Service processing method and communication device

Abstract

The invention provides a service processing method and a communication device. The method provides a scheme capable of processing services requiring a plurality of service functions. The method comprises: a control network element determines M pieces of association information associated with a service, and sends the M pieces of association information to N service network elements, one piece of association information being associated with one service network element. Wherein each piece of association information in the first M-1 pieces of association information comprises a service function list and indication information, the service function list comprises at least one service function provided by the corresponding service network element for the service, and the indication information is used for indicating to send data obtained after the service is processed to a subsequent service network element, the last associated information only comprises the service function list. By determining the service functions executed by the N service network elements and the processing sequence among the service network elements and sending the information to the N service network elements, the service processing method and the service processing device support processing of services requiring a plurality of service functions.

Description

Business processing method and communication device Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a service processing method and a communication device. Background Art

[0002] The fifth generation (5 th In 5G networks, the servers corresponding to the services accessed by users are deployed in the data network (DN). The 5G network supports a service function chain (SFC) domain between the user plane function (UPF) and the DN. This domain is used to provide value-added services for connection-type services, such as firewall (FW), load balancing (LB), network address translation (NAT), traffic optimization (TO), and virtual private network (VPN).

[0003] Specifically, the SFC domain includes a classifier and a service switch. The classifier is used to identify the value-added services required by the service, and the service switch is used to forward service data packets to the corresponding value-added service server / processor. For example, if the classifier determines that FW and NAT services need to be provided for a certain service, it can configure an SFC identifier (ID) for it and then send the service data packet (including the SFC ID) to the service switch. Based on the SFC ID of the service, the service switch determines whether to send the service data packet first to the FW processor that can provide FW services, and then to the NAT processor that can provide NAT services.

[0004] Future networks will provide functions other than connectivity, such as computing, data, and security, and new services may integrate multiple functions. In addition, future networks may support native computing, data, and security functions, meaning computing, data, and security functions are deployed within the network, i.e., on different service network elements (such as UPF or other network elements), rather than within the DN. However, the above-mentioned service processing flow is designed based on the assumption that the server corresponding to the service accessed by the user is deployed within the DN. The service function required by the service is single (only the connection service function). If a service requires multiple service functions, the above-mentioned service processing flow cannot meet this requirement.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a service processing method and a communication device, which can process services requiring multiple service functions.

[0007] In a first aspect, a method for service processing is provided, comprising: determining M pieces of association information associated with a service, the M pieces of association information being associated with N service network elements, one piece of association information among the M pieces of association information being associated with one of the N service network elements, a first piece of association information among the M pieces of association information including a first service function list and first indication information, the first service function list including at least one service function provided by the service network element associated with the first piece of association information for the service, the first indication information being used to instruct the service network element associated with the first piece of association information to send data to the service network element associated with the (I+1)th piece of association information, the data being obtained after the service network element associated with the first piece of association information processes the service according to the first service function list, the Mth piece of association information among the M pieces of association information including an Mth service function list including at least one service function provided by the service network element associated with the Mth piece of association information for the service, where M is a positive integer greater than 1, I is a positive integer less than M, and N is a positive integer equal to or less than M; and sending the M pieces of association information to the N service network elements.

[0008] The execution subject of the solution described in the first aspect may be a control network element, or a network function, logic function, chip or integrated circuit used to perform the control function, etc., without limitation. For ease of description, the following description takes the control network element as an example.

[0009] Specifically, by determining the service functions (SF) that each of the N service network elements needs to perform for the business, as well as the processing order between the service network elements, and sending this information to the N service network elements, each of the N service network elements can perform business processing based on the above information. In this way, this application supports the processing of businesses that require multiple service functions.

[0010] In certain implementations of the first aspect, the determination of M associated information associated with a business includes: determining business information and M service information, the M service information are associated with N service network elements, one service information in the M service information is associated with one service network element in the N service network elements, one service information in the M service information is used to indicate at least one service function supported by the associated service network element in the N service network elements, the business information is used to indicate at least two service functions required by the business, and at least one service function included in the service function list included in each of the M associated information belongs to the at least two service functions; the M association information is determined based on the business information and the M service information.

[0011] Specifically, the control network element can determine the SF that each service network element executes for the service based on the SF supported by each service network element and at least two SFs required by the service, and determine the processing order between the service network elements (wherein, the present application supports that the control network element can pre-configure or dynamically establish transmission channel information between service network elements to facilitate determining the processing order between service network elements), and then determine M pieces of associated information.

[0012] In certain implementations of the first aspect, determining M service information includes: receiving M registration information, the M registration information is associated with N service network elements, one service information in the M registration information is associated with one service network element in the N service network elements, and one registration information in the M registration information includes service information of the associated service network element in the N service network elements.

[0013] In this way, the control network element can obtain M service information.

[0014] In certain implementations of the first aspect, determining the M pieces of service information includes: sending query information, where the query information is used to request querying the M pieces of service information; and receiving response information, where the response information includes the M pieces of service information.

[0015] In this way, the control network element can obtain M service information.

[0016] In certain implementations of the first aspect, the determining of the service information includes: receiving request information, the request information being used to request processing of the service, the request information including the service information.

[0017] In this way, the control network element can obtain service information.

[0018] In certain implementations of the first aspect, the service function list included in each piece of association information in the M pieces of association information is a service identifier, and the service identifier is associated with at least one service function included in the corresponding service function list.

[0019] By setting a service identifier for associating at least one service function performed by a corresponding service network element for a service, the present application supports reducing signaling overhead.

[0020] In certain implementations of the first aspect, each piece of the M association information includes a service chain identifier of the business, the service chain identifier of the business is associated with M service function lists, and the M service function lists correspond one-to-one to the M pieces of association information.

[0021] By setting the service chain identifier, this application supports N service network elements jointly processing the business, that is, each of the N service network elements can determine their corresponding service function list based on the service chain identifier, and process the business according to their corresponding service function list.

[0022] In certain implementations of the first aspect, the Ith indication information is the indication information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information, and the indication information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information includes tunnel information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information.

[0023] In this way, it is possible to instruct the subsequent service network element to forward data.

[0024] On the second aspect, a method for business processing is provided, including: receiving associated information, the associated information including a first service function list and indication information, the first service function list including at least one service function provided by the first service network element for the business, the indication information being used to instruct the first service network element to send data to the second service network element, the data being obtained by the first service network element processing the business according to the first service function list; and processing the business according to the associated information.

[0025] The execution subject of the solution described in the second aspect may be a service network element, or a chip or integrated circuit for executing the service network element function, etc., without limitation. For ease of description, the following description takes the service network element as an example.

[0026] Specifically, the service network element can process the service based on the associated information sent from the control network element, and can determine to send data to the subsequent service network element based on the indication information in the corresponding associated information. In this way, this application supports the processing of services that require multiple service functions.

[0027] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the processing of the service according to the associated information includes: processing the service according to the first service function list to obtain the data; and sending the data to the second service network element according to the indication information.

[0028] In this way, this application supports multiple service network elements to jointly process the business.

[0029] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the processing of the service based on the associated information includes: processing the service based on the first service function list to obtain the data; sending the service chain identifier of the service and the data to the second service network element based on the indication information, the service chain identifier of the service is associated with the second service function list, the second service function list includes at least one service function provided by the second service network element for the service, and the associated information also includes the service chain identifier of the service.

[0030] In this way, this application supports multiple service network elements to jointly process the business.

[0031] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the association information is determined based on business information and M service information, the M service information is associated with N service network elements, one service information in the M service information is associated with one service network element in the N service network elements, one service information in the M service information is used to indicate at least one service function supported by the associated service network element in the N service network elements, the business information is used to indicate at least two service functions required by the business, at least one service function included in the first service function list belongs to the at least two service functions, and the N service network elements include a first service network element and a second service network element.

[0032] In this way, this application supports multiple service network elements to jointly process the business.

[0033] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the first service function list is a service identifier, and the service identifier is associated with at least one service function included in the first service function list.

[0034] By setting a service identifier for associating at least one service function performed by a corresponding service network element for a service, the present application supports reducing signaling overhead.

[0035] In certain implementations of the second aspect, the indication information is indication information of the second service network element, and the indication information of the second service network element includes tunnel information of the second service network element.

[0036] In this way, it is possible to instruct the subsequent service network element to forward data.

[0037] According to a third aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising: a control network element and M service network elements; the control network element is configured to determine M association information associated with a service, the M association information being associated with the N service network elements, one association information of the M association information being associated with one of the N service network elements, the first association information of the M association information comprising a first service function list and first indication information, the first service function list comprising at least one service function provided by the service network element associated with the first association information for the service, the first indication information being used to instruct the service network element associated with the first association information to send data to the service network element associated with the (I+1)th association information, the data being the service network element associated with the first association information. The control network element is obtained after the element processes the service according to the first service function list, the M-th association information in the M association information includes the M-th service function list, the M-th service function list includes at least one service function provided by the service network element associated with the M-th association information in the N service network elements for the service, M is a positive integer greater than 1, I is a positive integer less than M, and N is a positive integer equal to or less than M; the control network element is used to send the M association information to the N service network elements; the first service network element in the N service network elements is used to receive the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information; the first service network element is used to process the service according to the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information.

[0038] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the first service network element is further used to: process the service according to the service function list in the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information to obtain the data; and send the data to the (I+1)th service network element according to the indication information in the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information.

[0039] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the first service network element is further used to: process the service according to the service function list in the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information to obtain the data; and send the service chain identifier and the data of the service to the I+1th service network element according to the indication information in the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information, where the service chain identifier of the service is associated with the service function list associated with the I+1th service network element, and the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information also includes the service chain identifier of the service.

[0040] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the service function list in the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information is a service identifier, which is associated with at least one service function included in the service function list in the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information.

[0041] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the control network element is further used to: determine that business information is associated with M service information, the M service information is associated with N service network elements, one service information in the M service information is associated with one service network element in the N service network elements, one service information in the M service information is used to indicate at least one service function supported by the associated service network element in the N service network elements, the business information is used to indicate at least two service functions required by the business, and at least one service function included in the service function list included in each of the M association information belongs to the at least two service functions; determine the M association information based on the business information and the M service information.

[0042] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the control network element is further used to: receive M registration information, the M registration information is associated with N service network elements, one service information in the M registration information is associated with one service network element in the N service network elements, and one registration information in the M registration information includes service information of the associated service network element in the N service network elements.

[0043] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the control network element is further used to: send query information, where the query information is used to request querying the M service information; and receive response information, where the response information includes the M service information.

[0044] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the control network element is further used to: receive request information, where the request information is used to request processing of the service, and the request information includes the service information.

[0045] In certain implementations of the third aspect, the Ith indication information is the indication information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information, and the indication information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information includes the tunnel information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information.

[0046] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be a control network element, or may be a device or module for executing the function of a control network element.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0048] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The communication device may be a service network element, or may be a device or module for performing the function of a service network element.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a module or unit corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0050] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor, wherein the processor is configured to, by executing a computer program or instruction, or by a logic circuit, enable the communication device to execute the first aspect and any possible method described in the first aspect; or enable the communication device to execute the second aspect and any possible method described in the second aspect.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory for storing the computer program or instruction.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the communication device further includes a communication interface, which is used to input and / or output signals.

[0053] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a logic circuit and an input / output interface, the input / output interface being used to input and / or output signals, the logic circuit being used to execute the method described in the first aspect and any possible embodiment of the first aspect; or the logic circuit being used to execute the method described in the second aspect and any possible embodiment of the second aspect.

[0054] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or the instruction is run on a computer, the method described in the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect is executed; or, the method described in the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect is executed.

[0055] In the ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method described in the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect to be executed; or cause the method described in the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect to be executed.

[0056] The description of the advantageous effects of any of the third to ninth aspects etc. may refer to the description of the advantageous effects of the first and second aspects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 to which an embodiment of the present application is applicable.

[0058] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an interactive flow of a business processing method 200 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0059] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of an interactive flow of a business processing method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0060] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an interactive flow of a business processing method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0061] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0062] FIG6 is another schematic diagram of data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0063] FIG7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 700 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0064] FIG8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0065] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following points are first explained.

[0067] 1. In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their internal logical relationships.

[0068] 2. The various numerical numbers involved in this application are only used for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of this application. The size of the serial numbers involved in this application does not mean the order of execution. The order of execution of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic. For example, the terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth" and other various terminology labels (if any) in the specification and claims of this application and the drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchangeable where appropriate so that the embodiments described here can be implemented in an order other than what is illustrated or described here.

[0069] 3. The terms "comprise" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such process, method, product or apparatus.

[0070] 4. In this application, "used to indicate" can be understood as "enabling," and "enabling" can include direct enabling and indirect enabling. When describing that certain information is used to enable A, it can include that the information directly enables A or indirectly enables A, and does not necessarily mean that the information contains A.

[0071] The information enabled by the information is called information to be enabled. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to enable the enabled information, such as but not limited to, directly enabling the information to be enabled, such as the information to be enabled itself or the index of the information to be enabled. The information to be enabled can also be indirectly enabled by enabling other information, wherein there is an association between the other information and the information to be enabled. It is also possible to enable only a part of the information to be enabled, while the other parts of the information to be enabled are known or agreed in advance. For example, it is also possible to enable specific information with the help of the arrangement order of each piece of information agreed in advance (such as specified in the protocol), thereby reducing the enabling overhead to a certain extent. At the same time, it is also possible to identify the common parts of each piece of information and enable them uniformly to reduce the enabling overhead caused by enabling the same information separately.

[0072] 5. "Storage" or "saving" as used in this application may refer to storage in one or more memories. The one or more memories may be provided separately or integrated into an encoder or decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The one or more memories may also be provided in part separately and in part integrated into a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The memory may be any type of storage medium and is not limited in this application.

[0073] 6. The “protocol” referred to in this application may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, such as the fourth generation (4G) th generation, 4G) network, 5G network, new radio (NR) protocol, 5.5G network, sixth generation (6 th generation, 6G) networks and related protocols used in future communication systems, without limitation.

[0074] 7. The arrows or boxes indicated by dotted lines in the schematic diagrams in the accompanying drawings of this application specification represent optional steps or optional modules.

[0075] 8. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner to facilitate understanding.

[0076] 9. In this application, unless otherwise specified, “ / ” indicates that the objects associated with each other are in an “or” relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. “And / or” in this application is only a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural.

[0077] First, a communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable is described.

[0078] FIG1 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG1 , the communication system 100 includes: a terminal device 110, a network device 120, and a service processing unit 130. A schematic architecture of the service processing unit 130 includes: a control network element (e.g., a service chain control function (SFCC) or a network element with another name) and M service network elements (e.g., a service function processor and forwarder (SFPF) or a network element with another name), where M is a positive integer.

[0079] It is worth noting that, depending on the form factor, the control network element and / or the service network element may also be referred to as a network function (NF) or a logical function, and may be deployed independently or co-deployed with other network functions or logical functions or network elements. For ease of description, the following description uses the control network element as SFCC and the service network element as SFPF as an example, but is not limited to this.

[0080] The main functions of SFPF include service processing and forwarding. Service processing includes executing one or more SFs on service data packets, for example, performing data compression and anonymization; forwarding includes sending service data packets to another SFPF. To support endogenous computing functions, data functions, and security functions, an SFPF supports one or more SFs. The one or more SFs can belong to the same type (such as connection class, data class, computing class, or security class, etc.), or the one or more SFs can belong to different types (such as connection class and data class, or data class and computing class, etc.), without limitation. Flexible cross-domain orchestration and scheduling of M SFPFs can support services requiring multiple types (for example, connection / computing / data / security, etc.).

[0081] It is worth noting that the SFPF supports one or more SFs, which can be deployed on the SFPF, or the SF and SFPF can be deployed together. The specific form of the SFPF is not limited, and it can be an enhanced UPF, access network (radio access network, RAN), mobile edge computing (mobile edge computing, MEC), multi-access edge computing (multi-access edge computing) and other network elements. The SFPF is also applicable to network elements for service processing and forwarding functions with newly defined (if any) computing functions / data functions / security functions.

[0082] SFPFs can be deployed in a distributed manner, and may be deployed by location area and / or functional type. For example, when SFPFs are deployed in a distributed manner, see Figure 1. When SFPFs are deployed by location area, one or more SFPFs can be deployed in one area (each SFPF can provide different or the same type of SF). When SFPFs are deployed by functional type, one or more SFPFs that can provide the same type of SF can be deployed together.

[0083] SFCC is used to control and manage SFPF. Its main functions include determining the appropriate SFPF and forwarding information between SFPFs according to business needs, determining the service function chain identifier (SFC ID) for the business, etc. SFCC can be centrally deployed or cascaded. When SFCC is centrally deployed, the SFCC in the business processing unit 130 manages M SFPFs. When SFCC is cascaded, the SFCC includes a central SFCC (central-SFCC) and a sub-domain SFCC (sub-SFCC). The SFCC in the business processing unit 130 is the central SFCC. The business processing unit 130 also includes Q sub-domain SFCCs (managing one or more SFPFs within a sub-domain, not shown in Figure 1). The central SFCC manages the sub-domain SFCC, and one sub-domain SFCC can manage at least one associated SFPF. Wherein, Q is a positive integer, and Q is less than or equal to M.

[0084] It is worth noting that the specific form of SFCC is not limited. It can be an enhanced session management function (SMF) network element, or a newly defined (if any) computing function / data function / security function network element for control and management functions.

[0085] When SFCC is deployed in cascade, the present application supports differentiating subdomains by location area and / or functional type, etc. For example, when differentiating subdomains by location area, area #1 where SFPF#1 is located can deploy subdomain SFCC#1 (which is used to manage SFPF#1 in area #1), area #2 where SFPF#2 is located can deploy subdomain SFCC#2 (which is used to manage SFPF#2 in area #2), etc. Differentiate subdomains by functional type. All SFs supported by SFPF#1 belong to computing service functions, and subdomain SFCC#1 can be deployed. All SFs supported by SFPF#2 belong to data service functions, and subdomain SFCC#2 can be deployed, etc. Different SFPFs can provide different SFs or the same SF, and this is not limited.

[0086] It should be noted that the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 is only described as an example and is not intended to be a final limitation.

[0087] In addition, the terminal device 110 is a device with wireless transceiver functions, which can refer to user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device. The terminal device 110 may also be a satellite phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a wireless modem, a machine type communication device, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a customer premises equipment (CPE), a smart point of sale (POS), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a communication device carried on a high-altitude aircraft, a wearable device, a drone, a robot, a terminal in device-to-device (D2D) communication, a terminal in vehicle-to-everything (V2X), a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, or a self-driving car. This application does not limit the wireless terminals used in wireless driving, telemedicine, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, smart homes, or terminal devices in communication networks that evolve after 5G.

[0088] The communication device used to implement the functions of the terminal device 110 can be a terminal device, or a device that can support the terminal device to implement the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In this application, the chip system can be composed of a chip or include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0089] In addition, the network device 120 is a device with wireless transceiver functions, which is used to communicate with the terminal device 110. The network device 120 can be a node in the RAN, which can also be called a base station, or a RAN node. It can be an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) of LTE; or a base station of a 5G network such as a gNodeB (gNB) or a base station in a public land mobile network (PLMN) evolved after 5G, a broadband network gateway (BNG), an aggregation switch or the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) rd generation partnership project, 3GPP) access equipment, etc.

[0090] The RAN can be configured as a RAN defined by the 3GPP protocol, an open radio access network (O-RAN), or a cloud radio access network (C-RAN). The network device 110 can also include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, transmission points (transmitting and receiving points, TRP), transmission points (transmitting points, TP), mobile switching centers, and devices that perform base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, network devices in non-terrestrial networks (NTN), etc., without specific limitation.

[0091] The network device 120 may also include network elements or modules that implement some functions of the base station, for example, one or more of the following: a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Optionally, the CU can be further separated into a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP). The functions of the CU and DU can be implemented by different network elements, or simultaneously by the baseband unit (BBU) of the base station. The function of the RU can be implemented by the radio frequency equipment of the base station. For example, the radio frequency equipment of the base station may be a remote radio unit (RRU), a pico remote radio unit (pRRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or other units, modules or devices with radio frequency processing functions. The communication interface protocol between the BBU and the radio frequency equipment can be a common public radio interface (CPRI) interface protocol, an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI) interface protocol, or a fronthaul interface protocol between the DU and RU in the O-RAN system, etc., without limitation.

[0092] The communication device used to implement the functions of the network device 120 can be a network device, or a device that can support the network device to implement the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device. The chip system in the embodiment of the present application can be composed of a chip, or it can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0093] The communication system 100 may also be a system such as a long-term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, a 5G system, a 6G system, an NTN system such as intersatellite communication and satellite communication. A satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and terminal equipment. A satellite base station provides communication services to a terminal equipment. A satellite base station may also communicate with a ground base station. A satellite may serve as a base station or as a terminal equipment. A satellite may refer to a non-ground base station or non-ground equipment such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a hot air balloon, a low-orbit satellite, a medium-orbit satellite, or a high-orbit satellite.

[0094] In addition, the communication system 100 can also be a ground cellular communication system, a high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication system, a V2X system, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) system, and a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication system, etc., without limitation.

[0095] The following describes the interaction between the control network element and the service network element in the communication system 100 with reference to Figure 2. It should be noted that in the interaction between the SFCC and the SFPF described below, if the SFCCs are a central SFCC and a sub-domain SFCC in a cascade deployment, the sub-domain SFCC interacts with the SFPF, and the central SFCC interacts with the sub-domain SFCC.

[0096] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the interactive flow of a method 200 for service processing according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 200 can be executed by a control network element and a service network element, or by a module or chip system for executing the functions of the control network element and the service network element, without limitation. For ease of description, the following description will be based on the control network element and the service network element as an example. The method 200 includes:

[0097] S210. The control network element determines M pieces of association information (which may also be other names, such as mapping information, and are not limited to this) associated with a service, where the first piece of association information among the M pieces of association information includes the first service function list and the first indication information, and the Mth piece of association information among the M pieces of association information includes the Mth service function list. M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and I is a positive integer less than M.

[0098] In one possible implementation, the first association information is any one of the first M-1 association information in the M association information, and the Mth association information is the last association information in the M association information. The M association information is associated with one service, that is, the service functions included in the M service function lists in the M association information all serve the service. One association information in the M association information is associated with one service network element, and the M association information is associated with N service network elements, where N is a positive integer less than or equal to M. The content included in each association information may be different or the same, as shown in Table 1. The content described in Table 1 is for example only and is not intended to be definitive.

[0099] Table 1

[0100] As shown in Table 1, association information #1 includes service function list #1 and indication information #1. Service function list #1 includes at least one SF provided by service network element #1 for a service (e.g., service #1). This at least one SF constitutes service function list #1. Indication information #1 is used to instruct service network element #1 to send data #1 to service network element #2. Data #1 is obtained by service network element #1 processing the service according to service function list #1. Association information #2 includes service function list #2 and indication information #2. Service function list #2 includes at least one SF provided by service network element #2 for the service. This at least one SF constitutes service function list #2. Indication information #2 is used to instruct service network element #2 to send data #2 to service network element #3. Data #2 is obtained by service network element #2 processing the service according to service function list #2. "..." indicates that there is other association information, and the content of the other association information is similar to that of association information #1. Association information #M includes service function list #M, which includes at least one SF provided by service network element #M for the service. N / A means non-existence, that is, there is no indication information in the associated information #M.

[0101] As described in Table 1, the first association information may be any one of association information #1 to association information #M-1, the first service function list may be any one of service function list #1 to service function list #M-1, and the first indication information may be any one of indication information #1 to indication information #M-1. The Mth association information is association information #M, and the Mth service function list is service function list #M.

[0102] In Table 1, each of the first M-1 pieces of association information among the M pieces of association information may include a service function list and indication information. The service function list is used to indicate at least one SF provided by each associated service network element for the service. The indication information is used to associate two SFPFs that are sequential in processing order. For example, indication information #1 is used to associate service network element #1 with service network element #2, where service network element #2 receives and processes data from service network element #1. Indication information #2 is used to associate service network element #2 with service network element #3, where service network element #3 receives and processes data from service network element #2. Association information #M includes service function list #M, which is used to instruct service network element #M to execute at least one SF corresponding to the service.

[0103] In one possible implementation, the aforementioned first indication information may be indication information of an I+1th serving network element, where the indication information of the I+1th serving network element includes tunnel information of the I+1th serving network element (e.g., a general packet radio service tunneling protocol–user plane (GTP-U) tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID)) and / or IPv6 address information of the I+1th serving network element (e.g., the IPv6 address includes information indicating the service). In this way, an instruction to forward data to the next serving network element can be implemented.

[0104] In one possible implementation, association information #M does not include indication information #M, which indicates that serving network element #M is the last serving network element, meaning that data does not need to be sent to other serving network elements. In another possible implementation, association information #M includes indication information #M, which indicates that serving network element #M receives data from serving network element #M-1 and can also indicate that serving network element #M is the last serving network element.

[0105] It should be noted that the service network element associated with each piece of M association information is used to process the service. That is, the M association information provides a mapping rule or processing rule for the N service network elements to jointly process the service. Different pieces of M association information may be associated with the same service network element. For example, association information #1 may be associated with service network element #1, and association information #3 may also be associated with service network element #1. Therefore, the number N of service network elements associated with the M pieces of association information is less than or equal to M.

[0106] As a possible implementation manner, the control network element determines M pieces of association information, including:

[0107] #a. The control network element determines the service information of a service and M service information associated with the service (it can also be other information names, such as function information, etc., which is not limited to this). Each service information in the M service information is associated with a service network element.

[0108] Specifically, each piece of service information is used to indicate at least one SF supported by the associated service network element. For example, service information #1 is used to indicate at least one SF supported by service network element #1, service information #2 is used to indicate at least one SF supported by service network element #2, and so on. Service information #M is used to indicate at least one SF supported by service network element #M. It is understood that the number of service network elements associated with the M pieces of service information is also less than or equal to M. In other words, different pieces of service information in the M pieces of service information may be associated with the same service network element. For example, service information #1 is associated with service network element #1, and service information #3 is associated with service network element #1. Therefore, the number of service network elements associated with the M pieces of service information is less than or equal to M.

[0109] The service information is used to indicate at least two SFs required by the service. The SFs included in the aforementioned service function lists all belong to the at least two SFs required by the service. For example, at least one SF included in service function list #1 belongs to the at least two SFs, at least one SF included in service function list #2 belongs to the at least two SFs, and so on. At least one SF included in service function list #M belongs to the at least two SFs. In other words, the service corresponds to service information #1 (used to indicate the at least two SFs required by the service) and is jointly processed by M service network elements. Each service network element can execute some of the at least two SFs. For example, service information #1 indicates SF#1-SF#6 (the specific type of SF is not limited); service information #1 indicates that service network element #1 supports SF#1-SF#2; service information #2 indicates that service network element #2 supports SF#3-SF#5; service information #3 indicates that service network element #3 supports SF#6, etc. For another example, service information #1 indicates SF#1-SF#6 (not limiting the specific type of SF); service information #1 indicates that service network element #1 supports SF#1; service information #2 indicates that service network element #2 supports SF#3-SF#5; service information #3 indicates that service network element #3 supports SF#6, service information #4 indicates that service network element #1 supports SF#2, and so on.

[0110] #b. The control network element determines M pieces of associated information based on the service information of the service and the M pieces of service information.

[0111] The control network element can determine the SF executed by each service network element for the service based on at least one SF supported by each service network element and at least two SFs required by the service, and determine the processing order between the service network elements (wherein, the present application supports that the control network element can pre-configure or dynamically establish transmission channel information between service network elements to facilitate determining the processing order between service network elements), and then determine M association information.

[0112] Exemplarily, the control network element can determine, based on business information #1, service information #1, service information #2, and service information #3, that service network element #1 executes SF#1-SF#2 on the business, service network element #2 executes SF#3-SF#5 on the business, and service network element #3 executes SF#6 on the business. Further, the control network element determines association information #1, which is used to instruct service network element #1 to execute SF#1-SF#2 on the business, and sends data to service network element #2, determines association information #2, which is used to instruct service network element #2 to execute SF#3-SF#5 on the business, and sends data to service network element #3, and determines association information #3, which is used to instruct service network element #3 to execute SF#6 on the business.

[0113] S220. The control network element sends M pieces of association information to N serving network elements.

[0114] Accordingly, N serving network elements receive M pieces of association information.

[0115] When N is equal to M, in a first possible implementation, the control network element can send corresponding association information to each of the M service network elements. For example, the control network element sends association information #1 to service network element #1, the control network element sends association information #2 to service network element #2, and so on, the control network element sends association information #M to service network element #M. In a second possible implementation, the control network element sends M association information to service network element #1, the control network element sends M association information to service network element #2, and so on, the control network element sends M association information to service network element #M. For the first possible implementation, each service network element can obtain its corresponding association information and, based on its respective association information, determine the SF it needs to execute and the associated service network element, which can effectively reduce signaling overhead. For the second possible implementation, each service network element can obtain the association information corresponding to other service network elements, which helps the service network element obtain more comprehensive information.

[0116] When N is less than M, the control network element can send multiple association information to the same service network element. For example, the control network element sends association information #1 to service network element #1, sends association information #2 to service network element #2, sends association information #1 to service network element #1, etc., without limitation.

[0117] S230 : The N service network elements process the service according to the M pieces of associated information.

[0118] Specifically, each service network element can process the service based on its own association information. For example, service network element #1 processes the service based on association information #1, obtains data #1, and sends data #1 to service network element #2. Service network element #2 processes the service (which may be data #1) based on association information #2, obtains data #2, and sends data #2 to service network element #3. Similarly, service network element #M processes the service (which may be data #M-1 from service network element #M-1) based on association information #M.

[0119] In one possible implementation, when the number of service network elements associated with M association information is less than M, service network element #1 processes the service according to association information #1, obtains data #1, and sends data #1 to service network element #2; service network element #2 processes the service (which can be data #1) according to association information #2, obtains data #2, and sends data #2 to service network element #1; service network element #1 processes the service (which can be data #1) according to association information #3, obtains data #3, and sends data #3 to service network element #3, and so on, service network element #N processes the service (which can be data #M-1 from service network element #N-1) according to association information #M.

[0120] To sum up, by determining the SF that each of the M service network elements needs to execute for the service, as well as the processing order between the service network elements, and sending this information to the M service network elements, each of the M service network elements can process the service based on the above information. In this way, this application supports the processing of services that require multiple service functions.

[0121] The method shown in FIG. 2 is further described below in conjunction with FIG. 3 .

[0122] It should be noted that the content described below is described based on the example that the number of service network elements is the same as the number of service information and associated information, but the description of the scenario where the number of service network elements is less than the number of associated information can also be found in the description below and will not be repeated here.

[0123] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the interactive flow of a method 300 for service processing according to an embodiment of the present application. The method shown in Figure 3 can be executed by SFCC, SFPF#1, SFPF#2, and SFPF#3, or by a module or chip configured to perform the functions of SFCC, SFPF#1, SFPF#2, and SFPF#3, without limitation. For ease of description, the following description uses SFCC, SFPF#1, SFPF#2, and SFPF#3 as an example. In an actual system, a service may correspond to a different number of SFPFs. Method 300 includes:

[0124] S301. SFCC obtains service information #1, service information #2, and service information #3.

[0125] Specifically, the SFCC may obtain service information #1 of SFPF #1, service information #2 of SFPF #2, and service information #3 of SFPF #3 in the following ways, where service information #1 indicates at least one SF supported by SFPF #1, service information #2 indicates at least one SF supported by SFPF #2, and service information #3 indicates at least one SF supported by SFPF #3:

[0126] Method 1: The SFPF registers at least one of its supported SFs with the SFCC. Specifically, SFPF#1 sends Registration Message #1 to the SFCC, which includes Service Information #1. SFPF#2 sends Registration Message #2 to the SFCC, which includes Service Information #2. SFPF#3 sends Registration Message #3 to the SFCC, which includes Service Information #3. Furthermore, if any SF supported by the SFPF changes, the SFPF may send an update message to the SFCC to notify it.

[0127] Method 2: The SFPF can register or update at least one of its supported SFs with another network element, such as a network repository function (NRF). Accordingly, the NRF stores service information for each SFPF. The SFCC sends a query message #1 to the other network element (e.g., NRF). Query message #1 is used to query service information #1, service information #2, and service information #3.

[0128] Method 3: pre-configure service information #1, service information #2, and service information #3 on the SFCC.

[0129] For method 1, the SFPF can send information about the SFs it supports, such as registration information (for example only), to the SFCC. In this way, the SFCC can obtain information about the SFs supported by each SFPF based on interaction with the SFPF. When the information about the SFs supported by the SFPF changes, the SFPF can also notify the SFCC. In this way, the SFCC can understand the changes in the information about the SFs supported by the SFPF. For method 2, the present application supports registering the information about the SFs supported by the SFPF with other network elements (such as NRF, etc.). The SFCC can interact with the other network elements to obtain the service information of each SFPF. In this way, the impact on the existing network architecture can be minimized as much as possible. For method 3, the present application supports pre-configuring the information about the SFs supported by the SFPF with the SFCC. The SFCC can obtain the service information of each SFPF without interacting with other network elements or SFPFs. When the SFCC is deployed in cascade, the sub-domain SFCC can determine the information about the SFs supported by the SFPFs it manages, and the central SFCC can obtain the information about the SFs supported by each SFPF through the sub-domain SFCC.

[0130] In the embodiments of this application, the application does not limit the types of SFs supported by the SFPF, and supports categorizing the SFs supported by the SFPF into, for example, connection classes, computing classes, data classes, and security classes. Connection classes include, but are not limited to, firewalls, LBs, NATs, traffic flows, and VPNs. Computing classes include, but are not limited to, computing offload and rendering. Data classes include, but are not limited to, storage, compression, and analysis. Security classes include, but are not limited to, authentication, encryption, and decryption. An SFPF may support multiple SFs of the same type. For example, SFPF#1 supports connection classes (SF#101, SF#102, and SF#103). An SFPF may also support multiple SFs of multiple types. For example, SFPF#1 supports connection classes (SF#101, SF#103) and computing classes (SF#201, SF#202). For ease of understanding, connection classes are numbered starting with 1, computing classes are numbered starting with 2, security classes are numbered starting with 3, and data classes are numbered starting with 4.

[0131] S302. SFCC receives request information #1, where request information #1 includes service information #1.

[0132] Specifically, request information #1 may come from an application function (AF), a terminal device, a network exposure function (NEF), or other management plane entity, without limitation. Request information #1 is used to request processing of the service. Request information #1 includes service information #1 for the service. Service information #1 indicates at least two SFs required by the service.

[0133] In one implementation, request information #1 includes at least two SFs. For example, the AF understands the various types of SFs supported by the network based on the network capability exposure architecture, and determines that the service requires two connection-class SFs (SF#101, SF#102), two computing-class SFs (SF#201, SF#202), and two security-class SFs (SF#301, SF#302).

[0134] In another implementation, request information #1 includes indication information of at least two SFs. The indication information may be an information name or other information. For example, the information name of request information #1 is video rendering acceleration request information. SFCC determines, based on the information name, that the service requires one connection-class SF (SF#101), one computing-class SF (SF#201), and two data-class SFs (SF#401, SF#402).

[0135] S303. SFCC determines associated information #1, associated information #2, and associated information #3 based on service information #1, service information #2, service information #3, and business information #1.

[0136] When each SFPF supports one type of SF, for example, SFPF#1 supports SF#101-SF#103, SFPF#2 supports SF#201-SF#203, and SFPF#3 supports SF#301-SF#303, and the service requires SF#101, SF#102, SF#201, SF#202, SF#301, and SF#302, the SFCC may determine the SFs to be executed by each SFPF. For example, the SFCC determines that SF#1 executes SF#101 and SF#102, SFPF#2 executes SF#201 and SF#202, and SFPF#3 executes SF#301 and SF#302. For details, see Table 2. Table 2 is for example only and is not intended to be definitive.

[0137] Table 2

[0138] As shown in Table 2, association information #1 includes SF#101, SF#102, and indication information #1; association information #2 includes SF#201, SF#202, and indication information #2; and association information #3 includes SF#301 and SF#302. SFPF #1 can determine, based on association information #1, that it needs to execute SF#101 and SF#102 for the service, and, based on indication information #1, determine to send the data obtained after processing the service to SFPF #2. SFPF #2 can determine, based on association information #2, that it needs to execute SF#201 and SF#202 for the service, and, based on indication information #2, determine to send the data obtained after processing the service to SFPF #3. SFPF #3 can determine, based on association information #3, that it needs to execute SF#301 and SF#302 for the service.

[0139] When each SFPF supports multiple types of SFs, for example, SFPF#1 supports SF#101 and SF#302, SFPF#2 supports SF#102, SF#202, and SF#301, and SFPF#3 supports SF#201, and the service requires SF#101, SF#102, SF#201, SF#202, SF#301, and SF#302, the SFCC may determine the SFs to be executed by each SFPF. The SFCC determines that SF#1 executes SF#101 and SF#302, SFPF#2 executes SF#102, SF#202, and SF#301, and SF#201 executes SFPF#3. For details, see Table 3. The contents of Table 3 are for example only and are not intended to be definitive.

[0140] Table 3

[0141] As shown in Table 3, association information #1 includes SF#101, SF#302, and indication information #1; association information #2 includes SF#102, SF#202, SF#301, and indication information #2; and association information #3 includes SF#201. SFPF #1 can determine, based on association information #1, that it needs to execute SF#101 and SF#302 for the service, and, based on indication information #1, determine to send the data obtained after processing the service to SFPF #2. SFPF #2 can determine, based on association information #2, that it needs to execute SF#102, SF#202, and SF#301 for the service, and, based on indication information #2, determine to send the data obtained after processing the service to SFPF #3. SFPF #3 can determine, based on association information #3, that it needs to execute SF#201 for the service.

[0142] As a possible implementation method, the present application supports SFCC configuring a service identifier (such as a sub-SFC ID) for the SF executed by each SFPF, which is used to associate at least one SF executed by each SFPF. Furthermore, the present application supports SFCC configuring a global service chain identifier (SFC ID, which can also be other identifiers, such as: APP identifier, data network name (DNN) identifier, UE identifier, etc.) for the service, which is used to associate the SFs included in the aforementioned service function list or each sub-SFC ID list, that is, one SFC ID can be associated with M association information, and the SFC ID of the service is associated with at least two SFs required by the service. For details, please refer to Table 4.

[0143] Optionally, the global service chain identifier can be sent to the terminal device 110. Subsequently, when the terminal device 110 sends data packets related to the service, it carries the service chain identifier for the service, facilitating service identification by the SFPF. When SFCCs are deployed in a cascaded manner, the sub-domain SFCC is responsible for allocating sub-SFC IDs, and the central SFCC is responsible for allocating the global service chain identifier for the service. The content and format described in Table 4 are intended for example only and are not intended to be definitive.

[0144] Table 4

[0145] As shown in Table 4, when the SFCC configures SFC ID #1 for this service, it associates sub-SFC ID #1, sub-SFC ID #2, and sub-SFC ID #3. Sub-SFC ID #1 is associated with SF #101 and SF #102, sub-SFC ID #2 is associated with SF #201 and SF #202, and sub-SFC ID #3 is associated with SF #301 and SF #302. The forwarding channel information for SFPF #2 can be indication information #1, which indicates that data should be sent to SFPF #2. The forwarding channel information for SFPF #3 can be indication information #2, which indicates that data should be sent to SFPF #3.

[0146] In a possible implementation, GTP-U may be used between SFPFs. For example, GTP-U tunnels may be established between SFPF#1 and SFPF#2, and between SFPF#2 and SFPF#3, and identified by different TEIDs.

[0147] In another possible implementation, after SFPF#3 receives data from SFPF#2 via the GTP-U tunnel between SFPF#2 and SFPF#3, it may associate the data with the corresponding sub-SFC ID#3 and execute the corresponding SF#301 and SF#302.

[0148] As shown in Table 4, when the SFCC configures SFC ID #2 for this service, it associates sub-SFC ID #4 with sub-SFC ID #5. Sub-SFC ID #4 is associated with SF #101, SF #201, and SF #302, while sub-SFC ID #5 is associated with SF #102, SF #202, and SF #301. The forwarding channel information for SFPF #2 can be indication information #1, which indicates that data should be sent to SFPF #2.

[0149] It should be noted that Table 4 is an example of the storage or description format of the associated information. Other storage or presentation formats are also possible, such as UE context, session context, database, configuration file, etc., without limitation. In addition, the SFCC can obtain the forwarding channel information of each SFPF and establish forwarding channels between SFPFs. The forwarding channel information of each SFPF can be pre-configured in the SFCC or dynamically established. For dynamic establishment, there are two methods:

[0150] Method 1: After the SFCC determines M SFPFs and the corresponding processing order, the SFCC sends a request message to the SFPF. After receiving the request message, the SFPF allocates or determines the corresponding forwarding channel information and sends a reply message to the SFCC, which includes the forwarding channel information.

[0151] In one possible implementation, the SFCC may send a service chain establishment request message to the SFPF. The service chain establishment request message includes information about the SFs to be executed by the SFPF. Optionally, the service chain establishment request message also includes an SFC ID / sub-SFC ID. For example, if the SFCC determines that SF#1 will execute SF#101 and SF#102, the service chain establishment request message sent by the SFCC to SFPF#1 includes SF#101 and SF#102. After receiving the service chain establishment request message, SFPF#1 may allocate or determine the forwarding channel information for the SFPF and report this information to the SFCC. If only one-way data forwarding processing is considered, for example, SFPF#1--->SFPF#2--->SFPF#3, SFPF#1 may not allocate forwarding channel information, and SFCC obtains the forwarding channel information of SFPF#2 and notifies SFPF#1. Similarly, SFCC obtains the forwarding channel information of SFPF#3 and notifies SFPF#2. If two-way forwarding processing is considered, SFCC obtains the forwarding channel information of SFPF#1 and notifies SFPF#2. Similarly, SFCC obtains the forwarding channel information of SFPF#2 and notifies SFPF#3.

[0152] Method 2: After the SFCC determines the M SFPFs and the corresponding order, the SFCC allocates or determines the forwarding channel information corresponding to each SFPF and notifies each SFPF.

[0153] S304. SFCC sends association information #1 to SFPF #1, sends association information #2 to SFPF #2, and sends association information #3 to SFPF #3.

[0154] Accordingly, SFPF#1 receives associated information #1, SFPF#2 receives associated information #2, and SFPF#3 receives associated information #3.

[0155] In a specific embodiment, the information contained in a correlation message may be sent to the SFPF via one or multiple messages. For example, the SFCC first sends a service link establishment request message to the SFPF. The service link request message includes the SF information executed by the SFPF. After the SFCC obtains the indication information (SFPF forwarding channel information), the SFCC sends a service link update request message to the SFPF. The update request message includes the indication information.

[0156] S305 , SFPF#1 processes the service according to association information #1, SFPF#2 processes the service according to association information #2, and SFPF#3 processes the service according to association information #3.

[0157] To sum up, by determining the SF that each SFPF needs to execute for the business, as well as the processing order between SFPFs, and sending these related information to the SFPF, each SFPF can perform business processing based on the above-mentioned related information. In this way, this application supports the processing of businesses that require multiple service functions.

[0158] The method shown in FIG3 is further described below in conjunction with FIG4 .

[0159] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the interactive flow of a method 400 for service processing according to an embodiment of the present application. The method shown in FIG4 can be executed by SFPF#1, SFPF#2, and SFPF#3, or by a module or chip used to perform the functions of SFPF#1, SFPF#2, and SFPF#3, without limitation. For ease of description, the following description uses SFPF#1, SFPF#2, and SFPF#3 as examples. Method 400 includes:

[0160] S401. SFPF#1 processes the service according to sub-SFC ID#1 and obtains data#1.

[0161] SFPF#1 first identifies the service from network device 120. Specifically, SFPF#1 may identify the service based on a specific field in the header of the service data, or based on technologies such as AI. Alternatively, the service data may carry specific identification information. For example, the specific field or identification information may include, but is not limited to, an SFC ID, a UE ID, an APP ID, a DNN ID, a service ID, etc. The field or identification information may be sent by the SFCC to terminal device 110 before step S401. For ease of description, the following description uses the service including SFD ID#1 as an example.

[0162] Specifically, SFPF#1 processes the business data according to service function list #1 in association information #1, that is, SFPF#1 (if present, according to sub-SFC ID#1) processes the business data according to SF#101 and SF#102 to obtain data #1.

[0163] S402. SFPF#1 sends data #1 to SFPF#2 according to instruction information #1.

[0164] The indication information #1 is used to instruct SFPF #1 to send data #1 to SFPF #2, and may specifically be GTP-U TEID information of SFPF #2 and / or IPv6 address information of SFPF #2.

[0165] In one possible implementation, SFPF#1 encapsulates data #1 with SFPF#2's forwarding channel information (e.g., SFPF#2's GTP-U TEID information) and then sends it to SFPF#2. Accordingly, SFPF#2 determines the processing required for the service on SFPF#2 based on data #1 received from the forwarding channel and according to Table 4, thereby determining the corresponding sub-SFC ID#2. In another possible implementation, SFPF#1 encapsulates data #1 with the service's SFC ID#1 and then sends it to SFPF#2. Accordingly, SFPF#2 determines sub-SFC ID#2 based on the service's SFC ID#1 and according to Table 4.

[0166] S403. SFPF #2 processes data #1 according to sub-SFC ID #2 to obtain data #2.

[0167] SFPF#2 determines SF#201 and SF#202 according to sub-SFC ID#2, and executes SF#201 and SF#202 to obtain data#2.

[0168] It is worth noting that data #1 and data #2 can be the same or different.

[0169] S404. SFPF#2 sends data #2 to SFPF#3 according to instruction information #2.

[0170] Among them, the function of indication information #2 is the same as that of indication information #1 and will not be repeated here.

[0171] In one possible implementation, SFPF #2 encapsulates data #2 with SFPF #3's forwarding channel information (e.g., SFPF #3's GTP-U TEID information) and sends it to SFPF #3. Accordingly, SFPF #3 receives data #2 from the tunnel corresponding to the GTP-U TEID information and determines sub-SFC ID #3.

[0172] In another possible implementation, SFPF #2 encapsulates data #2 with the SFC ID #1 of the service and then sends it to SFPF #3. Accordingly, SFPF #3 determines sub-SFC ID #3 based on the SFC ID #1 of the service.

[0173] The aforementioned indication information #1 may also include information for instructing the corresponding SFPF to encapsulate the data with SFC ID or sub-SFC ID. For example, indication information #1 is also used to instruct SFPF #1 to encapsulate data #1 with SFC ID #1, or to instruct SFPF #1 to encapsulate data #1 with sub-SFC ID #2 and sub-SFC ID #3.

[0174] In addition, when multiple SFPFs jointly process the service, the embodiment of the present application also supports the SFPF not encapsulating the data, and each SFPF can independently determine the corresponding sub-SFC ID, etc. according to the aforementioned Table 4.

[0175] S405. SFPF #3 processes data #2 according to sub-SFC ID #3.

[0176] SFPF#3 determines SF#301 and SF#302 according to sub-SFC ID#3 and executes SF#301 and SF#302.

[0177] In addition, SFPF #3 determines that there is no subsequent SFPF processing according to the fact that the indication information is empty or according to the fact that data #2 is received from the tunnel corresponding to the specific GTP-U TEID information, and no additional encapsulation is performed.

[0178] In summary, this application supports multiple SFPFs to jointly process the service.

[0179] The solution shown in FIG4 is further described below in conjunction with FIG5 and FIG6.

[0180] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, after SFPF#1 receives the service data, it determines association information #1 associated with SFC ID #1 based on the SFC ID #1 carried by the service. It then executes SF#101 and SF#102 on the service based on the sub-SFC ID #1 in association information #1, obtaining data #1. Furthermore, SFPF#1 can encapsulate data #1 with SFC ID #1 and, based on indication information #1, determine that the encapsulated data #1 needs to be sent to SFPF#2. SFPF#2 decapsulates the received data, parses SFC ID #1, determines association information #2 associated with SFC ID #1 based on SFC ID #1, and processes data #1 based on service function list #2 corresponding to sub-SFC ID #2 in association information #2, obtaining data #2. Furthermore, SFPF#2 can encapsulate data #2 with SFC ID #1 and, based on indication information #2, determine that the encapsulated data #2 needs to be sent to SFPF#3. SFPF #3 determines association information #3 associated with SFC ID #1 based on SFC ID #1, and processes data #2 based on service function list #3 corresponding to sub-SFC ID #3 in association information #3, thereby completing the processing of the service. Furthermore, SFPF #3 may determine that SFPF #3 is the last serving network element based on the fact that the indication information is empty.

[0181] It should be noted that data #1 can identify the data after SFPF #1 executes SF #101 and SF #102 on the business data, and can also be used to identify the data after the business data executes SF #101 and SF #102 and is encapsulated according to indication information #1, without limitation.

[0182] Figure 6 is another schematic diagram of data transmission according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6, after SFPF#1 receives the service data, SFPF#1 determines the associated information #1, association information #2, and association information #3 associated with SFC ID#1 based on the SFC ID#1 carried by the service. Based on the sub-SFC ID#1 in association information #1, SFPF#1 executes SF#101 and SF#102 on the service to obtain data #1. Furthermore, SFPF#1 can encapsulate sub-SFC ID#2 and sub-SFC ID#3 on data #1 and, based on indication information #1, determine that the encapsulated data #1 needs to be sent to SFPF#2. SFPF#2 executes SF#201 and SF#202 on data #1 based on sub-SFC ID#2 to obtain data #2. Furthermore, based on indication information #2, SFPF#2 determines that data #2 (including sub-SFC ID#3) needs to be sent to SFPF#3. SFPF#3 executes SF#301 and SF#302 on data#2 according to sub-SFC ID#3, thereby completing the processing of the service. Furthermore, SFPF#3 can determine that SFPF#3 is the last serving network element according to the fact that the indication information is empty.

[0183] Based on the descriptions of Figures 2 to 6, in the embodiment of the present application, the SFCC determines the SF executed by each of the multiple SFPFs for the service, and can determine the processing order of the service by each of the multiple SFPFs, and sends the above information to the multiple SFPFs. The multiple SFPFs jointly process the service based on the above information. In this way, the present application supports the processing of services that require multiple service functions.

[0184] Finally, the device embodiment of the embodiment of the present application is introduced.

[0185] To implement the various functions of the method provided herein, the control network element and the service network element may include hardware structures and / or software modules, and the aforementioned functions may be implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular one of the aforementioned functions is implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0186] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 700 includes a processor 710 and a communication interface 720, which may be interconnected via a bus 730. The communication device 700 may be a control network element or a service network element.

[0187] Optionally, the communication device 700 may further include a memory 740. The memory 740 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or portable read-only memory (CD-ROM), and is used for related instructions and data.

[0188] The processor 710 may be one or more central processing units (CPUs). In the case where the processor 710 is a CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0189] When the communication device 700 is a control network element, illustratively, the processor 710 is used to perform the following operations: determine M association information associated with a service, the first association information in the M association information includes the first service function list and the first indication information, the Mth association information in the M association information includes the Mth service function list, and M is greater than or equal to 2; the processor 710 is also used to: send M association information, etc.

[0190] When the communication device 700 is a service network element, illustratively, the processor 710 is configured to perform the following operations: receive associated information; process the service according to the associated information, etc.

[0191] The above contents are merely exemplary descriptions. When the communication device 700 is a control network element / serving network element, it will be responsible for executing the methods or steps related to the control network element / serving network element in the above method embodiments.

[0192] The above description is merely exemplary. For details, please refer to the contents of the above method embodiments. The implementation of each operation in FIG7 may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiments shown in FIG2 and FIG6.

[0193] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 800 according to an embodiment of the present application. Communication device 800 may be a control network element / service network element, or a chip or module within the control network element / service network element, configured to implement the methods described in the above embodiments. Communication device 800 includes a transceiver unit 810 and a processing unit 820. The following provides an exemplary description of transceiver unit 810 and processing unit 820.

[0194] The transceiver unit 810 may include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit is used to perform the transmitting operation of the communication device, and the receiving unit is used to perform the receiving operation of the communication device. For ease of description, this embodiment of the application combines the transmitting unit and the receiving unit into a single transceiver unit. This is described here as a unified description and will not be repeated later.

[0195] When the communication device 800 is a control network element, illustratively, the transceiver unit 810 is configured to send M pieces of association information, etc. The processing unit 820 is configured to determine M pieces of association information, etc. associated with a service.

[0196] When the communication device 800 is a service network element, illustratively, the transceiver unit 810 is used to receive associated information; the processing unit 820 is used to process the service according to the associated information, etc.

[0197] The above contents are merely exemplary descriptions. When the communication device 800 is a control network element / serving network element, it will be responsible for executing the methods or steps related to the control network element / serving network element in the above method embodiments.

[0198] Optionally, the communication device 800 further includes a storage unit 830, which is used to store a program or code for executing the aforementioned method.

[0199] The device embodiments shown in Figures 7 and 8 are used to implement the contents described in Figures 2 to 6. The specific execution steps and methods of the devices shown in Figures 7 and 8 can refer to the contents described in the above method embodiments.

[0200] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of a control network element / serving network element. The communication device 900 may be a chip in the control network element / serving network element.

[0201] Communication device 900 includes an input / output interface 920 and a processor 910. The input / output interface 920 may be an input / output circuit. The processor 910 may be a signal processor, a chip, or other integrated circuit capable of implementing the method of the present application. The input / output interface 920 is used for inputting or outputting signals or data.

[0202] For example, when the communication device 900 is a control network element, the input / output interface 920 is used to send M pieces of association information. The processor 910 is used to determine M pieces of association information associated with a service. The processor 910 is also used to execute some or all of the steps of any method provided in this application.

[0203] For example, the communication device 900 is a service network element, the input / output interface 920 is used to receive the associated information, and the processor 910 is used to process the service according to the associated information.

[0204] In one possible implementation, the processor 910 implements the functions implemented by the network device or the terminal device by executing instructions stored in the memory.

[0205] Optionally, the communication device 900 further includes a memory.

[0206] Optionally, the processor and memory are integrated together.

[0207] Optionally, the memory is outside the communication device 900 .

[0208] In one possible implementation, the processor 910 may be a logic circuit that inputs / outputs information or signaling via the input / output interface 920. The logic circuit may be a signal processor, a chip, or other integrated circuit that can implement the method of the embodiment of the present application.

[0209] The above description of the communication device 900 is only an exemplary description. The communication device 900 can be used to execute the method described in the above embodiment. For specific content, please refer to the description of the above method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0210] The present application also provides a chip, including a processor, for calling and executing instructions stored in a memory from the memory, so that a communication device equipped with the chip executes the methods in the above examples.

[0211] The present application also provides another chip, comprising: an input interface, an output interface, and a processor, wherein the input interface, the output interface, and the processor are connected via an internal connection path, and the processor is configured to execute code in a memory. When the code is executed, the processor is configured to execute the methods in the above examples. Optionally, the chip also includes a memory, which is configured to store computer programs or code.

[0212] The present application also provides a processor for coupling with a memory, and for executing the methods and functions involving a network device or a terminal device in any of the above embodiments.

[0213] In another embodiment of the present application, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the computer program product is run on a computer, the method of the above embodiment is implemented.

[0214] The present application also provides a computer program. When the computer program is executed in a computer, the method of the aforementioned embodiment is implemented.

[0215] In another embodiment of the present application, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the method described in the above embodiment is implemented.

[0216] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0217] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0218] In the several embodiments provided in this application, the disclosed systems, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0219] Units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0220] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0221] If the function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program codes, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0222] The above is only a specific implementation of the embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiment of the present application, and they should be included in the scope of protection of the embodiment of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the embodiment of the present application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A business processing method, characterized in that: include: Determine M pieces of association information associated with a service, the M pieces of association information are associated with N service network elements, one piece of association information among the M pieces of association information is associated with one of the N service network elements, the first piece of association information among the M pieces of association information includes a first service function list and first indication information, the first service function list includes at least one service function provided by the service network element associated with the first association information for the service, the first indication information is used to instruct the service network element associated with the first association information to send data to the service network element associated with the (I+1)th association information, the data being obtained after the service network element associated with the first association information processes the service according to the first service function list, the Mth piece of association information among the M pieces of association information includes an Mth service function list, the Mth service function list includes at least one service function provided by the service network element associated with the Mth association information among the N service network elements for the service, M is a positive integer greater than 1, I is a positive integer less than M, and N is a positive integer equal to or less than M; The M pieces of association information are sent to the N serving network elements.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The determining of M pieces of association information associated with a service includes: Determining business information and M service information, the M service information are associated with N service network elements, one service information of the M service information is associated with one service network element of the N service network elements, one service information of the M service information is used to indicate at least one service function supported by the associated service network element of the N service network elements, the business information is used to indicate at least two service functions required by the business, and at least one service function included in the service function list included in each of the M association information belongs to the at least two service functions; The M pieces of associated information are determined according to the business information and the M pieces of service information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The determining of M service information includes: M registration information is received, wherein the M registration information is associated with the N service network elements, one service information in the M registration information is associated with a service network element in the N service network elements, and one registration information in the M registration information includes service information of a service network element associated with the N service network elements.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The determining of M service information includes: Sending query information, where the query information is used to request querying the M service information; Receive response information, where the response information includes the M service information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The determining of the business information includes: Receive request information, where the request information is used to request processing of the service, and the request information includes the service information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The service function list included in each of the M pieces of association information is a service identifier, and the service identifier is associated with at least one service function included in the corresponding service function list.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that Each of the M pieces of association information includes a service chain identifier of the business, the service chain identifier of the business is associated with M service function lists, and the M service function lists correspond to the M pieces of association information one by one.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The Ith indication information is the indication information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information, and the indication information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information includes the tunnel information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information.

9. A business processing method, characterized in that: include: receiving association information, the association information including a first service function list and indication information, the first service function list including at least one service function provided by the first service network element for a service, the indication information being used to instruct the first service network element to send data to the second service network element, the data being obtained by the first service network element processing the service according to the first service function list; The business is processed according to the associated information.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The processing of the business according to the associated information includes: Processing the service according to the first service function list to obtain the data; According to the indication information, the data is sent to the second service network element.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The processing of the business according to the associated information includes: Processing the service according to the first service function list to obtain the data; According to the indication information, the service chain identifier and the data of the service are sent to the second service network element, the service chain identifier of the service is associated with a second service function list, the second service function list includes at least one service function provided by the second service network element for the service, and the associated information also includes the service chain identifier of the service.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that The association information is determined based on business information and M service information, the M service information are associated with N service network elements, one service information among the M service information is associated with one service network element among the N service network elements, one service information among the M service information is used to indicate at least one service function supported by the associated service network element among the N service network elements, the business information is used to indicate at least two service functions required by the business, at least one service function included in the first service function list belongs to the at least two service functions, and the N service network elements include the first service network element and the second service network element.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that The first service function list is a service identifier, and the service identifier is associated with at least one service function included in the first service function list.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that The indication information is the indication information of the second service network element, and the indication information of the second service network element includes tunnel information of the second service network element.

15. A communication system, characterized in that: include: Control network element and N service network elements; The control network element is configured to determine M pieces of association information associated with a service, the M pieces of association information are associated with the N service network elements, one piece of association information among the M pieces of association information is associated with one of the N service network elements, the first piece of association information among the M pieces of association information includes a first service function list and a first indication information, the first service function list includes at least one service function provided by the service network element associated with the first association information for the service, the first indication information is used to instruct the service network element associated with the first association information to send data to the service network element associated with the (I+1)th association information, the data being obtained after the service network element associated with the first association information processes the service according to the first service function list, the Mth piece of association information among the M pieces of association information includes an Mth service function list, the Mth service function list includes at least one service function provided by the service network element associated with the Mth association information among the N service network elements for the service, M is a positive integer greater than 1, I is a positive integer less than M, and N is a positive integer equal to or less than M; The control network element is used to send the M association information to the N service network elements; A first service network element among the N service network elements is configured to receive association information associated with the first service network element among the M association information; The first service network element is used to process the business according to the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information.

16. The system according to claim 15, characterized in that The first service network element is further used for: Processing the service according to the service function list in the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information to obtain the data; Send the data to the (I+1)th service network element according to the indication information in the association information associated with the Ith service network element in the M association information.

17. The system according to claim 15, characterized in that The first service network element is further used for: Processing the service according to the service function list in the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information to obtain the data; According to the indication information in the association information associated with the I service network element in the M association information, the service chain identifier of the service and the data are sent to the I+1 service network element, the service chain identifier of the service is associated with the service function list associated with the I+1 service network element, and the association information associated with the I service network element in the M association information also includes the service chain identifier of the service.

18. A system according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that The service function list in the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information is a service identifier, and the service identifier is associated with at least one service function included in the service function list in the association information associated with the first service network element in the M association information.

19. The system according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that The control network element is further used for: Determining business information and M service information, the M service information are associated with N service network elements, one service information of the M service information is associated with one service network element of the N service network elements, one service information of the M service information is used to indicate at least one service function supported by the associated service network element of the N service network elements, the business information is used to indicate at least two service functions required by the business, and at least one service function included in the service function list included in each of the M association information belongs to the at least two service functions; The M pieces of associated information are determined according to the business information and the M pieces of service information.

20. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that The control network element is further used for: M registration information is received, wherein the M registration information is associated with the N service network elements, one service information in the M registration information is associated with a service network element in the N service network elements, and one registration information in the M registration information includes service information of a service network element associated with the N service network elements.

21. The system according to claim 19, characterized in that The control network element is further used for: Sending query information, where the query information is used to request querying the M service information; Receive response information, where the response information includes the M service information.

22. A system according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that The control network element is further used for: Receive request information, where the request information is used to request processing of the service, and the request information includes the service information.

23. A system according to any one of claims 15 to 22, characterised in that The Ith indication information is the indication information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information, and the indication information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information includes the tunnel information of the service network element associated with the I+1th association information.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: comprising a processor configured to, by executing a computer program or instructions, or, by means of a logic circuit, The communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or The communication device is enabled to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 14.

25. The communication device according to claim 24, characterized in that The communication device further comprises a memory for storing the computer program or instructions.

26. The communication device according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that: The communication device further comprises a communication interface, and the communication interface is used for inputting and / or outputting signals.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: It includes a logic circuit and an input / output interface, wherein the input / output interface is used to input and / or output signals. The logic circuit is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or, The logic circuit is configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 14 .

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The computer readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed on a computer, so that the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 is performed, or, The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14 is performed.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that Contains instructions that, when executed on a computer, so that the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 is performed, or, The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14 is performed.

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