A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method and device, which are applied to the technical field of communication, and the method comprises the following steps: a first network element receives a first request from a second network element, the first request is used for determining a first relay node, and the second network element is used for managing a second relay node; the first network element sends first information to the second network element, the first information is used for indicating the first relay node, and a communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node and data transmission can be performed. By adopting the application, the same data can be avoided from being repeatedly buffered by different relay nodes, so that the storage resource consumption of the network is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of communication technology, media transmission technology is also constantly being updated. Currently, the transmission protocols in the Internet only support end-to-end encryption, resulting in only transparent transmission in intermediate networks. This limits the network's ability to optimize media transmission and cannot effectively protect user privacy. To improve user experience, existing media transmission protocols can be integrated through the Media over QUIC (MoQ) protocol based on Quick UDP Internet Connections (QUIC). A trusted relay node is introduced into the MoQ architecture to achieve collaboration between services and the network, enabling the network to optimize the user experience based on network conditions and service needs.

[0003] In the MoQ architecture, relay nodes can cache data locally, allowing clients to retrieve media data from them. This reduces latency when clients access the source server, resulting in a faster media playback experience. However, networks typically deploy multiple relay nodes, each caching its own media data and capable of accessing the same data. This caching mechanism can lead to different relay nodes caching the same media data, increasing the network's computational and storage resource consumption. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can avoid different relay nodes repeatedly caching the same data, thereby reducing the consumption of network storage resources.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which is applied to a first network element, or a chip or circuit configured in the first network element, the method comprising:

[0006] The first network element receives a first request from the second network element, the first request being used to determine the first relay node, and the second network element being used to manage the second relay node.

[0007] The first network element sends first information to the second network element. The first information is used to instruct the first relay node. A communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed.

[0008] By receiving the first request, the first network element can discover the third network element used to manage the first relay node based on the target network element type and channel namespace in the first request, or the first network element can discover the fourth network element used to manage the third network element based on the target network element type in the first request. By sending the first information, it is beneficial for the second network element to determine the first relay node through the third network element, or it is beneficial for the second network element to first determine the third network element through the fourth network element and then determine the first relay node through the third network element. Thus, it is known that a communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node and data transmission can be performed. This avoids the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, thereby reducing network caching overhead and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0009] In one possible design, the first request includes at least one of the following: a target network element type or a channel namespace; the channel namespace is used to determine the first relay node. This allows the first network element to locate the target network element using an indication of the target network element type and / or with a weaker search effort, thereby accelerating the query and transmission rates.

[0010] In another possible design, the first information includes at least one of the following: address information, instance information, or port information of the third network element; the third network element is used to manage the first relay node. This allows the second network element to subsequently request the first relay node and the second relay node to establish a communication tunnel through the third network element, thereby avoiding the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0011] In another possible design, the first network element receives a second request from the third network element, the second request including a channel namespace supported by the third network element, the channel namespace corresponding to data cached by the first relay node; the first network element stores the channel namespace supported by the third network element. By receiving the second request, the first network element can pre-store the channel namespace supported by the third network element, which helps improve the efficiency of data management and storage of the first network element.

[0012] In another possible design, the first information includes at least one of the following: address information or instance information of the fourth network element; the fourth network element is used to manage the third network element. This is beneficial because the second network element can subsequently discover the third network element used to manage the first relay node through the fourth network element, and then request the first relay node and the second relay node to establish a communication tunnel through the third network element, thereby avoiding the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0013] In another possible design, the first network element receives a third request from the fourth network element, the third request being for registration; the first network element sends a first response to the fourth network element, the first response indicating successful registration. By receiving the third request, the first network element can pre-store the address information and / or instance information of the fourth network element, which helps improve the efficiency of data management and storage of the first network element.

[0014] In another possible design, the third request includes at least one of the following: address information or instance information of the fourth network element. This allows the first network element to pre-store the address information and / or instance information of the fourth network element, thereby improving the efficiency of data management and storage for the first network element.

[0015] In another possible design, the first network element receives a fourth request from the third network element, the fourth request being for the discovery of the fourth network element; the first network element sends a second response to the third network element, the second response including the address information of the fourth network element, the address information of the fourth network element being used to instruct the third network element to request the fourth network element to store the channel namespace supported by the third network element. By receiving the fourth request, the first network element can discover the fourth network element used to manage the third network element according to the target network element type; by sending the second response, the third network element can request the fourth network element to pre-store the channel namespace supported by the third network element, thereby improving the data management and storage efficiency of the fourth network element.

[0016] In another possible design, the fourth request includes the target network element type. This allows the first network element to locate the target network element using the indication of the target network element type, thereby accelerating the query speed.

[0017] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which is applied to a second network element, or a chip or circuit configured in the second network element, the method comprising:

[0018] The second network element sends a first request to the first network element. The first request is used to determine the first relay node, and the second network element is used to manage the second relay node.

[0019] The second network element receives first information from the first network element. The first information is used to instruct the first relay node. A communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed.

[0020] By sending the first request, the first network element can discover the third network element used to manage the first relay node based on the target network element type and channel namespace in the first request, or the first network element can discover the fourth network element used to manage the third network element based on the target network element type in the first request. By receiving the first information, the second network element can determine the first relay node through the third network element, or the second network element can first determine the third network element through the fourth network element and then determine the first relay node through the third network element. This allows it to know that a communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node and that data transmission can be performed. This avoids the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, thereby reducing network caching overhead and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0021] In one possible design, the second network element sends a fifth request to the third network element based on the first information. This fifth request requests the first relay node to establish a communication tunnel with the second relay node to obtain the data requested by the terminal device. The third network element manages the first relay node. By sending the fifth request, the third network element can request the first relay node to establish a communication tunnel with the second relay node, thereby avoiding duplicate caching of the same data by the first and second relay nodes, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating media stream forwarding.

[0022] In another possible design, the fifth request includes at least one of the following: identification information of the second relay node, a general channel name, or first indication information; the general channel name is used to determine the data requested by the terminal device cached by the first relay node; the first indication information is used to indicate that the fifth request is for obtaining the data cached by the first relay node. This allows the third network element to request the first relay node to establish a communication tunnel with the second relay node, thereby avoiding the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0023] In another possible design, the first request includes at least one of the following: a target network element type or a channel namespace; the channel namespace is used to determine the first relay node. This allows the first network element to locate the target network element using an indication of the target network element type and / or with less search effort, thereby accelerating the query and transmission rates.

[0024] In another possible design, the first information includes at least one of the following: address information, instance information, or port information of the third network element. This allows the second network element to request the first relay node and the second relay node to establish a communication tunnel through the third network element, thereby avoiding the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0025] In another possible design, the first information includes at least one of the following: address information or instance information of the fourth network element; the fourth network element is used to manage the third network element. This is beneficial because the second network element can subsequently discover the third network element used to manage the first relay node through the fourth network element, and then request the first relay node and the second relay node to establish a communication tunnel through the third network element, thereby avoiding the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0026] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which is applied to a first relay node, or to a chip or circuit configured in the first relay node, the method comprising:

[0027] The first relay node receives a seventh request from a third network element. The seventh request is used to request the first relay node to establish a communication tunnel with the second relay node to obtain the data requested by the terminal device. The third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

[0028] The first relay node establishes the communication tunnel with the second relay node.

[0029] By receiving the seventh request, the first relay node can establish a communication tunnel between itself and the second relay node and transmit data. This helps to avoid the first and second relay nodes repeatedly caching the same data, thereby reducing network caching overhead and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0030] In one possible design, the seventh request includes at least one of the following: identification information of the second relay node, a general channel name, or first indication information; the general channel name is used to determine the data requested by the terminal device cached by the first relay node; the first indication information is used to indicate that the fifth request is used to obtain the data cached by the first relay node. This facilitates the establishment of a communication tunnel and data transmission between the first and second relay nodes, thereby avoiding duplicate caching of the same data by the first and second relay nodes, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0031] In another possible design, the first relay node sends the data requested by the terminal device to the second relay node. By sending the data requested by the terminal device, the second relay node can obtain the data even if it has not cached the requested data, thereby avoiding duplicate caching of the same data by the first and second relay nodes, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0032] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which is applied to a fourth network element, or a chip or circuit configured in a fourth network element, the method comprising:

[0033] The fourth network element sends a first caching policy to the third network element. The first caching policy is used to instruct the first relay node to cache the first data. The fourth network element is used to manage the second network element and the third network element. The second network element is used to manage the second relay node, and the third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

[0034] The fourth network element sends a second caching strategy to the second network element. The second caching strategy is used to instruct the second relay node to cache the second data, which is different from the first data.

[0035] The fourth network element sends a first request to the third network element. The first request is used to instruct the first relay node that a communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed.

[0036] By sending the first caching strategy and the second caching strategy, the first relay node and the second relay node can each perform data storage and / or content distribution according to the configured caching strategy. By sending the first request, the fourth network element can request the first relay node and the second relay node to establish a communication tunnel through the third network element, thereby avoiding the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0037] In one possible design, the first request includes at least one of the following: first indication information, identification information of the first relay node, or identification information of the second relay node; the first indication information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first relay node and the second relay node. This facilitates the establishment of a communication tunnel between the first relay node and the second relay node, thereby avoiding the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0038] In another possible design, the first caching strategy includes at least one of the following: application identification information, application address information, or channel namespace corresponding to the first data; the second caching strategy includes at least one of the following: application identification information, application address information, or channel namespace corresponding to the second data. This facilitates the first relay node and the second relay node to perform data storage and / or content distribution according to the configured caching strategy.

[0039] In another possible design, the fourth network element receives a second request from the second network element, the second request being used to request the second caching strategy. This facilitates the second relay node in storing and / or distributing the second data according to the configured second caching strategy.

[0040] In another possible design, the fourth network element receives first information from the first relay node. This first information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the first relay node, a channel namespace supported by the third network element, or second indication information. The channel namespace corresponds to the first data. The second indication information is used to instruct the third network element to manage the first relay node. By receiving the first information, the fourth network element can know the identification information of the first relay node, the channel namespace supported by the third network element, and / or whether the third network element manages the first relay node. This allows the fourth network element to subsequently configure a first caching strategy for the first relay node and a second caching strategy for the second relay node, thereby avoiding duplicate caching of the same data by the first and second relay nodes, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating media stream forwarding.

[0041] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which is applied to a third network element, or a chip or circuit configured in a third network element, including:

[0042] The third network element receives a first request from the fourth network element. The first request is used to instruct the first relay node. A communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed. The fourth network element is used to manage the second network element and the third network element. The second network element is used to manage the second relay node, and the third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

[0043] The third network element sends second information to the first relay node, the second information being used by the first relay node to establish a communication tunnel from the first relay node to the second relay node.

[0044] By receiving the first request, the third network element can request the establishment of a communication tunnel between the first relay node and the second relay node. By sending the second information, the first relay node can establish a communication tunnel from the first relay node to the second relay node, thereby avoiding the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0045] In one possible design, the first request includes at least one of the following: first indication information, identification information of the first relay node, or identification information of the second relay node; the first indication information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first relay node and the second relay node. This facilitates the establishment of a communication tunnel between the first relay node and the second relay node, thereby avoiding the first relay node and the second relay node from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0046] In another possible design, the second information includes at least one of the following: the first indication information or the identification information of the second relay node. This facilitates the establishment of a communication tunnel from the first relay node to the second relay node, thereby avoiding duplicate caching of the same data by the first and second relay nodes, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0047] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which is applied to a first relay node, or to a chip or circuit configured in the first relay node, including:

[0048] The first relay node receives second information from a third network element. The second information includes at least one of a first indication information and a second relay node identification information. The first indication information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first relay node and the second relay node. The third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

[0049] Based on the second information, the first relay node establishes a communication tunnel between itself and the second relay node for data transmission.

[0050] By receiving the second information, the first relay node can establish a communication tunnel between itself and the second relay node, thereby avoiding the first and second relay nodes from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0051] In one possible design, the first relay node sends first information to the fourth network element. This first information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the first relay node, a channel namespace supported by the third network element, or second indication information; the channel namespace corresponds to first data; the second indication information instructs the third network element to manage the first relay node; the fourth network element manages both the second and third network elements, and the second network element manages the second relay node. By sending the first information, the fourth network element can learn the identification information of the first relay node, the channel namespace supported by the third network element, and / or whether the third network element manages the first relay node. This allows the fourth network element to subsequently configure a first caching strategy for the first relay node and a second caching strategy for the second relay node, preventing the first and second relay nodes from repeatedly caching the same data, thereby reducing network caching overhead and accelerating media stream forwarding.

[0052] In another possible design, the first relay node sends a third message to the second relay node, the third message indicating the first data. Sending the third message allows the second relay node to know the data cached by the first relay node.

[0053] In another possible design, the third information includes the channel namespace supported by the third network element. This allows the second relay node to know the data cached by the first relay node.

[0054] In another possible design, the first relay node receives a fourth message from the second relay node, indicating that the second relay node has not cached the data requested by the terminal device; the first relay node then sends the data requested by the terminal device to the second relay node. By receiving the fourth message, the first relay node can send the data requested by the terminal device to the second relay node. This allows the second relay node to obtain the data even if it has not cached it, thus avoiding duplicate caching of the same data by both the first and second relay nodes, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating media stream forwarding.

[0055] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device applied in a network repository function (NRF) network element. The communication device can be an NRF network element or a chip in an NRF network element. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, and a communication bus. The communication bus is used to enable communication between the processor and the memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory to implement the steps of the first aspect described above.

[0056] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device applied in a second session management function (SMF) network element. The communication device can be a second SMF network element or a chip in the second SMF network element. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, and a communication bus. The communication bus is used to realize communication between the processor and the memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory to implement the steps of the second aspect above.

[0057] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device applied in a global session management function (GSMF) network element. The communication device can be a GSMF network element or a chip in a GSMF network element. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, and a communication bus. The communication bus is used to realize communication between the processor and the memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory to implement the steps of the fourth aspect above.

[0058] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device applied in a first SMF network element. The communication device can be the first SMF network element or a chip in the first SMF network element. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, and a communication bus. The communication bus is used to realize communication between the processor and the memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory to implement the steps of the fifth aspect above.

[0059] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device applied in a first user plane function (UPF) network element. The communication device can be the first UPF network element or a chip in the first UPF network element. The communication device includes a processor, a memory, and a communication bus. The communication bus is used to realize communication between the processor and the memory. The processor executes a program stored in the memory to implement the steps of the third and sixth aspects described above.

[0060] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described above.

[0061] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described above.

[0062] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including a processor and a communication interface for communicating with external or internal devices, and the processor for implementing the methods described in the above aspects.

[0063] In one possible design, the chip may further include a memory storing computer programs or instructions, which the processor executes, either from the stored computer programs or instructions or derived from other programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor implements the methods described above.

[0064] In one possible design, the chip can be integrated onto the NRF network element, the second SMF network element, the GSMF network element, the first SMF network element, and the first UPF network element.

[0065] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system comprising an NRF network element, a second SMF network element, a GSMF network element, a first SMF network element, and / or a first UPF network element. The NRF network element is used to perform the method described in the first aspect, the second SMF network element is used to perform the method described in the second aspect, the GSMF network element is used to perform the method described in the fourth aspect, the first SMF network element is used to perform the method described in the fifth aspect, and the first UPF network element is used to perform the methods described in the third and sixth aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0066] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the background art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application or the background art will be described below.

[0067] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the communication method in the embodiments of this application;

[0068] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another network architecture applicable to the communication method in the embodiments of this application;

[0069] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a content distribution architecture;

[0070] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another content distribution architecture;

[0071] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 7This is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a content distribution architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 12 This is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 13 This is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 14 This is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0085] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0087] The following explanations of some of the terms used in this application are provided to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0088] (1) Relay Node: Also known as a relay station, in a media over QUIC (MoQ) architecture based on Quick UDP internet connections, relay nodes can be used to achieve large-scale distribution. Relay nodes can form an overlay distribution network, functioning similarly to a content delivery network (CDN). Furthermore, relay nodes can also serve as policy enforcement points, validating subscription and publish requests at the network edge.

[0089] (2) Track namespace: An ordered tuple of N bytes, where N is between 1 and 32. The track namespace is generally used to indicate which source station the data comes from.

[0090] (3) Full track name: This generally refers to the specific data content. The full track name includes the track name and the track namespace.

[0091] (4) GSMF network element: responsible for managing the channel namespace related to the content supported by the SMF network element within the network.

[0092] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0093] It should be understood that in the description of this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. In addition, the words "first," "second," etc., unless otherwise stated, are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0094] It should be understood that in the description of this application, the indication includes direct indication (also known as explicit indication) and implicit indication. Direct indication information A refers to information A being included; implicit indication information A refers to information A being indicated through the correspondence between information A and information B, and the direct indication information B. The correspondence between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured.

[0095] It should be understood that, in the description of this application, information C is used to determine information D, including both situations where information D is determined solely based on information C and situations where it is determined based on information C and other information. Furthermore, information C can also be used to determine information D indirectly, for example, where information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

[0096] Furthermore, in this application, "device A sends information A to device B" can be understood as device B being the destination of information A or an intermediate device in the transmission path between the destination and device B, which may include sending information directly or indirectly to device B. Similarly, "device B receives information A from device A" can be understood as device A being the source of information A or an intermediate device in the transmission path between the source and device A, which may include receiving information directly or indirectly from device A. Information may undergo necessary processing, such as format changes, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted in a similar way and will not be elaborated further here.

[0097] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5G mobile communication systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) systems, or satellite communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems, or other communication systems. Furthermore, they can be applied to future communication systems or converged systems of multiple systems.

[0098] In this communication system, one network element can send signals to or receive signals from another network element. Signals may include information, signaling, or data; a network element may also be replaced by an entity, network entity, device, communication equipment, communication module, node, communication node, etc. This application uses a network element as an example for description.

[0099] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to the communication method in embodiments of this application. Specifically, the network architecture may include at least one relay node, for example... Figure 1 The network architecture shown includes relay node 1, relay node 2, and relay node 3; it may also include at least one data network (DN), for example... Figure 1 The network architecture shown includes DN1, DN2, and DN3; it may also include at least one CDN, for example... Figure 1 The diagram shows CDN 1, CDN 2, and CDN 3. CDN 1 is communicatively connected to relay node 1 and DN 1; CDN 2 is communicatively connected to relay node 2 and DN 2; and CDN 3 is communicatively connected to relay node 3 and DN 3. Relay nodes 1, 2, and 3 can share content. These communication connections are used for signal transmission.

[0100] Optionally, relay node 1, relay node 2, and / or relay node 3 may refer to a packet data network gateway (PGW) in a fourth-generation (4G) network; or, relay node 1, relay node 2, and / or relay node 3 may refer to a UPF network element in a 5G network; or, relay node 1, relay node 2, and / or relay node 3 may refer to a network element in a future communication network that includes relay node functionality, which is not limited in this application.

[0101] Optionally, DN 1, DN 2, and DN 3 can refer to different origin servers. For example, DN 1 can refer to the Huya application (APP), DN 2 can refer to the Toutiao APP, and DN 3 can refer to the Douyin APP.

[0102] It should be noted that, Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram for ease of understanding only. The network architecture may also include other devices, such as terminal devices and / or wireless backhaul devices. Figure 1 The network architecture is not shown in the diagram. In practical applications, this network architecture may include multiple relay nodes, multiple CDNs, or multiple DNs. This application embodiment does not limit the number of relay nodes, CDNs, and DNs included in the network architecture.

[0103] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of another network architecture applicable to the communication method in the embodiments of this application. This network architecture can refer to a 5G network architecture, mainly comprising an access network and a core network. The access network is used to implement functions related to radio access. The core network mainly includes the following key logical network elements: access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, SMF network element, UPF network element, and NRF network element. The following describes... Figure 2 This section introduces the various network elements involved:

[0104] User equipment (UE) can be terminal equipment, such as mobile phones, IoT terminal devices, etc.

[0105] Radio access network (RAN) equipment is equipment that provides radio access for UEs, including but not limited to next generation NodeB (gNB), wireless-fidelity (WiFi) access points, and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) base stations.

[0106] AMF network elements are primarily responsible for mobility management in mobile networks, such as user location updates, user network registration, and user handover.

[0107] The SMF (Service Provider Function) element is primarily responsible for session management in mobile networks, such as session establishment, modification, and release. Specific functions include assigning Internet Protocol (IP) addresses to the UE and selecting a UPF (User Provider Function) to provide packet forwarding capabilities.

[0108] UPF network elements are primarily responsible for processing user packets, such as forwarding and billing.

[0109] NRF network elements are primarily responsible for service registration, service discovery, subscription, and notification of network functions (NFs). Service registration refers to the process where an NF registers with the NRF upon going online, providing its basic information such as NF type and service interface. Service discovery allows an NF to find NF instances that can provide the required service by sending a discovery request to the NRF network element when it needs to call the services of other NFs. Subscription allows NFs to subscribe to events of interest (such as the going online or offline of another NF), and the NRF network element proactively notifies subscribers when the event occurs, enabling the NF to be aware of changes in network status. Notification refers to the NRF network element sending notifications to NFs that have subscribed to an event when the status of an NF changes (such as starting, stopping, or load changes).

[0110] The DN is primarily responsible for providing data transmission services to users, such as IP multimedia service (IMS) and the Internet. The UE accesses the DN by establishing a session between the UE, RAN, UPF, and DN.

[0111] In this context, dashed lines between network elements or between a network element and a device can refer to signaling interfaces, while solid lines between network elements or between a network element and a device can refer to user plane interfaces. For example, the interface between the UE and the AMF network element is a signaling interface; the interface between the AMF and SMF network elements is a signaling interface; the interface between the SMF and NRF network elements is a signaling interface; the interface between the AMF and RAN devices is a signaling interface; the interface between the SMF and UPF network elements is a signaling interface; the interface between the UE and RAN devices is a user plane interface; the interface between the RAN devices and UPF network elements is a user plane interface; and the interface between the UPF and DN is a user plane interface. Other interfaces are similar and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0112] It should be noted that, Figure 2 This is a simplified diagram for ease of understanding only; other network elements may also be included in this network architecture. Figure 2 It is not shown in the diagram. In practical applications, the network elements included in this network architecture are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0113] The rapid development of communication and internet technologies has also driven the continuous updating of media transmission technologies. For example, video conferencing typically uses web real-time communication (WebRTC) technology, traditional streaming media uses real-time streaming protocol (RTSP), real-time transport protocol (RTP), and real-time transport control protocol (RTCP), while long video-on-demand and live streaming typically use dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) protocol based on hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and HTTP live streaming (HLS) technology, etc.

[0114] To protect copyright and user privacy, content encryption has become increasingly common, with encrypted traffic now accounting for over 90% of internet traffic. However, existing transport protocols only support end-to-end encryption, resulting in transparent transmission over intermediate networks. This limits the network's ability to optimize media transmission and effectively improve user experience. To address this issue, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) proposed the MoQ protocol to integrate media transport protocols. Furthermore, the MoQ architecture introduces trusted relay nodes to enable collaboration between services and the network, allowing the network to optimize user experience based on network conditions and service needs.

[0115] The MoQ protocol in the embodiments of this application will be further illustrated by example below.

[0116] In modern networks, the QUIC protocol has gained widespread support as the underlying protocol of HTTP / 3 because its performance is significantly superior to that of the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Media forwarding based on the QUIC protocol is also gradually being accepted by various CDN vendors.

[0117] The MoQ transport (MOQT) protocol is optimized for the QUIC protocol and can directly transmit media via QUIC or WebTransport. The MOQT protocol utilizes a publish / subscribe process, allowing media producers to publish data in response to subscription requests from multiple endpoints. The development of the MOQT protocol was driven by goals in multiple areas, such as latency, QUIC stability, workflow efficiency, and relay support. Specifically:

[0118] (1) Latency: HTTP adaptive streaming (HAS) has been successfully scaled, but usually at the cost of latency. If based on the TCP protocol, congestion detection is slow and affected by head-of-line blocking. If using the UDP protocol, queuing can be avoided, but the complexity is too high. The goal of the MOQT protocol is to create a simple and flexible low-latency protocol that leverages the functionality of the QUIC protocol, enabling rapid detection and response to congestion.

[0119] (2) Based on QUIC: The parallel nature of QUIC streams can improve packet loss. The goal of the MOQT protocol is to design a streaming protocol that takes advantage of the transmission benefits and flexible loss recovery options provided by parallel QUIC streams.

[0120] (3) Universality: The goal of the MOQT protocol is to develop a single protocol that can be used for transmission from subscription to distribution.

[0121] (4) Relays: An integral goal of the MOQT protocol is to enable the ability to transmit media at scale by utilizing third-party networks (relays) independent of publishers and subscribers to forward content. The goal of the MOQT protocol is to treat relays as part of the protocol transmission and to ensure that the media data itself remains opaque and private.

[0122] Currently, the internet utilizes CDN for content distribution. The CDN access process relies on Domain Name System (DNS) redirection technology, directing users to the geographically nearest edge CDN node server. Specifically, the user first sends a domain name resolution request to the root DNS server. Upon receiving this request, the root DNS server forwards it to the authoritative DNS server, including the root DNS server's IP address. When the DNS server receives a DNS record, it redirects to the CDN domain name server in the CDN node network layer. The CDN domain name server then performs the resolution operation, analyzing network congestion and load based on the local DNS server's IP address, and returns the most suitable CDN node server's IP address to the root DNS server. The root DNS server then sends the CDN node server's IP address to the user. Upon receiving this address, the user directly sends a request to the CDN node server to retrieve website content. CDN is a technology that uses distributed nodes to deploy servers globally and instantly distribute static or dynamic resources such as websites, applications, videos, and audio to the nearest node where users are located. This improves the speed and stability of users accessing these contents, reduces network congestion and latency, and also reduces the pressure on the origin server, thereby improving the availability and security of the network or application.

[0123] For example, such as Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a content distribution architecture. This architecture uses a CDN for content distribution and mainly includes a UE, a local DNS, a dedicated CDN DNS, a CDN load balancing system, CDN caching servers, and the origin content server (i.e., the origin server). The local DNS communicates with both the UE and the dedicated CDN DNS; the CDN load balancing system communicates with both the UE and the CDN caching servers; and the CDN caching servers communicate with the origin content server. These communication connections are used for signal transmission.

[0124] Optionally, in this network architecture, UE can refer to the user terminal, local DNS can refer to the root DNS server, CDN dedicated DNS can refer to the authoritative DNS server, CDN load balancing system can refer to the domain name resolution server, CDN cache server can refer to the CDN domain name server, and source content server can refer to the website.

[0125] However, the above-mentioned process of using CDN for content distribution has the following main drawbacks: (1) CDN has relatively poor real-time performance. When the origin server updates the content, the cache server may not immediately reflect these changes, resulting in a desynchronization between the origin server and the cache server, causing the content accessed by the user to be outdated. (2) CDN is more suitable for distributing static content and is difficult to cache dynamic real-time interactive data of users. That is, CDN has insufficient processing capability for dynamic content, which makes it difficult for CDN to cope with application scenarios with high real-time requirements, such as real-time video conferencing and live streaming. (3) Since different types of data (such as real-time media, on-demand movies and live sports events) involve different protocols and formats, CDN needs to deploy independent networks for different types of data, which limits the flexibility and efficiency of resources.

[0126] To address the aforementioned issues, the internet can also employ relay nodes for content distribution. In the MoQ architecture, a relay node is a node that uses the MoQ protocol. Relay nodes can cache media data locally without altering its content. Clients can retrieve media data from relay nodes, reducing latency when accessing the origin server and providing a faster media playback experience. The MoQ streaming media sent from the media source (i.e., the origin server) to the relay node includes not only media data but also metadata to identify media attributes. Relay nodes can sense network congestion levels and, based on media data characteristics, optimize transmission operations through priority scheduling, cache management, dependency handling, and selective discarding, thereby improving the video experience.

[0127] For example, such as Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another content distribution architecture. This architecture uses relay nodes for content distribution and mainly includes the origin server, CDN, relay node 1, relay node 2, UE 1, and UE 2. The CDN communicates with the origin server, relay node 1, and relay node 2 respectively; relay node 1 communicates with UE 1; and relay node 2 communicates with UE 2. These communication connections are used for signal transmission.

[0128] In this network architecture, relay node 1 and relay node 2 can each cache media data locally, and the UE can obtain the required media data from either relay node 1 or relay node 2.

[0129] However, multiple relay nodes are typically deployed in a network. These relay nodes each cache media data and can access the same media data. This caching mechanism may cause different relay nodes to cache the same media data, thereby increasing the network's computing and storage resource consumption.

[0130] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the embodiments of this application provide the following solutions.

[0131] This application uses an example where the first network element is an NRF network element, the second network element is a second SMF network element, the third network element is a first SMF network element, the fourth network element is a GSMF network element, the first relay node is a first UPF network element, the second relay node is a second UPF network element, and the terminal device is a UE, to illustrate the technical solution of this application. Here, the first SMF network element can refer to the SMF network element used to manage the first UPF network element, and the second SMF network element can refer to the SMF network element used to manage the second UPF network element; this will not be elaborated further below. Furthermore, the first UPF network element can generally refer to one of multiple UPF network elements, the second UPF network element can also generally refer to one of multiple UPF network elements, and the UE can also generally refer to one of multiple UEs. This application does not limit the number of UPF network elements and UEs.

[0132] It should be noted that the names NRF network element, SMF network element, GSMF network element, and UPF network element are used for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application. With the development of communication and Internet technologies, these four network elements may adopt other names. For example, an NRF network element may also be described as a network database control network element, or a network database network element, etc.; an SMF network element may also be described as a session management control network element, or a session management network element, etc.; and so on, which will not be elaborated here.

[0133] like Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

[0134] S501: The second SMF network element sends the first request to the NRF network element.

[0135] Here, the first request is used to identify the first UPF network element, and the second SMF network element is used to manage the second UPF network element. The first request may include at least one of the following: target network element type or channel namespace; the channel namespace is used to identify the first UPF network element.

[0136] Optionally, the target network element type can refer to SMF type or GSMF type; the channel namespace can refer to the application to which the data requested by the terminal device belongs, such as Douyin APP, Toutiao APP or Huya APP, etc.; the data requested by the terminal device can refer to the media data required by the terminal device.

[0137] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the second SMF network element can manage at least one UPF network element, where the at least one UPF network element includes the second UPF network element. Each UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element can cache different data locally. Furthermore, the first SMF network element can also manage at least one UPF network element, where the at least one UPF network element includes the first UPF network element. Each UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element can also cache different data locally. In addition, the data cached by the UPF network element managed by the second SMF network element is different from the data cached by the UPF network element managed by the first SMF network element. This caching mechanism ensures that different UPF network elements within the network do not repeatedly cache the same data, thereby reducing the consumption of network storage resources.

[0138] In one possible implementation, the second SMF network element sends a first request to the NRF network element. The first request may include the target network element type and the channel namespace, where the target network element type is the SMF type. After receiving the first request, the NRF network element can query based on the SMF type and the channel namespace to discover the first SMF network element used to manage the first UPF network element.

[0139] In another possible implementation, the second SMF network element sends a first request to the NRF network element. The first request may include the target network element type, which is the GSMF type. After receiving the first request, the NRF network element can query according to the GSMF type to find the GSMF network element used to manage the first SMF network element.

[0140] Furthermore, after receiving the first request, the NRF network element determines the first UPF network element in two main ways: Case 1, the first UPF network element is determined through the first SMF network element; Case 2, the first SMF network element is determined first through the GSMF network element, and then the first UPF network element is determined through the first SMF network element.

[0141] The specific process for determining the first UPF network element can be referred to Figures 6-9 The corresponding descriptions in the method embodiments shown are not detailed here.

[0142] S502: The NRF network element sends the first information to the second SMF network element.

[0143] Here, the first information is used to indicate the first UPF network element, and a communication tunnel can be established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element, and data transmission can be performed. The first information may include at least one of the following: address information, instance information, or port information of the first SMF network element; or, the first information may include at least one of the following: address information or instance information of the GSMF network element.

[0144] Optionally, address information can refer to an IP address; instance information can refer to an instance identifier; and port information can refer to a port number.

[0145] In one possible implementation, the first information may include the address information, instance information, and / or port information of the first SMF network element.

[0146] Specifically, if the first request includes the target network element type and channel namespace, and the target network element type is an SMF type, then the NRF network element can send first information containing the address information, instance information, and / or port information of the first SMF network element to the second SMF network element. After receiving the first information, the second SMF network element can, based on the address information, instance information, and / or port information of the first SMF network element, request the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel with the second network element for data transmission.

[0147] In another possible implementation, the first information may include the address information and / or instance information of the GSMF network element.

[0148] Specifically, if the first request includes a target network element type and the target network element type is GSMF, then the NRF network element can send first information containing the address information and / or instance information of the GSMF network element to the second SMF network element. After receiving the first information, the second SMF network element can, based on the address information and / or instance information of the GSMF network element, first discover the first SMF network element through the GSMF network element, and then request the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel with the second network element for data transmission.

[0149] In this embodiment, by receiving a first request, the NRF network element can discover the first SMF network element used to manage the first UPF network element based on the SMF type and channel namespace, or the NRF network element can discover the GSMF network element used to manage the first SMF network element based on the GSMF type. By sending the first information, it is beneficial for the second SMF network element to determine the first UPF network element through the first SMF network element, or it is beneficial for the second SMF network element to first determine the first SMF network element through the GSMF network element and then determine the first UPF network element through the first SMF network element. This allows it to know that a communication tunnel can be established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element and that data transmission can be performed. This avoids the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element repeatedly caching the same data, thereby reducing network caching overhead and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0150] like Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, as detailed below.

[0151] In this scenario, before determining the first UPF network element through the first SMF network element, a protocol data unit (PDU) session needs to be established between the UE and the UPF network element. Optionally, the UPF network element here may include the first UPF network element and / or the second UPF network element. The steps in the embodiments of this application include at least:

[0152] S601: The SMF network element sends a registration request to the NRF network element.

[0153] Optionally, the SMF network element here may include a first SMF network element and / or a second SMF network element; the first SMF network element is used to manage the first UPF network element; the second SMF network element is used to manage the second UPF network element.

[0154] The registration request here includes at least one of the following: the network element type, address information, or instance information corresponding to the SMF network element; the network element type here is the SMF type, the address information can refer to the IP address of the SMF network element, and the instance information can refer to the instance identifier of the SMF network element.

[0155] S602: The NRF network element sends a registration response to the SMF network element.

[0156] The registration response here is used to indicate successful registration.

[0157] Specifically, after receiving a registration request, an NRF network element can store the network element type, address information, and / or instance information corresponding to the SMF network element in the registration request, and send a registration response to the SMF network element.

[0158] S603: The UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF network element.

[0159] The PDU session establishment request here includes parameters such as slice information.

[0160] S604: The AMF network element selects the SMF network element based on the PDU session establishment request.

[0161] Specifically, after receiving a PDU session establishment request, the AMF network element selects an SMF network element based on parameters such as slice information included in the PDU session establishment request.

[0162] S605: The AMF network element sends a context establishment request to the SMF network element.

[0163] Here, the context creation request can refer to Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContextRequest.

[0164] S606: The SMF network element sends a context establishment response to the AMF network element.

[0165] S607: SMF network element selects UPF network element.

[0166] Here, the UPF network element is used to serve the UE.

[0167] S608: The SMF network element sends an N4 session establishment request to the UPF network element.

[0168] Here, the N4 session establishment request is used to instruct the UPF network element to establish the N4 session corresponding to the PDU session.

[0169] S609: The UPF network element sends an N4 session establishment response to the SMF network element.

[0170] S610: The SMF network element sends an N2 resource transfer request to the AMF network element.

[0171] Here, N2 resource transfer request can refer to Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer.

[0172] S611: The AMF network element sends an N2 resource transfer response to the SMF network element.

[0173] Here, the N2 resource transfer response is used to indicate that the PDU session has been established.

[0174] S612: The UE sends a service request to the UPF network element.

[0175] Here, the service request is used to indicate the data requested by the UE; the service request may include the channel namespace corresponding to the data.

[0176] S613: The UPF network element sends a service request to the application server.

[0177] S614: The application server sends the UE request data to the UPF network element.

[0178] S615: The UPF network element sends the data requested by the UE to the UE.

[0179] The UPF network element here supports the function of relay nodes in the MoQ architecture.

[0180] Specifically, after receiving the data requested by the UE, the UPF network element can cache the data locally and then send the data to the UE.

[0181] S616: The general channel name corresponding to the data requested by the UE sent by the UPF network element to the SMF network element.

[0182] The overall channel name here includes the channel namespace and the channel name. The channel namespace is used to indicate the application to which the data belongs, and the channel name is used to indicate the media attribute to which the data belongs. Therefore, the overall channel name is used to indicate the application and media attribute to which the data belongs.

[0183] For example, the channel namespace can refer to the Douyin (TikTok) app, and the channel name can refer to the video data. In this case, the overall channel name can refer to the video data of the Douyin app.

[0184] It's important to note that the main channel name and the channel namespace have different transmission weights; the channel namespace has a weaker transmission weight than the main channel name. Using the channel namespace for queries can improve both query and transmission speeds.

[0185] S617: The SMF network element sends a receive response to the UPF network element.

[0186] S618: The SMF network element sends the first registration update request to the NRF network element.

[0187] The first registration update request here includes the channel namespace in the total channel name in step S616.

[0188] Optionally, the first SMF network element can also send a second request to the NRF network element. The second request includes the channel namespace supported by the first SMF network element, where the channel namespace corresponds to the data cached by the first UPF network element.

[0189] S619: The NRF network element sends the first registration update response to the SMF network element.

[0190] Specifically, after receiving the first registration update request, the NRF network element can store the channel namespace in the total channel name and send the first registration update response to the SMF network element.

[0191] Optionally, the NRF network element can also store the channel namespace supported by the first SMF network element.

[0192] In this embodiment, after the UPF network element stores new data as a relay node, it can send the total channel name corresponding to the cached data to the SMF network element. After receiving the total channel name, the SMF network element can send a registration update request to the NRF network element. The registration update request includes the channel namespace supported by the SMF network element.

[0193] Furthermore, after a PDU session is established between the UE and the UPF network element, the first UPF network element can be determined through the first SMF network element. A communication tunnel can be established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element, and data transmission can be performed.

[0194] like Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The details are as follows.

[0195] In this scenario, the first SMF network element can be determined first through the NRF network element, and then the first UPF network element can request the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel with the second UPF network element. This helps avoid the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element repeatedly caching the same data, thereby reducing network caching overhead and accelerating the forwarding of media streams. The steps in the embodiments of this application include at least:

[0196] S701: The UE sends a service request to the second UPF network element.

[0197] Here, the service request is used to indicate the data requested by the UE; the service request may include the channel namespace corresponding to the data.

[0198] S702: The second UPF network element sends a sixth request to the second SMF network element.

[0199] The sixth request here is used to request data requested by the UE. The sixth request may include at least one of the following: the overall channel name corresponding to the data requested by the UE, the first indication information, or the identification information of the second UPF network element. The sixth request may refer to a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session modification request, or it may refer to a PFCP session report request; this application does not limit this. The overall channel name may refer to the application and media attributes to which the data requested by the UE belongs, for example, video data from the Douyin (TikTok) app. The first indication information is used to indicate that the fifth request in subsequent step S705 is used to obtain data cached by the first UPF network element; the first indication information may refer to a MoQ request purpose indicator. The identification information of the second UPF network element may refer to the communication identifier of the second UPF network element, and the communication identifier of the second UPF network element may include at least one of the following: the IP address of the second UPF network element or the tunnel end point identifier (TEID).

[0200] Optionally, the first indication information here can be a new information cell; or it can be i bits from an existing information cell, where i is an integer greater than 0.

[0201] Specifically, after receiving a service request, the second UPF network element can query whether the data requested by the UE is cached locally based on the channel namespace in the service request. When the second UPF network element finds that the data requested by the UE is not cached locally, the second UPF network element can send a sixth request to the second SMF network element.

[0202] Optionally, when the second UPF network element finds that the data requested by the UE has been cached locally, the second UPF network element can send the data requested by the UE to the UE.

[0203] S703: The second SMF network element sends the first request to the NRF network element.

[0204] Here, the first request is used to identify the first UPF network element, and the second SMF network element is used to manage the second UPF network element. The first request may include the target network element type and the channel namespace; the channel namespace is used to identify the first UPF network element.

[0205] Specifically, the second SMF network element sends a first request to the NRF network element. The first request includes the target network element type and the channel namespace. Here, the target network element type is the SMF type. After receiving the first request, the NRF network element can search according to the SMF type and the channel namespace to find the first SMF network element used to manage the first UPF network element.

[0206] S704: The NRF network element sends the first information to the second SMF network element.

[0207] Here, the first information is used to indicate the first UPF network element, and a communication tunnel can be established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element, and data transmission can be performed. The first information may include at least one of the following: address information, instance information, or port information of the first SMF network element.

[0208] Optionally, address information can refer to an IP address; instance information can refer to an instance identifier; and port information can refer to a port number.

[0209] Specifically, after receiving the first information, the second SMF network element can, based on the address information, instance information, and / or port information of the first SMF network element, request the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel with the second network element for data transmission.

[0210] S705: The second SMF network element sends a fifth request to the first SMF network element.

[0211] Here, the fifth request is used to request the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel with the second UPF network element to obtain the data requested by the UE. The first SMF network element is used to manage the first UPF network element. The fifth request includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the second UPF network element, the overall channel name, or the first indication information; the overall channel name is used to determine the data requested by the UE cached by the first UPF network element; the first indication information is used to indicate that the fifth request is used to obtain the data cached by the first UPF network element.

[0212] Specifically, after receiving the fifth request, the first SMF network element can determine the data requested by the UE that has been cached by the first UPF network element based on the total channel name, and know the data that needs to be retrieved from the cache of the first UPF network element based on the first instruction information.

[0213] S706: The first SMF network element sends the seventh request to the first UPF network element.

[0214] Here, the request is used to request the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel with the second UPF network element to obtain the data requested by the terminal device. The first SMF network element is used to manage the first UPF network element. The seventh request includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the second UPF network element, the overall channel name, or the first indication information.

[0215] Specifically, after receiving the request message, the first SMF network element learns from the first instruction information that the request message is used to obtain cached media data. The first SMF network element finds the first UPF network element through the total channel name contained in the message and sends a signaling message to the first UPF network element.

[0216] Optionally, the first UPF network element may send a communication tunnel establishment response to the first SMF network element; and / or, the first SMF network element may send a communication tunnel establishment response to the second SMF network element; and / or, the second SMF network element may send a communication tunnel establishment response to the second UPF network element.

[0217] S707: The first UPF network element establishes a communication tunnel with the second UPF network element based on the seventh request.

[0218] Here, the communication tunnel can refer to the communication tunnel between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element.

[0219] Specifically, the first UPF network element can establish a communication tunnel between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element based on the identification information of the second UPF network element in the seventh request.

[0220] S708: The first UPF network element sends the UE request data to the second UPF network element.

[0221] Specifically, the first UPF network element can retrieve the data requested by the UE from the locally cached data based on the total channel name and / or the first indication information in the seventh request. Then, the first UPF network element sends the data requested by the UE to the second UPF network element through the communication tunnel.

[0222] S709: The second UPF network element sends the data requested by the UE to the UE.

[0223] Specifically, after receiving the data requested by the UE, the second UPF network element forwards the data to the UE, and the second UPF network element does not cache the data.

[0224] It should be noted that, Figure 7 The illustrated embodiment first locates the first SMF network element through the NRF network element, and then locates the first UPF network element through the first SMF network element, thereby avoiding different relay nodes from repeatedly caching the same data. Furthermore, this application can also first locate the GSMF network element through the NRF network element, then locate the first SMF network element through the GSMF network element, and finally determine the first UPF network element through the first SMF network element.

[0225] like Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, as detailed below.

[0226] In this scenario, before determining the first SMF network element through the GSMF network element and the first UPF network element through the first SMF network element, a PDU session needs to be established between the UE and the UPF network element. Optionally, the UPF network element here may include the first UPF network element and / or the second UPF network element. The steps in the embodiments of this application include at least:

[0227] S801: The GSMF network element sends a third request to the NRF network element.

[0228] Optionally, the GSMF network element here can be used to manage the first SMF network element and / or the second SMF network element; the first SMF network element is used to manage the first UPF network element; and the second SMF network element is used to manage the second UPF network element.

[0229] The third request here is used to request registration, and the third request includes at least one of the following: address information or instance information corresponding to the GSMF network element; the address information may refer to the IP address of the GSMF network element; the instance information may refer to the instance identifier of the GSMF network element.

[0230] S802: The NRF network element sends its first response to the GSMF network element.

[0231] Here, the first response is used to indicate successful registration.

[0232] Specifically, after receiving the third request, the NRF network element can store the address information and / or instance information corresponding to the GSMF network element in the third request, and send the first response to the GSMF network element.

[0233] S803: The UE sends a PDU session establishment request to the AMF network element.

[0234] S804: The AMF network element selects the SMF network element based on the PDU session establishment request.

[0235] S805: The AMF network element sends a context establishment request to the SMF network element.

[0236] S806: The SMF network element sends a context establishment response to the AMF network element.

[0237] S807: SMF network element selects UPF network element.

[0238] S808: The SMF network element sends an N4 session establishment request to the UPF network element.

[0239] S809: The UPF network element sends an N4 session establishment response to the SMF network element.

[0240] S810: The SMF network element sends an N2 resource transfer request to the AMF network element.

[0241] S811: The AMF network element sends an N2 resource transfer response to the SMF network element.

[0242] S812: The UE sends a service request to the UPF network element.

[0243] S813: The UPF network element sends a service request to the application server.

[0244] S814: The application server sends the UE request data to the UPF network element.

[0245] S815: The UPF network element sends the data requested by the UE to the UE.

[0246] S816: The general channel name corresponding to the data requested by the UE sent by the UPF network element to the SMF network element.

[0247] S817: The SMF network element sends a receive response to the UPF network element.

[0248] The specific implementation methods of steps S803 to S817 are the same as those of steps S603 to S617 in the above embodiment. You can refer to steps S603 to S617, and they will not be repeated here.

[0249] S818: The SMF network element sends a fourth request to the NRF network element.

[0250] The fourth request here is used to request the discovery of GSMF network elements. The fourth request can refer to Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request. The fourth request can include the target network element type, which in this case is the GSMF type.

[0251] S819: The NRF network element sends a second response to the SMF network element.

[0252] The second response here includes the address information of the GSMF network element. This address information can refer to the IP address of the GSMF network element.

[0253] S820: The SMF network element sends a second registration update request to the GSMF network element.

[0254] The second registration update request here includes the channel namespace in the total channel name in step S816.

[0255] Specifically, after receiving the second registration update request, the GSMF network element can store the channel namespace in the total channel name and send the second registration update response to the SMF network element.

[0256] S821: The GSMF network element sends a second registration update response to the SMF network element.

[0257] The second registration update response here is used to indicate that the registration update was successful.

[0258] In this embodiment, after the UPF network element stores new data as a relay node, it can send the total channel name corresponding to the cached data to the SMF network element. After receiving the total channel name, the SMF network element can obtain the address information of the GSMF network element through the NRF network element, and then send a registration update request to the GSMF network element. The registration update request includes the channel namespace supported by the SMF network element.

[0259] Furthermore, after establishing a PDU session between the UE and the UPF network element, the first SMF network element can be determined through the GSMF network element, and then the first UPF network element can be determined through the first SMF network element. A communication tunnel can be established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element, and data transmission can be performed.

[0260] like Figure 9 As shown, Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, as detailed below.

[0261] In this scenario, the first SMF network element can be determined first through the NRF network element, then the first UPF network element can be determined through the first SMF network element, and then the first UPF network element can request the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel with the second UPF network element. This helps avoid the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element repeatedly caching the same data, thereby reducing network caching overhead and accelerating the forwarding of media streams. The steps in the embodiments of this application include at least:

[0262] S901: The UE sends a service request to the second UPF network element.

[0263] S902: The second UPF network element sends a sixth request to the second SMF network element.

[0264] The specific implementation methods of steps S901 to S902 are the same as those of steps S701 to S702 in the above embodiment. You can refer to steps S701 to S702, and they will not be repeated here.

[0265] S903: The second SMF network element sends the first request to the NRF network element.

[0266] Here, the first request is used to identify the first UPF network element, and the second SMF network element is used to manage the second UPF network element. The first request may include the target network element type.

[0267] Specifically, the second SMF network element sends a first request to the NRF network element. The first request includes the target network element type, which is the GSMF type. After receiving the first request, the NRF network element can search according to the GSMF type to find the GSMF network element used to manage the first SMF network element.

[0268] S904: The NRF network element sends the first information to the second SMF network element.

[0269] Here, the first information is used to indicate the first UPF network element, and a communication tunnel can be established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element, and data transmission can be performed. The first information may include at least one of the following: address information or instance information of the GSMF network element.

[0270] Optionally, address information can refer to an IP address; instance information can refer to an instance identifier; and port information can refer to a port number.

[0271] Specifically, after receiving the first information, the second SMF network element can locate the first SMF network element through the GSMF network element based on the address information and / or instance information of the GSMF network element.

[0272] S905: The second SMF network element sends the second information to the GSMF network element.

[0273] The second piece of information here includes the channel namespace.

[0274] Specifically, after receiving the second information, the GSMF network element can query the channel namespace in the second information to find that the first SMF network element supports the channel namespace.

[0275] S906: The GSMF network element sends the third information to the second SMF network element.

[0276] The third piece of information here includes the address information of the first SMF network element. This address information can refer to the IP address of the first SMF network element.

[0277] S907: The second SMF network element sends the fifth request to the first SMF network element.

[0278] S908: The first SMF network element sends the seventh request to the first UPF network element.

[0279] S909: The first UPF network element establishes a communication tunnel with the second UPF network element based on the seventh request.

[0280] S910: The first UPF network element sends the UE request data to the second UPF network element.

[0281] S911: The second UPF network element sends the data requested by the UE to the UE.

[0282] The specific implementation methods of steps S907 to S911 are the same as those of steps S705 to S709 in the above embodiment. You can refer to steps S705 to S709, which will not be repeated here.

[0283] It should be noted that, Figures 7-9 The illustrated embodiment discovers the first SMF network element through NRF network elements and / or GSMF network elements, and then the first SMF network element requests the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel with the second network element, thereby avoiding different relay nodes repeatedly caching the same data. Furthermore, this application can also issue caching policies to the first and second SMF network elements respectively through the GSMF network element, and then establish a communication tunnel between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element based on the caching policies.

[0284] like Figure 10 As shown, Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The steps in this embodiment include at least:

[0285] S1001: The GSMF network element sends the first buffering policy to the first SMF network element.

[0286] Here, the first caching strategy instructs the first UPF network element to cache the first data, which may include data from one or more applications; the GSMF network element manages the first SMF network element and the second SMF network element; the first SMF network element manages the first UPF network element; and the second SMF network element manages the second UPF network element. The first caching strategy includes at least one of the following: application identifier information, application address information, or channel namespace corresponding to the first data; the application identifier information may refer to the APP identifier; and the application address information may refer to the application's IP address.

[0287] Specifically, after receiving the first caching policy, the first SMF network element can configure the first caching policy for the first UPF network element, thereby enabling the first UPF network element to be responsible for caching data of one or more applications.

[0288] S1002: The GSMF network element sends the second buffering policy to the second SMF network element.

[0289] Here, the second caching strategy instructs the second UPF network element to cache the second data, which is different from the first data. The second caching strategy includes at least one of the following: application identification information, application address information, or channel namespace corresponding to the second data.

[0290] It should be understood that the second data may also include data from one or more applications, but the application corresponding to the second data is different from the application corresponding to the first data.

[0291] For example, the first caching strategy is used to instruct the first UPF network element to cache data from the Douyin (TikTok) app, and the second caching strategy is used to instruct the second UPF network element to cache data from the Toutiao (ByteDance) app.

[0292] Optionally, the GSMF network element can configure the caching policy corresponding to each UPF network element in the network; or, the operations and maintenance (O&M) can configure the caching policy in the GSMF network element; or, the application function (AF) network element can notify the GSMF network element of the application message containing the caching policy through the network exposure function (NEF) network element. This application does not limit this.

[0293] Optionally, the caching strategies configured in the GSMF network element include, but are not limited to, the first caching strategy and the second caching strategy.

[0294] S1003: The GSMF network element sends the first request to the first SMF network element.

[0295] The first request here includes at least one of the following: first instruction information, identification information of the first UPF network element, or identification information of the second UPF network element; the first instruction information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element.

[0296] Specifically, the GSMF network element can determine, based on the first and second caching strategies, that the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element can share locally cached data. Then, the GSMF network element can send a first request to the first SMF network element corresponding to the first UPF network element that needs to establish a communication tunnel. After receiving the first request, the first SMF network element can request the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel from the first UPF network element to the second UPF network element based on the identification information of the first UPF network element in the first request. The specific process of establishing the communication tunnel can be referred to... Figure 12 The corresponding descriptions in the method embodiments shown are not detailed here.

[0297] It should be noted that, Figure 10 The communication method shown is that the first SMF network element triggers the establishment of a communication tunnel between different relay nodes, and the second SMF network element can also trigger the establishment of a communication tunnel between different relay nodes.

[0298] Optionally, the GSMF network element can also send a first request to the second SMF network element. The first request here is the same as the first request in step S1003, which can be referred to in step S1003, and will not be repeated here.

[0299] Specifically, after receiving the first request, the second SMF network element can, based on the identification information of the second UPF network element in the first request, request the second UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element. The specific process for establishing the communication tunnel can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 13 The corresponding descriptions in the method embodiments shown are not detailed here.

[0300] In this embodiment, sending a first caching policy to the first SMF network element and a second caching policy to the second SMF network element via the GSMF network element facilitates the first and second UPF network elements to perform data storage and / or content distribution according to their respective configured caching policies. By sending a first request, the GSMF network element can request the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel, thereby avoiding the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element from repeatedly caching the same data, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams.

[0301] For example, such as Figure 11 As shown, Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a content distribution architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. Specifically, the content distribution architecture may include a GSMF network element, a first SMF network element, a second SMF network element, a third SMF network element, a first UPF network element, a second UPF network element, and a third UPF network element. The first SMF network element manages the first UPF network element, the second SMF network element manages the second UPF network element, and the third SMF network element manages the third UPF network element. The GSMF network element can send the caching policy corresponding to the first UPF network element, the IP address, port, and TEID number of the second UPF network element to the first SMF network element. After receiving the caching policy corresponding to the first UPF network element, the first SMF network element can configure the corresponding caching policy for the first UPF network element. The IP address, port, and TEID number of the second UPF network element are used to establish a communication tunnel between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element to achieve data sharing.

[0302] The GSMF network element can also send the caching policy corresponding to the second UPF network element, the IP address, port, and TEID number of the first UPF network element to the second SMF network element. After receiving the caching policy corresponding to the second UPF network element, the second SMF network element can configure the corresponding caching policy for the second UPF network element, so that the second UPF network element can obtain the UE's target data and the total channel name corresponding to the target data. The IP address, port, and TEID number of the first UPF network element are used to establish a communication tunnel between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element to achieve data sharing.

[0303] Optionally, the GSMF network element can also send the caching policy corresponding to the third UPF network element, the IP address, port, and TEID number of the first UPF network element to the third SMF network element. After receiving the caching policy corresponding to the third UPF network element, the third SMF network element can configure the corresponding caching policy for the third UPF network element. The IP address, port, and TEID number of the first UPF network element are used to establish a communication tunnel between the third UPF network element and the first UPF network element to achieve data sharing.

[0304] For example, Figure 11 The first UPF network element can be responsible for caching the data of the first application, the second UPF network element can be responsible for caching the data of the second application, and the third UPF network element can be responsible for caching the data of the third application.

[0305] For example, Figure 11 The first UPF network element can be responsible for caching data for application A and application B, the second UPF network element can be responsible for caching data for application C, and the third UPF network element can be responsible for caching data for application D and application E.

[0306] like Figure 12 As shown, Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, as detailed below.

[0307] In this scenario, the first SMF network element can trigger the establishment of a communication tunnel between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element, thereby avoiding duplicate caching of the same data by the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams. The steps in this embodiment include at least:

[0308] S1201: The first UPF network element sends the first information to the GSMF network element.

[0309] Here, the GSMF network element is used to manage the first SMF network element and the second SMF network element; the first SMF network element is used to manage the first UPF network element; and the second SMF network element is used to manage the second UPF network element. The first information here includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the first UPF network element, the channel namespace supported by the first SMF network element, or second indication information; the channel namespace corresponds to the data cached by the first UPF network element; and the second indication information is used to indicate that the first SMF network element is used to manage the first UPF network element.

[0310] Specifically, before establishing a communication tunnel with the second UPF network element, the first UPF network element has already established a communication connection with the GSMF network element. After receiving the first information, the GSMF network element can learn about the identification information of the first UPF network element, the channel namespace corresponding to the data cached by the first UPF network element, and / or the correspondence between the first UPF network element and the first SMF network element (i.e., the first SMF network element is used to manage the first UPF network element).

[0311] Optionally, GSMF network elements can also obtain first information from O&M.

[0312] S1202: The GSMF network element sends the first buffering policy to the first SMF network element.

[0313] S1203: The GSMF network element sends the second buffering policy to the second SMF network element.

[0314] Optionally, the GSMF network element can also receive a second request from the second SMF network element, whereby the second request is used to request a second caching policy. Furthermore, upon receiving the second request, the GSMF network element can send the second caching policy to the second SMF network element based on the second request.

[0315] The specific implementation methods of steps S1202 to S1203 are the same as those of steps S1001 to S1002 in the above embodiment. You can refer to steps S1001 to S1002, which will not be repeated here.

[0316] S1204: The second SMF network element sends a paired connection establishment response to the second UPF network element.

[0317] The paired connection establishment response here is used to indicate that a paired connection has been successfully established between the second SMF network element and the second UPF network element, and includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the second caching policy or the first UPF network element.

[0318] Optionally, the second SMF network element can also receive a pair connection establishment request from the second UPF network element. Furthermore, if the pair connection establishment is triggered by the second UPF network element, the second UPF network element can send a pair connection establishment request to the second SMF network element, and the second SMF network element establishes a pair connection with the second UPF network element based on the pair connection establishment request.

[0319] Optionally, the second SMF network element can also send an even connection establishment request to the second UPF network element. Furthermore, if the even connection establishment is triggered by the second SMF network element, the second SMF network element can send an even connection establishment request to the second UPF network element, where the even connection establishment request includes the second caching strategy.

[0320] S1205: The GSMF network element sends the first request to the first SMF network element.

[0321] Here, the first request is used to instruct the first UPF network element.

[0322] The specific implementation of step S1205 is the same as that of step S1003 in the above embodiment, and can be referred to step S1003, which will not be repeated here.

[0323] S1206: The first SMF network element sends the first response to the GSMF network element.

[0324] Here, the first response is used to instruct the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel from the first UPF network element to the second UPF network element.

[0325] S1207: The first SMF network element sends the second information to the first UPF network element.

[0326] The second information here includes at least one of the following: first indication information or identification information of the second UPF network element; the first indication information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element.

[0327] S1208: The first UPF network element sends a second response to the first SMF network element.

[0328] Here, the second response is used to instruct the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel from the first UPF network element to the second UPF network element.

[0329] S1209: The first UPF network element establishes a communication tunnel from the first UPF network element to the second UPF network element based on the second information.

[0330] S1210: The first UPF network element sends the third information to the second UPF network element.

[0331] The third piece of information here indicates the data cached by the first UPF network element, and may include the channel namespace corresponding to the data cached by the first UPF network element. The third piece of information may refer to ANNOUNCE control information.

[0332] Specifically, the first UPF network element, acting as the publisher, can send ANNOUNCE control information to the second UPF network element through the communication tunnel between the first and second UPF network elements.

[0333] S1211: The second UPF network element sends subscription information to the first UPF network element.

[0334] Here, the subscription information is used to indicate the data cached by the second UPF network element, and may include the channel namespace corresponding to the data cached by the second UPF network element. The subscription information may refer to SUBSCRIBE control information.

[0335] Specifically, after receiving the third information, the second UPF network element can establish a communication tunnel between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element based on the identification information of the first UPF network element included in the response established by the paired connection in step S1204. Then, the second UPF network element sends subscription information to the first UPF network element through the communication tunnel between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element.

[0336] It should be noted that, Figure 12 The method shown is that the first SMF network element triggers the establishment of a communication tunnel between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element. In addition, the second SMF network element can also trigger the establishment of a communication tunnel between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element.

[0337] like Figure 13 As shown, Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, as detailed below.

[0338] In this scenario, the second SMF network element can trigger the establishment of a communication tunnel between the second UPF network element and the first UPF network element, thereby avoiding duplicate caching of the same data by the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element, reducing network caching overhead, and accelerating the forwarding of media streams. The steps in this embodiment include at least:

[0339] S1301: The second UPF network element sends the first information to the GSMF network element.

[0340] Here, the GSMF network element is used to manage the first SMF network element and the second SMF network element; the first SMF network element is used to manage the first UPF network element; and the second SMF network element is used to manage the second UPF network element. The first information here includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the second UPF network element, the channel namespace supported by the second SMF network element, or second indication information; the channel namespace corresponds to the data cached by the second UPF network element; and the second indication information is used to indicate that the second SMF network element is used to manage the second UPF network element.

[0341] Specifically, before establishing a communication tunnel with the first UPF network element, the second UPF network element has already established a communication connection with the GSMF network element. After receiving the first information, the GSMF network element can learn about the identification information of the second UPF network element, the channel namespace corresponding to the data cached by the second UPF network element, and / or the correspondence between the second UPF network element and the second SMF network element (i.e., the second SMF network element is used to manage the second UPF network element).

[0342] Optionally, GSMF network elements can also obtain first information from O&M.

[0343] S1302: The GSMF network element sends the second buffering policy to the second SMF network element.

[0344] The specific implementation of step S1302 is the same as that of step S1002 in the above embodiment. You can refer to step S1002, and it will not be repeated here.

[0345] S1303: The GSMF network element sends the first buffer policy to the first SMF network element.

[0346] Optionally, the GSMF network element can also receive a second request from the first SMF network element, whereby the second request is used to request the first caching policy. Furthermore, upon receiving the second request, the GSMF network element can send the first caching policy to the first SMF network element based on the second request.

[0347] The specific implementation of step S1303 is the same as that of step S1001 in the above embodiment, and can be referred to step S1001, which will not be repeated here.

[0348] S1304: The first SMF network element sends a paired connection establishment response to the first UPF network element.

[0349] The paired connection establishment response here is used to indicate that a paired connection has been successfully established between the first SMF network element and the first UPF network element, and includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the first caching policy or the second UPF network element.

[0350] S1305: The GSMF network element sends the first request to the second SMF network element.

[0351] Here, the first request is used to instruct the second UPF network element.

[0352] S1306: The second SMF network element sends the first response to the GSMF network element.

[0353] Here, the first response is used to instruct the second UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel from the second UPF network element to the first UPF network element.

[0354] S1307: The second SMF network element sends the second information to the second UPF network element.

[0355] The second information here includes at least one of the following: first indication information or identification information of the first UPF network element; the first indication information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element.

[0356] S1308: The second UPF network element sends a second response to the second SMF network element.

[0357] Here, the second response is used to instruct the first UPF network element to establish a communication tunnel from the first UPF network element to the second UPF network element.

[0358] S1309: The second UPF network element establishes a communication tunnel from the second UPF network element to the first UPF network element based on the second information.

[0359] S1310: The second UPF network element sends the third information to the first UPF network element.

[0360] The third piece of information here indicates the data cached by the second UPF network element, and may include the channel namespace corresponding to the data cached by the second UPF network element. The third piece of information may refer to ANNOUNCE control information.

[0361] S1311: The first UPF network element sends subscription information to the second UPF network element.

[0362] Here, the subscription information is used to indicate the data cached by the first UPF network element, and may include the channel namespace corresponding to the data cached by the first UPF network element. The subscription information may refer to SUBSCRIBE control information.

[0363] The first SMF network element in steps S1304 to S1311 is used to execute the various processes involving the second SMF network element in steps S1204 to S1211. The second SMF network element in steps S1304 to S1311 is used to execute the various processes involving the first SMF network element in steps S1204 to S1211. The second UPF network element in steps S1304 to S1311 is used to execute the various processes involving the first UPF network element in steps S1204 to S1211. The first UPF network element in steps S1304 to S1311 is used to execute the various processes involving the second UPF network element in steps S1204 to S1211. The specific implementation method can refer to steps S1204 to S1211 in the previous embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0364] It should be noted that after a communication tunnel is established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element, the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element can share data through the communication tunnel.

[0365] For example, such as Figure 14 As shown, Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method includes at least the following steps:

[0366] S1401: The UE sends a service request to the second UPF network element.

[0367] Here, the service request includes the total channel name corresponding to the data requested by the UE.

[0368] Specifically, after the UE establishes a PDU session with the second UPF network element, the UE can request the required data from the second UPF network element. After receiving the service request, the second UPF network element can determine whether the data requested by the UE is stored locally based on the total channel name corresponding to the data requested by the UE.

[0369] S1402: The second UPF network element sends the fourth information to the first UPF network element.

[0370] Here, the fourth piece of information indicates that the second UPF network element has not cached the data requested by the UE. The fourth piece of information may include the UE's service request.

[0371] Specifically, if the second UPF network element determines that it does not have the data requested by the UE cached locally, it can find the first UPF network element that is the subscriber based on the channel namespace in the total channel name, and then send the service request to the first UPF network element based on the identification information of the first UPF network element.

[0372] S1403: The first UPF network element sends the UE request data to the second UPF network element.

[0373] Specifically, the first UPF network element can determine the UE request data stored locally based on the total channel name contained in the service request, and then send the UE request data to the second UPF network element based on the identification information of the second UPF network element.

[0374] S1404: The second UPF network element sends the data requested by the UE to the UE.

[0375] Specifically, after the second UPF network element receives the data requested by the UE, it can forward the data to the UE.

[0376] By employing the embodiments of this application, a communication tunnel is established between the first UPF network element and the second UPF network element to achieve data sharing, either by determining the target network element through NRF network elements or by issuing caching policies through GSMF network elements. This helps avoid the first and second UPF network elements repeatedly caching the same data, thereby reducing network caching overhead and accelerating media stream forwarding. Furthermore, the transmission strength of the total channel name is used when performing data lookup, while the transmission strength of the channel namespace is used when establishing the communication tunnel. By using different transmission strengths, it is beneficial to accelerate both the query rate and the transmission rate.

[0377] The methods of the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above, and the apparatus of the embodiments of this application is provided below.

[0378] like Figure 15 As shown, Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device can be an NRF network element, or a chip or processing system within an NRF network element. This device can be used to implement any method and function related to the NRF network element in any of the foregoing embodiments. The device may include a receiving module 1501, a processing module 1502, and a transmitting module 1503. Optionally, the transmitting module 1503 corresponds to the radio frequency circuit and baseband circuit included in the NRF network element. Detailed descriptions of each module are as follows.

[0379] The receiving module 1501 is used to receive a first request from the second network element. The first request is used to determine the first relay node, and the second network element is used to manage the second relay node.

[0380] The sending module 1503 is used to send first information to the second network element. The first information is used to instruct the first relay node. A communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed.

[0381] Optionally, the first request may include at least one of the following: target network element type or channel namespace; the channel namespace is used to determine the first relay node.

[0382] Optionally, the first information includes at least one of the following: address information, instance information, or port information of the third network element; the third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

[0383] Optionally, the receiving module 1501 is also used to receive a second request from a third network element, the second request including a channel namespace supported by the third network element, the channel namespace corresponding to the data cached by the first relay node.

[0384] Optionally, the processing module 1502 is used for the first network element to store the channel namespace supported by the third network element.

[0385] Optionally, the first information includes at least one of the following: the address information or instance information of the fourth network element; the fourth network element is used to manage the third network element.

[0386] Optionally, the receiving module 1501 is also used to receive a third request from the fourth network element, the third request being used to request registration.

[0387] Optionally, the sending module 1503 is also used to send a first response to the fourth network element, the first response being used to indicate successful registration.

[0388] Optionally, the third request may include at least one of the following: address information or instance information of the fourth network element.

[0389] Optionally, the receiving module 1501 is also used to receive a fourth request from the third network element, the fourth request being used to request the discovery of the fourth network element.

[0390] Optionally, the sending module 1503 is also used to send a second response to the third network element. The second response includes the address information of the fourth network element. The address information of the fourth network element is used to instruct the third network element to request the fourth network element to store the channel namespace supported by the third network element.

[0391] Optionally, the fourth request may include the target network element type.

[0392] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to parameters. Figures 5-14 The corresponding description of the method embodiments shown above describes the methods and functions performed by the NRF network elements in the above embodiments.

[0393] like Figure 16 As shown, Figure 16This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device can be a second SMF network element, or a chip or processing system within the second SMF network element. This device can be used to implement any method and function involving the second SMF network element in any of the foregoing embodiments. The device may include a receiving module 1601 and a transmitting module 1602. Optionally, the transmitting module 1602 corresponds to the radio frequency circuit and baseband circuit included in the second SMF network element. Detailed descriptions of each module are as follows.

[0394] The sending module 1602 is used to send a first request to the first network element. The first request is used to determine the first relay node, and the second network element is used to manage the second relay node.

[0395] The receiving module 1601 is used to receive first information from the first network element. The first information is used to indicate the first relay node. A communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed.

[0396] Optionally, the sending module 1602 is also used to send a fifth request to the third network element based on the first information. The fifth request is used to request the first relay node to establish a communication tunnel with the second relay node to obtain the data requested by the terminal device. The third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

[0397] Optionally, the fifth request may include at least one of the following: identification information of the second relay node, the overall channel name, or the first indication information; the overall channel name is used to determine the data requested by the terminal device cached by the first relay node; the first indication information is used to indicate that the fifth request is used to obtain the data cached by the first relay node.

[0398] Optionally, the first request may include at least one of the following: target network element type or channel namespace; the channel namespace is used to determine the first relay node.

[0399] Optionally, the first information includes at least one of the following: address information, instance information, or port information of the third network element.

[0400] Optionally, the first information includes at least one of the following: the address information or instance information of the fourth network element; the fourth network element is used to manage the third network element.

[0401] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to parameters. Figures 5-14 The corresponding description of the method embodiment shown above executes the methods and functions performed by the second SMF network element in the above embodiments.

[0402] like Figure 17 As shown, Figure 17This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device can be a GSMF network element, or a chip or processing system within a GSMF network element. This device can be used to implement any method and function related to the GSMF network element in any of the foregoing embodiments. The device may include a receiving module 1701 and a transmitting module 1702. Optionally, the transmitting module 1702 corresponds to the radio frequency circuit and baseband circuit included in the GSMF network element. Detailed descriptions of each module are as follows.

[0403] The sending module 1702 is used to send a first caching policy to the third network element. The first caching policy is used to instruct the first relay node to cache the first data. The first network element is used to manage the second network element and the third network element. The second network element is used to manage the second relay node, and the third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

[0404] The sending module 1702 is also used to send a second caching strategy to the second network element. The second caching strategy is used to instruct the second relay node to cache the second data, which is different from the first data.

[0405] The sending module 1702 is also used to send a first request to a third network element. The first request is used to instruct the first relay node that a communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed.

[0406] Optionally, the first request includes at least one of the following: first indication information, identification information of the first relay node, or identification information of the second relay node; the first indication information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first relay node and the second relay node.

[0407] Optionally, the first caching strategy includes at least one of the following: application identification information, application address information, or channel namespace corresponding to the first data; the second caching strategy includes at least one of the following: application identification information, application address information, or channel namespace corresponding to the second data.

[0408] Optionally, the receiving module 1701 is used to receive a second request from the second network element, the second request being used to request a second caching strategy.

[0409] Optionally, the receiving module 1701 is further configured to receive first information from the first relay node, the first information including at least one of the following: identification information of the first relay node, channel namespace supported by the third network element or second indication information; the channel namespace corresponds to the first data; the second indication information is used to instruct the third network element to manage the first relay node.

[0410] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to parameters. Figures 5-14The corresponding description of the method embodiment shown above describes the methods and functions performed by the GSMF network element in the above embodiments.

[0411] like Figure 18 As shown, Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device can be a first SMF network element, or a chip or processing system within the first SMF network element. This device can be used to implement any method and function related to the first SMF network element in any of the foregoing embodiments. The device may include a receiving module 1801 and a transmitting module 1802. Optionally, the transmitting module 1802 corresponds to the radio frequency circuit and baseband circuit included in the first SMF network element. Detailed descriptions of each module are as follows.

[0412] The receiving module 1801 is used to receive a first request from a first network element. The first request is used to instruct a first relay node. A communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and a second relay node, and data transmission can be performed. The first network element is used to manage the second network element and the third network element. The second network element is used to manage the second relay node, and the third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

[0413] The sending module 1802 is used to send second information to the first relay node. The second information is used by the first relay node to establish a communication tunnel between the first relay node and the second relay node.

[0414] Optionally, the first request includes at least one of the following: first indication information, identification information of the first relay node, or identification information of the second relay node; the first indication information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first relay node and the second relay node.

[0415] Optionally, the second information includes at least one of the following: first indication information or identification information of the second relay node.

[0416] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to parameters. Figures 5-14 The corresponding description of the method embodiment shown above executes the methods and functions performed by the first SMF network element in the above embodiments.

[0417] like Figure 19 As shown, Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device can be a first UPF network element, or a chip or processing system within the first UPF network element. This device can be used to implement any method and function involving the first UPF network element in any of the foregoing embodiments. The device may include a receiving module 1901, a processing module 1902, and a transmitting module 1903. Optionally, the transmitting module 1903 corresponds to the radio frequency circuit and baseband circuit included in the first UPF network element. The detailed description of each module is as follows.

[0418] The receiving module 1901 is used to receive a seventh request from a third network element. The seventh request is used to request the first relay node to establish a communication tunnel with the second relay node to obtain the data requested by the terminal device. The third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

[0419] Processing module 1902 is used to establish a communication tunnel with the second relay node.

[0420] Optionally, the seventh request includes at least one of the following: identification information of the second relay node, the overall channel name, or the first indication information; the overall channel name is used to determine the data requested by the terminal device cached by the first relay node; the first indication information is used to indicate that the fifth request is used to obtain the data cached by the first relay node.

[0421] Optionally, the sending module 1903 is used to send data requested by the terminal device to the second relay node.

[0422] In another embodiment:

[0423] The receiving module 1901 is used to receive second information from a third network element. The second information includes at least one of first indication information and second relay node identification information. The first indication information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first relay node and the second relay node. The third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

[0424] The processing module 1902 is used to establish a communication tunnel from the first relay node to the second relay node for data transmission based on the second information.

[0425] Optionally, the sending module 1903 is used to send first information to the first network element. The first information includes at least one of the following: identification information of the first relay node, channel namespace supported by the third network element, or second indication information; the channel namespace corresponds to the first data; the second indication information is used to instruct the third network element to manage the first relay node; the first network element is used to manage the second network element and the third network element, and the second network element is used to manage the second relay node.

[0426] Optionally, the sending module 1903 is also used to send third information from the first relay node to the second relay node, the third information being used to indicate the first data.

[0427] Optionally, the third information includes the channel namespace supported by the third network element.

[0428] Optionally, the receiving module 1901 is also configured to receive fourth information from the second relay node, the fourth information being used to indicate that the second relay node has not cached the data requested by the terminal device.

[0429] Optionally, the sending module 1903 is also configured to send the data requested by the terminal device to the second relay node.

[0430] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also correspond to parameters. Figures 5-14 The corresponding description of the method embodiment shown above executes the methods and functions performed by the first UPF network element in the above embodiments.

[0431] like Figure 20 As shown, Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device is used to perform the functions of the NRF network element, the second SMF network element, the GSMF network element, the first SMF network element, and the first UPF network element in the above method embodiments, or to implement the steps or processes executed by the NRF network element, the second SMF network element, the GSMF network element, the first SMF network element, and the first UPF network element in the above method embodiments.

[0432] like Figure 20 As shown, the communication device includes a processor 2001 and a transceiver 2002. Optionally, the communication device also includes a memory 2003. The processor 2001, transceiver 2002, and memory 2003 can communicate with each other via internal connections to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 2003 stores computer programs, and the processor 2001 retrieves and runs the computer programs from the memory 2003 to control the transceiver 2002 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the communication device may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 2002 via wireless signals.

[0433] The processor 2001 and memory 2003 can be combined into a single processing device. The processor 2001 executes the program code stored in the memory 2003 to achieve the aforementioned functions. In specific implementations, the memory 2003 can be integrated into the processor 2001 or be independent of the processor 2001.

[0434] The transceiver 2002 described above can also be referred to as a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 2002 may include a receiver (or receiver circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0435] It should be understood that Figure 20 The communication device shown can achieve Figures 4-8The method embodiments shown involve various processes related to the NRF network element, the second SMF network element, the GSMF network element, the first SMF network element, and the first UPF network element. The operations and / or functions of each module in the communication device are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0436] The processor 2001 described above can be used to execute the actions implemented internally by the NRF network element, the second SMF network element, the GSMF network element, the first SMF network element, and the first UPF network element as described in the preceding method embodiments, while the transceiver 2002 can be used to execute the receiving or transmitting actions of the NRF network element, the second SMF network element, the GSMF network element, the first SMF network element, and the first UPF network element as described in the preceding method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the preceding method embodiments; they will not be repeated here.

[0437] The processor 2001 can be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor 2001 can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, etc. The communication bus 2004 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 20The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or one type of bus. The communication bus 2004 is used to implement communication between these components. In this embodiment, the transceiver 2002 is used for signaling or data communication with other node devices. The memory 2003 may include volatile memory, such as nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), phase change RAM (PRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), etc., and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory devices, such as NOR flash memory or NAND flash memory, and semiconductor devices, such as solid-state disks (SSDs). The memory 2003 may also be at least one storage device located remotely from the aforementioned processor 2001. The memory 2003 may also store a set of computer program code or configuration information. The processor 2001 can also execute programs stored in the memory 2003. The processor can cooperate with the memory and transceiver to execute any one of the methods and functions involving the NRF network element, the second SMF network element, the GSMF network element, the first SMF network element, and the first UPF network element in the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0438] This application also provides a chip, including a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being used to communicate with external or internal devices, and the processor being used to implement the methods described above.

[0439] In one possible design, the chip may further include a memory storing computer programs or instructions, which the processor executes, either from the stored computer programs or instructions or derived from other programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor implements the methods described above.

[0440] In another possible design, the chip can be integrated into the NRF network element, the second SMF network element, the GSMF network element, the first SMF network element, or the first UPF network element.

[0441] This application also provides a processor for coupling with a memory to execute any method and function involving an NRF network element, a second SMF network element, a GSMF network element, a first SMF network element, or a first UPF network element in any of the above embodiments.

[0442] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any method and function involving the NRF network element, the second SMF network element, the GSMF network element, the first SMF network element, or the first UPF network element in any of the above embodiments.

[0443] This application also provides an apparatus for performing any method and function involving an NRF network element, a second SMF network element, a GSMF network element, a first SMF network element, or a first UPF network element in any of the above embodiments.

[0444] This application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one NRF network element, at least one second SMF network element, at least one GSMF network element, at least one first SMF network element and / or at least one first UPF network element involved in any of the above embodiments.

[0445] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working process of the communication device, the unit or module within the device described above can be referred to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0446] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0447] It should be understood that the "and / or" appearing in the embodiments of this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0448] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0449] It should be understood that the symbol " / " appearing in the embodiments of this application can indicate that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship. Additionally, the symbol " / " can also represent a division sign, i.e., performing a division operation. For example, A / B can mean A divided by B.

[0450] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the NRF network element, the second SMF network element, the GSMF network element, the first SMF network element, and / or the first UPF network element may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and other operations or variations thereof may also be performed in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, the various steps may be performed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessarily necessary to perform all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0451] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first network element receives a first request from the second network element, the first request being used to determine the first relay node, and the second network element being used to manage the second relay node; The first network element sends first information to the second network element. The first information is used to instruct the first relay node. A communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first request includes at least one of the following: target network element type or channel namespace; the channel namespace is used to determine the first relay node.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: address information, instance information, or port information of the third network element; the third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network element receives a second request from the third network element, the second request including a channel namespace supported by the third network element, the channel namespace corresponding to data cached by the first relay node; The first network element stores the channel namespace supported by the third network element.

5. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: address information or instance information of the fourth network element; the fourth network element is used to manage the third network element.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network element receives a third request from the fourth network element, the third request being used to request registration; The first network element sends a first response to the fourth network element, the first response being used to indicate successful registration.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The third request includes at least one of the following: the address information or instance information of the fourth network element.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first network element receives a fourth request from the third network element, the fourth request being used to request the discovery of the fourth network element; The first network element sends a second response to the third network element. The second response includes the address information of the fourth network element, which is used to instruct the third network element to request the fourth network element to store the channel namespace supported by the third network element.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The fourth request includes the target network element type.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The second network element sends a first request to the first network element. The first request is used to determine the first relay node, and the second network element is used to manage the second relay node. The second network element receives first information from the first network element. The first information is used to instruct the first relay node. A communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed.

11. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first information, the second network element sends a fifth request to the third network element. The fifth request is used to request the first relay node to establish the communication tunnel with the second relay node to obtain the data requested by the terminal device. The third network element is used to manage the first relay node.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The fifth request includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the second relay node, the overall channel name, or the first indication information; the overall channel name is used to determine the data requested by the terminal device cached by the first relay node; The first indication information is used to instruct the fifth request to obtain the data cached by the first relay node.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The first request includes at least one of the following: target network element type or channel namespace; the channel namespace is used to determine the first relay node.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10-13, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: the address information, instance information, or port information of the third network element.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10-13, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of the following: address information or instance information of the fourth network element; the fourth network element is used to manage the third network element.

16. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network element sends second information to the fourth network element, the second information including the channel namespace; The second network element receives third information from the fourth network element, the third information including the address information of the third network element.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11-16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second network element receives a sixth request from the second relay node, the sixth request being used to request data requested by the terminal device.

18. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, The sixth request includes at least one of the following: the identification information of the second relay node, the total channel name, or the first indication information.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The fourth network element sends a first caching policy to the third network element. The first caching policy is used to instruct the first relay node to cache the first data. The fourth network element is used to manage the second network element and the third network element. The second network element is used to manage the second relay node, and the third network element is used to manage the first relay node. The fourth network element sends a second caching strategy to the second network element. The second caching strategy is used to instruct the second relay node to cache the second data, which is different from the first data. The fourth network element sends a first request to the third network element. The first request is used to instruct the first relay node that a communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed.

20. The method as described in claim 19, characterized in that, The first request includes at least one of the following: first indication information, identification information of the first relay node, or identification information of the second relay node; the first indication information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first relay node and the second relay node.

21. The method as described in claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The first caching strategy includes at least one of the following: application identification information, application address information, or channel namespace corresponding to the first data; the second caching strategy includes at least one of the following: application identification information, application address information, or channel namespace corresponding to the second data.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19-21, characterized in that, The method further includes: The fourth network element receives a second request from the second network element, the second request being used to request the second caching strategy.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19-22, characterized in that, The method further includes: The fourth network element receives first information from the first relay node, the first information including at least one of the following: the identification information of the first relay node, the channel namespace supported by the third network element, or the second indication information; the channel namespace corresponds to the first data; the second indication information is used to instruct the third network element to manage the first relay node.

24. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The third network element receives a first request from the fourth network element. The first request is used to instruct the first relay node. A communication tunnel can be established between the first relay node and the second relay node, and data transmission can be performed. The fourth network element is used to manage the second network element and the third network element. The second network element is used to manage the second relay node, and the third network element is used to manage the first relay node. The third network element sends second information to the first relay node, the second information being used by the first relay node to establish a communication tunnel from the first relay node to the second relay node.

25. The method as described in claim 24, characterized in that, The first request includes at least one of the following: first indication information, identification information of the first relay node, or identification information of the second relay node; the first indication information is used to indicate that a communication tunnel needs to be established between the first relay node and the second relay node.

26. The method as described in claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: the first indication information or the identification information of the second relay node.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, The method includes a processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9, or the processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 10-18, or the processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 19-23, or the processor configured to perform the method of any one of claims 24-26.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes the method of any one of claims 1-9, any one of claims 10-18, any one of claims 19-23, or any one of claims 24-26 to be implemented.

29. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being used to communicate with external or internal devices, and the processor being used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, 10-18, 19-23, or any one of claims 24-26.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-9, any one of claims 10-18, any one of claims 20-23, or any one of claims 24-26.

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