entity.

[0609] The aforementioned service registration redirection information may indicate information about the first NRF instance, such as the URI of the first NRF instance or the endpoint address of the first NRF instance.

[0610] After receiving a service discovery request from network entity 1, the first NRF instance can determine the service discovery response based on the second service instance indicated by the service discovery request, and return the service discovery response to network entity 1.

[0611] The service discovery response may include information indicating whether the service discovery was successful, or it may include information indicating a second service instance that was discovered.

[0612] In one possible implementation, the service discovery node can also forward service registration requests.

[0613] See Figure 8 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The executing entity can be a third service discovery node. The method includes:

[0614] S801, Receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0615] Here, as above, the second service instance in this embodiment can also be replaced by a second network function instance. The second network function instance can provide at least one service instance, including the second service instance. In subsequent steps of this embodiment, the second service instance can be replaced by the second network function instance.

[0616] Here, the first service registration request carrying information about the second service instance to be registered can mean that the first service registration request contains information about the second service instance, or that the first service registration request can indicate information about the second service instance.

[0617] S802. Determine the fourth service discovery node to be used to discover the second service instance.

[0618] S803, Send a third service registration request to the fourth service discovery node.

[0619] The third service registration request can be a forwarded first service registration request or a service registration request generated based on the first service registration request. The third service registration request can be used to indicate information about the second service instance for which registration is requested.

[0620] S804. Receive the first service registration response information from the fourth service discovery node.

[0621] S805. Send the second service registration response information to the second network entity.

[0622] The second service registration response information can be either a forwarded version of the first service registration response information or a service registration response information determined based on the first service registration response information. The service registration response information can indicate whether the registration was successful.

[0623] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0624] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the second service instance.

[0625] In one optional implementation, the process of determining the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance is similar to step S602, and for details, please refer to the relevant description of step S602.

[0626] In one optional implementation, determining a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance includes:

[0627] Based on the third attribute of the second service instance, determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

[0628] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0629] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0630] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0631] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0632] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0633] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0634] Retrieve the fourth attribute of the pre-configured fourth service discovery node; or,

[0635] Obtain the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in the second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

[0636] In one alternative implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0637] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the predefined second service instance; or,

[0638] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the pre-configured second service instance; or,

[0639] Retrieve the third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

[0640] See Figure 9 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the service registration and forwarding process provided in this embodiment of the disclosure. Figure 9In this process, network entity 2 (corresponding to the second network entity mentioned above) can send a service registration request to the second NRF instance (corresponding to the third service discovery node mentioned above). After the second NRF instance (corresponding to the fourth service discovery node mentioned above) identifies the first NRF instance, it can forward the service registration request to the first NRF instance, obtain the service registration response from the first NRF instance, and then forward the service registration response from the first NRF instance to network entity 2. Subsequently, when network entity 1 (the third network entity) sends a service discovery request to the first NRF instance to request the discovery of the second service instance, the first NRF instance can send a service discovery response to network entity 1.

[0641] When the aforementioned third network entity needs to discover a second service instance, it can send a service discovery request to the NRF instance. In one possible implementation, the third network entity can directly send a service discovery request to a pre-configured NRF instance. If the pre-configured NRF instance stores information about the second service instance (in this case, the pre-configured NRF instance is the first NRF instance), it can directly use the information of the second service instance to return service discovery response information to the third network entity. If the pre-configured NRF instance does not store information about the second service instance, the third network entity can obtain service discovery response information by forwarding the service discovery request or returning service discovery redirection information in the above embodiments.

[0642] This disclosure also provides a service discovery method with the execution subjects being a first network entity, a second service discovery node, a third network entity, and a fourth service discovery node. The specific implementation method can be referred to the foregoing embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0643] It is worth noting that the service instance in subsequent embodiments can also be replaced with a network function instance.

[0644] See Figure 10 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The executing entity can be a first network entity, and the method includes:

[0645] S1001. Send a first service discovery request to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0646] S1002, Receive service discovery redirection information from the first service discovery node.

[0647] S1003. Send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node indicated by the service discovery redirection information. The second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0648] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0649] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0650] In one alternative implementation, the first service discovery request carries a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0651] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0652] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0653] Information indicating the network to which the first service instance belongs; information indicating the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; information indicating the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0654] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0655] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0656] In one optional implementation, the service discovery redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0657] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the second service discovery node; the endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

[0658] See Figure 11 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The executing entity can be a first network entity, and the method includes:

[0659] S1101. Send a first service discovery request to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered, and the information about the first service instance includes the first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0660] S1102, Receive second service discovery response information sent from the first service discovery node; the second service discovery response information instructs the second service discovery node to discover the first service instance.

[0661] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0662] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0663] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0664] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0665] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; indicating the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0666] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0667] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0668] See Figure 12 The diagram illustrates a service discovery method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. The executing entity can be a second service discovery node. The method includes:

[0669] S1201. Obtain the second attribute configured for the second service discovery node.

[0670] S1202, Send first registration information to the first service discovery node; the first registration information carries a second attribute of the second service discovery node; the second attribute of the second service discovery node is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0671] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0672] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0673] See Figure 13 The diagram illustrates a service discovery method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. The executing entity can be a second network entity, and the method includes:

[0674] S1301, Send a first service registration request to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0675] S1302, Receive service registration redirection information from the third service discovery node.

[0676] S1303. Using the service registration redirection information, send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance; the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0677] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0678] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance running the second service instance.

[0679] In one optional implementation, the first service registration request carries a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0680] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0681] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0682] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0683] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0684] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0685] In one optional implementation, the service registration redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0686] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the fourth service discovery node; the endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

[0687] See Figure 14The diagram illustrates a service discovery method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. The executing entity can be a second network entity, and the method includes:

[0688] S1401, Send a first service registration request to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered, the information of the second service instance includes a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute of the second service instance is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0689] S1402, Receive second service registration response information from the third service discovery node; the second service registration response information instructs the fourth service discovery node to discover the second service instance.

[0690] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0691] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance running the second service instance.

[0692] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0693] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0694] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0695] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0696] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0697] See Figure 15 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure. The executing entity can be a fourth service discovery node. The method includes:

[0698] S1501. Obtain the fourth attribute configured for the fourth service discovery node.

[0699] S1502, Send the second registration information to the third service discovery node; the second registration information carries the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node; the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0700] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0701] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0702] Corresponding to the service discovery method described above, this disclosure also provides a service discovery device. See also... Figure 16 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. The device may include:

[0703] The memory 1610 is used to store computer programs; the transceiver 1620 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 1630. The processor 1630 and the memory 1610 can also be physically separated.

[0704] Among them, Figure 16 In this context, the bus architecture can include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, specifically linking various circuits together, represented by one or more processors (processor 1630) and memory (memory 1610). The bus architecture can also link together various other circuits such as peripheral devices, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further herein. The bus interface provides an interface. The transceiver 1620 can be multiple elements, including transmitters and receivers, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over transmission media, including wireless channels, wired channels, optical fibers, etc. The processor 1630 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, and the memory 1610 can store data used by the processor 1630 during operation.

[0705] The processor 1630 can be a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The processor can also adopt a multi-core architecture.

[0706] The processor 1630 executes any of the methods provided in the embodiments of this disclosure according to the obtained executable instructions by calling the computer program stored in the memory 1610, for example:

[0707] Receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered;

[0708] Determine the second service discovery node to be used to discover the first service instance;

[0709] Send service discovery redirection information to the first network entity; the service discovery redirection information is used by the first network entity to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, and the second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0710] For example:

[0711] Receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered;

[0712] Based on the first attribute of the first service instance, determine the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance;

[0713] Send a third service discovery request to the second service discovery node;

[0714] Receive the first service discovery response information from the second service discovery node;

[0715] Send the second service discovery response information to the first network entity.

[0716] For example:

[0717] Receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered;

[0718] Identify the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance;

[0719] Send service registration redirection information to the second network entity; the service registration redirection information is used by the second network entity to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, and the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0720] For example:

[0721] Receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered;

[0722] Identify the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance;

[0723] Send a third service registration request to the fourth service discovery node;

[0724] Receive the first service registration response information from the fourth service discovery node;

[0725] Send the second service registration response information to the second network entity.

[0726] For example:

[0727] Send a first service discovery request to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered;

[0728] Receive service discovery redirection information from the first service discovery node;

[0729] A second service discovery request is sent to the second service discovery node indicated by the service discovery redirection information. The second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0730] For example:

[0731] A first service discovery request is sent to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered, and the information about the first service instance includes the first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance;

[0732] Receive a second service discovery response message from the first service discovery node; the second service discovery response message instructs the second service discovery node to discover the first service instance.

[0733] For example:

[0734] Retrieve the second attribute configured for the second service discovery node;

[0735] Send first registration information to the first service discovery node; the first registration information carries a second attribute of the second service discovery node; the second attribute of the second service discovery node is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0736] For example:

[0737] Send a first service registration request to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered;

[0738] Receive service registration redirection information from the third service discovery node;

[0739] Using service registration redirection information, a second service registration request is sent to the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance; the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0740] For example:

[0741] A first service registration request is sent to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered, and the information about the second service instance includes a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute of the second service instance is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0742] Receive the second service registration response information from the third service discovery node; the second service registration response information instructs the fourth service discovery node to discover the second service instance.

[0743] For example:

[0744] Retrieve the fourth attribute configured for the fourth service discovery node;

[0745] Send the second registration information to the third service discovery node; the second registration information carries the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node; the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0746] See Figure 17 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This device can be applied to a first service discovery node and includes:

[0747] The first receiving module 1710 is used to receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0748] The first determining module 1720 is used to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance;

[0749] The first sending module 1730 is used to send service discovery redirection information to the first network entity; the service discovery redirection information is used by the first network entity to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, and the second service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0750] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0751] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0752] In one optional implementation, the first determining module 1720 is specifically used for:

[0753] Based on the first attribute of the first service instance, determine the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance.

[0754] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0755] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0756] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0757] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0758] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0759] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0760] Retrieve the second attribute of the pre-configured second service discovery node; or,

[0761] Obtain the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in the first registration information of the second service discovery node.

[0762] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0763] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the predefined first service instance; or,

[0764] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the pre-configured first service instance; or,

[0765] Retrieve the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

[0766] In one alternative implementation, the second service discovery node is able to discover one or more service instances, including the first service instance.

[0767] In one optional implementation, the service discovery redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0768] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the second service discovery node; the endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

[0769] See Figure 18 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This device can be applied to a first service discovery node and includes:

[0770] The second receiving module 1810 is used to receive a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information about a first service instance to be discovered.

[0771] The second determining module 1820 is used to determine a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance based on the first attribute of the first service instance;

[0772] The second sending module 1830 is used to send a third service discovery request to the second service discovery node; receive a first service discovery response information from the second service discovery node; and send a second service discovery response information to the first network entity.

[0773] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0774] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0775] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0776] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0777] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0778] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0779] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0780] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0781] Retrieve the second attribute of the pre-configured second service discovery node; or,

[0782] Obtain the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in the first registration information of the second service discovery node.

[0783] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0784] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the predefined first service instance; or,

[0785] Retrieve the first attribute corresponding to the pre-configured first service instance; or,

[0786] Retrieve the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

[0787] In one alternative implementation, the second service discovery node is able to discover one or more service instances, including the first service instance.

[0788] See Figure 19 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery apparatus provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This apparatus can be applied to a third service discovery node and includes:

[0789] The third receiving module 1910 is used to receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0790] The third determination module 1920 is used to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance;

[0791] The third sending module 1930 is used to send service registration redirection information to the second network entity; the service registration redirection information is used by the second network entity to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, and the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0792] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0793] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the second service instance.

[0794] In one optional implementation, the third determining module 1920 is specifically used for:

[0795] Based on the third attribute of the second service instance, determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

[0796] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0797] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0798] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0799] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0800] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0801] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0802] Retrieve the fourth attribute of the pre-configured fourth service discovery node; or,

[0803] Obtain the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in the second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

[0804] In one alternative implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0805] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the predefined second service instance; or,

[0806] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the pre-configured second service instance; or,

[0807] Retrieve the third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

[0808] In one optional implementation, the service registration redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0809] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the fourth service discovery node; the endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

[0810] See Figure 20 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery apparatus provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This apparatus can be applied to a third service discovery node and includes:

[0811] The fourth receiving module 2010 is used to receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0812] The fourth determination module 2020 is used to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance;

[0813] The fourth sending module 2030 is used to send a third service registration request to the fourth service discovery node; receive a first service registration response from the fourth service discovery node; and send a second service registration response to the second network entity.

[0814] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0815] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the second service instance.

[0816] In one optional implementation, the fourth determining module 2020 is specifically used for:

[0817] Based on the third attribute of the second service instance, determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

[0818] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0819] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0820] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0821] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0822] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0823] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

[0824] Retrieve the fourth attribute of the pre-configured fourth service discovery node; or,

[0825] Obtain the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in the second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

[0826] In one alternative implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

[0827] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the predefined second service instance; or,

[0828] Retrieve the third attribute corresponding to the pre-configured second service instance; or,

[0829] Retrieve the third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

[0830] See Figure 21 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery apparatus provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This apparatus can be applied to a first network entity and includes:

[0831] The fifth sending module 2110 is used to send a first service discovery request to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered;

[0832] The fifth receiving module 2120 is used to receive service discovery redirection information from the first service discovery node;

[0833] The fifth sending module 2110 is also used to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node indicated by the service discovery redirection information, the second service discovery request carrying information about the first service instance to be discovered.

[0834] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0835] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0836] In one alternative implementation, the first service discovery request carries a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0837] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0838] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0839] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0840] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0841] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0842] In one optional implementation, the service discovery redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0843] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the second service discovery node; the endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

[0844] See Figure 22 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery apparatus provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This apparatus can be applied to a first network entity and includes:

[0845] The sixth sending module 2210 is used to send a first service discovery request to the first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information about the first service instance to be discovered, and the information about the first service instance includes a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0846] The sixth receiving module 2220 is used to receive second service discovery response information sent from the first service discovery node; the second service discovery response information instructs the second service discovery node to discover the first service instance.

[0847] In one alternative implementation, the information of the first service instance to be discovered includes at least one of the following:

[0848] The service name of the first service instance and information about the network function instance that provides the first service instance.

[0849] In one alternative implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

[0850] In one optional implementation, the first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0851] The network to which the first service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; the network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

[0852] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0853] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0854] See Figure 23 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery apparatus provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This apparatus can be applied to a second service discovery node and includes:

[0855] The first acquisition module 2310 is used to acquire the second attribute configured for the second service discovery node;

[0856] The seventh sending module 2320 is used to send first registration information to the first service discovery node; the first registration information carries a second attribute of the second service discovery node; the second attribute of the second service discovery node is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance.

[0857] In one optional implementation, the second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0858] The second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the second service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0859] See Figure 24 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery apparatus provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This apparatus can be applied to a second network entity and includes:

[0860] The eighth sending module 2410 is used to send a first service registration request to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered;

[0861] The seventh receiving module 2420 is used to receive service registration redirection information from the third service discovery node;

[0862] The eighth sending module 2410 is also used to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance using service registration redirection information; the second service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered.

[0863] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0864] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance running the second service instance.

[0865] In one optional implementation, the first service registration request carries a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0866] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0867] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0868] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0869] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0870] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0871] In one optional implementation, the service registration redirection information includes at least one of the following:

[0872] The Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) used to access the fourth service discovery node; the endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

[0873] See Figure 25 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery apparatus provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This apparatus can be applied to a second network entity and includes:

[0874] The ninth sending module 2510 is used to send a first service registration request to the third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information about the second service instance to be registered, and the information about the second service instance includes a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute of the second service instance is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0875] The eighth receiving module 2520 is used to receive the second service registration response information from the third service discovery node; the second service registration response information instructs the fourth service discovery node to discover the second service instance.

[0876] In one optional implementation, the information of the second service instance requesting registration includes at least one of the following:

[0877] The service name of the second service instance and information about the network function instance running the second service instance.

[0878] In one alternative implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

[0879] In one optional implementation, the third attribute of the second service instance includes at least one of the following:

[0880] The network to which the second service instance belongs; the network architecture layer to which the second service instance belongs; the network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the network entities of the target network to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network architecture layer to which the second service instance is used for discovery by the second service instance; the network entities of the target network domain to which the second service instance is used for discovery.

[0881] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0882] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0883] See Figure 26 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of a service discovery device provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. This device can be applied to a fourth network discovery node and includes:

[0884] The second acquisition module 2610 is used to acquire the fourth attribute configured for the fourth service discovery node;

[0885] The tenth sending module 2620 is used to send the second registration information to the third service discovery node; the second registration information carries the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node; the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

[0886] In one optional implementation, the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node includes at least one of the following:

[0887] The fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services at the target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is used to discover services belonging to the target network domain.

[0888] It should be noted that the division of units (or modules) in the embodiments of this disclosure is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this disclosure can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated units described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional units.

[0889] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a processor-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this disclosure, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this disclosure. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0890] It should be noted that the apparatus provided in this embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the above method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiment will not be described in detail here.

[0891] On the other hand, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a processor-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to execute the service discovery methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0892] It should be noted that the processor-readable storage medium provided in this embodiment can implement all the method steps implemented in the above method embodiments and achieve the same technical effect. Therefore, the parts and beneficial effects that are the same as those in the method embodiments will not be described in detail here.

[0893] Processor-readable storage media can be any available medium or data storage device that a computer can access, including but not limited to magnetic storage (such as floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, magneto-optical disks (MOs), etc.), optical storage (such as CDs, DVDs, BDs, HVDs, etc.), and semiconductor storage (such as ROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, non-volatile memory (NAND flash), solid-state drives (SSDs)).

[0894] This disclosure also provides a computer program product that, when invoked by a computer, causes the computer to execute the steps of the service discovery method described above.

[0895] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this disclosure can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this disclosure can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this disclosure can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage and optical storage) containing computer-usable program code.

[0896] This disclosure is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-executable instructions. These computer-executable instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0897] These processor-executable instructions may also be stored in a processor-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the processor-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0898] These processors can execute instructions that can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device, causing a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable device for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0899] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this disclosure without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this disclosure and their equivalents, this disclosure is also intended to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A service discovery method, characterized by, The application is applied to a first service discovery node, and comprises: receiving a first service discovery request from a first network entity, wherein the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance to be discovered; determining a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance; sending service discovery redirection information to the first network entity, wherein the service discovery redirection information is used for the first network entity to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, and the second service discovery request carries the information of the first service instance to be discovered.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The information of the first service instance to be discovered comprises at least one of the following: a service name of the first service instance and information of a network function instance providing the first service instance.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The determination of the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance comprises: determining the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance according to a first attribute of the first service instance.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, A second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first attribute of the first service instance comprises at least one of the following: a network to which the first service instance belongs, a network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs, and a network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein, The second attribute of the second service discovery node comprises at least one of the following: the second service discovery node is used for discovering services belonging to a target network, the second service discovery node is used for discovering services of a target network architecture layer, and the second service discovery node is used for discovering services belonging to a target network domain.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein, The second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps: obtaining a second attribute of the second service discovery node pre-configured; or obtaining the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in first registration information of the second service discovery node.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps: obtaining a first attribute corresponding to the first service instance pre-defined; or obtaining a first attribute corresponding to the first service instance pre-configured; or obtaining the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein, The second service discovery node can discover one or more service instances, and the one or more service instances comprise the first service instance.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, The service discovery redirection information comprises at least one of the following information: a uniform resource identifier (URI) for accessing the second service discovery node and an endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

11. A service discovery method, characterized by, The application is applied to a first service discovery node, and comprises: receiving a first service discovery request from a first network entity, wherein the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance to be discovered; determining a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance according to a first attribute of the first service instance; sending a third service discovery request to the second service discovery node; receiving first service discovery response information from the second service discovery node; sending second service discovery response information to the first network entity.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein, The information of the first service instance discovered in the request comprises at least one of: a service name of the first service instance, and information of a network function instance providing the first service instance.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein, The second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first attribute of the first service instance comprises at least one of: a network to which the first service instance belongs, a network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs, and a network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein, The second attribute of the second service discovery node comprises at least one of: the second service discovery node is used for discovering services belonging to a target network, the second service discovery node is used for discovering services of a target network architecture layer, and the second service discovery node is used for discovering services belonging to a target network domain.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein, The second attribute of the second service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps: obtaining a preconfigured second attribute of the second service discovery node; or obtaining the second attribute of the second service discovery node carried in first registration information of the second service discovery node.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein, The first attribute of the first service instance is obtained according to the following steps: obtaining a pre-defined first attribute corresponding to the first service instance; or obtaining a preconfigured first attribute corresponding to the first service instance; or obtaining the first attribute of the first service instance carried in the first service discovery request.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein, The second service discovery node can discover one or more service instances, and the one or more service instances comprise the first service instance.

19. A service discovery method, characterized by, The application is applied to a third service discovery node, comprising: receiving a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance requesting registration; determining a fourth service discovery node used for discovering the second service instance; sending service registration redirection information to the second network entity; the service registration redirection information is used for the second network entity to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, and the second service registration request carries information of the second service instance requesting registration.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The information of the second service instance requesting registration comprises at least one of: a service name of the second service instance, and information of a network function instance providing the second service instance.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein, The determination of the fourth service discovery node used for discovering the second service instance comprises: determining the fourth service discovery node used for discovering the second service instance according to a third attribute of the second service instance.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein, The third attribute of the second service instance comprises at least one of: a network to which the second service instance belongs, a network architecture layer corresponding to the second service instance, an indication of a network domain to which the second service instance belongs, the second service instance being used for being discovered by a network entity of a target network, the second service instance being used for being discovered by a network entity of a target network architecture layer, and the second service instance being used for being discovered by a network entity of a target network domain.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein, The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node comprises at least one of the following: The fourth service discovery node is configured to discover services belonging to a target network; the fourth service discovery node is configured to discover services of a target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is configured to discover services belonging to a target network domain.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein, The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps: The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps: The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

26. The method of claim 21, wherein, The third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps: The third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps: The third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps: The third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps:

27. The method of claim 19, wherein, The service registration redirection information comprises at least one of the following information: A uniform resource identifier (URI) for accessing the fourth service discovery node; and an endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

28. A service discovery method, characterized by, The third service discovery node comprises the following steps: Receiving a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request comprises information of a second service instance to be registered; Determining a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance; Sending a third service registration request to the fourth service discovery node; Receiving a first service registration response from the fourth service discovery node; Sending a second service registration response to the second network entity.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein, The information of the second service instance to be registered comprises at least one of the following: A service name of the second service instance; and information of a network function instance providing the second service instance.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein, The fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance is determined according to the third attribute of the second service instance. The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein, The third attribute of the second service instance comprises at least one of the following:

32. The method of claim 30, wherein, A network to which the second service instance belongs; a network architecture layer corresponding to the second service instance; a network domain to which the second service instance belongs; the second service instance is configured to be discovered by a network entity of a target network; the second service instance is configured to be discovered by a network entity of a target network architecture layer; and the second service instance is configured to be discovered by a network entity of a target network domain. The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node comprises at least one of the following:

33. The method of claim 31, wherein, The fourth service discovery node is configured to discover services belonging to a target network; the fourth service discovery node is configured to discover services of a target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is configured to discover services belonging to a target network domain. The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps:

34. The method of claim 31, wherein, The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps: The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is obtained according to the following steps: obtaining a fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node carried in second registration information of the fourth service discovery node.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein, The third attribute of the second service instance is obtained according to the following steps: obtaining a third attribute corresponding to the second service instance predefined in advance; or, obtaining a third attribute corresponding to the second service instance pre-configured; or, obtaining a third attribute of the second service instance carried in the first service registration request.

36. A service discovery method, characterized by, Applied to a first network entity, comprising: sending a first service discovery request to a first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance requested to be discovered; receiving service discovery redirection information from the first service discovery node; sending a second service discovery request to a second service discovery node indicated by the service discovery redirection information, the second service discovery request carrying information of the first service instance requested to be discovered.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein, The information of the first service instance requested to be discovered includes at least one of: a service name of the first service instance, and information of a network function instance providing the first service instance.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein, The first service discovery request carries a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used for the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node used for discovering the first service instance.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein, The second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein, The first attribute of the first service instance includes at least one of: a network to which the first service instance belongs, a network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs, and a network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein, The second attribute of the second service discovery node includes at least one of: the second service discovery node is used for discovering services belonging to a target network, the second service discovery node is used for discovering services of a target network architecture layer, and the second service discovery node is used for discovering services belonging to a target network domain.

42. The method of claim 36, wherein, The service discovery redirection information includes at least one of the following information: a uniform resource identifier (URI) used for accessing the second service discovery node, and an endpoint address of the second service discovery node.

43. A service discovery method, characterized by, Applied to a first network entity, comprising: sending a first service discovery request to a first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance requested to be discovered, and the information of the first service instance includes a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used for the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node used for discovering the first service instance; receiving second service discovery response information sent by the first service discovery node; the second service discovery response information indicates that the second service discovery node is used for discovering the first service instance.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein, The information of the first service instance requested to be discovered includes at least one of: a service name of the first service instance, and information of a network function instance providing the first service instance.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein, The second attribute of the second service discovery node matches the first attribute of the first service instance.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein, The first attribute of the first service instance comprises at least one of the following: A network to which the first service instance belongs; a network architecture layer to which the first service instance belongs; a network domain to which the first service instance belongs.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein, The second attribute of the second service discovery node comprises at least one of the following: The second service discovery node is configured to discover services belonging to a target network; the second service discovery node is configured to discover services of a target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is configured to discover services belonging to a target network domain.

48. A service discovery method, comprising: Applied to the second service discovery node, comprising: Obtaining the second attribute configured for the second service discovery node; Sending first registration information to the first service discovery node; the first registration information carries the second attribute of the second service discovery node; the second attribute of the second service discovery node is used by the first service discovery node to determine the second service discovery node used to discover the first service instance.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein, The second attribute of the second service discovery node comprises at least one of the following: The second service discovery node is configured to discover services belonging to a target network; the second service discovery node is configured to discover services of a target network architecture layer; the second service discovery node is configured to discover services belonging to a target network domain.

50. A service discovery method, comprising: Applied to the second network entity, comprising: Sending a first service registration request to a third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance to be registered; Receiving service registration redirection information from the third service discovery node; Using the service registration redirection information, sending a second service registration request to a fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance; the second service registration request carries information of the second service instance to be registered.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein, The information of the second service instance to be registered comprises at least one of the following: The service name of the second service instance, and information of a network function instance running the second service instance.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein, The first service registration request carries third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute of the second service instance is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node used to discover the second service instance.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein, The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein, The third attribute of the second service instance comprises at least one of the following: The second service instance belongs to a network; the second service instance corresponds to a network architecture layer; the second service instance belongs to a network domain; the second service instance is used to be discovered by a network entity of a target network; the second service instance is used to be discovered by a network entity of a target network architecture layer; the second service instance is used to be discovered by a network entity of a target network domain.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein, The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node comprises at least one of the following: The fourth service discovery node is configured to discover services belonging to a target network; the fourth service discovery node is configured to discover services of a target network architecture layer; the fourth service discovery node is configured to discover services belonging to a target network domain.

56. The method of claim 50, wherein, The service registration redirection information comprises at least one of the following information: a uniform resource identifier (URI) for accessing the fourth service discovery node; and an endpoint address of the fourth service discovery node.

57. A service discovery method, comprising: The application is applied to a second network entity, and comprises: sending a first service registration request to a third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance to be registered, and the information of the second service instance comprises a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute of the second service instance is used for the third service discovery node to determine a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance; receiving second service registration response information from the third service discovery node; the second service registration response information indicates the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein, The information of the second service instance to be registered comprises at least one of the following: a service name of the second service instance and information of a network function instance running the second service instance.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein, The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node matches the third attribute of the second service instance.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein, The third attribute of the second service instance comprises at least one of the following: a network to which the second service instance belongs, a network architecture layer corresponding to the second service instance, a network domain to which the second service instance belongs, the second service instance being used for being discovered by a network entity of a target network, the second service instance being used for being discovered by a network entity of a target network architecture layer, and the second service instance being used for being discovered by a network entity of a target network domain.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein, The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node comprises at least one of the following: the fourth service discovery node being used for discovering services belonging to a target network, the fourth service discovery node being used for discovering services of a target network architecture layer, and the fourth service discovery node being used for discovering services belonging to a target network domain.

62. A service discovery method, comprising: The application is applied to a fourth service discovery node, and comprises: obtaining a fourth attribute configured for the fourth service discovery node; sending second registration information to a third service discovery node; the second registration information carries the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node; and the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is used for the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering a second service instance.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein, The fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node comprises at least one of the following: the fourth service discovery node being used for discovering services belonging to a target network, the fourth service discovery node being used for discovering services of a target network architecture layer, and the fourth service discovery node being used for discovering services belonging to a target network domain.

64. A service discovery device, comprising: The application is applied to a first service discovery node, and comprises a memory, a transceiver and a processor. The memory is used for storing a computer program; the transceiver is used for transceiving data under the control of the processor; and the processor is used for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations: receiving a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance to be discovered; determining a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance; sending service discovery redirection information to the first network entity; and ​ The service discovery redirection information is used for the first network entity to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, and the second service discovery request carries information of the first service instance to be discovered.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein, The determining of the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance comprises: According to the first attribute of the first service instance, the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance is determined.

66. A service discovery device, comprising: Deployed in a first service discovery node, comprising a memory, a transceiver, a processor: The memory is used for storing computer programs; the transceiver is used for transceiving data under the control of the processor; The processor is used for reading the computer programs in the memory and performing the following operations: Receiving a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance to be discovered; According to the first attribute of the first service instance, the second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance is determined. Sending a third service discovery request to the second service discovery node; Receiving first service discovery response information from the second service discovery node; Sending second service discovery response information to the first network entity.

67. A service discovery device, characterized by Deployed in a third service discovery node, comprising a memory, a transceiver, a processor: The memory is used for storing computer programs; the transceiver is used for transceiving data under the control of the processor; The processor is used for reading the computer programs in the memory and performing the following operations: Receiving a first service registration request sent by a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance to be registered; Determining a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance; Sending service registration redirection information to the second network entity; The service registration redirection information is used for the second network entity to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, and the second service registration request carries information of the second service instance to be registered.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein, The determining of the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance comprises: According to the third attribute of the second service instance, the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance is determined.

69. A service discovery device, comprising: Deployed in a third service discovery node, comprising a memory, a transceiver, a processor: The memory is used for storing computer programs; the transceiver is used for transceiving data under the control of the processor; The processor is used for reading the computer programs in the memory and performing the following operations: Receiving a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance to be registered; Determining a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance; Sending a third service registration request to the fourth service discovery node; Receiving first service registration response information from the fourth service discovery node; Sending second service registration response information to the second network entity.

70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein, The determining of the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance comprises: According to a third attribute of the second service instance, a fourth service discovery node used for discovering the second service instance is determined.

71. A service discovery device, comprising: The first network entity is deployed with a memory, a transceiver and a processor. The memory is configured to store a computer program; the transceiver is configured to transceive data under control of the processor. The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: sending a first service discovery request to a first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance requested to be discovered; receiving service discovery redirection information from the first service discovery node; sending a second service discovery request to a second service discovery node indicated by the service discovery redirection information; the second service discovery request carries information of the first service instance requested to be discovered.

72. A service discovery device, comprising: The first network entity is deployed with a memory, a transceiver and a processor. The memory is configured to store a computer program; the transceiver is configured to transceive data under control of the processor. The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: sending a first service discovery request to a first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance requested to be discovered, the information of the first service instance comprising a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used by the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node used for discovering the first service instance; receiving a second service discovery response information sent by the first service discovery node; the second service discovery response information indicates the second service discovery node used for discovering the first service instance.

73. A service discovery device, characterized by The second service discovery node is deployed with a memory, a transceiver and a processor. The memory is configured to store a computer program; the transceiver is configured to transceive data under control of the processor. The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: obtaining a second attribute configured for the second service discovery node; sending first registration information to a first service discovery node; the first registration information carries the second attribute of the second service discovery node; the second attribute of the second service discovery node is used by the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node used for discovering a first service instance.

74. A service discovery device, comprising: The second network entity is deployed with a memory, a transceiver and a processor. The memory is configured to store a computer program. The transceiver is configured to transceive data under control of the processor. The processor is configured to read the computer program in the memory and perform the following operations: sending a first service registration request to a third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance requested to be registered; receiving service registration redirection information from the third service discovery node; sending a second service registration request to a fourth service discovery node used for discovering the second service instance by using the service registration redirection information; the second service registration request carries information of the second service instance requested to be registered.

75. A service discovery device, characterized by A second network instance is deployed, comprising a memory, a transceiver, a processor: a memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transceiving data under the control of the processor; a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations: sending a first service registration request to a third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance requesting registration, and the information of the second service instance includes a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute of the second service instance is used by the third service discovery node to determine a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance; receiving second service registration response information from the third service discovery node; the second service registration response information indicates the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

76. A service discovery device, comprising: A fourth service discovery node is deployed, comprising a memory, a transceiver, a processor: a memory for storing a computer program; a transceiver for transceiving data under the control of the processor; a processor for reading the computer program in the memory and performing the following operations: obtaining a fourth attribute configured for the fourth service discovery node; sending second registration information to a third service discovery node; the second registration information carries the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node; the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

77. A service discovery apparatus, characterized by For a first service discovery node, comprising: a first receiving module for receiving a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance requesting discovery; a first determining module for determining a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance; a first sending module for sending service discovery redirection information to the first network entity; the service discovery redirection information is used by the first network entity to send a second service discovery request to the second service discovery node, and the second service discovery request carries information of the first service instance requesting discovery.

78. A service discovery apparatus, characterized by For a first service discovery node, comprising: a second receiving module for receiving a first service discovery request from a first network entity; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance requesting discovery; a second determining module for determining a second service discovery node for discovering the first service instance according to a first attribute of the first service instance; a second sending module for sending a third service discovery request to the second service discovery node; receiving first service discovery response information from the second service discovery node; sending second service discovery response information to the first network entity.

79. A service discovery apparatus, characterized by For a third service discovery node, comprising: a third receiving module for receiving a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance requesting registration; a third determining module for determining a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance; a third sending module for sending second registration information to the fourth service discovery node; receiving second service registration response information from the fourth service discovery node. The third sending module is configured to send service registration redirection information to the second network entity; the service registration redirection information is used for the second network entity to send a second service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, and the second service registration request carries information of the second service instance which is requested to be registered.

80. A service discovery apparatus, characterized by comprising: The third service discovery node comprises: The fourth receiving module is configured to receive a first service registration request from a second network entity; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance which is requested to be registered. The fourth determining module is configured to determine a fourth service discovery node used for discovering the second service instance. The fourth sending module is configured to send a third service registration request to the fourth service discovery node, receive first service registration response information from the fourth service discovery node, and send second service registration response information to the second network entity.

81. A service discovery apparatus, characterized by comprising: The first network entity comprises: The fifth sending module is configured to send a first service discovery request to a first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance which is requested to be discovered. The fifth receiving module is configured to receive service discovery redirection information from the first service discovery node. The fifth sending module is further configured to send a second service discovery request to a second service discovery node indicated by the service discovery redirection information; the second service discovery request carries information of the first service instance which is requested to be discovered.

82. A service discovery apparatus, characterized by comprising: The first network entity comprises: The sixth sending module is configured to send a first service discovery request to a first service discovery node; the first service discovery request carries information of a first service instance which is requested to be discovered, and the information of the first service instance comprises a first attribute of the first service instance; the first attribute of the first service instance is used for the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node used for discovering the first service instance. The sixth receiving module is configured to receive second service discovery response information sent by the first service discovery node; the second service discovery response information indicates the second service discovery node used for discovering the first service instance.

83. A service discovery apparatus, characterized by comprising: The second service discovery node comprises: The first obtaining module is configured to obtain a second attribute configured for the second service discovery node. The seventh sending module is configured to send first registration information to a first service discovery node; the first registration information carries the second attribute of the second service discovery node; and the second attribute of the second service discovery node is used for the first service discovery node to determine a second service discovery node used for discovering a first service instance.

84. A service discovery apparatus, characterized by The second network entity comprises: The eighth sending module is configured to send a first service registration request to a third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance which is requested to be registered. The seventh receiving module is configured to receive service registration redirection information from the third service discovery node. The eighth sending module is further configured to send a second service registration request to a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance by using the service registration redirection information; and the second service registration request carries information of the second service instance for which registration is requested.

85. A service discovery apparatus, characterized by comprising: For a second network entity, comprising: A ninth sending module configured to send a first service registration request to a third service discovery node; the first service registration request carries information of a second service instance for which registration is requested, and the information of the second service instance comprises a third attribute of the second service instance; the third attribute of the second service instance is used by the third service discovery node to determine a fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance; An eighth receiving module configured to receive second service registration response information from the third service discovery node; the second service registration response information indicates the fourth service discovery node for discovering the second service instance.

86. A service discovery apparatus, characterized by comprising: For a fourth service discovery node, comprising: A second obtaining module configured to obtain a fourth attribute configured for the fourth service discovery node; A tenth sending module configured to send second registration information to a third service discovery node; the second registration information carries the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node; and the fourth attribute of the fourth service discovery node is used by the third service discovery node to determine the fourth service discovery node for discovering a second service instance.

87. A processor-readable storage medium, comprising: The processor readable storage medium stores a program, and the program is used for causing the processor to execute the method in any one of claims 1 to 10, or the method in any one of claims 11 to 18, or the method in any one of claims 19 to 27, or the method in any one of claims 28 to 35, or the method in any one of claims 36 to 42, or the method in any one of claims 43 to 47, or the method in any one of claims 48 to 49, or the method in any one of claims 50 to 56, or the method in any one of claims 57 to 61, or the method in any one of claims 62 to 63.

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